Here are some great cleaning tips
How to Clean Granite
Use: A few drops of dishwashing liquid and warm water
Tools to use : A cloth, sponge ,mop
Things to avoid with Granite
Avoid abrasive cleaners, which can scratch,and ammonia and nonchlorine bleach which can dull the surface
How to Clean Hardwood Cabinets
Use: A few drops of dishwashing liquid or all-purpose cleaner and warm water
Tools to use: A well wrung out cloth or sponge
How to Clean Mirrors
Use: Plain water
Tools to use: A microfiber cloth
Tips: For extremely dirty mirrors, make a solution of one part vinegar to one part warm water and use a squeegee. Keep water or the vinegar sloution away from the edge of a mirror, moisture can seep behind the glass and cause damage.
How to Clean Stainless Steel
Use: Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Tools: Old cotton sock or rag
Tips: Apply a small amount of olive oil on rag and rub into the stainless until you see no streaks After you are done rubbing the olive oil in go back over surface with a dry cloth . This also works well with black chrome finishes and is great for stainless steel appliances .
Cleaning Scuff Marks
Use 3 tbsp. Of TSP (trisodium phosphate) to a gallon of water to clean scuff marks or crayon marks off walls. TSP can be found in the paint department of a hardware store. Wear gloves and do not use on semi-gloss or gloss paint or wood surfaces.
Removing Blood from Furniture
Use hydrogen peroxide to remove blood from clothing or furniture. Rub gently.
Removing Candle Wax from Walls
Candle wax can be removed from walls or other surfaces with an iron and facial tissue. Set the tissue over the wax and gently iron. When the wax seeps through or the tissue begins to brown, apply a new tissue.
Removing Blood Stains
Corn starch can remove blood stains. Rinse the stain in cold water, then rub in moistened cornstarch. Place the item in the sun.
Removing Gum
Gum can be removed using ice to harden and a dull knife to remove
Removing Magic Marker Ink
Hair spray will remove magic-marker ink from surfaces
Removing Smoke Odor
Place a bowl of vinegar out to absorb smoke odor.
Unstick That Door
Car wax applied to a sticking door will ease opening and closing.
Repairing Cigarette Burns in Carpets
Cigarette burns in carpeting can be repaired by cutting the blackened fibers from the hole. Squeeze liquid glue into the hole and fill with fibers trimmed from carpet remnants.
Repairing Small Holes in Window Screens
Clear nail polish will repair small holes in window screens.
Quick fix for shiny wood floors.
Put a piece of waxed paper under your dust mop. Dirt will stick to the mop and the wax will shine your floors.
Cleaning Wallpaper
- To dust papered walls, tie a dustcloth over your broom and work from the top down.
- To remove pencil marks and other non-greasy spots from non-washable papers, use an art-gum eraser or a slice of fresh rye bread.
- To remove greasy spots, crayon marks and food stains, apply a paste of cleaning fluid and fuller's earth, cornstarch or whiting. Let dry and brush off. Repeat the treatment until the spot is gone.
- Wipe off fingerprints with a damp cloth, then sprinkle the moist area with fuller's earth. Let it dry and then brush it off.
- To prevent splash marks when you're washing baseboards or other woodwork, mask wallpaper with a wide ruler, venetian blind-slat or a piece of rigid plastic.
- When you save scraps of wallpaper for patching, tack them to a wall in the attic or closet. When you use them for repairs, they won't look so brand new.
Removing Water Stains
- If the fabric is non-washable, gently scratch off the stain (which is made up of mineral deposits) with your fingernail. Still there? Hold the spot over a steaming teakettle until well-dampened. As it dries, rub the stain, working from its outer edges toward the center.
- Remove hard-water stains from glasses and bottles by rubbing them with steel wool dipped in vinegar.
- Cover hard-water stains on bathroom fixtures with a paste of baking soda and vinegar. Then drape with a terry clot towel and let stand for about an hour. Wipe off, rinse and dry.
If You've Got Allergies
- Air condition your home.
- Keep bathrooms free of mold and mildew.
- Avoid pets or restrict them to certain areas.
- Damp mop hard surfaces regularly.
- Enclose your fireplace.
- Fluff drapes and rugs in dryer to remove dust.
- Use your exhaust fans.
- Vacuum mattresses.
- Don't allow smoking in your home.
- Replace furnace filters frequently.
- Vacuum everything once a week.
- Invest in an ozone-free air cleaner.
