Cleaning Tips

The snow is finally melting.  Flowers are blooming outside.  You are sick of winter.  What best than to start off your spring with one massive spring cleaning!  Here are some tips to follow to have a successful cleaning to clear out all of winter's clutter and mess!

• When you dust, start at the top and work your way down.
• Put together a "cleaning kit" before you start with all of your tools and cleaners - that way, you can avoid making multiple trips to your kitchen or storage closet.
• Remember to clean as you go thoughout the week - remember, it is easier to clean up "new" messes rather than "old" messes.
• Leaving baking soda over carpets over night will help remove musty odors.
• Use old socks as mitts for cleaning difficult wood work.
• Wash small knicknacks instead of dusting.
• Allowing cleaners to set for several minutes will ease the cleaning job.
• To dust your blinds, wrap a cloth around a ruler.  Spray cloth with a dusting spray and run the flat end across each blind.
• Shine windows using old newspaper.
• Clean windows on an average temperature day.  Clean on an overcast day to avoid streaking.
• To clean window sills, pour diluted rubbing alcohol on a cloth and rub the entire surface.  Then dust off the sill with a clean cloth.
• Rubbing alcohol can move the dull haze from mirroors.
• Clean glass shower doors with white vinegar for an extra sparkle.
• Lemon furniture oil will remove water spots on metal frames.
• Pour club soda on kitchen counter and clean with a soft cloth, rinse with water and then wipe dry.
• Baking soda or club soda will clean and shine stainless stell sinks easily.
• For a white porcelain sink, place paper towels across the bottom of your sink and saturate with household bleach.  Let sit for a few hours and then rinse.  Never use bleach on colored sinks.
• A few drops of vanilla extract on a piece of cotton placed in the fridge will eliminate odors.
• Wipe fridge with vinegar to prevent mildew.
• Put a piece of waxed paper under your dust mop.  Dirt will stick to the mop and the wax will shine your floors.
• To remove spilled candle wax, put a paper bag on top and lightly iron.