Cleaning Tips

The following cleaning tips may help you keep your home clean simply by using products that you probably have in your kitchen or bathroom.

Blood. Cold water or Club Soda for fresh blood. Sponge stain immediately with cold water or club soda and dry with a soft absorbent terry towel. Repeat as necessary. For dried blood use peroxide on the blood before washing.

Copper. Clean copper by rubbing a thin layer of ketchup on the surface and allowing it to dry. When the ketchup has dried rub it off with a soft cloth.

Carpet Deodorizer. Baking soda mixed with a favorite essential oil such as lavender, peppermint, rosemary or jasmine will make a great carpet and fabric deodorizer. Place a cup of baking soda in a jar, add essential oil a drop at a time and shake well to avoid clumping. Sprinkle the baking soda and essential oil mixture on the carpet or fabric and allow to stand for around 30 minutes and then vacuum.

Crayon on walls can be removed with a hair dryer. Use the hair dryer to heat up the wax so it can easily be wiped off with a cloth. If the crayon color has stained the surface - a small amount of bleach and warm water can be used to remove the stain.

Crayon on Fabric. Place the garment stain-side down on a stack of paper towels. Spray with WD-40 and let sit for five minutes. Flip garment over and spray again. Rinse well. Rub liquid dish soap into the stain. Rinse again.

Drain. To unplug or deep clean a drain pipe, allow the drain to dry completely. Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain; followed immediately with 1/2 cup vinegar. The bubbling will remove grease and soapy deposits.
Fabric and Upholstery. Many fresh stains can be removed from carpet, fabric and upholstery by using baby wipes. Simply use the wipes instead of a cloth and water.

Furniture. Water rings on finished wood can be removed by mixing 1/2 teaspoon of plain, white, non gel toothpaste with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. Dab a soft cloth in the mixture and rub in a circular motion. Within a few minutes the white mark should disappear. Furniture polish or wax over the area will help prevent any further damage.

Garbage Disposal. Cleaning a garbage disposal is easy with a sprinkling of baking soda and some liquid dishwasher or dishwashing liquid. Use a dish brush to clean out the entire unit, especially under the gasket to avoid odors. Rinse thoroughly and add a cut up lemon or lime to the disposal and turn it on. Flush with additional clean water for a nice citrus smell after cleaning.

Shoe Odor. To eliminate odors in shoes, fill old socks or the feet of old nylons with baking soda, tea leaves or even odor absorbing kitty litter. Place these little bundles in your shoes immediately after taking them off.

Sponges. To keep sponges smelling clean and free from bacteria, soak them in a weak dilution of lemon juice or vinegar, Sponges can also be placed in a laundry bag and run through the dishwasher for complete cleaning.