Aug 22 2008
Some Useful House Cleaning Tips!
Cleaning is the first thing that cannot be avoided to maintain a peaceful environment at home. Keep the house clean and free from dust and molds. Give a regular cleaning to doors, windows and other household articles. Here are some useful tips that can help you during cleaning:
Clean Windows: You can wash windows on a cloudy, but not rainy day. Working in direct sunlight causes streaks because the cleaning solution dries before you can wipe it off. This is the best time to vacuum the frames and sills. Add 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar per gallon of water in case of excess dirt over the window. Use horizontal strokes on the inside and vertical on the outside so you know which side the streaks are on. Use rough newspaper or expensive paper towels to wipe the pane. Wear rubber gloves to keep your hands free of ink.
Clean Doors: Doors should be neat and clean. It gives a positive impression to the visitor. Scrub the door from top to bottom with a rag and soapy water, using a scrub brush for especially tough spots. Take care of the most missed spot, upper side of the door also.
Start from the top: Always start at the top of the room and work your way down. The reverse can make the lower part dusty again when you go for top cleaning. Also take all your cleaning tools with you into each room. It will avoid unnecessary trips back and forth.
Use baking soda: There should be no foul smell in the house. A house that smells fresh will give the impression of cleanliness. Leave baking soda on carpeting for the night to absorb musty odors, vacuum in the morning.
Use astro-turf mat: On the porch you can put a big astro turf mat to cut down on tracked in dirt. This will help reducing dirt on the floor from outside.
Assign duties: Get the entire family involved. Make everyone in charge of making his or her own bed and picking up their stuff. In case you are alone and need help, hire a helper.
Assign Priority: In case you have not enough time to clean the whole house, assign priorities to your work. If your time is limited decided what is most important. Choose the most important first and go towards lower priorities later.
Make a checklist: Make a list of tasks you have to do. When a job is completed, check it off - you’ll feel as though you are really accomplishing something. This will also help to not forget anything important.
Indoor Plants: If you have some indoor plants, they should be cleaned. Remember, plants get dusty too. You can clean small plants in the kitchen sink, and larger ones with a shower in the bathroom or outside open space if any.
Clean Mirrors: Mirrors got marks of hair spray. Use a little a little rubbing alcohol on a soft cloth and wipe them.
Doorknobs: Always disinfect doorknobs, switch-plates and telephones. They collect germs from everyone who touches them.
Crayon marks on wall: Use toothpaste or ammonia soaked cloth to remove crayon marks from painted walls. Rub at the spots and then Rinse. Let them dry.
Wood floors: to shine your 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.
For candle wax: If there is spilled wax on carpets and upholstery, put a brown paper bag over the dried wax and run a hot iron over it. The bag will absorb the hot wax.
For Combs and Brushes: Mix baking soda and hot water to clean hair brushes and combs.
For Glass Table Tops: Rub a little lemon juice on the glass top and dry with paper towels. Polish with newspaper for a clean look. To remove small scratches, toothpaste can be used.
For Polishing Furniture: Dip old toothbrush into furniture polish and brush lightly on carved furniture. To remove polish build-up mix one cup water and one cup vinegar. Dip soft cloth in the mixture and wring out excess of it and wipe on the furniture. Dry immediately with another soft, dry cloth.
Cleaning Tiles: Remove stains and dirt with mild soap and water.
For Wallpaper: Use an art-gum eraser or a slice of fresh rye bread to remove pencil marks and other non-greasy spots from non-washable papers. To remove greasy spots, crayon marks and food stains; apply a paste of cleaning fluid and fuller’s earth, cornstarch or whiting. Brush off after drying.
Cleaning Marble: To remove stains, sprinkle salt on a fresh cut lemon. Rub very lightly over stain. Do not rub hard or you will ruin the polished surface. Rinse with soap-water mixture and then by clean water again.
