Posts Tagged ‘Cleaning Tips’
Monday, May 31st, 2010
Certain home maintenance tasks should be performed on an annual or semi-annual basis. Appropriate tasks for spring or early summer include ensuring that window screens and the cooling system are ready for the impending warmer weather, checking for water damage around the home or garden and performing a seasonal check on home safety equipment such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
[credit: kaiton]
Inspect each window screen and remove for a thorough cleaning, if possible. Repair small problems or completely re-screen, if necessary. Consider switching to finer mesh screening in areas where midges are a nuisance. (more…)
Tags: Cleaning Tips, spring, WATER, Weather
Posted in Appliances, Cleaning Tips, DIY, Holidays, Home, Interesting, Kitchen | No Comments »
Sunday, May 9th, 2010
A pressure washer can be a useful and coveted addition to a homeowner’s collection of tools. Unfortunately, a pressure washer used improperly or in the wrong area can also cause a lot of damage. Understanding how and where to use a pressure washer is essential.
A pressure washer is handy for many outdoor cleaning tasks, such as washing sidewalks, driveways or detached window screens. Care should be taken around rockwork or when special landscaping materials are present, however. Always test the washer in an inconspicuous area and adjust the pressure level or discontinue use, if necessary.
A pressure washer is commonly used to clean siding prior to painting. Exercise extreme caution when spraying exterior walls. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding pressure level and angle of spray. Avoid windows, doorways and eves. Also, to avoid creating leaks, never use a pressure washer to clean the roof.
Do not use a pressure washer to wash the family car. Although invaluable for many chores, the high pressure generated by a quality washer may damage the paint or window seals. When washing a vehicle, confine the use of a pressure washer to the undercarriage. (more…)
Tags: Cleaning Tips, Pressure washer, WATER
Posted in Appliances, Cleaning Tips, Home, WATER | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 6th, 2010
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Spring is here and with the season comes the traditional spring-cleaning. In addition to the long-standing practice of deep cleaning each spring, the brighter days and warmer weather often inspire the desire for a clean, fresh indoor environment. But with so much to do, where is the best place to start?
Start at the Top
Ceilings and high shelves or corners are easily overlooked during the dim days of winter and are often the most neglected areas in the home. Cleaning these places makes an immediate and highly visible impact. To get the most out of your spring cleaning, use a duster attached to a long handle to clean the area where the walls meet the ceiling in each room. Also dust around light fixtures or anything attached to, or suspended from, the ceiling. Pay special attention to cobwebs and shake the duster outside often during this process. Remove and clean all items from high shelves and replace after the shelves have been thoroughly cleaned. (more…)
Tags: Cleaning Tips, DIY, Spring cleaning, WATER
Posted in Appliances, Cleaning Tips, DIY, Holidays, Home | No Comments »
Sunday, December 27th, 2009
Once the holidays are over, the real work often begins. Cleaning up after the holidays can be a daunting task. To make clean up easier, ask for help. Enlist the aid of family members and the job should be finished in no time!
Remove Decorations
Unless the decorations are fragile or of sentimental value, this is a great job for kids. Have them carefully remove ornaments from the tree and wrap or box them. Especially outside, avoid climbing up and down a ladder by handing lights and garlands to someone on the ground. (more…)
Tags: Cleaning Tips, Gift Wrap, holdays, Shopping
Posted in Cleaning Tips, Holidays, Home | 1 Comment »
Thursday, November 5th, 2009
Dust mites are microscopic bugs that eat dead skin cells shed by humans and pets. Although dust mites don’t bite, their waste products can cause allergies and asthma. Congregating in the soft surfaces of a home, such as carpets, bedding and upholstery, dust mites are particularly fond of warm, humid environments.
Ridding your home of dust mites is essential to the respiratory health of your family. Especially in homes where asthma or allergies are already an issue, effectively dealing with dust mites on a regular basis can make a huge difference in the health and comfort of family members. Follow these steps for a dust mite-free home.
To eradicate dust mites, start with bedding. Wash all bedding for humans and pets in hot water. Encase mattresses and pillows in dust mite-proof covers. Replace non-washable items, such as throw pillows or stuffed animals. If a non-washable item must be kept, tumble it in the dryer for several minutes on high heat. (more…)
Tags: Cleaning Tips, Health, House dust mite, WATER
Posted in Cleaning Tips, Health, Home | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009
A variety of non-toxic cleaning products can be made at home with a few simple ingredients. All that is needed for most cleaning jobs is baking soda, washing soda, white distilled vinegar and liquid soap or detergent. Optional ingredients include olive oil, lemon juice and tea tree oil.
Cleaning
To make an all-purpose cleaner, combine ½ teaspoon washing soda and a bit of liquid soap with 500ml water and shake until the soda dissolves completely. Spray on surfaces to be cleaned and wipe off with a cloth. (more…)
Tags: cleaning, Cleaning Tips, Detergent, home clean, home cleaning, Lemon, Olive oil, Vinegar, WATER
Posted in Cleaning Tips, Home, Kitchen | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
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Splatters from food and spilled sauces quickly build up making your microwave look untidy and smell bad. Thankfully, by using this simple technique, you can have your microwave clean and fresh again. All you’ll need is a microwave-safe bowl, some water, and a washcloth.
First, fill a microwave-safe bowl with water. Try to use the largest bowl that you own that fits in your microwave. Place the water-filled bowl inside and set the timer for about five minutes. Watch carefully as the water heats and allow it to steam for long enough that it fogs up the microwave door. Once it is steamed up, turn the microwave off but do not open the door. The goal here is to let the steam soften up any dried-up food on the walls of your microwave. Without letting the steam dissipate completely, open the microwave door and remove the bowl. (more…)
Tags: Appliances, cleaning, Cleaning Tips, Cooking, Home, Kitchen, Microwave, WATER
Posted in Appliances, Cleaning Tips, Kitchen | No Comments »
Friday, July 24th, 2009
It is possible to have a natural and clean home using common items found in the house. Here are some eco-friendly cleaning tips you can use in your home that will also save you some money in your wallet.
Cut up used t-shirts as cleaning rags. Since these are soft, they are ideal for washing glass and windows without leaving a scratch. They can also be used for grimy jobs in which you wish to dispose of the rag afterward.
Mix a natural cleaning solution by mixing one part vinegar to one part water in an empty spray bottle. It is safe to use on hard surfaces in the kitchen, bathroom and even in the children’s play area. Vinegar can also be used to degrease dirty pots and pans. (more…)
Tags: Boiling, cleaning, cleaning on budget, Cleaning Tips, eco-friendly tips, Home, natural cleaning, Sodium bicarbonate, Spray bottle, Vinegar
Posted in Cleaning Tips, DIY, Eco, Home | 1 Comment »
