August 3rd, 2010
Lack of time or lack of chemical products can make cleaning difficult. The truth, however, is that a simple cleaning cloth and just a couple of other tools should be enough to clean everything around the house, yard or car. Just follow a logical few steps and cleaning should be a breeze.
- Gather all materials. No matter what you’re cleaning, you’ll need at least two cleaning cloths. Instead of buying a number of different cleaners for every room, get a multi-purpose cleaner and a glass cleaner. Those two should be enough for the whole house. For furniture or car interior, you might want to get a specialty product.
- Wet one of the cloths and gather all dust or superficial debris. You can use some cleaning product if there are stains or more stubborn dirt, but water should be enough for just dust. Dry the surface with the second cloth to avoid streaking.
- Repeat the procedure using an appropriate cleaning product rather than just water. This is an essential step when cleaning upholstery or dealing with mud or stubborn dirt. Using a product at this stage will also get rid of smells.
- Always start with the larger spaces first. Clean furniture, floors or the outside of your car. Then move on to the smaller areas and those that need attention because of stains. Small items such as figurines and collectibles should be cleaned with a dry cloth or specialty products only.
Tags: cleaning, Cleaning Tips, quick cleaning
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May 31st, 2010
Water stains are probably one of the toughest types of stains to remove. Whether they’re on your couch, your rug or your table, getting rid of them will require some patience and a bit of a rough hand.
Water stains will respond well to acidic ingredients, so look around your kitchen for a fresh lemon, white vinergar and baking soda. You can rub the lemon or spray the vinegar directly on the stain, or you can create a paste with the vinegar and baking soda and apply it on the stain. Whatever option you choose, let the acid stay on the stain for 15-20 minutes before you do anything else.
Now use a cleaning cloth slightly wet with water to remove any excess of paste or liquid. Once the area looks clean, grab a second wet cleaning cloth and rub vigorously. Chemical cleaners might be needed for more stubborn stains, but the process will be the same.
Tags: cleaning stains, stain removal, water stain
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March 13th, 2010
Pine furniture has many benefits. For starters, it’s cheap, so even those on a budget should be able to afford enough pieces to fill out their houses. Also, pine comes in a neutral unfinished color, so it can be easily stained and adapted to match your home décor, whatever it might be. Because of its low price tag, however, many people pay little to no attention to their care and resort to using detergents or regular polish sprays to clean it. The problem with this is that pine is a breathable wood, so it absorbs humidity quickly and can easily bend or crack if too much is added.
To care for pine furniture properly, keep these tips in mind:
Use a dry or slightly wet Bullywipe cleaning cloth to wipe off dust or surface stains. Do not add detergents or other general cleaners to the water. If you have dark stains, check in advance if there is a product recommended by the manufacturer that you can use to clear them. If not, check online for cleaning tips on the specific type of stain you encounter (ink, water, etc.)
To get rid of superficial scratches or restore the wood to its natural shine, use some block wax and rub vigorously using a dry cleaning cloth. Let air dry (the wood might look waxy and appear wet for a while) but do not place near a heating source or under direct sunlight, as this can warp the wood.
Tags: caring for wood, pine furniture, wood cleaning
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January 16th, 2010
You don’t have to wait till spring to give your house a makeover. In fact, attacking dirt early on will make things easier once the next season rolls around. Here are five things you can do in advance to make the real spring cleaning a much more bearable task:
1. Clean under and behind large pieces of furniture. Move the bookcases and wardrobes and sweep underneath. Clear the cobwebs from the corner and behind the fridge or stove.
2. Clean the inside of your refrigerator using a wet cleaning cloth and vinegar. This will kill any bacteria present. Put an open box of baking soda inside the fridge to absorb future odors.
3. Throw away or donate any clothes that no longer fit. Anything you don’t love or wear regularly should go too. The same goes for exercise equipment, old books and magazines and anything that is taking space in your garage or basement.
4. Attack the stains in your microwave. Mix one part vinegar and two parts water into a spray bottle. Spray the inside of the microwave, making sure all areas are covered. Heat on high for 15-20 seconds and then let stand for a few hours. Use a wet cleaning cloth to wipe off any remaining stains (they should be lose and easy to clean by then).
5. Set aside anything that requires fixing or mending. This could be a lamp that requires a bulb change or a table that needs to have the hinges or screws adjusted. Fix everything you can and decide what happens with the rest. You either pay somebody to fix it or you throw it away. Unless it’s serving a purpose, it has to go.
Tags: clean your house, donation, spring cleaning
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January 16th, 2010
Most stains can be removed by simply washing the item in cold water. If necessary, you might want to place a drop of liquid detergent on top of the stain and let it stay for about half an hour before washing the item as usual. Heavier stains require more work, but most can be eliminated, even if it takes several goes at it.
For heavier or large stains, presoak the item in a bucket of water mixed with liquid detergent. Stir every few minutes and let it sit for about 30 minutes. If the stain is fresh, you might want to try and absorb as much of it as possible before you put the garment into water. To do it, simply place a cleaning cloth on top and press on the stain. Bloat repeatedly over the stain in case something remains.
Some stains may require commercial products. For example, there is a special ink remover on sale that will work better than simply using soap and water.
Tags: clean clothes, get rid of stains, ink stains, stain removal
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January 16th, 2010
Rather than using strong chemicals and products to keep the house germ-free, there are cleaner, healthier options, of which aromatherapy may not be the most obvious. The truth, however, is that essential oils are excellent to remove odors, disinfect and freshen the house.
To make a basic cleaner, mix water with a few drops of eucalyptus, lemon, lavender or pine essential oils. Wet a cleaning cloth in the water and use it to clean all surfaces in the room, including furniture, appliances and counters. You can also put the mix into a spray bottle. Switch to a larger cloth and mop the floor with the same mix. Orange and lemon oils are especially good for the floor. Always use a new, dry cloth to go over the surfaces you clean and clear away any residues or remaining moisture.
You can also mix lavender with water and use it spray upholstery, linens and curtains to deodorize the rooms. If you spray the towels after washing them but before putting them into the dryer, you will “dry the aroma into the fabric,” so it will last longer than usual.
Do keep in mind that essential oils can be poisonous if ingested in large quantities. Pets and children are especially at risk.
Tags: cleaning, essential oils, green cleaning, house cleaning
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December 6th, 2009
Kids and cleanliness may not be common synonyms. It is possible, however, to keep kids’ bedrooms in relative good shape if you treat stain and dirt aggressively and make sure things are cleaned on a regular basis (rather than waiting until the place looks like a war zone). A good way to do this is to keep a cleaning cloth handy and to wipe off spills and stains as soon as you see them. You can also teach your kid to do it by keeping a cleaning cloth handy and telling him to use whenever something spills.
Because young kids tend to explore the world by putting things in their mouths, avoid using chemicals to clean toys. Instead, use a cloth wet with warm water (and maybe a few drops of chlorine) to wipe off or disinfect things. To remove stickers from walls, carpets or products, use WD-40, Ben Gay ointment or fingernail polish remover. Apply over the area, let sit for a few minutes and then scrub with a plastic sponge. End by wiping the area with a wet cleaning cloth.
Tags: children, cleaning bedroom, organizing
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December 6th, 2009
Few people give cleaning wallpaper a second thought. In fact, few clean it at all. The truth, however, is that wallpaper should be cleaned at least once a month in order to ensure it lasts and retains its original vibrant color and feel. How you clean the wallpaper depends on a variety of factors, including whether stains (and which kind) are present, the colors of the paper and the materials available.
The first step in cleaning wallpaper is to dust it using a dry cleaning cloth. Brush the cleaning cloth in a single direction, up to down, to remove any dust without creating lines or strikes. Follow up with a slightly wet cloth in the same direction. Simple marks, such as fingerprints or pencil/crayon stains, may come off at this point. If they don’t, try using a simple eraser to get rid of them. Don’t brush too hard, though, or you risk ruining the paper.
Cleaning fluid can be used to get rid of more stubborn stains, but don’t spray it directly on the wallpaper. Instead, get the cleaning cloth wet and then rub on the wall. Try it out on a corner or hidden spot first, in case the product affects the color.
Tags: cleanning wallpaper, stain cleaning
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December 5th, 2009
Tiles present a particular challenge during cleaning, as they can sometimes accumulate mold and require a scrubbing before they can be properly cleaned. To clean ceramic tile in the kitchen or bathroom, mix an even amount of ammonia and water and use a Bullywipe cloth to sponge the solution into the tiles. Wash using warm water or let the shower run on hot for a couple of minutes to help the dirt loosen up. Rinse and repeat if you can still see stains, especially on the grout between tiles. Plastic tiles can be washed with a solution mix of pure lemon oil and water. There’s usually no scrubbing needed and using a cleaning cloth should be enough to shine the tiles clean.
Porcelain tiles are the most difficult to clean, as they absorb stains and can become resistant to common cleaning methods. To get rid of stubborn stains, you can use lighter fluid and a nylon scrub pad. Rinse with a wet cleaning cloth and warm water.
Tags: cleaning tiles, tile stain
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September 21st, 2009
Books that have been left in storage for a long time, especially in cardboard boxes and without protection, can develop mold, get dirty or become stained and soiled. While serious mold or other conditions can ruin a book to the point of no return, in most cases it is possible to rescue it if you catch the problem early enough.
To get started, get your Bullywipe cleaning cloth slightly wet. Do not soak it in water, as this can ruin the paper. Do not use tissue paper or other type of cleaning cloth that produces lint. Start by cleaning the covers and spine before you open the book. This will prevent any dust from getting on the pages and causing stains.
Clean both the cover and the pages moving the cleaning cloth horizontally or vertically towards one of the edges. Do not scrub and don’t clean in circles, as this can cause the paper to tear. Do this even if there is mold on just one corner –Resist the temptation to go over the same area over and over. This can cause discoloration or weaken the material.
Use a second, dry cleaning cloth to go over the same area to eliminate any remaining wetness. Place the book in an area that’s well ventilated so it can dry naturally.
Tags: books cleaning, cleaning books
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