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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September 21st, 2009
There are a number of cleaning cloths in the market, made with a variety of materials and meant to last anywhere from a few cleanings to over 1,000. Bullywipe belongs to the second group. Long-lasting plant-based cleaning cloths have other benefits besides their durability. For starters, they’re greener. Made without animal by-products, they can be used without the addition of chemicals. In fact, this type of fiber often works best without anything other than water added to it. Plant-based cleaning cloths have a natural surface that is perfect for scrubbing without tearing or damaging delicate items.
Another major advantage of a plant-based cleaning cloth is that they don’t produce lint. This is essential when cleaning upholstery or paper-based products, which would attract link and could be ruined if cleaned with other products.
Finally, Bullywipe can be washed and hung to dry over and over without the need for chemicals, bleach or special detergents. In fact, you can throw Bullywipe in with your general laundry and rest assured that both your clothes and the cleaning cloth will come out looking as new.
Tags: cleaning cloth, green cleaning, plant-based cleaning cloth
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September 21st, 2009
Plant-based cleaning cloths have a number of benefits, which Bullywipe has managed to group into a single product. If you’re considering the use of a natural cleaning cloth but don’t know why it would be the best option, here are some reasons:
- It’s environmentally-friendly. It’s made with green materials, rather than animal byproducts.
- It reduces the need for cleaning chemicals.
- It’s gentle on most surfaces while still retaining a scrub-like quality.
- It produces no lint.
- It’s streak-free.
- It can be reused over 2,000 times, reducing waste and saving you money on paper towels.
- It can be rinsed in water and reused immediately, reducing cleaning time and water waste.
- It works as well on stainless steel appliances and floors as it does on windows, mirrors ad computer screens.
- It can be used to clean delicate items such as jewelry, books and ceramics.
- It’s the only type of cleaning cloth that requires very little water to work well, making it ideal to clean leather, paper and other materials that shouldn’t be wet.
Tags: cleaning cloth, good cleaning products
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September 21st, 2009
Cleaning doesn’t have to take forever. In fact, if you clean regularly and keep your house relatively free of clutter, overall maintenance shouldn’t take more than a few minutes a day. If you’ve been stalling, though, and now want to get your house looking speck-free in under an hour, here are some tips on how to clean well and clean fast.
Have two cleaning cloths ready: one wet and one dry. That way you can wipe and dry (when necessary) in one move, rather than having to come back later to do it.
If you plan on using cleaning products, such as furniture polish or window cleaners, have a third cleaning cloth handy just for that purpose. Most surfaces can be cleaned using just some warm water, so you should have a special cloth designated just for that.
Keep your pets and kids out of the room as you’re cleaning. Always start on the corner furthest away from the door and clean towards the exit. When you’re done, close the door and let things air dry without paws or dirty shoes tracking dirt around.
Scuffmarks on vinyl floors can be removed by rubbing an eraser directly on the mark and then wiping out any lint with a wet cleaning cloth.
If you used a cleaning cloth to clean your floors, you will need to put it aside, preferably on warm water and detergent, to help get rid of bacteria. Never reuse a cleaning cloth on a completely different surface without washing it and do not take a cleaning cloth from one room to the next to prevent bacteria to spread throughout the house. Start with a clean cloth for each room.
Tags: cleaning, cleaning cloth, cleaning fast, cleaning your home fast
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