You are here: Home / Archives for Cleaning

You’ve Heard of Spring Cleaning, But What About Fall Cleaning? Here’s How to Prepare Your Home for Cooler Weather

September 9, 2016 by

It's common to clean your home top to bottom every spring, but after a long summer of travel and recreation, it may need a good fall cleaning as well. Use this checklist to clean your home in a way that helps you to prepare for the fall season.

  • Wash all of the windows to remove the stuck-on summer bugs, dust and other summer debris.
  • Give hardwood or tile floors a good sweeping and mopping. Even though most people sweep their floors and occasionally go over them with a handheld spray mop, this is a good time to give them a really thorough cleaning.
  • Vacuum the carpets and shake out area rugs. If you have pets, sprinkle them with an odor eliminating powder before vacuuming.
  • Clean inside of light fixtures. This includes lamp shades, kitchen light fixtures (which can easily be removed with a screw driver), and any outside sconces.
  • Remove all of the contents from the kitchen cupboards and clean them. Do the same with the refrigerator.
  • Do a run-down of all of the clothes in your drawers and closets. Place the clothes that you don't wear in a pile to donate to your local thrift store.
  • Clean any patio or outdoor furniture. If you have a storage area, now is the time to pack the furniture away for the cold season.

Fall Cleaning Checklist [Real Simple]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: ,

Cool and Unexpected Uses for Coconut Oil

June 16, 2016 by

Coconut oil may be having a moment in the wellness world, but this do-it-all oil has actually been in many people’s rotations for years now. If you’re looking for ways to really get your money’s worth with that economy-sized jar of coconut oil, here are just a few unexpected ways to use it!

  1. As wood polish. Coffee table looking a bit worse for the wear? Give it a new lease on life by placing a small amount of coconut oil on a soft, clean rag and rubbing it on the surface in small circles.
  2. To season cast iron skillets. If you’re not sure how to properly care for your cast iron skillet, frequently rubbing it down with coconut oil is a good place to start.
  3. To soothe skin irritations. From diaper rash to eczema, coconut oil is a wonderful way to soothe all kinds of rashes and irritations. You can even rub it on minor cuts and burns to prevent scarring.
  4. In place of coffee. Take a small spoonful of coconut oil each morning when you wake up for a quick energy boost that’s just as good as coffee.
  5. As shaving cream. Rub coconut oil all over your legs, face and anywhere else you shave to act as an all-natural shaving cream. As a bonus, it even prevents red bumps and ingrown hairs.

21 Miraculous Uses for Coconut Oil [Wonder How To]
31 of My Favorite Uses for Coconut Oil [Thank Your Body]
Everything You Need to Know About Coconut Oil [Shape]
101 Uses for Coconut Oil [Wellness Mama]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

When Life Gives You Lemons, Use Them to Clean! Here’s How!

April 15, 2016 by

Did you know that lemons work as a natural disinfectant, a stain remover, a polish for metals, and so much more? Try these simple cleaning tips using the power of citrus!

  • Scrub your dirty dishes or plastic containers with a recently juiced lemon and a little bit of coarse salt to remove any stains or smells. This also works for wooden cutting boards.
  • Rub some lemon juice on a sponge and leave it in your refrigerator for several hours to remove any odors.
  • Give your microwave a good cleaning by mixing three tablespoons of lemon juice and one and a half cups of water into a microwave-safe bowl. Place the bowl into your microwave and put it on high for five to ten minutes. Then just wipe away any remaining spots with a dishrag.
  • Make your own eco-friendly household cleaner with citrus peels and white vinegar. Simply place citrus peels in a glass mason jar, then pour enough vinegar over top to cover the peels. Let the mixture infuse for two weeks, then strain out the vinegar into a spray bottle!

Cleaning With Lemon Juice [DIY Network]
10 Clever Ways to Clean With a Lemon [The Kitchn]
34 Useful Reasons to Load Up On Lemons [Reader’s Digest]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

How to Clean Your Microwave Without Harsh Chemicals

February 19, 2016 by

From reheating leftovers to warming up bowls of canned soup, your microwave sees a whole lot of messes from its various daily tasks. You may think that you need to use a store-bought cleanser to get out those tough, caked-on stains, but if you want to avoid those harsh chemicals, you can actually make your own cleanser at home. Follow these steps for cleaning your microwave in an all-natural way.

  1. Pour one cup of vinegar into a microwave-safe bowl, and then add one cup of hot water and stir the two together.
  2. Place the bowl with its vinegar solution in the center of the microwave and turn it on. Let it run on average power for 10 minutes.
  3. Keep an eye on the bowl and remove it from the microwave when you notice it starting to boil (likely somewhere between 5 and 10 minutes). Note: Be sure to use an oven mitt, as the bowl will be very hot.
  4. Wet a rag with lukewarm water and give the inside a good wipe-down to remove the now-loosened debris inside.
  5. Once all of the debris is steam cleaned away, create a simple solution of lemon juice and water. Dip another rag into the homemade cleanser and give the microwave another wipe-down to freshen things up.

How to Clean Your Microwave Naturally With Just a Lemon [The Kitchn]
How to Clean and Shine Your Microwave Without Cleaner [One Good Thing]
Use a Lemon to Make Cleaning the Microwave Easy [Lifehacker]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

How to Clean and Disinfect Wooden Cutting Boards

August 14, 2015 by

A wooden cutting board is an essential tool in any kitchen, but it's also one of the most confounding items when it comes to cleaning and disinfecting. Can you use water? Should you wash with regular dish soap? The list of questions is never-ending, but these tried-and-true methods will show you how it's done!

  1. The lemon and salt method. If you’re partial to using all-natural cleaning techniques in your kitchen, this may be the cutting board method for you. Simply sprinkle the cutting board with coarse salt, then use half of a lemon to scrape away deep-set stains and bacteria.
  2. The bleach method. Create a solution of 2 tablespoons of bleach per 1 gallon of water, then wipe your cutting board using quick, swift motions to avoid waterlog. Be sure to rinse thoroughly before using.
  3. The vinegar method. Another great all-natural way to clean your cutting board is by using simple white vinegar. Sprinkle baking soda all over the cutting board and spray it with a spray bottle of vinegar, as the vinegar has natural disinfecting properties. Allow the paste to bubble, then wipe it away with a cold, wet cloth.
  4. The hydrogen peroxide method. First, wipe your cutting board with a paper towel soaked in white vinegar, then finish the job with a second paper towel soaked in hydrogen peroxide to kill germs.

How to Clean a Cutting Board: 7 Effective Treatments [Reader’s Digest]
How To Clean a Wooden Cutting Board with Lemon and Salt [The Kitchn]
How to Clean a Cutting Board [Clorox]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Party Safe: Tips for Serving a Safe Food Buffet

March 19, 2015 by

When you have a large group of people over for dinner, serving food buffet-style ensures that everyone gets exactly what they want. But how can you be sure that everything stays fresh, from appetizers to dessert? Here are a few tips for serving a safe food buffet.

  1. Buy foods at the proper temperature. Things like fried chicken, casseroles, and ice cream should be kept at the same temperature from the store to the buffet table, as changing their temperatures too much can cause food to spoil.
  2. Know the proper temperatures. Hot food should be kept between 140° and 165° Fahrenheit, while cold food should be kept at 40° Fahrenheit and lower.
  3. Don’t leave food out for longer than two hours. Be sure to include preparation and serving in your count.
  4. Use the proper tools. To ensure that food is kept at the proper temperature, use things like slow cookers, warming trays, and nesting dishes in bowls of ice. To prevent guests from mixing foods, make sure that you provide a separate spoon, spatula, or tongs in each dish. Also provide individual bowls for dips to discourage guests from double-dipping.

Serving Up Safe Buffets [FDA]
Serving Prepared Foods Safely [Whole Foods]
Holiday or Party Buffets [USDA]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Helpful Tips for Cleaning Leather and Suede

October 17, 2014 by

Suede leather items like shoes, bags, and wallets are beautiful and last a very long time, but they’re also quite expensive. Because these items are so valuable, it’s important to take great care when cleaning them. Here are a few tips to help you properly clean suede.

Take precautions. One of the best ways to protect your suede leather belongings from staining is by treating them before you even use them. Stains and waterproofing sprays for suede can be purchased from your local shoe store. By carefully applying them to your purse or shoes before wearing, you can shield them from rain, food stains, and even stains from your own hands.

Brush away scuffs. Instead of attempting to remove scuffs with wet or damp cloths, use a dry, soft brush meant for suede. Gently yet firmly brush back and forth to remove dried mud, scuffs, and other debris.

Properly remove stains. If your suede items do become stained with oil (and they likely will), don’t panic. Simply sprinkle the stain with baby powder or cornstarch and wipe it away gently once it becomes oily. For wet, non-oily stains, blot away the moisture with a clean cloth, then use a suede brush to restore the texture.

Save Your Shoes & Purses! How to Clean Suede and Leather [iVillage]
How to Clean Suede [HowToCleanStuff.net]
How do I Remove Stains from Suede Leather? [AboutHome]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

5 Household Uses for Borax

April 25, 2014 by

Are spray bottles filled with various cleaning solutions stealing your valuable cabinet space? Consider streamlining your cleaning routine by using borax, a naturally occurring white mineral more aptly known as sodium tetraborate. This eco-friendly powder can be used in many applications throughout the home, from cleaning and deodorizing to DIY bouncy balls for the kids. Here are a few uses for borax:

1. Laundry Booster
Add one-half cup of borax to your washing machine to help boost the effectiveness of your regular detergent.

2. All-Purpose Cleaner
Fill a spray bottle with two tablespoons borax and two of cups hot water. Use the solution to clean countertops, kitchen appliances, sinks, and cookware.

3. Bathroom Cleaner
Remove soap scum and hard water deposits by combining one cup borax and 1/4 cup lemon juice to create a paste. Apply the paste to your sink and tub using a damp sponge, then rinse thoroughly with warm water. To apply borax in dry form, you can store it in an empty parmesan cheese shaker for easy sprinkling.

4. DIY Dish Detergent
Save money by making your own powder dishwasher detergent. Simply combine one tablespoon borax and one tablespoon baking soda.

5. Make Your Own Bouncy Balls
Here's a fun, educational activity for the kids: Combine borax, glue, cornstarch, food coloring, and water to make your own bouncy balls. (Find the complete instructions here.) While borax is an all-natural product, you still need to remind your kids that it's not for eating. Be sure to keep your box of borax out of the reach of children.

Borax and 25 Ways to Use It [Apartment Therapy]
25 Household Uses For Borax [Homesessive]
Uses of 20 Mule Team® Borax [Mule Team Borax]
30 Little Known Uses for Borax [One Good Thing]
How to Make a Borax Bouncy Ball [Creative Bug]
Borax Changed My Life! [Stacy Makes Cents]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Tackle Spring Cleaning With These Helpful Tips

April 18, 2014 by

The change from winter to spring is typically accompanied by a desire to have a bright, clean home. You're tired of the dingy, cold effects of winter snow and ice, and everything just feels a bit less than fresh. If you’re planning a spring cleaning routine but don’t know where to begin, these seven tips will help you get started.

  • Set all clocks ahead one hour for Daylight Savings Time.
  • Change the batteries in things like smoke detectors, remote controls, and alarm clocks.
  • Flip or rotate your mattress to ensure that it lasts for years to come.
  • Protect hardwood floors against scratches by adding padded, adhesive discs to the legs of chairs and tables.
  • Clean the refrigerator using a few teaspoons of baking soda diluted in hot water. Also be sure to toss out expired or unused food items.
  • Wash pillows to prevent seasonal allergens common in the springtime from accumulating inside.
  • Re-stock cleaning supplies to prepare yourself for any number of household messes and spills that come with the spring season.

    Spring Cleaning [Martha Stewart]
    28 Spring Cleaning Tips [Country Living]

​

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

3 Tips to Simplify Your Spring Cleaning Routine

March 21, 2014 by

Spring has sprung! It’s time to open the windows wide, scrub the floors, and replace your heavy, winter down comforter with something light and fresh. These three tips will help you plan your spring cleaning attack.

  1. Stock your cleaning supply kit. There’s nothing more frustrating than going to polish your furniture and realizing that you’re out of wood oil. Before you begin your spring cleaning, make sure that you have new bottles of window cleaner, bathroom scrub, oven cleaner, white vinegar, baking soda and all of the brushes, towels, and sponges that go along with them.
  2. Begin by de-cluttering. Throw away or donate anything that you no longer use, and pack away heavy winter coats or large blankets that you won’t need for the next few months. This will give you an open surface for your deeper cleaning.
  3. Get the whole family on board. Spring cleaning is a task that’s much too large for one person, so plan a day when the whole family can help. Plan it in advance to ensure that everyone can take part in the action, and assign tasks to stay on track with your plan.

Top 10 Spring Cleaning Tips [HowStuffWorks]
Ultimate Spring Cleaning Guide [BHG]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,
Next Page »

Pin It on Pinterest