Keeping it Clean!

So it's that time of year...spring!  the birds are chirping, the sun is out and the grass is peeking through and now it's time to clean house1  You might be surprised to hear what the 10 dirtiest things in your home are -

1.  Your cleaning equipment.  Yes, your mops, rags and sponges are so dirty and they need to be cleaned too!  So, run your sponges through the dishwasher or zap them on high in the microwave to kill the germs.  Nylon and stainless steel scrub brushes can go through the dishwasher.  Run rags through the washing machine, especially once they start to smell and if they have touched raw meat wash them right away!



2.  Your toilet base.  The rim, the base and the floor space that directly surrounds the toilet are the dirtiest parts especially if you have young children.  So, always clean those areas - personally I like to use my steam mop for anywhere where germs like to hang out!

3.  Your kitchen sink drain.  Yes, the drain!  Food gets stuck in there, it starts to smell and even clog.  So, pour 1 cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of vinegar let it sit for a minute and then pour 1 kettle of boiling hot water down the drain - this is an inexpensive and eco-friendly way to clean your drain and deodorize it!

4.  Your pet's eating area.  If it stays dirty, you risk you pet eating bugs or worse.  So, be sure to wipe up spilled water, wash their bowls regularly and protect your floors by using a charger, a mat or even a baking sheet and clean those too.



5.  Your litter box.  OK, your cat's litter box but more specifically the surrounding area of the litter box.  So, be sure to vacuum, and wipe clean using a hot water and vinegar solution to kill any germs.

6.  You doorknobs.  If the people in your home wash their hands frequently it may not be on your top ten list but it tends to be a hot spot for germs.  So, wipe down your doorknobs with hot soapy water (once a week)

7.  Your diaper bail.  Kind of obvious why.  So be sure to wipe down the exterior with hot soapy water and try to do this daily to prevent the spread of germs.  Wash the interior as per the manufacturer's instructions.

8.  Your microwave.  The splatter of various food makes the inside of the microwave a very dirty place and no one ever cleans it after they have warmed up their meal.  So, clean the interior with hot and soapy water, don't use harsh chemicals.  For stubborn baked on food, run the microwave with a bowl of water or a wet rag for a few minutes, the steam will help loosen the residue.




9.  Your bathroom walls.  Especially the wall area closest to the toilet.  Yes, pee and more can splash on the walls - yuck- but it's true.  So, use a hot water and vinegar solution to disinfect and deodorize.

10.  Your floors.  Especially the highest traffic areas.  So, always remove your shoes at the door (your kids too) that will help keep outdoor germs from spreading throughout the entire home, sweep, mop and/or vacuum weekly, mop up spills immediately.  Hot water and vinegar is an easy, eco friendly way to mop up messes effectively and it won't damage your flooring.

Cleaning tips that have stood the test of time

In these economic times everything seems so expensive so why not try to use everyday items in a number of helpful ways to kep costs down.  It is amazing to see what you can do without buying expensive and one purpose only household cleaners.

a -- clean that smelly washing machine with 1 qt of chlorine bleach and run the machine on the longest cycle after that cycle run the same cycle again but with 1 qt of vinegar.

b -- watermarks on wood furniture? rub some mayonaise or vaseline on the stain and leave overnight rub it off in the morning very gently.

c -- stinky shoes!  no problem.  sprinkle with baking soda, place in a plastic bag and place in the freezer for 2 nights.  when thawed, shake out the baking soda.  if shoes were wet from the start, stuff with newspapers and keep freshing the newspaper until they come out dry.

d -- soap scum in the shower.  a squeegie that is used regularly can prevent it but if you have soap scum now use vinegar in a spary bottle with a nylon scrub brush to get rid of it. let the vinegar sit for about 15 minutes before scrubbing.

e -- stains on your walls.  for crayon use paste of baking soda and WD-40 and paper towel followed by a cloth with dish soap and hot water.  for grease cornstartch and water, let dry and then vaccum off.  ink try hairspray or rubbing alcohol and for general stains a basic art eraser can do the trick.

f -- pots and pans with burnt on food.  boil your water and add a few drops of dishsoap and let the pots and pans soak this will hlp loosen and lifts everything.

g -- ink stains on the leather furniture.  rub just a little cuticle remover on the stain and buff - this may have to sit for about 10 minutes before you rub off completely.