Clever Cleaning Tips
We cannot control a lot of things that are going on around us these days, but putting your energies into cleaning up the space you live in can do you a world of good, not only for your physical health but mental health with a sense of accomplishment in taking care of yourself and your surroundings.
Cleaning away spider webs from around the house can be done by most any duster but cleaning off the duster afterward is never a fun chore. Next time, roll up an old newspaper (you can even use your TC Notes) into a tube and create a brush by cutting up one of the ends of the tube. Using this disposable brush, sweep away the creepy crawly webs and recycle the newspaper when you are done. An added bonus is you can compost the dusty newspaper when you’re done cleaning.
Need a great way to remove unpleasant odors from your home carpets? Generously sprinkle baking soda on the affected carpet and let it sit at least overnight. When you are ready, vacuum up the powder. Be sure not to do this if the carpet is wet or damp, as the baking soda can get stuck in the carpet fibers.
Known as a natural bleaching agent, cream of tartar can help you get rid of stubborn and unsightly stains on porcelain fixtures. Create a light paste by mixing the powder and hydrogen peroxide. Rub it onto the affected areas. After a few minutes, rinse it off! Viola! Clean porcelain! Cream of tarter can be mixed with water and used to clean stainless steel appliances.
Got an empty paper towel tube? Put it to use and get rid of any dryer lint that may linger in your dryer. Dryer lint can lead to fire, and even just cleaning the lint trap isn’t enough. Put the tube on top of your vacuum hose, then squish it into place to suck all the lint. Your dryer will perform even better with a spic and span lint space now.
When you notice your drain is starting to clog, pour a 1/2 cup of baking soda down it, followed by a 1/2 cup of vinegar. Cover with a wet cloth to contain the science fair-like effects. Wait five minutes and then flush with hot water.
Mix one cup vinegar, half a cup of baking soda with hot water, pour into the tub and allow to sit for five minutes. Fill the tub with hot water until it is approximately one-quarter filled, and let it sit for five more minutes. Release drain, rinse thoroughly and use a cloth to wipe away any lightly stained areas.
If you spent the season grilling up all of the hot dogs and hamburgers, and continue to do so now that summer is REALLY underway, you probably have a nice collection of greasy buildup on your grill grates. Heat up your grill, take an onion and cut it in half, then rub it on the grates well with a BBQ fork. The acid in the onion will break down food debris and clean the grill for you.
​​​​​​​Just like your cooking tools, cupboards can get grimy. Add a little dish soap to a spray bottle with warm water to mist away the grease. Then, rinse with a well-wrung cloth and dry.
​​​​​​​These are just a few ideas to get the ball rolling on making the space around you feel more like the home you want to be in!
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