Cleaning Tips and Suggestions

Cleaning is easier when you use a proactive and preventative approach. Here are some tips:

• Always put away food and wipe up food debris.
• Clean pet bowls regularly to avoid attracting ants and other insects.
• Do not allow grease to build up in kitchens; use a sponge and soapy water regularly on counter tops, stovetops, and hood filters.
• Avoid cooking with very high heat. This will add to more grease build-up and can cause damage to appliances. It can also be dangerous.
• Avoid mildew by venting rooms and bathrooms properly, particularly after baths and showers.
• Clean bathroom tile or other surfaces regularly to prevent the buildup of grime.
• Clean toilets regularly to avoid buildup of grime, rings, and mildew.
• Mop tile, wood, and linoleum to avoid “dust bunnies” and the buildup of grime.
• Wipe up spills right away.
• Do not allow water or chemicals to sit on top of wood, wood laminate, or other porous surfaces.
• Do not use wax on linoleum or tile.
• Vacuum all flooring regularly, particularly carpets.
• Regularly pick up debris and pet feces in outside areas.
• Clean up accidental marks on floors, walls, and other surfaces right away before they cause a stain.

Additional cleaning tips

It is not always necessary to purchase expensive cleaning products. Vinegar, baking soda, ammonia, and salt are some inexpensive cleaning products with many uses. They also are helpful for people who have allergies to cleaning products. In addition, they can be better for the environment than commercial products. However, commercial products may be needed to clean certain surfaces or if the tip(s) below are not cleaning sufficiently enough.

•   Air freshener:
  • Place a bowl of vinegar in the kitchen or bathroom to absorb odors

•  Drains
  • For a great once-a-month drain cleaner, pour 1/2 cup baking soda into the drain, follow with 1/2 cup white vinegar -- it will foam. Cover and let sit 30 minutes and then flush with cool water.
  • For stubborn, slow-running drains, one thing to try is pour 1-cup baking soda and 1-cup salt down the drain. Follow this with 2 quarts boiling water. Let sit 30 minutes, and then flush with cool water.

• Tile countertops and bathroom enclosures:
  • To clean ceramic tile, where mildew can accumulate, use a combination of 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1-gallon warm water, and 1-cup ammonia.
  • Alternatively, regularly clean tile surfaces by using a spray bottle mixed with ½-cup vinegar and a quart of water.

• Glass cleaner:
  • When glass-cleaning products leave residue on bathroom mirrors, mix 3 tablespoons of vinegar with a quart of water in a clean plastic spray bottle.
  • Spray glass and wipe with a clean paper towel.
   

• Dishwasher:
  • Empty the dishwasher, pour in a ¼ cup of vinegar, and run the dishwasher again.
  • Even if you prefer not to use the dishwasher, run at least once a week to keep seals from becoming hard and cracked.

• Refrigerators
  • Clean regularly and place a cup of baking soda in a bowl on a refrigerator shelf to absorb odors.
  • A cup of dry unused coffee grinds can also absorb odors when placed on a refrigerator shelf.

• Washing machine:
  • A half cup of baking soda can be added to the washing machine with regular detergent to help with mild odors

•  Toilets:
  • Remove waterline marks in the toilet bowl by pouring in 2 cups of white vinegar. Let soak overnight, then flush to rinse.

• Carpet stains:
  • Vacuum the carpet if the stain is dry.
  • If the stain is still wet, blot gently to remove excess – blot, do NOT rub.
  • Lightly soak the carpet stain with clean water first to remove the stain – blot, do NOT rub.
  • If the stain remains, mix a 3 Tablespoons of vinegar with a quart of water in a spray bottle and spray the stain; blot again; do NOT rub.
  • If this fails, consult a professional carpet cleaner immediately; the longer you wait may mean the stain may not come out.

•  Carpet odor:
  • Regular vacuuming cures most carpet odors, but if carpet odors persist, lightly sprinkle the carpet with baking soda and vacuum thoroughly, removing all baking soda from carpet. Repeat if necessary.
  • If this fails, consult a professional carpet cleaner immediately; the longer you wait may mean the odor may not come out.