Helpful Hints and Tips:Helpful Hints- Always keep an all-purpose cleaner and a
sponge in the guest bath so you can sneak away and clean up when
unexpected company shows up.
- Keep a squeegee in the shower so everyone can wipe it down when they are done (this will help prevent mildew).
- Steam helps to loosen build-up so why not clean while you're in there?
- Disinfectant can be used on everything in the bath except the mirror.
- Don't forget doorknobs and switch plates.
Easy Bathroom CleaningClean after a steamy bath or shower.
The walls, fixtures, etc., will be much easier to clean because the
steam will have loosened the dirt. Cleaning the Sink- For light stains, rub with a fresh cut lemon.
- For dark stains (like rust) rub with a paste of borax and lemon juice.
Bathtub Rings- To
avoid bathtub rings, don't use oily bath preparations. Use a water
softener if you live in a hard-water area. Rinse the tub immediately
after bathing.
- If a ring does form, wipe it off with undiluted
ammonia (wear rubber gloves) or a wet sponge generously sprinkled with
baking soda. Rinse clean and wipe dry. For a more stubborn stain, scour
with automatic dishwashing detergent or rub with a cloth dipped in
vinegar.
Cleaning with Rubbing AlcoholRubbing
alcohol will clean the caulking around bathtubs. It also shines chrome
and glass. Liquid chlorine bleach (1/4 cup to one gallon) will also
clean caulk. Cleaning Toilet Bowl- Clean the toilet bowl while you're away by pouring in 1/4 cup bleach and leaving it until you return.
- Keep
the toilet bowl ring-free by pouring a half-gallon of white vinegar in
it once a month. Let it soak overnight before flushing.
- Don't
use bleach if you're already using a tank-held cleaner that's released
when the toilet is flushed. The two may react chemically.
- To avoid clogging and odors, pour one cup baking soda down the bowl weekly.
Getting to Dirt in the CornerCan't get to that dirt in the corner? Make a pointed tool by cutting an old whisk broom at a 45 degree angle. Small BathroomsIf
you have a small bathroom or a tile entrance and don't have time to
bother with a scrub bucket, just use an all purpose spray cleaner and a
damp sponge for quick clean up. MildewTo
remove mildew from the corners of the tub, dip cotton balls in bleach
and let them sit, when you finish cleaning the bath, remove cotton and
rinse well. The mildew will be gone. DisinfectantClean
with a disinfectant to kill germs. Everything in the bathroom except
the mirror can be cleaned this way in just 3 or 4 minutes a day. Keep
cleaners in bath for a quick job when unexpected company drops by. Shower TileRemove
soap and hard water buildup on shower tile with tile cleaner. Then
apply a good paste wax and buff with a dry cloth to deter future water
spots. Air FreshenerFor
immediate air freshener in the bath, place a fabric softener sheet in
the wastepaper basket or add a dab of fragrance on a light bulb. When
the light is on, the heat releases the aroma. Freshen DrainTo
freshen drain, pour 1/4 to 1/2 box of baking soda down the drain, add
1/2 cup of white vinegar. Cover drain tightly for a few minutes and
flush with cold water. Shower Doors- Rub glass shower doors with a white vinegar-dampened sponge to remove soap residue.
- To clean shower track door, pour full strength vinegar into the track, let soak for a few minutes, then rinse.
- A
coat of acrylic floor finish gives new shine to fiberglass shower doors
and makes water spots disappear. Club soda will give new shine to your
counter tops.
Cleaning Shower Curtains- Before hanging shower curtains, soak in salt water solutions to prevent mildew.
- To remove mildew, wash in hot soapy water, rub with lemon juice and let the shower curtain dry in the sun.
- For
plastic curtains, clean with laundry pre-wash spray. Spray along the
top, letting it run down to cover the curtain. Allow it to sit for a
few minutes, then rinse it off.
Sparkling SinkWipe Wood FloorsIt's always a good idea to check with a flooring
specialist for information on cleaning wood floors because certain
treated flooring requires specific cleaning methods. However, one
general wood-floor cleaner is a solution of 1/2 cup of apple cider
vinegar in 1 gallon of warm water. Use a soft cloth with most of the
moisture squeezed. Get on your hands and knees and wipe the floor
without getting it wet. Then buff with a soft dry cloth to bring out
the luster. Vinyl FloorsSweep and damp mop using a
gallon of water and a dash of dish washing detergent, regularly to keep
abrasive soil off the surface. Scrub as needed with a white nylon
backed sponge to loosen stubborn, ground in soil. Nothing cleans as
well as doing it on your hands and knees when you have time. Even
no-wax floors eventually need waxing, this will help to prevent further
deterioration. a stainless steel sink with vinegar or a touch of oil on a cloth to make the sink sparkle. Animal antics
As much as we love our household pets, they can create cleaning headaches. Between muddy
paws, fur on upholstered furniture, odors and occasional accidents, we could spend quite a
bit of time cleaning up after our furry friends. Since pets will never be able to clean up
after themselves, the experts at ServiceMaster Clean
offer some suggestions for undoing the most common pet damage.
Minimize the mess
Cleaner pets mean a cleaner house. Bathe and brush your pets regularly to minimize the
amount of pet hair and pet dander, and to help with odors. Keep a lint brush or damp
sponge handy to quickly pick up loose pet hair. Unless your pet has dietary restrictions,
a light mist of spray-on cooking oil on your pet's dishes will make them easier to wash
out and will add shine to his or her coat.
Removing pet hair
On carpeting, use a vacuum with a good beater brush or
brush roll. Plain vacuums don't generate sufficient lift to pick up all the pet hair from
the floor.
Speed removal of pet hair from fabrics and upholstery with a pet rake, a brush with
crimped nylon bristles. Use light, even strokes to remove the hair. Velour brushes, tape
rollers and even tape wrapped around your hand also will work. Both pet supply and home
stores sell "pet sponges," which are used dry on both upholstery and carpets.
They can be an especially good option for hard-to-reach corners and edges where hair tends
to collect. As long as dampness won't harm the fabric, you can also use a slightly
dampened sponge or even the rubber bottom of a clean tennis shoe.
Lifting stains
To remove a pet urine stain, dilute the spot using a cloth dampened with water. Then,
clean the area with an acid solution consisting of one quart water mixed with one teaspoon
white vinegar.
If necessary, you can apply a pet bacteria/enzyme digester according to the directions.
You can find these products at any pet store; they effectively counter both the stain and
the odor. Even if the stain has disappeared or our human noses can no longer smell
anything, a pet will repeatedly return to the same spot if he can still smell his own
odor. Here are some other hints:
- Be sure to use enough bacteria/enzyme digester to penetrate the
carpet and pad.
- Keep in mind that digesters work well but slowly. Leave the solution
on as long as indicated.
- After applying the solution, cover with plastic and step on the spot
several times until the area is well saturated.
- Keep the plastic on the entire time the digester is working to make
sure the spot doesn't dry out.
Older stains
If the stain is older, it may be nearly impossible to remove, but try the digester. If the
site has seen multiple accidents, the bacteria breaking down the stain may actually create
a super alkaline state that interferes with the digester's intended action. In this case,
follow these steps:
- After the bacteria digester has been working for about four hours,
neutralize the spot by mixing a solution of one cup of vinegar to a gallon of warm water.
- Rinse the area with the vinegar solution.
- Apply a fresh batch of bacteria/enzyme digester solution.
You might also try buying a hypodermic needle from your
local pharmacy and filling it with your favorite perfume or potpourri. You'll need to
inject both the carpet and the pad for it to work. If you still have a problem, have the
carpet cleaned by extraction. It may even be necessary to replace the pad underneath.
Stomach trouble
If your pet has an upset stomach on your carpet,
cleanup may be trickier. The extremely acidic nature of vomit can cause the acid dyes in
the carpet to move, permanently damaging the carpet. Dyes in your pet's food or medicine
may also combine with the strong stomach acid to stain your flooring. That's why it's
essential to neutralize or at least dilute the acid as quickly as possible to minimize
damage. To bring the carpet back to a neutral pH:
- Treat the affected area using a professional carpet detergent.
- Rinse the area with clean hot water.
- Extract the soiled solutions away from the carpet.
If the stains cannot be removed, carpet dyeing may be a
good option. While not as permanent as factory dyeing, spot dyeing will solve the problem
of bleached carpet.
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