Removing Scuff Marks and Heel Marks

It happens to all home owners, your favorite pair of shoes or your kid’s shoes leave scuff marks on your kitchen floor. Once you discover the scuff marks next comes figuring out how to clean them. It’s not likely that you will be able to mop them off. Scuff marks are some of the hardest messes to clean up.

Here are a few great tips for cleaning your scuff marks and other stains that you may have on your floor.

* Mr. Clean Magic Erasers really are helpful. These are ideal for cleaning up scuff marks on your flooring. You just need to wet them, wring them out and apply a bit of pressure to the eraser on the stain. Usually, they will pull the stain right off.

* Use WD 40 on the heel mark. Apply to the stain lightly and then wipe the area up with a clean paper towel or cloth.

* Take an ordinary, clean tennis ball and rub it over the scuff mark until it disappears. You can also use a large pencil eraser in the same way.

* Baking soda, mix 1 tsp of baking soda with some water and rub it over the scuff, with a sponge or toothbrush. Another product that you can use to get rid of scuff marks is toothpaste. Rub it over the mark straight on, without mixing it with water.

Keep in mind you will want to be careful with special types of flooring. If your flooring is wood or has a protective seal to it, some chemicals can damage that seal and cause damage. Instead, you will want to make sure to follow the directions provided by your flooring manufacturer.

Cleaning and Care For Sinks

Our kitchen sinks and bathroom sinks get a lot of wear and tear throughout the day, over time they begin to show the wear. With a little elbow grease you can get your sink looking like new in no time flat.

Fiberglass sinks
Use a non-abrasive cleaners like dish washing soap or household all-purpose cleaners. If you want to take the green route use some baking soda moistened with water to make a paste then wet the surface and rub with the paste on a soft cloth. Rub gently and make sure you rinse thoroughly to remove all of the cleaner.
Never use any abrasive cleaners like common scouring powders, nor any abrasive scouring pads, or steel wool.

Porcelain Enamel Sinks
To clean porcelain, wash with warm or hot soapy water, using detergent or baking soda might help remove soap scum and soil. Always rinse with plain water.
If you choose to use scouring powder it should be the very finest one possible. Most scouring powders contain abrasives that can cause scratches. Once the porcelain surface has been scratched, it attracts dirt, grease and soap residue, which then becomes hard to clean.
Important Tips To Keep In Mind

* Try to rinse your sink after every use. This will make the sink smell fresh.

* Avoid pouring left over coffee, tea and juices into your sink, because such liquids can cause staining. Instead, put the liquids directly to the drain holes

* If you have a dual basin kitchen sink, then swap the sides that you use for washing and pre-washing, every now and then. This will allow the even use of drains.

* Make sure that the cleaning product is suitable for the finish of your kitchen sink, because not all the cleaners are recommended for every type of sink. For instance, in the case of a stainless steel sink, you may use abrasive cleaners. On the other hand, porcelain needs something more delicate, to prevent the surface from scratching.

* Make sure that you clean the faucet and the back of the sink as well to avoid mold and bacteria growth. You may use a solution made with one part vinegar and one part water for cleaning the faucet and handles.

Sources: http://www.pioneerthinking.com

Cleaning Blinds

Caring for and cleaning your window blinds doesn't have to leave you seeing red. In fact, with a little preventive care and maintenance, keeping your blinds clean is easy.

The most important thing to remember is to not wait until you can see the dust and dirt buildup to decide it’s time for a cleaning. Prevention is best. With weekly light dusting using a soft cloth or feather duster (an old sock in which you can stick your hand also works extremely well) you can keep your work to a minimum and your blinds looking their best.

But if you're like many, chances are your blinds get neglected in your weekly cleaning routine. So what do you do when a light dusting is just not enough to get off the weeks or maybe even month’s worth of grit and grime that has accumulated? We have your answer. Depending on the type of blind, there are easy and relatively quick ways to bring your blinds back to their original state.
Vinyl or Aluminum Blinds

• Start by using a round brush attachment on your vacuum to remove all surface dust and dirt.
• Next, remove your blinds from the window and place them in your bathtub, filled with a low
level of hot soapy water. Be sure you layer your tub with a towel or tub mat to avoid scratching
the bottom of your tub. If you're a smoker, you may want to add a small amount of ammonia
to the water, which will help remove the yellow staining caused by cigarette smoke? Be sure
your room is properly ventilated if you do so.
• With a sponge or rag, clean each slat, being careful to not bend or scratch the blind.
• Never use an abrasive sponge or pad, which can cause scratching and may dull the surface.

Wood Blinds

• Wood blinds require a bit of extra care, since you cannot use soap and water.
• Again, start by using the round brush attachment on your vacuum to remove surface dust and
dirt.
• Remove the blinds from the window and lay them flat on the floor, with an old sheet or towel
underneath to keep the floor clean.
• On some wood blinds, you can use a very lightly damp cloth to wipe each individual blind, but
be sure you check the manufacturers label first, to avid warping and damage.
• With any standard wood furniture cleaner or polish and a soft cloth, wipe each blind in long
horizontal strokes for horizontal blinds and long vertical strokes for vertical blinds.
• Depending on how dirty your blinds are, you may need to repeat this step several times.
Fabric Blinds

• Fabric tends to attract more dust, but these blinds are usually treated to repel deep dirt.
• Using the round brush attachment on your vacuum to remove surface dust and dirt is
generally all you need to do to keep these clean; however, a damp cloth or rag can be used spot
treat if necessary.
• For really deep dirt removal or to remove stains, remove the blinds from the window and soak
them in hot water, again the tub works well. Do not use soap. Use caution and be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions, as this step could cause dulling or discoloration of some
fabrics.
• For heavy cleaning of fabric blinds, you may want to consider taking them to the dry cleaners
to avoid potential damage.

Wiping each blind, regardless of their type, with a dryer sheet will help repel future dust, as will thoroughly cleaning your windows and sills, and should be done before you rehang you newly clean blinds.


Sources:www.topwindowblinds.com
www.creativehomemaking.com

Caring for Fine China

If you're like many busy, modern families today, mealtime doesn't get the care and attention it once did. If you're not eating your dinner out of disposable containers or take-out wrappers, you're more than likely eating off of paper plates, or on plates or bowls from a mismatched, hodgepodge collection you have handy for everyday use. Needless to say, you're grandmother's passed-down fine china, or that pricey Lenox collection you received as wedding gift, is probably not coming out of the china cabinet—or their boxes—more than once, maybe twice, a year.

But when you do finally break them out, whether for a holiday or a special dinner, you want them looking their best.

A cherished family keepsake or simply you're special occasion splurge, fine china is an investment. In order to help your set retain value, beauty and luster for years to come, it’s important that you take good, careful care of each piece, both during and after its use. Read on for some helpful tips on how to best care for your fine china.

Cleaning:

• Never scrape your china with metal silverware to remove the remnants of your meal; instead, use a rubber spatula, which will prevent scratches.

• Avoid stacking your china on top of each other in the sink and wash one piece at a time.

• Be sure to at least rinse fine dinnerware shortly after you’ve finished eating to prevent food from sticking.

• When washing, be sure to use only mild detergents and soft sponges.

• Wash with warm water—not with hot water, especially if the china is adorned with metal.

• Hand dry.

• If you dinnerware is stained, put a small amount of baking soda, salt, cream of tartar or toothpaste on the area and rub with a soft cloth.

• Prevent stains by cleaning with a solution made of one part hydrogen peroxide, three parts water and a drop of ammonia. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

General Care and Storage:

• Avoid exposing fine china from extreme temperature to prevent cracks and breaks.

• If you plan to serve hot food, run the china under warm water first to bring its temperature up.

• Repair tiny surface cracks by placing the piece in milk for 30 minutes.

• Store your fine china in a closed cupboard or china cabinet, placing foam or cloth between plates, bowls and saucers to prevent scratching. Hang cups on small cup hooks or stack those two deep, one inside the other. Turn the lids of coffee, teapots and serving pieces upside down inside the piece itself, to protect the lid handles.

• Do not store fine china sets in an attic or basement.

Sources: http://weddings.weddingchannel.com

http://tips.lenox.com

Cleaning the Refrigerator—Tips to Get it Done Right, and Get Done Fast

There not too many worse smells than that of a refrigerator that hasn’t been cleaned out and sanitized in a while. Sure the Chinese food you ordered two weeks ago was really great at the time, and all those fresh veggies you meant to cook already were on sale when you bought them; but now, something has started to grow on them, and despite how much you would love it to be a set of legs so they can walk out of your fridge and into the trash on their own, chances are its just mold and bacteria, and the main cause of that pungent odor that has started to permeate your kitchen. It’s time to clean out the fridge.

So while maybe not the most pleasant of chores, cleaning and sanitizing your refrigerator doesn’t have to be the most daunting on your cleaning checklist. With a little patience, a little elbow grease, and of course, a little baking soda, you can once again have a clean and sanitized fridge that you and your family no longer dread to open. Just follow these easy steps.



• Empty it out—and this means everything, including the drawers themselves.

• Check all expatriation dates and throw away anything outdated.

• Sprinkle the empty fridge with baking soda, and with a wet sponge or cloth, clean all of the shelves, the walls, the doors and the drawers, using a circular motion.

• For really tough smells and stains, sanitize with bleach and water solution.

• While you’re doing this, it’s a good idea to have a bowl filled with boiled water and sliced lemons on the top shelf to add freshness.

• With a clean sponge or cloth and a bucket of warm water, thoroughly wipe down the inside of the fridge, to remove the baking soda residue. If using bleach, be sure to rinse the refrigerator very thoroughly with clean water.

• Wipe down all items that are still in-date with a damp cloth and put them back neatly in their place.

• After the fruit and vegetable bins have dried, sprinkle each with a small amount of baking soda and line with a paper towel.

• On the top shelf, toward the back, place an open box of baking soda to absorb odors. Change this box once every three months.

• Be sure to wipe the top and all four sides, and remove the dust from underneath and by the fan.

This routine, performed twice a month, plus weekly maintenance to assure you’re getting rid of spoiled and expired items before they start to leave their mark, will help you to keep your refrigerator clean and sanitary!





Sources:www.housekeepingmatters.com

www.homelife.com.

Keeping Dust at Bay

Keeping your home free of unsightly and harmful dust is no easy task, especially when you learn all of the ways dust particles and mites can enter—and then live very comfortably—in your home.

Caused by carpets, furniture, heating ducts, ventilation systems and even your pets, the fact is…dust is a fact of life! Even for the tidiest of housekeepers, dust is a real problem. But getting your dust problem under control is important.

Along with sand, dirt, pollen grains, lead, and arsenic, household dust also contains dust mites, fibers from your fabrics and upholstery, parts from dead insects, human and animal hair, mold spores, bacteria and human an animal dead skin cells. Gross, right? Sure it’s a hassle to have to remove the dust from your household surfaces multiple times a week, but think about the havoc that concoction can wreak in your lungs, especially if you or a member of your family is an allergy or asthma sufferer. And if this applies to you, you have to be particularly careful when cleaning the home, as you can easily stir up the particles and worsen the reaction.



Though there is no practical way to completely remove all dust from your home, there are many steps you can take to get it under control. Here are few to keep in mind.

* Because dust can get trapped deep down inside carpet as its walked on, be sure to vacuum carpets, area rugs and floors at least once a week. For allergy and asthma sufferers in particular, its best to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
* Never sweep a carpet for a quick cleaning job—this will just stir up the dust particles.
* Vacuum and clean cloth and fabric upholstered furniture at least once a month.
* Steam clean draperies or dry clean window treatments each season. Keep blinds dusted and dirt-free.
* Polish wood furniture and hard surfaces weekly, with a clean, disposable cloth. Be sure to polish all surfaces, included decorative hanging, pictures, books, candle holders, etc.
* Your browser may not support display of this image. Wash bed linens, including dust ruffle, pillow shams and sheets, at least once a month. If they can’t be washed, at least fluff them in the dryer to remove dust.
* Toss old pillows – including old throw pillows– unless the items can be washed.
* Repair cracks in the walls and seal openings in baseboards.
* Regularly wash stuffed animals and other fabric toys for children.
* Don’t forget to dust ceiling fans and heating and cooling registers, as they are great receptacles for spread dust.
* Regularly clean pet bedding.
* Keep major appliances free from dust—including the top and bottom of the refrigerator, behind the stove, and around the washer and dryer.
* Keep air filters in your heating and air system clean, and replace them yearly at least. Consider investing in HEPA filters.



Sources:

homemanagement.suite101.com

www.healthybuilding.com

biology.about.com

Removing Grease from Your Kitchen Cabinets

Keeping your kitchen cabinets clean and free of the grease and grime that can accumulate from everyday cooking is must in order to preserve their quality and keep them looking their best. But grease can be a tough opponent, and its removal often requires the use of chemicals that can damage the finish of your wood cabinetry, not to mention a lot of scrubbing, which can be equally as harmful to delicate or porous surfaces.

The reason grease is so tough to eliminate is that its water resistant, so cleaning with your average water-based cleaners usually won't even scratch the surface. But after time, built up grease can cause a foul odor and leave your surfaces feeling gritty and slimy.

Follow these easy home recipes to remove the grease without causing damage to your wood, or breaking your back—or your bank, since you probably already have them hidden somewhere behind those greasy cabinets doors. As always when working with any new cleaning product on the surfaces of your home, a best practice is to perform a small test on an area out of view before treating the entire surface.

Recipe 1 – Vinegar and Baking Soda
Vinegar and baking soda will not only remove the grease, it will also adsorb the odor grease causes.

You'll need:
o A spray bottle
o A rag or paper towels
o White vinegar
o Baking soda
o Hot water

1. Start by pouring the vinegar into the spray bottle, and misting the cabinets.
2. Let sit for a minute, then wipe it off, removing all of the dirt and some of the grease.
3. Next, wet a new rag or paper towel and sprinkle it with the baking soda.
4. Scrub the grease spots with the baking soda covered rag. Baking soda is abrasive enough to cut through the grease, but won't scratch the cabinet's surface.
5. After your finished, once again spray the cabinets with your vinegar and wipe down.
6. Finally, wipe the cabinets down with warm water to remove any vinegar or baking soda residue.

Recipe 2 – Dishwashing Detergent
Dishwashing detergent has powerful grease-cutting properties, yet is gentle enough that it is safe on skin and surfaces.

You'll need:
o Dishwashing detergent
o Two rags
o Hot water
o A bucket
o Wax based furniture polish

1. Start by mixing enough dishwashing detergent with hot water in your bucket to create a very soapy, sudsy mixture.
2. Dip your rag in only the foam and gently wipe the surface.
3. Rinse the area thoroughly with a separate rag, wet with clean warm water.
4. To avoid leaving a residue or dull finish, polish with your furniture polish.


Sources: www.howstuffworks.com

www.e-how.com

Candle Wax--Shedding Light on How to Remove Wax from your Carpets and Upholstery

Candles are a great addition to any decor, adding ambiance and a sense of festivity and romance to your room, and even promoting your health and wellness through relaxation enhancing fragrances. Today, with an estimated market of over 2 billion dollars, it's probably safe to guess you have at least a few of them accenting your home. But anyone who has ever been tasked with removing spilled wax from carpets and upholstery knows that it can be quite stressful—regardless of how therapeutic they're promised to be!

The best way to tackle wax removal is to act quickly, before it's had the chance to harden around or dye the fibers in you fabric or carpet. But when that isn't option—and before you consider replacing the rugs or rearrange the furniture to cover any unsightly spots—read on for a very effective method of removing wax and eliminating stains.

Though a little time consuming, one of the most effective ways to remove candle wax that has hardened on fabric or carpet, is with an electric iron. For this, you'll need heavy duty absorbent white paper towels (a brown bag also works well) and an electric iron. Here's what you do:

1. Start by using a brush or your hands to pick away at any of the excess wax, using care to not unravel the pile or tear the fibers.

2. Next plug in the iron in and turn it on to the lowest setting possible.

3. After the iron heats up, take a paper towel and place it over the spot and lightly apply the warm iron to the paper towel. As the wax begins to melt and liquefy, the paper towel will absorb it and its color.

For thicker or more textured carpets, like Berber, you may have to press down harder with the iron. But be sure you do not raise the temperature of the iron to any higher than the warm setting, or you'll risk singeing or melting the carpets or upholstery's synthetic fibers. Also be especially careful not to pull on any fibers or loops, which can cause running much like panty hose, and ruin the carpet.

4. This may take some time, so have patience as you continue working the iron and rearranging the towel until all of the wax is absorbed. It may require several paper towels.

This method should work to remove all of the wax. But if you have a particularly large spill or stubborn stain, and you're still noticing a wax residue even after you're finished, try using an ice cube to re-harden the wax, and once again use your fingers or a brush to pick it away, and repeat the steps above. Patience is key, of course, if all else fails, call on the services of Grime Solvers.

Sources:www.thefreelibrary.com
www.essortment.com

Hardwood Floors 101

For anyone who has recently installed or resurfaced the hardwood floors in their home, you know it is no easy or inexpensive task. But in high traffic areas—such as hallways, foyers and kitchens—hardwood floors are easily dirtied, dulled or, worse, damaged, by the wear and tear of life.

To keep your floors looking clean and shiny, you could spend thousands of dollars more covering every inch with throw rugs. Or, ask your friends and family to remove their shoes every time they walk through the door. But no need! Keeping your hardwood floors beautiful is actually not as hard as you think—you just need to heed the cleaning tips below and remember a few wood floor-care basics.

Before you determine the best way to tackle your floor, you first must determine its finish. How and with what was your wood sealed? If the answer to this question is urethane, polyurethane or polycyclic (aka surface seals), your clean-up is a breeze—sweep, and mop with hot soapy water and you’re all set! On the other hand, if your floors are sealed with a penetrating seal--lacquers, varnishes or shellacs—or have been oil-treated, your floors are much more delicate and must be cleaned with liquid or paste wax.

Hint: Unsure which type of finish you have? Just rub your finger across the floor—if you see a smudge mark, the floor has been treated with a penetrating seal, oil finish, shellac, varnish or lacquer, and then waxed. If not? It’s a surface seal.

As you can see, hard wood floors are actually very easy to clean! But an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Keep the tips below in mind when caring for your floors.

• Wipe up all spills as they happen. Depending on the finish of your wood, moisture can stain and

ruin its finish.

• Gently remove dirt and grit. If not cleaned properly, dirt and grit can act like sandpaper on the

finish, causing scratches, dents and dulling.

• Avoid harsh cleaning products and oil soaps. The residue from these products can build up and

create problems when it’s time for a maintenance coat.

• Never drag furniture or other heavy objects to move them and use felt under the legs of any

furniture to help prevent scratches.

• When vacuuming, use a brush attachment to prevent dents.

• Occasionally reposition throw rugs and furniture and keep drapes drawn to prevent sun

damage, as UV rays can discolor your wood.

Sources
www.pioneerthinking.com
www.how-to-hardwood-floors.com
http://interiordec.about.com

Carpet Cleaning Basics – Five Tips for Tackling Pets Stains

If you're like most people, your pet is just as much a part of your family as your spouse or your kids. After all, they share your last name, they're affectionate, they're welcoming after a long day and, chances are, on more than one occasion you've gotten stuck cleaning up after them!

That's right, this week we're talking about pet stain removal. Sure you love your pet, but we all know accidents happen, and when they do, you have to know how to clean up after them in order to remove stains and prevent odors from ruining your carpets. Below are few tips to help you out.

Tip 1 – The best defense is a good offense

If you're bringing a new pet into the home, particularity a puppy or kitten, and you have carpeting, it’s a good idea to first treat your carpet with a protective coating. This will add a layer of protection and buy you a little extra time if your unable to attend to the stain immediately.

Tip 2 – Beat the clock

The first thing to know is that you must act quickly. Because pet stains can harm the fibers and dyes in carpeting, time is of the essence. Be sure to pick-up or sop-up your pet's mess with a clean, dry cloth, as quickly as possible, and before applying any sort of cleaning solution.

Tip 3 – Moderation is key

When cleaning carpet, it is particularly important to be sure you do not over saturate the stained area. Doing so can cause any dirt buried below the surface in the carpets padding to resurface, causing a less treatable and more unsightly stain. Also, a best practice is to pretest your cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area of your rug. Fading or discoloration can occur from some cleaning methods, ingredients and or products.

Tip 4 – Homemade money savers

Simple homemade solutions made with lemon juice, vinegar or club soda are great ways to remove stains and save money. In fact, one of the leading pet stain removers can likely already be found under your kitchen sink--a combination of regular liquid dish or laundry soap mixed with hot water. These two common household products contain the same powerful dirt and odor eliminating enzymes as the leading and expensive products found in the pet store, and for a fraction of the price.

Tip 5 – An oldie but a goody

To eliminate those really tough odors, one of the most effective, least expensive, not to mention oldest options, is baking soda. Just sprinkle over the affected area and let sit for 24 hours before vacuuming. While Lysol is great for killing germs, products like Febreeze are also work to freshen a room in a hurry.

Sources
www.infobarrel.com
www.housecleaning-tips.com

Caring for No-wax/linoleum floors

Linoleum can be made from a variety of materials. It is inexpensive, easy to install, and easy to maintain. However, be careful about exactly what cleaners you use because strong detergents can damage your floor.

The best defense is a good offense so when it comes to keeping your linoleum floor looking good, wet mop it on a weekly or as-needed basis. Start by vacuuming or sweeping, then damp mop it with plain water. For tough ground in spots, use a white, nylon scrub sponge. Since soil will wear away the surface make sure you get those spots up as soon as possible.

Everyday traffic can eventually dull even the best maintained floor. To reinvigorate the glossy top layer, you might consider using floor finish or cleaner recommended by your floor manufacturer to restore the shine. It is critical that you use only products that are specifically made for linoleum flooring to avoid damage. Use the appropriate cleaner on high traffic areas more often than the rest of the floor. If you floor leads to an entrance of your home than consider using a doormat to catch much of the dirt before it damages your floors.

A tip for making your mopping easier is to mix the appropriate cleaner that is recommended by the floor manufacture in a spray bottle and spray the floor with the cleaner. Then use the mop to clean up the cleaning solution.

Another tip in regards to mopping technique is to start away from the entrance of the room. Mop from left to right in three-foot sections, working toward the door. Overlap the previous section you mopped. Using this method can help prevent you from walking on the cleaned area.

Hard Water Spots

Lime scale deposits can lead to difficult to remove hard water spots on glass or ceramic surfaces in your bathroom. What is hard water? Hard water has dissolved calcium and magnesium in it. It is very common condition that is not dangerous to your health. The amount of hardness varies depending on where you live. A majority of homes in the US have hard water. How do you measure the amount of hardness in your water? The amount of grains per gallon (gpr) of water of dissolved minerals in your water is the most common measurement, very hard water has over 10.5 gpg.

How do you remove hard water spots? When it comes to your dishwashers one way to remove spots is to use a rinse aid. If you want a more environmentally friendly option try using white vinegar in the rinse.

For showers, cleaning regularly with lots of elbow grease is the primary option to get rid of hard water stains. Remember that you should clean hard water stains away regularly. The longer they sit, the harder they are to remove. However, here are some tips that can make cleaning easier.

*Plain white vinegar and lemon juice – the acid helps to loosen and remove hard water deposits from glass shower enclosures.

* Oven cleaner – this works really well on shower doors. Spray, wait a half hour and rinse off the excess. Some scrubbing maybe required.

* Baking Soda- make your baking soda into a past with water and rub onto the surface. Let it sit for a few minutes then wipe away.

*Lime-A-Way and products that contain heavy acids like phosphoric acid is best used on stubborn stains from hard water deposits, rust and soap scum. Just make sure to use eye protection to avoid injury.

If the methods don’t work then it may be time to hire a professional cleaning surface to help keep hard water stains away through regular cleaning.

Dirtiest Places in your Home

Since we are cleaning experts at Grime Solvers we often get asked what the dirtiest things we clean are. You would be surprised to find out that some of the dirtiest things in your home aren’t traditionally what a cleaning service would clean, their personal items that you would never think of.

1. The toothbrush holder, most people have them but rarely clean them. Bacteria from your mouth often end up in toothbrush holders after your rinse off your toothbrush. The result is often a load of bacteria and germs in the bottom of the cup. Make sure your run your toothbrush holder through the dishwasher monthly to eliminate the germs that can spread illness in your family.

2. The kitchen sink is consistently said to be the dirtiest place in your home. Food often sits in the sink resulting in germs and bacteria. But other related kitchen items can be just as dirty; these include kitchen sponges and dish towels. These items help to clean up the mess of food spills and they often stay damp. This is a breeding ground for bacteria. Make sure you launder your dishtowels weekly and run your sponges through the dishwasher every so often. This will reduce germs and extend their life.

3. The remote control is the key to entertainment for your family but with everyone touching it and kids putting it in their mouths and since we are often eating while watching TV it can get very dirty. However it often is never sanitized from the time you purchase your TV. Disinfecting cleaners can be purchased that are safe for electronics and they should be used on things like keyboards and remotes once a month. Make sure you check with your electronics manufacturer before you use a cleaning spray.

It really makes you think about all of the germs hidden in and around your home. Call Grime Solvers for a truly thorough cleaning but also make sure you’re taking care of the dirt you don’t always see and think of.

Tips for Cleaning Your Oven

With all the holiday cooking you will be doing it bound to happen, something boils over or spills while you cooking in the oven. And you can’t do anything while the oven is still hot so you have to wait until it cools to begin your cleanup.

Due to modern technology, oven cleaning is no longer the arduous task it once was. For our grandmothers, it was a day long chore and a lot of elbow grease. Below I have listed a few steps to make oven cleaning a little easier.

Know Your Oven Type
Before you can clean your oven, find out what type you have to prevent damage. Oven manufacturers often equip them with a continuous clean mode. Some ovens are called self-cleaning, which is, of course, is not completely true. But, they certainly make the job easier.

Self-cleaning ovens assist you by making spills easier to clean Run the self-cleaning cycle for your oven as often as you need to. It reduces almost any spill to a powdery gray pile of ash that can easily be wiped away at the end of the oven's cleaning cycle using a damp cloth. Some ovens, during the clean mode, will produce smoke and or fumes, so be sure to open windows and ventilate well. You may need to wash down the oven door and frame with a gentle cleaner to remove soil residue.

Continuous cleaning ovens have a special surface that has a rough porcelain layer that is supposed to burn off food gradually as use your oven. These ovens do not let food harden and become difficult to remove so they can be cleaned with a little soap and water.
Regular non-self-cleaning ovens need to be cleaned each time the oven is cooled off. In most cases wiping up any spills with a hot, wet cloth will work just fine. If you do this each time, food will not build up or burn onto the oven surfaces.

Some people prefer to cover the bottom of the oven with aluminum foil, but you'll need to make sure that no vents are blocked if you choose this prevention trick.

At least 2 to 3 times a year you will need to do a more comprehensive oven cleaning. Buy oven cleaner, rubber gloves and be ready to scrub. Follow the directions on the can and be sure to ventilate well. Instructions vary depending on the brand of cleaner but generally, spray the oven and in 6-8 hours it will be ready to clean-up with a little elbow grease. Be sure the oven is completely rinsed of cleaner residue before you cook.

One green friendly you may want to try is just add baking soda to a spray bottle as a gentle abrasive that also soaks up grease and oily stains.

Cleaning Windows

At Grime Solvers, we clean a lot of windows for both business and residences. Clean enough windows and eventually you find tips that can make the job go faster.

Is there a best time to clean windows? This answer might surprise you but a cloudy day is the best time to clean windows. Sun actually makes cleaner dry too quickly. This could leave streaks behind because the cleaner dries before it can be removed.

What’s the best place to start inside or out? Start with the outside windows. This way when you get inside to clean you can see the streaks you are leaving behind. You can’t see the steaks when you are looking from the outside in due to the dark rooms and reflections on the window.

What is the best window cleaning technique? Spray cleaner on the glass until the window is evenly covered but not dripping. With a clean lint-free cloth, an old pillowcase also works well, wipe horizontally. Repeat on the outer side of the window, but this time wipe vertically. Wiping in different directions allows the streaks to be seen more easily.

Consider the whole picture – think about cleaning drapes and blinds as well as windows and window frames all at once. It might be painful to do it all at once but you’ll thank yourself later.

Remember if you are simply tired of cleaning your own windows let the professionals at Grime Solvers take over. Grime Solvers, it’s the next best thing to doing it yourself.