How To Clean Your Shower Curtain

Face it, shower curtains attract dirt with the damp conditions and soap scum that builds up. It really makes them a mold breeding ground waiting to happen. Instead of throwing that shower curtain out, you can take a few steps to save it.

To get your shower curtains clean and looking better than new, put the them into the clothes washer. Add 1 cup of bleach and 1 cup of detergent. Add several dirty towels or a blanket, etc. to the washer and run it on a gentle cycle using either warm or hot water. Hang them back up to drip dry. The combined effect of gravity and the hot steam from using the shower or bath will cause any remaining wrinkles to disappear within a day.

Removing Mold and Mildew

To remove any mold and mildew that does occur you can wash the curtain in the washer, or soak it in the bath tub with about 1 cup of bleach. Let it sit for about 20 minutes. To keep mildew away, spray newly washed shower curtains with a disinfectant during your regular cleaning routine.

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 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.

How to Keep Home Sweet Home Smelling the Same—Tips for Eliminating Household Odors

Odors in the home are a lot like…bills…everyone has them, and they all stink!

All jokes aside, household odors can leave your home feeling dirty and unpleasant, and can be a real problem for you and your family—not to mention your friends and neighbors if they have the misfortune of stopping by in between cleanings. The fouls smells often found in the usual places—like the kitchen, the bathroom and the basement—are made much worse when you factor in your pets’ favorite spot on the rug, your grandfather’s old recliner and the bedroom of your teenage son…

Though the prospect of an odor free home smells so sweet—we all know it’s not quite the reality. But there are many ways that you can not only cover unpleasant odors, but also remove them. Here are some tips to cut some of the toughest and common household smells.

Kitchen and Food Odors.

In the fridge, the trash can, the garbage disposal, the drains, and sometime lingering in the air from what was cooked, as delicious as food can be when freshly prepared, it can downright putrid when left around too long. Combat food odors by:

* Empty and clean your refrigerator often to prevent odors and place an open box of baking soda in the refrigerator and freezers to catch them as they arise.
* To remove odorous food smells from counter tops, clean with equal parts of vinegar and water.
* Flush your garbage disposal and drains with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to cleanse, and follow with citrus juice to freshen.
* Clean garbage cans with a bleach and water solution once a week.


Fabric and Carpet Odors.

Whether from your pet or years of wear and tear, upholstery and carpets are hot beds for bad home odors. With lots of products on the market to mask the smell and freshen the room, try these tricks to remove the odor:

* Sprinkle baking soda on a smelly carpet or upholstery, wait an hour (or more), then vacuum the powder and the odor away. Baking soda absorbs moisture that can cause odor build-up.
* Steam clean the fabrics and carpets, adding ¼ of a cup of lemon juice or one cup of vinegar to the water.
* Set small decorative bowls full of vinegar around the house. Not only will the vinegar absorb the odor in the room, it will also add a fresh smell. (this tip is also great for removing cigarette smells)

Clothes and Bedroom Odors

At the end of a long day, your bedroom should be the place to which you retreat. Unfortunately, stale odors can leave bedrooms room smelling more like a gym locker than a relaxing oasis. Bring peace back in to your room by:

* Your browser may not support display of this image. Deodorizing your closet and dresser drawers by tucking a few unused fabric softener or dryer sheets into the corners
* Hammer pieces of cedar wood onto the back wall of your closets to prevent musty odor from building up in your closet. Your browser may not support display of this image.
* Sprinkle the insoles of stinky shoes with baking soda and leave sit overnight. Also throw dirty sneakers in a the washing machine then wash with laundry detergent and bleach (if color free)
* Be sure you’re washing you bed linens—including duvet coves, pillow shams, dust ruffles and bed spreads—regularly.



As a rule-- baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and vinegar are great odor eliminators.

Sources:

www.allergyconsumerreview.com
www.biotrauma.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

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

Benefits of Hiring a Cleaning Service

Today it’s easy for families to feel overworked and wish they had more hours in the day. Do you dread coming home from work and cleaning the house or, are you tired of spending all weekend cleaning your home? Do you feel that you could spend more time with your family or use your time to do the things you want to do, instead of cleaning? Then it’s time to start thinking of hiring a professional cleaning service.

By hiring a cleaning service you get a clean and organized that you can enjoy and appreciate after a hard day at work. Without cleaning on your mind you can experience relief from stress and improvement in your mood.

Who can benefit from hiring a cleaning company?

Working Families

Times have changed, and both parents are often working a full-time, high-pressure job. But feedback shows that women are still generally more responsible for household cleaning than men.

Hiring a cleaning company is a great way for working moms to save time. Keeping up the house can be tiring and take long hours. It can also give them back critical time needed to concentrate on their family, hobbies and most importantly themselves.

Some women feel guilty about hiring someone to clean their home. But in today’s busy world, hiring a professional cleaning company can give you back valuable time that can spent on the most important things in life like, spend more time with their families, playing, helping with homework and even cooking dinner together.

Single People
Singles don’t have others to rely on for home shores. They have the sole responsibility of being the sole wage earner and all the work and around the home. Handling the entire household on your own can be difficult task. And with more singles buying single homes today you can take some of the pressure off by hiring a cleaning service.

The Elderly & Disabled
The elderly may have a hard time reaching hard to reach places around the house or doing the heavy lifting required for housework. Hiring a cleaning service will make their lives easier and safer. The same is true for those who suffer from disabilities or injuries.

There is no doubt that cleaning services serve to make our lives simpler and easier, regardless of who we are, what we do or how we live. The time and stress they can save us are priceless. So, when you're thinking of a new way to invest a little bit of your money, why not look into hiring a cleaning company and freeing yourself up to concentrate on other more important and enjoyable things?

Cleaning Stainless Steel

Stainless steel appliances are a beautiful addition to any kitchen. They can also help increase your home’s value but it’s important to maintain them. Stainless steel is generally easy to care for. However, there are certain precautions that should be taken when cleaning these appliances particularly to make sure that you don’t scratch the surface.

Here are a few simple steps to keep your stainless steel looking clean and new

1. Cleaning with plain water

For everyday cleaning needs use warm water and a cloth. This is the least risky option for cleaning stainless steel. Dry it with a towel or cloth to prevent water spots and don’t forget to wipe in the direction of the polish lines.

2. Adding a mild detergent, (dish washing liquid)

You can add a mild detergent to water for slightly tougher cleaning jobs. Always rinse it thoroughly with warm water to prevent staining and spotting and then dry surfaces with a towel to prevent water spots.

3. Using glass cleaner to remove fingerprints

Fingerprints can be removed with glass cleaner or household ammonia. Some newer types of finishes resist fingerprints. Rinse thoroughly and towel dry.

4. Using stainless steel cleaner

If your appliances suffer from some mild staining or scratching, or they just lack sparkle and shine, a stainless steel cleaner may be a good option. Cleaners made for stainless steel are perfect for minimize scratching and removing stains. They also can polish stainless steel surfaces back to their original shine. Each cleaner has its own directions but it’s important to rinse thoroughly to remove the remnants of the polish.

5. Green Options

If you don’t want to use chemicals try some of the items listed below for those pesky fingerprints and smudges. Apply any of the items below to a lint-free cloth and wipe down your surface. Follow up with a clean dry cloth to bring appliances to a mark-free shine.

Olive Oil (just a dab)
Mineral Oil (Baby Oil)–Just a dab
Club Soda (especially good for removing streaks and heat stains)
Rubbing Alcohol
Vinegar

Take just a few minutes each day to keep your stainless steel appliances looking like new.

Sources: http://housekeeping.about.com/
http://www.howtocleanstuff.net
http://tipnut.com

Taking Care of Carpet

One of the biggest determinants of whether your house looks clean is your carpet. Even if a house is kept sparkling clean; a dull, dingy carpet will make it feel dirty. Keeping your home looking great involves keeping your carpet looking great too. Proper care of your floor prevents damage, extends its life and keeps it looking new for years.

A good way to keep carpets cleaner is to keep outside dirt from getting in. Encourage everyone to leave their shoes at the door. Why remove your shoes? Take a closer look at the bottoms of those shoes and you'll find oil, dirt and who knows what else.

Vacuuming regularly also helps to extend the life and look of your carpet. Vacuuming on a regular basis helps keep the everyday dirt from building up in your carpet and since carpet wear is more from everyday use not from stains this can make a big difference. It can also help with allergies and asthma by picking up dust mites and other allergens that live in your carpet.

You can also rent a hot water “steam” cleaner to refresh your carpet by deep cleaning the ground in dirt out. If you’re worried about chemicals in your carpets, just run them with clean water; they’ll still get out most of the dirt.

If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on cleaners, or if you want to take the green friendly route, there are several household products that work great to get out stains. If you have a greasy stain, try putting baking soda on the stain and letting it sit for several hours. This should soak up the stain and you can just vacuum away the excess particles. If a stain requires more scrubbing, you can mix 1 part vinegar with 2 parts water and scrub. Just remember to clean it out well so you’re not left with the smell.

Stains can also reappear if you don’t get the pad of the carpet clean enough. To get out the deep down dirt, use lots of water when cleaning. Then, put a large amount of paper towels and a heavy object of the stain and let it set overnight. This will suck up any leftover dirty water that may have stayed in the carpet.

Before you try cleaning a carper on your own, please follow the proper cleaning instructions provided by the carpet manufacturer. Carpets made of natural fibers, such as wool or that are made with the need for special care from a professional. If you’re not sure if you should clean your carper on your own, contact a professional carpet cleaner.

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.