Category: Home Cleaning

Whether the ceramic tile in your bathroom has a polished or textured surface, when soap scum, hard water residue or mold and mildew build on it, the shower looks dirty and grungy. And most people don’t enjoy cleaning their own bodies at a dirty shower. As you can purchase over-the-counter cleaner for cleaning the tile, you can also make cleaning solutions at home from common household materials. Before using a homemade cleansing option in your shower tiles, then test it on an inconspicuous location.

Washing Soda Cleanser

You are able to eliminate most soap scum and hard water residue using a solution of 1/2 cup packed water softener or washing machine, 2 tbsp rottenstone (a fine powdered stone abrasive used in woodworking) and one cup warm water. Dip a sponge having an abrasive side from the mixture and wash the shower walls. Rinse with cool water. Test the abrasive pad on the tile first to make sure that it does not scratch.

Vinegar, Hydrogen Peroxide or Tea Tree Oil

Apart from looking gross, mold and mildew when left to develop can make people in your house ill, particularly if they have allergies or other sensitivities. But you are able to keep mold and mildew at bay by stripping down the shower walls after each shower. Add 2 cups water and 2 teaspoons tea tree oil to a spray bottle. Shake the mixture and spray it on the tiles. Do not rinse. Other home made tile-cleaning recipes include 1/2 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide blended with 1 cup water sprayed on the tile, or straight white vinegar sprayed on the mold to kill it. Clean as you regularly will after the hydrogen peroxide mixture or vingear has dried on the tile.

Homemade Soft Scrubs

To make your own homemade soft scrub solution for use on bathroom shower tiles or elsewhere at the house, combine 1/2 cup liquid castile soap, 2 cups baking soda and 5 to 10 drops of an essential oil for fragrance. If you’re planning to store the mixture, store it in a sealed glass jar and add 4 teaspoons vegetable glycerin for a preservative. A second recipe requires 5 cups grated Castile soap, 1/2 cup baking soda, 1 teaspoon eucalyptus oil, 6 cups warm peppermint tea and one teaspoon borax simmered on the stove for 15 minutes on low heat and kept in a spray bottle. Shake the bottle before using.

A Shiny Finish

If you have hard water, soap leaves a film on ceramic tiles. After using one or more of the above cleaning solutions to clean your ceramic tile shower walls, give your tiles a glistening finish. After eliminating the cleanup option, polish the tiles club pop: Pour the club pop into a bucket and then wipe down the walls with it. Do not rinse, as it creates tiles sparkle. It works on matte tiles to give them a gentle sheen.

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While the kitchen often is full of temptingly aromatic scents, it also often suffers from unpleasant lingering smells from cooking residue or foods that are burnt. As many realtors bake cookies right before showing a house to eliminate the lingering scent of unappealing kitchen scents and infuse the air with the smell of inviting baked goods, there are also bake-free approaches to cover up odors and scents from the kitchen.

The Power of Vinegar

While that garlic-roasted chicken may have smelled so lovely last night before dinner, then you’re left dealing with remaining odor the next moment. Use vinegar to get more than whipping up salad dressing. Vinegar cleans and deodorizes, which makes it a safe and convenient choice for those seeking a natural way of getting rid of bad smells. Boil a solution of 3 tablespoons white vinegar and one cup of water for 15 minutes to neutralize odors. Put small cups of vinegar countertops throughout the space to deodorize while you sleep. As you are cooking, put a small bowl of vinegar next to the cooker to cover up smells as they happen.

A New Fridge

Several of the worst scents at a kitchen originate from the refrigerator and freezer. Nontoxic baking soda is well-known for its natural ability to eliminate odors. Catch an opened box at the refrigerator to soak up smells. Change the box out every 30 days to ensure freshness as baking soda’s powers weaken over time. The material of the old box can be used to clean different areas around the kitchen, such as garbage cans, seams and drains, even though it cannot be used for baking. For more powerful odors such a rotting fruit or spoiled meat, consider filling a clean sock with dried coffee grounds.

Wash Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets are another haven for unpleasant odors. To get a fast and effortless solution, put a charcoal brick from the cupboard to absorb smells. If the smell stays, remove all things from the cabinets to track down any hidden spills or other sources of the smell. Use a heavy duty cleanser spray, scrub with a sponge, rinse it clean and wipe dry. Put a bowl of white vinegar or baking soda from the cupboard, making sure it’s out of reach of little pets or hands. After a couple of days, the cabinets should smell new. In the event of especially nasty odors in porous wood cabinets, the smell may have penetrated the surface, which makes it almost impossible to eliminate. A fresh coat of paint is a way to cover up bad smells from cabinets in the kitchen.

An Herbal Haven

From warm and inviting spices such as cinnamon, clove and ginger to fragrant flowers such as roses, gardenias and jasmine, aromatherapy scents could ward bad smells. Look for candles, sprays and burning oils that deliver desired fragrances to the space. Even soaking a couple of cotton balls in vanilla delivers an appetizing smell while covering up bad smells, but be sure to keep them out of the reach of small children and animals. As an additional benefit, many of these scents are known to activate improved moods — in the calming affect of lavender into the invigorating allure of mint. Open up all windows to allow in fresh air when filling your house with these aromas.

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Naugahyde is a brand name for a synthetic material designed for looks and durability, frequently used on furniture. Oftentimes, a little dish soap mixed to water is all that’s needed to wash this material. Furniture wax serves as a protective spray-on coating suitable for Naugahyde, as advocated by the manufacturer.

Basic Cleaning

First wipe the Naugahyde with a damp, white cloth that’s nonabrasive. Water is sufficient to remove some dust and dirt, and using a white fabric guarantees no wax transfer into the stuff. In case the Naugahyde still appears soiled, squirt a little dish soap to hot water, swish it around, then dip a white fabric into the soapy solution, wiping down the furniture. Wash by wiping the item down with a clean damp cloth. If areas appear heavily soiled, scrub them with a toothbrush after applying the soapy water, then wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Protective Measures

Many Naugahyde fabrics are manufactured with a protective coating which helps resist stains. With time, this coat may lose its attractiveness. A furniture spray wax rubbed on clean Naugahyde restores the shine and provides some protection. To guard the Naugahyde’s tint, avoid using harsh chemical cleaners such as bleach or solvents, which might damage the first protective coating along with the material. Do not use paper towels or coloured fabric when cleaning, because these can transfer tints or masks onto the upholstery.

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Walking into a house that reeks of food, mildew or other odors is an unpleasant encounter. Nasty smells aren’t only embarrassing, but also implies a lack of cleanliness. Ammonia and mothballs utilized to indicate a clean house, but more options exist now. While store-bought goods deliver powerful cleaning and typically have powerful scents, in addition they contain potentially harmful chemicals. Many homemakers prepare their very natural and fragrant cleaning equipment to create returning home a positive sensory experience.

Vital Oil Euphoria

The new scent of the essential oil is not only visually pleasing; it also packs a heavy-duty cleaning punch. Skip the harsh chemicals and save money by making your own solution using refreshing and fragrant essential oils. Simply add 1 tablespoon of a citrus oil, such as lemon or tangerine, or mix them, to your spray bottle of tap water to create an inexpensive, non-toxic solution that cleans and disinfects stovetops, showers and other household surfaces. Mixed to a bucket of water, two tablespoons of the essential oil provides an all-surface-friendly solution for wooden floors. Clean spots on timber tables using a small number of essential oil onto a cotton ball, which can be particularly effective against sticky spills and hand prints. Insert a drop of a quality olive oil into your mixture, buff with a soft, clean cloth and your hardwood table is going to shine.

Flower Power

Scrubbing the stove, sink and counter tops may seem like drudgery, but the job feels less like work when you surround yourself with the romantic scent of roses. Common baking soda has many family uses, among which is its ability to prevent corrosion by elevating pH values. In your blender or food processor, combine 1 cup of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of salt and 1/4 cup of fresh or dried rose petals. Sprinkle the pulverized mixture on your own cleaning zone and use a moist sponge to clean away dirt and grime. For pick-up carpets, use a combo of 1/4 cup of crushed fresh or dried lavender flowers with 3/4 cup baking soda plus 1/4 cup cornstarch. Sprinkle the mixture over your carpet or rug and let it set. Vacuum up a few hours later surrounded by the soothing scent of lavender.

Tea-riffic

A relaxing cup of herbal tea is not only a digestive remedy. Mix 2 gallons of warm water, 1/2 cup of white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice juice plus 1/2 cup of strained peppermint tea to concoct a fine cleanser for wooden floors. The sky is the limit when it comes to using herbal tea for a cleaning source; experimentation with other scents such as ginger, lemon zinger and cinnamon spice. The best part is you don’t even need to rinse. To get a bright scent in a pinch, mix and match your favourite teas to your spray bottle and spritz rooms everyday with revitalizing mixtures of orange peel, chamomile, ginger, vanilla and more.

Benefits Abound

Making your own all-natural cleaning products does not only save money. These fresh-smelling products can also be non-toxic, safer for animals and creatures and irritant-free for most people with chemical sensitivities. These homemade solutions also encourage cleaner air so you’re not breathing in toxic fumes. In reality, research from the EPA indicates that inside air quality is considerably more polluted than the air just out, and store-bought compound cleaners perform a role in this unsettling statistic.

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Gorgeously veined and marvelously cool, marble is a timeless choice for tabletops. While this elegant stone may seem solid, though, looks could be deceiving. Marble is a porous material, which makes it vulnerable to discoloration in addition to stains from spills and drips. Cleaning which tabletop with the appropriate strategies and materials will maintain the look you love.

With a solution of warm water and dish soap, thoroughly wash the surface of the marble. Use the rough side of a kitchen sponge to gently scrub the surface. Dry the marble entirely using a clean rag.

Fill a spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide. Spray the marble until the surface is evenly soaked with the solution. Cover the entire surface when addressing complete discoloration. Manage a smaller stain by limiting the spray to that area.

Combine hydrogen peroxide and baking soda in a bowl to make a loose paste. Use the mixture evenly across the marble table to take care of complete discolorations. Immediately cover surface areas with plastic wrap. Stretch the plastic wrap tightly under the table to make a safe covering. To treat stains without treating the entire table, use the mixture simply to the stained area and cover with plastic wrap. Use masking tape to hold the plastic in place. Allow the mix to sit covered for 24 to 48 hours.

Remove the plastic wrap and wipe the rest of the portion of the table. If necessary, repeat the process until the discoloration has been corrected.

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Before getting rid of your old cushions and purchase new ones, consider the choice of dyeing the cushion covers at home. Whether they have become stained, dated or don’t match your decor any more, a cheap box of fabric dye will alter old cushion covers into something such as new. This do-it-yourself project will be most successful if your cushion covers are produced from a natural fiber like wool, cotton, linen or silk, and when their current color is lighter than the colour you would like to dye them.

Remove the covers from the cushions. If your cushion covers aren’t designed to be removed, carefully unpick one of the side seams with embroidery scissors or a seam ripper, just enough to take out the cushion kind or stuffing from the inside. Be ready to sew this seam back together by hand once you’ve dyed the covers — if you don’t have basic sewing skills, recruit a crafty friend or family member to assist.

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan or kettle. Put on your rubber gloves and apron.

Transfer the boiling water into your bucket or basin and sprinkle or squeeze in the water the amount of dye recommended for the approximate quantity of fabric you will be working with. Stir the mix with an old wooden spoon (one which will no more be utilized for food) until dye is fully dissolved into the water.

Add more warm water into the bucket or basin till you have enough water to fully submerge your cushion covers. You don’t have to boil the extra water, but allow the faucet run until it’s hot.

Place the cushion covers into the dye bath and submerge them with the wooden spoon until the cloth is fully saturated. Allow the cushion covers soak for approximately five minutes.

Add 1 cup of salt into the solution if your cushion covers are made from cotton, linen or rayon. If your cushion covers are silk, cotton or wool, add 1 cup of white vinegar instead. Stir the mix with the wooden spoon. The vinegar and salt assist the dye penetrate the cloth’s fibers.

Soak the cushion covers from the dye solution for around an hour, based on the thickness of color you would like. Every five minutes or so, agitate the cloth by wrap it around from the process with the spoon. Periodically lift one of the covers partially from the bathroom to examine its new color. Keep in mind that when the fabric is dry, the color will be lighter than it appears when moist.

Eliminate the cushion covers from the dye bath when the color is to your liking. Gently squeeze the excess dye alternative out. Rinse the cloth under warm water at first, then under cold water until the water runs clear. Squeeze the excess water from the cushion covers and dry them on a clothesline or at your dryer.

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Although vinyl itself does not rust, if tough water evaporates off your vinyl tile flooring, it also may leave a red-brown rust stain. Rust dissolves as it comes into contact with acid, however some acids may dissolve the coatings on the vinyl tiles too. Abrasives, solvents, bleaches and ammonia can all harm vinyl flooring, therefore select a mild cleaning agent rather. If you have very tough rust stains that won’t respond to gentle cleaners, oxalic acid can eliminate the rust without damaging the vinyl — but it is toxic to you, so handle it carefully.

Cream of Tartar Method

Mix small quantities of water to cream of tartar till it forms a paste. Scoop the paste onto a cloth.

Rub the paste onto the rust stains on the tile. Allow it to sit for several minutes.

Wipe the glue off the tile using a clean cloth. If the rust does not come off, repeat the procedure and leave the glue on the tile for an extra five minutes. If it still does not work, move on to a stronger acid.

Oxalic Acid Method

Wear safety glasses, gloves and long sleeves to protect yourself from the acid. If you’re using powdered oxalic acid rather than a 5-percent liquid solution, mix 10 teaspoons of the powder to 1 quart of water to generate a 5-percent solution.

Dip a cloth into the answer. Rub the rust stain on the vinyl. Allow it to sit for five minutes. Rub the spot again to see if the rust comes away.

Lay the wet cloth over the spot if the rust has not dissolved. Allow the acid work for 10 minutes. If the rust still won’t come away, wet the cloth and lay it above the spot for the next 10 minutes.

Spray the ground with an alkaline cleaner or sprinkle baking soda over the spot to neutralize the acidity. Scrub the floor with a cloth to remove the rust as well as the cleaners. Wash the floor with a sponge soaked in water, and then dry it using a clean cloth.

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With their typical slender necks and wide bowls, crystal decanters gently aerate fine wines, enhancing aroma and flavor and allowing sediment to settle. Their shape also means that they can be tough to clean. Insert the reality wines may leave deposits on the inside and you may shy away from using those serving pieces.

Tips and Techniques

Cleaning beads, very similar to miniature metallic ball bearings, are a one-time investment you rinse clean and reuse. Gently pour in the beams, add water, then gently swirl the beams around inside the decanter. As they swish from the crystal, the beads clean off deposits and film. For harder deposits, then let white vinegar sit at the decanter to get a few minutes to a couple hours, then swish the beads. As an alternative to cleaning beads, use uncooked rice grains. Decanter cleaning brushes are made out of long, flexible handles that reach the recesses of their bowl. Sometimes tipped with bristles and occasionally with sponge fingers, they help scrub a long-necked decanter from top to bottom. When you have hard water, then make the last rinse with lukewarm water to prevent spotting. Dry the decanter upside-down, supported by means of a rack to prevent breaking and rolling.

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