Household Cleaning Tips

KITCHEN CLEANING TIPS

Stainless Steel

Tip #1: For a brilliant shine for your stainless steel - use a cloth moistened with club soda, rubbing alcohol, or white vinegar and gently apply on smoothly.

Tip #2: Use small amount of natural lemon oil on stainless steel, it works wonders.

Kitchen Cabinets

Tip #1: For cleaning wooden cabinets I recommend using orange glo or murphy's oil. These work well for light grease. Also they bring out the shine in the wood and helps to maintain the wood from drying out.

Tip #2: For heavy grease build-up on cabinets - Spray on scrubbing bubbles and let it set. Wash with warm water. If grease is really bad you may have to repeat the process. Do not scrub with abrasive pads. It will take off the finish of the wood. Testing a small area is always a good idea.

 

Drain Cleaner

 

Tip #1: Although baking soda and vinegar neutralize each other, they make an effective drain cleaner and deodorizer. The first step is to pour a cup of baking soda down the drain. Then follow with a cup of white distilled vinegar. You should see a great deal of foaming and fizzing. Let it sit for about thirty minutes and then run hot water down the drain for a few minutes to clear the residue out.

 

GREEN CLEANING TIPS -

 

 

Eco-Friendly products are really the best to use for cleaning. Using natural products that are non-toxic, and biodegradable are a much safer choice for the environment.

Tip #1:  Table salt works well to remove baked-on food from inside the oven. Cover the area with salt while the oven is still warm. After it cools, scrape the food away and wipe with a damp sponge.

Tip #2:  Add 4 tablespoons baking soda to 1 quart warm water for a nontoxic, all-purpose cleanser that can be used to clean countertops.

Tip #3:  To make windows and mirrors clean, streak free and smudge proof, spritz with plain water and wipe clean with a dry microfiber cloth. It works wonders for me. Paper towels seem to have an oil base to them and causes smudges, streaks and a film residue.

Tip #4: Disinfect and deodorize the toilet bowl quickly. Sprinkle the sides with baking soda, let sit for a few minutes, then pour alittle vinegar in toilet. Scrub with a toilet brush and then flush.

Tip #5: Prevent mold and mildew from becoming a growing problem in the bathroom; keep a spray bottle filled with 1 cup water and 1 drop tea tree oil handy for zapping stains.

Tip #6: Let your houseplants help with your cleaning! Some houseplants such as: boston ferns, english ivy, rubber plants and peace lilies can help clean your indoor air by absorbing toxic chemicals.

Tip #7:  Baking Soda works well as a deodorizer. You can keep an open box in the refrigerator or freezer to help it smell better. Mix it with water, and it acts as a good scrubbing cleaner.

Tip #8: Common household items such as peroxide and vinegar work to get rid of mildew and mold.  Just spray it on and let it sit for awhile and then wipe off.

Tip #9:  Freshen your indoor air the natural way.  Instead of using the store bought air fresheners, try boiling cinnamon, cloves, or any other herbs that you enjoy.

Tip #10: The acid in lemons makes the citrus a great cleaning agent, and it has a bleaching effect, especially when exposed to sunlight.  Banish stains on a cutting board by cutting a lemon in half, then dip it in table salt, and rub it over the stained area.

Tip #11:  Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Pour a cup of white vinegar into the toilet and toss in a handful of baking soda to soak about 10 minutes.  Then clean with toilet brush.

 

* More cleaning tips to come. So I invite you to check back!