Great Info Tips

I hate to clean, but I like a clean house, so I asked around and got some great tips on how to get this chore done faster with still maintaining a clean house. Baking soda and salt (1 cup of each) will keep the drains clean and unclogged. If you have small children, use a pocket style hanging shoe bag near the door to store all the mittens, gloves, and hats used during the winter. Label each pocket with the child’s name. Children can then reach what they need and they can be reminded to put their things back into their pouch. If you use a rubber mat in the bathtub, roll the ends toward the center and then stand it on end to drain. This will keep it from getting mildew. You can clip the ends together with a clothespin if they won’t stay for you. If you break the garden rake handle, use the rack part to store small tools, attaching it to the garage wall with the tines out and hang the tools between the tines. To clear soot from the chimney save the potato peelings until you have a nice amount, dry them, then burn them in the fireplace or stove. They burn so fast they carry the soot right up the chimney. If you car doors get frozen you can heat your key with a lighter or match. Put the key into the lock and leave it in place for 20 to 30 seconds, but make sure you wear gloves when doing this because the key will get hot. Mowing your leaves instead of raking them provides the lawn with a finely shredded mulch and protects it during the winter months. This mulch will be absorbed into the ground by spring. Suede clothing can be cleaned by sponging them with a soft cloth dipped in vinegar. You can use Worcestershire sauce to clean any brass you have at home. Gets it nice and shiny.

To clean efficiently, you need to concentrate on what you are doing. Distractions break the flow of rythmn you build as you clean. Make sure you have all your supplies in a portable caddy or tote. Add an old toothbrush for small, hard to reach spots. Premoistened wipes work great to make the bathroom and kitchen counters sparkle fast. Clean the floor first when doing the bathroom since stray hair is easier to clean up when it’s dry.

Shake out the doormats. People do forget to do this. Those mats collect a lot of dust and dirt on a daily basis. This goes for indoor and outdoor mats. Black heel marks can be cleaned up by using a white pencil eraser and rubbing gently on linoleum and wood floors.

Disinfect your sponges and cleaning cloths in the microwave. “Cook” them for 1 minute to get rid of the germs. Put appliances not used daily away. Keep the counters as clean as possible so eliminate the clutter. Baking soda in the sink will clear the drain and make the sink sparkle. Make sure to rinse well.

When dusting use both hands- lift the object with one hand and use the other to dust under and around the area. This makes dusting go a lot faster. Clean old socks work great as dusters. Just dampen them with a cleaner and get busy. Best of all, you can wash them with a regular laundry load.

Use a lint brush to remove pet hair from the sofa and chairs. Clean the filters in your air conditioner often. Rinse then with water and let them dry a bit before putting them back in. If you own your own home you need to drain a few gallons of water from the water heater every year to remove the sediment that is collected at the bottom. Turn off the power, open the drain on the bottom, and let the water flow into a bucket or large pan. It’s a good idea to keep a calendar marked with the date you drained the heater and to do it the same time next year. Don’t forget to pull out the fridge and clean the coils. These collect dust over time and can make your fridge hum. Good idea to do this once a year or every 6 months.