Household Cleaning Tips
We all want to make cleaning as painless and inexpensive as possible.
After years of practice, Mrs Clean is here to share a few of our tricks of the trade.
Most of these tips are using things you will find around your house. Expensive cleaners are not necessary in most cases.
By using non-toxic cleaners, get the kids involved in helping keep the house clean as well.
Kitchen Cleaning
The kitchen is a special challenge because of the variety of cleaning needs. Grease can be absorbed while still fresh by throwing a bit of cornstarch or baking soda right on the grease then wiping away when cleaning the rest of the kitchen. The stove top can be treated every few months with car wax to keep the surface slick and easy to clean.
Oven and Microwave Cleaning
Microwaves can be cleaned easily by putting a sponge soaked in white vinegar or lemon juice in the microwave and cooking it for 1 or 2 minutes. Don’t open the microwave for about 5 minutes. The stuck on food should slide right off.
The same procedure can work with ovens except use a shallow pan with a couple of cups of white vinegar and no sponge. Cook for 5-10 minutes and leave in the oven to cool for about 30 minutes. Food will slide right off.
Any left over vinegar or lemon juice can be squeezed onto the sponge to keep it fresh. To control germs you should bleach it or run it through the dishwasher or clothes washer on a regular basis.
Red Dye Stains
For red food dye stains on counters, like those left by drinks, use straight rubbing alcohol, enough to puddle on the stain. Leave it for several minutes and wipe away. Use a sudsy cleaner on counter after.
Stuck on Food
For food stuck on pots and pans, put a dryer sheet in the pan and leave overnight. In the morning the food will slide right out. The fabric softener will soften the food overnight.
Tarnished Silverware
For tarnished silverware, heat 2 cups of water and add 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Put silverware on a sheet of aluminum foil in a pan with the silverware making contact on the foil. The combination of metal and baking soda will cause the tarnish to disappear.
Bathroom Cleaning
Bathrooms can be a source for all sorts of cleaning problems. Keeping mildew under control in the bathroom can be a challenge. Try spraying a mixture of 50% hydrogen peroxide and 50% water on the walls every six months to prevent mildew.
Cut the seam off of the bottom of the plastic shower curtain to keep mold from growing there. Also, put a couple cups of bleach in the back of the toilet every few weeks to help control germs. Be careful that children and pets don’t come into contact with this water.
Bathroom Odors
Bathroom odors can be controlled by putting cotton balls filled with vanilla extract in bowls or under the sink. Also put baking soda in the bottom of the trash cans to absorb odors.
Use car wax on the clean shower walls every six months or so to prevent soap scum from sticking. Vinegar works well on soap scum, especially hot vinegar.
Try heating up vinegar in the microwave, clean the microwave and take the vinegar to the bathroom to clean the soap scum from the shower curtain and walls.
Clothing Stains
General stains on clothes can be treated with shaving cream. Keep a couple of bottles handy and treat just before laundering. Always check for colorfastness. Goop ™ works well as a spot treatment on grease stains. Just put it directly on the stain and throw it in the wash.
Put dryer sheets in between sheets and towels to keep away creepy crawlies and leave a nice smell after. Cotton balls with vanilla extract in the corners of the closets makes for a nice smell when you pull open the door.
