01.11.10
How To: Open A Clamshell Package Without Using A Knife or Scissors
Is there anything more frustrating than wrestling with a clamshell package? The more you wrestle with the plastic the more you want what’s inside. You begin to despair of ever actually holding the item in your own two hands. But there is an easy way to open these monsters. So put down the scissors and don’t play with knives, there is a better way.
First, grab an old fashioned rotary can opener — you know, the kind you don’t plug in :>) Now turn the package over so you’re looking at the back. Clamp the can opener on the edge of the package and work it all the way around the package. If the can opener doesn’t cut through the plastic, run it through a couple of layers of aluminum foil until it’s sharp.
That’s all there is to it. You won’t believe how easy this is. And I guarantee you will dazzle friends and family when you demonstrate this technique.
12.28.09
How To Prevent Mold, Mildew and Soap Scum From Ever Coming Back
So you’ve done all the really hard and nasty work of removing all those growing, spreading things in your shower: the soap scum (ugh!) and the mildew (double ugh!!), and frankly, you’d be perfectly happy not to ever do it again. Right? Well, it’s not only possible to banish those enemies forever, but it’s actually easy to prevent mildew and soap scum from every coming back.
The easiest method is, of course, to hire a housekeeper–that would surely be our suggestion–but there are DIY methods that are almost as easy. Read on.
Preventing Mildew
Mildew is a pink, brown or black mold that grows in any dark, warm, moist environment. So how do we prevent it? By making our bathroom a light, cool, dry environment!
- Leave your bathroom lights on before, during and after you take a shower or bath.
- Turn on the fan, open a window so the air circulates.
- Keep the bathroom as dry as possible.
- Do a wipe down of the tile with a squeegee, chamois or microfiber cloth.
- Open the shower door or spread the shower curtain out over the shower rod. (If you have a shower curtain that is already stained with mildew, replace it with a mildew resistant one. They really do work!)
- Spread towels out to dry; pick up any clothing from the floor.
Preventing Soap Scum
The easiest way to prevent soap scum is to stop using soap!
Preventing the Ring Around the Tub
- If your water is fairly soft, all you may need to do is run a scrubby pad around the ring area as the water is draining. Kids love to do this.
- For harder water, sprinkle a little Epsom salts (available at your pharmacy) or Calgon Water Softener. Many bubble baths also eliminate bath tub ring.
- And as above, you can change your brand of bar soap or use a liquid body wash.
There are plenty of other ways to prevent mildew and soap scum from coming back. What’s worked for you? What comments and or questions do you have. Please share.
12.15.09
Nine More Uses for Fabric Softener Sheets to Clean And Deodorize
In our last post we listed 11 ways you can use fabric softener dryer sheets all around the house. Here are nine more. We hope you’ll give us your suggestions too.
Do you have other uses for fabric softener sheets? If so, please share!
12.07.09
Eleven Uses for Fabric Softener Sheets to Freshen and Clean
Don’t you just love multi-purpose products like glass and multi-surface cleaners, for instance? Time was when you had to have one product for the mirrors and windows and another for everything else. But now we just need one and we’re done.
It just sim-pli-fies things!
In the same vein, here are a lot of uses for the fabric softener sheets you use in your dryer. They are taken from readers suggestions on www.bounce.com. Who knew?
So, we’ve got more uses for these little wonder-workers, but we’ll save those for another post. Meanwhile what can you add? We *love*your comments, every one.
11.30.09
How To: Remove Soap Scum, Mildew and Hardwater Spots From Your Tub and Shower
You wouldn’t believe how many websites and blogs address the problem of mildew and soap scum! We’ve culled the best and most frequently suggested solutions for you. Use one or more of the following methods to get your tub and shower sparkling clean again. All of these solutions will work best if you let the water run on the hottest setting for several minutes before you begin.
Getting Rid of Soap Scum
Getting Rid of Mildew
Get Help!
If you are feeling overwhelmed by this project, consider getting a professional maid service to come in for a one-time cleaning. Most companies have a four hour minimum, and it’s amazing how much can be accomplished in that length of time. Once your house is all clean it’s so much easier to maintain!
Think about it….
Questions? Comments? Please share!!
11.23.09
How To: Bathroom Cleaning Made Super Fast and Easy
Okay, admit it: bathroom cleaning is one of your least favorite activities–ever! But no one feels good when the bathroom isn’t sparkling clean. But with a few simple tips in mind, you can clean your bathroom faster and easier than you ever thought possible.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
If your bathroom hasn’t had a really good cleaning in, oh, I don’t know, maybe, months? Or longer? Then if at all possible call in the professional cleanersfor a one time cleaning. Once everything is up to code, it will be so much easier for you to simply maintain–especially if you follow our guidelines.
GETTING STARTED
Now, let’s be honest, that wasn’t so bad was it? And if you didn’t have to do the tub and shower, it’d be a breeze. Read our next post to find out how!
Your comments? Suggestions? Tips? Please share!!
11.09.09
Twenty-One Reasons to Have Your Home Professionally Cleaned
So, you’ve never had professional housekeeping help. People are often surprised at how relatively little it can cost, so what’s holding you back? If what you need are a few reasons to get started, read on.
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1.You want to devote more time to working on your career, advancement or promotion.
2.You run a home-based business or tele-commute.
3.You want to spend more time with the people you love and doing the things you enjoy.
4.You are temporarily unable to clean due to health issues 5.You are pregnant.
6.You have a new baby (or babies!)
7.You are about to have a party or house guests.
8.You had a party or house guests!
9.You’d like to buy back your weekends for rest, relaxation and fun.
10.You or a family member suffer from allergies.
11.You want to relieve some stress in your life–and be a nicer person for your family.
12.You want to live in a healthy environment.
13. want to be able to entertain and have visitors without a major overhaul.
14.You are caring for several young children.
15.You are Ms. (or Mr.) Volunteer for the community, your children’s school, etc.
16.You hate house work!!
17.You want to reduce the stress associated with a cluttered environment.
18.You want to solve the family conflicts which result from the “messy house and no one wants to clean it” syndrome.
19.You want to feel proud of your home.
20.You want to experience the unbelievable bliss of coming home–just once or every week– to a sparkling clean house.
21.Because you desire a “life” outside of work and more work!
What’s your reason for having or wanting professional house cleaning? Please share.
11.08.09
How to Stop Procrastinating Forever
We came across this article recently and thought it was valuable enough to post in its entirety. After all, we can know every housecleaning tip, every organization method and speed cleaning technique in the world, but if we never get around to actually using any of them, we’re no better off than the person who knows nothing. So let’s change our thinking and we’ll change our way of doing things. Here’s hope! Read on.
How to Overcome Procrastination Using Self Talk
from wikiHow – The How to Manual That You Can Edit
We talk to ourselves all the time in our minds. Even when we’re not paying attention, these relentless mental debates deeply influence our feelings and, ultimately, our behavior.
The good news is that each time that if you can become aware of these mental dialogues, notice the patterns, and turn them into productive statements, then you are empowered to overcome many unwelcome feelings and behaviors.
Let’s see how this can help us when it comes to procrastination.
Steps
- Recognize the procrastinator’s motto. Consider the following thought, which surely crosses our minds many times in one form or another:“I have to finish this important task. It should already be done by now and I just need to do it.”This small, seemingly innocent thought contains almost every mental block that encourages procrastination. We all use the Procrastinator’s Motto (or variations of it) every once in a while. If you’re a chronic procrastinator, chances are you repeat it to yourself very frequently — daily, perhaps.But what’s so wrong about the Procrastinator’s Motto? In what ways do these words encourage procrastination so much — and what can we do about it? Let’s consider each part of this statement in turn, replacing each of them with an empowering alternative. In doing that, we’ll turn the original motto on its head and create a productive call to action: a “Producer’s Motto”, if you like.
- Remember that you don’t ‘have to’ do anything. ‘I have to’ is every procrastinator’s favorite expression. It’s also the most disempowering. Every time you say to yourself that you have to do something, you imply that you don’t have any choice, that you feel forced or coerced to do the task — that you don’t really want to do it. That perception, of course, elicits a strong feeling of victimhood and resistance toward doing the task. The solution to this problem is to replace ‘I have to’ with the immensely more empowering alternative ‘I choose to’ or ‘I will’. Everything you do is ultimately a choice (yes, even completing tax forms). Using language that expresses choice reminds you of that and brings the feeling of power back.
- Focus on starting, rather than finishing. When you focus on finishing something, you direct your attention to a vague, highly idealized future. Visualizing a finished project is motivating for many people, but for someone who’s having a hard time starting a task, visualizing a hard-to-grasp future can be overwhelming — even depressing. The solution in this case, then, is not to focus on finishing, but on starting. Forget for a minute about the finish line, just concentrate on giving your first step. Bring your focus from the future to what can be done right now. We all know that if we start something enough times, we’ll eventually finish the task. Starting — all by itself — is usually sufficient to build enough momentum to keep the ball rolling.[1]
- Break a long project down into short tasks. Dwelling on the size and difficulty of a looming task will overwhelm us, and thus promote procrastination. Any undertaking, no matter how daunting, can be broken down into smaller steps. The trick is — with each step along the way — to focus solely on the next, achievable chunk of work. Ignore the big picture for a while and just tackle that next small task. Make sure you can easily visualize the outcome of your small task. Don’t write a book; write a page. If it is still intimidating, commit yourself to work on it for a specific period of time.Keep the big picture in mind, of course, but don’t allow it to frighten you. Use it for motivation and direction.
- Don’t place too much pressure on yourself. “This project has to impress everyone; I really can’t blow this opportunity.” Placing such high hopes on a project only adds anxiety and fear of failure. Perfectionism fuels procrastination. Overcome this mental block by simply giving yourself permission to be human. Allow yourself to be imperfect with the next small task. You can always refine your work later. If you’re a serial perfectionist, go one step further and commit yourself to doing a sloppy job on purpose — at least at first. Instead of making every step perfect, think of them as steps toward perfection. For instance, write a page or two now, then proofread and correct them later.
- Stop thinking about the way things ’should’ be. The expression ’should’ invokes blame and guilt. When you say you should be doing something (instead of what you’re actually doing), you focus on comparing an ideal reality with your current, “bad” reality. You focus not on what is, but on what could have been. Misused ’shoulds’ can elicit feelings of failure, depression and regret. The solution is not to focus on how you feel now, but on how good you will feel after you begin to take action.
- Take some directed action. Even the tiniest progress is success — moving toward a goal is the best motivator. The trick is to bring that expected feeling of accomplishment into the present — and know that the real joy of progress is only a small task away. That small step is success.Success is not the end of your task. Success is the progress that leads you to your next step.
- Make it fun! “I’ve got to work all weekend”. “I am trapped in this laborious project”. Long periods of isolation can bring an enormous feeling of resentment. These feelings generate a strong sense of deprivation and resistance toward the task.Overcome this mental block by avoiding long stretches of work. Schedule frequent and brief breaks. Plan small rewards along the way. One idea is to work near a break area. Have something to look forward to — not far away and not at the end of a long stretch — but in the very near future. When rewards are small, frequent, and deserved, they work wonders. Truly commit to brief bursts of relaxation and leisure time. In fact, go ahead and make it mandatory. This “reverse-psychology” can, by itself, give you a more productive and enjoyable mindset.
- Rephrase your internal dialog. Time to check what we’ve accomplished with all the word substitutions. We started with:“I have to finish this important task. It should already be done by now and I just need to do it.”And ended up with:“I choose to start this task with a small, imperfect step. I’ll feel terrific and have plenty of time for fun!” Quite a change, eh? Every time you catch yourself repeating any part of Procrastinator’s Motto to yourself, stop and rephrase it. Then check how you feel. At first, it may seem to be a simple matter of word choices. But when you try this simple way of reframing your thoughts, you’ll see how it instantly changes your attitude toward your tasks. Moreover, if you turn it into a habit, you’ll slowly reprogram your thoughts, and make a positive, permanent change in your mindset.
Tips
- Some other “procrastinator phrases” include:[2]
- “I just don’t really feel like doing this right now. I will do it later.”
- Say instead: “Even if I can’t get the whole thing done right now, I can start on this part.”
- Say instead: “Even if I can’t get the whole thing done right now, I can start on this part.”
- “It’s no big deal if it doesn’t get done.”
- Say instead: “This is important to ME, so I choose to start now.”
- Say instead: “This is important to ME, so I choose to start now.”
- “It won’t take me that long.”
- Say instead: “This may take a long time, but I choose to start now and get part of this done right away.”
- Say instead: “This may take a long time, but I choose to start now and get part of this done right away.”
- “It’s not fair.”
- Say instead: “I choose to do this”
- Say instead: “I choose to do this”
- “I just don’t really feel like doing this right now. I will do it later.”
- Taking on a second-person view can also help. Tell yourself: “You know you’re just putting this off. Take the time right now and get started on this part. You’ll feel better and then you can take a break, or start on another small part.”[3]
- You can also provide yourself with an extra measure of motivation by using the Best Me Technque of self-hypnosis to pre-experience the rewards of a long-term goal, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for “will power.”
Related wikiHows
- How to Stop Procrastinating
- How to Be Punctual
- How to Develop Your Sense of Time
- How to Get Things Done Fast
- How to Wake Up On Time
- How to Hypnotize Yourself Using the Best Me Technique
Sources and Citations
- http://litemind.com/overcoming-procrastination-self-talk/ – Original source, shared with permission.
- ↑ This is what Mark Forster calls the “I’ll just get the file out” technique.
- ↑ http://livingwelltools.com/procrastination.htm
- ↑ http://www.catalystorganizing.com/articles/Later_Never_Comes.pdf
Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Overcome Procrastination Using Self Talk. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.
11.02.09
Housekeeping Tips: 6 Ways to Banish Odors and Freshen Your Home
As we said in our previous post, the first thing we notice about a home is the way it smells. Here are a few more ways to freshen your home.
- Sour sponges can make your whole sink area smell disgusting! To freshen your sponges, rinse them thoroughly after each use. In addition, put them in your dishwasher with every load you wash and/or put them in the microwave oven for 30 seconds and/or wash them with baking soda.
- To freshen your house while you vacuum, add a cotton ball soaked in your favorite essential oil or perfume to your new vacuum bag or in the dirt receptacle of a bagless vacuum cleaner. Choose the right aroma, and you might even enjoy vacuuming–well, at least a little.
- For shoe odors: spray inside with Frebreze or shoe deoderizing spray made by Odor Eaters (available in shoe repair shops and drug stores), or loosely wrap a cotton ball soaked in an essential oil in plastic wrap and place in shoes or boots. Fabric softener sheets will also take care of shoe odors.
- Keep food cupboard shelves clean–especially where there might be drips from food containers.
- Heloise suggests making your own aromatic jars. Take a small, clean glass jar and put a few cotton balls inside. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil such as clove, cinnamon, orange or peppermint and punch holes in the top. Now put your jars under a bed, behind books on the book shelf, near the cat litter box or wherever you need to freshen the air.
- Use high quality aromatherapy candles.
10.26.09
Housekeeping Tips: 7 Ways to Make Your Home Smell Clean and Fresh
The first thing anyone notices about your home (however unconsciously) is the way it smells. Try these tips to freshen the air.
- Sprinkle borax or baking soda on the carpets. Wait an hour or so before vacuuming. You’ve brightened and deodorized in one simple step.
- Put a dab of your favorite perfume or essential oil on your light bulbs when you entertain. Heavenly!
- Have a smoker in the house? Discreetly place a saucer or two of vinegar in the room(s) and cigarette odors will vanish.
- Grease accumulates on your range hood exhaust screens and turn rancid in time. Wash them thoroughly with a grease cutting detergent and/or run them through the dishwasher.
- Put a few cotton balls soaked with an essential oil, such as cinnamon, orange or eucalyptus, at the bottom of the garbage container before putting in the garbage bag. Renew the oils as often as necessary. Alternately, place a fabric softener sheet at the bottom of your waste basket.
- Freshen Fido’s bed by combining a few drops of lavender oil to a quart of water and spraying your pet’s sleeping area or use a commercial pet deodorizer. lavender oil has the added advantage of shooing away the fleas…for a little while! Your dog will thank you.
- And speaking of Fido, if you suffer from his bad breath, put a couple of drops of peppermint oil in a quart bottle. Shake thoroughly and pour into your dog’s water dish.
What do you do to keep your home smelling fresh and clean? Please share.
10.19.09
How To Clean and Protect Granite Counter Tops
Granite is much tougher and more durable than marble. It is pretty much heat resistent so it’s okay to put your hot pots or pans directly on the counter top. And it is extremely hard so scratches aren’t generally a problem. However, granite is surprisingly porous, so it is easily stained if you’re not careful.
To clean granite use one of the following–never use an ordinary kitchen cleaning product–then rinse and thoroughly buff dry with a soft cloth.
- Liquid dishwashing soap and water.
- A solution of borax and water.
- Stone soap, available at any hardware store, or on-line at www.stonecare.com.
- Use “Granite Guard Protector” (www.marble-cleaning-products.com ) to prevent staining from food, water, oil and dirt.
- For spots and stains, make a paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, or a peroxide cleaner such as Bio-Ox Citrus Concentrate and baking soda the stain with the paste. Place a damp cloth over the paste and leave it on overnight. Rub the stain with a white or blue scrubber pad if necessary. Rinse thoroughly and dry. If stain remains, refer to “how to clean a granite countertop” on www.ehow.com.
- Be sure you keep your granite properly sealed. www.StoneCare.com has a good selection of sealants as well as granite cleaning wipes for super convenience.
Do you have further suggestions for keeping granite clean and protected. Do you have a favorite product you’d like to share?
10.12.09
How to Care for Marble Surfaces: Dos and Don’ts
Here’s a summary of how to care for your marble surfaces. First the Dos:
- DO be sure the surface is free from dirt and/or grit before washing.
- DO clean your marble with liquid dishwashing soap or stone soap and water. Rinse thoroughly and buff dry with soft cloth.
- DO blot up spills immediately with a paper towel.
- DO make sure marble is properly sealed.
- DO protect marble floors with rubber-backed mats or rugs. Protect marble counter tops with mats, trivets or coasters.
And a few don’ts as well:
- DON’T allow water to remain on marble any longer than absolutely necessary.
- DON’T use lemon juice, vinegar or any regular household cleaner–even those that claim they are safe for all surfaces.
- DON’T use any abrasives whatsoever to clean your marble. No scrubbers, no “Soft Scrub,” nothing but a little baking soda if necessary.
For more tips on caring for your marble, please refer to our previous three posts.
Comments? Suggestions? Please share.
10.05.09
How To Care for Marble Surfaces in the Bathroom
Special care needs to be taken for marble surfaces in the bathroom.
- Be extra careful that these surfaces are properly sealed. (See previous post).
- Avoid hair spray near the vanity top as it may etch the surface. Ditto for perfumes and after shave as they contain alcohol.
- Do not use hair dye near a marble surface because, well, it will dye it!
- Never, ever leave water on any marble surface! This means a thorough wipe-down every time you use the shower or sink.
- A high quality marble wax or car paste wax may be effective to remove water spots.
- Use a rubber-backed rug instead of a bath mat so that the floor is kept dry.
- To remove soap scum from the shower surround, use a non-acidic soap scum remover or a solution of ammonia and water (about 1/2 cup ammonia to a gallon of water).
Do you have any additional suggestions? Please share!
09.28.09
How to Avoid Problems With Marble Counters in The Kitchen
This is a second in a series on caring for your marble counter tops and marble floors.
You can preserve your kitchen countertops for many years by taking some precautions:
- Always use a cutting mat (or cutting board with a towel underneath it) when working with any acidic foods such as lemons, vinegar or alcohol or foods such as beets which can discolor the surface.
- Blot (don’t wipe) any spills with a paper towel immediately. Then wash the area with dish soap and water. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth. Be especially careful with spilled sodas, ketchup, orange juice, lemonade and wine.
- Always place a hot pan on a trivet, mat or cutting board, never directly on the marble.
- Never allow wet dishes, glasses or water to stand on a marble for any length of time.
- Always brush off any salt or other gritty stuff before wiping your marble counter tops.
- Use a mat, trivet or cloth under anything that might possibly scratch your counter.
Marble needs to be resealed every year or two. To test the seal on your marble, place a few drops of water on a clean counter or floor and see if they retain the perfect bubble shape after 15-20 minutes. For a selection of marble sealers try Marble-Cleaning-Products.com or StoneCare.com
- r help with removing stains and spots on your marble go to www.marble-institute.com.
Have you had any “marble experiences” of your own? If so, please share.
09.21.09
How to Clean Marble Counter Tops and Floors
Marble countertops and floors are beautiful and should last for many, many years. They do however need to be carefully cleaned and cared for.
First step: Use a soft brush to get rid of all the crumbs or other debris on your countertops, a broom or dust mop to do the same on your marble floors. This is important because cleaning over any kind of grit will scratch your marble. Think sandpaper, here!
Second step: Wash your floors or counters with any of the following:
- Dishwashing liquid (Dawn, Palmolive, etc.) and hot water.
- Stone soap, available at any hardware store.
- Baking soda and water.
- Any natural, phosphate-free cleaner such as Shaklee’s Basic H. (Go to www.Shaklee.com for information).
- A microfiber cloth or mop dampened with water.
- Special marble cleaners. Two good resources are: www.Marble-Cleaning-products.com and www.StoneCare.com.
Do NOT use too much cleaner or soap as that may leave a film or streaks. Also do NOT use regular cleaning products on your marble–even if they say they are safe for all surfaces. Nearly all household cleaners, except those that are phosphate-free, contain acid which is enemy #1 for your marble surfaces.
Third step: Rinse the surface thoroughly. This is an important last step as any soap residue will dry your marble.
Fourth step: Dry the surface with a soft cloth. Never leave water on your marble! You can wipe a marble floor dry in several ways:
- Place a cloth under your sponge mop and go over the entire floor.
- Use an old towel under your feet and boogie around until the floor is dry.
- Change to a clean cover on your microfiber mop.
Please share your own tips and suggestions for cleaning marble.
09.14.09
How to Clean Stainless Steel: Best Products and Home Cleaners
Since stainless steel sinks are so popular, there are number of commercial stainless steel cleaners available:
- “Stainless Steel Magic” and “Sheila Shine” were two of the first stainless cleaners. They are both excellent, but you may object to the odor they leave behind, or how your lungs feel while using them. They are, however, the favorites with our housekeepers.
- There are two highly rated cleaner/polishers made by available on Flitz.com–you can even order “free” samples on line (although you pay shipping and handling. Both these products require some “elbow grease,” but the reviews all point to excellent results.
- WOW Stainless Steel Cleaner is a little pricey but excellent. They make both a liquid cleaner and handy wipes. This is the product recommended by Viking appliances.
- One of the best values around is “Clean and Shield 1-Step Stainless Care from Unelko. This is a spray cleaner good for all stainless appliances and is especially good for removing hard water spots and fingerprints. According to a Wall Street Journal review, this product cleans “without streaks” and made appliances “the brightest” of those tested. It’s also the cheapest, which puts it in the amazing class on that basis alone.
Stainless steel wipes are surely the quickest and easiest to use if cost is not an issue. Three of the best:
- “Method Stainless Steel Wipes” have been well received. They are available at Target and on line.
- Stonecare makes a very good wipe and can be purchased through Stonecare.com.
- And Pledge has entered the market as well. They are especially good at removing water spots.
There are many inexpensive and effective stainless steel cleaners that you can find in your pantry or medecine cabinet. Try these green cleaning methods:
- Baking soda sprinkled on a damp sponge cleans beautifully. Of course, it must be rinsed thoroughly.
- White vinegar or rubbing alcohol will effectively remove water spots and put a nice shine on it too.
- Another way to add a nice luster to your sink, dry it thoroughly and then wipe it with a soft cloth and vegetable or olive oil.
- Rust spots can be removed with lighter fluid.
A few “Nevers” for stainless steel:
- Never use anything abrasive on stainless steel. No paper towels or green side sponges, no steel wool, harsh brushes or scouring powders.
- Never use any product that contains chlorine.
And three final tips:
- Soap and water are still very effective cleaners!
- Wiping the sink dry after each use will prevent water spots.
- Place a perforated rubber or plastic mat in the bottom of the sink to prevent scratches. They have some rather attractive ones now. There are also some grates on the market that work as well. There are advantages to each.
We hope these tips are helpful. Do you have one or more to share?
09.08.09
Cleaning Green: 7 More Great Uses for Baking Soda
As promised, here are yet more fabulous uses for that kitchen staple, baking soda!
- Sprinkle some on the bottom of your kitchen garbage can. It will effectively remove any odors there.
- Got a slow running drain? Pour half a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar, wait 15 minutes for the fizzing to subside, flush with hot water. The clog is gone. It’s like magic!
- Cleaning your bathroom and kitchen fixtures to a blinding brilliance with a paste of baking soda and liquid dish soap.
- Appliance manufacturers will tell you never to use any kind of chemicals when cleaning the inside of the refrigerator or microwave. Use baking soda and water only.
- For a sour sponge, wet it and sprinkle a goodly amount of baking soda on it. Work it in and let is set up overnight. Works every time.
- A grease fire in your kitchen or barbeque can be put out quickly by smothering it with baking soda.
- Use a baking soda and water paste to remove scuff marks on vinyl floors, crayon from the walls.
So, that’s about it from us on baking soda. What can you add?
09.01.09
Cleaning Green: 9 Great Uses for Baking Soda
With people becoming increasingly concerned about the chemicals we use to clean our homes and the toxic conditions they produce, we’re finding more and more uses for plain old baking soda. Try these on for size:
- Use half your usual amount of dishwasher detergent and then fill the cups with baking soda. No worries about what harm caustic detergent may be doing to your body long-term, and it makes your silverware shine, saves you money and means fewer scratches on your glassware! Who knew??
- Throw a cup of baking soda in with each load of wash. The baking soda softens the water and makes the detergent more effective. And of course your clothes will smell fresher too! You can also cut down on the amount of detergent you use per load.
- Use baking soda just like you’d use powdered cleanser: for the bathroom and kitchen sinks (including stainless steel), bathtubs and shower stalls.
- Sprinkle a little baking soda to absorb grease in a pan instead of pouring it in a can. (You’d never pour grease down the drain, would you)?
- When you scorch a pan, try sprinkling dry baking soda over the scorch, let it stand awhile and clean as usual.
- A paste of baking soda and water will effectively remove coffee and tea stains from the inside of your coffee cups.
- Sprinkle baking soda on your carpets 20-30 minutes before you vacuum. Brighten and deoderize in one easy step. This is especially effective if you have inside dogs: no more doggie odor!
- Pour a cup of vinegar in your toilet, add baking soda. When it stops fizzing clean as usual.
- Use a baking soda and water paste to clean the window of your oven.
A measure of baking soda’s popularity is that it now comes in 12 pound bags.
One more thing: you know baking soda absorbs odors (we put it in our refrigerator, right?) so if you use it for….well….baking, be sure it comes from a new box or sealed container. Your chocolate chip cookies will taste better that way.
Look for our next post for even more ways to use bicarbonate soda (baking soda). And please feel free to give us your comments here.
08.24.09
Speed Cleaning: Small Time-Savers Add Up
Hope you find something useful here.
- Some of the fastest, most efficient housekeepers we’ve known through the years, wouldn’t even think about cleaning without wearing an apron. Not only does an apron keep your clothes clean, it can save you lots of time. As you approach each room, take the supplies you’ll need out of your cleaning caddy and put them in your apron pocket. You will then have everything you need right at your fingertips.
- There are other uses for an apron too. Use one or more pockets for a soapy sponge (in a plastic bag) for touch-up work around the light switches, doorjambs, etc. Another pocket can be for any debris you find. Or use a pocket for small items you find that need to be put away in another room.
- If you use plastic liners in your wastebaskets, keep a supply of bags folded in the bottom of the wastebasket. That way when you remove a full bag of trash there’s a fresh plastic bag right where you need it.
- Whenever you are wiping a large surface–kitchen counters, for instance–try wiping with a cloth in each hand. You’ll be surprised how much faster it is.
- If using a broom to sweep, try using a half sheet of newspaper which is dampened on one side instead of a dustpan. Simply press the dampened edge to the floor and sweep the debris right into it. Fold it up and throw it away.
- Keep touch-up supplies in the bathrooms and kitchen in addition to the supplies in your cleaning caddy. Window cleaner, paper towels, and a microfiber cloth should do the trick.
- If you prefer using a dustpan, spray it with furniture polish and the dust will slip right off.
- Place plastic lids under the metal containers such as cans of shaving cream. As the inevitable rust accumulates the coasters can easily be washed or replaced.
As always, we’d love to hear any comments you may have. Do these suggestions bring to mind tips of your own?
08.09.09
How To Remove Scratches, Burns, Candle Wax, Water and Heat Spots From Your Furniture
Scratches on your furniture? Here’s help. For small blemishes try white toothpaste. It’s mildly abrasive and can be effective on minor scratches. For deeper scratches or wide areas probably the best you can do is to use a blend stick, crayon, liquid shoe polish or paste boot polish. Apply toothpaste to even out the finish after coloring. Then wax with good quality furniture polish and buff with a clean cloth.
Water spots (and heat spots as well!) can be removed with any of the following:
- Wipe a little lemon oil on the stain, wiping with the grain of the wood.
- Apply baking soda with a cloth covered damp toothbrush. Again go with the grain.
- Cover the stain with a smooth textured, lint-free white cloth (napkin, T shirt–any thing without a nap). Then place a warm (not hot) iron on top of the cloth. Check the stain every few seconds to see if it is gone. Repeat as necessary. Amazing, but this truly works! Who comes up with these ideas?
Cigarette burn on your table? Rub with mayonainse. Let set for an hour or so, wipe with a soft cloth. Repeat if necessary.
Candle wax can be removed in a couple of ways.
- Soften with a hair dryer, then carefully wipe with paper towels going with the grain of the wood.
- Scrape the wax off with a credit card. Any residue can be taken off with a little vinegar and water. Dry immediately.
(Margaret S. Dasso)
That’s just about all we know on the subject. Can you add more?
Bald Mt. Press
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