Those first crisp breezes of autumn always put me in the mood to refresh and renew. Many people use this time of year to perform a full cleaning, sweeping away the remnants (and bugs, etc.) of summer to welcome in the cool weather as well as the upcoming holidays. If you too love that feeling of a freshly cleaned house just as the temperature outside is dropping, here are a few tips to make this chore easier and quicker. Start outside in If you switch out your summer curtains for winter ones, this is a great time to totally treat the windows. If you don’t have central air conditioning, this is the time to take out your window air conditioners. Take down the curtains, clean and dust the blinds, sills and frames. Now wash the windows inside and out. Today’s great window cleaners, including special ones for outdoor use, or the pretreated wipe cloths for windows make this job a lot easier than it used to be. Put up fresh new curtains and the image of a cool autumn day seen through your spotless windows will inspire you to your next step. Now the living areas Move your furniture away from the walls and dust the baseboards. Once again, modern cleaning technology comes to the rescue, since using pretreated dusters lift the dirt and dust easily, without leaving the dusty streaks that a wet sponge would. Use a dust mop to clean the floor area, if you have hardwood floors, or vacuum the rug thoroughly, then put the furniture back. Now you can do your regular cleaning of the rest of the rooms, knowing that the dust bunnies are hibernating. Bedrooms need a special touch Many people also like to change bedspreads and curtains with the change of seasons, so once again, this gives you the opportune time to make a thorough cleaning easier. With everything off the bed, you can dust the frame, headboard and footboard more easily. Beds are a nuisance to move, so get down and swipe underneath with the long hose of the vacuum, if you have carpeting, or with the dust mop for hardwood floors. If possible, move dressers away from the wall and clean the baseboards and floors. Keeping dust at bay in the bedroom will help reduce allergies and colds. Put on your freshly cleaned bedding and step back to admire your (practically) new room. The kitchen is usually the most work Depending on the type of worker you are, you may want to work on the kitchen first, so you have the most energy. I prefer to do it after I have been inspired by the rest of the house, and set aside a full day. Get the two big jobs done first, the stove and the refrigerator. Remove the racks, spray the oven with oven cleaner and let it sit while you tackle the refrigerator. It is best to plan this job before you have done any major grocery shopping, reducing the number of items you have to remove. Clean the top of the fridge with detergent (we always forget about that, don’t we?). Turn the unit off, and just put everything on your counters.  It is best to work quickly, so you don’t have to worry about spoilage.  Take shelves and bins out, wash down with mild soapy water, dry thoroughly and replace.  Wipe down door shelves with a sponge and dry.  If you wipe up minor spills and drips as they happen, you should not need to do too much scrubbing at this time. Wipe jars and containers off as you put them back, and then turn the unit back on. Now you can tackle the oven. (If you have a self cleaning oven, this will not apply; just pick a cool day or evening and turn the oven to the proper setting and let it heat up the house as it does its thing.)  Make sure you wear gloves and put papers down on the floor.  You may also want to use an old sponge that you can throw out once you are done.  Wipe the oven cleaner off with a wet sponge, repeating several times until any residue is completely gone. Clean the rack with a scrub sponge or steel wool and replace. Your oven is nice and ready for your Thanksgiving turkey. Depending on your cabinet surfaces, you should use a product that is specifically designed to clean them.  Removing all of the fingerprints on doors and drawers, and adding a sheen to the cabinets will make them look new.  Last on the list is the kitchen floor.  Of course you clean it frequently already, but this is the time for some old fashioned elbow grease.  Get down below the oven and cabinet overhangs, using a brush to get out dust and crumbs that may have accumulated.  Now clean corners and hidden surfaces with a sponge and cleaner.  This may mean on your hands and knees, but these are areas that don’t get attacked by your mop on a routine basis, so it is good to deal with them periodically. A clean, shiny home, ready to greet family and holiday visitors alike! A lot of cleaning you can do yourself. If you think you may need to hire help, consider the best background check service and find the perfect person. Read more »

The moment a glass topples over and liquid goes pouring everywhere, it’s a huge catastrophe.  In a blind panic, you reach for the nearest towel-like object and lunge at the spill, already imagining the stain that’s going to set in and remind you of this moment forever. But this is not the way to do your carpet cleaning; take a deep breath and remain calm.  Take control of the situation and you’ll erase that stain well before it causes trouble.  Here are some cleaning tips that will help keep stop stains setting in: Act Fast Don’t wait for things to get out of hand.  The first rule of Spill Control is to stop it from spreading further on your carpet.  Use whatever’s handy to try and contain the spill.  Once it’s under control, look for a cloth and get to work on it. Use a White Cloth And Water The best way to stop a spill from turning into a stain is to use a white cloth and water.  It depends on what spilled (wine, coffee or other colored liquids will need special attention), but most things can be cleaned up with water.  You should use a white cloth because there’s a chance that a colored cloth could further stain the area, depending on the type of carpet. Don’t Wipe – Dab Your first instinct with carpet cleaning is going to be to scrub the heck out of that carpet to try to beat it into submission.  But this will actually make it much worse.  When you scrub, you’re actually spreading the stain around and making it bigger.  Instead, take your wet white cloth and dab at the stained area.  Hit it gently and don’t get it soaking wet. Let It Dry Once you’ve dabbed and things appear to be under control, let the area of carpet dry out.  You can leave paper towels sitting on it or even put a fan on it.  A fan blowing air will dry it out quickly.  Once it starts drying, check up on it in a little while and make sure there’s not stain left, otherwise repeat the earlier steps. Make A Reference Sheet These cleaning tips are for spills of liquids that are not known to cause terrible stains.  If you spill something that will stain for sure, like wine, tomato soup, juice, blood, vomit or urine, you’ll need something stronger than water.  There are different recipes for getting rid of these difficult stains, and the scope goes beyond this article on carpet cleaning.  But if you don’t know how to take care of these tough ones, you might want to make a list of things that could be spilled (hopefully blood won’t be on it!) and put it somewhere where you can refer to it if needed.  Unless you’re a real cleaning whiz, it’s hard to keep it all in your head. And remember always to stay calm when spills happen.  Keep these carpet cleaning tips in mind and make a list of the remedies to more serious spills.  This way, you’ll be able to tackle any spillage that happens and keep it from staining.   This article on carpet cleaning was bought to you by the house cleaning experts from United Home Services. If you liked this section, perhaps you should check out another of our our writeups Five Tips for General Household Cleaning.   Read more »

“A diamond is forever,” proclaims the old advertising slogan, and while diamonds may be the hardest natural material on earth, even the best diamond can gradually look duller and less sparkly as grime, dust and dirt builds up on its surface. Luckily, you do not need to bring your diamond jewelry in for a professional cleaning every time they need a little pampering. Cleaning diamond, gold, silver and pearl jewelry at home is a snap if you know what to do with each precious material. To minimize cleaning, try to keep your jewelry as clean and safe as possible in the first place. That means removing diamond engagement rings or other precious rings while cleaning or using any harsh chemicals, while applying lotions, perfume, hairspray, or nail polish, while doing laundry or handling bleach, and while swimming or bathing. It is especially important to avoid contact with chlorine, whether in cleaning products or in a chlorinated pool, as it can discolor gold. Finally, try not to move your diamond jewelry directly from a very cold to a very hot environment; for example, directly from shoveling snow to warming your hands in front of a fire. However, despite your best efforts, grime and oils will eventually build up on the surface and in the cracks of your jewelry. Jewelry that is worn frequently will become dirty and dull looking soonest, but even the best AGS loose diamonds will accumulate grime if they are exposed to the air. Most jewelry can be easily cleaned at home with regular household materials, but some very delicate or antique pieces require special care and should be cleaned by a professional jeweler. If you notice that any prongs or settings are worn down or bent, place your ring in a secure bag and bring it to a jeweler rather than trying to clean it yourself. To loosen grime off most gemstone or gold jewelry, begin by giving it a quick soak in isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol). Rinse, and then use a soft-bristled brush to clean the jewelry using a solution made by diluting ammonia in water in a 1:4 ratio. Do not use any abrasives as gold and other precious metals can be scratched. Finally, rinse in warm water and allow to air dry. If you’d like, polish with a soft cloth afterwards for added shine. This cleaning method is generally safe for gold, diamond and gemstone jewelry. However, extra care must be taken with emeralds and tanzanite, because they are softer and have a higher rate of inclusions. Turquoise, opals and pearls should not come in contact with ammonia, and should therefore be cleaned with warm water alone. To clean jewelry that is made entirely of gold, try this simple soaking method. Add a few drops of mild dishwashing soap to two cups of warm water. After leaving the gold to soak for a few minutes, scrub gently with a soft toothbrush to remove accumulated grime and soap scum. If your jewelry has very delicate detailing or filigree, take extra precaution when cleaning. Although the usual method and cleaning solutions should be safe, avoid scrubbing the filigree itself, as this can actually wear down the metal and dull the crisp edges of the design. Silver jewelry can easily be cleaned using the same method described for gold above. However, it is crucial the silver not be placed into contact with chlorine, which will give your silver a greenish discoloration and cause the metal to erode. Additionally, silver should not be placed into ammonia unless it has been diluted with plenty of water. If your silver jewelry is tarnished, mix up your own batch of tarnish remover by combining four teaspoons of dishwashing soap with two teaspoons of ammonia and half a cup of water. Use a cotton rag to gently brush this solution over the silver until the tarnish comes off. If the jewelry is badly tarnished, soak the entire piece in this solution, then rinse and buff. Alternatively, you can use a silver polishing cloth or silver cleaning fluid, both of which should be available at a hardware store or jewelry shop. Do not use an abrasive brush, which can scratch silver. Pearls are among the most sensitive of the precious stones. No cleaning solutions should be used on pearls, and they should ideally not be exposed to chemicals in the form of hairspray, perfume, or soap either. To clean pearls, you must purchase a specially made pearl cleaner, or just wipe them with a soft damp cloth. Never soak pearl necklaces or bracelets, as this can cause their string to stretch. Occasionally, you can polish pearls with a single drop of olive oil to enhance their sheen, although pearls that are worn frequently will absorb oils from the skin and will not need polishing. Guest post written by online jewelry store from Houston – Whiteflash.com. Read more »

Cleaning products can be expensive, and dangerous to our health. It is well known that many cleaning solutions contain harmful chemicals that are easily inhaled while cleaning, which have been known to cause a number of health issues, including decreased fertility in women. If you want to avoid the negative affects of cleaning products, along with their expensive prices, you can create natural, safe cleaning solutions with household products. Using common products you already have in your kitchen, you can cut costs, and protect your health. Here are just seven effective and natural cleaners you can make easily, and safely, at home. 1) Oven cleaner: Create a paste made from baking soda, water and salt and apply to the grime inside your oven. Let sit overnight, and follow up with a vinegar spray. Equal parts water and vinegar create an effective spray to clean the inside of your oven, just be sure to wipe clean or it could leave a residue. 2) Every day stains and scuffs: those with kids will appreciate this simple mixture, and it’s ability to remove crayon, ink, and pencil marks from various surfaces. All you have to do is sprinkle some baking soda on a sponge, and scrub away! This is even a safe product to have around your children. 3) Dish detergent: we’ve all struggled with grimy and caked grease on pots and pans, but few of us know that the solution lyes in our laundry. That’s right, a simple dryer sheet, left to soak in water along with your stubborn dirty dishes can help lift and remove grime. 4) Multi purpose cleaner: a mixture of vinegar and water has many uses, including: cleaning your bathtub or shower by spraying the mixture and leaving it to sit for an hour; and cleaning your microwave by placing the mixture in a bowl and running it, uncovered, for four minutes. Wipe away remaining grime and dirt, and enjoy this natural, all purpose cleaner. 5) Drain cleaner: clogged drains can be easily fixed using the following natural and easy method: sprinkle baking soda into the clogged drain, and follow it with an equal part of white vinegar. Cover the drain and let it do it’s magic, then flush out the build up with boiling water. 6) Sanitizer and deodorizer: a lemon has many uses, especially around the house. A lemon can be used to deodorize and sanitize your garbage disposal, and even your cutting boards. For a safe and fresh furniture polish for your hardwood, create a solution using a combination of lemon juice and olive oil. You can use lemon juice to shine copper and brass metals safely, it also helps remove build up left from soap or water deposits. Combining it with vinegar or baking soda makes for a multi purpose cleaning paste, that is safe and natural for various surfaces in your home. 7) Fabric softener for laundry: if you have sensitive skin, or just want a natural alternative, you can use vinegar safely in your washing machine. This is a natural and affordable way to soften your clothes and reduce allergic reactions. This guest post was authored by Sara Woods from Mega.co.uk. Visit them for daily updated money saving offers.   Read more »

Keeping the home clean has been made complicated with a great range of cleaning products available in the market. But do you really need all those chemical solutions to keep germs away? Not only are they eating up the family budget, the fumes and components of these commercial recipes are irritants and toxic, harmful especially to children. That is why many have advocated concocting your own cleaning solutions using basic ingredients readily available in your pantry. Not only are they money savers as you avoid paying for company’s marketing and advertising costs as well as packaging costs. But they are  importantly green and causes little or no damage at all to our family’s health and the environment. So give them a go and see how easy and cheap they can be. 1. Multi-Purpose Spray Cleaners. Distilled vinegar is a very handy cleaning tool as it works well in cutting grime and nasty odors and works well as a window cleaner for one. We all want a clean clear view of the outside but why pay for a bottle of spray and window wipes? Try mixing ½ cup of vinegar to one gallon of water and use this instead. For better savings, use old newspapers to wipe and dry your windows. You can use the same mix for cleaning up kitchen tops and maintaining bathroom walls as it is very effective in removing mildew. Contrary to what you may think, the strong smell of the vinegar will not last long. Vinegar also works as a fabric softener so try adding ½ cup to your next laundry cycle at the rinse stage. 2. Carpet Freshener. Floor carpets suffer intense dirt most especially if you always forget to keep your dirty shoes off them. And often, merely vacuuming is not enough to make them looking and smelling fresh and clean. So next time, you tackle those dirty carpets, combine two tablespoons cornstarch, 1/4 cup perfumed talcum powder, and 3/4 cup baking soda and place them all together in a handy container. Sprinkle this mixture on dry carpet and let its magic work for 5 to 15 minutes. Then vacuum away! 3. Furniture polish. Keeping wooden furniture clean and sparkling adds beauty to the entire home. But you don’t need to purchase expensive cleaning products to make your furniture look like they cost a fortune. Simply mix two parts olive oil to one part lemon juice then apply the mix with a soft cloth to your wooden treasures. They’ll be sparkling better than ever. 4. Toilet cleaner. This is probably the product you find yourself replenishing often as everyone hates dirty and smelly toilets. So once you used up your supply of current cleaner then use this method of cleaning instead of running to to the grocer to buy a new bottle. Grab baking soda from your pantry and sprinkle it into the toilet. Then add a small amount of vinegar before scrubbing. See how nasty dirt and smell go away. Give these recipes a try and discover how you get to save money from cleaning products. Why risk your family’s health by exposing them to toxic fumes and chemicals from commercial cleaning products when you can make your own from safe ingredients? Read more »

Finding the right carpet shampoo machine for you and your home can be a difficult process. First of all, there are several different kinds of carpet shampooers to choose from. Second, some of the varieties of carpet cleaners are better at cleaning certain types of surfaces than others. You can use a carpet machine to clean not only your carpeted floors, but also your car carpets, upholstery, and for spot cleaning when spills happen. Some machines are better at upholstery than others and some are better for cleaning large carpeted areas so you need to think about your needs before making a decision. If you are looking for a carpet shampoo machine then the best place to start is an upright carpet shampooer because it is the best thing for cleaning carpeted floors. You have probably seen something like one at your grocery store where they rent the Rug Doctor machines. The machine is wide and heavy duty so it is good for cleaning large rooms in relatively small amounts of time. Upright carpet shampooers are meant to be used by walking behind them and pulling them across the carpet. There is a button on the handle that you press in order to dispense the carpet cleaner, but they cannot be lifted up or used in small confined spaces because they are difficult to maneuver. Therefore, they are not well suited for cleaning inside your car or for shampooing upholstery. They are best for shampooing the carpet on the floor in a large room. The next type of carpet shampoo machine is a canister shampooer. Canister shampoo machines are like canister vacuums. There is a large piece that has the cleaning solution tank and a waste water tank as well as the controls for the machine. Generally, the canister stays in one place while you take the wand around the room for cleaning. Of course you are limited by the length of your hose in terms of how far you can go before repositioning the heavy canister, but the mobility makes this type of carpet cleaner great for cleaning upholstery and hard to reach areas. However, the small wand attachments make is less than ideal for cleaning entire rooms with carpeted floors. Even though the wand is light an easy to wield, the canister can be bulky and just as hard to set up as the upright shampooer so this is still not the best type of carpet shampooer for spot cleaning. If you are looking for a carpet cleaner that you want to use on spills and spot treatment then you want a hand held carpet shampooer rather than a full size one. The portable carpet cleaning machine like the Little Green by Bissell is small enough to be stored under your end table in the living room so you can pull it out a moment’s notice if there is a spill. It is also very light and you can actually hold it in the air if you want to clean some upholstery and the small hose will not reach. The last classification of carpet shampoo machine that we will discuss is a machine that you probably have in your home for another purpose and that is the vacuum cleaner. The vacuum is the perfect car shampoo machine because you do not want to use a shampooer that needs water when cleaning car carpets or car upholstery. Dry carpet shampoos like powders and foams give you the perfect opportunity to apply the vacuum in your car shampoo efforts. All you have to do is wait for the sprinkled shampoo powder or sprayed shampoo foam to attract the odor causing bacteria and dirt to the surface. The dirt particles, etc. will be encapsulated and then vacuumed up when you are done. Read more »

Cleaning supplies are a common sight inside anyone’s house. As a matter of fact, there are even those that dedicate small rooms just to store these important items. Read more »

Laundry sinks, which are also called laundry tubs or utility sinks, are really useful to one’s household. They have various purposes such as a place to wash the hands, wash small animals and soak and clean large messes and clothes. Read more »

Area rugs are notorious for being a pain to clean; however, a few simple precautions and tips can simplify the annual (or bi-annual) process of deep-cleaning your wool area rug. Read more »