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Saturday, December 19, 2020

 

The 29 Most Brilliant Cleaning Hacks of All Time 

1. Cut a Corner Off Your Sponge

You know that sponge you use to clean the dishes with? And the other sponge you use to wipe down the walls? Keep track of which one is which with this smart trick: Just cut off the corner of the sponge you use for the dirty work.

2. Put a Cotton Ball in Your Trash Can

Garbage stinks. It’s a fact of life. But here’s a trick to make it a little less smelly — or rather, smelly in a good way. Take a cotton ball, soak it in essential oil, and drop it in your bin (underneath the liner or the bag). It’s an easy and inexpensive odor-fighter that helps keep your trash from getting too pungent.

3. Try the Laundry Basket Method

If you’ve got little piles of clutter everywhere, a laundry basket (you can get a cheap one from the dollar store) is a brilliant way to consolidate all the things that are out of place. If you’re in a hurry (say, company’s coming), just stash the laundry basket out of sight; if you’ve got time, walk around with the laundry basket and put all the things back where they belong.

4. Set a Timer

. The idea is simple: Set a timer and work until the buzzer goes off. You may finish the dishes early and, at the very least, you’ll know exactly how long you have to subject yourself to some mundane task.

5. Polish a Stainless Steel Sink with Flour

If you have a stainless steel sink, the single best thing you can do for it is to polish it with flour. Wash and dry the sink, sprinkle the whole thing flour, and then get to buffing. You’ll be surprised at how sparkly the metal gets!

6. Harness the Power of Cooking Spray

A weird-but-effective way to clean your bathroom? PAM cooking spray. Not only will it remove soap scum from your tub, but it can also shine your faucets, clean your glass surfaces, and even stop your bathroom door from squeaking!

7. Keep Some Chalk in Your Kitchen

Here’s something we bet you didn’t know: Chalk is super-absorbent, which makes it an excellent stain stick. Remove any excess food and oil from the soiled garment with a clean paper towel — and cover the entire spot with chalk. Then, before you toss your oil-stained item in the laundry, rub the spot with a little stain remover or laundry detergent, wash it in hot water, and your oily spot should be gone.

8. Keep a Dish Brush in Your Shower

The secret to a clean shower? Cleaning it on a regular basis. And the secret to cleaning your shower on a regular basis? Having a soap-loaded dish brush ready in your shower caddy. Then you can clean the tub walls while you shower!

9. Use Your Dishwasher to Dry Hand-Washed Dishes

Skip the dish rack — it takes up too much precious counter space — and use your dishwasher’s empty racks to dry your hand-washed dishes. Your dishwasher will hold more than a dish rack, anyway, so you can clean a sink full of hand-wash-only dishes in no time.

10. DIY Pot Scouring Pads Using Mesh Produce Bags

You know those mesh produce bags you get when you buy a dozen lemons? Or a whole lot of potatoes? Well, don’t toss them! Instead, place an old sponge inside the bag, secure it with a zip tie, and clip the ends. Voila: You’ve got a DIY pot scrubber.

11. Use a Mesh Laundry Bag … in Your Dishwasher

The next time you go to run the dishwasher, gather up all those little items — water bottle tops, lids to tiny food storage containers, etc. — and put them in a mesh laundry bag. The bag keeps small and fragile items from getting lost in the fray, while still allowing hot water and soap to do their magic. 

12. Add a Bowl of Vinegar to Your Dishwasher

If you live in an area with hard water, you are probably pretty frustrated with dirty-looking dishes that come out of your dishwasher. Put a bowl right-side-up in your dishwasher and pour in some vinegar. Run the dishwasher — the vinegar will help combat that hard water so your dishes come out looking spotless.

13. Simmer Baking Soda and Water in Your Le Creuset

This method for cleaning your enameled cookware is so simple and so effective. Just boil water, add baking soda, and give everything a good stir. After a few minutes of simmering, use a wooden spoon to scrape off any baked-on bits. 

14. Clean Your Silver with Aluminum Foil

Here’s what you need: a glass baking dish lined with aluminum foil or an aluminum baking dish, baking soda, salt, and boiling water. The science-project-like reaction should begin to remove the tarnish immediately, although heavily tarnished pieces may need to soak a little longer.

15. Finally Get Rid of Those Pesky Coffee Stains

Do your coffee mugs have stubborn brown stains that don’t want to come out? Try baking soda: Sprinkle some onto the bottom of your stained cup, add just enough water to form a paste, and scrub. The gentle abrasion of the baking soda will get rid of stains in a matter of minutes. Then, simply rinse and wash the way you usually would.

16. Banish Sink Odors with Baking Soda and Lemon Juice

When you think of all the gross stuff that goes down your drain, it makes sense that it’ll start to smell eventually. Try this DIY de-clogger to keep your pipes clear of gunk and smelly pretty(ish): Flush your drain with hot water, then slowly pour a cup of baking soda down. Finish it off with about a cup of lemon juice and wait for the fizzy chemical reaction.

17. Clean Your Disposal with Vinegar and Lemon Ice Cubes

If your sink still stinks and you have a disposal, make a bunch of ice cubes from white vinegar and small chunks of lemon, put one or two down the drain, and run your disposal. It’s an instant deodorizer — just don’t plop one in your cocktail.

18. Use a Potato to Clean Your Rusty Cast Iron

You can use this trick on other rusty things, too. Here’s how it works: Cut the potato in half, dip the cut end in dish soap or baking soda, and rub it over the rusted area. If the end of the potato gets slick, slice it off and dip the newly cut end. Repeat until rust is removed!

19. Clean Your Microwave with Lemons

Here’s what you do: Measure about 1/2 cup of water into a measuring cup or bowl. Slice the lemon in half and squeeze the juice into the water. Drop the lemon halves into the bowl. Place the bowl in the microwave and nuke on high power for three minutes so the liquid comes to a boil. Let stand for five minutes. Do not open the microwave door; the steam trapped inside will help loosen food gunk. Once that timer buzzes, then you can wipe it down!


20. Clean Your Oven Racks in the Bathtub

Washing oven racks in the sink can be annoying and messy — especially if you have a smaller sink! Do it in the bathtub instead. Our method even does most of the work for you — literally while you sleep.

21. Use Rubber Kitchen Gloves to Remove Pet Hair

Your rubber kitchen gloves are good for more than keeping your hands protected while you do the dirty work. They’re also great for opening jars and getting rid of excess pet hair. Just slip on a glove and rub over whatever you want de-fuzzed. The rubber does a surprisingly good job of gathering up hair! Who knew?

22. Use Wax Paper to Keep the Tops of Your Cabinets Clean

If there’s a space between your upper cabinets and your ceiling, consider lining the surface with sheets of wax paper. That wax acts like a magnet to collect dust and grime. You can change it a couple of times a year and it’s way easier than getting up there to clean the cabinets by hand. Note: You can also use newspaper, which will decompose quicker in a landfill.


23. Get Rid of Garlicky Hands by Rubbing Stainless Steel

Chopping garlic is smelly work — and while some people love the smell of garlic on their hands, other people might not enjoy it so much. There are tons of hacks out there for getting rid of the stink, but the easiest one is just rubbing your hands on your sink faucet, or anything that’s stainless steel.

24. Clean Your Blender in 30 Seconds (Really)

Fill your blender about halfway with warm water, add a drop of dish soap, and whiz away. It’ll clean itself! If your blender has buildup or is looking a bit dull, you can also add a drop of vinegar or some lemon.

25. Use Cream of Tartar to Get Scratched Dishes Looking Like New

Buff scratched dishes with a generous amount of cream of tartar and they”ll look as good as new. Just add a few drops of water and rub gently with a wet dishcloth. Let the dish sit for a minute or two, scrub, and wash the plate with soap and water.

26. Clean All Things in Your Dishwasher

You already know that you can use your dishwasher as a dish-drying rack (see number 9), but did you know there are all sorts of other things (besides dishes) that you can clean in your dishwasher? Flip flops, hairbrushes, sponges, plastic toys. Yup, they can all go in there.

27. Use Dryer Sheets to Clean Your Cookware

Got a scorched pot? Look to your laundry room. There are so many things that dryer sheets can do — most notably the fact that soaking one in a pot can help un-stick burnt messes. Some other ideas: Use already dried ones to clean up spills and to freshen your trash can!

28. DIY a Vacuum Attachment with a Squeeze Bottle Top

Chances are, your vacuum came with a bunch of different attachments. And chances are that even the smallest attachment still doesn’t help you with teeny-tiny crevices. ( Crumbs in between your computer keyboard) Here’s how to fix that: Just remove the attachment that’s on your vacuum cleaner’s hose and put the top of a squeeze bottle in its place. Now you’re ready to tackle all those hard-to-reach spots. 

29. Microwave Your Cleaning Rag Before You Get to Work

So you probably don't microwave your sponges anymore (because it’s actually pretty ineffective), but you should zap your cleaning rag. Just make sure it’s damp before you put it in and figure out how long it needs to be nuked in order to be hot but not scalding. Once it’s steamy and hot, the rag will be way more powerful when it comes to cutting through messes in the kitchen.

Covid 19 Update: We are open for business.  For your safety and peace of mind,  we take care to disinfect our equipment  between each assignment. Then we include the free application of an all natural  botanical EPA registered  disinfectant on most  fabric and flooring we clean,  and we wear the appropriate protective gear when in your home or office.


Until We Meet Again, Stay Well,    

Rodney & Michele

www.AllstateCleaning.Com

All Kinds Of Carpets, Floors, Drapes & Upholstery

Organically Cleaned & Restored Like New - You Must Be Happy Or Its FREE

For Service Ring  609-586-5833

 

Do Your bathroom in 7 Minutes…your kitchen in 12

When we first opened our business 30 years ago, we did house cleaning.  We don't do general house cleaning anymore, yet we know a thing or two about how to clean a house quickly.

Keeping your house clean doesn’t have to take hours. By learning a few tricks and shortcuts, you can have an orderly home in minutes.

THE RIGHT SUPPLIES

Keep cleaning supplies in a plastic caddy with handles so that you can easily move items around the house as you work. If you live in a multistory home, keep a caddy and cleaning supplies on each floor.

Supplies that you should never be without (all available at supermarkets, discount stores and online)…

Microfiber cloths. Microfiber pulls dirt into the fabric better than standard cotton fiber cloths or paper towels, requiring fewer swipes—often just one—to clean a surface. Between launderings, microfiber is easy to clean—just rinse under warm water and squeeze.

Electrostatic cloths. Treated with chemicals to make them negatively charged, electrostatic clothes pick up dust particularly well. You can buy washable or disposable cloths.

Scrubber sponges. Buy sponges that have a white, abrasive surface on one side. The white scrubber pad is abrasive enough to scour tough grime but less likely than other types of sponges to scratch surfaces.

Plastic toilet brush. Unlike wire brushes, plastic won’t scratch porcelain. Look for the type that comes with its own stand to catch drips.

Duster with extension wand. Lamb’s wool dusters and disposable dusting heads work well. (With feather dusters, sometimes the feathers break and the sharp ends can scratch furniture.)

Flat mop. The flat style reaches under furniture easily. The removable pad can be washed in the washing machine. Or you can use a Swiffer mop with disposable moist pads.

Cleaning solutions and sprays. You’ll need a disinfecting cleaner. Look for both words—”disinfecting” and “cleaner”—on the label. A cleaner without disinfectant may not kill germs, while a disinfectant without cleaner won’t loosen as much dirt from surfaces. You also will need glass cleaner and toilet bowl cleaner. 

BATHROOM: 7 MINUTES

• Clear counters by putting toothbrushes, deodorant and other toiletries into drawers and cabinets.

• Squirt toilet bowl cleaner around the inner rim of the toilet.

• Spray disinfecting cleaner on the toilet seat and exterior, as well as on the sink, faucet, counter and tub.

• Using a toilet brush, scrub the toilet bowl for 10 seconds. Flush.

• Spray glass cleaner on the mirror, and wipe with a microfiber cloth.

• Use a damp sponge to wipe (in order) sink and faucets, counter, tub, toilet seat, toilet exterior. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe chrome so that it doesn’t spot.

• Tear off a six-inch length of toilet paper, and use it to sweep up loose hair and other debris from floor and corners.

If you have an extra five minutes, add these steps: Toss the bath mat, tub mat and towels into the washing machine. Hang fresh towels. Mop the floor. Empty the trash can. Spray cleaner onto a microfiber cloth, and wipe off the doorknobs and any smudges on the door, light switches and cabinets. 

LIVING ROOM: 12 MINUTES

• De-clutter all surfaces by putting magazines in racks, DVDs in the TV cabinet and books on shelves.

• Move all lightweight furniture—such as chairs, end tables and magazine racks—into the center of the room (to make vacuuming and dusting easier).

• Dust from the top down. Walk around the room in a circle, using your duster’s extension wand and a step stool if needed to reach high moldings, shelves and lighting fixtures.

• Walk around in a circle again, using an electrostatic cloth to dust any surfaces between your head and knees. Switch to a clean cloth when necessary.

• Run your dusting wand along the baseboards.

• Vacuum the perimeter of the room.

• Put furniture back in place, and vacuum the center of the room. Vacuum sofa and chairs with the upholstery attachment. If you have an extra few minutes, mop hard-surface floors.

KITCHEN: 12 MINUTES

• Clear all counters—put food away in the refrigerator and cupboards, place utensils in drawers and sweep papers into a basket to sort later. Put dirty dishes in the dishwasher.

• Wipe counters with a sponge sprayed with disinfecting cleaner.

• Spray the sink with disinfecting cleaner, and wipe with a damp sponge. Dry handles and faucet with a dish towel or microfiber cloth to prevent spots.

• Pick up stray items from the floor and put them away.

• Take throw rugs outside, and shake for 10 seconds. Vacuum the floor. If it looks like it needs it, give the floor a quick mopping. Put throw rugs back.

• Spray disinfecting cleaner onto a sponge and wipe the refrigerator, stove, microwave and other appliances.

• If you have a window over the sink, spray it with window cleaner and wipe with a microfiber cloth.

SMALL APPLIANCES

Cleaning tricks for small appliances…

Food processor. Rinse the bowl to remove most food, then fill it halfway with water. Add a squirt of dish washing liquid. Close, and turn the food processor on for 30 seconds. Rinse. Let the blades spin for a few seconds to dry.

Microwave oven. Pour two cups of water into a microwave-safe bowl. Place the bowl in the middle of the microwave, and cook on high for five minutes to create steam. Using oven mitts, remove and empty the bowl—the water will be scalding hot. Wipe the inside of the oven with a damp sponge.
 

Garbage disposal. Put a few lemon, lime or orange rinds in the disposal. Run cold water, and turn on the disposal. Grind until rinds are gone. The disposal will smell clean and fresh.

5 THINGS TO STOP CLEANING

1. Grill grate. Instead of scrubbing the grate after using it, leave the grill on high with the cover on for 15 minutes. Residue will cook away.

2. Shower curtain liner. Liners are so cheap that laundering them to remove mildew is a waste of time. Just replace your liner every six months.

3. Pillow. After washing and drying a pillow, it’ s never quite the same. Instead, throw it out, and buy a new one every six months.

4. Making the bed. Microscopic dust mites—a leading cause of allergies—thrive on moisture in your mattress and bed covers. Leaving the bed unmade allows moisture to escape. If you really can’t stand an unmade bed, then use a duvet instead of a top sheet and bedspread. Just shake out the duvet, and you’re done.

5. Carpets, Floors, Drapes & Upholstery - Instead, call AllstateCleaning.Com      at 609-586-5833 today.


At no additional charge, we  now run a medical grade air purifier while working in your home or office. It eliminates 99.9% of all  Covid 19 , viruses, bacteria, pet dander, allergens, dust mite particles, pollens, mold, mildew, and other pollutants that may be present in your immediate air space.

 

    Also for your safety and peace of mind,  we take care to disinfect our equipment  between each assignment. Then we include the free application of an all natural  botanical EPA registered  disinfectant on most  fabrics and flooring we clean,  and we wear the appropriate protective gear when in your home or office.


Until We Meet Again, Stay Well,    

Rodney & Michele

www.AllstateCleaning.Com

All Kinds Of Carpets, Floors, Drapes & Upholstery

Organically Cleaned & Restored Like New - You Must Be Happy Or Its FREE

For Service Ring  609-586-5833