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More Cleaning Tips

Cleaning Tips

More Cleaning Tips Below:

Make your Shower Shine

A hot shower is a great way to unwind after a long, hard day or start a day off right. Unfortunately hot water, humidity and steam can also cause a build-up of mildew and soap scum on shower curtains and doors. Follow these steps to keep your home Spa sparkling clean!

Glass Showers
1. Dampen a clean sponge with warm white vinegar and rub doors to remove soap scum. Rinse with clear water and allow to air dry for a 2. Vinegar can also be used on hard-to-clean shower door tracks. Pour undiluted vinegar into the track. Leave for 5 minutes, then rinse. 

Shower Curtains
1. Prevention is the first step to keeping your shower curtain clean. Soak new curtains in a diluted water and vinegar solution prior to hanging to prevent the growth of mildew and mold. A salt water solution can be used in place of vinegar. Read More

Removing Crayon from Painted WallsRemoving crayon from walls

Do you have an artist in the family? Maybe one who would rather draw on the walls then on a canvas? If you need to remove crayon stains from painted walls read on.

Crayon stains can generally be removed entirely from painted walls all you will need is: WD 40, warm water, liquid dish soap, sponge and a soft cloth. The key is your wall must be painted, if they are not then your solution is simple time to paint.

Step 1: Spray the stain down with WD 40 or a lubricant

Spray the stained area with the lubricating fluid make sure to use a fair amount of the fluid so that you can be sure that the entire stain is covered. After the stain has been sprayed completely, make sure not to wipe the liquid around with a rag or other item(s) at this point. Let the liquid sit on the stain and soak for about 3-5 minutes. Read More

Cleaning Up Fall Leaves

Fall leaves and how to cleanup

Cleaning up fall leaves & enhance your lawn, garden and compost pile at the same time.

The best way to use autumn leaves is to chop them up first, here's how:

Don’t rack this fall, use your lawn mower. Set your mower’s blade height at the highest deck and mow your leaves into confetti. Use a sharp blade on a normal mowing speed, it’s most efficient when the leaves are no more than 4 inches deep. It's best to mow when leaves are damp from morning dew (but not sopping wet from rain). That way they won't fly around as much, or set off allergies if you're susceptible. You may have to run over them twice.

Once chopped into small bits, here are four tips to use them in your garden instead of sending them to the dump:

  1. Left in place on the lawn... Read More

5 Tricks to Cut Cleaning Costs Without Cutting Corners

1# Bar Soap:5 tricks to save cash on cleaning supplies

I know a bar of soap doesn’t scream a household-cleaning supply; however those bars of soap are extremely versatile. They work best when cleaning with a brush, rubbing the bristle tips onto the bar is the best way to get a good amount of soup on your brush when cleaning a shower stall, garage cleaning or anything really dirty. Since bars of soap are significantly cheaper and are just as superior expensive cleaners, don’t count them out.

2# Spray Bottles:

Placing make-your-own all-purpose cleaners in a spray bottle is an excellent and cheap cleaning strategy....Read More

How to Clean a Smelly Lunchbox

how to clean a smelly lunchboxWith the kids back to school each day, we are back to packing lunches. Every parent knows food spillage and leaks are a way of life and they come with some potent and unpleasant smells. Here’s how to keep your little one’s lunchbox clean.

Can a Lunchbox Be Machine Washed?

Some lunch boxes can be thrown into the washing machine or dishwasher with no problems. You must keep in mind the type, style and material of the lunchbox and that many cannot be machine washed. Check the care label/instructions to make sure you are able to put the lunchbox in the dishwasher. If there isn't a care label, you'll want to be safe instead of sorry...Read more

Keeping your Beauty Sparkling

Yes, I meant your car. Canadian’s cars take a beating not only in the winter months. Think about all the road trips, rocks, hot summer sun and speckling of splattered bugs. Below are a few tips and tricks for washing your vehicle and getting it prepped for the colder months ahead.

summer car cleaning tips

Chips, nicks and scratches

Inspect your cars paint for signs of stone chips, nicks and scratches. Fix them immediately using a bottle of touch-up paint that comes with a special brush for application. These are usually inexpensive and available at your local dealership or auto parts retailer.... Read more

Cleaning Camping Gear

Before heading off for a camping trip with family and friends, it is important to make sure your equipment is clean and in working order. So here are a few key tip to make sure your trip is successful.Cleaning your camping gear

Tents

First you need to set up the tent in a shaded area outside. Next, using a sponge or a damp cloth, try washing the tent with plain water first to see if the dirt disappears. If this does not get the fabric clean, try using a non-detergent soap like Nikwax Tech Wax.... Read More

Time to clean your BBQ?

Cleaning your BBQOne home appliance that gets neglected is the ever popular BBQ just because it can be out of site out of mind during cleanings doesn’t mean it doesn’t need some TLC of its own. The best time to clean your grill is after every use. I grill that sits dirty, increases the risk of rust.

While some maintenance and cleaning is specific to the type of barbeque grill your own: gas, electric, charcoal or smoke.

You will need some common household items on hand when it comes time to clean your barbeque grill...Read More

Cleaning and Organizing the Garage

Cleaning out the Garage

If you are having trouble getting your car out of the garage because of the clutter, or if you can never seem to find a tool where you ‘think’ you last left it; chances are you need to do some cleaning! Here are some helpful tips in order to clean and organize the garage so you can find those garden tools or Christmas lights any time of the year! 

 

1.   Clearing out the Garage

The first step is to transfer all items from the garage to the driveway, regardless of whether or not you are keeping every item.

2.   Cleaning the Garage

Now that the garage is item free, it is recommended to pressure (power) wash the walls and floor before sweeping the area. Next, take a broom and sweep the walls, corners of the ceiling, floor, and any window panes. In addition, you should consider re-painting the floor, as this is a great way to seal and protect the floor from all weather conditions.

3.   Discarding Items Not Used
Scan all of your items in the driveway and decide what can stay, and what needs to be discarded. Try using the “one year” rule if you are having trouble making those hard decisions of what to keep!


a.    Divide Belongings into Groups    
Try dividing your items into manageable groups such as sport equipment, lawn & driveway tools, electric equipment, camping equipments, etc. Please make sure to properly dispose of any hazardous materials in accordance with your local laws.


b.    Storage Bins, Floor Racks, and More
Now that you have organized your items into groups, the next step is to properly store your items in the garage.
•    Purchasing storage bins is an affordable option in order to put all of your smaller equipment inside. It is also recommended to stack these bins from least to most used, with the most used bins on top of the stack.
•    Attaching shelving units or wall hangers to the walls is an ideal way to store tiny items that would get lost in bins, such as garden tools.
•    Adding floor bicycle racks can be an excellent alternative for storing multiple bicycles in the garage.
•    Installing overhead metal-hangers are a great option for storing bigger items, such as lumber or camping equipment in the garage without being too cumbersome.

Summer Bring New Stains Summer Laundry

The summer months bring: sun, barbecues, green grass, ice cream, road trips and more. With these comes the new catalog of summer stains. With a little help from us and a few key ingredients you can keep your favorite summer clothes stain-free and out of clothing heaven.

Sunscreen Stain

The sunscreen stain is bound to happen. The bad news is not all fabrics will release the stain; the best way to handle these stains is to act fast. Pre-treat the stain with a liquid detergent rub in a circular movement to lift the stain, and then wash in warm water. Warm water is important, this helps unlock the stain without heating it into the fabric.

Dirt Dilemma

How does one little kid get so dirty playing outside? We might never know the answer to that question, but we can help you get rid of the offending dirt from your child's clothing. First, brush off the excess dirt with a soft-bristle brush. Rinse clothing in cold water to dilute the stain, and then wash in warm water with one use of Tide.

You scream I scream we all scream for ice cream

Every day’s a good day with ice cream. The cold treat is enjoyed in the summer months from ages 5 to 55 seem to get their quick melting ice cream on their cloths. To get an ice cream stain out, rinse in cold water to dilute the stain. Make a solution in a plastic bucket consisting of a splash of liquid detergent and room –cool water. Allow the garment to soak for up to 30 minutes, weighting down the item with a white towel. After soaking, wash it in warm water. Allow the clothing to air dry, and repeat the procedure if necessary. Best with summer fabrics like linen.

Gracias Grass

Grass stains and kids seem to go hand in hand during the summer months. To help remove grass stains from colored cotton garments create a solution in a plastic bucket consisting of a half dose of detergent per gallon of water. Allow the garment to soak for up to 30 minutes, and again weight down clothing with a white towel to keep it submerged. Wash in warm water and let air dry. Repeat if necessary.

Cleaning and Polishing Jewelry

To polish gold jewelry use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, gently rub the stained or dull jewelry with a damp MrCleaning Jewelry from box. Clean Magic Eraser. After wash the item thoroughly with soapy water, rinse well and dry with a rag.

To shine pearls, pour a few drops of olive oil on a soft clean cloth. Rub each pearl individually in a circular motion. You will instantly see them shine, there is no need to rinse and dry.

To clean and shine silver jewelry use baking soda and lemon juice. To clean tarnish and make your silver jewelry sparkles; make a paste with baking soda and lemon juice. Brush the paste onto the jewelry with a clean, old toothbrush. Let dry, and then brush and rinse clean. Now use a soft clean rag or cloth to buff the item till it sparkles.

 

How to Clean Flatwear flatware cleaning

Make sure there are no stubborn stains left on the flatwear from the last time you used them.
1. Bon Ami or a similar product works best.
2. Use a damp sponge or cloth with a small about of Bon Ami to wipe away stain in an instant.
3. Make sure to rinse and dry well.

Time to make them shine, the best way to give dull stainless steel flatware an instant shine is CLUB SODA.
1. place all the flatware in a pan or bowl.
2. Poor in a can or two of Club Soda, make sure all the flatware is covered.
3. Let sit until the carbonation bubbles stop, drain and dry.

 

How to Remove a Wet Red Wine from your Carpetwine stain on carpet

Steps
1. Blot up as much of the red wine as possible from the carpet using a rag.
2. Pour white wine on the carpet around the perimeter of the spill, working the white wine towards the centre--this keeps the red wine from gravitating even further out into the clean part of the carpet.
3. Wait about 30 seconds and then blot the area. If any residue of the stain remains, repeat step 2 above.

Alternate Method
1. Do not touch the wine.
2. Cover the entire area with table salt, so that entire area affected has been covered with approximately 1/4 inch of salt.
3. Leave undisturbed until completely dry, usually 12-24 hours but may take longer if it is exceptionally cold or humid. During the drying process, the salt will pull up the wine.
4. When completely dry, vacuum the salt up and the wine will have disappeared.

 

A small appliance that is essential to keep clean

Cleaning an iron
Cleaning and caring for your iron is not on many people’s hit list, however very important. You can ruin a favorite clothing item, if there is anything left on an iron, where do you think it will end up. That’s right on your not so smooth clothes.


The easiest way to clean the bottom of your iron is to:
-Take a damp Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to a cool, unplugged iron and scrub to remove the burned on gunk from the bottom.
-Another way to clean the bottom is to squeeze a dollop of Alcohol based clear hand sanitizer on the bottom of the cool, unplugged iron and rub in a circular motion with a lightly dampened soft, clean cloth. Rinse and dry.

Prevent transfer of unwanted substances from your iron to your clothes:
Store the iron in an upright position, this keeps dust from settling in the water reservoir when is then steamed on to your clothes. If you use starch to keep your clothing crisp, make sure to clean after every use. Always ensure you are using the proper setting for the fabric you are attending to.

Winter Car Cleaning Must Do’s

Alberta’s winter can be unpredictable, three to four inches of snow, high of -29 degrees Celsius one day and the next, sunny with a low of 8 degrees Celsius. No one complains when the snow melts, although, you might complain when you find ‘salt stained carpets’ in your vehicle. The best way to clean imbedded salt residue from carpeting is:Winter Car Cleaning

  1. Mix one cup of white vinegar and two cups of water
  2. Scrub the solution into the carpet with a thick cloth or soft bristled brush.
  3. The vinegar reacts with the salt and lifts it from the carpet fibers
  4. Soak up all the solution and excess water, stand and let dry.

Over the winter you run your defroster which creates a film on the inside of the windshield, you might not notice the greasy film until a sunny drive. To clean this you:

  1. Mix one part vinegar to two parts water (same as above).
  2. Wipe with a lint-free soft cloth.
  3. To prevent the greasy built up cause from defrosting your windshield, apply a small amount of foamy shaving cream (Gillette works best) to the glass with a sponge.
  4. Then wipe clean with a soft clean cloth.
  5. The residual soap film (from the shaving crème) keeps the glass from getting greasy and also helps from fogging up.

Clear Lingering OdorsGet rid of odors

Do you have lingering ODORS circulating your house? Maybe the delicious salmon dinner you made last night has left a fishy smell and those air fresheners, even candle aren't doing the job. Put out a bowl of white vinegar to soak up the lingering smells. It works instantly and is cost efficient.

Get creative! Fill a vase with the vinegar add some rocks, raffia or even left over tinsel from the holiday tree for a little life and some sparkle. It will give a room some flair, and clear the air!

Keyboard Cleaning 101

We are constantly on our computer at work or at home. It’s important to keep them clean and sanitized; dirt, dust and hair can also build up causing the keyboard to not function properly.

Before cleaning the keyboard first turn off your laptop computer or unplug your keyboard.

The best way to rid particles under keys is to use compressed air. A hairdryer can work, but remember to use the cool setting not the heat, aim the air between the keys and blow away all of the dust and debris that has gathered there. A vacuum cleaner can also be used, but make sure the keyboard doesn't have loose "pop off" keys that could possibly be lost to the vacuum.

After the dust, dirt, and hair has been removed. Spray a disinfectant onto a cloth or use disinfectant cloths and rub each of the keys on the keyboard.

If the keyboard has anything spilt on its surface such as: pop, beer, wine, coffee, milk, ect. taking the proper steps can cause the keyboard to be destroyed. Use the procedures below at your own risk.

Procedure:

If anything is spilt onto the keyboard quickly turn off the computer or unplug the keyboard.

Immediately flip the keyboard over helping to prevent the substance from penetrating the functions of the device. Give the keyboard a shake, in a sink or outside.

While still upside down, use a cloth to clean out the spill that can be reached.

After cleaned to the best of your ability leave the keyboard upside down for at least one night allowing it to dry. Once dry, give the keyboard an additional clean.

If after cleaning the keyboard you have keys that stick remove the keys and clean below the keys and the bottom portion of the key.

Finally, if the keyboard still works but remains dirty or sticky before discarding the keyboard as a last resort try washing the keyboard in the dishwasher. This is risky.

If after doing all the above steps the keyboard does not function properly a new keyboard is in your future.

Cleaning Stainless Steel

Having clean stainless steel appliances can give your kitchen that extra sparkle. If you only have time for a quick clean up before company arrives do a good sweep and clean your stainless steel appliances. stainless steel cleaning

Cleaning stainless steel:

    1. Rub down the entire stainless steel area to be cleaned with a damp cloth of warm soapy water.
    2. Repeat this process using rubbing alcohol or vinegar with a soft cloth.
    3. Apply a small amount of commercial stainless steel cleaner with a damp, soft cloth. Rub in the direction of the "grain" lines on the stainless steel appliance's finish. This is important, most grains go vertically, going from the top to the bottom.
    4. Remove hard or stubborn stains, grease or baked-on foods with a nylon scouring pad and a hot, caustic soda solution. Refer to the owner's manual of the appliance for instructions to prevent scratching the surface.
    5. Rinse entire surface of the appliance with warm water.
    6. Apply a small amount of baby oil to a paper towel and rub down the entire surface of the stainless steel appliance for the extra sparkle.

 

Clean the RefrigeratorClean the Refrigerator


This is one of those overwhelming tasks. It doesn’t have to be that way here are some tricks to make the job manageable.
• The first step is to clear out the fridge, get a few boxes and take everything out.
• As you are clearing out the refrigerator throw out any empty containers, spoiled food or unwanted products.
• Wipe down all surfaces, with a warm, soapy cloth (if you have glass shelves, let cool before adding hot water to scrub. To avoid cracking them)
• Any sticky or hardened spills use some hot water and baking soda to scrub out.
• Take out all drawers spray them down in the shower, much easier then hand scrubbing.
• A toothbrush is always best to get in the nooks and crannies.
• Make sure you dry all surfaces completely before you return them to the Fridge
• Another key trick is to wipe the bottom of all food containers before returning them to the fridge. (this ensures all surfaces stay clean)


Other tricks and tips to maintain your clean fridge
• The first step is to wipe up spills immediately so surfaces won't become stained.
• Make it a habit to throw out old food once a week.

How to clean suede shoes

The best is to get and suede cleaner and brush and make sure to follow the instructions. You can also use a foam spray carpet cleaner, just be sure to read the can and test a spot on the inside of the shoe first. Some cleaners will fade the suede or leave spots, best to test first. You can also try shaving cream but again test first to make sure it doesnt fade the color or leave spots. The key is to use a sham or a suede brush to clean futher.

How to clean leather shoesHow to Clean shoes

Cleaning leather shoes that are smooth is really quite easy. If the shoes have laces, remove those first. Second, grab a soft shoe brush and use it to go over the entire surface of the shoe. This will help remove dust and dried-on dirt. After that, put about two cups of room temperature water into a bowl and add a splash of pH-neutral hand soap. Gently stir in the soap. Grab a rag, dip it in the mixture, and squeeze out the excess. Next, re-dipping frequently and always using a clean section of rag go over the entire surface of the shoe. Once it’s been completely wiped down, go over it again with a new rag dipped in straight fresh water to remove the soap. Using one more soft rag, wipe the shoes dry. Once dry, be certain to recondition the leather and, if desired, give it a good polishing.

How to clean white shoes

For cleaning white shoes, or to clean tennis shoes or other white athletic shoes, often the only things you need are a rag, some warm water, detergent, an old soft toothbrush, and some whitening toothpaste. Start by removing the laces and soaking them in some warm water and laundry detergent. Next, grab a soft rag, dip it in some warm water mixed with detergent, squeeze out the excess, and start wiping.

Re-dip often to rinse the dirt out of the rag. After that’s done, put a little whitening toothpaste on your old soft toothbrush and gently brush all of the white spots on your shoes in a circular motion. Do this for the soles as well as the uppers. When done, use a clean rag dipped in fresh water to wipe the toothpaste off with. Finally, remove your laces from the water/detergent mix, rinse them in the sink, allow them and the shoes to dry, re-lace, and enjoy.

How to clean canvas shoes

A pair of canvas shoes is one of life’s little necessities. They’re cheap, comfortable, easy to care for, and easy to clean. For dirty canvas shoes, start by removing the laces and clapping the soles of the shoes together outside to remove excess dirt. Fill a 2-cup measuring cup with warm water, add about a teaspoon of mild dish soap, and drop the laces in for a good soak. Next, grab a soft-bristled brush like those used for cleaning suede, and brush every surface of you canvas shoes to remove surface dust. After that, rinse your shoes inside and out in the sink with warm water.

Start by removing the laces and soaking them in some warm water and laundry detergent. Next, grab a soft rag, dip it in some warm water mixed with detergent, squeeze out the excess, and start wiping. Re-dip often to rinse the dirt out of the rag. After that’s done, put a little whitening toothpaste on your old soft toothbrush and gently brush all of the white spots on your shoes in a circular motion. Do this for the soles as well as the uppers.

Wall Washing

Wall Washing TipsThe only walls you really need to wash are in the kitchen and bathroom. These rooms are normally covered with a gloss or semi-gloss paint that should respond well to cleaning. Often the kitchen needs a spot clean over the countertop. Just wipe off these areas with an all-purpose cleaner and a cleaning cloth when you're doing your normal weekly cleaning. Most bathroom walls should be washed once a year or so, as hairspray and condensation can build up on the walls. The kitchen walls should be washed every couple years give or take.

The golden rule of wall washing is to - work around the room once without backtracking. Clean everything as you come to it, this means: ceiling molding, door frames, windowsills, and baseboards — not to mention the walls also. Clean from right to left and from top to bottom. Use the flat mop to wash and a cleaning cloth over the mop to dry.

The technique

Stand a couple of feet from the wall, where you are able to reach into the area you are cleaning with the flat mop. That is, don't try to wash the area right in front of you. Focus on a 3 feet wide area this helps avoid missing spots. Stop to rinse the mop as often as necessary. If the room is too small, or the wall is too hard to reach because of immovable objects, you can take the pad off the mop and use it by hand. Or use a cleaning cloth or sponge on small areas. Avoid excess cleaning solution from running down the wall, make sure your mop is rinsed and wringed out well.

With gloss or semi-gloss paint its best to use warm water with a small amount of all-purpose cleaning solution.

Cleaning Hardwood Floors Cleaning Hardwood Floors

There are two techniques that best work to clean hardwood floors.

Technique #1 -Mopping with a micro fiber cloth.

Attach a micro fiber cloth to an existing mop you may own. Micro fiber cloths are designed for dusting. These do not hold much water, but do trap a lot of dirt. Soak the cloth in a solution of 1 part white vinegar, 3 parts water, the cloth should feel damp not soaking wet. You can also use a mild cleaner, and dilute it with three parts water.  White vinegar works best because of its water-softening and cleansing qualities. Mop as you would if you were dry dusting. Wipe dry,  in a circular motion to buff  and leave floor shiny and clean.

Technique #2 -Dry Dusting.

Dry dust mop with a spray cleaner formulated for dry dusting, and washes the dust cloth. Replace the dust cloth several times, using a fresh one when it starts to get wet or too dirty. This technique is time consuming however effective. We've been cleaning hardwood floors for over 47 years and people always want to know how we get the floors so shiny and clean, vinegar does the trick. We have our own hardwood floor cleaner we use that is not for sale. Don’t let manufacturers or others say vinegar is not a proper cleaning agent. They are solely trying to promote their own cleaning properties that are manufactured agents emulating the cleaning properties of vinegar.

Do and don’ts when cleaning hardwood floors

  • Don’t wax a wood floor with a urethane finish
  • Do use cleaners that won’t leave a film or residue
  • Don’t use ammonia cleaners or oil soaps on a wood floor — they’ll dull the finish and affect your ability to recoat later.
  • Do use a professional hardwood floor cleaner to remove occasional scuffs and heel marks (just spray some cleaner on a cloth and rub the stained area lightly)
  • Don’t wet mop or use excessive water to clean your floor (wood naturally expands when it’s wet and can cause your floor to crack or splinter). 
  • Do clean sticky spots with a damp towel or sponge

Cleaning out your gym bag

 Smelly gym bag Is your gym bag sweaty, dirty, germy, and have odd smells coming from it. You don’t even know what kind of mess has been collecting in their all year cause you don't frequently clean it out. Here are a few tips and tricks in making sure that your gym bag is ready for the soccer, baseball or football season.

The best way to start is to take everything out of your gym bag, including what is in the pockets (inside and out). If there is a removable piece on the bottom of the bag remove this as well. Throw it in the wash with a load of old towels or soak it in your bathtub or sink. Let the gym bag air dry by putting it on a flat surface, such as on a table (with a towel underneath the gym bag) or on top of a dryer. Once it’s dried, wipe it down with an antibacterial wipe including the handles, the bottom and everywhere in between. The plastic pieces can hold germs, sanitizing it can definitely help. Leave a pack of antibacterial wipes in your gym bag, and maybe an air freshener.

Tips to keeping your bag from smelling:

  • Leaving a pack of antibacterial wipes in your gym bag, give it a wipe every once and a while.
  • Leaving an air freshener in the bag is not a bad idea.
  • Sprinkling a little baking soda in your shoes after ever use will help keep the smells away.

 

Cleaning Tile Grout

Tile is common in most homes whether it’s in your kitchen, bathroom, laundry room or elsewhere. It’s never the tiles that are dirty but between the tiles that gets grimy. With a little sweat and the right cleaning solution your grout and tiles will look brand new. Given your kitchens backsplash new life and your bathroom floor a facelift, we recommend once a year a good grout scrub down.

Tile grout gets dirty in many different ways from: mould, mildew, food stains, general household traffic and general life grime. No matter the type of grime we recommend starting off with the simplest and least acidic cleaning solution first, moving to harsher chemical cleaners if necessary. I would test a small portion of your grout and tiled area first before being disappointed with the outcome, you can asses if the harsher chemicals will be most effective.

For a natural, effective and safe solution to clean grout use vinegar diluted with an equal amount of water, or make a paste of baking soda and a bit of water to clean the grout with. If you have smaller tiles vinegar is recommended, if larger tiles the paste works best. Spray or dab the cleaner onto a small length of grout and scrub with a stiff brush. Scrubbing in small circles rather than straight up and down will remove more debris from the grout. Rinse well with water and mop up and remaining moisture with a sponge or damp cloth. If you already own or have access to a steam cleaner, try using it on your grout work. The pressure of the steam cleaner can loosen debris and stains that cleaners can't dissolve, this will really make your grout and tiles shine.

If the first alternative did not work, it’s time to move onto the tough chemicals. There are products called ‘commercial tile and grout cleaners’. These are available wherever home cleaning products are sold. Try to find a cleanser that is pH balanced so that the chemicals in the product won't erode the grout with continued use. To get the best result from a commercial cleaner, spray it on and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing. Follow the directions on the label of the product to clean effectively.

Cleaning Tips & Tricks

  • Rinse the area with water and allow for drying. This will remove any loose surface debris.
  • Never use bleach on colored grout, as it will discolor the grout.
  • Use a stiff brush for scrubbing. Old toothbrushes will be too soft. Also avoid using metal bristles, as they will wear away the grout.
  • If you're using commercial cleaners, bleach, or other chemicals, make sure the room you're working in is well ventilated.
  • Use gloves and protective eye wear when working with any chemical-based cleaners.
  • Test your grout cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area first to make sure that it won't erode or damage your grout work. This is especially necessary if your tile grout is old or damaged.
  • Never mix cleaners together! Chemical reactions can cause noxious fumes or burns if the mixture touches the skin.

Cleaning Closets

You may not need cleaning supplies such as chemicals, brushes, and dusting brooms frequently in order to clean a closet, but that does not mean they should be overlooked in your cleaning regimen. And with the summer months upcoming, new items will be added to your closet, along with winter clothes being stashed away. Here are some organizational and prevention advice to make sure your closet stays clean this summer.

Organization Tips

Although there are infinite ways you can organize a closet, here are some key ways to maximize space where you need it:

  • Add an additional shelf between the present one and the ceiling (if possible) and store items you do not need to access often
  • Keep shorter items such as shirts on one end of the closet, and if space permits, add a bar beneath for shirts or folded slacks
  • Purchase hanging plastic bags with small compartments for jewellery, stockings or other items that can get easily tangled and cluttered
  • Hanging clothes by style and color will make outfits much easier to coordinate and find
  • Use the door to add hooks for ties, belts, or even shoe organizers

Prevention Tips

Throughout the year, the temperature in the house changes almost as drastically as outside conditions. Therefore, you must also think about possible moisture and humidity issues that can affect enclosed spaces, such as a closet. Here are some strategies to keep your clothes dry and unharmed:

  • It is recommended to put a low-wattage light in the closet and leave it on for short periods of time in humid weather, as discoloration of the clothes may result from over exposure
  • Let clothes air out before re-hanging, as this does not allow moisture to get trapped in the clothes and potentially cause mold growth
  • Take clothes out of dry cleaner bags, as changes in humidity can cause yellowing
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