Best cleaning tools and tips? Jan 27, 2010 4:36:37 GMT -5 Quote Select PostDeselect PostLink to PostBack to Top Post by Butterfly on Jan 27, 2010 4:36:37 GMT -5 It will be very helpful to me, and hopefully others, to know what the best cleaning tools and tips are.For example - tools:I read on one thread that the Spotbot is great. Is this good to use on pet messes?Someone else mentioned magic eraser. Which one, the mop or the pads, or what? What items, areas does it clean best?For example - tips:Something that has already made a huge difference for me is putting medium sized, lidded, garbage cans in almost every room. I resisted this for a long time because I thought a trash can didn't belong in the living room. But, guess what, I've decided a neat trash can belongs a lot more than garbage all over the floor! And, it's working for me, so yay.I really hope everyone will chip in with the items that have made it easier for them to get out and stay out of squalor. Ideally, it would be great to specify what item, type of mess or area each works on best. Maybe we could even create a list of categories and then everyone could post their suggestion in each. What do you think? I figure there's a lot of experience on this board and I'd like to draw on it. I apologize if there's already a topic for this. I did look, but that doesn't mean I didn't miss it.
Best cleaning tools and tips? Jan 27, 2010 8:10:43 GMT -5 Quote Select PostDeselect PostLink to PostBack to Top Post by lostagain on Jan 27, 2010 8:10:43 GMT -5 I'm looking forward to this - I was thinking about starting a similar thread. Right now I use bleach diluted with water in a spray bottle for kitchen sink and counters. Anyway would love to hear what other people use. I also have a Swiffer wetmop. This works OKAY in the bathroom but I find that all the stuff doesn't stick to the pad. So I get these little...lines of dirt? I guess you'd call them. I go back and have to get those. I like the Clorox brand wipes (vs. the Lysol ones, not sure why I prefer the Clorox brand) for the litter box. Litter box - first dump it out. Then run the shower for a quick overall washing of it. Then wipe it down with several Clorox wipes. Then wipe with paper towels then add litter. This seems to work fine. While litter box is up off the floor I do a quick sweep up of cat litter and general bathroom stuff, then mop with the Swiffer mop. Once floor is dry (it does dry quickly) I put the litter box down and fill it with litter.
Best cleaning tools and tips? Jan 27, 2010 8:36:45 GMT -5 Quote Select PostDeselect PostLink to PostBack to Top Post by howardsgirlfriend on Jan 27, 2010 8:36:45 GMT -5 I love, love, love my Spotbot for pet mess! Great for carpet, upholstery, etc. Don't put as much shampoo in the reservoir as the directions indicate--1/2 tsp is plenty. Another alternative is the spray the stain with soapy water and use just plain water in the reservoir. The only downside is that if your carpet's dirty, the Spotbot will leave these little clean circles, that make the rest of the carpet look bad!
Best cleaning tools and tips? Jan 27, 2010 9:01:27 GMT -5 Quote Select PostDeselect PostLink to PostBack to Top Post by CourageouslyLion SeeksSerenity on Jan 27, 2010 9:01:27 GMT -5 -Click on the following link to thread for advice about cleaning up pet messes(urine odor and stains)This can be for floors, carpets, or clothing.(Some of the ideas work for pet fecal odor also):Urine Odor/Stain Removal (list of methods)takeonestepatatime.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=8031--
Best cleaning tools and tips? Jan 27, 2010 10:21:19 GMT -5 Quote Select PostDeselect PostLink to PostBack to Top Post by howardsgirlfriend on Jan 27, 2010 10:21:19 GMT -5 I love tips that give me more "bang for my buck." Random tips, in random order: Devote most of your time/resources on the things/areas you use most frequently. Never use hot water on a protein-based stain (eggs, cheese, feces, vomit.) Hot water denatures the protein, "cooking" it and makes it more difficult to remove. Liquid dish soap or shampoo are great for removing stains with protein and/or grease. Never throw away old towels or toothbrushes--they're always good for cleaning something. OK--I throw out toothbrushes after I use them on pet mess. Love my "stand-up" dustpan! It has a long handle, and stands up by itself, so I don't have to bend over/squat to use it. Every kitchen/bathroom should have cleaning supplies in it, even it it's just wipes, or window cleaner and paper towels. Every room should have at least one wastebasket, and bags for trash. If it's easier to clean, you're more likely to do it frequently. Every floor of the house should have the supplies and equipment necessary to clean it. See rationale above. Shop-vacs are the greatest desqualoring tool EVER! Always have a few baskets, clear plastic shoeboxes, or other smallish, versatile storage containers empty and handy. Keep them in the areas that accumulate little cluttery bits, so you can drop them in the box instead. Looks better, keeps the bits from escaping, and you can carry it elsewhere to sort/return items. Keep a hidden area clear enough to hide them during a "stash and dash." Dollar stores are a great source for cleaning supplies and storage containers. I bought my 1st "standup" dustpan for $1. Clear bags and containers are more useful than opaque ones--you can see what's in them from every angle. Don't use containers/bags so large than you can't lift them easily. Smallish items in cupboards/drawers/fridge/shelves can be stored in shallow boxes/dishpans/bakeware. Especially good for things that fall over/get lost easily, and for deep cupboards. Keeps the cupboards/shelves/drawers cleaner, too. Keep your cleaning sponge/dish brush/dish cloth in the dishwasher, so they're cleaned every time you run it. Keeps my dogs from turning them into chew toys, too! Consider ease of cleaning when purchasing new items, especially things that get dirty easily (floors) or things you really hate to clean. I chose the color of flooring that most closely matched my pet's hair! If a surface needs scrubbing to clean dried-on mess--don't! Instead, wet a towel with warm soapy water, wring it out a bit, let it soak on the mess for a few minutes. Most of it will wipe right off. Do not use this technique on porous surfaces. Easiest way to clean a microwave: bowl of water with vinear or lemon juice. Heat in micro for a few minites, wait a couple more to allow the steam to do the work, and wipe! All the mess will come off easily, and you can use the water to clean something else, too. Homemade window cleaner: 2 Tblsp rubbing alcohol, 2 tblsp ammonia, enough water to fill a quart bottle. Cheap and effective. Newspapers are great for cleaning glass--better than any other wipe. Pet hair on an uncarpeted floor? Nothing beats a dust mop, sprayed with a little water. Most clothes labeled "hand-wash" can be washed in a machine in cold water with gentle detergent, then hung up to dry. For really fragile items, secure them in a pillow case or mesh bag. If you do handwash an item, but own a washing machine, use the spin-dry cycle to wring it out and help it dry faster. A tension rod mounted in a doorway can allow you to air-dry clothes on a hanger--just don't overload it! Over-the-door hooks are also great for keeping clothes off the floor/chairs, etc. If you have a dog, you will never have to clean food off the floor! Mine even try to keep the litterbox clean, too! If you compost your food waste, your garbage won't stink, you'll have more room for other garbage, and you'll have free compost! Put a laundry basket everywhere you have clothes on the floor--everywhere. Always have extra clothes hangers. A coat tree is great for any room. Multiple-skirt hangers are great for hats, scarves, etc. They look like a long hanger with about 8 clothespins. Respect your nature. I like to see everything, so I have hooks everywhere and hang clothes, cleaning equipment, towels--everything I can. I also don't like kneeling down, so I sit on an overturned bucket, or a little stool (struggling to refrain from any "nurse humor" here!) I also don't like having my fingertips in water or mess, so I always look for products with a long handle. "Drip-dry hooks", aka "lingerie hooks" look like a hook with a clothespin attached. Great for hanging many small items: sponges, hats, even papers on a door knob. Every bed should have a waterproof mattress cover. Trust me--you never know until you need it. Keeps the dust mites down, too. Plastic dishpans and cat litter buckets are great for all sort of cleaning/sorting/storage/gardening tasks. Plus, they stack easily when not in use. You can clean almost anything with these supplies: liquid dish soap, dishwasher detergent (if you have a dishwasher,) laundry detergent (if you have a washer,) vinegar, rubber gloves, ammonia, water, chlorine bleach, baking soda, old towels, a nylon scrubber, an old toothbrush, and a scrub brush. While you may have products you like better, keep these around, and you'll always have something you can use. Never, ever mix chlorine bleach and ammonia together--the results can be fatal. If you want to clean something delicate, but don't know what product to use, anything that's made for cleaning your face will be very gentle. Try it on a small area first. Keep one set of brushes, rubber gloves, sponges, etc for "clean" areas, and one for "dirty" areas. Start with the "clean" areas, and work your way to the "dirty" areas. Just as easy as any other way, but more effective, and you won't have to wash your hands as often. Carry a trash bag and walk around the outside of your home at least once a week. You might find something that needs attention before it becomes a big problem (trash, disconnect downspout, broken fence, etc.) If you need a big funnel, cut a plastic bottle in half. Turn on all the lights when you clean, and work from "top to bottom." Just as easy as any other way, but more effective. Consider what you could delegate, should someone be able to assist you. So many people squander these opportunities by not considering this ahead of time. (If we want to imitate my Grandma, we say "Don't help me!") Cobwebs in a hard-to-reach area? Use a broom with a damp towel secured to the end. A vacuum nozzle works great, too. A pizza pan or cookie sheet hung on the wall makes a great magnetic bulletin board! A push mower allows your kids to mow the lawn, without hurting themselves. Haven't been able to teach my dogs to use it, though. Never let a 12-year-old boy use a weed flamer.
Best cleaning tools and tips? Jan 27, 2010 12:10:19 GMT -5 Quote Select PostDeselect PostLink to PostBack to Top Post by lizzy on Jan 27, 2010 12:10:19 GMT -5 I keep a spray bottle of white vinegar and a roll of paper towels in all the bathrooms. I use large plastic totes instead of litter boxes for my cats. They are cheaper than litter boxes at only around 4.00 for the off brand. At that price I throw out the whole box and replace it once a month. And with the taller sides the kitties are not likely to "miss" and they can't kick litter all over.I keep a box of baby wipes in every room. They are easy to grab and wipe up a mess, or dust. And they are much cheaper then those wipes made for cleaning.Acidic toilet bowl cleaner. I get mine at Wal-Mart in the hardware section. It can also be purchased at home depot or Lowe's. the key word here is acidic. The toilets you thought would never again look clean will be after letting this stuff set for just a few minutes. I have also had success in using it on heavy tub grime.Extra Strength tile and grout cleaner from Lowe's (HD probably has something similar) This stuff will clean the dirtiest grout.Rubermaid mildew remover from the hardware dept. at walmart does an excellent job of removing mildew stains.To keep drains running clean or to clear a blocked drain. Boil a big pot of water. Stir in some dawn (must be dawn) dish liquid, about a tbsp. Pour mixture down drain and let sit for 10 minutes to eat the grease and grime in the drain. Next pour baking soda and the vinegar in the drain.
Best cleaning tools and tips? Jan 27, 2010 12:12:19 GMT -5 Quote Select PostDeselect PostLink to PostBack to Top Post by lizzy on Jan 27, 2010 12:12:19 GMT -5 I forgot, The Shark Steam Mop. If you have a lot of hard floors like me there is nothing better. When I first got it I was shocked at how much cleaner it got my floors than the swiffer. The floors even felt different under bare feet, they were that much cleaner.
Best cleaning tools and tips? Jan 27, 2010 12:31:45 GMT -5 Quote Select PostDeselect PostLink to PostBack to Top Post by 60isolderthanithot on Jan 27, 2010 12:31:45 GMT -5 Is there a way to clean the black burnt stuff under the burner of an electric stove? I've been working at it for a couple of hours, off and on. One of my roomies must have burnt the hell out of something. It's a big black mess. I scrape with a plastic spoon, soak in detergent, wipe it off and do it again. And again. I don't want to chip the porcelain coating but it's pretty bad, soaking and soaking and scraping.
Best cleaning tools and tips? Jan 27, 2010 12:43:17 GMT -5 Quote Select PostDeselect PostLink to PostBack to Top Post by lizzy on Jan 27, 2010 12:43:17 GMT -5 Jan 27, 2010 12:31:45 GMT -5 60isolderthanithot said:Is there a way to clean the black burnt stuff under the burner of an electric stove? I've been working at it for a couple of hours, off and on. One of my roomies must have burnt the hell out of something. It's a big black mess. I scrape with a plastic spoon, soak in detergent, wipe it off and do it again. And again. I don't want to chip the porcelain coating but it's pretty bad, soaking and soaking and scraping.Try baking soda. Its abrasive, but won't scratch. I have had luck with mixing baking soda and dish detergent to clean burnt on stuff on the stove top.
Best cleaning tools and tips? Jan 27, 2010 14:22:53 GMT -5 Quote Select PostDeselect PostLink to PostBack to Top Post by howardsgirlfriend on Jan 27, 2010 14:22:53 GMT -5 Even better if you can simmer them in a pot with baking soda and water, and maybe some dishwashing detergent.
Best cleaning tools and tips? Jan 27, 2010 15:37:47 GMT -5 Quote Select PostDeselect PostLink to PostBack to Top Post by Looking_Forward on Jan 27, 2010 15:37:47 GMT -5 I like being as eco-friendly as reasonable for me.For most of my cleaning I use vinegar/baking soda/tea tree oil. They're always on hand around here and cheap.For porcelain tubs, toilets, and sinks a pumice stone like this Pumie"]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000DAPGS/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000M4LVM0&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=09289C6YWSQ5G97WF8D2]this Pumie is amazing. Requires elbow grease but I've gotten sparkling porcelain out of very old homes this way.Mold/mildew in the bathroom gets a mix of baking soda and toothbrush, after I've scrubbed it I pour a little vinegar on -- I like the fizz.For things I want disinfected like doorknobs, light switches, kitchen counter after cooking with chicken I wipe it down with non-dilute vinegar and let air dry then spray it down with hydrogen peroxide and let air dry.
Best cleaning tools and tips? Jan 27, 2010 16:17:35 GMT -5 Quote Select PostDeselect PostLink to PostBack to Top Post by bigtimetroubles on Jan 27, 2010 16:17:35 GMT -5 gr8 thread...keep it coming....hugs btt
Best cleaning tools and tips? Jan 27, 2010 16:33:17 GMT -5 Quote Select PostDeselect PostLink to PostBack to Top Post by MiSC on Jan 27, 2010 16:33:17 GMT -5 Pepper taught me this one and I use it often:For baked on grease in pans, put a dryer sheet in the pan, pour boiling water in it, and let it sit overnight.The next morning, the mess simply wipes right off, even with a plain old paper towel.
Best cleaning tools and tips? Jan 27, 2010 17:01:42 GMT -5 Quote Select PostDeselect PostLink to PostBack to Top Post by fluffernut - now Jannie on Jan 27, 2010 17:01:42 GMT -5 If you run out of laundry detergent, you can use dishwashing liquid or even shampoo.
Best cleaning tools and tips? Jan 27, 2010 18:01:25 GMT -5 Quote Select PostDeselect PostLink to PostBack to Top Post by Evelyn on Jan 27, 2010 18:01:25 GMT -5 Jan 27, 2010 12:31:45 GMT -5 60isolderthanithot said:Is there a way to clean the black burnt stuff under the burner of an electric stove? I've been working at it for a couple of hours, off and on. One of my roomies must have burnt the hell out of something. It's a big black mess. I scrape with a plastic spoon, soak in detergent, wipe it off and do it again. And again. I don't want to chip the porcelain coating but it's pretty bad, soaking and soaking and scraping.Is it a removeable burner reflector pan, or an integral part of the stove?Either way, my suggestion goes like this:- make a paste of equal parts baking soda, dishwashing liquid, and water (aka Evelyn's Magic Solution to Most Cleaning Problems).- Apply to blackened area, let dry (it's ok to use the burner in the meantime, as long as none of the paste is on the electrical burner element) to a sort of a crust.(If it's a removeable reflector pan, remove it (once it's cooled) and let it soak in dishwater overnight, and you'll be able to use a paper towel for the next step.)- Use some sort of flat edged-scraper (cheapie ice scraper, plastic knife, maxed-out credit card...) to scrape away as much of the crust as possible.- Right about now is a great time to buy yourself a new toothbrush, don't you think? Take the old toothbrush, mix up some of the baking soda-&-dishwashing-liquid paste in an old jar lid, and scrub the heck out of any remaining black stuff. If the blackening is really bad, this will take some time & elbow grease, but you should be able to see progress.- Repeat until blackened stuff is gone, or the only stuff left is too stubborn for you to see any progress at all. If you get that truly stubborn stuff, it's probably rust - the coating is broken in those places and the metal underneath is rusting. If it's a replaceable reflector pan, take it with you to the hardware store to buy a repalcement (they are notorious for fitting only with their own brand, model & type), and then toss the rusted one. Or, if the rust spots are small enough, you can just live with them until they grow* bigger and then replace the burner pan (one of my burning pans has a small smattering of grain-of-salt-sized rust spots, which I'd rather live with than shell out $9 bucks for a new reflector pan).If the rust spots are in the stove metal itself, just live with them. As long as they're black (rather than orange), smaller than the diameter of a pencil and more or less flat with the surrounding metal, they're not too much too worry about. And if you keep the area fairly clean, they'll grow* even slower .(*Don't be freaked out by my use of the word "grow" - the growth rate for this sort of rust is usually measured in thousandths of an inch per year.)
