Just for Laughs

Tips Around the House

Spring is such a wonderful time but to most people it's also a sign of needing to do some "sring cleaning" - Ugh! Who likes it? Not me! Although I do like seeing the results and I feel like I have accomplished something once I am done. :o) Although spring is the marked time of year to get it all super clean, you still have to do it to a lesser extent the rest of the year and so here are some tips that might help you here and there - if you have any tips you would like to share then E-mail me with them and I will post them here (I will post your name and possibly your URL next to the tip, exposure!) - I get my tips from all over, books, magazines, word-of-mouth, so many of my tips will be creditless ...

Let's Get Started!
Wear an old apron with pockets to carry around rags, pick up the little things lying around, etc. If you don't have one or just don't have the time to get an apron, you can use a "cleaning caddy", and if all else fails... get an old water bucket! :o) This way you don't have to keep running to the trash can or kitchen for the little things.
Always begin cleaning from the top. Get cob webs, dust, etc. off the walls and air conditioning vents first and then dust the furniture. Oh yeah, take the sheets/comforters off the bed because you don't want all that yucky there when you go to bed that night!
Don't try and do a million things at once. If you find something that doesn't belong there, put it in your bucket you are carrying or get another basket to put them in and return them later to their proper spots.
Chandelier Cleaning
Lay a drop cloth underneath and the spray the chandelier with a solution of 3 parts warm water to 1 part rubbing alcohol (or window cleaner works just as well) BE SURE LIGHTS ARE OFF! And cooled down before doing this. Watch the dust, dirt, etc. just run off! And then wipe clean.
The Stove Range
You should clean your range hood once a year or so. You can run it through the dishwasher a couple of times to make life easier!
The Trash Cans
Spray them with a hose, dump the water and then spray inside and out with disinfectant (bleach and water solution works well too). Let stand for 10 minutes or so, rinse and then turn up side down to dry.
Troublesome Stains
Get those stains as soon as possible! Prevent them from setting in too deeply by dousing non-greasy ones with club soda and sprinking greasy ones with cornstarch (brush off after 10 minutes).
Buggy Bugs!
Freeze new flour for a few days to kill those "flour bugs" (bug larvae) - Ewwww! Keep the moths out of clothes in storage by washing them first and putting them in a large plastic container (found at KMart, Wal-Mart, etc.) - Lime around the edge of your yard will keep not only the bugs away (ants, roaches, etc.) but will also keep the snakes away and lime is totally harmless to your lawn (lime can be found in your local gardening store or gardening department at KMart, etc.)
Trash cans/Waste baskets
Put cat litter or a fabric softener or even a large scented sache on the bottom of your pail.
Garbage Disposal
Grind some lemon rinds and ice cubes in it. You can also pour bleach in it once a week to prevent odors.
Refrigerator
Put a dish or just the open box of baking soda in both the fridge or the freezer - it helps absorb the odors ...
Stuck-on Foods
Keep a spray bottle filled with a mild solution of dishwashing detergent and water near the dishwasher, spray some of the solution onto heavily soiled dishes so the food doesn't set. Everyone has one or two dishes that come out with food still on them, this is a good way to prevent it, especially if you don't had the chance to fill the dishwasher up and run it right away.
Stinky Sponges!
Notice how your heavily used sponges will begin to smell quite sour after a while? Try filling your kitchen sink 1/4 of the way with water and add about two cups of bleach - submerge the sponges in the solution and let set for about 30 minutes. They will no longer smell yucky and they look brand new afterwards! If you are allergic to bleach or do not like using it, you can substitute the bleach for dishwashing detergent.
Tub Scum
Is your tub over run with soap scum? Try a degreaser and let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes then scrub it off with a cleaning brush. Phosphoric-acid tub and tile cleaners are good for hard-water build up.
Remember when cleaning...
Do Not mix any products containing ammonia with bleach, the mixture can produce hazardous fumes! And do not use any empty cleaning product container for any other purpose. Of course you can refill the container with the original product but as stated above, mixing cleaners is highly dangerous.
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