From disinfecting your cell phone screen to scrubbing cast iron pans,
experts dish on the right way to clean nearly everything in your home
Ever mop your floor only to find it duller than the blind date you
had with your aunt's "handsome" co-worker? Yeah, us too. Turns out, as
simple as housekeeping seems, there's definitely a right way to clean
things. From granite countertops to iPhones to pillows, we rounded up
the correct way to tidy up everyday items in your home.
1. Smartphone screens
You know that cloth you get with a new pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses? Melissa Maker of
cleanmyspace recommends
using it to rub makeup, fingerprints and even bacteria from your cell
phone’s screen. For stubborn smudges, put a drop of dish soap into a cup
of warm water. Dip one corner of the cloth into the water and wipe the
dirty area clean. Use the dry part to buff away any moisture.
2. Laminate floors
To pick up dirt and dust on laminate flooring,
Pergo suggests
using either a dust mop or a vacuum with a hard-floor attachment. For a
deeper clean, dampen a cloth mop with a mixture of one cup of white
vinegar and one gallon of warm water; change the solution as it gets
dirty. Want to get your flooring extra shiny? Stay away from soap or
detergent-based cleaners, wax and polish, and instead buff the dry floor
with a towel.
3. Granite, marble or stone tile
Dust and grit can mar your natural stone surface, so frequent dusting or mopping is important, according to the experts at the
Marble Institute of America.
If you choose to vacuum, first check the attachments and wheels for
sharp points that can scratch some stone. For a more thorough clean,
dampen a soft rag mop or a soft cloth with a solution of stone soap, a
neutral cleaner or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent, and warm water.
Follow the manufacturer's recommendations to avoid film and streaks.
Rinse the surface well, changing water as needed, and dry with a soft
cloth.
4. Microwave
We love this simple, nontoxic microwave cleaning tip from
How Stuff Works.
Mix 1/2 cup of water with 1/2 cup white vinegar in a microwave-safe
bowl. Use at least a four-cup bowl so the solution won't boil over.
Microwave on high until the mixture comes to a rolling boil and the
microwave window steams up. Let it cool for a few minutes, then wipe
down the interior with a damp sponge.
5. Windows, Glass and Mirrors
The experts at
Woman's Day
suggest using only a microfiber cloth and warm water to make glass
sparkle. Prevent streaks by using one wet microfiber cloth for cleaning
and one dry one for drying. For heavier cleaning, switch from plain
water to a mixture of one part ammonia and three parts water with a bit
of dishwashing soap.
6. Cast Iron Pots and Pans
Forget soap -- plain water and a sponge are all you need to clean a cast iron skillet. If you need to remove burned-on residue,
The Kitchen.com suggests putting baking soda or boiling water in the pan. Just be sure to dry it thoroughly to prevent rust.
7. Rugs and Carpets
Slow and easy, that's what the
Carpet and Rug Institute recommends
when it comes to vacuuming your rug or carpet. Stick with back and
forth motions, moving slightly to the left or right about every four
strokes. Also, change the bag or empty the dirt cup when it’s about 1/2
to 2/3 full.
8. Automatic Coffee Makers
You don’t need a special solution to de-gunk your coffee maker.
About.com’s Mariette Mifflin
recommends filling the reservoir with a solution of one part white
vinegar to two parts water. (If your coffee maker has a permanent filter
or a water filter, remove these first.) Run through a brew cycle, and
allow the mixture to sit a few minutes before discarding it. Follow with
two cycles of clear water to rinse. Let the brewer cool down between
cycles.
9. Stovetop Iron Burner Grates
Stove burner grates are notoriously tough to clean. Not so with this easy tip from
The V Spot:
Put 1/4 cup of ammonia and a burner grate into a large plastic zippered
bag. Place the bag on a cookie sheet overnight, and wipe the grate
clean in the morning. The fumes from the ammonia will dissolve the
grease and hardened oil.
10. Pillows
Wait, we need to
wash our pillow two or three times a year? Considering all the sweat and
skin cells it collects (ewww!), the answer is a resounding yes. We like
this tip from
Melissa Maker of cleanmyspace.
Start by squeezing excess air out of the pillow before placing it in
the washer. (For top-loading washers, you can launder two pillows at a
time. Front-load models can handle one or two pillows.) Use a
fragrance-free detergent and, if needed, add 1/2 cup of baking soda to
the wash to help remove pillow odors. Run a full cycle using warm water,
and do an extra spin cycle to remove excess moisture. Then dry on low
using dryer balls. (You can make your own by tying a tennis ball in a
white sock.) At the end of the cycle, inhale deeply into the pillow. If
it seems to contain moisture, put it through another dryer cycle.
From: Ivillage.com/ Posted by Mags
Use an old ladder to hang heeled shoes on
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