Tips on How to Start Cleaning Your Room

More often than not intimidation is the reason why we do not get down to cleaning our room. When we get overwhelmed to do particular tasks, it is so much easier to leave it as is than to bother how to get about living in a better place.

First thing to do is envision your room being the way you want it to be – clean, that is. Never let the clutter overwhelm you. Set a specific goal of starting the cleaning project. Depending on the room you are looking into, if it’s a bedroom then make sure you make the minute tasks without problem like making the bed. If your project involves the washroom, then clean sinks will be the easiest to start with.

Get a hold of the cleaning tools that you will need and get down to it. Now, maintaining is another issue.

Cleaning Greasy Fridge Tops

How do you easily clean sticky and greasy dust on the top of your fridge?  This problem is usually solved by a heavy duty all purpose cleaner or a solution that is a part ammonia to ten parts of water.   Do this if your trusty vinegar and baking soda won't do the trick.  Wipe the dirt off with paper towels.

Usually this will solve your problem.  Just make sure to apply furniture wax on the surface of the fridge to make cleaning easier the next time.  

How to Clean Floors and Ceilings

Have you ever wondered what is the best way to clean floors and ceilings? We do this regularly, so we figured, the regular way is just the way to do it. For painted surfaces, it is always best to dust the walls with a broom covered with a flannel cloth. Change cloths when it gets dirty. This will make cleaning easier. Rather than wipe the walls with a damp cloth right away. More often than not the dust makes ugly marks on the wall, when truth is this can be prevented by dusting first.

When you see cobwebs, keep yourself from pushing them into the surface as you would regularly clean ceilings and walls. Cobwebs tend to be stickier and can put a stain on your walls. Maintaining ceilings and floors can be fairly easy, you really just have to choose the more effective way to do it. It does not just lessen the cleaning time, it takes away the risk of staining.

The Wonders of Tea Tree Oil

If there something that I will vouch for that is a non-negotiable must have for the household. It can do wonders not just to zap zits, but also be your partner in cleaning your home.

The truth of the matter is, you can practically live on using just this as an overall cleaning agent -seriously. It is no less than the ever famous Tea Tree Oil. Try it for yourself, put a few drops in a spray bottle and mix it with water. Generously spray it on molds that could be inside your refrigerator or wherever, even the tough ones and you will see those molds streaming down in no time. It does not just guarantee easy cleaning, but it is friendly to the environment.

Think about your laundry. You can also use a few drops of this oil in lieu of the unnatural and non environment friendly commercial fabric conditioners. It does wonders and leaves fabrics clean and smell great especially during times when mr. sun won’t show up. I put a drop or two in my usual handsoap and liquid dish detergent. I also use it when I concoct my own liquid soap made from left-over soaps. Its uses is just limitless, to think that years back I just thought it was just good at drying pimples up.

Getting Rid of Collected Dirt

One of the things that one has to do after collecting dirt with a dust mop or a feather duster (if you happen to still use one) is get rid of it. Unlike a vacuum cleaner that has a designed collector, a dust mop has to be placed inside a paper or plastic bag. Shake the mop or duster vigorously to get rid of the collected dust and dirt.

Easier Way to Clean Chandeliers

If at all, cleaning chandeliers can be anything but easy. As intimidating as it is this is something one has got to do one time or another. Otherwise the purpose of putting up one defeats its aesthetic purpose. You don't just leave this centerpiece of a room to collect dust for years without maintaing it.

Here's an easier way to clean your chandelier. Place a set of towels across the floor right under the chandelier. Spread sets of newspaper over th towels. Cover each bulb with a small plastic bag to protect them from the moisture. Spray generous amount of window cleaner on each pendant such that dirt would easily run off onto the newspaper.

You can either drip dry the pendants or polish them with a soft cloth to let them shine. Happy cleaning! :-)

Home Entertainment Furnishings

Do you always unplug your TV, stero, VCR or home computer before cleaning them? If not, then you should start getting into the habit of doing so. Never use spray cleaners directly on electronics. This may cause damage to the wiring or even clog the ventilation on sound projecting holes. tv lifts are low maintenance, occasional wiping will do.

For plastic exteriors, you can use milk soap and warm water. Always well wrung cleaning cloths to prevent drips. Periodically dust woodveneer cabinets with a soft, clean and slightly damp cloths.

If you have metal cabinets or chrome shiny trims of home entertainment equipment, do not hesitate to use a soft cloth which is moistened with a bit of rubbing alcohol, white vinegar or window cleaner.

Tub and Tile Care

Remove mildew and stains from the tub and tiles by wetting the surfaces with water and then spraying them with a solution of one cup bleach to one quart water. Make sure that the room is well ventilated while you do the job and that bath towels and fabric shower curtains are out of the spray range.

Stained tub or sink suraces come clean with a cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide paste. Spread the paste over the stain and scrub lightly with a brush. Let the paste dry and then wipe or rinse it all off. Clean grungy looking tile grout with full strength vinegar instead of bathroom or kitchen cleaner.

The best time for bathroom cleaning? Right after taking a shower or bath, when steam has loosened the dirt. Just wipe off the damp surfaces with a paper towel. Fiberglass tub tough to clean? Use a water conditioner such as Calgon or a commercial bathroom cleaner containing EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetate).

After grout has set, seal it with a commercial silicone preparation which is available in hardware stores. When caulking a crack between a tub and a wall, use a silicone caulking compind, which is flexible and should not crack from the water's weight when the tub is in use.

If you are tired of cleaning around nonskid decals in your porcelain tub or shower, scrape them off with a straight-edge razor blade (in a holder) dipped in soapy water. Remove adhesive residue with acetone or nail polish remover.

Bathroom floors covered in dull, old resilient tile may need especially strong cleaning measures. Scrub with a solution of one part ammonia to four parts of water, then dry with a towel. Apply a thin coat of wax following the directions on the container.

Keeping Bathrooms Clean

Keep your bathroom sparkling clean in just 4 and a half minutes a day. Armed with a spray bottle of disinfectant cleaner, a sponge and a paper towel, wipe down all bathroom surfaces. Work from the cleanest (mirror) to the dirtiest (floor), covering the sink, tub and toilet along the way.

If you can't get around to cleaning the bathroom every day, sponge down the tub, shower and sink witha ligquid disinfectant cleaner at least once a week.

Use a moistened cloth with vinegar to rub away hard water spots and soap scum from chrome faucet handles and drains. Dry and polish with a soft cloth.

Prevention is always the best method for eliminating mildew. After showering, keep the shower curatin extended (not bunched) so it can dry thoroughly. clean your bathroom regularly with disinfectant and keep it as dry and well ventilated as possible.

The Easiest Way to Clean Mirrors and Windows

Glass furniture and mirrors can be buffed up in seconds with just an old damp newspaper. For very dirty surfaces, you might need to use some water diluted with washing-up liquid and applied with a sponge, then wiped and buffed dry with an old newspaper (damp) or micro fibre cloth. To stop a bathroom mirror steaming up, rub shaving foam over it, then buff off.

Do you know that to have sparkling windows, all you need to do is dilute vinegar with water and damp the newspaper with it. Nothing beats a good shine from a crumpled newspaper. You don't really need all those cleaning liquids from all those commercials. (Although they wouldn't let you know that!) Try this out for yourself first. It works every time. In this time of economic crisis, everybody needs a practical tip as this.

Refrigerator Defrosting

How often do you defrost your refrigerator or freezer chest? It is ideal to get down to this task when the frost is about 1/4 inch thick.

Scraping frost with a sharp utensil usually causes serious damage. I have seen this happen a few times. If you need to, use a dull plastic scraper instead and never scrap against those metal parts inside your fridge. Most new refrigerator models that are being sold in the market comes with an ice scraper to do just that.

After defrosting, dip a cloth in glycerin and wipe the freezer coils with it. The frost will come off more easily the next time you do the defrosting.

If you are having a hard time freeing a stuck ice cube tray, aply a towel soaked in hot water to its edges. Wait for a few seconds and it will come off in a while. Works every time. Happy defrosting! :D

Before You Vacuum

Make sure to pick up any small, hard objects before you vaccum. These could be pins, buttons, coins or plaster chips They can easily clog the hose and filter or can pose a damage on the fan and the motor of your vacuum.

Take note to take out chairs, footrests, wastebaskets out of the room you are going to vacuum to keep things out of the way and make it easier for you to do your job.

Adjust the nozzle of your vacuum such that it rides close in contact with the carpet or floor.

Choosing Cleaning Products

Do you sometimes find yourself tempted to buy more types of cleaning products than you need? Remember that the more products you keep inside your home, the greater the chances that they will be misused by people around your home, whether children or adults.

If you settle to use home made cleaning products, keep in mind that it is only worthwhile if it is less costly than actually buying a ready made one.

How to Clean Your Eyeglasses

The windows to the soul. This is what they say our eyes are. This is why it is important to keep clean our visual environment, especially if you happen to be one who uses spectacles or contact lenses. One has to keep the lenses cleaned regularly more than just the regular wiping of your glasses to what ever piece of clothing you are in. 

Once a week make sure to wash your eyeglasses with mild soap and warm water. Dry the lenses using a non-abrasive cloth. Never use toilet paper or anything of the same texture. There are actually cleaning agents available in the market to clean off those stubborn fingerprints and build up of dirt, check your optical shop. Invest in professional lens cloth that is also available from the optical shop. Use this to buff your lenses in a circular motion. Be gentle. Never press the lenses too hard. With a non abrasive soap and away from fabric softening agents, wash the cleaning cloth every week.

If you can at all afford it, invest in a scratch proof kind of eye glasses. This will keep you off with having to sport glasses with marks all over the always gets in the way of your vision. 

Make Cleaning Easier

Why easier?  For some people cleaning can be such an overwhelming task, which makes them delay it until all the cleaning responsibilities become too much and they end up not cleaning all together.  

First things first.  Decide which place to clean first.  Usually, the living and dining room tend to be the less cluttered place in the house. Start there.  De clutter first before dusting.  If you will dust and you put all the clutters back where they are, you won't see much of a difference.  

Wipe Furnishings Regularly

It is always beneficial to regularly dust and wipe clean furnishings and appliances.  Dust collects rather easily especially if you happen to live in a tropical country.  It is important to clean your furnishings to maximize its potential.  Like for instance, the home theater lighting. If you allow dust to collect around it, when the light is on, the dirt will show and it will not be pretty. If you are going to use damp cloth, make sure to check your appliance's manufacturer.  More often than not, it is not recommended.  Flanel cloth almost always help to clean effectively.  

The rule to minimize major maintenance issues is to do small things like wiping, regularly.

Cleaning Vacuum Bottles

Make sure to always hand wash and never immerse glass lined vacuum bottles in dish washing detergent. Use bottle brush and warm water. Invert to dry.

Before filling up the bottle that has absorbed odors or it has been stored for a while, freshen it with a one teaspoon baking soda and warm water. Let it stand for twenty minutes, scrub out with the bottle brush, rinse and air-day.

When Company is Coming

To prepare and get your house cleaned up as you expect visitors in such short notice can be stressful. Save time and lessen the stress. Work on the more obvious places and concentrate in cleaning them up. Areas such as the entrance halls, living room. If you are given just one hour, then do as much as you can in those areas. Make sure to fast clean the bathroom. Again zero in on what shows the most.

Contain all the clutters you possibly can. Clean surfaces. There are aesthetic tactics you can apply that fool the eye. Make sure to keep the white surfaces clean and people will assume the dark ones are clean as well. Spray windows and surfaces with glass cleaners and fast wipe with paper towel.

Cleaning in Layers

Have you ever heard of cleaning in layers? It is a mindset of organizing a cleaning schedule to suit your specific needs. This is what I do at home. Being the work from home mother that I am, I am left with nobody but myself to do the house chores, so I figured I must devise a way wherein things will be less cumbersome for me. Thus, the cleaning in layers.

Layer1 - Basically covers the everyday things that needs to be done. Dish washing, floor sweeping, garbage emptying, bed making, and for those who have toddlers like me, picking up toys.

Layer2 - These are tasks that are to be done once or twice a week like vacuuming, for non-tropical countries - watering the plants, cleaning the garbage pail, cleaning the bathroom, toilet and dusting the furniture.

Layer 3 - Once a week deep cleaning like mopping or scrubbing the floor. I consider myself blessed because I have a weekend girl who comes over to do this for me. Polishing furnitures, cleaning the fridge, changing the linens.

Layer 4 - This involves projects like washing the windows, woodwork jobs, cleaning the oven, polishing silvers, washing summer and winter blankets. Cleaning the screens and storm windows also fall under this layer. Choose a fixed two hours per week for these or add them to your Layer 3 to do's each week as they come up.

Keeping house should not be as hard as it seem. It just needs a system and have it work for you. Happy cleaning! :D

Wash Cars Regularly

How often should a car owner wash his car/s? I guess this is a matter of priority and vicinity. Priority in a sense that it really depends on the owner on how much he values his vehicle and vicinity in a sense that there are places that are just dustier than others.

Keep in mind that not only Cool Super Cars are in need of regular washing. Sure you might be busy and all but you have got to wash your car at least once a week. How about you, how often do you wash your cars?