Cleaning tips

Basic All Purpose Cleaning
This makes about 2 cups of formula, and it works great at cleaning dirt and grime.
1/2 teaspoon baking soda or washing soda
2 teaspoons borax
1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent
2 cups hot water
Combine ingredients and water into a spray bottle. Shake well. The washing soda or baking soda makes this formula a great grease cutter.

Heavy Duty Cleaner
1 TB Ammonia
1 TB Liquid Laundry Detergent
2 Cups Water
Mix all ingredients well and pour the cleaning solution in a spray bottle.
Liquid hand soap
1 bar soap (6 oz)
1 TBS honey
1 tsp glycerin
water

Homemade Air Fresheners
You can use lemon juice to get rid of odors like fish, onion, garlic and spaghetti sauce from hands, cooking utensils and pans. You can even use lemon juice on a wet dish rag to wipe your counter tops and cutting blocks down to remove any lingering odors.
Keeping a box of baking soda in your refrigerator and in your freezer will absorb any odors from your appliances, leaving them smelling clean and fresh. You can also place a box of baking soda in your bathrooms behind the toilet to remove any odors that might arise there.
You can remove almost any odor from your home by boiling cinnamon and cloves in about two cups of water. This will not only eliminate lingering odors, but freshen the air in your home as well.

• Baking soda on a damp sponge removes grease easily from stove, back splash etc.
• Also works great for carpet deodorizing, just sprinkle onto carpet before going to bed and vacuum in the morning.
• Baking Soda can be used for many jobs around the house, scrubbing sinks, bath tub, stove, refrigerator and laundry. It leaves everything smelling nice and cleans just as good as any cleanser without scratching enamel.
• Also for keeping pipes clean under the sink - pour about one quarter cup of baking soda down the drain with about 1 cup of vinegar, this makes a chemical reaction, then pour some hot water down the drain. Hey Presto!
• Baking soda or Borax is also good for getting rid of unwanted insects, just sprinkle around cabinets and cupboards and other places the insects might run.
• If you burn a saucepan put in some baking soda and believe it or not Avon's Skin So Soft whilst it is still hot and allow to soak. Apparently comes clean.
• To minimize odors in your fridge, remove top from box of baking soda and place it on one of the shelves. From time to time stir contents.

Vinegar is a great safe, disinfectant and deodorizer natural cleaning product for killing most bacteria and and germs, due to its level of acidity. Almost safe to use on everything just not on marble surfaces. recommended to clean bathrooms and kitchen.

Sinks build-ups
Once a month, pour one cup of baking soda, followed by one cup of white vinegar down the drain. Wait an hour and flush with warm water. The combination fizzles away most of the buildup. Works for shower, tub and kitchen sink drains as well.

Red Wine Stains from Upholstery
If you have a red wine stain on your upholstery you should sponge the stain with club soda or white wine. If you do not have either on hand, grab the shaving cream. Spray the shaving cream on the red wine stain, then lightly wet a cloth and sponge the stain with it.

Remove Wine Stains from the Carpet
If red wine spills on your carpet, pour a bit of vinegar over the stain and blot. The key to these tips being effective is dealing with the stains immediately, do not wait or allow the stains to dry.

Candle wax removal
simply freeze the wax with an ice cube or ice pack. You can also use a commercial product that is designed to freeze wax on carpeting or upholstery. Once the wax is frozen, use a clean, blunt object to shatter the wax. Immediately pick up or vacuum the pieces of wax from the area. If you wait too long and the pieces soften, then you will need to refreeze them.

Stop Carpet Static
Does your carpet hold enough static electricity to power New York City? Are you constantly getting shocked when someone touches you? If so, pour one part fabric softener into a spray bottle with three parts water. Spray your carpet with this mixture and static and shock should disappear. Good riddance!

Swedish Finish Wood
Swedish finish wood floors can be identified by their bright, shiny appearance. Most wood floors in homes constructed in the last 25 years or so have a Swedish Finish. Use vinegar and water on this floor. Do NOT use Murphy’s oil soap, as it leaves a streaky residue. Due to the finish, the floor is easily streaked, and any puddles will dry as spots. Dry the floor after mopping.

Old Wood
This floor type is usually found in older homes or buildings. These floors are generally worn in appearance, and the surface is porous and holds a lot of dirt. Unless the client requests otherwise, use vinegar and water or Murphy’s oil soap on this type of flooring. Use a minimum amount of water when mopping. Make sure your mop is not soaking wet. Do not set a wet bucket directly on the floor as it may leave a ring. Always wipe it dry.

Tile or Linoleum
Use vinegar and water or disinfectant on this floor. Spots can be scrubbed out with your hand brush or with an abrasive sponge. Cleaning may also be done by hand with glass cleaner.

Pergo & Bamboo
Use vinegar and water or disinfectant on this floor. Use a minimal amount of water to avoid damaging the surface. Make sure you dry immediately.

Stone, Terrazzo, Granite or Marble
Vinegar or other acid base cleaners will DESTROY stone, permanently etching the surface. Marble, Stone, or Terrazzo must be cleaned with plain water or water mixed with a small amount of disinfectant. Stone shows water spots easily, so always dry it thoroughly after it has been mopped.

Stainless Steel
• Olive Oil: Rub stainless steel sinks with olive oil to remove streaks.
• Vinegar: To clean and polish stainless steel, simply moisten a cloth with undiluted white or cider vinegar and wipe clean. Can also be used to remove heat stains on stainless steel cutlery.
• Club Soda: Remove streaks or heat stains from stainless steel by rubbing with club soda.

Dusty Blinds:
Use the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to take dirt away. Wipe the blinds with a cotton rag
 

Avoid using ladders wherever possible
not to use too much soap in the solution
Use a good quality detergent. It’s worth trying out
Make use of microfarad cloths (newspapers are best too)
Finish with the squeegee blade horizontally at the bottom edge of the window frame rather than vertically against the side of the frame.
Tap the squeegee blade on the window to remove excess water. It’s quicker than wiping it.

Put half & half white vinegar & water in a small bow, & let it boil for few min Then wipe with a damp cloth.