Who knows what evil lurks in the heart of….

Your home.  The Shadow knows…and me of course.

Yes, I’m talking about those scary, ugly little eight-legged things that lurk in the dust of your home commonly known as dust mites. These little annoying creatures hardly visible can cause serious health issues. They are found everywhere even on our skin. What can we do about them? We cannot eliminate them but we can reduce their numbers. Dust mites thrive in humid environments so if possible we can start with keeping our home at less than fifty percent humidity. Here are a few other tips when fighting dust. Keep your dust removal simple. Start at the top and work down. Using a moist microfiber cloth or a dryer sheet wipe window and door frames, ceiling fans, shelves, your collection of knick-knacks, books, etc. If your vacuum has a hose attachment vacuum upholstery, curtains, and drapes. Use it also on lounger’s divans, recliners, and other fabrics. Don’t forget to get under furniture. Use a dust mop on hardwood floors sweeping gently. For carpets try if possible to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. (Stands for high-efficiency particulate air.) Remember we can never eliminate dust, but we can suppress the effects to a great degree. For expert advice call toll free 800-643-5850 or visit our website at http://cwminc.com.

We know what evil lurks….so let’s fight it.

 

This is is not the way….

To clean grout.

No, far from it, but here are a few tips for doing it the right way.

Start by mixing three quarters chlorine bleach in one gallon of water. Add a portion to a spray bottle and spray on the dirty grout. Have a martini while you let it stand and work for a while. Don’t let the solution dry out. Now using an old toothbrush or medium soft bristle brush softly scrub the grout. (You can also use a disinfectant cleaner containing bleach for this job.) Rinse with warm water and a cloth or sponge. Something else you can do is spray on a solution of white vinegar and warm water letting it also stand for a few minutes. Scrub with a bristle brush. For stubborn stains use a paste of baking soda and water. After scrubbing spray on the vinegar solution and rinse. Consider using rubber gloves for both of these methods. For further help or suggestions call Clean World Maintenance toll free 800-643-5850 or visit our website at http://cwminc.com.   Easy Breezy.

I’m having one of those days….

At the laundromat.

Thought I could save money and get my clothes really clean. Didn’t work. Found it cost about a dollar at home and over three dollars at the local laundromat. So much for that learning experience, but while we’re here let’s talk about doing the laundry the right way.  There two (or probably more) schools of thought about separating in preparation for washing. One, you can separate very dirty from lightly dirty and delicate items from abrasive. (Flip a coin). Whichever you choose, start by loading the washer properly. With bleach, add water first, then clothing and lastly detergent. If no bleach put the laundry in first then water then soap. Be sure to empty pockets of tissues etc. Use warm water with whites and light colors. Cold water with delicates, denim, and sweaters. Hot water is best for bath towels, and stained items. You can use color-safe bleach with all colors. Chlorine bleach brightens whites but don’t use on colors, however, it is best to dilute bleach with water before putting it on clothing. If dealing with delicates fill the kitchen sink with lukewarm water and a touch of detergent, let the items soak for fifteen minutes. Rinse with clear water several times and hang up to dry.  For additional help call Clean World Maintenance toll free 800-643-5850 or visit our website at http://cwminc.com.

 

More spring cleaning…..

 Shep’s been helping.

And he’s got a few tips for you.  Here’s his favorite. The stainless steel refrigerator.  Start by removing all items and the shelving. While Shep is looking for the leftovers we will begin by spraying white vinegar over the surface. With a soft cloth (don’t use paper towels) wipe with the grain (yes stainless steel has a grain.) and while still wet, wipe surfaces dry.

Now for the coup de grâce. Using a bit of olive oil on that soft cloth wipe the surface again with the grain. Marks and fingerprints will disappear.

While you are in the kitchen let’s clean the oven. Keep an eye on Shep, he knows good things come from the oven. When cleaning the oven I prefer not using the self-cleaning method. It often sets off my smoke alarms. Instead do this: using a small bowl mix one-half cup of baking soda with a little bit of water, and stir into a paste. Using rubber gloves spread the paste over the interior. Don’t put it on the heating elements. Ok take a break and let it sit for ten to twelve hours.

Now after a few vodka tonics use a damp cloth and wipe. If you have difficulty getting all the paste off, spray some white vinegar over the surface causing it to foam up and wipe. This works a lot better than strong chemicals that feel like they are stinging your eyes and burning your hair off.

Ok, right now Shep has his nose in the trash can. I think he’s telling me it’s time to clean it. We will start by donning our rubber gloves. Empty any leftover whatever’s and take the waste can to the bathtub. Add warm water and using a long bristle brush, scrub the inside, and outside of the trash can. Spray with disinfectant and let dry for a few minutes. Rinse the can and dry with an old towel or something similar. For professional help call toll free 800-643-5850 or visit our website at http://cwminc.com

Whew. More tips later.

Yeah it’s spring cleaning time….

I hate it.

I agree. What’s to like?  Well, I guess the finished product is nice, so here are a few tips to get you started on a few areas.

Windows: Don’t just wipe down the inside remove those smudges and winter dirt you cannot usually accomplish in the winter. Start by mixing hot water and distilled vinegar. Using a sponge and solution clean away the soiled area. Then using a squeegee clean from the top down while wiping the edge of the squeegee after each stroke. Do not do this in direct sunlight.

Window screens: Start by vacuuming both sides removing winter grime, then if they need further attention mix one tablespoon with detergent or white vinegar and scrub with a bristle brush. Should do the job.

 

Wood Floors: Wet clean your floors every two or three months. Mopping every week could actually be harmful to wood floors. Spot clean with a mild detergent diluted with warm water and let dry.

Carpets: Don’t be a fanatic. Unless you have a heavy traffic area or difficult spots you need clean carpets only a few times a year. That was easy….right?

Area rugs: Happy days! In most instances, you only need to clean area rugs once every four or five years. However, you can often spot clean pet stains, coffee, etc. with club soda. Easy Breezy.

Patio furniture: Wipe down those dusty chair cushions with a damp cloth. Use warm water and a mild dish detergent if especially dirty. Use the same mixture on the plastic or metal frames. Hose off the frames and let dry. For professional help call toll free 800-643-5850 or visit our website at http://cwminc.com

More tips to come as soon as I clean out the tent.

Advice on cleaning the bathroom

This is the good advice.

Not something you may look forward to, but here are a few $2 tips.

Let’s start with bathroom preparation:

• Get rid of everything that impedes your progress such as used towels, rugs, trashcan, soap dish, makeup, and loose items that will get in your way.
• Now if you have a long-handled duster use it to remove dust from vents, light fixtures, countertops, and corners.
• Vacuum or sweep the floors to get rid of hair, dust, and misc. debris.
• At this point spray some all-purpose cleaner on the shower walls, shower track (if you have one), and shower door. Let it soak while you’re busy with other necessities.
• Prepare some cleaning solution for the floors. (Warm slightly soapy water mixed with the all-purpose cleaner).
• Use your all-purpose cleaner and a sponge and wipe down shelves, windowsills, doors, blinds, etc.
• Now come back to the shower. Using the sponge lightly scrub the surfaces you left soaking. Make sure you wipe dry the chrome fixtures. Use a soft moist cloth to wipe cabinet faces.
• On to the Uggghh toilet. Use the all-purpose cleaning agent or a powdered cleanser for any build up. After cleaning with a toilet brush clean the outside of the toilet with a clean cloth and the liquid cleaner.
• Lastly, clean the floor using the solution prepared earlier. Let dry. For professional help call toll free 800-643-5850 or visit our website at http://cwminc.com

Whala….bright and fresh. That’ll be $2.

You’re doing…ha, ha, ha, what?

..…Cleaning the driveway?

This not something we ordinarily look forward to doing. It is often a pain in the …. However here a few tips for the job.

Most often oil or fluids dripping from our vehicles stain our concrete driveways. For most stains, we can put kitty litter or baking soda on the spots to soak of a lot of it. After letting that stand for a couple days scoop it up. Now pour a liquid laundry detergent over the stains and let that sit for a while.

Pour boiling water over the area and scrub with a wet stiff bristle brush or broom. Rinse the area, let it dry, and repeat the process.

Trisodium phosphate or TSP (found at paint stores or auto supply stores), mixed with one cup of TSP per gallon of hot water can also be used with good success. Do not use this on asphalt driveways.  For further information on cleaning almost anything call Clean World Maintenance c toll free 800-643-5850 or visit our website at http://cwminc.com.

 

 

Nancy is going to clean her oriental rugs…..by herself.

Yeah….fat chance of that.

If you are the determined adventurous type, here are a few tips to help with cleaning oriental rugs. First, it’s a good idea to lift a corner and look at the rugs label.

Oriental rugs are made of various materials and each can require its own cleaning method. Cotton is the most common and easiest to clean. If you are not dealing with cotton call a professional such as Clean World Maintenance at 800-643-5850 or visit their website at http://cwminc.com.

If you have cotton, begin by using a straw bristle broom sweeping in one direction from one end to the other. Now placing the rug on an empty area such as a concrete garage floor, vacuum the rug using the carpet tool. Repeat the process again, then turn the rug over and vacuum the underside. By the way, if the rug is an area rug you could hang the rug on a clothesline and beat it by hand to release the dust and debris. If you are going to do a complete clean rather that spot clean using your garden hose soak the rug first on one side then the other with cold water. Next, fill a bucket with cold water mixing about three tablespoons of a mild liquid soap or dish soap.

Using a saturated sponge, brush a small area and wait about ten minutes to see if this produces in adverse effects. If all is well, lather the rug in the direction of the nap so the fibers lay down. Suds up the entire surface and rinse with the garden hose. Remember to turn the rug over and rinse the other side. Now use a squeegee to squeeze out the water. (A fan can help.) You need to dry the rug thoroughly before placing it in its former spot.

I knew you could do it.

 

I’ll clean your rain gutters…..

Cheap!

You’ve probably heard that before, but remember you get what you pay for. Before you call a professional here is a few tips on completing this nasty job yourself.

First of all, wear proper clothing (an old shirt and rubber gloves). Make sure you have a stabilized extendable ladder with ladder horns to protect the gutters. Using a gutter scoop or a kids sand shovel start scooping the goop. Dump the junk in a trash can as you go or lay down plastic on the ladder to empty the debris in.

After clearing the muck flush the gutters and downspouts with your garden hose. While doing so be sure to check for any leaks. You should do this ucckee job regularly. Let me mention that left to its own designs water overflow can become quite costly to both your foundation and siding. For protection, you might consider gutter covers at around $6 or $7 dollars a running foot. However, the total on an average house could cost more than the gutters themselves. So if you feel you want the best protection at reasonable prices call a professional like CWM toll-free 800-643-5850 or visit our website at http://cwminc.com.

 

 

 

It’s Flu season……

Have you cleaned this?

In cleaning our household there are a lot of things we ignore, but in the flu season, we should consider items that not only gather dirt but also bacteria. As an example how often do we consider wiping and sanitizing a door handle? Think of how many times we use this handy item with dirty hands. Handles appear on cabinets, bathrooms, kitchens, and other items, so to prevent the spread of germs use a sanitizing wipe to clean these regularly.

Now about your smartphone. Screen cleaning may keep grime out of the speaker grates, charging ports, and headphone jacks, but do this: use a microfiber cloth with a little Isopropyl alcohol mixed one to one with water to take care of finger grease and knock out the bacteria.

You can use this same mixture on a damp (not wet) cloth to wipe down your computer keyboard, iPad tablet, and cover. While you’re at it think about what else you can do to prevent the life-threatening flu.

Good health to you.