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The best emergency stain stopper:
It's inevitable that things are going to be spilled on the tablecloth. For gravy spills, big food spills, red wine, soda, coffee or tea, sprinkle a heavy layer of salt right on the table. The salt will keep the cloth from staining until you can get to it later.

The best emergency spotter:
Club soda is the best emergency spotter there is. Keep a bottle on hand to clean up spills on carpet and clothing.
Club soda will remove red wine, coffee, tea, soda, kool-aid, pet stains and many other substances.

First lift off any solid material, pour on the club soda, blotting with an old rag until all the color from the spill is removed. Don't be afraid to really wet the carpet. The carbonation in the club soda brings the offending spill to the surface so that you can blot it up, and the salts in it will help prevent staining.

Fruit and berry stains:
Sponge fruit stains, including cranberries, immediately with cool water. Later soak in warm water and enzyme pre-soak, and re-launder. If needed, launder again using chlorine bleach if safe for the fabric.

Don't cry over spilled milk:
For gravy or milk stains, like eggnog, work a paste of detergent and water into the stain. If a greasy stain remains after laundering, sponge with a pre-treatment solvent.

Coffee or tea stains:
Soak coffee or tea stains in warm water in an enzyme pre-soak or all-fabric bleach and launder.

Candle wax:
For candle wax spots, scrape off as much as possible. Then place the stain between several layers of paper towels and press with a warm iron. Next place the stain face down on paper towels and sponge the back with pre-treatment solvent. Launder when dry. Note: If any color remains, re-launder with bleach that is safe for the fabric.

6 important steps to stain removal:

You are more likely to meet with success if you get to the stain immediately.

Always attempt to remove any stain when it is wet or fresh.

Always follow the care label on your garments and carpeting.

Always test an inconspicuous area before applying any stain remover. The product that works miracles on denim may cause a stain on silk.

Blot stains with a dry absorbent white cloth, until the cloth comes out clean.

When in doubt, call a professional.

What are the 2 common products that if mixed, are deadly?
Never mix ammonia with ANY product containing bleach. When mixed, the combination of products produces noxious and poisonous gasses.

Make your own super strength cleaner:
These work great and have been used by professional and home cleaners for years.

ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER

Combine the ingredients below into an empty one gallon container. Shake the contents briefly and then add water to the top of the container to make one gallon of cleaner.

    AMOUNT:             INGREDIENT:
     1 qt.              Rubbing alcohol
     1 cup                Parsons lemon ammonia
     1 tsp                 Dishwashing liquid
     16 oz.              Simple Green (optional)
     21 oz.               Brand name all-purpose 409 or Fantastic

Top off the gallon container with water, pour the solution into a small spray bottle and your money saving all-purpose cleaner is ready to use!

GLASS CLEANER

Combine the ingredients below into an empty one gallon container. Shake the contents briefly and then add water to the top of the container to make one gallon of cleaner.

    AMOUNT:             INGREDIENT:
     1 qt.              Vinegar
     1 cup                Parsons lemon ammonia
     24 oz                Windex

Top off the gallon container with water, pour the solution into a small spray bottle and your money saving glass cleaner is ready to use!

House Cleaning Tips- Deep cleaning (spring cleaning), routine weekly house cleaning.

Deep cleaning and spring cleaning is top to bottom, thorough cleaning that is done two to three times a year. This cleaning involves moving knick knacks and furniture to clean, from the ceiling to the floor, scrubbing every surface until free of dust and dirt. Ceiling fans, corners of ceilings, tops of doors, windows, window sills, furniture, and baseboards should all be cleaned with furniture polish. The bed sheets are changed. The floors are vacuumed and things are put away.

In bathrooms, the walls, tubs, toilets, sinks and floors are scrubbed and the floor mats are removed and washed. In the kitchen, the tops of cabinets, cabinet fronts, counters, appliances, refrigerators and floors are scrubbed and the oven cleaned.

A routine house cleaning is the upkeep and maintenance of the spring cleaning. It involves dusting, sweeping, mopping and vacuuming. The bathroom toilets, shower, sinks and floors are cleaned and in the kitchen the counters and floors are cleaned.

House cleaning should be done one room at a time, focusing on the area you are cleaning. Put aside any organizational projects that are encountered along the way until all the house cleaning chores are done.

Don't get distracted. This is why house cleaning can take all day. Start at the back and top of the house and clean your way down to the front of the house. This will help you focus on your goal of cleaning the entire house. If you start at the front, you may become tired and not reach the back bedrooms or bathroom. Do not do laundry during house cleaning. Pile the laundry near the laundry room and work on this project later.

Cleaning can be accomplished quickly with the help of your family, even young children can be given a cloth to wipe off a table or the tv. Use the right tools, a clean rag or sponge can be used in all rooms. Vacuuming the floors as well as the carpets saves time on sweeping.

After you finish your house cleaning, put your feet up and enjoy the fruits of your labor. With a little hard work, concentration, organization and "elbow grease" your house cleaning efforts can be enjoyed!

Tips for house cleaning; Cleaning tools and techniques for efficient house cleaning.

When it comes to house cleaning, you may not be able to cut your chores in half, but you can probably reduce the amount of time you spend. Keep the following tips in mind as you do your house cleaning chores.

DON'T BACKTRACK WHEN HOUSE CLEANING- Clean top to bottom, back to front, right to left and work your way around the room, cleaning as you go, just one time. Carry your cleaning supplies with you in a basket or cleaning bucket so you don't waste time retrieving them.

USE THE RIGHT HOUSE CLEANING TOOLS- An example: instead of wiping and rubbing at the gunk that gets stuck to counters and shelves, carry a glass scraper with your cleaning supplies. You'll dislodge those sticky messes with one motion. Another invaluable tool is a toothbrush and toothpicks for quickly removing grime and gunk from grooves, grout lines, corners, and faucets.

CONCENTRATE WHEN HOUSE CLEANING- House cleaning is a chore, but if you let your mind wander, you'll spend even more time cleaning. Focus on what you're doing, make every move count, and you'll finish more quickly.

TIME YOURSELF WHEN HOUSE CLEANING Jot down your beginning and end time for each room. Try to do the same room in less time, the next time you clean. Make a game out of it.

CARRY YOUR HOUSE CLEANING SUPPLIES WITH YOU- Not only will you not have to backtrack, but you'll work faster if you get into the habit of putting a tool or product back in its spot after every time you use it.

DUST FIRST, VACUUM LAST- Start dusting from the top of the highest shelves, the tops of cabinets. These tend to be less dusty than lower shelves. Even if you dust quickly with a feather duster, you'll be moving the dust down to a lower level, usually the floor, where it is easily vacuumed away.

USE GOOD HOUSE CLEANING PRODUCTS- There is a new generation of house cleaning products on the market that may be expensive, but worth it. Consider using one of the shower sprays that you mist your shower with daily. These prevent mildew and soap scum from building up, allowing you to go weeks without having to get on your hands and knees to scrub the bathroom.

ONLY RINSE ONCE- When cleaning the bathroom there is a big temptation to do half the job and then rinse, to see how much is left. This only takes up time. Keep scrubbing until the tub, shower doors and the tiles around them are completely clean, then rinse.

USE PORTABLE HOUSE CLEANING TOOLS- This means a whisk broom and mini-dustpan for quick cleanups and dry spills, and a small, hand-held vacuum cleaner. Use the portable vac in between vacuuming's to clean pet hair off upholstery, touch-up rugs that are showing lint, and pick up loose soil that would otherwise work its way into the rest of the house./p>

CONTROL CLUTTER- The best rule is touch it once. If the mail is in your hand, sort it and discard junk instead of dropping it on the couch or hall table. If you take the phone book from a drawer, use it and then put it right back. Keeping things in their places reduces the amount of time you spend picking them up and putting them away later.

DO YOUR HOUSE CLEANING IN A TEAM- If you can get a spouse, child, roommate or whoever to clean with you, the job will go faster. Just be sure to coordinate efforts.

HIRE A HOUSE CLEANING SERVICE- It makes sense if you can't keep up with the house cleaning chores. A house cleaning service can do a thorough deep cleaning- this means baseboards, mini blinds, ceiling fans and other dust traps. Then you can do the maintenance house cleaning, or even continue with ongoing house cleaning on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly frequency. Spend the time you save enjoying your family.

Deep Cleaning your Refrigerator

Refrigerators must be kept clean to be safe; even at temperatures at the recommended level of 40 degrees, bacteria can grow and contaminate the contents. If it is not cleaned regularly, nasty odors and un-safe microbes begin to develop.

First remove all the shelves and drawers from inside. Wearing rubber gloves, use a mixture of half chlorine bleach and half water to scrub down the interior; use a firm brush to reach the crevices around gaskets and irregular surfaces. This mixture will kill any mold or mold spores that may not be visible.

Put the shelves, supports, racks and drawers into the bathtub. Spray these with your bleach/water solution, or a foaming disinfectant spray cleaner and let them sit while you attack the empty refrigerator. Do not forget to clean the door seal. Once you've finished scrubbing, rinse with clear water and dry thoroughly with a lint-free cloth.

If an odor persists, put an open box of baking soda. Keep odors from developing by covering all food securely. Discard the box of baking soda every month.

Once a week, use a mixture of 1/4 cup baking soda in a quart of warm water to clean interior surfaces, and a scrubby sponge to clean up sticky spills. For exterior care, wipe down the surface daily. Use a disinfectant cleaner on the door handle (including the underside) and the door front.

Bathroom Cleaning

When it comes to cleaning your bathroom, most people would much rather do just about anything else. These simple but effective techniques reduce the amount of time it takes to make your bathroom shine.

Gather the cleaners and tools that you will need to complete the job. Get a two gallon bucket, a toilet brush, a scrub brush, an old toothbrush, a sponge, disinfectant spray, mildew remover, and rubber gloves.

Spray the bathtub and shower with the mildew remover and let it sit for a few minutes. After you spray down the bath tub and shower, spray the toilet interior and exterior with disinfectant. Put the rubber gloves on and pour a little of the disinfectant into the toilet. Take a cleaning rag and wipe down the rim of the toilet, outside of the bowl, base, seat, and the area behind the seat. Take the toilet brush and begin to scrub the inside of the toilet. Flush the toilet and then the hardest and most disgusting part of cleaning your bathroom is done.

Move to the sink, move all objects and spray the sink and countertop with disinfectant. Wipe down the entire counter, faucet, and sink. Take the old toothbrush and scrub any areas around the faucet and sink to remove mildew. Rinse all surfaces with fresh water. Wipe down with a clean dry rag.

Go back to your bathtub and shower that was sprayed with mildew remover. Most of the work should be done for you. Soap scum build up can be tough. Tackle it with a scrub brush and gently scrub the entire tub and walls. When the tub and walls and curtain and/or doors are scrubbed clean, take the toothbrush out and scrub the faucet and drain areas. Rinse the tub and shower. Wipe down with a dry clean rag

It's not fun to clean a bathroom, but once you have a cleaning routine your bathroom will no longer feel like an all day chore.

Kitchen Cleaning Tips

Coffee Stains
Cleaning Kitchen Countertops
Cleaning Vinyl Floors
Cleaning Safety Tip
Cleaning with Automatic Dishwasher Detergent
Glassware
Storing Leftovers
Garbage Disposal Tips
Stainless Steel
Heel Marks
Dishwasher Soap Film
Refrigerator Odors
Stuck on Food
Handy Tie

Coffee Stains

To remove a coffee stain from fabric or a rug, try one of these methods:

Dip a white cloth into a beaten egg yolk and rub the yolk into the stain. Then rinse with clear water.
Work denatured alcohol into the stain, then rinse with water.
Apply a solution of 1/2 teaspoon mild detergent in a pint of water. Blot with a white towel. If the stain remains, apply a 50-50 solution of water and white vinegar and blot.

Cleaning Kitchen Countertops

Use a mild dishwashing liquid for plastic lamination and rinse well afterwards to prevent residue from getting on food.

Cleaning Vinyl Floors

Mop with a mild detergent and wait awhile to allow it to penetrate the ground-in dirt.

Cleaning Safety Tip

Don't mix cleaning products like ammonia and bleach. They can be toxic.

Cleaning with Automatic-Dishwasher Detergent.

Automatic-dishwasher detergent works well on refrigerators, stoves, floors, walls and glass.

Dissolve 1/4 cup in one gallon of very hot water.
Wipe with a dry cloth afterward.
Wear rubber gloves and test first to make sure that what you're cleaning is colorfast.

Glassware

Use the bartender's method for speedy stemware washing. Holding the base, pump the glass vigorously in very hot sudsy water, then quickly put it in hot clear water (cooler water may shatter it) Dry upside down on a cotton towel.
For extra-shiny, streakless glasses, add a little vinegar or borax to the final rinse water.
If glasses have hard-water stains, rub them with a scouring pad dipped in vinegar.
Never use hot water, harsh soaps, ammonia or washing soda on silver or gold-rimmed glasses.
A well-lathered shaving brush cleans deeply etched or hobnailed glass especially well.
If eggs have dried on your patterned glass tableware, rub off the residue with a slice of lemon.

Storing Leftovers

When storing leftovers in the refrigerator, use old butter tubs and cottage cheese containers. When its time to clean out the refrigerator you can discard the entire container. You won't have a spilled mess in the garbage can or a sink full of dirty dishes.

Garbage Disposal Tips

If you've ever switched on the garbage disposal instead of the kitchen light, mark the switch with a dab of red nail polish - anything to stop that grating noise.
If your dishwasher drains through your garbage disposal, switch it on when the hot soapy water is running through is so it gets a good cleaning.

Stainless Steel

To remove water spots on stainless steel, rub area with a clean, soft cloth dampened with white vinegar. Then wipe dry to avoid spots.

Heel Marks

Use a pencil eraser on black heel marks.

Dishwasher Soap Film

Run a cup of white vinegar through the entire dishwashing cycle in an empty dishwasher to remove all soap film.

Refrigerator Odors

A little vanilla poured on a piece of cotton and placed in the refrigerator will eliminate odors.
After cleaning the refrigerator add a dash of lemon extract to the rinse water for a fresh scent.

Stuck on Food

For stuck on food on a casserole dish, try adding 2 tablespoons of baking soda and boiling water to cover the stuck on food. Let sit for a while. The dish will be much easier to clean.

Handy Tie

Drop the twist tie in the bottom of any can or basket before you put the liner in. When you're ready to empty it, the tie is handy.

10 tips to help keep your home clean

Make a house cleaning schedule.

Identify your trouble spots, and determine how you're going to get them cleaned up. Select the tools you'll need, what can be thrown away, and who you can assign the task to.

Get help. If there are others living and breathing in the house with you, who are most certainly contributing to the mess, get them to help.

Gather your cleaning supplies and place in a bucket or tota. Don't waste time running around getting a broom or cleaners or whatever you need to complete the task that you're doing.

Use the right cleaning product for the job. Use natural cleaning products if possible. A solution of vinegar and water sprayed and damp moped on linolium floors works well.

Dump your junk. Get clutter free. Dump the old magazines, and remove as much 'stuff' as possible. Knick-knack's allow dust to easily sneak up on you.

When you are about to get started on you house cleaning chores, turn off the phone, and focus on the job you are doing.

Get some housecleaning music. Get some lively music that gets you in the cleaning mood. Turn it up.

Make a house cleaning maintenance plan for each room of the house.

Hire a house cleaning service. Treat yourself at least once a year. Hire a maid service to do the house cleaning for you. They can help dig you out. Have them do a deep cleaning, or focus on that room you never get to. Hiring a house cleaning service to easily get your home chores done, then you can manage the maintenance cleaning.

Mrs Clean Northwest- The Northwest's House Cleaning Service in Snohomish and King County- Routine and Maintenance House Cleaning Services:

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