General
Don't mix cleaning products. Ammonia and bleach are toxic. (like Windex and Comet!)
When you dust, start at the top and work down.
Leave baking soda on carpeting over night will absorb musty odors
Wash small knickknacks instead of dusting. Rinse in warm soapy water. To preotect crystal and porcelain place a folded towel in the bottom of the sink - just in case something should slip from your soapy hands.
Spray your plastic containers with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in
tomato based sauces and there won't be any stains.
Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future
use in casseroles and sauces.
Interior Walls
Wall cleaner, mix 1/2 c. ammonia, 1/4 c. white vinegar, and 1/4 c. baking soda to 1 gallon warm water.
To remove pencil marks & other non-greasy spots from non-washable papers, use an art-gum eraser .
To remove greasy spots or crayon, apply a paste of cleaning fluid and fuller's earth and cornstarch. Let the wall dry and brush off residue. Repeat the treatment until the spot is gone.
Windows
Make your own spray cleaner. Fill a spray bottle with 3 tablesoopns ammonia, 1 tablespoon vinegar & the remainder with water.
Dust blinds by wrapping a cloth around a ruler. Spray cloth with a dusting spray and run the flat end across each blind.
Glass cleaner and newsprint are great for cleaning windows without leaving streaks.
Bathroom
Rubbing alcohol can remove the dull haze from mirrors. and spots from fixtures
Lemon furniture oil will remove water spots on metal frames.
Kitchen
Baking soda or club soda will clean and shine stainless steel sinks easily.
Rub stainless steel sinks with lighter fluid if rusty .
Refrigerator
Wipe refrigerator with vinegar to prevent mildew.
Use your vacuum on the front of the coils and motor to remove dust and dirt.
Wood Floors
Put a piece of waxed paper under your dust mop. Dirt will stick to the mop and the wax will shine your floors.
Use a paper bag over spilled candle wax then lightly iron.
Carpets
When taking out stains, always use a white cloth.
Coat mildly greasy stains with aerosol shaving cream, use a hair dryer to speed dry. Then vacuum.
Sprinkle a greasy stain with baking soda, cornstarch or talcum powder. Leave on at least 8 hours, then vacuum.
Clothes
Pour a little hydrogen
peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood.
It seems that everyone has their own spring cleaning ritual. The hibernation is over and we are coming out of our winter slumber, we want to start fresh.
