Homekeeping Tips

[Breezy]

Does anyone have any tips to share - easy oven cleaning tips or cleaning carpets or painting tips or streak free window cleaning or anything at all to do with keeping the home?
I recently tried the Woolite Rug Stick I had seen advertised in magazines and tv and I am pleased with the results. I still have to go over some spots with oxyclean but for the most part it did a good job and was very easy to use. I've also used the Green Works products and I think they do a good job. I did switch from Green Works dish soap to Palmolive's new pure+clear - it's less expensive and does a great job plus I love Palmolive. I switched to these products as a way of going "green".
I'm trying to find an easy way to do the oven (the bane of my existence) without using commercial cleaners. Anyone have any suggestions?

[Lynzee]

Let's see...

For windows, I use vinegar and hot water and a squeegee.

I use vinegar and hot water on my mirrors and I wipe them down with coffee filters instead of paper towels so there's no lint.

I use hydrogen peroxide to soak/wash my whites instead of bleach.

I also spray peroxide on the tiles in my shower.

I mop my floors with a solution of hot water, vinegar and baking soda.

I clean my oven with a vinegar/baking soda paste--mix the two together with some water and rub it on with a cloth, let it sit for awhile, then wipe it off with a damp cloth.

I use ashes to polish the silver. Experts would probably cringe, but I've been doing it for years without damaging the silver.

I don't believe there's anything in this world that the soap from a brillo pad won't clean. I used it once to remove the artwork the little one drew all over her new white furniture with a Sharpie. Fortunately, they are not as permanent as the manufacturer would like for us to believe. :D

[Breezy]

Thanks Lynz for the tips - I'm gonna try the vinegar/baking soda paste for my oven - I want to use something safe and this sounds like just the thing!:)

[chyna]

I was going to suggest boiled water steaming in the oven (like you do with the microwave) but the other stuff would work wonders too. :)

I love Borax and on old bathroom porcelian it makes it really shiny and actually I saw somewhere that it is the best thing to use since it doesn't scratch the finish. I thought it was poo until I tried it and wowza!

[chyna]

I also swear by Dreft. It is a baby safe laundry soap but it works wonders on everything. Even the spray, it is just unfortunately a bit spendy so we don't buy it consistently anymore. I really should since my dd is turning into a spill monster.:rolleyes:

[RoseMary]

I love baking soda and vinegar and use it to clean almost everything.

If your pans get scorched or food stuck in them, put a tbsp of baking soda in it and fill with water a couple of inches above scorch area and put on stove. Bring to a simmer and then let cool. The pan will practically wipe clean.

As long as a girl has baking soda, vinegar, and duct (duck) tape, she's set for almost anything:p.

[Breezy]

Those are really good tips Chyna & RoseMary - I especially like the duct tape ;) - for anyone who has a ceramic/smooth cooktop instead of using the pricey cleaners for them I use Bar Keepers Friend - it does a great job without scratching for less money and I also use it on the Corian sink and counters in the kitchen - if you don't wipe water or any spills up immediately they leave a mark and I've found the BKF to remove them easily without scratching plus it gets the sink really clean.

[Gigi]

When we purchased a new cook top~ someone recommended white because black shows the dust~~~~ by really the white shows every mark, etc...from cooking.

After going through expensive cooktop "made" cleaners~ I found baking soda to be the magic tip that works great for clean up.

[Evelyn]

I have been obssessed with searching for the perfect window cleaner.......and I think I found it. Club Soda. The carbonic acid makes it a super window cleaner. Get a bottle of it, fill a spray bottle and go. I used Rosemary's idea of coffee filters to wipe the windows since I had a box of them.......the combo was fabulous!!!! My windows are sparkling!!!!

Evelyn

[WannaBHomemaker]

Wow - yall must all have been keeping house a lot longer than me! (2 years) I don't know the slightest thing about mixing up my own cleaners. I am going to keep these in mind though. Thank you!

Do yall mix these solutions every time you clean or do you make a bottle/tub at a time?

[Lynzee]

I mix mine when I'm ready to clean because I always use hot water.

I think I will try the club soda on my windows. The people who live at my house are constantly complaining about the strong vinegar smell after I've cleaned. :eek:

[WannaBHomemaker]

If your pans get scorched or food stuck in them, put a tbsp of baking soda in it and fill with water a couple of inches above scorch area and put on stove. Bring to a simmer and then let cool. The pan will practically wipe clean.


I tried this last night on a pan that got left on a hot burner for waaaay too long with a little soup still in it. It worked great! Thanks for the tip!

[SusiesQs]

ok question here!!

I have a smooth cook top with some stuff that's burnt on and I cannot get it off. So you're saying baking soda will get it out? do i just let it soak or how do I go about this? I'm embarrassed I have to ask :rolleyes:

Thanks a bunch~

Susie

[RoseMary]

SusieQ, I don't know about using the baking soda on the smooth cooktop (I don't have one). Breezy said that she uses Bar Keeper's Friend on hers and it works great. Maybe someone else will know.

[Breezy]

ok question here!!

I have a smooth cook top with some stuff that's burnt on and I cannot get it off. So you're saying baking soda will get it out? do i just let it soak or how do I go about this? I'm embarrassed I have to ask :rolleyes:

Thanks a bunch~

Susie

Susie I use Bar Keepers Friend plus a razor blade scraper if the BKF can't get it off. Hope that helps:)

[RachelB]

Hey, Breezy! What a fun topic to post about! I love finding out new ways to clean the house. In fact, for the past several months I have been spreading the gospel of microfiber cloths. They work miracles on glass and mirrors and you don't even have to use anything with them.

How to use on glass and windows. Slightly dampen the cloth and squeeze out excess water, wipe the surface with the wet area, then buff it dry with the dry area. That's it!

I know. It sounds too good to be true. I have had to live with cloudy, streaky, imperfect mirrors and windows for years while I mistakenly used Windex thinking that was the best that could be had.

I buy my microfiber cloths at Sam's. They are on the aisle near the cleaning section. They come in a pack of 24 for $10. You can also get them at Wal-mart in the automotive department, but there are fewer in the pack and they cost more. I have blue for bathrooms and yellow for the kitchen.

You can use these with chemicals also. They make great dust cloths. To me they make cleaning fun again and super fast!

[Breezy]

Hi Rachel - I haven't tried the microfiber cloths so next time I'm at wally world I'm gonna buy some. Anything to make cleaning easier!;)

[RoseMary]

I'm going to try those micrfiber cloths, too. My mirrors always look terrible!

Something I learned recently from my husband's aunt--and it is more of a money saver than cleaning tip--buy those little bottles of foaming handsoap (I bought the Softsoap): once they are empty, put 2-3 tbsp of liquid handsoap (any brand--I use Wal Mart's), then fill with water and shake a little--I just turn it over 3 or 4 times~instant foaming handsoap and you save a bunch! We were spending way too much on handsoap and this has saved us a lot!

[Evelyn]

RachelB: Thanks for the micro fiber tip.....I too used windex for years thinking that is just what you use. My windows were always streaked!!!!

Evelyn

[CohenCottage]

I love my microfiber cloths too! Ours were purchased online from Euronet USA, and they are the ones recommended by 'The Queen of Clean'. We especially love the dry and wet mops for our hardwood and tile floors.

My other cleaning tip is using a dry steam cleaner. It isn't like the carpet cleaning ones that put water out and suck it back in...They shoot 300 degree steam and sanitize everything! You don't have to use any cleaning products b/c the steam gets all the dirt and gunk off. We use it on floors, fridge, pillows, couch, bedding, rugs, walls, cabinets...you get the idea. It is fabulous! I got one from the allergy buyers club, and it was around 500 bucks. I know that's a lot, but it sure is worth it (especially since it makes cleaning more fun). You should see the nastiness that comes off grout in the shower!! It also helps kill dust mites...

[chyna]

My tip would be to hire a maid. ;):p

[Evelyn]

I am with you Chyna........

Evelyn

[Lisa S]

I've wanted to try a steam cleaner. I think it would help with our allergies. Do you recommend a brand?

[Breezy]

I will hire the maid Chyna if you will pay her salary!:p

[CohenCottage]

I have the Whitewing one (http://www.allergybuyersclubshopping.com/whitewing-steam-cleaner.html?itemId=402) b/c it has all the attachments and can clean floors, carpets, upholstery, tile, grout, wood, etc. My only complaint is that you can only clean for 2-3 hours straight before running out of steam, and then you have to let it cool down to refill it. So for all day cleaning binges, continuous refill would be nice.

I want this one (http://www.allergybuyersclubshopping.com/ladybug-xl-vapor-steam-cleaner-tancs.html?itemId=1266) because it has continuous refill and extra bells and whistles. Unfortunately, it's way $$$.

My mom and stepsister have the Shark one that is really cheap, and they like it, but it can't clean as many things (I think it only does floors).

I love steam cleaning b/c it's fun, easy, and it makes your house smell good (not like perfume or anything, just clean). It also is great for killing dust mites!

[chyna]

Sounds like a winner.:)

I ask for maid service every year for Christmas and nada. Not sure they are taking me serious, I so wish they would. Just an hour or so once a month would be a huge help.:(

[Lisa S]

Nice! Someday...

[CohenCottage]

I wish I had more time to clean b/c I actually LIKE it...weird, I know. Gotta love OCD.

[Lisa S]

I'm having a hard time getting motivated at the moment, but I usually enjoy making my house shine. Maybe a new gadget would help!

[CohenCottage]

It's really my favorite thing to clean with, and it helped noticeably with our allergies to dogs, dust mites, and molds. If I had to choose between my steamer and my Miele vacuum cleaner, it would be a real toss-up.

[shadow.0000]

Housekeeping is one of those never-ending tasks, but there are shortcuts to help you get the daily chores done quicker. Here are housekeeping tips as well.



_____________________
Basement Dehumidifier (http://www.dehumidifierexperts.com/)

[Gigi]

Here's a tip~ and you wouldn't believe how GREAT it works...Forget the expensive gel to strip wallpaper- put some Dawn liquid dish detergent in a spray bottle- moisten the area of paper- and it will peeelllllllllll off! I love this stuff!

P.S. don't use the Dawn straight-water it down a bit!

[RoseMary]

Thanks Gigi, that sounds like a great tip--I've struggled with getting it off before. I finally just used hot water and soaked it off!

[Deb D]

Here's mine:

To clean copper pan bottoms, rub with half a lemon, then sprinkle with salt. Rub more with the lemon. It takes a little time, but eventually the copper is shiny and bright again.

Last year I switched to Nellie's Laundry Soda. You only need a tablespoon per load. It gets my work clothes clean in cold water, and doesn't smell like anything. I'm sensitive to perfume, and this stuff has no scent at all. I order it from Jack's Country Store. It costs about 42 cents per load.

I can't wait for it to be warm enough to hang laundry outside.

[Gigi]

Hey Deb~ thanks for the laundery tip- I'll have to check that out. Sounds good.

[chyna]

I've heard that you can use fabric softener to get wallpaper off too. :)

[cheapdiva]

Club soda! What a great idea. I'm feeling like a good spring cleaning is needed at my house. Since going back to work full time my husband is suppose to be doing the cleaning - BUT you could never tell. He'll do things like pick up the rug by the bath tub and lay it on the edge so I'll think he has cleaned the floor. My eyesight is far better than his - cause I still see hair and junk on the floor.

Why don't most men understand what cleaning means? My oldest son is a neat freak like his mother but the 2 younger sons - HA! This has become a big issue for me . . . my husband's supposed cleaning vs. real cleaning. He dusts around things - never picks up things. And he doesn't dust things on tables or lamps. Drives me NUTS!!!!!

Anyone else have this issue?

[mavgal]

Here's a tip~ and you wouldn't believe how GREAT it works...Forget the expensive gel to strip wallpaper- put some Dawn liquid dish detergent in a spray bottle- moisten the area of paper- and it will peeelllllllllll off! I love this stuff!

P.S. don't use the Dawn straight-water it down a bit!

I've never heard of that. I use a Wallpaper Steamer, bought it many years ago and have used it many times, it works like a charm!

[mavgal]

I can't wait for it to be warm enough to hang laundry outside.


Whoo, hoo, you and me both. Most people don't understand why I hang out my laundry, I can't stand dryers, only use them for undies and in the winter when I don't have a choice. We just bought a house and the neighbor asked if were taking down the clothesline pole. I said NO!!, I'm painting it and hanging up some new line!!

[CohenCottage]

My housekeeping tip is to get a house cleaner!! We got one this week, and it was the. best. thing. ever. I was thinking of all the things I had to do this weekend, and then I realized that I don't have to do any chores!! It's the best thing ever.

[Lisa S]

Maria Diva ~ our husbands were separated at birth.

Cohen ~ had a housekeeper but had to let her go. I'm surprised the sounds of my sobs didn't reach you!

[Evelyn]

I got this book I just love...all about cleaning!! It is: Clean House Clean Planet by Karen Logan. Just about everything gets clean with vinegar, dish soap, baking soda and lemons.

2 weeks ago I whipped up a batch of her carpet cleaner recipe. I had an off-white rug that was very dirty. Without much effort it is sparkling clean.

Evelyn

[Gigi]

Hey I like the housekeeper idea! Think of it this way~ putting money back in the economy~ while employing someone. ;)

[Evelyn]

I have had a couple housekeeper's.....it was wonderful coming home to a CLEAN house on friday. But, it was expensive. I also gained some knowledge for the next time I hire one. I had trouble ever getting somebody to do more than 'surface clean'. So, the next time I decide to hire a housekeeper, it will only be for 'deep' cleaning!!!

Gigi....yes.....hire a housekeeper, help the economy......I like that idea!!!!

Evelyn

[CohenCottage]

That's exactly how I'm rationalizing it!! I'm putting $$ into our economy. Actually, my hourly rate for dog training is $100, and I see the majority of my clients on nights and weekends, so it's much cheaper to pay her b/c that means I can work more too.

[shabbychick]

I really hate cleaning house, and I'm very slow at it. I'm thorough, but I'm slow. I have had a housekeeper come in once every other week for the last year or so, and it has taken such a load off my mind. I usually plan any parties I'm going to have for weekends after she's been here so the house is freshly cleaned. And if I have to have guests between cleanings, I find that having had the place so well kept up makes it easier for me to do whatever cleaning I have to do to entertain. There are things she doesn't do to my particular standards, but it's a heck of a lot better than doing it myself. I work hard all week and don't want to spend my weekend cleaning. The injustice of the whole thing is that she works for a cleaning agency, so she only gets to keep a portion of what I pay. They don't even give her decent insurance.

I try to get the cleaning products she likes even if they're not what I'd use. Personally, I swear by the microfiber cloths and really hot water for mirrors and windows. I've had more success with those than with anything else, and they last forever. Paying for the maid is an expense that requires me to make some other sacrifices so I can continue to afford it, but unlike the YMCA membership or the cable service I can't afford to subscribe to, the value I get for my money is more than worth the sacrifice. Plus she's a really nice girl, and I want to help her stay employed. I know I should learn to like housework, but I'm 53 years old, and if I don't like it yet, I don't think it's ever going to grow on me!

[Gigi]

Shabbychick~ I think it's great you are keeping someone in a job~ at least helping! Time is so valuable to each of us~ so we have to make choices--and sounds like you made a great one! I know people who clean houses really must work very hard-what shame the insurance, etc... is not that good for your employee.

[Zuzu's Garden]

Does anyone know if there a "clean planet" product that I can use to polish silver?

Zu

[RoseMary]

I found this link, Zu~

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/silver-cleaning-w-household-basics.html

[Evelyn]

Here is a 'recipe' from my Clean House Clean Planet book:

Ingredients: Aluminum foil, salt, baking soda.

What else you will need: A container that will hold your silver pieces. Glass or plastic works best. Or your sink - assure sink is tightly plugged.

How to Make: Put 1 sheet aluminum fiol, 1 TBSP salt and 1 tsp baking soda into a bowl or large container. Fill container with warm water. Wait 1 hour, then wipe off silver with a soft cloth.

Now, I have not tried this yet.....so if anyone does, let me know if it truly works!

Evelyn

[Lisa S]

I've tried it. It takes a lot of effort.

[Zuzu's Garden]

"It takes a lot of effort" doesn't sound so great. :(

So, I visited the link that RoseMary posted (thank you), and read the comments below. One of the posters said toothpaste, baking soda, and salt are very hard on silver. He is a silversmith, and offers info on how to care for silver - click on link to visit his website. (http://www.silversmithing.com/silver/care.htm)

I've been washing the silver as he suggests: "Hand wash the pieces with a non-lemon-scented phosphate-free detergent and dry them immediately to avoid spotting." I wash them in a plastic dishpan.

So, after reading all that he suggests, I guess I'll try 3M's Tarni-Shield Silver Polish, which also provides tarnish protection.

Unless someone else has a better suggestion?

Thanks,
Zu

[CohenCottage]

One of my childhood "jobs" was cleaning my grandmother's silver, and I'm a fan of Wright's Silver Cream. It comes in a little blue tub with a spongey thing. I've also heard about washing in non-citrus detergent and drying immediately helps maintain tarnish-free silver. You can wash it in the dishwasher as long as you don't put anything stainless in there too (it will cause pitting on the silver).

My grandmother used her silver everyday, so it only needed cleaning once ever six months or so. Frequent use seemed to keep it from tarnishing quickly, and it kept it from getting stolen when her house was robbed. The thieves never thought to look in the kitchen drawers for good silver!!

I have a new product recommendation too...Dreft laundry stain remover! It's in a pink spray bottle, and it gets EVERYTHING out! My DH got chocolate on the white couch the last time we moved it (the muslin base of our slipcovered couch), and I just left it for 6 months (assuming it wouldn't come out). Today, we were washing slipcovers, so I sprayed a little Dreft on the chocolate stain and rubbed with a damp rag, and it came out immediately. It also gets out blood and other tough stains.

[shabbychick]

Ooh, thanks for that tip on Dreft. I'm going to give it a try. I also really need something to get coffee stains out of my car's cloth upholstery. Nothing that I've tried for cars seems to work, and neither did Oxyclean, which usually works wonders.

The new issue of Real Simple has a bunch of tips for using common household items for cleaning. I'm going to tear those pages out and keep them.

[CohenCottage]

I had trouble finding the Dreft spray stain remover. The laundry soap is pretty much everywhere, but I had to go to Target to get the spray. They also had one of those travel stain spotter pens. I picked one up but haven't tried it yet.

[Breezy]

Cohen ~ thanks for the tip about the Dreft spray. I used the detergent when my daughter was a baby but I had no idea Dreft made a spray. Will have to see if I can find it at Target the next time I'm in the big city.

[chyna]

I love Dreft, was pretty bummed when dd wasn't a baby anymore and I didn't have an excuse to buy it anymore. :p I have bought the spray and adore the stuff. It also works great on pet stains, it should it is made for baby poo/pee! :o I just go thru it so quickly I never have enough of it in the household and don't replace it often enough.

Should pick some up next time I'm at Wally world or Target. Is a bit pricey too which would be another reason I don't have any on hand. Will have to start using self-restraint.

[Zuzu's Garden]

CC,

I couldn't find the Tarni-Shield, so I bought/used the Wright's. I use the silver daily (it was my Grandparent's), but the fork tines were starting to turn dark. Now they sparkle again!

I've added Dreft spray stain remover to my shopping list. I used Dreft to wash baby clothes and loved it, so I'm looking forward to trying the stain remover.

Thanks!
Zu

[88dblifestyle]

Let's see...

For windows, I use vinegar and hot water and a squeegee.

I use vinegar and hot water on my mirrors and I wipe them down with coffee filters instead of paper towels so there's no lint.

I use hydrogen peroxide to soak/wash my whites instead of bleach.

I also spray peroxide on the tiles in my shower.

I mop my floors with a solution of hot water, vinegar and baking soda.

I clean my oven with a vinegar/baking soda paste--mix the two together with some water and rub it on with a cloth, let it sit for awhile, then wipe it off with a damp cloth.

I use ashes to polish the silver. Experts would probably cringe, but I've been doing it for years without damaging the silver.

I don't believe there's anything in this world that the soap from a brillo pad won't clean. I used it once to remove the artwork the little one drew all over her new white furniture with a Sharpie. Fortunately, they are not as permanent as the manufacturer would like for us to believe. :D

Thanks for the tips.. By the way, I never tried cleaning using a vinegar?

Is it effective?

[MaryK]

I'm a strange one ... I love to clean. It feels so good to see and smell a nice clean room. Also I LOVE vinegar for cleaning.

Regarding Cleaning Lady/Maid: Has anyone ever thought of this or is it just my wonky mind --- how do you know the person is actually cleaning-cleaning. Using the small towel to clean from idea to idea ? Like clean the toliet and then move to the sink with that same towel (or sponge or whatever) ???? I'd rather clean myself then I know it is CLEAN.

MaryK

[Heather]

Oh I HEAR ya MaryK. What about cleaning the light switches and door knobs? If you think about the people who do not wash their hands after using the potty....

[cheapdiva]

when my kids were younger and at home, I had a cleaning lady (actually several) but they never cleaned as well as I did and they were hired to clean, not pick up. it got to the point the kids bedroom doors had to be closed because they couldn't clean those rooms - they were such a mess. so finally I just stopped spending the money. i swear one just sprayed cleaning the cleaning products so it smelled like she did the cleaning!!!

[CohenCottage]

I like to clean too, and I go nuts disinfecting light switches and doorknobs! The last time we had a cleaning lady was right before we hosted the Wine-o party in October. My mom's cleaning lady came over, and she is the only person that even comes close to cleaning as well as I do. She's a great organizer too!

Right now we have a client's great dane puppy at our house, so we have slobber all over the stainless fridge and pretty much everywhere. He's so tall he can rest his chin on our dining table, and he's only 5 months old! I need to clean tomorrow, but it seems like a waste of time until he's gone.

[rubyslippers]

Hello everyone,

I have followed this thread off and on for awhile. I am pretty good at cleaning; however, I have a couple of pesky things that I need to get better at so to speak. We have also had the sniffles at my house for about a month; so, I am ready for a pre-Christmas "Spring Cleaning" just to mentally sanitize the place so-to-speak.

I currently have my first gas-stove/oven. It isn't fancy, but I like it. I wipe down the top with almost every meal, but one of the eyes is "gunky" ... seriously, it needs the mega-clean. Do I have to turn off the pilot light if I want to clean the surface with a chemical? If I use some sort of natural mixture like baking soda or something is that any better?

Does anyone have a vacuum that they use with any success on hardwood floors that has some attachemnts for upholstery, spiderwebs, etc.?

Also, my kitchen sink (stainless I think) has some gunk in it. My Dad mentione that I should buy some rustoleum when I moved in ... it improved the situation ... but, it has not solved my problem. (I know sinks are not too expensive to replace, but I used the kitchen money to re-do the bathroom ... so, I need to hold off a bit. Are heavy-duty bathroom products too serious for the kitchen?)

Thanks for any advice you can give me. I know a lot of people who really love having someone help clean. I personally work a lot of long hours and the weekends can sometimes turn into a battle to the grocery store while trying to remember to rotate laundry blur. Never mind the fact that there is a pile of clutter I never seem to get managed. I really don't have any idea how much a cleaning service costs; however, I would literally be thrilled if someone just took care of the floors and the bathroom once a week. Those are the two things that take up A LOT of my time. I just get anxious about someone being in my home when I am not at home. I am a rather private person and it makes me kind of nervous. However, with the hours I am working these days, I am starting to think it might not be an atrocious idea to ask some friends for some references. I am such a "do-it-my-selfer" that it is hard to get motivated to "ask for help". At the same time, some of your testimonials make me believe that someone for a few tasks every other week might be worth considering.

Great thread!

[CohenCottage]

Hi RubySlippers!

We have a gas stove that has a closed burners so you can't see the pilot light, so I've never turned mine off to deep clean the stove. Ours gets super gross b/c the sticky stuff from cooking traps dog hair floating in the air. Big Yuck.

As far as deep cleaning, I really like to use 'Charlie's Soap' all purpose cleaner. It's a great degreaser and makes my kitchen sink sparkle like new. I usually spray it down and let it sit for 15 minutes or so before washing it down. To get rust stains off, I use 'Bar Keeper's Friend' or CLR.

My favorite vacuum cleaner is my Miele cannister vac, and we have all hardwood floors. It has great attachments for upholstery and such too. We've used ours nearly everyday for 3 years and it still works great, and that is saying a lot b/c we have 4 golden retrievers. I think Heather got one too...

[rubyslippers]

Hey Cohen ... thanks for the rapid response ...

Are Bar Keeper's Friend and Charlie's Soap specialized to on-line places, or is it possible I could find these items locally?

Thanks for the vacuum advice. With cat hair, litter box dribbles, random dust bunnies, and my hair ... well, the floor needs more love than the laborious sweeping I tend to get over-zealous about.


THANKS!

[CohenCottage]

Bar Keeper's Friend is available at most grocery stores and is a mildly abrasive powder in a can, and Charlie's soap is available at natural foods stores like Whole Foods or Earthfare. You can also get it online at their website, and the shipping is really reasonable. I get it in gallon jugs! They also have great laundry detergent (I use the powder)!

Have fun cleaning! I'm sitting on the couch in my jammies watching West Wing instead of cleaning...

[rubyslippers]

Thanks for the update ... I plan to scour the house this week. I found some beautiful orchids at Kroger today. I cleaned some nooks for them (VERY AFFORDABLE) ... anyway, they will live at my house for now; however, they may be "gifted" before it is all over with. Anyway, I just had to comment that we have all seasons of West Wing on DVD at our house too. Sounds fun!

[memmey]

I think I have posted about Dr.Bonner's soap before. I like the peppermint.

I made something up a while ago and I LOVE it. Don't laugh but I still love the way patchouli smells. I got a little bottle of the essential oil and I poured some in my Murphy's oil soap. I mop with it and damp dust with it. Damp dust????You know I wring a rag out till it's barely wet and I clean with it around the room. I love the way it smells when I finnish. LOL I will always love patchouli. I bought a plant at our Herb Festival . If you brush the leaves it smells wonderful. I couldn't figure out it's needs and I killed it. I might try again if I can ever find one...Again:(.
Back to the post, you could add lavender oil or whatever essential oil to the Murphy's.
I love for my house to be fragrant.

My most favorite house smell was Claire Burke Original but the company has been sold 3 times since I found out about it 20 years ago and now it is not as strong and to me slightly different. Do any on you know of Claire Burke Original??

[rubyslippers]

Hello Memmey,

Murphy's oil soap has such a distinctive smell; I imagine something herbal would work best. I wonder how peppermint essential oil would do? Hmmm. I like for my house to smell good as well. I enjoy citrus smells, but I like the more authentic orange frangrances as opposed to the chemical lemon ones.

Thanks!

[cheapdiva]

Nothing is better than having a wonderfully clean house - especially when it is all closed up in the winter. I love pine-sol and the way it smells! I have been making a big effort this last year to avoid buying a lot of cleaners and trying to use soapy water when possible.

I hear you all about light switches . . . my big "ick" issue is door frames. My husband refuses to touch a door knob - he grabs doors by the frame leaving handprints (often dirty) everywhere!!! And if you have dogs you'll notice how the door frames get dirty from the dog brushing up against them as they go in and out. YUCK!!

[CohenCottage]

I totally agree with you on door frames!! Ours are disgusting from all the dogs, and washing doesn't even get them all the way clean anymore. Time to repaint trim! We do have 6 dogs in the house right now, so that's excessive wear and tear.

[rubyslippers]

The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works wonders on door frames; however, if used gratuitously, it can also remove a little paint. With that said, slightly damp and try in a non-visible area. You could easily Mr. Clean and run around with some nice white trim paint for a little "pop". Rubbing alcohol on a microfiber cloth works nicely on door frames as well. Plus, you know my trick of a smidgen of white colgate toothpaste if you need to cover a very small glitch in a big hurry. The tips are great! Thanks.

[mac78]

Being a home daycare provider, I am constantly wiping down germs, wiping furniture/toys off, sweeping, mopping floors, etc.

Hmm, some things I do here are:

I keep a spray bottle with fabric softener/water mixture in it on the dryer and spray my things before I pop them in the dryer to get the wrinkles out.

I keep a spray bottle with a couple shots of dish soap/water mixture on my kitchen counters to spray off high chairs, table, counters, etc.

I keep a bottle of spray Spic and Span in my Kitchen and bathrooms and use it daily for my quick cleaning moments. Use it for door handles and doorways too.

I keep a spray bottle with a mixture of carpet shampoo/water under the kitchen sink for those quick carpet clean ups from kids and the dogs. I also have my Hoover carpet shampooer that gets drug out occassionally for those messes only MY eyes can see. lol

I also use the big lysol antibacterial wipes to wipe things down for all those little fingers that are in my home 10 hours a day.

I have "swiffered" my walls and ceilings many times. I just put a damp rag on the swiffer, get my spray bottle out, and spray my walls and swiffer them down. Works great.

I also use my swiffer for my kitchen floor, which is very small by the way, and I just put a damp rag on the swiffer and use my spray bottle and clean my floors that way.

Any suggestions out there for cleaning tiled showers and shower doors. Our tend to mildew.

[shabbychick]

I've used the Mr. Clean erasers successfully on mildewed areas on the grout in the shower, but usually we spray with a bleach/water solution. Those Mr. Clean erasers are pretty darn good. I even use them to clean the tops of my tennis shoes.

[memmey]

Christmas is almost here > My son will be here !!!!! Don't laugh but it is 70 degrees today and beautiful. I mixed some patchouli water and mopped my front porch and put a Santa hat on " The fish". The whole little neighborhood here is spiffing things up for Christmas today. It is gorgeous outside!!!!
My neighbors have their homes festive but simple. What a gift today is!!!!!!!!!


http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o243/memmey/yow083.jpg


tommorrow rain.:(:(:(

[RoseMary]

Oh, Mr. (or Ms.) Fish looks very festive!

It has been about 60 here today and windy. It's going to rain in the next few hours, so all this humidity is spoiling my plans for making divinity. I may give it a try anyway:).

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone!