How To Clean Anything

March 28, 2011July 7, 2023

Running Shoes

I normally throw my running shoes in the washer with my towels, I stuff the laces in the shoes and then air dry in my laundry room (which warmer than anywhere else in my house). I know most don’t recommend this because they say it shortens the life of the shoes. However my theory is my quality of life if not my life itself will be shorter if I have hand wash my or my kids shoes. I even recently washed my sons Nike hi-tops in the wash with great success.

If you want to try by hand if you have the time or inclination use a soft brush and use some of the tips listed below:

Prepare a solution of water and a neutral cleaner (such as liquid dish-washing detergent or use laundry soap and water mixture).

Remove laces and inserts and rinse the shoes with water inside and out.

Use a soft brush and the cleaning solution to scrub every part of both shoes, including liners and insoles.

Remove scuff marks with a white nylon-backed scrub pad.

Rinse the shoes thoroughly with water.

Stuff the shoes with paper (not newspaper the ink will run and make a mess) to absorb excess water and to help the shoes keep their shape. Allow them to drip-dry.

Wash the laces in a load of laundry. Allow the inserts to air out, and apply baking soda to them if they’re smelly.

Replace the inserts and laces after the shoes dry completely.

Apply white cream shoe polish to white leather and black polish to black leather parts.

March 22, 2011July 7, 2023

Keeping clean and organized

The number one thing you can do to keep clean and organized is to have a spot for everything. My daughter is famous in our house for leaving her shoes in random locations, after millions of requests (hyperbole for effect) over a long period of time I bought a giant shoe shelf(5 feet tall) for the mud room. I have seen an improvement in the random shoes around the house. Invest the time to figure out the place for everything, shirts hanging in the closet, sock drawer, athletic clothes drawer etc. Its helps reduce the constant “Mom!!! wheres my _____________?”

I also invested in shallow tupperware containers to slide under the bed, so I can have more places to put stuff. Knowing where the cleaning stuff for example also helps. As my kids have gotten older I can just tell them to clean up the spill they created because they know the precise location for everything. I wonder how my mother managed because she did everything for me, I never had to lift a finger. I guess I went the opposite way, I must be very lazy because I try to have a system that lets my family figure it out. Hopefully in the long run it helps them run an efficient home so they can spend more time doing fun stuff in life.

March 22, 2011July 7, 2023

Walls…

Dirty walls??

Here are some quick tips for wall cleaning

This is the one thing where you do the opposite of what you normally would like to do when cleaning. Normally you clean from the top down when cleaning most things. Like dusting before vacuuming, or cleaning the lights and mirrors before cleaning the washroom counter.

When cleaning walls clean from the bottom to the top this prevents the drips and streaks on the dirty part of the wall which are harder to remove from dirty walls than freshly cleaned walls. Use a cleaning solution bucket and a clean water rinse bucket. What you use will depend on how dirty your wall is. If you are cleaning before painting using a strong cleaner like TSP (found in any hardware store). For less dirty walls use a general purpose cleaner mixed with water.

Invest in a professional wall mop from your location janitorial supply store, this will save time and back strain since it is a flat mop on the end of a broom stick. This allows covering more space quickly and using greater force or elbow grease while cleaning. In addition to not having to climb on ladders to reach the top.

March 4, 2011July 7, 2023

Colorfast Clothes??

How can I be sure a new article of clothing is colorfast and what is the test when using color safe bleach?

This is mostly common sense, but there are also some simple tests that take very little time to be sure your clothing is not damaged when washing or bleaching.

With a new article of clothing, especially on vibrant colors, always do this quick test before washing for the first time. Moisten an inside seam, and rub with a white cotton towel or a cotton ball. If any of the color transfers to the white cloth or ball, treat this article of clothing like dynamite. It has the potential to turn sports socks pink, make blue jeans purple, and other wise ruin perfectly good clothing.

Wash separately, according to the manufacturers label. One garment can be easily laundered in a sink to save energy, instead of running your washer with only one piece of clothing in it! Wash in cold water to prevent the dye from running out, and follow the label for drying. If the clothing cannot be placed in a dryer, wrap it up in an old terry towel, to remove as much moisture as possible, before laying flat to dry. Hanging a non-colorfast garment to dry, may leave dye run marks. For articles of clothing that can be placed in a dryer, the heat will usually set the color, making the piece colorfast, but to be certain, re-test before the next laundering.

As for bleaches, the two most common types are chlorine (whites) and oxygen (all-fabric) based. For either of these you will mix a small amount to use as a tester. For whites mix a tablespoon of chlorine bleach in a cup of water, for colors mix 1 teaspoon of all fabric bleach to a cup of water. Place a drop on an inside seam, or on a shirttail. Allow the drop to sit for 5 to 10 minutes, and check to see if the color has lightened. If it does not change color, it is safe to treat with that type of bleach. You can add the remaining test mixture into the wash water, but always be sure to follow the manufacturers directions for dilution rates.

The complete list of what all those laundry symbols stand for can be found at http://www.textileaffairs.com/lguide.htm

March 4, 2011July 7, 2023

Gum from clothes

A quick idea to remove gum from clothing items is to freeze the garment. And then gentle scrape off the gum when frozen. Less chance of damage using chemicals etc.

February 17, 2011

Sodium Bicarbonate and Lemon Juice or Vinegar

Baking soda also makes a great stain remover when used in tandem with other substances, such as lemon juice and vinegar. Simply mix the liquids with the powder until they become a paste, and apply to the surface using a scrub brush.

February 7, 2011July 7, 2023

Baking soda….cleaning tips

Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda, is a chemical used in medicines, foods, soaps, fire extinguishers, pesticides and manufacturing processes. Other names for sodium bicarbonate are bicarbonate of soda; carbonic acid, monosodium salt; monosodium carbonate; monosodium hydrogen carbonate and sodium hydrogen carbonate.

Clothes and baking soda

If an article of your clothing is stained with an acid of some sort, then treating the stain with sodium bicarbonate before washing should help to remove the stain. Spread the sodium bicarbonate over the affected area and then get it wet. Put it in the wash and make sure it rinses in warm water.

Baking soda on Other Surfaces

If you have a particularly stubborn stain on a surface made of laminate, marble or plastic, use a brush and a paste made from baking soda and water to scour the surface.

Baking soda can also be used on a wide variety of other materials and surfaces. You can use it to clean stainless steel, to remove tannin stains caused by tea and coffee from crockery and to remove crayon stains from wallpaper. Just sprinkle it onto a wet sponge and apply to the surface.

February 1, 2011July 7, 2023

Microwave cleaning made easy…

Cleaning your microwave is as simple as microwaving a cup of water for about five minutes. When it’s done, the inside should be nice and steamy, and wiping out the grime inside will be easier than trying to wipe off the hardened baked on food from multiple plates of leftover spaghetti with sauce incinerated to oblivion.

I also sometimes add a slice of lemon (if I have any) to make the aroma more pleasant. And if the teenagers have been particularly messy I may have to repeat to procedure a few times to get the inside spic and span…

Also be careful not to burn your self with the hot water etc.

January 31, 2011July 7, 2023

Speed cleaning tip…

The number one rule for speed cleaning is to have quick and easy access to your tools and supplies. When it’s time to clean, it zaps all of your motivation when you have to hunt for needed supplies. Consider creating a cleaning caddy for different areas of your home. You’ll always have your supplies right where you need them.

I place a mini cleaning kit under each sink so I can touch up washrooms if I have a last minute guest. The mini cleaning kit in the kitchen I have what I need to touch up kitchen counters, tables, doors, walls if I need to do an emergency clean up or if last minute guests show up. I keep a mini dust mop/doodle bug in the closet so I can touch up spills or do a quick spray and wipe of the dirty spots on the floors.

January 26, 2011

Chili stains on carpet or upholtstery

Chili

General Info:
Be sure to check the helpful hints for the Do’s and Don’ts of stain removal and Six Sure Ways to Set Stains.

Tools & Chemicals:
Dish washing or fine fabric detergent, white terry towels, white vinegar, warm water, measuring cup, spoon, vacuum.

Technique:

Work on removing the stain as soon as you notice it. The longer the stain is left on the carpet the greater the chances are of the stain setting.
In every case remove all excess wet or dry material before attempting to clean. Blot wet materials using a white terry towel (check helpful hints for a detailed description of blotting). Vacuum excess dry materials or gently scrape up materials with a spoon.
Mix 1/2 tsp. of dish washing soap or fine fabric detergent into 1 (8 oz.)cup of warm water.
Apply a small amount, blot or tamp and repeat until the stain is removed. Be patient. Complete removal may require repeating the same step several times. Tamp down on the carpet, do not scrub as this may distort the texture of the pile.
Cover the stain with the towel and press down repeatedly to absorb the stain material and detergent.
Once the stain is completely removed, rinse the area with cold water; blot with a dry white terry towel until all moisture is removed. Repeat this process several times to remove cleaning solution residue. (Residue can attract soils).
If the spot or stain turns brownish when dry, mix 1 part white vinegar and two parts water. Apply a small amount and blot. Repeat only once.

Precautions:
Never use a stronger concentration than is recommended. Never laundry detergent or automatic dish washing detergents because they may destroy or dye some fibers.