Cleaning the Kitchen
You planned for a few finicky friends to come over, but as you are vacuuming you notice things just aren?t as clean as you thought at first. Most apartment dwellers are new at being on their own and haven?t mastered the tips and tricks that make cleaning a cinch. Some dwellers have been previous homeowners, but it never hurts to learn some shortcuts. And others just hire a maid. For those without maids, here are some tips, tricks and shortcuts that will make cleaning a lot less painful and lot easier.
Cleaning the kitchen, especially after a novice cook has experimented on his or her new pans, is perhaps one of the hardest places to clean besides the bathroom. The household cleaning tips site, http://joyfulcorner.homestead.com/ideas2... , has an easy and quick solution for cleaning the stained drip pans on your stove - use laundry detergent.
Libman brush?s site, http://mamalibman.com/tipsjava.htm, lists several good tips. Make stainless steel sinks clean with a little rubbing alcohol and remove spots with white vinegar. Remove rust spots (like from rusted S.O.S. pads) with lighter fluid. And clear plugged sinks by pouring a half cup of baking soda followed by a full cup of vinegar into the drain before pouring down some hot water. To clear a greasy clogged drain, pour a cup of salt water and a cup of soda down the drain, followed by hot water. Remove odors from your fridge by placing a small bowl of plant charcoal on one of the shelves. Or use a box of arm & hammer. Remove black scruff marks from appliances and floors with a little toothpaste. Heat sponges in the microwave before wiping oily spills and stains.
Check Hints from Heloise, http://www.heloise.com , for an easy tip on cleaning the garbage disposal. Simply toss in some baking soda and dish wash detergent, scrub with a toilet brush (please only use a toilet brush designated for the kitchen, not one used in the toilet!), and some lemon peels. A fast way to clean the garbage disposal is to pour down some baking soda, salt, and dishwasher detergent before running hot water, and turn the disposal on for a few seconds to be sure all the food waste is cleared out.
There are good tips at House Work, http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/2328/... . Remove water rings on your tables by rubbing them with petroleum jelly. Clear drains by mixing equal parts vinegar, salt and baking soda. Erase coffee and tea stains by making a paste of baking soda and water and rubbing into stain. Clean burnt pans by coating bottom with baking soda and covering with water, then let the pan sit for 3 hours. Shine up your stainless steel sinks with baby oil. To deodorize your garbage disposal, drop in some lemon and orange peels.
Latest Articles