Cut the Clutter
Page 6
front. Remember this truth: if you
unwise to assert its presence is shown
you’re happy with the balance between
don’t wanna, you ain’t gonna. To pull
the door, pronto. Just be careful that
time spent cleaning and the domestic
the household back from the dusty
militant cleaning doesn’t come between
results, but occasionally, you slip a bit
brink, focus on small changes: clearing
you and other family members, who
too far toward slapdash. Try a more
kitchen counters once a day, setting
don’t necessarily share your enjoyment
scheduled approach to clean less and
aside an afternoon each weekend for
of the process.
enjoy it more.
cleaning chores.
52
SKILLS FOR A WELL-RUN HOME
Choosing and using
cleaning
products
Cast your eyes down the cleaning aisle at the supermarket lately? An explosion of new cleaning products has created a dizzying array of choices for a clean house.
Cut the confusion and save money by sticking to four basic cleaning products.
Together with a few specialty products, spray window cleaner, Degreaser The tough guys of the cleaning world, these spray degreaser, tile and bathroom cleaner, and abrasive spray cleaners dissolve greasy soil so it can be lifted away and cleanser will handle everyday cleaning needs cheaply and well.
removed. Also known as “all-purpose cleaners,” they will cut food soil on kitchen counters, greasy fingermarks on walls, Window cleaner Don’t be misled by the name “window doors and switch plates, oily dust on baseboards and moldings, cleaner;” this spray-on product cleans windows and a whole and hard-to-remove dirt on outdoor furniture. Polish surfaces lot more, evaporating quickly and leaving no residue behind.
with a dry cloth to remove the slight film they leave behind.
Applied to glass or mirrors, it loosens surface dirt so you can remove it with a squeegee or cleaning cloth. Use on glass, Tile and bathroom cleaner The bathroom poses
mirrors, kitchen counters, sink fixtures, appliance fronts, multiple cleaning challenges—sticky film from body oils, refrigerator shelves, sealed cabinet fronts and any other soap, and shampoo; mold and mildew from moisture and liquid-safe surfaces with light, non-greasy soil.
condensation; yellow, chalky, hard-water residues on fixtures
▲ Save on spray cleaners by diluting them with varying
▲ Elbow grease provides even more cleaning power, but hold amounts of water. For many cleaning chores, full-strength cleanser back. Allow cleaning products time to work before you scrub. Save is overkill; mix your own and save.
your energy for other chores!
CLEANING YOUR HOME
53
and fittings. Cut tough bathroom soil with a tile and bathroom cleaner: a potent, three-in-one product designed to fight soap Save money on
Commercial cleaning products can make quick
film, mineral deposits, and mold and mildew.
work of a clean house … but at a price! Costly
A thick liquid, this cleaner requires standing time to cleaners don’t have to break the bank. Try these
sanitize surfaces, dissolve minerals, and cut greasy soil. Apply tips to save money on cleaning supplies.
a thick coat using a squirt bottle. Allow it to stand for the time recommended on the product label, and then use a tile brush
▪ Match the product to the job. Why
to scrub the product. Rinse thoroughly.
bring on the big guns for everyday dirt?
Choose the right cleaner for the surface and
Abrasive cleanser Chemical-based cleaners—like window soil involved; no sense wasting high-strength
cleaner or degreasers—rely on chemical reactions to dissolve, degreaser on a simple water spot—or trying
lift, or loosen dirt. Sometimes, though, you need to add to tackle stubborn grease stains using
cleaning pr
additional scrubbing power to deal with tough or dried-on multiple spritzes of mild evaporative cleaner.
dirt. Enter abrasive cleansers. These also contain small abrasive
▪ Use just enough and no more. No,
particles designed to enhance the scrubbing action. Like more is not better! Using too much cleaning
sandpaper, they use friction to remove hardened soil.
product wastes money and means extra time
Abrasive cleansers are made in different strengths. Scouring spent rinsing and wiping.
powder is designed for most sinks; “soft scrub” cleansers
▪ Opt for half-measures. Try using half as
feature smaller abrasive particles and are recommended for much product, and check the result. If you
specialty finishes. Abrasive cleansers may be formulated with can’t tell the difference, cut the amount in
oducts
other cleaners, such as bleach, to fight stains; be sure to read half again—until you find the sweet spot
labels and choose the appropriate variety for the job.
where cleaning and conservation meet.
Because these products can be difficult to rinse clean, use
▪ Can the caps. With generous sizing and
them inside sinks, tubs, and toilets where rinsing is easier.
barely-visible markings, product caps are an
inefficient way to measure cleaning products—
Specialty cleaners for special jobs
and manufacturers know it. Use your own
These special-use products are formulated for specific cleaning easy-read measuring cup—or mark caps with
issues or specific surfaces. Be sure to read the labels and use permanent marker—to guard against overuse.
as directed by the manufacturer.
▪ Buy in bulk. With cleaning products, small
▪ Gum, gunk, and goo remover. A petroleum-distillate sizes mean big per-unit prices, so buy supplies
product designed to remove the greasy residues left by in bulk, and add a funnel to the cleaning
chewing gum, oily gunk, or adhesives.
cupboard. Fill your own bottles and save!
▪ Lime and scale remover. A highly corrosive solution to
▪ Ditch the disposables. Give these
hard-water scale deposits.
candidates for the landfill the cold shoulder.
▪ Rust removers. Designed to remove the rust stains in Replace disposable wipes with reusable
sinks, tubs, and toilets that can occur in areas where the water cotton cleaning cloths, toilet bowl swabs with
supply has a high iron content.
a good-quality toilet brush, and swipe-and-
▪ Stainless steel cleaner or polish. Specialty products toss floor systems with a square-headed mop
designed to clean, protect, and shine stainless-steel sinks, with replaceable terry covers.
surfaces, pots, and pans.
54
SKILLS FOR A WELL-RUN HOME
Clean, green, and frugal:
homemade cleaning recipes
Store-bought cleaning products are effective, but contain harsh chemicals and can produce irritating fumes. Simple ingredients from the pantry can be used to make cleaners that are kinder to the environment—for a fraction of the cost.
Diluted white vinegar
softener substitute for families with sensitive skin. In the Mildly acidic white vinegar dissolves dirt, soap scum, and hard kitchen, use vinegar-and-water spray ( see recipes, page 55) to water deposits from smooth surfaces, yet it is gentle enough clean countertops, lightly soiled range surfaces and backsplash to use in solution to clean hardwood flooring. White vinegar is areas. In the bathroom, spray countertops, floors, and exterior a natur
al deodorizer, absorbing odors instead of covering them surfaces of the toilet. For really tough bathroom surfaces such up. (And no, your bathroom won’t smell like a salad. Any acid as shower walls, pump up the cleaning power by heating the aroma disappears when dry.) With no coloring agents, white solution in the microwave until barely hot. Spray shower walls vinegar won’t stain grout on tiled surfaces. Because it cuts generously with the warmed solution, allow to stand for detergent residue, white vinegar also makes a great fabric 10–15 minutes, then scrub and rinse.
▲ A mild acid, lemon juice can be used instead of vinegar for
▲ Keep bathroom drains running freely and smelling sweet by general cleaning. Use the outer rind to polish porcelain surfaces pouring 1⁄2–3⁄4 cup (20–40g) baking soda into the drain, and dribbling and release fragrant lemon oil. If you have a garbage disposal unit, just enough hot water to wash the solution down. Let stand for 2
grind the rind in it while running cool water down the drain. The hours to overnight, and then flush thoroughly with hot water. (Do not oils in the rind clean the disposal unit and sharpen the blades.
use on blocked drains.)
CLEANING YOUR HOME
55
Undiluted white vinegar
Used straight from the jug, undiluted white vinegar makes Homemade
Homemade cleaning products offer many
quick work of tougher cleaning problems involving hard water advantages to cost-conscious households.
deposits or soap scum. Use it to clean the inside of the toilet Using on-hand ingredients can be far less
bowl. Before you begin, dump a bucket of water into the toilet expensive than buying commercial cleaners,
to force water out of the bowl and allow access to the sides.
won’t generate discarded product packaging,
Pour undiluted white vinegar around the bowl and scrub with and the household avoids exposure to harsh
a toilet brush to remove stains and odor. Use a pumice stone chemicals or toxic ingredients. Try these
to remove any remaining hard water rings.
cleaning recipes as a starting point,
gr
Clean showerheads that have been clogged with
increasing or decreasing their strength as
mineral deposits with undiluted white vinegar. Place ¼–½ cup een cleaners
your household’s cleaning needs require.
(60–120ml) vinegar in a plastic food storage bag, and secure the bag over the showerhead with a rubber band. Let stand
▪ Homemade spray cleaner recipe
for 2 hours to overnight, then rinse, and buff the fixture.
Try this recipe to harness the cleaning power
White vinegar softens clothes and cuts detergent residue.
of white vinegar. Mix in a spray bottle:
For family members with sensitive skin, add 1 cup (240ml) to 1 cup (240ml) white vinegar
the laundry rinse cycle instead of commercial fabric softener.
1 cup (240ml) water
For general cleaning purposes, you can substitute lemon juice for white vinegar ( see caption on page 54).
▪ Homemade glass cleaner recipe
Try this recipe to harness the cleaning power
Baking soda
of rubbing alcohol. Mix in a spray bottle:
Baking soda’s mild abrasive action and natural deodorizing 1 cup (240ml) rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
properties make it a powerful replacement for harsh commercial 1 cup (240ml) water
scouring powders. Sprinkle baking soda onto a damp sponge 1 tablespoon white vinegar
to tackle grimy bathtub rings, scour vanity units, or remove food deposits from the kitchen sink.
Try the following formulations for spring
For tougher grime, make a paste of baking soda and
cleaning or tough chores.
water, apply to the tub or sink, and allow to stand for 10–20
minutes until the deposits have softened and can be removed.
▪ Strong glass cleaner recipe
Mix in a spray bottle:
Rubbing alcohol
1 cup (240ml) rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
Rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol provides the base for an evaporating 1 cup (240ml) water
cleaner to rival commercial window and glass cleaning solutions.
1 tablespoon clear, non-sudsing ammonia
Use it on windows, mirrors, chrome fixtures, and for a shiny finish on hard-surface ceramic tiles ( see box, right).
▪ Strong all-purpose cleaner recipe
Mix in a spray bottle:
Ammonia
1 tablespoon clear, non-sudsing ammonia
An alkaline solution, clear ammonia creates stronger window 1 tablespoon clear dishwashing liquid
and all-purpose cleaning recipes than acidic vinegar ( see box, 2 cups (480ml) water
right). Choose a non-sudsing type: suds may look as if they’re working, but they’re tough to rinse and remove.
CLEANING YOUR HOME
57
What’s in your
cleaning
tote?
Nothing stretches a cleaning session like having to run back and forth to the utility closet. Stay on the job—and make short work of it—by carrying commonly needed tools and supplies with you in a tote as you clean. Begin each cleaning session with a fresh stack of white cotton cleaning cloths.
A cleaning tote is a housecleaner’s best friend. A plastic bucket
▪ Scrubbing sponge. This dual-duty sponge has an or totable tray, it holds the tools and supplies needed to clean absorbent side and an abrasive side. Flip from soft to tough it right and clean it fast. What’s inside? Check your cleaning to take out stubborn, dried-on deposits in the sink.
tote for these top tools:
▪ Squeegee. Clean windows, mirrors, and glass the way the pros do. A rubber-bladed squeegee removes cleaning solution and soil with one quick swipe. Wipe the blade dry with a
▪ Cleaning apron. An apron protects clothing, keeps cleaning tools at hand and has pockets to hold spare garbage bags and cleaning cloth between strokes.
collect trash or small out-of-place items. Choose a sturdy,
▪ Scraper. Dried-up gunk comes up fast when tackled with a comfortable, machine-washable apron.
smooth metal or plastic scraper. Keep the scraper handy in an apron pocket; it’ll make quick work of blobs of jelly or dried-on oatmeal.
“A cleaning tote is a
▪ Tile brush. A handled brush with thick bristles cleans tiles, bathtub surrounds, and ceramic fixtures in a flash. Bristles reach housecleaner’s best friend.”
into corners; the handle keeps your hands free and clear of the cleaning fray.
▪ Rubber gloves or washing-up gloves. Protect hands
▪ Toothbrush. Tiny spaces attract big-time dirt. Tackle them from harsh cleaning products with rubber gloves. New colors with a firm-bristle toothbrush. Use it to rout gunk from around make rubber gloves a bright addition to the cleaning tote—
sink fixtures, sink rims, or tight corners.
but steer clear of frou-frou decoration. Fur cuffs or rhinestone embellishments are fun to look at, but are not meant for In addition to the above, if you are planning to buy cleaning serious cleaning.
products in bulk, you will also need the following:
▪ Cleaning cloths. White cotton cleaning cloths are the
▪ Squirt bottle. Tile and bathroom cleaner works best when cleaner’s mainstay. Fold them for easy access, and then use applied evenly and thickly. Use a funnel to decant the cleaner them to wipe fixtures dry, make mirrors gleam, and remove into a clean squirt-top bottle to get the right amount of fingermarks fast.
product in the right spot—even underneath toilet rims.
▪ Spray bottle. Whether you spritz it for light coverage or spray it for harder jobs, adjustable spray bottles make it easy
◀ Carry your cleaning tot
e with you as you move from room to apply window cleaner or degreaser to surfaces. Use a color to room. You’ll have everything you need at hand and can speed through the job in double-quick time.
code or label bottles to tell them apart.
58
SKILLS FOR A WELL-RUN HOME
Cut costs in the broom closet:
cleaning
tools
Supermarket sponge-mops and “as seen on TV” cleaning marvels may seem like bargains, but buying a succession of cheap tools and single-use gimcracks can be costly—and it won’t get the house clean. Fill your broom closet with a set of durable, versatile cleaning tools, such as these tried-and-true workhorses of the cleaning world.
Floor cleaners
Mops Whether used for wet or dry cleaning, mops are the foot soldiers in the battle for clean floors. Every organized home needs at least two: a wet mop, to pick up wet spills and wash hard-surface floors; and a dry mop, to collect dry dust, dirt, and pet hair.
When choosing a mop for wet cleaning, bear in mind its purpose—not only should it dissolve dirt, but it must also lift it from the floor and remove it. For this reason, avoid string mops. They are heavy to lift, awkward to use, and nearly impossible to rinse clean.
Instead, look for large-headed wet mops with a swivel base and removable terry covers. These innovative tools do dual duty; a dry cover makes quick work of spilled liquids, while a cover wrung out in cleaning solution dissolves and lifts dirt easily. As the cover becomes soiled, simply replace it with a freshly wrung one.
To finish, a dry cover polishes away the last of the water—and since the terry covers can be machine-washed and dried, then reused, you’ll avoid the expense and environmental problems of disposable mop liners.
Sponge mops, too, offer efficient cleaning for spills and floors. Larger cleaning heads make the job fly faster. Because these mops get a workout, make sure hinge mechanisms are made of metal; plastic won’t stand up to the job.
◀ Wet mops with large, flat heads ( top) swoop easily under furniture; reusable terry-cloth covers add versatility. Choose sponge mops with a hands-free wringing action ( bottom) to stay dry.
▶ The corn broom ( back right) has flexible bristles that reach easily into corners. A push broom ( front left) clears large spaces quickly. A whisk broom makes short work of spills and crumbs.