Handy Clean L.L.C. - Cleaning Tips

Vanessa's Cleaning tips and Homemade Cleaners

You will need these ingredients to make a homemade grout cleaner:

1 Med sized mixing bowl
1 cup of baking soda
3 cups of warm water
1 old toothbrush

Combine warm water and baking soda into a paste. Apply the paste on the grout lines of your tile and scrub. Rinse with warm water until there is no paste remaining. Note: Throw any remaining cleaner away. A new mixture should be made every time it is needed.

After you have cleaned the grout you may want to invest in some grout sealer to prevent them from getting dirty or discolored.

Pet Urine

Dab area with toweling, wash with suds of liquid dish detergent, and rinse with 1/2 cup vinegar diluted in 1 qt warm water. Lay towels or paper towels over the spot and weight down to absorb excess moisture. Let stand 4 to 6 hours, then remove toweling, brush up nap and allow to dry completely. To speed drying, use an electric fan.

Homemade Window Glass Cleaner

1/2 cup vinegar to 1 gallon of water (or 2 tablespoons per quart)

Fixtures

To clean stainless steel, chrome, fiberglass, ceramic, porcelain or enamel fixtures, dissolve 2 tbsp baking soda in 1 qt of water.

Rust Stain and Hard Water Deposit Remover

Apply full-strength vinegar or lemon juice and let stand until spot disappears, then rinse. Repeat if necessary.

Soap Scum

Apply baking soda dry or as a thick paste, rub vigorously with a wet sponge, then rinse.

Home Made Drain Cleaner

Pour half a box of baking soda down the drain.
Pour vinegar over top of the baking soda to create a foaming action.
Allow the foam to settle, and repeat until all of the baking soda is gone.
Enjoy a fresher smelling drain, and more money in your pocket.

Cleaning with Vinegar

Cleaners don't have to be pricey or chemical-laden to be effective. In fact, they don't even have to be store-bought. Create your own all-purpose cleaner by filling a spray bottle with equal parts white vinegar and water. Then, shake up the mixture, and you're ready for your next cleaning spree.

Why This Works

The acetic acid in vinegar kills viruses, germs, bacteria and mold. It also dissolves tough mineral deposits and stains like those found in sinks, toilets and tubs.

Benefits of Cleaning with Vinegar

inexpensive
no harsh chemicals
effective sanitizer
effective stain remover
safe for most surfaces

Warnings

1) Do not use on marble

2) Test on a small area before using on finished wood surfaces or tile

3) As with any cleaner, you should avoid all contact with the eyes

Homemade Floor Cleaner

Homemade cleaners can save you hundreds of dollars per year. I have been making my own for years, with better results than the store bought brands. I use the following recipe for cleaning my floors:

1/4 cup Dish soap
4 cups White Vinegar
2 cup Lemon juice
2 cups Water

This recipe works best on laminate floors, vinyl, or linoleum. Just place the mixture into a spray bottle and spray onto the floor and use a high quality microfiber mop to mop it up. If you get a sticky residue, try using less dish soap. You can also rinse with water to reduce the residue.

Keep your tile shower clean longer

Here's a simple trick to keep your tile shower clean longer. Once you have completely cleaned it, apply a paste wax and buff out with a clean towel. The wax will keep water stains, mildew, even soap scum from attaching to the surface. Reapply once you notice that the water stops running off it as easily. This is a great trick after your big spring cleaning, it will save you a ton of time and keep your shower looking great longer!

Home made carpet deoderizer

To make your own deodorizer using natural ingredients, combine equal parts of corn starch and baking soda in a medium sized bowl. To give it a wonderful scent and to add to a sanitizer add about a dozen drops of lavender oil. Mix well and place into a shaker . You can use any old shaker container or make your own by punching holes into a coffee can. If you have two of them left over, use the plastic lids to seal in the freshness. Once your deoderizer is complete, sprinkle liberally on your carpets. Let it sit for about an hour and then vacuum thoroughly.

Please use caution when using home made cleaners always spot test in a Inconspicuous area before applying. Handy Clean L.L.C. is not responsible for damages that may occur from using any home made cleaners on this site.

Home Recipes

All-Purpose Cleaner
1/2 cup (125 ml) pure soap
1 gallon (4 litres) hot water
For a clean scent and to help cut grease add 1/4 cup (60 ml) of lemon juice.
This solution is safe for all surfaces, should be rinsed with water, and is very effective for most jobs. For a stronger cleaner, double the amounts of soap and lemon juice.

Scouring Powder
Use a firm bristle brush and scrub with pure soap combined with either table salt or baking soda.
Baking soda alone on a damp sponge is also effective on most surfaces. You can also personalize your scouring powder by adding an aromatic herb or flower. Put the ingredients in a blender and run until the fragrance has infused the powder.
For oven spills, scrub using straight baking soda or combine with the stronger version of the all purpose cleaner.
Remember to wear gloves when scrubbing.

Air Fresheners
Commercial air fresheners work by masking smells and coating the nasal passages with chemicals which diminish the sense of smell by deadening the nerves. Avoid these products. Instead, try the all-natural air purifiers — house plants. Or try these natural recipes to diminish odour and add a fragrant smell to your house:

Use baking soda in your garbage or refrigerator to help reduce odours at their source.
Dissolve 1 tsp (5 ml) of baking soda in 2 cups (500 ml) of hot water, add 1 tsp (5 ml) lemon juice. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray as you would an air freshener.
Place a few slices of a citrus fruit, cloves or cinnamon in a pot with enough water to simmer gently for an hour or two.

Liquid Dish Soap
Grate a bar of pure soap into a sauce pan. Cover with water and simmer over low heat until they melt together. Add some vinegar to the water for tough grease and to remove spots. Pour into a container and use as you would any liquid dishwashing soap.

Mirrors, Glass and Windows
Wash with pure soap and water, rinse with a solution of 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water. Use washable, reusable cheese cloth instead of paper towels.

Carpets

To fully clean and deodorize carpets
Vacuum, liberally sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda, leave one hour, then vacuum again. For tougher stains, try cold soda water or repeatedly blot with vinegar and soapy water.

Polishes
Most store-bought polishes contain solvents harmful to the environment. Aresol sprays are wasteful and also contain harmful gases.

Furniture Polish: Dissolve 1 tsp (5 ml) lemon oil in 1 cup (250 ml) vegetable oil. Apply with a clean dry rag.
Floor Polish: Melt 1/8 cup (30 ml) paraffin wax in a double boiler. Add 1 quart/litre mineral oil and a few drops of lemon oil. Apply with a rag, allow to dry and polish.

Polishing Metals

Copper: Try lemon juice and a little salt or hot vinegar and a little salt on a rag.
Chrome: Try white flour on a dry rag.
Brass: Try equal parts salt and flour, with a little vinegar on a dry rag.
Silver: Bring to a boil in a large pan: 1 quart/litre water, 1 Tbsp (15 ml) salt, 1 Tbsp (15 ml) baking soda and a strip of aluminum foil. Drop in silver, boil for 3 minutes and polish with a soft cloth. Or polish with a paste of wood ash and water. Note: These methods should be done on sterling silver only and not on silver plate.

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Cleaning Tips