How to Clean Stainless Steel With Olive Oil & Vinegar When you bought your beautiful stainless steel appliances, the helpful salesperson probably didn't mention that within minutes of installation they would look like they'd been licked by a hound dog and wiped off with a piece of buttered toast. Well you can have bright and shiny stainless steel in your kitchen - without the overpriced stainless steel cleaner you'll find in stores. First, pour a little olive oil on a rag. Wipe the stainless steel surface all over with the oil. You'll be amazed at how it effortlessly lifts fingerprints and shines your appliances. Then dampen another rag with white vinegar and rub over it again. This method not only cleans and shines your stainless steel, but it will keep it smudge free for … [Read more...]
How to Clean Throw Pillows
Photo Credit: M.Markus How do you clean throw pillows for the couch without turning them into a lumpy, misshapen mess? Throw pillows covered in silk or wool must be dry cleaned, as should* throw pillows filled with down. Hopefully, if you have down filled throw pillows, they have a zippered cover that can be washed separately. *It is possible to wash down pillows on the delicate or hand-washing cycle of your washing machine, but this is a choice you must make as a consumer, knowing that your pillows may be damaged. Keep in mind that front loading washing machines tend to yield better results than top loading. Check the tag of the pillow, you know the "to be removed only by the consumer under penalty of law tag?" This should give proper care advice, but as most of us find these tags … [Read more...]
Spring Cleaning Children’s Rooms – Checklists and Chore Charts
Spring can be a magical time. A time to open up the windows and let the fresh breeze sweep through the house taking with it cobwebs and dust bunnies and the stale aroma of winter. A time to fluff our aprons and twirl our brooms and sing joyfully as our home suddenly begins to sparkle and come alive like flowers bursting forth into this new season. Okay, maybe not, but a girl can dream. The thought of spring cleaning may not evoke sudden feelings of glee or excitement but it doesn’t have to be completely dreadful either. With a little creativity and effort (and a lot of grace), you may find that making your home sparkle and come alive can be more than just a fairytale. Avoid Stress Make it teamwork. Be brave and allow your child to be part of the process. Keep it … [Read more...]
How to Clean Hardwood Floors
Clean your wood floors with ease. Image Credit: Mirage Flooring Hardwood floors are absolutely lovely in a home. They look great with almost any décor and can make a small space seem much bigger. In the winter, they stay a bit warmer than tile floors. They are more hygienic than carpeted floors and more durable than linoleum. For all the positive traits of wood floors, they do have one tiny drawback. They can be tricky to maintain. In order to keep them looking their best, wood floors need to be cleaned often and cared for without the use of harsh chemicals or abrasive tools. Here’s a little guide to help you keep your wood floors in tip top shape – without a lot of hassle. Choose a mild cleaning solution. Supermarket shelves are laden with a variety of wood floor cleaners … [Read more...]
How to Clean a Microfiber Couch
Microfiber suede materials are now used in many different types of furniture. That's not surprising, given its increased level of comfort and resistance to spills and stains. Still, you wouldn't clean a microfiber couch in the same way that you would clean a couch made from other materials. Information on how to clean microfiber doesn't usually come with the furniture. While finding the care and maintenance information can be challenging, the cleaning itself is actually quite simple. This step-by-step guide will walk you through cleaning your microfiber couch. Step 1: Do some preliminary vacuuming. Using a vacuum, preferably a deep cleaning device such as one of the Bissell vacuums, do a thorough once over on the couch. The best approach is generally to use a soft-bristled … [Read more...]
