Helpful Hints By Fastfreta #3....Random Cleaning Tips

I wrote a hub, I Love To Clean, a few months ago, so periodically I'd like to share some of my household cleaning tips. In this hub you will see a cross section of my own cleaning tips, some I've learned through research still others from friends and associates. These tips are in no particular order. In addition, I'd like to add, they are also very economical, using things you might already have around the house. So, I hope you'll pick up a tip or two that you can use in your household cleaning efforts.

• To remove grease from walls, a mixture of hot water, white vinegar, baking soda and ammonia works wonders.
• To clean painted walls, dish washing liquid and hot water is all you will need in most instances.
• Wall paper, sometimes a slice of bread works well on fingerprints, and other smudges. Grease spots can be remedied with talc powder and a cloth. The powder must sit on the stain for a few minutes, then wiped or brushed away.

• I usually keep laundry detergent in my bathroom for my hand washables. I recently discovered this cleaning tip. I pour a little on a cloth and thoroughly clean my tub in short order. For this I use liquid detergent. However, I learned from my son that powder detergent should be used periodically to keep drains running smoothly. So I must try that one.
• Rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle will give the caulk around your tub a good cleaning, it kills the mildew, and any germs associated with it.
• How about those old bathtub decals, want them out, gone? Here's an easy remedy. Use a half cup of white vinegar, warmed. After briefly soaking a cloth in the vinegar, place it over the decal, let it sit for a few minutes, about 15 or 20, afterwards, simply peel the decal off the tub.

• Of course most of us know the tried and trusted method of newspaper and vinegar for a thorough window washing job. However there is another method that works just as well. That's rubbing alcohol, white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, and paper towels.
• For a cloudy flower vase, or any glass that has the same problem, I use a thoroughly drenched kitchen soap pad, before washing.
• Oh, those cloudy shower doors, a lemon with seeds removed rubbed over the doors and left standing for a few minutes, then rinsed, will bring them back to their original luster.

• Does your home phone sometimes remind you of a throwback to the old public pay phone, want to get it back to something resembling an object worthy of handling? In addition to the regular cleaning, I use a Q-tip and a toothpick. Dip the Q-tip in alcohol and clean between the buttons. The toothpick is for the tiny crevices that can't be reached otherwise.
• Got a red wine stain, try club soda immediately after the spill, blot repeatedly.
• Hairspray works wonders on lipstick on your collar, or any fabric.
• Another beauty aid, shampoo, gets rid of soap scum from shower doors and tile, remember all those almost empty bottles, well there you go, use them.
• For Vinyl floors, if there's anymore out there, suggestions for removing scuff marks. When I had mine, I used Comet on a wet cloth, however I found another method that I've never tried, but here it is, regular, non gel toothpaste, squirted and rubbed with a cloth. Sounds good, so give that a try.

Now that you've seen some of my household cleaning tips, feel free to add any that you think would benefit us.