Helpful Hints By Fastfreta #3....Random Cleaning Tips
70
Introduction
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.
Walls
- 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.
Bathtub
- 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.
Glass Cleaning
- 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.
Miscellaneous
- 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.
Conclusion
Now that you've seen some of my household cleaning tips, feel free to add any that you think would benefit us.
- 7 Inspiring Ways to Keep your House Clean
May 27, 2009 I returned home at midnight this morning, after being gone for two weeks, to find the house a disaster. Molding rice in a child's bowl, on the kitchen table. A bathtub with sticks in it for... - How To Keep Your House Clean
Keeping a clean and organized house is one of my specialties and since I have four kids from teen to toddler, I feel fairly qualified to share some tips on how I do it. I am not exactly sure if you are... - Eco Friendly House Cleaning
Eco friendly house cleaning is more than just using organic soap to clean dishes. It is a lifestyle of recycling, dealing with household hazardous waste, and simple living to make your home a healthy place to be.
 | Amazon Price: $1.75 List Price: $10.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $1.49 |
 | Amazon Price: $7.49 List Price: $9.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $14.99 List Price: $16.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $1.81 List Price: $5.44 |
 | Amazon Price: $3.50 |
CommentsLoading...
Although I've never experienced that anomaly, could it be that it was colored paper? I've heard that you don't use the sale papers, just the black and white printed pages. My experience with the newspaper method has always been successful. Thank you anyway for sharing that with us, if I ever have that experience I'll share it with the readers. Hope to see you again soon Nomada.
Thank you, fastfreda, for these great tips. Where have you been? Ihaven't read anything from you for a long time. I hope you keeping well. All the best.
Great tips, I especially like the lemon on shower doors (never heard of that one, but makes sense!) I do have to mention Mr.Clean Magic Erasers- works awesome!! Not a home remedy but I tried one as last resort to remove a very big art piece left on my wall by my 3 yr old using markers. It takes a good hard scrubbing, but you'd never guess those markings were ever there! Thanks for all these Freta. =)
A clean sweep. Great hub! Clean house, clean mind...
Oops Hello, hello, at the beginning of this month I did publish a few boring hubs dealing with Cosmetic Surgery, and one other. But you're right, I've been laying low, due to "writers block." Thanks for your concern, glad to see you.
_cheryl_, you're right the Magic Erasers do work wonders. Very good for crayon and pencil marks on the walls.
Thank dallas93444 for your great compliment.
Thank you all for visiting the hub and taking time to leave a comment.
Ohh, it probably was colored paper! Thanks. Haha I can be so dumb. :P
Great useful tips that do not challenge the pocketbook. Thanks a heap!
Forever His,
Thanks RevLady, you're right. Thanks for stopping, see you soon.
Fast Freda, Those are some great tips and I am going to try the lemon on my shower doors as they need help. Thanks.
This is the first time I ever heard about using sliced bread for removing fingerprints. - What a unique idea. Great tips fastfreta.
Thanks Pamela, that seems to be a popular one. Let me know how it works, as I've never tried it. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Thanks Veronica, I do still have wallpaper and those tips do work.
Thank you both for stopping and leaving comments, I'll see you soon.
I am amazed when people say they love to clean! Man, I am just the opposite! Fortunately, I don't have to do too much of it, although the things like you described here are usually foisted off onto me. So thanks so much for the tips. A real public service.
Thanks mega1, glad to be of service, and thanks for stopping by, see you again soon.
I treasure a storehouse of "everyday" cleaning supplies and methods. It doesn't mean one should never use well-tested and reliable commercial products. But those are not all created equal!
Thank you for sharing your research, personal use and tips gathered from others. Very valuable and much appreciated!!
some great ideas, i hate housework, how about you come and try your ideas out here.
Thanks for the cleaning tips. I am moving from my apartment in August and I do want my deposit back!
I agree Nellieanna, they are not always created equal.
Joy, as you no doubt know from my hub of the same name, I Love To Clean, I wish I were near you, I would do just that.
2besure, be sure to use some of the methods that I mentioned and you should get your deposit back.
Thank you all for stopping and taking the time to leave a comment, see you soon.
Great hub. I liked knowing about the toothpaste and black floor marks. Can you tell me if this works on wooden floors as well as vinyl? Thanks a bunch.
Thanks vocalcoach, you know I haven't tried it on my wood floors, but the next time I get a scuff mark I'll try it. Thanks for stopping, see you soon.
These are great tips. I will be trying your first bathroom tip today. Thanks.
Fastfreta you never cease to amaze me. But by golly you cannot make me like house cleaning no matter how many hints you give me.
Great hub as usual!
Fastfreta, I always have my eye out for quick, inexpensive but effective cleaning tips. So I really appreciate this hub...thank you so much!!
Thanks KoffeeDlatch Gals, I'll look to hear how it works.
Aw come on Mireille G, you can do it, just think how you'll feel when you see that sparkle, in your sink, on your floor, those nice shiny windows. Oh Well, I tried. LOL!
Sunbrite, you're like me I'm always on the lookout too.
Thank you all for stopping and taking the time to leave a comment. Hope to see you again soon.
HAHA!!!! My mom would love this!!! i love your hubs sooooooo much freta!!!! God bless all you guys!!! :)
Alyssa, you're so encouraging. Thanks for that. I hope your mother gets a chance to read the hub. Please come back soon.
Niece hub,fastfreta.I swear by vinegar. I feel good about using a cleaning product that is safe enough to drink!Works for so many areas of the house. I go through about a quart a week!
Thanks bayoulady for the validation, and I totally agree. Thanks for stopping, see you soon.
i wish you were near me too move accross, you would have a job for life.
And I wouldn't mind Joy, because I really do love to clean.
These are great! Could you come spend a few days with me and show me first hand?? lol. Rated up, friend!
Okay habee, I'll be back in the South next month, get ready, I'll be there. LOL! Thanks, for stopping, the rating and comment. See you soon.
You know that shampoo works wonders in the bathtub. I always seem to wind up with sample bottles or a shampoo that I just don't like - and I tell you that stuff can cut through anything.
I love a clean house and I've been inspired after reading your hubs. Seriously. And even though I was born in Harlem my folks are from NC - and it was unheard of by these Southerners to have a dirty/nasty home - so I grew up in a home where everything shone! It was amazing! And wonderful. Once a woman came to our home and literally lifted the bottom of my feet and was amazed that I walked around barefoot and my feet were spotless!
Love your hubs! Rated up and more!
You're so right Bk, we were not allowed, nor did we want to have a less than spic and span home. I once had a new friend come to my home with white gloves and started wiping down furniture, because she'd heard about my house. Of course I dare her to do it now. Although I am not as conscientious as I use to be, it's still cathartic to clean. Thanks Bk for stopping, see you soon.
Awesome and useful hubs thank you for writing them!
Thanks M.s Fowler for your encouraging comment, hope to see you again soon.
Great tips as usual Miss fastfreta. Me being raised by my granny mostly gave me a love for all the old fashioned remedies! Seems like granny had a cure for everything. Cleaning or otherwise. Her birthday is July 4, Sunday and she is 81. Something she just told me that I hadn't heard was if you stick a piece of chalk in your good silverware drawer(the kind that tarnishes) they wont tarnish. I'm going to try it. Thanks again. And hugs and kisses to those beautiful, sweet grandbabies of yours.
Thank you Lisa, you're sweet. Hey I like that hint from your grandmother. Thanks for stopping, please come back soon.
You tips are just what I was looking for!
WildIris, thank you, glad to be of help. Thanks for stopping, see you soon.
Nice hub,fastfreta. Now can you come and help me clean my house? LOL.
Okay tim-tim, I'll be there. LOL! Thanks for stopping and leaving a comment, see you soon.
Thank you for those great house cleaning tips.
The bathtub advice is key for me I cannot get that thing clean thank you so much
Thank you Sassypoetic and Cole C for stopping and taking the time to leave a comment. You've both encouraged me to continue to find these helpful tips and passing them along. Please come again.
Very good hub Freta. I'll try to remember these tips. I'll have to come back. I can't remember much!
Thanks Micky Dee, I know what you mean about the memory thing, that's why it good that we have bookmarks. Thanks for stopping, see you again soon.
This is very useful!
Thanks Bat Eyes! Please come back.
No, thank you!
You are very kind! :D
I will come back very soon! Good bye!
I like your cleaning tips. My husband is a clean freak, likes the home to be clean, he really enjoyed reading your cleaning tips. I am blessed. I have a husband that works a full-time job and still comes home and cleans. How do I ever repay him? I am sure I can think of something.
I will read more of your posts. In fact I am excited about reading more. Thanks for following me. Teresa
Thank you eventsyoudesign, hang on to him girl, he's one in a million. Thanks for stopping, and thank your husband for reading also. See you soon.
Great cleaning tips, fastfreta! Thanks for this hub.
Thanks Francia, glad to hear from you again.
Nómada 23 months ago
Once, when I found myself sans Windex or paper towels, I used the vinegar and newspaper method, but no matter how hard I cleaned, it left the glass horribly streaky. I still wonder what I was doing wrong...