Potassium bitartrate (cream of tarter) can be mixed with an acidic liquid such as lemon juice or white vinegar to make a paste-like cleaning agent for metals such as brass, aluminum or copper, or with water for other cleaning applications such as removing light stains from porcelain.

The much easier solution is to clean the hard water/soap scum frequently so you don’t have a big tough job of scrubbing.

The number one method to keep cloth furniture clean is prevention.   Avoid having dirty or potentially have leather couches in the family room and the nicer cloth furniture in the living room.  That being said here are a few things to do the keep and clean cloth upholstery.

Vacuum regularly using a dusting attachment (the attachment with brushes) this helps loosen dust and dirt making the cleaning and any future spills much easier.  Be sure the vacuum under the cushions as well (you will find loose change), but crumbs always work their way under the cushions.

Uphostery Cleaning

If you have a stain which needs removing use a general purpose spot cleaner and clean by following the package instructions, it is always better to tamp or blot stains, rubbing damages fibres and sets stains.  Here is a recipe for a good home made spotter for cloth upholstery.

Mix ¼ cup of laundry soap with warm water if you use a mixer or a whisk you can mix to a froth and use the foam as your spotter.  Apply with a clean cloth or sponge, tamp or blot the stain as the stain breaks down into the foam remove with a kitchen scraper. Rinse by using cool water and blotting with a dry white towel.  Always test a small area on and unseen spot on the upholstery first to be sure there are no adverse affects.

If you have a fresh stain always blot with a clean white towel first to absorb as much of the spill before having to put out the cleaning supplies.  Often immediate blotting with remove much if not all of the spill.

Tip 1:

If you are storing away your winter clothes, consider using large plastic storage containers that feature snap-on lids. These can be found in the house wares department at most stores and are very inexpensive. Storage containers are very important to keeping your clothes dust and discoloration free, which may otherwise be a problem if they are left hanging in the closet from one season to the next.

Tip 2:

When packing your clothes, roll them instead of folding. This not only eliminates creases and wrinkles, but also saves a lot of space. You will be able to pack a lot more clothes with this technique.

Tip 3:

Label your clothing containers as “Spring”, “Fall” and “Winter”. This will help you to easily locate your wardrobe inside the closet.

If you have any clothing that you don’t plan to wear or simply have outgrown, consider donating them to a local goodwill or other nonprofit organization. Rather than tossing them out, your clothes can provide revenue for a worthy cause and help the less fortunate to be able to afford clothing that would otherwise be unattainable.

Tip 4:

If you are looking to clear out some knick-knacks or perhaps even some Holiday decorations in order to make room for new ones, consider a trip to the local flea market. Everyone is looking for a bargain and they just may be looking for something that you no longer wish to own. A setup fee is usually required which, depending on the location, can be $10.00 to 20.00 per day. Otherwise, you can always sell items at internet auction sites, including Yahoo and eBay.

Tip 5:

Break down your chore list so that the overall task will be easier.  For the bigger outside jobs like pressure washing driveways and decks etc. hire a company to make the over job of spring cleaning easy.  Then break down the inside room by room and break it down over time to make it easier.

-          You will always keep up with your cleaning so you won’t be overwhelmed with cleaning tasks.

-          Your home will be an overall healthier environment.

-          You will have extra time for larger tasks if you always keep up with the basics.

-          You don’t have to worry about dusty shelves if you see them, because you know it will be taken care on the scheduled time etc.

-          Cleaning is very easy if it is done often, the dirt never builds up to the point where it is difficult to clean. Just be sure to have all the needed janitorial supplies on hand!

-          Most surfaces and or objects last longer if they are clean.

Cleaning Schedules

Cleaning up Antifreeze

If there are no antifreeze recycling machines in your area, then flushing it down the drain is the next best step, though it is illegal in some areas and can still cause pollution. You should call your local waste water treatment facility to determine if they can accept antifreeze. If they can, then you can flush anti freeze diluted with water down your drain one gallon at a time. The best time to flush the diluted antifreeze is usually during the week, when the sewage system is in full use so that the antifreeze can be passed through the system quickly.  If you have septic systems do not flush down the drain.

Additionally, some landfills or garbage transfer stations accept non hazardous antifreeze, in most cases this information can be found online on the company or government websites.

If you have spilled antifreeze do you best to collect as much as possible using towels and or mop and water and dispose the collected antifreeze diluted with water as stated above.

Additional Information

Antifreeze should not be poured down storm drains, into rivers or on the ground.

Store Antifreeze in a closed container away from animals, as they can be attracted to its scent.

Do not mix antifreeze with any other waste product that is thrown in the trash.

Use only properly labelled containers to reduce the possibility of mixing chemicals.

Cleaning up Antifreeze?

Cleaning your ceiling is frequently overlooked; with dead bugs and cobwebs, and other debris can your ceiling be a not so nice focal point as people enter your home.

Cleaning Your Ceiling

If you are lucky and have an un-textured ceiling, then cleaning will be much easier.  You will be able to use a flat hard floor mop or doodle bug to clean your ceiling.  Be sure to vacuum up cobwebs and dust before attempting any wet cleaning.  A general purpose cleaner and water will be fine but use very little soap and be sure to really wring out your flat mop or doodle bug.  Using safety glasses is best to prevent water/soap from dripping on you.  But you should be using your handle in a 45 degree angle so drips fall away from you.  If you are above carpet a drop cloth is advisable.

If your ceiling is low enough you will not need a step stool or ladder, but if you have vaulted ceilings you may need to acquire one. If you use a ladder, be sure to perform this task with a trusted friend at the base of the ladder for safety’s sake. Choose the direction in which you will clean so that you avoid missing spots. When cleaning, press rather firmly against the ceiling to ensure that you are effectively cleaning the area. Once you have finished a small portion of the ceiling, rinse the mop in clean water or use very little soap.  The less soap residue the better it is. Follow these steps for the remainder of the ceiling and let dry.

If you have a textured ceiling then vacuuming with a dusting attachment maybe your only option, spot cleaning can even be a challenge depending on how loose the texture is, you can try dry methods of cleaning like brushing with a soft brush or if it is the type of textured ceiling that isn’t too loose a soot sponge can be effective as well.  A soot sponge is a hard rubbery sponge which can be found at any janitorial supply store and is effect way to clean delicate surfaces, as the dirt transfers to the sponge you just clean the sponge and continue.  In my case when I moved into my 20 year old house the ceiling were visibly yellowing and the best course of action was to pant the entire ceiling. So cleaning your ceiling can be a challenge depending on the type of ceiling and how dirty it is.

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Natural Cleaning Products

http://www.howtocleananything.com/general-cleaning-tips/old-fashioned-home-cleaning-remedies/

Factors to Consider when choosing a house cleaning service

There are a number of house cleaning companies in Albuquerque, NM, as well as individuals who’ve made housekeeping a career.  The best way to find a reliable housekeeper or house cleaning service is to ask your friends and neighbors for recommendations.  Word-of-mouth is the best advertising tool and the best research tool.  Many businesses offer discounts for referrals, too.

Other factors to consider is what kind of service you’re looking for.  Do you want on-going, regular cleaning?  Do you need a one-time deep cleaning?  Do you need someone to clean hard to reach places or things you can’t do yourself? Are you a landlord needing a rental property cleaned?   The type of service you’re looking for will determine the type of business or person that best suits your needs.

Businesses:  House Cleaning Albuquerque, NM

Check out some of these popular (and Better Business Bureau [BBB] accredited) house cleaning businesses.  Prices vary depending on your home’s specific needs and size.  Contact a specific company for a quote.

Cleaning Authority:  Earns an A+ from the BBB, with 0 complaints filed.  The company has been in business since 2003. Contact them at 505-344-9889.

Mini Maid of Albuquerque:  Earns an A+ from the Better Business Bureau, having only one complaint filed since its BBB accreditation in 1983.  The complaint was regarding service and was resolved by Mini Maid.  Contact Mini Maid at 505-881-9233.

Over the Rainbow Cleaning:  Specializes in cleaning movie sets, film locations and studios, but also performs house cleaning services.  Not BBB accredited, but comes highly rated.

Green Cleaning:  Also comes highly rated, although not BBB accredited.  Specializes in green cleaning, as the name says.  Contact Green Cleaning at 505-358-2417.

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Don’t have enough time for house cleaning yourself?  Want a professional look, but aren’t sure how to get it?  If these situations describe you, hiring a housekeeper or professional cleaning company may be right for you.  Below you’ll find a list of housekeeping companies that come highly rated in the Miami area.

Nice-N-Clean Maid Service

Mrs. Clean

A Cleaner Image

Miami Beach Maid Housekeeping Maid Easy

Beyond Cleaning Services

Rental Properties

If you own a property that you rent out, you’ll want to ensure its cleanliness to attract renters.  Many rental properties are used for vacations and if you have a clean property, vacationers will likely come back year after year to vacation at your property.  If rentals are rented on a weekly basis, hiring a cleaning company can be very beneficial.  The company will perform routine cleaning and can also ensure other maintenance items are cleaned as needed-such as blinds, ovens, appliances and walls.

Rental properties used for vacation require extra cleaning on a week-to-week basis.  Be sure the company you hire will change linens, clean tubs and showers, mirrors and clean appliances used often like microwaves and stoves.

Musty Closets & Mildew

Musty closets can be a nuisance in humid climates like Miami.  To combat that musty smell, you can buy specially made products made to keep your closet smelling fresh.  Leaving the light on for short periods of time throughout the day can also help get rid of moisture in your closet.  Air your clothes before rehanging them in the closet or putting them in a hamper, as oils and moisture from your skin get trapped in fabrics throughout the day. 

To keep mildew from gathering on places like shower curtains, use a solution of lemon juice and water to clean, then dry in the sun.  Or clean that shower curtain with a store bought solution made specifically to combat mildew.

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