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Brilliant! Home maintenance cleaning hacks
SUMMARY: This article discusses seven simple cleaning tools and seven everyday homeowner solutions that can remedy most spills, stains and unwanted blemishes on household surfaces.
One of the most underrated aspects of home maintenance are methods of cleanup due to house living and repair. Here are some of the proven ways I have found to address the spills, stains and messes left behind. What follows are the implements, chemicals and methods I have discovered keep a house looking sharp. Of course, use proper personal protection equipment and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations!
CLEANING IMPLEMENTS
Rags. It all begins here! When a bath towel is stained or begins to unravel its useful life is only halfway finished. The same applies to cotton sheets and under shirts. Take these and cut them into 12-18 inch squares and shove them into a bucket or shopping bag. Use these like you would a paper towel. Toss them away when finished. They soak more, are more durable and permit aggressive rubbing without causing damage to surfaces. In most situations the repurposed rag is better than sponges, coarse scrub pads, and brushes.
Brushes. Whether it be scrub brush with firm bristles for cleaning larger areas, or a re-purposed toothbrush, these are essential for deep cleaning and tough to reach corners.
Straight edge razor. This is great for cleaning windows and clear glass finishes. A clean, sharp blade will wipe through specks of dried paint, goop and other dried materials like a hot knife through butter. Be warned: Straight edge razors may damage clear glass cooktops and glossy hardwood floor with scratches or gouges. If trying to clean a difficult to remove material from these surfaces, I add water to the surface, very gently loosen unwanted materials with the blade, and limit myself to a very limited area. Always use a straight edge razor holder, wear gloves and slide the blade away from your body.
Toothpick. The wood toothpick is perfectly designed for tight spaces and crevices. The added advantage is wood toothpicks rarely scratches and damage hard surfaces and finishes. Keeping several on hand allow these one-time implements to be tossed away and a fresh, sharp one to be used on the same project.
Q-tip. Swap the pointed tip of a toothpick with a squab of cotton and you have the incredible Q-tip. Keep a stock of these with the cleaning supplies. Dip, apply, scrub and throw away.
Mega sponge. Keep a big one available. Very large sponges can soak up spills and cover large areas with a single swipe in a way small kitchen sponges cannot. How much water can a mega sponge hold? How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? The world will never know!
Bucket. Where’s an available bucket when you need one!? Designate one bucket with a handle and optional pouring spout as the go-to cleaning bucket. Whether it be mixing a cleaning solution, collecting water from a spill or catching a leak under a sink this bucket will be invaluable.
CLEANING CHEMICALS
Water. Duh. Heat it up and you’ve raised its effectiveness! Technically, the chemical designation of water (H2O) classifies it as an acid. This is why dried oatmeal and burnt eggs on a fry pan break down with an overnight soak. This is the truly green and safest cleaning chemical on planet Earth! Our bodies are mostly this material so clean without fear of skin, face or eye contact!
Dish detergent. If water is the gentlest and most mild of all cleaning options, this is the next step up. Very little will be damaged or contaminated when using this food-grade cleaning solution. Boiling hot water increases dish detergent’s effectiveness, so if you are struggling with carpet stains or odors heat it up for more cleaning power.
Goo Gone. When water and dish detergent are not enough, this is a mild cleaner that gets anything sticky off surfaces. Pitch, glue, and remnants of tape adhesive will easily wipe off. I have used it to take labels off of canning jars, stickers off of plastic totes and pitch off tools.
Goof Off. A pro level cleaner that deals with unwanted paint and tougher stains. Even years after paint spills have dried on a floor or ceiling I have been able to clean up. Be warned, this takes all the paint off not just the unwanted paint. You can also remove finishes of hardwood flooring, vinyl products and furniture. The use of Goof Off requires a clean rag with each application because the removed material can be re-applied on a second swipe resulting in a bigger mess. Spot application is best to limit the removal of other materials.
Magic eraser. This is well named! I might even call this the cousin of Goof Off in sponge form. Be careful because like its cousin this can magically remove finishes and paint from walls or baseboard millwork. With a little water and a gentle scrub the sponge and stain disappear.
Dry erase marker. This is the antidote to Sharpie permanent marker mishaps and unwanted markings. I found if I write over the sharpie marker, even long after it is dried, this will remove most of the original marker ink. Wipe off the dry erase with a rag or the eraser block and presto, practically new!
Bleach. Mix the solution 10 parts water to one part bleach. Store in a spray bottle and apply to the area of organic growth, molds, and mildews. Be sure to wear gloves and adequate eye protection. Let the solution sit on what you are cleaning for a few minutes and then wipe away. Don’t forget this will remove color in fabrics, upholstery and carpets. It will also harm your eyes, soft tissue in your nose and mouth and be very rough on your skin if exposed.
Final Warning about these cleaning implements and chemicals. Please be mindful of your children, their sensitive bodies and their endless curiosity. Especially if they have ready-access to these or are using them for chores. Keep these well out of reach and supervise your kids using them! It will go better for their health, the condition of your home and mental well-being!
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