Your best cleaning tip!

[trailmix 77]

So I just thought it would be interesting to share cleaning tips - i'm sure a lot of you have great ways of doing things - easier ways of doing things etc etc - or if someone has a cleaning question, we can put it here. Or maybe you have found a great 'green' product.

I'll start, this is the best cleaning type idea anyone has given me (my Sister) - that is, putting parchment or wax paper on top of your cupboards. It saves having to get up there and scrub them all the time and you can, obviously, remove and replace the paper as often as you like.

[JillA 2]

Ohhh wax paper is a good idea! Right now I use tea towels, I'll try wax paper.

I am a huge cleaning person, I love cleaning, I don't find it a chore really. A few months ago I decided to stop using harsh chemicals when cleaning. Sometimes, after scrubbing the tub I would literally choke and felt sick, it was all the chemicals being inhaled. I realized, I am probably giving myself cancer! So, I've started using vinegar and water for most things! Works so well, and smells fine too! For windex, I use "green works".

Before vaccuming, I sprinkle scented baking soda on the carpet.

[trailmix 77]

I use baking soda and vinegar to clean the bathtub etc! It doesn't smell great really - so i usually put the vinegar in the tub or sink and then sprinkle baking soda on it and let it sit for a while.

[Ban Hammer 13,586]

my best cleaning tip - let the wife do it.

[minnew 4]

Oh I was told by one of my former co-workers that if you have a baked-on mess in your casserole dish or roasting pan to let it soak with warm water and put a dryer sheet (bounce) in it. I tried it and it works like a charm! Other than doing dishes, thank goodness for dishwashers! I hate cleaning, hence a previous thread, i would definitely hire a housekeeper!

[July09Bride 1]

To clean up splatters in the microwave... get a washcloth damp, and put it in the microwave for a few seconds (no more than 10). When you open the door, be VERY careful! The washcloth will be extremely hot. Carefully use the heated washcloth (or another warm-water wet washcloth) to wipe down your splattered microwave walls. The walls should wipe clean, nicely.

[Danu 19]

If you don't like the scent of the vinegar you can always put some extract in the water as well to help with the scent. My favorite is peppermint because it gives everything a nice minty clean smell.

[July09Bride 1]

Oooh... another is the new Brilliant Citrus home deodorizer spray from Bath and Body Works. I believe it is relatively eco-friendly (don't think it is "green", though). Works like Febreeze, but better. Not as perfume-y smelling. Works VERY well on dog beds and other "odiferous" areas.

Trailmix, this thread is such a great idea! Thank you for starting it!

[JillA 2]

To clean up splatters in the microwave... get a washcloth damp, and put it in the microwave for a few seconds (no more than 10). When you open the door, be VERY careful! The washcloth will be extremely hot. Carefully use the heated washcloth (or another warm-water wet washcloth) to wipe down your splattered microwave walls. The walls should wipe clean, nicely.

Ohhh I need this tip! Some melted butter exploded in my microwave a bit ago, and I still can't get the yellow stains out

[Krikit 1,165]

Hmm. I know I've got lots of tips but I can't think of any right now! But I will mention (since I'm doing the laundry) that I love the Arm & Hammer powdered detergent! My drycleaner told me about it. He also told me about their underarm deodorant because he was talking about how some of the shirts he gets are really badly stained. He says that ever since he started using the A&H, he hasn't had underarm stains. We tried it and we like it too. Plus, I love the fact that it's all natural, so I don't have to worry about any chemicals seeping through my pores and accumulating in my brain. I still get a little creeped out by the fact that a study showed that Alzheimer's patients had a lot of aluminum in their brains.... and that's what a lot of deodorants have in them.

Oh. And I use twice as much detergent in my wash as the directions tell me to. But that's because I have one of those large capacity washers.

Okay. Back to cleaning.

Ohhh I need this tip! Some melted butter exploded in my microwave a bit ago, and I still can't get the yellow stains out

Baking soda and water paste!

Oh dear. I can see it's going to be hard to leave this thread.

[July09Bride 1]

To clean up splatters in the microwave... get a washcloth damp, and put it in the microwave for a few seconds (no more than 10). When you open the door, be VERY careful! The washcloth will be extremely hot. Carefully use the heated washcloth (or another warm-water wet washcloth) to wipe down your splattered microwave walls. The walls should wipe clean, nicely.

Ohhh I need this tip! Some melted butter exploded in my microwave a bit ago, and I still can't get the yellow stains out

Hmmm... not sure about stains, though. Maybe add just a TOUCH of lemon juice? Perhaps the acidity might help, without stinking up the microwave with chemical smells?? I was origially thinking perhaps vinegar, but I'm afraid food would smell and taste like vinegar afterwards!!! Yuck!

Ohhh I need this tip! Some melted butter exploded in my microwave a bit ago, and I still can't get the yellow stains out

Baking soda and water paste!

Oh dear. I can see it's going to be hard to leave this thread.

Yea!!! I will remember that. Thanks, Krikit!

[MrsCat 6]

Great Thread Tmixy

I pour left over Coke in the toilet and let it sit for 5 minutes. I leaves a clean toilet without any scrubbing. The citric acid breaks down everything on the sides of the bowl.

[Krikit 1,165]

I use Lysol toilet bowl cleaner because it works great and smells minty fresh.

[MrsCat 6]

I use Lysol toilet bowl cleaner because it works great and smells minty fresh.

Minty fresh toilet water is a priority.

This is my bible for cleaning.

[Krikit 1,165]

Oh! Oh! Does anyone know how to fold a fitted sheet properly? I tried following Martha's step-by-step guide and it still comes out a mess.

Speaking of Martha.... Is that book any good, Cat?