Post your cleaning tips

[doodlebug 3]

I am looking for a new mop and wondered if anyone had a favorite mop that they use and swear by?

Also, I thought maybe people could post a few cleaning tools that they just cannot live without, whether they be Clorox wipes, plain old Windex, etc.

I love SOS pads!!! They just really do a good job on pots and pans.

Also love good old fashioned Ajax for cleaning a lot of things such as sinks, tubs, etc.

[Cassie 8]

Vinegar and baking soda have a variety of cleaning uses and they work awesome. And cheap too!

[MissStacey 1]

I like Mr Clean. I use it for everything.

And mountain berry windex smells good.

[JODO 2]

Molly Maid oh and routine daily cleaning so things do not get out of hand.

[Sinergy 3]

Mr. Clean rules

[MissStacey 1]

Molly Maid oh and routine daily cleaning so things do not get out of hand.

Cool. Mel has cleaning ladies that come here every 2 weeks. I like that.

[~Jackie~ 30]

Comet cleanser (keeps my kitchen sink purty)

Jackie

[Marilyn. 340]

How to clean your house using your computer:

1. Open a new file in you computer

2. Name it "Housework"

3. Send it to the Recycle Bin

4. Empty the Recycle Bin

5. PC will ask "Are you sure you want to delete housework permanently?

6. Answer calmly......."YES" and press mouse button firmly

7. ALL DONE...........Don't you feel better now?

[Marilyn. 340]

i live by these 10 rules of housekeeping....

1. Vacuuming too often weakens the carpet fibers. Say this with a serious face, and shudder delicately whenever anyone mentions Carpet Fresh.

2. Dust bunnies cannot evolve into dust rhinos when disturbed. Rename the area under the couch "The Galapagos Islands" and claim an ecological exemption.

3. Layers of dirty film on windows and screens provide a helpful filter against harmful and aging rays from the sun. Call it an SPF factor of 5 and leave it alone.

4. Cobwebs artfully draped over lampshades reduces the glare from the bulb, thereby creating a romantic atmosphere. If your husband points out that the light fixtures need dusting, simply look affronted and exclaim, "What? And spoil the mood?"

5. In a pinch, you can always claim that the haphazard tower of unread magazines and newspapers next to your chair provides the valuable Feng Shui aspect of a tiger, thereby reducing your vulnerability. Roll your eyes when you say this.

6. Explain the mound of pet hair brushed up against the doorways by claiming you are collecting it there to use for stuffing handsewn play animals for underprivileged children.

7. If unexpected company is coming, pile everything unsightly into one room and close the door. As you show your guests through your tidy home, rattle the door knob vigorously, fake a growl and say, "I'd love you to see our Den, but Fluffy hates to be disturbed and the shots are SO expensive."

8. If dusting is REALLY out of control, simply place a showy urn on the coffee table and insist that "THIS is where Grandma wanted us to scatter her ashes..."

9. Don't bother repainting. Simply scribble lightly over a dirty wall with an assortment of crayons, and try to muster a glint of tears as you say, "Junior did this the week before that unspeakable accident... I haven't had the heart to clean it..."

10. Mix one-quarter cup pine-scented household cleaner with four cups of water in a spray bottle. Mist the air lightly. Leave dampened rags in conspicuous locations. Develop an exhausted look, throw yourself onto the couch, and sigh, "I clean and I clean and I still don't get anywhere..."

******************************

seriously though... I love my Swiffer Wet Jet..

I just want to get the Swiffer sweep and vac and my life will be complete

Edited August 9, 2007 by MarilynP

[LuzyC 0]

Resolve does good for carpet stains. Easy-off for stove and ovens and good for pots and pans too!

It made my cleaning easy.

[essjay 0]

[~Jackie~ 30]

Rules for vaccuming:

3 times a week, 5 SLOW passes.

(source: The Carpet and Rug Institute-who I affectionatly refer to as the ole CRI)

Jackie

[Jasman0717 9]

Vinegar and baking soda have a variety of cleaning uses and they work awesome. And cheap too!

[doodlebug 3]

This is great (especially the jokes ) ! Keep 'em coming! Never heard of the vinegar tip before!

[Marilyn. 340]

House Cleaning Tips or 30 Minutes to a Cleaner House

You're getting company in 30 minutes. Your house is a mess.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the first session of Housekeeping Tips for New Mothers. If you're a Martha Stewart type of housekeeper, this column is NOT for you. However, for the rest of you, this is your chance to learn 15 Secret Shortcuts to Good Housekeeping that your mother never told you.

SECRET TIP 1: DOOR LOCKS

If a room clearly can't be whipped into shape in 30 days, much less 30 minutes, employ the Locked Door Method of cleaning. Tell anyone who tries to go in the room that you accidentally locked the door and can't find the key. Of course, the locksmith can't possibly come until tomorrow. CAUTION: It is not advisable to use this tip for the bathroom.

Time: 2 seconds

SECRET TIP 2: DUCT TAPE

No home should be without an ample supply. Not only is it handy for plumbing repairs, but it's a great way to hem drapes, tablecloths, clothes, just about anything. No muss, no fuss.

Time: 2-3 minutes

SECRET TIP 3: OVENS

If you think ovens are just for baking, think again. Ovens represent at least 9 cubic feet of hidden storage space, which means they're a great place to shove dirty dishes, dirty clothes, or just about anything you want to get out of sight when company's coming.

Time: 2 minutes

SECRET TIP 4: CLOTHES DRYERS

Like Secret Tip 3, except bigger. CAUTION: Avoid hiding flammable objects here.

Time: 2.5 minutes

SECRET TIP 5: WASHING MACHINES & FREEZERS

Like Secret Tip 4, except even bigger.

Time: 3 minutes

SECRET TIP 6: DUST RUFFLES

No bed should be without one. Devotees of Martha Stewart believe dust ruffles exist to keep dust out from under a bed or to help coordinate the colorful look of a bedroom. The rest of us know a dust ruffle's highest and best use is to hide whatever you've managed to shove under the bed. (Refer to Secret Tips 3, 4, 5.)

Time: 4 minutes

SECRET TIP 7: DUSTING

The 30-Minutes-To-A-Clean-House method says: Never dust under what you can dust around.

Time: 3 minutes

SECRET TIP 8: DISHES

Don't use them. Use plastic or paper plates and you won't have to.

Time: 1 minute

SECRET TIP 9: CLOTHES WASHING (EEWWW)

This secret tip is brought to you by an inventive teenager. When this teen's mother went on a housekeeping strike for a month, the teen discovered you can extend the life of your underwear by two ...if you turn it wrong side out and, yes, rerun it. CAUTION: This tip is recommended only for teens and those who don't care if they get in a car wreck.

Time: 3 seconds

SECRET TIP 10: IRONING

If an article of clothing doesn't require a full press and your hair does, a curling iron is the answer. In between curling your hair, use the hot wand to iron minor wrinkles out of your clothes. Yes, it really does work, or so I'm told, by other disciples of the 30-Minutes-To-A-Clean-House philosophy.

Time: 5 minutes (including curling your hair)

SECRET TIP 11: VACUUMING

Stick to the middle of the room, which is the only place people look. Don't bother vacuuming under furniture. It takes way too long and no one looks there anyway.

Time: 5 minutes, entire house; 2 minutes, living room only

SECRET TIP 12: LIGHTING

The key here is low, low, and lower. It's not only romantic, but bad lighting can hide a multitude of dirt.

Time: 10 seconds

SECRET TIP 13: BED MAKING

Get an old-fashioned waterbed. No one can tell if those things are made up or not, saving you, oh, hundreds of seconds over the course of a lifetime.

Time: 0

SECRET TIP 14: SHOWERS, TOILETS, AND SINKS

Forget one and two. Concentrate on three.

Time: 1 minute

SECRET TIP 15:

If you already knew at least 10 of these tips, don't even think about inviting a Martha Stewart type to your home.