The Sonic Scrubber – A Review

A while back, a new TV infomercial started showing off the amazing cleaning power of the Sonic Scrubber. No task was too much for this little dynamo! It powered through everything that was thrown at it. Is this the greatest cleaning product ever made? Well, not exactly. The Sonic Scrubber definitely has some wonderful uses, which I will explain later. But it also has a few limitations.

The Sonic Scrubber can truly power through really tough, really small stains.

What the Sonic Scrubber has gotten right. Although it does look like an oversized electronic toothbrush, the speed of the oscillations and the power of the motor turns this device from a tool for oral hygiene to a cleaning machine. The device is lightweight and powered by AA batteries. Surprisingly, the batteries actually last quite a long time, even when I used my rechargeable ones! The different scrubber heads insure the right size and scrubbing surface for the job, and the device can truly power through really tough, really small stains.

What is lacking and not mentioned in the commercials for the Sonic Scrubber is that you will never be able to clean large areas with this device. Unless you have a dozen Sonic Scrubbers and a dozen friends helping, you will never be able to clean an entire room. You must also be careful to let the device do the work. Do not try to use your own strength to help clean faster. The device is just not robust enough to be muscled around!

The Sonic Scrubber is great at the really tough spots. Let it do the work by just using minimal pressure. Use the speed of the scrubber to do the hard work. Using the right cleaner for the type of stain is also of vital importance. For tough, problematic stains, such as grout or around a soap dish, the Sonic Scrubber is fantastic. If you are trying to clean an entire tile bathroom, you had better not plan on doing anything else for quite a while! The Sonic Scrubber kit is available at Amazon and you may just find out that it is the perfect little scrubber for your needs!

Hydrogen Peroxide - Cleaning, Sanitizing Wonder

Over the years, we have offered many great cleaning tips that use hydrogen peroxide. Ever wonder why it’s such a great cleaning agent? Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂) is a mild acid, but it is a very strong oxidizing agent which means that as it combines with other molecules, it gives off oxygen. Because of this, Hydrogen Peroxide can be used very successfully as an anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-mold cleaning agent. It also is very good at bleaching surfaces.

Hydrogen Peroxide is safe to use around the house and is non-toxic, especially in the low concentrations that we recommend using. It is also fairly inexpensive, and easy to obtain at almost any grocery or drug store. It can also be bought in bulk at restaurant supply stores.

When you clean with Hydrogen Peroxide, you get an added bonus. It sanitizes your sponges every time you use it. No need to worry about spreading nasty stuff around!

Practical uses of hydrogen peroxide:

• Spray on and wipe down wooden cutting boards to disinfect
• Use to sanitize bathrooms and kitchens, just a splash on a sponge will do
• Can be used to clean toilets, and is septic system safe
• Can be diluted into a spray to clean vegetables and fruits
• Can be used in your washer instead of bleach, just treat it as if it were bleach
• You can even bleach your hair with a highly diluted mix of H₂O₂ and water!

Some of our classic cleaning tips using Hydrogen Peroxide are:

• Removing Blood From Carpet and Microfiber
• Disinfecting Your Phones
• Organic Stains on Granite Counters
• Get Your Vinyl Strap Patio Furniture Looking Like New
• Make Your Caulk Look Like New
• Removing Stains From Enamel Bathtubs
• Safely Sanitize Countertops
• Removing Grass Stains from Clothing
• Homemade Odor Remover

Borax, The Wonder Cleaner For Over a Hundred Years

Borax, also known as sodium borate and sodium tetraborate, is one of the great cleaners that has been passed down for generations. It was discovered in 1872 and didn't take long until it's powers as a cleaner were unleashed. It works as an oxidizer, and when dissolved in water will create an alkaline antiseptic solution that is a disinfectant, detergent, deodorizer and water softener. It also has lots of commercial uses in the manufacture of many products.

Borax is a naturally occurring mineral, but is toxic. You should always wear gloves when working with it as it absorbed through the skin and takes a long time to work its way out of your system. Keep it away from children, and no matter what you read on the Internet, never bath your pet in it. I have listed it here during eco-cleaning week because it is a natural salt, but it still is dangerous and must be handled carefully.

Borax is good at cleaning tubs, carpet stains, sinks, and mildew. It works great as a laundry booster and is an ingredient of many brands. For laundry it works especially well on curry, strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, vomit, and red wine stains. It also works as a deodorizer for carpets and cloths. I use it most often to remove the rings in my toilets.

Bar Keepers Friend is my Friend Too!

For removing rust stains in your bathroom, cleaning your countertops in your kitchen, and just about anywhere that you need a little muscle, Bar Keepers Friend is fantastic. Bar Keepers Friend is also good at polishing brass, copper, and chrome. Just use little on a damp, clean cloth. Never use with any abrasive scrubbers, because you can easily scratch the surface. Just rub, rinse, and wipe dry to prevent spots.

Rinse Your Tub To Cut Down On Cleaning

If you rinse your tub with water after every use, you can increase the time between major cleanings. I keep a cheap plastic watering can near the tub just for this job. It takes about a minute to fill the can and rinse the entire tub. This washes away all the soap scum and leaves the tub looking fresh and clean.

Clean Those Hard To Reach Places Without Hurting Your Back

One of the toughest places I have to clean is the tile behind the bathtub in our master bathroom. I either have to crawl into the tub or really stretch to get back there. I don't like to be in the tub when I clean, as it can get pretty slippery and we all know that too many home accidents happen in the tub or shower. Leaning over to get back there isn't good for my back either. I use a toilet brush to help me get back there. Just buy an extra one next time you go to the store. It would be gross to use your real one and they only cost about $2. The other trick I use is to cover the end with a microfiber cloth which I secure using a rubber band. That way I can spray my cleaner on one side, scrub, then flip over the brush to clean up the cleaner and polish with the clean side. The bristles on the brush have just the right amount of spring and stiffness to give you some extra leverage.

How to Remove Hard Water Deposits

If you have hard water, you know how hard the deposits can be to remove from showers and baths. There are several commercial cleaners made just for this job; however, they are usually a strong acid and can damage other surfaces by discoloring metals or fading counter tops.

White vinegar is a mild acid and will do wonders on hard water deposits, without damaging other surfaces. You can put some in a spray bottle or use a sponge or rag to directly apply it to the deposit. Apply the vinegar and let stand for a few minutes. Sometimes you will see it bubbling, this is just the chemical reaction that is removing the deposit. Wipe away with clean water and repeat if the deposit remains. If you have any items that are being clogged by hard water deposits you can soak them in white vinegar and hot water. Hot water will help the chemical reaction happen faster.

Removing Bathtub Decals

I love the non-slip surface bathtub decals make, but I hate how dirty they can get. Every few years we just replace ours, but removing them can be a challenge. Here are some tips that can make the job much easier.

• Soak the decals in mineral spirits and use a popsicle stick or other blunt object to get under them to pull the decals off. This will leave the glue so you will have to use something to remove it. To remove the glue you can use Bon Ami or other slightly abrasive cleanser if you can use that on your tub surface. We use Goo Gone. It works great on removing the excess glue.
• You can do the same procedure as above but instead of mineral spirits you can try rubbing alcohol, lighter fluid, nail polish remover, or paint thinner. I have only tried rubbing alcohol so try the others at your own risk.

As always, be careful when working in the bathtub. When you put many of these cleansers into the tub it can become very slippery and we don't want you to slip and hurt yourself.

Save Your Shower Curtain Liner

Some simple tips to saving your shower curtain liner. First, always keep your shower curtain closed. It makes your bathroom look better and, more importantly, it helps your curtain dry reducing the chances of mold and mildew. Second, keep a spray bottle full of white vinegar in your bathroom and lightly mist your shower curtain liner on occasion to remove any build-up. Rinse well with warm water.

How to Safely Clean Your Fiberglass Tub

If you have a fiberglass tub or shower, you must be very careful not to scratch the surface. Traditional cleaners and scouring pads will destroy your tub. To safely clean these surfaces, make a solution of baking soda and warm water. With a soft sponge, clean all of the surfaces. For difficult areas, add more baking soda to your sponge and work into the area. Once you have removed all of the grime, rinse with warm water.

Make Your Caulk Look Like New

New caulking will make your bathroom look fresh and new. I really like the look of new caulk, but it is a real chore to remove the old caulk and replace with new. If your caulking is starting to look old and worn, try wiping it down with hydrogen peroxide and a paper towel. Fold the paper towel in half twice, wet one of the corners with hydrogen peroxide and use your finger to work the wet paper towel corner along the caulk. I do this once a month as part of my monthly bathroom super clean, and enjoy the clean white caulk.

Restricted Plastic Shower Head?

I have a plastic showerhead in my guest bathroom. I haven't replaced it with anything better because, well, I never use it. I did notice that only about two-thirds of the jets were spraying water when I went to clean the bathroom last week. After a quick view of the showerhead it was clear that my problem was hard water build-up. The easiest way to remove hard water build-up is to first remove the showerhead. You should be able to do this with your bare hands as most plastic showerheads use a simple o-ring instead of tephlon tape to make sure the head doesn't leak. Always support the neck when taking the head off, you don't need to turn a simple cleaning project into an all-day plumbing project! Next, fill a small bowl with 1 pint white vinegar and 1 pint hot water. Soak the showerhead in the vinegar-water solution for at least 1 hour. Finally, rinse the showerhead thoroughly and replace it in your shower. Repeat the process if necessary.

Removing Stains From Enamel Bathtubs

Porcelain enamel surface bathtubs can be quite beautiful. The surface is very hard and durable. Be careful when cleaning not to hit the surface with a hard object because the surface can be chipped, which is expensive to repair. Never use harsh abrasives or acids on enamel tubs or small scratches will form that capture more dirt. For tough stains try one of the following:

• Try covering the stain with a paste of borax and lemon juice. Let the paste stand for about 5 minutes and then rinse clean.
• Salt and turpentine work well to remove yellow water stains.
• For the really hard to remove stains, scrub with a brush and a mixture of 3 tablespoons of cream of tartar and one cup of hydrogen peroxide.

For normal cleaning try:

• Washing with 1 gallon of warm water mixed with 1 tablespoon of dish soap and 1 cub of baking soda. Use a sponge soaked in the mixture to scrub the tub working from the top down, then from the back to the drain. Rinse well with clean water and then buff with a microfiber cloth.
• A slightly stronger cleaner is 1 gallon of hot water and 1 tablespoon of a TSP (trisodium phosphate) . TSP can react with other cleaners, so don't add anything else to this recipe. Be sure to rinse well after you have scrubbed the tub.

Keep Rings Out Of Your Bathtub

Rings left in the bathtub are often caused by hard water. You can add 1/2 cut of baking soda to the bath for about every 15 gallons of water to soften the water and keep the rings from forming. Rinsing the tub with a few cups of water and spraying with "Clean Shower" or other after shower spray after the bath has drained will increase the amount of time between needed cleanings.

Keep Your Tile Shower Clean Longer

Here's a simple trick to keep your tile shower clean longer. Once you have completely cleaned it, apply a paste wax and buff out with a clean towel. The wax will keep water stains, mildew, even soap scum from attaching to the surface. Reapply once you notice that the water stops running off it as easily. This is a great trick after your big spring cleaning, it will save you a ton of time and keep your shower looking great longer!

Easily Polish Your Bathroom's Metal Accents

Even the cleanest sink or tub looks bad if the metal hardware is showing signs of tarnish. To easily clean your faucets and other metal accents, use Nevr-Dull. Just pull out a small amount of the cotton wadding, fold in half, then use the folded edge to work into details and corners. Nevr-Dull will remove most of the tarnish and polish the metal to a shiny finish. Rinse the metal with water and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.

Using Essential Oils in the Bath

Just as scents in your home can have calming effects, added them to your bath can help you relax before bed or fire you up for that big meeting or for a night on the town. Use lavendar and vanilla to calm or relax, use citrus oils to invigorate and get the energy going. I have found a simple mixture to add your favorite essential oils to your bath with that also softens your skin! Combine 1 cup of olive oil and 1 cup liquid castile soap, which is soap made from vegetable oil. Pour into a sealed container that you can keep by your bath. Next decide if it is going to be your calming or invigorating bath and add 1/2 teaspoon of your choice of essential oil. Mix well and when you need it add about 2 tablespoons to each bath. I have actually made both a calming with lavendar and a separate lime/valencia mixture to get me going in the morning.

Removing Calcium Deposits from your Shower Head

If you have hard water, most likely your shower head has lost pressure over the years because of calcium build-up. Removing the calcium is simple. First fill a microwave safe pyrex or glass measuring cup full of vinegar. Heat the vinegar in your microwave until it is warm. Make sure it is not boiling and if it is too hot, let it sit until you can keep you finger in it without getting burnt. Pour the vinegar into a plastic sandwich bag. Double-up the bag if you fear they will leak. Carefully place the bag around your shower head so that the head is completely immersed into the vinegar. Using rubber bands, secure the bag and vinegar to the shower head. Let it work for about an hour and flush the shower head by running warm water through it for a few minutes. Repeat if necessary.

Mildew in Your Shower's Corners

Over time, mildew will build up anywhere that it is allowed. The discoloration can often be found first in the corners of your showers grout. It appears grey at first and then spreads and darkens. But, there is hope! Instead of dowsing your whole shower in bleach, which is very dangerous and costly, simply dampen some cotton balls with bleach and place them directly in the areas that the mildew is forming. This concentrates and localizes the bleach. Clean your shower as you normally would and, when finished, remove the cotton balls. The mildew should be gone. If not repeat with your normal cleaning routine until the discoloration is gone.

Simple But Easy Bathroom Cleaning Tips

Always keep bathroom-specific cleaning supplies in each of your bathrooms. This makes it easy to perform simple little clean-ups, keeping your bathroom nice all the time. It also really helps when unexpected company (Mother-in-law) shows up and you have only a moment to sneak away and freshen the bathroom up. A great method for maintaining the cleanliness of your shower and reducing mildew build-up is to keep a squeegee in the shower. They are inexpensive and are a simple step to reduce the amount of time needed when you perform the big shower scrub. Also, steam helps to loosen build-up so why not clean while you're in there? Keep a bottle of cleaner and a sponge readily available for when you finish in the shower. Disinfectants can be used on everything in the bath except the mirror. Don't forget to always disinfect doorknobs, pulls, and lightswitches, everyone touches them, make sure you clean them!