Chester's Clean House: Hydrogen Peroxide

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Chester's Urine Odor Removal Tips

If you have ever had pets or have recently become a parent, then urine stains and urine odors are a new part of your life. Consider it one of the rights of passage to adulthood. These stains are going to happen, just make sure that you are well armed with knowledge to deal with them correctly! No matter how clean your home is, house guests will immediately smell pet urine odors! It is just one of those smells that cannot be ignored.

Removing Pet Urine Stains from Carpet

If Fido or Fluffy has an accident in the house, it is important to treat the stain as soon as possible. You can remove pet urine stains from carpet by mixing one part of white vinegar with four parts clean water. Mix in a spray bottle and apply liberally to the stain. Cover the stain with dry paper towels or a folded towel and cover with a heavy object. Wait until it pulls all of the liquid out of the stain into the towels and repeat if the stain still exists. If the stain is still there, clean your carpet with our carpet cleaning tips! The pet stain is only part of the problem, removing the pet urine odor is going to be a whole different process. You will also need to treat the urine odor differently depending on if the perpetrator was a cat or a dog.

Dog Urine Odor Removal

Dog urine usually does not have too strong of an odor, if it does you dog is probably sick and should go see the vet. Needless to say dog urine doesn't smell nice so you will need to take some extra steps to remove the odor. The first thing you need to do is determine exactly where the stain is. A black light works great to find where the actual pet stain is located. Now that you know where the stain is, you need to treat the odor. For dog urine odor I like to use plain baking soda. After you have cleaned the stain using the above method and the area has dried you should sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the area and let it stand overnight. Vacuum the area thoroughly the next day. The baking soda should have removed all of the odor. If there is an odor left you can move on to the cat urine odor remover as it works on much smellier cat urine.

Cat Urine Odor Remover

Cat urine is one of the worst smells. Our cat has gotten ill several times where he could not control his bladder. Needless to say it took quite a bit of work to get that smell out of our carpets. We had a couch but decided to just get rid of it because we couldn't get the cat urine odor out of it.

So what makes cat urine smell so bad? Several different types of substances are in cat urine. The cat’s scent marker is made up of a unique chemical compound, called the spray, and uric acid. This is what makes cat urine smell so bad. Even after clean up the liquid and pigment portions of the urine, the crystals and salts from the uric acid remain, causing the odor. The crystals are insoluble and will attach to anything they come into contact with. Using most normal cleaners actually makes the smell worse because any type of liquid will reactivate them. Even humidity in the air can bring out the smell.

To get rid of these crystals you need to use an enzyme cleaner. Enzyme cleaners break down the crystals and bacteria left from the urine. So unless you use and enzyme cleaner you are never going to be able to completely remove the cat urine odor. Whatever you do never use ammonia on pet stains as it will react with the crystals and attract your pet to go there again.

To use an enzyme cleaner you will need to thoroughly soak the area with the cleaner and let it work it's magic. It may take several days for the wetness to go away, but during that time the cleaner is breaking down the bacteria and crystals that are buried deep in your padding and carpet. If the area still smells a second dosing has always gotten rid of the odors in our house.

Commercial Odor Removal Products

Enzyme cleaners take about three months to make on your own. They sell several at you local pet store, but they can be pricey since they are relatively hard to make. Enzyme cleaners are actually very environmentally friendly cleaners. Here are a few that we have tried:

Zero Odor - is a non-toxic odor eliminator. I have only seen it sold on-line and that is where we bought ours. It is pretty pricey but does work. It did not take us very long to use it up. We have not bought any more because several of the other products are available locally.
Urine Gone - This product was first pitched as a As Seen On TV product. You can buy it at Target and Wal-Mart. It works really well and comes with a battery powered black light which will help you find the stains, even the ones from last year.
Nature's Miracle - We bought this at our local pet supply store. The advantage to this cleaner is that you can buy it in bulk for a relatively cheap price. If you have lots of old pet stains around the house, buy a gallon of this. We use Nature's Miracle the most because it is readily available and priced well. When buying it at the store check which enzyme formula you are buying. They make several different formulas for specific jobs like blood stain removal or urine odor removal.
Odoban - We used to use this a lot, but unfortunately they changed their formula by adding a scent to it that my wife and I really don't like. It does work, and we would use this the most as it is by far the cheapest, but the new fragrance is not to our liking. You can buy it at most stores. If you want to buy it in bulk they sell it at Sam's Club.

Removing Human Urine Stains from Bedding

It is going to happen if you have kids. It is just a fact of nature. You may find yourself getting mad, but instead just get informed on how to clean it up right! Hydrogen Peroxide mixed with a little water in a spray bottle is your first line of defense. Once you have lightly sprayed the area, let it dry and clean with a mixture of one part white vinegar, one part baking soda, and four parts water. Scrub the area with the mixture and allow to dry completely. You can speed up the entire process by placing clean paper towels on top of the stain after each treatment and weight down with a heavy object. This will help extract the liquids from the urine stain. Check out our other great clean tips for Hydrogen Peroxide!

Removing Human Urine Stains from Clothing

If you are using cloth diapers or just simply have an infant, you know that you are going to have to deal with urine stains at some point. Pre-treat the stain with a mixture of one part baking soda and three parts clean water. Work the mixture into the entire stained area. Next, soak the item for at least twenty minutes in a basin filled with water and a cup of vinegar. Once you have soaked the stain, wash the item as normal. Your urine stain and smell will be a thing of the past! Be sure to read our laundry stain removal guide for solutions to all of your laundering needs.

Chester's Laundry Stain Removal Guide

If anyone tells you that they enjoy doing the laundry, you have to question their sanity. Laundry is just a fact of life, it has to be done. I don’t mind doing the laundry, but I do hate stains! Especially the set-in ones! Here are some of our best tips for removing laundry stains.

Blood Stain Removal

Hopefully you don’t have to use this great tip too often! The best way to remove blood stains, even dried-on blood stains is to make a paste out of meat tenderizer and water and apply to the stain. Let it stand for about an hour and rinse off with water. If the stain still exists, repeat and this time work the paste into the stain. Rinse off and launder as usual.

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Coffee Stain Removal

Coffee stains happen, luckily making your own coffee stain removal solution is easy. The first thing you should do with a coffee stain is rinse out as much of the stain with water as possible. The best way to do this is to turn the garment inside out and place it under a running faucet. Next mix 1 cup hot water with about 1 tsp of dish soap. Blot with a sponge and dry with a white terry cloth. If the stain is still there, try mixing 1 part distilled vinegar and 2 parts warm water. Again blot the area with a sponge and dry with a terry cloth towel. Do not rub, that will only spread the stain. Wash regularly and verify that the stain is completely removed before you dry it. You can repeat each of the coffee stain removal methods as needed. As always test for color fastness.

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Deodorant Stains Removal

Deodorant stains can ruin any dress or shirt. I have two different tricks for dealing with these stains, however, you must test each one first in a inconspicuous place to make sure that they do not cause the color to fade or damage the fabric. The first trick is to wipe the stain with white vinegar as a pre-treatment for the stain. Launder as usual and the stain should be gone. The second trick is to soak the deodorant stain with denatured alcohol. Once you have soaked the stain, wash with the highest temperature setting that you safely can use.

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Grass Stain Removal

Grass stains are horrible. If you can get to them before they completely set, then just use a pre-wash stain remover such as the Spray and Wash Stick. It will keep the stain from setting even if you pre-treat and ignore until your normal laundry day. However, if the grass stain has set completely, you have to take more drastic measures. Mix two parts of ammonia with one part vinegar. Work the mixture into the stain and then launder as usual.

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Homemade Laundry Detergent

Diane T. sent in her homemade laundry detergent:

Here’s a recipe for laundry detergent which makes no suds, leaves no residue, and leaves your clothes soft. I dry my clothes on a clothesline and since I started using this detergent, I rarely have to iron anything –the wrinkles seem to just fall out! This recipe makes almost 5 gallons at a cost of about $3.00. I use a cup of detergent per full load and get 55-60 loads of clothes from each batch of soap. Pretty cheap, yes? I make mine in a large recycled paint bucket with a lid and store it under the pantry counter. I keep a smaller container by the washing machine which I refill from the large bucket. I buy all the ingredients from my local Kroger grocery store or they can be purchased online, which would increase the cost. Since I have very hard water, I sometimes add ½ cup of baking soda to the wash load to soften the water. (This works great when washing dishes, too, both in the dishwasher and hand washing).

HOMEMADE LAUNDRY SOAP:

Ingredients:

1 very large container (5 gallon )
1 bar Fels Naptha Soap
1 ½ cups 20 Mule Team Borax
1 ½ cups Arm & Hammer Washing Soda

Directions:

Put 12 cups (3 quarts) water in a large pan, bring to a boil.
Grate the bar of soap into a bowl and pour into the boiling water. (I shave the bar of soap with a potato peeler.)
Stir until dissolved.
Add the Borax and Washing Soda, stir until dissolved.
Put 8 cups (2 quarts) HOT water into a 5-gallon container.
Add soap mixture and stir well
Add 2 gallons ( 8 quarts) water, stir well.
Let mixture sit for 24 hours and it will kind of jell, like Jello.
Use a whisk or mixer (or paint blender) to make it smooth. This step is not absolutely necessary, but makes for a smoother soap.
Add 1 cup per regular washer load of clothes.

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Ink Stain Removal

Ink is one of the hardest things to get out of clothing. Inks are made in many different ways, so it is hard for me to tell you what will work best for removing your ink stain since I don’t know what kind of ink it is. The strategy for ink stain removal is to use a solvent to remove the stain from the fabric. Not all ink can be removed but you will not know about your stain until you try. In the worst case the following solvents will at least lighten the stain.

When working with all of these solutions soak a clean terry cloth rag with the solvent and blot at the stain. Never rub an ink stain because you will only work it further into the fabric. If you get an ink stain, treat it immediately if possible to make ink stain removal easier once you get home. You can treat with waterless hand sanitizer or just plain water if that is all that is available.

Hairspray is the most common ink solvent, and it works fairly well. Be patient and keep spraying and blotting. It will take some time for the stain to come up. Sometimes I will let the hairspray soak for a few moments before I blot. Rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover (acetone), Lestoil, and turpentine all work well on removing ink stains. Some ink formulas may need the use of one or more of these solvents to remove the ink.

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Laundry Odor Removal

Teri V. sent in the following tip:

I have a teenage son with raging hormones and body odor! To help fight the odors in the laundry I use the bleach cup in my washing machine and fill it with isopropyl alcohol. The rubbing alcohol not only boosts the power of the detergents, it also removes all of the odors, even the tough ones.

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Laundry Soap Residue Removal

If you start to notice that your laundry is coming out of your washer with soap residue or your clothes seem to be getting stiffer the more you wash them, then you have a detergent build-up in your washer. Adding one cup of white vinegar to your laundry will help to break up that residue. I recommend adding vinegar about once a month to keep your washer clean. Just make sure to never add vinegar to any load of laundry that you are adding bleach to.

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Red Wine Stain Removal

We have all been there before. You are having a wonderful time at a party and turn around to talk to a friend when you accidentally bump into a glass full of red wine. You new dress is ruined. To get the red wine stain out mix 1 tsp of dish detergent and 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide into a bowl. Use a clean towel or sponge to dab the area. Start from the outside and dab your way around the stain slowly working toward the center of the stain as it is removed. Hydrogen peroxide can bleach your clothing so test before you begin.

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Tough Laundry Stain Removal

If a stain has been completely set-in and even if it has already gone through the dryer, Lestoil can still save the day. Work the Lestoil into the stain and launder as usual. Make sure that you never use Lestoil on any garments that are dry-clean only. Also, test in an area that will not be noticed to make sure that it does not fade or damage your clothing.

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Share Your Tips

Do you have a great laundry stain removal tip? Please add it to the comments or email it to us so that we can share it. Together we can knock out even the toughest stains.

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Cleaning and Maintaining Bathroom Sinks

Besides your toilet, your bathroom sinks are usually the messiest place in your bathrooms. Toothpaste drips, hair clippings, and all of the rest of our daily routines can quickly turn a beautiful porcelain sink into a messy disaster. Here are some great tips to keep it looking and working great!

Bathroom Sinks are almost always the messiest place in your bathroom.

For quick cleanups of your bathroom sink, use a little hydrogen peroxide on a sponge and simply wipe up the entire surface. As we mentioned in our post Hydrogen Peroxide – Cleaning, Sanitizing Wonder, hydrogen peroxide is both a great cleaner and a wonderful sanitizer for your sink.

To deep clean the surface of your bathroom sink, Bar Keepers Friend can remove even the worst stains. Read our full review in Bar Keepers Friend is My Friend Too to learn more about how you can use Bar Keepers Friend to not only deep clean your sink, but also polish your faucet and other bathroom fixtures to a fantastic shine.

One of the biggest problems that I have at keeping my bathroom sink clean and spotless is the amount of daily products that I use in the bathroom. If the surface is completely covered, you are never going to be able to properly clean the sink. By finding the right bathroom storage ideas from our article, Bathroom Storage Ideas, you can keep only the bare essentials out in the open. I now have enough storage space to not have to keep my razor and other necessities out in the open.

If you sink gets clogged, pour baking soda down the drain followed by vinegar or lemon juice. The chemical reaction that is caused by the two combining can power its’ way through even the toughest stain, all without having to resort to dangerous, and expensive, drain cleaners. As we mentioned in our article, Cleaning the Kitchen Sink the Non-Smelly Way, lemon juice leaves the sink smelling great whereas the vinegar leaves a pretty strong smell!

How to Use Toilet Cleaners and Alternatives

There are many different commercially available toilet cleaners. These products all do a good job at cleaning your toilet. They do require using the old nasty scrub brush and it’s always a good idea to wear rubber gloves when using strong cleaners. If the stains in your toilet are very bad, I recommend using a plunger to lower the water level. Simply plunge the toilet a number of times until there are just a few inches of water left. Spray the stains with your toilet cleaner; let it sit for a few minutes to let it work on the stain with its full strength. Then scrub until the toilet is spotless. You can use hydrogen peroxide to clean your toilet. It’s safe for septic systems and easier on the environment!

In-tank toilet drop-ins are very popular because they limit how often you have to clean. They also help with reducing smells. These drop-ins usually contain bleach or other strong chemical cleaners. Make sure when you are cleaning your toilet that you do not mix chemicals. Using ammonia to clean a toilet with a bleach drop-in is a very dangerous idea!

I have always had a problem with drop-in cleaners. I find that as they dissolve they tend to break apart and can stop the seal from forming around the stopper causing the toilet to keep running. I have come up with a great solution for this. I place the drop-ins into the feet from old panty-hose. You can also use cheesecloth which is available at most cooking stores if you don’t have access to old panty-hose. Tie off the top of the panty-hose and hang them from the side of the toilet tank with a couple of paper clips bent backwards. By putting two drop-ins into the panty-hose and by adjusting the height of the drop-ins to suspend the tablets halfway out of the water, you don’t have to add new drop-in tablets as often.

Avoid Toilet Cleaners with a Little Maintenance!

Going to be away for awhile? Pour 1/4 cup of bleach into the bowel before you leave to come home to a sanitized and cleaned bowel.
To keep rings from forming, pour a half-gallon of white vinegar in the bowel every four weeks. Close the lid and let it soak overnight before flushing.
To avoid a slow drain and to minimize odors, pour one cup baking soda down your toilet weekly. With just a few simple steps, you can all but remove the need for breaking out the nasty scrub brush and rubber gloves!

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Carpet Cleaning Tips

Here at Chester’s Clean House we have focused on many different carpet cleaning tips over the years. Here are a handful of some of the best tips from the last few years.

Chester's Best Carpet Cleaning Tips:

How to Remove Red Drink Stains from my Carpet - How to remove a stain from your carpet using Dawn, a terry cloth, and an iron. Remove as much liquid as possible with a shop vac. Make a mixture of Dawn and warm water and dampen a clean terry cloth with the mixture. Place the cloth over the stain and place an iron on top set to the lowest temperature setting. Over the next 15-30 minutes the stain will be pulled into the cloth and out of your carpet!
Homemade Carpet Shampoo - Using 1/2 cup of laundry detergent, 1 teaspoon of ammonia, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and about 4 cups of hot water you can create a great homemade carpet shampoo. Once you whisk the mixture together, use a sponge to lightly rub the lather over the carpet. Vacuum thoroughly once the lather has dried.
Removing Blood from Carpet and Microfiber - Spray the stained area with shaving cream and finished with a clean cloth and water. If the stain has set, use hydrogen peroxide and water to removed the dried blood. On microfiber, use meat tenderizer and water. After it dries, vacuumed thoroughly.
A Great Homemade Carpet Deodorizer - By combining equal parts of corn starch and baking soda in a medium sized bowl, you can create a great carpet deodorizer. To give it a wonderful scent, add about a dozen drops of lavender oil. You can add other essential oils as well to customize the scent.
Remove Grease Stains from Carpet - To remove a grease stain from carpet, rub baking soda into the stain. Let it stand for a few hours and then vacuum it up once it has dried.
Removing Wax from Carpet - The best way to remove wax from carpet is to gently remove as much wax as possible using a dull knife or similar object. Once you have removed as much as possible, cover the spot with a piece of brown paper bag. Run a warm iron over the bag. The wax will adhere to the paper bag. Remove the bag and repeat as necessary. Be careful of the iron's temperature. If you let it get too hot you can burn the carpet.

How a Toothbrush Sanitizer Keeps Germs Out of Your Mouth

WARNING: If you are a germaphobe or don't want to be freaked out for the rest of your life, don't read any farther. You have been warned.

If you really want to be grossed out, go get a black light and go into your bathroom. Turn out the lights and turn on the black light. Grab your toothbrush or wave the black light around where your toothbrush sits. The black light will illuminate the millions of germs and bacteria that are living on your toothbrush that you put in your mouth every day.

There are numerous studies that link our overall health with our oral health. Gum disease in its most severe state has been linked with diabetes, heart disease, stroke and even premature birth. On average there are about 10 million bacteria thriving on your toothbrush any given day. The viruses that cause the flu and colds can live for days on your toothbrush. If you share your toothbrush you have a good chance of catching whatever your partner has through cross contamination. Cross contamination can even occur with multiple toothbrushes in a toothbrush holder. The number of ailments that you can contract or re-contract from your toothbrush is staggering. The bathroom is also full of other nasty surprises.

Every time you flush your toilet, small particles of the toilet water are propelled into the air, where they can spread to the rest of your bathroom, even your toothbrush. I'm very happy that my toilet isn’t near my sink. The bathroom is also usually a humid and moist environment, the perfect breeding ground for mildew, mold and bacteria to grow. The bathroom is often an interior room, while good for tornados; the darkness is an ideal area for the bacteria and germs to grow and multiply.

The American Dental Association and is members recommend replacing your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. On average, American’s only change their toothbrush every 6 months. That is a long time for nasty stuff to grow on your toothbrush. There are a number of new devices that claim to sanitize your toothbrush. We will look at a few of those, but we will also provide several homemade alternatives to keep your toothbrush sanitized.

Most of the sanitizing devices available today use ultra-violet or UV light to kill the germs. UV light has been shown to be up to 99.9% effective at killing germs and viruses. Steam is also a popular sanitizer used in toothbrush sanitizers.

VIOlight is a popular toothbrush sanitizer maker that has several models. All of the models use UV light to kill germs. Several models are available in all shapes and sizes, with designs meant to be left out on your bathroom counter. VIOlight claims that their toothbrush sanitizers are clinically proven to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria on your toothbrush.

Zapi UV Toothbrush Sanitizer
The Zapi is a low cost battery operated device that uses UV light to kill germs. It is small enough to leave out on your bathroom counter. Just a quick press of the cleaning button will sanitize your toothbrush in around 7 minutes. It is designed to only sanitize the bristles.

VIOlight Toothbrush Sanitizer Counter Unit
VIOlight Counter Unit also works with Ultra Violet light to destroy the germs. It can hold up to four brushes and takes about 10 minutes to sanitize the bristles.

Germ Terminator Toothbrush Sanitizer
The Germ Terminator is a steam powered unit that sanitizes the entire tooth brush. It uses the same steam technology as the professional sanitizers dentists use.

Homemade Toothbrush Cleaner

There are several ways you can sanitize your toothbrush without the use of machines. The ADA recommends that you let your toothbrush air dry between uses. That doesn't really cut it for me, so I have found a few ways to get the job done easily and quickly. One method is to keep a small squirt bottle full of hydrogen peroxide or Listerine. After you brush your teeth, just squirt a liberal amount over your entire toothbrush. Both Listerine and hydrogen peroxide are great disinfectants. For those of you who want to disinfect your toothbrush less often you can use a steam cleaning machine like the Scunci Steamer to sanitize your toothbrush.

The most important thing to take away from this article is the knowledge that germs are easily spread on your toothbrush. If you get a cold or the flu, throw away your toothbrush so as not to re-infect yourself a week later. Following these easy steps will help protect yourself and your family and might just make you a little healthier.

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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

The other day I stubbed my toe and it bleed pretty good. In the process of getting my toe to stop bleeding I got blood all over our carpet and microfiber couch. I immediately got some shaving cream and sprayed the affected areas and finished with a clean cloth and water. The next day I was able to find a little more blood that I had missed. On the carpet I used hydrogen peroxide and water to removed the remaining blood, but I was worried that the hydrogen peroxide might fade the couch. I used meat tenderizer and water on the microfiber. After it dried I vacuumed the area well and used a baby wipe to remove the watermarks that were left. When cleaning up blood, remember that it is a protein based stain and work accordingly with the limitations of the soiled surface.

Disinfecting Your Phones

Just like everything else that we come into contact with on a daily basis it is smart to disinfect the things that we use most often. Phones get a lot of use by a lot of people. Your work phone and home phone should be disinfected regularly. To do this, wipe down the phone with a disinfecting cloth or simply wipe with hydrogen peroxide on a clean cloth. For disinfecting cell phones, make sure that you first wring out all extra moisture from the cloth and carefully wipe the cover. Make sure to not get any moisture into the buttons or near the battery.

Organic Stains on Granite Counters

If you have a granite countertop you know just how durable they are. They do stain, however. If you get an organic-based stain, from such things as fruit or even coffee, basic cleaning will not be enough. To remove the stain create a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and a couple drops of ammonia. Work the mixture into the stain and let sit for a few minutes. Wipe up the mixture and clean the surface as usual. The stain should be gone, if not, a second application may be required.

Get Your Vinyl Strap Patio Furniture Looking Like New

I have recently received a set of patio furniture from my parents. It was in good shape and I have a large yard and love to entertain. They had recently cleaned the seat cushons, but the vinyl straps were looking a little yellow and dirty. The best way to clean the vinyl straps is mix up hydrogen peroxide and water in a 50/50 mixture. Wipe the mixture all over the straps and let sit for about half an hour. Blast your furniture clean with the garden hose and high pressure attachment. If more whitening is required, repeat the hydrogen peroxide/water soak for another half hour.

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.

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.

Safely Sanitize Countertops

Everyone seems to love those handy quick wipe sanitizers. I am no different. It's great, you finish cooking diner and just pull one out of the container and wipe and toss it out. Your surfaces are now sanitized, fast and easy. However, if you run out or are really watching your budget, you can make your own quick sanitizer. Just pour hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle. There is no need to dilute it, it already is diluted. Spray down the surface, let it sit for a moment, and wipe off with a clean towel. Hydrogen peroxide kills germs and bacteria. Always test an inconspicuous section of your counter to make sure that the hydrogen peroxide doesn't discolor the surface.

Removing Stains From Granite Countertops

To remove many stains from granite counter tops you can use a paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Apply the paste over the stain and let stand over night. Wipe the area clean with a damp cloth and then polish with a microfiber cloth. To help prevent stains on granite always clean spills, even water, as soon as they happen. Granite is porous and will absorb most liquids. Keep some extra microfiber cloths handy to handle those spills. After doing the dishes, be sure to dry the counter as dirty dishwater easily stains lightly colored granite.

Removing Grass Stains from Clothing

If you do not ever get grass stains on your clothing, you need to reassess your life. Everyone needs to find some time in their lives to play outside. Removing grass stains has historically seemed to be a difficult job, because most detergents simply set the stain deeper. Again, you need the right tool for the job. Pretreat the grass stain with hydrogen peroxide, making sure that you totally saturate the stain. Then launder the clothing as usual. The stain should be gone.

Homemade odor remover

Mix 1 cup hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 teaspoon of dish soap, and 1 tablespoon of baking soda in your favorite spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the area of the odor and let dry. Vacuum up the leftover baking soda. This works great on pet urine and vomit. The hydrogen peroxide kills any odor causing bacteria and the baking soda soaks up any other odors like the ammonia smell left from urine. Hydrogen peroxide can fad some fabrics so test first.

Removing Blood from Furniture

To remove blood stains, use hydrogen peroxide. Rub gently to remove any blood stains from furniture and clothing. Always use a clean cloth and try to clean the stain as quickly as possible. Whenever cleaning fabrics, always test an inconspicuous area to make sure that your cleaning solution is not going to discolor or stain the fabric.

Cleaning Tomato based stains

I always seem to get some ketchup or spaghetti sauce while I'm away from home. You can spot clean these types of stains with waterless hand sanitizer and rinse in cold water. This has saved many shirts for me. At home you can use a mixture of 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 6 parts water. This hydrogen peroxide mixture is also good at cleaning blood stains from carpet and fabrics.

Removing Burn Marks From Carpet

For burn marks on carpet you can use a solution of 5 parts water and one part hydrogen peroxide to help fade the marks on the carpet considerably. Apply the solution liberally and let stand 5-10 minutes for best results then blot up the remaining solution.