How to Clean Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are beautiful and can easily last a lifetime if you take proper care of them. First of all, when we talk about hardwood floors we are talking about sealed hardwood floors. Unsealed floors have not been installed in homes for a very long time. If you think that your floors are not sealed, they must be sealed immediately or they will absorb every liquid spilled on them and will quickly start to dry out and fall apart.

Great Homemade Cleaner for Hardwood Floors

There are a wide variety of commercially available wood floor cleaners. Many of these are quite expensive and contain harsh chemicals. A very simple homemade cleaner can be made from adding a few drops of basic dish soap with distilled water. Put the mixture in a misting spray bottle and clean your hardwood floor in small sections. Make sure that you spray the area that you want to clean and then wipe up immediately with a micro fiber cloth or clean towel. Never let any area remain damp for any period of time as moisture is your floor’s enemy. Adding a splash of white vinegar and lemon juice will add some major cleaning power to your homemade floor cleaner. However, if you add these ingredients to your cleaner, you will have to do a quick wet mop with clean water before you dry each section.

Quick tips to maintain your hardwood floors:

• Sweep your floors at least every week with a Swiffer or with a soft bristled broom. To save time, I have found a get trick for cleaning your floors. If you are sweeping your floors, sweep the dust and dirt onto a carpeted area of your home. Vacuum the carpet thoroughly to remove all of the debris and to help keep abrasive dirt off of your hardwood floors.
• Always wipe up all spills immediately. Water and other liquids can do severe damage to even sealed hardwood floors.
• Protect your hardwood floor by placing furniture pads under the legs of each piece of furniture. This will spread out the weight of your furniture over a larger area and keep your floors from getting scratched.
• Use area rugs to protect your hardwood floors in highly trafficked areas. Also, use floor mats in all entrances to your rooms with hardwood floors. This helps trap dirt and debris and keeps them from scratching the surface of your floors.

Related Posts:

• Microfiber Mops
• Keep Your Floors Cleaner With These Moping Tips
• Floor Cleaning Week Recap

Tips to Fight Spills and Splatters in the Kitchen

The kitchen in our house is the most used area.  With the high traffic comes a high amount of dirt and grime.  Here are some tips to help keep your kitchen sparkling.

Floors
Kitchen floors can attract all sorts of gunk; food spills and splatters can quickly become a sticky mess and don’t even get me started on the dog’s foot prints!  To fight these we keep a microfiber mop hidden behind the fridge.  When there is a spill or we just want to do a quick cleaning all we need to do is wet a microfiber cloth, attach it to the mop and go to town.  In less than 60 seconds we have a clean kitchen floor.

Microwave
Spills and splatters in the microwave can quickly become a hard mess to remove.  Try to clean them as soon as they happen to save yourself from later problems.  For those stuck on stains try microwaving a bowl of water or white vinegar for 60 seconds.  The steam they let off will loosen caked on splatters; just be careful, the water or vinegar will be hot.  We also use a little silicone scraper spatula wedge to help loosen the dried on food.

Counters
During the preparation of food there are always spills and splatters.  We keep a spray bottle of my homemade general purpose cleaner and a microfiber cloth out all of the time.  Just a quick sprits and wipe and I have a clean counter.

How to Clean and Care for Gemstone Jewelry

Gemstones are usually the most expensive part of jewelry. Each kind of stone needs special attention as there isn't a one size fits all for cleaning them. I have covered how to clean diamonds in a previous post but here are some tips for the most common gemstones.

• General Cleaning Tip - You can rinse all gemstones with water and dry with a microfiber cloth.
• Amber & Amethyst - Amber should only be cleaned with water and a mild detergent. Exposure to high heat or chemicals will damage the stone. Avoid steam cleaning.
  
• Aquamarine - Water, mild detergent and a soft brush work well to clean aquamarine. This gemstone scratches easily so store separately from other jewelry.
  
• Chrysoberyl (Cat's Eye) - Water, mild detergent and a soft brush work well to clean Cat's Eye. Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners as they can damage it.
  
• Citrine - Clean with water and a mild detergent. Avoid extreme temperature fluctuations as they can cause fractures in the stone.
  
• Emerald - these are fairly soft stones and should only be cleaned with water, a soft brush and a microfiber cloth. Keep emeralds away from all cleaners. Take of emerald jewelry when cleaning or doing the dishes.
• Garnet - Garnet is a soft stone and should only be cleaned with a soft microfiber cloth and water. Extreme temperature changes can cause fractures, so avoid steam cleaning and cold weather.
  
• Pearl (cultured and natural) - Clean with a soft dry microfiber cloth. Occasionally clean with water and mild detergent. Keep away from ultrasonic and steam cleaners. Very easy to scratch and makeup can stain them.
  
• Peridot - Very fragile stone should only be cleaned with water and soft cloth. Chemicals and sudden temperature will damage the stone.
  
• Opal - Clean with water and mild detergent. Opal scratches easily so store carefully.
  
• Ruby & Sapphire - both of these gemstones can be cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaner or the same mixture of 1 part ammonia and 6 parts water used to clean diamonds.
• Tanzanite - This very fragile stone should only be cleaned with water and a soft microfiber cloth. Avoid extreme temperature changes and hitting the stone on any hard surface.
  
• Topaz - Clean with water and mild detergent. Fractures can be caused by temperature changes.
  
• Turquoise - Water, mild detergent and microfiber cloth are safe to use on turquoise. Chemicals, heat and ultrasonic cleaners will damage turquoise. Avoid steam cleaning.

All stones are not created equal. Many stones are treated with coatings to increase their color and brilliance, so be sure to check with you jeweler that these tips won't harm your jewelry. You can clean your gemstones with water and dry with a microfiber cloth if you are unsure.

Homemade Jewelry Soak

For your more delicate jewelry pieces a soak will clean better without harming the jewelry. Soak the jewelry in a half-and-half solution of cold water and household ammonia for at least thirty minutes. Lift the item out and gently tap around the front and back of the mounting with a small soft paint brush. Swirl the item in the solution to rinse. Finally rinse in warm water and dry with a lint-free cloth like microfiber. Be sure not to snag the prongs holding stones.

Homemade Jewelry Cleaner

For jewelry items that are made of hard metals and won't scratch easily, you can use the following homemade jewelry cleaner. First, mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid detergent and warm water into a medium size bowl. Work the water and detergent into a good foam with a spoon, then gently brush the jewelry with a soft toothbrush while it is in the suds. Rinse the jewelry with warm water and pat dry with a soft lint-free cloth. Microfiber works great.

Homemade Leather Cleaner

We just brought up some furniture from the basement to rearrange our living room. One of our leather chairs had gotten something on it. I wish I could tell you what it was, but I can't. Our normal leather cleaner didn't take it off so we tried a new recipe. We mixed 1 cup white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the stains and dirt wiped right off using a microfiber cloth. Be sure to test in an inconspicuous area first.

Homemade Cleaner For Slate Floors

My sister had slate floors installed several years ago. At first she had trouble keeping the floors from getting a sticky residue from the commercial cleaners she was using. She swears by a mixture of one gallon hot water and 1/2 teaspoon of dish soap. She then polishes the floor with a microfiber mop soaked in a 50/50 solution of water and milk. The mops with microfiber strings work best to get into all of the textures of the slate. After admiring her floors, my wife wants to replace our kitchen floors with slate. We were surprised at how well slate holds up to dirt and how easy it is to clean. If you are thinking of remodeling your kitchen, consider slate.

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.

Furnace Maintenance Volume 1

As the nights are starting to get colder, it is time to do a little preventative maintenance on your furnace. The first step is to clean out your furnace. Dust is a major reason for furnace failure, it decreases the life of your furnace and can cost you more money. As dust builds up on the filter, the motor, and the blower assembly, it causes your furnace to have to work harder and consume more energy. If not cleaned, the motor can overheat and fail.

The best way to start your seasonal furnace cleanup is to grab your canister vacuum or shop vac and a can of compressed air. Turn off your furnace at your circuit breaker panel to insure that it will not kick on while you are working on it. Next, remove the blower access panel from the front of your furnace. It should be fairly easy to open. If you have difficulty opening your access panel, consult your owner's manual. Once open, turn on your vacuum and begin using the compressed air to blow off any dust or durt and use your vacuum to suck up the bits as you go along. Make sure that you pay special attention to the blower motor, the belts, and the sides and bottom of the blower area. A wet rag or microfiber cloth may be used to remove larger dust build-ups. Next, remove and replace the air filter. You should replace the air filter at the beginning of the winter season and every month when under continuous use. Just because your user's manual says to replace it every 2 or 3 months, it must be replaced every time that it gets dirty. You can hold the filter up to a light to check to see if it is getting dirty. Once you have replaced the filter and cleaned the blower assembly and motor, replace the cover and turn the unit back on. It may seem like a waste of money to replace the filter this often during the winter, but a filter is much cheaper than a new furnace!

Eco-Friendly Silver Polish For Really Tough Stains

Regular toothpaste works great to remove old tarnish from silver. Make sure to not use gel toothpaste. Regular toothpaste has just enough abrasiveness to cut through the toughest spots, but is gentle enough to not damage the surface. Always test your toothpaste in an inconspicuous spot, as their are many different brands out there. To clean, just use a clean microfiber cloth and work in circular patterns. Toothpaste is much safer than the commercial polishes and cleaners which often contain petroleum-based ingredients and other potentially dangerous chemicals.

How To Clear Up Foggy Glass

Almost anything made out of glass can be polished to remove tiny scratches or cloudiness. Simply go to your local automotive store and purchase some rubbing compound. Always use the mildest compound that you can find. Use a clean, damp microfiber towel or a polishing sponge and apply to the glass in a circular motion. Rinse often, and with a little elbow grease, you will remove the scratches. This works great on old mirrors, windshields, heat lights, just do not ever use on eye wear as it will remove any coatings applied to your glasses. Also, this method will permanently ruin plastic or any plastic-based glass. So make sure that you know what you are cleaning is made out of.

Removing Marker and Crayon From Painted Walls

Having young children who like to draw, I sometime have to clean marker and crayon from our walls. The other day we were out of our Mr. Clean Magic Erasers so I had to improvise. I used a dry microfiber cloth and ordinary toothpaste and it did a wonderful job. I did find a few areas where the toothpaste didn't get all of it so I finished those areas with a little hairspray, wiping immediately with a clean cloth.

Cleaning Microfiber Suede Sofas And Furniture

One of the most asked questions we get is how to clean Microfiber Suede. Over the last few years this fabric as become very popular because of its durability and soft cloth like texture. We love our microfiber couch because it has held up so well with our animals and children.

Most microfiber furniture will have a tag under one of the cushions that will let you know what the best method of cleaning is. Here are a list of the codes from the industry standards committee:

• W - Use water-based cleaner. Clean fabric with a water-based cleaning agent such as a mild detergent or commercial upholstery shampoo. The less water you use the better your results will be.
• S - Use solvent cleaner. Clean fabric with a mild, water-free dry-cleaning solvent. Use sparingly, in a well ventilated room.
• S-W - Use either water-based or solvent cleaner.
• X - Vacuum only. Cleaning agents may cause shrinking, fading or spotting.

Beware Of Your Furniture Polish!

Furniture polish is a common cleaner in most homes. Because it is just a polish and not a heavy cleaning agent, you wouldn't expect it to be all that dangerous. However, furniture polish contains both petroleum distillates and nitrobenzene. Petroleum distillates are highly flammable. They can also cause skin and lung cancer. Nitrobenzene is also extremely toxic and is easily absorbed through the skin. Not exactly something that you would want coating your furniture, especially around children. To make your own furniture polish, combine 1/2 cup malt vinegar, 1/2 cup linseed oil, and either 1 1/2 teaspoons lavender or lemon oil. Mix well and put in a spray bottle. Spray furniture and polish with a clean, dry microfiber towel.

Removing Dog Drool And Other Water Marks From Microfiber Furniture

Microfiber, also called microfiber suede, is a great fabric for sofas and chairs. It is very stain resistant and durable. Having two hairy pets, I can also say that it doesn't collect pet hair like standard furniture fabric. It does however collect water rings from our dog's drool. The best way we have found to clean it is with a baby wipe. Baby wipes take the water ring stains out, even those left from other cleaning products. This also works for fresh spills.

Make A Super Scrubbing Cleaning Cloth

You can make a super scrubbing cleaning cloth in about 5 minutes. Take a microfiber cloth and sew a large button about once inch from one of the corners. When you are cleaning and come across a dried on stain use the button for leverage to scrub the stain away. This works great on counter tops and tables. The microfiber cloth cleans up the same, but will remove dried on stuff without breaking your nail or scratching the surface.

Homemade Eyeglass Cleaner

Keeping your glasses clean is very important.  Dirty glasses can lead to stronger prescriptions as the dirt will make you eyes work harder to focus. My toddler son wears glasses and he gets them very dirty every day.  We probably clean his glasses at least three times a day.  He just hasn't figured out how not to touch the lenses.

We use a lot of eyeglass cleaner so I worked on making the Ultimate Homemade Eyeglass Cleaning Solution.  It is very simple to make and works great. It is safe for most coatings and very inexpensive to make. Make a mixture of 3 parts rubbing alcohol and 1 part water. Add a few drops of mild liquid dish soap. Mix well and put into a spray bottle. Spray both sides of the lens and rub clean with a clean, soft cloth. I find that a good microfiber cloth works the best.  Be careful to never use paper towels or else you can scratch your lenses.  Rinsing the glasses under the faucet first to quickly wash away excess dirt will also aid in keeping scratches away.

Cleaning Your TV or Monitor Screen

There are a few simple rules to follow when cleaning you TV or computer monitor's screen. Never use force, you can destroy an LCD monitor by pushing to hard. Never pour or spray liquid cleaning agents on your monitor or TV. Never leave your monitor damp, always thoroughly dry and remove all cleaning agents. To clean your screens, first wipe with a microfiber cloth. This will remove most dust and light smudges. For tougher spot, dampen a cloth with vinegar and wipe the mark in a circular motion. Commercial products, like TV wipes, work very good but are a little expensive.

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.

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.