How the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Saved a Bathroom

One of my friends has been in a little bit of a funk lately.  He was laid off from his job six months ago and hasn’t been able to find full time work.  He has been pretty depressed lately so I have been spending some extra time with him trying to cheer him up.  The first thing I noticed when I when to his house was that he had stopped cleaning.  His house was a disaster zone.  There were pizza boxes and fast food bags everywhere.  He hadn’t taken out the trash or done the dishes.  After an hour of cleaning the kitchen and living room I had to use the restroom.  That’s when I had the big shocker.  The bathroom was disgusting.  I don’t if know if I could really explain in words how bad it was.


Your Bathroom Can Make You Sick

The first thing I asked my friend is how he had been feeling.  He said he had been fighting a cold for around a month.  He said he would start to feel better but would always start to get sick again.  He was surprised when I told him that it was likely that his nasty bathroom was making him sick.  I showed him all the mold and mildew and explained how those can weaken his respiratory system, allowing other viruses and bacteria infect his body.  So I convinced him that we need to deep clean his bathroom to help keep him healthy.

After looking around the house it was looking pretty bleak as to being able to clean the bathroom with my normal arsenal of homemade cleaners, so we started to tackle the task with the tools available.  We had a bottle of Scrubbing Bubbles Foaming cleaner so I turned on the bathroom fan and sprayed the entire shower down and left the area until the fumes cleared.  After an hour I went back to rinse the shower but there was still a thick layer of soap scum and hard water deposits.  This was going to be a challenge.  A quick perusal of the cleaning bucket brought me to one of my favorite cleaning tools, the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.  The magic eraser is great at many tough cleaning jobs, but it does require a large amount of physical work.  A good hour of rubbing and scrubbing later the shower was as clean as the day it was installed.  Exhausted, I left feeling good about a job well done.

Two weeks later my friend let me know that he was feeling better, so much better that he got off the couch and got a new job.  When we go through these tough times we all just need a kick in the butt to keep on going.  If you are having a tough time or know someone who is, give them some help.  We all need to work together to get out this funk.

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CLR Cleaner – Uses, Dangers, Alternatives

If you have hard water or well water you likely know the damage that the minerals in the water can cause.  Hard water can clog up your coffee maker, shower heads and hot water heater.  CLR Cleaner is advertised as an easy way to get rid of calcium, lime and rust deposits.  I can say that it does work, but I don’t like how it works and the dangers it can cause.

CLR Cleaner Uses and Instructions

Coffee makers, pots, pans and tea kettles can all be cleaned with CLR.  Just pour in enough to swish around the item and rinse thoroughly.  For coffee makers, run it thru with 50% water and 50% CLR mixture. Although these are the instructions from the bottle, I highly suggest that you don’t use this on anything you eat on or with.

You can clean dishwashers and washing machines by running an empty load without any detergent and ½ cup of CLR.  Always run an extra full cycle with plain water to thoroughly rinse the machine.

Soak a shower head or faucet aerator in equal amount of CLR and hot water for about 2 minutes to clean out all of the hard water deposits and start the free flow of water.  You may need to repeat this on badly encrusted items.

The Dangers of CLR Cleaner

CLR is 8 to 12% lactic acid.  It is very corrosive if left on too long and can damage wood, clothing, wallpaper, carpeting, marble, terrazzo, natural stone, colored grout, painted or metallic glazed surfaces, plastic laminates, Formica or aluminum.  When using CLR always use in well-ventilated area, wear rubber gloves, rinse the area completely with cold, clean water and never mix with other household cleaners or bleach.  Mixing with bleach will release toxic fumes!  You can read about all the dangers and first aid measures on the CLR Material Safety Data Sheet.

CLR Cleaner Alternatives

CLR is an effective product but comes with some dangers to you and your family.  One of the best homemade alternatives to CLR is plain old white distilled vinegar.  Vinegar can do all of the things listed in the Uses section above.  Not only does vinegar work just as well and cost half as much, but it is completely natural.  I am always more comfortable cleaning things in the kitchen with a natural product like white vinegar because I know there is no chance of my food becoming contaminated with toxic chemicals.

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Homemade Clorox Wipe Cleaing Tool

As with most of us, I am always interested in finding new ways to make tasks that I don't enjoy quicker and easier. I was recently watching a TV ad for a car window cleaner that was pretty much a scrubbing pad on a stick. It didn't really impress me, until I was cleaning my bathroom. I like to use Clorox disinfecting cleaning wipes around the toilet and sink. They are quick and easy for the fast cleanups. They do a great job on the tile floor as well, but I hate having to put my face in the toilet to wipe up behind it, especially in the guest bathroom!

My mind went back to the car window cleaner. If only I could attach the disinfecting wipes to a scrubber pad with a short handle, it would make my life so easy. I went looking for anything that I could use and found the perfect handle. Our old dish scrubber with the plastic handle! The scrubbing pad was almost completely gone, but the handle was perfect. I drilled a small hole through the handle and I wrap the disinfecting wipe over the end and push a small nail through the holes securing it to the remains of the scrubbing pad end. The handle is curved and gets into all of the tight spaces around my toilet! Seeing as how we were just going to throw the dish scrubber away, I was very happy with how it turned out. I am now thinking about attaching two alligator clips to the handle to make changing pads easier.

Please let us know about any unique cleaning contraptions that you have come up with. Not all of us love to clean, but we all love getting done faster!

Homemade Daily Shower Cleaner

One of the best ways to keep your showers clean is to spray a mild cleaner after every use. There are several brands you can buy at the store, but you can save money by making your own at home. Just mix 1 cup rubbing alcohol and 3 cups water in a spray bottle. If you have hard water it is best to use distilled water. Just spray all over your shower when you are done, no wiping required. This works best after you have given your shower a good cleaning and can double the amount of time before your next cleaning.

Save Money And The Environment By Insulating Your Water Heater!

Your water heater is designed to hold a set amount of water at a set temperature. Being a large metal tank does not help this. The heat constantly is released through the metal tank and therefore the burners or electric coils must turn on again to increase the temperature. A simple way to save the heat longer is to wrap your water heater tank with insulation. There are a number of relatively inexpensive kits for insulating your water heater. They are available from most home improvement stores and only take a few minutes to install. The benefits of this may not be readily apparent, but this will save you a lot of money over the life of the water heater. The unit will run less, using up less energy and saving you money.

Also, insulate any exposed hot water lines in your home. The copper that is used for these lines wicks the heat right out of the water. This will help save you money because the water will retain its heat longer and you will not have to wait as long to get hot water out of your facet or shower, also saving you water.

If you want to save even more money and energy, try this little water heater trick. If your water can get scalding if allowed to fully warm up, you can definitely reduce the temperature on your water heater. Simply turn down the dial on the front of the unit until the output water is hot enough for dish washing and showering, but not hot enough to scald. This will again cause the unit to run less and waste less energy. Remember, the less energy that we all use reduces the demand on the energy companies and, thus, reduces the cost of energy for everyone!

Dealing With Shower Doors

If you have glass shower doors you know how soap just loves to stick to them. Clean them easily with a sponge dampened in white vinegar. Also pour full strength vinegar into the track that holds the glass panels. Let the vinegar soak in for a few minutes, then rinse to completely to remove mold and soap scum. To keep your shower doors cleaner and to give a new shine to fiberglass doors apply a light coat of acrylic floor finish.

Quick Shower Cleaning Tip

Here’s a great tip to avoid slipping in the shower while cleaning it. Throw a dirty towel on the floor of the shower before stepping in, it provides great traction and you have to wash the towel already anyway. After you are finished, rinse the towel thoroughly as some bathroom cleaners might not play nice with other laundry.

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.

Be Very Careful With Your Bathroom Cleaners!

Always read your commercial cleaning products labels! I cannot stress this enough. If you have any gold or rare metal plated fixtures, do not use any petroleum-based products on them. Also, stay away from using any highly acidic cleaners such as orange or citrus based cleaners or vinegar. These cleaners with instantly destroy the metal's surface, discoloring it permanently. Only use mild dish soap and water or cleaners that are specifically designed for these metals.

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.

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.

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.

Easily Clean Your Shower

To avoid bathtub rings, don't use oily bath products. But if you do continue to get them, make sure you install a water softener if you live in a hard-water area. Always rinse the tub immediately after bathing (don't forget to squeegy the walls). If a ring does form, wipe it off with undiluted ammonia (wear rubber gloves) or a wet sponge generously sprinkled with baking soda. Rinse clean and wipe dry. For a more stubborn stain, scour with automatic dishwashing detergent or rub with a cloth dipped in vinegar. To clean stains from caulking around your tub or shower, use rubbing alcohol. It also shines chrome and glass. Liquid chlorine bleach (1/4 cup to one gallon of water) will also clean caulk.

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!

Black and Decker ScumBuster saves your back

The Black and Decker ScumBuster is one of my favorite cleaning tools. It makes cleaning fun and cuts my cleaning time in half giving me better results then scrubbing by hand.

The ScumBuster has detachable heads: a large head brush for big jobs, a small head brush for getting into cracks and crevices, a multi purpose head for sponges and scouring pads, a carpet shampoo brush, and an assortment of others. You can purchase different attachments and replacement pads at Target or Wal-Mart. The versatility of the heads makes the ScumBuster one of the most useful cleaning tools I use.

The best feature of the ScumBuster is that it is submersible. This makes cleaning the tub much faster. I just fill the tub with about 2" of hot water and spray my cleaner on the sides of the tub. I use the handle attachment, yes it comes with an extension handle so you don't have to bend over, to reach around the tub the tub. I can move the ScumBuster all over the tub at lots of angles and not have to worry about it getting wet. In about 2 minutes I am done and all I have to do is open the drain and rinse.

The latest model, the S600, has a cleaning reservoir. I tend not to use it because I like to use a lot of different cleaners and it is not convenient to change that often. The other issue I have with the ScumBuster is that the battery is not replaceable. The battery only last about 45 minutes of cleaning then you have to recharge it. Once the battery has reached the end of it's life you have to replace the whole unit. I don't mind this as much because at around $35 it will last at least a year or two, but seems wasteful.

I highly recommend the ScumBuster. Of the three models I have used the S600 was the best. The new floating head design really helps get into those tight spots. With all of the attachments, you will find hundreds of things you can clean much easier. I use it weekly to clean the tile, bathtubs, sinks and showers in the bathrooms. I look forward to sharing all the other great uses for this handy cleaning tool.

Let me know what you use your ScumBuster for.