The Benefits of Vinegar: Grease-Cutting Machine
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Vinegar is fantastic for cutting grease. When the Clean My Space crew encounters a greasy area, namely the kitchen, we arm ourselves with clean cloths and plenty of the good stuff. The key is to always buff it dry to avoid any damage (because vinegar is acidic). Apply the vinegar, let it sit, and then wipe off with a cloth or semi-abrasive sponge (depending on what is being cleaned).
Fingerprints on cabinet doors that just don’t seem to come off any other way easily come off with a quick splash of vinegar. Always consult the manufacturer of the fixtures before using vinegar on any surface (i.e. cupboards, granite, etc.).
Even for pots and pans that are heavily greased, vinegar will do the trick if left to sit on the soiled pot or pan for about 5 minutes.
When cleaning an exhaust fan vent, you will experience the same wonder as vinegar eats away at the grease and leaves the vent clean shiny.
If your stainless steel is dirty (large or small appliances), use some vinegar to remove the gooey buildup!
Vinegar is also amazing on floors, especially tile and laminate. Add about half a cup to hot water and mop. Be sure to wring the mop well to avoid streaks. Let vinegar do the dirty work!
Melissa
The Benefits of Vinegar: Cleaning Glass and Soap Scum
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Although vinegar has a certain pungent smell, we can’t argue the beneficial cleaning power it harbors. Over the next few weeks, I’ll provide a few cleaning tips we at Clean My Space have used involving vinegar, which I am sure you will find beneficial.
Vinegar works just as well as, if not better than, your run-of-the-mill glass cleaners. What we do for ease of use is place vinegar in a spray bottle (usually available at the dollar store) and treat it as regular glass cleaner. Mist it on and buff it off – it works perfectly. You may even want to use newspaper, which leaves glass streak-free. Don’t forget to recycle the newspaper afterwards!
Vinegar is also amazing in the shower (tub and tiles) for cleaning hardened-on soap scum. Vinegar eats right through stubborn stains just as well as a store-bought soap scum remover. Again, we use a spray bottle for the application, allow it to sit for about 5 minutes, then scrub off with a sponge. A rinse and buff will leave the shower glass and tiles looking utterly perfect! It also leaves stainless steel shiny, so give all fixtures a quick spray and buff with a clean and dry cloth.
Melissa
Wonderful Baking Soda 4: Laundry
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As if we haven’t already heard about how amazing baking soda is, there is even more to be learned. As a business owner, my time is limited; whatever I do needs to be incredibly functional and as time-saving as possible. So, I have invested some time to figure out how I can make doing my laundry less cumbersome.
I have learned, not to my surprise, that baking soda is also a huge helper when it comes to laundry. Per load, I started to add about a half cup of the magic stuff to my liquid detergent to help fabrics come out softer, fresher, and looking better (yes, it’s true!). Not only does it help liquid detergent, but it boosts whitening power as well! So I get whiter whites when I use the powerful powder in the wash.
I’ve also learned that it replaces fabric softener and act as an odor-eater if sprinkled in during the rinse cycle! There is nothing like the fresh smell of laundry, and baking soda really does help.
There have also been times where I don’t have the time to drop off delicates to be dry cleaned (even though I promise myself when I buy the garments that I will), and have to figure out a way to clean it myself so that it can be worn more than once. What I do is add about ¼ cup baking soda to about 4 liters of cold water. Of course, I do take the time to test for colorfastness before I do the whole garment. Once soaked, it can be rinsed and hung to dry.
As you can see, baking soda should be purchased in bulk and used as much as possible. I know I have taken quite well to this concept and love the results!
Melissa
Wonderful Baking Soda 3: Pots and Pans
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Whether or not you have tried these baking soda tricks (they are so cool), I am sure you will love my story about cleaning pots and pans with baking soda.
I am an avid cook, always interested in trying out new and exciting recipes. Since I love cooking from scratch, it is a fairly laborious task to get all the ingredients prepared and cooked. I am not complaining, but I am sure those who love cooking can agree with me that after “slaving over a hot stove” (as my mother says), the last thing anyone wants to do is clean the pots and pans—let alone the caked-on food that didn’t quite make it to the table.
I learned yet another awesome baking soda trick that relieves us cooks of major cleaning jobs. Here’s what I do when I’ve created a culinary delight and a cleaning disaster:
When the pots and pans have cooled, I sprinkle some baking soda in the pot or pan (a couple of tablespoons works fine) and add some hot water to activate the soda. I leave it for about 15 minutes, and then come back to an absolutely effortless clean up. The soda lifts the crusty bits right off the surface. All I have to do is gently wipe! If the food is still not coming off, I place the pan on the stovetop, add the baking soda and water, and let it boil for 20 minutes or so. After the pot cools, I can do the same thing—easily wipe out the inside of the pot for a perfect clean. Once the stains are off the cookware, I just rinse with some dishwashing liquid for squeaky-clean results. It reduces elbow grease, and who doesn’t love that?
Melissa
Wonderful Baking Soda 2: Shower Tiles
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In my own shower as well as at homes of some of our clients, we come across dirty grout. This is a total eyesore and embarrasses many. When I bought my pre-owned condo, it was evident that the former owners couldn’t care less about the grout in the shower. The kitchen tiles were fine, but the shower, no matter how many times I cleaned it, didn’t look right. I tried to tell myself it was ok, but I still felt the need to conquer that grout once and for all.
After some research I learned that baking soda (of course) mixed with vinegar would do the job. I placed about a cup of baking soda in a bowl and mixed it with about 1/3 cup of pure white distilled vinegar. The bubbly reaction the mixture created brought back memories of my high school science class, but since I know how great baking soda is, I trusted this little homemade volcano would work out for me.
I applied the paste with a wooden spoon onto the grout, being sure to brush the mixture over the grout and not wasting it on the tile. I left it for about 15-20 minutes and then used an old toothbrush to brush away the old dirt. The shower looks awesome, and now I feel just fine about showing it off to friends!
Melissa
Wonderful Baking Soda 1: Kitchen Odors
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Baking soda is one of our best friends when it comes to quick and natural cleaning and housekeeping. The things I have learned to do with baking soda are amazing, and as you can see from the last post about carpet deodorizing, it’s applicable to our daily lives.
For the kitchen, I have come across some areas that could really use special attention, and baking soda is just the magic bullet. I know that in particular, my spice cupboard can take on very strong odors from aromatic spices such as cumin, curry powder and cinnamon. I have to hold my breath when opening it! Plus some weaker spices can take on the smells of stronger ones.
Another big thing for me is that gross “freezer smell” and taste. Baking soda can fight both problems and more!
For fridges, freezers, and cupboards, I open a box of baking soda and place it in the side of the fridge or cupboard. Just let it be; it will deodorize, neutralize, and keep food fresh. I usually change the box 2 or 3 times per year just for good measure.
I have also tried sprinkling baking soda at the bottom of the garbage cans around my condo to keep odors from forming. Essentially, anything that harbors odors could use a sprinkling of baking soda to keep a fresh scent.
Melissa
Fresh Carpets and Rugs at Last!
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Walking into a home and smelling that “familiar smell” can be comforting, but it can also be downright nauseating, depending on the condition of the carpets. Pets, kids, shoes, dust, etc. can leave the carpets smelly in no time.
A great trick we use, especially for clients with pets, is the baking soda trick. Baking soda is an awesome deodorizer (I’ll keep writing more about its wonders), is cheap and easy, and most importantly, eco-friendly.
When cleaning, we start by sprinkling baking soda onto the carpet at the beginning of the service. The baking soda sits in the carpet and does its work (eating away at odors and such). Once we are done cleaning, we vacuum the carpets as usual; the baking soda simply gets sucked up along with everything else. The result is an odorless carpet, which neutralizes the smell of your home.
We do this every couple of weeks for places with heavy odors, and maybe twice a year for the rest of our clients for good measure. Some people like to get fancy and add things like nutmeg or lavender to the baking soda, which would leave a beautiful aroma long after the cleaning.
Melissa
Natural Furniture Polish
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Maintaining your wood furniture properly is critical to promote longevity and cleanliness. However, have you ever seen what the spray of furniture polish looks like when it comes flying out of the canister? I liken it to a waxy hairspray. That lemony scent is there (mixed with some other mysterious scents that make you want to sneeze), and after copious amounts of spraying and rubbing, your furniture will polish up nicely.
For the most part, these products are effective, but the companies who create these products are not concerned with what the product does to you or the environment. They also include additives such as silicones, waxes, and other harmful chemicals, which can be eradicated with a natural solution.
I have tried this recipe and really like it. Pick up a flannel cloth (old or new), a bottle of white distilled vinegar, and a bottle of lemon oil (available at the health food store). Combine ¼ cup of vinegar and about 10 drops of lemon oil in a standard mixing bowl, and stir well.
To clean, take everything off the wood, dip the cloth into the mixture, and buff wood furniture to a shine. The vinegar lifts dirt out of the wood, and the oil leaves the furniture looking brilliant! I always buff in a circular motion and mentally divide the furniture into sections so that I know everything has been cleaned. I keep a dry flannel cloth on hand so that I can buff the piece dry before replacing anything to prevent rings being left.
I only do this once or twice a year, and never use it on my highly veneered finished wood pieces. The rest of the time, I find keeping wood clean means dusting the pieces and vacuuming only.
Melissa
Resolve to Be Clean, Naturally
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With the start of a New Year, we all aim to do things that will better our lives. One thing you may wish to consider (and probably not at the top of your list of resolutions) is to use cleaning products that are better for the environment and the person doing the cleaning.
How many times have you sprayed your mirrors and felt your nose burn, or coughed in response to the mist of your glass cleaner going down your throat? Ever scrubbed your shower and felt dizzy from the fumes of the soap scum remover? Do you experience guilt when dumping a bucket of dirty water with a cleaning chemical down the pipes? Are you curious about what that lemon scent is really doing to you?
I won’t describe the scientific nitty-gritty, but I will tell you this: natural cleaning products are hitting the market fast and furious, and for good reason. They work well, and they are healthy for you, and good for the environment.
If you go to your local grocery, drug or home store, you are likely to find a shelf of products dedicated to natural cleaning, and a number of lines to choose from. The packaging tends to be more user-friendly, the scents are more pleasant (and scent-free is available for some lines as well), and they don’t have the same dangerous effects of standard cleaning solutions. You may even find some products that are concentrated, meaning you simply provide an empty spray bottle and water, and mix a few drops in for almost endless amounts of cleaning solutions.
For a few extra dollars and a bit of research, check out the options available to you for natural cleaning. Take whatever steps you can to create a clean home without using dangerous chemicals. And just to let you know, a clean home is clean when it smells like… nothing!
Melissa
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