The Clean Boot Blog
Even if housecleaning isn’t your favorite hobby, the results always give grounds for the effort made. There are many important yet often neglected areas of your home that need special attention. This post is intended to highlight some of the most simple and effective ways to freshen up every corner of your home.
The Routine is the Method
Cutting your cleaning time always starts with a system. That apparently means following the same cleaning order every day. To avoid confusion and speed up cleaning, make sure to work one room at a time.
In addition to that, it’s also important to always start cleaning from the top and then clean from left to right to ensure you cover the entire area.
Use a Professional-Grade Window Squeegee
Many times you don’t get your expected shine and cleanliness with conventional window cleaners and paper towels. This is where a window squeegee can be your best friend. Take a bucket of water and mix a few drops of regular liquid dish soap. With the help of a cloth, wipe your windows thoroughly and then squeegee it off.
If you don’t want to use a squeegee, clean windows with a microfiber cloth and a commercially-available glass cleaner. Always wipe in a horizontal direction and never rub in circles.
Have a Variety of Cleaning Tools and Products Handy
Having the most important cleaning equipment and products handy = efficiency. A tool apron can have all your required tools, so you can easily use them. Fill a spray bottle from large concentrate containers, to make them easy to carry.
Use High-Quality Feather Dusters
Feather dusters are a multi-purpose tool that can help you remove dust from blinds, frames, corners and other hard to reach dirty areas. Ostrich feather dusters are believed to be the best, as it tackles the dust and the feathers stay firm and in place. While a feather duster is a great tool for everyday dusting, you should use a vacuum cleaner or a microfiber cloth for any heavy buildup.
Remove Grease
Grease naturally builds up on kitchen surfaces including stoves and cabinets. Look for a grease-cutting liquid having orange oil infused.
Take a bucket full of warm water. Mix one tablespoon of liquid soap with water and wipe cabinets with a cloth. Do not over rub the surfaces as it may result in discoloration or damage. For tough stains, mix baking soda with water and apply on the affected areas with the help of a cloth. Rinse with a different cloth.
Get Rid of Rust Stains
Use a lemon to get rid of rust stains from garages and driveways. The acidic nature of lemon will eliminate rust. Simply, cut a lemon in half and directly rub it on the affected area. Let is rest for 5 minutes. Rinse with clean water. You can even use a bristled brush to help scrape tough rust.
Mineral Deposits
No matter how well you cleaned your bathroom, hard water stains will spoil the entire look. To get rid of those unwanted mineral deposits, take white vinegar and pour it on the affected faucets. Wipe off with a clean cloth.
Clean a Microwave like a Pro!
The inside of your microwave is certainly one of the most neglected areas. You would be surprised to learn how easily you can get rid of those tough microwave stains. Just put a full mug of water into your microwave until the water starts boiling. The boiling water will create moisture. Wipe off the surfaces with a damp cloth.
In conclusion, if you’re really looking to reduce your cleaning time, try to clean more often. Deep clean your house every month so that you don’t have to invest so much time on daily cleaning.
Home cleaning is one of the most annoying things a homeowner needs to do to get rid of toxins and harmful bacteria. The commercially available cleaners and tools aren’t exactly economical. This is where DIY cleaners come to the rescue. With little thought and some research, you can make your very own natural cleaners and detergents. How? Let’s explore.
- Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Did you know you can make a DIY hardwood floor cleaner by mixing just two basic ingredients? Combine one gallon of water with one cup of white vinegar and add a few drops of peppermint essential oil.
If there are scuff marks on your flooring, you can combine vinegar and lavender oil (you can replace lavender with any other antiseptic essential oil) in equal quantities. Pour this mixture into an empty spray bottle. Before spraying this cleaner, sprinkle some baking soda on the affected areas and spray the mixture over it. Let it rest for 5 seconds and wipe with a clean cloth.
Bonus tip: Make your own DIY floor polish by blending olive oil and vinegar in 50:50 ratio. Fill this mixture in a spray bottle and spritz all over flooring, spread mixture by the help of a mop. Let dry.
- DIY Kitchen Cleaner
When it comes to cleaning your kitchen, table salt can be your best friend. Not only does it help you get rid of tough greasy stains, but also makes your counter tops and other kitchen surfaces shiny. Sprinkle salt generously on affected areas. Let it rest for an hour and scrub surfaces with the help of a brush.
For complete kitchen cleaning, combine one cup of white vinegar with one cup of warm water. With the help of sponge, apply this mixture on different kitchen areas like butcher blocks, counters, etc. Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes and wipe off with a clean cloth.
To clean kitchen flooring, simply pour alcohol onto a cotton ball and apply evenly on the flooring. It will act as a natural floor polish for your messy kitchen floors. This recipe can also be used to remove permanent marker stains.
To open clogged drains, just pour in a small bottle of white vinegar into the drain. Let it sit for at least 40 minutes and flush with cold water.
- Home-Made Toilet Cleaner
Vinegar is a miraculous ingredient that can help you remove all unwanted stains and odor from your home. To clean and disinfect toilet bowls, combine one cup of vinegar with half cup baking soda. Pour this mixture into your sinks and scrub with the help of brush.
To get rid of unpleasant mineral deposits, pour vinegar into a grocery bag and tie a knot on the neck of taps or showerhead. Let it sit overnight, scrub and rinse in the morning.
If you have moldy tiles in your bathroom, spray some vinegar directly over the affected areas, leave for 20 minutes and wipe with a cloth.
To freshen up your toilet, mix one cup baking soda with 1/4th cup citric acid. Add in one tablespoon dish soap. Mix well and pour into an ice cube tray. Let dry for at least six hours or until firm. Unmold the pods and store in an airtight container.
To perfectly clean your bathtubs, mix 1 part dish soap with 1 part warm vinegar. Pour this mixture into an empty spray bottle. Apply on the dirty tub and leave for 30 minutes. Rinse and dry with a cloth.
- Natural Carpet Cleaners
Carpet cleaning is a demanding job. Try to keep them clean by wearing shoe covers whenever possible. But still, if you need to clean your carpets, make sure to prepare a home-made cleaner as it is free from harsh chemicals that can literally ruin the texture of your expensive carpet. To make a DIY carpet cleaner, mix equal quantities of vinegar and water. Pour into a spray bottle and apply on the stains. Let it rest for a minute or two, scrub with the help of brush and clean with a sponge.
- Mirror Cleaner
Combine rubbing alcohol with 1 cup water and 1 tablespoon vinegar. Pour into a spray bottle and apply on the mirrors. Always use a microfiber cloth to wipe your mirrors as it will make them look streak-free and clean.
With these simple tips, you can now clean your home like a pro without breaking the bank.