Buckets
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THE SOLUTION is to purchase a bucket with two chambers for holding liquid, plus a wringer for squeezing your mop. Rinse water goes in one side of the bucket, and cleaning solution in the other. After the first round of mopping, place the mop in the rinse water and then squeeze it through the wringer to remove the dirt. Then dip the mop back into the cleaning solution and mop some more.
TWO-COMPANIES BUCKETS
typically come on rollers, which if you hate all that lifting ( a gallon of water weighs 8 pounds, you know). when purchasing a bucket, make sure it's wide enough for your mop to fit inside, and get one with measurement marks on the inside so you can tell how much water you've poured in.
YOU CAN BUY BUCKETS at super market and discount retailers, but for one with two
compartments you may have to visit a home improvement store or a janitorial supply store.
Caddies
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When it's time to clean, you don't want to waste time tracking down supplies. A sturdy cleaning caddy will hold and organize your cleaning products and cloths, and as is spelled out in zap it is an essential part of an organized cleaning system. For tips on what supplies to put in your caddy.
THE DESIGN OF A CADDY IS SOMETHING that you need to pay attention to. Look for one with dividers, so you can separate smaller items from large ones. The individual slots also enable you to separate items you use less frequently, so they will be less likely to fall out when you reach for the most-used cleaners. Caddies with higher side walls also prevent your cleaners from going AWOL.
Make sure your caddy has a handle mounted in the center, and arrange your products so the caddy is well balanced. Spend an extra dollar or two on a caddy with a rubber-coated handle, which is easier to tote when fully loaded.
THE MATERIAL A CADDY IS MADE FROM is also important. Avoid wooden caddies, since wet wood will warp and is an excellent breeding ground for mildew. Rubber, vinyl-coated wire, or plastic caddies are better alternatives, but avoid cheap, flimsy plastic that will crack.
CADDIES CAN BE BROUGHT at home improvement stores, large supermarkets, and discount retailers.
Carpet Deep-Cleaners
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not too long ago, buying your own deep-cleaning carpet machine was an iffy proposition. It was easy to over wet your carpet with them, running a risk of encouraging mildew, and some models didn't heat the water well enough to do a good cleaning job. Some new models have overcome those problems, but you still
would be wise to weight the alternatives before deciding to park another vacuum-cleaner-sized appliance in your closet.
A PROFESSIONAL CLEANER is still likely to do a better job of cleaning your carpet than you can do by yourself with a home unit. Then again, you could pay for a home unit with the money you'd shell out to a pro for just a visit or two.
RENTING A DEEP-CLEANING UNIT is economical (about $20 A DAY), but hauling the great from the store to your house and back again is a hassle, and it's hand to know what condition your rental unit will be in.
IF YOU DECIDE TO BUY A UNIT, you can expect to pay $250 to $350 for a full-sized rig. The higher-end home machines include such features as dials that automatically adjust the amount of cleaner dispensed based on whether you're cleaning a low- or high-traffic area; an on-board heater that gets the water about 25 degrees hotter than your hot tap water; a self-propelled feature (if you have a self-propelled lawn mower or vacuum cleaner, you'll appreciate this); and a powered hand tool attachment made especially for cleaning small spaces such as stairwells and around toilets.
DEEP CLEANERS WORK by forcing a heated cleaning mixture into the carpet, then sucking about 90 percent of the liquid back out--and with it grime and embedded dirt. (They are sometimes called steam cleaners, but they actually use hot water, not steam.) Even the best vacuum cleaners can't reach the dirt at the base of a carpet, so periodic deep cleaning is important. Every 6 to 18 months ought to do it. Most deep cleaners are now upright models instead of those squat canisters with a hose.
CONSIDER STORAGE AND MANEU-VERABILITY When shopping for a deep cleaner. The units can weigh up to 23 pounds and have nozzle widths up to 14 inches for full-sized models.
DRYING TIME varies from about four to six hours, depending on the thickness of the carpet and pad.
CARPET DEEP-CLEANERS ARE AVAILABLE at discount retailers, department stores, and home improvement stores.
Car Polishes
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There's a big difference between polishing a car and waxing one. Polishing adds brilliance. wax provides protection. And if you polish your car at least once a month, you'll probably eliminate the need to wax.
BEFORE YOU POLISH, though, the car must be clean, or you'll rub tiny particles of dirt into the finish and create noticeable scratches. Clean the exterior with car wash solution rather than dish-washing detergent--detergents draw oil out of the car's paint, which accelerates oxidation and makes the paint look cloudy.
After the car is clean and free of bond contaminants like tree sap and bug residue, it's time to polish. The role of polish is to condition and nourish the paint and give it a deep, wet -look sine.
Done properly, polishing adds brilliance and makes a car as smooth as glass before you wax. The paint is re-juvenated, and unlike the wax buildup you can get from over-waxing, polishing only improves the paint finish with each use.
THE KEY TO PROPER POLISHING is using clean clothes. Have several cloths (100 percent cotton or microfiber) on hand and constantly rotate the area of cloth use so you've not pushing the residue you've already removed right back into the paint. When there are no more totally unused areas on the cloth, switch to a clean one.
Another benefit of polish is that if you've just had your car painted and you have been instructed not to wax it for three months, you can still polish, since polish doesn't inhibit the curing process.
SPRAY-ON POLISHES are the easiest to apply, but there are trade-offs: They aren't as good at rejuvenating an oxidized finish, and their shine does not tend to last as long.
LIQUID AND PASTE POLISHES require more elbow grease, but it effect is more durable. And a warning: If the label of a polish tells you to keep the product away from the rubber and plastic trim on your car, take heed. Such polishes will leave permanent, unsightly streaks on the trim.
CAR POLISHES ARE WIDELY AVAILABLE, but you'll find the best selection at automotive stores. Even high-end polishes made by industry leaders such as Meguiar's and Mothers are relatively expensive--$5 to $6 for a 16-ounce bottle.
Cleaning Cloths
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cleaning cloths were once a simple proposition: Pull out some clean, 100 percent cotton rags and get to work. But newer products are augmenting the traditionally standby, and they score considerable points for effectiveness and ease of use
MICROFIBER CLOTHS are taking off in the cleaning world, due to interwoven fibers that are ten times finer than silk. They grab and trap dust and pull it off the surface you're cleaning, without scratching. They're all the rage for cleaning computers, CDs, and TV screens--any surface that's especially vulnerable to scratching.
USE MICROFIBER CLOTHS for dusting and polishing household surfaces, or you can combine them with cleansers, polishes, or water for an unlimited number of household tasks. Because they absorb several times their weight in fluids, they're particularly adept at streak-free cleaning.
CLEANING MICROFIBER CLOTHS is easy, too. Shake them out when they're filled with dry dust and machine-wash them when they look especially dirty. Also available in mitts, the cloths can be used and washed up to 500 times (lasting about two years under normal use) before losing effectiveness. When washing microfiber cloths, though, avoid using fabric softener or bleach, including softener sheets in the dryer. Also avoid drying them with towels, since lint from the towels will stick to the microfibers. Some microfibers are treated with cleaning solutions and should not be washed, such as microfiber jewelry cleaning cloths that remove tarnish and polish precious metals.
COTTON CLOTHS still market great cleaning aids. Old T-shirts are a top choice. Old socks are also handy, because you can wear them like mittens and just use your hands to dust. If you don't want to give up your cotton cloths, just make sure you wash them between uses.
YOU CAN BUY MICROFIBER CLOTHS in home improvement stores and automotive stores. They are more expensive and less widely available than cotton cloths. They cost about $6 fro a 15 in. x 15 in. square--but compared to one-use disposable wipes, they're downright economical.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE SOLUTION is to purchase a bucket with two chambers for holding liquid, plus a wringer for squeezing your mop. Rinse water goes in one side of the bucket, and cleaning solution in the other. After the first round of mopping, place the mop in the rinse water and then squeeze it through the wringer to remove the dirt. Then dip the mop back into the cleaning solution and mop some more.
TWO-COMPANIES BUCKETS
typically come on rollers, which if you hate all that lifting ( a gallon of water weighs 8 pounds, you know). when purchasing a bucket, make sure it's wide enough for your mop to fit inside, and get one with measurement marks on the inside so you can tell how much water you've poured in.
YOU CAN BUY BUCKETS at super market and discount retailers, but for one with two
compartments you may have to visit a home improvement store or a janitorial supply store.
Caddies
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When it's time to clean, you don't want to waste time tracking down supplies. A sturdy cleaning caddy will hold and organize your cleaning products and cloths, and as is spelled out in zap it is an essential part of an organized cleaning system. For tips on what supplies to put in your caddy.
THE DESIGN OF A CADDY IS SOMETHING that you need to pay attention to. Look for one with dividers, so you can separate smaller items from large ones. The individual slots also enable you to separate items you use less frequently, so they will be less likely to fall out when you reach for the most-used cleaners. Caddies with higher side walls also prevent your cleaners from going AWOL.
Make sure your caddy has a handle mounted in the center, and arrange your products so the caddy is well balanced. Spend an extra dollar or two on a caddy with a rubber-coated handle, which is easier to tote when fully loaded.
THE MATERIAL A CADDY IS MADE FROM is also important. Avoid wooden caddies, since wet wood will warp and is an excellent breeding ground for mildew. Rubber, vinyl-coated wire, or plastic caddies are better alternatives, but avoid cheap, flimsy plastic that will crack.
CADDIES CAN BE BROUGHT at home improvement stores, large supermarkets, and discount retailers.
Carpet Deep-Cleaners
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not too long ago, buying your own deep-cleaning carpet machine was an iffy proposition. It was easy to over wet your carpet with them, running a risk of encouraging mildew, and some models didn't heat the water well enough to do a good cleaning job. Some new models have overcome those problems, but you still
would be wise to weight the alternatives before deciding to park another vacuum-cleaner-sized appliance in your closet.
A PROFESSIONAL CLEANER is still likely to do a better job of cleaning your carpet than you can do by yourself with a home unit. Then again, you could pay for a home unit with the money you'd shell out to a pro for just a visit or two.
RENTING A DEEP-CLEANING UNIT is economical (about $20 A DAY), but hauling the great from the store to your house and back again is a hassle, and it's hand to know what condition your rental unit will be in.
IF YOU DECIDE TO BUY A UNIT, you can expect to pay $250 to $350 for a full-sized rig. The higher-end home machines include such features as dials that automatically adjust the amount of cleaner dispensed based on whether you're cleaning a low- or high-traffic area; an on-board heater that gets the water about 25 degrees hotter than your hot tap water; a self-propelled feature (if you have a self-propelled lawn mower or vacuum cleaner, you'll appreciate this); and a powered hand tool attachment made especially for cleaning small spaces such as stairwells and around toilets.
DEEP CLEANERS WORK by forcing a heated cleaning mixture into the carpet, then sucking about 90 percent of the liquid back out--and with it grime and embedded dirt. (They are sometimes called steam cleaners, but they actually use hot water, not steam.) Even the best vacuum cleaners can't reach the dirt at the base of a carpet, so periodic deep cleaning is important. Every 6 to 18 months ought to do it. Most deep cleaners are now upright models instead of those squat canisters with a hose.
CONSIDER STORAGE AND MANEU-VERABILITY When shopping for a deep cleaner. The units can weigh up to 23 pounds and have nozzle widths up to 14 inches for full-sized models.
DRYING TIME varies from about four to six hours, depending on the thickness of the carpet and pad.
CARPET DEEP-CLEANERS ARE AVAILABLE at discount retailers, department stores, and home improvement stores.
Car Polishes
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There's a big difference between polishing a car and waxing one. Polishing adds brilliance. wax provides protection. And if you polish your car at least once a month, you'll probably eliminate the need to wax.
BEFORE YOU POLISH, though, the car must be clean, or you'll rub tiny particles of dirt into the finish and create noticeable scratches. Clean the exterior with car wash solution rather than dish-washing detergent--detergents draw oil out of the car's paint, which accelerates oxidation and makes the paint look cloudy.
After the car is clean and free of bond contaminants like tree sap and bug residue, it's time to polish. The role of polish is to condition and nourish the paint and give it a deep, wet -look sine.
Done properly, polishing adds brilliance and makes a car as smooth as glass before you wax. The paint is re-juvenated, and unlike the wax buildup you can get from over-waxing, polishing only improves the paint finish with each use.
THE KEY TO PROPER POLISHING is using clean clothes. Have several cloths (100 percent cotton or microfiber) on hand and constantly rotate the area of cloth use so you've not pushing the residue you've already removed right back into the paint. When there are no more totally unused areas on the cloth, switch to a clean one.
Another benefit of polish is that if you've just had your car painted and you have been instructed not to wax it for three months, you can still polish, since polish doesn't inhibit the curing process.
SPRAY-ON POLISHES are the easiest to apply, but there are trade-offs: They aren't as good at rejuvenating an oxidized finish, and their shine does not tend to last as long.
LIQUID AND PASTE POLISHES require more elbow grease, but it effect is more durable. And a warning: If the label of a polish tells you to keep the product away from the rubber and plastic trim on your car, take heed. Such polishes will leave permanent, unsightly streaks on the trim.
CAR POLISHES ARE WIDELY AVAILABLE, but you'll find the best selection at automotive stores. Even high-end polishes made by industry leaders such as Meguiar's and Mothers are relatively expensive--$5 to $6 for a 16-ounce bottle.
Cleaning Cloths
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cleaning cloths were once a simple proposition: Pull out some clean, 100 percent cotton rags and get to work. But newer products are augmenting the traditionally standby, and they score considerable points for effectiveness and ease of use
MICROFIBER CLOTHS are taking off in the cleaning world, due to interwoven fibers that are ten times finer than silk. They grab and trap dust and pull it off the surface you're cleaning, without scratching. They're all the rage for cleaning computers, CDs, and TV screens--any surface that's especially vulnerable to scratching.
USE MICROFIBER CLOTHS for dusting and polishing household surfaces, or you can combine them with cleansers, polishes, or water for an unlimited number of household tasks. Because they absorb several times their weight in fluids, they're particularly adept at streak-free cleaning.
CLEANING MICROFIBER CLOTHS is easy, too. Shake them out when they're filled with dry dust and machine-wash them when they look especially dirty. Also available in mitts, the cloths can be used and washed up to 500 times (lasting about two years under normal use) before losing effectiveness. When washing microfiber cloths, though, avoid using fabric softener or bleach, including softener sheets in the dryer. Also avoid drying them with towels, since lint from the towels will stick to the microfibers. Some microfibers are treated with cleaning solutions and should not be washed, such as microfiber jewelry cleaning cloths that remove tarnish and polish precious metals.
COTTON CLOTHS still market great cleaning aids. Old T-shirts are a top choice. Old socks are also handy, because you can wear them like mittens and just use your hands to dust. If you don't want to give up your cotton cloths, just make sure you wash them between uses.
YOU CAN BUY MICROFIBER CLOTHS in home improvement stores and automotive stores. They are more expensive and less widely available than cotton cloths. They cost about $6 fro a 15 in. x 15 in. square--but compared to one-use disposable wipes, they're downright economical.
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