Garbage bags:
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IF YOU HAVE TO TIE YOUR OWN GARBAGE BAG, make simple overlapping knots, as commercial cleaners do. Pull the trash bag from the can and shake the contents so they settle to the bottom. Next, take one corner with the left hand and the opposite one with the right hand, pull the corners to the center, and tie a tight square knot across the top of the garbage. Then take the other two
opposing corners and tie a second square knot. These right-over-left and left-over-right knots allow you to pick up the bag and carry it without spilling the contents.
GARBAGE BAGS ARE READILY AVAILABLE in supermarkets and discount stores. Thick garbage bags can be purchased at home improvement stores, janitorial supply stores, and hardware stores.
Glass Cleaners
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commercial glass cleaners contain either ammonia or alcohol. They clean dirt, smears, and grease and can be used on surfaces other than glass, such as Formica and laminate--but not on Corian or marble.
THE COMPOSITION OF A GLASS CLEANER, such as Windex, is a mix of ingredients: detergents or surfactants to dissolve dirt and grime; fragrances; ammonia, an alkaline cleaner; coloring; alcohol, to remove filmy residues and prevent streaks; and solvents, to dissolve oily films.
CHOOSE A GLASS CLEANER that does not contain phosphorus, which has a tendency to smear
glass. /Those popular citrus cleaners may not be be best choice for your home's windows either, since they often contain a solvent called limonene, which can damage wood and vinyl frames. Some glass cleaners are formulated specifically to prevent dripping.
HOMEMADE GLASS CLEANERS are not only cheap and effective but are also easy to put together
. Here are two:
For general cleaning, in a bucket mix 2 squirts of a mild dish-washing detergent (preferably one that
does not contain phosphorus), 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol, and 1 gallon of warm water.
For cleaning up smeary glass, in a 32-ounce spray bottle mix 1/3 cup of distilled white vinegar, 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol, and 1 gallon of warm water.
WHEN YOU'RE USING GLASS CLEANERS to actually clean glass, do it in the morning or early evening --not during the day, when the sun's rays will be heating the glass. Hot glass causes whatever
window cleaner you're using to dry quickly, and you're likely to have a problem with streaks.
GLASS CLEANERS CAN BE BROUGHT in supermarkets, discount stores, hardware stores, and home improvement stores,. Home improvement stores also sell money-saving concentrates.
Hydrogen Peroxide
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hydrogen Peroxide is an oxidizing agent, similar to bleach, that removes color and sanitizes surfaces. Many products that promise to brighten or whiten clothes contain hydrogen peroxide. Use it with care, Peroxide is made of two parts hydrogen and two parts oxygen, and it's the extra oxygen molecule that turns plain water into a potent oxidizer. You can purchase hydrogen peroxide in concentrations ranging from 3 percent to 50 percent.
PEROXIDE IS A GERM KILLER as well as a substitute for bleach. It's a potent enemy of salmonella and E.coli bacteria. To kill these germs, spray 3 percent hydrogen peroxide on a counter
or cutting board, for example, followed by a spritz of white distilled vinegar.
Then rinse with fresh water.
Other uses for hydrogen peroxide abound. Here are a few examples:
FOR REMOVING CARPET STAINS, 3 percent hydrogen peroxide is a good choice. Pour the
peroxide on the spot, wait 30 minutes, and blot it up with paper towels. Rinse with 1/4 cup of white vinegar mixed with 1 quart of water, blot, rinse again with plain water, and blot once more. Test on an inconspicuous spot first.
TO FIGHT MOLD IN BATHROOMS, 30 or 35 percent peroxide, mixed 50-50 with water, is effective. Spray it on, wait an hour and spray again. No rinsing necessary. If mold remains, spray again in two days. Don't use hydrogen peroxide on colored grout.
BRIGHTEN YOUR DINGY LAUNDRY WHITES by adding `1/2 cup of 30 percent peroxide, 2 cups of 3 percent peroxide, or 1 cup of 6 percent peroxide to your wash.
TO REMOVE YELLOW UNDER-ARM STAINS pour 3 percent peroxide directly on the stain, let it sit for several hours, and then rinse.
REMOVE RED DYE STAINS caused by Popsicles, punch, or Kool-Aid with 3 percent peroxide poured directly on the spot. Wait 30 minutes and rinse.
YOU CAN BUY 3 percent hydrogen peroxide in supermarkets and drug stores. Beauty salons carry 6 percent peroxide, medical supply stores sell 30 percent, and health food stores carry both 35 percent and 50 percent, which is considered food grade.
Metal Polishes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commercial metal polishes remove tarnish (oxidation) and create a burnish, or shine, when you apply some elbow grease. Read labels to find a polish suited to the specific metal you want to clean up. (You won't be as happy with a general-purpose metal polish.) Metal polishes typically do their job
through mild abrasion combined with chemical cleaners.
METAL POLISHES COME in liquids and creams. Convenient polishing cloths that are lightly saturated with polish also are available.
HOW OFTEN YOU POLISH an item depends on how often the item is handled. Every time you handle a metal price, you transfer acid from your hands to the item, which translates into oxidation.
TO APPLY POLISH, use a cotton T-shirt or lint-free cotton cloth. Then use a terry cloth towel to remove any excess and a microfiber cloth to buff the polish on the metal. Be sure to remove as much of the residue of the polish as possible afterward, as the chemicals can damage metals over time. To reach nooks and crannies, use an old toothbrush. Some metal polishes contain strong chemicals, so be sure to wear rubber gloves and work in a well-ventilated area.
METAL POLISHES ARE AVAILABLE in hardware stores, supermarkets , home improvement stores, and janitorial supply outlets.
Mops
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back in simpler times, mops came in two varieties--string or sponge. Now the choices include sponge, cotton string, terry cloth towel, disposable towelettes (electrostatic or premoistened), and
microfiber.
MOPS ARE USED to clean floors in two ways--dry mopping or wet-mopping. To dry-mop, microfiber mops and the disposables (Swiffer, for instance) are good choices becuase they easily snag
dirt and dust. If you have heavier or coarser dirt neat entrances, you may need to do a quick sweep first with a broom and dustpan. To remove dried-on grime from a surface, wet-mopping is the way to go. Here's rundown on the five types of mops:
CELLULOSE SPONGE MOPS are made of open-cell foam and are good at cleaning vinyl. To use, dip the mop in a bucket of cleaner and warm water, wring out the excess moisture, and mop. A sponge mop is also good for stripping and waxing a vinyl floor, but not for use on hardwood or marble flooring. The head of your sponge mop will need to be replaced--how often depends on use.
STRING MOPS are usually 100 percent cotton (although some contain polyester), with strings 12 to 18 inches long. Mops have been around quite a while. In 1893, Thomas Stewart patented a string mop with a clamping mechanism worked by a lever to wring out water. Today's string mops can be used indoors or out-doors. They're good for cleaning garage floors and decks, tile and linoleum floors, and uneven surfaces of granite flooring. But string mops are not the ideal choice for hardwood
moisture, which can damage those surfaces. You can extend the life of the mop by machine-washing
and drying the cotton head.
TOWEL MOPS use ordinary terry cloth towels secured with a holding device. Towel mops can be used wet on all floors, you can replace the towels easily when they become soiled, and you can wash and dry them. Among the many terry towels on the market, the heavy-duty hand towels will give you the best results. In addition to floor cleaning, you can use towel mops to dust cobwebs and clean ceilings.
DISPOSABLE TOWELETTE MOPS are a recent arrival on the market. They're available dry or with\ premoistened dispoable pads or wipes. Just place them on the swivel head and start mopping.
When the towelette is soiled, replace it with a fresh one. One model comes with a spray bottle that holds cleaning fluid. You simply pull a trigger on the handle and the cleaner is sprayed on the floor in front of the mop. These mops are conventional and easy to use, but the replacement towels can be expertise.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IF YOU HAVE TO TIE YOUR OWN GARBAGE BAG, make simple overlapping knots, as commercial cleaners do. Pull the trash bag from the can and shake the contents so they settle to the bottom. Next, take one corner with the left hand and the opposite one with the right hand, pull the corners to the center, and tie a tight square knot across the top of the garbage. Then take the other two
opposing corners and tie a second square knot. These right-over-left and left-over-right knots allow you to pick up the bag and carry it without spilling the contents.
GARBAGE BAGS ARE READILY AVAILABLE in supermarkets and discount stores. Thick garbage bags can be purchased at home improvement stores, janitorial supply stores, and hardware stores.
Glass Cleaners
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commercial glass cleaners contain either ammonia or alcohol. They clean dirt, smears, and grease and can be used on surfaces other than glass, such as Formica and laminate--but not on Corian or marble.
THE COMPOSITION OF A GLASS CLEANER, such as Windex, is a mix of ingredients: detergents or surfactants to dissolve dirt and grime; fragrances; ammonia, an alkaline cleaner; coloring; alcohol, to remove filmy residues and prevent streaks; and solvents, to dissolve oily films.
CHOOSE A GLASS CLEANER that does not contain phosphorus, which has a tendency to smear
glass. /Those popular citrus cleaners may not be be best choice for your home's windows either, since they often contain a solvent called limonene, which can damage wood and vinyl frames. Some glass cleaners are formulated specifically to prevent dripping.
HOMEMADE GLASS CLEANERS are not only cheap and effective but are also easy to put together
. Here are two:
For general cleaning, in a bucket mix 2 squirts of a mild dish-washing detergent (preferably one that
does not contain phosphorus), 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol, and 1 gallon of warm water.
For cleaning up smeary glass, in a 32-ounce spray bottle mix 1/3 cup of distilled white vinegar, 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol, and 1 gallon of warm water.
WHEN YOU'RE USING GLASS CLEANERS to actually clean glass, do it in the morning or early evening --not during the day, when the sun's rays will be heating the glass. Hot glass causes whatever
window cleaner you're using to dry quickly, and you're likely to have a problem with streaks.
GLASS CLEANERS CAN BE BROUGHT in supermarkets, discount stores, hardware stores, and home improvement stores,. Home improvement stores also sell money-saving concentrates.
Hydrogen Peroxide
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hydrogen Peroxide is an oxidizing agent, similar to bleach, that removes color and sanitizes surfaces. Many products that promise to brighten or whiten clothes contain hydrogen peroxide. Use it with care, Peroxide is made of two parts hydrogen and two parts oxygen, and it's the extra oxygen molecule that turns plain water into a potent oxidizer. You can purchase hydrogen peroxide in concentrations ranging from 3 percent to 50 percent.
PEROXIDE IS A GERM KILLER as well as a substitute for bleach. It's a potent enemy of salmonella and E.coli bacteria. To kill these germs, spray 3 percent hydrogen peroxide on a counter
or cutting board, for example, followed by a spritz of white distilled vinegar.
Then rinse with fresh water.
Other uses for hydrogen peroxide abound. Here are a few examples:
FOR REMOVING CARPET STAINS, 3 percent hydrogen peroxide is a good choice. Pour the
peroxide on the spot, wait 30 minutes, and blot it up with paper towels. Rinse with 1/4 cup of white vinegar mixed with 1 quart of water, blot, rinse again with plain water, and blot once more. Test on an inconspicuous spot first.
TO FIGHT MOLD IN BATHROOMS, 30 or 35 percent peroxide, mixed 50-50 with water, is effective. Spray it on, wait an hour and spray again. No rinsing necessary. If mold remains, spray again in two days. Don't use hydrogen peroxide on colored grout.
BRIGHTEN YOUR DINGY LAUNDRY WHITES by adding `1/2 cup of 30 percent peroxide, 2 cups of 3 percent peroxide, or 1 cup of 6 percent peroxide to your wash.
TO REMOVE YELLOW UNDER-ARM STAINS pour 3 percent peroxide directly on the stain, let it sit for several hours, and then rinse.
REMOVE RED DYE STAINS caused by Popsicles, punch, or Kool-Aid with 3 percent peroxide poured directly on the spot. Wait 30 minutes and rinse.
YOU CAN BUY 3 percent hydrogen peroxide in supermarkets and drug stores. Beauty salons carry 6 percent peroxide, medical supply stores sell 30 percent, and health food stores carry both 35 percent and 50 percent, which is considered food grade.
Metal Polishes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commercial metal polishes remove tarnish (oxidation) and create a burnish, or shine, when you apply some elbow grease. Read labels to find a polish suited to the specific metal you want to clean up. (You won't be as happy with a general-purpose metal polish.) Metal polishes typically do their job
through mild abrasion combined with chemical cleaners.
METAL POLISHES COME in liquids and creams. Convenient polishing cloths that are lightly saturated with polish also are available.
HOW OFTEN YOU POLISH an item depends on how often the item is handled. Every time you handle a metal price, you transfer acid from your hands to the item, which translates into oxidation.
TO APPLY POLISH, use a cotton T-shirt or lint-free cotton cloth. Then use a terry cloth towel to remove any excess and a microfiber cloth to buff the polish on the metal. Be sure to remove as much of the residue of the polish as possible afterward, as the chemicals can damage metals over time. To reach nooks and crannies, use an old toothbrush. Some metal polishes contain strong chemicals, so be sure to wear rubber gloves and work in a well-ventilated area.
METAL POLISHES ARE AVAILABLE in hardware stores, supermarkets , home improvement stores, and janitorial supply outlets.
Mops
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back in simpler times, mops came in two varieties--string or sponge. Now the choices include sponge, cotton string, terry cloth towel, disposable towelettes (electrostatic or premoistened), and
microfiber.
MOPS ARE USED to clean floors in two ways--dry mopping or wet-mopping. To dry-mop, microfiber mops and the disposables (Swiffer, for instance) are good choices becuase they easily snag
dirt and dust. If you have heavier or coarser dirt neat entrances, you may need to do a quick sweep first with a broom and dustpan. To remove dried-on grime from a surface, wet-mopping is the way to go. Here's rundown on the five types of mops:
CELLULOSE SPONGE MOPS are made of open-cell foam and are good at cleaning vinyl. To use, dip the mop in a bucket of cleaner and warm water, wring out the excess moisture, and mop. A sponge mop is also good for stripping and waxing a vinyl floor, but not for use on hardwood or marble flooring. The head of your sponge mop will need to be replaced--how often depends on use.
STRING MOPS are usually 100 percent cotton (although some contain polyester), with strings 12 to 18 inches long. Mops have been around quite a while. In 1893, Thomas Stewart patented a string mop with a clamping mechanism worked by a lever to wring out water. Today's string mops can be used indoors or out-doors. They're good for cleaning garage floors and decks, tile and linoleum floors, and uneven surfaces of granite flooring. But string mops are not the ideal choice for hardwood
moisture, which can damage those surfaces. You can extend the life of the mop by machine-washing
and drying the cotton head.
TOWEL MOPS use ordinary terry cloth towels secured with a holding device. Towel mops can be used wet on all floors, you can replace the towels easily when they become soiled, and you can wash and dry them. Among the many terry towels on the market, the heavy-duty hand towels will give you the best results. In addition to floor cleaning, you can use towel mops to dust cobwebs and clean ceilings.
DISPOSABLE TOWELETTE MOPS are a recent arrival on the market. They're available dry or with\ premoistened dispoable pads or wipes. Just place them on the swivel head and start mopping.
When the towelette is soiled, replace it with a fresh one. One model comes with a spray bottle that holds cleaning fluid. You simply pull a trigger on the handle and the cleaner is sprayed on the floor in front of the mop. These mops are conventional and easy to use, but the replacement towels can be expertise.
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