Sliding Doors:
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That sliding glass door to your patio or deck provides a nice view but also collects a lot of sand, dust, and debris in its tracks. How you clean the door depends on its frame--wood, aluminum or more common in newer construction, vinyl.
Vacuuming the still tracks is the first step in cleaning any sliding door. Run the vacuum over the tracks at least once in the spring and fall--or weekly if you use the door frequently (at a
beach, for instance). Timesaving tip: Regularly sweep or vacuum the area just outside the sliding door to help reduce the amount of dirt that gets dragged into the tracks.
To keep your door sliding smoothly, spray silicone on a soft, dry cloth and wipe it onto the track. Don't allow the silicone to come into contact with wood surfaces or the weather strip. Lubricate
rollers with light oil (3-in-One, for instance).
To clean the outside of a vinyl frame, use a mild dishwashing detergent. Add a couple of squirts of detergent to 1 gallon of hot or warm water and apply the soapy solution with a soft sponge or cloth.
Rinse with clean water. Make sure you clean the frame before you wash the window so that you won't get your sparkling window wet and smeary again. Start at the top of the frame and work down.
To clean the inside of a vinyl frame, wipe with a damp cloth at the time that you clean the window. Don't use abrasive cleaners, abrasive scouring pads, or sandpaper in an attempt to buff or shine the vinyl frame or to remove marks.
To clean wood-framed sliding doors, fill a misting bottle with warm water and a squirt of mild dishwashing liquid. spray the sliding door frames and wipe off any dirt with a soft cloth. Finish by gently drying with another soft cloth. Never use a hose or any high-pressure washer on the door. Likewise, if your wooden door frame is painted, never use abrasive cleaners, as they can soften latex paint. A few will even soften oil-based paint. If the residue won't come off with water or a mild detergent, consider lightly sanding it and then refinishing.
It's important to make a thorough inspection of your wooden door frame at least once a year--monthly in coastal or harsh climates. That's because wood is highly susceptible to attacks by fungi and other deterioration.
To clean aluminum-clad silding doors, again your best bet is mild dishwashing detergent and water applied with a sponge or soft brush from top to bottom. Rinse immediately Air-drry or wipe with a soft, dry cloth. For a protective coating, apply car wax to the aluminum. You should plan an annual cleaning for all exterior aluminum frames.
Next, clean the glass, inside and out. (See Windows for cleaning solutions and techniques.) Any window cleaner will be fine for this job, but avoid getting the cleaner on the window frames, because ingredients in some glass cleaners will damage the frame materials.
Finally clean, the screen door, if you have one, by gently vacuuming it with a brush attachment that will not harm the mesh vacuum both sides.
Slipcovers
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You cleaning schedule for slipcovers will depend on your lifestyle. How often do you use the furniture with the slipcovers on? How many children do you have? Do you have pets? On average, slipcovers should be cleaned three or four times a year--more often if they look or get rubby sooner. Care for your slipcovers as you would any of your upholstered furniture.
To remove dust and debris, give the slipcovers a going-cover while they're still on the furniture with your vacuum cleaner, using the upholstery attachment. On pillowcases, use the vacuum nozzle without any attachments.
To clean slipcovers, remove them and give them a good shake outdoors. You'll either be able to wash the slipcovers (follow the fabric care instructions), or you'll need to take them to the dry cleaner. Most slipcovers can be washed, with the exception of rayon, which often requires dry-cleaning. Either way, clean all matching slipcovers at the same time so that the color will stay even, since they
may fade with washing. For example, on a sofa, wash all the slipcovers and pillowcases at the same time, using exactly the same amount of detergent and the same water temperature. Wash the curtains, too if they're made of the same fabric.
Pretreat any stains, after removing the slipcovers and before washing. Use a method appropriate to the stain. (See Stains) Place the slipcovers in the washing machine on a soak cycle to remove extra soil before the wash cycle begins. Don't leave the slipcovers in the wash cycle for long, as this could loosen their stitching. Wash in warm water with any laundry detergent and use a cold rinse. Slipcovers will sometimes shrink the first time they're laundered, but it shouldn't be very much. While your slip covers are washing, vacuum the upholstery of the furniture while it's uncovered.
Before drying the slipcovers, check to see whether the stains have been removed. If the stains are still here, drying will set them. You'll need to treat the stains once more and rinse or launder again. And if you do that, you should launder every other item a second time, too, to keep the color even.
To dry your slipcovers, check the care label and either hang the slipcovers over a drying rack or put them in a dryer. Some people feel that machine-drying is too harsh and recommend laying the slipcovers flat. If you use a dryer, dry on low heat and avoid over drying. If you air-dry, don't try on a clothesline, because the weight of the slipcover might pull the fabric out of shape.
Once the slipcovers are dry, put them back on the furniture, smooth them, and pull all the seams and cording into place. pinch any pleats into sharp creases and smooth any ruffles. If you like, iron the pleats before refitting to the furniture.
expert advice
On the Rack >
Darby Jacobs has learned a few things over the years in his Veradale, Washington, upholstery shop, and one is how to get the best fit for slip-covers. Jacobs says the trick is to put the covers on the frame or cushions before they're completely dry--somewhere in between being damp and almost dry. This way they'll stretch around the object nicely (especially true of fitted slipcovers). This method will help the wrinkles out, too. You can speed the drying process by using nature--open the window in good weather--or an electric fan near the window or furniture. If you use this technique, don't use this furniture until the slipcovers are completely dry.
Note: See Tomorrow Medical Blog
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That sliding glass door to your patio or deck provides a nice view but also collects a lot of sand, dust, and debris in its tracks. How you clean the door depends on its frame--wood, aluminum or more common in newer construction, vinyl.
Vacuuming the still tracks is the first step in cleaning any sliding door. Run the vacuum over the tracks at least once in the spring and fall--or weekly if you use the door frequently (at a
beach, for instance). Timesaving tip: Regularly sweep or vacuum the area just outside the sliding door to help reduce the amount of dirt that gets dragged into the tracks.
To keep your door sliding smoothly, spray silicone on a soft, dry cloth and wipe it onto the track. Don't allow the silicone to come into contact with wood surfaces or the weather strip. Lubricate
rollers with light oil (3-in-One, for instance).
To clean the outside of a vinyl frame, use a mild dishwashing detergent. Add a couple of squirts of detergent to 1 gallon of hot or warm water and apply the soapy solution with a soft sponge or cloth.
Rinse with clean water. Make sure you clean the frame before you wash the window so that you won't get your sparkling window wet and smeary again. Start at the top of the frame and work down.
To clean the inside of a vinyl frame, wipe with a damp cloth at the time that you clean the window. Don't use abrasive cleaners, abrasive scouring pads, or sandpaper in an attempt to buff or shine the vinyl frame or to remove marks.
To clean wood-framed sliding doors, fill a misting bottle with warm water and a squirt of mild dishwashing liquid. spray the sliding door frames and wipe off any dirt with a soft cloth. Finish by gently drying with another soft cloth. Never use a hose or any high-pressure washer on the door. Likewise, if your wooden door frame is painted, never use abrasive cleaners, as they can soften latex paint. A few will even soften oil-based paint. If the residue won't come off with water or a mild detergent, consider lightly sanding it and then refinishing.
It's important to make a thorough inspection of your wooden door frame at least once a year--monthly in coastal or harsh climates. That's because wood is highly susceptible to attacks by fungi and other deterioration.
To clean aluminum-clad silding doors, again your best bet is mild dishwashing detergent and water applied with a sponge or soft brush from top to bottom. Rinse immediately Air-drry or wipe with a soft, dry cloth. For a protective coating, apply car wax to the aluminum. You should plan an annual cleaning for all exterior aluminum frames.
Next, clean the glass, inside and out. (See Windows for cleaning solutions and techniques.) Any window cleaner will be fine for this job, but avoid getting the cleaner on the window frames, because ingredients in some glass cleaners will damage the frame materials.
Finally clean, the screen door, if you have one, by gently vacuuming it with a brush attachment that will not harm the mesh vacuum both sides.
Slipcovers
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You cleaning schedule for slipcovers will depend on your lifestyle. How often do you use the furniture with the slipcovers on? How many children do you have? Do you have pets? On average, slipcovers should be cleaned three or four times a year--more often if they look or get rubby sooner. Care for your slipcovers as you would any of your upholstered furniture.
To remove dust and debris, give the slipcovers a going-cover while they're still on the furniture with your vacuum cleaner, using the upholstery attachment. On pillowcases, use the vacuum nozzle without any attachments.
To clean slipcovers, remove them and give them a good shake outdoors. You'll either be able to wash the slipcovers (follow the fabric care instructions), or you'll need to take them to the dry cleaner. Most slipcovers can be washed, with the exception of rayon, which often requires dry-cleaning. Either way, clean all matching slipcovers at the same time so that the color will stay even, since they
may fade with washing. For example, on a sofa, wash all the slipcovers and pillowcases at the same time, using exactly the same amount of detergent and the same water temperature. Wash the curtains, too if they're made of the same fabric.
Pretreat any stains, after removing the slipcovers and before washing. Use a method appropriate to the stain. (See Stains) Place the slipcovers in the washing machine on a soak cycle to remove extra soil before the wash cycle begins. Don't leave the slipcovers in the wash cycle for long, as this could loosen their stitching. Wash in warm water with any laundry detergent and use a cold rinse. Slipcovers will sometimes shrink the first time they're laundered, but it shouldn't be very much. While your slip covers are washing, vacuum the upholstery of the furniture while it's uncovered.
Before drying the slipcovers, check to see whether the stains have been removed. If the stains are still here, drying will set them. You'll need to treat the stains once more and rinse or launder again. And if you do that, you should launder every other item a second time, too, to keep the color even.
To dry your slipcovers, check the care label and either hang the slipcovers over a drying rack or put them in a dryer. Some people feel that machine-drying is too harsh and recommend laying the slipcovers flat. If you use a dryer, dry on low heat and avoid over drying. If you air-dry, don't try on a clothesline, because the weight of the slipcover might pull the fabric out of shape.
Once the slipcovers are dry, put them back on the furniture, smooth them, and pull all the seams and cording into place. pinch any pleats into sharp creases and smooth any ruffles. If you like, iron the pleats before refitting to the furniture.
expert advice
On the Rack >
Darby Jacobs has learned a few things over the years in his Veradale, Washington, upholstery shop, and one is how to get the best fit for slip-covers. Jacobs says the trick is to put the covers on the frame or cushions before they're completely dry--somewhere in between being damp and almost dry. This way they'll stretch around the object nicely (especially true of fitted slipcovers). This method will help the wrinkles out, too. You can speed the drying process by using nature--open the window in good weather--or an electric fan near the window or furniture. If you use this technique, don't use this furniture until the slipcovers are completely dry.
Note: See Tomorrow Medical Blog
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