Mops:
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MICROFIBER MOPS are another relatively new thing. They are made of microscopic synthetic fibers that act as hooks to latch on to dust, dirt, and grime. They can hold several times their weight in water. The fibers are lint free and nonabrasive. The lightweight mops can be used on all floor types. To use the mop, dip the microfiber head into the cleaning solution and wring it by hand, leaving it damp. Wipe the floor, but don't put the mop back in the bucket. Change the mop head after mopping each room.
A study by the University of Calfornia Davis Medical Center found that microfiber mops use far less water and cleaning solution that conventional mops because the mop head is changed frequently. The study found 1 gallon of cleaner-and-water solution cleaned 22 rooms. Although microfiber mop heads cost more and have to be laundered separately from other rags, they last for years and prove cost-effective over time.
WHEN BUYING A MOP, you can pick up a sponge, string, or disposable, towelette model from most supermarkets, drugstores, discount retailers, hardware stores, and home improvement stores. Terry towel mops can be purchased at department stores, discount retailers, home improvement stores, and linen specialty stores. Microfiber mops are available at janitorial supply stores and are
gradually being introduced into mass-market stores.
Oils
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oils used on natural wood surfaces or leather make them look healthy. Most oils for wood or leather are extracted naturally from animals, seeds, or the peel of citrus fruits. Oils should never be used on stone, which is porous and will absorb the oil, producing dark spots in the stone. /when you're
thinking of using oil on wood or leather, always test it first on an conspicuous spot. Some commonly used oils are listed below.
CITRU OIL (ORANGE, LEMON, AND GRAPEFRUIT), such as Pledge with Orange Oil, will help restore the finish on wood that has been neglected or has faded. Citrus oil penetrates to moisturize and condition wood. They are often combined with a chemical cleaner. Apply lightly, putting the oil
on a cloth and then wiping onto the furniture or woodwork. Oil has a tendency to streak if you apply too much. Count on 30 minutes for the oil to dry.
PINE OIL is a general cleaner and disinfectant for floors, counters, and bathrooms. It comes from the turpentine family and has a distinct aroma. To use, dilute it in a spray bottle or in mop water according to the package directions.
TUNG OIL AND LINSEED OIL are good for natural wood, table tops, wood paneling, and wooden floors. Some brands have dyes in them, so they act like a stain. Linseed oil is also good for protecting outdoor furniture. Both tung oil and linseed oil can combust spontaneously, so be very careful not to leave oil-soaked rags lying around the house or in a garbage bag. Hang such rags outside to dry thoroughly before you dispose of them in an outdoor garbage can. Or dispose of them in a sealed metal container outside in the shade.
NEAT'S-FOOT OIL which is light yellow, is obtained from the feet and shinbones of cattle. (So to a cow, it's not so neat.) It's a great conditioner for leather (boots, saddles, and such), keeping the leather soft.
TO USE AN OIL, apply it with a cloth, let it soak in for about five to ten minutes, and buff or polish it dry, using circular motions. Cotton towels, diapers, or old T-shirts are great for this.
YOU CAN BUY citrus oil and pine oil anywhere home supplies are sold--supermarkets, hardware stores, home improvement stores, and discount retailers. Tung oil and linseed oil are available from
janitorial supply stores and hardware stores. Neat's-foot oil can be purchased at stores that sell leather goods or at shoe repair shops.
Oven Cleaners
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These are among the strongest--and most toxic--- cleaners available to home owners. Most contain a strong cleaning alkali, usually sodium hydroixde or potassium hydrooxide. This caustic soda, or lye, converts fats to soapy, water-soluble compounds that wipe away easily.
OVEN CLEANERS COME in aerosol sprays, liquids, pastes, and powders and are usually thick so that they can stick on the vertical walls of an oven. They are toxic and can cause deep burns and blindness if they come into contact with skin or eyes. If swallowed, oven cleaners can be fatal. Don't use oven cleaners on self-cleaning ovens, which break down fats and other food with high heat instead of chemicals.
BE CAREFUL WITH ALL OVEN CLEANERS. Wear rubber gloves and protective goggles and work in a well-ventialted area. Never spray commercial oven cleaner on a hot oven, electric elements,
or oven lights--heat can make it even more caustic.
PURCHASE OVEN CLEANERS at supermarkets and discount retailers.
Paper Towels
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Professional cleaners use paper only for quick cleanups, such at emergency spills. It would be a major waste of trees to go through an entire roll of paper towels cleaning, say, a bathroom. And since paper towels are major lint producers, they leave behind a paper trail on mirrors, on windows, and anytime you attempt any serious scrubbing with them.
FOR EMERGENCY OR MESSY WIPE-TIPS paper towels are a great convenience, but they've got to be within arm's reach to be truly convenient. Keep paper towels around for juice spills, per accidents, and wiping up anything (such as wet paint or cooking grease) that might ruin a rag or ruin
anything in the same wash load with it. keep a roll in the kitchen, another in the garbage or shop (they're great for wiping oil and grease off hands), and another in the laundry room for bleach and liquid detergent spills.
PAPER TOWELS CAN BE PURCHASED at supermarkets and discount retailers. As long as you've got the room to store them, buy in bulk, to save money. They won't go bad, and you'll eventually use them. And skip the decorative prints, since the printing inks can occasionally bleed. Isn't white more elegant anyway?
Rubber Gloves
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When it comes to household cleaning, safety is essential. Gloves are important for protecting your hands when using harsh cleaning chemicals or working with hot water. In addition to protecting your hands from injury, gloves keep them soft and smooth.
WHEN SELECTING PROTECTIVE GLOVES you can get ones made of either rubber or soft plastic polymers. The level of protection depends on how permeable they are, which typically depends on thickness. /The thicker the glove, the more protection it provides.
REPLACE GLOVES before they wear out and can't protect you. Signs that suggest your gloves need replacing include staining or color change; softening, swelling or bubbling; stiffening or crackling; and of course, leaking.
DISPOSABLE GLOVES are available in bulk containers. If you reuse your disposable gloves, be sure to wash them well with warm, soapy water. Let the outside dry and then reverse them, letting the inside dry. When the inside is dry, turn them right side out again and sprinkle talcum powder inside them.
PURCHASE RUBBER GLOVES at supermarkets, discount stores, hardware stores, and home improvement stores.
Sealants
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grime is toughest to remove when it gets a foothold in out materials. When lodge in the fibers of a sofa cushion, the grains of wood in a deck, or the pores of ceramic tile grout, things like food spills and mildew can remain there permanently. To prevent grime from taking up longtime residence, scientists have devised sealants--for textiles, grout, wood, brick, and concrete---to block pores, making surfaces less suscepitble to staining and easier to wipe clean.
FABRIC SEALANTS come in two varieties--fluorochemical sealants, such as Scotchgard and Teflon, and silicone sealants. Silicone sealants work only against water-based spills, such as juices;
any spill containing oil can penetrate the sealant. Silicone sealants can even trap oily stains, making
them harder to remove. Some upholstery comes presealed. If the sealant wears off, reapply it or have a professional reapply it. Before reapplying a fabric sealant, be sure to clean the fabric well and remove all cleaning residue. Otherwise the sealant will not bond well.
BRICK AND CONCRETE FLOOR SEALANTS , like fabric sealants, add a protective layer to floors, making a cleaning easier. Always clean and prepare a floor surface well before applying a sealer. Reapply when signs of wear appear.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MICROFIBER MOPS are another relatively new thing. They are made of microscopic synthetic fibers that act as hooks to latch on to dust, dirt, and grime. They can hold several times their weight in water. The fibers are lint free and nonabrasive. The lightweight mops can be used on all floor types. To use the mop, dip the microfiber head into the cleaning solution and wring it by hand, leaving it damp. Wipe the floor, but don't put the mop back in the bucket. Change the mop head after mopping each room.
A study by the University of Calfornia Davis Medical Center found that microfiber mops use far less water and cleaning solution that conventional mops because the mop head is changed frequently. The study found 1 gallon of cleaner-and-water solution cleaned 22 rooms. Although microfiber mop heads cost more and have to be laundered separately from other rags, they last for years and prove cost-effective over time.
WHEN BUYING A MOP, you can pick up a sponge, string, or disposable, towelette model from most supermarkets, drugstores, discount retailers, hardware stores, and home improvement stores. Terry towel mops can be purchased at department stores, discount retailers, home improvement stores, and linen specialty stores. Microfiber mops are available at janitorial supply stores and are
gradually being introduced into mass-market stores.
Oils
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oils used on natural wood surfaces or leather make them look healthy. Most oils for wood or leather are extracted naturally from animals, seeds, or the peel of citrus fruits. Oils should never be used on stone, which is porous and will absorb the oil, producing dark spots in the stone. /when you're
thinking of using oil on wood or leather, always test it first on an conspicuous spot. Some commonly used oils are listed below.
CITRU OIL (ORANGE, LEMON, AND GRAPEFRUIT), such as Pledge with Orange Oil, will help restore the finish on wood that has been neglected or has faded. Citrus oil penetrates to moisturize and condition wood. They are often combined with a chemical cleaner. Apply lightly, putting the oil
on a cloth and then wiping onto the furniture or woodwork. Oil has a tendency to streak if you apply too much. Count on 30 minutes for the oil to dry.
PINE OIL is a general cleaner and disinfectant for floors, counters, and bathrooms. It comes from the turpentine family and has a distinct aroma. To use, dilute it in a spray bottle or in mop water according to the package directions.
TUNG OIL AND LINSEED OIL are good for natural wood, table tops, wood paneling, and wooden floors. Some brands have dyes in them, so they act like a stain. Linseed oil is also good for protecting outdoor furniture. Both tung oil and linseed oil can combust spontaneously, so be very careful not to leave oil-soaked rags lying around the house or in a garbage bag. Hang such rags outside to dry thoroughly before you dispose of them in an outdoor garbage can. Or dispose of them in a sealed metal container outside in the shade.
NEAT'S-FOOT OIL which is light yellow, is obtained from the feet and shinbones of cattle. (So to a cow, it's not so neat.) It's a great conditioner for leather (boots, saddles, and such), keeping the leather soft.
TO USE AN OIL, apply it with a cloth, let it soak in for about five to ten minutes, and buff or polish it dry, using circular motions. Cotton towels, diapers, or old T-shirts are great for this.
YOU CAN BUY citrus oil and pine oil anywhere home supplies are sold--supermarkets, hardware stores, home improvement stores, and discount retailers. Tung oil and linseed oil are available from
janitorial supply stores and hardware stores. Neat's-foot oil can be purchased at stores that sell leather goods or at shoe repair shops.
Oven Cleaners
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These are among the strongest--and most toxic--- cleaners available to home owners. Most contain a strong cleaning alkali, usually sodium hydroixde or potassium hydrooxide. This caustic soda, or lye, converts fats to soapy, water-soluble compounds that wipe away easily.
OVEN CLEANERS COME in aerosol sprays, liquids, pastes, and powders and are usually thick so that they can stick on the vertical walls of an oven. They are toxic and can cause deep burns and blindness if they come into contact with skin or eyes. If swallowed, oven cleaners can be fatal. Don't use oven cleaners on self-cleaning ovens, which break down fats and other food with high heat instead of chemicals.
BE CAREFUL WITH ALL OVEN CLEANERS. Wear rubber gloves and protective goggles and work in a well-ventialted area. Never spray commercial oven cleaner on a hot oven, electric elements,
or oven lights--heat can make it even more caustic.
PURCHASE OVEN CLEANERS at supermarkets and discount retailers.
Paper Towels
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Professional cleaners use paper only for quick cleanups, such at emergency spills. It would be a major waste of trees to go through an entire roll of paper towels cleaning, say, a bathroom. And since paper towels are major lint producers, they leave behind a paper trail on mirrors, on windows, and anytime you attempt any serious scrubbing with them.
FOR EMERGENCY OR MESSY WIPE-TIPS paper towels are a great convenience, but they've got to be within arm's reach to be truly convenient. Keep paper towels around for juice spills, per accidents, and wiping up anything (such as wet paint or cooking grease) that might ruin a rag or ruin
anything in the same wash load with it. keep a roll in the kitchen, another in the garbage or shop (they're great for wiping oil and grease off hands), and another in the laundry room for bleach and liquid detergent spills.
PAPER TOWELS CAN BE PURCHASED at supermarkets and discount retailers. As long as you've got the room to store them, buy in bulk, to save money. They won't go bad, and you'll eventually use them. And skip the decorative prints, since the printing inks can occasionally bleed. Isn't white more elegant anyway?
Rubber Gloves
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When it comes to household cleaning, safety is essential. Gloves are important for protecting your hands when using harsh cleaning chemicals or working with hot water. In addition to protecting your hands from injury, gloves keep them soft and smooth.
WHEN SELECTING PROTECTIVE GLOVES you can get ones made of either rubber or soft plastic polymers. The level of protection depends on how permeable they are, which typically depends on thickness. /The thicker the glove, the more protection it provides.
- For general household use, standard latex dish gloves are fine. (Choose a latex substitute if you are allergic to latex.)
- For using paint strippers and solvents, you''ll need a thicker glove. The thicker the glove, however, the bulkier and clumsier it will be.
REPLACE GLOVES before they wear out and can't protect you. Signs that suggest your gloves need replacing include staining or color change; softening, swelling or bubbling; stiffening or crackling; and of course, leaking.
DISPOSABLE GLOVES are available in bulk containers. If you reuse your disposable gloves, be sure to wash them well with warm, soapy water. Let the outside dry and then reverse them, letting the inside dry. When the inside is dry, turn them right side out again and sprinkle talcum powder inside them.
PURCHASE RUBBER GLOVES at supermarkets, discount stores, hardware stores, and home improvement stores.
Sealants
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grime is toughest to remove when it gets a foothold in out materials. When lodge in the fibers of a sofa cushion, the grains of wood in a deck, or the pores of ceramic tile grout, things like food spills and mildew can remain there permanently. To prevent grime from taking up longtime residence, scientists have devised sealants--for textiles, grout, wood, brick, and concrete---to block pores, making surfaces less suscepitble to staining and easier to wipe clean.
FABRIC SEALANTS come in two varieties--fluorochemical sealants, such as Scotchgard and Teflon, and silicone sealants. Silicone sealants work only against water-based spills, such as juices;
any spill containing oil can penetrate the sealant. Silicone sealants can even trap oily stains, making
them harder to remove. Some upholstery comes presealed. If the sealant wears off, reapply it or have a professional reapply it. Before reapplying a fabric sealant, be sure to clean the fabric well and remove all cleaning residue. Otherwise the sealant will not bond well.
BRICK AND CONCRETE FLOOR SEALANTS , like fabric sealants, add a protective layer to floors, making a cleaning easier. Always clean and prepare a floor surface well before applying a sealer. Reapply when signs of wear appear.
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