Get a Grip on handles, some of the germiest
places in the house are the hot spots every-
one touches: door knobs, faucet levers, appli-
ance handles, etc. Bacteria and viruses can live
on these for up to 48 hours. Zap them with
surface-disinfecting sprays that are EPA-
registered (check the labels)-products that kill
the influenza A virus on hard surfaces will
also be effective against the H1N1 flu strain.
But note: The area should be clean of visible
dirt or gunk and needs to stay wet with the
disinfectant for the length of time listed on the
label-if it dries quickly, do a second pass.
Germs are killed during evaporation, so let
air-dry. For no-wet items, like remote controls,
light switches, or phones, saturate a cotton ball
with rubbing alcohol; squeeze out and swab
surfaces carefully so no liquid gets inside.
Do A Bed Check
While plenty of rest helps cure a
cold, it also leaves bedding and sofa
accessories in need of a good washing. Scoop
up sheets and pillowcases, as well as bathroom
towels, and launder them in hot water. To dry,
choose the antibacterial cycle, if your dryer
has one; otherwise use the highest tempera-
ture setting. For sofa pillows, throws and cov-
ers, launder according to label directions (for
nonwashable fabrics, spritz with a fabric-safe
disinfectant spray, but test in a hidden spot
first). Wash your hands after touching soiled
linens. Because bacteria can remain in the
washer, it's a good idea to de-bug the machine
by running a normal hot-water cycle (minus
clothes) with a dose of bleach added.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Rethink Your Routines
Morning Rush
Lay clothes out the night before.
Make sure there are no spots, rips
loose buttons or other poblems.
Set the breakfast table after
dinner. Put out bowls, spoons and
the cereal selection.
Fill the coffeemaker with water
and put coffee in the basket.
Change wakeup times. To make
getting ready more efficient, stagger
when the kids get up. As one goes
into the bathroom, the other can
finish gettting dressed.
Fill the gas tank at night. It
eliminates a last-minute stop, and
if gasoline gets on your hands or
clothes, it doesn't matter-you're on
your way home, not to work
Errands
Arrange to have your paycheck
directly deposited into your bank
account and start online banking
to avoid time-consuming trips
to the bank.
Keep road maps, a phone book,
paper towels and baby wipes in the
car to avoid unnecessary stops.
Set up an errand co-op with
friends. One person goes to the
post-office, another to the pet
store and a third to the hardware
store while one babysits for
everyone.
Give older kids a list of items
to find on shelves when grocery
shopping. It speeds things up and
gives them something to do.
Lay clothes out the night before.
Make sure there are no spots, rips
loose buttons or other poblems.
Set the breakfast table after
dinner. Put out bowls, spoons and
the cereal selection.
Fill the coffeemaker with water
and put coffee in the basket.
Change wakeup times. To make
getting ready more efficient, stagger
when the kids get up. As one goes
into the bathroom, the other can
finish gettting dressed.
Fill the gas tank at night. It
eliminates a last-minute stop, and
if gasoline gets on your hands or
clothes, it doesn't matter-you're on
your way home, not to work
Errands
Arrange to have your paycheck
directly deposited into your bank
account and start online banking
to avoid time-consuming trips
to the bank.
Keep road maps, a phone book,
paper towels and baby wipes in the
car to avoid unnecessary stops.
Set up an errand co-op with
friends. One person goes to the
post-office, another to the pet
store and a third to the hardware
store while one babysits for
everyone.
Give older kids a list of items
to find on shelves when grocery
shopping. It speeds things up and
gives them something to do.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Carpet Cleaning
Routine Care and Cleaning
For routine care, a vaccum cleaner is your most important
tool. Vaccum at least weekly, more often where there is heavy
traffic. Purists may advise you to go over a section of carpet-
ing eight times to get it completely clean, but if you vaccum
reguarly you will probably find that a couple of swipes back
and forth are sufficient. You can vaccum a new rug as soon as
it is laid. It is normal for new carpeting to shed a lot of fluff.
Move and vaccum beneath furniture every six months or
once a year if possible. More frequently, use special attach-
ments to reach under furniture and to clean the edges of a
carpeted room. Vaccum the backs of rugs occasionally.
Set the vaccum to the correct level of suction for your car-
pet. Deep-pile carpeting needs a different setting than a flat-
weave rug. Some vaccums adjust automatically. Some small,
lightweight items-among them pine needles, threads, and
pet hairs- are difficult to vaccum up. If your vaccum cleaner's
attachments don't do the job, use a lint roller, or wrap your
hand with packing tape with the sticky side out and "blot" up
the elusive materials. To prevent the fringe on the edge of a
rug from being sucked up into the vaccum cleaner, use an
attachment with an old nylon stocking over the nozzle.
Change the vaccum cleaner bag when it becomes full. An
overstuffed bag impairs a vaccum's ability to clean. Don't
reuse bags because old ones don't trap dust, their pores can
plug up with dirt and severely restrict air flow, and they
eventually tear. Some newer-model upright vaccum clean-
ers have, instead of a bag, a dirt-collection container that
lets you see when it is full. To minimize mess when empty-
ing the container, place a plastic garbage bag over the open-
ing before tilting the unit.
For routine care, a vaccum cleaner is your most important
tool. Vaccum at least weekly, more often where there is heavy
traffic. Purists may advise you to go over a section of carpet-
ing eight times to get it completely clean, but if you vaccum
reguarly you will probably find that a couple of swipes back
and forth are sufficient. You can vaccum a new rug as soon as
it is laid. It is normal for new carpeting to shed a lot of fluff.
Move and vaccum beneath furniture every six months or
once a year if possible. More frequently, use special attach-
ments to reach under furniture and to clean the edges of a
carpeted room. Vaccum the backs of rugs occasionally.
Set the vaccum to the correct level of suction for your car-
pet. Deep-pile carpeting needs a different setting than a flat-
weave rug. Some vaccums adjust automatically. Some small,
lightweight items-among them pine needles, threads, and
pet hairs- are difficult to vaccum up. If your vaccum cleaner's
attachments don't do the job, use a lint roller, or wrap your
hand with packing tape with the sticky side out and "blot" up
the elusive materials. To prevent the fringe on the edge of a
rug from being sucked up into the vaccum cleaner, use an
attachment with an old nylon stocking over the nozzle.
Change the vaccum cleaner bag when it becomes full. An
overstuffed bag impairs a vaccum's ability to clean. Don't
reuse bags because old ones don't trap dust, their pores can
plug up with dirt and severely restrict air flow, and they
eventually tear. Some newer-model upright vaccum clean-
ers have, instead of a bag, a dirt-collection container that
lets you see when it is full. To minimize mess when empty-
ing the container, place a plastic garbage bag over the open-
ing before tilting the unit.
Monday, December 7, 2009
3 Homemade Natural Cleaning Products
Here are a few basic household ingredients and items you can use to clean your home chemical free and environmentally clean:
1. Vinegar - Vinegar naturally cleans like an all-purpose cleaner. Mix a solution of 1 part water to 1 part vinegar in a new store bought spray bottle and you have a solution that will clean most areas of your home. Vinegar is a great natural cleaning product as well as a disinfectant and deodorizer. Always test on an inconspicuous area. It is safe to use on most surfaces and has the added bonus of being incredibly cheap. Improperly diluted vinegar is acidic and can eat away at tile grout. Never use vinegar on marble surfaces. Don't worry about your home smelling like vinegar. The smell disappears when it dries. Here are some uses for vinegar in the rooms of your house.
Use it in the…Bathroom - Clean the bathtub, toilet, sink, and countertops. Use pure vinegar in the toilet bowl to get rid of rings. Flush the toilet to allow the water level to go down. Pour the undiluted vinegar around the inside of the rim. Scrub down the bowl. Mop the floor in the bathroom with a vinegar/water solution. The substance will also eat away the soap scum and hard water stains on your fixtures and tile. Make sure it is safe to use with your tile.
Kitchen- Clean the stovetop, appliances, countertops, and floor.
Laundry Room- Use vinegar as a natural fabric softener. This can be especially helpful for families who have sensitive skin. Add ½ cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle in place of store bought fabric softener. Vinegar has the added benefit of breaking down laundry detergent more effectively. (A plus when you have a family member whose skin detects every trace of detergent.)
2. Lemon Juice - Lemon juice is another natural substance that can be used to clean your home. Lemon juice can be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits. Lemon is a great substance to clean and shine brass and copper. Lemon juice can be mixed with vinegar and or baking soda to make cleaning pastes. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on the cut section. Use the lemon to scrub dishes, surfaces, and stains. Mix 1 cup olive oil with ½ cup lemon juice and you have a furniture polish for your hardwood furniture.My favorite use for the fruit is to put a whole lemon peel through the garbage disposal. It freshens the drain and the kitchen. Orange peels can be used with the same results.
3. Baking Soda - Baking soda can be used to scrub surfaces in much the same way as commercial abrasive cleansers. Baking soda is great as a deodorizer. Place a box in the refrigerator and freezer to absorb odors. Put it anywhere you need deodorizing action. Try these three kitchen ingredients as natural cleaning products in your home
1. Vinegar - Vinegar naturally cleans like an all-purpose cleaner. Mix a solution of 1 part water to 1 part vinegar in a new store bought spray bottle and you have a solution that will clean most areas of your home. Vinegar is a great natural cleaning product as well as a disinfectant and deodorizer. Always test on an inconspicuous area. It is safe to use on most surfaces and has the added bonus of being incredibly cheap. Improperly diluted vinegar is acidic and can eat away at tile grout. Never use vinegar on marble surfaces. Don't worry about your home smelling like vinegar. The smell disappears when it dries. Here are some uses for vinegar in the rooms of your house.
Use it in the…Bathroom - Clean the bathtub, toilet, sink, and countertops. Use pure vinegar in the toilet bowl to get rid of rings. Flush the toilet to allow the water level to go down. Pour the undiluted vinegar around the inside of the rim. Scrub down the bowl. Mop the floor in the bathroom with a vinegar/water solution. The substance will also eat away the soap scum and hard water stains on your fixtures and tile. Make sure it is safe to use with your tile.
Kitchen- Clean the stovetop, appliances, countertops, and floor.
Laundry Room- Use vinegar as a natural fabric softener. This can be especially helpful for families who have sensitive skin. Add ½ cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle in place of store bought fabric softener. Vinegar has the added benefit of breaking down laundry detergent more effectively. (A plus when you have a family member whose skin detects every trace of detergent.)
2. Lemon Juice - Lemon juice is another natural substance that can be used to clean your home. Lemon juice can be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits. Lemon is a great substance to clean and shine brass and copper. Lemon juice can be mixed with vinegar and or baking soda to make cleaning pastes. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on the cut section. Use the lemon to scrub dishes, surfaces, and stains. Mix 1 cup olive oil with ½ cup lemon juice and you have a furniture polish for your hardwood furniture.My favorite use for the fruit is to put a whole lemon peel through the garbage disposal. It freshens the drain and the kitchen. Orange peels can be used with the same results.
3. Baking Soda - Baking soda can be used to scrub surfaces in much the same way as commercial abrasive cleansers. Baking soda is great as a deodorizer. Place a box in the refrigerator and freezer to absorb odors. Put it anywhere you need deodorizing action. Try these three kitchen ingredients as natural cleaning products in your home
Friday, November 13, 2009
Did You Know There Are Eight Cleaning Surfaces On One Microfiber Cloth?
There are 8 cleaning surfaces on each microfiber cloth, yes
eight! Most of us just wad up the cloth and get busy. However, if you fold the cloth in half and then in quarters--- producing four flat cleaning surfaces on each side of the cloth you'll be able to use your cloth more effectively and efficiently.. As one side (quarter) has been used thoroughly, they turn to the next side, then refold and repeat. They then open the cloth, fold and
begin the process again on the other side. It makes sense, doesn't it?
A flat, folded surface will allow your microfiber cloth to pick up the
maximum amount of dirt, bacteria, spilled substances, or whatever...
and then multiply that by 8! Again, not only are we able to clean more
effectively with the eight-sided folded cloth, we can use it longer
before washing and, thereby, extend even further its amazing life
span.
Just thought you might want to know!
eight! Most of us just wad up the cloth and get busy. However, if you fold the cloth in half and then in quarters--- producing four flat cleaning surfaces on each side of the cloth you'll be able to use your cloth more effectively and efficiently.. As one side (quarter) has been used thoroughly, they turn to the next side, then refold and repeat. They then open the cloth, fold and
begin the process again on the other side. It makes sense, doesn't it?
A flat, folded surface will allow your microfiber cloth to pick up the
maximum amount of dirt, bacteria, spilled substances, or whatever...
and then multiply that by 8! Again, not only are we able to clean more
effectively with the eight-sided folded cloth, we can use it longer
before washing and, thereby, extend even further its amazing life
span.
Just thought you might want to know!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Now Even Greater Savings!
We currently are offering 20% off all our microfiber cloths!
Now, just in time for the holidays, you can:
Buy 9 and get the 10th one FREE!
Mix and Match your favorite cloths...
Classic Cloth (Green, Yellow, Lt Gray or Royal Blue)
Large Classic Cloth (Wine)
Heavy Hitter - New Waffle Weave (Gray)
Lens Cloth - With Scalloped Edges (Cream)
Here’s how it works: You pick any 9 cloths. Then, in the Comment Section before you confirm your order, indicate what type of cloth and color you would like for your FREE one.
That’s it!
This offer will expire at noon on Monday, December 28, 2009.
Now, just in time for the holidays, you can:
Buy 9 and get the 10th one FREE!
Mix and Match your favorite cloths...
Classic Cloth (Green, Yellow, Lt Gray or Royal Blue)
Large Classic Cloth (Wine)
Heavy Hitter - New Waffle Weave (Gray)
Lens Cloth - With Scalloped Edges (Cream)
Here’s how it works: You pick any 9 cloths. Then, in the Comment Section before you confirm your order, indicate what type of cloth and color you would like for your FREE one.
That’s it!
This offer will expire at noon on Monday, December 28, 2009.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
TheMagicCloth.net Announces 20% Reduction On All Its Microfiber Cloths
TheMagicCloth.net is reducing the price on all its microfiber cloths by 20%! Same quality product. Same superior service.
The Magic Cloth is an ultra-fine microfiber cloth that has revolutionized the process of cleaning. It only requires water to easily remove dirt, grease, and grime from just about anything. It also works amazingly for dusting when dry! It's microscopic fibers attract and absorb dirt particles and dust, removing the need for harsh chemicals. The Magic Cloth is safe to use at home, in the office or even on your vehicle! And as always, they offer a 100% unlimited money-bank guarantee if you are not satisfied with the product.
Some common uses of The Magic Cloth includes stain removal from carpet and upholstery, from items such as coffee, crayons, wine, food and ink. It can be used in the office on equipment which chemical cleaners may harm and it can be used to reduce the spread of germs and bacteria by wiping door knobs and handles.
This product is environmentally-friendly because it does not require the use of any harsh chemicals and is perfect for those with allergies or odor sensitivities!
In celebration of this special price reduction, TheMagicCloth.net is expanding its online reach to its customers through the use of social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook and many other social media platforms. Share the news of this amazing product with your friends and family!
The Magic Cloth is an ultra-fine microfiber cloth that has revolutionized the process of cleaning. It only requires water to easily remove dirt, grease, and grime from just about anything. It also works amazingly for dusting when dry! It's microscopic fibers attract and absorb dirt particles and dust, removing the need for harsh chemicals. The Magic Cloth is safe to use at home, in the office or even on your vehicle! And as always, they offer a 100% unlimited money-bank guarantee if you are not satisfied with the product.
Some common uses of The Magic Cloth includes stain removal from carpet and upholstery, from items such as coffee, crayons, wine, food and ink. It can be used in the office on equipment which chemical cleaners may harm and it can be used to reduce the spread of germs and bacteria by wiping door knobs and handles.
This product is environmentally-friendly because it does not require the use of any harsh chemicals and is perfect for those with allergies or odor sensitivities!
In celebration of this special price reduction, TheMagicCloth.net is expanding its online reach to its customers through the use of social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook and many other social media platforms. Share the news of this amazing product with your friends and family!
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