Cleaning Your Gas Stove and Oven

Regular cleaning of your gas cook stove will keep it looking as good as the day you bought it, but you need to take care with the cleaning products you use on your gas stove or oven. Many commercial cleansers and abrasives will cause discoloration and can scratch gas stove and oven surfaces.
Before cleaning any gas stove or oven surface, be sure the unit is off and completely cooled. Steam burns can occur from wiping a hot surface with a wet cloth or sponge. Follow these guidelines for care and cleaning without damaging your gas stove or gas oven surfaces.

Surface Burners and Burner Box

Most newer gas stove models have sealed stovetop burners. This means they are completely sealed off from the burner box (area of the stovetop below the metal cook top). Sealed burners should never be removed by home owners – it’s a job only for professionals during installation and service. Sealed burners also mean that food and spills cannot spill into the burner box, so removing the burners is not necessary in order to clean the stovetop. If you have an older model stove with a lift-up cook top, follow your manufacturer’s instructions for opening the surface for cleaning.

Regular cleaning of spills will lessen your cleaning work load. Wipe your stovetop after each use when it has cooled. Clean burners with dish soap and a plastic scouring pad. Stubborn cooked-on spills can be cleaned with a mild abrasive cleanser and a cloth, or make a paste from baking soda and water for a mild homemade alternative. Wash removable burner grates in a sink full of warm, soapy dishwater with a plastic scouring pad. Rinse all parts with warm clear water and dry.

Be careful to avoid the gas ports on your burners. If they should become plugged with debris, poke the ports clean with a toothpick or straight pin, or brush gently with a soft-bristled brush. For pilot-less stoves, check the port and area below the igniter wire and clear it as well. Debris left under the igniter can keep the gas burner from lighting.

Clean the solid cook top surface with soapy water. Avoid abrasives and harsh chemicals as they can damage the surface of stove top finishes like porcelain enamel. Rubbing alcohol and household ammonia diluted with water (1:1 ratio) are other good stove top cleansers that will leave your top shining.

Controls

Remove control knobs and wash them in warm, soapy water. For clocks and display areas, wipe with a damp cloth and dry. If you are cleaning the display with glass cleaner, spray it first on a cloth and not directly on the surface to avoid cleaner seeping inside the mechanisms. Replace controls after they are cleaned and turn each one on briefly to ensure proper replacement.

Oven Door

The oven door on nearly all ovens is removable for easier cleaning. Avoid soaking the door or window with excessive amounts of water; it can seep inside and caused staining or discoloration. Wash the door and window with soap and water and rinse with clear water. Use glass cleaner only if sprayed on a cloth first. Do not use abrasive pads, powdered cleaners, or steel wool on glass and enamel, or the surfaces will be scratched.

Oven Interior

Mild abrasive cleaners and plastic pads can be used inside the oven. Metal scouring pads will scratch the oven’s surface. Commercial oven cleaners should be used according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Acidic spills (like tomato and milk bases) should be wiped up as soon as possible to prevent discoloration of the porcelain. To absorb a spill when it is hot, pour salt on it and wipe it up when the oven has cooled. A mildly abrasive baking soda and water paste can be used in the oven, too.

Remove oven racks and clean them in warm, soapy water. Stubborn messes can be cleaned by using mild abrasive cleansers or a soap filled scouring pad. Rinse and dry the racks before returning them to the oven. For easier cleaning of oven racks, soak and wash them in the bathtub – they fit much better into a bath.

Trim

Spills and drips from fat, grease, and acidic foods like tomatoes should be wiped up immediately using a paper towel to keep your trim and finishes from discoloring.

Metal trim can be cleaned with glass cleaners or mild cleansers, soap and water. Abrasives or cleaners made for oven interiors should not be used. Plastic trim pieces are best cleaned with a glass cleaner on a soft cloth. Any abrasives and harsh cleansers can cause pitting and discoloration to oven surfaces, and so should not be used.

For a good, general, all-around cleaner for your gas stove and gas oven, use warm, soapy water. Avoid anything that is very caustic or abrasive. Baking soda and water pastes are good back-up, mild abrasives. When using commercial cleansers, read the manufacturer’s directions to be sure it is safe for use on your stove’s finishes. Consistent care and cleaning of your gas stovetop and oven will keep your appliance shining and new looking.

How to Clean the Kitchen Sink

The kitchen sink should be one of the cleanest surfaces in our home. Unfortunately, quite often, the kitchen sink is full of germs. After all, the kitchen sink sees a lot of action.
We rinse our fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, poultry, and almost anything we can think of in the sink. We drain our pots and pans into the sink. We wash dishes, glasses, and silverware in the sink.

Sometimes, we even toss a child or two in the kitchen sink for a nighttime bath. Maybe we even rinse the pet’s dishes and toys in the kitchen sink.

Unfortunately, simply rinsing the kitchen sink until it looks clean is not going to keep it germ free. Regular cleaning and sanitizing should take place in order to protect your family from germs and bacteria. Different types of sinks require different types of cleaning solutions. However, they can all benefit from a simple sanitizing procedure that works to deter germs and bacteria from taking roost.

To sanitize the kitchen sink, you have three basic options. You can purchase a commercial disinfectant and use it according to the directions that are included on its label. Commercial disinfectants are available in most home improvement stores, discount stores, supermarkets, and online.

For ceramic and cast iron sinks, you can prepare a solution of one part liquid chlorine bleach to sixteen parts water. You cannot use this solution on stainless steel sinks. Additionally, you need to exercise caution when using a solution that includes liquid chlorine bleach. Pour it slowly and be careful not to get any on surfaces that will undergo damage.

An application of undiluted white vinegar on the sink is another option that you can use. For the best results, apply the vinegar using a clean cloth to ensure that the entire sink is treated with it.

Stainless Steel Sinks

Stainless steel sinks should always be thoroughly rinsed after every use, not only to keep them clean, but also, to prevent potential pitting. Acids and salts have the potential to damage the finish of a stainless steel sink, so it is important to avoid leaving foods that contain these in the sink.

Mild soap and a nylon sponge can be used for daily cleaning of a stainless steel sink. Also, an all purpose cleaner or a glass cleaner can be used to clean the sink as well. Always rinse the sink clean after using a cleaner or soap and then dry it with a soft cloth.

If spots are a problem with your sink, a clean cloth soaked in vinegar can help to remove these. To keep the finish of the sink at its finest, you should avoid using all of the following when cleaning the sink: bleach, ammonia, and abrasive cleaners. Also, you should avoid using abrasive sponges and steel wool pads on the sink, as they tend to damage the finish.

Wetting the entire surface of the sink and liberally sprinkling baking soda onto the sink’s surface is the best way to deal with stubborn stains. Use a nylon scrubbing sponge to work the baking soda in and then rinse the sink thoroughly clean.

Stubborn mineral residue can be dealt with by lining the entire sink with paper towels soaked in white vinegar. Allow the vinegar to sit undisturbed for several minutes, up to a half hour, and then toss them in the trash. Use a nylon scrubbing sponge saturated with soapy water to scrub the area clean. Rinse the sink completely when finished. Remember to dry the ink with a clean soft cloth for the best results.

Stubborn stains can be dealt with by using a commercial stainless steel cleaner according to the directions included with it. Rinse and dry the sink afterwards.

Cast Iron Sinks

Cast iron sinks should be thoroughly rinsed after each use in order to promote cleanliness. Moreover, this type of sink benefits from a thorough frying with a clean cloth after it has been rinsed. To clean a cast iron sink thoroughly, wet the entire surface of the sink. Liberally sprinkle baking soda onto the sink’s surface.

Use a clean nylon cleaning sponge to scrub the baking soda onto the sink. Rinse the sink clean from all baking soda residue. Avoid abrasive cleaners when cleaning a cast iron sink. The best way to treat stains in a cast iron sink is to avoid them in the first place. Never place any item into the sink that might possibly leave a stain on the sink’s finish. Avoid leaving dirty dishes, pots, or pans in the sink. Additionally, do not leave tea bags, coffee grounds, or cans in the sink.

Ceramic Sinks

Ceramic sinks can easily be cleaned with a cleanser in a gel or creamy solution. This helps avoid scratches on your sink. It is important not to use abrasive cleaners on ceramic sinks. For stubborn stains on ceramic sinks, repeat the cleaning with a bit more effort. If the stain persists, attempt to remove it using a clean cloth soaked in club soda.

Faucets and Handles

Faucets and handles can easily be cleaned with a mild soapy solution. If fingerprints or water spots remain, use a clean cloth soaked in white vinegar and wipe them clean. The vinegar also sanitizes the faucets and handles.

How to Clean a Mattress

The question of how to clean a mattress comes up fairly often, especially when you’re expecting out of town visitors.

Remember that a mattress is a piece of upholstery – except that it catches and holds unpleasant things like dust mites, dead skin, and odors.

If you’ve never had a Kirby demonstration in your home, have one. It’s a real eye-opener! When they do the mattress with the attachment that allows you to see how much stuff they are pulling out, it is horrifying.

So the first step in cleaning your mattress will be to vacuum, and vacuum, and vacuum some more. Flip the mattress and repeat. Do your pillows while you’re at it.

If the mattress truly needs cleaning, use an upholstery cleaner, and be careful not to soak it. A foam cleaner, or a dry cleaner would be best. You don’t need mold on top of it!

To eliminate odors and allergens, spray it down with FeBreeze allergy formula. You can do this every time you change the sheets.

Make sure you’re changing your sheets and washing them in hot water once a week. Wash or clean your blankets or comforters as needed. It’s nice to have washable ones so you can do them once a month. If you have dry clean bedding, I would suggest removing it at night when you’re going to sleep. But I guess that’s a personal choice. I’m all about avoiding extra housework!

If you have stains, Pet stain remover works great. Honest! I use Oxy Solution by Simple Solution.

How to Fake a Clean Home in 30 Minutes!

Do you have company coming over? No time to whip your house into tip top shape? No problem! Check out these quick and simple tips to get a clean home in 30 minutes.

Declutter (4 minutes)

Pass through key rooms, picking up the following:
Catalogs, bills, and newspapers
Pets’ toys
Handbags and shoes
Sports equipment
Stray DVDs

Wipe Down (10 minutes)

Spray an all-purpose cleaner on your kitchen countertop and wipe away grime.
Remove fingerprints from stainless steel surfaces using a glass cleaner.
Wipe down the dining table (if you have hardwood, just remove dust with a damp rag or microfiber cloth).
Spray the bathroom sink, vanity, and counters with an all-purpose disinfectant.
Wipe down the outer edge of the tub (it’s something all guests will see) and pull the curtain or shower door closed.
Clean the mirror with vinegar and wipe with newsprint (it works).
Spritz all outside surfaces of the toilet with disinfectant before moving inside.
Liftthe toilet seat lid and spray cleaner on the top and bottom, then squeeze bowl cleaner under the rim. Scrub under the rim and inside the bowl. Flush.

Swiff (5 minutes)

Swiff your coffee table after spraying it with an all-purpose cleaner. Next, swiff the TV (including screen), entertainment center, frames and collectibles. Then swiff the floors in the kitchen, living room, and bathroom.

Empty (2 minutes)

Clear out the sink and put dishes into the dishwasher.
Empty the wastepaper basket.
Take out the trash.

 

Restock (4 minutes)

Put out fresh hand towels, a box of tissues, extra TP, air freshener, and soap.
Do a chair count and haul out the extras.
Replenish your table with fresh placemats if there are stains on the current set.
Fill the napkin holder.

Display (4 minutes)

Take out serving dishes and wine glasses (check for smudge spots).
Fluff and arrange throw pillows and couch cushions.
Make an instant centerpiece by throwing fruit into a decorative bowl.
Dim the lights and light candles. Nothing hides cleaning imperfections better.
Put on your game face. People are at the door!

How to Clean your Window Properly

Do you know a good way to change your view of the world in just a couple of hours? By deep cleaning your window, that’s how!

Okay, enough with the corny jokes and onto some good cleaning tips.

Today I’m going to teach you a few tricks on how to get and keep your windows clean. It’s important to keep them sparkling because it can dramatically change the way your whole home looks. Dirty, dingy windows give a dirty, dingy view of the outside and can give a dulled appearance to the inside as well.

So, here’s a few tricks and tips on how to get the windows spic and span!

Supplies needed: white vinegar, lemon juice, empty spray bottle, microfiber washcloths, sturdy sponge, vacuum with attachments, white shoe polish

 

•How to clean the blinds: Blinds are such a pain, aren’t they? No one really likes the look of them, yet they’re a necessity for privacy and shade. They are also one of the first things in the house that dust collects on, and it is extremely noticeable when you don’t make a habit of dusting them.

To clean the blinds, begin with all of the slats facing down. Take your vacuum out and use one of your attachments (I like the brush tool) to vacuum off the dust and dirt. Once you’re done if you notice any spots or stains, grab a warm, damp washcloth and scrub until it comes off. If your drawstring for the blinds is looking a little worse for wear, try to clean it yourself with some good old fashioned elbow grease and a soapy rag. When that doesn’t work, a good trick I’ve used is to coat dingy areas with some shoe polish (typically white, but it depends on what color your blinds are.)

•How to clean the window sill:  The window sill and window track are two things that are very noticeable if you don’t clean them often. Dirt and dust stick easily, and even mold has been known to pop up if there’s been a lot of moisture outside. To clean the window sill, start by making a mixture of vinegar and water in your empty spray bottle. Shake well and spray generously on the window sill and window track. Take a microfiber cleaning towel and scrub until it’s gleaming again. Once you’re done cleaning, be sure to wipe up any excess liquid on the window sill.

•How to clean the window glass: Now here comes the fun part. Getting a streak-free shine is no easy feat, but it’s easily done when you add lemon juice to the window sill cleaner that you just mixed up a few minutes ago. Spray generously on the glass. Starting in the upper left hand corner, make an s shape while you’re wiping the cleaner off, all the way until you reach the bottom right hand corner. Repeat on the outside pane.

•How to clean the drapes/ curtains: Cleaning your drapes or your curtains regularly can make a dramatic impact on the way your home looks. Drapes and curtains can hold a lot of dust and dirt before they start to look dirty. Call Kiwi Services for regular drapery cleanings and our techs will clean the drapes right where they hang. There’s no need to bring them in or send them with us.

So there you have it. I hope I’ve changed your view of the world just a little bit! Happy cleaning!

Carpet Cleaning Guide

Carpet cleaning was my obsession…
Once upon a time carpets ruled my home. Only the kitchen and the bathroom escaped my carpet frenzy.

I loved the way they the carpet felt under my bare feet…

…I loved the way they looked (when they were stain free and freshly vacuumed).

Now my love has waned. Maybe I just need a change…

…or maybe I’m tired of being nervous when someone is over for coffee…

…or maybe I just need new carpets. Whatever the reason, the feeling is made worst with the carpet cleaning tasks that I have to perform regularly. “Cleaning this carpet should be a part time job all on its own”, I would say loudly in the hopes that a certain person would take a hint and maybe hire someone to do the dreaded task for me.Alas, my wailing has fallen on deaf ears. So I continue my carpet maintenance regime to keep my carpet looking presentable and help it to
last longer.

Maybe you’re not like me.

Maybe you still totally love your carpets.

Or maybe you are like me and your love has waned.

Either way, as long as you have carpets adorning the floors of your home there are some cleaning duties that you can do on a regular basis to keep your carpet looking good.

* Vacuuming

* Cleaning up spills immediately

* Using dust mats at entrances to carpeted rooms

These are just some of the things you can do.

Below are some links which make up a carpet guide to help you maintain and care for your carpet.

 

Refrigerator Cleaning

Now the refrigerator is the largest appliance in the kitchen and also one of the most important. Its purpose is to keep the food that is stored in it safe and germ free until it’s ready to be used.
However, it does not stop the growth of bacteria. So it is very important to keep your refrigerator clean so that your food remains safe for you and your family to consume.
Lets get started on refrigerator cleaning…
To start refrigerator cleaning you should first turn down your thermostat, unplug the refrigerator and remove the bulb inside (to avoid its being damaged).
The next in refrigerator cleaning is to remove the food and store it in a cooler or a second refrigerator (if you have another).
Now that the refrigerator is empty, remove the trays and draws and clean them at the kitchen sink using a rag or sponge with an effective cleaner.
It’s time to tackle the inside of the refrigerator.
With a different rag (sponge), and your chosen cleaner in warm water solution clean out the inside of your refrigerator until you are satisfied that its clean. Be sure to pay extra attention to the grooves from where the trays and the draws were removed.
When you are satisfied that the inside of the refrigerator is clean, rinse it out with warm water and a clean rag. Then dry.
Now clean the refrigerator door, (on my door there’s always a sticky mess to clean). When you’re finished rinse and dry with paper towels or a dry rag.
Please note that if your refrigerator does not self defrost, you should allow it to defrost before you start refrigerator cleaning. Also if you want to clean below and behind the refrigerator, here’s a video that will help you to get your refrigerator away from the wall for cleaning.
When you finish cleaning below and behind the refrigerator, clean the sides and the top of it, then glide it back against the wall.
Now it is time to replace the clean trays and drawers, screw the bulb back in and plug in the refrigerator. Turn the thermostat back up.
After about an hour, return the food to the refrigerator.

Spring Cleaning Don’ts: Five things you should not do when spring cleaning your home.

1. Don’t start without a plan. On the day you decide to do some cleaning, you should wake up knowing exactly what you’re going to do. You should have a list of the cleaning tasks you plan to complete, the time you think each task will take, and an idea of success. In other words, if you have two hours to devote to spring cleaning a space today, the tasks on your cleaning checklist should go beyond your designated two hours. Also important is knowing your idea of success: once you complete your cleaning tasks, what do you expect the space to look like when you’re done. Achieving your idea of success motivates you to move forward know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
2. Get help. If you don’t live by yourself don’t do it all by yourself. You might think that it is easier to get things done when no one else is in the way, especially if they don’t do the cleaning as well as you like. This may be true, however, if you had help in creating a mess and you cleaned up all by yourself – maintaining the newly cleaned space will be difficult. This is because no one else will appreciate the effort it took to get to that point. They won’t feel the need to defend the space from returning to its former state. They won’t feel the need to avoid – as long as possible – having to go through the cleaning process again all to soon. This is what you want, a household of people defending their home against clutter, dirt, and disorganization.
3. Don’t let others use your home as a storage facility – not even you. If the kids have grownup and moved out or other former household guest, especially if they have homes of their own – call them for their stuff. In the case of kids these could be their childhood treasures which you or they could not get rid off. Reclaim your space!

1. Don’t think you can spring clean the entire house in one weekend. A very bad idea would be to turn over the entire house in a race to finish your spring cleaning by Sunday night after starting on Saturday morning. First of all, if you don’t finish this will add to your frustration especially now since you have to live with it until you find more time to continue your cleaning.

1. When cleaning one mess don’t make another one elsewhere. Very important. Remember my run-in with the closet. Be sure that when you’re cleaning one space that you are not just moving stuff from one room to another. In the end, this will be like cleaning up the same mess over and over again. Big time waster!

Homemade Window Cleaner For Windows That Sparkle

Today many people are choosing a homemade window cleaner although there are many commercial cleaning products available on the market.

This is because it is less expensive, nontoxic and made from ingredients they already have in their own kitchen cupboards.

No matter how neat and clean your home is, when the windows are dirty or streaky, it takes away from the overall appearance of your place.

Many people have tried a window cleaner made of vinegar and water, to clean their windows. They were disappointed because they found this streaked the glass. That is because some of the commercial products leave a wax buildup on the windows that vinegar does not always cut through.

To solve this problem, simply mix half a teaspoon of liquid detergent or soap, a quarter cup of vinegar and two cups of water in a spray bottle. Spray your windows and wipe with paper towel or newspaper for streak-free windows.

Never clean your windows with the sun shining on them because the sun dries the cleaner too quickly, leaving streaks.

If you want to try a homemade window cleaner, here are several different cleaners you can make at home.

Homemade Window Cleaner Recipes

• Combine one quart of water and one tablespoon of lemon juice in a spray bottle. Spray on the window and wipe dry.

• Mix two tablespoons of sudsy ammonia in a quart of water or in a gallon of water, add a half cup of sudsy ammonia. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle.
• Combine two tablespoons of ammonia, a quarter teaspoon of dishwashing detergent and a half cup of rubbing alcohol. Put this into a small spray bottle and fill up with water, then shake. You can use three tablespoons of lemon juice or white vinegar instead of the ammonia if you prefer.

• For a great window cleaner and glass cleaner, mix a half-cup of ammonia, two tablespoons of cornstarch and a half-cup of vinegar into a gallon of warm water.

• Plain club soda or straight lemon juice both make windows shine. Just spray it on and wipe off with a paper towel.

• Combine one tablespoon of vinegar with a cup of water and one cup of rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. This also works great on chrome, hard tiles and other surfaces.

People are now starting to go back to making their own cleaning products instead of spending a lot of money on name brand, store bought cleaning items. Clean, sparkling windows make a sunny day seem even brighter. Try one of these many homemade window cleaner solutions and save money at the same time…

Spring Cleaning Dos: Five things to do when spring cleaning.

1. Plan your work – then take action. Survey your home and decide which rooms and/or spaces you want to spring clean. Take pictures of there current state (before pictures). Now have a clear picture in your mind about how you want the room to look when you’re done (after pictures), you can even go as far as writing down a description (your idea of success). Next, in between your before pictures and your ideas of success, write down all the tasks that need to be completed in order to get from before to after.

1. Make a cleaning schedule. With your list of cleaning tasks in hand schedule when they are going to be done and by who. Also, if some unexpected event happens and a task cannot be done at the appointed day and time – be sure to reschedule the task. Finally, you can go to the house cleaning schedule page for an example of a personal house cleaning schedule.

1. Have everything you need at hand. Once you get started with your cleaning tasks – you will want to avoid having to stop in order to room to the other room to get cleaning supplies or anything else you may need to get the job done. So, when you make your plan, be sure to list everything you need to accomplish your tasks (spring cleaning checklists, cleaning supplies, music etc.).

1. Make your spring cleaning fun Cleaning is work and can be boring. To help with this you can try music or organize a family spring cleaning day and have “best clean” competitions.

Have a maintenance plan. This plan comes into action once the after pictures in your mind are realized. This involves making a regular cleaning schedule for the room. First decide on the cleaning tasks that will be necessary in order to maintain the room in its after state for as long as possible. Then decide on how regularly you will do these tasks – some might be daily, weekly or even on a monthly basis.