Tips
Bathroom cleaning tips
Removing limescale build-up from chrome
Over time, chrome acquires tiny scratches in the surface, where limescale
can build up. The best way to remove this is either with a paste made from
baking soda and washing up liquid, or with a peroxide based cleaner.
Simply apply to the chrome, let it rest for a few minutes, then wash off
with clean water.
Removing rust stains
To remove rust stains from your bathroom units and surfaces, use a
salt and lemon juice mixture. If the stain persists on a white
surface, leave bleach soaked kitchen towel on the stain for an hour.
Cleaning shower doors
A good solution for cleaning your shower door is made from approximately
2 tablespoons rotten stone/tripoli, 100g water softener (sodium
hexametaphosphate), and 250ml of hot water. Alternatively, try
1-2 tablespoons of stain remover (trisodium phosphate) in 4 litres of
hot water. After cleaning your shower door, rinse well.
Cleaning shower curtains
You can clean shower curtains in the washing machine. Simply place it
in the machine along with several large towels. Add 100ml of vinegar
to the wash. You should remove the shower curtain immediately before
the spin cycle, and hang it at once. In order to protect your shower
curtains from mildew, soak them in salt water now and then.
Removing mould from grout
To remove mould and mildew from grout, use a dilute solution of bleach -
start with one part bleach to three parts water, and increase the
bleach as necessary. Sponge it on, wait for a few minutes, and then
rinse well. Alternatively, try a commercial mildew remover. In either
case, protect your hands with rubber gloves.
Cleaning rubber bath mats
Simply clean your bath mat with an old toothbrush dipped in bleach.
General limescale removal
Use a paste made from cream of tartar and either hydrogen peroxide or
white vinegar, rubbing lightly onto the stain. Once the paste has
dried, rinse thoroughly. Alternatively, you can use a commercial
cleaner designed to tackle limescale, but avoid products which contain
hydrochloride salts.
Carpet cleaning tips
Removing stains
You should always tackle stains immediately, using a clean white cloth. If your first treatment doesn't work, wait until the carpet is dry before applying a second treatment; that way you can see how much of the stain is left before you start. Not every stain can be entirely removed.
Protect your carpets
The best way to protect against stains is by preventing dirt from getting indoors. Make sure to use doormats and boot scrapers, and keep the area around your front door clean.
Repairing damaged carpet
Firstly, cut away the damaged area with a razor blade or manicure scissors.
Carefully pull out the most badly affected fibres. Then you should replace
them by taking fresh carpet strands from a hidden area, such as one under
a piece of furniture. You should glue them to the damaged area, putting the
glue onto the existing carpet and pressing the fibres onto it. In order
for the repair to set, place a heavy object over the repair and wait
several days before walking on it again.
Kitchen cleaning tips
Hand washing dishes
You should always start the washing up by putting on rubber gloves; as well
as protecting your hands, this will mean you can use hotter water. Then you should
clean your dishes in a set order, starting with the least greasy items such as glasses,
then cutlery, followed by plates, and finally do your pots and pans. You should
rinse the dishes with clean hot water, so if you have a two-part sink, use one section
for rinsing - otherwise, keep a jug of hot water on hand to rinse as you go.
Save yourself an extra effort by rinsing the dishes, or washing them as soon as you
can after they are used, so that the food has not dried on. Finally, always use a good
washing up liquid - the cheaper brands are a false economy as they will not go so far.
Cleaning your kettle
Simply fill the kettle with a 50:50 mixture of water and vinegar,
then boil, and leave overnight. The following day, your kettle should
be clean! To rinse, empty your kettle, then fill with water and boil.
Throw that away, rinse and you are ready to use your clean kettle again.
Clearing clogged drains
If your drain is running slowly, you should flush with hot water, and
then about 500ml of vinegar. Follow with around 100ml of baking soda,
and another 250ml of vinegar. Leave this mixture to sit for ten minutes
or so, and then flush through with hot water. It should now run as normal.
Removing kitchen smells
There are various ways for absorbing unpleasant kitchen smells.
Try placing bowls of vinegar around the room to absorb the smell,
sprinkling cinnamon on a baking sheet and warming it in the oven,
or simmering a pan of water which contains cinnamon sticks, cloves
and orange peel.
Removing stains from pots and pans
To remove stains from non-stick pans, boil 250ml of water and 100ml
of vinegar with 2 tablespoons of baking soda for ten minutes or so.
Then re-season your pan using vegetable oil, before the next use.
Protecting your oven
The best way to avoid having to scrub the oven is to keep it clean in
the first place. So, ensure you are using the appropriate size of
dish, rather than overfilling one which is too small - this will
protect your oven as well as avoiding burnt on stains on the side
of your pans. Always stand pies or casserole dishes on a baking
sheet, and if you are roasting meat, make a tent of foil over it.
You can also buy liners to put in the bottom of your oven, which
are easily removed for cleaning.
