Do you have big plans for the Memorial Day Weekend? Are you throwing a party or hosting over-night guests? If you are, then we are in the same boat. I have just a few more days to whip my home into shape. (Or least make it some-what presentable, after all, our guests are not strangers so they know my limitations.) Whether your guests are friends, family, or co-workers, you want your home to be warm, inviting… and clean.
Here are some basic cleaning tips to help you tackle the task before your guests arrive:
Make your own cleaning solutions. I rarely clean without the aid of a brand-name product, but if you run out of a solution and don’t have time to get to the store you can mix your own. Grab a bucket and dilute ammonia with water (a 3 to 1 ratio works best). This solution can be used to clean appliances, countertops, bathtubs, and windows. If you run out of Comet or Ajax, you can substitute with baking soda. Surprisingly (to me anyway), it helps remove stains and odors from sinks and refrigerators.
Cleaning Windows. Don’t attempt to clean windows on a sunny day. Working in direct sunlight causes streaks as the cleaning solution dries before you can wipe it off. Again, if you don’t have a name brand product like Windex, you can make your own. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of vinegar to a gallon of water. Apply and wipe off. My mom uses wads of newspaper to wipe windows, as it does not leave lint behind. Personally, I use paper towels, but newspaper is cheaper.
Cleaning Wallpaper. To remove pencil marks or other stray “undefined” marks, rub them with an art-gum eraser or slice of fresh bread.
Other tips: You can get rid of hard-water stains from glasses and bottles by rubbing them with steel wool dipped in vinegar. If you discover foreign spot on windowsills, appliances or shelves, they can often be removed will a little rubbing alcohol. Removing hard-water stains on bathroom fixtures can be accomplished by making a paste of baking soda and vinegar. Apply paste, let it stand for about an hour, then wipe off, rinse and dry.