Inexpensive Ways to Clean Your Toilet

Baking Soda:

To clean your toilet bowl naturally, dump in half a box of baking soda and let it stand in the bowl overnight. In the morning, flush the toilet several times to remove all the dirt and grime. Run a brush around the ring to loosen any part of the ring that remains. Flush again and that's it!

With this toilet cleaning method, you can be the Queen of Green by using the baking soda that you've had open in the fridge to soak up musty odors and moisture. Just open a new box of baking soda and place it in the back of the refrigerator. Take the old box and put 1/2 box in your toilet bowl. If your home has two toilets, you can clean both of them at the same time, using 1/2 box in one toilet and 1/2 box in the other.

Baking Soda and Vinegar:

Pour one cup of white vinegar into your toilet and let it soak for half an hour. Now dip your toilet brush in the toilet bowl and sprinkle it with baking soda. Scrub the inside of the toilet bowl. Re-sprinkle the brush with baking soda a couple more times. Flush twice, and your toilet will glisten.

Note that vinegar is an excellent fungus and mold killer. If you have black mold in your toilet, especially under the rim, be sure to dip your brush in the vinegar and run the brush under the rim. Wait 30 minutes and scrub with baking soda and brush.

Borax:

If you were a child in the '50s or '60s, you may remember 20-Mule-Team Borax. This stuff will blast through lime deposits and black mold. Make a paste of Borax and lemon juice or white vinegar and rub under the toilet bowl rim and on ring. Let it sit on porcelain for awhile, scrub and rinse.

Tea Tree Oil:

Tea Tree Oil is a natural disinfectant and cleanser. Add one tablespoon to a gallon of warm water. Pour in the bowl for a few minutes. Scrub and swish. It smells good, too. You can put some of the liquid into a spray bottle and use it on the outside of the toilet, too. Since tea tree oil is an essential oil, you can buy it anywhere that natural cleaning products, essential oils and supplements are sold. A little tea tree oil goes a long way.

What About the Ring?

Bleach, Vinegar and Borax Power will obliterate a toilet bowl ring. So will scrubbing a toilet bowl ring with a pumuce stone.

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Not Everything Should Be Bought At A Rummage Sale

The first thing to consider is how you will get any purchased items home. If you do not have access to a vehicle capable of hauling large items it is probably not wise to invest in those things.

The next thing to consider is whether you will have the storage space for a particular item. Any individual will be happy to rid their home and garage of unwanted things. Moving clutter from their garage to yours is not a good idea though. It would be pointless to purchase something that will be dumped in your own garage and never used. Try to only purchase items that you know you have an immediate use for.

Just about anything you could ever want can be found while rummaging. Clothes, toys, appliances, and exercise equipment are just a few of the things available. Generally there is nothing wrong with the items being sold. There are just some items that should be bought new. Below are outlined five items that should never be bought while rummaging.

Item to Avoid #1: Child car seats

It is likely very tempting to purchase a safety seat on the cheap. Car seats can be quite expensive when bought brand new. Also, a child can quickly outgrow the chair within a matter of months. Most people are unaware, however, that child safety seats expire. Safety specifications and requirements are constantly being updated in order to make the chair as safe as possible. The safety of your child is certainly worth the few extra dollars for going new.

Item to Avoid #2: Laptops

Just because a laptop turns on does not mean it is capable of performing other expected actions. It is very difficult to tell how much life a computer will have to the untrained eye. One can never be sure of the contents of the hard drive and there is also viruses/spam to consider. It is not a good idea to purchase a used laptop from a private owner.

Item to Avoid #3: Plasma Television

Finding a plasma television may seem like a tremendous find. There are a couple of things to consider prior to making this purchase though. Plasma televisions are very susceptible to "screen burn-in" or image retention. If the same picture remains on the screen for too long it will be permanently visible on the screen. Also, this type of television will lose luminosity/image brightness over time. These are things that would probably go unnoticed until the television is set up in your home.

Item to Avoid #4: Mattresses

Any mattress will be full of dead hair and skin cells from the previous owners' body. There has also been a rise in the number of bed bug cases across the U.S. For those reasons, it is best to purchase new when springing for bedding.

Item to Avoid #5: Shoes

Shoes can serve as a breeding ground for various fungus and bacteria. Fungi can easily be spread simply by wearing shoes that have gotten wet from water or perspiration. It is impossible to tell what exactly an individual used a particular pair of shoes for. Stick to department stores when shopping for shoes.

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Tips on How to Clean Your Windows

Window cleaning is an important way to ensure that your home and business look their best. Not only will this provide you with a warm and welcoming appearance, but it can also help to preserve the glass of your windows, since the dirt and grime that can build up on them can cause scratching.

There are some simple ways that you can keep your windows clean outside of hiring a window washing company. Take a moment to consider these tips are being some of the things you can do.

To begin with, you will want to use clean water with just a little soap when possible. A mild soap is going to help to break down the grease that can build up on your windows and leave them looking cleaner, without the dangerous chemicals that are often found in industrial solutions. Of course, you will need to ensure that right after your window cleaning that you do dry off the windows with a squeegee to prevent streaking.

Something to keep in mind when you are window washing is that your water is going to need to be changed regularly. If the water becomes too dirty, you are going to find that you end up spreading around the dirt, rather than ever getting it clean. A little discoloring isn't going to be an issue in the water, but as soon as it becomes murky, you will want to replace it.

Another important part of window washing will be to use a scraper to remove buildup on the windows before you wash it. If you try to wash the window while the hard buildup is there, it will be possible that you end up smearing the dirt and creating a bigger mess. Just make sure that you are being gentle as you scrape the glass to avoid putting scratches on it.

An important part of window cleaning that is often overlooked is how to proceed with the window washing. It is important that you begin outside and work to the inside of windows to ensure that you are getting the best results possible. With that, you will also want to clean from the top of your windows to the bottom to ensure that you are pushing down the mess, rather than from side to side instead. After all, what you are looking for is to have the cleanest windows possible.

As you are window cleaning, make sure that you do wash in a circular motion, and then dry with the squeegee from the top of the window to the base. The circular motion is going to break down the dirt better and help to ensure that window streaking is reduced.

Keep these simple steps in mind when you are looking to wash your windows. By following this advice, you do increase the chance you have for success and ensure that your windows are going to look great every time you set out to wash them.

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How to Get Rid of Clutter on Tables and Counters to Live an Organized and Decluttered Lifestyle

Flat surfaces can be a blessing and a curse. Isn't it nice to see a cleaned off table - just think of all the things we could do; we could set the table for a big family meal, we could sit and use it for crafts, we could let children use it for their homework or drawings, there are so many possibilities! Unfortunately as soon as we have a flat surface cleared we usually start putting things back onto it. It's almost like the side table, kitchen counter, entryway table, coffee table, bathroom counter, and every other flat surface has a clutter magnet on it! There's no arguing here - keeping these surfaces clear is tough for anyone. A good way to deal with these is to go through the normal decluttering process and get to the clean surface. Once you have done that take a look at what you want and what you like on that surface. Does it have a lamp that you use? Is there a picture that you want to display? Figure out what you like the best and how many items this is - we want to limit the number to something reasonable, but we also want to be comfortable with what we choose. Once we have this figured out you will know how many things should be there. When you start to see how this can help you maintain a decluttered environment this should become second nature.

If we let some things sneak back onto a surface, don't worry too much about it. Set a time when you will go over the area and pick things up and put them back where they belong. We can't have a spotless and totally organized house one hundred percent of the time - we would go crazy even trying! The idea is to get used to regularly keeping things under control. This might mean putting your books away every night, cleaning up when you get home from work, or taking Saturday afternoon to pick up after yourself. It is certainly a give and take - you don't want to spend so much time picking up that you start hating spending the time doing it, but you don't want to wait so long that it becomes a huge project again! We want to find what works best for ourselves. It takes time and a little trial and error. After a few weeks it should be fairly evident what works best for you. If by the end of three weeks you can't seem to get a good system going on a regular schedule I suggest setting aside five or ten minutes three nights a week to pick up and clean off your surfaces. Write them down, make a checklist, or set an alarm - just make sure that you are following through and sticking to a schedule. It is like many other habits - you have to keep doing them for it to be effective, the first few weeks can be the most trying but it does become much easier after that.

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A Guide to Mold Removal

Many homeowners often assume that they can remove the toxin on their own and that hiring a mold removal company to remove it for them will be a waste of money. In order to remove this allergen from the home properly, there are quite a few things that someone needs to know and be able to do if they want to do it in the safest manner possible.

There are many different types of mold that could be growing in a home. If someone tries to remove any of them him or herself without wearing any protection, they could potentially inhale spores into their lungs, which could lead to serious health issues. Removing mold in a home where a family is living could put not only the person that is removing the mold at risk, but also the rest of the family that is living in the home. The mold spores could easily get into the ventilation system and spread throughout the home, which could lead to serious illness for all family members who are exposed to the spores.

When looking for a company to come and handle the mold removal, it is important to find out about their certifications, their licensing, and their insurance coverage. In order for someone to be able to remove allergens legally from a home, they need to have the proper training. In the training, they have learned how to identify all of the different types, how each one will need to be removed from a home, and how to dispose of them properly after it has been removed. This training is essential as mold spores can remain in a home for a very long time. If it is not removed properly by the mold removal company that is hired, it could leave the family at risk.

After checking the company's credentials, someone will want to ask to speak with references from previous clients. If a company cannot provide references, someone should avoid hiring them for their mold removal needs. A legitimate company will be able to provide references for work that they have done and prove that they have the experience that is needed to do a good job. When speaking with references it is important to ask about the job that was done. Someone needs to find out if any damage was done to the house, if everything was properly disposed of when the job was complete and if it was removed in a timely manner. Someone will want to insure that other homeowners have had great experiences with the company before agreeing to allow them to remove the mold from their home. Before beginning the process, it is important for a homeowner to sign a contract with the company stating the set price that will be paid for the job upon completion. This will allow all parties involved to know what amount will be paid and that the business will not overcharge for the job upon completion.

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Butcher Chopping Block Maintenance: How to Clean and Oil in Five Easy Steps

Wooden counter tops add warmth and beauty to any kitchen. Unlike other trendy counter top surfaces, wooden counter tops are timeless and never go out of style. They also add functional value to a kitchen that appeals to chefs and foodies. However, they are not completely care free. They need to be kept clean and sealed in order to maintain the surface. Proper maintenance will not only lengthen the life of your counter top, but will keep it hygienic. Five easy steps for maintaining all of your wooden cutting surfaces, including counter tops and chopping blocks are listed below.

You will need:

Dish detergent

Scrubby sponge

White vinegar

Either lemon juice and salt Or water and baking soda

Mineral oil

Step one - Clean.

Cleaning the board with warm soapy water and a scrubbing sponge will get off any visible debris and will remove a small amount of oil from the board. Use warm water and scrub gently. You aren't trying to sanitize with this step so don't use hot water. Hot water is unnecessarily aggressive and will damage the board over time. Rinse all of the soap off when the surface is clean.

A word of caution - do not submerge portable boards in water. Water will soak into the wood fibers causing the wood to swell and warp. This breaks the glue bond in the lamination. Then as the wood dries, it cracks.

Step two - Sanitize.

Sanitize your butcher board by wiping it down with full strength white vinegar. Why vinegar? Vinegar is an effective disinfectant against common kitchen bugs such as e.coli, staphylococcus, and salmonella. Vinegar is not damaging to the wood fibers like chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach is corrosive and it's effects are accumulative. Over time it changes the color of the wood and it breaks down the lignan (the natural glue between the fibers). The wood will look ashy even after it is oiled and the fibers will have microscopic tatters for bacteria to hide in. It's a good idea to keep a spray bottle of vinegar handy to use as a regular sanitizer for your wooden cutting surfaces.

I use vinegar and air drying to sanitize my wooden counter tops and it works great. However, if you need extra assurances, you can allow your butcher board to dry after the vinegar treatment, then wipe it down with 3% hydrogen peroxide.

After sanitizing, you can move to steps four and five, allowing the board to dry and then oiling it. Or you can do some additional deep cleaning as in step three if you have a heavy build up of oils, odors, or stains.

Step three - Deep Cleaning

Make a paste of salt and lemon juice OR water and baking soda. Using a scrubby sponge, lightly swirl the paste around focusing on stains if you have any. This paste mixture will lightly strip away old oils. It will also deodorize the wood and lighten stains. Both lemon juice and baking soda are aggressive cleaners so don't allow them to just sit on the board for hours. Just gently scrub the paste around for a few minutes and rinse it completely away when you are done.

Step four - Dry

Allow block to dry completely....over night is best. A dry environment is the best defense against bacteria, mold and virus. Allowing the board to dry completely before oiling it helps to lock moisture OUT rather than sealing it in. Also, the dryer the wood is, the more easily it will soak up oil.

Before you oil your butcher board look it over. If you still have stains use a sanding block to remove light stains or use a palm sander with a fine grit paper to sand down the entire board.

Step five - Seal with oil

Oil your butcher board. Oiling your wooden counter tops and cutting boards helps to protect the wood from damage and keeps the surface hygienic. The oil creates a water resistant barrier. It keeps the wood dry and keeps bacteria out. The best oil to use is food grade mineral oil as it will not go rancid the way vegetable based oils will. This can be found in the laxative department of your local drug store or you may find it also at your local hardware store. Just pour a little onto the board and rub it in with your clean hands or use a clean lint free rag. If you really want to pump up the water resistance of your oil, you can warm it and add bees wax or paraffin to it. Use a ratio of one part wax to nine parts oil. When this oil has soaked into your wood, it will leave behind a thin waxy layer that is even more water resistant!

Every type of counter top needs basic maintenance. Granite needs polishing. The grout in a tile counter top needs scrubbing. A wooden counter top or butcher chopping block needs to be cleaned and oiled. With a little bit of care your wooden cutting surfaces can last life times and add functional value to your kitchen.

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Maintain the Beauty of Your Carpet With These Tips

This article will give you several tips that should help keep your carpet in good shape and make it stay as beautiful as it should. The way we feel when we step into a house decorated with a clean and spotless carpet is indescribable. It is so pleasant to walk into a welcoming room. No one wants to walk into a room with a poorly kept carpet. This is because a poorly maintained carpet will have residue within its fabrics and some unpleasant odors. One of the biggest investments a homeowner will make would be purchasing a carpet, be it for the living room, bedrooms or even the car. The carpet is the furniture that portrays a person's home-keeping abilities. This article will certainly provide you with some tips that you can use to make your house ooze of freshness, cleanliness and health.

a- Start by choosing the right fabric for the carpet you need. You would want to check on the cleaning needs and the durability.

b- Make sure you buy a vacuum that is of great quality and is not just easy to handle or is a light cleaner.

c- I cannot emphasize how important it is to vacuum the carpet regularly.

d- Make it a point to take off your shoes before stepping on the carpet when you spend the day walking on asphalt.

e- Ensure that every spill is blotted out immediately and with a clean piece of cloth or towel.

There are only five tips mentioned in this article, but there are a million tips that work miracles when it comes to keeping your carpet looking beautiful and clean all the time. One thing I can recommend is to grow a close relationship with a professional in the field of carpet cleaning. This will make it easy for you to ask for professional advice without any extra charges. This closeness can work in your favor in many ways, such as receiving priority treatment as well as discounts on prices. A professional will put in great contributions in making sure the carpet has a long life.

In conclusion, you don't want to use cleaning products that are meant for the home to clean your carpet. This can cause irreparable damage to your carpet. Such products are not designed with carpets in mind. They are designed for use on clothes. Many carpets have been destroyed by the use of oxygenated products. To use these products on your carpet, you must ensure that they are properly extracted from the carpet fabrics after use. However, this can only be well done by industry professionals. The best way to get the proper treatment for your carpet would be to tell the cleaning professional everything that he must know. Every spill should be detailed in time and type. This will give the cleaner a chance to make an informed and good decision for the proper cleaning procedure.

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