Cleaning

Cleaning Around The House

Cleaning Leather

Keep leather furniture out of direct sunlight, otherwise it may crack and dry out. You should use hide food once or twice a year to ensure the leahter remains supple. Dust or vacum regularly and clean with a damp cloth rubbed on a bar of glycerin soap or moisturizing soap, such as Dover or Caress. Use an old, soft-bristled toothbrush or paintbrush to clean around tufts and buttons. Always dry and buff leather with a clean, soft cloth. Do not rinse.

Treating Water Spots

For water spots on leather furniture or clothes, run a damp sponge over the area and allow to dry.

Removing Ink

To remove ballpoint ink from leather, rub gently with cuticle remover until ink is removed, then buff well.

Stains on Light Colored Leather

Often dark colors, such as blue jeans, will leave discoloration on light leather furniture or jackets. To remove it, make a paste of cream of tartar and lemon juice and gently massage it in. As stain is removed, rinse off well with a soft, damp cloth and follow with the cleaning method above.

Removing Mildew from Leather

To remove mildew from leather, apply a coat of petroleum jelly and allow it to sit for 4 to 5 hours and then rub it off.

Making Your Own Hide Food

You can purchase hide food for leather, but here is a simple way to make your own.
Mix 1 part white vinegar to 2 parts linseed oil in a jar with a lid. Shake well and apply with a soft cloth, changing it frequently as it soils. Buff well so oil won't transfer to clothes. Always test in an inconspicuous place on light colored leather. This works great on furniture, jackets, and purses. The importanat hing is to buff really well to avoid having the hide food transfer to clothes. In a very dry state, treat with hide food twice a year.

Removing Blue Hard-water Marks from Tubs

For a fiberglass-type tub or shower that get that bluish tinge, try using some good gel cleaner or a homemade cleanser. Use this on the floor of the tile or shower rubbing gently with a piece of "fine" drywall sandpaper. Remember, use gently and the problem should disappear.
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To clean and polish a porcelain tub and remove stains, make a paste of powered alum (available in drug stores) and water. Rub well as if using a cleanser. For stains, make a paste of lemon juice and alum and let sit until dry, then moisten with more lemon juice, rub well, then rinse well.
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If you have a new fiberglass shower stall or one you have cleaned well, apply a coat of car wax to the walls, NOT the floor. This will allow the water to bead up when you shower and you can easily squeegee the walls clean.
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You can keep ahead of grout cleaning if you use a dry typewritter eraser on dry grout to remove mildew as it appears. For bigger problems, mix baking soda with liquid chlorine bleach and apply, let sit at least 1 hour, then scrub and rinse. When using bleach, be sure you have adequate ventilation and don't spill on fabrics or carpet.

Make Your Own Cleaning Products

1. Revitalizeing Liquid Polish for Dry, Dull Furniture
Combine 2 parts linseed oil and 1 part turpentine. Applied lightly and rubbed well, this is an excellent alternative to refinishing wood furniture. Wipe off excess polish and buff with a clean soft cloth. Try this also on wood dining chairs to remove sticky residue left from hands.
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2. Removing Screen Stains and Bug Spots From Windows
Make a paste of baking soda and warm water, rub on glass, rinse well and dry. This works great on car windshields. Use this also in conjuction with the homemade window cleaner.
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3. Window Cleaner
Here's a great window cleaner for streakless window cleaning. Mix 1/2 cup of cornstarch into 2 quarts of warm water. Apply with a sponge and wipe dry with an absorbant cloth or paper towel.
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4. Heavy Duty Window Cleaner
To clean heavily soiled windows, mix 1 pint rubbing alcohol, 2 tablespoons clear ammonia and 2 tablespoons of liquid dishwashing detergent. Wash windows, rinse well and dry.
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5. Removing Hair Spray from Counters, Tile & Floors
Combine the following in a spray botle. 1/3 liquid fabric softener and 2/3 warm water. Spray on the area to be cleaned, wait 3 to 5 minutes and then wipe with a scrubbie-type sponge or a rag.
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6. Making a Natural Leather Polish
Boil 1-3/4 cups of linseed oil over medium heat and let cool. Add 1-1/4 cup vinegar. Apply with a soft cloth and buff to a shine. Buff well so no polish transfers to clothes.
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7. Cleaning Fireplace Bricks
This cleaner will clean soot and smoke off of your fireplace brick. Mix a solution of 1 gallon of hot water and 1 cup of washing soda--not baking soda, look for it with the laundry soaps. Scrub the bricks with a brush and wipe clean with paper towels. Cover carpet area and hearth with a dropcloth for cleanup ease. This solution also works well on outdoor stucco walls.
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8. Metal Cleaner
Equal portions of pulverized chalk (the kind you use on blackboards) and baking soda, combined with enough water to make a paste. This is a great metal cleaner.
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9. Heavy Duty Drain Cleaner
Mix 2 cups baking soda, 2 cups salt and 1/2 cup cream of tartar. Label and store. To use, have 2 cups boiling water ready. Pour 1/4 cup of the cleaning mixture down the drain. Follow immediately with boiling water. Wait 30 minutes and flush with cold water. If the drain is very slow, add mixture and hot water, wait 30 minutes and repeat, then flush with cold water.
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10. Air Freshener
In a gallon jug, combine 1 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup ammonia and 1 tablespoon of scent, such as lemon extract or juice, pine oil or vanilla extract. Slowly add 16 cups of warm water. Label and store. To use, pour well shaken solution into an attractive spray container. Mist the air when needed. As with any air fresheners, avoid spraying on wood furniture or pets.
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11. Ceramic Tile & Grout Scum Remover & Cleaner
Put 1 cup baking soda in a gallon jug. To this, add 1 cup ammonia and 1/2 cup white vinegar. Add 14 cups warm water, shaking well after adding about half of the water, then add the balance. Cover the jug and label. To use, you can put the solution in a pump dispenser and spray directly on the tile. Let it soak for 15 minutes, then brush and rinse.
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12. Glass Cleaner
In a clean gallon jug, mix 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup ammonia, 1 tablespoon mild detergent and 13 cups of warm water. To use, shake well and pour some into a spray bottle. Spray window well and wait about 30 seconds, then wipe with paper towels. If streaking occurs, spray and wipe again.
TIP: After the window is nice and dry, take a clean blackboard eraser and wipe....no more streaks!
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13. Dishwasher Spot Stopper
Mix 1 cup Borax (in the laundry isle of the grocery store) and 1/2 cup baking soda and store it in a clean, well closed container. To use, add 1 teaspoon of the mixture to the dishwasher in addition to your regular dishwasher detergent.

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