Best Kept Cleaning Secret

I am quite bored since my last day in the office is tomorrow which means I am totally slacking off....

I realized I want to clean more of my house for my roommate before I head out of here next week.

What are you best kept secrets? I love to put lemons rinds in the garbage disposal to make it smell clean!

I do need to know how to get the yellow off my bathroom floor - the rug was there so long it stained it ;-(

Whatcha got?

The stubborn thin, dull film that orange lentils leave on a stainless steel pan is removed very easily if you leave water with just a dash of vinegar in the pan for 5 minutes before scrubbing.

I use biological washing powder mixed in very warm water (thanks Kim & Aggie) on grimey surfaces and on the lino in the kitchen...works great on soapscum and disinfects too when you mix in just a cap of bleach.

Foaming shaving cream (if you can find it) will spot clean a carpet or rug.  Let a dollop sit on the stain a bit and brush it with an old, clean toothbrush and gently rinse with a damp clean cloth until you remove the residue of the shaving cream.

It works on things like upholstery and jumpers as well.

Foaming shaving cream (if you can find it) will spot clean a carpet or rug.  Let a dollop sit on the stain a bit and brush it with an old, clean toothbrush and gently rinse with a damp clean cloth until you remove the residue of the shaving cream.

It works on things like upholstery and jumpers as well.

I'll be trying this one out soon! Why did we buy cream-coloured sofas again?? 

I should say you should check to see if it doesn't stain/run the colours of something in a patch that most people don't see first and to remove the bulk of what's staining it first.  That said, I've used it to good results in an old flat with light tan carpet upon which I had dripped coffee, a dark blue carpet in the kitchen which was stained with a bunch of things (yuck kitchen carpets, almost as bad as toilet carpets), a knitted jacket of my sister's which was stained with a stain the dry cleaners claimed they couldn't remove, and one of Mr A's suit jackets.

Another tip: squeegee and dry your shower/tiles around your tub after a shower or bath and you won't need to scrub mould off the grout often.

Which reminds me, we need a new squeegee.

hmmm I like the shaving cream thing - I may have to test that theory out!

I want something I can throw on the glass walls of a shower and PRESTO have them clean of hard water...

I always had intentions of using my squeegee but never did ;-(

I use a paste called "Astonish" on everything and I bloody love it!!

Hmmm... all good tips for the person who hates to clean.  I know everyone knows this, but I use club soda on the carpet when we get a stain and it usually takes it right out. 

When I was in the US I had a bathtub that was textured on the bottom, so you wouldn't slip. Well, no matter how hard I scrubbed it would never come totally clean. Then I used a Mr Clean Magic Eraser on it and it was like I had a brand new tub. I would always use that first, then I'd follow up with a disinfecting cleaner.

Vanish soap bars (or supermarket's own version). I rub it on stains, leave for at least an hour then put in the washing machine. Doesn't work on everything but always worth a try, but amazing results for Ribena and turmeric. It works even though I only use non-bio powder and a low temperature wash.  One bar lasts for ages.

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=35494.0

aww haa no wonder I never saw the thread it was 2007 ;-)

Thanks I love to read that stuff...

I am sure every thread here has been started at some point and I am sure I will repeat more then one ;-)

aww haa no wonder I never saw the thread it was 2007 ;-)

Thanks I love to read that stuff...

I am sure every thread here has been started at some point and I am sure I will repeat more then one ;-)

And why not? We've got new members now so you might get different answers.

And why not? We've got new members now so you might get different answers.

Definitley! Just helps to bring old threads up too to add to the discussion