SPRING CLEANING & WINDOW CLEANING
Source of Recipe
Home Enviorment Source
Recipe Introduction
THINGS TO HELP MAKE OUR JOB EASIER
List of Ingredients
Are you one of the 66 percent of Americans that regularly engage in spring cleaning? Research shows the main reason given for spring cleaning is “it just needs to be done.” The Soap and Detergent Association found kitchen cleaning was the most rewarding job by women and the garage/basement cleaning ranked most rewarding by men. The least rewarding cleaning tasks for men was cleaning the bathrooms and for women was the garage/basement. For many families the kitchen gets top priority for spring cleaning with the living room and master bedroom next.
When doing spring cleaning or routine cleaning shared responsibilities by the family can make the job go quicker and family life go more smoothly. Every member of the family can help in some way. The Soap and Detergent Association created the following guidelines to help make housework easier.
Practice Prevention
* Keep clutter to a minimum. Having lots of stuff around makes cleaning harder and gives places for dust and allergens to collect.
* Wipe shoes on entryway rugs or mats to protect floors and carpets, and to catch dirt, dust, pollen and other allergens brought in from the outside.
* Keep bathroom and kitchen surfaces as dry and clean as possible to help control the growth of
moisture-loving bacteria, mold and mildew.
* Treat spots and stains on garments and clothes as soon as they occur.
* Wipe up spills before they have a chance to dry.
* Put coasters under beverage glasses and bottles to prevent water spots and rings on wood surfaces.
Give Priority to the Important Jobs
* Disinfect sink areas, toilet bowls, tubs and showers to kill germs as well as mold and mildew that can trigger asthma attacks.
* Launder sheets weekly in warm or hot water to remove dust mite allergens and keep linens fresh.
* Dust hard furniture regularly using a dusting product.
* Vacuum carpets and mop wood floors once a week.
Tips to Make These Cleaning Jobs Easier
* To fight mildew in the shower, clean stalls and bathtubs using a non-abrasive, all-purpose or disinfectant (antibacterial) cleaner. Check the label to find out if the product kills germs and/or mildew and follow directions for best results. To get rid of the "ring around the bathtub," use a soap scum remover. Use a daily shower spray on walls and shower curtains to keep mildew from growing.
* Clean refrigerator walls and shelves using a non-abrasive, all-purpose cleaner or a solution of baking soda and water. Sweep or vacuum the floor first, then mop starting at the farthest corner of the room and working your way toward the exit. Use a cleaner that's right for your floor type.
* To dust wood furniture, spray a dusting product on a clean, soft cloth. Don't use a dry cloth -- it will just spread the dust and could scratch the finish. Spray glass cleaner on a cloth instead of directly on a mirror or picture glass. This will keep the cleaner away from the frame and prevent it from seeping onto a picture.
* Keep products in their original containers with their labels on. It's important to know what the product is if a child accidentally swallows it. Never reuse an empty bottle or box for a different product.
Start thinking about spring cleaning now and set up a plan that includes the whole family and then celebrate when the job is done.
Recipe
Cleaning Windows
How many times have you heard, I don’t do windows? Do you do windows? Cleaning windows is many times the most dreaded cleaning task of spring. With the right tools and cleaning solutions the task can be simple and successful.
The best time to clean windows is when the sun is not shining directly on them. They may dry to fast and streak. A handy tool to have is a squeegee. Professional or stainless steel types are available at janitorial supply stores. Cleaning solutions can be purchased or you can use products you have at home such as ammonia, vinegar and/or liquid dishwashing detergent. Ammonia cuts heavy greasy soil and vinegar helps remove hard water spots.
After you have the tool and cleaning solutions ready it is time to do the work. First wipe the dirty windows with a damp cloth. Don’t rub dry dirt because it can scratch the glass. Using a vacuum attachment works well for this job.
The next step is to apply the cleaning solution to the window. Use a clean sponge or cloth to lightly wet the window or spray lightly if using a spray bottle for the solution. Don’t flood the window.
Next, tilt the squeegee, at an angle to the glass, so only about one inch of the rubber blade presses lightly against the top of the window. This will leave a dry area across the top of the window. Wipe the blade of your squeegee with a damp cloth each time. A dry blade on dry glass will skip.
Next, place the blade horizontally in the dry area and pull down, lapping over in the dry clean area each time. Continue until you have finished the window. Finish by wiping off the window sill. If you are cleaning the window with a cloth, paper towels or newspaper wash the windows side to side on the inside and up and down on the outside or vice versa. If there are streaks you’ll know which side the streaks are on.
Helpful hints for window cleaning:
Change wash and rinse water often.
Clean the corners of the windows with a cotton swab.
Squeegees do not work on textured or stained glass windows.
If you choose to use a cloth or paper towels for wiping the windows use a cotton cloth or “hard” paper towels (the soft ones leave lint).
Wash exterior windows first to remove grease and grim.
Cleaning solutions you can make are:
Mix two tablespoons of ammonia OR white vinegar with two quarts of warm water.
Mix one-half cup ammonia, one pint of 70 percent rubbing alcohol and one teaspoon liquid dishwashing detergent. Add enough water to make one gallon liquid.
Mix one tablespoon liquid dishwashing detergent with one quart water.
Now you are ready to do the windows. Choose a mild day, good tools and solutions and the simple task will give you the feeling of a big accomplishment.
Lorene Bartos, Extension Educator
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