Mini-blinds
Putting off the job? Can't blame you, but here's an easier way to clean them. For general cleaning fill a spray bottle half full with water add a squirt or two of Ivory Liquid dish soap then finish filling with water. Ivory is inexpensive and makes a great all-purpose cleaner. Spray on a lint-free towel. Turn the slats toward you and wipe down going easy so you don't bend the slats. Reverse the slats, walk around behind the blinds and wipe once more. It only takes few minutes, so clean one set every time you dust to avoid that miserable buildup.
If your blinds have reached the Cape of No Hope, removal becomes necessary. Pull up the tabs on each end and slide the blinds out. If the blind refuses to slide out, heat with a hair dryer for a few minutes. The heat expands the metal and they pull right out.
Work early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid water-spotting problems. Hammer two nails into the side of your home and hang the blinds from the nails. Don't worry, it only takes a year for your neighbors to regain their composure from the laughter.
Spray the blinds with a foaming bathroom cleaner (Dow is a good one). Spray the pull cords with shaving cream. When the dirt has left the scene of the grime flip the blind over, reverse the slats and spray again. Wipe with a clean very damp sponge and dry on a large bath towel.
Pleated Cloth Shades
These shades present many cleaning problems. Never use a cleaner of any kind on day-night shades. They stain easily. Vacuum often to prevent dirt from taking control. Be sure to clean the bristles of your vacuum attachment before you vacuum.
Hardware stores carry a dry sponge you'll find in the wallboard section. Use the sponge dry and wipe over the surface. The micro fiber towels do a good job as well. Dampen with water and wring out all the excess moisture. Quickly wipe over the blinds. Do not get excess moisture on them. Store the shades in a closed position whenever possible to keep the pleats well defined.
Vacuum regularly. To clean, remove them laying them on a towel on a linoleum floor. Scrub with a soft nylon brush dipped in Ivory and water.
Popcorn, Textured Ceilings and Wood Beams
Slip a lint roller replacement tube over a paint roller holder. Attach to a handle and roll the ceiling, removing dust and cobwebs without smearing the cobwebs everywhere.
Stone Fireplace Fronts
They are so warm and cozy in the winter and so miserable to clean in the spring. Foaming bathroom cleaner does a wonderful job on soot, but first saturate the bricks with an all-purpose cleaner and allow to soak a few minutes.
Thoroughly spray the bricks with the tub cleaner. Scrub with a stiff bristle brush dipped in Ivory and water. Reapply the bath cleaner as needed. If the soot refuses to budge, resort to TSP (trisodium phosphate) found in hardware stores. It is toxic and not highly recommended, but it cleans bricks. Keep the room well ventilated, wear gloves and a mask, protect your skin carpet and any furniture close by.
A chandelier at the top of a two-story entry can be the dickens to clean. Two choices: 1. Ignore it. 2. Drag out the ladder and go to work. Here's an easy way: Find a lightweight cotton sock - not one from your last fishing trip - place it over a thin feather duster and attach to an extension handle. Spray the sock with window cleaner and it does a fairly good job. A stepladder is necessary though, for a thorough cleaning.
To clean the glass baubles, place a terry towel in the bottom of a sink, partially fill with water adding some automatic dishwashing detergent and rubbing alcohol. Remove the baubles from the chandelier, let them soak and dry.
Sprays are available that clean without removing the baubles if used frequently. Protect your furniture and carpet by laying down plastic, then newspaper. You can mix your own spray by partially filling a 32 oz spray bottle with water, add one tablespoon of automatic dish washing detergent, ¼ cup rubbing alcohol and 1/3 cup vinegar.. Finish filling the bottle with water. This is a wonderful window cleaner too.
Outdoor furniture generally pleads for cleaning at the first sign of spring. Remember always test an inconspicuous spot before using a new cleaner.
Mix a bucket (make sure the bucket is clean) with liquid dish soap, some Borax and ½ cup hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water. Saturate the furniture thoroughly and allow to set 15 minutes. Scrub with a nylon scrub brush and rinse. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for cleaning. Some fabrics will not tolerate peroxide.
If any of the metal has rusted, first try using a rust remover found in automotive stores. If the rust refuses to budge, use a #800 sand paper to sand the metal and repaint.
Source: www.DoItYourself.com
