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You’ve heard of spring cleaning, of course, but by the time fall rolls around the activities of summer will have taken their toll on your home. With pizza after soccer games, dinner parties and general relaxation activities, there are bound to be a few scattered stains, scuffs, dust bunnies and undone chores as you were busy enjoying the season.
Now, it’s time to spruce up your home without throwing out your back, by trying out a few of these fun cleaning hacks and other techniques.
If you haven’t looked at the kids’ bathroom this summer, our advice is: Don’t. Send the mess makers in to clean it themselves. Instead of exposing them to harmful chemicals, however, have them clean with baking soda and vinegar. Just mix a cup of white vinegar with a half cup of baking soda and half a cup of hot water. Stir, then pour into the tub or toilet. For tubs, plug the drain and run the water until half full. Let the water sit in the tub or toilet for 10 minutes, then drain or flush.
If you notice an unpleasant smell emanating from the garbage disposal, don’t fret. There’s an easy solution. Grab a lemon or lime, cut it into quarters or eighths and run the hot water. Turn on the disposal and put one slice of the fruit at a time into it. Do that until you’ve used the entire lemon or lime. Now your disposal smells of fresh citrus. The acidic juices and hot water help cleanse the disposal of gunk and old food, so it’ll be as good as new.
If your beautiful wood furniture is losing its luster, you can revitalize it easily without toxic chemicals. Combine two parts regular olive oil (not virgin) with one part lemon juice. Apply to finished wood with a lint-free cloth. Your furniture will look fantastic and will be protected against light scratches and drink rings.
If your blinds are a bit dusty and you want something quick, easy and safe to clean them, head for the sock drawer and grab an old (but clean) one. Mix one part white vinegar with one part warm water, apply the solution to the sock and run it over the blinds. That’s just as effective as a dusting spray, and much more environmentally friendly.
Baking soda and vinegar is the gift that keeps on giving. Since your oven is sure to see a lot of use over the fall and winter months, cleaning it now is a good idea to get ahead of the game. Mix half a cup of baking soda with two tablespoons of water and stir into a thick paste. Spread the paste in the oven, taking care not to touch the heating coils. Let sit overnight (12 hours is recommended), then spray the hardened paste with white vinegar to loosen it. Finally, wipe clean with a damp cloth. Now you’ve got a turkey-ready oven.
Koch Homes has been a premier home builder in the Annapolis area for more than 60 years. In a Koch home, you’ll want to clean and keep it in pristine condition to put the excellent craftsmanship on display. If you’re in the market for a home and would like to schedule a consultation to discuss your options, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
