Window blinds are notoriously tricky to clean, and even more so when you’re dealing with slats or plantation shutters. Thoroughly cleaning both sides of every single slat to rid them of the dreaded dust build-up has traditionally been a time-consuming endeavor, which is why so many avoid the task altogether. But to keep indoor air quality as fresh as possible, it’s a good idea to clean blinds once a month, and possibly even more frequently depending on the amount of traffic in the room or the presence of pets or children. Luckily, a few easy tips can make cleaning window blinds quick and painless.
How to clean blinds and plantation shutters easily
Supplies:
Kitchen tongs
2 sponges
Rubber bands
Instructions:
Wet sponges and squeeze excess water out of each sponge before attaching them to tongs.
Attach sponges to the jaws of tongs. To secure, wrap 2 rubber bands around each sponge, with one band at each end of the sponge.
Clamp each slat on blinds with the jaws of the tongs, sliding from end to end to easily wipe away dust on both sides of the slat at once.
Repeat cleaning for each slat.
Rinse sponges with water while still attached to tongs throughout the cleaning process. Squeeze to remove excess water and any leftover dust.
How to clean blinds with a sock
Alternatively, you can use a clean sock attached to your hand to clean both sides of the slats on window blinds at once.
Wet the outside of a clean sock with a mixture of distilled white vinegar and water, or just water.
Place the sock on your hand.
Clamp each slat with your sock-covered hand, sliding from end to end to easily wipe away dust on both sides of the slat at once.
Repeat for each slat, rinsing the sock throughout the process.
The best blinds cleaning products
Here’s how to make the best homemade cleaning solution for window blinds.
Supplies:
Distilled white vinegar
Distilled water
Spray bottle
Funnel (if you don’t have a funnel, roll a square of parchment paper into a cone and use as a funnel)
With our modern households and appliances, it’s likely you have stainless steel in your kitchen at this very moment. Whether it’s a pots and pans for cooking, a refrigerator or even a stainless sink, that shiny surface is made from the same material. And stainless steel looks best when it’s clean and free of smudges and fingerprints.
We get it—kitchen cleaning can be a hassle. But we know lots of easy ways to fight fingerprints and keep stainless-steel appliances looking nice and shiny.
Methods for Cleaning Stainless Steel
Cleaning stainless steel doesn’t have to be a hassle—you may already have what you need in your kitchen cabinets. These methods make it super easy to make your stainless steel gleam.
How to Clean Stainless Steel with Dish Soap
First up, it’s our trusty kitchen cleaner—dish soap! All you need to do is put a small drop of dish soap on a microfiber cloth, then add a splash of warm water. Wipe down the stainless steel, rubbing with the grain of the metal. Then rinse it off to prevent staining and spotting from soap residue. Lastly, towel dry the metal.
To clean the microfiber cloth afterward, toss it in the wash with other lint-free fabrics and dry it on low or no heat. Or, if your dryer doesn’t have those settings, let the cloth air dry.
How to Clean Stainless Steel with Glass Cleaner
If you have stubborn fingerprints that can’t be wiped away by dish soap, grab a bottle of glass cleaner. Spray a little bit onto a microfiber cloth, and as always, rub in the direction of the grain of the steel. Rinse and towel dry the metal to prevent any spots.
How to Clean Stainless Steel with White Vinegar
If you haven’t used white vinegar to clean, you’re missing out on a cheap, easy solution. For stainless steel, just spray a little bit of distilled white vinegar on a microfiber cloth and rub in the direction of the grain. This method will get rid of especially stubborn grime and fingerprints in a jiffy!
Vinegar, however, is a bit more acidic than other cleaners, so while you can use it for sinks as well as cookware that’s been discolored due to heat, be more careful about appliances. Test it out on a small corner of your appliance to make sure there won’t be any problems.
How to Clean Stainless Steel with Stainless Steel Cleaner
Can’t remove that grease no matter what? You might want to grab a bottle of stainless-steel cleaner. These specialty cleaners are made for hard-to-tackle stains, and they won’t leave any marks on your appliances or cookware. Just grab a microfiber cloth, spritz on a little cleaner, then rub in the direction of the grain.
What to Avoid While Cleaning Stainless Steel
When it comes to stainless steel, there are a few things you should definitely make sure don’t get anywhere near it. These include:
Abrasive tools: it might be tempting to use steel wool or a metal brush to get rid of particularly stubborn grease or dirt, but these can scratch your stainless steel and increase the possibility of rust.
Bleach or strong cleaning solutions: These can damage and stain your stainless-steel appliances, leaving them pitted.
Dirty sponges or cloths: Always make sure you’re using something completely clean on your stainless steel. Other cleaning solutions or bits of debris (like crumbs) can scratch and discolor your steel.
Hard water: This might be difficult if not unavoidable, but if you can, try not to use hard water while cleaning as it’ll probably leave water stains behind. Distilled or filtered water is your best bet.
Access to natural light can make or break a space. But before you move into the apartment with southern-facing gems, make sure you know how to clean windows. There’s a lot of research that suggests having plenty of access to sunlight is good for your health and happiness, but grime, buildup, and otherwise dirty windows can be a buzzkill when you’re trying to bask in that afternoon glow.
Dishes get scrubbed, clothes get washed, and floors get mopped, but all the while, windows hardly ever get cleaned. And that’s probably why your openings to the outside world are covered in a layer of dirt and maybe a few smudges, too. Thankfully, you don’t have to live with this obstructed view for long, because you’re the grownup who’s about to learn how to clean the really grimy windows of your home. Make this part of your spring-cleaning ritual and your windows will be clear and perfect in time for all that summer sunshine just around the corner. Below are simple cleaning tips so you can clean your windows like a pro.
Grab your supplies
No matter what type or how many windows your home has, your artillery of window cleaning products will be pretty similar. However, you do have a few options for how you stock your supplies. At a minimum, you’ll want some kind of cleaning solution and a way to wipe the windows until they sparkle.
For a DIY window cleaning solution:
If you’re all about that DIY life, we’ve got just the thing for you. Combine two parts water with one part white vinegar in a spray bottle and you’ll be all set with a homemade window cleaner. You can also combine warm water with a few drops of dishwashing soap if you prefer.
For a hassle-free store-bought cleaner:
If you’d rather go the store-bought route, there are plenty of commercial window cleaning solutions or sprays, like Windex, on the market, and many will work really well for your window washing. Just try to avoid glass cleaners that are ammonia or alcohol based, as these may leave streaks or light films that attract more dust down the road.
Wiping supplies
Whether you’re going the DIY or store-bought route for the cleaning solution, the best way to wipe down your windows is with a clean microfiber cloth or wipe. This is key for streak-free windows. Squeegees can also work well if you’re putting lots of water on the windows—just avoid paper towels as they can leave lint films all over your glass windows.
For the inside of windows
Once you’ve got your cleaning tools, it’s time to do some minor prep before you get started on the actual cleaning. Similar to sweeping your floors before mopping, you want to get rid of any dust or particles on the glass before you go in with wet products. Gently wiping a dry microfiber cloth, a lint-free cloth, or a duster across the glass should do the trick. Don’t forget to dust the frame and windowsill while you’re at it.
Next, spray your solution, then take your microfiber cleaning cloth and wipe in Z-shaped motions to dry and clean the windows.
If you need more cleaner than a spray bottle can give, use a plastic bucket with warm water and a few drops of dish soap (or your vinegar solution) and a squeegee to wipe up soapy water with long, even swirls starting from top to bottom.
Don’t be surprised if you need to do more than one round of cleaning, since dirt may have been on your windows for years. Take your time, and enjoy how meditative that sweeping squeegee motion can be.
For the outside of windows
Exterior windows often get dirtier than the inside panes since they’re exposed to rain, dirt, and other elements. To get rid of water spots and other stains, start by rinsing the window down with your hose. Mix your vinegar or soap solution in a bucket, then use a sponge mop or microfiber cloth to go over the glass. Rinse again with the hose then use a squeegee to dry the window. It’s best to start from the top of the window with the squeegee blade angled toward the bottom.
Lastly, remember that window screens should be cleaned, too. Spray soap and water on them, and they’ll dry naturally.
For high-rise or apartment windows
Don’t think that just because you live in an apartment or other building with high-rise windows you can’t have glistening windows like everyone else. Start by seeing if you can remove your panes from their frames. If so, then all you need to do is pop them out, line them up, and scrub them down.
It can be an acrobatic feat to clean windows that can’t be moved, and no one is asking for you to scale a building so that yours can gleam. Instead of stretching your arms to wipe down tilted windows, or trying to figure out how to manage others that can’t be moved, opt for this gliding cleaner to remove dirt with ease. A strong magnet keeps the outer piece in place as you move it across the pane, making for an almost effortless process. Just make sure you buy the right one for the thickness of your windows.
If you don’t feel safe cleaning your windows solo—or you’d rather use that time on something else—that’s not a problem. Either ask your neighbors or landlord if there’s a professional cleaning service nearby that you can hire, or seek out that pro yourself.
Article by Kelly Dawson and Katherine McLaughlin
Source: How to Clean Windows Safely & Easily | Architectural Digest | Photo credit: inkless-sintinta.blogspot.com
Isn’t the point of a washing machine is that it cleans dirty things? So why would you have to clean it? The reality is your cleaning tools need just as much TLC as the rest of your home. Good housekeeping means paying attention to the things that make your life easier, which is why your washing machine, for instance, deserves to be cleaned. If your clothes have started smelling of mildew after being washed, it’s time to run a cycle on the hottest water setting with nothing inside and using vinegar for an extra boost for a squeaky-clean washing machine.
Washing your Cutting Board With Soap
Whether you’re slicing veggies, fruit or meat on your cutting board, it’s a no brainer that you need to wash it. But contrary to what you might think, scrubbing it down with soapy water isn’t the answer. Soak your board in bleach after each use (or at least those boards used for things like raw meat which contains harmful bacteria), to properly sterilize it and avoid bacteria transfer.
Dusting Surfaces with a Dry Rag
Put down the duster, or anything that resembles it, especially a dry rag. While dusting your fan may leave it looking pearly white, that dust doesn’t just disappear into thin air. All that sneezing you do when dusting is the result of the tiny particles flying elsewhere, like your table, rug, etc. You may think you’ll clean up all the dust when you vacuum, but there are plenty of nooks and crannies it settles in that you’ll forget about. Your best bet is to wet a rag, which will pick up dust more effectively.
Not Washing Your Pillows
Sure, you know about washing your pillowcases weekly, but what about your actual pillows? Most pillows have a tag giving laundering instructions, yet very few people follow through with doing so. Your pillow is subject to dust mites, body oils, and bacteria from your saliva, which is why you should stick it in the washing machine every three to six months.
Cleaning Stainless Steel in Circular Motions
It doesn’t take much to dirty up a stainless steel appliance. One touch and your refrigerator is totally smudged. When cleaning, be sure you’re not wiping in circular motions, because you’ll see the marks when the cleaner dries. Instead, find the grain in the stainless steel and follow that. You’ll notice a big difference.
Light Switches and TV Remotes
You know to do the big stuff: vacuuming, mopping, wiping away dust. But there are some items in your house that you may have never cleaned, yet harbor a major amount of bacteria. Light switches and remote controls are two highly overlooked housekeeping areas. Cold viruses lurk on such places, from sneezing or coughing into your hand and then immediately flipping on the TV or light. A simple spritz of disinfectant is a good place to start, and a bleach wipe can get into the tough to reach spots where the unhealthy gunk hangs out.
Washing Windows on a Sunny Day
You can’t control the sun, but you can avoid it, which is something you should do when washing your windows. This is because glass cleaner dries quickly in direct sunlight, leaving behind unsightly streaks that are counterintuitive to your washing job. Opt for overcast skies and the temp below 70 degrees.
Using Too Much Water on Wooden Floors
Less is usually more when it comes to good housekeeping, and that’s certainly true for cleaning and taking care of your wooden floors. Whether you’re mopping or using a standard rag and bucket, be sure that you don’t have too heavy of a hand with the water. If there are scratches or gouges in the finish, the excess water can make its way beneath the surface and damage the wood.
Not Cleaning Your Air Ducts
Even if you are good at keeping the dust at bay throughout your house, your housekeeping is lacking if you’re not cleaning your air ducts out. Over time, they collect dust, leading to allergy symptoms and even increasing the chance of fires when you turn the heat on. Be sure to clean them once a year at least.
Not Cleaning Your Light Bulbs
While light bulbs used to burn out and need replacing frequently, today the long-lasting LED bulbs make it possible for you to forget about them for a while. But you shouldn’t. The longer they’re installed, the more dust they build up, which can become a fire hazard.
Cleaning the house is one of those things that most people just don’t like to do. Getting out the rubber gloves, smelling all of the chemicals and spot-cleaning with a toothbrush isn’t exactly the most appealing activity.
However, different areas in your house can be a breeding ground for bacteria, mold and fungus. Places you didn’t know were hazardous like your kitchen and bathroom sinks can become some of the most disgusting places.
So how often, exactly, should you clean each area of the home? We’ve got your answers!
Living rooms
Your living rooms are naturally some of the cleanest parts of the home. However, we can track dirt in or kids and pets can make spills, so it’s best to keep up with this area fairly often. Here’s how often you should clean things in your living room:
1. Carpet
Once a week: Your carpet is a place where dust, dirt and allergens tend to hide. Giving your floors a weekly clean with a good-quality vacuum cleaner is super important. In places with constant foot traffic, you may want to vacuum more than once a week.
Pro tip: If you need to spot clean a stain, you can mix a teaspoon of liquid dish detergent with a quart of warm water and ¼ teaspoon of white vinegar. Apply this mixture on the spot and then rinse and blot dry!
2. Couch
Once every two weeks: Most people don’t realize how much dirt, dust, fur and oils your furniture absorbs. It can host allergens and other nasty things if left unattended. Regular cleaning can help extend the life of your furniture, which means a surface cleaning every couple of weeks using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum.
Pro tip: You should also plan to have a professional clean the upholstery about once a year, depending on how much you use the piece of furniture. If you develop a stain in between cleanings, put your iron on the “steam” setting and wave it back and forth over the problem spot.
3. Windows and blinds
Once a month: The windows and blinds in your house can accumulate dust and dirt. To keep the mess at bay, you should try to wipe down your windows and blinds at least once a month.
Pro tip: When cleaning your blinds, you can use an old sock dipped in a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water. Stick your hand inside the sock and swipe it over each blind for a quick and easy clean.
4. Ceiling fans
Once a month: Have you ever had dust accumulate on the blades of your ceiling fan? Since it’s so high up, many people forget that it’s up there until the dust bunnies have already taken over. To prevent the dust buildup, dust the top of your blinds once a week.
Pro tip: You can prevent the dust from falling everywhere if you use a pillowcase to dust your fan blades. Simply slide each fan blade into the pillowcase and enclose the case around it, then slide it off. The dust will stay inside the pillowcase and you can easily throw it in the wash when you’re done!
5. Baseboards
Once a month: Your baseboards can collect dust and dirt, but most homeowners don’t see cleaning the baseboards as a priority. If you keep up with cleaning them once a month the task won’t be too time-consuming.
Pro tip: Use the brush attachment on your vacuum to swipe the top edge where the dust settles. If there are scuffs or spills, wipe them away with an erasing sponge.
More tips for cleaning bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens can be found by copying and pasting the link below.
