grill being cleaned (Stephan Zabel)
Summer may be declining rapidly, but you can still enjoy most, laziest of the season, and the sun filled days to address some deep-cleaning projects that can give your home a much needed facelift.
In fact, summer is probably the best time to dive in large cleaning projects, because the weather is more predictable and you can tackle any (gasp!) Big problems before temperatures more cold set in. (It is also the best time to lie corpse on a beach, carrying nothing more than a tan, but that's another story.)
So turn up the AC, roll up your sleeves, and put some elbow grease into these places easy to miss. You'll thank us later.
1. Stores
"Metal and plastic blinds are some of the most important people of the household items should take the time to clean thoroughly, but they tend to be neglected because it is a timely chore and is frankly a pain, "said Antonio Shellman , owner of Klean Freaks, a residential and commercial cleaning service in New York City. "You will find if you do not manage dusting regularly, dust will start to pack on, dulling the surface and blocking the light, which makes it much more difficult to clean."
For metal or vinyl blinds, wipe each slat with a soft cloth moistened with warm water and dish soap. If you have vertical blinds, remove the strips and lay them flat before wiping. If your blinds are wood, no soap is necessary -. Simply wipe with a damp cloth
2. Windows and Screens
"The quality of your glass will deteriorate over time with age and exposure the sun, "said Trevor Cook , owner of Shine Bright San Diego, a window cleaning service.
glass is porous, so it expands in the heat of the day and the contracts and cools down at night, Cook says. The everyday dust and grime below the surface of the glass and make your windows look cloudy. Cloudy days are great; Clear windows, not so much.
You can attack the dirt and grime that come from a summer of open windows with a little dish soap or white vinegar and water and a scraper, but a real streak shine that will last the season, turn to the pros for a thorough cleaning.
3. Kitchen Cabinets
A simple dish soap mixture and water will reduce dirt on most exterior surfaces of the cabinet but if the buildup is especially heavy, consider commercial grade cleaners on an orange oil (test on an inconspicuous area first)
then press inside :. Use a damp cloth to collect the crumbs (or blank if necessary) and clean the interior with a cloth soaked in your soap and water. Wipe with another plain damp cloth and use a dry cloth to collect excess moisture. (Do not forget inside cabinets under your kitchen sink. According to the pros, that's where most of the cooking odors originate.) Allow the cabinets are open for one to two hours.
4. Washing machine ...
Not surprisingly, the washing machines are magnets for mold. If you have a front-loading model, spray the rubber seal on the front of the machine with white vinegar and wipe with a damp cloth, then pour two cups of white vinegar into the detergent dispenser and run the machine on its the highest temperature and highest setting.
Add half a cup of baking soda to the drum and run a second cycle at the same level and temperature, and then wipe the machine inside and dry. (For washers, you can find similar measures here.) For extra credit, here is a good tutorial on how to clean the trap of a washing machine, which can be a source of a godawful smell.
5. ... and dishwasher, too
Use a toothpick to clean the spinning arm at the bottom of your machine, and remove and let soak your filter in warm soapy water (or rub with a paste of soda and water bicarbonate). Then pour a cup of white vinegar into a container on the top shelf and run your machine on the hottest setting.
6. Refrigerator and freezer
Once per season, take inventory of your refrigerator and freezer and the basket of expired products. Remove any drawers and shelves and soak in warm soapy water. Wipe the interior surfaces - including doors and edges - with two tablespoons of baking soda mixed with warm water
Then vacuum the refrigerator coil and grill, then attack them doors. If they are stainless steel, make sure to use a stainless steel cleaner and wipe with the grain. And if you are really a detailed person, we love this tutorial for step by step instructions that promise to make your freezer sparkling dull in just 30 minutes.
7. Four
It could not be easier. If your oven has a self-cleaning function, simply set it and forget it. (You do not need us to tell you that you did?) But do not neglect your grids - for deep periodic cleaning, throw them in a soapy water bath for 30 minutes, then wipe with a Steel-bristle brush.
8. Barbecue
The Jacks of all trades at Lifehacker recommends rubbing the top rack of your grill with an onion for a quick post-grill cleaning but when it's time to really clean up the most was the worker device, you'll need to get out a little lubrication of the synovial hinge joints (aka elbow grease).
Make sure the grid is off and disconnect the propane before starting. Remove the racks and metal plates under them and soak them in hot soapy water for five to 10 minutes. To rinse, spray with the hose. Cover the area where the grids usually go with paper, and use a rigid grill brush to clean the dirt from the hood and the walls inside. Use a cleaner specially designed for the surface of your grill (eg, stainless steel, porcelain, or cast iron), and reassemble all parties.
9. Pad
DIY carpet cleaning requires the right equipment (see the roundup of the best home cleaning machines Good Housekeeping Research Institute) . Avoid cleaning wet days and open the windows while your carpet dries to keep excess moisture at bay. (At least once a year, consider using a carpet cleaning professional.) And if Fido had his way once too often with your favorite carpet, try these tips to remove the dog (or cat) urine carpet.
10. Mattresses and bedding
Vacuum your mattress and lay it on the side to dry for 12 to 24 hours before changing your sheets. Whiten your pillows on the hottest setting available, and replace your bedding for cold weather warm weather gear.
11. Shower Door
Go over the entire surface with a glass cleaner to remove scratches, use a magic eraser sponge to break gunk that was hard built on textured glass of water. To really seal the deal, use a glass processing such as Rain-X to create a water-repellent surface for up to six months.
12. Houseplants (yes, really)
Greenery look a bit dull and dusty? According Shellman, even your houseplants need a little TLC from time to time. Left alone, the dirt pile on the leaves and reduce the ability of the plant to light photosynthesis.
The best way to clean the plants is to use a dry or wet and thoroughly clean each leaf, says Shellman. So sit back and watch them bloom all year. Unless you kill them.
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