Cleaning is our favorite subject. We have more formulas and concoctions in our home-maintenance bag of tricks than an M&Ms bag has candies. But more important than the formulas are how and when you clean. Sometimes just a little encouragement is all it takes to solve a problem.
Cleaning doesn’t have to be a chore. Unfortunately, because of procrastination, it often becomes a major undertaking and sometimes even an insurmountable challenge.
Sometimes we let grit and grime build up so thick the dirt becomes almost fossilized. At that stage, we find ourselves worrying about damaging the surface we’re trying to clean.
All those layers of scum – what’s a person to do? You probably don’t want to hear this, but the best time to clean anything is now. Stains in leather, food on an appliance, coffee on the carpet, water marks on the shower door – no matter what the challenge, cleaning sooner rather than later can mean the difference between removing the stain or not, between a mild wipe-down and hours of scrubbing.
Did you know you don’t need a cleaner to keep your shower immaculate? All you need is a squeegee. If you squeegee down the shower before you get out, there will never be a buildup of water marks or lime.
Yes, it makes good sense to occasionally clean with a disinfectant to make sure things are sanitary. But you won’t have crud buildup. As lime deposits lie on a surface they eat away at the finish.
You can’t always count on removing a stain. But the sooner you attack the problem, the better the chance of success. The rules are always the same: Pat the surface with a soft, clean, white, absorbent cloth. We like to call this the kitty-litter step. Then apply a mild cleaning agent (different for every stain), rinse with water and pat dry with another soft, clean, white absorbent cloth.
As grit and grime build up, stain removal becomes more complex. Then you are forced to turn to strong solvents or abrasives. Both are dangerous, solvents to us humans and abrasives to the surfaces on which they are used.
Abrasive cleaners work well and are certainly easy to use, but rubbing a surface with what is essentially sandpaper will eventually dull it or cause the color to fade or change, or both. Once a finished surface has been dulled with an abrasive, its pores may be open to attack by dirt. This means the surface can get dirty more easily.
Solvents on the other hand are gentle if used on the correct surface, but many can burn your lungs or eyes and can dry skin to the point that wounds can occur.
Good cleaning habits are reasonably easy to acquire, and the beautiful finishes in your home will continue to look new for as long as you have them.
For more home improvement tips and information from James and Morris Carey, visit their Web site at www.onthehouse.com or call 800-737-2474 Saturdays from 6 to 10 a.m. The Careys are also on KRKO (1380-AM) from 6 to 8 a.m. every Saturday.
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