The Moving Planner Blog

Moving can be messy. That’s not to say you or the moving company are slobs.  The reality is, every move is a fresh start; a new beginning.  And we all know that those don’t come along too often.  Every home presents cleaning challenges that take a lot of time to resolve. Commercial cleaning products are not always the best approach to the most basic dirt and grime. Learn to use certain household staples to remove stains and create a healthier environment for your family. Try each of these methods to resolve cleaning challenges, around both your new home and old items.

1. Piano keys – Restore the beauty to the largest instrument in the house by applying toothpaste to a damp cloth and rubbing the keys firmly. Pay close attention to prevent any moisture from running between the keys. Work in small sections of the keyboard and notice the difference between the cleaned keys and the ones awaiting attention. Wipe each key dry and buff all residue from the top and sides of the keys to restore the shine.

2. Chandelier – Before company arrives for a formal meal under the chandelier, step into the room and turn on the light. If you notice visible dust through dimmer pendants, cover the table top with towels and the top with multiple layers of newspaper. Remove the lamps and cover each electrical socket with a plastic bag and seal it with a rubber band. Stand close to the chandelier and spray each pendant with enough glass cleaner to rinse the dust off and allow it to fall onto the newspaper and towels below. The luster will return without having to take down the chandelier.

3. Humidifier – When the evaporative humidifier begins to smell, unplug the unit before emptying the reservoir. If the wicks are replaceable, dispose of the old wicks in the garbage. Remove the reservoir and empty it outside or in the shower or tub. Rinse the inside and outside of the water reservoir and set it flat. Run one gallon of hot water in the bottom and pour in one cup of bleach. Rub the solution around the sides and then carefully empty the water down the drain. Allow the entire unit to air dry overnight before refilling the reservoir and replacing the wicks. To maintain the clean reservoir an equal combination of vinegar and water can be used weekly kill bacteria.

4. Bathroom tile – If the tile around the tub, shower, and sink has lost its luster, fill a spray bottle with vinegar and spray all tile surfaces generously. Allow the acid in the vinegar to do the work of removing soap scum and hard water residue for one hour. Rinse the areas that were treated with vinegar and dry with a soft towel. If mildew and stains are also present on the tile, combine one cup of bleach with one quart of water and spray the tile a second time. Rinse away the bleach and dry the tile. The luster will return and the bathroom with sparkle.

5. Windows – Use one-half cup of ammonia in clear water to clean window glass and dry with newsprint. Wear gloves to protect your hand and watch the clean glass sparkle. Use horizontal strokes on one side of the glass and vertical strokes on the other side so that you can see which side missed spots are left. To prevent frost build-up on the windows use one-half cup rubbing alcohol instead of the ammonia. On a warm day moisten a cloth with glycerin and rub the inside of each window pane. Either approach will keep frost from forming on the windows in extremely cold temperatures.

6. Teflon skillet – Food that is stuck to the interior surface of a Teflon skillet can be easily removed by covering the bottom of the pan with one-half inch of water and returning the pan to the stove burner. Raise the temperature enough to boil the water and watch the food loosen its grip right before your eyes. Carefully dump the water down the sink and wash the pan with the rest of the dishes.

7. Drain clog – Grease clogs are easily removed by pouring 1 cup of salt and 1 cup of baking soda into the drain and then pouring a large pan of boiling water into the mixture. Pour away from yourself to prevent burns or accidental spills. Make sure children and pets are not in the area. The clog will dissolve almost immediately and be washed completely out of the pipe when you run hot water into the drain for two full minutes afterward.

8. Garbage disposal – Great cooks rely on the garbage disposal to grind up and rinse away almost anything placed in it. When that side of the sink drains more slowly than it should, place the stopper in the sink and fill it with cool water. As you pull the stopper with one hand, flip the switch for the disposal to the on position with the other hand. Run the water faucet simultaneously and notice the pull on the standing water. Purging the disposal through this method weekly will keep it flowing freely. When odors in the disposal become noticeable, place a lemon or orange peel in the disposal and run it until the grinding stops.

9. Tar on car paint – Most car owners want to cry after driving over freshly road tar. After rinsing most of the road debris from the paint job, liberally apply the cheapest, oiliest peanut butter available to every spot of tar. Leave the peanut butter on for an hour or more and then use a rubber spatula to gently lift the tar from the paint without scratching the car.

10. Rusty garden tools – Remove rust from metal tools with a soap-filled steel wood pad that has been dipped in kerosene. When the rust appears to be gone, rub the entire surface with crumpled aluminum foil.

These tips are based on the use of common household substances that are readily available. Other methods are also effective for each of these cleaning challenges. Use care when children and pets are present to ensure their safety and your ability to concentrate on the task at hand.

Guest Bio: Mark blogs about ways to utilize savings and how to create a budget worksheet.