KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – COOL WEATHER CLEANING
The cool weather this summer-ending
holiday weekend has put me in a mood for some Fall house cleaning.
Windows can be taken care of
with two or three tablespoons of vinegar in a gallon of cool water. Use a
squeegee to eliminate streaks. Wipe the squeegee after every pass.
In the summer I take the blinds outside
spray liberally with 409 or Fantastic and hose them off.
If it's too cold for that,
wrap a damp cloth around a ruler and secure with rubber bands. Metal or plastic
blinds use 409, with wood blinds use a weak solution of flax soap and water.
Use one tablespoon soap in two quarts water. Wet the cloth lightly and run
across each blind.
Flax soap, sometimes sold as
Murphy's,
again is a great gentle cleaner especially on wood. It can also work well on
walls. Always start from the floor and work your way up. This will prevent
streaks from forming that are impossible to get rid of. Use a large porous
sponge and change water frequently.
Between major cleanings a
spot cleaning on carpets can do wonders. I spray each spot or traffic area with
spot carpet cleaner. Scrub each spot with a stiff brush dampened with clean
water. Let dry and vacuum. You'll be surprised at how good it looks!
Baking
soda is a gentle scouring agent
and it's also environmentally friendly. Mix with water to form a paste and use
to clean virtually any surface in your kitchen and bath. It also de-odorizes.
One part vinegar to four parts water will tackle soap scum.
Take on one room at a time.
Before you know it you will have a clean house ready for winter.
KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
