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Cleaning/Housekeeping tips please - 3/11/2013 11:18:28 AM

AthenaSurrenders

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We've got a tenants inspection next week and my daughter, with that marvelous sense of timing toddlers have, has managed to somehow really grind some raisins into my living room carpet today, in a very conspicuous spot. Does anyone have any suggestions for getting the sticky stuff out of the fabric? It seems like a pretty tough hard-wearing material but I have no idea what it's made of.

And while we're on that subject, I'd love it if you would share any ingenious little tips you have about cleaning and housekeeping in general. The type of stuff your granny would tell you. Any sort of time saving tricks, ways to get things extra clean, thrifty ideas... anything. I've got my little routine for getting the basics done every day, but it's spring cleaning time and I want this place to GLEAM.

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Post #: 1

RE: Cleaning/Housekeeping tips please - 3/11/2013 12:05:54 PM

Phoenixpower

Posts: 8098
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Wednesday or thursday I can look up in that respect (sorry, have no energy left today and no time tomorrow) but on another note I learned that mayonnaise helps to get sticky papers or stickers off from wooden ground....

That happened to me a few times in england, when my cats managed to spill something in my absence and as aftermath that paper just did not want to go off my wooden floor....

Therefore if you have ever such pleasure with your lil one or the pleasure that she places stickers onto her furniture (something we never did as parents would have almost killed us if we would have dared to do so, but I do know some kids do that) just put mayonnaise on top of it, rub it in a bit, and soon later it goes off easily...

taught that one my colleague in my pre-previous job when she removed stickers in that youth home from the door...

< Message edited by Phoenixpower -- 3/11/2013 12:06:39 PM >

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RE: Cleaning/Housekeeping tips please - 3/11/2013 12:11:22 PM

AthenaSurrenders

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Joined: 3/15/2012
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Good to know, thank you. I know that baby oil is good for removing some sticky things but I also know it can be disastrous on some surfaces.

I might try the mayo on the carpet. I have a wet vacuum and will be shampooing it anyway, so I can't do any harm right?

_____________________________

Being your slave, what should I do but tend
Upon the hours and times of your desire?

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Post #: 3

RE: Cleaning/Housekeeping tips please - 3/11/2013 12:17:20 PM

Phoenixpower

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quote:

ORIGINAL: AthenaSurrenders

Good to know, thank you. I know that baby oil is good for removing some sticky things but I also know it can be disastrous on some surfaces.

I might try the mayo on the carpet. I have a wet vacuum and will be shampooing it anyway, so I can't do any harm right?

I don't know that on the carpet front....if I would dare to do anything on a carpet, I would try it out first on a corner which isn't easily to see for others...so in case it goes wrong it is not to be seen easily...

But that you are having a wet vacuum is already a plus for your situation I guess...whatever you will be doing in that respect...

_____________________________

RIP 08-09-07

The PAST is history, the FUTURE a mystery, NOW is a gift - that's why it's called the PRESENT

www.butyoudontlooksick.com/navigation/BYDLS-TheSpoonTheory.pdf

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Post #: 4

RE: Cleaning/Housekeeping tips please - 3/11/2013 12:17:32 PM

tommonymous

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You might try olive oil for sticky-removal as well. As with anything, (except raisins, apparently

) start in an inconspicuous spot and see if there are any ill effects.

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And just because it worked for you, doesn't mean it will (or ought to) work for everyone.

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Post #: 5

RE: Cleaning/Housekeeping tips please - 3/11/2013 12:17:40 PM

mnottertail

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baby oil is usually mineral oil with perfume.

You can use like a little cooking oil or so on the carpet, but dont like rub it in real real hard.

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RE: Cleaning/Housekeeping tips please - 3/11/2013 1:06:28 PM

tazzygirl

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http://www.ehow.com/how_8738105_raisin-out-rug.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_5879674_clean-raisins-out-carpet.html

One is ice... the other compressed air.

They also suggest hot water, but not sure I would go that route. Seems like if you treat it like gum, it should come out.

Good luck!

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RE: Cleaning/Housekeeping tips please - 3/11/2013 1:10:29 PM

AthenaSurrenders

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genius, thank you Tazzy.

I guess I know what I'm doing this evening.

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Upon the hours and times of your desire?

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Post #: 8

RE: Cleaning/Housekeeping tips please - 3/11/2013 1:21:28 PM

UllrsIshtar

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I've had to do this before, and ended up using dried ice instead of bags of normal ice.

The spot was just too big, and the ice cubes took too long to freeze anything (well, and it was summer and the house was about 75 degrees, so the ice would melt too fast).

Even freezing them it was a bitch, but they did finally come out. For me they left a stain after removal (very light carpet) which came out with a grease remover for carpet, LOTS of rinsing, and a professional carpet cleaning.

ETA: If you're using dried ice, be careful obviously...

< Message edited by UllrsIshtar -- 3/11/2013 1:22:18 PM >

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RE: Cleaning/Housekeeping tips please - 3/11/2013 1:34:17 PM

FrostedFlake

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From: Centralia, Washington
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Never ground raisins into a rug, but this is the toughest stuff I've yet found that I don't mind getting on my hands.

Just the F.A.Cs, Ma'am.

Edited to add : PLEASE NOTE While this stuff can be used full strength for some things it is supposed to be diluted to match the job. Spot cleaning a carpet is said to work best with a 50/50 mix of Awesome and water.

Among the things on the label is the warning : DO NOT USE FULL STRENGTH ON GLASS.

I use Windex all purpose on glass. It works better. Tool matched to job. For almost everything else, I use Awesome.

It's Awesome.

< Message edited by FrostedFlake -- 3/11/2013 1:47:32 PM >

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Post #: 10

RE: Cleaning/Housekeeping tips please - 3/11/2013 2:19:20 PM

TwoHeartsBeatOne

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Joined: 10/30/2012
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ICE
-hardens bubble gum which can then be chipped off of hard surfaces or carpet or hair

HEAT
For those pesky wax drips on the carpet, place brown paper towels over it and run a hot iron on top of the paper towels... the wax adheres to the towels and comes out of the carpet.

STEAM
-If you can remove the "head" from your clothing steamer, it can be used for places like behind the faucets of a sink and any other "challenging to reach easily" places.

AIR
Depending on the size of the job, a hairdryer and a leaf-blower can work as dusting tools. I have used the leaf blower to dust off some doors that are like shudders and the tops of cornices and of drapes, while they are still hanging.

SUN
Letting white cloth/clothing, soak in a tub of water in the sun for half a day works as a natural bleach... no chemicals! When done, rinse them off and hang dry in the sun.
Letting sunlight shine indoors inhibits the growth of molds, so make use of those curtains.

PRODUCTS
- for messy hands - GOOP
- for greasy mess - dish soap works! citrus works (lemons)
- for sticky mess (glue from labels or "gum" from band-aids) use nail polish remover
- for shiny windows and mirrors - use newspaper - not paper or cloth
- for stains - Tide-to-Go Stick, on the spot ; Oxyclean for stains dealt with later
- for wood floors - Murphy's Oil Soap

SCENT
-eucalyptus branches tied in a bow and hung over a door
-cinnamon broom
-simmer apple cider (cheaper than Glade because you can also drink the cider and safer because it won't hurt anyone's allergies)

< Message edited by TwoHeartsBeatOne -- 3/11/2013 2:23:49 PM >

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Post #: 11

RE: Cleaning/Housekeeping tips please - 3/11/2013 2:41:38 PM

FunCouple5280

Posts: 559
Joined: 10/30/2012
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I have to disagree on the Murphy's oil soap....Don't use on wood floors with modern poly finishes!!!!! It leaves a nasty residue that prevent touch up screen and coatings!!! As a former contractor, we would offer a quick screen and coat to rehab a modestly worn wood floor. This is much cheaper than refinishing it all together. (A screen an coat means you don't completely sand off the finish and then put a new coat or two of the original oil or waterbased poly finish) But if you use murphy's the top coat won't stick, meaning the flood has to be totally sanded and refinished. Use the Bona products. They are safe on all floor finishes.

(in reply to TwoHeartsBeatOne)

Post #: 12

RE: Cleaning/Housekeeping tips please - 3/11/2013 5:13:21 PM

LookieNoNookie

Posts: 12216
Joined: 8/9/2008
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quote:

ORIGINAL: AthenaSurrenders

We've got a tenants inspection next week and my daughter, with that marvelous sense of timing toddlers have, has managed to somehow really grind some raisins into my living room carpet today, in a very conspicuous spot. Does anyone have any suggestions for getting the sticky stuff out of the fabric? It seems like a pretty tough hard-wearing material but I have no idea what it's made of.

And while we're on that subject, I'd love it if you would share any ingenious little tips you have about cleaning and housekeeping in general. The type of stuff your granny would tell you. Any sort of time saving tricks, ways to get things extra clean, thrifty ideas... anything. I've got my little routine for getting the basics done every day, but it's spring cleaning time and I want this place to GLEAM.

Tabasco sauce.

(in reply to AthenaSurrenders)

Post #: 13

RE: Cleaning/Housekeeping tips please - 3/11/2013 5:36:26 PM

Notsweet

Posts: 873
Joined: 6/11/2006
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Athena, I've got a housekeepig business. If the raisins are still an issue, freeze and scrape, then use just a drop of dishliquid, a little water and a cloth, and very patiently clean the spots until they're gone. It will take a while, but the dishliquid loosens the food.

(in reply to LookieNoNookie)

Post #: 14

RE: Cleaning/Housekeeping tips please - 3/11/2013 6:30:51 PM

lmpishlilhellcat

Posts: 500
Joined: 8/25/2011
Status: offline

My grandma taught me vinegar and baking soda make the best cleaning agents.

If I have a stain on my clothes I make a baking soda paste with water. I always use baking soda in my whites. I start up the hot water, throw in a 1/2 cup of baking soda and let them soak for 30 minutes. Then I throw in the soap and wash. They come out nice and white.

Have tough stains in the microwave? Put 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup vinegar bring to a boil and wipe down.

I use vinegar to clean out the dishwasher and coffee pot.

I could go on and on..........

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Post #: 15

RE: Cleaning/Housekeeping tips please - 3/12/2013 8:19:36 AM

absolutchocolat

Posts: 1392
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Woolite has a kick-ass carpet spray that I use for dog-related messes. Should work for raisins, but if not, try warm water and baking soda to lift the stickiness and don't rub it. Blot it gently.

I also use Clorox wipes for high traffic areas, and Arm & Hammer products for keeping my house smelling fresh. Febreze is awesome too, as well as Glade plugins for eliminating pet odor. Hope that helps.

(in reply to AthenaSurrenders)

Post #: 16

RE: Cleaning/Housekeeping tips please - 3/12/2013 8:35:25 AM

dcnovice

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Joined: 8/2/2006
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FR

I have no solution to the stain, which may well be gone by now, but here's a story to help you smile as you scrub.

President and Mrs. Eisenhower had a rather nervous dog named Heidi. Among other infractions, she peed on the rug in the Diplomatic Reception Room. Mamie was not pleased, and Heidi was banished to the Eisenhowers' farm in Gettysburg. The chief usher (the civil servant who runs the White House) tried just about every dry cleaner in D.C. No luck. Finally the staff dyed the rug, which made the spot a little less conspicuous. Then they shifted the rug and the furniture to hide the stain the best they could.

Some time later, a generous donor contributed a grand new rug, with state seals woven into the border. At the reception honoring the donor, the First Lady whispered to West, "You know how much we truly appreciate this!"

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RE: Cleaning/Housekeeping tips please - 3/12/2013 9:49:59 AM

Notsweet

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DC! How you feeling, and is it almost time for me to prove my housekeeping prowess on your glorious abode??

Hope it's all going well so far!

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Post #: 18

RE: Cleaning/Housekeeping tips please - 3/12/2013 9:54:00 AM

Duskypearls

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Athena, I just read somewhere that shaving cream is good at removing stuff from carpets. Don't know if it's true, but is worth looking up.

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Post #: 19

RE: Cleaning/Housekeeping tips please - 3/12/2013 10:17:42 AM

frazzle

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Joined: 6/20/2009
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Wilcos do a product call sticky stuff remover, works on lots of stuff.

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Post #: 20

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