Cleaning tips

Whether you love it or hate it, house cleaning can consume a large portion of your time, energy and money. Review these tips on how you can make your cleaning process smoother.

Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from the drying effects of water and cleansers.
Have plenty of extra rags on hand. An old torn up t-shirt works well.
Gather all of your cleaning supplies and rags and put them in one bucket or carry-all with a handle.
Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet overnight and vacuum in the morning to give the room a fresh smell.
Always clean rooms from top to bottom.

Green Cleaning Products
You can clean your new home from top to bottom and be kind to the environment by using environmentally friendly cleaning products.

Orange Peels
Deodorize a garbage disposal unit by throwing in a few peels while it's operating.

Baking Soda
One of the easiest natural products to find, baking soda is extremely versatile.

Use baking soda on a damp sponge to clean your refrigerator and countertops without scratching.
Crayon marks on the walls? Apply a paste of baking soda and water to an old toothbrush, and then lightly brush the affected area.
Minimize water stains on wooden floors by sponging with a solution of baking soda dissolved in water.
Sprinkle baking soda on rugs and carpets before vacuuming as a deodorizing treatment.
Stains on porcelain sinks, toilets and plastics can be removed by applying a layer of baking soda and then using a damp sponge.