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Cleaning tips:

 1. 15 minute family daily cleanup rule-set the timer and everyone starts cleaning or picking up for exactly 15 minutes. 5 people can do and hour and a half of man power in that 15 minutes.

2. 20 minute daily clean rule-take 20 minutes everyday to do a little something yourself. Dust for 20 minutes, vacume for 20 minutes, load the dishwasher for 20 minutes, etc. The list goes on and you'll be amazed what you can accomplish by the end of the week all on your own!

3. Vinegar/water/dishsoap makes an excellent window/glass cleaner that doesn't streak! I love this!
Mix 2/3 part water to 1/3 part vinegar and add ONE DROP of liquid dishsoap.

4.To clean up fruit juice spills, cover the spill with salt, and later rinse with cool water.

5. Grapefruit rinds are a great way to remove stains on porcelain

6. To remove wax spills from tablecloths, place in the freezer and then peel off.  Works with candleholders, too.

7. An easy way to clean your oven is to place a pan of hot water and 2 Tbsp. of ammonia in it overnight.

8. You can add sparkle to your dishes in your automatic dishwasher by doing the following:  Run the dishwasher on the regular cycle without soap.  When the machine has filled with water, open the door and add a cup of white vinegar.  Finish the cycle.  This helps to remove deposits in the pipes.

9. Sprinkle baking soda on carpet stains when they occur.  Leave on overnight and vacuum. Love this
animal oops.

10. Remove crayon from carpeting by moistening the spot and rubbing in laundry detergent.  You may have to repeat the process more than once.

11. Tub Jets-dishwasher detergent/bleach. (recommended by retailer)
Be careful not to ever mix bleach with any ammonia product. Puts off toxic fumes!

12.Use cat litter to absorb oil spots in the garage
 
13. Remove circles made by wet glasses on tables by rubbing in camphorated oil with a piece of cotton

14. Mix 6 parts water, 2 parts household ammonia and a pinch of salt to remove milk stains with a soft cloth.

15. Use a dryer sheet for removing soap scum from showers and tubs

16. To clear a sink drain, drop 3 tablets of Alka Seltzer into drain followed by a cup of white vinegar. Wait a few minutes, then run hot water.

17. Use hairspray to dissolve ink in fabric

18. Jars of white vinegar placed in your home will help absorb odors

19. Goo-gone, a citrus-based cleaner, is great for removing adhesives from any surface

20. Boil cinnamon and cloves to freshen the air in your home

21. When washing linoleum floors, try a mixture of mild dish detergent and a couple capfuls of baby oil

22. Vinegar and a little vegetable oil works well for cleaning wood floors

23. Use one cup vinegar and one gallon of water when washing brick surfaces

24. Toothpaste works well for removing crayon from your walls

25. Add 1/4 C. baking soda to your laundry detergent to leave clothes smelling fresh

26. To remove smoky odor from clothes, fill your bathtub with hot water. Add 1 cup white vinegar. Hang garments above the steaming bath water.

27. To remove deposits from metal showerheads, combine 1/2 cup white vinegar and one quart water.  Completely submerge the showerhead and boil 15 minutes.

28. Dry Erase on walls to clean off hand prints around light fixtures etc/ or
use on walls with a light paint color
to cover up nail holes.

29. Murphys Oil soap-mix 1 part oil to 4 parts water in a spray bottle and use to just wipe down wood products. Your house will smell wonderful! Spraying on artificle plants also helps to liven them up from dust buildup. But put them outside to drip dry.

30. Pillows smelling stale? Spray with aerosol scented Lysol and toss in dryer on air only, no heat.
Fluffs them and they will smell wonderful!

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COPPER AND BRASS SPRAY CLEANER

white vinegar
3 Tbsp. salt
Fill a small spray bottle with vinegar and add salt. Spray the solution on copper utensils, let stand for a while and then rub clean.

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DRAIN CLEANER

1 c. salt
1 c. soda
1/4 c. cream of tartar

Mix ingredients together. Dissolve one cup of cleaner in one cup of hot water. Put in drain. When bubbling stops, rinse drain with hot water.

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APPLIANCE SPRAY CLEANER

2 fluid oz. rubbing alcohol
7 fluid oz. sudsy ammonia
11 fluid oz. tap water

Mix ingredients together and pour into a spray bottle. 

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CARPET CLEANER

2 c. baking soda
1/2 c. cornstarch
4 to 5 bay leaves
1 Tbsp. cloves

Mix all ingredients together and store in a coffee can. Sprinkle on carpet and let stand for a couple of hours. Vacuum.

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FURNITURE CLEANER SPRAY

1 qt. mineral oil
10 drops lemon extract

Mix together mineral oil and lemon extract.  Pour into spray bottle.  

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JEWELRY CLEANER

3 parts ammonia
1 part water
2 to 3 drops dish soap liquid

Soak jewelry a few minutes, then rinse in clear water.  Do not use on pearls.

Laundry!  Mention the laundry and you’ll see moms wince. It’s a job that’s never done, and it can take a big bite out of your budget.  Here are some tips to preserve your clothing, your budget, and your sanity:

*Proper care of your children’s clothing will extend its life and help it bring a higher price if you plan on selling it when it has been outgrown.  Be sure to pretreat stains and wash special outfits in cold water to minimize fading. 

*Make your own stain pretreater by mixing one part laundry detergent, one part hydrogen peroxide, and one part water in a spray bottle.  Spray stains and rub material together or scrub with a soft brush if needed.

*When buying laundry detergent, consider the cost per load.  Because the amount of detergent needed for a load can vary by brand, the price per ounce isn’t a reliable measure of the true cost.

*Make your own laundry soap at home.  Combine a half a bar of grated Fels-Naptha soap with two pints water.  Heat on low until melted.  Stir in ½ cup Borax and ½ cup Washing Soda (found in the laundry aisle) and remove from heat.  Pour the mixture into a large bucket and add enough water to make two gallons.  Let the mixture stand overnight to thicken.  Use one cup per load.

*For your toughest stains, make a mixture using 1 cup laundry detergent, ½ cup bleach, ½ cup dishwasher detergent, and warm water.  Soak heavily soiled items overnight, then machine wash.  Test garments for color-fastness, as this may bleach some fabrics
 
*Only put your child’s clothing in the dryer for five minutes.  That’s all the time you’ll need to fluff the fabric and get the wrinkles out.  Then, hang them to dry.
 
*Air-drying not only saves electricity, it extends the life of your clothing.  Driers can set in stains and cause fabric to shrink.  Hang a clothesline in your basement, invest in a drying rack, or hang clothes on hangers to dry.

*Wash items containing polyester inside out to reduce pilling and fuzzing.
 
*Laundry detergents formulated just for babies are not necessary.  Most babies are not bothered by the detergents used by the rest of the family.  If your baby does react to stronger detergent, it may be a sign the clothes weren’t rinsed well enough.  Try running the rinse cycle twice to remove all traces of detergent, or try regular detergents that are fragrance free.

*Use white vinegar instead of fabric softener when washing clothes.  It is much less expensive than commercial fabric softeners. 
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I sure hope this simple techniques have been helpful and informative for you! God bless and have a great day!