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Grime-Busting With Old Standbys
| Article
# : |
16311 |
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Section : |
LIFE
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| Issue
Date : |
3 / 1989 |
1,917 Words |
| Author
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Robin Easson
Robin Easson is a free-lance writer living in Washington,
D.C. |
It's that time again! Prefer dozing to dusting? Does the thought of sky-high professional cleaning costs have you hoping winter will never end? Then we've got something in common: I'm not a neatnik by nature, either. Like many busy people, when I come home I want to cocoon, not cleanse, but that doesn't mean I skip spring cleaning. It's precisely because I value my free time and comfort that I've learned to clean the fast and easy way.
So far those who prefer to spend their days and dollars enjoying the season, here are some surefire spring cleaning hints.
Grime Fighters
Forget about investing in the pricey, specialized disinfectants, sudsers, and solvents the ads call indispensable. The most effective weapons in the grime fighter's arsenal are inexpensive substances found in every home. You will need:
Detergents (one mild, one strong)--Make up your own all-purpose cleansers. They're as effective as store-bought, and they cost far less. For a mild solution that erases dirt from any washable surface, dissolve two capfuls of dishwashing liquid in one quart of water. For messier jobs, mix two tablespoons of heavy-duty detergent (such as Spic and Span) and four tablespoons of ammonia in one quart of water. The stronger solution removes serious grime from tile, appliances, painted surfaces, and vinyl, but is too tough for leather, cloth, or wood. Keep detergent solutions in spray bottles for easy application.
Ammonia--A superior grease cutter, ammonia is strong stuff and can bleach colored surfaces if used full strength. A solution of eight tablespoons of ammonia to two cups of water strips gooey dirt from kitchen and bathroom appliances, wood work, and glass. It's particularly good at removing the sticky fuzz that adheres to the tops of refrigerators. Never looked up there? Be sure to have some ammonia mix on hand if you do. CAUTION: Always wear gloves when working with ammonia and never combine it with chlorine bleach: The two react chemically, producing toxic fumes.
Chlorine bleach--To brighten a stained sink or lift spots from white plastic, nothing beats bleach. Pour ½ cup of it in your toilet bowl and let it do your scrubbing for you. A solution of 1/8 cup of bleach per quart of warm water leaves porcelain, tile, and enamel squeaky clean; it also kills mold and rids wooden cutting boards of the organisms that cause food poisoning.
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