Planet Friendly Solutions for House Keeping

In this article you will find inexpensive, helpful home improvement tips for cleaning drains, tiled floors and smoky windows.

Unclogging Drains

The best way to keep your drains gunk free is maintenance on a regular basis and preventive care. For the shower and bathtub, a simple drain screen will help with keeping hair from accumulating in the drain and save you time and money. For general once a month maintenance, use baking soda and white vinegar to assist in sanitizing and clearing away the sludge made by soap and shaving scum.

Use an even ratio of baking soda and white vinegar, pour baking soda down the drain first then add an equal amount of vinegar to the drain. Immediately the sodium bi-carbonate and vinegar will react and start to foam. Leave it to sit for about an hour and follow with a very hot water flush.

Cleaning the Windows

Cloudy, smoky, dusty windows can be revived with a simple mixture of vinegar and water leaving them sparkling clear and eliminates irritating fumes that could possibly trigger asthma or allergy symptoms, making it safe for children and sensitive respiratory tracks. In a clean spray bottle, mix a half and half solution of white vinegar and plain water. With old newspaper, wipe off vinegar water cleaner in small circles to reduce streaks. Follow up with a clean lint free cloth.

Getting the Luster Back on Tile Floors

After a few years of high traffic, dirt and sand, textured ceramic tile can become dirty and dingy. Here is an eco-friendly and safe way to care for your grout and tile. Use baking soda to clean the grout in between the tiles. Not only will it clean the grout, but protect the grout from becoming discolored.

As suggested by any tile installing contractor, for general care of the tile, mop with clear water and vinegar. The acid in the vinegar is gentle enough for the tile yet cleans away dirt and oils that soil the floor.

If you have just moved into to a place with heavily soiled tiled floors start by vacuuming the surface completely and thoroughly. Next, fill a bucket halfway with warm water and fill the rest of the bucket with vinegar. The first mop will be mostly to lift off the outer crust of dirt, if necessary you can use a scrub brush but in small circles. Follow first mop with A COLD clear water mop. Repeat this process as many times as possible until the floor is clean and mop water is no longer dirty.