Upholstery Care

Furniture is an important aspect of any home. Not only does it require an often substantial investment it is also able to set the tone for décor while providing comfort for family and visitors. Caring for it will not only prolong its life but also keeps it looking great.

Environmental threats that can affect upholstery
It is a fact that upholstery cleaning should fit into your weekly cleaning schedule. While we dust, mop and vacuum we tend to forget chairs and sofas. It isn’t difficult and often requires a simple vacuuming or dusting. In reality upholstery furniture should be vacuumed at least twice a week. This prevents dust getting into the fabric which over time can result in damage. Dust particles create friction much as a knife does and this can cut the threads and weaken the structure.

Most vacuum cleaners are fitted with upholstery attachments. Brush the vacuum over the fabric carefully so as to not snag the fabric. Remove the cushions and vacuum into all the crevices.

Apart from vacuuming, attention should be paid to arm rests, cushions, pillows and back rests. These areas have a tendency to stain or mark and should be treated immediately. There are ways to help prevent this. Many suppliers will offer a scotch guard or fabric protector. This is a process that can be reapplied after a certain time period and is especially useful with fabrics such as suede.

Rotating cushions will also prolong the life of your upholstery. Certain areas tend to be used more than others, rotating those cushions that are most used will ensure that they wear evenly, maintain their looks, and protect their shape.

Upholstery is susceptible to sun damage or bleaching and fading and for this reason should be placed in an area away from the sun. If this is not possible then it is prudent that you invest in window treatments that will prevent this from happening. Fabric also needs airing on a regular basis as it tends to retain odours.

Cleaning and maintaining upholstery
As with most things, prevention is better than cure. If possible abstain from eating or drinking on your furniture and keep from putting dirty feet on it. The majority of stains are a result of eating and drinking. Cleaning upholstery presents its own set of problems. The first thing that needs to be considered is the type of fabric and the color composition. Fabrics are treated to a range of different color chemicals which dictates how they should be cleaned. Check with the manufacture or supplier before you apply any cleaning solution. If this information is not forthcoming, you should be safe using a mild soapy solution. However many fabrics bleed or run when exposed to moisture. Test a small area first.

Place the solution into a spray bottle and apply it to the stain or dirty area. Refrain from using brushes or sponges. Instead blot the area with a clean cloth. A white cloth is advisable as it will show you whether the solution is working or not. Once the stain has been removed use a new clean cloth to blot the area dry. Do not use a blow dryer. If you cannot leave the stain to dry naturally for a day or two, cover it with another clean cloth as this will capture any leftover moisture while preventing any new dirt from adhering to it.

Curtains, blinds and covers
Upholstery is not only relegated to furniture. Most curtains or blinds are constructed from upholstery-grade fabrics. In order to prevent dust build-up they should also be vacuumed on a regular basis. They should be taken down and professionally cleaned at least once every three years. Dust and pollution contribute negatively to their longevity and good looks unless they are well cared for.

Where loose covers are not labelled as washable they should be dry cleaned. It is possible to wash 100% cotton fabrics in a lukewarm soapy solution. They should not be rubbed however, and gently squeezed dry. Then laid flat out of direct sunlight and ironed on a very low heat. In this manner they will retain their usability for many years.

Upholstery wall coverings should be vacuumed twice a year. Cover the vacuum attachment with a piece of muslin and concentrate on corners and folds. Once every five years they should be taken down and professionally cleaned.

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Bathroom Cleaning

Apart from the kitchen a bathroom is meant to be the cleanest room in the home, yet it is a room that can literally become a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. It is for this reason that particular attention needs to be shown to its cleaning.

Bacteria grow and thrive in a bathroom if not cleaned regularly. This can be harmful to your health and therefore it is a task that cannot be ignored.

Cleaning a bathroom successfully requires a host of cleaning materials not usually used in any other part of the home. For instance you would need cleaners for soap scum, mildew removers, surface cleaners, glass cleaners, toilet cleaners, sponges, brushes, anti-bacterial sprays, floor cleaners and rags.

Step One
Before you commence cleaning it is necessary that you pick up towels or clothes off the floor and put them in to the laundry bin. Remove rugs and place them outside to air. Remove anything else off the floor too. Remove items from around the sink and bathtub. Keep a bucket on hand for this.

Step Two
Start with the hardest areas first. Usually this are the shower and bathtub. Even with daily cleaning soap scum builds up. Using a sponge or bathroom cleaner, spray the solution and scrub. If the soap scum is particularly bad allow the cleaning solution to soak in for a few minutes before scrubbing. You will also need to spray the shower curtains. Once you have completed the cleaning you will need to thoroughly rinse away lose dirt and any hint of chemicals.

Glass shower partitions can also be cleaned with this solution. Make sure that you attend to the frames as well as hinges and tracks. There are a host of commercial cleaning agents available specifically suited to showers and bathtubs. If you are concerned about using chemicals in a closed environment you may need to cover your mouth with a face mask, don protective eye wear and wear gloves.

Pay special attention to stainless steel spigots or faucets. Generally a spray of cleaning solution and a wipe with a rag will remove dirt. However for more stubborn water marks use a paper towel to polish them. For stubborn grime that tends to gather at the base of the bathtub faucets use an old toothbrush.

Step three
Move onto mirrors and windows. It is possible to use the same cleaning solution here as you used on the shower and bath, but you can also use solutions specially designed for glass. Spray the solution on and wipe off with a paper towel with a circular motion.

Step Four
Clean the sink, counter tops, faucets and any pedestals. A general purpose cleaner is usually sufficient in conjunction with a rag. Wipe away soap scum and remove any debris from the drain. If you encounter stubborn stains use a brush and cleaning solution to rid them. Rinse the sink with hot water and repeat the process for stubborn marks. A bathroom sink pedestal also needs cleaning. Start under the basin and work down to the floor. A general purpose cleaner will normally suffice.

Use a paper towel to wipe the sink dry. You can also make use of microfiber clothes that will not only dry the sink but also remove water marks off stainless steel.

Step Five
After this comes the toilet. Using a regular toilet brush and a toilet cleaning solution brush inside the bowl and around the rim. Using a general cleaning solution a paper cloth wipe under the lid and around the seat. The base of the toilet should also be cleaned as well as the area that touches the floor. It is possible to use regular cleaning solution for this.

Step Six
Dust shelves, mouldings, skirtings window ledges and door frames. Dust the ceilings and corners for any cobwebs. You may require an extended pole and duster for this purpose.

The final step is to mop the floor. Using a floor cleaner spray it on, scrub off any persistent marks and then rinse off.

Cleaning a bathroom is perhaps the most unpleasant task of all. It requires concentrated cleaning and high powered cleaning solutions. However by following these steps will make the job easier and more effective.

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Essential Cleaning Supplies

Using the correct cleaning supplies is important when the task of household cleaning rears its ugly head. This is vitally important so the surfaces you are cleaning do not get damaged. It also will lower the overall time it takes to clean and the cleaning is usually finished with less effort on the part of the cleaner.
Before you even buy the product from the store, it is important to read the label on the bottle. The labels will list its common uses, any precautions, and solutions. Even though a product might be labeled as an “all-purpose” cleaner, it may not be good for every surface. Products that contain strong chemicals like ammonia may permanently damage laminates or other plastic surfaces. Sometimes strong cleaners are not necessary to get the job done. The only thing you might need is mild soap and warm water.
When trying to clean the house for an annual cleaning or a light everyday cleaning, it is a good idea to get your essential cleaning supplies together before you start. But, what are the essential supplies that will be needed most often? Think about the things that you will need to clean.
Start from the ceiling and work your way down to the floor. An essential cleaning supply would be rags to dust cobwebs in the corners, ceiling fan blades, and the tops of shelves and ledges. There are a lot of products out recently that advertise “a better way to dust”. The truth is that an old rag will work just as well as these new products. Plus, they are more cost effective because the rag is probably an old shirt or sock that has lost it’s mate and can therefore be washed and used again rather then thrown out adding to the planet’s waste. Rags work well with cobwebs on their own but, to dust shelves and some ledges, use a little bit of furniture polish. So in addition to rags in your cleaning kit, make sure to tow along furniture polish.
Another essential cleaning supply to add to your cleaning kit would be window washing liquid. Most brand name products advertise a streak free shine with their product, but there is a trick to get streak free windows without coughing up the extra dough on products that work just as well as the bargain brands; use newspaper to wipe down the window glass instead of paper towels. Include a brown paper bag in your cleaning kit to toss used newspapers in. When you’re done with your cleaning, the whole bag can be thrown into the recycling bin.
Other essential cleaning supplies include anti-bacterial spray. There are a lot of products out there that work well and are specifically made for cleaning different parts of the house. Most are okay to use on a wide array of surfaces. So, include in your cleaning kit, a spray that is specifically designed to remove hard to clean soap scum and mildew from the bathroom and then a spray that can be used on kitchen or bathroom surfaces.
The last thing to clean in a room is the floor. Besides the vacuuming and the mopping, what are some other essential supplies that you will need to include in your kit to tackle the floor? Mop, bucket, and floor cleaner are essential for cleaning a non-carpeted area, but it is hardly practical to carry these things from room to room as you accomplish your cleaning. Keep these things together and pull them out when you are ready to use them. Instead, keep a rug freshener like a powder or spray in your cleaning kit.
When your cleaning supplies are organized and easily accessible, the job of household cleaning can be fast, easy and efficient on a regular basis.

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Carpet Care

Carpet care is often overlooked in favor of what else needs to be done around the home. Yet it is a very important feature of home cleaning and one that should not be overlooked. In fact it is necessary that carpets are attended to consistently in order to promote longevity as well as personal health.

Carpets suffer from stains, dust and dirt, wear and tear and sun damage. Moisture is also an area that needs attention. If left unattended it can result in mould or damage. The first step we need to attend to is regular vacuuming. If the carpet is in a high traffic area or you have many pets, you may need to vacuum more often. Surprising as this may be, areas that are hard to get to such as those under beds or sofas, need special attention. It is these areas that promote the most build-up of dust mites and grime.

Cleaning carpets
The way you clean your carpets and what you use to clean them depends on what materials they are made from and their texture. Not all carpets come with a set of cleaning instructions and it may be necessary to contact the professionals or manufacturers before starting.

If you intend to use chemicals it is important that you first ‘spot test’ a tiny area. This will demonstrate whether or not you are safe to go ahead. The correct tools are also important and again these rely on the materials and texture of the carpet. While one carpet may benefit from a carpet brush another may only benefit from soft swabbing.

If a wet application is being used to clean a carpet it should be dried in the correct manner afterwards. If it is possible move the carpet outside – this is recommended. Direct sunlight may not be beneficial for some carpets while other carpets will not be affected. If it is not possible to remove the entire carpet it is vital that until it dries properly it is kept out of bounds. Using a fan can speed up the process.

There are alternatives to wet cleaning that come in the form of dry powder applications. Again a small area should be ‘spot tested’ first, but generally this is a solution that benefits most carpets. Quite simply the powder is spread across the entire carpet. It is designed to attach itself to dirt and dust particles. After a certain period of time, it is vacuumed away. The result is a clean, dry and deodorized carpet.

There are other applications that involve shampoo type industrial cleaners. Once the shampoo and water have been laid down on the carpet the next step is to vacuum it out. The result leaves a fairly dry and very clean carpet. However this type of cleaner does rely on chemicals which may not be suitable to all carpets.

Caring for your carpets
In order to retain the good looks and functionality of your carpets it is necessary to take certain steps. While some are preventative others mentioned here may not be suitable or possible for many homeowners.

First, it is very important that you keep your carpets clean. Dirt and grit acts like a razor which cuts and damages the pile. A damaged carpet stains faster and also makes the removal of stains harder. Simple and consistent vacuuming should prevent this from happening.

Where possible lay down rugs especially in high traffic areas such as entrances and passageways. Rugs are able to collect a lot of dirt which would otherwise be tramped into the carpet.

Where possible impose a ban on wearing outdoor shoes. This may sound extreme yet it can go a long way to preserving the life of an expensive or rare carpet.

Cleaning carpet stains
Once a stain has appeared clean it immediately. First apply a dry cloth and mop up the excess liquid. Work the cloth from the outside of the stain in so that you do not spread the stain. Apply the cleaner and then blot off the excess. Rinse and blot and repeat until the stain is removed. If solvents are being used it is imperative that they are completely removed. Quick drying will also help the prevention of any residue spreading.

Clean your carpets regularly but remember to vacuum before you do.

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Organize Clutter

Clutter Control Tips
Clutter is a major stumbling block to someone who desires a clean organized home, but lacks the knowledge of how to do it. Once someone allows their house to get too cluttered, real cleaning like dusting and vacuuming takes a back seat. The homeowner will now have to spend so much time de-cluttering before the real cleaning, that by the time they get around to cleaning the counter they just de-cluttered, they are too tired to keep cleaning or there’s no more time to finish cleaning everything else. But, there are steps to controlling the clutter that can sometimes be overwhelming.
The most common thing that clutters people’s homes is papers. Whether it’s the mail, newspapers, papers from work, or your kid’s school work and projects they bring home, there are several ways to organize yourself to avoid these things cluttering up your home. Take the time to go through the mail right when you get it. Place a small garbage can at the front door so junk mail hardly even has to enter the house. Place bills that need to be paid in a “to do” file right away. The “to do” basket can be hung on the wall near a phone or computer for those who like to pay bills that way or in a basket on a desk near the stamps and the return address stickers. File other important papers right away instead of leaving them in a pile to do later because later sometimes doesn’t come until after it’s officially turned into clutter. Keeping work papers at home works the same way. File “to do’s” in one spot and important papers right away. Some people have garbage cans that can be placed in a bottom cabinet in the kitchen. It’s a really good idea to place a bin that will hold old newspapers next to the garbage can. You can then take out the garbage and the recyclable newspapers all at the same time.
Every parent knows how many school papers that come home everyday with their child. Parents can sometimes get torn between wanting to keep everything that their child makes as a keepsake and wanting to keep the clutter down. Keep a plastic storage bin in a cabinet or closet close to where you go through the backpack everyday. Use this to place important projects that you would like to keep and throw away the rest of the school work and flyers. A larger bin can be placed in a basement, under a bed, or in an attic that you can dump the smaller bin into that will permanently hold those precious bits of history that your child will love to look through one day.
When trying to control other types of clutter, there are a few other things that you should always think about. Is this an item that you will use again? Be honest with yourself. If you haven’t used something in a year you most likely are not going to use it again so, get rid of it. You might want to consider selling it or giving it to a charity if it is still clean and in working order. If the item is used infrequently and you are not sure whether or not you should keep it, store it for six months. If you don’t use it in that time frame, you can get rid of it. Seasonal items can be stored in an attic, basement or another storage space. Consider purchasing large storage bins that can be stacked on top of each other and used as drawers. The most frustrating thing for me is when I buy something that is on sale because it is not in season or I find a seasonal item that was not put away when the rest were and I can’t get it back into the proper box because everything is piled on top of each other. Plus, if the drawers are clear, you can see what is inside them and when it comes time to decorate for the season, you can easily find the items you want to put out first.

Also remember, if something is broken, damaged or stained, throw it out. This applies to all items, not just seasonal ones. You will most likely waste time and effort trying to work around the thing that should be garbage.

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