Window Cleaning

Believe it or not, when you clean your windows you should clean them on a cloudy day and not in direct sunlight as this would cause streaks as the cleaning liquid to dry before you can wipe it off. It is best to use cool clear water. If windows are very dirty you can add 1 tablespoon of vinegar per every litre of water. If you use horizontal strokes on the inside and vertical on the outside so you can tell which side the streaks are on. To dry the windows you can use crumpled paper which is cheaper than using commercial products and works just as well.Step by Step InstructionsFirst prepare a cleaning solution.Then dip a sponge into the solution and allow the sponge to absorb the water to cover the window.Wash the window with the sponge, ensuring that the sides and corners of the window frame are given a good wipe as this is where dirt and grime tend to build up.Then dip the squeegee in clean water and press the squeegee onto the window, from top to bottom and stop a few centimeters from the bottom of the window.Then wipe the water off the squeegee with a paper towel.Then press the squeegee down part of the window beside the one you just cleaned, also stopping a few centimeters before the bottom and follow the same process until you have cleaned the whole window except the last few centimeters. Then pull the squeegee across the bottom of the window and wipe the window sill where all the excess water has collected with a paper towel.You should now have squeaky clean windows

Cleaning Counter Tops

· Before cleaning the counter tops you must first remove everything.· After you have removed everything from the counter you should remove all crumbs by vacuuming or dusting off all crumbs.· Then wet a Scourer with a sponge backing with dishwashing liquid solution and use the sponge side covering the whole counter as well as the backsplash.· After the solution has dried on the surface after a few minutes it should have softened any hard droplets.· Use the nylon side of the sponge to remove any stubborn Grime on the counter and dry with a clean, lint free towel.· If your counter tops have lost their Shine you can bring their lustre back by using furniture polish to bring them back to life, adding a temporary shine to your kitchen.

Cleaning Glassware

Hand washing is the best method for cleaning glassware as hand washing is gentler to the glassware and uses cooler water temperatures and the detergent used is less alkaline.
To avoid scratching the glassware your hands should be free jewellery such as rings, watches and bracelets. Because their hard surface may cut the glass, diamonds are a particular hazard.
Before washing, dust each piece using a soft cotton cloth do not use linen or paper towels as their rough fibres can cause scratches.
To hand wash, pad the sides and bottom of the sink with a cotton towel, then fill it with lukewarm water and a small amount of liquid hand dishwashing detergent.
Move the tap head out of the way so there's no chance of accidentally knocking the glassware against it. Using both hands, immerse the glassware in the water one piece at a time.
Gently rub the piece clean with a small cotton cloth.
For stubborn dirt, scrub gently with a soft toothbrush. Then, rinse twice.
For the first rinse, fill the sink with tepid water as well as a cap full of ammonia or white vinegar. This solution adds sparkle and helps remove grease and many stains including red wine, lipstick and potpourri.
The final rinse - a long, gentle shower using the sink's spray attachment - will remove any residue from the ammonia or vinegar solution.
To minimise cloudy glass, fill it with water then add denture tablets and let stand then until the clouds disappear.
It's better to hand dry glassware as it reduces possibility of unsightly watermarks and corrosion especially where the water is hard.
Be sure to dry each piece thoroughly with a clean cotton cloth.

Bathroom Cleaning

· It is easier to clean the bathroom after a steamy bath or shower as the walls, fittings will have loosened the dirt and grime.· Most bathroom sinks are porcelain so first hand wash painted or decorated porcelain surfaces with a mild dish detergent and Rinse in warm water, then hand dry with a soft towel.· Use kitchen or bathroom cleaner for plain, more hard-wearing surfaces such as toilets and sinks. Use a scrub brush on stains and then rinse with warm water.· Use a mild abrasive cleaner and scrub sponge for particularly persistent stains, but only scrub affected area and rinse with warm water.· If possible try to use abrasive cleaners as little as possible because these can as they can make the porcelain surfaces lose their luster. (Only use them as a last resort).· To remove Bath Tub rings wipe it off with a wet sponge generously sprinkled with baking soda. Rinse clean and wipe dry.· If you have a more persistent stain, scour with dishwashing detergent or rub with a cloth dipped in vinegar.· You can clean the caulking around bathtubs by rubbing it with alcohol and it is also good for shining chrome fittings and glass.· You can clean the Clean the toilet bowl by pouring in ½ cup bleach and leaving it for some time before you rinse it of . it is best to do this while you are away as you will not be able to use the toilet for some time after you have poured the bleach in.· Pouring a 1Litre of white vinegar in it once a month and letting it soak overnight before flushing will help to keep the toilet clean.· Pouring one cup baking soda down the bowl weekly will help to avoid clogging and odours.· Removing mildew from the corners of the bath tub is made easy by dipping cotton balls in bleach and leave them on it till you have finished cleaning the bathroom and remove them, then when you remove them it will be gone, ensure that you rinse well after you have removes the cotton balls.· Use disinfectant to kill all of the germs found in the bathroom.· You can clean the shower tiles by using any commercial cleaning agent and then rinse off with and dry with a cloth towel.· Rub glass shower doors with a white vinegar-dampened sponge to remove soap residue. · To clean shower curtains and remove mildew, wash them soapy water, and rub with lemon juice. ‘· The best way to get a sparkling clean stainless steal sink is to wipe it with diluted bleach and rinse of with hot water the wipe dry with a cloth.(ensure that you use rubber gloves any time that you are working with bleach and avoid contact with skin and eyes).

Carpet Cleaning

Almost everyone has carpet in their home or office. When a carpet is maintained properly it can add years to its life. Depending on where the carpet is installed is the cleaning procedure you need to use. To maintain a carpet properly you must vacuum it regularly and clean it cyclically using processes shampooing, foam cleaning and Steam cleaning.Vacuuming your carpet regularly will remove particles that can damage the fibres. It also keeps the appearance of the carpet in good condition and keeps the level of dirt in the pile low. You should vacuum your carpet at least two to three times a week, depending on how dirty or how often the area is used. It is a good idea to have a good quality vacuum as it will lift up the dirt better and therefore makes it easier for you to clean your carpet.
Cyclic Cleaning MethodsThe frequency of such cleaning will depend on a carpet's use conditions, soil conditions and fibre type. As a rule of thumb residential carpet should be cleaned by using one of the methods outlined below once a year.ShampooingThis method is where a liquid cleaning solution is showered onto the carpet through holes in a circular brush. The turning brush mixes the detergent into foam and rubs on the carpet. This lifts the dirt, and then wet/dry vacuuming removes it.Foam CleaningWith this method, detergent in the form of foam is agitated on the carpet by brushes. The foam is then removed, with trapped soil, by an extraction-vacuum pickup.Steam CleaningUsing this process, a hot water liquid cleaning solution is sprayed on the carpet and is instantly extracted with the liquefied dirt using a wet vacuum. Most professional carpet cleaners use truck-mounted units but portable units can be rented for personal use..
Carpet Cleaning TipsAcid Stains· Get water and flush the area immediately.· Blot it up then flush the area again.· Repeat the process several times.· Ensure that the acid is well diluted.· Make a solution of one tablespoon baking soda mixed with Luke warm water.· Apply this to the stained area with a cloth.· Rinse the area again.· Remove the water by pressing with a paper towel or cloth.· Leave a fan blowing on it to help dry it up quicker and remove the moisture.Blood Stains· Rinse the stain with cold water immediately and blot it up with a white paper towel.· Make a solution of a few drops of dish washing detergent in a cup of cold water and Work it in to remove any remaining stain the blood stain.· Rinse again with cold water and keep blotting it up until there is no more blood being sucked up onto the paper towel.· The more water you can remove from the carpet quickly the less likely it is that the stain will resurface later on· Repeat this process as many times as needed to remove the stain.· The more water you can remove from the carpet quickly the less likely it is that the stain will resurface later on.· Leaving a fan blowing on the area will help dry it quickly.Chewing Gum· Get out your electric hair dryer and Heat the gum.· Use a plastic a plastic bag to lift the softened gum away.· Dissolve any final traces of the stuff by dabbing with a small amount of dry-cleaning fluid.· Blot on a detergent solution of 1/4 tsp. mild dishwashing liquid and 1 cup warm water.· When you have completely removed the chewing gum clean the area with a few drops of mild dish washing detergent in a cup of warm water.· Rinse with warm water and dry the area.· Blot up any excess water using a clean white paper towel.· Leave a fan blowing on the area to help dry quickly.Coffee Stains· Heat the area with a hot wet cloth.· Dab with some white vinegar.· Rinse well with water.· Suck the water from the carpet with a white paper towel.· Repeat these steps until the towel comes out clean.· Dry the carpet well when you are done.· Leave a fan on the area to help dry the carpet.Nail Polish· Apply non-acetate fingernail polish remover to a white cotton cloth.· Dab the area affected· Work from the edges towards the canter.· Leave it for a few minutes.· Blot it with a paper towel.· Rinse it with water and blot it again.· Repeat these steps as much as necessary.Ink Stains· Apply rubbing alcohol to a white cotton cloth.· Dab the stain carefully, so you don't spread the ink.· Extract it out after a few minutes using a cloth and blotting.· Repeat the process until you remove the stain from the carpet· Rinse well and remove any excess water dabbing with a paper towel.· Use a fan to help dry the area quickly.