Jason Burns' Real Estate Blog

FOR A SPARKLING BATHROOM…

• Glass shower doors shine up in a hurry with white vinegar on a sponge.
• Polish metal fixtures with plain kerosene on a rag.  smell disappears quickly; shine stays on.
• Put shower curtains in the washing machine in warm water with 1/2 cup detergent and 1/2 cup baking soda; toss in tow large bath towels.  Add 1 cup vinegar to the rinse cycle only, and hang the shower curtain immediately without spinning dry or washing out the vinegar.

SLICK TRICKS FOR FLOORS & CARPETS…

• For carpet stains, blot up as much as you can FAST.  Don’t rub; this will spread the stain.
• For fresh stains, plain club soda is amazing.  Shaving cream is also good; rinse it with club soda.

GENERAL CLEANING

• Remove musty odors from a trunk or from drawers by placing an open coffee can filled with baking soda overnight.
• Vaseline will remove many minor scratches from wood.  apply a generous amount and let it set for a while.

CLEANING AROUND THE KITCHEN

• Use club soda for quick cleanups.  It cleans and polishes at the same time.
• Do not put coffee grounds in the sink.  Put them in the trash.
• For can opener, use an old toothbrush to loosen grime, then run a paper towel through the cutting process.
• Ovens:  Use an inexpensive overnight oven cleaner.  Set oven on “warm” for 20 minutes; then turn off.  Put a small dish of ammonia on the top shelf, a large pan of boiling water on the bottom shelf, and close the oven.  Next morning, air out the oven and wash off even hard, baked-on grease with ease.
• For grease-clogged drains, pour in a cup of salt and a cup of baking soda, followed by a kettle of boiling water.
• Do not put coffee ground in the sink.  Put them in the trash.
• For refrigerator, put a box of baking soda to absorb odors.
• A little vinalla on a paper towel or cotton ball will import a clean, sweet smell in the refrigerator.
• To whiten a porcelain sink, spread paper towels in the bottom and saturate with bleach for an hour or so.
• Remove water spots from stainless steel with rubbing alcohol or white vinegar on a sponge.
• Club soda will shine up stainless steel in a jiffy.  It’s a nice bartenders’ trick.

JJB