Five Myths of Spring Cleaning
(Family Features)—Don't get caught putting extra work into your spring cleaning efforts. "A little effort up front can make everything you do feel effortless," said Patrick Coleman, spokesman for Hoover vacuums. "It's not about finding short cuts. It's about finding easier Here are five myths, and the best ways to actually tackle the challenges. Cleaning Every Spring is Enough - When it comes to your hardwood floors, putting off cleaning until spring may mean you have to replace them more often. Walking on dirt and debris can wear down the floors over time. So while it may be tempting to just sweep unless there's a spill, it's best to clean the floors at least once a week. Vinegar is a Miracle Cleaner - Natural cleaning can be a more environmentally friendly way to tackle the mess, but you need to make the right choice for the right job. Vinegar will do a great job on glass, plastic and ceramic. However, it can actually damage porous surfaces like the grout between tiles or stone. More Dirt = More Soap Needed - When something is absolutely filthy, it's natural to grab the soap and go to town. But that can actually make it dirtier. While soap is helpful in removing dirt and grime, if you don't get it all rinsed and removed, the residue acts like a magnet for more dirt. Do this instead: Keep a few extra towels or torn garments for when the newspaper is not cutting it. Do this instead: The alcohol in hairspray is what's actually doing the heavy lifting. So go straight to the source and use alcohol to lightly blot out the stain. |
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