Quick, Easy Ways To Maintain Your Property Between ECS Cleanings

Tubs And Shower Stalls

Alkaline deposits in the water are the cause of those spots on your glass doors and shower walls. In many cases by applying car wax to these areas it seals any porous surfaces, which makes cleaning easier and keeps water spots away. Reapply twice yearly.

Squeegee or wipe down your shower after each use is a very effective way to limit additional buildup.

Switch to liquid soap, natural soap or Dove. It's the talc in most bar soaps that causes the buildup.

Maintain your shower between cleans by spraying a citrus based cleaners once a week let the product sit then rinse no scrubbing needed.

The Green Alternative:

Mildew Remover

   Disolve together ½ cup, vinegar
½ c. borax in warm water.
Apply with sponge or spray bottle.

Soap scum remover

 Mix together: ½ c. baking soda
2-3 tbsp. liquid soap

Remember spray on and give it ten minutes to dissolve the dirt that way the product can work effectively.

Mildew

Keep ahead of mildew so it doesn't become a problem. In between ECS cleans you may spray your bathroom ceiling with a 50/50 solution of hydrogen peroxide and water. Peroxide is a safe bleach and will not harm the environment or your lungs. Find larger quantities of peroxide at beauty or medical supply stores. Spray the mixture on and leave it. No need to rinse or scrub.

Toilets

Ring around your toilet? Again, alkaline deposits cause those nasty rings. Depending on the hardness of your water, pour one or two cups of white vinegar into the toilet basin once a month to eliminate the problem.

The Green Alternative:

Hate toilet brushes. Here’s an easy and environmental safe way to substitute a germ ridden toilet brush. Pour ¼ cup of baking soda into bowl and drizzle with vinegar and borax then let sit for ½ hour, then flush and you’re done.

Sinks

Once a month, pour one cup of baking soda, followed by one cup of white vinegar down the drain. Wait an hour and flush with warm water. The combination fizzles away most of the buildup. Works for shower, tub and kitchen sink drains as well.

Faucets

Water deposits build up around faucets and drain areas. When cleaning the faucets soaked in white vinegar on a paper towel and place around the trouble area. When cleaning the drain area plug the drain and pour 1/2 cup white vinegar in the sink and wait. The key is time, for the white vinegar to dissolve the alkaline deposits. Scrub using a stiff bristled nylon toothbrush or use steel wool pad 0000 it will not scratch. Dampen the pad, keeping it good and wet and gently scrub.

*Warning: Do not use orange based or powdered cleansers on brass or gold plated faucets. These fixtures corrode and scratch quickly. Dry these faucets after each use to prevent water spot damage.

Odor Control

Commercial fresheners work by masking smells, coating nasal passages and deadening nerves to diminish sense of smell. Instead:

1. Find the source of the oder and take care of that issue first
2. Rememeber to keep all closets and bedrooms well ventalated and open 
3. Grow lots of house plants;

Green solution

Simmer Cinnamon sticks
Orange peel, cloves in water
Water place in container this will absorb the odor

To absorb odors, place 2 to 4 tbsp. baking soda or vinegar in small bowls in refrigerator and around the house and pour ½ cup baking soda in the bottom of trash cans.

Kitchens

*Warning: Be cautious using orange-based cleaners to clean a kitchen. Some contain petroleum distillates which break down the rubber in many kitchens hardware such as rubber gaskets around refrigerators and dishwashers.

Make your own safe all purpose cleaner by filling a spray bottle half full with water add a squirt or two of Ivory Liquid dish soap then finish filling with water. It's cost effective and is safe around most kitchen surfaces and doesn’t leave a residue.

Standard Surfaces: The Ivory mixture cleans most kitchen surfaces and appliances.

Stain Removal: A 50/50 solution of hydrogen peroxide and water will remove most stains. Blot on the spot and let it set 30 minutes. Then scrub lightly with baking soda if needed.

Insider Tip: Shaving cream does a great job on difficult stains.

Marble: Do not use anything other than neutral ph soap on marble. (Hint: if it’s safe for your hands its safe for your marble Ivory dish soap is an excellent choice.) Harsher cleansers will damage the surface. Always dry marble to prevent water spots. Marble can stain easily so wipe spills immediately. Do not use vinegar or orange based cleaners to clean marble. The acid in them will damage the surface. Peroxide is safe for stain removal.

Tile: Tile grout poses its own difficulties because of its porous surface. This means your cleaners may not work on removing the discoloration left behind by a stain. When spills happen you must wipe and clean immediately. The longer a spill sets the better chance of it staining. Have a ready bottle of a mix of 50/50 solution of hydrogen peroxide to water in a spray bottle. Spray the stain and allow it to set for 30 minutes. Re-treat if needed.

*Warning: Do not use peroxide on colored grout. It's bleach and will take the color out of the grout.

Club soda will also help remove the stain if poured on immediately. Shaving cream does a good job. Spray on and allow it to set for 30 minutes. Tile stores carry a chalk like stick that is safe for any color grout. Drag it across the stain and remove after an hour or so. Reapply if necessary.

Best way to prevent discoloration on your tile floor is to keep a good sealant on the tiles and especially the grout. You'll find good sealants at tile stores.

Stainless Steel: Scratch marks are impossible to remove, so prevention becomes important. Always place a rubber mat in stainless steel sinks, do not allow food to sit on stainless steel surface and rinse your sink often and pad dry to avoid staining.

To remove burned on food from the surface of a stainless steel stove, boil some water and pour directly onto the spill. Let it set a few minutes. That helps loosen the food making removal easier. Never cook on high heat with stainless cookware. Use medium heat only. And never let the pans boil dry. Use steel wool 0000 for scrubbing stainless steel it will not scratch.

Corion: Use only mild cleansers like Ivory for Corion. Harsh detergents will damage the surface. Remove tough stains with Cameo or baking soda or a 50/50 solution of hydrogen peroxide and water. Corion can be sanded lightly using number 800 sandpaper. This sandpaper is gray and called wet or dry sandpaper. Rub very gently keeping the paper wet.