Cleaning Your Gas Stove and Oven

Regular cleaning of your gas cook stove will keep it looking as good as the day you bought it, but you need to take care with the cleaning products you use on your gas stove or oven. Many commercial cleansers and abrasives will cause discoloration and can scratch gas stove and oven surfaces.

Before cleaning any gas stove or oven surface, be sure the unit is off and completely cooled. Steam burns can occur from wiping a hot surface with a wet cloth or sponge. Follow these guidelines for care and cleaning without damaging your gas stove or gas oven surfaces.

Surface Burners and Burner Box

Most newer gas stove models have sealed stovetop burners. This means they are completely sealed off from the burner box (area of the stovetop below the metal cook top). Sealed burners should never be removed by home owners – it’s a job only for professionals during installation and service. Sealed burners also mean that food and spills cannot spill into the burner box, so removing the burners is not necessary in order to clean the stovetop. If you have an older model stove with a lift-up cook top, follow your manufacturer’s instructions for opening the surface for cleaning.

Regular cleaning of spills will lessen your cleaning work load. Wipe your stovetop after each use when it has cooled. Clean burners with dish soap and a plastic scouring pad. Stubborn cooked-on spills can be cleaned with a mild abrasive cleanser and a cloth, or make a paste from baking soda and water for a mild homemade alternative. Wash removable burner grates in a sink full of warm, soapy dishwater with a plastic scouring pad. Rinse all parts with warm clear water and dry.

Be careful to avoid the gas ports on your burners. If they should become plugged with debris, poke the ports clean with a toothpick or straight pin, or brush gently with a soft-bristled brush. For pilot-less stoves, check the port and area below the igniter wire and clear it as well. Debris left under the igniter can keep the gas burner from lighting.

Clean the solid cook top surface with soapy water. Avoid abrasives and harsh chemicals as they can damage the surface of stove top finishes like porcelain enamel. Rubbing alcohol and household ammonia diluted with water (1:1 ratio) are other good stove top cleansers that will leave your top shining.

Controls

Remove control knobs and wash them in warm, soapy water. For clocks and display areas, wipe with a damp cloth and dry. If you are cleaning the display with glass cleaner, spray it first on a cloth and not directly on the surface to avoid cleaner seeping inside the mechanisms. Replace controls after they are cleaned and turn each one on briefly to ensure proper replacement.

Oven Door

The oven door on nearly all ovens is removable for easier cleaning. Avoid soaking the door or window with excessive amounts of water; it can seep inside and caused staining or discoloration. Wash the door and window with soap and water and rinse with clear water. Use glass cleaner only if sprayed on a cloth first. Do not use abrasive pads, powdered cleaners, or steel wool on glass and enamel, or the surfaces will be scratched.

Oven Interior

Mild abrasive cleaners and plastic pads can be used inside the oven. Metal scouring pads will scratch the oven’s surface. Commercial oven cleaners should be used according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Acidic spills (like tomato and milk bases) should be wiped up as soon as possible to prevent discoloration of the porcelain. To absorb a spill when it is hot, pour salt on it and wipe it up when the oven has cooled. A mildly abrasive baking soda and water paste can be used in the oven, too.

Remove oven racks and clean them in warm, soapy water. Stubborn messes can be cleaned by using mild abrasive cleansers or a soap filled scouring pad. Rinse and dry the racks before returning them to the oven. For easier cleaning of oven racks, soak and wash them in the bathtub – they fit much better into a bath.

Trim

Spills and drips from fat, grease, and acidic foods like tomatoes should be wiped up immediately using a paper towel to keep your trim and finishes from discoloring.

Metal trim can be cleaned with glass cleaners or mild cleansers, soap and water. Abrasives or cleaners made for oven interiors should not be used. Plastic trim pieces are best cleaned with a glass cleaner on a soft cloth. Any abrasives and harsh cleansers can cause pitting and discoloration to oven surfaces, and so should not be used.

For a good, general, all-around cleaner for your gas stove and gas oven, use warm, soapy water. Avoid anything that is very caustic or abrasive. Baking soda and water pastes are good back-up, mild abrasives. When using commercial cleansers, read the manufacturer’s directions to be sure it is safe for use on your stove’s finishes. Consistent care and cleaning of your gas stovetop and oven will keep your appliance shining and new looking.

Article By: doityourself.com

How to Clean your Refrigerator

Cleaning the refrigerator helps keep the food you store inside fresh. By keeping science experiments and spills to a minimum, the food that is stored in your refrigerator will not take on the scent or flavor of other foods.

In order to properly clean your refrigerator, follow these simple steps.

1. Turn the temperature control knob to the off position. Your fridge will be open for a while, so there is no sense in having your fridge run and waste electricity.
2. If you have a drip pan underneath your fridge, remove it.
3. Take everything out of the refrigerator and put it on the counter nearby.
4. Throw away spoiled food, anything that is moldy, expired or hasn’t been used in more than a month or two.
5. Take the shelves, wire racks and drawers out of the refrigerator.
6. Wash the shelves and wire racks in warm soapy water, using regular dish soap and a sponge or cloth. Use a soft scrub brush if there is caked or dried on food or spills. Let the shelves and wire racks dry on newspaper or in a dish rack.
7. Empty out the drawers and dump out any residue or food matter from the bottom. Wash the drawers by hand with warm soapy water and a dish cloth or sponge. Let the drawers air dry on newspaper, towels or in a dish rack.
8. Wipe away any food matter from the bottom of the refrigerator with a wash cloth or paper towel.
9. Fill a bucket with warm, soapy water (mild dish detergent is fine). Wash the inside walls of the fridge using a dish cloth or sponge and the warm soapy water. Wash inside all the compartments and inside the door racks. Use a soft scrubbing sponge for caked or dried on food or spills.
10. Rinse the inside of the fridge with a clean sponge or dish cloth and clean warm water.
11. Replace all the shelves, wire racks and drawers.
12. As you are putting food back into your fridge, using your warm, soapy wash cloth, wipe off to clean and dry any sticky or messy jars, canisters, etc. You can now put all your food back into the fridge. Turn the temperature knob back to the “on” position at the recommending temperature setting.
13. Wash the outside of the refrigerator and the rubber molding around the fridge door with warm soapy water. Rinse with a clean cloth and wipe dry with paper towel or a dish towel.

If you need to control odor in your refrigerator, use 2 tablespoons of baking soda in one quart of warm water to wash the inside of the fridge. Subsequently, you can also use one cup of vinegar in a quart of water and wash the inside of the fridge. Remember to rinse when you are finished though. Placing a fresh, open box of baking soda in your fridge will also cut down on odors.

A few times a year, you should pull your refrigerator out and vacuum the condenser coils at the back. They have a tendency to get dusty and could cause a fire if there happened to be a spark.

You should never use harsh abrasives, scouring pads or harsh cleaners in your refrigerator. Abrasives, scouring pads and harsh cleaners can damage the finish inside your refrigerator and compromise the integrity of the lining which could cost you more in energy to keep the refrigerator cool.

Article by: doityourself.com

How To Clean a Bathroom Toilet

A bathroom toilet should be cleaned on a regular basis. It is a horrible job, but if you keep up with the cleaning it shouldn’t be that difficult. No one likes to clean toilets but it has to be done. You don’t want it to look disgusting, smell bad, or be a place where germs like to breed. If you follow the guidelines below should help make your toilet looking clean and germ free.

Cleaning Equipment You’ll Need

• Bucket
• Soap scum and mildew remover
• Disinfectant sprays
• Scrub brush
• Sponges
• Rags or paper towels
• Rubber gloves, if you use them
• Mop

Step 1 – Gather Supplies

Gather all your cleaning supplies and put them in a bucket. Carry the bucket to the bathroom. Getting your supplies ready beforehand will be easier and less distracting.

Open the window, if there is one, or turn on a fan to ventilate your bathroom. The open window is for you not to inhale the fumes as you are cleaning the bathroom toilet.

Step 2 – Remove Items on Top the Toilet

Place the items on the sink. You will be washing them later on.

Step 3 – Select a Sponge

Put the seat up and spray the inside the bathroom toilet and under the rim. Let it soak as you take your sponge and wipe down the toilet, around the tank, the lid, seat, and the sides and base of the toilet.

Step 4 – Spray Exterior of the Bathroom Toilet

Use your sponge or dry rag to wipe it dry.

Step 5 – Use the Toilet Brush

Take the toilet brush and scrub inside the bathroom toilet and under the rim thoroughly. Repeat until all stains are gone. Flush the toilet.

Use the cleaner spray on the seat. Wipe it dry and, then, put the seat down.

Step 6 – Clean the Handle

Use disinfectant spray and spray the bathroom toilet handle. Wipe it dry. The handle is where the germs are easily spread, so it needs to be cleaned thoroughly.

Step 7 – Spray the Floor

Wipe down the area around the base of the bathroom toilet with a mop or rag. Let it dry.

Step 8 – Wash Items

Spray the items, carefully, that were on the top of the tank. Wipe them dry and, then, put them back on the tank.

Step 9 – Finishing Up

Gather your cleaning equipment and put them back in the bucket. Carry the bucket to the next bathroom in your house. Repeat the same procedure above.

Your bathroom toilet is now clean and germ free. Cleaning your bathroom toilet on a weekly schedule will help make your job a lot easier to handle in between regular cleaning jobs.

Article by: doityourself.com

Put on Your Maid’s Cap: Basic Tips for Cleaning the Kitchen

In many households, the kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in the house. After each meal, you might give what some homemakers refer to as “a lick and a promise,” but for a truly clean kitchen – an eat-off-the-floor kitchen – there are many tips for cleaning extensively and ways to make some tasks easier. Read on to find out how.

The sink can be a well of germs if not properly cared for and maintained daily. Before you think bleach, remember that bleach whitens, but does not necessarily clean. For a fresh drain, try a fistful of baking soda washed down the drain with boiling water. For a clean sink, choose a non-abrasive cleaner. If you’ve run out of such cleaner (oh my!) use undiluted white vinegar in a pinch.

Sink stains can usually be removed with a more concentrated cleaning with your cleaner, but a slightly damped cloth dabbed with baking soda will remove most stains. For rust stains, scrub repeatedly with a lemon. Faucets can be cleaned with warm soapy water. If your faucet sports mineral deposits, grab that lemon again – with some scrubbing, it should remove these as well.

Your dishwasher should be cleaned on a regular basis. Clean the filter after each use. Be sure to clean the other components frequently such as the spray arms, screen, surface, etc. To remove mineral deposits, run a cup of vinegar through the wash cycle when the dishwasher is empty.

The refrigerator must be cleaned regularly with a solution of baking soda diluted in water. Remove all items, and give each section a thorough wiping before replacing your items – be sure to wipe down bottles and jars as well. Also, the condenser coils should be cleaned once a year (even twice) using a vacuum and small attachment tool. The bottom drain pan can be cleaned with warm soapy water.

The freezer (even frostless ones) should be given a thorough cleaning annually. A handful of baking soda diluted in one quart of water can be used to wipe out the freezer. To keep your freezer and refrigerator smelling fresh, keep an open box of baking soda in the back of each unit. Be sure to turn off the power during cleaning!

When it comes to the stove and oven, you’re in luck with self-cleaning or continuous cleaning ovens. Always try to clean up spills, drips and splatters when they are warm. Keep a damp sponge close by as you cook. Each month, or sooner if needed, clean all removable stove parts with a non-abrasive cleaner. Use a traditional oven cleaner and don your rubber gloves to clean out a non-self-cleaning oven.

You can help to minimize your cleaning by keeping a supply of foil on hand. Use it to line the bottom of your broiler pan. You might even keep a strip of it on the bottom oven shelf to catch drips from the pans cooking above. Also, be sure to cover such things as casseroles with aluminum foil to prevent splatter.

As for the microwave, it’s a good idea to wipe it out with a damp cloth after each use. To clean it out, set a dish of hot water and lemon slice inside the microwave. Then, set the time so that the water boils and produces steam inside. Wipe down the entire oven.

As for the floor, be sure you use a cleaner that is appropriate for the type of floor you have. For best results, wash it weekly. For a kitchen with heavy traffic, more frequent spot-washing may be necessary

Article by: doityourself.com

Candy Stain Removal Hints

Candy stains can generally be removed by using a good pre-soak, and laundering in warm, sudsy water.  Never dry any garment in the dryer before you insure the stain is gone, as the heat from the dryer will set the stain.  If the stain persists after a general washing, presoak once again and add a few drops of ammonia to the presoak.  Allow to soak for 30 minutes, and rinse with cool water. Then, soak the garment in a solution of one quart warm water to one tablespoon of white vinegar for about an hour, rinse well, and launder per care label instructions.  Remove candy stains from carpeting by scraping up the excess with a spoon, and sponge with warm water.  Blot the stain with a white cloth until all evidence of the stain is gone.  If the stain persists, use a wet spotter mixed with a little white vinegar, and let stand for as long as it takes to remove the stain.  Rinse well with water to remove any trace of the cleanser, and blot until dry with an absorbent cloth.

1. Mix one teaspoon of a mild ph balanced detergent (a mild non alkaline non bleaching detergent) with a cup of lukewarm water
2. Blot
3. Mix one third cup of white household vinegar with two thirds cup of water
4. Blot.
5. Mix one teaspoon of a mild ph balanced detergent (a mild non alkaline non bleaching detergent) with a cup of lukewarm water
6. Blot
7. Sponge with clean water
8. Blot

Note: Always test an inconspicuous area for colorfastness, etc. before treating the exposed area. Also note that certain stains are permanent

Article by: doityourself.com

Cleaning Ceramic Tile

• Before cleaning bathroom tiles, run the shower on hot for five minutes to steam the dirt loose.
• For stubborn stains, apply a paste of scouring powder and water and let sit for five minutes. Scrub with a nylon scrub pad, rinse and wipe dry.
• To keep the grout joints on tile countertops clean longer, wash with a solution of 1 to 2 tablespoons chlorine bleach in one quart of water. Dry thoroughly, then apply an acrylic sealer or three coats of lemon oil. Let dry one hour between coats.
• Remove mildew and make tiles sparkle by sponging with a solution of ammonia and water.
• Remove soot from fireplace tiles with a mixture of lemon juice and salt, then wash.

Article by All About Home

Removing Coffee Stains

To remove a coffee stain from fabric or a rug, try one of these methods:

• Dip a white cloth into a beaten egg yolk and rub the yolk into the stain. Then rinse with clear water.
• Work denatured alcohol into the stain, then rinse with water.
• Apply a solution of 1/2 teaspoon mild detergent in a pint of water. Blot with a white towel. If the stain remains, apply a 50-50 solution of water and white vinegar and blot.

Article by All About Home

Remove a pet urine stain

To remove a pet urine stain, dilute the spot using a cloth dampened with water. Then, clean the area with an acid solution consisting of one quart water mixed with one teaspoon white vinegar.

If necessary, you can apply a pet bacteria/enzyme digester according to the directions. You can find these products at any pet store; they effectively counter both the stain and the odor. Even if the stain has disappeared or our human noses can no longer smell anything, a pet will repeatedly return to the same spot if he can still smell his own odor. Here are some other hints:

• Be sure to use enough bacteria/enzyme digester to penetrate the carpet and pad.
• Keep in mind that digesters work well but slowly. Leave the solution on as long as indicated.
• After applying the solution, cover with plastic and step on the spot several times until the area is well saturated.
• Keep the plastic on the entire time the digester is working to make sure the spot doesn’t dry out.

Article from All About Homes

How to scrub surfaces

Even with the best maintenance, there are times when a surface in your home will need a deep scrubbing. Here are some basic rules to keep in mind when scrubbing, so that your surface comes out clean and undamaged.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: Varies

Here’s How:

1. Start with the basics.It’s tempting to grab the heavy-duty cleaner, heavy-duty brush, and all the muscle you can muster, but that could be a mistake. Instead, start with the mildest product for the job. This is often as simple plain water. Usually a damp cloth placed over a messy are for a few minutes will loosen the gunk so that it can be easily wiped away without scrubbing. If the mildest cleaner doesn’t help, move on to the next most powerful cleaner. Milder cleaners are less likely to damage a surface. For surfaces that need an abrasive touch, baking soda and water together make a great mild scrubbing cleaner.
2. Read the directions.There are two types of directions you should be concerned with. The surface you are trying to clean may have specific care instructions, and the cleaner you are using will have instructions for usage, too. Be sure to read if the cleaner needs to be diluted or used full-strength. It’s a good idea to read the precautions and first-aid information for the product you will be using as well.
3. Use a brush.For most surfaces a nylon scrub pad, or soft-bristled scrub brush can be a big help. The more heavy-duty your brush or scrub pad, the more likely you’ll be to scratch or marr your surface.
4. Use water.Water is a key ingredient in most scrubbing jobs. Without the right amount of water, tools and cleaners won’t be as effective at scrubbing away soil. If you’re having trouble scrubbing, try adding a tablespoon of water. Surfacest that can’t handle exposure to moisture, shouldn’t be scrubbed. This includes many wooden items, and unsealed/ungrouted tile.
   For most jobs, warm or hot water will be your best bet, but make sure to read the instructions for your cleaner, for best results.
5. Move in a circle.Work in a circular motion using light pressure. The temptation is to press down with all of your strength when scrubbing, but it’s often a waste of effort. A light steady pressure, a circular motion, the right cleaner, and the right amount of water can tackle nearly any mess and preserve the beauty of the surface you are cleaning.
6. Let it sit.After you’ve scrubbed your messy surface, take a break, and let it sit for 3-5 minutes. This will loosen any remaining dirt, dissolve stubborn areas, and make the cleanup task that much more simple.
7. Rinse.Use a clean damp cloth to rinse the surface, thoroughly. Residue will attract more dirt and stains, so be sure to clean it all away. Use another cloth to dry the surface completely.

What You Need:

• Water
• Cleaners (Mildest first)
• Nylon scrub pad
• Soft-bristled scrub brush
• Clean cloth for rinsing
• Clean cloth for drying

Article by: Sarah Aguirre

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