Home Management

Posts Tagged ‘cleaning equipment’

Regular cleaning removes all cushions and vacuum, using attachments, or uses good attachments, or use a good stiff brush. Pay particular attention to inner sides and corners where dust may collect; this can be an attraction to mice. After vacuuming or brushing, fluff up the cushions and replaces them, making a point of reversing them if possible as this distributes wear. It is also beneficial to occasionally give cushions on airing out of doors.

Stains: These should be removed as soon as possible. Some furniture with loose covers can be totally cleaned; this can be either by washing or dry cleaning – follow the manufacturer’s instructions. For small spots and stains, you can sometimes use a solvent. Dry foam upholstery shampoo is also effective. Always test an inconspicuous place first, for color fastness if using water, of for any possible reactions to chemicals.

Dust these with a vacuum cleaner using the hand attachment. For further cleaning, this should only be done according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Do not use dry-cleaning fluids or upholstery cleaners as these may cause discoloration or shrinking. Where there is a bad stain, a new piece of fabric could be carefully applied to the area but it will almost certainly be a different color. Carpets and floor coverings should need proper maintenance to retain its beauty. These can provide the most comfortable and warm of coverings, but need not be really expensive. You may avoid cleaning problems later by choosing carpet with care. Consider first of all, how much you intend to spend, and how much traffic there is in the room high heels, children and pets can all be damaging carpets.

These are a luxury. Few people really need one, except perhaps those with a very large family of small children and those who have to entertain frequently. Indeed, many of the kitchens are not large enough to take one most must be plumbed in take up quite a lot of space. However, let us dispel some myths about them, if you really are considering one. They are quicker than doing the dishes by hand. You could only stack them in the time it takes to load and unload your machine.

 

They do cope with pans and backing trays, and they certainly get most if not all the food off. They are more hygienic than doing the operation by hand because the water used is so much hotter than your hands could bear. They dispense with the need for tea cloths, too. They will wash almost anything, but care should be taken with cutlery that has handles attached with animal glue, some types of glass ware and some plastics if in doubt, do these by hand. Dishwashers, however, can be expensive to buy. Add to that plumbing and running costs and they can be an expensive luxury. If your circumstances are such that you feel that having more time is more essential than wasting endless hours washing up, you might consider one. But take a careful look at the whole range before deciding. Size and noise are two priorities; some machines only take four place settings, others are noisy.

Time is important to the housewife and labor saving equipment can mean much less and much easier cleaning. Here are some suggestions for really useful equipment for the home.

Vacuum and Carpet cleaners

There are three basic types of vacuum cleaner

. A light weight or junior upright model which is reasonable priced and is useful if you want to carry it upstairs. There are attachments for upholstery cleaning and stairs

. A heavier, more sophisticated upright model, useful if the whole house or flat is carpeted. It is less maneuverable, but efficient. It too has attachments.

. A cylinder model has the best suction is easily stored and useful for small areas and stairs. It can be a nuisance to care about from room to room.

You can hire very efficient carpet cleaner/shampooers for a reasonable hire fee usually for 24 hours. you can also buy the cleaning solution on a use or return basis, and 24 hours is usually enough time to clean all the carpets in the house, if you really get down to it. This is particularly useful for an annual spring clean.

Windows: If windows are very dirty, use a solution of methylated spirits and a little warm water, applied with chamois leather and rinsed off. There are many proprietary glass cleaners out there. After using one of these, polish the glass with a soft cloth to remove smears.
Mirrors/glass-framed pictures: Use the same solution of warm water and methylated spirits or a window cleaning preparation. Never rub dirty glass with a dry cloth or it may mark.

Blinds: Venetian blinds should be cleaned with warm water with detergent and a sponge. Wear rubber gloves to protect hands. You can use a special pronged brush for the slats. Treated fabric blinds should be wiped with warm water and detergent. Do not soak. Delicate lacey blinds should be washed, with care, with warm water.

Walls and Ceilings: before you begin cleaning, remove all objects hanging on the walls – mirrors, pictures, etc. and take down curtains or tie them up so that they are away from the walls. Also move the furniture to the middle of the room and cover it. Using a wall brush or a cloth covered broom, begin to dust the walls from the bottom up, clearing away all cobwebs and threads of dust as you go then dust the ceiling.

Do not overload the fridge with food as this prevents circulation of air. Cover all food to prevent food smells from circulating and penetrating other foods. Never leave the door open as this will cause the motor to work overtime this building up more frost. It is always better to defrost regularly. Speed up the process with a bowl of hot water. Never leave the door closed when the refrigerator is switched off – it will smell dreadful and mould may grow. Don’t use disinfectant. A solution of soda and water will deodorize the interior. Apply on a soft cloth, and rinse with clear water. Never use harsh abrasives on a refrigerator interior. Inspect the refrigerator regularly for forgotten dishes of food. Do not put away bottles or jars with drips on them – these will make jars and shelves sticky. Clean shelves, cans and any containers regularly with warm water and detergent. Clean floor with liquid floor cleaner. Regularly wash out cake, biscuit and other storage tins or boxes. Try to keep a check on date-stamping and move older cans, packets, etc. to the front of the shelves, for using first.

Kitchen floors

Kitchen floors collect dirt very quickly. Gaps between units and appliances can harbor germs from scraps of dropped food. Pastry, vegetable peelings, coffee beans, breadcrumbs can all find their way on to the floor, so regular sweeping is necessary followed by a wash with a squeezy mop and a suitable cleaner.

Kitchen units

These need regular wiping as working tops and doors get stained and finger marked. Do not use harsh abrasives on plastic or paintwork as these will scratch the surface and attract more dirt. Use scouring creams or disinfectant\cleaners. A half yearly turnout of cupboards can be very rewarding. You will be surprised to find things you thought you had used. Cupboards containing small equipment also benefit from a regular turn-out to check that things have not rusted through being stored while damp. Make sure that shelves are dried before replacing their contents.

Since the well being of the family may be said to revolve round the kitchen, some basic ground rules are essential for maintaining it in as hygienic a manner as possible.

Large Appliances

Depending on the size and space available, the age of the kitchen and the money to spare, large appliances will usually consist of cooker, sink unit, refrigerator\freezer, a washing machine or some appliance for assisting in the laundry process. There may also be items in the luxury bracket such as a dishwasher, tumble drier or freezer. All these are potential germ traps even, surprisingly, washing machines, and a regular routine is required to keep them clean.

Cookers – Turn off electricity or gas. Half-fill the sink with very hot water and enzyme detergent – marvelous for dissolving burnt-on-food. Remove all shelves, trays, grill pan burners and soaking sink. Rinse, dry and replace. Wipe all enamel parts with damp cloth and cream cleanser. Rinse well. For inside oven, use one of the good quality products. If oven is very dirty leave cleaner on all night. Rinse off thoroughly and dry. Toughened glass in oven doors can be cleaned with a nylon scourer and cream cleanser.

Solid fuel Cookers – Wipe spills at once. Use cream cleanser on all enamel parts. Rinse off carefully. If enamel is really dirty, try soap filled pads, but avoid using on plastic or aluminum. Brush out oven regularly.

Kitchen sinks

Hot water and washing up liquid is enough for general cleaning. Stainless steel and enamel sinks should be cleaned with a cream cleanser or special stainless steel cleaner to avoid scratching surface. A handful of soda and a capful of liquid bleach washed down the drain at regular intervals will help dissolve grease, kill germs and reduce smells.

When choosing equipment for washing clothes from the very wide range available, there are a number of points to consider:
Space: What is available? Will the machine fit under a working surface? Will one appliance stack on top of another?

Cost: How much can you afford to pay? Do you want to pay outright or by a hire purchase arrangement?

Size: How many members in your family? Do you have a large wash every week or several times a week?

Time: How much can you give to the job? Here, the choice between single, twin tub and automatic would be important.

Before buying Inspect various models in each type and compare prices, finishes, etc. Many shops offer good discounts on electrical goods. Enquire about after sales servicing and owners club schemes they will save you money

Washing Machines
There are three main types which include single tubs, twin tubs and automatic machines.

Single tubs washing machines are semi automatic and they are e the cheapest. These compact machines remove the bulk of the water, but do not get clothes dry. Twin tubs are also semi automatic. Combine wash tub and spin drier. They can be quite expensive and do not take large loads or very bulky items. Automatic machines come in two types like top loading with central paddle and horizontal drum automatic which can be front or top loading. Both types carry out all the washing processes.

Drying Equipment

Wringers – Hand operated or electrical. Do not get clothes dry enough for ironing.
Spin driers – can extract 80 percent of water from clothes. Their loads must be distributed evenly.
Tumble driers – Before use, consider the time and the heat required for drying and the movement of clothes – do not overload. Wipe them out and remove fluff from filter after use.

Dusters and Cloths
Invest in the best you can afford. Non-woven dusters are not as effective as fluffy cotton yellow dusters. Old flannelette sheets make a good substitute. There is a wide range of useful cloths and sponges for washing up, bathroom and window cleaning. These should be washed regularly. Keep synthetic chamois leather cloths moist by storing them in polythene bags.

Brushes

Most household brushes have synthetic rather than animal bristles and wear very well. A long-handled soft bristle broom is useful for the edges where a vacuum or band cleaner cannot reach, particularly for stairs and corners. Scrubbing brushes are often replaced by squeezy or cotton mops but occasionally a hard bristle hand brush I useful for dirty marks. Pot brushes are useful for vegetable preparation as well as for cleaning pots and pans. Nylon or metal pot scourers are an alternative. W.C. brushes are shaped for cleaning under rims and into the W.C bend. They should be regularly disinfected.

Mops

Squeezy sponge mops are invaluable for lino or tiled floors. The heads can be replaced when worn. They should be stored hung up, after rinsing, cotton mops, too, are useful and durable.

Buckets and Bowls

A washing-up bowl, one for laundry and a couple of buckets should answer most people’s requirements. Rinse them out and remove tide marks after use. Wash mops, brushes and cloths regularly and dry before restoring. Brushes cotton mop-heads, etc. can be put in an old pillow case to wash in the machine.

Washing up
You could refuse to do it, and make all members of the family responsible of the family responsible for their own plate, knife, fork, etc. However, this will depend upon your relationship with your family and could mean more work for you in the long run. Do have a bowl large enough to take a load of dishes. Do have lots of hot water and good quality washing-up liquid thin cheap varieties are a false economy. Do soak burnt-on pans and dishes beforehand. Do scrape and stack plates, and wash and rinse glasses first. Do wash dishes from cleanest to dirtiest. Do change the water when necessary, that is, when the foam has disappeared or the water has grown cold. Do not wipe everything dry. Invest in a good drainer and leave rinsed dishes to dry in the air. Glassware and cutlery are usually wiped dry, with a clean cloth to avoid smears. Dusting uses a damp sponge cloth for sticky marks and a soft duster for loose dirt. Work from the top down – after sweeping and before vacuuming. If you have attachments for your vacuum cleaner, use them to remove dust and cobwebs from corners, curtains and up – holster.

Washing walls and paint work
Usually start from the top and work down. If cleaning windows, a well wrung out chamois leather will deal with most dirt. Follow with a soft duster to prevent smears. Very dirty makes can be removed with correct quantity of cleaning liquids.

Polishing
Apply polish with a cloth – do not put it straight on to the surface. Rub hard and buff off with a clean, soft duster. If using a damp cloth to remove sticky marks from wood, do not polish on the damp surface or white patches may appear.