Cleaning Techniques That Save/Time/ Money And A Miracle Odor Destroyer!

 by sunshiine
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How many of us enjoy a quiet Sunday spending the entire day doing our own thing? How many of us would cherish an opportunity to do just that? This tutorial might be the answer you are looking for. Here are some ideas to help you get more benefits from your hard labour and help your products work better for you. Organizing your cleaning schedule can be very beneficial in helping you to do the things you enjoy so much . . . . a little more often.

 

 
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Step 1: Organizing Your Time

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Here is a list of things you might consider doing.  Find short cuts to what you are already doing. 



•Pick one fifteen minute or half hour thing you can do two or three days a week during the week.
•Crock pot cooking has helped me a lot.
•Do a load of laundry in the evenings and fold the clothes while watching TV.
•Clean the refrigerator before you buy groceries. Maybe the night before.
•Clean rooms that are not used very much during the week.
•When cooking during the week cook extra for 1or 2 meals on the weekend and put it in the freezer.
•Have family members spend 15 minutes picking up the house every night during the week and reward them for their efforts.
•Make a grocery list and buy groceries after work during the week.


 It really helps to be organized and committed.








joffler says: Dec 19, 2011. 1:34 PM
Vinegar and baking soda are excellent cleaners. I bought a child's desk from a seller on craigslist offering for $10. I was a nice honey color in the photo. When I arrived to pick it up, I realized why. It was originally a light, sunny yellow but was honey-colored due to tar deposits from heavy cigarette use in the home. It STUNK!!! Driving it home in the back of my pick-up did nothing to help. When I got home, I got out my trusty vinegar, poured some in a bowl and gave it a vinegar bath with some old rags. In some areas, the tar stain came off easily, in others, a little elbow grease was required. But, still, in an hour, I was satisfied it was clean enough but it still had some smell. I poured vinegar in old bowls and set them in the drawers and left them there for a couple days til the weekend came around. When I was ready to get back to that project, the smell was entirely gone! Stripping and sanding the desk gave off nothing but a wooden smell. I refinished it and it turned out beautiful! We got about 4 years use out of it before we decided to sell it in a garage sale--for $40!
sunshiine (author) in reply to jofflerDec 19, 2011. 3:34 PM
Thanks so much for your input! It is a great miracle cleaner and deodorizer! I enjoyed reading your comment! Have a splendorous day! Sunshiine
EvilDefman says: May 22, 2012. 10:34 AM
Great tips, thanks.
sunshiine (author) in reply to EvilDefmanJun 16, 2012. 10:21 AM
Thanks for commenting!
ReginaKline says: Feb 22, 2012. 10:55 AM
Cats and dogs make great pets, but they can also make even bigger messes. Pet urine stains and smells can destroy fabrics and furniture. There are several cleaners to remove stains and odors, but everyone who owns a pet know they don't always work. Genesis 950 works with water to get into the stain. When absorbed by the stain, the mixture of Genesis 950 and water actually works to alter the stain's composition and break the structural bond of the stain. Once the bond is broken, the stain can be lifted and removed. Only by breaking the bond of the stain will you remove both the actual stain and the smell. If you do not do this, you are just masking it. Genesis 950 will break the bonds of stains and remove both the stain AND the odor. In addition, Genesis 950 is a deodorizer. It also acts as an anti-bacterial cleaner and will kill any germs or bacteria associated with the stain. But the best part is that Genesis 950 does not have the harsh toxins or chemicals that other household cleaners have. There is no bleach, acid, alcohol or ammonia, so it won't harm your carpet, your pet . . . or the environment.

CAT OWNERS: Cat's urinate instinctively in the same spot where they smell urine. If your cat is peeing on the carpet, the furniture or clothes, the chances of it continuing are very strong unless you actually completely remove any trace of previous urine. The best way to get your cat going in the litter box is by fully removing the stain and odor. There are several cleaners that claim to do this, however you are very fortunate if they work. Enzymatic cleaners are live feeding cleaners and tend to wear themselves out before they get to the heart of the stain. Anything that contains ammonia or vinegar is a MAJOR no-no for cat owners. The Humane Society even recognizes and advises against using these to remove cat urine. The reason for this is because they contain elements found in cat urine. If you use these items to clean cat urine, and they have the same elements in cat urine, you are only reinforcing your cat to urinate in the spot where you “cleaned” with it.

The next time you have this issue, first clean the urine with a paper towel and nothing else. Take that paper towel and place it in the cat's liter box. This will redirect the cat where the odor belongs. Next you have to fully remove the stain and the odor. This can be done with Genesis 950 as follows:

1. Clean stained area (furniture, carpet or rug) of any loose debris.
2. In a bucket, mix 1 part Genesis 950 to 7 parts warm water
3. Using a sponge, absorb the mixture of Genesis 950 and water
4. Squeeze excess mixture out of the sponge
5. With the sponge, wipe down any stained or dirtied area of the furniture, carpet or rug - do not wipe in a scrubbing manner, just gently wipe and let moisture from sponge absorb into the stain
6. Let the area you have wiped absorb the mixture - Genesis 950 is designed to work with water to soak into the stain and break the bonds of the stain, which then lift the stain from the surface. This is what will remove the stain and the smell.
7. After about 2 minutes the stain will be loosened and can be lifted from the surface
8. Empty your bucket and fill with straight water once you have cleaned all the dirty spots on your furniture, carpet or rug
9. Use a sponge with straight water to wipe off the cleaned areas
10. Allow furniture, carpet or rug to dry.

DOG OWNERS: Dogs are also instinctive in marking their territory and urinating. They develop a routine when going to the bathroom and every dog owner knows that dogs prefer to relieve themselves in the same spot. Even if they are going outside, they generally prefer to do their business in a familiar spot. If they begin to mark spots in the home, it is very important that you act immediately to remove the stain and odor to prevent repeated behavior. By removing the smell they have created in your carpeting, you are controlling the urge for the dog to repeat the unwanted behavior. This holds very true for puppy training as well. Genesis 950 is the perfect aid in training puppies not to urinate inside your home. By eliminating the smell from previous accidents, you are redirecting the instinct to go in that same spot. For spot cleaning, use the above mentioned instructions.

For larger stains, and a more professional look, clean your entire carpet using Genesis 950 in any steam cleaner. Use the amount recommended by the steam cleaner manufacturer as you would any other cleaner they suggest. Steam cleaning carpeting with Genesis 950 will make your entire carpet look and smell professionally cleaned. As the mixture of water and Genesis 950 are absorbed by the carpet, any stains, dirt or grime will be loosened. Germs and bacteria will be destroyed. Your carpet will be completely deodorized. After cleaning the carpet using a steam cleaner and Genesis 950, be sure to go over the area a second time with straight water. When you do this, you will see all the dirt and grim that the previously applied Genesis 950 loosened from the carpet.



You can get info on Genesis 950 at www.amerikalstore.com


22tpring says: Feb 19, 2012. 1:36 PM
For all the suggestions of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda together, I've had the same results with just using a spray bottle of peroxide. The ONLY caution I have is do not use peroxide for stains on whites - turns them a pretty yellow, forever. I have 4 cats (litter mates) and one has an issue with peeing on areas (he's very insecure) and even pooing right outside the box for various psycho-kitty reasons. We love him just the same and peroxide in a bottle comes to the rescue every time. Even male cat PEE my friends! Now with some peepee applications, he can be challenging (on our very expensive california king mattress) but I literally POURED bottle upon bottle of quart sized peroxide onto the bed because we had nothing to lose at that point....it actually worked! We did flip and pour for several days and we do live in the desert (so evaporation was much quicker than in greener parts of the country) but it worked! And every time he does some peeing, I pulled out of the peroxide.
I use a combination of spray bottle peroxide, activated carbon (I bought it in bulk) and silica sand for catboxes to keep their smells under control (it is hard because BOTH my males are very proud of their poo and refuse to cover it when they do their business in the catbox).
sunshiine (author) in reply to 22tpringFeb 20, 2012. 12:57 AM
Thanks for sharing!
sunshiine
22tpring says: Feb 19, 2012. 1:38 PM
Where are my manners, I LOVED your household tips, some I have never heard of before and others reinforced the reason I was doing them (without really thinking about the methodology). THANKS :)
sunshiine (author) in reply to 22tpringFeb 20, 2012. 12:57 AM
Thank you for commenting! Have a great day!
Sunshiine
green tea says: Nov 27, 2011. 12:28 AM
Thank you so much for this article! I'm so excited, I can't wait to start using baing soda to clean things! I have a question tho, I have a blood stain on one of the seats in my car. Would I let the solution sit for some time, or would I soak up any excess moisture with a towel, and then clean it with a wet cloth?
sunshiine (author) in reply to green teaNov 27, 2011. 2:16 PM
I have had best results using peroxide for removing blood stains. I suggest testing an area that won't be noticeable if it has a reaction to the fabric first. I have used peroxide on carpets before but there are so many variables to consider. Here is a place to start: http://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS387US387&gcx=c&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=removing+blood+stains+with+peroxide+ . If that don't work then try baking soda.  Again always test an area.  Thanks for commenting!  Hope this helps! Have a beautiful day!
Sunshiine
sunshiine (author) says: Oct 11, 2011. 5:39 PM
I hear you about that! My brother bought one a while back and we thought it would work in the washer but it was cheesy. You have to pay the extra bucks for a good one but it pays off in the long run. Thanks for sharing! Have a splendorous day!
sunshiine
cdonté says: Oct 11, 2011. 5:19 PM
Regarding plastic shower curtain liners: I love the clear ones but hate the visibility of the soap scum build up. So I spent a little more money and bought an extremely thick clear one (about $25.00) that is sturdy enough that i can toss it in the washing machine on low cycle with some bleach and soap! No need to dry (the spin cycle takes care of that) and there you go! Clean liner! Before my splurge i had been replacing my liner every 4 months or so. Now i have had the same one for almost 2 years! :)
crazycloud says: Jun 2, 2011. 1:47 PM
I use white vinegar to get rid of urine smell from carpet, walls etc. in rentals. One house was so bad I used a garden sprayer and sprayed the walls and floors before I could even start other work.
sunshiine (author) in reply to crazycloudJun 2, 2011. 3:25 PM
Thanks for commenting. Yes, my grandson told me he knew someone who used it because they had a fire in the house. They placed saucers around the house with vinegar and after a week the smell was gone.
Silver Diva says: Jun 2, 2011. 11:25 AM
Your sister has a beautiful country home! ::::jealous ;=|::::
sunshiine (author) in reply to Silver DivaJun 2, 2011. 11:46 AM
She does! It is so nice going there, I never want to leave. Thanks for your comment.
tinker234 says: May 31, 2011. 3:25 PM
wow love the method i
sunshiine (author) in reply to tinker234May 31, 2011. 4:37 PM
Thanks!
tinker234 in reply to sunshiineMay 31, 2011. 5:33 PM
your welcome
Anodean says: May 28, 2011. 3:40 PM
Excellent advice - thank you! You probably won't be surprised to hear that sousing with 3% peroxide and baking soda is the only household remedy that actually stops skunk scent. But to those who wondered about "stronger" peroxide - it's not as nice as it sounds. It will burn you and cause damage.

I discovered peroxide years ago when I had a couch covered in what was called "Haitian cotton" - rough spun, unprocessed stuff supposed to be dry-clean only. The reason for those directions was a natural yellow-brown discoloration that would come out of the chaff in the fiber and stain it all to heck once it was wet. I discovered that, if I humped the thing outside in strong sunlight, saturated it with 50-50 water and 3% peroxide, ran a steam/suction cleaner over it, and let it bake out there - turning all the cushions and such so they'd get sun as they dried - it would actually come lighter than it was. Woot. Glad those days are behind me. ;)
sunshiine (author) in reply to AnodeanMay 31, 2011. 4:37 PM
Yes, I was going to add that but I had entered it in the contest and did not think I should shange it. Thanks so much for sharing this!
mary candy says: May 17, 2011. 8:16 AM
I liked the tips.
Is your cat fat or pregnant ..
by the way it is very sweet.
sunshiine (author) in reply to mary candyMay 17, 2011. 10:48 AM
Thanks, neither she is a he! And it is my sister cat. The dog is also. My sister lives in the country and it is so peaceful and wonderful there. I love visiting her.
mary candy in reply to sunshiineMay 17, 2011. 11:16 AM
well than he is a little fat lol but cute!
sunshiine (author) in reply to mary candyMay 17, 2011. 4:43 PM
Thanks, she spoils her animals. It took a long time for him to warm up to me. I took this picture for that reason. It was like haha I got ya!
Botanikas says: May 16, 2011. 6:19 AM
Nice instructable, i have very same problem with odor in my country house. What % peroxide you use? Because i heard you can find 3%, 6%, 12% and so on.
sunshiine (author) in reply to BotanikasMay 16, 2011. 4:52 PM
I use 3% proxide. If someone here would know if one could use a strong % please do let us know. It might be nice to try the stronger solution for really serious pet odors. Thanks for asking a great question.
pecospearl says: May 16, 2011. 9:17 AM
I learned so much from this instructable. You inspire me to try your method of cleaning so I have more time for me!
sunshiine (author) in reply to pecospearlMay 16, 2011. 4:49 PM
Glad it was beneficial! Happy cleaning.
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