Extending a Short Broom HandleI can't afford a nice big broom, nor would I want one. They hurt my thumbs and are too coarse. So, I love the Dollar Tree ones, but man are they short! I am only 5 feet 1 inch tall and I find myself stooping just to use it.
Mineral Spirits For Laminate FloorsI've searched for years for the right solution for the footprints and smudges that show up immediately after cleaning the floor. So, finally here it is!
Sock As Swiffer PadWorn out socks? Don't toss them. Place them over your Swiffer. It saves purchasing cloths and is great for dusting high places and washing floors.
Using Bread to Pick Up Broken GlassI recently dropped a dainty black light bulb on the kitchen floor. There were tiny bits everywhere! I swept up what I could see, but I was scared there were minuscule shards everywhere. I carefully pressed a slice of bread over the glass. The sponginess and little nooks sucked up all of the debris.
DIY Comb-top DustpanAttach a wide-toothed comb with hot glue to your dustpan in order to brush out all the debris and dust bunnies from your broom. This dollar hack is a copycat of a $25 dustpan I saw at the Home Goods store.
Magic Eraser for GroutMy bathroom floor grout needed cleaning. I was very impressed with the job the Magic Erasers did. It was quick and easy. I used the knock-offs and cut them into thirds to use as few as possible. Wet them just to moisten.
Use a Candle as Floor WaxWe still have this kind of concrete floor. Every week, I apply floor wax and scrub the floor, but since the house was flooded weeks ago and it gets moist when the temperature drops, I just mop the floor. Now that the floor has totally dried up, I started to look for the floor wax; then I realized it's out of stock.
Cleaning Pet Urine Odor From Hardwood FloorsPet accidents on hardwood flooring can be difficult to clean, often leaving unwanted odors behind. Many natural remedies combine baking soda and vinegar to counteract lingering odors. There are also many products that you can purchase, including odor eliminators like Odoban and enzyme cleaners like Nature's Miracle.
Make Your Vacuum Cleaner Last LongerMany times the powerhead motor burns out, which results in an expensive repair or a new vacuum cleaner. Avoid this by removing the hair that collects in the brush rolls at the end of every vacuuming session.
Orange Glo to Get Urine Off Laminate FloorsMy dog baby peed on my new flooring several times when I was away. While I was looking under my sink, I found Orange Glo. The floors look better than when I first got them and it gave them a nice shine.
Old Sweater MopheadUse an old sweater's arm for a perfect fit on your rectangular mop. I find acrylic sweaters to gather the most dust and gunk while leaving a nice shine. You can use them and wash them for reuse over and over.
Streak Free Hardwood FloorsI moved into a house where I have real hardwood floors. My old house had laminate and I've tried everything a steam mop, a steam vacuum mop, the regular mop by hand method, and I always had streaky laminate floors.
Baking Soda for Cleaning Old Linoleum FloorsBy far the most effective thing to do is wet the floor and sprinkle baking soda over it. Wait 15 minutes. Then scrub with a brush and wipe dry. Mop off the residue with water.
Dull Laminate Floors?Floor surface residue build up is a combination of previously used products, yes, but there are many other culprits: outside dirt, foot oil, lotions, baby powders, perfumes, room deodorizers, make-up, etc.
Cleaning Laminate FloorsUse equal parts water, white vinegar, and rubbing alcohol together in a squirt bottle to clean laminated floors. Use a soft towel or microfiber cloth. The rubbing alcohol will make floor dry quick and not leave a film or spotting.
Borax for Cleaning FloorsI have hardwood and tile floors. I tried everything to make them shine. One day I was in a hurry. I grabbed a bucket, put in about 1/2 cup of borax, filled it with hot water, and mopped all the floors.
Homemade Floor CleanerThe best way to clean your laminate floors without leaving a hazy film behind is simple, cheap and you can make it yourself!
Reusable Refills for SwifferI purchase microfiber dish towels at the dollar store. Since they're not very good for drying dishes because they do not absorb water, I use them for my Swiffer to clean my kitchen and bathroom floor.
Cleaning Oiled Wood FloorsI have 105 year old heartpine floors. I use WOCA natural soap to clean them. They have also come out with a refresher that has more oil in it.
Flannel Swiffer Squares with EndustI watch garage sales and the Goodwill for really cheap flannel king size sheets. I cut them into Swiffer squares. When I use them, I spray with Endust first.
Keeping Bagless Vaccum Cleaners FreshI found a little secret to making my vaccum smell fresh. I use a bagless one. They have a filter cup that starts to get a little stinky even if you keep it empty and clean. So I make my own carpet fresh.
Getting Rid of Scuff Marks on FloorsTo get rid of a scuff mark on a floor, just re-scuff the same mark with your shoe. I don't know why it works, but it does. Weird, but true.
Grease Cutter for FloorsPour 2 gallons of warm water into your bucket. Add 1/4 cup of white vinegar, 1 Tbsp. dish soap, and 1/4 cup of washing soda. Mix well. Go ahead and clean your floors. This works well, but not on waxed floors.
Use Vinegar and Water in Your Steam MopThe water in my area is horrible. I love my Shark steam mop, but the water here stops it up. I find if you run vinegar and water in it, it keeps the floors squeaky clean and the machine running great. It also works great for your car window wash fluid too.
Removing Scuff Marks with WD-40This is a quick and easy way to remove both scuff marks and tape residue from linoleum or vinyl floors.
Reuse Vacuum Cleaner BagsRe-use vacuum cleaner bags to save money! Instead of throwing the bag away when it gets full, follow these simple steps:
Cleaning Old Linoleum FlooringWhen I moved into an older home a year ago, I noticed the old kitchen and entry way floors were dirty. What I didn't know is that dirt was ground into the flooring and no amount of mopping would clean it.
Scouring Powder and Scotch Brite Pad For FloorsTo clean my textured kitchen linoleum, I go over the floor with a little scouring powder and a nylon Scotch Brite pad, then mop it clean.
Removing Scuffs From Linoleum FloorsAs a custodian, I use a tennis ball attached to a broom handle. A little rub and the black mark is gone.
Use A Damp Mop To Remove Pet HairI was mopping my wood floors one day and discovered this tip by accident. When I was through mopping, I noticed excess hair on the sofa and edges of the couch.
Removing Orange Glo from Laminate FlooringTo remove it, I used Simple Green at full strength on a small area. It worked great. Spray a small section, and let stand a few minutes. Take a damp cloth and wipe up the wax. Continue with this process until you have completed the waxed areas.
Use Newborn Diapers for Swiffer PadThe answer to those expensive Swiffer Wet jet mop head refills - finally! Go to your local Dollar store, buy the cheapest newborn diapers they carry.
Removing Stains from Laminate FloorsConfused about how to clean a stain on laminate wood floors without damaging the floor? Acetone Nail Polish remover removes dark ring-like stains. You may need to work it in a few times. DO NOT use on Wood floors!
Removing Stains on LinoleumApply full strength distilled white vinegar directly to tough linoleum stains. Leave it on 10-15 minutes before wiping up. If that doesn't work, apply it again and sprinkle baking soda over the vinegar. Scrub with brush or sponge.
Paper Plate as Dust PanIf you can't find the dustpan in a hurry, grab a cheap paper plate and cut it in half. Use it to scoop up food spills, broken glass, etc. It will do the job initially, then sweep or wipe the area clean ASAP.
Use An Ice Cube To Remove Indents In CarpetIf you move furniture from carpets and dents are left behind, try putting an ice cube or two into the dent and let it melt and dry. If it doesn't work after the first try, do it again. I've tried it lots of times and most often, it works well.
Cleaning Scuff Marks Off FloorCut an old tennis ball and insert it on a stick. Use it to clean marks on floor tiles without bending down.
Scuffs on Linoleum FloorsClean rubber heel marks from kitchen linoleum with a moist cloth dabbed in floor wax. The marks come up and don't leave a dull spot.
Shampoo Clothing Stain RemoverShampoo from the Dollar Store or Aldi's is the greatest stain remover I have ever used. I washed and dried a pair of pink slacks with a grass stain on them. I covered the stain with shampoo and let it sit for a day or so.
Use Trash Can as Mop BucketWhen I was a bride, I received a plastic trash container filled with kitchen and household items, along with this tip - use the trash container for a mop/cleaning bucket!
Cleaning Tile FloorsI have tile floors in my house. I noticed after cleaning them with the recommended cleaners they just didn't looked as nice as when they where brand new. I found that spraying an area with 409 first, then washing made the floor look and feel cleaner.
Mop Floor with Dishwasher DetergentHere is a really good hint. If you have a floor that you mop, or needs to be mopped and just gets a quick "lick and a promise" (as my mom would have said), I can give you a hint that will put it back in shape with a minimum of work.
Vinegar and Water on Hardwood FloorsI learned the hard way. Do not use Murphy's Oil Soap or any other type of cleaner for your hardwood floors. If you have done this and now find streaks and dullness, then it's time to resort to the ultimate weapon.
Permanent Marker on HardwoodLast week as I was cleaning, I noticed that I had a temporary card from a store stuck to the bottom of my wet shoe. I found that the temporary card has stuck itself to my hardwood floor...
Eucalyptus Oil for Black Marks on FloorTo get black marks off floor, put a few drops of eucalyptus oil on a clean cloth and the marks should wipe off with no problems.
Use a Hairbrush on Carpet Before VacuumingIf you sew, knit, do crafts or have long hair, you understand how many threads can get caught up in your vacuum's roller. I've found the easiest way to prevent this is to take a regular bristle hair brush and quickly brush the carpet in the bad areas before vacuuming.
Make a Broom SockI took an old towel and sewed it like a pillow case to the size of my broom. It works great to cover the broom, when I dust around the ceiling for webs and dirt. It keeps any dirt from the broom getting onto the walls. I just wash it in the laundry when it is dirty.
Recycle Socks for Swiffer PadsI have been recycling my hubby's old socks into swiffer pads. I cut the end of of both ends of the sock and a cut down one side of the sock between the two cut ends, Then I fit it over the swiffer and then sometimes I sew the ends shut, sometimes I don't.
Use an "Old" Slipper for Waxing FloorsThis is a cleaning tip with funny story! I was preparing to wax my floor the "old fashioned way" as my mom always did, on my hands and knees, when I remembered a pair of plush slippers that my daughter just threw out due to a crack along the bottom of them.
Use Wax for a Shiny Vinyl FloorIf you have vinyl floors and wish to make them look new and very-very shiny, as well as giving them protection and easier to wipe clean, do the following:
Black Scuff EraserCut an "X" in the tennis ball and slide on the end of the broomstick. To use: Rub the tennis ball over the black scuff marks and watch them disappear.
Use Baby Powder for a Fresh CarpetUse Baby Powder in place of Carpet Fresh. Be careful not to use Carpet Fresh for baby.
Product Review: Bellawood Floor CleanerOur building contractors cleaning person used a mop (probably dirty) on our new floor and it was dull and streaked. We have always used the best hardwood floor cleaner in our old house, Bellawood floor cleaner.
Microfiber to Clean Up Dog HairBrooms don't do a very good job at picking up dog hair from the floor. I put a microfiber cloth around my broom bristles and secure it with a rubberband. Tada! It picks up the dog hair.
Easy Removal Of Scuff Marks Or StickersYou know those black heel marks on the tile or linoleum? Or those stickers that won't come off with soap and water? Just spray a little WD-40 or some other kind of oil on them and they will wipe right off.
Reusing Wipes for MopsRE-USE the disposable wipes for mops, by soaking them in liquid
cleaning solutions.
Cleaning No Wax FloorsMop your no-wax floor with 1 cup white vinegar and 1 gallon of water. This will make the floor shine!
Cleaning Oily Stains off of Slate FloorsWe have a slate floor in our sunroom (which is the gathering place when our children and grandchildren are visiting.) I found that regular cleaning did not remove oily looking stains caused by food being dropped.
Other Uses for Scrubbing BubblesScrubbing Bubbles is not only for the bathroom! It will really clean ground in dirt on linoleum floors and also clean grimy stove tops.
Less Sweeping and VacuumingLimit the wear and tear on your flooring and how frequently you have to vacuum by not wearing shoes in your house. It will cut down on the amount of dirt that winds up on your floor dramatically.
Cleaning Wood Floors With Teary using tea to clean your wood floors. It works.
Spot Cleaning the Kitchen FloorSpot clean your kitchen floor when company's coming and no time to get out the mop! Throw down a dampened sponge and scrub it around with your foot, then clean it in the sink or drop in a plastic bag to clean later.
Saves your nails and knees!
By Ann Emond
Dusting Hardwood FloorsIf you have hardwood floors and dogs, it is difficult to contain all the dust and dog hair, so what I do is take a dust sweeper (less than $3.00 vs. the disposable brand names) and open a window and have a fan blowing out.
Getting Tar Off a Vinyl FloorThe problem I had is someone tracked tar onto your vinyl floor. The solution was to rub some butter or margarine on the tar, then wipe it up with a dry cloth.
Vacuuming TipsHate to keep unplugging the vacuum cleaner as you go around the house? Add an extension cord. Also, spray some perfume on a tissue, tear it up and then vacuum it up it.
