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Vodka isn’t just for drinking

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Kristin Posted in Cleaning Tips .

Vodka isn’t just for drinking anymore!

It can actually be used around the house to help make cleaning a little easier. It is cheap and it’s a good solvent, much like lemon juice. Vodka is also non-toxic when used as a cleaning agent.

Here is our top 10 list of things you can clean using bottom-shelf vodka:

1.) Save yourself money by spritzing your “dry clean only” garments with a 50/50 vodka-water dilution between dry cleaning to remove odors. Since vodka has no smell once it dries, you won’t go into work smelling like a brewery.

2.) Clean your spectacles. Vodka is also a great glass cleaner, but it is NOT for use on coated lens.

3.) Get up that sticky stuff! Got sticker residue on your favorite frame? Maybe the kids have concocted some science experiment in their bedroom making everything sticky. Whatever the case, pull out the vodka!

4.) Keep flowers lasting longer than ever by adding one tablespoon vodka, one tablespoon sugar and then fill the vase with water. The vodka kills bacteria that will form in the vase and sugar gives the flowers nutrients.

5.) Got smelly feet? Use straight vodka as a foot soak. It eliminates odors, even the worst stinky feet!

6.) In a pinch for a quick hand sanitizer? Spritz some vodka on your hands and rub them together. Then, spritz your mouth because, hey, that needs santizing, too! 😉

7.) Vodka can also be used as an anesthetic and disinfectant by helping achey teeth, open blisters, cold sores and minor wounds.

8.) Get those diamonds sparkling! Use straight vodka to clean your diamonds, emeralds and other crystallized gemstones. Put vodka in a small bowl, add jewelry and let sit for 5 minutes. Dry your pieces then watch them shine.

9.) Fight oil build-up in your hair by adding an ounce of vodka to your shampoo bottle. Since it is odorless, you won’t smell like a bar after you get out of the shower.

10.) Kill weeds by adding one ounce vodka, a few drops of dishwashing soap and two cups water to a spray bottle.

Have you tried these tricks? Do they work? Did we miss something? Tell us at www.facebook.com/Miraclean

10 ways a shoe organizer can keep you sane

Posted on October 23, 2013 by Kristin Posted in Cleaning Tips .

I’ve been in an organizing mood lately. I think it is because the weather is changing, so I am changing out my clothes in the closet, switching jackets on the coat rack, and pulling my boots from the dusty underneath of my bed.

Speaking of which, after I organize, I usually deep clean. Mostly because while organizing I notice how filthy everything starts to look. But, that will be a future blog post. Today, I wanted to show your 10 different ways to use the over-the-door organizers. I know I talk about these organizers a lot, but there’s a reason. You can use them to organize practically anything! There is no way you can have too many of these guys. So, let’s jump in!

Let’s start in the kitchen:

Do you have a cabinet full of these travel mugs and bottles? They are great for saving the environment, but do you worry that if you open the cabinet too far they will all come crashing down? Put an over-the-door hanger in your pantry and don’t worry about the leaning tower of travel mugs tumbling on you.

Organize your pantry by storing utensils, snacks, measuring cups, napkins, and more in an organizer.

Use the organizer to store beauty products such as make-up, nail polish, cosmetic tools, jewelry, hair bows, scarves and more! In fact, you can cut the organizers in half to store in cabinet doors, as well.

Do you need a place to store medicines and cold relief products? Try storing items like cough drops, kids’ medicine, menthol rub, aloe vera, etc. Make sure you do not store these or prescription meds in the bathroom. The temperature change like steam from a shower can dilute the effects of medicines. I store my medicines on the top shelf of my linen closet in the hallway.

Keep the cleaning products out of your child’s reach by storing them in an organizer in the laundry room. Keep everything from carpet freshener to Windex in one central location.

Are your child’s Barbie dolls getting out of control? Store them all neatly along with accessories! Check that out; a Barbie hub station.

Maybe your kid is a gamer? These pockets are perfect for storing video games, consoles, dvds, and remote controls.

Teachers can use these organizers in the classroom to keep things like scissors, colored pencils, markers, crayons and more in one area. This also gives easy visibility to see what crafts need to be replaced.

Do you have a mess in your garage? For example, are there cans of spray paint, tools, nuts and bolts laying on various surfaces?

And finally, you could always use them to store shoes.

Did we miss something? Let us know your organizing tips at www.facebook.com/Miraclean

Also, check out our organizing board at www.pinterest.com/miracleangreen Don’t forget to FOLLOW us!

Quick and easy way to make your own dryer sheets and save money!

Posted on September 9, 2013 by Kristin Posted in Cleaning Tips .

I wash a lot of laundry.

A lot.

My clothes, the dog’s stuff, towels that I use while cleaning homes, everything. The towels are probably the toughest because I have some that can’t go in the dryer and others that require certain attention. Terry cloth towels are tough, but they can get crazy static cling!

Once I decided to take the green plunge in my own house, dryer sheets were a big no-no. I started using balls of aluminum foil.

The problem was that they require a lot of aluminum foil to get the right size and they shrink in the dryer. (The girls would make fun of me as they started finding little aluminum balls in the clean towel piles.)

I needed something that would last, something I wouldn’t have to buy a ton of throughout the year, and something that would eliminate the static cling. And of course, the wonderful folks at Pinterest were ahead of me.

This is my easy-to-make, easy-to-use tip to saving you money in the laundry room!

Today we are going to show you how to make and use wool dryer balls.

These little guys are easy to make, they last for years, and they take static cling out of your clothes just as good as a dryer sheet. (of course they are natural and most dryer sheets are not). All you need is some Fishermen’s Wool.

Once you’ve got your felting Fishermen’s Wool, wind the wool around your fingers, and then pull off and wind around itself. Keep going in circles, winding and flipping the ball every now again. This should take about an hour, but you’ll never have to do it again.

Plus, here is your result, a 4 oz. wool dryer ball. Isn’t that rewarding?!

Almost finished! Tie the loose end of your wool dryer ball to another piece of yarn to prevent it from untangling because now comes the washing part.

The more dryer balls you have, the better it works. Six to eight is a good number. Put three balls in one nylon stocking, tying them off each individually. Then, put both sets of nylons in a pillowcase and tie the pillowcase shut.

Place in washing machine on HOT water. Wash whatever else you can with the pillowcase. Note: it may take more than one washing, but you really want to get the dryer balls felting.

LAST STEP! Gently remove the pillowcase and nylon from the wool dryer balls. Be careful because the wool fibers will work their way out of the nylon.

At this point, you can use a few drops of your favorite essential oil on the wool. The more dryer balls you have, the less static cling and they bounce around separating clothes which dries clothes faster.

How cute are these guys?!

I’ve only started using them, but they seem to work pretty well. Of course I’ll update you with my results after using them for a few weeks. Have you ever tried this trick? What are your laundry tips? Tell us at www.facebook.com/Miraclean.

There is NO time!

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Kristin Posted in Cleaning Tips .

You are one person. How are you supposed to keep up with your job, being a wife, being a mom, laundry, and housekeeping?!

The easiest way…put it on a schedule. Get it in your calendar and get it done.

I’ve got my house on a rotation schedule. Sundays are my cleaning day. One week I will wipe down countertops in the kitchen and bathroom, clean the toilet and dust the living room. The next week is for bathtubs, floors, and vacuuming.

While I’m cleaning, I’m also doing laundry. It’s easy to keep everything moving once you get started. Are your weekends busy? Break up the chores. Try loading the dishwasher at night and unloading it in the morning. Throw a load of laundry in the washer in the morning. When you come home from work or running errands, move it to the dryer.

Another idea when dealing with kids and laundry is to assign each child their own laundry basket and their own day to wash clothes. Once the clothes are finished in the dryer have them fold and put away their laundry.

Need a cleaning schedule? Check out a few ideas we found to help you:

Share your tips and tricks on www.facebook.com/Miraclean

Three tricks to keeping your home dust free!

Posted on August 6, 2013 by Kristin Posted in Cleaning Tips .

Does it feel like your house is always dusty? Even after you JUST cleaned?

It takes dust particles, on average, 10 minutes to settle. Check out this picture. The picture to the left was taken immediately after I finished sweeping a set of stairs in a customer’s home. The picture to the right is exactly ten minutes later. All that dust had to land somewhere.

So, how do you keep your home cleaner, longer?

Try using a dryer sheet on baseboards, blinds and furniture. Since the dryer sheet banishes static, the dust will attach itself to the sheet, making dusting a breeze. The dryer sheet will also coat the surface as it cleans, forming a cleaning shield against dust. Not all dryer sheet brands are a natural way to clean, but they all can be used to make cleaning a breeze! You could use new or used dryer sheets. (Get another use out of it before throwing them away.)

After you’ve given your home a good dusting, try to keep it that way. Remember to change your air filters accordingly. Studies show that single occupants should change their air filters once or twice every year; family of two or more without pets should change their filters every 90 days; add a cat or dog and you should change them every 60 days; add more than one pet or allergies and you should change them every 30 days.

While dusting, flip your air conditioning unit/thermostat to fan.

After you’re finished cleaning, find new ways to keep your home dust-free. For example, paper causes a lot of dust, so keep files and papers in one central location. Pets cause a lot of dust, hair and dander. If you have pets, make sure you are vacuuming at least once every week. If you live on a dirt road or if there is a lot of construction around your house, keep your doors and windows closed.

What tricks do you use to keep up with the dust at your house? Tell us at www.facebook.com/Miraclean

Eliminate that ‘boy smell’ in the bathroom

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Kristin Posted in Cleaning Tips .

Last week, I posted a blog about how to keep your tile and grout clean. (Check it out here if you missed it!)

That stemmed a lot of bathroom questions from you, so I decided to answer those questions this week.

The most popular question was how to keep the ‘boy smell’ out of the bathroom. You know what I mean, right? It’s probably the main reason you avoid going into the kids’ bathroom. 😉 Well, let’s help solve that problem.

First, you guessed it; it starts with a deep cleaning.

Step 1: Mix a paste of baking soda and lemon juice. If you don’t have lemon juice you can use water but lemon juice is a great disinfectant and great for removing odors. The consistency of the paste should be about that of pancake mix.

Step 2: Spread the paste all along the bottom of the toilet {where it meets the floor}, the toilet seat, and any other area that gets a lot of over spray.

Let it set for about 10-15 minutes.

Step 3: When the timer expires spray the dried paste with white vinegar and let it fizzle. Once it is done fizzing wipe it up with a damp cloth.

It’s very important that you don’t forget about the walls and/or cupboards on either side of the toilet. It’s easy to remember to wipe the floor and the toilet but the walls and cupboards will also get sprayed and they will need to be wiped down regularly too. Spray them down with vinegar, let it for a few minutes and wipe them down.

Cleaning the toilet, floor and walls at least once a week, with these steps, will keep the smell at bay.

Another trick is making mini air fresheners and discreetly placing them in the bathroom cabinets, behind the toilet bowl, or on the top lip of the shower.

Use old baby food jars or small canning jars. Pour baking soda into jar until 1/4 to 1/2 full. Add 8 to 10 drops of your favorite essential oil(s). Poke holes in jar lid with an awl or ice pick. Decorate the jars with ribbon, fabric, or however you like. If you’ve lost the lid, cover top with several layers of nylon net, tie with ribbon, and voila! You’ve got DIY room freshener! (Add more essential oil as needed). Shake or stir it every now and then to freshen.

Another freshener trick is to place a few drops of your favorite essential oil in the toilet paper roll, as seen here. Your bathroom will smell pleasant with every roll.

As mentioned in last week’s article, keep antibacterial wipes under your bathroom sink for easy access when messes arrive. These are perfect for quickly wiping the toilet seat, cleaning globs of toothpaste, or a quick countertop wipe down before guests arrive.

Here’s a great recipe for making your own antibacterial wipes!

Use any type of old towel, rag, tshirt, etc. to cut into rags and finish the edges to make them wipe sized.

Next, fold the wipes and placed them in an old wipes container.

Mix:

1/2 cup water
1/2 cup vinegar
10 drops Peppermint Essential Oil

Finally, just pour the water/vinegar/essential oil mixture into the tub, completely saturating the wipes. It might help to flip the pile over one time so that the wipes on the bottom get completely soaked.

There you have it. A few tricks to getting rid of that ‘boy smell’. Did we forget something? What’s your trick? Talk to us about it on Facebook www.facebook.com/Miraclean

Natural ways to get rid of bugs

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Kristin Posted in Cleaning Tips .

With all the rain we’ve been getting, I’m noticing some unwanted critters around my house. I blame it on the rain because I am not a dirty person, but it is embarrassing when company is over and in comes one of those little critters scurrying across the floor.

Whether your problem is ants, roaches, or anything in between, here are a couple of natural ideas to keep your home bug free.

My biggest problem is the water bugs, also known as palmetto bugs. They are big and gross and on the hunt for food and water. I usually find these ugly guys in the kitchen hiding under appliances or under the kitchen sink because I have a leaky faucet.

One way to get rid of water bugs is to use bay leaves, whole or crushed, around your windowsills, entry ways and other problem areas. They hate the smell. Another solution is to use catnip. You can either place the catnip in the entry ways, the same as the bay leaves or use it in little pouches and place them in your cupboards and behind appliances. Equal parts of sugar and baking soda can be mixed and spread throughout your kitchen. Be careful not to put too much in one area as they stay away from piles of powder. Boric acid powder works well, too. The powder and the acid will be ingested through their legs and antennae.

For smaller bug issues, try mixing essential oils with dish soap and water in a spray bottle. A few drops of peppermint, orange, lemon or tea tree oil mixed with a few drops of dish soap, then fill the rest of the bottle with water. Now you’ve got your own type of natural Raid bug spray. Another version of bug spray can be used by combining orange, peppermint or citronella essential oils and vinegar in a spray bottle.

Ants despise the smell of cucumbers, mint leaves, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, lemon juice and coffee grounds. Try placing these ingredients where you notice gathering points for ants throughout your home.

One last tip, if you are having problems with any of these natural deterrents, try using diatomaceous earth. This is a safe and effective way to control any insect in your home. Diatomaceous earth is mostly used as an insecticide because the dust has razor-sharp edges that are lethal to insects. Since it has many uses, it can be found at Home Depot, Lowes and Wal-Mart in the gardening center. Be sure not to buy the type sold in pool filtration aisles, as it is too fine and usually contains various toxic chemicals. Make sure it is food grade, as farmers use this to protect crops and store food.

Try these various recipes for a bug free summer! Did I miss something? Let me know at www.facebook.com/Miraclean.

The number one question our customers ask us

Posted on July 13, 2013 by Kristin Posted in Cleaning Tips .

Scrub less. Organize more.

Answering your questions about keeping hard to clean areas cleaner, longer.

The number one question we are asked is how to keep a tile and grout shower clean in between cleanings.

Today I will share with you our top three recipes for keeping that pain in the butt tile clean.

First, let’s start with some tips. The best tool you can invest in is a squeegee. It only takes a matter of seconds and, trust me, it’s worth it in the long run. Squeegee the glass shower door and your tile and the shower will stay cleaner longer.

Second, leave the light and fan running for as long as possible. Mold and mildew love a wet, humid, dark environment. By leaving the light and fan on for a few extra minutes, you are giving your bathroom time to dry. Don’t forget to pick up wet floor towels and hang them to dry.

Lastly, keep the bathroom clean by not letting it get dirty in the first place. Put things away. Do you leave your curling irons and straighteners on the counter to cool on your way to work? Install a hook and hang them so you have more space. After work, wrap them up and stick them under the sink. Store all your make-up in one location. Get a basket to capture easy to reach items you use on a regular basis. Keep wipes under the sink for a quick countertop clean-up. By having all these items easily accessible, you’ll have no problem keeping everything in its place.

I am not saying you will never have to clean your bathroom ever again. I’d be out of a job! However, by keeping up with the mess, the globs of toothpaste in the sink, the pinkish colored grout that you were pretty sure was white when you moved in, your bathroom will stay cleaner longer.

When it gets time to do a heavy scrub down cleaning, here are three of our favorite, all-natural, homemade recipes.

1.) Mix ½ cup baking soda, 1/3 cup lemon juice, ¼ cup vinegar in a spray bottle. Fill the rest of the bottle with water. Mix well. Spray throughout shower and let it sit for one hour. Respray, then use an old toothbrush or grout brush to scrub. Rinse shower with water and dry shower with a clean towel.

2.) Mix 1 cup hydrogen peroxide, 3 tablespoons lemon juice in a spray bottle. Fill the rest of the bottle with water. Be careful when spraying as hydrogen peroxide is a natural alternative to bleach and will stain fabrics. Spray mixture throughout shower. Scrub grout with an old toothbrush or grout brush. Rinse shower with water and dry shower with a clean towel.

3.) Mix 1 cup vinegar and 1 cup water in a spray bottle. Sprinkle your favorite abrasive (baking soda, Bon Ami) on your discolored areas. Let it sit for 20 minutes. Respray and you will notice a paste forming. Use this paste to scrub the grout clean with a brush. As with the other recipes, rinse shower with water and dry with a clean towel.

Another option to cleaning bathrooms is by cleaning with steam. Steam mops and accessories are becoming more popular as a natural bathroom cleaner. Water is heated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit; hot enough to kill germs and bacteria. Not only will your surfaces be cleaner, they will be disinfected and sanitized, too! This method is perfect for bathrooms, changing areas, fitness equipment, daycares, kitchens, and more.

To learn more about steam vapor cleaning, call us at 803-366-1766 to schedule a free estimate in your home or office.

Check out these before and after shower pictures. We used our steam vapor cleaner to get this shower looking good as new!

We can use the steam vapor cleaner on linoleum floors, too. Check it out!

Look at this fridge! There is nothing we can’t clean! Not only is it clean, but it is also sanitized and disinfected!

Call Kristin for your free estimate at 803-366-1766 or email us your questions at Kristin@miracleanonline.com . Don’t forget to like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Miraclean

12 uses for hydrogen peroxide around your home

Posted on June 24, 2013 by Kristin Posted in Cleaning Tips .

Hydrogen peroxide is a wonderful ingredient for cleaning because it is naturally antibacterial. It is non-toxic to people, plants, household animals and the Earth. Basically, hydrogen peroxide is water with an extra oxygen molecule. It is inexpensive to buy and simplifies the number of different cleaning products you need to keep handy.

Remember, hydrogen peroxide is a natural alternative to bleach.

When mixing your own cleaning products, make sure you store any peroxide mixtures in a dark bottle. The light will breakdown the molecules, causing the peroxide to be ineffective.

Here are some great cleaning tips to use hydrogen peroxide as a natural cleaner in your home:

1.) When washing a load of whites, add one cup hydrogen peroxide to brighten your threads.

2.) Make a 50/50 solution using peroxide and water to use around your house. Spray it on countertops and cutting boards to disinfect. Use it as a bathroom cleaner to create a germ-free area. Hydrogen peroxide can also eliminate that “boy” smell from bathrooms.

3.) Add ½ cup hydrogen peroxide to a sink full of water and use to wash fruit and veggies.

4.) Got a sickling in your home? Use peroxide to wipe light switches, door handles, toys, or any other surface they may touch.

5.) Soak your toothbrushes in a cup of peroxide to give them a good cleaning.

6.) Add an ounce of peroxide to one cup water and spray house plants daily to help prevent fungus growth.

7.) Gargle and rinse with peroxide as a mouthwash for brighter teeth and a breath freshener.

8.) Use it to scrub stained grout in the bathroom.

9.) Hydrogen peroxide can be used as a pre-treater to stains. For example, it can be used to remove blood stains from clothes.

10.) Combine half cup of peroxide with one gallon of hot water and start mopping. Because it is so mild, it is safe for any floor type and there is no need to rinse. Great for brightening dingy floors.

11.) Use hydrogen peroxide to clean your mirrors for a streak-free shine, every time.

12.) Try soaking dentures in a 50/50 peroxide and water solution. I’m not there yet, but reports say it is better than using those tablets, and cheaper!

Most stores sell the 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide. Some health food stores and pharmacies sell a higher percentage, usually 35%. Keep in mind that this is an alternative for bleach, so the higher the concentrate, the more likely it will stain your fabrics. Be careful!

Did I forget something? Let me know at www.facebook.com/Miraclean

Easy tips to help you in the garden

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Kristin Posted in Cleaning Tips .

Last week, we discussed the chemistry of vinegar. We discussed how it can be used as a cleaning product because it naturally deodorizes, disinfects and cuts grease. Click here to check it out!

Vinegar is such a versatile ingredient. Not only can it be used in food and cleaning recipes, it can also be used around your garden. Since the weather is getting warmer, try using these vinegar tips outside.

1.) Remove berry stains from your hands by washing your hands with 1 cup vinegar.

Berry stains are organic. Organic stains, like blood and food, respond better to natural, acidic products like vinegar and lemon juice. It’s all about the chemical reaction between a base and an acid.

2.) Keep rabbits from eating your plants. Put cotton balls soaked in white distilled vinegar in a 35mm film container. Poke a hole in the top and place in the garden.
* Rabbits also dislike pepper, garlic, chili powder and mint. You could also plant some flowers and herbs that are natural deterrents like foxgloves, digitalis, aconitum, catnip plants, or lavender.

3.) Get rid of rust on spigots, tools, screws or bolts by soaking the items overnight or for several days in undiluted white distilled vinegar.
*Rust forms when moisture on metal begins to oxidize. Even a small amount of moisture, such as sweat, can cause rust to form. Over time, rust will eat away at the metal deteriorating it beyond repair. Vinegar is naturally acidic and will dissolve the rust from the metal without harsh chemicals.

4.) Clean a hummingbird feeder/bird bath with white distilled vinegar—soap or detergent can leave behind harmful residue.

Hummingbirds will starve themselves before eating spoiled food, so be sure to clean your feeders often. At least once a month, clean the feeder thoroughly with ¼ cup of vinegar to one gallon water. Soak for one hour, then clean with a bottle brush.

5.) Make your own mosquito and moth repellant by combining 2 cups vinegar and 1 cup molasses in a tin can and hang from a tree branch or place on a picnic table.

Mosquitoes are a food source for bats, frogs, and birds; but they are also pests when you are trying to enjoy the outdoors. If you’ve got clogged gutters, uncovered rain barrels, bird baths, etc., you’ve got a nesting ground for these blood-suckers. But there is a solution! Mosquitoes hate strong smells like lemon, vinegar, lavender, citronella or geranium. That’s why the recipe mentioned above works so well. Another way to naturally keep mosquitoes at bay is to plant marigolds, basil, tansy and rosemary in your garden. The herbs and flowers give off a smell that helps ward off bugs without using insecticides.

6.) Avoid skin problems after working in the garden by rinsing your hands with 1 cup vinegar.

* Harsh lotions can strip away your skin’s natural acidity. Vinegar can help restore the natural acidity, which can clear up skin problems like dryness, itching, flaking and acne. Vinegar is a natural antiseptic and antifungal, so it helps reduce and destroy harmful irritants and germs.

There you have it. A few ideas about how vinegar can help you outside. If you haven’t checked out our cleaning recipes posted last week, click here. Vinegar is such an amazing, versatile ingredient. Thank goodness they sell it cheap and by the gallon!

Do you have vinegar tips? Tell us at www.facebook.com/Miraclean