Miraclean – 803.984.9383 | Tag Archives: baking soda

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.

Is your kid the smelly kid in class?

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

Do you smell?

I mean, do your clothes smell?

You may not notice, but washing machines have a tendency to smell bad due to their design. Water sits in certain components, which then become a breeding ground for mold and mildew causing unpleasant odors.

If you live in a humid climate, constant moisture in the air prevents the water from completely evaporating.

So, how do you fix it?

By cleaning your washing machine.

It makes sense. You use your washing machine to get your dirty clothes clean, so let’s talk about ways to make your washer more efficient.

TOP LOADING:

1.) Set washer to run on the hottest water and largest load setting. Do not add clothes or detergent. Once the wash bin is full, add 4 cups of vinegar to the water and allow the machine to agitate for one minute.

2.) Add ½ cup baking soda and agitate washer for one minute.

3.) Stop washer and allow it to sit for 30 minutes to one hour. Take this time to wipe the top of the washer, the knobs, and any dispensers.

4.) Allow washing cycle to resume until the water begins draining.

5.) Use a clean cloth to wipe the inside of the wash bin, the lid, and any other parts you did not get during the initial clean.

Remember to leave the lid open after each load, so the washing machine can dry completely.

FRONT LOADING:

1.) Set washer to run on the hottest water and largest load setting. Do not add clothes or detergent. Once the wash bin is full, add 1 cup white vinegar to the water (via the dispenser) and allow the machine to agitate for one minute.

2.) Wipe down door gaskets, seals and door interior with a soft cloth soaked in a separate 50/50 vinegar and water solution after the wash cycle finishes.

3.) Rinse the door gaskets and seals after cleaning them with the vinegar solution to prevent deterioration and damage of the seal.

4.) Make sure doors, gaskets and seals are completely dry. Leave the door slightly open to allow the wash bin to air out.

There you have it. A safe way to clean the appliances that keep you clean.

Maybe you’re wondering… “I’ve never washed my washing machine and I’m fine.”

Maybe.

But as put by University of Arizona microbiology professor Charles Gerba, “There is about a tenth of a gram of poop in the average pair of underwear.”

Fecal matter can carry different germs like E. Coli and salmonella. Underwear and towels are the worst culprits.

The acidity of the vinegar helps dissolve soap residue in the wash bin and is helpful in dissolving lime deposits in pipes. Baking soda cleans soap scum and deodorizes.

Want to see before and after pics of my washing machine? Check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Miraclean

Don’t forget to ‘like’ our page while your there!