FEBRUARY Cleaning Tips

This is the month of cold weather and heating bills. Thank goodness it’s also the month of love. Offset the winter cold by snuggling with your honey. Let those Valentine’s flowers remind you of Spring, and brighten those long winter nights with some sparkling jewelry. And if Cupid does leave his mark, well, look no further for some quick cleanup tips.

Conservation for the Nation

Cuddling is an energy-efficient way to keep warm. Here are other ways to save on your energy bill.

• Why heat an empty house? Lower the thermostat when your family is out during the day -- try 65 degrees or so -- and bring the heat back up in the evening. If you lower the temperature when everybody is toasty warm in bed, you’ll cut your bill even further. A double setback thermostat can adjust the temperature according to your needs. It’s well worth the money.
• Moist air retains heat, so invest in a humidifier (or adapt your existing heating system) and you could lower your thermostat by another 3 or 4 degrees. That can save you up to 12 percent on your heating bill!
• A gas-fired heating system should be professionally cleaned and serviced at least once a year to keep it working at maximum efficiency. Oil-fired systems should be cleaned and serviced twice a year. Those of you who have had the misfortune of a furnace backup knowI’m giving you good advice. Cleaner is better.
• Shut the dishwasher off at the dry cycle and allow dishes to air-dry with the door partially open.
• Just cooked a nice roast dinner? Leave the door open a crack (once you’ve turned off the oven, that is), and let the heat warm the room as the oven cools. Don’t do this if you have young children -- nothing is worse than a potential burn.
• Keep radiators, registers, and ducts clean. Vacuum with the duster brush attachment; for hard to reach spots use a telescoping duster. Make sure they’re clear of debris and free from obstructions, such as furniture and draperies.
• Replace furnace filters frequently. A clean filter will distribute heat more efficiently. Check filters monthly, say the first of every month. Vacuum to remove dust, and replace filters when vacuuming alone won’t get the filter clean. Disposable filters should be replaced at least every these months.
• Heat can escape through air conditioners, so store yours if you can. If that’s not possible, do your best to winterize the unit. Cover the outside of the a/c with cardboard cut to size, and then wrap it in a heavy-duty plastic. Drop cloths and plastic tablecloths are ideal. Secure the covering with a bungee cord, making sure to avoid corner flaps that might tear in the wind.
• Conserve energy in winter and summer by adjusting the rotation on your ceiling fan. A counterclockwise rotation will push the hot air from the ceiling down into the room -- perfect for winter. A clockwise rotation will pull up warm summer air and replace it with a nice, cool flow.
• Conserve water by taking showers instead of baths. The average bath uses 25 gallons of water, whereas the average shower uses just 10 gallons.
• Don’t leave water running while you brush your teeth. Turn it off until you’re ready to rinse.
• Whenever possible, use cold or warm water for washing clothes. Always use cold water to rinse.
• Clean the lint filter on your clothes dyer each time you dry a load. Clothes will dry faster and more efficiently.
• That little black dress may be a hot number, but there’s no reason to keep it warm. Keep closet doors closed.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Flowers, jewelry, candy? I’d love Valentine’s Day even if it wasn’t the day the King proposed!

PETAL PUSHERS

• Do your best to select the freshest flowers available. Look for healthy stems with unblemished leaves and petals. Flowers that are just beginning to bud will last longer than those in full bloom.
• Be sure to remove leaves that fall below the waterline. They can contaminate the water.
• Cut stems on an angle while holding them under running water, then immerse in fresh water. It’s best to do this in the early morning when it’s coolest.
• Coarse, heavy stems (you’ll find them on flowers such as gladiolus, mums, pussy willows, forsythia, and even roses) should be split with a sharp knife before placing in water. This will encourage the stem to drink up the water. Pounding the base of the stem with a wooden spoon works well, too.
• Change the water every day. And for a longer life, add one of the following mixtures:

A teaspoon of sugar and about a ¼ teaspoon of lemon juice.

Several aspirin tables that have been dissolved in a little warm water

A tablespoon of liquid bleach. That will stop the water from clouding; particularly useful when using a clear vase.

• Prolong the life of flowers by keeping them cool and displaying them out of direct sunlight.
• Remove anther from lilies. Those long, pollen-bearing shoots can rub off on clothes, carpeting and walls can be extremely difficult to remove.

Clean pollen stains from clothing by sponging with rubbing alcohol. Don’t use anything with ammonia. That will set the stain.

ARTFUL ARRANGEMENTS

• Flowers too short for the vase? Place stems in plastic drinking straws before arranging.
• Vase too deep? Fill it with marbles prior to adding water and flowers.
• Wilted flowers? Snip about an inch off the ends and stand them in hot water for about 20 to 30 minutes before returning to a vase of clean, cool water.
• Make sure floral foam is saturated with water before adding flowers.
• Arrange large flowers first, then follow with smaller blossoms and greenery.

Did you know?

Tulips are the only flowers that continue to grow after they’ve been cut.

• Coffeepots, teapots, and milk bottles make lovely imaginative vases.
• Plastic hair rollers are great for arranging flowers. Stand them upright in the bottom of the vase and place stems in the cylinders to keep them in position.
• Try to match the flowers to the vase. Hourglass shapes are good for single-bloom flowers like tulips, and urns are great for flowers that droop easily. Slim, cylindrical vases are best for tall flowers like gladiolus.
• Placing your arrangement in front of a mirror will double the impact of your flowers.

DIAMONDS ARE A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND

Who doesn’t love to get a gift of jewelry? Who doesn’t know how to for it?

• Rubbing alcohol is great for cleaning costume jewelry. Pour a little rubbing alcohol over the piece -- place the jewelry in a shallow dish or small container first -- and gently brush with a soft toothbrush. A word of caution: Many costume pieces are glued, and soaking can loosen the glue. Try not to saturate. Finish with a quick rinse in cool water and wipe dry.
• Costume jewelry that doesn’t contain glue can be cleaned with denture-cleaning tablets. Drop a few tablets in a cup of warm water and allow the jewelry to soak for 5 minutes of so. Rinse and dry well. For intricate pieces, dry with a blow-dryer.
• Remove dirt from intricate pieces by brushing with a soft bristle toothbrush and some white, non-gel toothpaste. Rinse by brushing with a clean toothbrush and just water, and dry well.

Restore the luster to pearls by buffing gently with a soft cloth moistened with olive oil.

• Clean diamonds by placing in a tea strainer and dipping them in a pot of boiling water into which you have added several drops of ammonia and a drop or two of dishwashing liquid. Immerse for a few short seconds and then rinse in cold water. For extra sparkle, dip the diamonds in a little bit of undiluted vodka or alcohol for a minute or two, then rinse and pat dry. This may be used for hard stones such as diamonds, rubies and sapphires. Do not use this method on emeralds.
• Emeralds are extremely soft. They can crack easily and absorb water, so buff them with a soft toothbrush or an ACT Natural™ Microfiber Cloth. Don’t soak them or immerse them in water, and if you want a thorough cleaning, take them to a professional.
• Remove tarnish from silver with a paste of lemon juice and baking soda. Apply the mixture with a soft toothbrush, then allow to dry. Remove with a clean, dry toothbrush and polish with a clean, soft cloth.
• Jade can be washing in mild, soapy water. Dry immediately.
• Opals and turquoise are porous stones that should not be washed. Brush settings with a dry, soft toothbrush and shine with chamois-type leather or an ACT Natural™ Microfiber Cloth.
• Wash gold in a bowl of soapy water. A soft, gentle stroke with a soft toothbrush will help clean crevices, details and links. Dry with a soft, line-free towel and then buff with a chamois or microfiber cloth.

I hate it when that happens . . .

Tangled chains got you in knots? Place a drop of baby oil on the chain, then gently untangle by pulling the links apart with two sewing needles.

• Always fasten a chain-link necklace before storing to prevent tangles. Chains that tangle easily can be slipped through a drinking straw. Cut the straw to half the length of the chain, drop the chain through and fasten the clasp on the outside of the straw. No more tangles.

The Valentine’s Day Stain Chain

Love should last forever, not that chocolate strain.

• Chocolate on clothes required special treatment. Scrape off all you can with a dull straight edge, taking care not to force the chocolate more deeply into the fabric. Gently apply some Zout® Stain Remover, allow it to sit on the fabric 5 minutes or so (don’t let it dry), and then flush under a forceful stream of warm water. If a grease mark is still visible, sponge with any good dry-cleaning solution such as Energine Cleaning Fluid®. For really tough stains, soak in Brilliant Bleach® by Soapworks. Follow package directions carefully.
• Chocolate on carpet should be treated immediately with your favorite carpet cleaner. Try Spot Shot Carpet Stain Remover®. For really stubborn stains, saturate the area with ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide, to which you have added 1 teaspoon of ammonia. Allow to sit for 20 minutes, then blot. You may need to repeat this process. Once the stain is gone, flush the area with club soda and blot by standing on old heavy towels. This should remove the moisture. Allow to fully dry before walking on area.

You can keep the fizz in champagne for hours if you slip the handle of a metal teaspoon down the neck of the bottle. I don’t know why it works, but it does!

• Champagne spills should be sponged immediately with club soda. The salt in the soda will help to prevent permanent stains and the carbonation will draw the spill from the fibers. Two remedies for the price of one!
• Dried alcohol stains will turn brown as they age, so quick removal is important.
• Champagne spills on clothes should first be blotted with club soda, then pre-treated with a good laundry stain remover.
• Champagne spills on carpet should be treated with Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain Remover®, or your favorite spotter. Just make sure to blot well with club soda first. Treat spills on upholstery the same way, drying with a hair dryer to prevent a ring from forming.
• Stains from pink champagne can be removed with Wine Away Red Wine Stain Remover®.
• Perfume stains can be avoided if you apply your fragrance before you get dressed. Make sure it’s dry before putting on your clothes.
• Perfume is a combination of alcohol and oil -- deadly to fabrics. Treat perfume stains with Zout® Stain Remover or your favorite stain remover and launder as soon as possible. If the fabric is dry-clean only, be sure to point out the stain to your dry cleaner.
• Never iron an area that has been sprayed with perfume. You might set the stain, or worse, remove the color from the fabric.
• Perfume stains can be removed from sturdy fabrics with a lather of Fels-Naptha Soap® and warm water. Work well into the stain, let sit 15 minutes and launder as usual.
• Stains from massage oil can be removed with a good waterless hand cleaner, such as GOJO™. Rub it well into the fabric -- massageit in if you’d like! -- then flush with warm water. A paste of liquid dish soap and 20 Mule Team® Borax will ensure that all residue is removed.
• Oil stains on carpets should be covered quickly with baking soda. Allow the baking soda to absorb the oil -- this may take several hours -- then vacuum it up using the attachment hose to concentrate the suction. Vacuum very well with the hose before vacuuming with a beater bar to remove all of the baking soda. Finish off with your favorite carpet cleaner.