| About blinds
To dust your blinds, you can either use a special brush designed for that purpose or a standard vacuum brush. Begin by lowering the blinds, then dust the slats while they're facing downward.
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| Bathtubs and showers
A major problem in tubs and showers is mildew, and the best way to handle it is to prevent it from ever forming. To do this, clean the area with a disinfectant cleaner or special mildew product once a week.
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| Caring for your iron
A dirty iron can transfer dirt onto your clothes. If you have a model with a nonstick surface, all you need to do is wipe it with a damp cloth or sponge.
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| Carpet cleaning
Since ground-in dirt can wear away carpet fibers, your first line of defense should be your vacuum cleaner. Vacuum the entire carpet once a week; heavy traffic areas may need daily touch-ups.
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| Cleaning toilets
There are many specialized products available to clean your toilet. You can find cleaners that bubble up to show they're working, or others with crooked spouts that allow you to squirt cleanser under the rim.
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| Drapery care
In case you've ever wondered what the difference is between curtains and drapes, here it is: drapes are heavier, have linings, and hang from hooks; curtain fabrics are lighter in weight, generally unlined, and have a loop at the top for the curtain rod.
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| Fixtures, tiles, and mirrors
You probably don't notice how much grime accumulates around light switch and electrical fixtures until you take them off and see the brown ring on the wall.
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| Getting your pots and pans clean
Even if your dishwasher has a cycle specifically for pots and pans, most of them should still be washed by hand. Glass and most enamel-coated cookware is generally dishwasher-safe.
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| How to clean garage floors
Oil and grease stains are difficult to remove from porous materials like concrete. There are a few things you can try to get out as much of the oil stain as possible.
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| Keeping countertops clean
Most spray-on glass and surface cleaners are fine for everyday spills and clean-ups. On the occasions when you want to do a more thorough job, remove everything from the countertop before spraying.
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| Keeping sinks clean
Porcelain and stainless steel sinks require different types of care. Porcelain responds best to chlorine bleach. Fill the sink with water, add half a cup of bleach, and let it soak for an hour or so.
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| Polishing copper and brass
There are a number of specialized products available specifically for cleaning copper and brass. If you choose to use one of these, follow the directions on the label.
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