DIY Network

Vacuuming From "Spruce It Up With the Queen of Clean Inside the Castle" episode SCI-101

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There's no better way to spruce up a room than to vacuum it. Linda Cobb, the Queen of Clean®, shares some tips on doing the job properly. Figure A Figure B Figure C Think less-is-more when using cleaning products. The Queen is an advocate of natural cleaning products, such as baking soda, lemon juice and white vinegar. If you have a musty drawer or chest, place a piece of white bread in a small bowl and pour white vinegar over it. The combination of yeast, bread and vinegar will eliminate the odor. Leave the solution in the drawer/chest for 24 hours.

Follow these handy vacuuming tips from the Queen of Clean®, Linda Cobb, and you'll have clean carpets and floors in no time.

• Be sure to select a vacuum cleaner that has attachments onboard. This makes cleaning so much easier.

• Don't forget about hand-held vacuum cleaners. They are extremely handy for cleaning those hard-to-get-to areas.

• Dust can accumulate along the edge of carpeting, so be sure to use an attachment to get down in the crevices. Don't forget to run the attachment along the baseboard (figure A) while you're cleaning the edge of the carpet.

• Don't forget to vacuum your home's air vents (figure B), because air flows constantly, which means dust won't be far behind.

• Take a damp rag and wipe it along the top edge of all doors (figure C) and window frames in the house. These areas are notorious harbors of dust.

Queen of Clean's Dirty Little Secrets and More Cleaning Tips:

• Vacuum at least twice a week to get rid of dust bunnies, which have a gestation period of only six days.

• It's a good idea to have all of your cleaning products in one place. If this means buying more than one set of products, it will be worth it when you don't have to drag them from upstairs to downstairs.

• Old washcloths and men's T-shirts make great cleaning rags.

• Cleaning products should be natural -- no harsh chemicals, please! Here are a few samples:
  1. Baking soda -- A mild abrasive and great all-purpose cleaner.
  2. Club soda -- Great spot remover.
  3. Lemon juice -- Wonderful bleaching agent.
  4. White vinegar -- Many household uses such as removing soap scum, cleaning the toilet or softening clothes in the wash.
  5. Borax -- An environmentally friendly cleaner.

• Microfiber cloths are great for cleaning. Simply add water and you're ready for those quick touch-up jobs.

Talking Odors with the Queen

• Baking soda is perfect for eliminating odors, especially in the refrigerator.

• Dry coffee grounds also work well in the refrigerator -- they even help eliminate that nasty onion aroma.

• Fresh cat litter can help eliminate the damp, musty smell of a basement.

• Place a crumpled newspaper in an old chest to get rid of the smell of mildew.

• Fabric-softener sheets are great to tuck into shoes, suitcases or anyplace you want to smell great.

Next: Cleaning Window Treatments

RESOURCES :

Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean
ISBN: 0743418301
Author: Linda Cobb
(1998) Simon & Schuster / Pocket Books
Website: www.simonsays.com

Talking Dirty Laundry With the Queen of Clean
ISBN: 0743418328
Author: Linda Cobb
(2001) Simon & Schuster / Pocket Books
Website: www.simonsays.com

The Queen of Clean: The Royal Guide to Spot and Stain Removal
ISBN: 0743437837
Author: Linda Cobb
(2001) Simon & Schuster / Pocket Books
Website: www.simonsays.com

A Queen for All Seasons: A Year of Tips, Tricks, and Picks for a Cleaner House and ...
ISBN: 0743428315
Author: Linda Cobb
(2001) Simon & Schuster / Pocket Books
Website: www.simonsays.com