DIY Network

Preventive Cleaning Preventive Cleaning From "Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean" episode DQOC-137

Cleaning has to be done; it keeps us civilized. Now for the good news: there are preventive cleaning systems that cut cleaning time. And the way a kitchen is designed can make it easier to care for on a daily basis. Designer Andrea Benedic takes us on a tour of a low-maintenance modern kitchen.

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Figure A

But first, a few questions:

Q: How do you clean a baseball cap (figure A)?

A: Wash it on the top rack of the dishwasher with regular dishwasher detergent. Reshape it and set it aside to dry.

Q: What's the correct way to remove grease from chair upholstery?

A: If you aren't sure how the fabric manufacturer meant for the fabric to be cleaned (either by solvent or commercial spot cleaners), it becomes an educated guess. The safest approach is to try using a carpet spot cleaner on the reverse side of the fabric in an inconspicuous area of the chair. Apply the spotter, blot with a damp cloth and dry with a blow dryer to prevent a cleaning ring. If the fabric shows no damage, clean the grease spot; if you have concerns about how the spot cleaner worked on the test area, consult a professional upholstery cleaner.

Q: How do you clean unsealed tile grout on the bathroom floor?

A: Mix together 2 cups baking soda, 1 cup borax and 1 cup hot water. Scrub with a brush, rinse, dry and seal with a silicone sealer.

	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

Cleaning 101

The best way to stay organized and clean is to get rid of clutter in the house. Organize clutter using the QUEEN method:

Q: Question what's wrong with each room in the house.

U: Unpack all the containers in the home to see what's been accumulated over the years (figure B).

E: Evaluate what you have. Consider the last time you actually wore that pair of chunky heels or the dress with massive shoulder pads (figure C).

E: Eliminate everything you don't wear or use. Call your favorite charity and arrange a pick-up time.

N: Neaten up and organize what's left for easy upkeep (figure D). Look for easy ways to find seasonal items, like shoes: take a Polaroid picture of each pair and tape it to the end of the box so you can easily find your favorite pair of special-occasion heels (figure E).