Stainless Steel

The Ultimate Green House Cleaning Kit

It’s easy to clutter your cabinets with cleaning products of all kinds, usually with specific purposes, and often with harsh chemicals that can be harmful to your family and pets. The good news is that you don’t need much to keep your house clean, and you don’t need a lot of money to do it. Going green has never been easier! Follow these guidelines, and you will have everything you need to keep your home fresh and clean.

Tools:

-A small or medium sized bucket to keep everything together, organized, and portable.
-One toilet brush for every bathroom.
-An extendable duster (Like this, for example,) for ceiling fans and cobwebs.
-A broom.
-A mop, such as the Sh-mop or a steam mop such as this one.
-Rags.
-Microfiber cloths.
-Magic Erasers for the stubborn grease, soapscum, and grime.
-1 spray bottle.

Products:

-White distilled vinegar.
-Essential oil of choice. We recommend peppermint or tea tree oil.
-Baby oil for stainless steel if you have it. To see how it works, click here.
-If you have hardwood floors, we recommend Bona.
-If you have granite, marble, or other natural stone countertops or floors, we recommend Method Daily Granite Polish.
-Also, for the natural stone surfaces, you don’t want to apply any vinegar to them, so keep Clorox Green Works Wipes handy in case raw meat or other potentially harmful substance gets on the counter/floor.

To make your all-purpose cleaner, simply add two tablespoons of vinegar with two or three drops of essential oil to a spray bottle, and fill to the top with water. Label properly, and keep refridgerated. Discard any unused product after 6 months. This all-purpose solution will be your go-to product for almost everything, and is also a natural disinfectant, so it is ideal to clean counters, laminate or tile floors, and even toilets.

How To Clean Stainless Steel

Stainless steel appliances add a fresh, clean look to your kitchen. They are very easy to maintain if you have the know-how and the right tools, but if left unkempt for too long, those water spots and streaks can really downgrade the look you are going for.

We really like using baby oil. As mentioned in a previous blog, here’s a video that will show you how it’s done: http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-clean-stainless-steel-with-baby-oil. The only thing we do differently is using a microfiber cloth (available wherever cleaning supplies are sold) as opposed to paper towel. We find that it makes it easier to get in every nook and cranny, and buffs the appliance to a clean shine without leaving any oily residue.

If you’re looking for a product specifically made for cleaning stainless steel, we also recommend using Caldrea Stainless Steel Spray with a clean, dry cloth, such as microfiber. The fragrance is incredible!

And always feel free to use the private chat feature on our website (during business hours) if you have any questions!

At Bit a Bliss we are dedicated to providing extraordinary maid service in Plano, Frisco, Dallas and the surrounding area.  Everyone deserves a Bit a Bliss!  www.bitabliss.com

House Cleaning with Lemon Juice

One of the best things we can do for ourselves, our children, and our pets is not only keeping our homes clean and safe from harmful pathogens, but also exploring the world of using natural cleaning alternatives as opposed to toxic chemicals. Also, the money you will save by making your own cleaning products is a great perk!

Lemons are one of nature’s many great contributions. It is not only beneficial to your health, but can also be useful in your home. It is a powerful antibacterial, and since it is highly acidic, it breaks up grease and grime with ease. It is also a very effective stain lifter. Since lemon juice can go bad after a while, be sure to keep everything that is not used within 24 hours refrigerated, and keep in mind the importance of proper labeling!

Before you begin, remember that it is always important to do an overnight spot test on any surfaces you are unsure about. Also, DO NOT use lemon juice on natural stone, granite, and stainless steel. (with the exception of the kitchen sink, which does not have a sealant on it that could be worn off by the acid in lemon juice.)  Below are some house cleaning tips using lemon juice.

1. To remove those pesky stains off your cutting board, simply rub a slice of lemon over it until the stain is gone.

2. Most air fresheners can be toxic with long term exposure, so to make your own, mix 2 cups of hot water, 1/8 cup baking soda, and ½ cup of lemon juice in a spray bottle.

3. Forget conventional furniture polish, make your own! All you need is 1 cup of olive oil mixed with ½ cup lemon juice. Use sparingly.

4. Remove rust from virtually anything by putting undiluted lemon juice directly to surface and let sit for 30 minutes, then wipe clean.

5. To make your microwave fresh and clean, put 4 tbsp. lemon juice in a microwave-safe bowl with 1 cup of water, and run for 5 minutes, or until water begins to boil. The combination of steam with the juice will break up all food spots, and all you have to do after you remove the bowl is wipe clean.

6. To increase the grease-cutting power of your favorite dish washing detergent, add 1 tsp. of juice before you run the load.

7. For your own all-purpose cleaner, mix equal parts juice with distilled water.

8. Make a paste with juice and salt to clean and shine copper, brass, and stainless kitchen sinks.

9. Add 1/2 cup of lemon juice to rinse cycle in laundry as an alternative to bleach.

10. Does your kitchen sink disposal have an unpleasant odor? Try running a lemon peel down it with hot water.

11. Add 2 tbsp. juice to a spray bottle nearly full of distilled water to make your own window cleaner that also repels bugs. Do not use on windows when they are in direct sunlight.

12 . Get rid of the lime scale by applying straight lemon juice to area, let sit for 30 minutes, and wipe or rinse clean.

At Bit a Bliss we are dedicated to providing extraordinary maid service.  Everyone deserves a Bit a Bliss!  www.bitabliss.com

Cleaning Stainless Steel

Are you struggling to keep your stainless steel appliances clean and shiny? Quit spending all that money trying different cleaners, for a couple of dollars you can have shiny smooth stainless steel.

Baby Oil works magic on stainless steel.  It only takes a drop or two on a microfiber cloth to make your stainless steel look fabulous.   Here is a video that shows how to apply and clean with baby oil.

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-clean-stainless-steel-with-baby-oil