Cleaning Tips Tricks & Secrets

Nasty Cleaning Tasks Tackled

Filed Under: New in Home, Organize & Clean

Welcome Spring! And with it the multitude of not-so-enticing chores that need to get done. We've compiled a list of the grossest, most aggravating cleaning tasks you'll likely need to get done....at some point. If you've got a couple of hours, great. We've got the quick and easy solution. If you've got a day? We've got the down-and-dirty approaches too. Pick your poison and er, enjoy?

Do you have a tried-and-true cleaning tip you'd like to share with us? Send it to us at: cleaningtips212@aol.com

Nasty Cleaning Tasks Tackled

The Challenge
Baking and roasting pans with a layer of gunk that never seems to wash off no matter how hard you scrub.

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Make Do
Soak with water and a dryer sheet -- overnight is best. We've gotten unanimous approval ratings on this one.

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Go All the Way
Get to the problem before it even starts. Lay two sheets of aluminum foil across the bottom of the pan. It'll serve as a buffer and keep the food from sticking. We found this one from the trusty folks over at TheKitchn.com.

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The Challenge
Globs of hair in the shower drain -- ick!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/arlen/328895580

Make Do
A preventative measure courtesy of, er, us! Don't let it get there in the first place! (If you did, click on to the next slide). It seems pretty basic, but here goes: when washing, conditioning, and wringing out your hair-pull through to the ends so that any hairs that come out do so in your hands. No need to trash them mid-shower -- you'll only soak the bathmat. Instead, stick the clump of hair to the shower wall (sound gross, but trust us this works). When you're done, rub it in a circular motion with your point, middle and ring fingers. It will clump up into a perfect ball of hair for easy disposal.

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Go All the Way
If it's that clogged, you'll probably need a snake. Get instructions at This Old House.

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The Challenge
A dirty toilet bowl.

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Make Do
Oh, sweet multi-tasking. Straight from Apartment Therapy…Kill two birds with one stone, clean your mouth and your toilet. Swish with an alcohol-based mouthwash and spit it into the bowl. Use a toilet brush gently scrub the bowl. The alcohol helps kill germs plus leaves a nice scent! Another smart idea, drop a few Alka-Seltzer tabs in there. The citric acid and baking soda will clean porcelain the way it does dentures. Let it soak for about 15 minutes.

Corbis

Go All the Way
Before hopping in the shower, douse the bowl with a cleaning agent (baking soda is a nice natural alternative). When you get out, it will be ready for scrubbing. If you have really stubborn stains, an old pumice stone is great. Our friends at CasaSugar swear that it works wonders. Wet the pumice stone, and rub gently over stains. They suggest wearing a pair of gloves to reduce the "ick" factor of this one. Yes, we agree.
Bonus Round!
Bring in the blacklight! It will show urine salts and missed cleaning in and round toilets. Frankly, we'd rather not know.

EyeWire

The Challenge
A kid-infested car and dirty car seat.

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172 comments

A4kp88 02:48:20 AM Aug 18 2009

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out of the shower, 1st thing to do, clean toilet. uh. wrong move order.

A4kp88 02:47:21 AM Aug 18 2009

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yeah, out of the shower, 1st thing, clean toilet bowl.... wrong order there.

DG6571 11:47:25 PM Aug 17 2009

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I use Mr Clean Magic eraser for everything! Love it. Got dusty knickknacks? Use Liquid Air! It's costly but, gets in the hard to reach little grooves.

DG6571 11:45:33 PM Aug 17 2009

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EcurbWl sounds like the recipe I use for windows

TUTU3840 11:23:39 PM Aug 17 2009

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Linilla 10:43:58 PM Aug 17 2009 Report This! Dryer sheets are not meant to be used to clean dishes! Who comes up with this stuff? Manufacturer of Bounce says it should not be taken internally. This is because some of the ingredients are toxic if swallowed. Folks, don't put toxins in your pans... the residue will wind up in your body.LOL You are not too bright, even I, an over the hill old lady knows that after the soak withthe dryer pad you use dish soap and wash and rinse the pan well, put it away until you are ready to use it again. Lesson learned????

Linilla 10:43:58 PM Aug 17 2009

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Dryer sheets are not meant to be used to clean dishes! Who comes up with this stuff? Manufacturer of Bounce says it should not be taken internally. This is because some of the ingredients are toxic if swallowed. Folks, don't put toxins in your pans... the residue will wind up in your body.

Dickn2000b 10:42:43 PM Aug 17 2009

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Welcome Spring? The dumba*s*s that wrote this worthless piece of crap doesn't even know summer is nearly over.

ANANDAS1970 09:37:40 PM Aug 17 2009

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that hair clog pic was far worse than anything i have ever seen on AOL. absolutely disgusting!

Donrmcm 08:50:16 PM Aug 17 2009

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Personally, I still prefer Brasso over any other product, even strong cleanser. The other thing I use with the Brasso are Grill Screens. If you don't know what they are, they're 4" by 5 1/2" grill screens that you can use to clean just about anything but Teflon. Where do you buy them? From any restaurant supply place, but I get mine from: http://www.webstaurantstore.com/grill-screen-20-pk/579200.html They come 20 to a pack and are on sale right now. I bought 10 packs for only $13.90. I give some away to family members and friends but still manage to keep a healthy stash. You can put a sponge on top of one in order to scrub away. Enjoy the new look to your pots and pans, especially copper. Yeah, baby! Type your own comment here