Readers Share Cleaning Tips!
Kelly Ripa had cleaning on the brain when she was out this week promoting the new Kelly Green high-efficiency washer and dryer from Electrolux. Does the TV host and mother of three have any spring cleaning secrets of her own? "Stay out of Mark's way!" she said, referring to her "neat freak" husband of more than 12 years, Mark Consuelos. Her chores include the laundry and the toilets, she said, "because nobody wants to do the toilets, especially in the boys' room, if you know what I'm saying." Ripa admitted that to go green she's had to cut back from two showers a day to just one, and that she's having trouble kicking the paper towel habit.
Keep clicking for clever cleaning tips submitted by AOL readers.
Electrolux
Baked-on messes
Here's one we haven't heard before. For really baked-on messes, fill your pot or pan with water and add a denture cleaning tablet. Lifts it right off!
-Meghan H., Naples, FL
Polident 3-Minute Anti-Bacterial Denture Cleanser Tablets
Amazon
Grimy carseats
In a carseat or stroller, the little compartments get so dirty and filled with crumbs (and germs). Why not line them with disposable cupcake papers? They are the right size and can be tossed at the end of the day, along with any leftover crumbs, and replaced with a spanking clean one tomorrow!
-Karen S., Van Nuys, CA
Amazon
Stained plastic Tupperware
The best thing to get red stains off plastic is to place the bowl or other stained dish in bright sunlight for a few hours. Voila! All clean and like new.
-Carole Ann F., Surprise, AZ
Getty Images
Foggy shower doors
For cloudy shower doors, get out a can of Pledge furniture polish and a terry cloth. Spray small sections of the glass at a time and wipe clean. No more cloudy shower doors!
Amazon
Oily clothes
If you drop a French fry on your lap, or your baby gets into the petroleum jelly, or you otherwise get your clothes oily, put liquid dish soap on the grease spot as soon as you can. Dish soap is meant to remove grease on dishes but works wonders on clothes!
Still got spots? Try this: put baby powder on the oily spots, rub it in, let sit overnight and then wash in hot water.
-Colleen B., Tehachapi, CA
Ultra Palmolive Original Dishwashing Soap
Johnson's Baby Powder
Amazon
Carpet stains
To clean spots from carpet or fabric, spray with oven cleaner and let sit. Then clean as usual.
-Nancy B., Lincoln City, OR
Getty Images
Dirty vases
Immediately fill with hot water and about a tablespoon of dishwasher granules. Let sit for about an hour and then sponge off. This trick will also work on baking and roasting pans.
-Judi M., Northbrook, IL
Amazon
Grass-blowing lawnmower
Always wet your lawnmower bag inside and out before you start mowing. This will prevent the cut grass from flying around and going up your nose. When you dump the grass, wet the bag again.
-Donna R., Allen, TX
EyeWire
Cracks and crevices in the car
A dryer vent brush can be used to clean those hard to reach places in your car (tracks for your seat, between the seat and the center console). Just insert and pull out and you will be amazed at how well this works. Also try it under the stove, between the cushions of your furniture, etc.
-Brenda S., Santa Clarita, CA
Amazon
