Pub. 3 2018 Issue 2

9 ISSUE 2 2018 • To vacuum, put the upholstery attachment on your vacuum and methodically go over the piece. Use the crevice nozzle to go around seams and under cushions. Secure panty hose over the nozzle with a rubber band before you begin working so you won’t accidentally vacuum small objects. Use a can of compressed air for button nooks and tufting. • Spot clean. Test the cleaner first in an inconspicuous area in case it damages the fabric. Start with a spray to release the stain. Use a small amount of cleaner for carpets and rugs to cover the stain. Take a dry cloth and rub the cleaner into the fabric and then vacuum the cleaner off. If necessary, go through this spot-cleaning process twice. If that is not enough then hire a professional. (Capture Carpet products are a good brand. According to one internet source, Home Depot has the best price.) • Clean the fabric with suds made from a teaspoon of clear dish soap in a bucket of warm water. Put the suds on the fabric with an upholstery brush as lightly as possible. Do not soak the fabric. After you’ve applied the suds, clean them off again with a damp cloth. Dry everything completely before using the furniture again. Drying could take one or more days. Protect kitchen floors with wax or a sealer, if appropriate. A wash-and-wax floor cleaner might be a good choice. For wood floors, remove the furniture first, then use a wood cleaner, and follow up with liquid or paste polish. Vacuum all carpets, too. Move the furniture enough so you can vacuumwhere it normally sits, and then move it back again. If you have tile, clean the grout between the tiles. Also clean the shower walls. (Leave the caulk alone; you only need to replace it every five years or so.) Putting sealant on the grout, once it is clean, can make the next time easier. Spray or wipe everything with a sponge and then rinse with water when you are done. Clean hardware and glass with a glass cleaner. Wash the shower curtain and replace anything that needs replacing. Wash cabinets, walls, woodwork, and baseboards. Work in sections, and dry everything with clean cloths. Clean the ceiling fixtures, air conditioning vents, and light fixtures. For the ceiling fixtures and the vents, use a microfiber cloth and a vacuum with a soft nozzle attachment. For the light fixtures, choose a stepladder or extendable tools, some all-purpose cleaner, a sponge, and microfiber cloth for polishing. Clean blinds in a tub. Vacuum or dust the blinds before you take them down. For metal blinds, line the tub with a towel first before you put them in. Use warm water and a little dish soap. Only fill the tub until it has enough water to cover the blinds. Do not soak wood. For metal, let them soak 15 minutes. Wipe slats with a nonabrasive sponge, rinse, and let them dry on a clean towel. To prevent water stains, wipe slats individually. A pressure washer can clean screens, but you can also use a mixture of dish soap and water. Remove the screens first, and if you are using a pressure washer, test it first. If you use a bucket of water instead, start with a sponge to saturate the screens and then use a nylon scrub brush. Rinse them and let them air dry before you put them back on the windows. To clean leather or vinyl upholstery, use a silicone-free cleaner. Silicone fills and tightens the pores on the leather or vinyl, making them more likely to crack. For stains on leather or vinyl, take a cloth, spray it with Pledge, and rub the area gently. Remove residue with a second dry cloth.