Cleaning

How to Clean a Keyboard Laptop

Why it is necessary to clean the keyboard of our laptop?

Most people don't know that a computer keyboard is one of the hardest surfaces to keep clean. It seems obvious but, many people don't wipe their keyboards after each use. And, of course, they touch their keyboards with their dirty hands almost every time they use them.

It's a very common mistake. Another mistake is using an ink pen instead of a mechanical pencil to jot down notes. Once again, a mechanical pencil is far superior for this purpose. Another thing that helps is using a microfiber cloth instead of a paper towel or a tissue.

A laptop is a tool like a hammer. You use it for a lot of different things, but mostly you use it to hammer in and tap out those little tiny letters. Over time, the keys of your keyboard will become covered with a film of dust and grime. To keep your keyboard in top shape, you should clean it at least once every month. This is easier than it sounds. Follow these five easy steps and before you know it, your keyboard will be sparkling clean.

Your laptop needs to be cleaned periodically because it is where you write most of your sales copy. Lately, I've noticed a lot of my readers are carrying around a portable keyboard in their briefcase or pocket. If this is the case for you, be sure to use a damp cloth to clean the keyboard. Don't put the cloth in the sink or dishwasher. That will dry out the fabric and cause it to lose its softness. Just dampen the cloth, wipe off the keyboard and then let it air dry.

How to use alcohol to clean a keyboard

Mix equal parts rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle. Spray the surface being cleaned and wipe clean with a dry, lint-free cloth. Do NOT use paper towels which have a tendency to leave a residue. Repeat until all traces of dust or debris are gone. (NOTE: This will also clean your monitor.)

NOTE: If your device has plastic components, you should treat it as though it were painted. Use a cotton ball or a clean, lint-free cloth to remove any dust or debris. Do NOT use paper towels which have a tendency to leave a residue. Repeat until all traces of dust or debris are gone.

NOTE: If your device has metal components, you should wipe it down with a damp cloth. Make sure to clean off the rubber feet on the bottom of the case. They tend to get gunked up with dust and dirt. Is your PC or Laptop ready for the new year? Are you? If not, do the above steps and your PC or laptop will be in tip top shape when the New Year begins. It's easy, inexpensive and simple stuff that most people never think about. However, without this kind of care and maintenance, the lifespan of your PC or laptop will be considerably shortened.

How to use compressed air to clean a keyboard

Remove the dust with a vacuum cleaner. Use a soft brush attachment. Connect the vacuum hose to the blower outlet of a small compressor. Screw the nozzle of the vacuum onto the end of the hose. Turn the compressor on.

Carefully move the nozzle around the surface being cleaned. Be careful not to let any dust or debris get sucked into the compressor. When you are finished, turn the compressor off. Disconnect the vacuum hose from the blower outlet of the compressor. Let the dust and debris settle for a few minutes. Then, use a broom or a dustpan to sweep up the dust and debris. Vacuum up the dust and debris again. Keep doing this until all traces of dust or debris are gone.

NOTE: If your device has plastic components, you should treat it as though it were painted. Use a cotton ball or a clean, lint-free cloth to remove any dust or debris. Do NOT use paper towels which have a tendency to leave a residue. Repeat until all traces of dust or debris are gone.

How to use x-acto knife to remove ink from a keyboard

Use an old toothbrush or a clean, lint-free cloth to remove the ink. Make sure to get in between the keys. If the ink is dry, it should come off easily. If it's not, try using a little rubbing alcohol on the ink first. If that doesn't work, go back to the x-acto knife. Just be careful! An x-acto knife is a very sharp tool. If you are not careful, you could cut yourself. Allow the area to air dry. Use an old toothbrush or a clean, lint-free cloth to remove any excess ink. Let it air dry. Repeat this step until all traces of ink are gone.

How to use dental floss to remove ink from a keyboard

Cut off about 1/2 inch of dental floss. Tie a knot in one end of the floss. Hold the knot in your mouth while holding the other end of the dental floss against the offending key. Pull gently but firmly until the ink comes off. Be careful! Dental floss is very sharp. If you are not careful, you could cut yourself. Allow the area to air dry. Use an old toothbrush or a clean, lint-free cloth to remove any excess ink. Let it air dry. Repeat this step until all traces of ink are gone. 

The hands are the dirtiest part of our body

It is often said that the dirtiest part of the human body is the hands, and this is most likely true. Our hands are usually the part of our body that comes into contact with the most number of items on a daily basis and hence hold the greatest variety of miniature foreign particles and bacteria. Given this, it only goes to follow that the dirtiest part of our laptops is the keyboard. Just as it is hygienic and necessary for us to regularly wash our hands, it is also hygienic and necessary for us to keep clean a keyboard laptop.

There are two ways by which one can clean that and these are either with the keyboard keys on or off. Some laptops have keyboard keys that are easily removed and replaced but for the sake of certainty, refer to your laptop manual to find out. If you are unsure of how to remove and, more importantly, replace your keyboard keys, opt for the first method of keeping the keyboard keys on.

Clean a keyboard without removing the keys

In order to clean a keyboard laptop without removing the keys, a bottle of compressed air will be needed. Using this, spray your keyboard laptop above and in between keys, in order to try and get the dust and other particles to be blown away. Tilting your laptop at an angle could prove to be helpful. If you do not have a bottle of compressed air, you can try shopping around for a magnetic duster.

For the next step, take a damp, soft cloth and use it to wipe all over the keyboard. When doing this, make sure that your laptop is shut off to avoid any electrical risks. Finally, go over the keyboard area one more time with a dry cloth.

For a more thorough way, use any thin, straight tool to carefully pop off the keyboard keys. Just like the previous method, make sure to shut down your laptop for safety reasons. When you have removed all the keyboard keys, place them in a relatively sizeable bowl and pour a good soap and water solution over them. Gently scrub each piece, being careful not to erase or damage the letter and number markings. While letting them soap, use either a bottle of compressed air or a magnetic duster to clean the exposed surface area of the keyboard. When you are done, dry off each keyboard piece then place them back into their proper places.

Remember that to clean a keyboard laptop is just as essential as to clean one’s hands. Keep the habit of cleaning your keyboard laptop regularly and thoroughly to keep yourself and your unit in clean, tip-top shape.

Bibliography

How To "Repair" Your Computer Bibliography (List Sources) * By: John E. Kennedy * Submitted: June 29, 1987 * Client: STARDUST MULTIMEDIA * Industry: Magazine Publishing.

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Cat urine odor
Cleaning

How to Detect and Clean Cat Urine on Carpet

We have all been there. You’ve just brought home your new kitten, and it has decided to use your carpet as a litter box. You quickly find out that the smell of cat pee is not nearly as cute as the little ball of fluff you’ve just gotten.

There are many ways to get rid of cat urine odor from carpets, but here are a few methods that have proven to be most effective: If you have a pet at home and have faced this issue, don't panic. There are many ways to get rid of the odorous smell.

1. Clean up the mess

Pick up all the pieces of urine soaked furniture and bedding. Launder them as soon as possible to get rid of the urine odor. Make sure that you use a detergent with bleach if available. If not, you can replace it with hydrogen peroxide or vinegar to remove any residual bacteria that may lead to bad odors in the future.

2. Use baking soda

Just place a bowl of baking soda in the room where your cat pees on carpet and wait for 12 hours before vacuum up or sweep away it out from carpet area. This is an effective way to absorbe it.

3. High-quality enzymatic cleaner

The best way to get rid of the smell of cat pee is to use a high-quality enzymatic cleaner. These cleaners will work to remove any kind of odor from the carpet and make it smell nice again. Also, if you can't find the specific type of cleaner that you need, you can make it yourself with household items!

Cats are natural predators and hunters. They've got an amazing sense of smell which is the number one reason why they can find their way back home from anywhere. But sometimes, that amazing sense of smell can come with a downside - like when they use a litter box and leave behind an unpleasant odor.

We have to keep in mind that cats' senses of smell are much stronger than our own, so don't be surprised if you can't even detect the cat urine odor. That means it could be time for you to do something about it! In order to get rid of this cat pee smell, you need to break down the components that make up the urine and eliminate them from your home.

A cat's urine contains two substances, amines and phenols, that are associated with a foul smell. In the US, more than 50% of homes contain at least one pet.

Cats are territorial animals and use their urine to mark their territory; they often spray it on furniture or plants as well as walls and floors. When cats feel threatened or frightened, they often urinate to defend themselves. Cats that have outdoor access can leave the house smelling like ammonia due to an accumulation of bacteria in their urine over time.\

Some other techniques that can help

First off all one needs to clean the area thoroughly with soap and water in order to remove any residual cat pee smell from the area.

Pet odor eliminator or carpet deodorizer

There are a number of ways to get rid of the smell of cat pee. One way is to use a pet odor eliminator or carpet deodorizer. These products will not only provide a long-term solution for the problem, but will also cover up any lingering odors until the cat urinates in that spot again. If you want to go with a more natural option, you can try baking soda. Simply sprinkle some on top of any urine spot, wait 30 minutes and then vacuum it up. Finally, if you don't want to spend money on anything at all, then vinegar is another viable option. Simply pour some onto any urine spots and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before cleaning up with soap and water.

Having a household cat can truly be nerve-wracking especially when you always have to take care of its mess around the house. With its unpleasant odor, cat urine not only spreads the foul smell but also affects your hygiene. While many cats tend to urinate almost anywhere, most of them love to do it on the carpet because of its texture. It is best to know how to detect cat urine on carpet before its odor ruin your day. With the use of a simple tool known as ultraviolet (UV) black light, you can track where your cat has shown misbehavior.

Cover the room in darkness

The ultraviolet light detects the stains caused by cat urine by means of showing you fluorescent spots. In order to see clearly if your carpet has cat urine stains, you need to cover the room in darkness. The best time of the day is nighttime when you can make sure that darkness will be filled in the room. Do not forget to turn off all of the lights in the room and draw the curtains on your window to prevent any outside lights from coming in. In a very dark room, you will easily spot any cat urine stain whether old or new.

Look for glowing colors

Upon scanning the entire carpet, you will notice glowing colors that let you know where the cat urine stains are. Stains that have already dried up and old enough to be neglected will display a bright green mark. On the other hand, those stains that are just new will show a bright yellow mark.

Mark the spots

Whenever a glowing color appears on the carpet, be sure to mark it. One easy way to do this is to place a scrap paper on every spot where there appears to be cat urine stain. Encircle the perimeter of the spot may also be done with the use of a white chalk.

Clean the urine stains

After carefully assessing the damage on your carpet, the next step is to remove the urine stains by cleaning them. Basically, you need an enzyme-based pet stain remover. To ensure the cleanliness of your carpet, carpeting must be done as well as steam cleaning. However, if the old cat urine stains have always been saturated, there may be a need to take away that area of the carpet. Worst scenario is to remove the entire carpeting and replace it with a new one.

In order to minimize, or even let go, the chances of having your cats urinate on the carpet, be more vigilant on taking care of them especially when it comes to hygiene.

How To Remove Cat Urine From Carpet... Quickly And Easily! (a funny and real story!)

Yet another cat-related nightmare! This time it's a lady who lives in Tehachapi, California. She had just finished a real estate seminar and was on her way home when she stopped to have a cup of coffee at a local Tim's Restaurant. After her coffee, she walked back to her car which was parked in the restaurant's parking lot.

As she got to her car, she noticed a strange smell. When she got into her car, she discovered that the smell was coming from the upholstery. "Oh my God!" she exclaimed. "There's cat urine all over the car! I'll never be able to live with myself again! I've always been so careful about my car. It is one of the few possessions I have that is absolutely, 100%'mine'."

She called her husband right away and told him what had happened. Then she called her real estate friend, Nancy Jones, who lives near Tehachapi, and asked her if she knew anyone who might remove the cat urine from her car. "Oh Lordy!" Nancy exclaimed. "I know just the guy. He's a good friend of mine.".

Other alternatives to clean cat urine

Cats are lovable creatures that make faithful pets to a great number of people. Unfortunately, as many cat owners may already well know, cats tend to urinate in different areas of the house. While it is no real problem when a cat urinates on marbled, tiled or stone floors, it may become an issue when it urinates on a rug or carpet. If not treated properly, cat urine can permanently stain carpets or rugs, leaving incredibly unsightly marks and perhaps even persisting odours all over one’s house. If one wants to keep a pet cat around, it is necessary that one learns how to clean cat urine no matter how tiresome or difficult it may seem.

eliminating-cat-urine-smell-carpet-diagram

By following these easy-to-do steps, one will surely be able to overcome the problem of how to effectively do that. First, it is important to note that the longer cat urine has been on a surface, the more time it has to really soak in and create a permanent stain. Therefore, when one sees some cat urine on the floor, one must get to the task of cleaning it right away.

Before anything, one must soak up the liquid. Using some rags or paper towels, soak up the cat urine by placing them on top of the liquid and carefully pressing them down. In order to avoid the risk of letting the cat urine get on your hands or feet, use rubber gloves or slippers when doing this. The next step involves a good vinegar and water solution. Vinegar is a key ingredient here as it is an excellent natural solvent as well as bacteria killer. Three parts water to one part vinegar is usually an adequate ratio. Pour the solution on top the stained area and let it settle in for about 5 minutes.

Important note

When the vinegar and water solution has properly settled in, using a hard brush to scrub away at the area.

In order to get rid of the smell of the cat urine and the vinegar and water solution, some baking soda will come in handy. Sprinkle an ample amount on top the surface and let the odours be absorbed. After a good 20 to 30 minutes of waiting, pat the surface with a clean damp rag or paper towel then leave it to dry. If desired, an electric fan can be used to hasten the drying process.

Now one can easily and effectively clean urine off the rug or carpet. Regardless, one should know that the best way to keep a carpet or rug clean is to keep it completely urine free. If one can train one’s cat or other pets to urinate outside or in a litter box, it would save one a lot of time and effort.

Caution

1. It is highly recommended that you perform a small spot test in an inconspicuous area before proceeding with the above recipe.

2. Do not use Hydrogen Peroxide that is higher in concentrate than 3%. Bleaching may occur on some carpets with a stronger solution. Read the label on the Hydrogen Peroxide carefully. The label will state the strength. Use only 3% Hydrogen Peroxide.

3. Pet Urine may alter the chemical nature of dyes in some carpets causing discoloration, bleaching or dye run.

Home made urine removers

• White vinegar is a time tried and proven ingredient that aids in removing both urine stains and the odour. Combine one part distilled white vinegar to two parts warm water to create a spray. Remove as much urine/spray as you can using a paper towels. Mist vinegar spray over areas of cat urine and rub with a paper towel. An alternative method is to mix the solution in a bucket and dip a clean cloth into the liquid. Rub the stain with the vinegar solution. After the vinegar dries, wipe away both solution and stain with warm water.

• Another simple to make spray uses 15 ounces of hydrogen peroxide, two tablespoons of baking soda, and two squirts of liquid hand soap. Mix in a plastic container with a plastic spoon. Discard after use. Apply this solution to cat urine stains or odour areas, and then rinse away with warm water.

• Many cat owners and breeders use in Australia with great success is Bio-Zet, which is an enzymatic clothes laundry detergent. If you have washable cushions or the cat has urinated on your clothes this is a product you may want to try also.

Clean cat urine

1) Trying to remove the smell of Cat Urine from furniture and carpets can be difficult. Have you have tried most of the sprays and cleaning products you can buy in regular supermarkets and pet stores, but nothing seems to work? Let me show you a simple formula you can make at home for cleaning away cat urine odor and stains from your furniture and carpets.

2) I know what it’s like. You come home from work, open the door and the stale urine odor hits you in the face. I have had this problem in the past, but it was only a couple of days before I decided something had to be done. I wasn’t really worried about cleaning up the mess, I was more worried why my cat had started to pee on the furniture and carpet.
Severe cat urine cleaning
3) If you are looking for a simple formula you can make at home, which is safe and gets rid of cat pee odor and stains for good, then I have just the thing for you. This solution is well-known for getting rid of stains and odor on carpets, furniture and other fabrics. You only need a couple of household ingredients and an empty spray bottle.

4) You will need an equal solution of white vinegar and water, preferably warm. Mix the solution and add it to an empty and clean spray bottle for easy application. I would try using a small amount on an area of carpet or furniture which is not seen, to make sure it doesn’t affect it in any other way other than cleaning.

5) If the urine is fresh, try to soak up as much as you can using paper towels. It’s better to soak up as much as you can, otherwise you are simply spreading the cat urine over a larger area. When you have done this, spray the area in the Vinegar and Water solution and allow to soak in. Work into the affected area using a gentle brush or soft cloth.

6) When you have cleaned it thoroughly, allow to dry. Many people recommend to Vacuum dry, but I find this makes the Vacuum cleaner suck up some bad liquids and your machine may start to smell. Allow the area to air dry, and repeat a couple of times to get rid of the stain and smell once and for all.

7) When the area has dried, you can apply baking soda powder to the area, and brush using a gentle action. The baking powder is great at removing cat urine odor. You can simply vacuum away the powder, but make sure the area is completely dry before doing so. It may need a couple of treatments before the smell completely stops, but you will find this works better than anything you can buy in your local stores.

We have looked at what gets the smell of cat urine out of furniture and carpets, but it’s also important to look at why your cat is not peeing outside or in their cat litter tray. There can be many reasons for they are doing this, from health reasons to change of territory.

Bibliography

In the following paragraphs, you are going to read a very small sample (only 10 items) of the nearly 400 books, pamphlets and other publications I have collected concerning cat urine.

This is by no means an exhaustive collection. It simply represents a few of the many thousands of references I have on this subject. The information in this brief was obtained from the following sources:

1. "The Noble Savage: In Search of Animal Origins" by Gordon Rattray Taylor

2. "Cats" by Roger Catlin.

3. "The American Dog" by James A. Lincoln.

4. "The Biology of Cats" by E. L. Thorndike.

5. "The Domestic Cat: The Biology of Its Behavior" by William M. Wheeler.

6. "The Folk-Lore of Rats and Mice" by Harry M.

7. "The House Mouse" by E. L. Thorndike.

8. "The Life of the Ocean" by Ed Mayer.

9. "The Lives of Our Pets" by Ben Suarez.

10. "The Natural History of the Feline Mind" by Erich Klinghardt.

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Cleaning

How to Clean Oil Paint Brushes

While true artistry is something people can only be born with, a good artist would be nowhere without a few good materials. Good paint and good paintbrushes are fundamental in creating artistic masterpieces but unfortunately, they may also be quite expensive. Although good paint can only last so long, good paintbrushes can last a lifetime, but only if they are properly cared for and maintained.


Among the most stubborn paints to remove from a paint brush is oil paint. If one is interested in exploring the world of art, one must definitely learn how to clean oil paint brushes.

One way to clean oil paint brushes is to use paint thinner. With a standard brand of paint thinner at hand, pour some of the liquid into a small plastic cup or container. Immerse the paintbrush into the solution and let it sit there for a few minutes. The more oil paint there is on the brush, the longer it should stay in the paint thinner. For dry, stubborn bits of paint, try scrubbing the bottom of the plastic cup or container with the end of the brush. Every so often, take the paint brush out of the paint thinner solution and squeeze it dry with some tissue or newspaper. Each time you do this, there should be less and less amounts of paint that comes out of the brush. When you are satisfied with how clean the paint brush has become, wash it thoroughly with some water. Then, with some liquid hand soap, lather the bristles of the brush gently but firmly. Repeat the process until the lather from the soap is its natural colour, with no paint mixed in with it. This will verify that no more paint is left on your brush. When you are done, rinse the liquid hand soap from the brush and leave it to dry.

For best cleaning results, it is important to clean brushes right after you are done using them. Leaving them covered in paint overnight could make the cleaning process very difficult or perhaps even impossible. Even if dried paint can be removed, it can cause bristles to change in shape, direction and texture. Also, when leaving the paint brushes to dry, place them in a tall, empty glass with their bristles facing upwards. Leaving paint brushes to dry while the bristles are at the bottom could cause also cause the bristles to change in shape and direction, altering the overall quality of the brush.
It is almost impossible to restore them to their original colour. Nonetheless, slight discoloration in the bristles should have no effect on your painting efforts as long as you carefully followed the steps on how to clean oil paint brushes.

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Cleaning

How to Clean a Plasma Screen

One of the perks of a plasma screen TV is that it provides clear and quality pictures when watching different TV programs. Unfortunately, dirt and other foreign marks and particles on the TV’s plasma screen could compromise the high quality of the pictures. In order to make the most out of one’s plasma screen TV one should always keep it clean and neat.


In order to efficiently clean plasma screen TVs, one needs two soft cloths or towels. Make sure that these cloths or towels do not come with any embellishments that may scratch or mark the plasma screen TV. The first cloth should be slightly wet with some clean water. Make sure to use a very minimal amount of water when wetting the first cloth or towel because too much could cause damage to your plasma screen TV. With this damp first cloth, thoroughly wipe all around the plasma TV. Be sure to wipe not only the screen and the screen’s frame but also the side and back of the TV. A plasma screen TV is clean all over, not just in front. When this is done, use the second cloth to dry out all areas as well as clean up any remaining dirt or filth.

If one is interested in using a cleaning liquid, make sure to use ammonia-free solutions that will not damage the plasma screen. If one is not sure where to find such cleaning liquids, one can visit a nearby hardware store or appliance store in order to inquire about it. Sometimes, hardware stores or appliance stores even carry TV cleaning kits that come with all necessary tools and solutions to get the job done.

As mentioned, other parts of the TV must also be given cleaning attention, not just the screen. Take a vacuum cleaner and put it on the lowest setting then use it to gently lift any dust or foreign particles that may have gotten into the TV vents or speaker holes. This is a very important part of learning how to clean that because too much dust settling on the inner parts of the unit could cause it to overheat and eventually malfunction.

Though the steps in learning that may be relatively easy, it is important to remember that the best way to keep a TV clean is by not getting it dirty at all. Avoid touching parts of the TV when one’s hands are dirty or wet. Do not eat or drink near or over the TV and do not use the TV as a shelf for other items. If desired, TV covers can be purchased and placed over the TV units when they are not in use so as to protect dust from entering it. With acquiring just a few new habits, one’s TV will surely continue to produce high quality watching experiences for all.

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Cleaning

How to Clean a Fish Tank

Keeping a fish tank does not end in buying one and setting it up. There is actually more to maintaining it to ensure that everything is safe for your fish. Once you have found out that your fish tank is in chaos, it is best to do appropriate actions. Wondering how to clean fish tank is typical for those who are just starting to properly care for a fish tank, but all the more you need to check how you put an effort on this pressing matter if you have been keeping one for some time now.


Purchase an algae eater
If you are having problems about growths of algae in your fish tank, the best solution to these is purchasing an algae eater. Since fish need enough sunlight, many owners tend to place the tank somewhere where the fish can be exposed to the sun. However, this will only thrive the growths of algae. Whether you want to get rid of the algae from rocks and plants, an algae eater, also known as Plecostomus, can do the job for you.

Remove the algae manually
Some people do not like the idea of keeping Plecostomus because they do not look great inside an aquarium. If you find this a trouble, then securing an algae scraper is just the thing to do. Simply visit your pet store and ask for an algae scraper. Use this to scrape the algae hands-on. There are also algae-fighting solutions that you can simply pour in the water.

Install a power filter
One of the most common issues when maintaining a fish tank is dirty water. This issue can be handled by a power filter that is very easy to clean. With frequent cleaning of the power filter, you can rest assured that your tank is always clean. Make sure you dispose of the old cartridge from the filter and replace it with a new one. If you see that there is a slow water flow from the power filter, that is the best time to change cartridges. Apart from acting as an oxygen source, the cartridge of the filter helps on removing the discoloration and impurity of the water.

Get rid of the foul smell
Since your fish are practically pissing in their very toilet, expect a foul smell every now and then. But then again, you can do something to get rid of the foul smell. Remember that the cartridge you place in the power filter acts an odorizer and neutralizer. With proper maintenance and regular replacement of this cartridge, you can truly make sure that your tank will not have that foul smell.

It all boils down to maintaining a healthy environment for your fish by knowing how to clean a fish tank. A well-maintained tank means a well-maintained keeping of an eye for their lives.

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Cleaning

Hidden Allergens? Protect Your Home from Them

Are you finding yourself having trouble over your allergy attacks? Then you might be having allergens swarming and just hiding inside your home. There are a lot of home products that can cause you the skin or respiratory allergies that you can have. Here are some ways on how you can lessen or protect your home from allergens which would save you the trouble of an allergy attack.

Pet allergies are common and if you have them, the presence of pets would really give you repeated allergy attacks. However, there are products that are used in animals like shampoos that can possibly help you adjust to your allergies or can worsen it. Thus you need to choose carefully every product that you will be using in your home especially those that can cause allergies. These are products that you may be using for your carpet or your pets. Thus you need to carefully purchase products that are specialized for owners with sensitivity to pet dander or certain chemicals used in the home.

Cleaning your bedroom

Next tip is on how you can get rid of dust mites. Although it is necessary to remove dust in your home, doing it with the use of furniture polishes may cause you more harm than good. Furniture polishes may contain aerosols or compounds that may trigger allergies. A damp cloth once a week may help. However, if your allergies are too severe even to clean the dust in this procedure, have other family members do this task for you.

Watch out for products coming out in the market that are used to clean dust from your computer towers or other things that may need to be dusted off but are hard to reach. Avoid using these items because these may cause you the asthma attacks that you do not want to have. If it is necessary that these products will be used, be sure to stay away for a while or have others do the cleaning while you go out shopping.

Other allergens in the home can be found in your laundry area. Some laundry detergents contain substances that may cause allergies. This also applies to fabric softeners. Thus, when purchasing laundry soaps or softeners, these things should be considered for you to prevent having those allergies. The use of fabric softening balls can address this problem. It can soften your clothing fabric less the allergen exposure. These balls are a cost-effective way in softening your clothes less the allergens in your clothes.

Know more about the places in the house where allergens may hide and be sure to have ways to reduce or if possible eliminate them. This would help protect you and your family from allergy attacks that will give you the hassles.

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Cleaning

How to Clean Tile Grout in Bathroom?

A bathroom is an important part of the house and it is considered to be dirtiest therefore maintaining its cleanliness is a must. We usually coordinate it with hygiene- it is a place where we take a bath, brush our teeth and do our “other business” to get ourselves clean. Depending on the cultural context, it has different definitions. Some sees bathrooms as a sacred place, purifying both souls and body. Throughout ages, bathroom has become an evolving place in the house; from simple looking and simple toiletry function up to the full “bath and toilet” bathroom function today. Usually, a modern bathroom is floor and wall covered with tiles. Tiles for bathrooms come in all shapes and sizes, all patterns and textures. Installing bathroom tiles can give your bathroom a sophisticated look; thus, maintaining its cleanliness regularly is suggested.

Cleaned bathroom tiles

The problem with bathroom tiles is when it gets really dirty. You can see discoloration or you can find mold and mildews usually growing on tile grouts. Exposure to water, moisture and other substances such as soap can trigger the growth of mold and mildews and the tile grout is the first breeding ground of bacteria. They are health hazards, known to cause respiratory problems. Grout is a type of plaster which fills the cracks between tiles and it is what usually keeps the tiles together. Cleaning a tile grout is easy; you might get surprise that you might have the proper ingredients stored in your cabinets. Below are some helpful tips on how to clean tile grout in bathroom:

• Baking sodas
This household item can help solve your problems. You can make a baking soda paste and with a bit of water you can clean your grout. Put the baking soda paste over the dirty grout and you can use a damp cloth to wipe dirt away.

• Vinegar
Vinegar is another useful household item for zapping grout dirt away. Using vinegar to clean tile grouts requires the same process. Vinegar is a very cheap and the best part, it is non–toxic.

Moldy bathroom tiles

• Bleach
Make a bleach solution. Mix one part of bleach and one part of water in an empty spray container. Start your spraying on the affected area. You should however do this during the time when people are less likely to frequently use the room. Before retiring in the evening can be the best time to do it. Spray on grouts using this solution at least one to two times per week to prevent mold and mildews growth.

• Use cleaners available in the market.

You can purchase hydrogen peroxide in the pharmacy; mix it with water and you’ll have a hydrogen peroxide solution. You might want to try checking for some cleaning tools that can scrape dirt from your grout.

Once your grout is clean, it is advisable that you apply a grout sealer to maintain fresh looking tile grouts.

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Cleaning

Cleaning Carpet Stain

One of the most dreaded post-party expenses is probably the bill for cleaning carpet stain. Tell-tale signs of the party lingers the most on the carpet because it’s the last to be cleaned and not the easiest one at that. However, sending it to the cleaners may not be at all necessary if you know how to remove it yourself with simple cleaning solutions available right in your own home. Yes, a do-it-yourself simple steps and no additional cost.

Begin with the first aid:
• Blot not rub: Remove liquid spills first by using clean white cloth or white paper towels without any print. Blot the spot until almost dry. Rinse the cloth with warm water and blot the spot again. Don’t rub or scrub the area as the stain might get wider and deeper. With another clean dry white cloth, blot the spot again until dry. Repeat the process if necessary to remove as much stain as you can.

Livingroom rug

• Scrape and blot: For any semi-solid spills on the carpet, it is best to scrape it off first before applying the blot process above. Semi-solid spills are even harder to remove when dried up.
If you are unsure on how to get stains out of your carpet, always try the ever-dependable water first. If the stain cannot be taken out by simple blot-and-dry process, you can try the vacuum cleaner. A strong vacuum cleans the carpet more deeply than a piece of cloth.

However, stains can be a little more persistent than that so you might want to try cleaning solvents for cleaning carpet stains. Before you apply any cleaning aid or solution, it is best to know the type of your carpet first. Is it synthetic fiber or made of natural fiber? A different process for cleaning carpet stains may apply depending on the type of carpet as well as the kind of spills on the carpet.

For synthetic fiber carpets:
You can use a detergent solution and a vinegar solution. First, you dip the clean white cloth to the detergent solution and dab it repeatedly to the carpet stain by pressing the cloth to the spot for a few seconds every time. Wait a few minutes for the detergent solution to break down the stain and then blot dry the soaked up spot with another clean dry white cloth.

Next is to dip a cloth into the vinegar solution and dab it repeatedly to the same spot for a few seconds. Wait a few minutes for the vinegar solution to remove the residual detergent. Then rinse the spot by blotting using a clean white cloth soaked in warm water. Do the blotting repeatedly until the stain lightens or is removed. Then blot dry using another clean dry cloth.

Leather carpet

For natural fiber carpets:
Instead of dipping and dabbing, you can spray on the spot. You can use a detergent solution and vinegar solution alternately with lukewarm water when removing the stain. Just like the process with the synthetic fiber carpets.

Another tip for blotting soaked spot is to work from the outside towards the center. That way the soaked area and the stain will not spread out. Always remember that the best way to prevent carpet stains is to act fast and remove the spills as soon as possible. The longer you delay, the deeper the stain will get and the harder to remove it. Most carpets in the market today come with stain-resistant treatments. This way spills can be removed easily if you act on it right away.

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accesories, Cleaning

Vacuum cleaner for hardwood floor: choosing a good partner in hardwood floor maintenance

You have a beautiful, clean, and well-polished hardwood floor and you want it to stay that way for a long time. A good vacuum cleaner for hardwood floor is something that can help you with that task. The questions are: what qualities make a vacuum cleaner good for your hardwood floor and how to pick the right one?

In choosing a vacuum cleaner for hardwood kitchen floor, style has to be the last thing you should consider. The first things you should look into are the head of the vacuum cleaner and its suitability on your hardwood for linoleum floor. The main purpose of this equipment is to help you maintain the quality and ensure the longevity of your hardwood floor. For that to be possible, the vacuum cleaner ought to be nonabrasive to floor finish. There has to be no turning bristles, rotating brushes or buffing head as well as sharp edges which can scratch the floor surface. Brushes are more suited to cleaning carpeted and ceramic areas. Those being said, choose a versatile vacuum cleaner model that has the ability to lift the brush when not required.

Vacuum cleaner

Vacuum cleaners nowadays have wet and dry modes. Be careful in buying a vacuum cleaner for hardwood floor that has automatic water flushing or application as these may cause discoloration and bumps on the floor boards. Pick a vacuum cleaner with strong suction capabilities so that when you intend to use the wet mode, you can be sure that your floor is as dry as it was. The suction power also counts when it comes to picking up animal hair. Which one now, cord or Cordless vacuum cleaner? This mostly concerns convenience of use. Cordless vacuum cleaners are most of the time battery-operated and are rechargeable. This will sound as a better option if you don’t want to deal with electric wirings while vacuuming around.

In doing any household chore, you want it to be as less strenuous as possible. You need to look for a vacuum cleaner that will not put much strain on your back. This is where the height and weight of the model come important. Upright models are preferable so that you need not to lower your back while vacuuming. Weight should also be considered especially if you are using it on areas which require you to lift the equipment like on the stairs or any elevated part that has hardwood floor. 10 to 15 pounds is the ideal weight for vacuum cleaners. A good vacuum cleaner for hardwood floor is the key to preserving its beauty. Keeping your floor away from spills, stains, scratches and damages in any way should not be as tedious as it sounds. If you have the right tool, it can be done with no sweat.

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