TIPS TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN YOUR BATHROOM

Bathroom is the area that is prone to bacteria, germs, mildew, dirt and fungi. To keep your bathroom clean and maintain it well, the bathroom has to be cleaned regularly to remove all the dirt built up and ensure it is safe and hygienic for the health of your family.

With all the money spent to make a bathroom look spectacular , installation of latest fittings ,  bathtub, shower room, inbuilt change areas it has transformed to become the heart of the house. Special attention should be given to all the assembled accessories to prevent deterioration. Any negligence in the cleaning and maintenance of bathroom will lead to pests infestation and frequent sickness for the members of the family.

Constant monitoring is required to ensure your bathroom is spic and span. Leaking pipelines and taps will lead to stains and the room will become humid. You need not face embarrassment when there is an unplanned guest at home.

Do not wait for the scheduled day or a monthly schedule to clean the bathroom. Light cleaning on a daily basis will ensure your bathroom will be appealing and hygienic too.

Here are few tips to clean and maintain your bathroom to avoid dirt built up.

Follow precautionary measures prior to cleaning. Wear gloves to avoid burning of hands while using disinfectants.  To avoid the smells and feeling suffocated with the smell of disinfectants wear nose masks. You can tie a cotton handkerchief over the nose too.

• Empty all racks and clean all cupboards. Replace lining papers. Fill in stock after the surfaces are dry.
• Place towels and bathroom screens for wash.
• Apply disinfectant on the tiles and scrub them with a brush. Use small brushes for hard to reach areas. Ensure the corner areas where 2 walls meet are addressed thoroughly. The nylon brush should be rubbed thoroughly to remove all oil and dirt.
• Similarly spray disinfectant on the bath tub and retain for 10 minutes.
• Clean the exteriors of the water heater . Remove cob webs on the wall, if any.
• Wash away all tile surfaces. Now you can brush the bath tub and clean all grime. The job will demand bending and reaching the areas in and out. Be extremely careful.
• Apply the disinfectant onto toilet bowls. Let it remain for 10 minutes. Use a long brush for toilet and a curved brush to reach the inner side of the toilet.
• Remove all hair from the drains.
• Manually clean the shower head using an old toothbrush to ensure there are no clogged holes.
• Wipe the mirror with detergent and remove all soap stains. Finally clean dry with old newspapers.
• When all surfaces are dry in the bathroom ,replace towels , bathroom screens, tissue rolls, bathroom rugs, door mats, etc.
• Spray room freshener  and you will be amazed to see your bathroom sparkling clean.

Instruct your kids to flush toilets after use. Children often forget to flush. They are always in a hurry to complete the task and rush out. Inform them not to mess the wash sinks with excess tooth paste.

Basic necessities is to allow sunshine come into bathroom such that the room is dry. Usage of exhaust fan such that foul smells are pulled out. The room freshener will be effective in spreading pleasant smell in the bathroom.

You can place a small bowl with plants at the window sill to bring in color in the room.

You can use vinegar or baking soda for cleaning the bathroom. They are natural products to keep away bacteria, remove foul smells and also ensure your bathroom is clean and maintained well.

Irrespective of who does the cleaning in the bathroom i.e self or outsourced you need to procure toilet cleaning tools for having a clean bathroom.

HOW TO REMOVE WHITE MARKS OR HARD WATER STAINS FROM BATHROOM BUCKETS

Plastic containers are ideal for storage in kitchen and in the refrigerator. The only issue is they leave an unpleasant smell and color too. The latest edition of storage plastic containers are a must have accessory in your kitchen.

If you have supply of hard water for cleaning purposes and in your bathrooms you will observe white patches or stains on plastic buckets and mugs . With water evaporation being high in summer the scales are formed in circular rings as per water level in the storage containers. You can determine the amount of water evaporation in a day.

It is annoying to see your new buckets having white rings inside. The soap and dish washing liquid is not removing the patches completely. You may observe stains on plastic containers in which you had stored chicken dishes, oily curries.  You want to use the plastic container for storing another juice or chutney. All your efforts are in vain.

Here are a few tips to ease your tension away.

• Mix ¼ cup of baking soda in little hot water to form a paste. Apply baking soda paste with an old toothbrush brush to the hard water stains and patches on the bucket and mug. Leave it for 10 minutes. Rinse the bucket and mug with water until all bubbles are washed away and you will be surprised to see your bucket looking new and clean.
• You can clean tough stains in plastic storage containers by filling warm water and add 1 spoon of baking soda to it. Leave it for an hour and later drain off water. Rinse the container with water and the plastic container is free of stains and odor too.

• White and opaque plastic containers used for storing drinking water looks dull and smells different after a few months of usage. You can refresh the look of containers by mixing lemon juice with baking soda and applying liberally to the stained surface. The two ingredients when combined acts as a natural bleaching agent, whitening the plastic and removing unpleasant odors.

• Plastic containers used for storage of pickles, oils leaves a strong smell even after washing and drying in the sun. Here is a wonderful remedy to get rid of the stain and aged smells. Mix vinegar and baking soda and you will observe foaming action. Nothing to worry, after the foaming stops scrub the solution all over the inner surface of the container and then rinse the container. You will observe the plastic container is looking fresh and smelling good too.
• Tea stains on plastic containers are tough to get away. Immerse the container in water with ¼ tsp of baking soda. Leave the container for 1 hour and after an hour you will be amazed to see a bright new storage container in your home.
• You can remove foul smell, oil smell from plastic ware by mixing equal quantities of baking soda and salt. Use a damp nylon scrub to clean the surface. Apply the paste thoroughly over the plastic container. Leave for an hour or two and then wash the plastic container thoroughly. The tough stains are cleaned and you will also get rid of the pungent odors.

You will observe the hard water deposits settling on the surfaces due to water evaporation.  You can clean wash basins, toilet sinks also with baking soda.

Note: Recycle your old toothbrushes for cleaning hard to reach areas. The crevices of utensils, tiles ends mesh type surfaces. The bristles of the brush will be able to pick out the waste and clean thoroughly.

There are numerous benefits of Baking soda. Grab it when you are out purchasing items for your home.

HOW TO CONTROL TERMITES IN YOUR HOME

Termites are annoying insects and cause major destruction to property. Termites are referred to as white ants due to their pale appearance and structure. Termites play an important role in breaking down dead wood in forests and speeding the conversion of nutrients into the soil.

Termites are initially flying insects. They land on soil and penetrate into damp soil and later transform as termites.

When termites attack homes, they cause more damage to homes than what a fire can do. This could include buildings, wooden structure and the critical documents. Termites are observed commonly in older homes, but do not ever underestimate the capability and team work of termites in attacking new homes too. Termites makes way into homes through minute cracks in the concrete . It is estimated that the western countries spend a huge ..huge amount every year on termite control , repair and treatment.

Basically there are two types of termites: subterranean and dry wood. The saddening factor is that you will notice the termite hill on the surface of the wall or wood only after the inner surfaces are totally destructed.

Prevention is the best way to deal with termites.  Mentioned below are tips to control termites from entering your home.

Termites are attracted to moisture.

• Eliminate standing waters in and around your home.
• Fix leaking pipes, drains, sinks, showers.
• The water of Air Conditioning units should be well connected to drains.

Termites are attracted to wood.

• Remove waste timber after construction activities. Remove all debris.
• Firewood and necessary wood should be stacked off the ground and away from the house and external walls.
• Remove wood that is in contact with soil.
• Avoid planting trees close to the foundation. Cut back climbing vines, shrubs from the walls and pillars.

Precautions to be administered to control termites:

• Ensure concrete slab is properly designed, compacted and cured during construction of homes and buildings..
• Treat all timber that is used for interiors to prevent termite attack, Select naturally resistant timber for wood work.
• A good coat of paint on the wood acts as a barrier for dry wood termites. Fill all wood damages timely and paint them.
• Seal all cracks and paint exterior of your homes.
• Screen all vents to prevent termites flying into your homes .
• Inspect for timber powder at the place wood / timber is stacked after purchase and during construction.
• Ensure proper drainage  and access to prevent rain water clogging near the foundation.
• Get your home / buildings inspected or self inspect your home during summer and rainy season- between March and August. This is the period when termites attack homes and wood. Be alert to identify any mud hills and hollow sound of wood surfaces especially the door and window frames.

Early diagnosis will control termites and prevent expensive treatment measures and huge loss of documents due to termites infestation.

You can consult Professional Pest Controllers if you think that the extent of damage is big and the widespread nature of attack. There are chemical and physical control measures that can be deployed upon survey and assessment of termite attack. The guarantee period for chemical treatment is between 3 to 5 years.

You can decide the best methodology to control termites in your home and property.

HOUSE FLY CONTROL- REMEDIAL MEASURES TO KEEP AWAY

Flies pose a threat to hygiene and are a nuisance to humans and animals. They are carriers of a large number of diseases including gastroenteritis, dysentery, typhoid, salmonella and tuberculosis.

Flies are often seen around fruits, cooked food, fermenting food and decaying stuff too. It becomes most important to keep away flies as they cause major health problems. Children love to use the fly swatters available in the market to attack the flies one by one. In summer and rainy season the flies will come into the houses and make you furious with the buzzing sound.

The movie Eeega in Telugu and the remake in Hindi was a good example to cite the power of a house fly. Flies are always in the air , flying throughout the day and rest at night.

A single house fly can carry over one million bacteria. To keep fly populations under control, you must limit the places where they can breed and feed.

In warmer climates, breeding continues throughout the year. Eggs are often laid in moist decaying vegetable matter and animal waste. The complete metamorphosis cycle can be as short as 7 – 9 days in ideal conditions. Adult flies normally live 1 – 3 months.

The first line of defense will be to control flies from entering the premises be it a home or an office. Close all doors and windows. Place insect screens over doors and windows and check if they are in good condition.

House fly Control:

The three basic principles of house fly control are sanitation, exclusion and non-chemical measures. Sanitation will provide the best long-term control, followed by exclusion and non-chemical measures, which provide shorter-term management.

ü  Sanitation: Flies can’t breed in large numbers if food sources are limited. Don’t allow materials such as manure, garbage or other decaying organic matter to accumulate. Keep trash cans clean and tightly covered. Do not pile garbage for long. Dispose off garbage as vegetable and fruit peels are great attracting items. Eliminate areas of stagnating water .

ü  Exclusion: Flies can be kept outside of homes by the use of window and door screens. Make sure screens are tight fitting and without holes. Keep doors closed, making sure there are no openings at the top or bottom. Check for openings around water or gas pipes or electrical conduits that feed into the building. Caulk or plug any openings. Ventilation holes should be screened, as they can serve as entryways for flies as well. Ensure the closing mechanism / spring of mesh doors slide and close quickly after use.

ü  Non-chemical Measures: The use of devices such as ultraviolet-light traps, sticky fly traps, fly swatters, and baited fly traps can eliminate many flies inside a home, but the fly swatter is the most economical control method for the occasional fly.

Chemical controls:

Chemical control is generally part of an integrated fly control program. Spraying non-residual, contact aerosols that are labeled for flies can provide temporary relief by killing the adult flies. However it does not get to the source, so will not provide long-term control. Residual insecticides, labeled for flies, can be sprayed around door and window casings, onto screens, under leaves or around any other fly entry points.

Remedial measures popularly followed at home:

• A few drops of eucalyptus oil on a piece of cotton cloth will deter flies. Hang or leave in areas where flies are a problem.
• Basil plants placed at the entrance of the home at parking areas will keep away flies. In Indian homes basil plants are placed at the entry of the house or window sills .To keep away flies from the kitchen hang a bunch of Holy basil / Tulsi stems and bruise them occasionally to ensure the smell keeps away flies.
• Use mint as a fly repellent. Small sachets of crushed mint can be placed around the home to discourage flies.
• Bay leaves, cloves and eucalyptus wrapped in small cheesecloth squares can be
  hung by open windows or doors.
  

Ideal solution in mechanical control:

UV light traps are a common sight near sweet shops, meat stores and shopping complexes. Ultraviolet light traps are useful and must be properly placed. Right placing is critical. Follow simple requirements for best results:

• Place where it cannot be seen from outside, so it doesn’t attract flies indoors.
• Place not more than 5 feet above the floor – where most flies fly.
• Place away from competing light sources and food preparation areas.
• Place where they are not competing with daytime sunlight.

As a famous quote mentions , It is easier to catch a fly with honey than with vinegar. You can keep away flies and enjoy your time with family.

HOW TO KEEP STAINLESS STEEL SINK FREE OF HARD WATER STAINS

You have cleaned the entire kitchen and are worried to see the Stainless Steel sink full of stains and white patches. You are having a small get together at your home this weekend and you are desperate to find a solution.

These white patches are hard water stains meaning the water droplets have dried leaving those ugly marks on the surfaces. If left uncleaned they will form a thick layer and it will leave permanent scars on the surface.

Hard water stains are a result of mineral content in water like lime, silica and calcium. When the water evaporates the mineral deposits leave a scaly appearance on the areas. Few individuals have replaced the SS sink as they were unable to clean the stains.

Here is a solution for removing the hard water stains from the SS sinks and surfaces.

• Make a paste of baking soda / cooking soda.
• Add ½ cup baking soda and ¼ cup of Vinegar into a container. You will observe a foaming action when the two ingredients are combined. This is normal, wait for the foaming to stop. Mix the solution with a plastic spoon.
• Dip a cleaning cloth ( use soft texture ) into this paste and apply on the sink. Apply the paste on the stained areas in circular motions such the stains are cleaned.
• In another utensil keep warm water. Dip the cleaning cloth into the warm water and clean the sink thoroughly. Remove all cleaning paste and wipe off all water spots with a dry cloth.
• You can recycle old , unused banians and old T- shirts for cleaning. This material will absorb all moisture and leaves your Stainless Steel sink free of stains.
• Recycled cotton material also absorbs oils from gas stoves and kitchen counters.

You can save on money as you are using recycled material and also ensuring the Stainless Steel sink is free of hard water stains.

You can also use the lemon peel after using the juice for cleaning the sink. It also kills all bacteria and leaves your sink smelling fresh.

Precaution is better than cure therefore after all the utensils are washed, drain off all water and clean the SS sink with a dry cloth. This will remove all moisture and you will not see those ugly spots again.

HOW TO REMOVE STAINS FROM CLOTHES

Stains on clothes is a disaster for many. We take a long time to choose clothes of our choice and when they accidentally are stained you get upset. The first thought that comes to your mind is to dispose the clothing. You can give a try to the home remedies that are tried and tested to remove common stains that occur on clothes during our day to day proceedings. You will be relieved of the stain and you can wear your loved clothes again.

Ink stains

Ink stains are the most stubborn among stains and a common feature with people of all ages. Now with the revolutionary ball point pens without cap, common practice is to write and place the pen into the pocket. After an hour or so, ink leakage is felt by the individual and realizes that the shirt has got ink stains.

• To remove ink stains from clothes use a nail polish remover on the stained area.
• Rub the area with a cotton bud soaked in eau de cologne (perfume with 70 to 90% ethanol , citrus oil mixed with many other scents and essential oils)
• Wet a sponge with milk and rub the ink stain

Blood stains:

Blood stains occur when you cut yourself, nose bleeding due to external heat or whatsoever reasons. Primarily soak the cloth in cold water and salt for 1 hour and wash with cold water and soap.

• To remove spots of blood from clothing, use 3 percent hydrogen peroxide  available at any medical store. Soak the stain with the peroxide, use your fingernail or the blade of a butter knife to help loosen and scrape away the blood, then rinse it away with more hydrogen peroxide.

• For removing blood , wet the stained area of the fabric with water, sprinkle it with plain table salt, rub one half of the stain against the other to work in the salt and loosen the stain, then immediately launder the garment .
• Another method blot the stain with cold water or soak it in a cold water bath. you’ll want to remove the stain completely before drying, ironing or applying any type of heat to the stain which will just cause it to set in permanently.
• Vinegar works wonders with blood stained clothing .Apply the vinegar directly to the stain and blot. When the stain is removed, blot again with a damp cloth to remove the smell. Launder as usual.
• Mix one part baking soda with two parts water and blot the stain until it lifts. Blot again with a damp sponge to remove the baking soda. Launder as usual.

Paan (Betel leaf) stains:

You may have got betel leaf stains on your favorite shirt and are really worried how to get rid off the stain . Do not worry.

• Soaking the affected area of clothing in curd or lime juice for 2 hours . You will observe that the fade has vanished.

Oil stains

You attend a wedding or puja ceremony and observe small oil droplets on your garments. You may observe oil stains on your pillows too. You need not worry, follow this two way approach

• If fresh the oil stains can be dusted with talcum powder or wheat flour.  This will absorb the oil.  Leave for some time dust off and wash immediately with soap and water. You are sure to observe no patches and the garment is back to normalcy.
• Oil and ghee stains can be removed from clothes by washing in hot water to which washing soda has been added.
• Apply shampoo on the stains and you will be surprised to see that the fabric is clean.

Mud stains

When you go out in the rain your clothes are sure to get wet and high chance for your clothes to get mud stains. Soak the cloth in cold water to remove all the slush and mud on the clothes.  

• Mud stains on clothes can be removed with water of boiled potatoes.

Tea or Coffee stains

• Wash the stained part immediately and then dip the stained area in glycerin over night. Wash with soap and water next day.
• Fresh tea stains can be removed if sponged with cold water immediately. Fresh coffee stains can be removed by washing with soap and water. Drying in the sun often removes old stains.
• To remove tea stains from clothing or table linens, submerge the stained area for several minutes in a small bowl containing heavily sugared water (keep adding sugar in ½ cup of water as much as it can saturate), then launder as usual.

Sweat stains

Perspiration will be more during summer. To remove these stains from clothes apply a little ammonia and place the dress in sunlight. Soda water is excellent for removing white stains. Pour soda water over the stains and wash.

Collar stains

To remove dirty stains from shirt collars and cuffs, dip them in cold water for an hour, and scrub with sugar.

Pour a little shampoo onto the collar, inexpensive one also will do. Rub the collar together to work the shampoo in well, and rinse thoroughly. Then launder as usual.

Turmeric stains

You may have used turmeric as a face pack and have turmeric stains on clothes. Turmeric stains can be removed by rubbing a dry detergent bar soap over it and leave it for an hour before washing it off.

Hair dye stains

This has become a common stain in every household. People apply hair dye and there are high chances of spills over clothes. Clothes stained with hair dye should be cleaned with a piece of raw onion before being washed.

Henna stains

People apply henna on hair for coloring or henna designs are applied on hands and legs as part of ceremonies and weddings. Here are tips to remove henna stains from clothes. Soak the stained portion in hot milk for half-an-hour. Then rinse in cold water and clean with a brush.

HOW TO CONTROL ANTS NATURALLY

Ants are seen in large numbers during summer season. The small red and black ants are a common sight in homes. Ants come in long trails. Remember the famous proverb “ An ant may well destroy a whole dam” . They work as a team going in long lines in search of food.

Ants attack food items. Ants eat up the inner contents and leave the exterior shell intact. Many cases of biscuits becoming hollow, we can see a chain of ants carrying fine bits of the food particles back to their dwelling.

An inspiration to gain from ants is their will power to combat situations, they never give up and keep coming back again. Therefore preventive maintenance plays a major role in controlling ants. You need to keep your floor and table surfaces free from left over food. Close all containers to avoid sweet aroma in the air. Ants are on the search for food and water and they sniff and find their way. They will pick food and take it back to the anthill to feed the queen ant.

Watch out for the long trail of ants. If they sting, the skin will bulge and pain for some time. There are chemical products in the market to stop ants in and around the house and establishments . You can make a difference by controlling ants by natural methods.

Here are few proven and successful methods.

Turmeric powder

Mix quarter spoon of turmeric powder to 2 spoons of wheat flour . Sprinkle it on the ants. Place a little powder at the entry point. This will deter ants from coming home.

Cucumber peels / Orange peels

Place cucumber peels or citrus peels at the point of entry where you see ants or place them on poly bags in the kitchen platform. This will keep away ants. Orange peel is ideal for this purpose.

Borax

Boric acid or Borax is non toxic to humans, but they are poisonous to ants. Mix borax with equal parts of powdered sugar and sprinkle around the entry points at home. In case of large anthills you can sprinkle this powder. The ants will feed the queen ant too and you can destroy the complete ant family.

Baby Talcum powder / Black board chalk piece

If you see ants on bedroom table counters or beds use baby talcum powder. They will put off ants. A line drawn by chalk piece is literally a ‘ Laksman rekha’ and ants will keep away. They will not intrude further.

Vinegar

Use vinegar that is available in your kitchen. It is a natural ant repellent. Wipe down your countertops, cupboards and any other places where you’ve spotted ants with a mixture of white vinegar and water in equal quantities. Repeat this process 4 to 5 times to maintain the efficacy.

Fresh Ground coffee beans

Smell of Fresh ground coffee beans keeps ants away.

Soap solution

Take equal quantities of glass cleaner and liquid soap and mix it together and put it in a spray bottle, spray source areas and the ant hill too. You can spray soap solution too.

Hot water

Pour 3 to 4 liters of hot water if there is a large anthill in your garden area . This is a cost effective method to address the complete ant family.

Spices and Herbs

Sprinkle cinnamon, mint, pepper, garlic cloves in the area where you’ve seen ants . Replace garlic cloves . Bay leaves can be placed in cabinets, drawers and containers to deter ants.

You have got a whole list of natural repellents to address ants. Fill gaps in walls and floors. You need to be focused , always keep in mind the will power of ants. Keep your home clean , table tops free of spilled food and dripping containers. Close all food boxes and I’m sure you can keep the crawling creatures at bay.

CLEANING YOUR HOUSE WITHOUT HARSH CHEMICALS…SAFE FOR BABY

You may have come across few house cleaning products being very strong smelling and pungent when the cap is opened. It makes you cough or sneeze. Just imagine the load on your baby who is lying in the cradle or may have started to crawl around.

Harsh household cleaners can affect a baby’s eyes, airways, skin, and more. In fact elders have problem like itching or hand becoming rough and dry. To keep away the odors you may use a room freshener.

You can keep your house clean , spic and span and at the same time relieve yourself of the worry that the child will get affected.

Few safety measures to be followed.

• Keep your stock out of the reach of children. Preferable keep in lock and key. You may have across news regarding babies accidentally tripping the container or consuming it due to attractive colors. You can imagine the risk in case of ingestion due to its strength and composition.
• Close the caps of the containers tightly to avoid leakage if tripped. Keep cleaning accessories away from the common rooms. Use separate cleaning buckets for diluting cleaners and mopping the room.
• Do not carry the baby in the course of your cleaning activities. Wash your hands thoroughly and then carry the baby.
• Plan your cleaning activities such that baby does not get disturbed. Do not do cleaning activities with the baby in the room. Ventilate the room before baby is brought in. This will prevent harsh chemicals come into contact.

Common problems associated with Household cleaners:

Household cleaners with harsh ingredients not only kill germs and remove tough stains, they can affect your baby’s health in a number of ways.

Breathing problems. Powerful fumes from household cleaners can irritate your baby’s airways, making allergy or asthma symptoms worse.

Eczema. A baby’s skin is sensitive, and studies have found that irritants and allergens in household cleaners and detergents can cause skin irritation.

Allergies. Some researchers believe that having a home that’s too clean can increase the long-term risk of allergies in a child. It’s called the hygiene hypothesis.  For the child’s immune without some exposure to germs, a child’s immune system might not develop normally. Instead, it becomes hypersensitive and begins to overreact to harmless allergens, like pollen or dander.

Eye irritation. Household cleaner fumes can also irritate your baby’s eyes, causing redness and watering. If accidentally the solution is splashed directly into the eyes, some cleaners can cause serious damage.

Unknown health effects. Few household cleaners have fragrances that contain chemicals like phthalates . Some studies have found a possible connection between phthalates and disrupted hormone levels.

Phthalates are mainly used as plasticizers for plastics. It increases the softness, flexibility and better processing of plastics

To be cautious, many parents try to reduce the use of household cleaners that contain harsh chemicals.

Tips for Baby-Safe Cleaning

Every woman wants to have their house spic and span, sparkling clean. There are lots of good ways to practice child-safe cleaning.  You need to make a balance between cleaning your home and the safety of your baby. There is no need to break your back and clean every inch of your home.

Allocate time for getting things organized, away from the floor. Minimize dust entry and remove unwanted things in the room. They actually collect dust and becomes impossible to clean.

Opt  safer household cleaners. Select household cleaners that are less caustic and friendlier to both the environment and the body. Look for “green” and “nontoxic” cleaners, or products that say, “petroleum-free,” “biodegradable”, “phosphate-free”, “Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) free”, or “solvent-free.”

Less is more. Household cleaners can be diluted with water and it cleans quite effectively. Diluting a cleaner is an easy way of making it less harsh and better for child-safe cleaning. Diluting a cleaner will have cost benefits too. The only caution is not to retain the diluted cleaning solution. It will not be effective for later use.

Avoid the antibacterial soap. Despite the popularity of antibacterial soaps, plain old soap and water will get the germs off just as well. Antibacterial soap not only contains chemicals you don’t need, but in the long term it may increase the risk of creating tougher, resistant bacteria. Your child will not have resistance  to external conditions and will fall sick when exposed to climatic changes

Preferably use natural cleaners available in the kitchen – baking soda , lime and vinegar. In case you engage a cleaning service or a maid to do the task, explain them the cleaning resources and the areas to avoid any confusion and incidents.

If you are planning to remove cobwebs that got accumulated, cover all furniture and baby items. Dust thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner. Otherwise the dust will spread from one surface to the other. Change all bed covers where the baby will come into contact.

Stop dirt from getting in the house.  Place a huge door mat to wipe your feet as you come in the house, it will keep out dirt as well as any contaminants from outside. The better option will be to place a shoe rack outside to prevent dust and contaminants coming into the house. You are confident to make your baby move around inside the house.

When you make a transition to child-safe cleaning routines, there’s one thing you might miss: that clean smell. The fact is the smell is just chemically produced. “Real clean doesn’t have a scent.”

When you start practicing the simple cleaning methods your house will be clean but will not smell as if you are in a garden. Your bathroom and toilets will be clean but not antiseptic as an operation theatre. You are doing your best in a safe manner to keep your child free of infection.

BAKING SODA – A MIRACLE PRODUCT IN YOUR KITCHEN

Baking soda is a chemical compound that appears as a fine powder. Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) or bicarbonate of soda (alkali). The related names are Cooking soda , bread soda, and bicarbonate of soda . Baking soda has an indefinite shelf life if stored in a sealed container in a cool dry place.

Baking soda is salty in taste and releases bubbles of carbon dioxide when it interacts with an acid and a liquid. It is commonly used in baking, where it acts as a leavening agent. Mentioned below are some of the popular uses of baking soda apart from making muffins ,cakes soft and fluffy. If added to the product base you need to bake quickly to avoid flattening if delayed.

To test baking soda’s effectiveness: mix 1/4 teaspoon baking soda with 2 teaspoons of vinegar and the mixture should bubble immediately.

Heat causes sodium bicarbonate to act as a raising agent by releasing carbon dioxide when used in baking. The carbon dioxide production starts at temperatures above 80 °C. Since the reaction does not occur at room temperature, mixtures (cake batter, etc.) can be allowed to stand without rising until they are heated in the oven.

Label the container in which you store baking soda to avoid any mix-up.

Health Benefits of Baking soda

1. Baking soda is an antacid, neutralizes stomach acidity.

2. Baking soda can be used as underarm deodorant by applying it with a powder puff.

3. Use Baking soda as a face and body scrub.

4. Relieves skin itch from insect bites and pain from sunburn.

5. Take a baking soda bath to relieve skin irritations.

6. Shampoo your hair as well with diluted solutions.

7. Baking soda can be used for first aid too.

8. Freshen your mouth by gargling half a teaspoon of baking soda mixed water.

9. Unblock stuffy nose by adding a teaspoon of baking soda to your vaporizer.

10. Useful in removing splinters from the skin.

Usage of Baking soda at Home

11. Put an open container of baking soda in the fridge to absorb the odors.

12. Sprinkle it on your ashtrays to reduce bad odor and prevent smoldering.

13. Sprinkle it on your slippers, boots, shoes, and socks to eliminate foul odor.

14. Put out small fires on rugs, upholstery, clothing, and wood.

15. Wipe your windshield with it to repel rain.

16. Improve the smell of dishrags by soaking them in baking soda and water.

17. Suck it in with your vacuum cleaner to remove the odor.

18. Put it under sinks and along basement windows to repel cockroaches and ants.

19. Put out small fires on rugs, upholstery, clothing, and wood.

20. Keep cut flowers fresh longer by adding a teaspoon to the water in the vase.

Cooking uses of Baking soda

21. Wash fruits and vegetables with it.

22. Wash meat in water in which baking soda is added. This will remove the typical smell of fresh meat with blood.

23. Soak dried beans to a baking soda solution to make them more digestible and removes flatulence ( presence of excessive gas in the digestive tract )

24. It is also used in breadings and fried foods such as bondas, bajjis, pakoras  to enhance crispness.

25. Remove the fishy smell from your fillets by soaking the raw fish in a baking soda solution for an hour inside the fridge.

26. Make fluffier omelets by adding half a teaspoon of baking soda for every three eggs used.

27. To soften meat baking soda is added.

Benefits of Baking soda for Cleaning Purposes

28. Add a cup to the toilet, leave it for an hour, and then flush. It will clean the toilet and absorb the odor.

29. Use it to scrub sinks, showers, plastic and porcelain tubs

30. Add a spoonful to your dishwasher to make scrubbing dishes easier.

31. Spray it on walls, mirrors, and countertops.

32. Dry clean carpets and upholstered furniture by sprinkling baking soda over the fabric and gently brushing it. Leave it for an hour or overnight, then vacuum.

33. Combine it with water to make a paste for polishing stainless steel and chrome.

34. Remove scratches and crayon marks from vinyl floors and walls.

35. Clean the fridge with it.

36. Remove grease from pots and pans.

37. Soak brushes and combs in a baking soda solution.

38. Mix it with water to wash food and drink containers.

39. Use it to get rid of stale odors from cooling containers and thermos bottles.

40. Scatter it on your greasy garage floor, scrub the floor, and rinse.

41. Remove burned-on food from a pan by soaking it in a baking soda solution for 10 minutes before washing.

42. Clean your ashtrays with a baking soda solution.

43. Keep your drains clean by putting four tablespoons of baking soda in them each week. Flush it down with hot water.

44. Clean your shower curtains by soaking them in baking soda and water.

45. Sodium bicarbonate can be an effective way of controlling fungus growth.

The most amazing thing about baking soda is that it’s very cheap and you get it over the counter at local shops too. You can utilize baking soda for cooking, cleaning, in first aid at a very small cost. Baking soda is truly a miracle product, whether it’s used for baking or not.

 

TOP 6 CHEMICAL FREE CLEANERS HIDING IN YOUR KITCHEN

Cleaning and organizing your home is a task which gets postponed due to non availability of time or the appropriate cleaning aid. You are at times exhausted just thinking of the house chores that needs to be completed in addition to cooking and organizing your home. Here are a few readily available cleaners in your kitchen that will come handy for you.

No more excuses. Get ready to use in house cleaning aids to have a surprise for your hubby when he is back home. The cleaners are low in cost, no side effects, not smelling and pungent. You will be surprised to know that they had all these benefits. You can infact re-use material or clean within your budget.

Egg shells

If you have problem in cleaning a narrow mouthed bottle or flower vase, drop a handful of crushed egg shells into the bottle, add lukewarm water and your dish cleaning liquid. Shake the bottle thoroughly such that the egg shells clean the had to reach surfaces of the bottle or vase.

You have a clean and sparkling bottle in your hands. Wow!!

Paper pieces

In case you do not have egg shells ( you are a vegetarian) no problem…just opt for paper pieces. Re-use paper in this way. This cleaning method is ideal for cleaning the green mossy layer inside the bottles in which money plant grows. The bottle become sparking clean.

Pick a paper from the trash bin , shred it into multiple tiny pieces and drop it into the bottle. Add lukewarm water and then shake the bottle thoroughly such that the paper pieces touch the entire surface of the bottle. Now pour water and clean out with dish washing liquid to keep off the smell.

Your bottle is sparkling and the money plant is a pride to watch in your living rooms.

Baking Soda

We have used Baking soda in cooking . There are numerous uses for baking soda. Mix with water and it is a natural cleaner that is great for cleaning all the grimy and tough stains at home. Especially excellent for Stainless steel kitchen sinks without scratching it.

Sprinkle baking soda on a clean damp cloth or sponge and wipe the sink clean. Rinse it with water thoroughly. You will be amazed to see a shining sink .

Corn flour

You may be upset that your carpet got stained in the last guest visit at home. Not to worry… Try out this simple yet clean method of removing stain. You will be surprised with the result.

Corn flour is used in recipes to thicken the gravy, to give a shiny effect for the dishes. Corn flour is also great for cleaning carpet stains. Mix a spoon of corn flour to water and apply that thick paste on the stained area. The paste will soak the stain and your carpet stain is gone away.

You can also try this with corn starch. Only a change in name but it works wonders.

Bread

Bread is popularly had at breakfast , Kids love sandwiches, used for cutlets and tikkis. Very few know the cleaning benefits of bread. Bread can be used to dust paintings that can be harmed by traditional cleaners.

Wheat flour or the bran of wheat is ideal for cleaning sticky surfaces of kitchen dishes. Usually the oil in frying pans or Kadai’s will require more quantity of water to clean away the oily stickiness.

Vanilla Essence  

Mix 1 teaspoon of Vanilla essence to 2 cups of water in a microwave-safe container . Place it the micro wave oven for 5 minutes in high. After this duration disconnect the plug and then remove the container and wipe down the interior with a soft cloth. If you have stock of vanilla essence, go ahead using it. It is a bit costlier to vanilla essence.

Your grime is gone away and vanilla will leave a distinct aroma increasing your appetite and desire to make something fresh for your family.

You are part of the Go Green campaign !!

« Previous Page — Next Page »