CasaSugar

Casa Quickie: Cleaning Soot

CasaSugar — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:30:20 -0800

If your fireplace's brick surface is marred by a thick layer of soot, here's one nontoxic way to deal with it. Just mix up an ounce of soap with an ounce of table salt. Mix with enough water to make a cream and then rub it onto the brick's surface with a cloth. After 15 minutes, scrub with a stiff brush. It requires some elbow grease, but it will help cut the soot!

Source: Flickr User Ted Percival

Casa Quickie: Shaving Cream in Unexpected Places

CasaSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:30:28 -0700

Fed up with a foggy bathroom mirror? Then add some shaving cream. As odd as it sounds, using some cheap, white foaming shaving cream can keep your bathroom mirror from fogging while you shower.

For best results, use your hand or a soft cloth to rub a light layer of shaving cream onto your mirror. With a dry towel, wipe off any excess cream. Don't use water to do this, as it will cut down on the cream's efficacy. With some luck, this will help keep your mirror fog-free for at least a week.

Have You Cleaned Out Your Fridge This Month?

CasaSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:00:54 -0700

It seems as if there are two different schools of fridge cleaning. There are those of us who wait forever to get the job done, and then complete an hours-long cleaning and tossing project, and those of us who spot clean every week or so to keep the fridge fresh-smelling and looking good. Make sure to check out YumSugar's fridge cleaning how-to, and in the meantime, tell me what your style is.

10 Green Solutions For 10 Fall Tasks

CasaSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:00:01 -0700

While you're tackling your Fall cleaning and organizing campaign, you don't have to resort to toxic cleaners and methods to get the job done. Instead, try these eco-friendly ideas for getting everything checked off your list.
Source

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Open House: Least Favorite Fall Chores

CasaSugar — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 05:30:04 -0700

Once the season turns, it's time to compile, and check off, all of those necessary Fall chores. From sweeping out gutters to raking up leaves, there's no end to the tasks that need attending to. My least favorite Fall chore is actually scheduling appointments with handymen and carpenters.

I don't have a problem with doing chores myself; it's the time spent waiting for service professionals, and taking time off of work to let people in and out of the house, that's difficult for me to manage. Plenty of my friends dread the Fall cleanup though, and often hire neighborhood kids to rake their leaves or clean around their homes. What's your least favorite Fall chore?

Source: Flickr User Sugarfrizz

Casa Quickie: Say Goodbye to Grout Grime

CasaSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 05:30:44 -0700

Do you have some grubby looking grout in between your bathroom floor tiles? Don't despair, or resort to super-toxic cleansers or harsh bleach. You could try using oxygen bleach, as I've suggested in the past. Or, try using liquid dish detergent or toothpaste to get the grime out. Simply squeeze either the detergent or toothpaste onto a sponge, and scrub vigorously. Have you tried this method at your home?

Swap more cleaning tips with other members in the So Fresh and So Clean group in the CasaSugar Community!

Open House: What Are Your Friends' or Family Members' Weirdest Cleaning Habits?

CasaSugar — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 05:30:09 -0700

The other Saturday, when the hubz and I were cleaning the house, he turned to me and yelled over the vacuum, "Do you ever vacuum the sofa?"

"Yes, of course," I yelled back. At this point, he picked up the vacuum and ran it over the sofa.

I had to laugh, even as I wondered what the weight of the vacuum was doing to the upholstery. "No, you weirdo! With the hose attachment!"

"What's that?" he asked, completely baffled. After a quick instructional, he was well versed in the art of using the vacuum's hose attachment.

My husband's not the only person I know with some funny cleaning habits. A friend of mine uses socks that have lost their pairs as her cleaning rags, which is definitely an eco way to go. She also says that putting her hand inside the sock actually helps her to tackle more surface area in less time.

So tell me, what are your friends' or family members' oddest cleaning habits?

Casa Quickie: Give Your Houseplants a Shower

CasaSugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:30:43 -0700

While the general rule with houseplants is to not fuss with them too much, occasionally washing their leaves is a really good idea. That's because a thin layer of dust can hinder the photosynthesis process, impeding plants' ability to grow.

To clean your heartier, bigger houseplants, occasionally crowd them into your bathtub and give them a nice, gentle shower. Let them sit in the tub until they dry out somewhat, and then return them to their spots in your home. For smaller, more delicate plants, use a microfiber cloth and a spray bottle filled with water to mist, and very gently wipe, the leaves.

Source: Flickr User ndrwfgg

Casa Quickie: Mix Up Your Own Shower Spray For Pennies

CasaSugar — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:00:36 -0700

Are you trying to save money in your household budget? Then consider skipping the store-bought shower spray and making your own.

One of the simplest recipes for whipping up your own shower spray is this one: simply add one part rubbing alcohol to four parts water in a spray bottle, then spray this mixture onto your shower walls and curtain every day after you shower. No need to rinse, as it'll rinse off next time you take a shower.

Want some other homemade recipes for shower spray? See them when you read more.

I'm a huge fan of tea tree oil, which has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Add three cups of water, three tablespoons of dishwashing soap, and about 30 drops of tea tree oil to a spray bottle, and shake to mix.
Use one cup of white vinegar and one cup of water, as well as half a lemon's juice and a tablespoon of dishwashing soap for this shower spray. Shake the mixture together in a spray bottle.

Are You Cleaning House This Weekend?

CasaSugar — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 05:10:04 -0700

While I don't necessarily agree with this cheeky statement, I do think that everyone should make time to have fun and let loose a little bit. So what if you didn't get around to scrubbing that bathroom floor? Call your BFF and make a date for a movie. You'll be glad you did!

Source: Flickr User krisandapril