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You are here: Home / Archives for Household / Cleaning

Where You Shouldn’t Use Scrubbing Bubbles . . .

August 20, 2012 by Tracy

Where not to use Scrubbing Bubbles . . .
Where not to use Scrubbing Bubbles . . .

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

One of my favorite cleaning products is Scrubbing Bubbles. This family of products has kept my bathrooms clean for years.

With porcelain sinks, I read a number of reviews prior to cleaning that recommended using Scrubbing Bubbles, which I did.

Finding the Corrosion

On this last round of cleaning at our home, I noticed that the chrome around our bathroom faucets was peeling away.

At first, I thought my children had left toothpaste on the knobs causing the flaking and corrosion down to the metal.

To clean it, I took off the hot and cold knobs and did a thorough cleaning. Whatever happened, the peeling chrome was beyond repair.

Realizing that our over 7-year-old house might need a new faucet or two, I purchased a similar model and Paul, my “Mr. Fix It” husband, replaced the faucet. In reading the directions, Paul asked how I cleaned the sinks. Well, of course, I use Scrubbing Bubbles.

Locating the Source

Well, guess what? The directions on the faucet state that the use of products by Lysol and Scrubbing Bubbles has been known to damage the chrome. Wow! No wonder 3 of our 4 sinks had chrome-peeling issues.

Since I just learned that my constant cleaning (at times) with Scrubbing Bubbles caused damage to our home, I will refrain from using Scrubbing Bubbles on all our chrome fixtures. I will still use it on my toilets, counters, and possibly the porcelain basins.  We now have 1 faucet replaced, another that was not affected, and 2 more with minor chrome damage.

If you also use Scrubbing Bubbles on your chrome faucets, take notice. In cleaning your home and using time wisely, use Scrubbing Bubbles on your toilets, showers, and tubs. The product is great for cleaning, but the chrome fixtures is one place where you shouldn’t use Scrubbing Bubbles. Learn from my mistake, and happy cleaning!

Question: In my quest for another cleaner that will protect the porcelain basins without damaging our chrome faucets, what do you recommend?

Filed Under: Cleaning, Household Tagged With: cleaning, Scrubbing Bubbles

What Do You Think?: Washing Clothes Periodically

July 23, 2012 by Tracy

Periodically washing clothes
Periodically washing clothes

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Casey Fleser)

Around the blogosphere, many bloggers share their perspective on life. As I contemplate these many ideas (and some are really out there), sometimes I’m not sure what I think.

During this week of What Do You Think?, I share a topic and give you my 2¢. Please share your opinion.

The topics chosen will follow the posting schedule. Thanks in advance for your contributions on this journey to Using Time Wisely!

What Do You Think about Washing Clothes Periodically?

Tracy’s 2¢: As you know, I’m all about saving money, energy, and time, but this article about being a chronic over-washer was a bit funny to me partly because I do both. Since I am not an all-or-nothing type of person, I adjust to the situation.

For example, if the outfit I wore today did not get dirty, then I will put the outfit aside and wear it another day. On the other hand, I will gather all the clothes on laundry day to wash, even if that pajama set was worn for the first time last night.

During the school year, my kids go through two outfits every week day since I have them change out of their school uniforms into play clothes. I do not worry about whether their clothes are clean or dirty; all their clothes go into the hamper. So, I wash my kids’ clothes after every wear.

Towels are another story. I like to wash our towels once a week. We do reuse our towels unless it gets left on the floor. When that happens, that family member gets a new towel. Since our visits to the water park come once or twice a week, I choose to wash towels when we arrive home from the water park. This option eliminates wet items on the floors.

On a side note, I do wash wet disposable swim diapers one or two times before tossing them in the trash. Of course, *dirty* diapers get tossed immediately. But, if my toddler only wets the swimmy, then I toss it in the laundry. I do save money, but I weigh the situation.

Do you wash clothes after every wear, evaluate the outfit to see if it needs cleaning, or launder periodically? What about disposable swim diapers? Does that gross you out? What do you think?

Filed Under: What Do You Think?, Cleaning, Household, Uncategorized Tagged With: What do you think?

Cleaning: Deodorizing my Garbage Disposal

July 16, 2012 by Tracy

Deodorizing my Garbage Disposal
Deodorizing my Garbage Disposal

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Brian Short)

Oh, how I appreciate my garbage disposal! Yes, that hole in my sink that takes all the leftovers and unwanted particles and chomps them away. In using time wisely in the kitchen, my disposal is a time saver.

Having lived without one growing up and in the early years of our marriage, I know the convenience my garbage disposal provides.

While keeping my garbage disposal uncluttered, maintained, and cleaned, I follow these 8 steps to deodorizing my garbage disposal:

1. Fill an ice cube tray with white vinegar and place in freezer.

Tracy’s Tip: Mark this ice cube tray and only use it for freezing vinegar. 🙂 I wrote the word “vinegar” on my ice cube tray, so that I do not accidentally use it for water ice cubes.

Though I do not use ice cube trays often, I do keep some for those events that need decorative ice cubes (e.g., fruit in ice, mint in ice, etc.). To prevent unwanted vinegar at an event, I keep this ice tray with my cleaning supplies.

2. Remove the tray from the freezer when frozen.

Tracy’s Tip: Try to freeze and use the vinegar ice cubes on the same day. The vinegar aroma remains in the freezer for a few hours to 2 days when freezing the same day.

3. Run cold water in the sink.

4. Turn on the garbage disposal.

5. Crack the ice tray into the garbage disposal.

6. Allow the disposal to “eat up” all the ice cubes.

7. Turn off the garbage disposal.

8. Turn off the water.

For more options to cleaning and deodorizing your garbage disposal, How To Clean Stuff recommends dish soap and citrus or baking soda, to name a few.

Around the blogosphere, many suggest using baking soda to deodorize your garbage disposal, even professional plumbers. However, if you have plastic pipes, do not use baking soda with boiling water or after using a commercial drain cleaner. Per Earth Easy, you may melt your plastic pipes or create toxic fumes.

In applying these 8 steps, your garbage disposal will smell fresh. Cleaning and deodorizing your garbage disposal maintains your time-saving investment while using time wisely. Happy cleaning!

Question: How do you deodorize your garbage disposal? 

Filed Under: Cleaning, Household Tagged With: cleaning

Cleaning: Creating Motivation through the Sense of Smell

July 2, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Yankee Candle

As I dusted, wiped, and scrubbed my entire downstairs last week, I lost steam around Wednesday morning. My arms, shoulders, and upper back were sore from all the labor, and I was only about a third of the way done. Yikes!

Though my husband noticed the clean smell when he came through the door, I became accustomed to the smell and felt tired and unmotivated. As I sought for an easy task to get moving, I decided to switch my spring candle with my summer candle.

When I lifted the lid, the aromatic power of the pineapple cilantro ignited my senses, and I was off to light the candle. As the sweet smell permeated my home, I gained energy and strength and got to work.

On Thursday, I continued to work and as I finished on Friday, I kept coming back to my favorite summer scent, the pineapple cilantro candle from Yankee Candle (which rarely goes on sale). For me, this candle created motivation through the sense of smell.

When I lack energy and that walk or exercise routine fails to spur my motivation, I turn to my favorite scents to get moving. This little refreshment spurs me on to completion.

Tracy’s Tip: I keep a sweet-smelling soy candle on my desk upstairs. As I am paying bills and scheduling items, I periodically take a break, inhale a deep breath, smell my candle, and continue with my project.

As you hit a slump with your ongoing projects, surround yourself with your favorite scents to create motivation through the sense of smell. Happy refreshment!

Question: What is your favorite summer candle scent?

Filed Under: Cleaning, Household Tagged With: cleaning

2012 Quick Tip Week: Use Disinfecting Wipes for Quick Cleanings

May 7, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Nora Warens)

Our week of quick tips continues in the household category. (If you missed yesterday’s post, you can check out Tip #1 from the document category.)

During seasons of busyness, my household may or may not look clean or picked up. Cleaning usually does not occur, but sometimes I must get that bathroom cleaned quickly, especially if company is coming.

This second tip allows me to clean each bathroom in 5 minutes or less. 🙂

Now, I would prefer to clean from top to bottom. However, my schedule does not always grant a designated day of cleaning.

During these quick times, I use this next tip to get the job done while using time wisely.

Quick Tip #2: Use Disinfecting Wipes for Quick Cleanings

With little ones who love to experiment with toothpaste, soap, and shampoo, my bathrooms can get messy rather quickly. When I need to remove the unwanted debris, my go-to cleaning supply is the tub of disinfecting wipes.

These pre-moistened wipes require little energy and get the job done. Depending on the mess, one or two wipes complete the task. I wipe the sink and then toilet. Once the toilet gets wiped, I toss the wipe to prevent spreading germs.

If you prefer to make your own disinfecting solution, check out Bonnie’s homemade disinfecting spray recipe. Besides using less chemicals, Bonnie’s recipe can save you money.

In using time wisely and wanting a clean home, use disinfecting wipes for quick cleanings. When your schedule slows back down, you can return to your regular cleaning schedule. Using the disinfecting wipes keeps my house presentable during busy times, like the month of May. Happy cleaning!

Question: What cleaning product assists you during busy times?

Filed Under: Cleaning, Household Tagged With: quick tips

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