cleaning a freezer

The freezer tends to be one of the most neglected areas of the house as far as cleaning is concerned. It sits quietly in the corner or on top of the refrigerator compartment, and because it stays cold all the time, it is not as quick to stink as the fridge. The problem with this is that when we get around to cleaning it it really needs to be cleaned. Here’s how to take care of it without ruining your whole afternoon.
Getting started
Before you begin the cleaning process, you should get your supplies together. You don’t want to leave your freezer half done while you rush out to the grocery store. Here is what you’ll need:
Rag or sponge
Towel or paper towels
Vinegar or other sanitizing cleaner
Water
Baking soda
Old toothbrush
1. Empty out the freezer
Obviously you cannot clean your freezer when it is full of food. So take this opportunity to remove everything and get rid of items that are really old or freezer burned or that you just don’t want to keep. If your freezer is a very large one, you may have to take things out in stages and use them up (start a few weeks before cleaning day) or transfer your food to a neighbor’s freezer. If there are only a few items, just stick them in a cooler, full of ice of course.
*If your freezer is attached to your fridge, you’ll need to empty the fridge compartment of quickly perishable items like milk and eggs since you will be unplugging it in the next step.
2. Defrost the freezer
(Many freezers nowadays do not get a buildup of frost. If yours is one of this type, go ahead and skip this step.)
After you’ve gotten the freezer emptied out, unplug it from the wall and open the lid or door. Depending on how much ice buildup there is, it could take anywhere from half an hour to several hours to defrost it. Don’t just abandon the freezer as it defrosts or you will have a lot of water to sop up from the bottom of the appliance. Instead, as soon as the ice becomes a little bit loose, use a knife or spatula to gently remove it from the freezer’s wall and dispose of it. For any water that does pool in the bottom, use a small bucket to scoop it out or wipe it up with a towel. Be sure to wring the towel out in the sink.
*You can speed up the defrosting process by using a hair dryer to heat the ice or putting a bowl or two of boiling water in the freezer to warm it (you’ll want to close the lid or door in this case). However, be very careful that you do not burn or shock yourself. If you’re worried, do it the old fashioned way.
3. Wipe out the freezer
Now, with no food or ice in the way, you’re free to clean the sides and bottom of the freezer. The first thing you’ll want to do is get rid of any debris that is on the bottom: stray veggies, fries, etc. Just pick it out with your hands. (If you want you can wear rubber gloves).
Then use warm water and your vinegar or other cleaning product to wipe spills off of the sides and bottom of the freezer. An easy way to do this is to fill the sink or a large bowl with warm water and the solution you plan to use. Then simply wipe the freezer out with a rag or sponge. If your freezer has any shelves or drawers, take them out and scrub them in the sink to spare yourself a little bit of elbow grease.
Be sure to rinse off all of the cleaning solution with clean water to avoid leaving any stickiness or residue on the surface of the interior. Also, do not neglect to wash the door, both inside and outside, as well as the sides and top of the outside of the freezer. If you can pull the appliance out from the wall without too much hassle, this will probably help.
You may want to use an old toothbrush on the parts of the appliance that are hard to clean with the sponge or rag. This could include the seal as well as any corners. If there are any stubborn stains, you can dip the toothbrush in a solution of one part bleach and three parts water. This will also work to remove mildew.
4. Deodorize the freezer
Once the freezer is clean, you can remove any lingering odors by scrubbing the area down with a mixture of water and baking soda. You can avoid odors in the future by disposing of any spilled or freezer burned food on a weekly basis.
5. Dry the freezer
Use a dish towel or paper towel to dry the inside and outside of the freezer. Then replace the drawers and shelves if you removed them to wash them in the sink (after drying them too of course).
*At this point, you may want to coat the walls of your freezer with nonstick cooking spray (unflavored of course) or glycerin. This will make is so ice can’t stick to the walls. No more difficult defrosting!
6. Put the food back
When you’re putting the items back in the freezer, you can save yourself future headaches – and more frequent cleanings – by organizing them. For example, put all of the meats together, all of the vegetables together, and all of the boxes of appetizers together. Write an inventory list of what you’re storing so you will know what you have to use for meals in the future. It can also be helpful to date your list so you know how old things are and when they need to be gotten rid of.
If you don’t like simply stacking things in the freezer, considering buying freezer shelves. These are particularly helpful if you have a lot of smaller items, like cans of juice. Check your local house wares store.
And remember, if you just go the stacking route, make sure to put heavier items on the bottom. This can prevent spills from boxes and bags getting crushed and splitting open.

How to Clean a Shower

Cleaning your bathtub or shower once a week can help prevent soap scum and mildew from building up. The materials you will need depend on what your shower or bathtub is made from (i.e. marble, porcelain, fiberglass). At the end of the article, refer to the tips on how to keep your shower clean once you’ve cleaned it. Also, be sure to check out the guides on How to Clean Shower Heads and How to Clean a Shower Curtain to complete your shower’s transformation!
What You’ll Need:
Ingredients for your cleaning solution (see below)
Spray bottle
Sponge or soft cloth
Liquid fabric softener (optional)
Cream of tartar (optional)
Hydrogen peroxide (optional)
Liquid disinfectant cleaner
Diluted chlorine bleach
Baking soda
Old toothbrush
Towel
White vinegar
Lemon cut in half
Oxalic acid (optional)
Rubber gloves (optional)
Furniture polish
Steps:
Prepare your cleaning solution and put into a spray bottle. Depending on what your shower is made from, choose the appropriate solution.
Porcelain – Store-bought tile cleaner OR make your own using a recipe from Donna Smallin’s book, Cleaning Plain & Simple: Mix 1 2/3-c. baking soda, 1/2-c. dishwashing liquid, and 1/2-c. water; add 2-tbsp. white vinegar.
Fiberglass – White vinegar, heated. WARNING: Do not boil the vinegar.
Marble – Mix 1/2-c. liquid fabric softener and 1-c. water.
Glass shower door - Mix 1/2-c. vinegar and 1-qt. water or laundry pre-wash to clear the cloudy film that can often accumulate on glass
Use a sponge to rub solution over walls, tub, and shower. If your tub is fiberglass, use a soft cloth so you don’t scratch the surface. Don’t forget cracks and crevices where bacteria are more likely to grow.
For tough soap scum, use a solution of either 1-c. liquid fabric softener and 1-qt. warm water or a paste of cream of tartar moistened with hydrogen peroxide.
According to Good Housekeeping’s Household Handbook, you should clean mildew with liquid disinfectant cleaner or diluted chlorine bleach (see package instructions).
Clean tile grout with a solution of 1/2-c. baking soda and 1/2-c. bleach. WARNING: Make sure to wear protective rubber gloves when working with bleach. Apply this paste and scrub with an old toothbrush.
Let various solutions sit for 10 minutes, then rinse completely with water, and towel dry.
Remove mineral stains and rust spots by soaking them in vinegar or lemon juice. After five minutes, scrub with a sponge before rinsing completely with water.
For extra-tough mineral stains, use oxalic acid. This can be bought at a hardware or drugstore. WARNING: Make sure to wear protective rubber gloves when working with oxalic acid and use extreme caution—it is poisonous!
To clean brass and copper fixtures, rub with half a lemon sprinkled with some salt.
Clean your tub’s rubber bath mat with disinfectant spray by rubbing both sides with a sponge. You can also clean it in a washing machine with bleach. Prevent build-up by hanging the mat up to dry between uses.
Prevent future build-up by covering only the walls of your shower with furniture polish. This will act as a shield from dust, soap, and water. WARNING: Be careful not get furniture polish on the shower floor—it will become slick and you may slip! It is also helpful to towel dry your shower walls after each use. And don’t forget to remove hair from the drain to prevent clogging!

How to Clean the Dishwasher

Just because it’s used to clean dishes doesn’t mean you don’t have to clean the dishwasher itself. If it’s not cleaned, you could end up with mold or a buildup of food remnants that could find their way onto your dishes, which would negate the whole idea of washing them in the first place.
While the interior of the dishwasher tends to stay relatively clean, since it it’s basically cleaned every time you run a load of dishes, there are many areas of the appliance where water or small bits of food can become trapped. These areas include:
The seal
The edges and bottom of the door
The spinning arms
The drain
The edges and bottom of the door
All of these areas require a more thorough cleaning.

» Step one: Remove the racks
Taking the racks out of the dishwasher will make it easier to reach inside and clean the rest of the machine. It will also give you the opportunity to give them some attention. Scrub the racks with hot, soapy water and use a brush to clean out the silverware baskets. Then place them aside to air dry or wipe them with a kitchen towel.
» Step two: Clean the seal
The seal around the door can be prone to mold and mildew. A good way to remove it is to use a solution of one part bleach and three parts water. (Do not use bleach if your dishwasher is stainless steel.) Dip an old toothbrush in the solution and work your way around the seal to kill any mold or mildew. If none is present, you can simply use the toothbrush and a multipurpose kitchen cleaner.
» Step three: Clean the edges and bottom of the door
Use a similar method to clean the edges and the bottom of the dishwasher’s door. Use the toothbrush for corners and a rag or paper towels for the rest of the surface.
» Step four: Clean the spinning arms
The spinning arms or spray arms are the propeller-like devices that aid in the cleaning of the dishes. These arms have holes that can get clogged with food or mineral buildup. To clear out any debris in the holes, use a toothpick or even a pen. Do not use a sharp object that could scratch the surface of the arms.
» Step five: Clean the drain
The drain is located in the center of the bottom of the dishwasher. Check the drain for any debris and pick it out with your hands if there is any. If you have reason to believe that there is debris trapped further inside, you may have to disassemble the drain. This is not very common, but it does happen from time to time. However, you will not need to complete this task every time you clean the dishwasher. Be sure to unplug the dishwasher before you attempt to disassemble it! If you do not feel comfortable working with interior components of the dishwasher, please consult a professional.
If you feel comfortable clearing the inside of the drain yourself, you should be able to remove the screws with a screwdriver. Be sure that you remember where they belong and store them in a safe place where they will not get lost. Once you’ve removed the drain cover, remove any debris you find, again with your hands. (Remember, you can always wear rubber gloves.)
Wipe down the surface with a kitchen cleaner and remove any stains with the bleach solution. Then reattach the cover and plug in the dishwasher. Now, replace the racks.
» Step six: Deodorize
Deodorizing the dishwasher is similar in process to deodorizing the microwave. You can use the built-in heating system in the appliance to aid you in the process. You can use either vinegar or powdered lemon drink mix, whichever you prefer.
To deodorize with vinegar, place a bowl of vinegar in the top rack of the empty dishwasher and run the dishwasher for a full cycle on the highest heat setting available.
To deodorize with lemon, take a packet of unsweetened lemonade mix (make sure it is sugar-free) and empty it into the detergent dispenser. Then run the empty dishwasher as normal. You can also use sugar-free powdered Tang.
Either of these processes may also remove any rust or mineral deposits. If any remain, you can try a cleaner that is made specifically for rust or hard water stains. There should be several available at your local hardware store. In the future, you may want to invest in a water-softening system.
Cleaning the exterior
The outside of the dishwasher is easy to clean since there is basically just the front of the appliance that requires attention. It can be cleaned by simply spraying it with an all-purpose kitchen cleaner and wiping it down with a rag or paper towel. Make sure to scrub the knobs or buttons and the handle.
In the future …
To maintain the cleanliness of your dishwasher, remove any food or other debris, or silverware from the bottom of the dishwasher as soon as you notice it and rinse any large chunks of food off of your dishes before you place them inside. Also, remove any stickers or containers that could fall off during the wash cycle.

How to Clean Wooden Furniture

Make a mixture of 2 tablespoon Oil four tablespoon white vinegar and quarter cup of luke warm water. Dip a soft cloth in this mixture and wipe off your wooden furniture to give it a sparkling look

How to Wash Windows

Method #1: Cleaning Windows with a Squeegee
This is the method used by most professional window cleaners, and results in streak-free, spotless windows.
What you will need:
Dish soap
Squeegee
Clean Sponge
2 buckets of water
Instructions:
Mix your cleaning solution, using 4 to 6 drops of dish soap to 2 gallons of warm water. You can also use 1 cup of vinegar to 1 quart of water, or 1 cap full of ammonia per 2 gallons of water. The solutions work equally well, and it is really just a matter of personal preference.
Wet your sponge with the cleaning solution and wipe the window using broad circular motions. Pay close attention to corners and edges where dirt and grime tend to accumulate.
Dip squeegee in clean water and then starting from the very top of the window pull it vertically down (from top to bottom) stopping an inch or two from the bottom.
Wipe the squeegee, dip in clean water, and repeat on the next section of the window.
When the entire window has been cleaned, wipe the squeegee and run it horizontally along the bottom of the window to remove any remaining water.
Using a clean paper towel or lint-free cloth, wipe up areas missed by the squeegee (i.e. along the edges and in the corners).
Wipe up any excess water on the window sill.
TIP: For stubborn residue or spots (i.e. paint or stuck-on bird droppings) gently scrape with a new razor blade. Careful though; always handle razor blades with extreme care. It is advised that you wear work gloves or use a scraper tool made for this purpose.

This method is not as effective and is a little more difficult than the squeegee method, but is useful for smaller window panes where a squeegee won’t fit.
What you will need:
Commercial Spray cleaner for windows (The foaming kind works best as it does not drip)
Paper Towels, newspaper, or lint-free cloths
Instructions:
Spray on cleaner in an “S” pattern zigzagging across the entire window pane.
Using a clean paper towel, wipe the window in a circular motion. Discard paper towel
Using another clean paper towel, wipe the remaining residue from the window using a smooth circular motion.