Some Quick Cleaning Tips

by Marjorie Dorfman | More from this Blogger

27 Aug 2006 01:25 AM

For most of us, cleaning is a chore we could all live without. Like most unpleasant things in life, however, it must be done. Here are some ideas to move you along and make the experience if not better at least bit quicker. 1. Use a lint roller to dust lampshades. It's easier than the vacuum. Slip on an old sock and dust as you go. (In my house, socks are hard to find as I have a cat that steals them and hides them!) 2. For windows and mirrors, try vinegar instead of a store bought cleaner. It's cheap and very effective, and whatever is left over, you can put in a salad. 3. To clean a microwave oven quickly, place a cup of boiling water inside. The steam will help loosen particles and they will be easier to wipe away. (If you don't own a microwave, ignore this tip.) 4. For cleaning the refrigerator, go through the bad food each trash day morning. This will clear space to make cleaning easier. (Whatever you do, don't get carried away and throw out your dinner for that evening!) 5. Filing paperwork is one thing many of us put off. I myself have a mountain of it in my office that is getting harder and harder to ignore. Take some television time to do it. Watch your favorite show and file your papers at the same time. You don't really need to think to file, and all you really need to do is sort them into categories based on your file names. (Avoid file category names, "the" and "file and forget.") 6. To save time, clean the shower and take one simultaneously. (Do not however, get cleaning liquid confused with body soap as this is not healthy and will do nothing for your tile.) Cleaning will probably always be a chore, but maybe now it can be less of one.

Good luck! (And if you have some time, can you come to my house and clean a bit?)

Learn more about Marjorie Dorfman

Marjorie Dorfman is a freelance writer and former teacher originally from Brooklyn, New York.

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Sheri Fresonke Harper (4092) 27 Aug 2006 09:11 AM

Thanks for the tip about using a lint roller on lampshades. I never knew what to try. I never had much use for a lint roller since I don't think they work, but on dust, I bet they do a spiffy job. We use vinegar all the time for cleaning.

mama_rhapsody (405) 28 Aug 2006 02:54 PM

"2. For windows and mirrors, try vinegar instead of a store bought cleaner. It's cheap and very effective, and whatever is left over, you can put in a salad."

And to add it : Wipe it off with newspaper!!! It leaves a streak free shine, I love it!

Marjorie Dorfman (2577) 29 Aug 2006 02:56 AM

Hi Mama Rhapsody, No kidding about the newspaper! I have to try that. (I knew I couldn't put it with the vinegar in my salads!) Thanks for sharing!

Marjorie Dorfman (2577) 29 Aug 2006 02:57 AM

Hi Sheri, Thanks so much for sharing! I have never tried the roller, but I have heard that it works. Keep reading.