How to Clean Acrylic and Glass Surfaces

Dust the surface with a clean, damp cloth or chamois, wiping gently. The damp cloth cuts down on
friction, helping reduce static electricity, which holds the dust. Wash with a mild detergent and
water solution for acrylic or with an ammonia and water solution or glass cleaner for glass. Use a
soft cloth or a clean sponge; acrylic scratches easily. Rinse with a clean, damp cloth and dry with a
clean, soft cloth.

How to Clean Appliance Surfaces

Product: All-purpose (nonabrasive) cleaners (powder, liquid).

How To Use: Mix with water or use liquids full-strength according to package directions; generally
no rinsing required, except for no-wax floors or when used full-strength.

How to Get Rid of Baked-On Food

Product: Baking soda.

How To Use: Paste: Mix 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water Solution: Mix 4 tablespoons baking
soda per 1 quart water Dry: Sprinkle straight from box. Rub with damp sponge or cloth; rinse and
dry.

Product: Abrasive cleaner (powder).

How To Use: Wet surface and apply cleanser; rub/scour gently as needed and rinse.

How to Clean Barbecue Grills

To clean the rack at the end of the season, use an oven cleaner or soak it in a household ammonia
and water solution; then scrub and rinse. For gas-fueled grills, follow the directions in the owner's
manual. To clean permanent briquettes, flip them occasionally, ignite the grill, and, with the cover
closed, allow it to burn at a high setting for about 15 minutes.

How to Clean Cast Iron

Never wash a cast-iron utensil in the dishwasher; use baking soda to remove burned-on food
residue. Always be sure to hand-dry thoroughly to prevent rust.

How to Clean Automatic Coffeemakers

Product: Vinegar (white).

How To Use: Use full-strength or diluted depending on use. To clean automatic drip coffeepots, fill
reservoir with vinegar and water and run through a brew cycle; follow with a cycle of clear water to
rinse.

How to Clean Collectibles

Try using a dry paintbrush (with bristles at least 3 inches long) to clean both the surface and the
little crevices. Wash the paintbrush with hand soap and warm water and air dry before using again.
 How to Clean Computers

Never use household glass cleaners on computer monitor screens. Instead, use a static-free
product made for cleaning monitor screens. Keep static-free covers on the computer and printer
when not in use.

How to Clean Cooking Utensils

Product: Abrasive cleaner (powder).

How To Use: Wet surface and apply cleanser; rub/scour gently as needed and rinse.

How to Clean Lamps and Lampshades

Dust the base of the lamp, the bulb, and the shade with a soft cloth or the dusting tool on your
vacuum cleaner. Clean the base with a damp sponge or cloth an dthe cleaning product appropriate
for the material. Do not immerse the base in water since this damages the wiring.

How to Clean a Microwave Oven

If there is a turntable, remove it and wash in warm, sudsy water or in the dishwasher; then dry. To
clean the interior, boil a cup of water inside for 3 to 4 minutes. The condensation will loosen any
food soil on the walls or ceiling of the oven. Then wipe with a damp sponge or cloth, and dry. Never
use a commercial oven cleaner or remove the cover in the top of the oven interior for cleaning. To
deodorize, wash the interior surfaces every few months with a solution of 1/4 cup of baking soda to
1 quart of warm water; rinse and dry.

How to Remove Mildew

Product: Chlorine bleach.

How To Use: Mix 3/4 cup bleach to 1 gallon water; increase strength as needed.

How to Clean Mirrors

Product: Ammonia. Do not use to clean clear plastic windows or surfaces and on aluminum;
clouding and pitting can occur. Do not use on brass fixtures; pitting can occur.

How To Use: You can control the cleaning strength by increasing the ammonia from 1/2 cup to 1
cup per gallon of water as the job difficulty increases. For spray bottle use: Mix 1 part ammonia to
16 parts water. For windows and mirrors: Use 2 tablespoons ammonia per 1 quart water.

Product: Glass cleaners (liquid, spray).

How To Use: Spray directly on windows or on cloth or sponge for mirror or picture glass; wipe and
dry.

How to Clean Toilet Bowls

Product: Abrasive cleaner (liquid).

How To Use: Apply to surface; rub gently and rinse.

How to Clean Upholstery Fabrics

The furniture industry has developed codes for cleaning upholstery fabrics. You'll find the code on
the piece of furniture and on sample fabric swatches.

 W:Clean the fabric with a water-based product such as foam from a mild detergent or
nonsolvent upholstery shampoo.

 S: Clean the fabric with a solvent-based cleaner.

 WS: Clean the fabric with a nonsolvent or solvent-based cleaning product.

 X: Have the fabric professionally dry cleaned.

How to Clean Vinyl and Plastic

Use a sponge dampened in a detergent and water solution; rinse and wipe dry with a clean cloth.

How to Clean Wicker, Rattan, Bamboo and Cane

Vacuum, using a brush to loosen dust and dirt. Sponge rattan, bamboo, and cane with a solution of
water and hand dishwashing detergent; for wicker, wash gently with a soft-bristled paintbrush or
toothbrush. Rinse with a clean, damp sponge, and dry the surface immediately. A light coat of
furniture polish will renew natural or dark wicker, rattan and cane. Avoid using it on white or pastel
colors.

How to Clean Window Blinds/Washable Shades

Product: All-purpose (nonabrasive) cleaners (powder, liquid).

How To Use: Mix with water or use liquids full-strength according to package directions; generally
no rinsing required, except for no-wax floors or when used full-strength.

How to Clean Windows

Product: Ammonia. Do not use to clean clear plastic windows or surfaces and on aluminum;
clouding and pitting can occur. Do not use on brass fixtures; pitting can occur.

How To Use: You can control the cleaning strength by increasing the ammonia from 1/2 cup to 1
cup per gallon of water as the job difficulty increases. For spray bottle use: Mix 1 part ammonia to
16 parts water. For windows and mirrors: Use 2 tablespoons ammonia per 1 quart water.

How to Clean Toilet Bowls

Product: Abrasive cleaner (liquid).

How To Use: Apply to surface; rub gently and rinse.

 How to Clean Screens

Clean screens outdoors or in a bathtub. Fill a large bucket with warm water and add an all-purpose
(non-ammonia) household cleaner. Dip a scrub brush into the solution, scrub both sides of the
screen, then wash the screen frame with the same brush. Rinse both sides of the screen and the
frame with clean water. Let the screen drip-dry for a few minutes, then wipe it with a dry cloth;
stand it up to dry completely.

How to Clean Sinks

Product: Abrasive cleaner (liquid).

How To Use: Apply to surface; rub gently and rinse.

How to Clean Small Plastic Appliances

Product: All-purpose (nonabrasive) cleaners (powder, liquid).

How To Use: Mix with water or use liquids full-strength according to package directions; generally
no rinsing required, except for no-wax floors or when used full-strength.

How to Clean Smooth-Top Ranges

Product: Abrasive cleaner (liquid).

How To Use: Apply to surface; rub gently and rinse.

How to Remove Stains from Hard Surfaces, Toilet Bowls and Dishes

Product: Chlorine bleach.

How To Use: Mix 3/4 cup bleach to 1 gallon water; increase strength as needed.

How to Remove Stains on Plastic Utensils and Dishes

Product: Baking soda.

How To Use: Paste: Mix 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water Solution: Mix 4 tablespoons baking
soda per 1 quart water Dry: Sprinkle straight from box. Rub with damp sponge or cloth; rinse and
dry.

How to Remove Stains on Sinks and Tubs

Product: Abrasive cleaner (powder).

How To Use: Wet surface and apply cleanser; rub/scour gently as needed and rinse.

How to Clean Stainless Steel

Product: Ammonia. Do not use to clean clear plastic windows or surfaces and on aluminum;
clouding and pitting can occur. Do not use on brass fixtures; pitting can occur.
How To Use: You can control the cleaning strength by increasing the ammonia from 1/2 cup to 1
cup per gallon of water as the job difficulty increases. For spray bottle use: Mix 1 part ammonia to
16 parts water. For windows and mirrors: Use 2 tablespoons ammonia per 1 quart water.

How to Clean Stereo Equipment

Vacuum the ventilation louvers of your stereo components, tape deck or CD player and speaker
grilles every now and then to prevent dust buildup, which can cause overheating.