Mikkel Vang
Dilemma: The kitchen and bathroom need constant cleaning attention.
Solution: For quick clean-ups in the kitchen, bathroom, and even living room, keep Clorox Disinfecting Wipes on hand.
Use on all hard, non-wood surface in your kitchen -- your sink, counters, refrigerator door, and stove tops. Wipe down bathroom sinks, tubs, tile, and the toilet exterior. And in the living room, spot-clean switch plates, phones, and doorjambs. Learn How to Speed-Clean Your Kitchen from Real Simple.
Pet Hair Removal Tricks
Dilemma: Pet hair -- everywhere.
Solution: Try one of these Real Simple reader solutions.
To pick up cat hair, put on a wet rubber dishwashing glove and wipe your hand over surfaces. The hair will stick right to it.
This tip comes from Real Simple reader Theresa Demonte, Long Beach, California.
I have two dogs who love my bed. Rather than constantly removing and washing the duvet cover to rid it of pet hair, I cover it with a matching sheet that attaches with Velcro. When the sheet gets hairy, I just replace it with a clean one.
This tip comes from Real Simple reader Chris McGinness, Ipswich, Massachusetts.
Learn How to Conquer Pet Odors from Real Simple.
Deep-Cleaning Carpet Tips
Dilemma: Dirt has taken up permanent residence in your carpet.
Solution: Follow these steps using the instructions that suit your carpet type. If you have wall-to-wall carpeting, it’s probably synthetic; an area rug should list the material on its tag. In either case, rule number one: Treat a spill right away; don't let it dry. And before attacking a large stain, test the solution in a small, inconspicuous area to make sure it won't damage the fiber or the dye.
For Synthetic-Fiber Rugs
- Vacuum any dry dirt to remove as much as possible.
- Dip a white cloth into detergent solution and dab repeatedly, then press the cloth on the spot for a few seconds. Wait 15 minutes, then soak up the excess liquid with a dry white cloth.
- Dip another dry white cloth in lukewarm water and dab repeatedly, then press it on the spot for a few seconds.
For Natural-Fiber Rugs
- Vacuum any dry dirt to remove as much as possible.
- Spray the stain with detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth.
- Spray the stain with vinegar solution, then blot with a dry white cloth.
- Reapply the detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth.
- Spray the stain with lukewarm water, then blot with a dry white cloth.
Vinegar solution: Mix 1/4 cup of white vinegar with 1/4 cup of water.
See Carpet Stain Solutions.
Odor-Eliminating Kit
Dilemma: The odor from the kitchen garbage can is often unpleasant.
Solution: Originally designed for pet odors, SeaYu Petrotech Odor Eliminator ($23 for two cans, www.petfooddirect.com) also works well in garbage cans and diaper pails. The nontoxic spray binds to odor particles and naturally biodegrades the odor-causing bacteria.
To prevent garbage smells from forming, clean and disinfect both indoor and outdoor garbage cans with an all-purpose cleaner at least once a month.
More from Real Simple:
The Best Upright Vacuums
The Most Durable Trash Bags
Best Way to Dust
