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I’m a bit of a clean freak, but having small (and very active) children around the house, b”H, forces me to do my cleaning very quickly (during nap time or after bedtime). As I was washing my floor for Shabbos with my new Libman freedom mop (totally worth it), I was wondering if anyone had good tips and/or strategies for making cleaning easier.
I’ll start: I used to have to clean my white-tiled, very-hard-to-clean corner shower with bleach occasionally to get the pinkish residue out of the grout. Needless to say, it was not a task I enjoyed and I waited until the shower looked, shall we say, not so great, then had to leave the windows open and suffer through the bleach smell. Then, a few weeks ago, I saw a tip in the Mishpacha Family First on cleaning showers: mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 2 parts water, spray it on the shower walls, let it sit for a while, then scrub and rinse. I tried it and it really worked! No smell, no gloves, no worrying about staining my towels or clothes – and now I just spray it regularly without scrubbing and it keeps the shower nice and clean.
Anyone else?
You can google baking soda to see many uses for it. I personally use it mostly for polishing silver.
2qwerty- that sounds interesting. Please tell us how you do it exactly. I would like to try it on my Leichters tomorrow.
Ok 2qwerty:
Just finished reading up on cleaning silver with baking soda. They all write that it can ruin the silver and it should be used only sparingly.
The store bought silver polish is the best solution for silver cleaning.
I use toothpaste to polish silver,it’s cheaper and almost always on hand.Just squeeze out on to a damp rag or sponge then proceede as would with polish .
how’d the latkes come out?
There was an excellent article in either the bina or mishpacha magazine discussing the best way to polish silver. I will have to look at it again but i remember it specifically said NOT to use Toothpaste because anything gritty will harm your silver. I think it also said that it is good to use liquid hand sanitizer to clean and polish silver. If anyone is interested I will go through my magazines and find that article.
Imaofthree: I would be very grateful for the info from the article about cleaning silver….. Thanks in advance.
A freilichen Chanukah!
I didn’t want to make you search for it, but since someone already asked, ill second that request!
Thanks!
The Best Bubby and Smart Cookie, I found the article in the Mishpacha Family First (Nov. 24, 2010) Issue #217. There was a whole page about it so I will write a few things before the kiddies come home.
All Plishes cause some degree of abrasion;begin with the least abrasive method possible.
Line the sink with a towel to prevent scratches.
For light tarnish (a yellowish tinge), a wash and dry in warm water and non lemon scented phosphate free dish detergent may suffice. dry with a soft cotton cloth.
For BROWN tarnish, use plain venegar, windes with venegar or a liquid nonabrasive, unscented, aloe free hand sanitizer. Dip a cotton ball in the liquid and rub. make sure to rotate the pies often so as not to spread the tarnish or cause scratches. rinse and dry.
For SERIOUS tarnish, use a commercial polish. Pour hot water over the silver to prvent dust on the silver from scratching. apply a very small amount of liquid polish to a moist cellulose sponge and rub back and forth. rinse the sponge often to prevent scratches. rinse off the polish and dry immediately with a soft cloth. The friction of rubbing helps bring out the shine. to be continued…..
all POLISHES, not Plishes.
No thread like this would be complete without SOMEone being sarcastic, so…
(no, I’ll wait another day to see if someone wants the honors)
imaofthree
i’m a little confused about the instructions on brown tarnish. could you maybe rewrite it thank you
Thanks LAer, for correcting my spelling mistakes. I was in a rush copying this from the magazine cause kiddies need supper and Latkes!
NEVER place silver in the dishwasher, especially alongside stainless steel. Your silver may turn gray, white or non-reflective.
Never use abrasive polishes, such as baking soda or toothpaste.
Never use aluminum foil to do a “magic polish” your silver will tarnish more quickly and over time may become permanently discolored and pitted.
Never use spray polish or chemical dips. They are hazardous to both you and your silver.
Never use an all purpose metal cleaner or polish.
to be continued….
Thank you Ima! Interesting facts.
I was going to say:
All these tips are so creative! My goyta will be so happy to learn them.. Thanks all!
Ok seriously… Can we please ease off the cleaning throttle? I’m willing to bet the average CR member’s kitchen is cleaner than some hospital emergency rooms. Lighten up, folks!
so we shouldnt talk about cars, and now we shouldnt talk about cleaning
do you have a thing about words that begin with c?
lucky “scotch” isnt “cotch”
Oh no, car talk is ok.. its cleaning the car I have a problem with (I mean, it just rained a few days ago, right? And pesach is just around the bend, no?)
And come to think of it, scotch is the ultimate cleanser!
Chocolate is off limits too?
Cabernet Sauvignon?
Cognac?
What about cholera in Haiti?
X-mas also starts with a “C”, is that off limits now?
that means no CHOLENT, and crazy shidduch stories. Ok fine well just have to settle for something more simple like common cold/ cough tips. Oh shreck thats also “C” So what should we talk about?
Hello? I have no problem with the occasional clean-up. Say, if a cup of milk spills, it should be wiped up. But to spray down the entire kitchen table before and after each meal? That’s overkill.
And come to think of it, Cholent, along with an ice-cold beer, is another ultimate cleanser!
Good point, Blinky!
“But to spray down the entire kitchen table before and after each meal? That’s overkill”
I call that sanitary…
“I call that sanitary”
I guess that means you don’t subcribe to the “5 second” rule either.
“I guess that means you don’t subcribe to the “5 second” rule either”
Probably not since I was 4.
The 5 second rule has been proven scientifically.
Keep in mind that the 5 second rule applies to a random location. In your own home it is safe to assume a higher level of cleanliness than in say, Grand Central Terminal. Thus, in your own home the 30 second rule applies.
TIPS FOR CLEANING SILVER, from Mishpacha magazine:
Polishes that are meant to be washed off are less abrasive.
If your silver piece has porous attachments (i.e/ a wooden handle), use a polish that gets buffed dry, not rinsed off.
Some polishes also provide tarnish protection; check the label.
To get between fork tines, use a flattened cotton swab.
Use Cotton gloves while drying; the oily salt natually found on your fingers can cause tarnish.
Remove wax by placing in the freezer and gently using a fingernail (not a knife) to scrape away what remains, or use a blow drier to soften.
“Probably not since I was 4”
I mean this in the most constructive way, Sac. Consider getting re-acquainted with the rule, as your kids (I”H) will no doubt take great delight in flinging their food off the high-chair tray (both to hear the PLOP it makes when landing, and the reaction they get from mommy).
Not to mention, dropped lolly-pops at the playground. Unless you have shares in Blooms, that is.
BPT
As my entire family already knows… My kids are going to be the most well behaved lil buggers on the planet 😉
Uh huh. Just wait till they swap pacifiers in playgroup with the other lil buggers.
Oh, do I remember my early parenting days!
What are the favorite brands of silver polish these days?
I used to love the pink Rokeach brand silver polishing cream, in the plastic jar. It was great. I think its no longer available.
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