An Unusual Way to Get Whiter Whites - Laundry Tips

Getting whiter whites...sounds like the woes of a woman in the 1950's, no? But seriously, it's one of those trickly laundry situations that make all of us happy slobs shake our heads...or perhaps in very bad moments, shaking our fists in despair at our dingy, greyish white clothes! So, I started doing some research to find new ways to get white laundry whiter and cleaner than ever.

Now, I admit that this tip is not entirely natural, so if you come here for tips on homemade, all-natural cleaners then it might not be the best tip for you. But, I read how some people use dishwasher detergent, of all things to boost the whitening power of their wash.

And guess what? It actually works! I added about a half cup of non-phosphate dishwasher detergent to a hot water load of white laundry. I wasn't really expecting much. But, to my (pleased!) surprise, the laundry looked much whiter than before. The dishwasher detergent (it was, as mentioned non-phosphate, and was a powder formula) left the whites much whiter and also felt crisp and nice to the touch. Huh. I'm still surprised by it all.

I'm not sure if you'd need to add this to your wash every time you wash whites. I might do it once in a while to boost whitening. But, it's a tip that I definitely had to share.

Have a killer laundry tip that you just MUST share with other Happy Slobs from around the world? Don't hold back slobbos - please, post it. :) And go and do a cleaning burst while you're at it...I'm about to do the same!

Crazy Cleaning Tips - Cleaning with Vodka - Happy Slob Housecleaning Tips

Now here's a bunch of cleaning tips that should really grab your attention - cleaning with vodka! "Vodka??" You might ask. "Is she nuts?" Well...that's still up for debate, but on the topic of cleaning with vodka, I'm absolutely serious.

I've collected some of my favorite vodka cleaning tips for you, all right here. And remember: you certainly don't need a beautiful, expensive bottle of vodka for cleaning purposes. Just the cheapest old variety will do a fantastic job.

1. Cleaning pet stains - of which I've encountered many! Vodka is great at lifting even tough stains. Since vodka is colorless and odorless, it won't add any additional staining to your carpet. I would be tempted to try a few tablespoons in my little carpet spot cleaner the next time the cats have a stomach upset...I'll post the results.
2. Jewelry cleaner - Get those rocks sparkling again! Just let them soak in a tiny dish, swishing the jewelry around a bit to loosen gunk and grime that's had time to collect over the years. This is a tip I'm going to utilize this week - my old diamond solitaire is looking pretty UN-sparkly and needs a good clean.
3. Cleaning leather - this was posted a couple of years ago by a Happy Slob reader: "I also used straight vodka to clean white paint off my son's black leather jacket. Worked great."
4. Cleaning chandeliers - Now I don't have a chandelier myself, but I can only imagine the agony it must be to clean one! So I found this tip using vodka for all of you who DO have chandeliers to clean: "Vodka is also an excellent cleaner for chandeliers. Just mix one part of vodka with five parts of water and spray it on your chandelier. Let the excess drip onto a towel on the floor below."
5. Cleaning clothing stains - Use it full strength to muscle away stubborn stains on clothing, including grass stains or food stains.

Q-Tips - More than Just Clean Ears - Cleans the Bathroom Too

Q-Tips are a favorite of mine...I'm slightly obssessed with clean, goo-free ears. But, these handy little gizmos are also a Happy Slob Housecleaner's best friend! Keep a few in your cleaning kit, to get at the gunk that collects around sinks, or to clean other tiny little areas, like around taps and faucets.

Another way to De-Fog (Anti-Fog) Your Bathroom Mirrors

Here's a great tip from Ange, a Happy Slob Housecleaner:

"Hiya! Just wanted to let you know of another way to keep bathroom mirrors defogged: shaving cream! Spray it on, wipe it off with a paper towel, and voila!"

Thanks Ange. :) I'll give this a go and see how it works!

Take care,
Christina

Cleaning Questions from Readers - How to Clean Dried Flowers and Floral Arrangements

Here's an email I recently received from a Happy Slob Housecleaner named Mary:

Hi Christina, I have been searching for a way to clean my wreaths. They are made of dried flowers. They lose flowers very easily, but they are oh-so dusty. Please HELP. Mary


Hey Mary,

:) Relax! I promise it's not nearly as hard to clean those things as you might imagine it to be. In fact, it just takes a little air - compressed air, that is.

A little can of compressed air is a handy tool to have around the house for all sorts of delicate cleaning jobs. For example - they're mainly used to clean computer and keyboard components, but are also the perfect cleaning implement for use on - you got it! - your gorgeous little floral wreath. I have one of those that is in dire need of cleaning, too, so I'm going to take my own advice! (Haha...as always, I tell you that I don't call myself the Original Happy Slob for nothing! ;)

Anyway...all you need to do is to purchase a can of compressed air. The most likely place to find this is at a computer store, or in the computer/electronics section of any major department store. Use this and a soft toothbrush or little feather duster to get rid of all the dust. The compressed air will gently swoosh that dirt and dust away, and you can use the soft toothbrush or mini feather duster (which I've successfully found at dollar stores for - you guessed it - 1 dollar) to remove the lingering bits.

:) Hope this helps you out Mary!
Hugs,
Christina