To maintain the brightness and efficiency of solar lights, it's essential to clean them regularly. Start by wiping off loose debris with a damp cloth, then use dish soap and water to remove grime. Rinse with a clean cloth to eliminate soap residue. For cloudy marks, use painter's tape to protect the area, clean with distilled water, and finish with a lacquer spray to prevent fading. Regular cleaning every 2-3 months can optimize performance, depending on environmental conditions.
Kacie Stephens, founder of The Big Clean Co in Melbourne, shared common mistakes people make when cleaning their homes, including using too much water when mopping, using too much cleaning product, improper use of Windex for windows, neglecting vacuum maintenance, and not maintaining the vacuum cleaner head. She also recommended using a pumice stick to effectively clean grubby ovens without leaving scratches.
Bird baths are a great way to attract birds to your yard, but keeping them clean is crucial for the birds' health. To maintain a clean bird bath, choose a location away from debris, always use fresh water, keep it out of direct sunlight, add movement to the water, clean with vinegar, and clean the bath every two to four days. Additionally, dropping a few pennies in the bath can help delay the onset of algae.
Household dust contains a variety of components, including dead skin cells, pet dander, bacteria, and chemicals from indoor products, some of which can pose health risks. Exposure to harmful components in dust can occur through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact, with children being particularly vulnerable. Wildfire smoke can also contribute to the presence of hazardous substances in dust. Mitigating dust in the home can be achieved through various cleaning techniques and habits, such as using HEPA air purifiers, laundering bedding, and removing outdoor shoes before entering the house.
The kitchen sink can accumulate stubborn grime and residue, causing discoloration and odors, but a deep clean can transform it from dingy to pristine. The process involves scrubbing sink grates, using dish soap and a sponge to clean the sink, tackling hidden crevices with an old toothbrush and cleaning solution, and deodorizing the drain with baking soda and white vinegar. It's important to avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive tools, and to use vinegar cautiously to prevent damage to the sink.
To make cleaning your bathroom faster and more efficient, saturate key areas with hot water before scrubbing. The heat causes molecules to separate, making it easier to remove dirt, grime, and body oils. By using hot water, you can save time and eliminate the need for excessive scrubbing. However, this method is not recommended for bleach-based cleaners as hot water degrades their effectiveness.
Dust mites are microscopic pests that can trigger allergies and asthma. They thrive in warm, humid environments and can be found in bedding, mattresses, furniture, carpets, and curtains. To reduce exposure, use allergen-proof bed covers, wash bedding in hot water, keep humidity low, use air purifiers or specialized filters, declutter, wash soft toys regularly, and dust and vacuum regularly. Medications, nasal irrigation, and immunotherapy can provide relief for dust allergies. While you can't completely eliminate dust mites, you can make your home and body less hospitable to them.
Calcium buildup on the outside of potted plants can be removed using WD-40. First, clean the planter of dirt and debris. Shake the can of WD-40 and spray a light coat onto the affected areas. Let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub with a soft cloth or brush. Rinse with water to remove residue. To prevent future buildup, use filtered or rainwater for watering and regularly clean the planters.
This week in Well+Being, learn fall cleaning tips for a thorough home scrub-down, discover five ways to peel garlic, understand the phenomenon of trypophobia and its negative reactions to tiny holes, find joy in various activities such as enjoying the super blue moon, meeting the world's oldest chicken, going on a pizza quest, making an end-of-summer cocktail, and exploring favorite tech gadgets, and don't forget to follow Well+Being on TikTok.
Gamers are facing the challenge of removing unpleasant smells, including the smell of feces, from their gaming chairs. A Reddit post sparked a conversation about personal hygiene, with suggestions ranging from not wiping properly to wearing dirty clothes. The issue of smelly gaming chairs is not uncommon, as many gamers struggle with maintaining proper hygiene while spending long hours gaming. Cleaning tips and techniques are being sought after to address this problem.
Baking soda in the fridge is not as effective at eliminating odors as commonly believed. While it can neutralize some mild-to-moderate food smells, it is powerless against certain odors produced by bacteria and household mildew. Additionally, if baking soda has been in the fridge for too long, it can start taking on the bad smells it previously neutralized. To make baking soda more effective, pour at least one cup into a shallow dish to expose more surface area and replace it every three months. Deep-cleaning the fridge regularly and using activated charcoal can also help eliminate odors.
Workout clothes can retain a persistent smell due to bacteria that thrive in the moisture and heat created by sweat. To combat this issue, experts recommend soaking clothes in vinegar before washing, washing them immediately after a workout, using sports-centric detergents designed to remove sweat and oils, harnessing the power of sunlight to kill bacteria, and considering clothing materials that are less prone to trapping odors, such as cotton or bamboo.
The lingering smell in workout clothes is caused by bacteria that thrive in the moist and warm environment created by sweat. To combat this, experts recommend soaking clothes in vinegar before washing, washing them immediately after a workout, using sports-centric detergents designed to remove sweat and oils, harnessing the power of sunlight to kill bacteria, and considering clothing materials that are less prone to trapping odors, such as cotton or bamboo.
