Tips help keep your home sparkling clean, grim-free

If you’re looking to keep your home clean — try these tricks professionals use. To continue the tricks, here are another eight great ideas/

1. To remove crayon — Put a little toothpaste on a cloth and rub gently. It should come right off. If you don’t have toothpaste, try baking soda.

2. To remove nicotine — Mix a bucket of distilled white vinegar and water. Wash the wall from the bottom up, that way you don’t get run marks. If it is real bad, several applications may be necessary.

3. Paneled wall cleaner — Use Dawn dishsoap in a bucket of water, remember to wash from the bottom up.

4. To remove wallpaper — First score the surface with a sharp knife or razor blade. This will allow the solution to penetrate the surface I usually mix a solution of white vinegar and dish soap. Wet the paper and let it soak in. It should peal right off.

5. fly spots — Sometimes you see fly spots on window. Rubbing alcohol will take them right off.

6. Cleaning window sheers — A great way to clean them is fill your bathtub with warm water, drop in several denture tablets and let the sheers sit overnight. You’ll be surprised how clean they will get.

7. Dust mites — To kill dust mites that are in your bedding, place the item in a plastic bag and place the bag in your freezer for several hours.

8. Candleholder cleaner — If you use candles, coat the hold with petroleum jelly. Wax will not stick to the holder.

Next week, I’ll provide you with another eight tricks of the trade, until then — keep smiling.

When cleaning with any cleaning product, always wear eye protection and rubber gloves to protect your hands. If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed at NWES (255-2266), e-mail them to madan@surf1.ws or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed Do?

For more information about Ed, check him out at www.NWEES.com.

? Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified forensic, fire, flood, mold inspections and remediation/restoration contractor. Ed is the president of Northwest Environmental Services, Inc.