These tricks are a real treat for keeping your home clean

In for the next couple of weeks I will be sharing with the reading audience some of the tricks of the trade. I use these often and thought you too might find them useful.

1. Fabric softener sheets — Fabric softeners sheets are great for cleaning eyeglasses. It also helps prevent fogging up. They work outstanding for keeping dust off your television screen and computer monitors.

2. Socks — Old socks work great when wet in removing dust from flat surfaces. I usually put one on each hand, when they get dirty, I take them off, rinse them well and put them on and go back to work.

3. Dust — When dusting, work from the top down, let gravity work for you. Always damp dust because that permanently removes dust instead of pushing it around with a duster. I personally don’t like Swifter because it pushes dust around.

4. Dust pans — Sprinkle a little water on your dust pan just before using it. It will help prevent dust and debris from falling out.

5. Button scraper — Take a kitchen dish rag and sew a large button in the corner of the rag. It makes a great scraper for those hard to remove pieces of food on dishes and in pots. The great thing is it won’t harm surfaces when using it.

6. Plastic watering can — Plastic watering can work well when rinsing bath tubs after cleaning.

7. Sink plunger — If you find that your sink is plugged and you don’t have a plunger, try using a Frisbee. Fill your sink with hot water, place the Frisbee over the drain hole and pump it hard several times. It works surprising well in a pinch.

8. Refrigerators — Freshen up your refrigerator by wiping the inside down with a cloth dampened with vinegar. Keep a box of open baking soda in your refrigerator changing it every three months will also help reduce odors.

9. Freezers — Line the floor of your freezer with aluminum foil, if any food leak before they’re frozen, this will prevent them from sticking to the freezer floor and save a messy and lengthy cleanup.

10. Microwave — Do you have a stinky microwave? Try this, put a heat resistant container in the center of the microwave and fill it with vinegar. Boil the vinegar for a minute or two. Using rubber gloves and a soft cloth, wipe down the microwave with the hot vinegar. Let it dry. You’re going to be surprised by the end result.

Next week, I’ll add another 10 tricks of the trade to our growing list.

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@surfl.ws or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church street, Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What would Ed do? For more information about Ed, check him out at NWEES.COM

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