Cleaning Your Way To A Happy Mother’s Day

1. Getting More Life Out Of An Old Shower

Think your shower curtain is fit for the garbage? Don’t throw away your liner just because of mildew and dirt buildup. Extend its life by cleaning it in your washing machine. Here’s what to do:

1. Set the machine on the gentle cycle with warm water and 1 cup of regular laundry detergent or 1⁄2 cup of vinegar. 
2. Afterward, whirl it in your dryer, set on low heat or fluff, for about 20 minutes.
3. Make sure to hang it back up immediately to avoid any wrinkles. 

If your shower has doors instead of a curtain, don’t worry we’ve got tips for you, too. Stubborn buildup on glass shower doors may be unsightly, but it’s no competition for a few common household ingredients such as white vinegar, baking soda, and salt. Try this:

1. Spray vinegar on the door and let it sit for a few minutes. 
2. Create a paste with equal amounts of baking soda and salt.
3. Use a damp sponge to rub this paste over the door, then rinse well. 

This process is sure to leave your shower doors sparkling clean – just the way mom likes them.

(Photo: Thinkstock)

2. Clean Radiators Will Let The Whole Family Breath Easier

Some heaters have hundreds of little crevices that are quite a pain when it comes to dusting. Here’s a quick and easy way to dislodge all the dust that can collect in them:

1. Aim the nozzle of a hair dryer (set on cool) at the dust-clogged baseboard heater, just as you might do with a leaf blower on a sidewalk.
2. By aiming in one direction along the top of the baseboard, you’ll be able to blow the dust to the floor.
3. After a quick sweep with the vacuum cleaner, the dust will be gone.

(Photo: Thinkstock)

3. Rid Mom’s Blinds Of Dust Bunnies

Blinds are like miniature dust-collective shelves. Ignore them, and you’ll have an entire dust library in no time. Clean your mom’s blinds in the following way:

1. Dip a cloth in some rubbing alcohol.
2. Then, wrap the cloth around a rubber spatula and go back and forth between the slats to thoroughly clean the dust.
3. To keep dust from piling up again, use an antistatic spray, such as Static Guard, on the window blinds right after you clean them.

(Photo: Thinkstock)

4. Even Outdoor Windows Need Some Motherly Love

Because exterior windows are exposed to the elements, they tend to get dirty fairly quickly. Luckily, they can be cleaned very easily using the right technique:

1. First of all, avoid cleaning the windows in direct sunlight as this will cause the cleaner to dry before you wipe it off. 
2. Start by vacuuming the frames and sills to remove loose dirt. Afterwards, wipe them down with a damp cloth. 
3. Create a mixture of 3.5 liters of water and 1 cup of white vinegar. You can even add a little dishwashing liquid to help cut any grease. 
4. Using the cleaning mixture and a squeegee, start at the top of the window and work your way down.
5. After all your hard work, help keep your windows clean by wiping a coat of clear floor wax on the sills to protect them from collecting dirt.

(Photo: Thinkstock)

5. Spare Mom From Cleaning Mineral Menaces

No one likes crusty white deposits on a sink faucet. Try this easy solution:

1. Before you go to bed one night, head to your kitchen for a bottle of white vinegar and three paper towels. 
2. Dip the towels in the white vinegar and wrap them around the faucet like a cocoon. 
3. In the morning, remove the towels. Fill the basin with warm water and add a squirt of dishwashing liquid. Dip an old toothbrush in the solution and scrub the faucet to remove the final bits of mineral deposit. 

This simple technique is sure to leave the faucet looking clean enough to meet even mom’s standards.

(Photo: Thinkstock)

6. Make Mom’s Chandelier Shine Like New

Impress your mom by cleaning her crystal chandelier without removing it from the ceiling or taking it apart. Here’s how:

1. Simply mix two teaspoons of rubbing alcohol and a pint of warm water in a spray bottle. 
2. Hang an opened umbrella upside down, attaching the handle to the bottom of the chandelier. 
3. Cover the bulbs and sockets with sandwich bags secured with twist ties. 
4. As you spray the cleaner on, the umbrella catches the dirty drips – no scrubbing or wiping necessary.

(Photo: Thinkstock)

7. No Mom Likes Stinky Socks

The laundry hamper is no stranger to interesting smells. In order to save your mom from whatever is brewing in your hamper, try the following:

1. Place a sheet of fabric softener in the bottom of the hamper and remember to change it every week.
2. You can also sprinkle some baking soda in the bottom of the basket instead.

Either of these options will leave your hamper smelling fresh and clean.

(Photo: Thinkstock)