{"id":139601,"date":"2022-06-10T13:24:30","date_gmt":"2022-06-10T17:24:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bhgre.com\/bhgrelife\/?p=139601"},"modified":"2024-12-30T13:17:20","modified_gmt":"2024-12-30T18:17:20","slug":"how-to-clean-your-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bhgre.com\/bhgrelife\/how-to-clean-your-home\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Clean Your Home\u2019s Surfaces"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you searching for tips on <\/span>how to clean your home <\/span>in the most effective and sustainable way? You are not alone. Over the last few years, people started looking for better ways to <\/span>clean<\/span>, sanitize, or disinfect their <\/span>homes <\/span>and quickly realized that not every product is suitable for every surface. In fact, some can be downright harmful. Below, we reveal some of our favorite tips for choosing the best products to <\/span>clean your home<\/span>\u2019s surfaces.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Glass Windows<\/b><\/p>\n

Well-crafted glass windows and furniture can make your house or apartment sparkle. However, it can be tricky to figure out <\/span>how to clean your home<\/span>\u2019s glass surfaces properly, which products to use, and <\/span>how <\/span>often to use them. For example, the experts at <\/span>My Domaine<\/span><\/i><\/a> recommend window washing every six months to allow for much-needed natural light to stream into your spaces. The pros at the <\/span>Magazine<\/span><\/a> are fans of using commercial <\/span>cleaners <\/span>on them or \u201ca DIY mixture of one cup water, one cup rubbing alcohol, and one tablespoon vinegar,\u201d which is often a less expensive way to break through residue for a streak-free result.\u00a0Use a lint-free cloth (like microfiber cloths) so that you don\u2019t have to worry about leaving fuzz behind. Save some of the DIY solution for weekly use on your glass tabletops to keep them fingerprint-free.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stainless Steel<\/b><\/p>\n

Many modern kitchens are filled with sleek stainless steel appliances. And while you may love the look, there is no question that these surfaces reveal fingerprints and spills more quickly than other finishes. Start by knowing the basics \u2013 you don\u2019t want to apply flammable <\/span>cleaning <\/span>products to a gas stove or oven. You\u2019ll also want to ensure that your new appliances don\u2019t offer you specific warnings against using certain products before you begin <\/span>cleaning<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Generally, you should avoid using oil-based formulas, glass <\/span>cleaners<\/span>, or alcohol-based <\/span>cleaning <\/span>products on your stainless steel appliances. Instead, Leanne Stapf\u2014the Chief Operating Officer at The <\/span>Cleaning <\/span>Authority, suggests to <\/span>Martha Stewart Living<\/span><\/i><\/a> that people try \u201cusing products like baking soda that can revive dull stainless steel.\u201d\u00a0All you need to do is apply a small amount of baking soda to a damp, soft cloth and then buff it out and rinse.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Synthetic Stone Countertops<\/b><\/p>\n

While pretty solid-surface countertops are made to resemble stone, these attractive synthetic alternatives have different <\/span>cleaning <\/span>requirements. To keep these seamless counters looking their best, use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe them down daily. For stained areas, gentle dish soap or ammonia-based products (like glass or all-purpose <\/span>cleaners<\/span>) can be used. Are you stumped on <\/span>how to clean <\/span>tougher stains from your solid-surface counters? For more difficult stains on shiny synthetic stone countertops, the experts at <\/span>The Spruce<\/span><\/i><\/a> suggest using \u201ca liquid, mildly abrasive <\/span>cleaner<\/span>, while stains on non-shiny (matte) finishes are easily <\/span>cleaned<\/span> with a baking soda and water paste.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Granite Counters<\/b><\/p>\n

If you are wondering <\/span>how to clean your home<\/span>\u2019s granite countertops, experts agree that a gentle <\/span>cleaner<\/span>, like a Castile soap or dish soap, is your best bet. Jennifer Parnell, the co-founder of Humble Suds, tells <\/span>Martha Stewart Living<\/span><\/i><\/a> that the advantage of a gentle <\/span>cleaner <\/span>over more abrasive ones is that it \u201cwill prevent the erosion of the granite countertop\u2019s sealant and won\u2019t cause any physical damage to the stone.\u201d\u00a0She also advises the <\/span>Magazine<\/span><\/a> that before using all-purpose products on granite surfaces, \u201censure they do not contain citric acid, bleach, or ammonia.\u201d Dry the surface with a soft microfiber towel to remove any remaining residue or water, as both can stain granite countertops if left to sit for too long.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Marble Surfaces<\/b><\/p>\n

Marble tabletops and counters are beautiful to look at but surprisingly delicate and challenging to maintain. Scratches, chips, and stains can happen easily, although sealers should offer protection for a couple of years. According to <\/span>Martha Stewart Living<\/span><\/i><\/a>, the best way <\/span>to clean your home<\/span>\u2019s marble surfaces is by dusting the surfaces regularly with a soft cloth and \u201c[washing] the marble periodically with a cloth dampened with warm water, and, if necessary, a bit of mild dishwashing liquid.\u201d Then, wipe down the surface again with another damp cloth. Never use abrasive cleansers on marble. Spills should be blotted and rinsed immediately to avoid staining. The <\/span>Magazine<\/span><\/a> also recommends \u201c[applying] marble polish (available in hardware stores) on a regular basis to maintain the stone\u2019s luster.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bathroom Tile<\/b><\/p>\n

While it makes sense that people might want to use bleach on all-white bathrooms, it may not be the best option if you want to preserve the longevity (and shine) of your bathroom tile. And bleach should never be used on colored tile surfaces. Instead, <\/span>Better <\/span><\/i>Homes<\/span><\/i> & Gardens<\/span><\/i><\/a> is a fan of using DIY <\/span>cleaners<\/span>, even on stubborn soap scum. The <\/span>Magazine<\/span><\/a> recommends \u201c[mixing] 1\/2-cup white distilled vinegar with a gallon of warm water.\u201d This solution works well when scrubbing wall tile and counters (except those made of granite or marble) and mopping floors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Shower Doors<\/b><\/p>\n

Shower doors can be challenging. You are often doing battle with hard-water build-up, mold, and soap scum. The experts agree that you should try to <\/span>clean<\/span> shower doors whenever you <\/span>clean <\/span>the bathroom \u2013 about once a week. While many heavy-duty products are on the market for this type of job, a variation on a DIY favorite can be effective. <\/span>My Domaine<\/span><\/i><\/a> recommends that you fill a <\/span>clean <\/span>spray bottle filled with a solution that is \u201c2 parts white vinegar and 1 part dish soap.\u201d Shake up the solution, spray it on the shower door, and let it sit for 30 minutes. Wipe the shower door down with a microfiber cloth, sponge, or eco-friendly Swedish dish cloth.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Wood Furniture<\/b><\/p>\n

When deciding <\/span>how to<\/span> best <\/span>clean your home<\/span>\u2019s wood furniture, you\u2019ll want to focus on <\/span>cleaning <\/span>products that enhance the piece\u2019s natural shine while also protecting it against future sun damage. <\/span>The Spruce<\/span><\/i><\/a> loves Weiman\u2019s Furniture Wipes because the wipes \u201cnot only <\/span>clean <\/span>dust and dirt off your wood surfaces, but they also polish them.\u201d These wipes only use plant-based ingredients, so using them is safe for your kids and pets. As a bonus, the <\/span>Magazine<\/span><\/a> reveals that \u201c[the] wipes also use a micro-filling technology to remove scratches and protect the surface from future scratches.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Upholstered Furniture<\/b><\/p>\n

Better <\/span><\/i>Homes<\/span><\/i> & Gardens<\/span><\/i><\/a> advises that you take a multi-step approach to deep <\/span>cleaning <\/span>your upholstered furniture: vacuum, spot <\/span>clean<\/span>, and sanitize. Regular vacuuming is ideal for removing pet hair and crumbs, and it\u2019s a great place to start when deep <\/span>cleaning<\/span>. Spot <\/span>cleaning <\/span>with soap and water can quickly take care of the occasional spill, and it works well when dealing with \u201cheavily soiled\u201d areas. The final step to sanitizing your upholstered furniture, according to <\/span>Better <\/span><\/i>Homes<\/span><\/i> & Gardens<\/span><\/i><\/a>, may be using products \u201clike OxiClean Laundry and <\/span>Home <\/span>Sanitizer or Febreze Antimicrobial Fabric Spray.\u201d But before you begin, the <\/span>Magazine<\/span><\/a> cautions, \u201cas with any <\/span>cleaning <\/span>agent or fabric surface, it\u2019s always best practice to test your sanitizing products for colorfastness on an inconspicuous spot before using it on the entire surface area.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Household Electronics<\/b><\/p>\n

Our households feature a lot of electronics that need a delicate hand when <\/span>cleaning <\/span>and disinfecting. While you need to stop moisture from getting inside your electronic devices, you still want to remove grime, germs, and dust on your screens, remote controls, gaming systems, and computer peripherals. Editors at <\/span>The Spruce<\/span><\/i><\/a> hailed Weiman Electronic <\/span>Cleaning <\/span>Wipes as the best way to <\/span>clean<\/span> your favorite electronics. The <\/span>Magazine<\/span><\/a> explains: \u201cWeiman Electronic Wipes are designed to remove dust, dirt, and fingerprints without leaving behind lint or streaks. The formula creates a protective film on your devices that prevents scratches and repels the static that attracts dust and dirt.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For disinfecting your portable electronic devices, you may need to turn to Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. Just be sure to squeeze out any extra liquid from the wipe before using it on your phone or tablet. Then dry the surface with a microfiber cloth to get rid of any residue.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Hardwood Floors<\/b><\/p>\n

Knowing <\/span>how to clean your home<\/span>\u2019s hardwood floors can be challenging because you want to deep <\/span>clean<\/span> them without warping them or leaving them scratched. Start by removing loose dirt using a cloth duster, vacuum with a hard floor attachment, or soft broom. Next, Mary Gagliardi, the Clorox in-house scientist and <\/span>cleaning <\/span>expert, tells <\/span>Martha Stewart Living<\/span><\/i><\/a> that mopping hardwood floors with a solution of \u201cone-fourth cup of Pine-Sol Multi-Surface <\/span>Cleaner <\/span>\u2026 with a gallon of water\u201d once a week will get rid of grime while making the floor shine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

An Ace Hardware helpful expert, Lou Manfredini, cautions against using vinegar on hardwood flooring. Why? Manfredini explains that \u201cvinegar is an acid and long-term use will dull the floors.\u201d If you are searching for a natural-based <\/span>cleaning <\/span>solution, he instead recommends to <\/span>Martha Stewart Living<\/span><\/i><\/a> that people should choose an option \u201clike Bona No Scent Floor <\/span>Cleaner <\/span>Liquid,\u201d which can be sprayed onto the floor directly, left to sit for two minutes, and then mopped up without a need for rinsing.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"