Your Interview

What do i use to clean a part tile/part wood floor with the same mop and using little chemical product?

Melissa Maker: Hi Victor, we see many combination floors like the one you are describing. You want to clean the floor based on what finishes are most sensitive.

There are plenty of specialty products for hardwood floor surfaces (Method’s ‘Wood for Good’, Woodpecker are a few that we love to use). However for your case, here’s a great alternative.

Purchase a terrycloth mop and spray bottle filled with ¼ cup white vinegar (or cider vinegar if you prefer the smell, just don’t use balsamic!) and water. You can get the bottle at your local dollar store. Place the nozzle on ‘mist’ and lightly spray the floors as you mop in long strokes. The vinegar will cut the grease and dirt just enough and provide the needed cleaning power to the tile as well. By using the spray method as opposed to the traditional bucket and string mop, you are taking great care of your wood floors by preventing any moisture from seeping into the crevices (which causes unsightly warping and buckling). This method also allows the floor to dry quicker, which is perfect for quick clean ups.

Should I use bleach to keep the toilet bolw sparkling white?

Melissa Maker: Hi Martino,
I am a proponent of eco-friendly cleaning methods, so I cringe when I hear about bleach being used. There are plenty of other ways to keep the bowl looking sparkling!

For starters, cleaning the toilet once a week will help keep any buildup or staining away, which will maintain that sparkle. You can spray a traditional all purpose cleaner, or use a specialty toilet bowl cleaner and leave it for about 10 minutes. Get a good toilet bowl brush and work around the bowl.

For added cleaning power, you can sprinkle some baking soda and spray some vinegar in the bowl after you have flushed and rinsed the first dose of product down the toilet. This science-experiment solution sounds crazy but works very well! Scrub the bowl the same way, baking soda is absolutely magical and will help to restore that sparkle.

how do u clean a light colour grout in bathroom?

Melissa Maker: Hi Jen,
Grout can be a real pain sometimes. There are so many natural recipes out there, but the truth is, grout needs to be properly maintained to keep it looking gorgeous — especially white grout! First we’ll talk restorative, then we’ll talk preventative. Sprinkle baking soda over the stained grout, douse the area with plain white vinegar and let those two bubble and fizz for a while. After about 10 minutes, brush the area with an iron handle brush (for larger areas) or an old toothbrush (for smaller areas). That should restore the grout quite well. To prevent the stains, use an after shower product, Method makes a great one.

What is the best product or process to keep wood in the house and furniture dust free the longest?

Melissa Maker: GG, believe it or not, using a HEPA filter vacuum or using an air purifier (which sucks the dust out of the air) will keep dust away. I find that the more I vacuum, the less dust there is in my home, so the less dusty everything gets! You can also try keeping a door or window open to circulate fresh air through your home, which will remove dust in the process. I bet you if you vacuum once a week, you will definitely notice results. If this task seems much too daunting, get a ROOMBA, which is a robot vacuum — it roams around your home and vacuums all day. Our clients with these have virtually no dust.

I use vinegar for everything from a rash to cleaning windows,to putting it in the rinse cycle in the laundry.

I have an old book on old rememdies for cleaning,canning,house hold problems.

My question is this:I have alot of environmental allergies,some are natural[dust,feathers,mold,etc.]others are all chemical based in part from having chemical pnemonia and lung damage from it.

What would you suggest for natural cleaning solutions for people like me?

Baking soda is a good carpet cleaner,vinegar will also clean the air.

Melissa Maker: Hi Charlene, I think vinegar and baking soda really are the best cleaning products around.

Read my response to GG about dust removal, you may find an air purifier would really benefit your allergies.

Finally, many natural cleaning products exist which are chemical free and would benefit you. Check out the book ‘Green Housekeeping’ by Ellen Sandbeck. You may also want to investigate Method’s ‘Go Naked’ which is an all purpose cleaner that has no dyes or perfumes and is excellent for people with sensitivities such as yours.

Hi,
What is the best way to store winter shoes/boots? After a while they become smelly or mouldy even if I have washed them before storing.
Thanks, p.

Melissa Maker: Hi Patricia, it’s great to think about storing our winter boots! Make sure that after you have cleaned them, they have ample time to dry! Improper drying may be the cause of the odours you are experiencing.

Perhaps try cleaning the exterior with a cloth and proper cleaner for the material (i.e. leather care), then place sachets of baking soda made of old socks and an elastic band into an airtight container with the footwear. I am sure that the baking soda will counter any odours and the container will prevent any extra moisture from creating more trouble!

What cheap and "green" household product(s) could I use to keep our shower stall clean (tub surround) and what do I most expediently wash it with (rag, sponge, scrubber?)

Melissa Maker: Carole, great question. I am going to refer you to old faithful #1 and #2, vinegar and baking soda. Pick up a spray bottle and fill it with vinegar. Spray the walls and tub with the vinegar (open a window or turn on the fan if possible). Sprinkle baking soda on the shower floor/tub to add cleaning power and speed. Wait about 5 minutes before tackling the tub, let the product sit and do its work. When you are ready, use a double sided sponge (soft/abrasive). The vinegar should get rid of any soap scum, and the baking soda will help grind away any extra dirt on the floor. You can also try an iron handle tile brush for added convenience.

what is the best way to keep hardwood floors clean.

Melissa Maker: Hi, I spoke to this question when I answered Victor’s question above. Be sure to clean frequently to avoid any dirt from scratching the surface. Wipe up spills ASAP to avoid staining or marring the surface of the floor. Wear slippers when possible, as bare feet transfer body oils onto the wood, making it look blotchy.

What store brand home cleaners are truly eco-friendly and what brands do you use in your business?

Melissa Maker: Lynda, this is a question that raises much controversy and you will hear many different answers.

You have to consider eco-friendly from a holistic standpoint: how eco friendly are the raw materials going in to the product, how about the factory’s environmental standards, what about the packaging, etc. You would have to research the companies one by one to do that. You can also look for a number of reputable seals and symbols which can help out, such as the Green Seal, and the Environmental Choice Program.

The most eco-friendly you are going to get is the stuff you find at home, like vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda. We use whatever products our clients provide us with, however when we recommend products for clients we often go with the natural stuff like V+B, as well as Method (available at Shopper’s Drug Mart and Canadian Tire).

I have a son with chronic asthma and lung disease. What is the one thing I should do to keep him healthy in my house?

Melissa Maker: Mary-Ann, see what I have written about dust removal. Dust removal will be critical to your son’s comfort at home. I would suggest getting an air purifier to suck the dust and other harmful yet invisible pests out of the air. I’ll give you a second tip. Use the most natural products you can find to clean. Avoid air fresheners and scented candles too. Harsh cleaning chemicals are hard enough for people who can breathe comfortably, so it’s unimaginable how harsh these are to his system.

I HATE dusting. Is there anything I can do to keep dust to a minimum? Or at least to keep it from flying all over the place when I do get down to dusting?

Melissa Maker: You and everyone else!

Hi Amanda, I have a great tip for you. Start off by vacuuming more to remove dust from the floors (which gets kicked up and settles everywhere). Pick up a microfibre cloth to do your dusting with. The microfibre grabs the dust much better than anything else available, is re-washable, and feels really nice too. Treat the cloth based on what you are cleaning — for wood, use a wood polish which you can spray right onto the cloth (I love Method’s ‘Wood for Good’).

If you are using a feather duster or something similar, don’t dust using a back and forth motion, rather dust in firm straight lines instead to keep the dust going in one direction. Tap the duster by your foot to shake the dust off and keep it close to the ground so that it doesn’t land back on the furniture.

What is the best way to remove greasy fingerprints from a kitchen cupboard (wood cupboard, but painted a dark green); I think the paint is just a flat paint. I tried rubbing alcohol in a spot but it took the paint away...

Melissa Maker: Hi Kathryn, we run in to this all the time! Spray some all-purpose cleaner (which both degreases and disinfects) on a cloth and rub in a gentle circular motion. Of course, always test in an inconspicuous area first to be sure there are no more paint-removing shenanigans occurring. If that doesn’t work, try vinegar instead, it’s the ultimate in grease cutting!

How can remove burnt on cooking oil from a frying pan?

Melissa Maker: Peter, I have come across many recipes and techniques to do this. You have to be willing to experiment and be patient though, so get on your lab coat!

First, I’d suggest trying the cream of tartar trick. Place about 2 tbsp in the pan, fill it half way with water, bring it to a boil and then let it simmer. The oil should (hopefully) float off the pan! You can also try throwing salt in the pan and squeezing fresh lemon juice into the pan. This is a crazy concoction and usually rubs tough stains away. You can even use the lemon to agitate the salt. Let the combination sit for a few minutes before you attempt any scrubbing though.

Good luck!

How do I clean off the oil and grime that bulit up on the wooden maple kitchen cupboards over the winter??THey are quite sticky to the touch!!!

Melissa Maker: Hi Julius,
You have to clean those on a regular basis, grease build up is one of the hardest things my team and I have to clean. I would suggest a natural orange cleaner. Test this in an inconspicuous area first to make sure the finish on the wood can tolerate the product. The oils from the orange peel are pressed (think: olive oil) and contain amazing cleaning power. I suggest orange oil because it will protect the wood at the same time as remove that grease.

Spray it on, let it sit for about 5-10 minutes to loosen all of the grease, and then scrub with a soft sponge or microfibre cloth. Rinse with water on a cloth, and buff dry.

Voila!

What's the least time-consuming, most environmentally-friendly way of removing several layers of paint from exterior brick?

Melissa Maker: Hi David,
I can’t help you there — I don’t know a thing about paint on brick. Talk to someone at a hardware store and just demand that your solution be eco-friendly. So many companies are taking the initiative to produce green products, you just have to go out and find it!

I just bought a renovated house and I think (think!) I have travertine tile in my master bathroom shower (the walls of the shower). The tile is very smooth and slippery, the floor was done in smaller non-slip tiles. How do I clean it? And how often should I clean it? I need something to clean soap scum but also be gentle to the tile.

Thank-you!

Victoria

Melissa Maker: Hi Victoria, my mother just asked me the same question about her travertine! It’s beautiful, but you will harm it if you don’t clean it using the proper products. Because of its alkaline nature, you must avoid anything abrasive including acids and scouring agents.

Take a spray bottle and fill it with hot water and a few drops of gentle dish soap. Spray, let it sit, and then rinse off with a microfibre cloth or soft sponge. Make sure you dry it well afterwards. Investigate commercial cleaners at a specialty shop. To reduce soap scum, try to use non-oily shower products.

Can you give us some recipes for making enviro friendly cleaning products?

Melissa Maker: Hi Adele, I’ve given you some cool recipes and tips throughout this interview. I get my tips from a number of sources, and I really love Ellen Sandbeck’s book ‘Green Housekeeping’ which will provide you with a feast of cleaning recipes!

Enjoy.

Suggestions for product to use to clean glass outdoors that can be simply sprayed on and rinsed off which is non damaging to the environment and, acutally works with sea salt on glass.
Thank you

Melissa Maker: Joanne, I have not encountered this before since we focus on condos and haven’t had to clean exterior glass. My line of thinking would be to use a pressure washer with a mixture of vinegar and water.

I use vinegar now to clean my toilet bowl, but I find that I still periodically need a 'super-clean' with a chemical cleaner. Is there something better I can use?

Melissa Maker: Hi Heather, if you want to stick with vinegar, kudos! You can try tossing some baking soda into the mix to add extra cleaning power. You may also try an eco-friendly toilet cleaner (I think Seventh Generation makes one). Give it a whirl!

Do you have any suggestions for safely storing delicate crystal glases if I no longer have the original packaging?

Melissa Maker: Heather, interesting conundrum! Try wrapping them in towels or tee shirts and storing them in a box (one of those pretty ones from Ikea). The fluffiness should provide enough of a buffer for the gentle pieces. Make sure you properly label the box so you know it’s extremely fragile.

What's the best method to clean and maintain my stainless steel BBQ grill?

Melissa Maker: Dan, I am sure many Canadians are welcoming your question!

Grilling means summer is just around the corner and it’s very important to clean that barbecue before you sizzle your steaks. To clean the grill racks, try placing a sheet of tinfoil over the grill and turn the heat up high, keeping the barbecue door shut. After about 30 minutes, remove the tinfoil and let everything cool. This should turn all caked on dirt to ashes.

You can also try rubbing half an orange (protect your hands) on the grill when it gets heated, and it should remove the majority of the dirt as well. To keep the exterior clean, use a natural all purpose cleaner or vinegar to remove grease or caked-on items. The vinegar will also help shine the stainless steel.

What is the best way to try to clean a (queen-sized)mattress of possible dust mite nastiness? Vaccuum, the whole thing?

Melissa Maker: Hi Maris, we have clients that ask for this to be done now and again. You can also get a professional to come in and clean your mattress. If dust mites are a concern, you should absolutely have it professionally cleaned.

Hello Melissa,

I live in a small apartment with two cats who are always coughing up hairballs and vomiting on our light-coloured carpet (gross, but true). I thoroughly wash and scrub each new 'spot' but the stains are difficult to remove. My carpet is now noticeably discoloured in places and I am embarrassed to have company over!

Do you have any tips to get rid of the stains, or make them less noticeable?

Thanks!

Ilford

Melissa Maker: Hi Ilford, carpets are really tricky. Pet stains can seriously damage fabrics, so you must catch them ASAP. In terms of the existing stains, consider getting your carpets professionally cleaned. Perhaps consider re-flooring if you are really that embarrassed and the carpets are gone beyond repair.

Aside from shaving my cats, what are some solutions for the ongoing onslaught of cat hair in my home from my two cats?

Melissa Maker: Hi Arwen, see my previous posts about vacuuming and the wonders of the ROOMBA. A ROOMBA should come standard with all pets. A fabulous pet hair removal trick is simply this: put on a rubber glove, wet it, and run your hand along a sofa, a table, or any other hairy location. Following that, shake the clumps of hair into the garbage can rather than the drain. The glove grips the hair better than anything else, enjoy!

I have kids and pets. What is an ecofriendly product for washing floors that will kill germs?

Melissa Maker: Hi Penny, to clean floors safely for pets, kids and the environment, use good old vinegar! Place about 1 cup in 5 litres and mop away. It will remove dirt, grease, and disinfect at the same time. If you are not a fan of the smell, open a window, but the vinegar smell dissipates quite fast.

Time to clean the winter grime and dirt off the outside of the windows with my scrubber brush and squeegee. Do you have a formula for a simple, effective home-made window washing solution?

Melissa Maker: Phil, there are plenty of recipes to clean your windows including mixing equal part water and rubbing alcohol, with a spoonful of dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle. However, the king of glass cleaning is still vinegar. As I suggested to Joanne, try vinegar and water in a spray bottle or a pressure washer. You can start by sponging off the dirt with plain water, and then apply the vinegar to the (somewhat) cleaner surface. Use some newspaper to do the buffing as it’s by far the most streak-free stuff around!

Hi:

How can I get rid of candle wax on wood furniture and oiled window sills.

Thank you

Melissa Maker: Josette, you must be incredibly dedicated to your furniture to do this. Take a paper bag and place it on the area with the wax spill. Heat an iron to a low/medium setting and when ready, run the iron along the paper bag — keep it moving (or else you’ll have a fire to deal with too)! The paper will absorb the oils and wax and the heat will transfer the wax right on to the paper bag, leaving the area clean. Be very careful when doing this. You can follow up by degreasing with a bit of vinegar.

what is the best, longest-lasting equipment for spring cleaning? so many store items seem flimsy, or are designed so that users must buy replacement parts, like cloths, for example. what's thrifty and 'sustainable' too?

Melissa Maker: Hi Dawn, I would stay away from the ‘disposable’ products because I find they are costly and not as effective as their predecessors.

Getting some microfibre cloths will work wonders for any tough cleaning job, they can be washed hundreds of times without losing their cleaning power. Pick up an extension pole for high level dusting. Make sure that it has threading and you can purchase a duster (ostrich feather or lambs wool) to attach onto it. You’ll have this for a long time. I would also have to suggest investing in a vacuum. High end vacuums (I prefer canister, they are much easier to use) will not let you down.

What are the LEAST eco-friendly/harmful cleaning products that are currently on the market?

Melissa Maker: Donnie, there are scores of harmful products. Bleach or anything corrosive is a huge no-no in the eco-friendly realm. The list goes on, but I would need about 3 hours to tell you about this. Read up on the products you use, check the MSDS (Materials Safety Data Sheet) and that should give you a good idea.

Having 35 year old pine walls which have become weathered by fingerprints,etc, what eco-safe product can I use to clean these without having to restore them altogether?

Melissa Maker: Hi Mike, go green by choosing orange! Pick up a natural orange cleaner. Make sure you test this in an inconspicuous area first (see my response to Julius). Spray on the wood, let it sit, and after about 5 minutes you can wipe gently along the grain with a microfibre cloth. This should remove the dirt and provide a lovely sheen to the wood. You should do this section by section as opposed to dousing the whole wall with spray.

My toilet bowl has a thin line at the very top of the water mark (looks like a pencil mark) and it doesn't go away in spite of cleaning - even with bleach!

Melissa Maker: Hi Anne Marie, sounds puzzling. You can try making a paste with baking soda and vinegar, applying it to the mark, and letting it sit overnight. When you wake up, start your day by scrubbing the mark off with an old toothbrush. It will hopefully provide the agitation that is needed to remove the mark. You can also try taking half a lemon and rubbing it around the mark. Then, apply salt to the area where the stain is. Take the lemon and rub the salt (sounds like a tequila shot, but bear with me).

These two combined can do amazing things to stains, especially on porcelain. It just might be the eraser to your pencil-mark stain!

I feel that Bush could invade at any moment due to the amount of chemicals stored under my bathroom sink. Where can I dispose of all these half empty bottles of chemicals?

Melissa Maker: Robert, you are like many Canadians who have stockpiles of cleaning products and other harmful stuff at home. Waste Diversion Ontario is a good website to provide you with information on getting rid of hazardous waste products aside from cleaning chemicals. Check it out! http://www.wdo.ca/.

Now in terms of the chemicals, you can contact your municipal hazardous waste department and figure out where the closest depot is.

My kitchen is a mess! What's the best way to tackle all the
extra stuff that ends up there (toys, mail and paper, kids' art projects, etc.) and keep it from returning so I can keep the counters clean?

Melissa Maker: Hi Peggy, you need to be proactive!

Start with a major de-clutter, (you may even need professional help). Go through all of those letters, papers and projects and file them away. Give everything a special space, such as an accordion document holder for your letters.

When I was growing up, my mom had a special chest she kept in the basement which stored all of our art projects (and there were lots in there). Art should be displayed for a week, then placed in the chest or in the “G” file.

The toys need a home too, so pick up a storage unit for toys and explain to your children that toys belong there and nowhere else. If you spend 5 minutes, just 5, organizing your daily mess you will be just fine in terms of keeping your kitchen lighter and organized.

We have a thick white shag rug that can no longer be vacuumed clean. Should it be dry-cleaned, or is there a product that would clean this?

Melissa Maker: Hi Ed, take it to the dry cleaner or a laundromat with jumbo washers and dryers. Ask for their expert assistance and then find out when to pick it up. You have to know when to outsource!

How toxic is Windex?
Should common white vinegar be substituted when cleaning windows?

Melissa Maker: Hi Tanya, it’s not good for you, let’s leave it at that. You can read the MSDS sheets for it which will explain all of the possible reactions you can have as well as the long term effects it may cause (the MSDS is available online).

Method makes a great mint-scented glass cleaner called ‘Window Wash’ which is still blue yet-oh-so-lovely to use. You can also you vinegar, which is just wonderful for cleaning windows. Use newspaper to get the ultimate streak-free shine.

What is the best way to clean and polish a damaged melamine floor?

Melissa Maker: Hi there, if melamine is laminate flooring (which I believe it is), you would want to clean it with a laminate floor spray and a terrycloth mop.

You can also consider using vinegar and water for a heavily stained floor. If you can, do this on your hands and knees, nothing gets a floor looking better. For gummy marks on the floor, try spot cleaning it by using some natural orange cleaner, and leaving the product to sit on the stained area for a few minutes before wiping off.

Polishing can be achieved by using a dry cloth to buff the damp floor surface after it has been washed. For serious damage or dullness, you should contact the supplier/installer for professional cleaning and repair.

What can I use to clean the inside of my oven? It doesn't self clean and I have tried commercial oven cleaners and white vinegar and water to no avail. I can barely see through the window anymore and the build up of grime is disgusting.

Melissa Maker: Hi Tia, this is a common problem and is super frustrating. If you have tried all other methods, (and I suggest investigating the eco-friendly products too, I know they exist) there is the option of leaving a bowl with a cup of ammonia in the oven overnight. It’s not the nicest for the environment, but it is an option. The fumes should loosen the dirt in the oven.

When you wake up, make sure the area is well-ventilated and remove the bowl. Try wiping the inside of the oven. If that doesn’t work, the time may have come for you to get a new oven (get one that is self-cleaning this time ‘round).

How do I remove the glue form window glass remaining from the window manufacture paper specification sheet? New windows were installed two years ago!

Melissa Maker: Hi Peter, I had a client with this problem, and we solved it with some orange cleaner! It’s fantastic at removing any kind of adhesive. So, spray onto the affected area and let it sit on the glue for a while — 15 minutes if possible. Wipe it, and with minimal effort, the glue should come off.

How can I restore the whiteness and shine to an old bathtub which looks dull and grimey? I have tried different bathroom cleansers to no avail.

Melissa Maker: Cindy, this is a really popular question! Spray your tub with an eco-friendly tub and tile cleaner (again, my suggestion would be Method — and I’m not paid to say this) and sprinkle baking soda all over the tub atop the cleanser. Let this mixture sit for a few minutes, and then take an abrasive sponge and scrub the tub clean. Rinse well and dry.

Test for grime by looking for grey marks or running your hand along the inside of the tub. If you feel any friction or stickiness, the scum is not gone. Simply re-apply the mixture where necessary. The baking soda really boosts the power of the cleanser and will create a beautiful while bathtub for you!