Archive for the 'surfaces' Category

How to Clean Granite

Wild party. Four in the morning. The last sorry soul just dragged himself out of your kitchen and you’re ready for bed, but wait - Is that red wine all over your granite floor? And is that more red wine all over your granite countertops? Yes, these things happen. If they were chipped yellow tagboard countertops (like mine), you might really not care, but we’re talking granite here. The thought of damaged granite strikes fear in those who have dished out loads of money to finally have them, so it makes sense that the thought of cleaning them is scary too. What if you use the wrong thing (like vinegar)? What if you make them…less beautiful? Granite is indeed beautiful, but it’s also tough. As long as you know what it likes and what it doesn’t, you should be able to keep your granite for as long as you want. Hey - your great-grandchildren may someday be spilling wine on your floor! Read my latest article on how to clean granite and you’ll keep it looking good for years to come.

How to Clean Marble

So, ok. Maybe you’ve not yet been able to fund that amazing marble statue of your favorite Greek god, but perhaps you do have some fantastic marble countertops, or a floor. It would be great if all you had to do was stand there and admire the smooth texture, and the colors running in veins all over each other, but — no. You’ve got to do some cleaning, too. And if you really do have something in your home that is marble, I’m guessing that it wasn’t on sale at Walmart. No wonder people can get worried to the point of a nervous breakdown about how to clean marble - it’s fragile, and it’s not so easy to replace. The good news is that, as long as you’re aware of what to avoid (like vinegar, and wildly stabbing your countertops with a knife), your marble should be just fine. Check out my article on how to clean marble and you can move on to other worries – like how to finally score that statue.

How to Clean Glass

 

When was a kid, I used to want to be a window washer - the kind that rappels like a ninja down sky scrapers. I loved washing our car windows with a squeegee while my father put on gas. There is power in a squeegee; as you glide it across a soapy glass surface, you feel slightly like a sorcerer… “I command you, be free and shiny.” Perhaps that’s just me. Anyhow, my dreams were dashed when I realized that (A) I had a desperate fear of heights and (B) window washers sometimes fall to their deaths. Though my career took another path, I still know how to use a squeegee better than most ninjas handle a bow staff. Read my latest article to learn how to clean glass using green household ingredients to clean windows, mirrors, and picture frames.

How to Clean a Porcelain Sink

Porcelain sinks are not as common as they used to be. They still show up in bathrooms pretty regularly, but in the kitchen, where colorful substances are routinely poured or washed into the sink, builders usually opt for non-porous, easy-to-clean stainless steel. But if, like me, you’re easily charmed by old apartments or houses, there’s a good chance you have a porcelain sink in your kitchen. And if you have a porcelain sink, you know that it will gradually become disgusting with stains and then in desperation you’ll scrub it with chlorine bleach because there’s no other way to get it clean. Right? Wrong. I know a method of cleaning a porcelain sink that requires no harsh chemicals and only the tiniest bit of scrubbing. And now I’m sharing it: check out my latest article, and I swear you’ll never clean a porcelain sink the same way again.

How to Clean Stained Glass

Cleaning stained glass windows can be a scary thing. So scary, in fact, most people with stained glass in their homes never clean it. Well, some of those people are probably just lazy. But you can clean stained glass both safely and easily if you just use the right supplies and techniques. Lucky for you, I found out what those supplies are, and I can tell you exactly how to clean stained glass without worrying about damaging the artwork built into your home. And if you’re worried about coming in contact with the lead that probably holds your stained glass windows together, the article even includes some information about how to work around the lead without endangering your health.