Tom's Tip of the Moment

" FRIDGE TIP #6: Sponge down the inside walls and shelves with mild cleaner or water/vinegar solution every few months. Well, okay, make it twice a year if you think of it. "

Cleaning Quickies

Tom McNulty
Clean Like A Man’s top housekeeping tips

They're fast. They work. And best of all, they're so easy even a guy can do 'em.

 

SEND US your faves, too. We'll print 'em right here.

3.10.10
My best carpet-cleaning tip
Just cleaned my very dirty white carpet last weekend and it turned out better than ever before. Here's how to get that nice "just laid" look:

  • Rent a carpet cleaning machine like Rug Doctor from Home Depot or similar (about $25 for 24 hrs., plus detergent).
  • Sprinkle baking soda over the most stained areas, work in with fingers, leave for as long as you like (but at least 15-30 minutes).
  • Vacuum, then pre-treat the highest-trafficked, most-stained areas with a quality spray cleaner like Woolite, Resolve or OxyClean.
  • Spritz generously, rub into carpet and let it work for a while - at least 10 minutes.
  • Finally, go over it all with the carpet cleaning machine. Make two passes over the areas that were dirtiest.

My own results were BEAUTIFUL! And I didn't have a crew of professional carpet cleaners trying to talk me into a lot of expensive, can't-live-without-'em "extras" that always add up to about $300!

 

3.2.10
How do you roll? (TP, that is)
An online poll by Cottonelle reveals that 74% of respondents favor rolling toilet paper "over", 24% "under." I'm an "over" man myself. Hotel housekeepers are too, and they're professionals who even fold the end into a "V" (that's class!). Cast your vote here.

 

2.27.10
Think inside the box for storage.
Consider every space as usable for storing stuff. For example, there's a ton of room under your bed. Buy some flat, covered plastic boxes from Target. They measure 18x24" or 18x36", and 6" high - the ideal size to fill with out-of-season clothing and slide under the bed. It's like getting an extra dresser, free.

 

2.21.10
Dry your sweaters, don't shrink 'em.
After laundering cotton or wool sweaters, don't put them into the dryer unless you want pilly, doll-sized garments. Instead, "block" them: when still damp, drape the sweater over a towel placed on the edge of a bed or the back of a sofa to air dry, wrinkle free.

 

2.15.10
Remote control roundup.
Calling all clickers! Store all your remotes vertically, in a small box or circular container. It saves tabletop space and keeps 'em all in one place, easy to find (for a change).


2.12.10

6 quick window washing tips.
  1. Don't wash in direct sunlight - it dries the solution before you can wipe it off.
  2. Work from top to bottom.
  3. Mix your own solution: 4 tbsp. of ammonia OR white vinegar (not both) in a gallon of water.
  4. Between squeegee passes, wipe the dirty solution off the blades with a DAMP cloth.
  5. Do final wipe-down with a cotton cloth - vertical strokes on one side of glass, horizontal on the other, so you can tell which side any streaks are on.
  6. Don't use newspaper to clean windows - paper (even paper towels) just moves the solution around on the pane...and the ink makes a mess.

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2.5.10

Keep the ‘fridge exterior clear.

Resist the temptation to plaster your refrigerator with the kids' artwork, notes to self, baseball schedules, snapshots, and “cute” magnetized items. This is visual blight, which in turn creates subconscious chaos - kind of a reverse feng shui effect.

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1.25.10

Sparkling clean computer and TV screens.
DO NOT use Windex or any cleaning solutions with alcohol or ammonia in them - they'll dull and damage computer and TV screens. Instead, buy the solution recommended in the product's instructions (it's worth a few pennies more to protect your investment). Then apply with a soft cotton cloth, coffee filter or used dryer sheet.
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1.17.10

Multi-tasking coffee filters.
They're not just for makin' jake any more! Grab one for these additional uses:
  • Clean your TV and computer screens.
  • Strain wine that has tiny bits of broken cork in it.
  • Cover foods while microwaving to prevent spatters.
  • Wipe away your wife's tears of joy when she sees you utilizing all these diabolically-clever Clean Like a Man tips!

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1.9.10

Don't be a fool about plumbing.
Water is relentless and destructive. You don't want to risk a leak that might cause thousands of dollars in damage (say, if you're on vacation) just for the sake of saving a few bucks or being a macho do-it-yourselfer. With plumbing, there's no shame in calling a pro.

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More Cleaning Quickies

Click on the tips below to view details!

1.4.10: Make a list, check it twice

A simple housekeeping "to-do" list is important for guys.

  • It helps you stay more focused and goal-oriented, so you get done faster.
  • It removes all doubt about what to do next.
  • With a regular routine, you stay on top of cleaning tasks so they don't get out of hand.
  • You see what needs to be done and realize that your chores are finite.
  • It feels really good to check things off as done
 

12.27.09: Toaster tricks

DO: If it's chrome, clean with Windex or vinegar/water mix and wipe down with a cotton cloth. If it's plastic, just use the vinegar/water spritzer.
DON'T: Never use a metal fork to fish out a stuck piece of toast unless the toaster is unplugged. Or unless you want to die.
 

12.22.09: Closing Arguments

"Men never close cupboard doors, drawers, or toilet seats," says a female friend who swears 100% of her pals agree. Well, OK, it's true. But it's a habit that's deeply embedded in our DNA (aka "not our fault"). But boys, it's not that tough to overcome. Just close the doors and drawers, and lower the lid. It will defuse her biggest pet peeves.
 

12.15.09: Trash Bag Tip

Re-use those plastic bags you get from the dry cleaner. Just tie off the end the hangers go through and place into your "garbie can" (as they say in Australia). They're plenty strong, plus they're free and eco-friendly
 

12.08.09: Go Green, Young Dudes!

An automatic dishwasher uses much less water and energy than washing dishes by hand, and it's faster and easier to boot. Which makes it the biggest no-brainer in the world of housekeeping for guys.
 

12.01.09: Freshness Date Flexibility

At 9:30 this morning I ate yogurt that was 29 days past its expiration date. It's 5 p.m. and I'm still standing. The point? Be optimistic!
 

11.11.09: Quick Clothes-Closest Organizing

Take everything out. Put items you haven't worn in a year (or are hopelessly out of style) into a garbage bag for the thrift store. Then put the remaining contents back in. Improvement is guaranteed.
 

11.06.09: Entryway Essentials

Five things to have just inside your front door:
1. A compact table with drawer to hold the essentials below.
2. A mail bin. Limit the size so you won't let mail build up for more than a week.
3. A small key tray or hook. Put keys in a single spot - you'll always know where they are.
4. A durable doormat. It grabs dirt before it gets into the house.
5. A whiskbroom and dustpan for quick floor/tabletop cleanups.
 

10.29.09: Can't You Smell That Smell?

Everyday items with great odor-neutralizing power: baking soda, cat litter, coffee grounds (new or used), and dryer sheets. Use baking soda and coffee grounds in a plastic deli container in the fridge, closets, drawers, etc. Put cat litter in an old cotton sock and hang in a closet. Use fabric softener sheets to freshen everything from your car interior to the inside of athletic shoes.
 

10.22.09: Start Your Day Right

First thing every morning, make your bed. It takes two minutes tops, and it makes the entire room look clean and tidy.
 

10.15.09: Make Dusting a Snap

Do it with Pledge and a cotton cloth, a feather duster with telescoping handle, or your vacuum cleaner's hose with the dust brush attachment. Try all three and you'll quickly devise your favorite combinations.
 

10.08.09: Clutter-Busting Advice

If you haven't used something in a year or more - a kitchen gadget, a sweater or jacket, anything at all - get rid of it. An uncluttered space is more soothing to the eye and mind (like a Japanese Zen garden, but without the rocks and sand) and it makes cleaning much faster and easier.
 

10.01.09: Sweeping Changes

When you're sweeping the kitchen, bathroom or any hard-surface floor, just whisk the debris onto the carpet of an adjacent room. Then clean it up when you vacuum that room (which, since you're doing floors, should be next on your list anyway).
 

09.24.09: Race the Clock

Men are competitive, so make cleaning a game. Go into one room, set a kitchen timer for 15 minutes, and race to beat the clock. Keep working ONLY in that room until you're done or you'll be distracted. Next time, try to beat your "record" in each room. Believe me, this works.
 

09.17.09: Spritz, Don't Slosh

Toting bucketfuls of cleaning solution is a pain, as is constantly wringing out a sponge or big mop. Instead, use solutions in spray bottles and wipe up with a sponge or cloth. Try both ways, Grasshopper, and you will see the wisdom of this advice.
 

09.10.09: Clean That Sticky Clicker

Pizza grease or dried salsa on your TV remote? Put a little isopropyl alcohol on a cotton ball and squeeze out excess fluid, hold the clicker upside down, and give it a once-over. For tight, between-the-buttons cleaning, use the alcohol on a Q-tip.
(Find isopropyl alcohol at pharmacies. It's inexpensive).
 

09.02.09: Too Good to Be True

Self-cleaning ovens usually aren't. Same with "no-scrub" cleaning products. There may be less work involved, but there's always some work.
 

08.28.09: Fix Furniture Scratches

Scratches on wood furniture? Touch them up with magic marker-like sticks that apply liquid stain to match finishes like walnut, oak and mahogany. Buy at home and hardware stores.
 

08.21.09: Extra Vacuum Tool

If your vac's hose needs extra length to reach into a heat register or under the fridge, slide an empty paper towel roll or gift wrap roll onto it. They bend and flatten to get into narrow openings.
 

08.14.09: Whack Bacteria

Surprisingly, regular soaps are just as effective as antibacterial soaps for killing germs. A Columbia University School of Nursing study revealed what really matters is the amount of time you take washing your hands, no matter what kind of soap you use. More time = more dead microbes.
 

08.11.09: Emergency Shaving Cream

Out of shaving cream? Hair conditioner works beautifully. For you, to shave your face. For her, to shave her legs.
 

08.04.09: Sleep Better, Longer

Like rotating your car's tires, rotating your mattress extends its life by equalizing wear and preventing permanent indentations from your body weight. If it's a pillow-top, just turn from head to foot. If it's the same on both sides, flip it over AND around. To keep track, write the numbers 1 through 4 on masking tape on the ends, facing up. Then turn the next number to the head of the bed every time you rotate the mattress. Recommended timetable: every 4-6 months.
 

07.28.09: Quick-clean the garbage disposal.

Run a dozen or so ice cubes through it. This keeps the blades clean and sha
 

07.21.09: Dust With a Paintbrush

Use a small, clean paintbrush to dust between stove knobs and in other tight spaces around the house.
 

07.14.09: Sharpen Scissors Fast!

Just cut sandpaper with them.
 

07.07.09: End Junk Mail

If you're getting tons of unwanted flyers, ads, credit card applications, phone books, charity mailers, sweepstakes sign-ups and more in the mail, you're probably mad as hell and you don't have to take it anymore! Just visit the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse web site to remove your name from different lists via email.
 

06.30.09: Use Dryer Sheets Everywhere

Use dryer sheets everywhere - they fight odors and add a nice fresh scent.
Dryer sheets smell great, go anywhere and they're ultra-cheap.
They freshen and have many extra uses, too:
In athletic shoes - underneath insoles.


For car interior - under seats, in trunk.

For car exterior - wipe sun-baked insects off grill and front end.

Repel bugs - put dryer sheet in collar before going outside.


Moth-proof wool clothing - place inside plastic storage bags or closets

Dust and polish - TV and computer screens, eyeglasses, etc. with no scratching.


Freshen closets - on closet shelf or on a hanger.


Freshen drawers - works great.

Freshen whole rooms - place sheet in heating/AC vents, replace monthly.


Deodorize cat boxes - line the bottom, then add litter.

Freshen bedding - in pillowcases, under fitted sheets.


Deodorize vacuums - place sheet in bag or canister.
 

06.23.09: Tips from a Pro

Dear C.L.A.M. - My wife and I own a housecleaning business. There are two things single guys don't do that would help them immensely. First, unclutter the place before we arrive, or you'll be paying us to pick up and put away your scattered stuff instead of cleaning. Second, throw all your laundry-bound clothing into a hamper…otherwise they'll be all over the place.
Kevin

Pittsburgh

 

 C.L.A.M. replies:

Kevin, that's great advice for guys who can afford a housecleaner. For the rest of us, there's Clean Like a Man.
 

06.16.09: Banish Soap Scum

Just place a small sponge under the soap bar you use in bath and shower. Works great!