Miscellaneous Cleaning Tips

Dusting

• A standard paintbrush works wonders for dusting your collectibles.  The size of the brush depends on the item, but the 2 inch brushes with the longer bristles are great for most things.  Make sure you wash the brushes with dish or hand soap and warm water, rinse completely and let air dry.
• A sock placed over the broom handle or even a "swiffer" will get those hard to reach corners.

Cleaning Blinds

• Use a sock placed over your hand to clean miniblinds.
• Take the blinds down and place them on an old sheet on the yard or in the bathtub.  Use the all-purpose or ammonia cleaning solution and scrub all louvers (both sides).  Be sure to rinse completely, gently shake to remove most of the water, and then hang to dry.

Gum Removal

• Place a few ice cubes in a plastic bag and place it on the gum.  The gum will harden and will be easier to peel away.

Vase Cleaning

• Remove the residue left from flowers by filling the vase with very hot water and dropping in two Alka-Seltzer tablets.  Denture tablets also work in the same way.

Piano Keys Cleaning

• A bit of whitening toothpaste and a dry toothbrush will shine the keys and remove stains.

Sewing Needles

• Prolong the life of needles, especially machine needles by running the needle through a piece of sandpaper.

Starting a Fire

• Pinecones heat fast and burn for a long time, therefore, they make great kindling.

Sponge Cleaning

• Using a clothespin, clip the sponge to the rack in the dishwasher and run through a normal wash or soak them in a solution of dishwashing liquid and hot water.

Candles 

• Remove the dust from a candle by wiping with a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol.

Heel Marks

• Black heel marks can be removed by using a pencil eraser.

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