Today's Tidbit of Helpful Information: How Do I Clean...?

"Daily cleaning is tough enough, but it's the once-in-a-while jobs that can really stump me.  Removing the smudges from wallpaper can be just as daunting as cleaning the whole living room.  TO get through your next cleaning quandary, use this short list of quick tips so you can spring into action.

Candle wax on wood surfaces. Can be removed in two ways: Soften with a hair dryer for a few seconds, then wipe with paper towels.  Or use a stiff piece of cardboard to scrape off in the direction of the grain.

Stuck contact paper.  Wave a hair dryer set on warm back and forth for a few seconds about 6 inches away from paper.  The adhesive will loosen and you can lift the paper up.  If residue remains, remove by wiping with a soft cloth moistened with a little paint thinner.

Crayon or tar on hardwood floors. Freeze by applying ice, then crack into fragments and scrape them away with a wooden ice pop stick or your fingernail.  If residue remains, remove by carefully wiping with a damp cloth and a dab of toothpaste/

Mildewed grout. Make a paste of baking soda and warm water, apply to grout with an old toothbrush.  Let sit until dry then wipe off.  If stain persists, rub with a cotton ball soaked in bleach, then rinse well.

Grease spots behind stove. Rub with heavy-duty household cleaner and a plastic scrubbing pad.  When the wall is clean, apply a coat of paste wax.  Future spots will come off easily.

Finger smudges on vinyl wallpaper. Gently rub with an art gum eraser (found in art supply stores).

Greasy dirt on mini blinds. Put on a pair of old cotton gardening gloves.  Dip them in a mixture of household clean and warm water.  Then run your fingers along each slat, top and bottom.  Rinse.

Soap scum on shower door.  Wipe with a solution of white vinegar and warm water, or spray with laundry prewash.  If scum is heavy, scour with a nylon scrubbing pad.  Rinse.

Dirty patio door tracks.  Wrap a terrycloth rag around a screwdriver, spray with an all-purpose cleaner and make several passes along the track.

Grimy portable fan.  Unplug before cleaning.  Vacuum dust off the grille with the brush attachment.  Use a hair dryer (on cool setting) to blow dust off the blades inside.  If you can remove the grills, wipe the blades with a household cleaner and a damp cloth.  Dry thoroughly, then replace grille.

Musty picnic cooler.  Shake baking soda on a damp sponge and scrub the inside.  Rinse off with warm water, dry with a soft towel, then prop open and air-dry for a few days.  Clean the outside with a mild soapy solution.

Dusty drapes or curtains.  Remove any hooks or rings and run the window treatment through the dryer on the no-heat setting with a damp towel to attract the dust.  Rehang immediately to prevent wrinkling."

From Woman's Day magazine (date unknown)

I am in commando declutter mode around here. I have been clipping and saving little bits of helpful information throughout my married life....and that's it. Just saving them. Sometimes they are in my nightstand drawer, a folder, the junk drawer, the cookbook, etc. I know a great idea is to store them in a household binder but I am not even remotely interested in adding ANYTHING else to this house right now. So in an effort to rid my house of these little bits and bobs of paper, I'm going to post them here, like a cork board...my own Pinterest, if you will.