CLEAN KITCHEN COUNTERS (AND MORE!) WITH KIDS: 10 TIPS

It’s a real challenge to keep a clean kitchen, and yet it’s so important. Germs are everywhere. These nasty little interlopers stow away microscopically on everything that you and the family bring home. Here’s where to find the germiest unseen bugs, and how to zap them.

1 Never put anything on the kitchen counter or table as you come in the door. These are forbidden zones. (These nasty interlopers stow away in your handbag or briefcase and hitchike home on raw meats and vegetables.)

2 Always take shoes off at the door and hang up coats and backpacks.

3 Eat only in the kitchen and dining room.

4 Always clean up behind yourself.

5 Always put dishes in the dishwasher, not the sink.

6 Wipe down counters after use.

7 Close cabinet doors that you open.

8 Ask to be excused from the table.

9 Ask before snacking or having dessert.

10 If you eat and can reach the counter, bus your own plate.

TIPS FOR CLEANING OUTDOOR FURNITURE

The problem with “outdoor living rooms” is that they get dirtier a heck of a lot faster than the indoor ones. Fortunately (or maybe wisely), outdoor furniture is constructed to take abuse—and soil. Generally speaking, So make sure you now how to clean your outdoor furniture before putting it to use this season.

Keeping patios and decks, and all of their assorted decorations, clean can be a challenge. Have you ever tried to clean a glass patio tabletop? It’s an exercise in futility. You wipe it, it dries, and streaks appear. Dirty streaks. You wipe it again, it dries, and the dirty streaks multiply. The same types of challenges arise with other outdoor pieces—you’re battling Mother Nature here after all!

Here are the dirty little secrets to cleaning outdoor furniture:

Cushions: Most cushions today have synthetic covers and polyester fill and are designed to withstand the elements. Still, they could use some help if you’d like them to last for the long term (or at least a few seasons).

Here’s how to take care of polyester-coated cushions with polyester fill (cotton, foam-filled, and floral acrylic covers require different care):

-- Hose down cushions occasionally. Turn them often for even wear and sun exposure, just like you do your couch cushions. Avoid getting sunscreen on the cushions. Hose off spills or sunscreen smears immediately.

-- To deep-clean, use a spray enzyme cleaner on stubborn spots. Set the cushions on their ends in the sun until they are completely dry. If you detect mildew, put the cushions on the driveway and saturate them with a solution of 1 cup of bleach, 3 gallons of warm water, and 1/4 cup of laundry detergent. Let the wet cushions sit in sun for several hours. Rinse. Let them dry in the sun for several days if necessary.

-- Be sure to clean away any remnants from the outdoor season before storing cushions for the winter because set stains are nearly impossible to remove. Store clean cushions in plastic bags (I use trash bags) for the winter.

A word of caution here: There’s a very popular fabric that looks like cotton but is really acrylic fabric, usually in a floral design. Never put these cushions in the dryer or clean them with bleach.

Furniture: Here’s a guide to caring for the most common outdoor furniture materials.

-- Aluminum: Wash aluminum with mild liquid detergent; rinse and dry. Coat with an automotive wax every six months. Warning: Sunscreens that contain PABA can stain aluminum and many other kinds of outdoor furniture. If you’re wearing sunscreen, protect the chair with a towel.

-- Resin: This substance doesn’t require much care. Wash it with a mild soapy solution, and then hose it off and towel dry. Avoid any products with ammonia, but you can use a diluted bleach solution for stains. (Warning: Solvents -- any liquid capable of dissolving other liquids or solids, such as dry cleaning fluid, kerosene, lacquer thinner, Naptha and Perc (perchlorethylene -- will melt resin.) Polish resin furniture with car wax if desired.

-- Teak: Teak is a popular choice for outdoor furniture because it weathers well. Do not use teak oil on outdoor furniture because it will act as a dust magnet. Clean teak with a mild soap solution and a soft brush. Rinse well. Keep teak furniture in the sun because dampness will cause mildew.

-- Vinyl: Clean vinyl with warm soapy water. Never use bleach as new vinyl has a finish that pool chlorine, bleach, solvents and many commercial cleaning products usually damage, allowing the porous material to stain, fade and weaken faster, ultimately shortening the lifespan of the vinyl.

-- Wicker (natural): Clean wicker only once a year unless you have spills (ha!). For natural wicker, first tip the chair to one side and vacuum it well. Then wash it with a solution of mild detergent and water, using a toothbrush to get at those hard-to-reach spots. Rinse it with a garden hose. Towel the wicker dry, and let it sit for 24 hours before using.

Polish wicker furniture with furniture polish occasionally. Natural wicker will rot in the sun, so place it in a shady spot or beneath your umbrella. Never cover wicker with plastic because it will trap moisture and encourage mildew.

-- Wicker (resin or vinyl): Wash synthetic wicker in soapy water, and then rinse and dry it. You can polish it with a spray-on polish.

-- Wood: Clean outdoor wooden furniture at least once a year. Wash it with a mild detergent and scrub brush. Store it indoors over winter if possible.

-- Wrought Iron: Wash wrought iron with soapy water; rinse and towel dry. Wax or polish it twice a year. Touch up any rust spots immediately. During the winter, either bring wrought iron indoors or cover it.

-- Hammocks: Cotton hammocks soak up water like a sponge. When you first bring them out in the spring, spray them with a water repellant to minimize water retention. To clean hammocks, lay them flat and scrub them with solution of hand dishwashing detergent in warm water using a nylon scrubber. Rinse and clean the other side. Rinse again and hang to dry. Never use bleach on these natural relaxers—it will rot the fibers.

-- Tabletops: These are really hard to clean flat. The trick to cleaning a patio table is to turn it on its side (very carefully, if you’re dealing with glass), and hose it down first. Then wipe it off with a sponge dipped in soapy water. Hose again. Then wipe dry. If you can’t turn it sideways, move the chairs back and hose from the traditional angle (but it might take a couple of tries!).

-- Umbrellas: To really clean an umbrella, take it apart and put the top part back into the stand so that it’s within reach. Then crank the umbrella open and wash it with a liquid cleaner and a sponge. If your umbrella is vinyl, use the detergent made for convertible car tops. It works wonders on these sun-beaten skin-savers. Dry the umbrella open in full sun for a day or two. Never put an umbrella away even slightly damp. That’s a recipe for mildew.

10 COMMON STAINS - AND HOW TO REMOVE THEM

It’s Murphy’s law: If something can spill, drip, ooze, or run, it will do so all over your lucky shirt or favorite dress. Fortunately, once you know how to treat these troublesome stains, you can save your beloved clothes from ending up in the rag pile.

1 Blood. Rinse or presoak the garment in cold water and wash in cold water with laundry detergent. Do not use chlorine bleach, which can make the stain even worse.

2 Chewing gum. Rub the gummy spot with ice to harden it. Scrape away as much of the gum as possible with a dull knife. Saturate what remains with a prewash stain remover, rinse, and launder as usual.

3 Chocolate. Pretreat or prewash the garment in warm water with a cleaning product that contains enzymes. Launder as usual.

4 Coffee. Sponge with or soak in cold water. Apply a pretreating product on the stain. Wash as usual and air-dry; repeat if stain remains.

5 Cosmetics. Pretreat the spot with prewash stain remover or a liquid laundry detergent. Wash the garment in the water temperature recommended for the fabric.

6 Crayon. Scrape off surface wax with a dull knife. Soak the fabric in a product containing enzymes or oxygen bleach in the hottest water safe for the fabric. Launder using the hottest water it can withstand.

7 Grass. Presoak or prewash the garment in warm water in a bucket or your washing machine (using the presoak setting) with a detergent containing enzymes. Launder as usual with chlorine bleach if it’s safe for the fabric. If the cleaning instructions advise against it, use oxygen bleach instead.

8 Ink. Place the stain over the mouth of a jar or glass. Hold the fabric taut. Drip rubbing alcohol through the stain so the ink will drop into the container as the soil is removed. Rinse thoroughly and launder as usual.

9 Juice. Soak in cold water; then apply a pretreating product on the stain. Launder as label instructions recommend. Air-dry; do not place in dryer until the stain is completely gone.

10 Mildew. Douse the garment with a diluted solution of bleach and launder as recommended for the garment. For mildewed leather, brush on an antiseptic mouthwash.

HOME REPAIR 101: HOW-TO TIPS FOR FIXING THINGD AT HOME

A loose screw in a door hinge (or any wood material) can be tightened by removing the screw, inserting a few common wood toothpicks or matchsticks, breaking them off at surface level, and then replacing the screw.

Double-hung windows that don’t slide freely can be lubricated by rubbing a dry bar of paraffin in the tracks on the sides of the windows. (This also works for wooden dresser drawers or for doors that rub against their frames.)

The tip of a common graphite pencil can be be rubbed on metal door latches to make them close more smoothly without banging on the latch plate in the door frame.

Among the most useful items to have around for quick fixes are a wide roll of masking tape and another roll of common vinyl duct tape. You can write on masking tape with a felt marker or Sharpie and make temporary “Wet Paint” signs. A tear in a vinyl chair seat or car seat can be patched with heavy-duty duct tape.
Fixing things yourself has two big advantages: You save time and you save money. After all, who has the leisure - or the inclination - to wait all day for an expensive repair person to stop by? Here are a few simple at-home fixits you can easily handle yourself.

-- A broken cup handle can be reattached with epoxy, polyvinyl chloride, or another strong glue meant for porous surfaces. You can hold it in the proper position with a piece of masking tape while the glue dries. (Avoid putting these glued items in the dishwasher; hot water may melt the seals.)

-- Cracked window glass can be temporarily held in place with strips of duct tape.

-- Wrapping a thickness or two of masking tape around the end of a loose chair rung and then tapping it back into its hole can provide a temporary fix.

-- Wrapping a thickness of vinyl duct tape around any tool’s smooth metal handle can make for a better grip.

-- All manner of things that break into pieces or come apart can be temporarily taped back together with duct tape until permanent repairs or replacements can be made - a cracked broom handle, cardboard storage boxes, exposed metal edges, eyeglasses, even a loose doorknob.

-- When working with something that has small parts roll a piece of masking tape into a loop (sticky side out), and flatten it against your work surface. Press the small items onto the tape to prevent them from rolling onto the floor and getting lost while you’re in the midst of a repair.

Spring Cleaning With Kids

Spring is here! We’re all enjoying the extended daylight hours and season’s warmer weather. We’re planting flowers, airing out the patio cushions and checking the umbrella for mildew.

In many parts of the country, though, it’s not quite warm enough to move outside - yet. In the meantime, use cooler days to brighten up the indoors with a “Spring Cleaning” plan that gets the kids excited about this annual rite of home purification.

Kids? Excited about cleaning? You’re probably thinking there must be a typo here. Nope, no typo. Yes, it really is possible, even probable, that your kids will not only get excited, but motivated and moving, too!

The secret? A fun game plan that starts with - well, a game. So to increase the odds of cleaning success in your home, two of my favorite cleaning games (one you can play with your younger kids, the second with the older ones) are described below. If helping out is a new concept in your home, you’ll definitely want to take the fun approached. It’s worked wonders for my three kids.

First, however, you’ll want to gather your cleaning supplies so you’re ready for the kids and the fun and the cleaning to begin. And create a chore chart for the family so everyone will know exactly what they’re expected to do.

Not sure how to get started - or to divvy up the chores? Calling a family meeting is a great way to introduce a new cleaning plan and give everyone in the family a chance to choose his or her chores.

Below I’ve broken down spring cleaning chores so that they’re age-appropriate for your children. Here’s how the kids can help you bring spring indoors.

Seasonal chores for kids under age two:
☀ Pick up outside toys

Seasonal chores for kids ages three to five, previous chores plus:
☀ Put away outside toys and games and all their pieces in the proper boxes or bins
☀ Water plants

Seasonal chores for kids ages six to nine, previous chores, plus:
☀ Take indoor plants outside for a gentle washing
☀ Rake leaves
☀ Help with planting
☀ Sweep the patio and porches
☀ Wipe clean patio table and chairs
☀ Easy yard work such as weeding
☀ Help wash the car
☀ Fish surface litter out of the pool (with a grown-up’s supervision, of course)
☀ Help test the pool or hot tub water
☀ Help balance the pool or hot tub pH
☀ Help clean the pool strainer baskets
☀ Hang up pool towels

Seasonal chores for kids ages 10 to 13, previous chores, plus:
☀ Clean the patio and patio furniture
☀ Plant plants and bulbs
☀ Debug plants
☀ Weed gardens
☀ Harvest vegetables
☀ Mulch plants
☀ Vacuum the pool once a week
☀ Scrub the pool sides occasionally
☀ Clean refrigerator coils
☀ Clean dryer exhaust vent
☀ Polish silver

Seasonal chores for kids ages 14 to 17, previous chores, plus:
☀ Wash exterior windows
☀ Mow lawn
☀ Yard work such as pruning with small shears
☀ Clean the garage
☀ Check the pool or hot tub filter
☀ Maintain the compost pile
☀ Clean closets and drawers; put away seasonal clothing
☀ Turn mattresses
☀ Vacuum drapes
☀ Clean out fireplace and tools

We’ve Got Games
To get the family cleaning party started:

“Grimy to Glamorous” When it’s time for a spring cleaning session, have the family don sweats and labor the day away dragging rags and pails. In the evening, the family puts on their “night-out” best and heads out to dinner and a movie, something everyone enjoys together. Looking forward to a magical family outing makes even the longest list of chores palatable, especially when they’re done together.

“Bop While You Mop” Turn on your favorite upbeat music while you clean. Watch your kids howl as you sing along to Kanye West and do the Bump with the vacuum, the Macarena with the duster. You get the picture - a smiling group making short work of housework. Fill the house with positive energy, not grumbling. We rotate the DJ duties in our home to keep the peace. And we judge the results (say, a floor) not the mopper (a child), and everyone pitches in to make it a winner.

Window Washing 101

While name-brand glass cleaners will do you and your windows right, you can save coin and get the gleam you desire with this home-made glass cleaner recipe and some simple buffing tips.

Start with these three basics:

1 Spray bottle
2 Squeegee
3 Lint-free rag
4 Newspaper

Make your own mix-your-own window cleaner with white distilled vinegar diluted in water.

For streak- and spot-free glass, spray the cleaner lightly on the rag and wash the surface using horizontal strokes to prevent dripping. Squeegee dry.

For extra sparkle, polish the surface when it’s dry with a piece of newspaper. The ink used in some papers may smudge the glass when it’s wet, so try this first in a small area before attempting to buff the entire surface.

TIPS FOR BUILDING YOUR BASIC HOME TOOLS KIT

A well-rounded home repair and maintenance tool kit includes the following essential 15 items:

1 A standard claw hammer;

2 An adjustable wrench;

3 A tape measure;

4 Several sizes of screwdrivers (both standard and Phillips head);

5 A cordless drill and set of bits;

6 Standard slip-joint, needle-noise and wire-cutting pliers;

7 A hacksaw for cutting metals and plastics;

8 A medium-size pair of tongue-and-groove pliers;

9 A pair of locking pliers;

10 A general-purpose wood saw;

11 A putty knife

12 A utility light and several long, heavy-duty extension cords;

13 A dependable flashlight;

14 A battery-operated stud finder;

15 A plunger for minor plumbing fixes.

Your essential tools will come in handy for routine repairs such as stopping leaks at the base of a faucet (with your adjustable wrench), or for hanging shelves or pictures (with your hammer, drill, stud finder, tape measure and level).

Needle-nose pliers are just the thing for reaching into tight spaces, twisting small wires; and holding small metal parts and nails in place for screwing or hammering.

Other tools for occasional projects: an electric saber saw, a set of socket wrenches, a circular saw, an electric palm or orbital sander, an assortment of paintbrushes, and a staple gun.

Finally, stock an assortment of nuts, bolts, screws, and metal washers; rubber washers for leaky faucets; duct tape; several sizes of nails or tacks; fine sandpaper; lubricating oil for door hinges; a versatile glue; and a container of liquid drain opener.

SPRING CLEAN YOUR CLOSET

The air is getting warmer. The freesias have pushed up along the sidewalk. And you are just beginning to believe that spring might actually be here after all.

Before the weather beckons you outside, spend at least one more day indoors and give your closet a good spring cleaning. This is the perfect opportunity to clean and put away winter clothes and get your summer duds in gear.

Most of us (unless you’re living in Miami) have a summer and winter wardrobe - even if the word “wardrobe” sounds a bit highbrow for the clothing in residence in your closet. To maximize closet space - and your clothes’ lifespan - tuck the winter duds in for a good summer’s rest.

The Closet Spring-Cleaning Routine

Go through all your clothes and divide them into five separate piles:

1 Clothes that are clean, in good condition and that you will definitely wear this summer.

2 Clothes that need cleaning.

3 Clothes that need repair.

4 Winter clothes.

5 Clothes you rarely wear - regardless of season.

You know the drill here. Donate the out-of-favor clothes. Clean and repair the rest. Box up the winter clothes for a rest.

While the closet is empty, vacuum it well and wipe down all shelves.

Now you have a closet ready for clothes that you are actually going to wear. What a concept! Here’s how to take the best care of what you have left:

-- Use cedar balls or blocks to ward off moths.
-- Use good hangers. Don’t use the flimsy wire ones that you get from the dry cleaners. They don’t provide enough support; plus they can rust or snag your clothes. Invest in curved wood or plastic hangers for suits and jackets; padded hangers for delicate dresses or silk robes; plastic hangers for blouses and jeans; clamped hangers for pants (always hang from cuffs). To save space, buy the multiple skirt or pants hangers that will accommodate five- to 10 garments.
-- Never store clothing in plastic bags. They can promote mildew and light damage.
-- Do use plastic shoulder protectors to keep dust off rarely-worm clothing.
-- Space clothing out to promote airflow and to minimize wrinkling.
-- Air clothing overnight before returning an item to the closet to rid it of any moisture or odors.

Finally, don’t be like your kind and wear the same thing everyday. Clothing needs a rest. (Shoes, too.) If you like it that much - buy two!

APRIL HOME CHECKLIST

April is the time to refresh your home’s systems and surfaces, and to do away with any lingering traces of old man winter. Spring into action this month by completing these simple tasks - and your home will be ready to shine in the sunny months ahead.

1 Hearth and home: Clean the fireplace. Empty ashes. Clean gas jets in hearth.

2 Good as new: Oil fireplace accessories.

3 Daylight Savings Time means: Check smoke alarm batteries.

4 Take a walk on the outside: Check the exterior of house for any areas needing repair or paint.

5 Goodbye winter: Take down storm doors and windows.

6 First screening: Inspect, repair and vacuum window screens.

7 Hello spring! Clean your windows and let the sun shine in!

8 Blind spot: Clean your blinds or bring in the pros.

9 Beauty treatment: Clean drapes and other window treatments. Wash what you can, dry clean what you can, call professionals for the rest.

10 Finishing touches: Clean your furniture and upholstery.

QUICK FIXES: 10 TIPS FOR MAINTAINING YOUR HOME'S SYSTEMS AND SURFACES

You know what they say about that ounce of prevention. If you ignore the advice and overlook home maintenance, the pound of cure can set you back hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.

Sooner or later, a neglected roof will leak. A furnace overworked from clogged air filters will need an expensive overhaul. And that leaky window will lead to dry rot in your house’s framework and walls, necessitating a lot of expensive structural and esthetic repairs.

Most important, a well-maintained, freshly updated home is, by its very nature, safe and more comfortable. And usually more energy-efficient – which means money savings – too. Who can argue with that? Not Mrs. Clean Jeans.

GETTING STARTED: Top 10 Tips for a Well-Run Home

1 Schedule annual inspections for your home’s roof and major systems, including the furnace and air conditioner.

2 Twice each year, venture into the far corners of your attic, basement, and garage to check for signs of water leakage.

3 At the start of each season, check the outside of your home for any cracks that may have appeared.

4 Test smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors each month; change batteries yearly.

5 Clear walkways of leaves and any snow, ice, debris or algae that may make them slippery.

6 Assemble a kit of essential tools and store in a convenient place.

7 Learn to make minor repairs in your home.

8 Insulate older water heaters and leaky heat ducts to lower your energy bill.

9 Save energy in the kitchen by covering pots, opening the oven door sparingly, and using the microwave for reheating food.

10 Set the thermostat at 68 degrees Fahrenheit or lower in winter; 78 degrees or higher in summer.