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Queen of Clean

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  • Cleaning Floors
  • From "Spruce It Up With the Queen of Clean Inside the Castle"
    episode SCI-103
    advertisement

    Click here to view a larger image.

    Linda Cobb, the Queen of Clean®, says ceramic-tile floors can be cleaned easily with nothing but warm water, but be sure to sweep or vacuum first to remove any loose soil or grit.

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    Figure A

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    Figure B

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    Believe it or not, one of the Queen's most unusual cleaning recipes is to use boiling water and two teabags to clean hardwood floors.

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    Figure C

    Linda Cobb, the Queen of Clean®, reveals tips, techniques and recipes for cleaning all types of floors, from ceramic tile and vinyl to hardwood.

    Cleaning Ceramic-Tile Floors

    Materials and Ingredients:

    1 gallon warm water
    1 Tbs. borax
    2 Tbs. clear ammonia
    bucket
    rag or micro-fiber mop (your choice)

    A Royal Suggestion: Never use a sponge mop to clean ceramic-tile floors. It will pull the dirt right into the grout tracks (figure A). This makes the floor more difficult to clean. A micro-fiber mop (figure B) picks up all the dirt that a sponge mop leaves behind.

    1. Pour the ingredients into a bucket and use a rag or micro-fiber mop to clean.

      Note: If you do use a rag and the on-your-hands-and-knees method, be sure to wipe in a circular motion across the floor. Don't forget the cabinets and baseboards. If you have really dirty grout, use a brush.

    Cleaning Hardwood Floors

    Materials and Ingredients:

    1 qt. of boiling water
    2 teabags
    measuring bowl
    bucket
    soft cloth

    Note: The tannic acid in tea creates a beautiful shine for hardwood floors.

    1. Let two teabags steep in the boiling water for a few minutes.

    2. Pour the tea into a bucket.

    3. Take a soft cloth and wring it out in the tea. Note: The cloth merely needs to be damp, not soaked. This will enable the floor to dry quickly.

    4. Wash the floor and be ready to be amazed by the sheen.

    Cleaning Vinyl Floors

    Materials and Ingredients:

    1 gallon warm water
    1 Tbs. borax
    bucket
    mop or cloth

    1. Mix the borax in the bucket of warm water and wash the floor.

    Tip for Repairing Hardwood Floor Scratches:

    • Simply take a crayon the color of the floor and rub it on the scratch to fill the gap. Turn a blow dryer on high, heat the area where the crayon was applied and buff with a soft cloth (figure C).

    The Queen's Dirty Little Secrets

    • Remove hairspray residue from hard surfaces with a solution of 1 part fabric softener and 2 parts water.

    Next: Cleaning Oriental Carpets


    RESOURCES :

    Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean
    ISBN: 0743418301
    Author: Linda Cobb
    (1998) Simon & Schuster / Pocket Books
    Website: www.simonsays.com

    Talking Dirty Laundry With the Queen of Clean
    ISBN: 0743418328
    Author: Linda Cobb
    (2001) Simon & Schuster / Pocket Books
    Website: www.simonsays.com

    The Queen of Clean: The Royal Guide to Spot and Stain Removal
    ISBN: 0743437837
    Author: Linda Cobb
    (2001) Simon & Schuster / Pocket Books
    Website: www.simonsays.com

    A Queen for All Seasons: A Year of Tips, Tricks, and Picks for a Cleaner House and ...
    ISBN: 0743428315
    Author: Linda Cobb
    (2001) Simon & Schuster / Pocket Books
    Website: www.simonsays.com

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