(Part 2) Top products from r/CleaningTips

Hey there. First off, it's really good to hear you are trying to come out of a funk. That's something to be proud of, and as you keep tackling small projects, I hope you keep giving yourself the props you deserve for your efforts. It's really great.

As for the sink! I'd start off gentle and then work your way up here.

First off, baking soda. Nothing shines my stainless steel sink like a good baking soda scrub. Get yourself a few boxes of baking soda (I say a few, because there are endless ways to use it to clean stuff and its cheap as heck, so it doesn't hurt to have a few extra hanging around). Also this is the best sponge known to man, and it wont scratch your sink or your tub or your dishes or anything. Get a bunch, they are endlessly useful! https://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Brite-Dobie-Original-Cleaning-720/dp/B000VPCG60

I find that it can be helpful to wet the sink down just a bit. Sprinkle the baking soda HEAVILY all over it. The sides, the basin, just everywhere you can get it. Don't be shy here. I'm talking like up to a half an inch of the stuff. Then wait. Wait a while. Maybe 15 minutes? Maybe an hour? Maybe a few? However long you can wait. (Take the time to maybe go on a walk and listen to a podcast and enjoy some fresh air. Or an episode or 2 of the most mind numbingly delightful tv show you can find. Whatever makes you happy. Treat yourself.) When you come back to it you might see that a little bit of grime has absorbed into the baking soda (no? Does that just happen with me? I'm filthy, so this happens with me.) Then take your Dobie pad and wet it down a bit with some warm water and scrub the dickens out of the sink. I'd start from the top rim of the sink and work your way down here. As you scrub, you can keep getting your sponge a little wet, but you're going to want to be working the baking soda in with the sponge and a lot of elbow grease. The baking soda will start to fall and accumulate in the bottom of the basin. Try to minimize having the water wash the majority of it down the drain just yet. Use the accumulating baking soda to keep scrubbing.

When done, I like to take a jug of white vinegar and pour it on the pile of baking soda that has accumulated. I do this for a number of reasons. Firstly, it explodes, and that is very very cool. You can keep scrubbing with the new vinegar mixture too, whatever floats your boat. I find the vinegar helps to shine things up a bit, as well as work as a deodorizer. Also, if enough baking soda accumulates in the drain and the vinegar continues to react to it down there, it'll help keep things unclogged and smelling nicely.

Hopefully this does the trick to lift the grease spots as well as shine things up.

If the baking soda/vinegar method does not work, I'd go get some Bar Keepers Friend or Bon Ami. Use a similar technique, but a light sprinkle of the product instead of a heavy sprinkle. And don't add the vinegar, just scrub with the Dobie and water.

Also, WD-40 might be something you can just dive right in with. Just dab some on a soft sponge or rag and wipe it up. (I'd wash and rinse the residue of this off with plain dish-soap and water after you are done. I don't think you'd want to eat off of dishes that accidentally pick up this residue).

You could also look into getting a small blade or razor to scrape it up (with the WD-40 as a lubricant for extra help). You would just have to be extra careful here, but there's less of a chance of scraping the surface in an extreme way with this than a metal brush or something of the sort.

As far as the stove is concerned, I'd just jump right in with Bar Keepers Friend/Bon Ami and the Dobie pad. I also find that Windex works really well on my stove top to shine it up.

As a side note on general cleaning, if you are struggling finding where to start with your cleaning products, these are all very good products to have on hand to tackle a lot of different cleaning conundrums (You would be amazed what plain dish soap can accomplish). I also like to get cleaning products that smell good and illicit positive feelings (If Mrs. Meyers is a brand available to you, the Honeysuckle scented products INSANELY good). I also cannot recommend the book Ask A Clean Person enough. It's very helpful for people who need straightforward cleaning advice and rules.

Goodluck with your progress!!!

There is a plug in air purifier for smaller to medium size rooms to start you off with something cheap. The filter is even to help rid cigarette smoke. Also, I understand that feeling. I dealt with that until I was able to move out. I'd also recommend politely asking them to not smoke in your room.

Febreze heavy duty plug ins are cheap and help with all types of odors, including smoke. The fabric spray can be spritzed on your clothes, definitely wash everything when you can. Also, does your dryer have a steam refresh option? If so, that would really help you before school. Takes a few minutes and gets rid of a lot of the smell.

I second keeping you door closed at all times and using a towel. You could also actually buy a protector for the bottom of your door to better prevent it getting in, these are also cheap on amazon. Keep your windows open as much as you can and open your closet door when you do.

I'm also putting another link for amazon for these charcoal eliminator bags. You can hang them in your closet or put them in your dresser. All of this will help a lot, but of course not fully rid of it. And if you're able to, don't wear your clothes around them while smoking. Change right before school. If they drive you, roll down the window or at least crack it. Hope this helps.

Edit - Don't over spray with cologne either. It can actually make the smell worse. Spritz 1-2 times on your neck depending on how strong the smell is. I'm a female and learned this the hard way with my perfume when in school.

Here is the first one I mentioned -


Hamilton Beach True Air Plug-Mount Odor Eliminator https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003PWSQMY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_a0TSDbJDP5WW7


Here is another good one as well -

Germ Guardian Pluggable Air Purifier & Sanitizer, Eliminates Germs and Mold with UV-C Light, Deodorizer for Odor from Pets, Cooking, Laundry, Diapers, Room Freshener for Small Rooms, GG1000 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000G2BESO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_K0TSDbY4M5NGV

Charcoal bags -

Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifying Bag (4 Pack), 200g Natural Air Purifying Bags, Activated Charcoal Odor Eliminators, Car Air Purifier, Closet Freshener, Home Air Purifier, Odor Eliminating Charcoal Bags https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N8S735Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Y4TSDbKP3M80S

I would try mixing 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water or white vinegar and apply the paste to the burners. Allow it to sit for 20 minutes and then scrub gently with a scouring pad

Adding: If you get it clean, it looks like there is some stuff you can apply to help keep them nice
https://www.amazon.com/Electrol-Solid-Element-Cleaner-WB64X81/dp/B000SB3V7K

I just use water and a little dish soap. Get a good microfiber washer to give them a good scrubbing before using the squeegee. There are some good YouTube tutorials about the best way to squeegee a window, and technique can make a difference.

My all time favorite product for this is Stain Solver, but it's on the pricey side. The next best thing is BioKleen Oxygen Bleach. You can usually get this from a local health food store. This one is more reasonably priced and you only have to use a little more elbow grease. These products are like Oxyclean on steroids. But for the product to work properly it has to be dissolved in Hot water. It also needs dwell time.

I've been using this grout cleaner with the Fuginator brush to clean the horrible grout in my apartment. It's not perfect, but it's still super effective.

Thanks. Do you know if "MyKal Sticky Stuff Remover" is any good?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000TAT4GM/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_apa_i_3.hIDb7PY8G3Q

Evriholder Sw-250I-Amz-6, Furemover Pet Hair Removal Broom with Squeegee & Telescoping Handle That Extends from 3-5', Black & Yellow https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EFDOOA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_oSmtDbHNQE8KT

Or something similar. Works really well!

Astonish Cup Clean Tea and Coffee Stain Remover! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Astonish-Coffee-Stain-Remover-350gm/dp/B002SPDPRU

Look for a rubber carpet broom.
Furemover Broom and Lint Brush Combo made from Natural Rubber, Multi-Surface and Pet Hair Removal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GLNFNW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_mSmGAbAC7J7BW

My mom swears by Stanley Home Products degreaser. I think it’s on amazon. I’ll add an edit with a link if I find it.

Edit: it’s available on amazon

Then try invisible glass

Stoner 91164 Invisible Glass Cleaner - 19 oz. https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0007OWD2M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_k4v-Bb94YT8JS

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bostik-801103-Blu-Tack-Handy/dp/B0001OZI70

Squeegee was the incorrect term. I'll edit it soon to fix that. On house windows I use the linked item to apply the Dawn dish soap before using the 0000 steel wool, then squeegee it off.

Unger Professional Performance Grip Window Scrubber, 14" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VXAGWI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_5r1nDbJ66TTJZ

Aside from wiping down messes as soon as they happen (dried stuff is always harder to clean), you can get burner covers that keep splashes off of whatever burners you aren't using. Just don't put the covers on hot burners, or turn on a burner with the cover on it. https://www.amazon.com/Reston-Lloyd-Electric-Burner-Covers/dp/B0000CFPK8/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=burner+cover&qid=1570033302&s=gateway&sr=8-3

These are especially handy if your spouse is a messy cook, or if you are short on counter space, as you can use your stove top without messing it up too much.