In this week’s article I will continue this series with part 4 of “Tricks of the Trade”

Cleaning pillows – Most foam, feather and down pillows can be washed in your washer on a cool, gentle wash setting.  Foam pillows should be air-dried, while feather and down pillows can handle a tumbling drying.  Toss in a couple tennis balls to help fluff them up.

Portable humidifiers – To keep the drum clean and clear of lime scale, add ? cup of vinegar to the water reservoir every couple of weeks.

Seashell and coral pieces – Wash them in hot water with a little water softener and dish soap.  Please rinse well in cool water.

Electronic screens – TV and computer screens can be dusted with the used of a fabric-softener sheet or a soft cloth dipped into fabric softener.  The antistatic qualities help prevent dust from being attracted to the screen surface.

Vases – To remove the stains caused by flowers, fill the vase with hot water and drop in one or two denture tablets and a teaspoon of white rice.  Swish the rice around and watch it cut the green goo off the vase walls.  On real bad cases let set over night.

Fire place cleaning – Before you start cleaning out the ashes, spread some used coffee grounds on the ashes first.  This really helps in keeping the dust from spreading.

Louvered doors – Dusting louvered doors are a real pain.  Try this!  Get an old sock, apply a little furniture polish on it, and then place a ruler inside of the sock.  Stick the sock with the ruler in between the slats.  Check it out, it works outstanding.

Switch plates – With small children light switch plates are a continual problem because of all of the finger prints.  Get a damp rag, dip it into some baking soda and clean the plate.  It really works well.

In next week’s article I will continue this series with part 5 of “Tricks of the Trade.”

When cleaning with any cleaning product, always wear eye protection and rubber gloves to protect your hands.  If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed at NWES (255-2266), email them to [email protected] or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church street, Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What would Ed do?  For more information about Ed, check him out at NWEES.COM

Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified forensic, fire, flood, mold inspection and remediation/restoration contractor.  Ed is the president of Northwest Environmental Services, Inc.