When I was younger, I didn't know much about cleaning, nor did I know much about small things one can do to make their home feel cleaner and fresher. Since we were renters for a long time, if we became dissatisfied with our home, we would just move. It took me three different homes to realize that it wasn't the price we paid for our home or the company we rented our home from that made the baseboards the same colors as our walls - all I had to do was paint the baseboards! I thought I either needed to beg my landlord to re-do my parquet floors or move - when really, there was a lot I could have done to avoid the floors getting like that in the first place.
So when we finally purchased our first home, I - literally - created a binder with information on how to keep every element of our home looking fresh, clean, and new for as long as possible. From carpet stain removal hacks to taking care of the granite countertops to never again having issues with hardwood floors (why are they so popular anyways - they are a pain in the ass to take care of!) to avoiding mold/mildew in my bathrooms.
Now that I have perfected some of these practices and use the majority of them in my business, as well as teach some of the information I have learned to clients, I am going to pass it along to you! Below you will find information on keeping the two most important areas in your home clean and fresh-looking all the time: Your bathroom and kitchen (with a solution on avoiding that pesky pink slime you keep finding in your bathroom!)
Your Kitchen
Here are 4 areas to focus on to keep your kitchen feeling fresh and clean - even when it's full of dirty dishes and homework mess:
1. Keeping Your Countertops In Good Shape
If you have granite countertops, the first thing you need to do either when you move in or as soon as you read this article is to seal them. Granite is a porous stone which means it absorbs anything that is left on it for a significant amount of time. That means, if you accidentally get blueberry juice on the counter and it's not immediately cleaned up, the stone will absorb it and you will be left with a blue stain you may never be able to remove.
You can purchase a sealer at any building store and it costs about $50, but it's definitely worth it! You should also re-seal about every 6 months (we schedule it for every time the clocks change). There are all kinds of different types of sealers, but we got the spray variety which I feel is better for people who have never done it before.
All you have to do is:
Remove all items from your countertops and open all windows/patio doors - this stuff smells very strong!
Grab an empty spray bottle and pour 1 part water and 1 equal part isopropol alcohol (never use vinegar or anything acidic on granite). Spray liberally over all the countertops and wipe immediately. If it's been a really long time since your counters have been sealed, you will probably have small sand-like bumps along the stone that you will only notice when you move your hand over it. Try to get these out as much as you can (you can use a slightly abrasive sponge to help with this) - they will get sealed into the stone and your counters will never be smooth again.
Grab the spray bottle of sealer and, again, spray liberally all over. I would recommend doing only small parts of the counters at a time. Let it sit for about 15 to 20 minutes. Then grab a dry cloth and wipe the counters. If the counters seem dry, spray another coat. Keep doing this in 15-minute intervals until liquid is absorbed onto the dry cloth - this means the stone has absorbed all it can (if you come back after 15 to 20 minutes and your countertops are very wet, you're done!) Think of it as a sponge - you need to feel the sponge until it can't hold anymore.
Once you have completed this, wipe off any extra liquid and let it soak in properly for a few hours. This will fill your stone, leave a protective coating on it, and make it unlikely for it to absorb anything else.
Following this, do not use any store-bought multipurpose cleaners or anything acidic (if you're cutting a lemon or an orange make sure you use a cutting board.) The acidity in natural and store-bought cleaners will wear at the seal.
One of the best parts about sealing your granite, however, is that because it cannot absorb anything, the likelihood of bacteria growing on the surface is very low (about .05%) so you don't have to be too concerned about removing bacteria. However, if you're like me, and the idea of a bacteria spray makes you feel better about life, use the spray from earlier (1:1 water and isopropol alcohol - and I put a little bit of Dawn dish soap in it to beat the smell - although I'm coming to like the smell of antiseptic haha)
Alternatively, laminate and quartz countertops - although vastly different from each other - are not porous and cannot harbor or absorb bacteria, however, you will still need to use an anti-bacterial spray to remove surface bacteria. Although dried liquids are easy to clean off a laminate countertop, if liquids dry on a quartz countertop, it's not so easy to do so ensure to clean up the spill immediately.
2. Removing stains and spills on your countertops.
LAMINATE: Laminate countertops are made of plastic, so stains can happen pretty quickly. If you get something like blueberry juice or red wine on it, it can become stained within seconds. Luckily, however, there are two things you can do to get the stains out:
a. Use a baking soda and water paste (mix baking soda and just enough water to create a thick toothpaste-like paste) and pour liberally over the stain. Let the paste sit for 10-15 minutes. Do not scrub. Baking soda is abrasive and can scratch the laminate if you scrub with a cloth or brush. Just wipe the paste off with a damp cloth, it should have absorbed the stain.
b. If that doesn't work, you can use my tried and tested answer for pretty much any stain (including hair dye on white wood cabinet doors): Nail Polish Remover. Now, although this works pretty much every time, it needs to always be used as a last resort, especially with laminate countertops or anything made of wood or plastic as it can damage the integrity of the finish.
IMPORTANT: If you are present when a spill is in progress, try your utmost to ensure the spill does not seep into the crease between the countertop and the wall (this is usually why the countertop extends to about 2 inches along the wall). The wood beneath the countertop is porous so the liquid will be absorbed and with time could damage the structure beneath.
GRANITE: If you seal your countertops, stains will be very unlikely, however, if time has passed without you noticing, it could happen that your seal has dispersed and then becomes easier to stain. If you do get a stain like blueberries or red wine, there is pretty much only one thing you can do to remove the stain but it is very risky so you need to be sure you do this with care.
Grab a bottle of bleach and pour it directly over the stain. If you're getting stains, it's because your countertops are absorbing liquids, so your countertop will absorb the bleach. Let it sit for about 2-3 minutes but don't leave the area. The stain will basically disappear, but if it doesn't, use a damp cloth to remove anything that is still there. Do not put bleach anywhere else on the countertops, don't let it sit longer than you need to and don't let it dry onto the surface of the counters. I would then recommend you re-seal the entirety of that area.
QUARTZ: Because quartz is non-porous many new homeowners assume that that also means they are stain-proof - they aren't. A stain doesn't absorb into the stone like granite, but quartz is an engineered stone (man-made), but built with crushing natural stones and introducing specific resins to make the stones stick and create the beauty of quartz. So, if you spill something with natural dyes like red wine or blueberries, this liquid will have a chemical reaction with the resin in the stone which will then create the stain. Luckily, however, the difference with a quartz stain and a granite stain is that the stain hasn't absorbed so you don't need to use something that will draw it out, it's purely surface so you only need to use a product that can get right into the surface - like Magic Eraser, Windex or Bar Keeper's Friend. Try to NEVER use bleach on quartz, especially if you have darker countertops.
3. Always Wash and Dry Around Tap/Faucet and Handles After Using Sink
I don't know about you, but I'm a disaster when I do dishes - I have an obsession with the spray function on the faucet and it splashes all over the place - by the time I'm done, my shirt is soaked, the countertops in my general area are soaked and the counter area between the sink and the wall, around the faucet, are soaked. That area is the easiest one to forget to dry down and you wouldn't believe the amount of crumbs and water that get pooled around the handles, base of faucet and gap between the countertop and the wall - and if it's left for a significant amount of time the gap between the wall and the countertop can build mold. Alternately, all those crumbs and water around the base of your faucet and around the handles have created a gunky paste that is nearly impossible to get off. Although there are some products (and a lot of elbow grease) to help you get rid of the gunk, avoiding it in the first place is the best thing. So when you're cleaning the counters after doing the dishes, grab a paper towel or dry towel and wipe around the base of the faucet, around the handle(s), and the gap. It makes all the difference, trust me!
4. Remove coffee/tea stains from sink drain
It happens so slowly that you don't even notice it - you pour your day-old coffee down the sink or pour your unfinished tea down the drain and before you've even noticed it, the drain is stained a dark beige. It ages your sink and makes it looks dingy. But have no fear! It's super easy to clean off! Get you trusty 1:1 alcohol and water (I also really like to use a combination of alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and water), spray into the drain and wait about 5 minutes. If the stain is really bad, do it a second time. Then you have two choices:
- You can use a butter knife wrapped in a cloth to get right into the crevices. Then polish with the cloth.
- Use an SOS pad and squish into the drain and twist.
Either method, the stain will be gone and your sink will be left shiny and looking like new!
Your Bathroom
Besides all the things I mentioned in the kitchen sections (removing water and gunk around the taps and sealing your counters if you have granite) there is really only one thing to look out for in your bathroom - but it's a big thing and something almost everyone I know struggles with, and many don't know much about: Mildew.
About 90% of my clients I speak to say they have an issue in their bathrooms with mold and that they desperately want to get rid of it. But, I have determined, the majority of the time when they're saying mold (which is black and difficult to remove), what they actually mean is mildew which is pink and sometimes slimy. When I've done walkarounds with clients, they often tell me - "We have hard water so this pink stuff is hard to get rid of." Well, I hate to tell you this, but "that pink stuff" isn't due to hard water (hard water stains look very different - see below for a picture of what hard water stains/mineral deposits/calcium deposits look like - these require much tougher cleaning products and aren't as easy to prevent) and it's not hard to get rid of - nor is it difficult to prevent if you're taking all the right steps.
First, let me explain what mildew actually is:
Scientifically, this pinkish/reddish growth is called Serratia marcescens, and it actually has very little to do with your water - in the chemical reaction sense. Serratia marcescens is an airborne bacterium that is "activated" with moisture/humidity and lack of oxygen. Thankfully, however, although it is a type of bacteria, it is not mold thus it is not harmful to your health - it's just annoying. That being said, however, if not removed promptly, it can eventually progress into a dark brown/black mold which can become dangerous to your health.
Here is how mildew develops:
Since mildew thrives in wet, humid and poor ventilated areas, it can grow quickly and easily in bathrooms. If a pool of water is left in any area that is not being given sufficient oxygen/ventilation, it will quickly grow and become more and more difficult to remove as time goes on.
An example of places mildew can easily form are:
Behind your shampoo bottles. A lot of people like to leave their shampoo/conditioner bottles in the corners of the tub because the area is bigger here than on the edge of the tub, however, this is one of the worst things you can do if you want to avoid mildew. If you place your bottles there and water gets trapped behind it and then you get out of the shower and close the shower curtain, mildew will most definitely show up - maybe even within a few hours
In the crevice around your sink or tub drains. Because there is a little dip between your sink and the actual drain, water tends to pool there and, again, if not properly ventilated, mildew will form rather quickly.
Your toilet. Toilets are a hot bed for mildew because water is already present, so all it needs is little to no ventilation to create mildew. If you're not careful, it can happen within a day, causing you to clean your toilet 4-5 times a week!
OK, so now you're probably wondering how you can avoid this - well, it's really so very simple. VENTILATE YOUR BATHROOM. Also, follow these practices:
Your shower:
When you're going in to take a shower, turn on the ceiling fan (if you don't have one, find out how you can install one because without a ceiling fan you are sure to grow actual black mold very quickly - black mold is also caused by low ventilation and high humidity and although it does take a little longer to show up, once it does, it's not a good sign - more on that after).
Open your toilet lid - I'm not even sure why toilets have lids, you should never close your toilet lid.
Take your shower as usual, but when you're finished with your bottles, don't put them back in the corner of the tub. If, however, you have built-in shelves or you prefer to place your bottles in the corners (I have a stand-up shower and I always just leave them scattered on the floor - drives my husband nuts but he's not the one cleaning up the pink gunk!), make sure to wipe them down with a dry towel when you're finished your shower.
Leave your shower curtain or shower door open (yes, your shower curtain will turn pink at the bottoms if you do this but wouldn't you rather purchase a new $11 shower curtain every few months than clean your shower every day? Also, if you soak your shower curtain in water and vinegar for about 2-3 hours, you can remove the mildew pretty easily).
Keep the fan running for about 30 minutes after your shower.
If you wanted to take it even one step further, wiping your shower corners, walls, and drain area after a shower with a dry towel will definitely stop mildew from forming.
Your Toilet:
STOP USING THE LID. Using the lid will only allow the air around the water to harbor the airborne bacteria and mildew will grow a lot quicker.
After a hot shower, flush the toilet. Ensuring your toilet's water isn't sitting stagnant will also help avoid this issue.
Keep the fan on after a shower for 30 minutes or more.
OK, so now that we have discussed mildew - which is only annoying and not harmful, we must quickly discuss mold in the bathroom. Mold in the bathroom can be harmful to your health and can really damage the integrity of your materials like your tiles, your porcelain and so forth. Mold doesn't grow over night and is something that is also very preventable. If you have noticed that you have mold forming, it could simply be a case of too much moisture, but it could also indicate a greater issue so prevention is key.
Just like mildew, mold is triggered by un-ventilated moisture, but unlike mildew, mold takes a much longer time to show itself. The most popular place for mold to rear its ugly head is the grout between your tiles in your shower. The reason for this is because grout is porous so it absorbs most the water that hits it almost immediately. If the grout is not properly dried after each shower, mold will most definitely become an issue in the near future. Turning on your ceiling fan and/or opening a window can make a huge difference in staving off black mold, but there is one thing that can help you prevent it all together and that's....you got it! sealing your grout!
Just like you did with your countertops, sealing your shower grout is simple and can save you so much work in the long run. All you have to do is go to a hardware store and purchase a spray bottle of "Tile and Grout Sealer." Ensure you wash down your shower tiles and grout, wait for it to dry, spray on your tiles (wear a mask though - this is a must) and wait about 15 to 20 minutes. Then rinse your tiles and dry. Voila! You now have a clear coat of protection over your grout which will stop it from absorbing water ergo growing mold. This practice should be repeated every 6 months.
Now let's say it's too late and now you have mold growing on your tiles and in the corners along your caulking. Don't fret! It is possible to remove - it just takes a little more elbow grease.
Very simply, fill a spray bottle with pure bleach and spray everywhere you see mold (again, wear a mask and I would also suggest covering your eyes - also make sure to open any windows and turn on the ceiling fan). Leave the room and close the door behind you. Wait about 45 minutes to an hour - if it's really bad, perhaps re-apply at this time and leave again for another 45 minutes - now go in with a toothbrush and get at those little pesky areas. In some areas you may not even need the toothbrush, in some others you may need to use a little muscle. But it will work and it will work very well! And the good news is - where the bleach was sprayed, it's very unlikely that any mold will be able to re-grow. That being said, however, just to be safe, I would highly recommend sealing them anyways.
So, to recap, the best way to avoid mildrew and/or mold is to create an environment that is as dry as possible - don't leave block small areas from ventilation, always use your ceiling fan and/or open your windows, dry your shower as much as possible and flush your toilet after your shower. Easy peasy lemon squeezy!
Well, that's it for my lesson on pesky annoyances in your bathrooms and kitchens and I hope you learned something and are able to walk away with hope for a solution to a problem you thought hopeless. As usual, if have any questions or need help, do not hesitate to ask!
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