homes.cjonline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, April 8, 2017 | 9
Clean like a pro with these tips By Sophie Miura Domaine
Why is it that your home looks completely different after a professional deepcleaning service steps in? Countertops you’ve wiped a hundred times shine brighter, shower grout you scrubbed to no avail has gone away, and your home looks like someone applied a lighter, brighter Instagram filter to it. According to cleaning experts, the difference is in the details. “Queen of Clean” author Linda Cobb, “Speed Cleaning 101” author Laura Dellutri and “Clear the Clutter” author
Donna Smallin open up to the Real Simple magazine about the most common mistakes that undermine your spring-cleaning efforts. n Mistake 1: Washing windows on a sunny day. Motivated to wipe your windows when the first signs of spring show? According to cleaning experts, you’re making a rookie error. “Glass cleaner dries up much more quickly in direct sunlight, resulting in streaks on window panes,” Real Simple explains. “That’s why, in any season, the ideal time to clean windows is late afternoon or evening, or when the skies
are overcast.” n Mistake 2: Stacking the dishwasher without thought. “When spoons sit in one direction in a standard dishwasher basket, they end up, well, spooning, which prevents a complete clean,” they explain. Instead, alternate placing spoons face up and face down to ensure they get an even clean. n Mistake 3: Not using vacuum attachments. If you own pets, experts say it’s imperative to use vacuum attachments to collect fur; otherwise, it’s likely you’re just pushing dirt and debris from room to room.
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