National Advantage Real Estate Service

328 E. Lincoln Highway (Rt. 30)

New Lenox, IL 60451

(815) 485-0304  or  (708) 479-6707

Eleanor Nastepniak

Email: eleanor@nastepniak.com

1. 􀀹 Start by making a checklist of everything that you need to clean this Spring. Include projects that you don’t normally clean on a weekly or monthly basis – things such as drapes, upholstery, wiping down your baseboards, washing the windows inside and out, washing your shower curtain and changing the liner and organizing your linen closets.
2. 􀀹 Take inventory of your cleaning products and the tools that you will need in order to accomplish all of the necessary cleaning. Put the items that you will need on your shopping list.
3. 􀀹 Continue your normal cleaning routine, but add an extra hour each week towards accomplishing just one of these tasks on your list. Check off the items that you accomplish and continue on to the next one.
4. 􀀹 Clear out the clutter! Make a box for trash and a box for charitable donations and fill these with all of the unnecessary clutter in your home. If you haven’t worn something in a year – it’s time to give it to someone who will.
5. 􀀹 Clean when it is convenient for you and when you have enough energy. Take advantage of the times that you work best. If you would rather break the hour into smaller increments – go for it.
6. 􀀹 Put your spring cleaning task on your calendar each week. It is hard to ignore scheduled tasks in glaring print. Write your tasks in red, capitalized, or exclamation points- anything you can to draw your eye to the one task for the week.
7. 􀀹 Make Spring Cleaning a family affair. Your children and your spouse can be active participants in getting your home organized just like they help to contribute to the clutter.

1. • Pour a full pot of the vinegar and water mixture in your water reservoir and turn the coffee maker on (filter stays out).
2. • Once the mixture has run completely through, turn the drip coffee maker off and let it cool for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. • Pour the vinegar and water mixture down the drain. If you are cleaning a coffee maker that hasn't been cleaned regularly, repeat this step again with a fresh vinegar and water mixture.
4. • Rinse the pot out thoroughly with warm, plain water. Then, fill the water reservoir again with clean water and turn the coffee maker on to start the rinsing process.
5. • To make sure all of the vinegar and water solution is completely gone repeat the rinsing process one more time after letting the pot cool for 15 to 20 minutes.

1. • Instead of using dishwater liquid for cleaning the surface of the stove, consider using a damp micro-fiber cloth instead. It has thousands of scrubbing fingers that remove the dirt, and it doesn't smear the cooking surface.
2. • For tougher burnt-on problems, spray the area with water and apply some baking soda to form a paste. Wipe clean. Remember: Baking soda is a mild abrasive that won't scratch the surface of your stove.
3. • If your stove surface is in really bad shape, you can use non-gel toothpaste on a soft cloth to clean the problem areas. The abrasive action will remove the stain, and the toothpaste won't scratch the surface.

1. • Pour the 1/2-cup of white vinegar and tablespoon of borax into the bucket of warm water.
2. • Dip the soft cloth into the solution and ring it out.
3. • Wash the surface of the stove hood well and make sure to get any sticky spots that may have formed. Be sure to clean on the inside of the hood
4. • If you come across a sticky spot that won't come up, dip a damp sponge into a little dry borax and work it into the spot and wipe with the damp cloth. Once the surface is clean, wipe with a dry, clean cloth.

1. • Half fill a microwavable container with water, and add a chunk of lemon (at least 1/4 of a small lemon).
2. • Microwave on high until the water is boiling (around 2-3 minutes).
3. • Leave the microwave closed for at least 5 minutes, then wipe over with a damp cloth. Any dried-on foods should come off easily, and your microwave will smell great!

1. • Fill the detergent cup with two ounces of ascorbic acid.
2. • Run the empty machine on rinse for a few minutes, let it stand a few minutes more, and let the rinse cycle complete.
3. • Use heated (not energy saver) drying.
4. • To remove mineral deposits (caused by hard water) add a cup of vinegar to a load.

1. • Starting from the top and working your way down, wipe with a solution of dishwashing liquid and one gallon of warm water. If the fridge is smelly, use baking soda instead of soap.
2. • If you see anything that looks as though it has become permanently affixed, place a heated bowl of vinegar in your refrigerator for about five minutes. The steam will loosen up those stuck-on foods and hardened spills.
3. • Take a clean cloth and rinse everything down with plain water. Dry it with a towel or leave it to air dry.
4. • Don’t forget to clean the outside of the fridge. Wipe the top and sides down, and while you’re at it, grab the vacuum and get those coils behind the refrigerator, too - pet hair likes to live down there.

1. • Remove all water from the sink.
2. • Pour one cup of baking soda down the drain.
3. • Follow that with one cup of table salt
4. • Pour one half cup of white vinegar down the drain
5. • Allow the drain to set for ten minutes then flush it with two quarts of boiling water.

1. • To clean grease and leftover food from your disposal and sharpen the blades at the same time, sprinkle liberally with baking soda and pour white vinegar over until it bubbles.
2. • Let set ten minutes. Rinse with hot water.
3. • Put two or three ice cubes in the disposal and grind. Rinse again with hot water. Now your disposal is clean and odor free.

1. • For an all-purpose non-polluting kitchen cleaning product, add two tablespoons baking soda to one quart of warm water. This mixture should clean almost any surface safely and without any fumes.
2. • If some areas are more difficult, simply use plain baking soda in place of a scouring powder, it works just as well, does not contain any chemicals, removes any odors and is far more economical. This mixture can also be used when washing the dishes.

1. • Stainless steel kitchen appliances look best when they're clean and shiny. To clean tough stains and give them a dazzling shine, try the same detergent you would use when washing the dishes. One formulated to cut grease works especially well. This also works well for general kitchen cleaning. Waterless hand soap also works great as a polish, simply rub on, and polish - no rinsing.

Home Warranty of America 1-888-492-7359 www.hwaHomeWarranty.com

Hello, I'm Eleanor Nastepniak of National Advantage Realty in New Lenox, Illinois. I'm committed to providing the highest level of service possible to my clients. I always try to stay educated on happenings in the market so I can provide the best professional advice and counsel. I love working with both buyers and sellers and I am dedicated to helping my clients navigate the markets smoothly and successfully.

11/22/2008 02:36 PM

C0ntact Doug Toll at Web@Eleanor4Homes.net