By adding  1 cup of white vinegar to your rinse cycle you will be able to naturally soften your clothing. It also helps to removes residue and odors and helps to keep your washing machine and hoses fresh and clean too.

In today’s economy everyone is looking for a smarter way to spend their money. We all run to the grocery store and roam from aisle to aisle looking for that perfect new cleaning solution. Actually, the best cleaning products are already in your home, waiting for you to pull them out of your cabinet.

1. Beer can be used to clean your solid gold jewelry. Pour a little beer on a soft cloth and begin to rub away the dirt, then use another soft cloth to rub dry. Do not use on gemstones.
2. To clean your stainless steel ranges and sinks just pour some club soda onto the surface and wipe down with a soft cloth. Rinse with warm water and wipe dry afterwards.
3. Easily clean tarnished brass by making a paste of lemon juice and salt. Generously coat the tarnished area with the paste and leave on for at least 5 minutes. Then wash in warm water, rinse and polish dry.
4. Furniture polish can be made from olive oil. Apply the olive oil to a paper towel or soft cloth and rub furniture. Wipe off the excess oil with another cloth or paper towel.
5. White vinegar is perfect for killing mold in the house. It can be used on almost any surface and can be used full strength. Just spray on.
6. If you are having problems with a clogged drain just drop a couple of Alka Seltzertablets sdown the drain and then pour a cup of vinegar. Wait for a few minutes and then rinse with hot water at full force. This should clear the drain.
7. A bananais a great source of potassium and for silver cleaning . After you eat a banana take a few mintues to clean your silverware by rubbing the inside of the peel on the silver. It is a quick and easy way to shine the tarnished areas.
8. Coffee grounds can be use to deodorize your freezer from any unpleasant smells. Add the grounds to a bowl and leave uncovered overnight.
9. Cornstarchis an excellent product to remove stains from carpet. Pour cornstarch onto carpet stain and let sit for 15 to 30 mintues, then vacuum.
10. If your young children have gotten hold to your permanent markers and decided to create an art project on your finished wood floor or your countertop, just pour a dab of rubbing alcoholon a cotton swab and then apply. That stain will dissappear quickly.

The biggest  issue in cleaning a house may be the mold and mildew that can be found in your bathroom. Mold and mildew can easily grow in the bathroom due to the high levels of moisture from people taking showers. I have 4 cleaning tips that will help to discourage the growth of mold and mildew.

1. A dehumidifier is a great way to remove moisture from the air. It is said that a home should have humidity levels between 30% and 50%. So if you have a dehumidifier that can measure the levels of humidity it would be very helpful in maintaining your humdity levels.
2. Clean and dry the moistened areas as soon as possible after use. 
3. Cleaning with vinegar is always a plus because it has been found to kill 82% of mold and 99% of bacteria.  After every use, clean the shower or tub with hot water and soap, then spray the mold with full strength vinegar, let sit for at lease 10 – 15 minutes, then scrub the area with a stiff brush and then wipe clean. Repeat ths process until the mold has been completely removed.  I would even suggest to continue spraying the entire shower or bath with the vinegar at least once a month.
4. This recipe is found to be the best homemade solution for removal of mildew. Mix the following in a bucket then add to a spray bottle, 1/2 gallon of water, 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide, alcohol and vinegar and 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Spray the solution on the mildewed area, wait 10 minutes then clean.

When searching for a recycling business in Atlanta, it is hard to know where to start. There are a large number to pick from and it helps to know which center recycles what. I am going to help many of you out today by narrowing down some of your choices for you.

• Davis Recycling -  Will purchase items for recycling such as copper, aluminum, aluminum cans, stainless steel, brass, lead, car and truck batteries.
• First Tech Recycling -  Helps individuals and businessess to recycle computer and electronic equipment.
• AmeriSouth Recycling and Consulting Services - Not only will they accept recyclable items at their facility but they will help implement programs for cardboard and paper, aluminum, plastics and other recyclables.
• Atlanta Paint Disposal - We all have left over containers of paint that we want to get rid of but don’t know exactly what to do with them, Atlanta Paint Disposal will handle that problem for you.

Unless you’ve hired a cleaning service in Atlanta or quit your job, it is very easy to get behind in your daily duties at home. Cleaning homes is a very time consuming job and we could all use a few cleaning tips to help make our lives a little easier.

1. Refrigerator and dishwasher - Clean the outside with a cloth soaked in a cleaning solution. Be sure to pull the fridge from the wall so you can sweep behind.
2. Stovetop – Clean with a scouring pad or microfiber cloth soaked in a cleaning solution.
3. Oven – Spray with oven cleaner and leave until the next morning. Then wipe down with a moist cloth or sponge. when finished wipe down the door, glass and handle.
4.  Microwave – Spray inside with cleaning solution and leave until almost finished with other cleaning. Then wipe with a damp cloth.
5. Cabinets – Spray cabinet from top to bottom and clean in direction of grain. May also use a mild cleanser.
6. Garbage Can – Remove bag and spray inside and out with a disinfectant. Wipe down with a moist cloth.
7. Sink – Clean with a mild abrasive from top to the bottom. Use an old toothbrush to clean any gunk that may be around the faucet area, pull drain and clean also.
8. Floor – Start sweeping the floor from the farthest corner away from where you will leave out of. Make sure to get all crumbs and dirt from the crevices near the wall and corners. Then mop using a pail of clean water and solution.

You’ve survived a hard day at work and a long and exhausting wait in traffic. Now it’s time for you to come home and get some messes straightened out.

Here are 5 quick tips from a cleaning service in Atlanta:

1. Clear and wipe out the kitchen sink – Load all dirty dishes into the dishwasher and then wipe out the kitchen sink. Turn the dishwasher on and begin next task.

2. Clear away any major clutter – Quickly put away video game controllers, toys or anything else that you or someone else may fall over.

3. Hand Vacuum best tool for cleaning homes - Use your hand vacuum to pick up any crumbs that may be on flooring, sofa or tables.

4. Wipe downs – While waiting on food to cook or dishwasher to complete it’s cycle do a quick wipe down of table, refrigerator, stove door and counter tops.

5. Throw a load in washing machine – In between these other quick tips you will have a chance to sort and throw a load into the wash.

See moms, that wasn’t so bad. You didn’t have to call in Atlanta house cleaners after all!

I have found myself a new hobby. One that I have become obsessed with. I had heard my grandmother and other elders speak about it numerous times, but it was my daughter that actually got me started.

It is the art of soap making. I never thought that I would enjoy a skill from so far back. It involves so many different elements. A little of chemistry, aromatherapy, coloring and the ability to measure accurately.

Once I started my first batch I couldn’t stop thinking of new soaps to create or what I would use as my mold. The problem is that you must first learn to properly mix a basic recipe and then decide what additives to use, out of the many thousands of combinations. Personally, I have found that I like a soap that is very moisturizing and has the ability to produce a lot of bubbles.

Now, I must learn to make my own recipes that will result in the type of soap I am trying to create. Not an easy task. My suggestion to anyone now thinking of starting this long, lost art would be to read as many blogs as possible regarding soap making. Then you will need to find distributors that you can purchase your ingredients from, such as oils and additives.  I have a big problem still with my scents. I can’t seem to figure a scent combination, I guess that will come in time.

When you begin making your first batch of homemade soap,  please do not hesitate for a long period of time like I did. I had read so many blogs and posts regarding the dangers of using lye, that I had freaked myself out. Well, I should have just realized that using lye is very dangerous and it should be respected. If you use the proper safety precautions and do not try and hurry, you will be okay.

If you have time on your hands and a kitchen without any disturbances, give it a try. Your own soap will be much better than any soap you could buy, plus you will know exactly what it’s ingredients are. An old way of cleaning homes with a new twist. You will make your grandmothers proud.

To remove most stains from your stone countertop use a little hydrogen peroxide in water, plus a few drops of ammonia. For everyday wear and tear on your countertops, buff away small scratches with superfine dry steel wool called “grade 0000.”

If these suggestions do not work you may want to contact a business in Atlanta that will offer to give you another solution on taking care of your stain or scratch.

Around this time every year I hear people mention the problems they have with mice during the winter. I must admit that I have had my share of run-ins with them also. Unfortunately, many people rid their homes from mice by killing those that try and enter. This year I would like to try and give all of us a more humane and natural way to eliminate these pests. After all, they do serve a purpose in the world.

1. Buy large balls of steel wool. Mice cannot chew through this and therefore turn away.

2. Close up any openings in your home where mice could possibly get in. Mice can get through any opening that is about the size of a dime. The main places to check are around sinks and radiators. Also check cracks in your foundation and doors.

3. Buy a bottle of fox urine, I know that sounds crazy but a fox is a natural predator of the mouse. You can purchase a 20 oz bottle on Amazon for about $10.

4. Most households already have this wonderful deterrent. If you take a tablespoon of hot sauce, 1/4 cup of soap detergent and add it to one gallon of water you will have a great repellant spray that can be used in and around any area that you think mice are entering your home.

5. Take some pepermint oil and generously pour it onto a cotton swab, then place in the areas where you think mice are entering your home. The mice will smell this odor, which they hate, and run back to the woods where they belong.

Regardless of which tips you decide to use, the fact remains that no one wants to find out when cleaning homes, they are sharing their happy home with a sneaky, uninvited little pest.