10 Tips for Cleaning Household Ornaments

Household ornaments are filled with memories and meaning. A light cleaning can help preserve ornaments and enhance their beauty for years to come. Always study the condition of an ornament before cleaning it. Some ornaments may have suffered a lot of wear and tear and may not be fit for cleaning. If you’re unsure as to whether an ornament will survive a cleaning, lightly brush it with a feather duster or simply set it aside.

1. Always wear latex or soft cotton gloves when cleaning ornaments, as the natural oils of your hands can damage paint and intricate details. This will also help to avoid leaving fingerprints on glass items.

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2. Never submerge any household ornaments in water; ornaments — especially those made of porcelain — may collect water, causing them to mildew.

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3. Vintage ornaments often are decorated with mica or water-soluble paint; never use water to clean these. Instead, carefully remove excess grime with a soft cloth, then dust lightly with a feather duster.

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4. For pieces with a lot of small detail, use a soft-bristled brush or a feather duster to clean out all of the nooks and crannies. Be careful not to bump any delicate pieces that may dislodge if touched.

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5. Water and detergents can remove paint from ornaments. If a piece requires extensive cleaning, test a small spot of the ornament with a little bit of water before wiping down the whole piece.

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6. Never use paper towels to clean ornaments. Paper towels have a coarse texture and can mar the surface of delicate ornaments. Always use a soft cloth or jewelry-cleaning cloth.

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7. To prevent paper and cardboard surfaces from warping, wipe only small sections at a time with a slightly damp cloth. Let those sections dry before cleaning the rest of the ornament.

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8. Glass and plastic baubles may only require a light dusting before being stored. Glass ornaments with no decoration on the outside can be gently cleaned with a glass cleaner. If they are colored, clean only a small part of the ornament first to make sure the color is from the glass and not from paint.

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9. Clean ornaments that contain glitter using a feather duster. Don’t attempt to clean glitter-coated ornaments if too much glitter falls off.

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10. Use a soft cloth or jewelry-cleaning cloth to gently rub dust and grime off of metal and crystal. Gold-plated and silver ornaments should be cleaned using a gentle circular motion. Special polishing creams are available at antique stores for silver, brass, copper, and bronze. Always do a spot test before cleaning the whole ornament.

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When storing, wrap each ornament separately in bubble wrap, acid-free tissue paper, or leftover wrapping paper. Use a sectioned box for storage, or place no more than two layers of ornaments into several smaller boxes. Make sure all containers are well-labeled before putting them away for storage. Never store anything on top of ornament boxes. Always store your household ornaments in a cool, dry place. If possible, avoid storing them in the attic, as attics collect heat, which may damage some of your more delicate ornaments.

This guest article is from George Baker, a writer for a UK based company supplying vacuum cleaner bags, like the Bosch vacuum bags, to vacuum users across Britain.

Hi Sparkling Finish Fans,

I’ve been very busy while away, creating and making 100% homemade soaps and exfoliating salt scrubs. It is truly a labor of love and I find it very satisfying.

The good news is I will soon begin to give everyone the oppurtunity to purchase my wonderful items online.

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.

My second favorite household chore is ironing.  My first being hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint. 

~Erma Bombeck

Don’t let this be you, cleaning homes doesn’t have to be such a headache.

This year would be a great time to start having green Christmases. Going green is a lot easier than you think, all it takes is a few minor adjustments.

1. This year, instead of going out and picking paper cards to send to everyone, try finding a beautiful ecard. They are just as nice, cost efficient and are green friendly. Ecards will mean less paper that will be thrown away.

2. Live or Artificial tree. They both have their pros and cons. Whichever one you decide to use this Christmas try to buy one that is as close to home as possible. Your artificial tree being made in the Unites States means that it has cut down on fuel cost.

3. Change your holiday lighting over to LED lighting. LED lighting is 90% more energy efficient, they do not get as hot as traditional lighting and will last much longer. Another benefit is if one bulb goes out the others will still continue to work, this can save you a lot of frustration.

4. Try using nature as some of your decorative items. Pine cones can be very useful for decorating. Make scented pine cones and put them in a decorative basket with a bow or garland. Your house will smell great. If possible place several baskets in different areas around your home.

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. Wishing you happiness.
~Helen Keller

As long as I can remember the holidays were the most fun anyone could ever have. They were full of good food, great presents and all of the family together. As a child I thought you couldn’t beat that. Well, I am no longer a child and I have a very different outlook on the holidays, especially this year.

As we all know many people have lost their jobs, homes and some have even lost hope during this very difficult and trying year. The recession has made many people rethink their lives and situations. It has given us all time to look deeply into our hearts and search for what is really important in our very busy lives. For some it has been a time to reflect on why they are so busy and is it worth it. For whatever reason the holidays will never be the same.

Holidays are not a reason or season to go out and buy the most expensive gifts, decorate with the most elaborate decorations or wear the most expensive outfits so everyone can be envious of your belongings. The holidays were always about love and giving. Thanksgiving began when the Indians gave of the land and heart to share with their less fortunate neighbors, the Pilgrims. Christmas is a holiday of love.

The recession has made it impossible for many to celebrate any holiday this year. It is to difficult to even stay afloat for most. I believe this years holiday celebrations could truly be a year of giving. Give of your time and talent, share what you have an abundance of.

There are families all around us who have lost their jobs and are unable to clothe their children, reach into your closet and pull out some of the clothing that is to small for you or other family members. Suits that you will not wear again can be given so that someone can be presentable for a job interview. Coats to help keep our neighbors warm.

Share your abilities to help others. If you can paint reach out into your community to help paint anothers home. If you have a computer help others to learn how to use them, use your computer to help people apply for jobs. Many people not only do not have a computer but do not even know how to use them. Maybe Atlanta cleaning services can help the elderly and handicapped with the upkeep of their homes. Wow! What a gift that could be.

With so many people out of work, myself included, you can still find that there is something to give. Something to share. Someway to love.

My holiday wish is that we all  find a way to spend our holidays by giving of ourselves and not from our pockets.

“The ultimate test of man’s conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.”

— Gaylord Nelson
Former Governor of Wisconsin, co-founder of Earth Day

Rubbing alcohol is an excellent and inexpensive cleaner for your home. Read a few of these tips and it just might become your most trusted under-cabinet cleaner.

To prevent windows from frosting up in the winter, wash them with a 1/2 cup of alcohol to 1 quart of water. Then clean with newspaper for a superior shine.

Alcohol can also be used as a disinfectant. Perfect for removing germs from tv remotes, doorknobs and handles. Use a paper towel to remove germs and bacteria from the surface. Works just as well as Lysol.

Can also be used to remove toilet rings from a toilet. Just spray alcohol on the rings and let it sit for a while. Then scrub well with your toilet brush.

The holidays are always great, but getting ready for them can be stressful. I am not sure about your house, but holidays for my family home means a big crowd and lots of overnight guests, especially since we always host Christmas Eve. I have a few suggestions that I hope will help you prepare. Believe me, they will work for you just as they have for me over the years.

1. As with anything, always plan and prepare as much ahead as possible. For our many guests, it always takes a lot of food. So I always start my cooking of vegetables right after Thanksgiving dinner and then set up my menu plan. Once your vegetables are cooked, store them in your freezer and that is a check mark off of your very long list.

2. I usually start my Christmas shopping around May, but I know that has not been possible for many this year. My suggestion would be to have a list of all the individuals that you will be buying gifts for and what gift you would like to give. With the season already in full swing time is valuable. Try shopping online for many gifts. I have found that you can receive free shipping on many items and if the store is not located in your state you won’t be charged tax. Therefore, you save more money than if you had gone to the store yourself.

3. For my decorating needs I also start right after Thanksgiving. Christmas is my favorite time of year and I tend to overdo. If you start early it will give you the opportunity to look back over what you have done and fix your decorations for the better, each time.

4. Okay, now it is time to spruce up your home. Below you will find quick links to a few checklist that I have found on one of my favorite websites. Once you download the list I would suggest that you tweak it so that it will fill your needs better.

4. As far as cleaning goes I always like to clean from top to bottom and left to right in a room. That way it will be less likely for you to miss a spot. I like to always leave the guests rooms carpet cleaning for 2 days before expected time of arrival, then the mattress, linens and pillows for the day before. That way the room is much fresher. Just because, I usually leave something a little personal for the guests from me. This year I will leave homemade soaps and maybe facial scrubs, bath salts or bath oils that I have made myself.

5. It would be a good idea to also leave fresh towels and washcloths for each guest in each room. I usually also leave small bottles of lotion, shampoo and conditioner for each room. You know, like a hotel.

6. I am very fortunate that I have my own little baker. Every year one of my daughters takes care of baking all the pies, cakes, muffins and her specialty Coquito, Latin Egg Nog. Delicious! Oh, by the way, it is better to make the Coquito well in advance, a few weeks. It will give the ingredients time to blend, we usually add 1 cup of Brandy or Cognac. If you aren’t so lucky to have your own baker, plan ahead at your local grocery or bakery by ordering in advance. That way you know you will have all that is needed for your event.

7. Last but not least, the night before, start setting up your tables, chairs and how they will be arranged in your home, along with all specialty dinnerware and serveware. As you go along, carry some of your cleaning items in a bucket and do some of the last minute dusting and cleaning as you go. When finished try to find a business in Atlanta that can help you with all of the cleaning needed to be done once all of your guests have gone. It will make your holiday a lot nicer when you aren’t left to do all of the cleaning alone.

So now you can sit back, look over all your work and relax for the next day of great fun and holiday cheer.

Complete Living room, Bedroom and Dining room checklist

Complete Bathroom cleaning checklist

This checklist is great also. It is a guide to good guest behavior at seasonal festivities . Etiquette Advice for the Holiday Guest