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.

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.

Sparkling Finish offers superior cleaning services in Atlanta to all our customers. Prices vary depending on square feet of the home or business. Our services include weekly, bi-weekly or monthly  cleaning and maintenance. We provide our cleaning services to Metro Atlanta, GA Lake Country and surrounding communities.

To Learn a little more about Sparkling Finish’s check out our About Page – About Sparkling Finish

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.

These days are very busy and most of us barely have enough time to get in a good meal, let alone clean our homes. When thinking about hiring a cleaning service you should first consider these benefits.

• A cleaning service can be tailored to your needs. They can handle your cleaning needs efficiently and usually do a better job due to their experience.
• Can free up much needed time in your schedule. Leaving open opportunities for you to spend with the kids, excercising or relaxing.
• Cleaning services offer weekly, bi-weekly or monthly cleaning. You can choose which is best for your budget and needs.
• Having a clean house can cut down on germs and bacteria which makes for a much healthier family.
• When you begin to see how nice it is having a clean home it will inspire you to keep a clean home.
• By hiring a cleaning service it will eliminate the cost of regularly buying household chemicals, because all is taken care of by the cleaning service.

Ask friends and family to recommend a good cleaning service in Atlanta it will make your life a little easier.

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.