How To Clean Glass Cookware.

Casseroles are quick and easy ways to make healthy, nutritious meals, pop in the oven or the slow cooker before going to work, even make the night before, come home and dinner can be served with very little effort.

So after saving on time and lots of washing up whilst preparing your casserole, why would you waste time standing at the sink trying to scrub the dish clean?

Trust me, no amount of putting it back into the dishwasher will remove that burnt on gravy, ( I've tried ) and whilst it's not the end of the world, nothing looks quite so unappetizing as a grubby, dirty dish, I'm a fusspot I know.

Here's how to get your glass dishware sparkling clean, the easy way.

1. Place dish in the sink, or on the drainer and generously sprinkle bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) onto the base. 

2. Fill the dish to the rim with hot water and leave to soak overnight. I'm not saying you can't leave it for less time, I prefer to let it soak, the longer the better.

3. The next morning use hot water and washing up liquid to simply wash clean with a dishcloth.

No sign of the chicken chasseur remain and no scrubbing went into getting it sparkling clean again.

You can use this method on your saucepans and roasting tins too. Here are 60 ways to use baking soda  (bicarbonate of soda)  in your home and garden.

For more cleaning tips you might like to take a look at our Pinterest board.

Posted by Julia Poole owner and Elite cleaner.

5 Things You Touch Every Day That Are Dirtier Than A Toilet.

Cleaning the toilet is considered a dirty job by many and according to a poll carried out for Radio 4 Women's Hour, 37% of respondents claimed it to be the least favorite household chore.

But did you know that there are 5 things you touch every day, without a second thought, that are more contaminated with bacteria than the average toilet?

                                      

1. Money

There are more germs on a £1 coin than on a regularly cleaned toilet seat and the average bank note is home to more than 26,000 bacteria, which could be potentially harmful to health. How many times have you witnessed people popping a bank note into their mouths?  

Tip. Wash your hands after handling money whenever possible. You can use an alcohol wipe to clean debit or credit cards. But why not opt for contactless payment where possible?

2. Shopping Trolley Handles.

Thousands of hands are touching that trolley or basket, and considering only 5% of people wash their hands after using the toilet, it's not surprising that shopping trolley handles contain more dirt and grime than the average public toilet. Ideally supermarkets who employ a cleaning service should ensure that cleaning the handles is part of the daily routine. But do they?

Tip. Some supermarkets actually provide antibacterial wet wipes, but why not take your own just in case? Pop your hand into a bag before packing loose fruit and veg into another, if you wash your produce before storing though, all the better!

3. Mobile Phones.

Mobile phones have 18 times more bacteria than a public toilet flush handle! That's shocking, but what's worse is that the bacteria can actually survive for up to a week. Viruses can easily be transferred via touching and rubbing other parts of the body such as  face, eyes and mouth.

Tip. Try not to share your phone with anyone else, don't take your phone with you to the toilet and don't forget you can clean your phone, simply wipe it down with a damp microfibre cloth.

4. Computer Keyboards.

Whether at the office or at home, you are touching your keyboard many times during the day, and although you may be washing your hands, eating at your desk and sharing your computer with other people can lead to a build up of  20,000 bacteria per square inch. Research shows that computer keyboards can be at least five times more dirty than a toilet seat. 

Tip. Clean your keyboard at least once a week. You can use an air duster, literally a can of air to clean crumbs and debris away, or give it a shake, and use antibacterial wet wipes to sanitise the keys.

5. Car Steering Wheel.

Did you know that your steering wheel has approximately 700 bacteria per square inch on it, compared to a toilet which only has 50 per square inch. 

Tip. Clean regularly using leather upholstery wipes for leather and with multipurpose or antibacterial wipes for plastic.

I prefer cleaning the toilet rather than doing the ironing, what's your least favorite household chore, and why?

Posted by Julia Poole owner and Elite Cleaner at www.elitecleaners2008.co.uk

How to remove candle wax stains.

Did you know that November is National Candle Month?

Not that I need an excuse to light a candle, it's the first thing I do when I get home from work now that the evenings are so dark. Nothing is more cosy and comforting than the soft flicker of a scented candle.

If your candle burning however, has left you with a few waxy drips don't panic, its not that difficult to clean up. Here's how to remove wax from most:-

Hard Surfaces.

1. Freeze to harden wax using either a plastic bag filled with ice cubes or a packet of frozen peas. Protect your hands with gloves.

2. Use a blunt knife to gently scrape away wax from surface, being careful not to scratch it.

3. Wipe with a sponge dipped into a solution of laundry powder or dish washing liquid in warm water, a small amount of either soap is sufficient. Repeat until stain disappears.

Washable Fabric.

1. Scrape away excess wax and place the affected area in between two pieces of white blotting paper or kitchen towel.

2. Press gently with a warm iron and change the paper as it absorbs the stain.

3. Use the stain removing solution above on non colour fast fabric if any residue remains. For whites and cottons you can flush hot water straight through the fabric.

4. Allow to dry. If the stain remains repeat the above step.

5. When all trace of the stain have gone, wash in the washing machine as normal. 

Carpet. 

1. Freeze candle wax using the previous method.

2. Remove excess wax with a blunt knife or spatula.

Place a piece of grease proof paper over the stain and press with a warm iron. Change the paper and repeat until no stain remains.

3. Use the dish wash solution, 1/4 teaspoon to a cup of warm water to blot clean the residue. Repeat as necessary.

Of course preventing any candle wax stains is safer and obviously cleaner, so my top tips are:

• Position your candle where you want it and light it there. Don't light your candle and then carry it to where you want it!
• Always use a candle holder and place on heat resistant surfaces.
• Keep away from soft furnishings and drafts.
• Keep out of reach from children and pets.
• Never leave a lit candle unattended.
• Use a candle snuffer or a spoon, never blow out a candle as you could spread wax or sparks. 

I'm a Candle Connoisseur Extraordinaire! What is your candle IQ?

Written by Julia Poole owner at Elite Cleaning Ltd

   

How to clean your shower in 4 steps.

Are you cleaning on a Sunday and if so what? The question I asked my Facebook fans last weekend.

Cleaning the bathroom was the answer I had, and in particular from Katie,"I hate cleaning my shower cubicle".

So, just for you Katie, and anyone else who hates this chore, here's how I clean my shower.

You will need:

3 cups of white vinegar

1 cup washing up liquid (dish soap) any brand will do
Sponge scourer
Bucket
Microfibre glass cleaning cloth
Old toothbrush/nail brush
Spray bottle


Simply add 2 cups of vinegar and washing up liquid together in a jug and carefully pour into spray bottle. If you warm the vinegar in the jug first for about 1 minute and then pour the washing up liquid into the jug there will be no waste, it'll slide out!

1. Empty your shower of any items and if you have a removable shower head, unscrew and soak in the bathroom basin with hot water and a cup of vinegar. Place a large towel, or a non slip bath mat in the base of your shower. You may need to use a step ladder to reach your tiles. This will stop you from slipping and marking the base.

2. Get in the shower, close the door and generously spray every surface with the vinegar mixture, (please note this is not suitable for cleaning marble or any natural stone products). Pay particular attention to the door runner base. Your toothbrush is needed for this bit. Now step away from your shower and go do something else for the next 20 minutes or so. Keep in mind, the dirtier your shower, the longer you will need to leave the solution.

3. Fill your bucket with hand hot water, soak your sponge and start cleaning your tiles, then door from the top down. Use the scourer side for any stubborn marks, nail brush for grout areas and your toothbrush for hard to reach parts such as inside the door runner. Rinse with fresh clean water, I use the shower hose to do this.

4. The shower base is the last thing to clean and you'll need to be half in, half out on your knees to do this. Who said cleaning was easy?! Spray with solution and repeat the above process. Replace shower head, turn on water and let run for a few minutes to rinse any residue of vinegar away. Remove excess water from the base, tiles and door with a damp microfibre glass cloth.


Repeat this deep clean every month or so, depending on how quickly it becomes dirty again. Spray clean in between using a solution of half vinegar/water. This will keep your tiles and chrome free from limescale marks, and keep your door and base clear of any soap scum.

I don't have a problem with black mould in my bathroom, but if you do here's some extra information on what causes it and how to deal with it.


Written by Julia Poole owner and Elite Cleaner