Everyone loves stainless steel appliances because they’re beautiful. It seems every television family and celebrity shows off their stainless steel refrigerators, etc., but we’re guessing they’re not the ones that clean them. We can’t see Justin Timberlake scrubbing his fridge while singing “Bringing Luster Back.” It’s totally stuck in your head now isn’t it?

For the rest of us, cleaning stainless steel is a necessity if you want to keep it looking good and resisting rust and staining. It may be durable, but it’s a very sensitive material, so here are some tips and what to do and what not to do.

What Not To Use

Stainless steel can take a beating, but the wrong chemical cleaner can cause serious damage and even lead to rust. Do not use oven cleaners, chlorine based bleach, steel wool or abrasive scrubbing pads, abrasive cleaners or hard water.

Hard water can leave spots and stains. Abrasive cleaners and pads leads to scratching and steel wool leaves small particles behind that may rust. When it comes to stainless steel, simple is always better.

Simple Cleaning

If you’re looking to just wipe down the metal or give it a quick clean, then mixing a few drops dishwashing liquid and warm water will do the trick. Wash the surface of the appliance and then go over it again with a wet washcloth that has no soap. This makes sure all the soap is off the surface of the metal. Leftover soap leaves stains and spotting. When done rinsing, go over it with a dry towel to get all the water otherwise it can leave water spots.

Fingerprints

Little hands leave fingerprints on stainless steel appliances…sometimes big hands too. Fingerprints are unsightly and can ruin the beauty of the appliance. Spray glass cleaner into a wash cloth and wipe it down. Do not spray the cleaner directly on the surface because it leads to dripping and spots. Wipe it down with a dry towel afterwards.

Bringing Back The Shine

Time takes its toll on everything including your stainless steel appliances. One of their draws is the shine, but months of grabby hands, food and other environmental issues causes that shine to fade. No one wants s dull appliance, so liven it up with stainless steel cleaner.

This is a product designed just for stainless steel and not only provides a good cleaning, but also helps with scratches and polishing. We use Weiman, which is available at Target and Walmart. It even comes in wipes, so you just wipe down your stainless steel and then buff it with a microfiber cloth for the ultimate shine.

You’re in the bathroom, ready to take a shower and suddenly realize your loofa is sitting in a pile of nasty soap scum. ICK! Toss the loofa, and get ready to use a little elbow grease because it’s time to show that soap scum who’s the boss…and it’s not Tony Danza.

What is Soap Scum?

When you use a bar of soap in the shower and then set it on the bathtub, parts of the bar, called talc, run onto the surface. Over time, the talc, mildew, mineral deposits from the water and body oils congeal into a slimy disgusting mess. If it goes unchecked, then it can actually harden into soap scum concrete that is difficult to remove.

Getting Rid of Soap Scum

As you might guess, soap and water won’t do much against this. The mildew sludge or brick is impervious to many cleaners. The best items to use are baking soda and vinegar. Sprinkle baking soda on a wash cloth, get it wet and scrub the sludge. If the sludge has hardened into a brick, then use vinegar and baking soda to create a paste. The acidity of vinegar loosens the scum, and the baking soda helps scrub it away.

Preventing Soap Scum

The best way to clean up soap scum is to avoid the problem altogether. Prevention is the best defense against this nasty glob of goo. Switching to a liquid soap is the easiest way to prevent it. A body wash stays in the bottle and doesn’t congeal on your tub surface. If you can’t give up the bar, then make sure to wipe down the area after you shower. Soap scum accumulates over time. Before you know it, you’re dealing with a soap scum brick.

Illinois Valley Clean Team knows all the little tips and tricks for getting soap scum and other nuisances out of your house. Call us at 815-228-5273 and let us take care of your cleaning needs.

Our pets are more than just animals, they’re part of the family, but many of the chemicals used in home cleaning products can be harmful or even deadly to them. Don’t put your four-legged best friends at risk and use pet-friendly products that are already in your home.

Impact of Household Chemicals

People use them every day. Bleach, chlorine, ammonia and other chemicals put pets at a higher risk of cancer, kidney disease, anemia and many more medical issues. They are masked by pine and lemon scents, which may make pets curious. They could drink from exposed liquid or become sick from the fumes.

Here are some pet friendly products that you can find right in your pantry:

Beauty of Baking Soda

Green cleaning is important to many people. Baking soda is an all-natural product that you’ve probably got tucked away in your cabinets. Traditionally used in cooking, baking soda is a deodorizer and scrub for home cleaning. Combine baking soda, salt and water in equal parts and mix. It creates a coarse paste that can safely clean dog bowls, cutting boards, laminate floors and countertops.  Do you have baking soda left over? Spread a little on carpets and upholstery to remove odors.

Vinegar: An All-Purpose Cleaner

Vinegar is more than just an ingredient in salad dressing. It can also be an all-purpose cleaner. Mix ½ cup of vinegar with a gallon of water, and it will cut through dirt better than store-bought brands. Put the mixture into a spray bottle to clean countertops, windows and other areas. It’s also perfect for cleaning pet toys, grooming items, etc. Put the mixture into a bucket and clean hardwood and linoleum floors.

We understand that life can be hectic and people don’t have the time to do the house cleaning the way they want.  IV Clean Team is dedicated to keeping your family and your pets safe, so let us come and take care of it for you.  Contact us today at (815) 228-5273 or explore our website to see which of our many services you need.

Mother’s Day is approaching quickly! I was just speaking to a client of ours from Ottawa, IL asking me what she should do for her mother this year. Her mother moved to LaSalle, IL and she wanted to figure out something different to do besides a bouquet of flowers and a card.

If you are looking for some good ideas try one or a combination of these:

• Take her shopping for clothes. Make it strictly about your mom. No shopping for you! Give your opinion about how she looks in that blouse or pair of shoes.
• Get out in the garden and plant some flowers. Start in the morning going with your mom to pick out flowers, followed by a light lunch and planting them in the garden mid afternoon.
• Treat her to a spa and lunch experience. Find a place that you can get a treatment together. Example: Side by side pedicures. Enjoy some wine and appetizers and stay relaxed.
• Go for a walk at Starved Rock State Park and enjoy the nice morning. Have breakfast at Nonie’s on their patio.
• Ongoing subscriptions: Get her an ongoing service gift certificate for house cleaning, window cleaning, salon, or massages. Don’t forget about a binge watching subscription to Netflix!

Whatever you decide, put a little thought into it and don’t wait until last minute!

Here are some places to check out below:

Starved Rock State Park

Nonie’s Bakery

Skim Dimension Day Spa

Tri City Frock Shop

Brandy’s

Uptown grill

Mendards Garden Center