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Tip Store: Cleaning: Furniture

Dusting Rocks with Old Socks

Every once in a while, I go through mine and my son's sock drawer, to turf out socks that have seen better days - elastic gone, maybe a hole in them or grown out of them. I don't throw these in the bin just yet.....I keep them in a bag in the laundry cupboard to use for dusting the house. I just wet the sock, wring it out and put it on my hand to dust. I flip it over when it's dirty and the use the other side. When I've finished then it goes in the bin! I'm not sure of a dollar amount this may save, I'm more concerned with saving the planet, so this saves me from buying/using commercial dusters, cloths etc.
Contributed by Angela Coombes

​Dyson Stick Vacuum - It Will Change Your Life

I thought it would be a good idea to buy a stick vacuum cleaner as I imagined it would be very easy to take out to quickly and easily clean high traffic areas and non-liquid spills. Dirt on the floors and carpets really bothers me. I have to manage a couple of chronic health conditions, I often don't feel well enough to wrangle with our very good normal vacuum cleaner, which is much heavier and a lot more of a hassle to get out. After studying the range of stick vacuum cleaners available and reluctantly paying $20 for Choice magazine's recommendations (it was well worth the outlay) I decided on the Dyson DC 59 stick vacuum. Unlike nearly all the other stick vacuum cleaners it had brilliant reviews. We decided to bite the bullet and bought one from The Good Guys. I love this Dyson stick vacuum and it has literally changed my life. It will run for about 20-25 minutes before it needs a recharge. Each day I vacuum one or two times with it. I was simultaneously delighted, horrified and amazed when I saw how much gunk it removed (it is bagless so you can see in the clear Perspex barrel what it lifts from hard floors and carpet). Suction is wonderful over all surfaces, it is really easy to manouvre and super easy to access. It comes with two attachments - a brush and a narrow nozzle. Also very easy to empty from the dirt catching barrel. I would highly recommend to everyone but especially busy and elderly people and those who battle chronic health conditions. There is one catch - it is quite expensive. I researched prices and we paid about $530 for ours. It is advertised in some places at over $650. The Good Guys matched the lower price we found. I have a dust allergy and this vacuum makes is so easy to keep household dust, grit, hair etc. on the floors at bay. I absolutely love it and will probably give one to my 87 year old mother for her birthday.
​ Contributed by Lorraine Yeomans

​To Clean Suede Furnishing Fabric

I use alcohol hand cleaner. Spot check an inconspicuous spot and then use at will! Easily removed permanent marker from my lounge.
​Contributed by Helen Phillips

​Cleaning Suede Lounges

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SeuntP4hBU --------------------- Different types of suede-cloth will react differently to cleaners. Test a small, hidden area first to ensure that there are no adverse affects to the color or texture of the suede.
​ Contributed by Mi Caulfield

​Quick and Easy Microwave Cleaner

Add 1Tbsp of bi carb to 250mls of water in a micro safe dish and add a couple of slices of lemon (optional). Microwave on high for 3mins, then just wipe out the inside of your microwave with a sponge. I rinse the sponge in the water and bi carb mix to rinse my sponge as I go, that way I stop my sponge from getting smelly at the same time! Works really well, especially when you've had a pasta explosion in the microwave!
​Contributed by Heather Micallef

​Furniture Polish/Timber Rails etc Interior Use Only

Approximate $ Savings: $48 per year

​ This furniture polish is for natural timber finishes only, not lacquered. Mix 50% Boiled Linseed Oil to 50% Mineral Turpentine (DO NOT EXCEED 50% Boiled Linseed Oil). Using a soft cloth, rub mix into the timber in circular motion, small areas at a time and buff with clean soft cloth and continue until piece is finished. Brings the oldest pieces back to life and lasts for ages. Makes timber look and feel rich and beautiful again. I made a 2 litre bottle of mix up a couple of years ago and I haven't even used a litre yet! I store it in a large 2 litre recycled glass vegetable juice bottle with good sealing lid. For everyday use I keep a small jar which I top up from time to time.
Contributed by Marg Smith

​Treating Ash with Ash

Here at home we use a wood fire and after a while the glass in the door gets a black film over it and it is quite hard to get off. After six and a half years of spraying the glass and scrubbing it clean and sometimes resorting to taking the door off to clean it I have the solutions. A friend told us to dip a damp cloth into the white ash from the fire and smear it over the door whilst gently making small circular movements with the cloth. I thought I'd try it and see if it worked, I certainly had my doubts. I couldn't believe my eyes, it was if it was magic, within five minutes the glass was sparkling clean, no fuss, no mess, just a sparkly clean door. I suggest everyone who uses a Coonarra or wood fire with a glass door try this, you will simply be amazed at how easy it is to clean.
​Contributed by Debbie, Blind Bight

​Eucalyptus Treatment Removes Most Marks

I have found simple eucalyptus oil on a cotton ball gets just about everything (from biro marks, sticky labels, band aids, grubby handprints etc.) off walls, timber, plastic, glass and I'm sure it would clean your LCD screen too without any harm. Hope this helps.
​Contributed by Carol, Copacabana

​Spectacle Cleaner Cleans Screen

To clean an LCD screen, try using a spectacle cleaner. You can get a little cloth, or the spray cleaner, and cheaply if you shop around, and then you can use it for all kinds of things.
​Contributed by Cara, Busselton

​Baby Wipes Leave TV Screens Spotless

​I use baby wipes on our TV screen as I get greasy hand prints on ours. If you start from one side and slide across horizontally, you can do the whole screen with one wipe. It comes up spotless when dry.
Contributed by Irene, Point Cook

​Enjo the Marks Away

Wipe gently with a damp (just damp with water) ENJO Kitchen Glove (just the green side) to remove the grease left from the lip gloss. Then dry with a dry ENJO Kitchen Miracle. These fibres are used to remove grease and grim from the kitchen, using only cold water.
​Contributed by Bronwyn

​Give LCD TVs the Microfibre Treatment

I would highly recommend using ENJO for any cleanup job. They work unbelievably well with just the fibre and water (let the water do the work) to remove most grease and grime. Especially good for LCD or plasma screens that you should not press too hard on. It does have to be seen to be believed. I won't use anything else now that I have made the switch. In addition to giving you the best and easiest clean of your life, you will save literally hundreds of dollars per year by NOT having to go down that smelly chemical aisle at the shops!! Check it out - for you, for the environment and for the back pocket!
​Contributed Xanthe, Woodridge

​Do Not Use Tap Water To Clean LCD Screens

Use isopropyl alcohol diluted with distilled water (half and half). DON'T use tap water. Wet a cotton cloth, like an old singlet or top, with this solution and apply using a circular motion and light pressure. Wipe over with a dry cotton cloth. Works a treat.
​Contributed by Benn

​Huggies Baby Wipes Clean LCD Screens

Try Huggies baby wipes, they come in small travel packs, so you don't have to buy a heap of them... Anyway, I use them all the time to get greasy finger prints off of my laptop LCD screen when the kids just HAVE to point at something on the screen :) Give the offending marks a gently wipe over with a baby wipe, then use a soft damp cloth (clean water only) and give the whole screen a wipe and let dry. Then if you need to, you can use your regulation wipes.
​Contributed by Julie Anne

​A Little Dab'll Do Ya

​Dab a tiny little bit of dishwashing liquid (just a cheap one, doesn't have to be expensive to work at all) over the marks and then proceed to gently wipe with a wet cloth that has been wrung out over the TV screen. I use dishwashing liquid for a number of things and find it doesn't harm anything. I don't even buy Preen for my clothes as dishwashing liquid has saved me a bucketful of money (and my clothes).
Contributed by Cindy

​No More Dirty TV Screens

Put a solution of one to two tablespoons of vinegar and water in a small spray bottle to use on the screen. I was sent an email re-schoolgirls kissing mirrors in the toilets. The principal gathered them there and showed them how the above cleaner cleaned the lipstick marks off, using a mop dipped in the toilets. No more lipstick kissed mirrors at that school!
​Contributed by Val, Noble Park

​Lift a Cordial Stain with Upholstery Cleaner

We moved into a new rental house which had cream carpet in the lounge room. It was falling apart but was mark free. On the first night we moved in my partner spilled a large cup of red cordial all over it. In a panic and with everything still in boxes we didn't know what to do. Our new flat mate went out to his car and grabbed his Turtle Wax car upholstery cleaner and we gave it a try. The carpet looked immaculate once we had finished. I have never seen anything remove a stain so easily especially something like red cordial.
​Contributed by Kirsty

​Blow Away the Burn Marks

If you have white burn marks on your timber tables, the easiest way to try and remove them is to get your hairdryer and once hot run it over the white burn mark and watch it disappear!! Works like magic. No money spent on products that may not work!
​Contributed by Belinda Timms

​Cleaning Spots On Suede

First gently brush with towel to get the nap set up. Then take an eraser and rub gently. It takes up the spot even a light colour of suede.
​Contributed by Kay Edelman

​A Use for Those Holey Rubber Gloves

It often happens that there is a hole in one hand of rubber gloves and the other gloves becomes not usable. Those lonely gloves are handy for getting rid of hair of pets from rugs and fabric sofas etc. Just wear them and give rugs and sofas a good stroke. The hair which stuck to the rugs etc. will be attracted by static electricity and it will form a big lump. All you have to do now is pick up the lump and chuck it away! You can not only save money by not having to buy those expensive disposable roller cleaners but also find a way to use up those stray gloves.
​Contributed by Tommie

​Olive Oil Wood Polish

I find any oil such as vegetable oil, or olive oil is great for anything wooden. Wipe the blinds with a cloth rinsed in a mild detergent. When dry, rub them with oil and a dry cloth. You should have these items in your kitchen already so the cost is minimal.
​Contributed by Tammy

​Fitted Sheet Keeps Pet Hair off Lounge

​Approximate $ Savings: $150

If your pets like getting up on the couch/lounge when you aren't there to tell them not to, place an old fitted sheet over the lounge. A queen size will fit a 2-2 1/2 seater lounge. The elastic on the sheets holds it in place and the pet hair and mess ends up on a sheet you can then just wash in your washing machine saving you steam/dry cleaning your furniture as often. Our dog now knows if the sheet is on she may sit on the couch.. we trained her without realising it!!
​Contributed by Melinda

​Leather Conditioner for Loungesuite

You can try an equine shop that sells leather conditioner for saddles. It works a treat to put moisture back into sun worn leather...But be careful with application as it may take a while to dry completely before you can sit on the chairs.
​Contributed by Naomi

​Cleaning Furniture the Easy Way

Time to clean the plastic outdoor furniture, usually a chore however, I washed mine the other day with Aldi D-san (a Nappy San equivalent) and the furniture is fantastic and it was done without hard scrubbing. Also by shopping at Aldi the cost was certainly lower.
​Contributed by Glenis

​Second-hand Leather Lounge Suite Now Looks Like New

I recently bought a second-hand beige leather lounge suite for $150.00. Using just water and a "Magic White" sponge (cost $12.00 at local hardware store) it has come up like new. These sponges are expensive (Chux also make a similar product available at supermarkets), but it was an easy and inexpensive solution for my lounge suite. These sponges also do an amazing job in the bathroom. The sponge removed hair dye from my Laminex bench that I had unsuccessfully tried everything to remove.
​Contributed by Leigh

​Leather Products

Pears Transparent Soap can be used to clean any leather product. Simply use warm water & lather with the soap to clean & then rinse & dry in the fresh air. This soap does not contain any of the chemicals usually found in regular soap products.
​Contributed by Gail

​Chewing Gum on Upholstery

​Rub with an ice cube, and pull gum off when hard. Mark left can be removed with rubbing alcohol.

​Cleaning Outdoor Furniture

​To quickly and easily clean plastic outdoor furniture, wipe it over with a solution of a cup of bleach in a half bucket of water. Leave it for five minutes, and then wipe over with a clean, damp cloth. Do this regularly and your plastic furniture will stay clean and fresh looking.

Scratches in Wood Furniture

​Break pecans or walnuts in half and rub on spot for about 30 seconds until nut feels warm.

​Heat Marks in Wood Furniture

Glass rings will disappear if you rub them with mayonnaise and white toothpaste. Wipe area dry, then polish entire surface.

​Furniture Polish

​This is so easy to make, and it works! 1 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup lemon juice Pour oil and lemon juice into a squirt bottle or jar. Stir to combine. To use, dip dust cloth or rag into oil, blot the oil by folding the cloth together, and then dust your furniture. Leaves a beautiful finish!