Make a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle
Put on a pair of thick socks that you won’t mind getting dirty
Spray the bottoms of them generously with the mixture
Turn on the music! We have a playlist you might want to check out to get your feet moving.
Start gliding those feet across the floor. Point your toes to get into the corners and edges of the floor.
Toss the dirty sock in the washer when you’re done!
Always, always make sure you can have a ventilated area when you use Oven Cleaner. And protect your hands with rubber gloves.
Tile Grout: Spray oven cleaner on your tile grout (kitchen or bathroom). Rinse well immediately and and wipe down.
Stove Grates: You don’t have to wait until you are doing an oven cleaner. Spray the cleaner on the stovetop grates to get rid of the stuff that’s stuck.
Cast iron pans: This is the one time we recommend water on cast iron. But be sure to dry thoroughly after you’re done! Spray the pan with cleaner. Place in plastic bag and let it sit overnight. The following morning, wipe clean with a VERY SKRUBBY and dish soap and water.
Dutch Ovens: Spray the outside of your Dutch oven with cleaner to get rid of scorch and burn marks! Even try it in the Nooks and crannies of your pots. Be sure to use your VERY to scrub it clean.
Cookie Sheets: Whose cookie sheets couldn’t use some cleaning help. Spray on cleaner. Let it sit according to directions. Wash with hot water, dish soap and your VERY for tackling any really tough spots. Rinse very, very well. Make sure all oven cleaner is removed from the surface.
First line of stain removal is dish soap on the stain and let it sit for at least five minutes. If it’s still there, then do this:
1. Create a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide
2. Smear the paste on the stain and let it sit for at least an hour
3. Rinse and wipe with your Skura sponge
4. If there is still a stain, repeat the paste smearing, then cover with plastic wrap and let it sit overnight. Sometimes it just takes a little longer and a few times!
• Remove everything that doesn’t belong in the kitchen. Put those items in a basket to return to their rightful home
• Wipe down counters and high touch areas with disinfectant. WIPE ENVY would be the preferred tool for wiping
• Dishes that don’t go in dishwasher get hand washed and put away. TOWEL TA-DA! would be helpful here!
• Toss a couple of table spoons baking soda down the drain and pour one cup of white vinegar down the drain. Then rinse the drain with warm running water and wipe the sink dry
• For stainless steel appliances, spray a little olive oil on a WIPE ENVY and polish
• Don’t forget the pet dish area! Use a damp WIPE ENVY to clean the area around the bowls
• Sweep the floor. Start with the perimeter and under the counters
• Spray a WIPE ENVY with white vinegar to clean splatters from your cooktop and backsplash behind your stove
• Empty the trash. Add a dryer sheet to the bottom of the trash can before you insert new liners
• Throw dirty dish towels, linens in the laundry basket and bring out fresh towels
• Change your Skura sponge
Create a paste made from baking soda and a little water. Apply the paste to the stain and let it sit on the stain for a couple of hours. Don’t scrub the stain with the paste since it’s and abrasive and may scratch your countertop. Wipe off gently after you have let it sit with a WIPE ENVY.
If you use plastic storage containers to keep berries, they are likely to get stained from those delicious juices. Soak the container in distilled white vinegar making sure to cover the stain. Rinse clean. Don’t worry about the vinegar fragrance. It disappears. Or you can also make a paste of dish soap and baking soda and coat the stain. Use your Skura Style sponge to apply some pressure to rub the stain out. Rinse and repeat if necessary.
Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the stained area — the non-gel kind. Very gently rub in with your fingers, pressing it into the stain. Rinse with water. Gone!
This is a classic sponge cake recipe — and only 4 ingredients.
6 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
Beat 6 the eggs for 1 minute on high speed with an electric stand mixer. With the mixer on, gradually add 1 cup sugar and continue beating 8-10 minutes until thick and fluffy. (Aren’t you glad you’re not using a hand mixer!)
Separately, whisk together the flour and the baking powder and then then sift this mixture into beaten egg mixture one third at a time. Fold with a spatula with each addition just until it’s incorporated. Scrape spatula from the bottom to catch any pockets of flour and stop mixing when no streaks of flour remain. Do not over-mix or you will deflate the batter.’
Divide evenly between two prepared cake pans or a loaf pan. We recommend using parchment paper on the bottom for easy removal.
Bake at 350˚F for 23-28 minutes for the cake pans and 28-35 minutes for the loaf pan. The top should be golden brown.
Remove the cake from pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Frost or don’t. Top with berries and whip cream. Toast a slice in the morning with your coffee or tea. YUM!
PRO CLEANING TIP: Immediately wash the cake pans in soapy water and use the scrubby side of your Skura sponge to get into the corners and edges of your cake pans.
Ketchup
Stainless steel sinks and appliances can’t help but get annoying streaks and water spots. Make them shiny again with shaving cream! Simply dampen a WIPE ENVY microfiber cloth — make sure it’s not super wet. Just damp. Then apply shave cream to the cloth and rub into the stainless steel. With a dry WIPE ENVY polish off the residue to make it shine. You can also do this on your faucets!
While you’re running a load of dishes, add these items!
Plastic containers are great. But they can get to looking nasty and not so clean with the stains left from the food that was being stored. Here’s how to bring them back to life so you’re not tossing them out so fast.
Make a paste of baking soda and water and spread it over the bottom and sides of the container. The consistency of the paste should be like toothpaste. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Then use a damp WIPE ENVY (or other soft cloth) to tackle the stains. Rinse and wash with dish soap and warm water.
Washing dishes is our favorite pastime. And we find washing by hand (old school) is actually cathartic
1. Always rinse your dishes before washing them to loosen dried-on foods. Pre-soak pots and pans separately
2. Make sure the monogram on your Skura sponge is still visible. If not, toss and pull out a fresh one!
3. Fill the sink with hot, hot water. Add a couple of teaspoons of baking soda in the water along with your liquid detergent to help with stubborn messes
4. Use rubber gloves to tolerate the temperature - and save your manicure in the process!
5. Wash the cleanest and most fragile items first to avoid breaking or spreading germs and food particles
6. After a cleaning each piece, check for remaining residue. Use the scrubby side of your Skura aponge to eliminate the stickier particles
7. When rinsing dishes, continue to use hot water. It’s better at melting any grease and soapy residue away
8. Dry as soon as the items are clean to avoid exposure to bacteria. A clean TOWEL TA-DA! absorbs water and doesn't leave lint
9. Now use a clean TOWEL TA-DA! for drying and making sure glasses are lint free
Your dishwasher might do more harm than good on a number of your dishes and pots and pans. Don't put these in your dishwasher:
- Anything wood
- Kitchen knives
- Copper
- Cast iron
- Air fryer basket
- China with metallic trim
- Antiques and other delicates
- Hand painted ceramic
- Crystal
- Aluminum cookware
- Printed measuring cups
Few topics on the subject of dishwashing are as polarizing as the best way to load a dishwasher. Everyone has their own method -- but this one is the best! The jets can’t do their job when the dishes are not properly loaded. And no one wants to unload and find food residue still stuck to dishes. Avoid that - and follow these tips to maximize your loads, while still getting everything well-cleaned:
1. Pre-rinsing isn't necessary. While machines vary, most recommend that you not pre-rinse and allow the dishwasher detergent do its job
2. Make sure the item is dishwasher safe. Most pots and pans are not meant for the dishwasher (sorry). And you might consider keeping sharp objects (like knives and food processor blades) out to avoid dulling blades
3. When loading, always start in the back and work your way to the front to maximize space
4. Larger items like bowls, plates and non-wooden cutting boards should all go on the bottom, dirty side facing inward. Do not stack and crowd so that the sprayer arm can reach all items
5. Everyday eating utensils (not your silver!) can be placed in the specialty racks, knife handles up, and forks/spoons handles down. Don’t overcrowd these bins so that all items can get a proper cleaning
6. On the top rack, place mugs upside down, and smaller bowls/salad plates between tines in the center. Also, any plastic items that can withstand dishwasher heat should only be placed on the top rack
7. If there’s room, send your sink strainer and the microwave turntable on a trip through that dishwasher
8. Double check to make sure the jets are not blocked from doing their job
9. Run a load when it's full!
We rely on our dishwashers to make our dishes sparkle, but these workhorses need some cleaning too!
1. Remove the bottom rack and check the drain area for debris; wipe the drainage area using a dampened WIPE ENVY
2. Pour one cup of white vinegar into a mug (or other dishwasher safe vessel) and place on the top rack of your emptied dishwasher. Run a hot water cycle. The vinegar will remove grease, residue and stubborn grime
3. Make sure to wipe the inside of the door as well
4. Wipe down the outside and make sure to get the buttons clean. For stainless steel, spritz a tiny bit of olive oil on a clean WIPE ENVY and polish the outside
The Refrigerator Refresher. In Just 15 Minutes
Cleaning your fridge does not have to be an overwhelming experience. In fact, it can be done in a jiffy.
Set a timer and see if you can get through this one in 15 minutes!
1. Remove all items, tossing anything that’s expired and your less-than-edible leftovers
2. Working from top to bottom, wipe out all crumbs
3. Spritz shelves/bins with a DIY mixture of half white vinegar, half warm water. Use your SKURA sponge with a little elbow grease to remove sticky spills. (You can always remove any bins or shelves
that need extra attention - and hand wash them in your sink)
4. Wipe down all surfaces with a dampened WIPE ENVY
5. Reclaim and reload that clean fridge! Organize like items (think milks and meats on the cooler bottom shelves, ready-to-eat items on top, condiments on door)
Don’t forget to add a new, open box of baking soda to absorb funky odors
You'll want to plan ahead for this project! If you don't have or use a self-cleaning feature, follow this for a sparkling oven:
Evening:
1. Remove the racks and place in your tub on an old towel that you positioned on the bottom of the tub. Fill with hot water and ¼ cup of grease-fighting dish soap. Let the racks soak overnight
2. Meanwhile, back at the oven, create a thick DIY paste composed of 1 cup baking soda and ½ cup white vinegar. Let the fizzing settle a bit, then slather evenly on all surfaces inside your oven. You may need to double the paste recipe! Close it up and leave it to release the built up grime overnight
Morning:
1. Open up your oven and scrub any stubborn stains away with a dampened SKURA sponge. Thoroughly wipe away the baking soda/vinegar paste. (We recommend having a large bucket of warm water next to the oven for this task)
2. Now back at the tub - scrub those oven racks with your VERY SKRUBBY. Rinse and dry. Place them back in the oven
3. If the window on your oven door needs extra attention, scrub it with a dishwasher pod (the non-gel type) dipped in a bit of warm water; rinse thoroughly and dry
Did you know that greasy range hood filters are a fire hazard and should be thoroughly cleaned?
1. Pop them out and drop in your sink with the drain plug closed
2. Pour boiling water, a squirt of dish soap and ¼ cup of baking soda on top of the filter(s). Swish around with tongs (or other utensil) and let them soak for at least 10 minutes
3. Make sure the water has cooled down and use a VERY SKRUBBY to remove the last bits of gunk
4. Rinse clean and dry. Pop back into the hood
We'll be reminding you to do this again in the fall!
Does the interior of your microwave look like a Jackson Pollock painting? We’ve been there…
1. To remove messy spills and splatters from your microwave, combine 2 tablespoons of baking soda and one cup of water in a microwave-safe mug (for easy handling); place in microwave
2. Microwave on high for 5 minutes, and carefully remove the hot mug
3. Using the dense steam to loosen up the grime, grab your SKURA sponge and wipe all interior surfaces for a good-as-new shine
Remove Grease Buildup from Kitchen Cabinets
1. Fill a spray bottle with a mixture of half white vinegar and half WARM water
2. Spritz your cabinets, and let it sit for a few minutes while the solution attacks the grease
3. Wipe away the gunk with your SKURA sponge
You might not like this because it's a lot of work and time consuming, but it's really the best approach to getting the hardware on your drawers and cabinets super clean
1. Remove the handles from drawers and cabinets. Screwdriver will be needed. Keep the screws
2. Make a solution of equal parts hot water and white vinegar. You will need enough solution to completely cover the hardware in your soaking container
3. While the hardware is soaking be sure to use a damp WIPE ENVY to wipe the screw holes on the outside and inside
4. Remove each knob or handle individually and use your SKURA sponge to wipe it down. Use the scrubby side to get any debris still on the handle
5. Rinse, dry and reattach to drawers and cabinet
Painted walls and the area around door knobs just can’t avoid getting lots of finger prints and dirty wear and tear. Get them looking fresh with — shaving cream. Yes, that stuff that is probably in your bathroom and gets used religiously. Here’s what you do:
- Dampen a WIPE ENVY
- Apply a dollop of shaving cream on the cloth
- Rub the shaving cream onto the spots and gently scrub away the prints, smudges and marks
- Use a dry WIPE ENVY to wipe up the residue
Shaving cream is designed to lather up and penetrate an area and delivers moisture. This is great on on tough stains. So when you have a spot on your carpeting, apply the shave cream. Let it sit on the spot for at least 30 minutes. Then wipe/blot it with a damp Skura Sponge and then let it dry. If there is dry residue, simply vacuum.
Dust more often. The big noticeable areas. Daily if possible. People coming in and out all day long means dust is getting stirred up all day. A dry WIPE ENVY will help the job.
Dust the ceiling fan more often and change the fan direction every two weeks. Did you know that a WIPE ENVY fits perfectly on your dry mop (Swiffer) so you can get to the blades easily?
Monitor the vegetable crisper. Summer means lots of fruits and veggies (love this!). So the crisper drawer is getting lots of action at this time of year. Once a week take everything out and wipe it down with WIPE ENVY dampened with white vinegar.
Patrol for water rings on furniture. It happens. No matter how many coasters or insulated glasses. To get rid of water rings mix equal parts vinegar and olive oil in a small bowl. Apply the mixture to the ring with a WIPE ENVY Wipe in the direction of the wood grain until the stain is gone.
Check the washing maching for moldy smells. Run an empty load with a cup of bleach and hot water. When it’s done leave the door ajar to let it air dry.
It’s been another long winter and a lot of people are hanging around on the comfy couch or chairs
1. With a clean SKURA sponge, wipe the upholstery to pick up animal hair and lint. If there are fabric pills, use the scrubby side of the sponge to scrape them from the fabric. If you have white-ish fabric and you have dirt stains, try using an art eraser to tackle the stains
2. Remove the cushions and repeat the above to get the surface below the cushions clean. Feel free to keep anything you find
3. Vacuum the cushions
4. Fluff up and flip the cushions. Find a place to store the winter throws
Your iron (you read that right) can remove water rings on your wood furniture (and floors). This will work well on stains that are still damp as it effectively pulls moisture from the surface.
Lay a clean cloth over the mark. We suggest a WIPE ENVY or the terry side of a TA-DA! Towel. Make sure there is no water left in the iron and set it to a low temperature. Set the warmed iron on the cloth over the water stain. Lift the iron check the stain. If it's still there, repeat steps until the stain is removed.
Water stains and rings on your wood furniture? Reach for white toothpaste (no whitening or gel versions) and a WIPE ENVY. Dab a generous amount of the toothpaste on the wipe and then buff the toothpaste onto the stain. When the stain is removed wipe away any residue with a clean cloth.
Water stains are almost unavoidable. Get ready for this one!
1. Cover the stain with a clean, soft towel large enough to cover the stain and accommodate a clothes iron. A Towel TA-DA! would be ideal
2. Heat a clothes iron to a low temp. Make sure there is no water in the iron
3. Iron the towel (stain underneath) for several seconds. Let it cool
4. For tougher stains, you may need to repeat
Nicks and scrapes will happen. To get the wood looking like new do the following:
1. Reach for a nut. Not your significant other. A walnut
2. Rub the nut into the area that needs repair for several seconds. Let the oil do its thing with the wood for a few minutes
3. Buff the spot with a WIPE ENVY to polish the area
Your TV is probably just dusty - or perhaps has acquired some residue if you have a fireplace. But it's super-easy to clean. The biggest thing *not* to do is use a glass cleaner!
1. Dust the TV screen in a circular motion using a clean WIPE ENVY
2. Create a cleaning solution of warm water with a drop of dish washing liquid in a spray bottle
3. Dampen the WIPE ENVY with the solution and using the same circular motion, wipe down the screen one more time. Let it dry
4. Take the dry WIPE ENVY and dust the back if it’s accessible
Remote controls can be nasty. People rarely sanitize their hands before using it! So wipe down remotes with a WIPE ENVY that has been dampened with some white vinegar
Ceiling fans are dust collectors, but they also send that dust everywhere when they’re in use. Make sure you give them a good cleaning!
1. If there are pull chains, wipe them with a dampened WIPE ENVY
2. Affix a clean WIPE ENVY on your flat mop and spray with your fave all-purpose cleaner
3. Now glide your flat mop across the top and bottom of all blades to remove the dirt, dust and grime accumulation
4. You can add this to your regular dusting duty, using a dry WIPE ENVY
Did you know WIPE ENVY fits perfectly on your Swiffer?
1. With a dry WIPE ENVY attached, dust your walls. You may have to take down some wall hangings — but you can certainly work around them too
2. Create a mixture for the washing. In a bucket, combine 8 cups of really hot water. Add about three tablespoons of dishwashing liquid. Then add about 1/4 cup white vinegar. Get to work while the water is hot
3. Dampen a clean WIPE ENVY with the cleaning solution you just made and attach it to the Swiffer. Start mopping your walls. We always suggest starting with an area to test — in an inconspicuous place
4. Let them dry. What’s great about this is that not only are they clean — but they have a new fresh smell!
It’s time for the sun to shine in - through clean windows
1. Start by wiping off surface dirt and dusting with a dry WIPE ENVY (this will prevent a streaky mess once the cleaning solution is applied)
2. Prepare our fave DIY window cleaning solution: Combine 2 cups water, ½ cup white vinegar and ¼ cup rubbing alcohol in a clean spray bottle. (Adding rubbing alcohol helps to cut through any sticky residue on your windows, while creating a streak-free shine)
3. Now generously spritz and wipe with a WIPE ENVY to avoid leaving any lint on the windows. And while you’re at it, make sure to rub in multiple directions to prevent streaking
Note: Evaporation Rate - it’s a thing! Make sure you choose a cloudy day for this task since the window cleaning solution will evaporate rapidly on a warm sunny day, leaving behind streaks
4. Rinse and allow the water to drain through the weep holes (they're the little holes in the corners of the windows which allow water to escape). Then wipe it all down with a WIPE ENVY
We all want to look in the mirror and like what we see. We got you!
1. First, wipe surface dust from your mirror with a dry WIPE ENVY to prevent a smeary mess of dirt and glass cleaner
2. Opt for a cleaner sans added soaps and scents - they will leave behind residue-causing streaks. The best solution is a DIY mix of half white vinegar and water
3. Spritz fluid directly on your mirror, and wipe with a clean WIPE ENVY from side to side, starting at the top and working your way down
Let's bypass the old way of taking blinds down, soaking them and re-installing them. Instead, try this:
1. Grab your kitchen tongs and wrap a WIPE ENVY around each side of the tong by fastening with rubber bands
2. Spritz a DIY household cleaner of half white vinegar, half water to the cloths
3. Grab each individual blind with the tong and swipe all the way across; repeat on each slat
If you’re cleaning a gas grill, make sure the gas is turned off
Empty the drip pan that catches grease and drips from your food.
Make a soapy water solution by using a teaspoon of grease-cutting dish soap to one quart of water.
Douse a WIPE ENVY in the soapy water and wipe down the exterior making sure to get the dirtiest areas like top and even the legs. You may want to go over the outside a couple of times to make sure you got everything.
Rinse with clean water. Be careful not to flood the inside of the grill with water.
Dry the exterior with a clean WIPE ENVY. The important thing is not to use paper towels or paper based products as they can scratch the surface of your grill.
Picnics are one of the pleasures of the summer months whether it's at the beach or a park. Spruce up your basket and get out there for a fun afternoon. Here’s how:
1. Grab a dry WIPE ENVY and wipe off surface dust from the inside and outside
2. If your basket is not picnic-ready just yet, dampen the WIPE ENVY with white vinegar and blot the basket weave gently to give it a deeper clean. Do not ever immerse the basket in water as it may remove the patina, or cause warping
3. Leave the basket to air dry completely before filling with goodies for your afternoon out
4. And always keep a WIPE ENVY and Skura sponge in your basket for clean-up
Cleaning BBQ grates is a messy job. However, this is an interesting and fun way to get them shining again - and ready for the next batch of burgers.
1. Heat your grill on high to burn off any remaining food on the grates
2. Cut a large onion in half and affix on the end of a grilling fork
3. Scrub the grates with the halved onion facing downwards to remove built up grit and grime. (The onion's acidity and fluids will help to release stuck-on food, dirt and greasy residue)
4. For super-stubborn messes, mix a paste of baking soda and water, and then scrub the cooled grates with your VERY SKRUBBY
If you want great tasting barbeque, you need to keep the grill grates clean. This is an easy - and surprising - way to do it, especially if your grates have not gotten super greasy and grimy from your last grilling session:
1. Let the grates cool, and place them face down on the grass overnight (we kid you not!) The enzymes in the dewy grass will work to loosen up greasy residue
2. In the morning, hose them down. Grab your VERY SKRUBBY and scrub remaining stuck-on gunk away!
You probably put the grill away last year with the grates needing a good cleaning. Let's kick off the season with clean grates for the FCOTS (First cookout of the season). We have a ‘grate’ way to get the grates sparkling before your next cookout
1. Mix a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water in a bowl
2. Using a VERY SKRUBBY and some elbow grease, get scrubbing. (It’s a messy job, so you’ll definitely want to wear your rubber gloves for this event)
3. Rinse clean, and dry (TOWEL TA-DA! is perfect here)
Bring dirty wood or wicker furniture back to life with these tips:
Wood and Wicker:
1. Mix a mild oil-based soap (like Murphy Oil Soap) mixed with warm water and a few tablespoons white vinegar and one quart of warm water
2. With a SKURA sponge, wipe down the furniture--- getting between all of the crevices
3. Wipe dry with a WIPE ENVY to collect more embedded grime
Resin and Plastic:
1. Make a mild cleanser by mixing 1/4 cup white vinegar with 1-gallon warm water. You may need several gallons depending on the size and amount of your furniture
2. With your SKURA sponge wipe down the furniture with the solution
3. If you run into a stubborn stain, dampen a WIPE ENVY with white vinegar and use on the specific spot. If it's still there, apply baking soda to the spot and then use the vinegar cloth to work out the spot
It’s so easy to restore the original shine to your outdoor lights!
1. Make sure the lights are shut off and remove the bulbs
2. With your WIPE ENVY dipped in a half white vinegar and half warm water solution, clean all glass surfaces, inside and out, making sure not to get any liquid in the light socket
3. Move on to the metal frame by cleaning with a WIPE ENVY dipped in warm water and dish soap. Avoid scrubbing metal areas with anything abrasive to prevent scratching
Before you head out to rent a power washer, try cleaning your concrete patio like this:
1. In a bucket mix one box of baking soda with two cups of vinegar. This will create a lot of foaming action which will settle and you will be left with a paste. Depending on the area you are cleaning, you may need to mix more
2. Spread the mixture over the concrete with a sponge mop. And let it set for at least 30 minutes
3. Scrub the concrete using a bristle scrub brush -- but one with a long handle
4. Rinse and then let the patio air dry before putting furniture back
Keep your gardening tools clean and they’ll make it through more than one season!
Remove soil from them by blasting them with water from your garden hose. There’s bound to be some dirt that doesn’t come off so be sure to scrape that away..
Fill a bucket with hot water and add a small squirt of detergent. Add your tools and let them soak for 15-20 minutes.
Rinse every tool with cool water and dry with a WIPE ENVY.
Inspect the tools closely for rust. Use a VERY SKRUBBY scouring pad to scrub away any rust. Coat the tool with vegetable oil to aid in loosening the rust while you scrub.
Are your tools still sticky?
Make a mixture of 1 tsp vegetable oil and 2 tsp of baking soda. Spread a thin mixture over the sticky area. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Then wipe away with a WIPE ENVY.
First, UNPLUG your treadmill, bike or elliptical machine before you start cleaning. Concentrate on the areas that are most touched — like the handles, buttons, screens and seats. Use a WIPE ENVY that has been spritzed with a disinfectant to make sure you are getting rid of germs as well as dust. Apply the disinfectant to the wipe and not directly to the machine. Wipe down the tread of the treadmill as well as bike pedals since they are the most susceptible areas for dirt. Always check your machine manufacturing instructions. When you’re vacuuming, use hand attachments to get dirt close to the machine and under it.
It’s inevitable - your sneakers are going to get dirty. They’re on your feet, after all. But don’t start sneaker shopping just yet. Periodic hand washings will keep them looking (and smelling) their best. Here’s how to get them clean without damaging them:
1. Remove the laces. If they’re white, send them on a trip through the wash with some bleach in a mesh laundry bag. If your laces are colored, you can hand wash them with some mild detergent and water. Rinse and air dry
2. Back to the sneakers. Brush off surface dirt and dust with a dry brush or old toothbrush to get into all the little grooves
3. Make your own sneaker soap by combining 1 teaspoon toothpaste (the non-gel kind), 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon mild dish soap
4. Scrub the lower soles with a VERY SKRUBBY dipped into your cleaning solution. Get into all the nooks and crannies of the sides and bottoms working the sneaker soap into the shoe. Dry with a fresh WIPE ENVY
5. Using the same cleaning solution and a WIPE ENVY, wash the upper part of your sneaks and the insoles. Wipe with a clean and dampened WIPE ENVY and let them air dry. You’ll want to make sure that the insoles are fully dry before putting them back in the shoes, too!
6. If you still feel that your sneaks could use more work, some people recommend putting them into the washer, one cycle and cold setting, after this process has been followed. Let them air dry. (Do not do this if your shoes are suede)
7. Final/final. Once the process is completed, consider sprinkling some baking soda onto the insoles to absorb the new odors they will inherit
Your yoga mat picks up oils from your skin, not to mention who-knows-what kind of bacteria and germs from the gym or studio. Wiping it down after each use is a good routine using a disinfectant wipe or a solution of water and white vinegar which can be applied with a WIPE ENVY. In addition though, you really should give it a good bath about once a month.
1. Roll your mat out into the bathtub
2. Add tepid to warm water (not hot) and a squirt of dish soap - but not too much soap - just a squirt will do
3. Let it soak for five minutes
3. Rinse with clean water
4. Then allow it to air dry
Here are a few ways to keep your linen closet smelling fresh - especially important in the summer months when things can get musty.
Guests are coming! Here are some tips to create a cozy bed for weary travelers:
1. First thing's first: strip the bed down and clean up that mattress. Pour some straight vodka in a spray bottle (no, it’s not cocktail time). Spritz it directly on the mattress to disinfect it, then let it air dry
2. For an extra-special touch, iron some freshly-cleaned sheets and pillow cases
3. Now to make the bed: the first layer should always be an appropriately-sized mattress protector to guard against dust, spills, etc. Next, the fitted and flat sheets (brush up on your hospital corners), and then a blanket and cozy quilt or comforter (make sure these are freshly washed too)
4. Lastly, add extra fluffy pillows for coziness. Lightly spray them with a relaxing lavender mist to help your guests easily drift off to sleep
Your guests deserve a home-away-from-home. Treat them to a clean and tidy guest room.
1. Start by completely dusting every surface with a WIPE ENVY cloth. Include walls and baseboards by wrapping a WIPE ENVY around a flat mop and zooming along
2. If you have carpeting or rugs and they haven’t been cleaned in a while, consider a professional deep-cleaning. If they’re in good shape, vacuum thoroughly, making sure to get under the bed
3. On to the windows!
a. Curtains are dust magnets. Take them down and wash them (make sure to check the care label first - they may require a trip to the dry cleaners instead)
b. To clean blinds, use our fave hack of wrapping a clean, dry WIPE ENVY around each side of kitchen tongs, grabbing each blind individually and swiping from one side to the other. Work from top to bottom to avoid spreading dust
c. Clean your windows and sills using a WIPE ENVY dampened in white vinegar.
4. To make sure your guest room smells fresh and clean, open the windows ahead of time, and put a fan in the doorway. Use a light-scented air freshener if necessary
These finishing touches on a guest room will make your guests extra comfy - and they may never want to leave!
1. Provide a hotel-style essentials basket with fresh towels, a toothbrush and a travel-sized toothpaste, lotions, shampoo, conditioner, cotton swabs, etc. Get creative!
2. Leave a note with your WiFi password. If you have extra charging cords, leave them too
3. Add a drinking glass (or two) and a carafe of fresh water to the nightstand in case your guests get thirsty. Replenish each evening
4. Make sure the room is comfortable in temperature. Provide a space heater or fan - or give guests access to your thermometer
5. Lastly, you don’t have to do it all to be a great host. If your guests ask to help, let them! Have them make their bed each morning, throw their towels in the laundry or make a meal - whatever will help you most
We recommend repeating 6 and 7 after every laundry routine. And leave the dispenser tray and wash door open to allow for drying and ventilation.
