Tips For Cleaning Gold Plated Watches

Cleaning jewelry of any kind can often be a troublesome proposition in terms of
getting items clean without damage, but in the case of how to clean gold plated
watches the wrong actions can ruin an otherwise nice watch beyond repair. In
order to clean gold plated watches correctly it needs to be understood that gold
plating is in many cases incredibly thin - in some instances gold plating on
watches may only be a few thousandths of an inch thick. It is because of this
that excessive and aggressive measures taken to clean gold plated watches will
result in actually removing the gold plating from the base metal, leaving a
horrific surface of oddly matched colors and materials. Regardless of what some
so-called experts on the subject recommend, common sense dictates that any
strong cleaner be avoided when cleaning gold plated watches, including the use
of brushes of all types.

One of the main reasons why gold plated watches become dirty is due to oxidation
that occurs from the gold plating coming into contact with moisture and body
oils that emanate fro the wearer's skin. As these accumulate on a gold plated
watch tarnish forms which can become rock-hard and very difficult to remove. A
good rule of thumb is to always error on the side of caution when you clean a
gold plated watch - it is better to clean the watch gently ten times or more
than to do it once and ruin the watch. An easy way to soften the tarnish on gold
plated watches is to simply take a dripping wet cotton ball and carefully apply
moisture to the excessively dirty areas, being careful not to allow water to
enter the watch mechanism. After several applications of water applied in this
manner, tarnish can often be removed by rubbing the gold plated watch gently
with a dry cotton ball.

If after the aforementioned process the gold watch is still dirty, the watch can
be cleaned using ordinary toothpaste. On a small saucer place a small amount of
non-gel toothpaste and several tablespoons of hot water and mix them together
thoroughly until they become a watery substance. This can be applied to a gold
plated watch and gently agitated with a cotton ball, and then carefully rinsed
several times with warm water and then dried. To clean gold plated watches in
this fashion it is imperative to rub gently and ensure that the watch has been
rinsed completely to remove any traces of toothpaste which may serve to initiate
corrosion.

Cleaning Tips For Stuffed Animals

Just about every home has a stuffed animal or two present and while they can be a cute addition to the
general decor, stuffed animals can be troublesome to clean and difficult to dry without damaging. Whether the stuffed animal is a child's snuggle buddy or an expensive stuffed animal used for decoration they can be impossible to replace, but with a good plan and due diligence most stuffed animals turn out nicely following routine cleaning. The key to cleaning stuffed animals is to inspect each item closely to find which cleaning method is appropriate for a specific condition, as not all cleaning methods are suitable for varying fabric types used in making the animal's fur.

The more pedestrian stuffed animals that are inexpensive in style can generally be spot cleaned to remove any heavy traffic areas and then 'dry cleaned" using baking soda as a cleaning agent. First, use the liquid cleaning chemical of your choice and spray the areas of the stuffed animal that have stains or excessive wear, gently agitate the stained area and then blot dry with a clean cloth. When the animal is completely dry place it into a paper bag with an ample amount of baking soda and then shake the bag vigorously for about two or three minutes. In cases of very large stuffed animals you can use the same method only using a plastic trash bag instead of the paper bag. After removing the stuffed animal from the bag brush it off using your hands and most of the dirt should be gone.

For cleaning stuffed animals that are extremely dirty your clothes washer comes into play, but there is a simple trick to clean stuffed animals that will prevent them from being damaged. The limbs of stuffed animals can get torn or caught in a washer's moving parts, so to avoid this they can be tied inside of a pillow case or t-shirt. After cleaning stuffed animals in this manner they can be dried carefully in a clothes dryer for fifteen minutes at a time, checking frequently to avoid damage or shrinking.

For expensive stuffed animals or ones that are of high quality, it is always a good idea to have them professionally cleaned by a dry cleaner. A professional cleaner has access to chemicals and processes that cannot be performed at home and the cost is minimal to make a stuffed animal look new again.

Ways To Reuse Dryer Sheets

Being creatures of habit we frequently tend to discard items that can often prove to be quite useful,
that is, if we take the time necessary to explore the possibilities. Dryer sheets are one such product, and because they are a common item that is not necessarily expensive to purchase we have become accustomed to a single use before throwing them out. There are however many ways to extend the life of a dryer sheet far beyond their intended use in keeping your home clean and comfortable.

To begin with, dryer sheets are a fantastic tools to reduce the impact of static cling everywhere in the home. Television and computer screens wiped occasionally with a dryer sheet hold less static electricity, as do CDs and DVDs which means less dust will cling to them. Ever have a dress collect static electricity and cling to your lower body in an odd way? Try wiping the hose with a dryer sheet prior to getting dressed - problem resolved. The same goes for yarn and thread used in sewing and crafting that gets tangled. A quick wipe with a dryer sheet keeps these strands from becoming difficult to work with.

Don't forget that another useful aspect of dryer sheets is that they smell great too and can be used in drawers and closets to keep clothes and linens fresh. This goes for items that are only used a few times a year also - camping gear and luggage can benefit from adding a few dryer sheets to them before storing them away. Lastly, shoes and sneakers that hold bad odors can be made pleasant smelling again by placing a dryer sheet inside once of twice every week.

How To Remove Paints From Carpets

While painting a room can make an immediate impact on the appeal of any home decor, removing
paint from carpets can be a difficult and time-consuming task that can take several days in severe instances. Since the amount of paint that is on a carpet after painting can range from a few stray drops spewed from a paint roller to a paint can that has been accidentally knocked over, the process to remove paint from carpets should match the mess. In most cases removing paint from a carpet in the amount of a few drops is most easily accomplished by allowing the paint to dry on the carpet, and it can then "plucked" from the carpet fibers using your fingernails or a pair of needle-nose pliers. For larger areas the process to remove paint from carpets is much more labor intensive, and needs to be addressed as quickly as possible before the paint has  had a chance to dry.


The best tip for removing large amounts of paint from carpets is to use rags or paper towels to absorb as much of the original spill as is practical. Once this has been accomplished it needs to be determined if the paint is latex based or oil based before proceeding. This information can be found on the original paint container, which may also provide specific instructions for clean-ups of accidents. The common procedure for cleaning latex based paint is ordinary soap and water, while oil based paints are usually cleaned using a stronger chemical such as mineral spirits. In either instance it is imperative to use rags or towels as blotters to soak up as much of the spill as you can while it is still wet.

Since it is highly unlikely that removingpaint from carpets in large spills can be done in one attempt, the remainder of the spill will need to be addressed after drying. The best way for removing latex paint from carpets then is to rent a carpet cleaning machine and purchase a fine-toothed steel comb. Wet the area of carpet with soap and water and then run the comb back and forth across the area to loosen then paint. Follow this step by cleaning the area with the carpet cleaning machine.

Removing oil based paint from carpets is a bit harder, and a carpet machine cannot be used in conjunction with mineral spirits because of the fire hazard it represents. In this case a steel comb is used as a scrubber with the mineral spirits serving as the cleaningagent and then the carpet is blotted dry with a rag.

Removing paint from carpets in any instance is not easy, but with a good work ethic and the proper processes used it can be completed to success.

Hydrogen Peroxide Uses In The Home

Back in the days of our grandparents, before a hundred different specially designed chemicals for
each cleaning task became available, hydrogen peroxide use in the home was much more popular than it is today, Whether the value of hydrogen peroxide became diminished with each generation or commercial preparations just appear to be more attractive, hydrogen peroxide is one of the more under-utilized tools available in sanitizing a number of household areas. Over-the counter hydrogen peroxide is made up of about 97 percent water and 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, and is little more than hydrogen and water with a molecular twist. However the ability of hydrogen peroxide to clean and kill germs and bacteria is undisputed, and every homeowner should have a bottle on hand not only to clean with, but because it is also useful in the area of personal care as well.


Perhaps the most prolific areas of the home in which hydrogen peroxide is used is in the kitchen and bathroom. In the kitchen, hydrogen peroxide can be used to clean cutting boards, counter tops, and appliances without streaking or the necessity of rinsing. It is an excellent disinfectant of trash cans, sponges, and brushes, and is wonderful for cleaning bacteria from the outer skins of fruits and vegetables. In the bathroom, hydrogen peroxide can be used to clean all flat surfaces, in soaking toilet bowls, and in preventing and removing mildew from shower walls. The germs that can accumulate on tooth brushes can be reduced or eliminated by simply soaking them in hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide serves as an outstanding agent in the cleansing of dentures when soaked in a weak solution overnight. In other areas of the home, hydrogen peroxide is very good for cleaning wallpaper, and is especially good at killing bacteria in a cat's liter box. On carpets, hydrogen peroxide works very well on blood and pet stains, and a cap full placed into the clothes washer during the washing cycle makes clothes brighter. In personal use, hydrogen peroxide is great for cutting ear wax in a gentle manner. On acne, hydrogen peroxide has a drying effect, and can shorten the duration and severity of episodes.

When using hydrogen peroxide in the home it is important to remember to let the solution sit for a brief time to allow it a chance to work. The fizzing action viewed when using hydrogen peroxide is the chemical process taking over and working - by removing it too quickly, the process is interrupted and the outcome is not as positive.

How To Clean Beverage Stains

One of the most frequent and troubling aspects of house cleaning is knowing how to remove beverage stains correctly, and sadly there is far too much misinformation in this area that has resulted in ruined carpet, upholstery and clothing. There is a reason why professional cleaning companies do a far better job than any homeowner could ever hope to do on their own, and it's not just because they own the big truck mounted steam cleaner. The results they acoomplish are because they have mastered the processes and cleaning agents to tackle any stain, but a good bit of this knowledge can be yours to use for yourself at home.

The basics to remove beverage stains are that the stain needs attention as soon as possible after occurring, whatever you put into the stain as a cleaning agent must be removed in it's entirety, water is not the harmless element you always thought is was, and there are a cornucopia of cleaning agents to be had that you are not aware of.

Let's start at the beginning. When a beverage stain happens and you delay tending to it the stain can be absorbed deeply into fibers, and odds are they will never come completely clean. At the time the stain is addressed whatever cleaning agent is utilized can intereact with the properties of the stain itself and create a new chemical creation with amazing bonding qualities (again, your fibers are toast).

Not every type of fiber can be cleaned with water. Yes, you read right. When you call a professional carpet and upholstery company to clean your items they read product labels or perform a "burn test" to digtinguish if your item is a natural or man-made fiber, or a combination of both. When you place an abundance of water on a natural fiber in fine upholstery fabric for example it will turn brown and it will dry brown and it will be brown for eternity. Professionally cleaned natural fiber fabrics are cleaned with mineral spirits and cleaning agents using optical brighteners and enzymes designed to release dirt. Furthermore, mineral spirits are extremely volatile and careful ventilation processes need to be followed to assure a fire and explosion in the home do not occur.

So what is the right move when you get a beverage stain? Blot the area with a clean dry cloth to get as much liquid out as possible, and then determine if the fabric is a man-made material. If it is the best all around measure that can be taken is to dampen a cloth with a mixture of room temperature water and a gentle detergent and then go about blotting the area with the damp cloth and patting it dry with the other cloth. If in doubt call a professional, which is much less expensive in the long run than purchasing a new sofa.