Bugged by Bed Bugs!

The bed bugs are coming.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) worries about bed bugs so much that they hosted the very first bed bug summit yesterday. This scary news was enough to make me come out of my long blogging hiatus.

They are like vampires! Bed bugs feed on human blood and are virtually indestructible. There are currently no pesticide or spray that can kill them so prevention is key.

Here are some helpful sites on bed bug prevention:

1. Your Bed Bug Questions Answered by Dateline
   
2. How to Prevent Bed Bugs by eHow
   
3. The Bed Bug Resource

I hate learning about this. One must not underestimate the power of suggestion. I bet I'll be itching and turning in my bed tonight.

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New Year Chores: Quarterly Mold and Moisture Check

Damp and humid weather is conducive to mold growth. While the mold toxins may not kill you, it can cause nasty allergic reactions such as irritated eyes, nasal congestion and headaches.

With molds, prevention is the key. You can never let your guard down. Constant vigilance is required. Check and clean your cabinets at least once every quarter.

Tools:

• Flashlight
• Bleach Spray (I am using diluted Domex)
• All-Purpose Cleaner Spray (I am using diluted dishwashing liquid)
• Rags
• Moisture Absorbers
• Silica Gels
• Industrial Fan
• Moth Balls

Clockwise: (1) Dehumidifier from Japan Home; (2) Used Dehumidifier; (3) Neopara (moth balls); (4) Sachets from Gourdo's

DETECTION.

Check all your rooms, cabinets and drawers for mold and moisture patches. Use a flashlight to inspect the dark corners. Don't forget to check the cabinet ceiling.

Examine your leather items carefully. Molds love real leather so you better check your designer bags, shoes and belts. I've noticed that if there's leather in the cabinet, they will ignore the pleather.

ELIMINATION.

SPRAY AND WIPE. The best way to kill molds is by spraying them with a bleach solution. Clean the area with an all-purpose cleaner then spray with bleach. DO NOT use bleach on leather.

For items made of leather, click here for instructions -- How to Clean Mold from Leather.

DRY. Make sure the area is dry before returning the clothes inside the cabinet. I used an industrial fan to dry the cabinets.

PREVENTION

Prevent further build up by putting moisture absorbers and silica gels in the area. I also put Neoprana (it smells like moth balls) in small sachets and hang them inside the cabinet.

More Resources:

• Molds in Your Home
• Prevent Mold in Your Home
  

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OOSOUJI: Japanese New Year Clean-Up

Welcome the new year like the Japanese.

OOSOUJI -- THE BIG CLEAN

The Japanese prepare for the coming year by cleaning their houses and offices from top to bottom. This is a way for them to inform Toshigami (the new year god) that their place have been purified and is ready to receive his blessings.

I am cleaning our house now. "Toshigami, I am ready for your blessings."

Sources: Wikipedia and Blue Lotus

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The Vinegar-Baking Soda Duo Strikes Again

Immediately after my eye surgery, I could not let water drip down my eyes so I had my to tilt my head back when I shampoo my hair. This position plus the fact that I can now see clearly even without my glasses allowed me to notice these little rust spots in our shower enclosure.

Yikes!
















This is a job for the Vinegar-Baking Soda Duo.

Click here for the instructions. Early detection and prevention is important. Don't wait for the rust to eat into the chrome. Nip it in the bud.

TADA! No more rust spots.












The formula works really well with chrome. My next project will be to clean this rusty chrome hamper.

Wish me luck!

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Cleaning: Seven Wonders of the Home

These are the seven cleaning products that I cannot live without.

1. Vinegar

*Cleaning
*Deodorizing
*Mild Bleaching









Bathroom: Vinegar eliminates soap scums and softens mineral deposits in faucets.
Laundry: When added to the first rinse, it cuts grease, softens the water, and whitens fabric. You can also use vinegar to colorfast clothes.
All-around: Mix it in a bucket of water with a few drops of tea tree oil and you have an instant floor cleaner. 1 part vinegar and 1 part water makes an excellent window cleaner.
Deodorizer: Boil half a cup of vinegar in a pot of water. It will absorb all the bad smell in the kitchen. You can also just leave a dish of vinegar in a musty room and drawer.

2. Baking Soda

*Deodorizing
*Scouring
*Stain Removal









Miracle Mix: Vinegar and Baking Soda
Kitchen: Leave a small box in the refrigerator and freezer to keep it odor free.
All-around: It provides gentle yet effective scrubbing power. Mix it with dishwashing liquid to scour toilet bowls and tiles.

3. Dishwashing Liquid

*All-purpose Cleaner











Don't be fooled by the name. You can use dishwashing liquid to clean almost anything in your house. Just don't forget to rinse.

4. Erasing Pad (Melamine Foam)

*Scrubbing
*Scouring










Ideal for sinks, bathtubs, ceramic tiles, windows, microwave, refrigerator, computer (my MacBook), electrical appliances, furniture.

We unfortunately used flat paint on our walls and this pad is the only thing that can safely clean it.

5. MC All-Purpose Cleaner

*Dirt and Grease Remover











If it won't come off with water or dishwashing liquid, use MC.

6. Goo Gone

*Goo Remover











It removes grease, gum, stickers, crayon, tape and all kinds of goo. Say goodbye to annoying price stickers.

7. Kitchen Paper Towel

*Drying
*Cleaning










Use it to dry hands, wipe surfaces, remove dust, and clean spills. It is disposable and germ-free.

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I LOVE: The Electrolux Ultrasilencer

BagLove just posted a video of her current obsession, the Prada Trembled Blossom bag. I love the bag too but I'm coveting another item now. (hint, hint, *ehem*, *ehem*, christmas gift)



Behold, the world's most silent vacuum cleaner!

Click and zoom in the picture to see how beautiful it is.













My husband already bought me an UltraSilencer but it's orange -- the only color available in the Philippines. (Thanks, Honey!)













Why I love my UltraSilencer:

1. It is truly the world's most silent vacuum cleaner. I can watch TV while vacuuming our room.
   
2. It has a washable hepa-filter. My husband is allergic to dust. Hepa-filters help reduce asthma and allergy symptoms.
   
3. It is powerful. Mrs. P advised me not to buy a vacuum cleaner that is less than 1200W. The UltraSilencer has an adjustable power of 1400-1600W.
   
4. It has cool attachments. On top of the brush and crevice tool, the UltraSilencer comes with a rotating duster attachment that uses static electricity to attract dust particles.
5. It looks cool. But it will look a lot cooler in all-white.
   

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Cleaning: New Lysol

I recently switched to homemade cleaning products but Ate S, the germophobe, threatened to throw a coup if I don't buy her Domex. For world peace, I went to the grocery to get her anti-bacterial all-purpose cleaner.

At there it was! The Lysol All-Purpose Cleaner for only P59.00.













I immediately bought 4 bottles.

I'm not sure I like it. The smell takes some getting used to.

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Very Dirty City Air

Manila Air is sooo DIRTY! Here's the proof...

I had our air conditioners cleaned last 6 August 2008. On the same day, I placed in it special filters that are designed to turn any air conditioner into an air filter. It comes with an indicator that you stick on the air conditioner's grill. Once it turns black, after around 1-2 months of normal use as the packaging claimed, it's time to change the filter.









On the 8th day...











The indicator was barely a week old when it started turning black. We had to replace the filter after only 8 days!

See the dirt trapped in the filter? Gross!

Alas! The price we have to pay for living in the city.

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Tip: Rust Remover Magic Formula

Problem with rusty pans and tools?

What you need:

• Baking Soda
• Pure White Vinegar
• Aliminum Foil

Instructions:

1. Mix baking soda and white vinegar. (go for pasty consistency)
   
2. Crumple the aluminum foil with the shiny side showing.
3. Dip the aluminum foil the baking soda and vinegar mix.
4. Scrub the rust out of your pan/tools.

Shortcut: Take out your cleaning kit. Liberally dust the pan with baking soda. Spray Pure White Vinegar. Scrub with the aluminum foil.

You can also try this with your chrome fixtures. See the rust magically disappear.

Warning:Test-scrub in a small area first to make sure that it won't scratch the metal. If you don't mind it being scratched, like with my stove pan, scrub away.)

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Before and After: Electric Stove

I kept on reminding myself to buy a single-burner electric stove but I never got around it. (We need it as an emergency stove in case we run out of LPG.)

One day, my friend "MM" gave me this green National electric stove. Perfect! I instantly saw its potential. It's a well-built stove, better than what's available in the market nowadays.




Before...

After... The stove looks like this now. Tada!

Here is how I did it:

1. I had the cord changed. See the chewed up cord in the before picture? I brought the stove to our neighborhood repair shop and they replaced the cords for P220 ($5).

2. I cleaned the pan and the center of the coils. It only took 10 minutes to turn the pan from grimy to shiny. I will post the secret formula tomorrow.

3. I polished the body with MC All-Purpose Cleaner. MC can clean almost anything.

Bow...

Note: SAVE THE EARTH! Recycle. Try to save appliances by having them repaired. Don't just throw them away.

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Cleaning: Scent of an Apartment

"Something smells fishy..."

I hate cooking fish at home. The whole house ends up smelling like fish after. I bet the neighbors know what we are having for dinner tonight. Well, they can't complain because I can also smell their adobo and tuyo.

In addition to our rangehood, we also have an exhaust fan in our kitchen. For additional support, we open the windows and turn on the electric fan when we're cooking. However, these are still not enough to remove the smell in the kitchen.

I searched high and low for tips on removing kitchen odors. I compiled the ones that worked for me. Now, no more lingering bad smell around the house. Here are some of the tips I tried and tested --

Tip 1: Boil vinegar in a pot.

I tried this. It works! Boil around 1/4 cup of vinegar in a small pot (correction! 1/4 cup vinegar and 2 cups of water). It miraculously absorbed the fish smell. Just remember to turn off the heat after it boils. If you let it boil for a long time, your house will smell like vinegar. I made this mistake and our kitchen ended up smelling like paksiw for a few minutes. But don't worry. The smell eventually fades and you will be left with a scent-free kitchen.

Tip 2: Scented Oil/Candle

This is a good way to make your kitchen smell nice. I switched to orange essential oils. The lavender oil makes the kitchen and dining area smell like a spa. Not very appetizing. (Light the oil/candle after you boil the vinegar)

Tip 3: Bamboo Aroma Diffuser

I was a bit skeptical at first with this one but it works. It does not emit any kind of scent but it absorbs the bad kitchen smell.

Tip 4: Air Purifier

It emits a subtle scent, depending on the oil you put in the water. I don't know how well it will work without the other stuff I use. It might not remove that kitchen smell but it is effective in taking out that musty humid smell around the house.

Tip 5: Fry fish in Crisco (untested)

Anyone there who already tested this tip?

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Household Cleaning Kit

I have finally done it! I assembled my Cleaning Kit with homemade cleaning products. I printed out a copy of the recipes and placed it in our Household Manual so that the helpers can mix a new batch anytime. Below is the list of what's in the kit and the recipes for the cleaning products.

1. All-Purpose Cleaner
2. Window Cleaner
3. Furniture Polish
   
4. Baking Soda
5. Pure Dishwashing Liquid
6. Pure Vinegar
7. Lemon Essential Oil
   
8. Sponge
9. Toothbrush
10. Rags
11. Scrub Brush
12. Gloves

All-Purpose Cleaner

• 2 tablespoon dishwashing liquid
• 2 cups of water
• Spray Bottle

Window Cleaner

• 1/3 teaspoon liquid detergent
• 3 tablespoon vinegar
• 2 cups of water
• Spray Bottle

Furniture Polish

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 4 tablespoon vinegar
• 30 drops of lemon essential oil
• Small Spray Bottle/Ketchup Bottle
  

Baking Soda

• 1 box baking soda
• Salt/Sugar Shaker or Ketchup Bottle
  

Pure Dishwashing Liquid

• 190 mL dishwashing liquid
• Ketchup Bottle

Pure Vinegar

• Vinegar
• Spray Bottle

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How to Change Duvet Covers

When we started to use duvets, it took at least two people to change the covers. Changing it was a weekly event that made our arms feel sore after.

The instructions in my Martha Stewart Housekeeping Handbook helped a bit but it was hard to follow. We still did not quite get how to do it the easy way.

Then came this video. You will never have to wrestle with your duvet again after watching this. Enjoy!

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-put-on-a-duvet-cover

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Make Your Bed in 30 Seconds

Skip the flat sheets and just use a duvet. In the morning, just arrange the pillows and the duvet. A perfectly made bed in 30 seconds or less guaranteed!

We tried to use a comforter before but it's too bulky and difficult to wash. Imagine storing 3 comforters in a small apartment. Plus it costs P150@ to have them professionally laundered. I gave them all away and just bought a duvet and duvet covers.

Check out the Ikea Quilt Covers. Nice designs and very affordable.

Our Bed Linens:

1. Pillow Cases
2. Fitted Sheet
3. Bed Skirt
4. Duvet
5. Duvet Cover
6. Mattress Protector*

We change the fitted sheet and pillow cases twice (2x) a week. The duvet cover is changed once a week.

*You can also buy pillow protectors.

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Faking It: A Clean and Neat Apartment

Clean and neat do not always come together. A very clean and antiseptic apartment will still look dirty if it is cluttered. On the other hand, an apartment that looks neat may have germs lurking all over the place. It is difficult to maintain a 100% clean AND neat apartment. The trick here is to fake it and achieve some kind of balance.

CLEAN
VACUUM! I can vacuum one whole room in our apartment in less than 10 minutes (5, if I don't get anal). No need to dust, spray or wipe. Just suck the dirt out of every nook and cranny. Buy the best vacuum cleaner you can afford. It will be worth every penny (centavo).

NEAT
HIDE IT! Hide your stuff in boxes and cabinets. Put everything in its proper place. It will only take a few seconds to return that stapler you just used inside the drawer. Compare that to one whole Saturday lost to cleaning if you let clutter accumulate.

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Laundry: Stain Removal Guide

Here are two links to printable stain removal guides:

By Real Simple
http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/web/forms/stain.pdf

By Martha Stewart
http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/pdf3/stain_removal_basics.pdf

I like the Real Simple chart better because it tackles two types of bloods stains (fresh and dried). In Martha Stewart's chart, it is discussed under "Protein", with egg stains.

Unless you are menopausal, you will most likely encounter blood stains every month. In our house, we only deal with two types of stains: blood and chocolate.

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Laundry: Care Labels

Here is a link to the site with a printable guide to common laundry care symbols:

http://www.textileaffairs.com/lguide.htm

It is very important that your labandera/plantsadora knows how to decipher these signs.

I already had two kasambahay-related crying incidents. The first one involves my clothes being burned for the nth time. I have learned my lesson so I now make sure that every time I buy new clothes, I discuss with the maid the care symbols and the instructions on how to launder and iron them.

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Kitchen: Special Cleaning Instructions

COOKTOP

1. Gumamit ng basahan at all-purpose cleaner para linisan ang kalan. Kung mahirap tanggalin ang dumi, kumuha ng basahan na binabad sa mainit na tubig at dishwashing liquid. Ipatong ito sa dumi at iwanan ng sandali. Kapag malambot na ang dumi, punasan ito ulit. Huwag gamitan ng magaspang na pamunas o chemical.
2. Punasan ang dumi pagkatapos gamitin. Siguraduhin munang malamig na ito.
3. Ibabad sa tubig na mainit na may dishwashing liquid ang grates ng kalan kung mahirap tanggalin ang dumi nito. Hugasan ulit pagkatapos ibabad. Huwag gamitan ng steel wool.
4. Tanggalin ang mga knobs at hugasan ito isang beses isang linggo. Huwag ibabad.

RANGEHOOD

1. Punasan ang rangehood gamit ang basahang binabad sa mainit na tubig at dishwasing liquid.
2. Ibabad ang filter sa mainit na tubig at konting dishwashing liquid. Gumamit ng lumang toothbrush para tanggalin ang dumi. Banlawan ng mainit na tubig.

MICROWAVE OVEN

1. Linisin gamit ang all-purpose cleaner. Gumamit ng basahang basa para banlawan. Ingatang huwag direktang mabasa ng tubig ang microwave.
2. Kung may duming mahirap maalis, mag-init ng tubig sa microwave sa loob ng 3 minuto. (Kung may lemon o kalamansi, maghiwa at ilagay ito sa tubig bago initin.) Iwanan ang mainit na tubig sa loob ng mga 5 minuto bago buksan at punasan ulit.

REFRIGERATOR

1. Laging lagyan ng takip ang pagkain bago ipasok sa refrigerator.
2. Huwag patungan ng kahit kahit na ano ang ibabaw ng refrigerator.
3. Punasan agad kung may matapon sa loob.
4. Siguraduhing malinis ang lalagyan (ketchup, mustard, gatas, etc.) bago ipasok sa refrigerator.
5. Gumamit ng all-purpose cleaner at tubig para linisin ang pinto at gilid ng ref.

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