cleaning Archives - Page 4 of 7

bathroom, Before and After, cleaning, Giveaway, Home & Auto Maintenance

How to Clean a Stinky Boys’ Bathroom (as if a Magazine Photographer was Coming!)

I AM SO EXCITED! Remember when I was slaving away on our kitchen on my hands and knees?

While I was in the trenches of DIY, one thing kept me going steady (besides the extra doses of Advil.) It was the dream of having our home featured in a magazine. Well, that dream became reality this week! If you happen to be in the magazine section of a store near you, you might see this:

Do It Yourself is one of my favorite publications because they feature beautiful homes and projects that were created by the homeowner. They Did It Themselves! Plus, the magazine shows you how to complete the same projects yourself! I am super honored that they wanted to photograph my home and some of my DIY projects for this issue.

But, I have to tell you, I was very nervous before the photo shoot. I had visions of the editor and photographer walking in my home and walking back out in disgust. As the date drew closer, I was frantically checking last minute fixes and DIY projects off my list:

master bedroom:
build king sized bed
paint ombré effect on master bedroom walls
paint knotty pine dresser
paint vanity
create button pendant light
add legs to nightstand

foyer:
hack an ugly IKEA dresser
hang mirror

boys’ bathroom:
paint mirror frame
paint vanity
re-caulk board & batten
clean, clean, clean
figure out how to get rid of the urine smell! YIKES!!!

Any of you who have boys know that they have poor aim! No matter how clean I get their bathroom it still has a slight urine odor. Please, please tell me that I’m not the only one with this problem.

Funny story: I created this little piece of art that hangs on the wall over the toilet in the boys’ bathroom. I thought the kids would love it because they are big Star Wars fans. I also wanted them to think about this sage advice everyday when they wake up. Handsome Guy thought it was my attempt to get the kids to improve their aim. #Headsmack

Anyway, back to the urine odor. I would be mortified if the photographer and editor walked into that bathroom and got a whiff of pee. I set forth with only a few cleaning supplies ~~to try~~ to eliminate the odor (because “Do or Do Not…There is No Try.)

How to Clean a Stinky Boys’ Bathroom (as if a Magazine Photographer was Coming!)

Supplies:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

HomeRight Steam Machine Plus
Lots of clean rags
Lemon oil + Water + Basic H2O mixture in a squirt bottle

Let’s get busy! Read more

January 23, 2015/27 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

31 Days of Handy Home Fixes, cleaning, Home & Auto Maintenance

Day 28 – Keep Old Toothbrushes for Cleaning

Never throw away your old toothbrushes again! These worn out dental tools make fabulous scrub brushes for cleaning.

First be sure to mark the old brush with a permanent marker so no one will use it in their mouth again.

Then use this mini scrub brush on hard to reach spots like between the faucet handles…

…and behind the faucet.

Around toilet hinges and other hard to reach spots are all perfect places to clean with your old toothbrush. You can even use an old toothbrush dipped in baking soda and water to clean dirt out of the grooves in your wedding rings. (Although, I might use a separate brush for jewelry and a second one for toilets. Just sayin’.)

October 28, 2014/9 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

31 Days of Handy Home Fixes, cleaning, Dremel, Home & Auto Maintenance

Day 20 – Scrub Away Hard Water Stains

Do you have hard water? If you do, you probably understand when I say, “It’s the bane of my existence when it comes to cleaning sinks!” However, I have a trick to scrub away that stubborn hard water crusty stain in no time! And I use a little power to save myself from fatigue.

Day 20 – Scrub Away Hard Water Stains

The other day I shared my non-toxic drain opener with you. Today, pull that vinegar and baking soda back out. You’ll also want to grab a good scrub sponge. I’ve been using the Scotch Brite Non-scratch Scrub Sponges and like them because they are non-scratch and use natural fibers. (I was not paid to say that!)

Pour some baking soda and a tiny bit of vinegar to create a paste on the hard water stain. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes.

While you are waiting, cut a piece of the scrub sponge to fit on the sanding head of the Dremel Multi-Max. The hook and loop will hold the scrub sponge in place. If you don’t have a Multi-Max, you can scrub by hand, but it will take a little longer to remove the crusty stain.

Before you plug in the Multi-Max, make sure your vinegar baking solution is more paste and not too much liquid. If there is too much liquid, add more baking soda. You want to make sure you are working with a paste to avoid any potential electrical shocks.

Turn on the Multi-Max and let the vibration of the sanding head do all the work for you! It may take several passes until the hard water stain is gone.

Before:

After:

I love finding ways to clean with power tools!

Pin for later!

October 20, 2014/3 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

31 Days of Handy Home Fixes, cleaning, Fix It, Home & Auto Maintenance

Day 17 – Two Ingredient Ant Killer

2 Ingredient Ant Killer | Pretty Handy Girl

It’s no picnic when you realize your home has been invaded by sugar ants. Instead of spraying your kitchen (or wherever you find them) try this Two Ingredient Ant Killer.

Photo by Stephen Ausmus – https://www.ars.usda.gov/is/graphics/photos/dec04/k11622-1.htm
Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

Day 17 – Two Ingredient Ant Killer

Mix equal parts sugar and Borax into a small disposable lid. Set it out near the area of largest ant concentration or near the location they are entering your home. Caution: DO NOT put this mixture where children or pets can get to it.

Leave the mixture out for 24 – 48 hours or until you have no more ants. The ants will take the sugar and Borax back to the nest where the colony will have a feast and consequently die after intestinal distress.

Lest you think buying a box of Borax is wasteful, I’ll have another use for Borax later this month.

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October 17, 2014/6 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

31 Days of Handy Home Fixes, cleaning, Fix It, Home & Auto Maintenance, Plumbing

Day 14 – Non-Toxic Drain Opener

Non-Toxic Drain Opener | Pretty Handy Girl

Unclogging a tub or sink drain is a common maintenance task for any homeowner. Before you reach for the toxic drain cleaner, try this easy and inexpensive Non-Toxic Drain Opener first.

It’s always the case, you are brushing your teeth or washing your hands and you look down and see the water filling up in the bowl. Have no fear, your solution is a box of baking soda and cheap white vinegar. But, before you run to get some, I have a few more tips for unclogging that drain.