<p>My husband had success with removing the glue off our Corian countertop by sanding it (look up in your Corian user guide which sandpaper to use). Why do husbands build elaborate garage workstations, but all of their “projects” end up in the kitchen?</p>
<p>true, that, Bunsenburner!!!</p>
<p>Any suggestions for hardwood floor cleaning products? We have a light maple floor, and everything seems to leave ugly streaks on it…</p>
<p>I use Murphy Oil Soap. This time of year, between the never-ending snow getting tracked in by the dog (and sometimes by S), my floors don’t stay clean for long.</p>
<p>I bought a TOBY steamer on clearance at Target for $25 to use on the clothes (I iron a lot). Works like a charm on the grout–we have very wide grout on the tile floor in the kitchen with a very light floor. I constantly have a cleaning problem (or I give up and live with it dark). Now I just steam it, swipe it light with a scrubby brush and wipe up the water. The grout is clean all the time. Works on the kitchen counter grout, too. I haven’t tried it on any other floors, but I will.</p>
<p>I like “Dollar General” for cleanning products. In particular, I like their Automatic Detergent. They used to have the one without smell at all, but even the current one smells less. I have to confess, though, that I have to run my dishwasher twice for every load, one time with detergent, second time without. I cannot stand when dishes smell like detergent. Another good one at “Dollar General” is Oxyclean for washer. It works better than from other stores and it cost at least 50% less (or maybe more than 50% less)… The third one is their clothe Stain Remover which is tons better than “Oxyclean” one.</p>
<p>Mom2M,
Is your grout sealed? We sealed our grout - very inexpensive to hire somebody for this job and we have a lot of ceramic tile in a house.</p>
<p>I"ll plug my steamer again. I really do love it and use it for many things. Amazing how much chemical product I DON’T use now. I have used it very sparingly on my hardwood, which I tend to baby, but it doesn’t get huge amounts of traffic. For serious hardwood floor cleaning I use WOODWISE, something I found years ago that meets my requirements - no odor, no residue; just a clean clear finish.</p>
<p>For water stains on shower doors and enclosures -
BAM! </p>
<p>It’s in a purple bottle. Don’t get confused with Kaboom.
I find it at Target.</p>
<p>We have hardwood throughout our house and I use Murphy’s for so many things - but sometimes I feel like it leaves the hardwood floors looking cloudy. Anyone else find this?</p>
<p>I was told by my flooring people NOT to use Murphy’s Oil Soap on my floor. They said it leaves a residue and causes a problem when you want to refinish the next time; or something to that effect!</p>
<p>Here are a couple of links, don’t know the value of the opinions: [Never</a> use oil soap.](<a href=“http://www.cinhome.com/murphys.html]Never”>http://www.cinhome.com/murphys.html)
[Murphy</a> Soap - Cleaning Tips Forum - GardenWeb](<a href=“Murphy Soap”>Murphy Soap)</p>
<p>Thanks for the idea, I’ll have to look into sealing all this grout. It’s very noticable…wide grout, light colored tile floors…it looks like dark stripes and I hate it. Add a standard poodle and DD and it’s never clean.</p>
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<p>Yikes!!! Good thing I don’t actually wash my hardwood floors very often. :)</p>
<p>Snowball - I was told the same thing.</p>
<p>I haven’t read the whole thread, but Mystic Maid cleaning cloths are great. Moisten with water, squeeze out the extra water, and use to clean glass, chrome, just about anything – with no cleaning solution. They’re washable and last forever. I’ve tried a couple other microfiber cloths but prefer Mystic Maid. Unlike the magic eraser, there is no abrasive effect (at least not that I’ve experienced).</p>
<p>I use Woodwise on our hardwoods (when I clean them, which is not often enough). I just apply it with a spray bottle and mop it up with a dampened mop. So this is another great investment – the “sh-mop”. The mop-head will swivel and the handle can flatten to get under things. Like a swiffer mop but extremely durable, so you can put some weight into your mopping. I use its terry cloth covers – mop the floor, throw the cover in the washing machine. I’ve had this mop and three covers for several years (maybe 8? or more?). I see they now make a microfiber cover, too.</p>
<p>Woodwise has been mentioned a couple of times - where do you buy it? Grocery?</p>
<p>I’ve found Woodwise at a couple of upscale grocery stores. I buy a concentrate, then dilute it in a spray bottle. This product was recommended when our hardwood floors were “Swedish finished” several years ago. Just checked the bottle: [WOODWISE</a> Products](<a href=“http://www.woodwiseproducts.com%5DWOODWISE”>http://www.woodwiseproducts.com) . The website lists distributors by state. “Woodwise Concentrate No-Wax Hardwood Floor Cleaner” – “Leaves no oily film to attract dirt!”.</p>
<p>Vim! Creme Vim! Can you get Vim in the states? This is a MIRACLE cleaner. OMG, I could not live with out it and nothing else comes close. Unbelievable for bathrooms, stoves, counters. If it’s not in your stores, go on line and get it shipped to you! (apologies for sounding like a cheesy infomercial).</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.unilever.ca/ourbrands/homecare/vim.asp]Vim[/url”>http://www.unilever.ca/ourbrands/homecare/vim.asp]Vim[/url</a>]</p>
<p>Has anyone had any success in cleaning smoke-blackened bricks around a fireplace?</p>
<p>There are a number of commercial grade products for soot removal available in box stores and fireplace equipment shops ( I can’t recall any specific names). Some are applicable to brick, some to fireplace glass on doors.</p>
<p>Is the brick painted or natural? If natural, do you know if it is sealed? Some of these products may well harm or remove paint. I would suggest testing an inconspicuous area. If you have your chimney and flue cleaned regularly, check with your chimney sweep contractor. Another point is just how soiled the area is. Sometimes, a stiff scrub brush and a fairly strong tri sodium phosphate wash solution will clean it. If it’s been there for years, it may be cleaned, but may not ever completely be abated. Brick is porous.</p>