Akron Home & Flower Show

Be sure to attend the Akron Home & Flower Show going on thru Sunday. For more info, visit www.AKRONHOMEANDFLOWERSHOW.COM

Coffee Grinder

Grind a cup of rice in a coffee grinder to clean the grinder and sharpen its blades.

Glass Beads

Put the beads in a shallow bowl and spray with glass cleaner. Dry them with a soft cloth. Buff gently to the desired shine. If beads are very soiled, soak them in water with a little ammonia and water. Soaking may cause stringing material that's old or dry to weaken and break, so you may need to restring the beads.

Fireplaces

For regular maintenance, sweep out built-up ashes and debris. Use a brush to dust off the brick or stonework surrounding the hearth.
To clean a brick fireplace, scrub with a hard brush and clean, warm water. Or scrub with white vinegar and wipe with warm water. Do not use soap or detergent, which may seep into the bricks.
Wipe ceramic tile with mild liquid detergent and water. Remove scorch marks with a nonabrasive all-purpose cleaner applied with a cloth; a brush might damage the glaze.
Rub stubborn marks off marble with a mild detergent and water and a soft scrubbing brush. Rinse with warm, clean water. Wipe with a soft cloth and buff until dry.
Sponge a stone fireplace with clean, warm water. Where soiling is heavy, use a scrub brush and a mild detergent. Don't use soap or scouring powder, which may change the color of the stone.

Clean, Fresh Scent

To obtain a clean, fresh scent around the house, place several Bounce sheets in various locations throughout the house. Once the clean smell is gone, replace with new ones. You can also open your windows and "air out" your home - even in the winter.

Shutters

Once a week dust shutters with a soft, clean cloth, or vacuum them with the dusting attachment. If the shutters are wooden, you can use an appropriate wood oil every six months. Do not use furniture polish, which may muddy the finish.

Painted Walls

To prevent dirt from building up,make it part of your routine to clean walls from time to time with the dusting brush of your vacuum cleaner or a long, soft-handled brush. Occasionally wash the walls, either to freshen them or prepare them for painting.

Granite Countertops

Granite is very resistant to scratches, nicks, and scorching, and, since a granite countertop is almost always treated with a protective seal, is easy to clean. Just clean it with a sponge dipped in water and mild detergent, and gently use a plastic scrub pad to remove stubborn surface dirt.

Fresh Flowers

To keep your Valentine's Day flowers fresh a little longer - Add a little Clorox, or two Bayer aspirin, or just use 7-up instead of water.

Photos Stuck Together?

Slowly melt them apart with a hair dryer turned on low.

Lampshades

Dust or vacuum a lampshade regularly. Use a hairdryer or compressed air to get into tight spots if necessary.

Shower Doors

Spray Resolve Carpet Cleaner on the shower and wipe off with a clean sponge. Every bit of soap scum will come off.

Microwave cleaning

To clean your microwave quickly, fill a cup full of water and turn the microwave on for about 1 or 2 minutes, until you see the water boiling. The moisture makes all the food wipe off easily.

Freshen your garbage disposal

For a citrus scent, throw in a few cut-up lemons, limes or oranges and run them through using lots of water.