Cleaning Tips & Suggestions
Cleaning products that are made from natural ingredients may require a little more elbow grease and patience, but the benefits are well worth it. Breathing while you clean is such a freeing feeling. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. It is my pleasure to share my products and cleaning techniques with you. Have fun and enjoy this process!
Please read the instructions for your appliances and fixtures before using any cleaning products.
Always spot test in a small inconspicuous place before using a new cleaning strategy!
Caution: These products ARE NOT for stainless steel appliances. Stainless steel sinks are okay.
Kitchen
Stove
Spray Gracefully Clean All-Purpose Cleaner onto surface; if food has cooked on, allow to soak in, in order to better lift the soil. With more burnt-on food residue, sprinkle Gracefully Clean Non-Abrasive Scrub onto surface and rub with a non-abrasive cloth (microfiber). Add some Gracefully Clean All-Purpose Cleaner to create a paste. Work into area. Rinse with Gracefully Clean Glass Cleaner or water and polish dry.
If stove has some rust on it, use Gracefully Clean Minerals, Mold & More with a bit of Gracefully Clean Non-Abrasive Scrub. Rinse with Gracefully Clean Glass Cleaner or water and polish dry.
Glass Stove Tops
Always check your appliance manual first. If you do not have the recommended cleaners and/or razor, do a spot test in a small area, then spray Gracefully Clean All-Purpose Cleaner onto surface. If food has cooked on, allow to soak in order to better lift the cooked-on food residue. Wipe. Assess cooked-on stains. If all the dirt has come off with this first step, then polish with Gracefully Clean Glass Cleaner.
If you find you have baked/burned-on food, sprinkle Gracefully Clean Non-Abrasive Scrub on stained area. Spray Gracefully Clean All-Purpose Cleaner to create a very dry paste. Your objective is to create a friction by rubbing with the paste solution and your non-abrasive microfiber cloth. If you feel it is too dry, add a little more Gracefully Clean All-Purpose Cleaner. Use the recommended razor at the appropriate angle (explained in your manual), for deeply burnt on food stains. Rinse. Repeat until you are satisfied.
Refrigerator
Spray Gracefully Clean All-Purpose Cleaner and wipe down using suggested microfiber cloth. Caution: These products ARE NOT for stainless steel appliances. (Stainless steel sinks are okay.)
Microwave
For light, non-greasy soil, spray Gracefully Clean Glass Cleaner throughout the microwave, then wipe dry. For greasy, heavily soiled surfaces, use Gracefully Clean All-Purpose Cleaner, rinse, and dry.
Sink
Follow the basic cleaning instructions on the label of Gracefully Clean All-Purpose Cleaner or Gracefully Clean Minerals, Mold & More, using the Non-Abrasive Scrub for tough dirt or stains.
For porcelain or ceramic sinks, if the stain persists after soaking and scrubbing, rinse the sink completely, place paper towel on bottom surface of sink or stained area, and saturate with hydrogen peroxide. Follow safety directions on the hydrogen peroxide bottle. Let soak for about one hour.
Mineral Build-up around Sink Faucets and Drains
Soak areas with a paste of Gracefully Clean Minerals, Mold & More and Gracefully Clean Non-Abrasive Scrub with a saturated paper towel or cloth. Scrub. Repeat as needed.
Cupboards
Spray with Gracefully Clean All-Purpose Cleaner, work on greasy build-up, and rinse.
Floors
Use ¼ cup Gracefully Clean All-Purpose Cleaner in a 5-gallon bucket of water. Pre-treat stains by spraying Gracefully Clean All-Purpose Cleaner directly on area, then wash complete floor, rinse…or…use the full strength Gracefully Clean Glass Cleaner for a quick clean-up wash.
Coffee Pots
Spray Gracefully Clean All-Purpose Cleaner into coffee pot, rub into surface and let sit. Rinse.
If you have mineral build-up in your coffee pot from not cleaning regularly, spray with Gracefully Clean Minerals, Mold & More and use some Gracefully Clean Non-Abrasive Scrub with your microfiber cloth. Soak, scrub, rinse, wash, and dry.
Pots and Pans
Use Gracefully Clean All-Purpose Cleaner to remove grease and cooked-on food. For extra tough soil, make a paste using the Gracefully Clean Non-Abrasive Scrub mixed with the Gracefully Clean All-Purpose Cleaner for extra tough soil.
For scorching on the outside of the pan, make a paste using the Gracefully Clean Non-Abrasive Scrub mixed with the Gracefully Clean All-Purpose Cleaner. Soak, scrub, rinse, wash, and dry.
If your metal pots need a bit of polish, make a paste from the Gracefully Clean Minerals, Mold & More and Gracefully Clean Non-Abrasive Scrub. Rub on, let sit, and scrub with your microfiber cloth or your favorite cleaning tools. Rinse and shine!
Glass in the Kitchen
For glass in microwaves, cupboard doors, ovens, outdoor windows, etc., use Gracefully Clean Glass Cleaner.
Bathroom
Tub
Use Gracefully Clean All-Purpose Cleaner for soap scum and dirt in the tub. Use with Gracefully Clean Non-Abrasive Scrub for extra cleaning power. Rinse.
Use Gracefully Clean Minerals, Mold & More for mineral or mildew build-up along with the scrub and a brush on grout. Rinse.
Mold and mildew that is under caulking will not come up. This is true even if you use bleach. The caulking will need to be taken out, the area will need to be cleaned and treated, and the caulking reapplied.
Glass Shower Walls and Doors
Apply Gracefully Clean Minerals, Mold & More and Gracefully Clean Non-Abrasive Scrub to the glass using a non-abrasive microfiber cloth. Scrub in and let soak. Rinse and repeat as needed. This residue is very stubborn because the hot water seals it onto the glass. Apply Gracefully Clean Glass Cleaner, and use a squeegee to remove from the shower walls. Spot dry with paper towels for a polished streak-free finish.
Shower Floor
Use Gracefully Clean Minerals, Mold & More or, if there is a lot of soap build-up, the Gracefully Clean All-Purpose Cleaner with Gracefully Clean Non-Abrasive Scrub.
Toilet
Basic Cleaning: Spray Gracefully Clean Minerals, Mold & More and/or apply Gracefully Clean Non-Abrasive Scrub. Scrub with your favorite toilet cleaning tool, flush, and wipe down.
For very tough stains and mineral build-up, you will need to:
- Empty the toilet bowl by pouring a bucket of water into bowl and do not flush.
- Make a paste solution of Gracefully Clean Minerals, Mold & More and Gracefully Clean Non-Abrasive Scrub.
- Try using a non-abrasive microfiber cloth or your preferred cleaning tool.
- A pumice stone (spot test and check for scratching on your toilet finish before proceeding). Read package directions and ask someone who has used one if you have questions before trying this. Only use on mineral build-up. Apply paste to pumice and gently rub on mineral ring ONLY! Feel free to call me.
- Use hydrogen peroxide for whitening and disinfecting. Read bottle information and instructions, and follow the safety precautions before using.
- Rinse and repeat. If it is stubborn, just be patient. Some of my clients’ toilets have taken a few weeks. It’s a gentle yet effective way of taking care of you and your home.
Making a toilet go from dingy to shiny is so satisfying and really adds to the cleaning satisfaction of your bathroom.
Urine around the Toilet Base
On wet urine around the base of your toilet, use the Gracefully Clean All-Purpose Cleaner, soak, wipe up and rinse.
On dried urine around the toilet base, soak with Gracefully Clean Minerals, Mold & More. Wipe up excess, then treat with Gracefully Clean All-Purpose Cleaner. Rinse and wipe dry.
Mirrors and Windows
Spray Gracefully Clean Glass Cleaner on the surface and wipe clean with a soft, lint-free wipe. A microfiber cloth is ideal, and a gentle and clean paper towel can work as well
Miscellaneous
Blood and Wine
Immediately immerse blood stain in cold water, then spray with Gracefully Clean All-Purpose Cleaner. Work into the fabric and let soak. Follow the directions for Baby Stains solution, below, and soak item if your blood stain does not immediately come out. Always spot test first. Wash. If the stain is not out after washing, do not put in dryer. Repeat the stain removal process again.
Baby Diaper and General Stains
Spray with your Gracefully Clean All-Purpose Cleaner, then prepare the following solution in a container:
- ½ cup detergent
- ½ cup washing soda such as Borax
Add cold water to make a concentrated solution for soaking. Experiment with soaking time; stains are different. If the garment is white and the stain is not out completely, use hydrogen peroxide to further remove the stain.
Pet Urine Stains
There are two types of pet urine stains.
Wet urine treatment: Spray Gracefully Clean All-Purpose Cleaner. If stain is on a removable rug and has not gone through to the floor, put a protective barrier between the rug and the floor before using the All-Purpose Cleaner. Blot well. Rinse with a wet cloth to pick up any extra residue.
Dried urine treatment: Start with Gracefully Clean Minerals, Mold & More, then use Gracefully Clean All-Purpose Cleaner. (Both cleaners are needed to help remove urine.) Blot well. Rinse with a wet cloth to pick up any extra residue.