Tag: cleaning advice

How to Remove Christmas Tree Sap This Holiday Season

How to Remove Christmas Tree Sap This Holiday Season

We love our Christmas trees. The twinkling lights, the festive decorations, the presents waiting to be unwrapped … but then there’s the sap. Cleaning sticky pine sap residue off the floor could even turn Santa Claus into the Grinch. There is hope, however: with the right products and techniques you can eliminate Christmas tree sap this holiday season.

Here are a few tips for removing Christmas tree sap and preventing sticky, gooey buildup on your floors:

Use Ice to Remove Christmas Tree Sap 

Placing ice cubes over puddles of sap for 10 to 15 minutes will cause the sap to harden.  If you have hardwood floors, scrape the sap off with a plastic knife, a razor or even your fingernail. Just be careful to position the tool nearly parallel to the floor so you don’t scrape or scratch the wood or tile. For carpeted floors,  use your fingers to pick the sap out of the carpet fibers.

Try Oil Soap to Remove Pine Tree Sap

Non-diluted oil soap, like Murphy’s, is great for cleaning pine sap off hardwood floors. Apply it with a sponge directly to the sap and let it sit for 15 minutes. The oil-based soap will soften the sap, making it easier to scrub off with a brush or non-scratch sponge and then rinse. If you don’t have oil soap, vegetable shortening or rubbing alcohol can work, too.

Don’t forget, the right products can go a long way toward protecting your floors this holiday season. SpongeOutlet’s amazing Eraser Sponge is ideal for spot cleaning carpet stains, and our Melamine Floor Pads will get your whole floor nice and clean after the holiday season ends and you take down your tree. Happy Holidays!

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How to Remove Salt Stains This Winter

Salt can really work wonders in the winter. It can prevent snow from building up on sidewalks and driveways and make roads significantly safer than they would be otherwise. But salt can also wreak havoc on everything from your car to your clothing to the floors inside of your home. To stop salt from becoming a problem, you should remove winter salt stains from these items as soon as you see them. Take a look at how to remove salt stains below.

How to Remove Salt Stains From Your Car

Salt stains on your vehicle will make it look very unattractive. Salt could also potentially cause extensive damage to your vehicle’s paint job if it’s not removed. To get salt stains off of your vehicle, you should take a microfiber towel and dip it into a mixture of water and vinegar before using it to wipe away stains. Microfiber towels are durable enough to get tough stains out but also gentle enough to prevent scratches from showing up on your car.

How to Remove Salt Stains From Your Clothing

During the winter, you should try to wear weather-resistant clothing and shoes. When you do, you will be able to remove salt stains with little more than a microfiber towel and a water/vinegar mix. You can also use an Eraser Sponge with a little bit of water to get the job done. Clothing and footwear that aren’t weather-resistant can be trickier. You will usually have to let the salt dry before wiping it away with a brush, but you should be sure not to let it sit too long since it could damage your clothing or shoes over time.

How to Remove Salt Stains From Your Flooring

Salt can do a lot of damage to flooring in a relatively short period of time. Hardwood floors, in particular, can absorb salt water and show signs of damage quickly. To stop this from happening, you can use a microfiber towel to wipe up any excess salt or salt water that pools on your floor. You can also use an Eraser Sponge to spot treat any stains that set in, especially if you have a tile or linoleum floor. But the key is to get flooring dry right away whenever it’s exposed to salt or salt water from outside.

Spongeoutlet.com has the products you need to get rid of winter salt stains. From a wide range of Eraser Sponge options to big packs of microfiber towels, we can provide you with exactly what you need to prevent salt from causing you problems. Call us at 877-776-6430 today to place an order!

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How to Deeply Clean Your Dishwasher

How to Deeply Clean Your Dishwasher

Your dishwasher is arguably the hardest-working appliance in your kitchen, cleaning dirty dishes every single day. However, if you don’t give it a thorough cleaning every now and then, it won’t work properly. Dirt, old food and soap scum can clog it and affect its performance. What’s more, a dirty dishwasher can get pretty stinky, and is much less efficient.

Clean the door

First, clean the outside to remove dirt and fingerprints. An eraser sponge dipped in sudsy water is great for this task. Make sure you also clean the inside of the door, too, using a small toothbrush to get into the grooves. Once it’s clean, use a soft cloth to wipe it dry. You can also use the toothbrush to clean things like silverware racks inside the dishwasher.

Clean out the drain

Pull out your dishwasher’s bottom rack, and make sure there’s no debris that can clog the drain, damage the pump, or scratch your dishes.

Run two to three cleaning cycles

Start by putting a cup of plain white vinegar in the top of your dishwasher, and then run a cycle. The vinegar will wash away grime, remove odors, and sanitize. Then, sprinkle baking soda around the bottom of the appliance and run a short cycle using the hottest possible water, to further deodorize and remove stains. If you have problems with mold or mildew, try running another cycle with bleach.

With the use of the right products, your dishwasher will be sparkling clean in no time. SpongeOutlet sells top cleaning brands for less, helping you get the job done at a fraction of the cost. Browse our inventory of eraser sponges today!

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How to Have Spotless Walls

Perhaps you’ve been putting off cleaning your walls all summer and now you are shocked to see what wound up on them. Don’t put this task off any longer!  To help you out, we have put together a simple step by step instruction of how to remove any sort of mess on your walls to make sure they are looking great!

Step one: Eliminate any cobwebs

This is the part of cleaning we don’t like to think about since cobwebs tend to mean spiders. However, getting rid of huge clumps of dust, dirt or lint will make it easier for you to get at the stickier mess. To do this, use a cloth or a vacuum, depending on where the location is.

Step two: Eliminate any crayon marks

If you have children, crayons can go missing or get used for the wrong purposes. Check to see if you see crayon marks on any of your walls. If you do, make sure there are no clumps of crayon on the wall. Smearing large chunks can make your mess even bigger! Once the chunks are off, gently rub the area with an eraser sponge and the crayon will lift right up. Use a towel to spot dry, if need be.

Step three: Eliminate beverage stains

We have all opened a bottle of soda, only to have it fizz up to the ceiling and walls and what a mess it makes! To remove the stains, if you have a magic eraser, try using that first. It will save a lot of time and scrubbing. If you do don’t have one, then a mild detergent will be gentle enough to be used on stained walls.

You will find that after all of this hard work, your walls will look like new! If we have inspired to clean, visit our cleaning product supplies online and be sure to give us a call at 877-776-6430 with any questions you have!

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Stained Plastic Containers? Try Eraser Sponges

Your plastics will look brand new after giving your eraser sponge a whirl.

You just opened your dishwasher and all of your pots, pans, cups and plates are sparkling clean except the plastic container you put your leftover spaghetti sauce in the night before. It’s still coated in the same greasy red and orange oil it had when you first put it in the dishwasher. Or perhaps you have scrubbed and soaked the plastic container with soap and hot water but the greasy texture won’t seem to budge.

If the dishwashing detergents can’t cut through the grease along with the hot water and soap, then what can?

Thankfully it turns out that all you need is an eraser sponge from Spongeoutlet! These little miracle pieces of melamine foam can take out greasy, oily red pasta sauce stains. Your plastics will look brand new after giving your eraser sponge a whirl. Gently rub the stains with a damp eraser sponge, wash the item with soapy water and rinse clean.

There are countless uses for the eraser sponges, but if you have been contemplating whether or not you should toss your stained plastic containers, think again and give this handy trick a shot. Spongeoutlet is the leader of top-quality eraser sponges and other bulk cleaning supplies in North America.  We offer FREE SHIPPING on all orders shipped within the continental U.S. We also ship to Canada. Order online today!

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Some of the Most Forgotten Places to Clean

cleaning dishwasher

No matter how big your home may be, there’s always going to be a ton to clean, even if you don’t clean it all. Most homeowners are guilty of doing the bare minimum when it comes to cleaning the house: vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, wiping down surfaces and dusting. That’s great and all, but there are plenty more places to sanitize that you might not even realize.

We all clean what’s dirty on the surface of appliances, fixtures, furniture and floors, but we most often forget to clean what’s on the inside of these household belongings. Here are just a few of the most common places that homeowners forget to clean.

Toasters

Do yourself a favor and turn your toaster upside down. The amount of crumbs that will likely fall out if it can be surprising. Crumbs can be a fire hazard if they’re not cleaned out regularly, so be sure to make this simple task a part of your regular cleaning routine.

Dishwashers

A dishwasher literally washes things inside of it, so the inside must to be sparkling clean…right? Nope! It’s recommended that you regularly run your dishwasher with cider, and another cycle with baking soda, to clean built-up soap residue and dirty water away. Learn more from Today.

Laundry Baskets

Are you guilty of leaving your damp bath towels and wash cloths in a laundry basket for days or weeks on end? This can cause a great deal of bacteria and even mold to grow overtime. If you use the same dirty laundry basket to carry your fresh, clean towels in, it’s best to disinfect it regularly.

Shower Curtain Rods

Overtime, your shower curtain rod could grow mold, making your shower an unsafe haven. It can also show signs of rust or soap buildup. All it takes is a quick wipe down after your shower to ensure mold and other dirty elements stay far, far away.

This quick list is just a starting point for you in your weekly cleaning ventures. There are many other spots to tackle, including the ones listed below:

  • Ceiling fans
  • Light switches and door knobs
  • Top of the fridge
  • Underneath appliances
  • Laundry machine
  • Pillows
  • Makeup Brushes

If we suddenly got you in a cleaning mood, browse our selection of quality cleaning supplies to take your experience up a notch. SpongeOutlet has everything you need to clean your usual places, as well as those you may have forgotten about!

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Keeping the Paint on Your Walls Fresh

Has the paint on your walls become dull with age?

Or has your little one expressed their creativity with bright crayon marks across the playroom walls?

In either situation, maintaining fresh, bright paint can be a bit of a task.

But we at SpongeOutlet have a few suggestions to help bring them back to life!

Dust the walls with microfiber.

Our first trade secret is a simple one – just dust your walls. In many of your rooms, a simple dusting will help get rid of the dirt, cobwebs and dust that have stuck to the surface over time.

If you let the grime on your walls build up, it will surely shorten the life of your paint.

The fibers will lock in dust while soaking up any water used during cleaning so that no streaks are left behind.

We do not recommend using a regular dish towel on the walls of your home; they can leave so much debris that your walls may end up looking worse than when you began.

Scrub the dust-free walls with an eraser sponge.

If you have markings on your walls from chairs brushing up against them – or the aforementioned “artwork” – and need something a bit stronger to clean, we have the perfect product for you.

  • Our Eraser Sponge is the tool that you are looking for, and one that every home need!

This sponge can remove grit, grime and dust from your walls without compromising the paint.

And the best part is that it will not leave behind any hazardous chemicals or odors.

The next time you are looking around your home and notice that the paint on your walls needs to be cleaned up to bring back its fresh look, think of SpongeOutlet.

We have all the products you need to freshen up your walls with ease when they do get a bit dusty or grimy.

You can place your order online or by phone at 877-776-6430.

As with any cleaning products, remember to test on a small, discreet area before cleaning the entirety of your walls.

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Get Motivated to Clean Your Home

cleaning home

When it comes to cleaning your home, one of the hardest parts of the process is getting started.

It can seem like a daunting task to clean your entire space, so start by making a plan and get yourself motivated with the quick tips listed below:

Start with a Cleaning Plan

Instead of letting yourself get overwhelmed by the idea of cleaning your entire home, map out a room-by-room plan to make the chores easier to complete.

  • Decide which rooms will require the most attention, what order you would like to tackle them in and what areas can be overlooked for now.
  • We recommend beginning with the main living areas, like the living room, dining room and kitchen, then working your way to the bathrooms and finally the bedrooms.

The spaces that you and your family spend the most time in usually need to be cleaned more frequently than bedrooms, offices and laundry rooms.

Create a Cleaning Playlist

If you are really dreading the cleaning you need to do, make the experience more positive by creating an upbeat playlist.

Listening to your favorite music will boost your mood and help to make the time fly by.

Remove Clutter from Around the House

Although you may want to jump right into the cleaning process, de-cluttering your space first will make cleaning much easier.

Instead of working around toys, television remotes, books and other items, put items back into their official home before you pull out the duster and vacuum cleaner.

  • You can also grab an empty laundry basket and fill it with all the decorative items that usually get in your way while you work.

Once your space is sparkling clean, you can put decorative pieces back on the shelves and have your kids put away the toys you found as you made your way from room to room.

Work from the Top to the Bottom

spring cleaningWhen you do start cleaning, the best way to tackle each room is by working from top to bottom, starting in the area furthest from the door.

Focus on higher shelves, tables and furniture before cleaning the floors, cleaning yourself out of the room as your last task.

  • This method will ensure that all the dust and grime that may have fallen to the floor while you work will be swept up at the end of the project.

All you have to do is walk out of your perfectly cleaned space and continue on to the next area.

 

Now that you are ready to start cleaning, grab your dusting wand, eraser sponge and melamine floor pads – then get to work.

SpongeOutlet offers high quality cleaning products up to 80 percent off of retail prices, helping to ensure you get the best clean possible at the lowest price. Shop with us online or place your order by phone at 877-776-6430.

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Did You Know Cleaning is Good for Your Health?

Although there are very few people who actually enjoy cleaning, it is a task that all of us have to do on a regular basis.

And as much as you may dislike having to do the dishes every night and a load of laundry every morning, maintaining a clean and organized home can have some incredible benefits, both for your physical and mental health.

Increase Your Productivity

If you are looking to become more efficient at the office, the first thing to do is reorganize and de-clutter your desk.

Staring at piles of paperwork all day can interfere with your visual cortex, making it difficult for you to concentrate, but a clean, well-organized desk will make it much easier for you to get your work accomplished.

Maintain a Healthy Diet

According to a study performed by Carlson School of Management and the University of Minnesota, an organized space can contribute to healthy choices, and working in a neat space for just ten minutes made test subjects twice as likely to choose an apple over a chocolate bar.

Creating a clean, organized environment for yourself can help to make you more mindful dietary choices, improving your health and aiding in weight loss.

Reduce Stress

Think about how you feel when you come home from work to a sink full of dishes and a messy living room.

  • No one enjoys living in an unorganized home, and studies have shown that women who consider their home cluttered are more likely to feel stressed out and fatigued.

To keep yourself stress-free (at least when it comes to cleaning) take a few minutes to clean up around the house every evening, to ensure you start your next morning on the right foot – and can come home to a clutter-free home.

Improve Your Relationship

On top of improving your health and personal happiness, a clean home can also help your relationship.

A disorganized living space can cause a lot of conflict between partners and can keep you from inviting friends and family members over to socialize, so don’t forget to take some time each week to clean your space.

  • Whether you split the chores down the middle, each doing a bit of cleaning in your free time, or spend Saturday afternoon sprucing up your home together, your relationship will really benefit.

Now that you know some of the most important reasons to keep your living area clean, it’s time to pick up some Eraser Sponges from SpongeOutlet and get to work. To learn more about our cleaning products, visit us online or give us a call at 877-776-6430 today.

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Are You Ready to Start Your Spring Cleaning?

The first day of spring is less than a week away, which means that it’s just about time to open your windows to let some fresh air in as you start your spring cleaning routine.

After a long, cold winter indoors, there is nothing better than the thought of wiping away all the germs, brushing the dirt outside and starting anew.

While you’re busy washing the windows, wiping down the counters and scrubbing the bathroom tile, you might begin to wonder when and why spring cleaning came about?

The tradition actually began hundreds of years ago and was performed in cultures across the globe.

Why?

Because homes were heated by fireplace and it wasn’t until the weather warmed up that families could open all the doors and windows to sweep out all the soot and grime that had accumulated during the frigid winter months.

Lucky for us, spring cleaning isn’t quite such a big chore nowadays, and can easily be spread out and completed over the course of a few days or weeks.

As the spring season draws nearer, we recommend writing down a list of the big chores you would like to tackle, then deciding when you will perform each one.

Not sure where to start with your big cleaning project?

Here are some of the chores that SpongeOutlet recommends doing about once a year:

  • Clean Beneath and Behind Appliances
  • Clean Inside Oven
  • Wash Windows
  • Clean Curtains

Along with these big tasks, spring cleaning is also a great opportunity to wipe down your baseboards, cabinets, counters and other surfaces as well as wash and vacuum the floors.

Now that you’ve decided what you will be cleaning this spring, it’s time to order the supplies you will need to get the job done.

From Eraser Sponges to Melamine Floor Pads, SpongeOutlet has everything you need to make cleaning a breeze this year!

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