How could the versatile lemon be associated with things that don’t work well? High in citric acid, lemon juice one of the best natural cleaners due to its low pH and antibacterial properties. Lemons also smell great and aren’t likely to cause damage to materials around what you are cleaning such as fabric or wood.

When cleaning with lemons always rinse with warm soapy water and dry with a clean cloth afterward. One of the very few things you can’t clean with lemon juice is anything that is brass plated as the juice will damage the item. Aside from that, here is a list of items that can be cleaned with lemons.

1. Use a half lemon and salt to clean even the most heavily discolored brass (real brass, not brass plated). Be careful with antiques. Always test a small spot before scrubbing away.

2. The same method can be used for copper items such has copper bottoms of pots.

3. You can also shine up your chrome faucets or the chrome on older model cars with lemon and salt.

4. Diluted lemon juice not only cleans stains from cutting boards, but helps kill germs as well. Rub the juice full strength onto the stain and let sit until the stain fades. Can be left overnight, then rinsed well and dried.

5. Use lemon juice and an old toothbrush to scrub grout.

6. Clean your microwave and remove odors. Place a cup 3/4 full of water with a couple tablespoons of lemon juice in the microwave. Heat to boiling. Don’t open the door for another 10 minutes. Then just wipe away food particles with a clean cloth and dry.

7. Put a dilute solution of lemon juice in a spray bottle to clean laminate counter tops. Rinse with water and dry afterward.

8. Scrub grills and grates with lemon juice and salt.

9. Soak plastic food storage containers in dilute lemon juice to remove stains and odors. Add baking soda and scrub, rinse and dry.

10. Remove rust stains from cotton and polyesters. Make a paste with lemon juice and cream of tarter and rub the mixture into the stain. Let the item sit for about a half hour, and then wash as normal (test before use).

11. Sanitize your garbage disposal. Pour a gallon of hot water mixed with a half cup of lemon juice down the drain. This tip is from Hometalk.com member Ann from Conyers, Ga. (Hometalk.com is a social network dedicated to home improvement.)

12. Brighten your clothing by soaking clothes in a hot water and lemon juice mix (about a half cup per gallon of water) and then wash as normal. Works best if laundry is then dried in the sun. Lemon juice should not be used on silks or other delicate fabrics. If you are uncertain, test a tiny area first.

13. Add a few drops of lemon juice to your dish soap to boost degreasing ability.

14. Remove odors from your refrigerator with a half lemon on a saucer. Change once a week.

15. Clean food preparation smells from your hands with a dilute solution of water and lemon juice.

16. Remove grease stains from clothing. Rub lemon juice into the spot and let sit overnight and then wash as normal.

17. Clean windows and mirrors. Put a few tablespoons of lemon juice and water into a spray bottle. Works as well as a vinegar solution and smells better.

18. Keep your toilet bowl fresh. Place a half cup of lemon juice in the bowl and swish with a toilet bowl brush.

19. Sanitize earrings by placing them in a saucer of lemon juice.

20. Unclog your drain with a mixture of baking soda followed by lemon juice. The foaming action will clear minor clogs.

21. Clean hard water stains on glass shower doors with half a lemon.

22. Clean mineral buildup on tea kettle and coffee pots by boiling lemon slices in the pots. Allow the mixture to sit for an hour or two, and then rinse and dry.

23. A dilute lemon juice rinse for your hair cuts soap residue and leaves hair softer and shinier.

24. Lastly, you can make a facial scrub of sugar and lemon juice for cleaner, softer skin.

John O’Regan (48), was targeted as he cycled to work in Ballymun at around 8.45am.

The victim, from nearby Barnewall Gardens – originally from Finglas – was not known to gardai for involvement in organised crime, sources said.

He was pronounced dead at the Mater Hospital after the shooting at Gateway Avenue, Ballymun.

He was shot up to six times with a handgun by the lone gunman who fled the scene on foot.

Detectives are probing whether a dangerous Finglas gang are behind the murder as it is believed that Mr O'Regan got involved in a dispute with a senior member of this mob in recent times and felt under threat.

Despite a lack of criminal convictions, sources say that Mr O’Regan was under investigation after gardai seized a shotgun from him which was not licensed to him.

Window cleaning equipment was found near the scene of the capital's latest gun murder and it is understood that Mr O'Regan was on his way to do a job.

Local residents told The Herald that they heard six shots being fired in rapid succession and then heard a scream.

More at source: Telegraph UK

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SATURDAY, April 19, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- While doing their spring cleaning, families will use a wide range of products that can cause accidental poisonings, an expert says.

But taking appropriate precautions will reduce the risk of danger, said Earl Siegel, managing director of the drug and poison information center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in Ohio.

"It is vital that people arm themselves with basic information on poison prevention in the home, such as keeping chemicals out of the reach of children and carefully reading the labels and dosages on all products," he said in a hospital news release.

Tips for preventing poisonings during spring cleaning are offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Keep cleaning products in their original bottles or containers. Don't store them in cups, bottles or jars. Never sniff containers to determine what's inside.

More at source: Health Day

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Dust your light bulbs? Throw the lint filter in the dishwasher? Clean like never beforeundefinedbut should have been doing all alongundefinedwith these surprising tips.

1. Brighten up the room with a quick wipe down.

Don’t forget about your light bulbs when spring cleaning. According to professional organizer and authorDonna Smallin Kuper, a dirty bulb emits 20 percent less light than a clean one. To get your light bulbs shining their brightest, wipe t hem down with a dampened microfiber cloth when turned off, Kuper says. 

2. Make glass shine by not using cleaner. 

Have smudges on your mirrors, windows or stainless steel appliances? Forget paper towels, as they will leave behind lint, streaks and a cloudy film. Instead, Kuper swears by using microfiber cloths and water. Just spritz and wipe. For best results, choose a microfiber cloth designed for glass. “It's a finer weave than larger microfiber cloths,” she explains. To clean the cloth afterward, toss in the washing machineundefinedsans fabric softenerundefinedand air dry. 

3. Keep carpet cleaner by moving in slow motion. 

Carpets and rugs often feel great when brand new, but if vacuuming incorrectly, they will “ugly out” before they wear out. “Don’t vacuum like you are driving a race car,” cautions Paul Iskyan, president of Rug Renovating, a rug and carpet cleaning company in New York City. Instead, use a vacuum with good suction and move in slow, repetitive, overlapping strokes. This will remove up to 85 percent of dust and allergens, while also making high-traffic patterns less noticeable. 

4. Give disinfectants time to do their job. 

When there is a germy mess to clean, most reach for the disinfectant. However, Scot Case, a sustainability expert for the independent safety certification company UL Environment, says disinfectants are only beneficial when used correctly. Spraying and wiping without giving the product time to kill germs actually does more harm than good. “By not following the packaging directions, you may be exposing germs to just a little of the product,” Case warns. “This means they could develop a resistance to the disinfectant. Over time, super bugs could emerge that are immune to the disinfectant.” 

5. Check what kind of microfiber you have before cleaning it.

Microfiber sofas are comfortable and easy to maintain, but not all microfiber cleans the same. According to home repair guru Bob Vila, there are four types of microfiber, each with its own cleaning instructions. Check the manufacturer’s tag to see which type you have. If there is a W, clean with a water-based solution. For tags marked with an S, clean only with a solvent-based cleaner. If the tag says S-W, you can use either a water-based or solvent-based formula. For those marked with an X, only use a vacuum cleaner. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and remember to test new products on a hidden part of the fabric first. 

6. De-gunk the oven with two pantry staples.

Forget the fumes of a traditional oven cleaner. To get your oven sparkling, sprinkle the base with baking soda, then spray with vinegar, says Leslie Reichert, a nationally recognized green cleaning expert and author of "The Joy of Green Cleaning." The mixture will bubble up and start removing burnt-on food. For tougher spots, scrub clean with a wet pumice stone. 

7. Pop your lint filter in the dishwasher.

Regardless of how often you clear your dryer’s lint filter, it could still be clogged with invisible dryer sheet residue that accumulates in the filter screen and restricts airflow. To check for this, Reichert recommendspouring a few tablespoons of water over the filter. If the water doesn't pass through the mesh, it’s clogged. 

To clean, pop the filter into the dishwasher for a cycle, as the soap and hot water will remove the residue. Another option is to lightly scrub the mesh with a toothbrush and soapy water. Perform the water test again to make sure it is good to go.

More at source: Today.com

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Pride and dignity are the hallmarks of any Marine Corps veteran, but for so many years, Ken Thomas had to rely on others’ help to get by.

Thomas was homeless, had been out of work for four or five years and lived for a time at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown.

So when the 59-year-old Vietnam veteran received his first paycheck in years through a unique Shelter House employment program, it meant more than just the ability to pay for a meal on his own.

“It’s a sense of pride, honor and dignity back,” Thomas said. “No more handouts undefined you’re actually contributing to your own welfare.”

Today, Thomas is one of eight crew members tasked daily with cleaning the University of Iowa Community Credit Union’s gleaming new financial center in North Liberty. Thomas works for Fresh Starts, a janitorial business run by Shelter House as part of an innovative employment and housing program for homeless people. It’s the first of its kind in Iowa.

More at source: Desmoines Register

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Nothing teaches as well as the voice of experience. So we asked established cleaning service owners to tell us what's contributed to their success and what they think causes some companies to fail. Here are their tips:

1. Never stop learning. The cleaning industry may not be the most glamorous or complex, but established business owners say there’s always something to learn. Technology advances affect the equipment you use, safety issues affect the chemicals you clean with, and there will always be ways you can enhance your organizational and managerial skills. Read industry publications, go to meetings and conventions, participate in trade organizations, and encourage your suppliers to keep you up to date.

2. Tap all your resources. A wide range of associations serves various aspects of the professional cleaning industry. These groups can help with operational, marketing and management issues. Many state and government agencies also offer support and information for small businesses.

3. Clean it like it’s your own. Regardless of what you’re cleaning and whether you’re doing traditional housecleaning, janitorial work, or providing a specialty cleaning service, clean like you’re cleaning your own home or office.

4. Develop systems. Systems provide a structure that allows you to work consistently and efficiently, and also let you create a company that will continue to run whether you’re there or not. Create systems for every function: cleaning, laundry, supervision, reporting, customer service, accounting and management.

5. Be careful! Though time is your most valuable commodity, don’t rush so much that you get careless. Customers will usually understand when accidents happen, but you’re better off if you don’t have to fall back on that. Also, the cost to repair or replace something--in out-of-pocket cash, time lost and damaged customer relations--is usually far more than the time you might save by working carelessly.

6. Don’t undersell yourself. When you’re starting out, you may be tempted to try to undercut the competition’s prices. A better strategy is to simply outperform them by providing quality work.

7. Take care of your employees. Your employees are critical to your success; after all, it’s the quality of their performance that determines whether your customers are satisfied. Look for ways to make them want to do their best. Train them well, don’t micromanage, and treat them with respect. Provide bonuses and incentives for top performance, and consider offering perks such as letting them use company equipment in their own homes.

8. Find a niche. Don’t try to be all things to all people; pick the market you can best serve, and focus on that. For example, if you choose to service smaller office buildings, you may not be able to provide quality work at a profitable price level to larger facilities. Excel in what you’re doing and build consistency in the services you provide. When you try to serve too many markets, you won’t be successful in any of them.

9. Develop your computer skills. You need to be as skilled with your computer as you are with a mop or buffer. The cleaning business may not be particularly high tech, but you don’t have time to do estimates, billing, payroll, inventory control and other record-keeping by hand.

More at source: Entrepreneur 

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