TIPical Mary Ellen host Mary Ellen Pinkham hits the road to deliver tips for cleaning those hard-to-reach areas.
- Remove shoe-scuff marks from the bottoms of household doors or floors with a large art-gum eraser.
- Vacuum a stereo system with a soft bristle attachment. Use a pencil's eraser to clean individual keys on computer keyboards or typewriters, then brush away the dust and erasures with a crafter's stenciling brush.
- Spray plants weekly with water from a spray bottle to remove the dust. If the dust is built up and does not come off easily with the mist, use a damp, soft cloth.
- For plastic or silk plants, begin by securing the base of a plastic trash bag by tying it off with a piece of twine (to protect it from water.) Place the plant into the tub, and clean it with water from the shower head. Shake off the excess water and allow to air dry. Remove the plastic covering from the base and put it back into the room.
- Vacuum a ceiling fan with a brush attachment and an extender tube arm. Do not use water. If there are any spots on the fan, depending on its color, use a cotton swab and a coordinating shoe-polish color to cover the spots.
- To eliminate cobwebs in high spots, use a dry lamb's-wool duster, which is typically available at hardware or supply stores. If the cobwebs are too high to reach, use a yardstick. Extend the duster's reach capability by attaching the yardstick to the handle of the duster with three heavy duty rubber bands. You must place the rubber bands on the yardstick first, then, slip the handle of the duster under all three of the rubber bands to secure it.
- Wash off high chairs and other bulky items in the shower, where the dirt and grime will go right down the drain.
