Clean Awkward Spaces

Tight and awkward spaces can be hard to clean. Don't get frustrated. Here are some ideas.

1. If your ceiling is so high that it prevents you from reaching cobwebs, slip a tennis ball inside an old knee high. Gently toss the ball to the ceiling. It may take a few tries, but those cobwebs should come down in no time.

2. To get the small space between the wall and the refrigerator, tape a feather duster to a yardstick. This extension handle will help you reach all the way back in there.

3. If you can't get the corners on a glass front cabinet clean, grab a cotton swab and dip it in your cleanser. The swab is small enough to get rid of all that dirt.

Wash Day Wonders

Does it seem like laundry is a never-ending chore? Well, I have some tips to make your washday woes disappear!

1. When washing a brightly colored item for the first time, add a teaspoon of Epsom salts to the water to keep the material from fading or running.

2. No epsom salts? Soak brightly colored clothes in cold salt water before washing them, it will help set the colors and keep them brighter.

3. When you're washing whites and you run out of bleach, add three tablespoons of peroxide in its place.

4. Peroxide will also remove blood stains on white clothing. Just use a cotton swab to dab some on the stain, wait for it to fizz up and then launder it as you usually do. The stains will disappear.

5. Accidentally wash a wool sweater or blanket? No problem. Soak it in lukewarm water and hair conditioner. A tablespoon of hair conditioner per gallon will loosen those fibers so you can reshape the item.

6. Washing shower curtains or vinyl tablecloths? Add a cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle will keep the plastic pliable and lasting longer.

Blistered Veneer

Think you need to resort to runners or doilies for blistered veneer well think again it's as easy to fix as ironing a shirt!

1. Small blisters can be fixed with heat and an iron is the ideal tool! It will reactivate the glue and settle the blister. Cover the damage with a piece of flat, smooth cardboard. Lay a hand towel over the cardboard then press a hot iron on the towel. Make sure the iron isn't overlapping the side of the cardboard or you'll cause more problems! Hold the dry iron in place for a few seconds and then check to see if the blister is flattening, if not repeat it until it does. Watch your fingers cause the cardboard can get pretty hot.

2. How about a bigger blister? If it's not slit down the middle already use a utility knife to make a cut down the center along the grain. Gently scrape out any old glue without causing more damage. Use a toothpick or a cotton swab to put a little wood glue under the blister, then press the two sides together smoothing toward the center of the damage. Then repeat the process that you used for the smaller blister to flatten it. If the sides start to overlap, just grab a utility knife to cut off any excess to get a nice smooth seam .

It's just that simple!