Tips! - Can You Remove Crayon from Fabric? - From Time Saver Maids

Tips! From Time Saver Maids
Can You Remove Crayon from Fabric?

Crayon melted on clothing or other fabrics may seem impossible to remove. All you need are a few cleaning supplies and some time to remove crayon from fabric.

Non-washable Fabric

Apply ice to any caked on crayon to harden it. Use a butter knife to carefully scrape off excess. Test an inconspicuous spot on the fabric and place it on an absorbent pad. Flush the stain with a dry cleaning solvent and allow to air dry. Repeat if necessary

Washable Fabric

Scrape off any excess crayon material. Spray laundry stain remover on the spots and let sit for 5 minutes. Soak clothes in hot water and 1 cup Oxyclean for 1/2 hour to 1 hour. Wash in hot water with 1 cup Borax, 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup Oxyclean and 1 cup laundry detergent. Repeat if necessary.

Upholstery and Carpet

Apply ice and scrape off excess crayon with a butter knife. Apply WD40 to the stained area and let it sit 5 minutes. Scrub area with a brush, wipe with an absorbent cloth and repeat as necessary. Apply dishwashing liquid and rub it into the stain. Wipe off with an absorbent towel and rinse with a damp sponge.
Crayon doesn't have to mean the end of your fabrics.

Check us out on Twitter - @timesavermaids

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We have acquired a small maid company in lower Orange County

Time Saver Maids News Desk
Feb 2011

Re: Time Saver Maids acquires small maid service route and expands in Orange County

    Great news from the news desk of Time Saver Maids. Just as we added a new computer system and software program, we had an opportunity to purchase a small route - 36 accounts - in Orange County. We are now servicing account in the San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest, and Irvine areas. So what does that mean to everyone? Time Saver Maids has made the move to expand north, by about 30+ miles or so. Not a huge move, but with the ever expanding need for great housecleaning knocking on our door, it is a move that is about 2 years in the making.  This is our 3rd purchase of maid service routes in southern California and each one has been successful and had added to our company portfolio of great customer accounts.

    We look forward to serving these new customers and hope to make a real presence in the Orange County are shortly.

Time Saver Maids
TimeSaverMaids@yahoo.com

Tips! - Removing Coffee Stains from Couch Cushions - From Time Saver Maids

Tips! From Time Saver Maids

Removing Coffee Stains from Couch Cushions

Coffee stains on couch cushions are considered difficult to remove, however, it is possible to have stain-free cushions without having to go to the drycleaner’s. Ideally, you should act as soon as you have spilled the coffee. There are several solutions you can use staring from liquid detergent to baking soda and salt.

You Will Need:

• Water
• Liquid detergent (dishwashing detergent)
• Baking soda and salt
• Club soda
• Ginger ale
• White towels
• Clean piece of cloth
• Stain remover
• Vinegar or diluted bleach

Step 1 – Remove Cushion Covers

Try to remove the cushion covers as soon as you have spilled the coffee to prevent the coffee from spreading on the rest of the cushion or cause a larger stain. If you don’t have removable cushion covers, skip this step

Step 2 – Remove Excess Liquid

Remove the excess liquid using a towel or a clean piece of cloth. It’s important that the towel or the piece of cloth you use is white, as dyed fabrics may leave color behind and cause additional staining.

Step 3 -- Rinse Thoroughly

Put the cushion cover or the entire cushion under cold water and keep it there for at least 5 minutes. You may notice that part of the stain is gone.

Step 4 – Apply Liquid Detergent or Alternative Cleaning Solutions

Apply bleach-free liquid detergent on the coffee stain. Allow to settle for up to 10 minutes. Then, insert the cushion cover or cushion under warm water and soak for at least 30 minutes.
Instead of the liquid detergent, you may use other substances as well.
Baking soda and salt can be used, but in this case you will have to skip step 3. The powder should be applied on the cushion and left for 30 minutes.
Club soda may be applied on the stain for 1 minute and then blotted with a towel. Ginger ale may be used in the same manner as club soda.

Step 5 – Rinse Again

Rinse with clean water. Avoid rubbing to remove coffee stains, as rubbing may only enlarge the stain or cause additional wear to the couch cushion. Also, rubbing may cause discoloration or a change of color of the area.
If you have applied baking soda and salt, you won’t require rinsing, but you will have to vacuum the cushion or remove the powder with a clean towel.

Step 6 – Use Stain Remover

If the coffee stain on the couch cushion persists, you should get a commercial stain remover. Apply the solution on the cushion and then wash the cushion cover. If the cover is not removable, you may wash the entire cushion, but if this is filled with feathers, washing may not be a solution.
Instead of the stain remover, you may use diluted vinegar (1 part vinegar, 2 parts water) or diluted bleach (1 part bleach, 10 parts water), which may eliminate traces of coffee stain, but may cause slight discoloration. You may test the solution on a small area of the stained cushion to see if the discoloration is visible.

Tips! - How to Use a Can of Cola to Clean a Toilet - From Time Saver Maids

Tips! From Time Saver Maids

How to Use a Can of Cola to Clean a Toilet
If you've been looking for a simple and effective way to clean your toilet, it may surprise you to learn that a can of cola can be exactly what you need. Below are the steps you'll need to utilize in order to clean a toilet with a can of cola.

Tools You'll Need

• Cola
• Long-handled scrub brush

Step 1 - Prep Your Toilet

Before proceeding to give your dirty toilet the soda treatment, give it a preliminary flushing and use your scrub brush to remove any noticeably large pieces of filth. Once all the prep work has been carried out, take out your can of cola and proceed with the next step.

Step 2 - Apply Your Cola

Having prepared your toilet, you may now pour your cola into the dirty toilet. After the entire can has been emptied into the toilet, allow it to sit for about an hour, after which you will need to give the toilet one last going-over with the scrub brush. Lastly, you will need to flush the freshly cleaned toilet in order to get rid of the cola.
The next time you're faced with a dirty toilet, just remember these easy-to-follow steps and your bowl will be clean in no time.

Time Saver Maids Annual Xmas Party - 2010 ! *~*~Merry Xmas Everyone~*~*

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE

From Time Saver Maids Staff & Families

Tips! - How to Remove Calcium Buildup from a Toilet Bowl

Tips! From Time Saver Maids

How to Remove Calcium Buildup from a Toilet Bowl
The toilet bowl is made out of porcelain. Excessive flow of hard water leads to calcium deposit in the toilet bowls. Even though in the short run it may not cause any harm, as time goes by, the calcium deposit can erode the toilet bowl.

Tools Required:

• Pumice Stone
• Rubber Gloves

Step 1 – Prep Work and Scrubbing

There is no need to drain the toilet bowl to carry out this process. Just make sure to cut the supply of water to the toilet. Use rubber gloves and scrub the area affected with the calcium built up with a wet pumice stone.

Step 2 – Wipe

After the stain comes off, wipe the toilet bowl with a cloth to rid it of any residue left by the pumice stone.

Step 3 – Water supply

Now turn on the water supply to the toilet. Flush the toilet a couple of time to flush away any dirt. Cleaning the toilet bowl at regular intervals will prevent calcium and other stains from settling in the toilet bowl. If you notice a high content of calcium in the water, then use a soft scrub cleaner. Brush the toilet bowl once every week.

Tips! How to Maintain a Clean Washing Machine - Monthly Tips

Time Saver Maids Monthly Tips

How to Maintain a Clean Washing Machine

Machines are designed to work efficiently but they can also wear down, especially a clean washing machine. By keeping your washing machine clean, it will continue to work for a long time.

Tools and Materials Needed

• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Level
• Bleach
• Hot water
• New hose and fittings if needed

Step 1 - Make Sure Machine Is Working Properly

Inspect your washing machine for wear and tear. Ensure that all of the hoses are intact and none of them are cracked or worn down. Always make sure that there are no visible leaks and watch out for corroded fittings. If any of the fittings or hoses are worn down, you will want to replace these. If your washer machine is a few years old, it is a good idea to replace these parts anyway.

Step 2 - Leveling the Machine

To level the machine you will want to use a level. Make sure to adjust the machine's feet until the level indicates that the machine is level. This is an important step. If you don't level the machine, the constant shaking during wash loads can actually slowly damage the working ability of the machine.

Step 3 - Washing the Exterior of the Machine

Always keep the exterior of the machine clean. You can rub it down with soap or bleach.

Step 4 - Cleaning the Tub

You should clean the tub every 3 months. To do this, think of it as a self-clean. Set the washing machine on the hot water setting and one on dirty. Once the washing machine fills up with water, add 2 cups of white vinegar and a 1/2 cup of baking soda. If you have a high efficiency washing machine, the measurements may differ. Once the washing machine begins to drain the water, you want to increase the washing cycle. After this cycle, set a cycle again to cold water. This cycle will clean out any left over white vinegar and baking soda.

Step 5 - Flushing out Machine Dispensers

Remove your washing machine dispensers and soak them in hot water. Clean out any gunk that exists in them, as well as the top of the machine and the tub. Sometimes your washing machine will not let you remove the dispensers. If this is the case, slowly run hot water through them until they are clean.

Step 6 - A Brand New Machine

After the cleaning, your washing machine will require the use of less detergent and fabric softener. Try using half of what you are normally using. The results will be amazing and will save you money as well.

Step 7 - Call Washing Machine Maintenance

If you want a thoroughly clean washing machine, you can always call a washing machine service technician. They will be able to extend the life of your machine by cleaning the inside of the machine that you were unable to reach. If you want to save the trouble and money of calling someone you can try yourself. Just remember to always unplug the machine before you attempt to remove the front panel.