Noriko's House Cleaning
Serving the Colorado Springs area
719-466-6100
Cleaning Tips from Noriko
Soap Scum:
The first thing I can say about soap scum is remove your bar of soap from the water source. The water will dissolve the soap and leave the residue on your enclosure. Soap is one of the biggest contributors to soap scum getting on your shower basin and glass enclosure. If you can persuade the people in your home to switch to a liquid body wash, the better. If not, find a hanging shower organizer from your showerhead.
To remove the soap scum, you will need to find the right chemical that will take away the residue. I use a commercial use solution, but you can find many off the shelf brand that work with a little elbow grease. A cleaning person's best friend is a lovely little product called Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser. It is wonderful for helping you get off the residue. Let the product work for you first, and then rub it in. Then give it a rinse. The key is to stay on top of it, and maintain it. ** Marble, granite and travertine (natural stones) surfaces requires a neutral cleaning solution. Gently use the Magic Eraser.** NOTE: Some soap scum build-up will require scraping, for this, leave it to the professionals. You don't want to scratch your surface!
Invest in a good quality squeegee. A must have if you have a glass enclosure. You won't regret it!
Shower Curtains Liners:
A word about shower curtain liners. They are an investment. Don't purchase the inexpensive ones! They actually protect your home from water damage. I recommend purchasing a cloth liner, like the ones a nice hotel would use. Wash the shower curtain liner occasionally with your towels to remove the soap scum and mildew that is starting to form. Reasons are twofold: You won't be able to see the soap scum as often, and they tend to last longer. Usually, the cost is $6 vs. $16. What do you think??
Mildew:
If it is pink or orangey, it is still removable. Use a grout brush with your bathroom cleaner and gently work it out. Be careful not to disturb the caulk line. If you find the mildew to be challenging, a natural way you can tackle this would be to use the mixture below*. You can use a stiff old toothbrush to work out any build ups in the corners or in metal shower door area. Allow the area to dry before closing the glass door or shower curtain. Strange how it can grow in our climate!
If the mildew is already black or grey and has worked its way into the caulk line and has separated from the bathroom wall, it is best to tear out the caulk and scrub it with the mixture and recaulk it. If the mildew (black or grey) is in the grout line, it is pretty much embedded. It is best to take a dremel tool and dig out the bad grout and regrout. Remember that sealing is recommended YEARLY.
Cleaning shower basin:
Does your shower basin seem stained? Dirty looking? It could be a combination of soap scum and dirt from day-to-day usage. The new tubs and showers now have this non-slip surface which can be stifling to clean. Clean the area with a solution and Magic Eraser. It does take a bit of elbow grease again, but again, stay on top of it. It will look cleaner with each cleaning.
Musty towels?
Wash your towels in hot water and add vinegar in your rinse cycle. The towels are holding moisture and not getting completely dry ~ which is a great place for mold to grow and why it's musty. Don't throw them away. Wash them and it should make a difference.
All-Clear Glass Shower Enclosure ... call on me! I am a distributor of Tekon (professional application), a non-toxic water repellent. This works similiar to what RainX does to your windshield, however my application lasts all year through. Fight hard water stains and soap scum with Tekon. This product is offered as part of my services. This makes my job tremendously easier. A solution of in-between treatment is also needed to help clean and ward off new soap scum & water stains.
Thanks for reading.
"Because I Loved You" Composed and performed by Kevin Kern
The first thing I can say about soap scum is remove your bar of soap from the water source. The water will dissolve the soap and leave the residue on your enclosure. Soap is one of the biggest contributors to soap scum getting on your shower basin and glass enclosure. If you can persuade the people in your home to switch to a liquid body wash, the better. If not, find a hanging shower organizer from your showerhead.
To remove the soap scum, you will need to find the right chemical that will take away the residue. I use a commercial use solution, but you can find many off the shelf brand that work with a little elbow grease. A cleaning person's best friend is a lovely little product called Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser. It is wonderful for helping you get off the residue. Let the product work for you first, and then rub it in. Then give it a rinse. The key is to stay on top of it, and maintain it. ** Marble, granite and travertine (natural stones) surfaces requires a neutral cleaning solution. Gently use the Magic Eraser.** NOTE: Some soap scum build-up will require scraping, for this, leave it to the professionals. You don't want to scratch your surface!
Invest in a good quality squeegee. A must have if you have a glass enclosure. You won't regret it!
Shower Curtains Liners:
A word about shower curtain liners. They are an investment. Don't purchase the inexpensive ones! They actually protect your home from water damage. I recommend purchasing a cloth liner, like the ones a nice hotel would use. Wash the shower curtain liner occasionally with your towels to remove the soap scum and mildew that is starting to form. Reasons are twofold: You won't be able to see the soap scum as often, and they tend to last longer. Usually, the cost is $6 vs. $16. What do you think??
Mildew:
If it is pink or orangey, it is still removable. Use a grout brush with your bathroom cleaner and gently work it out. Be careful not to disturb the caulk line. If you find the mildew to be challenging, a natural way you can tackle this would be to use the mixture below*. You can use a stiff old toothbrush to work out any build ups in the corners or in metal shower door area. Allow the area to dry before closing the glass door or shower curtain. Strange how it can grow in our climate!
If the mildew is already black or grey and has worked its way into the caulk line and has separated from the bathroom wall, it is best to tear out the caulk and scrub it with the mixture and recaulk it. If the mildew (black or grey) is in the grout line, it is pretty much embedded. It is best to take a dremel tool and dig out the bad grout and regrout. Remember that sealing is recommended YEARLY.
Cleaning shower basin:
Does your shower basin seem stained? Dirty looking? It could be a combination of soap scum and dirt from day-to-day usage. The new tubs and showers now have this non-slip surface which can be stifling to clean. Clean the area with a solution and Magic Eraser. It does take a bit of elbow grease again, but again, stay on top of it. It will look cleaner with each cleaning.
Musty towels?
Wash your towels in hot water and add vinegar in your rinse cycle. The towels are holding moisture and not getting completely dry ~ which is a great place for mold to grow and why it's musty. Don't throw them away. Wash them and it should make a difference.
All-Clear Glass Shower Enclosure ... call on me! I am a distributor of Tekon (professional application), a non-toxic water repellent. This works similiar to what RainX does to your windshield, however my application lasts all year through. Fight hard water stains and soap scum with Tekon. This product is offered as part of my services. This makes my job tremendously easier. A solution of in-between treatment is also needed to help clean and ward off new soap scum & water stains.
Thanks for reading.
"Because I Loved You" Composed and performed by Kevin Kern
Proud Member of:
">
We Support
Contact Us
719-466-6100
