Have you ever looked at your stainless steel kitchen appliances, only to see smudges blocking their shine? If so, Ariel R., Taskrabbit’s lifestyle trend expert, has a literal solution for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you don\u2019t have specialized stainless steel cleaners on hand, it\u2019s easy to concoct one with a DIY recipe of ingredients you\u2019ll likely find in your pantry,\u201d she says. \u201cMy go-to is a combination of white vinegar and olive oil. It\u2019s a great natural alternative to commercial cleaners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re fresh out of vinegar and olive oil, you can substitute dish soap with a splash of water in place of vinegar, and baby oil in place of olive oil. It\u2019s still a quick, in-home alternative, and you\u2019ll get the same cleaning effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tip:<\/strong> Once you have your ingredients, mix them in a spray bottle, and apply the solution directly onto the stainless steel surface. Wipe it down using a microfiber cloth until all grease and grime are removed. Finally, use a fresh microfiber cloth with a few dollops of oil to polish the appliance. This will help it shine without getting sticky!<\/p>\n\n\n\n When smoke hasn\u2019t outright damaged items in your home, the smell of it can stick to walls, upholstery, carpets, and rugs. Whether you\u2019re dealing with the aftermath of a house fire, a nearby wildfire, or someone\u2019s heavy cigarette use, you might ask: How do I get rid of that smell?<\/em> Unless \u201ccampfire\u201d is your favorite scent, you\u2019ll want to heed the following tips from Tasker Fiona B.<\/a>, who\u2019s an expert in this area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When trying to remove smoke smell from walls in your home, your first thought might be to try ammonia, a tried and true\u2013but toxic\u2014cleaning product. Given that this chemical can become dangerous or even deadly, however, Fiona has some natural alternatives that work just as well and won\u2019t leave you gasping for fresh air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “A less harsh but also effective method is to mix a good Castile soap with water and essential oils of your choice,\u201d she says. \u201cThen scrub the walls with a microfiber cloth.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip:<\/strong> You can also create a mixture using \u00bd baking soda, \u00bc cup of white vinegar, and hot water. This is a great way to get rid of stains on walls that might be the source of unpleasant odors. It also helps to make sure the sponge or cloth you\u2019re using is damp rather than soaking wet\u2014this can help you avoid drips down your wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Did you know baking soda is odorless but absorbs odors? This makes it a great choice for deodorizing furniture, upholstery, and floors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJust sprinkle some baking soda on the affected areas, and leave it for a few days before vacuuming it up,\u201d Fiona says. \u201cFor added freshness, you can even add a few drops of an essential oil (or oils) to the baking soda. Just make sure the oil is thoroughly mixed into the baking soda to prevent oil stains.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip:<\/strong> To deep clean your furniture upholstery, you can remove all covers, sprinkle baking soda on them, and then throw them in the washing machine with laundry detergent. If they\u2019re very affected by smoke odor, you might need to repeat this process at least once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t forget about your carpet or rugs! These spots can be heavily affected by smoke odor, yet there are multiple ways to tackle the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Using carpet deodorizer, liquid or powder carpet cleaner, or baking soda with essential oils of your choice are all great ways to lift smoke smells from carpets,” says Fiona.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, it\u2019s important to follow instructions carefully when using carpet cleaner. If you\u2019re using baking soda, you can simply sprinkle it on the carpet, let it sit for a few days, and then vacuum it up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip:<\/strong> If you\u2019re in the market for a pricier but very effective option, you can also consider steam cleaning. This often requires hiring a professional, but the results are worth it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Some key products I keep in my arsenal are carpet deodorizer and liquid or powder carpet cleaner, which both do a great job of making carpets smell fresh and clean again,” Fiona says. \u201cBaking soda is also a must\u2014it can be mixed with essential oils or distilled white vinegar.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip<\/strong>: To cut through smoke odors safely and naturally, vinegar is a great solution. If you do decide to use ammonia, though, make sure to dilute it with water, and never<\/strong> mix it with other cleaners or chemicals, especially bleach, as this combination creates a deadly gas. If you\u2019re not sure how to use ammonia safely, either opt for the safer option or hire an experienced Tasker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hurricane aftermath can present a beastly cleaning challenge, one that can often go unanticipated when people are busy preparing for the storm. If you\u2019ve just suffered a hurricane and don\u2019t know where to start, our own Ariel R. has you covered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe first thing you want to do is ensure your home is safe enough to stay in after the storm,\u201d Ariel says. \u201cDepending on the level of damage, you may need to bring in an expert to assess the safety of your space and to support the cleanup process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Once you’ve determined your home is safe after the storm or flood, you’ll want to clean up and dry it quickly, ideally within a 24-to-48-hour window,” Ariel says. “Ensuring your home is dried out within 1-2 days maximum is critical in lowering the risk of long-lasting damage and harmful mold. You can do this by opening doors and windows to air out your house and using fans to speed up the process.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note that water damage can cause black mold\u2014never a good thing\u2014so if you see it growing on walls, consider tackling it with a mixture of one part bleach, three parts hot water. Using protective gear (including rubber gloves, goggles, and a mask), scrub the affected area with a soft brush until all signs of mold are gone. If you continue to have problems with mold, it\u2019s best to hire a professional to handle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the next steps after a hurricane is to make sure the outdoor areas around your home are safe to navigate. Before anything else, ensure your entrances and exits are clear, as impasses of this sort can be fire hazards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBoth outdoor and indoor cleanup can be pretty daunting,\u201d Ariel says. \u201cWhen there\u2019s a hurricane, it always helps if you can lean on family, friends, and your community to help with cleanup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip:<\/strong> The CDC recommends throwing out items that you can\u2019t clean or dry quickly. These may include mattresses, carpeting, carpet padding, rugs, upholstered furniture, cosmetics, stuffed animals, baby toys, pillows, foam-rubber items, books, wall coverings, and paper products. Why? Because all these things give mold a great place to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe key, generally, is to get rid of mold, stains, or the opportunity for both to form,\u201d Ariel says. \u201cIt helps to use natural cleaning processes where possible, but chemical methods meant specifically to tackle water damage also may be necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still have water stains on wood? You\u2019ll never guess what Ariel recommends as a solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMayonnaise,\u201d she says. \u201cBelieve it or not, this sandwich condiment offers a common way to remove these types of stains. The oil will seep into the wood, dislodge the water, and act as a finish. As an alternative, you can mix equal parts vinegar and oil. Whichever method you choose, be sure to apply the oil mixture to the water stain with a dry cloth, then wipe the area until the water starts to lift.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For carpets, a tried and true method is to use a mixture of vinegar and water. \u201cMix equal parts in a bowl. Then, using a cloth rag, gently apply it to the water stains on your carpet,\u201d Ariel says. \u201cPress down repeatedly until the stains start to lift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip:<\/strong> You can also use classic carpet detergent along with a carpet-cleaning vacuum\u2014a popular item available at any major hardware store. While these vacuums are easy to use, Ariel stresses that it\u2019s also possible to manually clean carpets with detergent. \u201cIf you want to do this without buying the bulky vacuum, grab a bucket, and mix one part detergent with 10 parts water,\u201d she says. \u201cGently scrub the carpet with a cloth rag or soft brush. If you choose this route, just make sure to use rubber gloves to protect yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, we have one more tip from Tasker Gabriela L.<\/a> that applies to any cleaning adventure you might be tackling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPut all your attention into the process, and do it with love,\u201d Gabriela says. \u201cStart your favorite podcast, and focus on the details\u2014say, the space between the sink and the faucet fixture if you\u2019re cleaning a kitchen. Little things make a big difference!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t want to clean on your own? Hire a Tasker.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nSmoke<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.taskrabbit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Blog_CleaningTips_Smoke-1024x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWalls<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Upholstery<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Carpet & rugs<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nProducts for your smoke arsenal<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Hurricanes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The first 48 hours<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Removing Debris<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Water Stains<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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