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Helpful Hints For Around the House

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The best barbecue basting brush is found at the hardware store. Two inches wide-plain wood handles. I buy mine in a 5-pack for about 5 bucks. You can wash and use the over and over again.

An open box of baking soda will keep your fridge, pantry, freezer or cupboards from holding odors!

Freshen up limp celery by cutting off the ends and putting them in water, in the fridge overnight!

Window cleaning frustration: When you thought you were done and you find a spot that you missed. If you are on the inside, it’s on the outside or vis-a-versa. ALWAYS!

Later, the Miracle Maid

Send your feedback to: HelpfulHints@miraclemaidstx.com

Around the House

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Home » Helpful Hints » Around the House

Around the House


– Always load a dishwasher from back to front…. This will allow you to more completely fill the dishwasher and will save soap, water and electricity.

– If you garbage disposal gets a little smelly, run cold water and grind up some ice cubes. This will clean the blades and get rid of that odor. And remember, when running a garbage disposal, always use cold water and let the water run for 15 seconds after you turn the disposal off.

– If you or one of your kids gets gum stuck on a shoe. Wrap the shoe in a bag, put it in the freezer for half an hour. When you take it out of the freezer, the gum will just snap right off. (Caution: If a child gets gum in their hair, DON”T DO THIS, it may cause serious brain freeze.) The real solution…… Would you believe…. Very oily peanut butter. The oilier the better.

– The only two tools that you need around the house. WD-40 (If it won’t move but should)……. And …….. Duct tape (If it moves but it shouldn’t)

– If you make a sauce (like spaghetti), gravy, etc. and you accidentally put too much salt in it, slice up a potato and cook for a while. The potato will absorb the saltiness.

– Don’t throw away those coffee grounds and egg shells. They make great organic fertilizer for your plants.

– Like garlic? Like black olives?… Try this. Crush two cloves of garlic, put in a Tupperware container with 2-3 tablespoons of a nice olive oil and dump in a can of drained black olives. Refrigerate for a few hours and enjoy.

– Easiest way to shell hard boiled eggs. Take ‘em from the boiling water and throw them into ice cold water for 5 minutes. The shells will almost fall off the eggs. If you have some leftover juice from Peperoncinis (Pickled greek peppers) pop 2-3 eggs (shelled) into the juice for 5 hours or more and you have some great pickled eggs.

Remember: If you submit a helpful hint we will give you a 10% discount off your next cleaning. If we use your helpful hint we will give you a free upgrade on your next cleaning.


Have cleaning questions? Ask the pros at Miracle Maids any cleaning question you may have and we’ll help you keep your home tidy between visits from us! Send your questions to info@miraclemaidstx.com

Additional Helpful Hints

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Helpful Hints

 

Send your helpful cleaning hints to helpfulhints@miraclemaidstx.com! If you submit a helpful hint we will give you a 10% discount off your next cleaning. If we use your helpful hint we will give you a free upgrade on your next cleaning.

Helpful Hints: Springtime Tips Around the House

– If you have a stubborn odor in your car, put a few charcoal briquettes in an open plastic tub under the seat. Should do the trick.

– When installing tall plastic bags in your kitchen trash container, poke a couple of holes towards the top with a steak knife. This will allow the trapped air to escape.

– Need to vacuum in a narrow, hard to reach place? Tape a paper towel roll on to the end of your vacuum cleaner wand. You can flatten it or even bend it into tight spots.

If you have hanging indoor plants, you know how difficult they are to water. Place a handful of ice cubes in the pot. They will time release and you won’t end up with water on your furniture and floor.

– Aluminum foil makes a great way to wrap and store chunk cheese. It’ll keep it fresher longer and keep mold from forming.

– If you have dresser drawers that don’t pull in and out easily, rub candle wax on the wood runners.

– We are getting close to tomato growing season. As your plants start getting taller, use old nylons sliced lengthwise for ties. They’re strong but won’t damage the stems.

Remember: If you submit a helpful hint we will give you a 10% discount off your next cleaning. If we use your helpful hint we will give you a free upgrade on your next cleaning.

Click here for past editions of Helpful Hints.

Cleaning Jokes

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Cleaning Jokes

 

Pet-friendly cleaning service in Austin

All the members of your family can feel safe with Miracle Maids.

We make moving easier.

Miracle Maids specializes in Move In/Move Out cleanings, so just pack up and leave the cleaning to us.

Trusted Cleaning Service

Relax and give us a call.

Miracle Maids

The best cleaning service in Austin!


If you submit a cleaning joke you will receive a $10 discount on any future cleaning. If we use your joke we will give you a free upgrade on your next service. Submit your jokes to justcleaningjokes@miraclemaidstx.com

It’s Not the Detergent That Gets You

A young boy, about eight years old, was at the corner “Mom & Pop” grocery picking out a pretty good size box of laundry detergent.

The grocer walked over, and, trying to be friendly, asked the boy if he had a lot of laundry to do.

“Oh, no laundry,” the boy said, “I’m going to wash my frog.”

“But you shouldn’t use this to wash your frog. It’s very powerful and if you wash your frog in this, he’ll get sick. In fact, it might even kill him.”

But the boy was not to be stopped and carried the detergent to the counter and paid for it, even as the grocer still tried to talk him out of washing his frog.

About a week later the boy was back in the store to buy some candy. The grocer asked the boy how his frog was doing.

“Oh, he died,” the boy said.

The grocer, trying not to be an I-told-you-so, said he was sorry the frog died but added, “I tried to tell you not to use that detergent on your frog.”

“Well,” the boy replied, “I don’t think it was the detergent that killed him.”

“Oh? What was it then?”

“I think it was the spin cycle!”

 

I’m an Apple Maid

A maid was tidying up for a wealthy old man. On his desk he had what appeared to be a very expensive, brand new computer. She commented that he had a nice PC.

He looked frustrated and said, “Yeah, it’s top of the line, but I can’t seem to get any programs to run on it. You wouldn’t happen to know how these gizmos work, would you?”

She replied, “I’m sorry sir, I would love to help you, but I don’t do Windows!”

 

A Raise

The maid, Maria, asked the woman of the house for a pay increase. The wife, not too pleased asks:
“Now Maria, why exactly do you want a pay increase ?”
Maria: “Well, Señora, there are three reasons why I want more money. First is that I iron better than you.”
Wife: ‘Who said you iron better than me?
Maria: “Your husband, he say so.”
Wife: “Oh.”
Maria: “The second reason, is that I am a better cook than you .”
Wife: “That is ridiculous ! Who said you were a better cook than me ?”
Maria: “Your husband, he say so.”
Wife: “Oh.”
Maria: “My third reason, is that I am a much better lover than you.”
Wife (really furious now): “Oh, really! Did my husband say that as well ?”
Maria: “No Señora, the gardener. He say so.”
Wife: “So how much more do you want ?”

 

Fired Maid

A woman hired a new maid last year but she wasn’t doing a great job. So she called her into the study and told her that she was sorry but was going to have to let her go. She tipped her an extra $20 and thanked her for her services. As she was leaving the maid threw a $10 bill to the family dog, Lucy. The woman asked the maid, “What was that for?” She replied, “Can’t forget my helper! Lucy has a great tongue, and always helped me do the dishes!!!”

 

Available Immediately

On a new maid’s employment application:

Under Personal she wrote: I’m married with 9 children. I neither drink or smoke. I am extremely loyal to my present company, so please don’t let them know that I am available immediately.

 

CDO

Our maids have CDO. It’s like OCD but the letters are in the correct order!!

 

The Maid

A woman suspects her husband is cheating on her. One day, she dials her home and a strange woman answers. The woman says, ” Who is this?” “This is the maid,” answered the woman. “We don’t have a maid”, said the woman. The maid says, “I was hired this morning by the man of the house. The woman says, “Well, this is his wife. Is he there?” The maid replied, “he is upstairs in the bedroom with someone who I figured was his wife.” The woman is fuming. She says to the maid, “Listen, would you like to make $50,000?” The maid says, “What will I have to do?”

The woman tells her, “I want you to get my gun from the desk, and shoot the jerk and the witch he’s with.” The maid puts the phone down; the woman hears footsteps and the gun shots.

The maid comes back to the phone, “What do I do with the bodies?”  The woman says, “Throw them in the swimming pool.” Puzzled, the maid answers, “But there’s no pool here.” A long pause and the woman says, “Is this 832-4821?”

 

Just Three Words

A woman is sitting at a bar enjoying an after work cocktail with her girlfriends when an exceptionally tall, handsome, middle-aged man enters. He is so striking that the woman cannot take her eyes off him. The man notices her overly attentive stares and walks directly toward her. Before she can offer her apologies for rudely staring he leans over and whispers, “I’ll do anything, absolutely anything that you want me to do for $20… But, on one condition.” Flabbergasted, the woman asks what the condition is.

The man replies, “You have to tell me what you want me to do in just three words.” The woman considers his proposition for a moment and then removes a $20 bill from her purse, which she presses into the man’s hand along with her address.

She then looks deeply into his eyes, and slowly, and meaningfully says, “Clean my house!”

 

Saved

Smith, who lives in a big house at Avery Ranch, goes to see his supervisor in the front office. “Boss,” he says, “we’re doing some heavy house-cleaning at home tomorrow, and my wife needs me to help with the attic and the garage, moving and hauling stuff.”

“We’re short-handed, Smith” the boss replies. “I can’t give you the day off.”

“Thanks, boss,” says Smith “I knew I could count on you!”

 

As Clean as Cold Water Can Get Them

A man went to visit his 90 year old grandfather and while eating the breakfast of eggs and bacon prepared for him, he noticed a film-like substance on his plate. So he says, “Grandfather, are these plates clean?” His grandfather replies, “Those plates are as clean as cold water can get them, so go on and finish your meal.” That afternoon, while eating the hamburgers his grandfather made for lunch, he noticed many little black specks around the edge of his plate so again he asked, “Grandfather are you sure these plates are clean?” Without looking up from his burger, the grandfather says, “I told you those dishes are as clean as cold water can get them, now don’t ask me about it anymore.” Well, later that day, they were on their way out to get dinner. As he was leaving the house, grandfather’s dog who was lying on the floor started to growl and would not let him pass. “Grandfather, your dog won’t let me out.” Without diverting his attention from the football game he was watching, his grandfather shouted, “Coldwater, get out of the way!”


Have cleaning questions? Ask the pros at Miracle Maids any cleaning question you may have and we’ll help you keep your home tidy between visits from us! Send your questions to info@miraclemaidstx.com

Cleaning with Baking Soda and Other Uses

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Home » Helpful Hints » Cleaning with Baking Soda and Other Uses

Cleaning with Baking Soda and Other Uses


So, on the box, it gives a recipe for “Delectable Cookies” but there’s many other uses for regular ol’ household baking soda!

This is just a few alternative uses for baking soda but hopefully there’s one or two that you will find useful.

As a Deodorizer:

1) Refrigerator: (Common) Put a box in your refrigerator. It will get rid of lingering odors.
2) Trashcans: (Classic) Sprinkle in your trashcan to get rid of smelliness.
3) Kitchen sink disposal: (Creative) First, grind two handfuls of ice while running cold water. Then pour 1/2 box of baking soda into the drain and add ½ cup of vinegar. Cover (This will foam up) for 1 hour and rinse.
4) Stinky tennis shoes/sneakers: (Essential) Make sure the insides are dry. Liberally sprinkle a good dose in each shoe. Let stand overnight. This application will also act as an anti-fungal.

Let’s move to health

1) Diaper rash: (Young) Add 2 tablespoons to the babies bathwater
2) Heart burn: (Old) Mix ½ to 1 teaspoon with a glass of water. Because baking soda is a base it will help neutralize acid in the stomach! (For occasional or emergency use)
3) Canker sore: (Everyone) Mix 1 teaspoon with ½ cup of warm water. Rinse several times. (Do not swallow this though)

Finally, Let’s move to the Garage

1) Cleaning Car Batteries: (Dudes) When corrosion builds up on a car battery, electrical connectivity is impaired, sometimes decreasing the current so much that the car will not start. The solution?
First disconnect the battery cables.
Next, make a paste with baking soda and plain old tap water.
Using an old toothbrush or wire brush, scrub both the terminals and the cable clamps until clean. Re-attach the cables and you should be good to go! If not, you may need a new battery.

2) Keeping flowers fresh: (Dudettes) Add ½ teaspoon to the water in the vase. (Flowers may last an extra day or two)

OK, I know this is a very short list however there are literally hundreds of other uses for household baking soda. (As grandpa used to say: “You can look it up”)

That’s it for now!

Later, the Miracle Maid

Send your feedback to: HelpfulHints@miraclemaidstx.com


Cleaning Faint Odors

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Cleaning Faint Odors

 

I received this question from a lady in Steiner Ranch. She says she has a pesky odor in one of her bathrooms. She can’t tell where it’s coming from or how to get rid of it.

Answer: It could be from an unused tub or shower.

Many of us in the Austin area have Jacuzzi bathtubs in our master bathrooms. If you’re like my wife and me, it’s an amenity that we rarely use. Also, if you have a bathroom or two for guests (who only visit during SXSW or Austin City Limits) where the shower, tub and/or sink are rarely used, you may experience a slight or even sometimes strong and unpleasant odor emanating from them.

The culprit for these tell-tale odors may be from what is known as a plumbing trap. We are most familiar with these under our kitchen and bathroom sinks because that is where they are visible to us. However, every drain throughout your house has one.

A plumbing trap works by creating a water barrier between your sewer or septic system and the actual visible drain of the sink or tub basin. As you can well imagine, your below grade plumbing is not the cleanest nor most fragrant part of your home and the trap prevents those odors from wafting up through the pipes and infusing into your living environment.

Now here’s what can happen especially in the dry Austin winters. Over time, the water level in those traps can completely evaporate. You’ve probably seen evidence of this in any toilet that goes unused for an extended period of time. The water level declines substantially.

This same evaporation can cause the water barrier level in the trap to get so low that it no longer serves its purpose. Hence, a smelly guest bathroom.

Fear Not! The simple solution is as easy as making a glass of instant ice tea! Just add water! A cup or two of water is all that’s required.

However I recommend pouring a half cup of baking soda into the drain followed by a cup of cider vinegar. Let this concoction foam for 5 minutes and then run water for a minute. Problem solved.

That’s the tip for now. We hope that that Lake Travis bathroom smells as sweet as a Texas Lilac now.