14 BEST DESIGNER CLEANING PRODUCTS AND TIPS

By CLARICE SMYTH

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14 BEST DESIGNER CLEANING PRODUCTS AND TIPS

Renew, Refresh, and Odor Control

14 DESIGNER BEST CLEANING PRODUCTS AND TIPS

My 14 Best Designer products and tips for improving the appearance of stained or worn surfaces, and pet odor control. These tips can be applied if you are staging your home for sale or just trying to keep it clean and organized.

This is not an exhaustive list but it is a very valuable list. I have used these cleaning and pet odor control products for years and highly recommend them.

PRODUCTS AND TIPS

Let’s start with some of my tried and true products for improving the appearance of stained or worn surfaces, and a few odor control tips for pets. These will make you love your surfaces again, and having pets a little less stinky. They really can make a difference.

PREPARATION

PREPARATION: Make it easy to use your cleaning products. Create your cleaning toolbox or bucket. We are less likely to use the wrong products and tools for the job if the proper tool is within reach.

PROTECTION: Protect your skin from any chemicals when you clean. Wear gloves. For regular cleaning use a quality reusable glove like the Libman Laytex Reusable gloves. These work well and if you care for them properly they last a long time.

DISPOSABLE: For those nasty messes that you prefer to do with a disposable glove, consider the ECO-GLOVES disposable glove which are plant based and biodegradable.

SPOT-TEST: before using any of these products. All these products have chemicals, natural or otherwise, and they can react differently on different surfaces. I have had only good results but I always Spot-Test first.

BRIWAX - SURFACE CLEANING WOOD

BRIWAX where to begin. This product is amazing.

It can be used as a finish, furniture polish, reconditioner, antiquing wax, wood protector.

It comes in Clear and a range of stain colors. You can apply it with a cloth or BriWax Oil-Free Steel Wool.

Also, If you applied a pigmented Briwax that you feel is too dark you can use the clear BRIWAX to lighted or remove the previous application.

Not Promoted by BRIWAX but they work fabulously on stained cabinets as well. Briwax is not certified as food-contact safe.

NOTE: From experience, Do not use over the furniture with a polyurethane finish. You will not get the results you are expecting and it could cause damage

DADDY VAN'S COUNTERTOP CARE

Like the BRIWAX, Daddy Vans Countertop Care is a favorite.

Food Safe, Chemical-Free, and Non-Toxic. It is easy to apply and gives such a beautiful finish to butcher-block, concrete, composite, slate, and soapstone.

BRIWAX and DADDY VANS COUNTERTOP CARE repels water, as most waxes do, but use a coaster for drinks and felted pads on decor pieces you place on your furniture. This is an easy thing to do to avoid potential white rings from moisture and scratches from decor being slid across the surface.

BLUE MAGIC VINYL AND LEATHER CLEANER

Blue Magic Vinyl and Leather Cleaner is another one of my go-to favorites. A great option if you are unsure if an item is real leather or vinyl – you are covered either way.

It cleans and shines vinyl and leather.

Always spray this, and any product, on a rag and then apply the rag to the surface. this way you get an even application and avoid potential over-saturated spots.

I have used this on leather and vinyl furniture, handbags, shoes, belts, my car, etc.

Just make sure you allow the item to completely dry before storing away. As we all know, moisture is an issue when storing leather goods.

BAR KEEPERS FRIEND

Bar Keepers Friend powder cleanser. This is great for hard-to-remove stains. It cleans but is more gentle than other cleansers. It will remove stubborn watermarks in toilets. Beware of using pumice stones to remove these stains or buildups as they can damage or remove the factory-sealed finish on your toilet. To clean with Bar Keepers Friend just lower water below the line, scrub well, let sit for a bit, scrub some more, and rinse and repeat. It takes elbow effort but works great.

I will say I am not a fan of the fragrance of Bar Keepers Friend but it isn’t horrible and dissipates quickly after you rinse it away. I use it on a multitude of surfaces including stainless steel, the sink, toilet, tubs, showers, shower glass, countertops, and more. I prefer it over regular cleansers.

Bar Keepers Friend can also help remove buildup from the oven and fireplace glass. BKF, a bucket, a cloth, and frequently changed water along with an ample dose of elbow effort will render pleasing results.

Bar Keepers Friend is available in powder and a cream version. I prefer the powder and I think it’s a better value. I think it works best and if you have something to clean that paste would adhere to the surface better than powder…mix a little powder with a small amount of water and make your own.

SURFACE CLEANING – LAMINATE – SOLID SURFACE

Rejuvenate: Works great to revive scratched or dull laminate and solid surface countertops – Rejuvenate is my go-to product.

In staging or in our homes it is not always possible to update countertops and they can look dull and worn over time.

Rejuvenate brings the shine back. You want to thoroughly clean and remove stains from the surface before applying. It just visually revives tired-looking laminate and solid surfaces.

It does need reapplying periodically but it will temporarily restore the shine to these surfaces.

SURFACE CLEANING – NATURAL STONE

Stone Care: Stone Care products are my go-to for natural stone care. One of my most used is the Stone Care Clean Shine & Protect Spray.

This is for granite and quartz. Clean the surface well and then apply. I know it says “Clean” in the name but it’s best if you remove dried-on food and gunk of any kind.

Stone Care also makes a spray-on sealer. Natural stone needs to be sealed and resealed periodically. It’s a necessary but not a hard task to do.

Simple clean the surface, let dry, apply spray sealer, wipe off and let dry… you are done. Follow manufacturer’s directions for best results.

SURFACE CLEANING – STAINLESS STEEL

Spots on stainless steel are annoying. For best results, clean the surface free of all dirt and stuck-on particles, rinse, dry completely.

Apply Fractionated Coconut Oil to a cloth and polish appliance surface.

If you are staging you can do the sink interior as well. Don’t let the oil pool. This will create a cloudy film. Hand buff for the best final finish.

SURFACE CLEANING – SCRAPING

SCRAPING:

Sometimes it is necessary to scrap a surface. Dried on food, wax, a sticker, etc.

It is best not to use a screwdriver or knife or other improper tools because you could damage the surface. I think we are all guilty of doing this at some point.

You can try an old plastic card, which I have done, but they are not always sturdy enough and I really don’t want to chance to leave it behind with my personal information on it.

A perfect solution is a HELEMAN plastic Razor Blade Tool. I am not a fan of metal razors, I have a real fear of cutting myself or worse someone else, like a child. So this Plastic Razor Blade Tool is perfect for me and it works beautifully.

GLASS STOVE TOPS

To clean glass cooktops I use Weiman Ceramic & Glass Cleaner Polish. I find it softens the cooked on mess and removes it easier than others I have tried. Also, I use the plastic razor scrapper as needed.

WALL STAINS AND MARKS

WALL STAINS/MARKS: (SPOT TEST FIRST)

Depends on the source of the mark.

First go-to should be clear water, and clean cloth.

Second option water, mild detergent, clean cloth.

If these don’t work…

ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL 91%: A little on a cotton pad, not cotton ball, as they tend to leave fibers behind. Apply alcohol to the cotton pad and wipe the spot quickly and not with too much pressure. I have use this to remove wood stain, scuffs, and unidentified markings from white painted walls.

Lower alcohol percentages don’t work. They smears or require more wiping which can remove paint. This method can be used on oil or latex paint. It removes surface level scuffs, random marks, etc.

It will not remove stains that have penetrated into the paint and wall board. I cannot emphasis enough that you should test the area and, if you try it, wipe quickly but NOT repeatedly.

If possible try to have the wall paint handy. Touch up is easier and less noticeable to do over area where the stain is removed.

If stain can not be removed touch up with primer and paint.

ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL 91%

ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL 91% is available in the standard capped bottle and in spray. I have and use both, depending on the application.
I prefer the standard capped bottle more convenient if I am applying it with cotton pads or swabs.
If I am dealing with a larger appropriate surface area, I prefer the spray.

SPOT AND PAINT TEST

PAINT SPOT TEST

Sometimes you need to know or are just curious what type of paint is on a surface. Here is a quick and easy test that may reveal the answer.

LATEX VS OIL PAINT SPOT TEST: Wet a cotton pad with rubbing alcohol. If the paint comes off, you have latex-based paint. If it does not, you have oil-based.

NOTE: I am not sure how this spot test would work on chalk paint, it’s latex but usually has a wax sealer. I have never tested it. I am not a huge fan of chalk paint. If you have something painted with chalk paint that is older and well cured. If you are willing and there is a discreet spot you could test the 91% alcohol, leave a comment below and let me know if it rubs off.

ODOR CONTROL

Odor control is something we all strive for – no one wants their home to stink. Cooking, Kids, and Pets produce some less than appealing smells.

DEEP CLEAN

CLEAN:

Cleaning is the first and best defense to odor. Use water and appropriate cleaners to clean your home. Dirt smells whether you see it or not. Wipe off fan blades, baseboards, and dust your walls – if possible periodically wash them. Walls and ceiling make up the majority of the surface in our homes.

Most people never purposely clean these surfaces unless they are getting ready to paint. If you have natural or painted paneling – wash it. Dust your walls, and keep dust from building up on the ceiling.

Vacuum and mop floors, wash cabinets, and dust and vacuum the furniture. These sound like such basic things to do. They are but, if we are honest, do we clean them all regularly.

CLEANING CLOTHS

CLEAN CLOTHS:

To clean you need cloths or rags. I rarely use paper towels. It’s got to be that special kind of dirty job that makes me compulsively repeat eww, eww, eww. Out loud and in my head. I will use them then and immediately dispose of them.

But for routine and deep cleaning the flour sack dish towels are my favorite. I usually get them for the kitchen and migrate them to cleaning when they get stained. But I also buy them for cleaning right away. So there’s that.They are strong. They are large enough to get the job done. They are white and you can bleach them clean ready for the next use. You can get colored ones. I just always get the white ones because I know I will bleach them often and it’s ok.

PET AND ANIMALS

Okay, we love our pets. Our Fur-Babies or Furless-Babies can make quite the stink, if not maintained. Regular grooming goes without saying ( but I am saying).

PET BEDDING

PET BEDDING: DOGS & CATS

Another cause of pet odors are pet beds

Washing pet bedding regularly is important. Some pet beds are huge and very difficult to launder. I have small-Med size dogs. I have tried all the various shapes of pet beds. I have had all types of filling…memory foam, stuffed, orthopedic etc. I found them a chore to maintain. Because they are generally bigger so they get washed less often. Increasing the chances of odor developing.

NOW, What I do for all my Fur-Babies is purchase or repurpose king or queen size pillows. I put them in a king or queen size sham. Pillow cases that open on the end –even the ones labeled envelope closures – the pillow is exposed. But shams with an envelope opening at the center back keep the pillow in place. Most shams have a nice top-stitch boarder detail. I have used the square Euro shames but it can be a challenge to find envelope closures, most are zippered

The pillows and shams fit easily in my washer and are easy to wash as often as needed to keep them fresh. You can match the shams color and pattern to your décor preferences. I try to choose cotton or cotton blends so they are breathable and not hot to my Fur-Babies.

Also, You can get a Stuff It Yourself pet bed cover if that is your preference.

CAT LITTER

LAST ONE IS CAT LITTER & BOXES:

For cat lovers the litter box is always a challenge. In most cases, you don’t have to see the litter box to know there is one.I honestly believe part of the issue is that cleaning these things can be a job. It’s just not fun to do – so we put it off.

As a total life long cat owner. I have found that the challenge in keeping a clean litter box, and, was the aggravation of dealing with the litter bits in the surrounding 10ft and the whole cleaning ordeal.

I have use every clumping, non-clumping, all natural, and saturated with deodorizer litter available. If I got a good run for the litter the unavoidable odor developed quickly. If I changed it often enough to avoid any odor, I felt like there was so much waste.

Then my daughter convinced me to try the Purina Tidy Cats System. Never going back to regular or clumping litter. The pellets are large enough they don’t end up all over my floor. The pads are changed separate from the litter and often enough to control odor. I am completely sold because it is quick and easy to maintain the litter box and keep me and my Fur-Baby both happy.

Also, if you are so inclined, I understand you can reset/refresh the pellets to reuse them…..It’s a whole process. I don’t do this, I simply replace them.

NOTES

NOTE FOR ALL PRODUCTS SHARED

Wear gloves while using any cleaning products.

Remember to always read Manufactures Guidelines.

Always Spot Test before using a product over an entire surface.

Always do you own research before purchasing or implementing a recommendation.

REMEMBER TO…

Choose products that you prefer and that meet your specifications . Whether that is all natural, cruelty free, dye free, sustainable packaging, or some other factor that is very important to you.

Create a cleaning routine that works for you. A basic cleaning plan you will actually do consistently is better than an impressive plan that you dread and won’t do.

CONCLUSION

Which of these tips or products have you found helpful? Which ones are you inspired to try?

Also share below any cleaning challenges you are currently dealing with in staging your home or just in everyday life.

PLEASE share it on your socials – Let’s Empower some more people.

Check back often. It is my passion to Empower You To Design Your Life.

Thank You for spending your time with me. I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart.

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