This homemade recipe is from Annie Berthold-Bond's Clean and Green, a pioneering book on eco-friendly cleaning. Start with two cups of water. Add in three tablespoons of white vinegar and a quarter to a half  teaspoon of liquid soap (vegetable-based)  and put in a spray bottle. Simple and effective!

Okay, so the plunger didn't do the trick (see last post!). Here's a simple, time-honored way to unstuck many a clogged drain:

1. Boil a couple gallons of water.
2. Pour one gallon down the drain (to loosen the stuff).
3. Pour a cup of baking soda after it.
4: Pour two cups of white vinegar down. Give it five minutes to fizz and percolate.
5. Pour the other gallon of hot water to wash it away.
Voila!

linthicumplumbing.net/blog/diy-unclog-sink

Next time a drain gets plugged up, here is the most effective way to use a plunger. First, be sure there is only enough water in the sink or tub to cover the bottom of the plunger. If it's the toilet  this is less of an issue. You might want to put petroleum jelly on the rim of the plunger for a better seal. Next, pump the plunger 15 to 20 times. This increases the pressure on the clog. Finally, if water starts to trickle down, get some boiling water and let it go down the drain and then start pumping again. Hopefully, that will do it. If not, try boiling water with baking soda and vinegar. More details next week.

This advice is from Good as New by Jeff Campbell, a book full of great tips

Here are the final three areas (first four listed above):

5. Baseboards
Baseboards are a part of the room that nearly every homeowner overlooks. Although they're usually white, many still allow them to eventually turn a murky grain from a buildup of dirt, dust, and debris. 
 
Take the time, at least once a month, and before you sweep, vacuum, or mop, go around with a damp cloth and clean these. It shouldn't take more than a wipe, but you should avoid coming into contact with  the walls themselves. 

6. Windows
Your windows matter! You should put in the work to ensure they look as good as they can. Vinegar diluted in water in a spray bottle and newspaper for drying are a good team for getting your windows up to speed. Be sure to wipe down the window frames as well.

7. Bedding
The average person doesn't replace or wash their bedding nearly as often as they should. Of course, you should wash your sheets twice a month at the least, but you should be washing your comforter or duvet at least once every other month. Skin cells, sweat, oil, and grime eventually build up on these surfaces, and cleaning them can ensure they last longer and look better while they do.

--Whether you're cleaning your home to sell or you're just getting your spring cleaning done: it's important to work in these portions of your home more than any other. This set will leave your property feeling and looking brand new!

Andrea Erickson is a contributor to Innovative Building Materials. She is a blogger and content writer for the real estate industry. Andrea is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that increase property value, maximize energy savings, and turn houses into homes.
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