[zzze]

asslamau alaykum

no, really?! I can't! I think my mum just used to sweep it in libya, but im sure i won't stop sneezing that way. There MUST be a simple solution. Vacuum? We're gonna buy one and see what happens, im sure u can vacuum on marble floors, right?!

[iSHi]

um..yea. make sure though. I'll ask some cousin. Because even if you swep, an hour later it's back. Make there's some special sealing you can put in the windows and doors?!

[zzze]

asalamu alaykum

thanks

oo i just checked and i think there IS a sealent (sp?) thing in place. i think the a/c is the main problem, tho it's not on much at all as its quite cold...so if this is how it is now..eek what happens in the summer?!

Will experiiment.

[Aminah2006]

For ceilings, use a Long Reach Dusters or a sponge mop, (can use a string mop, but its messier...)
Cover the floor, or keep wiping up drips with towels or newspaper
Do Not stand straight under the mop, consider wearing eye protection -(yes I am serious)
Can buy a duster-kinda fluffy material on a wand or wrap a damp towel around the bottom of a broom, secure with safety pins if you just need to dust it...
here's some sites I found
How to Clean Stuff!
How to Wash a Flat Ceiling - wikiHow
Buy a Duster sites
Harriet Carter Household Helpers Household Gadgets Hi-Reach Cleaning Set
Cleaning high ceilings
Buy or Rent a Dry Steam Machine
AmeriVap Commercial Cleaning System

For washing walls, One can use the stiff scrub brush (like those used for washing clothes)
(plastic bristles-or straw-not metal bristles) and bucket of water method or a sponge mop* works well,
use towels or newspaper to clean the drip on the floor, wash the molding too...
Wash from the top down, start in a corner and work your way around the room,
use a cleanser appropriate for what you are trying to remove-dirt and grime, grease, crayon, etc...
I like vinegar and water for most everything
I've read you can use a Swiffer Wet, but haven't tried it.
here's a couple of sites I found
How to Wash Walls
Cleaning House: Tips for Washing Walls - Associated Content

*Best sponge mop I think is the one with a push handle in the middle that makes the sponge fold in half to wring it out, another good one has rollers on it.

Ohhh, I forgot to consider what are your walls made of? If drywall-plaster has watersoluable stuff in it, so don't soak it, OK?
Home Tips : How to Clean Dirty Plaster Walls

For outside walls, you can get a power washer...or just use a garden hose and a long handled scrub brush like those used for washing cars-some of them even attach to the hose-one can scrub and rinse at the same time

For Marble floors, I would say- just sweep or damp mop the floor, it should work, .not sure about marble, we have ceramic tile, My Mother and I used to walk around with a dust mop, but one of the sites below recommends do not use oil-treated dust mops
......do you have to polish your marble floors too?
do reseal your grout every 6 months or so-whatever is recommended (there is a little bottle with a brush tip one can go around each square and "paint" it on)
Marble Floor Cleaning, Restoration, Floors Care, Ceramic Tile Grout, Scratch Removal, Encino L.A. CA, site recommends do not use oil-treated dust mops
Marble Floor Cleaning, Restoration, Floors Care, Ceramic Tile Grout, Scratch Removal, Encino L.A. CA,
Marble, Granite, Countertops - Articles about natural stone care. Caring for marble part 1

Oh yes, Another use for blueing...For windows, blueing and water is a good cleanser

[Aminah2006]

Originally Posted by zzze

asslamau alaykum

no, really?! I can't! I think my mum just used to sweep it in libya, but im sure i won't stop sneezing that way. There MUST be a simple solution. Vacuum? We're gonna buy one and see what happens, im sure u can vacuum on marble floors, right?!

I read you could, just make sure bristles aren't worn, cuz then it will scratch your nice marble floor...
Per Brother Isa, who is working with me today, and has a floor business- "You can use 1600 grit sand/buffing paper, or use mineral spirits for stubborn spots-won't harden and won't endanger the porous material..., then use a sealant or enhancer-may change the color, darken a bit, will see some more swirl in the marble..."

[Affa]

Such a funny thread

I feel like getting my sister to join this forum and learning something from it about house keeping

I clean my house top to bottom everyday and make sure I put everything back in it's place. This way I avoid doing all the spring cleaning system and I dont have to worry about cleaning/polishing, vacuuming like mad. Try it this way, believe me it's much easier. It's kind of like exercise for me now so I HAVE to do it everyday.

[wheelworks]

Wheelworks' three steps to great and super duper housekeeping,

1) Vacuum the carpet when the color changes,
2) Use water when necessary
3) If you can't see the color of your work desk then it's too cluttered

I'm working on a patent right now donchaknow

[Revert]

Originally Posted by ChotooMotoo

You wash cats? THat's AWESOME!!!

Yeah they can get smelly sometimes...

[raatkirani2005]

Some interesting things I've learned being a "homemaker."

Great Uses for Dryer Sheets
It really is true that a dryer sheet will help loosen baked on/caked on/burnt food from a dish.

My own experiences:

Also, baby wipes work pretty darn well at removing small stains from clothes and carpet. I've actually gotten red lipstick off my white shirt using baby wipes.

Use rubbing alcohol or hairspray to remove ballpoint ink stains from clothes (it takes some effort, but it'll come off)

I love Oxiclean. I really really do--even to get stains off my carpet--works wonders on chocolate stains, mustard and ketchup.

To prevent buildup in your garbage disposal, I'll spill some vinegar and baking soda into it, let it sit for a few mintues, that flush it out.

If some child was to vomit on your carpet, clean up as much as you can with Resolve or soap and water. To get rid of the smell completely, sprinkle with baking soda and salt and leave overnight. Then vacuum it a few times (use your upholstery brush) and there will be no trace of any barf.

If you're cooking desi salan, or anything heavy on the onions, keep a bowl of charcoal briquettes (the kinds you use in your BBQ) and a separate bowl of white vinegar near the cooking site. It'll prevent the smell from permeating the whole house.

Natural ways to control ants: there are certain things ants really hate--so I'll either sprinkle the following things or leave a plate out near the source:
cloves, baby powder, mint, cinnamon, cayenne pepper.

[zzze]

assalamu alaykum

So i found a dustpan and brush in the flat lol. I think i'd rather sweep than vacuum, much calmer.

I put this bleech down the plug in the bathroom, as there was this horrible smell coming fromit..the smell went but i think it eroded it. What kinda bleach do they have here?!

[Caramel_Candy]

To prevent your house plants from getting mildew use a 50/50 mixture of milk and water and spray on the leaves. It also leaves them shiny, pretty, and full of life

[PhDGirl]

Originally Posted by Revert

I hate these cultures where Men are seen as femine for doing house chores. The Prophet(saws) did them..what makes you so special?!

Yeah me too. You'll see these guys spouting off about various topics associated with the Sunnah and then they "joke" about how doing housework makes one gay, feminine etc. I think some women are guilty of this too.

We used to have someone who came to clean every two weeks, but I haven't found anyone since moving, so we do it ourselves. Lately, we've been having a party about once a month or so, which forces us to do a deep cleaning and then we just do maintenance, which isn't so bad as long as you keep up with it.

[Jamroll]

I sometimes bring my own dinner to the table, and occasionally I'll put the toilet seat down. Nah, just kidding!

[Ilikemyscarf]

Originally Posted by Revert

Yeah they can get smelly sometimes...

Most cats hate water, how do you wash your cats?

[wheelworks]

Originally Posted by Ilikemyscarf

Most cats hate water, how do you wash your cats?

Well you hold it still so it doesn't escape donchaknow...like this:

YouTube - Bath Cat!