I have discovered another amazing product; a hand held steam cleaner. Shortly after using it I became very impressed with it's cleaning abilities. The one I use is a Eureka Big Shot. It sells for around $70 or so. With only 12oz of tap water, this steam cleaner will clean anything. The steam cleaner produces steam at a temperature of 212 degrees. Because of this temperature it is able to kill all microorganisms that the steam comes in contact with. So you're using only water to clean and disinfect whatever it is you're working on. When I first got my steam cleaner I started out in the bathroom. It worked great on my tubs, sinks, and toilets. The steam is able to clean and disinfect the smallest of areas, such as toilet hinges and screw holes where cleaning can be a burden. The steam cleaner also does wonders on mirrors and glass. The steam is able to penetrate the pores of the surface, allowing it to clean much better than other methods. The steam cleaner is also great for cleaning blinds, windows, and curtains. When cleaning my blinds, I didn't even have to take them down. The steam also dries very fast so there is no worry about too much moisture dripping or sitting around the item you are cleaning. And for those of us who aren't very good with an iron, the steam cleaner can get out wrinkles in shirts and pants without having to take them off the hanger. If you lived in a small apartment, a steam cleaner and water are the only cleaning products you would ever need to keep your apartment looking great.
Another good cleaning product is the Magic Eraser. The Magic Eraser is a melamine foam that has been used for over 20 years as insulation for pipes and ductwork, and has a long history as a soundproofing material for studios, sound stages, auditoriums, and the like. In the early 21st century it was discovered that melamine foam was an effective abrasive cleaner. The open cell foam is microporous and its polymeric substance is very hard, so that when used for cleaning it works like extremely fine sandpaper, getting into tiny grooves and pits in the object being cleaned. I was surprised when I first started using this product at how well it did on walls. The first time I used this product within my company, the walls looked almost freshly painted. This product can remove marker, crayon, grease, and just about anything else from painted walls, wood finishing, plastic tables, and many other surfaces. And if a little water is added to the Magic Eraser, it can remove some of the most uncleanable stains and marks. And always remember when cleaning walls to start at the bottom and work your way up!
