Lola Clean Freaks

Mold thrives in humid environments, so homeowners who live in a wet climate can expect to see mold growing on their walls every once in a while. Getting rid of mold isn’t as easy as it seems; it’s easier to prevent the growth from happening than it is to remove the mold once it’s already taken hold of your home’s surfaces and framing. Here are some tips for preventing mold, including the steps you should take if you already have black mold in your home and need to clean it up safely.

What is black mold?

Black mold is actually a type of fungus, also known as 'Stachybotrys chartarum'. It's often referred to as toxic black mold, but it isn't necessarily harmful in small amounts. However, people with chronic conditions like asthma can develop more serious symptoms if they breathe in enough spores. Most people are fine living in houses that have a bit of black mold; however, if you have small children or someone with a weakened immune system living in your home you should definitely work on getting rid of it.

Signs of black mold

You might also see black mold growing in your house if you have an air conditioner or heater. You may not be able to see it, but you’ll know it’s there because a nasty, musty smell will start wafting through your home. You can usually find black mold behind walls and under carpets, so it’s best to check those areas when looking for signs of a potential problem.

Is your home at risk?

If you're seeing black mold in your home, there's a chance that much more is hiding under your sink and between your kitchen cabinets. The more you notice it, and don't do anything about it, the bigger your problem will become. A small amount of mold can quickly spread out of control if not taken care of right away. 

What you can do about it

Cleaning black mold varies by surface. Start with a gentle cleanser, and only move onto bleach if the mold persists. 

• Wooden surfaces: Mold can grow on wooden furniture and fixtures. Using a Pot Brite™ All-Purpose Scrub Sponge, apply a detergent solution. You may finish it up with a Lola® Anti-microbial Clean N' Wipe™ Clothto wipe the surface dry. If mold still persists, use bleach.
• Walls and ceilings: Although it is generally made for washing dishes, use a Lola® Soap Dispensing Dish Wandwith your favorite dish soap to scrub walls and ceilings, then rinse with clean water. 
• Bathroom tile and grout: Using a specialized mold cleaner, spray on your bathroom tiles and grout. Let it rest and penetrate, then rinse with water. If the mold remains, use a Lola® Any Which Way™ Flexible Scrub Brush. 

Contact an expert if needed

If you can’t identify black mold in your home and you’re concerned about its presence, don’t hesitate to contact a professional who can offer you advice. You may need help from a professional who knows how to get rid of black mold if you have health issues or other difficulties. If possible, avoid activities that generate moisture in your home because they are likely to encourage black mold growth. For example, if there’s no running water in your bathroom, it makes sense not to use that room as storage space for boxes full of damp clothing. 

Black mold doesn’t just look unpleasant; it’s also one of the most toxic types of mold. If you have black mold in your home, you need to get rid of it as soon as possible to avoid health problems and structural damage. You also need to be extra careful when removing black mold so that you don’t spread the spores throughout your home, making the problem worse than it already is. Follow the tips above to get rid of black mold in your home effectively and safely.

How often do you clean your TV screen? Most people don’t realize that TVs get dirty very quickly, and the build-up of dust can affect the picture quality and even cause damage to the TV’s internal components over time. We’ve gathered some tips that will keep your TV screen clean, shiny, and in tip-top shape! Read on to learn how to clean your TV screen like a pro!

Step 1: Get the right cleaning products and prepare your equipment

Make sure you have everything on hand to clean your screen. It's tempting to run out and grab your favorite household cleaner, but that can be a mistake. You may just start with water, white vinegar, Wowables® Reusable & Biodegradable Paper Towels, and a Lola® Jumbo Microfiber Cleaning Cloth. For best results, you may also opt for a professional-grade cleaning solution designed specifically for TVs and screens. Put all these items within easy reach so that when you see an area on your screen that needs cleaning you can grab them quickly, then get right back to watching! This will save time and keep you from missing any of your favorite shows. Also make sure that your TV is unplugged and turned off before beginning any cleaning.

Step 2: Remove the dust

Now, it’s time to remove all those nasty dust particles. Thankfully, they’re not hard to get rid of at all—you just need to use some white vinegar slution. This combo has been used for ages for cleaning glass surfaces, but it also works perfectly on flat-screen TVs as well. Simply make up a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle and using a paper towel, wipe down your screen with it. The water will act as an effective solvent for dissolving any contaminants from the screen while leaving behind no residue or damaging chemicals at all—and that vinegar smell disappears pretty quickly! 

Step 3: Clean it up with a microfiber cloth

This is actually where most people drop the ball. You’ll want to grab your microfiber cloth and use it in a circular motion on your TV screen. You can also dip it in water, but make sure that when you wring it out, you don’t leave any standing water behind – standing water equals streaks. So once you’ve wrung out as much as possible, get back to cleaning your screen with light strokes from top-to-bottom in straight lines. Remember: no overlapping!

Step 4: Protect your investment with covers

TV screens are coated with special coatings that keep out light and prevent them from drying out. But, after years of service, those coatings can become scratched or damaged. Also, dust build-up on unprotected televisions leads to scratches and over time can even cause lines and dimples in your screen. For best results, buy a sturdy cover for your television and then remove it for use. Then put it back on when you’re not watching. This will protect your investment for years of enjoyment.

Even if you take care of your TV, dust and dirt will eventually accumulate on it, making it harder to read text or discern images. This can be frustrating! Luckily, there are several ways to clean your TV screen in no time at all and avoid that old box TV look that makes your television seem older than it really is. If you’re ready to get the most out of your television, follow the above simple steps to clean your TV screen like a pro.

If you have ever walked into a bathroom with the fan running and it was hot and humid, it’s time to clean your bathroom fan. Not only will you be helping your energy bill by removing excess humidity from the air, but you’ll also be protecting yourself from mold, mildew, bacteria, and viruses. Bathroom fans are relatively easy to clean. This article will teach you how to clean a bathroom fan in five easy steps that should take less than 30 minutes to complete, depending on the size of your bathroom fan unit and accessories. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Prepare

Turn off and unplug your bathroom fan and remove it from your wall. If you’re lucky, you may have a built-in fan that you can simply pull down; otherwise, most fans are affixed with screws on either side of your wall. Once they’re removed, they can be washed under running water—it’s best to avoid using soap or other cleaning products as these will collect around the blades and cause them to become dirty over time.

Step 2: Gather Your Supplies

Depending on how dirty your fan is, you may need more than just some water and your cleaning supplies. If it’s really bad, consider mixing together a cleaning solution made of equal parts vinegar and water. 

Step 3: Remove the Cover

Now that you’ve taken out all of your fan’s components, it’s time to remove its outer casing. There are usually two screws near each corner of its base—remove these and set them aside. If there are any additional screws holding it together, be sure to take those out as well. Once you’ve removed all of these fasteners, gently pull off your fan’s cover. You may find that some pieces stick due to water damage or other build-up—try pulling firmly but carefully if you do run into resistance.

Step 4: Wash Down

After you’ve sprayed it all down, take some time to spray down your fan blades with water and let them sit for at least 10 minutes. For any hard-to-reach places where mold has built up, dip a Wowables® Reusable & Biodegradable Paper Towel into your vinegar solution and wipe down your fan blade. Once you've gotten as much gunk off as possible, use a Lola® Jumbo Microfiber Cleaning Cloth for more gentle drying. Be sure to thoroughly air out your bathroom before you start steaming again!

Step 5: Replace Cover and Test

With your fan installed and cleaned, replace your cover. Plug it back into its electrical outlet and turn it on. Now you can test that all of your settings are working properly! In many cases, bathroom fans are hooked up to light switches so you can turn them on and off with ease. If that's not something you want for your fan, simply replace its switchplate (we'll touch on that step below). After checking out how everything looks and sounds, wipe down your installation area with a Lola® Anti-microbial Clean N' Wipe™ Cloth to remove any lingering dust or grime. 

Cleaning your bathroom fan may not be the most enjoyable or convenient task, but it is important to do so regularly to keep your bathroom clean and odor-free. The instructions above will help you clean your bathroom fan in five easy steps. Just remember to turn off the power to the fan before starting so you don’t get shocked!

If you’re like most people, your shower head accumulates plenty of dust and grime on its way through your daily shower routine. While this doesn’t pose much of a problem when the water pressure is still high, the force will begin to wane, and it can actually become uncomfortable to use if you let it go too long without cleaning it out. Luckily, cleaning out your shower head doesn’t have to be an extremely difficult task, especially if you follow these steps for how to clean a shower head the right way. 

Step 1: Buy the right cleaner.

There are many different options for shower head cleaners in today’s market, so your first step is figuring out which product will work best with your specific model. You can usually find one that is recommended by your manufacturer or use an internet search engine and read reviews of different products. You may have heard of vinegar as an effective cleaner, but it should be used only in certain types of shower heads. The same applies to baking soda. If you aren’t sure what type of cleaner you need, visit your local hardware store and consult with their staff about what would be best suited for your model.

Step 2: Disassemble.

Remove as many parts from your shower head as possible. This could include detaching all of your attachments and hoses, or unscrewing everything and removing washers. The more pieces you remove, the easier it'll be to clean each individual piece separately. You may even consider removing entire sections of tubing or doing a complete disassembly in order to clean all areas thoroughly. Be sure that all attachments are separate so they don't get wet during cleaning, otherwise you risk water damage.

Step 3: Spray away.

To clean off any scum that is stuck on your shower head, mix your preferred cleaner with water. It will begin foaming up at which point you can begin spraying down your shower head. Be sure to spray it all over making sure that you clean down each part of it well before rinsing everything off and drying with a Lola® All-Purpose Cloth. This should get rid of any mold or gunk that may be built up on your shower head making it look brand new again!

Step 4: Rinse and re-assemble.

Rinsing is essential for removing all of those leftover cleaning particles from your shower head. After you’ve given your new shower head a good rinsing, it’s time to reassemble it. Your manufacturer’s manual will walk you through how to reattach each component and which order things should go back in. And remember, if your shower head still doesn’t look as clean as it did when it was brand new, repeat steps 1–3 again. It may seem like an unnecessary hassle, but these old shower heads can harbor dangerous microbes that can cause infections.

Step 5: Consider installing a new shower head.

Upgrading your shower head can do more than clean up soap scum and other grime that’s built up over time. It can also help you save money on water and gas costs—as well as protect yourself from harmful chemicals like chlorine, which may be leaking into your home through your shower head. With an eco-friendly shower head, you won’t have to worry about waking up in the morning with dry eyes or skin that has been stripped of its natural oils.

Most people ignore their shower heads, and that’s because it takes quite a bit of effort to clean one out. However, the benefits of keeping your shower head clean make it well worth the effort, which you’ll find out as soon as you start doing it the right way, with the steps above!

Can you imagine walking into your home after vacation and being hit with the stench of someone having peed on your carpet? The last thing you want to do when you come home from a nice break is scrub your house from top to bottom in order to get rid of the icky smell, but fortunately there are several simple, cost-effective ways to remove this odor from your carpets and other porous surfaces without harsh chemicals or extra work. Check out these simple and safe ways to keep your carpets and furniture from smelling like pee.

Tip No. 1: A little lemon juice.

Squeeze some lemon juice onto a Lola® Cellulose Sponge Cloth, and blot at your pee stain. The citric acid in lemon juice can cut through pee's oils and break down its stains. Be sure to test it out on a hidden part of your carpet first (it will lighten colored carpets), then wait 15 minutes before blotting with a paper towel, so you don't set in any color transfer. Avoid pouring lemon juice directly onto carpet or allowing it to seep into cracks—you'll have a hell of a time cleaning that up!

 Tip No. 2: Some white vinegar as homemade cleaner.

There are several household cleaners you can make at home that will help you combat pee smells without using harsh chemicals. For instance, vinegar is a mild disinfectant that works well against germs. It's natural disinfectant that can be used on almost any surface in your home, including floors, woodwork, walls—even your countertops! The next time your dog or cat pees on your carpet, try soaking up as much of it as possible with Wowables®, The Reusable & Biodegradable Paper Towels before applying a 1:3 mixture of white vinegar and water. This should neutralize the smell without leaving any residue behind.

Tip No. 3: Water, baking soda and essential oils.

To start, all you need is warm water, baking soda and a few drops of your favorite essential oil (try lemon, pine, lavender or tea tree oil). Put about a cup of warm water in a spray bottle and add about half a cup of baking soda. Add a few drops of essential oil (it really helps freshen up smells!) Then simply spray your carpets or upholstery until damp. Let it sit for at least 20 minutes—the baking soda will act as an odor neutralizer during that time. It works best on fresh smells like urine rather than old, musty odors. When it’s ready to go, finish off your carpet cleaning with the Lola® Rola Sticky Mop™!

 A smelly carpet isn’t just embarrassing, it can also be seriously bad for your health! Also, the lingering scent of pee can be overwhelming and even make you feel physically ill if it lingers in your nose long enough. Using harsh chemicals to get rid of the bad smell can be dangerous to you and your family’s health. Luckily, the above tips can help you can avoid these dangers by relying on natural products instead!

Stainless steel appliances and sinks can indeed add some flair to your kitchen, but many people are hesitant to buy them because they think they’re impossible to clean. While it’s true that you have to treat your stainless steel with more care than your average appliance, it doesn’t mean you can’t keep it shiny and looking good with the right cleaning products and techniques. In this article, we’ll cover how to clean stainless steel appliances, as well as how to keep your sink shiny and new-looking year-round!

Pick your weapon

Soap scum is one of those things that easily seems to find its way into every nook and cranny of your home. It’s difficult to remove, so when it comes time for cleaning your stainless steel appliances, it can feel like an uphill battle. Luckily, there are plenty of different ways you can make short work of cleaning your appliances with minimal elbow grease required. The trick is finding what works best for you. For example, if you have stubborn stains on your sink, try adding some vinegar or baking soda on top of warm water; let it sit for about 10 minutes then wipe away. You may be surprised by how easily they come off!

Method 1 - Soap and Water

Wash with hot water using soap on your sponge or cloth. Remember that stainless steel can scratch easily, so use a Lola® Wonder Scourer™ Non-Scratch Scouring Pad for this. Rinse thoroughly. If your sink still looks dirty after cleaning, go over it with water on high pressure. This method also works well for appliances made of stainless steel. When done, wipe dry with a Wowables® Reusable & Biodegradable Paper Towel and polish with the Lola® Round n' Round Wonder Scourer™. You may need to repeat the above steps several times before you achieve desired results, but it will be worth it when you do! It’s easier than you think! If used regularly, soap-and-water cleaning will keep your stainless appliance shiny and clean.

Method 2 - Vinegar, Lemon juice, and Salt

Pour one cup of vinegar, 1 tbsp of lemon juice, and 1/2 cup of salt into a spray bottle. Shake it up, spray on your appliance, let it sit for 10 minutes then wipe with a Lola® All-Purpose Cloth. Make sure you do not use steel wool or sharp objects since they can scratch your stainless steel. Wash with water after you’re done cleaning to remove any remaining solution from your appliances.

Method 3 - Ammonia, Baking soda, and Vinegar

If your stainless steel appliances are starting to show their age, use equal parts of ammonia, baking soda, and vinegar. Mix these ingredients together into a paste and apply it directly onto your appliances. Scrub it with a Lola® Pot Brite™ All-Purpose Scrub Sponge. Allow everything to sit for about 10 minutes before rinsing with water. Make sure you rinse thoroughly so that no residue is left behind! Doing something like cleaning stainless steel counters can help add value to your home; getting rid of rust stains will help sell your home fast!

Stainless steel appliances and sinks are clean, sleek, durable and beautiful—but they’re also delicate! These particular surfaces need to be cleaned differently than other, more porous materials such as ceramic or granite. If you use the wrong cleaning products on your stainless steel, you could end up with spots that are hard to remove. Follow the steps above to learn how to clean stainless steel appliances and sinks in a snap!

An air fryer is a great kitchen appliance but it can develop an unpleasant odor over time if you don’t take care of it properly. Thankfully, it’s easy to clean an air fryer, even if you don’t know where to start! This comprehensive step-by-step guide to cleaning your air fryer will walk you through every step and make sure your device stays smelling and tasting fresh for months to come.

Step 1 - Soak

Once you’ve removed all of your food from your air fryer, set it in a sink, and fill it with hot water. Let it soak for 20-30 minutes. This will loosen up anything that’s stuck on to make cleaning easier. Don’t forget to add a little dish soap to help get everything off! After soaking, rinse out your air fryer with more hot water. If there are still some tough spots, use a Lola® Microfiber and Nylon Net Cleaning Pad to gently scrub any leftover gunk without scratching your nonstick coating.

Step 2 - Scrub

Use a brush with sturdy bristles to get into all those nooks and crannies. This is especially important for air fryers, which can become very dirty as you continue to use them and spill food inside of them. The grease from previous meals can leave a sticky residue on your cooking surface that only a gentle scrubbing session will remove.  

Step 3 - Remove the grease filter

The filter is located at the top of your air fryer. When cleaning, simply remove it and wash it under cold water with soap. Dry thoroughly before replacing it in your machine. When there are large quantities of food stuck to it, you may need to scrub a little harder with a sponge or scouring pad – but only ever use these on plastic parts and never on any metal parts of your air fryer. Baking soda can also be used to clean grease filters by sprinkling it onto them and leaving them for 10 minutes before scrubbing off with a Natural Cellulose Scrub Sponge.

Step 4 - Vinegar Rinse

While your air fryer is still hot, pour in one cup of distilled white vinegar and give it a quick wipe down with a Wowable® Reusable Towel. Then, turn your appliance off and unplug it. Place an oven mitt over your hand and open up each of its chambers. Scrape out any stuck food debris from inside each chamber with a wooden spoon or butter knife. Then, fill your air fryer back up with water (up to about 1/4 from the top) and place it on high for another 15 minutes to steam-clean any remaining grime.

Step 5 - Water rinse

Finally, rinse off all the washable parts with water, and just take a clean cloth and wipe them down before leaving to dry overnight. The next day, your air fryer should be good as new!

The air fryer is perfect for anyone that loves fried food but doesn’t want to deal with all of that extra oil. However, it can be hard to clean — which makes sense since most of your favorite foods are also some of the messiest to eat. Luckily, the simple steps are just what you need to keep your air fryer in great shape and make sure your delicious meals come out exactly as they should every time.

Upholstery can take more abuse than you might think, and in many cases, it will need more help than just vacuuming to look its best. Upholstery fabrics can be made of several different materials, so you need to do some research to determine which cleaning solution will work best for your upholstery and its fabric type. With that said, there are some general rules of thumb when it comes to deep cleaning upholstery that you should always follow when tackling this household chore. If you follow these fabulous tips, your upholstery will look fantastic!

Make your own carpet cleaner

There are a few simple ingredients you can use to make your own carpet cleaner to remove stains and freshen up your space. You’ll only need 1 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup baking soda, 1 teaspoon liquid soap, and 2 cups warm water. Mix together in a spray bottle and clean away! 

Deep clean your sofa

The easiest way to clean your upholstery is to remove it from where it is, carry it outside, and hose it down. If you have a clean-looking plastic slipcover on your sofa, put that on before you spray. Water plus a slipcover keeps cleanup easier, as does choosing an outdoor setting with a concrete surface that can be hosed down. Preferably a shady spot out of direct sunlight. Work from back to front so as not to let water-heavy spots dry while you move forward—this will get your piece cleaner faster and with less effort on your part!

Clean fabric chairs

Before cleaning your upholstery chairs, use the Lola® Rola Sticky Mop™ with 4-Piece Handle to dust, remove hair or any other dirt particles. Doing this will ensure these particles are not accidentally stirred up during the deep cleaning process. 

Make time for hardwood floors

If you have hardwood floors, grab a Lola® Eco-Friendly All Natural Corn Broom that can get into corners, under dressers, and other areas where dust mops have a difficult time reaching. Plus, they give your floors that fresh-swept look. 

Don't forget your area rugs

Area rugs are pretty easy to clean: just brush them out regularly. If you want to give them a deeper cleaning, put one in your washing machine using mild detergent. If a stain persists, try applying some rubbing alcohol after giving it a good wash and dry first.

Get rid of mildew smell

Did you know that all you need to do to remove that musty, mildew smell on your upholstery is to mix 1 part of water to 1 part of lemon juice? You only need to rub the surface of your upholstery with a clean and damp cloth soaked in lemon and water solution. Lemon has components that can neutralize the nasty odors and leave a fresh scent. And that’s it! Let your furniture air dry before putting back in place. This technique works on curtains as well—just make sure they don’t touch carpeting or wood floors, where dampness could be dangerous or cause mold growth. 

Think of it this way—when you deep clean your upholstery, you are not just 'cleaning' it but also preserving it. The fabrics used in creating sofas and chairs are vulnerable to damage from everyday use. When we think of preserving items, a lot of us jump to how we can seal them off or protect them from their surroundings—but there’s another way. By regularly deep cleaning your upholstered furniture items, you are keeping bacteria and dust mites at bay—the biggest enemies to your upholstered furniture.

Many people prefer glass top stoves to traditional stoves. They’re sleek, they look nice and they’re often more energy-efficient than standard stoves. However, they can be quite fragile and expensive to replace if they break or chip. With that in mind, it’s important to maintain your glass top stove so you don’t have to worry about any accidental scratches or cracked glass. Check out this guide on how to clean a glass top stove fast so you can get your stove clean in no time!

What You'll Need

This type of stove is known for its durable and reflective surface, but it is not nearly as sturdy as ceramic cooktops. Glass top stoves have a coating that must be protected from acidic spills, like orange juice or tomato sauce. Start by placing several Wowables® Paper Towels on your kitchen countertop. Collect all necessary cleaning supplies and set them out in front of you, alongside your spray bottle filled with water mixed with mild dishwashing liquid. Remove any rings from your fingers so you don’t accidentally scratch your glass stove top while cleaning it.

Cautions

Always wear rubber gloves when cleaning your glass stove. Use mild soap and water if you have food stains on your stove top, and then rinse with clean water. Never use any harsh abrasives or cleaning products that are not specifically for glass stove tops, like ammonia and bleach. If your oven is particularly dirty, take apart all of its parts (the burners, drawer and racks) and wash them in warm soapy water.

Wipe and Scrub

To clean your glass stove top, wipe down with warm water and soapy water (again, use these sparingly). Once you’ve cleaned it well, mix together 2 cups of baking soda and 1 cup of distilled white vinegar in a small bowl. Use an old toothbrush or a Lola® Wonder Scourer™ Non-Scratch Scouring Pad dipped in vinegar to scrub away any residue. Wipe with warm water afterwards.

Wipe Again

Once you’ve cleaned your stove top and gotten rid of most grease and grime, wipe it down again with a Lola® Anti-microbial Clean N' Wipe™ Cloth for a final disinfecting finish. Allow your stove top to dry. Even though it’s made of glass, leaving water droplets on your stove could damage its finish over time.

Finish

No matter how tempting it is, don’t use your oven as storage space. Not only will it likely ruin your glass top stove, but bacteria will start growing and multiplying quickly. Before using your oven for food again, you should clean and disinfect it thoroughly. To avoid spills that could permanently damage your stovetop, place a hot pad or folded towel on top of a surface just below where you plan to put hot dishes before they cool down. The extra layer of protection could be just enough to save you from disaster. Also, remember not to leave very hot items unattended or keep them out on counters and tables for long periods of time. 

Let’s be honest, some of us just don’t have time for cleaning. If your glass top stove is an eyesore and you have a dinner party coming up in an hour, it’s important to know how to clean a glass top stove fast. This can be especially helpful if you have multiple people coming over for dinner and don’t want them thinking about all of your dirty dishes sitting in the sink.