Lola Clean Freaks

Holidays -- who doesn't love them? They allow us to take a break and catch up with friends and family. What's scary though is the holiday aftermath. Thanksgiving leads to a bountiful mess. Christmas means having to clean while feeling too cold. But when it comes to home cleaning nightmares, Halloween takes the cake! There’s no holiday more frightful than Halloween. Cleaning up all the decors is scary enough, but the horror of the mess left behind by Halloween pranks and sweets can make cleaning a true-to-life bone-chilling endeavor. 

But, don't be afraid! We bravely did some research and collected the best cleaning tricks to help you conquer your fear of cleaning any mess brought about by Halloween traditions.

Sticky Candies

After all the fun and excitement of trick-or-treating, cavities aren’t the only problem that comes next. Candies can be just as bad for clothing, carpeting, and upholstery, especially if the not-so-friendly ghosts left them everywhere. To clean up this candy-based mess, use a mixture of one cup of lukewarm water and one teaspoon of detergent. Dip a Lola® All-Purpose Cloth in the solution and use it to gently blot the candy stains. You may add vinegar to the cleaning mixture if the stains are being stubborn.

Jack-o'-Lantern Carvings

Remember this trick -- before carving your pumpkins, lay down some newspapers to minimize the mess. But in case you forgot and your pumpkin carvings have already resulted in a mess, you can just use a spoon to scrape off messes and finish them off with the Lola Pro Amazin™ Sponge & Scrubber Roller Mop, with a mix of dishwashing liquid and water.

Makeup Stains

Halloween costumes and makeup are an integral part of the holiday, and if you aren’t careful enough, makeup can get pretty much everywhere. Makeups are mainly grease-based, so dish soap is often enough to lift these stains out of fibers. But for tough makeup stains, you may also try using sodium percarbonate. 

Halloween Pranks

If your home becomes a victim of Halloween pranksters, you'd want to quickly clean up the mess they left behind. Here are a few tricks for cleaning up your home:

• Eggs: Wet the area below the dried-up egg stain, wait a few minutes, and then gently hose off from the top of the wall, creating a waterfall that washes the egg off. If the egg is stubborn, apply a mixture of warm water and an alkaline cleaner. Never use hot water to clean off egg stains as high temperatures only make them stickier.
• Toilet Paper: Luckily, toilet paper is meant to dissolve when exposed to water. It will naturally disintegrate over a couple of days, or you can use a hose to spray them off. You may also use a leaf blower or rake to get it out of branches and eavestroughs.
• Shaving Cream/Soap: Shaving cream and soap can be easily washed away with the help of your garden hose. Just make sure you rinse off your home thoroughly so that you’re not leaving anything behind.

The aftermath of Halloween can look – and feel – much like a horror movie scene. Cleaning the mess is going to be a challenge, but possible. Magic spells and incantations won’t take care of it, though. The only secret is following the tricks above and doing them ASAP to treat the Halloween mess.

Raise your hand if you have never burnt a pot or a pan in your entire life. I bet no one raised their hand. Those who did raise their hands probably have never even tried to cook something in the kitchen and would never really understand the pain of seeing their precious pans slowly experiencing an agonizing and burning death. Exaggerated much? But truly, it is frustrating to unintentionally have your pots and pans burnt and scorched because what comes next is the challenging task of cleaning them -- or even worse, deciding to just throw them away. 

If you're familiar with "Game of Thrones", you may already know that only Daenerys Targaryen is the true 'Unburnt'. This after being buried in a burning hut but surprisingly coming out of it unscathed. But what if I told you that there are ways for your scorched pots and pans to be 'The Unburnt'? Would you be excited to know more? Well, you're already here, so you might as well continue reading through the following tips on how to rescue those burnt pots and pans.

Tip No. 1: Boiling Water

This cleaning tip requires you to go back to the source of your problem -- the stove! Fill your pan with enough water to cover the charred area. Bring the water to a boil and let it roll for about 5 minutes. Once the water has cooled for a bit, use a spatula to carefully scrape off the softened burned bits. Proceed to your regular scrubbing with dishwashing liquid by using a Pot Brite™ Heavy Duty Scrub Sponge to easily and safely remove the remains of the burnt spots.

Tip No. 2: Vinegar and Baking Soda

In case the boiling water technique only helped a little because the caked-on debris in your pot is really that thick and hard to remove, you may alternatively use vinegar and baking soda. Fill the pot with vinegar enough to cover the charred area, bring it to a boil, then let it simmer for a few minutes. Once the vinegar has slightly cooled, add about 2 tablespoons of baking soda. The mixture will result in a fizzing reaction, which will eventually stop. Scrub the pot with a Lola® Plastic Mesh Scourer to finish off this task. 

Tip No. 3: Alka-Seltzer

Alka-Seltzer may be popularly known to relieve indigestion, but it can also help you clean a surprising range of things around the house, including burned-on food. Put hot water in your pot, add about six Alka-Seltzer tablets, and let them fizz. Let it rest for about an hour; after which, use a Lola® Stainless Steel Scourer to clean off almost the mess. But like with any other steel scourer, use it with caution on coated or non-stick pots and pans.

Tip No. 4: Aluminum Foil

This hack for cleaning a burnt pot is effective and inexpensive, but it requires a bit more elbow grease than the other tips mentioned above. Also, this is a no-no for non-stick or any other pans with a special coating so, this method is solely for pots that are safe from abrasive scrubbers. Start by adding warm water, with a bit of dish soap, into the pot and let it soak for about 30 minutes. Crumple a small sheet of aluminum foil into a ball and use it to scrub the pot until the stubborn burnt food residue is removed. You can finish it off with the Lola® Pot Brite™ Jumbo Heavy Duty Scouring Pad to completely scrub away the remaining mess.

Having your pots and pans scorched may seem to be a game that you have already lost. But with the cleaning techniques and tips above, you may just get the chance to turn the tables around.

Ask yourself, which part of the house is your favorite? Do we have the same answer? I honestly don't know, I'm not a mind reader. But seriously though, my answer to that question would be the kitchen — because it is where all the magic happens (well, at least, for a foodie like me); it is the center of all culinary delights like bold, new recipes and comfort foods.   

But after all the exciting culinary adventures of whipping up delicious dishes and curating flavorful taste, the most challenging thing to do is keeping the kitchen workstation clean. Yes, this includes one of the most overlooked appliance when it comes to cleaning — the kitchen range hood! This may just be the reason why the kitchen, for most people, is not a beloved space at home.

Come to think of it, range hoods, out of all the household appliances, may actually be leading the design trend with innovative materials, shapes, and groundbreaking technology. But why do they have the tendency to be the dirtiest appliance in the kitchen, especially the filters? Maybe, a Spider-Man quote would be a fitting metaphor to answer that — with great power, comes great responsibility. Good news is, cleaning your range hood filter is not that complicated, and here's how:

1. Remove the filter. Most of the range hoods in the market have filters that easily pop out with a quick upward push. After ensuring that the range hood is turned-off, check around for some sort of latch to unlock the filter from its position and slide it out. 

2. Place filter in a heat-proof container. Don’t worry, this heat-proof container is nothing fancy. It can just be a casserole dish, or even the sink, as long as it is safe for boiling water. With the filter inside the container, fill it up with boiling water to let the filter soak in and break down the built-up grease.

3. Prepare a cleaning solution. Hot water alone may not be enough for thick grease, lodged food particles, and germs. Prepare a cleaning solution comprised of any dish soap and water, sprinkled with ¼ cup of baking soda. Make sure the solution is properly mixed.

4. Soak the filter and get scrubbing. Add the cleaning solution in the heat-proof container with the filter. To easily scrub away the remaining grease in the filter, let it sit for about 10 minutes for a thorough clean. Then, using a non-abrasive brush or cleaning pad, scrub the filter to remove all the grease. The Lola® Wonder Scourer™ is fit for this job because it is tough enough to wipe out grease build-up in the crevices, but gentle enough to avoid damaging the filter screens.

5. Rinse and dry. Once the filter is clean, rinse off the cleaning solution and any leftover grease. Make sure that it is completely dry using a clean rag or paper towels like the Wowables® Reusable & Biodegradable Paper Towels before placing it back in the range hood.

These tips for cleaning your range hood and filters provide you with everything you need to know for degreasing a hood. It might not be the prettiest job in the world, but taking care of your hood also means keeping the air in your kitchen clean and fresh. Doing it regularly will have your range hood looking brand new in no time, every time! So, get back to cooking!

It's one fine ordinary day. You woke up on the right side of the bed, and you're in a great mood. You're finding your way into the kitchen and all of a sudden noticed a strange odor lingering throughout the kitchen area. You paused, sniffed again and continued to find where the strange smell is coming from. Voila, it's coming from your dishwasher! Just like that, you're in a good mood no more. 

Like most people, you invest in home appliances with the hopes of making your life easier in terms of accomplishing household chores, right? You're even afraid that one day, the machines will take over. So, it's an acceptably natural reaction to be frustrated when your household appliances are the ones that need tending to.

When the dishwasher was invented, it was a total godsend for anyone and everyone who didn't want to spend hours with their elbows up to food-flecked soap and water. Unfortunately, this machine is not capable of cleaning itself, especially its filters. So, when your dishwasher begins to smell funky, or if you find your dishes coming out of the washer to be anything but clean, it doesn't mean it's time to replace your dishwasher -- but it may just be the right time to clean your dishwasher filter! And here's how to do it in as easy as 1, 2, 3!

Step 1. Locate and Remove the Filter

Since the filter is usually on the interior floor of the dishwasher, it is easier to locate and remove if you take out the bottom rack of the dishwasher. Most manual filters are round, twist-lock into place, and often have arrows indicating which way to turn the cylinder to remove it. Following the guideline arrows, twist the cylindrical filter to unlock it—most unlock by turning counter-clockwise. Once unlocked, pull it up gently to remove it from the dishwasher floor.

Step 2. Remove the Debris and Wash with Soap

The first step of the cleaning process requires the dirt and debris to be removed from the surface of the filter. Clean around the filter with a damp cloth. You can try using Lola® Anti-microbial Clean N' Wipe™ Cloth -- removing dirt and killing germs with just one wipe. You can also use the Lola® Pro Dish Brush, paired with your favorite mild dishwashing liquid, to remove any debris that may be stuck in the tiny holes of your filter. Rinse the filter well.

Step 3. Sanitize the Filter

Steps 1 and 2 are usually enough. But at least once a month, you should also sanitize your dishwasher filter. Create a mixture of a half cup of salt, a half cup of baking soda, and one cup of bleach, and pour the mixture into the bottom of your dishwasher. Allow it to sit overnight, and run a normal dishwasher cycle the next morning, without any dishes inside. This will complete the cleaning procedure of your dishwasher filter.

It's quite disappointing that a machine, on which we rely to clean our dishes, isn't able to clean itself. But that's actually good news! It only means that they still need us to function properly and we're not gonna see that dreaded day where the machines will rise against us, because yes, they still, and always will, need us!

In a kingdom, a ruling king or queen sits on a throne, and everyone else is responsible for protecting the royal highness at all cost. At home, your "porcelain throne" might just be the closest thing you have to be a true royal. Yes, we are talking about your bathroom toilet; and always keeping it in pristine condition is the best way to make it fit for a noble.

If you think cleaning the toilet is a dirty job, you're not alone! But not cleaning it is way worse. A dirty toilet is highly unhygienic and rather disgusting to look at, let alone use. It's no surprise that even when it already seems clean, it still has lots of harmful germs and bacteria present in and around it; hence, regular cleaning is a must! 

We may not have the power and authority like Queen Elizabeth II of England, but we are issuing the royal prerogatives below to require you to clean your toilet regularly. Believe it or not, it's for your own good.

Royal Decree No. 1: Start by applying toilet cleaner to the bowl, and allow it to soak. A cleanser specifically made for toilet bowls will do the majority of the work to remove bacteria and mineral buildup, and there's a lot of options readily available in the market. 

Royal Decree No. 2: While the bowl cleaner soaks in, spray the exterior of the toilet with an all-purpose disinfectant. If the toilet is extra dirty, give it a preliminary wipe-down with Wowables®, The Reusable & Biodegradable Paper Towels. You may also use disinfectant wipes for this step to have a more anti-bacterial kick. 

Royal Decree No. 3: Then, use a scrub sponge, like the Lola® Scrub N' Wipe Boss, to clean the exterior of the toilet without the risk of scratching your porcelain throne. 

Royal Decree No. 4: Once the toilet exterior is clean, use Lola® Pro Euro Bowl Brush to scrub the interior. You can also take advantage of its angled-scrub attachment to deeply clean the rim of your bowl. If you can still see a lot of mineral deposits or hard water rings, you can also rely on Lola® Ring Remover Bath & Bowl Scrub to get the job done.

Royal Decree No. 5: Next, clean the toilet seat. It should never be neglected. After all, it's the part of the toilet that comes into actual contact with your precious behind, and it needs to be cleaned thoroughly. Use Lola® Anti-microbial Clean N' Wipe™ Cloth to wipe down the lid, seat, and hinges at the back of the toilet seat.

Royal Decree No. 6: To finish up, clean up any drips of cleanser or water that may have occurred, put away tools and trash, and replace any items you removed on or around the toilet. Make sure to disinfect everything you used to clean.

Throughout the year, your patio might be your favorite spot at home, except during winter (of course, for obvious reasons). It is where you usually make the most out of those beautiful Spring mornings, warm Summer days, and cozy Fall afternoon breeze. And enclosing it with a screen to protect you and your guests from bugs, pollens, debris, and whatnot makes it the perfect space to enjoy the outdoors.

Even with the changing seasons, your screened-in porch remains to be a fixed home space where you can relax, gaze across your lawn, look up at the sky, and see the beauty of life. In a perfect world, your view will never be blocked by dirty spots. But in reality, the ambiance created by your relaxing patio is sometimes shattered by unsightly spots of dirt, debris, and other pollutants that have attached themselves to your porch screens.

But worry no more! You can give your outdoor living space enclosure that sparkling clean look in just an afternoon with these easy-to-do porch screen cleaning tips.

Vacuum up Dust

Using a vacuum cleaner works well if you live in a dry, arid climate that produces lots of dust. Apply the brush head attachment to your vacuum cleaner hose, and gently rub it along the screens. Keep in mind that your porch screen would tear if you applied too much pressure. You may consider using the Lola® 100% Natural Corn Broom to whisk away those small dust and dirt particles before vacuuming up.

Use Spray-on Cleaner

More often than not, using a vacuum cleaner is usually enough to rid your porch screens of dirt and dust. But if your screens are more grimy than dusty, consider using a multi-purpose spray-on cleaner. Simply spray the solution on the screens and use a brush or soft all-purpose scrubber like the Lola® All Purpose Scrubber to wipe the grime away. 

Spray with Garden Hose

Provided your screens are not heavily stained, moldy, or excessively dirty, using a water hose should be enough to dislodge grime and dirt. Bring a garden hose into the porch and spray outward. But remember, you may need to have an understanding of how to tweak your hose nozzle to know the perfect distance that is safe enough not to tear the screens apart. Once visible grime and dirt have been removed, you use a Lola® Jumbo Microfiber Cleaning Cloth to dry them off.

Brush with Soapy Water

When you can no longer see through your porch screens, it might be the right time to clean them thoroughly with a brush and soapy water. This may require the most effort but will work best for extremely dirty screens. Get a bucket filled with water, add squirts of your tried-and-tested dish soap, and mix them up to create soapsuds. Dip a soft-bristled brush, like the Eco Clean™ Bamboo Scrub Brush, into the soapy water and gently scrub the screens. 

Seasons will change, people will come and go, and so will the chunks of the dirt and dust on your porch screens. You should make it a habit to regularly clean them so you can be sure of something that will stay in your life for good -- a sparkling clean screened-in patio.

Look in the mirror. What do you see? You may be seeing a relatively clean person because you regularly clean your kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living room, and every other area in your home. But be honest, most of the time, your focus is mainly on the countertops, tabletops, floors, and all the conspicuous surfaces, in other words, within eye level. Am I right, or am I right?

So yes, you might be unintentionally (or who knows, maybe intentionally) excluding your ceiling fan in your regular home cleaning checklist. Let's face it; no one is ever thrilled hauling out a step ladder and dusting off those ceiling fan blades. But whether you like it or not, you need to have your ceiling fan cleaned. Not only does it help ensure a longer useful life for your ceiling fan, but it also extends your loved ones' life span by keeping the air circulating in your home cleaner.

Luckily for you, the internet offers a wide range of tips on how to do this efficiently. Since we are thoughtful enough, we took the liberty of compiling a list of hacks; so that you, who took the time to visit our website, would have a one-stop-shop for these helpful cleaning tricks for your ceiling fans. Regardless of which cleaning method you prefer below, you're going to need a step ladder, an old sheet or paper sheet (old newspapers would do), and a face cover to protect your eyes and face while cleaning.

Duster Method

For high ceiling fans, this is the easiest method to use. You will need a long duster with an extender arm like Lola's Swiffer® 360° Comparable Extender Duster Kit. Place the old sheet on the floor beneath the ceiling fan, then start dusting off those blades downwards for the paper sheet to catch. Repeat this process and continue dusting away from you until you have cleaned the motor housing and all the sides of each fan blade. 

Cloth Wipes Method

For ceiling fans with grease or dirt firmly lodged onto the fan blades, you need to do more than just dusting them off. Using a cloth wipe, wipe down the fan blades – top and bottom – to remove grease and dirt. You'll be surprised that Lola® Anti-microbial Clean N' Wipe™ Cloth is enough to do this job. But for even better results, you may also pour into the cloth wipe any mineral spirit or a similar degreaser available in the market.

Pillowcase Method

Just by looking at the name of this method, you might be bursting into laughter. But believe it or not, this is the most popular ceiling fan cleaning hack out there. Put an old pillowcase (or even one that's already due for washing) over the blades, and then gently slide it off. Make sure those chunks of dirt and debris are caught inside the pillowcase. The popularity of this method might be because, unlike the other methods, you're not risking a big chunk of dust falling onto your head.

Finish everything off by mopping your floors with the Lola® Cotton Deck Mop to wipe off any debris from the ceiling fan cleaning. But no matter which of the cleaning methods above you will use, make sure that ceiling fan cleaning will now be a part of your regular cleaning schedule. Once in a while, look up, and don't give all your attention to the floors at your home. Sometimes, your ceiling fans have feelings, too, you know?

Not that anyone would be surprised, but a recent study showed that fall is without a doubt America's favorite season (although sometimes, such distinction is shared with spring, depending of course on the survey respondents). With beautiful foliages and the cool and cozy weather, you are easily drawn to spend more time relaxing after all the fun and excitement during your summer escapades.

The start of this season also tells you that the holidays are coming around really soon. As such, another round of 'spring cleaning' in the fall might just be what you need to be prepared for the hectic winter days. To do this, you may consider ticking off the following tasks in this checklist:

Kitchen and Bathroom

• Deep clean kitchen and bathroom grout. Use an all-purpose scrubber like the Lola® Scrub Brush to help rid kitchen and bathroom surfaces of mold, mildew, and soap scum.
• Wash shower curtains and wipe down shower walls and bath area. Not that you should do this during fall cleaning only, but you should take this opportunity to wash your shower curtains and wipe down those shower walls and bath areas.
• Clean the toilet. Paired with your favorite liquid detergent, use a reliable toilet brush to deeply clean your toilet bowl. The Lola® Toilet Bowl Brush & Caddy efficiently does a very effective job to achieve this.

Bedroom

• Wash mattress covers/comforters. This is the best time to launder your blankets and linens, including mattress covers and dust ruffles. You may also start replacing your summer bedding with winter weight bedding.
• Vacuum and flip mattresses. As the season changes, it is also the perfect time for you to flip your mattresses. Sprinkle them with some baking soda to neutralize odors, and then vacuum them up.
• Wipe down bed frames and room walls. Your bed frames and headboards deserve some good old-fashioned dusting. The Lola Swiffer® Comparable 360° Duster might just be what you need for this task, and it comes with an Extender Kit which makes it easier to take the dust off your bedroom walls and ceilings.

Living Areas

• Vacuum upholstered furniture and other fixtures. Give your sofas and chairs a good vacuuming, make sure to hit both sides of the cushions, the back, sides, arms, and even the platform underneath the cushions. You may finish it off with the Lola Rola Sticky Mop™, which works like a giant lint roller.
• Wipe down TV screens and clean remote controls. You should wipe down all the living room surfaces including end tables, TV screens and stands, bookshelves, and whatnot. These are just some of the items that we are used to ignoring on normal days.

Rest of the House

• Clean floors, including areas underneath area rugs and baseboards. This task is not a seasonal cleaning activity, but a never-ending job in the household. But with The Evolution™ Microfiber Self-Washing Mop System, you can be assured that this can be done easily and fast.
• Deep clean appliances. You may want to make use of this season to give your home appliances their manufacturers' prescribed deep cleaning/care.
• Clean windows, blinds, window sills, and grooves. Wash all your windows inside and out. No dirt is too tough for Lola® Scrub Boss™, and it can gently wipe those windows clean even with just plain water from the tap. Take out screens and put in storm windows.

If you're still not convinced that 'spring cleaning' in the fall is a good idea, just remember, this is the time of the year when, more often than not (and even before the Covid-19 pandemic), you just want to stay at home, curl up on the couch and watch some movies. That being said, you would want your home to be clutter-free so you can truly enjoy staying indoors. Besides, once winter has come, you would actually breathe a sigh of relief that you took the time to make your home holiday-ready.

If you're a caffeine freak like me, for sure, you also find it hard to start your day without sipping that cup of freshly brewed coffee. But like most people, you probably don’t clean your coffee maker regularly. You might be one of those who have been convinced by some myth saying that the secret to a truly rich and flavorful coffee is by not cleaning your coffee maker frequently (or worse, not at all). 

But mind you, that is the quickest route to a sore tummy. Like dark magic, the scent of unclean coffee machines can attract evil creatures, I meant, micro-organisms that are harmful to the body. Just kidding, but seriously, no kidding! Instead of gaining an energy boost for the day, you might end up wishing you have the power to turn back time and would have just cleaned your coffee maker the right way. I can actually make a list of reasons why you should clean your coffee maker often, but rather, I am choosing to write a fool-proof spell to give your coffee maker that sparkling clean look like it's brand new.

Empty Your Coffee Maker

Give your carafe a good rinse, a really good one. Your carafe is exposed to mineral content left by used coffee. Leaving it dirty over a long period of time will solidify any stain, making it harder to clean. Good thing though, with Lola's "The Original" Kitchen Sponge Puff Bottle Cleaner™, this won't be that hard to do.

Fill the Water Reservoir with Cleaning Solution

There isn't any sorcery involved in this, but a mixture of equal parts of water and white vinegar has done "magical" things in the housekeeping arena. Fill up your reservoir with the water-vinegar solution, and let it rest for about 30 minutes. 

Run a Brew Cycle

Once your magical potion, I meant the cleaning solution, has rested enough in the reservoir, you can now start with a new brew cycle. Let the cleaning solution finish brewing completely before pouring it out from the carafe. Replace the filter again, as necessary. 

Repeat Brew Cycle with Tap Water

Repeat the brew cycle, but this time, fill the reservoir with water from the tap. It may feel like some sort of deja-vu but repeat this step at least once or twice to make sure your coffee maker has been rid of all that "magical" cleaning solution. Keep the reservoir lid open for an ample amount of time to avoid moisture collecting inside. 

Wash Removable Parts and Wipe Down Coffee Maker

Now that you've flushed out the darkness inside your coffee maker, it's high time to give your coffee maker's external facade a deep clean as well. Wipe down the exterior of your coffee maker using Lola® Anti-microbial Clean N' Wipe™ Cloth, which can inhibit the growth of bacteria and germs. Wash all the removable parts such as the carafe and filter baskets. Finish it off by drying them all with Wowables® Reusable & Biodegradable Paper Towels. 

You may consider deep-cleaning your coffee maker at least once a week. In doing so, you are assured that you can enjoy a clean cup of freshly brewed coffee with your morning bagel, of which I can also share with you a good recipe. But first, let me finish my cup of coffee.