Got a stubborn stain that just won’t budge? Read our experts’ top spot-busting tips, from kitchen grease to everyday messes and even those unexpected cleaning challenges. And, check out a few Brite Ideas from our readers.
A fresh manicure and a sink full of dirty dishes don't always mix. To preserve your
polish, wear rubber kitchen gloves while washing dishes and performing other household
tasks. Keep a bottle of moisturizing lotion near the sink and reapply frequently
to your hands. As an added precaution, use a
Scotch-Brite™ Ultra Nail Saver Absorbent Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™
Ultra Nail Saver Absorbent Scrub Sponge.
Special care for steel
Never let stainless steel flatware soak in water. Prolonged exposure to acidic foods,
dairy and salt can cause damage. Wash them quickly with a
Scotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™
Non-Scratch Scrub Sponge and store them in a drawer away from plastics
and other utensils.
Some like it hot
Some don't. It's imperative to use hot water while hand washing dishes, but if the
temperature is too much for your skin, wear rubber kitchen gloves while you wash.
Sprinkle the inside of each glove with baking soda to absorb and prevent odours from transferring
to your hands. Use a
Scotch-Brite™ Soap Dispensing DishwandScotch-Brite™
Soap Dispensing Dishwand to clean most dishes. It has a long handle
that will help keep your hands scald-free.
Reuse the news
It's best to let glassware drip dry, but if you must do it by hand, use newspapers
that are a few days old (so the ink is dry) to polish glass vases or candlesticks
for a streak-free shine. To wash especially delicate glassware, try a
Scotch-Brite™ Delicate Care Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™
Delicate Care Scrub Sponge.
After using your
Scotch-Brite™ Heavy Duty Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™ Heavy
Duty Scrub Sponge to clean a load of extra-dirty dishes, take the
stink out of your sink by grinding citrus fruit rinds, ice cubes and running water
through your garbage disposal for a clean, fresh scent.
Dish ran away with the spoon
When aluminum flatware comes in contact with dishes, they can leave black and gray
marks. Scrub dishes with a
Scotch-Brite™ Dobie™ Cleaning PadScotch-Brite™ Dobie™ Cleaning
Pad and dishwashing liquid to remove marks and be sure to keep dishes
and utensils well-separated in the dishwasher.
Enemy of the plate
Caked-on dirt, grease and food remains are already tough to remove from dishware.
To make it easier, fill a dishpan with warm, soapy water and deposit soiled dishes
and utensils in to soak until you get a chance to wash them. Then use a
Scotch-Brite™ Soap Dispensing DishwandScotch-Brite™ Soap
Dispensing Dishwand to remove the rest.
Spotless silverware
To make sure utensils get really clean in the dishwasher, rinse them and quickly
sponge off large food particles with a
Scotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch
Scrub Sponge. Stack silverware in the dishwasher half with handles
facing up and half with handles facing down to allow soap and water to pass through
easily.
Sparkling ceramics
Ceramic sinks need gentle care, even for tough dirt. Use a mild liquid or cream
cleanser and a
Scotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch
Scrub Sponge to clean the entire basin. For stubborn stains and scuff
marks, soak your sponge in club soda instead.
Before storing heavy foods, soups or sauces in plastic containers, quickly spray
them with a thin coat of non-stick cooking oil to prevent staining and odours. It
will also make them a breeze to wash and freshen with a
Scotch-Brite™ Soap Dispensing DishwandScotch-Brite™ Soap
Dispensing Dishwand.
A pain in the drain
If runoff from your drain board cant make the leap over the side of a sink with
a lip, flip a butter dish or use a clean, rubber door wedge to prop up the opposite
side. The added height will allow water to drain over the hump and right back into
the sink. Keep drain board dampness at bay with a dry
Scotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch
Scrub Sponge to prevent mold.
Kettle calling the pot black
Cook tomatoes or other acidic foods in discolored aluminum pots and pans to remove
dark stains and marks. Then scour them with a
Scotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch Scour PadScotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch
Scour Pad to restore their finish and sheen.
A dish in the hand is worth two in the sink
Tackle hand-washing a sink full of dirty dishes starting with the easiest items
(like glasses and flatware) and working your way to more heavily soiled items (like
pots and pans). Let the dirtiest dishes soak in hot, soapy water while you wash
with a Scotch-Brite™ Ultra NailSaver™ Absorbent Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™ Ultra NailSaver™ Absorbent Scrub Sponge
- Heavy Duty, to loosen up caked-on food and grease so theyll be easier to clean
at the end.
Dread doing the dishes every day? Make it more therapeutic by infusing some aromatherapy
into your task. Choose dishwashing liquids with appealing and soothing scents like
lemon or lavender, and use a soft
Scotch-BriteTM Delicate Care Scrub SpongeScotch-BriteTM
Delicate Care Scrub Sponge for easy cleaning.
Say ta-ta to tarnish
To remove tarnish from most pots and pans, rub a generous amount of ketchup or Worcester
sauce over affected areas. Then wipe them clean with a
Scotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch Scour PadScotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch
Scour Pad.
To clean your toilet, scrub it down with a
Scotch-Brite™ Disposable Toilet ScrubberScotch-Brite™ Disposable
Toilet Scrubber. Its all-in-one cleaning power is all you need! Don't
forget to reach it under the rim and toss the scrubber head when you're done.
Free up the fridge
Refrain from posting messages, photos and cards on your stainless steel refrigerator.
Create a separate message board instead and keep stainless steel looking brilliant
by using the
Scotch-Brite™ Stainless Steel CleanerScotch-Brite™ Stainless
Steel Cleaner to buff your fridge on a weekly basis.
Avoid a yucky rubber ducky
Invest in a simple bathroom organizer to house children's toys, shampoo bottles,
soap and the like. Leaving these items strewn around the shower floor or tub encourages
the formation of mold and mildew both on the items and in the rest of your shower
or bath. Store the organizer at arms reach and keep your bathroom shining with a
Scotch-Brite™ Shower & Bath ScrubberScotch-Brite™ Shower
& Bath Scrubber.
Make a greener cleaner
Try this recipe for an all-purpose cleaning solution that's also easy on the environment:
1 teaspoon of vegetable oil-based laundry detergent, 1 teaspoon of laundry
detergent, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and 1 quart of hot water. Use it with
any
Scotch-Brite™ Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™ Scrub Sponge
to attack household messes.
Master any mess floor to ceiling
Power through each room starting from the top, and working your way down to the
bottom. Start by cleaning cobwebs, dust and dirt from the ceiling with a Scotch-Brite™
Dusting Cloth, and end with sweeping or washing the floor with a
Scotch-Brite™ Hardwood Floor DusterScotch-Brite™ Hardwood
Floor Duster.
Teach young children how to do chores on their own by modifying tasks to help them
learn. For example, have a child put an old sock over their hand to help dust while
you use a
Scotch-Brite™ Hardwood Floor DusterScotch-Brite™ Hardwood
Floor Duster. Make a game of it when you have a group of helpers
for even more fun.
Into the cooking glass
Remove tough burnt-on food from glass cook tops with a new razor blade in a hand-held
paint scraper. Gently scrape off gunk and wipe it away with a soft cloth. Follow
up by cleaning the entire surface with a
Scotch-Brite™ Cook Top CleanerScotch-Brite™ Cook Top Cleaner.
Pick up hot spots
Clean icky oven spills quickly and easily by sprinkling them with table salt while
the oven is still warm. Once the oven cools, lift the spot with a moistened
Scotch-Brite™ Dobie™ Cleaning PadScotch-Brite™ Dobie™ Cleaning
Pad.
Make delinquent doodles disappear
Stubborn crayon marks and marker stains are a snap to remove with the right tools.
Simply dip a
Scotch-Brite™ Easy Erasing PadScotch-Brite™ Easy Erasing
Pad in warm water, wipe and watch marks disappear.
See spot run
Dip a
Scotch-Brite™ Delicate Care Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™ Delicate
Care Scrub Sponge into a gallon of water mixed with a squeeze or
two of dishwashing liquid. Wring out the excess and use it to spot-clean delicate
wallpaper. "Rinse off" the solution by using a second sponge dampened in plain water.
To remove food residue in fridges and freezers fast, soak a dishtowel in a solution
of 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 quart of hot water. Drape the cloth over the
dried-on food and let it sit for at least 20 minutes. After you pull it off, wipe
away the food with a damp, soapy
Scotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch
Scrub Sponge.
The chicken or the egg
To reduce the likelihood of cross-contamination, designate one sponge for washing
dishes and another for wiping up raw food like meats or poultry. Use a Scotch-Brite™
Soap Dispensing Dishwand for dishes, and a
Scotch-Brite™ Heavy Duty Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™ Heavy
Duty Scrub Sponge for raw materials.
Wood is tops for chops
Hardwood cutting boards are the most sanitary option when it comes to slicing and
dicing. Knife marks in plastic versions trap tough-to-kill bacteria, whereas the
germs on wood surfaces die almost immediately after washing. Scour all cutting boards
with disinfectant soap and a
Scotch-Brite™ Heavy Duty Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™ Heavy
Duty Scrub Sponge.
Recruit a cleaning crew
The most important part of having kids isthat they double as mother's little helpers!
Children ages 3 to 5 can pick up toys and help de-clutter surfaces like tables and
countertops. Children ages 6 to 8 can set a table, keep their rooms clean and take
out the garbage. From 9 to 11, they can unload the dishwasher, wash the car and
perform yard work. Teenagers and older children can do just about anything you can,
especially their own laundry (good luck). Adults can use
Scotch-Brite™ ProductsScotch-Brite™ Products.
Wax on, spots off
Apply a thin layer of car wax to the walls and door of your shower twice per year
with a
Scotch-Brite™ Delicate Care Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™ Delicate
Care Scrub Sponge. The wax prevents unattractive water spots from
forming and makes for easier cleaning. Skip the floors so you wont slip!
Leave a small basket of old towels and a few
Scotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch Scour PadsScotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch
Scour Pads by the door. Encourage guests and family members with
wet and dirty shoes to clean them up before entering the house. The scour pads rough
texture is especially good for cleaning rugged boot soles.
Put some pep in your step
Make a "cleaning playlist" to listen to while you perform household chores with
your favorite
Scotch-Brite™ ProductsScotch-Brite™ Products.
Blast it from a centrally located stereo system or portable music device with headphones
to keep you motivated while you clean. Include tunes that have meaning to your task
like "Come Clean," by Hilary Duff or "Fresh," by Kool & the Gang.
Simmer some cinnamon
After cleaning your kitchen with a
Scotch-Brite™ Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™ Scrub Sponge,
kill stubborn household odours by cooking 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon and 1 teaspoon
of nutmeg with tap water in a saucepan. The warm, sweet scent will fill your kitchen
and beyond to chase away unpleasant smells.
The scene of the grime.
Keep your stove top in tip-top shape. Use a fresh Scotch-Brite™ Delicate Care Scrub
Sponge as a spoon rest while you cook to prevent spills for easy cleanup. If you
do spill, try the
Scotch-Brite™ Cook Top CleanerScotch-Brite™ Cook Top Cleaner
for a sparkly smooth surface.
To clean your toilet, scrub it down with a
Scotch-Brite™ Disposable Toilet ScrubberScotch-Brite™ Disposable
Toilet Scrubber. Its all-in-one cleaning power is all you need! Don't
forget to reach it under the rim and toss the scrubber head when you're done.
Free up the fridge
Refrain from posting messages, photos and cards on your stainless steel refrigerator.
Create a separate message board instead and keep stainless steel looking brilliant
by using the
Scotch-Brite™ Stainless Steel CleanerScotch-Brite™ Stainless
Steel Cleaner to buff your fridge on a weekly basis.
Avoid a yucky rubber ducky
Invest in a simple bathroom organizer to house children's toys, shampoo bottles,
soap and the like. Leaving these items strewn around the shower floor or tub encourages
the formation of mold and mildew both on the items and in the rest of your shower
or bath. Store the organizer at arms reach and keep your bathroom shining with a
Scotch-Brite™ Shower & Bath ScrubberScotch-Brite™ Shower
& Bath Scrubber.
Make a greener cleaner
Try this recipe for an all-purpose cleaning solution that's also easy on the environment:
1 teaspoon of vegetable oil-based laundry detergent, 1 teaspoon of laundry
detergent, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and 1 quart of hot water. Use it with
any
Scotch-Brite™ Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™ Scrub Sponge
to attack household messes.
Master any mess floor to ceiling
Power through each room starting from the top, and working your way down to the
bottom. Start by cleaning cobwebs, dust and dirt from the ceiling with a Scotch-Brite™
Dusting Cloth, and end with sweeping or washing the floor with a
Scotch-Brite™ Hardwood Floor DusterScotch-Brite™ Hardwood
Floor Duster.
Teach young children how to do chores on their own by modifying tasks to help them
learn. For example, have a child put an old sock over their hand to help dust while
you use a
Scotch-Brite™ Hardwood Floor DusterScotch-Brite™ Hardwood
Floor Duster. Make a game of it when you have a group of helpers
for even more fun.
Into the cooking glass
Remove tough burnt-on food from glass cook tops with a new razor blade in a hand-held
paint scraper. Gently scrape off gunk and wipe it away with a soft cloth. Follow
up by cleaning the entire surface with a
Scotch-Brite™ Cook Top CleanerScotch-Brite™ Cook Top Cleaner.
Pick up hot spots
Clean icky oven spills quickly and easily by sprinkling them with table salt while
the oven is still warm. Once the oven cools, lift the spot with a moistened
Scotch-Brite™ Dobie™ Cleaning PadScotch-Brite™ Dobie™ Cleaning
Pad.
Make delinquent doodles disappear
Stubborn crayon marks and marker stains are a snap to remove with the right tools.
Simply dip a
Scotch-Brite™ Easy Erasing PadScotch-Brite™ Easy Erasing
Pad in warm water, wipe and watch marks disappear.
See spot run
Dip a
Scotch-Brite™ Delicate Care Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™ Delicate
Care Scrub Sponge into a gallon of water mixed with a squeeze or
two of dishwashing liquid. Wring out the excess and use it to spot-clean delicate
wallpaper. "Rinse off" the solution by using a second sponge dampened in plain water.
To remove food residue in fridges and freezers fast, soak a dishtowel in a solution
of 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 quart of hot water. Drape the cloth over the
dried-on food and let it sit for at least 20 minutes. After you pull it off, wipe
away the food with a damp, soapy
Scotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch
Scrub Sponge.
The chicken or the egg
To reduce the likelihood of cross-contamination, designate one sponge for washing
dishes and another for wiping up raw food like meats or poultry. Use a Scotch-Brite™
Soap Dispensing Dishwand for dishes, and a
Scotch-Brite™ Heavy Duty Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™ Heavy
Duty Scrub Sponge for raw materials.
Wood is tops for chops
Hardwood cutting boards are the most sanitary option when it comes to slicing and
dicing. Knife marks in plastic versions trap tough-to-kill bacteria, whereas the
germs on wood surfaces die almost immediately after washing. Scour all cutting boards
with disinfectant soap and a
Scotch-Brite™ Heavy Duty Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™ Heavy
Duty Scrub Sponge.
Recruit a cleaning crew
The most important part of having kids isthat they double as mother's little helpers!
Children ages 3 to 5 can pick up toys and help de-clutter surfaces like tables and
countertops. Children ages 6 to 8 can set a table, keep their rooms clean and take
out the garbage. From 9 to 11, they can unload the dishwasher, wash the car and
perform yard work. Teenagers and older children can do just about anything you can,
especially their own laundry (good luck). Adults can use
Scotch-Brite™ ProductsScotch-Brite™ Products.
Wax on, spots off
Apply a thin layer of car wax to the walls and door of your shower twice per year
with a
Scotch-Brite™ Delicate Care Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™ Delicate
Care Scrub Sponge. The wax prevents unattractive water spots from
forming and makes for easier cleaning. Skip the floors so you wont slip!
Leave a small basket of old towels and a few
Scotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch Scour PadsScotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch
Scour Pads by the door. Encourage guests and family members with
wet and dirty shoes to clean them up before entering the house. The scour pads rough
texture is especially good for cleaning rugged boot soles.
Put some pep in your step
Make a "cleaning playlist" to listen to while you perform household chores with
your favorite
Scotch-Brite™ ProductsScotch-Brite™ Products.
Blast it from a centrally located stereo system or portable music device with headphones
to keep you motivated while you clean. Include tunes that have meaning to your task
like "Come Clean," by Hilary Duff or "Fresh," by Kool & the Gang.
Simmer some cinnamon
After cleaning your kitchen with a
Scotch-Brite™ Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™ Scrub Sponge,
kill stubborn household odours by cooking 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon and 1 teaspoon
of nutmeg with tap water in a saucepan. The warm, sweet scent will fill your kitchen
and beyond to chase away unpleasant smells.
The scene of the grime.
Keep your stove top in tip-top shape. Use a fresh Scotch-Brite™ Delicate Care Scrub
Sponge as a spoon rest while you cook to prevent spills for easy cleanup. If you
do spill, try the
Scotch-Brite™ Cook Top CleanerScotch-Brite™ Cook Top Cleaner
for a sparkly smooth surface.
Use a
Scotch-Brite™ Delicate Care Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™ Delicate
Care Scrub Sponge as a hammer buffer when removing nails or picture
hooks. Hold it between the hammer and the wall while you pull them out so you won't
leave scuff marks.
Stuff and puff
Create volume in curtain valances by filling them with clean
Scotch-Brite™ Easy Erasing PadsScotch-Brite™ Easy Erasing
Pads to achieve a puffed-up look. For lighter fabrics, keep the white
side of the pads facing outward so they won't show through.
Stop soap slip
Nothing's worse than a slippery bar of soap that keeps falling off its shower ledge.
Trim down a
Scotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch Scour PadScotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch
Scour Pad to fit the ledge and rest your bar of soap on top while
you wash. The pads stiff texture will keep even whittled-down soap pieces in place
and your ledge scum-free.
Soothing sponge compress
Aches and pains keeping you from cleaning? Toss a damp
Scotch-Brite™ SpongeScotch-Brite™ Sponge
in the fridge for a few hours and you'll have a cool, cushy compress to relieve soreness.
Cut through the goo
Moisten a
Scotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch
Scrub Sponge and use it to dampen stubborn wallpaper. It will help
loosen the glue so the panels will peel off more easily. The same technique can
be applied to price stickers stuck on store merchandise. Instead of water, dip the
sponge in olive oil and press over the sticker to remove.
Run out of dryer sheets? Simply soak a clean
Scotch-Brite™ SpongeScotch-Brite™ Sponge
in fabric softener and toss it in the washing machine with your dirty laundry to
keep clothes and linens soft and fresh.
Quicker than licking
Use a damp
Scotch-Brite™ Heavy Duty Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™ Heavy
Duty Scrub Sponge to moisten postage stamps and the glue strips on
envelopes. It's fast, easy and will save your tongue the trouble.
Clean jewelry catchall
Tiny earrings are easy to lose when theyre rolling around your jewelry drawer. Keep
a clean
Scotch-Brite™ Ultra NailSaver™ Absorbent Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™
Ultra NailSaver™ Absorbent Scrub Sponge in with your accessories
to use as a "pincushion" for earrings or small pins and broaches. Theyll be easier
to find and grab as your heading out the door for the day.
Get down and dirty
Use two clean
Scotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch Scrub SpongesScotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch
Scrub Sponges as kneepads while you scrub the floor or clean under
the bed. The padding will make completing your task much more comfortable.
Make a tidy tool belt
Collect a few necessary cleaning tools and products that you use most often, including
your
Scotch-Brite™ Scrub SpongesScotch-Brite™ Scrub Sponges,
and organize them in a standard tool belt or tie-apron with pockets. Wear it while
you work around the house so you'll always have what you need close at hand.
Using paper towels or a stick of butter to grease your baking pan can be messy and
time consuming. Instead, dip a
Scotch-Brite™ Delicate Care Scrub SpongeScotch-Brite™ Delicate
Care Scrub Sponge in olive oil and spread a thin, even coat over
its surface for an easier non-stick pan and non-stick hands.
