cleaning guide - Edinboro University

CABINETS
To remove stubborn dirt, wash around all handles and any other grease zones first with hand dishwashing
detergent. Then wash the entire cabinet, including the handle areas, with an oil soap solution. Just wipe
lightly with the solution and buff dry immediately with a terry cleaning cloth. Always wipe dry with any grain
or pattern. Seldom do you need to add any polish because the surface has its own sheen when clean. If
your cabinets are dull from wear or age, spray furniture polish very lightly once a year or so to fill in the
pores and bring back some life.
CARPET
If you enjoy going barefoot, or even if you don't, kick your shoes off at the door. Why remove your
shoes? If you have a rough board that needs smoothing, you grab a sheet of sandpaper for the job.
Guess what's on the bottom of your shoes? Sand and dirt grind away at the fibers in your carpet,
leading to an early death.
Take a closer look at the bottoms of those shoes and you'll find oil, dirt and heaven only knows how
many bits of leftover dog deposits. Small wonder why your carpet stubbornly refuses to come clean.
Do wear slippers or socks inside. The oil from the bottom of your feet also dirties the carpet.
Vacuum your carpet regularly, and do not use liquid carpet shampoos to clean them. Ever wash your
hair and forget to rinse out all the shampoo? The same thing happens to your carpet. The shampoo
can't be completely rinsed out, leaving a sticky residue. That residue acts like a big magnet pulling the
dirt from the bottom of your shoes. Now you have clean shoes and even dirtier carpets. Use dry carpet
cleaners instead. Stores selling vacuum cleaners carry dry carpet cleaners.
Stains in carpet can be a hassle to remove. Never rub a stain, just blot. Rubbing breaks down the fibers
and spreads the stain. Remove most food stains with shaving cream. Spray on and resist the
temptation to rub it in, and then let it set for 15 minutes. Rinse with a vinegar and water solution.
Housekeeping has carpet cleaning machines. Notify Residence Life if you have a heavily soiled area
that needs to be cleaned and we will coordinate cleaning of the carpet with Housekeeping.
COUNTERTOPS
Never use abrasive cleansers or steel wool on laminate countertops.
For general cleaning, a two-sided scrubbing pad with fiber on one side and a sponge on the other
works particularly well. Moistened slightly with water, the fiber side is just abrasive enough to loosen
greasy smears and other soil.
Use hand dishwashing detergent and water to wipe off countertops daily.
FAUCETS
To ensure the long-lasting beauty of your faucets, we recommend that you use a mild soap solution
and a soft cloth for cleaning. After cleaning, rinse and blot dry with a soft cloth. The use of abrasive or
acid cleaners, polishes or solvents may permanently damage the finish.
Report any problems or repair needs to the Highlands staff immediately.
FURNITURE
Sofas, chairs and loveseats: Use Water-Based Cleaner. Spot clean this fabric with the foam only of a
water-based cleaning agent such as a mild detergent or commercial upholstery shampoo. Use sparingly.
Avoid over-wetting.
Case Goods: Any household cleaner such as Windex can be used on the metal and laminate parts of
the product. Furniture polish should not be used on these parts. Furniture polish such as Pledge
should be used for the wood surfaces on the chairs and dressers.