Monthly Archives: August 2014

Welcome to Grande Decor blog

Joe and Stephanie Gillin welcome you to their remodeling and interior design blog.

Located in Springfield PA, Grande Decor provides a full range of construction services including whole house renovations, bathroom and kitchen remodels, new additions and much more. Using design/remodel processes, we have a proven record of satisfying our clients, meeting deadlines and staying within budget. We invite you to review our portfolio, read what our clients have had to say, and then contact us to learn how we can make your renovation or new home construction a pleasant experience.

Top 10 Kitchen Cleaning Secrets

Here is a list of our Top Ten Kitchen Cleaning SECRETS:

  1. Microwave interior:  place 5-7 wet paper towels in the microwave.  Run the appliance on high for 3-5 minutes.  The steam from the paper towels will soften grim.  Once the towels cool, wipe down the interior!
  2. Garbage Disposal:   to disinfect and give your garbage disposal a deep clean, grid a dozen ice cubes made of equal parts water and vinegar.
  3. Stone Countertop Stains:  to remove most coffee or juice stains use a little hydrogen peroxide in water, plus a few drops of ammonia.
  4. Tile Backsplash:  to get a like new feel for your backsplash tiles, mix half a cup of baking soda into two gallons of water. Then scrub with a sponge.
  5. Wood Floors:   in a bucket, mix nine parts warm water with 1 part white vinegar and mop to make the floor shine like new.
  6. Oven Glass:  please  refer to:  the ask anna blog for this one!  It is a great tip!
  7.  Dish Towels:  to get rid of a mildew smell wash them, in the washer, with hot water and some white vinegar…only.  Then dryer sheet dry them.
  8. Stove Burners:  Take about 1/4 cup of ammonia and seal it up with one of the burners in a large ziploc bag.  You only need a little ammonia in the bag.  You are not trying to soak the burner… you just want to seal it up with the ammonia fumes.  Let it sit over night (outside) on a cookie sheet.  The next day, wipe them down with a sponge.
  9. Stainless Steel Sink:  sprinkle baking soda in the sink and with a warm wet sponge “buff” in a circular motion the sink.  Rinse.
  10. Stainless Steel Appliances:  warm water on a sponge and cream of tartar.  Wipe with a white towel after.

Tips and Tricks for Cleaning and Sealing Your Granite Countertops

Cleaning and Sealing your granite countertops:

You will be happy to hear just how easy it is to do an annual cleaning and sealing of your granite counter(s).

1. First clean your countertop thoroughly using a natural cleaner. Never clean with any product containing acid, lemon, or bleach. Acids, even a light solution of vinegar and water, will eventually etch and damage natural stone. Do not use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.

2. Now apply the stone sealer. Stone sealers will need to be reapplied as soon as you notice water no longer stands (beads up) on the surface.

Simple and quick way to shine and seal your natural stone countertop

Simple and quick way to shine and seal your natural stone countertop

Tips:

-I use a sealer and cleaner on our slate tops, which eliminates one of the two steps. It is called “Cleaner/Re-Sealer” by StoneSpecific.

-Make sure you buy a spray cleaner and/or sealer conducive of your countertop material. For example; we have a honed slate material, so I buy a product with that description. Whereas someone with polished granite should look for a natural stone cleaner/sealer.