Lola Clean Freaks

Your oven might be an integral part of your kitchen, but it’s also one of the hardest to clean. There are so many surfaces, places where dirt and grease can hide, and hard-to-reach areas that cleaning your oven will require a little more effort than cleaning other parts of your home. A dirty oven can be unsightly and dangerous, not to mention gross and smelly. There are several ways to clean an oven, but you’ll want to make sure you go about it the right way if you want your oven to remain in good shape and thoroughly clean without damage or risk of harm to yourself. The following are five easy steps on how to thoroughly clean an oven.

Step 1 - Remove as much gunk as possible

The first step to a clean oven is removing as much grime and gunk as possible. This means taking everything out of the oven, including the racks, and giving it a good scrub. Start by spraying down the inside of the oven with a degreaser or all-purpose cleaner and letting it sit for a few minutes. Then, use a sponge or scrub brush like the Pot Brite™ All-Purpose Scrub Sponge to remove any caked-on food or grease. 

Step 2 - Soak with ammonia

If you have any particularly stubborn spots or hardened dirt, you may want to use ammonia -- a very effective cleaning agent, but it can be dangerous if used improperly. Be sure to open all the windows and doors in your kitchen before starting, and wear gloves and a mask while you work. Soak a Lola® Natural Cellulose Scrub Sponge in ammonia, then gently apply it to the inside of the oven. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes, then wipe away the grime.

Step 3 - Scrub off residue

Make a paste out of baking soda and water. Next, apply the paste to the oven surface and let it sit for about 15 minutes. After that, use a Lola® Scrub N' Wipe Boss to scrub off any residue. Finally, rinse the surface with warm water and dry it with a Reusable & Biodegradable Wowables® Paper Towel. For tough stains, mix dish soap and baking soda together into a paste before applying it to the oven surface.

Step 4 - Deodorize, deodorize, deodorize

You may be surprised to learn that there are a few simple household ingredients that can effectively clean and deodorize your oven. Baking soda, vinegar, and lemon are all great options. Simply mix equal parts baking soda and vinegar together to form a paste, then spread it on the inside of your oven. Let it sit for a few hours, then wipe it away with a damp Lola® Jumbo Microfiber Cleaning Cloth. For extra deodorizing power, you can add a few drops of lemon essential oil to the mixture.

Step 5 - Prevent buildup from happening again

The best way to prevent a mess is to avoid it altogether. But since that's not always possible, here are some tips for cleaning your oven and keeping it clean: 

• Use oven liners. These can be found at most hardware stores and will catch drips and spills, making them much easier to clean. 
• Wipe up spills as soon as they happen. The longer they sit, the harder they'll be to clean. 
• Don't use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners on your oven. They may seem like they're doing the job, but you're only hurting yourself in the long run. They could leave residue behind and cause more work later on.
• Keep your oven shiny by wiping down the walls regularly with soap and water.

Cleaning an oven isn’t the most fun activity in the world, but it can be made easier with the right tools and techniques. With the effective, yet simple, steps above, you can clean your oven thoroughly. So, get started!

There’s nothing like getting ready to cook dinner and opening your refrigerator to find it an utter disaster. Crumbs, mold, and mysterious stains galore are the last things you want to see when it’s time to whip up some food in the kitchen. Refrigerators can harbor bacteria, molds, and stains if not maintained properly. A dirty refrigerator can negatively affect the taste of your food and make you ill, so it’s important to clean out your refrigerator regularly to keep your family safe from illness-causing bacteria. According to experts, here are some guidelines on how often you should clean out your refrigerator to maintain food safety and freshness!

Go Through Once Every 3–4 Weeks

Many of us open our fridge to find spoiled food, leftovers that have turned an unappetizing color, and items we forgot about. A clean refrigerator not only makes it easier to find things when you need them, but it can also help prevent food-borne illnesses like listeria. 

Toss Condiments After 1–2 Months

If it’s been sitting around for longer than that, it’s likely past its prime—even if you’ve never opened it. While you can refrigerate opened condiments indefinitely, the quality of unopened condiments deteriorates with time. Buy smaller containers (e.g., ketchup packets) or use small freezer bags so that only what you need for a recipe remains in your fridge at any given time.

Store Eggs Outside the Fridge

The egg tray in your refrigerator door has just one purpose in life—to keep your eggs safe and fresh, right? Wrong. Most refrigerators produce harmful gases that can make eggs spoil faster. To maintain egg freshness longer, store them outside of your fridge! Just keep them out of sunlight and away from other food items so they don’t pick up their flavors. If you're really concerned about spoiling eggs, you can also add a teaspoon of salt to the water before boiling the eggs to increase their shelf life by an extra day or two.

Don’t Forget About Cheese

While meat and produce both need to be rotated through weekly, it’s important not to forget about your dairy products. Milk can last up to seven days after opening, but sour cream and cottage cheese can spoil in as little as three. To keep your fridge running smoothly, make sure you’re paying attention to these types of products too.

Create Schedules for Vegetables and Fruit

By planning out your produce purchases and ensuring that you’re following them, you’ll make sure that you always have access to fresh foods. To keep your refrigerator organized, create schedules for how often you should clean it out. Keep in mind that meats need to be cooked or frozen within three days; vegetables and fruit can last up to seven days if they’re properly stored.

Eat Leftovers Before They Go Bad

With so many people working late or not being home for dinner, it’s easy to get in a habit of throwing away leftovers. Leftovers may seem like they won’t be good after sitting around in your fridge overnight, but as long as you heat them up thoroughly and don’t add too much extra sauce, they can still taste delicious.

The tips above are just some of the effective ways to maintain your refrigerator. In addition to them, don't forget to regularly wipe down the shelves using a Lola® Jumbo Microfiber Cleaning Cloth with hot soapy water or some lemon juice mixed with salt or baking soda. Give the inside of the door a good scrubbing as well. This will keep smells from building up in your fridge!

Laptops are great because they’re portable, but if you don’t take care of your laptop screen, it won’t be portable for very long. Keeping your laptop in tip-top shape is important if you want to be able to use it for many years. Cleaning your laptop screen can be intimidating because it requires the use of cleaning supplies that could potentially damage it if used incorrectly. To clean your laptop screen safely, follow these simple steps below, and you’ll never have to worry about whether or not you’re doing it correctly again!

What you need

Before attempting any cleaning, it’s a good idea to gather the necessary tools. Great news! You're only going to need a Lola® Anti-microbial Clean N' Wipe™ Cloth and a Lola® Jumbo Microfiber Cleaning Cloth. You may also opt to add to your list a glass cleaner or rubbing alcohol. Glass cleaners or rubbing alcohol won’t leave any residue like soap will, and it won’t cause any damage if you accidentally get some on your screen. Most importantly, make sure you are not using anything abrasive on your screen. While scrubs can get rid of dirt and grime, they are known for scratching sensitive computer screens. If you're concerned about screen scratches from cleaning products or dust build-up in general, put your laptop in its case while you clean it; that way, nothing will come into contact with your screen unless it already has. 

How to do it

Put your laptop in sleep mode (or better yet, turn it off completely), which will help keep it cool and avoid disturbing its internal components. Remove any external accessories such as a hard drive or charger that might get wet during cleaning and avoid using a laptop in direct sunlight, which can damage its screen. Use the anti-microbial cloth to gently wipe away fingerprints from your screen. Feel free to spray on some glass cleaner or rubbing alcohol if you feel like doing so. For tougher smudges, use a side of your microfiber cloth to buff off grime. Wipe down your screen again with the microfiber cloth to remove any streaks left behind by your damp cloth. Finish up by giving your computer keyboard and trackpad a quick once over. Never spray directly onto either surface because doing so could ruin them permanently—instead, spray cleaner into a separate cloth first and then use that to clean each surface. Be sure not to rub too vigorously when wiping down these areas since they are sensitive touchscreens made up of thousands of tiny pixels that can be damaged easily through excessive rubbing or scrubbing.

What you should keep in mind

• A microfiber cloth is extremely useful when it comes to cleaning laptops. The cloths are lint-free and won’t leave behind fibers that could possibly scratch your screen.
• Avoid using paper towels when cleaning a laptop screen. Surprisingly, they may scratch your screen.
• Applying pressure or rubbing in circular motions while you clean your laptop screen can lead to scratches, so take care not to scrub too hard or for too long on any one section of your computer screen.
• Oily foods are some of the worst offenders when it comes to leaving behind smudges on your screen, which can make them difficult to remove even with proper precautions.

It's true that the recommended steps on taking care of laptop units would vary for each manufacturer. But the above tips are still generally safe ways of cleaning your screens, no need to worry about voiding your warranties!

Cleaning your home can seem like a never-ending task, especially if you’re the only one doing it in your family. It’s easy to get down on yourself and lose motivation, but when you focus on how clean your home is, you’ll be able to push through those days when you just want to sit around and do nothing. However, there are some areas that even the most motivated cleaners sometimes overlook or don’t know they need to clean at all!

These can get dirty over time due to dust, pet hair and other things floating around your home. If you don’t clean them regularly, they’ll start collecting even more germs and dirt, which will lead to a buildup of bacteria in your home. Take some old rags or Wowables® Reusable & Biodegradable Paper Towels, and wipe down your air vents every couple of months. It may sound like overkill but it will keep everything clean so it doesn’t smell bad or look disgusting when guests come over. 

Not all fans are created equal. While many of us clean them on a regular basis, we often forget about what happens when dust and dirt build up in them over time. A dirty ceiling fan is no different than any other place in your home: it can harbor dust mites, mildew and mold that can lead to respiratory issues. Fortunately, cleaning a ceiling fan is simple and very easy.

Toilet tank

Keeping your toilet tank sparkling clean is essential, especially if you have hard water. Hard water leaves mineral deposits on surfaces like sinks and tubs, so it makes sense that it would also leave its mark in your toilet’s tank. Start by cleaning any visible stains with vinegar and then add a disinfectant. Let it sit for about 30 minutes before flushing. When you next flush, take note of how clean everything looks—no more cloudy residue!

The inside of your dryer

Did you know that it’s also important to clean your dryer? Using too much fabric softener and leaving wet clothing inside for long periods of time can cause mold, mildew, and other build-up in a dryer that can lead to extensive problems later on. If you notice an odor coming from your clothes or if they come out discolored, check for odors or residue around your dryer and take care of any issues immediately. If possible, run an empty load without heat through once a month to keep lint build-up minimal.

Behind your bed frame

Tucked away behind your bed frame is a great place for dust bunnies and other filth to hide. Don’t know what I’m talking about? Take a look at your box spring and headboard—you might be surprised. Use a Swiffer® 360° Extender Duster Comparable Starter Kit by Lola® to remove dirt. And while you’re under there, check out all of your wires—they get quite gross! Disconnect them from behind your bed frame and clean each one individually with a Lola® Anti-microbial Clean N' Wipe™ Cloth.

Underneath your refrigerator

Every few months, it’s a good idea to take off your fridge’s bottom kick plate and wipe down underneath with either vinegar or soapy water. Doing so will help keep any weird smells from developing in addition to prolonging your refrigerator’s life. 

Inside your trash cans

Chances are good that your garbage cans need a clean. Consider replacing your trash bags with high-quality ones that help keep odors locked in and make sure you don’t have flies buzzing around trying to get into them. Also, it’s best to change out your trash cans every three months or so—that way they won’t start smelling funky too!

Cleaning your home seems like it would be easy enough to do, but with all the different surfaces, corners, and hiding places in your home, you may have missed a spot or two that could use some scrubbing or dusting from time to time. Take note of the items and areas mentioned above and make sure to give them all a good cleaning after reading this article!

When it comes to cleaning floors, mops are an essential tool for the job. From small jobs to big messes, there are many different kinds of flooring, and so many different types of mops that can be used on each type. Microfiber mops are extremely popular because they’re such versatile tools, and they make a great choice in homes with pets or kids, as well as businesses like restaurants or schools. Here’s what you need to know about microfiber mops, including their benefits and uses, where to find them, and how to get the most out of them!

What are microfiber mops?

You may be familiar with traditional, string mops (like the Lola® Cotton Deck Mop and the Lola® Cotton Floor Wet Mop with Scuff Remover™), which are often made of cotton or synthetic fibers and require cleaning by hand. While these tools are still very useful, a newer option is available for those who want an even easier approach: microfiber mops. These convenient tools eliminate cleaning solutions altogether; instead, they use strands of looped microfibers that reach deep into grout lines and other spots that can be difficult to clean otherwise. Though somewhat similar in appearance, microfiber mops are not the same as common dust mop options; microfiber strings have way more absorbency than cotton strands and can hold up to 12 times their weight in water alone! 

What makes them different and why are they effective?

Microfiber mops are capable of collecting dust, grime and bacteria without using harmful chemicals. This makes them ideal for use on finished floors made from natural products such as wood or tile because it doesn’t add any extra cleaning agent that can strip their finish. Microfiber mop heads also feature a spongy material which means they pick up more dirt than cloth versions, making them an efficient and cost-effective choice for keeping your home clean. Their softness also means you won’t have to worry about scuffing your floors when mopping which is especially important if you own an expensive hardwood floor.

How can they make you more productive?

You should always make sure your work surfaces are clean before starting, but if you have a microfiber mop, there’s no need to ever take out a broom. With a Swiffer® Sweeper® Comparable Wet & Dry Sweeper Floor Mop Starter Kit by Lola® (with readily available wet and dry refills that you can stock up on), you'll have an effective tool for cleaning hard surfaces because it won’t leave streaks behind. When dust and dirt land on microfiber strands, they simply roll right off. 

How can they save your time and energy?

A well-maintained home is everyone’s dream, but not everyone has ample time to clean their homes. If you are looking for a more efficient way of cleaning your floors, microfiber mops are a good choice. With the Lola® Microfiber Spritz n' Mop, you'll have a spray-and-mop mechanism that you can use directly on your floors without leaving a trail of dirt behind. Aside from being easy to use, you can simply use water for its spray capability—it also won’t scratch your floors! 

Mopping floors is a chore. Even if you love your home, it can be hard to keep clean when you’re busy with work and life. That’s why it makes sense to get a floor cleaning tool that can do some of the work for you. Microfiber mops are one option that makes getting rid of dirt and grime fast and easy, leaving you more time in your day for what matters most!

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!