Household items you can clean with just soap and water.

By emily.bailey

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Household items you can clean with just soap and water | Schlage

Here’s how you can clean your Schlage locks – and some other common household items – with just a bit of soap and water.

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At Schlage, we like simple. That goes for everything we use daily in our homes, including locks. We aim for simplicity when we’re installing new technology, enhancing curb appeal or cleaning those hard-to-get spots in the kitchen we’d rather not even think about. So that’s why we love how easy it is to maintain the look and function of our locks. Here’s how you can clean your Schlage locks – and some other common household items – with just a bit of soap and water.

Hand with rubber glove holding household cleaner.

Photo by JESHOOTS.COM via Unsplash

Smart lock touchscreen

All you need to install your smart lock is a screwdriver, and all you need to clean it is a bit of mild soap, such as a dishwashing liquid, and warm water. Use the mixture to rinse the touchscreen, then wipe it down with a damp, lukewarm cloth to remove any soap. We told you it was simple.

Find more tips on cleaning your smart lock and earn which materials to avoid so you can keep your deadbolt in beautiful working order here.

Deadbolts

You can also use a mild dish soap and warm water to remote dirt and grime from the bolt of your deadbolt, whether you have a smart lock or a mechanical lock. This can help if your deadbolt is sticking or beginning to slow down.

Marble countertops

It’s tempting to use heavy duty cleaner on marble countertops given that they tend to be in germ-infested bathrooms or food-splattered kitchens. But to keep them looking great, it’s best to stick with simple soap and water. Acidic cleaners can leave etchings in the marble, causing them to lose their smoothness and shine. Check out Forbes’ detailed tips for cleaning your marble countertops and tile.

Letterboard with clean house quote.

Photo by Jonathan Francisca via Unsplash

Stainless steel appliances

There are lots of ways to remove all those fingerprints and smudges on stainless steel appliances. One is a basic mixture of soap and water, followed by baby oil. Visit HGTV.com for more instructions and suggestions to get your stainless steel shining like new.

Windows

If you’re relying solely on glass cleaner to shine your windows, you’re missing out. When windows get especially grimy, start with a mixture of water and dishwashing liquid. Rinse away the suds. Then, if needed, break out the glass cleaner for extra gleam.

Patio furniture

Dishwashing liquid for your deck chairs? Absolutely! Scrub plastic or metal patio furniture with a nylon pad, soap and water, then hose it all down when you’re finished. Check out more sudsy outdoor cleaning suggestions from here.

Carpet stains

For those pesky stains that just won’t come out of the rug, it’s dishwashing liquid to the rescue again. The Spruce suggests one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap added to two cups of warm water. Dab the stubborn spot with a clean towel moistened with your mixture, and repeat as often as necessary until the stain comes out.

Do you have other quick and easy ways for removing dirt in your home? Share your cleaning and curb appeal tips with us on Facebook or Instagram.