How Clean Is Your House?

[hollygolightly]

Anyone watch the new programme? Channel 4 Wednesday after "Location, location, location"?

Aren't those women fantastic!?

But can someone help me? I have a cleaning question:

How do you clean the bit in your oven that is at the very top (the bit above the element)? What can you use to make sure that the muck comes of the top but doesn't damage the elements?

Any suggestions anyone?

If I get some satisfactory answers, then I may post a DIY/ Painting poser next week.

[Jeannie]

Have absolutely no idea Holly. Oven cleaning not my speciality I'm afraid.

When I first bought my house I was given a book called "How to Fix Just about Anything" by Reader's Digest. It's a huge thing.

I never really needed to use it until this spring when my shed needed re-roofing so I thought I'd have a look to see what advice/materials I should use. I went to "Felt Roofing - Repair of" and the entry said "Consult a roofer". Hmmm .....

I shall have a look tonight to see if it's got any bright ideas on cleaning a cooker. Will probably say "Consult a Cooker Cleaning Firm". http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif

[Mistyeyeddreamer]

Sorry, holly, I haven't a clue http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif

Jeannie, I've got that book as well. It came in very handy when hubby put his foot through the ceiling when he was in the loft. He was going to pay someone to fix it but I showed him the book and he followed the instructions and did a fantastic job http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif Very handy book http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

Misty

[Jeannie]

I agree, Misty. It's packed with useful stuff. Just seems when I need the advice, it's always something that's not in there http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif

[Beth]

ok...my ideas


first make sure the cooker is off!!!

unplug if electric of course

spray mr muscle orange cleaner up on it it really gets grease off! I swear by it it!

then while thats soaking in, big bucket hot soapy water and a brush with a handle.
new loo brush would be ideal, or a bottle brush (one with bristles all round)

then dip and scrub!
plenty of towels or paper on the floor though!

the thinner the brush the more likley you will get it past the element

by the way....why????

no one can see that bit so why bother!!!

[spinkysay]

Beth - I'm impressed!!! I didn't even know which bit of the cooker Holly was talking about!

I have Mr Muscle orange cleaner but the smell is disgusting. I try all the new cleaning products like other gals try make up - but my house aint that clean, and tidyness just evades me. Can't stand dirty toilets or sinks though, no no no!

Yeah it's a good programme Holly and those women are funny. That poor bloke though, shown up with all his pupils watching. Bet he was ragged when they all saw it on tele!

[hollygolightly]

The oven is a built in one, with grill elements at the very top - you can't get behind (above) them with anything.

Beth, I need to clean it as what is happening is this:

If you put something in the oven, e.g. veggies for roasting in olive oil and balsamic vinegar, the oil heats up and splashes on the elements and beyond onto the "ceiling" of the oven. This oil is then stuck there and whenever you put the oven on it heats up and smokes (badly!).

It is ridiculous. I have tried everything. I can't stand the smell of the Mr M Orange - I have used Dr Beckman Oven Cleaner (which works brilliantly on everything else in the oven) but this just doesn't touch the bit at the top because I don't want to damage the elements and even if I did, there's still nothing I can use to reach the bit at the very top.

I am trying to create the image for you all here and I hope that has helped?

The programme is on tonight - can't wait. I think it's a woman who hasn't cleaned her house for yonks...!

[Matthew]

I haven't a clue......! http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

But, what about one of those power steam cleaners you can buy or rent? They always look really good.

[Beth]

oh those power steamers look good..... I want one!!

you can get mini ones too!

see the problem Holly, I hate smokey cooking!

[spinkysay]

I get it now! Oh yeah I hate that smokey oven thangggg too. Usually when fat from a roasting tin spatters - oh the smell! Please someone, invent a pill that does away with cooking - I HATE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Beth]

Holly...if we ever buy a steam cleaner I will lend it to you.....

....unless you get one first! http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

I quite fancy one to be honest....been thinking about it at work!! http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

[Beth]

do you think we should have a top tips folder? http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif
(joking!!)

but have you read some of those dreadful top tips you get in magazines!
dire or what!!

I always think some of them are really taking the mickey!and some of them are things most people do anyway!

mind you, 20 quid for sending them in, cant be sneezed at!!

[Mistyeyeddreamer]

I have a polishing tip I picked up in the army. It works for shoes and furniture http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif After you've polished with a duster go over with an old (clean) pair of tights, it really brings up the shine http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

Oh, and hair spray is great for getting biro ink marks off clothes http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

Misty

[Beth]

tights are good for bringing your candles to a nice shine too.

my question....how do you get cooked egg off off the little egg poacher cups?

we are poached egg fans but dont like putting oil or butter in the cups first.
the eggs come out fine but not the film they leave behind..

I have soaked mine for 3 days in cold soapy water(hot water continues to cook the egg) and ended up s********ping it off with a spoon.
it took ages!!

ideas?

[Beth]

hehe!

Thanks Badger, didnt think of the obvious!

I was thinking of mixing vinegar and marbles or something wacky!!

[Matthew]

Originally posted by Badger@Jun 5 2003, 5:44 PM
Disclaimer:** Do not try this at home!!!
.......unless it's with splash goggles, 6 inch thick gloves and other safety equipment?!! http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

[Beth]

umm...thanks Badger, I think!!

I have spent all afternoon deep cleaning my kitchen, thank Gawd for washable kitchen paint!
Who would believe non cookers (well me being non cooker, Matthew can knock up some mean meals!) would make so much mucky yuckiness above the cooker.
so all my paint worker is looking a little better, the clean shiny look rather than the grease shiny!

in the end I used an old face flannel and hot soapy water, the sponge just moved the muck around rather than shifting it.

I dont really want to destroy all my efforts with home made bombs for eggs!
but an intresting idea! http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unsure.gif I think!

[Jeannie]

Beth, your talk of cleaning your kitchen made me smile. I always thought my kitchen was pretty clean until I really looked at the tiles one day and realised I could write my name in the filth on the ones near the ceiling!

The reason was simply that I am (or rather WAS) as huge candle fan and always had a couple of tea lights and a church candle burning in the kitchen. Very cosy. Didn't realise quite how much muck they chucked out though until I spotted the grout was a bit off colour. The tiles changed from pale blue to scummy grey so gradually I thought it was some freak shadowing. Rushed round with the hot water and domestos and haven't lit a candle since.

Still, there are always those areas where we just don't bother to clean all that well. I had a new telly delivered last summer and the nice people at Argos offered to fit it in and tune it as well. I generally tidied up which we all do when someone's coming round (last thing I wanted was a bunch of tv men walking into my house and thinking "yeah, this bird sits on her ar*e all day watching telly. Probably wore the last one out"). They moved the tv unit to get to the socket and even the biggest of the two looked taken aback by what was behind there. The corner could have passed for something out of Dracula's castle. Huge, net-type spider webs, dead crusty woodlice, dessicated moths and two huge spiders! I just wanted to curl up into a ball and roll away it was such a terrible haunted looking thing. One of the guys just said "ah don't worry about it. We've seen worse" and I'm thinking "where have you worked? Hammer films??". Needless to say, the unit is now heaved out once a month and gets a good hoover http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif

[mrunhappy]

Originally posted by Jeannie@May 28 2003, 10:07 AM
Have absolutely no idea Holly.** Oven cleaning not my speciality I'm afraid.

When I first bought my house I was given a book called "How to Fix Just about Anything" by Reader's Digest.** It's a huge thing.**

I never really needed to use it until this spring when my shed needed re-roofing so I thought I'd have a look to see what advice/materials I should use.** I went to "Felt Roofing - Repair of" and the entry said "Consult a roofer".** Hmmm .....

I shall have a look tonight to see if it's got any bright ideas on cleaning a cooker.** Will probably say "Consult a Cooker Cleaning Firm".** http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif
Its quite simple really.Do you have an electric oven ?.yes/no.
if yes, then the best product to use is mr muscle oven cleaner.
you mentioned an element at the top of the oven,so it would seem you are electric.This element does come out but not easily.
You need to get a torch and have a good look at the top of the
oven with it.Make sure the electric is OFF first.Now, the element
depending on size may be held by small clips,either screw on or press fit.probably screw fit.you need to have a good look at it to find the screws submerged under all the gunge.Once you have located the screws they need to be undone, then you are a third
of the way there,Once you get the clips undone the element should drop a little (if not held on by the gunge).
If you are sure you have removed all the screws then give the
element a pull downwards.it should drop.Hopefully this has happened.Now all being well and everything going to plan (i hope) YOU need to disconnect the element from the wires which feed it
with electric.Normally these connections are spade connectors which just pull off but dont pull too hard or you will break the wires.Now hopefully you have managed to do this and all has gone to plan.Get scrubbing girl and good luck to ya.Dont forget to reasemble in reverse order once your done.
sounds complicated but its not really.

[hollygolightly]

http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif

I think I might wait till I get a new oven!!! http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

There's no way I'd be able to do that, I would end up electrocuting myself!

But, Mr Unhappy thank you very, very much for your advice. It has been the most comprehensive to date, so you get 10/10 and a gold star this week http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif .