Cleaning Tips?

[Elderberry]

I just wanted to give an endorsement to whoever it was that suggested using Pledge for cleaning up. It was the only thing that worked to restore the life and luster to our grill, oven and lots of other stuff. I think it must be the wax, but whatever it was, definitely give it a try.

[Snow]

I like clean the WHOLE thing, not just the tip.

[essjay]

I just wanted to give an endorsement to whoever it was that suggested using Pledge for cleaning up. It was the only thing that worked to restore the life and luster to our grill, oven and lots of other stuff. I think it must be the wax, but whatever it was, definitely give it a try.

Please let us know how it looks in a few days/weeks. My experience with waxy/lubricant treatments (ie: Armor All, etc) is that it brings back the luster, but completely dries out after a few weeks and not looking good. I'd like to know if your pledge treatment lasts after it has had some time to dry out. Also, what items did you use it on? (I still haven't done my cleaning and want to steal this tip if it works!)

[MartyZion]

I'd like to thank whoever had the tip about putting an oscillating lawn sprinkler under their vehicle to clean the undercarriage (I think it was Ygmir?). I stuck one under my truck last weekend and even after two underflush car washes I was amazed at all the gunk that dripped out.

[Bob]

Pledge would probably great work as instant shampoo.

Spray it on your food to keep that just-cooked luster, if you expect a dust storm.

Pledge. It's not just for credenzas.

[Elderberry]

I used it on all my Camp Chef equipment...stove, oven, grill cover, etc. I'll keep you posted. But if it does dry out, it certainly wouldn't be a problem to spray it again.

Or maybe I'll try Carnuba Wax. I used that on some stainless stuff in the bathroom that always seemed to pit and turn brown on a regular basis, and it's remained shinny now for months.

I just wanted to give an endorsement to whoever it was that suggested using Pledge for cleaning up. It was the only thing that worked to restore the life and luster to our grill, oven and lots of other stuff. I think it must be the wax, but whatever it was, definitely give it a try.

Please let us know how it looks in a few days/weeks. My experience with waxy/lubricant treatments (ie: Armor All, etc) is that it brings back the luster, but completely dries out after a few weeks and not looking good. I'd like to know if your pledge treatment lasts after it has had some time to dry out. Also, what items did you use it on? (I still haven't done my cleaning and want to steal this tip if it works!)

[spacetime]

Topping this because I did basically no cleaning on anything last year other than laundry and wiping down with water. Lots of my stuff was dusty to begin with this year.

Looking at this thread and a few others, some tips for getting the playa out of stuff are:

Shake anything possible first then:

• Normal clothes: pre-soak with vinegar or wash with vinegar in the washing mashine. Oxyclean works in substitute for vinegar.
• Furs: Commercial dryer (big laundromat dryer) with dryer sheets, no pre wash.
• Leather: Depends on quality.
• Electronics / grills and 'everything else: Pledge
• Under the car: Oscillating sprinkler

Any additions / amendments to this?

[maladroit]

Calgon all the things.

[FIGJAM]

Keep your dust mask and goggles on you during exodus!!!

When you get to 70mph and open all the windows to get rid of some of the dust, there WILL be an instantaneous white out in your car.

[Shoeshine]

I'll second Figgy's notion. Heading out the 447 doing 70 in the straights, I opened the drivers window and the rear passenger. I probably looked like Steve Austin (dating myself) but I left a lot of playa on the playa. Also helped de-fug the vehicle as I had put full trash bags in the way-back over the course of several high wind/dust days.

[Ratty]

Washing a big tent is no fun. Now I'm questioning my wisdom of sewing fleece to the top. It makes it much harder to wash. AntiM secures fleece to her tents with clamps. Take note. If your tent allows for this, do it! Next up. Bike and bike trailer.

[AntiM]

MyLarry sets the tents up in the back yard, cleans them with the hose, then hangs them, fully open with the poles in place, in our large tree to dry.

[Ratty]

Next year.

[Roundabout]

Any tips for getting playa dust out from the crevices of the textured vinyl on the interior of my car. I have wiped it down several times with vinegar water, but there is still a residue. This has worked for me in the past, but this is a different car, and apparently the texture of this vinyl is particularly cranky.

[gaminwench]

ArmourAll on a toothbrush!

[Sham]

ArmourAll on a toothbrush!

I tried this but it makes my teeth squeak.

[gaminwench]

wait ... you have TEETH??!!???

[sadie]

Calgon all the things.

^this
It works
Dooooeeeeet

[Roundabout]

Thanks for the tips! I will try the Calgon first, then the toothbrush w/ Armorall.

[Roundabout]

To report back, the Calgon works great. A quart sized tub of water, about 1/3 of a cap of Calgon, a wet rag, and a microfiber dry rag. Slope on the Calgon treated water with the wet rag, and wipe off with the microfiber dry rag. Totally did the trick. Thanks Sadie and Maledroit!

[Oldguy]

Took my tarps in today after 2 days of rain. Clean as a whistle. A little fungus but that was easily brushed off. 2 tent boxes were soft but dryed hard.

[spacetime]

Quick follow-up that we used Pledge on many surfaces in and on the car and it worked really well.

Pledge all the things.

[aaronrodg]

I run a junior program and have a few donated coats that I need to clean.
they are the heavier international coats and a few leather jackets some of them are celebrity style leather jackets like captain America and spiderman.
they are in pretty good shape other than they have a moldy smell to them.
any ideas on cleaning them???
dry clean or not? Waiting for some good tips.

[Ratty]

If it requires 'special' treatment I wash it in woolite and cold water. For mildew try adding some vinegar or lemon. (Or look it up on the internet). Hang to dry. You wouldn't want to pay the price they ask for leather cleaning.