Find out what the differences are between a housekeeper and a maid in the latest blog post from Out of Sight Cleaning.
There are few things more frustrating than a dirty kitchen or bathroom sink. The problem with them is that they almost always smell, to boot. This can inhibit you from actually enjoying using your sink to cook --or in the case of a bathroom sink--brush your teeth (or soak your dentures). You will sooner or later hate looking at it because it's gotten so rusty and filthy, and you are overwhelmed about how to clean it. This post will suggest that the easiest way to clean it is to follow an overall regimen daily--or at least weekly--to keep it clean and ready for use. Consider the following tips:
1. Scrub your sink out
This is something you can do daily. As the Reader's Digest suggest, a common misconception about sinks is that they are self-cleaning because of all the soap and water that goes down them. Nothing can be further from the truth! Food deposits, soap stains, grime, or toothpaste stains-- if the sink in question is your bathroom sink--if left untreated, can lead to rusting and waterspots forming by default. Scrub a bathroom sink after every 30 uses, and a kitchen sink slightly more often because you have food going down it every day.
2. Don't let dishes sit overnight.
Dirty dishes with stuck-on food piled high are a recipe for not only a smelly sink but also for mass clutter that can make meal preparation hardly something to which you can look forward. For you have to first clean all the dirty dishes, put them away, then start the chore of cooking. The longer the dishes sit, the more the residue of last night's tacos, or pizza, or whatever, hardens. Consequently, that leads to the more time spent cleaning the kitchen before you begin to cook. So wash those dishes while the amount of them is small. The danger here is that if you don't, then keep in mind that the stuck on food that you allow hardening eventually will have to go down the drain. So much residue from stuck on food can damage the inward part of your sink, perhaps adding to the wear and tear of it.
3. Keep the porcelain of your sink maintained
The Reader's digest website suggests you should line your sink with paper towels then soak them with bleach. Let these towels sit for a half-hour, then get rid of them, running the sink with running water. Be careful about using bleach to clean the porcelain sink off if the color of the porcelain is anything but white, for that is a good way to discolor it.
4. Pour bleach down your sink's drain
Remember here that a little bit of bleach goes a long way. Don't overuse this chemical, it can smell up the whole house, and upset people whose lungs are sensitive to the smell. Also, ventilate the house while doing it. But also know that doing this can keep your drain clean and free from the stench of food. A little bit of bleach--about half a capful--goes a long way.
5. Protect sinks from scratching and staining
As the Reader's Digest website further suggests, you should place a perforated plastic mat at the bottom of your sink's surface. This will protect it from a natural sign of aging: scratches and mars. It will also keep the dishes clear from such damage. Do not let residue from fruit, vinegar, salad dressing or any other food or condiment containing acid sit on your sink for an extended period of time. If you find such a mess on the sink, get rid of it right away.
Everybody spills food or juice from food, particularly fruit, from time to time. But the key is to keep your eyes open. Notice the spill, clean it up right away before it leaves a permanent scar that is all but totally indelible.
Other hints
Vinegar and baking soda are your best friends.
Vinegar is useful particularly on white spots that may appear on the porcelain. According to the Readers Digest Website, these are lime deposits. They emanate from hard water mineral deposits. These deposits are easily removed with vinegar.
What if my problem is rust?
This is not something that should cause any degree of alarm. If you find rust spots on your sink, some WD40 can help. Put some on a cloth then wipe away at the rust stain. On porcelain sinks, take some salt to it. Pour it on half of a lemon, then rub it on the stain.
Other Hints
As the Kitchn.com website points out, you should monitor your sink very carefully to make sure hair, grease, and soap residue stays out of your drain, to begin with. But if they get in, be careful to take notice and deal with the situation immediately before it builds up and wreaks havoc on your sink. In most severe cases, it may be best to invest in a good plumber. After your plumber's work is done, be careful to keep your sink clear of such debris. Part of this is faithfully cleaning it once a day, or at least once a week.
References
http://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/8-tips-for-cleaning-a-kitchen-or-bathroom-sink/
http://www.thekitchn.com/10-ways-to-clean-your-kitchen-less-often-and-enjoy-it-way-more-195852
This is a perennial problem for most homemakers--scum on tubs that won't come clean.
Although this can be a tough, frustrating problem, there are solutions that can keep it under control. First and foremost, the key is to rinse dirt residue from your body off the tub every time you bathe or shower. As your mother probably told you, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Besides that, this post will present some practical other steps you can take to make sure that your tub stays fresh and clean.
Steps to Take
Indeed, there are things you can do to keep your tub clean. The solution can be found in things you may have never thought of as cleaning supplies. For instance, as Bob Vila suggests, while you can use fresh, clean, warm water as a surface cleaning agent, wiping it down with a squeegee or microfiber rag, you can also employ a cooking ingredient such as white vinegar, mixing it with warm water. Place this mixture in one of those spray bottles. Spray it on, wiping it down with a squeegee or a sponge.
I would not suggest a squeegee rather than a sponge because if you use the latter, remember that sponges hold germs. That could add more trouble because germs can cause skin diseases you may not want to experience.
If you're one of those people who tend to put off cleaning your bathroom for weeks at a time, remember that you may have to use agents that will provide a deeper clean, for hard water stains can easily form. Baking soda comes in handy, according to Vila. Sprinkle it on in conjunction with the vinegar and water solution. Scrub it with a soft cloth. Do this until you've made it into a paste. Then let your newly-formed paste sit for 15 minutes.
Hard Water Stains
As Vila further states, the hard water treatment plan includes dipping paper towels in white vinegar. Do not dilute the vinegar. It should be used full-strength. Place soaked towels on the stains. Take a 2-hour break while allowing the solution to work. Then return and scrub the stains right off. When scrubbing use the baking soda and vinegar paste. Then rinse clean.
Other Tips
According to Readers Digest, you can also use cream of tartar for a bathtub cleaning. Fill up a small cup or dish with cream of tartar. Then add hydrogen peroxide. Stir it steadily until thick paste forms. Then apply to the troublesome stain. Then let it dry.
Did you know that common kitchen table salt also works? You can also use another common household product: shampoo, which contains soap. These are easy ways to clean up your bathroom tub.
Conclusion of the Matter
All this being said, remember some safety rules when cleaning your bathroom. Do not use anything with chemicals in it, such as ammonia, or Clorox Cleanup, which contains bleach--without ventilating your house. Open some windows, and allow the air to kill the odor. If you breathe in the fumes, or if the gasses come into contact with your skin, you could become very sick. In some cases, you could even die.
Short of that, if you have breathing problems--like I do (I have bronchitis)--it is especially important that you ventilate the area really well before leaving it.
Above all, the most important item is maintenance. After you've been in the tub--rinse your personal residue away with warm water and a fiber cloth. Do it every time. Even given that you follow these tips, you will still need to deep clean your tub, but if you rinse all the time and not let dirt, hair, grime, scum, and other such problems sit--when it's time for deep cleaning, the process will be easier.
References
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/cleaning-bathtub/#.WKD10fhOmUk
http://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/6-household-items-for-a-sparkling-bathtub/
Learn how to get rid of dust mites in your home with these common tips by Out of Sight Cleaning.
We all know that toilet cleaning is everybody’s least favorite job. But it really doesn’t have to be such a dastardly chore if you just know about a few handy hints on how to make it easier and more effective. Now, to be sure, there are tons of commercial toilet bowl cleaning products on the market, however, most of them contain very strong bleach and some pretty nasty chemicals. So, we put together some helpful hints for a clean sparkling throne that anybody can enjoy without strong chemicals or noxious smells. Some get it cleaner, some make it sparkle, and still others make it smell terrific. So, here are a few toilet cleaning hints to try:
1. Peroxide
Skip the harsh chemicals that you might usually put it your toilet to get it clean and just disinfect it with hydrogen peroxide. Pour it in, let it work for about 30 minutes, and then flush.
2. Toilet Bombs
Make some awesome toilet bowl cleaning bombs by combining tea tree oil, baking soda, and vinegar. Toss it in and enjoy that foaming effect, knowing that your toilet will turn out sparkling clean.
3. Alka Seltzer
You can also clean your toilet effortlessly by dropping two Alka Seltzer tablets in and leaving them for about 5 to 15 minutes. How long is actually needed is dependent on how long they take to dissolve. Then swirl it around with a toilet bowl brush and flush.
4. Pumice Stone
Tired of looking at that unsightly ring in your toilet bowl? Well, you can get rid of it by using a toilet pumice stone. This is very effective but we would recommend trying a few of the “effortless” suggestions first and use the pumice stone only as a last resort.
5. Gatorade
Here’s another effortless way for getting rid of the calcium and lime buildup in your toilet that looks really gross. Just pour a bottle of Gatorade in and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes, then flush to eliminate those nasty buildup problems.
6. Grapefruit
Now, if you want something that cleans like a dream and smells fantastic, too, then try this trick. Cut a grapefruit in half and dip it in a copious amount of salt. Then, just scrub your toilet with it and enjoy the scent of grapefruit instead of that bleachy smell you get from commercial cleaners.
7. Borax & Castille Soap
Mixing some Borax and Castille soap together will make a great toilet cleaning foam. And, don't forget to use a toilet brush or an old toothbrush for really getting up under the rim and cleaning the siphon jets.
8. Clearing Clogs-
Sometimes your toilet gets clogged and a plunger doesn't work, you can't find it, or you simply don’t have one, so here's what you can do. Just pour some dish soap and hot water in the toilet and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes, then flush. Make sure it's not boiling water, however, as that might crack your toilet bowl.
9. Vinegar
In the event that you have really hard water and perhaps an older toilet with an ugly lime ring, you may have exhausted all the common cleaning ideas like bleach, brillo pads, Comet, and everything in-between with no success. Don't worry though because all you have to do is pour a bottle of apple cider vinegar in the toilet bowl and leave it overnight without flushing. When you flush in the morning, that nasty ring should be gone and with no work whatsoever.
10. Denture Tablets
OK, so you might not wear dentures, but keeping some denture cleaner in your house could be a great idea. The effervescent power can clean all kinds of things around the house, especially toilets. Just drop two tablets into the toilet bowl and leave them for about 10 to 15 minutes. Then, give it a quick scrub with a toilet brush and flush. Voila! Sparkling clean.
11. Cola
Have you ever poured Coke or Pepsi on raw hamburger meat and watched it eat it? Well, cola can do the same for your toilet. Pour a bottle in and let it sit for a few hours, then flush and watch those hard water and lime stains disappear.
12. Toothpaste
A company's coming and you don't have anything to clean your toilet with. No problem, just clean it with some toothpaste and a brush and it will sparkle like new.
Your cleaning experience
So, as you can see, you can clean your toilet with things that you probably already have in your cupboard. You'll also find that your toilet cleaning experience will be a lot less of a chore and, well, you probably still won't like having to clean the toilet but maybe you'll find that you dislike it a little bit less.
Carpet cleaning is a necessity for your health, especially if you suffer from allergies. Even if you don't, it is also important to keep the air you breathe in your home--not to mention people who regularly come over to visit--clean. Plus it makes your carpet more attractive. In fact, there are apartments whose leases require that your carpet is cleaned at least once every year. This post will present a strong case for using a carpet cleaning service, instead of doing it yourself.
Professional Steam Cleaning Benefits
According to About.com carpet expert Cheryl Simmons, a professional carpet cleaning service will use a truck-mounted hose that will go into multiple apartments within a given complex. They also use portable machines but are more skilled at their use. They know exactly how much cleaning fluid to use because only a certain amount can be used. Otherwise, you run the risk of over-wetting the floor. If the water is too wet, it may be harder to get the water up and your carpet could mildew, which could leave you in worse condition than if the carpet were not cleaned at all.
The right temperature
The second benefit is that a professional carpet cleaning service will understand that a carpet cleaner must be heated to a certain temperature in order to be effective. Failure to heat it to that temperature can result in an inefficient cleaning job. This is because that without heating to the temperature required to be effective can result in water not being removed efficiently enough. If water is not removed easily, then neither is the dirt. The dirt, consequently, will remain in the air and continue to affect the residents' health negatively.
Faster & More Efficient
The third benefit is that professional carpet cleaning is on the whole faster and more efficient. They can treat carpets more efficiently than their DIY counterparts. A professional carpet cleaner understands the tested and proven methods associated with their trade. They use equipment and methods that have been tested and approved by the Carpet and Rug Institute. They use portable machines which are strong suction vacuum cleaners that allow deep cleaning because they extract dirt and dust mites that are hidden to the naked eye but can still be allergenic to some people.
Save time
The fourth advantage to professional carpet cleaning over DIY is that you save yourself a lot of back breaking labor. The cleaners--at least the ones who work for the best companies--are required to move your furniture themselves--without charging you a dime. Otherwise, if you decide to do it yourself, you will have to do the same exercise every few months, and have to risk damaging your back by bending and by carting heavy furniture across the floor.
The fifth benefit
It improves air quality indoors. DIY machines, sorry to say, are not as good because they don't do the deep cleaning necessary for the improvement of the air quality in your home. You may think that a good old fashioned vacuuming or use of a DIY machine can clean your carpet. It only does a surface cleaning, which extracts only the dust you can see. What you want is a more thorough cleaning. It is worth the money that you will spend in the long run.
Sixth and last but not least...
Professional carpet cleaners guarantee their work. The best ones will send their workers out to give you a complimentary cleaning if for some reason you are dissatisfied with the quality of their work. For example, if they left too much water, and your floor is excessively wet after their cleaning, they will give you a free or half-price recleaning. How do you find these who will do this? You have to ask around until you find a service that answers "yes" to the question of is there a guarantee.
Putting It All Together
You very well may have to spend some money to get a professional carpet cleaning versus doing it yourself. But think of it as an investment in your health, as well as your family's. You will save money on doctor's visit due to visits to the allergists and lung specialists later down the line because you continued to breathe in dust and other air pollutants. Clearly, utilizing professional carpet cleaning services is the way to go.
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The closets in a home might not be the first thing that guests notice when they come into the house, but they are still something that you would like to keep clean. You want your closets to be as useful as possible, you would like to be able to store away a lot of different things inside of them. You will find the cleaning closets and then organizing them will help you use them in a better way. When you know how to clean your closets thoroughly, you can make the most use of the time that you spend cleaning them and you can make the most use of them, overall.
When you are cleaning closets, it can be helpful to empty out everything that the closets hold. You should bring everything out of the closet and into another part of your home. It is hard to work in a space as small as a closet, and giving yourself more room will help you get the job done in an easier way. Starting with a clean slate when refilling the closet is helpful, too, as it allows you to set things up in a whole new way. Before you can begin with anything else, take some time to empty your closet out.
After you have emptied your closet out and you have a pile of possessions that have been stored in that space for a long time, you need to go through those things and figure out what you actually want to hold onto. You need to go through all that you have pulled out of the closet and you need to think about whether or not you want to keep each item. When cleaning closets, you have to be willing to part with some of the things that have been hidden away and that you never actually use.
While your closet is free of any of the things that you usually keep inside of it, you want to take a vacuum cleaner and you want to clean up the floor. You want to get rid of any dirt and dust that has collected in the closet. You should also use the vacuum cleaner to clean off any shelves that are a part of the closet. You may want to use a scented cleaning spray to freshen up the closet. You should scrub down any mess that has collected on the walls and then allow the closet to dry out completely.
Once the actual closet is clean and dry, then you can start to put all of your possessions back into it. You want to do this in an organized manner so that the closet space not only looks nice but so that you can get the most use out of all of the space. Put everything back in a way that makes sense to you.
Having a clean closet can feel great. It can simplify your life and help you love your home a little more. Take some time and clean closets in your home that have been neglected for too long.
Learn these kitchen cleaning tips from Out of Sight Cleaning, professional cleaners located in Grass Valley, California.
Learn about the different types of carpets and how you can clean them in this do-it-yourself post by Andrew Boland of Out of Sight Cleaning.
Whether you are moving in or out of a premise, there is a need to clean your carpet regularly. You can be one person that observes high level of cleanliness, but one thing that is for sure is that your carpet will always be at the end of this as it is subject to liquid spills, step on with dirty feet wear, and drops. Some of these might be accidents, but the point is your carpet will eventually get dirty and therefore the need to clean it after some time. This article however is set to give you a few tips on how you can successfully clean your carpet, especially at the time when you want to move in or out of your premise (see also TOP FLOOR CLEANING TIPS YOU NEED TO KNOW).
There are various reasons as to why carpets get dirty. Depending on how they do, you will be able to make correct decisions and judgments on the best methods to use in cleaning your carpet. Here are some of its causes and how to clean them:
Blot stains
With these types of stains, it is advisable that you should never scrub them as that will cause the stain’s particles to get deeper into the carpet’s fibers and may lead to them getting broken down prematurely. You should remove the stain by using a cleaning solution and a clean sheet or any other material that can soak up the stain for example a sponge. You should deep your cleaning sheet or sponge into a cleaning solution, then carefully apply a little pressure on the stain from the outside going inward as trying to disfigure the stain outward will make the stain to spread to other parts of the carpet.
Grease stains
With these types of stains, you are advised to use at least two drops of dish-washing shampoo. Preferably a shampoo with the ability to also grease cut, for example a cup of water with Joy. The same way it does your dishes, the washing shampoo will go through the grease stains and eventually cleaning up your carpet. You are supposed to put the solution in a spray bottle then spray the parts of the carpet that is affected by the stain. This might be done again and again depending on the size of the stain.
Beer and wine stains
The club soda process is the most effective when it comes to these types of stains if used in the right way. You should first try to remove the stain by blotting the affected part of the carpet using a cloth that has been dipped in the club soda. If the stain persists, try mixing vinegar with water and with the help of a hand sprayer, spray the stained area with the solution. You should then allow it to soak for about 15 minutes, then use a clean cloth, preferably a sponge to soak up the solution including the stain from the carpet. After successfully removing the stain, you should then use warm water to rinse the place that was affected by the stain. Use a clean piece of cloth, for example a towel to cover the spot so as it dries up. Usually this will take around 24 hours.
General stains
For general stains, you should try shaving creams. You should directly apply the cream on the affected areas of your carpet. You should then let it set for around half an hour. Once it is set, remove it using a clean towel. Using water and vinegar solution, spray the area affected and then wipe it using a clean towel.
Dried Gum
To remove a stuck chewing gum from your carpet, from your freezer, take a few ice cubes and use them to also freeze the gum for about a minute. Use a spatula to lift up the hard chewing gum and cut the fibers of the carpet closer to the gum so that the cut strands won’t be noticeable thereafter.
Conclusion
As I have discussed above, it is clear that carpet cleaning can be a very easy task. There are different things that can make your carpet and depending on them (see our residential carpet cleaning services), you will be able to make the right decisions on the best method to use so that minimal or no damage is caused to your carpet. Whether you are moving in or moving out is also another factor to be considered.