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Encouraging Your Children to Clean

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 12:57:54 GMT

Children are so energetic; they just can’t have enough of playtime. After enjoying one activity, they run towards the next and no matter the number of times you repeat your instructions or warnings for cleaning up, they just don’t lend an ear. So, let’s find a solution to the problem that most of the mothers face and learn some simple ways to get your children to clean up.

Make cleaning a part of their routine, e.g. - everyday 15 minutes before their favorite TV show would help them turn it into a habit of tidying up.

Organization and order is important to tidying up. Having places designated for their belongings such as racks for shoes, shelves for books and toy boxes for toys makes up for easy sorting and easy storage.

Set an example yourself. Do not indulge in complaining or griping while you do household chores because children imitate their elders, so make clean up time a fun time with music so that they associate the regular chores with fun. You can use a timer to motivate them as to who gets to put the toys away before the timer goes off. Encouragement by hugs, kisses, praises and timely rewards are important for maintaining the habit.

Discipline is important, so set some rules. Explain that after they have finished playing with a toy, they have to put it away. If not taken care of after one reminder, the toy can be taken away for a month or be given away. You are the one to make rules, so decide your level of harshness but be practical otherwise you won’t be taken seriously.

Initial suggestions and a little supervision are fine but do not step in and clean for them after you establish rules. It is surely easier and less time consuming to clean up on your own but this would give them an excuse to drag their feet and contribute to lack of motivation. So, it works against you.

Do remember that you are preparing your children for playing an independent role in their adult life and as a parent you are equipping them with essential life skills. There is no set age for adopting good habits; the formative years are instrumental in habit forming. So, don’t wait for the right age or time, start early and according to their age and see them grow up into responsible adults.

How to Remove Spilled Paint When Cleaning the House

Fri, 26 Dec 2014 11:56:25 GMT

Removing spilled or sprayed paint while cleaning the house is one of the most frustrating experiences ever! If the paint is still fresh, it is marginally easy to clean off. However, if it has dried, then you have to go through a lot of trouble to clean it. There are multiple ways to go about cleaning paint off different surfaces. The cleaning method depends on the type of surface from which the paint has to be removed.

Below are a few suggestions to remove spilled or sprayed paint from tiles, concrete and carpets.

Removing Paint from Tiled Surfaces

Removing paint from tiles is an easy affair since the surface is pretty smooth. All you need is a bottle of rubbing alcohol and a few dry paper towels. Let the rubbing alcohol sit on the painted area for a few seconds, and then scrub it off with a paper towel. Repeat the process a couple of time to get a shiny tile that's as good as new.

Removing Paint from Concrete

Concrete’s surface is a bit rough. Hence, removing paint from it requires some effort. You need paper towels (or old towels), hot steaming water in a bucket, dish soap, a garden hose and rubber gloves. Pour the hot steaming water over the paint and scrub it off with a towel which has been soaked in dish soap. You should see the paint coming off the surface. Use the garden hose to force the paint completely off the concrete. You might have to repeat the process a couple of times to get the concrete clean.

Removing Paint From Carpet

Removing paint from carpet is similar to removing it from concrete, except here you use a fine brush (or toothbrush) to scrub the paint off the carpet. Also, it’s recommended to use warm water instead of hot water. It might take some time to get the paint completely off the carpet’s surface. You'll have to be a bit patient.

If you aren’t able to remove the paint, despite trying all the methods listed above, then you need to call in professionals, like The Maids of North Andover, to do the cleaning .

Housekeeping Storage Solutions for Your Garage

Fri, 19 Dec 2014 11:48:00 GMT

The garage is not just for your car, and there are plenty of simple ideas to make it a useful storage space. Installing one or more of these is a convenient way to keep housekeeping, seasonal and other belongings stored in an organized manner. They also have the added advantage of freeing up space in the rest of your home for other purposes. Some of the best ideas to consider include the following.

Overhead Racks

These are a practical idea for making use of a space that may otherwise be wasted, with overhead racks available in a few styles. There are those that are permanently fixed to the ceiling and may require the use of a stepladder to get to the stored items. There are others that can be raised and lowered using a pulley system to make them more convenient. In either case they keep belongings out of the way in an overhead location.

Wall Racks

These are typically shelving units that are fixed to a wall to keep them secure. However, it is also possible to find freestanding units if space is available to install them away from a wall. They come in a variety of sizes to suit any garage space and the shelves can easily be used to store a variety of items.

Storage Cabinets

These can provide a tidier look for a garage, with the contents hidden from view when the doors of the cabinet are closed. Most have shelves fitted inside although it is possible to find some that also have drawers.

Wall Pegboard System

This is a board fitted to a wall in the garage that has holes in which pegs can be placed. The pegs can be fitted where needed to provide a suitable arrangement for hanging cleaning equipment, garden tools, and other items. The convenience of this idea is that it can easily be set up to exactly suit a homeowners storage needs.

Storage Bins

These plastic or metal containers are an easy way to organize items. Simply label the bin with the contents it holds to make them easy to find when needed.

The garage can easily be used to keep many of your belongings safely and securely stored, with the ideas above being some to consider for this. Let The Maids of North Andover help you keep this space and the rest of your home tidy, clean, and hygienic. With your housekeeping supplies conveniently stored in your garage and ready for use, we can complete the job quickly and efficiently to help with your household chores.

House Cleaning Tips for a Sparkling Clean Shower

Fri, 12 Dec 2014 11:20:44 GMT

Depending on your shower setup, there are a few different tricks of the trade you can rely on to help keep your shower looking its best all the time! The following natural cleaners work wonders, and are better for your health and the environment.

Natural Shower Cleaning Products

baking soda (make a paste and scrub grout lines and caked on shampoo etc.)
vinegar (add approx. 1/4 cup to your spray bottle of water)
lemon juice (same as above)
Tea-tree oil (diluted in water add 15 to 30 drops to your spray bottle)

Of course, you can go down the "cleaning aisle" at the store, and spend a fortune on household products. This can irritate your skin, your eyes and your wallet. Instead, simply make up your own spray bottle solution and watch how amazingly clean your shower can become after just one use. Remember to label your spray bottle with permanent marker for safety.

Tea-tree oil is antimicrobial and antibacterial. It is excellent for mildew and black spots in your shower grout. Simply fill your spray bottle with water and add your essential oil at the end. Experiment to see how many drops you need; pure tea-tree oil is exceptionally powerful.

Wear Gloves

Even if you are relying on natural products to clean your shower and the entire bathroom (it's great to use one product to do all your cleaning!), it is still wise to don some gloves. The constant moisture can wreak havoc on your hands and nails. Protect yourself and keep a pair of reusable cleaning gloves under the bathroom sink.

Squeegee...Your New Best Friend

If it is the hardness of your water that is leaving all the white residue film on your glass shower doors, consider investing in a decent squeegee. You can pick one up at most dollar stores or home improvement centers. It will take a little getting used to...removing the excess moisture from the shower walls with just your towel on; however, the results are amazing! You will cut your shower cleaning in half by simply removing the excess water before it has time to dry.

Towel Dry

Use your lint-free towel to wipe off the faucet, the taps and the shower itself. If you get in the habit of leaving your shower dry, it will stay much cleaner.

As always, The Maids of North Andover are available to do the cleaning for you on those busy days, and they are just a call away.

Cleanup an Unused Room and Transform it Into an Office

Fri, 05 Dec 2014 11:32:22 GMT

Many of us have some wasted space within our home. Areas full of clutter-filled boxes, old knick knacks and items we are meaning to mend, things to fix, things to donate and well, you get the idea. If you have that "storage" room that has accidentally morphed into the "junk collecting room" it is time to transform your space into a room you can use. Creating a home office is easier than you think!

Items For Your Office (You may be able to re-purpose from elsewhere around the house)

office chair
comfy chair
desk
filing cabinet

sewing machine table
end tables
storage cubes
old kitchen table
random shelving
coffee table
white board or cork board

Defining Your Space

A home office serves a multitude of purposes. It can be your little getaway when family life gets noisy and hectic. It is nice to have an organized space to help maintain sanity. Make it a comfortable space by incorporating some of your favorite textures and colors. Having a soft throw and a comfy reclining chair can turn this room into your home library. Be creative! Additional ways to use your new office include:

quiet spot to read
private place to wrap Christmas and birthday gifts
place to display family art projects
place to keep and do all of your crafting projects or puzzles
place to organize and sort mail
order online goods
keep your calendar organized
write in your journal

Choose Your Palette Appropriately

If your office is a place to inspire creativity and where you plan on writing your best-selling novel, choose a color that inspires you. Consider having a bold feature wall to keep the energy revitalized! If it is supposed to be your calm place, choose a soothing palette instead.

Office and Spare Room

If you are going to be spending a lot of time in your new office, make it as comfortable as you can. Incorporating comfortable seating or setting up the spare bed to lounge on is a great idea. Use a futon so you have seating by day and a spare bed by night! Pat yourself on the back for taking previously wasted space and transforming it to a haven you can use!

Give yourself that much needed extra time in your new office by hiring The Maids of North Andover for daily cleanup !

Home Storage Ideas for Your Kitchen

Fri, 28 Nov 2014 11:05:52 GMT

Everyone loves the look of a tidy, uncluttered kitchen, but keeping clutter under control can be a bit of a challenge. Kitchens are typically filled with stuff, from small appliances to pots, pans, and dishes, as well as other cooking and dining equipment and utensils. If tearing down your walls to increase shelf and cabinet space is not an option, then use the following ideas to optimize your kitchen storage options:

Utilize Space Under the Sink

With so many plumbing parts occupying the space under your kitchen sink, making this area useful can be quite a challenge. However, you can install stacking shelves, door racks, and tilting drawers to keep your cabinet organized.

Make Use of Space Above Your Doorway

The space above doorways is often overlooked, but you can make use of this free space by mounting a shelf above your kitchen door for storage. This shelf can be used to store things that are not used regularly, since you will probably need a step stool to reach it.

Use Open Shelves in Your Kitchen

Removing the doors on your upper cabinets can open up your kitchen, and make the room appear bigger. It also makes it easier to reach and store the items.

Use Trays to Organize Items on Your Counters

If you are short on cabinet space, you can leave some of your most used kitchen items on the counters, but make sure to leave the front half of the counter clear for use when preparing food.

Hang Some Items

You can use removable hooks and wall holders to hang hot pads, paper towels, and other items on the exterior of your upper cabinets, where they don’t take up valuable space in your kitchen drawers or on the counter, and you can still access them easily.

Use a Magnetic Knife Rack

These racks are easy to install and incredibly useful, since they keep your knives in easy reach, so you don’t have to use counter space with a knife block or search drawers to find the right knife.

You may also consider using a hanging organizer to store pots and pans without taking up too much space. And while you are keeping your kitchen organized, let The Maids of North Andover, in Massachusetts assist you with all your housekeeping needs.

Tips for Reducing Your Food Expenses

Fri, 21 Nov 2014 10:51:43 GMT

If there is one thing that most people find a hard time accomplishing, it is saving money on food. However, it is not as hard as it seems. Below are a few tips for saving money on food:

Store Your Meat Properly

Fresh meat and meat productsare the most expensive foods that you purchase. It is important that you store your meat properly to avoid wasting food due to spoilage or freezer burn. Fresh meat that is not used the day of purchaseshould be frozen to avoid spoilage. You can freeze fresh meat in the store packaging it comes in; however, there is a risk of freezer burn occurring. To avoid this, invest in a food vacuum sealer, which may seem expensive at first, but will save thousands of dollars in the long run.

Know Your Food’s Expiration Dates

How many times have you thrown away some food because you didn’t realize it was expiring soon? Always check your foods for expiration dates to ensure that you use them before they expire.

Save Leftovers and Avoid Allowing Them to Spoil

While you should only prepare enough food for your family to eat at one meal to make your pantry supply last longer, there may be leftovers. Do not ever simply throw them away! Store them in a sealed container and put them in the refrigerator to keep them fresh. Make sure to reheat and consume them within the next 2-3 days to avoid having to throw them away because of spoilage.

Plan Before You Shop and Purchase Sale

While there will always be time when you have to buy something simply because you run out, you should start planning your weekly shopping trips around sales at your local grocery stores. Purchasing multiples of items when they are on sale will save you from paying full price later on. Also, if you would like even more savings, pick up a couple of Sunday papers each week to get the included coupon inserts, and match up coupons with store sales for even more savings! But be sure to make a list before you shop, and stick to that list to avoid spending more than you intended.

The key to saving money on food is planning before you make any purchases and making sure you store and use foods before they expire or spoil. And while you are busy saving money on your grocery bill, you may consider rewarding your effort by using some of those saved funds on hiring the wonderful house cleaning services of The Maids if North Andover, in Massachusetts.

Five Ways to Cut Time Spend on Household Chores

Fri, 14 Nov 2014 11:41:23 GMT

Whether you are the stay-at-home parent, working parent, single, or married with no children, it can seem almost impossible to stay on top of your household chores. However, this does not have to be the case. Below are five simple tips to spend less time on your household chores:

Grocery Shop at the Right Time

You should avoid doing your grocery shopping after work if at all possible. Right after work is the time that many people do their shopping, which means that the lines are longer, the parking lot is packed, and it will take up more of your time. One of the best times to shop is early in the morning during the week, just after the grocery stores open, as there are usually not many people shopping at this time. This will allow you to shop quickly and efficiently,without having to

wait in long lines or maneuver around crowded aisles. Also, shopping for the entire week during one shopping trip will also reduce time spend on this household chore.

Stop postponing chores to weekends

Instead of spending 2-3 hours all at one time cleaning your home consider doing some chores during the week to have more free time on the weekends.

Create less laundry

This does not mean that I am encouraging bad hygiene. However, you can wear jeans and pajamas at least 2-3 times before washing, and towels can be re-used for at least a week. In the summer, have kids wear sandals to cut out have so many socks to wash.

Emptying the dishwasher can be a game

You can empty a full dishwasher load in less than 5 minutes. Keep attempting to beat this time and you will find emptying a dishwasher more fun. If you have kids, ask them to try to beat this time and it can be even more exciting.

Enlist assistance

And if your schedule is just very busy, leaving you little time to relax, you may want to consider hiring a professional maid service like The Maids of North Andover, in Massachusetts, to assist you in your cleaning tasks.

Useful Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining your Plasma TV

Tue, 11 Nov 2014 09:09:35 GMT

A plasma TV, especially the larger models, are usually one of the most expensive items of home entertainment equipment people purchase. It is also the piece that gets the most use, for at least a few hours each day, which is why you will want to keep it performing at its best. If used wisely and given proper care, the average plasma TV can serve you for 10 to 20 years. The following are some useful tips to prolong the life of your plasma TV:

Secure it – It is important that place yourplasma TV on a solid and secure stand, or have it properly mounted on your wall or ceiling. It should be well positioned so that it is not knocked around, jolted, or tipped over.

Give it sufficient breathing room – These TVs generate a considerable amount of heat, and if not properly ventilated, the electrical components may be at risk of going out. Proper venting guidelines are usually provided in the TV user manual.

Keep it dry – Moisture from humidity, condensation, or spills can destroy your plasma TV. So avoid having liquids close to the TV, and ensure that the room is kept dry and free from extremely humid conditions.

Keep it clean – Many manufacturers recommend the use of a micro fiber cloth to clean the TV. Cleaning fingerprints and dust from the screen is usually enough, but you can also use antistatic cleaners when necessary. You should not spray anything directly onto the plasma screen. Instead, spray the cleaner onto the cloth and use it to wipe the screen. Also, avoid using abrasive materials, like paper towels to clean your Plasma TV screen as they may damage it.

Use a Surge Protector - You should also consider using a surge protector to protect your TV from power surges. A surge protector can be found at most home good stores. All your other home entertainment equipment should also be plugged into a surge protector to keep them from being damaged or destroyed by potential electrical surges.

And if you would like to hire a maid service to assist you with your cleaning needs then do not hesitate to contact The Maids of North Andover, in Massachusetts.

Top Tips to Organize Your Home Library

Fri, 03 Oct 2014 13:18:52 GMT

Your home library can be a great source of joy. If it is not well organized however, that joy can turn into frustration. It is easy for the library to become disorganized and gradually become an absolute mess. Housekeeping services like The Maids of North Andover in Massachusetts can take that pain away as well as detail clean the home, but everyone needs to help keep it up to par. Irritation can arise when the books are not where they should be. For just this reason, the library is a very important room.

The library does not necessarily mean just books, but can also comprise CD’s and stationery in addition. All these items have their specific purposes and need to be well stored after use for a well-organized room.

Categorize Books in Genres

This is a basic, yet very important step to achieving an organized home library. Collect all the books that belong to the same genre and store them together. Check out subjects of the books and write down on a piece of paper. Make a different list of the books, divided in genres- fiction, travel, sports adventure or science. Additionally, once placed on the shelf, label the group of books as per their category.

Free the Library Racks

In this step, you need to clear the racks of the library. Remove all the books and other items from the racks and dust them properly before placing them back. Check for any damage on the books and if any, fix them immediately. You may need to rebuild the old torn books as well to make them look better. Once you have all the books ready, wipe the racks and replace the books categorically.

Invest in CD Wallet Cases

This is another great way to organize your home library. By eliminating the piles of plastic cd cases, you can greatly reduce the clutter in the room while also saving space, as well as enhance the look of the library. Simply place the wallet cases in a shelf once you have all the CDs stored in it. This is much better than piling up those plastic cd cases that can consume significant space.

Tips for Properly Cleaning Your Household Appliances

Fri, 26 Sep 2014 13:37:33 GMT

Nowadays many of us couldn’t stand to live without our household appliances, or at least we think we couldn’t anyway. However, there are important things that need to be done in order for those appliances to stay in good running order. Keeping your appliances clean is the main way to keep them functioning optimally. Below are some tips for cleaning your household appliances:

Check the Owner’s Manual

For you to avoid damaging your appliances you should try and read the instruction manual on how to wash them before you start the process. The manual should have basic instructions on what cleansers and other materials are safe for you to use when cleaning your appliances.

Use the Right Cleaning Products

There are different cleaning products available for all your different appliances. There are also non-toxic home mixtures that are good options as well. Always remember to use cleansers that are not too abrasive, otherwise they may damage the finish and possibly other parts of your appliances. Same thing goes for the applicator you use when cleaning, as a microfiber cloth will clean without the risk of scratches.

And if you would rather have someone take care of your house cleaning for you, The Maids of North Andover, in Massachusetts, would be happy to assist you!

Removing Kids’ Marks Off of Your Wall

Fri, 19 Sep 2014 13:31:59 GMT

Creativity, while it is good, can sometimes be messy especially when kids are involved. And pens, crayons, and other art supplies can result in marks on your walls. These marks can mar the beauty of your home. So how do you deal with such marks? Read on to learn the steps to follow to keep your wall shiny and sparkling:

Pick a Cleaner

Crayon manufacturers often recommend using an automotive lubricant to get rid of crayon marks from the wall. Also, you may use a thick paste of water and baking soda. And sometimes, simple dish detergent and water will work.

Test the Cleaner

The cleaning product that you have chosen must be first tested on an inconspicuous spot, for instance behind the door. This is to ensure that it won’t harm your wall or destroy your paint when applied.

Apply

The next step involves applying the cleaning product to the stain. Take a clean cloth and gently rub marks with it. After that, wipe it clean. Take care not to rub too hard. If you do, you risk damaging the painted surface.

Rinse the Wall

In case some cleaner or marks are still visible, take a sponge soaked in a mixture of water and liquid dish soap and rinse the marks with it. Scrub in a round motion and rinse once more where necessary.

Ensure Art Supplies are Washable

It is important to check all markers and crayons that you buy to ensure that they are washable. Put all paints and permanent markers in safe place where kids cannot get them.

Buy an Easel

Purchase an easel or craft paper roll. It offers a fun alternative to walls it will obviously save you from cleaning work in future.

The above tips should have you cleaning kids’ marks off your walls in no time. However, if you would like assistance with your housekeeping , The Maids of North Andover would be happy to help!

Simple Tricks That Can Foster Longevity for Your Wood Furniture

Fri, 12 Sep 2014 13:22:18 GMT

Wood furniture is elegant and adds up a natural, elegant look and feel to your home. However, it can be easily ruined if it comes in contact with moisture, excess heat, or excess pressure that may cause them to break, plus they can easily be stained. Wood furniture hasa long lifespan if it is properly taken care of. To maintain the elegance and foster the longevity of your wood furniture, it is imperative that you should get acquainted with some simple care tips:

Shield Your Furniture from Moisture

Wood absorbs moisture quickly, which can damage it. Too much moisture can cause it to expand, crack, and eventually split. Moisture also favors the growth of mold and fungus on your wood furniture. You may as well take advantage of a dehumidifier to lower the percentage levels of humidity in your home.

Protect Your Furniture from Direct Sunlight

Try to place your wood furniture in areas where it won’t receive direct sunlight. The UV rays from the sun are strong enough to discolor your furniture, compromising its elegance. You can apply a thin film of tint on your windows to prevent sunrays from hitting directly on your furniture.

Protect Your Furniture from Stains

You should place pads under water jugs, mugs, and hot dishes, or use coasters or mats, to prevent formation of stains and damage to the finish. Plastic and rubberized surfaces can damage the finish on wood surfaces. Avoid using things with such surfaces on your furniture to protect the finish.

Perform Regular Maintenance

You should polish your wood furniture occasionally to keep its finish intact. When cleaning them, make sure that you use a soft damp cloth. Hot water and dish soap may suffice when working on stains so long as the finish is water-resistant. It is also important to replenish your wood furniture with a good wood oil every so often to keep the wood from drying out and becoming dull.

Following the above tips can help you maintain your wood furniture, so that it can serve you for the longest time possible. And if you would like to hire a professional maid service instead, do not hesitate to contact The Maids of North Andover, in Massachusetts, who would be happy to help!

Effective Health Improvement Tips Every Homeowner Should Consider

Fri, 05 Sep 2014 13:10:20 GMT

There are simple changes in your home that can help you and your family have a clean and healthy environment. To assist you in keeping your home’s environment safe to live in, the following tips can get you started:

Improve Lighting

Proper lighting can improve the health and environment in your home. Letting sunlight shine through windows not only substitutes the usage of power for lighting, but is also good for your health. Sunlight revitalizes and refreshes your nerves, is essential to Vitamin D absorption(which affects your mood), and aids in reducing the dampness in your home making it a natural way of controlling mold growth.

Keeping the Air Clean

The air in your home needs to be clean and fresh at all times. Planting trees around your home and opening up windows can help let in natural, cool, and fresh air into your home. Regular vacuuming and dusting also helps to reduce allergens. Also, you may take advantage of air purifiers, though they are costly and take up much power.

Controlling Pests

Pests are a nuisance in homes and they often harbor diseases. You can destroy their breeding places by de-cluttering your rooms. Sealing cracks and crevices is also important in order to eliminate small animals and insects from getting into your home. Putting traps in vents and crevices may also be a good way of keeping pests away from your home. You can also use pesticides if the traps don’t work.

Water Treatment

Another tip you may consider is treating your water. Boiling and filtering are good ways to disinfect your water.

Following these simple tips can help you promote a healthy living environment for you and your family. Regular housekeeping is also very important in maintaining your home environment, and if you would like assistance with these tasks, The Maids of North Andover, in Massachusetts, would be happy to help.

Get Compacted and Save Space

Fri, 22 Aug 2014 13:00:26 GMT

If you are a housekeeper, you know just how busy you can be. There is no shadow of doubt about the amount of work you put in. However, there are certain things you can do to make it more efficient and reduce the amount of time that you require to remove all the clutter. Here is a sneak peek of some of these ways:

First, you need to have a better organization. The truth is that better organization is crucial towards efficient cleaning:

When you sort through your stuff, you will no longer inquire where they should go.
You won’t have to ask where your items will go because you will be able to tell in which category it belongs and go ahead and place it in that category.
After knowing exactly where to place your belongings, you will realize that you have saved your time for more crucial life needs.

Place some items in a lost and found drawer.

For items that neither have a category nor a drawer or items you need to ask someone about, you can choose a designated lost and found drawer and place those types of things in it. Just in case someone fails to find what they are looking for, they can always re-visit the drawer to check if these items are there. This will not only be convenient to the person looking for a lost item, but also on the person doing the cleaning.

Putting away some seasonal clothes.

The truth is that some closets have limited space. Therefore, you want to ensure that you have taken all the winter clothes out of your closet during summer. Place them in plastic storage bags or stackable totes instead. This will ensure that all the summer clothes are accessible when you want to choose an outfit to wear without winter clothes getting in the way.

Place all the puzzles in a bag.

If you have family members who love puzzles, some pieces within your home may fall out and get lost. Try placing these pieces in a sandwich bag and subsequently place them in a small tote. You will create more space and be organized in the process.

Keeping your home organized and clean is a full-time job. If your schedule is making it difficult to find time to do anything else, get in touch with The Maids for a helping hand.

The American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk!

Sat, 16 Aug 2014 10:29:53 GMT

The 5-mile Walk will take place at Boston’s DCR Hatch Shell along the beautiful Charles River Esplanade on Sunday, October 5th!

We are also excited to announce a special contest connected to the Making Strides of Boston walk. Walk Participants who register online at www.makingstrideswalk.org/bostonma and raise $300 by October 1st will automatically be entered into a drawing to win a Grand Prize of free house cleaning for a year!*

To start a walk team, please visit: www.makingstrideswalk.org/bostonma .

To make a donation to The Maids walk team please visit:
http://main.acsevents.org/goto/themaidsnewenglan

Thank you!
*For contest rules please email bostonmastrides@cancer.org

The Uses and Disadvantages of Chlorine Bleach

Fri, 15 Aug 2014 12:53:43 GMT

There are a variety of uses for chlorine bleach in your home. Chlorine bleach can be used to eliminate mildew and mold that may be growing on various surfaces; it is also used in disinfecting and cleaning many items. Chlorine bleach may be very handy to use around the home but it is also important to note that it can be a hazard, so it’s wise to use the bleach cautiously, especially in a home that has pets or children. The Maids usehousekeeping products that work as well as—or even better than—bleach but are friendly to the environment to give you the best results in a way that is completely safe for both you and your environment.

The Downside of Chlorine Bleach

There are many uses of chlorine bleach; however, it also has very some concerning aspects. One negative quality is that it quickly corrodes stainless steel, and can literally burn a hole through it. It is important therefore to ensure that the bleach is kept away from all stainless steel items.
Additionally, the bleach should not be kept separate from many cleaners that are used in the home such as acidic chemicals and ammonia because mixing them can lead to explosive reactions. It can also cause chemical reactions that may give off dangerous vapors or gases that may be harmful to anyone nearby.
Avoid splashing or spilling chlorine bleach in the process of using it since it usually causes colored fabrics to fade.
Finally, the strength and effectiveness of the bleach reduces over time. It will have lost at least 20% of its effectiveness after just six months.

Uses of the Bleach

As a main ingredient used in most cleaners today, bleach is generally considered as an all-purpose cleaner. It is used in sanitizing and cleaning the following;

House siding
Rubber mats
Floors around the home
Shower liners
Countertops
Trash cans
Toilets, showers, sinks and tubs
Children’s toys
Rags, white socks, towels as well as many other linens

When using bleach, don’t forget to consider how it should be diluted for the task at hand, and always use it with caution.

Renew the Beauty of Your Outdoor Furniture

Fri, 08 Aug 2014 12:42:30 GMT

If you have outdoor furniture, signs of wear and tear will appear over time. Many factors cause outdoor furniture to fade and wear, some of those being: daily use, adverse weather conditions, and scruffs and scratches. Regardless of how often you clean them or how careful you are, as the years passthe signs of use will show. So have some fun with your furniture and give it a facelift instead of replacing it. These simple tips will help you bring new life toyour outdoor furniture.

A New Coat of Paint

A new coat of paint allows you to bring back the colors you once loved that have become faded and worn. Sanding down damaged areas will remove small dings and chips in the paint, and allow for a smooth painting surface. And when you repaint the furniture it is a good idea to use paint that is designed for outdoor exposure.

A New Color Selection

A new color, colors, or pattern might bring totally new beauty and attitude to your outdoor furniture. There are paints for common outdoor furniture material such as vinyl, hard plastic, metal, or wood, just to name a few. There are several paint brands to choose from, just make sure that you select one that is designed to be used outdoors.

You will be amazed at how a fresh coat of paint can make such a huge difference, or what an entirely new color scheme can do for your outdoor space. This is a simple way to save on cost, and create a space you can enjoy with family and friends. And while you are busy bringing new life to your outdoor space, you can hire The Maids to handle your indoor cleaning.

Removal of Stickers and Their Residue from Various Surfaces

Fri, 08 Aug 2014 11:58:20 GMT

As long as the price stickers are where they belong – on the labeled products in your convenience store or other shopping malls, then they remain functional and useful. However, most stickers don’t stick there for long; they get to come off once they have been paid for after their brief shelf life. And heaven only knows where these stickers end up; they can easily become a nuisance on every surface in and around the home.The following are some of the ways to clean those stickers from various surfaces at home:

Glass Surfaces

Avoid scratching the glass to remove the sticker as this may damage the glass. Instead, apply vegetable or baby oil, allowing it to remain on the surface overnight; by morning it should peel off. Using nail polish and allowing it to soak for about 30 minutes should also do the trick.

Wooden Surfaces

Lay a cloth or paper towel that has been soaked in white vinegar over the sticker and allow it to soak into the sticker and residue for about five minutes. Peel off the sticker and once the wooden surface is clean, use wood polish to wipe the surface.

Plastic Surfaces

Heat up the portion around the sticker using a hair dryer, then peel off one side. Aim the hair dryer below the sticker as you hold up the loose side; this will allow the area to warm up and slowly release the sticker from the plastic surface. Ensure the surface doesn’t get hot enough to melt the plastic. Finish by washing the surface using a solution of dish soap then dry it.

Metallic Surfaces

Scrape off the adhesive as much of it as you can from the metallic surface then apply water-displacing spray on a cloth, but make sure not to use something abrasive that will scratch the metal . Continue rubbing the sticker with this spray, and then wash the surface using warm water mixed with dish soap. Rinse the area and dry it.

You can maintain all your surfaces and their nice appearance even after the stickers have been removed. There is always a suitable solution to deal with the unsightly blemishes on your surfaces. No need to be miserable about those annoying stickers anymore! And for all your other messes, The Maids can do your housekeeping for you.

Cleaning with at Home Made Products

Fri, 25 Jul 2014 11:52:39 GMT

Allergies and other respiratory issues make it hard for some people to use chemical cleaning products. At the same time, there are plenty cleaning items sold these days claim to be eco-friendly and free of harsh chemicals, when that isn’t always the case. The following are some cleaning solutions which you can make right in your kitchen using other common household products:

Wax for Floors

2 Tbsp. of olive oil
warm water
white vinegar

This wax will serve as an effective alternative for those who are bothered by the strong chemical smell of many common floor cleaners.

Furniture Polishing

1/4 cup of olive oil
20 drops of lemon oil
1/4 cup of white vinegar

The wood will absorb the oils and the lemon will cut away all the excess greases

Homemade Bleach

1/2 cup of baking soda
1/2 tsp of peroxide
1 tsp of dish soap

This solution can effectively scrub tiles and bathrooms with ease.

Microwave Cleaner

A few lemons cut into wedges
Bowl with small amount of water

Place lemon wedges inside of the bowl with a tad bit of water and microwave on high for 1 minute. Remove the bowl and wipe your microwave out using a damp cloth.

Glass Cleaner

1 1/2 cup of water
lemon juice
1 cup of white vinegar.

This will work best on mirrors, and the lemon will give them a streak-free shine.

The main goal of good housekeeping should be to make your home fresh and clean, which will help keep your family healthy and happy.If you would like to hire someone to do your house cleaning, The Maids should be the ones you call!

Top Uses of Storage Bins

Fri, 18 Jul 2014 11:42:20 GMT

There are many industries that are doing an awesome job of manufacturing safe-keeping bins. These bins are a great part of daily life as they are available in a wide range of sizes and shapes for organization and house cleaning. These storage bins are used not only in homes, but in schools and warehouses as well. You can easily get the bins according to your need from any shop near your property.

Here are the top 10 uses for household storage bins:

1. A detailed storage system:

A number of people use storage platforms with storage bins in an integrated system of shelves, cabinets, lockers, and racks. It depends upon the individual to select bins according to the particular storage need. These storage bins can be purchased in all different sizes and shapes, making it easy to choose the right size and condition.

2. Security of numerous materials and parts:

Many bins are manufactured to handle heavy-duty storage as these bins ought to guarantee the security of different materials and belongings.

3. Protection of electronic digital components:

Many containers are manufactured for the purpose of protecting sensitive items. These are the components that are supposed to be kept secure, and plastic storage bins do really a great job for this reason.

4. Different portions to arrange:

Many items that don’t require special care are needed in a home or shop, but these are typically the parts that need to be stored in an organized manner. Many storage bins have completely different portions that do a great job organizing these items.

5. Easy access:

Many storage boxes are accessible in handy form and the user can decide how to make bins accessible in kitchen or other places. Finding a bin that meets your need will help.

6. Handling of food:

Storage bins come with the ability to look at different items of food in them. Air tight boxes or even bins help food to remain protected. These bins are located in many different sizes meant for storing food without waste.

7. Storage for children’s items:

A number of shoppers buy storage bins in which they may keep their children’s belongings. These bins play a great role for protection with children's toys, books, and craft things. These bins are located in many bright colors which attract kids for enjoying these boxes as properly.

8. Organization of house:

Storage bins are manufactured to help with your organization of tools with the garage like screws, products, nails, pipes etc.

There are many other advantages of having these bins inside your homes but these had been just few important and additionally integral uses of storage devices bins.

Storage bins are one way to help keep a house organized and clean, and maid services like those from The Maids can take it one step further.

Keeping Valued Papers Safe

Fri, 11 Jul 2014 11:28:22 GMT

Preserving confidential papers is something that every household needs to know to do because nobody wants any of these papers wet, lost, burnt, or damaged:

birth certificates
registration papers
credit reports
membership cards
collectible concert tickets
home business papers
photos
and other valuable papers

Organization is key to keep your papers from getting lost, and an important part of housekeeping. The following are other ways to protect your valuable papers.

Lamination

You can laminate papers of different sizes using special products that come in different models to heat-seal lamination material over the paper for protection and preservation. Currently, you are not allowed to laminate Social Security cards, but you can do so for older cards without that restriction, including insurance cards and award certificates, to keep them protected from bends, tears, water, etc.

Fire Protection

A fire outbreak can cause damage to important documents and papers that might be difficult to replace. So, the best thing to do is to use a fire safe, a filing cabinet, or shelved cabinet to protect these items. Moreover, a filing cabinet will also help you to stay organized and avoid unnecessarily misplacement of your important items. For a small price of around $40, you can find a rectangular box that can offer you the benefits of safety with a small investment. Depending on what you are willing to part with for a decent fire safe, these products vary on how long and how much heat they can handle. A majority have numbered, keyed, or padlocked protection for confidentiality.

Sealed Bags

Large sealed bags such as Ziploc brand bags and sandwich bags can protect many valued papers from condensation, spills, decomposition, or debris.

Digital Protection

Digital storage is the best way to protect or preserve important papers. Scan your papers or visit a local photo lab such as CVS or Wal-Mart to make copies of your papers in digital form, and then store them on a memory stick, email, or in a cloud system. Use some of these techniques to protect your important papers and photos and you won’t have to regret: better safe than sorry.

Keeping your papers organized is an important part of the process of protecting them, and keeping clutter down in general will help. Of course, cleaning is practically a full-time job, so if you need some help, don’t hesitate to call The Maids.

Homemade Cleaning Agents Recipes

Fri, 27 Jun 2014 11:21:48 GMT

Instead of using toxic chemical products in your home, you can make your own cleaning agents using some safe household ingredients. However, never mix bleach and ammonia, as they can create a deadly gas. It is important to ensure that the ingredients you are planning to use are appropriate for the surface you want to clean. White distilled vinegar and many other basic cleansers are safe for cleaning most surfaces, and can be mixed to make great cleaning products. Below are a couple of recipes for basic cleaners and their uses:

Window Cleaner

How to Make

You will need a cup of white vinegar and a cup of water for this mixture. Fill a refillable 16 ounce trigger spray bottle with the vinegar and water. Shake the mixture and label.

How to use

Spray the mixture on the glass and wipe using a clean and soft lint free cloth, or use a balled up sheet of newspaper. This is a great recipe that does a fantastic job and is very economical.

Carpet Cleanser

How to Make

You will need six drips of oil soap, a cup of club soda. Mix the drops of oil soap with the club soda in a bowl to make a foamy cleaner.

Using the mixture

Rub mixture into the stained areas on the carpet and scrub using a brush. Rinse with water and blot immediately. Ensure that the stains on the carpet are cleanedas they happen, as the can be difficult to clean once they are dry. This agent is an effective cleanser and is strong on even the toughest stains.

While these cleaners are very effective, you simply may desire to have help. If this is the case, you can hire The Maids to assist in your cleaning needs.

Eliminating Pet Hair on Your Couch

Fri, 20 Jun 2014 11:08:40 GMT

In a home, pets help family members enjoy life, especially those who love their pets very much. They also tend to add more work to your home when you’re trying to maintain high level of cleanliness. This is especially noticeable when you have to try and remove pet hairs during house cleaning that settle on places in your home such as on your couch or other furniture.

The pet hair can settle on the couches if your pets sleep on your furniture, but they can also float on the air where they will finally land on random areas in your home. It’s bothersome to remove the hair from the couch each day, so it’s necessary to try and look for ways through which you can make the work of removing hairs from the couch very easy. There are various vacuum pumps available that can easily help you in getting rid of the hairs.

Using Attachments for Vacuums

The vacuum pump sometimes have attachments which you can use to get rid of the pet hairs. Pumps with brushes or wide floor attachments tend to make the work of removing the pet hairs a bit harder because they are not designed for the work.

Vacuums Designed for Pet Hair

There are vacuum pumps that are designed with a particular attachment that makes the work of removing pet hair very easy. You can order an attachment that will enable you to remove the pet hairs from your couch, but buying the one that has the attachments already is preferable.

The Types and Styles of Attachments

The attachments available on vacuum pumps differ according to the manufacturers. There are those that provide the attachments with rubber on the edges which form grips that help in removing the hairs before the pump sucks them. Other features on the vacuum pumps include rubber bristles which help in brushing up the pet hairs from your couch with great ease.

Of course, to keep a house really clean takes consistency, and if your time is stretched thin, The Maidscan help.

Best Garage Organization Ideas That Work

Fri, 13 Jun 2014 11:03:24 GMT

Are you forced to leave your car out on the street because your garage doesn’t have enough room for it? If so then its time you started thinking of how to get your garage organized. Listed below are a few tips to help you make that happen. Read on!

1. Sort

It is best to group similar items together to make them easy to find. Shelving units, a few coats of paint and some cute decals for the garage door will transform the space without spending a lot of money. Put frequently used items, such as paper towel, cleaning materials, toilet paper and drinks, on the shelf units.

2. Keep dangerous chemical in their original containers

Most people often keep paints, pesticides and auto fluids in old food containers making them very dangerous as these containers may leak and cause respiratory problems, fumes, burns and even fire hazards. Besides being stored in their original containers, they should also be kept out of reach of children or pets. This can be inside locked cabinets or on high shelves.

3. Lean the ladders horizontally

Ladders when left leaning against the wall can be a hazard. This style often seems to be the correct storage position, but what if it tips over? It can injure a loved one or damage your car. So the best position is to lean it horizontally along the wall. You can also store it on hooks, which is the better option.

4. Assign each area of the garage a specific purpose

Take your time and think carefully about what you want the garage to be used for. Also, think about the best possible way it can be divided up. Divide the space into zones to help you create a setup that does not only make sense, but also leaves the room neat and well-organized.

Ig you need help with cleaning and organizing your garage or anything else, The Maids cover it all, from one –room cleaning to whole house cleaning, as well as emergency cleanups.

Gain More Free Time through Better Organization

Fri, 06 Jun 2014 11:14:40 GMT

Getting organized at home is a great idea. In your daily life there are some house cleaning chores which you will be required to carry out on a daily basis. When cleaning the house, you will need to arrange different items in the places that make the most sense for functionality in your life. The best way for you to arrange the items in your home is putting them in places where you can easily locate them whenever you would like to make use of them. This will reduce the time that you would waste in trying to locate certain items in your home. The following are ideas that you can employ for you to get organized easily:

Personal Electronic Accessories

There are several home accessories available in a home. For instance, you will often have the following electronics in your home: phone chargers, game console controllers, TV cables, USB portable storage units, power adapters, headphones, video cables, Wi-Fi dongles, remotes, Ethernet cables, watches, watch batteries, standard batteries, electronic parts, tiny screws and other gadgets with their accessories. To have an easier time when cleaning your house, you can design a drawer where you can place all the electronic gadgets so that when you need them it will be easy for you to retrieve them.

Dirty Clothes

To arrange dirty clothes so you can easily gather them when you are ready to wash them, buy laundry hampers and place one in each bedroom in your home so that your family members can put their dirty clothes in them every day. This will make it easier on laundry day because when you’re ready to start cleaning your clothes you will go straight to the hamper rather than wasting time looking for the clothes all over the house.

For a little extra help in keeping the house clean and organized, a maid service like The Maids can do the job.

Using Additional Shelves for More Storage Space

Fri, 06 Jun 2014 10:56:43 GMT

A home is a home, filled with your things—and the clutter that comes with them. However much you try, it is rather difficult keeping your home in tip-top condition all the time. You will find your cabinets filling up, drawers getting loaded, and closets carrying too many things.

The best way to overcome all this clutter is to think of innovative ideas for your shelves. Use your creativity to make more space so that all your housekeeping efforts keep your home looking great. The first thing to do is reorganize all your shelves so that they give you more space to store your belongings.

Purpose

The purpose of the shelf is very important in helping you decide what you want, and how much you want to expand your shelving units. Decide if you need shelves for storing your music and movies, for your kids’ activity coloring books and games, or other types of items.

Once you determine how much you need to store on shelves, you can decide if you need to expand with more shelving units. If you find you don’t have sufficient room for games, movies, and music on one shelf, it’s the best time to add another shelf for all of these things.

Organization

You can start organizing your things once you decide what you want in a shelving unit. You need not buy additional shelves all the time; if required, shelf systems can be compacted and restricted to fit more of your belongings.

This is because many shelf systems today have peg holes to use for self-adjustment purposes. You can thus place items on the shelves based on size, so that you have a shelf that snugly fits to the next one.

With the extra room you have, you can start adding shelves. Just go to the local hardware store to find out what they offer for shelf boards, and then cut them to the required size. If your existing shelf system is painted, just paint the new boards with a matching color.

On adding new shelves to the unit, and having pegs holding them up, you can now install a new shelf on the remaining space you have once all the new shelves are added to your existing shelf system.

Keep clutter at bay regardless of your schedule with a hand from The Maids, who will not only straighten the clutter, but also make sure your home is truly clean.

Time to Replace Those Old Doorknobs

Fri, 30 May 2014 10:24:21 GMT

Just like anything else, door knobs wear out over time. The finish gets destroyed and the functionality of the handle set tends to wear out. Replacing the door knobs in your home can help make your housekeeping efforts look that much better. It doesn’t really work well when you wax an extremely rusted car. Your door handles are no different. The dings, the dents, the scratches, the fading of the finish, etc. affect the look. This is usually a good time to replace those old knobs on your room doors and your entry doors. It’s the chance to upgrade the beauty level and get a style you like too.

Swinging Arm Handle Knobs

This type of door knob is pretty popular, mainly because of its easiness to use and the convenience of using it. It is great for when you have your hands full, simply because it operates on a swinging arm structure. Unlike the traditional round knobs, this one has an arm. You drop it down and the door opens. So when your hands are full, you can use your arm or elbow to open the door, unless it is a lockset for your entry door. You would then need to unlock it first.

Assorted Shaped Knobs

There are numerous door knob styles that come in various shapes. The round knobs have different degrees of thickness. They are round from the top, but vary in depth on the side. Some have a complete ball shape all the way around, while others can look like a flattened ball. The oval knobs are like the flattened ball style, but in the shape of an oval.

Thumb Lever Locksets

When it comes to entry doors, thumb lever locksets add flair and décor to any lockable door. This type has a decorative, vertical handle that you wrap your hand around. It contains a thumb lever to open the door. This vertical structure lets you grab the handle and open the door with your thumb pressed down. Because of the style of knob, this lockset uses a deadbolt to lock your door. Most people do not mind that due to the nice, stylish flair it adds to their entry door.

In understanding the various types of door knobs and styles, you will be able to shop easier because you’ll know what you want. Above all, you will enjoy giving your doors a makeover and making your cleaning efforts look better! No rusty car getting waxed here.

Tips to Improve Your Outdoor Furniture

Fri, 23 May 2014 10:34:11 GMT

Outdoor furniture is exposed to the sun, the rain, andtons of other natural elements. In time, it will start to deteriorate, especially if you do not store it away when it is not being used or if you don’t cover it up. However, there are some rather simple things you can do to restore your outdoor furniture.

Outdoor furniture can be made from a variety of materials. The most common ones are plastic, wrought iron, aluminum and stainless steel, but you can also find items made from vinyl, fiberglass, bronze, or brass. Each material will have its particular strengths and weaknesses, and you must know how to go about cleaning and restoring it. There are specialized cleaners for all sorts of materials, so make sure you choose one that is suitable for the material that your outdoor furniture is made from. Likewise, there will be specific paints so make sure you choose accordingly.

Plastic Furniture: Plastic patio furniture is the most popular as it is lightweight yet durable. It is generally the most affordable option, and many people opt for it as it requires little maintenance and can be cleaned very easily. To restore such furniture, start off by washing it with a suitable cleaner. Once the surface is clean and free from any residue, you can apply a primer and then the paint.

Metal Furniture: If your furniture is made from metals like steel, wrought iron, chrome, or bronze; you would need to use a wire brush or a wire wheel. The first step would be to remove any rust particles that may have developed on the surface. You cannot apply a coating of paint unless the surface has been properly cleaned. Make sure you choose paint that is ideal for the type of metal your furniture is made from. There are often different colors you may choose from, which is a great way to give a totally new look to your furniture.

How to Shampoo a Carpet in a Few Easy Steps

Fri, 16 May 2014 12:29:50 GMT

Advisably, the average floor carpeting requires a thorough cleaning every twelve to eighteen months. By opting for a professional carpet cleaner, you can avoid the chances of damage that is probable in do it yourself endeavors. However, a careful and informed undertaking can save you the extra cash. If you know how to shampoo a carpet you might also earn yourself a feeling of self-achievement.

Step 1: preparation

Clear all furniture and disruptive items from the cleaning area. This will not only make the cleaning process easier but will prevent common mistake number three. Once this is done, you can vacuum the carpet to remove dust and any lingering dirt. You can also use take on outstanding stains with the required stain removal procedures.

Step 2: cleaning

Prepare the carpet cleaning machine with water and shampoo according to its directions. After everything is set up, you can begin shampooing from one corner of the room. Move slowly up and down in parallel lines until you have covered the whole carpet. This allows the shampoo to work its way into the carpet fibers before being sucked back out into the machine. You can put in extra effort on stubbornly stained areas but be cautious not to over wet the carpet. You can cease shampooing the carpet once the cleaning water turns clear.

Step 3: finish

After the cleaning process is done leave the room clear or take the carpet out to dry. Only after the carpet is dry should you put the furniture and everything else back into place.

Lest you forget, here are the three common mistakes that everyone who does not know how to shampoo a carpet should keep in mind.

Do not use too much shampoo or fail to adequately rinse it out
Do not use too much water that could shrink, discolor or soak into the bottom of the carpet
Do not forget to move the furniture out or they could damage the carpet

Tips to Reduce your Electricity Bill

Fri, 16 May 2014 10:46:49 GMT

The cost of electricity is constantly increasing, making it difficult for many households to keep up with their electricity bills.Fortunately, it is possible to lower your electricity bill by following s few simple tips. Below are simple tips to lowering your power bill.

Energy Efficient Lighting

You can start by replacing your standard bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, which consume less energy.

Use Energy Efficient Appliances

Anotherimportant factor in lowering your energy bill is to use energy efficient appliances. You should replace old appliances with more energy efficient models. Some of the appliances that may need to be replaced include air conditioning, refrigerator, range, oven and microwave.

Service Your Air Conditioner and Refrigerators Often

Do regular maintenance on your air conditioning system. If your air conditioner has dirty filter, it has to work harder to keep your home cool, consuming a lot more energy. Servicing regularly also applies to your refrigerator, as its coils are supposed to be cleaned at least three times in a year in order to work efficiently.

Unplug Electronics and Appliances When Not In Use

First, there are many electronics and appliances in your house that consume power even when not in use. Some devices such as microwaves, TVs, computers and stereo systems consume low electricity even when they are off, so it will save energy if you unplug them when they are not in use.

You only need to make a few changes in your house and you will be able to reduce your energy bill. And if you really want to lower your bill for good, you can opt for clean energy solutions such as solar panels. The Maids of North Andover Massachusetts can assist you in cleaning your home, helping to keep dust a dirt from causing clogged air conditioners, or dirty appliances from running up your energy bill.

The Top Benefits of Having Your Carpet Professionally Cleaned

Fri, 09 May 2014 12:36:19 GMT

Many things in life require routine maintenance in order to stay in tip-top shape. Obvious examples include things like vehicles. Did you realize, though, that you should have routine maintenance performed on the carpeting in your home too? To keep a carpet in exceptional shape, it pays to have it professionally cleaned at least one time per year. In some cases, it may be better to have it done twice. Even if you are extremely diligent about handling spills quickly and vacuuming regularly, you shouldn't go without at least one professional cleaning per year. There are many key perks to having the pros clean the carpeting in your home; learn a few of the most notable ones below.

Maintain the Appearance of Your Carpeting

All of the vacuuming in the world can't hope to take the place of a thorough shampooing. Vacuum cleaners remove large amounts of dust and debris from carpets, but they can only do so much. When you have a carpet professional cleaned, you can rest assured that deep-seated debris is being sucked away. Each fiber will get a thorough cleaning, which will give your carpeting a like-new appearance. You shouldn't wait until your carpeting sorely needs to be cleaned either; you should have it done at least once a year, whether it appears to need it or not. That way, it will never have the chance to become dingy or unattractive.

Extend the Life of Your Carpeting

You may not realize it, but the dust and debris that becomes embedded in a carpet doesn't just detract from its appearance. If it's allowed to sit there for too long, it can begin to ruin the structural integrity of the carpeting as well. As people walk across carpeting, the dirt that's embedded in it rubs against its backing and its fibers. As time goes by, this process can wear carpets thin and give them unappealing appearances. Having carpeting cleaned at least once per year is much cheaper than having to replace it prematurely.

Protect Your Warranty

When you buy new carpeting, always make sure to read the fine print carefully. In many cases, the warranty only remains valid if you agree to have your carpet professionally cleaned from time to time. That's because manufacturers realize how beneficial periodic cleaning can be for carpeting. There's no question that occasional shampooing extends the life of all kinds of carpeting. Whether you opt for basic, budget carpeting or higher-end designs, having it cleaned professionally at least once per year should help you avoid the risk of voiding its warranty. In the long run, that will save you a lot of grief and trouble.

Utilizing Everyday Ingredients as Cleaning Products

Fri, 09 May 2014 10:42:32 GMT

Store bought cleaning products are full of chemicals that can negatively affect our skin and immune system in various ways. If you are a person who is sensitive to chemicals and allergens, you might opt for homemade cleaning products to avoid the effects caused by these hazardous chemicals.

Diluted White Vinegar

White vinegar is not only gentle to your skin but it is effective at dissolving soap scum, dirt and hard water deposits from many surfaces. It has excellent deodorizing capabilities as well. It doesn’t have any coloring agents, ensuring that the grouts in your tiled surfaces are kept unstained. For families with sensitive skin, white vinegar is great because there is not chemical residue. It can be utilized by mixing one cup of vinegar with one cup of water in a refillable spray bottle.

Baking Soda

Because of its natural deodorizing properties and its mild abrasive action, it is one of the powerful replacements for chemical cleaning products. Simply sprinkle the baking soda onto a damp cloth to clean bathroom vanities, bathtubs and toilets. If you come across tougher grime, you can prepare a paste made by mixing baking soda with a little water, and then apply paste to areas with hard to remove soap scum or other deposits, wait a few minutes, scrub and rinse. Pour a little down you bathroom and kitchen sinks as a deodorizer. However, do not use this solution in blocked drains.

These products are perfect allergy-free home cleaning products you can prepare and use easily throughout your home. However, if you would like to have a professional housekeeping service maintain your home, The Maids of North Andover Massachusetts would be happy to assist you.

Must Have Features in Dust Mite Air Cleaners

Fri, 02 May 2014 12:32:46 GMT

Dust mites are not harmful, as they do not bite, but they can cause some serious allergies when the dust produced by these bugs is inhaled. They cause allergies and many other health issues if they are not prevented and get ridden off. One of the best ways to get rid of them is through air cleaners, which reduces their population and the symptoms caused by them. When you are looking for a good dust mite cleaner then make sure they have the following features.

1. Pre filters of large and medium size that are made of cotton ball like material is necessary, so that hair, dirt and dust is removed easily and so you can form your first line of defense when combating dust mites. Then it becomes easy for the filter to remove the microscopic particles from filling up.

2. High Efficiency Particle Arresting Technology or HEPA technology- The filters made with this technology can remove airborne particles that are as minute as 0.3 microns in size. This technology is widely used in hospitals to clean the air. This technology helps in removing dust particles, microorganisms and dust mites that are invisible to human eyes.

3. Split Capacity Motor- Dust mites multiply incredibly fast producing 30-100 eggs. Mites multiply exponentially and so air cleaner too should work at that speed and relentlessly to get rid of them. Therefore air cleaner has to run smoothly, continuously and efficiently, which is possible only with a split capacitor as it is designed to run 24 hours a day.

4. Fresh Air Producer Only- cleaners must not produce any ozone as it is unhealthy. Therefore ensure your cleaner can send 250 cubic feet of fresh clean air into your room so that the quality of the air is improved quickly and the air remains fresh and healthy.

Kids and the Fun Activities They Enjoy

Fri, 02 May 2014 10:38:22 GMT

When the kids are home for the summer or the holidays many parents have to find ways ensure that their kids have fun and do not get bored. It is important to remember that kids, especially younger kids, have short attention spans and can easily get bored. There are many fun ideas that can keep kids happy and entertained, while avoiding being absorbed in television and game systems. Below are a few ideas to try:

Pirate Play

The Pirate phenomenon has taken over the imagination of most kids. With a few plastic swords bandannas, an adventure can begin. Also, a treasure hunt can be created simply by wrapping some items in aluminum foil and hiding them around the house. Then the kids can go hunting for the treasure. Make sure to hide the blocks in places that are easy to find in order to keep the kids from losing interest.

Creating a Racetrack

Another great idea is to place a red tape on the floor so that your kids can have ‘roads’ for toy cars to drive on.You can easily remove the tape when they are done.

Bowling

With a few empty bottles and a rubber ball you can transform your home into a bowling alley. The kids can take turns trying to hit the bottles with the ball, rolling it in the same manner as you would at the bowling alley. If the bottles fall over too easily then you may need to add some water, sand, or rice to make them more secure. This can be a very fun game, while saving money.

After all the playing is done, you may find that your home is a little messy. Or maybe you would like to spend more time with your children and less time cleaning . If you are in the North Andover, Massachusetts area and would like help in maintaining your home, The Maids of North Andover can assist you.

Lemon Lime Cleaning Spray

Mon, 14 Apr 2014 12:44:40 GMT

Lemon lime cleaning spray is a general spray that combines the power of three efficient green cleaning elements. These elements include limes, vinegar and lemon. This spray can be used in your house at the kitchen, bathroom. The lemon cleansing spray has a very good scent and the ingredients used to make it are biodegradable and cheap which sterilize and cleans naturally.

How this spray work

The low PH it has due to lemon, vinegar makes it create unfriendly environment for a variety of microorganisms to develop. This makes it good at fighting germs while you clean-up with it. The acidity nature of limes, vinegar and lemons help to loosen mineral deposits such as calcium and dissolve soap froth because of their alkaline nature.

The lemon cleansing spray also remove stains such as those caused by tea and coffee making it good for washing kitchen sinks.

How use the lemon lime cleaning spray.

Slice some cleaning clothes from an old clothe into pieces and use one of the piece to twist the lime and lemon pulp.
Use a citrus juice extractor which is hand held. Press the lemon or lime directing it towards the drainage holes to ensure that the essential oils that have bacteria and are antiseptic are released from the rid when it is compressed.
Allow the spray settle for some time to ensure an efficient cleaning job. This will give this spray some more time to work before cleaning with a brush. This enables it to clean up the minerals which accumulate around fixtures and in the shower.
Use it with some baking soda for more rubbing action. Apply baking soda in the shower, toilet and in the sink and then use the spray to moisten it to create a paste. Allow it to set for some time and then clean away with a sponge.

When using this spray one should be very careful because vinegar causes irritation when it gets into contact with one’s eye. In case it sprinkles in to the eye one should wash out it out with water for some minutes.

Leather Furniture Cleaning Tips

Fri, 11 Apr 2014 12:48:39 GMT

Leather furniture adds an elegant touch to home decoration and requires special attention in cleaning and maintenance. The porous leather material needs proper conditioners for cleanup as simple wet cloth cleaning is not enough and harsh chemicals like ammonia and bleach can fade out the color and damage the material.

The leather furniture cleaning tips are necessary to learn if one wishes to have this furniture at home. The following tips have to be followed:

The first step to clean leather furniture is to remove all the dirt in the crevices and sides of the leather by using vacuum cleaner with a soft brush. The dirt is abrasive and should be removed before cleaning with liquid solution.

Prepare the cleaning solution by mixing water and white vinegar in equal parts or a commercial cleaner in water. Use a soft cloth and make it damp to clean the furniture. Dry up the furniture with a clean towel.

The leather requires conditioning after cleanup with a cleaning solution; a homemade conditioner can be used. Mix one part of white vinegar with two parts of linseed or olive oil and apply in circular motions on the furniture leaving it overnight.

· Clean the furniture with a cloth next day to give final shining look to the furniture.

· Stains removal from leather furniture:

Mold and mildew often grow up on the leather furniture when placed in the moist conditions. An equal amount of water and alcohol can be used as a cleaning solution for this purpose.
The permanent stains of ink can be removed by rubbing alcohol or spraying with an aerosol solution.
The greasy stains of oil can be removed by sprinkling baking soda on the stains which will absorb the oil and clean it off after few hours.

� The leather furniture often gets dirty with dark colored stains that can be removed by making a paste of lemon juice and tartar and applying on stains for ten minutes. Wipe with a damp cloth and dry the furniture.

· The furniture should be dried properly after cleaning with solutions and conditioners as moisture would result in mold growth.

Getting Motivated to Clean

Fri, 28 Mar 2014 13:53:19 GMT

Cleaning is an activity that should be done time to time although the motive to start the actual cleaning scares many away. An individual should acknowledge that its beneficial and necessary to clean your house regularly, this article focuses on the 5 ways to get motivated to clean, they are as follows

Clean in the morning

If actually schedule your cleaning routine in the morning you are more likely to do it quicker and better, this also allows you to prepare yourself of other tasks during the day. Cleaning in the morning requires an individual to set specific time to do the clean to avoid disruption as a result of time.

Get your cleaning stuff in order

Preparing your cleaning tools and products and placing them in one spot which is closer to you tends to increase motivation to clean. It’s advisable for an individual to acquire a cleaning caddy which helps moves around with the entire cleaning kit without having to rush back for a cleaning tool or product, this ways make cleaning quicker therefore on of the 5 ways to get motivated to clean.

Have a cleaning routine

A cleaning routine clearly outline the tasks to carry out within an allocated time period, in other words it’s Google Map for your cleaning purposes. A cleaning routine enable an individual to get where he needs to be quicker in an orderly manner.in preparing the cleaning do some in depth in cleaning alternative to the various items that need to be cleaned. A cleaning routine is also one of the 5 ways to get motivated to clean as it reduces frustration during cleaning.

Get support

Support in cleaning can either be from a friend, kids, spouse or a roommate, it ensure the cleaning is done efficiently and with less time, in case of a friend ensure it’s a cleaning trade-off. It’s the responsibility of everyone in the house to ensure that it’s clean thus necessary to secure their contribution.

Whistle as you clean

Whistling around or listen to different genre of music helps greatly to get you in the cleaning groove. Create a playlist of classic hits especially form the eighties and nineties that you enjoy listening as you clean.

Creating Aromatherapy for Your Home

Fri, 14 Mar 2014 14:01:40 GMT

Nothing is as good as calming the energy of your space with fragrance. It’s the aroma of sunflower that attracts butterfly and makes sunflower a love flower. In the same analogy; the aroma in your home may determine the kind of life you live in that home. To make life in your home as supportive as you may want it to be requires just the perfect aroma. To honor your home space you can use some of essential oils available. There are many types of aromatherapy for your home. They include

Electric air fresheners

You can arouse good memories by using essential oils. These oils are used in the electric air fresheners to create an atmosphere of good feelings. Example of these oils is the Aura Cacia which emits four different natural scents and a perfect way of creating an aesthetic environment within your home.

Diffusers

Aromatic diffusers are perfect way of creating aesthetically supportive environment in your home. It works by pumping unheated fragrance in all the rooms of your home. This is also useful in clearing airborne diseases that may be available in the air.

Candle lamps

These are kid of lamps used to light essential oils. One of the most common is the Aura Cacia candle lamp. The combination of subtle natural light and the pure aromatic natural scent released by the essential oils produces a natural relaxing environment at a realistic cost.

Fresh mint room spray

This spray has citrus traces and is one of the pure natural scent that can change the room’s environment to a natural environment. It provides a pure relaxing scent that changes the mood of your home.

Home is the place that we seek comfort after facing daily life’s challenges and we need it to be as supportive and comfortable as possible. Getting the best aromatherapy for your home is one of the important aspects of life.

USES OF VINEGAR AT HOME

Fri, 07 Mar 2014 14:04:52 GMT

Vinegar is the best cleaning reagent around. I acknowledge that there is a huge explanation to make, however listen to me. Obviously, it does have an Achilles' heel; its smell is impactful, notable, and extremely upsetting, however fortunately, the scent vanishes rapidly, giving you a chance to like the profits of this mystical fluid. Vinegar represses the development of microscopic organisms like E. coli and salmonella, and it likewise battles shape and buildup. When you consolidate the numerous utilization for vinegar with its cost and comfort, you have a definitive cleaning item.

Vinegar is structured through the aging of ethanol by acidic corrosive microorganisms. The acidic corrosive processed, when joined together with water, makes vinegar. This methodology can take hours or months relying upon the kind of vinegar wanted. In spite of the fact that there are numerous various types of vinegar (most, for example balsamic vinegar and wine vinegar, made for culinary use); you may as well utilize plain old white vinegar for cleaning. This item is cheap, characteristic, effectively obtained, dependable, cordial to nature's domain, nontoxic, consumable, biodegradable, sheltered around children and pets, and delicate on the skin. Whew! I let you know it was astonishing.

For additional evidence of that reality, how about we take a gander at the numerous utilization for vinegar around the house. From floors to dividers to windows, vinegar is a phenomenal cleaning item.

Uses of Vinegar around the House

Clean windows with a 50-50 blend of vinegar and water. Wipe off.
Clean your coffeemaker by filling the water chamber with a 50-50 blend of vinegar and water. Turn on the brew cycle, however switch it off partly through. Let the result sit for 60 minutes. Play Judas on, complete the cycle, and let the coffeemaker run a couple times subsequently with only water in the water chamber.
Clean your dishwasher by spilling 1/2 mug of vinegar in the store and running the cycle.
Clean your floors by adding 1/4 mug vinegar to warm water and scouring with a dry mop (however don't attempt this on marble or hardwood).
Clean crystal with a 50-50 combo of vinegar and water for a spotless sparkle.
Clean shower heads and free them of mineral stores by spilling vinegar in a staple need pack, tying it over the handle of the shower head, and giving it a chance to drench a couple of hours (or overnight). Connect the pack with elastic groups if necessary. Flush a while later.
Clean ledges and tiles with a 50-50 blending of water and vinegar.
Clean up pet pee stains by smudging up the pee, flushing with warm water, and after that applying a 50-50 blend of water and vinegar. Wash with water and pat dry with a fabric.
Clean your cooler with a 50-50 combo of water and vinegar. Utilize a fabric and scour. This will anticipate the development of mold and microbes.
Clean your microwave by heating 1/2 glass vinegar and 1/2 container water to the point of boiling in a dish. The steam will break down sustenance deposit. Wipe clean.

Keeping Your Clothes Smelling Fresh in the Drawers and Closets

Fri, 28 Feb 2014 14:09:43 GMT

Wouldn't it be nice if when you put your clothing into a drawer or closet for a few weeks or even months, it smelt even better when you got it out again? Too often, people find that their drawers and closets leave their clothing smelling musty. Even worse, poorly-stored clothing can gather mold and moth-holes if stored in an inappropriate way. This is especially the case with seasonal clothing, like that cozy winter coat or that favorite summer dress, which are often worn for only a couple months each year and spend the rest of the time tucked away at the back of the closet. Luckily, there are a few simple ways to keep your clothing smelling fresh and clean whilst it is in your drawer or closet.

Firstly, make sure your drawers and closets are clean! Take all of the clothing out, and take a good look at your closet and chest of drawers under a bright light. Do you see any dust, grime, or patches of mold? These can transfer onto your clothes and leave them physically damaged at worst, and smelling old and musty at best. Give the closet and all your drawers a thorough clean with a soft cloth and some antibacterial cleanser. Add a touch of essential oil (a fresh citrus or pinewood scent is my favorite!) to the water when you do so, and as you clean your drawers and closet you will also be rubbing a scrumptious scent into the wood. If there is a lot of mold in your closet, though, it's probably best to throw it out and get a new one. The expense will be worth it, as it is much better and cheaper than having to throw out all your mold-damaged clothes in a few months’ time.

Next, lay some scented drawer liners in your drawers and the floor of your closet. These are like little pieces of tissue paper imbued with a lovely scent that lasts for years. You can get them in pretty designs for extra effect! The scent will transfer to your clothing and the air in your drawers and closet, creating a delightful atmosphere. If you are leaving certain items (such as woolen jumpers) in the drawer or closet for a long time, it is worthwhile placing a small bag of lavender inside them to keep them smelling fresh throughout the year.

Now you are ready to store your clothing in your drawers and closet, safe in the knowledge that it will stay smelling fresh.

Is it Ok to Clean my Pet in the Same Tub that We Used to Clean Ourselves?

Fri, 21 Feb 2014 14:11:59 GMT

For many of us, our pets are members of our families and as a result we treat them as such. They live with us, eat with us, sleep with us and therefore should be able to get cleaned where we get clean. However, many people are unsure about whether this practice is hygienic; below I will dispel all myths and provide all tips and facts about whether it is fine to share your bathroom space with your pet.

The common fear is that because many people wash their pets only when they get absolutely filthy, harmful germs can be transferred from pets (especially dogs) to their owners. Pets have been known to carry tics, run through mud and dirt, and eat trash as well as their own feces. Would it then be more prudent to clean your pet in a separate tub preferably outside of your home?

A question that people often ask in relation to washing their pets in their bathtubs is:

What if my pet has a viral and/or contagious disease?

This is a common question as well as a common misunderstanding. There are few to no diseases that can be transferred directly from a pet to a human. Therefore, there should be no fear that you will contract anything contagious from your pet. In the case that your pet is sick, you should immediately make sure that they are treated, and after they have taken a bath you can clean your tub with an antiseptic as a precaution.

Though it is your decision on where the best place to wash your pet is, you should know that washing your pet in your bathtub is perfectly fine. It is actually proven that sharing your bathtub with a dog is more is more hygienic than sharing it with another human being. If there is dirt left in your tub after giving your pet a bath, wash your tub in the same way that you would if the dirt was left by you after you took a bath. Antiseptic and soap are more than enough to ensure a clean bathroom environment. So go ahead, and give your pet a bath in your tub.

A Cleaning Service Can Bring Back Your Weekends

Mon, 16 Dec 2013 14:16:03 GMT

Up and out in the morning and headed to work, then hit the gym, then pick up the kids from school, then home to cook and get ready for it all over again! In today’s world of hustle and bustle, who has time for housecleaning? When you open the door and that clean smell hits your nose, you can feel the smile from ear to ear. That clean house smell can make you happy. Here is how it can be achieved with maid services .

Working every day, you want the weekends to relax. Nevertheless, the house needs to be cleaned. It’s a dirty job, but it does have to be done. Why not take an economic approach to the problem? It can take many hours of your time. So the solution is to hire a maid service to get the job done. Additionally, they will get the details you would otherwise not have had the time for.

Considering what you just do not have time to do like scrubbing the floors, dusting, waxing, or getting deep into crevices and cracks, housekeeping services are the ticket because they do. Prepare by deciding on what is needed and go from there. Key advantages from hiring a maid services include:

They are bonded if something gets broken or stolen.
Use them as much or as little as you like.
They can also come while you are at work.

This can work out better than anyone could have imaged. Walking into the house the days they have been there is great. But even better yet, they give back your weekends to do what you want to do. You can have time to spend with family or friends and still have a clean house. You can have them out on a regular basis or when you want to have a party or a gathering. You simply call them for special cleanups before and after or schedule routine visits. You will feel so free that you won’t know why it took you so long to figure this out. Enjoy your newly-founded time!

Clean Out the Fridge—Quick!

Fri, 01 Nov 2013 15:29:08 GMT

If you’ve been putting off cleaning the refrigerator, it probably has a lot to do with how long you think it will take. Opening it and seeing food and condiment containers everywhere can certainly leave you thinking it will be a serious time commitment. The good news is: it’s not!

The bad news is: this means you can clean out your refrigerator. Don’t worry, with a couple of tips, you can clean your fridge and still have time to do more housekeeping—or hire a maid service to do it for you.

Five Steps to a Clean Fridge

1. Take out the trash—and everything else. Get in front of the refrigerator with a garbage bag and start throwing away anything you aren’t going to use. For the things you will use, put them on a nearby table or counter so your fridge is completely empty when you’re done. This shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes.

2. Spray the inside of the fridge with vinegar and walk away. You can use any cleaner you like as long as it’s safe around food, but vinegar is all natural and can clean practically anything. Spray it and walk away for three minutes.

3. Wipe down the inside, top to bottom. Unless your refrigerator has completely taken on a life of your own, this won’t be as bad as you might think. The vinegar breaks down the yucky stuff that might have spilled or stuck to the shelves. A good wipe down and maybe a random scrub or two should be all you need. This will take 3-5 minutes.

4. Put the items you decided to keep back in. As you put things back in, try to put them in groups. Condiments here, cheese and dairy there, drinks on the right, etc. Keep in mind that the refrigerator is usually the coldest at the bottom and the warmest in the door. This takes 3 minutes, tops.

5. Spray off the outside and wipe it down. A quick wipe down should be enough for the exterior of your fridge unless it’s exceptionally dirty. Remember the sides, though! Time? 2 minutes.

One clean refrigerator in less than 20 minutes, and you will love it

Do You Need Housekeeping Services?

Wed, 30 Oct 2013 09:45:41 GMT

You may not enjoy housekeeping tasks, but it is something that you have to do. Even though your schedule is quite busy, you have to find time to clean in between events and other obligations. Oftentimes, this makes you tired, as if you weren’t tired already. It creates stress and that overwhelmed feeling because you have no time to slow down and get your head in check. Housekeeping services can give you the time you need for the more important things in life, as well as let you recuperate.

The small expense of housekeeping is just like your electric utility. You can live without it, but it benefits everyday living. In fact, you would not have to stock up on all those cleaning supplies and what you do keep on hand can last a lot longer. The maids will provide everything they need to get your house in top shape. You will not need to use your supplies as much.

You may hold a job, which consumes a lot of your time too. When it comes to housekeeping services, it is their job. Therefore, they have plenty of time to clean and sanitize your home thoroughly during every visit. Typically, you can choose the frequency of visits, such as daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.

Maids don’t have all the daily interruptions that you experience while in your home. Your cleaning and sanitizing efforts are most likely intermittent because of all the interruptions and distractions, not to mention those events and obligations mentioned previously. In fact, your busy schedule denies you thorough cleaning and sanitizing results. Maids ensure those areas are not missed on every visit and that keeps your house thoroughly clean and creates a more sanitary environment.

Window Curtains: Comprehending Fabrics Verse Materials

Mon, 28 Oct 2013 09:42:53 GMT

When trying to compare both materials and fabrics, they can often cause confusion. In reference to that statement, curtains can cause confusion because of the way each company describes their products. Both terms get used a lot. People will describe a shirt as a fabric, but it is actually made from a fabric. In actuality, the shirt is made with cotton. Is this confusing yet? When thinking of the term fabric; it is defined as the product you get when you spin and weave a material together. In addition, it can have more than one material. There is no set number of materials required to form a fabric. With that in mind, the shirt started out as cotton material that was then weaved together to form a fabric. The fabric was used to make the shirt.

It can be a challenge to understand all the various fabrics used today. It can be easier for people who work with fabrics often because they slowly learn the differences, rather than trying to cram it all in their memory at once. To explain better, here is an example. Felt fabric is labeled from the materials used, which is wool, acrylic, or both together. On the other hand, duck fabric is made of various materials but labeled from its bottom-weighted, tightly woven design while consisting of a hard, durable finish.

Materials typically used for window curtains consist of silk, suede, polyester, rayon, velvet, cotton, satin, wool, corduroy, and many other materials. Fabrics often have more than one material in them. The fabrics used to make the curtains may have one or may have several materials.

Each and every single curtain carries various properties, such as the strength level, durability level, design, appearance, and even style. Rooms often have good appeal because of the house cleaning efforts made, yet the curtains can make a huge difference, especially since they are often one of the most visible things in a room. An education on materials and fabrics provides the power to get the right match for you and your rooms.

Let Your House Cleaning Efforts Stand Out with New, Colorful Carpet

Sat, 26 Oct 2013 13:19:33 GMT

Carpet is a beautiful addition to many rooms. You have the opportunity to make a room a colorful delight. Your house cleaning efforts or results from maid services really clean up a room, but some things like old carpet leave a dent in beauty. It may be time to replace that old carpet.

If opting for fresh carpet, color is important. Consider finding a color that blends with the room’s fixtures and furniture. If you are planning to replace any of those items soon, it would be best to take that into consideration for your new carpet’s color.

Color choices are endless and you may also find some designer fashions with various colors. Some of the most common colors include blue tones, gray tones, brown tones, and tan tones. These particular colors often blend well so they are very popular, but everything just depends on your situation.

If your room is composed of a two-tone design, then choose your carpet color based on which color is needed more. If you have tan walls and a dark blue sofa, a tan or brown-toned carpet will work just fine. However, if you have dark blue walls and tan furniture, a light blue carpet might be better.

Consider the possibilities, especially since the options are endless. Most decisions will come from personal preferences, but do keep in mind the tone of the room and any future changes you are planning to do.

Boost Your Visual Appeal with New Interior Trim

Fri, 18 Oct 2013 08:47:45 GMT

Spending endless effort with housekeeping to make your home look fabulous is never-ending. But some things can take away from your efforts in the way of visual appeal. Moulding is one of them. Moulding, which is also known by the term trim or spelled without the “u” as molding, is prone to damage, breakage, cracking, warping, splintering, and even getting loose or disappearing. This may not work well to make the rooms look their best. For example, a bike that has rust all over it but has a new, shiny seat does not look spectacular. Moulding acts as the rust. In this case, it may be time to boost visual appeal and accent your house cleaning efforts by replacing your interior trim.

When shopping for trim, material is an important element to understand. Trim is available in materials like oak, pine, poplar, cedar, polyurethane, polymer, MDF (medium density fiber), etc. Oak is a hardwood and provides durability and beautiful wood grain looks. Poplar is cheaper but prone to damage easier. Polyurethane and polymer are easier to clean and MDF provides the look of wood at an affordable price, but has no grain and is usually primed.

Aside from understanding the materials, you should understand the finishes you can choose from. All moulding is available in finished, unfinished, or primed materials. Finished moulding will either be stained or painted already. Primed trim allows for the paint and color of your choice. Unfinished moulding gives you the advantage of getting to choose paint or stain and pick whatever color or tint you desire.

These three elements are important to know when shopping for moulding. This allows you to understand your options better and get what you truly desire. In addition, it will enhance your cleaning efforts dramatically!

Detoxification of Your Household Air Flow

Thu, 26 Sep 2013 08:50:13 GMT

You have a fabulously looking house, especially since you work hard at the house cleaning to keep it healthy. Nevertheless, air is something that doesn't clean like solid surfaces. You can help reduce allergens and air pollutants with various filtration techniques and make your home that much healthier.

Our homes carry a lot in the air, especially allergens and contaminants. Illnesses and allergies often get stemmed from this fact. During cold seasons, closed windows make it worse in your home so it is especially important at those times.

A huge beginning step to consider is to get air purifiers for various rooms in your house. Purification units take the air in and spit it back out without as many contaminants. A wide selection is available and includes floor models, desk or table models, and even plug-in models.

In addition, using your windows is a novel idea to filter the air whenever it is possible. Place window fans in some windows and set them to exhaust the air. Many use fans to bring in cooler air, but exhausting the air will send the contaminants outside and the open windows will provide the fresh air instead. As long as you have other windows open, fresh air will easily find its way into the home.

Your vacuum cleaner may pick up dirt and debris well, but how does it handle the air it draws in? A cheaper priced vacuum often stirs up the contaminated air. That air floats around in your home and then begins to find a new resting place after a while. HEPA vacuum cleaners help a bit more, but cheaper models of HEPA vacuums let air escape through gaps and cracks back into your home. Some have a higher level of suction to effectively clean with ease, but also kick around the air so it floats in your home.

Contaminated air in your home will never disappear, but at least you can reduce them to a healthier level with these strategies and allow for a more comfortable home.

Help You Save Energy with Lighting Products

Wed, 25 Sep 2013 08:52:36 GMT

You love your home and spend a lot of time cleaning , but just don't seem to be satisfied with the lighting levels in select areas. Most lighting in homes does not cover enough area for what you need. Some areas may require 100 or 150-watt bulbs, but most lighting in homes tends to be 60 watt bulbs. Your electric company loves that!

Perhaps it's time to consider upgrading your lights to fluorescent or L.E.D. lighting options. Fluorescent lights use much less energy and L.E.D. bulbs save even more, but are still evolving.

Depending on which type you replace those incandescent bulbs with; your savings depend on the type and watts.

Every single replaced incandescent bulb saves over 60% off of running that light. This would especially come in handy if you have lights that are on all the time or close to it. You can replace those 60 watt bulbs with 15 watt bulbs. On top of the awesome savings fluorescent light provide, you have different color tone output choices like daylight, bright white, natural, etc.

Another option includes L.E.D. (light emitting diode) bulbs. These bulbs save even more energy than fluorescent lamps. At the moment, there is not too many options or as much brightness or color tone as there is with fluorescent lamps. The good news is you can find various types of L.E.D. bulbs, including chandelier, flood lights, candle lamps, etc.

Enhance Your Outside Patio while Spending Less Money

Tue, 27 Aug 2013 08:57:11 GMT

Your property might currently look really good with all the cleaning you do, but why not increase excitement to the outside loveable space? With a few cheap improvements, you'll realize that you are on the road to spending more time out-of-doors in your own outside living room area. With all the cheap upgrades, your friends and relatives will want to spend more time in your own unique, aesthetic outside loveable space. Your buddies and relative are going to be impressed by the final end results and think you devoted a lot of cash. You may very well impress them with that!

Grassy areas often get a lot of foot traffic. Stepping stones or perhaps a sidewalk improvement can help prevent the deceased areas within the playing surface, together with reducing soil accumulation or pitted areas in your yard. It can also be great to prevent muddy areas.

Consider checking out potted plant options and think about what you would like your outdoor living zone to look like. If you already have potted plants, consider adding to it or simply replacing them. Any loveable area can come alive with flowers and their various colors. They are excellent for covering wall areas that have outlets or hose reels, as well as hiding gutters, enhancing walkways, and providing many other advantages. They also add an amazing touch to any area with their designs and colors. Furthermore, they keep the exterior area exciting and ever-changing with their replaceable advantages.

Select standing containers to form that interesting showcase of color and perhaps combine some hanging pots in sections of need. Flowers can also be great on tables, as well as be used to create spectacular borders. The selections are never ending.

Home Furnishings can create overall appeal, unless they are worn out, tainted, broken, or faded. Fresh Paint should bring your older pieces of furniture back to life and save money, while eliminating the fading, the bothersome stains, the decay, and plenty of other possibly unattractive factors. Paint is widely available in many different types, allowing for one that works for you.

In addition, you can easily replace the aged cushions to help with making your furniture look new, just as they did before.

Terminate Small Towel Smells

Sun, 25 Aug 2013 09:00:58 GMT

Linens, regardless what type , get put into use on a regular basis. This leads to having more launder cycles and more wear and tear, meaning a great deal more odors that simply are not appearing to be removed. Laundry soap typically erases odors and smells, but not all of the time. Sometimes, an odor can be hard to remove, despite recurred cleaning. Yet, some decide to carry on and refuse to depart. What else could you do to fix the problem? A predicament such as this can easily turn out to be quite the uncomfortable position.

When you continue to wash towels more and more, they accumulate detergent residue buildup, as well as fabric softener residue. This buildup can lead to preventing the water from meticulously penetrating the towel, which results in missed sections of cleaning. Do you wash them again? You don't that kind of time to play around, because you have a busy schedule and other house cleaning duties to fulfill.

You can push that problem to the side. Use this effective method for this minor drawback and you will no longer need to panic about being embarrassed.

The 1st step requires washing in hot water. Incorporate 1 cup of vinegar along with the hot water and you should avoid any laundry detergent or fabric softener. Use only vinegar, due to the fact that laundry detergent or fabric softeners can interfere with the vinegar. When completed, wash again with hot water. Just as before, do not add any laundry detergent or fabric softener. However, do add some baking soda (1/2 cup) into the wash instead of vinegar. Once the clothes washer finishes, throw the linens directly into the tumble dryer. Once dry, you will have towels as good as new, unless they have stains of course.

Note that when you're still having problems with smells on your linens, it might be the automatic washer. Utilize washing machine fresheners to clear away the smells from your washing machine.

Typically, washer fresheners are in tablet form and widely available at washing machine retailers. Follow the freshener directions entirely, since this is not a regular wash cycle. Additionally you can refer to your washer's user’s guide for treatment information. If you do not have instructions, you can usually download them from the manufacturer's website, or use a search engine.

What Do the Colors You Like Say About You?

Mon, 01 Jul 2013 09:18:35 GMT

If you could make over your house into exactly what you want it to be, what colors would be on the walls? Which colors would dominate the spaces in your house? Remove all practical concerns like house cleaning and kids and think about what you really want.

You might not realize it, but the colors you would choose likely tell a lot about your personality !

Soft Warm Shades

Would your dream house be covered in warm but soft shades like orange, yellow, peach, and pink? If this is you, you may have a naturally cheerful, nurturing personality. People who like these colors tend to want to invite others over and enjoy company.

These colors are even made for it, they make a room feel more intimate and can even make a person feel more energized!

Soft Cool Shades

Are blues, greens, and lavenders more your style? Then you likely enjoy some tranquility in your home. People tend to be reminded of nature when they see these colors, and the peace that often comes with standing in the ocean or looking at the sky.

To you, your home is probably a sanctuary away from the chaos of the rest of the world.

Jewel Tones

These colors are exactly what they sound like: ruby, emerald, sapphire, amethyst, and topaz. People who would decorate with these colors are more likely to be outgoing and extremely creative.

In fact, the simulation those colors provides keeps them feeling energetic, and they are often inspired just by the environment around them!

Neutrals

What is it about neutrals that people like? A lot of it has to do with their permanence. Because they can be used with anything, they give off a classic, unchanging vibe. If you like neutrals more than most other colors, you are probably a practical, down-to-earth person.

It doesn’t seem worth it to you to change your paint colors ever year, and in choosing a neutral, you can easily add color to the rest of the room—and just as easily change your color palette.

Which one of these describes you?

An Easy, No-Sew, Do-It-Yourself Way to Change Your Pillows

Sun, 30 Jun 2013 09:28:59 GMT

It’s nice to have versatility in your home décor; to switch to a new color or accessory when you’ve grown tired of the one you have. Of course, buying new accessories every time you change your décor gets expensive after a while!

If you are itching for something new in your space but don’t want to invest the money, try some DIY projects that will both give you a sense of accomplishment and re-use the things you have to make something new, like this pillow :

No-Sew Pillow Case

You love your throw pillows, but you are tired of the color. You don’t sew and you don’t want to spend money on new pillows—how can you get the new look you want?

This no-sew pillow case might be just the trick you’re looking for, and you can do it with the throw pillows you already have! Read on to find out how.

Step #1: Assemble the required tools. You might be surprised how little you need for this project: the pillow you want to re-cover and a piece of fabric cut to 3 times as wide, 2 times as long as the pillow. That’s it!

Step #2: Put the pillow in the very center of your fabric. In a way, you’re going to wrap this pillow a little like a gift, so starting out in the middle will give you an equal amount of fabric on all sides.

Step #3: Fold the bottom up onto the pillow and the top down to meet it. The two sides should overlap a bit.

Step #4: Fold the corners on each side down into a triangle. This should look justas if you’re wrapping a present.

Step #5: Bring the two sides to the middle and tie them in a square knot. This will hold the pillow case together firmly while still looking decorative!

That’s all there is to it—do this on a few of your throw pillows with some new fabric, and suddenly your couch will look made-over!

The Amazing Gunk Cleaner that Actually Works

Sat, 22 Jun 2013 09:36:01 GMT

You know that one baking pan you have? It’s discolored and looks like it has gunk on it, but no matter how often you wash it, it never comes off. That’s not uncommon, and even if you’re great at house cleaning , this one can stump even the best.

Time to say goodbye to that dirty pan when you make it look like new again !

What You Will Need

Peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide can be found at any drugstore and is used for many different things, from cleaning wounds to brushing teeth. In this case, it’s going to be used to loosen the gunk on your pan!

Baking soda. Baking soda has a reputation for being a great cleanser, and it displays its work in this method, as well. If you have a lot to clean, buy a few boxes, because you’ll want to be generous with it!

How to Do It

Coat the pan in peroxide. Be thorough with this one, and don’t be afraid to go all out in coating the surface. This will give the baking soda a surface to which it can adhere as well as working its own brand of magic.
Sprinkle on the baking soda and don’t be shy. As Jillee of One Good Thing says in her demonstration, “Looks like snow!”
Spray peroxide over the baking soda. You can pour it, but you risk washing away the baking soda before it has time to work.
Wait. Patience is the key to success. Giving the products the time to do their work is important, so wait a few hours.
Scrape off and wash. When time’s up, scrape the baking soda off of the pan and wash as you normally would.

Once you do this, your pan—and any other surface you try this on—should look incredible!

The Trick to Cleaning Grease from Clothes

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:40:46 GMT

You might have heard before that once you dry clothes with a stain—especially a grease stain—it never comes off. It’s somewhat true: you can’t just throw it back in the wash to make the stain come out. Laundry is a necessary part of housekeeping , so the more tips like this you can tuck away to use later, the better!

However, don’t say never! This ingenious trick gets grease out of clothes even after they have been through the dryer, as Eryn of Elementary Organization discovered after a tube of chapstick left grease spots all over her clothes:

Step #1: Sprinkle the stain with baking soda. Be generous with this step, it’s important to getting the stain out.

Step #2: Rub it in. You can use an old toothbrush for this, and just rub it in gently in little circular motions to make sure there’s baking soda making it into the fibers.

Step #3: Wait. There’s not really a timing for this, it’s more observation. When the baking soda begins to clump up on top of the stain, time’s up!

Step #4: Repeat. If the grease stain is big enough, this will take a few repetitions, but it’s worth it for the results. Brush off the baking soda and repeat Steps 1-3 again. Do this until the baking soda stops clumping up.

Step #5: Treat as you normally would a stain and wash. When your clothes come out of the dryer, the stain will either be gone of so small and faint it’s unnoticeable.

This works because baking soda is an excellent natural absorbent material and soaks up the grease in your clothes. When it has nothing left to absorb, it stops clumping and you know your clothes are clean!

The Power of Before & After

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 14:36:23 GMT

From remodeling to makeovers, before and after pictures tend to draw attention. The change from one picture to the next is often striking, and it keeps people talking for a while.

You can harness the power of before and after for any big house cleaning project, too; and you’ll be amazed at how motivated and proud you will be when you see your own before and after pictures!

Cleaning Projects

If you want to get started now, here are some spots in your house you can probably tackle for a before and after picture. You can even take pictures for your maid services to see the difference they make in your home.

Kitchen Cabinets

If your cabinets are looking overcrowded or dirty, they might be the perfect place to take a before and after photo. When you take the dirtiest cabinet to clean and organized, you will be motivated to keep going.

When you clean out the cabinets, empty them, throw away anything that has passed its expiration date, wipe down the surfaces, then put the contents back in categories that make sense to you.

Any Closet

Closets have an uncanny way of munching clothes, toys, and keepsakes until they have overtaken the entire space. If you’re nodding your head, this is where you should start. Make sure you take a picture before you throw anything away so you can appreciate the hard work you’ve done.

Get rid of any clothes you haven’t worn in 6 months and critically access everything you have—if you don’t actually like something, don’t keep it!

Kitchen Sink

Whether its scattered with dishes or just looking a little rough, your sink probably needs a little bit of attention, and before and after is the perfect way to keep you moving smoothly from project to project.

If you can, remove all of the dishes and then wipe down the sink with warm water. Focus especially on any place water tends to pool.

When you look at your pictures, appreciate the difference--it will help you keep going and clean even more!

Four Window Treatment Options for Your Home

Fri, 31 May 2013 09:44:06 GMT

Window treatments are a great way to complete a design in a room, but all of the information about the different types, designs, and lengths can be a bit much to process when you’re just looking for simple answers.

The more information you have, though; the easier it will be to make a decision, so here’s a look at four common window treatment types:

Drapes. These long, straight curtains are classic, but there are ways to do them right and wrong. Don’t be afraid of sheer or bold colors to set off the room, but be careful about placement.

Drapes should be hung higher than the actual top of the window both to keep the drapes from dragging the ground (they should touch but not drag) and to make the room look taller and therefore bigger.

Roman Shades. Roman shades are sleek and modern and extremely popular. They come in a variety of colors and textures and a few differing styles. You can even have them automatically roll up and down with the push of a button.

Sheers. Sheer curtains are actually a great way to bring natural light into a smaller or darker room while still providing some privacy and coziness. Try a sheer in a darker color or with a pattern for something a little bolder than traditional whites and yellows.

Bamboo Blinds. Natural colors and textures are extremely popular right now, and bamboo blinds are a great way to bring this look into your home. They provide a soft, relaxed presence and glow to any room, provide maximum privacy, and suit a lot of different styles.

Clean the Air Inside

Thu, 30 May 2013 09:50:52 GMT

If you’re used to breathing easier when you walk inside your home, you might want to re-think that. According to the American Lung Association, your home’s air quality might be 2-5 times worse than the air outside, even if you're thorough in your house cleaning .

Thankfully, there are some straightforward ways to tackle this , some are as easy as taking off your shoes! Check out these 10 ways to promote clean air in your house:

Change the heating & air conditioning filters at least every three months. These filters do a lot to filter out dust and particles that make your air quality poorer, but when they are full, they cease to be effective and can even become fire hazards.

While you’re at it, change your other filters. You have filters throughout your home that also get dirty like bathroom vents, the stove vent, your vacuum cleaner, and your dehumidifier. Check and switch them out ever few months.

Leave your shoes outside. Shoes naturally carry with them a lot of dirt, dust, grass, and yes, chemicals and animal feces. Save your air quality by putting a mat at the door and ask your family to leave their shoes outside. If that’s not an option, place a thick door mat at the front door to encourage visitors to clean their feet before entering.

Use your fans. In your bathroom and above your stove you have vents designed to take extremely humid, hot, burnt, chemically-laden air out of the house. Use them whenever possible.

Try more natural air fresheners. There’s some question about what scented candles and air fresheners do to your air quality, so play it safe by creating herb sachets or dipping cotton balls in essential oil and putting them in your home.

Vacuum once a week. This is good for your carpet and good for your air, as long as you’re vacuuming with a clean filter!

Wash your sheets every week. Dust mites like to hang out in dirty sheets where there’s plenty of sweat and skin cells to make a home in. Yuck! Banish them by washing your sheets in hot water.

Clean the mattress, too. There are several ways to clean a mattress: you can steam clean and let dry for several hours until there’s no dampness left or you can sprinkle it with baking soda, allow it to sit for a few hours and absorb the moisture and dirt in your mattress, then vacuum it away.

Use houseplants. All houseplants purify the air, but some are better at it than others. Check online or ask your nursery for ones that are known to be helpful for cleaning the air.

Switch to natural cleaners. Many more potent chemical cleaners release chemicals into the air you don’t want to breathe, so when possible, find more natural, safer alternatives.

Making the Most of Your Space

Sat, 25 May 2013 11:17:28 GMT

When it comes to storage, it seems like there's never enough, and clutter makes house cleaning much harder. To keep your house neat and clean in the absence of extra space, the best thing you can do is find ways to maximize the space you have. There are many ways to do this, but here are three things to get you started:

Use Vertical Space

This is a One Minute Tip from Apartment Therapy , and a good one! Using a variety of shelves can grow your storage by leaps and bounds. To try:

Undershelf baskets that attach underneath a shelf to make use of the space between shelves that is otherwise wasted.
Free standing shelves are mini-shelves you can put on top of a larger shelf set to separate items and create more organization in a small space.
Wall shelves are the classic way to turn your walls into storage, and are especially great for showcasing things you love!

Basket Systems

Baskets have been a stylish way to store things for years, and there's a reason for their sustained popularity: they are great at what they do.

The unique advantage to using baskets is the ability to store things in a way that looks neat and beautiful but is also versatile and easy to change. Moving your crafting project from the living room to the kitchen? No problem, grab the basket!

Look around your house for places where the things you own are just gathered together haphazardly and see if there's room for a basket there. For instance, if your laundry detergent, fabric softener, and dryer sheets are sitting on a shelf, consider putting them and all of your laundry needs in one basket. It will instantly look less cluttered.

Multitasking Furniture

One of the easiest ways to get more storage is to buy or repurpose furniture into multitaskers that both store and serve as functional pieces. Here are some examples of great multipurpose pieces:

Ottomans that open to reveal storage in the middle.
Beds that have drawers attached underneath.
Chests used as coffee tables or window seats.

There are a lot of great opportunities to maximize your space and save yourself from clutter!

A Few Tricks That Make House Cleaning Easier

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:57:27 GMT

Nobody wants house cleaning to be a chore—when cleaning feels exhausting and overwhelming, it just doesn’t get done! You have better ways to spend your time than cleaning, so consider calling maid services or finding more efficient ways to clean.

These tips will help do just that: spend less money and less time on cleaning by using these cleaning ideas :

Supply Yourself

Before you start cleaning, make sure you have all the supplies you will need. The simpler, the better, and you’ll find that vinegar, baking soda, and lemons can play a big role in paring down the cleaners you use!

Even if you use pre-mixed cleaners from the store, find a really good all-purpose cleaning solution that will work across a multitude of rooms and surfaces. The fewer cleaning goods you have, the better!

Once you have a few strong cleaning tools, create a caddy for yourself. Any kind of container with a handle will do. Keep in it the things you use most, like:

General, all-purpose cleaning solution.
Rags/sponges/scrubbers.
Microfiber cloths.
Gloves.

This will keep you from running back and forth looking for different cleaning tools and make cleaning that much easier and faster.

Be Unconventional

There are a lot of unconventional ways to clean things. Think beyond what you know and make use of the internet’s insightful (if sometimes questionable!) ideas. Try these three tricks the next time you’re cleaning:

Remove scuff marks off the floor by using a tennis ball like an eraser.
Ball up a piece of sandwich bread and do the same thing to crayon marks on the wall.
Sprinkle baking soda onto burnt-on food in your oven or stove top, spritz with water, and wipe clean a couple of hours later.

Don’t be afraid to try something new that could cut your cleaning time in half!

Make a Plan

Whatever that plan entails—focusing on tasks, making a to-do list, timing yourself as you clean—make a plan that works for you.

When you go into cleaning with a plan, you’ll be more prepared and committed to finishing what you start, and that’s a big part of getting your home really clean!

Looking for a New Look? Try Baskets!

Mon, 20 May 2013 10:02:21 GMT

When you think about baskets, you probably think primarily about organizing or picnicking, but you can actually use baskets effectively as decoration. Just ask Leslie, blogger at Home on the Way, who uses baskets throughout her home .

If you aren’t sure what exactly to do with the baskets, she has some great suggestions for incorporating them into your everyday décor. Here are some tips inspired by her ideas:

Tip #1: Mix it Up. Create a depth of design by mixing up the styles and colors of the baskets you use in your home. When you shop for baskets, look for these three things:

Interesting weaves.
Dynamic textures.
Intriguing colors.

A basket with a large weave of dark and light reeds, for instance, might be something that appeals to your taste. On the other hand, a small, tight weave of darker strands might suit your style better.

Either way, mix up the types and style you use, and consider how they can be used in your home so that you love them and they look great!

Tip #2: Combine Baskets with Other Accessories. One of the best ways to use baskets is to put them alongside other items you want to display. For instance, you might create a centerpiece with a fruit-filled basket, a vase with a candle, and a colorful teakettle.

You can also create one piece from a basket and something else. Leslie found a clear jug that fit perfectly inside of a basket to create a designer look she had previously seen for a much higher price at a home décor store.

Tip #3: Use Them Purposefully. The great thing about baskets is that you can use them for decoration while simultaneously making use of their primary purpose which is, of course; to hold things!

Use a basket to hold magazines in the living room or extra rolls of toilet paper in the bathroom. Put a small planter with fresh herbs inside a basket and leave it on your table or kitchen counter.

What will you do with your baskets to create both purpose and design?

Cleaning The Upholstery Quickly & Easily

Sun, 05 May 2013 10:16:16 GMT

Keeping the furniture clean can be a little tricky. It's hard to be sure if what works on one surface will work on another or if you can safely use the cleaners you usually use. Sometimes, homeowners don't give much thought to the upholstery other than when it has a spill or a stain, and that's not uncommon at all.

So how can you keep your furniture clean—really clean—easily? It's not nearly as difficult as you might think :

Step #1: Vacuum. Vacuuming your upholstery is the quickest and easiest way to maintain its quality and cleanliness. When you vacuum the floor as part of your regular housekeeping , attach the upholstery brush and run it over your furniture and underneath the cushions, too. Then you'll know your furniture is always clean.

Step #2: Clean the fabric. There are generally two ways of getting fabric onto upholstery: a loose cover that goes over the cushion and zips, or fabric that is sewed onto the cushion and doesn't come off.

If you've got loose fabric, check the label. The label will usually indicate whether it's machine washable or dry clean only. You'll want to take it to the dry cleaner's eventually if you're limited to that, but if the fabric is washable, go ahead and get them started in the washing machine.

If the fabric is fixed, on the other hand, you're going to have to do the cleaning by hand. Thankfully, it isn't too hard:

Take a rag or microfiber cloth.
Dip in warm, slightly soapy water (dish soap is fine, but just a drop is enough).
Wring out extremely well.
Wipe furniture.
Dry.

You don't want the fabric to be saturated, so wringing out the cloth is important, as is immediately drying each cushion as you finish it!

Step #3: Address the Stains

If you finish cleaning and there are stains on the upholstery, there are a few easy things you can try:

Apply a bit of traditional, white foam shaving cream to a slightly damp cloth and scrub in a small, circular pattern, then wipe clean and dry.
Dip a cloth in vinegar and water, wring it out well as you did when you were cleaning, and focus your attention on that spot.

However, it's important to note that you should always test color fastness of any stain remover, homemade or not, by testing it on an area that won't be seen. Better safe than sorry!

Three Gross Cleaning Jobs & How to Take Them On

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:26:36 GMT

There are a few certain house cleaning jobs in the house no one wants to tackle. They get looked over and brushed off until they become unavoidable. You can keep this from happening to you by taking on some of the harder jobs when you have the time to do it.

These tips should help you get started on some of those projects :

Toilet

You'd have a hard time finding someone who gets genuinely excited to clean the bathroom, so what can you do to get through it as quickly as possible? Getting the toilet clean without much work is a good start! Try this:

Pour a mixture of vinegar and baking soda into the toilet.
Close the bathroom door and dare anyone to mess with it for 30 minutes.
Come back and scrub it clean with a toilet brush.

That's it! Three steps and just a little tiny bit of scrubbing will get you toilet looking great.

Bathroom Faucet

Depending on the water in your house, your bathroom faucets have probably collected deposits of hard water minerals or limescale, not to mention water spots and finger prints! That build up tends to be extremely hard to clean as it hardens.

Thankfully, it's an easy fix:

Pour vinegar over the faucets.
Wrap in paper towels or toilet paper.
Remove paper and wipe clean with a wet cloth.

It seems too good to be true, but this trick is actually effective.

Trash Can

Ah, the trash can. After a scuffle over who's going to take it out resulting in a bag of trash thrown forcefully into a dumpster or large garbage can, you might expect the house to smell better. Sometimes, though; the odor remains. How can you break it?

There are two things you can do:

Wash the trash can with soap and water and leave in the sun to dry.
Add baking soda to the bottom of your trash cans before you put the bags in. It will absorb the odors, including the ones you thought you'd never get rid of!

Which tasks are your least favorite, and how do you decide what to do first?

Freshening Up Your House For Spring by Using Color

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 10:42:41 GMT

Spring is a time of renewal and freshness, and for a lot of people, that comes with a desire to do new things. Spring house cleaning is part of that, but so is gardening and decorating. Sometimes you want the new look without going all out, though—thankfully, there are a lot of ways to do that !

The biggest way is by changing up the colors and color themes in your rooms. Color plays such a big role in tying things together that it can be an equally big decorating changer, and you don't have to paint an entire room to make it effective!

The Kitchen

One of the easiest rooms in which you can incorporate color without much effort is the kitchen. There are so many places in a kitchen that welcome color but aren't a lot of actual space: a bar or island, a table, the backsplashes, and the uncovered walls.

Add a new tablecloth, a couple of paintings, a new accent wall, or new accessories to your countertops and bar. Putting in a new light fixture with some color or shape to it is another easy-to-do project that can make a big difference!

The Dining Room

The reason the dining room is such a good spot to update is because it takes so little work. You likely already have furniture you like (and if not, that's a great place to start!), which leaves you with just the walls and floor to change.

If you have a hard floor in your dining room, add a new rug for a splash of color. A new tablecloth or runner can also bring a unified, fresh look, as well as new art on the walls or a new accent color.

Personal vs. Popular

There are two ways to decorate when you start: for yourself or for others. If you're going to be staying in the house for a long time, you'll want to lean towards the personal side. Make it warm, comfortable, and welcoming to you and your family—it is, after all, your space!

If you're looking to sell soon, though; you're going to want to go with classic colors and items. Greens are a classic choice and also very popular this year, and it's hard to go wrong with subtle blues, yellows, and familiar neutrals.

A Few Great Tips for Making the Kitchen Easier to Clean

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:52:30 GMT

The kitchen is one of those rooms in the house that needs to be clean even when the rest of the house isn't. When you cook, not only do you want to cook in a clean room, you also want to clean when you're done to keep down contamination from raw foods.

The kitchen is so important that maid services makes sure it's exceptionally clean. What can you do to make your kitchen clean without it being too much of a chore? Here are some tips !

1. Soak the dishes first. Before anything else, gather up the dishes and put them in a sink with warm, soapy water. They can sit in the water while you clean the rest of the room, and when you're ready to wash them or put them in the dishwasher, stuck on food will come off much more easily.

2. Start on one side and work your way around the space. Working methodically like this helps you to get the space cleaner without getting overwhelmed. When the spot you need to clean is only a couple of feet wide, it doesn't seem like as big of a job. Do this around the room and you'll be done before you know it!

3. Sanitize! When you're done cleaning up the trash, items, crumbs, and messes off of the counters and stove, go back with a sanitizer and sanitize all the surfaces. For a super safe, kitchen-friendly sanitizer, combine vinegar and water in a spray bottle, spray down the surfaces, then wipe dry after 5 minutes. (Always let your sanitizer sit on the surface to give it time to kill bacteria!)

4. Don't forget the appliances. Not many people think to clean their appliances very often, but keeping them clean will help make the rest of the cleaning that much easier. Here's a quick look at how to clean the appliances in your house:

Microwave: Cut a lemon in half and put it in a microwave safe bowl with some water, then microwave the mixture for 10 minutes. It will loosen the food and grease, then just wipe it out when it's done.
Dishwasher: You can actually keep your dishwasher pretty clean just by running an empty load with vinegar once a week. Every few weeks, take a cotton swab or old toothbrush to the seal around the outside. That will keep it clean without much work.
Oven: Stuck on food in your oven? Baking soda is the secret! Generously sprinkle baking soda over any burnt, crusted food in the oven, spritz with water, and leave overnight. The next morning, just a quick scrub will bring the burnt food out with the baking soda.

Keeping a kitchen clean can feel like a lot of work, but if you know the secrets to a clean kitchen, it's not so bad!

Update Your Living Room Without Wrecking Your Wallet

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 11:57:42 GMT

There will always be moments you look around a room in your house and wish you could do more, but you know you don't have the money to spend on expensive new furniture and you aren't sure where to start.

There are actually a lot of things you can do on a tight budget that will breathe new life into your living room. These ideas will get you started :

Make an accent wall with a little bit of wallpaper. Wallpapering the whole room? Yikes. But you can easily make an accent wall by putting a large square of wallpaper on a wall behind a couch, TV, or fireplace and then framing it in simple, thin molding.

Change the fabric, not the furniture. If you're tired of your furniture but there's no money in the budget to pay for it, then consider recovering some of your pieces instead. Check for more affordable fabrics and recover what you can with the fabric of your choice.

Create a photo wall for affordable art. This couldn't be simpler, and thankfully, is extremely inexpensive. Get 4-6 frames that are all the same type with the same matting, then put photos in each frame (you can use your own pictures and get them printed for a few cents at a drug store—go black and white if you can for a more elegant look). Arrange them in a grid on a wall to create a large art feature for just a few dollars.

Paint something small. Painting a whole room can get expensive, especially if you need more than one coat. Skip painting the room and pick smaller items to paint instead. Paint the base of a lamp with shiny spray paint or a wood chair in a new color. Try a small can of a unique color on a mirror or do something different by painting an interior door. It's a great way to inject fresh color without spending a lot of money.

A Few Spring Cleaning Tasks to Get You Started

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 12:02:54 GMT

It's that time of year again, even if the weather isn't completely in agreement! Spring is here, and it's time to get into spring cleaning . The to-do list is so large when you look at everything that needs to be done that it's better to start with one or two tasks and build from there.

Here are three great tasks to start off with—and don't forget the maintenance! If your schedule is too full for spring cleaning, focus on getting a little more organized and hire a maid service to take care of the cleaning for you.

The Closet

You're going to be making the switchover from winter clothes to summer clothes, and now is the perfect time to go through the clothes and decide what to keep and what can go. Be merciless! If you haven't worn something in a year or if it doesn't fit, give it away to someone who can use it, and make room for new things for yourself!

When you put your clothes back in the closet, create a system that makes sense to you. You might put the clothes you wear most frequently within easy reach, or you might sort by color or style. Whatever makes it easier and faster for you to find everything you need, that will be the best system for you.

The Walls

Most homeowners don't often think of cleaning their walls until there's a large stain or crayon mark that sticks out, but walls collect dirt, too. Unfortunately, cleaning painted walls can be a little tricky because you don't want to damage the paint.

Try this:

Water first. If you can take care of the cleaning with just water, that's going to be the safest for your paint, hands down.
Water + dish soap. Dish soap is an extremely mild cleaner, so if you have a bit of stubborn dirt, this is your next step. If you can, use a low-sudsing dish soap, and don't use too much!
Stronger solutions. If you have extremely bad staining, you can opt for stronger solutions, but be as gentle as possible with them—they're likely to soften the paint.

Whichever you choose, the experts say make sure you rinse with plain water so no soap or solution is left on the wall.

The Carpet

Now is the time to really get to the carpet. Move the furniture out of the way and vacuum everything. Dirt left in carpets will wear the fibers and make your carpet look dingy. If you haven't done it in a while, now is a good time to steam clean the carpet or call in professionals to do deep cleaning.

Maintenance is an important part of carpet care, so make sure you vacuum at least once a week (2 or 3 times a week in heavy traffic areas)!

Clutter-Free: Organizing Your Papers

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:11:13 GMT

Paper can be a huge source of clutter in a house. From mail and homework to bills and taxes, there's plenty of important papers floating around that can pile up, making an otherwise clean space look cluttered and unorganized.

With the flow of paperwork into and out of a home, it can be a bit of a housekeeping chore to handle all the paperwork. That is, unless you have a system in place to help you handle it !

Step #1: The Minute You Walk in the Door

The most important part of getting papers under control is having a plan, and this starts from the moment a piece of paper walks in the front door. If you're struggling with paper clutter, try creating a paper sorter in your entryway.

It doesn't have to be elaborate, but separating mail into personal and bills and throwing away junk mail immediately will cut down on the tendency to stack piles of papers together even if you have no intention of keeping them. Keeping a space for homework, school papers, and family documents will help, as well.

Step #2: Create a System

Once you're in the habit of sorting things as soon as they come in the door, create a system for dealing with them. A filing system or binder system are both great choices, just make sure whatever you choose works for you.

You might split the categories into things like “finances” and “school” or you might create a series of categories more specific to your family and needs. Whichever you choose, though; make it both neat and easily accessible to encourage you to use it!

Step #3: Clear the Cache

Every week, your entryway sorter will fill up with papers (still much better than having them in piles around the house!). Once or twice a week, take the papers and file them into your system.

If there's anything you've kept that you determine you don't need, throw it away, and put the most urgent things next to the phone or on your desk to be handled in the week to come.

Creating a system will help you cut down on your paper clutter and make cleaning much easier!

The Unexpected: Surprising Touches of Decor

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:29:01 GMT

Have you ever been visiting a friend or family member's house—or a hotel or bed and breakfast—and stumbled across some little design element that surprised you? Sometimes, that little moment of surprise endears us to the space. You can achieve the same thing in your house by adding surprises in your designs.

Like the unexpected? These ideas are for you!

Neon

Neon tends to go in and out of favor, but lately it's been getting some use in home décor. Neon colors are definitely eye-catching, young, and fresh, but there are some tricks to using it well:

If you're going to use a lot of the neon, start in a neutral room. The color will pop without being overwhelming.
Play off the neons with darker complementary colors.
Be deliberate in your neon choices so that they're subtle but influential—even if people don't recognize it. Now that's hiding in plain sight!
For more ideas about decorating with neon, check out Bright Nest .

"Hidden” Design

It might seem like a waste of time to decorate things that are mostly out of the way, but doing so will keep an air of delight in your home—isn't that what you want? Try these:

Put wallpaper on the inside back of bookshelves.
Change drawer pulls in the kitchen or bathroom for something you like, even if it's whimsical.
Serve dinner on plates or cups with interesting designs!

Play With the Light

Light is a great way to change a space and can even change the whole mood of a room. Take a look at your windows and light fixtures. How often does light enter the house? Where do you see it coming in? Play your curtains and blinds around this light to bring in as much as possible.

Place some mirrors around the house, but don't just use them to look nice! Spread the mirrors out in the house to keep light reflecting.

How to Get and Stay Motivated to Clean

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:34:31 GMT

One of the hardest things about house cleaning has nothing to do with the difficulty of the cleaning itself—instead, it has everything to do with motivation. Either it's hard to get started at all or it's hard to keep going.

There are a few things you can to help you stay motivated, and you can use one or all of these ideas at the same time! If time and motivation are both a problem, get cleaning services to come lend a hand.

Buy yourself a few cool cleaning tools . Whether it's a colorful apron that makes you feel right at home in the kitchen, gloves in your favorite colors, or a gadget that helps you out with little tasks, having something special to use just for cleaning will help you through the doldrums of the hard stuff.

Remember what it looks like. When you're looking at a living room covered in clutter and clothes waiting to be folded, the effect can be overwhelming. You can counter this by taking a picture when your house is really clean and looks just the way you want. Then, when you run into this overwhelming moment, take a look at the picture. You've gotten your house to that pristine state before—isn't that how you want to see it now?

Give yourself rewards. These don't have to be big rewards. Clean for 30 minutes, then reward yourself with 15 minutes of TV, your favorite book, the internet, video games, or a conversation with a friend. Splitting it up this way gives you a few minutes to relax and feel rewarded for your hard work—and it will help you work harder when you get back to it.

Make cleaning entertaining. Entertaining might be stretching it, but at least make it a little less monotonous! Crank up your favorite song and dance or sing as you clean. Turn on your favorite TV shows and keep up with it between tasks. Whatever you can do to help you keep going, the better!

How Fast Can You Clean a House?

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 14:56:11 GMT

Have you ever timed how quickly you do your house cleaning ? CNN and RealSimple have: 19 minutes is all you need . In 19 minutes, your house can be straightened up and ready to go—as long as you don't procrastinate before hand!

How likely is it that you can clean a house in that amount of time? This requires a test!

These are the tasks on the list:

Kitchen:

Wash dishes/load dishwasher.
Wipe down sink and kitchen surfaces.
Sweep.

Bathroom:

Wipe surfaces (including mirror and toilet seat).
Swish toilet bowl with brush.

Bedroom:

Make bed.
Put everything away, including clothes and jewelry.
Straighten surfaces.

Living Room:

Wipe fingerprints off of surfaces.
Straighten up.
Vacuum crumbs off floor and furniture.

Setting the timer for 19 minutes and using what's on hand, this is the conclusion:

As long as the house is already mostly clean, 19 minutes to keep it fresh is completely doable. However, existing clutter, stains, and good disinfecting can't happen in this amount of time, especially in places that attract germs like the kitchen sink. At least once a week, every surface is going to need a little more attention and a thorough disinfecting.

If 19 minutes is all you have in a day but you still want your house to be as healthy and clean as possible, maid services are your best bet to hit every surface and banish germs. Come home to a clean, healthy home!

A Few Quick Feng Shui Ideas

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:59:29 GMT

Feng shui grew more and more popular in the past ten years, but how much do you know about it? The principles of feng shui come down to the kind of energy your space creates and invites, but even if that's not your cup of tea, some of the feng shui design choices are often good ideas for making a space feel more comfortable, complete, and easy for housekeeping .

If you want to try some feng shui , start with just a few tips and build from there. These ideas should get you well on your way to having a functional design and a peaceful home.

Getting Started

Greetings. Greet guests into your home by providing them with something beautiful and inspiring to experience on their way in. This might include a stone pathway, a colorful garden, or a bubbling waterfall, or it might be as simple as artwork or a mirror on entering.

Peaceful Living Room. Create peace in your living room by putting away electronics and choosing comfortable, great-looking furniture. Keep your seats turned together and invite your guests to have a seat. The arrangement of the chairs will promote conversation naturally.

Inviting Kitchen & Dining Room. Keep the kitchen clear enough that you can see the entrance to the kitchen from the stove, and make sure your tables are rounded, rather than square. Sit in each seat in both rooms and take a look around to get an idea of what the room looks like from each perspective, then add art or design elements as needed.

Decorative and Functional Pieces for a Clutter-Free House

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:04:51 GMT

What’s your clutter weakness? Do you store clothes that don’t fit in awkward boxes or unorganized papers in messy stacks? Whatever your weakness, there is a solution for it, and it can be simple, decorative, and cost very little .

There are many tips and tools you can use to organize your home and make it decorative at the same time, like:

Baskets and Decorative Boxes

Everything from sheets and towels to toilet paper to craft supplies can be kept in baskets or boxes. Add a liner and find a great shelf, and you’ve got instant charm while keeping your clutter in check.

Cups for Small Items

For a few dollars, you could revolutionize the way you store small items in your kitchen, bathroom, and desk. All you need are a few stylish cups that are the right size for what you’re trying to store. For an extra stylish touch, put the cups on a complementary tray.

Hangers for Magzines

Sturdy clothes hangers and be used as magazine holders. Resist the urge to keep old issues, and use your hanger to keep newer titles in reach for anyone who has a second to glance through them.

Instant Shelf

An step ladder with flat steps can become an amazing shelf with just a few adjustments like paint or liners. Propped up against a wall, the dimension and depth make it an eye-catching addition.

For more details and pictures on these ideas and even more, visit Better Homes and Gardens .

Turn Your House Into Your Castle

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 15:09:56 GMT

Have you ever imagined living in an amazing house decorated by professionals? If you have, this is some information you’ve been waiting for: tips and ideas from decorators of multi-million dollar houses.

Start making your home feel like a million bucks by getting the house cleaning done by experienced cleaning services, then take a look at these ideas inspired by the featured room ideas In Million Dollar Decorators from House Beautiful.

1. Bold Colors – Pinks, dark blues, and oranges. These colors are unmistakable and make a lasting impression. Think carefully when using these colors.

Dark colors on the wall can make a room feel smaller unless you move in some light furniture elements to help it pop. Pinks and oranges are often best suited to accessories and elements rather than room colors.

2. Glamorous Elements – When you were a child, what did you imagine your room should have? A balcony? A bed with a canopy? A built in aquarium? Whatever your dream is, find a way to bring that element into your home. A touch of glamour can make any room look amazing.

3. Vintage Pieces – While you might not want to make the room feel like a vintage theme, a few vintage pieces can bring a sense of classic strength to a room.

4. Outdoor Living Spaces – In a bold move, try creating a rich, enjoyable room on your back porch or other outdoor space. Imagine enjoying the company of friends under the stars while still completely comfortable!

The biggest tip is to not be afraid to try something different. Dream big, start small, and eventually you’ll have a home that reflects your personality inside and out!

5 Things You Can Do Tonight To Make Tomorrow Better

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 15:39:59 GMT

Are you a victim of the morning rush? Sometimes, no matter how quickly you try to get everything done or how well you think you’ve planned, you still find yourself rushing out without your phone or while pushing kids with one jacket sleeve through the door.

Mornings are hectic anyway—everyone getting ready to leave at around the same time? It’s a recipe for chaos! Planning is good, but prevention is better. Start with a clean house so you can find everything without any problem. Enlist maid services to help with the house cleaning if you need to!

Once that’s done, prevent getting caught up in a morning whirlwind by trying these five things tonight before you go to bed.

1. Charge your cell phone. There’s nothing like waking up and realizing your cell phone is almost out of charge. That panic setting in? It’s normal. Prevent it by plugging in your phone overnight. Make it a habit, and you won’t ever have to worry about your phone.

2. Wash the dishes or load and run the dishwasher. Being greeted in the morning by a sink full of dishes will drain your morale in no time. Don’t let that be a problem—instead, load and run the dishwasher overnight or recruit your family to help you wash dishes after dinner.

3. Set out everything you need. Choose a good spot where things aren’t going to get knocked down or picked up and lost, and put everything there you’ll need in the morning: keys, clothes, jewelry, money, wallet, watch, belt—everything! If you have children, get them into the habit of doing the same thing in their own bedrooms.

4. Make lunches or check lunch money. If you regularly make lunches for you or your children, do these the night before. The morning will be so much easier if you don’t have to worry about putting together lunches. If you or your children buy lunch, double check to make sure everyone has enough money to prevent the sudden realization that you’re out of cash halfway through the door.

5. Set your alarm and check it. Twice. Nothing puts you behind schedule like waking up ten or twenty minutes late. Is it excessive to check your alarm two or three times before bed? Maybe, but not being late is worth it!

If you set up these habits and tailor them for your family, you’ll find your mornings a lot less hectic—you might even have time to eat breakfast!

Hide Them From the Kids: How to Re-use Cardboard Rolls

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 10:16:30 GMT

When you finish with the wrapping paper or a roll of toilet paper, you probably throw them out or let your children play with them, but they have more uses than you might have known. Keep one or two of them for yourself and turn them into house cleaning and organization helpers in ways that might not have come to mind before.

Wrapping Paper Rolls

You know that one area that’s impossible to reach with your vacuum? Maybe it’s behind your bed or beside the refrigerator, but you’ve tried the vacuum cleaner and a broom to no avail.

Wrapping paper rolls are the secret to getting into these nooks and crannies. Slide or tape on the tube to the end of your vacuum cleaner hose—you’ve just extended your vacuum into a wand! Those places are not longer out of reach for you, just use the tip of the wrapping paper roll as an extension of your vacuum.

Paper Towel Rolls

If you have certificates, legal forms, or other documents you want to preserve, roll them up and put them into a paper towel roll before storing. This will protect them from ripping, transference with other papers, and wrinkling. Of course, no one will blame you if you try it out as a spyglass first.

Toilet Paper Rolls

These can become a bit of a mess if the kids constantly manage to grab them out of the bathroom. You could easily find ripped toilet paper rolls throughout the house, so grab them before anyone else can and use them to keep your unused cords from turning into a tangled mess.

Before you store an appliance or a cord, fold it up and slide it into a toilet paper roll. It will keep the cord contained and a little safer from moisture or dirt, as well.

Re-using household items is a great way to be both efficient, cost effective, and environmentally-friendly—what a great combination! There are many ways to stay green while cleaning, including using maid services that utilize safer cleaning solutions.

Cleaning Before You Move: 5 Things You Might Overlook

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 10:20:20 GMT

Moving out of your house is a an adventure in time and stuff management already—you just don’t realize how many belongings you’ve accumulated until you try to categorize and box them all!

As if getting all of your things packed up, your new home ready, and all the accompanying paperwork aren’t enough, you have to throw in house cleaning , too. The best advice I can give you is to find a housekeeping service that has a moving in/out cleaning option.

If you do decide to clean yourself, don’t miss out on these five important places homeowners often overlook:

1. Air vents are so easy to forget—you get used to them just being there, doing their job, keeping you cool or warm as needed. However, they collect dust and can be a fire hazard.

Not only should you do a quick cleaning of your vents before you leave, you should also take a good look at the ones in your new house!

2. Ceilings & walls. You might not look up often, but someone looking to buy your house or moving in probably will. Try to see your house as if it weren’t your house, and clean the areas that need it, including the walls and ceiling throughout.

3. Doors collect dirt and fingerprints, especially if you have children running in and out of the house constantly. Take a few minutes to wipe down the door and get rid of that dirt collection.

4. Windows are notorious for waiting until the last minute to show you how badly they need to be cleaned. Get the jump on them and take out those smears and fingerprints before you leave.

5. Cupboards & shelves. Get on a chair and take a look at your shelves and in your cupboards, and you might be surprised by the collection of dust and crumbs accumulating in your cabinets! Clean them out before you move, and if you’re still trying to sell your house, change out the linings, as well.

Moving is hard enough already, so make it as easy on yourself as possible. Allow yourself to feel the excitement of your new home, as well!

Have the Most Impressive Laundry

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:01:43 GMT

Have you ever held something soft and warm from the dryer and wished you could hold onto that warmth and freshness for a while? While the warmth will fade, the freshness can last longer than you think. Laundry is necessary part of house cleaning , but you can have the most fabulous laundry possible with just three tips!

>> Laundry genius: the vertical fold. This is my favorite tip and will rocket you right into the laundry genius category. Fold your clothes like you would if you were putting them on display in a store, especially your shirts, folding one sleeve behind, then the other, then folding the bottom up. Then—and this is the genius part—store them vertically in the drawer. Suddenly, you can see every shirt at a glance without digging through your drawers. It also saves an amazing amount of space in your drawers.

>> For the best smelling laundry, use baking soda. In the same way baking soda pulls odors from the air and leaves your refrigerator, room, or cabinets smelling fresher, it can do the same for your clothes. Add half a cup of baking soda to your next load of laundry, and enjoy the lasting freshness.

>> If you want super soft clothes, vinegar is the secret. In addition to all the amazing things vinegar already does, it’s also a natural fabric softener! Just like with the baking soda, add half a cup to your laundry for the softest clothes (and no vinegar smell, I promise!). The clothes that come out of the dryer will be hard to resist after the vinegar treatment.

There are always housekeeping chores you like more than others, but if laundry’s on your naughty list this year, maybe you will find a little more enjoyment from it with these tips!

Cleaning Naturally With Items You Already Have

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 11:21:20 GMT

The best cleaning services use environmentally friendly products that are safe for your home, your family, and your environment. You can do the same when you clean by using these surprising natural cleaners you may already have in your cabinets or fridge!

Lemon - natural stain fighter and deodorizer.

The acidity makes lemon a strong contender against stains on clothes and carpets, so next time you have a stain, cut a lemon in half and rub the open half over the stain before washing.

As a deodorizer, lemon leaves behind a fresh, clean smell while clearing out odors around it. The best way to experience its deodorizing power is to freshen up your disposal with one. Cut a lemon into wedges, put the wedges into the garbage disposal, and run it with a little bit of cold water. It not only clears odors out of your disposal, but will freshen your whole kitchen!

Baking Soda – natural deodorizer and heavy duty cleaner

Baking soda can go all the places lemons can’t, and it is a passive deodorizer—you don’t have to do much of anything to get it to work. Open a box and place it in the fridge, laundry room, or bathroom. It absorbs odors and neutralizes them, so you might even want to put one in every room. Additionally, sprinkle a little in the bottom of your trash can to remove garbage odors.

If you’ve ever dealt with stuck-on food, you know what a hassle it can be. Baking soda does a great job of breaking up grime and grease, so sprinkle some baking soda on the crusted-over dish and let it sit for a while. When you come back, the mess should be much easier to remove.

Vinegar – natural disinfectant and fabric softener

An amazing and often unappreciated substance, vinegar can be the basis for one of the most effective solutions in your home: mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle to take care of just about everything.

Its best benefit is as a natural disinfectant. It kills germs as well as the leading disinfectants while leaving no residue behind. If you’re worried about the smell, you needn’t be—once vinegar dries, the smell is gone. One tip, though: don’t use vinegar solutions on marble countertops.

Also, and somewhat surprisingly, vinegar can be used to soften your clothes without any strange chemicals. Just pour half a cup into a large laundry load and enjoy the soft freshness afterwards.

House cleaning is important for your health, safety, and overall mood, too. Inexpensive, natural home cleaners make every cleaning job easier and healthier.

Cleaning Scavenger Hunt: Making Cleaning Fun

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 11:17:28 GMT

If you have ever asked your children to clean their room or help clean the house, you have probably experienced some whining, stalling, and the dreaded, “But cleaning is boring.”

Making house cleaning fun can get your children more interested in helping, even establishing a habit of cleaning. Games are a great way to get kids involved, and here’s how to plan a cleaning scavenger hunt to encourage your children to help out around the house—and maybe make cleaning more fun for you, too.

1. Decide on the type of scavenger hunt. Are you going to have you children find random items and then reward them at the end? Or would you rather hide prizes for them to find, with each discovery being a win? Knowing what you’re planning will help you set up the hunt.

2. Hide the items . Whichever style of scavenger hunt you decided upon, the next step is to hide the items. Hide them in places that need to be straightened, like a child’s bedroom or play room, and then explain that in order to get credit for the discovery, they have to clean to find it.

3. Play along and encourage your children. Get involved yourself, both to keep them going and because it’s fun! Play “hot and cold,” telling your kids when they’re close to the item or far away. Give them clues or just cheer them on. They will enjoy you participating and will likely do much better cleaning, too.

4. Praise them for a job well done. When they finish the scavenger hunt, praise your children both for their discoveries and for the work they did cleaning the house. Point out how much nicer the rooms look, and mention how much you appreciate their help. They will be much more likely to help out in the future if they get assurance from you.

Housekeeping doesn’t have to be boring. If scavenger hunts aren’t your style, try a race against the clock or draw random chores from a hat. Get creative, and you and your children will both enjoy cleaning a lot more.

Cleaning Priorities: Where to Focus for Thanksgiving Guests

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 11:08:16 GMT

If you are hosting a Thanksgiving dinner, you already have a long list of things to do, including house cleaning ! Hiring a maid service is the best option, but if you are tackling it yourself, prioritize the areas your guests will spend the most time in:

The Dining Room. Whether it’s your dining room table, kitchen bar, or another room in the house, cleaning the area where your guests will be eating is the first priority. They will likely spend much of their time in this room, so put effort into making it look wonderful.

The Kitchen. When food is cooking, people tend to follow their noses and migrate toward the kitchen. It can be a warm, fun atmosphere, but you definitely want to make sure it’s clean. Clean out the sink of all dishes before guests arrive, and then wash dishes as you go.

Wipe down counters, put away things you aren’t using to leave more counter space. Clean as you go, wiping up spills and throwing away trash while you cook. Doing this will ensure you have a beautifully clean, inviting kitchen for your Thanksgiving guests.

The Bathroom. One of the most important rooms in the house to clean for guests is the bathroom, so make sure it meets your standards! Sweep and mop the floor, clean the counters and sink, and clean the bathtub and toilet. Make sure there’s a clean towel and plenty of toilet paper available. It’s a simple task, but one that will create a surprisingly big impact on how people remember your home.

Don’t worry about the bedrooms too much unless you intend to leave the doors open of invite people into them. If your kids will have company, too; ask them to clean their rooms up in advance, and help them by making the bed if necessary.

Wherever your friends and family gather, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Everyday Steps to Reduce Clutter

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 11:05:38 GMT

Little things add up—papers stack on papers, dishes go unwashed in the sink, toys are left scattered across the room—and pretty soon clutter is creeping its way across your home.

Every day housekeeping may sound like a chore, but by making simple adjustments to the way you do things every day, you might find it’s easier and more rewarding than you think.

Everything in its place: As soon as you finish with something, put it back where it belongs. It’s easy to cast this rule off on children, but much harder to adhere to as we become adults. It’s just as simple as when you were a kid, though: put things away, and the difference in your house will be immediately recognizable.

Donate or trash it: You probably have some items you keep moving from place to place that never actually get used. It can be tempting to keep things around “just in case,” but take an honest look at what you have. Anything you haven’t used or worn in six months is likely something you won’t miss much.

Reducing the number of things you have in your house is the first step to fighting clutter on a daily basis.

Wash dishes on a schedule: Make washing dishes a routine. Keeping the sink clear of dishes promotes health for you and your family, ensures you always have clean dishes, and makes your kitchen that much cleaner.

If you wait to wash dishes, you might end up with a huge stack that seems impossible to move through and might be discouraging. Instead, make a plan to wash dishes after dinner or before you go to bed. Schedule a time to load the dishwasher every day; your kitchen will appreciate it!

Don’t pile on the mail: Coming in from work or a day out, it’s easy to just toss mail into a pile. Unfortunately, this stack builds up quickly, and soon you have a mountain of envelopes and advertisements.

Take a second when you bring the mail in to throw junk mail away and put away bills and other important mail. Just a few moments will tremendously cut down on the paper clutter in your home.

Tidy before going to bed: Take fifteen or twenty minutes right before you go to bed to throw away trash, put dirty dishes in the sink or dishwasher, and pick up toys or other misplaced items. Waking up to a clean house is worth the extra effort!

Don’t hesitate to get some help: Sometimes clutter can feel completely overwhelming. Don’t get discouraged—if you have a clutter problem or a clean house problem, there are wonderful maid services available to help you get caught up.

Every day clean is all about taking small steps to maintain a tidy house. Every time you walk into your home and it’s clutter-free, you will be glad you took the time to keep it straight.