Category: Cleaning

The Ultimate House Cleaning Guide

Whether you clean your own home on a regular basis, or clean others’ for a living, you can understand when we say it is a dirty job! Dirt, dust, spills, and grime, there are a lot of different messes you encounter when cleaning a home. The best advice from any house cleaning expert is to pick-up and put away on a regular basis. This means divide your housework into daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. That way your cleaning to-do list is more manageable.

Daily Tasks

The first thing most people do in the morning after getting dressed is make their bed. It may seem like an insignificant thing to do, but it really helps to give your home that neat and organized feeling.

From there, tackle the kitchen. This can range from emptying the dishwasher, putting away breakfast bowls, cereal boxes, and plates, to wiping down countertops, the kitchen table and take out the garbage. No one wants to come home after a day of school or work to find more work in terms of a dirty or stinky kitchen!

Once the kitchen has been dealt with, don’t overlook the bathroom after you’ve used it in the morning. This might include wiping the countertops, putting away hair and toothbrushes, and making sure towels are hung up. All of these are small steps that go a long way to helping you keep your home clean.

Weekly Tasks

Start with dusting all of the surfaces in your home. Vacuum all of your rugs, sweep your hardwood or tile floors and then finish up by mopping them. Change and launder all bed sheets, duvet and pillow covers; wash bath mats, towels, or any other floor coverings. Clean out your refrigerator and your freezer, discarding anything that is no longer edible. Wipe down your toaster over, the inside of your microwave, and oven (some ovens have the self-cleaning option); not to mention clean your stovetop as well. Scrub your bathtub, sinks and toilets to make sure they’re spotless. Fluff and rotate pillows on your sofa or other seating areas. Sort through the pile of paper work that is sitting by your bedside on in your study, remember if you don’t do it now it won’t get any smaller by itself. And don’t forget to clean all the hand and animal paw prints from the windows, mirrors and other glass surfaces.

 

Should I have the house cleaner in my home? What about the plumber? Here’s what the experts say

Is there a risk to having people in your home, such as house cleaners and plumbers?

Answer: Yes. Every time another person comes within 6 feet there is a risk of transmission, and that’s why our experts recommend that you factor in the possible risk when deciding who should come to the home.

Process:

In an attempt to “flatten the curve,” people across the globe are attempting to practice social distancing. This has prompted questions online about who should be allowed to come to the home. “Is it safe to have your house cleaned by outside workers,” asked on person in an email to the Verify Team. And of course, it’s not just house-cleaners. What about the plumber or the electrician? The Verify Team turned to the experts to get a feel for the possible risk.

The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention did not offer a clear-cut yes or no answer. Instead, they offered guidelines that all people should follow. The CDC said special precautions should be taken by those who are older, or have an underlining health issue. “(They should) prohibit visitors who do not have an essential need to be in the home.“ Meanwhile, the CDC said everyone else should also practice social distancing by limiting “close contact with others as much as possible.”

agreed that people should take the risk seriously. “In general, not having people in your house who are not essential would be my recommendation,” he said. Price said that he made the decision to tell the housekeeper not to come this week for this reason.

The Verify Team also reached out to the American Association of Cleaning Professionals. A spokesperson said that they are recommending work as normal, although recommending that cleaners wear gloves and face masks.

 

How to clean a hotel room – A guide for housekeepers and travellers

First rule of hotel housekeeping

Every respectful hotel cleaner will knock and announce themselves ( say HOUSEKEEPING) at least twice before unlocking a guest’s door and then again upon entry. As a traveller, if you do not want housekeeping staff to knock on your door, hang the DO NOT DISTURB sign on the outside door handle.

Hotel cleaning: a step-by-step guide

To keep things simple, here’s a numbered list of steps to take when cleaning a hotel room. If you’re a hotel guest, you can use this as a guide to know what should have been cleaned before you checked in.

Clean a hotel room bedroom

Strip the beds of all sheets and pillowcases. Inspect mattress and pillow protectors; blankets and quilts for stains. Change when necessary. Sorry travellers but these items are not changed between each guest (I wish they were).

Make the bed by laying the bottom sheet over the mattress. Tuck the sheet at the top end of the bed only. This will secure the sheet so it does not “come loose” when the guest is in bed. Next, lay down the top sheet. Lay down the blanket. If the triple sheet method if used, apply that over top of everything. Now, tuck the sheets and the blanket all together on 3 sides of the bed, with hospital corners at the bottom. There is NO need to round that bed more than once or twice. Smooth the quilt, duvet, doona, whatever is being used on top, over the bed and make it look nice and neat. Stand fluffed, freshly covered pillows at the head of the bed. Apply bed accessories (footers and throw pillows) as per hotel decor.

Empty the rubbish bins. If there is dry garbage only, use gloved hands to remove and save a plastic bag. Use discretion here.

Dust all furniture and picture frames with a slightly damp, clean cloth.

Wipe baseboards and spot clean walls if needed.

Check balcony for rubbish and lock sliding glass door.

Sanitise the TV remote and telephone with the supplied cleaning product on a dry cloth. Do the same with the fridge, if the room has one.

Spot clean bedroom mirror and windows. Full window cleaning is usually done monthly or seasonally.

Replenish all guest room amenities: tissues, stationery, coffee, tea, sugar and milk.

Wash glasses and coffee mugs in the bathroom with hot water and soap. Dry with a clean tea towel.

Check all drawers and wardrobes for items that may have been left behind. Push hangers to one side of the closet. Check extra pillows and blankets for use and neatness.

Vacuum the floor, including under the bed(s).

I personally don’t believe that strong chemicals are needed throughout the bathroom but for simplicity, I will go with standard hotel practice here.

Remove all used towels.

Discard all used soap, shampoo and lotion.

Empty the bin.

Check toilet paper levels. If less than 1/3 left on the roll, replace with a new roll and fold to make a neat triangle. Keep the unused roll for use in hotel staff bathrooms. Be sure there is a spare roll in the bathroom too.

Clean the mirror with clean water. Dry with a streak-free micro-fibre cloth. Enjo is best if you have it.

Spray the sink, bathtub, shower and toilet with supplied cleaner. Go light. Chemicals are harsh on skin, lungs and the environment.

Use a clean, wet cloth to wipe (and scrub if necessary) the sink, bench-tops, bathtub and shower tiles. Check shower grout for mould. Rinse excess cleaner, then dry all surfaces with a clean, dry cloth/rag.

Do the same with the toilet, inside and out. Any cloth used on the toilet must not be used on any other surfaces.

Wipe down bathroom walls when soiled or splashed.

Fold clean towels and bathmat to the hotel’s standards and place either in the bathroom or on the beds.

Replenish bathroom amenities: soaps, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, shower cap, etc.

Scan the bathroom surfaces for hair. Be sure to remove any stray hairs you may have missed during cleaning.

Wipe the floor tiles with a damp cloth. Mops just spread dirty water and bacteria around. They should not be used.

 

How Much Does House Cleaning Service Cost?

The standard house cleaning cost per hour can be around $30 to $40. For a 180m2 home with two bedrooms and one bathroom, expect to pay around $240. Prices vary depending on your location and other inclusions to add. Some home cleaners charge on an hourly basis. Others provide fixed rates for services which may take longer to complete. For instance, end of lease cleaning may cost tenants around $250 (two-bedroom unit).

Paying for a home cleaning service gives you more time for leisure and other important activities. It pays to know how professional cleaners charge and for what type of cleaning jobs the cost may fluctuate to help you manage your finances.

Labour Rates for House Cleaners

Most home cleaners charge an hourly rate of around $30 to $40. Prices differ based on the demand for professional house cleaning jobs and other factors.

What are the Factors that Affect House Cleaning Prices?

Size of your home

The size of your home largely affects how you will be charged. Some home cleaners measure their rates per room or square metre depending on the requirements. For example, cleaning a one-bedroom unit with one bathroom can take two to three hours to complete. Homeowners with a double-storey residential property pay more due to the number of rooms to clean.

Location

Hiring a professional cleaner outside your vicinity may attract increased costs. Expect to pay extra fees for transportation and call outs. Consider the business location of your prospective house cleaner to keep you from incurring additional costs.

 

How to Clean Your Entire House in 45 Minutes

Your bachelor pad. Your family home. That apartment with all the architectural detail and the amazing view. Wherever you live, houses get messy. And they stay that way, until you clean them. When your plans to let someone inside ends up happening before your hopes of getting your home back to normal, then it’s time to clean it. Quickly.

45:00 – Pick a music album (or playlist) you know and love.  Not Ramones-length short, but no double LPs here either. An average 12-14 song album that you can sing along to and not focus on. Your house will be clean by the time the secret bonus track comes on.

44:00 – Fill up the sink with hot soapy water. Or, if you have a dishwasher, make sure it’s empty with the racks pulled out. You’re gonna need somewhere to place all the  dirty plates and coffee mugs lying around all over the house.

42:00 – Start in the Bedroom.

Pick up all your laundry and put it in the hamper. Don’t worry about emptying pockets or removing belts or turning socks right side out – just get it off the floor. If your hampers are overflowing, place items in laundry baskets and put them in the most hidden corner of your room.

Pick up any books and magazines and stack them neatly. Clean off dressers and side tables. Close all dresser drawers, making sure there’s no little pieces of sock or t-shirt sticking out of the closure.

Make your bed like you mean it. Arrange pillows neatly.

38:00 – Begin the bathroom and kitchen. You can’t make the whole thing spotless, so focus on the areas that need the most help. Use time and the power of the cleaners to your advantage.

Put your toiletries and daily use items away and where they belong. Hang up towels.

Then spray the hard surfaces with bathroom cleaner. Get the sink, faucet, outside of the toilet, and the bottom of the tub or shower. You can use the shower curtain or doors to your advantage. Just clean the outside. (Unless you know someone will be using it. Then spray away.)

Fill the toilet bowl with toilet cleaner, getting as high up as possible (that’s where the real crud lives).

Spray cleanser on the kitchen surfaces: stovetop, counters, and any sticky spots on the floor.

32:00 – Tackle the Living Room.

Deal with the surfaces: clean off the coffee table, entertainment cabinet, side tables etc. Stack books and magazines and place remote on top.

Fold blankets, then smooth cushions and neatly arrange pillows. It sounds fussy, but it’s amazing what a difference it will make.

Roll up any cables or cords, close and store your laptop, and turn on all lamps.

Embrace the stack. If you don’t have time to put things where they belong, place them on top of each other from largest to smallest. It might not look like an display of objets d’art, but it’ll look like you intentionally put them there. Which you did.

VRMA and VRHP launch cleaning guidelines for SafeHome campaign

The Vacation Rental Housekeeping Professionals [ VRHP ], a subsidiary of the Vacation Rental Management Association [ VRMA ] has created a new set of cleaning guidelines for managers and owners of vacation rental properties to limit the spread of the coronavirus in the United States.

The guidelines come into effect as part of the joint VRMA and VRHP SafeHome campaign, which aims to empower association members to adopt a consistent set of cleaning safety standards and to openly communicate with guests and employees about the precautions they are taking.

Recommendations for augmenting existing cleaning programs include:

Disinfection and sanitisation techniques

Proper use of personal protective equipment [PPE]

Recommended products, cleaning agents and equipment

Updated cleaning and inspection processes for soft surfaces, upholstery and linens

Trash removal and maintenance processes

Communicating expanded cleaning processes to guests

“Housekeepers are responsible for completely resetting properties and creating a like-new experience for arriving guests. These new guidelines are intended to enhance the safety of properties, and provide more peace of mind for property owners and guests,” he added.

Both the VRMA and the VRHP say they will continue their efforts to educate and inform members and the professional vacation rental management community of evolving guidelines and recommendations, in order to provide a safe and enjoyable environment to guests, staff and the general public.

 

Vacation Rental Cleaning [Options & Costs]

There are many components involved in managing a vacation rental property. How you plan to keep it clean is arguably one of the highest priorities to consider, which is why it is crucial that you explore all your options before choosing the one that works best for you. Decide well in advance whether you plan to hire a cleaning service, do the work yourself, or use a company like Grand Welcome, which offers a comprehensive vacation rental management system.

Vacation Rental Cleaning Options

When guests arrive at your vacation rental property, they expect it to be immaculately clean, which means you need to pay attention to the details you may otherwise overlook. If clean dishes are still in the dishwasher instead of the cupboards or the picture frames have a layer of dust, it can quickly diminish the feeling of luxury they were hoping for.

House Cleaning vs. Housekeeping

Generally speaking, the term “housekeeping” is used to describe the type of cleaning that is done on an ongoing basis between guests. This type of service should be supplemented with a deep house cleaning at least once a year, or as needed. Deeper cleaning would include items like carpet cleaning, washing curtains and large appliances, and repairs and maintenance.

How to Clean Your Airbnb or Rental Property Yourself

Do you have to clean Airbnb properties? Yes, whether you are the property owner or a guest, you will need to do some cleaning in your vacation rental. If you’ve ever been an Airbnb quest, you were most likely charged a cleaning fee to cover some of the cost of housekeeping, and you also may have been asked to wash dishes or take the trash to outside garbage cans.

Vacation Rental Cleaning Services

Hiring someone to perform vacation rental cleaning services may be a better option if you do not live near your property or you want the job done by an expert. Someone from a cleaning service will have mastered a few trade skills, like how to complete each task in the most efficient and effective manner, as well as how to make a bed housekeeping-style so everything looks professional and inviting.

 

RENTER OBLIGATIONS

PLANNING FOR YOUR ARRIVAL

Your rental home will be cleaned and prepared for your arrival at 4pm on the day your rental begins.  There will be 2 rolls of toilet paper in each bathroom, 1 paper towel roll at the kitchen sink, and pump-hand soaps at each sink. Beds will be made up with freshly cleaned linens and bath towels will be provided.

BEFORE YOU DEPART

Each renter should complete the following no later than 10:00 am on the final day of the rental:

Replace any furniture that was moved.

Remove trash from any garbage cans. Place used bags in town trash bins. Place recyclables in recyclables bin.

Leave the kitchen clean: Wipe countertops, and wash any dirty dishes.

Remove all food from the fridge or cupboards.

Turn any lights and appliances off.

Ensure any exterior windows and doors are closed and locked.

Reset the thermostat to temperature provided in welcome letter

Double-check all drawers and closets for personal items.

WAVERING FROM THE RENTAL AGREEMENT TERMS

You may be charged up to $1,000.00 additional in the event of a violation of our “no smoking”, “no pet” (if property is NOT pet friendly), or “maximum occupancy”, policies or neglectful damages which occurred during the tenancy. Additional housekeeping charges will be applied in the event for the need of extra cleaning by our staff and the occurrence of exceeding the maximum occupancy of the cottage. We charge $35 per hour for additional cleaning above and beyond normal expected cleaning times plus one hour.

DAMAGE PROTECTION PLAN

1. As a part of your stay, you may purchase a Vacation Rental Damage Protection plan designed to cover unintentional damages to the rental unit interior that occur during your stay provided they are disclosed to management prior to check-out. If purchased, the policy will pay a maximum benefit of $3,000.00. Any damages that exceed $3,000.00 or are not covered under the plan will be charged to the credit card on file. If, during your stay at one of our rental properties, an insured person causes any damage to real or personal property of the unit as a result of inadvertent acts or omissions, the Insurer will reimburse the Insured for the cost of repair or replacement of such property up to a maximum benefit of $3,000.00.

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT

Vacation Rentals and it’s Property Owners regret that they cannot be held responsible for failure of cable or Dish TV, high speed internet, or any special/unique property amenities. If an appliance breaks, there is a plumbing, heating, or cooling issue, we will make every effort to resolve the problem with as little inconvenience to our guest as possible.

 

Checklist for cleaning and prepping your vacation rental

Guests have successfully booked your vacation home meaning you did a great job on your property listing with Owner Direct. Congratulations! Now what? What should you do next to make sure you don’t fail the expectations of your guests? The answer: Go clean up and get your vacation rental ready for welcoming your guests. In the era of COVID-19 and heightened guest sensitivity upon us, having a clean and sanitized home is more important than ever.

Cleaning vacation rental checklist

Clean ALL your kitchen equipment and appliances (e.g. coffee maker, microwave oven, refrigerator, stove top, oven, grill, etc.).

Replace or remove defective or broken appliances, including light bulbs.

Replace furnace and air filters.

Empty dishwasher, washer, dryer, garbage bins, and fireplace (remove ashes).

Organize pantry and cupboards.

Replenish coffee filters, dish soap, hand soap, detergent, trash bags, etc.

Provide clean pot holders, dish towels and a new dish sponge.

Clean glass windows and doors to perfection. This is even more important when there’s a beautiful view through it, otherwise fingerprints, dust, dirt or hard water residues will ruin the view. Here’s a quick guide for cleaning glass windows and doors (applies to mirrors too).

Check the battery of the TV remote controls and smoke detectors. Replace as needed.

Vacuum floor, carpet, rugs, and sofa, including under seat cushions and furniture.

Dust and clean furniture, vents, blinds, lamps, ceiling fans, air conditioners, etc.

Wash rugs, curtains and blinds as needed.

Change bed sheets and pillowcases. For comforters, make sure it is not stained or spilled with anything or you will have to have them laundered. Opt for white bedding or other light neutral colors beige, ivory, taupe, black and gray to give your bedroom a hotel vibe.

Remove your personal belongings inside closets and drawers (powder tables, bedside tables, etc.).

Clean, scrub and sanitize toilet and bathrooms (walls, floors, bathtub, toilet, flush, door, faucets, shower, etc.).

Remove hair buildups in the drains.

Provide clean linens, hand towels, bath towels and washcloths.

Replace toilet flappers and toilet bowl brushes as needed.

Clean dryer lint trap and washing machine.

 

Short-term rentals providing updated cleaning guidelines due to pandemic

As we come up on a holiday weekend and more states are relaxing restrictions, people are considering getting away, but within driving distance and staying in short term rentals.

They’ve also released updated cleaning guidelines for property owners, things like disinfecting high-touch surfaces, building in time between bookings to avoid back-to-back stays, and stocking antibacterial soap, cleaners and hand sanitizer for guests.

Guests should also ask questions before booking.

“And it will be great for the property owners to hear those concerns directly from the incoming guests, so they can continue to make adjustments to attract those guests and figure out what they need to market and publish out on the various platforms,”

says guests should also ask about the surrounding community where they plan to stay, what stage of reopening are they at, and about things like mask requirements. “It’s a great way to open up that conversation with the property owner and also to determine are there any other concerns that anybody’s got that the property owner can address or that the guest wants to bring up,”

You’ll also want to ask about refunds and flexibility in canceling, because you don’t know if an area may suddenly see a surge in cases and have to close down again.

MOVE-IN/MOVE-OUT CLEANING

Moving into or out of a home is the mark of an exciting transition in life, but it can be a very stressful time. There’s so much to take care of, with everything from packing to decorating your new home and everything in between. One of the biggest pains of moving is cleaning your former or new house to prepare it for sale or the big move-in day.

Whether you’re moving into or out of a new home, Radiant Home Cleaning Services will take care of the mess for you! Radiant Home Cleaning offers move-in and move-out residential cleaning services for empty homes in the Northern VA region. We believe that a cleaning company should not just simply “clean” a home or apartment, but offer a well-defined, trustworthy service that pays attention to the little details. We will thoroughly clean your new or previous home with this approach to make your moving experience as smooth and worry-free as possible.

When scheduling a Move-In or Move-Out Cleaning on our booking form, select “One-Time” as the frequency, and fill out the details of the house on the booking form. Select “Upgrade to Premium” as an add-on if you would like to upgrade to our Premium Package.

Classic Cleaning fits you if:

The home was maintained, so there’s only mild to moderate build up in the kitchen, bathrooms, and floors

The new home is newly constructed or freshly remodeled and just needs a spruce-up cleaning before moving in or out

The house was cleaned by previous owners/tenants, but after all the tours and inspections, you just need to clean it up one more time

You have a tighter budget but need to satisfy the conditions of your sale or lease (NOTE: If you just need to satisfy the conditions of a sale or lease, we can provide a Classic Cleaning to fit your budget. However, if we recommend a Premium Cleaning based on the state of the home, we cannot guarantee the results of the cleaning if you opt for the Classic Cleaning)

Premium Cleaning fits you if:

The home was not cleaned regularly, and there is build up in the kitchen (grease, crumbs, fingerprints), bathrooms (soap scum, mildew, fingerprints, etc.), and floors (bugs, shoe prints, splatters, hair/fur) NOTE: For homes that have been improperly maintained, cleaning results will not bring the condition of the home to “like-new” status and we can’t guarantee that all stains will come out of surfaces. Our teams will inform you on what they can realistically achieve.

The house is newly constructed or renovated and it has NOT been cleaned (AKA it is a Post-Construction Cleaning). NOTE: we require a walkthrough visit prior to providing Post-Construction cleaning. Please read more here (add link to Post Construction page)

The previous owner or tenant did not get the house professionally cleaned.

 

Printable Move-in Cleaning Checklist For Your “New” Old House

Are you a new owner of an old house?  Itching to grab those house keys at closing, unlock the door to the house of your dreams and start unloading that moving truck? While I appreciate (and share) your enthusiasm, you might want to first consider deep cleaning your old house before moving in.  Get rid of all that old dirt first.  Then make sure it’s shiny and new to you!  And I’ll help you get it squeaky clean with a Move-In Cleaning Checklist.

I was chomping at the bit to unload, unpack and start my new life. But the house needed to be cleaned.  The last owners were good people, but they were focused on their new house and not on cleaning out the house they were passing on to us.

Moving Into an Old House Cleaning Checklist

Not sure where to start?  Feeling overwhelmed? That’s exactly how I felt. But if you know me, then you know that I’m a list girl.  Always making lists.  Grocery lists.  Christmas presents list.  To-do list.  Bucket list. Having checklists gives me the feeling of being in control.

General Old House Cleaning Tips

Before we dive into the checklist section by section, here’s a few general tips to help ease your cleaning tasks.

Apply Tile & Grout Cleaner to Shower

I hate grout.  It’s so hard to keep white!  And there’s a good chance your new “old” shower and tub doesn’t have the squeakiest clean tile and grout.

 

Moving in cleaning checklist: How to clean a new home before you move in

When you’re moving into a new home, one of the very first things you need to do is give the entire house or apartment a thorough clean – for your comfort and for your peace of mind. Of course, it’s best to complete this moving in cleaning task before your household items arrive so that the endless piles of cardboard boxes won’t get in your way.

To clean your new house or apartment before you move in, you’re going to need to follow a good moving in cleaning checklist. As an added bonus, such a move in cleaning checklist will enable you to finish that not-so-exciting chore much faster and easier than you ever expected.

The bathroom

The bathroom will be the room you will need most urgently while you’re moving in, right after your movers depart. You’ll desperately want to take a refreshing shower or a relaxing bath when Moving day is almost over, so roll up your sleeves and get down to work.

Clean the exhaust fans first because they can be rather dusty.

Replace the toilet seat and cover. It’s not worth the time and efforts to clean thoroughly the seat and cover of your toilet when you can replace them with brand new ones that are perfectly clean and fairly inexpensive as well.

Use a specialized cleaner to scrub the bathroom shower or tub.

Remove the old shower curtains, if still there, and hang yours in their place. This way, you won’t have to worry about how clean (understand how dirty) the old shower curtains may be.

Don’t forget to clean up the areas that are often neglected during the house cleaning process – the inside and outside of the medicine cabinet, the tiny area behind the toilet bowl, and the zone in the shower recess.

Take a closer look at the sink faucets, and if they happen to be too dirty or too worn out, then do consider replacing them with new ones.

Scrub all surfaces and bathroom fixtures – walls, doors, towel racks and light fixtures using an all-purpose cleaner to ensure a cleaner and fresher look of the entire bathroom.

Wipe the bathroom mirror clean using a glass cleaning product.

Finally, vacuum the bathroom floor to remove any accumulated filth and dust, then mop it until it shines.

The bedroom

The new house cleaning checklist takes you to the bedroom – the very room you will desperately need to use right after you’ve taken a bath or a shower in the bathroom. The thing is, after surviving the most stressful and exhausting day of your house move, you’ll want to set up your bed and have a rest or simply go to sleep if it’s already late in the evening.

 

Moving House? Cleaning Tips for Before You Move In

So, you have just gone through all the admin of buying a house or finding a new rental. You’ve packed up, got the movers ready, all the paperwork sorted, the last thing you will have on your mind is whether your new place is clean or not.

With any luck the previous owners or tenants would have given the place a good clean before you move in, but unfortunately, this is never really the case. Cleaning a house when you move in is often not thought of during the excitement, and can get forgotten. Moving house can be a fresh start, and what better way to start than by sorting the place and making it your own.

Taking the time to give your new place a thorough clean before you move in will save time, effort and be much less stressful than when everything is moved in. Before you get stuck in, here are a couple of tips that will make a world of difference when tackling a full house clean.

Make sure you have all your cleaning supplies ready to go. The last thing you want is to have to stop cleaning to run to the shops.

Open spaces with no furniture in the way make cleaning easier, and more comfortable – so get onto cleaning before the movers get there, especially carpet cleaning.

Playing music while you clean will keep your mood upbeat, and podcasts or audiobooks take you mind off the task completely.

One of the most efficient ways to make sure your new place is clean from roof to floors is to work through it methodically. Breaking the cleaning down by rooms can make the task feel manageable and easy to delegate to family or friends.

 

Renting? Here’s What You Have to Clean Before You Unpack!

Whenever you are moving into a new apartment or a house, there is a high chance that someone lived there before you. Unless you know for yourself that space is brand new, then you can’t trust your landlord 100%. With that in mind, as a new tenant, you will be extra cautious the first week or so, until you adjust to the new living space. One of the best ways to accept your new house as a home is to take care of it before you even move in. Things like cleaning, changing some sanitary appliances and reordering the way the furniture is, in order to suit your personal taste are all great examples of first to-do things.

Why Deep Cleaning is Important Before Moving in

Not only deep cleaning your new home is good for getting to know the place, it’s also a pretty good way to sanitize the place that you’re going to live in.

Making a List

We mentioned above that it’s very important to have a plan before you start to deep clean the house. That’s why we created the Fantastic Deep Clean To-Do List!

Scout the house

Before you start doing any cleaning scout the place. Try to find the hidden dirty spots and mark them on paper. Look under beds, behind couches, and most importantly behind any kitchen appliances. You’d be surprised how dirty behind the oven can be.

Make a plan

It’s easy to start, but often times you’ll find yourself trying to keep away from areas that you’ve already cleaned, but you need to use. That’s why it’s important to know when to start from. This varies from house to house, because of the layout, so it’s on you to figure it out.

Do the dirtiest things first

Before you vacuum and dust the place, you should do the dirtiest things first. Clean behind furniture and any other places that you’ve found in Step 2!

Things That You Have to Throw Away When Moving In

A new home may be a new start for you, or not. However, it should always be a second life for the house or apartment.

Reasons Move Out Cleaning Services Will Make Your Life Easier

Buying a new home or moving into a new rental can be an exciting yet stressful time. Life never seems to slow down as you’re juggling work, family, commitments, and packing for a big move.

Focus on Unpacking in Your New Home

Unpacking, organizing, and getting settled in your new home is a challenge in itself. It may take a week or more to unpack your boxes and feel settled in your new place.

Deep Cleaning Takes Time and Energy

The task of deep cleaning of dirt and grime in corners, cabinets, under furniture, and high on shelves is not for the faint of heart. It requires scrubbing, reaching high and low, and can take a significant amount of your precious time

Move Out Cleaning Is Essential for Out of State Moves

The truck is packed, you’re hitting the road, and there’s no time to clean up what’s left behind. No problem. Before you move, schedule move out cleaners to deep clean your home behind you. When time is of the essence, professional cleaners offer the relief you need

Offer the New Occupants a Fresh Start

There’s nothing worse than arriving with excitement to a new place to discover you need to clean before you can unpack. Give the new tenants the gift of a fresh start by hiring professional moving out cleaning in Colorado Springs. This offers goodwill to the new occupants and you’ll have more time and energy to focus on your fresh start.

 

How to Clean an Apartment for a Move-Out

Moving into a new apartment is a hard but fun and exciting process. However, you still have obligations to your old landlord, the largest of which is cleaning your empty apartment. Landlords want to rent out your old unit as soon as possible, therefore, you need to deep clean the apartment before your move-out inspection. If you don’t, you risk losing your security deposit. You might also risk losing your credibility if you ever need to use your past landlord as a reference. Apartment Guide tells you how to clean for a move-out.

Cleaning list

The landlord will likely have provided you with a list (in writing) of exactly what you need to clean in order to get your security deposit back. Every lease is different regarding expectations. Some will say “professionally clean the carpets” and others will simply require you to vacuum. So it’s important to read the list carefully to make sure you don’t miss anything. If you’ve misplaced the list, ask for another copy from your apartment manager. They will be happy to know you intend to comply.

What’s typically on the list

The list will typically include fans, fan blades, blinds, baseboards, carpets and many things you don’t clean every day. Knowing what is expected of you makes things much easier and increases your chances of getting your full security deposit back.

Dents and dings

Before you go about deep-cleaning your unit, you’ll also want to repair things like small holes in the wall, broken blinds, burnt out bulbs, and chipped paint.

How to deep-clean an apartment

Apartment cleaning is not glamorous but it’s worth knowing how to do right. Start at the top of the room with your ceiling, fan and fan blades. From there, move onto the walls, shelving, windows, blinds, and baseboards. End with the flooring. You want to start from the top so you’re only cleaning everything one time.

 

What is End of Tenancy Cleaning

We are sure you have many questions that you do not know the answers and we will try to cover all aspects of After tenancy cleaning. No matter in which city you live, the landlords’ requirements are almost the same when it comes to the condition in which you have to leave your home after your departure. To make sure you get your deposit back take some time to read the next lines. Especially for you, we have gathered all the necessary information about Post tenancy cleaning. The first thing to start with is to clarify what exactly means the term “End of tenancy cleaning”.

What is End of Tenancy Cleaning

“When you move into a new property, it’s most likely very clean on your first visit. Tenants have a right to receive a clean and hygienic property, but they must also ensure the standard is maintained for the remainder of their tenancy.

Most people don’t do deep cleaning on a weekly basis and that counts double in the months before their moving date. However, when moving out, tenants need to make sure the property is just as clean as it was when they first moved in. Since moving is an already tense, both tenants and landlords turn to the services industry to fill in that role.

What does end of tenancy cleaning include?

The cleaning of the entrance and the hallways requires more caution because these areas are heavily polluted. Here it is necessary to pay special attention to the floor, which is often irreversibly contaminated by shoe marks.

Kitchen cleaning

Cleaning the kitchen is one of the most unpleasant parts of every housewife’s work. Removing saturated fat and dirt from kitchen utensils and countertops is not only an unpleasant task but is also extremely difficult to implement without professional preparations. The cleaning of kitchens can be external, which includes cleaning of countertops, electric appliances, sink, floor, lighting fixtures, cabinets, etc. and internal – cleaning of all electrical appliances or a part of them (stoves, refrigerators, microwave, aspirators, etc.) and internal cleaning of cabinets.

 

MOVE IN & MOVE OUT CLEANING SERVICES

Moving is a big job. In fact, many people say that moving is one of the most stressful and exhausting life experiences. Getting your things in order, changing your address, scheduling transportation and moving services, perhaps changing school systems, or going through a simultaneous career adjustment⁠—it can all present a massive amount of work. On top of it all, you have to make sure the home you’re leaving is clean (either to get your security deposit back for your apartment or to help ensure your house can sell) and that your new home is ready for move-in day.

This is where our move out cleaning experts can help you remove one burden from your to-do list.

Let the experts remove the burden of pre- and post-move cleaning from your to-do list. By nature, moving is messy. Our expert cleaning crews can make sure that your new home or the one you’re leaving looks spotless and sparkling with our move in and move out cleaning services.

 

The Importance Of Move-In Move-Out Cleaning

Whether you are moving in or out from a house, apartment, or office, cleaning the area will be inevitable. But do you have enough time and energy to do it on your own? If not, the smart choice to make is hiring a professional move in & move out cleaning service.

Moving Out From an Apartment or Old House

There are plenty of reasons why people move to a new house or apartment. It could be the place is nearer to your new workplace or you just want to have a fresh start. However, it is stated in your lease contract that you can only get your safety deposit once you leave the area in a clean and presentable condition.

Move In Cleaning Service – for Landlords

For landlords, if you do not have enough cleaners to effectively clean the newly emptied spaces in your apartment or office, the perfect solution is hiring a move in and out cleaning service.

Move In Cleaning Service – for New Renters

Meanwhile, for new renters of an apartment or house, you need to consider hiring an apartment move in cleaning service. Why? Because you have no solid assurance that the previous renters of the house have deep cleaned all corners, sinks, and countertops in the area.

What Are the Expected Inclusions for Move In & Move Out Cleaning Service

Before hiring any residential move our cleaning service, it is best to ask what are the inclusions for their service or package. Ask if they perform either spring, deep cleaning, or both. Moreover, ask for a free estimate of the job and how many cleaners are expected to be working on it.

House Cleaning Schedule

 Keeping your home clean can sometimes feel like an impossible task, but one great way to make it feel less daunting is to set a schedule. Creating a house cleaning schedule will help ensure that you keep every part of your home clean, even the parts that you’d typically pay less attention to. When you’re ready to make a cleaning schedule for your home, follow these tips to make sure you get the job done right.

YOUR DAILY FOCUS: KEEP DIRT AWAY

A daily cleaning schedule attacks the messes and dirt that accumulate in your house every day. It will keep your home tidy but doesn’t do much about serious grime. By following this schedule, you’ll have a house you can relax in after a long day at work. In fact, living in a clean home may even make you a happier person.

Try accomplishing these tasks to prevent messes from getting out of control:

• Make your bed
• Put dirty clothes in hamper
• Do a load of laundry when you have enough dirty clothes
• Wipe countertops after preparing meals
• Wash dishes (or load dishwasher)
• Spend 10 minutes picking up and putting away clutter
• Wipe out the kitchen and bathroom sinks

 

Tips for Cleaning Every Week

Tackle one room or job each day so you’re not doing everything all at once. For example, devote Monday to cleaning kitchen messes, bring out the vacuum on Tuesday, make Wednesday the day for changing sheets, and so on.

Clean inside of microwave: Heat a microwave-safe bowl filled with 1 cup of water and several tablespoons of vinegar on high power for several minutes until the window is steamy. Let cool for 5 minutes before opening the door, then remove the bowl, and wipe the inside clean with a sponge.

Scrub bathroom surfaces: We like CLR Bath & Kitchen Cleaner for grout and Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Bath for glass, tile, and tub surfaces.

Sanitize sponges: Mix 3/4 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water and soak the sponge for five minutes, then rinse – that’s it.

 

Four Easy Chores to Do Every Day

If you have a small family who mostly eats out, dishes on a daily basis may not be a priority. Modify your daily chores to reflect the needs of your family. Use the following as a guide.

Clean the Dishes

Maybe you’ve never seen what happens to a sink full of dishes left to sit, but it isn’t pretty. Smells, stains, and odd fungal growth usually go with forgotten dirty dishes. Cleaning dishes daily is the best choice all around. If you can’t manage to actually wash the dishes, at least make a rule that dishes will be scraped, rinsed, and stacked on a daily basis. This will prevent mold and insects from invading your home. If you have a dishwasher, use it regularly.

Do the Laundry

Not every family needs to wash laundry daily, but many of us find that at least a daily load of laundry is necessary. With work clothes, school uniforms, soccer practice clothes, and sports uniforms, families can generate a lot of dirty clothes. A daily load can help prevent a mad dash to find a baseball jersey in the bottom of a hamper or an overwhelming pile at the end of the week. If you have a really large family you may need to up your number of loads a day. Luckily, laundry is something that even school-aged kids can do with minimal supervision once they are trained.

Tidy Up

Doing a little clutter control on a daily basis keeps your home ready for company at a moment’s notice. A few minutes of picking up each day also prevent your home from turning into a disaster zone that will take hours to plow through. A tidy room makes a big difference in our motivation to tackle bigger projects. Use the 15 Minute Cleanups as a daily help to keep your main rooms ready for visitors. Try instituting a quick-pick-up session before bed. Make it more fun by trying to beat your best times or racing against other family members.

File Papers

If you don’t file daily, you risk piles of papers on every surface in your home. Between junk mail, letter offers, school papers, and receipts, paper can overtake our homes very quickly. It only takes a few minutes each day to prevent a major pileup. If possible set up a mail center with a shredder, trash can, and mailing supplies. Check the mail once a day and deal with each item as you open it. Shred it, trash it, respond, or file depending on where the paper needs to go.

 

Schedule High Priority Tasks First

 Fill high priority tasks into your open time slots first.

Remember that these tasks were the most important ones to you and your family.  As a result, you might want to schedule them every day or every other day, if it makes sense to do so.

Depending on your priorities, you might have tasks like make the bed, declutter, and wipe down kitchen counters listed every day.

Add Medium Priority Tasks Next

For most of us, medium-priority tasks make up the bulk of our cleaning routines.  Vacuuming, dusting, and thorough bathroom cleaning might have landed on your medium priority list.

At this point in the home cleaning planning process, you’ll need to decide how and when to complete these medium-priority tasks.

You should decide whether to plan for:

• A different medium task each day of the week (Such as dusting on Thursdays, mopping/vacuuming on Fridays), or
• Completing all of your medium cleaning tasks on 1 weekly bulk cleaning day (Such as dusting, vacuuming, and cleaning bathrooms on Saturday mornings).

Your approach will depend on the time slots available on your schedule, as well as your style of cleaning.

• Do you like compressed, marathon-style power cleaning sessions, where you can knock out a bunch of stuff at once?
• Or do you feel less overwhelmed with an expanded schedule, tackling 1 medium-priority task per day?
• You could even do a hybrid where you bulk half of your tasks on 1 day, and the other half on another day.

 

Key Steps:

• Break up cleaning tasks into daily, weekly, and monthly events
• Daily tasks include quick tidy ups and dealing with dirty laundry and surfaces
• Weekly tasks mean thorough cleans of appliances, floors, and rooms like the bathroom
• Monthly tasks include time-intensive jobs like cleaning the windows, furniture, and decluttering
• Don’t work alone! Ask your family or housemates for help.

A personalised house cleaning schedule is essential if you want a clean and tidy home. A good schedule will ensure no areas are missed and that every area is well maintained, and it will make it easy for you to manage your time!

Worst carpet cleaning tips on the internet

SHOULD YOU TRUST CARPET CLEANING TIPS ONLINE?

There are a lot of bad carpet cleaning tips and myths on the internet. Which tips can you trust? Which should you ignore? This blog post debunks common myths about how to clean carpet and protects you from permanently damaging your carpet.

DON’T ALWAYS BELIEVE THE INTERNET

Did you know “google” is now an official word in the dictionary? It means “the act of searching for information on the internet.” We use Google and modern technology to find pages and pages of information and the answer to almost every question imaginable. But should we trust all the answers we find online?

Vinegar

Vinegar is the darling of the natural cleaning world and DIY cleaning movement on the internet. But should it be? If you mix vinegar with water it is useful as a natural disinfectant but it is not effective as a carpet cleaning solution.

Ammonia

Ammonia and other high alkaline solutions will cause permanent damage to wool carpet and rugs. For synthetic materials, ammonia can degrade carpet fibers, cause color dyes to become unstable and strip away manufacturer static and stain guard finishes

Hairspray

Hairspray is for hair, not for carpet cleaning. You are much more likely to create a stain with hairspray than you are to remove a stain with hairspray. Here is a good rule of thumb, if you can find several articles online with tips on “How to Remove X Stains from Carpet” then you probably don’t want to use “X” for removing carpet stains.

 

Carpet-Cleaning Tips

Which Cleaner is Best For You?

Read Vacuum and Steam Cleaner Reviews and compare prices at Consumer Guide Products before you buy. Vacuuming is where most people start when maintaining their carpeting. That, then, is where we’ll start this article on carpet-cleaning tips. But it isn’t where the article will end. We’ll present all sorts of guidelines for cleaning, removing stains, and dealing with various other problems.

Carpets need to be vacuumed once a week and more often in areas of heavy traffic. Frequent vacuuming prolongs the life of your carpet by preventing a buildup of gritty particles that can cut carpet fibers. Every few weeks, take a little extra time and use your crevice tool for cleaning around baseboards and radiators and in other hard-to-reach places.

To vacuum wall-to-wall carpeting, divide the floor into quadrants and vacuum an entire quadrant before moving on to the next

Take your time when you vacuum a carpet, especially a plush carpet in which dirt is sure to be deeply embedded. One pass with a high-powered upright is not enough. Go over each section of carpeting several times, and work slowly to allow the suction to remove all the ground-in dust and dirt.

Pay special attention to the areas where people sit and move their feet. Vacuum these areas of heavy traffic with a crisscross pattern of overlapping strokes.

 

Tips And Tricks To Hiring A Carpet Cleaning Company

Your flooring is an integral part of your home. Carpeted floors can be difficult to keep clean, so you might consider hiring a professional carpet cleaner. Read on for helpful tips about hiring carpet cleaning professionals.

You need to make sure that any carpet cleaning company you decide to go with is reputable before you agree to their services. There are a lot of companies out there, and some are more experienced and dependable than others. Seek referrals from family and friends and read online reviews. This is a good way to put together a list of reliable businesses in the greater Santa Clara County area.

You need to make sure a carpet is vacuumed before you clean it. Use your vacuum to remove any lose dirt from your carpet before using cleaning products or water. Your results won’t be great if the products are applied to a carpet that’s full of loose dirt. If you have to, wait for the stain to dry so you can use your vacuum.

Before hiring a carpet cleaning company, make sure they actually have an office. You’re going to need a real address and phone number where any issues can be resolved, if you should have a problem with the work the cleaner does. Companies with only an email to correspond with can be frustrating and get you nowhere.

There are different ways that a professional can approach your carpet’s cleaning. To be honest, you’d be wise to hire a professional cleaner for the job. Test any carpet cleaning solution in an inconspicuous location before applying to ensure that your carpets are colorfast.

 

How To Find A Good Carpet Cleaning Company?

The best carpet cleaning Dublin, will offer steam cleaning as a part of their service. This type of cleaning will produce water heated to at least 180 degrees F, sufficiently hot to kill off bacteria and dissolve dirt and grease from the fibers of your carpet.

If possible, always arrange for an in-home inspection from a carpet cleaning service. If you get price quotes on the phone, it’s possible to be an entirely different story once on site, such as furniture moves, particular carpet type to be cleaned, the type of stain on the carpet, or location of the carpet. A professional and reputable cleaning service will offer a bottom line price, with no additional catches.

For this particular, you may get a machine using the capability associated with encapsulation rug cleaning. These versions offer fast drying as well as efficient utilization of water. As mentioned above, low-flow machines take advantage of water effectively.

Check Their Reputation

Again, you are letting strangers into your home. They also have important information you can use to verify the company is who they state they are such as their headquarter address, phone number, number of years in business, and any other names they’ve been known by. Their letter rating is also a good start to check. There are many ways to check the reputation of a company, but the most reliable method is to verify their status with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). It gives a brief overview of how they are resolved. The BBB will track any complaints filed and if they are resolved or open. Even if you have seen a big ad where they guarantee their services and satisfaction, you want to be sure.

If you have rugs and mats in your place of business these can also be cleaned by companies that offer commercial carpet cleaning mn. The equipment used for carpets is usable on these rugs, making it possible to restore them, rather than have to go to the cost of replacement.

 

Tips To Hiring A Good Carpet Cleaning Service

Most homes and buildings have carpet flooring. Such will require regular cleaning to maintain the quality and look. It is, therefore, important to hire a cleaning service occasionally to ensure that the carpets and rugs get a professional cleaning. However, with so many carpet cleaning companies available to offer this services how does one get a good commercial cleaning services Livermore company. Below are tips to hiring a good carpet cleaning service.

Years of service

As one begins to search for a company to hire it is important to consider how may years the company has been in operation. While one should not dismiss a company that has been in operation for a shorter time, it is important to know what is the experience of the firm. A company that has been in business for a couple of years has the expertise and knowledge to handle the job. Moreover, a company can be relatively new, however, the staff may have experience. It is thus important to consider the experience of the owner and employees.

Cost

They are different types of carpets and rugs that require various types of cleaning systems and equipment. The kind of cleaning done depends on the type of material and fabric. Find out what type of cleaning will best suit the work that you want need done. Likewise, what are the type of solutions they use to clean, do they possess any threat to people, children or pets

Licenses and Insurance

For a carpet cleaning service to operate, they will require the relevant licenses. Ask the company for proof of work licensing. Another important aspect is to ensure the service have an insurance policy. Such a cover will make sure that you will not be liable for any incident that may happen while the work is being done. And in the case of any damage to your property, you will be compensated.

Finally, find out whether the company offer warranty of service done. If the client is not happy with the work, can they repeat the work at no charge? Remember to hire carpet service companies who have a good reputation and strive to offer the best in customer service and satisfaction.

Simple Tips on How to Choose the Best House Cleaning Service

Lessen the Scope

First of all, it’s important to take stock of the things you really want cleaned because not all cleaning services perform the same services. For example, some do your laundry, make the beds, wash the dishes, etc. – so it’s important to know what you need before you book and make sure that the company you hire does those tasks. Don’t assume anything. There’s nothing worse than coming home and expecting the laundry to be folded and realize it’s not done because it’s not part of their service contract with you.

The More Frequent the Appointments, the Better

Need a monthly cleaning, bi-weekly, or weekly cleaning? Or maybe just a one time clean for moving out? Take a really close look at how often you need house cleaning appointments. Maybe you can get away with bi-weekly cleanings instead of weekly? Just keep in mind that generally, the more frequent your appointments are, the cheaper it will be in terms of cost per visit.

Look Up Reviews Or Ask Friends For Recommendations

Asking friends, family and coworkers who have had hired a house cleaning service before for their recommendation can save you a lot of headaches because you can be relatively sure that if they had a good experience, you will too. That’s one of the main ways Scrubbi grew the way we did. A side benefit of going through a cleaning service that was recommended you is that in some cases, they’ll give a referral credit to you AND a credit to the person recommending you. It’s a win-win for both of you.

Flat Rates and Walk-throughs

You know that jaw-dropping cleaning quote that’s $100 less than the others? Yes it sounds great and all but you’ll definitely want to double check to see if it’s a flat rate. Chances are that it’s not and that they’ve grossly under estimated the job. Which is how you could end up with a surprise $350 bill at the end when you thought you were getting it for about $170.

Look For A Better Cleaning Experience

There are advantages and disadvantages to each and those differences lead to huge differences in terms of your experience. Everything from online customer support chat to scheduling, appointment reminders, and more, we use technology to create a better customer experience for you.

 

Tips to Find the Right House Cleaning Service to Fit your Needs

Know What You Need in a Maid Service

Before you start calling up maid service companies in Chicago, make sure you know your cleaning needs. Identify what rooms, in particular, you’d like cleaned on a regular basis. Of these rooms, decide what type of cleaning you’ll need.

Choose the Right Type of House Cleaning Service

There isn’t just one catch-all type of house cleaning. It’s possible to hire someone from a larger cleaning service, for example. You can also hire a private house cleaner who operates independently and charges by the hour or month.

Research the House Cleaning Service Company

Take your time to research the type of cleaning services you need. Browse for house cleaning service companies in Chicago online, for example. If possible, obtain recommendations or reviews for whatever service you’re seeking. Talk to friends and family members for referrals.

 

Secrets to Hiring a House Cleaning Service!

Get Referrals From Family & Friends

Start by asking friends and family who they use – referrals give you an inside look at what a company is all about – not just what they say on their website (let’s be honest, a company can write anything). Companies can make themselves sound amazing, credible and experienced, but a referral from a friend or family can paint a different picture and carries more weight.

Take Online Reviews With a Grain of Salt

Happy people don’t tend to write as many reviews as unhappy people who feel compelled to shower the world with their terrible experiences. Remember, oftentimes, those reviews are people using it as an opportunity to vent, blow a story out of proportion, or try to damage the reputation of the company. If a company has ALL terrible reviews, that’s definitely a red flag, but if they have mostly good reviews and a few bad ones, that’s pretty average. No one is perfect.

Bonding, Insurance & Worker’s Compensation

Does the company have the ability to cover the costs of any damage done to your home, any theft, or if an injury occurs on your property? If they don’t have this coverage, you could be on the hook for money, items stolen, property damaged, or an injured worker. A company should be willing to tell you if they have this coverage and provide copies of their policies at your request.

Experience, Affiliations & Accreditations

How long have they been in business for? Does the company have any awards, accreditations, or affiliations with professional organizations? I like to look out for this because it makes me feel reassured that a company is trustworthy and concerned with their reputation.

Service Offerings

Does the company take requests or offer a fixed service? How detailed will they get? Depending on what you want to be done, inquire as to what level of service is offered. If you can customize it and hire someone to come and tick a bunch of things off your to-do list, or if you just get the same service each visit irrespective of what you want to be done, or, if you can do a combination. Companies offer a variety of options; none are right or wrong, you just need to find what suits your needs and your lifestyle.

 

Tips for Hiring a House Cleaner

Plan Ahead

When you are considering hiring someone to help clean your home, it’s important to think ahead. Most cleaners have regular clients that fill most of their schedule, so getting your first appointment may take a few days. This is even more true around the holidays. Everyone wants their home to be in tip-top shape for the holidays, so cleaners often book out weeks in advance. I always feel horrible when my house cleaning company gets phone calls from people the week before Thanksgiving or Christmas, and they need help before hosting the big events. Those spots fill up first, so if you know you’re going to need help, start calling around to book your appointment early!

Get Recommendations

Once you’ve decided what type of cleaner you want to hire, it’s time to get some recommendations. Try asking people you know if they have a person or company they would recommend. Ideally someone in your circle either is either currently using a cleaner, or they have used one in the recent past that they would highly recommend.

Search Online Sources

If you aren’t able to get a good referral from people you know, it’s time to hop online. A quick Google search of “house cleaning (your city name)” will provide you a long list of websites that are targeting your city with their marketing. You also might find a few more possibilities by searching on Craigslist or looking through classified ads. Once you find a few that you like, make sure to check out their Yelp and Google reviews to see what others in your area are saying about the companies. I’d recommend doing this before you even check out their websites or call them. You might only find a couple reviews, but they could help you eliminate ones that consistently let their clients down.

Ask for References

If the person or company you are looking at hiring doesn’t have any online reviews, ask them if you can speak with a few of their current clients. Smaller companies and independent contractors may not have taken the time to set up their online marketing, but they should have at least a couple people who can tell you about their quality of service. If they aren’t willing to connect you with any of their clients for any reason, steer clear. If they have a good working relationship with their clients, at least a couple people should be willing to vouch for them.

Be Clear in Your Communications

This tip can be a really tough one for some people. As I mentioned before, there are many different ways to clean a house, and each client thinks their way is the right way. Some people think floors should be vacuumed before dusting because vacuuming can stir up dust from the floors that then settles on the furniture. Other people think that floors should be cleaned last because everything can get knocked down on them. Some people think bleach is needed to disinfect toilets, others don’t want bleach in their homes at all. Some people want their dishes washed and put away, others can’t stand the thought of having a cleaner touch the dishes and want the dirty dishes to be piled into a clean sink. You name it, we’ve heard a complaint about it.

 

How to choose the right cleaning service this spring

Do Your Research.

Ask friends, family members, and neighbors to recommend a reputable cleaning business or individual. Check out the businesses through bbb.org to read reviews or complaints on them. Beware of businesses with poor reviews and multiple complaints, more importantly see how they address them.  Always look for the BBB Accredited Business Seal.

Interview Candidates.

Interview multiple candidates to determine if you would rather hire a large cleaning business or an individual cleaning person. During the interview you should be able to meet with someone from the cleaning business, as well as, with the person who will actually be cleaning your home. During the interview process find someone you feel comfortable with since they will be working in your home.

Check Credentials.

Any individual or business you hire should be registered*, bonded and insured to work in your home. This will protect you in the event something is broken, stolen, or if someone gets injured on the job.  Whether you hire an individual or a business, be sure to request that the employees working in your home have a background check done, or you may want to complete one on them yourself for peace of mind.

Request References.

Ask that the business or individual you hire provide you with a list of references you may contact. When speaking with the references, look for a business or individual that has repeat satisfied customers. Ask the references about the services they use and if the business lives up to their expectations.

Discuss Cost.

Determine whether you will need to hire the cleaning service for a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly visit and ask about their pricing. Find out exactly what is included in their services and make sure it encompasses everything you wish to have cleaned. The business should walk through your home before giving you an estimate. Be sure to find out if the cleaning business provides their own cleaning supplies, if not the cost of the services should be less expensive. Keep in mind the least expensive cleaning services may not be giving you the best deal for your money.

Upholstery Cleaning

A home that’s truly clean takes a certain amount of time and expertise. Choosing the right upholstery cleaners for your home means you’re working with an organization that goes well beyond surface clean in order to provide furniture that is clean in the areas where it matters most.

Upholstery Cleaning understands the important people who use your furniture on a daily basis. We know that you’re committed to providing your family, friends, and pets with a safe place to rest, relax, and play.

Whether you’re binge watching your favorite television programs or building forts for weekend sleepovers we want you to be confident that you and your family aren’t being exposed to allergens, bacteria, mildew, mold, toxins, and other unpleasant detritus that linger deep within the folds of your sofas and chairs.

 

Furniture and Upholstery Cleaning

Pets and children and expensive furniture do not mix well. If you have either of the first two, you know what it’s like to have stains on your beautifully upholstered furniture. Some stains you may be able to get out yourself if you act quickly, but you never know when your efforts may damage the upholstery, doing more harm than good. Many stains are too difficult to get out by yourself without risking permanently damaging your furniture.

What if my furniture looks decent but it smells from body odors or pets? We have enzymes that neutralize the odors in washable fabric. It safely eliminates unwanted human or animal odors from your most lived in furniture pieces.

Our eco-friendly furniture and upholstery cleaning methods will fully clean your couches, chairs and other upholstered furniture in such a way as to improve indoor health conditions, extend the life and fresh appearance of your furniture and, of course, keep your furniture looking great.

Other companies that clean carpets are not necessarily ones that you should trust to know how to clean furniture. Our staff is highly trained in the best way to clean furniture and the safest way to clean upholstery, getting out all the dirt, pollutants, grime and other debris without damaging the gentle fabric. We have the tools and equipment necessary to safely clean furniture as effectively as we clean carpets and rugs.

 

Important Reasons to Get Your Upholstery Cleaned

When you interact with your upholstery on a daily basis, its care and maintenance can often fall by the wayside. It’s extremely important, however, to give your upholstered furnishings the same kind of care and attention you pay to your bedding and clothing.

The thought of dry cleaning upholstery can be intimidating, because it often requires you to move your furniture, albeit temporarily, to a dry cleaners’ storefront. This could be challenging, especially if you drive a smaller vehicle. Some cleaners, however, may be able to assist you with this by arranging for pickup, or even by providing in-home services.

It can also be challenging to determine which type of cleaning is correct for your furniture. Some types of upholstery, for instance, need to be chemically dry cleaned, while steam extraction cleaning is more appropriate for others. Regardless of the type of cleaning method needed for your furniture, it’s still exceedingly important to not neglect upholstery cleaning.

Here are just a few reasons to regularly clean your upholstery:

Sanitation: One of the most significant reasons why you should pay for professional upholstery cleaning is for sanitary reasons. Furniture can accumulate oils, bacteria and fungi that could pose a substantial health risk to you and your family members or guests.

Allergies: Furniture can also collect allergens, especially if its located near a heating vent or window. These could exacerbate a number of uncomfortable symptoms, including itchiness, dryness in the throat and sneezing. You can help alleviate your allergy symptoms by paying for upholstery cleaning.

Pet dander: Sometimes, your furry friends are just too cute to keep off of the couch. If this is the case for you, you should regularly clean your furniture’s upholstery. The fabric may collect pet hair and dander that could exacerbate your allergy symptoms and cause substantial discomfort.

Hosting guests: When you host guests, they will be impressed by the cleanliness of your furniture if you’ve recently paid for upholstery cleaning. Additionally, you can keep your guests happy and healthy by regularly having your furniture cleaned by qualified professionals.

Appearance: One of the most significant benefits of paying for upholstery cleaning that you’ll experience is the fact that the appearance of your upholstered furniture will improve tremendously. Dark, oily spots will disappear, and the colors and brightness of your furniture will return to its original glory.

Our Upholstery Cleaning Process

For most upholstered furniture, we use a hot water extraction cleaning process. It provides a thorough rinsing of the fabric and with very little drying time. It effectively removes soil and dander leaving your fabric fresh, clean and comfortable. Some designer fabrics may require a dry-cleaning process and should not be cleaned with a water based method. Your Dalworth technician will do a pre-cleaning inspection of the fabric to check for color fastness and dimensional stability. You can rest assured that Dalworth will use the cleaning process that’s right for your upholstered fabrics.

 

UPHOLSTERY CLEANING SERVICES

Since you don’t walk on your upholstery with dirty shoes, you don’t track the dirt and grime from outdoors onto your upholstered fabrics. So it is only natural that you also don’t realize how heavily soiled your sofa, loveseat and chair can become.

Dead skin cells, oils, dust, and other contaminants collect on your upholstery, though, and will only be removed through a thorough professional cleaning.

This is not just a quick surface clean. Our process involves a thorough cleaning that involves hot water extraction to get as deep as possible.

We also offer furniture fabric protection which is applied after our deep and thorough cleaning. The protectant provides a clear layer that will help keep your furniture clean for an extended amount of time. It will also help in case of accidents by giving you time to clean before stains set in.

Upholstery Cleaners use the power of extraction to lift dirt and soil to the surface of your fabric upholstery where it is sucked away using our powerful system. Our solutions penetrate deep into the fiber, separating dirt and grime off of the fiber’s surface. Then we use hot water extraction to lift the dirty particles to the surface where they are instantly removed. Our safe, non-toxic solutions are environmentally safe and help your fabrics stay as clean as they were when new. When looking for an upholstery cleaner, look no further than Upholstery Cleaners. We are here to serve you.