House hygiene

Looking to improve your house hygiene? Regular disinfection, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms are a MUST. Your disinfection routine should pick up the pace when someone in your house is sick, especially around phones, computers, door handles and light switches.

But you don't have to wait for a family member to catch a cold before you get down and dirty. Instead, help keep your family germ free by following this simple daily disinfection routine:

#1
Kitchen sink and refrigerator

Anywhere there's food, there's bound to be bacteria. In fact, studies show that more than 500,000 bacteria per square inch live in the drain of your kitchen sink alone. Attack them by pouring bleach down the kitchen sink a few times a week. In addition, pay attention to both the inside and outside of the fridge. Wash the fridge handle daily with warm water and dish detergent or a disposable disinfecting wipe. Try to clean the shelves, crispers and meat drawers at least once a week.

#2
Bathroom faucets

Think of the many hands touching your bathroom faucets on a daily basis in between bathroom breaks. Grossed out? Make an effort to disinfect the bathroom faucets daily to help the bathroom remain germ free. We also recommend putting paper towels in the bathroom. Germs can live on a moist towel a long time. As a general rule of thumb, change bathroom towels and bed linens once a week. Be sure to wash them in warm or hot water to get rid of germs.

#3
Toys

Since little hands tend to roam anywhere and everywhere before winding up back in their owner's mouth, this one's important: Wash your child's toys often with dish soap to make playtime a fun and safe experience.

#4
TV remote, computer keyboards and phones

Just like toys and bathroom faucets, the TV remote gets around. Use a disinfecting wipe to clean the surface daily. While you're at it, clean your cell phone, too. Just think about where that's been! Also, don't forget about the computer keyboard. Use a disinfecting wipe to eliminate germs breeding as you and your family type.

#5
Light switches and doorknobs

Lastly, make your rounds to each light switch and doorknob with a good disinfecting wipe.

Kool-Aid Stain Removal from Linoleum

Kool-Aid Stain Removal from Linoleum

You should be able to remove the Kool-Aid stains on linoleum by applying equal parts vinegar and water, leave it on for several minutes, then wet with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. Rinse again with the vinegar solution, then rinse again with plain water. If the stain remains, try cleaning with a liquid abrasive cleaner.

Water Ring Removal from Wood Furniture

Water Ring Removal from Wood Furniture

If possible, remove water rings from wood furniture while they're fresh by rubbing with a soft cloth. If water rings are set, you can apply an oil-based furniture polish. There are several other techniques you can try. You can apply mayonnaise liberally over the water ring and leave overnight, then wipe off with a soft dry cloth the next day. You can also try applying a small amount of non-gel toothpaste and baking soda to a damp cloth, then rub the stain lightly. Another technique is to apply a paste of cooking oil and salt, wait 15 minutes, then wipe off and polish as usual.

Quick Sink and Toilet Clean Up

Quick Sink and Toilet Clean Up

For cleaning bathroom quickly, use baby wipes! These handy sheets aren't only great for wiping baby's bottom. They can also be used for efficiently wiping surfaes such as countertops and behind the toilet. If you liked that speedy bathroom cleaning tip, try this one: use a damp dryer sheet to remove soap scum from shower doors and walls. Not only does it remove this unsightly film, but it leaves the room smelling clean and fresh.

Cleaning Mirrors

Cleaning Mirrors

Hurried morning grooming can mean a mess later if we're not careful. If your vanity mirror is dull from hairspray buildup try this bathroom cleaning tip: Washing the mirror with a solution of clairfying shampoo and water will eliminate the sticky haze caused by sprays. For a no-lint shine, wipe clean with a lint free cloth such as a cloth diaper or coffee filter. A cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol will not only help to remove hairspray buildup from the mirrors but will also assist in cleaning bathroom tiles of sticky hair care products.

Garbage Disposal Cleaning

Garbage Disposal Cleaning

When going about your regular kitchen cleaning, you don't want to overlook your garbage disposal. Especially if food is scraped into the disposal when regularly washing the dishes. To clean grease and leftover food from your disposal and sharpen the blades at the same time, sprinkle liberally with baking soda and pour white vinegar over until it bubbles. Let set ten minutes. Rinse with hot water. Put two or three ice cubes in the disposal and grind. Rinse again with hot water. Now your disposal is clean and odor free.

Door hangers

We have new door hangers going out today. If you get one and you let us know when you schedule we will take an additional $20 off your deep cleaning! Offer ends 3/29/13

Spring Cleaning Tips

When spring cleaning time comes, you want to get a great job done and fast. Here are a few spring cleaning tips to help you along the way. Make yourself a checklist for house cleaning. Write down everything that you want to get done in each room. Make sure that you have all of your cleaning supplies available before you start working.

Do not forget to clean things that never get done through the year. Take apart windows and clean inside of them. Remember that you need to vacuum behind the couch. Dust off all of your ceiling fans. Remember to dust from the top down so you are cleaning up the dirt that falls along the way.

Make sure that you throw things away and start a pile for donation. Get rid of things that have not been used in the past year. If you did not use it then, you probably do not really need this item in the first place. You will feel better once all of this cleaning is done. Look back and enjoy the work that you have done. Your clean home will be a happy home.

Another great use of baking soda

One great use for baking soda is to make a sachet by pouring some into a coffee filter and stapling it closed. This can then be placed in a closet, hamper, drawer, etc. to help eliminate odor. Once a week, change the sachet and pour the old baking soda down the drain to help freshen it.

Removing fingernail polish from carpet

Be sure to test this on a hidden area first, to make sure it won't harm the carpet! Don't pour the solution directly on the carpet! Using a clean cloth, apply a dry-cleaning solvent. Blot the stain, starting at the outside and working your way to the center. Next, prepare a detergent solution by mixing 1 teaspoon of mild liquid detergent with one cup of water. Mix well. Apply the solution using a clean cloth. Rinse with water and blot until dry. (You may need to repeat a few times until all of the stain is removed).

Baking soda to freshen your mattress

One of the easiest and most cost effective ways to freshen a mattress is with baking soda. To do this, start by removing all sheets, covers, pads, etc. Sprinkle 1/2 to a whole box of plain baking soda directly onto the mattress. Allow it to set for an hour or two before vacuuming up the baking soda. The soda will absorb the odors and help keep the fibers from having a musty smell. An alternative option is to add a few drops of pure essential oil to the baking soda before sprinkling it on the mattress. Lemon, lavender, vanilla, and orange all make a great choice. Both options (plain and with essential oil) offer an enviromentally friendly, family safe option for freshening up your mattress!

Angie's List Clients

If you are an Angie's List customer; this is on their site:

Polished to Perfection Cleaning LLC, a highly rated service provider on Angie's List, is offering their deep housecleaning service for only $150! This would normally be priced at $220, saving Angie's List members $70! Polished to Perfection Cleaning LLC does NOT work by the hour, we work by the job! When we leave, your home will be sparkling!

Sterilize to avoid sickness

During cold and flu season, in order to prevent the spread of disease, sterilizing things such as our toothbrushes, and if we eat in a restaurant, dishes, silverware, cups and glasses is crucial. Punch a small hole in the aluminum seal on a bottle of alcohol (at least 91 percent) to create a spray bottle with a small stream. Spray alcohol on your toothbrush and the area where it is stored. Also, when you go to a restaurant carry a small bottle of the 91 percent alcohol with you and sterilize the silverware and rims of glasses.