Photos By: Unsplash

We all know to clean our bathrooms and kitchens, and we also all know to vacuum every week to remove dust and loose debris. Despite this, there are certain cleaning jobs everyone forgets about but that absolutely need to be done every once in a while. Have a read through the list and see if you’ve forgotten o do any of these (you probably have)!

1. Skirting Boards

When was the last time you gave your skirting boards a clean? Probably not recently. We all clean our floors regularly, but for some reason, the thing that protects the bottom of our walls from the bashing of the vacuum cleaner gets forgotten. It’s not a major issue, but you do need to clean them every month. If you don’t, you risk having to scrub a build up of dust and grime off of the wood, and this could damage the paintwork depending on the severity of the issue.

A simple dust or vacuum every four weeks should keep things nice and tidy. This is especially important if you or anyone in your house suffers with dust allergies or asthma. When your skirting boards are clean, it will make it easier to spot signs of rising damp and rotted wood, both of which could be easily missed but expensive to fix. You can avoid the cost simply by paying closer attention when cleaning them.

2. Window Frames

You probably have a window cleaner who comes every six to eight weeks to clean your exterior windows, and you more than likely keep on top of the inside panes of glass, but what about the frames? If you open up your windows now, there’s a good chance there will be a build up of black dirt and dust. Window frames aren’t something we typically pay attention to because the inside is rarely seen, but as summer approaches and your windows will be open more often, the potential for more grime to get in is heightened. A wet cloth should do the trick and keep your frames looking sparkling clean all year round.

3. Light Switches

The pandemic has highlighted just how dangerous germs can be. We all knew bacteria could be harmful, but few people heeded the risks. Whilst we all now wash our hands more frequently, when was the last time you disinfected your light switches? They’re easily missed on the weekly cleaning roster, but for the sake of taking five seconds to go over each switch with a cleaning wipe, you could prevent a number of unpleasant illnesses. Scientists estimate light switches have as much bacteria as bins, so make sure you’re taking as much caution with your light switches as you are with your bins.

4. Kettle

In the same why you de-limescale your taps and shower head, you need to make sure you’re cleaning your kettle, too. Anywhere where there’s water, there’s a chance of limescale. Your kettle might have a filter net on it to stop limescale from coming out, but small particles may still get through. Whilst limescale causes no health risks, it’s not nice hearing the particles swirling around in the bottom and it could even damage your kettle if there’s too much.

Your kettle probably sees a lot of use. In the UK, the population is renowned for drinking large amounts of hot drinks, with an estimated 40% of people using it five times a day. If you use yours this regularly, make sure you’re adding in a de-limescale solution every few weeks to keep it pristine.

What’s one thing you always forget to clean? Hopefully none of the above now we’ve reminded you! 

Carpet has many advantages and disadvantages as a floor covering. Some may argue that the difficulty and time it takes to keep it clean is one of those disadvantages. Despite your best efforts at cleanliness, your carpet will eventually become the victim of spills, drops, accidents and whatever’s on the bottom of your shoes. With the right tools, products, and know-how, you could have your carpet smelling fresh, looking new, and lasting virtually stain-free for years. To understand how professionals, handle problem areas and keep carpets looking new, here are 7 carpet cleaning tips from the pros.

Blot Stains

Spot cleaning should ideally be done after vacuuming to ensure dirt and grime doesn’t become further embedded into the carpet. Be sure to dab stains with a cleaning solution and a clean cloth, paper towel, or sponge. Blotting puts a small amount of pressure on the stain to soak it up. Rubbing on the other hand, causes particles to permeate into carpet fibres and breakdown the fibres. It’s important to always blot from the outside of the stain inward, as blotting outward can actually case the stain to spread. Once the accident area is completely dry, be sure to give it another vacuum. If your carpet is still stained after using these conventional methods, be sure to consult your local carpet cleaner in Adelaide for additional information, methods and products.

Protect Or Remove Furniture

It can be easy to suddenly lose control of your vacuum and run into a much-loved antique you’d rather avoid. It can be a great idea to use blankets, furniture coasters or spare cardboard to create buffers on priceless or easily-damaged furniture. It helps to plan ahead if you want to deep clean. A small space will require you to shift and shuffle your furniture around. It may take more than one person so it’s important to enlist the help of a friend if required.

Inspect Your Vacuum

It is important to inspect your vacuum before each use. As a safety precaution, it should be done before you plug it in. Check the filter and clean it or replace it if it’s damaged, before setting the vacuum on its side to inspect the beater bar. Beater bars can be removed for cleaning by cutting it clean with scissors. It’s wise to then check for any dirt blockages in the hose, while making sure the same isn’t evident where the bag or canister attaches to the head. When unraveling the vacuum cord to plug it in, be sure to check for fraying, exposed wires or cracks in the plastic. If the cord is no longer in safe working condition, it may be time to visit a vacuum repair shop or find a replacement.

Use Hydrogen Peroxide For Blood Stains

Few carpet stains are as obvious as blood. With the help of hydrogen peroxide, blood stains have no chance of surviving. Loosen up the dried blood with water mixed with mild detergent, before applying hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain. The solution may foam immediately once it comes into contact with the blood stain. Be sure to dab the hydrogen peroxide with towels to try the carpet.

Deep Clean Your Carpet

Weekly vacuuming and spot cleaning should allow you to get away with a deep clean every 12 to 18 months. An active family with pets, however, may require you to deep clean your carpet sooner. Hiring professional services for carpet cleaning in Adelaide will get you the best possible deep cleaning results but it’s also possible to use a carpet shampooer for a quick refresh between professional hot water extraction treatments. Be sure to wait six to eight hours before walking on the carpet and up to twelve or fifteen hours, before moving furniture back into the area.

Clean Pet Stains Organically

Even well-trained pets are prone to accidents on the carpet. Organic cleaners are often preferred rather than using chemicals. The less we use manufactured cleaners on our floors, the less we expose our beloved dogs to any harmful chemicals. Be sure to spray the cleaner at the stain before dabbing and blotting at it. Homemade stain and odour removers also work well for mild stains like spaghetti sauce without leaving any residue.

Use Dish Washer Detergent

The best method against difficult-to-clean grease stains is to use a drop or two of a grease-cutting dishwashing detergent. Dish washer detergent cuts through grease the same way it does on your dishes. Be sure to put the solution in a spray bottle to spray it on the stain, before blotting it up. This process may need to be repeated a number of times for larger stains. Keeping your carpet looking new, free of odours, stains and pet messes doesn’t have to be hard or time-consuming. Simply keep in mind these top carpet cleaning tips from experienced professionals and you’ll enjoy a clean carpet for many years.

Photo: Home Pro Cleaning

1. Cleaning windows on sunny days

We all know you want to make your home look fabulous but don’t tackle the windows on sunny days. A day with a warm, bright sun is not the best time for cleaning. This is because heat makes your cleaner free from moisture before you manage to wipe it away. It will leave streaks, which means you will have to start afresh.

2. Sorting laundry when it doesn’t count

You might skip sorting laundry by color every now and then when you are in a hurry. But bear in mind that pre-sorting often save your time in the end. Many housewives find that sorting laundry “by person” can save a lot of time. This is especially true when the clothes are similar as regards to colors and fabrics. Be sure to separate knits from towels, as well as lint catchers from lint givers. you will spend a lot of time pulling out the fabrics of lint when washing them together.

3. Breaking “top to bottom rule”

Vacuuming could be a daunting task if you work it wrong. Follow the top to bottom rule and save your time. Clean the ceiling fan or dust the top shelf in the end. Otherwise, dirt will fall over the vacuumed carpet and you’ll have to do this annoying chore again.

4. Wash dishes twice

Many people rinse dishes at the sink before putting them in a dishwasher. You need to scrape all the food scraps instead of washing dishes by hand. Double washing does not get dishes cleaner, as most people think. Prewashing dishes will just waste your energy and time. Let the dishwasher wash your dishes away with one wash cycle only.

5. Instant scrubbing by a tile cleaner

Let a tile cleaner or spray tub works for a few minutes before you wipe it away. That will help them dissolve and soften stains, which saves your time for scrubbing. The less elbow grease, less time needed.

6. Cleaning pet hair by a lint roller

Many pet owners use a lint roller to clean up fur from the furniture and pick up dust to help your pets allergies. Wrong! While handy, a lint roller is not suitable for such a heavy-duty job. It’s better to use damp rubber gloves instead when you want to clear away a batch of pet hair.

7. Do not clean your cleaners

Don’t forget to clean your cleaners as well. Dirty mops and cloths don’t remove or pick up dirt well. The same goes for the vacuum cleaner with full bags. You will work longer and harder with such cleaning tools. That’s why you need to clean your cleaners after finishing work or when needed.

Cleaning is a tiresome and time-consuming process when you have to clean up a large house or have a lot of nicknacks making up your home’s interior decorating. Many homeowners have a limited time frame for cleaning. If you live in Mississauga or a surrounding region, consider hiring the home cleaning Mississauga. You will be able to enjoy a neat home through this service.

Here are five cleaning tips for all you clean freaks (well, and all you non clean freaks, too. You need to clean occasionally, as well!)

Photo: Pixabay

Collaboration

In order to get your desk actually clean and disinfected, you have to clean all of it. Taking everything off of the desk first – the mouse, computer, reports, paperwork, pens and those pictures of your girlfriend or grandmother. Everything has to be off. If it takes someone to help you, then ask. Return the favor when they need it.

Working together will get everything done faster and help avoid any problems (like dropping a monitor or breaking your back trying to move the filing cabinet).

And, if you’re all really lazy or the office needs a very deep clean, you could consider convincing the boss to hire someone that offers cleaning services in London, or wherever your office is located, to come help out and do a professional clean.

Go in order

The highest places should be cleaned first – the ceiling, walls, windows, and then the furniture. Why? Because the dust and dirt will fall and cover everything below. If you clean your desk, and then the ceiling… chances are you’ll have to clean the desk again.

Start high and work lower and lower until you end with a nice sweep, mop, or vacuum job.

Photo: PixaBay

Cleaning Electronics

Whenever you clean electronics, like the computer, for example, it should be done with a microfiber cloth that is slightly humid with a soap and water solution. The soap should be neutral.

They should never be directly dusted, and should be disconnected or unplugged and the battery taken out.

If you happen to be using a CRT monitor, which are now considered to be out of date (but hey, some of you out there still have them), make sure to clean using something with an alcohol base and never use cleaning product poured directly on the machine – on a cloth first.

LCD monitors are delicate and if you use a dry cloth, you could scratch it. Look for special screen cleaning products to be sure you won’t do them any damage.

Disinfecting phones

A lot of sicknesses and colds are passed around on the phone. People’s mouths are in close proximity to the microphone, thus, can carry a lot of germs. This means that it’s important to disinfect it. Maybe you hadn’t ever thought of that, but you’ll remember it from now on!

Furniture with Fabric

It’s a little more complicated to clean chairs, sofas, and other furniture that has a textile covering. They tend to get very dirty and to retain dust and dirt, which makes it difficult to clean with good results.

A good place to start would be to vacuum them daily. Every once in a while, you can try cleaning with a shampoo. It’s important not to get it too wet, as the dirt inside can rise to the surface and create more stains.