No one wants to choose between their pet and a clean home, but no one wants the smell of urine or animal hair all over the place either. Don’t panic though, you can easily check out these reviews of pet carpet cleaners to give you a little peace of mind that you can have both a pet and a clean home. There are a few other things that you can do as well. We’re here to share a few cleaning tips so that you can have the best of both worlds.
Urine Cleaner Recipes
Hopefully potty training your pet was easier than your toddler, but if not, we’ve got you covered. We know that accidents are the rule, not the exception when it comes to animals in the house. Here are a few DIY cleaner recipes you can try next time you find an unwanted wet spot.
- Homestead Survival recommends 1/4 cup Hydrogen Peroxide, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and a tiny squirt of Castile liquid soap.
- Hills Pets has a similar solution, but suggests applying the cleaning agents on one-by-one rather than mixing them all together in a spray.
- While these cleaners can help alleviate the smells, Catcentric.org claims that these cleaners can’t actually get rid of the enzymes that cause the odor and that spraying is not enough. They suggest an enzyme cleaner and “dousing, pouring, and soaking” any area that is effected by animal urine. If you’re not sure where to find a good enzyme cleaner for your carpet then take a look at 10BestCarpetCleaners.com for suggestions.
Managing Pet Hair
- Diet–>Did you know that what your pet eats can dramatically effect the amount he or she sheds? Experts at PetMD advise to make sure your pet is getting all the necessary nutrients to grow a healthy coat of fur.
- Grooming–>Use appropriate tools to brush daily, and schedule regular professional grooming to keep your pet’s hair under control.
- Cleaning–> You can do what you can to minimize shedding, but ultimately, having a pet means you will have pet hair in your home. Dogtime.com did a survey of pet owners and respondents helped to compose a list of various cleaning methods. Using rubber clubs or a slightly damp sponge to help the ball up fur topped the list. Don’t forget that it’s important to get rid of dog hair, particularly if you have someone staying in your home who is allergic to them. You can also use the best vacuum for pet hair to remove any fur that your pet sheds. You can use a vacuum on all types of flooring too, making it really hard for the hairs to hide. You might also find that even if you are not allergic to your dogs, you still end up having sneezing fits due to there being too much dog hair. As well as cleaning, you can make your life a lot easier by also getting an air purifier for your home (you can take a look here at this useful guide to help you get the best air purifier for your home).
Eliminating Pet Odor
- Erin at Clean and Scentsible shares a great Carpet and Upholstery Refresher as well as several tips for eliminating odor:
- Clean the litter box regularly
- Add a few drops of lavender essential oils when bathing animals
- Dry bathe animals with a baking soda
- Wash animal bedding and toys on a regular basis (weekly). To make this task a little easier, make sure to buy beds that have removable covers and can be tossed in the washing machine.
- Wikihow has several great suggestions on eliminating odor. You can use an air purifier or you can use deodorizers like baking soda or vinegar to help reduce odor.
We know you love your pet, but you also love a clean home. Don’t choose between the two. Use some of these helpful tips to keep your home clean and your pets happy.
At The Cleaning Crew, LLC., we are committed to cleaning your home in a way that is safe for your family the environment. On our website, you can find this commitment in writing.
This means we use products which are non-toxic and eco-friendly as often as possible and when requested by our customers. We also recycle and reuse as many supplies as possible, such as our cleaning towels (they are cleaned and sanitized after each use); and we recycle and reuse our spray bottles and cleaning containers as often as we can.
We also support and purchase supplies from other locally owned businesses whom are working to create awareness about green practices, for our use out in the field and in our office.
We want our clients to feel not only clean, but safe. So, we do our best to use environmentally friendly cleaning products and equipment. We are sure to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in “green” cleaning, and we’d like to share them with you so that you can practice these for yourself.
Cleaning Products
A simple way to put some green in your clean is to use environmentally friendly products. Natural liquids like vinegar and lemon juice can do some major cleaning. Combine either (or both) with warm water to create your very own all purpose cleaner.
Baking soda is another natural cleaner that you can use to strengthen your cleaner and to eliminate odors. If you have an electric stove top, you’ve battled with baked on messes. Let some baking soda sit on the stuck on spots for a few minutes and then the scrubbing can be a lot easier. It absorbs odors as well. Stick an open box in your fridge, near your trashcan, or other stinky areas to help eliminate those unwanted odors.
Reduce and Reuse
Take our lead and reuse your cleaning equipment. If you wash and sanitize between uses, reusing cloths and bottles instead of one-and-done products can significantly reduce the amount of trash that you are making.
Invite Us to Help
The easiest way to make sure you are cleaning in a safe and effective way, is to hire us to do it for you. We will honor our commitment to a green clean, and save you time in the process. Call us today for a free quote today at 541-601-6236.
Bathrooms are notorious for being a magnet for that dreaded foe: CLUTTER. Clutter can be dangerous just like water leaking from the ceiling under the bathroom.
After all, we have big items, small items, and everything-in-between items…not to mention everyday items, weekly items, occasional items, and only-when-we-get-sick-items.
No wonder keeping the bathroom clean and organized can be such a challenge! In an effort to keep our own lives decluttered, as well as lend a hand where needed, we’re stepping into the bathroom this week.
Here are some great bathroom organizing tips that can help us all make the most effective use of the space we have!
Ready? Let’s go!
Easy Bathroom Organizing Ideas
- Become a Master of The Mess – To streamline supplies, start with a deep clean.
Go ahead and empty drawers and cabinets. Toss expired products, unused items, as well as bulky packaging. Then, store products in easy-in-and-out jars, bags, and baskets. If possible, leave only everyday essentials 
like hand soap and lotion on the counter. For cabinets, outfit them with handy holders: a back-of-the-door rack for hair tools, and a lazy Susan to bring bottles to the front. - Glass Act No room to store everyday essentials out of sight?
Try stylish apothecary jars to hold necessities. Cotton swabs, soap and bath salts look great in clear glass containers.
- Tame The Towels Save some floor space by hanging baskets on the wall. They make the perfect cubbies for storing and displaying rolled towels and washcloths. Spotted on Shelterness.
- Hang It All No tools required! Try IKEA‘s over-the-door hooks: functional, inexpensive, and available in several finishes!
- Magnetic strip For bobby pins, tweezers and other small metal bathroom tools that always seem to get lost, add a magnetic strip to your bathroom cabinet. This idea comes from Lifehacker.
- Magazine or towel storage and display
Have either magazines or towels close at hand when you combine these two IKEA pieces together to create a sleek rod and shelf. Seen on Still Inspiration.
Have a really tiny bathroom space? Or, a tiny budget? Our friend Kathryn at Do It On a Dime, has these suggestions:
Expand Storage Capacity of under-sink Cabinets
Take advantage of all the room under your sink (and save yourself some stooping and reaching) with sliding drawers. Check out Living Locurto‘s super-smart ways to organize under the sink.
Consider the Ceiling
If your quarters are tight and space is already limited, look up. Take advantage of vertical real estate by hanging a multilevel fruit basket for additional storage. When placed in the shower, the open rungs of the three-tier hanging basket allow loofahs and bath toys to dry over the tub. Or suspend the basket in an unused corner and stock it with lotions, treatments, and scented sachets. An idea that might keep your bathroom better stocked is to make sure you have the best home energy quote to save money. I hear Money Expert provide a fantastic range of quotes that should save you money.
Don’t Hide the T.P.
There’s no end to Bathroom Organizing Ideas! These are meant to give us a kick start.
Do you have more bathroom organization ideas to add? Leave a comment below!
* BONUS RECIPE: SUPER DUPER TUB SCRUB *
Along with a little scrubbing power from a sponge, we love this simple and effective Tub Scrub. It leaves tubs and sinks sparkling clean and does a great job removing soap scum.
- 1 cup baking soda
- 4 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap (We like Dr. Bronner’s Fair Trade & Organic Castile Liquid Soap)
- Add baking soda to a glass container with a lid.
- Add castile soap and water, stirring until it’s toothpaste consistency.
- Using a wet sponge, work this cleanser into tubs surfaces, letting it sit for a few minutes
- Rinse with hot water.
If you don’t use all the cleaner in one use, you can save it in a covered container. If it dries out, just add water until it forms a paste again. You might even free up enough space to add some extra furniture to your bathroom. I hear that a friend decided to Buy Oak Bathroom Furniture Here and was not disappointed.
Have Bathroom Organization Tips of Your Own to Share?
Add a tip or two in the Comments section below!
Are you a window cleaning ninja? Or, do you find it just a little intimidating? After all, there seems to be a never-ending stream of sources to conspire against a crisp view out our windows: fingerprints from kiddos, nose bumps from Fido, and grime from cooking. You care a lot about the presentation of your windows, so much so that you invested in elegant Folding Arm Awnings for the exterior of your house. But does that mean you should be hiring services such as NICK’S Window Cleaning every week?
Never fear! The Cleaning Crew’s got your back. Here are 6 time-tested window-cleaning tips to get those windows sparkling and streak-free, not to mention moving you closer to Window Cleaning Ninja status!
1. Clean Those Window Sills & Tracks!
Knowing how to clean window frames and sills properly will not only keep them looking great but will also keep them in better working condition to extend the life of your windows.
Use your vacuum’s soft bristle brush to vacuum the window’s interior track. While you’re at it, you may as well vacuum the whole interior frame. Use a dry, soft bristled paint brush to sweep dirt out of any hard to reach crevices.- Dip the another paint brush into soapy water and use this to swish any stubborn dirt out of the crevices. Follow up with a quick rinse with the damp, clean rag.
- The good news: Regular dusting will help prevent dirt from collecting.
- The bad news: Windows are natural dust magnets. Eventually you will have to repeat the process.
3. Create Your Own Window Cleaner
Windows get dirty, but you don’t need to reach for chemical cleaners to return them to a sparkling shine. Here at The Cleaning Crew, we’ve been 
using natural, nontoxic ingredients for decades. For windows, we recommend the following vinegar solution!
Using a 32 oz spray bottle,
Add the following ingredients:
- 1/8 cup rubbing alcohol (70% or higher isoprophyl content)
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 3 to 10 drops of essential oil (we like mint), depending on how much fragrance you want.
Fill the rest of the way with water, shake well.
We use either all cotton rags or a microfiber cloth to wipe windows clean with this recipe.
4. When You Clean Windows Makes a Difference
The best time to wash windows is on a cloudy or overcast day. Although you might be thinking you can work on your tan, cleaning windows on a sunny day dries cleaning solution more quickly and can cause streaking.
Your best bet is to choose a cloudy day or work when the temperature isn’t above 70°F outside. However, if you’re wanting to hone your window cleaning skills, try cleaning in the direct sun, when the glass is hot and your solution is evaporating fast on glass! Treat it as a competition and you’ll to sharpen your window washing skills! You might try using the super swirl squeegee technique to dry glass immediately after you’ve finished scrubbing window and you’ll end up with a brilliant streak-free shine.
5. Mind Your Window Woodwork
Over time, excess water and cleaners can cause damage to the framed wood areas of our mirrors and windows. What to do?
- Avoid spraying too much cleaner at once. Instead spray the window in small sections working from the top down to the bottom of the glass. Try to avoid allowing the solution to pool at the bottom of the window.
- Use a spare rag or microfiber cloth to remove any excess water or solution.
6. How to Achieve Professional Streak-Free Window Cleaning Status
Want to get serious about your window cleaning? Then take a few tip from the pros.
Equipment:
- Microfiber window scrubber like this one from Amazon. You can add a pole if needed.
- Next you’ll need a squeegee.
- Or, you can grab a combo like this.
- While any 5-gallon bucket will do, a 3-gallon wide format works best. Just a few drops of Mrs. Meyers All Natural Dish Soap will make a perfect window cleaning solution.
- Lint-free microfiber cloth or lint-free cotton rags
Now, get out there and let the sun shine in!
Remember, we’re committed to helping our neighbors achieve amazing results cleaning their own homes. But, if you need the help of a professional, we’ve been providing superlative window cleaning for more than 27 years!
For the month of May we’re offering a Window Cleaning Special.
Get $25 off minimum $100 job.
~ The Cleaning Crew
PS. Have any window cleaning questions? Or, have a few window cleaning tips of your own? Leave a comment below!
Deferred maintenance. No one likes it. Everyone does it – especially through the winter months. Spring cleaning is our chance to take care all those often neglected, out of sight, and out of mind areas. Which is it is as good as time as any to consider checking out Vacuum cleaners in India. They have a great range of vacuum cleaners for any type of cleaner. It’s important to reduce allergens, minimize clutter, and to make your home a haven once more. Here’s how:
1. Wash Walls, Cabinets, Baseboards, and Woodwork
- Walls – First, swipe away dust and cobwebs
from walls and ceilings with a cloth covered broom or a duster attachment on an extension pole. Don’t forget to dust the tops of door frames and trim. If you have an unusually large amount of spider webs, it may be time to call a pest elimination specialist. Give us a call for an all natural recommendation. - Floors and Baseboards – Wipe down baseboards and any hard flooring surfaces to remove any built-up mopping residue. Use a white eraser sponge to remove stubborn scuff marks on white painted baseboards. For everything else use Biokleen.
- Cabinets and Woodwork – Kitchen cabinets are prone to all sorts of grease, grime and gunk simply from being in the kitchen. A dash of BioKleen on a wet cloth works well to remove any deeply hidden dirt and marks. Want step-by-step instructions? Check out How to Clean Cupboards by Clean Mama.
2. Finish your Floors – Hand-mopping is the best way to be sure that your floor is completely clean. Prepare a small bucket with warm water and cap full of Biokleen. Use a microfiber cloth, wring almost dry, fold and you’re ready to start. Buff the floor with a dry cloth immediately after washing. What’s your favorite method and cleaner for your floors? Do you use Mrs. Meyer’s or Ecover? Here are ten awesome floor cleaning products worth checking out!
3. Clean Carpets and Upholstery – We recommend choosing a non toxic approach when it comes to getting your carpets and upholstery cleaned. It’s safer for your home environment and for the planet. NewAge is a local natural and organic carpet and upholstery cleaning service. They do an absolutely fantastic job keeping it green and clean! Check them out if you live in the Rogue Valley! Tell them we sent you!
4. Oven Cleaning Magic – Who likes cleaning the oven? No one! Try this method to make it a little more pleasant. Cleaning the oven after months of roasting and baking is a delight with theses quick and easy cleaning steps.
Self-Cleaning Oven
- Remove the oven racks. Place them in a sink full of warm soapy water.
- Turn on the oven’s self-cleaning mode – The oven will clean itself for 2 to 6 hours, during which the grease and burnt food will turn into a light gray ash. Let the oven cool for at least 2 hours following the cleaning cycle.
- Open the oven door – Sweep out the ashes with a small brush and dustpan or vacuum. Spray with an all purpose cleaner and wipe the oven clean with a wet rag.
- Use a scraper or pumice stone soaked in water along with Bon Ami to remove any leftover carbon.
- Glass Door clean with Soft Scrub and Bon Ami on a damp rag. This will work away any build up in the oven.
- Clean the oven racks – Scrub the oven racks with scouring pad in the soapy water. Rinse, dry, then replace them in the oven. If your sink is to small use an all purpose cleaner and an SOS pad.
Non-Self-Cleaning Ovens
- Remove the oven racks. Place them in a sink full of warm water mixed with a few drops of dish-washing liquid to soak. Scrub the oven racks in the soapy water. Rinse them off and dry them. If your sink is too small use an all purpose cleaner and an SOS pad.
- Make a cleaning solution. Load a 1-liter spray bottle with 4 tablespoons (56.7 g) of baking soda and fill the rest with water. Shake the spray bottle to dissolve the baking soda.
- Spray down the oven. Spray the interior of a cold oven, focusing on the charred and stained areas until the carbon is completely saturated. Allow it to sit for an hour.
- Remove the loosened carbon Use Bon Ami with a wet SOS pad. Keep scraping until the carbon is gone.
- Cleaning Oven Glass Soft Scrub and little Bon Ami on a damp cloth will de-grease and clean up your window to a sparkling shine.
- Wipe down the oven once more with a solution of half vinegar, half water. At this point the interior of your oven should be clean. Return racks to your oven and it’s ready to enjoy!
5. Cleaning Your Refrigerator and keeping it clean isn’t a herculean task if you follow these tips:
- Remove all food from the refrigerator – this will allow you to clean all the corners and crevices.
- Remove any fridge drawers or shelves and soak in warm water mixed with dish washing soap.
- Use a mixture of warm water and dish washing liquid to wipe the interior.
- Sprinkle some baking soda on stubborn stains, and scrub to remove.
- Use a non-abrasive sponge to remove sticky, caked-on spills, and an old toothbrush for getting into crevices.
6. Shower – The place where we get clean can get dirty and dingy in a hurry. Removing minerals & soap buildup is fast and easy with a DIY soft scrub and Bon Ami. These two ingredients are packed full of stain-fighting and whitening power!
- Wet down your shower surfaces. Apply your soft scrub onto a wet cloth, working from top to bottom. Begin gently scrubbing the tub or shower walls, working your way to the bottom.
- Grab your scrub brush and and start to add in Bon Ami powder, working back over all surfaces. Rinse to find areas that still need attention and continue until the scum is gone.
7. Toilet – Let’s face it this is not anyone’s favorite job, but removing mineral buildup will not only help with bathroom aesthetics, it will also help to keep your bathroom smelling fresh for longer with a lot less maintenance.
- Pour Soft Scrub into the toilet, rub around the bowl and let it sit for 30 min. Next, take a pumice stone soaked in warm water and rubber gloves! Once the gloves are on start scrubbing any buildup. It’s very important make sure the surface and pumice are always wet to avoid scratching the porcelain.
- Next, once you see the stain is gone, flush the toilet and your throne should be sparkling clean and fit for a king or queen!
8. Cleaning Hard-To-Reach Spaces – You may think your home is pristine, with the dishes washed and the counters wiped down, but think about the last time you cleaned these hard to reach areas. It’s time to confront those dark, out-of-sight places and shine some light behind the furniture where dirt and grime love to hide. Seriously deep clean your home with these simple tips!
- Pulling out furniture – When was the last time you moved your couch to clean the space beneath? Unless you have some help, don’t do it alone. What you can do in the meantime is take the handle of a broom and pull out any items that may have found their way there. Kids and pets hide lots of treasure under furniture. You never know what you might find! Then vacuum or sweep up any dust.
-
Tackle the Wires – The wires between your computer, phones and your entertainment center are a magnet for dust build up. First, unplug all cords before cleaning, then use a damp cloth to remove dust from cables and under your devices. You’ll feel better, and your devices will too.
- Bathroom Fan – these get super dusty. They run for a long time and suck up tons of dust. The next time you’re cleaning, use your vacuum with brush attachment to suck up the dust. Wipe down with a damp cloth and you’re ready for some fresher air!
One thing I will point out, is that a tool I’ve mentioned an awful lot is a vacuum cleaner. Mine is a complete godsend, so if you don’t have you you need to take a look at reviews on sites like All Great Vacuums. Once you’ve had a look around and found one that suits you, get it. It will make your life a whole lot easier!
What other spring cleaning tips do you use to keep your home fresh? Reply in the comments section with suggestions or questions. We’re here to help!
Now, let’s get out there and clean the heck out of Spring!
Happy Cleaning!
~ The Cleaning Crew
Kick start spring cleaning with these six easy cleaning tips. Your home will feel instantly fresh and clean, and YOU will be a Spring Cleaning Super Hero!
1. Cleaning Drapes and Blinds
Your drapes and blinds may look clean, but they can collect a surprising amount of dust, oil, pollution, smoke, pollen and bacteria. Yuck! Cleaning your window treatments regularly will help to remove grime and keep unwanted allergens at bay. Here’s how
-
Blinds – Use a cloth with BioKleen for an easy dust fighting solution.
Mix one to two capfuls of BioKleen with one gallon of water, and moisten your cloth with the solution. Clean blinds by wiping the cloth along both sides of the window slats to remove dust and buildup. Repeat the process on every slat until the dust is gone.
* This cleaning trick is safe for wood, plastic and metal surfaces
-
Drapes – Weekly care: gently shake drapes once a day and vacuum once a month to keep dirt and dust from lodging in the fabric.
Machine wash drapes using the short, gentle cycle. Use cool water and mild detergent and line dry or tumble dry on a delicate or air setting. Once draperies are dry, touch them up with your iron if necessary by pressing on the reverse side of the drapes.
* Have a professional cleaner dry-clean your drapes that are not washable. Check product labeling for directions for your drapes
2. Easy Pet hair removal
We all love our pets! Hey, they’re family right?! But they can leave truckloads of pet hair everywhere! Here’s a surprisingly quick and easy solution to remove pet hair from your furniture.
- Rubber gloves or latex gloves are great pet hair removers. Simply dampen the rubber glove and run your hand over the cloth surface to attract the pet hair and rinse gloves off as needed. If you don’t have rubber gloves handy, try a slightly wet rag instead. The glove will give you more control than a strip of tape and is far more effective, as gloves include Zinc Carbonate BPC, which is used as a layer to protect the rubber and give it its transparency. If you’re worried about moisture damaging your furniture, test this method on a small area before going at the whole couch! Be inspired with this how to video from Clean My Space
3. Cleaning refrigerator coils & pan pull out
Once a year, this maintenance chore will do more than any other to extend the life of your refrigerator and keep it operating efficiently all year.
- Unplug the refrigerator, and then move the unit away from the wall.
- Pull the drip pan out from under the refrigerator and empty it. Soak it in warm, sudsy water in the sink while you tend to the rest of the job.
- To clean the coils, remove the cover panel and gently vacuum the coils with a long-narrow vacuum attachment.
- Return the clean drip pan and cover back onto the refrigerator.
- Before you push the unit back into place, clean the wall behind the refrigerator and vacuum the floor where the dirt has fallen.
- Plug the refrigerator in and return it to its usual spot. Turn on the refrigerator and freezer. It should be cold within about 15 minutes.
If you have a fridge with a water dispenser built in, part of your regular maintenance should be checking the filter as they do need replacing from time to time. To help in the purchasing of a new one, use this review of some good options.
4. Cleaning the dishwasher
Learn how to clean your dishwasher with vinegar and baking soda to keep it running efficiently and smelling fresh! Check out Tidy Mom’s helpful step-by-step instructions. Your dishwasher leads right to your drain so if you neglect it, your drains will start to have a nasty odor. If it is neglected, you may need to call out a professional who knows all about drain cleaning Melbourne to come and take a look to make sure everything is functioning correctly. They might also give it a professional clean so you don’t have to smell last weeks dinner either!
5. Easy drain cleaner tip
Try a Natural enzyme drain cleaner! You can simply use a store bought or homemade disinfectant spray. Its powerful, enzyme-based formula will break down drain-clogging elements. This also helps prevent further clogs by removing years of buildup in your kitchen disposal and washing machine. Also try lemon peels in your garbage disposal, it will keep it running fresh and clean . . . naturally! If your drains are too clogged to manage by yourself then you can get a Tucson plumbing company in to help unblock them.
6. Give your garbage a shower
Cleaning the kitchen trash can is a household to-do that’s easily overlooked. Follow these quick and easy steps to better smelling garbage.
- Rinse Take your empty trash can outside and spray it with a hose. Right now, you’re just trying to remove big pieces of food and debris.
- Disinfect – If your trash can has only a slight odor, try spritzing vinegar onto the can, which will absorb the smell. For a trash cans with a stronger odor, use an enzyme-based cleaner. Whichever one you choose, be sure to spray the entire trash can, including the bottom and inside.
- Scrub and rinse. Scrub all areas of your trashcan using an all-natural cleanser such as Biokleen and then rinse thoroughly. Pat dry with a towel or if possible air-dry your trashcan outside in the sunlight to eradicate any remaining bacteria or mold.
There you go! Six super quick spring cleaning tips that are easy to do and will help to keep your home sparkling clean.
What are a few of your favorite spring cleaning tips?
Happy Cleaning!
Are you ready to hire someone to help you clean your home but not sure what the difference is between house cleaners, housekeepers, and maids? We are asked frequently what the difference is and we would like to share our perspective to help you as you look at hiring professional help around the house. Finding the right person to help clean your house would be great for you if you decide you wanted to move to a different house. A lot of people find moving stressful, so having someone to help with clean would help reduce stress while you look at Homes For Sale In Boerne TX.
House Cleaner
House cleaning is done by an individual house cleaner or a team of house cleaners, who will arrive on a scheduled day and time, Similar to exterior cleaning service in WIllis, TX. You can choose to supply the products and equipment or request to have all the cleaning supplies, products, and equipment be supplied by your house cleaner.
Typical Duties of House Cleaners
On the first house cleaning visit generally a top to bottom, thorough and complete cleaning is done to bring your house to a maintenance level. Future scheduled cleanings will keep your house maintained with more routine cleaning tasks.
- Deep cleaning entails moving all of your knick knacks and moving the furniture to clean under it. Every surface is cleaned, all the way from the top of the ceiling, down to the baseboards and the floor. Deep cleaning will leave all your surfaces free of dirt, dust and shining like new.
- Scrubbing and sanitizing the kitchen from top to bottom, including cleaning the exterior of cabinets & drawers, exterior of appliances such as stoves & refrigerators, counter tops, sinks & drains, back splashes, light switch plate covers, knobs & handles.
- Scrubbing and sanitizing bathrooms from top to bottom, including toilets, tubs, showers, sinks and drain openings and polishing chrome.
- Cleaning trim work, baseboards, doors, picture frames, light fixtures, etc.
- Dusting tables, chairs, and surfaces.
- Vacuuming upholstery and carpet.
- Vacuuming and mopping hard floors.
- Interior window cleaning.
- Consolidating and removing trash and recycling.
- You can look at The Cleaning Crew, LLC services web page for an example of services provided by house cleaners.
Housekeeper or Maid
A housekeeper or maid is an individual who helps out with cleaning and other projects around the house. A housekeeper is usually hired by a family who provides everything needed for the job.
Typical Duties of Housekeepers
- Light housekeeping cleaning duties maintain an orderly and company-ready home to ensure cleanliness and peace of mind. Read more at eHow.
- Washing, drying, and putting dishes away.
- Washing, drying, folding and putting laundry away.
- Restocking personal care products, toilet paper, etc.
- Changing bed linens and making beds.
- Picking up toys.
- Organizing and de-cluttering.
- Running errands for the family.
- Preparing meals.
- Replacing light bulbs.
- Other light duties as requested.
A live-in housekeeper is a housekeeper that not only cleans but may also iron, care for children, cook, and other arrangements she or he has come to with her/his employer. Due to the fact your maid will be spending so long in the house and around your valuable items, we highly recommend looking here to find more info about how you can find the best insurance quote. To not only protect your maid but yourself as well!
We look forward to hearing from you and answering your cleaning questions!
~The Cleaning Crew Team
We get a lot of calls from people who are hiring house cleaners for the first time. We would like to share the frequently asked questions!
Hiring a House Cleaner FAQs
What is the benefit of hiring a house cleaning company instead of an independent cleaner?
House cleaners who work for a company are professionally trained to provide a first-rate, consistent cleaning experience for clients. A professional cleaning company is licensed, bonded, and insured and the house cleaners are protected with workers’ compensation.
Do I need to be home during the house cleaning?
Your house cleaner can provide cleaning services when you are at home or away – it depends on what you are more comfortable with.
How does the house cleaner know what I want if I’m not home to tell them?
Having a professional house cleaner means that the house cleaner knows what is needed to make your home shine, however, if you have any special requests please share them with your house cleaner.
How do I make a special request of my house cleaner?
If you have new or special requests, leaving a note on the kitchen counter is a helpful way to communicate information. If you have instructions you want followed every visit, it’s best to have a standard checklist for regular cleaning. With The Cleaning Crew, you can call our office and we’ll update your file so that your cleaner(s) know what you like each time.
How does the house cleaner get into the house?
For your convenience, you can provide your cleaner with a copy of your house key. Another option is to schedule the cleaner to arrive when you are home and have them lock the door when they leave.
How does the house cleaner access my home if I have a security alarm?
We recommend assigning a unique security code to your cleaner.
Do I need to do anything before a house cleaner arrives?
It is best to tidy up all dishes, toys, clothes, and personal items before a house cleaner arrives. If you do not have a chance to do so, the house cleaner will always try to do this for you, however, this may take away from the deep cleaning that can be done in the allotted time frame. If you would like your house cleaner to tidy up for you, please notify them in advance.
Do I need to do the dishes before the house cleaner arrives?
Most house cleaners ask that you do dishes before the house cleaner arrives. Some house cleaners will include dishes in their cleaning, just be sure to ask so that they can estimate time accordingly.
What if I don’t want to tidy up before the house cleaner arrives?
Depending on the cleaning company, you can make a special request for the house cleaner to clean up toys, clothes, dirty dishes, etc.
What is the best way to pay for cleaning services? 
Most customers find it convenient to simply leave a check on the kitchen counter or to pay ahead of time with a credit card.
Should I tip?
Cleaners don’t expect regular tips, but tips are a nice way to show appreciation and can be anywhere from $10 to $20 or you can use the service industry standard of 15-20% of the cost of service.
When is the appropriate time to tip?
You can tip with each cleaning, once a month, or once a year, such as during the holidays.
What if my cleaner goes on vacation?
If your house cleaning is through a cleaning company, you can expect your cleanings to go as planned. The cleaning company should send a back-up cleaner for all of your regularly scheduled. If you work with an independent house cleaner, you may need to find someone else while they are on vacation.
How often should a house cleaner clean?
Depending on your lifestyle and budget, you might like your house to be cleaned, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. If you have kids and pets, then you might want more frequent cleaning. Two adults without any children in the household will often be fine having a house cleaner clean every two weeks. A person who has no children and no pets and maintains the house throughout the month might only want someone to do a monthly deep clean of the bathrooms and Kitchen.
Let us know if there are any others questions you’d like to see answered! As well as cleaners, its important to research local tradesmen in case of emergencies, for example visit absolutedp.com to see how they can also help you to look after your home.
Cleaning Tip: When you think of peroxide, you usually think of “bleaching” hair. Did you you know that hydrogen peroxide is one of the best ways to remove mildew from bathroom tile and grout? Put it in a spray bottle, spray it on your tile and grout, let it sit for at least 30 minutes, and then scrub with a scrub brush.
Spray bottle too complicated? No worries, just switch the caps!
