Tag Archives: Tips

Home Cleaning For COVID-19

Home Cleaning For COVID-19There are many queries in the minds of people at the moment such as can you get a COVID-19 infection from food? Normal household tasks have turned into anxious and uncertain times as families around the world are grappling to get the basics needed right and keep themselves and their loved ones safe during the pandemic. Home cleaning has become a significant chore as you need to clean and disinfect the high-touch surfaces in the house regularly for lowering the risk of catching an infection.

1. Clean and disinfect the high-touch surfaces: All homes are different although the high-touch surfaces are the same in most cases. They include tables, door handles, kitchen and bathroom surfaces, handrails, toilets, taps, mobile phones, light switches, tablets, computers, remote controls, keyboards, toys, and game controllers. You need to clean the dirty surfaces by using detergent and water before you go for disinfection. This is the best way to make sure that you are destroying the COVID-19 virus present in the home. Soap and water kill viruses similar to bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and isopropyl alcohol.

2. Trust the advice of reputed sources: The only way of fending off the virus is by understanding the facts about it. If you start reading about coronavirus from unreliable sources it may cause panic and a sense of fear. It doesn’t help anyone. You need to trust reputed resources such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Red Cross, Center for Disease Control (CDC), and National Center for Disease Control (NCDC). These sources can be trusted to provide up-to-date and proven info about the spread of this virus inside your house.

3. Be vigilant at all times: Although the coronavirus is here to stay for the foreseeable future, you also need to keep it in mind that there are other viruses around that have been around for several years. So, although you should not panic, you need to make sure that you don’t let the guard down and take all preventive measures each day to restrict the spread of the virus.

4. Use warm/hot water wherever possible: Try to use warm and hot water wherever possible especially in places such as cleaning laundry. This fact is mentioned in the makers’ instructions as well. Ensure that the clothes are completely dry after the cleaning before you use them. People easily forget how many times they touch electronic instruments. These devices can be the host for several bacteria or viruses. Therefore it is significant that they are cleaned regularly.

5. Be additionally careful if someone in the household is sick: It is a good idea to clean and change the hand towels in any event. But, it becomes additionally significant if anyone in the household is sick. You can clean the bathroom and kitchen surfaces regularly anyway but if someone is sick ensure that this is done more often.

Cleaning and disinfecting products

If you find any surface to be dirty during home cleaning use detergent or soap with water for cleaning it. After this, use any disinfectant product that contains alcohol (containing around 70%) on the surface or you can use bleach as well. For the COVID-19 virus vinegar and other similar natural products are not useful. In a lot of places, it is tough to find wipes and disinfecting sprays. Use soap and water in such cases. You can use household diluted bleach solutions for some surfaces as well.

Remember COVID-19 is still rampant and is a real threat to the lives of the vulnerable so maintain good hygiene practices in the house. Do not neglect your home cleaning duties. However, if you are struggling to perform the home cleaning tasks by yourself due to a busy work schedule you can get the services of professionals such as European Maids in the Clearwater, FL area.

Picture Credit: Unsplash

Posted in Bathroom Cleaning, Cleaning Products, Cleaning Service, Cleaning Service Clearwater, Cleaning Service Tampa, Cleaning Tips, Clearwater, Condominium Cleaning, Home Cleaning, House Cleaning, Maid Service, Maid Service Tampa, Residential Cleaning, Tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Home Cleaning By Using Vinegar And Baking Soda

Home Cleaning By Using Vinegar And Baking SodaIt is a well-known fact that the commonly used cleaning products available in the market are made from chemicals that can cause harm to humans. In addition to this, they also may be harmful to the environment. Luckily environment-friendly ingredients are also available to be used as effective cleaning solutions. Two of such common green and eco-friendly products are vinegar and baking soda. These two products may be used together or separately. They can also be mixed with natural products and are less toxic and are healthy alternatives for cleaning the home.

Kitchen

Baking soda is used effectively for cleaning pots and pans that contain baked-on residues. For doing this just sprinkle the object with baking soda and allow it to soak for fifteen minutes in hot water and detergent. You can pour baking soda on the flames of grease fire till it gets extinguished. Your dishwasher can be cleaned and freshened or your coffeepot may be cleaned by using just the baking soda. You can run vinegar through both these machines once a month to keep them free from residue and clean. You can make your silver shine with a range of different methods. For the refrigerator, you can use vinegar and water mixed in a spray bottle. It is an eco-friendly method for cleaning and deodorizing the surface.

Bathroom

You can develop a non-toxic and thick scrub for cleaning the bathroom surfaces by stirring one tablespoon of liquid castile soap or detergent, vinegar, and a 1/4 cup of baking soda. Create a creamy mixture and then use it. 1/2 cup of baking soda can be used for cleaning the toilets. There is another alternative and that is pouring a cup of dilute white vinegar inside the toilet and allow it to soak overnight. Minerals clogging the showerheads is a common occurrence and it results in a reduced flow of water. Soak the showerhead by using a mixture of 1/4 of water and 1/2 cup of vinegar for 15 minutes. You may clean the soap residues from the loofahs after soaking them with equal portions of water and vinegar. You can use a paste of salt and vinegar for rubbing down sink fixtures.

Laundry

You can use liquid detergent with a 1/2 cup of baking soda at the start of a wash cycle for a bright load of laundry. You can sprinkle some baking soda at the bottom of the clothes hampers for taking care of stinky odors. Socks may get stained and dingy like gym clothing. In order to help the items appear fresh people soak them inside a pot of boiling water with distilled white vinegar.

You need to keep the baking soda and vinegar handy inside the house as there are several everyday things you can clean faster by using them together. The only question that remains is what will you clean first? If you feel the DIY is too much for you, get in touch with professionals. For the Clearwater, FL area you can contact European Maids who will perform the home cleaning for you efficiently.

Picture Credit: freepik

Posted in Bathroom Cleaning, Cleaning Products, Cleaning Service, Cleaning Service Clearwater, Cleaning Tips, Clearwater, Green cleaning, Home Cleaning, House Cleaning, Kitchen, Maid Service, Maid Service Tampa, Residential Cleaning, Tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Keeping The Home Clean After A Move

Keeping The Home Clean After A MoveThere are so many possibilities associated with a new apartment or a home. Uncluttered space, bare walls, and a bare canvas that can be used to create a new home for yourself. However, before you embark on the fun part of moving into a new place there is home cleaning to be done. You need to provide a deep clean to the new place. When you rent or buy a new place there is a need for pre-move home cleaning. The people that lived in the place before you would have left behind grime, dirt, and dust that should be taken care of before settling in. Unless of course, you have moved into new construction, the blank slate is not all that blank. Despite all this, there is nothing like having everything unpacked and having moved everything in the right place.

Adopt small changes initially: Many people are a bit messy generally and it is tough for these people to embrace a more organized and tidy lifestyle. However, trying to perform home cleaning from top to bottom at the same time will be overwhelming. You will need to embrace some straightforward habits initially. For example, you can begin by just doing the dishes after the meal each time. Gradually you may implement other changes towards living in a clean and organized home.

Keep clutter out of your life: If surveys are to be believed one in every four Americans has issues with clutter. This not only makes your space stuffier, smaller, and overwhelming but it also costs you more. You will be surprised to know how much money you can make by selling all that clutter online or by having a garage sale. So, rather than feeling cramped inside your own house and letting the clutter rule your life you must free yourself and get rid of the junk. Perform this home cleaning task one room at a time. Just remove everything you have not used in more than a year and set aside the things that can be sold.

Begin the mornings in an organized manner: When you make your bed in the morning every time your bedroom automatically starts looking more organized. It takes just a few moments every morning and you can make a good start to the day by creating an organized atmosphere in your bedroom. Your sanctuary will appear more inspiring and relaxing when you do this. It will have a positive effect on your mindset as well.

Quality of indoor air: When you are performing home cleaning and doing the tidying up, most people consider mopping, scrubbing, dusting, and vacuuming without taking into consideration the quality of air. Keep in mind that indoor air pollution is a serious problem that can affect your health and the general atmosphere of your house. However, there are ways available to mitigate this issue. Good AC units can create a healthy and airy atmosphere in your house. You can also have house plants and air purifiers to remove the airborne allergens and toxins. You need to opt for green cleaning products rather than using the toxic variety.

Deep cleaning and washing: Remember, everything from pillowcases, covers, to drapes and rugs collect allergens and dust inside the house each day. Carpets in particular are full of toxins, dirt, and other pollutants that can be spread in the confines of your space. You need to wash and deep clean the carpets, fabrics, and rugs regularly. Washing machines can be used for pillow covers, sheets, towels but the carpets and rugs need more effort. It might be a good idea to get them cleaned by professionals twice every year.

Clean while being on the move: You have probably passed a magazine thrown on your sofa or a blanket lying on the carpet a countless number of times. Rather than not paying attention to these messy areas you should tidy up these spots as soon as you have noticed them. Each time you come across a dirty or cluttered area inside your house do not ignore it. Deal with the problem immediately as it will save a lot of trouble later.

Maintaining a clean and tidy home often means adopting good habits that result in making your home and your life better organized. However, if you are looking to avoid all hassle related to home cleaning and have enough budget for professionals you can hire the services of European Maids in Clearwater, FL area.

Picture Credit: Pexels

 

Posted in Bathroom Cleaning, Bedroom Cleaning, Carpet Cleaning, Cleaning Service, Cleaning Service Clearwater, Cleaning Tips, Clearwater, Home Cleaning, Maid Service Tampa, Residential Cleaning, Tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cleaning The Computer Safely

Cleaning the Computer SafelyDust is not just an unattractive proposition, it can also damage or possibly even destroy the components of your pc. You need to clean the computer regularly to keep it working in good condition and avoid the undesired and expensive repairs. You must also clean the computer casing and the monitor sides to avoid the dirt build-up. Keep in mind that dust is the main enemy of your computer. You can use the anti-static cloth for lightly dusting off the casing. Never use strong solvents or furniture cleaners for the purpose.

Keyboard cleaning: Food, dust, and cleaning along with other such particles are likely to get stuck below the keys of your keyboard and eventually lead to preventing the computer from working properly. Here are some fundamental tips to help you from keeping the keyboard clean. Unplug your keyboard from the PS 2 or USB ports. If it is plugged you will have to shut down the PC before unplugging it. The keyboard must be turned upside down to remove dust and dirt. You can use compressed air for cleaning between the keyboard keys. Now, use a paper towel or cleaning cloth with alcohol for cleaning the keytops. Keep in mind that do not pour any liquid onto the keys. Once it is dry you can reconnect the keyboard to the computer.

Monitor cleaning: Various things such as fingerprints, dirt, and dust can all lead to making your computer screen impossible to read. But, it is easier to clean the monitor whenever required. You can get some monitor cleaning kits from the market but keep in mind to use the right cleaner depending on the surface of the screen. The best way is to use a soft clean cloth with water. Never use glass cleaner for cleaning the monitor. A lot of screens come with anti-glare coatings that may get damaged with glass cleaner. Turn off the PC and also unplug the monitor from the power source. Use the soft and clean moistened cloth for wiping off the screen. Remember, not to spray any liquid on the monitor as it may leak inside the monitor and damage the internal components of the machine.

Dealing with the spills

In case there is a spill of liquid onto the keyboard shut down the computer immediately and disconnect the keyboard. Now, move the keyboard upside down and let the liquid drain. In case the liquid is too sticky you must hold it on its side under the running water to rinse the liquid away. Keep the keyboard turned upside down for two days before you reconnect it. The keyboard might be beyond repair by now but this is the most suitable way of dealing with the problem. A better idea is to keep all drinks away from the computer area.

Never restrict the airflow around the computer. As the computer generates plenty of heat its casing has fans to stop the overheating. Avoid keeping stacks of books, paper, and other items around the computer. If you are looking to clean the house along with the computer you can think of hiring home cleaning professionals such as European Maids especially if you live in the Clearwater, FL area.

Picture Credit: Unsplash

Posted in Cleaning Products, Cleaning Service, Cleaning Service Clearwater, Cleaning Tips, Clearwater, Home Cleaning, House Cleaning, Maid Service, Residential Cleaning, Tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Home Cleaning By Disinfecting Your Home

Home Cleaning By Disinfecting Your HomeIt is significant that you clean and disinfect the various surfaces inside the house. The different germs also are known as microorganisms can make people sick. These germs live on all kinds of surfaces and are capable of contaminating utensils, food, and other objects that are used for the preparation of food and eating it. In this battle against the germs, you might think that they have an advantage as they can be present anywhere at the same time. You can keep the infectious diseases such as cold and flu away by keeping these germs at bay.

Areas

The areas in the house with high traffic and various surfaces that are touched are the areas where germs are accumulated. One survey found out that the kitchen sink has more bacteria than garbage cans or toilets. One of the common places for germ build-up in the toilets is the toothbrush holder. This is because they are situated near the toilet and the act of flushing sends a mist of bacteria among these places. It is also easy to forget about them while cleaning the toilet and other obvious germ build-up areas.

Requirements

It is possible to remove dirt and grime by using hot water and soap. This may also get rid of some germs but it may not be enough for some other surfaces that are home to many germs. You can use a cleaner-disinfectant for speed cleaning as it is a combination of two steps. It is possible to use it for bathroom surfaces and kitchen countertops. Areas containing sticky spills can be cleaned by using soap and water. But while using disinfectants for home cleaning keep in mind to wear gloved and keep the windows open especially while using products containing bleach.

Products

If you are using disinfectants bought from the store stay away from breathing the chemicals. Keep in mind to wipe down the cleaned areas such as countertops later by using water. Allow these surfaces to dry out fully before you prepare any food on them. There are some effective homemade cleaners such as hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar but do not mix them. In case you are using hydrogen peroxide, you must test it on unseen surfaces to ensure that it does not fade or discolor the surface.

Quick home cleaning

For cleaning up super-fast you can use these shortcuts. Maintain all the cleaning products inside a basket. This will keep them ready for use when you are and it is easy to carry them from one room to another. After spraying the disinfectant you might have to wait. You can carry out other household chores at the time. Utilize a plastic can liner for controlling the spill of trash and leakage. It will also quicken the cleaning process for garbage and wastebasket. Remember to sanitize the refrigerator after cleaning it and also the floor spills when they take place. This will ensure that they do not turn into a larger mess. It is possible to take out some serious germ build-ups within half an hour or definitely in less than a day. If you do not have pets or children this becomes even easier. Always start in the kitchen for this.

Many times the home cleaning is a time-consuming task even for the experienced housewives. In case you are in a good position in terms of funds you can think about the option of using professionals by ordering their services via the internet. The wet home cleaning can be arranged at a time suitable to you. If you are living in the Clearwater, FL area European Maids is a good alternative.

Picture Credit: Jeshoots

Posted in Bathroom Cleaning, Cleaning Products, Cleaning Service, Cleaning Service Clearwater, Cleaning Tips, Clearwater, Green cleaning, Home Cleaning, House Cleaning, Kitchen, Residential Cleaning, Tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Organizing The Freezer Cleanouts

Organizing The Freezer CleanoutsAlthough most people who are good at home cleaning are also quite capable of fridge cleanouts, it is easy to forget about the freezer. Although just the thought of freezer cleanout may bring a groan to many faces, it is not as difficult as it used to be. Due to the quantity of frost build-up, the freezer cleaning had developed a bad reputation. However, in modern refrigerators, you will not encounter this issue which means that you can finish cleaning the freezer within 30 minutes.

What you will need

Keep in mind that these instructions are for cleaning the freezer of your refrigerator. In case you have a deep freezer you will have to talk to the manufacturer or read instructions on the manual for cleaning. For cleaning the freezer you will need,

  • Ice
  • A large cooler
  • Distilled white vinegar
  • A spray bottle
  • An old toothbrush
  • Hot water
  • Microfiber cloths

Instructions

1. Take out all the food items from the freezer and put them in the cooler with ice. Remember to check the expiry dates of various food items in the process. Remove all the food items that are past the expiry date.
2. Unplug the refrigerator for safety. Do not worry about the food items as they will stay cold for 4 hours without power inside the refrigerator according to the FDA. However, ensure that people are not moving in and out of the fridge while you are working.
3. Combine equal portions of hot water and vinegar inside the spray bottle. This will be the cleaning solution for the freezer.
4. Spray the mixture generously in the freezer and wipe away the solution by using the dry microfiber cloth. You may repeat the step a few times for getting a clean freezer.
5. If there are stubborn patches you can use the toothbrush with hot water to scrub clean the area and wipe away the residue by using the microfiber cloth.
6. Dry the freezer inside by using the microfiber cloth ensuring that there is no liquid lying behind.
7. Wash out the drawers of the freezer, ice trays, and bins.
8. Plug back the freezer and also replace the food items you removed earlier. In case the ice from the cooler has begun to melt, wipe away the liquid from the food items and return them to the freezer.

One of the biggest annoyance several people feel when they open the freezer is not finding what they are looking for to eat. Due to this, it is a good idea to properly organize the food items inside the freezer while replacing them after cleaning by using a system that works out for you.

If you are looking for high-quality home cleaning professionals in Clearwater, contact European Maids. They can complete the home cleaning for you efficiently and beneficially. This is particularly useful if you have allergies that flare up during the cleaning.

Picture Credit: Unsplash

Posted in Cleaning Products, Cleaning Service, Cleaning Service Clearwater, Cleaning Service Tampa, Cleaning Tips, Clearwater, Condominium Cleaning, Green cleaning, Home Cleaning, House Cleaning, Maid Service, Maid Service Tampa, Residential Cleaning, Tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Clean Your Windows Using 6 Simple Tips!

Super Simple Tips To Clean WindowsIn fact, the windows are the eyes of the housing in which we live. The cleaner and tidier they will be, the more light will enter the house. It is important to know how to clean windows properly so that they do not leave any stains and all the dirt is completely eliminated.

If you live far away from large enterprises and busy roads, then you are lucky. Your lungs and windows will not be covered with oily film as a result of smog. It is not too difficult to wash windows in such a situation.

How to wash windows: fast, clean, easy!

What’s complicated in washing windows? The process is understandable. However, knowing the small details, you can make them very clean!

1. Wash the windows on both sides

First and foremost rule when washing windows: wash window panes on both sides. The sense from the shining inner side of the glass will be small, if there is dirt and precipitation on the other side of the window.

2. Begin to wash the window from the outside

This rule can be ignored if you are a happy owner of a private home and can attach a ladder to the windowsill from the outside of the house. If it is a question of windows in a city apartment, it is better to start from the outside. For the inner you will stick in the process, and if you start with it, in the end it will be entirely covered with fingerprints of your fingers (just like in a detective film).

3. Use gloves

At the stage of washing the window in a wet way – rubber, at the stage of rubbing – cotton. Rubber will protect your hands from contact with detergents, cotton will protect the clean glass surface from your fingers. In cotton gloves, it is convenient to hold the glass from the back: the fabric will not leave any traces on the clean glass.

4. Use a special solution

If you do not have a special tool for washing your windows, do not despair! The main dirt you can easily wash off with the usual soap solution. It is even better to use a dishwashing detergent. The only drawback is the abundant foam, which will take a long time to wash off. Try to dilute in a small amount of water 20-30 ml of liquid soap. To prepare a soapy solution from a normal soap, soak a small piece overnight in hot water.

5. Wipe the glass with a mild alcohol solution

To glass shone, wipe it with a weak solution of alcohol or acetic acid.

6. Clean the windows with paper towels

Thoroughly wiping the window with soft paper or a napkin, you can give it unrivaled cleanliness and radiance. Paper towels will erase all stains, even the most complex.

Image credit: cocoparisienne

Posted in Cleaning Products, Cleaning Service, Cleaning Service Clearwater, Cleaning Tips, Home Cleaning, House Cleaning, Windows Cleaning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

DIY Tips: How to Clean Hardwood Floors

Clean Hardwood Floors TipsHardwood floors are low maintenance but certainly not zero maintenance, like any surface that is part of your home cleaning they will of course need regular cleaning to get up dirt and spills and every now and again they may need more extensive maintenance.

A hardwood floor that comes with a finish on it or has been waxed is especially easy to clean and wipe with a cloth or mop or sweep. The finish stops dirt getting ingrained but the surface itself needs looking after and is in many ways more fragile than the wood it protects.

If a hardwood floor comes with a finish don’t add wax or other treatments to it, until the original finish really is past it. Also be careful what cleaners you use, they should be non abrasive and if possible PH neutral or slightly acidic, in which case it is important to wipe residue away afterwards.

The best thing however for hardwood floor cleaning is to sweep regularly wipe with a simple wet cloth or mop as soon as any spills have been made. This way dirt won’t have a chance to get walked in which can not only stick and make a floor look dirty but damage the surface through scratching away the finish.

With varnished wood the varnish itself will eventually wear down but is easy to reapply so you shouldn’t need to worry too much; wax is better at protecting the wood from moisture but can be slightly more tacky and mean dirt sticks and the wax itself starts to look dirty.

You could of course simply leave your wood bare or stained, yes wood can get damaged and wooden floors are expensive but if you have proper wooden floors, and not veneers, then any damage can be got rid of by sanding or stripping down the boards.

With harder woods especially though the wood shouldn’t get damaged easily and will age with time in such a way that it will develop character, especially with a wood like oak that will also age through darkening.

If your hardwood floor does need cleaning more thoroughly to remove trodden in dirt and stains then use a specific hardwood floor cleaner, these are formulated to leave your floor looking not just clean but add to the luster while some floor products, especially those containing ammonia, may dull wooden floors.

The main thing that can cause serious damage to wooden floors is water, the effect on plain hardwood floors is more that water can stain, water has more of an effect though on soft wood such as pine and on stained and varnished floors where these can be damaged themselves. Do make sure that if you use water to clean a floor dry it up and it is better to use a damp cloth rather than more water; if you do spill water accidentally then do clean it up.

Hardwood floors should make your home cleaning easier overall but it is easy to ignore them, remember that if you do ignore the needs of your wooden floors you may have more work long term.

Posted in Cleaning Service, Home Cleaning, House Cleaning, Maid Service | Tagged , | Comments Off on DIY Tips: How to Clean Hardwood Floors