EUC 2010

One of the most hated cleaning chores has to be cleaning windows. I don’t know why people detest it so much. If I have to be honest, I don’t mind doing it at all. In fact, I prefer cleaning the windows rather than cleaning my bathroom.

But no matter whether you enjoy it or hate it, this chore needs to be performed every once in a while. If your windows are dirty then your whole home will look dirty as well – no matter how many hours you have to spend scrubbing and dusting every corner of your house!

But cleaning windows can be tricky because you can easily leave streaks and stains behind. This is why there are a few tips I have for you in order to achieve spotless windows – without wasting too much time!

How To Properly Clean Your Windows?

Start off with preparing all the supplies you will need – a squeegee, microfiber cloths, a mini window washer, and a small container filled with warm water and a few drops of dishwasher detergent (or powder).

Next, dip the squeegee in the mixture and wash the entire window (top to bottom then left to right).

Use the microfiber cloth to wipe the water that will drop to the sills. I also use the window washer to cover the corners of my windows because they can be pretty hard to get to with a squeegee, however, this step is not necessary. If you don’t have a window washer at home you don’t need to go out of your way to buy one.

And just like that, your windows are spotless. One tip I have is to avoid cleaning windows when it’s sunny. Always choose a cloudy day. Why? When it’s sunny, the window is warm and the water dries up quickly leaving marks and stains behind.

I have been making my own cleaners for a long time – and I love it. It’s fun to experiment and try out different things whenever you have the time. Not only will you save money but you will also avoid all of the harsh chemicals that are in commercial cleaners.

Thankfully, these DIY cleaners are super easy to make and you don’t need to spend much time on them. Some of the easiest recipes out there have to be about an all-purpose cleaner and for… toilet bowl cleaner.

Today, I will show you how I make my own toilet bowl cleaner that works amazing and not only cleans but disinfects as well (which is very important since your toilet is filled with bacteria).

Here Is Everything You Need

All you need is a cup of vinegar, a spray bottle, and a few drops of lavender essential oil… I told you that it’s easy and you won’t waste too much time on it. In fact, you can make it in about 2 minutes.

Vinegar has to be one of the best natural cleaning ingredients you can use. It’s extremely effective in removing stains, dirt, dust, and all sorts of impurities. It’s also considered a disinfectant which is why I love using it to clean my toilet.

The next ingredient I use is lavender essential oil. You probably think that I use it to cover up the vinegar smell – and that is partly true, however, there is another reason. The lavender essential oil has antibacterial properties – and I told you that this cleaner won’t only clean but will also disinfect. So when you combine vinegar and lavender essential oil then you get this amazing product!

How Do I Use It?

I always shake the bottle before I use it because I want both ingredients to mix well.

Then, I spray my toilet with it – on the sides and under the rim. I use a lot of the cleaner (don’t spray just a few times, use a lot).

Next I leave the mixture for a few hours and then I grab the toilet brush and scrub everything.

And the last step is to flush!

I love my dishwasher so much – it saves me time and energy. Not many know this but I don’t only use it to clean dishes and kitchen utensils. I clean and disinfect all sorts of things in there – from my hairbrushes to toys and flip flops.

There are so many things that you can clean in your dishwasher, however, there is a limit to that. There are a lot of items which you definitely should never place in your dishwasher or you will damage both those objects and your appliance.

Here Are 5 Things You Shouldn’t Clean In Your Dishwasher!

– Kitchen Knives

Yes, you should only clean kitchen knives by hand – or at least the good ones. The reason is very simple – the dishwasher detergent will make the blades dull and the handles will loosen over time due to the hot water.

That is why I always clean my expensive knives by hand with just soapy hot water.

– Plastic Items

Some plastic items are safe to be washed in the dishwasher, however, some aren’t. You should always check the manufacturer’s label before you attempt to clean them with your appliance.

– Nonstick Pots/ Pans

I have so many nonstick pots and pans – they make cooking easier.

But you need to keep in mind that the hot water and intense heat of your appliance might damage the nonstick coating. This is why I recommend washing them by hand!

– Fine china

If you have really expensive fine china then skip on cleaning it in your dishwasher and just do it by hand.

Why? The appliance can chip off the paint and it can even chip the china – and I know that you want to protect it.

– Cutting boards

Any wooden kitchenware should stay away from the dishwasher – including cutting boards, wooden spoons, etc. It can damage them and even cause the wooden kitchenware to break.

I love using natural ingredients to clean my house, however, it seems like almost every recipe out there has vinegar. I absolutely hate vinegar due to its smell – and the last thing I want is for my home to smell like vinegar. Once I am done cleaning, I want every room to smell good.

Another reason why I want to avoid it is that the countertops in my kitchen are marble – and if you didn’t know, vinegar can damage it!

It’s so important to me that I forced myself to experiment and try to make an all-purpose cleaner without vinegar. I know it sounds crazy since its the main ingredient in every single recipe on the internet but I finally found a solution to this problem!

Here Is How To Avoid Vinegar And Still Make An All-Purpose Cleaner!

Since vinegar is such a great ingredient to use for cleaning and disinfecting I had to find its alternative – something that is as effective and smells better!

Now, you need to prepare rubbing alcohol (or vodka), distilled water, and your favourite essential oils!

Why rubbing alcohol? It will get rid of the dust and dirt on any surface and it will disinfect it! Disinfecting is very important to me – and what better way than to have one product that can do two things? It will clean and disinfect even better than vinegar.

So I mix everything in a spray bottle so that it’s easier to use. I usually combine a cup of vodka, cup and a half of distilled water, and 10 drops of lavender essential oil. I use lavender because it has antibacterial properties but you can use whatever you like. That way your home will smell amazing!

Lately, more people have been interested in the DIY cleaners recipes. I know I have been making my own homemade cleaners for years – and I am extremely happy with the results.

I decided than I would never buy a commercial cleaning due to the harsh ingredients they contain. Also, it is a lot cheaper to just DIY them – and I have never been the person to walk away from saving money!

Most DIY cleaners have a lot in common – they contain similar ingredients which is why I decided to summerize the most common natural ingredients you need for homemade cleaners in this article!

Here are the main ingredients you need

Lemon juice

The acid from lemon juice makes it a great way to get rid of dirt and most importantly – stains! I love treating stains with half a lemon and some salt!

I also like using lemon juice when I want to remove lime scale from faucets. I pour the lemon juice on them, leave it overnight, and then rinse in the morning!

Essential oils

There is one ingredient which you will find in any recipe for a cleaner online – essential oil! It will leave your home smelling amazing and you won’t have to deal with allergies.

There are also essential oils like tea tree or lavender which are great for disinfecting.

Vinegar

A cleaner recipe won’t be complete without some vinegar, right? It’s my favourite cleaning product – in fact, I make my own all-purpose cleaner with just vinegar and essential oils. I pour it in a spray bottle.

Baking soda

The number one natural way to get rid of stains, clean pans/ pots, etc. is by creating a paste with baking soda and water. It’s so simple and inexpensive!

It’s also a great way to get rid of bad smells! I like sprinkling my upholstery with baking soda, leave it overnight, and them vacuum the powder in the morning!

Rubbing alcohol

Aside from cleaning rubbing alcohol is the best thing you can use for disinfecting. Lately, disinfecting has become very important in every household and you need to know the most inexpensive way to do so.

I place rubbing alcohol and lavender essential oil in a spray bottle and spray any surface or item I want to be germs-free!

Even if it makes a lot of sense to wash eggs before you cook them, just like you would wash any other food, it’s actually pointless and might even make everything worse.

Food poisoning is no fun – and we can all agree on this. There are some foods thought that even if you wash them – you won’t change anything and it might even spread bacteria more.

This is the case for eggs. Don’t wash them before preparing them. There is a federal regulation, actually, that requires all eggs to be cleaned before being sold. And by ‘’cleaned’’ I don’t mean a simple rinse on the shell. When they are cleaned edible mineral oils are applied to the surface which protects the egg from any bacteria (and penetrating inside the egg).

Yes, you are completely right if you say: ‘’Well, even if they are cleaned before being sold imagine all the bacteria that gets on it simply from them sitting in the grocery store’’. But believe me when I say (if you don’t believe me – a lot of nutritionists say this as well) – washing the shell will further the bacteria.

You will push it back through the surface and the germs will get inside the egg which will cause contamination to the part you actually consume.

Hardwood floors may not be as susceptible to staining as carpets for example, but natural wood is quite porous and will not tolerate heavy organic and chemical stains, even if the top finish is intact. Most hardwood floors require specific stain removal techniques which professionals practice every day, and choosing the right one is well worth it as hardwood floors are quite pricy and provide for long lasting comfort and style.

The key to effective stain removal for hardwood floors is to choose the right method for the particular type of stain.

Course of action:

–First and foremost you need to clean the floor around the stain, sweep any dust, dirt and debris in the area so that you are dealing only with the stain.

–If the stain is old, definitely clean the dust and dirt off the floor so you know the extent and nature of the problem you are dealing with.

Weak stains:

Generally, weak stains will come off without use of strong chemical solvents.

-mix mild detergent with warm water, stir the solution well in a bucket and apply using a soft rag, wring the rag before and after each application, wash the rag in clean water every three or four uses.

If the stain is still visible:

-treat the affected area with rubbing alcohol (denatured alcohol), apply using a soft dry rag, wipe the treated area with a moist towel, don’t miss any spots as the alcohol can cause fading.

Stubborn (organic) stains:

–first option you have is to use a high strength stain remover, in this case it would be commercial grade hardwood floor cleaner, mix the product to a bucket of warm water and treat the stain using a microfiber cloth, don’t forget to wring out the cloth properly before each time you apply it to the floor.

-if the stain is still visible use white vinegar, mix one part undiluted vinegar to two parts cold water and apply the solution to the affected area, remember to wipe the floor using a wet towel after the vinegar treatment.

Heavy staining:

Things like blood, grease and iodine can be a problem to remove from your hardwood floors, so you need something stronger.

-mix equal parts of ammonia and water and stir well, apply the solution to the stain and repeat the process as many times as necessary to get the desired result, remove traces of ammonia by going over the treated area with cloth damped in fresh water.

Interior blinds are stylish, functional and quite hard to clean. Most people will have hard time cleaning the blinds properly as the task itself seems quite tricky and time consuming and it’s always easier to call a professional service. Having said this, dirty blinds are not an option as they will affect the overall level of interior hygiene. Here are a few easy ways to clean the blinds quickly and without too much effort. Those tips came from some of the most professional cleaners in London.

Greasy blinds

Blinds in the kitchen and certain other areas around the house will accumulate a fair bit of grease residue from cooking fumes, the residue will cause the blinds to look dull and old, and if the blinds have also been exposed to cigarette smoke then staining will be quite heavy.

Aluminium:

–remove the blind from the window, if the blind fits place it in your bath tub for more cleaning convenience, clean the thing using a water and ammonia solution, optionally fill the bathtub with hot water and wash the blinds using dishwashing liquid and / or baking soda.

Fabric:

–take down the blinds, spread them out on large towels or relatively clean drop sheets if you have such handy, mix together water and mild detergent, apply the solution carefully with a small, soft bristled brush, if the blind is large then use a larger soft bristle brush, remember you are cleaning a greasy stain so wash your brush thoroughly every two or three uses, wash one side of the blind then turn it over one eighty to do the other side.

Wooden:

–it is not recommended to wash wooden blinds, instead remove them from the window, wipe them with a moist rag and clean them using lemon oil.

Dirty & dusty blinds:

Aluminium:

–mix fresh water with mild detergent in a spray bottle, uniformly apply the solution to the blind, wipe down the blind using a damp rag, alternatively soak the blinds in a bathtub full of warm water and mild detergent, use the shower to rinse the blinds.

Fabric:

–dust and wipe the blinds as often as possible, you can also use a vacuum cleaner, though make sure the vacuum brush is free of fluff, cobwebs and dust balls.

Wooden:

–vacuum blinds thoroughly as often as possible, treat cleaned blinds with lemon oil for longer lasting hygiene.

Large sized blinds may be difficult to remove from the window, so get an extra pair of hands to help you, if not consider cleaning them on the spot.

Vinyl floorings have become more and more popular. Homeowners are often opting on placing vinyl flooring in their kitchens and bathrooms due to the fact that vinyl is a wet-proof material that is very resilient and highly affordable. Another advantage that vinyl has over the other flooring materials is that it is an easy to clean and maintain material.

The easiest way to maintain a vinyl floor in clean and good condition is to vacuum or sweep it regularly. Cleaning experts say that vinyl floors should be vacuumed or swept at least once a day because the accumulated small stones and pieces of dirt may damage the vinyl when they are spread around by the foot traffic.

Also every now and then you must mop a vinyl floor with a homemade cleaning solution that is made out of equal parts of hot water and vinegar or ammonia. The reason why you must use this homemade cleaning detergent and not a commercial one is that commercial detergents may damage the vinyl surface and leave sticky residue behind.

Heavily soiled vinyl floors can also be cleaned with a homemade remedy. Simply mix hot water and a small amount of dish soap in a bucket and then mop the floor while you are concentrating on the heavily soiled areas of the floor. Once the floor is mopped thoroughly allow the cleaning solution to sit for several minutes to loosen any harden particles and then simply rinse the floor with clean water.

Wax buildups can be removed easily with a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water. The proportions of the mixture should be one part alcohol to three parts of hot water. Once the mixture is ready, dip your mop or a sponge into it and start scrubbing the wax buildups.

Scuff marks can be rubbed away by dampening a soft clean cloth in lighter fluid or paint thinner. Once the marks are removed you should rinse the treated areas with hot water to remove any excess of the lighter fluid or paint thinner.

Vinyl floors that are stained with resilient stains can be easily cleaned with a mixture of bleach and hot water. You must simply soak a rag into the mixture and leave it to sit over the stains before you mop them. Once the stains are removed you can end the stain removing process by washing the floor with hot water.

Amazingly recent studies show that one of the most neglected household items in terms of cleaning is the medicine cabinet. These same studies show that a vast majority of people don’t clean their cabinets because they believe that they don’t accumulate dust and dirt. The thing that these people don’t realize is that medicine cabinets just like bathroom or kitchen cabinets do accumulate harmful particles, meaning that they do require as constant cleaning as any other type of cabinetry. If you are one of these people who rarely clean their medicine cabinet, keep reading because we will turn your attention on a quick tutorial that will allow you to quickly and efficient clean your medicine cabinet.

Always commence the medicine cabinet cleaning by removing all the medicaments from it. If the shelves of your cabinet are removal, remove them as well. Next get an all-purpose cleaning detergent and mix it with water. Apply the mixture on the inside and outside of the medicine cabinet. While you are allowing the cleaning solution to sit, clean the shelves of your cabinet in the same manner with which you cleaned the interior and exterior of your medicine cabinet.

Continue the cleaning by drying the shelves, inside and outside of the medicine cabinet. Before you place the shelves in place, conduct a final checkup to see that all the dust, stains and spots are removed. Now place the cabinet shelves in place and commence rearranging your medicaments in the cabinet.

While you are rearranging your medicine in the cabinet check the expiration date of each medicament. Set aside all medicaments which are out of date. You won’t need these medicaments so why allow them to take valuable space in your medicine cabinet. Even more why take the risk of somebody taking some of these medicaments and causing to himself more harm than good. However do not dispose of the expired medicine by throwing them into the trash. Instead read the disposal guidelines of each medicament and follow the recommended procedure to the letter.

Now that you have arrange your medicaments into your medicine cabinet, and disposed of all out of date medicine, finish the cleaning process by wiping clean the mirror of your medicine cabinet. Sprinkle some common window cleaner on the mirror and wipe it clean with a soft paper towel. Make sure that all water marks are removed before you call it a day. Go to Cleaning Services London website for more cleaning tips and don’t forget to visit us again.

Keeping the kitchen, bathroom and toilet clean and sanitised is necessary, but takes a decent amount of effort, time and resources. Sometimes people even have to use specialized services like end of tenancy cleaning London because of the overwhelming tasks involved in something as trivial as cleaning. This is made even more difficult if you have a bunch of other things to deal with. In such situations you need some useful cleaning advice and easy-to-follow cleaning plan.

In the kitchen

–Be systematic and start the cleaning process from one end of the kitchen and make your way clockwise or anticlockwise whichever you prefer; don’t clean here and there and don’t skip through chores as your results will turn out patchy.

-Pay enough cleaning attention to the kitchen sink – the sink is arguably the dirtiest spot in the kitchen, the average kitchen sink has more germs and bacteria growing on it than most toilet seats, keep that in mind and give it a good clean. If necessary, use a specially formulated antibacterial cleaning product (EPA disinfectants).

-The dishwasher is an appliance that needs a good clean too, run an empty (or self-cleaning) cycle adding a cup of undiluted bleach; you can also scrub the interior walls of the dishwasher with some baking soda to remove grime and slime built up in corners and gaps.

–Cleaning the oven has always been a dreaded but necessary cleaning chore, in order to keep the appliance relatively neat and easier to clean, place a non-stick oven liner on the oven bottom. The liner is easily removed and washed separately in the dishwasher.

-Don’t forget to disinfect and deodorise the kitchen rubbish bin, it is also one of the dirtiest and smelliest spots in the average kitchen.

In the wet rooms

-Mould growing on shower curtains is a common nuisance for many people. Stick the curtain in the washing machine with a few towels and run a full cycle, perhaps add a tiny bit of bleach. Mould should wash off easily.

-Use citric acid as a good alternative to strong solvents and aggressive chlorine cleaners used in the toilet. Citric acid will work quite well when you need to clean the toilet bowl and seat, plus the solution is nontoxic – important for people who keep pet animals.

–Always clean out drains in the toilet and bathroom, if necessary use a strong unclogging product but do the job right as when drains become clogged you have a potential bacterial disaster on your hands. Pour hot water down drains every few days so you don’t have to clean them chemically every week.

By:Cleaners Bromley

People have access to a vast variety of cleaning products and materials for almost any cleaning job around the home. There is also the option to prepare one’s own cleaning solution, specially formulated for the task at hand. Before choosing how to clean your place, and what products to use, consider some of the following information.

Bleach

Bleach is an excellent disinfectant that can be used on many surfaces and materials. When using bleach remember that many surfaces do not need disinfecting at all as they are cleaned effectively using normal strength detergents. Bleach is also quite harsh on certain natural stone materials like marble.

Lemon juice and vinegar

A proven and effective cleaning solution, lemon juice and/or vinegar will kill off most bacteria and eradicate mould from different surfaces, but this solution will not kill off viruses such as flu or chickenpox. To kill viruses lingering in your home you need an EPA grade disinfectant.

The laundry

When doing the washing, many people use the cold water setting on their machine and add bleach for extra washing power and brighter colours. Indeed using cold water will save some power, but adding bleach will only get you so far. Hot water on the other hand kills off many germs, bacteria and dust mites, combine hot water washing with a small amount of bleach and your washing results will improve greatly.

The inside of the washing machine

Most people will think the inside of their washing machine is quite a clean spot. Yes but no, germs and bacteria from clothing can cling to the interior of your washing machine and they usually do. Run an empty cycle on hot water setting, add half a cup (or a full cup) of undiluted bleach and that’s it, run a low water cycle.

Carpet Cleaning Manchester

Vacuuming the carpet

Contrary to common belief, frequent vacuuming will not ruin the carpet’s good looks and comfort properties. In fact, frequent vacuuming will prolong the life of your carpets and keep them looking better. Grit, dirt and hard particles are abrasive and will be driven further into the carpet through foot traffic which means regular vacuuming is the only way to protect the carpet.

A different product for each surface

There is a different cleaning product for each surface these days, though many times using as specially formulated cleaning product is unnecessary. Many surfaces aren’t as germy as they are made to be, and an all-purpose cleaner will be more than enough.