• By JohnnieM

Do You Need Deep Or Regular Cleaning?

Before calling a cleaning company to request a cleaning service, you need to know the differences between deep cleaning and standard cleaning, as they are different.

What makes standard cleaning different?

Once you request a service and choose regular cleaning, the service you receive consists of simple cleaning tasks. Standard cleaning services usually cost less. But routine cleaning focuses on maintaining the layout of your home or office and is based on a schedule. The schedule varies depending on your needs. For example, an office building may need cleaning only once every two weeks or months.
Some of the things that standard cleaning involves are:

• Dusting surfaces – this includes all lighting, windows and appliances.
• Cleaning and disinfection of bathrooms, office premises, rooms, etc.
• Removal of unwanted bacteria from surfaces prone to moisture accumulation.

What distinguishes deep cleaning?

Deep cleaning pays more attention to detail than standard cleaning. The cleaners will complete a more extensive list of tasks performed with a commercial building or home to keep the environment clean for workers and families during deep cleaning,

While doing deep cleaning, professional cleaners focus on wiping each surface twice and ensure that they have disinfected everything within walking distance and hand grips. Remember that deep cleanings cost more, but they also pay more attention to cleaning details than standard cleaning procedures.

When should you perform deep clean?

Each situation is unique, and the best time to thoroughly clean is when a new season begins. We recommend doing a deep cleaning once every six months to a year.

Three weeks ago, our friends’ family called us to say they would come and see us. Since they lived in another city, we were glad that their arrival was an occasion to have fun and talk. But, the problem was that our home needed to be in better shape. The children, two boys aged 5 and 10, were scattering toys everywhere, there was food in the rooms, dust on the furniture surfaces, and the bathroom also needed attention. This mess made me worried. But we had to act immediately, so I quickly made a list of things we had to do and included everyone at home to do whatever they could.

To avoid wasting your time, I will give you 14 ways to clean your home when you are expecting surprising guests quickly:

1. Focus only on key places in your home.
   Decide which rooms you are more likely to spend some time with guests. Often this will be the kitchen or living room, so focus on those rooms first. Close the doors of all other rooms. You don’t have to think about cleaning the whole house. It is unrealistic and can be overwhelming and exhausting, so you can’t even greet your guests.
2. Get rid of the dishes and wipe the sink.
   The kitchen sink is the place that can make your whole kitchen look dirty and messy. Remove the dishes as one of your first tasks. If they are on the drying rack, place them in the cupboards. If you have a pile still waiting to be washed, put them in the dishwasher to hide them.
3. Focus on the arrangement.
   Take a walk in the main rooms. If there are piles of things you don’t know where to put, take a box and put it in it. Leave it in one of the rooms that your guests will not enter.
4. Empty the bins.
   Emptying the bin will take little time, but it makes a big difference. You don’t want your guests to notice a full or crowded basket. The empty basket makes the room look tidier and does not smell.
5. Open the windows.
   Where possible, open the windows while cleaning. That will make the air in the room fresher when your guests come.
6. Wipe all surfaces.
   Wipe kitchen counter tops and tables by polishing them with a microfibre cloth until you are free of dirt, food and dust. It is the only way to give the room a feeling that everything is clean.
7. Don’t forget the toilet.
   You must clean the toilet before your guests arrive by putting a cleaning gel in the toilet bowl and wiping it with disposable towels or a cloth specially designed for this purpose. If you have more than one toilet, focus on one and ensure your guests are directed to the cleaned toilet if they have to go.
8. Dust.
   You can use a clothes roller on which the dust sticks quickly to remove the accumulated ones in the visible areas. Use this trick when you run out of time.
9. Clean only one room at a time.
   Although you want to clean several rooms simultaneously, this is only sometimes an effective solution. You will lose a lot of valuable time.
10. Light a candle.
    Light a scented candle before your guests arrive. That will make your room smell fantastic. And will also provide a friendly and relaxed atmosphere in your home.
11. Change your clothes.
    After cleaning, change into clean clothes. If you are in a hurry, you may be sweating. Changing clothes will also help you feel fresher when your guests arrive, and they will need to realise that you have cleaned.
12. Don’t apologise for the mess.
    Sometimes it is a habit to immediately apologise for the mess when your guests don’t even think your house is messy. The apology will draw more attention to the topic, and they are more likely to notice imperfections in cleanliness and order.
13. Use your outdoor space
    Weather permitting, direct your guests to the garden or outdoor seating area. Take them outside if it is sunny to enjoy the sun. It has the added benefit for you and your guests. They will only spend as much time indoors, and they will not notice the uncleaned areas in your home.
14. Distract guests with music, TV and food.
    Providing your guests with music to listen to, turning on the TV in the background or serving them a drink with a bit of food will help them relax, feel welcome, and distract them from looking around your room and apartment.

Here are some tips to keep you from panicking when you have unexpected guests. Follow them, and you will be able to welcome your guests in a hospitable and clean home with a calm and friendly smile.

• By JohnnieM

Furniture Cleaning And Polishing

A growing number of households are relying on professional home cleaning, especially to restore the look of wooden furniture. Wood is a classic material for furniture for all rooms, attractive with its solidity and warmth. But for furniture to remain attractive, you must maintain it regularly.

What determines the cleaning of wooden furniture?

Maintenance is specific, depending on whether the furniture is made of natural wood, chipboard, or MDF.
In addition, it is vital whether the furniture’s surface is matte or glossy.
The third factor for the cleaning specifics is the wood’s colour, more precisely, whether it is light or dark. Lightwood is easier to contaminate and requires more time and effort to clean.
Fourth, it is crucial whether the surface of the wood is varnished.

Cleaning of varnished and unvarnished wood surfaces

If the furniture’s surface is varnished, clean it with a dry cloth. Microfibre towels are best.
Use a dry cloth to polish the furniture with unpainted surfaces, and here we recommend microfibre. It is important to clean solid wood furniture in the direction of the wood veins.
For lacquered surfaces, detergents are available. Use them rubbing in and then dry the surface. In the shops, you will also find detergents for cleaning unpainted wooden surfaces in the form of an emulsion. In addition to cleaning, they also polish and form a protective layer that prevents rapid contamination and dusting. If you find it difficult to cope, you can always use the services of cleaning companies, including furniture polishing.

Cleaning of light and dark wood

Use Vaseline or a mixture of vinegar and oil – one teaspoon each – to clean a light wood surface and erase minor scratches. To clean dark furniture, mix one teaspoon of red wine and oil.

Remove stains from wooden furniture

For removing the stains, it is important to know what kind of wood the surface is made of – whether it is hard or soft. Depending on the wood, there are different ways to remove the formed stains. For example, a soap and water solution for stains on MDF surfaces.

The stains of glasses on the table surface are very annoying. To remove them, use a mixture of butter and mayonnaise. One teaspoon mixed with a bit of cigarette ash.

Scratch erasure

If the scratches are light, you can remove them when cleaning with detergents. But over time, more visible scratches or cracks may appear in the wood. To remove them, use beeswax or Vaseline. After treating the surface, polish it with a soft cloth.

Tips for cleaning upholstered furniture at home

Upholstery cleaning is a must for any home. The convenience of this furniture is unquestionable. With the use, upholstery inevitably gets dirty. Cleaning homes with washing upholstered furniture is a good choice.
In the meantime, you can take care of your home’s upholstery with home remedies or using store detergents. This way, the dirt will not accumulate, and the periodic cleaning will be faster and easier.

Specialised cleaning products

It is easiest to buy a special preparation for upholstered furniture from a speciality shop, and you can also find one in the supermarkets. But first, you need to check whether the product, even with the inscription “universal”, will not damage the upholstery material or change colour. Therefore, try on the side part, and if you make sure there is no damage risk, continue cleaning the entire upholstery.

Home cleaners – baking soda, vinegar

With a solution of baking soda, you can successfully clean light dirt. Dissolve a tablespoon of baking soda in a glass of warm water. Add a few tablespoons of vinegar. Once the mixture boils, start applying it to the upholstery. Then wait about 10 seconds, and soak up with a towel. Do not allow the solution to penetrate deeply. With a soda and vinegar solution, you can successfully clean any artificial upholstery.

Cleaning with washing powder

You will need some washing powder and warm water. Pour about 300 ml of warm water and ¼ cup of washing powder, and mix them well to dissolve them. Apply with a towel or sponge on the upholstery, and after about 10 seconds, soak. Finally, clean the solution with a damp cloth and then a dry one.

Drying the upholstery after home washing

We recommend that you dry the upholstery with a hairdryer after washing it at home with baking soda, vinegar, or washing powder so that the solution does not penetrate deep inside.

Suede or velvet upholstery

You can use a solution of water and ammonia to clean such upholstery. Dissolve two tablespoons of ammonia in a litre of cold water. Rub the upholstery with a cloth dipped in the solution and leave it on for about an hour. Then brush with a soft brush and blow-dry.

Risks when cleaning upholstery at home

Washing upholstered furniture at home can cause mould to grow inside and damage the upholstery itself. Consider whether it is worth doing it. Even a one-time cleaning of your upholstered furniture by a professional company is safer and easier. They have experience cleaning all kinds of upholstery and various cleaning products.

• By JohnnieM

Top Three Summer Cleaning Challenges

Every season brings its own peculiar challenges, and summer is no different. And while all you may want to do is sit on the sofa in your comfy, air-conditioned living room, the chores always lurk in the background.

Here are the top three cleaning challenges you deal with during the summer months.

More dust

Over the last few years, summers have been scorching and dry, resulting in more dust in the air. Compared to the more humid spring and autumn months, you might want to reconsider the weekly vacuuming routine and pump it up at least two times. Also, more dust tends to accumulate on your windows, so we suggest you wash them at least once per month (or hire a professional to do it for you.)

More bugs

If you live near one of London’s great parks or open spaces, you cannot fail but notice the increase in insects flying around. They will stick to your window panes and sills, door frames, and the entire exterior of your house. Our suggestion – wait until late August or early September and then remove the dead bugs all at once.

More outdoor activities

Who doesn’t like the long summer evening walks? And what is more natural than your kids coming home with grass and dirt stains all over their T-shirts and shorts? Besides, we sweat much more during the summer, even if we just have to go for some groceries. 

Bottom line – prepare for significantly more laundry. The good thing is it will dry much faster in the heat!