With the rise of COVID-19, there’s a greater awareness of the need for cleanliness, and increased demand for quality house cleaning companies in Doylestown, PA. However, not everyone is clear on the distinction between these crucial steps to making sure your home is safe.
When looking to keep your home clean, it’s essential to recognize that “clean” can mean many different things, depending on how you’re thinking about it. That’s why it’s important to have a solid understanding of all three steps to a safe and healthy home: cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting.
What’s the Difference?
When talking about “cleaning,” people rarely specify how they’re actually cleaning a surface, which can lead to a false sense of security.
When your home is “clean” in the technical sense, it just means there’s no dirt on the surfaces. This could mean tidying up, dusting shelves, or wiping down countertops so that they have the general look of being pristine.
However, if a surface is “clean,” that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s clear of germs and viruses. Reducing the presence of pathogens is only possible through sanitizing and disinfecting the surfaces.
Which Should I Use?
Sanitizing a surface can be just as appropriate as disinfecting a surface, but they have very different purposes.
When you sanitize a surface, it means you’re reducing the number of germs on the surface to a safer level, according to public guidelines. The bacteria can still be present, but there’s less of a chance that someone will become sick if they touch it. Due to this thinning of bacteria, it’s typically better to sanitize surfaces that aren’t going to see a lot of bacterial buildup.
Disinfection, by contrast, involves using chemicals that kill both bacteria and viruses. It’s the “nuclear option” of your cleaning arsenal and requires you to use an EPA-certified chemical to eliminate the presence of all potential pathogens.
Cleaning is still a vital part of this process, though; debris and dust can make disinfection and sanitizing solutions less effective by giving germs a place to hide from the destructive chemicals.
The Importance of Proper Disinfection
Disinfection is the step that will provide the most protection against both bacteria and viruses, but that doesn’t mean that you should apply it uniformly throughout your home. It may be counter-intuitive, but the improper use of disinfectants can actually lead to the creation of superbugs and a false sense of security.
Generally speaking, disinfectants should be used in areas of the homes where there is a high concentration of pathogens that can make you sick, like on food preparation surfaces, in the bathroom, and other hard surfaces. Proper disinfection requires you to follow the instructions on the container, with some products requiring you to keep a surface visibly wet for up to five minutes or more!
Failing to follow these instructions, or using disinfectants on the wrong kinds of surfaces can lead to illness-causing organisms remaining on the surface and mutating. Using strong disinfectants on your floor as part of your weekly cleaning routine, for example, may make you feel better in the short term, but could actually lead to an increased risk of infection either through a small section of floor that dried too quickly or because the bacteria is starting to become resistant to the disinfection technique.
Once you understand the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting a surface, it’s easier to apply the right technique to the right surface. For more tips on cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting your home, or to get a quote from a leading cleaning company in Bucks County, call us today!
Dust is a problem that everyone faces when it comes to cleaning their homes. It’s something that every good cleaning company in Bucks County pays attention to because dust buildup can’t be avoided. It comes from a combination of dead skin cells, old cloth fibers, and other debris that either form within your home or is carried in from outside it.
However, dust can still cause a significant problem for people with allergies. So, what can you do about the dust?
Although it’s impossible to eliminate dust, that doesn’t mean that you can’t reduce its presence in your house. Short of sealing everything in its own plastic bubble, here are some steps to reduce the dust levels in your home:
Use a Doormat
It probably isn’t surprising that dust can come from the outside, but it’s important to have a rough-fiber doormat outside your front door for people to use, even if their shoes aren’t muddy. The reason for this is that any debris on the shoes can quickly become an ingredient in your home’s dust mixture.
Institute a “No Shoes” Policy
Similar to providing a doormat for you or your guests to use, it’s probably better to institute a “no shoe” policy in your home altogether. The reason such a system is effective is that it helps eliminate any debris your doormat couldn’t get to will end up mixed with your home’s air.
The key to a successful “no shoes” policy is to provide a shoe rack for the shoes and a few pairs of slippers that you or guests can use when they enter. This keeps all the potential dust in one area for easy cleaning.
Vacuum Everything
Vacuuming is a useful tool against dust, but many people often mistake swiping a vacuum over a surface for effectively vacuum cleaning the surface.
The most effective use of a vacuum is to run it slowly and smoothly over the surface you’re vacuuming to allow the suction time to pick up the dust particles.
In addition to getting the tempo right, it’s essential to ensure that you’re using the right vacuum attachment for the vacuuming surface. For example, the tool you use for furniture might be different from the tool you use for your bed or drapes. Using one tool interchangeably may feel like the most efficient use of your time, but the reality is that it’s more likely to lead to you kicking up dust rather than eliminating it.
Dust may be unavoidable, but it can still be managed. Minch Professional Cleaning Services, one of the leading house cleaning companies serving Doylestown, PA, and the surrounding area, has the expertise and experience to help you breathe easier in your home. Give us a call today!
“Spring cleaning” is a common term that is thrown around as the seasons change and you begin to dream about the first day of spring. It comes from a long tradition of deep cleaning following the long winter months, when your home has an opportunity to collect dust in the least likely of places.
Spring cleaning may feel like an overwhelming challenge to the modern homeowner. Luckily, as a well-established house cleaning company in Doylestown, PA, the Minch Professional Cleaning Services team has some tips to help make sure that your seasonal deep cleaning leaves your home feeling as fresh as a spring breeze.
Downsize
It’s not uncommon for people to accumulate things they don’t use anymore. You may have had a special occasion to wear that outfit, but you haven’t worn it in months, or maybe you’re holding on to scented candles that people have gifted you over the years, but you haven’t really had a chance to use them.
Whatever the case, spring is often the best time to donate, sell, or otherwise give away possessions that you no longer use and are sources of anxiety more than fond memories.
Some areas that are ripe for downsizing around this time are:
Once you downsize, you’ll likely be able to see where to focus your efforts for the next phase of your spring cleaning: getting rid of the dust.
Dust
Dust collects over the winter for a variety of reasons — there are more people inside, fewer openings to the outside, and dryer conditions can lead to chapped skin — and that means it’s a crucial part of any spring cleaning effort. Wiping away the dust on fans, trapped in cobwebs, or collected on floors should be the first step to getting your home ready for spring.
While these obvious areas should be dusted, spring cleaning should be a time when the less-obvious areas are dusted too. Taking the time to dust crown moldings, baseboards, light fixtures, and windows, for example, will go a long way toward creating a space you feel comfortable living in throughout the spring and summer.
Disinfect
Once you’ve dusted your home, top to bottom, it’s time to sanitize every surface. Sanitizing your home includes the standard things – like floors, countertops, and cabinets – but also windows, doorknobs, and linens. Springtime should be one of those times of the year when you clean curtains, comforters, and pillows; even your mattress should get its turn with a vacuum cleaner to help you start spring off fresh!
To get more tips on how to plan your spring cleaning routine, or to schedule an appointment with an experienced Bucks County cleaning company, give Minch Professional Cleaning Services a call today.
Springtime puts people in the mind of spring cleaning, but deep cleans aren’t limited to seasonal changes. Many of the house cleaning companies in Doylestown, PA, know how to create that feeling that comes with knowing your house is spotless down to the last inch.
Deep cleans are a part of life – they help you feel more comfortable in your home and reduce the presence of dirt and allergens in your home – but that doesn’t mean the process needs to be complicated. Investing in a maintenance program will make deep-cleanings far easier to accomplish.
Here are some tips to make giving your home a deep clean a cinch:
Put Back What You Use
It may sound like something obvious, but many people don’t think about this when getting out of bed or putting dishes in the sink; more often, there’s an assumption that “put back what you use” applies to big things, like the bike you took for a ride, or the seasoning for the Sunday roast you took out.
In reality, this idea applies to all aspects of your life, including:
* Making your bed when you wake up
* Doing your dishes after you cook
* Putting shoes away when you take them off
* Taking dirty laundry to the laundry room
* Folding clean laundry when it’s done
Something as simple as keeping your possessions in their proper places pays off very well when it comes time to give your home a deep clean because it sets the stage for you to work through each of your rooms regularly.
Go Room by Room
You may think that you need to spend your Saturdays cleaning up your house after a week of work and errands to maintain your home in between deep cleanings, but that’s far from the case. Instead, set a schedule throughout the week that allows you to clean up, one room at a time, in short bursts.
Breaking the tasks up into bite-sized chunks not only makes the chore more manageable but also helps make the next deep-cleaning all the easier.
Embrace “Surface Cleanings”
Whether it’s dusting the shelves or wiping down the kitchen counters, taking the time to clean the surfaces of your home will lead to less dust and dirt generally, and reduce the amount of work deep cleaning demands. When going room-to-room throughout your week, pay special attention to the surfaces that collect dust, or are likely to become dirty quickly. Surfaces that become dirty quickly are most frequently found in areas like the kitchen and bathroom, where spills or a bit of toothpaste can cause stains and crusting to occur.
If you want more tips about the best way to maintain your home between deep cleanings or to schedule an appointment with a home cleaning company in Bucks County, call Minch Professional Cleaning Services today.
You might wonder about the way that some house cleaning companies in the Bucks County area manage to make every inch of a home look good as new after cleaning. The trick is to pay attention to the tiniest details, like the grout that helps make the tile in your kitchen and bathroom stand out.
Some people may overlook the lines between their tiles because it’s so common to see things like mold and stains appear there. However, it’s not impossible to make sure that your grout is always looking its best. With the right tools and some elbow grease, it’s not as hard as you think to keep your tiles looking their best.
The Cleanser
Tiles are glazed and are made to withstand water and cleansers, while still looking great. On the other hand, the grout between it is porous and often absorbs what gets spilled on it or provides a great space for mold to grow. This also means that using the wrong cleaner could damage your grout, making the mold and mildew the least of your worries.
Always start with warm water when trying to clean your grouting, and if that works, then there’s no need to turn to harsher chemicals to get the job done. However, sometimes it’s necessary to use things like vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or even bleach in some cases to make your kitchens and bathrooms shine like new again.
As with any cleaning project, it’s best to try out a chemical solution on a section of grout that’s out of sight the first time that you use it.
The Tools
Whenever you’re cleaning, it’s important to have the right tools on hand to get the job done. With grout, you can typically get by with a good bristle brush or a sponge; if you’re using chemicals, using the proper safety precautions like wearing a pair of rubber gloves might be the only thing you have to add.
It’s possible to use other tools to help you in restoring your grout. For example, you can use sandpaper to scrub out the crevices between the tiles, or a portable steam cleaner to get rid of particularly persistent stains.
The Maintenance Plan
As with all things, taking steps to keep dirt from building up in the grouting in your home is the best way to keep it clean. Something as simple as taking time each week to wipe down your grout with a little rubbing alcohol can go a long way towards keeping mold and mildew from growing.
For more tips on how to keep your grout looking great – or schedule an appointment with an expert house cleaning service in Buckingham PA – call Minch Professional Cleaning Services today.
Anyone living near Buckingham, PA, whose house has needed cleaning might have noticed some unsightly webs hanging around their homes. Maybe this is the first time, but it’s far more likely that you’ve seen cobwebs more than once when performing your cleaning routine. In either case, you might be asking yourself: “How do I get rid of cobwebs for good?”
Understandably, you’d rather not see these webs in high-traffic areas where your family spends most of its time. It’s not particularly difficult to get rid of cobwebs when you see them. However, preventing them takes a little more effort.
What is a “Cobweb?”
The first step to preventing a cobweb is understanding where it comes from in the first place. Cobwebs are old, vacant spiderwebs that the occupant has abandoned in search of more food. Using a vacuum or duster to get rid of these old webs solves the problem for the moment, but it doesn’t get rid of the spider that made it and probably just moved to another part of your home.
Dealing with Spiders
Generally, spiders can be seen as helpful creatures: They help control other pests that may be nearby, like cockroaches, flies, mosquitos, moths, and other small creatures. As helpful as spiders might be when it comes to keeping these other pests at bay, you don’t want any of them living in your home.
The good news is that by taking precautions against some of these other pests, the number of spiders that seek shelter in your house will decrease, leaving you with fewer cobwebs crowding your corners.
A Plan for Pest Control
There are many different ways to deal with pests, but the simplest way to keep the number of pests in your home to a minimum is to make sure you remove things they can eat and live in when cleaning your home.
While cleaning, focus on:
* Removing any leftover crumbs in your kitchen
* Getting rid of cardboard boxes where pests make their home
* Reducing clutter to a minimum
* Maintaining a regular vacuuming schedule to avoid dust buildup
Cleaning your house regularly will reduce the chances of pests inviting themselves over. With fewer pests, there will be fewer spiders, and fewer spiders mean fewer cobwebs.
To find out more about how to keep cobwebs from coming back, or would like to get a quote from one of the leading house cleaning companies in Bucks County, give Minch Professional Cleaning Services a call today.
Can you smell the turkey cooking? Thanksgiving is right around the corner! If you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year, you’re probably already scrambling to get your home ready for guests.
At Minch, our cleaning company in Doylestown, PA knows exactly how stressful cleaning for the holidays can be. We’ve created a short checklist you can use to get your home ready with less stress. Cross off each item as you complete it — and enjoy a sparkling Thanksgiving!
* Pick up clothing and clutter off the floor in all rooms.
* Mop the floors in the kitchen.
* Dust and organize the family room and bedrooms.
* Clean the bathtub and toilet in all bathrooms.
* Wipe down your mirrors.
* Use a glass cleaner to remove spots and stains from your windows.
* Refill your bathroom soap dispensers.
* Reduce clutter in the bathroom by removing excess razors, skincare items or other accessories.
* Clear out the fridge and remove any food or beverages that are expired.
Wipe down your kitchen countertops and appliances — especially if you’ll be using them for cooking.
* Scrub down your sink and oven grates.
* Put new bedsheets on guests’ beds.
* Vacuum bedrooms and your family room.
* Finish cleaning any stray dishes and put them away.
* Hang new towels in your bathroom or place them in each guest’s room.
* Line trash cans and take out any remaining trash.
* Enjoy time with family members and friends!
Professional house cleaning companies in Doylestown, PA know that cleaning before the holidays can feel like an impossible task. Not every homeowner has the time to spend days scrubbing and dusting in anticipation of company. At Minch Professional Cleaning Services, we’re proud to handle even the toughest home cleaning tasks — so you can spend more time cooking, eating, and making memories. To schedule your holiday cleaning session, give us a call today.
She’s smart, she’s caring, she’s witty — and she already has everything under the sun. Shopping for the woman who has it all can be a challenge. Instead of buying the amazing woman in your life another scented candle or sweater, consider one of these five fabulous and unique gifts instead.
A new scent. Everyone loves to switch up their scent every now and again! If the woman in your life wears perfume, ask her what she currently wears the next time you see her. Then, choose a fragrance with similar notes for a thoughtful and fun gift!
Waterproof Bluetooth headphones. Bluetooth headphones are convenient, making everything from a ride on the subway to a morning jog more comfortable. Unfortunately, sweat or heavy rain can quickly render even the most expensive pair of Bluetooth headphones obsolete. Waterproof headphones are a practical gift for anyone who loves music, podcasts, or movies!
A new copy of her favorite book. Is your sister’s copy of Milk and Honey practically falling apart? Does your girlfriend re-read Jane Eyre every other month on her Kindle? Consider picking up a new hardcover edition of her favorite book!
A classic, leather-bound journal. A journal is a classic gift for a reason — if you know a woman who loves to plan and create, the right journal can inspire her all year long. Consider picking up a sturdy leather-bound blank journal or notepad that she can take everywhere with her!
A fresh and clean home.House cleaning companies in Doylestown, PA know firsthand that busy women might not always have the time to make their home as organized as they want it. A deep cleaning session from a professional cleaning company is an amazing gift that any woman will love.
Don’t have time to handle all of your holiday cleaning on your own? Let Minch’s cleaning company in Doylestown, PA take care of the tough stuff for you! To make your appointment or learn more, call Minch Professional Cleaning Services today!
Whether you’re running a quality restaurant or you simply wish to keep your kitchen at home up to a certain quality, keeping any kitchen sanitized is practically a full-time job. Regularly used kitchens accumulate filth fairly quickly if not cleaned consistently. In fact, many studies point to kitchens often being consistently more contaminated with harmful bacteria than bathrooms. If that thought makes your stomach churn, then consider these steps and tips to keeping your kitchen up to a higher standard.
Fully sanitize detachable parts and equipment – It’s tempting to cut corners and just give kitchen equipment and refrigerator shelves a quick wipe down with soap or sanitizer, but that alone won’t get the job done. Items need to either be sprayed down with a high-pressure hose or soaked in hot soapy water in order to remove any residue, and it’s necessary to use a hard bristle brush to reach into crevices. If you’re cleaning equipment in a commercial setting, then you should go the extra mile and run your pieces through a high-temperature dishwasher to truly sanitize them. It’s also essential to clean all surfaces of your kitchen, even those high up forgettable shelves, with food-safe disinfectant.
Pay extra attention to your stove – Stovetops accumulate grease quite rapidly and require constant maintenance. The first step you can take is being proactive and preventative while you cook. Whenever any food gets on your stove, make sure to wipe it up immediately so it won’t burn to the surface and become far more difficult to remove afterwards. You should also remove your burner covers, dial knobs, and drip trays and soak them in hot soapy water. Finally, at least once a month you should pull your stove away from the wall and clean behind it with a degreasing agent. If you’re running a commercial kitchen area, then the grease accumulation behind and beneath your stovetop can be the stuff of nightmares, and the amount of regularity it needs to be addressed can be daunting. If you want to keep your kitchen consistently up to a clean standard, then it may be worth looking into commercial cleaning companies in PA.
Clean your sink daily – The kitchen sink is possibly one of the most bacteria-ridden areas of any home or restaurant, which can be uncomfortable to think about when you consider that your dishes and silverware constantly come into contact with it. You should be wiping down the inside of your sink with disinfectant daily. Additionally, if you have a dishwasher, you should use a descaling product to clean out the inside to prevent lime buildup at least once a month.
Whether you’re a novice home cook or a foodservice veteran, it’s easy to overlook details in cleaning your own kitchen, especially when you don’t have the free time to give it your full attention. House cleaning services in Doylestown, PA, can save you the stress of trying to keep your kitchen from falling into subpar sanitary standards and help you rest easy knowing that your food won’t be contaminated from neglect.
Carpet and furniture stains are an unavoidable fact of life. No matter how careful you are, it’s inevitable that there’s a spill right around the corner. Fortunately, there are tricks to clean up after them and minimize the unsightly damage
Red Wine – The classic culprit when we think of terrible carpet stains, and with good reason. Red is just a color that dyes most materials really well, and what’s worse is that the residue left behind by wine can quickly become sticky, smelly, and plain unsanitary. The best course of action is to simply take a sponge and gently dab the affected area to get as much of the liquid out as possible. This will help prevent the stain from getting as bad as it could be, but chances are you’ll want to hire house cleaning services in Doylestown, PA, to save your carpet or furniture from needing a full replacement.
Coffee – One of America’s favorite beverages; coffee and work culture go hand in hand. In fact, studies show that nearly two out of every three American adults drink coffee every day. If your work environment has carpeted floors or furniture, then chances are pretty high that you’ve had your grievances with workplace coffee spills before. Fortunately, cleaning them and preventing a long term stain isn’t too difficult. Simply soak up the coffee with a paper towel and then treat the stain with white vinegar, dish soap, and warm water with a sponge. Of course, if you happen to own a business, then coffee stains might be an unavoidable misfortune for you. Luckily, you can remedy the issue by hiring from a selection of commercial cleaning companies in PA.
Ink – A substance that was meant to stain in the first place can only mean trouble for your carpet or upholstery. Ink stains can occur from mishaps with pens and ink cartridges at home or in the office and aren’t easy to get rid of once they settle in. You can try to use cotton balls and rubbing alcohol to lift the stain, but the result might not be good enough to leave no trace. If that ends up being the case, then you may have to invest in deep cleaning equipment or cleaning services to take care of it.
Tomato – There are so many potential stains when it comes to tomato-based products. Ketchup, pasta sauce, tomato juice, you name it, it’ll leave a big red stain. Luckily while the permanent stain can be a pain, it won’t remain if you treat it immediately. All it really takes is warm water, a sponge, and a slice of lemon. Just apply a generous amount of warm water to the stained area and dab at it with the sponge. Then, rub the stain with a lemon splice and dab it with the sponge again. Repeat the process until the stain is completely gone. If you have a tomato stain that went previously unnoticed or untreated, then you may have to take more thorough deep-cleaning methods.
No matter what the stain, Minch has the tools and knowhow to take care of it. If your home or business needs professional cleaning care, please contact us now!
