Do you want to get your spring cleaning done quickly?Or,do you loathe both performing and spending the time doing deep cleaning duties inside your home? Well, for those of you who need help with those spring deep cleaning duties you can always call Minch—one of the premier cleaning companies in Bucks County! However, those who would rather do it themselves can consider these 3 spring cleaning tips to get the job done fast!
Tip #1 – Make Sure You Have The Right Cleaning Agent & Tools
There is no denying that your carpets absorbed their fair share of dirt and germs during the fall and winter seasons. Therefore, finding both the right shampoo and carpet cleaner will be ideal to save you some time when it comes time to clean your carpets.
How can you find out which products work the best?
Aside from checking out reviews for cleaning agents and carpet cleaners, another thing that you can do is test how well a cleaning agent and machine will work on your carpets. Also, you should make sure that you are using everything correctly. Make it a priority to read the directions on how to operate the carpet cleaner as well as what is in the cleaning agent. If you are using everything properly, it will lead to a less frustrating process for when it comes time to actually perform your spring cleaning duties.
Tip #2 – Don’t Spend Your Time Moving Every Little Piece Of Furniture, It’s Just Not Necessary
Some people might think otherwise, but for those looking for quick spring cleaning tips will feel right at home with this one. Instead of spending your time moving every piece of furniture out of the room, move your furniture and objects left to right and side to die. There is simply no reason to remove the contents of an entire room unless you really want to. Moving things ever so slightly in order to reach those nooks and crannies should suffice for those who want to get the vacuuming done quickly.
Tip #3 – Keep Up With Minor Cleaning Duties Consistently!
This might seem like a no-brainer, but keeping up with those spring cleaning duties at all times of the year will make them much faster to do when late March comes. Also, there is nothing better than the “clean as you go” mentality. For instance, instead of neglecting to clean your oven or microwave after a couple full months of use, take a few minutes to wipe them down each week.
Of course those looking for cleaning services in Bucks County, PA can also call us here at Minch to perform any spring cleaning duties! If you would like to hear more about what we can do for your home, as well as what our deep cleans entail, please reach out to us today!
While you have been spending money on a variety of cleaning chemicals, you have had an inexpensive, yet powerful, tool sitting seldom used in your refrigerator’s fruit drawer. That lemon you keep around to spruce up a cup of tea is more than just a few drops of juice. Our expert cleaners have explained how you can use that tart fruit to make your house cleaner.
Microwave: These appliances are prone to stains and odors that never seem to go away no matter what you do. Fortunately, lemons will not only provide it with a fresh scent, but also the oils in it will loosen any build ups. All you need to do to activate this powerful cleaning agent is squeeze half a lemon into a bowl of water and cook it for three to five minutes at the highest power level.
Cutting Board: Over time, your cutting board will get stained by the foods on it and absorb their odors. While you could spend hours trying to work them out with dish soap, a lemon can make it a much faster process. Begin by spreading salt across the top of the cutting board. Next, using half of a lemon, work the juice into the board as you scrub the fruit across it.
Toilet: With water sitting there at all times, you are sure to have noticed at one time or another that a ring will occasionally form in the bowl. If you cannot wait for our cleaning company in Bucks Company to wash it, you can use half a lemon and some salt. Squeeze the fruit and sprinkle the salt around the toilet and then scrub it down with a brush.
Garbage Disposal:Now that you have used every drop of juice you can get out of the lemon, it is useless, right? Wrong, it still has some cleaning attributes left in it! When you are done cleaning with the lemon, drop it in your garbage disposal and let it go to work. The fruit will deodorize and help sanitize the disposal and its blades.
Another perk of lemons is that while they sit in the refrigerator between uses they will freshen up the unit. Between the acidity in the juice and grease cutting oils in the rind, the lemon is a secret weapon in the arsenal of many cleaning companies throughout Bucks County.
Whether it is a leather couch in your living room or office, you want to make sure the elegant piece of furniture maintains its aesthetics. While you could hire a janitorial service in Bucks County to have it professionally cleaned, that may not be within your budget. Attempting to clean the delicate material can be a worrisome task as you do not want to damage or stain the leather. Since it is porous, it can absorb certain products, such as bleach or ammonia, and lead to discoloration and deterioration. To keep your couch looking its best, our professional cleaners have recommended the safest way to clean the leather.
Vacuum: Using the soft brush attachment of your vacuum, go over the entire piece, making sure you get into all of the crevices. It is imperative to remove all of the dust and dirt to ensure you do not rub it into the material during the rest of the cleaning.
Solution: To make an environmentally friendly solution, you can mix one part water with one part white vinegar. You can also mix a small amount of commercial leather cleaner with water to make an effective solution as well.
Clean: Start the process by submerging a microfiber cloth in the solution and wring it out to leave the rag damp. When wiping the couch, work top to bottom and regularly rinse the cloth in the mixture to prevent the spread of dirt.
Drying: You should gently rub a clean towel over the couch to safely dry the leather. Always avoid using a blow dryer as it can dehydrate the leather and lead to it cracking.
Conditioning: For the best results, you can make a mixture that is two parts flaxseed oil and one part white vinegar. When applying the solution, use a soft cloth and rub it in a circular motion. Once it has been applied, allow it to sit overnight.
Buff: The next day, use a clean towel to restore the leather’s luster and brush out the circular pattern that may have been left behind.
Once the couch has been thoroughly cleaned, be sure to dust and vacuum it every week to maintain the material between cleanings. If there are stubborn stains, call Minch Professional Cleaning Services, a prominent name in janitorial cleaning services in Bucks County, to have the blemishes safely removed.
So you just bought the best vacuum cleaner on the market and now that you went over the carpet, it is time to put it away, right? While you could keep it in the closet and let it collect dust until the next time you vacuum, there are plenty of other uses for these devices. As it turns out, there is a purpose for all of those attachments that came with the vacuum.
While dusting will remove a large portion of the dust, it will also push the debris around leaving some behind. Since vacuums suck up the dirt rather than pushing it around, they can provide a deeper clean. Here are some secret vacuuming tricks that cleaning companies in Bucks County use to get the most out of your vacuum.
Ceiling fans seem to be magnets for dust, no matter how long it has been since their last use. Many people will want to clean them with a duster, but one swipe is likely send the dust into the air and onto the walls and carpet. Instead, grab an attachment with an angled head and vacuum each blade to stop the spread of dust. When going to wash or paint the walls, after wiping them down, go over the area with any attachment to remove the dirt the cloth missed.
Bookshelves and drawers are also notorious for collecting grime and various debris. To quickly and effectively clean these areas, use the narrow crevice attachment to get in the tight corners of these areas. You can keep this attachment on to remove all the crumbs out of a trash can without having to reach in there yourself. You can use the crevice or soft brush attachment to clean the dust out of humidifier vents to increase the air quality in your house. The same attachments can be used to remove the built-up dust from the coils behind a refrigerator to maximize its efficiency.
Many people neglect to clean their mattress and think that cleaning their sheets is enough. The bed can be covered in dead skin, dust mites, and other dirt that a quick dusting would miss. Whenever you wash the sheets, take a minute to vacuum the mattress, box spring, and pillows.
Now that you are armed with these tips, you are ready to get the most from your investment and prevent it from becoming something that sits around collecting dust. If you do not have one the best vacuum cleaners and are looking for house cleaning companies in Bucks County, give us a call today to get a free quote today.
With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, you are probably thinking about giving your oven a good cleaning before cooking a feast in there. While you may be tempted to use your oven’s self-cleaning function, we recommend that you avoid using it as they can lead to it breaking and your oven needing more than just a good cleaning. Another option would be to use powerful chemicals to eat through the grime. They will get the job done, but you will have to be sure to get all of cleaning agent out as lingering residue could ultimately be cooked into your next meal. With over 25 years of providing house cleaning to Buck County residents, our preferred way of cleaning an oven is by using products you already have in the kitchen.
For the process, all you will need is baking soda, white vinegar, water, and a dirty oven. Before starting, you will want to remove all accessories from the oven, so there are no obstructions. Next, you will need to make the cleaning agent. It requires a half cup of baking soda and a couple of tablespoons of water. Once they have been mixed into a spreadable paste, you are ready to coat the interior of the oven with the mixture. Be sure to rub the pasty mixture into the grime and avoid coating the heating element as that will likely damage the unit. After the oven is completely covered, let the paste sit overnight or for at least 12 hours.
Once the appropriate time has passed, the oven is ready for the next step. With a damp cloth, you can start removing the dried mixture. To make sure that you get all of the baking soda out, spray some white vinegar on the leftover baking soda. The vinegar will cause the mixture to foam into an easily removable substance. After removing all of the mixture, go over the area with a cloth dampened with some of the vinegar to give it a final once over and get it shining. Now you can put all of your accessories back in the oven.
As one last tip to get your house smelling great, pour two tablespoons of vanilla extract into a skillet and then place it in your newly cleaned oven. With the oven set at 300 degrees, let it bake in there for an hour. After about twenty minutes, you will notice a delicious scent filling your house. To have your oven and the rest of your house cleaned, contact one of the cleaning companies in Buck County.
With everyone enjoying the outdoors during the summer, they are sure to have tracked some dirt onto the family couch at one point or another. Cleaning up these messes can be a difficult task with the variety of cleaning products out on the market, the material of the upholstery, and what caused the stain. Improper cleaning can lead to worsening the stain or ruining the furniture altogether. Here is a list of tips to follow to give you a better understanding of proper fabric cleaning procedures when you take on your next house cleaning in the Princeton area.
Preparation:
Before you start, remove the cushions and decorative covers. Next you will want to vacuum all areas of the furniture to make sure there is no dirt that will be spread during the washing process.
Investigate:
Find out what caused the stain. If it was caused by food, drinks or dirt, steaming cleaning will most likely get the stains out. If caused by an oil-based element, you will need to purchase chemical-based cleaners. Next you will want to find the tag on the furniture to find out what cleaning method the company recommends using. Tags that read “W” it means you can use water-based products without damaging the fabric. An “S” means you will need a water-free solvent, which if not used properly may cause further damage. If the tag has “WS,” “SW,” or “X” on it, we recommend having one of our professionals take care of the stain as there is a greater degree of risk involved in the cleaning process.
Cleaning:
Now that you have identified the type of stain and the best way to attack it, you can finally get to work. For the easier to remove stains, you can rent or buy a steam cleaner that will lift the markings out with ease. If you have to use chemicals to treat the areas, be sure to test it in a hidden area first to make sure you do not add to the problem. After the stains have been lifted, make sure to let it completely dry before returning the cushions to the couch.
While cleaning upholstery may seem like a simple thing to do, there are many factors that go into it. If you are leery of doing the process yourself and looking at house cleaning companies in Princeton, give the experts at Minch Professional Cleaning Services a call today.
Halloween is a time when people start putting up spooky decorations and faux spider-webs to create that haunted atmosphere. You should not have to worry about real cobwebs when you are putting up the fake ones. Not only are the real webs an eyesore, but they are, or once were, the home to an eight-legged intruder.
Along with wanting the peace of mind that you will not find a spider dangling over you while you sleep, there are other reasons to take down these nests. Since the webs are incredibly sticky, as anyone who has ever walked through one will tell you, the silk will trap pollen, dust, and the remains of the spider’s last meal. They also are a fire threat as the web is very flammable. For those doing some house cleaning in Bucks County, here are tips on how to get rid of those pesky cobwebs.
Do Research
Although it is unlikely, before you begin cleaning make sure that the spider in your house is not poisonous. If it is one of the few poisonous spiders of known to live in the area, it is recommended that you contact an exterminator before proceeding.
Clean the Walls
The first step to creating spider-free house is to remove all the existing webs. Begin by using either the extension nozzle on a vacuum or a duster to remove the silk from the walls. Next you should scrub down the areas where a nest was to ensure there are no remnants.
Furniture Polish with Lemon
Two interesting facts about spiders: their taste-buds are on their feet; they do not like citrus flavors. After you have finished cleaning the webs off the wall, wipe the area down with furniture polish that contains lemon oil. In doing so, you will help deter spiders from returning to those problems areas.
Spider Patrol
After removing their homes, it is important to make sure that these pests are not still wandering about your home. You should also make sure there are no other insects dwelling in the house, as these are what attracted the spiders in the first place. Cutting off their food supply and you will stop the influx of spiders.
Defense
Now that the spiders have been removed from the house, it is time to keep them out. You should seal off any cracks or openings in the doors and windows to prevent the spiders from walking in as the temperatures begin to drop.
If you follow these steps, the only cobwebs you will be cleaning up in the future are the ones you put up. For homeowners with arachnophobia that are looking at house cleaning services in Princeton to do the dirty work, give us a call today.
How to spring clean in easy steps. My house is usually tidy, but I hate to think of the smudged windows and dusty corners. So this month, my focus around here (my house) is going to be spring cleaning. It needs done baby!
I thought I would share how to spring clean in easy steps, after all, it looks like a big job! There are two ways to do this.
A. You can clean one room at a time, or
B. You can accomplish one chore at a time.
This year I am going with one chore at a time. I don’t have many full days at home, so the idea of having several smaller jobs to do, verses one huge job at a time, sounds much better. I’m making a check list (did you know that you can print this page? look at the bottom for a green button) of each job and plan to share once a week how things are coming.
How to spring clean in easy steps:
Find a large box or two, three, four, how many-ever you think you will need. These are your donate/garage sale boxes. Trust me, you will need them!
Clean out all closets. They tend to be the worst and it feels really good to see open areas in formerly full closets. Stop by next week and I will talk a little more about cleaning out closets.
Clean all light fixtures and ceiling fans. Unless you have a crazy huge chandelier this is a fairly quick job and clean lights make the room much brighter.
Take down all washable curtains and window hangings. If they are not washable, consider a dry cleaner, hanging them on a line, or putting in the dryer to fluff. (no heat) If your window treatments are too big/heavy to take down, put a soft brush on your sweeper hose and gently sweep. Always read the care tags on window treatments.
Wash your windows and dust or wipe down any blinds or shades you may have hanging. A soft brush on your sweeper hose works great for this as well. Once your windows are clean, even more light can come in and it’s just makes the house look great!
Dust your walls. This is fast and simple with a dusting swiffer that you use on your hard floors. Use this time to dust all hanging wall decor, photos, paintings, etc.
Furniture. Sweep couches, dust headboards, desks, entertainment centers, bookcases, end tables. Wipe down your kitchen table and chairs as well as the formal dining table if you have one. Use this time to organize your desk. If you have a crafting center, organize it as well. If you have bed-skirts, use this time to wash them (always read care tags first!) and also sweep your mattress. Your mattress can hold a lot of dirt and dust.
Kitchen: clean out refrigerator, stove, sinks and dishwasher. Pull everything off counters and wipe them and the back splash down with soapy water.
Clean out kitchen cupboards. For me, this is a huge job. Probably a day by itself. But they are very dirty, (big job remember?) so they will get done. One at a time, everything comes out, the inside is wiped down and everything goes back in. At the end all cabinet fronts get washed down, with soapy water. My pantry gets included in on this job. If you have a space above your top cupboards take everything down and clean the tops as well.
Floors: If you can, pull out furniture and sweep behind it. Use a hose and sweep around the edges of the room.
Bathrooms: Tub, shower, sink, toilet and cupboards. Use this time to go through your medicine cabinet and throw out all expired medications. Here is a wonderful detailed list for cleaning your bathroom.
Laundry area: Wipe off tops of washer and dryer, use a vacuum and sweep out your dryer vent and behind both washer and dryer if possible.
Keep in mind while you are cleaning, if you find something you forgot you had, toss it into one of your boxes; if you forgot you had it, you won’t miss it!
Toys, Let the the kids help with this one. Mom kept and still keeps for the younger ones, a box for donate items. Explain to your kids that some children don’t have any toys to play with. Let them go through and pull out items they no longer play with, to donate.
And it’s springtime. Time to pull out those summer clothes, try to find some that actually fit, (lol) and put the winter ones up. Make this fall’s job easier by donating clothes you no longer wear. For kids, chances are, they won’t be able to wear the stuff this fall, so store for another kid or get rid of them.
Finally, gather all your boxes up and deliver to the nearest GW, or thrift store.
It’s still a big job. And considering the time I have, it will likely take me all month. But being able to spring clean in easy steps rather than seeing a huge job, always helps me stay motivated. That and I really like checking things off my list!
Do you spring clean in easy steps? Or do you like to tackle all-day jobs?
Did you know that you are supposed to clean your washing machine? I know, it sounds kind of counter-intuitive. When I first heard “washing” my washing machine I thought it was a little silly. Afterall, I put soap in it to clean my laundry! Then I went to take a look at my washing machine to see if it really needed to be clean…Ewww. I was so grossed out. I even tried to rub it off and realized that is is some waxy build up from who knows when.
And my little bleach spout!? Ick. Ick. I just have no words. I never even realized how gross my washing machine was! After I got over my heeby-geebies I decided it was time for me to clean my washing machine. I found this awesome tutorial over at One Good Thing by Jillee. I tweaked it a little to make it fit my needs. {*Note: this is for top loading washing machines.}
Here’s what you need:
2 cups bleach
2 cups white vinegar
microfiber cloth
Start by filling your washing machine with hot water. Set the dials to the biggest load and hottest setting and let it fill up. Then pour 2 cups of bleach into the water. Close the lid for about 1 minute and let the water agitate/get all mixed up.
Then let the bleach water sit for about 1 hour. {My washer has a timer built in so it started draining after about 2o minutes. I just reset the dial to the beginning of the cycle so it had another 20 minutes.} After the hour is up, run the washer through a cycle.
After the cycle is complete, fill your washer with hot water again. This time, pour the 2 cups of white vinegar into the water. Again, mix up the water by closing the lid for 1 minute. Let it sit for another hour.
Please note how disgustingly cloudy my water was because my washer was so dirty! Yuck.
I then took a sponge, and dipping it in the vinegar mixture, wiped down the lid, dials, and dispensers. {Vinegar has amazing cleaning powers and helped make everything sparkly clean!}
After an hour of letting the vinegar water sit, run your washer through another cycle.
Then use a microfiber cloth to scrub, wipe, and buff away any grime inside your washer drum. {Trust me… a regular sponge won’t work. I tried. The waxy grime didn’t want to come off with a sponge… but it came off like a dream with a microfiber cloth!}
And now my washing machine sparkles! And I don’t have to worry about all that grimy nasty stuff getting on our clothes.
Most manufacturers say to do this is at least twice a year. Some say that you should do it as regularly as once a month. Hooray for no more stranger’s grimy-ness!
Have you ever cleaned your washing machine? Have you ever thought of cleaning it? Hmm… now I’m wondering if I need to wash my dish washer…
The smell of the delicious pineapple glazed ham fills the house. Don’t forget to grab the biscuits out of the oven before they burn. The table is covered with warm delightful dishes of food you have been preparing all day. The table is set with your very best dishware and china. Everything is ready. Then you walk back into the kitchen and it hits you. Oh look at this mess! As wonderful as everything looks and smells, you realize it will not be as wonderful cleaning up the mess. Ideally a cleaning service would come in and take care of that for you, but in case that is not an option we want to give you a few tips to help you out.
Here are a few steps to help keep things in order as you go:
– Keep the refrigerator cleaned out as you go
– Keep the sink filled with warm soapy water
– Clean up each station as you go
– Try to cook cleanly
– Keep a dish towel on you at all times
– Use any wait/down time to clean up anything you haven’t got to yet
– Clear out the clutter
– Run the dishwasher as often as needed
No one wants to spend their holiday evening cleaning up. Try to keep up with the mess as you cook. Then you will be able to sit down and enjoy the yummy baked apple pie with your loved ones!
{*Note: this is for top loading washing machines.}