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A Squeaky Clean House Is Possible Even With Kids & Pets

October 28, 2016 by Rhonda Gales 3 Comments

I know how important keeping a clean house is. It’s not just about appearances; it’s about how it makes you feel. Spending time in a place that’s a mess can have a big impact on your mood. It can lead to feelings of stress and anxiety. Furthermore, it can make you prone to feeling blue and can even lead to depression. Your messy house can impact your mental health; however, a clean house is possible.

No home is always perfectly organized and clean. Occasionally, the mess will take over. This is especially true when you have kids and pets sharing your home. Kids pull toys out and don’t put them away. They throw food and tread dirt through the house. Pets shed hair here, there and everywhere, and are also culprits of walking mud and dirt into the house. However, just because you share your home with children and pets, doesn’t mean it’s impossible to keep it clean. You just need a good strategy.

Become a minimalist

If you want to make the process of keeping your home tidy a little easier, become a minimalist. This means clearing out anything that you no longer want or need, and ensuring that your home is completely free from clutter.

The best way to go about doing this is to focus on one room at a time and then work through each area of the house. Be ruthless. Anything that hasn’t been used in over two months, you most probably don’t need. You can choose to sell your unwanted stuff, or you can donate it to charity.

Always keep your cleaning supplies stocked. If you don’t have cleaning supplies you can’t have a clean house. It’s as simple as that. So it’s a good idea to stock up on your cleaning items so you can keep your home in shape.

Keep cleaning products that you use regularly stored. Make sure that your cleaning products are out of reach of little fingers or that it has a childproof lock on it.

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Invest in the right cleaning equipment

If you want to keep on top of chores, you need the right equipment. With the right pieces of equipment, having a clean house can be much quicker and easier.

The chances are that you already have a mop, but do you have a steam mop? Steam mops make cleaning so much simpler as there’s no need for a bucket of water or chemicals to clean the floor. All you need is a small amount of water. Steam mops clean with steam that can kill 99 percent of bacteria. Fill them with water, plug them in, and clean the floor using the same motion as you would when vacuuming. You can get six-in-one steam mops that have different head attachments and can be used for all sorts of cleaning. From cleaning the windows to refreshing soft furnishings, and many other areas of the home. If you’re going to invest in a steam cleaner, it’s best to opt for a multifunctional design, so that you can use it for various chores.

A good vacuum cleaner is also a must for keeping your home clean. What is important to remember is that not all vacuum cleaners are equal. Some are better than others. For instance, pet hair vacuum cleaners tend to have better suction and be more durable than normal vacuum cleaners. Plus, if you’ve got pets that spread hair everywhere, they’re ideal for keeping on top of the problem. To learn more about this type of vacuum cleaner, read reviews of the best pet hair vacuum cleaners of 2016 online.

It may also be worth investing in a handheld vacuum to use when you need to quickly vacuum up small messes. The great thing about handheld vacuums is that they’re just as powerful as normal ones but are ideal for spot cleaning.

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Use containers to keep your home tidy

Place containers around your home. Store toys and other odds and ends. This simple step will help keep your home tidier. To make it easier for kids to keep their toys neat, label each container with what belongs in them, such as ‘cars’ and ‘farm animals’. Use pictures if you’re children are too young to read.

Containers can also be used in the kitchen. Containers can be kept in your cupboards as well as the in your fridge. By having labeled containers, not only is it easier to keep things neat and tidy but it’s also easier to know where everything is.

Keep on top of the washing

Make sure you keep on top of the laundry. If you get behind with your washing, it can be a nightmare to catch up with. Having piles of dirty laundry everywhere can make your home look a real mess. Keep all dirty clothes in a laundry bin.

It’s a good idea to have set days a week when you do the washing. This will ensure that you are able to keep on top of all the washing and don’t get behind with it. Have a laundry basket for each family member. Place each member’s folded clothing into their basket. This makes putting the clean laundry away much easier.

Having a clean home when you have kids and pets can sometimes seem impossible, but the truth is it’s not. If you are smart about how you keep on top of a clean house and have a good strategy in place, it doesn’t have to be so much of a struggle.

Is Your Bed Clean Enough

September 27, 2016 by Rhonda Gales 2 Comments

The bedroom is somewhere we like to retreat in search of calm and peace, as well as, rest after a day’s hustle and bustle of life. It should feel like a sanctuary. However, it won’t feel like one until we recreate it. One of the major steps to achieving a sanctuary-like bedroom is proper cleaning. Unfortunately, we clean other parts of our bedroom and forget about some important aspects of the bed. The sheets, pillowcases, and mattress cover may be clean, but what about the pillows, mattress, and the blankets?

Your bed is not clean enough until you have thoroughly dealt with everything on your bed. Of course, some of the items will be cleaned more often than others. The most important thing is to make to make sure you do not forget about them completely. What are some of these items that should not be forgotten?

Blankets

We are reluctant about taking our fluffy companions to the washer. However, their material can harbor a lot of dust and form proper breeding grounds for germs. This makes it necessary to clean them at least once a month, or by their sixth week of use. A frequent cleaning schedule is required. Many fabrics used on blankets are safe to clean at home with the washer.

Before putting it in the machine, do a color test to see if the dye used runs. You will know whether to launder it separately or if you wash it with other items. Set your machine to the gentle cycle and use a mild detergent with cold water. Warm or hot water, agitated beating, and strong detergents can cause your blanket to shrink, stretch, or fade.

Pillows

You may have heard that pillows are better cleaned at the dry cleaners. However, that doesn’t mean you cannot maintain them in tip-top shape from home. Most pillows can be washed at home. They can either be washed by hand or machine. Check the tags to see if there are any washing instructions. To keep off molds, dust mites, sweat and dead skin or scales, clean your pillows every three to six months. You will also improve the quality of your sleep.

Front loading washers are great for washing bedding. Load a reasonable number of pillows in your machine and distribute evenly. Using warm water and a mild detergent, run the machine on the gentle cycle. Rinse thoroughly and allow them to air dry. You can also use a dryer depending on the fiber material.

Comforters

Comforters are often forgotten; however, they collect a lot of dust, body fluids, oils and any cosmetic products. For you to make your bed clean and fresh, consider cleaning your comforters regularly.

Check the washing instructions given for the kind of material. Comforters can usually be cleaned in a washing machine with warm water and a mild detergent. Kill any remaining bacteria by exposing them to UV sunlight during drying.

The Mattress

Even if your mattress has a cover, some body fluids, dust particles, hair and other dirt still find their way onto its surface. Unfortunately, we tend to overlook it and that allows bacteria suitable ground to breed. This creates a hazardous sleeping surface where you can easily contract allergy related infections such as flu, asthma, and respiratory tract illnesses, among others.

Invest in a washable cover. Wash regularly. An effective way to get rid of even the notorious bugs is by using baking powder and a vacuum cleaner.

Vacuum the surface to collect any loose dirt. Then dust the surface generously with baking powder. Allow it to sit for about 20 minutes then vacuum again. Wipe away any remaining marks with a damp cloth. Flip the mattress and repeat this process. If possible, set the mattress up and allow both sides to dry.

What other bed items do you think you are overlooking? A clean bed is not only comfortable but also safe to sleep on, but healthy to sleep on. Use the above ideas to purge any dirt and bacteria that could be endangering your health during your sleep.

Beverly Jenkins is proud of her staff at The Tidy Maids house cleaning service in Raleigh, NC. She has 24 years of experience in house cleaning, customer service, and business operations. She knows all the tips and tricks and do-it-yourself hacks when it comes to cleaning and her clients’ homes are the best proof for that.

Filed Under: Cleaning Tips, Life-Thoughts Tagged With: bedroom ideas, cleaning hacks, house cleaning

15 Morning Habits to Make Coming Home Even Better

September 14, 2016 by Rhonda Gales 1 Comment

If you’re a working mom, your home can become a pretty complex place. Home is where you make memories with your family, and where you keep them safe. It’s also where you relax and build your life with your husband or significant other. We all know that busy schedules can disrupt domestic harmony. So, today we’re sharing tips on chores that you can perform in the morning. Getting organized can put you on the path to empowering yourself and making coming home a pleasure.

house cleaning tips, kids chores

You may prefer to leave cleaning and other jobs for the weekend. However, there are a few simple steps you can take on a daily basis to tweak your home. For example, opening the curtains in the living room will fill the room with light and air. Plumping up sofa cushions will make the room far more enticing. Also, add flowers and/or a fragrance diffuser in the entry way. Beauty and a fresh scent when you enter your home. It’s a great way to unwind and have a positive attitude when you’re greeted by the children and your husband.

Another step is to make your kid’s beds in the morning or encourage your child to make their bed if they are old enough. It will make their rooms feel tidy, and more appealing when bedtime arrives. Don’t neglect your own bed either. There’s nothing more comforting than the sight of a made bed and a fresh pair of pajamas. Get in the habit of fluffing the pillows and decluttering before going to bed, and making beds in the morning. You will find that it only takes a few minutes to perform these tasks.

If this already feels achievable, be sure to check out this new infographic which explores a handful of other tips for reviving your love affair with your home – without the burden of extra work.

15 Morning Habits to Make Coming Back Home Even Better