House & Apartment Cleaning Cost Guide

Wouldn’t it be great to open your door and find a sparkling clean home inside? A reliable cleaning company can make that dream a reality. You can expect them to take care of all the things you don’t want to do, such as cleaning windows, mopping floors, and dusting shelves. The right cleaning company can take care of many tasks you hadn’t thought of. If you want to know how much it will cost to keep your home sparkling clean, keep reading this cost guide.

Average Costs

On average, the cost of a cleaning company will come in around $216, with most homeowners spending anywhere between $150 and $304. Cleaning companies usually charge by the hour or by square footage. Per hour costs can range between $64 and $116. This cost often includes multiple cleaners. The cost of cleaning by square footage will depend on the size of your house. For an area less than 1,000 square feet you can expect to pay around $115. For a 3,000 square foot home you can expect to pay closer to $323.

Before you hire, ask the company is they offer a first-time cleaning by square foot. This will allow the cleaners to better determine how long it will take to clean and if there are any special requirements for cleaning your home. For a typical single family home, this will cost you around $168. A typical single-family apartment will cost around $129.

How often you have the company come to clean will affect your cost. Depending on the frequency, you may be able to save some money, around $6 to $12 per cleaning. Ask the company if there are further discounts by paying for multiple cleanings upfront or by signing a contract for long-term service. This could end up saving you approximately $64 to $258 in the long run.

You can also hire a cleaning company for a one-time service. This is useful if you’re throwing a party (or cleaning up after one) or getting your home ready for viewings when selling. A one-time cleaning for a typical sized home can cost between $258 and $388.

 

How to Clean: Tips for Keeping Your Home Healthy

This includes preventing and mitigating bacteria, viruses, and other pests like moths, silverfish, and bedbugs that can do harm if left unchecked. And regular cleaning is even more crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can live on some surfaces in your home for days.

Luckily, it’s easy to get rid of the virus material from these surfaces with some basic disinfectants and cleaning procedures. Read on to learn about some common trouble spots around the house and solutions for keeping your living spaces safe and healthy.

How to clean a kitchen

Everyone gravitates to the kitchen. Part restaurant, part entertainment center, and part family room, it’s ground zero for the most troublesome spots in the home. Practically every surface is a magnet for bacteria, viruses, germs, insects, and other pests.

Here are some general tips for disinfecting your kitchen surfaces to prevent COVID-19:

Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before you touch anything, especially if you’ve been outside or at work.

Sanitize your hands with a 60 percent (or higher) alcohol sanitizer if soap and water aren’t immediately available.

Regularly wipe down all kitchen surfaces, including counters, tabletops, and any other surface you frequently touch, like stove or microwave buttons. Use an EPA-approved disinfectant if available.

Wash all dishes and silverware before and after you use them.

Sponges and dish towels

A sponge can carry mold and thousands of germs and foodborne pathogens if it’s not cleaned or stored properly.

Things you can do to kill germs on a sponge include:

placing the sponge in the dishwasher with a high temperature and the drying cycle on

wetting it and putting it in the microwave for 1–2 minutes

squeezing it out well after every use and keeping it in a place that allows it to air dry

 

Easy house-cleaning strategies

Spring is here, but you’ve got better things to do than clean. With smart planning, a few easy-to-establish habits, and the 10 tips below, you can make cleaning less of a hassle. The advice below is from How to Clean Practically Anything (Consumer Reports Special Publications, 2002)

Divide and conquer. As with any daunting task, housecleaning is easier if you break it into smaller parts. Doing a chore or two a day is easier than letting tasks accumulate and become overwhelming. Cleaning regularly gets rid of dirt before you have to scrub it, saving you elbow grease and the things you

Conquer housework’s drudgery with our easy-to-follow tips clean unnecessary wear and tear. Regularly brushing Fluffy and Fido may cut back on the amount of pet hair around the home. There are also a number of easy–and often free–things you can do to improve the air quality inside your home

Devise a schedule. Many people find that a schedule lets them take control over housework, rather than the other way around. Start by making a list of cleaning tasks in your home. Then note how often each chore needs to be done–daily, weekly, monthly, or seasonally. Devise a schedule that spaces your daily chores evenly over the course of a week and your weekly chores evenly over the course of a month. Happily, few chores need to be done on a daily basis.

If it’s not dirty . . .  You don’t have to clean things that aren’t dirty–sometimes a touch-up is all that’s necessary. If there is a handprint on an otherwise perfectly clean mirror, don’t clean the whole mirror; just attack the print itself. You don’t have to dry-clean a suit that only needs to be aired, brushed, or pressed. Surfaces that you or your visitors can’t see–like the top of a cabinet–don’t need to be cleaned regularly. Put some paper down, and when it gets dirty, pick the paper up and throw it out.

 

How COVID-19 Has Changed The Residential Cleaning Business

Cleanliness is on everyone’s minds these days, particularly as so many of us are working from home, learning from home, or quarantined at home as COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, continues to wend its way through the U.S.

“We should be able to weather the storm,” he told Webster, “primarily because we weathered those actual storms many years ago.” With a nod toward the current economic crisis, he said there are at least some lessons that can be gleaned from the Great Recession of a decade ago — namely that house cleaning is less luxury than some might think.

The COVID-19 Impact

Now, as the virus has shaken daily life, said there have been some jolts. “Like every business, it’s having a significant impact every day — and it’s a new battle for us,” he said.

Those suspensions have been spurred by clients worried about potential, general health risks. noted that his company has a number of proactive policies in place to guard against those health risks, such as not cleaning locations where there have been any viral-related health concerns (such as the flu). Staffers disinfect their cleaning kits regularly and are beefing up the use of protective gear, such as goggles.

Revenue Tug Of War

Asked by Webster about the current business environment, noted that the company is adding customers as well (even as there have been suspensions), indicating that there is a bit of a tug of war going on within the company’s business model.

 

How to clean and disinfect

COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. A person can acquire the virus by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or eyes.

A key way you can protect workers and others from the risk of exposure to COVID-19 is by implementing appropriate cleaning and disinfecting measures for your workplace

A combination of cleaning and disinfection will be most effective in removing the COVID-19 virus. Workplaces must be cleaned at least daily. Cleaning with detergent and water is usually sufficient.  Once clean, surfaces can be disinfected. When and how often your workplace should be disinfected will depend on the likelihood of contaminated material being present. You should prioritise cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that many people touch.

How to clean and disinfect

Cleaning means to physically remove germs (bacteria and viruses), dirt and grime from surfaces using a detergent and water solution. A detergent is a surfactant that is designed to break up oil and grease with the use of water. Anything labelled as a detergent will work.

Disinfecting means using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. It’s important to clean before disinfecting because dirt and grime can reduce the ability of disinfectants to kill germs. The following disinfectants are suitable for use on hard surfaces (that is, surfaces where any spilt liquid pools, and does not soak in): alcohol in a concentration of at least 70%, chlorine bleach in a concentration of 1000 parts per million, oxygen bleach, or wipes and sprays that contain quaternary ammonium compounds. These chemicals will be labelled as ‘disinfectant’ on the packaging and must be diluted or used following the instructions on the packaging to be effective.

Cleaning should start with the cleanest surface first, progressively moving towards the dirtiest surface. When surfaces are cleaned, they should be left as dry as possible to reduce the risk of slips and falls, as well as spreading of viruses and bacteria through droplets.

Areas To Look Out For During Your Move Out Cleaning

People come and go from one place to another, and there are a lot of reasons behind it. Typically, you relocate to another city or suburb because you got a better job or business opportunity in that place

In this read, we are going to share with you a comprehensive guide for the critical areas that need serious cleaning before you finally move out of your house, apartment, or condo. Continue reading to find out more.

Ceilings and Crown Moldings

Technically, there are different strategies we can take in starting to clean your apartment or house, yet starting with the upper areas is the common option. With this, those specks of dust that aren’t sucked by the vacuum will drop to your floors for easier vacuuming.

Windows and Blinds

Our house cleaning personnel only uses green window glass cleaners for removing those dust, soil, and grease sticking on windows and frames. To avoid any scratches on your glass window panes, we only use soft microfiber (lint-free) in wiping off debris and dirt.

Furniture and Upholstery

Our highly trained and experienced staff knows the essential cleaning protocols for the sensitive fabrics of your upholstery and wooden or leather furniture. Our standard steps for sanitizing and disinfecting your furniture and upholsteries are the following:

Inspection

Preparing the area for cleaning

Vacuuming

Pre-treatment or spotting of stains

Soil extraction

Final spotting

Drying

Final assessment

 

The Ultimate Move-Out Cleaning Checklist

No matter if you’re relocating to a new apartment or buying a new house, moving can be pretty stressful. When you have a lot on your mind—packing up, picking renters insurance plans, changing your mailing address—cleaning the place you’re moving out of can quickly fall down to the bottom of your to-do list. While hiring a cleaning service can help you check off this task, handling it yourself will save you some money and lets you tackle the cleaning on your own schedule.

Renter’s Guide to Move-Out Cleaning

If you’re a renter, cleaning before you move out is important in order to get your security deposit back and to avoid a cleaning fee from your landlord or the building’s management company. Before you start scrubbing, confirm what the expectations are. Sometimes management will provide their own cleaning list for you, and some leases will even state upfront what the costs will be if the place isn’t properly cleaned before you move out. Below are the move-out cleaning basics you should be sure to cover.

Cleaning Tips

Clean from top to bottom. Just like we recommend for your regular cleaning routine, dust surfaces high up in the room, like ceiling fans or shelves, before cleaning lower surfaces, like floors. This way, you won’t accidentally waft dust onto just-cleaned areas.

Work in stages. Depending upon how large the space is, cleaning all at once may be overwhelming. Break it up into chunks of time, starting with the areas you’ll use the least between now and move-out day, such as a guest bedroom.

Allot time for last-minute cleaning. Even if you clean in advance of move-out day, there are some things you’ll have to clean right before you leave, like the bathroom. Remember that once the furniture is moved out, you’ll likely have to sweep up the dust bunnies that are uncovered.

Move-Out Cleaning Checklist

Dust the ceiling fans

Remove any nails or screws from the walls

If you used hardware to hang up artwork or shelves, now’s the time to remove them and fill the holes with putty.

Clean the windows and wipe window ledges

Wash the doors

Wipe them down with a damp microfiber cloth

Sweep and vacuum, then mop the floors

Dust any vents or exhaust fans

Dust blinds or window treatments (if you’re leaving them)

In the Kitchen

Empty out and clean the refrigerator

Have a cooler ready for any food you want to transport to your new place.

Clean the oven and stovetop

Time to scrub all of the grease splatters off of your stovetop.

Refresh the dishwasher.

Scrub and disinfect the sink (and the garbage disposal, if you have one!)

Wipe down and disinfect the countertops

Clear out the cabinets

 

Move Out Guide

In an effort to help make your move out process go smoothly and to maximize your deposit return, please follow the guidelines enclosed. Deposit returns will be sent within 30 days of your lease expiration. If you do not provide a forwarding address when you return your keys, your deposit will be sent to the last known address.

When you assumed occupancy of your current residence, you found it in a clean and ready to move in condition, unless otherwise stated on your Move-In Inspection report. Due to the very short time period between your move-out date and the new resident’s move-in date, it is imperative that your residence be left in a very clean, move-in ready condition. Any damages needing repair or routine maintenance should be reported prior to vacating the residence.

KEYS:

All apartment keys must be returned

If keys are not returned on time, you will be charged for having the locks replaced.

Tenants not moved out by lease end date will be charged $200.00 a day.

Roommates: Please designate one contact person to return keys and complete the forwarding address form indicating the address where you would like the deposit mailed.

The deposit will be mailed to ONE PERSON ONLY and it will be this person’s responsibility to distribute the refund to the other parties.

Deposits are NOT allowed to be used as a rental payment!

UTILITIES:

All utilities MUST be left on until the day of lease termination date in order to inspect your unit. If they are turned off within that time, the reconnection charge will be billed to your deposit.

ABANDONED PROPERTY:

Any valuable abandoned property – value determined by Lessor – left in a residence after keys have been turned into the office will be stored for 60 days. To recover items, you must pay $50.00/day storage fees plus our cost of packing and storing and any and all outstanding charges on your account. After 30 days, all items will be disposed of and the storage fee will be deducted from the security deposit.

 

Move out cleaning

Before moving out you must clean the apartment properly. Please remember that when moving out from a shared apartment also the shared part of the apartment must be cleaned and all tenants living in the apartment are responsible for this. If the apartment is not properly cleaned, the cleaning costs will be deducted from the deposit or invoiced

Please clean the following:

vacuum/sweep and wipe all the floors, floor lists and thresholds with a detergent

walls

the radiators and the back of the radiators

doors and door frames

setting lists of the windows

sockets and light switches

cupboards and wardrobes (in-and outside)

drawers

the stove, the oven and the back of the stove (pull the stove out of its place)

the hood and the grease filter

fridge and if you are the last one to leave the apartment, defrost the freezer (to avoid the growth of mold in the fridge/freezer, make sure it is properly defrosted and dried and do not close the door after you have switched it off)

kitchen sink, tap and worktop

bathroom taps, floor, drain, walls, sink, cabinet and toilet seat

take all trash to the waste disposal point

 

HOUSE CLEANING GUIDE: TIPS TO TACKLING MOVE OUT DAY

Wait Until You’re Fully Moved Out to Start Your Clean

It’s critical when it comes to move-out cleaning that you wait until your pad is completely empty. Tackling your total clean will feel endlessly easier when you only need to make one final round. Many people make the mistake of starting too soon, ultimately tracking more dirt in and out making more work for yourself. Save the step and fight the urge until the very end.

Move From The Highest To The Lowest Points & Driest To Wettest

This cleaning tip might seem obvious, but how many times have you found yourself cleaning the counters after a full sweep, knocking more crumbs on the ground and cursing yourself? By starting with high dry cleanings like dusting the cobwebs and ceilings, you’ll push the debris onto the ground prepping for a final and full dry sweep and mop to top things off.

Be Sure To Keep Your Electric & Water On

In order to complete a total-clean, be sure to bear in mind that you’ll need an additional day after the furniture moves out for the cleaning necessities. Imagine going to plug in the vacuum or wet the mop only to realize that you’re sorry out of luck?

Commonly Missed Areas

It’s a seemingly standard procedure to be charged by your residential property management for a stained spot or dirt smear at least once in your life. Let’s change that protocol. Oftentimes people forget to clean out the inside of their cabinets and drawers, leaving dirt scum or cookie crumbs. These insignificant details tend to be more significant to property management than you might hope. Air vents also tend to gather a ton of dust over the course of a lease and need attention before move out. Take a duster to those babies and you’ll be in the clear.

Natural & Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products For The Conscious Home

Natural & Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

Green cleaning products clean your home naturally, without the unpleasant chemical residue that can harm your family and your pets. Eco-friendly cleaning products are made using sustainable manufacturing practices and naturally derived, safe, non-toxic, and biodegradable ingredients that don’t negatively impact the environment or your family’s health

These natural and eco-friendly household cleaning brands are conscious of your family’s health and the wellbeing of the earth. Many of these companies also give back to communities and social causes. You can find these products in large retailers, at natural grocery stores, or online. Happy cleaning!

Grove Collaborative

Grove Collaborative is re-thinking what it means to maintain a clean home with natural products. The subscription-service company offers a multitude of household and personal care products, from multi-surface cleaners to pet stain removers.

Method Home

The company has set a high standard, too: it’s a registered B Corp, cruelty-free, uses renewable energy, has started a biodiesel shipping program, and has fun eco-friendly packaging. The aromatic cleaners, detergents, and soaps will have your home smelling good and clean all day long.

Seventh Generation

Seventh Generation is another brand that has established itself as a leader in the green cleaning movement. The collection of detergents, all-purpose cleaners, and wipes are well-known, but did you know the company also makes natural and free-and-clear diapers, tampons, and pads? For almost 30 years, Seventh Generation has thought about what it means to be green for our futures, our people, and our planet.

 

Ultimate: Best cleaning supplies list for house cleaning

Create a cleaning supplies list

Cleaning homes can be as simple or as tedious as any other service related occupation. You don’t know what house cleaning supplies you’ll need until you’re in the home

And let’s face it, sometimes what we assessed at the initial walk-through is not what we find when it’s time to provide the cleaning services.

So, it’s good practice to show up with any and all cleaning material you could possibly need especially on the first clean. Then you can scale down from then.

There’s nothing like showing up to a job, rather the first house cleaning or the 10th, and not having the simplest of items such as a plastic scraper blade to remove candle wax and such.

There can be nothing more embarrassing showing up to professionally clean a home without basic household cleaning products.

 

SIMPLE CLEANING TIPS

Keeping a clean home can be a daunting task when you have so much else to do, but these seven simple cleaning tips will help you keep your home in order without spending all day scrubbing

after all, the girl who spent most of her recesses in fifth and sixth grade organizing books in the school library (yep…nerd to the max, and proud of it!). The girl who ordered and numbered all the movies in her house, and then typed up a list to keep track of them all. The girl who reorganized the kitchen as a Mother’s Day gift in high school. The girl who fought so much with her sister over the cleanliness of their bedroom (among other things) that they had to be moved into separate rooms (sorry, Mom).For much of my life, I’ve been able to keep things tidy without too much trouble.

Then I had a baby, and I was home all the time with a wonderful bundle of joy who created more laundry than a football team. Shortly thereafter, said bundle of joy became mobile, and I came to truly understand the phrase “toddler tornado.” This tornado was full of giggles and excitement, but he left a pile (or more often, piles) of debris in his wake. Now, four years later, I have two crazy little tornadoes who love dirt, noise, and destruction. Someone help me…they’re multiplying

The reality of my life with little kids is that it will not be perfectly clutter-free, nor will my windows be free of fingerprints. That’s okay with me. I love my kids, and I would much rather have happy, healthy kids than a clean house.

However, there is a limit to how much chaos I can handle. When my home is neat, I feel like my mind can focus better and I feel less stressed about everything.

 

helpful apps for cleaning your disgusting house

There are dishes in the sink, the cat is crying to be fed, the light bulb in the hallway has burned out, the trash is overflowing, the floor crunches when you walk on it, and whatever is making that smell in the fridge needs to be exterminated. Oh yeah, and it’s Friday night and you’re hungry and need to fix something—anything—for dinner.

Maybe your day-to-day household catastrophes aren’t quite on the scale of mine (embarrassing as it is), but it’s pretty likely that there’s something in your home that needs some tending to, even if you already tackled a deep spring-cleaning weeks ago. But making an old-fashioned written chore list doesn’t really do the trick anymore: That spiral notebook doesn’t send you helpful reminders or pop up on your calendar or link you to tips on the best way to wash your comforter. But you know what does? Yeah, you do—you read the title of this article. Let’s do this.

Sure, sure, you want a clean house. You try. You can handle the immediate mess when you see it; it’s just hard to keep up with on a regular basis. By the time you’ve finished cleaning one room, the rest have spiraled out of control because cleaning is a punishment invented by our evil overlords. Or, you know, because you keep making everything dirty.

After naming your task, you can choose how often it should be performed in days, weeks, or months, and what the task’s current condition is like (clean, between, due, or overdue). The task then shows up in the assigned area with a colored bar and its due date. Common areas like kitchen or living room will display a background of a room with a piece of associated furniture (kitchen shows a stove, for example). It won’t be called out for groundbreaking design (although it has finally been optimized for iOS 7 in its latest update), but Tody isn’t concerned with looking good.

It is concerned with getting your house looking good, however, by providing you an easy way to input, check off, and reschedule tasks so you can remember when to change out the kitchen towels or scrub the grout in the shower. You can view your chores as one big to-do list organized by due date, by area, or by what you’ve done today. Settings allow you to customize more: You can change the colors in Tody, set an “Attitude Towards Cleaning” (the suggested frequency of new tasks), and turn Reminders on.

 

Guide to Housekeeping Skills (With Tips and Examples)

Housekeepers are an important part of the cleanliness of both public and private facilities. An effective and successful housekeeper has a number of important skills, including an eye for detail and organization skills. In this article, we discuss what housekeeping skills are and how you can improve them, with examples and tips on applying for housekeeping jobs and using these skills at the workplace.

What are housekeeping skills?

Housekeeping skills are skills that allow a housekeeper or maid to be effective at their job. These skills can range from customer service to being detail-oriented, and they may vary based on a housekeeper’s specific duties and place of employment. For example, a housekeeper who works in a hospital may have to abide by strict cleanliness guidelines to ensure patients are in a clean and healthy environment.

The following are the most common housekeeping skills needed to be a good housekeeper:

Time management skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Flexibility

Customer service

Housekeeping hard skills

Time management skills

Housekeepers often work on their own or in a small group of other housekeepers and must complete a set number of cleanings each day. Being able to properly manage time is a key skill needed by a housekeeper to ensure they complete all cleanings in a timely manner. They must also be punctual for cleaning appointments and finish cleaning in the time frame expected by the client.

Attention to detail

A housekeeper must be extremely detail-oriented to be effective at their job. From organizing various household items to ensuring that floors and windows are scrubbed clean and left streakless, these professionals need a keen eye for detail to successfully perform their duties. The more thorough a housekeeper is at completing their tasks, the better they will be at their job.

Dazzling Deep Cleaning Tips And Tricks That Will Make Your Home Sparkle

Clean your blinds with a sock

Remove the dust from your window blinds using an old tube sock dipped in a mixture of one part vinegar and one part water. Twist the blinds the other direction and repeat.

Wash your bedding and mattress.

Assuming you already wash your sheets, pillowcases, and blankets regularly, now’s the time to go a bit further and wash your duvet, bedskirt, and even your mattress. (Here’s the full scoop on how to clean and store your bedding).

Use a lint roller to get the dust off lampshades.

Easy and efficient. Go a step further and clean the base of your lamp with a damp microfiber cloth.

Scrub the front of your kitchen cabinets.

Give your kitchen cabinets new life with a quick clean. Just use a fresh dish brush and soap (or go natural with one part vegetable oil and two parts baking soda) to get rid of food stains and fingerprints.

Clean your sink drain with baking soda and lemon.

The kitchen sink is one of the dirtiest areas in the entire home. To properly clean it, pour one cup of baking soda and two cups of vinegar down your drain.

 

How to Deep Clean Your House Fast With the Best Expert Cleaning Tips

My house was a disgusting mess.

Toys engulfed the living room floor, spaghetti clung to the wall, piles of laundry found their home spilling off the couch onto the floor, and dust bunny colonies formed in every corner.

I’m Not The Only One

On top of causing me to be short-tempered, our messy house was causing me to feel isolated, be unproductive, struggle to focus, and was triggering allergies

Your Game Plan

Your game plan includes everything from the order you’ll clean your house in, to the cleaning supplies needed and everything in between. This is a vital step in the deep cleaning process and one that should not be skipped over.

The shallow Clean.

A shallow clean is getting rid of obvious trash and out-of-place items in the rooms of your house. A deep clean will take longer the more items you have to clean around

Focusing on Zones

You’ll work through your entire house one zone at a time to ensure no nook or cranny gets missed.

 

Tips to Deep Clean Your House

When you walk into a home, after you notice the furniture arrangement and the decor, your other senses get to work. The floor may be free of clutter, but there are weird smells lingering around. A clean house is more than just what you see; our other senses are just as important. If you truly want a clean home, go beyond just organising your shelves and picking things off the floor.

Clean the Floors

Don’t just pick stuff up off the floor, really dive in and deep clean every surface. With tile or hardwood floors, it’s a little easier. Give it a nice scrub with a good mop, and the floors will look and smell clean. If there are any problem spots, you can usually find tough spot cleaners to dig in and get rid of any smells.

Focus on the Bathroom and Kitchen

Guests may not spend a lot of time in these areas, but the bathroom and kitchen are the areas where cleanliness most matters. When you’re doing a major cleaning session, spend extra time in these rooms. Make sure you clean behind the toilet as much as you can, and scrub the shower down even if you can’t immediately see dirt. Toilets aren’t the only thing that can hold a scent; be sure to check for mildew or mould near the shower to be safe.

Don’t Forget Dust

Dust is essentially a buildup of particles, such as dead skin, pet dander, and other nasty things. If left unchecked, dust can cause some health issues and be unsightly for guests. Plus, dust does have a smell, so it is important to get rid of it all. When you dust, make sure you don’t just skim over the areas that are visible to guests. Dust any place you suspect there could be a buildup, especially in the hidden or hard to reach spots. You don’t have to dust every time you clean, but bi-weekly is a great schedule.

Get Underneath

The empty space under your sofa and fridge can get very dirty very quickly. Cleaning underneath these areas once every few months is never a bad idea. You never know what kind of particles or food has gotten under these areas. There could be lingering smells, and you wouldn’t even notice because you’re used to it. Be thorough and check in these spaces every few weeks.

 

Deep Cleaning Tips Every Obsessive Clean Freak Should Know

Hang your brooms and mops instead of storing them on the floor.

Use slow cooker liners.

Make the steel plate on your iron smooth and shiny again

Remove any carpet stain (and anything off a mattress as well).

Use an iron to remove REALLY stubborn stains from carpet

Use Pledge to really clean your stainless steel

Invest in a “Purifying Light Sanitizing Cutting Board System.”

 

How To Deep Clean Your House

Melting snow and budding trees are right around the corner which means it’s time to start preparing for spring cleaning. But what’s the difference between this annual housekeeping event and maintaining a tidy home throughout the year? Well, routine maintenance is lighter cleaning that helps keep your house orderly week by week. A spring clean, on the other hand, is a deeper, more detailed process that sets you up for success the rest of the year.

How to Deep Clean Your House

The key to deep cleaning your house is setting a schedule. This isn’t a chore you can conquer one day after work, so plan accordingly. Make a list of each of the rooms you’ll need to deep clean and the tasks you’ll need to complete as you go. It may be best to give yourself several weekends to complete your deep cleaning; it all depends on the size of your home.

Pro Tips for Deep Cleaning Your Home

When you’re deep cleaning your house, you want to make certain you’re working from the top of the room to the bottom. That way any dust or dirt that you knock down as you clean can be vacuumed once you’ve finished in each room

Does Merry Maids Provide Deep Cleans?

Merry Maids typically conducts a detailed clean of your home that lasts several hours during your initial cleaning visit. Afterwards, Merry Maids professionals build detailed cleaning into their scheduled visits

Just looking for a fresh start so you can pick up where a professional housecleaner left off? We also offer a one-time detailed cleaning service that can get your house ready for routine maintenance.

Hiring Maid Easy: How to Find a Good House Cleaner

Check their references

Member Marian Smith of King, North Carolina, says she’s hired several cleaning companies over the years, but always reads reviews on Angie’s List first. “I check to see if any complaints have been lodged, and I always ask if the company is bonded and insured,” she says.

Ask about rates and how they’ll clean your house

If it’s important to you that the cleaners only use environmentally friendly products, find out if that’s an option and if it costs more.

Set a schedule

Professional cleaners typically offer flexible schedules, including weekly, biweekly, monthly or even one-time cleanings, which can be handy when moving or before a big party. “We also do every three weeks if that suits the client’s needs best,” says Kim Condon, vice president of Godsend Cleaning in Lynchburg, Virginia. “We also offer evening and weekend cleanings to accommodate all of our client schedules.”

 

How to Hire a House Cleaning Service

Decide what you want cleaned. You may only choose to have the service tackle particularly tough spots in your home, such as the kitchen and main bathroom. Some families will want the house cleaned from top to bottom. You’ll also need to decide whether you expect services that may go beyond standard cleanings, such as wiping down the baseboards or washing the windows.

Estimate how long it will take to clean your house. Most cleaning services will ask you how big your house is, how many bedrooms and bathrooms it contains, and what kind of routine cleaning you usually do. One bedroom and one bathroom usually takes about two and a half hours to clean, and kitchens take another 1-2 hours. If you haven’t cleaned in a while, these numbers may go up. Preparing this information for the service will help you both decide what you can afford.

Decide how often you want your service to clean. Depending on your family’s needs, you may only need the service to come once or twice a month. If you have a bigger budget and a busier schedule, you might opt for more frequent visits. You can also create an alternating weekly schedule that directs the cleaners to clean different rooms every other time they visit.

Buy your own cleaning supplies if you have a preference. Because they’re more expensive, most cleaners will not clean with natural cleaning solutions. If you don’t want chemical cleaners used in your home, or if you have special cleaners you prefer, you’ll likely need to provide these to the service.

Define your budget. Before you start calling potential cleaning services, examine your finances. Make sure you know exactly how much you’re able and willing to pay companies. This will help you say no to companies that are out of your price range while also allowing you to make informed decisions about which services you can afford.

 

Need a house cleaner? Here are hiring tips to ensure your home is both tidy and secure.

Decide what kind of cleaning service you want. Do you want a professional cleaning service? Or will you be happier with an individual? A professional cleaning company ensures someone always shows up to clean your home. You aren’t responsible for screening employees, handling paperwork or carrying insurance. On the other hand, turnover tends to be high, so you may not get the same crew every time.

Get recommendations. Your best resources are family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. Personal recommendations are really the best way to get a sense of a potential employee’s work ethic, level of responsibility and trustworthiness. Put social media to work by posting on Facebook or Nextdoor. I found my latest housekeeper by asking members of my Pilates class for referrals. One classmate had gone through the same hunt about six months before and found a reliable cleaner who was willing to take on another client.

Make a list of needs in advance. Even if you’ve had a house cleaner before, now’s the time to evaluate or reevaluate your needs. Perhaps your situation has changed, and you require more or fewer cleanings per month. Perhaps certain rooms need only a quick dusting instead of a full-blown cleaning during each visit. Children and pets might have arrived or departed. Was there something your previous cleaner didn’t do to your liking but didn’t seem worth mentioning? Write it down so you don’t forget to bring it up.

Schedule a meet-and-greet. Whether you’re hiring an individual or a service, you need to meet with the provider for a frank conversation. Ask them to describe what services they do and don’t provide. Spell out your expectations and explain any problems or issues with previous housekeepers. Do a complete room-by-room walk-through. Point out any problem areas. It’s vital that you detail what you are picky about. If you want every knickknack picked up, dusted and put back in place, say so. Ask for references and contact those employers.

Stick around for the first few cleanings. “You don’t have to follow them around the house, but this gives cleaners the chance to say, ‘This is more than I expected,’ and you the opportunity to make sure they understand what’s important, especially if you have any items you deem precious,” Brasler said.

 

Maid For You: How to Choose the Right Maid Service

Start with referrals.

Hiring a good cleaning service is easy if one comes recommended by friends, neighbors, or coworkers. While every home, family, and budget is different, starting the selection list with referrals is a great way to begin the process.

Ask the right questions.

Most reputable cleaning services will offer a free estimate of services over the phone or in person. Before you get to this point, use the initial phone call to ask them the questions that are important to you. Things like the number of people on the cleaning team, the length of time required per housecleaning, the type of products used, their license and insurance information—all of this information is important not only in making sure you are comfortable with the company, but also to outline your expectations for the services provided.

Stick with the professionals.

We don’t just say this because we’re the professionals. Using a cleaning company that is bonded, insured, dedicated to quality service, and held to those standards is beneficial for a number of reasons, including a personalized cleaning plan, an always-available team, consistent quality standards, thorough yet efficient cleaning, and a trusted reputation.

Be honest about what you need.

When doing the initial walk through, many people make the mistake of cleaning their homes before The Maids gets there. Commit to your “normal” so that the cleaning team knows exactly what to expect every time they walk in, and they can budget their time and staffs accordingly. (This also lets you get the full-service treatment you want in a cleaning service. You don’t want to have to get into the habit of always cleaning before they come because that kind of defeats the purpose).

Go with your gut.

In the end, your instincts will guide you to how comfortable you are with a cleaning service. Keep asking questions until you are satisfied. Be honest in your assessment and concerns. The purpose of hiring a maids service is to give you back your time, energy, and peace of mind. Do not hire a cleaning service if one of these aspects is out of place.

 

Tips For Hiring a House Cleaning Service

Interview more than one potential service. If you are interviewing individuals, you need to be comfortable with that person (people). If you are hiring from a large company, ask if they will send the same person consistently, or if they rotate staff. There are pros and cons to both: the same person is familiar with your house, but I have noticed the longer the same person cleans for me, the more places that should be cleaned, are missed. The downside to a new crew weekly: there is a learning curve that I am paying for as they familiarize themselves with my home.

Make certain the individual or agency (and their employees) are licensed and insured. If they break something, will it be replaced? Repaired? If someone if hurt in your home, who will pay the medical bills?

Define the scope. Are you looking for a weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or a one-time clean. Make certain that everything you want done, will be done. If the cleaning crew needs to use a stepladder to get to the top shelf and dust, are they willing to do so? Will your furniture and lampshades regularly be vacuumed? What about under cushions? Is cleaning out the refrigerator extra? Are baseboards regularly dusted? Door and window casements? Will the dog-snot be washed from the front door? Are nicknacks dusted? How much to clean a finished-basement? How is the kitchen floor washed? Mop or hands and knees? Ask about OSHA restrictions. I once had a cleaning service tell me it was against OSHA rules for them to use ammonia in my house.

Make sure pricing is explicit! If you are hiring an agency, make certain that there are no hidden fees. If you are hiring an individual, make certain they are paying their taxes and social security. Definitely consult an accountant to make certain you are not hiring that person as an employee, but as an independent contractor. The tax implications for you of one versus the other are great, so make certain your accountant fully explains the ramifications of hiring an individual to you.

Don’t forget to inform the agency/individual of any pets you may have for allergy and phobia considerations. You may think a white rat allowed to roam loose about the house is perfectly normal. The house cleaner may freak and beat Whitey with a broom. The cleaning service may also schedule more time for a dog that sheds copious amounts of fur, may not be willing to change the litter box or the lining of a bird cage. Or, those services may come with an additional cost.

How Commercial Cleaning Services Impact Your Business

Commercial cleaning is a task which is deployed by any professional cleaning company in order to make any commercial place clean and tidy. This cleaning contract is generally done for an ongoing basis by two parties. The contract may include services inside building or outer building cleaning or both.

Out there, we can easily find an extensive amount of cleaning companies who has gained a sweet amount of expertise throughout the past years. But as all our fingers are not same, all the cleaning companies are also not same in many ways. All companies do not have extensive years of working experience, some of them don’t have enough man power to reach out to all types of commercial clients, not all of them are equipped with the latest technology to clean a commercial or industrial space as it requires. Hudor Commercial Cleaning services have all the key ingredients which has made Hudor a superior provider in commercial cleaning business.

 

Why should you have a clean workplace?

Cleaning doesn’t mean you need to do it yourself as there are numerous commercial cleaning companies that get it done from top to bottom very efficiently, and at a reasonable rate. Here are some reasons of having a clean office – take a look:

Healthier Employees

If your office space is dirty and unclean, it is way more likely to increase the chances of flu and other diseases spreading among your employees. Those who have allergies will suffer from bouts of sneezing, sore throat, runny nose and itchy eyes due to airborne dust. If your employees get sick due to a messy office, they will take more sick leaves to recover and those affected by allergies will feel tired and irritated all day long and productivity is bound to drop. Keeping your office clean helps to avoid this situation so that your employees stay healthy and perform to the best of their abilities.

A Professional Image

When clients and business associates walk into your office space, what is their first impression? A cluttered and dirty office can make them think that you are unprofessional and disorganized. Their thought process will be somewhat like this – If you can’t be bothered to keep your office neat and in order, what is the guarantee that your work isn’t equally sloppy and poor? This negative first impression could cause you to lose clients and could lose you a lot of respect in the professional world. A clean and tidy office will impress any guests and let you show off your business properly as it proves that you pay attention to the crucial details. The space should emit a positive vibe that people can sense the moment they step in!

Improved Productivity

Thoroughly cleaning the office means not only removing the dust and dirt but organizing files and work stations so that they are more efficient. Many surveys and studies have successfully proved that productivity in offices have skyrocketed when employees know where files and other work-related items are kept so they don’t have to waste time in searching for items. Disorganized offices cause a huge amount of stress because folders, files and memos are always going missing under huge piles of paper on desks. Employee desks should be organized and clear at all times. Clean facilities give employees a mental boost for better concentration and a stronger work ethic as well.

 

 

Reduced Spread of Disease – Fewer Sick Days

Most businesses struggle when a virus is spread from employee to employee. With many of your most valued team out of the office, production slows. Whether an illness is affecting your sales, delivery, or other area, reducing the spread of disease is important. Even when employees are asked to remain at home when ill, many disregard this request, and then move through the office spreading the virus by contacting various surfaces, which are contacted by others, and so it goes. A deep, professional cleaning is an important factor in keeping your workforce healthier and can help reduce the spread of the latest virus.

A thorough cleaning of the entire workplace is a critical aspect in warding off the spread of disease. All shared areas, including bathrooms, breakrooms, and training rooms must be disinfected to help avoid employee illness. Many companies recognize that investing in no-touch wastebaskets, hand-drying systems, and soap dispensers can be a critical step in ensuring that all shared areas are disinfected. The CDC recommends sanitizing areas such as desktops, doorknobs, faucets, and phones daily. At COIT, our professional team can advise you about the most effective cleaning protocols and products to you help limit the spread of dangerous viruses. Viruses live and pose the risk of infecting others for up to 48 hours on a surface such as a desk, workstation, or table.

 

The Impact on Client Opinion

Imagine you’re a client of an important company; you’ve been speaking with a manager on the phone and decide to visit their office. When you visit, you notice that the desks are littered with paper, the windows and doors are dirty and dusty, and the kitchen area is unsanitary.

You’d like feel as though the company does not want to impress you. You’d feel they’re unorganized and likely not on top of their work. You’d feel they are unprofessional and unable to respond to your requirements as a client. Businesses with untidy offices are sending a message to visiting clients that their opinion doesn’t matter.

 

Tips for Choosing a Commercial Cleaning Company

1. Services Offered

The first thing you’ll want to know before hiring a commercial cleaning company is if they provide the services you need. Some companies specialize in janitorial services while others focus on window cleaning. You might also be in the market for a commercial cleaning company that can provide multiple services. This will streamline your process and eliminate any companies you don’t need to contact. Some services you may be in need of are:

Hard Floor Surface Maintenance

• Carpet Cleaning
• High-Pressure Cleaning
• Janitorial Services
• Window Cleaning

2. Past Reviews and Experience

Commercial cleaning companies enter your property after hours for the most part. Handing over this responsibility requires confirming that they are a reputable company. Inquire about current clients and experience to gain a sense of well established the cleaning company is. Having an idea of who they work for and how long will help you decide if you can trust them.

3. Quality of Employees

Protecting your property starts with trusting a company to provide service after hours, but ensuring they do a quality job requires asking about their workforce. A professional commercial cleaning company should be able to walk you through the steps of their hiring process. The process should include screening with background checks followed by employee training for a uniformed end product. You can also ask if a staff member will visit your facility regularly or if turn-over requires irregular scheduling.

4. Experience in Your Industry

Your industry can determine the level of experience needed by a commercial cleaning company. For example, if you are seeking services for a medical facility you’ll need a business that can adhere to rigorous guidelines. On the other hand, if your institution is data-driven and houses technology there will be a process for making sure wires are not moved in a destructive fashion.