Your home has all kinds of surfaces, from furniture to floors and counters to backsplashes. While you might give them little thought, the different surfaces are each made of different materials that require special cleaning products and techniques.
When cleaning your home, you want to make sure you are using the right cleaning methods to protect your surfaces from damage.
In this article, we will share our professional Toronto cleaning services’ eight best cleaning techniques for the different types of surfaces in your home.
1. Cleaning ceramic tiles
Ceramic tiles are used on floors, backsplashes, shower stalls, and more. You want to be careful to protect the finish of the tiles, yet you are likely looking at some pretty challenging messes, especially for kitchen backsplashes and tub/shower surrounds.
Choose a non-abrasive, all-purpose cleaner and a soft-bristle brush to clean not just the tile surfaces but also the grout in between the tiles.
If you find the grout is not coming clean with this technique, create a mix of ¾ cups of household bleach with a gallon of water to wipe the tiles and help kill the buildup of mildew and mould. You can also choose a mildew-stain remover.
Toronto Cleaning Services Tip: In the shower or tub, use a shower squeegee after each shower to remove excess water and soap scum to keep ceramic tiles free of water spots and soapy film.
2. Glass cooktops
Glass cooktops are by far one of the most challenging surfaces to keep clean in any home. You need to use non-abrasive cleaners, so you won’t damage the surface, yet are often faced with some pretty yucky messes from drips, boilovers, etc. So, how do you tackle this challenge?
Use a specialty ceramic glass top cleaner, or make your own with a mix of baking soda and water. This is the best way to tackle anything that is cooked on. Smooth the paste over the mess, and then rub off the paste with a soft clean cloth to loosen the grime. Rinse the remaining mess with a clean wet cloth before drying it with a clean paper towel to remove the residue.
Never use bleach or dirty cloths, as this will damage the surface and also leave behind a stinky residue.
Toronto Cleaning Services Tip: If you experience a boil-over or caked-on mess, always wait for the surface to cool before trying to clean it.
3. Acrylic
Some tubs and shower stalls are made of acrylic, which can be difficult to clean as the acrylic tends to be less tolerant of common bathroom cleaners. Because of this, it is best to go with a gentle yet effective cleaner like baking soda, as it has scrubbing power but is not abrasive enough to damage the surface.
For really stubborn tub rings, you can fill the tub with warm water and a healthy glug of white vinegar and let it sit for about 15 minutes. The vinegar will break apart the stains without damaging the tub, making it easier to wipe it away.
Toronto Cleaning Services Tip: This is more of a warning than a tip! If you use the vinegar and water method, never add bleach or household cleaners to the mix, as this can create toxic fumes.
4. Glass and mirrors
Glass is a very common household surface, whether it is your windows, tabletops, or even some counters. Glass and mirrors are generally cleaned using the same methods, with glass cleaners or vinegar.
Always choose a glass or mirror cleaner, as other cleaners will leave behind streaks. Apply the cleaners lightly and remove them with a clean, lint-free cloth like paper towel.
You can use a squeegee, but they tend to leave dirty streaks as the liquid cleaner trickles off the edge of the tool from the pressure applied. For glass shower doors, do not use your typical bathroom cleansers.
They are too abrasive and also leave streaks. Instead, use our ceramic tile squeegee trick to wipe away water and soap scum after each shower to keep the doors sparkling clean.
Toronto Cleaning Services Tip: To avoid mildew in your shower, always keep shower doors slightly open after use, so air circulates in the stall.
5. Marble
If you have lovely natural marble in your home, whether it is tiled in your foyer or bathroom or in your kitchen and on bathroom counters, you only have one choice.
When cleaning marble, especially Carrera, you must use a special cleaner made for marble and natural stone surfaces. Anything else can either stain the surface or cause pitting.
Pitting makes the stone more porous so it will absorb spills like red wine or makeup, causing stains.
Toronto Cleaning Services Tip: Apply a marble protector every year or two to keep stains from penetrating the surface of your marble.
6. Stainless steel
Another popular home surface, stainless steel, can be very hard to keep clean. A quick and easy way to clean stainless steel appliances and surfaces like kitchen counters is to use a stainless steel appliance cleaner.
However, you can also use a clean microfiber cloth with warm water to wet, dirty steel surfaces, followed by a clean cloth dipped in warm water and dish soap. This will loosen food and remove the mess without damaging the steel.
For fingerprints, a spritz of white vinegar wiped away with a clean microfiber cloth does the trick quite nicely.
Toronto Cleaning Services Tip: Always follow the natural “grain” of the steel when cleaning.
7. Vinyl flooring
Vinyl flooring is a common flooring choice these days. It is a resilient material but can be damaged if you don’t follow the recommended steps for cleaning:
- Always sweep up dirt and debris before applying cleaners or wet mops to the floor to avoid damage.
- Use a non-abrasive cleaner that doesn’t require rinsing.
- Mix the cleaner in a bucket with warm water, following the instructions on the bottle.
- Use a soft mop and wring it out well before applying the cleaner to the floor.
Toronto Cleaning Services Tip: If your floors look dull, consider using a cleaner with shining power to help bring back the lustre.
8. Wood
Wood can be found on kitchen and vanity cabinets, some countertops, and, of course, floors. You should clean according to the wood’s application, using these tips:
- Cabinets: Avoid using water on cabinets, as it can damage wood if not removed immediately. Instead, use a wood-safe cleaner with a soft, clean cloth to wipe down your cabinets.
- Counters: Wood counters are tricky because they can accumulate germs that can make you sick, while the cleaners that kill germs have chemicals that can make you sick! Therefore, you want to kill the germs with a cleaner that won’t leave a chemical residue.
Prevention, in this case, works best. Mineral oil should be applied to clean wood counters often because this makes them easier to wipe with a clean damp cloth while protecting the wood. - Floors: Choose a wood floor cleaning product and be sure to wipe up any excess dampness thoroughly.
Contact the Cleaning Experts
Knowing what cleaning technique to use on what surface helps protect the surfaces in your home while keeping your home germ-free and clean. If trying to keep track of all these cleaning methods is too much trouble, the team at Maid4Condos can take on your cleaning duties to ensure every surface is treated properly.
Click here to learn more about our Toronto cleaning services. You can also call us at 647-822-0601 or contact us online.
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