Category: Cleaning Tip

It can become an unmanageable cleaning marathon if you tend to leave the bulk of your cleaning to one day each week, bi-weekly, or even monthly (!). Such a job is exhausting and often not as productive because you tend to motor through the tasks and aren’t as efficient or effective. 

The 20/10 cleaning method was created to help avoid cleaning burnout. Also known as the UfYH method, it can help you become a more efficient cleaner. 

In this article, we’ll share the secret of 20/10 cleaning that Toronto residents are embracing to change your world forever.

What is the 20/10 cleaning method?

The 20/10 cleaning method was developed by Rachel Hoffman and shared in her book, Unf*** Your Habitat: You’re Better Than Your Mess (hence the acronym, UfYH). The method is based on 20-minute spurts of intense cleaning broken up with 10-minute breaks.

More importantly, it teaches you how to avoid becoming overwhelmed by the big picture of the entire mess by focusing on tiny tasks. As a result, you can quickly make your way through each mess until your entire home is spotless. 

Here are the main cleaning tips that Hoffman shares:

Make Your Bed

The to-make-or-not-make-your-bed argument is age-old, with many feeling it is silly since you’ll just mess it up again at bedtime. 

However, Hoffman is a true believer in making your bed every day to transform what appears to be a room in complete disarray into something that is neater and, therefore, more relaxing. 

Ventilate by Opening Windows

Fresh air, even in the winter, keeps your home feeling and smelling cleaner. Improving ventilation in your home just takes opening your windows to help reduce the amount of bacteria, odours, and mould.

Wash the Dishes After Meals

This is another timeless argument that many households struggle with. Who has time to wash dishes after breakfast every morning? 

Again, Hoffman believes this simple act just takes a few minutes, and provides a clean kitchen that calms the mind when you get home. Clean dishes help reduce odours in your kitchen, while also keeping your kitchen feeling tidy and decreasing the risk of attracting pests.

Keep Your Fridge Clutter-Free

Opening a fridge packed with old leftovers, tons of half-full condiments, and jams that are well past their best-before dates creates a feeling of chaos every time you prepare a meal or search for a snack.

Keeping your fridge clean and free of clutter means keeping track of the food within and removing anything that is no longer fresh. You create a fridge where you can quickly find the ingredients you need, reduce odours, and more easily clean your shelves and compartments.

Always Start in the Biggest Rooms

Focus your energy on bigger tasks first, so you don’t waste time on small rooms that quickly tire you. Once you clean a larger room, you’ll feel good about your progress and look forward to cleaning the smaller areas of your home. 

Always Clean From Top to Bottom

We’ve mentioned this method repeatedly in our cleaning blogs because it works. Although this isn’t something new, it’s simply the most logical way to clean and reduce your efforts. Anything that falls below is cleaned once you reach that level. 

Put Everything Away as You Clean

Dropping things on the floor is the easiest way to create a mess. Not only should you avoid dropping things like dirty laundry on the floor, but you should also avoid dropping items on the floor as you clean. 

When everything is put in its proper place as you work, your home is miraculously neater, and you can also always find what you need. 

Do the Laundry From Start to Finish

Just because your clothes are cleaned and folded doesn’t mean your laundry is “done.” Complete your laundry from start to finish so nothing gets forgotten in the washer, left getting wrinkled in the dryer, or with piles of clean and folded clothes sitting around in laundry baskets, on bedroom furniture, or on the floor. 

Take it to the finish line by putting your clothes away and enjoy the joy of clean, wrinkle-free clothes.

Don’t Forget the Floors

Keeping floors clean, whether carpeted or hard surfaces, creates a home that feels sanitized and healthy. 

Sweeping is easier than ever with various floor-cleaning tools available, such as a stick vacuum, full vacuum, various microfibre cloth sweepers, or a broom. You can then follow up on hard surfaces with a mop or wet mop cleaning tool for floors that look and smell great. 

Why You Should Use 20/10 Cleaning in Toronto

There are several reasons why you should use the 20/10 cleaning method, including the following:

• It’s a sustainable way to clean, as you do everything in small chunks, allowing you to finish the work without feeling too exhausted halfway through.
• It’s the best method for people who suffer from chronic pain or anxiety, as it keeps the project both mentally and physically manageable. You can feel a sense of accomplishment and live in a clean home that is less stressful
• You break the habit of living in a dirty, messy home by only cleaning when things are looking really bad and, instead, live in a clean home all the time
• You have breaks that help you refuel, admire your work, and prepare to move on to the next task with newfound energy and enthusiasm.
• You accomplish more work than you might expect, which helps egg you on to complete more tasks.
• You set a time that provides an “end in sight” to doing something you hate, which often makes it easier to do.
• You feel like you’re multitasking when you take 10-minute breaks to do something else like check your emails, answer some texts, or read a few pages of a book.

Ultimately, this method makes cleaning feel more manageable and helps you see results quickly.
Still, you should reach out to the professional cleaners at Maid4Condos that Toronto depends on to take care of your cleaning for you. You can call us at 647-822-0601 or contact us online.

When your rental property catches the eye, you can attract top tenants, making life as a landlord easier. Imagine having tenants who pay their rent on time, take care of your property, and renew their leases, so you never face a rent deficit. 

This article will review 14 ways to make your rental property stand out to attract the most desirable tenants.  

1. Create a welcoming space with fresh paint

Freshly painted walls in a welcoming neutral colour invite prospective tenants into the space. It allows them to picture themselves living on a property that appears cared for and well-maintained. 

Although painting the entire unit takes some time and effort, the payoff will be noted when you rent the property quickly.

2. Pay attention to repairs  

Tenants today face high rents that can make them far pickier when finding a home. To show tenants that a) the property is worth it, and b) you’ll take care of their home, pay attention to the little repair jobs that make an apartment feel new. This list of items can include:

• Broken kitchen drawers and cabinets
• Leaky faucets
• Missing kitchen hardware
• Broken bathroom vanities
• Faulty light switches
• Damaged hardwood floors
• Missing electrical covers for sockets and light switches
• Missing light fixtures
• Cracked windows
• Missing window and balcony screens
• Unsecure front doors
• Torn or loose carpeting

When you pay close attention to every detail, tenants have fewer negatives to focus on and will feel more trusting that your property will make a comfortable, safe home.

3. Create a better flow

If you have tenants, you have a right to make small changes when re-renting your property. Discuss the changes you wish to make with the current tenants and ensure you give enough notice before entering the home. 

They might be willing to make the changes, such as taking down too much artwork or removing some of their furnishings since they’re moving anyway. 

The more spacious and tidy the apartment appears, the more likely tenants will want to live there. If the unit is a tight, cramped space, it might be better to start showing the apartment after the tenants move out.

4. Consider investing in upgrades

Whether it is little upgrades like new kitchen hardware, light fixtures, and door knobs, medium upgrades like painting kitchen cabinets and replacing old appliances, or something significant like laying new luxury vinyl flooring throughout or redoing the bathroom and kitchen, upgrades speak volumes to tenants. 

Having something new in a home lived in by several tenants before them is a significant draw that sets your property apart. It can also demand higher rent, helping to cover the costs of your renovation investment.

5. Wash the windows

Although it might seem like clean windows aren’t that noticeable, clean glass allows more natural light to stream into the space, which is always a positive. 

If your unit is in a highrise and you can’t clean the outside of the windows, it’s still worth doing the insides, including all your window sills.

6. Refinish the floors

If you have hardwood, it is only a positive to potential tenants when it is in good condition. If your floors look a little worse for wear, consider refinishing them to create a smooth, attractive surface that will stand out.

7. Visit competing rental properties

Arrange some viewings of other rental properties in the area to get an idea of what you’re up against. Use some of the selling features of other listings to improve your property.

8. Improve security

Feeling safe in their own home is always important to tenants. Upgrading your locks to a keyed entry makes a big difference to tenants who will know the last tenants won’t gain access.

You can also add a security system to help people feel safe. Remember, you can use security service payments as a tax deduction and also reduce your insurance premiums. 

9. Install more storage

Looking for ways to install more storage is an excellent and affordable way to help your unit stand out from others in the area. 

Whether it’s more shelves on exposed kitchen walls, or upgrading closets with shelves and cubbies, these little details make the home appear more organized.

10. Don’t forget curb appeal

Although you don’t always have control over curb appeal, if you rent a house, a duplex, or own a multi-unit building, you can help create better first impressions. Making sure the lawn is mowed, weeds are pulled, exterior light bulbs are replaced, and common areas are clean all contribute to curb appeal.

11. Check the plumbing

Have a plumber come in and assess the plumbing to make sure everything is working.

Little details like dripping faucets, leaks under the sink in the bathroom, or faulty toilets are red flags for tenants who envision water damage, mould, and endless clogs.

12. Get smart

Install innovative technology that makes your apartment more tech-savvy. Smart thermostats, better appliances, and state-of-the-art security systems, for example, all create a futuristic, modern feel that updates your unit.

13. Invest in professional carpet cleaning

If your property has carpeting, investing in professional carpet cleaning is essential. Carpets that smell or are covered in stains are a real turn-off for tenants who don’t want to walk around on carpeting that looks like it hasn’t been cleaned since 1995.

14. Call professional house cleaning services

Professional house cleaning services in Toronto make a world of difference to tenants who want to live in a clean, safe space.

This thorough cleaning includes every room in the home and ensures tenants see nothing but clean when they visit the unit. You want the property to look and feel like you can eat off the floor, so tenants feel confident that the space is germ-free and move-in ready.

For more information about house cleaning services in Toronto that are perfect for rental units, speak to the experts at Maid4Condos. You can call us at 647-822-0601 or contact us online.

Halloween tends to be one of the biggest party blowouts for adults who indulge their inner ghouls and goblins. However, the nature of the celebration may present some unusual cleaning situations that can use a little magic to help make the mess disappear.

Whether you’re hosting a bevy of kids wired on sugar after trick-or-treating, or entertaining some less-than-sober adults, here we share eight magical tips and tricks from our expert maid service in Toronto to make short work of those haunting messes.

1. Stir up some witchy cleaning potions

Sometimes, a simple homemade cleaning solution is the magic potion we all need. Before your guests arrive, fill a spray bottle with warm water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. This will be the magic cleaning potion you need to tackle most of the Halloween party messes your guests conjure up. 

Then, make a second potion using a third cup of vinegar and two-thirds cup of water to tackle stains. Choose a corner of your kitchen to store your cleaning brews, along with:

• Clean cloths
• A scrub brush
• Baking soda
• A butter knife
• A lint-removal brush or tape
• A handheld vacuum

Keeping all the tools you need to tackle any mess close at hand will help you make all those unsightly spills and stains disappear, just like magic. 

2. Makeup messes

Halloween makeup can pose a real problem, whether you drop the makeup when getting ready or guests smear it on your furniture. All those intense makeup colours can quickly stain sofas, pillows, curtains, carpets, and chairs before you can say abracadabra. It’s the oily content of makeup that makes it even more challenging. 

Use your butter knife to scrape up thick globs of makeup. Add the baking soda to the stain to absorb the grease for about 20 minutes, then vacuum the residue. 

Use your cleaning potion to blot the stain, and then rinse the spot with a damp cloth. While performing each step, avoid rubbing too hard, as pressure pushes the oils and dyes deeper into the fabric.  

3. Sticky situations

Halloween is all about sudden jump scares, and nothing is scarier than discovering sticky messes on your prized area rug or expensive furniture. The sugar and glucose content in various candies can make removing the mess challenging, especially when intense dyes are involved. 

To help handle those sticky situations, your dish soap and warm water mix works best. 

Begin by blotting at the stain with a clean cloth soaked in the mixture. This will help remove the sticky gloop. Then, move on to a more robust cleaner, using your water and vinegar potion. 

The vinegar helps remove the remaining tackiness and also breaks down the dyes. Stuff like candy and taffy won’t come off without a little extra help. Apply ice to the surface to harden it, then scrape it with your butter knife.

4. All that glitters

Glitter spills can be challenging, but using your vacuum’s hose attachment usually removes the loose bits quickly. A ball of tape or a lint roller should remove the rest of the pieces.

5. Smashed pumpkins

Your jack-o’-lantern will start to rot the moment you cut out that first eye hole! If you put your pumpkins on the balcony or outside your door, once your guests leave, blow out that candle and toss your pumpkin in your organics bin. 

If you’re like most people and forget about it, that bright orange can leach out of the pumpkin, and the decomposition will lead to bacteria and stinky, mouldy messes. 

We suggest wearing gloves to pick up the solid pieces and place them in your compost. Then, use a shovel or large spoon to scoop up the guts before hosing down the entire area. If there is residue left behind, use a scrub brush and warm, soapy water.

6. Cocktail tips, spills, and dribbles

Witchy cocktails often have distinct food dyes and rich coloured liqueurs that are likely to stain in the case of spills. Whether it’s spilled red wine or vampire-inspired potables, fast action is the best way to prevent stains. 

Dab at spills with a clean cloth to absorb the dampness, but avoid pushing it deeper into the surface. Then, it’s back to that mix of detergent and warm water to remove the stain. 

Don’t rub, as this will cause fabrics to pill.  

7. Candle mishaps

Wax spills are bound to happen at Halloween parties, where overhead lights are considered taboo. Avoid candle mishaps using larger candle holders that will catch wax before it can make a mess. Then, if wax drips, it is best to let it harden before removing it. 

For wood furniture, you can gently remove it with non-metal utensils or a credit card. Any wax left behind will have to be heated with a hairdryer and wiped up with your soapy concoction. 

You’ll need some powerful magic to tackle carpet and upholstery wax drips. Using a paper bag or piece of paper laid over the wax, run a warm iron on its lowest setting over the paper to melt the wax. The wax usually adheres to the paper, so you can lift it away. Repeat until all the wax is removed.  

Sometimes, cold works better than heat, using the method mentioned in tip #3. Applying ice to harden the wax can often make it more brittle, so you can whack it and then remove the broken pieces. Any remaining wax will probably then respond well to the heat method.

8. Call a magical maid service in Toronto

If someone puts a spell on you that makes it impossible to get out of bed the next morning, summon a magical maid service in Toronto to tackle your post-party cleaning instead. 

With a wave of their duster and a sweep of their witches’ broom, they will get your home back to its original state and you won’t have to lift a finger. 

For more information about the maid service that Toronto trusts, summon up the experts at Maid4Condos. You can call us at 647-822-0601 or contact us online.

Hosting Thanksgiving dinner is a big job, requiring a lot of preparation and post-cleaning. While it is one of the most anticipated feasts of the year, it also comes with a lot of stress. 

Here, we share 17 important tasks you shouldn’t forget with our before and after Thanksgiving cleaning checklist.

1. Give your table linens the once over

How many times have you gone to set the table when entertaining guests only to find your table linens are stained and wrinkled? Avoid this stressful situation by checking your table linens two weeks before the big day. You can decide what needs to be washed and ironed, or whether you’ll need to invest in new linens for the event.

2. Count your place settings 

Count all your cutlery, plates, and glassware to ensure you have enough for your guests. Make sure everything is clean and ready for use. If not, clean the items and store them away. 

You can do this as far out as you like, but give yourself at least two weeks just in case you need to run out and buy extras.

3. Inspect your serving dishes

Pull out your serving dishes and decide what you’ll need based on your menu. If you have silverware, make sure it is polished and that anything else is clean and ready for service.

4. Do some spot cleaning

About two weeks before the event, give your home a good cleaning in the areas where you’ll be entertaining. Look for opportunities to do some spot cleaning, whether it is stains on the carpet, messes on your upholstery, or an unknown crust on your dining room table.

5. Declutter

Get rid of anything you don’t need in your living room, kitchen, and hall closets. Decluttering frees up space, making it easier to keep your home clean before the feast. 

You’ll also have enough space to lay out appetizers, set up a bar area for drinks, and free up all possible seating areas so everyone is comfortable.

6. Prepare your fridge

If you’ve hosted Thanksgiving dinners before, you know your fridge is never big enough for all that food. The turkey alone can take up an entire shelf. Clean your fridge about a week before you head out for your Thanksgiving shopping. 

Clear out all those leftover food containers, and dump anything you can’t eat. Then, wipe down all the shelves and walls and clean out the drawers so you have a nice, empty fridge ready to keep all your Thanksgiving foods fresh and safe.

7. Make way for guests

Since the weather tends to be cooler for Thanksgiving, make way for all those extra coats and shoes a week before guests arrive. Clear out an area of your hall closet, and put a boot tray by the door to keep shoes contained in one spot. 

Consider laying down an indoor/outdoor area rug to create a warm welcome while helping reduce the dirt tracked into your home. 

8. Clean your oven and stove

You want your oven grease-free and ready to take on that turkey. Do a thorough cleaning of your oven and stove top no more than a week out, as you want to keep it as clean as possible before you have to roast that bird.

9. Tackle the microwave

Your microwave will likely experience a lot of traffic, especially if you’re having a potluck. Nothing is more embarrassing than forgetting that chilli explosion mess and having guests discover it when they reheat their sweet potatoes. 

Place a microwave-safe bowl of water and lemon slices in your microwave, and run it for about a minute until the water boils. The steam from the bowl will make removing all that crusty mess easy. This job is best left closer to the day, so it is clean when people arrive.

10. Deep clean a week out

Deep cleaning ensures that every surface and corner of your home is sparkling. Having cleaning services in Toronto come in and conduct a deep clean a week before the event makes life easier, so all you have to do is keep things tidy until Thanksgiving.

If this isn’t in the cards, deep clean the key areas of your home, including your bathroom, kitchen, entry, dining room, and living room. It’s especially important to ensure all kitchen counters and cooking areas remain spic and span using bacterial wipes to keep your kitchen germ-free.

If you’re unable to tackle the mess, cleaning services in Toronto are your best friend. By arranging for a cleaning service ahead of time, you can ensure your home is in top shape for your guests’ arrival without being worn out from scrubbing it all yourself!

11. Consider steam cleaning

Consider steam cleaning your carpets and upholstered furniture so everything looks new and fresh. This can make a big difference and is especially welcome if you have guests who suffer from allergies. 

If someone in your household is a smoker or you have pets, steam cleaning a week or two ahead of the big day makes your home smell clean so people won’t lose their appetite!

12. Set the table

Pull out your clean table linens, dinnerware, candlesticks, and décor the day before Thanksgiving to set the perfect table. If this is a sit-down meal, consider some special touches like making name cards or placing gifts like a package of chocolates at each place setting.

For buffets, lay out all the serving ware to ensure there is enough room for everything, and organize your plates, cutlery, and napkins stacked neatly at one end of the table to help create better flow when people serve themselves.

13. Stage your bathroom

On the day of the feast, go that extra mile and stage your bathroom with pretty hand towels, pumpkin spice hand soap, and maybe even some hand lotion to make guests feel welcome. Place a festive-scented, room-deodourizing spray where guests can see it, just in case.

14. Vacuum, tidy, and dust

On the morning of the event, do a final sweep of your home to look for areas that need tidying and then vacuum or sweep the floors and dust all your surfaces.

15. Clean those counters

When preparing your food, be sure to clean those counters to remove all the germs left behind from the turkey!

16. Pack leftovers away quickly

Don’t leave any leftovers sitting out once the dinner is finished. Enlist help to pack the leftovers up and place them in the fridge to make cleaning easier, while also reducing the risk of bacteria.

Trust Our Cleaning Services in Toronto for the Post-Holiday Mess

After all that hard work, you deserve a little help. Even if you had Maid4Condos give your home a deep clean before the party, chances are your home or condo will need more TLC after the fact. 

Trust one of the best cleaning services in Toronto to handle the post-feast clean-up as your reward for being such a stellar host.For more information about the cleaning services that Toronto trusts, reach out to Maid4Condos. You can call us at 647-822-0601 or contact us online.

Did you know that cleaning your home appliances helps them run efficiently? Dust and grime on home appliances can cause them to overheat and actually make them work harder. The result is unnecessary wear and tear and expensive energy bills. 

In this article, we will look at the importance of cleaning home appliances with tips from our professional home cleaning services in Toronto to help optimize performance.

Why Cleaning Appliances Is Important

There are several benefits to keeping your appliances clean, including the following:

• Health: Clean kitchen appliances help protect your family against illness. The simple act of wiping down oven handles and knobs, for example, removes germs transferred after handling raw meat.
• Efficiency: Clean appliances operate more smoothly without dust and grime interfering with the parts or blocking proper air circulation. As a result, you reduce the amount of energy needed. 
• Longer life: When appliances are dirty, the dirt causes appliances to work harder, which puts unnecessary stress on the parts. Thus, your appliances are more likely to require frequent repairs.
• Fire risk: Exertion can lead to overheating, which can sometimes increase the risk of fires. This is especially true for greasy ovens and stovetops, as well as dryers with clogged lint trays.

Because clean appliances operate smoothly, they require less effort. Therefore, you spare the parts from extensive wear and tear while ensuring your appliances remain energy efficient.

10 Ways to Keep Appliances Clean

You can keep your appliances clean using these ten helpful tips from the experts at our home cleaning services in Toronto:

1. Change or clean filters based on the manufacturer’s recommendations

Appliance filters are designed to capture dust and debris that can interfere with appliance operation. Your user’s manual will tell you whether the filters are replaceable or can be cleaned, and how often to do so. 

For example, if you have a range hood in your kitchen to remove odours and smoke, the filters can become pretty greasy. Most have reusable filters that have to be cleaned every three to six months. 

Your fridge water dispenser also has filters that usually need to be changed every six months. Meanwhile, your dryer lint trays should be cleaned after every use. Always refer to your user manual to learn about the filters in your appliances and follow the instructions to a tee.

2. Clean charging docks 

Some appliances have batteries or chargers. As the batteries weaken, so does the operation, forcing the machine to work harder. Always be sure that appliances like handheld or stick vacuums are fully charged before use. 

Put them back on their charging docks when finished to help keep them operating efficiently. Also, wipe down the charger contacts every once in a while to remove debris that can interfere with the charging process. 

3. Avoid overfilling appliances

Appliances like dishwashers and washers/dryers have load limits to avoid damaging the machinery. When overloaded, appliances are overworked, potentially harming your goods and wearing down parts.

4. Clean limescale off appliances

Small appliances that use water (like kettles, steam irons, steam cleaners, coffee machines, and large appliances like washing machines and dishwashers) are prone to something called limescale.

Limescale appears as a white, crumbly substance, usually on areas where the water comes into contact with metal parts of the appliance. These deposits can gum up the works and reduce efficiency. Check your user’s manual to learn how to remove limescale in order to keep things operating properly.

5. Defrost freezers

Whether you have a freezer or fridge-and-freezer combination, older appliances often don’t have a defrost feature to keep the storage area ice-free. Icy build-up takes up prime real estate in your freezer and causes your appliance to work overtime. 

This very messy job requires you to empty the contents, turn the freezer off, and allow the ice to melt. Placing towels on the floor helps keep the mess to a minimum. 

You can also use a scraper to remove the ice once it begins to melt to make the job easier. Just be sure to use a scraper designed for defrosting to avoid damaging the walls of your freezer. 

Another tip is to use your steam cleaner to help melt the ice faster and have more control over where the water goes.

6. Keep door seals clean

Door seals are rubber strips on the doors of some large appliances. Their job is to prevent leaks in appliances like washers and dishwashers, and create the proper seal to keep cold or heat in.

When the seals become dirty, the dirt can prevent the seal from forming a tight contact, thus interfering with operation. Wiping the seals down every month will help keep them free of debris.

7. Check appliance alerts

Today, most large and small appliances have alerts and messages that tell you when there’s an issue. 

For example, your fridge will notify you when it needs a new filter. Paying attention to error codes and acting quickly will help ensure your appliances receive the attention they need to operate efficiently. 

The longer you ignore the messages, the more harm it can cause to the appliance, leading to damage to other parts and improper function. If the appliance beeps, rings, or displays an error code, look up what it means online, so you know how to respond.

8. Keep areas around appliances clean

Dirt and dust build-up around and behind large appliances, where it tends to remain out of sight and out of mind. However, it’s worth the effort to pull out such appliances and do a thorough cleaning at least every six months to vacuum up dust, wipe down the walls, and clean the floor. 

The mess can pose a problem, such as interfering with the operation of your dryer and increasing the risk of fire. In the case of kitchen appliances, those crumbs, along with grease, can actually attract pests.

9. Empty coffee makers and espresso machines

Coffee makers and espresso machines should be emptied and cleaned after each use. The residue, especially of milk products, can build up bacteria that can make you sick. Damp coffee filters filled with coffee grinds can grow mould and mildew, and coffee residue can cause coffee to taste bitter.

10. Hire professional cleaners

If all this seems like too much work, enlist the help of professional cleaners to help keep your appliances clean. 

While our home cleaners may not be able to descale your coffee pot, we will take the burden off cleaning by ensuring your home or condo is free from dirt, and grime and areas such as counters and stove tops are cleaned regularly. 

For more information about the home cleaning services Toronto trusts, contact Maid4Condos. You can call us at 647-822-0601 or contact us online. 

Inflation is hitting every household hard these days. Finding ways to save money anywhere you can is the best way to help stretch your income further. In this article, we will offer tips for cleaning on a budget so you can save money on cleaning products and supplies. 

Go Generic

Instead of reaching for those costly name brands, try the generic version instead. You’ll likely find that they are just as effective and will save you money over the year.

If you find the generics don’t cut it, be sure to use up all of the cleaner before going back to your usual brand. It’s not uncommon to choose a cleaner you don’t like and then let it sit under your sink unused, taking up space and wasting money.

Make Your Own Cleaning Products

We’re big fans of natural, DIY cleaning products. They are better for the environment and your family while also reducing the amount of plastic containers produced. Some excellent homemade cleaning solutions include:

• White vinegar and old newspapers for windows
• Baking soda and vinegar or lemon for an abrasive cleaner ideal for tubs, counters, stovetops, etc.
• A mix of one part vinegar, one part water, sliced lemon, and fresh rosemary for a refreshing all-purpose cleaner
• White vinegar and table salt as a brass polish 
• Half a lemon and a sprinkle of salt to scrub chopping boards

Use Dishwashing Liquid

Dishwashing liquid is by far the most versatile and least expensive cleanser you can buy. It should become your go-to cleaner, as it is gentle enough to tackle a wide range of cleaning tasks, but also tough enough to remove grease and grime. You can use a few drops in warm water to clean surfaces.

However, just be sure you are also rinsing away the residue and then thoroughly drying the surface, especially wood. 

Although it’s safe on almost all materials (from fabrics to stainless steel and wood), you should avoid use on your hardwood floors, leather, glass, and mirrors. 

Invest in Reusable Cleaning Cloths

In a throw-away consumer society, you’re wasting plenty of money on things like wet mop pads, paper towels, dusting heads, etc. Instead of investing in disposable cleaning tools, purchase reusable items that you can toss in the washing machine and use repeatedly.

Microfibre cloths, mop heads, and dusters are probably the best reusable cleaning tools around. They are affordable, safe on all surfaces, and come clean easily in your washing machine. 

You can also use rags from old clothing. Keep in mind, though, that they will likely leave behind traces of lint and so aren’t the greatest for wet work when doing jobs like windows and mirrors.

Choose All-Purpose Cleaners

Find a generic all-purpose cleaner to tackle more jobs. Specialty cleaning products are always more expensive and not always necessary. 

Be sure to read the label to understand what surfaces the product can clean, and choose the one that offers the most bang for your buck.

Clip Coupons

Coupons come in handy and can often provide some pretty good savings. Read the offer, expiry date, and where they can be redeemed before using them so you won’t be disappointed.

Subscribe to E-flyers 

Subscribe to e-flyers for hardware stores to keep an eye out for good deals on cleaning tools. 

You can invest in good-quality cleaning tools that will make your job easier without having to pay full price. The right tools ensure the job is done right and reduces the amount of cleaning products you need to use, saving even more money. 

Clean Daily or More Often

You’re probably thinking, “Wait what? Wouldn’t that waste more cleaning products?” The answer is no; it uses less. 

When you keep up with cleaning, you reduce the level of dirt and germs which in turn reduces the effort needed to clean, and the amount of cleaning products you need to tackle the dirt.

Pay attention to things like spills, wipe off your stove top after cooking, and spot clean stains right away. This way, you’ll need less effort and use fewer cleaning products, thus saving you time and money.

Keep Cleaners Organized

Choose a spot to keep all your cleaning products so you always know what you have and haven’t got. As mentioned above, it’s not uncommon to have cleaning products sitting unused under your sink, which wastes money.

Either organize the area where you store your cleaning products or create a cleaning caddy, so everything is easy to grab and carry around with you on cleaning day. You can keep tabs on what you are running low on, and only buy the stuff you need. 

Consider Buying in Bulk

Buying in bulk can save money, but it can also backfire and cause you to spend more money. As well, some cleaning products are volatile and, when stored for longer periods of time, can present risks. Items that make sense to buy in bulk include:

• Microfibre cloths
• Dishwashing liquid
• Most multipurpose cleaners

Avoid stocking up on other items, as they just take up space and, over time, can leak due to the chemicals in the cleaners. Also, it is tempting to buy several cleaners when they are on sale. However, this actually ends up costing you more in the long run, as you’re spending money on something you don’t actually need at the moment. This messes up your weekly/monthly budget. 

Milk Every Drop

Before tossing out cleaning products, make sure you have used every drop. Storing cleaning products that are running low upside down allows all the liquid to drip downward to the lid so everything is used up.

Also, for cleaning products like dishwashing liquid, since you water it down anyway, you can add a bit of water to the bottle to collect all the remaining soap before throwing the empty bottle away.

Don’t Over-Spritz

Avoid the temptation to get too spritzy with your cleaning products. Use them sparingly, and where there are instructions on how much to use, follow them to a tee. This will ensure they work properly and you don’t waste a drop.

Hire a Maids Service

Although you may think that it is over your pay grade, a maid’s service can often save you money. Cleaning companies use their own cleaning products and equipment and save you time while keeping your home nice and clean. 

For more information on our maid service at Maid4Condos, click here. You can also call us at 647-822-0601.

Our summers in Canada are so short, so it’s not uncommon to put cleaning on the back burner to make the most of sunny, warm weather. As a result, by the time fall rolls around, your home might feel a little less clean than you’d like! 

In this article, we will provide our ultimate fall cleaning list directly from our deep cleaning services professionals to jump-start your routine for a squeaky clean home.

Break Cleaning Down Into Manageable Bites

When you fall (no pun intended) behind on cleaning duties, the idea of cleaning becomes more overwhelming. To help tackle your fall cleaning, it’s always best to break cleaning down into manageable bites. This is a good habit that also makes cleaning moving forward easier.

Consider daily tasks that just take a few minutes, such as putting your dirty clothes in the hamper, wiping down counters in the bathroom and kitchen after each use, and sweeping the floors in the kitchen, to reduce the amount of cleaning you need to do weekly. 

Then, tackle weekly tasks, such as vacuuming rugs, washing floors, and cleaning the bathrooms, to reduce the amount of work you need to do monthly. 

Create Chore Lists for Each Room

Sometimes, cleaning is easier when you understand what you need to clean in the first place. Having a chore list for each room allows you to keep up with cleaning so your home never reaches a completely disastrous level of mess. 

We recommend the following chore list for your fall cleaning, sticking with our advice to keep your cleaning tasks down to manageable bites:

Kitchen

Daily Cleaning:

• Wipe down the counters and stove top after prepping and cooking food
• Do the dishes
• Put clean dishes away
• Sweep the floors

Weekly:

• Scrub the sink and tap
• Mop the floors

Monthly:

• Wipe down the cabinets
• Toss out old sponges
• Clean the dishwasher
• Clean the inside of your microwave
• Toss out old food from the fridge

• Clean the shelves and drawers in the fridge
• Clean the oven
• Disinfect the trash can

Bathroom

Daily Cleaning:

• Wipe down the counters after use
• Squeegee the shower stall and door after each use
• Give the toilet a swirl after messy moments

Weekly:

• Clean the toilet thoroughly
• Clean the tub/shower stall
• Clean the mirrors
• Replace hand towels

Monthly:

• Clean the shower curtain and floor mats
• Remove everything from your counters for a thorough counter cleaning, and then reorganize everything
• Scrub the showerhead and tub faucet

Living Room/Dining Room

Daily Cleaning:

• Pick up after yourself (such as tossing old papers, putting dishes/glasses in the kitchen, tossing old snack wrappers, etc.)
• Put away toys
• Fold throw blankets 
• Wipe down the dining table

Weekly:

• Vacuum rugs or sweep the floors
• Vacuum behind the pillows 
• Dust

Monthly:

• Put throw pillows and blankets in the laundry (if they are machine washable!)
• Clean the TV screen
• Throw out old magazines
• Shake out your area rug

Bedroom

Daily Cleaning:

• Make the bed
• Put dirty clothes in the hamper
• Hang clean clothes

Weekly:

• Vacuum or sweep
• Dust

Bi-weekly:

• Clean the sheets

Spot Clean Often 

Since you’ll be inside more often in the fall and winter months, you want to avoid creating clutter that can be stressful when the weather is dreary. Spot cleaning ensures you clean messes up as they occur.

As part of your fall cleaning regime, keep spot-cleaning things like throwing out old snack wrappers, organizing or recycling old magazines and papers, putting toys away, etc., to keep your home tidy and clutter-free. 

Clean the Windows

Wipe away the grime and streaks on your windows that have accumulated over the summer. Use vinegar and paper towels as the best natural cleaner or your basic window cleaner for a sparkling clean. 

You’ll let in more light, so it’s not too depressing when the weather turns gloomy.

Do a Thorough Dusting

Dusting is important in the fall, as you tend to open your windows more often in the summer, letting in a lot of allergens like pollen and dirt. Dust all the surfaces in your home from ceiling to floor to remove the summer debris. 

Be sure to use a static duster to capture the dust or use a light spritz of furniture polish to avoid sending the dust up into the air. Then, maintain your weekly dusting throughout the fall to keep your home clean.

Make Room for Fall Clothes

Pack away your summer clothes in handy under-the-bed bins to make room for your fall clothes. If space doesn’t allow you to store your summer clothes, then reorganize your closet so your fall clothes are easier to reach. This is a great opportunity to get rid of the clothing you didn’t wear this summer or last fall and send them off to charity. You’ll create a lot more space in your closet.

Also, make sure you have enough room at your entry for your sweaters and jackets, whether it’s installing some hooks, using some handy shoe shelves, or using a little bench/chest. This way, your entry is less cluttered throughout the fall and into the winter.

Clean and Cover Outdoor Furniture

If you have outdoor furniture on your balcony, wipe it all down and let it dry before covering it against the elements. Be sure you follow your building’s storage rules to keep your balcony safe during the windy fall and winter months.

Don’t forget about your planters; they should be pushed into the corners. As well, all hanging plants and baskets should be taken down to avoid dangerous winds from carrying them over the balcony.

Complete a Deep Cleaning

Deep cleaning sanitizes your home so it is nice and clean during germ season. Hiring deep cleaning services can be helpful, as you’ll need to tackle some big jobs, including:

• Baseboards
• Window ledges
• Walls
• Light switches
• Door knobs
• Appliance fronts
• Air vents

All the little nooks, crannies, and surfaces that you don’t pay much attention to throughout the summer should be thoroughly cleaned as part of your fall cleaning regime.

Contact the Cleaning Professionals

If this all sounds like too much work, Maid4Condos offers dependable deep cleaning services ideal for fall. You can call us at 647-822-0601 or contact us online.

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.

Parenthood isn’t easy. From homework to soccer practice and everything in between, finding a few moments for yourself, let alone doing some cleaning, is often challenging.

Fear not, though! Here we share 14 cleaning tips for busy moms and dads directly from our home cleaning services professionals.

1. Clean as you go

The best way to keep on top of things is to clean as you go. Making lunches for the kids? Put any dishes you use in the dishwasher. Finished reading the paper? Toss it in the recycle bin. Sink filled with toothpaste after daily brushing? Keep wipes in the bathroom so you can wipe it away. 

These little tasks add up at the end of the week, so your home stays cleaner and takes less time to clean. Teach kids to follow your example for an even spotless home.

2. Have put-away rules

Often, family members resent putting things away if they don’t feel they were “the last one to use it.” To avoid arguments and simplify the cleaning process, have a put-away rule. Anyone who uses something needs to put it away when they’re done. 

This also makes it easier to find shared things like scissors, tape, phone chargers, etc., to lessen frustration. Also known as the “one touch” rule, you keep the house tidier and organized to reduce clutter and stress.  

3. Buy a wet and dry mop for floors

New cleaning tools like wet and dry mops are designed to make life easier. Having easy-to-use cleaning tools also helps you keep on top of cleaning tasks, so it doesn’t take as long to do things, like vacuum or mop the floors.

A quick sweep with the dry mop and a swish of the wet mop every day keeps your hard surface floors looking cleaner. Better yet, it reduces the need for an hour-long sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping session every weekend! 

4. Invest in convenience storage

Put-away rules don’t work if you don’t have organized storage. Having baskets, shelves, boxes, jars, hangers, and drawers that optimize storage space means everything has a proper place.

This makes it simpler to put things away, and as mentioned, it also makes it easier to find the things you need. A place for everything makes a world of difference, especially in smaller spaces.

5. Create a cleaning caddy

Cleaning caddies keep all your cleaning products and tools in one handy place. They are also easy to tote around as you clean, keeping everything you need at your fingertips. A typical cleaning caddy includes:

• A good all-purpose cleaner
• Duster
• Clean rags or microfibre cloths
• Rubber gloves
• All-purpose disinfectant wipes
• Paper towels
• Lint roller 
• Sponge

6. Store cleaning products where you use them

While your caddy is a time-saver for general house cleaning, areas like the bathroom require special cleaners. Keep these items stored safely in the bathroom so they are there when needed.

As mentioned, wipes on bathroom counters really minimize effort, while other items like tub and shower cleaners only used in the bathroom might as well be kept in the only place you use them.

7. Toss a load of laundry in each day

Doing several loads of laundry in one day takes up a lot of time. Consider tossing a load of laundry in after dinner each day. It’s a cheaper time of day for water and electricity consumption, and you can have freshly cleaned clothes folded and put away ready to use in the morning.

8. Have everyone pitch in

Teaching kids to clean at an early age helps them develop a sense of community and responsibility. Creating an age-appropriate chore list helps keep the home clean as a family, so everyone pitches in and feels good about their contribution. 

Make sure no one ever gets stuck doing the same awful job (like scrubbing the shower or toilet) to keep things fair. Also, help younger kids with their tasks so they don’t get frustrated and give up.

9. Create a cleaning schedule

Schedules create a routine to help ensure the cleaning chores get done. A daily, weekly, and monthly schedule tackles cleaning in manageable bites, so everything gets taken care of.

Daily cleaning might include sweeping the kitchen, cleaning the countertops, making the beds, washing the dishes, and doing a load of laundry. Weekly would be vacuuming, mopping floors, dusting, and cleaning bathrooms, while monthly might be cleaning the microwave, windows, fridge, and oven. You can set the schedule that works for you and use the routine to keep your cleaning on track. 

10. Power clean in spurts

Tackling clutter and dirt in spurts also helps. If you notice the living room is looking messy, pick things up, toss out garbage, and put items away. If the toilet and bathroom sink look dirty, give the toilet a squirt of toilet bowl cleaner, wipe down the sink with a wipe, and then give the toilet a swirl of the brush.

11. Combine cleaning with fitness

If you don’t have time to clean and work out, combine the two when the house is looking a little grim. Turn on an upbeat playlist and go at things full-power; vacuum with vigour, see how fast you can scrub the tub, dance or jog on the spot while you fold the laundry—you get the picture.

12. Make cleaning fun

This is easier said than done, but with a little creativity, it is possible. For example, have a cleaning contest to see who can clean their room the fastest. Offer a reward for people who put in extra effort above and beyond their usual cleaning duties. 

Have a fun activity planned post-cleaning, like watching a favourite movie, going to the park, or a bike ride as the end goal, so everyone works together to meet that aim. 

You can also create your own games, such as “robots” where everyone acts like robots while putting things away, or hiding the toys, where kids need to get all their toys put away before the toy burglar finds them.   

13. Donate unused items

Kids grow out of everything, such as clothes, toys, bikes, skates, and other sports gear. If it’s small, it will soon be outdated. To make life easier, help families in need, reduce waste, and declutter your space, make sure to keep a box handy for donations.

As soon as something is no longer needed, toss it in the box. Once it’s full, bring it to your local charity. This is decluttering with purpose: teaching your kids the importance of sharing and minimizing waste.

14. Hire professional home cleaning services in Toronto

Last but not least, give yourself a break and hire professional cleaners. Whether it’s once a week, twice a month, or every once in a while, house cleaning services help keep your home comfortable and clean so you can focus on more important things. 

The team at Maid4Condos offers affordable home cleaning services in Toronto that are ideal for your family. To learn more, call us at 647-822-0601 or contact us online.

Here’s some good news: wood kitchen cabinets are back in style! However, when you think about it, wood isn’t the best material for kitchens, where drips, grease and sticky messes occur daily. As a result, it takes some work to keep wood cabinets looking their best.

If you’re finding that your wood cabinets are not looking too appealing, it helps to know how to bring out their finer qualities. Here, we share our wood cabinet cleaning tips to highlight the natural beauty of these comeback kids, complete with our recommended natural kitchen cleaning supplies. 

To learn more about how you can keep your wood cabinets looking brand new, continue reading below:

Protect the Finish

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is using the wrong kitchen cleaning supplies. When you choose something too abrasive or harsh, you remove the protective finish that brings out the natural characteristics of the wood. Instead of harsh cleaners, you should use a natural cleaning solution, like vinegar, that will cut the grease and stickiness without damaging the surface. 

Apply a half-and-half mix of water and white vinegar directly to your cabinets to wipe away the gunk. If you find vinegar too strong, you can also use gentle dishwashing liquid with water to cut the greasy, sticky mess. The key is avoiding harsh chemicals that eat away at the finish. Also, using too much water will warp the wood, so make sure the surface is dry after you clean it.

Don’t Forget the Upper Cabinet Tops

The upper cabinets tend to catch the most grease, grime, and dust. Since the area is out of reach, you likely aren’t touching it very often, allowing the buildup to settle. 

Be sure to wipe the tops of your upper kitchen cabinet doors at least once or twice a month with your vinegar mix for smooth, crud-free cabinets. You’ll also see fewer cobwebs clinging to the ceiling and upper cabinets when there isn’t any grease to capture them. 

Wipe Away Drips

We can agree that cleaning kitchen cabinets daily is excessive. Still, is it asking too much to wipe up drips when they happen? You’ll surely miss a few drips when mixing sauces, making salad dressing, or pouring gravy into a gravy boat. So, check out your work area after cooking to spot drips and wipe them away before they get caked on.

This keeps your cabinets clean and avoids using more elbow grease to remove the buildup. A damp cloth will do the trick. If you spot the drip once it dries, you might need your vinegar mix! And remember this: by wiping things up today, you’ll need less elbow grease tomorrow.

Clean Crevices With a Toothbrush 

Decorative details like shaker frames and raised panels create little corners and seams that attract grease and grime, which love clinging to hard-to-reach spots. A toothbrush will get into those crevices.

Choose a soft-bristle brush to avoid making fine scratches. The toothbrush also works well on detailed cabinet pulls and handles with complex finistere designs that collect grime and hand oil. 

Add Cabinets to Your Dusting Checklist

Although the last thing you want is to add more items to your dusting checklist, your wood cabinets will thank you. Dusting the upper cabinet tops is essential, as grease splatters create a film that collects dust like a magnet. Light dusting and regular wipe-downs will avoid unsightly dust-grime coatings that look and feel unclean.

Treat Your Wood Cabinets to Some TLC

You can also use oil soap wood-cleaner to help keep greasy buildup to a minimum. Think of it as a massage for your cabinets. You can use a soft cloth to rub the oil soap into the wood using a circular motion and apply slight pressure to help collect the grease.

After the massage, go over the area with a clean cloth to remove the gunk it loosened and, voila, clean, grease-free wood. Use this method as a monthly “treat” for your doors. 

Catch Up on Buildup With Baking Soda

If you fall behind on your cabinet-cleaning regime, you’ll need a bit more cleaning power to catch up on buildup removal. Create a paste using water and baking soda as a mild abrasive to tackle dried gunk. 

If the gunk is caked on, let the paste sit on the mess for about 15 minutes, and then it should scrub off with a little pressure. In the worst-case scenario, you might have to scrape it off. A thin, rubber spatula should work. Never use metal utensils, as they will damage the finish.

Finish Up With a Wood Polish

To treat your wood cabinets to a complete clean, finish up with a wood or furniture polish. Polishes bring out the grain and character of wood, so your cabinets appear more lustrous. You can choose a polish suited to your cabinets’ finish to enhance the high shine or maintain the matte look of modern finishes.

This is a big job, so you’ll probably only want to do it a few times a year. Work in small sections, and rub the polish into the wood using a circular motion and soft cloth. Be sure to cover the entire surface, or else the finish will look uneven. 

If you prefer using natural solutions, mix half vinegar and half mild vegetable oil together, and rub the cleaner onto the wood to bring out the shine. This creates a nice finish and protects the wood against decay and staining. It’s a win-win solution that reduces cleaning efforts in the future. 

Avoid the Hinges

When cleaning your cabinets, avoid the hinges. Almost all cleaning solutions can cause rust, which will damage your hinges, make them look awful, and also create squeaks. 

Never Use Bleach or Ammonia

Ammonia is often used to remove grease. However, it is the worst thing you can use on wood cabinets, as it will damage the finish. If you have wood-framed cabinets with glass insets, use white vinegar to clean the glass, as most glass cleaners contain ammonia.

Contact the Cleaning Experts in Toronto

While these cleaning tips help you find the right kitchen cleaning supplies and techniques for your wood cabinets, your busy schedule might not allow you to use them. Fortunately, the Maid4Condos team in Toronto can help take on some or all of your cleaning tasks. To learn more, call us at 647-822-0601 or contact us online.