Category: Cleaning Tip

Everyone has their own method of cleaning their home. However, you may be making certain mistakes that can lead to your home becoming dirtier. To avoid putting in the extra work and making sure you get it right the first time, here we’ll discuss some of the most common mistakes while cleaning your home.

Loading Too Much in the Dishwasher

While it’s beneficial for the environment only to run your dishwasher when it’s full, if there are too many items in the dishwasher, it can cause damage. Plus, not all the dishes will be thoroughly cleaned.

Using Your Cleaning Cloth too Much

Many people use a cleaning cloth for various tasks in the kitchen. Whether it’s drying your hands, wiping the counter, or cleaning the stove, a cloth can serve a multitude of purposes. However, if you’re not cleaning the cloth often, then you could be spreading more grime and germs.

If you are using your cleaning cloth many times during the day, switch it daily. If you don’t use it as often, change it every other day.

Forgetting about Your Coffee Maker

Your coffee maker is susceptible to bacteria and mould because it is so moist and warm on the inside. That’s why you need to clean it thoroughly each time you use it. Plus, if you’re a coffee aficionado, then you know that a clean coffee maker will make your coffee taste better.

Not Cleaning the Touchpoints

Sometimes, not cleaning the spots that you touch or often handle (the touchpoints) can be easily forgotten. However, keeping these areas clean is essential in reducing germs. These surfaces include faucets, door handles, remote controls, and knobs, so it’s best to clean them a few times a week. During cold and flu season, you may want to clean them more frequently.

Using Feather Dusters

Many people think feather dusters are an asset when cleaning their home when, in reality, feather dusters just move dust around and don’t actually remove it from the surface. A better cleaning item is a microfibre duster cloth, as this material creates static electricity when it moves over surfaces, which makes grabbing dust much easier and more effective.

Putting Away a Wet Toilet Brush

A wet toilet brush is already dirty on its own but can be even worse if it’s stored while damp. Allow your toilet brush to dry completely before you store it away in its holder.

If you’re worried about where to dry it, put it between the bowl and toilet seat so that it is laid over the water. When it drips, it will go into the toilet, and it will dry quickly.

Re-using Dirty Sponges

Kitchen sponges attract bacteria, so they must be replaced every other week. It’s also essential to clean the sponge itself to eliminate bacteria. All you have to do is throw it into the dishwasher on a heated dry cycle, or even pop it in the microwave for a minute while it’s still wet.

Overusing Detergent

While there is a myth that using more detergent equals cleaner clothes, the opposite is true. When you use too much detergent for the size of the load or the washer itself, this overuse can cause your garments not to be rinsed properly.

Plus, the residue that remains from the detergent lingers on your clothes and can attract more dirt and grime. Always follow the instructions on the bottle to discover how much detergent needs to be used.

Cleaning Your Cutting Board with Dish Soap

When it comes to cleaning your cutting board, using soap and warm water will not be sufficient enough. If you were slicing raw meat or poultry, you need to use a bleach solution to reduce the risk of cross-contamination when you are preparing your next meal.

Trusting the Wrong Cleaning Company

To get a deeper clean without having to lift a finger, many people opt to hire a cleaning company to take care of their home’s needs. While hiring a cleaning company is an excellent idea, if you put your trust into a company that does a poor job, then you’ll end up cleaning more yourself and wasting money. Instead, you could have spent your money on a reputable cleaning company like Maid4Condos, where we take pride in our comprehensive and efficient cleaning services.

Spraying Your Furniture

If you use polish on your furniture and spray it directly, it will create build-up on your items that can be tricky to remove and will cause more dust to accumulate. To clean furniture properly, spray your cleaner into a cloth and then rub it on the surfaces with dirt and stains.

With the previous tips in mind, you can avoid the most common cleaning mistakes that people make when cleaning their homes. That way, your house won’t attract as much dirt and dust, and you won’t have to go back and clean the same spots again.

At Maid4Condos, we want to help you avoid any mistakes you’re making while cleaning your home. By putting your trust in our capable hands, we will ensure that your home is well looked after and looking good as new in no time. We offer various options for our clients so they can decide the frequency of cleaning and what type will work for them, whether it’s a basic cleaning or something more intensive. Our various packages and offerings are what makes us so popular within the GTA.

If you’re looking for a top-quality house cleaning company, and want to speak with our friendly customer service team, get in touch with us today by filling out the contact form on our website, emailing info@maid4condos.com, or calling us at 647-822-0601.

We look forward to working with you and are excited to help you get your home looking its best, no matter what the occasion.

If it’s time to clean your sofa or mattress, you may be feeling a bit nervous about how to proceed. If you properly follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, then you shouldn’t have any issues. However, if you forget those guidelines when the time comes, you might cause unnecessary damage to your upholstery.

If you’ve invested in a sofa, then you’ll want to ensure that the material lasts a long time. Do not, by any means, use an all-purpose cleaner on your upholstery, and don’t rely on your typical cleaning techniques.

Here are some tips on how to clean your upholstery properly, so you don’t do any irreversible damage.

Get into the Practice of Blotting

Instead of scrubbing your upholstery, take an absorbent cloth and then blot the spills. That way, your stain won’t get further rubbed into your furnishings. Blotting will cause less damage to your furnishings by absorbing more liquid.

Try Steam Cleaning

Steam cleaning is an effective method that will lift dirt from the fabric, and you can use a steam mop. Start with a lower heating setting, and do a test patch to ensure the material doesn’t have an adverse reaction to the heat. If your upholstery is silk, it’s best to avoid steam cleaning.

Always Do a Test Patch

It’s essential to do a test patch when you are using any type of cleaning solution, especially for the first time. All you have to do is apply your product to a section beneath the upholstery and then study how it reacts to the fabric. By taking your time, you can reduce your chances of making a significant mistake.

Avoid Water for Upholstery Cleaning

If you use water while cleaning your upholstery, you could create dried watermarks. As well, using water can cause your sofa to dry incorrectly. There is also a risk of mould developing, most commonly in furniture. Even if the surface looks dry, water can accumulate below the padding and stick around for days after cleaning it.

Instead of using water, try rubbing alcohol, as it is efficient at cleaning microfibre. To properly clean your furnishings, add some rubbing alcohol to a spray bottle and apply it to your furnishings. Then, use a dry and clean cloth to remove the stain.

Using Incorrect Cleaning Products

On that same note, be careful what other cleaning products you use on your furnishings. To be sure, you can contact your furniture manufacturer for the products that they recommend. When you use the wrong cleaning products, you could cause irreversible damage to your upholstery.

Be cautious if someone working at a home store suggests that upholstery-cleaning products are used universally. There are many more types of fabrics available now for furnishings, and each one needs to be cleaned in a particular manner.

Hire the Right Professional Cleaners

Since you’ll want to use the right cleaning products for your upholstery, why not put it into the hands of a trusted professional cleaner, like the ones at Maid4Condos? While some may think that hiring upholstery cleaners is expensive, it may be more affordable than you think.

If your furnishings are stained often due to pets or children, or you want to spruce up your upholstery for future guests, a cleaning service that offers top-notch upholstery cleaning will remove the stains and freshen up the look of your furnishings. They’ll also do a detailed cleaning, and remove dirt, pet fur, and unpleasant odours.

However, if you choose the wrong cleaning company, you could end up wasting money if they don’t do an adequate job. If you choose a service like Maid4Condos, you can rest assured that you’ll be in good hands.

Pick the Proper Vacuum Attachment

If you think various attachments for your vacuum are useless, think again. For instance, the airflow attachment creates what you would expect–more airflow–and causes the spinning brushes to function. The reason many people use this attachment is that it’s a gentler option than your vacuum and also smaller in size. That way, you can get into smaller spots. As well, it’s an excellent tool for removing pet hair from upholstery, as it gently brushes each surface and removes debris.

There’s also a formal upholstery brush attachment that is similar in looks to a lint brush, but the bristles are much softer and can even minimize pilling.

Steer Clear of Fabric Softeners

While it is safe to use leather conditioning on your leather furnishings, do not mix these products up with fabric softeners. If you own washable upholstery, do not use fabric softeners, Instead, use free and clear detergents without scents or dyes. Also, be sure to avoid placing upholstery in the dryer and instead dry them flat.

Be Sure to Rotate the Cushions

Rotating the cushions is an essential step in cleaning your upholstery. This is necessary because if there are any dents or wear on the fabric, you can reduce them merely by just rotating the cushions.

Now that you have some idea on how to clean your upholstery correctly, you won’t have to worry about making a mistake that will damage your items. Your furniture will be good as new as long as you use the proper cleaning techniques.

At Maid4Condos, we thoroughly clean every surface possible around your home, including upholstery. We are popular in the GTA because we use an extensive checklist system so that we don’t miss any spots in your home, and that you can be happy with our detailed cleanings. Whether you just want a touch-up, a little more than a basic cleaning, or a heavy-duty cleaning, we’ve got your needs covered.

Feel free to contact us today by filling out the contact form on our website or emailing info@maid4condos.com. You can also reach us by phone at 647-822-0601.

We look forward to helping you take care of your upholstery so that it’s looking good as new.

Now that spring cleaning season is here, giving your house a major cleanout can feel amazing. However, sometimes the products available out there are not green-friendly and can cause damage to the environment. The reason for this is that the majority of cleaning products nowadays contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which are harmful if you inhale or even touch them.

One common misconception is that eco-friendly cleaning products are not as effective as their chemical counterparts. Still, you would be surprised as to what these natural cleaning products can do. Not only are these products just as powerful as regular cleaners, but they have a less artificial smell and use pleasant scents like essential oil blends.

Here are some of the best green, eco-friendly, and natural cleaning products that you can use in your house for your next cleaning.

The Benefits of Going Green

Using natural ingredients is all well and good, but there are more benefits to using these types of merchandise. For instance, many eco-friendly products come in reusable containers. Some of them are also recyclable, which makes disposing of them more convenient. When you use greener products regularly, you keep waste out of landfills. Even buying your own glass cleaning containers can go a long way in helping keep a clean environment.

Making the Transition

If you think switching over to more green products is too challenging, you don’t have to worry. There are many products available today that you can purchase online or at a nearby store, and they are quite capable of cleaning various areas and surfaces around your home.

Even though replacing all your cleaning items with more natural ones may seem expensive, you can start to buy them as soon as you’ve finished your other products and build upon your supplies. It may take some time to replace your older cleaning supplies with more eco-friendly ones entirely, but once you do, it’s something that will bring you peace of mind and make you feel good about what products you’re using in your home.

DIY Products

Many people these days are even taking matters into their own hands and making cleaning products themselves. You can go back to the basics and use vinegar and baking soda, and add any essential oil for scent. However, for many people, making cleaning products yourself all the time may not be the most convenient—that’s why there are many greener products on the market now.

The Best in Eco-Friendly and Natural Products

Now that you know why it is essential to switch to green and natural products, here are some of the best green products on the market. You can easily find all these products on Amazon Canada for your convenience.

Better Life All-Purpose Spray

This cleaner from Better Life Cleaners is plant-based but still works just as efficiently as chemical-based ones. The all-purpose spray is one of their best products, but they make other effective items like stainless-steel polish, which can be difficult to find in a natural form.

Dr. Bronner’s Sal Sud Cleaner

Dr. Bronner’s is a popular name, and many people use their line of Castile soaps to make DIY products, whether for their household or cosmetics. Like their popular soaps, the Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner is strong enough to clean major items around the home like floors, furniture, and dishes, while also being gentle on your skin.

Mrs. Meyer’s Surface Cleaner

If you’ve ever used a Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning product, then you know it has an incredible scent. This surface cleaner will get the job done when you’re cleaning your house and is made from plant-based ingredients and essential oils.

The Laundress All-Purpose Cleaner

If you’re looking for an all-purpose product that can clean every surface around your home, the Laundress All-Purpose Cleaner is an excellent product that will do just that. This biodegradable product will take care of all your cleaning needs so you won’t have to buy various supplies for areas around your home.

Method Daily Shower Spray

Method products are popular in the natural product world. Their biodegradable daily shower spray uses solvents from timber mill byproducts as a way to get rid of soap scum and grime build-up in the shower or bath. It is also safe for the majority of surfaces.

Ecover Zero Dish Soap

Ecover products are popular among consumers; their dish soap is one of the top products for being environmentally friendly. The reason this dish soap is one of the go-to choices for many people is that it is gentle on your hands, but is very useful at cleaning dishes.

Ecover Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Speaking of Ecover, their toilet-bowl cleaner is also an exceptional product that is packaged in a plant-based recyclable bottle. It has a pleasant pine scent and removes the most difficult stains and odours, as well as calcification that develops from your toilet.

Scotch Brite Greener Clean Scrub Sponge

Having a green product that you can clean with is essential when purchasing natural products. These sponges from Scotch Brite use natural fibres, which are better for the environment as they are a renewable resource that easily breaks down. Other types of conventional sponges contain a bacteria-killing agent called triclosan, which causes harm to aquatic ecosystems.

Now that you know which cleaning products are best for the environment, you can feel good about using them around your home. By switching to natural products, you can keep you and your family safe by using non-toxic ingredients, as well as doing your part in protecting the environment.

At Maid4Condos, we are passionate about using the best products possible around your home. That’s why so many people in the GTA choose us to clean their homes. We offer a variety of services, like a basic clean, clean plus, move-in/out clean, and a deep clean to meet your needs. Get in touch with us today by filling out the contact form on our website or emailing info@maid4condos.com. You can also reach us at 647-822-0601.

We look forward to helping you take care of your house cleaning this spring season.

You know better than anyone that kitchen cupboards can get dirty fast. Often you make spills you don’t even notice, and the constant cooking sends all kinds of greasy gunk into the air that eventually land on your kitchen surfaces.

While we all tend to wipe down our counters several times a day, our kitchen cupboards are a little neglected. And it isn’t just the cabinet fronts that suffer. Drawers and the inside of your kitchen cupboards can also collect crumbs and other forms of kitchen dirt.

All of these issues are not only unsanitary but can attract pests. If you want to keep on top of all that grime, grease, and food grunge, you need to know how to keep your kitchen cupboards clean. Here’s our pro tips for spic and span, beautiful kitchen cupboards.

How Often You Should Clean

Keeping on top of the greasy, grimy build-up will make cleaning easier. Other than trying to pay attention to what messes you are making while you cook, you should be cleaning your cupboards every few weeks. This would include a basic wipe down to remove surface dirt and then a harder rub-down for stubborn, grimier build up.

Unfortunately, you also have to pay attention to the interior of all your kitchen storage, and this should be done every few months. Think of it as a seasonal job you can tackle 4 times a year. This requires taking everything out of drawers and off shelves for a thorough cleaning. Choose a time when you’ve loaded up the dishwasher, as this will make the job easier. Just about every surface can be cleaned using the following tips.

Use mild dish detergent and warm water applied to a clean, soft cloth to wipe down your cabinet surfaces. Always be sure to wring out the cloth after each dip of the soap mixture to reduce dampness. Be sure to get into the hinges, as well as the corners and nooks of your doors and drawer fronts.

Rinse the doors and sideboards with clear, warm water immediately after using the soap and water and dry with a separate dry, soft cloth. Do this door by door so the soap is not left on too long.

Greasier, stickier stains can be tackled with a natural solution of 1-part white vinegar and 2 parts hot water. Use a clean cloth and soak it in the solution, wring out the cloth, and apply pressure to the stain to wipe it away. Dry with a clean, soft cloth.

For even stickier messes, you can try using undiluted white vinegar, and more elbow grease to get the stain off. In this case, you have to rinse the area with clean water and wipe with a dry, clean cloth.

Grease and grime can be very stubborn and require a bit of abrasion to be wiped away. A safe bet is to use a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda made into a paste. Before going crazy with the mixture, test the inside of the door first to look for signs if it’s damaging the surface.

Use a warm, barely damp cloth and a touch of the paste, and apply the paste to the greasy area. Let it sit a few minutes before gently rubbing the area with a damp cloth or sponge. If it still doesn’t budge, try using a soft, nylon brush. Rinse away the paste with clean water and dry with a soft cloth.

Avoid using anything that can damage the surface as all cabinets will be easily scratched with abrasive cleaners and scouring pads as well as strong detergents.

Interior Cleaning Tips

Every few months, the interior of your cabinets need a deep-clean. Empty out each cabinet, starting with the highest cabinets first and work your way down. If the shelving paper is damaged or yellowing, remove it and then use a vacuum to remove crumbs and dust using your hose attachment.

If you don’t have the hose attachment, brush crumbs away with a microfibre cloth. Wash the shelves with warm water and dish soap, then rinse with clean water and a fresh cloth. Wipe everything dry and add new shelving paper.

Proper Cleaning Products for the Job

The main challenge for kitchen cabinets is that each type of cabinet requires special considerations. You don’t want to inadvertently damage the surface over time.

While it might seem easy to identify wood surfaces, in some cases, you might not realize what you thought was wood is actually a laminate or faux wood surface. Other surfaces can include paint, glass or even mirrored fronts, laminates, plastics, metals and more.

Here are the most common finishes and special considerations when using our basic 101 cleaning instructions:

1. Wood

You can use the basic 101 cleaning instructions for wood, paying careful attention to avoid using strong detergents or abrasive cleaners such as scouring pads, as harsh cleaners and cleaning pads with abrasive surfaces will damage the finish of the wood.

2. Paint

Painted cupboards must be wiped dry with a soft cloth to avoid water spots from forming. No air drying allowed! Also, don’t apply liquid waxes, as instead of protecting, they can actually act as a paint remover. Citrus oils can also cause damage to painted surfaces.

3. Laminate

Because laminate cupboards have seams, you will have to use a toothbrush to remove and lift dirt from the crevices. Be careful to wipe these areas down with a dry cloth as if moisture is left; it can cause the particle board beneath the laminate to swell and permanently damage your cupboards. In general, keep the amount of liquid you apply to your cupboards limited.

4. Metal

You can use rubbing alcohol to wipe away grimy, greasy build-up on metal cabinets using a soft cloth and a circular motion to remove the dirt. If you notice rust spots, rub them gently with extra-fine steel wool being very gentle, so you don’t leave scratch marks.

A blow dryer should be used after rust removal to dry the spot thoroughly, as well as to dry areas such as hinges where water can hide. After any cleaning, wipe away remaining wetness with a dry cloth or rust can form.

5. Glass

If you spill something on your glass fronts, or you spot dried food, soapy water and a wet sponge should be used first to remove the spots. You can then rinse and wipe away the dampness with a dry cloth and then apply a streak-free window cleaner or natural cleaner with equal parts water and vinegar.

Usually, your glass fronts have a wood frame, so remember to follow the wood instructions for these areas. If using streak-free cleaners, wipe any overspray off the wood frames, immediately stop to avoid and further damage.

If you have mullions — decorative wood slats — within the glassed area, your best bet is to spray the cleaner directly onto your cleaning cloth, instead of spraying the window.

These tips will keep your kitchen sparkling clean while helping your cupboards last longer.

To learn more about how to clean your kitchen cupboards, call Maid4Condos at 647-822-0601 or contact us here.

Dusting is a bore and something people often overlook during cleaning. Unfortunately, dust is an irritant that can make allergy sufferers see worsening symptoms and leave people without allergies feeling like they have caught a spring cold.

The bottom line is that every home has dust and just about every person, not to mention a dog or cat, is prone to some form of irritation when surrounded by dust.

Studies have shown that dust contains far more irritants than you might think. From pollen, dead skin cells, and animal dander, to potentially hazardous chemicals such as flame retardants used on furniture and plastics used in your electronics. Even your cleaning products can leave behind chemical residues, such as phenols.

The only way to help reduce allergy symptoms in the home is to make sure you are dusting regularly. However, there is a right way and a wrong way to dust. Here are some tips to help reduce the dust in your home and hopefully also reduce your allergy symptoms.

Dust from the Top Down

Most people focus on dusting the surfaces in their homes, such as desks, tabletops, and other hard surfaces, such as their floors. However, there are many sources of dust found above your living space that require your attention first.

Whether it is the blades of your ceiling fans and light fixtures or the cobwebs that are forming along with your ceiling, sources of dust from above keep more dust on your surfaces below. That’s why you have that funny little dust brush on your vacuum cleaner. Use this to tackle the upper dust sources before dusting and vacuuming below. This will help avoid dust from continuously falling from above.

If you already dust the upper area of your space, just make sure you are cleaning it first. If you don’t have a vacuum, you can use a spritz of three parts water and one-part vinegar and a microfibre cloth to wipe away dust particles. Wash the cloth on the hot cycle with a few teaspoons of vinegar to kill allergens.

Continue your dusting efforts using a microfibre cloth as they are the best cleaning tool to collect and contain dust. Once a week, you should be wiping down your surfaces — twice if you are a serious allergy sufferer — to keep dust to a minimum. You should then vacuum or clean floors once a week after dusting your surfaces.

Understand Your Vacuum Attachments

Vacuums are great for dusting, but most people have no idea of how to use the various attachments that come with their vacuum. There is a soft brush attachment ideal for use on walls, ceiling edges, and things like light fixtures and ceiling fans. This can also be used on things such as window blinds.

There is also a long, plastic “hose” that has a very narrow end allowing you to tuck into those corners and spots like window sills and under beds, as well as along baseboards and behind furniture. People with allergies should always opt for a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter to trap dust particles.

Don’t Forget Window Treatments

The soft-brush attachment on your vacuum is ideal to keep your window treatments dust free. As mentioned above, take the hose to your windowsill and along the nooks and crannies of window frames. You should be professionally cleaning your drapes every spring and fall.

If you have serious allergies or are a smoker, do it every season. Look for a dry cleaner that uses green cleaning processes to reduce chemicals in your home.

Clean Upholstered Furniture

Your sofa and upholstered chairs should be cleaned for dust once a week. You can use your upholstery tool on the vacuum, but if you have pets, you can also use a rubber glove and rub your hand across the entire surface. The rubber acts like a magnet for pet hair and dander.

Dust Your Bookshelves

If you are an avid reader, you want to care for your books and keep your shelves clean. Books can be wiped down on the tops using the soft brush on your vacuum every season. Every few weeks, books should be pulled out in manageable numbers so you can get at the dust behind them on the shelves. Your microfibre cloth will be perfect for this job.

Wipe Down Plants

Plants tend to get a dusty build-up, which can actually affect their health. The more dust they have on their leaves and fronds, the less sun they get. A nifty trick for cleaning plants is to take them outside and use a keyboard compressed air cleaner to remove dust gently. Then, wipe leaves down with a damp cloth to remove the remaining dirt. Avoid spritzing plants as this can lead to mould growth.

Clean Floors Weekly

After you have dusted everywhere else, use a mop to clean your floors. Start by wiping down baseboards using a dryer sheet, as they can help keep dust at bay thanks to their anti-static formula. You can then clean your floors using a clean mop and preferably a natural household floor cleaner.

Choose Smart Cleaning Products

Choose natural cleaning products, or consider making your own, as most cleaning products contain irritants that can make allergies worse. This includes cleaners with fragrances, even fragrances that seem natural like lemon, as these often contain phthalates.

Electronics

Your trusty microfibre cloth can do the trick for electronics as they collect dust effectively and are smooth. This means you don’t put your screens and other surfaces at risk for scratches.

Reduce Dust

Follow these tips to reduce dust:

• Keep your windows closed, as this allows dust and pollen to come into your home
• Use doormats so people can wipe their feet when they enter the home and shake them out every few months, so people aren’t collecting more dirt when they wipe their feet
• Brush and bathe your pet to reduce pet dander and hair/fur loss. Speak to your vet for tips on the best way to keep your pet clean
• Change your air filters for your furnace at least every few months and choose HEPA filters to collect allergens

These dusting tips will help keep allergens in your home to a minimum. If you find cleaning is overlooked due to your busy lifestyle, a home cleaning service should be used at least once a month to keep dust under control.

To learn more about keeping your home free of allergen-causing dust, call Maid4Condos at 647-822-0601 or contact us here.

If you are an avid fan of workouts and have a complete gym in your home, you might be missing out on one very important benefit to joining a club: hygiene. Public gyms have policies that members must follow, as well as professional cleaning services to keep the gym clean and safe.

While you might feel it’s just you and your family members using your gym, you are still at risk of exposure to a long list of unpleasant health dangers if you don’t take proper care of your equipment.

For example, your gym equipment can be covered in germs and bacteria, including Human Papillomavirus, Klebsiella, E. Coli, Staphylococcus, Aureus, Candida, Streptococcus, and Influenza, to name but a few.

While most home gyms won’t be rife with these germs, one thing that is unavoidable is odour and dust. If you don’t have a home cleaning service coming in to reduce dust and odours, both these things can make your workout unpleasant.

In fact, dust can also make breathing during your workout more of a struggle. Here are our top cleaning tips to keep your gym sweat, odour, dust and germ-free.

Weight Machines and Weights

Use antibacterial wipes to do a quick wipe down of your weight machines and free weights to remove sweat and germs after every workout. For a more environmentally friendly cleaning option, try using a microfibre cloth.

They are a green choice and help avoid leaving damp residue on metal and other materials used on weights that can lead to rust and damage. Don’t forget the seat for your weight machine! This is a spot where sweat is most likely to collect, leading to odours.

Aerobic Equipment

Aerobic equipment such as treadmills, stationary bikes, and ellipticals might not seem like they need a cleaning, but once again, a wipe down using a dry microfiber cloth after each use to remove sweat is important. Focus on handrails, conveyor belts and pedals when wiping things down.

A more thorough cleaning should be done weekly using a clean cloth dampened with water on the electronic display, and then a mini vacuum to suck up dirt that can collect and impact the equipment function.

Mats

A stinky mat can make your zen-like yoga and stretches very unpleasant. A good way to keep mats as clean as possible is to buy an antimicrobial mat. These mats protect against odour-causing bacteria growth.

If your mats are fabric-like, you can check to see if your mat can be tossed in with the laundry. If your mats are rubbery, they can be cleaned with a sponge and soapy water weekly.

Air

Circulation is important in a gym, which is why public gyms usually have giant fans to help to keep the air moving. Unseen air circulators such as a good HVAC system, overhead air freshening systems, and air purifiers might also be used.

To improve the inflow and outflow of air in your home gym, you can use a fan. However, if you use your gym often, a high-quality air purifier might make better sense as they use HEPA filters to remove allergens, dust, and pollen. This way, you keep the air cleaner when you’re doing all that deep breathing.

The less dust in the room, the easier the breathing when working out. However, if odours are an issue, you can also spray with an odour-neutralizing spray. If you are overly sensitive or allergic to scents, you can also use a natural essential oil diffuser. If scents aren’t your thing, place some purifying bamboo charcoal bags around the room. They offer an all-natural, odourless option to filter impurity in the air.

Add Your Gym to Your Cleaning List

Make sure your gym isn’t overlooked by adding it to your to-do household cleaning list. This makes it easier because you’ll have all your cleaning tools out already, such as your broom or vacuum, cleaning products, duster, etc. You can run your vacuum over the floors, dust baseboards to reduce irritating dust in the room, and do a general cleaning to keep things well maintained.

Braces and Supports

Odours can often form on things such as braces you wear for support during workouts. Supports made with antimicrobial technology are good choices to help keep odours to a minimum.

If you have already purchased your braces and supports, and they do tend to smell, you can place them in a plastic lidded container with laundry dryer sheets after every workout to keep the odours contained, while helping to keep them fresh.

The Overlooked

Some of the items in home gyms that are most likely to be overlooked in the clean-up process include:

• Resistance bands that can be washed with soapy water every couple of weeks
• Towels that should be tossed in the laundry after each workout
• Clothes that should also be tossed in the laundry after every workout to reduce the stink in the gym and protect your skin from irritation

Home Gym Cleaning Kit

To make it more likely you will follow a hygienic cleaning regime, keep a cleaning kit stored in your gym for easy access. When you do this, you are more likely to stick to the basics since everything you need will always be in reach. Your kit should include:

1. Laundry hamper

If you don’t want to have a stack of dirty towels and work out clothes, add a laundry hamper where everything can be tossed. You can then add the dirty clothes and towels to your laundry when laundry day arrives.

2. Cleansing cloths

Wipes or a few microfibre cloths make it easy to wipe down surfaces and keep things smelling clean while keeping equipment safe for others to touch. Just remember bleach wipes and other strong chemicals leave a residue, so you might prefer the natural option and use a microfiber cloth. Don’t use paper towels as they will stick to the various surfaces found in your gym like rubber and the textured steel used on barbells, etc.

3. Deodorizers

These can be tossed in your gym shoes after each workout to keep them and the air fresh. If you want a cheaper option, use scented dryer sheets.

4. Duster

Keeping dust to a minimum keeps air more breathable, so have a duster handy and use it on a regular basis.

These tips will keep your home gym fresh, clean, and pleasant for healthier workouts that make it easier to stay committed.

To learn more about the best ways to keep your home gym dust and sweat-free, call Maid4Condos at 647-822-0601 or contact us here.

Considering the fact that most of us have a lot of time on our hands due to self-isolation, it makes sense to take advantage of the situation and learn some new healthy cleaning habits. Let’s face it, many of us tend to let our homes “go,” since cleaning is not something most of us enjoy. Our team loves cleaning, but since we’re not able to assist at this time, we thought we’d provide advice on how you can keep your home disinfected during the COVID-19 outbreak. Here are our disinfecting tips based on the current government recommendations.

The Difference Between Cleaning and Disinfecting

When you clean, you are removing dirt and germs, but you are not “killing” them. This means, despite your best efforts, the germs can remain on surfaces, which makes it easier to spread the virus. Disinfecting, on the other hand, literally kills germs, and this is why you should focus on disinfecting during self-isolation.

A List of High Touch Surfaces

You’ve probably heard this term used repeatedly on the news, and there’s a good reason for it. These are the surfaces constantly touched in your household and, therefore, those that need regular disinfecting, including:

• Tables
• Doorknobs
• Light switches
• Countertops
• Handles
• Desks
• Phones
• Keyboards/mice
• Toilets
• Faucets
• Sinks
• TV and video game controls/changers
• Toys and games

Routine cleaning of these services using disinfectant wipes or disinfectant cleansers is a must.

Clean, then Disinfect

You should first clean surfaces that appear dirty, such as kitchen counters and bathroom sinks, with your usual cleaning products. However, you then need to take it one step further and use a germ-killing disinfectant, preferably containing bleach to kill germs. If the surface does not appear dirty, you can go right to the disinfecting stage. Because of being shut in, it might be tempting to use products past their due date, but this is not advisable. These products will lose their potency and, therefore, might do nothing more than moving the germs around on surfaces. You can make a bleach cleaning solution with 5 tablespoons of bleach to a gallon of water. You can also use alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol.

To get the best results, follow the product instructions. If you make your own, a good tip is to leave the cleaning solution on the surface for several minutes before wiping it away, so it increases its germ-killing effectiveness. Always wear gloves to protect your skin and open a window to reduce exposure to the fumes.

Don’t Forget to Clean “Soft Surfaces”

Soft surfaces include drapes, furniture like your couch or upholstered chairs, pillows, and rugs. These surfaces must be cleaned if someone in the household is sick with the virus or potentially could be. Be sure you choose cleaning products that won’t damage your stuff, and then be extra safe by trying the product on a less noticeable area to make sure it doesn’t cause discolouration. Some items can be thrown into the laundry, such as drapes and even some pillows, so read the labels for cleaning instructions. You can also use spray disinfectants on soft surfaces, but again, follow the instructions.

Linens and Clothes

Towels, blankets, and bed linens should all be washed regularly, as should clothes. Don’t shake anything out before placing it in the washing machine, and if someone is sick or has been exposed to the virus, wear gloves. Sick people’s clothes and linens can be washed with the rest of the families’ items. In this case, however, if they used a laundry hamper, then the hamper should be disinfected. Don’t forget to wash your hands even if you used gloves. Use the warmest water possible according to the laundering instructions on the label.

Have a Cleaning Regime

Even if no one is sick in the home, it’s important to have a safe cleaning regime that you stick to during the outbreak. Do a disinfecting wipe down at least twice a day of all high-touch surfaces. Ask family members to wash their hands often. Make a new rule where people can’t use things such as TV and video controllers/changers and shared handheld and computer devices without washing their hands first. If someone sneezes, coughs or blows their nose, make sure they wash their hands immediately. When wearing gloves, you still have to wash your hands when you remove them. Do not dust during the outbreak; instead, use only wet cleaning methods, as you can release droplets captured in the dust.

If you use reusable cleaning cloths such as microfibre cloths, wash them often. Remove visible dirt right away from surfaces and be more diligent with shared areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.

Living with an Infected Person

If you are caring or living with a person with the virus, you have to be diligent in disinfecting yourself and anything they touch. Wear gloves whenever you are in contact with them or touch anything they have used or touched. If you’ve got it, use a hand sanitizer often; if not, wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, even if you have worn gloves. Keep the person in a separate room or, if this is not possible, keep them two metres apart from others. It is best to have them use a different bathroom than the rest of the household.

As a caregiver, it is very important to avoid close contact as much as possible and to be obsessive with hand washing and not touching your face.

Food Preparation

Hopefully, you are already using safe food preparation practices at home, including washing your hands before and after handling food. If you are living with a sick person, have them eat in a different area than the rest of the household, and wear gloves when bringing their food and clearing their dishes.

Dishes and utensils must be washed wearing gloves and using a dish-friendly antibacterial dishwashing liquid whenever possible. Have a special set of dishes put aside for the sick person. Dishwashers are excellent as they have a high temperature that can kill germs. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Wash your hands even if you wore gloves.

Garbage

Sick people should have their own lined trash can, especially for used facial tissue. You must wear gloves when removing their trash and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

At Maid4Condos, we are a responsible community business and want everyone to stay healthy. These cleaning tips will help keep you healthy during this difficult time. Stay well, and we look forward to serving you soon.

Now that COVID-19 is in our community, it’s important to keep yourself, your loved ones, and your neighbours safe. This is especially vital if you or those who live with you are considered high risk for serious complications, including anyone with existing health conditions and people over the age of 65. That said, the key is to practice social distancing, staying two metres apart from others when out and about, and constant hand-washing to reduce the risk of spreading or acquiring the virus. You can plan on getting your household ready to fight the virus now, even if you feel there is no risk in your immediate community. Here are our tips to keep your home safer during the outbreak.

1. Lay down the household rules

Hold a family meeting to make it clear what the most recent rules are related to flattening the curve of the virus spreading:

• Cough and sneeze into your sleeve and use a tissue when possible.
• No visitors to your home or visiting others’ homes.
• Go out only when necessary, even if you feel fine.
• Remain two metres apart from others when out for groceries, a quick walk for exercise, etc.
• Wash your hands frequently, especially after going out, interacting with others, coughing or sneezing, or using the bathroom. When in doubt, wash your hands just to be safe.

This way, everyone in the home will understand how to remain healthy during the outbreak.

2. Conduct daily cleaning

Clean frequently-touched surfaces and objects daily with strong detergent and water. For particularly dirty surfaces, such as kitchen counters or bathroom sinks, first, remove the dirt then wash again with disinfecting cleansers. Avoid mixing detergents, as this can be dangerous. Follow the instructions on the bottle to be safe.

3. Prepare a “Sick” room

Have a room or zone set up, just in case someone appears to be sick. This should include a separate bathroom, if possible. Keeping sick people apart from the rest of the household is very important to reduce the odds of others catching the virus. Symptoms would include any sign of cough, fever, difficulty breathing, sore throat, etc.

4. Set up a home office

You must stay home if you feel even slightly ill to avoid the risk of spreading the illness to others. Even if well, you should plan to work from home whenever possible. Set up a room or area of your home as a temporary work spot. If more than one person in your household needs a work spot, try to find separate rooms for privacy. Speak to your employer to see what they recommend and let them know if you plan to work from home. If you don’t have a computer, you can use your phone, and your work will usually be able to aid in setting up things like email so you can respond quickly.

5. No sharing

Although it might be confusing to kids to tell them “No sharing,” it’s the best way to keep them safe. Do not share drinks and food items. If you’re snacking with a bag of chips or cookies, place them on separate plates or bowls for each person. The same goes for drinks. Each person should have their own glass or cup. Have the kids choose their healthy cups and plates, and make sure they use them, so they get used to this new rule. Wash after every use!

6. Keep in touch

Although you should not be socializing with others in person, it’s a good idea to keep in touch with friends and family during the social distancing period. Phone, email, or use video calls to interact with others, so you don’t feel isolated. This is very important for anyone living alone, or for those at high risk who might feel cut off from everyone else. Ask if there is anything you can do for those in high-risk groups, such as dropping off groceries to reduce their need to leave their home.

7. Explain “Why” to the kids

These are scary times, and kids might begin to feel nervous, not to mention stir-crazy, because they are not seeing friends and are experiencing drastic changes to their routines. Do your best to keep things as scheduled as possible and explain the basics of why you are all staying home together. Stress that this is a time to enjoy each other’s company and let them know they are safe.

8. Lay down the law for the older kids

The rebel in your teen might decide to come out at the most inopportune time. They might feel that since they are not in the high-risk category, they are immune from the virus. Make sure they understand that when they don’t practice social distancing, they are putting your entire family at risk. This includes vulnerable people, such as their grandparents, who are at risk of not just getting sick but even dying.

Do what you can to make it easier for them to share time with friends through video games, their phones, and their computer to help keep them occupied. They should remain in touch with their peers via texting, social media, and video calls, for example, to avoid the temptation to sneak out and hang around with others in person.

9. Keep up to date

Watch the news regularly to keep up to date, as the rules and recommendations are changing daily, or in some cases even several times a day. Be certain to inform family members of anything you learn, so you all remain on the same page and continue to practice the health and safety rules in your community.

10. Maintain mental health

It’s easy to get on each other’s nerves when living in such close quarters over long periods of time. As mentioned, practice as much social contact as possible via over the phone or video calls with others and remember that you’re all in this together. Share feelings and frustrations, and try to stay occupied watching movies, playing games, and keeping fit. Go for walks, maintaining your distance from others, and avoid parks and other areas that tend to be more crowded. Workout at home and look for online opportunities to enjoy fitness classes, as well as other sources of entertainment and learning. Encourage the kids to ask questions and think of ways to keep them happy and feeling safe.

At Maid4Condos, we are a responsible community business and want everyone to stay healthy. Remember, we are all in this together, and each household can do its part by sticking with a household plan and keeping up to date with the latest recommendations from the government. Stay healthy, and we look forward to serving you soon.

Perhaps one of the most ironic things about cleaning is that the best way to avoid it is to do it every day. While this seems counterintuitive to someone who hates cleaning, this isn’t as hard as it sounds.

If you can get into the habit of keeping things tidy, you can avoid dealing with major weekend-long cleaning battles. Neat freaks have tapped into the beauty of tidying a little bit here and there, so they never have to face one big mess. It just makes sense to take on some “neat freak” tendencies to keep ahead of the game.

Here we offer 15 cleaning tips you won’t hate to help keep your condo clean.

1. Stop hoarding

The smaller your living space, the faster you’ll see clutter build. This means it doesn’t take long for clutter to spread to other rooms — if you have other rooms — which means your home becomes a disaster area. To avoid clutter, get into the habit of throwing things you don’t need out right away. You’ll reduce the number of papers, thing-a-ma-jigs, and other odd items that tend to end up in your junk drawer and keep things neater as a result.

2. Declutter as you go

Instead of leaving a mess behind in every room you use, declutter as you go. Put things back, take dirty dishes to the kitchen and rinse them out or put them in the dishwasher, put dirty clothes in the hamper, etc. Your home will be tidy all the time, and these small habits make it easier to do quick cleans such as vacuuming and dusting with nothing on the floor or tables.

3. A place for everything

To make decluttering easy, get organized, so you know where everything belongs. Whether it’s adding shelves, using baskets, having shoe racks, or adding more hooks to hang things, being organized and having designated storage keeps things tidy.

4. Keep antibacterial wipes around

Avoid all that horrifying build-up of toothpaste, hair, grease, food, etc. in your bathroom and kitchen by keeping antibacterial wipes near the sink. Give any spills, spots, and messes a quick swipe as they happen, so any bathroom and kitchen clean-ups become a breeze. It’s also better for your health as it reduces bacteria that can make you sick.

5. Binge clean while you binge-watch

Choose a favourite show to binge-watch when you have heavier cleaning jobs to do like vacuuming, dusting or folding laundry. You won’t feel like you’re missing out on anything, and the time spent cleaning will go by much faster.

6. Eliminate paper

Online subscriptions allow you to read without magazines, newspapers, and books piling up. This is good for the environment, but also keeps your home far less cluttered. Music and movie subscriptions also reduce the space needed for CDs, DVDs, and records. And yes, we realize for vinyl addicts this suggestion is sacrilegious!

7. Make your bed

Even just throwing your duvet across your bed and fluffing your pillows will make a world of difference for your bedroom. Smooth it all out, and voila, suddenly, your bedroom looks clean and welcoming.

8. Keep a schedule

Consider having a schedule to spread out annoying duties like vacuuming or dusting. Mark it on your calendar for a day that suits you and stick to it. It will become routine and take less time as there will be less buildup.

9. Use a hamper

Dirty clothes have a way of piling up not only in the bedroom but on chairs, in halls, and wherever you toss them. The best way to manage laundry is to buy a good-sized hamper and make sure all dirty clothes are tossed in there every day. It will also make it easier to get your clothes to the laundry room.

10. Hang up clothes

For clothes that aren’t dirty such as jackets, sweaters or skirts that still have a few wears before they need cleaning, hang them up when you take them off. This way, you won’t have to worry about ironing them, and you help keep your bedroom less messy.

11. Do the dishes

Never allow dishes to pile up. Wash dishes right away whenever you can. A few plates are manageable, while a pile can lead to despair. Also, dishes are easier to clean when the food hasn’t been left to form a crust. And don’t forget dirty dishes are an invitation to all sorts of pests, which should be enough said to convince you not to leave your dirty dishes out.

12. Clean in spurts

If you hate cleaning so much you can’t bear the thought of it, do it in manageable spurts. Focus on one task at a time and don’t spend more than 5 or 10 minutes on cleaning. Rest in between to read, play a video game, or watch a bit of TV for 30 minutes and then move on to the next task.

13. Make it a group effort

If you live alone, you’ll have to be the lone cleaner. If you have roommates, a partner, or kids, everyone should be pitching in. Sometimes you get lucky, and where you hate doing dishes but don’t mind doing laundry, the other person is the opposite, and it works out perfectly. However, if this isn’t the case, make sure everyone is doing their fair share for a happier, cleaner home.

14. Teach good habits

Without being too naggy, help your kids have neat habits. Provide designated spots for their toys, their homework, and their belongings so they know where things should be placed when they aren’t using them. Baskets work well for homework, as do hooks for things like backpacks and coats, and plastic boxes are great for toys.

15. Have a dumping ground

Life is busy, and sometimes you’re just going to have to let the mess build up. To make it more manageable and help keep your mind calm, having a dumping ground out of sight works best. Whether it’s a hall closet, a spare bedroom or a spot under the kitchen counter, choose a safe zone for messes and use it as needed.

For more tips and easy ways to keep your home clean, call Maid4Condos at 647-822-0601 or contact us here.

Kids love colouring, and so should parents. It’s one of the best ways to keep kids occupied and, more importantly, off their computers and handheld devices. Crayons are excellent choices to keep your kids reasonably clean when compared to other artsy past times like painting or crafts with sticky glues.

Of course, crayons do come with their own challenges — mainly if your children decide to get creative with walls and other surfaces — and that waxy, deep-set colour can cause a lot of damage.

Here we teach you how to manage your little Banksy’s misplaced murals with our professional tips on how to clean crayon stains.

Why are crayon stains so stubborn?

Most crayons are made of coloured paraffin wax. Colour pigments are then added to the melted wax and left to set. The wax is difficult to clean because it contains the pigments within its sticky material, which in turn seals the stain when applied to other surfaces and fabrics.

The only way to loosen and remove the pigment is to loosen the wax to release it, or completely scrape away the wax and colour from the surface.

Clothing

Honestly, it’s pretty hard for kids to stain their clothing when they’re colouring with crayons. However, the common crayon related disasters are either washing a piece of clothing with a crayon in the pocket or picking up a pile of clothes without realizing you have a rogue crayon in there.

It then gets run through the washer and dryer cycle, leaving a terrible mess in its wake. Due to the sticky nature of the crayons, they form a seal on fabrics, which can seem impossible to remove. However, with these steps, you can get a win over the crayons!

First is prevention. You can simply avoid the situation altogether by carefully checking pockets and shaking out clothes before placing them in the washer.

If you didn’t manage to find the crayon, you will have to do your best to remove as much of the waxy substance as possible by scraping it off. A metal spoon or dull knife will do the least amount of damage to most fabrics.

Next, use liquid dish soap instead of laundry detergent or stain remover, and gently rub it into the stain. Set it in very hot water for at least a few minutes and then rinse it out. If it is a fabric that shouldn’t be placed in hot water, try only to soak the spot with the stain, as the heat is needed to help melt and loosen the remaining crayon. This should remove the stain.

You can then toss it in the laundry on the heavy stain setting and the warmest water possible according to the clothing’s laundering instructions. Check that the stain is removed before tossing it in the dryer — if it’s a dryer friendly piece of clothing — or else you will seal the stain in. If the stain is not removed, repeat the steps.

Upholstery and Linens

Fast-moving hands can send crayon lines off the page and onto your unsuspecting upholstered surfaces or table linens in the blink of an eye. Your first defence is a good offence: tell your kids to colour on a table without an expensive tablecloth, preferably with a layer of paper for protection. This will help to avoid stains on your furniture and linens.

If it does happen, you can follow the same steps above for linens. However, if you try scraping the crayon from furniture, you risk spreading the crayon over a larger surface. For furnishings, diluted detergent or dish soap works like magic.

Use about a quarter teaspoon of the liquid detergent diluted in the detergent cap with about half a cup of water. Use a white dish rag to scrub at the stain, and it should come right out. Then use a clean, damp dishcloth to remove the detergent, or it will leave a residue that could discolour the fabric.

Depending on the fabric, the stain might remain. If this is the case, you might have to call in a professional upholstery cleaning service.

Carpet and Area Rugs

Heat is a must when it comes to getting crayons out of carpets and rugs. You can scrape away any crayon residue, but this will be difficult, depending on the density of the carpet. The denser the fibres, the easier it will be to apply pressure to scrape off the wax.

You can then cover the stained area with a white paper towel or clean dish rag and apply heat with a blow dryer. In theory, the wax should melt and be absorbed by the towel. In some cases, the pigment will remain in the rug fibres.

If this happens, you can use a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution to bleach out the colour; however, this can also damage the existing colours of the carpet. You can test the solution in a less conspicuous spot before trying to remove the stain.

Dab the hydrogen peroxide on the stain with a white cloth or even a cotton swab, then let it sit for about a minute. Rinse it out with a wet cloth and then dab it dry with a clean white towel. If there is no colour change, it’s okay to use and you can follow the same steps on the stain.

Finished Wood

Whether it’s your wood floors, panelling, artwork, or furniture, crayon accidents on your wood surfaces aren’t the end of the world. However, they will take some elbow grease to remove. Use warm water and liquid dish soap with a clean sponge and rub the stain in a circular motion until it is removed.

If this doesn’t work, a toothbrush or non-abrasive cleaning brush might help. If you still don’t get results, you can use toothpaste or very mildly abrasive cleaner, which should do the trick. Rinse away cleaning residue with warm water and make sure the surface is then completely dry. Clean the stain as soon as you see it, as if left too long, the crayon will collect other dirt and residue that will make it harder to remove.

To learn more about how to clean crayon stains, call Maid4Condos at 647-822-0601 or contact us here.