Category: Condos Cleaning Tips

Hiring a house cleaning service can feel a little intimidating the first time around. You’re hiring the service to keep your home clean, which is admirable so there’s no need to feel guilty if your home is messy!

However, what many homeowners don’t realize is that the service they order can vary from cleaner to cleaner and even from service to service within the same cleaning company. That means you might need to know how to prepare your condo for your first professional cleaning. Here are our tips to house cleaning service virgins, to make your first time more comfortable.

Understand the Service You Ordered

First, make sure you are clear on the service you ordered. This is important because the condition of your home when the cleaners arrive can interfere with how well they can do their job. For example, our “basic” cleaning service includes the following:

• Bathtub and shower enclosure
• Inside, out and behind the toilet
• Lights, mirrors, sink, countertops
• Vacuum ceiling fan cover
• Light switches, doorknobs
• Empty garbage bin
• Vacuum/mop floors
• Make beds
• Tidy any clothing
• Dust counters, tabletops, picture frames
• Clean mirrors and polish ornaments
• Wipe switches, doorknobs
• Vacuum/mop floors
• If dishwasher empty, start a new load
• If dishwasher full, put away clean dishes
• Microwave inside
• Stovetop
• Fridge front polished
• Backsplash, countertops, cupboard fronts
• Sink
• Wipe light switches & door knobs
• Replace garbage and recycling liners
• Vacuum/ mop floors
• General tidying
• Tidy sofa seating
• Tabletops, picture frames, window ledges
• Clean mirrors and polish ornaments
• Wipe telephones, switches, doorknobs
• Vacuum/mop floors
• Clear air vent
• Clear lint trap

Pretty thorough, right? So an example of something you might need to consider for this type of service would be dirty dishes. Since the cleaning includes cleaning the sink, but not cleaning dirty dishes or loading the dishwasher, having dirty dishes in the sink will mean we can’t clean the sink.

Also while we do some general tidying, a condo that is a disaster area will make it impossible to do everything from vacuuming to dusting. So you need to make sure the tidying is manageable and allows us to get to the floors without tons of dirty clothes, newspapers, toys, or other items all over the place.

Bathrooms are another good example: if your makeup, shaving, and hair products, an open tube of toothpaste, and old toothbrushes are littering the counter and sink, we can’t do much to clean that area either. You get the picture!

What Is Typically Is Considered “Extra”

So based on our basic cleaning service, some of the extras you would have to request would include things like:

• Cleaning inside your fridge
• Washing your sinkful of dishes
• Wiping down extra surfaces like your windowsills, blinds, or baseboards
• Cleaning up after pets like changing kitty litter
• Doing your laundry
• Changing your bed sheets

So the first thing you should do is look at the other packages to see what they cover, or specify what other things you need to add to the package so we can customize the service to suit your needs.

No Judgement

Just remember cleaning services make money by cleaning. So although you might feel embarrassed or even a little guilty about the state of your condo, we’re just glad you called. We clean houses for a living, so we don’t go into your home passing judgment and rolling our eyes at how messy you are. No matter what you throw at us, we can honestly say we’ve seen worse. Almost always.

How far do you need to clean?

As mentioned, the state of your home can make it difficult for us to perform the basic cleaning tasks. To make sure you get your money’s worth, we advise you to prepare for our arrival by taking the following steps:

• Reduce Clutter: Since we are there to clean, not organize your home, we do ask that you reduce clutter as much as possible. Things like clothes on the floor or counters covered with dishes or personal care items make it difficult to do the deep clean we get paid to do.
• Help Us Help You: Let us know where we can put things we can’t find a home for, so we don’t misplace anything we pick up. A good way to avoid this situation in the first place is to clear away clutter before we arrive. This way we aren’t left trying to decide what goes where or even what is garbage and what you need. So if you have a little spot like say the coffee table or your kitchen table where we can put anything without an obvious spot, you can come home, find it, and put it where it belongs.
• Make a Don’t Touch Pile: If you find you are strapped for time, and can’t tidy like you should, feel free to just create a Don’t Touch pile in a corner of the room. Let us know it’s there and we will work around it. This clears the surfaces so we can clean while putting less pressure on you to keep things tidy.
• Have a Pet Plan: We love pets as much as the next guy but they don’t always love us. Pets often view us as unwanted intruders, strangers if you will. And they’re not wrong. If you have pets, consider what can be done to avoid a) Us getting an unfriendly welcome and b) Your pet getting scared or worse “free” when we enter the home.

  This is especially important if you know your pet tends to get “territorial”. Some ideas include having someone in the building mind them during the time we are scheduled, designating a room for them to remain in while we work, putting them in a crate while we work, or you taking them out for a while so we can clean without worry.

• Do a Home Sweep: By sweep, we don’t mean with a broom. In this case we mean, check everything in your home that you might be worried could get lost or ahem, broken so we don’t run into any chance of accusations of damaging or stealing goods. We trust our clients won’t try to pull a fast one and accuse of us anything “untoward” and hopefully you’ll give us the same courtesy. This way if something is missing or broken, you’ll be aware it could have been our team. But we’ll tell you if we break something, honest. But we won’t break anything.

Consider Your Priorities

Our packages are based on basic time allotments. We know on average how long it takes to complete the package and charge and schedule accordingly. If you take care of our suggestions above, chances are we’ll get through everything you paid for with time to spare. However, if you don’t take care of our recommendations, we can guarantee we won’t be able to do as good a job. If you do find you can’t prep as planned, leave us a note or give us a call and tell us what areas to prioritize.

Don’t Forget Security!

One last thing. Every condo has its own security system so don’t forget to tell your front desk if we need clarification. If your unit has a security system, make sure it’s off, or that we know how to turn it off.

Contact Maid4Condos for Professional Cleaning

To learn more about Toronto condo cleaning, call Maid4Condos at (647) 822-0601 or contact us here.

Busy lives can keep us from taking care of the most basic cleaning duties in our homes. Because we long for rest and recreation, the last thing we want to worry about is cleaning. However, living in a messy home can contribute to your feelings of stress. From piles of dirty laundry to those unwashed breakfast dishes, and mounting dust on your shelves to dust bunnies on your floors, all that mess is not doing your mind any good.

Here are 10 mental health benefits of a clean home.

1. Stress reducer

Cleaning is a real stress reducer according to many studies. In fact, one study, in particular, found that stress hormones are higher in people living in messy homes. On top of this, women are more impacted by clutter than their male counterparts. That is pretty revealing for many female readers we imagine!

Clean homes reduce stress levels. But there is a catch-22 to clean homes: If you are overtired and have to over-exert yourself to clean your home, you contribute to health problems and feelings of fatigue. The only answer is to hire a cleaning service to clean up the mess and reduce the stress.

2. Clearer mind

When your home is cluttered and dirty, your mind feels cluttered and dirty. The mess makes it difficult to get organized because there are just too many visual distractions. However, if your home is organized, neat, and tidy, your brain feels organized, neat and tidy – or at least, it’s getting there. A clear mind allows you to remain more focused on the things that matter so you aren’t constantly distracted by the elephant in the room – mess.

3. Increased productivity

When you get rid of the distracting power of mess, you can also find you become more productive. This is important with today’s trend to working and studying from home. You can focus on what needs to get done and become more efficient at absorbing information, making decisions, and even less “businessy” stuff like simply watching a movie or working out.

4. Improved self-esteem

A mess can continue to send subliminal messages that you’re a slob, can’t take care of yourself, can’t have a nice home, and more. These negative messages eat away at your self-esteem. When your home is clean, it has the opposite effect acting as a motivator that keeps you feeling better about yourself. Also, once your home is clean, it tends to create an incentive to keep it clean, so you generate a natural, positive cycle of cleaning and feeling good.

5. Stronger relationships

As mentioned in point #1, if men are less affected by clutter, the need to keep things clean can put pressure on a relationship. If you’re living in an Oscar and Felix situation where one of you is neat and the other one is messy, the condition of the home presents a constant source of frustration and conflict.

One person can’t be responsible for keeping things clean, yet if the other person doesn’t seem affected by the mess, they are less likely to pitch in. When your home is always clean, however, it provides a sense of calm. All is well with the world, and therefore with your relationship.

6. Harmonious homes

As with point #5, whether you are living with a partner, a roommate, or kids, when the home is kept clean it reduces feelings of resentment and even anger at the mess makers and those reluctant to pitch in with the cleaning.

This leads to homes that are less than harmonious as tempers rise and you can’t seem to foster a healthy, happy environment. A clean home reduces resentment and creates a happier attitude from all, making a harmonious home.

7. Fewer germs

You don’t have to be a germaphobe to feel the ick factor when faced with a filthy tub, repulsive toilet, or crust on the kitchen counter. These things will send most people’s germ radars into overdrive creating a feeling that your health is at risk. While there are many mental health benefits to clean homes, there are physical health benefits as well.

Clean surfaces reduce the spread of germs and bacteria that make people sick. Whether it is foodborne illnesses or viruses like the flu (or COVID!) a home that is cleaned regularly provides a more sanitary environment that reduces the risk of illness.

8. Reduced cleaning time

Overall, the cleaner your home, the less cleaning it requires. While you might resent the idea of cleaning because it eats into your downtime, consider this: if you clean regularly the job is easier and takes far less time than major deeper cleanings less frequently. Your home is clean, your mind is focused and you stay healthier and happier.

9. Sense of team

If you live with others, regular cleaning shared amongst everyone creates a sense of team. It encourages stronger, healthier relationships and everyone feels calmer and happier. When everyone pitches in, there is a shared sense of responsibility and a commitment to keeping the home looking and feeling its best.

10. Enlisting help frees time

Last but not least, if your home is always messy chances are you just don’t have time to stay on top of things. This is when to call in the big guns and hire a cleaning company. We can provide the deep cleaning services you need to get things started and then keep it that way with regularly scheduled cleaning. You free up your own time to do the things you love while investing in improving your comfort, well-being, and overall productivity whether it’s to focus on work, your favourite hobby, the kids, or the things you love to do.

You can choose the cleaning packages that suit your lifestyle – including our deep cleaning services – so you always feel your mind is at ease and you never need to worry about arguments, messes or clutter-related stress again.

Contact Maid4Condos Today!

For more information on our condo cleaning services, call Maid4Condos at (647) 822-0601 or contact us here.

Whether you just spotted your first robin or are suffering from the clocks springing forward, signs of spring are in the air. With those signs might come a sudden urge to tackle some serious cleaning in your condo. While it might seem like a daunting task, it’s something you should plan to do every spring. To make short work of a big job, here are 15 easy condo spring cleaning steps to follow.

1. Start with dusting

Dusting is a messy job that can send all kinds of particles into the air. The problem with this is that they have to fall down, which means if you don’t dust first, you’ll end up having to sweep or vacuum twice. A quick dusting, especially with a static duster that dirt will cling to, is the first step to every spring cleaning adventure.

2. Tackle your condo room by room

Work efficiently by tackling each room one by one. This allows you to feel a true sense of accomplishment as each room is finished. Although you could do the job by task, you won’t feel like you’re even putting a dent in the massive job ahead. This also keeps the job in bite-sized pieces so it’s not as overwhelming.

3. Clean your fridge inside and out

You can wipe down the fridge and feel a sense of cleanliness—until you open it, that is. Spring is the perfect time to clean out all the expired foods in your fridge. Tackle the job looking at expiry dates shelf by shelf, and then when the shelf is empty, you can wipe it down before putting the good stuff back in. You can also wipe down your drawers and remove things like rogue baby carrots and onion peels. Place a fresh paper towel on the drawer bottom to catch leaks or juices from bad fruit and vegetables. This makes it easier to clean up in the future.

4. Clean your trash cans

Sometimes, you have a smell in your condo that you can’t quite place. It could be coming from your trash cans. This doesn’t necessarily mean your kitchen trash either. Give each can in your condo a good scrub down to help reduce odours and also keep them more sanitary.

5. Look up and down

When dusting, make sure you look up high and down low to get every surface. Things like your baseboards, the tops of shelves, the top of the fridge, and ceiling fans are all big dust collectors. Always work from the top down so you are cleaning the dust you release as you work.

6. Consider laundering your curtains

Spring is the perfect time to consider laundering your curtains. Since you have longer daylight, you can feel a little less vulnerable because you don’t have to turn your lights on until much later. It’s harder to see into your condo with the lights off even in the day, unless of course someone uses binoculars! If you have blinds, wipe each slat down to remove dust. A microfibre cloth is ideal for this job, as it helps capture the dust as you work. Fabric sheets work well too!

7. Clean windows and mirrors

You’d be surprised at how dirty your windows can get in a year. Use a window cleaner to wipe down your windows and watch the sun shine in. Do the same to your mirrors, including decorative ones, to help them sparkle and shine.

8. Sweep obsessively

Take this time to be more obsessed with your sweeping and vacuuming. Feel free to move furniture and appliances out to get the spaces beneath that you never see or worry about. This helps ensure a deeper clean.

9. Check those “chotchkies”

Chotskies are all those little decorative pieces that can include everything from figurines to faux plants and photo frames to vases. They can not only accumulate dust, but if placed in or near your kitchen, then can even get a grimy coating. Wipe them down and clean the space where they sat for a thorough clean.

10. Tackle that grout

Bathroom grout can really get dingy with all kinds of grime, mildew, and mould. Use a grout cleaner according to the instructions to help bring your tiles back to life.

11. Clean between your couch and chair cushions

Pull out your couch and chair cushions, and vacuum all the crumbs and other debris that tends to collect there. You might also find some loonies and toonies while you’re at it.

12. Toss blankets in the laundry

Most blankets are laundry friendly. Just make sure you do them alone, as they might give off lint or bleed.

13. Get organized

As you clean each room, look for opportunities to declutter:

• Sort through papers and throw anything you don’t need in the recycle bin.
• Toss out old clothes, or put them aside to give to charity.
• Organize your makeup, small appliances, perfumes, shaving stuff, and so on in the bathroom to clear room on the counter.
• Invest in a shoe rack that can be hung on the back of a closet door.

Generally do a declutter and help downsize belongings to the things you need, or as Marie Condo would say, “Bring you joy.”

14. Refresh your bedroom linens

While you’ve hopefully been throwing your sheets in the laundry often, you might overlook things like your duvet or throw cushions. Since the weather is warmer, bring your duvet to the laundry, and if you have throw cushions, see if they can do them as well. If not, use a spray fabric deodorizer on your linens and pillows to refresh everything.

15. Clean the pet beds

Do the same for your pet beds, but if using a deodorizer spray, make sure it lists the product as being pet friendly. Vacuum the pillows and the baskets they use to remove pet dander and hair.

Contact Maid4Condos

There you have it! If this still sounds like too much work, then hire spring cleaning services to do it all for you. Give us a call at Maid4Condos today.

It seems the pandemic brought out the creative side of many people stuck at home and trying to avoid boredom. Whether you are one of them or have always considered yourself a little crafty, it can be a challenge keeping your supplies and tools organized. It’s even worse if you live in a small space like a condo. But fear not! You can let your creative side blossom and still keep the mess to a minimum with these 14 craft organization tips.

1. Invest in some shelves

What you lack in closet space you can make up for with shelves that can go right up to the ceiling. Vertical storage is by far the crafty person’s BFF when it comes to staying organized. You can arrange things with the most frequently used items within reach and then progress upwards based on how often you use things. Include baskets or large plastic lidded storage containers and mark everything clearly so you always know where everything is.

2. Hang things

If shelves aren’t your thing, use hooks and bags to store everything on your wall. If you want to keep things out of sight, you can put the hooks inside the closets. A great way to take advantage of your walls is to install pegboard, paint it your favourite colour and then add S hooks to hang tools or bags of craft materials.

3. Laundry basket for rolls

Tall laundry baskets make the ideal container to keep things like rolls of fabrics neat while also taking up less space. You can roll up materials like leather, paper, vinyl, etc. and then stand them in laundry baskets along the wall. This is ideal for tall rolls because they can be awkward and tend to fall over. It works perfectly for storing things like your holiday or birthday wrapping paper as well.

4. Every nook and cranny

Small spaces can pose a problem, including not necessarily having dedicated room for your arts and crafts. If this is the case, get creative and spread things out wherever space will allow. As mentioned, hanging things on the backs of closet doors works well.

Can you use a shoe organizer for smaller tools and materials? Can you use hanging veggie baskets anywhere to store things like wool? Would a spice rack do the trick for your small pots of paint or glitter glues? Can you slide flat storage boxes under your bed or couch? Taking advantage of every available nook and cranny in your home allows you to keep organized, albeit in a less than ideal way.

5. Use a toolbox

Traditional toolboxes found at your local hardware store can be the perfect solution for your arts and crafts storage. These handy boxes shut down into a neat and tidy small box that takes up very little room, yet opens up tons of storage space with pull-out shelves ideal for all sorts of crafty tools and materials.

6. Store smaller items in clear kitchen containers

Lidded containers designed for kitchen ingredients like pasta, flour and sugar can be ideal for storing smaller items. Tall pasta containers are great for things like paint brushes, pipe cleaners or knitting needles, while smaller containers can be perfect for things like beads, glitter, threads and more. They are clear so don’t need labels and are often also stackable to make the most of your shelf or desk space.

7. Medicine cabinets

Medicine cabinets are easy to mount and can also, having a mirror, be practical in bedrooms. Adjustable shelves allow you to accommodate different heights and you can keep smaller things such as spools of threads or small paint jars neat and tucked away until you need them. Add adhesive-backed magnetic strips to the inside of the door and hang little scissors and other small-scale metal tools there.

8. Drawer dividers

Kitchen drawer dividers can help keep things organized instead of just tossing things away and having to search through everything to find them. Excellent solutions such as spice racks work well but even common things like utensil trays can work.

9. Tool belts

Tool belts can be hung at the side of your work table, so you have easy access to the things you need as you work. You can also use gardening aprons with plenty of pockets or even sew your own canvas tool container to keep everything within reach.

10. Pillboxes for tiny beads

If you do beadwork, pillboxes make an excellent storage solution. You can keep beads separated while you work, and then close the lids and store them away when you’re done. This works well for scrapbooking tabs and finicky little decorative details.

11. Empty cans

Repurposing empty cans whether they are kitchen cans or paint cans is an eco-friendly solution ideal for all kinds of writing and painting tools. Taller items like rulers have an easy place to rest when not in use, while all your colouring pencils, markers and paintbrushes can also be sorted by size and colour.

12. Shower caddies

Shower caddies offer excellent shelves and even little hooks to hang items. They are great for keeping things organized and take up very little space.

13. Party serving trays

Trays designed for things like crudités and dips can be used to sort small items as you work. This is a great way to organize threads, beads, scrapbooking items for effective craft organization. They come in different shapes and sizes so you just need to choose one that will make the most sense for the materials and tools you use.

14. Wall-mounted file slots

Grab some wall-mounted file slots at your local office supply store. These are ideal for sorting things like decorative sheets of paper or various sizes of cutting and measuring boards. You can line them up above your desk or inside a closet or cupboard.

For help keeping your arts and crafts equipment organized, call Maid4Condos at (647) 822-0601 or contact us here.

Ah, the early years of living on your own, free from the rules of mom and dad. Unfortunately, these also tend to be the years where your budget requires a little support and therefore you live with roommates.

While these days of youth are some of the best days of your life, when you find yourself staring at dirty dishes in the sink, black rings in the tub and crusted food on the stovetop, you might start thinking about the good old days when you lived at home. If you are constantly facing the struggle of keeping your place clean with roommates, use these home cleaning hacks to not only keep your home clean but also keep the peace.

List All The Chores

First, write up a list of chores that should be dealt with on a regular basis. Do this as a team so that everyone has input and also realizes they need to share the cleaning responsibilities. Note how often each task should be done, such as dishes at least once a day and vacuuming at least once a week, so everyone feels comfortable with the workload you’ll need to share.

Understand Timing

It can be hard to tell how often you have to clean. A good rule of thumb is:

• Sweeping should be daily at least in the kitchen
• Dusting and vacuuming once every two weeks
• Dishes, at least daily and preferably everyone does their dishes after each meal
• Microwaves should be cleaned after every explosion or mishap!
• Bathrooms should be cleaned when you notice they’re looking grim, although you should always wipe up after brushing your teeth.
• Things like the fridge and oven should be cleaned every season or so to keep them presentable.

Then set up a schedule where each task is managed and shared equally.

Post the Cleaning Schedule

To make sure you don’t lose track of cleaning tasks, post a cleaning schedule on the fridge or in a common area. Use a calendar to mark the task, the person who has to do it and hold each other responsible for making sure you each complete your tasks on time. You can also set phone message reminders, so people know when they are due for a cleaning task. Consider using colour coding either using a different colour for each roommate or a different colour based on the task. This makes it easier to spot what has to get done and who has to do it.

Have Some Rules

Set some common sense rules to help people contribute equally to the cleaning cause. Some good rules should include:

• Everyone has to do their own dishes, including dishes of guests
• Cleaning the toilet after a burrito-related incident or a night of overindulgence is a must
• Cleaning up after guests is a must
• Leaving clothes in common areas is not allowed
• Towels must always be hung up
• Shower curtains should be pulled across the tub after showering (this reduces mould and mildew growth)

These basics help keep the apartment tidier and reasonably sanitary.

Be Fair

Never allow one person to carry the burden of cleaning. This creates resentment and simply isn’t fair. Just because someone wants things clean, doesn’t mean they should be the one responsible for cleaning. It has to be a shared task with everyone taking an equal part in the chores.

Invest in the Right Cleaning Tools

Take a group trip to the hardware store and share the expenses for the right cleaning tools. At the very least, every household should have:

• Broom and dustpan
• Mop or wet mop product like a Swiffer
• Toilet brush for each bathroom
• Microfibre cloths
• Paper towels
• Sponges
• Vacuum
• Duster

These tools will make home cleaning hacks a lot easier and faster.

Choose a Cleaning Day

It can be helpful to choose a team cleaning day, so everyone has to participate. This way the work is done more quickly. This can be difficult if you all have conflicting schedules but it can be the best way to keep cleaning under control. If your schedules don’t allow for a group cleaning day, make sure tasks on the calendar don’t lead to conflicts that mean the cleaning doesn’t get done!

Reduce Clutter

If people’s stuff starts to spread out into common areas, make sure you have a plan to reduce clutter. Living with a packrat can be a real challenge but if you try to keep their mess and jumble limited to their own rooms, it can be easier to deal with.

If you share a room with someone, this becomes more difficult. Discuss clutter issues and come up with storage solutions that make this problem easier to manage. This is a good practice for all shared spaces. You can also make sure everyone has their fair share of closet space, so they have fewer excuses for why their stack of magazines has to be kept on the coffee table.

Keep Things On Track

If you find someone isn’t pulling their weight, try these ideas to keep things on track:

If it gets to the point where the living situation is too stressful or unpleasant, a discussion about moving is required. Since money usually is a factor, bringing up the idea that you’ll need to move if the person doesn’t start pitching in could get them into the cleaning spirit. Chances are, they will probably fall back into the same bad habits and you’ll have to part ways.

For help keeping your place clean when you have roommates, call Maid4Condos at (647) 822-0601 or contact us here.

You clean every week, or hopefully, at least you try. Even the tiniest condo owners might be missing some key areas of their home that are hidden dust magnets. Your home might seem to sparkle and always have everything in its place, but dust has a way of finding great places to hide.

Dust is filled with allergens, so you want to make sure you are removing it effectively so you can breathe a little easier. Here we look at the 12 most common areas dust tends to hide in condos:

1. Baseboards

Even if you’ve wiped down your baseboards, the issue is not the surface, but what lies below. Often when baseboards are installed in condos, they aren’t done as well because installers have hundreds of rooms to tackle on each floor of the building. As a result, baseboards are loose.

Loose baseboards attract dust particles that remain trapped between the floor and boards, or between the wall and boards. Using your vacuum hose attachment along your boards every few months will keep this dust build-up to a minimum.

2. Carpets and area rugs

Carpeting and area rugs hold in dust, even when you vacuum regularly. In fact, vacuuming actually forces dirt down while removing only surface crumbs and debris after each swipe. Most people overlook their area rugs altogether.

A professional carpet cleaning is a good idea at least once a year, and if you have pets, twice a year is better. Area rugs can be taken outside and shaken, but you can also include them when the professional cleaners come.

3. Your mattress

Those nasty dust mites love to live in your mattress. Every night you shed dead skin cells. Even if you wash your sheets regularly, your mattress remains untouched. You can vacuum your mattress regularly to remove as much dust, dirt, dead skin, and mites as possible, but you might have the same effect of pushing down dust further into the mattress like your carpets.

A good healthy tip is to sprinkle your mattress with baking soda, open up your curtains and allow sunshine to hit the surface. After several hours, vacuum away the powder. This is great at helping lift away dust, while also acting as a natural deodorizer. In fact, if your room doesn’t get sunlight, but your living room does, it is worth lugging your mattress out and lying it in the sun to get the best results.

4. Wood floorboards

As with your baseboards, wood and laminate floors can gather dust between each floorboard. From dust to crumbs and bits of broken glass missed when you knocked over your wine, tons of debris can gather here forever.

Try to focus sweeping in line with the floorboards to get your broom down between the crevices. If you sweep against the boards, you just force more crumbs and debris into the spaces.

5. Upholstered furniture

Sofas and chairs can collect all kinds of debris. Make sure you pull out your seat cushions and vacuum up the crumbs (and collect those lost loonies and toonies) when cleaning your condo. This will help a bit, but you still have all that dust build-up in the cushions themselves.

At least once a year, have professional furniture cleaners come in and do their job to suck up dust and debris, while also removing the surface stains and oily build-up from your hair and skin.

6. Window treatments

Drapes, blinds, and especially slatted blinds are all dust collectors. You can dry clean your drapes and curtains, preferably twice a year and choose a dry cleaner who uses green cleaning practices.

Your blinds can be vacuumed with your soft brush attachment, but slatted blinds are a bit of a hassle. A nifty trick is to put a clean thick sock on your hand and tackle each slat to remove dust. Another trick to keep dust away is wiping down the slats with a dryer sheet after you remove dust, as this will reduce static that attracts dust. This should be done every few months.

7. Ceiling fans and light fixtures

You’ve always known deep down that dust is lurking overhead, but probably never do anything about it. The problem is that the dust is above your space, so it can continue to spread dust around after your weekly cleaning. Both overhead light fixtures and ceiling fan blades can be cleaned with a Swiffer on an extender, which handles this awkward job beautifully. Do a quick vacuum of the area below to capture all the fallen dust.

8. Air vents

It’s easy for dust to get caught in your air vents. Your condo probably has a return vent on a bulkhead near the ceiling somewhere as well. A quick vacuum can do the trick, but every few months you can actually remove the vent panel and vacuum inside the vent to grab any dust lurking there.

9. Lampshades

Dust and even cobwebs love lampshades. Your brush attachment on your vacuum can be used here, as can a lint roller, which is ideal if you have pets.

10. Windows

You probably aren’t doing much cleaning along your windowsills and window tracks. When you’re cleaning your shutters or window treatments, tackle these areas as well, using a vacuum brush or an all-purpose cleaner with a clean cloth.

11. Pillows and throws

The pillows and blankets you cuddle up with when binge-watching your favourite show are rarely, if ever, cleaned. Toss your blankets in the laundry if they are machine friendly or send them out to be dry cleaned once every few months at least. Pillows can also be dry cleaned.

12. Kitchen appliances

If you’ve never pulled out your fridge or stove to do a thorough cleaning, you should be doing this at least once a year. Kitchen appliances tend to collect dust and dirt along their bottoms as well as down the sides and walls.

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

We all know the drill — diving under the bed to unearth clothes, cosmetics, and other trinkets that have fallen into the abyss and since forgotten, putting on fresh sheets, fluffing the pillows, and cooking a fresh, sumptuous meal. All these can only mean one thing — you have guests coming over, and your home has to be as clean and invitingly cozy as possible. So how do you get rid of the dust bunnies, give the counter back its shiny polish, and restore the beauty of hardwood floors in time for their visit?

Easy — know where to start, and that means identifying where most of the germs and dust settle, so you can clean them out. Here’s a guide to the germiest places in your condo, so you can start preparing for your guests’ lovely stay.

Kitchen: Where the Crumbs Are

Showing your guests around town means taking them out to a lovely meal so they can sample local delicacies. While that takes preparing a meal or two off your plate, you can’t keep them away from the kitchen forever. There’s always the morning coffee routine and late-night snacks or dessert, and your guests surely wouldn’t feel comfortable munching on some cookies off a slimy or greasy counter. Worse, they’ll be leaving town with a nasty bout of food poisoning

The fact is all sorts of bacteria, viruses, and even parasites like taking up residence in the kitchen where they are in close proximity to food, drink, and various ingredients. A one-time exposure may not be life-threatening but over time this can cause serious illness, especially in kids. Plus, you wouldn’t want your guests to regret their stay with you because of an allergic reaction or an episode of food poisoning, right? The key is to maintain good food-prep habits, like keeping food-prep surfaces clean and washing your hands each time you handle food.

How to Keep a Clean Kitchen

• Wash your hands properly to avoid spreading food-borne bacteria. Take at least 20 seconds to wash with soap and water before, during, and after preparing food, even if you’re just tossing in some greens or making toast.
• Don’t use the kitchen counter for storage, such as laying down your keys, purse, and even grocery bags that have been on the floor. Keep the counter clean by using it exactly as it’s intended — for preparing food, and make sure to clean up after.
• Wipe down surfaces regularly using hot soapy water or trusty disinfectant wipes. These include faucets, countertops, appliance handles, refrigerator, and light switches.
• Exercise caution when handling raw meat. Make sure to wash your hands at every step and prepare them as prescribed to prevent the spread of dangerous bacteria such as salmonella.
• Replace sponges regularly to prevent them from housing germs and bacteria. Clean them after every use with soap and water, throw them in the dishwasher, or zap them in the microwave for 30 seconds once damp. Change kitchen towels and rags regularly and include them in your regular laundry routine.

The Bathroom

Going to the washroom is part of everyone’s daily routine. From brushing teeth to showering, getting ready for the day, and relieving yourself, the washroom has definitely seen and been through it all. The question is, are you cleaning the grime of long days off the walls?

Your guests are already away from home, and while a new environment is a welcome change for many, a lot of people need creature comforts to feel right at home. That’s why it’s important to keep a clean and bacteria-free washroom, so your guests can take relaxing baths and showers that will rejuvenate them on their trip.

Unfortunately, washrooms are a popular breeding ground for bacteria, mould, and mildew, as the warmth and dampness create perfect conditions for them to thrive. To avoid allergic reactions and illness, you’ll need to make the guest washroom as clean and spotless as possible.

Tips for Effective Washroom Cleaning

Wipe down and regularly disinfect surfaces to prevent germs and harmful bacteria from spreading. This includes the sink, faucet, knobs, and switches. Pay extra attention to the toilet flush handle, as it’s pretty much second-nature to everyone to flush the toilet before washing their hands, leaving germs and bacteria to nest there.

Prevent mould from forming by regularly cleaning tiles and washing the shower curtain with a bleach solution.

Childrens’ Bedrooms

You might not realize it but not all bedrooms were created equal, and we’re not talking about the perks of the master suite. In fact, there’s a lot more going on in your kids’ bedrooms that you may not know about. For instance, did you know that kids unconsciously spread more germs and bacteria as they play with toys and run around? While your guests won’t be staying in kids’ rooms, it’s important to prevent the spread of germs to the rest of your condo.

Washing Toys and More

If you have a changing table installed, make sure to wipe it down regularly with mild soap and water or a safe disinfectant solution, especially when your little ones are sick, or have had a changing accident. Make sure to dry the table very well to avoid promoting conditions for bacteria to thrive in.

Instill good hygiene habits in your kids, such as washing their hands before and after playing and eating, and even when they cough or blow their nose.

Clean surfaces in the playroom with disinfecting wipes or a cleanser, including storage boxes for toys, drawer handles, mats, and just about anything that kids regularly touch to avoid the spread of cold- and flu-causing viruses.

Clean toys with a real bath. Hard plastic toys are often dishwasher safe, so take advantage of that time crunch hack, while making sure to toss stuffed animals in the laundry or even stick them in the freezer overnight to remove stains and freeze out allergy-causing dust mites.

To learn more about the best ways to prepare your condo for guests, call Maid4Condos at 647-822-0601 or contact us here.

The sun is finally out and that means trading your winter coat and boots for shorts and flip-flops, and long days spent cooped up indoors for some much-needed R&R! Summer is great whether you’re spending it in the city or kicking it back on the beach or in the cottage on weekends. But there’s one thing that you can’t deny: it’s the season of allergies, dust, and navigating around hordes of toys and gadgets, especially once the little ones are out of school, all while making exciting plans for barbecues, picnics in the park, and the annual family getaway. With all these on your to-do list, there’s no surprise that it can be extra challenging to keep your condo immaculate.

Lucky for you, it doesn’t have to be hard to tidy up and keep your condo the amazing haven that it is. Check out these quick tips we’ve put together for keeping your home clean all summer long without the hassle:

It’s All About Time Management

Time management is a real talent, and lucky for you, that means getting some cleaning done, too, without taking up the rest of your busy day. This means breaking down one giant cleaning routine into smaller tasks spread across the week, so you can easily reduce clutter, avoid fishing through your dirty laundry to find a pair of socks, and stay on top of your busy schedule.

Depending on how busy your days go, you can save the general cleaning for weekends and take up smaller chunks as the rest of the week goes. For example, you can make sure to wipe down kitchen counters and wash dishes or load them into the dishwasher as you move through your condo throughout the day. And while you’re at it, you can also wipe down bathroom counters and sinks, make the beds, and tidy up any clutter on your way out.

Still got a few minutes to spare? You can also squeeze in a bit of sweeping or vacuuming in the main living areas of your condo. The best things about these little tasks is that you can easily do them as you clear out your morning coffee, shower, and get ready for the day.

You can split the rest of the tasks, like washing linens and changing sheets, doing the laundry, cleaning the toilets and tub or shower, wiping down mirrors and glass, and dusting furniture and decor throughout the week, depending on how busy your days get.

Take it Easy

That sounds a little hard to believe when you’re coming home to a mess but with the right routine, you can make this your best summer yet — both at home and while you’re away. All you need to do is clean the smart way, so you won’t have to spend all day cooped up in your condo when you can be out on the beach or having a picnic in the park.

Dreading scrubbing the tub? Don’t feel so defeated just yet. Try a leave-on spray cleaner that absorbs the grime, so you can easily wipe it down as you go about your daily routine. Thinking of cutting down your morning routine so you won’t have to keep rushing out the door? Keep cleaning wipes handy so you can easily wipe down counters after use.

While you’re there, check out automatic toilet bowl cleaners that you can easily flush down the toilet for a quick, hassle-free clean that won’t have you breaking out the brush. All these hacks are just right around the corner, so you can keep your condo clean all summer long without missing out on days in the sun.

Bring Out Your Little Helpers

No matter how compact a condo is compared to a large house with a lawn and porch to boot, it can still be hard to get around to your cleaning routine when you’re chasing after your kids or navigating around their mess. The solution? Make them your little helpers! By giving your kids small tasks to do, it won’t just be easier to keep a clean and cozy home, but you’ll also instill a sense of responsibility in them.

For example, you can start with getting them in the habit of cleaning up their toys, books, and gadgets after use and make sure that these are stored in their proper place. When they’re older, you can also rope them into a small chore schedule shared by everyone, where they’ll be responsible for wiping the dishes and storing them or loading and unloading the dishwasher.

This also means getting them into the habit of cleaning their rooms, tidying up after using the sink, microwave, or bathroom, and picking up any clutter they pass by. And if they insist on a cute little puppy, you can make it their job to take care of it. Take this out for a test run this summer as the kids will be out of school and spend more time playing at home.

Maintain Grace and Balance

Keeping your condo clean and cozy is a process with ongoing tasks, more often than not involving the rest of the family. But it shouldn’t be all that you do, especially during these warm summer months when you can be outside getting a tan and some much needed R&R. All it takes is maintaining a balanced schedule and establishing a routine, and soon, cleaning won’t have to feel like a dreaded chore, but a natural habit as you get on with the rest of your day. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your routine, give the kids something to do, and discover what works for you best. Either way, you’ll be coming home to a place like no other.

Ask a Pro

All these tips are great for routine, everyday cleaning to keep the floors clear of clutter and the sink from piling up with dishes. But once in a while, you’ll need a thorough general cleaning to get rid of cobwebs, stains, and dust mites for good, as well as book cleaning and maintenance services for appliances and large fixtures.

If there’s anything that spring cleaning has taught us, it’s that it’s not enough. Getting rid of old junk and clutter is just one part of the job. Getting a professional cleaner to work with you in keeping your condo spotless is a must for every busy homeowner working long days. So while you tidy up on the way out, a professional cleaner can come in once in a while for a deep clean — and there’s no better time for that than this summer while you’re out and having fun.

For more tips and information on keeping your home clean this summer, call Maid4Condos at 647-822-0601 or contact us here.

There’s a lot of love for our furry companions, but you can’t deny that owning a dog can be messy. It’s hard to keep a clean home when you constantly have to clean up after your dog when they run in and drag a whole lot of dirt from outside, leaving paw prints everywhere. And that’s already on top of all the shedding and funky smells that call for constant grooming.

Can’t keep your dog from tracking dirt into your condo? Here’s a complete guide to keeping your home spotless, without cutting short your pet’s outdoor playtime:

1. Get rid of carpets

Carpets give your condo that plush, comfy feeling, but the fact is, they’re not a dog’s best friend. If you can’t give up the carpet just yet, you can start small by keeping the entrance hallway carpet-free. The entryway is where we all bring the most dirt in — dogs and humans alike — especially if you’re in the habit of keeping shoes there or shaking them loose of mud and dirt on the way in.

With a carpet, it’s harder to clean off loose dirt and remove mud stains, including your dog’s paw prints. Instead of a carpeted hallway, opt for linoleum or hard floors as these are easier to clean and polish. Alternatively, you can also use the back door to take your pet in and out to avoid tracking dirt.

2. Trim their fur

Who can resist an adorable fluffy dog? That’s right — no one! But your dog’s feathered legs and paws might just be the culprit behind your cleaning nightmares; any pet owners knows all too well how quickly pet hair can accumulate in your home. Dirt and mud can easily cling onto their fur, which then makes its way inside your home before you can even finish cleaning. The solution? Make sure to trim their fur regularly to avoid them from tracking too much dirt and debris. But don’t go overboard and remove all the fur on the pads of their paws — they still need protection from the elements, especially if they’re out walking and playing in cold weather.

3. Keep a towel by the door

Add to keeping a clear hallway, you can also keep a soft, absorbent towel by the door to clean your dog’s paws when coming in. Before coming in, you can wipe their paws and legs using the towel to remove any dirt or mud. This keeps the rest of your condo clean for long and saves you the hassle of running after your pet to keep them from muddying the rest of your home after playtime or walks.

4. Use an absorbent door mat

A doormat is one of the best and easiest ways to keep the rest of your condo clean and prevent anyone, including your furry friends, from tracking in dirt and mud. Place an absorbent doormat by the main door so your dog can wipe their paws on it and reduce the amount of dirt they bring in. Depending on where you live and what breed your dog is, you can select a doormat with a texture that is anywhere from absorbent to brush-like. For instance, absorbent doormats are great for drying their paws and removing wet mud, while a brush-like mat can remove thick, hardened mud.

5. Clean your dog’s paws

Even with a doormat and a towel at the ready, there are times when you still need to wash your dog’s paws after long outdoor walks and playtime. Keep a bowl of warm water by the door to wash their paws with, and make this a habit every time you enter your home. Over time, your dog will also get used to having their paws washed, so it’s easier to keep your condo spotless and feeling fresh.

Just a quick note — make sure that the water is warm and comfortable so it won’t be hard to get them to wash their paws. Make sure to dry their paws afterwards, especially if their fur is thick or long, to prevent them from further tracking dirt around, and getting floors and furniture wet in the process.

6. Use paw wipes

Just like their humans, dogs need a good amount of fresh air and time spent running around outdoors. But cutting their outdoor playtime to prevent them from tracking in dirt or keeping them indoors altogether isn’t the answer.

Have you ever heard of paw wipes? They might just be your dog’s — and your newly polished floors’ — best friend! Much like regular baby wipes, paw wipes are cleansing and easily disposable, making them a must-have for every pet owner who likes venturing with their dogs outside, but hates the messy trail of paw prints and muck that their furry companions tend to track back home.

7. Dress up your dog in booties

Dog booties aren’t just designed to dress up your dog and make them look even cuter; they actually serve a real function that you’ll be very thankful to learn. For small dogs especially, booties are a must-have in the colder months when the ground is perpetually damp and muddy, making it much easier for them to track dirt and mud into your condo.

With booties, your furry friend won’t just be the star of the block for the extra dose of cuteness — you can also guarantee that their paws remain clean and dry. So you can go for a walk and breathe in the chilly fresh air — you won’t have to worry about your pet’s feet getting cold, wet, and dirty.

8. Wax their pads

Much like lotion for dry skin, your dog’s paws need some TLC that goes beyond their regular grooming routine. Since they’re on their feet a lot throughout the day, it’s important to care for their paws and protect the pads from walking on gravel and hard surfaces all day. Paw wax prevents your dog’s paws from cracking and drying. As a bonus, it also provides traction and improves their grip on the ground, especially on slippery surfaces. You can even use paw wax year-round, no matter the weather, so your dog’s feet are protected even when walking on the most unpredictable surfaces.

As for keeping your home clean after a long day in the park, paw wax provides a layer of protection from mud and water, too! Paw wax is repellant to mud and water, so they’ll definitely track much less dirt back to your door.

For more ways to stop your pet tracking dirt into your Toronto home, call Maid4Condos at 647-822-0601 or contact us here.