‘House Cleaning Tips’ Articles
Cleaning Tips for Every House & Home
Written by Tony on 15 June 2010
As experts in cleaning homes we are often faced with challenges like stainless steel and…yes ceramic/glass oven tops. I have read many posts on other blogs and cleaning sites, each with a common theme – a hatred of cleaning ceramic hobs!
Cleaning Ceramic Hobs – Made Easy
I have personally restored many unloved and abused oven tops to a gleaming shine and I’ll share my methods with you. I have tried many products, including steam cleaners (rubbish for this) that are both expensive and ineffective. However, a product called “Hob Brite” (@ £2 UK) a bottle is both fantastic value and very effective.
Keep Your Fingers & Your Shine
I shudder when I read of “metal scrapers and razor blades” being recommended or used as they can easily damage the finish and you! A razer blade in a protective “sheath” such as those sold in DIY stores for scraping paint off windows etc., is the safest way to use a blade. but be CAREFUL!
Effective Ceramic Hob Cleaning
The method I prefer is to use Hob Brite with a pan scrub, you know, the yellow and green type? Sponge on one side, scrub on the other? Dont use Brillo pads or wire wool types, they’ll damage the finish.
Draw a small ring of hob brite cream around each of the “pan ” areas and work in circular motions with the green side of the scrub pad.
You may need to scrub the burnt on areas quite hard or even repeat the process a couple of times – but it will come off!
Flip your pad over to use the sponge side and lightly wipe the top down – dont try to take all the cream off yet, we’re just checking if any more work is required. If it is, you will still see those stubborn crusty burnt on areas; add a little more Hob Brite and repeat the scrubbing!
Once you have cleared the burnt on bits, rub off as much as you can with the sponge, then wipe down with an old tea towel. You might even need a splash of soapy water as the Hob Brite cream is “greasy”.
Low Cost Ceramic Hob Cleaning
The magic finishing touch is to polish off with a micro fibre cloth, possibly with a glass cleaning product for that ultimate shine – voila – a perfectly shiny ceramic hob for less than £3 and a little “elbow grease”.
Tags: cleaning ceramic hobs, domestic cleaning, domestic cleaning in blackburn, domestic cleaning in burnley, domestic cleaning in clitheroe, domestic cleaning rawtenstall, eco house cleaning, hob brite, home cleaning tips, home services, HomeMaid, house cleaning, house cleaning products, House Cleaning Tips, micro fibre, microfibre
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Written by Tony on 20 May 2010
Blocked or Slow Running Sink/Bath Plughole
Its a common problem especially in a heavily used shower or shower/bath that over time the soap build up begins to restrict the water flow. You may also notice a rather unpleasant odour coming from your sink or shower drain too.
You can use this method even if the drain still runs freely as those who you use baking soda regularly know, its a great deodoriser.
If your bath or sink drain is severely clogged or blocked with something other than accumulated soap scum, then this method might not be strong enough or may need repeating until the blockage is cleared. If you are in doubt, better to get a plumber to take a look first.
You’ll need 3 tablespoons of baking soda and upto 3/4 cup of white vinegar. To flush you will also need a freshly boiled kettle of water. Take common sense precautions when handling boiling water.
Baking Soda & White Vinegar
You’ll need to fish out as much of any hair or detritus that may have collected there before starting the unclogging process. Use some tweezers and/or rub a sponge or cloth across the drain plug which should lift out any hair etc. I will smell pretty bad, so best flush it down the toilet as quickly as possible!
Once you have removed any hair, then sprinkle in 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda – carefully push any that collects around the plughole into the drain. Now slowly pour in 1/2 – 3/4 cup of white vinegar, you will immediately see a chemical reaction taking place as the vinegar mixes with the baking soda which gently fizzes and bubbles. Keep pouring in the vinegar till the fizzing subsides.
Odour Free Unblocked Drain
Once the fizzing subsides, pour a 2-3 litres of freshly boiled water from your kettle – but please take precautions when handling boiling water.
Once flushed you should have a free flowing, odour free drain plug. Fantastic!
Tags: baking soda, cleaning with baking soda, cleaning with white vinegar, eco house cleaning, house cleaning, house cleaning products, House Cleaning Tips
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Written by HomeMaid on 05 March 2010
Micro Fibre Cloths: Easier Faster Cleaning
I thinks its fair to say we’d all like the cleaning to easier and quicker to do, so we can get with something more fun!
As a professional cleaning company we’re always looking for ways to be more efficient and either maintain the standards or improve them. In June 2008 we trialled a commercial grade microfibre cloth having seen something on TV – probably on the shopping channel! Anyway, most things we test really don’t live up to the promise or expectation and usually end up in the recycling or gathering dust in my shed!
Micro Fibre – Miracle Cloth
Put aside your cynicism for a second, because I can tell you these things really do work! They are quicker than normal “stockinette” type cloths in practice and require little or no cleaning product. The only downside is that good ones are a bit pricey (£4 40cm X 40cm) compared to your 10 for £1.50 type cloths.
But You’re Worth It
Invest in them as we have done, you’ll clean faster and more hygienically too, somethings are a good investment!
The Science….
Microfibre textiles were designed to allow cleaning on a microscopic scale, as long ago as the 1950’s, although it was a well kept secret used during and after the second world war to clean sensitive instruments and rid them of not only dust particles but bacteria too. Thus, according to tests, using microfiber materials to clean a surface leads to reducing the number of bacteria by 99% whereas a conventional cleaning material reduces this number only by 33%.
You simply have to have some of these in your cleaning kit and when we get the store online later this year, you can buy direct from the professionals!
Tags: domestic cleaning in accrington, domestic cleaning in blackburn, domestic cleaning in burnley, domestic cleaning in clitheroe, domestic cleaning rawtenstall, house cleaning products, House Cleaning Tips, hygienic house cleaning, micro fibre, microfibre
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Written by HomeMaid on 21 February 2010
Say good-bye to aerosols and chemicals that pollute the environment, and hello to dusting in an eco-friendly way, how do we do it, well the answer is the Ostrich.
Ostrich feather dusters are designed for dusting naturally; they are the most versatile duster in the world, which is why they are used by millions in the home and by quality professional cleaners like HomeMaid. They are fast and effective, halving dusting time, heaven!
Ostrich feathers come in three different grades. At HomeMaid we only use the products with the grade one feather as this is the very best, you’d expect nothing less from HomeMaid! Beware cheap imposters, they wont last as long, so its often false economy, believe me I know.
Our ‘commercial’ dusters come with extending aluminum handles as standard which means you can use them up to heights of 2m which improves the versatility, there’s no hiding place for cobwebs with these.
The feathers are very soft and gentle. Museums and Galleries nationwide use Ostrich feather dusters, it was an obvious progression for HomeMaid to use them too as we value our customers prized assets as much as the Louvre values the Mona Lisa!
I’ve heard many people talk of oils and darker feathers are best, its all nonsense. Here’s how they work; Ostrich feathers have a plume of millions of separate, wispy filaments that collect the dust rather than just move it about. Its natures very own “microfibre” duster. The feathers have evolved as ostriches live in very dry areas and use dust baths to keep the feathers clean, During bathing the birds cover themselves with dust and then vigorously shake to remove the dust, taking dirt and parasites with them.
Although the feathers are soft and gentle they are extremely hard wearing. In the home environment you can expect years of efficient dusting. In commercial use we have found that most dusters last about a year (25 cleans a week!).
Ostriches can reach over 45mph; this duster is almost as quick! If you love dusting do not buy a feather duster because a good quality duster cuts dusting time by at least half (any cleaning company not using these is costing you extra time and money).
Another feature of Ostrich feathers is they do not leave an electrostatic charge. Most dusters, especially man made fibers and wool, leave an electrostatic charge behind, which then attracts dust to the surface just dusted. This is why glass, TV screens and computer monitors, metal and plastic items stay dust free longer with Ostrich feather dusters.
Did you know all cars that are manufactured in the EU are dusted with ostrich feather before they are painted? The dusters ensure the surface is dust free before painting, essential for a good finish.
One other thing, caring for your duster is very simple. To release trapped dust, a quick shake is all it takes, hold it near the floor so you can vacuum up the debris afterwards. The feathers can be washed in warm soapy water, rinsed and dried with a hair-drier. This should only be necessary if the duster is dirty as opposed to dusty.
That’s about it; fast, effective, good for all dusting jobs and long lasting making them exceptional value, they really are amazing, you want one now don’t you………………or maybe you’d rather hire a professional to do it for you?
Tags: domestic cleaning, dusting, house cleaning, ostrich feather dusters
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Written by HomeMaid on 21 January 2010
Eco Friendly Cleaning
A series of eco-friendly articles to encourage more of us to clean our homes in a planet friendly way. Its kind to nature and to your pocket. There are a number of forgotten easily obtained substitutes for effective “green” in your home (they may even be hiding in your cupboards right now!)
White Vinegar
A fantastic eco-friendly stain remover, white vinegar is easily available, cheap and harmless to use. White vinegar is a mild acid, it is very effective on certain solid stains, such as limescale and calcium deposits (“soap scum”) from hard water – for example, in the shower and bath.
White vinegar can even unclog the washing machine; once a month pour one cup of white vinegar into the washing machine and run the machine through a normal cycle, without clothes (obviously!).
Other stains it works on include stubborn stains on furniture and upholstery, mildew and mould on bathroom tiles and shower curtains, food stains in pots and pans, stains in toilet bowls, perspiration on clothes, scorch marks and animal urine stains in the carpet.
Vinegar is also a great natural air freshener – placing a small bowl of vinegar in the room or spraying some into the air will deodorise a room filled with smoke or paint fumes.
Tags: cleaning with white vinegar, eco house cleaning, house cleaning tip
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Written by HomeMaid on 08 November 2009
You’ll see many articles and cleaning tips on the web extolling the virtues of natural cleaning products, indeed we’ve tried a lot of them!
The thing is I was confused about the difference between baking soda and washing soda, so I imagine are quite a few of you judging by how often this question is asked. So I thought I’d write a quick article about it.
For some purposes, the only difference between washing soda (sodium carbonate) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is that washing soda will consume two equivalents of acid, while baking soda will only consume one equivalent.
Washing soda and baking soda are indeed chemically different things, and there is no way you want to get them confused, especially if you’re planning to cook – it really could end in tears.
The Chemistry
Washing soda is sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), baking soda is sodium bicarbonate – the same ingredients, but with a hydrogen atom replacing one of the sodiums. Both compounds are alkaline, meaning that they can neutralize acids. One common source of washing soda is the ashes of plants and its for this reason, it is sometimes called soda ash.
Baking soda, otherwise known as bicarbonate of soda (NaHCO3), sodium bicarbonate, and, less commonly, saleratus, is a chemical salt with diverse practical uses. The most common practical use for baking soda is as a leavening agent in baking. In combination with a liquid and an acid, baking soda undergoes a chemical reaction that releases bubbles of carbon dioxide. Trapped in batter or dough, these bubbles enable the baked good to rise. Baked goods leavened with baking soda, therefore, generally have a light crumb and are aerated with many holes left by the escaping bubbles of carbon dioxide.
So whilst you can substitute one with the other for some things, for goodness sake, don’t cook with washing soda!
Tags: cleaning with baking soda, domestic cleaning, eco house cleaning, home cleaning tips, house cleaning products, washing soda
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