Advanced Cleaning Blog

Whether you need to get rid of kitchen grease or wipe away a winter’s worth of dust, here are some tricks to make every room shine.

KEEP THE DIRT OUT
Before you get to cleaning, one tip on prevention: a whopping 87% of the dirt in your home is tracked in through the front door. By taking your shoes off as soon as you walk into the house, you can really cut down on this number. Another tip: get a vinyl doormat. It’s textured surface helps grab the dirt and can stop up to 80% of dirt at the front door.

LIVING ROOM

Blinds
Putting off cleaning those rows of dust-coated blinds? Whether your blinds are wood, plastic or metal, simply close them and run a lamb’s-wool or microfiber duster over the slats. Both materials act as major dust magnets.

Windows
All of those attachments that come with your vacuum actually do have a purpose. They can actually be put to good use in a variety of ways. The round dust brush attachment on your vacuum is great for sucking soot off window screens. It’s soft enough that it won’t harm the surface. Switch to the crevice tool to remove desiccated insects from the window wells.

Curtains
You can also use the crevice tool to clean surface dust in the folds and pleats of your curtains, but be sure to put the suction on low so you won’t risk harming the fabric. When dust actually settles into draperies, you can have them dry-cleaned. For a fast spruce-up, toss them in the dryer on the air setting, then rehang immediately.

KITCHEN

Cooktops and Ovens
People often ignore filters in the house because they’re out of sight, out of mind. But any filter in the house should be cleaned at least once a year, so don’t forget about your range hood. Range-hood filters can be degreased in a sink filled with hot water and detergent.

Burnt-on splatters are a major reason stoves are so troubling. The answer: soak before you scrub. Remove cook-top grills and saturate stains with an all-purpose cleaning solutions.  Give the solution about 10 minutes to do its job, then wipe clean.

Put those irritating fake credit cards that come in the mail to good use: Scrape along the edges of the stove’s knobs to get rid of accumulated grease or crumbs.

Microwave
This indispensable machine takes a beating inside and out. To soften up grease or caked-on crud, place a bowl of water mixed with lemon juice in the microwave and run on high for one minute. This will loosen everything up and leave it smelling fresh. Then use a food safe sanitizer, like Lysol Food Surface Sanitizer, to clean. It will kill bacteria without contaminating food.

Toasters
To get rid of those annoying crumbs stuck in the bottom of the toaster, slide the tray out and wipe it down, then blast the interior with a computer-keyboard cleaner. Don’t forget to unplug it first. To clean the outside and get rust spots off chrome, crumple up a piece of aluminum foil and use a little elbow grease.

BATHROOM

Toilets
The number one item on most homeowners’ things-to-avoid list is the toilet. Especially when it comes to what some would call the “damp dust” that collects around the base. A swivel-head mop with a detachable pole distances you from the beast.

Drains
To unclog your sink or tub, pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/2 cup vinegar. Cover the drain with a wet cloth, wait five minutes and then uncover. Flush with steaming hot water. Baking soda works to neutralize bad odors and also attacks grease by turning it into soap. The vinegar kills microbes and bacteria and is also a good deodorizer.

Tiles and Grout
To stay ahead of the game when it comes to cleaning tiles and grout, keep a toothbrush in the shower and scrub away mildew whenever you see it. It’s a preventative measure, and it can really make a difference.   Remember – the professionals at Advanced Cleaning Service can professionally clean the tile in your home and color and seal your grout.  We can make your tile look like brand new.

Article from Real Simple