It’s that time of the year where we put on our cleaning gloves, put in some work, and put out the trash! Let’s start with a video from Dallas Maids Clean Freaks YouTube channel: Spring Cleaning Guide! Motivation and Inspiration from Real Maids!

After a long winter of stuffiness and gloom it’s so nice to give your home a deep, refreshing clean from top to bottom!

Of course any time of year can be a good time for a deep clean and with these easy tips you might want to do it more than once a year! Don’t be intimidated, we’ll take it one room at a time.

Also, we thought we might give our readers these neat cleaning printables to get everyone in the mood.  The first one is our original, printable Spring Cleaning To Do list, pretty as a spring day!

Our 2013 Spring Cleaning Checklist

Click to Get it!

That list covers all the deep cleaning tasks you’ll want to add to your regular cleaning to make it a super spring deep clean! It’s broken up by room to make it even easier. This is the list we use at Dallas Maids when we do a spring cleaning/deep clean.

You can block off a day and knock out all the items at once but if you’d like to break it up we suggest our beautiful printable calender for March. Just print it, write tasks from the to do lists on different days and stick it on your fridge!

Get it Now!

There you have it, pretty spring cleaning printables to print, share and enjoy! Hopefully you are feeling inspired and motivated to take on a top to bottom clean in April. If not, we’d be happy to do the dirty work just give us a call! Spring cleaning spots fill up fast so reserve yours now!

 As always, check Dallas Maids if you need a house cleaning service in Dallas, Frisco, Plano, or in other areas in the DWF area.

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One of the most frequent questions that we get from clients and consumers is “Which products and equipment do you recommend?”

Our maids do such an amazing job that people naturally want to know what we use to get that perfect clean. The vacuum cleaner is the workhorse of any cleaning kit and a quality, reliable vacuum is a maid’s best friend.

Our team’s favorite vacuum hands down is the Pro Team Sierra Back Pack Vacuum and we are not alone, this vacuum has a following in maid services nationwide!

What’s the difference? Here are 5 reasons why we love it:

#1 It’s comfortable!

So easy to use, you actually wear it! The vacuum has adjustable belts that clip over the chest area and the waist area so it really supports your back. Forget about lugging heavy machinery up and down the stairs; this high powered vacuum weighs a paltry ten pounds!

#2 It’s powerful!

Don’t be fooled by the light weight or the small size, this vacuum packs a punch! We’re talking commercial strength sucking power designed to clean more area in less time.

#3 It improves air quality

The ProTeam Sierra Backpack Vacuum Cleaner features ProTeam’s unique Four-Level Filtration system that captures tiny dust mites, bacteria and floating particles – particles that create unhealthy air.

Count those filters! You get a micro filter, a cloth filter, a dome filter and a foam exhaust filter It clears out 99% of dirt in the air.

#4 It’s so efficient that you vacuum less!

ProTeam’s unique method of suction vacuuming cleans carpets, hard floors and other surfaces without stirring up dust – so the air stays cleaner, the furniture collects less dust and operators clean without breathing unhealthy air.

#5 It’s so versatile!

With a multitude of attachments, extensions and accessories you can really get into every nook and crevice, removing that hard-to-reach dirt.

We love the power nozzle option; it really takes this vacuum to another level of cleaning horsepower.

There you have 5 reasons to love the ProTeam Sierra vacuum as much as we do!

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Clean Freaks: Cleaning Tips and Household Tricks behind the scenes bloopers.

Creating the Clean Freaks YouTube series has been a fun project. Kudos to Kari Kramer who has been especially easy and enjoyable to work with!

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Today we have some extra special tips to share! These are time tested cleaning secrets from real, professional maids that clean hundreds of homes every year, enjoy!

We polled our housekeepers at Dallas Maids and got them to share their very best cleaning tips for this video.

Real Maid Tip #1 – Start high and dry

This tip was repeated again and again by our maids. When you start cleaning any room start at the ceiling level. That means dusting ceiling fans and light fixtures, knocking down cobwebs and vacuuming air vents.

Starting with the dry jobs with will help avoid creating a gunky mess on your surfaces, so dry dust everything before you apply furniture polish, sweep or vacuum hard surface floors very well before you mop and don’t start applying product to any surface before you have wiped it down for dust.

Real Maid Tip #2 – Soak don’t Scrub Well

You might have to scrub a little anyways but this real housekeeper tip will cut down on wasted time and elbow grease. When you are ready to tackle what our maids call the “wet cleaning jobs” in a room like the bathroom or kitchen first apply the correct product to all of the surfaces you will be cleaning and let it soak in while you clean something else. Then start with the least dirty item or surface and work your way up to the dirtiest surface which will have had time to soak in the product making it easier to clean.

Real Maid Tip #3 – Prioritize

Real maids usually don’t have all day to clean one house. They have a set amount of time to spend in each home before it’s time for them to move on to the next house. So what do they do when they know they can’t possibly clean the entire home in the time allotted? They let the client know and then they work based on priorities. The dirtiest room gets cleaned first. They want to maximize the impact that their work will have on the overall appearance of the home.

Real Maid Tip #4 – Keep your head in the game

Our favorite tips from our maids didn’t address any one cleaning task in particular; instead they were about attitude and focus. One maid said “You have to love the job and want to clean.”

We can learn a lot from our hardworking housekeepers. To clean well and efficiently you have to be present not only physically but mentally as well. Maybe it can best be summed up in one more piece of advice “Be where you are, do what you are doing and smile”

We’d like to thank all of our wonderful, dedicated professional house cleaners for all of their hard work. Our cheerful and tireless team has thousands of happy customers in Dallas. Give us a call and experience the Dallas Maids difference in your home today!

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Cleaning the refrigerator is one of those jobs that all too often gets pushed way down on the list of household chores. After all, with the door closed no one will notice that it’s been awhile since the last cleaning.

But really, if you stop to consider the purpose of your refrigerator, it’s clear that this should be one of the cleanest parts of any home. Anything that stores food for your family’s meals needs to be spic and span! Keeping the fridge sanitary is easy if you follow a regular cleaning routine.

Everyday

Cleaning your refrigerator, believe it or not, is more of a maintenance task rather than a full deep cleaning. Or at least, it’s easier this way!

There are a few things you should be doing every day, every time you open the fridge.
-Wipe up spills right away, as soon as you see them. This will save you a lot of scrubbing down the road!
-Everything that goes into the fridge should be covered or sealed. Leftovers should be labeled with the date you prepared the food. It’s not OCD; it’s food safety for the entire family!
-Throw away anything that is obviously spoiled. Anything that you reach for that has changed color, texture or that smells funny should get tossed right away. You don’t want it anywhere near the good food that you have in your fridge!

Weekly

Once a week you are going to want to give your fridge a little extra TLC, it only takes a few minutes! First check the contents and toss anything that is spoiled or past it’s expiration date. It’s easiest to clean your fridge when it’s emptier, so make a habit of cleaning it right before you go grocery shopping.

You can give a the fridge a quick weekly wipe-down too. Use a damp cloth and wipe down the shelves, faces of the drawers and the interior walls of the fridge. You don’t want to use any product with a fragrance. A fragrance can get into your food, even changing the taste!

Make sure you clean the exterior doors too, the handle especially can be a germ magnet! If your fridge exterior is stainless steel use a stainless steel cleaner and a soft cloth. Otherwise, a bit of dishsoap in a quart of hot water will do the job nicely.

Once a month, you can clean the seals on the door with that same dishsoap mixture and an old soft-bristled toothbrush.

The Deep Clean

A couple times a year your fridge should get a thorough deep cleaning. You will want to remove all the food and unplug the fridge. You can put the food into a cooler while you clean. Remove all of the shelves and drawers and let them come to room temperature before you wash them.

Mix two tablespoons of baking soda in a quart of hot water and use a soft scrubber sponge to wash the entire interior of the fridge along with the shelves and drawers.

Dry all of the surfaces with a clean towel before replacing the food and plugging the fridge back in.

Dealing with Odors

If your fridge is clean but has a bad odor you can’t seem to get rid of baking soda is the traditional fix. Rather than use a bowl or a dish it’s better to use a plate or even a cookie sheet. This way, the baking soda can absorb the odor more efficiently.

You might also try a plate of coffee grounds or even kitty litter for tough smells!

Conclusion

Cleaning your refrigerator doesn’t have to be a scary task. We hope these tips help you be more organized with your cleaning routine. As always, check Dallas Maids if you need a house cleaning service in Dallas, Frisco, Plano, or in other areas in the DWF area.

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Removing dreaded bathroom soap scum

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Living with allergies can be miserable. Itchy, watery eyes. Runny nose. Constant sneezing. The answer to outdoor allergies may be to stay inside as much as possible but what about the allergens inside your home?

In this video, we will give you some easy ways to reduce indoor allergens and hopefully put an end to those sniffles. Indoor allergens include dust, mold and pet dander. Let’s look at them one by one.

Reduce Allergens By Neutralizing Dust

Reducing and controlling dust in your home is a matter of common sense and elbow grease. Keep your doors and windows closed as much as possible.

You will need to vacuum often, change the vacuum bag often and also dust furniture and surfaces on a regular basis. Consider having your carpet steam cleaned at least twice a year.

Carpet harbors allergens much easier and in much higher quantities than hard surface floors like wood and tile. You still need to sweep and mop your hard surface floors on a regular basis. Wash area rugs, bath mats and all of your curtains on a regular basis.

You should wash all bedding and pillows often as well, use hot water. Avoid hanging laundered clothes or other items outside to dry, it’s better to use your clothes dryer and avoid bringing outdoor allergens into the house.

Reduce Allergens By Treating Mold

Mold is a terrible allergen and in extreme cases mold can cause serious respiratory problems even for people without allergies. You should treat any visible mold with a diluted bleach solution or alternatively you can try vinegar, especially if you are worried about discoloration from bleach.

If you have a plumbing leak anywhere in your home, get it fixed quickly! Then keep an eye on the area around the source of the leak for any sign of mold. You can use a dehumidifier if necessary to deter the appearance of mold in humid areas like basements.

Mold can grow inside walls and under floors so if you suspect you have hidden mold it’s time to call in a professional cleaning service.

Pet Dander

It’s a common misconception that pet allergies are caused by pet hair alone. In fact, they are caused mainly by pet dander. These are tiny flakes of dead skin that fall naturally off of your pet. Pet allergies can be heartbreaking if they are extreme because sometimes the only solution is to remove the pet from the home. Before you think about that, there are a few things you can try.

Keep your pet off of the furniture and out of bedrooms at all times. If possible you should restrict them to areas with hard surface flooring like tile or wood. Giving the pet frequent baths may help, but ideally it shouldn’t be the allergic person doing the bathing.

Wash pet beds and bedding often.  Wash your hands after handling your pet and if contact sparks your allergies you may need to take a more hands off approach.

That’s it for this edition of Clean Freaks! We’re sure you will be able to reduce allergens and, as always: if it sounds like too much work just call Dallas Maids!

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Cold and flu season is upon us! If you and your family are stuck in a cycle of never ending colds it may be time for disinfecting your home.

Today we are going to show you how seek out the hidden germs in your home, how to wipe them out and how to keep them from coming back.

Toothbrushes

Your family’s toothbrushes can be a hotbed for germs and harmful bacteria. You should sanitize each toothbrush once a week by mixing equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water. Let the toothbrush sit in that mixture bristles down for a few minutes.

Always store your toothbrushes bristle side up in a medicine cabinet.

Don’t leave them out in the open in the bathroom because… ready to gag? When your toilet flushes, it can send tiny particles and bacteria into the air and those can land on your brush.

Your family’s toothbrushes should be stored in a way that they are never touching and you shouldn’t share toothbrushes with anyone. You should replace toothbrushes every few months.

Kitchen

Germs Generally speaking the kitchen sink, the drain and the garbage disposal are the germiest places in your kitchen. Pour a half a cup of bleach and a half a cup of water around your sink and down your kitchen drain once a week.

Sponges are another germ magnet. To sanitize your kitchen sponge simply wet your sponge, stick it in the microwave and nuke it on high for 2 minutes. Careful it’s hot! You should replace and discard sponges frequently.

Common objects

Think of how many things your hands touch every day. Probably hundreds. Multiply that by the number of people in your home and that’s a whole lot of germ potential! Time to enforce a policy of frequent hand-washing!

Put hand sanitizer around the house in areas like the bathrooms and kitchen. Buy a good sanitizing cleaning spray: look for online reviews and forums to make an informed decision. Then, use it to spray and wipe down the objects that your family shares or touches often.

That should include doorknobs, light switches, drawer handles, the computer (don’t forget the mouse!). Also: hand railings, arm rests of chairs, telephones and remote controls.

You can sanitize washable items by washing them in the hot water cycle of your washing machine. That’s also a good way to wash children’s stuffed animals. However, you might try freezing them in the freezer for 24 hours to disinfect.

Toys made from durable materials and plastic toys that don’t contain electronic components can be dunked in a bucket of diluted bleach water and left to air dry. You can wipe electronic toys with a sanitizer damped cloth or a handy disposable sanitizing wipe.

That’s it for this edition of Clean Freaks. We hope these tips help you disinfecting your home.

Remember that a maid service in Dallas will always help you keep your home clean without stress and frustration. If it sounds like too much work just call Dallas Maids!

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Hi and welcome back to Dallas Maids! Today we wanted to share some topics for minimizing mini blinds cleaning frustration. We all know these items are dust and grime magnets, and no one wants their mini blinds to look dirty and messy!

They can also be frustrating to clean if you aren’t sure how to begin. In this video we will give you three different methods for cleaning mini blinds. I know I’m excited, let’s get going!

Method 1- Just Dust

If your blind just need dusting you can easily clean them using the brush attachment on your vacuum hose. First, lock the blinds in the up position (visual) and vacuum along the length of the slats. Always work from the top of the blinds to the bottom.

Then switch the blinds into the down position (visual) and repeat the same process again. The more often you dust your blinds the less often you will need to wash them which brings us to our next method.

Method 2- Toss them in the tub

To wash sticky grime off your mini blinds you can wash them in the bathtub. Just fill the bathtub halfway with warm water and add a few squirts of dish soap. If the blinds are really dirty you can add a little degreaser to the mix as well.

Remove the blinds from the wall, they may be the kind that snap in and out of place or you may have to remove a couple of screws. Place the dirty blinds in the tub; the warm soapy water should cover them completely. Let them soak for 10 to 15 minutes to loosen the grime.

Then, you can clean each slat by hand right there in the tub either by using some cotton gloves or just old washcloths.

Once you have given them a good wipe down you should drain the water from the tub and rinse the blinds with clean water. You will need to hang them somewhere other than the wall to dry. Also, you can simply lay them out on some towels on the floor to dry there.

Method 3- Head Outdoors

If the weather is nice you might prefer to wash your blinds outside. Find a place to hang them up, a clothesline would be ideal but a fence or a porch banister work nicely too. Have a bucket of warm soapy water on hand. Again, you can use some cotton gloves or washcloths to wipe each side of each slat. A garden hose makes rinsing your blinds a piece of cake.

Please don’t be tempted to power-wash your blinds, we’ve seen the videos too but more often than not you will end up with bent or broken slats. Once you’ve rinsed you can leave your blinds outside to dry in the sunshine before hanging them back in place.

That’s it for this edition of Clean Freaks and as always: if it sounds like too much work, remember you always have the support of a professional house cleaning service in Dallas. Just call Dallas Maids!

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Today we will be coming clean on the very best ways to tackle one of the most dreaded cleaning tasks of all; cleaning the toilet bowl. Over the years we’ve met with a lot of different theories about the best way to clean a toilet and here we will tell you which work, which don’t and which are just plain weird.

Toilet Trial #1: Bleach

It seems that bleach is everyone’s cleaner of choice when it comes time to scrub toilets but it actually may not be doing the job you think it is. The benefit that bleach has is that it’s extremely effective against germs and bacteria. The problem is that it’s also a whitening agent and that means you may just be bleaching a ring of corrosive scum instead of removing it. The sneaky scum will still be there you just won’t be able to see it but that can certainly cause trouble down the road. Also, if you choose to use bleach or a product with bleach in it it’s very important not to mix it with any product containing ammonia because that can cause very toxic and harmful fumes. Always check the label!

Toilet Trial #2 Lemon or Orange Drink Mix

This one is pretty unconventional! We won’t name any brands but you know those little envelopes of drink mix that kids love so much? They have a cult following in the secret cleaning tips arena. You just sprinkle the powder around the bowl, let stand for ten to twenty minutes and then give it a good scrub. So is this one true or false? Kind of gross but true! The orange and lemon flavored drink mixes contain citric acid which dissolve the dreaded scum buildup. That said, it’s certainly not the best fix for tough stains or toilet bowl rings. Also, keep in mind that other flavors won’t work, no grape or cherry please! And make sure the mix is one that doesn’t have the sugar already added or you may just be feeding the bacteria. Ready for another strange one?

Toilet Trial #3: Cola Flavored Sodapop

Ready to get turned off to another of your favorite beverages? Some people swear by cola sodapop to clean their toilet bowls! Again the citric acid can be helpful, and talk about scrubbing bubbles! But the problem lies in the sugar, again bacteria thrive and feed off of sugar so put them on a diet soda if you want to try this one. In our experience, this trick is not as effective so you might just want to save your tasty beverage for lunch.

Toilet Trial #4: Denture Tablets

This is a neat little trick. Drop a pair of denture cleaning tablets in your bowl before bedtime. In the morning just give it a quick scrub and voila! A toilet fit for an orthodontist! This works for regular maintenance cleaning but not for old stains or tough rings. And of course a little light scrubbing is still required!

Ok we’ve looked at some conventional toilet cleaning methods and other not so conventional ones. So, how do the award-winning Dallas maids clean toilets? With an acid based toilet bowl cleaning product. Maybe not fun or glamorous but an acid based product will bust scum, remove rings and kill all of the bacteria along the way. If you have a tough ring you can use a nylon backed scrub sponge along with the acid cleaner. Another useful tip if you have a china toilet bowl is to use a pumice stone on stubborn rings and stains, just make sure to keep the stone wet as you work!

That’s it for this edition of Clean Freaks and as always: if it sounds like too much work just call Dallas Maids!

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