How to Clean Up After Pets

Pets are more than just furry companions, they’re part of the family. They bring joy, cuddles, and the occasional disaster. As much as we love our pets, cleaning up after them can be a whole different story. Whether it’s pet hair that seems to multiply like a small army of furry bunnies, stains on the carpet that no amount of scrubbing will seem to remove, or the allergen-filled “gifts” they leave behind, keeping your home clean and smelling fresh can feel like a full-time job. But don’t worry! We’ve got your back with this comprehensive guide on how to clean up after pets. Get ready to tackle the mess and enjoy a pet-friendly home without the headache.

1. Pet Hair: The Uninvited Guest That Won’t Leave

Pet hair. Gawd. It’s like glitter; it gets everywhere. No matter how much you brush your pet, that hair just keeps coming. If you’re struggling with pet hair on your furniture, carpets, or even in your clothes (because apparently your pet’s shedding knows no boundaries), don’t despair.

One simple solution is to use a lint roller or pet hair remover brush, but if you want to take it to the next level, consider using a vacuum with a pet hair attachment, which can do wonders on carpets and upholstery. According to our article on removing pet hair, vacuuming regularly can help manage the build-up. It’s especially important for homes with furry friends that shed frequently. Remember, the more often you clean, the less effort required when the shedding gets out of hand.

2. Spot Cleaning and Removing Pet Stains from Your Carpet

Accidents happen. Whether it’s a young puppy still learning the ropes or an adult cat who’s suddenly decided the carpet is their new bathroom after you’ve away on vacation for a week, pet stains are a fact of life. But fear not! There are effective ways to clean up the mess and restore your carpet’s beauty.

First, grab a clean cloth and blot up the stain, don’t rub, as that can push the stain deeper into the fibers. Then, use a pet stain remover or a DIY solution made from white vinegar, water, and a small amount of baking soda. According to our guide on spot cleaning and removing pet stains, this concoction can work wonders on removing both the stain and the odor.

If the stain is particularly stubborn, consider a more advanced treatment like a deep cleaning solution or even calling in professional help. After all, your carpet deserves a little TLC, too.

For more tips on handling pet stains, check out our article on removing pet stains from carpets.

3. Dealing with the Dreaded Pet Odors

Pets are great, but let’s be real, sometimes they don’t exactly smell like roses. Whether it’s from their fur, a wet dog, or that delightful pet accident, odors can quickly take over your home.

To manage pet odors, start with regular cleaning and use odor-neutralizing products. Air purifiers, baking soda, and even essential oils can all work wonders in eliminating those stinky smells. You might also want to make sure you’re vacuuming regularly (you know, to deal with that other mess, the hair). But don’t just take our word for it, check out our article on reducing allergens for even more tips on keeping your home fresh and allergen-free.

A quick tip: Keep your pets clean too! Bathing them regularly (depending on their breed) and brushing out their fur can help reduce the odors that come from their coat.

4. Pet Allergies: Keep the Sneezing at Bay

If you or anyone in your household has pet allergies, the battle to maintain a clean home takes on an added level of complexity. Pet dander (those tiny flakes of skin that your pet sheds) is one of the biggest culprits. But don’t worry, there are ways to reduce the impact.

The key is regular cleaning, especially vacuuming with a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner that can trap those tiny particles. Wash your pet’s bedding frequently, and invest in an air purifier to help keep the air clean. As mentioned in our article on reducing allergens, it’s essential to create a barrier between your pet and the rest of your home’s air supply to minimize the risk of flare-ups.

Even though it might seem like an uphill battle, these little changes can make a world of difference for allergy sufferers.

5. The Ultimate Pet Cleaning Checklist

To help you stay on top of your cleaning game, we’ve compiled an ultimate checklist for cleaning up after your pet:

• Vacuum: Target pet hair, dust, and allergens.
• Wipe down surfaces: Pets often like to jump on furniture, leaving behind hair and dirt.
• Wash pet bedding: Fleas and odors love to hide in your pet’s favorite spots.
• Tackle pet stains immediately: The longer you wait, the more difficult they become to clean.
• Deodorize: Use odor-neutralizing sprays and essential oils to keep things smelling fresh.

With this checklist, your home will stay fresh, clean, and pet-friendly, no matter how much your furry friend sheds.

6. Bonus: Professional Help When You Need It

Sometimes, no matter how much you clean, the mess just doesn’t go away. If you’re struggling with persistent stains, odors, or allergens, it might be time to call in the experts. Professional cleaning services, like Dallas Maids, can help with deep cleaning that tackles even the toughest pet messes. Whether it’s pet hair removal or odor elimination, a professional team has the tools and expertise to restore your home to its former glory.

In Conclusion: Pet Cleaning Doesn’t Have to Be a Chore

Cleaning up after pets doesn’t have to be a never-ending battle. By following these tips and using the right products, you can keep your home looking and smelling great, without sacrificing the joy your pet brings into your life. Whether it’s tackling pet hair, stains, odors, or allergens, the key is consistency and the right tools. And remember, if it all gets too overwhelming, there’s always professional help around the corner.

Now, go ahead, snuggle up with your fur baby without worrying about the mess. Your home will be spotless, and your pet will still love you (even if they do leave a trail of fur everywhere).

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Hello! We’re back with another article! Today, we’ll discuss how to safely store and handle cleaning products.

We all know how important it is to use cleaning products in our home. They help us keep our household hygienic and comfortable.

Besides knowing how to use them, it’s also important to store and handle cleaning products safely. If you have kids or pets, this is even more important.

In this article, we will give you some tips to safely store and handle all your cleaning products. You will save time, avoid accidents and preserve their effectiveness for a long time.

Before we start, remember that Dallas Maids of Frisco offers a professional cleaning service in the Frisco area. Our cleaning service will help you keep your home spotless and you will never have to worry about a dirty home again!

Without further ado, let’s start with our cleaning tips!

When in Doubt, Read the Labels

Always read the label on the cleaning product to understand its proper use and, of course, how to store them and discard them. Follow the directions carefully and, when in doubt, always call the company first.

The labels will tell you what the product is for, how to use it, what not to do, and the safety measures.

The instructions are there to help you! It’s ok to read them as many times as you need to properly understand what you need to do and, most importantly, ensure you won’t get run any risk in the process.

Sometimes, labels will fall off. In that case, always have at hand a permanent marker, sticky notes and some scotch tape. As soon as you notice the label is going to fall off, copy the name, ingredients and expiry date and stick that post-it into the bottle.

Keep Cleaning Products Out of Reach

As we all know, we have to keep cleaning products out of reach of children and pets. Here are some options:

If you have absolutely no storage and you are into DIY projects, you can install a small shelf using floating shelves (which are around $5 a piece). They are also super easy to install! Make sure you have a small edge to prevent them from falling.

If you like buying gallon-sized cleaning products, these probably won’t work for you because they might be too weak. Instead, you might want to use upper kitchen cabinets.

Related: 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning

Do Not Mix Cleaning Products

As far as handling your cleaning products, make sure you are careful with transporting them. You can use a cleaning caddy or a small utility cart to transport them safely.

When it’s time for the actual cleaning, the most important thing to keep in mind is to avoid mixing cleaning products.

Many cleaning products are perfectly safe to use by themselves. However, they can produce explosive reactions or toxic fumes if mixed with other chemicals.

For example, even though vinegar is quite safe to use on many surfaces, you should never mix it with bleach, as it produces chlorine gas. This can irritate your lungs and eyes and cause breathing difficulties.

Even mixing vinegar with hydrogen peroxide will create something called peracetic acid. This chemical reaction can be dangerous to your skin, eyes and respiratory system.

If you want to read more about the potentially dangerous cleaning products in your home, check this guide from Emily’s Maids.

Separate Incompatible Cleaning Products

As we were mentioning earlier, commercial cleaning products are not meant to be mixed together. When you are going to store cleaning products, you need to separate incompatible products to avoid mixing them by accident.

For example, bleach is a product that does not get along with other common cleaning products (white vinegar, ammonia, rubbing alcohol). These products can create toxic fumes, and you never know when they are going to spill or get mixed by mistake.

You can use your bathroom and your kitchen sink as two separate areas to store your cleaning products.

Related: 6 Features to Look for In Green Cleaning Products

Store Cleaning Products in a Cool, Dry Place

If you live in Frisco, you will have noticed by now that you have big temperature and moisture changes throughout the year.

Temperature and moisture changes can weaken the effectiveness of a cleaning product, and extreme heat conditions can even make them useless.

This is because some products need to be stable in order for their properties to stay active. This is especially true for items such as soaps, which need to be in a solid state in order to work.

Therefore, try to make sure that your cleaning products pantry is as cool and dry as possible.

Cleaning products can also emit fumes that spread to other areas of your home through your HVAC vents. Avoid storing them in areas like basements, garages, or near furnaces or water heaters.

If you don’t have a cleaning pantry or available cabinets in your kitchen or bathroom, you can get yourself a 3-tier utility cart.

This will be perfect to store all your cleaning products while keeping them separate according to the type of product. Utility carts are compact and designed to fit everywhere!

A small cleaning caddy works just as nicely, especially for smaller bottles and cleaning items.

Wear Protective Gear and Proper Safety Measures

Even if they are mostly harmless, it’s always good to use the proper safety measures.

First of all, ventilate the area by opening up a window or a door. It’s not safe to stay in a closed space when using abrasive cleaners like bleach. Turn on fans, if you have them.

It’s important to let fresh air circulate and disperse any fumes that may be building up in the room.

Next, you have protective gear, which is usually safety gloves, masks, and goggles. You should also wear aprons or long sleeves to avoid spilling products on your arms or hands.

Related: We Still Wear Masks

Conclusion

There it is! Our guide to safely storing and handling cleaning products. Speaking about handling cleaning products, there’s no one better to do that than cleaning professionals.

Remember to check Dallas Maids of Frisco if you need maid services in the Frisco area. You can forget worrying about your bleach spilling all over your cabinets or breathing toxic fumes from oven cleaners. Don’t stress! We’ll handle your mess.

Follow our blog for more cleaning tips!

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Hello! We’re so happy to share our collaboration with Wood Flooring Ireland in “The Best Natural Cleaners for Wood Floors”.

We are always happy to collaborate with other industries in the house cleaning, business cleaning, or business management fields. This time, we heard Wood Flooring Ireland was inviting other experts to pitch in with tips for cleaning wood floors with natural cleaning agents.

As you know wood floors are sensitive and if you live in Dallas, you’ve seen by now they look dry and dull sometimes, so they need some care regularly.

Here’s our piece of advice below:

“A gallon of water and two cups of vinegar solution is the all-purpose solution for most types of floors, especially ceramic tile and vinyl floors. Vinegar is pretty much safe and harmless for many different floors, and it’s nice for cleaning and removing dirt from surfaces.
For hardwood floors, I would recommend using the same solution, but this time using 10 – 15 drops of lemon and/or tea tree essential oil (combined would be ideal), and one tablespoon of coconut oil. These ingredients have disinfecting and moisturizing properties, which are key for wooden floors.”

Please check Wood Flooring Ireland’s entire article to hear from other cleaning experts if you want more tips! We’re all for natural cleaners and wood floors are not the exception.

Thank you so much to Wood Flooring Ireland for inviting us and we cannot wait to collaborate with them again in the future. If you’re a fellow cleaning company or blog from the cleaning industry, you can always contact us! We believe in helping each other, and our visitors, with cleaning tips and tricks.

And if you need a professional cleaning service in Dallas, don’t forget to visit our booking page!

Until next time!

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If you’re thinking about renovating your home, linoleum flooring seems to be a wonderful option to consider, but most people don’t know how to clean linoleum floors.

Although it has its detractors with memories of those ugly 70’s linoleum tiles, modern design has created much more attractive, stylish alternatives.

As always, every material has its own rules when it comes to cleaning and preserving them. Let’s read some strategies for you to get the best out of this durable, noble material.

What is Linoleum Flooring?

Linoleum is obtained through linseed oil, also known as flaxseed oil. This makes the perfect replacement for wood. Scientific research deems it as “easy maintenance, recyclable, antibacterial, antistatic and hypoallergenic”.

This is combined with wood flour, cork, and pine resin to create a resistant yet flexible material. Linoleum can be found on the market in tiles or in rolls. Since it’s made out of wood, mostly, it’s sensitive to moisture.

Should You Install Linoleum in Your House?

Installing linoleum would be a great idea! It can last a long time, you have a ton of alternatives, and it’s safe for use in humid rooms such as the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room or basement, because it’s resistant to bacteria, mold, and mildew.

Some areas like Texas can get extremely humid at certain times of the year, so linoleum will work great thanks to its great resistance to humidity.

How Should You Clean Linoleum Floors?

One of the main advantages of linoleum it’s its durability. Since it’s a combination of several materials, it’s treated in a way that it’s resistant to most types of cleaning products and common techniques. However, because it’s made of organic materials, they are somewhat susceptible, especially to water.

As always, a good installation saves a lot of trouble. This goes for pretty much every single floor material you can think of. If you install it correctly (yes, you can do it yourself!) and take good care of it, it can last for decades.

Linoleum floors will mostly require sweeping and mopping to stay clean and sanitized.

Sweeping Your Linoleum Floors

Having a linoleum floor will make your sweeping time a walk in the park. It doesn’t absorb dust or dirt, it repels it, hence the term “hypoallergenic”. Just apply your regular sweeping routine every day or every other day.

Using an anti-static broom will make it twice as easy. You can also use a dry microfiber mop.

Mopping Linoleum Floors

If you installed it properly, you’ll have no issues mopping your linoleum floors whenever you wish to. When mopping you can use straight white vinegar, mopping and then letting it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

This is what a “thorough” cleaning would look like, because regular cleaning will only require warm water. Make sure you dry the floor after mopping or any other time water is spilled.

Waxing Your Linoleum Floors to Keep Them Clean & Shiny

Wax will keep your linoleum floors nice and shiny over the years. You should apply wax at least twice a year, but once every quarter would be ideal.

Waxing is one of the few things in cleaning that should be done with proper, specialized products. Liquid acrylic floor wax is preferable over paste wax for this type of flooring.

Additional Care For Your Linoleum Flooring

Linoleum floors can turn into a yellowish color after a few years, especially when exposed to sunlight or because of spills. To fix this you can mix baking soda and lemon juice.

Just mix them until you form a paste and then scrub lightly using a toothbrush. Remember to rinse with water and dry afterward.

Mixing baking soda and bleach would be a good alternative. Usually, mixing bleach with any other product is not a good idea but baking soda is one of the few exceptions.

You can fix stains and spots by using a mild cloth and a neutral detergent (pH 6 to 8).  

Avoid ammonia or ammonia-based cleaning products. Also, be careful with pointed objects such as high heels because they may dent your floors.

Conclusion

Linoleum is an outstanding choice for your floors. Technology has allowed the creation of modern, elegant patterns, including imitations of classic floor choices such as wood, marble, and ceramics.

If you’re renovating on your own and you want to apply linoleum floors as a DIY project, remember to follow instructions carefully and look for advice from several sources before going in.

Keep in mind that water is your number one enemy for organic floors. Don’t let water sit for too long!

And remember, if you need to hire a cleaning service to use the right techniques for each type of surface, don’t hesitate to contact us!

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Hardwood flooring looks amazing, there’s no question about it. It can change your space from dull and bland and bring so much warmth and coziness to a room or an entire home. But when it comes to cleaning hardwood floors, you can make a mess in no time.

They can also last decades, with proper care. The downside is that they need to be handled with care, especially if you’re a cleaning enthusiast. Let’s go over some tips for cleaning your hardwood floors the right way.

Clean your hardwood floors with a pro dry mop

Let’s start with the basics of cleaning: sweeping your floor.

According to scientific research, moisture plus wood equals problems (usually). If you use a regular mop with a bucket of water, and it gets between the boards, you are risking ruining your floor. Steam mops are great, but not for hardwood floors.

Therefore, dry mops are a good idea for this type of flooring. Most dry mops are made of microfiber, which absorbs germs and liquids more efficiently than regular cotton mops. They might be a bit more expensive than regular cotton mops, but they are still affordable. You can find multiple options under 30$.

Vacuum your hardwood floors regularly

Vacuuming is a great habit that will help to maintain your floors but, just like everything else, make sure you are aware of ground rules in order to protect your rooms and get the best out of this process.

For hardwood floors, you need to remove your vacuum roller brush before you start cleaning because it can lead to scratches.

Use wood floor cleaner

Remember that hardwood comes is an organic material. Unlike other types of flooring, it requires special care to maintain the right levels of humidity, resistance and so on, and in places with high humidity, such as Dallas, this is already a problem. In this case, it’s best to acquire a product that it’s been designed for hardwood floors.

Remember to control how the amount of liquid you’re using. It’s easier to do so using a spray in each section. Pair that with a microfiber mop and you’ll get your floors to shine!

Avoid wax

This is vital. Try not to over-wax because it can be damaging to your hardwood floors. Also, make sure to check that any cleaners or polishes you use do not contain wax.

Hardwood is an organic material and as such, it needs to maintain certain properties, such as internal temperature and humidity, in order to function properly, i.e., not to rot, lose resistance, become vulnerable to wood parasites, etc.

Presence of wax is another one of these properties, and therefore you need to keep it within a safe range, so it doesn’t get too dry or too greasy. Most wood floors need rewaxing only once or twice a year. Make sure you know the exact type of hardwood floor because that may affect the frequency of waxing.

Seal your hardwood floors properly

You should seal/finish hardwood floors. Although they are extremely resistant, for obvious reasons they are not meant to be walked on per se or being exposed to liquids. In order to function as flooring, they need to be sealed against constant traffic and liquids.

Remember that despite them being sealed, hardwood floors might not be the best option for your bathroom and kitchen, because they will be constantly exposed to moisture and spills, even possible seepages.

As with the rest of products, make sure you’re getting a high-quality sealant that is made especially for hardwood. Sealants can be oil based or water based. Water-based sealants finish dry quicker and don’t yellow over time, but they don’t last as long as oil-based sealants.

You will probably need to re-seal your hardwood floors every 5 years, depending on the type and brand of sealant.

Conclusion

If you’ve recently bought a house with hardwood floors, or if you managed to install brand new ones, you may be a little unsure of how to proceed. The number one priority is to keep your floors dry and to maintain them regularly with high-quality products.

Remember to revisit this article any time to make sure you’re ready before you start cleaning your hardwood floors.

And if you’re still unsure that you’ll do a great job, you can always hire a professional service and they will take care of everything. What are your thoughts on hardwood floors? Are they too hard to maintain? Let us know in the comm

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Vinyl plank flooring, and particularly Luxury Vinyl Planks, also known as LVP, are very popular now. Vinyl is a synthetic material used, among other things, as flooring. It’s been around for decades, and companies constantly improve their aesthetic and efficiency.

Vinyl planks are known for responding efficiently when placed in high-traffic areas. They are also resistant to moisture (within reason). This is why, unsurprisingly, they are a great match for bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.

Thanks to its popularity, you are now able to choose from hundreds of colors and patterns. Particularly vinyl planks, due to their shape, work great as faux wood.

LVP creates a finishing that is visually identical to a variety of wooden floors while adding the positive features of a synthetic floor in comparison to its more sensitive organic counterparts.

Let’s read some tips on what -not- to do when it comes to cleaning vinyl plank flooring.

Don’t overdo white vinegar on your vinyl plank flooring

White vinegar is a multi-purpose cleaning agent that works well with most materials and surfaces. However, at the end of the day, vinegar is an acid. If it’s used often, it can dull the finish.

Instead, do apply vinegar in a lower concentration. Create a mix of ¼ cup of vinegar and one tablespoon dish soap and dilute it on half a gallon of water. This will make a perfect mild floor cleaner without being too aggressive. If you’re consistent with cleaning this will do the job just fine.

Don’t use too much water or steam for your vinyl flooring

Even though vinyl planks are waterproof, because they are individual planks instead of a single roll, there are very small gaps between each plank.

Eventually, water will get into them and beneath your planks and you don’t want that for two reasons: it will loosen up the planks by melting the adhesive beneath them, and it will also create the perfect scenario for mold and bacteria to grow.

Instead, do use a minimum amount of water each time you clean. A microfiber mop only requires a bit of water and a cleaning agent to work with. You will mostly need regular sweeping and vacuuming to take care of your vinyl flooring.

And when you mop occasionally, make sure you don’t leave dripping water on it and that there’s enough airflow for the entire surface to dry properly.

Using a soft-bristled broom and a microfiber pad will help you absorb dirt and dust quickly without harming your surface.

Don’t use ammonia or bleach

Although effective, ammonia is a very abrasive agent that needs to be handled with care. Most surfaces and materials in your home right now probably do not get along with ammonia, and that includes your vinyl floors.

Ammonia is an alkaline compound and as such, it can damage the adhesive bonds between planks.

The same goes for bleach. Although less abrasive, there’s still a ton of materials that will stain when in contact with bleach. Just like ammonia, bleach is alkaline.

Instead, do use mild detergent or soap. Regular, multi-purpose, neutral detergent it’s all that your vinyl flooring needs to be taken care of.

Don’t let direct sunlight impact for too long on your vinyl plank flooring

Sunlight can cause yellowing because of the impact of UV rays. Plus, sunlight changes your vinyl flooring’s temperature and humidity. If this happens constantly every day and night, it’s going to be harmful to your surface.

Of course, this will depend on your location. For example, some areas in Texas can get drastic humidity changes over the year, depending on the area.

Instead, do open your windows when you’re not using a room so as not to let sunlight in your room all the time.

Conclusion

Vinyl Plank Flooring gives a lot of good reasons to be considered as the right flooring for your home. This synthetic material is able to offer superb resistance to traffic, moisture, and other day-to-day situations.

As always, do some research before deciding on a material, including its maintenance, pros and cons, pricing, and so on.

Make sure you know the effects of each cleaning product you’re applying on your vinyl floors (or any other area in your home) and remember, you can always hire professionals to clean your home and provide the right treatment for each kind of material and surface.

The post Take Care Of Your Vinyl Plank Flooring (Cleaning Do’s and Don’ts!) appeared first on Dallas Maids® | Maid Service & House Cleaning Services Voted #1 for a Reason.

Hello and welcome to Dallas Maids! Here’s a question we get asked by our clients all the time: What Is The Best Way To Vacuum Your House?

House cleaning is not fun; however, it is of some sort a necessary evil that you must do. Most people don’t question cleaning techniques; however, there are ways to make your vacuuming fun and effective.

Prepare the surface

It doesn’t look like what you would hear; however, you should prepare your floor before cleaning. At this stage, you need to pick the clutter and anything that will get in your way of doing an effective job. Not only does this approach save you time, but it also makes work less stressful and lets you get a direction for your cleaning.

After this, dust down the items to remove dirt. Removing dirt from places furniture and fittings will help to give a cleaner look when you are done with vacuuming.

Configure the cleaner for the job

Vacuum cleaners have different speeds and settings to let you get the best out of every job. Hence, you should set it to match the pace you want to work. After this, adjust the brush head height for more efficiency.

Generally, the machine won’t clean deep-down debris when the brush is too high and won’t spin well when it is too low. Although some devices have an automatic height adjustment feature, you should check to make sure you have the right fit. If you need to, empty the dust bin or bag before use.

Works slowly and consistently 

Take your time vacuuming to make the surface as clean as possible. You can start at the edges and work your way to the other end, pushing the vacuum straight. After pushing the machine forward, pull it back slowly to collect hidden dirt and trapped debris.

However, be careful to use the correct speed setting. Slow-motion or careful vacuuming lets the device’s vibration pick loose debris. Repeat the process slowly in overlapping roles until you are satisfied. Don’t vacuum up alone, but clean in two directions, 90-degrees and side to side vacuuming.  

Give priority to high-traffic areas

Areas of your home that see more action should be cleaned with more rigor than less trodden parts. The reason is that places like this will have more dirt accumulation than any other areas of your home. As a result, you should pay attention to these areas.

Your cleaner needs time to take up dirt; hence, the need to work slowly. Like you did with other parts of the room, push and pull it slowly to give it time to take the dirt.

Use the right product

There are different types of vacuum cleaners, each with unique features to make your floor appear cleaner. However, there are not too many one-size fit all with a vacuum. For example, some cleaning products are not best for rugs and carpets, while some can handle silk and wool with ease. In essence, use a compatible cleaner for significant results.

Conclusion

After use, you need to be careful about how you store the vacuum cleaner. Always empty the bag and clean the machine before storing it.

We recommend you read the care instructions to know how to clean a vacuum cleaner.

The post What Is The Best Way To Vacuum Your House? appeared first on Dallas Maids® | Maid Service & House Cleaning Services Voted #1 for a Reason.

Hello and welcome back to Dallas Maids! Today, we wanted to share Pamela Masin’s fantastic article with creative cleaning hacks: Spring cleaning has arrived, but before you spend hours on end tidying up, use these experts’ shortcuts for how to get everything from your mattress to your bathtub looking brand new again.

The Liquor That Doubles as a Mattress Refresher

Hold the tonic and lime — vodka has a new use that has less to do with your Saturday night and more to do with where you sleep when you arrive home. That’s right, vodka can be used as a way to clean your mattress, which is often an overlooked task, even though you sleep — i.e., sweat — on it every night. The alcohol kills odor-causing bacteria while it also disinfects the mattress. Unlike cleaning sprays that often only mask smells with a scent.

Not to mention a cheap 750-ml bottle (25.36 fluid ounces) of vodka costs less than $10, while a 16.9-fluid-ounce cleaning spray costs around $5 and won’t last nearly as long. This is why Jolie Kerr, cleaning expert and author of My Boyfriend Barfed in My Handbag and Other Things You Can’t Ask Martha, suggests vodka as an easy cleaning solution. Simply pour vodka into a spray bottle. Distribute it evenly across your mattress by spritzing and leave it to air-dry before remaking your bed. “The key is to spritz the mattress lightly. You don’t want to saturate it, or else it will never dry,” says Kerr.

The Spray That Gets Rid of Those Unmentionable Bedroom Invaders

Researchers at Alexandria University in Egypt found certain essential oils to be effective at killing dust mites—the invisible-unless-under-a-microscope creatures that tend to live in bedding, carpets, furniture and drapes. If you want to keep your allergies at bay, eucalyptus and clove were proven to be the most effective oils for eliminating household dust mites. Add around 10 drops of an oil in with your laundry detergent when you wash your sheets in hot water. Fill a spray bottle with 1 quart of water and 20 drops of an oil to spray on upholstery; or, put baking soda in a sifter and add in 10 drops of an essential oil to shake across carpeting. Then leave the mixture on the floor for 30 minutes and vacuum it up.

The Fruit That Cleans Your Microwave in a Zap

It’s bad enough that you completely blackened your bag of popcorn, but even worse when that distinct smell makes its way into every food you put in the microwave for weeks afterward — even after you have cleaned the microwave with soap and water.

Tricky smells, such as from burnt foods, are easily absorbed into the microwave and take more than a good scouring to get rid of.

Kerr says the easiest way to deodorize a microwave and clean it is to cut a lemon in half, sprinkle it with some kosher salt and then to scrub the microwave interior with it. “The scent of the lemon, combined with the citric acid will help to neutralize any lingering odors.”

And for those of us who just wish the smell would go away on its own, this trick comes pretty close. Put a bowl of white vinegar in the microwave and shut the door. “You don’t even need to turn it on,” says Kerr. “Just let the vinegar work its magic for an hour, or so, and the smells will be gone.”

The Salon Staple That’ll Keep Your Bathroom Sparkling

Sure, you’ve heard of Bar Keepers Friend as a way to remove rust rings from your bathtub, but there’s an easier solution to prevent those stubborn marks before they even start. Coat the undersides of your shaving-cream can, metal soap dish or any other rust-causing culprits with clear nail polish. This puts a protective layer between the item and your pearly white tub.

The DIY Cleaning Solution That Works in Any Room

If your household is prone to drink and/or food spills, don’t waste money going through containers upon containers of cleaning wipes. Instead, make your own for a fraction of the cost with Fabulessly Frugal’s easy recipe. Which includes items that are probably already lying around your kitchen: paper towels, vinegar, water, a few drops of dish soap and of an essential oil (although not necessary, the latter helps to mask the smell of vinegar). Then store them in Tupperware, or in an old container of store-bought wipes. You’ll be a whole lot happier when you get your monthly bank statement.

The Pillowcase Reuse That’s a Breeze

Ceiling fans do require a little extra effort to clean (“Where’s my step ladder, again?”). But Jill Nystul, the blogger behind One Good Thing by Jillee, shows us how to tackle the task in 30 seconds or less. Hook an old pillowcase over one fan blade at a time and wipe it backward. This removes all the grime and traps it inside the pillowcase without it falling to the ground—or, worse, in your eyes — so there are finally no more, “Oops, I have to re-sweep my floor,” moments.

Conclusion

That’s it for today! Don’t forget to check Pamela Masin’s original post on The Huffington Post with these creative cleaning hacks.

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

The post 6 Wildly Creative Cleaning Hacks for Every Room in Your House appeared first on Dallas Maids® | Maid Service & House Cleaning Services Voted #1 for a Reason.

Pets are our faithful companions, our confidantes and truly a part of the family, but even the most devoted pet owner hates to see pet stains on the carpet.

This all too common problem can ruin your carpet if not treated quickly. In this video we will tell you everything you need to know about treating pet stains on your carpets.

Soak It Up

The earlier you can catch and treat the spot, the better your chances of successfully removing both the stain and the odor. If it just happened blot the spot with rags or towels to absorb as much of the liquid as possible. Put some pressure on the stain to absorb moisture that may be trapped closer to the carpet pad, you can step on the towels if necessary.

Once you have picked up as much of the liquid as possible it’s time to treat the spot with a liquid enzyme/bacteria digester, you can find one at the pet shop. Follow the directions on the packaging and label.

Make sure you leave the product on for the entire soaking time as indicated in the directions. Spray the entire stain with the digestor, cover the area in plastic and step on it to really work that product down deep and into the pad.

Now. what if you didn’t catch Fifi in the act? What can be done for old stains?

Removing Old Pet Stains

Old stains can be tough or next to impossible to remove. Go ahead and treat them with the enzyme digestor. Again, cover the area in plastic to keep it from drying out while the product is working. If your pet has had frequent accidents in this same spot you may need to neutralize all of the ammonia. It will interfere with the digester’s progress.

Four hours after applying the product you should rinse the area with a vinegar and water solution. A cup of vinegar in a gallon of warm water is perfect. Rinse the carpet with that and then dose the area again with the digester.

Get Professional Help For Removing Pet Stains

 If after all of that work you still have a stain then it’s time to call a professional carpet cleaning and deodorizing specialist. Solutions range from steam cleaning to replacing the pad and possibly treating the subfloor with acid.

It’s important to treat the stain and odor down to the very bottom layer. If you don’t do it, your pooch will remember the spot and go back there again to do its business.

To sum it up: Pet stains are best treated early to avoid costly replacement costs down the road. That’s it for this edition of Clean Freaks and as always: if it sounds like too much work just call Dallas Maids!

The post Removing Pet Stains from Carpet appeared first on Dallas Maids® | Maid Service & House Cleaning Services Voted #1 for a Reason.

We are going to give you the down and dirty details of how to clean hardwood floors. What to do, what not to do, how to protect your investment and avoid some costly mistakes.

Before you begin, you need to cozy up to your floor and determine what you’re working with.

What Are Hardwood Floors Made Of?

The kind of wood isn’t as important as the kind of finish. The finish determines what kind of maintenance the floor will require. It the floor sealed or unsealed? If you had the floor installed recently then you should know and have the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations on hand. But if the hardwood was there when you moved in. How can you tell? If you press your finger against the floor and it leaves a smudge: it’s unsealed. No smudge? Your floors are sealed.

Once you determine what kind of finish you have you can look up recommendations as to which products are safe to use.

Most new hardwood floors are sealed with urethane, polyurethane or polyacrylic. This makes them water and stain resistant and caring for these sealed floors is a piece of cake.

The tips we will give you today are safe, common-sense maintenance for sealed hardwood floors. We will talk about caring for unsealed floors in a separate video. Let’s get this party started!

How to Take Care Of Hardwood Floors

The easiest way to keep your floors sleek and beautiful is to keep them free of dust and debri by regularly dust mopping and vacuuming them. Use the attachment on the vacuum to get into the corners and along the baseboards.

When needed you can clean your floors with either vinegar and water or a product recommended by your floor’s manufacturer. Ready for the bad news? Hardwood floors are best cleaned Cinderella-style:  on your hands and knees.

You may be wondering: Why in the name of polyurethane would anyone do that? It’s because water is your hardwood’s worst nightmare. Working on your hands and knees ensures that you will clean a small area at a time and dry as you go.

You should never wet your floors too much, and you should never let them air dry. Most floor manufacturers do not recommend using “oil-soap” type products so avoid temptation. Those soaps can cause a gunky buildup over time and you just might have to pay big money to have your floors refinished. Also avoid using furniture polish unless you want to skate around the house in your socks. It’s very slippery! No need to wax these floors either, it will cause a dull build-up and it’s just not necessary.

Here are some quick tips on how to clean hardwood floors:

How to Pamper and Protect your sealed hardwood floors

• Sweep and vacuum the floors often, ground-in dirt and debris can ruin your finish.
• Clean the floors with a damp cloth as needed but not as often as you sweep and mop. Always dry the floors as you work with a clean, dry towel.
• Use runners or area rugs in areas with high traffic. Just make sure they are breathable materials that won’t trap moisture next to your floors, also avoid plastic backings and keep an eye on rug dyes that could possibly bleed and stain your finish.
• Put a welcome mat by each door to the outside.
• Keep your pet’s nails trimmed so they won’t scratch your floors.
• Don’t use ammonia, alkaline or abrasive products on your hardwood as they can dull or damage the finish.

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

The post How to Clean Hardwood Floors – Unsealed Hardwood appeared first on Dallas Maids® | Maid Service & House Cleaning Services Voted #1 for a Reason.