Category Archives: How to…

tips on how to clean or how to use products

How to clean your washing machine

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washing_machineCleaning your washing machine is as important as doing the weekly laundry and it should become a regular task in every household.

The inside of the washing machine goes through a lot of dirty water, detergent deposits and limescale; every time you wash your clothes there is a build up of residues on the washing machine making it work harder and reducing its ability to perform adequately.

The best option to leave your washing machine ready for hundreds of more washes is to run an empty cycle on hot water along with two cups of white vinegar (to remove lime scale).

You will also need to remove the detergent dispenser and soak it on hot soapy water. for those hard to reach corners on the dispenser, where mould easily builds up, the best thing to use is a small brush (like one of your old tooth brushes).

As a way of preventing any leakage, check the water hoses regularly for any sign of wear.

Also, do not forget to clean the door and outside of the washing machine with a soft cloth and a little bit of vinegar with water to leave it sparkling!

Cleaning products for your bathroom

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Following the series of  “basic cleaning products” posts, find on this one the cleaning products that you will need to leave your bathroom shining like a diamond!

Bathroom cleaner

For general areas such as bath tube, sink, wall tiles,..

Lime scale remover

Use it on those hard to clean surfaces like your glass shower door or even your toilet bowl. You need to get rid of lime scale with a proper chemical!

Toilet cleaner

For your daily cleaning of the toilet bowl.

Would you like some extra bits? Try vinegar! It is well known that lime scale can “invade” your bathroom very easily and vinegar is an excellent green product that will help you tackle it quickly.

Do not think about using bleach on your toilet bowl! Here at https://www.amycleaning.co.uk/ we recommend our clients and cleaners to use an alternative product. Apart from the dangers of using such a strong product as bleach, with time your toilet will look dull and yellowish, which is not very nice. Stick to a good lime scale remover to ensure you are pleased with the results.

If you missed our last post on “basic cleaning products” for your kitchen check on here https://www.amycleaning.co.uk/blog/?p=976

House cleaning workout

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With this rainy days we are having, it looks like the footing on the park and “outside gym” are already out of the equation. We are getting closer to Autumn with its dull weather… but we still need to put those biceps to work!

Do not worry! What could be better than a “cleaning workout” to burn those stubborn calories? It is amazing how many calories you can actually burn when cleaning a house; here are a few examples:

  • Fast hoovering can help you burn around 120 cal.
  • Mop the floors for about an hour and you can end up burning about 110 cal.
  • Gardening is a tough one: do it for one hour and you can burn about 200 cal.
  • Hate ironing? think about the 100 cal that you could burn in an hour.
  • Cooking (yes! cooking) will help you burn between 40 and 50 cal.

To make it work we obviously need to make an effort, so organize your house work so you are forced to go up and down the stairs; be creative in the kitchen! you won’t burn calories by heating a ready made soup on the microwave; dig and plant in the garden (cutting some flowers for a bouquet is not enough workout).

What do you think? Can you burn calories and get fitter while cleaning your house? Fancy a try?

How to get the best cleaner

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1293173_excellenceIt can all seem very straightforward when you decide to get domestic help. You think through a list of requirements and either write a brief add to go on your local shop window or call an agency. However your initial interview with a cleaner, whether agency sent or found through other sources, quite often can become a one way communication with clients firing out requirements and failing to listen or ask. This then very often leads to problems in future and eventually cleaner leaving. There are lots of factors that might determine your decision on which cleaner to choose such as experience, knowledge of language, general attitude and many more.

If you are going through the agency and pay an agency fee you expect to get all the factors named above taken into consideration and all the requirements met in return.

One of the most common requirements for clients will always be having a cleaner come on a specific day and time. Here at Amy cleaning we have discovered that most of the clients would like their house cleaned before the weekend. Therefore Thursdays and Fridays are our busiest days. Good cleaners get fully booked for those days very quickly. We do of course understand and follow your preferences at all times, however our aim is to offer a cleaner who will stay with you long term. Flexibility with day gives clients a much wider spectrum of cleaners to choose from and therefore possibility of getting the very best that the agency has to offer increases dramatically. Clients would often choose end of the week regardless and we are very happy to serve such clients too but we always advise to take the above into consideration before making your final decision.

Clients do also prefer cleaners with fluent English. Most of the agencies will not have cleaners who do not speak English, however it is important to understand that levels of their knowledge might vary greatly. Poor English may not necessary mean a bad cleaner. In fact, it is often quite the opposite. Cleaner who does not speak well, will always try her hardest and will go the extra mile for client as she will be aware that there are others with better language skills who can replace her very easily. Such cleaners are also more likely to look at cleaning as long term job rather than a temporary stop over between changing jobs therefore they will stay with clients a lot longer.

Here at Amy Cleaning we also have a very multicultural office staff that is always happy to help with passing on instructions or any specific messages to your cleaner in their own native tongue in those rare cases when you may have trouble communicating to them.

How to choose cleaning products

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1193877_clean_home_2The quality of cleaning, whether done by you or a professional cleaner, depends highly on the products used. It is easy to get confused in the current market as there are so many options to choose from. Bellow you will find a list of basic cleaning products created by Amy Cleaning to help you out.

It may be very tempting to buy multipurpose products for the house, but this is not the route to take for best results. Remember that products orientated to specific target market and specific surfaces in this case, will always work better. If you have wooden surfaces, invest in a good polisher for wood; if you have marble, look out for sprays designed to clean marble. Multipurpose cleaners may even damage your surfaces in some cases so always keep an eye on something designed for sole purpose.

List of recommended cleaning products:

*Rubber gloves
*Kitchen surface cleaner and oven cleaner
*Dishwashing liquid
*Cleaner for bathtubs and sinks
*Sponges
*Window and glass cleaner
*Wood polish
*Upholstery/carpet spot remover
*Microfiber or feather duster
*Toilet bowl cleaner
*Toilet bowl brush
*Cloths and paper towels
*Mop and bucket
*Broom and dustpan
*Vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner bags

Here at Amy Cleaning the most common problem that cleaners come across is that they do not have enough cloths. Please make sure that you invest into cloths and sponges on a regular basis as that is something that can only be used for limited time before it has to be disposed off. Bear in mind that your cleaner will be using separate cloth for each room and each area of your house. Always discuss with her what she needs and follow her advice.

How to teach your child to clean

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1331085_babyChildren bring rays of light into our lives and chaos into our household. After teaching them to crawl, walk and talk, there is one more essential task that they have to learn – clean. Generally kids like to copy what grown ups do so they will be very interested in purpose of your mop or vacuum cleaner from early days. They will also imitate you and with time and the right teacher will become great help around the house.

Letting them help from early age will even improve hand-to-eye coordination, dexterity, and develop a sense of accomplishment. They can help you sort out silverware, snap the lids on plastic containers coming out from dishwashers, help you organize laundry. They will enjoy running around your house with a feather duster or cloth initially just playing around but eventually, by following you, learning the real purpose of these things.

The problems usually come once your child is a little bit older. Once their rooms are already jammed with toys and their clever heads are already full of ideas on how to get that extra time for games rather than cleaning up. They will try it all. They will ignore you, they will shout at you, they will beg you but unless you are planning to pick up after them until they move out well into their twenties or even thirties, all this should be ignored and you must teach your child the importance of cleaning from the early age.

Their room should be their territory in all aspects. Cleaning up there should be their task too. Sometimes though you will find that they are simply confused and don’t know where to start. It will take some guidelines and lots of patience from you.

First, try to keep it simple. They should be able to open and close all the drawers and storage boxes. Do not overload your child with toys. Kids who have too many toys usually get overwhelmed and play with your umbrella instead. Lots of low shelves and baskets that they can have easy access to may be good idea. Do not expect all to be in perfect order. As long as things are back in their places and your child realizes that you will not be picking up after them each time your job is already half done.

Secondly, guide them. Tell them where to start from. For example tell them to start from making the bed, then picking up their laundry and finally organizing the toys and clutter before moving on to dusting and vacuuming. Do this together first.

Thirdly, don’t forget patience. You may have to relax your standards a bit while your child learns. The key is to assign regular responsibilities for your child’s age, teach them how to do the chore a few times, and then let them try on their own. There will be tears and tantrums along the way but the rewards will get you through these.

Bed bugs

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1038456_roach“Good Night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite” is a saying that has become so common in our evening routines. Bed bugs have been around for thousands and thousands of years. Previously on a strict diet of body fluids of animals they have recently found another target – us.

Normally bed bugs are found in places where overall cleanliness is not of a high standard. However, it is a common problem everywhere and probably each and every one of us will have to face it sometime. Getting even a couple of these visitors can complicate things enormously as one bug can reproduce 3 times during its life laying 500 eggs at the rate of 5 eggs per day. It is therefore very important to know how to avoid them and how to act if they have already made a home in your bed.

Keep the room clean and well dusted at all times. Wash with a proper floor cleaner regularly. Change your bed linen often and meticulously clean rugs and mattresses. Consider buying mattresses and pillow covers that are bed bug proof. Inspect. Look for brown, rusty looking spots of bug excrement on your mattresses or bed boards and if you spot any, act immediately!

Prepare the area

• If the infestation is severe, things like stuffed animals, soft toys or blankets or even laptops should be removed, cleaned with a vacuum cleaner, and bagged for a couple of days.
• Where possible dismantle bed frames. By doing so you can expose additional bedbug hiding sites.
• Remove drawers from desks and dressers, to inspect and clean all hiding spots.
Inspect
• Look in any place that is dark and isolated. Inspect adjoining rooms where an infestation is found.
• Most popular hiding places for these bugs are cracks and crevices in head and foot boards and attached side railings and supports. They can also hide in tears on mattress.
• Stand up the box spring and shine a flashlight through the gauze fabric to expose bed bugs.

Treat

• Vacuum along baseboards, nearby furniture, bed stands, rails, headboards, footboards, bed seams, tufts, buttons, edges of the bedding as well as the edges of the carpets(particularly along the tack strips).
• Scrub infested surfaces with a stiff brush to remove all eggs.
• Discard vacuum cleaner bag in a sealed plastic bag when finished.
• Seal all holes where pipes and wires penetrate walls and floor, and fill cracks around baseboards and moldings to further reduce harborages.
• Caulk cracks and crevices in the building exterior as much as possible as those can also become alternate hosts for bed bugs.
• Garments and bed linen can’t be treated with insecticide therefore they will need to be laundered in hot water (120°F minimum).
• Spray affected areas with insecticide sprays

Be aware that most of bed bug sprays will need more than one application so do not punch the air in celebrations if you do not seem to find them after first treatment. It will take more than that to get rid of them fully.

Spring cleaning checklist

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901029_mopSpring has arrived and there is no better time for deep cleaning your home than now. Everyone knows the term “spring clean”. For most it means torture, for few it means joy or for the lucky ones it may mean few extra pounds for experienced, agency trained cleaner who will carry out all the hard work for you.

To help you or your cleaner out we have set up an “Amy Cleaning checklist for spring clean”.
Before starting, you must remember that spring clean is all about reaching out for those places that you would normally miss on a regular clean so keep your eyes wide open and roll your sleeves up.

Kitchen: Defrost and thoroughly clean fridge and freezer. Place a dish of bicarbonate of soda in the fridge to remove odors. Clean oven and microwave. Reach out not only inside but also the top of your kitchen cabinets. Clean surface of your kettle and descale it; get rid of breadcrumbs in your toaster.
Bedroom: Strip the bed and launder winter bedding ready for storing; vacuum and flip the mattress. It would be ideal if you would give your bed a preventative treatment against bed bugs to avoid any possible future problems. Reorganize and de-clutter your wardrobes; store winter clothes; shine and protect wood furniture.
Living room: Declutter and organize your shelves; clean fireplace and electronics.
Bathroom: Throw out expired hygiene and cosmetic products, wipe surfaces and frames of mirrors; give a thorough clean to bath tub, toilet basin, sink. Make sure you reach out hidden sides and behind where possible.

Clean windows and cob webs everywhere. For eco friendly window cleaner, fill an old spray bottle with half vinegar and half water. Clean and change ventilation filters, wipe down dirt from doors, light switches, pendants and shades.

Open all windows to allow spring air in and save your air fresheners. Essential oils such as tea tree or eucalyptus are great for purifying the air too and also act as a natural disinfectant. Dab some on a piece of tissue and leave it in the bottom of your rubbish bin.
Donate your clutter and help others too or if that cleaner is charging extra for spring clean why not sell all the unnecessary things in car boot sale?

A cleaner house will give you a boost of positivity even when those rainy days will come back.

How to clean silver

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1218128_silverThe beauty of silver is also its curse. Although we love silver items for their ability to withstand time, we find ourselves disappointed when after opening that expensive box of silver cutlery we are greeted with stains and discoloring. There is no need to invest in expensive products and silver polishing creams. The contents of your kitchen shelve will do just as well.

You will need: sink or glass pan, hot water, baking soda, salt, and aluminum foil.

• Line the sink or a glass dish with foil.
• Fill it with hot water.
• Add 2 table spoons of salt and 2 table spoons of baking soda.
• Place the silver items into the dip. Position the so that they are touching each other and the foil.
• Allow up to 5 minutes for heavily tarnished items.
• Rinse the silver with water and dry with a soft towel.

Do not forget to store your silver in a low-humidity environment. You can place a piece of chalk in the storage area to minimize future tarnish. Only clean silver when needed as over cleaning may cause damage. And use it…it is not mean to stay locked in boxes.

How to save energy when doing laundry

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481258_money_launderingOne of the biggest energy eaters at home is the washing machine and although it is not possible to live without it, there are ways to put it on “energy diet”.

90% of the washing machine’s power consumption comes from heating the water so the cooler temperature you set it on to, the more you save. There are special detergents that work wonders with cold washes. Look out for those ones.

The temperature of rinse water does not affect cleaning so set your washing machine for cold water rinse cycle. If your clothes are heavily soiled then you can pre-soak them before washing to maximize the effect.

The simplest way to avoid excessive energy use is to hang your clothes on a drying rack or outside when possible. Use the dryer only when there is no alternative option.

Dry full loads but don’t overload. Load similar types of clothes together and try to dry few loads one after another, this way you will be able to use the heat from previous loads. Take clothes out while they are still slightly damp to reduce the need for ironing.

If you have one, take full advantage of dryer’s moisture sensor. This automatically shuts itself off when the clothes are dry. Switch to the cool-down cycle halfway through the drying process. There is always plenty of heat left in the dryer to finish the process.

Clean the dryer filter often. A clogged filter will reduce efficiency.

Finally, don’t leave washing machine on standby.