Category Archives: How to…

tips on how to clean or how to use products

My new house mate is a mouse!

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Last night was one of those long-open-eyes night where I couldn’t even find a position in my bed to get a good sleep. When you are in the dark, sitting on the bed, trying some self-hypnosis to go back to your sweet dreams, the only thing you can do is hear noises. Lots of noises. Strange noises.

Luckily for me, last night I was awake enough to listen to my new “house mate” trying to jump into the rubbish bag like a parachute man to start his late dinner!

Mice are a big problem. If you don’t cut it short, they will establish themselves on the warm environment of your house and soon you will have a full Mickey Mouse family of dads, siblings, uncles and so on.

First essential tip to avoid these “unwanted” neighbours: Clean, clean and clean. Sorry! There is no other way. A small bread crumb that you leave on the kitchen floor could be the start of a feast for your little house mate. And do not leave open rubbish bags during the night like I did! (I know! silly me!)

Another helpful tip: Organise your house. Leave it empty of clutter. This will avoid the creation of warm and cosy places for the little mice to stay in.

No need to say that I didn’t manage to catch my “housemate” yet. But… I am watching you!! 🙂

The magic squeegee

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At http://www.amycleaning.co.ukwe usually receive calls from clients desperately looking for a solution to keep their limestone floors clean and shiny.

Any natural stone floor will be difficult to clean, we know that. It is always advisable to mop it several times with clean water and only use a soft detergent if needed. But then the problem appears: the smears left by the mop! You spend hours cleaning the floor and at the end those water marks will leave it dirty and old looking.

Do not worry, there is an easy solution for this: a squeegee; yes, you heard it right! The same squeegee that we use to clean the windows. The squeegee will take all the excess water from the floor and will leave it shiny like never before!

You can use the squeegee on natural stone floors such as marble or limestone or even on polished wooden floors. Believe me, it is worth the try!

Limescale problem

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How many times we have noticed white marks on our tiles while having a shower? Or white flakes from our kettle when pouring water for our morning tea? This is limescale. Hard water contains high levels of dissolved minerals, which, if left untreated can become limescale deposits on hard surfaces such as taps, tiles, glass, kettles and more.

Great Britain’s soil is mostly made up of limestone and chalk. This means that about 60% of households have hard water and are suffering from limescale subsequently. Having hard water at home means that some soaps or detergents will not work as well; plates and glasses will look old after several washes; skin may become dry more often.

There are two different ways to tackle limescale at home.

The first one is prevention. Make sure that your domestic cleaner dries the bathroom and kitchen surfaces after cleaning to prevent limescale to build up.

But prevention alone will not resolve the limescale problem. We have to go to the kitchen cupboards again for this one! White vinegar and lemon juice are essential products on the fight against limescale. Here are some tricks:

If you need to clean the bathroom taps just soak a paper towel in vinegar and wrap the paper around the tap. Leave it for about an hour and clean with a soft cloth.

To clean the kettle, just boil a mix of half water and half vinegar and leave the mix over night. Rinse well next morning.

If you need to clean the sink or any hard surface just spray either white vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for around 30 minutes and clean.

Put these tips in practice and I can assure you that your house will look not only clean but new!

International day for the preservation of the ozone layer

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I would say that today is an important day for the cleaning industry. The 16th of September is the “International day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer”.

It was proved some decades ago that human-made chemicals are highly responsible for the damage on the ozone layer. We all know that products which contains CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) destroy ozone through a complex catalytic cycle.

There are a lot of household chemicals that could be damaging the ozone layer. Many common cleaning products, such as air fresheners or aerosols, may contain ingredients that are not good for the environment. We have to remember that although most of the cleaning products are free of CFCs now (thanks to The Montreal Protocol 87), they may contain other chemicals responsible for ozone damage.

What can we do in our homes to prevent ozone depletion?

-Buy cleaning products that use a pump-action instead of aerosols.

-Use cleaning products that are labelled “ozone-friendly”.

-Make sure any repair on your refrigerator/air conditioner is handle properly and the recycle of old CFCs is done.

If you are really into saving the planet… then go green and pass the word! There is nothing better to prevent damage than to let other people know!

The secrets of laundry

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laundry1Last Saturday I left my husband to do the laundry while I was filing some documents. After half an hour of not hearing the typical noise of the washing machine I got scared and went to the kitchen. And there I found my husband looking at the the washing machine as if trying to decipher a hieroglyphic out of an ancient monument!

I suppose it is always easy to do the laundry when you do it on a regular basis. It is also true that washing machines have too many bottoms to push before a cycle can start! At http://www.amycleaning.co.uk we have had similar situations with domestic cleaners who didn’t really understand how to turn the washing machine on. Do not fear! doing the laundry is easier than it looks like… if you follow these simple tips.

1. Preparing the load.

We know that we need to separate dark colours from light/white colours. But it is not only that; separate also delicate fabrics from heavier ones and read all the labels as you may missed some clothes that are only hand washable; also, remember to empty pockets and close all zips on trousers and jackets.

2. The loading of the washing machine.

We are going to be late to that picnic with friends and decide to load a 7kg washing machine with 10kg; wrong! Over-loading will not allowed the clothes to tumble properly so they will not come out clean. At the same time the washing powder will have no space to dissolve, leading to the same consequence.

4. How to graduate the temperature.

You have bought the new 15C detergent to save energy. Well I am afraid to say that not all clothes can be washed at the same temperature. Cold water will minimize creasing and may help you clean stains such as blood. If you need to wash very dirty clothes, however, hot water will do a much better job.

5. Drying.

As soon as the cycle is finished you need to take all the clothes to dry; if you leave them on the washing machine for too long clothes will become smelly. Always leave the door open to allow the washing machine to dry.

House hold dangers

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We arrive every day home and we feel safe, without thinking that the majority of Health and Safety accidents happen in our own lovely shelter.

Check on this article some unknown dangers in your house and what to do about them.

Kitchen sponges: Let’s be honest, we do not sanitize our sponges every day after doing the washing up. Do you know that our kitchen sponge can have more bacteria than our floor or toilet bowl? Germs grow in humid areas, so what better than your sponge and cloths to start a living! At http://www.amycleaning.co.uk we advise domestic cleaners to sanitize sponges and cloths after every visit; but often that is just once per week. So you can always do your bit by cleaning the kitchen sponge after your evening washing up.

Dirty Air conducts: We usually remember to clean the bathroom and dust the furniture in our house, but always forget about the air conducts or air conditioning. These conducts hold a big amount of dust, mould and bacteria that can cause serious allergies if not cleaned and maintained regularly. Always check that the air conditioning is one of your domestic cleaner’s monthly task.

Mould: It is very easy to see bathrooms with moldy corners on the shower and we tend to get used to it. Mould, especially black mould, can be very dangerous for your health, causing serious health problems such as pneumonia. Tell your domestic cleaner to clean and disinfect the area; as well, check if there is any broken pipe that is causing the humidity problem.

Mice and cockroaches:All of us have suffered this problem before. These animals can carry with them diseases such as salmonella or E-coli. You need to prevent them from coming into your house: explain your domestic cleaner when, where and how to dispose the rubbish; do not leave food around the house; do not leave any pile of newspapers, boxes, etc; look for any hole that could be an entrance for these animals and seal them with kitchen foil (apparently it is the only material that mice do not eat!).

Air fresheners: They are perfect to cover up some nasty smells around your house, but they are thought to cause asthma and other health problems. Strange odors in your house? Open windows!

Carpets:A lot of new carpets emit what is called VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which can be dangerous to your health (breathing problems and allergies). What is more, chemicals used while cleaning, like air fresheners, will be collected in the carpet, creating a health hazard. When doing your weekly cleaning, or when your domestic cleaner is in, make sure the carpets are well hovered and no corner is missed.

Do you think you are in danger? Speak with your domestic cleaner and organize a battle against hazards in your home and you will see the difference!

How to keep your home odor free

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It is always nice to come back from work and find that your domestic cleaner has done a great job! Your house is clean; it feels and smells different! But, for how long? At http://www.amycleaning.co.uk we know how important it is for our customers to have a regular domestic cleaner that can keep their homes clean without losing their personal touch… and scent.

Let’s see what you can do to keep bad odours out of your home.

1- Rule number one would be to clean. Make sure your domestic cleaner keeps a good routine and organise with her deep cleanings (such as fridge and oven). If your house is clean you will have more chances of keeping it odour free.

2- Carpet and upholstery. We know from other posts that any soft material will retain bad odours easily. It is important that you clean them regularly to avoid the built up of dirt that would create funny smells around your house.

3- Pets. We love them! They are cute and funny… and smelly too! Make sure you clean any “accident” quickly and wash them regularly. At the same time tell your domestic cleaner to hover carpets and upholstery thoroughly and regularly.

4-Baking Soda. For those “green products lovers” baking soda is like magic when doing domestic cleaning around the house. You can put it in the fridge to trap bad odours; sprinkle it around the carpet to absorb any strange smells; and it will freshen up any room or cupboard around your home.

5- Herbs. Do you prefer to add a more exotic touch to your home? Try boiling some cinnamon, clove and ginger and your house will smell like a Moroccan market. Are you more of a Mediterranean type? Then put some dry lavender or rosemary and basil in your cupboards to give them that freshness of the sunny coast.

6- You can always make your own air freshener. You just need a spray bottle, some essential oil (like vanilla or lemongrass). Put about five drops of your preferredoil on half a bottle of fresh water. Shake it and ready to use!

If the odour in your house is not what you expect when you open the door, try some of these tricksand you will see an improvement on your house!

Carpet cleaning tips (2)

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In this post we will explain you how to remove different stains from your carpet, from candle wax to coffee and more.

– Alcoholic drinks: Dilute the stain with cold water. Absorb the excess liquid (remember to blot, not scrub). Mix warm water with one teaspoon of mild detergent and apply to the stain. Let it dry.

– Candle wax: Take an ice cube and press it against the stain so the wax will get harder and you will be able to remove it easily.

– Wine: If it is red wine you will need to dilute it with white wine, then blot with cold water and cover the stain with table salt. Wait about ten minutes and then you can vacuum the salt.

– Blood: Blot the stain with paper to absorb as much of the blood as possible. Mix warm water with one tablespoon of mild detergent and another of white vinegar. Apply this mix to the stain and let it dry afterwards.

– Chocolate: Rub as much of the chocolate as possible. Mix warm water with one teaspoon of mild detergent and another one of white vinegar. Apply the mix, rinse and let dry.

– Chewing gum: Take an ice cube and press it against it. The gum will then harden and you will be able to take it off easily.

– Fruit:You need to be quick with this one otherwise the stain will not desapear. Rub as much of the fruit as possible and absorb the liquid with paper. Mix warm water with one teaspoon of mild detergent and another one of white vinegar. Blot the stain with this mix and let it dry afterwards.

– Coffee: Blot the stain with paper. Mix warm water with one tablespoon of mild detergent and another one of white vinegar. Apply the mix to the stain and let it dry.

Carpet cleaning tips (1)

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Everybody has experienced the dreadful coffee stain on the living room carpet. It always happens on the worst possible moment! No time to take care of it and worst of all: don’t know how to clean it!

At http://www.amycleaning.co.uk we always have customers asking us for help on how to remove certain stains from their carpets. So here we are with some tips to help you remove those stubborn stains!

1- Clean the stain as soon as possible. Quick action is needed to avoid extra damage to the carpet and a stain for eternity!

2- Do not scrub the stain. Unless you want to change the color of your carpet from a soft cream to a deep red, never scrub the stain, only blot it! If you scrub it you will be pushing the stain deeper into the carpet and then it will be impossible to remove it.

3- Warm water. Always thought that you needed to buy a multi-super-ultra-magic-carpet-cleaning-chemical to clean your stains? You don’t! Most stains can be cleaned with warm water.

4- Work inwards. Always clean the stain starting on the outside and working inwards not to spread it around the carpet (unless you feel inspired that day and you have decided to create a state of the art modern carpet!).

5- Mild detergent. Only if the stain is very stubborn, you may be able to use some mild detergent. So do not get crazy and do not run straight to the bottle of bleach because you will make things worst! Mild is mild, so think about washing up liquid, shampoo,…

Do you want to know what to do with your coffee stain? Your child has just left some chewing gum on your new carpet and you cannot take it off? On the next post we will be giving you some tips to clean specific stains, so do not miss it!

Tips to make your home dust-free (almost!)

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Here you will find some easy to follow tricks to fight the dust problem in your home. With these tricks, you are not going to be able to make your house dust-free, we know that is impossible; but it will help you improve the situation and tackle the dust issue quicker.

Dust in our homes comes mostly from us (yes, us!) and fabrics. Our sofa, our clothes, our bodies… all shed very small particles that float on the air and settle on different surfaces around the house. Just by sitting on the sofa or opening a door you are creating a storm of dust that flies around the house settling on the most unreachable areas.

Let’s see what you can do to prevent the accumulation of dust around your home!

1- Dusters and cloths:

Tell your domestic cleaner to use a damp cloth when dusting. Although dry cloths or feather dusters are good and will retain part of the dust they tend to move dust around the house, which is not good. Damp cloths will retain dust more easily.

2- Bedding:

We have said that we humans also create dust. Just imagine the amount of flakes that we shed when we are sleeping and we turn around on the bed! Avoid asthma and allergic reactions by changing the bed linen every week and vacuuming the mattress regularly.

3- Wardrobes:

Wardrobes are the most common place where dust is generated. All clothes, towels and linen inside them will shed a mountain of fibres when you open the wardrobe doors. To make sure you keep your wardrobes properly dusted, avoid keeping the floor of the wardrobe cluttered; this way it will be easier for your domestic cleaner to hoover, thus avoiding build up of dust.

Keep clothes and other items inside boxes or plastic storage bags. This will protect your clothes and will help with the cleaning duties.

4- Shake and beat!:

There are some items around the house, such as cushions, duvets or rugs, that can become a dust heaven but we cannot afford to take them to the dry cleaner on a weekly basis. On this case, give them a good shake every week (on the outside is better). A good beating can remove dust better than vacuuming.

You can put in practice this easy tips and start enjoying your (almost) dust-free home!