Make cleaning a routine in your home!

Naturally Clean, the original all-natural cleaning service, has been cleaning homes for over 10 years. We understand the importance of establishing a house cleaning routine. Having a cleaning routine does not have to take long, and it will keep your home looking great and keep you sane.

The Daily Routine

1. keep a cloth available in the bathroom and kitchen to wipe down counters and sinks
2. wash dishes and put them away
3. sweep the kitchen floor
4. wipe the top of the stove
4. make your bed
5. sort through mail and put away in a designated tray.
6. keep shoes tidy and organized
7. fold blankets and fluff pillows

The Weekly Routine

1. clean the bathroom include the tub, toilet, sink and floors
2. clean the inside of the microwave
3. wipe the outside of appliances and the kitchen cupboards
4. give a quick wipe inside the fridge
5. do laundry and put laundry away
6. vacuum the house and mop floors
7. dust surfaces
7. spot clean walls and doors

The Monthly Routine

1. clean out the fridge by removing any old food and giving it a wipe
2. wipe the top of the fridge and top of cabinets throughout the house
3. wipe window sills, tracking and wainscoting
4. cobweb throughout
5. tackle one room to clean and organize
6. vacuum under the upholstery
7. dust lampshades, wipe light fixtures

Seasonal Cleans

1. declutter and organize closets
2. declutter and organize kitchen pantry and/or cupboards
3. have ducts cleans
4. pull out furniture and clean behind
5. have your carpets steam cleaned
6. clean the inside and outside of windows
7. wash window screens
8. clean and organize garage

Kitchen Spring Clean Up

Are you ready to get your home cleaned and organized for spring? The warm weather is just around the corner. Naturally Clean, the home cleaning experts, is going to take you through each room one by one by providing you with a task list for each room. Let’s first begin with the kitchen. This is a fairly lengthy list and it may require a bit of time to complete so plan your day accordingly.

• remove anything from the kitchen that doesn’t belong
• clean and disinfect the trash can
• clean the microwave
• deep clean the dishwasher
• clean and organize the refrigerator
• clean and organize the freezer
• replace refrigerator water filter
• vacuum refrigerator coils
• clean the oven
• clean the hood vent and change filter if needed
• clean stove top burners
• clean and disinfect the garbage disposal
• clean and organize plasticware and storage containers
• reorganize kitchen cabinets and drawers
• clean and organize kitchen drawers
• straighten plates, bowls, and other dishes and eliminate the anything you do not need
• deep clean pots, pans, and bakeware
• organize the pantry and disregard any food that has been around for more than a year
• sanitize cutting boards and sharpen knives
• clean and disinfect coffee maker
• clean and disinfect small appliances
• clean and disinfect high chairs
• clean the pot rack
• check the freshness of your herbs and spices
• clean under the sink and eliminate the unnecessary
• deep clean and polish cabinet doors
• clean tile and touch up paint on walls
• deep clean floors
• disinfect door knobs, light fixtures and pulls
• determine if you need new kitchen supplies

Cleaning With Natural Ingredients

In today’s world everyone has heard the benefits of cleaning with natural ingredients. Such as everyday ingredients such as baking soda and vinegar. When adding herbal essential oils you can enhance your cleaning power plus leave a soothing and natural scent. Essential oils such as orange oil or eucalyptus aid as a natural greaser and have antimicrobial properties. Now we all know that most of use do not get too excited about cleaning (there are the few exceptions though), but after cleaning a room it is hard not to put a satisfying smile on your face knowing that your surfaces are germ and toxin free.

Did you know cleaning with natural ingredients saves you money, time and space?

That is right! It only takes a few minutes to fill a spray bottle with vinegar, water and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. This natural solution can be used ‘essentially’ in all rooms, including glass. Buying commercial cleaners are not cheap. The average bathroom or all-purpose cleaners range from 4.99 to 7.99. Ingredients like vinegar and baking soda you can buy for pennies. Essential oils too are inexpensive. You can buy a half fluid ounce for around three to five dollars. But you will only use a few drops of oil in a spray bottle, and this will last you a long long time.

Have you ever noticed, maybe in your own home or in friend’s home, how many commercial cleaning products are stored in their cupboards? I have counted up to 6-10 cleaning products underneath a kitchen sink and even more in the laundry room. When cleaning with a natural cleaning solution, all you need is one bottle to clean your whole house. Now that is money in your pocket and a lot more space in your cupboards.

Bacteria in the Kitchen

Bacteria in the Kitchen

When cleaning your house we automatically assume the bathroom is where bacteria lingers the most. But the kitchen carries just as many nasty germs as does the bathroom. Here are 6 surprising areas that bacteria lingers and what you can do to get rid of them.

Kitchen Sink: Dishes soaking or being rinsed in the sink can serve as a breeding ground for bacteria such as, E. coli and salmonella. The sink can be one of the dirtiest areas in your home. To clean you sink naturally with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. Sprinkle the baking soda into the drain and then pour the vinegar into the drain. Let it sit for about 10 mins and then rinse. Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleach and can be used as well. It is recommended to let whatever solution you use to sit for a while to kill the most bacteria as possible.

Sponges: Sponges or dish rags, especially when wet are a breeding ground for bacteria. Pour straight vinegar with a bit of dish soap in a bowl and let the sponge sit for about 5 minutes and then put it in the microwave for about 2 minutes.

Dishrags: It is recommended that a dishrag be changed daily or at least once a week. If realistic for your household, have a number of dishrags available to use. You can use a new one each day or every other day.

Kitchen Counter: Your counters carry a number of different forms of bacteria. Often bacteria forms on the counter from using a dirty rag or sponge that has germs on them. Use a clean cloth with a vinegar and dish soap solution and the dry immediately. Leaving your counter wet will attract germs as well.

Salt and Pepper Shakers: Who would have thought that S & P Shakers, according to various research, is one of the dirtiest places in your home. Therefore, when wiping off the table be sure to include those shakers. Also, washing your hands before and after a meal will help too.

Cutting Boards: Cutting boards due to moisture and the various foods used on them is a perfect place for bacteria. If possible it is recommended that you use one cutting board for raw meats and another for fruits and vegetables. Use a solution of vinegar and baking soda and then dry immediately will keep the it free of bacteria.

Cleaning up Christmas Messes

With Christmas and all the guests there is bound to be some messes to clean up. If you can try to notice accidents as they happen or shortly after, clean them up right away. A stain that has settled for a while can be harder to clean up. So act quickly. A rule of thumb for cleaning stains on carpets, napkins and clothing is to always blot the stain. Scrubbing can ruin the surfaces. Also, first test any cleaning solution on an inconspicuous spot and follow the instructions that apply.

Wine and soda on fabrics or carpet

For spilled white wine and clear sodas on clothing wash the items as soon as possible. For carpet spills, blot the carpet with water and apply a solution of warm water and a teaspoon of liquid dish washing soap. Do not apply bleach. Red wine spills and dark sodas apply the same solution but add a bit of hydrogen peroxide to the solution.

Removing wax from candlesticks and menorahs

To remove wax from silver or metal place them in the freezer until the wax hardens. Gently scrape off the wax with a plastic spatula. Any remaining wax, pour boiling water or immerse in a pot of boiling water. A blow dryer can be used for glass or wood, and blot the melting wax with a paper towel.

Christmas tree sap on carpet or upholstery
For all types of trees, may it be pine, fir, or spruce, first blot the area with isopropyl rubbing alcohol to dissolve the sap, than wash it with a solution of warm water and dish washing soap.

Cranberry sauce or Gravy on fabrics or carpet

You can try pre-treating any clothing or tablecloth with a stain remover and then wash. If this does not work, dab the area with hydrogen peroxide and then line dry. For carpet or upholstery stain, blot with warm water, dish washing soap and hydrogen peroxide solution.

Cleaning up for the Holidays

With Christmas being just 4 weeks away you wonder how are you going to get everything done. Naturally Clean the cleaning experts has put together a list of cleaning tips that for sure is going to save you time and to be ready for December 25.

1. Be organized and planned. Make a to-do-list for each day until Dec 25, and put it on the refrigerator. Remember to include on the list days that you will focus on baking, shopping and wrapping presents.

2. The first task to be completed is to spend some time to declutter and organize rooms. You want to have space to put up your Christmas decorations.

3. Focus doing a more thorough clean on the main level and the upstairs washroom. Guests will not be roaming through your bedrooms and certain other rooms.

4. Schedule a day that will you give the main areas a really thorough clean a couple weeks before Christmas and then you just have to maintain it. This will keep the stress down knowing that the big clean is already done.

5. Guests will be arriving through the main entrance, therefore, this may be an area that you want to make a good impression. Remove cobwebs, wipe the door and baseboards. Tidy up any shoes or put them away. Clean mirrors, if any, and give the floor a good wash or vacuum. You can put a Christmas mat out front or hang up a Christmas wreath.

6. The next room to thoroughly clean is the living and dining room. If having guests this is the main area they will be gathering. Again, be sure you catch all the cobwebs and check the light fixtures for dust and cobwebs too. Clean all windows, glass doors, spot clean walls and light switches. Add Christmas decorations and scented candles to brighten up the room.

7. Bathrooms will also need a thorough cleaning. Scrub sinks and toilets and shine up the facets. Adding a scented candle is a nice touch too.

Once all tasks have been completed and you are ready for all the Christmas festivities spend some time being kind to yourself. You deserve it.

Tipping Hotel Housekeepers

Employees of Naturally Clean have come from many different industries. Many of them have come from the hotel and hospitality industry. Housekeepers in this field bring the housekeeping skills of making beds, cleaning washrooms and light dusting and vacuuming of rooms. As a housekeeper employed by a hotel, they rarely get paid more than minimum wage. Hotel guests will tip servers, bartenders and the hotel porter, but housekeepers are often overlooked mainly because it is not customary in most countries to do so.

1. Ask at the hotel staff at the reception if you will be receiving the same house keeper each day. This is a good indicated if you should be tipping for housekeeping services each day or if you should be leaving a lump sum at the end of the stay if you have the same housekeeper.

2. Although up to you, a standard tip is $2 per day for every bed in the room and $3to $5 for upscale hotels. Again, if you have a regular housekeeper during your stay, you can pay a lump sum at the time of check out.

3. Consider paying additional money if your housekeeper provides you with exceptional service and helps you with extra services.

4. Leave the tip in an envelope or write a note that indicates the money is for housekeeping. Housekeepers need to careful not be accused of stealing money.

5. Place the tip or envelope on a pillow or nightstand where the housekeeper is sure to find it.

6. In some European countries tipping is discouraged. Therefore, tip appropriately to the service that you have received. In the Middle East, tipping is customary and is often concealed with a handshake.

Quick and Easy Cleaning Tips that will make a Difference!

Quick and Easy Cleaning Tips that will make a Difference!

It is the small things in life that can really make a difference. Cleaning your home is no exception. Here are 5 small cleaning tasks that Naturally Clean picks out as making a difference in the way your home will look. These tasks take no time at all and your guests will notice too.

1. Cleaning dirt and scuff marks off the wall and baseboards: all you need in vinegar, water, soap. You can use a cotton cloth but for more stubborn stains like black scuff marks try a soft sponge. The magic eraser works wonders too.

2. Cobwebs: I know extendable dusters that reach high are hard to find. Naturally Clean suggests going to a janitorial retail store if you are looking to purchase one. If you don’t have an extendable duster you can use a flat microfiber mop or tie a microfiber cloth to the end of a broom. Cobwebs are at times hard to see due to the lighting of a home. We suggest checking angles while walking through a room checking for cobwebs.

3. Cleaning Mirrors: all you need is vinegar and water. You can put in ¼ cup vinegar in a spray bottle and fill the rest up with water. Or you can make it stronger and put more vinegar in it. I would not recommend more then 1/2 a cup of vinegar though. Use a microfiber cloth instead of paper towels. This will cut down on your paper use. Also, a microfiber cloth with not only clean your mirror but it will make it look shiny and streak free.

4. Fingerprints-Be-Gone: Light switches, (and around the wall of light switches), door knobs, and stair railings are areas that often are overlooked but once cleaned make a huge difference in the appearance of your home. Use a damp microfiber cloth with water, vinegar and soap or just water and soap.

5. Floors: if you sweep or vacuum your floors at least once a week or with some rooms like the kitchen every couple of days just to pick up dust and dirt, you will keep them looking clean.

If looking for more quick and easy tips on how to clean your home, give Naturally Clean, the home cleaning experts, 519-572-3763.

Cleaning House in a Pinch.

It tis the season, again! Christmas is just around the corner. Which means a lot of hustling and bustling to get everything done. But before you fret over not being able to get everything done, you can relax knowing that all it takes is a mere 15 minutes and you can make your home appear like you have spent all day cleaning.

All it takes is a bit of organizing, a microfiber cloth and a broom!

Kitchen – put the dishes in the dishwasher and run a cloth around the counter and clean the sink

Bathroom – put away toothpaste and brushes and give the counter a quick wipe. Put a fresh stock of toilet paper in each bathroom

Living/dining room – fluff pillows, fold blankets, and neatly organize any magazines. Give the coffee table and other surfaces a quick dust.

Now, do a quick sweep or vacuum throughout the house. You are now done!

Naturally Clean is your All Natural Cleaning Experts. Just give us a call at, 519-572-3763