My Marvelous Maids

House Cleaning Hacks To Save Your Day

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For some, house cleaning is something to make sure to be part of their routine, others feel like it’s a losing battle due to busy schedules. This is why many prefer to hire professionals to take care of their home’s cleanliness. The truth is outsourcing house cleaning service depends on your lifestyle and time.

Whether or not you can afford it, what’s important is to ensure that you have a comfortable and clean surrounding to live in. After all, there are surfaces in the house that attract all kinds of messes.

Practical Steps to Ensure Cleanliness in Your Own Home

Cleaning is more than just a routine but it is a ‘must’ task that should be done weekly if not daily, especially that there’s still COVID-19. We have to ensure that our own house is clean and safe from bacteria, germs, and viruses. And in order for you to do this, here are the house cleaning hacks that you should follow:

  1. Declutter

Before you start cleaning, start decluttering first your items that can be an eyesore when you start wiping, sweeping, and vacuuming.

  1. Clean Your House Regularly

The more you clean your house, the easier for you to execute the task. Regularly cleaning helps you prevent dirt from accumulating. It’s not only beneficial for you to have a clean and comfortable surrounding, but it also strengthens your body to keep you fit and healthy by doing physical activities.

  1. Disinfect and Sanitize the Surface Areas

Cleaning is not just about mopping, sweeping, vacuuming, dusting, and swiping. Always remember that some dirt that is not visible to our bare eyes. We have to consider that when we clean, we should also eliminate germs, bacterias, and viruses as much as possible. Always ensure to use a clean wiping cloth, disinfectant and sanitizing solution when cleaning the visible and hidden surfaces areas.

  1. Ensure that You’re Using Clean Cleaning Tools

You’re just wasting your time when your cleaning equipment is not properly cleaned. Instead of cleaning, you’re just spreading more dirt if your equipment is not washed beforehand. So before and after you clean, make sure to also wash, disinfect, and sanitize your cleaning tools for your next use.

  1. Designate a Cleaning Day

As we mentioned before, it is important to do a house cleaning regularly. On the other hand, it is much better if you designate a day each when you will do the cleaning. In this way, you’re setting your mind to do the task and get it done. It can be any day that works best for you.

Need House Cleaning Service?

We understand if you don’t have the time to clean your house, especially if you’re busy at work and you spend your rest day pampering yourself. There’s nothing wrong with that. However, as we mentioned, cleanliness is also important and house cleaning must be done regularly.

If you need a helping hand to do the house cleaning for you, My Marvelous Maids is here. We’re offering house cleaning services in Aurora, IL, and its surrounding areas.

Cleaning And Decluttering Under The Bed

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Isn’t it nice to sleep and wake up in your own bedroom? It’s like your own sanctuary in your own home for the reason that this is where you’re having your peaceful moment. Although others would say they prefer other parts of their home as their favorite. But at the end of the day, the bedroom is where we retire as we sleep on our own bed.

Cleaning your bedroom may or may not already be part of your routine to keep your house in its pristine condition. On the other hand, we often miss focussing on one part of our bedroom which is under the bed.

Is It Necessary to Clean Under The Bed?

Yes, it is a must to do so! You should know that under the bed is one of the perfect common grounds where a variety of dirt builds up. It can become the source where bacteria, germs, viruses, and other harmful pathogens grow if left undisturbed. 

Most importantly, you are exposed to unhealthy and unsanitary air while you are sleeping. It might not be noticeable at the moment, but over time, chances are the effects on your health will start to show.

Clean and Declutter

In order for you to properly clean under the bed, you should know and accept the fact first that it’s not just all about sweeping and vacuuming. It should be more than that! It’s not just dirt that might be starting to build up there. There are most probably other things stuck in that place such as your personal belongings (that you rarely used and assumed lost), leftover midnight snacks, and many more.

So, what you need to do is to declutter first. Make sure to remove first those things under your bed before starting to clean. And if in case you have items that you have no other place to put it instead of under your own bed, at least organize these things so that the next time you clean, it will be easier for you.

Use a Vacuum and Do It Properly

It’s given that not all beds can easily be moved or lifted in order for you to thoroughly sweep the floor. It is easier when you use a vacuum (and it is faster). An ergonomically designed vacuum can save you time to remove the dirt under the bed. If you are more techie and have a budget, a vacuum robot can do the work for you.

If you clean under the bed thoroughly, the good news is that you don’t have to vacuum it everytime. You can just do it twice a month. The main point is, when you’re cleaning, don’t lax and only give half your energy. If you’re gonna clean, do it properly as it is also a form of exercise.

Make It Part of Your Routine

As mentioned earlier, if you’re going to clean, do it properly so that the next time you do it, it would be a lighter task for you. And as time passes by, you will notice that it is not only part of your routine but also keeping you fit and healthy physically. Furthermore, you’re keeping yourself breathing cleaner air in your bedroom because it is clean.

On the other hand, if you don’t have the time to clean it due to time and schedule conflict, it’s not a problem. You can always contact us, My Marvelous Maids, to do the house cleaning for you including your bedroom and under the bed. If you’re living in Aurora, IL, or its surrounding areas, we’re just one call away. Our team is composed of professional house cleaners ready to do the tasks on your behalf.

The Ideal Checklist When Hiring House Cleaners

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House cleaning can be tough as it is time and energy-consuming. Both your mind and body would feel exhausted after doing the task. And this is the reason why homeowners opted to hire professionals to take care of the cleanliness of their space on their behalf. However, in reality, there are instances that hiring someone to clean their house is not a good experience. But on a lighter note, this is not always the case.

In this day that we’re heavily influenced by social media, we often rely on reading reviews first before trying it ourselves. This is the same when we’re looking for a house cleaner. Let’s be honest, we want to have a good experience if not the best.

In this blog, we aim to help you in finding the most suitable candidate when you’re searching for professionals to take care of your house.

Set Your House Cleaning Standards Accordingly

It is ideal to set standards when you’re hiring house cleaners. On the other hand, before you raise it to the maximum you should know that ‘perfect’ is just a word. If you’re looking for ‘perfect’ professional house cleaners then you might as well end up disappointed if you’ll just heavily rely on the reviews you read.

Each house cleaning experience is different. There are people who easily get satisfied while others don’t. In short, you cannot please everyone. So our advice is you’ll only learn when you get the first-hand experience of it. We’re not saying that reviews don’t matter, what we wanted to point out is that you have to have an open mind to certain situations.

You’ll find the ‘perfect’ professional cleaners who can take care of your home according to your standards if you build a good relationship with them. Just like what the saying says, it takes two to tango.” It’s not just them who will adjust according to your demands in terms of cleaning your house. You should also do your part.

Have An Open Communication With The House Cleaners

Although you’re hiring a house cleaner to clean, it doesn’t mean that they’ll technically take care of everything for you. You should prepare your house first as there are certain tasks that are not covered by an outsourced house cleaner. You should know how to declutter the things that are too personal for you before they arrive.

If you’re unsure whether your house needs regular cleaning or deep cleaning, you can always ask. There are even some of them who can give an estimate so that you’ll know what to expect. Knowing what services they provide as what services you need are both important. This will help build trust for both parties to communicate well. Most importantly, this will help them to deliver the best service possible to meet your expectations.

Identify What Special Requests You Want

As mentioned previously, you should communicate openly with the house cleaners or the company to avoid miscommunication. You should know what the services they offer and their limitations. If you have special requests (like a specific part of the house that needs attention on cleaning), inform them if they can meet your demand.

Also, be clear with them if those requests come with an additional charge.

Get To Know Them

Don’t just rely on the reviews you read about the house cleaners or the company. It is best to ask them. Get to know them in the sense that you’ll get the idea of their punctuality, reliability, and how they can be at your service. It’s good also if you ask about the cleaning products they use. Taking this step helps you determine if their equipment may cause damage to the materials of your house.

Be Respectful And Professional

Even if you’re the house owner, it doesn’t mean then the house cleaners are the ones who should respect you. Respect should come from both sides. Don’t treat them lower than you.

Be professional in the sense that if both parties agree and set the time and date when the house cleaning will commence, honor it. If in case an emergency happens and you need to cancel or reschedule the clean, communicate it with them. Expect that an additional fee for cancellation or rescheduling may occur.

Give Feedback Fairly

After the house cleaning is done, giving your feedback or reviews matters. If for example there’s a problem that arises after the clean, reach out to them first. Don’t rant immediately on social media. We understand that you might get carried away with your emotion if, for example, you’re not satisfied with the clean. But please take note that the house cleaners are not perfect cleaning machines. They’re also human.

Our advice is to communicate with them if there’s something you’re not satisfied with. Talk with them and settle it accordingly whether they will do a re-clean or give you a discount to aid the situation.

If you need professional house cleaners in Aurora, IL, and its surrounding areas, you may contact My Marvelous Maids. Our cleaners are highly trained to take care of the cleanliness of your house.

Cleaning Tips After The Holidays

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First of all, Happy New Year! 2020 has been a roller coaster ride for everyone. But despite what happened last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re all still able to celebrate the holidays. And holidays can do a number on our house yet there’s no denying that it’s a happy time. Before we know it, the holiday season is over and it’s now time for us to get things back in order.

When you need to work on some post-holiday house cleaning, you may read some of our tips so you won’t miss a thing to clean your house.

Consider Doing Deep Cleaning

Hey, it’s New Year. It means new beginnings for most of us. And the best way to kick-start the beginning of the year is by making your house sparkling clean. Use this time to attend to those heavy cleaning tasks we often set aside due to our busy schedule.

Clean Up Your Holiday Decors

Make sure to not just put back the Christmas tree and holiday ornaments to the storage without organizing them. Remember that several months from now you’ll be unboxing and taking it out again from storage to display. So, the best way to do this is to organize it on how you will store it and avoid it from accumulating dirt and cobwebs from the storage.

Clean The Carpet Floor

It’s no surprise that after storing away your Christmas tree the pine needles have scattered and buried themselves on the carpet flooring in your living room. Because of its size and shape, using a broom is not enough to get rid of it. Using a vacuum is good but pine needles may clog and the tube. In this matter, what you may use are a rubber broom and a lint roller.

Take Care Of The Upholstery

Like carpets, upholstery maybe one of the most used during the holidays. You may have noticed yet but it’s not impossible if the curtains, couches, and carpet get stained. There are many options on how to clean it. What matters is that the earlier treatment to remove the stains, the better to avoid making them permanent.

Clean The Fridge

Believe it or not, you probably have stocked many foods in your fridge over the holidays. And before you know it, it might have accumulated a mixture of smells already. So the best way to do this is to clean your fridge thoroughly.

Freshen Up The Bathroom / Powder Room

If you had guests who came over during the holidays, the bathroom and/or powder room should be cleaned also. Learn the tips on how to successfully clean the bathroom floors.

Need Help To Clean Your House?

The truth is, with or without the holiday season, your house needs to be cleaned. And we understand if you probably don’t have time to spend on this. But the good news is, My Marvelous Maids offers house cleaning services in Aurora, IL, and its surrounding areas. We have highly trained professional cleaners who can clean your house. Our aim is not just to clean but to make sure that you’ll be comfortable in your own home.

Take Time To Clean Your Kitchen Countertop

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You may or you may have not noticed yet but your kitchen is one of the busiest areas in your house. But more than that, the one area in your kitchen that is mostly used is the kitchen countertop. And with this being said, did you know that your kitchen countertop harbors dirt more than what your eyes can see?

You Use Your Kitchen Counter Everytime

With or without your knowledge, you’re using the kitchen counter even if you’re not cooking. This is the area where you put a variety of items such as mails, newspaper, bags of groceries before and after unpacking, your cellphone, and other things while waiting for your coffee to brew. In short, you use the kitchen counter too often and probably harbors dirt too.

So, you might say that you wipe down your kitchen counter before and after you cook. But is that enough? The truth is when we say dirt, it’s more than just what our eyes can see. And we know that you’re not intentionally dirtying your kitchen, who does that? However, the point is dirt can always occur. We always have to be vigilant in maintaining the cleanliness in our private space for our health safety, especially that there’s still COVID-19.

Healthy Kitchen Habits To Start From Now On

  1. Sanitizing Kitchen Counter

Regular cleaning and sanitizing are two different things although both have one ultimate goal which is to eliminate viruses, germs, and bacterias. But you must consider having the time to sanitize your kitchen counter aside from regularly cleaning it.

According to Dr. Charles Gerba (also known as Dr. Germ), a typical kitchen counter is dirtier than a toilet seat. He also added that people do not clean their kitchen counters as often as they should.  Dr. Gerba is a microbiologist and professor at the University of Arizona in Tucson. 

He also pointed out that, ‘in most cases, it’s safer to make a salad on a toilet seat than it is to make one on a cutting board.’

So in order to clean your kitchen counter, you should wipe it down with a disinfectant kitchen cleaner and paper towel, and then throw the paper towel away after use.

  1. Change Sponge, Scrub Brush, and Dishcloth Often

A sponge helps the dishwashing liquid soap thoroughly clean the dishes, a scrub brush gives more force if a visible residue needs to be removed, and a dishcloth helps dry the dishes. In short, they are cleaning tools. But these cleaning tools also harbor dirt if not washed thoroughly. Also, they get worn out too overtime. So, replace them often.

  1. Clean Your Kitchen Sink

Splashing water and rinsing the sink is not enough to drive the dirt down the drainage. You should sanitize your sink also to eliminate the dirt. You may read our recent blog about how to clean your kitchen sink.

  1. Don’t Let Your Pets Walk On the Kitchen Counter

We all love pets. And prohibiting them from walking on the kitchen counter doesn’t mean we don’t love them anymore.

Cats carry pathogens that cause toxoplasmosis from their litter box. It is not harmful to them but can hurt us, people, especially pregnant women which can cause birth defects.

Need Help On House Cleaning?

If you need help cleaning your home whether it’s on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis, you can always reach out to us. My Marvelous Maids has been providing quality house cleaning services in Aurora, IL, and its surrounding area.