Latest news with #cleaningexperts
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
People Who Have The Cleanest Homes Always Do This Task First
It's a controversial viewpoint, but one many a neat freak stand by firmly: To get your home the absolute cleanest, you should be vacuuming both as the first and final step in your cleaning process. It may sound counterintuitive to get the vacuum out when dust bunnies are still lurking around at higher elevations. Still, there's certainly a case for clearing the initial layer off the floor before you begin the rest of your regimen, no matter how much we hate to admit it. We've all been there—it's wall cleaning time, and hair, fur, or dust clings to your cleaning cloth, only detaching itself once it has a prime-time spot on your white walls. You realize you might have been better off with the fingerprint smudges. To avoid this most irritating scenario, give your high-traffic or mess-prone areas a quick once-over with the vacuum. It doesn't have to be perfect, but the rest of your cleaning will be significantly improved even if you just hit the problem areas like the corners, areas around the tubs and toilets, and even the baseboards themselves. If you have a handheld vacuum, take it to the fridge drawers, stovetop, and dryer lint trap in this first round. It will keep a good bit of the crumbs and dust off your floors, making the rest of the cleaning much more manageable. Wiping off your lower cabinets will be a tidier and quicker process, too, without fear of your wet cloth dragging along grime if it accidentally sweeps the floor while cleaning the toe-kick areas. Before you cry foul on this suggestion to add another step to your to-do list, know it benefits those with high-shedding pets. When the fur starts flying, we all know it'll cling to almost everything, even soaring to the top of that just-dusted sideboard – this means you're putting in the work without a full payoff. Time is of the essence for many of us, and you might not be able to bust out the vacuum twice in one day. In those instances, the best thing to do is quickly clean up any obvious fur balls, crumbs, or other dust magnets and then continue the cleaning. You can catch everything else when you zip around the vacuum after the rest of the house is shined and primed. What can you use to clean the inside of your vacuum? According to Merry Maids, there are four steps to properly cleaning your vacuum. Keep adequate airflow by removing the canister and using soapy water to wash it in a sink. Use a microfiber cloth to clean the interior and let it dry entirely before returning the canister to the vacuum. After, remove and wash the filter according to the manufacturer's instructions, which vary by vacuum. The third step is to clean the base plate, including cutting away hair and using a grout brush to remove stuck-on debris. Lastly, use a microfiber cloth to wipe the vacuum's exterior. How often should you vacuum? Vacuum frequency depends on the type of flooring you have. Vacuuming twice a week is recommended for carpets and rugs, while tile, hardwood, vinyl, or laminate floors need vacuuming at least once a week. Your lifestyle and household occupants might increase the frequency you need to vacuum, as people with pets that shed or people with dust allergies need to clean more often. Read the original article on Southern Living
Health Line
21-05-2025
- General
- Health Line
10 Easily Overlooked Places When Spring Cleaning
You might use the refrigerator, ceiling fans, and shower or tub often, but when was the last time you cleaned them? Plus, more hidden places you might forget to clean this season. If you partake in spring cleaning, or just enjoy a deep clean every once in a while, chances are some places may slip under your radar. This article can help serve as a checklist the next time you start on a cleaning expedition. Around the kitchen Food is messy, so it makes sense that the room where you keep, prepare, and toss your food out can become covered in residue. 1. Refrigerator Refrigerators are a common household appliance used most — if not all — days, but thinking about cleaning these parts may come as an afterthought: Top: You may not be tall enough to see over the top of your fridge, which is where dust can accumulate, so it's understandable that you might forget to wipe this place down. Inside: It's hard to keep the inside of your fridge sparkling clean if sauces drip, food residue leaks, and produce spoils. It's easiest to clean up any mess before the food has the chance to set, but it still shouldn't be a match for a damp cloth and some soapy water. Behind: If your fridge is movable, dust bunnies can accumulate on the floor behind it. Some vacuum attachments may be able to access this hard-to-reach place to help you avoid straining your body. Coils: First, unplug your refrigerator and, if you can safely, move it away from the wall so you can access the coils. These can collect dust and debris, which may become a fire hazard, so it's important to spend a few minutes gently dusting or vacuuming them. 2. Inside garbage bins Even though trash and recycling typically go into a bag, this won't completely stop your bins themselves from getting dirty. Sometimes, food can miss the bag, wind up in the bin, and result in a smell. These are easy to clean, though. You can spray them with a hose outside (if there's some grime you just can't bring yourself to touch) or use a towel and soapy water to wipe them down. 3. Dishwasher filters Though 'wash' is in the name, dishwasher filters can actually harbor a lot of muck — old food, oils, and hard water minerals. The filter is likely on the bottom of your dishwasher. To clean it, untwist the filter, rinse it with soapy water, and put it back. You can also consult the manufacturer of your dishwasher. 4. Cabinets Like your refrigerator, the dust on the top of and inside your cabinets can go unnoticed. To avoid injury, consider using a duster with an extendable arm, which can help you get to the hard-to-reach places. In the living room and bedroom The items in this section are by no means limited to just your living room and bedroom. 5. Ceiling fans and light fixtures Flipping a switch is easy. But it may be even easier to forget about cleaning what the switch powers. Dust may settle on fan blades, which will redistribute around the room when you turn on the fan. Some dusters are made specifically to clean ceiling fans. The same goes for light fixtures. They might be fixed above your head, but this doesn't mean cleaning them has to go over your head. 6. Windows The next time you open the windows or push aside the blinds to let in morning light, consider cleaning: Drapes and blinds: Dust loves to hang out on these items. Most drapes likely aren't machine washable, so you might want to check the care instructions. Sliding tracks: If you have windows that open from left to right, dirt and debris can get trapped in the tracks. The same goes for any sliding doors. A damp cloth may be all you need to restore them. Throughout the bathroom There can be more to clean than the toilet, tub, and other surfaces in this room. 7. Drains If you notice your bathroom drains aren't as efficient at their jobs, it's probably time to clean them. It may help to pour a little baking soda and vinegar, followed by boiling water, down them. 8. Shower curtains and liners Thinking about your shower curtain and liner being 'dirty' might go against logic, since you're technically clean every time you step out of the shower or bath. But don't forget that you're washing off dirt while you're in there, and some of that may splash onto the liner or curtain. Hard water minerals may also leave residue behind (on faucets and showerheads, too) once the water dries. Microorganisms, like bacteria and fungi, thrive in moist environments, which is all the more reason to disinfect and let your liner air dry occasionally. Your curtain might be machine washable, but be sure to check the label before tossing it in with your next load. Among various places Depending on your living space, some of these items may not be accessible for you to clean. 9. Air filters Air filters are another one of those 'out of sight, out of mind' things. The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors recommends changing the filters of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems every three months if you use them nearly year-round. Most, however, likely last between 3 and 12 months (the thicker they are, the longer they last), according to But it's recommended to check and change your air filters once a month if you: have allergies or a respiratory condition have a large family have pets live in a windy area or an area prone to wildfires have a fireplace live on a farm or ranch, or have a large garden live near a construction site run your unit six months a year to year-round Cars also have air filters. According to Veteran Car Donations, experts recommend changing your engine and cabin air filters about every 12,000 to 15,000 miles or once a year. 10. Other appliances In addition to your fridge, your oven, range hood, stove, microwave, washing machine, and dryer may need some attention. Most ovens have a clean setting, but you may get a better clean if you scrub it yourself with soap and water. As for other appliances, cleaning inside of them is one part, but don't forget to clean above, below, underneath, and all around them, too. If they have a filter, check with the manufacturer for instructions on how to clean or replace it. Some professionals offer services to help with this, such as for a dryer. Benefits of cleaning Besides the clean feelings of having a detoxed living space, deep cleaning can have a profound effect on those who live with allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions. When dust, dirt, pet dander, and other allergens build up, it can impact the quality of air you breathe and possibly worsen your condition. If cleaning alone isn't enough, you might consider purchasing an air purifier to help trap some air particles. Besides the physical health benefits, cleaning might also be good for your brain and mental health.
The Sun
14-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
The surprising BBQ favourite that doubles as a cleaning solution to help lift charred food from your grill
BARBECUE season is well and truly here and if your grill is looking a little worse for wear, an unusual step is said to leave it gleaming. You can re-purpose a popular BBQ beverage when scrubbing off charred on food. If you neglected to wipe down your grill after your last al fresco feast, this handy hack can save you the elbow grease. According to the cleaning experts at Shark, you can use leftover beer to scrub your barbecue. They encouraged any grill enthusiasts to hold on to their leftover beer after a barbecue. And you don't even have to sacrifice an entire bottle, as a little goes a long way. "Even a few dregs collected from discarded bottles could help you to clean your barbecue grill," they explained. Instead of pouring the beer directly onto your grill, they suggested soaking your wire brush in the liquid. However, this unique hack is only effective under specific conditions, so you may want to act sooner rather than later. "This should cut through grease and carbonised food with ease — but only if the grill is still warm," the experts said. The acidity and carbonation of beer can help loosen grease and grime that has built up on your grill. This makes it significantly easier to scrub your barbecue clean. I have the ultimate lazy girl hack for BBQs, you still get all the flavour but there's zero clean up afterwards While your beer will go further if you soak your brush in it, you can also pour it directly over your lightly heated grill. This can help break down food particles and carbon buildup on your barbecue. The steam from the beer can also help dislodge dirt, and once the beer has simmered, you can scrub the grill with a brush or pad. Finally, wipe away any remaining residue with warm water to leave a sparkling clean grill. But if you're out of beer don't try to substitute other items from your alcohol cart. Government advice on BBQ safety The UK Government have issued some guidelines for staying safe whilst using a barbecue: Keep a bucket of water, sand or a garden hose nearby for emergencies. Follow the safety instructions provided with your gas, charcoal, or disposable barbecue. Never use a barbecue indoors, in a tent, under an awning or in a caravan. Use enough charcoal to cover the base of the barbecue, but not more (normally around 5cms or 2 inches). Keep children, pets and garden games away from the cooking area. After cooking, make sure the barbecue is cool before moving it. Empty ashes onto bare garden soil, not into dustbins or wheelie bins. If they're hot, they can melt the plastic and cause a fire. Make sure your barbecue is well away from sheds, fences, trees, shrubs or garden waste. In the countryside or public park areas, only use disposable barbecues where there are specially designated areas and carefully follow the safety guidance. Enjoy yourself, but don't drink too much alcohol if you are in charge of the barbecue. Never use petrol or paraffin to start or revive your barbecue; use only recognised lighters or starter fuels on cold coals. While beer in its liquid form is not flammable, most liquors are, so be sure to keep them far away from your grill. And if you don't have an beer on hand, or aren't willing to waste it, don't worry. There are three other DIY hacks you can use to scrub your barbecue clean. Baking soda has also proved popular for DIY cleaning, and your grill is no exception. Or you can use tinfoil to scrub off stubborn bits of charred food or built-up grease. 2
