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Dusting Cleaning Tips

Dust, Dust, Everywhere! How to Reduce Dust In Your Home

Do you know that dust buildup can cause serious health challenges, including life-threatening conditions like asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis? Although it’s almost an impossible task to prevent dust completely, we can show you how to reduce dust in your home.

So, if you dream of walking into an immaculate house without taking the time or effort, TLC Cleaning is ready to help.

 

Where Did All That Dust Come From?

A common myth about dust is that it comes from dead skin cells. While that’s true, these tiny particles come from both indoor and outdoor sources. They include road dust that sticks to your shoes, vehicle exhaust particles that get into your pet’s hair, decomposing insects, smoking indoors, cooking, and more.

Even if your house is closed up for a long time, dust will still find its way into it through cracks and crevices. Thankfully, there’s so much you can do about it.

 

5 Top Tips to Reduce Dust in Your Home

Here are the top five tips to eliminate household dust:

1. Lock it Out

You don’t want to bring dust particles from outdoors into your home. So, what should you do?

Placing doormats in front of your home’s entrances ensures that you and your guests wipe their feet before coming in. It significantly reduces the grime and dirt and prevents them from traveling beyond the mats. You can even adopt a no-shoe policy or invest in house shoes.

Also, you should consider locking doors and windows during allergy season and on windy days. If your house is close to a busy road, you should also lock up during peak traffic hours.

2. Change Bedding Weekly

Think about it, you sleep on your mattress every day and might even eat on it when you’re sick, reading a book, or watching a movie. If you also own a pet, your furry friends may leave some furs when they sneak in to say hello.

In those cases, your bedsheet is a collecting point for bodily fluids, oils from your skin, dead skin cells, pet hair, and dust mites. But you can reduce these by washing sheets and pillowcases weekly. 

3. Vacuum Regularly

Professional Carpet Cleaning Service. Janitor Using Vacuum Cleaner. Generative Ai

This isn’t the time to bring out that broom. Instead of collecting dust and dirt, it circulates them. For a change, you should get a vacuum cleaner that has a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. It’ll help to trap dust, debris, and allergens faster.

Meanwhile, your vacuum cleaner may become less effective if you don’t clean the HEPA filter. Most homeowners clean their vacuum filters once every three months. But if you’re vacuuming a high-traffic area, you should clean the filter monthly.

4. Invest in Air Purifiers

While you may already have a central HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) system, adding air purifiers is the way to go. They not only eliminate odors but also trap dust, leaving you with cleaner air.

Air purifiers can capture up to 99% of microscopic airborne allergens, particles, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They’re available in different capacities, depending on the size of your room. Some also offer energy-efficient products that automatically shut off to help you save costs.

Whether you’re using an HVAC system or an air purifier, replacing the air filter on time ensures you breathe in quality indoor air and spend less time cleaning. You should change the HVAC air filter every three months and that of the air purifier every six to twelve months.

5. Get the Right Dusting Tools

Put down those feather dusters for a while, as they end up pushing dust around instead of getting rid of it. 

Feather dusters must be made from genuine ostrich feathers, and you should know how to use them. Otherwise, they’re useless. Besides, they barely fit into modern living since there are improved dusting tools.

You should consider applying furniture polish to a microfiber cloth to capture dust successfully. Also, you can get a microfiber extendable duster for dusting ceiling fans, door frames, air vents, and the top of cabinets or bookshelves. The head is soft, reusable, and traps dust without applying chemicals.

 

Bonus: Dusting Hacks for Your Home

How to Reduce Dust In Your Home - Professional Carpet Cleaning Service. Janitor Using Vacuum Cleaner.

Here are some additional dusting tips for a dust-free home:

  • Always dust from top to bottom so the particles can fall before you vacuum.
  • Groom pets outdoors or on an old towel. It’s easy to pack up their furs, discard them, and launder the towel.
  • Use a clean paintbrush to dust electronics like computers and TVs.
  • Use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner to get rid of dust on your mattress.
  • Slip a sock over your hand to reach those tiny slots between your window blinds.
  • A lint roller is great for fabrics. You can run it over curtains, pillowcases, and lampshades to remove dust.
  • Use hard cleaning products for stone and concrete floors.

 

Final Thoughts

Houses are structured differently; with our tips and conscious efforts, you’ll figure out how to reduce dust in your home. However, if you want to eliminate dust as much as possible but don’t have the time or you’re scared of allergy triggers, don’t worry. 

You can contact us to do the dirty work. We always deliver with a touch of excellence!

Categories
Cleaning Products Deep Cleaning

4 Products That Do the Hard Cleaning for You

Do you struggle to find the time or energy for hard cleaning chores? If only you had the enchanted objects from the beast’s castle doing them and singing a good song while they’re at it!

Well, technology has gotten us surprisingly close to magic, and we have four products that do the hard cleaning for you. But if you want true magic: walking into an immaculate house without taking the time or effort, TLC Cleaning is ready to help.

At a Glance:

  1. Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S – Best Overall
  2. Drill Power Bristle Scrub Brush Cleaning Kit – Runner Up
  3. TOPIST Angry Mama Microwave – Best Value
  4. Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Cleaning Stamp – Budget-Friendly Pick 

 

The 4 Best Hard Cleaning Products in 2023

hard cleaning products - Brushes, sponges, rubber gloves and natural cleaning products in the basket. Eco-friendly cleaning products

Whether it’s cleaning floors, kitchens, or bathrooms, you want some excellent products that do the hard labor on your behalf. So, let’s dive in!

1. Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S – Best Overall

What puts Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S at the top is that you can use it on any floor. The robot vacuum can pick up tons of dirt for up to 100 minutes with zero effort. Even if the dirt is under your bed, its three inch-profile allows it to reach it.

That isn’t all. The dustbin doesn’t need frequent emptying. And the vacuum automatically recharges. Despite being the most expensive item on this list, it’s about half the price of other robot vacuums.

Pros:

  • Effective in dirt removal
  • Operates for a long period of up to 100 minutes
  • Automatic recharging
  • No need to empty the dustbin often
  • The slim design enables it to access tough spots

Cons:

  • Expensive compared to our other products

2. Drill Power Bristle Scrub Brush Cleaning Kit – Runner Up

The Drill Power Bristle Scrub Brush Cleaning Kit is versatile, like the RoboVac model. With three brushes, it can clean concrete and stone floors, siding, hard water stains, oil spills, and more. The spinning motion saves you hours of scrubbing your shower and gets you better results.

Here’s the step-by-step process. You quickly fix the brush, turn the Drill Brush on, and let it do the heavy cleaning. The reason it isn’t our top pick is that it isn’t a “set it and forget it” product, as you must hold it in place.

Pros:

  • Its three brushes render it effective on hard water and oil stains and more
  • Excellent scrubbing, thanks to its spinning motion

Cons:

  • Requires little effort

3. TOPIST Angry Mama Microwave Cleaner – Best Value

Loosen the stains and dirt in your microwave with the TOPIST Angry Mama Microwave Cleaner. With a few minutes and dollars, your microwave will be squeaky clean!

All you need to do is add water, vinegar, and a lemon juice squeeze to the gadget, put it in the microwave, and set it on high heat for 5 to 8 minutes. Wipe the interior of your microwave, and you’re done! You can always clean and reuse it.

Pros:

  • Loosens microwave stains and splatters
  • Is affordable
  • Cuts cleaning time in less than half

Cons:

  • Needs wiping, but the stains will already be loose.

4. Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Cleaning Stamp – Budget-Friendly Pick

Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Cleaning is the most budget-friendly option here. It comes with six gel stamps, each lasting up to 12 days, so it’ll be a while before you run out!

The stamp cleans your toilet with every flush and freshens up your bathroom, preventing toilet rings and limescale buildup. And the best part is that no touching or scrubbing is needed on your part! Also, the gel dots are super easy to install.

Pros:

  • The cheapest option
  • Its six gel stamps last up to 12 days each
  • Gives you a clean toilet
  • No touching or scrubbing needed

Cons:

  • Non-reusable

 

Factors to Consider When Buying a Hard Cleaning Product

Woman wearing protective mask preparing for virus pandemic spread quarantine.Finding the right products on the shelves in the supermarket.Hygiene, cleaning and disinfection products.Budget buying.

You may be wondering how to make a sound purchasing choice. For that, you must consider several factors.

Effort

Ideally, you want to “set it and forget it.” So, how much effort does a product require? Is it easy to set up, and can you truly forget it? These products may range from zero to minimal effort.

Function

Since cleaning products are a broad category, which specific cleaning task do you want the product to perform? It can be anything from dishwasher cleaning to pet hair removal. Better yet, some products have versatile usages!

Lifespan

How long will the product last? Some are designed for one-time usage, which can feel like dead money. Others are reusable or come with extra parts, lasting a bit longer. Then, you have electrical gadgets that come with months or years of warranties.

Budget

Are you going to buy a one-time cleaning product for a few dollars or a fancy robot cleaner for several hundred dollars? The various price points can inform your choice.

 

Final Verdict

In short, purchasing products that do the hard cleaning for you is a great idea. Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S is our favorite, as it can remove so much dirt off your floors while you sit back.

Drill Power Bristle Scrub Brush Cleaning Kit is also a versatile option for scrubbing. Finally, if you dream of walking into an immaculate house without taking the time or effort, TLC Cleaning is ready to help.

Categories
Cleaning Products General Cleaning

What Cleaning Products Do I Need in My Home?

woman in yellow apron holding a bucket of cleaning supplies

Do you ever get overwhelmed with all the cleaning products available? Do you find yourself wondering, “what cleaning products do I need in my home?”

The reality is that no list of cleaning products can get you the same kind of clean as a professional cleaning service. Call TLC to schedule a cleaning service today. A deep clean by a professional team is a great head start to keeping your home looking its best.

In between scheduled cleanings, however, it is useful to keep the essential cleaning products on-hand. There are many options to choose from, yet there are only a handful of items you need to have on hand for everyday use. So you don’t overspend on all those fancy cleaning lotions and potions, keep reading to see a list of what cleaning products you need in your home.

What cleaning products do I need in my home?

woman shopping for cleaning products at the store

-Baking soda can mitigate odors and remove hard spots to clean, such as soap remnants, scrapes on your footwear, and even light grease.

-White Vinegar also removes odors and grease, serves as a disinfectant, and does not leave marks behind, so it is perfect for making your windows sparkle. It can be used to clean many areas, including many kitchen surfaces, and is an excellent floor cleaner.

-Rubbing alcohol actively destroys bacteria. It cleanses and decontaminates all those surfaces where microorganisms and other nasty stuff resides. Fathom to think about what might be lying in the cracks and crevices…yuck!

-Dish soap is a mild cleaner; it doesn’t ruin the surfaces that require a gentler cleanser. Dish soap is a
PH neutral product. It is also a cost-effective cleaner because you don’t need to use much to achieve your desired results.

-Furniture polish brings out the shine on wooden furniture, plus it often has a pleasant smell.

-Bleach is a crucial cleaning product to keep on hand. It is corrosive and works well on harder to clean areas. Word to the wise: Don’t mix bleach with other cleaning products as you may experience a chemistry experiment gone wrong!

-All-Purpose Cleaner is the best product to have and can serve as the only one you have in your home because it can clean multiple surfaces and hard to remove marks. Best of all, you can make your all-purpose cleaners using some common ingredients. Click here to learn how to make your own.

What cleaning tools do I need in my home?

man and woman playfully fighting with cleaning products

Of course, you need to have more than the cleaning product to apply them as needed. Here is of recommended tools you should have available.

-Microfiber cloths are multipurpose cleaning cloths. They can be used wet or dry and for tasks such as dusting, wiping down kitchen surfaces, and even inside and outside of your car.

-Toothbrushes (find one that you are no longer using) have many useful cleaning purposes. They can be used to scrub and shine areas lightly and to get to those areas that are hard to navigate with other tools. Word of caution: Don’t keep your cleaning toothbrush(es) anywhere near your toothpaste. You wouldn’t want to grab one to brush your teeth accidentally.

-Paper towels are the good ole standard “quicker picker-up.” These are a great choice because you can dispose of them after use, instead of risking the spread of bacteria and other germs.

-Rubber gloves are the best way to protect your hands from unnecessary dirt and germs. They are optional, but there are lots of messes that warrant protection when cleaning them. Insert your own visual here. Gross! If you are overly concerned about the germs and bacteria hanging around and want a deep clean, call TLC to schedule a cleaning service today.

-Sponges are a necessity and can be used in many places and for multiple types of messes. Double-sided sponges are also handy because they provide two types of cleaning surfaces, one side for gentle wiping and the other for harder to clean areas. Be sure you have several sponges on hand as you don’t want to use the same one to clean the kitchen countertop and those not so pleasant places–if you know what I mean. Click on this link for tips on maintaining healthy sponges: How to Clean Your Kitchen Sponge.

-Mops have been a cleaning staple for a long time. They are more light-weight, less cumbersome to manage, and are the perfect choice if you don’t like to get down on your hands and knees to clean the floor.

-Vacuums are essential cleaning tools that existed in households for many years. They also continue to evolve; they have become more comfortable to use, lighter, and more compact. A vacuum is vital to have because it lifts dust and other hard to see remnants in your carpet. You can’t get by with just a broom!

Keep it organized

cleaning tools and supplies stored in a cabinet

If you are someone who likes to have a clutter-free environment, there are some ways to keep your cleaning products and tools organized.

-Get yourself a storage container that you can easily transport and put away in a cupboard or closet

-Determine a location that you always put your cleaning items away and place them in logical areas. For example, store all of your bathroom cleaning products in your vanity or other convenient location in the bathroom. It makes sense to store cleaning items in the area in which plan to put them to use! After all, you wouldn’t store your pots and pans in the bathroom.

Last but not least, you will want to make sure that you maintain your cleaning tools. After all, they are not self-cleaning, and they have been used to clean-up some of the most unsightly and unsanitary messes. Click here for tips on maintaining and sanitizing your cleaning tools.

Call the professionals

a girl in pigtails using a smart phone

Now that you’re no longer wondering about what cleaning products you need in your home consider giving yourself a break.

Keep a few essential supplies and call TLC to schedule a regular or deep cleaning service today.

Categories
Cleaning Products General Cleaning

How to Easily Clean Your Home Using Baking Soda

yellow cleaning gloves, lemons, dish towel, baking soda and blue sponge

Everyone knows to put an open box of baking soda in the back of the fridge, and it will help absorb odors. Did you also know that by cleaning with baking soda you can freshen every room in your house?

So much cleaning, so little time. Do you know what would make house cleaning way more fun? A maid.

A maid or TLC Cleaning would make house cleaning way more fun. Schedule with TLC Fargo to get the best clean and give yourself some more fun time.

In the meantime, give the once over to the tips below on how to use baking soda throughout your home.

Let’s start in the kitchen

baking soda in a pot and a sponge

If you sprinkle some baking soda onto a damp sponge, you can use it to wipe down almost any surface. Use it to make counters, stovetops, sinks, and faucets gleam.

Want to make your produce gleam? Add a teaspoon of baking soda to a large bowl of water. Let your fruits and veggies soak in there for a couple of minutes. Gently scrub with a brush and rinse. Waxy layers and pesticides are gone!

Want to store those fruits and veggies in gleaming containers too, but you reheated spaghetti in them last, and now they are pale orange? Baking soda to the rescue!

Try wiping the containers with a baking soda and water paste first. If that’s not enough, mix four tablespoons of baking soda into one quart of water and soak the containers overnight.

Now that we’re done in the kitchen let’s move down the hall.

To the dreaded bathroom

someone pouring baking soda down a bathroom sink drain

Cleaning with baking soda is a dream come true in the bathroom.

We may have left the kitchen, but is your curling iron a baked-on mess? You can use a baking soda paste here too.

Apply the paste to the curling iron and scrub gently. Too much abrasion can wear away some ceramic coverings, so be gentle. Baked on styling products are now gone.

Are your drains running a little slow? Try pouring a half cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a half cup of vinegar. Wait until the combination stops bubbling. Then pour six cups of hot water down the drain as well.

This mix is safe for pipes and won’t hurt septic systems either.

Your kitty’s bathroom needs attention too. Add baking soda to litter boxes to keep litter box odor at bay.

In the boudoir

someone cleaning an engagement ring with a toothbrush and baking soda

Keep your jewelry sparkling by creating a paste of 3-parts baking soda to 1-part water. Apply to each piece with a lint-free cloth and rinse. Restore the shine in no time.

How long have you had that mattress? Vacuum the mattress and then sprinkle the surface with baking soda. Let it sit for 30 minutes and vacuum again. Voila – fresh-smelling sleeping quarters.

Speaking of smell, can we talk about the shoes? Pour baking soda directly into those smelly shoes and leave them to sit. Just tap out any excess powder before wearing again. It’s that simple.

Remember that open box of baking soda in the fridge? That trick works in the closet too. Leave a fresh, opened container of baking soda on the shelves, and it will absorb odors there as well.

Let’s do some living in the living room

vinegar, cleaning gloves, spray bottle, baking soda and sponge flat lay

Freshen up musty upholstery by sprinkling baking soda on the fabric. Wait 15 minutes and vacuum.

Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil. Mix well. Place that mixture into an empty spray bottle and fill with water.

You now have a perfect room spray for the living room and the rest of the house.

Fireplace doors blackened? Sprinkle some baking soda onto crumpled up, wet, newspaper. Scrub the glass with this newspaper and wipe with a clean cloth: no scratches, but lots of sparkles.

Cleaning with baking soda gives you an unbelievable clean in the living room too!

Don’t forget the laundry

a person adding baking soda to a load of laundry

If you add a cup of baking soda, along with your usual detergent, to a load of laundry, you can make your clothes and linens brighter. Use as a pre-soak for heavy odors like sweat or smoke.

Add baking soda to diaper pails and create an always ready pre-soak. Soak diapers before washing to remove odors.

Time to make slime

3 children playing with slime

Now, here is the real reason you need to give TLC Cleaning a call right now. With the time you save by letting them do the cleaning, you can make colored slime with baking soda too.

Here is what you need:

-One 4-6oz bottle of white liquid all-purpose washable school glue

-½ teaspoon of baking soda

-1 ½ tablespoon multipurpose contact lens solution

-a few drops of liquid food coloring

Mix the baking soda, lens solution, and food coloring in a bowl. Add the glue and mix with a spoon or your hands.

The slime will become less sticky the more it is kneaded. Add more baking soda for a thicker, grittier texture. Add small amounts of water for a thinner, runnier slime.

You can also add glitter, or start with glitter glue, to make sparkly slime.

And when you’re all done? Call TLC Cleaning and let them take care of the mess. You have things to go slime!

Categories
Cleaning Products Cleaning Tips

Cleaning Supplies List That Reduces Your Home Expense

Less is More

Less is more

Less is More. Most of us have heard this all of our lives, and yet when we walk through the store looking for cleaning supplies, we realize that there is so much more out there. But are all of these products, or even types of products necessary? Are we paying more than we should in order to clean our homes? Are these products essential or is there a better, cheaper way?

Think about the multitude of products on the store shelves. How many products for laundry detergent? How many to wash dishes or clean mirrors and windows? What is the best spray or wipe to clean counters? And what oil do I need to polish wood furniture?

After all is said and done, how much money have you spent on items to clean your home? You may think, “No problem. They will last for a while before I have to buy more”, but is that indeed the case? If you have never used anything that lasts longer, is cheaper, or works better, how would you even know?

Today we are going to answer some of these questions by looking at a few alternatives that will cut down on the number of products you need to get the job done. And in our opinion, get the job done better. Our list will surprise you because most of these products will save you money at the same time, and who doesn’t like that?

Here is a cleaning supplies list of tried and true cleaning products that work well, last longer than store-bought supplies, and cost less than those commercial brands. We will even give you a few recipes to use that will amaze you when you try them.

Cleaning Supply List for Every Home:

cleaning supply

(prices are approximations)

  • White Vinegar: 1 Gallon = $2.19: Good for cleaning glass and windows as well as being able to kill 99.7% of all germs and fungi.
  • Baking Soda/Washing Soda = $5.00/pound: Good for cleaning clothes and excellent as an abrasive to clean sinks and tubs. Pick up a toothbrush so you can hit those corners and under the faucets.
  • Liquid Castile Soap: $5.00 for 16 oz:  Castile soap is good for cleaning anything that needs some “soapiness,” from dishes to dogs. You want this as a part of your cleaning supply list.
  • Lemons:  The price of lemons depends on where you live and what season you are buying them. Lemons are great for whitening and helping you get that nice fresh lemony smell most people are looking for when they think of clean.
  • Borax = $4.45 for 65 oz.:  Borax is somewhat like Baking soda, and they are typically used together. They each have different cleaning properties that make them powerhouse cleaning agents together.
  • Natural Salt: Cheap: Salt is one of those ingredients that we usually don’t think of for cleaning, but a little research, (hit the link above), will show you what a fantastic cleaner salt can be. Natural salt is worth a look for the inexpensive price and the number of things you can do with it.
  • Hydrogen Peroxide: $1 for 16 oz: Hydrogen peroxide is a natural whitener and super cheap to purchase. Excellent when you need to get proteins, like blood or grass stains out of clothes, and is a bonus when used as a whitener for sinks, tubs, and toilets.
  • Essential Oils (optional): Prices will vary: Essential oils are optional but worth a look. A lot of people use lemon or lavender in their multi-purpose cleaners and laundry to bump up the cleaning quotient as well as make things smell amazing.

How many bottles of commercial window cleaner would you need to purchase versus the 1 gallon of vinegar that is going to be mixed 50/50 with water? You can see that commercial products aren’t going to last you as long as these natural alternatives and you might not be as pleased with them.

Simple Cleaning Recipes

Simple cleaning recipes
  • All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix in a spray bottle, 1 tsp. Borax, 1 tsp. Castile soap, 2 cups of warm water and 4-10 drops of lavender or a citrus essential oil – optional. Shake the ingredients up and use to clean counters, spot clean floors, toys, etc.
  • Scouring Powder: Mix 1 cup Borax,1 cup Salt, and 2 cups of Baking soda. Use this mixture to scrub tubs, toilets, and sinks. Not only does it work well but it works better than commercial products you will find on the market.
  • Bleach: This is not bleach at all but a great recipe for whitening clothes naturally. Lemon Juice, plain lemon juice. This recipe can be added into the laundry to help whiten your whites.
  • Simple Laundry detergent: Mix equal parts of Washing Soda, (not baking soda), and Borax. Add a bar of Castile soap, shredded, then use it as you would a commercial laundry detergent.
  • Window Cleaner: Fill a spray bottle half full of white vinegar and half full of water. Use this less pricey alternative to a commercial window cleaner.
  • The ingredients mentioned above and the recipes are not only less of a strain on your wallet but also less toxic alternatives. These ingredients go back to a time when all of the cleaning supplies we have available to us now did not exist. We don’t have to spend as much money as we do to keep our homes clean and we could end up with other benefits as well.

It would behoove you to take a look at the commercial products you are buying. Look at their prices and how long they are lasting you. Take a month and add up how much money you are spending on cleaning products, then try the cleaning supplies list above. Look at both records, not just for the initial cost but what they will cost you over time.

If you would like to learn more about how to clean your home for less, feel free to give us a call, we are ready to help.

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