Tag: cleaning services

Choosing the Right Vacuum Cleaner Is a Snap

Post author By Trisha Lake, Owner of TLC Cleaning
Post date February 27, 2023

sale of vacuum cleaners in a home appliance store, household vacuum cleaners on a supermarket shelf.

Vacuuming is one of the most essential household chores. It keeps your home clean and tidy and reduces allergens in the air. Choosing the right vacuum cleaner for a residence can be difficult due to the wide variety of models available on the market.

There are many factors to consider when selecting a vacuum cleaner, such as size, power, features, and price. It is essential to understand all these elements before making a purchase to ensure you make an informed decision.

Considering our experiences with our cleaning services, TLC Cleaning is knowledgeable to assist you in this endeavor.

Upright Vacuum Cleaners

Upright vacuum cleaners are the classic model of this appliance. They have an attached bag or dirt receptacle that moves with the unit.

These vacuums are the most conventional model and are easily transferred and stored. And are the most efficient at cleaning large sections of the floor quickly but also have specialized attachments for getting under furniture or into tight places.

Upright vacuum cleaners have more power and larger dust containers than smaller, handheld vacuums, meaning they can effectively clean large areas in a shorter time. Additionally, their large suction power enables them to easily pick up bigger debris, such as cereal or kibble pieces.

Canister Vacuum Cleaners

In contrast, canister vacuums have a chassis that remains more stationary on the ground, with a long hose attached to facilitate cleaning. These vacuums provide several advantages over upright models.

First and foremost, they are easier to clean with, as you only need to move the cleaning head to get the job done rather than the entire unit. Canister vacuums also tend to be quieter — not only do they generate less noise outright due to better soundproofing in the shell itself, but you will also perceive less noise due to your ears being further away from the motor.

Canister vacuums are best for stairs, where the base unit can remain stationary. At the same time, the more maneuverable head is used to easily clean small areas of flooring that would be impossible for an upright cleaner.

Handheld Vacuum Cleaners

These lightweight, compact, and easy-to-use cleaners are perfect for quickly cleaning up small messes, spills, and hard-to-reach areas like baseboards or underneath furniture. They are also highly versatile and come with various attachments, making them great at tackling many different cleanup tasks.

Although their small size makes them impractical for cleaning an entire house, this is also one of their greatest strengths. Nothing spot cleans better than a handheld vacuum. With no cord or long hose attached, they can be taken anywhere in the house or outside to a walkway or patio to quickly and easily clean up dirt and debris quickly and easily.

Having a battery attached means that a handheld vacuum can be taken anywhere; it needs to be and will always be ready for the next job at a moment’s notice if it is returned to its charger.

Robot Vacuum Cleaners

Robot vacuums are the latest advancement in home cleaning technology and offer unattended, autonomous cleaning. Their automated systems enable them to vacuum an entire room quickly and efficiently without human intervention.

Robot vacuums come with numerous sensors that measure the cleaning area’s depth, height, and width and map the area as they move, which means they can dodge furniture and detect stairs and other obstacles.

Compared to manual cleaning methods, robot vacuums also offer convenience because they can be scheduled to start at certain times during the day, so you don’t have to worry about manually turning them on or off when you’re away from home. The timer system allows users to schedule cleaning jobs according to their specific needs.

The modern designs of today’s robotic vacuums make them aesthetically pleasing so that they won’t look out of place in your living space either! Although they may be impractical for large, sudden messes, they are excellent at mitigating the slow growth of dust and dirt accumulating over time. This means you have to pull out the manual vacuums much less frequently.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Vacuum Cleaner

Ultimately, what vacuum you want to purchase comes down to what’s right for you and your home. Some things to consider are:

Price point: Typically, standard upright vacuums are the cheapest option, with robot vacuums being a higher-end supplementary option to reduce wear and tear on your normal cleaner and save you time in the long run. If time is a concern, the experts at TLC Cleaning can also help!
Floor size and layout: An upright vacuum makes the most sense if you have lots of wide-open floor space. However, a canister or handheld model makes more sense if you have stairs, nooks, crannies, or other areas that an upright vacuum cannot easily traverse.
Carpet or wood flooring: Canister vacuums have traditionally been used for hardwood flooring, while carpeting requires that the vacuum’s spinning brush dislodge dirt and dust from the fiber, which not all canister vacuums have. You’ll want to be sure that the vacuum you purchase suits the flooring in your home.
Pet hair: If you have pets, you’ll want to choose a model with higher suction power since pet hair is some of the densest material that vacuums need to pick up and can be particularly stubborn for lower-powered cleaners.

Find the Vacuum Cleaner that’s Perfect for You!

Choosing the right vacuum cleaner for your home can be a daunting task. With so many types of vacuums and models available, it’s important to consider factors such as price point, floor size and layout, flooring type, and pet hair when making this decision.

If you feel overwhelmed by all these considerations or need more time to do the research, TLC Cleaning is equipped to help you. Our team of experts will provide insight into which type of vacuum best suits your needs based on our extensive experience with various brands and models.

If you want to avail our cleaning services, we can also ensure that your floors get vacuumed in a snap with our top-of-the-line cleaning services. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help make your life easier.

Tags Choosing the right vacuum cleaner, cleaning services, Vacuum Cleaner

Cleaning Tips

4 Apartment Cleaning Tips to Get Back Your Security Deposit

Post author By Trisha Lake, Owner of TLC Cleaning
Post date August 20, 2022

Whether you live in a rented apartment, condo, or home, you must pay a security deposit before signing the lease. The property managers and landlords use the security deposit to fix any damages and clean the house once the renter moves out.

The good news is that you can still get your money back in full, provided that you meet specific requirements using these apartment cleaning tips.

Property owners appreciate it when you leave their units in good condition. While cleaning can be stressful, there is nothing more satisfying than looking at a sparkling house.

This article shares apartment cleaning tips to ensure you get back your security deposit. Give yourself peace of mind by hiring cleaning professionals for your move-out cleaning. Contact us for a free quote today.

Apartment Cleaning Tips On Different Areas of Your Home

Move-out cleaning should be stricter than the mother-in-law test if you want to get your deposit back. It is more than simply swiping a finger across a mantel. First, you need effective cleaning supplies to make your job easier and faster.

You can start by dusting ceilings and cabinets, wiping countertops, and sinks, and finally, mopping or vacuuming carpets and floors.

Clean From Top to Bottom

When cleaning your apartment, cleaning from top to bottom is essential to ensure that dirt and dust fall to the ground. It saves you time and energy from multiple vacuuming. The first step to deep cleaning your home is removing cobwebs and dusting. You can:

Clear cobwebs from corners and ceilings
Dust ceiling fan, light fixtures, and ledges to remove dust and dirt
Wipe dust from surfaces such as bookcases, shelving, dressers, doors, and curtain rails.
Repaint or remove dirty stains from walls and baseboards
Thoroughly vacuum blinds
Clean and polish mirrors.

Tackling The Bathroom

Bathrooms are some of the tiniest parts of a home but are the least desirable and time-consuming to clean. You must clean the sinks, cabinets, toilet, tiles, and shower. Remember to clean the toilet from top to bottom to avoid spreading germs. Also, ensure to ventilate when using bleach properly.

Here is a step-by-step process of making your bathroom spotless:

Use the disinfectant cleaning spray and microfiber cloth to wipe down the sink and counters. Make a paste of vinegar and baking soda to remove stains from the grout.
Scrub the tub or shower using vinegar and dish soap to eliminate mold and build-up.
Wipe down the mirrors with a glass cleaner and thoroughly polish
When it comes to the toilet, you can use a toilet brush and cleaner to scrub the inside and remove hard water stains.
Antibacterial wipes are your best friend when it comes to wiping down the toilet seat
Finally, clear all the debris from the floor using a vacuum or broom and mop the bathroom floors using soapy water.

Apartment Cleaning Tips for Your Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most used areas in a home. However, you probably won’t make frequent meals during the last week before moving. This is the best time to start making your kitchen sparkle.

You can hire cleaning services like TLC cleaning professionals to save you from the hassle of cleaning and make your move stress-free.

Here are our apartment cleaning tips if you prefer cleaning the kitchen yourself:

Clear out and clean kitchen cupboard, shelves, and drawers
Throw away food leftovers
Clean windows and wipe down the frames, sills, and ledges
Remove molds and discoloration from the grout, wash and polish the wall tiles
Scrub, rinse, and shine kitchen sinks, faucets, countertops, and worktops
Scrub and polish gas rings and control knobs
Clean the microwave by heating the water and vinegar mixture for a few minutes, and then wipe using a microfiber cloth.
Deep clean the fridge using dish soap, vinegar, and water.
Take the trash out and sanitize the garbage bins
Lastly, mop and polish the kitchen floor.

DIY Oven Cleaning

The oven is one of the places that is mostly ignored when it comes to deep cleaning. That means it’s also one of the places likely to deny your security deposit by the time you’re moving out.

The best apartment cleaning tip to make your oven sparkle is using a mixture of baking soda and water to clean.

Baking soda is an excellent cleaning agent because it is mildly abrasive. As a result, it helps eliminate sticky food stains in the oven. It also removes greasy stains and leaves the oven spotless. After washing the oven with the baking soda and water mixture, rinse it using a wet piece of cloth.

TLC Cleaning Services for The Best End of Tenancy Cleaning

As cleaning professionals, we understand how energy and time-consuming cleaning an entire house can be. We provide cleaning services in Fargo, including Grand Forks, Detroit Lakes, Wahpeton, and Jamestown.

If you dream of walking into an immaculate house without taking the time or effort, TLC Cleaning is ready to help. Call us today for weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly cleaning to keep your space sparkling while you focus on things that matter, like family, career, and friends.

Tags bathroom cleaning, cleaning services, cleaning tips, kitchen cleaning

Cleaning Products Cleaning Tips Deep Cleaning General Cleaning Winter Cleaning

12 Reasons to Give the Gift of Cleaning Services

Post author By Trisha Lake, Owner of TLC Cleaning
Post date December 29, 2018
No Comments on 12 Reasons to Give the Gift of Cleaning Services

The holidays are here. With the merriment and cheer that accompanies them, also come messes, no time for cleaning, and added stress. While the holidays are a time of togetherness, giving, joy, and peace, sometimes there are also some not-so-fun elements that inevitably follow.

Finding time to enjoy the season and all of the wonderful activities like baking, looking at lights, and entertaining guests can be hard to fit in with your regular daily responsibilities and housework. Cleaning your house ends up taking a backseat to the fun of the holidays, and you might find yourself getting quickly behind on deep cleaning and even keeping the house presentable in general. If only you could ask Santa Claus for cleaning services for Christmas!

Give the Gift That Keeps On Giving

Do you have someone special in your life who could use an incredible Christmas gift this year? Someone who could benefit from cleaning services? If you are looking for something helpful and amazing to gift someone with, consider offering them a cleaning service.

TLC Cleaning can provide your loved one with either a deep cleaning to start the New Year off right and clean up after Christmas, or maintenance cleaning services throughout the year. Whichever you choose to go with, the special someone in your life will be blown away with your generosity and thoughtfulness.

If you are wondering why cleaning services would make the perfect gift, check out these twelve reasons and get ready to play Santa. The lucky recipient will be like a kid on, well, Christmas morning when they discover they’re getting a cleaning service from you.

On The First Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me

A year of maintenance cleanings from TLC!

Whether once a month, twice a month, or every week, the gift of maintenance cleaning service is sure to please anyone. Looking to relieve some stress and free up some time for a spouse? We guarantee this gift will exceed any expectations your special someone had for Christmas gifts.

On The Second Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me

Two clean bathrooms!

Cleaning the bathroom is likely your least favorite job. With a professional cleaning service, you won’t have to worry about scrubbing the floors, the countertops or the toilet. The mirrors will sparkle, and the tubs and showers will gleam.

On The Third Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me

Three clean floors!

Whether vacuuming the carpet or sweeping and mopping tile or wood floors, your floors are a tough job to keep up on. A cleaning service can step in and take care of the deep cleaning when it comes to keeping your floors looking beautiful.

On The Fourth Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me

Four wiped-down counters!

Cleaning the surfaces in your cooking areas makes the whole kitchen shine and look incredible. Disinfecting and wiping away crumbs and stains will keep your home clean and neat.

On The Fifth Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me

Five rooms of dusting!

Dusting can be time-consuming and tedious. A cleaning service can handle all of those hard-to-reach places and keep everything in your home looking sharp and dust-free. Leave the dusting to the professionals and kick back and relax instead of fretting over the dust in your home.

On The Sixth Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me

Six hours of freedom every week!

The time you will be able to save your loved ones by gifting them with cleaning services is invaluable. Whether it is a once a month treat or a weekly occurrence, the gift of time is unique and thoughtful. You’ll be freeing someone up to enjoy their family, spend time on hobbies, or relax.

On The Seventh Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me

Seven hours of deep cleaning!

Instead of gifting someone with recurring cleaning services, you could consider booking a professional deep cleaning service as a one-time treat. Easier on your gift-giving budget but still an incredible gift for your loved one, deep cleaning services will start their New Year off right with a thoroughly clean home. Maybe your loved one has been struggling with how to deep clean a house. Take the stress away and give the gift of an in-depth cleaning service.

On The Eighth Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me

Eight appliances shining!

When trying to keep your home tidy, you might forget about your refrigerator, oven, microwave, washer and dryer, and the rest of your appliances. A professional cleaning service won’t overlook these areas and will get them looking amazing.

On The Ninth Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me

Nine carpets are cleaned!

Nothing says clean like stain-free carpets. Let the professionals remove stubborn stains and clean up all the high traffic grim — especially, the often forgotten area rugs. The house doesn’t feel clean unless the carpets are clean.

On The Tenth Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me

Ten minutes to myself!

Ten minutes is definitely on the short side. Professional cleaning services should provide you with plenty of extra time to wind down and have some much needed time for yourself!

On The Eleventh Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me

Eleven baseboards washed!

Baseboards often take a backseat to the rest of the upkeep of your home, as you simply run out of time to complete the detail-intensive chores like this. Don’t worry; a professional cleaning service will take care of them for you.

On The Twelfth Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me

Twelve months of cleaning!

Give the gift that will keep on giving year-round with maintenance professional cleaning services. Beyond a clean house, the gift of time, relaxation, and peace of mind will provide for happiness and enjoyment for twelve months out of the year. Your friend or loved one will appreciate the thoughtfulness and generosity, whether you give a one-time deep cleaning or a set schedule for the year. A clean house is a welcome gift and will be sure to impress.

So if merriment is what you desire this year, give TLC Cleaning a call. We can arrange the perfect gift for any recipient.

Tags cleaning services

Deep Cleaning

7 Reasons You Need Professional Deep Cleaning Services

Post author By Trisha Lake, Owner of TLC Cleaning
Post date November 9, 2018
No Comments on 7 Reasons You Need Professional Deep Cleaning Services

Imagine the typical evening in your home. Your spouse is impatiently awaiting dinner, the baby is teething, and you’re operating on 4 or less hours of sleep. There is homework to do, activities to rush kids to, and of course, the never-ending barrage of household chores.

The bathroom hasn’t really been cleaned in a couple of weeks, and let’s face it, you’re starting to worry about it becoming a biohazard. The kids have been writing their requests for dinner in the dust on the window sills, not to mention the smell coming from under the kitchen sink is more than unbearable.

Overwhelmed and defeated, you realize the house will never look like the ones on your favorite DIY television shows. Now instead imagine that you can reach out and call TLC Cleaning and schedule professional deep cleaning services. Suddenly the stress of life is alleviated as you enjoy your immaculate kitchen, fresh bathrooms, and dust-free home.

If you value your time as much as most people, here are seven reasons you need professional deep cleaning services from TLC Cleaning.

1. Time is Valuable

We all know how vital time is in our busy schedules. Whether you work outside the house, from home, or your work is taking care of your family, the time you get to spend with loved ones and doing the things you enjoy is precious.

There are never enough hours in the day it seems, and the last thing anyone wants to do is spend what little time they have on cleaning the house. However, living in a mess can also add stress and discomfort while at home.

The options may seem limited: spend too much time cleaning and therefore not enough time with your family and friends or doing the things you love, or live in a disorganized, messy house that will eventually wear on your peace of mind. Fortunately, there is a third option with professional deep cleaning.

2. Leave Behind the Tasks You Can’t Stand

We aren’t just talking necessary cleaning, here. With professional deep cleaning, you won’t have to worry about cleaning the inside of your garbage can out anymore, or the tedious job of cleaning the blinds.

How about the jobs that you never seem to quite finish, like dusting everything or washing your baseboards? How about the jobs you despise, like cleaning the inside and outside of your washer and dryer? Or scrubbing your shower and bathtub?

Leave those hated tasks to the professionals, who will not only do them for you but will do such an excellent job; you won’t even recognize your own sparkling home.

3. Attention to Detail

Do you ever feel when you are cleaning that you are either so rushed, or so unhappy about the tasks at hand that you don’t do the best job on them? With professional deep cleaning services, the attention to detail will shine through in everything they do. The tasks that you used to rush through and leave half done will instead be thoroughly complete.

Chores around the house that you wouldn’t even think of, or at least wouldn’t think you’d ever have time for, will be completed with expertise and care.

Besides, no one wants to clean their bathroom floors by hand. Leave that to the professionals, and enjoy an immaculately cleaned home.

4. Sanitize and Sterilize

Even the most meticulous of neat freaks may occasionally miss an area in the house that requires some extra attention, leaving it open for bacteria and germs. Deep cleaning will ensure that your surfaces are clean and healthy for everyone in the home.

You will be able to rest assured that every area in your home has been thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. On top of looking amazing, your home will leave you feeling fresh and squeaky clean.

5. Keep Up on the Little Things

Perhaps you don’t need someone to clean your home weekly or even monthly. Maybe you’re willing and able to make time for household upkeep, or perhaps you even enjoy it. With a professional deep cleaning, you can jump-start a routine of keeping up on the smaller, day to day upkeep of your home.

Once the professionals come in and take care of the dirty work for you, you will have a clean slate that will make it easier for you to maintain. Instead of scrubbing every nook and cranny, you can focus on keeping your home clutter-free, and the day to day chores.

6. Leave the Cleaning Supplies Shopping Behind

No need to worry about keeping your home stocked with every cleaner, device, and solution known to man. The professionals will supply everything needed to thoroughly clean your house, allowing you to stock the necessities for weekly upkeep.

Their products will be top of the line, effective, and the right stuff to make sure your home is clean from top to bottom. No more worrying about making sure you have every little item when you swing by the grocery store, the professionals will have you covered.

7. Relax and Be Happy

A clean house makes for a fresh mind and attitude. Relaxing and feeling at peace comes easy when you have order in your home. Instead of worrying and stressing about the endless list of household chores, you can revel in the calm and cleanliness of your home after an in-depth cleaning.

Restoring order and organization will make it a lot easier to unwind, enjoy, and feel free to do the things you love. Checking these huge tasks off of your to-do list will be such a relief, the only thing left will be to relax while at home.

Repeat it… Your Time is Valuable

We can’t emphasize enough that your time is valuable. Professional in-depth cleaning services will free your time up and enable you to feel relaxed when at home. There is nothing better than enjoying a thoroughly cleaned house in the midst of the stress and craziness of everyday life.

Spend quality time with your loved ones instead of fanatically trying to clean the house with every free moment you have. Reach out to TLC Cleaning to give you the freedom and relaxation you deserve. You might even discover that you’re interested in a maintenance schedule for your housekeeping, which will truly allow you to enjoy every moment.

Tags cleaning services, deep cleaning

Commercial cleaning Deep Cleaning Floor Care General Cleaning Move-In/ Move-Out Cleaning New Construction Cleaning Office

What to Look for When Hiring a Cleaning Company

Post author By Trisha Lake, Owner of TLC Cleaning
Post date August 10, 2018
No Comments on What to Look for When Hiring a Cleaning Company

Hiring a cleaning service can take a significant amount of weight off your shoulders. Let’s face it: finding the time to clean through the daily hustle can take a lot of our time when it should be spent relaxing with our loved ones. Cleaning services can help increase the time we have to enjoy life and decrease the germs we have in our homes. However, how do you know the company you hire is legitimate and qualified to do the work they’re advertising? And what exactly do they do when clean your house?

Don’t pick up the phone to book a cleaning service until you do your research and ask questions. Here are some things to ask before hiring a company specializing in home and office cleaning.

How Do You Determine Your Rates?

Not all cleaning services charge you the same way. Some may charge by the hour and others by the project. Numerous companies will charge an hourly rate for the first visit and then set a price for each service after that depending on the condition of your home and how long they spent there.

If they charge by the hour only, you may want to find a cleaning company that lets you limit the amount of time they spend in your home. Companies also refer to it as a “not to exceed this price” clause.

Ask them to give you an estimate based on how long they think it will take to clean your home. They often make it off of the condition, length of time spent there, how frequently they come, and what they clean when they’re there.

Do Your Employees Undergo Background Checks as Part of the Hiring Process?

Usually, established businesses will perform background checks for all their employees. However, if you hire an independent cleaner, it might be up to you to obtain a background check. The cleaning service should be able to tell you if they’ll send the same person to your house for every visit.

Background checks are necessary because, in today’s world, you don’t want to let just anyone into your home. You want to be able to not only trust the company but the staff they send to perform the work as well.

Do You Have Workers’ Compensation?

This question is necessary so that you avoid being liable in case anyone obtains an injury on your property. Most companies offer workman’s compensation to their employees that pay state, federal, and social security taxes. Some companies hire contractors instead, and they won’t be eligible.

Are You Bonded and Insured?

Liability insurance and bond is something that professional cleaning companies will carry and have a policy for just in case any of your property gets damaged or stolen on their watch. It adds a touch of comfort and peace of mind knowing that they will replace your items if anything should happen.

If there’s anything in your home that requires special care, let them know.

How Will You Get in My Business or House?

There are a few different options to give the cleaners access to your location. Most cleaners don’t require you to be present when they clean. You can:

Leave a spare key under the mat.
Grant access using a keypad.
Plan to be home.
Give the company a spare key.
Ensure a trusted employee will be there to let them in and monitor their activities.

Whichever you choose make sure that both you and the cleaner are comfortable with the plan.

What Services Do They Provide and Which Do They Include?

Ask them about the services they include in their regular visits. You might also ask them about any specialized services they offer as well such as green cleaning, or area rug cleaning. Specify what you need them to do the most. Do you need help with dusting or should they mop the floors and clean the bathroom too? It’s essential for both parties to understand because it could affect the price of the housekeeping services.

How Do You Train Your Employees?

Ensuring that their employees have undergone a significant amount of training is essential to know that they will provide you with stellar results. Ask about what types of training they offer their employees and what their policies are for hiring people. You can also ask who trains them and how often their training is updated.

Do You Have Any References?

Find out if they have a list of references they can give you that vouch for the type of service they provide. Most companies and housekeeping services will keep some reviews from their customers on file.

What Types of Certifications Do You Have?

Legitimate cleaning services are required to obtain specific certifications to operate their business. Ask to see proof of their Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIVIS), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance, and CMS Green Building. All of these certifications will protect you and your home and save you from getting into costly legal trouble.

What Should I Do With My Pet?

If you have animals in your home or place of business, then this is something to ask and information to disclose with the company. Some people may be allergic or just frightened of individual animals. If you’re not going to be at home when the cleaner comes, you may want to take the time to introduce them before the initial visit. Sometimes you’ll have to put them in a crate or find a safe spot outside to leave them until you get home.

You should also check to see if they charge an extra fee for cleaning a home with animals.

Don’t choose the first company you find or the one that has the lowest price. Do your research and ask them these questions if applicable to your unique situation to ensure that the company is the right fit for you and your home.

If you’re located in or around Fargo, North Dakota and in need of residential or commercial cleaning TLC Cleaning Service is the number one cleaning company for the area. Visit their website or call us to get an estimate today.

Tags cleaning services, maid services

Cleaning Tips General Cleaning

A Clean house Creates a Sanctuary to Recharge

Post author By Trisha Lake, Owner of TLC Cleaning
Post date July 3, 2018
No Comments on A Clean house Creates a Sanctuary to Recharge

When we buy homes or move into apartments, we think of them as places we can come and relax after a long day at work. Our Sanctuaries, our places of refuge. The one place we can hide from the world and just… be. It doesn’t matter what our lifestyle is; whether we are working out of the home, working in the home and raising children, or even going through the stress that life brings each day, we want a place where we can walk through the door and unwind. We NEED a place where we can do this.

Then we walk into our homes, or look around, and what do we see? More work to do. No time to rest. No peaceful sanctuary. Why? Sometimes our homes aren’t “the clean” that is needed to get that deep relaxation we want. But the beautiful thing about this is that our homes are things we can change. We can make them the sanctuaries we need them to be. Not only that, but we can create habits that help us keep our homes restful retreats and not another place of chaos in our lives.
It’s time to get ready to create and maintain your recharge sanctuary. Our idea and your idea of what is needed may be different, but as you read through the tips below take what you need and run with it.

Declutter, Clean, and Get a Routine

SET A CLEANING ROUTINE:The best place to start, when it comes to cleaning, is in your mind. What do you want, what is your end goal? What are you willing to do to get there? What are you willing to do to stay there, and even get there a lot quicker? Walking into a clean home every day is everyone’s dream and, for the most part, it is possible. But having a sanctuary will not be an accident. Answer the questions above and once you have a mental picture, start bringing it into reality.

Once you do the major work and get things set up you can create a cleaning routine that should take you less than 20 minutes a day to maintain and keep up with your cleaning goals. There are simple things like put the dishes in the dishwasher right away instead of stacking them in the sink, or washing clothes when you have a basket full instead of when they are thrown all over the house. Spot mop the floor instead of waiting until every floor is filthy. 20 minutes a day will prevent your sanctuary becoming another stressor by mid-week.

Remember, a little bit each day is all you need to keep your home the place you want it to be, the place where you relax, and recharge your body and soul from the rest of the world.

Throw it Away

This is the part where a lot of people stop, but what they don’t realize is a home is a place you live, not a storage area for things you don’t use. A clean house starts with removing the unused items that clutter our space. Would you go to a spa or retreat that was full of unnecessary “items”? Would you pay to go to a place full of junk to unwind and relax? Of course not! Then why would you think your home can become the place where you can truly recharge when it is full of clutter? It can’t.

Simply put, if you don’t use it or you don’t love it, you don’t need it. If it used to be your great-great-aunt Hattie’s but doesn’t fit in with the “use it or love it” category, it needs to go. You can give it away to charity, sell it, or store it away from your haven, but something else needs to happen – it can’t stay.

Extra unneeded furniture can not only be clutter but become places where more clutter lands. That old desk in the corner becomes the place where you toss junk mail, bills, kids toys that you pick up off the floor, papers that need to make their way to the trash, or the filing cabinet. If you get rid of things in your home that you don’t need, and that have become homes for other clutter, it will help you decrease the mess in your home.

If that table is just sitting in your home because it’s there, or the chair has no other use than to house other clutter, then it’s making your home more difficult to clean, and it’s increasing the chaos that you are trying to decrease.

What About Those Cords?

We can get everything set up perfectly. We can have a cleaning routine that works, and we can master decluttering. Then we notice the myriad of cords, instantly decreasing the serenity we have worked to create. But guess what? We can keep all of the electronics we love and are using, without having to be visually assaulted with cords tangled all over the place. There are a lot of wonderful products out there that can help us get our chaotic cords under control, and the nice thing is this: once we have them contained, we don’t have to do it again any time soon.

Smells Matter

What do you smell in an expensive spa? Instantly, they make you feel as if you can relax your mind and calm your spirit. You can do the same thing in your home. Get an essential oil diffuser and a few essential oils and bring that calm right into your home. Clean house, clean air, clean mind. Simple.

You may look in your front door and feel like your home is just too much to tackle. Don’t let your ability to have a clean house stop at what you see. If you need help getting or keeping your house the sanctuary you are looking for, give us a call and let us do the work for you.

Tags cleaning services

Cleaning Products Cleaning Tips

Cleaning Supplies List That Reduces Your Home Expense

Post author By Trisha Lake, Owner of TLC Cleaning
Post date July 3, 2018
No Comments on Cleaning Supplies List That Reduces Your Home Expense

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:

(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

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.

Tags Cleaning Products, cleaning services, cleaning tools

Commercial cleaning Move-In/ Move-Out Cleaning New Construction Cleaning

Post-Construction Cleaning Checklist

Post author By Trisha Lake, Owner of TLC Cleaning
Post date June 25, 2018
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Construction can be an exciting time but often leaves quite the mess behind. Before you can kick up your heels and enjoy your new space, you need to do a marathon clean or hire someone like TLC Cleaning to do it for you. This checklist will help you get the cleaning knocked out as fast as possible.

Construction dust can get anywhere, and needs to be removed before it makes the home (and newly renovated space) look dim, dingy and old. Never mind before it gets into the air ducts! You don’t want to be breathing construction dust for the rest of your time there. The dust explosion can happen no matter the size of the project, so to be safe, always follow this post construction cleaning checklist after any home renovations.

Vacuum Carpets and Upholstery

Vacuum all soft fabrics, including curtains, sofa, and carpet to maximize the amount of dust you collect. Vacuuming can prevent the irritating dust from settling into your furniture and potentially causing irritation or allergies to your family or company. Plus, it will brighten the fabrics to have all that dust off. You may have to vacuum more than once to get all the dust and make sure that you are paying attention to details when you vacuum, such as removing couch cushions, doilies, and other decorative items.

Wipe Down Hard Surfaces

Clean all hard surfaces from the top down, moving around the room as you do so. Start by wiping the dust off your walls, as even the walls collect dust from construction and renovation projects. This dust can stick to the paint and make the whole room look dirty, so avoid that by giving the walls a good wash. Make sure you get any moldings or baseboards and test whatever cleaning product you plan on using in a small area first, though a dry or damp cloth should be all you need. Cabinets and hardwood furniture need to be wiped down as well and don’t forget the interior shelves. Dust can get in there and stick in the corners, so make sure you wipe out every bit of dust you can find. Tackle any hardwood floors to finish, mopping and sweeping to ensure all the construction debris gets cleaned up. No spot mopping on this one, mop from wall to wall.

Clean Air Vents & Replace Filters

You do not want construction dust ruining all the cleaning you’re doing when you finally turn on the air, and you don’t want the renovation dust to stay with you forever. Cleaning out the air vents and replacing the filters will go a long way towards keeping the dust down in your house, which can also help prevent allergies and other respiratory problems. Clean the front of the air vent with warm, soapy water and allow to dry thoroughly before replacing. Change any exposed filters for fresh ones.

The Little Things

Don’t forget all the little things you have in your house. Mirrors, light fixtures, electronics, small appliances, decorative items and much more. All of these can collect the dust from your renovation, making the new space look filthy instead of the brand new, relaxing area you wanted. Film on light bulbs can make them less effective and cause them to give off an unpleasant odor when turned on. Make sure the electricity is turned off before dusting bulbs and fixtures. Also check closets and drawers for the sneaky construction debris, cleaning any in the immediate vicinity and checking others nearby.

Make sure that you wipe down any large appliances in the room, front and top. If you can see the sides, wipe those down too. Don’t forget your light switches and any other switches either. Door knobs can be another place to wipe down, as they also get dusty. Wipe down the window blinds, as well as any fans in the room. The fans will blow all that dust right back into the room if you don’t. Electronics should only be wiped down with a damp (not wet!) cloth. Mirrors should be cleaned as usual, though it may take more than one round to clean them thoroughly – and don’t forget the frame if the mirror has one.

Windows & Doors

Windows are excellent dust collectors, especially the frames. The same thing with doors, they are excellent dust collectors as well. Make sure you wipe down all windows and doors in the area, including frames and window sills. You may have to wipe them down more than once to make them shine again. Use a soft paintbrush to get the dust out of the track on tracked doors and windows.

Exterior Cleanup

Walk the perimeter of your house to ensure that there are no drop cloths, nails or other debris laying on your lawn or driveway. Clean any walkways and the driveway if involved in the construction project, perhaps even with a pressure washer for a good clean, but a garden hose will suffice if you don’t have a pressure washer handy.

Fireplaces

If you have a fireplace, make sure that you give it a good cleaning while you are working on the rest of the room, as dust and debris can settle in all the nooks and crannies. Depending on the type of fireplace you have, you may want to wipe it down with a damp cloth, vacuum it out, or use special cleaners. However you would typically clean it is fine.

Always start cleaning from the top down to clear out the dust and other debris from your renovation project. Cleaning from the top down ensures you get all the dust, as things in the air settle to the ground. What you clean will depend on the room, and how far the renovation dust has spread. This post construction cleaning checklist should get you started cleaning and on the path to that relaxing new room or space.

Too busy to do it yourself? Give TLC Cleaning a call! We can do it for you.

Tags cleaning services, commercial cleaning, new construction cleaning

Cleaning Tips General Cleaning

What is The Benefit of Home Cleaning Services?

Post author By Trisha Lake, Owner of TLC Cleaning
Post date June 17, 2018
No Comments on What is The Benefit of Home Cleaning Services?

What is the benefit of home cleaning service?

Cleaning is an inevitable part of life. There’s always going to be a mess. Whether it’s dust on your picture frames or spilled red juice on your cream colored carpet, maintaining a clean home can be challenging. It can often feel like you’re running in place with the constant wiping, sweeping, and washing.

Or, maybe you’re a business owner who struggles to find employees that clean the office. Perhaps they don’t want to clean the bathrooms, and you end up doing it yourself. Having to clean your business at the end of the day can be exhausting.

When you hire a cleaning service, you regain the time and energy you spent by letting them do the grunt work for you. You can go back to spending your weekends doing what you love with who you love. You can get home from work and relax. You can go home at the closing time instead of cleaning your business.

Keep reading to see just a few benefits home cleaning services have to offer.

Taking Back Your Time

It’s no secret that cleaning consumes a lot of time for the average person. The time that often our families and ourselves need more. How many times have you found yourself vacuuming the floor instead of playing dress up with your kids? I bet all too often you wish you could sit back and relax to watch television but the dust on the screen is too distracting. Daily cleaning is a must, but how many hours do you have to spend washing dishes and mopping floors before something else can capture your attention?

If you hire a cleaning service, you don’t have to spend any hours cleaning. Unless, of course, you want to, but who wants to do that besides us? And, to be fair, we do get paid to do it for you. So, who wants to do that for free? Not very many people we know. Let us do it for you so that you can spend time with the ones who matter the most.

Your house will be here for many decades, but your children will grow and so will you. Take advantage of your time with them and leave the cleaning to us.

Deeper Clean

How often do you deep clean your house? I’m talking about scrubbing the baseboards and washing your blinds clean. Probably not too frequently. When you hire a cleaning service, they will get every nook and cranny of your house every time they come. Say goodbye to the cobweb in the corner of the living room that’s been there for months and the dirt under your area rug. We are cleaning professionals, and we have a keen eye for all things dirty. You won’t find scum in your bathtub or built up dust behind your curtains after we leave.

Maintaining Cleanliness Without Presence

Wondering when you’ll even have time for someone to come clean your home? One of the advantages of hiring a cleaning service is that you don’t have to be there. As long as you give us permission and access, we can clean your house while you work, go on vacation, run errands, or whatever else you might need to do. When you get home, the trash will be taken out, dishes finished, floors mopped, toilets cleaned, and whatever else you needed doing. Coming home to a sparkling house that you didn’t have to put any effort into is a feeling like no other.

Enjoying Your Home

Continually cleaning your house can rob you of the enjoyment of being there. A house is not a home until you make it one. Relentless sweeping and scrubbing don’t do the trick. It’s the laughter of tickling your kids and rolling around the floor with them before dinner. It’s the slow dancing in the kitchen with your partner after everyone’s gone to bed. It’s when you get up in the middle of the night to sneak a piece of that chocolate cake that you swore you weren’t going to eat. It’s the little things in life that make your house your home. Don’t miss those precious moments because you have too much to clean. Let a cleaning service like TLC Cleaning tackle the job.

Stress Less

It can be challenging to keep up with the everyday demands of life. Cleaning is just another thing to add to your to-do list. Between work, soccer practice, and after-school rehearsals, cleaning is hard to squeeze in. Don’t stress. Call a cleaning company to clean up while you’re gone doing all of those things. Then that’s one less thing you have to do at the end of the day. After dinner, leave the dishes and cozy up to that movie you’ve been dying to watch but never have the time to, and we’ll take care of the mess the next day.

A Clean You Can Count On

We don’t just clean your house; we make sure it’s cleaned right and to your satisfaction. We’ll be there when we say we will and won’t overlook any small details. We’ll make it shine where you didn’t think it was possible. Like, behind your washing machine or in your oven. Your bathroom shower tiles will be so shiny that they’ll look like a mirror. Maybe that’s an exaggeration, but they really will leave you with a clean you can count on being done correctly. If you’re not completely satisfied with the services, please let us know so we understand where we can make improvements.

When you hire a cleaning service, you get so much more than a clean house. You get time back to spend with your loved ones. You get the peace of mind knowing that you can relax in your home. You get comfort in knowing that cleaning doesn’t have to consume a good portion of your everyday activities. Life is short, so don’t waste it with a mop in your hand. Instead, call a cleaning service. If you live in Fargo, North Dakota, call TLC Cleaning for all your dirty jobs.

Tags cleanign schedule, cleaning services

Bathroom Carpet Care Commercial cleaning Deep Cleaning Floor Care General Cleaning Kitchen Move-In/ Move-Out Cleaning New Construction Cleaning Office

What to Expect with House Cleaning Services

Post author By Trisha Lake, Owner of TLC Cleaning
Post date June 8, 2018
No Comments on What to Expect with House Cleaning Services

How much time do you spend cleaning your house? Wouldn’t it be nice to come home to a clean home after work and relax? That is precisely the satisfaction that Trisha Lake from TLC Cleaning strives to achieve.

As a wife and mom of three children, she understands the value of time. She knows that making memories is more important than maintaining a clean home. However, cleanliness is still on your priority list. That’s why Trisha and her team offer excellent service, a thorough clean, and the lowest prices in Fargo, North Dakota.

The team of qualified and experienced cleaners works diligently to get every nook and cranny, from the dust on your light fixtures to the soap scum in the bathtub. TLC Cleaning provides the residents and business owners of Fargo and surrounding areas with a variety of house cleaning services.

Form your expectations about hiring a company for your house cleaning from the top cleaning service in Fargo, North Dakota.

Residential Cleaning

When you hire TLC Cleaning, you’ll come home to a house that sparkles. That’s right; you don’t even have to be there for them to clean. They understand that life can get busy and they want to give you time back to spend with doing what you love with who you love. So, go to work, on vacation, or cookout at the local park on Saturday. Before you leave, make sure the cleaners have access to your home, and then you don’t have to worry about the dishes in the sink or the trash when you get back.

Every house has a different layout; therefore they ask that you fill out an estimate form. Please tell them what types of things you need them to clean, how often you want them to come, any special instructions, and more so that they can provide you with optimal service and pricing.

Make cleaning your house simple and hire TLC Cleaning to do it for you.

Commercial Services

Not only does TLC provide services to the residents in Fargo, but they clean for businesses as well. They clean several types of commercial properties including offices and restaurants. They will clean, bathrooms, waiting areas, kitchens, and more.

When you hire them to take care of your needs, you’ll receive a clean that satisfies your employees and welcomes your customers.

Carpet Cleaning

Has your carpet seen better days? TLC can make it look like you just had it installed. With their unique technology and formula cleaning detergent, they can save you the money you’d spend on installing new carpet throughout your home. They’ll do one room or the whole house. Not only will they clean your carpets, but they’ll also deodorize them as well. They offer roto vac and dye removal service. If you have cloth blinds, they’ll make sure those are in pristine condition before leaving also.

So, they clean carpets, but what about area rugs?

Area Rug Cleaning

Cleaning your carpet is a very different process from cleaning that beloved area rug. It’s much more careful and precise. You must make sure that the fibers in the material aren’t broken down, and the quality of your rug remains intact. TLC Cleaning offers truck mounted steam cleaning. Starting at $1.50 per square foot, they will prolong the life of your rug for many years to come.

Rug cleaning includes:

Scotch Guard
Deodorizers
Pet Urine Treatments
Dye Stain Removal

Don’t throw out that rug just yet. Give it back its youth with TLC Cleaning.

Move In/Move Out Cleaning

Moving is stressful. Between packing, transferring services, getting used to the new area and a zillion other things, cleaning doesn’t have to be another stressor. It doesn’t matter if your moving in or out of your home, cleaning it up can be a challenge.

Let’s face it; you probably have months of gunk caked to the inside of your oven or dust all over the top of your refrigerator. Dirt and grime can accumulate quickly, and with the hustle of everyday life, cleaning often gets pushed to the back burner (pun intended). TLC Cleaning wants to help you get settled into your new home with one less thing to stress over. That’s why they provide move in and move out cleaning.

Check one thing off your to-do list. TLC’s got it handled.

New Construction Cleaning

If you have a home or business you’ve just had constructed, you might think that since it’s new that everything will be clean. Hate to break it to you my friend, but that’s far from the truth. When you first walk into your property, you’ll notice dust, dirty floors, counters, window sills, and more. The last thing you have time for is deep cleaning the entire building. On a positive note, you don’t have to if you call TLC Cleaning.

Cleaning will be one less thing you have to do before moving or opening day.

How You’ll Feel After

Aside from just cleaning your house, TLC wants you to be able to enjoy your home and your life. They hope that you’ll feel relieved when you walk through the door after a long day at work to find that the trash was already taken out and the floors vacuumed. They want you to be able to sit down on the couch on Friday night to relax while binge-watching your favorite shows on Netflix with your family without staring at the dust on the ceiling fan and thinking about the dirty dishes in the sink that you need to wash.

You shouldn’t have to choose between keeping a clean home and making memories. That’s why TLC exists.

Whether you realize it or not, having a company like TLC clean your home can be a tremendous gift. Especially if you’re the one that usually does it all. Take a load off and hire someone to do the grunt work for you.

Life is short, busy, and full of surprises. TLC Cleaning is waiting for you to take back your life.

Call today to schedule your first appointment.

Tags cleaning schedule, cleaning services