13 Ultimate Steps to Cleaning Your Kitchen Properly

Cleaning By Mari Blog

Posted By Cleaning By Mari on 04/16/2016

The kitchen is the center and heart of every home in West Pam Beach. From breakfast to lunch to dinner, it is the most functional room in the house, especially if you have a busy home with relatives. The room is used to cook food, store food and sometimes even do laundry. For some homes, the kitchen is also used as an entrance to the back garden where pets spend most of their time at home. This typically means that it can get dirty very fast. If neglected aside from the normal wiping down and washing up, the place can easily get out of hand. That is why keeping it hygienic and clean is very important.

Here are 13 easy tips on how to clean a kitchen properly:

Step 1

Clear the counters of any material that does not belong. i.e. Cookbooks, straggling mail, permission slips, etc...

Step 2

Fill the sink with warm water and some dish soap. Drop in any items that need soaking, like the dish rack, the microwave turntable and the crisper drawer from the fridge.

Step 3 - Clean the refrigerator

Empty the refrigerator. Toss any item that is expired. Drop dirty food storage containers into the sink to soak. Working from inside to outside, wipe down the shelves with a damp rag or spirited with nontoxic multipurpose cleaner.

Step 4

Dust high zones, knocking debris and dirt to the floor. Start above the sink and work your way around cleaning light fixtures, tops of cabinets and upper corners using a telescoping duster. Clean the top of the refrigerator too.

Step 5

Clean the upper cabinets and anything else mounted on walls including the microwave. Spray the interior of the microwave with a multi-purpose cleaner and let it sit for about 2 minutes. With a soapy and damp cloth, wipe down the exterior part. If it is made of a stainless steel material, use a damp cloth moistened with white vinegar to clean any marks including fingerprints. Next wipe the pulls and the doors of the cabinets and anything else including vent grates, hooks and frames.

Step 6

Back to the microwave. The 2 minutes are up by now. Wipe the solution gently from inside using a dry piece of cloth. It is okay if the crumbs fall to the floor or stove. Next spray the stovetop with a multipurpose cleaner and allow it to sit for about 5 minutes. If it has stubborn stains, you can add powdered scrub.

Step 7

Hand wash everything soaking in the sink or load them into the dishwasher. But do not drain the sink yet.

Step 8

Clean the stove-top with a dry and clean cloth and again let the crumbs fall to the floor, it will be easier to get them at the end. When you are done, change the cloth so as to avoid transferring the grease to another surface.

Step 9

Clean the stand mixer, toaster, coffeemaker and other appliances from the top to bottom using an all-purpose formula or a glass cleaner. Dip any appliance trays, grease catchers or trays in the warm and soapy water in the sink. Then rinse and dry.

Step 10

Scrub counter-tops in circular motions using a cleaner that is formulated for the surface.

Step 11

Wipe the front of the dishwasher, the fridge doors and the oven with a damp cloth dipped in clean sudsy water or water diluted with white vinegar if the door is a stainless steel. Pay close attention to the edges and the handles. Use a cloth wrapped spatula or a soft tooth brush to degrime the tight spots. Next clean sides of the dishwasher door with a multi-purpose formula or a piece of cloth dipped in hot and soapy water.

Step 12

Clean lower cabinets and drawers with a soapy and damp cloth.

Step 13

Drain the sink and then rinse with hot water. Buff it with an abrasive cleanser and a microfiber cloth and then rinse with hot water. Finally wipe the faucet and the handles.

Finishing Up...

Before you deep clean the floor, sweep the crumbs and any specks of dust plus garbage. Mop the floor if necessary. Use a bucket of soapy water and a mop to deep clean the floor. Next put everything back to its place. Put all the cleaning tools back where they are supposed to be so that you do not trip over them. Finally, take out the trash. Do this last because as you clean you will likely find items that you want to throw away. Clean the trash can with soap and clean water and then replace the bag with a new one. Park yourself on the couch. You are done! Happy cleaning.

If you have any questions or think of something else to add, just let me know on Twitter @CleaningByMari or on our Facebook Page - Cleaning By Mari's Facebook Page

Post Source -> 13 Ultimate Steps to Cleaning Your Kitchen Properly

6 Tips to Hiring The Perfect Maid Service

Mari's House Cleaning in West Palm Beach

written by: Mari Soberal on the Cleaning By Mari Blog on 04/16/2016.

The decision of hiring a maid a.k.a. housekeeping service is a personal one. It has its fair share of pros and cons. For some, the idea of having complete strangers in your home cleaning can feel like an invasion of your privacy. Then on the other hand, there are those who would urge you to enjoy all the saved energy, piece of mind and time savings that comes with hiring a maid service. Here are some great tips to help you hire the perfect maid service.

1. Choose a Maid that has been Referred When Possible

If you are more concerned about the safety of your home and belongings, get reputable house cleaning services by first asking any friends or family who currently use or have used a cleaning service in the past. Also Consider asking for recommendations from your coworkers, neighbors, and acquaintances.

2. Should You Hire a Team service or an Individual?

The advantage of hiring an individual is simply the personalized attention you get. Individuals tend to offer more services like ironing, cleaning the house, washing, folding and other domestic chores. However, the con is that the person might fall ill, and there is no backup team to take their place.

On the other hand, the advantage of hiring a team to do the job for you is that they may be more thorough. However, the cons are that there is reduced personalized attention and the time they spend at your home is much less.

But luckily for you at Cleaning By Mari, You get the best of both worlds.

3. Is the Maid Professionally Trained

It is vital to be certain that the individual you want to hire in your home for maid services is trained professionally. Maids that are trained professionally tend to handle their work better. Typically, they are trained on how to manage virtually everything in your house thus offering incredible services to you.

4. Cleaning Isn't Rocket Science, But The Maids Experience is Important

Is the house maid you are considering for the job just starting out or does the maid have experience? It is important to verify the amount of experience the house maid has before you actually hire one. If by any chance the house maid has no previous experience, it is vital to verify if he/she has the proper training to be able to handle the job. Doing so, you will be able to avoid any future disappointments.

5. Interview Cleaning Services On The Phone First

If you are getting your house maid through a cleaning service, first ask questions you feel are important for you over the phone. Such questions should include:

- Are they bonded or licensed in the case of any damage?

- Do they have any referral for you to call?

- How long has the service been in business?

6. Decide If Hiring A Maid Is Right For Your Family

Your family, belongings and the entire home should feel safe in the hands of a housekeeping service. If you despise cleaning, or you spend more time doing domestic household chores than you spend enjoying your quality time, then housekeeping services may be for you. This is one of the simple ways you can use to get some work off your plate and focus on other more important areas.

Bottom Line

There you have it; think about the tips above if you are considering hiring a maid to help you with your domestic chores. At the end of the day, you will need to be comfortable and happy about your home. Be comfortable and enjoy your home and time that is what life is all about!

Article Source - 6 Tips to Hiring The Perfect Maid Service

I love to clean… but I understand that I am a rare breed!

Mari's Post

Written by Lindsey on 20 Jan 2016 in Home Cleaning & Maintenance.

To most it is a chore and a bore, but by following these 5 simple tips, it will take you half the time, half the energy and leave you twice as satisfied!

This way, you know your home will always be in tip top condition!

1. Clever Cleaning Checklists
Make a list of what needs doing to make sure you get it all done in one go.

• There’s nothing worse than celebrating your cleaning completion with a nice cup of tea then noticing that spiders web on the light fitting.
• Using a list means you can feel the mini success each time you cross off a task!
• Top of that list should be ‘tidying’.
• You can not clean a messy home in a timely manner.
• Tidy up then clean on.

2. Top Down, not Bottom Up!
Gravity plays a big part in cleaning. - dust falls downwards! Always start from up high (top of cupboards, light fittings and ceilings) and work your way down.

I also like to close the door behind me and work my way round one room at a time. This way you don’t miss those easily-forgotten areas like behind the door and light switches.

3. Perfect Products
Using the right products will be the difference between a smeared or sparkling mirror, a sticky or pristine floor and grubby oven or a gleaming one.

Always check the labels and use a kitchen and bathroom spray that is also anti bacterial. Anti bacterial wipes are perfect for little touch ups before your next big cleaning session (but don’t flush them)!

4. Secret Weapon
The secret to my cleaning powers… Baking Soda. This little beauty can be used for so many things!

It cleans silver, unclogs drains, naturally deodorizes everything and anything, eases burned-bottom pans, lifts stains and even makes a fantastic face mask! Baking Soda is the superhero of all cleaning products.

5. Helping Hands
If baking soda doesn’t tickle your fancy and cleaning really isn’t for you, the most productive way to clean would be to hire a helping hand!

The Housekeep team is here to help you find an experienced, vetted 5* rated cleaner. Getting set up takes just 10 minutes, and you'’ll never have to worry about smeared mirrors and sticky floors again!

Get See The Original With Photo's Links and All at:
https://housekeep.com/blog/2016/01/20/5-things-you-need-know-about-productive-cleaning/

Curated From: I love to clean… but I understand that I am a rare breed!

11 Cleaning Secrets to Steal From Hotel Maids

Use their insider smarts to recreate the white-glove treatment at home.

If anyone knows a thing or two about quick-yet-efficient cleaning, it's hotel maids. They have tons of practice — and loads of tips that can help you at home. Here, a few you should check out (pun intended!).

1. They clear the clutter first.

Maria Stickney, the Housekeeping Manager at the Radisson Blu Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, likes to clear the clutter out of a room, so she can start with a blank slate. She empties the trash, removes the linens, towels, and anything else left behind. In the bathroom, she clears the towels, bathmats, bottles, and everything on the counters or toilet tank. "This removes the temptation of just wiping around these items or picking them up and immediately placing them back down on a wet surface, which can leave ring marks," she says.

2. They prefer microfiber cloths — but reach for clever substitutes in a pinch.

The secret to efficient dusting is a proper cleaning cloth. "Microfiber is the best," says Agustin Canongo, the Director of Housekeeping at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. "If you don't have one, use a rag that's 100% cotton — like a (clean) cloth diaper, an old pillowcase or an old T-shirt — and dampen it slightly." Be sure to avoid using terrycloth towels or polyester — they can actually create more dust.

3. They know the trick to a quickly made bed is in the tags.

Making a bed that's larger than a twin can be time-consuming: No matter which corner you start with, you almost always realize you put the long end of a fitted sheet on the short end of the mattress. A hint: "Tags always go on the bottom," says Emma Anderson, Best Western's 2014 Housekeeper of the Year. "With king sheets, the tags are on the left. With queen sheets, they're on the right." Anderson also suggests marking the inside seams with a fabric marker to denote right or left corners.

4. They give drapes a good whack in between deep cleanings.

Dust particles will only continue to circulate around the room over time. "The best way to dust drapes is to whack them with a hand towel," Stickney says. Turns out, a towel this size is heavy enough to make a good impact, but light enough that your arm won't tire. What about the drape attachment on your vacuum? "It doesn't get all the nook and crannies like a towel," Stickney explains. Knock out all the dust onto the floor and then vacuum it up.

5. They vacuum before they mop.

Always vacuum — or sweep — before you mop. "You do not want wet hair on your floor — it can be difficult to remove," Stickney says. When it's time to mop, start from the far corner and make your way to the door.

6. They do the bathrooms last.

"It's best to start in the bedroom (rather than the bathroom) to minimize bacterial transfer," Stickney says.

7. They know that cleaning products take time to really work.

Let your cleaners do the work for you. "Spray the shower walls and the toilet and leave them to do their job for several minutes," Stickney says. Use that time to clean the mirrors, windows, medicine cabinet, and whatever else is in the room. "Then go back and wash off the surfaces, using way less elbow grease."

8. They vacuum the opposite way that you've been taught.

Your mom may have taught you to start at the furthest part of the room and vacuum yourself out, but Anderson has a different method: "Vacuum into the room over the high-traffic areas and then vacuum yourself out, so you hit the most walked-on spots twice.

9. Their favorite cleaner is probably in your pantry.

"You'd think that we'd have some crazy secret weapon up our sleeves, but the best thing we have is white vinegar and water," says Canongo. "It cleans well and even clears cloudiness from residue left behind by other cleaners." Fill a spray bottle with one part vinegar, three parts water.

10. They always have a toothbrush on hand.

You certainly don't need to clean every inch of your house with a fine-tooth comb, but Stickney does support the use of toothbrush once in a while. "I have several small brushes to get into those tiny cracks in the bathroom," she says. "Around the bottom screws of a toilet are the hardest parts to get."

11. They corral their tools.

Housekeepers keep everything they could possibly need on their handy carts. Take a cue from them and make yourself a mini version: Fill a plastic bin or bucket with all of your cleaning supplies, rags and brushes. "A caddie keeps everything together, cutting down the amount of time it takes to get the job done," says Anderson. Keep it in the laundry room and grab it when you need it.

Original Article Source - 11 Cleaning Secrets to Steal From Hotel Maids