Have you ever tried to see across your windows—and find yourself unable to do so because your blinds are as dusty as a Western Movie? This has happened to us all, and we are here to help you.

There are three basic types of blinds: wooden, fabric/plastic, and vertical. Each one of them needs a dedicated way and tool to be maintained.

Tip: Your cleaning tools have to be in great shape, if not, you’ll be working more and obtaining fewer results.

WOODEN AND VERTICAL BLINDS

If your blinds have just a thin layer of dust, just use a feather duster. If you use a vacuum, use it with the brush attachment. Remember to dust or vacuum across the slats, not up and down, and to do it vertically at every slat’s end.

Specifically, for those spaces hard to reach, find an old sock or glove and put it on your hand. Spray Windex on a section of the blinds and run your covered hand along it to pick up the dust.

An alternative way is to wipe the blinds with a damp sponge. You can use a mix of half water and half vinegar. Using warm water is an effective trick.

FABRIC BLINDS

WikiHow[1] suggests the “S hooks method”: find two “S” hooks and hang them on the inside of your shower curtain rod. Detach the shower curtains and attach your fabric blinds (move them from your living room to your bathroom). Hang the blinds on the bottom of the “S” hooks by looping them through the thin metal rod at the top of the blinds. Turn on the faucet and allow the water to grow warm. Squirt some soap on a soft scrub brush and wet it in the water. Scrub the blinds from the top to the bottom, moving your brush from side to side. This is especially useful if your blinds’ fabric is delicate. If you deem that the fabric is strong and resistant, you can also wash them in your washing machine.

EXTRA DIRTY BLINDS

Your extra dirty blinds need an extra effort. Take your blinds outside and lay them on a mat or rug. Fill a bucket with soapy water. Use a scrub brush or sponge to scrub the blinds on both sides. Find a new use for your garden hose when rinsing the blinds on both sides. Hang them in a way that doesn’t allow them to become wrinkled.

And there you go! Allow yourself to see the exterior world through a clean window—and spotless blinds!

Sources:

Three ways to clean blinds. WikiHow. Retrieved from http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Blinds

How to clean blinds. HGTV. Retrieved from: http://www.hgtv.com/organizing/how-to-clean-blinds/index.html

Hiring a cleaning service is a remarkable investment in time management and your happiness. Once people switch to working with house cleaners, they never want to be without this service! People tend to get pretty excited about the idea of not having to clean their homes anymore. But do you have questions about hiring a professional cleaning service? If that is the case, here are a few of the things that you should know.

Do I Need to Tip?

Tipping is a frequently asked question when it comes to cleaning services. In general, tipping is not required and is a matter of budgetary concerns and personal choice. You shouldn’t let the issue of whether or not to tip ever hold you back from enjoying all that a house cleaning service can offer. If you do feel that a house cleaning dramatically exceeded your expectations, then a tip is fine. But the bottom line is that it’s not required.

What Do I Need to Hire a Professional Cleaning Service?

Many, many people worry a great deal that they must dramatically “pre-clean” their homes before the cleaners arrive; however, this is just not necessary. You should never feel as though

you’ve done most of the “heavy lifting” before your house cleaning service. In short, you don’t have to “pre-clean,” as you hired the service to do that.

Juggling the demands of work, family, and personal life can leave you feeling stretched thin. Amidst the chaos, the very thought of adding house cleaning to your already overflowing plate can be daunting. However, there’s a solution that can transform your home into a haven of peace and tranquility without lifting a finger – hiring a professional cleaning service like BA House Cleaning.

Reclaim Your Time, Replenish Your Energy

A professional cleaning service like BA House Cleaning is a godsend for those who crave a clean home but lack the time or energy to maintain it. Imagine coming home to a sparkling kitchen, spotless bathrooms, and gleaming floors, without having to spend hours scrubbing and polishing. With BA House Cleaning, you can reclaim your precious time and devote it to the things that truly matter.

Expert Hands, Exceptional Results

BA House Cleaning isn’t just about making your home presentable; it’s about creating a sanctuary where you can relax and recharge. Our team of experienced and meticulous cleaners takes pride in their work, ensuring that every corner of your home is meticulously cleaned and sanitized. From dusting hard-to-reach shelves to deep-cleaning grimy appliances, we handle it all with expertise and care.

Healthier Home, Happier You

A clean home is not just aesthetically pleasing; it’s also conducive to good health. Dust, dirt, and allergens can trigger allergies, exacerbate respiratory problems, and even contribute to stress. By hiring BA House Cleaning, you’re investing in a healthier environment for yourself and your loved ones.

Treat Yourself to a Cleaner, Calmer Life

Hiring BA House Cleaning is more than just outsourcing a chore; it’s about prioritizing your well-being and creating a home that reflects your values. Imagine waking up to a sparkling home, feeling refreshed and energized instead of burdened by domestic tasks. With BA House Cleaning, you can have the clean home you deserve without sacrificing your time, energy, or peace of mind.

Don’t Worry About Pre-Cleaning and Moving Objects

A quality house cleaning service will move all the stuff that needs to be moved for a good cleaning. You don’t have to move items out of your way or take special steps in this regard. However, if you want to move expensive items so that your cleaners can easily get behind them, that is a savvy move.

Also, you might want to apply some strategy to what your cleaning service will tackle. For example, if you leave piles of dirty clothes all over the floor, your service must focus on that issue first and foremost. As a result, they could run out of time to deep clean other areas of your home.

Are There Exceptions to Moving Items, Equipment, and Objects Before a Clean?

Are there exceptions? There are a few reasons that you might want to move items in advance. In addition to moving expensive items, it is also a good idea to move those that could be overly fragile potentially hazardous, or dangerous. Additionally, you may want to consider moving equipment that could be accidentally damaged during cleaning.

Having your home cleaned should be a carefree and easy process. However, it always makes sense to think through the state of your home and take logical steps both for the safety of your possessions as well as the safety of the workers you hire.

** (Any 1 of these, please cancel their interview and mark them as Rejected in Clickup):

• Male
• No Drivers license
• Too far (Look at Service Area map if they are not in the area, they do not qualify. – https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1SKOWanv0jPshrRCrLGuYTvLYIXinzHPJ&ll=37.73127230441021%2C-122.03737575&z=10)
• Search their name on Google + city they live in. Are they professional? (Note: Any criminal record found, pictures smoking or any other unprofessional type of information found online disqualifies them)
• Selected VERY Part time
• Afraid of Dogs/Cats
• Allergic to Dogs/cats
• Allergic to household chemicals
• Doesn’t have full time access to vehicle
• Vehicle not covered by liability insurance
• Can’t pass drug screening
• Can’t pass background check
• Not Eligible to work in the USA
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Rugs are a great piece of decoration. They can give an elegant and colorful appearance to every room. And, as any other implement in your house, it needs care, cleaning and (sometimes) emergency actions to save their beauty.

Rugs are an essential part of any home décor, adding warmth, texture, and style to your living spaces. However, over time, rugs can accumulate dirt, dust, and stains, making them look dull and lifeless. Regular vacuuming can only do so much; deep cleaning is often necessary to restore your rugs to their former glory.

Rug care is determined by size, construction, and material. However, the first step to have is to limit how much dirt gets into the rug and then to procure a frequent cleaning process.

Let’s vacuum!

As with any carpet, if the rug covers a larger area, vacuum it regularly. If a rug is reversible, vacuum both sides. This removes grit and grime that can wear out your rug prematurely. Take care to not vacuum the fringe of your rug.

Remember that sometimes, vacuums leave pet hair behind. You can use a stiff brush to remove the hair, brushing in the direction of the nap of the rug.

Take it out

If the rug is small enough, you can take it outside and shake it or beat it vigorously to remove dirt and grit. This is recommended for large rugs as well, because the dust that collects in them may contribute to health problems—particularly asthma.

Cleaning according to your rug’s type

• Woven or braided rugs

  • Check rugs for stitching breaks before and after cleaning.
  • Check labels to determine whether small braided rugs are washable.
  • If they are, place them in a zippered pillowcase or mesh laundry bag. Wash in cool water on a gentle cycle, rinsing thoroughly. Tumble dry on a low setting.
  • Place large braided rugs on a vinyl or concrete floor or place an old blanket beneath them.
  • Sponge commercial carpet-cleaning foam over the surface and rub it in according to the product directions. Finish by rinsing or vacuuming. Dry thoroughly before replacing the rug on the floor.

• Oriental rugs, handmade, hand-knotted or antique

  • Vacuum a new Oriental rug as you would carpet and wool area rugs.
  • Use special care with delicate vintage or antique rugs.
  • Protect them from the vacuum by placing a piece of nylon screen over the rug and weighting it down with books or bricks.
  • Vacuum over the screen.
  • Have these rugs professionally cleaned once a year?

• Coir, sisal, rush, and grass rugs

  • Vacuum frequently, removing the rug occasionally to vacuum the floor, as well.
  • Many of these rugs are reversible; if so, flip them every time you vacuum for even wear.
  • To clean stains or discolorations on a room-size natural-fiber rug, leave it in place.
  • Protect the floor beneath it with a plastic drop cloth and towel.
  • Scrub the stains with a soft brush dipped in soapy water. Rinse with clear water.
  • Place a towel over the wet area.
  • Blot the cleaned spot as dry as possible.
  • Use a portable fan or hair dryer to speed drying.
  • Move small rugs to a protected table or counter to clean. Water weakens the fibers, so work quickly and dry thoroughly to extend the life of these rugs.

• Fur, sheepskin, and hair-on hides

  • Shake unscented talcum powder on fur, sheepskin, and hair on hide rugs and leave for several hours.
  • Brush the talcum powder through the hair, then shake it out. Repeat this process several times, depending on the length of the fur.
  • To clean the back of such a rug, use a clean cotton cloth dipped in lukewarm soapy water. Wipe off any dirt or spills.
  • Rinse with a cloth dipped in clean water and allow it to dry completely before putting it back in place.

Emergency actions: stains removal

There are a lot of causes for stains, and we can provide some emergency actions to remove them:

• Alcohol and soft drinks: Use a solution of 1 teaspoon liquid dish detergent, 1 quart of warm water, and 1/4 teaspoon of white vinegar. Apply to the stain, rinse, then blot dry.
• Coffee or tea: Using the detergent mix above, apply to stain, rinse, and blot. If a stain remains, use a commercial spot carpet cleaner.
• Fat-based stains: For foods such as butter, margarine, or gravy, use a dry-solvent spot carpet cleaner.
• Gum: Peel off what you can, then put ice cubes in a plastic bag and harden the gum, scraping the gum off with a spoon or dull knife. Vacuum and use a dry-solvent spot cleaner if needed.
• Melted wax: Use the same treatment as gum, hardening it with ice cubes in a plastic bag and scraping. Dampen a clean white cloth or cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and blot to remove any remaining wax.
• Paint: For acrylic and latex paint, while the stain is still wet, spot-clean with the detergent solution. If color remains, dab it with rubbing alcohol. For oil-based paint, sponge with odorless mineral spirits, being careful not to soak through to the backing.
• Tomato sauce: Sponge with cool water, dab with detergent solution, or a citrus-oxygen cleaner. Rinse with a solution of 1 cup white vinegar and 2 cups of water and blot until dry.
• Urine, feces, and vomit: Apply detergent solution or a citrus-oxygen cleaner, rinse, and blot until dry.

Extra tips

• Foot traffic, sun, and other factors used to wear the fabric of your rugs. Turn them once or twice a year to even out the wear.
• Some natural fiber rugs are constructed in squares that are sewn together. Buy a few extra squares or a smaller size of the same rug. If a rug square becomes irrevocably stained, clip the threads that hold it in place and replace it with a new square. Hand-stitch it in place with heavy-duty carpet threads.

Why Professional Rug Cleaning Matters

Rug cleaning is not just about aesthetics; it’s also about maintaining a healthy home environment. Dust mites, allergens, and other contaminants can get trapped in rug fibers, posing a risk to those with allergies or respiratory sensitivities. Professional rug cleaning effectively removes these harmful particles, creating a cleaner and healthier indoor environment.

Do you know any other way of cleaning rugs that we haven’t covered? Please let us know!

If you’re thinking of cleaning your own home here is a checklist that you might find helpful!

Even when you do your laundry-sorting with all carefulness, anything can sneak into your dryer and cause a mess. Cleaning your dryer is more about maintenance than cleaning, and we’ll explain a practical way to do so.

Of course, the first step is to make sure you unplug your dryer—even if it’s a gas dryer. Then, define what type of problem you have: is it a crayon? Is it dye from a piece of cloth?

Here’s a series of steps you can follow to clean your dryer:

Crayon

1.  Go ahead and check the interior drum for any stuck-on crayon, spin the drum just to be sure.

2.  Scrape off any chunks of crayon with a plastic (expired) credit card or spatula.

3.  Get a WD-40. Remember that a direct application of WD-40 is definitely banned (it can create a fire!). Instead, spray a small amount of it on a cleaning rag.

4.  Rub any areas containing crayon marks, it won’t be hard work and the results will be great.

5.  Take a different rag and wet it with soapy water. Wash with it the interior of the drum, paying special attention to the area that you just wiped with the WD-40.

6.  Take a third rag and wet it with clean water. Rinse the interior of the drum, take a cloth, and dry it. (These steps will be repeated in all cases)

Ink

1.  Instead of WD-40, apply an all-purpose cleaner onto a cleaning rag. Remember: direct applications are banned!

2.  Rub the ink stain with your rag until it disappears.

3.  If the stains are stubborn, dampen another cleaning rag with rubbing alcohol, and scrub the stain. Then, take a rag wet with soapy water and wash the interior of the drum.

4.  Rinse and dry with two separate rags, as detailed above.

Candy or Gum

1.  Probably you’ll have to use a blow dryer to soften the candy or gum to a point where it can be removed. Hold the blow dryer about 6 inches from the candy or gum and use the hot air setting.

2.  Scrape the item off the side of the drum with a spatula.

3.  Spray a small amount of all-purpose cleaner onto a cleaning rag. Do as in the process above: rub, rinse, and dry.

Dye

1.  Take a dryer sheet, dampen it, and run it along the inside of the dryer drum. Use as many sheets as necessary to wipe down the entire drum.

2.  Take your three “final process rags”: one with soapy water to clean, one to rinse and the last one to dry.

3.  After the cleaning process—and before running a fresh load of laundry— run a test load of old towels or rags to make sure the stain is gone.

Remember that, apart from cleaning your dryer’s drum, it’s absolutely necessary to keep your dryer lint screen and vent free of excess lint and debris.

Want to enlighten us with some extra tips? Let us a comment below!

When you have too much to do baseboard cleaning, baseboards are definitely not on your priority list. However, cleaning them from time to time is helpful for maintaining tidiness and a healthy environment. Cleaning your floor doesn’t always do the work for you, so here’s a quick guide on how to clean your baseboards—without straining your back.

In the first place, you can schedule a monthly, dedicated baseboard cleaning. Frequent and preventive maintenance will avoid any hard, long, and tiring process.

The Importance of Clean Baseboards

Baseboards are an often overlooked aspect of home cleaning that can have a big impact on the overall look and feel of your living space. Not only do baseboards collect dust, dirt, and grime over time, but they can also harbor bacteria and allergens that can affect the air quality in your home. This is particularly important for households with young children or individuals with allergies or respiratory issues.

The Benefits of Professional Baseboard Cleaning

While it may seem like a simple task, cleaning baseboards can be a time-consuming and physically demanding chore, especially for those with mobility issues or busy schedules. This is where professional cleaning services can be a game-changer. At BA House Cleaning, we provide high-quality baseboard cleaning services that will leave your home looking and feeling its best.

Our team of experienced cleaners uses industry-leading cleaning solutions and techniques to remove dirt, grime, and bacteria from your baseboards, ensuring that your living space is not only clean but also healthy. We take the time to clean every nook and cranny, including hard-to-reach corners and tight spaces, leaving no surface untouched.

Remember to do your floor cleaning first, as it will help you to pick up any excessive debris.

Let’s clean!

–       Vacuuming with the brush attachment will allow removing dust, hair, dust, and any loose dirt. Always remember to put special attention to the floor around the baseboards.

–       Spray the baseboards with a cleaning solution; it can be an all-purpose cleaner or a mix of half water and half vinegar. Remember that splashing is not the same as soaking (you don’t want to dampen your walls). When done, wait 10 minutes for the solution to sit before continuing.

–       To rinse, there are two ways depending on your disposition and time:

a)       Damp a sponge with clean water. Wash the baseboards one by one.

b)       Use a mop to clean the baseboards. This is a quicker method, however, if they happen to have stains, you might need to scrub them directly with a sponge or a cloth.

–       Let them dry. Also, you can take a new dryer sheet and wipe it over the wood. These sheets have a property (anti-static cling) that will prevent dust to stick to baseboards. This will help you in the long run, because you’ll be able to just vacuum them in the future.

Finally, if your baseboards present hard-to-clean corners that are really dirty, you can use cotton heads to clean them. This will take a fair amount of time, but it0’ll be worth it.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!

Cleaning your house is more a task of patience and perseverance than strength and swiftness.

We all know that cleaning is not the most exciting activity in the world, but the results are worth all the effort: a clean, great-looking space, where all items are where they belong, where the light reflects the perfect harmony of all the elements and the air has a nice, fresh smell.

Yes, that’s what we think a dream house looks (and smells) like. And we want you to have your own dream house. That’s why we’ve developed 3 articles that will not only tell you many Professional Cleaning Tips but also how to maintain that cleanliness as long as possible.

So, let’s start!

Dusting

We understand that dusting can be everything but enjoyable, however, maintaining a dust-free space will not only look great but also help to prevent respiratory diseases.

When dusting, you’ll be able to pick up off the floor, fold throw blankets, fluff pillows and cushions, and perform basic tidying.

Be thorough, because if you miss an area the dust on it will be more evident than in the other places where you cleaned.

You can use the dusting commercial product of your preference.

Professional Cleaning Tips:

• Move Items: Even before starting to dust, move items and leave the space free. This is more effective than moving each item one by one and dusting under it.
• Ceiling Fans: Let’s start dusting from top to bottom, so ceiling fans go first. Dust them thoroughly fully once, and next time you’re left to dust with less effort. A chair or a small ladder can help you to reach up and clean.
• Window Ledges: Raise all blinds or curtains to access all ledges.
• Door Jams & Light Switch Plates: Take a damp cloth and apply a little cleaning product on it. Use it to clean these areas.
• Patio Doors: Use a damp cloth with a little cleaning product on it, too. Clean them and, if any moisture is left, dry them with a paper towel. If you have a pet, take special care of nose marks.
• Baseboards: Clean them with a damp mop and/or vacuum them.

Quick Cleaning

If you happen to have limited time and you just want to tidy up a bit, remember to dust bed frames, the side of cabinets and armoires, door panels, banisters and spindles, chair legs and bases, curtain rods, pictures and their frames, stairwell ledges, dining room table legs, and bases. Every debris and dust that is not perfectly taken out with your cleaning rag can be thrown to the floor. Then, vacuum everything. This will save time.

Next week we’ll be addressing bathrooms and more Professional Cleaning Tips, stay tuned!

Grout is described as a finishing material. It’s put between your tiles as a compliment. However, in our busy lives, there’s little to no time to clean it deeply on a daily basis. Sometimes, the grout can become dirty—so much so that it becomes a cleaning nightmare.

In this article, we’re going to approach the easier methods to transform that nightmare into a quick and doable task.

To start, use a dry broom or mop to wipe across the floor tiles. You can opt for a dry cloth to wipe wall tiles. In this way, you’ll remove dirt excess and dust before starting with the grout cleaning process.

Eco-Friendly Solution for Grout Cleaning

When up to the grout job, an always-useful advice is to apply the cleaning product and let it sit for a good amount of time. This will soften the dirt; therefore, it will be easier to remove.

An eco-friendly solution is powdered oxygen bleach: is nontoxic, doesn’t produce harsh fumes, and is color (and fabric) safe.

Why Oxygen Bleach Works

Why does it work? Because the oxygen ions attack the stain molecules, breaking them into pieces—making them easier to rinse away.

To clean floor tiles and grouts, mix oxygen bleach with warm water. Stir it until it dissolves. Pour the solution onto the floor tile and flood the grout lines, let it sit for 15 minutes or more (the more grime, the more time).

As the oxygen ions work for up to six hours, there’s no really a rush to rinse it away. It also helps to scrub the grout lightly after 30 minutes. Remember to pour the new solution onto the grout as you scrub.

Using Vinegar and Baking Soda for Grout Cleaning

You can also use a mix of vinegar and baking soda. Remember our previous articles that suggest the use of a paste-like mix of these solutions? Well, we’re recommending them again. They’re amazing!

To scrub, you may use a hard-bristled brush to take out the grout clean. There are some dedicated grout brushes in the market, but you may find that an old toothbrush works just as well.

The final step, when the stains and dirt are a past story, is to rinse the floor or wall with clean water and dry it.

Make sure you include tile and grout cleaning as part of your regular cleaning schedule. Clean tiles and grout improve the appearance of any space in a way that makes the room appear brighter, cleaner, and larger.

Try out these methods and let us know the results in the comment section!

We, the team of BA House Cleaning, know that our job marks a difference: we transform a messy house into a clean, optimal living space. We’re always excited when we see our client’s satisfaction in their face.

However, we also understand that there are more difficulties in life than only a messy house. Cancer is one of those difficulties: a strong and treacherous enemy that a person (and his/her family has to defeat).

The Role of Cleaning for a Reason in Supporting Women with Cancer and How BA House Cleaning is Contributing to the Cause

When you’re fighting against cancer, there’s little to no time to take care of your living space. That’s why Cleaning for A Reason was created: a nonprofit that partners with maid services to offer professional house cleanings to help women undergoing treatment for cancer, any type of cancer.

We believe that we can change these female fighters—they that are fighting cancer—one life, one space at a time.

Cleaning for a Reason was the brainchild of President and Founder, Debbie Sardone, owner of Buckets & Bows Maid Service, Lewisville, TX.[1] Several years ago, Debbie received a quote request from a lady on the phone, when the price was given, the lady told her “I won’t be able to afford that now; I’m undergoing cancer treatment” and hung up. Debbie wasn’t able to call her back (she didn’t have her number) and from that time on, she decided that no woman going under cancer treatment should pay for a clean house. This movement started in her own maid service company and quickly spread to other companies that also wanted to pursue this great objective.

Since 2005, Cleaning for A Reason is a 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation and has provided more than 17,000 cleanings for women with cancer with a value of more than $4.5 million in donated cleanings, and partnered with over 1,100 maid services. Brands such as Walmart, Mr. Clean, and Swiffer are their current corporate sponsors and their cause has spread to mass media, as seen on Oprah.

Why did we partner?

Well, why not? We’re certain that Cleaning for A Reason has a worth-to-pursue cause: to offer free professional house cleanings to improve the lives of women undergoing cancer treatment.

And this is a cause that not only complies with our Corporate Social Responsibility, but definitely goes beyond that: we also have family, friends, and acquaintances, and more than once have heard about a woman fighting against cancer. We are, as a company and as humans, excited to be part of this wonderful cause, excited to help others not only to take out the dust but to create a clean, optimal space that facilitates a soon recovery.