Professional Home Cleaning Reduces the Health Risk of Mould

A briefing paper for the Canterbury District Health Board, said: “The housing environment (in New Zealand) is a key setting with impacts on human health. Housing factors which contribute significantly to health outcomes include temperature, humidity and ventilation, overcrowding, affordability and fuel poverty.” 

The paper further said that direct effects of cold homes on health included excess mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory disease amongst the elderly, increased respiratory problems in children, increased illnesses such as colds and flu, mental health problems and the exacerbation of conditions such as arthritis. 

Humidity level in your house is thus a decisive factor on human health. High humidity reduces indoor temperatures during winter, paving way for cold home conditions which adversely affect your health. The saturation of moisture content causes dampness, which leads to the over growth of mould and dust mites in your homes.

How to get rid of mould

Mould will grow in often neglected places such as wardrobes, under carpets, behind curtains and furniture in humid conditions. A quality home cleaning service will check these problematic areas and remove all traces of mould and mildew during the cleaning process. However, when you clean your home yourself, it is highly likely that you may overlook such matters.

Here’s a DIY method to kill visible mould: Apply methylated spirits (denatured alcohol) to the affected area, and let it remain there for half an hour. Repeat this process once more and see that signs of the mould have disappeared.  Finally, wipe the area with a clean cloth to completely remove mould spores. Throw away the cloth after use to prevent any leftover mould spores growing back.

Lemons and green home cleaning

Lemons can be used as a good natural cleaning substance, which will also leave your house smelling fresh. The citric acid in lemon makes it a strong disinfectant. It has also low pH and antibacterial properties. Harsh and toxic chemicals in many cleaning products will have negative effects on your health, so it’s good to resort to natural cleaners.

Stove cleaning: Stove gets dirty if you don’t clean it regularly. Take a lemon piece and rub it over the stove surface; then sprinkle some baking soda and using a soft sponge, begin to scrub. When hard stains are loosened, wipe the surface with a cotton cloth to get perfect clean.

Microwave cleaning: Take half cup of water into a microwave-safe bowl. Mix it with the juice of half of a lemon.  Place the bowl in the microwave and heat it for 3 minutes or until it boils. Now, let the boiled lemon water stay in the microwave for five to 10 minutes to kill all the bacteria and remove bad smell. The vapours will help to loosen up stubborn stains and any food particles stuck in the oven. Now open the microwave door and clean it with a damp cloth.

Residential cleaning

Till recently, the demand for house and apartment-cleaning services was most popular with people of higher than average wealth looking for a little more free time – especially in two-income households. Market research conducted a few years before said that married couples with college degrees, 45 years old or older, always depend on reputed home cleaning service in New Zealand.

However, the latest trend shows that people of all walks of life are inclined to avoid the cleaning chores in their daily routine because everybody can now afford reliable house cleaning services in New Zealand.

Select Home Cleaning provides professional home cleaning service in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch - dependable and affordable award winning home cleaning by fully trained owner operators. Call a home cleaner now on 0800 000 907 for a cleaning job or for a free quote on house cleaning.

The Importance of Having a Clean Home

A recent survey that interviewed 500 New Zealanders says 46% people actively avoid cleaning the toilet, while 21% would rather have dinner with their in-laws than doing the toilet cleaning task.

Now listen carefully, about 50% of the people participated in the survey said they used to judge friends on the state of their toilet, and over half of the interviewees said they would rather hold on than using a dirty toilet, even at friends houses.

Now you know the importance of keeping your bathroom and toilets clean- it’s not only a matter of hygiene, but a social issue too.

The survey also found out that 86% of New Zealanders actually do a quick house cleaning before guests arrive. This shows that the Kiwis are still a house proud bunch giving due importance to cleanliness.

How to Avoid the Dust Menace and Allergy

Researchers have clarified that household dust contains harmful chemicals that can cause serious health hazards to your family members, such as cancer, developmental problems in babies, and, lung diseases and fertility issues in adults etc.

So, dust really isn't just a minor problem that we spend all week trying to put off. Here’s how to rid your home of these nasty chemicals and keep your family as healthy as you can.

Vacuum floors regularly, and ensure to wash your hands with plain soap and water. Cleaning the surfaces and furniture with a wet mop and dusting with a damp microfiber cloth will allow the dust to stick to the mop or cloth, rather than flying away and settling elsewhere.

At home, always try to use natural cleaning products as much as possible and avoid spraying poisons to kill unwanted insects and lawn weeds, and putting bleach down the toilet. This way we can keep the environment safe and healthy too.

How to Clean a Laminate Floor

Clean laminate flooring dry with a good quality microfiber mop- it shouldn't be wet-washed very often. At times when you wet wash laminate flooring, use only white vinegar or ammonia; avoid detergents, abrasives and wax-based products. Use doormats - longer mats inside and outside - and stick to shoes-outside policy.

Keeping Your House Clean with Pets

If you have two or more pets, it’s good to call a home cleaning service at least once in a month to do the heavy duty cleaning, taking into consideration the issues of fur, dirt, paw print, scratched sofa, dog drool, etc.

If you want you may also go with more pet-friendly upholstery, fewer rugs and less stuff generally on which pet hair can collect. Use a vacuum cleaner specifically designed to be powerful enough to deal with pet hair.

Help your dog do some outdoor activities and exercise, so it’ll not give you much trouble indoors like chewing your furniture or scratching the upholstery etc.  Also try giving the dog chewable alternatives such as a Kong chew toy stuffed with treats, when you leave it alone, so it’ll spare your furniture! And don’t forget to keep your coffee tables clear lest there are chances that the pets may knock over glasses and delicate objects.

Laundry Cleaning

Are you worried that some of your family members wanted unscented cleaners, but usually these cleaning products don't get odours out perfectly?

There is a way to keep things smelling fresh but not overpowered by artificial scents. Add one cup of white vinegar, which acts as an odour eliminator and a natural fabric softener, in the rinse cycle while doing laundry. This way you can eliminate any lingering smell of perfumes, but at the same time maintain proper cleaning standards.

Too tired or busy to clean your house? Call Select Home Cleaning Company today to get a professional heavy-duty specialised cleaning. Visit SelectCleaning website and check out what makes them much sought after home cleaners in New Zealand and Australia.

How to Ensure That You Always Have a Clean Home

A clean home that looks amazing helps reduce stress. Also, a well organised and neat environment increases your productivity. Rely on a house cleaning company which can produce stunning result with a minimum of disruption, and a high degree of care and skilfulness.

The home cleaner will be doing weekly or fortnightly cleaning, but here are some habits you should inculcate to keep your house well organised, tidy and inviting:

1. Arrange Your Clothes in an Orderly Way

All your clothes should have an assigned place, and ensure that they go there at the end of the day! So, you need not to search throughout the house, one room after another for a particular matching pair of socks or jeans and shirt.

2. Use Dishwasher Smartly

Make a habit of unloading the dishwasher before breakfast so that you can put the dirty dishes straightway into the dishwasher. This is to avoid piles of dirty dishes in the sink or on the countertop. Your dishwasher will be full by the time dinner is over, and then turn it on before bed.

3. Get Rid of Unwanted Stuff

Don’t keep on accumulating old clothes, decoration lights etc. in your home. Just have a check when you have free time and threw out extra items you no longer require. Also give away old but useful items to charity or organise a garage auction.

If you want to feel the freshness of a clean, orderly home, say no to clutter!

4. Make Your Bed Everyday

Making your bed in the morning gives you the satisfaction of a small job perfectly completed - make up your bed, put away clothes, fluff up pillows, and declutter up the bedroom. This can create a positive spirit and confidence which will continue to make you feel good for the whole day.

This way you also set a good example for other family members and they’ll also follow suit.

5. Keep Your Papers, Bills and Receipts Organized

If you find it difficult to manage stacks of bills and mails piling up all over your home then you need to do something urgently! Don’t’ keep papers hanging around the house- file them intact!

Follow a daily routine for organizing paperwork- file the bills after making the payments. When bills come in, put them in one place and after you’ve paid the bills, file immediately.  If you want to refer menus, coupons and the likes, secure them at a separate place where you can easily access them.

6. Use a Vacuum

If children and pets are in the home, you should dedicate sometime for daily vacuum cleaning- vacuum the high-traffic and pet area. Pets leave hair, dander, dirt and allergens all over the place and it can cause diseases.

7. Wipe down Surfaces in Your Kitchen

It’s essential to wipe down countertops, sink, the front of cupboards, and stove top after every use.  It takes only a few seconds to do a quick wipe of the area you just used to make it tidy and germ free.

8. Give Special Attention to Bathrooms & Toilets

Wash and sanitise sinks, countertops, showers, tubs and toilets and ensure they are sparkling clean. Spray a general purpose cleaner into the tub area and let it stay there (for dissolving oil and soap scum) while you start cleaning the rest of the bathroom. Use tile brushes for tile grout cleaning and a used toothbrush for removing build-up deposits around tub fixtures and faucet.

For many people, toilet cleaning remains the most hated house cleaning chore. Either you’ll have to assign the job to a professional home cleaner or learn some tips to manage it. Either way, it’s mandatory to keep the toilet clean and hygienic.

9. Put Your Shoes and Coats Away

It’s nice to remove shoes at the door and put them away neatly in a wardrobe or closet. This way you can prevent dirt and germs entering your house.  

Adopting a regular, healthy home cleaning habit will keep your home neat and clean and will minimise the psychological stress associated with messy homes. 

If you find the above home cleaning tasks quite tedious, email Select Cleaning Company  or call them on 0800 000 907 and they’ll discuss your cleaning requirements. Currently they service Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Tauranga and Hamilton.

Select Home Cleaning Company’s background checked and insured cleaning professionals also undergo in-person assessments after getting feedback from clients. Home cleaners with good ratings from the customers only will be retained on their platform. This pays high dividends as Select Cleaning continues to receive reviews and comments from happy customers across New Zealand and Australia.

DIF Tips to Clean Thermal Backed Curtains in Your Home

We all have faced problems associated with mould in our homes when there were lapses in our home cleaning and maintenance practices.  You might have noticed that mould attacks more during winter and rainy seasons. Mould is irritating and smelly and can cause serious health and respiratory problems for you and your family members.

If you happen to see mould build-up on your window curtains, don’t panic; we can show you how to remove it using simple home remedies. However, if you have allergies, asthma or related respiratory illnesses, never forget to wear a mask while cleaning mould affected curtains. If your health issues are complicated, we recommend calling professional house cleaners to remove the mould.

When You Can Clean the Curtain in a Washing Machine

You can use a delicate washing cycle in the washing machine if both your curtain and its thermal linings are fabric material. Add some soap powder or liquid soap into the warm water in the washing machine. When the soap fully dissolves, put your curtain in the washing machine and make a normal wash cycle without letting the machine to spin. Once the washing cycle is over, fill the laundry tub with water and rinse well.

Now take out the curtain and hang it straight on the clothesline, don’t fold. Don’t use clothespins to hang curtains, always use the curtain hooks. You should double check to ensure that the thermal lines are not touching each other. If there was more dirt in the first curtain piece you washed, then you’ll have to drain the washing machine and refill with fresh water. Otherwise use same water for two or three curtains till the water gets dirty.

When the Curtain Needs to Be Hand-washed for Mould Removal

Remember, if you use washing machine to clean your curtains which are thermally backed/patterned thermal fabric, be cautious, you could spoil the show and damage your curtains beyond repair. If you act carelessly, the thermal lining in the curtains can get stuck together and damage it. If you try to untangle the linings, they’ll just peel off. 

So, use the following cleaning methods to safeguard your curtain:

First vacuum the curtains, or try shaking the curtains to remove dust, dirt, and loose mould spores. You may use this opportunity to give the windows also a quick wipe with a microfiber cloth and plain water after you have removed the curtains. Ensure to wash the hooks, strings and other attachments before fitting the curtains back.

Condition 1

If you notice that the mould has affected only the base and corners of the curtain, then do the following.  Mix half a cup of white vinegar with one cup of warm water and pour it into a spray bottle. Mix well and spray the cleaning liquid on the traces of mould. Wait for 20 minutes and wipe the area with a plain cloth to remove the mould.

Condition 2

If mould is spotted at many areas of the curtain, get it hand washed perfectly. Put the curtain in a bathtub with water and 1 cup of vinegar. Wash it carefully without spoiling the thermal lines. If the wet thermal material (coating) starts to stick to itself, then it’s difficult to save your costly curtain.

Now, take out the curtain from the bathtub and hang it to dry in a straight position without folding. You may also spread it flat over a clothes horse. The drying should be done in a well ventilated area, and on a sunny breezy day, it’ll be quick to dry without getting damaged.   

Prevention is Better than Cure

Even after washing properly, you may find mild traces of mould stain in the curtain as it’s not possible to completely wash away the whole mould presence. However, you can be rest assured that the washing will ensure the mould spores are dead and won’t grow any further. Again, consider the saying that prevention is better than cure. Make sure that your windows don’t suffer from condensation and that the conditions for mould growth are always avoided.

Call professional house cleaners for weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or occasional home cleaning to get everything done efficiently and thoroughly. This will prevent cleaning issues such as mould and mildew, stains etc.

Home Cleaning and Maintenance Diary for Every Household- Tips, FAQs and More!

Keeping your house well maintained can be related to the servicing of your car- if not done at regular intervals, you’ll have to face costly repairs in both cases!

If possible, keep a house maintenance calendar at home where you can write down easy maintenance works for scheduled tasks such as weekly, monthly, and quarterly cleaning. Another option is to call a house cleaning service provider for professionally doing such scheduled tasks.

Three Things to Remember for Proper Home Maintenance:

• Test the functioning of your water heater’s temperature and pressure relief valve once in a while. This can minimise the chance of a leak caused by mineral and corrosion build up in the water heater.  This way the water heater will run more efficiently, decreasing your energy bills.
• One point people often forget is about changing the batteries in smoke/carbon monoxide detectors. This can cost you dearly in case of an accident. So replace the batteries every six months and make a note of it in your home maintenance diary.
• Another important point to remember is to vacuum your refrigerator coils if you’re using the older versions. Only a good refrigerator mechanic will tell you this because many are unaware of the fact that dusty coils will not radiate heat easily and thus the machine will use more electricity to cool your stuff.

FAQs on Home Cleaning, and Replies by Select Cleaning Professionals

Here are a few frequently asked questions by clients and our answers... If some of your questions haven't been covered here, send us an email, or call us to get your doubts cleared. 

How can I get a quote or book for a home cleaning service?

You can get your free quote by calling us on 0800 000 907 or by simply submitting a form on our website with relevant details for a no-obligation free quote. We’ll revert back the same day. We guarantee a spick-and-span kitchen, living room or bath area after our professional house cleaning service.

Do you clean in my area?

We provide house cleaning services in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington & Christchurch, New Zealand.

If you live outside of the above places and still would like to get Select Cleaning standards, we may still be able to help you directly or can get the work done by some reputable house cleaning services in your local area.

Should I provide cleaning equipments and products to my cleaner?

You need not to- we are a well established home cleaning company in New Zealand and have all the state-of-the-art cleaning equipment and quality products.

What services do you offer and what not?

At Select Cleaning, we do normal regular inside cleaning of homes.  We also do spring cleaning and moving cleans but do not do steam cleaning, carpet cleaning, ceiling cleaning, and window cleaning.  Those cleaning works they don’t do, they can arrange to have them done for you.

Are your home cleaners pet-friendly?

Yes of course. Our cleaning professionals are pet friendly as they have been given adequate training on how to treat dogs, cats and other pets in your home. We give the care, love and respect your pets need. However, if any of your pet is aggressive and may obstruct the cleaner’s work, please inform us in advance and ensure that the pet is well secured and kept away from the cleaning area.

Suppose if there is additional job other than specified, would you do it?

Sure, we can help. Please inform us the requirement and we’ll give you an extra quote for it and the cleaner will do the needful.

Do I need to be at home while you clean? Can I trust the cleaner you send?

You need not to be available in the cleaning location. You may go out for a walk or go for a weekend picnic while our responsible cleaners manage the house cleaning task. It's thus your choice to stay around or not.  From our side we can give guarantee that our expert home cleaners are security checked and police verified and so there won’t be any security or safety issues.

Do you have any guarantee for the home cleaning task? What happens if we’re not happy with the home cleaning you provided?

Please contact your cleaner immediately if you have any concerns about the quality of the cleaning. They’ll guarantee to fix any problems on the next visit or you will get the next clean for free.

Visit Select Home Cleaning website or talk to their office executives or cleaning professionals on 0800 000 907 for clearing any queries or for obtaining an obligation free home cleaning quotation. 

Select Home Cleaning- Basic Care & Maintenance Tips for Hardwood Floors

When you have hardwood floors at home, it is important for you to keep them clean and shining all the time. However, you may be busy with work and hardly have the time to mop or even dust the floor. For this you can call in professional cleaning experts like Select Home Cleaning in New Zealand. These trained cleaning professionals will ensure that dirt, grime and oil are removed from the floor completely. However, basic care should be taken to ensure they do not become the breeding ground for germs and bacteria. 

Here is what the expert professionals from Select Home Cleaning suggest when you are looking for ways and means to take care of hardwood floors-

• Weekly & bi-weekly cleaning- Basic care of hardwood floors do not mean that you have to do it every day. You can opt for weekly or bi-weekly cleaning processes. This can be done with the aid of a vacuum cleaner. The dust is removed. After this you should mop the floor with a very good dirt remover. 
• Use the right equipment for cleaning- When you are vacuuming the floor, ensure that you do not clean the floor with the beater bar attachment.  This attachment will scratch the finish of the floor. Instead use an electric broom or a floor brush attachment. For very dusting, it is advised to use electrostatic cloths that are disposable. For saving money, use both sides of the cloth.
• Remove dirt built over time- When it comes to dirt, grime and oil that has accumulated with time, weekly or bi-weekly dusting or mopping will not remove it completely. It is important for you to call in professionals for the occasional deep cleaning of your hardwood floors. This should ideally be done during spring or just before the holidays. If you are doing it yourself, ensure you use a good deep cleaning product and read the label for instructions. You should saturate a rag mop or a sponge in water and wring it till almost dry. It should be damp to your touch only. This should be used to damp mop the hardwood floor and ensure that you do not allow standing water to remain on the floor. In case, there is excess water, you can use a dry cloth to wipe up the excess water. If the weather is hot and humid, ensure you use a fan to dry up the extra moisture.
• Removing stain marks- When you are removing spots or marks, you should take the finish of your floor into consideration. If the stain is on the floor surface, you have a hard finish. However, if the stain has penetrated into the floor, this means the floor is made of a soft oil surface. This kind of floor is common in older homes where the floors have not been resealed or refinished. For such floors, you need to wipe the floor with a soft and clean cloth. Never use sandpaper or abrasive chemicals that would ruin the surface of the floor.

If you follow the above care and maintenance tips for the hardwood floor as advised by Select Home Cleaning technicians, you will be able to enhance the lifespan of your floors with success!

To know more on important home cleaning tips and services, please visit Select Home Cleaning website. Get your free quote now!

Phone 0800 000 907.

The Ultimate Check List to Prepare Guest Rooms for the Holiday Season

You may be keeping your home in tip top way, but there are still many tasks to be done to make your home presentable for some important guests. In that case, you can contact Select Home Cleaning, a professional house cleaning company servicing Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Tauranga and Christchurch, and they will arrange expert cleaners for your special house cleaning needs.  

Do you like to have a welcoming environment for your holiday guests? Then use the following checklist to delight your guests in a more relaxed way.

Clean and prepare your Guest room: If you have a separate or dedicated guest room, it will take less time than preparing your home-office or one of your kids’ room for the guests.

In the dedicated guest room you have to do the following:

• Dust and vacuum or do the usual mop.
• Put fresh linens on the bed.
• Place extra pillows and blankets in a readily accessible place.
• Clear an area or spot for the luggage and other items in the room.
• Provide enough drawer space and enough number of cloth hangers.
• Keep the sockets available on each side of the bed.
• Empty and keep tidy the wastebasket.
• Place a box of tissues in the nightstand.

Reduce the clutter to the minimum by keeping away all the paperwork in your home-office or the loose toys in your kid’s room if you’re going to use it as the guest room. Remove all the items that you or the regular occupant need during your guests’ stay in the room so that the guest may have a space for their own use. Complete the preparation of the guest room by adding fresh flowers of the season to the nightstands if they are not allergic, a night lamp to the bathroom for late trips and a welcome note that specifies the password to your wi-fi connection. If your guests are coming and going on their own, it is essential to leave an extra key for them.

Prepare your Guest bath:  Many people do bathroom cleaning in two levels. The first one is immediate cleaning by the family, and the second one is doing it with a Home Cleaning Company. If you have not done the company clean in recent times, it’s advisable to call Select Home Cleaning to ensure proper hygienic standards.  

If the guest bath is professionally cleaned lately, it’ll make your task easy. You need to then just do some casual cleaning such as: 

• Remove all the washable items; clean the windows; dust the blinds; clean and wipe the mirrors and countertop containers.  
• Use appropriate cleaning products to clean the cabinet and countertops.
• Scrub the tub walls, shower, floor and toilet with hard bristle brush.
• Sweep and mop the room floor with appropriate products.
• Replace the rugs and other laundered items freshly after washing.
• De-clutter the bathroom as much as you could. Move the items that are not frequently used to the inner cabinets and create more space for the guests. 

Mostly the guests do not like to put you out, so do the shopping and cleaning before their arrival and get more time to spend relaxed. Have a wonderful holiday time with your beloved guests. For your entire home cleaning needs, call the specialist home cleaning professionals, Select Home Cleaning, who can provide you excellent quality home cleaning service at an affordable price. They do care for the quality they provide and are verified, and well trained to delight the customers.

Select Home Cleaning- Top Cleaning Tips for Mirrors and Windows in New Zealand

Glass windows and the mirrors in your home easily accumulate dirt and dust. No matter how often you clean them, they will get dirty. You may clean and rub them meticulously to remove the stains but the glass does not sparkle the way you want them to. You can call Select Home Cleaning who’ll arrange professional window cleaners in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch to remove stubborn elbow grease and lint from glass surfaces. However, some easy regular cleaning of the window or mirror can be done by yourself with the following cleaning tips. 

Here are some top secret ideas on how to keep your window clean! Read on to find them out.

• Besides top quality window cleaning solutions, you need the right tools. You should use a microfiber cloth, chamois or squeegee to clean the window or glass. You should not use paper towels as the latter will leave streaks on the window or mirror.
• If you are cleaning glass that is very dirty, you should start by cleaning it with microfiber cloth that has been soaked in an effective cleaning solution. There are many high quality cleaning solutions available in the market and you may take recommendations from professional home cleaners when they come to remove stubborn stains from your mirrors and glass windows. Rub the glass or the window to remove the stains. When finished rub the glass with a crumpled newspaper sheet.
• If you are using a commercial glass cleaner, it is important for you to opt for products without ammonia. If you have club soda at home or a coffee filter, you may use them to remove stains from the mirror or glass.
• If you have a cover of wax on the mirror you can clean it by mixing two cups of water, half a cup of liquid dish wash soap and a quartet cup of vinegar. If the glass or the window has a cloudy appearance, you may use some white vinegar, one and a half teaspoon of cornstarch in warm water and alcohol. This mixture can be stored inside a spray bottle. Before every use, shake it and see how it cleans your glass.
• Another interesting ingredient that removes scratches from mirrors or glass is white toothpaste. After cleaning the glass or the mirror with a cleaning solution, you may polish it with a little bit of white toothpaste. This means you can follow-up and keep your glass and mirrors free from stains after professional window or mirror cleaners have left.

SelectHomeCleaning Ensure that the Promises They Make Are Delivered on

If you have lots of windows and mirrors at home that you cannot clean yourself, it is wise to go in for professional window cleaners. Select Home Cleaning is a well established award winning home cleaning services Company in New Zealand.  Even though their regional office team does not do window cleaning, they can arrange to have it done for you with trusted service providers who are fast at their job and ensure you get sparkling clean glass and mirrors in no time. If you are busy and cannot pay attention to your windows and mirrors, contact Select Home Cleaning today on 0800 000 907!