Say Bye-bye to Window Frosting!

Do you want to become a perfect house cleaner?! – follow these easy quick tips and prevent window frosting!

It’s already winter - the exact time for the angry frost to hit your window glasses!Though the fog mist on your windows offers a beautiful sight, the after effects of it could be deadly, causing a big damage to your window frames and walls.

How to prevent frost will be anyone’s first thought during this season. You might look upon your neighbours and friends for some tips or research for a home cleaning service who can give you authentic guidelines. Being precautious will certainly help keeping window frosting at bay. Here are some simple tips that help say bye-bye to window frosting!

• Ensure your windows are sealed properly; especially places where the sashes meet the frame. Keeping the windows well insulated should be your prime concern. The best way to insulate your windows is to apply plastic cover on their insides. Another option is to seal them because this will help the air to penetrate inside through gaps
• Keeping your household warm should be your first concern. Using exhaust fans (both while bathing and cooking) help expel moisture. While using exhaust fans mind that they “blow out” and not blow into the loft space. Because venting inside will end up adding nearly a gallon of water per load
• Running a dehumidifier helps. Indoor heating will certainly increase the dryness, which in turn reduce the forming of frost
• Another option to warm your home is to place space heater in the rooms where frosts gather more often.
• Let air circulate - open the curtains and blinds. This will assist in controlling the condensation inside
• Use de-icer spray on the outsides of the window. Spraying this along the window opening will prevent windows from freezing shut. Though this option doesn’t last for a long period of time, most de-icer spray has immediate results. Remember, this should be sprayed not in the insides, but on the outsides. The chemical formula of this aerosol spray require ventilation and spraying it inside the window is strictly a “no, no”
• Make sure whether your clothes dryer is properly vented to the outside
  
• Ensure frost doesn’t sit on windows for a long time. The melted water will spoil wood, the wall, and floor. Placing absorbent clothes or some old towels on the window sills will help. Also use hair dryer to melt the ice and wipe away the water instantly
• Last but not the least, installing thermal efficient windows will avoid frosting. Little costly than the usual, but with them your home will not leak much

Keep calm and follow these quick tips so you can say bye-bye to frost hitting your windows. But if you’re confused at some stage, don’t hesitate to call a professional house cleaner.  This is also applicable to those who dread house cleaning or have no time to do it efficiently.

Out Beat the Winter Housekeeping Challenges with These Quick Tips!

Everybody has to face a lot of housekeeping challenges during the winter period! Well, this is rightly the season for you to roll up your sleeves and do a bit of winter cleaning too. Observe these quick tips that will help you tidy your cluttered mess and keep diseases away from your home!

• As we are into the middle of winter season, it’s good to declutter the house again. Make sure that the summer accessories that you have packed are kept oragnised- Are the labels intact? Do you see any accumulation of dust or mould?

• Concentrate more on the front door, after all that’s the threshold to your dwelling. Arrange a few bench/chair to relax. Might sound weird to some, but having a place to sit on while removing or wearing shoes will make things much better.

• How about opting also for some rugs at the front door? Sounds interesting, right? Leave alone the aesthetic part, rugs could also be for safety purposes - wipe melted snow off your shoes and prevent you from slipping/falling.

• With winter come hats, gloves, shoes, hats and scarves. Deciding a designated spot for these winter accessories will help you easily find them the next time you hunt.

• Now comes your next tip! It could be drawers, bins, racks, cubbies, baskets—pick anything that fancies you and store your hats, gloves, scarves, etc. To make it easier for you, go on labelling, like post on your hubby’s and children’s names across their bin for each type of accessory.

• Be clutter free! Get hold of hooks or a coat rack. This will obviously give you enough space to keep your coats and backpacks in order. Also hanging your coats this way will help your jackets breathe more air and avoid getting musty.

• After all those simple but effective decluttering ideas, here’s a lovely tip for you to refresh your mind.  Keep your windows frost-free by washing them witha mixture of one quart warm water and half a cup of rubbing alcohol.

Being mess and clutter free will certainly makes a healthy and a happy family. You don’t have to hunt for a missing glove nor should you be panicky of bacteria or fungi breeding your heaped up clothes. You won’t require a professional’s help if you follow these few winter tips! Get going now, take up the role of a trained and experienced home cleaner and ensure a non-toxic, safe family! 

Mould Growth in Your Home – Its Health Hazards and Cleaning Tips

Do you know that moulds known as Hyphomycetes, a group of fungi, can grow in your home interiors and cause health hazards to you and your family? 

Indoor water condensation is the main source of moisture that helps the growth of mould in your home. There are chances of severe health risks due to mycotoxins from some toxic moulds. Exposure to high levels of mycotoxins for a longer period of time can cause neurological problems and even death in more serious cases.

Mould can affect all people. But more prone to its attack are the young, elderly or sick, and those with asthma and allergies. Asthma is made worse by the presence of mould. Around 50% of people who live in mouldy conditions can get affected by upper respiratory symptoms. Prolonged exposure to mould can also develop allergy.

In addition to health problems, mould can cause damage to fabrics, shoes, and discolour paint and wallpaper.

Mould growth can occur at poorly ventilated places in the house where there are dampness and darkness. Indoor condensation of humidity that comes from bathrooms and kitchens promotes conditions suitable for the growth of mould. Showers, hot bath, washing machines, clothes dryers, fridge drip trays, boiling kettle, and indoor plants are some sources which generate humidity. This water vapour easily travels to other areas of the house and when it comes in contact with cooler surfaces it gets condensed. In a house, condensation easily occurs at windows, corners of rooms and bedrooms. Cluttered storage, basement areas, flooded areas are also prone to mould growth.  If walls, carpet, wooden furniture and fabrics stay damp for long, mould will slowly grow there too.

Mould growth mainly depends on the type of interior finish in your house. Flat paints (compared to semi-gloss or gloss painted surfaces), plasters and untreated timbers have high percentage of moisture absorbency causing condensation of water vapour.

Mould has to be removed the moment traces are seen. It becomes difficult to clean the area affected by mould for longer periods. Avoid dry brushing the area because it could release spores that will help the mould spread further. It will also cause harm if you are allergic to it.  

Room heating, adequate ventilation, proper insulation of walls, ceiling and flooring, and physically removing the moulds are some of the possible methods of controlling condensation and mould. Cleaning affected areas using 80% white fermented vinegar solution can be more effective than applying bleach. It poses a cheap means of dispatching mould too.

In case of flooding, make sure to clean and dry the area thoroughly as early as possible. Water-damaged carpets, rugs and damp building materials are most affected by mould growth. If you are unsure about proper cleaning procedures after a flood, it is recommended that you take the services of a reputed cleaning contractor in your area.

The adage that says “prevention is better than cure” is also applicable to mould issues. Frequently clean the bathroom, window panes, evaporation trays in air conditioners, and refrigerators where there is a possibility of the occurrence of humidity. It does not only maintain the beauty of the house from the inside but also maintains your health and well-being.

Must-Know Cleaning Tips for Every Household

Here are some important house cleaning tips you should keep in mind before venturing out to clean it all by yourself. These must-know facts will keep you safe, and also save you time and energy while doing a home cleaning task.

Cleaning Preparation

Before starting the house cleaning task, prepare all the cleaning materials, tools and accessories (clean rags, paper towels, rubbish bag for emptying wastebaskets, etc.) together in a cleaning trolley. This way you can save time and energy running around the house for taking right tools and other items during the cleaning process. 

Cleaning an entire house

Start cleaning from the top floor and move your way down. This will avoid passing through the area you have already cleaned.

Cleaning a room

First do the cleaning works around the ceiling area, for example, clean the fans, lights, cobwebs on the wall etc. Then clean windows and wall hangings; next work on furniture and lastly the floor. This method has the advantage that any dust shaken loose from high up does not settle on something you've already cleaned below. Same way clean the windows and mirrors from top to bottom as the cleaning liquid drips down carrying dirt from top to bottom.

General House Cleaning Tips

First do the dry cleaning methods such as dusting, sweeping and vacuuming, and then proceed to wet cleaning. This makes the job easy as most of the dust particles are removed which otherwise would have stuck to the wet surface. 

It’s much easier to clean up spills and stains as and when they happen rather than delaying it for another day. The spills slowly seep into the inner layers of carpets or stone surfaces and then set down permanently making it very difficult to remove later.

Good to get organised well and do the cleaning job in a time saving and wise way. It is advisable firstly to spray cleaning chemicals on the objects and then do another easy job while the cleaner fully soaks in to the surface. This way you get the area cleaned well without the need for heavy scrubbing.

Using Cleaning Products or Chemicals

Manufacturer’s instructions or tips for cleaning are to be strictly followed for everything from toasters to silk blouses and quilts to blinds. When you purchase a new appliance, rug or other household item, keep the cleaning procedures safely and refer to it for periodical cleaning.

Some cleaning liquids when sprayed directly on a computer screen or a framed artwork can cause damage. The liquid dripping into your electronics or cleaner soaking the mount of a painting can be harmful. It would be safe to spray the cleaning liquid on a cloth and then use it to clean the electronics items or framed photographs.

The chemical ingredients of all cleaning products are by large harmful to human being - it can affect the skin, eyes, lungs etc. So, if you are not taking the services of a professional cleaner, make sure that you have all the protective items before starting a house cleaning work. Use aprons, head scarf, rubber gloves and protective safety glasses while you attempt the house cleaning. Also ensure that the room you’re cleaning is properly ventilated.

House cleaning tasks are often boring and tedious, but we shouldn’t forget the great satisfaction that one gets from living in a clean home. The cleaning tips provided above will make your work safer and simpler.

Add Value to Your Property by Observing Basic Home Cleaning Procedures

Are you preparing your home for auction and looking for a reliable home cleaning company who will impart a fresh outlook to the entire property? Or are you planning a major seasonal clean-up?

In both cases, once you have assigned the job to Select Home Cleaning service, we won’t be supplying just a normal cleaner; what we provide will be a well trained Select Cleaning Franchisee owner. And you know what difference it makes! As they own their business, they are sure to take more care about the quality they deliver.

The winter has already set in, but if you have not yet done the preparatory winter cleaning procedures, you can have a look at one of our blog articles here.   

Given below are some general tips for maintaining your home neat and clean throughout the year:

Ensure that your cleaning job is done using the most effective and Eco-friendly cleaning products so the best result is achieved without harming the environment.

During a major clean-up task, make sure that the cleaning staffs pay attention to generally neglected areas in the home which are to be given a smart clean. It’s also the ideal time for de-cluttering. Check the entire house, especially the bedrooms, and get rid of any unused items and junk where dust can easily accumulate.  Stash all kinds of living room and family room miscellany such as toys, hats, gloves, magazines etc. into a plastic pouch.

Make certain that gutters that may have been filled with leaves over autumn are thoroughly cleaned. Doing this could save you a considerable amount of money over time as water seeping through damaged gutter can badly affect the building structure.

It’s advisable to do the major home cleaning two times a year rather than making it a onetime complete clean-up. May be the second one can be six months after the spring cleaning. The advantage of cleaning twice is that your house will remain cleaned and more organised for a longer time. It will also be easier to properly maintain it that way. Selecting the springtime for cleaning is the best approach because you’ll be opening up the house after the winter period and every nook and corner then needs the attention. 

Always remember that what you pay for house cleaning will come back to you in double profits in the form of peace of mind and extra time during weekends! A tidy, sparkling and elegantly kept home helps to reduce stress and increases your productivity.

Phone us on 0800 000 907 to get your free quote now! Or submit a simple form given in the Select Cleaning website to receive the no-obligation free quote from your favourite home cleaning providers in New Zealand.  

The Rise Of Household Help

Have you ever noticed that we seem to be getting more and more of our regular work around the house done by outside services? 

Did it ever occur to you that maybe this was nothing new?

It seems to me that 150 years ago it was common for people - especially the middle & upper classes - to have servants who did all the daily chores - like cleaning, cooking, washing, serving, driving, car cleaning etc. In fact I have been surprised when looking at our family who migrated to NZ, Australia & US in the mid to late 1800s at how many traveled with one or two servants.  And most of those families would not have been considered wealthy.

With the changes that went on around and after the first world war the use of servants dropped off for many and it became normal since then for most families (apart from the wealthy) to do most of those day to day chores themselves.  Maybe that was what drove the development of the automatic washing machine!

However, if you look at what has happened in most large cities over the last 30 years you will note the growth of businesses that are offering the services that were once provided by servants - home cleaning, lawn mowing, window cleaning, oven cleaning, car cleaning etc etc.

Have a look around the people you know and count how many are now using a service that would once have been provided by a servant -  I think you will be surprised by the number who are.  The shear growth in these businesses gives testament to the call for these services.

We may have all the "mod cons' but the one thing we are still short of is time. So rather than having a servant who "lives in" we have people coming in regularly to do the work.  We have a lawn mowing guy who mows the lawn every 2 - 3 weeks, we have a cleaner who cleans our house every 2 weeks, we take our cars to a car valet service every month for full detailing, we have the house washed once a year and so forth....

So maybe the day of the servant has not gone....just transformed.

Winter cleaning

With the dropping temperatures and rain over most of the country we are starting to see winter closing in. This means more time inside and darker days.

There are a few things you can look at now that will brighten up the house for winter and also spread some of the deep cleaning you need to do each year out a bit.

• Give all your lights a good clean - there will be a build up of dust on some of them so now is a good time to clean this up and let the light shine. If you can take shades off them soak them in warm soapy water before wiping down and drying thoroughly. If you cannot take the shades off the use a damp microfibre cloth dipped in warm soapy water to clean the fittings. Be sure to not use too much water and make sure the lights are off......you do not want to get any water around the electrical fittings. If you have intricate chandeliers or such then you may need to call in an expert - talk to the guys at the shop you purchased the light from.
• Wash all your inside windows and frames. Winter is when you can get a build up of mold and gunk. Getting rid of any build up at the beginning of winter can help keep the build up down.  A good tool for the frames is a denture brush - these are often bigger and stiffer than a toothbrush and have an angled head on the top. They are great for getting right into the corners.
• Have  alook at all the high places in the kitchen inclusing the ceiling. In winter you are more likely to be cooking with the windows shut so you are going to get more residues on the ceiling and top of cupboards etc.  This stuff needs to be cleaned of 2 or 3 times a year and winter is a great time to do one of these cleans. Keep on top of this and you will have an easier job.

Of course if you have a home cleaning service now is a good time to get them to give you a price to do all of this. They will have all the right equipment and will get the job done quickly and efficiently.

Remember also that you should be talking to your cleaner regularly - if you think they are not doing the right things tell them.  I do not come across too many cleaner who do not want to please the customer. So make sure you are talking to them regularly.  If your cleaner will not listen then you have the wrong cleaner and you should either talk to the cleaning company and ask for a replacement or seek a new cleaning company.

Your relationship with the person cleaning your home is really important. be prepared to work on this but also realise that if you cannot get this running smoothly within the first 6 - 8 cleans then you won't be able to and you should look for alternatives.