Smart Living: Expert advice

How won their capabilities compared to cleaning professionals rave reviews from owners?

Just in time for spring, here are some tips, tricks and tools of the building cleaning, by our team of highly qualified research recently interviewed cleaner provided:

empty right with the law vacuum

Weekly vacuuming is essential to clean the carpet. Do it more often if you have pets or children. And look at this three-step approach for comprehensive life performance:

• Clean the peripheral edge of the tool.

• Start with the furthest back and if you do not leave traces corner.

• Inhale slowly and regularly works better than many fast passages.

Cleaners prefer lighter machines with HEPA filters to allergens that are equipped with accessories and are readily solved long tubes that fit under furniture, and reach to remove the corners of the ceiling.

For best results, plunder the pantry

Cooking ingredients maid love to share these ideas:

• Place the bowls of white vinegar or coffee beans in a room to absorb odors.

• Update. Carpets, sofas and mattresses shaking or spraying a mixture of one part vinegar, one part water and five to 10 drops of essential oil of eucalyptus, lavender or tea tree oil

• Disinfect doorknobs, doors, walls and other surfaces antibacterial soap dishes mixed with white vinegar and hot water with a little liquid.

• Sprinkle baking soda in showers and sinks as deodorizing cleaner.

• Update drains and help clear blockages baking soda on the side of the drain, then pour vinegar. The use of boiling water for rinsing the mixture of bubbles in the effluent.

More tips for the cleaning of experts

• Remove stains in the shower, so that a paste of hot water and clean oxygen powder. Apply on walls, glass doors and let stand for 30 minutes. Scrub with a nylon brush, rinse with warm water and polish dry.

• To remove stains dry and clean of dark granite, clean with soapy water and dry with a microfiber cloth

• Remove dirt and debris from tiny crevices with a toothpick.

Before hiring a cleaner

If you prefer, online or outsource any part of your cleaning, line marking potential candidates in an escrow Reviews. Then ask the following questions:

• How long have you been in business? Can you references?

• Are you connected? Liability insurance? Employees are also insured or as a subcontractor?

• Do you have to do background checks?

• Is this the same team clean my house all the time?

• What equipment and materials are available, or can I?

Most cleaning companies offer free estimates. A first "deep" cleaning can range from $ 300 to $ 400 $ 100 to $ 150 for a cleaning twice a month, although other planning options available.

The prices depend on the size of your house if you have children or pets, if you smoke, your soil type and the number of elements of dust and needs care. The prices also depend on the services that you want to record. For example, do you think the filter to change the beds and wash the sheets? Would you cleaned your refrigerator or kitchen cabinets?

The cleaner can do the job faster if you agree in advance.

Angie Hicks is the founder of Angie's List, a resource for local reviews on everything from home repair to health care.

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