Cleaning Hardwood Floors with Vinegar and Water

October 18, 2011 By Owner, Maids Over Austin

Vinegar and water seem to be a magical cure-all for all kinds of grime. But when it comes to cleaning hardwood floors with vinegar and water, is this just another Old Wives’ Tale, or will it do the trick? Yes and yes!

The Secret Cleaning Powers of Vinegar

So, what makes vinegar so special? Vinegar is produced from the fermentation process of liquids like wine or apple cider. White vinegar is best for cleaning as it won’t leave behind any color. What’s so preferable about vinegar to other cleaning solutions is it’s organic and non-toxic.  After all, it is something you’d be okay with eating! So, in a nutshell, it’s safe on your floors, and the people walking on them. It’s also powerful, killing bacteria, mold, odors, and other pesky enemies of a clean environment. As an added bonus, it’s real cheap.

How to Clean a Hardwood Floor with Vinegar and Water
Cleaning hardwood floors with vinegar and water is pretty simple. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide.

  1. Clear the way! Sweep or vacuum the area you’ll be cleaning and make sure all dirt and dust are MIA. You’ll also want to move furniture and rugs out of the way.
  2. Mix vinegar and water in a mop bucket – the ratio should be a half cup of white vinegar to a gallon of water.
  3. Grab your mop and dip into the mixture. However, ring it out until it’s only just damp enough to make a difference. You don’t want to introduce puddles of water onto your precious hardwood floors! Rinse your mop frequently.
  4. Get to mopping! If you mop with the flow of the floorboards, you’ll leave no traces behind and your floors should dry on their own. Make sure to wipe off any leftover liquid with a towel, though.
  5. Replace your vinegar and water with a new mix if it gets too dirty.

Cons of Cleaning Hardwood Floors with Vinegar and Water

While cleaning hardwood floors with vinegar and water is recommendable, there are some drawbacks. For starters, some dirt is just too stubborn for the cleaning duo. If you’ve encountered an especially tough stain or grease spot, try some wood cleaner.  As well, if you’re not careful with your mopping technique, you’ll end up with too much water on your wood floors (no good), and even a sticky residue.  When in doubt, get the best Austin maid service to help!

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Tips for Cleaning a DVD Player

October 2, 2011 By Owner, Maids Over Austin

You know the feeling.  You’re 50 minutes in to that suspenseful mystery flick you’ve wanted to see for weeks, when, BAM, the DVD starts skipping, or freezes up on you. You take out the DVD and blow on it, but it still won’t play. Grr. Hey, don’t toss out the DVD player or your plans for Movie Night just yet. First, check out these tips for cleaning a DVD player. A little TLC may do the trick.

1. Unplug

Of all the tips for cleaning a DVD player, this really should go without saying. However, considering all the plugs and wires your electronics have going on, you may be tempted to skip this step. Well, don’t – that’s just not safe! Turn your DVD player off, and unplug everything from it before you start to clean.

2.  Clean the Outside with a Microfiber Cloth

This is definitely a job for microfiber. Unlike other surfaces, it’s important that you don’t leave behind any fibers when you clean electronics. Dust the outside of your DVD player with a powerful microfiber pad that will leave no trace behind.

3.  Pop in a Cheap Laser Lens Cleaner

A laser lens cleaner is essentially a disc that you put in your DVD player and play like any other DVD. A dirty lens reader is often the reason for a badly behaving DVD player, so this is a cheap and easy way to get things back into working order.

4. No Lens Cleaner? No Worries

A cotton swab with some alcohol on it, and a vacuum with a small nozzle, can also come to the rescue. Open up your DVD player and wipe the inner part with a swab of alcohol (not corrosive water or other cleaning solutions). But first, grab the smallest nozzle of your vacuum cleaner and suck out all that pesky, movie-interrupting dust. If you do use alcohol to clean, give the alcohol a few hours to evaporate before turning the DVD player back on.

5. For a Deeper Clean, Take It Apart

If the DVD player is still acting up after a clean, that doesn’t mean all is lost. If you’re up to the challenge, consider unscrewing it and taking it apart. At this point, you can use your vacuum nozzle or a can of compressed air to get rid of all those dust and dirt particles. For either a vacuum (with small attached nozzle) or compressed air can, make sure to hold it about 10 inches away from the equipment. Warning: if you’ve got a warranty for your DVD player, this isn’t the best idea, as taking the DVD player apart will void it.

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Top 10 Benefits of Hiring a Maid Service

October 2, 2011 By Owner, Maids Over Austin

If you’re used to tidying up your home all by your lonesome, living in squalor, or fall somewhere in between, this one’s for you. It’s okay to ask for help. Really! In fact, it’s good for your mental health, personal productivity, and even your family dynamics. It’s the responsible – not lazy – thing to do. Unconvinced? Here are the top 10 benefits of hiring a maid service.

1. De-clutter Your Home and Your Mind

It’s not just your house that Austin maid services can help get into order – it’s your life. Dirty floors, unmade beds, and tons of clutter make it hard to get things done, and make it hard for you to unwind. Put it this way: watching your favorite TV show in a messy living room is just not as fun as watching your favorite TV show in a clean and organized living room.

2. Clean Home Sweet Home

If piles of dishes or un-swept floors are the first thing to greet you at home, you may not want to come home at all. After a long day at work, the last thing you need is a bunch of mess added to your plate. Your home should be your sanctuary, not just another chore.

3. Don’t Fall Behind

Even clean freaks don’t have the time to keep up with a big house, and cleaning should be done regularly, not in quick spurts. Make sure you always have a clean kitchen to cook in, clean bathroom to shower in, and clean bedroom to relax in. Even if you hire a maid for a weekly or monthly visit, rather than daily, it’s much easier to keep up with the mess if you’ve got some professional help on your side.

4.  A Professional Cleaning Service Does it Better

Many do-it-yourself types avoid hiring a maid service because, after all, who doesn’t know how to clean? But the truth is – you probably don’t. Well, you don’t know how to clean as well as a trained expert. You may not know which powerful cleaning solutions to apply to which surfaces, or how to get rid of stubborn stains. A professional house cleaning service knows it all. Why take up your own time and energy to do a job half as good as an experienced and knowledgeable expert?

5. Pay for the Service, Not the Supplies

It’s not just the expertise of Austin maids that come in handy. It’s their powerful cleaning equipment! Don’t invest your own money into the most cutting-edge cleaning supplies (or your time into learning how to use them); get the benefit through a maid service. Professional cleaners will come equipped with everything they need to get the job done perfectly.

6. Germ-free Living

You may only have time for quick scrub or sweep. A professional maid service has the time, staff, and supplies to make sure every inch of your house gets the attention it deserves. Don’t worry about a grimy toilet or kitchen sink – check out our deep cleaning services in Austin if you’re looking for the best clean possible. Talk about a breath of fresh air.

7. Improve the Value of Your Home

A little neglect can go a long way. Sitting water can turn into mold, tough stains can turn into permanent scars – and once the damage is done, it can be impossible or very expensive to undo. With a maid on your side, you can maintain the cleanliness of your home, while keeping it intact for future generations. Improve today’s living conditions, and tomorrow’s resale value.

8. Increased Productivity

Sure, a clean house is great. But you’ve also wanted to install new tile in the bathroom, get that vegetable garden going, and paint the walls a new color. If you’re constantly keeping up with house cleaning, you’ll have zero time for other “do it yourself” projects. As well, you won’t have time to help the kids with their homework, or your coworkers with a deadline – even though a maid service isn’t free, it can pave the way for more success in life, and even more money.

9. Bring Peace to the Family

While it’s good for every family member to have different chores and tasks they’re in charge of, the more that can be taken off their collective plates, the better. Less fights over spilled milk, and more family game nights!

10. Free At Last

One of the best benefits for hiring a maid service, hands down!  Enjoy more quality time with friends and family, partake in your favorite hobbies, and make de-stressing a regular – rather than a rare – thing.

If you’ve enjoyed this list of the top 10 benefits of hiring a maid service, why not see how we can help you? Check out our basic to deep house cleaning services in Austin.

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Six Ways to Keep Your Home Germ-Free

July 13, 2011 By Owner, Maids Over Austin

Dust.  Dirt.  Allergens.  All of these factors contribute to illness and your home is a breeding ground for germs no matter how clean it looks on the surface.  You don’t have to live in fear of pollen and dust mites.  You just have to know how to eliminate the sources of it.

Put on those rubber gloves and that face mask and prepare to become a bonafide germbuster in your home.  Here are five ways to keep your home clean, sanitized, and germ-free:

Change or clean filters regularly. Instead of funneling dirt and dust through the rooms of your home, why not keep things clean and pure?  Switching out or cleaning your filters takes some time but it is well worth it.

Vacuum floors and drapes regularly. Dirt, dust, and debris get tracked into the home by anyone wearing shoes on your carpet.  You can take care of this situation by vacuuming your floors regularly.  You should also use the hand tool on your cleaner to take care of drapes.  These items get germy quickly.

Dust blinds, shelves, and ceilings. You can use a dry rag or Swiffer-like type of duster to get in between blinds and hard-to-reach areas of the ceiling and shelving.  Make sure to dust all knick knacks and picture frames as well because dirt and grime accumulate on these items as well.

Wash bedding in hot water weekly. This is one of the most effective ways to kill dust mites.  You can also hang your blankets and sheets out in freezing cold weather.  The insects don’t like frigid temperatures any more than you do.

Sanitize kitchen countertops and cooking utensils with a bleach solution to kill bacteria. Mix water and bleach according to the instructions on the bottle.  Use the solution to disinfect surfaces, utensils, and appliances each and every day.  This is a high traffic area of your home so it requires special attention.

Hire a professional cleaning service. We are all busy, most of us too busy to keep up with the demands of keeping  clean house.  When you add kids and pets to the mix you can be sure their are germs and bacteria.  Your best bet to keep things under control and healthy for your family is to enlist the occasional (or more often) help of a cleaning company like Maids Over Austin.

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Cleaning Your Baby’s Nursery Safely and Easily

June 27, 2011 By Owner, Maids Over Austin

By Owner of Maids Over Austin

Your newborn bundle of joy means the world to you.  So, why would you take a chance on his or her health by cleaning your home with harsh chemicals and strongly scented deodorizing sprays?  That’s right, if you knew just how toxic some household cleaners are, you’d stop using them altogether.

So, how do you keep your baby’s nursery clean and sanitary?  It’s easy.  You rely on some old-fashioned concotions made from natural ingredients to disinfect, deodorize, and cleanse the changing station and crib.  It worked for your grandmother and now it can work for you!

Here are some ways that you can freshen up your little one’s room:

Check your baby’s crib every couple of days. Wash sheets and blankets and using a simple solution of soap and water, wipe down his or her waterproof mattress.

Air out the child’s room by opening the windows for 15 minutes at a time. Natural sunlight is great for killing bacteria and a cool breeze can help eliminate odors by ushering them outside.

Dust your baby’s room. Sometimes simple damp rag will do the trick. If you want things to smell really good, add a drop of lavender essential oil, which is known to calm and soothe.

Wash your child’s bath toys and bath tub.  A solution made up of mild soap and water is enough to eliminate grime and get these items looking new again.

Create a simple cleaning list for yourself.  Check items off once their complete so that you won’t miss anything.  Keeping your child’s room clean and disinfected will help reduce the amount of illnesses he or she experiences and it helps improve the appearance of your home as well.

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Carpet Cleaning in Austin For a Healthier Home

June 23, 2011 By Owner, Maids Over Austin

By Owner, Maids Over Austin

Carpet cleaning has proven health benefits.  In fact, not only does it improve your health, it enhances the atmosphere of your home.  A fresh carpet cleaning in Austin eliminates harmful contaminants like dirt, dust, and bacteria.  It also removes pet hair and dander which are both things that can cause illness in you and your family members.

Your indoor air quality will instantly improve once you’ve scheduled your first Austin carpet cleaning with Maids Over Austin.  After that, some standard maintenance should keep things looking and smelling fresh until your next appointment with us.

Here are a few things that you can do to keep your carpets as clean as possible:

Have everyone remove their shoes before walking on carpeted areas of your home. This limits the amount of dirt being tracked inside your home.

Vacuum regularly to pick up loose particles and debris. Do this a few times a week especially in high traffic areas.

Clean and replace your filter on your vacuum cleaner. This prevents you from putting dirt and debris back into your carpet.

Treat stains before they set in. There are a number of products on the market that can be used to remove stains quickly and easily.

To remove mold and mildew, mix up a solution of non-chlorine bleach, and salt. This solution is safe for colored carpets as well.

Taking a few of the steps listed above can help you maintain the appearance of  your carpet in between scheduled appointments with Maids Over Austin.  A professional Austin carpet cleaning company like ours can get your carpet looking and smelling new once again.  Why don’t you call us today and see for yourself?  When it comes to steam cleaning carpets in the Austin, Texas areas, we’ve got you covered.

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Five Ways to Get Your Home Party Perfect with Our Cleaning Services

June 6, 2011 By Owner, Maids Over Austin

By Owner, Maids Over Austin

Do you have a party planned at your home this summer?  Do you want to make sure that everything is perfect prior to the event?  Why not take advantage of our custom cleaning services?  Our cleaning professionals tackle one room at a time making everything party perfect.

Here are five ways that we help you get your home ready for special events:

Dusting. What a chore!  Who wants to spend their day removing dirt and grime from knick knacks and windowsills.  Maids Over Austin does this for you so you can put the finishing touches on your party menu.

Vacuuming and mopping floors. A freshly cleaned carpet or tiled floor sets the tone for the entire house.  There’s just something encouraging about having people step into your home and knowing that every square inch has been taken care of.

Clean and sanitize your bathroom. If there is one area of the home that is high traffic, it’s the bathroom.  Our maids make sure that the trash has been emptied, the toliet has been cleaned inside and out, and that all the towels and hand towels have been replaced.

Clean countertops and appliances in your kitchen. If you plan on serving food at your party, the likelihood of people coming in and out of the kitchen is high.  Our cleaners make sure that all countertops, cooking surfaces, and appliances sparkle.

Clean your TV. If your party revolves around a favorite show or sporting event, you’ll want your TV to look its best.  Our professionals wipe the screen with cleaner and dust the top and backside of your electronic to ensure that it is dirt-free.

Tidy a room’s overall appearance. Once everything is physically clean, it makes a world of difference to spruce things up.  We take the time to make sure that everything appears neat before we leave your home.

Whether it’s a birthday party, family reunion or impromptu get-together, your home should look its best.  Your guests will step foot inside your door and instantly feel welcome.  That’s why Maids Over Austin is the right choice for your professional cleaning needs.  Who better to get your house party perfect than us?

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Five Things You Could Be Doing Instead of Cleaning

May 8, 2011 By Owner, Maids Over Austin

By the Owner of Maids Over Austin

Let’s face it, cleaning is the last thing you want to get stuck doing on a sunny day.  With the birds chirping outside your window, think about how perfect it would be to spend the afternoon exploring your own city.  Although this may be a dream for a busy person like you, chances are you would benefit tremendously from a professional cleaning service.  In addition to providing you with a clean home, they can also free up your schedule so you can take some time out for you. In fact, instead of sweeping, mopping, and dusting, you could be doing the following list of things:

1. Get a manicure or pedicure with a friend.  Instead of walking around with chipped nail polish, treat yourself to a day of pampering with your BFF.

2. Attend an outdoor concert at Symphony Square.  Let the music move you as you forget about your cares like dirty dishes and dusty cabinets.

3. Get your art fix by strolling the twelve-acre grounds at Laguna Gloria Art Museum and exploring its latest exhibit.  Find an artist that intrigues you and spend time really studying their medium.

4. Take a Historic Walking Tour of downtown Austin.  Slow down the speed of life and take in all of the local scenery by foot.

5. Tour one of the many Hill Country wineries and sample award-winning wines in many varieties.   Sip a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon and reflect upon the beauty of Texas and its vineyards.

Whether it is basic cleaning that you need or some deep down, full-blown scrubbing, one thing is certain.  Having someone else provide cleaning services to you is a blessing because it frees up your time and gives you the ability to go out and explore Austin.  So, what are you waiting for?  Call Maids Over Austin today!

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Austin Cleaning Company Partners With Cancer Non-Profit

May 4, 2011 By Owner, Maids Over Austin

Community Impact Newspaper

Southwest Austin edition

Feb. 25, 2011 – March 24, 2011

Maids Over Austin, an Austin cleaning business and previous division of The Art of Order, has recently partnered with the charitable foundation Cleaning For a Reason to offer free house-cleanings and maid service for women undergoing treatment for any kind of cancer.

“Cancer has touched my immediate family, and I was able to experience firsthand what a person goes through and a family goes through,” said Lori Martin, the founder of Maids Over Austin. “I had wanted to do something with my business for a while…to give something back. When I read about this one and having had cancer affect my family, I knew it was a perfect fit.”

Illness and treatment often makes patients dealing with cancer too tired for housework, and their families are too busy as well. However, managing the cleanliness of your home when you are sick is important for hygiene. Through the partnership with Cleaning For a Reason, women who are cancer patients apply for service and then are qualified to receive four free cleanings, which gives these women one less task to worry about as they focus on beating their illness.

In addition to this pro bono cleaning work, Maids Over Austin offers a full range of cleaning (http://maidaustin.com/) services. Martin founded the company in 2008 and offers comprehensive cleaning services that encompass maid services, carpet cleaning, moving/make-ready cleaning, commercial and vacation home cleaning in Austin.

If you have a family member who would benefit from the Cleaning For a Reason program, contact Cleaning For A Reason at (877) 337-3348 to apply for the program or Maids Over Austin at http://www.maidaustin.com.

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A New Kind of Clean: What a Green Household Can Do For You

April 25, 2011 By Owner, Maids Over Austin

By Owner of Maids Over Austin

Let’s face it.  The old way of cleaning left a lot to be desired.  The harsh chemicals used to scrub our tile floors and formica countertops really didn’t set well with us.  We knew there was a better way to fight grime, but we weren’t sure how to go about it until now.  That’s why the idea of organic cleaning resonates with us.  It’s not just our health that we’re concerned about.  It’s our babies’ and pets’ health too.

While searching for green cleaning tips, we ran across a few that we thought we might share.  In addition to using natural ingredients, including those in our refrigerators and pantries, eco-friendly household products cut back on the amount of dirt and dust we normally find on countertops, computer screens, and bookshelves.  This allows us to maintain our freshly cleaned homes and apartments for days at a time.

A good green cleaning company helps us accomplish many things.  First and foremost, they can help us get things in order again in a very short amount of time.  This allows us to be more efficient cleaners in the future.  Instead of focusing all of our energy on scratching the surface, we can concentrate our efforts on deep cleaning other areas of our homes like our offices and bedroom closets.  This also allows us to sort through, donate, and recycle the things we no longer need.

Organic house cleaners introduce us to chemical-free cleaning products.  Their knowledge and expertise helps us make better choices in the future.  When it comes to the health and well-being of ourselves and our loved ones, nothing is more sacred.  That is why we opt to go green.

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