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.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: , , , , ,

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.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: , , , , ,

What To Look For When Selecting a Cleaning Company:

April 18, 2011 By Owner, Maids Over Austin

From the Owner of Maids Over Austin

I don’t do windows, do you?

I’m guessing if you’re reading this, you don’t ( or want to or have time to) do windows. If I’m right, I’m also guessing you don’t do floors, bathrooms, laundry and some of the other chores around your house. And let’s face it, for most people cleaning the house is a chore — and not how you want to spend your relaxing hours away from work. And with summer right around the corner, you can look forward to traveling house guests, unexpected visitors, and last minute entertaining. That means, having a clean house is a necessity.

So, if you’re not doing the windows, who is? And most importantly, how do you find a qualified and reputable cleaning company?

I know you may be a little hesitant to hire an Austin maid service because you’ve seen the 20/20 investigative reports showing grainy videos with an employee from some national company helping themselves to a few pieces of jewelry, snooping through unmentionables, and generally providing a cleaning job that lacks luster.

Which begs the question…

What should I look for when selecting a cleaning company in Austin?

There are a few details that can make finding a qualified cleaning company easier. Here’s what we recommend you look for before you even consider inviting anyone to clean your windows.

Insured and Bonded
You’ve likely heard the phrase “insured and bonded,” but not always associated with cleaning companies. When it comes to working with cleaning companies, insured and bonded goes a long way because financial coverage protects clients in the case of damage, theft, and other types of accidents. Insured and bonded can provide you with some serious peace of mind when it comes to people cleaning your home.

Satisfied Customers
Recommendations offered by satisfied — and not so satisfied — customers can make all the difference. When searching for a reputable cleaning company really look into their reputation and see what other people are saying about their work. Check out consumer review sites like Angie’s List or Google to see what their reputation really is. Trust me, if the service a company offers is spectacular or horrible — you’ll read all about it.

Cleaning Supplies
There are a few sides to this coin. First, be sure to inquire as to whether the cleaning company you’re considering provides their own cleaning supplies — or are you expected to provide the supplies? Some cleaning companies don’t provide their own supplies, and as a kicker, charge you extra to cover the cost of the supplies they use.

The other side of the cleaning supplies coin is the type of supplies used. At Maid Over Austin, we not only equip our cleaning professionals with supplies, and if you would like organic, non-toxic cleaning agents. Just ask — we use them at your request.

What do you think is important to know about a cleaning company before inviting them into your home?

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,