Monday, February 28, 2011

Quick Clean: Bathrooms

Who doesn't love a clean bathroom?  Perhaps the more appropriate question is who loves a dirty bathroom?  Yes, that would be no one.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

The Secret: Inside the Fridge

The Dreaded Fridge Clean...  I'm sure you all know that feeling!  Oh yes, we use our fridge every day, opening and closing the door; reaching in and pulling things out.  It's a fantastic modern device that has made our lives infinitely easier.  The question is how do you keep the darn thing clean?

I'll tell you my Clean Freak secret...

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Renovations: Grout, ugh!

What is the bane of my existence?  What is the most challenging thing to keep clean in a house?  What should never be used in high-traffic or high-mess areas?  You guessed it - grout.  Those beautiful tiny tiles, they looked so pretty in the tile store.  So delicate.  You pictured them in your bathroom, gleaming underneath your feet when you stepped out of the shower.  The soft white colour setting off your new pedicure.  Your dream bathroom.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Renovations: Why My Opinion Matters

Why would anyone read a cleaning blog when they are planning a renovation?  I know it sounds a little silly, but follow my logic for a moment.  When people are planning a renovation, why do they do it?  I believe I can safely say that people renovate so that they have a nice house/condo/apartment.  If you are going to spend all that time and money, generally you want a nice looking house at the end of it.  Well something I have learned so far through my cleaning business is that designers do not think about cleaning.  Oh sure they want you to have a nice house, maybe they have a fantastic eye for color/pattern/set-up, but they tend to not think through the day-in, day-out process of keeping that river-pebble shower floor clean.

Monday, February 7, 2011

The Secret: Windows & Mirrors

How can you get streak-free, crystal clear windows?  The answer is treat the process like making meringue.  Yes, you heard me.  Cleaning windows is like making meringue.  People who make a lot of meringue know that the key is to keep all of their equipment as clean as possible.  If the beaters or bowl have even traces of oil or grease on them, the meringue will not reach its ultimate level of fluffiness.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Don't try this at home: Vacuuming...

Every once in a while at work a funny thing happens that really underlines the importance of certain cleaning techniques.  In this situation I learned the importance of not vacuuming up moist, really noxious substances.

There I was!  Bright and early in the morning.  My client was upstairs taking care of her young baby so I decided to start my cleaning shift with a quick vacuum of the kitchen floor and dining room.  I pull the vacuum out, plug it in and start sucking away.  As I am vacuuming the smell of cat pee becomes quite strong.  It seems to be following me around and I am not sure why.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Home Cleaning: The Commandments

Like most things in life, cleaning works best when a few general guidelines are set out.  They are here to act as a guide, feel free to disregard any of them if they don't work for your life.

1. Thou shalt not overly obsess about cleaning.  Obviously I enjoy having a clean house.  I think it gives my life a sense of peace and calm.  Having said that, it is just cleaning and as long as you are comfortable with your level of cleanliness then be peaceful with that.

2. Thou shalt use no chemicals.  I did mention that I am obsessive about being green as well didn't I?  I don't think chemicals are necessary for cleaning.  Having said that I know that technically vinegar, alcohol and, heck, even water are considered chemicals.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Why am I writing this blog?

Since starting my cleaning company in April 2010 I have become obsessed with cleaning.  I scrub my toilet every day, reorganize my closets continually and delight in microfiber cloth sales at Canadian Tire.  I find myself with a new lens on the world - I call it my cleaning lady eye (I know incredibly politically incorrect but seriously most of us are women).

My cleaning lady eye is both a blessing and a curse.  Restaurant bathrooms that once merely lifted my eyebrow now receive gasps of horror.