By Maid Sailors Cleaning Tips 0 Comments

How to Clean Scorched Pots and Pans

Cleaning pots and pans can be one of the most difficult tasks after enjoying a delicious meal. The food residual or burnt food makes the job even more difficult as it requires extra hands-on attention. It is essential to be extra careful while cleaning tough stains on your pots and pans. As thorough scrubbing can damage the coating, especially of your nonstick pans. Thus, we have prepared this detailed guide to ensure that your loved pots and pans are not just cleaned but also protected in the process.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

Vinegar comes handy in a lot of situations and cleaning your scorched pans is one of them. The combination of vinegar and baking soda is used to combat harsh stains. However, you must be careful in using the ingredients together. If you mix them, you’ll notice a volcano effect that might create even more mess to clean. Follow the steps below to clean your scorched pots and pans.

  • Add equal parts of water and vinegar to cover the base of your pot.
  • Now heat the solution and bring it to boil.
  • Let it boil for 1-2 minutes. Then empty the container by pouring the solution down the drain.
  • After this, sprinkle baking soda over the base of your pan and use a scouring pad to scrub off any remaining burn marks.
  • Now rinse clean your pot.

This is one of the easiest and fastest solutions to scorched pans as it would hardly take 10 minutes of your time. However, if you are having trouble with frequent scorched pans then you can try frying your delicious meals in ceramic pans or a carbon steel wok as it would take away the daily hassle of scrubbing and cleaning your cookware.

Salt

The abrasive nature of the salt makes it one of the most elements in cleaning the burn marks on your pots and pans. The process is pretty simple that would hardly take 5-10 minutes to regain the sparkle of your beloved cookware. Follow the below-mentioned process to clean your pots with salt.

  • Sprinkle salt on the base of your pot.
  • Now add a few drops of dishwashing liquid and half a cup of hot water.
  • After this, thoroughly scrub the container to remove any burn marks.

Note: Try getting your hands on kosher salt as it increases the effectiveness of this method.

Soda

Soda can prove to be effective against burnt grime on the base of your pans. Just grab some club soda and cover the base of your pan with it when the pan is still hot. Now let it sit for a few minutes to break down the grime and lift it from the surface. After this, wash the pan with dishwashing liquid and you’ll get back your perfectly clean pan.

Dryer Sheet

Dryer sheets are some of the most loved items in the USA due to their multiple uses. Cleaning pots and pans with dryer sheets is another one of them. It might take a bit longer than the other mentioned methods. However, it is a hands-off method that requires minimal effort and guarantees a sparkling pot at the end of the process.

  • Cover the base of your container with the solution of water and dishwashing liquid.
  • Now soak a dryer sheet into the solution and allow it to sit for an hour. The dryer sheet would break down the burnt food on your pan and lift it from the surface, making it easier for you to clean without damaging the layer.
  • After this, wash your pot with a normal dishwashing liquid and you’re done. You can welcome back your sparkling clean pot.

Tartar

The abrasive nature of the cream of tartar makes it a perfect substitute for baking soda to get rid of the burnt marks. The ease of cleaning with tartar makes it one of the most popular solutions of cleaning beloved pots and pans. Follow the steps below to restore the lost shine of your cookware.

  • Mix a tablespoon of tartar in one cup of water to form a solution.
  • Now pour the solution in your scorched pan and bring it to boil.
  • Let the solution boil for 1-2 minutes then turn off the stove and allow it to cool.
  • Now scrub the pan.

Note: Always allow the solution to cool down before starting the scrubbing process otherwise you might end up damaging the layer on your pot and also increase the risk of burn injuries.

Final Thoughts

These are some of the easiest tips to clean your scorched pots and pans and to restore their lost shine. However, you must be careful in scrubbing different pots and pans like ceramic pans or pans with Teflon coating as you might end up permanently damaging the container. Thus, the best cleaning method also depends on your particular cookware.

By Maid Sailors Cleaning Tips 0 Comments

The Importance Of Cleaning Before Selling Your House

For potential buyers to feel differently about your home, your home needs to be inviting; it’s no joke getting your home ready for sale; that’s why you have to clean it, leaving it fresh. Your goal is to have your home on the market for the least amount of time possible and to get the most money out of it.

While it can still be essential to repair stuff, eliminate clutter, and even renew painting, getting your home clean is the most important and inexpensive step in getting your house ready to sell quickly. Wondering, “how do I clean my house so it can sell quickly,” then what you’re going to need is this checklist to make sure your home cleaning goes well.

As a mom, myself, when it comes to creating the time to get those cleaning jobs done when busy isn’t easy. I can relate to you. If you have children, you know this feeling. Cleaning your home and keeping it clean is a struggle. Now imagine that struggle while trying to sell your home. Don’t worry, though; your goal is achievable. I’ll reveal a few essentials that you’re going to want to clean to give your best-selling chances.

Clean All Window and Slider Parts

For a house to look clean and neat, it needs to have clean windows mostly. I know firsthand with little hands around the home that this can be a battle. You will need much attention when cleaning particular areas such as windows paths and window sills just as much as the flat window surfaces and actual glass.

Since nothing can drag down the curb appeal of a home more quickly than dirty windows, ignorance of this unpleasant chore is not an option anymore. When cleaning your windows, you’ll find you will need a solution of baking soda and vinegar together with an abrasive scrub as they will come in handy. Baking soda and vinegar work together like magic, keep scrubbing to a minimum regardless of what you’re washing off. I have also used various hand tools as well to get into all the crannies and nooks of different cleaning ventures like my window tracks and sills, but also to get paint and gum of windows and floors, stickers, and posters off my son’s room, and more.

Clean All Built-In Cupboards and Cabinets

Whether you have built-in cupboards or cabinets in your bathroom or kitchen, the inside of your closets and kitchen cabinets will need cleaning. It is essential to give them a good wipeout. You want all prospective buyers to see a clean and well-kept house. The more your home looks ready to be moved into, the quicker it will sell. Potential buyers don’t want to think about cleaning the place they’re going to run into, which turns them away from buying a house. You can quickly clean your cupboards using your all-purpose cleaner and a few rags.

Clean the Walls

Remove and trap all dust using a dusting product of your choice, so the dirt does not disperse into the air. Consider yourself a detective and go looking for cobwebs, dust, and handprints. Using just a cleaner and a rag, they should come right out. Handprints can show up anywhere, particularly if you have children. When walking back and forth the hallways of my home, you will see mine covered in handprints. Generally, you’re going to want to wipe all the light switches, walls, doors, and handrails where hands tend to touch a lot. 

Painted surfaces are usually washable, but the cleaning solution should be tested first hand on a small surface before use on a large surface. Use an all-purpose, non-abrasive cleaner. Clean your way up, by starting from the bottom, use circular motions to prevent overlapping when cleaning on different areas. Using circular motions when cleaning will help to clean areas with streak marks caused by vertical blinds.

Clean the Flooring Including the Carpets

Cleaning up any carpets in your home is time well spent. You can clean them out either by renting a carpet cleaner or paying someone to clean them professionally. It’s crazy how dusty the carpets can get from the dirt and dust that comes into the house. One tip that also works is to vacuum your floors, make sure you start at the farthest corner, then work backward towards the door so that you don’t leave any footprints.

Give tremendous attention to the floors of the kitchen and bathrooms. Check the labels on cleaning products to ensure they are safe for cleaning the surfaces. Abrasive cleaners have extra cleaning power for stains that are hard to remove, such as grease residues and food particles in sinks. They may, however, be too harsh for easily scratched surfaces, such as solid surface floors or laminate floors.

Liquid and gel purifiers are usually less abrasive than powders. In small areas, such as countertops, spray cleaners are easy to use while powders or liquids combined in a pail of water are more suitable in larger spaces, such as walls and floors. Use a no-rinse product after each cleaning to avoid residue that comes from cleaning solutions which cause floors to look dirty and dusty when they’re clean, or can opt to rinse the surface floors as well.

Introduce a Fresh Scent

Making your house smell pleasant by putting fresh flowers on the table is all well and good, but those pleasant odors can’t mask any underlying unpleasantness any more than a spritz of perfume won’t hide the fact that you haven’t bathed in a while. Cleaning the home is the only way to resolve this. Foul odors can be a turnoff, even mild ones, and the problem is that sometimes you miss them out. With intense smells, some deep cleaning is necessary as some clients are not fooled by masking strategies such as plug-in deodorizers and scented candles in the sellers’ rooms. Besides, if the buyer does not like the smell of artificial citrus or lavender, used to cover up odors, those strong fragrances could backfire.

Neutralize a nasty-smelling carpet by sprinkling a box of baking soda on (and then vacuuming it up). Baking soda is to be used to clean the tops of the stoves, ovens, refrigerators, etc. Deodorize your disposal with a new lemony (tangerine, lime, or orange ) smell by running a few citrus peels through. Initial experiences mean a great deal. So don’t let dirty or dusty floors and surfaces or foul smells, make your potential buyer a bad one. Give your home a deep clean before listing your home (and during the entire selling process). That means washed toilets, swept surfaces, mopped floors, cleaned rugs, and clean bathrooms.

By Maid Sailors General Information 0 Comments

How to Choose the Right Upholstery Fabric

When it comes to upholstering your furniture for either residential or commercial purposes, there is a lot to think about the fabric materials that will sheath your furniture and complement the atmosphere perfectly. Upholstery fabrics are way heavier, thicker, and more durable multi-purpose drapery fabric compared to any other fabrics. So whether you’re looking for brand new upholstery materials for your furniture or just reupholstering the old ones, the right fabric selection out of so many fabrics is very important, and not to mention confusing or overwhelming for multiple reasons.

The details of each type of upholstery fabric can be sorted into multiple aesthetic and functional purposes. You need to pick the fabric material that suits your furniture style and durability both together. To help you out with this complicated upholstery fabric sorting and choosing procedure, we have put together a handful number of tips to help you help make sure the piece will last for years to come.

1. Fix the Place Where the Furniture Will Be Placed

The first and foremost thing to decide when choosing the upholstery fabric is where precisely your furniture will be placed.

  • Will the furniture be placed outdoor?
  • Will it be exposed to direct sunlight or rain?
  • Will it be placed in a high traffic area?

If your furniture is an indoor setting with low traffic, you can go for beautiful yet slightly stain, fade sensitive upholstery fabrics like cotton, silk, linen. If the furniture is placed in high traffic outdoor areas like near to patios and backyards, go for engineered upholstery materials like synthetic microfiber that are durable, fade-proof, UV, wrinkling, shrinking resistant and immune to heavy and frequent uses.

2. Decide What is Being Upholstered, and How

Next, decide how the furniture you choose to reupholster will be used, and where it will be positioned in your home, before selecting a fabric. If you’re planning to reupholster a very old or over-used furniture piece, make sure to choose a durable and fade-tear-stain resilient, hard-wearing, waterproof materials, vinyl or poly-cotton for instance. If your furniture is solemnly for luxury and show, you can use slightly fade or stain sensitive upholstery materials like silk or satin. Do note that these kinds of materials won’t be able to handle occasional spills, and the stains might be pretty difficult to take off.

3. Prioritize the Durability Over Everything

When you’re deciding on a brand new upholstery fabric material, it’s very important for you to choose one that will last. You need to make sure your chosen upholstery fabrics outlives your furniture itself since upholstery fabrics can serve multiple purposes. A piece of quality fabric with a bit of care will most likely exceed the overall lifespan of your other interior or exterior decorative materials.

If your furniture is placed outside and exposed to constant rain, heat, and storms, go for high quality, man-made fibers like coated polyester, acrylic, olefin and so on.

4. Consider the Fabric Pattern Carefully

The small patterns and details of your upholstery fabrics have more to do with the hiding and washing stains easily and efficiently, along with complementing your surroundings and the furniture piece itself. For instance, textured upholstery fabric patterns like woven ones are very much patterns that are capable of hiding stains efficiently. And don’t forget to opt for a fabric actually complements its surroundings.

5. Check Out the Fabric’s Wash-Ability

If you can remove your upholstery fabrics off your furniture and have the patience to wash up on a regular basis, you can slightly risk the slight possibility of staining or tearing by using natural upholstery fabrics like cotton or any natural blends with cotton. However, these cotton mix fabrics need to be cleaned by cleaning professionals.

But if you want easy-to-clean upholstery fabrics, here are some of the options you can choose from-

Microfiber

  • Synthetic fabric that boasts longevity and low maintenance.
  • A cheaper alternative to leather
  • Claw-resistant, safe from pets
  • Super easy to clean up stains

Leather

  • Durable and can often last longer than average fabric sofa
  • Can be gently vacuumed, damp-wiped as needed, and cleaned with leather conditioner or saddle soap.

Velvet

  • Aesthetic with maximum durability and both water-fade resistance
  • Wear-tear free, perfect fit for heavy foot traffic places

6. Verify the Fabric Grade

The fabric grade generally implies its manufacturing cost. Be watchful of this fact when selecting fabric for commercial upholstery. The higher the grade, the better the fiber type is and its construction procedure. There are different grades available in the market, both alphabetically and numerically. Consider asking the manufacturer about it before making your purchase.

Considering all the points mentioned above, you can be a little more relaxed while purchasing the most suited upholstery fabrics for your furniture, both for residential or commercial purposes. All you have to make sure is to pick the eco-friendly cleaning solutions, tailored for all types of upholstery fabrics and its decorative details. 

By Maid Sailors Cleaning Tips • Organization 0 Comments

How to Do Deep Cleaning of Your Closets

Most of the time, our closets are usually full. The overcrowding comes with a lot of chaos. For example, it becomes challenging to find the cloth you need. Other times, you may even fail to get something to wear. Shocking, right? After all, how can you not have anything to wear if you have an overflowing closet? But it happens. If you find yourself in this scenario, you don’t need to worry. There is a solution in the form of deep cleaning your closets. Here’s how you can go about it. 

1. Set the Mood

Let’s be real; most of us don’t look forward to cleaning our closets. That’s why we try to put it off as long as we can. To make the cleaning process fun, you need to set the mood. For example, you can turn on the music and dance along to it or listen to an uplifting podcast. The goal is to be in a happy mood. 

2. Remove Everything From the Closet

If someone were to tell you to remove a few items from your wardrobe, you’d get confused about which ones to withdraw from the pile. Deep cleaning your closet requires you to get rid of some stuff to make it look more organized. Also, you want to first clean the closet before putting your items back. The first step towards achieving this is removing everything from the wardrobe. 

3.  Start Cleaning 

Closet

A dusting cloth and some water are the basic things you need to clean your closet. Use the damp cloth to wipe away dust, dirt, and other undesirable stuff from the shelves, drawers, and cabinets. Don’t forget about the doors too. There may be some moisture left afterward, which may damage your clothes. Therefore, ensure you get another piece of dry cloth and go through the areas mentioned. 

Since we are doing deep cleaning, you can opt for a mild household cleaner instead of water to dust the closet. If you are dealing with glass surfaces, then a glass cleaner will come in handy to ensure there are no fingerprints or smudges left on it. Kindly note that you should only use mild cleaning agents for your closets to avoid damaging the surfaces.  

Floor

It is time to clean the floor. Sometimes, our closets become humid, which causes them to give out a musty smell. Baking soda acts as a natural deodorizer, and that’s why you need it when carrying out deep cleaning. You can sprinkle it on the carpet and leave it for 15 minutes as you do other things. After that, get out your vacuum cleaner and clean the carpet. You will notice a fresh smell after that. When vacuuming, go through all the corners of the closet to ensure the whole space is clean.  

Ceiling and Walls

You can’t leave out the walls and ceilings to have your broom ready and start dusting and getting rid of cobwebs. A duster with a long handle will also do a great job. While dusting, remember the light fixtures too. 

4. Sort Out Your Items 

Now that you have a clean closet, you don’t want to stuff back every single thing you took out. It is time to go through each item and decide if you wish to keep it, throw it away, donate it to charity, or someone you know who needs it more than you. You may have some clothes or shoes that cost you a fortune and you don’t want to give away. If this is the case, you can put them aside and sell them online. Once you have the items you have decided to donate, also set them aside and get on with the process as soon as you can to avoid cluttering your space. The items to be discarded should go into the trash bag immediately and out of your closet.  

5. Put Everything Back

The items you’ve decided to keep cannot stay on your bed. Therefore, start reorganizing them. Having various storage options will help everything to fit in nicely without being crowded. 

After sorting out the clothes you’ll be putting back into the closet, you can go a step further and ensure they smell great. You can mix essential oils with water and then spray the liquid on your clothes. You can also give your shoes a pleasant smell by spritzing the cotton balls with perfume before you put them in the shoe section.  

Final Thoughts

Your closet needs cleaning; you can’t avoid that. However, it doesn’t have to make you cringe. You can follow the above tips to make the process fun and ensure your closet space is clean, organized, and free of clutter. It is essential to do this regularly because it will avoid the issue of having an overflowing and cluttered closet. 

By Maid Sailors General Information • Home Improvement 0 Comments

Is Duct Cleaning a Complete Waste of Money?

So many people want to know if air duct cleaning is a waste of money. Commercial cleaning firms, health studies and scientific journals conclude that the heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning system in a home and building is probably a good idea. Duct cleaning usually involves a complete cleaning of the HVAC’s air handler, coils, grilles, housings, fans and motors. Cleaning air handling units, heating and cooling coils, and air handling units can improve running efficiency.

Reports by the National Institutes of Health say there is not enough proof to determine if duct cleaning actually improves inner air quality (IAQ) or building occupant health. The following information may help you to decide if your home will benefit from HVAC duct cleaning.

Why Duct Cleaning Is Important? 

The ductwork in your heating and cooling system (furnace/air conditioner) constantly collects dirt, dust and dander while idle and while in operation. This means when you turn your system on, those particles can spread around your home or business and eventually impact the health and safety of your home’s occupants or your business’s employees. Here are a few more reasons:

1. Creates a Cleaner Living Environment

Having your air ducts professionally cleaned reduces the dust that would otherwise circulate throughout your living space, landing on your furniture, your bedding, your flooring…just about everywhere. Fortunately, a thorough air duct cleaning reduces the amount of interior cleaning and dusting necessary to maintain a hygienic home.

2. Reduces Allergens and Irritants

In addition to dust, air ducts frequently contain harmful contaminants and micro-organisms. These include pet dander, bacteria, pollen, mildew, mold spores, and similar toxins. People who suffer from allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems are particularly sensitive to these airborne particles. A periodic air duct cleaning promotes healthier living…otherwise, the dirty air in your home just keeps re-circulating over and over.

3. Removes Unpleasant Smells and Odors

Pets, household cleaning agents, paint fumes, mold, tobacco use and even food preparation all contribute to stale smells in the air ducts. Every time the furnace or air conditioner is running, these odors will repeatedly flow through the house. Even an accumulation of dust and dirt over the years can lead to a musty scent coming from the ductwork. Detailed cleaning of the air ducts removes all odor trapping particles, resulting in a fresher smelling home.

How Often Should I Get My Air Ducts Cleaned? 

It is highly recommended getting your vents cleaned every two to three years. If the residents of your home are young children, adults who stay at or work from home, elderly family members or individuals with allergies, asthma or chronic illnesses, we recommend more regular cleaning of every year to keep these at-risk individuals safe and free of allergens, dirt, and debris.

What Happens if You Don’t Clean Air Ducts

If you choose to not clean your air ducts, air quality will reduce over time as debris collects in your duct system. There are a variety of items that can begin to grow in your ducts and create safety risks for your family and home. Here are some of the side effects of not cleaning your vents:

  • Mold spore development
  • Fungus growth
  • Asthma, sickness or cold induction
  • Pet smells from dander and fur
  • More allergy symptoms
  • Musty odor development
  • More frequent dusting

How to Tell If Your Ducts Need Cleaning? 

Unsure if you need your ducts cleaned? Here are some signs you should have your ducts professionally cleaned sooner rather than later:

  • Discovering Mold: If you spot mold in or near your air ducts, you should immediately get your ducts cleaned to keep your home safe. The professionals can help you with both mold removal and air duct cleaning.
  • Discovering Pests: If you find pests inside your home, chances are they are using your duct system to get around. Air duct cleaning can eliminate the organic matter that pests leave behind.
  • Dust and Debris: If you find yourself constantly dusting your home, the buildup of dust and debris in your ducts could be to blame. Finding dust and debris everywhere is a sign your ducts could use a cleaning sooner than later.
  • Pets: The more pets you have, the more dander and fur in your home. Your duct system draws this dander and fur, spreading germs, allergens and smells while idle or with each use of your heater or air conditioner.

Is Duct Cleaning A Waste Of Money? 

There is a lot of misleading information about duct cleaning on the internet. It’s easy to get confused by or misinterpret what you’re reading. The first question you may be asking, is if duct cleaning is a waste of money. It’s a very valid question to ask, and the answers you will find online may vary wildly. It all boils down to one thing. Duct cleaning is a waste of money only if you use the wrong company.

What Is The Purpose Of Duct Cleaning?

A cleaning every 5-7 years by a company that doesn’t make the duct cleaning a waste of money can provide relief from a whole host of problems. Proper duct cleaning can reduce the amount of dust being pushed out into the home by the HVAC system. If you find yourself needing to dust multiple times a week, and it’s been a long time since you’ve had the ducts cleaned, this may be a great solution.

If someone in the home has allergies, duct cleaning may help relieve the severity of some of their symptoms. Every time you come in from outside, you are bringing in allergens and even harmful particulates. They are taken in by the return ducts and circulated around the home by the HVAC system. A regular duct cleaning can help reduce the number of these particulates building up and being pushed back into the home. Additionally, if there is suspected mold spores or growth in the ductwork, a thorough cleaning will remove the mold and keep it from spreading into the rest of the home.

Another reason for duct cleaning, is renovations to the home. Whether you’ve just bought the home and are fixing it up, or you’ve been there for a while and it’s time to update it, duct cleaning should always be done after you’ve finished the renovations. Think of all the dust, debris, and contaminants that are released during the renovation process. When the air is on, all those particulates are picked up by the HVAC system. This is not something you want to breathe in, and duct cleaning after the work is a fantastic way to finish the process.

Trust Air Duct Cleaning Professional Companies 

Moreover, professional duct cleaners use brushes, vacuums and specially-designed blowers to clean the return, supply, and intact ducts throughout the home. Duct cleaning should be thorough, and should include a cleaning of the coils, air handler, housings, registers, motors, grilles and fans of the system. Although the jury is still out about whether duct cleaning improves air quality and helps people with respiratory allergies and illness, some states make HVAC duct cleaning a routine part of public buildings.

By Maid Sailors Cleaning Tips 0 Comments

How to Clean a Lazy Susan

The Lazy Susan cabinet has been a kitchen staple for many decades; this type of corner cabinet typically opens to reveal a series of turntables, which can be used to store food and small kitchen appliances. The tables can then be spun to retrieve food and other items as needed. When properly organized, a Lazy Susan cabinet can really come in handy—providing clever storage space in even the smallest of kitchens.

Over time, however, a Lazy Susan can easily become disorganized and even downright dirty. Crumbs from food stored inside a Lazy Susan can build up, as can grease from food, utensils, and small kitchen appliances. This can not only be unsightly for you (and your house guests) to look at but could pose a health risk as well. Furthermore, a disorganized Lazy Susan can add unwanted clutter to your home—and if you haven’t cleaned out this cabinet recently, there’s a good chance your Lazy Susan is harboring expired food or other items you no longer use.

By taking the time to properly clean and organize your Lazy Susan on occasion, you can keep it clean and potentially free up some storage space in the process.

How to Clean a Lazy Susan

Not sure where to begin when it comes to how to clean a Lazy Susan? We’ve got some practical tips and step-by-step guidance. One of the biggest challenges people tend to face when cleaning out this cabinet is its somewhat awkward set-up. The back of the cabinet can be somewhat difficult to reach, as can areas of the cabinet’s base. Still, with the right tools and a little elbow grease, you can have your Lazy Susan clean and organized in about 30 minutes.

Remove Items From Shelves

The first step is to take everything out of your Lazy Susan. This will allow you better access to the shelves so you can properly clean them. It will also give you an opportunity to take inventory of what you’ve been keeping on the shelves so you can decide what you want to keep and what you need to get rid of.

Don a Pair of Cleaning Gloves

This is also a good time to put on a pair of quality cleaning gloves. This will protect your hands from exposure to any cleaning chemicals you may be using. A thick pair of reusable cleaning gloves is recommended here (like the type you would wear when cleaning a bathroom), but even a disposable pair of latex gloves would work here.

You’ll also want to make sure you’re working in a properly ventilated area if you’ll be using any harsh kitchen cleaners or degreasers. If your kitchen has a window, you may want to crack it open; otherwise, a properly placed box fan should do the trick.

Vacuum Up Loose Debris

Using the hose attachment on a vacuum, begin by vacuuming up any loose debris from inside the Lazy Susan. The smaller the hose attachment you have to work with here, the better. Pay special attention to the corners/dividers of Lazy Susan shelves, as these tend to accumulate lots of crumbs and other debris. If you’re able to access any of the cabinet’s base, use your vacuum hose to remove any loose debris from here as well.

Create a Cleaning Solution

Next, it’s time to work on cleaning the shelves more thoroughly. Over time, grime and grease can build up in layers on these shelves. This is especially likely if you use your Lazy Susan to store small kitchen appliances or cookware, such as pots and pans.

In most cases, you can create your own cleaning solution to cut through everyday grease and grime. To do this, simply mix a few drops of your favorite dish soap into a bucket of warm water. From there, you can use a sponge or rag to scrub away grime from the shelves. For the best results, wipe in circular motions. Follow up with a dry cloth or paper towel to dry.

Use a Degreaser For Heavy Buildup

If you’re happy with the results from using your own cleaning solution, there’s no need to complete this step. However, if you’re still noticing lots of grease and grime buildup, then you may need to follow up with a heavy kitchen degreaser to get rid of it all. You can find these products at your local grocery store; always do a spot test in an inconspicuous area before using on your shelves, though (especially if you have wooden shelves).

When sprayed and left on for a short period of time before wiping clean, a kitchen degreaser can break down even the toughest of grime so you can restore your Lazy Susan cabinets to their original cleanliness.

Wipe the Shelves Clean and Dry

If you used a kitchen degreaser or any other harsh chemicals, be sure to wipe the shelves down one last time to remove any chemical residue. From there, you can use a clean cloth or fresh paper towel to dry your cabinets out completely.

Organize Your Clean Cabinet

Now, all that’s left to do is to replace the items you removed from your Lazy Susan. This is a great chance to properly organize everything and toss out items you no longer need or use. You may even wish to add some organization to your Lazy Susan in the form of small storage bins or other accessories. From there, you’ll be able to easily locate everything you need in your freshly cleaned Lazy Susan cabinet!

Let the Professionals Handle It

In most cases, you should be able to get your Lazy Susan cabinet cleaned within about 30 minutes of your time. Of course, your time is valuable—and there are other things you’d rather be doing. That’s where our team of cleaning professionals can help. Contact Maid Sailors today to set up your cleaning appointment. Our deep cleaning services include a thorough cleaning of homes that have not been professionally cleaning in over 3 months (like your Lazy Susan and more!).

By Maid Sailors General Information 0 Comments

Best Facebook Advertising Agency

These days, having a strong social media presence isn’t just a good idea—it’s an absolute must for businesses of all sizes. From startups to large organizations, being active on social media can help you better connect with your target audience and raise brand awareness. It’s no secret that Facebook remains one of the largest and most widely utilized social media platforms in the world. In fact, each month, Facebook sees over 2.5 billion active users. What this also means is that if your business isn’t spending at least some of your advertising budget on Facebook ads, you could be missing out big time.

One of the key reasons business owners don’t engage in social media advertising (Facebook ads included) is a lack of understanding. You may feel intimidated by Facebook’s advertising platform and may not know where to begin. This is where working with a professional Facebook advertising agency can really pay off. Specifically, Facebook advertising agencies exist to help you optimize your marketing budget, boost your brand awareness, and ultimately increase your bottom line through the use of customized and targeted Facebook ads.

We’ve put together this guide to help inform you about what it is that Facebook advertising agencies do, and how to determine whether it’s in your company’s best interest to hire one. We also provide tips for choosing a Facebook advertising agency that aligns with your organization’s needs, plus useful information on typical pricing structures for these agencies. Ultimately, we hope this guide will prove to be a useful resource as you move forward with your company’s social media advertising strategy.

Top 5 Facebook Advertising Agencies

To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of some of the top-rated Facebook advertising agencies out there today. This list can be an excellent starting point if you decide to move forward with hiring a Facebook advertising agency.

1. Voy Media

Voy Media offers a wide range of advertising services, ranging from Facebook and Instagram ads to mobile advertising and retargeting. The professionals here specialize in creating and implementing customized Facebook advertising campaigns to boost your bottom line. And when you work with Voy Media, you always have a dedicated account strategist to answer your questions and help you succeed.

2. MuteSix

MuteSix boasts a large team of more than 150 professionals working to take your Facebook advertising campaign to the next level. They use a personal-driving, ROI-focused approach to execute successful campaigns, running split-testing when needed to make the best use of your advertising dollars. In fact, 82% of their clients have doubled their revenue within their first year working with MuteSix.

3. AdvertiseMint

AdvertiseMint’s team of social advertising experts is here to help you yield the best return on your company’s advertising budget. When you work with them for your Facebook advertising, you have a team of copywriters, video editors, designers, and analysts working with you from day one. AdvertiseMint also offers month-to-month contracts, so you’re free to try out their services with no long-term commitment.

4. Abacus

When Abacus launched, it was a dedicated Facebook advertising agency. Today, it has grown into a full-blown social media advertising platform—but Facebook ads remain a large part of what these professionals are about. From helping you narrow down the scope of your audience to building ads that truly engage your audience, Abacus can help with it all.

5. Bamboo

Bamboo offers creative services, managed services, and strategy services for your Facebook advertising campaign. When they first launched, they worked with startup businesses to help scale their companies. Today, they continue to work with businesses of all sizes and scopes, ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies.

Advantages of Using a Facebook Advertising Agency

Still not 100% convinced that working with a Facebook advertising agency is right for you in the first place? That’s okay. In reality, hiring a Facebook ad agency isn’t the right decision for every business at every stage—but it is a wise choice for many. By taking some time to review the advantages and potential drawbacks to working directly with one of these agencies, you can ultimately make the decision that best suits your business at this exact point in time.

Save Valuable Time

Many businesses haven’t thrown their hats into the Facebook advertising ring because they simply don’t have the time or resources to do so. Think about it; if your business doesn’t have a dedicated social media strategist or advertising professional, the amount of time you’d need to put into learning about how Facebook advertising works is substantial.

This is where working with a Facebook ad agency can really save you a lot of time and hassle. When you have these kinds of advertising professionals on your time, you don’t have to worry about learning the ins and outs of Facebook’s advertising platform. Instead, you can focus on other important aspects of your business while you let the professionals do all the work.

Maximize Your Budget

No matter how big or small your Facebook advertising budget may be, one fact remains: you want to stretch your dollar as far as you can while having the maximum impact. Again, this is where a Facebook advertising company can be extremely valuable. Many of the advertising agencies are used to working with startups and smaller businesses where budgets are tight—so they know what it takes to maximize each dollar.

Even if you have a larger budget to work with, a Facebook ad agency will ensure that none of that money goes to waste by creating and executing ad campaigns with the highest ROI possible.

Stay on Top of Changes

Facebook’s advertising platform, like anything on the Web, grows and evolves all the time. Changes are made often, and keeping up with these can be laborious and time-consuming. At the same time, staying on top of these changes is important because oversights can be costly and affect the success of your ad campaign.

Having a dedicated Facebook advertising team on your side is useful here because social media advertising is what these professionals do for a living. You’re paying them to stay in-the-loop when it comes to changes in Facebook’s advertising platform, so you can stop worrying.

Save on Onboarding/Training Costs

You may be wondering to yourself, “why can’t I just hire my own social media specialist to handle my Facebook Ads?” And truthfully, there’s nothing stopping you from going this route. However, there are some important things to consider when you think about hiring a part- or full-time social media professional for your business.

For starters, you’ll need to spend a fair amount of time searching for the right candidate for the job. From there, you’ll need to go through the costly onboarding process and, of course, make sure you’re offering the same benefits to your social media specialist that you are to the rest of your employees.

And if there’s any turnover in your social media position, you’ll need to repeat this process. You could avoid this hassle by hiring an outside Facebook advertising agency instead.

Grow Your Business

Last but certainly not least, understand that your business (no matter what industry you’re in…even a home cleaning service) has so much to gain from Facebook advertising. You could be just one campaign away from really taking your company’s success to the next level. There are many specific ways in which Facebook ads can grow your business (aside from the obvious conversions and returns on your investment).

Perhaps most importantly, successful Facebook ads create brand awareness and help target your ideal audience. By boosting your social media presence and spreading the word about all that your company has to offer, a well-executed Facebook ad can turn your brand into a household name very quickly.

Potential Disadvantages of Using a Facebook Advertising Agency

Now that you have a better idea of the many reasons why businesses enjoy working with Facebook advertising professionals, it’s a good idea to consider some of the potential drawbacks as well. From there, you can make an informed decision for your own business.

Up-Front Costs

All that knowledge, expertise, and customized service comes at a premium. Hiring a Facebook advertising agency is going to eat up a chunk of your company’s marketing budget; there’s no way around that. This cost can often be difficult for businesses to justify, especially for smaller businesses that may not have much in the way of a marketing budget to begin with.

At the end of the day, however, Facebook advertising is actually one of the cheapest and most effective ways to grow your brand. And when you start to see the kind of return on investment your business can achieve with the right Facebook ad campaign in place, it becomes much easier to justify those initial costs.

Security Concerns

Yes, hiring a Facebook advertising agency means you’ll inherently be trusting somebody you don’t know with your company’s social media account and its password. This can be unnerving for some, especially when you consider all the security threats on the Web today. Ultimately, however, you should have nothing to worry about in this regard as long as you have taken the time to properly vet the company you’re hiring to trust with your business Facebook account.

Lack of Control

Another obstacle some business owners face when it comes to hiring a Facebook advertising agency is the perceived lack of control over how their ad campaigns turn out. While it’s true that yes, you’re going to be giving up some control to the creative professionals you’ve hired, any experienced ad agency is going to take the time to ensure you’re 100% happy with the ads they’re going to run before they launch them.

This means not only will you be able to see a preview of ads before they’re launched, but your feedback will be taken into account before major decisions are made. Likewise, any reputable ad agency is going to speak with you extensively to find out what your preferences are and what kind of brand message you’re trying to create before they even begin brainstorming your next campaign.

All of this is to say that when you hire the right ad agency, you’ll still have plenty of control over the entire process.

How to Choose the Best Facebook Advertising Agency

If you’ve decided that hiring a Facebook advertising agency is right for you, be sure to check out the list at the beginning of this guide. This is a great starting point to help you find the agency that best suits your needs. Of course, your needs may vary depending on the size of your business, your advertising budget, and even the industry in which you operate. With that in mind, there are some additional steps you may want to take before you choose an ad agency for your business.

Know Who You’re Working With

Make sure you can get a true feel for who you’ll be working with throughout your campaign. Ideally, you’ll be assigned an account manager or other point-of-contact whom you can call, text, or e-mail with questions anytime. Other members of your team may include a design expert, strategist, and content manager. Regardless, be sure that you have all the names and contact information of the people who will be working on your team before you sign any kind of contract or formal agreement.

Check Out Examples

Any reputable Facebook advertising agency will likely have some case studies published to their website or otherwise readily available for you to review upon request. These case studies will provide you with some real-world examples of companies or other organizations they’ve helped to achieve success through Facebook advertising campaigns. These case studies can also be a great way for you to get a better feel for the kind of creative content the agency comes up with, which can help you further decide whether they may be a good fit for your organization.

Look for Certification

One of the first things you should do before you even think about working with a particular ad agency is to make sure they’re Facebook Blueprint Certified. This certification is offered directly through Facebook and requires the passing of an exam to receive. The purpose of this certification is to ensure that advertising agencies and other social media marketing professionals are proficient in Facebook’s advertising platform and how it works.

By choosing an agency that is certified, you can be sure that the professionals you’re working with are up-to-date on Facebook’s (and Instagram’s) advertising essentials. Having this certification also shows that the agency you’re thinking about hiring takes their work seriously, as earning this certification is not free.

Avoid Long-Term Commitments

If you’re just dipping your toes into the world of Facebook advertising, you probably don’t want to make any long-term financial commitments with an agency. Unfortunately, not all agencies offer short-term contracts, so this is something you may need to shop around a bit to find. Ideally, you’ll actually want to find an agency that will allow you to go month-to-month initially. This is a great way to see what the agency can do for you while having the peace of mind in knowing that you can stop using their services at any time.

Working with an agency that doesn’t require a long-term commitment also gives them more incentive to continue earning your business.

Make Communication a Priority

One of the most important aspects of working with a remote Facebook ad professional is communication. Being able to get ahold of a point-of-contact quickly and easily when you have questions/concerns is a must. You can “test” an agency’s communication by making note of how long it takes for them to respond to your messages or return a phone call at this stage. If you have to wait more than 24 hours for a response, then it’s probably time to move onto another agency.

Before you sign a contract with a Facebook advertising agency, you may also want to see if there is any kind of clause on communication. Are you guaranteed a response within a certain number of hours? Are you guaranteed to be able to get in contact with somebody 24/7? These are important things to look for when working with any kind of social media professional, as social media never shuts off!

Take Online Reviews Seriously

Don’t neglect to do some research of your own when finding out about an advertising agency’s reputation with their clients/customers. Taking the time to read some third-party reviews can truly give you a better feel for how past clients have been treated by the company and what kinds of results they have seen.

Be Clear About Pricing

Budget is most likely a concern as you look to hire a Facebook advertising agency, so you’ll want to make sure you truly understand what you’re paying for and how your payments will be handled. For example, some companies may require an up-front fee, whereas others may not collect any money until they achieve a return on your investment.

There are so many different payment structures out there when it comes to Facebook advertising agencies today, so be sure to read the next section thoroughly to better understand how some of the most common payment platforms operate.

Understanding Facebook Advertising Agency Pricing

The following Facebook ad pricing structures are outlined below in order from most common to least common. Be sure to shop around to find an agency that aligns with your preferences in this regard.

Agency Rate

An agency rate refers to a flat rate (often a percentage) that is charged for their services. This rate is typically a set percentage of the total amount of your advertising budget. For example, an agency with a 10% rate would charge $100 on a $1,000 Facebook advertising campaign. The nice thing about this type of pricing structure is that services are often all-inclusive with this type of rate; this means you likely won’t have to spend extra for creative services, content writing, or other add-ons.

Flat Rate

Another option is to go with an agency that charges a flat rate. This is usually a flat monthly fee that the company charges you regardless of how much you spend on Facebook ads that month. This can be appealing to small businesses or organizations with limited budgets, as it provides a predictable monthly cost.

Agency Plus Flat Rate

In some cases, you may find that an agency wants to combine the agency rate and flat rate model of pricing. This means you’ll pay a percentage of your ad spending directly to the agency, on top of a flat monthly rate. If you decide to go this route, make sure that what you’re spending on a combined agency/flat rate isn’t more than what you’d be spending with an agency that sticks to just one of these pricing models.

Revenue Share

Less common (but still an option with some agencies) is a revenue-sharing model, which means that your agency only gets paid based on the revenue or ROI that they generate for you. The nice thing about this kind of payment structure is that it gives your ad team more incentive to work hard and achieve results. However, some businesses don’t like the idea of paying directly out of their returns.

The Bottom Line on Facebook Advertising Agencies

If your business isn’t currently taking advantage of Facebook advertising, now is a good time to get started. And if you don’t have the time or resources to research and launch your own campaign, hiring an experienced Facebook ad agency can be one of the best decisions you make for your business. The key, of course, is finding the right agency for the job. Find a Facebook ad agency that treats your company’s marketing budget as if it were their own; driven to helping you maximize your Facebook ad ROI and building your brand’s reputation in the process.

By Maid Sailors General Information • Home Improvement 0 Comments

All You Need to Know About Window Film

Window film is an innovative idea that has many purposes. For one, security window film is shatterproof, so in the event, it is broken, it will not shatter into a million pieces. It holds itself together on the film, so the likelihood that someone gets injured on a piece of glass is practically non-existent. The different types can make your windows private or semi-private. The availability of different levels of darkness is also an option.

When choosing a type of film for decorative window film has many different patterns and colors so you will be sure to find one that will fit in with your home décor and look great on the outside as well, you can choose many different designs that look like stain glass window film or film that looks like cut glass. There are so many choices for your home you can be assured of getting the one that is perfect for your décor.

The home with window tint will be cooler in the hot summer months, which will save you money on utility bills. You will have more energy because the heat that seems to drain us of every ounce of strength we possess will be blocked. Therefore, you will feel like getting a lot more accomplished without feeling so tired. Plus, window film will save your interior and its possessions.

Security Window Film Stops Smash and Grab

Window Security Film can prevent the smash and grab thief from getting into your store and stealing the items you use to showcase your business. We see use on jewelry stores, pharmacies, and stores selling anything of value that is displayed in the storefront windows.

Window Film For Safety

Do you need a reason to use residential window film other than the fact that it protects your furnishings from sunlight fading, makes your home more energy-efficient and is great looking? If so, let us consider this scenario. It’s the middle of the afternoon, your husband is away on a business trip, and you are getting ready to do some laundry. When walking past the front window, you notice a suspicious car sitting across the street. The occupant seems to be watching your home. The great thing is – you can see him, but he cannot see you because you have a dual-reflective window film on your windows.

Instead of feeling like you are under surveillance, you can watch to see what this person is going to do without being detected. Going window to window throughout the house, you are secure in the knowledge that he has no idea of where you are in the house because he cannot see your movements through the windows of your home in the bright afternoon. Because you have Dual Reflective Window Film on your windows, the watcher has no idea of what room you are in or even the fact that he is being watched.

Of course, this is just a scenario, but in today’s world, anything is possible, and having window tinting on your windows can help you in many positive ways.

Window Tint and Stain Glass Films

If you prefer, there are window film styles that do not show. No one will ever know they are on your windows, and you will still have all the benefits, or if you like the look of stained glass, there are several styles of this type available. There are stain glass doves, fish, abstract, and Venetian stain glass film. Clear etched grapes make a beautiful statement. This would be great for the Mediterranean style architecture. Cut glass bubbles and ice icicles are types of films that can help you to protect your privacy. Throw out those heavy, dusty drapes and let some light in without worrying about people being nosy or invading your privacy.

Stained Glass Window Film would also be great for shower doors, dividers in your home, and any other use you can think of for the attractive look it will give your home. The stained glass film would be perfect for a divider to separate your kitchen/dining area into two rooms instead of one large room. If you are ready to get rid of the bulky drapes, blinds that require constant cleaning, and the foil on your windows decorative or stain glass window film will be your choice for all the benefits it provides.

Best Time For Window Tinting

November to March is a great time to have your Windows Tinted not only does window film add an extra layer of protection on your windows to protect you and your family from shattering glass entering your home in case of an accident, but it also protects against the sun’s damaging UV rays.

Even in the wintertime, the sun’s UV rays enter your home and can damage your woodwork, painted walls, artwork and pictures on the walls, plus it damages your floor coverings even if it is just wood flooring…

So, to reduce heat, glare and UV damage and also keep the environment green, the use of window tinting is becoming more popular day by day.

By Maid Sailors New York City • NYC 0 Comments

NYC Sanitation & Garbage Pickup Schedule

Whether you’ve recently moved to one of NYC’s neighborhoods or will be visiting a vacation rental home in the city, understanding your trash and recycling pick-up schedule is a must. All of New York is served by the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) not only for trash removal but snow/ice removal and street cleaning as well; this department provides these services to nearly 6,000 miles of city streets.

While putting out your trash may seem pretty straight-forward, there are some things you should know if you’ll be living in NYC or staying here long term. For starters, different neighborhoods within the city have different trash (and recycling) pick-up days—and these can sometimes be affected or delayed by holidays or other events.

It’s also good for you to know some basic etiquette rules when it comes to putting out your trash, as well as the proper protocol for getting rid of larger items that won’t fit in your trash bins (such as furniture). We’ve compiled this guide to provide you with more-or-less everything you’d ever need to know about trash pick-up here in New York City!

When is My Neighborhood’s Trash Pick-Up?

The quickest, easiest, and most accurate way to determine your home’s trash pick-up date is to enter your address directly on the DSNY website. Upon entering your address, you’ll immediately have access to your trash pick-up schedule, including dates for recycling and organic waste pick-up. There is also a convenient DSNY app that you can download, which provides similar information.

In general, most NYC neighborhoods have trash collection days a few times a week, although recycling is generally picked up once a week. This can vary based on where you live, however, so be sure to check the DSNY website or app direction.

What About Pick-Up Times?

Regardless of your pick-up day, you should typically put your trash out sometime after 4 PM on the day before your scheduled pick-up. For instance, if your neighborhood’s trash pick-up is on a Friday, this means you should put your bins out to the curb after 4 PM the day before. It’s also a good idea to take your bins back in as soon as possible once your trash has been picked up.

Recycling in NYC

Many residents of NYC recycle, and DSNY provides recycling pick-up services for most neighborhoods at least once a week. Currently, recyclables that are picked up in these bins include:

  • cardboard
  • paper
  • metal
  • plastic
  • glass

If you don’t already have a recycling bin and would like to enroll in the city’s recycling program, contact DSNY directly to request a bin and service. Keep in mind that there are restrictions on what can be recycled; for example, while cardboard can be recycled, the cardboard must be free of food debris. This means that you may not be able to recycle that cardboard pizza box if it is soaked with food grease or melted cheese.

The best way to be sure about what can and cannot be recycled curbside is to check the DSNY website directly.

Understanding Sanitation Holidays and Delays

There are a number of national holidays and other dates where your trash pick-up may be delayed. In most cases, pick-up will be delayed on major holidays and resume the following day. For example, if your trash is normally picked up on Wednesdays but a major holiday falls on a Wednesday one week, your trash pick-up will most likely be delayed until Thursday.

Some examples of major holidays where there are typically trash delays in New York City include:

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • President’s Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Columbus Day
  • Veterans Day
  • Christmas

What if I Have a Large Item to Get Rid Of?

One of the most common questions people have about trash pick-up in NYC is what to do if you have garbage that’s too large to fit inside a bin (or larger than four by three feet) For example, you may have a piece of furniture or other oversized items (such as throwing out a mattress) that you’d like DSNY to pick up for you.

Can You Recycle or Donate It?

First of all, it’s a good idea to check and make sure the item you’re trying to get rid of is not something that can be recycled. If it is recyclable, you can go this route and the only thing you’ll have to do is leave the item out by the curb with your regular trash bins on your designated recycling pick-up day. Another option would be to donate these items; some local charities may offer free pick-up of your unwanted furniture or other items—and you may be able to deduct the value of them from your taxable income as a tax write-off.

If the item needs to be trashed, however, there are some additional steps you’ll need to follow. For starters, understand that items too large to fit in your bin will only be picked up by appointment. This means that if you simply leave these oversized items out with your regular trash by the curb, you could end up being fined.

Scheduling a Heavy Trash Pick-Up

The good news here is that scheduling a pick-up appointment with DSNY is relatively quick and easy—and you can schedule an appointment Monday through Saturday. The DSNY website (or app) allows you to schedule these pick-ups up to four weeks in advance, and you can have up to 10 items picked up at a time.

There are some general rules to keep in mind when it comes to heavy trash pick-up in NYC. For starters, if you’re looking to get rid of a box spring or mattress, understand that you’ll be required to seal these in plastic bags before setting them out to the curb. The purpose of this is to prevent the spread of bed bugs, and you could be fined up to $100 if you fail to seal these items before you set them out.

If you’re getting rid of carpet, lumber, or rugs, you’ll also be expected to tie these together in bundles of no larger than two by four feet.

Putting Out the Trash: General Rules and Etiquette

Now that you have a better understanding of when to put your trash out and how to handle requests for heavy-trash items, it’s a good idea to revisit some basic rules and etiquette that applies not just to trash pick-up in NYC, but most cities.

Bring in Your Bins

For starters, try to bring your trash bins in as promptly as possible after it is picked up. Leaving empty bins out by the curb can create a hazard because strong winds can blow these bins into the street. From there, they become a dangerous obstruction to traffic. Even if the wind doesn’t blow them into the street, bins can make it difficult for pedestrians to get around the city.

Don’t Overfill Trash Cans

When putting out trash, be considerate of the people who will be picking it up. Sanitation workers have a difficult and often thankless job, but they play a vital role within the city. With that in mind, try to keep your bins from being over-filled. If bins are overflowing, they can be difficult for workers to remove, and trash may end up being spilled onto the street. Ideally, you should be able to close the lid on your trash bins, and they should not be too heavy to lift. If you have a hard time getting them out to the curb, there’s a good chance that a sanitation worker is going to have a hard time emptying them.

Clean Trash Bins Occasionally

There are many reasons to clean out your trash bins every so often. For starters, dirty bins will start to smell—and those unpleasant smells will spread down the street and through the neighborhood, which is unpleasant for everybody. Stinky trash cans will also attract insects and rodents, neither of which you want on your property or in your neighborhood.

When was the last time you cleaned out your trash cans? If it’s been more than a few months, you may want to set aside some time to give them a thorough cleaning. The best way to clean a trash can is to simply rinse it with a solution of bleach and hot water. This can be much easier if you have access to a garden hose, but it can be done using a large bucket of warm water as well.

Cut Down on Smells

In addition to cleaning out your trash bins regularly, there are some other steps you can take to minimize stenches and odors in your bins. Spoiled food is one of the biggest contributors of unwanted smells coming from your garbage can. If you have a tendency to throw out old food or leftovers in your bins throughout the week, you may want to consider taking another approach.

Many NYC residents, for example, will keep a small container in their fridge or freezer where they keep food scraps throughout the week. On trash day, you can simply throw this container into your bin so that it isn’t sitting out for days before being picked up. You can also simply wait to clean out your fridge of leftovers and unwanted food scraps until just before you take your bin out to the curb before trash day.

Be Mindful of Pedestrians

It’s no secret that NYC is a city with lots of foot traffic. If you live on a street that sees a fair amount of pedestrian traffic, be extra careful with the placement of your trash bins on pick-up days. Do your best to ensure that your bins are left directly next to the curb and that they aren’t impeding any sidewalks or walkways.

Contacting DSNY With Questions or Complaints

DSNY handles trash pick-up and other services for nearly 6,000 miles of New York City’s streets. While these workers typically do an excellent job, there are occasions where your trash pick-up may be missed or other issues may arise.

If your trash isn’t picked up after you’ve put it out, there are a few steps to take before making a complaint with DSNY. Start by checking the DSNY schedule online (or through the app) to be sure your pick-up date is correct and hasn’t changed. From there, be sure that your bins were set out the night before and that there aren’t any obstructions around your bins keeping them from being picked up by workers.

You’ll also want to consider whether a major holiday may have caused a delay in your trash pick-up.

If none of these explanations applies to you, then you may want to contact DSNY or file a complaint through the DSNY app to have the situation resolved. In general, you should expect to hear back from them with a resolution within a couple of days.

Looking for More Help With Keeping a Tidy Home?

Keeping up with your home’s trash pick-up is just one of many weekly responsibilities you have to stay on top of, and this is true regardless of whether you rent or own a home in New York City. If you’re looking to free up some of your valuable time, why not look into hiring a maid service?

While a maid service typically will not take your trash out to the curb for you, these professionals can help with many other aspects of keeping your home clean and tidy so you can spend your time doing other things that you actually enjoy.

At Maid Sailors, we offer dedicated cleaning services to the hard-working people of New York City. Whether you’re looking for a one-time deep cleaning or recurring maid services, we offer transparent pricing and a 100% satisfaction guarantee for your peace of mind. We also offer a wide range of other cleaning services, including move-in/move-out cleaning, organization, laundry, and green-cleaning services to suit your needs.

Schedule your first cleaning with us today by calling (212) 299-5170; you can also request an appointment online using our convenient online form!

By Maid Sailors Cleaning Tips 0 Comments

How to Clean Wood Furniture Properly So It Lasts Forever

A beautifully designed piece made from real, solid wood like mahogany, oak, or even pine can be a lovely addition to any type of decor. Woodworking has been an incredible form of art for hundreds of years, but it has seen an incredible resurgence in the past few years as wooden furniture has grown in popularity.

In fact, 60% of woodworkers agreed that their sales have increased since 2017! When the wood is cared for properly, it can last for years without showing any signs of wear and tear – and it can even be passed down to generations as a family heirloom. But ensuring that your wooden furniture stays in like-new condition requires care and attention. This type of material requires careful cleaning and conditioning to keep your investment pieces looking brand new for years to come.

Unfortunately, many people do not know how to really care for wood furniture – and assume that a basic dusting and leaning is “good enough.” The good news is a real, proper cleaning is not very complicated or even time-consuming – once you know how to do it properly. Let’s discuss.

Dust With The Right Tools

Although it seems pretty simple, dusting is actually one of the most important things to do on a regular basis to keep your wooden furniture clean and in prime condition. The average home accumulates over 40 pounds of dust per year – and this dust can cause the color of wooden furniture to fade over time. Plus, it just looks dingy!

Many people do not know the proper care and handling protocol for dusting wooden pieces. Using the wrong tools and products to dust can actually cause severe damage to your wooden furniture – or are simply ineffective.

Most commonly, people dust off furniture with:

  • Feather dusters
  • Treated cloths
  • Wool dusters
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Terrycloth towels

While these are decent materials to use,  if they are not used properly, they are fairly ineffective.

For example, using a dry microfiber cloth or feather duster does not actually remove dust from the furniture. It simply pushes it around – often into the air you breathe – until it resettles once again. This means that all of the work you just did to dust your furniture was basically for nothing! Furthermore, real feather dusters can actually create light scratches on the furniture.

Some people use wet dusting cloths in order to absorb the dust on furniture. But using a damp cloth can cause pretty bad damage and even create water stains if it is too wet! Instead, it is best that you get a soft cloth wet and then ring out as much water as possible until it is just barely damp. It is also important that the fabric you use is thin and absorbent – the LA times actually recommends using (clean) cotton underwear! Also, be sure to wipe away areas where oils from hands and fingers tend to collect, such as drawer pulls or armrests. You should also aim to dust your furniture off once a week to keep the accumulation to a minimum.

Clean With Proper Chemicals – Not Just Water

While water is fine in a pinch for a weekly dusting off, you should also be cleaning your wooden furniture from time to time with the correct chemicals. You should never ever use an all-purpose cleaning spray on wooden furniture. This can damage the wood itself as well as discolor any treatments, paint, or stains.

If there is a sticky spot that needs cleaning, it is best to dissolve a mild dish soap in water, soak a cloth in it, and wring it out as much as possible to wipe the area off. Then, you should immediately dry it with a towel. Oil polishes and liquid furniture sprays are good to use to create a protective layer that conditions the wood. This helps to hide surface smears like fingerprints. However, don’t try to DIY it by using a cooking oil like coconut or olive oil – as this can actually attract more dust!

If your furniture needs a real deep cleaning and has built-up grime, consider using a mineral spirit cleaner. You can easily find this online, but many hardware stores and home centers sell this, too. Just be sure to test it first on a hidden section to ensure that it does not interfere with the color or finish.

Apply Wax as Necessary

If you want to create a glossy finish on your wood and protect it from any nicks or scratches, you should wax it to create a protective finish on the exterior. Finishing waxes can actually affect the color of the furniture – so be sure that you are using the correct color for your piece or opt for a clear wax.

It is best to apply furniture wax with a cheesecloth that is porous for an even application. First, apply the wax generously onto the cheesecloth and rub it on in the direction of the wood grain – not against it or in an up and down motion. You can also apply it in a soft, circular motion in small areas.

Once you start to see that the surface is fully saturated, take another clean, soft cloth to wipe away the excess and buff the surface. This will create a shiny, protective coat!

If you do wax your furniture, avoid using liquid or aerosol furniture polishes – as they will remove this wax layer and leave a film over the top. It is recommended that you use furniture wax once a month, especially for older wooden furniture.

Conclusion 

The key to making your wooden furniture last long and look beautiful is to establish a good cleaning routine. But we all know that life gets in the way, and sometimes other things on the to-do list take priority over a weekly cleaning or monthly waxing.

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Author

Riley Swanson is a lifestyle blogger, passionate about food, fashion, home improvement, and traveling. She is also an avid traveler and shares her traveling experiences in her blog Riley+Christian Travel.