Quick Cleaning Tips for Chicagoans in a Hurry

Studies show that the kitchen, not the toilet seat, is actually the dirtiest place in the house. Dr. Chuck Gerba, a microbiologist from the University of Arizona, found that while a toilet seat has an average of 50 bacteria per square inch, a kitchen sponge contains 10 million bacteria per square inch, and a dishcloth has 1 million. Additionally, the average cutting board harbors 200 times more fecal bacteria than a toilet seat. Fecal bacteria like E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, often found in raw meat, can easily transfer onto cutting boards, not to mention the bacteria lurking on kitchen stoves, floors, and walls. While Dr. Gerba wouldn’t recommend chopping food on a toilet seat, he does suggest treating your cutting board with the same level of hygiene. Deep Kitchen Cleaning Is Essential In addition to daily cleaning routines, it's crucial to deep clean the kitchen regularly to maintain a healthy environment. Weekly or monthly deep cleaning helps prevent food contamination, which begins in the kitchen, not at the dining table. Bacteria are commonly found on frequently used kitchen items like sponges, dishcloths, utensils, and even on appliances like the fridge and oven. Materials Needed for a Deep Clean Here’s a basic list of materials you'll need for a thorough kitchen cleaning: 1. All-purpose surface cleaners for countertops 2. Bottle brushes for scrubbing narrow areas 3. Detergent and dishwashing liquid 4. Dish gloves, apron, and face mask for protection 5. Non-abrasive cleaners and microfiber cloths 6. Scrub brush and sponges 7. Stainless steel cleaner for sinks and appliances 8. Broom, mop, and vacuum cleaner 9. A bucket and plenty of water You can also try DIY natural cleaners, such as: 1. Baking soda 2. White vinegar 3. Lemon 4. Natural salt 5. Hydrogen peroxide 6. Liquid castile soap or washing soda Where to Start A proper kitchen clean covers multiple areas, including the sink, counters, dishwasher, kitchen tools, coffee maker, stove, oven, refrigerator, cabinets, floors, walls, and ceiling fans. General Cleaning Tips - Wear protective gear like gloves and a face mask to avoid exposure to harsh chemicals. - Always follow the instructions on cleaning products and test on a small area first. - Begin by dusting the ceiling, fan, and walls, and then wipe down appliances and surfaces. - Regularly clean and deodorize the dishwasher, stove, sink, and refrigerator. - Deep clean kitchen cabinets and thoroughly sweep and mop the floor. How a Professional Kitchen Cleaning Service Can Help If you’re short on time, hiring a professional kitchen cleaning service can ensure a thorough job. Professionals can help prevent accidents, offer custom cleaning plans, and provide real-time updates through apps. Factors like kitchen size, condition, and location influence cleaning costs. 1. Regular kitchen cleaning is crucial to prevent bacterial growth in commonly used items like sponges and chopping boards. 2. Use proper cleaning tools and consider natural DIY solutions. 3. Organize a cleaning plan, prioritize areas, and follow product instructions carefully. 4. Professional cleaners can be an excellent option if your schedule is tight—just consider the factors before hiring a service.

What to Do About Bad Smells in the House

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 Spring cleaning is an important tradition that has been observed for centuries. This annual ritual is often associated with a deep clean of one's home, but it goes beyond just tidying up. It's about creating a fresh start and making your living space a healthy and comfortable environment. Here are some of the reasons why it's important to do spring cleaning at least once a year. Improving Air Quality Over time, dust, dirt, and other pollutants can build up in your home. This can lead to poor air quality, which can cause a range of health problems. Allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and pollen can trigger asthma and other respiratory problems. Cleaning your home can remove these pollutants, which can help improve the air quality in your home. One of the most important areas to focus on during spring cleaning is your HVAC system. Your air conditioner and heating system circulate air throughout your home. If they're dirty, they can distribute pollutants throughout your home. Clean your air filters and ductwork to ensure that your system is circulating clean air. Reducing Health Risks A dirty home can be a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. This can put you and your family at risk of getting sick. Spring cleaning can help reduce these health risks by removing dirt and germs from your home. Pay attention to areas that are often overlooked, such as doorknobs, light switches, and other high-touch surfaces. These areas can harbor germs and bacteria, so it's important to disinfect them regularly. Decluttering for Mental Clarity Spring cleaning isn't just about cleaning and sanitizing your home. It's also about decluttering your space. A cluttered home can make you feel overwhelmed and stressed, which can have a negative impact on your mental health. By decluttering your home, you can create a sense of calm and clarity. Take the time to go through your belongings and get rid of anything that you no longer need or use. This can help you feel more organized and in control. Conclusion Spring cleaning is an important tradition that can have a positive impact on your health and well-being. By improving air quality, reducing health risks, and decluttering your space, you can create a healthy and comfortable home environment. Make it a priority to do spring cleaning at least once a year to reap these benefits.

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Moving from one place to another is a very tedious task. It can be physically and mentally draining from all the things you need to tend to and tick off your checklist. While you can make it into a fun, bonding activity with your family and friends, fragile kitchenwares and disassembling appliances should be left to the experts. That’s why moving services can be a big help when relocating. Why it is important to get help from a moving company? Picture this, there’s a sofa that you needed to move from the second floor to the ground floor. From the ground floor, you need to move it into the van. Sure, you got the muscles to do that on your own, but the lifting is just beginning. You still have the bed, table, fridge, oven and not the mention the TV. It is important to hire a moving company so you can be safe, secure, and stress-free. Professional movers can help you do these tasks: Make sure that your stuff is safely and efficiently transported. Save time from sorting the fragile, electronics and high-value items. Avoid accidents and injuries like dropping the microwave. Oops! Get the right tools and equipment for dismantling, lifting and installing. Avoid disturbing family and friends during the moving day. Your neighbors may not be so friendly when its time to move the heavy load. You can’t blame your friends if they drop the TV so, it’s better to get a trained mover to avoid breaking stuff. You can also ask for the mover’s insurance package and coverage. Avoid the mental stress of making a long list, figuring out where you placed your favorite coffee mug or if you forgot to the pack your collectibles. What do you need to consider when choosing a moving company? Depending on how, when and where you’ll be moving you also need to keep these things in mind when choosing a moving company: Is their service available even if you move to another city, state or country? Are your items safe and insured with them? Are the movers trained to handle fragile, high-valued and electronic items? Are they able to meet your deadline? Is the cost within your budget? Do they provide cleaning services for your new location? Which moving companies can you trust? There are a lot of moving companies you can find online. So, to save you some time from looking at each of their reviews, you can check out these: If you’re considering moving to another US state, you can rely on these companies as suggested by move.org. Here is their top 5 based on their criteria: Best Interstate Moving and Storage - Best overall International Van Lines - Best for up-front pricing Allied Van Lines - Best customer experience North American Van Lines - Best for customizing your move United Van Lines - Best bang for your buck If you’re considering to move to another county, here’s MoverDB.com’s top 10 suggestions: DB Schenker (Germany) Agility (Kuwait) Aires (USA) Nippon Express (Japan) United Van Lines (USA) SIRVA (USA) Atlas Van Lines (USA) Crown Relocations (Hong Kong) Shipco Transport (Denmark) Graebel Van Lines (USA) Conclusion If you are planning to relocate or move out, consider hiring a professional moving company to save time, money and energy. There are things you need to consider before you hire a mover. Be sure to review the services that they offer and compare it to other moving companies. Choose moving companies that are reviewed and researched by third-party organizations.

Different Cleaning Agents used by Cleaning Companies

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