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Cleaning to Prevent Winter Illnesses

Winter is an especially important time for cleaning, as it can help prevent the spread of winter illnesses such as the flu, colds, RSV, strep throat and COVID. The way you clean and what you clean plus how often can make the difference in spreading illness when a member of your family is sick. It can also help keep incoming germs at bay to prevent your family from getting sick at all. These tips along with personal cleaning habits like washing hands frequently can help keep your family from catching and spreading wintertime illnesses.

Clean high-touch surfaces at least daily –

High touch surfaces include things like doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, drawer pulls, remote controls and phones. These surfaces come in contact with a lot of germs that can easily be transmitted to other people when they’re not cleaned properly. Be sure to clean these surfaces regularly using a disinfectant or cleaning solution that is designed to kill germs and prevent the spread of illness.

Change your air filter –

Changing your air filter on a regular basis will help keep dust and other particles from circulating through the air in your home. This can help reduce exposure to allergens that can make it harder for your family to breathe during winter months. If you use a HEPA filter, it can also help prevent the spread of pathogens throughout your home.

Pay special attention to the bathroom –

The bathroom tends to be one of the dirtiest rooms in your home, as it is where you and your family tend to get most dirty. Be sure to clean the toilet, sink, shower and tub regularly with hot soapy water to remove bacteria and germs that can cause illness. Pay special attention to handles, faucets, light switches and doorknobs.

Sanitize remotes and phones –

In addition to cleaning surfaces like countertops and doorknobs on a regular basis, be sure to disinfect remote controls and cell phones as well. These items can come in contact with a lot of germs from other people but are often overlooked in cleaning routines.

Wash kid’s toys –

Toys can quickly accumulate germs if they’re not cleaned on a regular basis, especially when children play with them frequently outside of the home in places like daycares. Washing kids’ toys in hot, soapy water can help get rid of dirt and germs that be easily spread to other family members.

Mop frequently with hot water and cleaning solution –

Mopping is another important cleaning task during peak germ season, as it helps keep floors clean and free from bacteria that could otherwise be tracked indoors. Be sure to use a cleaning solution with disinfectant properties to kill off any lingering germs on your floors. Extra tip: take shoes off at the door to avoid tracking germs inside.

Avoid items like sponges and dish towels –

Finally, one of the best ways to prevent the spread of winter illness is by avoiding items like sponges and dish towels in your cleaning routine. These items tend to collect lots of germs that can easily spread when you or someone in your family touches them.

In conclusion, cleaning is an important part of staying healthy during winter months. By following these tips and practicing good personal cleaning habits like washing your hands frequently, you can help prevent the spread of germs that can make you or your loved ones sick. Follow these handy cleaning tips and keep your family healthy all winter long!

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How to Clean for Holiday Guests

Whether you’re expecting family members or friends to stay with you over the holidays or just come by for the day, it’s important to clean and decorate your home to make them feel comfortable and welcome. To help you get ready for your guests, we’ve put together a detailed holiday guest cleaning checklist that covers everything from vacuuming all surfaces to deep cleaning the bathrooms and kitchen.

Entryway –

Let’s start with the entryway. This is one of the first areas that guests will see when they walk into your home, so be sure to clean and decorate it well. First, vacuum or sweep away any dirt or debris on the floor. Then clean all surfaces, including the walls and doors, with a clean cloth or duster. You may also want to consider adding some holiday decorations to brighten up the space and make it feel festive. Guests will feel welcome and cozy when they enter your home.

Bathrooms –

Next, let’s turn our attention to the bathrooms. A clean bathroom will help ensure that your guests have a pleasant stay in your home, so be sure to vacuum and mop the floors, clean all surfaces with disinfecting wipes or a cleaning spray, and clean out any trash cans. Additionally, don’t forget to deep clean the shower or tub and give everything a thorough scrub with an old toothbrush. And don’t forget about those grime-covered areas behind the toilet and underneath the sink!

Kitchen –

Let’s move on to the kitchen. This is another important space that your guests will use and also where food will be prepared, so clean and disinfect all surfaces, including the stovetop, fridge, cabinets, and countertops. Don’t forget to clean out any trash cans and give the floors a thorough sweep or mop. And if you have pets in the home, be sure to clean up after them as well!

Guest Room –

If your guests will be staying overnight, it’s important to give the guest room a good deep cleaning. Put fresh linens on the bed, dust and vacuum thoroughly. Don’t forget to clean down the guest bathroom and make sure everything is clean and prepped for your guests’ overnight stay.

Extra Touches –

In addition to these basic cleaning tasks, there are also some steps you can take to create a clean and uncluttered space for your guests to sit and visit comfortably. This might include putting away personal items like mail and bills or moving furniture out of the way to make more room.

At The Clean Up Club, we’re here to help you with all of your holiday cleaning needs. Whether you’re a busy professional or a stay-at-home parent, our expert team is here to help you clean and prepare your home for holiday guests. Call The Clean Up Club this holiday season and we’ll help you clean it up!

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Tips to Keep Fall and Holiday Home Décor Items Organized

The holiday season is here with Halloween just around the corner. In fact, you likely already have your Halloween decorations on display. With three major holidays in three months, decorating and putting away decorations can seem like a chore. We’ve constructed this handy list of Tips to Keep Fall and Holiday Home Décor Items Organized. Organization is key to making decorating and putting away decorations a breeze.

1. Separate décor by holiday and store in clear plastic storage bins. Make sure to label them by holiday and even a list of what’s inside will help you find the décor items you need quickly and easily.

2. Utilize hanging door storage for items like wrapping paper, tissue paper, gift bags and bows so they are easily accessible throughout the holiday season. Then simply store them away in a labeled container when the holiday is over.

3. Protect larger items with clear garment bags. For example, hang wreaths on a clothes hanger and cover with a clear plastic garment bag tied at the bottom to help wreaths keep their shape while in storage.

4. Wrap décor items like garland and lights around pieces of cardboard to keep them from ending up in a tangled mess. This makes it easier to store and easier to put up lights or garland the following year.

5. Store small décor such as figurines or small tree ornaments in empty egg cartons. This will help protect items while they are stored away and keep them organized and easy to find.

6. Use toilet paper tubes to organize wires and electrical cords for lighted holiday décor items such as electric candles, holiday trains and more.

7. Declutter every time you take down and put away décor items for any holiday. If it’s old, broken, no longer works or just isn’t your style anymore, donate it or throw it away (if broken or no longer works).

8. We’ll say this again because it’s so important – label everything! The more details about what is in each storage bin and for what holiday makes it easier for you to find the décor items you need quickly and efficiently when it comes time to decorate.

9. Store holiday pillows and blankets in air-tight containers or space saving vacuum bags to keep them fresh until next year.

10. Make your tree easier. If you have an artificial tree, store it already put together with lights and garland already on it. Cover with a large bag and seal around the bottom or even wrap the tree with furniture wrap (like is used for protecting furniture during a move). This way, you only need to unwrap and hang ornaments next year and your tree is ready in no time.

Organizing your fall and holiday décor saves you tons of time and can help you switch from holiday to holiday faster and easier during this part of the year with three big holidays back-to-back. The easier it is to get out and put away décor, the less time you’ll spend decorating and the more time you can spend enjoying this time with your family.

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Guide to Cleaning Appliances

Our appliances do a lot of work for us, including cleaning our clothes and dishes. Did you know that even those cleaning appliances need a good cleaning themselves from time to time? Know what to clean and how often with this handy guide to cleaning appliances.

Washing Machine

Your washing machine can build up bacteria like e. coli and viruses like rotavirus and norovirus so it’s important to clean your washing machine to prevent spreading this bacteria through your clothes. Cleaning this appliance is easy! Run an empty cycle on the hottest setting and add a cup of bleach about once a week, depending on how often you do laundry.

Dishwasher

Mold and fungi tend to grow in the seals of your dishwasher. Wipe down the seals weekly with a disinfecting wipe or mild bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water). To clean the inside, run a cycle on the hottest temperature with a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar inside. This will disinfect and deodorize your dishwasher.

Refrigerator

Your refrigerator should be wiped down and sanitized inside weekly. Many foods can harbor dangerous listeria including veggies, cold cuts, eggs, cheeses, processed meats like hot dogs and more. It’s important to sanitize weekly to prevent other foods from picking up this harmful bacteria. The handle of your fridge should be wiped down daily with a disinfecting wipe to keep germs from building up.

Stove

Clean the top of your stove after each use. Give the front of your stove a wipe down weekly. The oven should be cleaned about every three months, depending on how often you use it. To clean the oven, remove the racks and run the self-cleaning feature. Once the self-cleaning cycle is done, dirt and grime should wipe away easily with a damp cloth or sponge.

Microwave

The germiest part of your microwave is the handle. Clean down the handle with a disinfecting wipe after each use to keep it from building up germs. Clean the inside as soon as there are splatters or debris inside your microwave. A simple way to clean it is to cut up a lemon and put it in a microwaveable dish with four cups of water. Run the microwave until it boils, about three to five minutes. The steam will loosen any stuck on gunk and you can wipe it away with a damp cloth or sponge.

Humidifier

Your humidifier can harbor dangerous legionella bacteria. It’s important to clean humidifiers once a week with a soapy bleach solution and scrub with a brush to kill any germs and rinse thoroughly.

 

Our appliances do so much for us – reheat our food, keep our food cold, wash our clothes and so much more. Keep your appliances working great and germ free with this guide to cleaning appliances. You’ll have a cleaner home and your appliances will do their best job for you.

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Move In and Move Out Cleaning Services

Apartments and rentals can have varied requirements for your move out cleaning. Some require just a basic dust and sweep while others require everything from scrubbing down baseboards to cleaning underneath and behind appliances. Move In and Move Out Cleaning Services. Let’s take a look at a typical move out cleaning list and explore the need for a move in clean.

Move Out Cleaning

Move out cleaning requirements can vary widely. Our move out cleaning service is designed to provide a thorough clean that doesn’t involve moving large appliances. Having a professional service help with your move out clean can help you ensure your rental is as clean as possible. This can benefit you by helping you recoup as much of your security deposit as possible for leaving a spotlessly clean unit. Here are some of the key items on our move out cleaning list:

  • Dust everything including ceiling fans (if reachable)
  • Clean sinks and counters
  • Clean kitchen appliances inside and out
  • Clean windows and blinds
  • Scrub shower and tub
  • Scrub toilets
  • Wipe down mirrors and glass
  • Vacuum
  • Sweep and mop
  • Clean baseboards

Move In Cleaning

Move in cleaning services cover pretty much the same list of items but the service is performed before you move into a new place. Some reasons you might need a move in clean are if the unit or home was not cleaned before your move in, having everything cleaned down to ensure you’re moving into a cleaned unit, if you are a landlord having a home or unit cleaned down between tenants or if there was construction in the unit between occupants and a clean-down is necessary. Most of all, having a move in clean gives you peace of mind before you unload and unpack your belongings in a new home.

Whether you need a move in cleaning or a move out cleaning, The Clean Up Club has the clean you need for any circumstance that requires a good, thorough cleaning. Give us a call and call your move in or move out cleaning done! Don’t worry, we’ll help you clean it up!

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Tidying Tips for Naturally Messy People

Keeping your home tidy can be tiresome, especially if you have kids. There’s no shame in being a naturally messy person. It just means your capacity for organizing and keeping things where they belong is lower than someone who is naturally tidy. Let’s explore some Tidying Tips for Naturally Messy People to combat that messy tendency and help you tidy up in a way that works for you.

1. Get rid of stuff. The less you own, the easier it is to keep things tidy. The more clutter you have, the harder of a time it will be to keep your home tidy. So help yourself out by owning less stuff.

2. Tidy in small increments. Try five minutes a couple of times each day. The goal is to create a new habit, which won’t happen if you feel overwhelmed.

3. Set a timer. Set that timer for five minutes and challenge yourself to tidy as much as possible before the bell goes off. Having an end in sight prevents overwhelm and combats procrastination.

4. Create an order for your tidying. Start with the quick wins first, like making the bed. Put the faster tasks first so you can gain momentum for the bigger tasks.

5. Don’t try to tidy and clean at the same time. Tidying is putting things where they belong (even if they belong in the trash), period. Cleaning is a whole other habit to tackle. Let’s stick to tidying for now.

6. Invite someone over. Okay, so this tip is stressful and not good for use as a long term strategy. Use this one when you really need to do some tidying but can’t find the motivation. Knowing someone is coming over will kick your tidying into high gear.

7. Get everyone in the house involved. Everyone. Even the littles can help tidy up their toys, shoes, coats and clothes.

8. Make a game of it. Whether it’s a game you’re playing against the clock or against your significant other, making a game of it helps relieve the overwhelm most naturally messy people feel when it comes to tidying up.

9. Play your favorite music and dance it out. No one said tidying up had to be boring and serious. Put some fun into it and the time spent tidying up will fly by.

10. Take before and after photos for inspiration. Looking at your before and after can help you see just how much you’ve accomplished and might even inspire you to do more!

Lastly, have a professional cleaning company handle the cleaning side of the equation. For naturally messy people, tidying up can be exhausting enough. Let someone else do the heavy lifting on the cleaning while you focus on these tidying tips for naturally messy people. When you’re ready for that cleaning, call The Clean Up Club and let them clean it up!

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Top 7 Summer Clean Up Tips and Tricks

When you think of summer, you probably think of fun in the sun and lazy days at the beach. However, summertime brings up some unique cleaning needs that you might not be thinking of. Here are the top 7 summer clean up tips and tricks.

1. Ceiling fan clean up –

Ceiling fans get a lot of use in the summer, and they build up dust quickly. To keep ceiling fan dust contained when you clean, use a pillowcase. Put the pillowcase on the fan blade and then slide the dust off the top with one side of the pillowcase. The dirt and dust will be caught inside the pillowcase. Then you can dump dust out into the garbage and launder as usual.

2. Quick floor clean up –

Summertime around here means time at the beach. No matter how well you rinse off or dust off, you’ll still end up tracking sand into the house. When it comes to sand on your floor, carpet or rugs, your vacuum is your best friend. It will take care of that sand faster and with less effort than a broom.

3. Stinky trash clean up –

Summer temperatures mean stinky yucky trash. Wash inside the trash can once a week using 1/4 cup of bleach, a few cups of hot water and a few drops of dish soap. After dumping, wipe dry with a paper towel and then put some old newspapers in the bottom with some baking soda to soak up leaks and keep odors at bay.

4. Mildew clean up –

Summer heat and humidity can equal more mildew in your life. Use your exhaust fan religiously during showers and open the bathroom door afterward to let the moisture dissipate out. For even better mildew control, wipe down the inside of the shower with a microfiber cloth after showers.

5. Outdoor furniture clean up –

Use the hose to dislodge any big dirt and debris. Next wipe furniture down with warm water and dish soap. Easy peasy!

6. Pool toy clean up –

Pool toys can get grimy fast. Keep them clean with a spray of one part vinegar to three parts water. Spray liberally and then wipe them down. Break out the scrub brush for stubborn grime or soak in the water and vinegar mixture overnight to dislodge dirt and rinse well in the morning.

7. Grill clean up –

Degrease your grill simply and safely using apple cider vinegar and crumpled up balls of aluminum foil. The vinegar breaks up the grease and dissolves it away and the foil provides the abrasion needed to break off and break down stuck on food. Wipe grill grates down with warm water after cleaning.

Summertime comes with lots of fun but also some cleaning challenges that we don’t experience as much the rest of the year. Follow these tips and tricks to keep your home and outdoor spaces feeling and smelling clean! Need help with your regular old cleaning list? We have you covered! Call The Clean Up Club and we’ll help you clean it up!

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Hot Weather Cleaning Tips

When the weather outside is hot, the last thing you want to do is spend your time cleaning. But hot weather can actually be a great time to clean, if you do it right. Follow these hot weather cleaning tips to get the job done without overheating:

Choose the right time of day: The cooler hours of the morning are best for hot weather cleaning. You’ll not only get cleaning done during the cooler hours but also have more energy than you would at the end of the day. Absolutely avoid midday when the sun is at its hottest.

Divide the chore list up: Don’t try to tackle everything at once. Break your cleaning tasks into smaller chunks that you can handle over a few days. Pair the more physically intense chores with some less intense chores to break up the effort so you can divide and conquer!

Enlist family to help: Cleaning with family or roommates can make the job go faster and can even be fun. Play some fun music and divvy up the chores between you to knock out your cleaning list. Remember that many hands make light work.

Use natural cleaners: Hot weather is the perfect time to use natural cleaners. Because they don’t rely on chemicals for their cleaning power, they won’t add any extra heat or toxic fumes to your home. Cleaning with solutions that give off toxic fumes like bleach is not ideal during the hot summer when you want to avoid opening windows.

Stay comfy and hydrated: When it’s hot outside, it’s important to stay cool and hydrated while you’re cleaning. Dress in light, loose-fitting clothing and drink plenty of water. Avoid caffeine as it can be dehydrating and make you tire out more easily.

By following these hot weather cleaning tips, you can get your cleaning done without overheating and while keeping your family safe from toxic fumes. Don’t have the time or energy to tackle your cleaning list this summer? Call The Clean Up Club and we’ll help you clean it up!

 

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Why Hire Professional Cleaning Services for Your Vacation Rental?

 As a vacation rental owner, you understand the importance of offering your guests a clean and comfortable space. Why Hire Professional Cleaning Services for Your Vacation Rental? However, cleaning your vacation rental yourself between guests can be a lot of work and time. That’s where professional cleaners come in. Professional cleaners for vacation rentals are experienced in providing the high level of cleanliness that vacation rental guests expect. They also offer a number of other benefits that can save you time and effort as a vacation rental owner.

Some of the things professional cleaners for vacation rentals do include:

  • Thoroughly cleaning all surfaces, including bathrooms, kitchens, floors, and furniture
  • Dusting and vacuuming
  • Making beds with fresh linens
  • Replacing towels and linens
  • Restocking toiletries
  • Taking out trash
  • Washing dishes/running dishwasher
  • Putting away clean dishes
  • Cleaning refrigerator and appliances

Save Time and Effort

In addition to providing a clean vacation rental for your guests, professional cleaners can also save you time and effort. For example, if you live far from your vacation rental property, professional cleaners can take care of everything for you – from cleaning to restocking toiletries. This can be a huge help if you don’t have the time or ability to do it yourself.

Have Peace of Mind

Professional cleaners give you peace of mind. When you hire a professional cleaning service, you can be confident that your vacation rental will be clean and ready for your next guests.

Avoid Negative Reviews and Complaints

Professional cleaners help you avoid negative reviews and complaints. One of the worst things that can happen as a vacation rental owner is to receive negative reviews or complaints about the cleanliness of your vacation rental. This can damage your reputation and negatively impact your business. Hiring professional cleaners can help you avoid this by ensuring that your vacation rental is always clean and comfortable for your guests.

Why Hire Professional Cleaning Services for Your Vacation Rental? Overall, hiring professional cleaners for your vacation rental property is a great decision. They can provide the high level of cleanliness that your guests expect and save you time and effort in the process. So if you’re looking for a way to make vacation rental ownership a little easier, professional cleaners are the way to go.

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Top 5 Reasons You Need Weekly Housecleaning Services

If you’re like most people, you’re probably very busy. Between work, family time, and all the other activities that fill up our schedules, it can be hard to find time to clean our homes. That’s where weekly housecleaning services can come in handy. Here are some of the top 5 reasons you need weekly housecleaning services and why you might want to consider hiring a professional housecleaning service:

1. It frees up your time for other things. When you only have so much time available outside of work, you don’t want to spend that time cleaning. Having a housecleaning service means you spend less time cleaning and more quality time with your family.

2. You have a hectic work schedule and don’t have time to clean your home yourself. A hectic work schedule is exhausting. It’s difficult to have energy left over after working all day or all week to clean your home.

3. It’s good for your health. Research has shown that people who live in clean homes are less likely to get sick and also reap the benefits of better mental health. Dirt and grime are stressors, especially if it builds up over time. Keeping things tidy and clean is good for your health both physical and mental.

4. You have a newborn and don’t want to expose them to dirt and germs. Having a newborn is a special time and you don’t want to waste one minute of it cleaning. You also don’t want your new baby exposed to dust, dirt and germs. The solution? A weekly housecleaning service to keep things clean for you and baby.

5. You have pets and want to keep your home clean and free of pet hair. Having pets is a joy and they are part of the family. Unfortunately, these family members can shed and can track in dirt from outside. Weekly cleaning services keep the fur under control so you can enjoy your home and your pets without stress.

Hiring a weekly housecleaning service can be a great way to improve your quality of life and get some much-needed help around the house. If you’re considering it, give The Clean Up Club a call. We’ll answer all your questions and make sure we give you the clean you need.