Having clean windows in your home is something that can really make the difference in giving your home that good “clean” feeling. It is a good practice to deep clean/wash your home’s windows at least once or twice a year, usually in the spring and fall.

Having streak and grime-free windows during the colder winter months can help bring more sunshine into your home and boost your mood. Some windows can be hard to reach, and you may need to hire a professional, especially for the outdoor windows.

You can create your own glass cleaner with household items, and use black and white (not color) newspaper (or a lint-free cloth) to keep your windows streak-free.

¼ cup white vinegar
½ teaspoon liquid soap or detergent
2 cups of distilled water
3-5 Drops Favorite Scented Essential Oil (optional)

Mix the above ingredients together in a spray bottle and shake to combine. Then spray your windows and wipe. The addition of the detergent or soap will help remove grease and build-up.

Try wiping in one direction for the inside panes, and the opposite direction for the outside.  Then you will know which area of the window needs cleaning if any streaks are left behind. Don’t clean your windows if the sun is shining on them, or if they are warm because streaks will show after drying.

Keeping a clean home or work-space can seem overwhelming if you are not yet on a regular cleaning schedule. Cleaning regularly helps keep the tasks easy and you spend less time actually cleaning! There are numerous benefits to keeping your living and working spaces clean and uncluttered.

Your life is less stressful: When things are clean and orderly it is easy for you to go about your day-to-day business. You can find what you are looking for quickly. The tools you need to complete a job are right at your disposal. You don’t have to rush to complete a task because you don’t have the tools or space necessary to do so because of a cluttered mess.

You can spend more time enjoying life: Not having a ‘messy’ house or work-space hanging over your head leaves you free of guilt to enjoy life as it comes. If you set aside time for regular cleaning, when life throws curve-balls at you, you won’t have to deal with trying to find time to clean on top of everything else.

You will be more likely to invite people into your home: Quality time with friends and family is one of the best things in life, and if you are always feeling like your living space is not inviting to those you love, you will keep them at a distance. When your home is straightened and clean, unexpected guests are welcomed at any time!

Your productivity will increase: When your home or work-space is uncluttered and clean, your productivity sees a boost. You aren’t spending all your time cleaning your space, opening the way for more creative projects or enjoyable activities that used to get put off in favor of cleaning, or because things were too cluttered to think about getting into a new project.

You will be in better health: Messes are a breeding ground for germs. Keeping a clean home and work-space ensures that you will keep germs, dust, and mildew at bay. Common colds are more easily spread on dirty surfaces, and asthma and other respiratory ailments are worsened with low air quality.

You’ll sleep better: Getting a restful night’s sleep is easier to do when you are not going to bed surrounded by chaos. All of the things to love about having a clean home listed above help put you in a better space mentally, which ultimately affects the quality of your sleep.

What do YOU love about having a clean home? Not up to the task of regular cleaning but still want all the benefits? Contact the professionals!

If you really want to keep a clean and organized home, you have to commit to staying on top of chores before they pile up. Just taking 10 minutes a day to clear up clutter saves you time when you do your deep cleaning.

Just like daily smart diet choices and exercise yield the results you want over time, daily cleaning tasks will lead to a more clean and organized home. A clean house brings order to our lives. Removing the clutter and keeping things clean allows for less distraction and more focus on the things we really want to spend time doing. If your house is generally clean most of the time, you can avoid the stress that comes with worrying whether things are presentable when guests come to visit – especially if people stop by unannounced.

First it is important to set a schedule and stick to it. Set aside some time for cleaning when you know you will get it done. Don’t set yourself up for failure.

Having the right supplies for the job will make it faster, more efficient, and easier for you! Generally it is a good idea to have these four different types of cleaner in your arsenal:

• Glass or multi-surface cleaner
• Heavy-duty de-greasing cleaner
• Tile and grout cleaner
• Powdered abrasive cleaner

You don’t have to rely on store bought chemicals for these cleaners either! If you have the time, you can make your own very simply.

• Glass/Multi-Surface – 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol, 2 1/2 cups water, 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• Heavy Duty Degreaser – equal parts of baking soda, castile soap, vinegar and warm water
• Tile and Grout – 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 2 parts water
• Powdered Abrasive – 3 cups baking soda, 1 cup vinegar, 3 cups warm water

Other tools to make cleaning easier may depend on the type of flooring you have (will you be using a vacuum, a broom, or both?) but for everything else, using microfober cloths are a good investment. When wet, they sanitize and clean floors, counters, glass and tile, and eliminate the need for other cleaning products. They’re reusable (machine-wash, hang to dry) and cost about $5 for a two-pack.

There are generally two ways to tackle the chores you have; by zone or by task. Choose the method that is right for you and it won’t be such a pain.

Zone Cleaning – Focus on one specific area each day or every couple of days. Go deep wherever you focus on a given day, and consider moving the furniture. Bend down to wipe the baseboards and scrub the floors. Reach high to clean cobwebs, light fixtures and ceiling fans. Wash curtains. Dust off blinds and every surface. After all of that is done, vacuum and mop.

Task Cleaning – Instead of focusing on one room or area per day, complete one chore such as dusting, vacuuming or laundry throughout the entire house before starting the next cleaning task. Conquer chores, one at a time, throughout a day or over a period of several days.

Remember, the important thing is to have a home you are comfortable with and not hold your house up to some impossible perfect standard of what someone else is telling you it should be!

Holiday cooking can be your favorite or least favorite part of the season, depending on who is in charge of the cleaning!

If you are stuck with the cleaning end of that, you will be thankful when you read our simple tips for getting that turkey roasting pan (and any other stubborn pots or pans) sparkling clean with little effort.

You may remember when we shared some fantastic uses for baking soda in your home. This cleaning trick takes it a step further:

If you’ve soaked your pans in warm soapy water and are still struggling with baked on residue, pour the liquid out and sprinkle your pan generously with baking soda. Mix together 1/3 cup vinegar with one cup hot water, and pour it into the pan. The reaction will cause a fizzy solution which will help break up the baked on residue of your pan without the need for a harsh, scratchy cleaner.

You’ll be able to spend more time with your family after dinner instead of worrying about caked on food pans! What else are you thankful for…?

You have probably heard that baking soda has a million different uses, beyond making a volcano eruption science project. We thought we’d gather a few of the more simple and easy ways you can use baking soda in everyday cleaning tasks.

Clean and remove marks (even crayon!) from walls and painted furniture by applying baking soda to a damp sponge and rubbing lightly. Wipe off with a clean, dry cloth.

Easily clean bathroom tubs, tile, and sinks -even fiberglass and glossy tiles! Sprinkle baking soda lightly on a clean damp sponge and scrub as usual. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry. For extra cleaning power, make a paste with baking soda, coarse salt and liquid dish soap-let it sit then scour off.

Mix 1/3 cup baking soda and 1 cup white vinegar in a plastic bag. Use a rubber band or twist tie to secure bag around shower-head and let it sit in the liquid mixture for several hours or overnight.