You could get professionals to deep clean your bathroom, or you can choose to do it yourself. If you’re about to take on this task, read on for tips for deep cleaning your bathroom.

What do you need to deep clean your bathroom?

For those of you who are new to the concept of deep cleaning, it includes the regular cleaning you do on a weekly or daily basis, as well as reaching the deep, disgusting parts of your bathroom that aren’t normally covered or thought of.

Things you need

• All-purpose cleaner (if you are looking to disinfect surfaces, make sure and use EPA-approved cleaners)

• Glass cleaner

• Baking soda and vinegar

• Tile and grout cleaner

• Double-sided bucket

• Grout and toilet brush

• Microfiber towel and mop

• Gloves

• Broom and extendible duster

• Vacuum

Here are some of the areas you will have  to deep clean list:

• Shower, bathtub, grout

• Showerhead

• Shower doors and handles

• Bathroom sink and counters

• Inside and outside the toilet

• Mirrors

• Light fixtures, switches, and vents

• Floors

• Bath mats and rugs

• Trash can

Steps to deep clean your bathroom

Shower and bath

1. Pour enough vinegar in a plastic bag to submerge your showerhead with vinegar. Tie the bag, leaving it overnight to soak. The next morning, remove the bag and run the water to rinse.

2. Wash all shower curtains with some old towels and hang to dry.

3. For glass shower doors, mix 1 part distilled white vinegar with 3 parts distilled water in a bowl and microwave for 60 seconds. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray onto glass, letting it sit for 3 to 5 minutes. Then, use a microfiber cloth to wipe dry from top to bottom.

4. For grout, you can use a special tile and mildew spray. Alternatively, mix ½ cup baking soda, ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide, 1 teaspoon dish soap. Spoon the mix onto the grout and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Scrub hard with a grout brush.

5. For a bathtub, first pour hot water from a bucket all over the tub. Sprinkle baking soda on all surfaces. Fill your bucket with a half gallon of hot water and two tablespoons of dish soap. Then use a stiff brush or sponge to dip into the bucket and scrub the tub. If your tub is really dirty, use a store bought tile cleaner.

Tiles, walls, and ceilings

Spray all surfaces like countertops, tile, walls, and the ceiling with an all-purpose cleaner. Run the shower for five minutes to build up steam. Shut the door and let the steam and cleaner mix for 20 minutes. Then wipe down all surfaces with a clean cloth. For walls and ceilings, you can use a microfiber mop to reach the high spaces.

Bathroom sink

First, pour vinegar or baking soda down the drain and rinse with hot water. Use disinfecting wipes for the handles and faucets in order to prevent the transfer of bacteria from other parts of the bathroom (like the toilet). Use floss to clean the base, where the faucet and taps are flush with the sink.

Toilets

Coat the entire toilet bowl with a toilet cleaner — preferably one with bleach. Scrub the bowl hard with a toilet brush and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. While that is sitting, wipe down the outside of your toilet with a disinfectant wipe, as well as the outer lid, and then the inner lid. Then, use a bathroom specific disinfectant spray and leave it on for as long as the cleaner recommends (usually 10 minutes). Don’t forget to spray the flush handle. Then wipe everything down with clean clothes.

The toilet brush and its holder get no respect. This housekeeping tool tackles one of the germiest spots in the home with very little praise or care. When was the last time you cleaned or retired your toilet brush? It’s time to take action.

How Often to Clean a Toilet Brush and Holder

     Ideally, the toilet brush and holder should be cleaned after every use and disinfected at least monthly. If the brush is allowed to dry completely before replacing it in the holder, then the holder should only need a thorough cleaning monthly. However, if the brush is not cleaned or allowed to dry after each use, then the holder should be cleaned at least weekly.

Steps to clean and disinfect your toilet brush and holder

• Once you have finished cleaning the toilet, you can do a quick clean of the toilet brush using a disinfectant spray and disinfectant wipe.

• After cleaning, flush the toilet and rinse the toilet brush in the water. Hold the handle with the brush head directly over the bowl of the toilet.

• Generously spray the brush head with a disinfectant spray or 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, turning it so that all sides are sprayed.

• Use a disinfectant wipe to wipe down the handle. Use a second wipe to clean the holder inside and out. The surfaces should remain wet for at least 10 minutes.

• Balance the toilet brush handle between the toilet bowl rim and the lowered toilet seat to dry.

• Dry the holder with a microfiber cloth. Allow the brush to air-dry thoroughly before placing it into the holder.

When to Replace a Toilet Brush

If you are using a nylon-bristle toilet brush, it should be replaced when the bristles become smelly, discolored, flattened, brittle, or begin to fall off the head while toilet brushes with a silicone head are usually more durable and should be replaced if the head becomes loose or damaged. With proper cleaning, they should last at least one year. A toilet brush’s longevity depends on how frequently it is used, but most brushes should be replaced every six to eight months.

Five Tips to Help Your Toilet Brush and Holder Last Longer

1. Rinse the toilet brush in clean water after every use.

2. Allow the brush to air-dry completely before storing.

3. Do not allow a messy soup of bacteria-laden water to pool and dry in the bottom of the holder.

4. Choose a holder that keeps the brush head off the bottom of the holder to prevent bending and breakage of the bristles.
5. Use a toilet wand with disposable heads. Simply use a disinfecting wipe to clean the handle after each use and allow it to air-dry. The handle can be stored under the sink or from a hook—no need for a holder.

Whether you have a front-loader or top-loader, you’ll benefit from these cleaning tips.

With all the detergent, fabric softener, body soil and dirt that goes into your washer with each load, anything that’s not removed builds up over time and makes the perfect breeding ground for mold, mildew and odors.

It is of great necessity to clean your washing machine at least once every month and here is how to do it:

1. Many newer models have a dedicated washer cleaning cycle that presets the time, agitation and water temperature, and all you need to do is simply add bleach. If yours doesn’t have this cycle, add 1/2 cup of liquid chlorine bleach to the dispenser or fill the dispenser to the max line and run a normal cycle with hot water or follow what the manual says. Clean according to package directions. While bleach alone will kill bacteria and mold, it may not dissolve other residues. These washing machine cleaners have ingredients to rid your machine of greasy build-ups and hard water minerals, too.

2. Once the cleaning cycle is done, run another rinse and spin just to make sure any traces of bleach or particle remnants are completely washed away.

3. If you have removable dispensers, pop them out, take them apart and rinse them well under hot water. Use a soft toothbrush to dislodge any stuck-on gunk. Wipe dry, reassemble and reinsert them into the machine. If they are still wet, leave them open to thoroughly air dry.

4. If you have a front-loader, wipe the rubber gasket clean and dry thoroughly to prevent mold. Wipe the drum and door or lid, too, or leave it open to air dry.

How to Deodorize a Smelly Washing Machine

Along with cleaning monthly, make it a habit to leave the machine door open or lift the lid after each use. By doing this, air will circulate and dry out any remaining moisture that can contribute to musty smells. Just make sure that you keep children and pets away from the open machine, as a safety precaution and engage the child lock on your controls if you have one.

• Take out clean clothes promptly: As soon as a cycle ends, empty the machine to prevent a musty odor from developing in the washtub.

• Remove any debris or pet hair: If you have a pet that sheds in the house, you’re going to find pet hair in your washer after running several loads. Leave the door open until the pet hair and drum are thoroughly dry. Then, using your vacuum’s soft brush attachment, vacuum out the fur.

• Dry the gasket: If you have a front loading machine, regularly check the gasket to be sure no small items, like baby socks, are trapped in there and dry it often to keep mold away.

• Clean the controls: With a damp cloth, wipe the controls, door handle and any drips of detergent or softener you see on the front, sides and top of the machine to keep it looking its best.

The fastest way to wash your windows with crystal clear, streak-free results.

Basic Window Washing Equipment

When cleaning windows, remember that the same high-quality window washing tools the pros use are readily available online, at home centers, and in full-service hardware stores. Here’s what you need:

• 10 or 12-in. squeegee.
• A scrubber or a sponge.
• A bucket (a 5-gallon plastic bucket will work).
• Dish soap
• Lint-free rags or small towels.
• A ladder and a ladder stabilizer 

Keep your squeegee fitted with a sharp, new rubber blade. Purchase two or three extra rubber blades to have on hand. You can get a little more mileage out of blades that aren’t nicked or sliced by simply reversing them to expose a fresh edge. When you store the squeegee, make sure nothing touches the blade.

DIY Window Cleaning Solution

The best homemade window cleaning solution is to just mix two gallons of water and about a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid together in your bucket. Some people also opt to use vinegar and water to clean windows.

In warm weather, you’ll get a little more working time by using cool water. If you’ve procrastinated so long that you’re washing windows in below-freezing temps, add windshield washing solution until the water doesn’t freeze on the glass.

1. Scrub the Glass

The first step in the exterior window cleaning process is to scrub the glass, working at all angles to clean the edges. Make sure to cover every square inch of the glass. This technique allows you to get great results immediately. We’re moving the squeegee horizontally across the glass, but vertical strokes will work too. If you work vertically, angle the squeegee to direct excess water toward the uncleaned area.

2. Clean a Starting Strip

Tip the squeegee so that only the corner contacts the glass. Then, starting at the top corner of the glass, clean a narrow strip of glass from top to bottom on one side. This clean strip makes it easier to start the horizontal strokes.

3. Squeegee Across the Top

Press the squeegee blade against the glass in the upper corner and pull it steadily across the window. Concentrate on keeping the top of the squeegee in contact with the top edge of the window.

4. Wipe the Squeegee Clean

Wipe the blade on the clean towel in your front pocket or wipe it across the scrubber to remove dirt and excess water.

5. Work Down the Window

Start again, with the top of the squeegee overlapping the previous stroke about 2-in. Pull the squeegee across the window at an angle to direct excess water down. Wipe and repeat.

6. Wipe Off Excess Water

The next step in exterior window cleaning is to use the rag in your pocket to wipe up excess water along the bottom edge of the window. Then poke your finger into a dry spot on a separate lint-free rag and run it around the perimeter of the window to remove any remaining suds. Wipe off any streaks using a clean area of the lint-free rag. Change rags when you can’t find any fresh, clean areas.

Tips for Hard-to-Clean Windows

Remove paint specks and labels with a razor blade mounted in a holder. Always use a new blade to avoid scratching the glass. Wet the window first and push the blade across once. Rinse the blade and repeat on the next section to avoid trapping debris under the blade that could scratch the glass. Don’t use a razor blade on tempered glass.

• Remove tree pitch or bug droppings with a fine (white) nylon scrub pad. Wet the glass first and rub in an inconspicuous area to make sure you’re not scratching the glass.

• Clean tough glass stains and built-up mineral deposits from shower doors and other glass surfaces using mild household abrasives and an ordinary power drill. Here’s how.

• Use this glass cleaning solution for tough spots: Add 1/2 cup of ammonia per gallon of water to help remove greasy dirt for a DIY window cleaner

• Loosen sticky residue left from labels or tape by soaking it with a specialty product like Goof Off. You’ll find Goof Off in the paint department at hardware stores and home centers. Then scrape off the residue with a razor blade

A messy bedroom makes it hard to find what to wear, and it can even interfere with your sleep.

Your bedroom is a sanctuary, a safe space to go at the end of the day to rest, recharge, and revive yourself. A clean and clutter-free bedroom promotes better focus, increased productivity, and better sleep. A cluttered room is a cluttered mind, and a cluttered mind isn’t going to fall asleep easily.
Here are seven easy steps on how to deep clean your bedroom.

Bedroom cleaning essentials

Cleaning your bedroom without using harmful cleaning products is easy. Here are a few cleaning essentials to get your bedroom clean as a whistle naturally.

Microfiber cloth
Natural laundry detergent
Dryer balls
Baking soda
Vinegar
Natural all-purpose cleaner
Duster

1. Tidy up, and dust

Start your bedroom-cleaning odyssey with the very basics. First, gather up all the cups of stale water, half-empty cans of soda, and late-night snack bowls you’ve accumulated, and take them to the kitchen. Toss out your bedroom trash, put your dirty clothes in the laundry bin, and hang anything that’s clean. Put any other items that are out of place back in their spots. Now you’re ready to get down and dirty!

Dusting the stuff that’s easiest first might seem like the path of least resistance, but it actually means that all the dust from your ceiling fan is going to cover the dresser you just wiped down. Start from the top, and work your way down for the best results. Grab your duster, and hit the ceiling fan, ceiling and corners, and light fixtures first, then the windows, nightstand, dresser, and whatever other furniture you have. Don’t forget to dust your (fake?) plants!

2. Spray and wipe down surfaces

After you’ve dusted, take a damp microfiber cloth and your all-purpose cleaning spray to surfaces that see a lot of use, like night tables, the dresser, and your bookcases or shelves. Wipe off any spills, stains, or sticky spots the duster didn’t take care of, and scrape off hardened candle wax with a blade. Scrub your door handles and the places on your doors you touch the most — these areas are prone to a build-up of dirt and oils that make them look grimy over time. They’re also probably rife with bacteria. Your baseboards are another place that gathers dirt, dust, and dead skin like no one’s business, so give ‘em a little microfiber love before you move on.

3. Wash the sheets, duvet, and pillows

Sheets get mightily gross with all your dead skin and body fluids, so wash your sheets and pillowcases at least every two weeks.

A duvet is bulkier than your bedsheets and takes a bit more finessing to get it really clean. Check the tag for fabric care instructions, then read up on how to wash your duvet for step-by-step directions for getting yours super fresh and cozy again.

Down and feather pillows last longer and are easier to clean than typical poly-fill pillows. Surprisingly, down pillows are generally machine washable and dryable, and also surprisingly, it’s not rocket science. Wash your down pillows every 6 to 12 months.

4. Clean your mattress

You’ve probably heard by now that humans spend a third of our lives sleeping, which means you spend about six to ten hours on your mattress every day. That’s a lot of time for sweat, dust, drool, dead skin cells and bacteria to seep into your cushy mattress, where millions of dust mites feed on each night’s bounty.
Clean your mattress every six to twelve months. Vacuum it first, then sprinkle the whole thing liberally with baking soda. Let it sit for a few hours to soak up moisture and odors. Vacuum again, and if it’s time, flip and rotate the mattress

5. Vacuum

Now that all the dust from your ceiling fan and the crumbs from your nightstand and bedsheets are on the floor, it’s time to vacuum them up. Don’t just vacuum the floor you can see— suck out all of the dust and detritus that’s accumulated in the nooks and crannies of your bedroom, too, like the insides of your dresser drawers or nightstand, your windows frames, and between the window and the screen. Dust bunnies love to reproduce in small, dark places like under your bed, dresser, and bookcase, so scoot your furniture out of the way, and give those oft-neglected areas some attention, too. Then, attach the upholstery brush and vacuum your curtains.

6. Remake the bed

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as hopping into a bed with clean sheets. After you’re done cleaning your bedroom, grab your freshly laundered bedding, and make

the bed. Pro tip: It’s always a good idea to have a backup set of bed linens for those days when you’re doing a deep clean and your regular set of sheets or comforter aren’t out of the dryer by the time you’re ready to hit the sack.

7. Clean the closet

You only have to go as crazy here as you want to. If your closet is in pretty good shape, just make sure your clothes are hanging properly in the right place and in the right direction. Organize your shoes, and straighten up anything that’s gone topsy-turvy.
If your closet is a disaster in need of an overhaul, fear not. We’ll do this gently. First, get a couple of boxes or a roll of trash bags, and sort your clothes into three piles: donate/sell, recycle, and keep. Put the donate/sell items in one container and the ones you’ll recycle in another (you may need to take them to a facility that accepts textiles.) Hang up the items you’re keeping. A good rule of thumb is if you haven’t worn it in at least three months, you probably don’t need it.

Ways To Treat Your Feet and Footwear Right.

With the outbreak of Covid-19 and the number of coronavirus cases on the rise, it is a timely reminder to maintain proper hygiene for a healthier environment. While washing and keeping our hands clean is vital, here are five tips to minimize and keep your exposure to bacteria and viruses to the minimum for healthier feet.

Tip #1: Do Not Wear Your Shoes Indoor

    There are two types of people – those who wear their footwear indoors and those who do not. While seemingly harmless, it’s worth noting that an average shoe sole carries 421,000 different kinds of bacteria including faecal bacteria, E.coli, and many more. Here’s the disturbing and gross fact why you must stop wearing your shoes in your home – poop transfer. 

It has been found that 93 percent of shoes that are worn more than a month contain faecal bacteria on the outsoles. This should not be a surprise as we step on pet waste on public grounds and step on splashes from the washrooms on public restroom floors. 90 percent of these bacteria and other microorganisms are transferred to clean floors instantly when you step into the comfort of your home. Shoes are home to bacteria and can lead to the accumulation of dirt and grime in confined spaces like our home. For parents with small kids crawling around and sticking things into their mouths, it pays to err on the safe side.

While some shoes can be disinfected if they are washable as per the care instructions, let’s face it, how many of us wash our shoes to simply walk indoors.

Solution: Practise a shoeless home and keep them outdoors! Designate an area by your house porch to drop your shoes before entering the house. Invest in a shoe rack to keep things tidy too. If you are still adamant to wear your shoes indoors whatever the reason is – convenience etc, consider investing in an antimicrobial doormat that clears most of the debris and germs on the outsoles.

 Tip #2: Clean Your Shoe Closet

Shoes should be stored in a cool, dry place. Do not literally wait till spring cleaning! It is vital to give your wardrobe (be it a clothes wardrobe or shoe closet) an occasional good clean, declutter and reorganize your footwear. Accumulating a messy pile of shoes attracts germs and here are some hacks on how you can Marie Kondo your shoe wardrobe.

How to clean your closet in 4 steps:

1. Vacuum the floor around your wardrobe.
2. Remove all shoes or clothes and perform your KonMari.
3. Wipe shelves and racks with a microfiber cloth lightly sprayed with water.
4. Clean your shoes and stuff tissue paper or shoe trees to keep them from sagging or losing their shape over time.

Tips #3: Clean Your Shoes

It can be a hassle when caked-on dirt and loose dirt get stuck on our shoes and just won’t budge, especially on rainy days or if we step over mud.

 Here’s the right tool for everything to get that stubborn dirt off.

•  Slap the shoes together outdoors to remove loose dirt. Use a toothbrush to brush the dirt off and a butter knife or key to scrape set mud in grooves of your shoes

• Mix a tablespoon of baking soda (abrasive) and laundry detergent (bleaching agent) and scrub the rubber parts clean with this mixture. Rinse off with water and it will look sparkling clean as before!

If you are looking beyond the general shoe care guide of your shoes, here are some bonus simple cleaning hacks without the expensive products for different types of footwear material.

Note: Always read your shoe care instructions that will provide a more detailed maintenance guide specifically for the shoes.

 Tips #4: Wear Your Socks!

Wear socks made of cotton, wool, or bamboo as they help to absorb moisture and prevent abrasion from the shoes. Plus, It keeps your feet warm and comfy.  Who says you can’t wear socks with sandals or slides? Socks’ fashion is huge these days – you can grace the streets in cute printed socks and team it up with your favorite breezy airy sandals. It protects your feet from dirt too!

Everyone is well informed about how often the home should be cleaned. This includes mopping the floor, cleaning the kitchen, along cleaning the bathroom. But did you know that there are also other areas in the home that need to be cleaned as well? For example, when did you last clean your doorknobs and light switches?

In this article, we will talk about the proper way of cleaning and disinfecting your doorknobs and light switches in order to stop the spread of viruses that can cause illnesses.

Recently, there is a spread of a new virus called Novel Coronavirus. WHO already confirmed that the spread is worldwide.

Some of the most bacteria-covered spots in your home are the ones you use most often, such as doorknobs and light switches. These frequent-contact surfaces allow easy transmission of cold, flu virus, Norovirus, and more in your household, particularly when the average person’s hands carry at least 3,000 different germs*.

People commonly use disinfecting wipes because they seem convenient, but they often require that surfaces remain wet for up to 10 minutes in order to be effective, and keeping a surface wet with disinfecting wipes can be more difficult than you might think. Many of them contain alcohol, which can cause the liquid to dry quickly. This can make it difficult to keep the surface wet without re-wiping multiple times, resulting in a potential waste of both time and money.

A fast-acting spray-application disinfectant will allow you to disinfect the hard-to-reach areas that wipes can’t, and ensures that the surface remains wet for the proper time so germs are, in fact, killed.

How Often Should Such Areas Be Cleaned?

It is estimated that people, specifically adults, suffer from a cold approximately two to three times a year. Children, on the other hand, contract the illness much more often. The bacteria or viruses that cause these illnesses can live on hard surfaces for so many weeks, so not cleaning as often enough can make you and your family susceptible to such illnesses.

Due to this, experts say that cleaning surfaces such as doorknobs and light switches should be done at least two times a week. Disinfecting these areas is vital in order to make sure that harmful viruses are prevented from spreading onto your home, most especially if it is currently flu season. You can also opt to wipe the switches down with a cleaning product much more thoroughly once every two weeks.

How Do You Clean Your Doorknobs and Light Switches?

In order to clean up these surfaces, you can use a spray-on disinfectant on hard-to-reach areas, or disinfecting wipes. However, make sure that the area remains wet for at least ten minutes. This is in order to make sure that germs and other harmful viruses are gotten rid of. There are a lot of disinfectants available in the market that can get rid of the most common bacteria found in most homes like cold and flu viruses, along with Salmonella and E. Coli. Below are instructions on how to clean your doorknobs and light switches:

• If dirt or gunk has built up on the surface of your light switches or doorknobs, make sure that you remove them first.

• Next, spray disinfectant on the surface. Make sure that that area is completely covered with the liquid. This includes the underside handles of the doorknob, and the whole surface of your light switch. Let the product sit on the surface for at least a few minutes, and make sure it stays during that time. Scrubbing the area will not be needed.

• Lastly, once you’ve let the product sit for a while, you can now wipe it away with a dry and clean cloth. Let it air dry naturally.

Curtains require more regular cleaning than blinds. It’s like carpet versus hardwood floors. Curtains soak up dust and smell into their fabric and folds and should therefore be vacuumed and (carefully!) laundered. Curtains need to be regularly cleaned to keep them in tip-top condition. Alongside weekly vacuuming from top to bottom with the upholstery tool from your vacuum cleaner. Whatever fabric they are made of being sure to check all care tags on your curtains to see if they’re washable or must be dry cleaned before attempting to do so, or you might end up shopping for new curtains.

How to wash and disinfect washable curtains and drapes

• Remove all hooks and curtain weights.

• Shake out curtains outside to remove dust. If they’re super dusty, hit them with a vacuum hose attachment.

• Follow specific washing instructions on curtains, depending on their fabric. If there aren’t any, we suggest hand washing them in cold water or running them through the machine on a gentle or delicate cycle.

• Don’t rub or wring out curtains.

• Either hang dry curtains or run through the dryer on a delicate, low heat cycle.
• While curtains are drying, dust and clean windows, window sills and curtain tracks and rods. No sense hanging clean curtains back up in a dirty environment.
• Iron the curtains while they’re still damp, working lengthwise from the inside.
• Hang the curtains back up while they’re still just a bit damp so that they drop to the proper length.

How to disinfect Non-washable curtains and drapes

• Remove dust and hair with a vacuum hose attachment or lint roller.
• If the curtains aren’t difficult to detach, you can even take them outside and shake them like a rug.
• Spray them with Lysol spray disinfectant to clean away odour and disinfect them.
• Steam cleaning your curtains using a steam cleaner with an upholstery attachment is also super easy. You don’t even have to take them down! You can even add a pinch of essential oil to your steam cleaner’s water to make your curtains smell good.

Dry clean your curtains if they’re made of velvet, velour, chenille, tapestry, brocade, wool, silk, or if they’re interlinked.

How often to clean curtains and drapes

Curtains should be vacuumed weekly. That’s right: weekly! And you should take them down (we know, it’s annoying) and launder them once a year or so. It’s like cleaning the walls. You never think to do it but will be surprised what a huge difference it makes.

Best products to clean curtains + drapes

Steam cleaner with upholstery detachment

Washing machine + detergent

Iron

Lysol spray to disinfect

Vacuum

Window treatments can really tie the room together, framing your windows with a fun bolt of color, accenting your room with funky tie-backs, or adding a classy design aesthetic to your otherwise bleak apartment. Both blinds and curtains accumulate dirt and grime easily. When you leave your windows open, outside dust blows in and sullies them—even though that fresh air feels so nice! With the windows closed, the forced air from your heat or air conditioner swirls your homegrown dust bunnies around, encouraging them to nest amongst the windowsills. It’s a lose/lose scenario. But if you make cleaning your blinds and curtains a priority and a routine chore, not only will it elongate the lifespan of your window treatments, but your whole home will feel better because of it.

How to clean curtains and drapes

Curtains require more regular cleaning than blinds. It’s like carpet versus hardwood floors. Curtains soak up dust and smell into their fabric and folds and should therefore be vacuumed and (carefully!) laundered. Curtains need to be regularly cleaned to keep them in tip-top condition. Alongside weekly vacuuming from top to bottom with the upholstery tool from your vacuum cleaner. Whatever fabric they are made of be sure to check all care tags on your curtains to see if they’re washable or must be dry cleaned before attempting to do so, or you might end up shopping for new curtains.

How to wash and disinfect washable curtains and drapes

• Remove all hooks and curtain weights.

• Shake out curtains outside to remove dust. If they’re super dusty, hit them with a vacuum hose attachment.

• Follow specific washing instructions on curtains, depending on their fabric. If there aren’t any, we suggest hand washing them in cold water or running them through the machine on a gentle or delicate cycle.

• Don’t rub or wring out curtains.

• Either hang dry curtains or run through the dryer on a delicate, low heat cycle.
• While curtains are drying, dust and clean windows, window sills and curtain tracks and rods. No sense hanging clean curtains back up in a dirty environment.
• Iron the curtains while they’re still damp, working lengthwise from the inside.
• Hang the curtains back up while they’re still just a bit damp so that they drop to the proper length.

How to disinfect Non-washable curtains and drapes

• Remove dust and hair with a vacuum hose attachment or lint roller.
• If the curtains aren’t difficult to detach, you can even take them outside and shake them like a rug.
• Spray them with Lysol spray disinfectant to clean away odour and disinfect them.
• Steam cleaning your curtains using a steam cleaner with an upholstery attachment is also super easy. You don’t even have to take them down! You can even add a pinch of essential oil to your steam cleaner’s water to make your curtains smell good.

Dry clean your curtains if they’re made of velvet, velour, chenille, tapestry, brocade, wool, silk, or if they’re interlinked.

How often to clean curtains and drapes

Curtains should be vacuumed weekly. That’s right: weekly! And you should take them down (we know, it’s annoying) and launder them once a year or so. It’s like cleaning the walls. You never think to do it but will be surprised what a huge difference it makes.

Best products to clean curtains + drapes

Steam cleaner with upholstery detachment

Washing machine + detergent

Iron

Lysol spray to disinfect

Vacuum

Window treatments can really tie the room together, framing your windows with a fun bolt of color, accenting your room with funky tiebacks, or adding a classy design aesthetic to your otherwise bleak apartment. Both blinds and curtains accumulate dirt and grime easily. When you leave your windows open, outside dust blows in and sullies them—even though that fresh air feels so nice! With the windows closed, the forced air from your heat or air conditioner swirls your homegrown dust bunnies around, encouraging them to nest amongst the windowsills. It’s a lose/lose scenario. But if you make cleaning your blinds and curtains a priority and a routine chore, not only will it elongate the lifespan of your window treatments, but your whole home will feel better because of it.

   One of the most important appliances in your home, your fridge deserves respect and consistent upkeep. Give it a deep clean every 3 to 4 months. 

Don’t overlook areas outside the fridge such as the handle, door, and behind the fridge, where germs can build up through frequent contact with hands and irregular vacuuming. Since refrigerators are such huge appliances — and far too heavy to move regularly — some people choose to skip cleaning behind their fridges completely.

Even the more diligent kitchen cleaners will go to great lengths to avoid some of the most difficult and dirtier jobs. And while that’s not the end of the world, giving the space behind your refrigerator a thorough cleaning should be done regularly for health and sanitation reasons.

How Often Should You Clean Behind Your Fridge?

 According to Experts, you should clean behind your fridge at least once every three months. This will reduce dust and bits of food, which in turn can reduce the occurrence of pests and allergies. Additionally, if there is any dampness in the area, mold could start to grow.

What’s the Best Way to Clean Behind Your Fridge?

If you’re ready to face the truth and learn how to clean behind your fridge properly, follow these steps:

1. Unplug your refrigerator, and pull it completely away from the wall so you can access the space behind it easily. Be sure to keep the fridge doors closed to maintain the cool interior temperature as long as possible.

2. Remove the grille or vent cover at the base of your fridge, and use a hand-held vacuum to carefully remove any dust that’s built upon the coils underneath your refrigerator. Then, go back over the coils with a small duster or specialty coil brush in detail, keeping an eye out for any rips or loose seals while you’re at it.

3. Use a microfiber cloth and wipe down the walls behind your fridge with a cleaning mixture of equal parts water and vinegar. This will remove grease and grime and prevent your paint from getting permanently stained. Wipe down the back panel of your fridge with the water-vinegar mixture too.

4. Sweep and mop the floor space your fridge was sitting upon, paying attention to the seams of your baseboards where dirt can collect. Allow it to dry completely since any residual moisture could cause mold to grow.

5. Finally, return your refrigerator to its proper spot, and plug it back in. Once it’s re-installed, check to ensure the fan turns back on and that all cooling systems are working properly.

Cleaning Tips

Cleaning might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you look at your TV remote, but it’s essential to know how to clean a remote control properly. 

Cleaning a remote control probably doesn’t come to the forefront of your brain until it’s not working. However, remote controls get grimy.  Remote controls are frequently touched and most times, not with clean hands. We clean our homes and other surfaces, but we forget those tiny but important things that are affected daily and can carry bacteria and viruses. The events of the past 2 years have taught us to pay attention to the tiniest details when it comes to hygiene. Here are some useful tips for cleaning and disinfecting all the remote controls in your home. Viruses and bacteria can live on such surfaces for a few days. 

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List of Supply needed

• Spray bottle
• Alcohol
• Microfiber cloth
• Cotton swabs
• Lysol wipes
• Gloves
• Water

Steps on How to clean your remote controls

1. When it comes to general cleaning of any remote control, you’ll want to look at your user guide if it’s available. 

2. Wear your disposable gloves

3. Remove the batteries from the remote control.
4.  In a spray bottle, mix 30%water and 70% alcohol.

5. Spray it on the microfiber cloth and clean.
6. Then you use your Lysol wipe to disinfect or you can clean and disinfect with just your Lysol wipes

7. For tight spaces, spray the mixture on the cotton swabs and work the areas to remove grime and buildup.

8. Place the remote on a paper towel to air dry

9. Remove and dispose the gloves and wash your hands for at least 20seconds.

10. Replace the batteries and test the remote.

Can You Spray Lysol on a Remote Control?

When applying a disinfectant like Lysol to the remote control, you don’t want to spray it directly onto the controller. Instead, you want to spray the disinfectant onto a cloth and use that to wipe down the remote control.