Factors to Consider when choosing a house cleaning service

There are a number of house cleaning companies in Albuquerque, NM, as well as individuals who’ve made housekeeping a career.  The best way to find a reliable housekeeper or house cleaning service is to ask your friends and neighbors for recommendations.  Word-of-mouth is the best advertising tool and the best research tool.  Many businesses offer discounts for referrals, too.

Other factors to consider is what kind of service you’re looking for.  Do you want on-going, regular cleaning?  Do you need a one-time deep cleaning?  Do you need someone to clean hard to reach places or things you can’t do yourself? Are you a landlord needing a rental property cleaned?   The type of service you’re looking for will determine the type of business or person that best suits your needs.

Businesses:  House Cleaning Albuquerque, NM

Check out some of these popular (and Better Business Bureau [BBB] accredited) house cleaning businesses.  Prices vary depending on your home’s specific needs and size.  Contact a specific company for a quote.

Cleaning Authority:  Earns an A+ from the BBB, with 0 complaints filed.  The company has been in business since 2003. Contact them at 505-344-9889.

Mini Maid of Albuquerque:  Earns an A+ from the Better Business Bureau, having only one complaint filed since its BBB accreditation in 1983.  The complaint was regarding service and was resolved by Mini Maid.  Contact Mini Maid at 505-881-9233.

Over the Rainbow Cleaning:  Specializes in cleaning movie sets, film locations and studios, but also performs house cleaning services.  Not BBB accredited, but comes highly rated.

Green Cleaning:  Also comes highly rated, although not BBB accredited.  Specializes in green cleaning, as the name says.  Contact Green Cleaning at 505-358-2417.

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Factors to Consider when choosing a house cleaning service

There are a number of house cleaning companies in Temecula, CA, as well as individuals who’ve made housekeeping a career.  The best way to find a reliable housekeeper or house cleaning service is to ask your friends and neighbors for recommendations.  Word-of-mouth is the best advertising tool and the best research tool.  Many businesses offer discounts for referrals, too.

Other factors to consider is what kind of service you’re looking for.  Do you want on-going, regular cleaning?  Do you need a one-time deep cleaning?  Do you need someone to clean hard to reach places or things you can’t do yourself? Are you a landlord needing a rental property cleaned?   The type of service you’re looking for will determine the type of business or person that best suits your needs.

House Cleaning Temecula, CA Businesses

Check out some of these popular (and Better Business Bureau accredited) house cleaning businesses.  Prices vary depending on your home’s specific needs and size.  Contact a specific company for a quote.

Maid Pro:  Earns an A- from the BBB and 4 stars on Yelp.  One complaint, which was resolved according to the BBB.  Yelp reviews include complaints about service not being as good as expected.

Molly Maids:  Earns an A- from the BBB, with 17 complaints regarding “guarantees” and “service.”  All seventeen complaints have been resolved.  Molly Maids has been in business since 1995 and the company employs local maids and uses green cleaning products.

Weekend Maids:  Weekend Maids is a referral service, matching your specific needs to a housekeeper/house cleaning service that is right for you.  They offer a number of coupons and discounts throughout the year.  Services includes general cleaning, spring cleaning, before/after party clean up and restoration clean up.  Contact Weekend Maids at 951-582-6200.

Maid Time:  Can be contacted at 951-303-2015.  They are not BBB accredited and have no reviews on Yelp, however.

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Factors to Consider when choosing a house cleaning service

There are a number of house cleaning companies in Riverside, CA, as well as individuals who’ve made housekeeping a career.  The best way to find a reliable housekeeper or house cleaning service is to ask your friends and neighbors for recommendations.  Word-of-mouth is the best advertising tool and the best research tool.  Many businesses offer discounts for referrals, too.

Other factors to consider is what kind of service you’re looking for.  Do you want on-going, regular cleaning?  Do you need a one-time deep cleaning?  Do you need someone to clean hard to reach places or things you can’t do yourself? Are you a landlord needing a rental property cleaned?   The type of service you’re looking for will determine the type of business or person that best suits your needs.

House Cleaning Riverside, CA Businesses

Check out some of these popular (and Better Business Bureau accredited) house cleaning businesses.  Prices vary depending on your home’s specific needs and size.  Contact a specific company for a quote.

Maid Pro

Maid Pro offers a 49-point checklist forhome cleaning, which includes changing linens, cleaning switch plates, baseboards and emptying trash.  Frequency options include weekly, bi-weekly and monthly.  According to the BBB, Maid Pro has been in business since 2006 and earns an A-, due to two complaints (which were resolved).  You can contact Maid Pro at 951-784-8200.

Got Maids

Got Maids has been in business since 2006 and offers a number of services in addition to cleaning services.  If you need a pet sitter, home repair or upholstery cleaning, Got Maids is your business.  Home cleaning services also include laundry and ironing.  Got Maids earns an A from the BBB.  Contact #:  1-800-760-6243

Angie’s House Cleaning

Angie’s House Cleaning has had no complaints from the BBB and earns an A.  Contact Angie’s House Cleaning at 951-536-0994 if you need basic housekeeping services.

Elvia’s House Cleaning

Contact Number:  951-415-1671.  Elvia earns as A for housekeeping services, being in business since 2009 and having no complaints from the BBB.

With these choices, it won’t be hard to find a house cleaning service that fits your needs.

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You can easily make green cleaning solutions using things you already have at home:  baking soda, water, vinegar, olive oil and soap.  Almost anything can be cleaned using a solution of vinegar and water or baking soda and water.  Use a baking soda solution for cleaning your teeth, bathroom tile and your stovetop.  Add more baking soda if your surface isn’t as clean as you’d like.  Baking soda can also be used to eliminate odors in confined spaces.

A solution of vinegar, soap and water can be used as an all-purpose cleaner for any home surface.  By eliminating the soap and adding a few drops of olive oil, you can make a nice wood furniture cleaner.  Use tea tree or lemon oil for a solution that smells good.

Vinegar and water can be used to clean just about anything in the bathroom.  Use diluted white vinegar and water to clean toilet bowls and toilet rims.  Add tea tree oil to the solution and use it to eliminate mold and mildew.

Green Cleaning:  Bleach?

Bleach is a very effective green cleaning solution.  Many people worry about the fumes and harshness of bleach.  These effects can be mitigated by diluting bleach.  To make an effective cleaning solution using bleach, you only need about 1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water.

Compared to other cleaning solutions, diluted bleach does not leave residue and is more effective in killing bacteria.  Because of it’s chemical make-up, bacteria do not become resistant to bleach.  Bleach easily breaks down in the environment into salt water, which is not harmful to the earth or humans. 

For an even simpler solution than bleach and water, you might consider using hydrogen peroxide as many bleaches are made from this chemical.

Green Cleaning:  Store Bought Natural Products

In order to be considered “natural,” a cleaning product must meet four criteria:

• Natural Ingredients and Processing methods:  the product must be made from 95% natural ingredients (not counting water), which means that the ingredients must come from a renewable resource found in nature.  The allowable synthetics include synthetics that are not available naturally, do not propose health hazards to humans and are made through natural processes.
• Responsible Processes:  products cannot be tested on animals
• Chemistry of Ingredients:  ingredients cannot include prohibited synthetics (such as petroleum compounds) and must be made using natural processes
• Sustainable Resources:  The product must be biodegradable and packaging must be sustainable

From store bought products to home-made products, there are many options for green cleaning.

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If you’re looking for a way to remove surface dirt and oils from a simple rug, you might want to start with steam cleaning.  If you’re looking for a deeper way to clean your rug, you’ll need a few more resources and time.  If you have a rug that’s made from expensive fibers, it may be safer to take it to a professional rug cleaning company that has better tools and machines.

Rug Cleaning:  Using a Steamer

You can rent a steam cleaner from almost any home or grocery store now-a-days.  Get a carpet or rug shampoo to pre-condition the rug.  Agitate the rug to break up the dirt and oils using a brush or towel.  Depending on the type of fabric your rug is made from should dictate the roughness of the bristles in the brush.  Using the steam cleaner, you’ll “vacuum” up the water and dirt.  Once you’ve suctioned up all the water, you can speed up the drying process using fans.  Using a clean brush, brush the fibers the same direction to make your rug look like new. 

Rug Cleaning:  DIY or Professional?

DIY Tips

If you can find the right tools and don’t mind spending the time, do-it-yourself rug cleaning is the way to go.  To get a more in depth rug cleaning, you’ll need a power washer, carpet soap, buffer and wet/dry vacuum.  The first thing you’ll want to do it saturate the rug with water.  Use a buffer (or brush) and soap to agitate the rug and break up any dirt and oil.  Look for a soap that has a neutral pH.  Diluted white vinegar also works to clean spots, break up dirt, and kill germs. Always test an inconspicuous part of the fabric first to be sure the colors don’t run or fade.

Once you’ve scrubbed the rug, use the power washer to rinse it out.  You can do this while your rug is laying flat on the ground, but you may want to rotate it throughout the cleaning.  Use your wet/cry vac to vacuum up any excess water.  Depending on how dirty your rug is, you may need to repeat the rinsing and vacuuming.  If possible, hang your rug to dry.

Rug Cleaning: Professional Company

Professional rug cleaning companies are familiar with various types of fabric and methods of rug cleaning.  They have better machines and tools to thoroughly clean your rug.  For example, it may be nearly impossible to find a carpet buffer large enough to clean your rug yourself.  However, a professional company has a tool like this at the ready.

A professional company also has machines that ensure all the soap  is removed from your rug and machines that speed up the drying process.  If you’re looking for convenience and to save time, go with a professional rug cleaning company.

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Mix about one cup of water with 4 tablespoons of baking soda and the juice of one lemon.  Using this mixture wipe down the inside of the microwave thoroughly, careful to clean the top of the inside as well.  The best method is to try and wipe splatters as they occur.  I know this can be a challenge since I have a couple of teenagers in the house and cleaning up after themselves is not on top of their priority list.  Use the remaining solution or mix a new solution and place in a microwave safe container and microwave it for 2 minutes or until the water boils.  We are trying to steam up the microwave to loosen dirt and get a very deep cleaning down.  Using steam cleaning to remove the smells.

Carefully open the microwave, it should be very steamy.  Using a oven mitt to remove the water or let it cool, the steam should have loosened any persistent food spatters and the citrus hopefully removes the smells.  Wipe down the inside again once again and you should have a pretty clean and smell free microwave for a while anyway, until the next kid/slob warms up some ravioli without a cover…

It sounds silly but this cleaning technique is critical to removing many household stains.
Blotting is the act of absorbing a stain with a dry absorbent towel such as a terry towel or even a paper towel (best using white towels so no colors from the towel will run into the carpet or fabric you are blotting.) Blotting immediately after a spill or stain has occurred is the best way to combat stains. Blot by placing the towel over the stain. First fold your towel in quarters so you can flip over the towel a few times to get the maximum absorbency of your towel.

Motorcycle Cleaning Products You Will Need

• Some soft, clean cloths. You’ll need some for washing and some that you keep dry for drying and polishing. A dirty rag can scratch the bike. There are “wash mits” you can purchase and use, but only if they are kept clean.
• Wheel cleaner made specifically for wheels
• Leather conditioner for saddle and any accessories
• Clean sponges – a dirty sponge can contain dirt which can scratch paint and chrome.
• Cleaning solution made specifically for motorcycles. Because the cleaners will get on the paint, saddle and chrome, use products that are not going to cause problems with discoloring the finish or “blue” the chrome. When it comes to motorcycle cleaning, many bikers make a mistake of using the wrong motorcycle cleaning products, which can damage your motorcycle.
• You may want a bucket for mixing solutions. Follow the mixing directions on any supplies. Be sure each product is used properly.
• Of course, you need a water hose as well.

If you’ve just come in from a cruise, you must let the engine cool down before washing the bike. You can cause spotting, streaking, chrome damage and actually crack your engine! So give the engine and pipes time to cool down

Now that the bike has cooled to the touch, you can begin the wash. Using the motorcycle cleaning product recommended by our motorcycle manufacturer, mixed properly following label instruction, prepare your cleaning solution.

If you have heavy dirt or have bugs on the fenders, hose down those areas gently from top to bottom first. This will allow them a kind of “pre-soak” to loosen them. Then hose once again to rinse off any debris that has loosened.

Beginning from the top to the bottom, wash gently, using a clean soft cloth or a wash mitt. If your cleaning cloth becomes soiled, do not take the chance of scratching the paint or chrome; change to a clean cloth. If you use a sponge, be absolutely certain no debris gathers in the sponge pores and causes scratches.

1. Rinse the bike from top to bottom, paying special attention to any areas of extra heavy soil
2. Check every little place that dirt can hide to be certain you have the motorcycle completely clean
3. Use a wheel cleaner and soft rag to completely and thoroughly clean each wheel.
4. Dry your motorcycle off with clean soft rags
5. When drying, look for spots that water tends to pool and take an extra bit of care to be sure those areas dry thoroughly.
6. Maintain your leather with the products your motorcycle maker recommends. Treat the saddle, and any leather accessories.