February 2019

While we all clean our houses, as a cleaning professional I’ve spent considerably more time honing the craft. My name is Jack Prenter and I’m the founder of Chore Bliss, a Toronto house cleaning company. In running this business I’ve picked up a few tricks and tips, which will help you to keep your home clean and tidy between your cleaners visits.

Most of these tips aren’t complex, but you’d be surprised how many people miss them. I’ve seen it all and I guarantee that if you take these suggestions to heart, your home will be cleaner than you’ve ever seen it before.

Microfiber Cloths are the Best

It’s time to throw out the old rags or clothes that you’ve been using. They aren’t cutting it anymore. Microfiber is specifically designed to attract dust, meaning a cleaner surface with far less effort. Plus, it doesn’t shrink or wear overtime as a standard rag would.

Microfiber is incredibly soft, meaning that it can be used on delicate objects, mirrors, and screens without causing scratches. Every professional cleaner swears by them because it makes their job easier and quicker.

When it comes to microfiber cloths, you want to invest. Quality clothes will last you for decades, will cheap microfiber tends to shrink and become tough rather than soft after a few washes. When you’re using them, you don’t even necessarily need cleaning chemicals. A damp microfiber cloth will pick up dust as you’ve never seen before and can be easily rinsed away.

Most People Forget to Dust Above

While we’re on the topic of dust, let’s talk about a dirty little secret. The vast majority of homeowners never dust above their eye line. It’s understandable, after all, how can you clean what you can’t see? Next time you go into your bedroom, run your finger along the top of the door frame and above your wardrobe. Pretty gross, right?

The circulation of air tends to draw dust up where it is deposited on the tops of our furniture and door frames. Homeowners often forget to clean here and this can lead to literally piles of dust accumulating. Your family and friends are breathing in this dust, which can make you sneeze or cause allergies to flare up.

If you don’t get rid of this dust, you’ll find that your house will become dirty again very quickly. It will fall and spread across the rooms, leaving you bewildered as to how everything becomes dusty and messy again so quickly. To clean it, use a vacuum extension to get rid of the majority and finish off with a damp microfiber cloth to perfect the surface.

Don’t Use Glass Cleaner on the Television

In polite conversation with a customer, I once asked what they used to clean their television. Their response made me real in horror. They’d been using Windex for years to clean and shine their expensive LED television.

Glass cleaners like Windex contain ammonia, which causes damage to protective upper layer on screens. This reaction allows the liquid to get directly onto the screen where it can cause huge yellow stains, bubbling and dark spots. When it comes to electronics, this is the most common mistake that homeowners make.

You shouldn’t be spraying any cleaner directly onto the screen, but especially not a strong chemical like Windex. Instead, a lightly damp microfiber cloth will remove all dust. Make sure that the device is turned off before you clean it and leave it for an hour to dry before turning it back on.

Chemicals Need Time to Work

In the same breath, chemicals are vital for cleaning tough stains and removing grease. But they aren’t magic, they need time to work. Homeowners often spray chemicals onto a surface and then start wiping it away instantly and then they are shocked that they need to scrub incredibly hard to remove the dirt.

You’re doing it all wrong! The key is to spray the cleaner onto a dirty area and then to walk away for ten-minutes. During this time, you can also spray the rest of the kitchen or bathroom so that you’re not wasting time. When you come back, you’ll find that most of the dirt will easily wipe away. If it doesn’t, don’t scrub harder, change to a tougher brush or wire scrubbing tool.

Glass Cleaner is Perfect for Stainless Steel

Professional cleaners are in one of two camps. Some believe that you need specialized cleaners for every surface, while others tend to minimize their kit by using only a general purpose chemical, a glass cleaner, and microfiber cloths. Both options can be effective, but there’s a lot to be said for simplification.

While many homeowners now have stainless steel refrigerators and ovens, not everybody does. Therefore, carrying and using a dedicated steel cleaning product make not be the most efficient. Plus, who’s to say that it’s even the most effective way to clean and make steel shine?

In my experience, the best way to shine the oven, fridge, faucet, and taps is with a glass cleaner. While Windex contains ammonia and therefore you must be careful, there are less intensive options like the Simply Green Glass Cleaner.

Glass cleaning products are designed to be clear, with no streaks and to create the perfect shine. Therefore, they are perfect for using on steel. Give it a try, you’ll probably be shocked at how effective it is and how it makes it sparkle.

To get a professional finish, use a clean microfiber cloth and wipe in an ‘S’ shaped pattern. This movement is used by professional window cleaners because it prevents streaking by constantly changing direction and going over areas multiple times. As a result, you’ll get a shiny, streak-free stainless steel that looks like new.