You’ve likely heard about the dangers of many household cleaners on the market. Some emit dangerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and others may be flammable or corrosive.
These cleaners can cause health problems, from headaches to chronic respiratory issues. Fortunately, you can return to the basics by using vinegar and baking soda for many cleaning chores. Baking soda and vinegar are natural, inexpensive, and readily available.
What is Baking soda and Vinegar
Vinegar and baking soda may be common kitchen items, but when you clean with them, you’re doing some very scientific molecular manipulation. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). It’s what makes bread and cakes rise and puff.
Vinegar is a weakened solution of acetic acid (HC2H302). On the pH scale, it lies on the opposite side of baking soda. This is what makes the two kitchen staples effective cleaning agents. Baking soda dissolves dirt and grease while vinegar breaks down minerals formed by hard water.
How to Mix Vinegar and Baking Soda to Clean
Ideally, you should avoid combining vinegar and baking soda in equal amounts. Use a 2:1 ratio and keep the mixture on either the base or the neutral value’s acidic side.
When you mix baking soda with vinegar, the acid in the vinegar breaks down the sodium bicarbonate ( baking soda) and releases a carbon dioxide gas that loosens dirt from the surfaces you are cleaning.
How to Use Vinegar and Baking Soda for Cleaning
One typical way to clean with these common kitchen items is by sprinkling a surface with baking soda and spraying vinegar over this. The bubbling and fizzling help loosen the dirt. Clean hard-to-remove stuck-on messes by creating a paste with baking soda and vinegar.
You can make an all-purpose cleaner by adding 1 part baking soda to 2 parts vinegar to a spray bottle. Adding a little dishwashing liquid will create an even better cleaner. To mask the vinegar smell, add a few drops of essential oil like lavender or rosemary.
What to Clean with Vinegar and Baking Soda
Here are our favorite ways to make your home sparkle using vinegar and baking soda.
1. Freshen Your Sink Drain
Do you ever notice an unpleasant odor in the kitchen that you can’t find the source of? It could be coming from your sink drain. The build-up of food particles and soap scum causes it. Minerals from hard water can also be a source.
Baking soda and vinegar can keep your kitchen smelling fresher (and your sink draining better). Toss a cup of baking soda down the drain and let it sit for a few minutes. Follow with 2 cups of vinegar. Expect fizzing and bubbling. After 10 minutes, follow with hot water for a minute and then cold water for another minute.
While you’re at it, sprinkle any stains in the shower and sink with baking soda and scrub with an old toothbrush.
2. Clean Your Toilets
Use baking soda and vinegar to keep your toilet bowls and tanks clean and fresh. First, shut off the water supply and flush until the bowl is empty. Sprinkle in some baking soda and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub discolored areas with a toilet brush.
Next, add vinegar to a clean spray bottle and spray inside the tank. Avoid the inside metal components. Coat a scrub brush with baking soda and scrub the inside. Let the bowl and tank sit for about 10 minutes. Turn the water to the toilet back on and flush to remove residue.
3. Freshen Your Tile Grout
Residue on tile grout makes tile showers, floors, and backsplashes look old. Make your tiles sparkle as new with an old toothbrush dipped into a 2:1:2 ratio of water, baking soda, and white vinegar. Remove any residue from the baking soda with a soft damp cloth. Then stand back and admire your tile.
4. Shine Your Pots and Pans
It can seem impossible to remove burned-on stains from your pots and pans. Let the power of baking soda and vinegar shine on your cookware. Simply sprinkle baking soda on the stains and use a wet cloth dipped in vinegar to scrub the stains away.
If this doesn’t do the trick, use 2 Tbs of vinegar and a half cup of baking soda to make a paste. Spread this mixture over stains, let sit for about 30 minutes, and then scrub with a soft damp cloth.
5. Freshen Your Refrigerator
An open box of baking soda left in the fridge is an excellent way to soak up odors. However, if things have gotten out of control, you may need to go a little further.
Use baking soda and vinegar to freshen the fridge. Take everything out and add a 1:1 mixture of vinegar and water to a spray bottle, Spray the fridge down well and wipe clean. Remove any gunk by sprinkling on some baking soda and scrubbing it away.
6. Bathroom
Clean any bathroom surface with vinegar and baking soda. It helps to cut down the tough scum on bathroom surfaces. Sprinkle baking soda on the bathroom surfaces and other things like the bathtub, sink, and toilet bowl; then, spry vinegar on it. After a couple of minutes, scrub with bush and rinse with water.
When Not to Clean with Vinegar and Baking Soda
Since baking soda is abrasive, you should avoid using it on wood or glass, as it can scratch or dull the surface. Please don’t use it on marble or natural stone countertops or antique or gold-plated silver for the same reasons. If used on aluminum cookware, the mixture can cause discoloration.
Never combine other harsh cleaners with the mixture because you may create toxic fumes or even an explosion. Safe ingredients like a gentle dishwashing liquid are okay, but use the mix in one application and don’t store it away in the bottle. The ingredients may create an oxygen gas.
Baking soda and vinegar are safe and effective ways to clean your home. When you don’t have the time to clean, you’ll be glad that many professional cleaners know how to use these two common kitchen staples.
Cleaning Heights is the best Toronto cleaning service, trusted by many satisfied customers. Call now and get a free quote instantly.
Every major city worldwide has a unique nickname that is either a testament to the culture, history, or the city’s foundations. New York City is also referred to as “the Big Apple.” Tokyo goes by “The Big Mikan,” for Toronto, the main nickname is “The Six.” More often than not, each nickname has a story or legend behind it.
This article will examine the origins of the nickname “The Six,” which has recently sprung and been used to refer to Toronto, leaving many visitors and even a few locals stunned.
There are several theories on why the Toronto metropolis in Canada is called “The Six.” This name has been influenced by factors such as pop culture, area code, and municipalities of the region. Here are some of the most renowned theories associated with this unique nickname.
Pop Culture
The most famous reference to Toronto as “The Six” can be credited to rapper and pop music star Drake when he released an album titled “Views from the 6” in 2016.
While the title of the album was later shortened to “Views,” the name “The Six” had already gained popularity among many listeners, and people sought to understand the reference used in the song.
Consequently, this reference popularised the nickname of the city. However, Drake’s album isn’t the only reason that this nickname has become ingrained in the city’s history.
Toronto's Six Area Codes
Another key theory for why Toronto is often referred to as “The Six” is the number of area codes. The city comprises six primary area codes: 416, 437, 647, 905, 289, and 365.
The main and most famous area code is 416 since it was the city’s original area code; however, with an increased population and an expanding economy, more area codes were introduced to accommodate the rising phone numbers and business demands around the area.
The nickname “The Six” pays homage to these area codes while encouraging and symbolizing cooperation and inclusivity in all areas within the city.
For locals and city dwellers, the nickname makes them feel part of the city no matter where they reside.
The Original Area Code
This is probably one of the least known theories for the nickname, but “The Six” matches Toronto’s original area code, which is 416. While the city has introduced several other new area codes, 416 is more renowned, and the numeric 6 in the area code remains emblematic of the city’s identity.
The Six Municipalities
“The Six” also has a historical element. The 1812 war made significant changes to what is now known as modern-day Toronto. The pinnacle of these changes was in 1967, when the largest of the seven municipalities was redefined into six main ones.
The six included Old Toronto, North York, Etobicoke, Scarborough, and York, previously known as Toronto.
Further down, in 1998, these six municipalities were rebranded as the popular Canadian city known as Toronto. So, saying “The Six” is an ode to the six main municipalities of the area before Toronto was used as an umbrella term for all of them.
Evolution of the Nickname
Today, the nickname “The Six” has become synonymous with Toronto and is deeply ingrained in the city’s identity. The name has been applied in various contexts, from music to art, street graffiti, and even local businesses and community events.
The Six not only uniquely identifies the city but is also a symbol of the creativity unique history, and multifaceted character of Toronto.
Other Unique Nicknames of Toronto
Other than “The Six,” which is a fairly new moniker, Toronto has been referred to by various other nicknames throughout the city’s history. These names are also a major reflection of the city’s unique cultural identity and go a long way in understanding the history of the city. Here are some of the common nicknames.
One of the earliest nicknames of the city. Hogtown was coined as early as the 19th century when Toronto was a major center for meat packing and processing.
Hogtown is a reflection and association with the town as a major pork industry and its role as a hub for livestock trading. Most of the locals resonate with this moniker since it has existed for a long time.
This is the most common nickname used to refer to the city by locals and visitors alike, and for good reason. T.O. is a shorthand way of referring to the city; it’s viewed as an abbreviation of the city’s name.
One of the reasons that this nickname has been widely used is that it has a casual and familiar tone that is ideal for conversations and informal settings.
As the name suggests, this nickname was invented to refer to the smog in the city.
In the early 20th century, the city was in its industrialization phase, and the abundance of industries led to increased smog.
Over time, with cleaner energy sources, the air quality in the region has improved significantly, but the nickname persists as a nod to the city’s history and economic progress.
This is an easy one…yeah you guessed right! This moniker refers to Toronto’s original area code. 416 is the area code that covers the downtown core and surrounding areas.
Even though new area codes have been introduced to accommodate the increased population, 416 remains a favorite among many locals. As such, “The 416” is one of the nicknames that grounds the city’s original identity.
If you prefer a cool nickname with a modern urban vibe, then you can refer to Toronto as T-Dot. Just like “T.O.,” this name is an abbreviation of the city’s name, and it elicits a cool modern vibe that reflects the urban vibe and dynamic music scene in Toronto.
Conclusion
The moniker “The Six” is currently one of the most famous nicknames for Toronto, and to many Torontonians, this name holds a special place in their hearts since it is deeply ingrained in the city’s history and reflects its identity in many ways.
However, others prefer traditional nicknames like “TO” and “Hogtown.” Despite the differences in views, the name remains a powerful symbol of the cultural dynamism, inclusivity, dynamic energy, and diversity of the metropolis thanks to endorsements of music icons like Drake.
So next time you are around The Six, don’t forget to explore its unique history and culture and be part of its legacy.
Are you tired of confronting annoying, unattractive orange stains when you step into your morning shower? Why do those stubborn stains appear on your shower’s tile walls and flooring?
Even if you recently remodeled your bathroom, these puzzling stains may form, detracting from the beauty and appeal of your new bath design and decor.
What Causes Orange Stains in Shower?
Orange shower stains typically result from pink mold formations or iron in the water.
Pink Mold
Pink mold is a bacterium with the scientific name Serratia marcescent. It is not a mold. This substance can form quickly on the smooth tiled walls of your shower and may also build up on your shower curtain.
To avoid confusion, pink mold is not always pink. It usually has an orange or reddish appearance. This persistent build-up may also form outside your shower, marring the beauty of your bathroom walls, flooring, or mirrors.
Iron in the Water
If your home water supply contains high iron levels, it may also be a source of orange stains. The iron often combines with lingering soap buildup to create orange or rusty-looking deposits. These deposits can form on your tub, sink, or metal fixtures.
Are Orange Shower Stains a Health Hazard?
Orange stains in your shower caused by iron in the water are ugly and annoying. Yet, they are not hazardous to your health. Bathing in this water will not make you or your family members ill. Even drinking this water will not endanger your health.
Water that contains pink mold, however, can cause numerous health issues. These issues include respiratory problems, gastrointestinal illness, and various infections. For help eliminating pink mold from your bathroom, consult your experienced local plumber or a water treatment expert.
Different Types of Shower Stains
Different types of shower wall, floor, and fixture stains have varied colors:
Green or blue stains are caused by slightly acidic tap water. These deposits gain their colours from copper or lead, which leaches into the water from your shower’s plumbing pipes.
The white stains that commonly occur in your showers are caused by hard water from the tap. The white appearance is due to the water’s high calcium and magnesium content. Water from the tap. The white appearance is due to the water’s high calcium and magnesium content.
How to Clean Orange Deposits in Showers
Iron deposits that have recently formed can be eliminated using white vinegar or lemon juice. Yet, if the stains are older, you may also need to apply a tile cleaner. Eco-friendly cleaners are recommended, and many brands are quite effective.
You should use a cleaning sponge or brush to avoid scratching the tile surfaces of your shower stall. If your bathroom has a combination tub and shower, also use a non-abrasive sponge, cloth, or brush to remove orange stains from the tub.
If you have difficulty removing your shower’s orange deposits using vinegar and lemon juice, try applying baking soda. Make a paste by mixing the baking soda with water. After applying this paste to the stained areas, leave it on for an about 10 to 15 minutes. Then, scrub with a soft-bristled brush and rinse clean with clear water.
If the baking soda paste method is not completely successful in eliminating the orange shower stains, try another mixture. By adding hydrogen peroxide baking soda (one part hydrogen peroxide to two parts baking soda), you may succeed in removing the stains. Apply this mix to the discolored grout, leave on for a few minutes, scrub with a soft brush, and rinse clean.
If neither of these methods of restoring the grout to its original white shade works well for you, apply a commercial grout cleaner, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Again, it is a healthy practice for your household to use an eco-friendly product for this task.
If removing orange stains from the grout around the tiles in your shower becomes a persistent problem, contact your local home supply store or hardware. These knowledgeable sources can advise you concerning the best safe, healthy grout cleaners to use. You want to have clean white grouting while ensuring the good health and well-being of your family.
While bleach may be necessary to clean your shower’s grouting completely, never combine it with other substances without determining all safety hazards. It is never worth endangering the safety of your household members by experimenting with cleaning product mixtures.
Ways to Prevent Orange Shower Stains
You can help keep your bathroom shower free of ugly orange deposits in the future by cleaning its surfaces frequently. It is also a good habit to wipe the shower walls dry after each shower.
When all the older children, teens, and adults in your household follow this daily practice, you are much less likely to see these unattractive shower stains.
Useful Tips for Preventing Mold Occurrence and Growth
Helpful tips from housekeeping experts concerning how to safeguard your shower from developing stains include the following:
Encourage Regular Hand-washing in Your Household
When you encourage everyone in your household to wash their hands regularly, you can help prevent the development of pink mold in your bathroom. Cleansing hands, especially after using the bathroom, helps stop the spreading of Serratia marcescens bacteria throughout your bathroom.
Keep Shower and Other Bathroom Surfaces Dry Whenever Possible
Pink mold requires moisture to grow and spread. When you make an effort to keep your shower’s surfaces dry, you are less likely to have ugly orange stains appear.
Close the Shower Curtain Showering
Close and Straighten your shower curtain after each shower. This will help it dry thoroughly more quickly and prevent mold from developing. You should also launder the curtain and its liner at least once each month.
Remove All Traces of Soap Residue
Scrub away all traces of soap residue or scum that is left after showering each week. Doing this every few days can keep your shower surfaces dry, even cleaner, and healthier. Soap residue contains body oil that mold and bacterial growth feed on.
Remove All Spills of Shampoo and Liquid Soap
After each use, take time to clean away any spills of shampoo, conditioner, liquid soap, or body washes from the shower. This will also discourage the development of orange stains and other forms of mold or bacteria.
After each use, wipe away spills and drops of liquid soap, shampoo, and conditioner from the walls and floor of the shower or tub.
Lower the Humidity Level in Your Bathroom
Use an effective exhaust fan or dehumidifier to lower the humidity level in your bathroom. Also, always have plumbing leaks repaired as soon as they occur. These practices will help prevent the unattractive orange stains of pink mold or iron deposits from developing.
Conclusion
Removing orange stains from your bathroom shower is usually a relatively simple job. Yet, it can require patience, persistence, and some dedicated scrubbing sessions.
If the walls, flooring, and plumbing fixtures of your shower and bathroom also develop black mold, you should schedule an experienced plumber or mold removal company.
These professionals have the training and expertise to eliminate orange, black, and other types of stains. They can restore your shower to its original healthy state for safe daily use by all household members. By knowing how to maintain its cleanliness, you and your family can enjoy a healthy, bright, and safe shower.
A clean home is more than just a pleasant place to live—it’s essential for maintaining a healthy and happy environment for you and your family. Regular cleaning reduces allergens, eliminates germs, and prevents dust and dirt buildup, contributing to overall well-being.
However, knowing where to start and how to clean effectively can sometimes be challenging. This guide offers essential domestic cleaning tips to help you create a healthier, happier home.
Here are Top 10 Domestic Cleaning Tips For Healthier Home
Create a Cleaning Schedule
Stay Organized and Consistent
Consistency is essential to keeping your house tidy. A cleaning plan makes it easier to keep up with household chores, guaranteeing that nothing is missed and that your home is neat and orderly.
Daily Tasks: Incorporate small tasks such as wiping down kitchen counters, making the bed, and tidying up common areas. These tasks prevent clutter from accumulating and make weekly domestic cleaning less daunting.
Weekly Tasks: Designate specific days for more intensive cleaning activities, such as vacuuming, dusting, and mopping floors. Assign different tasks to different days to spread out the workload.
Monthly Tasks: Set aside time each month for deep cleaning areas that don’t require frequent attention, such as washing windows, cleaning light fixtures, and decluttering closets.
Declutter Regularly
Reduce Stress and Simplify Cleaning
Clutter makes cleaning more challenging and makes your house appear disorganized. Decluttering regularly makes your living area more orderly and tranquil.
Purge Unnecessary Items: Go through each room & identify items you do not need. Donate, recycle, or throw away these things or items to free up space & reduce clutter.
Observe the “One In, One Out” Rule: Take out an old item for each new one you add to your house. By doing this, clutter is kept from building up over time.
Use Storage Solutions: Invest in storage options like drawer organizers, bins, and baskets to keep things organized and within easy reach.
Focus on High-Touch Areas
Disinfect Frequently to Prevent Germs
High-touch areas like doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, and kitchen appliances are hotspots for germs and bacteria. Regularly disinfecting these areas is crucial for maintaining a healthy home.
Use Disinfectant Wipes or Sprays: Keep disinfectant wipes or sprays on hand for quick and easy cleaning of high-touch surfaces. Disinfect these areas daily or as needed, especially during flu season or when someone is ill.
Don’t Forget Electronics: Electronics like phones, tablets, and keyboards are often overlooked but can harbor germs. Use a disinfectant specifically designed for electronics to clean these devices regularly.
Improve Indoor Air Quality
Keep Your Home Fresh and Allergen-Free
Good indoor air quality is essential for a healthy home, especially for those with allergies or respiratory issues. Simple cleaning practices can significantly improve the air quality in your home.
Vacuum Regularly: Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to remove dust, pet dander, and other allergens from carpets and upholstery. Vacuum once a week or more often when you have pets.
Dust with Microfiber Cloths: Dusting with microfiber cloths traps dust particles instead of spreading them around. Dust surfaces regularly to reduce allergens.
Use Natural Air Fresheners: Avoid synthetic air fresheners that can release harmful chemicals. Instead, use natural options like essential oil diffusers, indoor plants, or open windows to let in fresh air.
Keep the Kitchen Clean and Safe
Prevent Cross-Contamination and Foodborne Illnesses
Since food is cooked and stored in the kitchen, it is one of the most crucial spaces to maintain cleanliness. A hygienic kitchen lowers the chance of foodborne infections and helps avoid cross-contamination.
Clean as You Go: While cooking, clean up spills and wash dishes as you go to prevent messes from piling up. This practice makes kitchen cleaning more manageable and less time-consuming.
Sanitize Countertops: After meal prep, disinfect the countertops to remove bacteria and prevent cross-contamination. Areas where raw meat or poultry was handled should receive extra attention.
Clean the Sink and Disposal: The kitchen sink and garbage disposal can harbor bacteria and odors. Clean the sink with a disinfectant and regularly run the disposal with lemon peels and baking soda to keep it fresh.
Maintain a Clean Bathroom
Focus on Hygiene and Mold Prevention
Due to their high moisture content, bathrooms may easily become germs, mold, and mildew havens. Maintaining a clean and hygienic bathroom requires routine cleaning and upkeep.
Clean Surfaces Every Day: The sink, toilet, and countertop should all be promptly cleaned with a disinfectant wipe or spray. This stops bacteria and soap scum from accumulating.
To Avoid Mold, Ventilate: During and after showers, turn on the bathroom fan or open a window to lower humidity and stop the growth of mold. Use a mold-specific cleanser right away if the mold does start to grow.
Clean the Toilet Every Week: Scrub the inside of the toilet using a brush and toilet bowl cleanser. Use a disinfectant to clean the outside, especially the handle.
Tackle Laundry Efficiently
Stay on Top of Laundry and Prevent Piles
Laundry can quickly pile up, leading to clutter and making it harder to stay organized. By staying on top of laundry, you can keep your home neat and avoid last-minute stress.
Set a Laundry Routine: Establish a laundry routine, whether once a week or every few days. Sticking to a schedule prevents piles of dirty clothes from accumulating.
Sort and Fold Immediately: Sort laundry by color and fabric type before washing, and fold or hang clothes as soon as they come out of the dryer. This prevents wrinkles and reduces the temptation to leave laundry lying around.
Clean the Washing Machine: Regularly clean your washing machine to remove soap scum, Mold, and Odors. Run an empty cycle with hot water, vinegar, and baking soda every few months to keep it fresh.
Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Protect Your Home and the Environment
Eco-friendly cleaning supplies are safer for your family and home and are healthier for the environment. They create a better living environment by lowering exposure to harmful substances and pollutants.
Choose Green Products: Look for cleaning products labeled as biodegradable, non-toxic, or eco-friendly. These products are often made from natural ingredients and are less likely to cause allergic reactions or respiratory issues.
Make Your Cleaners: Consider cleaning solutions using household ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils. These DIY cleaners are effective, affordable, and safe for your home.
Keep Floors Clean
Regularly Sweep, Vacuum, and Mop
Floors can accumulate dirt, dust, and allergens, especially in high-traffic areas. Regularly cleaning your floors helps maintain a clean home and reduces the spread of dirt and germs.
Sweep or Vacuum Daily:Sweep hard floors daily to remove dust and debris. Vacuum carpets and rugs regularly to keep them free of dirt and allergens.
Mop Weekly: Mop hard floors weekly with a suitable floor cleaner to remove stains and sanitize the surface. Use a damp mop rather than soaking the floor to prevent wood or laminate flooring damage.
Clean Spills Immediately: Clean up spills as soon as they happen to prevent stains and sticky residue. For carpets, blot the spill with a clean cloth and apply a carpet cleaner if necessary.
Involve the Whole Family
Share the Cleaning Responsibilities
Everyone helping out around the house makes cleaning easier and more effective. Maintaining a clean home and encouraging a sense of responsibility are two benefits of involving the whole family in cleaning duties.
Assign Age-Appropriate Chores: Give each family member specific tasks based on age and ability. Younger children can help with simple tasks like picking up toys, while older kids and adults can handle more complex chores like vacuuming or cleaning bathrooms.
Make Cleaning Fun: Make cleaning fun by playing music or creating a game. Setting a timer for cleaning motivates everyone to work quickly & efficiently.
Lead by Example: Set a positive example by maintaining your cleaning habits. Children who see their parents consistently keeping the home clean are likelier to follow suit.
Conclusion
Keeping your house tidy and orderly is crucial to creating a pleasant and healthy living space.
By following these essential domestic cleaning tips—creating a schedule, decluttering regularly, focusing on high-touch areas, and using eco-friendly products—
you can keep your home in top condition with less effort. Consistency is key, and involving the entire family can make the process more enjoyable and efficient.
With these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to a cleaner, healthier, and happier home.
Cleaning a bathroom is one of the most fulfilling and satisfying tasks because it transforms a place people use regularly into a sparkling haven. The bathroom should always be clean because it is the space people use to clean their bodies.
If the bathroom is not cleaned regularly, it can become a host to various micro-organisms that cause illnesses.
Below is a Step-By-Step Guide on How To Clean a Bathroom.
Step one: Gather Your Supplies
Before we start the cleaning process, we should ensure all the cleaning materials are in place. The listed supplies are used to clean the bathroom.
We start cleaning by removing all items from countertops, shelves, or tubs. The items that should be removed include towels, rugs, and other skin care products. We use this opportunity to sort through the items in the bathroom and discard all the expired products or things that are not needed.
Step Three: Dust and Sweep
Dust all the surfaces to remove all the dirt on the wall or tiles. We clean all the vents, light fixtures, and exhaust fans using a microfiber cloth or duster.
The loose debris that falls on the floor should be swept away to prevent it from getting into the cleaning solution.
Sweeping and dusting the bathroom makes it easier to mop the floor later.
Step Four: Clean the Shower and Tub
Showers and tubs are places that require detailed cleaning in the bathroom. We maintain the shower and tubs using bathroom-specific cleaners. However, some people prefer using natural cleaners like vinegar and baking soda.
The natural cleaners should be applied and left to settle for 10 to 15 minutes for them to break the scum and grime.
Wall and Tiles
We clean the walls and tiles using a sponge or scrub brush. Specifically, special attention is paid to grout lines because they collect dirt and mildew. A toothbrush also removes the grout dirt effectively.
Shower Doors
We use glass cleaners to clean the glass shower doors. You can also use vinegar and water to clean the doors. The vinegar and water mixture sit on the glass for a few minutes and then wipe off using a microfiber cloth.
Fixtures
An all-purpose cleaner cleans the showerhead and faucet. Thoroughly rinse the showerhead after applying the cleaner.
Step Five: Washing the Toilet
Our Home Cleaning Expert team pays special attention to the bowls, rim, and surfaces below the waterline. Apply toilet cleaners on the listed surfaces and let it stay for 10 minutes. Thoroughly scrub the bowl and rim to remove any dirt. The places under the water should be scrubbed, too.
Outside the toilet is cleaned with a disinfectant. The outside surfaces include the lid, tank, and seat. The toilet base is also cleaned to remove all the dust and grime that often accumulate there.
Handles and flushers should be included. We use disinfected wipes and clothes to clean the handles and flushers. Handles and flushers are touched regularly; thus, they should always be sanitized and disinfected during the cleaning session.
Step Six: Sink and Countertops
Before we clean the countertops, faucet, and sink, we apply the toilet cleaner and allow it to settle for a few minutes. We scrub the sink using a sponge or a cloth, removing all the stains.
The cleaner can settle to dissolve all the dirt on the sink or the surfaces it touches. The water spots on chrome faucets are easily removed using vinegar and water.
All the mirrors fitted in the bathrooms are cleaned using glass cleaners. The glasses are wiped using a microfiber cloth to avoid streaks.
You can also use a mixture of water and vinegar if you like using natural cleaners.
Step Seven: Cabinet and Drawers
The exterior parts of the cabinet are cleaned using a damp cloth. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust and debris inside the cabinet if it is dusty before wiping it with a damp cloth.
Step Eight: Mop the Floor
Mix water and choose floor cleaner. For people who prefer natural cleaners, a mixture of vinegar and water works well for tile and vinyl floors.
We begin mopping the floor from the furthest corner of the bathroom and move toward the door to avoid stepping on the wet areas. We rinse the mop during moping to prevent dirt from spreading to surrounding areas.
Step Nine: Replace and Organize
Once the bathroom is clean, we return all the items removed from the shelves and cabinets. Additionally, we should also restock all the toiletries and other cleaning supplies.
Step Ten: Final Touches
We use air fresheners or essential oils to create a pleasant smell in the bathroom. Besides, we check for spots we may have left out during the cleaning process and remove them. Finally, we ensure the toilet is well-ventilated to facilitate surface drying and prevent mold growth.
For the bathroom to be clean and fresh, every part of the space should be given special attention. Always maintain a regular cleaning schedule to avoid mold build-up and keep your bathroom pristine and hygienic. A clean bathroom satisfies the users.
Life happens in an instant. Time is precious and there seems to be less of it available in Toronto despite there still being 24 hours on any given day.
We’re all mindful of the need to take care of our health, live in a clean environment, and free up time for the important things in life. This makes the idea of a cleaning service appealing.
This article aims to answer this question as best we can. Each situation is different, but we’ll provide you with a good idea.
Finding, Vetting, and Hiring a Private Home Cleaner
Private home cleaners can be hired directly or through third-party service providers.
These cleaners in Toronto usually charge around $15 to $20 per hour. A few are much higher but seldom are they less expensive than this.
Hiring a private cleaner creates potential liability issues. They usually won’t have insurance to cover an accident they get into at your home or damage they do to property or its contents either.
You’ll also need to hire them based on some kind of ad hoc vetting process. After all, they’ll be in your home and they’re a stranger to you. That’s a bit worrying… You may need to use a referral from a friend to find a good one.
Hiring a Professional Cleaning Businesses
A professional house cleaning company is another way to go. It is more expensive than a private cleaner but comes with certain benefits.
Companies will be bonded and carry insurance too. This protects against potential liability issues. Most cleaning companies will heavily vet their staff too. This is for their protection and yours. They know many homeowners are working away from home all day and the cleaner may visit when that’s occurring to clean in their absence. Therefore, they need to be trusted. So, vetting is essential.
Professional cleaning companies either charge an hourly rate or a flat rate for specific types of cleaning services depending on the size of the home, the number of bedrooms, etc. Cleaning companies may have multiple cleaning staff visits to complete the cleaning service sooner for larger residences. This isn’t possible when hiring a private cleaner.
The hourly rate might be at least $25/hour and possibly more. For flat-rate pricing, a 1-bedroom apartment might cost between $110 and $140 to have cleaned. With larger homes, the price increases with the square footage. It also depends on what type of cleaning service you’re requesting too.
Companies will supply the same cleaning staff as often as possible. However, if they’re sick or on vacation, another equally competent cleaner can be provided in their absence. This is different from a private cleaner who just won’t show up.
And as we mention “showing up,” there’s no issue with a cleaner being unreliable either. Higher standards are maintained by cleaning companies with unreliable team members being released to work for other businesses instead.
Office Cleaning by Professional Cleaning Companies
Offices range hugely in size, the number of floors, kitchens, bathrooms, etc.
Usually, offices are priced by square footage, possibly with adjustments for multiple floors or the number of bathrooms. A small office that’s no larger than 700 square feet may cost between $100 to $140 to have cleaned. Larger offices are cleaned at a higher cost based on size. The number of cleaning staff will depend on the size of the job.
Home cleaning can be haphazard and time-consuming when you don’t have an organized plan.
Even if you need to go room by room and split the chore over several days, it still pays dividends to prepare early and plan. Therefore, a home cleaning checklist is valuable to both renters and homeowners alike.
Preparing to Clean the Home
Here are some things to do to prepare to clean your home:
Declutter First – When decluttering before cleaning, it leaves less to do. With extra smaller (and larger) possessions, it means additional surfaces for dust and debris to gather. The more they get moved around between cleaning cycles, the extra dust gets sprayed around.
Dusting Isn’t Simple – To dust effectively, it’s necessary to do it right. Otherwise, you’ll make more work for yourself. Sweep the room from the left side to the right side. Also, begin at the top and work your way down. This encourages dust to relocate closer to ground level as you go, leaving nothing behind. Don’t ignore windowsills, framed pictures, and blinds that capture dust on both sides.
Vacuum Later – Ensure your vacuum isn’t malfunctioning and spewing dust everywhere. Change the bag if it’s almost full; it’ll be a pain to do it in the middle of a cleaning cycle.
Sweeping and Mopping – Use the right cleaning solutions to avoid damaging the floors. Rinse well when the mop needs to shake off collected debris and dirt.
Clean the vanity countertop, cabinets, and mirrors.
Bring the faucets back to a shiny, clean look.
Use a mop and cleaning solution on the floor.
Once dry, put the rug, and wastebaskets back into position.
Other Cleaning Tips
Return to each room that’s been cleaned to inspect it. Act like a supervisor with a discerning eye looking over someone else’s work. Disturbed hair in the bathroom floats in the air and lands after you’ve left. Other missed bits are easier to see once everything else is cleaned.
Our professional home cleaning in Toronto always uses the right tools and cleaning solutions for each task. An all-purpose cleaner is not appropriate for all areas. Sometimes, specialist cleaning solutions to attack limescale, persistent bacteria, or thick grime are needed to get better results.
Also, don’t rush. While we all like to get through cleaning chores faster, it leads to inferior results.
The kitchen is a common meeting place for family members. When a table is also situated inside it to grab snacks or eat as a family, then that’s, even more, the case.
With multiple occupants and plenty of hands-on countertops, they pick up germs and bacteria throughout the day. This can make food preparation problematic, even when it’s done safely.
Color-coded chopping boards and using multiple knives keep different foods away from each other to avoid cross-contamination. However, when countertops aren’t kept clean enough, germs can still get into your food.
Remove Spills Quickly
Prevention is better than a cure. In medicine this is true, but so is it true for kitchen countertops too.
Food quickly goes off, including breadcrumbs and other tiny food particles. Then bacteria will develop. Any spills, no matter how small, can turn into bacteria waiting to happen. Then it multiplies! While a kitchen towel to wipe it down removes some of it, the surface will still have microscopic remnants.
And that’s all it takes…
Wipe down spills as soon as they happen. They’re far easier to clean that way than leaving them until later.
Using Everyday Supplies to Disinfect Kitchen Countertops
It is up to you whether you choose to use vinegar, some household bleach, or a specialized solution from the store.
Before cleaning the countertops by disinfecting them, it’s best to go over them with a paper towel or clean cloth.
Obvious to spot dried sauces, breadcrumbs, and other bits of food can be swept up. You won’t get everything – dried food won’t completely lift this way – but it’s a start and leads to a cleaner, simpler cleaning process in the next stage.
“Note: If you’re going to use something stronger like bleach, then test it in a part of the countertop that cannot be seen. This might be the back corner or under a small kitchen appliance that never moves from that spot.
If it stains or begins to remove the protective seal from the countertop, you know it’s too harsh for it. This is far better than wiping the entire countertop with a prepared solution and bitterly regretting it later! We cannot stress this enough.”
Using Bleach to Disinfect Countertops
Use rubber gloves to protect your fingers or call the Toronto Cleaning experts. You’ll thank us later.
Here are the steps to take:
Mix up a small half cup of bleach blended into a gallon of water.
Clean the countertops of any removable kitchen appliances. Etc.
Wipe the countertops down.
Allow ten minutes for the bleach to work its magic.
Use a clean cloth that’s been dampened to wipe the entire countertop.
Wait until the countertop is 100% dry, then reinstall the smaller kitchen appliances.
Note: If you’re not happy to use bleach, then a disinfecting spray cleaner or a distilled white vinegar solution mixed with water is adequate too. Marble and granite should not be cleaned using bleach.
Using White Vinegar or a Disinfecting Spray to Clean the Countertops
Either a white vinegar solution mixed with water, or a disinfecting household spray from the store will also work. They’re both less harsh than bleach.
You can clean the touchpoint areas in the kitchen and elsewhere, countertops, cooking stoves, and tables like this.
Here are the steps to take:
Use the disinfecting spray or make a spray solution by mixing a little vinegar with a large amount of water. Do not under-dilute the vinegar.
Wipe down the countertop surface
Spray the cleaning solution onto the countertops
Give it 10 minutes to work
Wipe the countertop down with a dry, clean non-abrasive cloth
Open the windows to let the countertop dry faster and to release any lingering vinegar smell
Note: Marble and granite won’t play nicely with vinegar. Use a different cleaning solution for these higher-end countertops.
Hardwood floors are tricky to clean without damaging their surface or finish. Therefore, care is required to do it well. Also, if your home is filled with pets, then pet dander or dust mites could be forming more regularly too.
Dust accumulates constantly. It can be problematic for people with breathing difficulties like asthma or COPD, or who are allergic to dust. Call a Toronto house cleaning company to Keep hardwood floors clean and make them safer to walk on too.
Tools of the Trade To Clean Hardwood Floors
A variety of tools of the trade are effective on hardwood floors. While these types of floors are quite durable, they typically either have a polyacrylic urethane or polyacrylic urethane coating that can be damaged when using the wrong tools. Also, the type of cleaning solutions used matters for the same reason too.
A broom or brush is excellent for removing grit, dirt, and food remnants from hardwood floors. The trick here is to only use ones with softer bristles to avoid scratching the floor’s protective surface. Also, nylon or similar material for the bristles is useful too – it does a better job of capturing what’s on the floor.
A mop with a detachable microfiber head is most effective. It can also be ‘hot swapped’ to another head when it’s become worn out. The head may also be washable too.
A standard vacuum cleaner can damage hardwood flooring. Many people choose not to vacuum them for this reason or only use a hand-held vacuum in troublesome spots. The best vacuum has soft bristles and a beater bar that can be retracted back inside the machine; this avoids creating new scratches while moving the vacuum over the floor.
A floor cleaner needs to be one that won’t damage the protective surface and be eco-friendly too.
Paper towels can mop up any excess liquid collecting in the corners.
Distilled water is also beneficial because it doesn’t have chemicals or minerals that could damage the wood.
Vacuum or Sweep the Floor Regularly
While vacuuming daily isn’t likely on the cards, sweeping up daily won’t require much time and is hassle-free.
Clean Up Spills Immediately
Do not allow spills to remain. They can discolor the protective coating or become sticky and difficult to remove with milder cleaning solutions designed to not damage the wood or its coating. This is a balancing act between preservation and effectiveness.
The worst culprits are darker in color because they hide easily on hardwood and tend to be more difficult to get out afterward.
Mop the Floor Each Week
Using the microfiber mop, run it over the hardwood floor each week.
Follow the natural direction of the grain. This lets the floor dry more evenly and prevents streaking. Use distilled water with the mop to prevent the minerals from dampening the natural shine of the wood.
A cleaning solution can be added to the distilled water or in spray form. It should be mixed correctly to avoid overusing it. If you do, excess cleaning solution leaves a sticky film over the floor.
Also, if you prefer non-commercial cleaning solutions, then mixing a little bit of white vinegar (distilled version) with distilled water will do the trick too. Open the windows afterward to let the smell disappear soon after.
Grout on a tile floor never seems to stay clean for long. It gradually changes from its initial white color to a greyish hue. This is because it’s porous, so it absorbs moisture and becomes discolored as a result.
Because it tends to look grubby, it’s necessary to clean it semi-regularly.
Here is How to Clean Tile Floor & Grout Effectively
What Will You Need to Clean the Grout?
Get your supplies rounded up. Look to see if you’ll need to pick up something you don’t have at home.
You’ll need this list of supplies:
Hydrogen peroxide
Soap
Baking soda
Something to scrub with
A towel
A spoon
Access to hot water
The tool(s) to scrub with could be a scrubbing brush or even a toothbrush. We’d say that a scrubbing brush is effective to access most of the grout, even if you need to turn the brush partly on its edge to do so. An old, no longer used toothbrush might be useful for tight corners and tricky spots
Prepare Your Supplies
Heat some water in the kettle. Mix it with some colder water, so it’s not scolding but still hot enough.
Prepare a mixture of hot water, baking soda, and some hydrogen peroxide. If you have one available, use a spray bottle. If not, a jug of the mixture can be poured onto the grout and is fine too.
Getting Started
Clean the floor initially to remove any dirt or grime on the surface. Using soapy water and a mop is perfect for this task. Getting this out the way first makes it quicker to access the grout.
A towel or a sponge can be used to dry the floor ahead of applying the cleaning agent to the grout. Let the floor dry for a while.
Now apply the baking soda mixture to the grout. It will require a hard scrubbing action to sufficient agitate the grout without physically breaking it apart. You want to avoid damaging the solvents in and around the grout.
If the grout is particularly bad, then adding the baking soda with less water in it and leaving it for a while before scrubbing allows it to soak in more. This can be more effective.
Air out the room after the floor tiles have been cleaned. This will allow any mold spores to float away.
Additional Preventative Measures
To reduce the need to clean the grout, it’s possible to later add a secondary treatment to them.
The grout can be subsequently sprayed with a disinfecting mixture to help avoid mold from reappearing later.
The mixture is created with either tea tree oil or white vinegar combined with some water. Add this to a spray bottle and use it liberally on the tiles and in the grout area.
While using white vinegar is a great disinfectant, it won’t protect the tiles forever. So, you’ll still need to clean them to bring their whiteness back. It’ll just be less frequently required.
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