Professional Housekeeping & Cleaning Tips Blog

How to Clean a Dirty Basement in 5 Simple Steps

by: Jamie | May 11, 2022

When it comes to cleaning your home, the basement can be the trickiest part of the process. Most people neglect this area as it’s typically not a living space and serves as storage. Apart from the clutter that will inevitably accumulate over time, dirt build-up can be somewhat hard to clean.

If you happen to live in Davidson, NC, you can always hire a maid service to professionally take care of your basement. It can save you valuable time and you won’t have to deal with the arduous cleaning that it requires. However, if you opt to do it yourself, read on as we break down the process to help you tidy up your dirty basement in five simple steps.

How do you clean a really dirty basement?

When it comes to storage-like rooms that hold lots of random things from bicycles, winter clothes, conserved food, and boxes of tools, you might feel overwhelmed when thinking about where to start. The key is good organization and breaking down the process into simple steps.

1. Declutter

You might feel tempted to start by dusting and cleaning any spider webs if there are any. However, begin by removing clutter. Separate your belongings into three categories:

Things you want to throw away
Things you will use regularly
Things you need to store

This way, you’ll instantly create more room, and the basement will already look better.

2. Check for moisture build-up and potential mold

Places like cellars don’t have much sunlight and tend to be very dark and cold. These conditions are perfect for moisture and the development of mold. If you have this problem, don’t ignore it, as it will grow and affect your health and the state of your walls and ceilings.

3. Clean the surfaces

Wipe and disinfect all surfaces, including shelves, cabinets, tables, and countertops. Use an all-purpose solution and after that, make sure you disinfect everything. That’s an extra step that will help you leave your basement clean for longer and you will feel more safe knowing everything is spotless.

4. Sweep the floors

After you’ve cleaned most of the room, sweep or vacuum any dirt or dust that’s built up over time and fallen down while you were cleaning. Don’t forget the corners and behind any furniture or closets.

5. Organize by categories

Now that everything is clean and tidy, make sure that you place everything back in its proper place. Decide where you’ll keep the things that you didn’t throw out. Categorize by clothes, food, tools, miscellaneous objects, toys, and memories. Label everything and see how much space you’ve freed up and how tidy it all looks now.

These are some of the simple steps to help you clean more effectively if you are intimidated by your basement.

Where in Davidson, NC, can I find professional maid service?

Taking care of your home can be a tedious job. Although it’s easier now than how people did it back in the day. It is somewhat challenging to keep your kitchen spotless or clean your bathroom like a pro and still keep up with the hectic pace of life. That’s where Dust and Mop House Cleaning can help you.

Whether you live near The Preserve Dog Park or anywhere else in the area, our skilled professionals will thoroughly clean your space, ensuring a spotless home as a result. We pride ourselves on the excellent customer service and the expertise of our cleaners who are 100% trustworthy. Contact us today, and we’ll be more than happy to answer all of your inquiries.

How to Clean Your Kitchen in 3 Simple Steps

by: Jamie | May 11, 2022

Maintaining the cleanliness of your home can be a tiresome job. Even though it’s a part of your everyday routine, not everyone looks forward to it. It’s tedious, takes too much of your time, and you have to do it day after day. It’s no wonder more and more people opt for hiring maid service, and if you live in Davidson, NC, consider choosing a reputable company that will take care of your home.

That said, there are some steps that can make mopping and scrubbing easier – whether you want to make your bathroom squeaky clean or make your kitchen sanitized and spotless. Read on as we break down some steps that will make all the difference when cleaning your kitchen.

What are the steps to clean a kitchen?

If there is one room in your home that accumulates the most dirt and requires daily cleaning – it’s the kitchen. Before you start, washing dirty dishes is crucial before you move on to anything else. Here are the three easy steps you can take to make sure everything is properly cleaned.

1. Start with the appliances

Any kitchen appliance will inevitably accumulate a lot of dirt. Whether you have a dishwasher, microwave, coffee machine, or, like most kitchens, an oven, all need a thorough clean. Start with emptying your dishwasher, replacing the filter, and starting the program for self-cleaning.

Next, check if your coffee machine has any leftover capsules or coffee grounds and throw them away. Scrub every part that may have any residue of water or coffee on it to prevent calcification. Lastly, pour fresh water and your espresso machine will look sparkly new.

Cleaning the oven can be a bit more challenging since so much dirt and grease tends to get stuck in there. Check the instructions for your specific oven brand, especially if it has a self-cleaning option. Make sure to use the proper cleaning supplies and solution to prevent any damage or create harmful fumes.

2. Wipe down the surfaces

After clearing the space of clutter, and taking care of your appliances, use appropriate solutions to wipe and disinfect all the surfaces. That includes countertops, cabinets, and stovetops. Make sure not to mix the chemicals or simply use an all-purpose solution to quickly clean the surfaces in your kitchen.

3. Vacuum and mop the floors

It’s crucial that this is your last step since cleaning the countertops could lead to dirt falling to the ground. Once you finish the first two steps, simply vacuum and then mop the floors. It will leave your kitchen looking not only clean but also more hygienic and ready for your next meal.

Where can I hire a reputable maid service in Davidson, NC?

Keeping up with the chores is not always easy. Whether you live in an apartment or a house, the responsibility of taking care of your living space, finding ways to clean your bathroom like a pro, or keeping your basement tidy and clean can take much of your valuable time. Although it is more practical and easier than what cleaning involved back in the day, hiring Dust and Mop House Cleaning will make it even easier.

Our team of skilled, thoroughly screened, and insured professionals will make their goal to clean your house deeply and allow you to spend the day out at Roosevelt Park. Once you get back, expect to find your home squeaky clean, spotless, and fresh. Contact us today, and we’ll be more than happy to answer all of your questions and schedule an appointment.

4 Tips for Cleaning Your Bathroom Like a Professional

by: Jamie | March 31, 2022

Most homeowners find the bathroom to be the most demanding space when it comes to house cleaning. Not only does it have to be clean in order for us to do our hygiene but it needs regular maintenance since it’s so prone to becoming dirty.

Simply wiping down the surfaces won’t cut it, and if you are one of those people who wonder how professionals clean the bathrooms so thoroughly – or where in Davidson, NC, you can find professional house cleaning services, read on as we’re about to dive into it.

How do professionals clean the bathroom?

Descale the showerhead

No matter how often you clean, there’s always some white residue piling up on your water fixtures. You may be annoyed by this but don’t want to buy a new showerhead every couple of months. Descaling it is an easy solution that makes your bathroom look like it’s been professionally cleaned.

To achieve this, grab some white vinegar, pour it into a plastic bag, submerge the nozzle of the showerhead and tie it in place. Let it soak overnight and run the water in the morning to rinse it. Not only will your showerhead be clean and shiny, you will also notice a stronger water pressure and purer water.

Leave the solutions to sit

No matter what kind of cleaning solutions you use, you might not get the best results if you are used to just scrubbing them down the moment you apply. Solutions need time to sit and react with the dirt in order to achieve what they’re supposed to. So, while you apply a cleaning solution onto, let’s say, the toilet, wait a few minutes, and in the meantime, clean another part of your bathroom. By the time you finish, the toilet will be ready to be scrubbed.

Clean grout

You probably know how grout is highly porous and susceptible to bacteria growth. It can lead to forming mold and spreading throughout the whole bathroom. Not only is it not good for your health but imagine cleaning your bathroom and tiles, and the grout is still discolored – it doesn’t look good.

You can turn this around by using bleach and scrubbing with the grout brush. If you don’t have one, you can use a regular old toothbrush with dense bristles. After you’ve scrubbed any discolored areas, be sure to rinse well and open the windows in order to ventilate the room thoroughly.

Wash the cleaning products properly

With today’s range of cleaning products, maintaining your home is considerably uncomplicated. Back in the day, people used improvised tools for cleaning and even though they got the job done – we’ve got it much easier.

However, having a specific cleaning tool for every part of your home is not enough to make your house spotless. Washing the mops, cloths, sponges, and everything else you use could prevent bad odors that the tools might leave behind. It can also prolong the time between the cleanings.

How often should you clean your bathroom?

It’s recommended you clean your bathroom at least once a week. However, there are parts that should be maintained daily. It all depends on the number of people in your household, the size of the bathroom, and how often it’s used. These are some general recommendations when it comes to frequency.

Toilet – daily, weekly
Sink – weekly
Bathtub – 1 to 2 weeks
Floor – 1 to 2 weeks

What Davidson, NC company offers expert house cleaning services?

Now that you know how to clean your bathroom like a pro, make sure to check out how to clean your kitchen and what goes into cleaning a dirty basement. Take a day off and enjoy a stroll in Roosevelt Wilson Park while our skilled professionals from Dust and Mop get your home in perfect shape.

With a commitment to excellence and attention to detail, our team will provide personalized services that will leave your home looking squeaky clean. Contact us today and learn more about us!

House Cleaning Throughout the Years

by: Jamie | March 31, 2022

Maintaining a home we live in is inevitable – whether you are a homeowner or are a tenant in someone else’s apartment. Therefore, cleaning and taking care of the space you spend most of your time in is a must. Throughout history, cleaning has come through many phases and it has changed tremendously to this day.

Whether you hire house cleaning services in Davidson, NC, to do that for you, or you prefer to do it yourself, it needs to be done. People have been employing professional cleaning services for as long as you can remember. So let’s see how that has changed through the years.

What is the history of housekeeping?

Up until the 19th century, housekeeping was a regular part of middle and upper-class households. People involved in housekeeping were a part of an intricate hierarchy, especially in wealthier houses. Housekeeping didn’t only involve cleaning but helping the family with preparing meals, taking care of children, and more. Since bigger houses required more work, you would usually find the following hierarchy:

Head housekeeper: The person who is responsible for managing most of the household work and managing other employers.
Kitchen: The kitchen consisted of the cook and people who assisted in preparing meals and arranging plans with the household members.
Laundry: This is where housekeepers took care of washing the clothes, drying, and ironing them. They also maintained the bedding and towels.
Nursery: The nannies who were also part of housekeeping were in charge of maintaining children’s rooms and had to report to the head housekeeper.
Scullery maid: As far as the hierarchy goes, the scullery maid was in the lowest grade of housekeeping. Their duties were washing pots, pans, cutlery, glassware, scrubbing kitchen floors, and cleaning a dirty basement. And while other members of staff were eating meals, they were responsible for looking out for the oven or a meal that’s been cooked.

Housekeeping in modern times

We’ve come a long way, and hiring professional cleaning services is no longer about classes and wealth. A tidy and healthy home environment has become an imperative, resulting in so many options for making it effortless for everyone.

Professional services that provide cleaning services are an ever-growing branch of business, usually family-owned, so supporting it is of great significance.

On the other hand, as our consciousness evolved concerning environmental issues, our emphasis on using natural products has increased. Rather than using harsh chemicals that are harmful to both our health and homes, we’re switching to eco-friendly solutions that are safer for the planet.

Who offers the best house cleaning services in Davidson, NC, and beyond?

You might know the easiest way to clean your kitchen or how to clean a bathroom like a pro. However, hiring a professional cleaning company like Dust and Mop has so many benefits. You can be sure your home will be in the safe hands of skilled professionals who will deep clean every corner of the space you live in.

Our team consists of insured experts who bring unmatched expertise to each appointment. We’re here to assist you in the process of moving in or moving out by cleaning your home. We offer regular personalized services and aim to meet your needs. Whether you live near the Fisher Farm or another location in Davidson, get in touch with us and schedule your service today!

5 Most Common Cleaning Mistakes

by: Jamie | March 1, 2022

Most homeowners would agree that keeping their homes clean is a pretty straightforward, albeit daunting, task. So there really isn’t much to it, right?

Unfortunately, many people use improper cleaning techniques and the wrong products for their weekly cleanings. This is why more and more homeowners in Huntersville are opting for professional home cleaning services.

However, if you want to learn how to give your home a truly comprehensive cleaning, we’ve prepared a list of the most common cleaning mistakes people tend to make. Read on!

What are the most common cleaning mistakes?

Cleaning your home is important for many reasons. However, it’s important to do it correctly, or you may end up making mistakes that can actually make things worse. Here are a few tips for how to clean your home properly:

1. Spraying solutions directly onto the surface

By doing this, you will only make it harder to clean all the dirt and grease. If the solution is not strong enough, you will only smudge it and only partially clean it. Instead, spray the product onto the cloth or sponge which will allow for a more thorough cleaning. It will leave your surfaces squeaky clean.

2. Not soaking long enough

You’ve probably been in a situation where you had unexpected guests coming over, so you tried cleaning a messy house in an hour. You could probably manage to remove the clutter a bit or dust some of the surfaces in a short amount of time. However, whether you want to clean quickly or have all the time in the world, there is one mistake almost everyone makes – not soaking long enough.

You might use more of the product thinking it’ll remove dirt or stains faster, but it actually won’t. Being patient and soaking long enough allows the solution to work its way in and react with the material you’re trying to clean.

3. Using the same cloth for everything

Having a cloth or a sponge that you use for cleaning objects in one room is a big mistake. Say you have a sponge for all of your pans and pots that you also use for silverware or glasses. By doing this, you will only spread dirt across different dishes. Instead, you could have a cloth that you use for the same type of items. For instance, wipe clean glasses and silverware with one, and pots and pans with another.

4. Mixing solutions

Making this mistake could potentially be dangerous. If you ever thought that mixing different solutions will give you a better result – it won’t. In case you’re not using natural products, every other cleaning solution is made of complex chemicals, and mixed with another may cause a reaction.

5. Not maintaining a routine

An essential part of keeping your home clean and tidy is consistency. Not cleaning kitchen and bathroom surfaces and taking the trash out every day will only result in your chores piling up, making it harder to clean. So, make sure you are well-organized and make a plan and schedule your chores.

For example, wipe the surfaces, clean the dishes, take out the trash, and make your bed every day. Weekly, or more frequently, vacuum the whole house, clean your windows, do the laundry, and put everything in its place.

Where can I find reliable home cleaning services in Huntersville & the vicinity?

If trying a speed cleaning method didn’t work out for you, it’s time to hire a professional cleaning service. Now that you know what mistakes to avoid, look no further than our seasoned professionals.

Reach out to our award-winning team Dust and Mop House Cleaning, and let us take care of the rest. In the meantime, you can enjoy the outdoors with the family at Lake Norman. Book your appointment today!

Professional Deep House Cleaning Checklist

by: Jamie | March 1, 2022

Keeping the house clean and tidy is a top priority for most homeowners. Daily tasks like dusting, washing dishes, and vacuuming are a normal part of any household everyday routine. However, there are chores that should be done on a monthly basis, also called deep cleaning. That’s where hiring house cleaning services in Huntersville, NC, could make your life much easier as they’re less likely to make common mistakes during the cleaning process.

Why is deep cleaning important?

As much as doing daily cleaning tasks around the house is necessary, it’s also essential that you do a deep clean once a month or once in two months. A clean and disinfected home is not only important for your health, it’ll also extend the lifespan of your appliances, wood floors, plumbings, etc. Now, let’s see what exactly deep cleaning consists of.

What does a deep clean involve?

Deep cleaning is a more comprehensive cleaning than your average housekeeping session. It involves a thorough scrubbing of all the surfaces in your home, from top to bottom. Deep cleanings are usually done every few months or once a year, depending on how often you feel your home needs it.

Floors

After vacuuming, disinfect the floors. They use products that will leave your floors shiny, clean, and smelling fresh. This is necessary especially if you have pets and children.

Walls

If your walls don’t need any painting, cleaning the surface and behind any artwork would suffice. However, make sure to tell the crew if you have a molding problem on your walls or ceiling so that they can use special products to get rid of it.

Behind dressers, appliances, inside of drawers

The team will move every piece of furniture in order to reach the places you usually can’t. So, messy cables behind a refrigerator, or the corners of your kitchen hidden by cabinets will look spotless after they’re finished.

Bacteria prone surfaces

It goes without saying that every countertop, table, and desk in your house will be left spotless. However, every good cleaning company knows that any surface in the kitchen or bathroom requires special attention. Even if you clean it every day, sometimes dirt can get into the places you wouldn’t think of, or can’t reach – between the countertops, behind the bathroom sink, etc. Those, and many other places are prone to retain bacteria and germs more often, so with the right products used by professionals, you will have no worries.

Who offers the best house cleaning services in Huntersville, NC, and beyond?

Attempting to clean a messy house in an hour, or trying to learn about speed cleaning methods – will only be a temporary solution. Whether you are a new homeowner or live with your family for some time, hiring a professional house cleaning service will benefit you in so many ways.

Give Dust and Mop a call and experience our comprehensive deep cleaning package firsthand!. Book today, so you can enjoy a fun day at Carolina Raptor Center with your family while our team gets to work!You are welcome to make changes as you professionals see fit, just try to work around the keywords, which are highlighted in yellow, and text marked in bold.

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