Although a quick pass with the vacuum or a routine dusting will keep your home looking fresh, clean, and inviting, hidden grime and hard-to-reach areas need to be addressed on a regular basis. Why? Allergens, bacteria, and mold can build up right under your nose, potentially impacting the health and safety of your family and guests. Overlooked dirt and filth can also eat through paint and finishes, affecting the lifespan of your furniture and surfaces. Thankfully, deep cleaning can prevent these issues before they even start. 

Deep cleaning requires careful attention to detail, something your busy lifestyle may not allow you to make time for. That’s where our experts come in. At Maidkart, we encourage you to plan deep cleaning services as often as your home needs them. For a consistently clean home, be sure to schedule regular cleanings in between. We understand that every home and family is unique, which is why this blog is dedicated to helping you determine just how often your house needs a more thorough cleaning and what you can expect from this kind of service. 

Deep Cleaning Checklist 

Maidkart’s deep cleaning house service varies by location, but the following is a list of example tasks that may be performed during a routine deep cleaning. 

• All Rooms: A deep clean begins with standard cleaning tasks like dusting, removing cobwebs, vacuuming, mopping, wiping surfaces, and general tidying from room to room. Our experts then go the extra mile to wipe down woodwork and windows, spot clean walls, and vacuum furniture. Area rugs and light, movable furniture will be cleaned as well. 
• Bathrooms: Cleaning and disinfecting toilets, tubs, showers, sinks, counters, faucets, mirrors, floors, and cabinet fronts will make your bathroom look shiny and brand new, but that’s just a standard cleaning. Deep cleaning will include spot cleaning walls, vacuuming non-floor surfaces, and tackling the grime under bath rugs, cabinets, consoles, etc. 
• Kitchen: Tackling your kitchen’s surfaces is standard, but a more meticulous approach will require spot cleaning and disinfecting everything from cabinet handles to walls to that forgotten spot underneath your island’s area rug. Starting with your sinks, faucets, and countertops, our experts move to your exterior appliances, like stovetops and drip pans, for a true top-to-bottom cleaning. 

Does your home need a service that you don’t see in our deep cleaning checklist? No worries! We can work with you to choose a speciality cleaning that makes sense for you. 

Find the Deep Cleaning House Service Schedule that Works for You

Are you ready for a deep cleaning house service? Here are some lifestyle factors that may contribute to unseen grime, stubborn stains, and musty, unpleasant odors:

• Large household size
• Frequently open doors and/or windows
• Children
• Pets
• Allergies and health sensitivities
• Frequent visitors
• Entertaining large gatherings 

The first cleaning is only the beginning. This is how you can assess whether you need a deep cleaning on a monthly, quarterly, seasonal, or annual basis:

Monthly 

If you have pets or a highly active family, monthly deep cleaning will prevent grime and dust from collecting and keep your floors and baseboards squeaky clean. You’ll also enjoy better air quality as dust and allergens are removed from carpets, upholstery, and curtains. Even with this frequency of service, your home can still benefit from weekly or biweekly maintenance cleanings. Don’t forget that regular cleanings can help reduce stress and anxiety as they create a sense of calm in both your mind and your living space.  

Quarterly

Maybe your home doesn’t accumulate dirt and grime so quickly. In this case, a deep cleaning every three to four months will likely be enough to keep crevices, corners, and regular-use surfaces sanitary and tidy. Additionally, you lower your risk of pest infestations. 

Seasonal

Depending on where your home is located, different seasons may present different cleaning challenges. For instance, if you live in the southern U.S., the transition from winter to spring may inspire a deep cleaning if pollen and pollen-related allergies are a concern for your family. In areas where colder weather is common in the winter months, a seasonal service can help address the salt and chemicals that get tracked in with the snow. 

What about the holidays? A deep cleaning ahead of family visits and celebrations can help keep your kitchen and guest rooms spotless. We also recommend scheduling a deep cleaning if you’re bringing a new baby home. A happy home is a healthy home, especially for your latest family member. 

Annual 

Every home can benefit from an annual deep cleaning. This type of service will address everything from your windows to your carpets to ensure that no surface is left unscrubbed. Looking forward to this service on a yearly basis may be beneficial to your productivity and peace of mind, too, as you can rest assured that your home will be well looked after. 

Schedule Your Deep Cleaning House Service Today

We’re committed to providing you with a sparkling clean home. Whether you need cleaning on a weekly basis or a seasonal deep cleaning, we can help you create a comfortable and safe living environment that’s easy to enjoy and maintain. Our offerings include powerful, eco-friendly disinfecting techniques and custom cleanings to suit your precise cleaning needs. What are you waiting for? Contact us today before our schedule fills up!

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Have a Plan for Managing Winter Clutter

Unlike in spring when you can slip on any old pair of shoes and perhaps a thin jacket, winter brings with it a whole host of excess clutter. Boots, hats, scarves, thick coats, and umbrellas all make their way into our homes after being at the back of the closet for months. Add in holiday decorations and it seems like our clutter-free summertime homes are long gone. Thankfully, Maidkart is here to help make your home cleaner this winter!

At the start of the winter season, we recommend having a plan for managing the influx of this seasonal attire. Here are some ideas:

1. Designate specific storage areas for winter items like hats, scarves, gloves, and umbrellas. Use hooks and baskets to create an organized space for your family. This helps to prevent items from being scattered throughout your home.
2. Invest in storage. If you don’t have enough storage for the amount of winter gear you’ve got, it’s time to invest. Otherwise, you’ll be fighting a losing battle each day. Choose functional furniture like benches with storage.
3. Organize your shoe storage. Winter shoes are more bulky and dirtier. Make sure your shoe storage is organized to arrange footwear neatly and cleanly.

Create a Warm and Inviting Atmosphere at Home

When the temperatures drop, we naturally want our homes to feel cozier and inviting. Incorporating plush textiles like cushions and throws can add warmth to your living spaces. Pair this with scented candles and seasonal décor and your home will ooze warmth.

Tackle the Additional Dirt Winter Brings into the Home

Unfortunately, winter often calls for additional cleaning as the colder, wetter weather brings mud, snow, and salt indoors. Maidkart recommends having a routine that allows you to deal with the issue regularly so that dirt and dust don’t build up. Maidkart specializes in innovative and high-tech methods, our PUREcleaning system is a non-toxic cleaning process that allows us to create homes that are not only cleaner but also healthier. Ultimately, we aim to improve the quality of your home and your life.

For the day-to-day, the following will help manage dirt and grime between your Maidkart cleaning services:

• Doormats at every entry point.
• Regularly vacuuming and sweeping hallways and high-traffic areas.
• Using a mop on hard floors regularly.
• Using one specific entrance for coming in with muddy boots.
• Outside storage for winter boots.

Keep your home clean and cozy this winter

As we adapt our lives for winter, we also need to adapt our homes and cleaning routines. Routine cleanings with Maidkart help keep the dirt and grime at bay while also saving you time during this busy season. You can come home to a sparkling clean after every visit so you’re ready to tackle the additional challenges the colder months bring. Add in comforting soft furnishings and warm lighting and we may never want the winter to end.

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Have you heard of the flat surface rule? It says that a flat surface like a floor, a table or countertop should always be cleared of anything that is not a permanent fixture. This sounds like a great rule but my dining room table constantly challenges that flat surface rule. My table attracts mail, paperwork, bills and even clothing. I’ve put a new rule in place that says that the dining room table must be cleared of all clutter by dinner time. Much more doable! If there are items left on the table, they are placed in a laundry basket and given 24 hours to be dealt with. After 24 hours they will be discarded. This new rule seems to be working and has left my table top free from clutter. I’ve found that my next challenge is keeping the tabletop clean and dust free. Here are a few tips I’ve learned:

Cleaning

Start by washing the table with warm water and a touch of dish detergent.  Whether you have a wood, glass or plastic dining room table, they can all be cleaned with a damp cloth and a touch of dish detergent. Start with a bucket of warm water and a drop or two of a gentle dish soap. Use a large looped microfiber cloth wrung out until it’s slightly damp. Go over the entire table including the legs and chairs. Rinse the table with warm water and then use a fine woven microfiber cloth to dry it completely.

Conditioning

Once the furniture is completely clean and dry, apply liquid beeswax to seal in the moisture and condition the wood. A favorite product of mine is Howard’s Feed-N-Wax, which is a polisher and conditioner. This product combines beeswax, carnauba wax and orange oil to enhance the natural beauty of the grain in both finished and unfinished wood. It also seals the wood and prevents it from drying out. This product is something you’ll want to use on your dining room table once a month.

Dusting

You’ll want to dust your dining room table to keep it clean on a weekly basis. I suggest using a dry large-looped microfiber cloth to remove dust easily and gently. The microscopic fingers in the microfiber pick up the dust and hold onto it until you place the cloth in the laundry. This makes dusting extremely easy. Because microfiber is so efficient you don’t have to use a dusting polish which cuts your cleaning time in half.

Environmental Conditions

Wood furniture reacts to the environment so you’ll want to keep the temperature and the humidity at constant levels. The room temperature should be between 60 and 80 degrees all year long. The humidity should be in the 35 to 45 percent range to keep the wood from becoming too dry. You’ll also want to keep your furniture out of direct sunlight. The sun can bleach the wood and can damage the piece. Avoid storing wood furniture in attics and basements as they are not stable environments for wood furniture.

Maintenance

You want to pay close attention to your wood furniture. Cleaning, dusting, and conditioning will keep it from deteriorating. Some people think that it doesn’t matter how often you dust a wood piece of furniture. But dust can build up and combine with moisture in the air which will permanently damage the finish. Maintaining a schedule of cleaning, dusting and conditioning your wood dining room table will keep it looking its best for generations. It will be something special to hand down to your children or even your children’s children.  Remember a dining room table is where family memories are made.

For more information on how you can clean and protect your home safely & efficiently, visit Leslie’s website!

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Organizing your Christmas decorations

• You can choose to put your decorations away by room or by item. I like to store all my window and outside lights together as they are the first I’ll want to get out next year. Store all the decorations for each tree together so that you know which decorations go with which tree. Use clear storage tubs so you can see what’s inside.
• Labeling is very important. Make sure you list everything inside each storage tub so you don’t have to dig through everything again the following year.
• Make a fun date with yourself (and your family) to take down the decorations. Set aside a specific block of time so you keep focused. Trying to take down decorations in between cooking dinner and folding laundry probably won’t work – you’ll end up frustrated next Christmas when you realize nothing was put away correctly.

Stains and cleanup problems

Christmas has its own set of cleaning problems. Below are some tricks on how to deal with them.

Pine pitch – If you had a real Christmas tree you may have some sticky pine pitch on your carpeting or hardwood floors. Once evergreen trees come inside a home and warm up, the sap inside the tree branches drips out of the trimmed limbs. This is called pine pitch and it can be very hard to remove. To remove it, you’ll want to start by rubbing the area with an ice cube to freeze the sap. Scrape as much of the sap off of the flooring as you can, then use a clean cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol to dab the area until the pitch is removed from the floor.

Water stains – You may have some water stains from the tree stand overflowing. This stain can be removed by using vinegar. Pour vinegar into a spray bottle and liberally spray the entire area. Let it sit without scrubbing. After 30 minutes dab the area with a paper towel and repeat the process until the stain disappears.

Table Linen stains – Don’t put your table linens away until you know they are completely clean and stain free. You can use rubbing alcohol on greasy stains and oxygen bleach for food spots. Once the linens are clean and dry, press them and then wrap them in tissue paper and store them in an airtight container.

Window sill spots – If you have discovered the trick of using white athletic tape to hold your Christmas window lights in place you also are dealing with the adhesive residue left when you remove it. An easy remedy is to scrape off as much of the adhesive as you can with a putty knife. Dampen the area with rubbing alcohol, which works to break down the adhesive. Place a drop of dish detergent over the area and work it into the residue. Wipe the window sill with warm water and a microfiber cloth.

Floors – Your floors will have taken a beating over the holidays between decorations, guests and all the cooking and baking. Plan to give each hard floor a good scrubbing on your hands and knees if you can. Start by moving all your furniture away from the walls and vacuuming the floor and the wood trim around the room. Use a bucket of hot water with a drop of dish soap and use a microfiber cloth to clean your way around the room. Once the outside of the room is dry, move your furniture from the middle of the room to the edges and wash the middle area. Once the floor is completely dry, you can replace area rugs and reset the furniture.

Guest room sheets – Strip all the beds and wash them in hot water. Add a touch of oxygen bleach to clean and disinfect them. Dry them on high heat to kill dust mites and other allergens. While the sheets are in the dryer, use an upholstery tool to vacuum the mattress and the sides of the box springs.  Wipe down the bed frame and remake the bed as soon as the sheets are dry. A simple trick to remove wrinkles in the sheets is to spray them with witch hazel after they are on the bed. You can add a few drops of an essential oil to create a fragrant linen spray.

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The autumn chill is in the air! The cooler temperatures have started to motivate everyone young and old to start changing out their summer shorts for winter sweaters. But what exactly is the best way to store your summer wardrobe? Let’s look at a few tips that will keep your summer clothing looking their best when you pull them out next spring.

Start by getting some airtight containers. If you are storing your clothing in an attic or basement you want to make sure they are being stored in something that is completely airtight. Make sure your container has a rubber seal and locking clips to keep the lid secure. Another option you can try are vacuum sealed bags. In addition to being vacuum sealed, they also save a tremendous amount of space when storing.

Take some time to go through your summer clothing and see if there are some things you can purge. Try on each piece of clothing to see it fits the way you want. If you didn’t wear the piece of clothing at all during the summer, take a minute to decide if you really need to keep it. This is a great time to start minimalizing your wardrobe.

Once you’ve decided what you will be keeping and storing, you want to wash it in a gentle laundry soap and check for spots and discoloration. If the piece of clothing has a spot that hasn’t been addressed before you store it, the stain will become darker while stored.

Try to find a location to store your clothing that is in a neutral temperature area. An attic is a great option but be aware that the temperature fluctuates tremendously in an attic. In the winter it can get bitterly cold, then in a warm spell become extremely hot. This can lead to condensation inside your container which will lead to mold and mildew. Basements are notorious for dampness and will most likely breed mold in your clothing. Instead, look for some storage space in a closet or spare bedroom.

If you want to store your items on hangers, use padded hangers and leave enough space between each piece to avoid wrinkles. Never use wire hangers as they can disfigure your clothing. Make sure to hang pants from the hem so they don’t develop a crease that can’t be ironed out.

Moths can definitely damage clothing but using mothballs like our mothers and grandmothers did is not exactly the healthiest option. Instead, you can use cedar blocks that will repel the moths or you can also use cedar oil dripped onto cotton balls to keep the moths away. Just make sure not to have the oil-soaked cotton ball touching the fabric as it can leave marks on the clothing.

Repel pests with a simple trick of treating a piece of fabric with a bug repellent and putting it into the container when storing your clothing. You can treat a rag with the bug spray and put it in the corner of the storage container. It will work to keep pests away from your clothes.

Avoid smells by sprinkling some baking soda in the bottom of your airtight container. Baking soda is the perfect solution to rid your clothing from smells that may be deep within the fabric.

Avoid the plastic bags you get at the dry cleaner for storing items on a hanger. The plastic stops air flow and can trap smells, chemicals, and moisture. Instead, use a breathable fabric cover you can purchase at a store like The Container Store that will protect your clothing from dust but still let the air flow around the fabric.

Once your summer clothes have been stored away, you will have more room for sweaters, scarves, and boots! We hope you also feel relieved when summer rolls around and your summer clothes are easy to find and unpack. While we may already be wishing for warmer weather, the cold is here to stay…at least for a little while.

For more information on how you can clean and protect your home safely, visit Leslie’s website!

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The hardest part of organizing your garage is just getting started. For many homeowners, a garage begins as a clean parking space and evolves into a mess of equipment for your lawn, your child’s sports and other miscellaneous items from around the house. The best way to get going involves simple steps that start with emptying the garage, purging the junk and organizing the rest of the “stuff”.  I have some hacks I want to share with you that will help you with that last step of organizing all the stuff you want to continue to keep in your garage.

Hang your cords and hoses with a large linked chain:

Hoses and cords can take up a lot of space if they aren’t hung neatly in your garage. An easy way to hang them is to attach a large linked chain to the garage wall and use an S hook to wrap the chain around the cord so it will hang neatly from the wall.

String your paint brushing with a wire and hang from the ceiling:

Paint brushes need to be stored so the bristles don’t bend or warp. A great way to keep them looking new is to string a thin wire through the hole on the top of the brush handle and hang them from the ceiling of the garage.

Use a pallet for storing your rakes, shovels and other lawn tools:

Instead of having your rakes and shovels leaning against the garage wall, place a pallet on its side so that the opening is facing up. Slip your rakes in shovels into the opening and the pallet will hold them stationary.

Put your large garbage bags on a paper towel holder to make them easy to manage:

Purchase a large paper towel holder and put your garbage bags on it like they were paper towels. This will make them easy to manage when you need them.

Use a magnetic strip to hang metal tools on the wall:

Purchase a magnetic strip that you can place on the garage wall. You can organize all your metal tools by hanging them on this magnetic strip.

Use bungie cords with screw eyes to hold sports equipment:

This is a great tip for storing kid’s sports balls. You can place basketballs, soccer balls and even footballs inside the bungie cords to keep them contained.

Hang bikes on the garage walls or from the ceiling:

You will be surprised how much space you can save by hanging your bikes from the ceiling. You can store up to six bikes in the area in front of each car in your garage.

Use plastic tubs on a metal shelf for storing items in an organized manner:

Use athletic tape to label the tubs. (You can remove the tape and relabel when you are reorganizing).

Use old muffin tins to organize screws and other small parts:

It’s a great way to keep small parts organized and easy to manage.

Use a step ladder to store your wood:

Pieces of wood can be placed through the steps of the ladder and stored next to the wall to keep them in order.

Use a shoe organizer to keep smaller things off the garage floor:

A clean shoe organizer is great for storing small garden tools, gloves and even a baseball or two.

Use cut pieces of PVC piping:

Place PVP pipes on their ends to hold wire ties and other items that get disorganized easily.

Use pool noodles on the wall of your garage as bumpers for your car door:

Cut the pool noodle in half with a sharp knife and attach them to the wall of your garage. This will prevent bumps and scrapes on your car door.

Hang a tennis ball from a string:

This will to let the driver know how far they can pull into the parking space. This will give you to the maximum amount of storage space without having the car damage items by pulling in too far.

Whether you’re looking for a few quick fixes for your garage or your garage needs a complete overhaul, we hope these tips provide some guidance. Enjoy the clean space and check back for even more tips for keeping your home clean.

For more information on how you can clean and protect your home safely, visit Leslie’s website!

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September is baby safety month. Whether they’re a newborn or an active toddler, it’s a great reminder that you always need to be very cognizant when keeping your home safe for your children. There’s a lot of preparation before the baby arrives to make your home a safe place for them to come home. Below, we outline some important points to keep in mind

Home Safety Tips for Newborns

Getting your newborn’s room ready prior to their arrival is exciting but there are some things you need to consider.

Furniture –Know what materials are used in any of the furniture you are buying for the room. Pressboard and plywood contain formaldehyde that converts into a dangerous chemical at room temperature. The fumes can be harmful to a baby’s lungs.

Wall Paint – Before bringing out the paint swatches, make sure the paint that you’re planning to use doesn’t contain harmful toxins. Non-toxic paint will keep the air quality safe for you and your baby.

Flooring – Carpets and hardwood floors can both contain formaldehyde. Once installed, they can release toxins for months. Do your research and find a carpet or hardwood that uses chemical-free padding or adhesives.

Mattress –Look for a mattress manufacturer that uses all-natural materials so you don’t run the risk of buying one that may contain formaldehyde. Be sure to purchase a very firm mattress so that the baby sleeps on top of the surface instead of sinking into the mattress which can be a suffocation risk.

New clothing – Make sure that all new baby clothes get washed in a gentle, all-natural laundry soap. Stay away from fragrances that can affect your baby’s lungs. There are many DIY laundry soap options where you can control the ingredients if you’d prefer to make your own.

Keeping Your Toddler Safe At Home

As your sweet baby begins crawling and then gradually moves into walking, suddenly there are more safety concerns around your home. Everything from your waist down can be a danger so you’ll need to make sure to recognize those areas and baby proof wherever necessary. Here are a few safety items  to check on around your home:

Laundry Room

• Keep your cleaning products in a place where your child can’t reach. Use an out-of-reach cabinet in your laundry room if possible. If one is not available, consider putting a child-proof lock on the cabinet you’ll be using.
• Hide laundry pods that have recently become a safety issue for young children. Laundry pods are visually appealing because of their bright colors and resemblance to candy.

Living Room

• Add a fireplace “fence” around a fireplace or woodstove.
• Remove glass topped furniture as they can not only be a danger due to their sharp corners but can also crack and break should a child crawl on top of it.
• Windows – Always open windows from the top down. Purchase window locks that prevent the window from being opened by your child.

Bathroom

• Make sure items like razors, makeup, and medicine are put in locked closets or drawers. Remember that cotton swabs, cotton balls, and other small objects can be a choking risk for small children.
• Add a safety latch to all toilets in your home.

Bedroom

• Anchor tall furniture to the walls to prevent them from falling if your child were to climb them.
• Avoid strangulation from a blind cord by installing cordless blinds or tying the cords up high next to the curtain rod.

Kitchen

• Many kitchen appliances are a safety risk for children. They can burn themselves on a stove, get their hand caught in a dishwasher or crawl into a front-loading washer. Put safety locks on all your appliances and make sure you are always around when your child is near the kitchen area.

Smaller Areas Around the Home

• Outlets – Not only do you want to use the outlet protectors for unused plugs but also find an outlet plug cover to keep cords and plugs out of reach.
• Stairs – Use safety gates at the top and bottom of all stairways. Keep the stairs clear of clutter to prevent slips and falls.
• Fire Alarms – Check your fire alarms monthly and change the batteries twice a year. Have a plan to evacuate your child from the home should you have a fire.

Keeping your children safe is on top of every parent’s mind. While Baby Safety Month is recognized in September, we know that their safety is a year-round concern. Take a look at your home’s biggest dangers and be sure to install the proper precautions wherever they are needed.

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We’re looking forward to those final summer vacations this year! Packing and prepping for a vacation can be stressful. The last thing you want to think about before going on the vacation of your dreams is cleaning your home. But if you don’t think about a few strategic spots that need your attention, you will come home to a nightmare.

Enjoy a stress-free vacation by planning ahead of time. Starting a few days prior to leaving on your trip use these 10 tips to organize yourself and your home so you can leave for your vacation confident that everything is clean and ready to be left unattended.

1. Turn off the water source to your washer and the power source to your dryer. Leave the lid up or open depending on if you have a top loader or a front loader. You want any moisture and evaporate which will prevent mold forming while you are gone.
2. Go through your refrigerator and remove all the leftovers and items that could spoil. Place freezable food in the freezer and wipe all the refrigerator surfaces so they are free from spills. Condiments can be left for longer periods of time.
3. Run the disposal with ice cubes and salt to remove any buildup of food inside it. Run hot water for a few minutes to remove food particles so the blades will be free of any built up rotting food.
4. Wipe the sink of all moisture and cap the drain or disposal to prevent any rotting food particles from attracting flies or other small insects.
5. Clean all your dirty laundry and fold it and put it away. You will enjoy everything being organized when you get home.
6. Clean the sheets on your bed before leaving so that you can jump into a nice clean bed after a long relaxing vacation.
7. Run the dishwasher so there is not a dirty dish left in the house. Empty the dishwasher and put away all the dishes. Leave the dishwasher ajar so that the leftover moisture can evaporate.
8. Empty the trash in all rooms and leave it in your outdoor trash receptacle. Rinse the inside of the trash cans so there is nothing left to attract any “critters.” Move the outdoor trash receptacle away from your house. Trash inside the can attract flies and rodents that could try to move into your home.
9. Give all the showers and bathtubs a good cleaning before you leave. Remove hair and debris from the drain. Wipe the walls dry and leave the shower curtain closed so mold will not grow in the creases of the curtain while you are away. Make sure you remove any wet towels or washcloths and run them through the washer and dryer. Never leave items in the washer or dryer while you are away.
10. Remove the grounds from the last pot of coffee. Run the pieces of the coffee maker through the dishwasher and leave the water reservoir open so that moisture can evaporate. Nothing is worse than coming home to molding grounds in your coffee maker.

Once your vacation home prep is complete, you’ll be able to have an enjoyable, relaxing vacation. Arrive home to a clean house and pick up right where you left off!

For more great cleaning tips, check out the Green Cleaning Expert, Leslie Reichert at greencleaningcoach.com

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Smoke alarms: a How-to Guide

A fire fighter once told me, “The best way to survive a fire is to prevent it. If you can’t prevent it, you want to use early detection as your shield.”  Early detection means having smoke alarms properly installed throughout your home and maintaining them regularly. These small devices will save your life, but only if you keep them functioning properly.  Smoke alarms should be cleaned and maintained on a regular basis. The change to daylight standard time is one good time for this simple but important task.

How to clean your smoke detectors

First, remove the smoke alarm unit from the ceiling or wall. (Be sure to use a sturdy ladder, don’t climb higher than the ladder cautions, and if someone else cannot be home while you do this put your phone at the base of the ladder before you climb. Climb down and off the ladder before proceeding with the following steps.)

Dust the outside of the smoke detector with a dry microfiber cloth. Remove the battery and plan to dispose of it safely. Use a paint brush or your vacuum’s upholstery tool to clean the interior and the air vents of the unit. Be gentle in order to avoid causing damage to the circuit board. Compressed air works well too but be careful around electric components.

Connect a new battery securely, close the lid carefully, and test the unit. If all is well, replace the unit on the wall or ceiling, taking precaution for your safety. Repeat this process for every smoke detector in your home. Read the following pointers before starting this task:

• Make sure to never submerge any part of the smoke detector in water
• Don’t use any type of liquid cleaning chemicals
• Wipe the entire outside with a microfiber cloth
• Be sure the air vents are well cleaned for good air flow

Some other things to consider about taking care of your smoke alarms are…

When to replace smoke detector batteries

Most people don’t realize that the batteries should be replaced TWICE a year.   An easy way to keep on track with this is to time it with daylight savings time and daylight standard time. When you set your clocks back or forward, replace the smoke alarm batteries on the same day. So when we “fall back” to daylight standard time on the first Sunday of November (11/5/2017), change all smoke alarm batteries and clean and test each unit.

Testing your smoke alarm unit

Test the smoke detector once the new batteries are installed. Simply push the red button down until it starts to beep. It will continue to beep a few times and then reset itself. Once reset it’s ready to be returned to its mounting frame.

If testing a hard wired system that’s connected directed to the fire department or a security company, make sure to let them know you’re cleaning and testing the system. They will take you off line to prevent a false alarm. Call them back when you’re finished to be put to active status.

Chirping smoke alarm

If it chirps, follow these steps:

• Remove the smoke alarm unit from the ceiling.
• Remove the battery.
• Hold the test button down for a few seconds to drain the smoke alarm of any power left in the system.
• Hold the test button down for another 15 seconds which will reset the unit and clear out the reason for it chirping.
• Clean it out with canned compressed air or your vacuum cleaner.

Location and lifespan of smoke detectors

Every bedroom should have a smoke alarm unit as well as the hallways outside of the bedrooms.  Common areas like living rooms and dens should all have smoke alarms.  Each stairway should also have one. And don’t forget the basement and the garage.  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation. All smoke alarm units should be replaced every ten years.

Some smoke detectors use lithium batteries which can last up to 10 years, but 9V and other battery types are still common. Be sure you know what your smoke alarms need and stock up next time you shop so you’ll be prepared to follow these steps when you change your clocks back to daylight standard time. Remember what the fireman said about early detection…

For more information from DIY green cleaning expert Leslie Reichert, visit greencleaningcoach.com

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Once in a separate building altogether, kitchens have become the centerpieces of our homes today.  They are now meant for living, not just cooking.  Some modern kitchens have open floor plans that include a great room and a fireplace and some even flow outdoors. But regardless of whether your kitchen dated or updated, it is probably the place where people most often congregate. And with all this added activity it’s even more important this room is clean and organized.

Although each deep cleaning task should be completed start to finish, all tasks do not need to be performed on the same day (or weekend). To help make sure you don’t take on too much at once, this how-to guide is broken into two posts.

Part 1: The Pantry and the Refrigerator

Before you start

Before starting to deep clean your kitchen take the time for a little prep work. Start by clearing away the clutter and putting everything back where it belongs.  Remove things that don’t belong in the kitchen.  Clean the table and wipe down all the counter tops so you are not distracted.

The pantry

• The best place to start is in the pantry or cabinets where dry and can goods are stored. Remove everything from the top shelf and place it on the counter. Check each and every package and can for an expiration date. Throw out expired food as well as items you won’t really ever use.  If you have unwanted items that are not expired, donate them to a local food pantry.
• Vacuum the shelf using the upholstery attachment to remove dust and debris.
• Using warm soapy water and a large looped microfiber cloth, wipe the entire shelf as well as the sides and top of the cabinet or closet. These areas accumulate cob webs and need to be washed carefully.
• When replacing the shelf contents, organize things based on how you use them. For example, store all your baking needs in one area, can goods in another and snacks in yet another area. Look at the next shelf and see if there are items that should be brought up to this top shelf.
• Consider storing your dry goods in plastic containers. These will prevent damage from moisture and insects. Great, inexpensive containers can be found where kitchen and container items are sold. Make sure containers are easy to open and comfortable to grab with one hand. Use a labeling system to keep track of freshness dates.
• Continue this process throughout the other shelves until all are done.
• Wash the inside of the door or cabinet with warm soapy water and rinse.

The Fridge

• The easiest way to clean and reorganize the refrigerator is to empty it out completely. Throw out everything that has expired as well as things that you know you won’t be using.
• Take out all the removable shelves and place them in warm, soapy water to soak.
• Wipe down the interior fridge walls using a damp microfiber cloth and a spray bottle of distilled white vinegar. You don’t want to expose your food to the ingredients in a cleaning product. Vinegar is a natural acid and will work to break down food particles as well as kill 98% of the bacteria.
• Wash, rinse and dry all the removable shelves and replace them.
• Replace the food items. Remember that items that need to say cool should be placed on the back of the shelves. We tend to put things that we use on the doors or on the front of the shelves but in reality, your refrigerator should be organized based on the item’s temperature requirement. Milk should be stored toward the back of the frig instead of on the door. Items that can be stored on the door are items that don’t really require a consistent temperature such as condiments or salad dressings.  Keep this in mind as you reorganize your refrigerator.
• Clean the outside of the refrigerator. Pull it away from the wall and vacuum the coils on the back and base of the unit. Remove items from the top of the refrigerator and clean it with a good de-greasing cleaner, dish soap or vinegar. Rinse and wipe it dry before putting things back on top.  It’s a good idea to clean these items while they are off the top of the fridge.
• Finally, clean the sides and front of the refrigerator and make sure to give the handles a really good scrub. Use a tooth brush to get in and around the areas where the handles connect to the door. That connection is a sneaky place where spills and drips accumulate yet it rarely gets cleaned.

A deep cleaning by Maidkart will take care of these hard to reach, often overlooked areas. We want you to come home to a happy, healthy home every time. Whether you need us for weekly, biweekly, or monthly service, or you’re just looking for an occasional deep cleaning, we want you to know you can count on Maidkart. Find your local Maidkart here and get your free estimate.

Leslie Reichert has tons of green cleaning tips, at Greencleaningcoach.com.

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