Home Grease Cleaning: Basics and Wipe-Downs

There are a few examples of stubborn substances that sometimes crop up during any kind of house cleaning, and one of the most common and well-known here is grease. Found primarily in the kitchen, but also sometimes in other areas of the home, grease can be annoying to deal with on some occasions – but is also easy enough to prevent and remedy if it’s becoming an issue.

At Healthy Homes Housekeeping, we’re proud to offer a wide range of house cleaning services for clients around Ogden, including basic cleaning, deep cleaning, move in/move out cleaning services and more. In this two-part blog series, here are some basics on what makes grease so stubborn to clean in some cases, plus some basic ways to prevent or remove grease in the home – whether on your own or with the help of our maid service professionals wherever necessary.

Why Grease Can Be Stubborn

For those who have never actually thought about why grease can be so hard to clean, it’s important to understand the basic chemistry behind this substance. Grease is a type of oil – fats that are solid at room temperature (in the case of cooking oils) or heated up (in the case of grease used in cooking).

These substances have long molecules that make them resistant to breaking down and dissolving in water, which is why they stick around after cooking and can be so hard to clean off surfaces like stovetops, countertops or dishes.

Luckily, with the right basic approaches, you can both prevent and remove grease easily. Our next few sections will go over how.

Regular Stovetop and Other Wipe Downs

In any area where grease is common, including the kitchen, regular and thorough wipe downs are important. This refers to wiping down surfaces with a damp cloth or sponge, then following this with a dry cloth to ensure all moisture is removed.

For stovetops specifically, be sure to get into all corners and crevices where grease might be hiding. Be sure to regularly change out or clean the cloth or sponge you’re using to avoid spreading grease around.

Use of Dish Soap or Citrus Oil

When cleaning particular items, such as dishes or cookware that has grease on it, dish soap is an excellent option. If you’re dealing with a particularly stubborn case of grease, consider adding some citrus oil to your dish soap for extra strength.

These solutions can even be used for regular stovetop wipe downs as well – just be sure to rinse thoroughly afterwards.

In part two of our series, we’ll look at some other prevention and removal methods for grease in the home, plus what to do when it’s reached a level that requires professional cleaning help from our team. Stay tuned!

At Healthy Homes Housekeeping, we’re dedicated to providing not just excellent cleaning services, but also education and tips for maintaining a clean home. To learn more about any of our services or speak to one of our pros, contact us today.

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Tipping House Cleaners: Amounts, Non-Monetary

In part one of this two-part blog series, we looked at some basics on tipping house cleaners for their services. From the basics on whether this is appropriate (it typically is) to some common methods for tipping house cleaners, there are a few important things to know here if you want to show that extra little bit of appreciation for great service. 

At Healthy Homes Housekeeping, we’re happy to provide quality maintenance cleaning, deep cleaning and other house cleaning services to clients around Ogden. Today’s part two of our series will look at some general recommendations for how much to tip housekeepers if you’ve decided to go this route, plus some non-monetary ways of showing your appreciation in addition to financial tips. 

How Much to Tip?

There’s really no right or wrong answer when it comes to how much to tip a house cleaner. As with many service-based industries, it’s common for tips in this space to be based on percentage of the total cost of the service provided. However, there are also some general guidelines that can help you decide on an appropriate amount:

  • For maintenance cleaning services, such as regular weekly or bi-weekly visits, a tip of 10-15% of the total cost is typical.
  • For deep cleaning services, which are typically more expensive due to the extra time and effort involved, tips in the range of 15-20% of the total cost are common.
  • If you’re using a coupon or discount for your cleaning service, it’s generally considered polite to tip based on the regular price of the service rather than the discounted price.
  • In some cases, you may want to consider a slightly higher tip if your house cleaner has gone above and beyond in terms of quality or special requests.

Non-Monetary Tips

While financial tips are always appreciated, there are also other ways to show your house cleaner that you value their services:

  • Leave a positive review or testimonial on the company’s website or social media pages.
  • Offer to provide a reference for them to potential clients.
  • Write a thank you note expressing your gratitude and leave it with your tip.

For particularly exemplary service, you might consider using both these routes. You can leave a slightly larger tip than normal and also write a positive review or testimonial. This will show your house cleaner how much you appreciate their hard work and dedication.

At Healthy Homes Housekeeping, we take pride in providing top-notch cleaning services to our clients, and we’re always grateful for any tips or positive feedback that we receive. We hope this two-part blog series has provided you with some helpful information on tipping house cleaners and how to show your appreciation for their services. Contact us today for all your house cleaning needs in the Ogden area!