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What is Included in a Deep House Cleaning?

Recently in this space, we discussed some of the common elements that will typically be included in a basic house cleaning from a maid service or related entity. What about for those who require a more significant deep cleaning, whether for moving needs or any related purpose?

At Healthy Homes Housekeeping, we offer a huge range of house cleaning service options that includes both basic cleaning and deep cleaning, move out/in cleaning services and more. While precise elements will vary from home to home here, let’s go over some of the most common features that will be included in a deep cleaning service.

All Elements of Basic Cleaning

For starters, it should be noted that in virtually all cases, a deep cleaning service will include every single basic cleaning element that we went over in the previous piece. These basics are important for maintaining a clean and healthy home, so they’re always included even when focusing on more advanced services like deep cleaning.

Advanced Dirt and Grime Removal

Within a deep clean, however, there will often be more advanced dirt and grime removal components. These may include things like heavy duty scrubbing of tough-to-clean surfaces, steam cleaning for carpets or upholstery, and similar tasks that require extra effort to truly remove all dirt and germs.

For instance, if you’re moving into a new home and want to make sure every inch is spotless before arranging furniture, our move-in cleaning services will include more extensive cleanings in potentially overlooked areas like closets or cabinets. This ensures that the entire home is sanitized and ready for your family.

Cleaning Inside Many Appliances

While basic cleaning services typically won’t include themes like cleaning inside ovens or refrigerators, this is often included in deep cleaning services. These areas may accumulate grime and bacteria over time, and it’s important to thoroughly clean them out for both your health and appliance longevity purposes.

For example, when performing a move-out cleaning, our team will thoroughly clean the inside of all appliances that are being left behind for the next occupants. This ensures that they start off with a clean slate and won’t have to deal with any lingering dirt or odors from previous tenants.

Window Washing

Another common element of deep cleaning services is thorough window washing. While basic cleaning may include wiping down window sills and removing surface-level dirt, deep cleaning will often involve more thorough techniques like using specialized cleaning solutions and tools to remove built-up grime from both the inside and outside of windows.

Additional Services

In addition to these common elements, some deep cleaning services may also include additional tasks such as baseboard cleaning, dusting high surfaces like ceiling fans or light fixtures, and even organizing cluttered areas.

At Healthy Homes Housekeeping, we understand that each home and individual has different needs when it comes to cleaning. That’s why we offer customizable deep cleaning services tailored to fit your specific requirements. Whether you’re moving in or out of a home, preparing for a special event, or simply want a more thorough clean for your living space, contact us today to learn more!

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What is Included in a Basic House Cleaning?

Knowing what to expect from basic home services is naturally important to many homeowners and residents alike, and any kind of house cleaning you’re paying for is a great example. The most common form of house cleaning is periodic basic cleaning, also known as maintenance cleaning or weekly cleaning – which specific elements are typically included in basic house cleaning, and what should you expect during these appointments?

At Healthy Homes Housekeeping, we’re proud to provide clients around Ogden with all their maid service and house cleaning needs, from basic maintenance and spring cleaning to deep cleaning, move-in/move-out cleaning and more. Across this two-part blog series, we’ll go over the basic tenets of both maintenance cleaning and deep cleaning processes for any house – while these specific elements will vary somewhat from house to house, here are some of the most typical areas that will be covered for basic cleaning. 

Standard Room-by-Room Cleaning

With a basic cleaning appointment, the cleaners you’ve hired will generally follow a standard room-by-room process to cover all major areas of the home. This starts with rooms like living and bedrooms that are used frequently, then moves on to lesser-used spaces like guest bedrooms or offices. Rooms are typically cleaned one by one before moving onto the next area of the home.

During each room cleaning, the cleaners will focus on dusting and wiping down all surfaces, including furniture, shelves, picture frames and more. They’ll also vacuum or sweep and mop the floors, taking care to remove any debris or build-up in corners or under furniture. In bathrooms, they’ll clean and disinfect the toilet, sink, shower/tub and countertops.

Other Standard Tasks

In addition to basic room cleaning, there are several other standard tasks that will be taken care of during a maintenance cleaning appointment. These include:

  • Emptying and taking out trash and recycling
  • Changing bed linens (if requested)
  • Dusting ceiling fans, vents and light fixtures
  • Wiping down mirrors and glass surfaces
  • Cleaning kitchen countertops, appliances and sinks 

Customization Options

While basic cleaning services typically cover all of the above, you may have specific areas or tasks that you’d like your cleaners to focus on. This is why we offer customization options for our maintenance cleaning services – simply let us know what areas or tasks are most important to you and we’ll make sure they’re included in your appointment.

What’s Typically Not Included

It’s also important to note what is typically not included in a basic house cleaning appointment. This includes tasks like deep carpet cleaning or window washing, which require specialized equipment and techniques. If you need these services, be sure to communicate this with your cleaners ahead of time so they can provide an accurate quote.

As you can see, basic house cleaning covers a wide range of tasks and areas in the home, ensuring that your living space stays clean and healthy. Stay tuned for our next blog post where we’ll go over the deep cleaning process in more detail. And if you’re in need of professional house cleaning services, don’t hesitate to contact Healthy Homes Housekeeping – we’re here to make your life easier!

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Home Grease Cleaning: Additional Methods

In part one of this two-part series, we went over some of the basics on why grease can be stubborn and hard to clean in some kitchens, plus a few initial basic tips for helping prevent and clean grease deposits. With the right basic attention, this annoying substance will never be a big problem around your kitchen or any other part of your home.

At Healthy Homes Housekeeping, we’re proud to offer a wide range of house cleaning services for clients around Ogden and nearby areas of Utah, including maintenance cleaning, deep cleaning, move-in/move-out services and more. We regularly assist clients with grease cleaning needs, ensuring their homes stay free of this substance. Here are some additional solutions that often work well for grease deposits, whether you’re cleaning on your own or leaving the job to our professionals. 

Baking Soda and Water

Particularly for pans and dishes with tough grease or baked-on food, baking soda can be a great solution. Consider laying the dish in question into your sink and sprinkling it liberally with baking soda, then follow up by pouring boiling water over the top (be careful not to scald yourself). Let everything soak for several minutes before scrubbing away.

Generally, you should find that grease scrubs away much more easily after this soaking. If you’re working with a large pan or dish that doesn’t fit in the sink, consider filling it part of the way with hot water and baking soda, then leaving it overnight before scrubbing.

Sprinkling Flour

In other cases, you may have a greasy pan or dish that will not be scoured easily, even by the baking soda and water plus soaking combination. In these situations, consider sprinkling flour over the surface of the pan – this will often absorb much of the grease on its own.

After one hour with flour in place, use a paper towel to wipe away as much of it as possible. Then use a sponge or cloth with hot, soapy water to scrub away whatever grease remains. This same basic process can be used on dishes, countertops and other areas where you suspect there may be hidden grease layers.

Salt and Rubbing Alcohol

For any incidents where grease enters fabrics like cloth aprons or towels, use a 1:4 ratio mixture of salt and rubbing alcohol. Let this sit on the fabric for several minutes before washing as normal – in many cases, you’ll see the grease come out with ease.

Vinegar

Finally, consider adding vinegar to various cleaning mixtures you might use on your kitchen counters or other surfaces where grease accumulates. Vinegar is an excellent natural cleaning agent, with specific acid properties that break down and remove grease easily. This can be used by itself on countertops or mixed into other solutions for items like floors or walls.

For more on how to deal with kitchen grease, or to learn about any of our house cleaning services in Ogden or surrounding areas of Utah, speak to the staff at Healthy Homes Housekeeping today. We’re standing by to assist you with your grease cleaning steps and many other services.

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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!

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Health Benefits of Clean Homes: Allergies, Diet, Savings

In part one of this two-part blog series, we looked at some of the considerable health benefits that may be available simply from maintaining a clean home on a regular basis. While some people only associate a clean home with aesthetics and comfort, the reality is that a consistently clean house offers several health-related plusses to all occupants.

At Healthy Homes Housekeeping, we’re proud to offer a huge range of house cleaning services to clients around Ogden, including maintenance cleaning, move out/in cleaning and much more. Today’s part two of our series will go over some additional health benefits that come with our services, including a few that may surprise you.

Seasonal Allergies

One major area where a consistently clean home can benefit your health is in limiting seasonal allergies. Dust and other allergens build up quickly in areas that aren’t cleaned regularly, leading to increased allergy symptoms, sneezing, watery eyes and many others.

By keeping your home clean on a regular basis, you reduce the presence of these allergens and limit their impact on anyone living there – especially children, who tend to be more susceptible to allergies. Some people’s allergies aren’t even confined only to seasonal irritants, but also include pet dander or other similar elements. A clean home can help with these issues as well.

Healthier Diet Choices

Did you know that research reveals that things like stress, clutter and chaos in the home can lead to poor food choices? This is because these elements tend to introduce anxiety, and many of us default to unhealthy eating habits when we’re anxious.

By keeping your home clean and organized, you reduce this anxiety and make it easier to stick with healthier food options. Many of our clients have told us how much more likely they are to cook a healthy meal at home when their kitchen is clean and clutter-free.

Saving Money

Another big area we’ve seen in our clients: Regularly cleaning the home can actually save you money on healthcare costs. Poor home hygiene can lead to increased chances of problems like respiratory infections, which require expensive doctor’s visits or medication.

But with a clean home and reduced transmission of germs or bacteria, you reduce these risks considerably – and could save major money over time. Consider the realm of air quality, for instance – this is far better in a regularly cleaned home, leading to reduced risk of asthma and other respiratory ailments.

As you can see, there are several major health benefits to maintaining a clean home. For more information on how our house cleaning services can help you take advantage of these benefits, or to learn about any of our other housekeeping solutions, speak to the staff at Healthy Homes Housekeeping today. We look forward to helping you live in a healthier and happier environment!

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Health Benefits of Clean Homes: Sleep, Germs, Mental

There are numerous benefits that come with having a clean home, and some of the most notable for many people fall in the health realm. While a clean home is great for aesthetics and basic comfort, these needs tend to pale in comparison to our overall health – and a clean home helps here in several ways as well. 

At Healthy Homes Housekeeping, we’re here to offer a wide range of standard cleaning, deep cleaning and other house cleaning services for clients around Ogden, including several services that have a direct and positive impact on the health of our clients. In this two-part blog series, we’ll go over everything you should know about the health benefits of a clean home, plus how our team will help you achieve one. 

Clean Bedroom and Sleep Quality

One of the largest factors in overall health for many people is sleep, and sleep quality is often directly impacted by the cleanliness of your bedroom. An unclean bedroom can harbor dust, allergens and other particles that can severely impact air quality – this can lead to issues like snoring, allergies and even serious concerns like sleep apnea. 

A clean bedroom regularly maintained by a professional cleaning service will remove these risks. In addition, a clutter-free and clean space also promotes relaxation and helps lower stress levels, allowing for a better night’s sleep. 

Elimination of Germs

A clean home is also important in preventing the spread of germs and diseases. Regular cleaning practices like disinfecting high-touch areas such as doorknobs, light switches, and countertops can greatly reduce the chances of getting sick. This is especially important during flu season or when a household member is ill. 

With our professional cleaning services, you can rest assured that these high-touch areas will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, helping to keep your family healthy and safe. 

Cleanliness and Mental Health

While physical health is often top of mind when discussing the benefits of a clean home, it’s also important to consider the impact on mental health. A cluttered and dirty space can lead to feelings of stress, anxiety and even depression. 

On the other hand, a clean and organized home can promote feelings of calmness and control, which are essential for maintaining good mental health. Our team at Healthy Homes Housekeeping understands the importance of a clean and tidy space for overall well-being, which is why we strive to provide top-notch cleaning services that go beyond just aesthetics. 

In part two of this series, we’ll discuss more health benefits of having a clean home and how our professional cleaning services can help you achieve them. Stay tuned! Until then, if you’re in need of a reliable and trustworthy cleaning service, don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.

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Tipping House Cleaners: Basics and Methods

There are many service industries where clients sometimes wonder whether it’s considered appropriate or expected to tip for good service, and the realm of house cleaning and maid services are a good example. Many clients may want to tip their house cleaners on a regular basis or for particularly impressive work, and there are just a few basic nuances to be aware of here.

At Healthy Homes Housekeeping, tipping is never a requirement for any of our maintenance cleaning, deep cleaning or other maid services offered to clients around Ogden. But it’s always appreciated by many in this industry, and it’s something many clients enjoy doing to show their appreciation and help workers earn a better living. This two-part blog series will discuss everything you should know about tipping for house cleaning services – how to know when it is or isn’t appropriate, some methods to consider, and a few things you may not have thought of here.

Is Tipping Appropriate?

In the vast majority of circumstances, tipping is fully optional when it comes to house cleaning services. However, you may want to consider tipping in a few specific scenarios.

Many people simply leave a standard tip every time for good service, which is a great way to show your appreciation. If you’re particularly impressed with the work of your house cleaner, you can also offer additional tips for exceptional cleaning services too.

On the flip side, there are only rare situations where tipping won’t be appropriate. Some housekeeping companies, for instance, may build automatic gratuities into their pricing, in which case additional tipping wouldn’t be necessary – nor expected.

In short, unless you’re aware of a policy like this, it’s always safe to assume that tipping is an option if you want to show your appreciation.

Methods for Tipping Your House Cleaner

There are a few methods to consider for tipping house cleaners:

  • Direct cash: The simplest and most common method for tipping is with cash; just hand it directly to the house cleaner when they’ve finished their work.
  • Gift cards: You can also give gift cards or vouchers as a tip for your house cleaner, which can be tailored to their individual interests – such as items related to hobbies, favorite restaurants, and so on.
  • Office contact: If you happen to forget or run out of cash, you could also contact the office that supplied your house cleaner and request that the tip be added to their next check.

In part two of our series, we’ll go over some themes like how much to consider tipping for a given service, plus some non-monetary ways to show your appreciation for house cleaners. Stay tuned!

At Healthy Homes Housekeeping, we’ve worked hard to build a reputation as one of the best housekeeping services in Ogden. Our commitment to quality work and exceptional customer service ensures that you’re always getting the best value for your money. Whether it’s regular maintenance cleaning, deep cleaning or any other type of maid services, give us a call today to see what we can do for you!

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Housekeeping for Rentals: Qualities to Prioritize

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the key benefits that come with utilizing professional housekeeping services for your vacation rental. If you own or operate a vacation rental property of any kind, housekeeping solutions offer a number of positive benefits – but what should you be looking for in your professionals?

At Healthy Homes Housekeeping, we proudly offer both maintenance cleaning and deep cleaning services from high-quality professionals to clients around Ogden. Today’s part two of our series will look at some of the chief qualities you should be looking for in any housekeeping entity you consider for your vacation rental.

Experience With Properties Like Yours

Not only is general housekeeping experience important to consider, but you should also be sure to look for professionals who have tackled properties like yours in the past. If your rental property is a condominium or apartment complex, for example, you’ll want to find experienced housekeeping staff that understand how best to clean and maintain residential communities of this size.

Flexibility

It’s important to remember that vacation rental turnover times are often tight and changeable – you may find yourself needing to book services with just a few hours’ notice. Look for professional housekeeping companies that are able to accommodate your sudden scheduling changes and demands.

For instance, at Healthy Homes Housekeeping, we strive to provide maximum flexibility for our clients. We understand that your rental needs may not always follow a predictable schedule – so if you have an unexpected need for housekeeping services, just give us a call and let us know when and how we can help you!

Proper Equipment and Products

Some housekeeping entities will bring their own supplies to the job, while others may ask you to provide them with specific products or equipment. Make sure that whatever housekeeping team you choose is properly equipped for your property – and if they need any specialized products or cleaning tools, let them know ahead of time so they can be sure to bring everything along with them on the day.

Bonded and Insured

Finally, you should never choose a housekeeping team that is not bonded and insured. This protects both you and the housekeepers in case of any accidents or damages that may occur while they are on-site.

Make sure to do your due diligence when it comes to researching potential housekeeping companies – look for those with years of experience, flexibility and proper equipment, as well as insurance and bonding protections. Doing so will ensure that you have the best possible experience when hiring a housekeeping team for your vacation rental property.

At Healthy Homes Housekeeping, we are proud to offer our clients our years of experience, flexibility and properly equipped staff, as well as the safety of being bonded and insured. Contact us today to learn more about how we can take care of your vacation rental property!

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Housekeeping for Rentals: Key Benefits to Consider

There are several different groups of people who should be considering the use of housekeeping services, and not all of them are necessarily residents of the homes in question. Those who own or operate rental homes are also among this population, and there are several ways that professional housekeepers bring value to rental homes.

At Healthy Homes Housekeeping, we’re proud to offer a wide range of house cleaning services to clients around Ogden, including maintenance cleaning, move-in/move-out cleaning and more. This two-part blog series will go over some of the chief benefits of utilizing professional house cleaning services for a rental property, such as an Airbnb or similar program, plus some qualities to be looking for if you’re in this position.

Saving Time

One of the first and most notable benefits of utilizing professional house cleaners for rental homes is the time it saves you. Professional housekeepers are able to quickly and efficiently clean an entire home in a fraction of the time, something that would take you several hours if done alone.

Additionally, not having to spend any of your own personal time cleaning can be incredibly valuable. Your energy and attention can be devoted to more pressing matters, such as responding to inquiries or requests from clients.

Quality Cleaning Services

Another benefit of engaging professional house cleaning services for rental homes is the improved level of quality that they provide compared to what you could achieve on your own. Professional house cleaners have extensive experience and know exactly how to clean a property to the highest standard.

They will know what products and techniques to use so that the rental property looks its best when clients check-in. This goes a long way in providing a comfortable, clean atmosphere for your guests and leaving them with a positive impression of the home and your business.

Guest Satisfaction

Furthermore, utilizing professional house cleaning services for rental homes is a great way to ensure guest satisfaction. When your guests enter the home, they’ll be impressed with how well it has been maintained and taken care of.

This will make them feel more comfortable during their stay, and their positive review could lead to more bookings in the future. Professional housekeepers can also help ensure that the home is up to certain hygiene standards, which will be a major plus for your guests.

These are just some of the key benefits of utilizing professional house cleaning services for rental homes and properties. At Healthy Homes Housekeeping, we strive to provide top-notch quality services so that clients in Ogden can get the most out of their rental property. Keep an eye out for our next blog post, which will discuss what qualities to look for when considering a house cleaning service provider. Contact us today and learn more about how we can help keep your rental residence clean and welcoming for guests!

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