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DIY Vacuuming Tips: Height, Pattern and Speed

In part one of this multi-part blog series, we imparted some expertise onto those who regularly vacuum their own spaces. Vacuuming is a big part of cleaning a home, both in the professional and DIY spheres, with many of our clients asking us for our best vacuuming tips so they can keep their home clean in between our professional appointments.

At Healthy Homes Housekeeping, vacuuming is just one small part of our comprehensive housekeeping services, which include everything from maintenance cleaning and spring cleaning solutions to deep cleaning, move-in and move-out services and more. For our clients who prefer to vacuum often and keep their space clean between our visits, here are some more general tips on how to do so properly.

Proper Vacuum Height

Most of today’s vacuums come with a feature that allows you to adjust their height, and it is important to set it in order to maximize your vacuum’s effectiveness. The handle should be at roughly the same height as your knees when you are standing upright and holding onto it with both hands.

If your vacuum itself is set too low, you risk wearing out your carpet with too much friction, or even damaging it. If your vacuum is set too high, you are putting more strain on your back, which could lead to injuries down the line — and you also may not be generating enough suction to truly clean the area in question.

Vacuuming Pattern

Did you know that carpet fibers are flexible and rest in a variety of directions? This means that if you only vacuum in one direction, you leave dirt on parts of the fibers.

For this reason, we generally recommend a crisscross pattern, which starts by vacuuming from one side to the other. Then, return to your starting position and vacuum first north-south and then east-west. This ensures that you get all of the area in between so as not to miss any spots.

Don’t Go Too Fast

A common mistake made by DIY vacuum users is trying to go as fast as possible. When you rush, it increases the chances that you will miss dirt and other debris, which can lead to a larger buildup or even damage your carpet fibers.

Especially if you’re looking for a deep clean of the area and removal of tougher buildups like pet hair or other debris, letting the vacuum do its job is key. Speed will come as you gain more comfort with the process and as your carpet begins to look cleaner!

For more on how to properly vacuum your space between housekeeping appointments, or to learn about any of our house cleaning services or programs, speak to the staff at Healthy Homes Housekeeping today.

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Mold in Homes: Basic Risks and DIY Removal Methods

Among the growths or buildups you never want to find in your home, mold is at or near the top of most lists. Not only is mold ugly and unsightly to the eye, it comes with poor odors and, in many cases, significant health risks to both humans and animals living in the home.

At Healthy Homes Housekeeping, we’re here to offer a wide variety of home cleaning services, from maintenance and basic weekly cleaning solutions up through deep cleaning and move-out cleaning services – and mold removal is one of many distinct tasks we carry out on a regular basis for our clients. Why is mold a risk in your home, and what are some DIY solutions you might consider for minor mold buildups? On the flip side, when should you consider calling in the pros for a major mold concern, and how can mold be prevented to begin with? We’ll go over all this in this two-part blog series.

Mold Basics and Risks

For those who are unaware, what exactly is mold and why is it a risk? Mold refers to a form of fungus comprised of living organisms, one that tends to form and thrive in moist, damp environments. There are actually over 100,000 different specific types of mold.

Many of these types do not pose much danger to humans, while others definitely do. But in both cases, mold is known to trigger allergies and other respiratory symptoms in many people, and may lead to a higher risk of being sick. It also looks ugly and breaks down other surfaces, such as your tile floor or bathroom porcelain.

So how do you get rid of it? Our next few sections will go over some simple DIY methods for small mold buildups.

Vinegar Vs Bleach

Many homeowners naturally reach for bleach when they find a mold buildup, but this is actually the wrong move. Bleach can do just fine cleaning off mold on some surfaces, but due to its chemical structure, it’s not able to penetrate into porous materials – this means that when mold spores have dug into a material and built a protective membrane, a common occurrence for mold buildups, bleach will have no impact.

Vinegar, however, will do the job well. It penetrates porous materials due to acidity, attacking the mold membrane and its entire colony. This stops the mold from reproducing and coming back. If you have vinegar on-hand, it should be your first try for removing mold from a given area – put some in a spray bottle and spray the surface, then wipe it off after letting it sit for at least an hour.

Hydrogen Peroxide

If you don’t have vinegar around, hydrogen peroxide is another antifungal substance that will have a similar impact to many mold buildups. Use a 3% concentration of hydrogen peroxide, poured into a spray bottle and soaked onto the surface of the mold for about 10 minutes. Scrub the area down after and remove any mold residue.

For more on mold growths and how to remove them, or to learn about any of our professional cleaners and how they’ll help, speak to the staff at Healthy Homes Housekeeping today.

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Dog Owner Home Cleanliness: Vacuuming, Dishes, Professionals

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some general tips for homeowners who live with at least one dog in the house. Our furry friends offer incredible amounts of joy and companionship, but they’re also not exactly clean – and between hair, dander and other related risks, they may increase your cleaning and home maintenance needs in a few simple ways.

At Healthy Homes Housekeeping, we’re here to help with numerous home cleaning and maintenance needs, including basic maintenance cleaning that’s often ideal for homeowners with pets. What are some of the general themes, both DIY and with our team’s assistance, that we recommend in terms of caring for a home with a dog or another shedding pet? Here are several others to keep in mind.

Vacuuming Themes

While chunks of part one of our series went over some general mess prevention themes that will attempt to keep hair and other dirt out of the home completely, it’s a simple reality that these will only work to a certain extent. Your dog will inevitably create at least some mess inside, and the biggest culprit here for many dogs is their shedding and all the hair that spreads around.

Your top tool against this remains vacuuming, and it should be done much more often in homes with pets than in those without them. You should be vacuuming the whole home at least once a week, if not perhaps a bit more often. Pay particular attention to high-traffic areas and spots like carpets and rugs that often collect hair.

Placemat and Dish

One simple approach to limiting your dog’s mess: Using a placemat or some other kind of blocker that’s placed under their food and water dishes. This will catch splatter and crumbs that fall from their mouths, and therefore the dirt on your floors. Use either a mat that can be wiped down with soap or a small rug you can put in the washing machine.

Work With Pros

For some homes, including those with multiple pets or those where the owners lead busy lives and don’t have time to dedicate to regular cleaning, pet maintenance can be a major chore. But this is why our team of house cleaners exists – to assist anyone who needs an extra hand here, including those who own pets. We’re happy to attend to many of the areas we’ve gone over on this list, plus several other professional cleaning themes that will ensure your home is clean and healthy despite the presence of one or more dogs.

For more on any of our pet cleaning services, or to learn about our deep cleaning solutions, move-out cleaning and related themes, speak to the staff at Healthy Homes Housekeeping today.

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Dog Owner Home Cleanliness: Grooming, Exercise, Wiping

As longtime dog owners know, while these furry friends are a source of much joy, they’re also pretty messy. And for those who like to keep their spaces clean on a regular basis, these two themes can clash with one another.

At Healthy Homes Housekeeping, we’re here to help with this and numerous other potential home cleaning needs. From standard maintenance cleaning, which includes plenty of basic cleanup and possibly pet-related items if needed, up through deep cleaning, move-in and move-out cleaning and several other areas, we have you covered no matter your cleaning or sanitation requirements. What are some of the top areas we recommend in terms of keeping your home clean even with a dog around, both in terms of homeowner areas and those our team can assist with? This two-part blog series will go over several.

Frequent Grooming

Fur is one of the top issues that dogs create, particularly high-shedding dogs. Pet fur around the home can become a problem for a few reasons, from simple aesthetics up to potential exacerbation of allergies or asthma symptoms to those who suffer from them.

Grooming is a very simple way to limit this hair presence in your home, and we’re not only talking about professional grooming here – though that’s always an option as well if you have the budget for it, and will do a great job keeping your pet clean while removing all excess fur. Even if you don’t opt for pro services here, however, you can use a simple brush with your dog outside a few times a week to remove not only hair, but also dead skin particles and other contaminants. And also, we’d recommend bathing your dog at least once a month.

Exercise Themes

Another potential dog-related issue in some homes is damage, often created by overly energetic pups. The simplest solution here: Good exercise on a regular basis for your dog. Normal walks or runs (depending on breed and exercise needs) are a must, plus you might consider basic elements both inside and outside the home that allow them productive uses of energy – things like toys, outdoor play areas and more.

Wiping Down

And while you should let your dog run to its heart’s content outside, you have to be careful about what it’s tracking back inside. If there are muddy conditions, for instance, or even a significant moisture presence outside at the time, you should be wiping off muddy or wet paws before your dog has a chance to run around inside. Some dog owners will even keep a shallow tub of clean water near the door to wipe down particularly messy pets – and you’d be surprised how much easier your daily cleaning will become as a result.

For more on how to keep your home clean if you own a dog, or to learn about any of our housekeeping or related services, speak to the staff at Healthy Homes Housekeeping today.

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Hydrogen Peroxide for Cleaning: Substitute and Disinfectant

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some basics on the numerous areas of the home where hydrogen peroxide is a useful cleaning solution. While it was first invented as a wound disinfectant and still may be used for that purpose, hydrogen peroxide has become one of the single most reliable household cleaning solutions as well, with uses in several relevant areas.

At Healthy Homes Housekeeping, we regularly use solutions like hydrogen peroxide and other cleaners for numerous needs, from standard house cleaning to deep cleaning, move-in and move-out services and many others. Even in addition to standard cleaning themes, there are a variety of ways you can use hydrogen peroxide to your benefit in the home; here are a few additional unique uses of hydrogen peroxide to consider.

Bleach Substitute for Laundry

If you typically use bleach in your laundry but are currently out, one simple alternative is using hydrogen peroxide. Simply pour in a cup of hydrogen peroxide along with your white laundry to remove stains, then let it sit for at least 10 or 15 minutes before you start the machine.

In other cases, you might use it to remove smells from towels. Particularly if your towels have become musty or mildew-y, hydrogen peroxide in the wash does a great job removing this effect.

Sponge Disinfectant

Do you like to recycle your sponges through fully so you aren’t wasting materials? A great method for regularly disinfecting the sponge to keep it clean and useful is to use hydrogen peroxide.

Ideally, this will be a 50-50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide with warm, but not boiling, water. Create this mixture and then soak the sponges in it for about 10 minutes. Once this is finished, thoroughly rinse each sponge you’ve soaked.

Fruits and Veggie Cleanliness

Another set of items you can easily clean and sanitize with hydrogen peroxide: Fruits and vegetables, which may have bits of dirt or even pesticides still attached to them. Create a mix of a quarter-cup hydrogen peroxide with a full sink of cold water – wash the produce in the sink first, then rinse it thoroughly with cold water to remove both the peroxide and any contaminants.

Plant Fungus Prevention

Finally, speaking of contaminant prevention, do you have plants in your home that are susceptible to fungus risks? There are a variety of such plants, and one simple way to keep them protected is to use a tiny amount of hydrogen peroxide in a water-filled spray bottle. Lightly mist plant leaves with this solution, and you’ll be lowering the risk of fungus growth on any areas you hit.

For more on the numerous uses of hydrogen peroxide throughout the home, or to learn about any of our housekeeping services, speak to the staff at Healthy Homes Housekeeping today.

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Hydrogen Peroxide for Cleaning: Basics and Common Uses

At Healthy Homes Housekeeping, it’s our pride to offer clients numerous house cleaning services, from standard maintenance cleaning up to deep cleaning, move-in and move-out services and more. We use several common cleaning products and solutions to accomplish our high-quality standards, and one of the single most common here is hydrogen peroxide.

Hydrogen peroxide, which used to be used as a wound disinfectant, has changed over time in its uses. Now it’s most useful as an incredibly effective cleaning solution, one that’s applied in numerous potential areas. This two-part blog series will offer some basics on hydrogen peroxide and the home cleaning areas where our staff most often uses it, plus some other household uses you should be aware of for this important cleaning compound.

Hydrogen Peroxide Basics

Hydrogen peroxide is a very simple chemical compound, one made up of simply water along with an extra oxygen atom, for the abbreviation H₂O₂. This makes it an oxidizer, meaning it can break down other compounds, and it carries several important properties, including antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and bleaching capabilities.

In addition, hydrogen peroxide is a strong solution. It can cut through various stain formats and even rust in most cases, plus is completely healthy for humans to use and be around. It’s no wonder it’s one of the single most common items used for household cleaning.

Bathroom and Kitchen Uses

When performing various cleaning tasks around your home, hydrogen peroxide may be used in various rooms – but will most commonly be seen in the bathroom and kitchen. Some common bathroom uses:

  • To brighten dull grout
  • To remove mold and other stains or hazards
  • To disinfect a variety of surfaces
  • To remove soap scum from tile, glass, porcelain and various metal fixtures

Some common kitchen uses:

  • To disinfect countertops, handles, the inside of the microwave and more
  • To clean tile, linoleum, and even certain laminate floors

Our next several sections will go over some of the other general household uses of hydrogen peroxide, both for our professional cleaners and for homeowners.

Sanitizing

As we noted above, hydrogen peroxide is ideal for sanitizing and disinfecting various items. This makes it perfect for various cooking or preparation uses, including sanitizing cutting boards, countertop surfaces and more. It’s especially valuable for porous surfaces where various contaminants may have seeped in below the surface.

Stain Removal

There are also a number of materials that hydrogen peroxide will remove unsightly stains from, including stone like unsealed marble. This is a type that stains very easily, and other methods often struggle to remove these stains – but mixing some hydrogen peroxide with flour and covering the stain with the resulting paste, then letting it sit for several hours will generally lift the stain (you might have to do this more than once).

For more on hydrogen peroxide and its uses within cleaning and other areas of the home, or to learn about any of our cleaning solutions, speak to the staff at Healthy Homes Housekeeping today.

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Additional Home Grease Prevention Tactics

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the basics on grease in the home, plus how it can be removed to avoid issues. Grease, which can show up as a result of cooking or due to a few other causes, can become a real problem around the home – not just for aesthetic issues, but also for practical ones and, eventually, the sort that may impact your appliances and other home value areas.

At Healthy Homes Housekeeping, we’re proud to offer a variety of cleaning services that help homeowners deal with grease, grime and numerous other dirt or related buildups. From our basic cleaning solutions to deep cleaning services and move-out assistance, we have you covered no matter your cleaning needs, including those that involve significant grease buildups. We’ll also help you avoid these to begin with – here are several tips we often give clients who have been through a major grease issue to help them prevent such concerns from arising during daily use of the kitchen and other home areas.

General Cleaning

The stove and microwave area is generally the top generator of grease within a given home, and simply cleaning these areas after each use will go a very long way. This cleanup does not have to take long – just a quick wipe-down with a damp paper towel or cloth, ideally while the surface is still somewhat warm and any grease present is still in liquid form, will do the trick.

This practice is your first and best line of defense against grease buildups. Simply removing immediate grease from its most common locations will stop it from being spread to other areas and collecting.

Immediate Action

In cases where there’s been a specific spill of grease in a given area, you can take immediate action to limit the negative impact. Find your basic flour in the kitchen, and sprinkle it down over the grease spill as quickly as you can – this will help absorb much of the grease, making it easier to wipe up without leaving residue.

Mixtures and Removal

There are a few mixtures that do well for cleaning grease deposits:

  • Dish soap: Meant to remove grease from dishes, also works well in other areas.
  • Citrus oils: Orange essential oils, often added to dish soap and water, improve cleaning and odors.
  • Baking soda and water: Ideal for removing grease from pots and pans.
  • Salt and rubbing alcohol: For removing grease from fabrics.

Professional Cleaning

Finally, for both regular cleaning to prevent buildups and deep cleaning jobs when major grease deposits have been found, count on our team of professional housekeepers. Our maintenance cleaning services prevent grease in a variety of homes, and we’ve also assisted a number of homeowners with more immediate grease cleanup needs.

For more on grease prevention, or to learn about any of our house cleaning services, speak to the staff at Healthy Homes Housekeeping today.

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Deep Cleaning and Housekeeping Tips for a Move-Out

If you’re preparing your home, apartment, condo or any other living space for an upcoming move-out, cleaning will be one of your most important considerations. Often vital for retaining a security deposit in a rental situation or full price in a home sale setting, proper cleaning during a move-out can have a major impact on your financial bottom line and several other areas.

At Healthy Homes Housekeeping, we’re happy to provide numerous services to assist you in this circumstance, from standard cleaning services to deep cleaning/move out solutions and many others. Both on your own or with the assistance of a professional cleaning company like ours, what are some of the top factors to keep in mind while performing cleaning ahead of a move-out? Lets take a look.

Materials Needed

If you plan to perform certain areas of cleaning yourself, the first major step here will be acquiring the proper cleaning supplies. You will likely already have some of these in your space: Disinfecting and glass cleaners, baking soda, vinegar, cloths and various brushes.

You may also need others depending on the cleaning you plan to perform. Mops and vacuums are always valuable, as are rubber gloves and fabric protectors for the entire process. Be sure you locate any of these items you know you own well before packing begins so you can be sure you don’t accidentally pack them.

Post-Packing Cleaning

One of the simplest methods for home cleaning ahead of a move-out is cleaning each room or area after it’s been mostly packed. This allows you to avoid trying to clean around numerous furniture pieces or debris areas, plus leaves a simple checklist for each room that you can tackle in a given order. Instead of wasting all sorts of time lifting sofas and other furniture pieces to clean under and around them, wait until they’re gone and then perform cleaning in a much simpler fashion.

Every Corner

As you move through a given room, it’s important to note that every detail matters. Not only should major areas be cleaned, so should all corners, wall units, windows, blinds, light fixtures and even vents.

Housekeeping Services

For those looking for high-quality deep cleaning and move-out cleaning services, nothing tops a professional housekeeping service like ours. We have extensive experience cleaning residences for a move-out, from larger luxury homes to smaller condos and apartment spaces alike. We’ll ensure every corner of your space is clean and sanitary, allowing you to recoup a security deposit or maximum sale funds as you move into a new location.

For more on cleaning ahead of a move-out, or to learn about any of our housekeeping services, speak to the staff at Healthy Homes Housekeeping today.

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Benefits & Ease Having of a Deep/Spring Cleaning Once per Year

An annual deep cleaning – what your grandmother likely called spring cleaning – is a domestic ritual practiced for centuries by various cultures throughout the world, including Persia, Greece, Egypt and Scotland.

In the U.S., we celebrate the coming of warmer days by attacking the mess caused by winter weather.

The benefits of an annual deep clean are significant. In fact, having your spring cleaning professionally done will make your life easier and better all year long.

A Deep Cleaning Handles All the Challenging Tasks

The tasks performed during your deep clean will vary based on your home and the type of service you choose. However, you can rest assured that a professional cleaning service will attack many of your home’s most challenging issues.

A Healthy Homes Housekeeping deep clean will tackle washing the sticky walls and woodwork, dusty high ledges and cabinet tops, the greasy range hood and behind and on top of the refrigerator and oven, removing the fuzz behind and around the washer and dryer, vacuuming the dust from under the beds, couches and rugs, polishing the light fixtures and ceiling fans, washing the windows in and out, cleaning the blinds and hand washing the hard floors. These are just a some of the many tasks that our deep clean team will take care of.

If you choose the right spring cleaning expert, you can expect a life-changing level of cleaning.

Spring Cleaning Provides a Reboot for Your Home

Over the course of the year, clutter builds up. Things get put places they don’t belong and, months later, they’re still there. You try to manage the organization of your home but it never seems to be a priority – especially compared to the many obligations you have every day.

When you schedule a spring cleaning, you’ll get that critical reboot you need to get everything back in its place. This is the ideal time to purge too. Whether you do the Kon Mari method – does it bring you joy? – or some other approach that resonates with you, you’ll get rid of clutter and things you simply don’t need taking up space in your home.

The result will improve your mental and emotional outlook and, if you believe the experts, this deep cleaning and purging will actually improve your health.

An Annual Deep Cleaning Keeps Your Family Healthy

As good as it feels to live in a clean, orderly environment, it’s even better when you enjoy good health as a result. And that’s exactly what a deep cleaning from Healthy Homes Housekeeping can provide for you and your family.

In fact, the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology reports that spring cleaning eliminates allergens and prevent new ones from entering your home, facilitating a healthy, active lifestyle.

Pollen, mold, pet dander and dust mites are among the allergens that accumulate over the course of the year – significantly picking up the pace once spring arrives. Dusty surfaces and those with any type of build-up can attract and hold onto allergens. But, with a houseful of clean surfaces, you will avoid the accumulation of allergens. You can make this benefit last even longer by scheduling recurring housekeeping service and by replacing your home’s air filters regularly.

Healthy Homes Housekeeping has been providing clients in northern Utah with professional cleaning services since 1988. Our deep cleaning service involves moving your appliances and furnishings and décor and systematically cleaning every surface – including walls, ceilings, lights, fans, floors, doors, trim, etc. In fact, no surface goes untouched, including storage rooms, utility areas and garages. And, if you so desire, we will arrange to have your ducts, carpet, tile and grout cleaned as well.

Contact us today to schedule a deep, spring cleaning for your Utah home.

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Benefits of Using a Recurring Housekeeping Service

Using a recurring housekeeping service offers a variety of benefits that can make your life easier, reduce your stress level and improve your quality of life.

Healthy Homes Housekeeping, with convenient locations in Ogden, Kaysville and Syracuse, provides professional cleaning services to customers throughout northern Utah. If you aren’t currently having your home cleaned regularly by our experienced team, we have a few persuasive reasons for you to consider it.

Using a Recurring Housecleaning Service Gets the Job Done

You really need to clean the bathroom, dust the living room and vacuum the bedrooms this weekend. But things come up, as they do, and maybe the dusting has to wait another week.

When you use a professional cleaning company, you know the job will get done – and get done right – every single time. You’ll never have to worry about running out of time to get everything done.

And, when a surprise visitor shows up at your door, you can rest assured that your home will always be sparkling clean and ready for even your fussiest guests.

Recurring Housekeeping Service & the Time Value of Money

What is your time worth? If you’re like most people today, you’ve got more on your to-do list than you have hours to accomplish those tasks.

Now, think about how much time you would (should?) spend on cleaning your home. Wouldn’t you be better served doing something different with those hours? You could get caught up on work, run errands, work on your side hustle. Or you could spend that time doing something you love, like reading, taking a yoga class, doing crafts or spending time with your family.

When you think about it in those terms, it puts the already-affordable cost of a housecleaning service into perspective.

Regular Cleaning Makes for a Healthier Home

Having recurring professional housecleaning gets rid of the dust mites, mold, bacteria, allergens and other contaminants that can make your family sick.

Professionals understand how to get the job done right. They also use professional-quality cleaning products that cut through the buildup quickly and effectively. Your home will also be less likely to attract pests. You’ll breathe easier and your entire family will experience fewer allergies and respiratory problems.

Professional Housecleaning Makes Your Home a Happier Place

When you come home after a long day of working, grocery shopping, picking up the kids from sports practice and school activities, etc., how much stress does it add when you open the door to a messy, dusty or dirty house?

Now imagine walking into a clean house that smells as good as it looks. You can take a deep breath and enjoy an evening that doesn’t involve stressing about the cleaning tasks you should be doing – they’ll already be all done.

When you trust the Healthy Homes team with your recurring housekeeping service, you’ll always be happy to come home and proud to show off your spotless house. Our affordable pricing and exceptional customer care make our services ideal for all types of customers.

If you’d like to learn how we create order and beauty in your home – and give you more time to enjoy it – contact us today for a no-cost estimate for recurring housekeeping services for your Utah home.

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