Maple Grove Cleaning

Someone recently texted me about my cleaning cloth preferences. I had about a dissertation’s worth of opinions, so I thought I’d share them here. If I don’t share a link for a product, it’s because I haven’t found a particular go-to brand and your pick is probably just as good as mine.

Microfiber cloths: These are the cloths I use for 90% of all cleaning tasks. Microfiber cloths are good at “picking up”—dirt, dust, water, fingerprint oil. The micro fibers carry all the junk. Because of this, you need to baby your microfiber cloths in the laundry room. Once you damage the fibers by melting them with high heat or chemicals (bleach, vinegar), they lose their effectiveness. Cold water and air drying will keep them happy the longest, but I use warm water and a low setting on the dryer. Wash them by themselves; if you wash them with cotton cloths, they’ll grab cotton cloth fibers and be full of lint.
*Important Note* Microfiber cloths’ edges can scratch. We learned this the hard way with stainless steel appliances: it wasn’t something stuck on the cloths, it was the cloths’ edges. So I switched recently to edgeless.
(No link because I just switched to edgeless two weeks ago and don’t know this brand yet.)

Microfiber floor cloths: I buy huge 20”x20” microfiber cloths and use them with a flat mop. These work so much more effectively than a Velcro mop pad, which are too cushy and too terrycloth-y (new word) to make great contact with the floor.

Glass cloths: These have worked great. We’ve had the same set for over a year.
https://a.co/d/gPUxuoA

Cotton cloths: Cotton cloths are tougher than microfiber cloths. I use them when I need to use bleach or strong acids. I also use them to dry shower glass—microfibers have a tendency to leave tiny fibers on glass which then stick to the glass like an infant to a mama. Cotton cloths leave behind some lint, but it doesn’t cling and can be easily dusted off. Cotton cloths also push more than they grab. Because of this, I use them when using a powder cleanser (microfibers just grab the powder, which isn’t helpful). It’s best to use 100% cotton napkins for powder cleansers, as terry cloths’ uneven surface prevent powder cleanser from making direct contact with dirty surfaces (alas, I can’t find my preferred napkin anymore, so I’m currently wearing holes through the ones I have).
https://a.co/d/j6OdlqS

Paper towels: I use these to wipe up large amount of cooking oil in kitchens. Laundering oil-soaked cloths can be dangerous (washing doesn’t remove all the oil, and then chucking that oil rag in a high-heat dryer isn’t a great idea). I also use paper towels for toilet areas (because gross).
Scott shop paper towels are *the best* paper towels for cleaning. I have accidentally wash single sheets in hot water and bleach and then dried them and they came out of the laundry in one piece.
https://a.co/d/2tidL0X

Cleaning apron: I love these. I use them in my own home.
https://a.co/d/5gdcWjk

Puomue 6 Pack Microfiber Glass Cleaning Cloth, 16 Inch X 16 Inch, Lint Free Quickly Clean Window, Glasses, Windshields, Mirrors, and Stainless Steel, Blue Puomue 6 Pack Microfiber Glass Cleaning Cloth, 16 Inch X 16 Inch, Lint Free Quickly Clean Window, Glasses, Windshields, Mirrors, and Stainless Steel, Blue

Shout out to Faith, who’s worked for the business for six months now. Thank you for your honesty, peppy-spirit, eagerness to please, and amazing work ethic. You’re a blessing ❤️

I started housecleaning ten years ago this month. 2012 was a hard, hard year. My parents and sisters were amazingly supportive. I owe a huge thank you to my parents. My mom has always been a cheeeleader for whatever business endeavors I was interested in. In a world where there is so much pressure to achieve high societal, professional, and financial status, my parents were there to remind me that real success is serving and obeying our Lord God.

Ten years! Thank you to my clients for trusting me to care for your homes—the center stage of your lives. And a warm thank you to my very first client, who is still with me after all the years.

And thanks to God. He has taught me so much. I am richly blessed.

This little cutie enjoyed the airstream my vacuum created while I cleaned her family’s house. Good news is the HEPA filter in the vacuum filters out 99.95% of particles that are 0.01 microns or larger.

The situation was dire. I’d pulled all the shelves and drawers out of a client’s fridge and washed them, but couldn’t figure out how to get them back in. No combination, YouTube video, or algorithm was working to get those drawers back in. How did I make such a dumb mistake of not snapping a picture?? Just as I was considering changing my name and taking up professional basket weaving, Stefanie whipped out her phone, got on a hardware store website and pulled up specs, said, “I got you,” and tried this and that and those and these until TADA!! the drawers finally went back in.

“All those Nancy Drew games came in handy!” she said.

TIP 1: Snap a picture of your fridge and freezer before you take them drawers out.

TIP 2: Get you an awesome sidekick.

Every home has those spots that are highly used but under-loved...

Ever stopped to look at your toilet paper holder? If you're like most, probably not. Or if you do, maybe you shrug it off because hey. It's a TP holder. But the next time you go to take care of business, take a gander. These holders are little dust nabbers, especially if you use that extra-cushy, soft as a snowflake TP.

More than likely you'll be caught in despair at the mere sight of your snow covered bathroom hardware. Instead of wallowing, take action!! And here comes the hack---take a piece of toilet tissue (we recommend a fresh piece, of course) and gently wipe until the holder looks shiny new.

Of course, once you start cleaning you just can't stop...so if you discover any other unconventional ways to clean with TP, We.Want.To.Know.

Follow us for more great hack alerts, and as always--Happy cleaning!

Happy Thanksgiving 🍁

What do YOU think?

Exactly *how* powerful is the magic held within those tiny, white squishy blocks full of hopes for a squeaky clean future?

Well. As it turns out, the Magic Eraser is essentially an abrasive much like sandpaper or steel wool. Which is a good thing. It's good because it really will remove tough dirt on some surfaces. But that means you need to respect the "magic" because it will also remove more than dirt--it can remove finishes and sealers that need to stay on surfaces like natural stone, stainless steel, glossy paint, and many others. This blog post from Apartment Therapy lists some great tips on how NOT to use a Magic Eraser. Check it out: https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/magic-eraser-tips-skin-cars-262607

So the correct answer is TRUE. The Magic Eraser is more abrasive than Grade #0000 Steel Wool. You can use the latter on natural stone, while the former should be saved for harder surfaces. Happy cleaning, and remember to Respect the Magic in your eraser.

Inviting guests into your home can be a daunting task, made even more overwhelming by the popular misconception that dinner parties are actually housekeeping inspections. When it comes to preparing for guests, work smarter and not harder, and save scrubbing grout lines and organizing the closet for springtime.

So what should you clean to make your home a comfy place to visit? The places where your guests’ gaze will linger. In my experience, these places are:

1) The Front Porch (as they wait for your door to open)

2) Floors (particularly walkways and contrasting dirt, like dust on dark floors)

3) The View From Your Couch such as the coffee table, entertainment center, and mantel (ie wherever eyesight will rest during conversation)

4) The Guest Bath (with a strong emphasis on the vanity sink and mirror, the toilet, and of course the wall opposite the toilet. Maybe run a duster over those baseboards...)

With a quick cleaning routine like this, you'll have enough time to whip up some hors d'oeuvres for your hungry guests. Or maybe just take a nap before they arrive. Happy Hosting!

So excited to have Stefanie join me! She is sweet, conscientious, honest, and adorable. Anyone who gets to have her clean their home will absolutely fall in love with her.

Tonight was her first shift so we had celebratory coffee.

Returning customers and new customers, I have an unexpected opening tomorrow, Thursday 10/14/21! Hurry and take advantage of it by messaging me or texting 817-754-0185.

Tip: wash the non-slip bath tub mat in the washing machine in cool to warm water with the fuzzy bath mats. The bath mats scrub out the wee suction cups while keeping them from sticking to the sides of the washer drum.

If your home needs a one-time clean to close out the winter season and get ready for spring, or if you'd like to outsource the scrubbing of particular rooms (say the master bathroom--everybody's least favorite room to clean) while you spring clean the rest of your abode, send me a message to set up a free quote! New customers will receive 20% off regular price for one-time cleanings or initial cleanings scheduled to occur in the month of March.