18 House Cleaning Gifts Mom Will Appreciate for Mother’s Day
© lily – Fotolia.com
Mother’s Day gifts can put people in a panic …
What can I get Mom that will be meaningful? That she’ll like? That she doesn’t already have?
We understand the dilemma! So to help, we’ve put together a list of ideas. Some are appropriate for even young children, while some are geared strictly to adults. Here’s our list, in no particular order:
1 – Vacuum the house
2 – Clean the water spots and toothpaste splatter off the bathroom mirror
3 – Clean all the toilets
4 – Polish the kitchen and bathroom faucets
5 – Dust the pictures on the walls
6 – Wash the woodwork (doors, baseboards, window sills, etc.)
7 – Wash the windows
8 – Scrub the kitchen floor
9 – Clean the oven
10 – Make the beds
11 – Fluff the throw pillows
12 – Clean and vacuum under the beds
13 – Dust the ceiling fans
14 – Wash light fixtures
15 – Dust blinds or shutters
16 – Vacuum drapes or valances
17 – Clean the outside of the front door
You can do any or all of these things yourself, of course. But another option — one that we can help you with — is to give Mom a gift certificate for professional house cleaning.
18 – Give her a Mini Mops gift certificate to have it all done professionally
But even beyond the gift you give her, we hope that you’ll make Mom’s special day one that’s full of happy memories that she will treasure forever.
And remember …
“God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers.” ~Jewish Proverb
Mini Mops, Inc. is a professional house cleaning company serving residential and commercial clients in the Fresno-Clovis CA area since 1975. They are currently accepting new clients. Please visit their website for more information:
www.Mini-Mops.com
31 Things to Love About Spring
© Patryk Kosmider – Fotolia.com
It’s spring … a season traditionally associated with hope and new life as nature awakens and blooms surround us.
So today, let’s celebrate all that spring brings us, including …
1 – Flowers
2 – Wonderful weather
3 – Birds singing
4 – Walks in the park
5 – Baseball
6 – Easter
7 – Mother’s Day
8 – Memorial Day
9 – Family barbecues
10 – Kites in the sky
11 – School carnivals
12 – Block parties
13 – Golf tournaments
14 – Cause races
15 – Bike rides
16 – Wildflowers
17 – Spring break
18 – Street fairs
19 – Farmers markets
20 – Field-fresh strawberries
21 – Hammocks
22 – Morning coffee outside on the patio
23 – Alfresco dining
24 – Walking the dog
25 – Vegetable gardens
26 – Kentucky Derby
27 – Pretty hats
28 – Sandals
29 – Going barefoot
30 – Opening the windows for fresh air
31 – Spring dresses
Of course, since we’re in the professional house cleaning business, we here at Mini Mops also celebrate Spring Cleaning … but we understand that not everyone loves that as much as we do!
I’d love to see any additional things you’d add to the list of things to love about spring. Please leave a comment to tell me what’s on YOUR list!
Mini Mops, Inc. is a professional house cleaning company serving residential and commercial clients in the Fresno-Clovis CA area since 1975. They are currently accepting new clients. Please visit their website for more information:
www.Mini-Mops.com
YIKES! It’s Friday, and guests are arriving this weekend!
Has this ever happened to you?
Unexpected guests. Or maybe it’s a planned event, but time has gotten away from you …
You were going to call the house cleaners for extra help in getting the house spruced up. But you didn’t.
Now it’s Friday, and your guests are arriving Sunday!
© Aaron Amat – Fotolia.com
YIKES!
WHAT DO YOU DO?
First of all — Relax. One way or another, things will work out. They always do.
It may be too late to call in the professionals, but here are some quick and easy things you can do on your own:
1 – Put away the clutter. If it will take too much time to actually put things away where they belong (or to sort through piles of “stuff”), go for this “quick fix” — put everything in a box, and put the box in the trunk of your car right before guests arrive. You can sort through the box and put things away at your leisure after your visitors leave.
2 – Close the doors to any “extra” rooms. If your visitors won’t be going in your home office, the laundry room, or the kids’ bedrooms — shut the doors and don’t worry about those rooms! They may need to be cleaned, but not at crunch time before guests arrive.
3 – Freshen up the bathroom, but don’t deep clean. Clean any splatters off the bathroom mirror. Wipe down the counter and the sink. Pour some bleach or vinegar in the toilet before you go to bed, let it sit overnight and flush it in the morning (this is a quick way to freshen the toilet, but not a substitute for a thorough cleaning and disinfecting). Close the shower curtain if you have one. Put fresh, clean towels out.
4 – Do a quick dust of furniture at or below eye level. “Out of sight, out of mind” is perfectly acceptable in this situation!
5 – Run a dust mop over hard-surface floors. Spot clean only the obviously dirty or sticky spots. Especially if children are involved, clean floors will not stay that way long anyway.
6 – Leave the kitchen alone! Most gatherings involve food of some sort. The counters and table become littered with plates, bowls, pots and pans. If you’ve already de-cluttered (step 1), you’ve done enough. It’s going to get dirty soon anyway.
Please note: We do not in any way suggest you use these tips to replace a regular cleaning regimen! These are for true “visitor emergencies” only!
In a quick-fix cleaning “emergency,” if your guests can’t see it, it’s not important! And really, your guests are probably there to spend quality time with YOU, not your house.
After they leave, call the professionals and get the house thoroughly cleaned for your own enjoyment … and maybe as a reward for surviving the “crisis.”
If you have any other quick-fix cleaning tips, please share them in a comment below!
Until next time … Keep it clean!
Mini Mops, Inc. is a professional house cleaning company serving residential and commercial clients in the Fresno-Clovis CA area since 1975. They are currently accepting new clients. Please visit their website for more information:
www.Mini-Mops.com
How To Clean A Toilet in 5 Simple Steps
© styleuneed – Fotolia.com
Cleaning the toilet …
It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it. If that someone is you, here are some simple steps to follow to get the job done right.
1. Gather your supplies:
• Protective eye goggles
• Gloves
• Toilet brush, scrub brush, or pad scrubber
• Cleanser and disinfectant of choice
• Rags or paper towels
2. Prep the toilet:
• Remove items that may be on the tank lid to prevent them from accidentally falling.
• Remove items on the floor around the toilet.
• Lower the water level in the toilet bowl by turning off the water supply valve and then flushing the toilet.
3. Clean and disinfect the exterior of the toilet:
• Using your disinfectant of choice (vinegar, bleach, or other commercially-available product), wipe down the entire outside of the toilet — top and sides of tank, top and bottom of lid, top and bottom of seat, all sides of base.
• Scrub heavily soiled areas as needed.
4. Clean the toilet bowl:
• Wearing protective eye goggles and gloves, apply your cleanser of choice.
• Starting up under the rim, scrub the entire bowl with a toilet brush, scrub brush, or pad scrubber.
• Pay special attention to the water line where stains can develop.
• Turn the water supply valve back on, and flush the toilet to rinse the bowl after it is clean.
• Wipe down the exterior of the toilet again if any cleanser or water from the bowl splashed out when you were cleaning.
5. Clean the floor around the toilet:
• Scrub the floor around the toilet with your floor cleaner of choice.
• Rinse with a mixture of vinegar and hot water.
Remember to clean the toilets in guest bathrooms or other unused areas of your home as well as those in the commonly used bathrooms.
To keep your toilet cleaner in between these thorough cleanings, periodically pour 1-2 cups of white vinegar in the bowl and let it sit overnight, then flush in the morning.
Cleaning a toilet is one of the necessary cleaning tasks that help keep your home safe and your family healthy. We suggest thoroughly cleaning a toilet at least once a week, more often if it is noticeably dirty.
Do you have any tips or suggestions to add? Please leave a comment below!
Until next time … Keep it clean!
Mini Mops, Inc. is a professional house cleaning company serving residential and commercial clients in the Fresno-Clovis CA area since 1975. They are currently accepting new clients. Please visit their website for more information:
www.Mini-Mops.com
Show Your Home Some Love!
© glopphy – Fotolia.com
“I love you” is easy to say. Just three little words.
But how do you show that you mean them? How do you make the words meaningful?
We all know how to show a person love … treating them with care and respect, being gentle and nurturing, building them up when they’re feeling down, attending to their physical needs, caring for their well-being …
Shouldn’t we be doing the same things with the homes that we love?
Treat your home with care and respect
Punching holes in walls or slamming doors so hard that an adjacent window breaks would be extreme examples of how NOT to care for or respect your home. Gouging the floors, chipping tile, denting woodwork are other examples. Preventing this kind of careless or malicious damage to your home is the best and easiest way to show it care and respect.
Be gentle and nurturing with your home
This goes to the type of cleaning products you use. In general, the more natural the product, the better it is … for both your home, and for you! Strong, harsh chemicals can be damaging if used improperly, and there is almost always a gentler, safer alternative that is just as effective.
Build your home up when it’s “down”
Homes need to be repaired from time to time. Age, wear-and-tear, natural elements … all of these factors can cause damage to a home. Sometimes major structural problems, and sometimes relatively minor aesthetic issues. But they all should be addressed and fixed with routine maintenance and periodic repairs when necessary, because even small issues can grow into bigger, costlier problems if ignored or neglected.
Attend to your home’s physical needs
A home’s physical needs have to do with cleanliness. Things get dirty and need to be cleaned. It really is that simple. A clean home gives you and your family health benefits as well as emotional well-being, but cleaning a home can also help it retain its value and extend the lifespan of its components.
Care for your home’s well-being
If you’ve done all of the above — if you’ve prevented careless damage, used safe cleaning products, performed routine maintenance and repairs, and kept it clean — you’ve cared for the well-being of your home. In return, you can expect it to provide safe, comfortable shelter for you and your family.
So have we missed anything? Is there anything else YOU do to show your home some love? Leave a comment below and tell us!
Mini Mops, Inc. is a professional house cleaning company serving residential and commercial clients in the Fresno-Clovis CA area since 1975. They are currently accepting new clients. Please visit their website for more information:
www.Mini-Mops.com
2 Basic Reasons to Clean Your Home
Have you ever wondered what the big deal is? I mean, why SHOULD you clean your house?
It all boils down to just two basic reasons:
#1 — To keep yourself and your family healthy
#2 — To protect your investment
Let’s look at these …
To Keep Yourself and Your Family Healthy
Mold. Mildew. Dust. Bugs. Germs. These are five health foes that have the potential to ambush us in our homes.
Yes, we need to be ever vigilant in our battle against them. Perhaps the best way is to keep our homes clean.
Mold and mildew can grow in moist areas like bathrooms … especially showers. So we need to clean the surfaces that they like to call home and kill these fungi before they affect our health and the health of our family.
Prolonged exposure to mold and mildew can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems. Symptoms can include coughing, headache, or a scratchy throat.
Household dust also can cause allergic reactions and can trigger asthma symptoms in some people. Symptoms of a dust allergy can include a runny or stuffy nose, itchy or watery eyes, and sneezing. Asthma symptoms include wheezing, coughing, tightness of the chest, and shortness of breath.
Bugs also can trigger allergic reactions, as well as spread germs and bacteria around, posing a health threat to you and your family. You can find a discussion about household pests and the dangers they pose at http://www.superpages.com/supertips/kill-household-bugs.html.
Lastly … germs. Unless your home is hermetically sealed off, you will be exposed to germs. Regular house cleaning is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of colds, flu, and other infectious diseases. Here’s a good article from WebMD about killing germs: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/d2n-stopping-germs-12/speed-cleaning-germs.
Of course, any health professional will tell you the absolute BEST way to prevent the spread of germs is to wash your hands … so don’t forget that, too!
To Protect Your Investment
Regular house cleaning is one of the best preventative maintenance tasks we can perform to protect what is probably the biggest purchase for most people — our home.
Think about it — dirt and grime can shorten the life span of materials used in our homes. For example, dirty carpet wears out much faster than when it is kept clean.
But dirt and grime also can hide symptoms of other structural problems. You might miss a growing water stain on the ceiling (a symptom of a leaky roof) if you never clean the ceiling. You might not notice cracked or missing grout, which can lead to additional water damage if you never clean your countertop, shower, or tile floor.
Not to mention the emotional equity you have invested in being able to enjoy your home. Most of us would agree that a clean home is more enjoyable than a dirty one!
Because your home IS such an important investment, it’s important to invest additional time and/or money to maintain it properly. Hiring a professional house cleaning service is certainly an option, but so is learning to do it yourself. If doing it yourself, make sure you do your research and are doing the necessary tasks correctly.
So, tell me, do YOU have other things that motivate you to clean your house? There are countless other motivating factors … why don’t you tell me some of yours in the comments below?
Until next time … Keep it clean!
Mini Mops, Inc. is a professional house cleaning company serving residential and commercial clients in the Fresno-Clovis CA area since 1975. They are currently accepting new clients. Please visit their website for more information:
www.Mini-Mops.com
24 Tasks for Your “Fresh New Start” Winter Cleaning
So you’ve decided to give your home a Fresh New Start by doing a big cleanup this winter. Now what? Where do you start?
To help you, I’ve put together a checklist of house cleaning tasks that you may want to tackle. They’re in no particular order, but I have divided them into two major categories: “Deep Cleaning Details” and “Appliance Care.”
Here you go:
DEEP CLEANING DETAILS
1) Wash all the woodwork — door frames, baseboards, windowsills, etc.
2) Vacuum drapes and curtains
3) Clean the exhaust fans in your bathrooms — Have you looked up there lately?
4) Clean your HVAC (heater/air conditioning) vents — By the way, when was the last time you changed the air filter?
5) Wash the blades of your ceiling fans
6) Wash the windows — including the tracks and the screens — Hiring a specialist is worth it for this one!
7) Move the furniture and clean the floors (and walls) under and behind everything
8) Wash the light fixtures — Take them down to do the best job of this!
9) Wash whatever’s washable — blankets, pillows, throw rugs, bath mat
10) Clean the decorative items up on those high shelves and ledges
11) Get your carpets and upholstery professionally cleaned
12) Clean the outside of your front door
APPLIANCE CARE
1) Run the filters of your stove hood (usually a metal mesh) through the dishwasher to clean them
2) Clean the inside of the fridge — walls, shelves, drawers … the works — with a mixture of 1 c. white vinegar and 1 c. warm water
3) Clean the inside of the oven
4) Clean your dishwasher by running a cycle with just 1 c. white vinegar poured into the empty machine
5) Thoroughly clean your microwave — inside and out, all around
6) Clean under the burners of your stove (if you have that type, usually electric)
7) Move the fridge and clean the floor it stands on, as well as the walls behind
8) While the fridge is out, vacuum the coils
9) Wash your dryer’s lint filter — actually WASH it with a little soap and warm water
10) Wipe the inside of your washer, especially around the wash tub of a top-loader
11) Clean the motor compartment of your vacuum (or take it in for service)
12) Use vinegar to clean your coffee maker (but check your owner’s manual first)
Remember, you don’t have to do all of this yourself! You can hire professional house cleaning help or enlist the help of family members.
So, tell me — do you have something on YOUR list that I left off mine? Tell me in a comment below!
Until next time … Keep it clean!
Mini Mops, Inc. is a professional house cleaning company serving residential and commercial clients in the Fresno-Clovis CA area since 1975. They are currently accepting new clients. Please visit their website for more information:
www.Mini-Mops.com
“Fresh New Start” Winter Cleaning … Why Wait for Spring?
January is a traditional month for making a fresh new start. Some people start the year off with new resolutions, new goals, new outlooks, new plans.
Today, I want to suggest a new tradition for you … something we’ll call a “Fresh New Start” Winter Cleaning.
Basically, take the traditional spring cleaning, and do it now!
Lots has been written about the ritual of “Spring Cleaning.” (Here’s one of our own blog posts from a few years ago on the topic: http://minimops.wordpress.com/2010/03/17/time-for-spring-cleaning/) I’m suggesting that you not wait until spring to do this type of cleaning!
Think about it … You’ve probably taken down the holiday decorations at this point. Maybe you’re feeling a little sad that the holidays are over. Maybe the gray winter weather has got you feeling a little blue …
Maybe you’re just ready for that fresh new start that January seems to promise.
Let’s channel that into a fresh new CLEAN start for your home! A thorough, deep cleaning that leaves your house (and the things in it) sparkling and renewed.
The kind of cleaning that gives you a renewed appreciation of your home, and an increased joie de vivre.
Sounds good about now, doesn’t it?
So, who’s with me? Let’s celebrate the start of a new year by giving our homes a Fresh New Start Winter Cleaning!
(By the way, this works whether you are doing the cleaning yourself OR if you hire a professional house cleaning service to do it for you!)
Need some specific tips about what to do? Some ideas about what cleaning tasks you should tackle? Come back next week, when I’ll give you a checklist of some things to do.
In the meantime, why not share this article with a friend? Or, leave me a comment below.
Until next time … Keep it clean!
Mini Mops, Inc. is a professional house cleaning company serving residential and commercial clients in the Fresno-Clovis CA area since 1975. They are currently accepting new clients. Please visit their website for more information:
www.Mini-Mops.com
Say “Bah Humbug” to Unrealistic Expectations
We’ve all been there …
Frantic to pick up every last bit of clutter … to remove every speck of dust … to make the setting “perfect” before holiday guests arrive — we often become so worked up that it’s difficult to relax and enjoy the holiday and our guests.
Our “perfect” holiday gathering loses the very perfection that we’ve strived for because we end up too stressed to be fully present, and we’re unable to appreciate the festivities that we’ve created.
Sound familiar?
This year, I’m throwing expectations of the “perfect” holiday setting out the window. Want to join me? Here’s how …
1. Set some priorities.
What’s most important to you? Isn’t enjoying your time together more important than impressing your friends and family with a perfectly clean and tidy house? For me, and for most of the people I know, the answer is “yes.” For most of us, if we dig deep enough and get past our own ego, the PEOPLE are the most important part of the holidays. If we’re being honest, we can admit that it just doesn’t matter if our homes are “perfect.” So we can stop beating ourselves up trying to make them be.
2. Accept that you’re not going to please everyone.
Do you know someone who always complains about something? Someone who seems to be happy only when there’s something he or she can point out that you could be doing better? Who delights in pointing out the picture on the wall that isn’t hanging perfectly straight? For many married folks, this is a mother-in-law. Maybe it’s an out-of-town aunt. This year, for your own sanity, let it be OK that they make whatever comments they’re going to make. See what happens if you simply say, “You know, you might be right!” and then change the subject without belaboring a topic of contention.
3. Know that “good enough” really is, well, good enough.
Sometimes we’re much more critical of ourselves than even the fussiest in-law or relative is. In the grand scheme of things, will it matter that there were smudges on your sliding glass door? Or water spots on your bathroom mirror? Sure, people may notice, but do you think they really care? And even if they do, should they? Should you?
4. Recognize that other people’s issues are THEIRS, and are not a reflection on you.
The aunt that always finds fault has her own issues to deal with. Ask yourself, “What is making her so unhappy that she has to be critical and judgmental of others?” Does this make you put her comments in perspective? Maybe see them in a different light? What’s really behind the comments from your in-laws? These issues really are THEIRS. We don’t have to make them OURS!
Now, I’m not suggesting that you shouldn’t clean your house for the holidays before company comes over. Of course, you should! I AM suggesting that you not make yourself stressed out over it.
If you hire a professional house cleaning service to clean your house, and they cleaned it a week before your gathering, that’s probably good enough!
Sure, there may be water spots that have appeared on your bathroom mirror during the week since they cleaned. There may be a smudge on the sliding glass door, or traces of dirt on the floor. The pictures on your wall might be a bit askew …
You’ve been LIVING there, after all! Remember that most people who are gathering at your home during the holidays are coming to see YOU, not your house.
Enjoy them this year! I plan to!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this! Leave me a comment below.
Mini Mops, Inc. is a professional house cleaning company serving residential and commercial clients in the Fresno-Clovis CA area since 1975. They are currently accepting new clients. Please visit their website for more information:
www.Mini-Mops.com
Cleaning Up After Thanksgiving Dinner …
Nobody can eat another bite. The meal you worked so hard to prepare has been devoured, and everyone is sated and happy.
Eventually, all of your guests will go home …
And you’ll be left with a mess.
Sound familiar?
Here are 6 ways to cope:
1. Accept offers of help! When a guest asks, “What can I do?” Be ready with an answer! Can they scrape food scraps off plates into the trash? Can they load the dishwasher? How about transferring leftovers into smaller containers?
2. Have a plan for leftovers! Clear a shelf in your refrigerator for those leftovers BEFORE dinner (the day before is best if you can manage it). Set aside containers for the leftovers so you won’t have to hunt for them when you’re ready to clear the table.
3. Wipe up spills right away! Have an extra roll of paper towels or stack of rags handy. That way you can ask whoever is close to help clean up without having to explain where to find the supplies.
4. Use disposable if you can! They may not be as elegant, but disposable plates and plastic dinnerware save a lot of cleanup time. You have to weigh whether using the “good stuff” is worth the extra time you’ll spend cleaning it up.
5. Double-bag! Thanksgiving is not a day when you want a garbage bag accident. So be proactive and use double layers, just in case.
6. Relax! Give yourself permission to leave some of the mess for later … or even the next day. Enjoy the holiday, and enjoy your guests. The mess will still be there when you’re ready to tackle it.
Holiday gatherings can be stressful, but cleaning up doesn’t have to be. If you have other strategies that help you cope with holiday cleanup, we’d love to hear about them. Please leave a comment below!
