Hardwood Floors 101

For anyone who has recently installed or resurfaced the hardwood floors in their home, you know it is no easy or inexpensive task. But in high traffic areas—such as hallways, foyers and kitchens—hardwood floors are easily dirtied, dulled or, worse, damaged, by the wear and tear of life.

To keep your floors looking clean and shiny, you could spend thousands of dollars more covering every inch with throw rugs. Or, ask your friends and family to remove their shoes every time they walk through the door. But no need! Keeping your hardwood floors beautiful is actually not as hard as you think—you just need to heed the cleaning tips below and remember a few wood floor-care basics.

Before you determine the best way to tackle your floor, you first must determine its finish. How and with what was your wood sealed? If the answer to this question is urethane, polyurethane or polycyclic (aka surface seals), your clean-up is a breeze—sweep, and mop with hot soapy water and you’re all set! On the other hand, if your floors are sealed with a penetrating seal--lacquers, varnishes or shellacs—or have been oil-treated, your floors are much more delicate and must be cleaned with liquid or paste wax.

Hint: Unsure which type of finish you have? Just rub your finger across the floor—if you see a smudge mark, the floor has been treated with a penetrating seal, oil finish, shellac, varnish or lacquer, and then waxed. If not? It’s a surface seal.

As you can see, hard wood floors are actually very easy to clean! But an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Keep the tips below in mind when caring for your floors.

• Wipe up all spills as they happen. Depending on the finish of your wood, moisture can stain and

ruin its finish.

• Gently remove dirt and grit. If not cleaned properly, dirt and grit can act like sandpaper on the

finish, causing scratches, dents and dulling.

• Avoid harsh cleaning products and oil soaps. The residue from these products can build up and

create problems when it’s time for a maintenance coat.

• Never drag furniture or other heavy objects to move them and use felt under the legs of any

furniture to help prevent scratches.

• When vacuuming, use a brush attachment to prevent dents.

• Occasionally reposition throw rugs and furniture and keep drapes drawn to prevent sun

damage, as UV rays can discolor your wood.

Sources
www.pioneerthinking.com
www.how-to-hardwood-floors.com
http://interiordec.about.com

Hard Water Spots

Lime scale deposits can lead to difficult to remove hard water spots on glass or ceramic surfaces in your bathroom. What is hard water? Hard water has dissolved calcium and magnesium in it. It is very common condition that is not dangerous to your health. The amount of hardness varies depending on where you live. A majority of homes in the US have hard water. How do you measure the amount of hardness in your water? The amount of grains per gallon (gpr) of water of dissolved minerals in your water is the most common measurement, very hard water has over 10.5 gpg.

How do you remove hard water spots? When it comes to your dishwashers one way to remove spots is to use a rinse aid. If you want a more environmentally friendly option try using white vinegar in the rinse.

For showers, cleaning regularly with lots of elbow grease is the primary option to get rid of hard water stains. Remember that you should clean hard water stains away regularly. The longer they sit, the harder they are to remove. However, here are some tips that can make cleaning easier.

*Plain white vinegar and lemon juice – the acid helps to loosen and remove hard water deposits from glass shower enclosures.

* Oven cleaner – this works really well on shower doors. Spray, wait a half hour and rinse off the excess. Some scrubbing maybe required.

* Baking Soda- make your baking soda into a past with water and rub onto the surface. Let it sit for a few minutes then wipe away.

*Lime-A-Way and products that contain heavy acids like phosphoric acid is best used on stubborn stains from hard water deposits, rust and soap scum. Just make sure to use eye protection to avoid injury.

If the methods don’t work then it may be time to hire a professional cleaning surface to help keep hard water stains away through regular cleaning.

Benefits of Hiring a Cleaning Service

Today it’s easy for families to feel overworked and wish they had more hours in the day. Do you dread coming home from work and cleaning the house or, are you tired of spending all weekend cleaning your home? Do you feel that you could spend more time with your family or use your time to do the things you want to do, instead of cleaning? Then it’s time to start thinking of hiring a professional cleaning service.

By hiring a cleaning service you get a clean and organized that you can enjoy and appreciate after a hard day at work. Without cleaning on your mind you can experience relief from stress and improvement in your mood.

Who can benefit from hiring a cleaning company?

Working Families

Times have changed, and both parents are often working a full-time, high-pressure job. But feedback shows that women are still generally more responsible for household cleaning than men.

Hiring a cleaning company is a great way for working moms to save time. Keeping up the house can be tiring and take long hours. It can also give them back critical time needed to concentrate on their family, hobbies and most importantly themselves.

Some women feel guilty about hiring someone to clean their home. But in today’s busy world, hiring a professional cleaning company can give you back valuable time that can spent on the most important things in life like, spend more time with their families, playing, helping with homework and even cooking dinner together.

Single People
Singles don’t have others to rely on for home shores. They have the sole responsibility of being the sole wage earner and all the work and around the home. Handling the entire household on your own can be difficult task. And with more singles buying single homes today you can take some of the pressure off by hiring a cleaning service.

The Elderly & Disabled
The elderly may have a hard time reaching hard to reach places around the house or doing the heavy lifting required for housework. Hiring a cleaning service will make their lives easier and safer. The same is true for those who suffer from disabilities or injuries.

There is no doubt that cleaning services serve to make our lives simpler and easier, regardless of who we are, what we do or how we live. The time and stress they can save us are priceless. So, when you're thinking of a new way to invest a little bit of your money, why not look into hiring a cleaning company and freeing yourself up to concentrate on other more important and enjoyable things?

Indoor Allergies

Now that winter is here we’re spending more time indoors and indoor allergies can start to become a problem particularly in the coldest part of winter. Closed windows mean that fresh air can’t circulate into your home. Allergens build up in the indoor stale air making your allergy symptoms really act up.

Indoor allergies (“perennial allergic rhinitis” [PAR] or often called “nasal” allergies) occur when allergens that are commonly found indoors are inhaled into the nose and the lungs causing allergic reactions.

With no fresh air circulating, the sources of your allergies are trapped in your home. There are some rather obvious allergy triggers such as dust, but then there are also some less common sources you may not think of like airborne cat or dog dander, dust mites and mold spores.

Your heater can be a source of comfort but it can also be a major source of allergens. Here are some simple steps you can take to maintain your heating system and reduce allergens:

Change your Filter
Be sure to change the filter on the blower for your air conditioner or furnace every month. If it's possible, install a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.

Clean Your Heating Ducts
A professional duct cleaning service can remove the dust and allergens from your heating ducts. It’s a simple process but it does require a professional. Regular cleaning of your home’s duct work can significantly improve air quality.

In the next blog we’ll talk about how professional cleaning from Grime Solvers can help reduce allergens in your home.


Sources: www.aaaai.org
http://www.essortment.com

Quick Clean Up

Every once in awhile, and particularly around the holidays, you might get a phone call from a relative or friend that they’re just going to pop in for a visit. But, even with 30 minutes notice, you can get your house into a presentable shape. Here’s how:

First figure out where in your home you will entertain your guests. These are the rooms that you’ll want to focus on straightening up. You can close the doors to any other rooms that won’t be used and skip cleaning them.

Now the most important step is to de-clutter. Grab a large empty plastic container or laundry basket or even a trash bag. Gather all the unwanted clutter and put it into which ever container you choose and put it into the closest. You can sort it out later

The next step is to clean the bathroom that your guests are likely to go into. Grab some disinfecting wipes and quickly clean the sink. Take another wipe to clean up the toilet and give it a quick scrub with the brush. Next give the floor a quick wipe if it has dirt or stray hairs on it. Make sure you’ve enough toilet paper, grab a clean bar of hand soap and hang clean hand towels.

Next is to clean the living/family room. Wash all table surfaces, straighten up pillows or throw blankets on couches and chairs. If you have enough time, put a little polish on a dust wipe and quickly wipe end tables and your coffee table.

Use these simple, quick and easy steps and you too will have a clean house in a matter of minutes. Your guests will be amazed how clean you keep your home.

Another option is to hire Grime Solvers to provide regular cleaning in your home. This way, you don’t need to rush when company comes over.

Source: http://www.americanconsumernews.com

Dirtiest Places in your Home

Since we are cleaning experts at Grime Solvers we often get asked what the dirtiest things we clean are. You would be surprised to find out that some of the dirtiest things in your home aren’t traditionally what a cleaning service would clean, their personal items that you would never think of.

1. The toothbrush holder, most people have them but rarely clean them. Bacteria from your mouth often end up in toothbrush holders after your rinse off your toothbrush. The result is often a load of bacteria and germs in the bottom of the cup. Make sure your run your toothbrush holder through the dishwasher monthly to eliminate the germs that can spread illness in your family.

2. The kitchen sink is consistently said to be the dirtiest place in your home. Food often sits in the sink resulting in germs and bacteria. But other related kitchen items can be just as dirty; these include kitchen sponges and dish towels. These items help to clean up the mess of food spills and they often stay damp. This is a breeding ground for bacteria. Make sure you launder your dishtowels weekly and run your sponges through the dishwasher every so often. This will reduce germs and extend their life.

3. The remote control is the key to entertainment for your family but with everyone touching it and kids putting it in their mouths and since we are often eating while watching TV it can get very dirty. However it often is never sanitized from the time you purchase your TV. Disinfecting cleaners can be purchased that are safe for electronics and they should be used on things like keyboards and remotes once a month. Make sure you check with your electronics manufacturer before you use a cleaning spray.

It really makes you think about all of the germs hidden in and around your home. Call Grime Solvers for a truly thorough cleaning but also make sure you’re taking care of the dirt you don’t always see and think of.

Tips for Cleaning Your Oven

With all the holiday cooking you will be doing it bound to happen, something boils over or spills while you cooking in the oven. And you can’t do anything while the oven is still hot so you have to wait until it cools to begin your cleanup.

Due to modern technology, oven cleaning is no longer the arduous task it once was. For our grandmothers, it was a day long chore and a lot of elbow grease. Below I have listed a few steps to make oven cleaning a little easier.

Know Your Oven Type
Before you can clean your oven, find out what type you have to prevent damage. Oven manufacturers often equip them with a continuous clean mode. Some ovens are called self-cleaning, which is, of course, is not completely true. But, they certainly make the job easier.

Self-cleaning ovens assist you by making spills easier to clean Run the self-cleaning cycle for your oven as often as you need to. It reduces almost any spill to a powdery gray pile of ash that can easily be wiped away at the end of the oven's cleaning cycle using a damp cloth. Some ovens, during the clean mode, will produce smoke and or fumes, so be sure to open windows and ventilate well. You may need to wash down the oven door and frame with a gentle cleaner to remove soil residue.

Continuous cleaning ovens have a special surface that has a rough porcelain layer that is supposed to burn off food gradually as use your oven. These ovens do not let food harden and become difficult to remove so they can be cleaned with a little soap and water.
Regular non-self-cleaning ovens need to be cleaned each time the oven is cooled off. In most cases wiping up any spills with a hot, wet cloth will work just fine. If you do this each time, food will not build up or burn onto the oven surfaces.

Some people prefer to cover the bottom of the oven with aluminum foil, but you'll need to make sure that no vents are blocked if you choose this prevention trick.

At least 2 to 3 times a year you will need to do a more comprehensive oven cleaning. Buy oven cleaner, rubber gloves and be ready to scrub. Follow the directions on the can and be sure to ventilate well. Instructions vary depending on the brand of cleaner but generally, spray the oven and in 6-8 hours it will be ready to clean-up with a little elbow grease. Be sure the oven is completely rinsed of cleaner residue before you cook.

One green friendly you may want to try is just add baking soda to a spray bottle as a gentle abrasive that also soaks up grease and oily stains.

Removing Stains From Grout

Removing stains from grout can be one of the most difficult cleaning chores in your home. Here are a few tips from Grime Solvers on cleaning tough grout stains.

First, you’re going to need the necessary materials. Here are some items you may need to tackle this tough job. Rubber gloves and a mask are necessary items, particularly if you’re using bleaches and harsh chemical cleaners. If you’re using harsh cleaners make sure you open windows for proper ventilation.

A brush with strong bristles can also help the job go quicker. Some recommend a grout cleaning brush, a toothbrush or a denture cleaning brush. Whatever you choose your going to need to put some elbow grease into the job to get out stubborn mold and mildew.

Steam cleaners are gaining in popularity as a great tool for cleaning tile and grout. The combination of high temperatures applied with pinpoint accuracy allows homeowners the ability to steam stubborn grout stains away.

Bleach pens allow you to target the cleaning power of bleach right to the stained area. The bleach pen applicator is the perfect size to get into the grout lines to apply bleach right where you need it.

After shower spray cleaners if you have heard the saying a best defense is a good offense, then you should try these preventative shower sprays. You apply the spray right after your shower to areas that are prone to mold and mildew. The sprays prevent soap scum and mold from growing so you don’t need to scrub as much.

Grime Solvers offers residential and commercial cleaning services in Northern Virginia. Hiring Grime Solvers is allows us to keep up with your cleaning chores so you don’t need to spend hours scrubbing the mold and mildew. Call us today for a quote.

Cleaning Silver

You’ll undoubtedly be breaking out the silverware this Thanksgiving and your probably need to clean and polish your silver before you serve your guests. There are many ways to remove tarnish from your silver service. In this blog we are going to cover some common methods of removing tarnish.

Before you try any of these methods, particularly polishes creams and chemical removers test a small spot to make sure it doesn’t damage your silver. If you are concerned check with a professional before you clean your silver on your own.

Chemical Polishers and Creams

Whether you’re using a spray or cream the directions usually involve first thoroughly washing your silver with hot water. Then before the silver cools applying the spray or cream. Spread a thin layer of cream or polish over the utensil and wait for approximately 30 seconds. Lastly, with a clean cotton cloth, remove the polish and the tarnish.

Home Remedies

If you don’t have polish or you simply don’t want to use chemicals I found several ways to clean silver using common ingredients that can be found around the house. One such method involves covering the bottom of a large pan or your sink with tinfoil. Add one tablespoon of baking soda and add boiling water. Then mix with a large mixing spoon. Place your silverware into this mixture and let them sit for one to two ours. The tarnish should come off on its own. Instead of baking soda I have also heard of using salt in the same process above.

Lastly, another method that I have not personally used is toothpaste. Using toothpaste and a paper towel rub the toothpaste on your silverware. With a clean paper towel clean off the toothpaste. It should turn dark as the tarnish comes off. You must use white toothpaste, not gel and wash your silver when you’re done. Otherwise your dinner will taste minty fresh.

Of course, if you want the professionals to clean your silver, call Grime Solvers. We are experts in residential and commercial cleaning in the Northern Virginia area.

Kitchen Cleaning

You are hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year and your kitchen looks like a tornado has touched down. Instead of stressing out about it, we have a few easy steps to get you ready for Thanksgiving Day.

One of the most important ways to easily clean up your kitchen’s appearance is to de-clutter. Put away everything that you will not be using while preparing and cooking your Thanksgiving dinner. You will need all the counter space you can get, so put away things like the toaster oven and coffee maker that won't be needed during meal prep. De-clutter your kitchen surfaces, then spray your favorite cleaner on the surfaces and wipe clean with paper towel. Don't forget to clean the vertical surfaces like the fronts of the refrigerator, stove, microwave, etc.

Washing the dirty dishes is the next step. Wash, dry and put away any dirty dishes in your kitchen sink or dishwasher. You may need those dishes or utensils for Thanksgiving Day and you definitely will need your sink and dishwasher. Take a clean paper towel and wipe down the faucet so it’s spot free.

Don’t worry about cleaning your oven, because your Thanksgiving dinner will create spills and messes and you can tackle this the day after Thanksgiving. With your stove, the same rule applies, just make sure you clean off any food spills from the stove top.

The next step to a clean kitchen is to clean out the inside of your refrigerator. Your guests will be opening your refrigerator, and you will need the storage room. Toss out all those bottles of leftover sauces, marinades and the unidentified items that have been hanging out in your refrigerator for way too long.. Spray cleaner on the refrigerator shelves and wipe clean.

The last step is to a clean the kitchen floor. Don't obsess about achieving a spotless shine on your kitchen floor because there it’s going to be a high-traffic, high-spill area on Thanksgiving. Do a quick sweep and mop, making sure to clean up any stubborn or visible spots.Now you can sit back and enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner because you’ve cleaned what you needed to without exhausting yourself. And remember, if you don’t have the time or simply don’t feel like cleaning for the holidays call the professionals at Grime Solvers.

Grime Solvers Cleaning Tips

It’s one thing to say that you’re an expert but it’s another thing to show that you’re an expert. The focus of the Grime Solvers blog is going to be to provide cleaning tips for common household cleaning needs. Our hope is that by helping you with the small cleaning jobs, you’ll call us when you have big cleaning need. We’ll be posting two tips a week so check back and see what our cleaning experts have to say on topics like how to clean ovens, floors, garages, basements. We’ll even go into organization tips for your children’s bedrooms, because after you clean it’s best to keep it clean. Here is a sample of a tip that you can expect to find on our blog!

Tips for cleaning your garage?

Cleaning the garage can be a long, tiresome process and if the job is too big you should call in the professionals at Grime Solvers. But if you’re going to tackle it yourself here are some tips:

1) Organize the mess: establish two piles. One pile will be for things you’re going to keep and the other will be for what’s going to go.

2) Plan to clean your garage around a yard sale. A yard sale is a great way to get rid of items you don’t want to keep. Your junk is someone else’s gold.

3) Take on one side at a time. You may not be able to finish your garage in one day. Plan two weekends and clean one side at a time. This way you won’t over do it.

4) Gets hooked on hooks. Your rafters represent wasted space that could be used for organization. Use hooks to hang bikes, baby strollers, rakes and other garden equipment. This is going to help you maximize your clean up.

5) Use the right equipment. If you don’t have a powerful wet/dry vacuum buy one or borrow one.

6) Bins are your best friend. Use plastic bins to store and organize everything from sports equipment (shoes, skates, balls) to auto parts (nuts, bolts, drills). Bins are a great way to get organized and stay organized.

Don’t take on more than you can handle. Call Grime Solvers when the project requires a professional.

Grime Solvers – more than just a catchy name

Who are we?
Since 1983, Grime Solvers has been Northern Virginia’s most reliable commercial and residential cleaning service. We tailor our maid service to your needs. Just call us and we will come out to your home our business to discuss how our services can be adapted to your schedule and lifestyle.


House cleaning


Windows Cleaning in/out


Carpet Cleaning


Other household cleaning jobs: silver/brass polishing, oven / refrigerator cleaning, garage / porch clean-out, kitchen cabinets (inside) cleaning, Laundry


Or any other jobs you hate to do...
Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly service


One-time / move-in / move-out services


We provide our own transportation in Grime Solvers marked cars, bring all the required cleaning materials, and our own commercial vacuum cleaners.




Our Promise


“Pursuing total quality and delivering on our promises are the most critical aspects of Grime Solvers’ mission to be the best Cleaning Service provider in the Northern Virginia area since 1983.”

-The Grime Solvers Staff