How To Clean Your Shower Curtain

Face it, shower curtains attract dirt with the damp conditions and soap scum that builds up. It really makes them a mold breeding ground waiting to happen. Instead of throwing that shower curtain out, you can take a few steps to save it.

To get your shower curtains clean and looking better than new, put the them into the clothes washer. Add 1 cup of bleach and 1 cup of detergent. Add several dirty towels or a blanket, etc. to the washer and run it on a gentle cycle using either warm or hot water. Hang them back up to drip dry. The combined effect of gravity and the hot steam from using the shower or bath will cause any remaining wrinkles to disappear within a day.

Removing Mold and Mildew

To remove any mold and mildew that does occur you can wash the curtain in the washer, or soak it in the bath tub with about 1 cup of bleach. Let it sit for about 20 minutes. To keep mildew away, spray newly washed shower curtains with a disinfectant during your regular cleaning routine.

Removing Scuff Marks and Heel Marks

It happens to all home owners, your favorite pair of shoes or your kid’s shoes leave scuff marks on your kitchen floor. Once you discover the scuff marks next comes figuring out how to clean them. It’s not likely that you will be able to mop them off. Scuff marks are some of the hardest messes to clean up.

Here are a few great tips for cleaning your scuff marks and other stains that you may have on your floor.

* Mr. Clean Magic Erasers really are helpful. These are ideal for cleaning up scuff marks on your flooring. You just need to wet them, wring them out and apply a bit of pressure to the eraser on the stain. Usually, they will pull the stain right off.

* Use WD 40 on the heel mark. Apply to the stain lightly and then wipe the area up with a clean paper towel or cloth.

* Take an ordinary, clean tennis ball and rub it over the scuff mark until it disappears. You can also use a large pencil eraser in the same way.

* Baking soda, mix 1 tsp of baking soda with some water and rub it over the scuff, with a sponge or toothbrush. Another product that you can use to get rid of scuff marks is toothpaste. Rub it over the mark straight on, without mixing it with water.

Keep in mind you will want to be careful with special types of flooring. If your flooring is wood or has a protective seal to it, some chemicals can damage that seal and cause damage. Instead, you will want to make sure to follow the directions provided by your flooring manufacturer.

Cleaning Upholstery

Cleaning spills on furniture cushions can seem tricky, but there are some basic tips to getting them clean that anyone can put to use quickly. One of the most important points is knowing what caused the stain, and what type of fabric the stain is on.

Cold water should be used on all types of stains other than enzyme based stains such as blood. Using hot water on other types of stains can actually cause more harm than good.

Quick Tips

Clean off the food or other debris from the affected area. If the mess is already dried you can vacuum the area to remove any excess food, etc.
Clean the area with either a commercial upholstery cleaner or natural cleaners.
Let the area dry.

Green Upholstery Cleaners

One of the best is white vinegar. Mixed with water, the vinegar not only picks up the stain, but also disinfects. It works great on wine stains.
Another effective cleaning agent is salt. Pour it over the stain and let dry. Scrape it off and wash with cold water. Finish by vacuuming and you should have a like-new cushion.

Cornstarch is another excellent way of removing oil and grease stains. Pour it over the affected area and let it dry. Vacuum it off and you should have a nice clean surface.

Add 1/4 c. laundry detergent or liquid dish detergent to 1 c. warm water. Blend with an electric mixer; whip the mixture until the suds look like whipped cream (it will be dry and form peaks). Take a damp cloth and rub the mixture into the stained area. Rinse out the cloth and gently wipe off the surface.

Source: www.wisegeek.com

Making Cleaning Easier

Everyone has to do it and most of us don’t want to. We all come home after a long day and we need to pick up around the house and clean up after dinner. Lets face it, you don’t get the time to enjoy your family. So don’t do it, don’t clean. Let Grime Solvers clean for you. Here are some reasons you should hire Grime Solvers to clean for you:

House cleaning can give you a more organized household that will make day to day task run more smoothly and reduce the stress for you and your family.

You’ll have no more worries about a dirty bathroom or a dirty kitchen. Regular cleaning from Grime Solvers will make sure you don’t send a bad impression to your guests.

You’ll family will be healthier – it’s proven that regular cleaning can reduce allergens, dust mites, mold and other potential health problems around the house.

You’ll only need to do a daily spiff up and organize the house. Grime Solvers will do the heavy cleaning and you’ll have more time for hobbies and your family.

We believe that client satisfaction is our only measure of success. Try us and you will see the Grime Solvers difference.

Cleaning Up—The Do’s and Don’ts when Tackling a Messy Kids Room

Keeping your kids room clean is almost as hard as getting them to clean it in the first place, but for a number of health and safety reasons, it’s an important chore to add to your weekly cleaning routine—and better yet, teach your children to do themselves as part of their weekly cleaning responsibilities.

When children are young, often the biggest obstacle between you and a clean room is their toys. On holidays, for birthdays, when grandparents visit, for good behavior, it seems as though kids are always accumulating new toys—but where do you put them all! And what do you do with all
of their old toys? With a little organization, creativity and discipline, you can not only clean up that messy kid’s room, but also teach your kids that clean-up can be fun and rewarding. Follow this great to-do list—and pay careful attention to the -don’t list—and be on your way to a clean and organized home.

Do:

• De-organize. To get your bearings and know exactly what you’re working with, start by setting out all the toys on the floor.

• Categorize. Group toys by type (board games, books, stuffed animals) and then by size.

• Donate or toss. Anything that is not played with or that your kids have outgrown, donate to a local charity. Anything that is broken or missing pieces, throw away.

• Purchase storage containers. Best practice is to purchase a variety of sizes and styles depending on the size of the room. For small spaces, stackable containers, or containers that slide under the bed are great options. Bookshelves, baskets, shoe organizers and shoe boxes also come in handy. Neatly put toys away in each container.

• Get your kids involved. Have your kids help you pick out their containers, then together, decorate them with stickers, paint and labels, so that the content of each container is easily identifiable by their artwork.

• Be encouraging. Make cleaning up fun, by turning it into a game and playing it with them—who can clean up the floor fastest, of stack the books in order of size.

Don’t.

• Get caught off guard. Messy toys, such as markers and paint, play dough and other major mess causing toys, should be kept on higher shelves, out of reach.

• Forget the small stuff. Barbie shoes, action figure accessories, Lego, marbles and other small toys can be organized in their own clear plastic jars and Tupperware containers with tightly fitting lids. Not only will this help prevents pieces from being lost, it is also reduces the choking hazard if your supervision is needed when playing with those toys.

• Be all play and no work. Schoolwork and materials used for completing school work should be kept neatly organized as well. It’s a good idea to designate as small work area in their room, to encourage quiet time and focusing on their on their work.



Sources: www.home-organization.suite101.com

www.realsimple.com

How to Keep Home Sweet Home Smelling the Same—Tips for Eliminating Household Odors

Odors in the home are a lot like…bills…everyone has them, and they all stink!

All jokes aside, household odors can leave your home feeling dirty and unpleasant, and can be a real problem for you and your family—not to mention your friends and neighbors if they have the misfortune of stopping by in between cleanings. The fouls smells often found in the usual places—like the kitchen, the bathroom and the basement—are made much worse when you factor in your pets’ favorite spot on the rug, your grandfather’s old recliner and the bedroom of your teenage son…

Though the prospect of an odor free home smells so sweet—we all know it’s not quite the reality. But there are many ways that you can not only cover unpleasant odors, but also remove them. Here are some tips to cut some of the toughest and common household smells.

Kitchen and Food Odors.

In the fridge, the trash can, the garbage disposal, the drains, and sometime lingering in the air from what was cooked, as delicious as food can be when freshly prepared, it can downright putrid when left around too long. Combat food odors by:

* Empty and clean your refrigerator often to prevent odors and place an open box of baking soda in the refrigerator and freezers to catch them as they arise.
* To remove odorous food smells from counter tops, clean with equal parts of vinegar and water.
* Flush your garbage disposal and drains with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to cleanse, and follow with citrus juice to freshen.
* Clean garbage cans with a bleach and water solution once a week.


Fabric and Carpet Odors.

Whether from your pet or years of wear and tear, upholstery and carpets are hot beds for bad home odors. With lots of products on the market to mask the smell and freshen the room, try these tricks to remove the odor:

* Sprinkle baking soda on a smelly carpet or upholstery, wait an hour (or more), then vacuum the powder and the odor away. Baking soda absorbs moisture that can cause odor build-up.
* Steam clean the fabrics and carpets, adding ¼ of a cup of lemon juice or one cup of vinegar to the water.
* Set small decorative bowls full of vinegar around the house. Not only will the vinegar absorb the odor in the room, it will also add a fresh smell. (this tip is also great for removing cigarette smells)

Clothes and Bedroom Odors

At the end of a long day, your bedroom should be the place to which you retreat. Unfortunately, stale odors can leave bedrooms room smelling more like a gym locker than a relaxing oasis. Bring peace back in to your room by:

* Your browser may not support display of this image. Deodorizing your closet and dresser drawers by tucking a few unused fabric softener or dryer sheets into the corners
* Hammer pieces of cedar wood onto the back wall of your closets to prevent musty odor from building up in your closet. Your browser may not support display of this image.
* Sprinkle the insoles of stinky shoes with baking soda and leave sit overnight. Also throw dirty sneakers in a the washing machine then wash with laundry detergent and bleach (if color free)
* Be sure you’re washing you bed linens—including duvet coves, pillow shams, dust ruffles and bed spreads—regularly.



As a rule-- baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and vinegar are great odor eliminators.

Sources:

www.allergyconsumerreview.com
www.biotrauma.com

Candle Wax--Shedding Light on How to Remove Wax from your Carpets and Upholstery

Candles are a great addition to any decor, adding ambiance and a sense of festivity and romance to your room, and even promoting your health and wellness through relaxation enhancing fragrances. Today, with an estimated market of over 2 billion dollars, it's probably safe to guess you have at least a few of them accenting your home. But anyone who has ever been tasked with removing spilled wax from carpets and upholstery knows that it can be quite stressful—regardless of how therapeutic they're promised to be!

The best way to tackle wax removal is to act quickly, before it's had the chance to harden around or dye the fibers in you fabric or carpet. But when that isn't option—and before you consider replacing the rugs or rearrange the furniture to cover any unsightly spots—read on for a very effective method of removing wax and eliminating stains.

Though a little time consuming, one of the most effective ways to remove candle wax that has hardened on fabric or carpet, is with an electric iron. For this, you'll need heavy duty absorbent white paper towels (a brown bag also works well) and an electric iron. Here's what you do:

1. Start by using a brush or your hands to pick away at any of the excess wax, using care to not unravel the pile or tear the fibers.

2. Next plug in the iron in and turn it on to the lowest setting possible.

3. After the iron heats up, take a paper towel and place it over the spot and lightly apply the warm iron to the paper towel. As the wax begins to melt and liquefy, the paper towel will absorb it and its color.

For thicker or more textured carpets, like Berber, you may have to press down harder with the iron. But be sure you do not raise the temperature of the iron to any higher than the warm setting, or you'll risk singeing or melting the carpets or upholstery's synthetic fibers. Also be especially careful not to pull on any fibers or loops, which can cause running much like panty hose, and ruin the carpet.

4. This may take some time, so have patience as you continue working the iron and rearranging the towel until all of the wax is absorbed. It may require several paper towels.

This method should work to remove all of the wax. But if you have a particularly large spill or stubborn stain, and you're still noticing a wax residue even after you're finished, try using an ice cube to re-harden the wax, and once again use your fingers or a brush to pick it away, and repeat the steps above. Patience is key, of course, if all else fails, call on the services of Grime Solvers.

Sources:www.thefreelibrary.com
www.essortment.com

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

Pet Hair Removal 101: Shedding Your Pet's Hair From Your Home

Did you ever have one of those days that just start out all wrong? Your alarm doesn’t go off, you can’t get the kids out of bed, you spill your coffee in your briefcase, and then, as you’re rushing out the door thinking you might just make it to that important meeting on time after all—you notice the chic black power suit you wearing is covered in your Golden Retriever’s long blond hair?

Let’s face it, as much as we love our pets, it’s safe to say we don’t love the mess they can leave behind come shedding season. The fact is, most pets shed. Depending on the kind of pet you have, the battle to remove pet hair from your home can be never-ending. And anyone who has ever tried to clean up pet hair from their carpet, upholstery—and clothing—knows it's no simple task.

Sure, you could spend hundreds of dollars on expensive vacuums and shampooers that claim to get the job done. You could even spend thousands of dollars replacing ruined couches and carpets. At your wits end, you might even consider taking old Spot down to the groomer for that super deluxe package —or better, yet, trading him in for one of those hairless breeds…but then you take a deep breath because you know as frustrating as pet hair in your home is, pet hair removal can be a little less painful if you remember these simple techniques…

1. Use a sponge mop. Start by vacuuming the carpet, and then lightly spray the sponge mop with water. Gently move the mop across the carpet to remove the hair from the carpet fibers. (Hint: you can attach a damp cloth to a regular broom if you don’t have a mop). When you're done, the pet hair should clump allowing you to either pick it up by hand, or vacuum it away.

2. Use fabric softener. The compounds in fabric softener soften and loosen the pet hair, allowing for easier removal. Begin by mixing one part fabric softener with three parts water in a spray bottle. Next, lightly mist the floor with the solution. Be sure you don't over saturate the carpet or fabric. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for the surface to dry, and vacuum.

3. Use baking soda. This method is a great way to also freshen and deodorize your room. To start, sprinkle the carpet or upholstery with a light coating of baking soda and let sit for a few minutes. Next simply vacuum the baking soda--and the pet hair--off of the surface.

Troubleshooting Tips
1. Use a squeegee to pull up the pet hair to the surface and make it easier to vacuum away.

2. Rub an inflated balloon along the carpet or fabric and let static pull the hair to the surface.

3. If all else fails, call on the services of Grime Solvers for regular cleaning that can help stop pet hair from building up.

Source
www.howtocleanstuff.net

Part 2 of Indoor Allergies

In the last blog we talked about winter/indoor allergies. Indoor allergies are caused by several sources. Regular cleaning provided by Grime Solvers can help reduce allergies and improve your air quality and comfort in your home.

Controlling Dust Mites

Dust mites allergens are a major contributor to asthma and allergy symptoms. They can be found throughout the house, but thrive in bedding and furniture. Here is how regular cleaning can help reduce dust mites.

Bedding should be washed weekly in hot water (130° F) and dried in a hot dryer. Encase your pillows, mattress, and box spring you can buy zippered allergen-proof covers. Regularly washing allergen-proof covers can help control dust mites.


Vacuum and Dust Regularly

We can help you keep dust mites to a minimum by dusting and vacuuming at least once a week. Use a vacuum with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate) filter. A damp mop should be used on wood or linoleum flooring to help collect dust. If you have ceiling fans, they should be cleaned thoroughly at least once a week and furniture should vacuumed regularly especially if you have pets.

In extreme situations, you may want to consider removing the wall-to-wall carpeting in your home and replace it with wood floors and throw rugs that can be regularly washed or dry-cleaned.

Hiring Grime Solvers to frequently and thoroughly clean your home can help reduce the affect of allergens and save you time, ultimately helping to improve your health and comfort.

Cleaning Stainless Steel

Stainless steel appliances are a beautiful addition to any kitchen. They can also help increase your home’s value but it’s important to maintain them. Stainless steel is generally easy to care for. However, there are certain precautions that should be taken when cleaning these appliances particularly to make sure that you don’t scratch the surface.

Here are a few simple steps to keep your stainless steel looking clean and new

1. Cleaning with plain water

For everyday cleaning needs use warm water and a cloth. This is the least risky option for cleaning stainless steel. Dry it with a towel or cloth to prevent water spots and don’t forget to wipe in the direction of the polish lines.

2. Adding a mild detergent, (dish washing liquid)

You can add a mild detergent to water for slightly tougher cleaning jobs. Always rinse it thoroughly with warm water to prevent staining and spotting and then dry surfaces with a towel to prevent water spots.

3. Using glass cleaner to remove fingerprints

Fingerprints can be removed with glass cleaner or household ammonia. Some newer types of finishes resist fingerprints. Rinse thoroughly and towel dry.

4. Using stainless steel cleaner

If your appliances suffer from some mild staining or scratching, or they just lack sparkle and shine, a stainless steel cleaner may be a good option. Cleaners made for stainless steel are perfect for minimize scratching and removing stains. They also can polish stainless steel surfaces back to their original shine. Each cleaner has its own directions but it’s important to rinse thoroughly to remove the remnants of the polish.

5. Green Options

If you don’t want to use chemicals try some of the items listed below for those pesky fingerprints and smudges. Apply any of the items below to a lint-free cloth and wipe down your surface. Follow up with a clean dry cloth to bring appliances to a mark-free shine.

Olive Oil (just a dab)
Mineral Oil (Baby Oil)–Just a dab
Club Soda (especially good for removing streaks and heat stains)
Rubbing Alcohol
Vinegar

Take just a few minutes each day to keep your stainless steel appliances looking like new.

Sources: http://housekeeping.about.com/
http://www.howtocleanstuff.net
http://tipnut.com

Taking Care of Carpet

One of the biggest determinants of whether your house looks clean is your carpet. Even if a house is kept sparkling clean; a dull, dingy carpet will make it feel dirty. Keeping your home looking great involves keeping your carpet looking great too. Proper care of your floor prevents damage, extends its life and keeps it looking new for years.

A good way to keep carpets cleaner is to keep outside dirt from getting in. Encourage everyone to leave their shoes at the door. Why remove your shoes? Take a closer look at the bottoms of those shoes and you'll find oil, dirt and who knows what else.

Vacuuming regularly also helps to extend the life and look of your carpet. Vacuuming on a regular basis helps keep the everyday dirt from building up in your carpet and since carpet wear is more from everyday use not from stains this can make a big difference. It can also help with allergies and asthma by picking up dust mites and other allergens that live in your carpet.

You can also rent a hot water “steam” cleaner to refresh your carpet by deep cleaning the ground in dirt out. If you’re worried about chemicals in your carpets, just run them with clean water; they’ll still get out most of the dirt.

If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on cleaners, or if you want to take the green friendly route, there are several household products that work great to get out stains. If you have a greasy stain, try putting baking soda on the stain and letting it sit for several hours. This should soak up the stain and you can just vacuum away the excess particles. If a stain requires more scrubbing, you can mix 1 part vinegar with 2 parts water and scrub. Just remember to clean it out well so you’re not left with the smell.

Stains can also reappear if you don’t get the pad of the carpet clean enough. To get out the deep down dirt, use lots of water when cleaning. Then, put a large amount of paper towels and a heavy object of the stain and let it set overnight. This will suck up any leftover dirty water that may have stayed in the carpet.

Before you try cleaning a carper on your own, please follow the proper cleaning instructions provided by the carpet manufacturer. Carpets made of natural fibers, such as wool or that are made with the need for special care from a professional. If you’re not sure if you should clean your carper on your own, contact a professional carpet cleaner.

Cleaning Windows

At Grime Solvers, we clean a lot of windows for both business and residences. Clean enough windows and eventually you find tips that can make the job go faster.

Is there a best time to clean windows? This answer might surprise you but a cloudy day is the best time to clean windows. Sun actually makes cleaner dry too quickly. This could leave streaks behind because the cleaner dries before it can be removed.

What’s the best place to start inside or out? Start with the outside windows. This way when you get inside to clean you can see the streaks you are leaving behind. You can’t see the steaks when you are looking from the outside in due to the dark rooms and reflections on the window.

What is the best window cleaning technique? Spray cleaner on the glass until the window is evenly covered but not dripping. With a clean lint-free cloth, an old pillowcase also works well, wipe horizontally. Repeat on the outer side of the window, but this time wipe vertically. Wiping in different directions allows the streaks to be seen more easily.

Consider the whole picture – think about cleaning drapes and blinds as well as windows and window frames all at once. It might be painful to do it all at once but you’ll thank yourself later.

Remember if you are simply tired of cleaning your own windows let the professionals at Grime Solvers take over. Grime Solvers, it’s the next best thing to doing it yourself.

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