Category: Cleaning

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Cleaning

How to clean grout

If you have tiled walls or floors, you will have grout lines across the surface. Grout keeps tiles in place and fills in the gap between every individual piece. Grouting is made from a porous material; so dirt, mould and stains can sink into the lines. These stains make your floor or wall look dirty even after you clean the surfaces well. Tiles are baked and have a glass-like surface that’s easier to clean, so people don’t spend much time trying to clean them.

Grout requires special attention to appear clean, and ordinary floor cleaners just won’t work. You need to put in some time and effort if you want your grouting to appear clean and unstained. Thankfully, the process isn’t that complicated, and you can use homemade natural materials available in your home to clean grout. Grout cleaning is one of the most overlooked services when it comes to house cleaning.

A before and after shot of a tiled bathroom / Source: Dolphin Blue Mackay

What kind of materials do you need to grout clean?

  1. Gloves
  2. A bucket of water
  3. Baking soda
  4. Vinegar
  5. Scrubbing brush (or another grout cleaning tool, like a toothbrush)
  6. A floor-cleaning mop
  7. Tile cleaning agent

You can also use bleach or hydrogen peroxide along with baking soda if you want stronger cleaning solutions. You will require protective glasses and a breathing mask if you intend to work with these materials, as they can cause trouble with breathing and the fumes can smart your eyes.

The baking soda and vinegar method

Grout cleaning is relatively easy if you have the right tools and some time on your hands. You should mop the floor thoroughly before you begin, as that will make it easier to clean the grout. Here’s what you can do:

  1. Mix baking soda and some warm water to form a paste. You can use three parts of baking soda to one part of water to get the right consistency. Ensure you make this solution in small batches if you want to clean larger surface areas. This is because the mixture can lose its potency and effectiveness quickly.
  2. Mix a solution with equal parts of water and vinegar and pour it into a spray bottle. Shake the solution well to ensure ingredients mix properly.
  3. Apply the baking soda mixture to stained grout lines liberally with your finger. Make sure the soda is pressed into the grout lines and not just sitting on top of the surface. It’s a good idea to work in sections instead of trying to cover the entire floor or wall surface at once.
  4. Once the baking soda paste is applied, spray the vinegar solution on the lines. You should see the baking soda immediately start to bubble. This means that the soda is reacting to the dirt and debris present and has started to clean the grout lines. Wait until the solution stops to bubble before you move onto the next step. This shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.
  5. Once the solution stops bubbling, scrub the grout lines with a nylon bristled brush carefully. You can use a toothbrush or any grout-cleaning brushes available in your local hardware store. Don’t apply too much pressure as that will weaken the grout and remove any sealant applied to it.
  6. Once you’ve completed one action, repeat the process on the next section until the entire floor or wall surface is completely clean.
  7. Wipe away the baking soda, water, and vinegar residue with a damp cloth and mop the entire floor once again. Your grouting should be clean and white.
Most bathrooms and laundry’s will have grout that requires regular cleaning / Source: Sam Bathroom Renovations

How to clean grout in the shower with bleach

If your grout lines are deeply stained and require a more thorough cleaning, you should try using oxygenated bleach for the task.  This is the easiest and most effective way to clean grout without scrubbing. Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Combine two tablespoons of oxygenated bleach with two cups of warm water and mix well. Make this solution immediately before you intend to apply it on the ground as bleach won’t be as effective if you store it for too long.
  2. Bleach can leave a white cast on the tiles, so it’s a good idea to test it before you apply it to the entire floor or wall surface. Apply a small amount of it onto a less visible section of the surface to see if it causes any damage to the tiles and grout. If you don’t see a white cast, use the solution on the entire surface.
  3. Cover all the grout liberally with the bleach solution and allow it to sink into the material for a while. You can work in sections, especially if you need to clean a large surface area.
  4. Rub the bleach solution into the grout lines with the help of a toothbrush or a grout cleaning brush. Pay special attention to the corners. You shouldn’t apply too much pressure on the grout lines as that can strip away some of the seal and weaken the grout.
  5. If you still see stains, dip your brush in the bleach solution and scrub the grout lines gently once again. The stronger concentration of bleach will help remove the stubborn stains.
  6. After you’ve cleaned all of the grout, clean the floor thoroughly. You can’t allow the bleach to linger for too long as it will damage the tiles eventually. Wash the floor with clean water to remove all traces of bleach and wipe the surface dry.

How to clean floor tile grout with hydrogen peroxide

  1. Mix one tablespoon of dishwashing soap with ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide and ¾ cup of baking soda.
  2. Apply this paste directly to the grout lines with the help of an old toothbrush or a nylon bristled brush. Make sure you apply the paste evenly over the grout.
  3. Let the solution sit for around 15 to 20 minutes. You will see the chemical reaction between the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. It will clean the grout lines and eliminate all stains.
  4. After the solution has had time to complete its work, pour hot water on the floor and wipe it. This will remove all traces of the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda.

How often should you clean grout?

You should clean the grout in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry every day. This doesn’t have to be a thorough clean, but be sure to wipe the grout lines carefully when you wipe down the kitchen surfaces at the end of the day. This ensures that food particles don’t have time to settle into the grouting and stain it. Regular cleaning will also keep problems like mould and bacteria at bay.

You can do a thorough grout cleaning once a month or once every two months. Some people clean grout once or twice a year, which is acceptable if your surfaces are kept clean and the grout is sealed regularly. Always clean the grouting when it appears dirty or seems to have developed mould. If you keep delaying the task, the stains will sink in deeper and you will have to call in professionals to replace and reseal your grouting.

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Cleaning

5 reasons cleanliness can affect workplace productivity

The employees are the most important component of any company. Luckily, there are various ways to make a positive impact on your employees’ lives and boost their productivity. This includes maintaining a clean workplace. Mind you, 89% of Australians believe that a restroom’s condition indicates how a company values its workforce.

If you’re not convinced of the connection between cleanliness and productivity, read on.

1. Reduces overwhelm

A cluttered desk can make an employee feel overwhelmed with tasks even if they are ahead of schedule. On the other hand, a clean and organized desk allows an employee to feel that they are under control. As a result they are inspired get their work done.

That said, you can boost your employees’ productivity by encouraging them to clean their work desk. Here’s some ideas of ways to keep things tidy around the office:

  1. Make a “No Eating on Your Desk” policy
  2. Host a work desk decluttering hour
  3. Have designated waste bins and recycling bins
  4. Organize a “Clear Desk” challenge
  5. Go paperless!

Surprisingly, a clean and organized workspace can boost an employee’s mood, and it can affect his productivity in a profound way. So think of encouraging your employees to clean your desk as one way to make them contribute to your company’s success.

2. Drives determination

In a study conducted by Jeffrey Campbell, Ph.D., chair of facilities management program at Brigham Young University, it was revealed that cleanliness has a direct impact on a student’s ability to learn.

As for the case of employees, clutter can heighten their levels of stress. And when they are stressed, they are less likely to focus at work. They are not determined to do their jobs, which means that it can negatively affect their productivity. On the other hand, a clean workplace drives your employees’ determination to work.

Maid Sailors, an Office Cleaning Service NYC, says that ensuring the cleanliness of your office creates a positive first impression and improves employee morale and work ethic. And when your employees are determined, the more productive they can be.

3. Improves health

Cleanliness is connected to hygiene. Therefore, a clean workplace promotes good health among employees. That’s because you prevent germs and illnesses from propagating in the workplace.

According to a 2014 study, bacteria found in office doorknobs and tabletops spread to 40% – 60% of employees within 2 – 4 hours. This can lead to employees getting sick often and an increase in absenteeism, and this could be detrimental to the company. That’s because it can also affect the company’s bottom line.

Here’s the thing: An absent employee cannot fulfil his work. More so if he needs to meet a deadline.

Absenteeism can impede an employee’s ability to complete projects, which can ripple to other people in the department. The rest will be unable to begin their work because the project is still incomplete somewhere along the line.

4. Maintains focus

Pixie, an iPhone location app, released a survey revealing that a person spends an average of 5 minutes and 20 seconds looking for misplaced items. And if you think that this is just a simple matter, think again.

A lot of opportunities were missed, and money was spent because of lost items:

  • 60% of the respondents got late for work and school
  • 49% have missed an appointment or meeting
  • 22% missed their plane, bus, or train
  • 67% spend about $50 per year to buy replacements

On the other hand, an organized work area allows an employee to reach the tools that he needs to use with ease. Thus, it helps maintain his focus at work. This can result in an increase in productivity.

5. Maximizes work time

We have already established that clutter is a major productivity killer. That’s because it causes distraction to you and to other people in the office.

That said, it is important to keep your desk clean and clutter-free to maintain your focus. Doing so will also prevent you from rummaging through your belongings just to get things done.

Remember, a person spends an average of 5 minutes looking for lost items. When your desk is organized, you get to save these precious minutes and spend it on fulfilling your task instead. This allows for better results to take place.

As Shawn Mike, a web developer and copywriter puts it, “When your working area is organized, less time will be spent on hunting for a crucial document and more time will be spent on performing the tasks that matter.”

Wrap up

Having a clean and hygienic workplace is one way to make a positive impact on the productivity, health, safety, and satisfaction of your employees.

For one, it prevents them from getting overwhelmed with the tasks that they need to do. This can drive their determination to tackle their work and get things done.

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Cleaning

How to clean your oven

All kitchen appliances need cleaning and regular maintenance in order to function properly. An oven is no exception to this rule. In fact, you might need to clean your oven more often than you clean your refrigerator or other kitchen appliance if you use it regularly. Oven cleaning might seem like an arduous and time-consuming task, but if you have the right technique and the right tools, you can get it done. Though, it’s still advisable to hire a professional cleaner to perform a deep clean every once in a while.

DIY oven cleaning does not have to be complicated. You can use natural cleaning agents available in your kitchen to get the job done. Oven cleaning just requires time, effort, and the right tools.

Source: Shutterstock

What do you need?

  • A pair of rubber gloves to protect your hands
  • Warm water
  • Baking soda (enough to make a paste)
  • White vinegar
  • Spray bottle
  • A brush
  • Dishwashing liquid for the racks
  • Damp dishcloth to wipe down surfaces
  • Scraper (to remove carbon)

How to clean an oven: self-cleaning ovens

Self-cleaning ovens are easy to clean and maintain. Here is what you need to do:

  1. Lock the oven door securely and turn on the “self-clean” setting on your oven. The oven will self-clean for around 2 to 6 hours, depending on the configuration and model of the appliance. During this time, the intense heat in the oven will turn grease, food particles, and other debris into ash. Once it’s completed, let the appliance cool for 2 hours.
  2. Open the door after the oven is cool and sweep out the collected ash with the help of a brush and dustpan. You can wipe down any lingering ash with a damp dishcloth to ensure the oven’s interior is completely clean.
  3. Use a combination of vinegar and water, or an ordinary kitchen cleaning solution, to clean the oven door. Spray the solution on the door and gently scrub away any lingering debris until the door glass and the surrounding rim is completely free of stains.
  4. Remove the oven racks and wash them with dishwashing liquid and warm water. Any lingering traces of ash and food particles will come off easily at this stage. Allow the racks to air dry before you place them back in the oven.

How to clean an oven: regular ovens

Self-cleaning ovens are convenient, but not everyone has one. Ordinary ovens require a little more time and effort to clean, but you can carry out this task with the household products listed at the start. Here is what you need to do:

  1. Remove all racks from the oven before you begin the cleaning process. Place these racks in a kitchen sink full of warm water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. This will loosen the grease, burnt food particles, and other debris. Proceed with the next step while the racks soak in the water.
  2. For mildly dirty ovens, mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 litre of water in a spray bottle. Spray this solution generously into a cold oven until it soaks all the charred and carbon-coated areas on the inside. You need to allow the solution to soak into and loosen the burnt debris for at least an hour before you take the next step.
  3. If the charred areas are too stiff and need something stronger to come loose, you can mix more baking soda with water to form a paste. Spread this paste evenly on all the charred areas and allow the solution to soak into the debris. After an hour you can scratch the area gently with the scraper to see if the debris is loose.
  4. If the carbon comes off easily, you can use the scraper to gently remove all of the soaked and lingering carbon. Be sure to spray the area with the remaining baking soda solution to aid this process.
  5. Once you have removed the most stubborn stains and wiped away the debris, spray the oven with the baking soda and water solution once again and allow it to soak for another hour. After the hour has passed, use a brush or a scrubber to remove the lingering traces of carbon. This will ensure your oven is free of all accumulated carbon and burnt food particles.
  6. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a bowl and dip a cleaning rag into it. Use the wet rag to wipe the interior of your oven and remove all traces of baking soda, oils, grease, etc. This should eliminate all traces of dirt and debris from your oven. You should use the same solution to clean the oven door as well.
  7. The final step is to clean the soaking oven racks. The hours of soaking will have loosened all of the burnt food particles, allowing you to easily scrub them clean. Use a combination of water and dishwashing liquid to clean the racks and let them air dry for a while. Once the racks are dry, place them in the oven.
Source: Shutterstock

How to clean an oven: textured ovens

Textured ovens are also self-cleaning and are designed to burn off all debris over time. The interiors are coated with a special ceramic layer that burns and removes all the debris as you continue to use your oven. You do not need to do much to clean these ovens. Wipe the interior surface with a damp cloth when your oven is cool. Do not use any abrasive cleaning solutions as they will damage the textured finish.

You will still have to clean the oven racks regularly. You can use the same combination of dishwashing liquid and water to remove the grease and food particles. Soak the racks in warm water and dishwashing liquid for a few hours to loosen all the dirt and scrub the surface clean gently. Once you have removed all collected carbon, wipe the rack down and let it air dry before you place it back in the oven.

How often should you clean the oven?

You should perform surface cleaning every time you intend to use the oven. Bacteria and germs can develop at the slightest incentive, especially in the warm dark environment inside the oven. If you do not clean the trays and grills before or after every use, you can place your health at risk. You can use water and some mild dishwashing liquid for everyday surface cleaning.

If you do not have the time or the inclination to clean your oven before or after every use, we recommend you schedule a weekly or bi-weekly cleaning. This will ensure your oven stays hygienic and is easier to clean over time. If you allow the grease, debris, and food particles to remain for too long, you will have to work harder to clean the oven. Regular cleaning minimizes the effort required to get the job done.

Categories
Cleaning

How to get rid of cockroaches

It’s unlikely that anyone will ever be pleased to see a cockroach cross the floor of their kitchen. The negative emotions we have with these creatures make us think that all cockroaches are so disgusting some of us even freak out.  While it’s true that of the 4000 cockroach species in the world, about 450 species can be found in Australia, only a few of them are actual pests.

They have a lifespan of 6 months and the female lays up to 8 oothecae, each containing about 40 eggs that incubate between 20 and 28 days. They have a flattened body and their colour is yellow to black, and sometimes brown. Its size varies from 1 to 5 cm according to the species.

If you find yourself with some of these unwelcome guests, you can attempt to rid your home yourself – or hire a professional pest control expert.

Here’s a rundown of the 3 common types of cockroaches that you might find in your house:

The Australian cockroach

Ever heard of the word sneaky? These cockroaches are the definition of sneaky – they generally enter buildings at night through the garden and found mostly in places where winter is relatively mild. Although they are called ‘Australian’ cockroaches, they are not a native species. Females of this species lay oothecae – egg cases that contain up to 24 eggs. Once hatched, it takes about 6-12 months for them to develop into adult cockroaches.

The German cockroach

The German cockroach, ‘Blattella germanica’, is a small species of cockroach typically measuring just 1 to 2 cm long. It’s found in many parts of the world, including Australia, mostly near human habitation. Its colour varies from bronze to light brown with two dark parallel streaks that extend from the head to the base of the wings – which are longer in the female than in the male. They prefer hot, humid environments – often found in residential and commercial kitchens and bathrooms.

The American cockroach

Originally from tropical Africa, the American cockroach has spread to all continents today. It is found, in general, in basements, sewage systems, and boats. As it consumes a wide variety of foods it is present wherever food is stored and prepared. It prefers relatively hot, humid, dark, and hidden places such as cellars or boiler rooms.

What do they feed on?

Cockroaches are omnivorous which means for them, everything is food, even paper, tissue, blood and faeces! In a more traditional way, they enjoy meat, dairy products, sweet foods, vegetables, fruits, and even animal feed. But they are not content simply munching on our food, they defile it with their excrement and a nauseating secretion. Finally, the cockroach is able to feed on the excrement and the corpses of its congeners. Delicious.

What attracts cockroaches?

Cockroaches are lovers of heat and humidity, requiring water to survive, and will find their way in no matter what. The hotter it is the more easily they reproduce around several thousand per year per individual. Don’t underestimate them! They can easily adapt to extreme conditions – remember that this is one of the oldest terrestrial species. They can hide anywhere and feed on everything, even paper, and leather. They are very fast, they can travel 1 km/hour and can climb on all surfaces. Food also attracts them, so be sure to keep your kitchen free of any easily accessible food.

How to get rid of cockroaches?

Mostly only active at night – it can be difficult to catch them out. However, this of course doesn’t mean they’re impossible to get rid of. There are many ways of ridding your home of cockroaches, here are some of the most tried and tested methods.

Note: Cockroaches are good actors – they so plausibly pretend to be dead, having smelled the smell of chemicals, it is hard to not applaud their performance!

A fight against cockroaches should begin with making their environment inhabitable. Here is what you should do in order to avoid these pesky visitors:

  • Regularly clean the kitchen, especially appliances and the kitchen hood, which can be clogged with grease splashes
  • Never leave dirty dishes lying around
  • Fight moisture and mould. Cockroaches need water and love hot, humid places
  • Keep surfaces clear of all food, water, and other spilled substances.
  • Have pets? Avoid leaving their food and water uncovered at night – and keep their baskets and litters as clear as possible as these can easily turn into a real “cockroach nest”

If you’ve already spotted some roaches in your home, here are some methods to try and rid your home:

1. Cockroach Bait

There are a couple of methods of baiting roaches. Firstly, try mixing boric acid with mashed potatoes, boiled yolk, sugar powder or even bread. Put this mixture where you suspect cockroaches come out at night. A few of them eating the mixture is all it takes to infest most of the colony. Otherwise, you can try a bait purchased from stores. These contain .05% or Hydramethylnon 2% as the main ingredient.

Once they eat the bait, cockroaches will excrete it at their nest resulting in other cockroaches coming into contact with it and dying. This might be a lengthy process, taking up to a few weeks.

2. Cockroach Traps

Cockroaches might be sneaky but they are not exactly the smartest creatures – traps can be an effective method of fighting against them. It can also be used to determine infestation areas and degree of the infestation, monitor the effectiveness of insecticide treatments and detect the onset of cockroach infestation. Several types of traps are available, with most around the size of a large box of matches. They are open at both ends and slowly release a food attractant – with the surface covered with a very sticky adhesive.

  • Traps are placed where cockroaches are seen the most
  • Cockroaches will smell the food, enter the trap and get stuck on the surface
  • If the trap doesn’t catch any cockroaches, relocate it after a day
  • Traps can also be informative in terms of the degree of infestation and its spread

3. Cockroach Gels

This method is popular because the application is discreet, does not require work interruption or evacuation of premises, no specific precautions such as emptying the cabinets.

  • Apply the gel where you think cockroaches’ nest entrance is at
  • Apply in small drops around the entrance so that the cockroaches can’t avoid it
  • Do it in as many spots as you can in your home

After having consumed the gel, the excrements of the cockroach are infested and ingested by its congeners. The contaminated cockroach dies quickly and will be devoured by its congeners infecting the active substance, creating a chain reaction, which will quickly lead to the total destruction of the colony.

The gel has a residual action of a few weeks to 6 months depending on the type of gel used and the environment, thus providing protection against possible reinfections.

4. Cockroach Sprays

Insecticide sprays can also be used against cockroaches. Make sure the one you get is labelled for use against cockroaches and contains Cyfluthrin or some other insecticide as the active ingredient.

  • Children and pets should be kept away while spraying
  • Read and follow the instructions on the packaging
  • Ventilate the area well after each use
  • Sprays might push cockroaches even further in their nests which might create additional issues

If you are still struggling with cockroach infestation, you should find a professional pest control service and solve the issue for once and all.