Did you know there are a couple of cleaning tasks that you can tackle once a year? From cleaning behind appliances to washing your carpets, here are eight yearly cleaning tasks you need to address once a year to achieve a truly clean home!
How To Clean Shower Door Tracks The DIY Way!
Shower door tracks are easy to overlook when doing your weekly cleaning duties. However, when they go uncleaned for too long, they can gather huge amounts of grime—even mold!
Cleaning all the gunk may seem disgusting and hard at first. The good news is that we’ve prepared four effective DIY methods to restore your shower door tracks to their former glory without a problem.
Before you start cleaning
As shower door tracks are narrow, you’re going to need to be prepared if you want to clean them effectively. Regular cleaning tools might not cut it. Instead, snag a toothbrush or a small brush. Also, attach a cloth to a small plastic knife or spatula for wiping and drying purposes.
How to remove grime from your shower door tracks
Shower door tracks can collect all kinds of dirt, which can get more and more stuck over time. So feel free to try as many of the following effective methods as you like to bring those tracks back to life.
Method #1. White vinegar mix
Is that persistent limescale causing trouble in your door tracks? White vinegar’s acidity is your secret weapon! Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle.
Spritz the solution onto the tracks and let it chill for at least ten minutes. Scrub away with a small brush or toothbrush, then wipe down the tracks using a damp microfiber cloth attached to a small kitchen knife or another handy tool.
Method #2. Baking soda paste
Baking soda comes to the rescue for tough grime in your shower tracks. Besides, if your shower tracks have developed a musty odor, baking soda will get rid of it!
Whip up a paste with four parts baking soda and one part water, then spread it over the tracks using a small plastic knife or spatula. Let it act for about 15 minutes, then scrub the area with your small brush and eliminate remnants with a microfiber cloth.
Finally, wash away the evidence with a damp cloth—double-check for lingering grime and repeat the steps if needed.
Method #3. Lemon and salt combo
Due to its high acidity, lemon is a natural enemy of mold and mildew. Add a sprinkle of salt, and you’ve got a dynamic duo for battling grime. To begin, take a big lemon wedge, dip it in salt, and scrub it along the shower door tracks.
Let the lemon juice work its magic for at least 30 minutes. Finally, grab a damp microfiber cloth and wipe away any remaining salt or juice.
Method #4. Hydrogen peroxide solution
Hydrogen peroxide might not be as effective to remove the grime as the previous methods—still an effective option. However, it has the bonus of not only breaking down stains but also disinfecting shower door tracks.
In a spray bottle, mix one cup of hydrogen peroxide with a few squirts of dish soap. Shake it up, spritz it onto the tracks, and let it sit for a minimum of five minutes. Scrub with your small brush or toothbrush, and rinse away the remnants using a damp microfiber cloth.
Pro tip: Stick to 3% hydrogen peroxide for best results!
Learn more cleaning tips from the professionals!
Leaving your shower door tracks pristine is not the only task you can do this easily. From dust-proofing your bedroom to cleaning your upholstery, take on the whole house with expert tips from Shine Bright Cleaning Services and finish in a breeze. Check out our blog now!
Moving Out? 6 Cleaning Tips To Recover Your Deposit!
Switching to a new home is an exciting thing to do, but you’ve got a bunch of stuff on your mind: the move itself, plus the cleaning up before you bail. If you decide to handle the move-out cleaning solo, it can be a puzzle trying to figure out what you should have on your radar. These six tips will help you keep in mind what to consider when cleaning your old place!
6 Simple Tips To Keep Your Room Dust-free
A dusty bedroom can defeat the purpose of being a place to unwind and relax, as a dirty space can generate stress or become a breeding ground for allergies. The good news is that you can prevent dust in your bedroom with these six easy-to-follow tips. Let’s dive in!
Tip #1. Upgrade your bedding
When speaking of dust in your bedroom, your choice of fabrics can make or break the dust game. If you want to keep dust away from your bed as much as possible, opt for hypoallergenic pillow covers and mattress protectors for repelling dust mites and allergens.
You can add an extra layer of prevention if you go for those tightly woven cotton or microfiber sheets and pillowcases—they don’t trap dust like some of those natural fibers do! With the right bedding, dust won’t settle as much as before.
Tip #2. Launder bedding and curtains often
Sheets, pillowcases, and comforters tend to accumulate dust mites and skin flakes over time. So, make it a habit to wash your bedding and curtains with hot water (over 130° F) every one or two weeks, depending on how dusty your bedroom gets.
Oh, and don’t forget about your curtains! If you can’t machine wash them, you can get them dry-cleaned regularly as a way to deter dust. Keeping your fabric surfaces clean goes a long way in keeping dust at bay and making your indoor air quality healthier.
Tip #3: Clean the outside for dustless indoors
Believe it or not, what’s happening outside your bedroom can impact its cleanliness. Take a moment to safeguard your outdoor spaces, like balconies and entrances, from dust and dirt’s clutches—don’t give them a chance to get near your bedroom!
The same goes for window sills and door thresholds. A quick sweep every now and then will do wonders in keeping dust from infiltrating your sanctuary.
Tip #4. Seal the entry points for dust
Outdoor air brings along dust particles that can settle indoors, so keep those windows and doors locked up tight as much as you can! If you want to go the extra mile, use weatherstripping to seal up any gaps around doors and windows that dust could sneak through.
Granted, you may sometimes need to open your windows so fresh air runs through your room—especially on hot days. To survive the heat and keep away dust, pop in some window screens to help filter out unwanted particles.
Tip #5. Dust and vacuum frequently
Dusting and vacuuming will always be the MVPs of a dust-free zone. Ensure to use a microfiber cloth or an electrostatic duster to capture those particles instead of spreading them around. Also, keep an eye on spots like baseboards, ceiling corners, and light fixtures!
Vacuum at least once a week, paying special attention to areas near windows and doors. It’s crucial you don’t forget to empty the vacuum dustbin or swap out the bag regularly. Doing so prevents dust from making a comeback in the air.
Tip #6. Declutter for dust-free bliss
The less clutter is in your room, the less chance dust has to hide and settle. Cut down on the clutter and keep your decor simple to minimize dust buildup. It is not about leaving your shelves bare but about only keeping what you use regularly.
Avoid just tossing things into the closet, as you’ll only transfer the clutter to another place. It is best if you keep your stuff neatly organized in cabinets and drawers!
Keep the dust away in other areas of your home, too!
If you love the dust-free vibes in your bedroom, imagine how good your whole house will look, too! Shine Bright Cleaning Services has tons of tips and tricks to keep your entire in tip-top shape. Discover more in our blog!
8 Stubborn Stains And The Best Way To Eliminate Them
Wouldn’t it be great if every stain you face surrendered to the gentle touch of water and soap? Unfortunately, reality often serves up a stubborn array of stains that can be a real headache. But fret not; you’re about to uncover some ingenious ways to conquer eight of the most tricky stains that you can encounter daily!
How To Clean Soiled Hardwood Floors Without Hurting The Finish
Hardwood floors can really give your home that special touch, but they demand extra care to stay in top condition. You’ll need an even more careful touch to handle these delicate surfaces, especially when dealing with stubborn stains.
Luckily, there are some fantastic ways to effectively rescue your stained hardwood floors while letting you be gentle. Here, you’ll discover the best options to do it!
To sand or not to sand your hardwood floors?
In most cases, sanding is the only way to erase those deep-seated blemishes on your wooden floors. Although it works, too much sanding (or doing it too frequently) can harm the finish and even ruin the wood.
Due to the potential damage this could cause on your floors, we recommend you try a gentler method (listed below). However, if you still think it’s worth the risk, check out this sanding and refinishing guide.
How to clean hardwood with vinegar: The gentle option
If you’d rather not risk sanding, there’s a more traditional, practical, and less expensive route—especially for stains that aren’t that deep. Almost as effective as sanding but with fewer chances of harming your floor, white vinegar will be your best ally for those stubborn stains!
Without further ado, let’s jump right into this useful DIY method.
Step #1. Make your DIY cleaning solution
Mix ½ cup of white vinegar with two cups of warm water in a spray bottle, as undiluted vinegar can be a bit too fierce for your wooden floors.
Step #2. Apply the cleaning mix
Many people’s first impulse may be to drench the stain—as it works with other stained surfaces. However, too much vinegar can damage the finish, and too much liquid could make the wood swell.
So, give the stained area a gentle spray until it’s just wet enough to dampen the dirty spot, and leave it to sit for five minutes.
Step #3. Scrub away the dirt
After five minutes, lightly scrub the stain with the soft side of a kitchen sponge until it disappears. If not coming out, use the rough side of the sponge.
Once done, wipe away the dirty residue with a damp cloth.
Step #4. Let the area dry properly
Moisture is not good for wood surfaces because it can make them twist and swell. So, ensure proper ventilation or use fans to dry the area completely. However, don’t let the vinegar solution sit too long; scrub and wipe promptly. Lingering vinegar can also harm your floor’s finish.
Note: Repeat steps 2 through 4 for the remaining stained spots.
What about store-bought cleaners?
If you prefer to try one of those specialized cleaners, are not too concerned about stronger chemicals, or don’t mind a quick shopping trip, store-bought cleaners are also a good option.
However, be careful and read the label before trying any cleaner to check if it suits your floor type. It doesn’t hurt to take even more precautions to avoid damage, so always follow the instructions and do a spot test!
Note: We still recommend giving white vinegar a shot. It’s budget-friendly and gentle on your floors.
Pro-tip: Remove spills immediately
If you don’t want to keep struggling with deeply ingrained stains in the future, here’s the secret to stain-free hardwood floors: tackle spills and grime ASAP! Doing so prevents stains and moisture from digging in too deep and keeps grime from hardening.
Let Shine Bright Cleaning Services keep your floors gleaming!
If you desire shining hardwood floors without the hassle, you can’t be cleaning stains again and again. Regular cleaning is the key—especially for hardwood floors. But if the chore list seems endless, Shine Bright Cleaning Services is here to help you maintain those pristine floors.
Request a quote today, and let’s keep your hardwoods looking their best!