Monthly Archives: November 2011

How to Clean Lamp Shades

It won’t be long before those 24-hour marathons of the holiday classic A Christmas Story begin running on TV. If you are lucky enough to be like “Old Man” in the movie, and win a “major prize”  such as a leg lamp, (you know–the kind that are shaped like a women’s leg wearing fishnet stockings) at some point you are going to wonder how to clean your piece of art.

Lamp shades are notoriously tricky to clean. Anything wet or damp can ruin them. It is better to dry dust them regularly; maintenance is key.

Tip: Gently whisk away the dust with a clean paint brush. Reserve it for use on lamp shades only.

So there you have it, a tip to maintain your pride and joy. We triple dog dare you not to try it out. Have a safe holiday season and try not to shoot your eye out!

Bonus tip: Did you know that tickets for A Christmas Story The Musical at The Chicago Theatre are now on sale?

Now it’s your turn. Do you have any works of art that you don’t know how to clean? Or perhaps you have some tips of your own to share. Please leave a comment below.

To schedule a cleaning with Maid in Chicago or for a FREE quote, give us a call at (312) 829-9600. You can also visit our website maidinchicago.us and fill out our online form.

Three Tips to Avoid TV Tip-overs in Your Home

The Chicago Tribune ran a good article about home safety titled TV tip-overs: Advocates call for the use of straps to prevent child deaths and injuries. Parents with small children especially should heed their advice.

Three Tips to Avoid TV Tip-overs in Your Home

  • Place TVs on sturdy furniture that is low and wide. Think media consoles (such as the one above), not tall dressers. Situate the TVs to the back of the stand, close to the wall.
  • Secure TVs to the stand or the wall with nylon straps.
  • The safest method is to use a mounting kit and bolt TVs directly to the wall.

What kinds of safety issues have you resolved in your home? Please share your tip in the comments below. We would love to hear from you.

To schedule a cleaning with Maid in Chicago or for a FREE quote, give us a call at (312) 829-9600. You can also visit our website maidinchicago.us and fill out our online form.

Time to Rotate Your Seasonal Clothing

As part of your autumn “to do list” around your home, rotate your warm-weather clothing with your cool-weather clothing. At our condo we keep seasonal clothing we are not using inside clear plastic bins in our storage locker in the basement. Our polo shirts and other summer wear get swapped out with sweaters, gloves, mittens, and scarves.

Plastic bins are an inexpensive, smart way for city dwellers to stay organized. They save valuable closet space, which enables you to more easily access your in-season clothing. They also protect your out-of-season clothes from moisture. Plastic bins are available at Target, The Container Store, and many other retailers.

Now it’s your turn. Do you rotate your seasonal clothing? Do you have any great tips for organizing closets or your clothing? Please leave a comment below.

To schedule a cleaning with Maid in Chicago or for a FREE quote, give us a call at (312) 829-9600. You can also visit our website maidinchicago.us and fill out our online form.