Category Archives: how to

How to Clean Moldy Caulking

Lately we’ve been discussing how to clean and maintain marble surfaces and grout. (“Don’t Take it for Granite. How to Avoid Damaging Fine Stone Surfaces.” “How to Clean Marble Grout”, and “Top 5 Tips to Prevent Mold in Showers“)

Mold is clearly a concern that surfaces. In fact, Dan Lundstedt from Sir Grout cites mold as the number one reason people call his company. He  offered us some more tips, this time how to clean moldy caulking. His tips apply for caulking in any bathroom, whether there is marble or not.

Photos of Hotel Center 1, Rome
Photo above by TripAdvisor.com

Dan: Make a mild bleach solution by mixing one part bleach to five or more parts water. Wet a soft cleaning cloth with the solution and wipe the caulking. Let it set for a few minutes after application, then rinse.

Unfortunately moldy caulking turns into an uphill battle. Once mold forms on caulking it will generally keep reappearing until the caulking is replaced.  The more you clean it the more it gets compromised, and it is more susceptible to mold.

Never scrub caulking because it will break the seal, which may lead to water damage. Moldy caulking that will not come clean may need to be replaced. Caulking does break down over time and typically should be replaced every two years.

Maid in Chicago: The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends cleaning mold with a bleach solution of no more than a cup of bleach to a gallon of water. This is the equivalent of filling a 32 fl.oz spray bottle with water and 2 oz. of bleach.

Caulking is a do-it-yourself project many home owners can tackle themselves. However, if you would prefer to have a professional handle it, contact Dan at Sir Grout:

Dan Lundstedt
Owner – Sir Grout and Tile Care
work: (847) 597-8171
cell: (847) 909-4479
e-mail: dan@sirgrout.com
sirgrout.com

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.

How to Clean Marble Grout

This is a follow-up to our post “Don’t Take it for Granite. How to Avoid Damaging Fine Stone Surfaces.” I turned to no other than Dan Lundstedt, two-time winner of Sir Grouts’ “Top Franchise Award” (2009, 2010) for some professional advice on how to clean marble grout. Dan is a franchise owner of Sir Grout, an industry leader in grout and tile care.

Maid in Chicago:
What is grout and why is it so tricky to clean?

Dan: Grout is the porous material between tiles. In a shower, grout can absorb mineral deposits, soaps, etc. causing discoloration over time. Prolonged exposure to moisture also causes mold to form in the grout lines, which can be a difficult problem to remedy.

In floor tiles dirt often collects because the grout lines are lower
than the rest of the floor. When floors are mopped, this is where all of the dirty water pools. It is then absorbed by this porous surface leaving unsightly grout lines.


(“before” photo by Sir Grout)


(“after” photo by Sir Grout)

Maid in Chicago:
Maintenance is key to avoid discoloration and staining of grout. What type of cleaner do you recommend?

Dan: Stone should be maintained with a PH-neutral maintenance cleaning solution. Sir Grout’s brand (which you can purchase from me!) is formulated to work on all natural stone, grout, tile, and counter tops.  It is also soapless to prevent residual soap scum, and contains surfactants to help keep the surfaces cleaner longer between cleanings.

To clean shower tiles, wet a cleaning cloth with cleaning solution and wipe the surface. If you are fighting mold and discoloration, a soft toothbrush can be used, but don’t scrub the caulking since that will break the seal and cause more issues and possible water damage.

For marble floors I recommend using a microfiber mop rather than a sponge mop or string mop. Microfibers trap the dirt and prevent it from accumulating in the grout. Alternatively you can wrap a towel around a mop stick, or simply wipe the floors by hand with a towel.

Maid in Chicago:
When is it time to call a professional to clean the grout?

Dan: I like to use an analogy that stained grout is like a dirty sponge. It can be an uphill battle cleaning it because the cleaner tends to work on the surface area dirt. Customers sometimes tell me that after they have cleaned the grout it can appear dirty again after only a few weeks or months. This is due to the grout being more porous after being scrubbed and cleaned with chemicals. When it is poorly stained it is better to call a professional.

We have a process of steam cleaning the grout. Sir Grout steam cleans all grout lines to kill the mold and mildew, then replaces any grout if necessary. Once the grout surface is clean, we seal it with the company’s proprietary color sealant. These tinted sealants are stain, water, mold, and mildew resistant. They restore the original color and keep water from penetrating into the surface of the grout. This prevents future discoloration, leaks, and water damage.

Also, if you see grout cracking or falling out, it is definitely time to have a professional take a look at it.

Maid in Chicago:
Thanks Dan for your helpful information.

If you would like to purchase Sir Grout’s cleaning product or set up an appointment, please contact Dan:

Dan Lundstedt
Owner – Sir Grout and Tile Care
work: (847) 597-8171
cell: (847) 909-4479
e-mail: dan@sirgrout.com
sirgrout.com

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.

Don’t Take it for Granite. How to Avoid Damaging Fine Stone Surfaces.

granite counters

With the many stunning varieties of marble and granite that are available now a days, it’s no wonder they are “must haves” in most modern kitchens and bathrooms. They are easily the most beautiful investment you can make in your home.  However, without proper care these surfaces are easily scratched, chipped, stained, or etched. And the price to repair them can be costly.

General Care

For daily maintenance of marble and granite, dampen a soft sponge or cleaning cloth with warm water and a neutral, ph-balanced cleaner, and wipe the surface clean. A mild dishwashing liquid works fine; Ivory is an ideal brand choice because it contains no dyes. Alternatively, you can use a specially formulated granite or marble cleaner. Avoid using anything acidic such as vinegar or cleaners containing orange or lemon. Use nothing abrasive on them such as cleansers or Scotch-Brite pads. Never use products containing hydrofluoric acid. (note: the same general care also applies to cleaning limestone, concrete, and DuPont™ Corian®.)

Countertops and vanities

Wipe counters and vanities following above general care instructions. Use a coaster under beverages. Clean up any spills immediately because acidic foods such as coffee, wine, orange juice, soft drinks, mustard, and tomato-based products can etch and dull natural stone.

Floors

Marble floors need to be dry dust mopped or vacuumed frequently to avoid scratching them up. Place an area rug or mat near the entrance to capture dirt and minimize it being tracked indoors. Don’t wear your shoes while indoors! Damp mop the floors with a solution of warm water and mild dishwashing liquid or a ph-balanced cleaner designed for stone.

Bath Areas

Clean marble bath tiles and floors following same general care instructions. Use a squeegee and a commercial descaling product formulated for stone to remove heavy soap scum and hard water deposits. Daily use of a squeegee is also recommended. If possible, avoid stocking your bathroom with any harsh bathroom cleaners that could accidentally damage your marble.

For more detailed information check out the Marble Institute of America‘s website.

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.

Quick Tip to Deodorize Dishwashers

Arm & Hammer has a good idea for deodorizing and cleaning dishwashers:

“Relax. There’s no need to run the dishwasher just yet! Sprinkle a handful of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda on the dishes or in the bottom of the dishwasher to absorb food odors just lingering in the dishwasher.  Double duty!  Use Arm & Hammer Baking Soda to deodorize before you run the dishwasher and then as a gentle cleanser in the wash cycle.”

Of course this is not a substitute for cleaning your dishwasher!

There are many other tips for using Arm & Hammer as a cleaner in the kitchen on their web site.

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.

How to Clean a Moldy Shower Curtain Liner

Here is an easy way to remove mold and mildew from a vinyl shower curtain liner. Simply throw it in the washing machine, and add a cup of chlorine bleach to your detergent. When it comes out,  hang it back up in the shower to dry. Do not put it in the dryer.

If that doesn’t work you’ll need to scrub it with a plastic brush. We recommend using a cleaning solution of 10 parts water to one part bleach.

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.

Self-cleaning microwave oven?

Loosen up gunk and grease splattered inside your microwave by following this simple tip. Fill a pyrex measuring cup or other microwave safe bowl with one cup water and put in microwave on high for three minutes. This should bring the water to a boil. Let it set in microwave for several minutes with the door closed.

Then, wet a sponge or soft rag with a tablespoon of vinegar.  If you need a degreaser, add a few drops of dishwashing liquid to it. Wipe microwave clean with the rag or sponge. The microwave will practically clean itself. Now that was easy! 

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.

iSmudged. How to clean an iPad

iSmudged
1: how your iPad touch screen appears from oily fingerprints.

All of that intimate iPad touching leaves behind a lot of fingerprints and many owners wondering how to safely clean their new favorite companion. It turns out the screen has an “oleophobic” coating, which means it is resistant to oils. That’s good while the coating lasts, as it can simply be wiped clean with a dry cloth. We recommend using microfiber cleaning cloths, which leave behind no lint or dust.  You can also use a cloth slighty dampened with distilled water, but you must first turn off and unplug the device. Any cleaners other than distilled water may damage your iPad. When in doubt consult the manufacturer. See below!

There many brands of microfiber cleaning cloths such as 3M, Scotch-Brite, Zwipes, Peak, etc. which can be found at Walmart, Menards, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, office supply stores, electronics stores, and online.

Here are cleaning instructions direct from Apple’s 154 page iPad user guide:
“To clean iPad, unplug all cables and turn off iPad (press and hold the Sleep/ Wake button, and then slide the onscreen slider). Then use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings. Don’t use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, alcohol, ammonia, or abrasives to clean iPad. iPad has an oleophobic coating on the screen; simply wipe the iPad screen with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove oil left by your hands. The ability of this coating to repel oil will diminish over time with normal usage, and rubbing the screen with an abrasive material will further diminish its effect and may scratch your screen.”

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.

Set your ceiling fans counterclockwise for the summer


During the summer, your ceiling fans should be set to turn counterclockwise, which will push the cooler air down and draw the warmer air up. Running a fan will help your air conditioner work less, which will in reduce your cooling bill. It is more energy efficient to run a fan and your air conditioner than the air conditioner alone.

Keep your ceiling fan blades clean too so the motor will expend less energy turning the blades. To clean your ceiling fans, prepare a simple solution of dishwashing liquid and water in a bucket. To reach the fan you will need a step stool or ladder. Climb up the step stool or ladder and dust off the blades with a Swiffer or feather duster. Then, wipe them clean with a rag dampened in your cleaning solution.

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.

How to get rid of vacuum cleaner odor

Is your vacuum cleaner a little stinky? Try these tips to freshen it up and make your whole home smell nice. Martha Stewart Living suggests dabbing a cotton ball with essential oil, and putting it inside your empty vacuum bag. Those with bagless vacuums can put a few drops directly on the filter. Use essential oil sparingly because less is more. There are endless varieties. If the thought of a Florida orange grove entices you, try orange oil.

Eucalyptus or tea tree oils will give you an instant pine forest type of fragrance.

Another idea is to sprinkle some baking soda on your carpeting and vacuum it up.

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.

green cleaning idea #3 – drain cleaner

To unclog a sink or tub try this environmentally friendly drain cleaner. Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain. Follow it with 1 cup of hot vinegar. Let it set for a few minutes, and then pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain. Repeat if necessary.

Hint: Instead of throwing away the baking soda used as a freshener in your refrigerator, extend the life of it by reusing it as a drain cleaner.

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.