Category Archives: tips

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.

Top 5 Tips to Prevent Mold in Showers

This is a follow-up to our post “How to Clean Marble Grout,” in which we interviewed Dan Lundstedt from Sir Grout. Dan is a wealth of information and kindly offered us all some more advice.

Dan: Prolonged moisture is the enemy in the shower. Here are my Top 5 Tips to Prevent Mold in Showers.

1. Turn on the bathroom fan while showering, and leave it on while you are getting ready.

2. After you are finished showering, leave the shower door open to let the steam escape.

3. For the best daily maintenance, squeegee or towel dry your shower after each use.

4. Learn from the pros in hotels. Consider installing a fan timer in your bathroom. They are great!

5. Wipe caulk lines and trouble areas with a mild bleach solution (1 part bleach to 5 or more parts water).

Maid in Chicago: The Center for Disease Control (CDC) actually 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.

Thanks again Dan for your great information.

If you need some professional grout and tile care, 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.

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.

Cleaning up Christmas tree needles

Cheap_Tree_-Bags_L

Sticky Christmas tree needles are messy. Try to avoid vacuuming them up because they can get stuck inside your vacuum cleaner and ruin it. Instead, sweep them with a broom into a dust pan.

You may want to consider purchasing some Christmas tree removal bags too, which are sold at some hardware stores and online at Christmas Decorations & Gifts Store.com (pictured above) or Amazon.com from $2.99 and up per bag. Tuck one around the tree stand and put the tree skirt on top of it. After the holidays are over, simply pull the bag up and over the tree and neatly dispose of it. You can then avoid cleaning up a trail of needles throughout your home.  Residents of the city of Chicago can recycle their tree at a participating site where they will be chipped and made into mulch.

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.

Change Your Furnace Filter Regularly for a Cleaner Home

filter_group

Change Your Furnace Filter Regularly for a Cleaner Home

This is the time of year when we start noticing homes with furnace filters that need to be changed. Furnaces with clogged filters spew out more dust particles and quickly make your home dusty. Particle buildup decreases the efficiency of your heater too. A general rule of thumb is that disposable fiberglass panel or electrostatic panel filters need to be changed every 1-3 months. Pleated filters last longer, from 3-12 months. Replacement filters can be purchased at stores such as Ace Hardware, Target, and Home Depot.

For more information about furnace filters, check out FurnaceCompare.

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.

Cleaning Cloths 101

This is a follow up to our post titled Everything you always wanted to know about microfiber cleaning cloths. As we discussed, microfiber cleaning cloths are especially great for cleaning sensitive items prone to scratching such as stereo equipment and computer screens. However, this brings up another question. What do you use for more general cleaning tasks? Many people use cut up t-shirts and bath towels as rags in their homes. What do cleaning professionals recommend?

At Maid in Chicago we always pack plenty of surgical towels for our heavy duty cleaning jobs requiring supplies and equipment. Rugged and durable, these all-purpose cleaning cloths have a rough surface that powers through grimy bathrooms and dirty kitchen appliances. By using surgical towels, it helps us be a greener cleaning company too, because they can be laundered over and over again.

huck towel

(Picture above: surgical towels by ACS)

Flour sack towels are another tried and true option. According to Ted Parish, whose company ACS specializes in making them, they have a long and interesting history. “During the horse and buggy days, homemakers purchased their flour in 100 lb. cotton sacks. Once the sacks were emptied, washed, and bleached, they had a variety of different uses such as kitchen towels, cleaning and polishing cloths, diapers, and even underwear! Those that could not afford regular bedding sewed them together to make sheets and pillowcases.”

flour sack towels

(picture above: flour sack towels by ACS)

While the days of purchasing 100 lb. bags of flour are long gone, uses for flour sacks have endured. Cleaning companies love that flour sack towels are soft, lint-free, and absorbent, so they make superb dusting cloths and are great on mirrors and windows.  Personally, I reserve them for kitchen use only. They are wonderful for drying dishes, especially wine glasses and other fine crystal. Home chefs like me also use them for wiping up kitchen counters and in food preparation.

In closing, we recommend that you have a few different types of cleaning cloths in your home to choose from. We prefer surgical towels for all-purpose use, but it is handy to have some flour sack towels and microfiber cleaning cloths as well.

If you are looking for a supplier of cleaning cloths for your home or business you can contact our vendor Ted Parish, at ACS tel: (888) 374-5250 x2, e-mail him at Americanchair@yahoo.com, or check out our their website at acshomeandwork.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.

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.