August 18th, 2010
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.
(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.”
(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.
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Tags: cleaning cloth, cleaning cloths 101, cleaning rag, flour sack towel, microfiber, microfiber cleaning cloth, surgeon towel, surgical towels
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July 16th, 2010
The number of cleaning applications for microfiber seems to be growing. In homes, microfiber cleaning clothes are great for dusting and general cleaning. Microfiber also has very specific applications such as cleaning sensitive photographic lenses and detailing cars. Martha Stewart recommends using them in particular on “surfaces prone to scratching, such as computer and television screens and stainless steel appliances.” Lately, microfibers appear in popular Rubbermaid wet mop heads (see our blog Wet Mop Brand Recommendations), and Apple recommends using the cloths for cleaning iPads.
(pictured above is the Wonder Cloth by ACS)
To learn more about the properties, uses, and care for microfiber cleaning cloths, I turned to an expert who is also our supplier, Ted Parish of ACS. Below is a summary of a recent interview with him.
What is a microfiber? By definition a microfiber is a synthetic fiber less than one denier. For comparison purposes the size of a human hair is about 10 denier. Unlike cotton yarns, which are measured by a “count” (think of those 300 thread count or more Egyptian cotton bed sheets), the denier measurement scale goes in the opposite direction, so the lower the denier the finer the thread. Because microfiber is thinner than cotton, the space between threads is larger, which enables the cloths to pick up more dirt or absorb more water. These properties make it excellent for cleaning.
What do you use them for? When microfiber first came out its big claim to fame was that you could use the cloths on glass and mirrors without any water. For cleaning purposes manufacturers actually recommend that you first dampen them with water and wring them out before using them to wipe counters, stove tops, and other things. Dry the clean surface with a separate dry microfiber cleaning cloth or larger microfiber bath towel. The cleaning cloths are also really good for dusting because contrary to cotton, they attract dust and leave no residue.
I heard that you need to be careful when laundering and drying them. Machine wash them just like you would colors. Do not use any bleach or fabric softener. The oils in softener will clog up the fibers. They will last longer if you air dry rather than machine dry them.
Where can we buy them? Feel free to call me, Ted Parish, at ACS tel: (888) 374-5250 x2, e-mail me at Americanchair@yahoo.com, or check out our website at acshomeandwork.com.
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Posted in cleaning industry information, product recommendations | 3 Comments »
July 12th, 2010
When you hire a maid service, one thing to consider is whether they will bring cleaning supplies or not. Sometimes you will have a choice and other times you will not. Maid services that do team cleanings will likely bring their own supplies. Some companies will bring just the vacuum cleaner for an extra charge.
Generally speaking, a cleaning service will be more expensive if they bring supplies and equipment. All of the costs associated with supplies including purchase price, use, wear and tear, depreciation, packing, transport, etc. are passed along to to you. Parking is also a factor in busy Chicago where we are located. To keep costs down we usually require our clients to provide their own cleaning supplies for general cleanings. There are plus and minuses to this approach.
We sometimes hear from first time clients that they really don’t like the idea of maid services using rags, feather dusters, vacuums, toilet brushes, etc. that have been used in somebody elses home–even if they are properly cleaned and sterilized afterwards. I’ll be honest, I personally get grossed out by even my own feather duster in my home.
If you are the second, third, or fourth stop in the day of a company doing team cleaning, I personally wonder how sanitary the supplies may be. It’s something to consider when choosing a cleaning company. When our company bring supplies for a cleaning (usually for a move-in/out or post construction cleaning) our supplies are specially packed for each customer’s home and they our brought right back to our office after use.
Most people tend to have their own brand preferences too, and more and more of our clients are turning to greener cleaners and methods. The down side is that it is up to you to keep your supply cupboard stocked with supplies.
Here is a list of cleaning supplies we recommend you have in your home.
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.
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June 29th, 2010
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.
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Tags: chicago, clean, cleaning, cleaning tip, dishwashing liquid, green cleaning, how to, how to clean, maid, maid in chicago, microwave oven, self cleaning microwave oven, sponge, vinegar
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June 23rd, 2010
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.
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Tags: chicago, clean, cleaning, how to, how to clean, how to clean an ipad, how to clean ipad, ismudged, maid, maid in chicago, micro fiber, micro fiber cleaning cloth, microfiber, microfiber cleaning cloth, oleophobic
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June 15th, 2010
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.
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June 8th, 2010
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.
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Tags: chicago, clean, cleaning, eliminate odor, eliminate smell, essential oil, freshen, how to, how to freshen up your vacuum cleaner, how to get rid of vacuum cleaner smell, maid, maid in chicago, vacuum cleaner smell
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June 3rd, 2010
As an alternative to Windex or other ammonia-based window cleaners, try mixing up your own green window cleaner. Add 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of warm water to a bucket or an empty spray bottle, and clean the windows as usual. The acetic acid in the vinegar will dissolve the dirt on the windows.
This window cleaner is similar to our green general cleaner. However, it is a more concentrated solution of vinegar to water.
Also see our blog entry how to clean windows.
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.
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May 26th, 2010
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.
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May 21st, 2010
Summer is just around the corner, and it’s a great time to whip your home into shape before the nice weather arrives. Here are some ideas to get you started:
1) Pull out your refrigerator and oven, and clean underneath them. Clean the coils on your refrigerator too. You can vacuum them using a crevice tool, or dust them with an extenstion duster.
2) Move couches, chairs, and other furntiture, and vacuum in those hard to reach areas.
3) Wipe down your baseboards.
4) Wash your windows.
5) Clean the ceiling fans.
5) Declutter your home. Professional organizer Pooja Gugnani, founder and owner of Organizing with You in Chicago, wrote some great advice about changing your mindset about clutter in her article titled “Mind Over Clutter.”
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.
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Tags: ceiling fan, chicago, clean, cleaning, cleaning windows, clutter, declutter, declutter your home, maid, maid in chicago, organize, organizing, refrigerator coils, spring cleaning, washing windows, windows
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