Call me frugal, but I would rather not spend a lot of money on dry cleaning. And in this tight economy every dollar counts. That’s why I feel smart using a home dry cleaning system such as Dryel on a few of my dry-clean-only garments every now and then.

The vast majority of my dry cleaning requires ironing, so I’m more than happy to let the professionals handle all of my dress shirts and pants. What I have found out though is that these DIY home dry cleaning systems are ideal for freshening up garments in between visits to the dry cleaners and cleaning sweaters. I think of them as another way to stretch the family budget.

So this is how the Dryel system works. Remove any stains on your sweaters with a stain removal pen and blotter. Spray “cleaning booster” on collars and underarm areas. Put 1-4 garments in the Dryel dry cleaning bag along with one “moist cleaning cloth.” Zip the bag and put in your dryer on medium heat for 30 minutes. That’s it!

You can use Dryel on most of your dry-clean-only items, but garments with serious stains will require professional care. For more information, take a look at Dryel’s FAQs or read this detailed article on HowStuffWorks.com How Home Dry Cleaning Works.

Now it’s your turn. Have you tried DIY dry cleaning? Please leave a comment below.

To schedule a home cleaning with Maid in Chicago or for a FREE quote, give us a call at (312) 829-9600, or visit our website maidinchicago.us and fill out our online form. Yes, we can help you with your home dry cleaning, and we can even drop off or pick up your dry cleaning at your neighborhood dry cleaners too if it’s nearby. We are here to make your life easier.

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pictured above in foreground: “Sterilite Show Off Ornament Box Set” from Target

Christmas has passed and the New Year’s celebrations are over. It’s that sad time of year when the Christmas trees must come down. Last year we started using these “show off ornament boxes” to store our Christmas ornaments, and they really work super. Not only do they protect your precious ornaments and save you the trouble of individually wrapping them in newspaper or tissue paper, but they look great and save tons of space.

Now it’s your turn. Do you have any great storage ideas for Christmas ornaments and other holiday decorations? Please leave a comment below.

Please also check out our post Cleaning Up Christmas Tree Needles.

If you need some help cleaning up after taking down your tree, give Maid in Chicago a call to schedule an appointment: (312) 829-9600. You can also visit our website maidinchicago.us and fill out our online form for a FREE quote.

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What do you do if you have cleaned away mold but it keeps coming back? You may want to check to see what your relative humidity is in your home. It may be too high.

According to the CDC “controlling moisture in your home is the most critical factor for preventing mold growth.” You can monitor the level of humidity in your home with a simple electronic device called a hygrometer. They are inexpensive (the one below costs less than $20) and can be purchased online or at home improvement stores such as Lowe’s, The Home Depot, and Menards.

pictured on the left: Acu-Rite Home Comfort Monitor

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends a relative humidity level between 30%-50%. In the summer months, when you are running an air conditioner, the relative humidity should be between 40%-50% for optimal comfort. In the winter months, when you are running your heater, the relative humidity may need to be lower  than 40% (in the 30%-40% range) to prevent condensation on windows. Lower than 30% is too dry; higher than 50% is too moist.

If you discover your humidity level is too high (such as 62% in the picture above to the left) you need to do something to get to  the root cause of the moisture. Start by checking for any leaky pipes. Also make sure there is proper ventilation in your kitchen and especially in the bathroom.  Running a dehumidifier or regulating your humidistat will take the moisture out of the air. For more information on controlling moisture in your home, check out this article by the EPA.

For more information read Protect Yourself from Mold by The Centers for Disease Control. For serious mold problems, consult a mold remediation expert.

Now it’s your turn. Do you have moisture or mold problems in your home? Have you tried monitoring relative humdity? 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.

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This is a follow-up to our posts How to Clean Moldy Caulking, Top 5 Tips to Prevent Mold in Showers, and How to Clean a Moldy Shower Curtain, which dealt with mold in the bathroom.

Today I thought we would take a step back and talk about what cleaning products you use to clean mold. Walking down the cleaning aisle of your grocery store, you may be perplexed by the variety of cleaning products you see for mold and mildew. However, contrary to what you see on all of these product labels, the go to product for cleaning mold is simply bleach.

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. You can fill a spray bottle with bleach and water solution. Then simply spray some of the cleaner on a cleaning cloth, and wipe away the mold from the affected area.

When cleaning with bleach, always heed these warnings. First, make sure you properly ventilate the area you are cleaning. Second, never mix bleach and ammonia together. It causes a dangerous chemical reaction. Finally, make sure you wear a pair of rubber gloves to protect your hands.

For more information read Protect Yourself from Mold by The CDC. For serious mold problems, consult a mold remediation expert.

Now it’s your turn. Have you ever battled mold in your home? 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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1. Inspect your air filter monthly and only change it if it looks dirty. See the photos below and compare.

1. Write down the dates when you change your filters, and you will get a better idea of what is normal for your home. You will notice that in spring and fall you can get by changing the filters less. Your filter will get dirtier if you have pets, live in a high pollution area, or like to keep the windows open. This includes your balcony window.

3. Avoid purchasing low-end filters. Instead, choose ones that have a higher MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value). These high efficiency filters will do a better job, but will need to be replaced more often.

Also see our post Change Your Furnace Filter for a Cleaner 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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No, we’re not kidding! Your dishwasher needs to be cleaned every now and then. Over a period of time soap scum, grease, and gunk from your dirty dishes gets stuck on the door, sides, bottom, and drain area. I find it really handy to grab one of those dish scrub brushes with a long handle to get into all of the nooks and crannies. Sprinkle some baking soda on the areas to be cleaned. You can also add a squirt of dishwashing liquid. Scrub with the brush, and then wipe with a wet sponge or dish rag. Also, check for and remove any debris that may be plugging the drain. This could save you a visit from the repairman.

When finished scrubbing, add a cup of vinegar to a dishwasher safe coffee cup and set it on the top rack of the dishwasher. Run the (almost) empty dishwasher through one cycle.

Hint: A little preventative maintenance goes a long way. Rinsing dishes, at least the worst offenders, will help keep the drain unclogged and the dishwasher cleaner.

Also see our post titled Quick Tip to Deodorize Dishwashers

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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Over the past year we have been busy writing about greener cleaning methods. Most of the ideas involve using natural cleaners and producing less waste.  Incorporating these methods into your routine will make you more earth friendly, save you money, and make your home less toxic.

1.  Eco window cleaning. Did you know that there is a preferred method to clean windows without using a single sheet of paper towels or even a squirt of Windex? All you need is a squeegee, a sponge, two buckets, some vinegar, water, and a soft cleaning cloth or two. See our post: How to clean windows

2. Baking soda as an oven cleaner. Instead of reaching for oven cleaner, which is caustic, first try sprinkling some baking soda on the stovetop and clean with a damp scrub pad. See our post: Green cleaning idea #2 – mild oven cleaner

3. Use cleaning cloths more, and paper towels less. See our posts: Cleaning Cloths 101, Everything you always wanted to know about microfiber cleaning cloths

4. Don’t clean hardwood floors with disposable Swiffer pads. I’ll admit, I love Swiffer advertising as much as the next person, but let’s be honest. These are products that create more landfill waste. Instead, mop your floors with a string mop or a Bona mop, which can be laundered over and over again. See our post: How to clean hardwood floors

5. Mix your own general cleaner. One thing our cleaning company does is purchase concentrated chemicals and mix our own cleaners into refillable spray bottles. This is not only cost efficient, but the spray bottles are used over and over again. The most earth friendly general cleaner you can use is vinegar and water. You can also mix a simple solution of dishwashing liquid and water to use as a degreaser. See our post: Green cleaning idea #1 – general cleaner

6. Use a dishwasher rather than washing dishes by hand. Dishwashers use less energy, soap, and water than if you were to wash them by hand. Install an energy efficient dishwasher, and run it only when it is full. Also, avoid using the dry cycle. You can prop the door open after the final rinse cycle, and the dishes will dry by themselves.

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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