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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 #4 – window cleaner

 

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.

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.

How to clean windows

Cleaning the insides of windows is time consuming, but it can be rather easy with the proper equipment. Do yourself a big favor and purchase a professional quality window squeegee from your local hardware store. Squeegees have been around since the advent of skyscrapers in Chicago, and they needed a streak-free way to clean the many windows. Ettore is the original and leading brand and available in stores everywhere.

Contrary to what you may think, you can clean your windows without a bottle of Windex or even a  single paper towel. You’ll need two buckets, a sponge, a soft cloth, some plain vinegar, and water. A simple solution of warm water and vinegar will cut  right through the dirt on windows and dissolve it.

Make a solution of 1 cup vingar and 1 cup warm water in a bucket. Fill up your other bucket with just plain water. Dip your sponge into the vingegar solution and wipe down the whole window.  Then starting at the top left hand corner of your window, move your squeegee from the top of the window to the bottom in one fluid motion. After each stroke, wipe the rubber edge of your squeegee with the soft rag. Return to the top and repeat, overlapping on the right side of the first stroke a bit. Continue to squeegee until you reach and finish the right edge of your window. Finally, draw the squeegee across the bottom of the window, and dry it with your cloth.

Clean your sponge off in your bucket of plain water and repeat steps for each window. Change your bucket of plain water frequently.

Enjoy your sparkling, clean windows!

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

how to clean hardwood floors

We are frequently asked about cleaning hardwood floors and products that we recommend.

First of all, a note about supplies you will need. Make sure you have a string mop with a detachable head, not a sponge mop or Swiffer. Sponge mops tear easily, tend to push the dirt into the corners, and you can never get them clean. Everyone seems to own a Swiffer these days due to all of the advertising on television. They are fine to spiff up with, but not an effective cleaning tool. The replacement pads are not cheap either. String mops do a great job and are cost effective because the detachable heads can be used over and over again. Simply put the used mop heads in your washing machine when you are finished, and you will always have a fresh clean mop to start with the next time you clean your floors.

We recommend Murphy Oil Soap which is a mild cleaner for hardwood floors. The only caveat though is to not follow the directions on the bottle. Fill a bucket up with water and add a quarter cap (not a full cap) of Murphy’s. Otherwise you will end up with a dull film on your hardwood floors. You can add a squirt of dishwashing liquid to that if you want. Alternatively another “green” way to clean your floors, which is a favorite among pet owners, is to add a 1/4 cup of white vinegar to a bucket of water. You can also add a squirt of dishwashing liquid to that solution. We do not recommend Orange Glo or Mop and Glo products. These products will initially make your floors shiny, but they leave a waxy buildup.

In addition to your bucket of water with Murphy’s or vinegar solution, fill up a second bucket with just plain water. You will use this bucket to rinse your mop head.

Before you begin mopping, either vacuum or sweep your floors, otherwise you will just smear them.  Then you are ready to mop.

Wet your mop in the bucket with the cleaning solution. Wring it out and start mopping your floor. When you notice the mop is getting dirty rinse the mop in the bucket of plain water. Redip it in the bucket with the cleaning solution and wring it out again. Change the bucket of plain water as often as necessary. Repeat. At minimum you should use a fresh bucket of water for each room. Dry floors with a towel when finished.

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

Keep ceiling fans clean

During the winter, your ceiling fan should be set to turn clockwise, which will draw the cooler air up and push the heated air down. Running a fan will help your furnace work less. This will reduce your heating bill because it is more energy efficient to run a fan than your furnace. It is a good idea to keeping your ceiling fan clean because the motor will expend less energy to turn the blades, and of course who wants chunks of dust floating down on top of them. 

First, to reach the fan you will need a step stool. Next, prepare a simple solution of dishwashing liquid and water. Then, dust off the blades with a Swiffer or feather duster. Finally, wipe them clean with a rag dipped in your cleaning solution.

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