How to Clean Your Washing Machine by AJW

Have you ever noticed your washer looking dirty? Or having that awful musty smell? How about your clothes not coming out as clean as you would like after they have been washed? What can cause these problems? Hard water mineral deposits and detergents build up in your washer's hoses, pump, and the tub itself. Below are some tips to hopefully help you remedy that problem.

Run washer through a large hot water cycle with chlorine bleach. Then, run the washer through another hot cycle with white vinegar. It works best if you run the second cycle right after the first. Depending on your washer you can use approximately 1 qt of bleach and then 1 qt of vinegar. The bleach helps remove any stains you may have in the washer. After the second cycle, run the washer a third time with nothing added to remove any of the bleach/vinegar that may be remaining.

Run washer through a large cycle with hot water and 2 cups of vinegar or lemon/lime juice. Then in all the nooks and crannies you can use spray cleaner (with q-tips, old toothbrush, paper towels, etc.). This includes under the lid and under the lip of the washer. Make sure to get around and under all the seals etc. where buildup likes to hang out. Then, after everything is clean, run the washer one more time to remove any cleaner that may discolor clothes. Lemon/lime juice may help with rust problems. Vinegar is more helpful for odor problems and killing mold and mildew.

Another slightly different alternative is after running a vinegar or lemon/lime juice cycle, is to run another cycle with baking soda. Use approximately 2 cups baking soda on the largest cycle setting with hot water. Then, run a rinse load with nothing added.

Front load washers can accumulate mold and mildew under the seal where the door closes. For this there is a product on the market that is supposed to take care of this problem called Affresh. Affresh is sold at places like Home Depot and Lowes. You can also first try the bleach and hot water method. But, this may be an alternative for hard to clean washers. I have not used it, or am I familiar with Affresh so I can not comment on its effectiveness.

For all of these options first let the washer fill up with water and then add the product as the agitator starts up.

How often should you do this? About every three to four months. You may need to do it more often if you wash a lot of heavily soiled clothes.

Other tips for a cleaner washing machine:

Leave the washer lid open when not in use so that it can air dry.

To know how much bleach to use in your machine you can refer to the owner's manual or on the machine itself.

Try using less detergent. Note: Those with soft water may require less detergent, and those with hard water may need more laundry detergent. Again, you can refer to your owner's manual to what they recommend for your machine.

Some machines may have different materials on the inner structure of the machine, so it is best to consult your owner's manual or call the company before using cleaners other than laundry detergent. Some materials may be damaged by vinegar or bleach.

Warning: Before working on the inside of your washer with cleaner and q-tips etc. it is best to unplug the machine. If you clean the inside of the machine manually you run the risk of electrocution, so please make sure to unplug it first. Safety first!

Cleaning fruit-Chemical-free and Easy

SHARE THE CARE PROMOTION !

Valentina’s Professional Cleaning Service Presents

Share the Care Promotion

You thought you are getting $20 OFF with just your next cleaning service?

                                                                           Well, We never liked this word, either.

Dear existing customers, share this coupon as a referral with your family, friends, co-workers, your neighbor (and even your child’s grammar teacher), and get $20 OFF with your next service each time one of these people order our service for the first time, who also get $20 OFF with their first-time cleaning service.

Please keep in mind that the new costumer receives $20 off with their first cleaning service ONLY and you as a referent receive $20 off with your service once per each one new customer you have referred us to. So, spread the word by having the ability to print and use unlimited copies of this coupon for the season…oh the heck with it, make it the whole year! Plus, sharing is caring!

Instructions:

1.       Print both coupons and write your name as a referent and the name of the person that you are referring us to (new client) on both.

2.       Keep the first one to yourself and the other share with the person of your choice.

3.       When this person orders service and presents us with the coupon, show us your coupon and automatically receive $20 off with your next service.

4.       Share this promotion with everyone, so they can also have a chance of receiving more discounts.

5.       Enjoy clean home and cleaner vocabulary! :)

Visit our Blog for more print out coupons and to leave any comments (oh, and we have Tips also):

http://valentinascleaningservice.blogspot.ca/

Or visit our website for information of the services available:

http://www.valentinascleaningservice.com/

CRYSTAL CHANDELIER CLEANING

Cleaning a crystal chandelier tends to be one of those jobs left to last because it seems so fiddly and requires concentration.
Restore the brightness of your crystal chandelier by giving it a good clean; your dinner parties will be brighter for it!

The piece-by-piece method:Unplug the fixture or turn off the electricity in the room you’re working in.Put a blanket on the floor under the fixture, which will soften the fall should you accidentally drop a crystal prism.Before you take it apart, take some digital photographs of your chandelier to help guide the reassembly.Cover bulbs with plastic bags.Cover the sink bottoms. Place two large bath towels on the counter: one for dirty crystals, and one for clean ones.Placing pieces in a plastic colander inside the sink is another way to protect the crystals before you wash them.Wash them in the soapy water.Rinse in hot water, and wipe dry.Wipe and buff the frame.Reassemble the fixture, being careful not to twist the chandelier too much, since doing this can loosen it from the ceiling.
Turn the fixture back on and marvel at your room’s brilliant new vibe.

 The wet method:

Although this is by far the fastest and easiest cleaning method, the correct preparations will take time.
For this method you will need small, plastic sandwich bags, a ladder, rubber bands, chandelier cleaning spray and a plastic sheet to put under the light.
Once again ensure the light is off and the bulbs have cooled down before commencing.
Spread the plastic sheet on the floor under the light fitting to catch all the dripping cleaner. Set the ladder up and place your sandwich bags over each light bulb, waterproofing the electrical fittings by securing the bags underneath each fitting with a rubber band.

When all is said and done with all three methods do not forget to dust off the light bulbs and replace the ones that no longer work.
Spray the entire fixture with the chandelier cleaner, being sure not to miss out any areas, and leave it to drip dry.
After about an hour you can remove the plastic bags from the fitting and fold away the plastic sheeting and the job is done.

Easy way to clean microwave in 2 minutes:

Easy way to clean microwave in 2 minutes:

Mix  water  and white vinegar and run over several sheets of paper towels , then bunch them together. ( Vinegar removes all odors from inside but you can use only water) 

Place the towels in the microwave. Heat them on high power for 1 minute.

Let the heated towels sit in the microwave for five minutes. The waiting time allows the steam to break down all those crusty food particles.

Wash the tray in the sink with dish soap, dry, and then return to microwave.

Wipe down the inside of the microwave with steam-heated towels, wearing rubber gloves to protect your hands. 

Wipe a dry paper towel over the interior .

Very easy !

7 CLEANING  USES FOR BAKING SODA AND VINEGAR:

Everyone is trying new ways to clean in a green manner, and 2 of the best, and least expensive, products to try are baking soda and vinegar. They are also very effective for many uses.

1 - Oven Cleaner

To remove greasy buildup in your oven, mix a cup of vinegar with enough baking soda to make a paste. Heat your oven on a low setting, then turn it off. Once the over has cooled enough to where it is just warm, and not hot, spread the paste in the oven. Allow it to sit for at least an hour. Scrape the paste off with a plastic utensil, such as a spatula. The greasy debris will come up with the paste. Wipe with a damp cloth to remove any excess left behind.

2 - Cleaning Drains

To clean your drains and keep them smelling fresh, pour a 1/4 cup of baking soda down the drain. Follow with a 1/4 cup of vinegar. You will hear a bubbling sound, which is the reaction of the two. It is dissolving the muck in the drain. Allow it to sit for 20 to 30 minutes to finish the job. Follow with a good rinse, allowing the water from the spigot to run hot water for a few minutes.

3 - Pet Messes

If your pet uses your carpet as a bathroom, blot the spot with paper towels. Follow with white vinegar on a soft cloth to alleviate odors, and remove the stain. Allow it to dry completely, then sprinkle baking soda on the spot. Allow it to sit overnight, and vacuum in the morning. The vinegar will take away the smell which will keep your pet from using that spot again, and the baking soda will trap any odors left over after cleaning with vinegar.

4 - Remove Stickers

To remove a decal or sticker from a new appliance, first, apply a paper towel soaked in vinegar over the sticker for several minutes. The vinegar will break down the glue for easier removal. After peeling off the sticker, use baking soda to gently remove left behind debris. Baking soda is a gentle abrasive, but do rub gently, especially on plastic. Finish by rinsing.

5 - All Purpose Cleaning Solution

In a spray bottle, mix 1 quart of water, 1/8 cup of white vinegar, and a tablespoon of baking soda. Use this on kitchen counter tops and appliances and in bathrooms to clean and deodorize. Vinegar has antibacterial properties as well as keep down mold. You can also use it on outdoor furniture and car tires.

6 - Copper Pans

Copper pans are beautiful, but can become dull with use. To keep them sparkling, clean with baking soda and warm water on a cloth. This will remove any food that is stuck on, without scratching, as well as scrub away any tarnish. After rinsing, follow with rubbing vinegar on the copper. It will make the copper shine like new again.

7 - Freshen Washing Machine

To get rid of washing machine odors, run a cycle of warm water and add a cup of baking soda to the wash cycle. Add a cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle. The odors will be gone.

   FIND A PROFESSIONAL CLEANING SERVICE IN GREATER TORONTO AREA                     

When it comes to keeping your home clean and aesthetically pleasing, it is often necessary to enlist the services of a house cleaner. A house cleaner comes to your home and provides professional cleaning services to ensure your home looks its best at all times. A house cleaner has experience and expertise in the industry that enables him or her to offer you the highest-quality cleaning services possible so you can come home to a clean place after a long day. There are several benefits to hiring a house cleaner to clean your home, and it can be helpful to know some of the main ways in which a house cleaner can make your life easier.

A House Cleaner Undergoes Professional Training

To ensure he or she can provide you with the best level of house cleaning possible, a house cleaner generally undergoes professional training in which he or she learns how to use cleaning equipment properly, which chemicals to use on certain surfaces, and how to follow the cleaning methods of his or her employer. Depending on the specific company the house cleaner works for, it is likely he or she may spend anywhere from a week to a month undergoing this training. Professional training ultimately ensures a house cleaner can offer you the latest cleaning methods in the industry and that he or she can provide you with the highest quality of cleaning services.

A House Cleaner Provides You with a Custom Cleaning Plan

In addition to undergoing professional training to ensure he or she offers you the highest quality of services, a house cleaner also works directly with you to create a custom cleaning plan that caters to your specific needs and preferences. To create such a cleaning plan, a representative usually comes to your home before cleaning it to determine what you expect from the overall cleaning job, which areas of your home you want the house cleaner to focus on, and how thorough you want the job to be. This ensures you receive the types of cleaning services you expect and that you are completely satisfied with the results.

Hiring a house cleaner is often a good idea when it comes to maintaining order in your home, especially if you have a busy schedule that prevents you from having the time to keep your home clean yourself. A house cleaner not only undergoes professional training to ensure he or she can provide you with the highest-quality services, but also works with you to create a custom cleaning plan that meets your specific requirements. For more information about what a house cleaner can do for you, it is a good idea to contact a professional house cleaning company.