Why frequently cleaning your home is important
Cleaning your home ensures that dust and allergens don’t have time to collect and cause breathing problems. You’ll stop the spread of germs, especially when spills are taken care of immediately. Keeping your kitchen and bathroom clean will prevent germs from spreading throughout the home. Since rodents and insects are attracted to food particles, spills, and trash, you can stop them from entering your home by removing those attractants. Frequent cleaning does more than disinfect surfaces and keep things tidy. You’ll proactively prevent junk from accumulating because you are throwing your unwanted items away. When your priority is to get rid of that unnecessary stuff each week, it is much easier to stay organized. However, not everyone has enough time in their schedule to accomplish these tasks. That is why we offer weekly and monthly recurring services in Los Angeles. These plans will ensure that your home stays clean all the time. You can simply set your cleaning frequency and have a professional periodically tidy up your home.
Facts about bacteria on surfaces in your home
Some bacteria can divide every 20 minutes when the proper nutrients and temperatures are present in the environment. When reviewing the most contaminated items in a home, over 340 different bacteria can exist on 30 common household objects. It’s important to remember that not all bacteria are harmful. However, some of the ones that can make you sick are found throughout the home. They include staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, salmonella, and various yeasts and molds. Even the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is found on the same surfaces that bacteria use to multiply. That is why regular and consistent cleaning is so important.
Dangers of an unclean house
Dirty homes become a breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, molds, and other harmful contaminants. When food particles are left on surfaces, they can attract rodents and insects, creating more health concerns. Dirty, disorganized homes adversely impact a person’s mood. People who feel like they’ve gotten behind on their cleaning work typically report higher stress levels, more depression-like symptoms, and problems falling asleep at night.
If you have expired food or a dirty refrigerator, the germs in there could cause food poisoning problems. When air vents become polluted, they can trigger respiratory issues or allergic reactions. When the floors are dirty, you might see skin rashes, infections, and even fungal growth. It is important to vacuum regularly, wash all hard surfaces, and avoid wearing shoes in the house whenever possible. The best cleaners provide support for all surfaces, from wood to laminate to tile. You can find specialty products for each specific cleaning need.
Important areas of the house to clean
Areas in the home where you store or prepare food tend to have the most bacteria contamination than other rooms. The most common place where these hazards can be found is on rags and dish sponges, so cleaning them thoroughly can help keep everyone feeling healthy. Kitchen items that require frequent cleaning include the refrigerator, sink, countertops, and cutting board. The handles, switches, and knobs in homes collect bacteria with significant frequency. Although the bathroom doorknob is thought to be the dirtiest surface, the microwave handle, stove knobs, refrigerator, and bathroom light switches are more contaminated in the average home. You’d want to tackle the sink, tub, shower, and faucets in the bathroom. The floor area near the toilet should also be a priority. Carpets can hold up to eight times their weight in dust and dirt. That means your floors could be dirtier than the average city street. Vacuuming and cleaning area rugs can reduce the presence of allergens and other contaminants. From a computer keyboard to the remote control, any frequently-used surface should receive regular cleaning attention. The bacteria that cause staph infections are regularly found on those items. All of our Los Angeles services cover these specific cleaning tasks for you.
Recommendations for cleaning and maintaining sanitary home conditions
When you follow six daily habits, your home will stay much cleaner. Here are the steps you can take to stay more organized.
- Put an item away after you’re finished using it
- Clean up a little bit each day by putting something away whenever you move into a different room
- Empty your dishwasher and sink before getting into the rest of your daily routine
- Make your bed after getting up in the morning
- Remove clutter regularly
- Throw trash away before it has a chance to multiply
Once you get into those habits, try creating a weekly cleaning plan where you’ll tackle one room or chore. When you break up the home into manageable tasks, the work won’t seem as overwhelming. If you don’t have much time to commit to the cleaning process, our Los Angeles experts can have your home sparkle and shine in no time!
Which household cleaners to use for your home
The typical house has many different types of surfaces throughout its spaces. These finishes require particular cleaners that are safe to use, as some products may stain or damage them. For example, a strong bleach-based cleaner used for very dirty floors, is too harsh to use on a wood table. It is imperative that the household cleaning product you are using is not only effective, but completely safe for the surface as well. Furthermore, certain harsh cleaners are too toxic to use on surfaces that food routinely comes in contact with, such as kitchen countertops. The following list includes the best, safe and effective household cleaners for typical surfaces in a house:
- Hardwood floors - Aunt Fannie's Vinegar Floor Cleaner
- Carpets and rugs - Biokleen Carpet & Rug Shampoo
- Ceramic tile - Better Life Naturally Dirt-Destroying Floor Cleaner
- Vinyl floors - Puracy Natural Surface Cleaner
- Showers and tubs - Seventh Generation Tub and Tile Cleaner
- kitchen countertops - Honest Disinfecting Spray
- Wood cabinets - Aunt Fannie's Wood Surface Cleaner
- Windows and glass surfaces - ECOS Window Cleaner - Vinegar
Clearly labeling and designating particular household cleaning products for certain surfaces in your home is a great way to maintain and preserve finishes. This will not only keep your home clean and in good condition, but it will also help protect its value.
Safe household cleaning products for houses with children and pets
Making sure that you use safe home cleaning products is important, especially if you have children or pets in your house. You should pay close attention to the chemicals used in these cleaning formulas to ensure that they don't leave toxic residue on the surfaces that your kids and pets will frequently make contact with. However, you should also make sure that these cleaning products actually work. Finding a good balance between effectiveness and safety is key. Fortunately, there are plenty of natural, plant-based and eco-friendly household cleaning products that are just as effective as their toxic counterparts. In fact, there have been so many new companies offering these cleaners that the old, established cleaning product manufacturers are now offering natural and safe alternatives to their traditional harsh cleaning agents. These products are highly effective, as many of them kill 99.99% of common household germs, such as Influenza A, Salmonella and E. coli. For many of these products, you can sanitize and disinfect by simply spraying the formula on a surface and letting it air dry without any rinsing. The following household cleaners are a great alternative to toxic formulas:
- Dr. Bronner’s - Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner
- Seventh Generation - Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner
- Branch Basics - Multi-Purpose Cleaner
- Koala Eco - Natural Multi-Purpose Cleaner
- Ecos - All-Purpose Cleaner
There are plenty more that offer plant-based, non-toxic and eco-friendly formulas, so shop around and find the cleaner that works best for you. Just make sure to avoid the following toxic chemicals in your household products:
- Chlorine bleach
- Phenol
- Benzalkonium chloride
- Formaldehyde
- Ammonia
- Glycol ethers
- Fragrances
- Perchloroethylene or “PERC”
- Phthalates
Read labels carefully and try to avoid these toxic chemicals to ensure a safe and healthy home for everyone. Keep in mind that there are plenty of natural cleaners with a few simple ingredients that can easily be identified as safe. The companies that produce these formulas typically have a complete product line for all of your household cleaning needs.
What does a deep house cleaning service usually include?
Homes that have not been regularly cleaned might have excess dirt, grime and debris that requires a more thorough service. The surafces in these situations usually have layers of dirt that take more time and effort to completely clean. The typical issues found in these homes include the following:
- Thick soap scum that is very difficult to remove with simple cleaning agents and a scrub
- Layered grease stains on kitchen appliances from months or years of neglect
- Dirt, debris and dust-filled carpet that has not been periodically vacuumed
- Stained and molded tile grout in showers and on floors
- Window sills and other crevices that are filled with dust and dirt
These items will need extra time and attention from a cleaning professional to completely address. Our affordable deep cleaning service provides this next-level, detailed solution to ensure that your home is completely spotless, regardless of when it was last cleaned.
What is the typical cost for house cleaning?
Having your house professionally cleaned doesn't have to be expensive. In fact, our services are very affordable. Even our more involved offerings, such as deep cleaning, can be ordered at a low price. The cost for a cleaning service depends on square footage, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, condition of the home and the plan selected. Larger homes typically require more time, but a smaller home may require more attention and ultimately additional hours of labor. For the most accurate quote, give us a call and provide the details of your specific scenario and needs so that we can discuss pricing.
How long will it take to clean my entire home?
Time is an important factor when hiring professionals to clean your house. The entire process, from scheduling to cleaning, should be quick and easy. To accomodate cleaning needs in a timely fashion, multiple cleaners can be hired for a single job. This can greatly reduce the total number of hours required to clean a house. It is important to note that additional cleaners come with an added cost. However, the added cost can be offset by the reduced labor hours, which can ultimately minimize the service price. Many factors must be considered when determinig how many cleaners to hire, such as square footage, number of bedrooms and the condition of the home. For a typical 3-bedroom home in Los Angeles, the average cleaning time is about 3 hours. This time can vary, depending on the condition of the home and when it was last cleaned. Contact us for an estimate on cleaning time for your next service.
What type of home cleaning products do you use?
There are many household cleaning products on the market today, but our professional cleaners are very particular about the ones they use. Safety and effectiveness are an absolute must, so they only utilize high-quality formulas. In addition, certain surfaces require specific cleaners. The solution used on your counters should be different that the one used for your floors or shower. Our Los Angeles professionals are very keen on this, so you can rest assured that the right formula will be used for each task in your home. Non-toxic, plant-based and eco-friendly products are also available upon request, so just let us know what your preference is and they will have it ready upon their arrival.
