The Gift That Keeps On Giving

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Looking to make a grand gesture that your spouse or partner will appreciate this Valentine’s Day? Or maybe you’ve agreed to give DIY Valentine’s Day gifts?

Either way, if you’re not typically in charge of the housekeeping, presenting your sweetie with a clean home is likely to set hearts aflutter. At the very least, it will make your valentine feel like you appreciate the hard work that goes into keeping a tidy home. But first, you have to know how to clean a house.

Handle Unpleasant Business First
When you start your Valentine’s Day cleaning, you want to tackle the most difficult room first. Surprisingly, the room that’s the toughest to clean is also the smallest. That’s right, it’s the bathroom. Here are the areas you’ll need to clean and how to clean them:
Toilet:
Spray under the rim of your toilet with distilled white vinegar. Use the toilet brush to scrub any grime out. Really get in there. Next, pour ½ cup of vinegar into the bowl and let that sit for about five minutes. Scrub the bowl with the brush and flush the toilet. You can clean the outer rim and the seat by spritzing them with vinegar and wiping away any residue with a dry microfiber cloth.
Shower:
Make a hard water stain cleaner by mixing ¼ cup of vinegar and ¾ cup of water. In a microwave-safe bowl, nuke this combo for about 60 seconds. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and mist your surfaces. Let that sit for three minutes, then wipe the cleaner away with a microfiber cloth.
Tub and sink:
The method you use to clean your bathtub will depend on whether your tub is made from acrylic, enamel or porcelain. You can find cleaning instructions for each type of bathtub in this post. These solutions can also be used for your bathroom sink. Alternatively, you could sprinkle baking soda on your tub and sink surfaces and wash them off using warm water and a microfiber cloth.

Brownie-point bonus #1: Take your Valentine’s Day cleaning to the next level by washing the floor, cleaning the mirror and laying out fresh towels and a clean bathmat.

Blast Those Dust Bunnies
Dusting is the next step when you give the gift of house cleaning. You want to do this before vacuuming so you can zap any dust that may have fallen as you dusted.

Overall, this is probably the easiest task you’ll tackle. Work your way through the house with a duster and some dry microfiber cloths. Simply wipe the dust away using the appropriate tool, making sure not to forget about areas, such as ceiling fans, baseboards and blinds. Additionally, if you’re dusting fans above furniture or beds or other hard-to-reach places, you may want to lay down an old sheet to catch any falling debris.

Brownie-point bonus #2: Wipe off knickknacks and such as you’re cleaning desks, dressers and bookshelves.

Vacuum for Your Valentine
Now your floors should be nice and dusty. Vacuum throughout the house, even on uncarpeted floors. If you do have carpet, sprinkle a little baking soda as you go, especially if you have pets. This will neutralize any unpleasant household odors. And if you got dust on the furniture during your Valentine’s Day cleaning, no sweat: Just hoover it up with the appropriate attachment.
Clean the Kitchen
You definitely don’t want to leave the kitchen out of your Valentine’s Day cleaning. Here are the areas you’ll need to focus on:
Countertops, cabinets and stovetops:
After clearing your countertops, combine dishwashing liquid with warm water in a bucket or sink. Dip a clean microfiber cloth — just get it damp, don’t saturate it — into the solution and wipe down your counters. Be sure to regularly rinse the cloth clean as you go, so that you’re not just spreading jelly residue and toast crumbs around. Once that’s done, buff the countertops with a dry microfiber cloth and replace any items you removed from the counter.

Cleaning cabinets and stovetops is as easy as emptying a box of heart-shaped chocolates in one sitting. Simply dampen a clean microfiber cloth with water and wipe down cabinet surfaces. Then retrace your swipes with a dry microfiber cloth to remove any streaks that were left behind. Repeat these instructions on your stovetop with a fresh set of microfiber cloths.
Dishes:
No Valentine wants to come home to a sink full of dirty dishes. Load the dishwasher or take the time to do the dishes by hand. If you have drip pans on your stove, give them a wash, too.

Brownie-point bonus #3: After dishes have been cleaned and dried, put them away and wipe down the sink.

Add Some Final Touches
There are two more Valentine’s Day cleaning steps you can take to really wow your one and only: Do the laundry and freshen up the bed linens. You’ve probably got laundry covered. Just be careful not to toss any delicates into the washer.

Now you need to get those sheets and pillowcases fresh and clean. Wash them separately from anything else, so that they don’t pick up lint. You’ll want to use a gentle detergent and warm water (warm, not hot). Tumble dry on low.

You can wash and dry your duvet cover just as you did your sheets. Make sure you take the duvet itself out and distribute the cover evenly in the washing machine.

Brownie-point bonus #4: Top off the clean bed with some rose petals to set the tone and call attention to the job well done.

If you want to make sure your gift keeps giving, take it one step further than a Valentine’s Day cleaning: Give the gift of housecleaning to your one true love with Tidy Up Angels.  Using our cleaning service in Kansas City, you can count on our skilled staff to take care of any loose ends throughout the week. Call us today to our teams of professional cleaners are ready to take care of the hard work for you. Book a clean today and leave the rest up to us – Treat yourself and your home! Tidy Up Angels has been providing residential cleaning service to the Overland Park area since 2008. Trusting someone to clean your home can be a little unnerving. If this is your first time hiring a cleaning company, we want you to know that you can relax with Tidy Up Angels. Our company is fully insured and bonded; safeguarding your most personal possessions. Honesty, integrity, and good work ethics are the back bone of our company. We aim to meet all your expectations and we hope to exceed them during each service. Let us know how we can help with your house cleaning services in Overland Park and how we can help you – contact Tidy Up Angels LLC at 913-642-2006.

12 Days of Holiday Cleaning – How to Clean Your Home Before the Big Day

12 Days of Holiday Cleaning – How to Clean Your Home Before the Big Day

he holiday season can get hectic. There are gifts to buy, parties to attend and if you’re hosting this year, getting the house ready can be a real stressor.

Day 1: Get the Guest Bedroom Ready
If guests are staying overnight, get the guest bedroom ready first so you don’t have to worry about it later. Dust surfaces and baseboards, vacuum, wash linens and make the bed and put out any extras to make their stay more comfortable, such as towels and wash cloths, and any welcoming gifts.

Day 2: The Laundry Room
You’ll be doing a lot of laundry over the holidays so now is the time to get the laundry room prepped and ready for battle. Wipe down shelves and appliances, organize the cabinets and make sure you’re stocked up on supplies.

Day 3: Kids’ Bedrooms
Next, tackle the kids’ bedrooms. Get your kids to help with putting toys and books away and throwing out any trash. Vacuum and dust, put laundry away and make the bed. To get them to keep their room clean throughout the season and help relieve some cleaning stress, offer an incentive such as a family movie night.

Day 4: The Front Closet/Mudroom
Make sure all items have a place to hang and boots and shoes are in their proper bin. Mop the floors.

Day 5: The Master Bedroom
When the holidays get stressful, you’ll want a place where you can retreat and relax, so make sure your bedroom is clean and tidy. Vacuum and dust all surfaces, change the bed linens and make sure all laundry is picked up and put away. Declutter horizontal surfaces.

Day 6: The Hallways
Make sure the hallways are vacuumed or swept and wipe down the walls if needed. Touch up any paint and make sure artwork is dusted and hung properly.

Day 7: The Master Bathroom
Get out the cleaning supplies and spend some time cleaning the master bathroom. Wipe down the walls, mop the floors and wash rugs and towels. Sanitize the counter and sink and scrub the shower and toilet.

Day 8: The Kitchen
Since people like to congregate in the kitchen during Christmas, make sure your kitchen is ready. Take the time to wash down the walls and cabinets and clean appliances, including inside the refrigerator and oven. Make sure your dishwasher is working properly so it’s ready for all those dirty dishes. Sanitize countertops and organize the pantry.

Day 9: The Living Room
Declutter the living room and make sure all trash is picked up. Recycle newspapers and magazines. Water plants if needed. Dust all surfaces and wash curtains or wipe down blinds. Vacuum or mop. Treat any stains on fabric or carpet.

Day 10: The Dining Room
Make sure you’ll have enough seats at the table for Christmas dinner. Dust surfaces and mop floors. Wash tablecloths and placemats. Make sure you have enough wine glasses, plates and flatware for the big meal.

Day 11: The Main Bathroom
Now is the time to make sure all other bathrooms are ready. Sanitize the sink and countertop and scrub the toilet and shower. Mop the floor and wipe down walls. Make sure the bathroom is stocked with toilet paper, towels and any other toiletries guests may need.

Day 12: Christmas Clutter
Have a plan for all that Christmas clutter that seems to multiply before your eyes. Put recycle bins in an easy-to-access spot, have trash bags ready and have a designated spot to keep all those gifts before they’re placed under the tree.

Taking the time to clean ahead of time will help you enjoy the cooking and socializing without being stressed or embarrassed about your housekeeping.  Looking for a BETTER & EASIER Way to Clean Your Home?  Using our cleaning service in Kansas City, you can count on our skilled staff to take care of any loose ends throughout the week. Call us today to our teams of professional cleaners are ready to take care of the hard work for you. Book a clean today and leave the rest up to us – Treat yourself and your home! Tidy Up Angels has been providing residential cleaning service to the Overland Park area since 2008. Trusting someone to clean your home can be a little unnerving. If this is your first time hiring a cleaning company, we want you to know that you can relax with Tidy Up Angels. Our company is fully insured and bonded; safeguarding your most personal possessions. Honesty, integrity, and good work ethics are the back bone of our company. We aim to meet all your expectations and we hope to exceed them during each service. Let us know how we can help with your house cleaning services in Overland Park and how we can help you – contact Tidy Up Angels LLC at 913-642-2006.

Messy Kids Alert: Trick Or Treating Tips for Parents

Messy Kids Alert: Trick Or Treating Tips for Parents

It’s basically a guarantee that if you’re a parent, you have messy kids. Like, what kid isn’t messy? But on Halloween, the mess can get to a whole new level. You’ve got kids hyped up on sugar and excited about the holiday brandishing melted chocolate bars and gooey caramels and sticky lollipops, oh my!

But don’t feel like you have to be the wicked witch to avoid disaster. Instead, be prepared before messes happen. Catching messes and stains as soon as possible is one of the keys to removing them.

While you’re trick-or-treating, bring Lysol wipes and hand sanitizer (germs, am I right?) as well as paper towels. If stains happen while you’re trick-or-treating, dab or scrape as much of the offending sweet off the clothing as possible. This will help prevent the stain from setting and help you remove it more easily when you get home.

And when you get home with that pillowcase full of candy, make sure it doesn’t get dumped out on the carpet. Instead, clear a safe space for candy, and lay down a garbage bag or old towel, so nothing gets stained.

Candy Stains
They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors: candy stains! They’re sticky, and they’re gross, but don’t let them defeat you.

Pick off as much of the candy as possible and dab with a paper towel. Get all the candy and colour off that you can before moving to the next step.  Mix vinegar with warm water and rinse the stained area thoroughly.  If you have a stain remover or pre-treater solution, soak for five minutes.  Wash in cold water as you normally would.  If your garment is still stained, soak in oxygen bleach for 30 minutes, then rewash in cold water.

Mud Stains
So your kids and their friends tracked mud all over your carpet after trick-or-treating. What the heck do you do now?!

Wait until the mud is dry. Then vacuum over it thoroughly, removing as much mud as possible.
Make a solution of one part dishwashing soap and two cups of warm water. Sponge the stain with your cleaning solution and blot until the liquid is absorbed. Repeat this step until the mud is gone.  Sponge with cold water to remove any excess mud and cleaning solution.  You can even use these tips for your little dog, too… when they track mud all over your new rug.

Red Wine Stain Removal
So maybe the adults at your Halloween party are a little messy too. You’re going to need to know how to get red wine out of a carpet, just in case.  Blot the stain with a paper towel, absorbing as much wine as possible.  Pour a small amount of club soda over the stain, just enough to cover.

Clean Up After A Party
Cleaning up after a party can feel overwhelming. So before the party starts, remember that preventative measures are essential.

Put out SO MANY COASTERS. More coasters than you have people coming. Cover your entire home with coasters! OK, maybe don’t go that far, but having ample coasters available will encourage your guests to use them, which could save you from dealing with drink rings on your furniture. If you do end up with dreaded wet rings check out our article on Wood Furniture Cleaning Secrets.

Have paper towels handy to deal with any spills on the spot. And remember, the biggest part of cleaning up will probably be dirty dishes, so make sure you have an empty dishwasher at the beginning of the party. Then, if you have time, load your dishwasher throughout the night, saving you some clean-up in the morning.

Looking for a BETTER & EASIER Way to Clean Your Home?  Using our cleaning service in Kansas City, you can count on our skilled staff to take care of any loose ends throughout the week. Call us today to our teams of professional cleaners are ready to take care of the hard work for you. Book a clean today and leave the rest up to us – Treat yourself and your home! Tidy Up Angels has been providing residential cleaning service to the Overland Park area since 2008. Trusting someone to clean your home can be a little unnerving. If this is your first time hiring a cleaning company, we want you to know that you can relax with Tidy Up Angels. Our company is fully insured and bonded; safeguarding your most personal possessions. Honesty, integrity, and good work ethics are the back bone of our company. We aim to meet all your expectations and we hope to exceed them during each service. Let us know how we can help with your house cleaning services in Overland Park and how we can help you – contact Tidy Up Angels LLC at 913-642-2006.

What about those summer chores?

What about those summer chores?

You know all about spring cleaning, but what about those summer chores?

Summer is for outdoor recreation, cocktails on patios, scenic dog walks, waiting in unreasonably long lines for ice cream, crashing pools and catching free music in urban parks. Summer is for camping, fireworks, BBQs and sunburns. Summer is for watermelon, salt water and road trips.

Summer’s not for cleaning, but summer is for maintaining! Summer happens fast. There are dandelions, pollen, ants and crazy thunderstorms that strike with little warning. There is still lots to clean during the summer, especially when you’re out of town for long stretches of time. Your house isn’t going to keep itself up. You’ll still have to put in minimal effort to ensure you’re not totally overwhelmed once your tan fades and the days grow shorter and it’s time for your annual fall cleaning.

The more you maintain during the summer months, the less tedious the next seasonal deep clean will be.

Kitchen summer cleaning
Clean your microwave monthly.
Clean out your fridge and freezer weekly.
Wipe out shelves, drawers and handles.
Clean out and organize your pantry monthly.
Disinfect high-touch areas weekly.
This includes cabinet handles, light switches, sink faucets and countertops.
Wipe down countertops daily with a multipurpose cleaner or a DIY solution.
Clean out your garbage disposal monthly.
Toss a few ice cubes and fresh lemon peels down the drain and let ’er rip.
Sweep, dry mop and/or vacuum the floors weekly.
Clean your kitchen blinds monthly.
Wash the windows monthly.
Wash the trash and recycling receptacles monthly.
Clean your dishwasher by running it on an empty cycle with Cascade Dishwasher Cleaner monthly.

Time-saving tips for summer cleaning
Keep your drains (and especially your garbage disposal!) mold and bacteria free during the warm weather months by pouring some boiling water down them, followed by a dollop of baking soda and dash of white vinegar. Finish with more boiling water to flush.

Dry brush outdoor couch cushions (or hit them with your vacuum’s upholstery attachment) to remove pollen and pet hair before hosting company.

Clean and reverse your ceiling fan blades each summer, so they’re not just aimlessly swirling dirt and pollen around in your home. By reversing the blades to turn counterclockwise, the fan will push cold air, rather than warm air, downward.

Invest in a few inexpensive brooms and dustpans to stash on each porch, patio or deck. These are handy for spot cleaning all your window treatments, screens, railings, ceilings, window boxes, etc.

Buy a new summer shower curtain liner, and pretreat it by running it through the washing machine on the cold, gentle setting with ¼ cup of white vinegar. This will prevent mold and mildew from forming on the shower liner during the warmer, more humid months.

Give your gas grill an exfoliating spa treatment in between uses to keep the grates fresh.

Just turn it on high, and let the grates get hot (or use this technique when you’re done cooking, while the grill is still hot).

Hold a cut lemon with long-handled tongs, or stick it on the end of a long-handled fork (either way, be careful!).

Dip the lemon into a bowl of salt and then rub it across the grates from front to back. The lemon’s acid will cut grease, while the salt is a scrubbing agent.

Crush grass stains by pretreating them with a DIY solution of 1 part white vinegar and 2 parts water. Let the solution sit for 5 minutes before machine washing stained items with an enzyme detergent on the hot setting.

Your free time is precious. For an extra hand around the home to help with all your spring cleaning – our teams of professional cleaners are ready to take care of the hard work for you. Book a clean today and leave the rest up to us – Treat yourself and your home! Tidy Up Angels has been providing residential cleaning service to the Overland Park area since 2008. Trusting someone to clean your home can be a little unnerving. If this is your first time hiring a cleaning company, we want you to know that you can relax with Tidy Up Angels. Our company is fully insured and bonded; safeguarding your most personal possessions. Honesty, integrity, and good work ethics are the back bone of our company. We aim to meet all your expectations and we hope to exceed them during each service. Let us know how we can help with your house cleaning services in Overland Park and how we can help you – contact Tidy Up Angels LLC at 913-642-2006.

Tips to Keep Your House Clean in the Summer

Tips to Keep Your House Clean in the Summer

1. Tackle Clutter One Room at a Time
One of the best cleaning tips is to tackle clutter first. Organizing one room a day shouldn’t take too long, but it can have a big influence on how your living space feels. After you eliminate clutter, your house will feel much less claustrophobic.

2. Use the Right Tools
Cleaning doesn’t have to be so labor intensive if you have the right tools on hand. Instead of scrubbing, use a cleaning agent that breaks down grime as it sits. Instead of using a small dust rag, use a Swiffer to cover more surface area and lock in dust as you swipe.

3. Master Summer Cleaning by Creating a Schedule
If you have a big house to clean, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and not know where to start. Take some time to create a schedule that divides all of your chores equally into different days of the week. When you have smaller tasks to do, you can feel much more motivated to clean.

4. Prioritize Big Chores
Although everyone should strive to have a spotless house, some chores are more important than others. For your health and the appearance of your home, you should focus on handling the biggest chores first. After you tackle those, your smaller chores will feel less intimidating.

Laundry, dishwashing, vacuuming, sweeping, and clutter maintenance are tasks that should be done the most often. Other tasks like dusting and sanitizing the bathroom and kitchen can be done once a week. You can get away with doing deep cleans a few times a year.

5. Clean Top to Bottom
Have you ever swept the floors then wiped your counters only to realize your floors were dirty again? Although it may sound obvious, tons of people make more work for themselves by cleaning in the wrong order. The best way to clean is top to bottom so you never miss a spot.

6. Clever Tips for Clean House: Give Yourself Rewards
Having a hard time sticking to your cleaning schedule? Give yourself something fun to look forward to as a reward for your hard work. If you know that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, your chores will feel more bearable.

Your free time is precious. For an extra hand around the home to help with all your spring cleaning – our teams of professional cleaners are ready to take care of the hard work for you. Book a clean today and leave the rest up to us – Treat yourself and your home! Tidy Up Angels has been providing residential cleaning service to the Overland Park area since 2008. Trusting someone to clean your home can be a little unnerving. If this is your first time hiring a cleaning company, we want you to know that you can relax with Tidy Up Angels. Our company is fully insured and bonded; safeguarding your most personal possessions. Honesty, integrity, and good work ethics are the back bone of our company. We aim to meet all your expectations and we hope to exceed them during each service. Let us know how we can help with your house cleaning services in Overland Park and how we can help you – contact Tidy Up Angels LLC at 913-642-2006.

Kitchen Cleaning Services

Kitchen Cleaning Services

Any home cook or large family knows that the kitchen gets dirty faster than any other room in the house. Cooking one big meal often means a long night of cleaning after enjoying the fruits of your hard work.

This high-traffic area of your home requires special attention, which a professional kitchen cleaning service can provide. Molly Maid housekeepers thoroughly clean your kitchen to remove all dirt, debris and grime that may have been left behind.

  • Dusting
  • Table and chair cleaning
  • Appliance surface cleaning
  • Vacuuming
  • Stove drip pan, burner gate and control knob cleaning
  • Mopping
  • Microwave cleaning
  • Cupboard knobs
  • Countertop cleaning
  • Cupboard and knob cleaning

Your kitchen will be left professionally cleaned and smelling fresh. Our team even empties your trash cans and straightens the chairs as a final touch. Throughout the entire process, we ensure breakable items are treated with care and we take all your personal cleaning preferences into account.

Professional House Cleaning You Can Trust

These are just some of the tips we have for keeping a kitchen clean and smelling fresh.

House Cleaning Help When You Need It

Your free time is precious. For an extra hand in the kitchen – and around the house our teams of professional cleaners are ready to take care of the hard work for you. Book a clean today and leave the rest up to us – Treat yourself and your home! Tidy Up Angels has been providing residential cleaning service to the Overland Park area since 2008. Trusting someone to clean your home can be a little unnerving. If this is your first time hiring a cleaning company, we want you to know that you can relax with Tidy Up Angels. Our company is fully insured and bonded; safeguarding your most personal possessions. Honesty, integrity, and good work ethics are the back bone of our company. We aim to meet all your expectations and we hope to exceed them during each service. Let us know how we can help with your house cleaning services in Overland Park and how we can help you – contact Tidy Up Angels LLC at 913-642-2006.