From Frightful to Fantastic: The Maids Offers Cleaning Tips for Often-Overlooked Areas

By: Maids Home Service, The | 0 Shares 74 Reads

OMAHA, Neb., Nov. 1, 2011 // PRNewswire // -- The goblins and ghouls have come and gone, but your home still may be a frightful place. Real cobwebs that hang in the corner no longer add to the ambiance of the living room. Dust balls lurk under the beds, and only a scientist can hazard a guess at what's growing in the dark recesses of your refrigerator.

Experts at The Maids (www.maids.com), the only franchised residential cleaning service to clean for health using environmentally preferable products, a strategic cleaning approach and state-of-the-art equipment, offer these ideas to help you focus on often-overlooked areas so you can transform your haunted house into home-sweet-home.

It Came from Above. Cobwebs might have been the perfect decor for a Halloween party, but now they are simply creepy. Attach a microfiber cloth -- a rubber band works nicely -- to an extending pole or even a broom handle and run it along ceiling and wall creases. You can also use an extender attachment on your vacuum to eliminate webs from windowsills and other areas where spiders like to congregate. Don't forget to wipe down curtain rods or other window treatment fixtures that aren't part of a regular cleaning regime.

Next dust tops of picture frames, bookshelf tops, door moldings and other wall decor. Remove any vent covers and thoroughly clean with a mild soap and warm water. Dust smoke and CO2detectors to make sure they're operating efficiently.

If you have silk or other artificial floral arrangements, remove dust or sticky cobwebs with a microfiber cloth. At the least, take them outside and give them a good shaking. If the dusty grime is too foreboding, consider throwing them away.

What Lies Beneath. Some of the truly scary places in your home are those you rarely see. Take this opportunity to dust or vacuum closet floors and corners, under beds, and any other places you might not have cleaned in several months. Use soapy, warm water to clean under kitchen or bathroom sinks; while you are there, check for leaks or other pipe issues.

Use a long-handled, soft brush to clean any accumulated lint and other fuzz from your dryer vent. Use a vacuum attachment to eliminate dust and debris from behind your washer and dryer and other appliances placed close to walls, including the refrigerator.

The Thing. Speaking of refrigerators, some of the unwanted things you find there can be, well, chilling. First, toss any foods that are expired, unwanted or look like they came from Frankenstein's laboratory. Place foods you want to keep on a counter or other clean surface.

Use a healthful and environmental-friendly solution of one quart warm water to one-quarter cup baking soda to wipe down the inside of the refrigerator. Place drawers and shelving into the sink or your bathtub and clean them with the same solution. To keep your refrigerator smelling fresh, keep a box of opened baking soda in the back of the fridge; change about every three months.

It Came from the Black Lagoon. Your bathtub and shower stall may not be that terrifying, but the truth is, thousands of germs and bacteria thrive in warm, moist places. And don't forget the mold and mildew that accumulates on tile grout.

Soapy water and a scrub brush are your best defense against any swamp creatures living in your bathroom. A simple paste of baking soda and vinegar and a tooth brush will scrub away grime that has accumulated on tile grout. If the grout is stained, reach for a lemon. The acidity in the fruit's juice will attack stains and discoloration. Leave the juice on for about ten minutes before wiping clean.

About The Maids:

Known for its 22-Step Healthy Touch® Deep Cleaning System, The Maids is the only franchised residential cleaning service to clean for health, combining environmentally preferable cleaning supplies and state-of-the-art equipment with a methodical process to maintain the healthiest living environment possible for families. The Maids enjoys a 96 percent customer referral rate, distinguishing them as the residential cleaning service of choice. Visit The Maids (www.maids.com) for more information.

SOURCE The Maids

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