So one day last week, you were talking to your Aunt Effie. While engrossed in your conversation, you hear sizzling coming from the kitchen. The stew is boiling over, with its broth running across the stove top and down the front. Hurriedly, you shoo your Aunt Effie off the phone,in a middle of a thought,  then turn the burner down and begin to wipe up the mess as the stew continues to brew. Luckily, all's well, that ends well...and you go about your business.

But today, you smell something. You've taken the garbage to the curb...checked the garbage disposal and the liter box. Nope, none of those things are the culprit. Then you decide to check the drip pan where last week's spill occurred and boom...there is the origin of the smell. Yuck!

I make sure that when I clean my customer's stoves and mine, I check the drip pans. Because it is enclosed, sort of, air does not circulate there. Its like food...has been sitting there for a week and has spoiled.

It is a good thing to check the drip pans after each use of the stove. Not only do I empty the pans, I wash them in hot, soapy water. You would be surprised how much collects under the burners.  Don't let bad odor direct you to the stove. I like to save that for the aroma of stew!

Happy Cleaning!

Doorknobs and light-switches need love and cleaning too!

Everyone in the house turns lights on and off, and turns doorknobs throughout. With that in mind, I always wipe them down, both at my house and my customers' houses. Bacteria can live anywhere and can spread sickness. I carry disinfectant wipes in the bucket and use them for wiping doorknobs as well as light switches and light plates. A dampened paper towel with a disenfectant solution on it, works too. Just remember NEVER to over-soak the paper towel, and always wipe the switch, plate and doorknob dry.

I do not recommend using a sponage,  as it may be too wet to put near electricity. Always use caution when wiping a light switch and light plate. Make sure it is in the off position. Be healthy. Be safe.

Oh, the dreaded bath mat; a must have?

I cannot tell you how important an anti-slip bath mat is in a bathtub when you're raising five children. I have always had a anti-slip bath mat in our tub. Then as my dad got older, he got one to keep himself from falling while showering. An anti-slip bath mat is a life saver. To make sure it stays that way, it has to be properly maintained.

A number of my customers have bath mats. When I clean their tubs, like I do at my house, I remove the mat, clean under it, and put it on the edge of the tub to dry, suction cup side up, when I'm done. So that the water does not wet their floors, I always place paper towel under the mat to catch the dripping water.

The suction cups...well they do just that; attach the mat to the tub so that it will not move under pressure. Unless moved, those suction cups do not release the water, and dirt that is released from our bodies during baths or showers. Standing water, no matter where it is, can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew, which can lead to a buildup of bacteria. And no one I know needs that!

So to keep your anti-slip bath mat free from mold, mildew and bacteria, I suggest removing the bath mat after every use to allow the water under, and inside the suction cups of the mat, to run free. Then let the mat dry.

Cleaning the mat is a snap. You can use your bath tub cleaner or a mild dish soap (I do not recommend using bleach on the mat) to clean the mat. I use a toothbrush to clean around the suction cups but you can use any soft brush.  Make sure you rinse your tub and its mat thoroughly, then hang it over the edge of the tub to dry before it is used again.  I also recommend the mat be replaced after a few months and/or when it starts to fray. You don't want rubber in your drain.

While raising five children, our anti-slip bath mats have been a 'must have' in our home.  And a number of my customers feel the same way, as they have mats in their houses as well. Keeping it cleaned is not a hard thing to do, but man is it important.

Happy Cleaning!

What's in a Lemon? Just ask your butcher block counter top!

This is no 'lemon,' believe me. While it is a handy, dandy thing to have, especially while cooking, Butcher's Block can become a nightmare if not maintained and cleaned well.

Because the wood is real in most cases, it has pores or openings in the grain. When cutting and preparing raw meat, bacteria and food particles can seep inside. And each time you cut on it, remember, you could be creating new openings. Because of this, the butcher's block counter or cutting board should be cleaned immediately after every use, first with hot water and a soapy dish liquid.

An article on http://www.ehow.com/, states that butcher block counters absorb food odors, oils and bacteria from raw meat. They say it is "imperative," to clean  right after use. They suggest using the dish liquid, but then advice to use a bleach mixture to complete the process.

I am not a fan of bleach, especially around food. You can decide what is right for you, but I use lemon. Yes, your everyday lemon, every night. The article does suggest lemon, but as a step after the bleach.

I clean the butcher's block with hot soapy water after use and let it dry. Then before the kitchen closes, I take a lemon and scrub the counter with it and let it sit overnight. I wipe any residue from the counter in the morning. And then it is ready for use again.

The article at http://www.e-how.com/  WARNS  not to use olive or vegetable oils to protect the wood, as it will spoil. They suggest to either use mineral oil or a food preparation surface commercial product, which is what my customers use on their butcher block counter. Those products can be found at your local hardware and grocery stores.

Butcher's Block is really a good thing to have. It makes cooking easy for seasoned cooks and cooks like me who like to get in the kitchen, get it done, and get out. But you have to make sure, for health's sake, to keep it sanitized and bacteria free. Enjoy and happy cooking!

Before you fire up that fireplace for the first time this fall.......



Da Fireplace

 .......I suggest that you have a certified chimney sweep inspect and clean the chimney. Have the chimney sweep show you how to check it yourself, too. According to an article on http://www.hgtv.com/, it is suggested that a chimney should be checked at least once a year or after about 80 fires.

Also suggested is cleaning the firebox (the area where the logs burn) at least once a week during the months it's used when ash builds up. Make sure the logs are cold and free of embers before removing ash. For the off season, the article on http://www.hgtv.com/, suggests keeping the firebox completely clean.
Yes, chimney sweeps really do exist. I always think of Dick Van Dyke as a chimney sweep in the movie, "Mary Poppins." But they are real life savers, in present day, for keeping our  fireplaces safe.

 Questions pertaining to your fireplace can be directed to companies that maintain, install, and manufacturer  them. You may also receive help from the builder's stores. The staff there is knowledgeable about most everything. And if they don't know, they will direct you to someone who does. Menard's is so good at that. You can, well I can, walk in there with an idea half planned and come out with knowledge to finish  a project.

And it may also be a good idea to get tips on how to stay safe when using a fireplace, from your area fire department. As you know fire safety is their expertise, and they will probably be happy to assist you in keeping your home and family safe.

For more tips on how to use a fireplace and what should be done to maintain it, visit http://www.hgtv.com/; or http://www.fireplaces-fireplaces.com/maintenance.

Stay safe and enjoy!

Organic? Sure. Oh wait, what?

There are a plenty cleaning products on the shelves at grocery stores. Some with bleach, others without and still others that are, "organic."

Walking home today, I walked passed a car with a sign advertising an 'organic' makeup line. That made me remember that  two weeks ago as I was driving, I saw a van, advertising a cleaning service that only used 'organic' cleaning products. While I have heard, or read about organic this, organic that, I really didn't know the whole story behind 'organic.' So today, I sat down and researched it and this is what I came up with.

The dictionary defines the adjective, "organic," as, 1.) of, relating to, or derived from living things; 2.) involving, producing, or dealing in foods produced without the use of laboratory-made fertilizers, growth substances, antibiotics, or pesticides.

According to articles and websites I visited to learn more, many cleaning products can be made of juices, fruits, and cooking ingredients. And the benefit of using organic products according to these articles and websites, is these products are free of chemicals and other ingredients that a lot of the shelf products contain.

I have a friend that I clean for who has asked me to use the soaps and cleaners that she has made. Because they are made with vinegar, baking starch and other kitchen and baking items, I'm assuming these products are her version of organic. I know she has really bad allergies. And one time during one of my early cleaning appointments with her, she asked what did I use to mop her bathroom floor the cleaning time before. She said it had given her a headache and asked that I not use it.

Later that month, she asked me to use the products she made. I have used them, but I am not convinced about their cleaning power. But as long as my friend does not have a headache when I'm done cleaning, and is happy with the results of the cleaning, using a little more elbow grease is worth it.

As always, I recommend you read the labels of any product BEFORE you use it. To make sure its the right product to use on your surface, I suggest you try it in an 'out-of-view' area of your surface, then go from there. You decide.

There are many sites that post recipes to make organic everything. Research and see what you think.

Happy Cleaning!

What's not in the Bucket!

Note to self, Soft Scrub w/ Beach really has bleach and I have learned that the hard way. Its not an alternative, it is the real deal and I have two shirts to prove it. With the second shirt being stained today,  I thought I would make sure I made note of this.

I have a few friends that I clean for, who ask me to use Soft Scrub. It is a great product. It removes stains easily with less elbow-grease than some of the other cleaners on the grocery store shelves. And Soft Scrub comes in foam and gel in bottles with safty spouts to reduce splatter of the bottle content.  Just know when you are deciding between cleansers,Soft Scrub really does contain, sodium hypochlorite, which is the chemical name for "Bleach."

With any product, in or not in my Bucket, always read the label BEFORE using. Be informed. Be in the know!

Happy Cleaning!

You can make music when you clean!

Can you hear it? Well........you will.

I thought I knew all there was to know about cleaning when I started working for a cleaning service in Decatur. I was unorganized, I hated doing it, so I tried to get done in a hurry, and thought I was a pretty good house cleaner. But it wasn't long that I found out I really wasn't good at all because I hadn't learned that a good cleaner knows there is rhythm in cleaning. Find it, and you may hear music.

Okay you won't hear music coming from your cleaning supplies or duster, but your actions, your organized steps, your cleaning, will help you find a beat, which will make cleaning much easier, and sort-of like dancing! Set and keep this pace, and you will be done in no time.

Get organized. Set a time, keep your products and cleaning tools close, and put the phone on vibrate. Keep a water bottle near, and try not to be disturbed. Start cleaning when you enter the room. I start with the door frame outside the room, then enter, working top to bottom, left to right. Every surface in the room is touched and cleaned, including ceiling fans and window frames and sills. This is my rhythm, but you can come up with your own plan for organized cleaning. Whatever you come up with, find a rhythm, and go from there.

You see, cleaning does not have to be a chore. Find your rhythm, your plan of organized cleaning and maybe you will hear the music, too!

Happy Cleaning!
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Products from the Bucket, used in this issue

I prefer using the Swiffter Extended Duster handle.  It gives me the ability to reach high and low areas without getting on a stool or chair (which I do not recommend), or bending over much. Although Swiffter makes duster heads to fit the handle, you can get generic duster heads that fit and work just as good, at "Dollar Tree." There, you get three (3) duster heads for $1.00. I also add Endust, a multi-surface dusting and cleaning spray, to the duster to attract more dust and hair and add a shine to the surfaces. I recommend the spray not be directly sprayed on the duster. I spray it in the air and run the duster head through the mist. I ask that you Test it FIRST on your surface before general use.

As with all products in the Bucket, please read the product label to see if it is the right product for your surfaces. Try it in an "out-of-view"area of your surface. Then make a decision as to whether this is the product for you.

What's in the Bucket?



The HHRCS Bucket



As I said in an earlier post, when I decided to start my own cleaning service, I wanted to use everyday, over-the-counter cleaning products. The service that I worked for, used solutions that had to be mixed and that I only know as green, pink, or red solutions. I never really knew what I was using, except for the glass cleaner, which was known as the glass cleaner. But still, I didn't know what was in it.



So I spent an hour or so in the cleaning solution aisle at "Dollar General." Since I used Comet at home, I thought it was the best cleanser to use. I grew up using Comet, the green-powered version. My mother thought it was the best cleanser, back in a time when there were only a few in the cleaning aisle at A & P.

Comet Spray Bathroom Cleaner breaks the film build-up in the tub and shower and dissolves it.  And, it washes off pretty easy. It works really well on shower doors and in the tracks of the shower door. It disinfects as it cleans.

While it is a great product to use in bathrooms, I DO NOT USE it on natural marble, stone, brass surfaces, brass fixtures or colored grout. It works wonders on white grout in the shower.

If you plan to use Comet Bathroom Cleaner, or any product in my bucket, I recommend that you read the label, and then test it on a small, out-of-view section of your surface, FIRST to see how the solution treats it before generally using it in your bathroom.  Then the rest is up to you.

And that is one thing in the Bucket.

What's in the bucket?

The most important way to cut down on the time you clean, is the products and tools you use. When I started this cleaning service, I spent an hour in the cleaning solution aisle at Dollar General. Before I started the service, I worked for a cleaning service that used chemicals that had to be mixed. When it was my turn to mix, I could never remember how much water to add, how much of the solution not to add, and if I should shake, bake, or stir. For that reason and for the cost, I decided that I was going to use, what I used to clean my own house  over-the-counter products.

Over the course of the next few posts, we will get to everything that "is in the Bucket," and why I decided on those particular products. A few things that I don't use is bleach, ammonia or pine solutions. While I know many who use these products or versions of them, I do not recommend them and they are not in my bucket.

But lets start with what is,  and the three things in the bucket I am NEVER without.
The service that I worked for, required all those who cleaned for them, to have a tooth brush;  a soft bristled paint brush; and a plastic paint scrapper.While I changed the paint brush to a hand brush, each time I clean, I am never without these items and let me tell you why.

First, the toothbrush.  It's for the area around the faucets, and the hot and cold handles and the drains in the sinks just to name a few. In the kitchen, dirt, grime and food particles build in this area, usually from your dirty dishes or dish water. If you don't remove that build up right away, they may have to be scrubbed away and a tooth brush is just the thing to get to that hard-to-get-to place. In the bathroom, soap, grim and dirt can gather in many places that you cannot clean with a cloth. I have also used a toothbrush even at the base of the toilet where it meets the floor.

I use the  plastic paint scrapper in the area between the stove and the counter. Food and run-off of all kinds build up there and to get it, you need something very thin and easy to use. One of my customers has a grill on her stove. There is an area between the grill and the front portion of the stove, where food particles and grease gather.The plastic paint scrapper is thin enough to fit in that area. I recommend a plastic paint scrapper over a metal one. You don't want to scratch the surface or injure yourself.

And last, is the hand brush. I use the it to dust delicate items, statues, lamp shades and bases, curtains, pillows and more. You would be surprised about the amount of dust on a lamp shade or curtain.

So there you have it; three things I use everyday to clean. And they are always 'in the bucket.'

Welcome!

 

My Eat-in Kitchen!

Hello, I am Pam. For the past seven years, I have operated a residential cleaning service. The friends that I clean for, my clients, have taught me a lot and I have learned a lot through trial and error; oh yes error. But I have been successful in this. So please come with me and learn as I have, that cleaning does not have to be a chore.