Fall is a season of change, marked by crisp air, vibrant foliage, and the warm embrace of cozy gatherings. As the leaves outside transform, so too can your home's interior. In this blog, we won't be diving into deep cleaning tips, but rather, we'll explore how you can prepare your home for the welcoming and comforting atmosphere that autumn brings.
1. Revamp Your Decor Fall is all about creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Swap out your summer decor for cozy, autumn-inspired items. Think soft blankets, throw pillows in rich hues, and rustic centerpieces with seasonal accents like pumpkins, gourds, and pinecones. These simple changes can instantly transform your space into a cozy haven for family and friends. 2. Seasonal Scents Scent is a powerful trigger for nostalgia and emotion. Consider introducing fall scents into your home. Candles with fragrances like apple cinnamon, pumpkin spice, or warm vanilla can create a delightful ambiance. You can also simmer a potpourri on your stove with ingredients like cinnamon sticks, cloves, and citrus peels for a natural and inviting aroma. 3. Fireplace Prep If you're lucky enough to have a fireplace, now is the time to get it ready for those chilly evenings. Have it professionally cleaned and inspected to ensure it's safe to use. A crackling fire not only adds warmth but also creates a cozy focal point for gatherings. 4. Cozy Nooks Create cozy nooks in your home where you can relax and unwind. Consider rearranging furniture to maximize comfort and intimacy. Add soft rugs, plush seating, and a good bookshelf for those looking to curl up with a great read. 5. Exterior Clean-Up While we're not talking about deep cleaning, a little exterior tidying can enhance your home's curb appeal for fall. Clear away fallen leaves, trim bushes, and add some outdoor lighting for those early evening get-togethers. A welcoming entryway sets the tone for your gatherings. Fall is a magical season, and with a few thoughtful touches, your home can become a warm and inviting sanctuary for autumn get-togethers. While we'd be happy to assist with deep cleaning if needed, sometimes it's the little changes that make the biggest impact in preparing your home for fall's embrace. Enjoy the season, and make cherished memories with loved ones in your cozy, autumn-inspired abode.
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School is back in session, and if you have school-aged children then you know the shift from summer break to the school year takes a toll on your routine. Our schedules get busy, between work, school, and extracurricular activities, leaving little time for cleaning. With some preparation and organization, you can keep your home clean and tidy throughout the school year. We’re sharing some back to school cleaning tips to help you get your home back in order - and keep it that way!
Go Through Outgrown Clothes: You have probably already gone back to school clothes shopping, and now your kids closets and dressers are overfilled with stuff. Sit down with them and go through every clothing item to determine what no longer fits, or hasn't been worn in a long time. Donate the clothing you no longer want or need. This will help free up space from clutter and will make getting dressed for school easier in the mornings. Utilize a Chore Chart: Back to school cleaning works best when the whole family is involved. Setting up a chore chart will not only lighten your load of the cleaning, but will also teach them the importance of household tasks. Your chore chart can include weekly and daily tasks. There are lots of examples of chore charts online to help you get started. Have a Backpack, Coat, and Shoe Station: As we enter into the fall and winter months, living in Northeast Ohio we can count on rain, ice, and snow. Create a designated space for these items in your entryway. This will help keep items organized, and stop dirt and mud from being tracked into your home. If you don't already, make sure you have a mat at the door for shoes. For coats and backpacks, some hooks on the wall will ensure the clutter is contained. Create A Homework Zone: As kids get older, it's important that they have their own homework and study area - that isn't your kitchen table. Try to find a space in your home (ideally a room without a TV) for a desk. There are lots of desk organizers online or at your local office supply store to make this space neat and tidy. This will help keep the clutter of pencils, paper, and other school supplies at a minimum. Reset Your Home With A Professional Cleaning: If you’re feeling overwhelmed with your back to school cleaning, and not really sure where to begin, let Mark’s Cleaning Service help! We offer customized house cleaning - with a schedule that works for you. We offer Bi-weekly, monthly, and even one-time cleaning for our customers. A professional home cleaning service will save you time, and make cleaning easier during the school year. Estimates are free, so give us a call today! 330-725-5702 1. Clean Air Filters and Air Ducts
If you want to keep your A/C operating efficiently this summer, cleaning your air ducts will be a helpful task. If your home's HVAC system is clogged with dust, dirt, and debris it isn't going to run as efficiently as it could. It could even cause your system to break and need costly repairs, or even replacement. Having your home's air ducts cleaned by a professional technician will have your air vents flowing with cool clean air for the summer time. It is recommended to have your home's air ducts cleaned professionally every 2 years. As part of your regular summer maintenance, change out your air filter as well. It is important to change your air filter every 3 months. 2. Clean Ceiling Fans and Reverse Fans Take the time to dust and wipe off any ceiling fans in your home. Without proper cleaning you are spreading dust around your home as the fan rotates. Remember to also turn your fan counterclockwise. This is to help push cool air down and help make your home feel cooler. 3. Clean Your Windows If you want shiny clean windows this summer it is best to have our team of trained technicians out to clean your windows. Climbing a ladder to reach high windows is a dangerous job, our specially trained technicians uses water fed pole systems to clean your windows, leaving your windows, frames, and mullions much cleaner than a traditional squeegee clean. If a professional window cleaning isn't an option right now, opt for soapy water and a sponge instead of relying on a window cleaner spray in case you need to really scrub to get the dirt out. 4. Clean Out The Fridge & Freezer This is a great time to clean out your fridge and give it a good scrub. Any shelves or drawers that can be removed take them out and rinse them in the sink. Wipe down the inside with a gentle antibacterial soap and throw out any foods and condiments that are old and expired. Do the same with your freezer as well. 5. Clean Up Your Outdoor Space Whether you have a small deck or a large patio, any outdoor space can be turned into a perfect spot to relax and enjoy time outside. Thoroughly clean any outdoor patio furniture you have. Depending on what your patio or deck is made of, the cleaning process may look a little different. You're going to want to give it a full sweep to remove any dirt and debris. After that you can spray down your deck with a hose, and even add a cleaning solution to the mix to really get it clean. April 22nd is Earth Day, it’s a day where we celebrate our planet's diverse and beautiful environment. In honor of this day, many people will get together to plant trees, pick up litter, or learn about other ways they can protect our planet . Since it is spring cleaning season we're sharing a few tips that will help freshen up your home - while still caring for Mother Earth. Spring is a time of year to declutter our space and deep clean our home.
Ditch the paper towels. The daily use of paper towels has a pretty substantial environmental impact. Every day more than 51,000 trees are cut down for paper towel production. Get yourself a pack of microfiber towels for spills and cleaning, they are inexpensive and reusable. You could even cut up some old t-shirts or towels you already have and use those as well. Clear your home of paper clutter. We all have that one spot in our house where paper just seems to stack up all year long, and now is a good time to take it on as a spring cleaning task. Take inventory of your bills, newsletters, and other mail you receive and switch to paperless communication. This will not only limit the clutter of paper in your house, but it also helps save the planet of bulky and unnecessary paper waste. Donate unwanted clothes, towels, and linens. Spring is a great time to sort through our closets and get rid of any items that we no longer need. If you aren't repurposing them, don’t just throw them away! Often these textiles are taken to landfills, only adding to our pollution and waste levels. When you donate unwanted textiles they can be repurposed somewhere else, leaving a positive effect on the environment. Make your own cleaning products. Making your own cleaning products for your home is not only better for the environment, it can also save you money. You can make safe and easy to use cleaning solutions with products you probably already have in your home. Mix vinegar and water together for an all purpose cleaner, or baking soda and vinegar to scrub your tile. Add in a few drops of essential oils to your cleaning solutions to give your home that clean fresh smell you love. Repurpose your cleaning tools. When it’s time for a new toothbrush, keep the old one with your cleaning supplies for tile and grout cleaning or getting those hard to reach crevices. Have an old pair of socks? Don’t toss them - they are great for cleaning your blinds! The possibilities are endless, there are all kinds of creative ways to easily make your own cleaning gear. We’ve been in the cleaning industry for many years, and throughout time we’ve learned various cleaning tips and tricks to help make the cleaning process a little simpler, quicker, and more efficient for all kinds of spaces. 1. Restore Your Showerhead Mix equal parts white vinegar and water by pouring it all into a big plastic bag. Tie the bag around the showerhead with a rubber band. Make sure that the holes are completely covered in the solution. Let this soak for a few hours. When it’s done soaking, remove the bag, wipe clean, and run water through the shower for a couple minutes. 2. Clear A Slow Drain When you notice a drain is starting to clog, pour half a cup of baking soda down it, then half a cup of vinegar. Wait for 5 minutes, then wash down the drain with hot water. 3. Degrease Cabinets Just like your cooking utensils, your cabinets can also get grimy over time from your cooking. Put a little bit of dish soap mixed with warm water in a spray bottle. Spray to mist away the grease, and wipe clean with a damp cloth. 4. Remove Stains Spills happen, and when they do time is of the essence. Start blotting up the spot as soon as possible with a dry clean cloth. Pour club soda on it, blot again, and keep repeating until the stain is gone. 5. Deep Clean Your Fridge Wash the interior of your fridge with a simple cleaning solution of a quart of warm water with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Remove any shelves or drawers first, be sure to let glass shelves come to room temperature first so they don't crack in warm water. Clean these in the same solution. 6. Clean Finished Wood Dust the wood surface with a dry microfiber cloth for any easy daily clean. For a more intense clean, submerge the cloth in a solution of warm water and a mild dish detergent. Wring the cloth well, you just want it to be damp, and then wipe the wood surface clean. 7. De-Gunk Stove Burners Instead of cleaning burners directly on the stove itself, remove them and submerge them completely in a tub or sink of hot water and a few squirts of dish detergent. Let the burners soak for at least 30 minutes, then scrub off leftover residue. 8. Clean Shower Doors Create a cleaning solution in a spray bottle with 2 parts vinegar and 1 part dish soap, shake well then thoroughly spray shower door with mixture. Let sit for 30 minutes, then scrub the door down using a sponge or microfiber cloth. To add some extra shine, use a glass cleaner afterwards and wipe down the door with it. 9. Utilize Your Broom You can’t go wrong with using an old fashioned broom to clean your floors. Vacuums just don't clean hard floors like a broom can. Take the time to sweep your floors to get every nook and cranny, under furniture, and in the grooves of tile grout. 10. Freshen Your Microwave Clean hardened food and grime out of your microwave by heating up a cup of water with several tablespoons of vinegar, and a couple slices of lemon. Microwave on high until you see steam, let sit for 5 minutes. Then clean the inside of your microwave with ease. Whether you host a big celebration every year, or it's just you and your family relaxing at home, you will enjoy the holiday season so much more when your space is clean and organized.
1. Stock up on supplies and keep them in reach Stock up on all your must have cleaning supplies - microfiber cloths, scrubbing sponges, all purpose cleaner, etc. and keep them within easy reach like under your kitchen and bathroom sinks. This will help make it easier to clean up messes as they happen. 2. Clean as you cook Kitchen clean up becomes a lot easier when you do the dishes as you go. Unload your dishwasher first thing in the morning so that dishes wont pile up in your sink throughout the day. If you need to hand wash your dishes, do them as you cook. With all the extra cooking and baking it’s easy to make a huge mess of the kitchen. 3. Involve the whole family Remember you are not the only one in your home who is capable of cleaning up. Have the entire family, especially children, helping with chores that will spare you the unnecessary stress. Delegate tasks to everyone and agree on the best time to do it. 4. Have a “Put Away Basket” This is a great tip for when you're strapped for time and your house isn't looking as tidy as you'd like. Use a large basket or bin and go around the house gathering things that need to be put away. You might not get everything put away before your guests arrive, but at least it is out of the way and can be put out of sight for the time being. 5. Focus on main traffic areas Keeping high traffic areas of our home clean is a great way to eliminate dust and dirt from spreading to other parts of the house. Make sure that entryways are clean and that there is a designated place for guests' shoes. Having a rug at the door also significantly decreases dirt from tracking inside. The weather is starting to get colder and the winter months are coming. You may have already had to turn on your heat, and the cost of heating a home in Ohio winters can be quite high. You may also be one of the millions of Americans who suffer from winter allergies, and poor indoor air quality wont do you any favors. Although you can have your ducts cleaned any time of year, we recommend having it done before winter because it can be beneficial to your home and your health. Improve Efficiency & Reduce Costs Your furnace relies on a clean set of ducts in order to operate efficiently. Our team of skilled technicians use state of the art equipment to remove the dust, dirt, and debris from the ducts that circulate air throughout your home. When there is build up in your ducts it prevents proper air flow and reduces the efficiency of your HVAC system. It will require more energy to heat and distribute air, the result being a higher energy bill. Scheduling duct cleaning before winter hits can possibly help lower your heating cost. Cleaner Air Winter allergies can worsen when the air quality in your home is poor. You'll likely experience a sore throat, congestion, and other cold like symptoms. Cold weather lowers our immunity so our bodies are working harder in the wintertime to fight off illnesses. There are many remedies for poor indoor air quality, and duct cleaning is one of them. Our technicians remove pollen, dust, dirt, pet dander, and other harmful pollutants from your HVAC system. The air moving through your ducts will be noticeably cleaner and better to breathe after this service is done. Extend The Life of Your HVAC Your HVAC system is one of the most valuable and expensive components of your home, and can be costly to repair or replace. When you allow dirt and debris to build up over years and years, it becomes more likely that your HVAC will need repairs or replacement because of your system undergoing excessive wear and tear. Your HVAC will have to work harder to produce warm air during the winter. Just like how our cars need oil changes, our HVAC systems need regular maintenance as well. Experts recommend that air ducts are cleaned a minimum of every 3-5 years. If you or someone in your home suffers from asthma or allergies, you may want to increase the frequency. If you are looking for a reliable and professional air duct cleaning service in Northeast Ohio, give us a call today! Fall is the perfect time to deep clean your home. It’s been a long summer. and chances are your home could use some sprucing up. We are officially entering a new season, which means a new slate. We’ve put together our cleaning checklist specifically for fall. Use it as a guide to freshen the rooms in your house and prepare for the cold weather!
Entryway Sweep and mop floors Clean doormat Put away summer accessories Organize shoes Hang up fall jackets Hang up fall hats or scarves Kitchen Clean stovetop Clean oven Clean microwave Clean dishwasher Clean refrigerator and freezer Discard old or expired food in pantry, fridge and freezer Clear countertops Degrease cabinet doors and backsplash Dust top of high surfaces including fridge, microwave/range hood, cabinets Sweep and mop floors Wash kitchen rugs Clean garbage disposal Dining Room Dust and polish furniture Vacuum and spot clean chair cushions Clean or vacuum curtains Mop or vacuum floor Shampoo rugs or carpet Polish any silver dinnerware Bathroom Discard expired personal care products and makeup Clean makeup brushes Wipe down vanity Clean mirror Clean tub and shower Clean showerhead Wash shower curtain and replace liner Scrub tile grout Clean toilet Clean hardware Sweep and mop floors Stock up on extra toiletries for holiday guests Laundry Room Clean washing machine Clean dryer vent Organize laundry supplies Sweep and mop floors Closets Store or donate outgrown clothes Wipe down shelves Bring cool weather clothes out of storage Put summer clothes away Bedrooms Dust and polish furniture Wash bedding including sheets, pillows, duvets and bed skirts Put away light summer bedding and bring warmer linens out of storage Vacuum carpets Flip mattress Wash curtains Mop or vacuum floors Shampoo rugs or carpets Living Room Dust and polish furniture Wash blankets and pillow covers Vacuum upholstered furniture Clean or vacuum curtains Dust and clean lamp shades Dust electronics Dust and clean decorations Switch out seasonal decor, if needed Sanitize remote controls Mop or vacuum floors (don’t forget under the furniture!) Shampoo rugs or carpets Sweep out the fireplace Office Recycle or shred unneeded paperwork File important paperwork Dust and polish furniture Dust electronics Sanitize keyboard and mouse Throughout the House Dust ceiling fans Wipe down baseboards Wipe down doors and walls Have air ducts cleaned Change furnace filter Sanitize door handles and light switches Dust blinds Dust curtain rods Clean windows Outdoors Turn off all outdoor faucets and coil garden hoses Clean off patio furniture Put patio furniture in storage Stack and cover firewood Check bulbs in outdoor light fixtures Wash outside of windows Rake leaves Clean gutters and downspouts Prune shrubs Pressure wash patio, driveway and walkways You can't control bad weather or other outside forces that may cause water damage in your home or business. A flooded basement, sewage backup, or a busted pipe will often happen when you are least expecting it, and usually, you aren't prepared for it. This is why we offer 24-hour service for water damage restoration. It's important to address flood damage as soon as possible or more damage may incur. In Ohio, we see a lot of precipitation throughout the year, which has led to floor damage in many homes and businesses. If your property has flood damage call us immediately. Our team of experienced technicians are quick to respond and will help remove all wet contents fast and efficiently. We use state of the art technology to extract the water and then safely dry the affected area. Over the years we have restored and dried thousands of damaged homes and businesses across NE Ohio . Water damage is something no one wants to deal with, but having a plan and a reliable team you can call to help, will minimize your losses and save you more trouble in the long run. Next time you have a water damage emergency give us a call. If you want to learn more about our step by step process visit our Water Damage Restoration page.
Flu season is here, and while we cant control what others will do, it’s important that we look within our homes to see what can be done to prevent the flu. It’s no surprise that during the fall and winter months we are more prone to illnesses because we are spending more time indoors. The flu virus spreads very quickly, so without taking proper precautions, you are putting you and your family at risk. Shared close living spaces are a hotbed for germs, so we’re sharing a few steps you can take to make your home as germ free as possible.
Handwashing This is the easiest and most important step you can take to prevent the spread of germs. We go to work, school, the store, we touch so many things throughout the day. So when you first enter your home, immediately go wash your hands. This will help prevent the virus from even entering your home in the first place. Forget Sharing Forget what you’ve been taught by your parents or your teachers about sharing. Flu season is not the time. Members of the same household should use their own bath towels and wash cloths. Make sure you have paper towels out to dry hands after washing instead of everyone using the same hand towel. Use a Humidifier Using a humidifier in your home will help slow the spread of those tiny particles of influenza that can spread in the air. The virus does not survive well in warm and humidified air, so it's a smart idea to invest in one this flu season. Clean Hard Surfaces Keep the cleaning in your house simple and focused on high touch points. Viruses can land on hard surfaces and stay for hours. Countertops, sink faucets, light switches, remote controls, fridge handles, toys, anything that is frequently touched should be disinfected daily. Use a microfiber cloth or a paper towel, and any cleaner that has bleach or antibacterial product will work. It may sound like a lot right now, but following these steps and being consistent could keep you and your family safe from the flu this season. Getting a flu shot each year is the best way to prevent the flu and protect those around you. An annual flu vaccine is recommended for anyone 6 months or older. |
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