How to Mop and Clean Wood, Vinyl, and Laminate Floors
The key to keeping floors looking good is regular cleaning. A schedule that rotates light maintenance with more thorough attention keeps dirt and debris from damaging surfaces. Let’s take a look at how to clean your floors better for vinyl, wood and laminate flooring.
Sweep, Dust Mop or Vacuum Often
Shoes and pet paws track in dirt and dust from the outside, and some crumbs fall onto the floor no matter how tidy the family. All of this can scratch the surface, causing damage only replacement or refinishing will repair.
Keep brooms or dust mops throughout the house to remind you to sweep at least once a week, if not twice or three times depending on the traffic your floors get. Stash one in the pantry, another in the linen closet and so on. If you don’t already have floor mats inside and outside at all entry points, install them with a protective underpad to keep some of the dirt and debris from making its way inside. Always pick up dirt and debris before mopping to prevent scratches, too. You can also vacuum on a hard-surface setting.
Mopping Vinyl Floors
Homeowners love this type of no wax flooring because of its low cost and low maintenance. Also, this type of floor can last up to 15 years if well cared for during its lifetime.
Damp mop vinyl floors at least once a week with a solution of warm water and cleaner made for this type of flooring. Follow instruction on label for specific amounts. Rinse with water to avoid any cloudy residue from forming.
The above also works for linoleum floors if you have yet to replace them in your home.
Cleaning Wood Floors
How you clean your wood floors depends on whether or not they have been sealed. If new, ask your installer this question. If you inherited the floors, rub your finger across the surface. If a smudge appears, the floor likely has been sealed and waxed.
Sealed wood floors typically have a urethane, polyurethane or polyacrylic coating. This protects them from stains and water damage. If not using a product recommended by the manufacturer, simply mix ¼ cup of mild or pH-neutral soap with water in a bucket. A solution of ½ cup vinegar to 1 gallon of water also works for hard-to-clean floors, but switch to soap and water for regular cleaning if you find that the vinegar solution dulls your floors. Damp-mop high-traffic areas once a week and less-trafficked areas once a month. Sealed wood floors also require sanding and recoating every five to seven years.
With unsealed wood floors, you should only sweep, dust mop or vacuum regularly; do not use water on this type of floor. Strip old wax, reapply a thin coat liquid or paste wax, and buff once or twice a year. Avoid over polishing as it creates a build-up that dulls the surface.
These instructions also apply to floors treated with a penetrating seal or oil and floors with a lacquer, varnish or shellac finish.
Mopping Laminate Floors
Laminate flooring resembles wood but requires less maintenance since you do not have to polish or resurface it. Manufacturers recommend dust mopping or vacuuming with a soft brush or wood-floor attachment. Spot clean with a slightly damp mop. Manufacturers also make products for more thorough deep cleaning, and they do not recommend soap-based products because they dull the floors.
If you regularly clean and maintain your floors, they will retain their good looks for years to come no matter the material. We can help with both cleaning schedules if you do not have the time to handle these to-do tasks yourself.
For your home cleaning needs, call the professionals at Molly Maid. Call 1-888-583-6490 now to connect directly with your local Molly Maid. Each maid services team comprises bonded, insured, licensed and uniformed housekeepers who are regularly supervised. Click here to request service in your area.
Are you one of millions of Americans with a father? If you are, you’re probably aware that Father’s Day is coming up. Instead of wading through the endless sea of mass produced sentiments, why not show up with a heartfelt gift of sincerity. In honor of all the wonderful fathers out there, we have accumulated a list of our top five favorite thoughtful Father’s Day gifts:
Card of appreciation: Instead of new golf clubs or cuff-links, take a few minutes to personally address all things you love and adore about your dad. We have included a whimsical idea for a homemade Father’s Day card (see below). Creating fun homemade cards is an interactive way to get kids of all ages involved in this day of gratitude.
Personal contract: Although it might seem silly to create a contract with your dad, there is always room for improvement in personal relationships. Manually and consciously noting these areas and documenting an agreement will show your Dad how much you value the relationship.
Meetings: With seemingly endless to-do lists and everyday obligations, family time can get put on the backburner. Scheduling “meetings” with your dad throughout the next year ensures quality time together. Whether it’s a Saturday morning golf session or watching the game together at the pub, set a few “appointments” to be together. This will give your dad a gift he constantly gets to look forward to.
Do a project together: Dads always seem to have home projects that need to be done. With your help and initiative, dad can finally have a stress-free Father’s Day with one less project on his to-do list. If you aren’t particularly “handy,” consider hiring a local handyman for your home repairs. That will help with dad’s to-do list!
The gift of clean: What’s better than a clean place for your dad to enjoy his special day? Give your father a freshly cleaned man cave – but don’t worry, it will still be just as manly without the dust. If you’re like many, the best gifts are the ones that are stress free. If you don’t feel like doing the dirty work yourself, Molly Maid would be happy to help!
Don’t let the stress of gift giving take away from this special day. Although every day of the year doesn’t require sentiment and thoughtfulness (although it should!), giving our fathers one day out of the year is the least we can do. And with our list of thoughtful Father’s Day ideas, we hope you can enjoy giving a gift as much as he will enjoy receiving it.
Stains happen, but they need not ruin your clothing and other items. You just need to know the simple tricks to getting them out. Use these tips to remove wine, coffee and oil stains.
Getting Wine Stains Out
Plenty of products say they remove wine stains, but two — one commercial, the other a home remedy — really do work. Wine Away, available from brick-and-mortar and online retailers, has gotten rave reviews from Good Housekeeping, Food & Wine and other in-the-know sources. It removes not only wine but also coffee, blood, ink, fruit punch, sauces, red medicine, and even stains from pet accidents from fabric and carpet. And because it contains only fruit and vegetable extracts, it offers a nontoxic solution. Apply according to instructions for the type of material.
Salt also serves as a nontoxic solution. Simply flush the stain with cold water, then blot the stain with a white cleaning cloth to soak up any remaining wine. Sprinkle salt onto the stain, then wait three minutes before rinsing again with cold water and rubbing the stain. Repeat until stain lifts completely. Finally, launder per usual or with carpet, vacuum to restore fluff.
How to Remove Coffee Stains
Who hasn’t spilled coffee down the front of their shirt? When it happens, remove the shirt and blot the stain with a white cleaning cloth to remove as much liquid as possible. Then rinse the stain with cold water. Mix a paste of powdered laundry detergent, cold water and distilled white vinegar until it reaches the consistency of toothpaste. Spread on both sides, then wait five minutes. Rub both sides with a small brush in a circular motion, then rinse with cold water. Pretreat with laundry detergent before washing per usual. The paste can also be used on carpet. Just swap in a carpet cleaner for laundry detergent in the final step.
Removing Oil Stains
You have many options when needing to remove an oil stain. Cornstarch allowed to sit for an hour will soak up the oil, then work a little dish soap into the stain with your fingers or a brush. Hair spray and WD-40 also work well if you coat the stain, let sit and then clean per usual. If you prefer a commercial cleaner, products such as waterless mechanic’s soap work well. Use per instructions on the product.
With all of these tips, follow these guidelines for best results:
- Treat the stain as soon as possible. The longer you give it to set, the more difficult it will be to get out.
- Always blot initially, as rubbing will spread the stain.
- If removing a stain from an expensive or irreplaceable item, perform a colorfast test in an inconspicuous area before treating the stain.
- Never dry an item before the stain has lifted.
- Don’t be afraid to call a professional. Dry cleaners and cleaning services can work wonders on stains.
More Stain Removal Tips
Need more help with stain removal? Check out our helpful Molly Maid stain-removal videos.
Coffee Table Crop Signs: How to Clean Circular Coffee Table Stains — This video tells you how to use baking soda and regular white toothpaste to lift rings left behind by hot and cold beverages.
Body Oil Be Gone: Remove Body Oil Stains from Clothes — This stain removal tip requires the use of a paintbrush. Find out why.
Silver Stains Away: How to Clean Stained Silver — Clean your silver using science! Also baking soda and aluminum foil.
As always, if you need to call in the professionals, don’t hesitate to book an appointment with Molly Maid. We’d be more than happy to help.
For your home cleaning needs, call the professionals at Molly Maid. Call 1-888-583-6490 now to connect directly with your local Molly Maid. Each maid services team comprises bonded, insured, licensed and uniformed housekeepers who are regularly supervised. Click here to request service in your area.
5 Tips for a Perfect Patio Party
Want to throw the perfect party on your patio or deck this weekend? Molly Maid has some easy party patio tips to make your get together great.
Before the weekend arrives, Molly Maid recommends spending 10 minutes in your outdoor space around dusk. Ask yourself these questions in advance to prevent pesky party-pooper moments later:
1. Are the mosquitoes making you miserable?
Tell pests to buzz off by preparing the area with plants that naturally repel mosquitoes, such as marigolds and citronella. Both plants are low maintenance and citronella scented candles or torches are also fast fixes. In a 2010 study, students at Iowa State University reported that catnip was 10 times more effective than DEET, though only advised for homeowners’ without feline friends.
2. Will your guests be able to see where they’ve set their drink once the sun sets?
Night vision goggles are a definite “fashion don’t,” and so is a darkened deck! Make sure you have candles, solar lanterns or strings of white holiday lights to ease into evening and ensure everyone can safely navigate around – especially near stairs or elevated areas without railing.
Photo by: pwinn on Flickr
3. Could the night chill stop the fun in its tracks?
Don’t let falling temperatures send your guests rushing off too soon. A portable fire pit with a screen cover is an inexpensive way to keep warm while keeping sparks contained. Keep the fire pit at least 10 feet away from your house and trees, and place it on flat concrete or brick surface. For around $200 a piece, you can also purchase tabletop or floor standing heating lamps to linger a little bit later.
4. Does your deck décor need a makeover?
Your deck will deserve the perfect party title after some house cleaning and embellishment. First, use a stiff bristled broom to sweep the floor and use warm soapy water and a hand brush to remove sticky or moldy spots on your home’s siding. Next, add colorful pillows in weather resistant fabric to make your seating stand out and consider adding an outdoor rug to match underneath the table. Metal wall fixtures come in several finishes and designs. Find one that suits you to personalize your patio. Turn on some tunes suited to the crowd using a portable speaker system to set the scene for fun.
5. Is there enough space to place and eat those yummy hors d’oeuvres?
Does your deck have enough surface space for serving snacks? Folding tray tables and card tables don’t take up a lot of room yet add portable options that can be quickly removed once guests are finished eating. Consider moving a sofa table or moveable kitchen cart outside to store plates, cups, napkins, condiments and plastic ware.
Please share your favorite signature drinks, appetizers or songs for a perfect patio party in our comments section, and then share this post on your Facebook page!
Carpet Cleaning: Tips to Make Your Carpet Last
Do you have a love/hate relationship with your home’s carpeting? Carpeting can really add to your home’s appeal until you spill coffee or your favorite red wine on it. If you’re looking for carpet cleaning tips you’re in the right spot. Here are Molly Maid’s tips to make your carpet last:
- Use Welcome Mats. Carpet can really get dirty fast in homes where people don’t remove their shoes at the door. To prevent everyday dirt from becoming stains, use a welcome mat to capture dirt at the door and regularly vacuum those mats – and vacuum underneath them if possible.
- Keep Club Soda Handy. Not sure how to remove red wine or coffee from your carpet? It’s simple, but you have to act fast in order for it to work. Immediately after the spill, sprinkle salt on the area to prevent it from staining; pour the club soda on the stain but don’t oversaturate it; then blot (DON’T SCRUB) the area with a clean cloth until dry. This method works great with pet accidents, too.
- Groom Fido and Fluffy, A LOT. We know your four-legged friends are members of the family and they need special attention to make sure your home doesn’t turn into one giant hairball. Brush your dog or cat regularly to remove loose hair, and if you can brush them outside that’s even better; give them regular baths to keep the hair and dander count down; and put a large towel or sheet over your pet’s favorite chair or spot on the floor.
- Get in Line. Nothing shows off a well-cared-for home like lines in a freshly vacuumed carpet. If your carpet has no lines after vacuuming, it may be time to consider a new vacuum. Not sure how to properly vacuum your home? Don’t sweat it. We wrote on blog post about that, too: How to Vacuum: Yes, apparently you do need vacuuming tips!
- Bonus Tip: Did you know that in one hour a 135-pound woman can burn up to 180 calories vacuuming?
What do you think of our carpet cleaning tips? Have a tip of your own? Please share it in the comments box below.
You love mom, no doubt about it. Sometimes, though, you space on important dates or procrastinate until the very last second when needing to buy her a gift. If this describes you leading up to Mother’s Day, which happens on Sunday, May 12, by the way, get her a gift certificate for Molly Maid housecleaning services. And because gift certificates can scream “I forgot,” you should personalize it using one of these ideas.
Include a Poem
Your mom will love a poem written by you, whether you know how to write poetry or not. Simply put your sentiments down and make it rhyme. If you just can’t write, or don’t have time, borrow from a professional. The opening phrase from Edgar Allen Poe’s To My Mother gets the job done:
Because I feel that, in the Heavens above,
The angels, whispering to one another,
Can find, among their burning terms of love,
None so devotional as that of “Mother,”
Tuck the Gift Certificate Into a Card Made by You
Just imagine the look on your mother’s face when she opens up a handmade envelope to find a handmade card from you. It will take her back to your childhood, before you ever fought about clothes or getting the keys to her car. Simply stop by the grocery store and pick up construction paper in her favorite colors, glue and glitter. She will love it.
Include a List
Odds are mom has a long to-do list for her home, which makes giving a gift certificate for cleaning services the perfect Mother’s Day gesture. Include with it a list of your own making, one that includes all of the wonderful things your mom has done for you. Start with giving birth and end with the most recent nice thing she did to help you along in life.
Give It With a Framed Family Photo
Give the gift certificate with a framed photo of you and your mom. Choose one from your childhood if she doesn’t already have them hanging around your house. Or you can have someone else snap a photo of you two with your phone. This option will include a smidge of planning, but not much as you can email photos to many drugstores and warehouse clubs for pickup the same day. The photo will remind her of your thoughtfulness every time she looks at it.
Photo credit: mrsdkrebs on Flickr
Make Her Favorite Meal
How many breakfasts, lunches and dinners has mom cooked for you over the years? Say thank you by serving her a favorite dish and dessert. Yes, you could take her out to dinner, but it would mean so much more to host her in your home or to take over her kitchen. That way, you can spend time together while you cook, which gives her ample opportunity to offer advice. You know how much moms love to do that.
These ideas also work if you need a gift for the mother of your children, too. Enlist the kids in the project if old enough, or do it on their behalf if not. There are many resources online to help.
The Wayward Girls Crafts Blog offers this excellent how-to for quick and easy Mother’s Day cards your kids can make. They will be proud of what they make, and their mom will be touched by the effort.
The Blog Me Mom also gives directions for making Mother’s Day cards, with these adding paint and glitter to the list of supplies needed. Again, your kids will enjoy being creative, and your wife will treasure the pieces for many years to come.
If you can’t decide which of these ideas suits mom best, choose two or three and really make her Mother’s Day special.
For your home cleaning needs, call the professionals at Molly Maid. Call 1-888-583-6490 now to connect directly with your local Molly Maid. Each maid services team comprises bonded, insured, licensed and uniformed housekeepers who are regularly supervised. Click here to request service in your area.
3 Things Mom Really Wants for Mother’s Day
Article after article written by mommy bloggers and mainstream press brought the key findings in the PewResearchCenter’s Modern Parenthood study, released on March 13, 2013 to life, moms spend a lot of time working, caring for children and performing housework!
Time parents spend each week on paid and unpaid work.
Free Time
The popular website, Sheknows.com, surveyed their readers and reported what moms really want to receive on Sunday, May 12 as the gift of time! The confessions about wanting free time, a little pampering and a lot of appreciation make sense to us, as every year, Molly Maid sees a huge spike in service requests for our housecleaning service and gift certificate sales.
Pampering
We know you work hard! In 2012, Salary.com reported that a stay-at-home mom would earn $112,962 if she were paid average wages and overtime for all the tasks she does including laundress, janitor, driver, cook, facilities manager, psychologist, and the CEO of the household!
Molly Maid’s sweepstakes kicks off on April 19!
Giving mom a day off dedicated to anything other than those tasks inspired our “Mom Hates Grime. Give the Gift of Time” Facebook sweepstakes running April 19 – May 10. The grand prize includes:
- $500 of house cleaning
- One-hour massage from Massage Envy
- $100 gift card to the Melting Pot
Four runner-up prize winners will each receive a one-hour massage from Massage Envy, a day spa that rejuvenates your mind and body. Also, the first 200 entrants will receive our favorite cleaning tool, a microfiber cloth!
Appreciation
Show the moms in your life how much you care about them and how grateful you are for their contributions to your life. Check out some great cards we’ve pinned on our new Pinterest board called “Show Mom Some Love” for ideas to make a cute card at home or buy something unique online.
If you’re a mom, let us know what you want this year or share your perfect gift idea in the comments section!
In most homes, bedroom closets get more use than any others. You pull clothes, shoes and other items from them each day for work, school or play. Laundry bins also often live there. This daily use requires family members to keep their bedroom closet tidy or risk not being able to close the door. They can also benefit from a spring cleaning this time of year. Follow these tips to get your bedroom closets organized and keep them that way.
Keep. Donate. Trash.
Photo Credit: lara604 on Flickr
Start your spring cleaning project by pulling everything from your master bedroom closet and placing it in a keep, donate, or trash pile. With hanging items, you can leave what you plan to keep in place to avoid turning your bed into a mountain of clothes.
With “keep” clothes, shoes and accessories, send any that need refreshing to the laundry room or dry cleaner. Also make note of any bins or organizers that would make storing and accessing them easier. For example, placing scarves and purses in wire or clear bins allows you to neatly store them and access after a quick scan.
When considering what to donate, think back to the last time you wore or used an item. If you can’t remember, odds are you don’t need it. Certain clothes prove the exception to this rule, though, such as formal and recreational wear you only use occasionally but that still fits your body and style. Place “donate” items in shopping bags or even clear garbage bags; using clear bags helps you see quickly what needs to go to the donation center, not into the trash.
Place whatever you do plan to throw away outside in your trash bin to avoid the temptation of changing your mind. There should not be much heading this way, though, as old clothes make excellent cleaning rags and just about any pair of shoes could fit the feet of someone in need.
Closet Organizers
Photo Credit: closet factory 0n Flickr
As mentioned above, bins and organizers allow you to keep a much tidier bedroom closet. Stores sell entire closet organization systems, which include multiple shelves, drawers and racks, or you can make optimal use of the shelving you have.
If you have limited space, move warm weather clothes to the front of shelves and bars during spring-cleaning and tuck winter items toward the back after any necessary cleaning and bagging.
Move onto other bedroom closets in the home once you finish, grabbing the family member responsible on the way.
Keep Your Bedroom Closet Clean
Photo Credit: LizMarie_AK on Flickr
It would be nice to only have to do all of the above once a year, but you will find that seasonal cleanings like these make sense. You can combine spring and summer, as the clothing tends to be the same for both seasons, no matter where you live in the country. And a fall-winter cleaning works, too.
Once you have your bedroom closet in tip-top shape, set a schedule for certain tasks to ensure it stays that way. Choose a laundry day, a shoe maintenance day, and a mending day. Sunday makes an excellent day for doing laundry, as it allows you to start the week with all of your clothes clean and ready to wear. On that same day, also clean and polish any shoes that need it. The night of the week when your favorite TV show airs makes a great day for sewing back on any loose buttons.
Keeping your bedroom closets clean also allows you to get dressed quickly and get wherever you need to be on time. You also can maintain the floors easily, or have your cleaning service do so. You can’t vacuum or sweep around dirty clothes on the floor, after all.
Discover more helpful tips in our spring cleaning tips and checklists guide.
For your home cleaning needs, call the professionals at Molly Maid. Call 1-888-583-6490 now to connect directly with your local Molly Maid. Each home cleaning team comprises of bonded, insured, licensed and uniformed housekeepers who are regularly supervised. Click here to request service in your area.
Top 5 Ways to Get Your Kids to do Chores
Having a hard time getting your kids to help clean around the house? Rest assured, you are not alone…
There are many a child who miraculously become unable to do much of anything when asked to “clean,” “pick-up,” “take out,” or “wash” something.
Want to know how to motivate your kids to help with cleaning around the house? Here are our top tips:
- Motivation. There are varying opinions about leveraging the power of the allowance, but you don’t always have to motivate your children with money. What do your kids love to do? Depending on their age, think of what would really motivate your kids to get off their behinds and help out. More time playing video games? A sleepover with friends? A sweet treat?
- Consistency. Once your kids are motivated to help out, there needs to be a level of consistency over time in order to set expectations for your children. It’s not feasible to buy your kids a brand new video game every time he/she takes out the trash, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be consistent with what you present as motivation. Confused? Let us explain. Let’s say for every new chore your kids become responsible for i.e. taking out the trash or emptying the dishwasher, they get a larger motivational item i.e. new game, a night at the movies, sleepover, etc. and for every time they maintain responsibilty for that chore, you reward them with a small treat. One of our fellow Molly Maid moms created a “treat basket” that her daughters get to choose from every Sunday after they’ve completed their chores for the week.
- Music. Singing and playing music during chores is a great motivator. Young kids might like to sing the beloved Barney Clean-Up Song or jam out to their own tunes on their iPods.
- Competition. Who can clean up more toys? Winner gets a prize! Something as simple as that can get your kids to help out. A little healthy competition is good for everyone! Kid chore charts are also a good motivator for competition. Adding colorful stickers or stamps everytime a chore is completed can be reason enough for some kids.
- Threaten. OK. So threatening isn’t something we usually promote but depending on your parenting style sometimes you’ve gotta be tough. If your kids are being particular disobedient it might be time to lay down the law with some sort of: I’m going to count to 3…; or do you want a timeout?; or you’re grounded!
Here are some more kid cleaning tips from our very own Professor M of the Molly Institute.
What do you think of our top five cleaning games and tips for kids? Have one of your own? Please share with us in the comments section below.
Popular TV persona Mike Rowe and his newly-launched “My Dirty Jobs” cleaning product line is teaming up with us for My Dirty Jobs’ Mess Masters Contest!
The contest, which runs through May 6, gives parents the opportunity to share their kid and pet messes by snapping and sharing photos of them in action.
To participate, parents and pet owners take photos of their kid or pet and his or her dirty work and edit them via a Facebook photo editing tool. Participants will also have the opportunity to customize their images by choosing superhero personas to bring the Mess Masters and their messes to life. The best image will be awarded the grand prize one-year of free Molly Maid cleaning services.
My Dirty Jobs Mess Masters Contest
The Mess Masters Contest will focus on the epic household messes that Mess Masters themselves have created, and how to effectively take care of the mess by using My Dirty Jobs cleaning products in everyday cleaning.
“We are thrilled to be partnering up with Mike Rowe and his fantastic line of My Dirty Jobs cleaning products in search of finding America’s top ‘Mess Master’,” said Molly Maid President Meg Roberts. “Kids and pets can make a pretty impressive mess in very little time, so the contest is a playful way to have some fun with the topic.”
For your home cleaning needs, call the professionals at Molly Maid. Call 1-888-583-6490 now to connect directly with your local Molly Maid. Each maid services team comprises bonded, insured, licensed and uniformed housekeepers who are regularly supervised. Click here to request service in your area.
