A clean sweep! Are there any ways to clean your property quickly?

A clean sweep! Are there any ways to clean your property quickly? | H is for Home

It’s one of those things we could all benefit from in life. Whether you’re moving out of a property, you need to get a new place up to scratch quickly, or you just find that there aren’t enough hours in the day, getting your house cleaned quickly is a handy skill to have. But are there any tried & tested ways that you can clean your property quickly or do you just have to work faster?

Woman vacuuming stairs

Not everything requires a deep clean

This is something we’ve got to get into our heads. When it comes to cleaning a property, it’s not necessarily about ensuring everything is perfect each and every time. Because there are so many different aspects of the home that don’t necessarily need deep cleaning all of the time; you’ve got to pick your battles. When it comes to something like the carpet, rather than having a deep clean every couple of weeks, you could hire carpet cleaners to do it for you and then learn how to keep on top of it by establishing the right habits. It’s also worth thinking about investing in a hand-held vacuum. This is something that gives you the opportunity to clean up a little bit of dirt rather than getting the full-sized hoover out each and every time to go over the entire property.

Blackboard sign saying,

Let cleaning sprays sink in

Bathrooms are one of the most time-consuming areas when it comes to cleaning a property. If you have more than one bathroom, when it comes to working smart you may want to find the most effective cleaning sprays that get to work quickly. But one of the big hacks that people take advantage of is spraying a surface, and not wiping it right away, so once you have gone over every single surface with a cleaning spray, you can come back to the first one, and wipe it down with ease. Allow cleaning sprays to sink in and it’s a lot less effort.

Woman folding laundry while sitting on the floor

Clean little and often

One of the best things you can ever do to clean a property quickly is to minimise the actual number of tasks. If you get into the habit of making cursory cleans as you go, it will be a lot less of an effort. Cleaning little and often, not just with the aforementioned handheld vacuum, but getting into the habit of wiping down surfaces right after you’ve used them. This means that not only does the property look more presentable but when it actually comes to a deep clean, that’s all you need to do! Cleaning little and often is one of those routines that’s worth getting into, especially if you’re someone who hates doing a big clean every week or so.

It’s quite a frustrating aspect of keeping a home in peak condition, however, when it comes to cleaning a house quickly, you have to work smart rather than work hard. Few people like to clean a house, but once you have, you’ll be able to stand back and take pride in your handiwork.

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Price Points: Plastic-free toilet brushes

Plastic-free toilet brushes | H is for Home

We’ve got a sexy subject for you as this week’s Price Points… plastic-free toilet brushes!

Considering they’re, admittedly, quite dull items, I’ve spent a fair amount of time researching them on the internet this week. Little by little, we’re trying to cut down on the amount of plastic – both single use and multiple use – that we use. At the moment, we need a new toilet brush, so this is an opportunity on our plastic reduction journey.

I found ‘eco’ examples where the handle was made of wood – so far, so good – but the bristles on the brush were plastic. Or else, the brush was entirely natural, but the holder was plastic. These three, above, are all entirely plastic-free.

#1 is great value, however, it’s the only one that doesn’t come with a holder and I don’t fancy hanging it up by the handle to leave it to drip-dry.

#2 is no-nonsense and unobtrusive – my favourite, in fact. When not in use, the business end is hidden from view, but is quick to put into action.

#3 is probably the most ‘designed’ with a dual-action brush for cleaning the bowl and under the rim. It slots into a hanging bracket, so excess water drips into the pottery saucer below. My favourite model would have been this one if the brush had been concealed in its stand.

  1. Natural coconut fibre toilet brush: £4.49, Amazon
  2. Utility enamel toilet brush holder with natural fibre brush: £28.49, eBay
    ‘High quality enamelled steel (holder); brush has wooden handle with natural stiff plant fibres.’
  3. Redecker untreated beechwood loo brush and stand with edge cleaner: £34.95, Trouva
    ‘Redecker brushes are manufactured, as they have been for decades, primarily from native woods, bristles, hair or vegetable fibres. Different natural materials are used to suit various purposes. Synthetic fibres or plastics are rarely used, only for special requirements.’

shop plastic-free toilet brushes

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Redecker untreated beechwood loo brush and stand with edge cleaner
Redecker untreated beechwood loo brush and stand with edge cleaner
£34.95
Utility enamel toilet brush holder with natural fibre brush
Utility enamel toilet brush holder with natural fibre brush
£28.49
Redecker untreated beechwood loo brush and stand with edge cleaner
Redecker untreated beechwood loo brush and stand with edge cleaner
£34.95
Utility enamel toilet brush holder with natural fibre brush
Utility enamel toilet brush holder with natural fibre brush
£28.49
Redecker untreated beechwood loo brush and stand with edge cleaner
Redecker untreated beechwood loo brush and stand with edge cleaner
£34.95
Utility enamel toilet brush holder with natural fibre brush
Utility enamel toilet brush holder with natural fibre brush
£28.49
Redecker untreated beechwood loo brush and stand with edge cleaner
Redecker untreated beechwood loo brush and stand with edge cleaner
£34.95
Utility enamel toilet brush holder with natural fibre brush
Utility enamel toilet brush holder with natural fibre brush
£28.49
Redecker untreated beechwood loo brush and stand with edge cleaner
Redecker untreated beechwood loo brush and stand with edge cleaner
£34.95
Utility enamel toilet brush holder with natural fibre brush
Utility enamel toilet brush holder with natural fibre brush
£28.49

Price Points: Laundry detergent alternatives

Three laundry detergent alternatives

We’re trying to do all we can to green our daily lives; recycling all our paper/cardboard/metal/glass/textiles etc, avoiding single-use plastic, composting all our organic waste and hanging all our washing out to dry on a Sheila’s maid. Another thing we do to be more eco-friendly is making use of laundry detergent alternatives.

We’ve been using laundry eggs for years; they’re very economical and are great for lightly-soiled clothes. We find dirtier items sometimes need to be pre-treated with an eco stain remover. I’ve just discovered this Japanese TerraWash that uses magnesium as a cleanser and, even though it seems expensive, lasts for 365 washes. Similarly, I’ve never tried soap nuts. Have you? Are they any good?

Ecozone soap nuts, 300g: 5.99, Lakeland

An eco-friendly alternative to washing detergents. Zip-up wash bag included. Gentle on fabrics – use with silk and wool. 100% natural and environmentally friendly. Economical – enough for 100 washes. Simply place 4-5 nuts (depending on the size of the load) into the bag and place on top of your laundry in the machine – that’s it! It really couldn’t be simpler. Once your load is done, and you’ve taken out your clean, fresh clothes, remove the bag and leave the nuts to dry as you can use them 4 more times before they need to be discarded – they’re completely biodegradable so won’t be troubling landfill.

Ecoegg laundry egg 720 wash Fresh Linen: 19.99, Ocado

Up to 3 years* of clean laundry *Based on 4-5 washes per week. The Ecoegg Laundry Egg is the natural detergent breakthrough. Say goodbye to harsh chemicals, the Ecoegg Laundry Egg will leave your laundry wonderfully fresh and clean! The Ecoegg Laundry Egg is packed with our unique powerful cleaning pellets which activate in the water and are proven to gently lift away dirt and grime, without using any harsh chemicals. With a hint of Fresh Linen – gently fragranced with natural essential oils, leaving your clothes smelling gorgeous, but still being great for sensitive skin. Allergy UK – allergy friendly product – kind to your environment, pocket, skin. The natural detergent breakthrough, lasts for 720 washes, replaces detergent, no harsh chemicals, hypo-allergenic, eco-friendly, colours stay bright, easy to use, 10-year guarantee.

Terra Wash+Mg: 47.58, Amazon

Reusable for 365 washes / 1 year (save time and money!) *Best in odour removal [fragrance-free] (about 10 times stronger than regular detergent) *Human-friendly (100% free of toxic and synthetic chemicals = perfect for sensitive skin and kids) (Protects people’s health by keeping the washing machine hygienic) *Earth friendly (Leaves zero trace of chemicals and save tons of water and power) *Fabric friendly (Keeps fibres and colour / Great for organic cotton) and antibacterial *Best quality (Made in Japan using patent-protected innovative technology with certified test results) Perfect for a washing baby’s clothes, for people with skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, as well for a people with allergies and of course for everybody who loves and respects mother Earth.

shop laundry detergent alternatives

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Terra Wash+Mg
Terra Wash+Mg
£47.58
Ecoegg laundry egg 720 wash Fresh Linen
Ecoegg laundry egg 720 wash Fresh Linen
£19.99
Ecozone soap nuts, 300g
Ecozone soap nuts, 300g
£5.99
Terra Wash+Mg
Terra Wash+Mg
£47.58
Ecoegg laundry egg 720 wash Fresh Linen
Ecoegg laundry egg 720 wash Fresh Linen
£19.99
Ecozone soap nuts, 300g
Ecozone soap nuts, 300g
£5.99
Terra Wash+Mg
Terra Wash+Mg
£47.58
Ecoegg laundry egg 720 wash Fresh Linen
Ecoegg laundry egg 720 wash Fresh Linen
£19.99
Ecozone soap nuts, 300g
Ecozone soap nuts, 300g
£5.99
Terra Wash+Mg
Terra Wash+Mg
£47.58
Ecoegg laundry egg 720 wash Fresh Linen
Ecoegg laundry egg 720 wash Fresh Linen
£19.99
Ecozone soap nuts, 300g
Ecozone soap nuts, 300g
£5.99
Terra Wash+Mg
Terra Wash+Mg
£47.58
Ecoegg laundry egg 720 wash Fresh Linen
Ecoegg laundry egg 720 wash Fresh Linen
£19.99
Ecozone soap nuts, 300g
Ecozone soap nuts, 300g
£5.99

Home cleaning 101

Home cleaning 101

In this post, we’ll be taking a look at a number of tips and advice for effectively cleaning your home.

Illustration of an oven with its door open

Easy ways to keep your cooker clean

Cleaning the cooker is a task which most of us evade. Most people tend to put off their oven cleaning for months and months out of sheer dread. Eventually, you’re left with a monumental cleaning task on your hands. As a result, it can take hours and hours on end to get your stove to a point where it’s barely passable. However, you’ll be pleased to know, there are a few tips & tricks that can make the task of cleaning a cooker a lot easier. Read on to discover what these are and hopefully you won’t find tackling the oven such a nightmare again.

The first thing you need to do is recognise that your stove needs cleaning regularly. It can be very tempting to simply shut your oven door and forget about it. However, the longer you leave it, the worse it becomes. Simply take the time every time you use it to give your cooker the quick once over. All you need to do is use a damp cloth to wipe and clean the surface. You can then use an oven cleaner to give the inside of the oven some attention as well. If you do this routinely, you’ll manage to stay on top of your oven cleaning. You won’t need to spend loads of time making the oven sparkling clean because you’ll have already put in the groundwork. It’s amazing the difference a regular quick wipe can make.

Of course, the point just mentioned doesn’t relate to a thorough blitz of your cooker. It was merely a general tip to make life a lot easier for you from now on. Nonetheless, if you want a pristine oven, then one of the ways you can achieve this is by using bicarbonate of soda. Combine bicarb with a little water so that it has a thick consistency, then completely coat the inside of your oven with the paste. To achieve the best results, leave your oven like this overnight. The following day, simply wipe off the hardened paste. Use a scourer and some water to help remove it all. Once this is done, your oven should look as good as new.

If the task of cleaning your oven still seems too daunting, why not hire a professional company? There are lots of cleaning companies based in the UK that offer an oven cleaning service. You can arrange it as a one-time job to help you get on your way. Once your oven is gleaming, you can use the tips above to continue looking after it properly yourself.

Illustration of roof gutter with downward drainpipe

Gutter cleaning services

Guttering is an essential aspect of every house; It collects rain water and diverts it away into the drainage. It’s hugely important as it prevents structural damage and ensures that a house is maintained to a high standard. In fact, because the gutter is a property feature that’s often not in plain sight, it’s something that can easily be overlooked.

It’s vital that you get your gutters cleared and maintained on a regular basis; they need to be inspected frequently to ensure that they function effectively. If you don’t, debris such as leaves and moss will collect and the likelihood is that the gutter will become blocked. Therefore, the importance of maintenance is something which simply shouldn’t be underestimated.

There are no hard and fast rules regarding how often you should clean your gutter. Annually, after all autumn leaves have finished falling, is a good schedule to initiate. Checking & cleaning it regularly can be the difference between having a functioning gutter and having to replace it in addition to spending money on tackling a damp problem or leaky roof.

When it comes to tackling this task, it’s advisable that you engage a gutter cleaning service, rather than trying to do it alone. After all, it can be a highly specialised, not to mention, dangerous task. It requires certain tools, products, knowledge and insight to be executed properly. A property maintenance company will have all the apparatus and experience necessary for the job.

When selecting a company that offers gutter cleaning, you should consider your choices. First and foremost, it’s advisable that you read the testimonials on their website. The reviews and feedback that previous customers have left can prove to be invaluable. It’s the best way to gain an honest and genuine insight into the company that you’re considering employing for the job.

Moreover, ensure you get a quote before you go ahead and employ a company for the guttering task ahead. After all, you need to make sure it’s something you can afford. You don’t want to be hit with any extra, unexpected charges when the job is completed and you’re given the bill.

Basically, if you can’t remember when last you had your gutter cleaned, it’s advisable that you get it seen to sooner rather than later.

'Cleaning service' illustration

The importance of employing professionals for end-of-tenancy cleaning

As we all know, when renting it’s absolutely crucial that the property is handed back to the landlord in the same condition as it was found in when you moved in in the first place. If it isn’t, there’s a huge risk of losing the deposit that you initially put down on the property when the contract was signed. For this reason, it’s recommended that you hire professionals to clean the property when it’s been vacated.

Many people attempt to tackle end-of-tenancy cleaning themselves, and most regret the decision. It’s a much harder challenge than anticipated. It’s nowhere near as quick & simple as the cleaning job you’d do on a regular basis. There are so many extras that need to be considered; from degreasing the extractor fan in the kitchen to removing dust and debris beneath the fitted units. When you attempt to clean the property yourself, you’re bound to overlook tasks of which you probably never even thought.

This can obviously have damning consequences. As previously mentioned, you run a serious risk of losing your deposit or at least a significant proportion of it. Don’t expect landlords to go lightly on you; in fact, many landlords can be fault-finding and will scrutinise every minute detail in the house. Ultimately, if something isn’t fully cleaned, a renter will have to pay for it to be done properly. The owner needs their property to be in tip-top condition for their next tenants.

“Little but often” is the practical alternative; rather than needing to arrange a one-time, top to bottom, home cleaning operation when you’re already busy trying to organise a stressful move. There’s the sensible option of regular, recurring house cleaning services in Houston, TX.

The benefits of using a professional end-of-tenancy cleaning service are obvious. However, there are some advantages which people don’t consider. For instance, it will save the person renting the house a lot of time and effort. Chances are, if someone is moving out then they’ll already have a lot on their mind and on their plate. There’s no need to add to the stress by trying to take on such a momentous cleaning task. Firstly, seek out a company like Mr Cheap Rubbish Removal to get rid of all the things you no longer need, and then let cleaners get the property sparkling.

The main reason people seem to avoid employing someone to clean their rental property is because it will cost them money. Of course, this is true, but it will prove to be a lot more cost effective in the long run than if the security deposit is kept by the landlord and little or nothing is reimbursed.

The importance of putting an end-of-tenancy cleaning job in the hands of professionals is clear; don’t run the risk of losing your precious deposit!

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