Emily Adams

Housekeeping is challenging on its own. Dusting, vacuuming, cleaning, and daily chores are time-consuming. However, keeping your home neat and tidy is even more demanding if you are a pet owner. Those adorable and loving muzzles can give you a hard time keeping your house clean.

Still, that doesn’t mean that you have no choice other than to live in a smelly, messy home. Several things can help you with cleaning when you have pets, including preventing the dirt from accumulating and regular maintenance. Or, if that’s too time-consuming, you can always hire a professional Puyallup, WA house and apartment cleaning services to give you a hand. 

How do you keep your house clean with large dogs and cats?

Owning a large pet usually means a bigger mess around the house. If nothing, there’s more fur to shed and bigger stains on the floor or carpet, courtesy of those humongous paws. Fortunately, there are ways to enjoy a clean and tidy home, even if you are a big big canine or feline fan.

Prevent the mess from forming in the first place

Keeping your pets clean means you’re keeping the mess in your home to a minimum. Therefore, regular bathing is a must or, if that is not an option, at least wash their paws every time you return from a daily walk in Clarks Creek Dog Park.

Next, brushing. Again, it is an absolute must, especially if your puppy or kitten has fluffy, thick coats, such as St. Bernards or Maine Coon. Regular brushing will remove all the fur that would otherwise land on the floors. And everywhere else, for that matter.

Lastly, it’s imperative to contain food and water-related messes. Keep their sustenance bowls on a tray, mat, throw rug, or some other surface that you can easily grab and fling into a washing machine.

Easy solutions for odors and fur

Pets love couch surfing. And armchair surfing. And sofa surfing. And… Well, you get the point. No matter how well-trained they are, you can be sure they are keeping your favorite spot warm while you’re at work.

Unfortunately, that also means your furniture will start smelling funny and be covered in fur. The solution here is a bit of white vinegar mixed with baking soda, and a common rubber glove.

Vinegar/soda mix does wonders for smells. Simply sprinkle it on the surface and leave it. Easy as that. Rubber gloves, on the other hand (pun totally intended), are excellent for getting pet hair out of upholstery. Simply wet it a bit (don’t soak it) and gently brush the fur away. Again, easy.

Of course, you can always place some coverings on their (or, rather, your) favorite spots and simply replace them every week or so. That works, too.

Pet-friendly housekeeping

When the time for scrubbing comes, it’s essential to have the right tools and supplies that won’t harm your furballs. Some substances, like bleach and ammonia, are hazardous for animals. They are often an ingredient in common cleaning products, even those labeled “natural”. Therefore, always check the labels to ensure you’re getting pet-friendly supplies.

Also, it’s best to try and isolate the room or leave your pet at daycare while cleaning. Even pet-friendly products can be dangerous if eaten, so it’s best to let everything dry before you let your animal companion roam free.

Consider deep-cleaning more often

Pet fur and dirt can get everywhere. And we do mean everywhere. Fridge, closets, cupboards, nothing is safe. The solution to this problem is regular deep cleaning. Deep cleaning is much more thorough than the regular one, and professionals can get into every nook and cranny, no matter how hard they are to reach.

In general, experts recommend deep cleaning your home at least once a month. However, when big pets are involved, you should definitely consider doing it more often. Twice a month will do the trick, but if you have a shaggy rug for a pet, you may even consider a weekly arrangement.

Which Puyallup, WA house and apartment cleaning services can do wonders for households with a big pet?

Turning to NW Maids is the best choice if you want to rid your home of pet hair, odors, and dirt. For years we’ve been helping Puyallup residents find the perfect cleaning companies for their needs. We collaborate only with experienced, professional, and vetted cleaners so you can be 100% sure they’ll do a wonderful job. Give us a call today and let us help you make your home a better place for you and your adorable furballs.

Now and then, you need to run from the crazy world and enjoy the peaceful moment by yourself, and there’s no better place for that than your own neat and tidy home. But how do you keep your little peace of paradise spotless?

Easy, by using some common housekeeping tools and supplies and enlisting the help of house and apartment cleaning services in Puyallup, WA, on a regular basis. So, let’s see what you’ll need.

What cleaning products do you actually need?

Housekeeping products are the bread and butter of home maintenance. They ensure your housekeeping tools’ maximum effectiveness and, therefore, the ability to reap all the benefits of a neat and tidy home.

All-purpose cleaners

All-purpose cleaners can work on just about anything. They come in all kinds of shapes, so you can clean floors, windows, and even walls. To top all that off, modern solutions have an excellent Ph-value, so they won’t mess up your skin.

We can split All-purpose cleaners into:

• Liquid: Good for mopping floors;
• Spray: Excellent for glass surfaces;
• Disinfectant Wipes: Great for in-between cleaning.

Baking soda

This isn’t a joke! Baking soda is a must-have cleaning product. It provides a power boost for a sponge, making it far more effective when scrubbing surfaces. Baking soda can absorb and even eliminate bad odors altogether, which can be especially effective when cleaning after large pets. In the hands of a professional, it is a cleaning product that can make your living space shine.

(White) Vinegar

Vinegar is a natural disinfectant making it a great alternative to chemical-based ones. Its mild acidic properties can help clean and sanitize any surface. Also, vinegar can remove grime, grease, and odor from countertops. On top of all this, it’s cheap and eco-friendly, so there’s no excuse not to have at least a bottle at any time.

Essential housekeeping tools

Now that you know what products you need, it is time to put them to good use. Enter the housekeeping tools and accessories.

Protection first

What good is a clean house if your health is at risk? Therefore, before you start cleaning, make sure you’re well-protected. At the very least, you should have:

• Rubber gloves can protect your hands from harsh cleaning chemicals;
• A face mask is absolutely essential against toxic vapors and germs;
• Eyewear can protect your eyes from chemicals that are certain to splash while you’re cleaning.

Microfiber cloth

Microfiber cloth is a great all-around home maintenance tool. It can be used wet or dry for dust or spills. After usage, you can simply wash and reuse them many times. Also, Microfiber cloth doesn’t scratch or leave streaks behind, making them great for wood or glass surfaces.

Sponge

Such a humble accessory, yet essential for every housekeeping task. They come in a variety of forms suitable for every surface and area of your home. Be sure to use separate sponges in different places to prevent the transfer of germs from one place to another. 

Toothbrush

Have you ever had that tiny place in your house that needs precise cleaning, but you don’t have the tool for it? The answer is – your old toothbrush. Simply disinfect it in hot water, and you’re good to go!

Bucket and a mop

You didn’t think we’d forget about these, right? A bucket and quality mop are a must-have for wooden and granite floor surfaces. They’re a great first line of defense against spills and dirt alike and are cheap to boot.

Which house and apartment cleaning services in Puyallup, WA is my best choice?

When you want your home to shine, you want some of the finest cleaners from Bradley Lake to Puyallup River and everywhere in between. And to find those, NW Maids is your one-stop shop. Whether you need a regular cleaning or thorough deep cleaning, we can help you find a reputable and reliable cleaning company to fit your needs and budget. Give us a call today, and let us connect you with the perfect team for you.

If you’ve ever scheduled professional house cleaning in Downtown Portland, you definitely noticed how fast and efficient the experts are. It only takes them a few short hours to achieve the level of cleanliness that would take you days.

It certainly made you wonder how professional maids manage to clean your house so well and so fast. While it is a lot thanks to training and experience, it’s even more about finesse. Over time, pro cleaners pick up on some tips and tricks that make the work faster and easier, while retaining high quality. And, now, we’ll share some with you.

How do you clean your house like a professional?

Professional housekeeping is all about speed and efficiency without sacrificing an ounce of quality. Therefore, it stands to reason that you should aim for the same goal. The first step toward it is to steal some knowledge.

#1 Stealing the knowledge

Now, we’re not saying that stealing is ok. But, in this case, it is. It’s a great idea to stick around when your professional maids come, at least the first time. Just by standing on the sidelines and observing, you’ll be able to pick up on some pretty neat cleaning techniques that you didn’t know about.

Of course, make sure you don’t get in their way and obstruct their work. If you do that, they won’t mind one bit and everybody will be happier about it.

#2 Don’t rush

Housekeeping is like any other undertaking. You can’t expect to do a good job if you are unorganized. To help you with that, we have a twofer tip:

• Declutter first, then clean. When tidying up your home, the name of the game is efficiency. You want to be able to maneuver through the areas you’re cleaning as swiftly as possible. Therefore, remove all unnecessary clutter that can impede this goal.
• Have a plan of attack. Being chaotic is a great way to do too little work in too much time. Which is the exact opposite of what you’re trying to accomplish. To avoid this major housekeeping mistake, take some time to make a plan.

Doing these two things alone will vastly speed up the cleaning process, making it smoother and less tedious.

#3 Start prepared

Tying into the previous point, here’s something to speed up the work even more. Always have all the necessary cleaning supplies and tools in one easy-to-reach spot. Once you start cleaning, the last thing you need to do is run around the house, wondering where you left that pet-friendly disinfectant or those brand-new microfiber cloths.

#4 Give it a rest

And, no, we don’t mean to give up on home maintenance, although that is a viable option if you know you need a professional service. What we mean is don’t spray, scrub, and walk away when using products. Especially not if you’re using them in tacky areas.

The vast majority of supplies need some time to take effect. Therefore, it is important to apply it, then let it rest for a few minutes before scrubbing. Doing this will soften even the hard-core dirt (to an extent), making it easier and faster to clean.

#5 Start high, end low

While professionals follow a specific procedure, this postulate is at its very core. Going from top to bottom ensures that all the dust and dirt that falls down gets cleaned in the next pass. Therefore, you’ll get all of it in one go, without the need to go back for a re-do.

Is there an easy way to find reliable house cleaning in Downtown Portland?

There sure is! In fact, doing so has never been easier. All it takes is one phone call to NW Maids to find some of the most skilled and dependable cleaners from the Willamette River to the Columbia River and anywhere in between.

For years, we’ve been helping Downtown Portland residents keep their homes shining by helping them assemble their ideal housekeeping team. Give us a call and we’ll do the same for you today!

Home maintenance is an unavoidable part of our lives. We all do it regularly (well, pretty regularly) but, even then, we don’t give it too much thought. And that easygoing attitude often results in housekeeping mistakes that, in turn, lead to subpar results. Not only that, but some of those errors can leave your home dirtier than it was.

Therefore, the natural question is: “How can I avoid the most common mistakes when cleaning?” Aside from hiring house cleaners in Downtown Portland, which is the only surefire way, just knowing what you can go wrong about is enough to aid your cleaning efforts.

What cleaning mistakes should I avoid?

Ideally, all of them. But we know that’s a bit unrealistic. After all, making mistakes is an integral part of the learning process. Still, avoiding them is much better. Here’s what not to do if you want to clean your house like a real pro.

#1 Not using protection

If you’ve ever stayed at home when your maids arrive, you may have noticed that they always come fully equipped with protective gear. There’s a good reason for that. You can never be too safe when it comes to protecting your health while tidying up your home. 

Make sure you have good rubber gloves and a face mask, and you’re good. Throw in some eye protection against those pesky splashes, and you’re golden!

#2 Using the same cleaning tools for everything

The point of home maintenance is to dispose of dirt, germs, bacteria, and other unhealthy intruders in your home. However, using the same tools to do so absolutely defeats that purpose. By doing this, you’re only spreading dirt around (although it doesn’t seem so).

To avoid this mistake, have a dedicated set of tools for different areas of your home. Yes, it will cost you a bit extra at the start, but all of those accessories will last longer. So, it is a great long-term investment. Oh, and your home will be much cleaner, too, so no downsides here.

#3 Cleaning from the ground up

If there was a top list of the most common home maintenance mistakes, this would be #1. Starting from the ground and working your way up only means that dust and dirt from higher levels wind up on the ground again. Then, what you’re left with is either a poorly cleaned home or wasted time, since you have to clean some more. All you have to do to remedy this mistake is start high, end low, and there you go!

#4 Not hiring professional cleaners on a regular basis

Despite popular opinion, hiring experts isn’t a luxury. In today’s busy world, it has become a bare necessity. Busy schedules, paired with fast-paced lifestyles often leave us with little to no time for ourselves.

A maid service can help you get your time, energy, and, most importantly, nerves back. Hiring pros on a weekly or bi-weekly basis can take the immense weight off your shoulders and leave you free to enjoy that day-long excursion to the Columbia River you’ve been dreaming of for so long.

Where to find the top house cleaners in Downtown Portland?

If you’ve noticed that the time to hire a maid service has come, you’d certainly want someone you can rely upon to give your home a thorough makeover. And when in Downtown Portland, the easiest way to find dependable cleaners is with NW Maids.

We collaborate with some of the best housekeeping companies in Portland and beyond. With years of experience, a detail-oriented mindset, and a variety of customizable services to choose from, we are your best choice for keeping your home sparkling clean. Give us a call and find your perfect housekeeping team today!