Posted by Candice on September 1, 2010 at 21:56 pm
New York Dreaming
For most of us owning a home in the big apple is a dream that will most likely never become a reality. Famously one of the world’s most expensive real estate markets, even the tiniest apartment is well beyond the means of most. If you’ve ever aspired to be a New York City local then you must check out the latest giveaway from HGTV – a furnished apartment located in the heart of the Financial District with sweeping views of the NYC skyline. HGTV has partnered with The Residences at W in the $$1.5 million giveaway that includes an Acura ZDX.
Custom-designed by popular HGTV designer Vern Yip, the living room is a celebration of city life in muted tones with an eclectic collection of unique accessories and art pieces. As with most homes in NYC the use of space often needs to fulfill multiple functions so the kitchen can accommodate the usual meal preparation but also accommodates a home office. A welcoming entrance and bedroom retreat complete the apartment.
If you want to get a first hand look at the apartment watch the HGTV Urban Oasis 2010 special on Monday, September 6, 2010, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. The website opened today for entries and until October 20 you can enter twice per day, once at HGTV.com and once at HGTV’s FrontDoor.com.
If you’re lucky you just may be able to live in NYC or at the very least have a big apple getaway whenever you feel like it.
Posted by Candice on August 31, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Cleaning Up Myths About Green Cleaning
You may be considering whether or not to make the switch to green cleaning and find that there is a wealth of information available about how to go about making the switch. You may have heard that green cleaning is not as effective as traditional cleaning methods. This is the most common myth. Let’s did a little deeper into this common misconception:
- Myth: Green cleaning products don’t work as well as more-toxic cleaning products.
While there are many cleaning products making claims of being green there is also a great deal of green washing. There are also legitimately green products which do not deliver when it comes to cleaning power. When making your choice diligently check ingredients and then narrow down your choice based on reviews that rate the products’ effectiveness. Sometimes different products from different brands are required for particular tasks. It is not always possible to choose a favorite brand and then just stick with their range. For example, after trying many we found our favorite dishwasher tab based on performance was the Ecover Dish Tabs but when it comes to our general multi-purpose cleaner and scouring product we like Clearly Essential’s natural range.
- Myth: The stronger the smell, the cleaner the clean.
We have all become accustomed to the strong chemical odor of the major brand cleaning products and associate that strong lemon scent with clean but when it comes to green cleaning products we do not need to sacrifice a pleasant odor we just need to adjust our expectations to allow for the subtler scents like tea tree oil, lavender and cinnamon. Essential oils which are an important adjunct to most natural cleaning products do add a pleasant odor and in part, such as in the case of tea tree oil, increase the effectiveness of the cleaner.
- Myth: Modern products are more effective.
When it comes to cleaning the old tried and true methods used by generations of home makers are still valid and effective. Good old soap and hot water are still effective ways to clean and sanitize your hands, cutting boards, sinks, kitchen counters and stove tops. If a little more grease cutting action is required the essential oil of Eucalyptus does a great job and the pantry staple cornstarch absorbs grease very well. There are many traditional pantry items which can be put to work around the house as part of a cleaning caddy.
- Myth: Green Cleaning does not have sufficient germ fighting power.
It is important to remember that certain bacteria are very useful to use. There bacteria live on our hands, in our mouths and form part of our gut. The indiscriminate use of anti-bactrial products seems to have done more harm than good. Eliminating all bacteria should not be the goal of your cleaning regime but rather to limit or remove the ones which can cause illness. There are natural and biodegradable options such as tea tree oil which is a good broad spectrum germicide, fungicide, and bacteriacide. Other options include vinegar and borax.
Bidmycleaning.com providers who are able to or who exclusively use natural cleaning products can be selected using a special filter in our marketplace bid request or by using our special green cleaning calculator located in our Eco-Friendly section.
Posted by Candice on July 1, 2010 at 23:12 pm
July 4th Party Clean Up
After the Independence Day fireworks have fired and the party guests have left, the last thing you probably feel like is attacking the post-party cleaning. You are most likely already worn out from the pre-party preparations and playing hostess or host all day. Why not treat yourself to a maid service to take care of the next-day cleanup.
The number one party cleaning catastrophe is usually an unwanted stain from a careless ketchup spill or some red wine splashed onto a rug. Be sure to keep a emergency stain kit handy with your favorite go-to stain removal product and some rags but you may need a carpet or upholstery cleaning service to really eradicate the stain.
The easiest way for you to find and schedule a maid service is to visit Bidmycleaning.com and while you are there you can schedule a carpet cleaning too. Bidmycleaning is the only online marketplace for house cleaning services where you can get instant bids and schedule service on maid service, carpet and window cleaning all in one place.
Posted by Candice on June 8, 2010 at 14:06 pm
Is your home your sanctuary? Do you return after a long tiring day and relax into your favorite chair perhaps with a glass of wine or do you arrive home to be faced with clutter and cleaning to be done? A new study has revealed that having a tidy home can have both physical health and emotional health benefits. Researchers at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis found that people with tidy homes are more likely to be physically active. They raised the question as to whether the mere activity involved in vacuuming, dusting or doing laundry caused the effect or whether it was a case of people who are more likely to take care of their home are the kind of people who are also more likely to take care of their bodies. An interesting point is that the state of a your home is more closely linked to your level of fitness than it is to the area in which you live. If you can’t make it to the gym you can get as good or better a workout at home cleaning your bathroom or kitchen.
Posted by Candice on May 24, 2010 at 10:30 am
Green Cleaning For Your Kitchen
It is unlikely that anyone needs convincing anymore about how important it is to make the switch to green and natural cleaning. We’ve written in the past about
whether green cleaning can really beat the germs and have a whole series about how to stock your
green cleaning pantry.
Today we’ll share a few tips about how to attack some common household kitchen cleaning tasks using natural cleaning methods:
- To clean your microwave oven place 1/4 cup of baking soda mixed with one cup of water inside the oven and heat until steam fills the inside of your microwave. Then remove the dish and wipe down the oven.
- To clean your coffee machine just run a regular cycle using one cup of vinegar followed by two cycles of clean water to rinse the vinegar out.
- For a kettle a 1/4 cup of baking soda mixed with 2 cups of water. Bring to the boil and allow to sit overnight. Rinse well the next morning to remove any baking soda residue.
- To remove burnt residue from a pot or pan sprinkle a thick layer of baking soda over the burn area then add some water and place on the stove to hear. Let the baking soda sit overnight and then scrub to remove.
- To clean fresh produce use a sponge sprinkled with baking soda to wipe the fruit and/or vegetables before rinsing under running water. For produce that will not withstand wiping dip into a baking soda solution and then rinse well.
These are just some of the ways you can use baking soda and vinegar in your kitchen. They also have many useful applications in cleaning your bathroom and other parts of your home.
Visit Bidmycleaning.com’s Eco-Friendly Cleaning information page to learn more about green cleaning in your home or to find a maid service or house cleaning provider that can perform and eco-friendly cleaning service.
Posted by Candice on May 17, 2010 at 20:52 pm
House Cleaning Service Hit Lits
When it comes to outsourcing your house cleaning there are a few key requirements that most customers have when selecting a cleaning provider. What is on your hit list when selecting a house cleaning service?
1. A clean home - a good cleaning service will clean your home better than you would do yourself. If you come home to find that there is still dust on surfaces or dirt on your floors you will be disappointed. However, an important part of receiving the service you want is to communicate clear expectations to the service. In the event that you are not 100% satisfied with the cleaning any good cleaning service would want you to let them know and give them an opportunity to improve on the cleaning. Again, it is important to communicate clearly exactly what did not meet your standards and what is required to get there. Most cleaning companies understand that wowing the customer will lead to repeat business and favorable word of mouth. At Bidmycleaning.com we have a built in review service to ensure that cleaners who do a good job can be rewarded for that with a positive customer review but also that services that do not deliver can be called out for poor service.
2. Reliability – a service that arrives on the appointed day and the appointed time is important. House cleaners that show up as expected are more likely to be invited back for further cleanings or even be put on a regular schedule. At Bidmycleaning.com you select that date and time segment for your cleaning and then our service automatically sends out reminders prior to the appointment.
3. Safety - you want to know that the person or team that will be working in your home have been checked out. Background checks are a standard part of the application process for a service provider to be listed in the Bidmycleaning.com house cleaning service marketplace. Hiring someone from Craigslist or from a flyer posted on your mailbox does not guarantee you that they have been screened. In addition, at Bidmycleaning.com you can choose to only view bids from providers that are insured and bonded.
4. A fair price – you want to pay a price for your maid service that gets you the best service for your budget. At Bidmycleaning.com we make it easy to find out what maid service in your local neighborhood will cost because, based on your requirements, you can can view instant bids from various companies to compare pricing. You definitely don’t want to pay too much but in some cases you probably don’t want to pay too little either. If price is the only factor in your decision you can choose a provider that is not necessarily insured & bonded and may therefore be able to charge a little less. However, if for whatever reason you need or want a provider that is insured & bonded that option is available to you.
Posted by Candice on May 12, 2010 at 00:04 am
Green, Sustainable Cleaning
There is an ever growing range of green cleaning products on store shelves these days – new green product lines from the big companies like Proctor & Gamble, lines endorsed by celebrities like Martha Stewart’s clean and the newer companies like Seventh Generation. All sell products that claim to be more eco-friendly but none have addressed the product packaging. All still deliver their product in single-use plastic containers.
Wonder Tablitz have a different strategy – their focus is on sustainability and their method is to reduce the packing needed to deliver their cleaning products. Their cleaning products are sold as effervescent tablets which are mixed with water. Their unique packaging is a refillable bottle but what’s unique about it is that it has a built-in spot for storing replacement tablets.
In designing their product, the Schultz family, former owners of the Gonzo line of household cleaning products, focused on addressing what they thought consumers were looking for in a household cleaning product ie. a product that works well, is environmentally responsible and offers a great value. In order to be environmentally responsible they had to omit harmful ingredients and for the Schultz family the extra step was to provide sustainable packaging which requires using less energy, reduces utilization of natural resources and reduces the amount of waste.
The product range
- Glass And Multi-surface Cleaner
- All Purpose Cleaner w/Bleach
- Citrus All Purpose Cleaner
- Fabric Refresher and Odor Eliminator
- The Wonder Multi-Purpose Spray Bottle
- The Wonder Plant & Garden Spray Bottle
From online reviews of the products it seems that more than one application is required to get a really good clean. We have not tested the product ourselves but if you’re interested in trying something new and like the concept of the refillable bottle with built in refills, learn more about the products or where you can purchase them at http://www.wondertablitz.com/
Posted by Candice on May 4, 2010 at 23:30 pm
House Cleaning - Refrigerator
You open it every day – in fact you probably open it several times a day and yet research has shown that Americans only clean their refrigerators once or twice a year and this is usually prompted by a spill or a bad smell emanating from within. Bad smells usually result from missed spills (typically under the bottom drawers) or forgotten foods that have ended up at the back of the fridge. It seems most people don’t clear out the old before adding the new, rather just making space by pushing containers back. When it comes to the fridge most people don’t use the appropriate organizational areas either. Crisper drawers which have specific temperature and humidity settings are used to house soda cans or deli meats. The most common place to store milk is in the door shelves but this is where the fridge is warmest and so it is not the ideal location for milk or cream.
When it comes to food storage it is important to remember that there can be health risks of not maintaining a clean, spill free environment. Bacteria can flourish in spills and leaks from packages of raw meat or chicken can contaminate foods which are eaten raw like fruits, vegetables and cheeses.
The task of cleaning the refrigerator can seem quite daunting – one has to first remove everything. This does of course mean that it is an opportunity to get rid of those moldy cheeses or shriveled fruits and to organize everything that is to be put back in again. As you remove each item check the use-by dates, do the sniff test and check for wilting. Put all the items that are to be returned into a cooler to preserve their freshness.
Here are some tips for cleaning your refrigerator:
- First unplug the refrigerator
- Remove all the drawers, shelves and racks and stack them by your kitchen sink
- One by one spray them with a disinfectant cleaning solution – bleach is commonly used but we prefer an eco-friendly alternative
- Using a sponge or rag wash down the inside cabinet, the door and all the shelves or compartments which could not be removed
- Using fresh water rinse the cleaned areas and then leave to dry or dry with an absorbent rag or towel
- Use an old toothbrush or other small cleaning brush to clean in joins and to clean all around the rubber door seal
- Don’t forget the face plate to the vented air exchange at the bottom of the fridge – this can be removed and cleaned with a vacuum cleaner before washing in the sink
- Remember to plug the fridge back into the power supply and then wait until the display shows that it has reached the required temperature
- Finally replace all the items that were stored in coolers putting them into the correct organizational drawers, crispers etc.
This task will seem less daunting if you do it a little more regularly than once or twice a year so find a schedule that works for you and try to stick with it. If you don’t feel like tackling the task yourself visit Bidmycleaning.com and select it as an add-on to your regular maid service or as part of a deep cleaning.
Posted by Candice on May 2, 2010 at 22:39 pm
Show Your Appreciation on Mother's Day
A greeting card with flowers, candy or something from The Body Shot – these are the things most Mother’s receive on the one day a year designated to celebrating all that Mother’s do for us. The lucky Moms get brunch with the family thrown in too. However, if we stop to consider for a moment what would best serve Mom on her ‘special’ day then flowers that wilt or candy that will likely result in some diet-busting guilt are probably not the best bang for your buck. What Moms really need is a break from all things they do which is probably why we need to thank them in the first place:
1. A break from cooking! How about a nice dinner out or if you’re on a smaller budget offer to cook dinner a few nights this week.
2. A break from cleaning! How about a gift certificate for maid service so time that would be spent scrubbing and sweeping can be spent on some relaxing reading or a movie.
3. A break from the laundry! This week offer to do the laundry for your mom or send it out to a laundry service.
4. A break from carpooling! Get Dad to step in and help out with the pick up and drops offs for a few days!
There are probably many more chores that you can come up with which would give your Mom a lovely break if you took over for a few days. With the time she will have to herself give her a gift card for a local spa, one for her favorite restaurant so she can have dinner out with a friend or perhaps one from the local cinema so she can take in a movie. If there are budget constraints give her some special ‘me’ time at home by running a nice warm bubble bath and placing candles and a bottle of wine in the bathroom and sending her there for a nice soak.
This week you can buy a gift card for maid service at Bidmycleaning.com and receive a 15% discount off the price. Your Mom will really appreciate the extra help around the house and a nice break from the cleaning she usually does to keep your home comfortable for you.
Posted by Candice on April 16, 2010 at 16:31 pm
Friday's Eco-Friendly Find
Earth Day 2010 is coming up soon – on April 22nd to be precise. In preparation we looked for some resources for Earth Day information. The Earth Day Network (Earthday.net) is ground central for Earth Day – their mission is to power the environmental movement and ensure a healthy and sustainable planet for all of us. They do this by helping to mobilize communities, implement environmental education programs and support Earth Day events and actions around the world. Their aim is to galvanize millions to make personal commitments to sustainability.
The Earth Day Action Center (Earthday.org) is where you can go to find out about Earth Day events and to create your own action campaign or have a look at what others have committed to doing. Some examples are the 100 Miles Food Challenge and the Walk For Water.
Other ways to get involved are by creating a petition or making a pledge. Your pledge could be as simple as opting to use eco-friendly and green cleaning products in your home or to support a local green cleaning company if you hire a regular maid service – use our Green Cleaning Calculator to get bids from a local house cleaning provider if you don’t already have one. Each small undertaking is a contribution to a wider drive to improve our world.
If you’re unsure about where to get involved you can browse the ‘Core Issues’ section of the site. These include Climate Change, Conservation & Biodiversity, Energy, Recycling & Waste Reduction and Sustainable Development. Stop by the Action Center today to see how you can make a difference.
Last year we blogged about Earth Day 2009.
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