Clean Floors in the Spring Are Possible!

The rainy season is upon us, and keeping your floors clean can be extra tricky this time of year. The following tips are those we’ve seen used throughout our years of professional home and office cleaning and are sure to spark a solution for you.

Prepare Your Mudroom

Equip your foyer or mudroom with space for wet jackets, umbrellas, and shoes. Trays for shoes and muddy boots will keep them from being worn inside, bringing dirty footprints with them. A place for jackets and wet umbrellas also ensures they stop in an area that’s easy to clean rather than further into the house and on the carpet.

Create a Mudroom

No mudroom? No problem! Consider laying down a plastic tablecloth near the entryway to become a temporary foyer. Like the mudroom, create a place for wet or muddy boots and wet umbrellas so they aren’t drug across carpet or other floorings that can create a hazard.

Control the Wet Dog Shake

Dogs that have walked in the rain can’t help but shake off when they come in. If you don’t have a designated area for this, place a basket of dry towels near the entrance to throw over your furry buddy and briskly wipe them down. They will still likely shake, but the water will be absorbed mainly by the towels before they do.

Keep Cleaning Essentials Close

Keep a mop, either a standard or Swiffer style, near the front door to quickly mop up water and dirt.

Use a Door Mat

Consider absorbent door mats, more than one, to capture water as you enter your home or office. A runner style, or those separated to capture multiple gaits, including canine ones, can help keep yuck from tracking in.

Vacuum the Excess

Cordless stick-style or handheld vacuums can keep dirt from building up. Of course, you don’t want to vacuum water, but dried mud, dirt, leaves, and other dry outdoor debris can be kept at bay with a quick run of a simple vacuum.

Have Towels and a Trashcan Nearby

Keep a pack of wipes, a roll of paper towels, and a small trash can near the entryway. Wipes and paper towels can be used to wipe down muddy paws or absorb spills and rainwater that have found a way inside. Making it easy to clean up is the best way to nip problem messes.

Create a Cleaning Checklist

Make a regular cleaning checklist to stay on top of sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming. This will help maintain clean floors and keep them in good shape all year round. If needed, plan to have the carpets or floors professionally cleaned semi-annually.

Recruit Help

If staying on top of floor care is difficult or time-consuming, ask for help. This can be from others at work, at home, or from an outside cleaning company.

Keeping floors clean in the rainy season, or any season, always has to do with having the structures in place for organization, ease of cleaning, and support.  

A Cleaning Service in Washington DC

Let A Cleaning Service help with your deep cleaning needs so you can focus on the relationships that matter. If weekly chores are getting lost in the busyness of life, we can help with that too! Our 30+ years in the cleaning business means we know how to get the job done professionally and efficiently, delighting our customers year after year. 
If you have a home or business in the Greater Washington DC, Virginia, or Maryland areas, our award-winning cleaning company seeks to earn your trust and confidence. Contact us today for a quote or more information on how our cleaning service can help you tackle more than just spring cleaning.

When Does Spring Cleaning Start? 

Spring cleaning is almost a ritual – welcoming in the change of season and longer daylight. People, just like nature, come out of winter’s clutches, and for many of us, that means swapping out our wardrobes, packing away cold weather and winter holiday items, and creating a fresh, bright environment.

To help you get started, we’ve created some tips to help you both at home and in the office. We call them our top spring cleaning tips for 2023.

Top Spring Cleaning Tips for Home

Cycle

The easiest place to start is by making space for the new by clearing out the old. Store heavy blankets and linens, coats and boots, and other winter-only items. Remember winter equipment like shovels and winter holiday decorations, and store them away. Wash anything dirty so when the fall comes and you cycle it back out, you don’t have a mess that has grown.

Once you’ve cleared the space, bring out the spring and summer clothing, decor, pool and camping gear, and anything else you will want to have ready.

Make it a fun, group effort

Turn on your favorite summer tunes and have others help you to tackle the window-open tasks! Entice friends to help you clean the garage with the reward of a BBQ. Get kids to pitch in by making it a race with prizes at the end. 

Spring is an upbeat time – use that positivity to create the energy and faster pace to get your spring cleaning done.

Chunk it

Some spring cleaning is easy to knock out in an hour or less – storing linens and decor, for example. But other projects, like cleaning a garage or attic, redecorating a spare bedroom, or doing yard work, could be a multi-day spring cleaning adventure. Take your larger projects and break them into smaller, more manageable chunks.

This type of planning can also help you determine what resources are needed to accomplish the task at hand, such as hiring an arborist or leasing a dumpster. A cleaning company may be utilized for deep cleaning, while you deal with other personalized items like sorting through heirlooms.

Toss / Donate / Keep

Finally, sort items into toss / donate / keep boxes and then do just that. Toss broken items, unusable items, and trash (like old mail). Donate items that are in good condition but outgrown, unneeded, or unused. Or, if you are the garage sale type, sell those items and make good use of the funds.

A regular, ongoing practice of this will help you stay on top of clutter and free up your time cleaning so you can focus on more enjoyable tasks.

Top Spring Cleaning Tips for the Office

Sort

Sorting isn’t just for home. Often clutter and disorganization start because people aren’t sure where things belong. Find the areas of clutter and begin sorting what is there – putting like with like to determine what is needed to get them organized.

Organize

Now that you know what needs to be organized, begin putting items away where they should be. Remember, some of the items may be thrown away or recycled – how many pens does one really need? Donate or repurpose items that aren’t being used.

Consider how to make the organization of items foolproof. This could mean using labels, drawing outlines, or creating space where a certain item will fit but another won’t. There are lots of methods for organization, so find the one that works best for your space.

Clean / Repair

While sorting and organizing, you will likely find areas or items that need to be cleaned or repaired. Don’t simply put them back – take action. This may mean giving them to someone to repair them, hiring a professional, or scheduling a follow-up action, like budgeting for a replacement.

Delegate

One benefit of using a commercial cleaning company on an ongoing basis is that they also find broken or dirty areas and keep them maintained. Some companies may even provide the repair services you need, but compare their costs versus your most needed services so you don’t overpay.

Delegating cleaning tasks, regardless of the season, can ensure your office space is clean to the most up-to-date specifications including procedures, chemical handling, avoidance of cross-contamination, and more. When it comes to business, an ongoing cleaning schedule will always be more beneficial than simply spring cleaning.

A Cleaning Service in Washington DC

Focus on the relationships that matter and let A Cleaning Service help with the weekly chores that can get lost in the busyness of life. With over 30 years in the cleaning business, our customers have come to rely on our skill and expertise to make their life easier. 

If you have a home or business in the Greater Washington DC, Virginia, or Maryland areas, our award-winning cleaning company seeks to earn your trust and confidence. Contact us today for a quote or more information on how our cleaning service can help you tackle more than just spring cleaning.

Often spring cleaning is a marker for transitioning out of the winter season, opening windows to stale rooms, and preparing for warmer weather. Opening windows lets in the glorious sunshine (that likely lights up all the areas that need to be dusted), and also creates airflow for deep cleaning and painting projects.

But, before those things can happen, we can start to work on the projects leading up to open windows. Here’s how to get a jump start on your spring cleaning by knocking out the things you can now.

Make a List

1. Start your list of tasks to tackle for the upcoming seasons. What needs to be cleaned? Reorganized? Remodeled? Repurposed? Repaired? It’s the season of rebirth! What is ready to be redone?

2. Once you have your list of items, put them in order of importance. You can either re-write the list, or number the items in the order you’d like completed. Some things may need to be handled first or should be done in a certain order for logistical reasons. 

For example, replacing your washer and dryer after cleaning and painting the laundry room makes sense.

3. Next, determine what items can be done now, and which ones need to wait. An example might be that you could begin sorting through the office now, but need to wait on planting vegetables until the snow melts. It may not be time now to start packing away thick jackets and heavy bedding, but it would be ok to reorder the pantry.

Get Ready

Now that you have a clearer idea of what needs to get done and when to plan them, it’s time to determine what you need to tackle the projects. What tools, organizational supplies, or help do you need? Where can you get the tools, supplies, and help? Do you need to rent equipment or hire professional cleaners? Do you need to learn a skill?

Once you’ve identified what you need, start taking steps to get ready, such as getting price quotes or taking classes. 

Take on What You Can and Delegate the Rest

If something seems too difficult for you to handle, consider what professionals could help you. Knowing when to pay for something rather than doing it yourself is great wisdom. Know your skill, interest, and budget when considering who to hire.

Here are a few examples: You want to have the chimney cleaned but you don’t have the skill or equipment. Is it worth your time? If your budget allows, hire it out. You are good at cleaning the house, but it takes time away from things you enjoy more. If your budget allows, hire a cleaning company to do the routine weekly cleaning.

Many times people try doing projects themselves simply because they don’t know their budget. Don’t waste your precious time and energy when you could be doing things you enjoy and are good at. Then, turn on your favorite music, open your curtains, and get a jump on your spring cleaning projects.

Call A Cleaning Service for Your Home or Office Cleaning Solutions

Focus on the relationships that matter and let A Cleaning Service help with the weekly chores that can get lost in the busyness of life. With over 30 years in the cleaning business, our customers have come to rely on our skill and expertise to make their lives easier. 

If you have a home or business in the Greater Washington DC, Virginia, or Maryland areas, our award-winning cleaning company seeks to earn your trust and confidence. Contact us today for a quote or more information on how our cleaning service can help you. Ready to jump in and have professional cleaning services for your spring cleaning? Schedule a service today! 

It’s a new year and for many people, this means a fresh start or renewed commitment to something important to them. For some, it means building new routines to support a new behavior or practice. And for others, it’s learning something new or working to meet a desired goal. 

Whatever your reason for finding this cleaning checklist today, we hope it inspires you to reach your goals this year.

Why Use a Cleaning Checklist?

Often we use checklists to help us organize our thoughts or tasks. It helps us “get it all out” so that we don’t forget things. A cleaning checklist works in the same way – helping us to prioritize and sort through all the items we want to get done.

Cleaning checklists can be organized by frequency, by room or area, or by the person responsible (or any other attribute that makes sense to you). For this list, we will be organizing by room.

Time Bound for Success

Often people fail to meet their goals because they don’t commit the time for it to be successful. While we’ve arranged this by room, be sure to note frequency as well. Put it into your calendar, or set a reminder for when items are due.

Block time on your calendar for when you know you will have the time and resources to work on the task. Resources include those who can help, your own energy levels, and the supplies needed. Set yourself up for success!

Remember certain areas may need cleaning daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually, or somewhere in between. Be sure to attach a time frame to each task and put items with the same timeline together.

For example, if you do a load of laundry every day, and also wipe the shower down every day, consider putting those tasks together to make it a daily routine. If you clean the toilet once a week and also vacuum once a week, assign the tasks to one person who is responsible for both.

Home Cleaning Checklist

Include all the areas of your home and exclude areas below that aren’t relevant.

Bathroom

• Take out trash
• Wipe flat surfaces
• Wash towels / washcloths / hand towels
• Clean sink(s)
• Clean toilet
• Clean tub/shower
• Clean mirror (s)
• Wipe down cabinets
• Clean floors
• Wash / clean curtain
• Wash / clean floor mats / rugs
• Deep clean tile / grout
• Wipe baseboards, light switches, doorknobs, door frame
• Other: ________________
• Other: ________________
• Other: ________________

Kitchen

• Load / unload dishwasher
• Wash dishes / put away dishes
• Take out trash
• Clean sink
• Wipe counters
• Wipe appliances
• Clean oven / stove
• Clean fridge / freezer
• Throw away expired food
• Wipe cupboards (outside)
• Wipe cupboards (inside)
• Organize shelving / cupboards
• Clean under appliances such as stove or fridge
• Clean toaster / toaster oven
• Clean / descale coffee pot
• Launder washcloths, sponges, hand towels, oven mitts, etc.
• Wipe baseboards, light switches, doorknobs, door frame
• Clean floor
• Wash mats / rugs
• Wash curtains / wipe blinds
• Clean window (s)
• Other: ________________
• Other: ________________
• Other: ________________

Bedrooms

• Make bed
• Pick up items from floors and put away
• Take out trash
• Wash clothes
• Fold / hang up clothes
• Iron clothes / linens
• Wash linens / curtains / blinds
• Sweep / vacuum
• Dust / wipe flat surfaces
• Clean mirrors
• Organize
• Dust ceiling fans / vents
• Wipe baseboards, light switches, doorknobs, and door frames
• Vacuum and flip mattress
• Vacuum / dust upholstery
• Wash rugs
• Dust / wipe furniture like lamps, sitting chairs, etc.
•  Wash pillows
• Clean windows / window sills / sliding door tracks
• Other: ________________
• Other: ________________
• Other: ________________

Living Spaces

• Take out trash
• Organize / tidy
• Pick up items from floors and put away
• Wash / dust / vacuum curtains / blinds
• Sweep / vacuum
• Dust / wipe flat surfaces
• Clean mirrors
• Dust ceiling fans / vents
• Wipe baseboards, light switches, doorknobs, and door frames
• Clean floor (vacuum / mop / sweep)
• Vacuum / dust upholstery
• Wash rugs
• Dust / wipe furniture like lamps, sitting chairs, etc.
•  Wash throw pillows and blankets
• Clean windows / window sills / sliding door tracks
• Condition wood / leather
• Clean the fireplace
• Other: ________________
• Other: ________________
• Other: ________________

Need help tackling all the items on your cleaning checklist? A Cleaning Service can help! If regular, ongoing cleaning tasks don’t bring you joy, consider letting them go into the professional and competent hands of A Cleaning Service. 

We’re an award-winning cleaning company serving the Greater Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland areas. Contact us today for a quote and spend your time on the relationships and tasks that matter most to you.

We are entering the winter holidays and this often brings with it gatherings and parties in which to celebrate. This means that there will also be a corresponding increase in the need for cleaning, before and after them. 

Here are some tips for cleaning your home or office pre and post-party. 

Office Cleaning – Before the Party 

Getting ready for a party at an office usually consists of 3 main parts: 

• Sorting or tidying
• Preparing for guests
• Obtaining supplies

Start by clearing any space you need for the party. This often means sorting and organizing items that should or should not be in the area. It also includes quick tidying. If you have regular ongoing cleaning, you should only be putting things away, not having to do a deep cleaning of the space.  

Prepare for guests by ensuring there are enough seating areas and standing room. Make sure the space is arranged for any activity, including food service, to happen easily without tripping hazards or crowding issues. 

Finally, obtain the supplies needed, such as favors, serving utensils, plates, cups, napkins, plasticware, and the like. Have trash cans and extra bags on-hand for quicker cleanup. 

Office Cleaning – After the Party 

After the party, make sure all the trash is in bags and thrown out. Wipe down tables, chairs, and surfaces used for food and eating. Check the floor for any needed attention, such as spills or splatters and clean them up. 

Rearrange the room to how it was prior and remove from storage anything that was put away. Your office cleaning company should be able to take over from there, and giving them a heads-up is always a great gesture of holiday spirit. 

Home Cleaning – Before the Party 

Getting your home ready for a holiday party doesn’t have to be stressful, although many of us do make it so. If you don’t have a regular cleaning company or practice, this may be the time you feel you need to catch up on everything you have neglected. Let’s start by letting you off the hook by saying, “keep things in perspective.” 

Build a list of priorities and ask yourself how important each task is before exhausting yourself by doing everything. Now is the time to ask for help, whether from friends, family, or a professional cleaning company. 

Once you’ve identified your priorities, get started. Tidy the areas the guests will use, such as the bathroom, entryway, and dining area. It’s okay to have shut doors where you don’t want guests. Store or put away items that could get damaged or that you simply don’t want to be bothered. 

Rearrange the space to best accommodate your guests and take a physical and visual inventory of any items you need, such as plating, seating, or for cleanliness. Be sure to have a trash can readily available so guests know where trash goes and don’t have to search for it. 

Most importantly, enjoy your guests and time with them. The spirit of the holidays is connection, not cleanliness. However, your guests should be comfortable, safe, and healthy, which all come from providing them with a clean space to enjoy with you. 

Home Cleaning – After the Party 

After the party, again get help. Asking others to help will allow you to get more done more quickly. Take out trash, wipe any areas that hold food, and do dishes. You may want to tidy or clean the bathroom again. 

Sweep and vacuum the floors and put the space back into the configuration that works for day-to-day, pre-party setup. Finally, sit back and relax and celebrate another successful holiday party! 

A Cleaning Service

Focus on the relationships that matter and let A Cleaning Service help with the weekly chores that can get lost in the busyness of life. With over 30 years in the cleaning business, our customers have come to rely on our skill and expertise to make their life easier. If you have a home or business in the Greater Washington DC, Virginia, or Maryland areas, our award-winning cleaning company seeks to earn your trust and confidence. Contact us today for a quote or more information on how our cleaning service can help you.

In the winter, we tend to close windows and even weather-seal them, and this can feel a little stifling, especially when it is time to clean. But, when mud, dirt, snow, and salt get tracked in, avoiding cleaning can become a messy problem. How do we deep clean when the winter hits? A big part is: be proactive. 

Set yourself and your space up for success by building a regular pre-winter routine, and then maintain it through the winter. Squirrels store nuts, and bears pack on the pounds for the winter; here’s what you can do to get ready for your winter hibernation. 

Clean the Chimney. If you have a fireplace or stove, be proactive in cleaning it before the cold requires it to be used. Test the fireplace and flue to make sure everything is in good condition and working order so you aren’t put into an emergency situation when you need heat and can’t get it. (Or when you are ready to cuddle but can’t get the flames going.) 

Change Your Furnace Filter. Likewise, test your furnace before you need it to be sure it is working properly. Change the filter and be ready for the cold nights. A tune-up is always a good idea. 

Cycle Your Storage. While you have the longer daylight and pre-snow days, cycle your spring and summer clothes into storage and pull out your fall and winter supplies. If bedding and clothes need to be washed, take care of that now as well. 

Clear the Entrance. Make space for wintery clothes at the entrance to your home. Use rubber-backed mats, runners, and shoe trays to catch the snow and mud before it is tracked into the house. Maintain the area with regular checks and floor care to reduce tripping hazards and dirt. 

Clean Green. Because you don’t have as much airflow in the home as you would in other seasons, consider using cleaners with less fragrance or toxicity. Indoor pollution can be a bigger problem in the winter, so consider air purifiers or filters for less dust, mold, and allergens that aren’t able to escape out a window. 

Channel Your Creativity. Deep cleaning in the winter is possible and is even preferable when outdoors is too unpleasant to enjoy. Winter is a great time to work on detailed projects such as cleaning grout, baseboards, door jams, lighting fixtures, refrigerators, or other large appliances (without the use of harsh chemicals). 

Get creative and hunker down into a deep cleaning project you’ve been putting off. Organizing and sorting through clutter does wonders for your mental health as well. And a nice clean space is a great way to kick off the new year with a sense of accomplishment. 

Celebrate Togetherness. Winter holidays are a time many people connect with others. Whether hosting or joining family or connecting with friends or organizations, it is the season of giving and receiving. This can be a great excuse to do some holiday cleaning or volunteer to help another person with deep cleaning tasks. 

How do you normally prepare for the winter? What annual winter tasks bring you joy? Which do you wish to relinquish this year? How do you celebrate togetherness?

If regular, ongoing cleaning tasks don’t bring you joy, consider letting them go into the professional and competent hands of A Cleaning Service. An award-winning cleaning company serving the Greater Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland areas, contact us today for a quote and spend your time on the relationships and tasks that matter most to you.