House Cleaning Tips, News & Deals from Golden Shine Cleaning Agency

If you or a loved one is suffering from asthma or allergies, there are some simple changes you can make that may greatly alleviate any symptoms. A hypoallergenic home is a happy home, and a few changes in your cleaning routine can turn your home into a blissful, wheeze-free haven. We've put together a few tips that we think will greatly improve both the air quality of your home, and the happiness of its occupants.

1. Dust is the enemy. Dust, pollen, and other airy particles are a major cause of allergies and asthma. Common areas where dust collects are: ceiling fan blades, window screens, vents, storage areas, and high shelves. Use a damp microfiber cloth when cleaning these areas. You will be amazed at how well it grabs and holds any dust it encounters.

2. Work from top to bottom. Dust is not immune to the laws of gravity, and nothing is more frustrating than watching the dust you've wiped off your top shelves settle on your newly shined floor. Working from top to bottom also ensures that residual dust won't be airborne when you're finished, which could cause wheezing and other symptoms.

3. Vacuum, vacuum, and vacuum some more. A good vacuuming will pick up dust and pollen that could be aggravating your allergies. Ideally, your vacuum should have a good air filter and be powerful enough to pick up the small stuff. Carpets, sofas, cushions, pet beds, upholstered furniture, and even screens can be vacuumed, either with a sturdy floor vacuum or a detail-oriented hose vacuum.

These first steps can jumpstart you into making your home allergy-free. Once your home is free of dust, regular maintenance will be much easier. Also, regularly washing sheets and bedding, investing in protective covers for mattresses, and regular grooming of pets are some easy ways to keep allergy symptoms at bay.

Want to take things a step further? Check out our green house cleaning services, and learn more about the impact they can have on the overall air quality of your home. Here's to a sneeze-free and wheeze-free 2012!

While cola may not be what comes to mind when you think of green cleaning, Coke, Pepsi and other cola products can actually be used in some surprising and eco-friendly ways. When there's a mess on your hands and your cleaning supplies are low, you can raid the fridge for this handy cleaning agent. Below are some of our favorite uses:

Deodorizer: While cola shouldn't be used on fabric due to the high sugar content, this soda is an excellent deodorize, and will easily remove pet smells and other odors. Just soak the affected area, then rinse away.

Get rid of rust: Cola products break down rust and grime, saving you the elbow grease of trying to scour it away. Rust spots can be wiped away with a rag soaked in cola. For objects with heavy rusting, an overnight cola soak and a quick scrub in the morning will give you rust-free bliss. Just be sure to rinse thoroughly to clear away any sugar residue, as it can be quite sticky.

Clean your blackened pots: Still have that pot or pan that's burnt and blackened on the inside? Pour some cola into the pan and let it simmer over low heat. Then simply rinse well, scrub, and make your pot as good as new.

Remove stains: Cola is particularly affective for removing stains on ceramics. You can pour a can or two into the toilet bowl for a soak to remove any discoloration. Let it sit for a few minutes, then just flush away the stains.

While it may sound unusual, cola can be a handy substitute for many cleaning products, and may surprise you with its effectiveness. It's multipurpose, toxin-free, readily available, and can be much more than just a bubbly beverage.

Happy Cleaning!

Well, Christmas has come and gone, and you may have had the good fortune of playing host to both family and friends. But between all that great food and company, your home can tend to take quite a beating.

Give us a call if you're faced with the daunting task of cleaning up all the post-holiday mess, and we'll be happy to send over some professional mess-busters to work their magic on your home. Just kick back with a leftover turkey sandwich and some eggnog, and let us take care of everything.

You'll undoubtedly feel better once your home is back to pristine condition, and you'll be ready to ring in the new year with style!

Vinegar is one of the most inexpensive and effective cleaning solutions available, making it an easy choice if you're looking for an affordable, environmentally friendly cleaning product. It is non-toxic, and safe for children and pets if accidentally swallowed. Vinegar is also an antibacterial agent that easily removes streaks, grime, and mold.

White distilled vinegar is most commonly used as a disinfectant and cleaning solvent. Because it is a weak acid, many dirty surfaces can be cleaned easily using a solution of 5% white vinegar to 95% water in a spray bottle. There are hundreds of different uses for this miracle liquid, we have included some of our favorite tips on how to use vinegar to clean your home.

- If you're dealing with stubborn lime or calcium deposits, use full-strength white vinegar to loosen and break up the deposits before cleaning. You can also use white vinegar to clean your coffeemaker. Just run a cup of vinegar through the coffeemaker cycle, then run it again once more with nothing but water to rinse out the machine. A vinegar and hot water solution also works wonders as a scourer for your shower door, where mineral deposits build up quickly.

- Nearly any surface or dish can be cleaned with a vinegar solution. Counters, cutting boards, door handles, and other areas that see a lot of use can be left spotless with very little time and effort. Simply wipe down with vinegar. Keeping a spray bottle of your solution handy can be effective in combating bacteria.

- Vinegar soaks are invaluable for cloudy glassware and film that sits in hard-to reach areas. Cut grime, mold, and other unpleasant surfaces with vinegar and hot water, or lay a vinegar-soaked cloth over the area to loosen grime overnight.

- In addition to its disinfecting qualities, vinegar is a marvelous deodorizer. Remove odors from a lunch box by dipping a sponge in vinegar and sealing it in for a few hours. Clear the smell of drains, microwaves and other appliances, bathroom sinks and toilets, and even fabrics such as carpet and upholstery with either a vinegar soak or scrub. Vinegar's acidic scent clears the unwanted smells and will dissipate in about an hour, leaving your home fresh and odor-free.

Happy cleaning!