spring cleaning Archives - KTMA Ltd.

4 Easy and Efficient Tactics for Spring Cleaning a (Small) Apartment

Rende — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 17:44:51 +0000

Most people assume that maintaining an apartment is easier than dealing with the chores in a bigger home and think this also applies to Spring-cleaning. However, if you ever lived in a smaller place, you know that keeping everything in order takes as many efforts as maintaining a house, if not more. With limited living space, even the tiniest mess can turn into an obstacle to the normal course of the day. Spring-cleaning a small apartment can be challenging, and this is why we have decided to share with you not only how to deal with the task, but also how to extend the result as long as possible.

Things can get messy when your living room, kitchen, and home office share the same room.

Out-of-the-Box De-Cluttering and Organisation

If you want to manage to keep your home tidy and hygienic after this year’s Spring-cleaning for more than a few days, then you should consider changing your routine. Mess and Clutter are the most significant issues when maintaining an apartment. The smaller your place, the less space you have, and this is a real challenge when organising everything from clothes to cash receipts. So before you start putting things away at their usual places, look around and note which areas are getting messier and what kind of clutter predominates in your home. This is the best way to determine what to change so you can keep your apartment organised longer and with fewer efforts.

There is a way to keep the clutter at bay and enjoy the results from the spring cleaning longer.

How to Do it?

Let’s say, there are piles of papers and bills you need to keep covering every flat surface. Probably the place you designated for these things isn’t sufficient anymore. Re-organising the storage places will help you make more room for your documents. Being creative with the way you use limited space helps, so you don’t have to stick to the fittings, designed for keeping papers like drawers or cabinets. A large container in your wardrobe may fit your needs better than the compartments built in your desk.

Check also: How to Save Money During Spring Cleaning?

Even a simple thing like drying seasonal clothes in the apartment can become a challenge.

Less Laundry Between Winter and Summer

Whether you live in a mansion or in a 1 bedroom apartment, Spring cleaning always means taking out the summer garments and linens and putting away the thick winter blankets and clothes. If not stored properly, after a few months fabric items become wrinkled, dusty, and smell funny. This will not only add more work for you during the Spring cleaning, but the lack of space turns the drying off a few loads of laundry into significant inconvenience. It also means you will need to iron everything again. When you live in a smaller home, the way you store your clothes and linens can make a substantial difference in terms of cleaning and organisation.

Storing blankets and linens in bags that can be vacuumed and sealed is a great way to save space in your closet and keep them dust-free.

How to Do It?

After washing the winter fabric items, don’t just put them away. Invest in a vacuumed sealed bags to prevent blankets and linens from collecting dust. Store your summer clothes on hangers and wrap them in clothing cases to make sure they will be ready to wear and won’t require washing and ironing the next time you need them.

Do you really need to keep all of your stuff?

Ruthless Disposal of Everything You Don’t Use

People with bigger homes can afford to hold onto their stuff and store them in the garage a year and two without significant consequences or difference to their environment. This attitude can be disastrous for those who live in smaller places – problems – piling of stuff, clutter, difficulty to clean and tidy, mould, mice, bugs (kitchen?). Make one big inventory of your belongings during the Spring cleaning and a few smaller ones every now and then. Set a goal to get rid of everything you haven’t used for more than a year.

Selling some of the things you don’t need online can be a good way to make some money after the Spring cleaning is over.

How to Do It?

Stuff like sports equipment or tools can eat up your space before you know it and you can always rent or borrow them when you are actually going to use them. Disposing of the unnecessary things will make the maintenance of your apartment simpler. If you don’t want to throw away everything, you can sell valuable items or donate them to local charities.

Check also: Green Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Kitchen

Spring cleaning is the perfect occasion to make some small renovations in your apartment!

Smart Renovations to Help You Tidy Up and Clean Faster

Spring cleaning – the best time for small renovations. A fresh coat of paint and some new accessories can make even the dullest room look bright and welcoming. But you can take the opportunity a bit further with a more practical purpose in mind. If you are planning to make home improvements this year, take advantage of the occasion to change the things that turn even the simplest chores into a challenge. Lack of space and the difficulty to access certain areas are the two biggest obstacles to maintaining smaller apartment clean and tidy.

How to Do It?

Smart storage solutions will help you gain precious space and cut down the time for tidying and cleaning. Install extra shelves to organise everything from books to canned foods. Shoe holders or small racks on the inside of cabinet doors will keep spices, accessories, or tools in order. Hang a cabinet above the bedroom door, and get more space in your closet. If you want to refurnish consider swapping the old furniture with lighter pieces. Foldable chairs, collapsible tables and desks eliminate the problem with accessibility so you can reach every inch of the apartment every time you need to Spring-clean it. Furnishings with built-in storage space (like stools, bed frames, coffee tables, etc.) are a practical choice when you want to keep your apartment cleaner without giving up on style and comfort.

Try these tips, and you won’t need to lose precious time to maintain your apartment. And keep in mind that heavy-duty chores are better left to professionals especially when you want to keep only the essential tools and products. Book our Spring cleaning service and leave the messy, time-consuming jobs to us.

The post 4 Easy and Efficient Tactics for Spring Cleaning a (Small) Apartment appeared first on KTMA Ltd..

10 UNUSUAL SPRING CLEANING HACKS TO TRY THIS YEAR – PART 2

vosjnocj — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 17:09:01 +0000

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a difficult, time-consuming task. Many people postpone the general cleaning of the house as long as they can because they dread the hours of scrubbing and wiping. However, it doesn’t have to be this way! Last time we have shared 5 tips from our professionals that could help you deal with the spring cleaning fast and easy. Today, we continue with 5 more tips and tricks.

Clean the stains on your wall using a simple pencil eraser.

6 Remove Stains from Walls

When most people have to deal with stains on their wall, they usually reach for a wet rag. However, the truth is this is a big mistake! The moisture will only help spread the dirt making it more difficult to clean. Instead of using a wet rag, you should try scrubbing the wall with a dry microfibre towel. If the spot is too stubborn, you can also try cleaning it with a pencil rubber.

You will find one of the best mould removal products in your liqueur cabinet.

7 Use Alcohol to Remove Bathroom Mould and Mildew

Mould and mildew in the shower are not good news. Some types of mould are even proven to be carcinogenic. This is why, if you need to deal with mildew in your bathroom and don’t have the right product at hand, you can just resort to your mini-bar. Grab a bottle of vodka and spray the affected area. Leave it for 10 minutes, and then clean the tiles with soap and water. Alcohol will help you remove the grime easily and disinfect the area.

Check also: 6 Products for Successful Mould and Mildew Removal in Your Home

One of the best dust cleaning tools there is.

8 Use a Lint Roller When Cleaning the House

Lint rollers are great for removing pet hair, but they have many other uses too! You can freshen up suede shoes and accessories, and even – to remove dust. Lint rollers come in handy when you need to dust your textile items such as throw pillows, velvet covers or heavy drapes. Roll it over the textile lamp shades – you will be amazed how much dust you will be able to collect!

Polish your stainless steel appliances with ease.

9 Use Olive Oil to Polish Various Surfaces

We have already written that olive oil is an excellent substance to use when polishing wooden furnishings and floors. The natural oils will nourish wood surfaces and details leaving a soft lustre and will prolong the life of the material. But there is even a more unconventional use of olive oil for your cleaning routine. Use a few drops of the liquid and a soft cloth to remove smears and fingerprints from your stainless steel appliances with ease. After you are done, use a dry rag to polish the area and pick up any excess olive oil.

Check also: Green Spring Cleaning – Part 1 – Kitchen

White distilled vinegar will help you fight dingy smells.

10 Use Vinegar to Fight Bad Smell

There is no need to buy new towels and bed linens if they start smelling dingy. Wash them as usual and let them dry. After this, rewash them, using white distilled vinegar instead of laundry liquid. Let the washed items dry entirely under direct sunlight. The vinegar smell will disappear, and so will the unpleasant stale odour.

Check also: 8 Thing You Should Never Clean With Vinegar

Need a hand with this year’s deep cleaning of the house? Contact us and get the best deals in London! We offer professional One-Off Cleaning – a service designed especially to help you deal with the Spring cleaning of your home.

The post 10 UNUSUAL SPRING CLEANING HACKS TO TRY THIS YEAR – PART 2 appeared first on KTMA Ltd..

10 Unusual Spring Cleaning Hacks to Try This Year – Part 1

vosjnocj — Tue, 15 May 2018 18:48:32 +0000

Spring Cleaning is often a dreadful time for homeowners. After the cold months are over there are no more excuses to roll up your sleeves and deep clean every area in the house. The problem is, once you start it turns out not every stain and splash are easy to remove. Not to mention that dealing with. Dirt and grime can be an exhausting, time-consuming task! That is why we have decided to give you a few hints how to tackle with Spring cleaning chores using some unconventional methods and life-hacks.

Click to read all Spring Cleaning posts on our blog.

1 Wax The Cooktop of Your Stove

After you have finished scrubbing the stains off your stovetop, use car wax product and a clean towel to polish the surface. Not only will this make the appliance look shiny and new, but it will also make wiping off future splashes a breeze.

2 Steam-Clean Your Microwave

Removing old food stains and splashes from the inside of your microwave is easier if you steam them before you start scrubbing. Fill a bowl with 2 cups of water, 2 tablespoons of white distilled vinegar, and a few drops of your favourite essential oil (optional) and microwave the mixture for a few minutes. That will loosen the dirt, and you will only have to wipe off the inside with a microfibre towel.

Check also: Clean Your Grill in 6 Easy Steps

3 Your Dishwasher is the Ultimate Cleaning Machine

There are plenty of things that you can safely clean in the dishwasher, and these things are not necessarily dishes! Once in a while, toss some of the following into your dishwasher for a deep clean: plastic kids toys, hair brushes, contact lens cases, makeup brushes, pet dishes, soap dishes, refrigerator shelves, tweezers, various knobs and buttons, and even removable showerheads.

4 Remove Hard Water Deposits

Stains left from hard water stains are an eye-sore and torture to get rid of! Deal with them in this super lazy manner, and watch them disappear! All you need to do is to soak a few paper towels in white distilled vinegar, then place them over the stains. Come back after one hour, remove the paper towels and wipe the stain off with a rag. You can use this trick for faucets, bathtub, or the shower head.

Check also: 3 Natural Substances That Will Change Your Cleaning Routine

5 Make Microfiber Furniture Look Like New

Want to remove the stains from your microfiber couch easily? Rubbing alcohol is all you need! Use a spray bottle to cover your sofa with rubbing alcohol, then use a clean towel to wipe the furniture. You will observe the dirt and grime transferring from the upholstery to the cloth, so you might have to use a few of them. Once the sofa is dry, use a stiff bristle brush to fluff up the fibres and get the couch looking like new!

If you are searching for a good deal for a deep cleaning service this year, don’t hesitate to contact us. Now we offer a promotional deal for carpet cleaning that will bring your floorings to their as-new condition for a fraction of the price.

The post 10 Unusual Spring Cleaning Hacks to Try This Year – Part 1 appeared first on KTMA Ltd..

How to Save Money During This Year’s Spring Cleaning?

vosjnocj — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 07:32:58 +0000

Spring Cleaning can be pricey – heavy duty cleaning requires substantial amounts of cleaning products, tools, and supplies. And if you decide to do a small renovation, you can end up spending a little fortune. However, there are a few things you can do to save some money during this year’s big clean up. Read our money-saving Spring Cleaning tactics below.

Prepare Homemade Cleaners

Store bought cleaners can be a bad choice, due to 2 main reasons. First, they contain toxic chemicals that can be harmful to you and your family. And second, they are so expensive! Spring cleaning is a heavy duty cleaning, and you usually need a lot of product to get the job done, so if you are using a commercial cleaner, this means your money literally go down the drain. Luckily, now there are plenty of recipes for homemade green, safe, and inexpensive cleaners you can make yourself!
Need some inspiration? Check our suggestions for DIY Spring Cleaning recipes:

7 Amazing Spring Cleaning Recipes You Will Love

Green Spring Cleaning Part 1 – the Kitchen

Green Spring Cleaning Part 2 – the Living Room

Green Spring Cleaning Part 3 – the Bedroom

Green Spring Cleaning Part 4 – Electronics

3 Ways to Prepare Your Own Laundry Detergent

8 Amazing DIY Cleaners Made from Soapnuts

Don’t Waste Money on Expensive Tools and Supplies

There are thousands of new products on the market that give the promise to make cleaning miraculously easy! Go to any online shop, and you will see a number of unimaginable gadgets, each one designed to do only one job. Even if they work the way they are advertised, (which almost never happens), they are ridiculously expensive for single-use tools. So, instead of wasting your money, just buy some good old-fashioned tried-and-tested cleaning supplies and tools like microfibre rags, sponges, mops with an exchangeable sponge, squeegees, and never forget the protective wear – rubber gloves and a mask.

Throw a Garage Sale

Spring Cleaning means a lot of tidying up and reorganising your living space. It is also the perfect occasion to get rid of all the things you don’t need. Clothes that you don’t wear anymore, sports equipment, that awful set of plates you got as a wedding gift and never used – all these things piling up in your home and garage can turn out to be someone else’s treasure. So, instead of throwing them away, organise a garage sale, or at least list them on Gumtree. This way you can actually earn some money while de-cluttering your home.

Check also:

9 Easy Steps to Organising and Cleaning Your Garage

30+ Things to Ged Rid of During This Year’s Spring Cleaning

Clean Your Appliances Properly

Although cleaning your appliances won’t help you save money right away, it will definitely pay-off in future. For instance, when the refrigerator coils are dirty and dusty, they cannot release heat efficiently and overheat. This way the compressor works harder and longer than designed, consuming more electric energy and also shortening the lifespan of the appliance. Not to mention that overheating can pose a fire hazard. You can clean the coils with your vacuum cleaner, or dust them off with a brush. The same applies to lint screen of your dryer. When this filter is not cleaned well the appliance uses more energy and can be a fire hazard, so make sure to put this little task on your Spring Cleaning to-do list.

Leave Some Cleaning Tasks to the Pros

There is a reason why hiring professional cleaners is among the most preferred way to deal with carpet and upholstery deep cleaning. First of all, professionals have years of experience and knowledge how to clean different types of fibres, how to treat different furnishings without damaging them and how to remove even with the most stubborn stains. Second, home cleaners will arrive with advanced cleaning solutions, and powerful machines and they have undergone thorough training for using them. And third, when you hire professional carpet cleaners they will return the as-new look of your rugs and upholstered furniture and prolong its life for a reasonable price and a fraction of the time you will spend if you try on your own.

The post How to Save Money During This Year’s Spring Cleaning? appeared first on KTMA Ltd..

Green Spring Cleaning Tips Part 4 – Electronics

vosjnocj — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 10:33:50 +0000

We have written a lot about Spring cleaning since we started this blog. And because we like eco-friendly homemade recipes, we have posted a series of green tips on how to clean up your kitchen, living room, and bedroom. A lot of our clients also prefer environmentally friendly products when dealing with dirty dishes, or washing the bed linens.

However, we have noticed that even the biggest fans of green lifestyle still use toxic products when cleaning their electronics. This comes as no surprise – many people are uncertain about how to deal with their computers, TVs, and other electronics at home. Most of the people are concerned that homemade cleaners can damage the delicate (and quite expensive) gadgets.

This is why we have decided it is time to write a few green Spring cleaning tips to help you tackle with dust, dirt, grease spots, and smudges on your electronic devices.

Inexpensive DIY Green Screen Cleaner

Most screens can be safely cleaned with a microfibre cloth dipped in pure water. However, if you often drink or eat in front of your computer, you know that in just a few days it gets covered with small droplets and splashes of food and beverages.

Usually, this is the moment when most people just grab an electronic cleaning tissue and wipe the screen. But there is a cheaper and easier way to remove spots from the device’s surface. Mix 1 part rubbing alcohol and 1 part distilled water. Pour in a spray bottle and shake well. Spray the mixture onto a microfibre cloth and wipe the dirt off. You can use this solution for the TV, for your tablet, laptop, computer, or phone screen.

A few tips on cleaning LCD screens:

Always turn off the screen before cleaning.
Never spray any liquids directly onto the monitor.
Never press too hard – screens are quite delicate and you can ‘burn out’ some pixels.
Never use paper towels when cleaning a monitor – they leave too many residues and can scratch the surface.

Check also: How to Turn Your Office into a Healthier Place

Clean Your Keyboard in a Green and Safe Way

Some years ago everybody was swearing by the dishwasher method. Basically, just putting the keyboard in the dishwasher and setting it to a quick cycle. We guess that this might have worked ok some time ago, but nowadays the keyboards are getting more complicated, with USB and other slots. So we wouldn’t recommend this method as safe.

The easiest way to deal with dust and dirt stuck in the keyboard is to use compressed air and rubbing alcohol. Unplug/ turn off the keyboard from your computer. Run the compressed air nozzle through the rows of buttons to get out the particles and dust caught inside. You can get a small handheld vacuum cleaner to collect what’s popping out of the device. After you are done with the inside of the keyboard, you can grab a microfibre cloth, dip it rubbing alcohol and carefully wipe off the surface to remove the dirt.

Read: How to Get Ultimate Results When Renovating and Cleaning the Office

Computer, Tuners, and Internet Routers

In most cases, you can easily clean the body of your computer, or router with the same solution you use for the monitor. However, most of us don’t think of cleaning these devices until it’s time for spring cleaning. When we remember to take them out of their corners, routers, tuners, and other electronics are already covered with a thick layer of dirt and dust.

Vacuuming the device to remove hair and dust bunnies. If the electronics look particularly dirty, combine 1 part dishwashing liquid and 4 parts of water. Whisk the ingredients using a fork or an egg whisker until you have thick soapy foam. Dip a microfibre cloth into the foam, wring out until it’s almost dry and wipe the device’s surface. If you have to clean small, hard to reach spots, you can use a cotton Q-tip.

You can use this method to clean your remote control, your Internet router, the laptop’s case, computers, DVDs and other appliances. Just make sure you are not using too much liquid. And always turn off the device before cleaning it.

Check also: 6 Time-Saving Cleaning Tactics Every Freelancer Needs to Know

Ready for Spring-cleaning the house? So are we! Don’t hesitate to book our wonderful one-off cleaning team in London – we will help you get your home shining and ready for the warm season!

The post Green Spring Cleaning Tips Part 4 – Electronics appeared first on KTMA Ltd..

30 + Things You Need to Throw Away Before Spring Cleaning the House

vosjnocj — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 18:13:47 +0000

Although people write their New Year’s resolutions in January, spring is actually the better season for new beginnings and new healthier habits. After the long and exhausting winter, we all are hungry for a change and for a fresh start! Spring is also the best time of the year to deep clean your home. However, before the actual cleaning begins you will need to spare some time to tidy up and organise your place.

Today, KTMA Ltd. experts share their ultimate list of more than 30 things you need to get rid off, right now, in order to start on a clean slate.

30 + Things You Need to Let Go This Spring

Spring-cleaning can be a time-consuming task, even if your home doesn’t need a de-cluttering. In order to deal with it easy and hassle-free you can spare a day before the actual cleaning and say goodbye to the following items:

Kitchen

Tupperware – keep a few boxes you use the most and get rid of the rest.
Plastic bags – everybody has a cabinet full of old shopping bags, be different!
Expired spices and condiments – dry spices are good for as long as 18-24 months. Sauces last up to six months in the refrigerator.
Single wrapped sauces and plastic cutlery – free a whole kitchen drawer by throwing away all the ‘takeout accessories’.
Kitchen items that double – because nobody needs two potato peelers.
Coffee and tea mugs – cups tend to pile up and over the years you might have acquired an impressive collection. Keep a few donate the rest.
Single use kitchen utensils – the garlic press is quite handy, but unless you are a professional chef, the shrimp deveiner or the mango pitter just take up too much space in your kitchen drawers.

Children’s room

Small clothes – children are outgrowing their garments fast. Donate the ones that are in a good condition and throw away the rest.
Stuffed animals & toys – keep the most favourite toys and donate the rest.
Children’s art projects – it’s difficult to throw away your child’s art. However, spare a few hours for careful curation, keep the most precious drawings and projects, and say goodbye to the rest.

Living room

Old magazines – don’t be a hoarder! Remember that most of the content can be found online. Recycle the paper.
Documents and bills – out-dated receipts, bills, and paychecks, manuals for old electronics – do you really have that much space at home?
Gifts you don’t like – let yourself free from guilt and get rid of that ugly vase from your favourite aunt. The same applies for broken souvenirs.
Books – keep only your favourite books and the classics. Your old textbooks are probably out-dated anyway.

Check also: Our Living Room Spring Cleaning List

Bedroom and Closet

Worn out underwear – everybody has that one, ‘most comfortable’ bra, or a lucky pair of socks. However, when worn out these items are just making it more difficult to find what to wear in the morning.
Old T-shirts – there are old favourite t-shirts reminding you of some nice trips and great concerts. However, these garments tend to pile up in your wardrobe. Wear everything that still fits you. Throw away the rest.
Worn out towels and bed linens – The only reasonable way to reuse these items is to cut them in pieces, use them during your spring cleaning instead of rags, and then toss them for good.
Damaged garments and shoes – don’t keep torn or broken clothing damaged beyond repair.
Your wedding dress – it’s a gorgeous sentiment of a precious moment, however, wedding dresses take up too much space. Donate your dress to a charity and help someone else have their special day.
Coat hangers – keep only wooden hangers of good quality. Get rid of the broken plastic and metal ones you get from your dry cleaners.

Cosmetics & Accessories

Hair accessories – you don’t have any use of elastic bands that have lost their elasticity. Throw away or donate all out-of-fashion hair accessories.
Broken jewellery – there’s no point of keeping broken pendants or single earrings.
Old makeup – check the expiration dates of your cosmetics. Throw away everything older than 2 years, except you don’t insist on getting a strange rash.
Bags, purses, and belts you don’t wear anymore – It is difficult to get rid of a purse, especially if it was pricey when you bought it. But these items take too much of your closet space.
Expired medicine – using old pills and ointments is dangerous. Clean up your drug cabinet.

Check how to clean your silver jewellery at home

Technology & Random Gadgets

Power cables – You get a power cord every time you purchase a gadget. There is no need to keep all of them, especially those for old technology, that you probably don’t even own anymore.
Out-dated gadgets – all cameras and old cell phones piling up in your cabinets can help someone in need. Donate them.
Paper memories – greeting cards, wedding invitations, plane tickets – we keep all these items as souvenirs, but in the end, we end up with a messy pile/box/drawer. Recycle the paper.

Garage & Garden

Area rugs – do you keep an old rug in your garage just in case you need it again? If you haven’t used it for the last 2 years, then you probably wouldn’t the next 20.
Old paint – Paint dries up fast once it’s opened. If you purchased the can more than 1 year ago, then you probably should get rid of it.
Sports Equipment – keep only the sports gear you use on regular basis. Sell or donate the rest.
Pots and Gardening tools – you haven’t planted a single plant for years, your tools are rusty, and half of the pots are already broken. Give away the items that still are in a good condition, throw away the others, free yourself some space in your garage.

Check also: 9 Easy and Efficient Tips to Help You Organise Your Garage

Need a hand with your Spring cleaning chores? Don’t hesitate to call us now and book a cleaner for a day to help you make your home shine!

The post 30 + Things You Need to Throw Away Before Spring Cleaning the House appeared first on KTMA Ltd..

How to Prepare When Hiring Professional Home Cleaners?

vosjnocj — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 11:20:58 +0000

Since we started our blog, we constantly share with you a lot of DIY cleaning recipes as well as many tips and tricks to help you deal with various chores fast and easy. Many people are uncomfortable with the idea of hiring home cleaners. But since you are reading this post you probably have considered the pros and cons of getting your home professionally cleaned and decided to give it a try.

There are a few things you need to know when hiring professionals – be it for regular visit or just for Spring Cleaning. Follow the tips below in order to prepare your home for the visit of the domestic cleaners.

Set the Appointment and Your Conditions

Picking the phone and booking your cleaning company isn’t the only thing you need to do when you want to hire professional help. You need to ask the right questions as well in order to get the best of this experience.

How often will you need cleaners to come? You need to make clear if you want just and one-off cleaning job, or regular visits.
Do you want cleaners to bring their own cleaning products and supplies, or you will provide them with the materials of your choice? Most companies offer wide range of solutions and detergents that are very efficient for build up dirt and deep home cleaning. If you prefer to provide the cleaning supplies by yourself ask the operator to give you a list of the tools and detergents.
Be clear about your expectations. Home cleaning is quite general term and includes many different chores. After you set the appointment it is time to take a few minutes and discuss your cleaning goals. For example – you may want your kitchen and living area to be professionally cleaned, but prefer to clean bedrooms on your own. Or you don’t need the cleaner to go through the whole kitchen, but only – to clean the appliances. Be specific on your expectations to get the most of the arrangement.

Preparing the House for Cleaning Appointment

There are a few simple things you need to do to guarantee excellent results when you hire domestic cleaners.

Tidy up. Collect all gadgets and toys, put dirty clothes in the laundry basket. All the things that are scattered around the place are obstacles for the cleaning team’s job. Plus, if you think of it this way, cleaners don’t know where you put away your stuff, especially on their first visit.
If you decided to provide your own cleaning products: leave them on kitchen table or somewhere the cleaners will find them easily.
Warn the cleaning team if you have pets. If you aren’t sure how your cat or dog will react to strangers, better take the pets outside during the cleaning, or leave them with friends.
Don’t forget to tell the cleaners how your appliances work. There are hundreds of models washing machines, dishwashers, and vacuum cleaners. Make sure your cleaning team knows how to use these appliances – otherwise they will have to figure this by themselves, loosing precious time instead of cleaning. The same applies for all the specific issues around your home – unusual door handles, water taps, light switches etc.

Follow these tips and get your home ready when hiring domestic cleaners. Communication is essential in order to get the best of your house cleaning service.

Need a hand with you Spring Cleaning or End-of-Tenancy Cleaning? Don’t hesitate to contact professional cleaners in your area and get a free quote!

The post How to Prepare When Hiring Professional Home Cleaners? appeared first on KTMA Ltd..

Spring Cleaning Made Simple: 9 Steps for Easy Garage Clean up

vosjnocj — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 08:20:54 +0000

This month is the perfect time to plan and start the deep cleaning of your home. In our previous article we have shared with you a list of 7 amazing eco-friendly recipes to try this Spring. We have also posted a few articles on green and safe DIY Spring Cleaning solutions and detergents for the whole house – find them here. If your garage has turned into a chaotic, messy storage space and needs thorough cleaning and organisation, this article will help you deal with the task fast and easy.

Why Including Your Garage Into Your Spring Cleaning Routine?

Most of us store sports equipment, summer clothes, garden furniture and tools in the garage. The result is – a chaotic mess where you can’t find anything! Spring is the best time to clean your home and garage! Take advantage of the warm weather outside and open the doors and windows! You can take your time to deal with the mess and dirt without freezing up. Read our step-by-step guide and deal with the garage cleaning and organisation like a pro!

Step 1: Take Everything Out

If there are big piles of tools, equipment and unidentified objects it will be impossible to start organising! Pick a good day and take everything out. Distribute the content of the garage in several different piles – one for tools, one – for garden furniture and your barbeque grill, another – for suitcases and clothes, and so on. This is the most time consuming task – it can take more than a day if you are doing it all by yourself. Call a friend, or ask your family to help you.

Step 2: Decide What to Keep

In our experience, after you empty the garage, you always find things you don’t need or don’t want anymore. Broken equipment, old clothes and shoes, that juicer you got for Christmas 5 years ago and have never used. Once everything is out you can decide what to keep, what to throw away and what to donate.

Step 3: Vacuum and Clean Inside the Garage

Most people think that this is the hard part of the task, but actually, once everything is out, cleaning is easy! Sweep the floor to collect the large chunks of garbage then vacuum thoroughly in order to pick up all the dust and dirt. Remove the cobwebs and clean the windows. Wipe the dust off the shelves.

Step 4: Wash the Garage Floor

In some cases you may need to wash the garage floor as well. The best way to do it is with industrial grade steam cleaner. You can rent one, or hire professional cleaners to do the job for you. However, if you regularly clean your garage, washing the floor with the garden hose will be enough.

Step 5: Clean Everything Before Putting it Back

Before you start putting tools, equipment and boxes back you need to check if they need cleaning too. Most of the times you will have to vacuum your stuff and wipe them with slightly damp cloth to clean the dust. Garden furniture can be rinsed with garden hose. You can do the same with plastic containers. Leave everything to dry completely before returning it back into your garage.

Step 6: Re-Think Your Organisation System

We assume that if you are reading so far, than probably your old organisation system wasn’t working out very well for you. Now that the place is clean and everything is out, it is the best moment to make place for everything. If you don’t have any plan in particular, you can check some home interior blogs and sites on the Internet – they are indispensable source of helpful ideas. This step may seem unnecessary, however planning the organisation of your garage will help you clean and maintain it much easily in the future.

Step 7: Divide the Space into Different Zones

Designate at least a few areas and keep different things according to their purpose. For instance – camping zone for sleeping bags, tourist shoes, tents, backpacks; workshop zone for tools, old boxes of paints, brushes and other home improvement equipment: sports zone – for all your athletic gear, running shoes and fitness clothes and accessories etc. Creating different zones will make finding what you need faster and easier. Also, it will be a lot simpler to put back the stuff you are not using.

Step 8: Opt for Optimal Use of Space

Install as many new shelves and rails as you can. Use ceiling and wall space too – you can place all the small stuff like screws, bolts, nuts and nails in boxes on shelves and label them. Next time you need these things you won’t loose time finding them. Installing rails is also a space-saving idea. You can buy S hooks and hang clothes, different tools and other equipment on the rails. Install one wide shelf across the walls close to the ceiling. It makes perfect storage space for bigger items you don’t use very often – boxes of seasonal clothes and shoes, thick blankets, suitcases and so on.

Step 9: Organise a Garage Sale! (Optional)

Now that your garage looks amazing it is time to organise a garage sale! This is probably the most fun and satisfying way to get rid of all the stuff you can’t throw away or donate! Pick a nice day and, fire up the barbeque and invite friends and neighbours. What better ending to a Spring Cleaning than a garage sale + BBQ?

Cleaning up messy garage can be a daunting task, although when you see the place impeccably cleaned and organised you will be sure it was worth the effort! Nevertheless, it is a wise decision to ask you family for help or call a friend. Last, but not least, you can always hire local cleaners to help you out with the garage cleaning routine this spring.

The post Spring Cleaning Made Simple: 9 Steps for Easy Garage Clean up appeared first on KTMA Ltd..

7 Amazing Green Spring Cleaning Recipes for your Home

vosjnocj — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 16:06:15 +0000

From the moment we have started this blog we constantly write about the hazards of using toxic cleaners, and we always try to share new safe home cleaning methods.

Since spring is almost here it is time for the annual deep cleaning of the house. Last year we shared some tactical tricks to make the Spring Cleaning easier, as well as some great recipes for homemade solutions for your kitchen, bedroom and living room.

Today, we are adding 10 more incredible DIY non-toxic solutions for green and easy Spring Cleaning of your house.

Homemade Carpet Stain Remover

Commercial stain removers, especially those, used for carpet and upholstery cleaning contain various toxic chemicals. The one that is most commonly used is perchloroethylene, which is believed to be carcinogenic. There are various eco-friendly, commercially available spot cleaners, but they can be quite costly. Instead of spending a fortune, why don’t you try this excellent homemade stain remover?

You will need:

1 cup of baking soda
1 tbsp liquid soap
a few drops of your favourite essential oil (optional)

Put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix them until you get a creamy paste. Apply this solution onto the stain, leave it for 10 minutes and then blot with wet towel to remove the mixture from the carpet. If you want this recipe to be 100% pure, you can opt for organic castile soap, but any other soap will do just fine.

Non-Toxic Toilet Bowl Cleaner

In order to kill bacteria in the toilet bowl and deodorise it, specialised products often contain numerous dangerous ingredients. If you want to have the same cleaning result without using toxic products, you need to do 2 things – prepare your own solution and clean more often!

You will need:

1 part borax
1 part washing soda
10 drops of essential oil (optional)

Mix the dry ingredients and distribute the powder evenly onto the interior of the toilet bowl and scrub thoroughly using toilet brush. You can mix in your favourite essential oil if you want to add scent to the mixture.

Eco-friendly Tile and Grout Cleaner

In most cases 1 cup white distilled vinegar diluted in a bucket of water will be enough to make your tiles shine again. But sometimes, if you have to deal with tough stains or gunky grouts you need a stronger formula. So if you have to deal with heavily soiled tiles this Spring Cleaning try the green tile cleaner below!

You will need:

1 cup of baking soda
4 tbsp of washing soda
4 tbsp of borax
6 tbsp of liquid castile soap

Mix everything together and stir well until you have creamy white paste. Scrub the tiles and grout with the mixture. Use hard bristle brush to treat stubborn stains.

Non-toxic Laundry Detergent

Every substance you run through your washing machine eventually goes to the local aquatic system. Commercial laundry detergents contain various dangerous artificial ingredients such as synthetic fragrances, optical brighteners, petrochemicals etc. Making your own laundry soap is great both for the nature and for your health! So, this spring, when the time comes to wash all the blankets and winter clothes and put them away, try this easy to make eco-friendly laundry detergent.

You will need:

1 bar of laundry soap
1 cup of washing soda
1 cup of borax

Grate the laundry soap and mix it with the other ingredients. Transfer the mixture into a clean container. Use 1 tbsp per load. If you have to deal with particularly dirty laundry or stinky clothes (running t-shirt, gym pants etc.) add 1 tbsp of baking soda to the load. You can also replace the fabric softener with 1 tbsp of white vinegar in the rinse compartment of your washing machine.

Check also: another great green way to do your laundry is to use soapnuts. Here are 8 wonderful soapnuts recipes.

Eco-friendly Drain Cleaner

If clogged drains are one of the chores in your Spring Cleaning to-do-list and you want to deal with this problem the green way, try out this simple, but effective recipe.

You will need:

2 tbsp baking soda
2 tbsp white distilled vinegar
1 pot of boiling water

Pour the baking soda down the drain and add the vinegar. You will hear and see the reaction immediately – wait a few minutes until the sizzling stops and pour the boiling water into the drain. This recipes works great for kitchen sinks, and if you don’t like the smell of vinegar, you can replace it with lemon juice. However, if there is a hairball clogging the drain, the best way to remove it is to use a drain snake or a plunger.

Homemade Brass Cleaner

Cleaning and polishing all small brass details, ornaments and decorations can be a meditative task – it is satisfying to rub the metal and see its shine under the dirt and build up. However, you should consider that commercially available brands of metal polish contain ammonia, and petroleum distillates. If you want to clean brass safely, try this recipe.

You will need:

1 cup white flour
1cup white vinegar
1 tsp salt

Mix all the ingredients and stir them well until you get homogeneous paste. Rub away the dirt and polish the metal, using cotton cloth dipped into the mixture.

Organic Mould Cleaning Spray

If you live in humid area, chances are you need to deal with mould and mildew on regular basis. Most people reach out for the bleach as soon as they see even the smallest sign of the problem. However, there is a great way to clean mould without using bleach or other toxic products.

You will need:

2 tsp tea tree oil
2 cups warm water
a spray bottle

Pour all the ingredients into the bottle and shake well. Spray the affected areas and wipe clean. Spray again and leave it like this without rinsing – tea tree oil kills will prevent mould from re-appearing. Take in mind, that this method isn’t suitable for dealing with serious mould growth. If there are large areas in your home affected by mould or mildew better turn to specialists.

Check also: How to prevent mould appearance in your home.

Don’t hesitate to turn to our London cleaners for a stress-free one off spring cleaning! Contact KTMA Ltd. team for green and safe cleaning of:

Carpets
Curtains
Upholstery
Windows
Bathroom
Kitchen
and more

The post 7 Amazing Green Spring Cleaning Recipes for your Home appeared first on KTMA Ltd..

Get Ultimate Results When Renovating and Cleaning the Office

vosjnocj — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 07:56:01 +0000

A deep, thorough cleaning, decluttering and re-organising, is a must, especially after the winter season. Most people accept this rule of thumb by default when it comes to cleaning of their own homes, but often forget the same applies to their workplace. In big office buildings and facilities there usually is a certain person, who is dealing with the office maintenance and cleaning, but this isn’t the same with the smaller companies. Therefore, a foresighted manager has to assign such task and plan it as carefully as he plans other events and projects.

Spring Cleaning is not limited only to clean the office, it is also about improving the work environment – decluttering, re-organising file cabinets, renovating and getting new furniture if needed. This is big task, and it may sound overwhelming, but renovating the office is one of the best ways to create an inspiring work environment. However, there are certain things every manager has to consider when it comes to organising an efficient office cleaning.

Office Cleaning Doesn’t Need to Be in Spring

Usually the first warm months are the best time for thorough cleaning and renovations. However, when it comes to office facilities this may not be the most appropriate moment. In some countries (including the UK) the end of fiscal year is in spring. Of course, this is a priority task and both workers and managers are focused on dealing it, rather than renovating their work place.

Therefore, this event can be set one or two months later. In most business niches there are different downtime periods during the year and they can be used for renovation and deep cleaning of the office.

How to Avoid Interfering With Work Process

It’s simply impossible to work if there decorators or cleaners in the office during the workday. But there are many options to go through the office cleaning seamlessly. Instead of doing the job all at once, the person in charge can assign small tasks, which can be done at the end of the workday. For example – reordering the documents, decluttering, organisation of the file cabinets etc. It is highly recommended to encourage the team to clean regularly their own work places during the whole year.

Some renovation and cleaning jobs cannot be done during the workweek. Consider hiring professional decorators and painters during the weekend when the employees will not be disturbed. Most of the wall paints nowadays are water based and dry relatively fast, so 2 days are more than enough for paint jobs. You will most certainly need to hire professional cleaning company – there will be a lot of dust and dirt after renovations and winter season, so deep cleaning is mandatory. Cleaning companies in London offer fast and efficient cleaning procedures for offices and public buildings.

Finishing Touch for Inspiring Work Environment

After the workplace is clean and renovated, consider adding suitable decorations and accessories. Hanging a few paintings or posters on the walls, or placing some potted plants can really make a huge difference. Cleaning, refreshing and decorating your office will not only improve how it looks, but can also create environment for more productive work process.

The post Get Ultimate Results When Renovating and Cleaning the Office appeared first on KTMA Ltd..