So follow that ‘rule’ and resolve your storage problems. Here are our ideas:

• Shower curtain rings – use them as a hanger for neckties and silk scarves. All you need to do is clip them together and hang from the closet rod;

• Paper towel holders – they may be used for stacking bangle bracelet. You can attach one that mounts to the back of your closet door or a wall. That will serve as a necklace hanger;

• Ice cube trays – they are good to store your accessories not to lose them easily;

• Use coffee mugs to plant a garden – chipped coffee mugs could make an ideal home for herbs and small flowers. You simply need to fill with some soil, plant flowers or seeds and you will enjoy your small portable garden! You may take it even if you move. Once you decide to do that, however, you’d better rely on end of tenancy cleaners for better and quicker done job.

• Cut up placemats into coasters – transform placemats into drink coasters. Most mats are water-resistant so you don’t need to make any extra preparations;

• Save some cereal bags – if you and your family like cereal the wax paper could be very useful, actually. You may wash the plastic bags which are in the cereal boxes and then save them. They can be used to wrap cold-cuts or sandwiches, store freeze meats and leftovers;

• Put useless T-shirt to second use – add worn-out and ripped shirts and blouses to your cleaning supplies. They surely will come in handy when you run regular home cleaning;

• Letter sorters – you could place them in your cabinet so you might hold plastic storage lids in them;

• Side-loading letter trays – we advise you to use them to organise phone lists, recipe ideas, takeout menus, for instance.

• Plant urns – in case your utensils don’t fit in the kitchen cabinets, the plant urns can hold them.

]]> http://housecleaning-london.co.uk/blog/how-to-reduce-and-reuse-household-items/feed/ 0 http://housecleaning-london.co.uk/blog/home-upgrades-that-pay-off/ http://housecleaning-london.co.uk/blog/home-upgrades-that-pay-off/#comments Mon, 28 Jul 2014 07:36:23 +0000 http://housecleaning-london.co.uk/blog/?p=548 Surely, a beautiful and well-decorated house will raise yours and your family’s mood. The best part is that you can make home upgrades with just a few quick, affordable and easy steps. Check out our suggestions:

• Picture frames are an inexpensive way to freshen up the decorations on the walls. When was the last time you changed the paintings on your walls or even you noticed them? You don’t even need to spend lots of money
  on luxury photos and framed pictures;

• Painting – that is a cheap way to give a new look to the room. In case you live in a house rental, first, you must ask your landlord for a permission. If you maintain a good relationship with him, when you move out your biggest responsibility will be the post tenancy cleaning. Use light and bright colours to make the room unique and to create an optical illusion for more space. If you don’t want the room to be too colourful, try neutral shades or look for experimental deco accessories;

• Once you paint the room, add a few cheap accessories like mirrors, paintings, decorative pillows. Adding mirrors to a room adds some kind of charm and magic, sparkle and light as well;

• Pay attention to the small details – major home improvements such as replacement of furniture, carpets can be overwhelming and expensive. Think about the details instead. For example, change the light switches and power points in all rooms to make simple upgrades of the walls. If you, however, decide to buy a new carpet, keep in mind that it will need regular care. For that purpose, you’d better rely on carpet cleaning specialists;

• Fix the leaks – did you know that an average of 15% of water consumption actually poured as a result of a leak? Do not delay and fix the cistern of the toilet if it is flowing. It’s easier than it looks, and besides, in a long-term period you will save some money.

Finally, we recommend you to concentrate on the most used rooms in the house. If you do not have enough time or funds to ‘refresh’ the whole house, the living room, kitchen or bathroom are good starting points when trying to give your home a new look.

]]> http://housecleaning-london.co.uk/blog/home-upgrades-that-pay-off/feed/ 0 http://housecleaning-london.co.uk/blog/appliances-troubleshooting/ http://housecleaning-london.co.uk/blog/appliances-troubleshooting/#comments Fri, 25 Jul 2014 07:37:32 +0000 http://housecleaning-london.co.uk/blog/?p=542 Sometimes the appliances at home give us up, usually in the worst possible moment. Some troubles you can repair by yourself are easier than you think and others require professional attention. What are the most common issues and what are their solutions?

• Noisy or not cooling refrigerator. The condenser coils can be dirty. You can find them on the lower part of the fridge in front or in the back. Unplug it and remove the dirt with brush, vacuum after that. The problem can be also in the door strips, they can be replaced by you: unscrew the old and screw the new ones, be sure it is perfectly aligned. If you have frosting in self-defrosting fridge, then the problem is in the compressor or the thermostat and expert is needed. If the sound is the problem, it could be object in the fan in the back, the compressor or the freezer fan motor. In the first case unplug, unscrew the back and clean the fan; in the other two occasions call technician.

• Cooktop and stove problems. Depends very much if the units are on gas or electricity. If they are on gas: burners may spark but there is no flame, the holes of the burners can be blocked or the spark plugs can be covered in oil or other food. The holes can be cleaned with needle or pin; don’t use something that can break inside. The plugs can be cleaned with soap, warm water and toothbrush. If you have gas oven, call an expert, no matter what is the problem. If it’s electric and it’s not heating, the bake element can be broken and you can replace it yourself; if it’s the selector or the thermostat, you need specialist. If you break the glass cooktop during your post tenancy cleaning, you can fix it easily instead of losing your deposit.

• Dishwasher issues. There are a couple of options: dirty plates after process, puddle on the floor or not drained water. For the first, causes may be overloading, obstruction (clean the machine thoroughly) or damaged spray arm (replace it). If the water is filling slowly, may be the valve is clogged, call pro. Puddles can be from too much soap or damaged gasket or door latch. First is amendable with half cup of white vinegar and the second needs a look from a specialist. If the water doesn’t drain, it could be the garbage disposal or the drain-pump motor is clogged. First repair is yours: remove the hose of the dishwasher from the disposal and with screwdriver pop out the plug from the nozzle, the second is for technician.

• Washer needs expert care in 85% of the occasions, so don’t experiment with it.

• Dryer. Too long drying or strange noise. For the sounds turn the drum by hand, if you can’t, something is blocking it; if you can, repairman needs to see it. For the drying, check for lint and once a week vacuum the dryer. If you have maids, add this to their tasks and check the vent outside once a month for blocking objects: leaves, grass, plastic bags, etc.

Before you start any repair, check your warranty, because repair can void it. Consult the manufacturer because this is not “all possible problems guide”.

• Set a theme: casserole exchange, sushi for beginners, fashion swap, pizza or grill party – the possibilities are infinite.

• Get everybody involved. Send everybody the recipes, organise the bar (what kind of drinks, will the guests bring some and so on). If it’s going to be food exchange night, prepare take away bags and boxes.

• Be careful with allergies and other emergencies. When you organise activities that involve many people these little things can be crucial. Get everybody informed if some products, spices or nuts are not allowed.

• Check out your equipment. Do you have all necessary stuff for the party? If you organise fondue, do you have one? If you organise cocktail party, do you have shaker and other instruments for the purpose? Don’t worry if you have lack of something, check in time and ask the others, someone may have and bring it with her.

• Useful idea: if you are moving out, make swap stuff party or fashion exchange or “Go green”. This way you will have fun and your friends will help with the end of lease cleaning. Turn the fun into helpful.

• Check the surfaces. See if your countertops are heatproof, if they are not; get trivets for the hot dishes. You don’t want this party to be the beginning of a renovation right? Although such theme also can be arranged, but when it comes to renovation, guys are useful manpower.

• Get the terrain ready. If you have hired regular cleaners, preparation won’t be a problem. You will have to just put the decoration – depending on the topic – flowers, Japanese figures, scented sticks or candles for spa treatment party and so on.

• Get all products, ingredients and other things ready from the night before the party. This way you won’t need to run to the market or elsewhere to fetch something forgotten.

• Distribute responsibility. One secret of the great managers is that they don’t do everything themselves. Learn to share the tasks, that’s how your guests won’t feel just like guests but they will have involvement and participation in the whole thing. This will make them feel easily at home and that’s quite a good base for fantastic party.

Now go put the drinks on the bar, get some ice cubes ready in the fridge and call your friends. Let the party planning begin!

• Phthalates. You may not see them as particular ingredients on the label, but in case you fragrance function in your universal carpet cleanser, bear in mind that it might have of them. They are known as the classical endocrine disruptors.

• Perchloroethylene or “PERC”. They are frequently added to the dry carpet solvents. Being a high neurotoxin, it can cause you dizziness and loss of coordination. Always ask your steam carpet cleaners if they add such a detergent in their regular procedures.

• Triclosan. This chemical substance is highly appreciated in the disinfecting production. It might kill pests and beetles in your carpet, but it can affect your kid’s child or even your own dog or cat.

• 2-Butoxyethanol. You will find it not only on the carpet treatment shelves, but inside the ingredients of almost each universal all-purpose detergent. That is the most dangerous feature of this harmless toxin. It is almost anywhere and even some professional house cleaners use it for sanitising. The problems that it can cause are pulmonary edema and kidney damage.

• Sodium hydroxide. The products for greasy carpet stain eliminating are full of it. Also, some kitchen cleansing products and mostly oven detergents may contain it. The healthy risk that the sodium hydroxide hides is bad burning of skin, rashes and eye irritation.

• Formaldehyde. It is a suspected carcinogen, which is usually found in all carpet spray products.

• Diethylene glycol. Experts claim that it damages the nervous system and shop assistants say that the toxin is usually found in spray carpet detergents, as well as in some of dry rug solvents.

• Make a list of the essentials: include basic appliances and tools – stove, fridge, dishwasher, pots, pans, set of utensils, set of good knives, etc. Think before you buy unnecessary gadgets with specific purpose that you will use only occasionally.

• Match it with the rest of the house. Put common elements or colors and textures to make it part of your home.

• Design according to space. As you look at what you have as area and what you need to put in it, look around for professional help: many furniture stores offer free project according to your room and its specifications. Think not only of the storage spaces and appliances but also about the space they need for opening and maintenance. End of tenancy cleaners say that kitchen is one of the hardest areas to keep clean and ordered (and I bet they have seen a lot of disasters).

• Isolating the kitchen in anyway (style, separation with walls and so on) will not only reflect on its look but also on your perception of it – taking cooking as a punishment is wrong approach.

• Efficiency: don’t ignore the simple logic when organising your kitchen: it’s good if fridge is a bit away from appliances that emit heat, trash bin should be as closest as possible to the sink and the preparation area (my personal favorite is the one that stow into a cabinet).

• Surfaces. Use countertops, sinks and materials that are durable and easy to clean. Invest in them during the renovation or re furnishing and you will save not only money in long-term plan, but also nerves.

• Natural light – the more, the better. Try to place the surfaces or the sink (whatever you use at most) facing the window – this way you won’t need extra lights.

• Maintenance. In kitchen, regular cleaning is a must – be sure that you keep it clean and disinfected or it will give you something much more dangerous than bad impression.

• Colour. Every colour and its nuances have the ability to reduce or increase the space in the room. Old rule is that light colours enlarge and darker shrink, although when you choose colour you should keep in mind (except the size) the orientation (south, east, north, west) and the purpose of the room. For example, navy blue kitchen with north or west orientation – not only it may look small and strange, also it will feel cold.

• Size. When you think of small space, you usually think for small furniture also. One think doesn’t follow the other. You can have small room that looks bigger even if you put some big furniture inside, and it’s even better if you take it from that perspective: one big sofa instead of three small armchairs.

• Light. Well orientated rays ofilluminant can add you a couple of square inches (and not only) and the other way around: one big chandelier in the middle of the ceiling may be wrong decision. Use build-in illumination and spotlights to emphasise different elements of the decoration or to separate the areas in the room.

• More is less. Advicefrom professional post tenancy cleaners: the more things you store, the more you will leave behind when you move out. This is mistake both from budget and from space point of view.

• Fitting. Choosing items that have common style or chaining elements can be essential for the sense that room gives – green floral carpet plus blue geometrical curtains and pink plain bed cover – these may be your favorite colours but they don’t match, so choose wisely.

• Functionality. The moment when we usually notice how crowded with items is when we start the home cleaning. Kitchen is the mostloaded space – pots, pans, different purpose appliances – if you have closet full of utensils don’t buy more if you don’t need them. Look at mistake 4.

• Mirrors. The rule is similar to the one forthe lights – right place plus right size is equal to more space.

How many mistakes you spotted around your home? Are they amendable? Than start repairing!

]]> http://housecleaning-london.co.uk/blog/small-space-mistakes/feed/ 0 http://housecleaning-london.co.uk/blog/visit-the-sensational-butterflies-event-in-london/ http://housecleaning-london.co.uk/blog/visit-the-sensational-butterflies-event-in-london/#comments Thu, 26 Jun 2014 07:57:02 +0000 http://housecleaning-london.co.uk/blog/?p=493 Come and see the most delicate and beautiful insects in the world – the butterflies – at the amazing Sensational Butterflies event in London! If you are a fan of these gorgeous creatures or you are wondering how to diverse the boring daily routines, this show will definitely cheer you up and show you one of the most tender and inspiring part of the nature! Become a part of a long-lasting learning plus having fun event! Change your attitude towards the surrounding environment by devoting a couple of hours to the butterflies!

• The Sensational Butterflies event takes place at the Natural History Museum in the Cromwell Road in London. You can use the local subway and get off the South Kensington Tube. Only few meters by feet walk you away from the place of the event. Get a ticket for the show in advance, because there is a high possibility for you to miss this stunning experience!
• The butterfly London show has been already started and you can see it till September. The world’s most famous experts in butterflies have gathered to show you the rarest species such as blue morpho, swallowtail, moon moth and so many other tropical kinds. You are also offered with a bunch of collection captured from several unknown and wild areas all around Southeast Asia, South America and Africa.
• Of course, the most amazing thing among all the activities and learning courses at the Sensational Butterflies event is the chance to see the transformation process of these flattering creatures. Usually, only 10 to 15 % of the rarest butterflies succeed to survive the metamorphosis, but thanks to the extra cares of the host during the event – Luke Brown – the number is even bigger. Almost 80% of the butterflies from the Sensational Butterflies show will transform and it will happen in front of your eyes!
• Besides everything else, the Sensational Butterflies promises a lot of music and treating programs you can become a part of! Come and enjoy a stunning show with hundreds of smiles, delicious dishes, relaxing music and flower gardens!

This is the sixth time, when the Sensational Butterflies event takes place in London! The show will be massive, so make sure you will be there!

]]> http://housecleaning-london.co.uk/blog/visit-the-sensational-butterflies-event-in-london/feed/ 0 http://housecleaning-london.co.uk/blog/professional-end-of-tenancy-cleaning-session-in-chiswick/ http://housecleaning-london.co.uk/blog/professional-end-of-tenancy-cleaning-session-in-chiswick/#comments Fri, 20 Jun 2014 08:10:47 +0000 http://housecleaning-london.co.uk/blog/?p=481 Our trained cleaners was called in a rented property to accomplish the end of lease sanitising. They arrived there in no time and provided high-quality end of tenancy cleaning in Chiswick W4 8LH. Before their intervention, this sink was yellowed and covered with dirt and limescale. As you all see, now the result is crystal clear – sparkling shine and high level of hygiene.

On the other side, scientists have already proved that physical exercise improves working capacity and optimises the work of human brain – especially in the working environment and during working process. Plus – constant ordinary position behind the office desk causes neck pains, cramps in the legs and faster appearance of tiredness.

However, experts claim that a little bit gym behind the office desk reduces these aches and preserves office people cheerful and brisk for a longer. Check out some alternatives for physical burdens as a relaxation from mental work:

• Use the corporative fitness center – big companies and offices provide full pack of extras and facilities for their workers – regular visitations of professional teams for office cleaning, healthy meal courses for lunch and even an entire office gym. Don’t miss the opportunity to make some moves here and to combine the pleasant with the useful.
• Change your pose – standing up and sitting back behind the computer by changing the posture in the course of an hour will reduce the pains in your back and it will give you the chance to make few walks around your office. Your eyes will also get some rest from this exercise.
• Take the advantage of the spaciousness – if you are lucky to have a large and spacious office area, use it properly. Find a place between the office desk and the equipment. Lay a rug and practice some yoga in the small breaks of 15 minutes.
• Bestir yourself and cheer up – make rounded movements with your head and add some stretching for your hands to distract yourself. Include music in the gym exercise.
• Do something useful – do some office cleaning or order folders over and over again. Besides some movement, you will finally get a proper organisation of your office area.

Just because you are at work, it doesn’t mean you are stuck here! Stand up and move!

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