The 5 Best Cleaning Tips for Around the House

Keeping a spot-free home doesn't have to be difficult and time-consuming. Work smarter, not harder by using these five tips the next time you clean your house. 

• Use natural cleaners. Most commercial cleaning products contain non-FDA-approved chemicals which may be harmful to you and your family. Clean up your cleaning supplies by only using all natural ingredients – you can clean just about anything in your home using baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, and salt.
• Dust from top-to-bottom. When you are dusting a room, start at the top and work your way down to avoid dust falling onto areas which you have already cleaned. Dust the blades of your ceiling fan first, then your walls and furniture, and finally vacuum the carpet to effectively get rid of all of the dust in a room.
• Sanitize your sponges. We use sponges to clean our dishes and countertops, but they could actually be spreading bacteria instead of eliminating it. Sponges are a bacteria breeding ground, so make sure to sanitize yours weekly by boiling it in a pot of hot water or microwaving it on high for one minute.
• Ditch the paper towels. Instead, invest in some microfiber cloths. They are relatively inexpensive (about $5 for a 2-pack), machine washable, and reusable. They are also better at trapping dust and dirt than paper towels are, more eco-friendly, and won't leave behind linty streaks on your glass!
• Maintain the clean. It is easier to maintain a clean house than it is to let it get dirty and start from scratch. With just 15 minutes of work a day, you can keep your house indefinitely spotless by following a daily cleaning schedule like this one.

At The Maids of Dallas, we know that everyone loves a clean home, but not everyone loves cleaning. That is why we provide residents of the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex with superior housecleaning services at an affordable rate. Whether you need one room cleaned or your entire house, you can count on the Maids of Dallas to get the job done right. Call us today for a free estimate at (972) 437-6253 and get $50 off your first deep cleaning!

Food Safety Tips

Despite the open flames and razor-sharp knives, the real danger in your kitchen lies elsewhere – in the food. Each year, almost 50 million Americans suffer from food poisoning, with over 100,000 of them requiring hospitalization. Consuming food which is expired, undercooked, or dirty can lead to foodborne illness, so use these tips to protect yourself and your family.

• Store raw meat on the bottom shelf. The bottom shelf is one of the coldest areas in your refrigerator, which allows your meat to stay fresh for longer. Storing meat here also prevents it from dripping down and contaminating foods below.
• Wash produce before consuming. Unwashed produce contains a great amount of bacteria on the surface. Always rinse your fruits and vegetables under cold tap water before consuming, especially if you are planning on eating them raw.
• Thoroughly cook all meat. Undercooked meat is one of the primary sources of food poisoning. It is recommended to use a food thermometer when cooking meat, but if you don't have one, you will know your red meat is thoroughly cooked when the juices run clear, and pork and poultry should be white on the inside with no signs of pink.
• Keep your refrigerator between 34-39°F. This is the ideal temperature range to keep your refrigerator at; any lower than 34° and you risk your liquids freezing, any higher than 39° and the bacteria growth rate begins to skyrocket.
• Use two different cutting boards. One for your produce and one for your meat. Using a separate cutting board for each food source will help prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen.
• When in doubt, throw it out. This is the golden rule of food safety. If you are unsure whether a not a food is okay to eat, play it safe and toss it in the garbage – no meal is worth a trip to the hospital.

At The Maids of Dallas, we are committed to the health and safety of you and your family. That is why we only use eco-friendly cleaning supplies and state-of-the-art equipment to remove more dust, dirt, and bacteria than our competitors. If you live in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area and are in need of a housecleaning service, call us for a free quote at (972) 437-6253.

Got A Lot of Old Stuff? 4 Things To Do Before You Throw It Away

Has your most recent spring cleaning project left you with a pile of old junk that you need to get rid of? While throwing it all away is the quickest and easiest solution, it isn't the best. Avoid adding unnecessary trash to your local dump and try one of these alternatives instead.

1. Repurpose it

Are you sure that you have no other uses for that old trunk sitting in your attic? Maybe it would make a good table in your living room. A quick internet search for “repurposed junk” will yield thousands of results and could give you a creative spark for your next DIY project.

2. Sell it

One man's trash is another man's treasure. Just because you don't have a use for your old stuff doesn't mean that someone else won't. If you have items which are still in working condition, why throw them away when you can make some extra money from them? You will be surprised what people are willing to buy on online sites such as eBay, or you could take the old-fashioned route and host a yard sale.

3. Donate it

If you can't repurpose it, and nobody wants to buy it, then it is time to throw it away, right? Wrong. Old clothing, furniture, and electronics can be donated to local shelters and charities. Instead of slowly decomposing at the dump, give your stuff to someone in need.

4. Recycle it

For old scrap metal, rubber, and even some broken appliances, the recycling center is a much better alternative than the garbage can. Be environmentally-conscious and give these things a new life instead of adding to the countless amounts of waste at your local landfill.

If you could use an extra hand with your spring cleaning, The Maids of Dallas is just a phone call away. Serving Dallas, Arlington, Carrollton, and the surrounding area, our team of specialists uses state-of-the-art cleaning supplies that guarantee to leave your home spotless. Whether you need a one-time cleaning or scheduled routine visits, call us today for a free estimate at (972) 437-6253.

5 Guilt-Free Reasons to Hire a Maid Service

At The Maids of Dallas, we offer routine housecleaning services on a monthly, weekly, and even daily basis. While these recurring appointments make sense for those who are rarely home or physically unable to clean themselves, they aren't for everyone.

However, everyone can take advantage of our one-time services. Here are five situations where you can hire a maids service without feeling guilty about it.

Selling Your Home

If you are preparing to sell your home, you will want to leave a strong impression with potential buyers. Nothing will scare them away faster than walking into a messy house, so hire a professional maid service to ensure that your home is clean and ready to sell.

As a Gift

Reward your hard-working friend or family member with the gift of time and relaxation. A gift card to the Maids of Dallas is the perfect present for birthdays, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Christmas, and just about any special occasion you can think of!

Pre-Party Cleaning

If you are preparing to entertain guests for a family or holiday party, show them that you are the hostess with the mostess by welcoming them into your spotless home. A clean home not only looks better, it helps keep your party organized and provides more room for your guests.

Post-Party Clean Up

Hiring a professional cleaning service is also a great way to avoid the post-party cleanup. Chances are, you are probably exhausted from a long day/night of entertaining your guests, the last thing you want to do is clean. The Maids of Dallas will handle the aftermath of any party, picking up the garbage and scrubbing your floors while you sleep in or watch TV.

Spring Cleaning

Every year, millions of homeowners go all-out for spring cleaning and tackle some of the biggest projects that their home has to offer. If a full housecleaning from top-to-bottom is on your list and you keep putting it off, let someone else do it for you!

Whether you need your house cleaned for a potential sale, family party, or just because, The Maids of Dallas is just a phone call away. We send a team of four cleaning specialists to every job to ensure an efficient, satisfactory experience. Call us today for a free quote at (972) 437-6253.

How to Clean the Inside of Your Car

Between the commute to work, trips to the store, and chauffeuring your kids around, the inside of your car sees a lot on a daily basis. No matter how careful you are, it is impossible to keep your car's interior clean forever, but using these tips you can keep it clean for now.

Read below to learn how to leave the inside of your car spotless in just 20 minutes!

What you'll need:

• Plastic bin
• A trash bag or small garbage can
• Hand-held vacuum cleaner
• Glass cleaner
• Microfiber cloth
• Disinfecting wipes

Once you've gathered these materials, head out to your car. It's time to start cleaning!

Step 1. Dispose of all trash by placing it into the garbage bag. Use the plastic bin to hold any other items which don't belong in the car.

Step 2. Spray the inside and outside of your front windshield, rear windshield, and all four passenger windows with your glass cleaner. Wipe dry with a microfiber cloth (avoid using paper towels, which leave behind linty streaks).

Step 3. Using the disinfecting wipes, clean your dashboard, steering wheel, center console, cup holders, door pockets, and gearshift.

Step 4. Use the disinfecting to clean your leather seats (if applicable). Clean the front and back seats.

Step 5. Remove your vehicle's floor mats and shake off any loose dirt and debris. Keep them nearby, but don't place them back in your car just yet.

Step 6. Use your handheld vacuum cleaner to clean your floors, cloth seats, and all cracks and crevices.

Step 7. Thoroughly vacuum the floor mats to get rid of any dirt which is still present. Place the mats back in the car and pat yourself on the back, you're done! Just don't forget to take the plastic bin from earlier back into the house with you.

If you liked this article, make sure to like The Maids of Dallas on Facebook! We are constantly sharing the best cleaning tips on the internet, from your home to your car and beyond. You can also visit our website for information about our own cleaning services, or call us for a free quote at (972) 437-6253.

6 Ingenious Uses for Your Lint Roller

Thought that lint rollers were only good for removing hair from your clothes? Think again! Check out these six clever and creative ways to put that rotating sticky paper to work:

1. Clean your lampshade. Lampshades can be frustrating to clean: they aren't machine washable and cleaning them by hand can be time consuming. Instead, just run a lint roller over it, you'll be surprised how much dust and dirt you'll remove!
2. Pick up broken glass. If you accidentally drop and shatter a piece of glassware, you can use the lint roller to safely clean up the mess. After carefully removing the larger shards, use your lint roller to collect the tiny fragments.
3. Clean out your bag. Purses, backpacks, gym bags, and luggage can all accumulate hair on the outside and crumbs, dirt, and other rubbish on the inside. Simply empty out the contents of your bag and give it a quick once-over with a lint roller to collect any debris.
4. Peel your sunburn. It sounds gross, but stay with us here. If a bad sunburn has left you peeling, a lint roller can remove your dead skin without ripping off your good skin and causing extra pain.
5. Haircut cleanup. No matter how tightly you put on your cape, stray hairs always make their way onto your neck, back, and clothes. If you don't have time to shower to remove these pesky hairs, you can quickly clean them off with a lint roller.
6. Clean your pool table. If you own a pool table, you know that the felt surface can be tricky. Dust and pet hair can accumulate on the tabletop and affect the speed and direction of the pool balls, but the suction from vacuum cleaners can damage the felt. Instead, clean your pool table and keep it in good condition by opting for a lint roller.

Did you like this article? Then join the thousands of others who have followed us on Facebook! The Maids of Dallas is constantly posting the best cleaning tips on the internet, connect with us to make sure you don't miss out.

If you live in Texas and are seeking an affordable, trustworthy housecleaning company who will leave your home spotless, The Maids of Dallas is just a phone call away. Visit our website for more information or call us today for a free estimate at (972) 437-6253.

How to Clean Your Washer and Dryer

When was the last time you cleaned your home's laundry machines? Although they clean your dirty clothes, your washer and dryer should both be cleaned every couple of months in order to stay in tip-top shape. Appliance repair jobs aren't cheap, and taking just 15 minutes to maintain yours will keep them operating at peak performance for years to come.

Cleaning Your Washing Machine

1. Wipe the inside and outside of the lid with a damp sponge to remove any visible dirt, dust, and other residue.
2. Remove the detergent tray and wash it in the sink to eliminate any hardened detergent which may have built up. If your tray isn't removable, you can still clean it using a cloth and cotton swabs.
3. If your washing machine has a moldy odor, pour in two cups of white vinegar and run a cycle with hot water. The vinegar will remove any build up and help get rid of the mildewy scent.

Cleaning Your Clothes Dryer

1. Before every load of laundry, clean the lint filter to reduce the risk of fire. Every few months, clean it with your vacuum's wand attachment in order to remove lint which has built up under the filter itself.
2. Wipe down the dryer's interior with a clean cloth; including the inside of the door and the seal.
3. Detach the vent hose from the back of the unit and clean it with your vacuum cleaner. Reattach the vent hose.
4. Check the outside vent for an accumulation of lint and other debris. Lift the flap and remove any visible build up with your hands or a vacuum cleaner to allow air to escape through this duct.

The Maids of Dallas continues to provide our readers with the internet's best housekeeping tips. Never miss an update or cleaning tip by liking our page on Facebook and following us on Twitter.

96% of our customers would refer us to their friends and family - find out why by booking a cleaning for your Texas home. Call (972) 437-6253 today and save $50 off of your first deep clean.