According to research, employees miss 50 million days of work every year because they become sick because of germs and bacterias. “What’s dirtier than your toilet seat? Your kitchen” says Dr. Reginald Nguyen, a family medicine doctor with Memorial Hermann Medical Group Sugar Land Primary Care. In this blog, we have listed things that are dirtier than we expected.

Cellphone

Your cellphone goes with you everywhere you go. Reach says a cell phone can be 10 times dirtier than your toilet seat and a cellphone may carry bacteria that can cause diarrhea. 

Dish Sponges or Rags

According to time.com, In a 2017 study published in Scientific Reports, German researchers did a germ-analysis of kitchen sponges with some startling results. There were 362 different kinds of bacteria lurking in the crevices of sponges they collected from ordinary homes, in astounding numbers — up to 45 billion per square centimeter.(That’s about the same amount found in the average human stool sample.) Considering the size of a typical dish sponge, that’s nearly 5.5 trillion microscopic bugs crawling around on the thing you use to “clean” your dishes.

Toothbrush Holders

Our toothbrush kills germs and bacteria on our mouth but when water drips from the toothbrush to the holder it builds dirt that insects love to linger on. Toothbrush holders can be run on dishwashing machines. It should be cleaned to prevent the spread of bacteria.

Bed Sheets

“We spend lots of time in our beds,” Dr. Nguyen says. “You shower yourself and clean your clothes daily or almost daily. But we forget bedding, which can get moist when we sweat.”
To maintain cleanliness, change your sheets at least weekly. 

Dog Toys

You’ve probably heard a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s. Doubtful. It isn’t that Fido has fewer germs, they just have different ones. Every time they slobber on Mr. Squeaky, they don’t just transfer bacteria, they create a sticky wet place for other germs to thrive. There’s no telling what their plaything picks up as they drag it around. Clean rubber toys by hand or in the dishwasher (top shelf only). Toss fabric ones into the wash. Source:WebMd.com

Kitchen Sinks

Dr. Nguyen said “This is the second-highest breeding ground for e.coli, salmonella, and other germs that lead to gastrointestinal ailments. It’s where you rinse fruit and dishes, prepare raw meat and dispose of eggshells and other bacteria factories.
To handle this, clean sinks before and after each use—and dry them every time.

The next thing to do after you touch these items is to wash your hands or use alcohol to kill the germs and bacteria left in your hand.

When we upgrade our devices it always comes with new cords too but we still forget to get rid of the old ones and make us stuck with them forever. And since we can’t let go of old devices and old cords, we have made a list of organizing tools you can use to keep our cords still more organized while still hanging onto them. 

Plastic Containers to Organize Charging Cords

My favorite method to organize charging cords is to wrap each cord around your fingers and neatly place them in these amazing storage containers that I found at Dollar Tree! I use these containers everywhere in my house but they fit perfectly in this clear drawer organizer (that I also found at Dollar Tree) so they all stay perfectly organized!
So for only $2-$4 you can transform the drawer that holds your charging cords! P.S. (Note: Please just go pick up the supplies at Dollar Tree. If you order online, you have to order in bulk, I just provide the link for reference). Source: practicalperfectionut.com

Bead Containers

This is my most recent version of cord organization – and one I think that is definitely going to stay! I found the idea on Pinterest, and it didn’t take as long as you might think it would to put this together. I love how I can pop out what I need and the containers protect the cords and electronics and tote it around in my bag. At first glance this makes it seem like we have an excessive amount of cords. But when you add up what we have in our house and for work (including 3 laptops, 3 iPads, 4 iPhones, 3 Aipods, 2 headphones, 1 camera, 3 microphones, etc.) it makes sense because we have quite a bit for our family of 5!
Pros : I loved that this created a “filing” system in my drawer, similar to file-folding (find more info on what that is here and on my IGTV videos!) This allowed me to see each and every cord at a glance. Another plus is that I could label these and get very specific. It truly is like a filing system now of cords and electronics! If you don’t have a drawer like mine, you could recreate this in a bin as well! And like cord tacos, the bead containers make them easy to grab what you need and take them with you. The added bonus, as I mentioned above, is that the cases add a layer of protection. These bead containers come in 8 different sizes, and I used the 2.4 and 3.3 sizes.
Cons :  The only ones that I could stand up to “file” in my drawer were the small ones. The cords that needed a larger container were too big for the depth of the drawer so they are stacked up. That being said, it’s still pretty accessible and easy to read the labels and find what I need. Larger chargers (like for the laptop) or battery packs are too big for these containers.
Best for: Those with a lot of cords and chargers and want to have them labeled says Mika Perry.

Cord Identifiers

When you get rid of the cables and cords you no longer need, is to make it easier for you, in the future, to find the one you want when you need it.
The easiest way to do this is to label them, so that when you run across a cable and don’t know what it’s for, you can just look at the label.
One possible way to label these cords is to purchase cord identifiers, such as the (referral link) Dotz cord identifiers shown above and to the left.
These labels clip onto the cords or wires, and have both preprinted and blank sides that you can fill out yourself to label the cords so you don’t get confused about which cable is which.
You can also make your own cord labels.
One of the easiest methods for making DIY cord labels is to use plastic bread clips, and add the words of the tag onto the clip with a Sharpie. (That’s what a reader, Pat, does and she sent in a picture which you can see below.)
Further, you can also use simple sticker labels to label the cords, such as the ones also shown below.
The key is to label these cords and wires right away, once you get a new one, from now on, so that you avoid confusion from now on. Source home-storage-solutions-101.

A tidy home is one of the causes of our happiness. It can be difficult to maintain the home’s cleanliness especially when you are busy with your job or mom duties. Keeping a clean home requires effort and so we created a list of shortcuts so you do not need to spend too much time on cleaning. 

Schedule your time of cleaning

According to Wrapped in Rust, just like you would for most any job that needs to be done, you need to schedule your cleaning times. People who plan it out are much more likely to get it done in a smaller amount of time. You can set aside a morning, an afternoon, time after work, or an entire day each week. Whatever it is that works for you, schedule your cleaning and get it done.

Clean the dishes as you cook

You can start to practice developing the process of cleaning in the kitchen as you go, wash any dishes that were used when you’re preparing the food shortly after you’re finished with them; wipe the top of counters and other surfaces clean as you transition into another step of the cooking process.

Take out the trash on your way to work

Depending upon what time you leave in the morning and what time your local garbage pickup is, it may make sense to incorporate taking out the trash into your morning routine. At night, remove the bag from the can, tie it up, and replace the liner. In the morning, all you have to do is grab the bag on your way out the door. This way, you can avoid carrying trash out to the curb when you’re tired after work, or even worse, after you’ve already changed into your pajamas for the night says Katie Holdefehr

Run the dishwasher at night

Running your dishwasher every night can save water and money and it will give dishes longer to dry too. 

In the morning, you can empty it pretty quickly since it has already dried, you can also save time by doing this and having your morning coffee.  

Wipe down your kitchen counters before bed

No one feels like cleaning right before bed—we get it. But if spending two minutes to wipe down the kitchen counters before you hit the hay means you get to wake up to a clutter-free kitchen every morning, it’s a worthwhile addition to your nighttime routine. Not only will wiping away sauce splatters and spills at night save you from scrubbing set-in messes the next day, but this way, your counter will be ready for breakfast prep and packing school lunches in the morning. Your morning routine just got a little bit easier.  Katie Holdefehr

If the list is still too much for your busy schedule, book the cleaning with us and we’ll take care of your cleaning needs. Book with us when only the best will do at bestinclassmaids.com

Our largest appliance in the kitchen needs cleaning once in a while. We store our food, cooked or raw and it is important to keep it the most hygienic part of our home to keep our health safe and keep us away from foodborne illness. Cleaning this huge kitchen appliance can be an intimidating task, so we’ve gathered answers to your most common questions about how to get it done right.

Step 1. Unplug Your Refrigerator

We want to save energy while we clean the fridge so we need to unplug it but one of the important reasons why we unplug the fridge before cleaning is to avoid possibilities of electrocution and keep us away from any injuries.

Step 2. Remove the Food

Take all the food out before you clean the inside of your refrigerator. Check the quality of the food and the expiration date on the package. Throw out the expired items. You can leave everything else out on a counter while you clean the fridge.

Step 3. Remove Shelves and Drawers

Take out all removable drawers and shelves and set them aside. Drawers and shelves that are made of metal or plastic can be washed with hot water and dish soap right away, but glass and ceramic pieces need to gradually warm up to room temperature before being washed with hot water to prevent cracking and breaking, source: Sarah Aguirre

Step 4. Completely Wipe Down the Interior of the Refrigerator or Freezer

Get a bucket with warm, soapy water and your choice of sponge to thoroughly clean your commercial fridge or freezer. Highly absorbent microfiber cloths and mitts are perfect for scrubbing down every inch inside your fridge and removing messes that have accumulated since the last cleaning. If you’re having trouble reaching grime or stuck-on stains in tight corners, try using a simple toothbrush because the bristles are flexible and strong, helping to get into small spots and then scrub away the dirt. After you’ve thoroughly scrubbed down the interior of your fridge and freezer, rinse with clean water, source: WebstaurantStore

Step 5. Clean the Outside

Starting from the top, wipe down and clean the exterior of the refrigerator using hot/warm water and mild dish soap. If you have a stainless steel refrigerator, you’ll need to use a soft non-scratching rag and vinegar or a window cleaner to keep the surface shiny. Don’t forget to clean the rubber gasket seal around the edges of the door using dish soap and warm water. Dirt and grime can collect here and cause the seal to crack, source: Sarah Aguirre

Cleaning your fridge can take too many hours from your busy schedule. Leave the scrubbing to the professionals. Book with u when only the best will do at bestinclassmaids.com

Mother’s day is around the corner. Have you thought about giving your mom a special treat on Mother’s day? It is always great to make her feel she is appreciated by giving her a simple gift and make her rest on her special day. Give her a cleaning gift of a clean home. We have listed why this can be your best gift for her. 

She needs a break

Being a mom truly is one of the most difficult jobs in the world, which can take a huge amount of time from her rest time schedule, that is why your Mom should not have it on her daily tasks. The gift of a clean home from Best in Class Maids on mother’s day will give her a day off to enjoy and experience self-love.

More time to rest

A clean house is effective in reducing physical and mental stress especially to your mom who has been thinking about all the things that need to be done in the house. By giving your mom a clean house, you will also be able to keep her detoxified from stressors.  Source: hsutube.com

Quality time – it matters!

Rather than leaving her to spend her time cleaning the home, you give her the opportunity to engage in more enjoyable activities, including spending quality time with the children – or with you! The sense of relief and the freedom that comes with finding the home spotless, from top to bottom, is indescribable. Time to go to a movie, read a book, go to the park… the sky’s the limit when home tasks are done. Source: www.coit.com/

Happier and Healthier Environment

According to research, people are happier and healthier when their house is clean. When a person feels more organized because of a clean house, he/she becomes more active and relaxed overall. Mother’s Day is all about relaxing, which means that a clean home from Best in Class Maids is the perfect present to give your mom the gift of happiness.

Show her you appreciate her.

She will be delighted to see that you appreciate her challenges and sacrifices being a mom and that you are so much thankful to her along with consideration of caring for her with a clean home. Investing in a full deep cleaning for every area of her home shows that you understand the challenges of being a mother and all the cleaning and tidying that goes with it.

Why not give mom a clean house right now! Let us help you give your Mother a satisfaction on Mother’s day.  Book with us when only the best will at Bestinclassmaids.com

Monday-Fridays are long and tiring days for us and we usually want to get off work as fast as we can so we can head home and eat dinner, take a rest and watch movies on  Netflix. When the weekend arrives, we want to enjoy as much as we can because of the long week of work that we had. 
But you see the house is a mess, disorganized, and needs a lot of moping and floor scrubbing. This is why you’re battling or deciding about doing it on your own or hiring a maid service. And this is why we have listed the  Benefits of Hiring a Professional Cleaning Service.

It saves you time

For most people who work for long hours, it would be challenging to find the time to do that general home cleaning to keep your house and equipment in pristine condition. There are also tight places to clean and tough to remove stains that require special attention. This is where a house cleaner comes in and takes the burden off your shoulders. With special techniques and the right cleaning tools, professional cleaners can get your house in top shape in no time. Many cleaning companies operate a 24-hour service and also express cleaning so that you can call in for a cleaner at any time of the day. If your time means a lot to you, then hiring cleaning services is worth every penny! Says Lauren Wilson.

Long Term Savings

A regular deep clean for your carpets, drapes, furniture, and blinds are important. If not done by professionals’ equipment and procedures, they deteriorate easily. You can preserve the life of these items by scheduling regular cleaning with professionals. 

Trained and Skilled Staff

Every cleaner in a cleaning company is thoroughly screened, background checked, interviewed in person, and tested to ensure your cleaning will be the highest level of quality. These employees are professional and have attended many hours of training. 

Specialized Tools and Equipment

A professional provider will be aware of all of the major innovations and developments in the cleaning industry. They have invested their resource into finding the absolute best cleaning materials and equipment available on the market. They should have a wide range of supplies and specific tools and cleaning products for every job. They will know when and where to use each tool and will use these to deliver impeccable and high-quality cleaning results. Says CSScleaning.

Deeper Clean

No matter how hard we scrub or kitchen and bathroom tiles, toilet and sink, or how often you pull out the spot cleaner to keep your carpets looking good, there is no substitute for deep and thorough cleaning but to hire an expert cleaning service. 

Our life and body need more relaxation from our busy work week. Home cleaning is a task that we can leave to the professionals. Book with us when only the best will do at bestinclassmaids.com.

Tiles make our kitchens and bathrooms stunning. We may wipe it and get it germ-free but when we think of grout, it is the home of molds and dirt and makes the cleaning require more time and extra care. And because of that, we have listed cleaning secrets that can help you make your grout cleaning journey easier and faster.

Cleaning Secret #1
Mix together baking soda and water to make a paste, then rub on to dirty grout using an old toothbrush. An electric toothbrush with an old head will also work wonders and save your elbows! Work it well into the grout says Joanne Finney.

Cleaning Secret #2
To clean your grout with good old chlorine bleach, the ACI recommends that you dilute ¾ cup of the stuff with 1 gallon of water. Spray the cleaning solution on the grout and let it sit for a few minutes. 
Next, grab a stiff-bristled brush and start scrubbing until the grout starts sparkling—just be sure to rinse the area well when you’re done.

Cleaning Secret #3
Fill a bucket with 7 cups warm water, 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/3 cup ammonia, and 1/4 cup vinegar. Stir to combine.
Dip a sponge into the mixture or pour some into a spray bottle. Apply a liberal amount of cleaner to the grout and allow it to sit for several minutes.
Scrub the grout with a small brush or old toothbrush. If the grout doesn’t come clean easily, apply more of your homemade mixture and allow it to sit for up to an hour.
Rinse the treated area and wipe dry with a towel or rag. Source: MollyMaid.

Cleaning Secret #4
Ingredients: 1 cup Epsom salts, 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup liquid hand washing dish soap.
Mix together the Epsom salts, baking soda, and dish soap. Scoop mixture onto grout and rub clean. Rinse. Source: brendid.

Cleaning Secret #5
In case you missed it, the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is a miracle product that can be used to clean just about anything (well, almost), and it can restore your grout to its former glory, too. The process here is straightforward: Dampen the magic eraser with water and start scrubbing the grout. That’s right, no cleaning solution of any kind is needed for this method—you may, however, need more than one magic eraser to get the job done, since they tend to deteriorate after heavy use, and you’ll want to avoid adding too much water as this will hasten the eraser’s decline. Once the scrubbing is done, mop up the gray water and grime (gross, but satisfying) with a clean sponge and call it a day. Bottom line: If you’re looking for a grout-cleaning solution that doesn’t involve a lot of harsh chemicals, this foolproof method is a winner. Source: Emma Singer

Need help with your home cleaning? Hire the number 1 maid services in Texas, Best in Class Maids. Book with us when only the best will do at bestinclassmaids.com

The cleanliness of our home is very important to us and we take pride in it. Cleaning our home is a responsibility that we must do regularly even though we do not enjoy it and because we want to get out of the way as quickly as possible. As a result, there are many areas in our home that we missed during our cleaning days. Here are areas we probably miss when cleaning our home.

On Top or Up High

One of the areas we typically miss cleaning is the areas that aren’t directly seen through our sight, like the tops of refrigerators, large appliances, tops of doors, windows, and bookshelves. cupboards, and more. 

Underneath Areas

When was the last time you cleaned under your stove or refrigerator? Underneath the stove or refrigerator is another easily missed area, especially considering the hard work of moving said large appliance. But this is an important job, as it can help cut down on expensive appliance repairs and increased energy costs. Some other places homeowners often neglect include under rugs, beneath the bed, and below other large pieces of furniture such as the sofa says romainberg.

Doorknobs and Light Switches

Countless times touching the doorknobs and light switches will make these things dirty and need a touch of cleaning most of the time. Wipe the switches with a clean dry cloth. For the doorknobs, clean with soap and water.

Toothbrush Holders

This is another spot in the bathroom that too often gets missed when it comes to cleaning. Each time we use our toothbrush and replace it in the holder, water and other residue drip down the handle into the holder. This means that bacteria is building up in the bottom of the holder daily! Don’t forget to rinse them out each week to avoid the spread of germs to your toothbrush and mouth says Minimaid.

Banisters

Like doorknobs, wooden stair banisters get touched many times every day. Here is how you can clean it. The first step will still be to wipe away any loose dirt and dust from the banister. Next, spray a 2:1 water and vinegar solution directly onto the wood and let sit for a minute to penetrate the grime. Take a clean dry microfiber cloth and, using a little elbow grease, wipe the mixture, along with the dirt, away.

TV Remotes

Your remotes are pretty easy to clean, but you might not ever give doing so a second thought. To keep all your remotes under control in the dirt and germs department, wipe them down with a cloth dampened with a mixture of half water, half rubbing alcohol says Brittney Morgan.

Cleaning our homes can be a heavy task for you especially if you are too busy with your kids and corporate job. Book your home cleaning with Best in Class Maids at bestinclassmaids.com.

Your laundry room is an area of the house for you to clean your clothes and it is never a surprise how it can get dirty easily.  Do you remember when was the last time you cleaned it? Follow this step-by-step guide to efficiently clean your laundry room.

The Washer

Run an empty regular hot cycle and use two cups of vinegar instead of detergent.  This will help sanitize the machine and eliminate any odor that’s built up over time and clear away soap scum. After running the cycle, wipe down outside the washer with soap, water, and a clean cloth.

The Dryer 

Similar to the washer you’ll also want to wipe down the outside of your dryer. You can do this using the same soap and water you used to wipe down the washing machine. Instead of running the drying using vinegar and baking soda you can wipe it out with your damp soapy rag. 

After you’ve wiped your dryer inside and out be sure to check and see if the lint trap needs to be emptied. If you happen to see a buildup of wax on the trap simply take it out and wash it in the sink. Sometimes fabric softener can cause a buildup of wax on the trap preventing it from doing its job to the fullest. Source: spekless.com.

Sanitize Other Appliances

Even though they’re not the stars of the show, irons, steamers, and other small laundry room appliances still deserve a little care. Once a month, clean your iron with dish detergent, vinegar, baking soda, or salt. Then fill the reservoir with distilled water, set the iron on high, and let steam naturally clean the iron’s vents. For a steamer, use vinegar and the high-heat setting to remove any gunk. Discard the vinegar, then heat distilled water in the steamer. Wipe down any other appliances with sanitizing rags or all-purpose wipes to remove any germs, says Katie Bandurski.

Clean The Sink

Laundry room sinks are also prone to dirt, stains, and bacteria buildup. Over time, this can become a very unsanitary area that requires a strong disinfectant to sterilize. We advise the use of undiluted vinegar to kill bacteria safely and effectively. Simply spray or pour vinegar over the interiors of your sink and allow it to sit for a couple of minutes.

Next, dampen a scrubber or sponge and wipe down the sink before rinsing it off. Don’t forget to clean the faucet and other fittings. For this, mild soap and a scrubber are all you need to get the job done quickly and effectively says Karen Saunders.

Back Of The Washer And Dryer

Vacuum behind the washing machine and the dryer and the floor underneath. Disconnect the drying hose if it is too short so that you will avoid stretching it. 

The Floor

The last step is to mop the floor in your laundry room. Having this as your last ensures that the dust and dirt particles are already on the floor. Swiffer underneath the washer and the dryer and in the corners of your laundry room. Let dry before walking on it.

Did you know that there should be a double deep cleaning with bathrooms from the rest of the room in the house? Read on these steps to speed up the cleaning of your bathroom. Keep your surfaces, walls, floor, shower, and toilet sparkling clean.

Clear The Clutter

If the bathroom is covered in stuff, you have to remove first all of your products from the shower and/or bathtub. Anything else that’s standing in the way will have to go including the towels and rugs should be outside the bathroom.

While you’re preparing to clean, you must open the window if you have one so that there is lots of air circulating once you bring out the cleaning supplies. If you don’t have a window, you can turn on the fan.

Vacuum All Surfaces

Long hair or short, if you’ve got hair there’s a strong probability that a lot of it ends up on your bathroom floor. Ditto for the dust that floats in the air around us. That’s why vacuuming before you start scrubbing is important since it provides you with a blank surface to work on.

With the hose attachment on your vacuum cleaner, start by vacuuming the entire floor, including corners, behind and around the toilet, and under your vanity. Vacuum your shower floor and your bathroom countertops as well. When you’re done, give the head of the vacuum attachment a quick wipe down, and set the vacuum a side.  Says, Laura Mueller.

Clean The Shower And Tub

Spray the tub and shower area with a generous layer of all-purpose bathroom cleaner, and allow the product to stand while you clean elsewhere. The standing time helps the cleanser to dissolve oils and soap scum, so you’ll need less elbow grease to remove it.

Tiles, Walls, And Ceilings

Spray all surfaces like countertops, tile, walls, and the ceiling with an all-purpose cleaner. Run the shower for five minutes to build up steam. Shut the door and let the steam and cleaner mix for 20 minutes. Then wipe down all surfaces with a clean cloth. For walls and ceilings, you can use a microfiber mop to reach the high spaces says, Virginia Duan.

Clean The Toilet 

Coat the entire toilet bowl with a toilet cleaner — preferably one with bleach. Scrub the bowl hard with a toilet brush and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. While that is sitting, wipe down outside of your toilet with a disinfectant wipe, as well as the outer lid, and then the inner lid. Then, use a bathroom-specific disinfectant spray and leave it on for as long as the cleaner recommends (usually 10 minutes). Don’t forget to spray the flush handle. Then wipe everything down with clean clothes.

Don’t Forget The Shower

Take it from the top: Pour an ample amount of white vinegar into a plastic grocery bag (enough to fully submerge the showerhead nozzle) and tie it in place for an overnight soaking. Remove it in the morning and run the water to rinse. Give plastic shower curtains and liners a spin in the washing machine with your regular detergent and a few old towels, which act as scrubbers to help get rid of soap scum and mildew. Rehang to dry. For shower doors, make a paste by adding a few drops of distilled white vinegar to a cup of baking soda; apply it directly to the door (it’s nice and thick, so it will stick). Let sit for an hour, then rub with a microfiber cloth. Rinse and buff dry with a fresh, dry microfiber cloth. The tub is less of an issue—a weekly scrubbing is usually enough. But for extra gleam, fill it with hot water, then drain. Apply a bathroom cleaner and let sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing. Says, Nicole Sforza.

If you do not like much about deep cleaning your bathroom, Best in Class Maids is the cleaning service you need right now!  Book with us when only the best will do at bestincla.