NEVER use these products to clean

Some people swear by baking soda. Others keep vinegar on hand - always! And while these products are great for some cleaning, they’re are some items you just shouldn’t use them on. Not to mention, there are a few products you don’t want to go anywhere near, ever! 

1. Baking Soda - You can cook with it. You can clean with it. But be careful - baking soda is not a one-and-done for home cleaning. It’s too abrasive for glass and it can cause stainless steel to oxidize. Also, don’t use baking soda on marble or wood surfaces as it can cause irreversible damage with extended use. 

2. Vinegar - The same properties that make vinegar a go-to sanitizer can cause problems on the wrong surfaces. Never use vinegar to wipe down waxed furniture, marble surfaces or stone tiles - the acidity can cause damage and leave spots. 

3. Windex - It might be tempting to wipe down your TV screen or computer monitor with windex, but don’t! Instead, opt for a specialty cleanser designed for electronics and a microfiber cloth. 

4. You’re not a mixologist - So don’t try mixing and matching cleaning products. Never mix bleach with ANY cleaner that has ammonia as an ingredient. The gases created from this combination can lead to chronic breathing problems and even death.

5. Laundry - Per a recent article by Reviewed, you’ll want to steer clear of some recent “fad” cleaning supplies as well. Eco Nuts, Crystal Wash and DIY detergents just don’t seem to cut the crud. Stick to the tried and trues for the brightest colors! 

Most importantly, always remember to keep your cleaning supplies up high and locked away from where children and pets can reach. When cleaning, open your windows and doors to allow good airflow. Or, just give us a call and we’ll handle the mess!

Clean For 30 Minutes A Day

Cleaning 30 minutes a day (in our own homes) is a principle that Rubio’s Cleaning abides by. We’re naturally “clean freaks” just because we clean all day for work does not mean we live in messy homes. Quite the opposite--partially because we apply all of the tips we share on the Clean Blog, but we get our families involved as well. However when we attempted to make a list of exactly what you SHOULD do in those 30 minutes, well the list varies (because each home is so unique, consider appliances, pets, children, size, flooring, even the orientation of your house can cause more dust than another) so a one-size-fits all list doesn’t really apply. However there are some basics that everyone can consider, and perhaps amend to your household, that will help to keep your house feeling cleaner, and like you are cleaning less. Win-win!

Rubio’s Cleaning 30-Minute Per Day Checklist

Try to do 1 load of laundry per day 

Pro tip: Use the timers on your washer and set them to run overnight, not only are you saving energy but you can start your day with a fresh load each day. It’s like a daily reminder :)

Clean your floors every day: it likely will only take you a few minutes to vacuum and sweep your floors, choose one room and tackle them each day

Nighttime pickup: Spend a few minutes each night putting things where they belong so you can easily find them the next day.

If you need more structure check out some of these more comprehensive lists that we found :

House Beautiful: https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/lifestyle/cleaning/a26790088/house-cleaning-30-minutes-organised-mum-method/

Thirty Handmade Days: https://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/15-minute-day-cleaning-schedule/

Clean Mama: https://www.cleanmama.net/2015/02/speed-clean-house-less-30-minutes.html

3 Cleaning Hacks from Professional House Cleaners!

We can’t give away all the tricks to our trade! But we’ll happily share a few that can be easily tried at home with materials you likely already have in your cabinets. 

Lemons are great for cocktails and cleaning.

We never say no to lemons. Not only are they amazing in almost every cocktail, but they are a house-cleaner’s sidekick. We use lemons to clean faucets with 

Static sheets are for more than the dryer.

After cleaning your baseboards with soap and water and allowing them to dry completely, gently wipe them with a static sheet to prevent future dirt and dust from sticking (as soon). 

Pumice stones aren’t just for feet.

We use them to clean toilets! Yep, say goodbye to ugly toilet rings. 👋🏻

Why Fall Cleaning Is Just As Important As Spring Cleaning

The truth is deep cleaning your house once a year, in the springtime isn’t enough. We recommend a deep dive quarterly if possible, but we understand that three months flies by faster than most of realize as its happening—and before we know it the tasks before us feel overwhelming. This is why Spring Cleaning is so daunting… because for most the last time you tackled this task was a year ago! 😱 

Which is why we recommend a Deep Fall Clean to prepare your house your winter and the holidays. 

First start reconsider our Three Spring Cleaning Tips and reconsider those giving those areas your attention. Then take a tour of your home, try to overlook “the stuff” and look at the parts of your house that might have seen some extra dirt or usage over the summer (bathrooms, storage areas, closets, and entry ways usually suffer when we’re going outdoors more and having extra fun. Make a list of the top three things that you see that bother you and make a plan to tackle them. Perhaps it’s a Friday stay home day and you get the whole family involved, we suggest making cleaning solutions together (here’s a few kid-friendly tips) turning up some fun tunes and making a day of it. 

After a little cleaning overhaul of your most used spaces, if you’re feeling good we suggest tackling a few of your big items. Like the dishwasher, washing machine and shower. 

Cleaning Your Dishwasher

Most of us turn to the Dishwasher to clean, so we sometimes forget it needs some cleaning too. Over time food, grease, soap scum and debris build up in these machines and provide a breeding ground for germs, and reduces the efficiency of the appliance.

The first step is to clear the drain: Remove the bottom dish rack. Inspect the dishwasher drain, removing any gunk or food caught there. This will improve drainage, increase cleaning efficiency and prevent damage to the dishwasher.

Second, put vinegar in dishwasher: Start with an empty dishwasher. Place a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe container on the upper rack of the machine. Run the dishwasher through a hot-water cycle. This will wash away grease and grime and remove musty odors, too.

Lastly, sprinkle one cup of baking soda across the bottom of the dishwasher. Run a short, hot water cycle. Voila!

To clean your Washing Machine
Cleaning a washing machine is similar to following the steps above to clean your dishwasher (accept its a bit more work) sorry!. 

Before cleaning the washer drum, wipe the entire inside with vinegar. Start by setting the washer to the highest level and the hottest water temperature and two cups of white cleaning vinegar to detergent dispenser and run your machine. Run another cycle on the highest level and at the hottest water temperature, this time adding one-half cup of baking soda to the drum. When cycle is done, wipe inside drum of washer with a damp microfiber cloth.