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HOUSE CLEANING LANGLEY, COQUITLAM & MORE!

House Cleaning Tips, Tricks & Stories

House Cleaning Langley


Perfection Cleaning BC doesn't just offer great house cleaning Langley. We also offer residential and commercial cleaning services for Surrey, White Rock, Abbotsford, Coquitlam, Port Moody and more! Below we have put together this blog to offer a host of tips and tricks that we have found, researched and even used ourselves in our every day housecleaning. Be sure to bookmark this blog page and check back as we are posting new articles monthly.

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  • 0 CLEANING THAT HOME OFFICE

    We'd like to share a cool little video from Belinda Selene that outlines her method for straightening up that messy home office.    * Perfection Cleaning does not guarantee or warranty any suggested cleaning methods or tips. Use at your own risk. 

  • 0 Ideas For Perfect Garage Organization

      Sometimes cleaning is not just about scrubbing, wiping and disinfecting. Sometimes it's about organization to help prevent some of the mess in the first place. And there is no more place this holds true than in the garage! We found a great little video by Abby Organizes that shows some great ideas for perfect garage organization. Which ones are you going to use?     * Perfection Cleaning does not guarantee or warranty any suggested cleaning methods or tips. Use at your own risk. 

  • 0 How To Clean Your Computer

    How To Clean Your Computer To keep your computer’s hardware in good shape, there are key tasks you should add to your list of chores — after turning off and unplugging your computer. Wipe down your computerDust off the outside of your computer with a soft, dry cloth at least once a week. Remove any fingerprints on the screen. If you want to use a cleaning fluid, visit a computer store to find one that’s specifically designed for your monitor type. Regular household cleaners may damage a monitor screen, wearing away coatings.Instead, gently wipe your screen with a soft cloth. A microfiber cloth is great for this purpose. You can dampen your cloth with distilled or filtered water to wipe away tougher smudges. Plain water usually works, too, but filtered or distilled water will help you avoid streaks. If heavier cleaning is needed, moisten a cloth with a 50-50 mix of distilled water and distilled white vinegar and gently rub your screen clean. To clean the front and back of your laptop case, use a clean sponge that’s been dipped in mild dish soap and water and wrung out. Rub gently. Make sure your computer is dry before turning it back on.   Clean Your keyboardPick up your keyboard, turn it over, and gently pat it on the back to dislodge crumbs, stray hairs, and other tiny bits of dirt. If you’re having trouble removing sticky dirt, try using a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, or the cleaning mixtures mentioned above. Gently wiping around the keys can help keep the keys from sticking or failing. If your keyboard is acting up, you may need to open it in order to “deep clean.” Check your computer or keyboard manual for instructions on how to open and clean this component safely. Blow dust buildup out of computer vents, fans and accessoriesEvery three to six months, consider using a screwdriver to open your computer’s exterior case. With a can of compressed air (available at any computer store), clean the dust buildup out of the fan and the case. Put the case back together and use cotton swabs to pick up any lingering dirt on the fan vents or other small crevices on the outside of the case.   Source: Norton.com   * Perfection Cleaning does not guarantee or warranty any suggested cleaning methods or tips. Use at your own risk. 

  • 0 Pool Maintenance & Cleaning

    I think you would be hard pressed to find anyone who doesn't want a pool in their back yard. It's such a glamorous status symbol, especially if it's an in-ground pool. And laying their sipping a drink and browsing Instagram in your tablet is quite desirable.   But along with having that backyard pool comes much responsibility and work. Not just to keep the pool chemicals up and optimal, but also keeping the pool and surrounding areas nice a clean. So, here we have put together a list of useful pool cleaning tips;   1. Skimming & Scrubbing As an in-ground pool owner myself, this can be the most tedious job. We back on to a mountain and have multiple maple trees and shrubs, so we often have bugs and debris flying into the pool on a regular basis. Skimming the top and scrubbing the pool liner is alot of work, but should be done regularly.   2. Clean The Pool Filter Constantly It is a good habit to get into, to clean the pool filter on a regular basis. Give it (or them) a spray down with a garden hose once in a while to prevent debris build up.   3. Absorb Oils With A Tennis Ball It's a very useful trick that after everyone leaves the pool, throw a tennis ball in. This will allow the tennis ball fibers to absorb and soak up the left over oils from suntan lotion and hair products.   4. Power Wash The Pool Deck Part of what keeps a pool looking awesome, is also keeping that pool deck clean. You can do this by power washing. Be sure to aim the spray away from the water as much as you can to avoid debris falling into the pool. If you have old concrete, you can also get some concrete mix and fill in the cracks and holes. Then, once dry paint the pool deck with a gritty "Deck Over" type paint to bring some luster and consistency to the look of that pool deck.   5. Watch That Water Level The water should come about half way up the skimmer opening. Keeping proper pool water level can aid in proper distribution of chemicals and water flow and thus warding off algae and other films.   Have some other tips for keeping your pool clean? Please leave them in the comments below!   Happy Swimming!!   * Perfection Cleaning does not guarantee or warranty any suggested cleaning methods or tips. Use at your own risk. 

  • 0 Cleaning Out The Garage

    Cleaning out the garage is considered to be a daunting task by almost everyone. We have put together some tips here to help you to create some order out of the chaos and have a successful garage cleaning experience.   The best way to tackle cleaning a garage is to start from the top and work your way down. A messy garage will most likely start with the mess on the floor and slowly, voer time build up, higher, up the walls, etc. So, starting at the top and working down will allow you to start to get some quick satisfaction by seeing some quick clean, and thus staying motivaqted and not getting discouraged. Start by taking a broom and brushing away all the cobwebs, dust on light fixtures and the garage door opener. Take a cloth and cleaner of your choice and wipe down the walls where necessary, and give any windows and other fixtures a wipe down.   Next, we can start to tackle the floor. Take any big objects and put them out the garage door. Get them out of the way for now. Then, starting at the back of the garagem use a push broom to start sweeping all dirt and debris towards the wide open garage door. Once it's all at the end, grab a dust pan and dispose of the pile(s) of dirt in a garbage can.   Depending on what kind of flooring you have, you may also want to grab the mop and some cleaner and do a quick floor scrubbing. And maybe even a polishing if the type of floor requires. If you you have a plain cement garage floor, you may consider painting the floor. It helps to give the room a much cleaner feel, while also making it easier to clean in the future. Remember to use a high quality floor paint, as that will extend the life of the garage floor and will also fill in any cracks and crevases.    Now, back to the task at hand. If you don't have any shelving in your garage, you may want to consider doing that now. If you ahve the room, you can put shelves on the walls, and if you have the height you can even put shelves hanging from the roof. We have even seen some really elaborate setups where the ceiling shelf is a lowerable platform via a small motor.   Once you have created your shelving, you can begin to put the larger items and boxes that once cluttered your garage floor, neatly away on them. But give it some thought. Put items that get used the least further back or higher up  on your shelves. And the more frequently used items closer and lower. You'll be gald you did!!!   Do you have any tips to share for cleaning your garage? Submit them in the comments below.   * Perfection Cleaning does not guarantee or warranty any suggested cleaning methods. Use at your own risk.

  • 0 Cleaning Up, Also Means Getting Rid of Those Worthless Collectibles

    It’s fun collecting sports cards, toys, movies, and cars, but if you’re hoping for a return on your investment, then it gets tricky. Jay Leno’s car collection, for example, is a great retirement nest egg since he has lots of unique vehicles. However, most knick-knacks are worthless collectibles and won’t make you more money than what you paid for them. If you’re saving these items hoping they’ll eventually be worth something, it might be time to get rid of them because now they’re just worthless clutter. All of these items have been part of a collecting craze at one point, but not anymore. The collectibles at Nos. 8 and 14 are particularly surprising entries on the list.   1. Beanie Babies They were once influential, but now they’re worthless collectibles. The Beanie Baby craze was real and widespread, and their popularity makes them one of the most influential toys of all time. A few of the plush dolls, such as the royal blue Peanut the elephant and Princess Diana beanie babies can bring in more than $1,000, but the vast majority aren’t worth keeping.   2. Cabbage Patch Kids A few are worth a fortune, but most are worthless. Most millennials have no clue about these dolls that took the world by storm in the 1980s, and they probably don’t care. A sealed, vintage, mint-condition Cabbage Patch Kids doll could be worth a fortune, but the majority are worth less than the $25 price tag from the 80s.   3. Disney VHS tapes The nostalgia is priceless, but the movies aren’t. The best Disney movies instantly take us back to our childhoods, and that nostalgia is priceless. However, the overwhelming majority of Disney VHS tapes aren’t going pay for your new car. The supposedly limited “Black Diamond Collection” movies aren’t rare at all, according to Snopes. Sure, you might get a dope to spend $10,000 on a VHS tape, but in reality, you probably won’t get more than $5 for each film if you try selling your collection.   4. Franklin Mint products These items look great, but they’re not great investments. You can buy coins, toy cars, games, china and porcelain, and other items from The Franklin Mint, but you shouldn’t expect a return on your investment in the long run. Sure, the items look great, but they’re worthless collectibles, according to The Street. A John McCain $2 bill and presidential coins are unique, but they’re not rare enough to achieve true collectible status.   5. Happy Meal toys These childhood staples won’t net you much money. The 10-year old in all of us would probably say that the McDonald’s Happy Meal toys were the best part of the meal. A glimpse of a Micky D’s-branded Hot Wheels car, My Little Pony, or Barbie Dolls may instantly transport you to your childhood, but that’s about all they’re good for. You likely won’t get much more than $1 if you try selling them on eBay, so it’s probably not worth your time to put in the effort.   6. Hummel figurines They were once rare, but now they’re readily available. Many soldiers returning home from World War Two brought German Hummel figurines for the women in their lives along with them. The 3D ceramic figures were incredibly popular, so they produced more and more versions and sold them all over the world. What were once rare collectibles are now readily available, which makes them practically worthless. Plus, younger generations aren’t interested in collecting them, so there’s not really a market for the figurines.   7. Model train sets Model trains are mostly worthless collectibles. If you have a model train set, chances are it’s a Lionel, and chances are it’s merely worthless clutter at this point. As with anything, a few are worth their weight in gold, but the Lionel Collectors Club of America says most train sets don’t have a high collector value at all.   8. Newer sports trading cards Newer trading cards aren’t worth much. Yes, Babe Ruth’s bat and a Honus Wagner baseball card are among the most expensive sports collectibles in history. However, sports trading cards from the 1980s and 90s are virtually worthless. It all comes down to supply and demand. At the peak of the trading card boom in the 80s and 90s, companies produced hundreds of thousands of every card. There are so many out there now that anyone can buy any card they want, even a mint condition Ken Griffey Jr. rookie, for pennies.   9. Norman Rockwell collector plates Anyone can buy these plates at any time. Plates featuring Norman Rockwell’s slice-of-life Americana look great, but they’re not collectibles. Anyone who wants on can readily buy them online starting at $25, so there’s really no secondary market. You need demand to make something valuable, and since these plates don’t have that, they’re worthless collectibles.   10. Pogs A short-lived, niche collectible that isn’t worth much now. Some of the rarest pogs can be valuable, but by and large, these cardboard or plastic discs are just taking up space at this point. The 90s heyday of pog collecting was short-lived and was a niche hobby to begin with, so if you still have some, it might be time to get rid of them.   11. Pokemon cards Pokemon remains popular, but the trading cards are worthless. Pokemon GO turned our smartphones into battery-sucking immersed reality gaming machines. (The battery-draining part was a reason to hate the game). Even though folks from all generations, not just kids, enjoy Pokemon, the trading cards from the 90s are by and large worthless. Manufacturers cashed in on the craze by producing tons of cards, and there are so many out there that none are rare enough to command top dollar.   12. Recent comic books Anything from the 1980s onward won’t net you much money. Some comic books are worth big money, such as the ones where Batman, Thor, or Spider-Man first show up. However, most comics are utterly worthless. Almost any comic books printed from the 1980s onward have three things going against them. One, they feature characters who are already well established. A Superman comic from 1998 doesn’t have the same cache as his debut from 1938. Second, newer heroes coming onto the scene aren’t as beloved as the X-men or Iron Man, so their stories aren’t as prized by collectors. Finally, their resurgent popularity means publishers print more, so comics aren’t as rare as the ones from older eras.   13. Royal family memorabilia Lots of product plus low demand add up to worthless clutter. If you’re so excited about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s royal baby that you need to commemorate it with a decorative plate, by all means, go ahead. Just don’t expect to sell your collectibles for a profit in the future. The Telegraph looked at the secondary market for royal family memorabilia from over the years and found out there really isn’t one. Like the Norman Rockwell plates we discussed a minute ago, it’s all mass produced, so there’s more than enough to go around. Plus, it’s all poorly made, so it’s not going to stand the test of time.   14. Star Wars toys The right toys are valuable, but the rest aren’t. Just like with our comic book discussion, some Star Wars toys are worth thousands of dollars if you own the right ones. However, most of the action figures from a galaxy far, far away are mass-produced worthless clutter. You may love your young Anakin Skywalker toy from the prequel trilogy, but it’s one of the millions that rolled off the assembly line, so it’s not rare enough to truly be worth much money.   15. Vinyl records Most albums aren’t worth more than their sticker price. The very first copy of The Beatles’ The Beatles (the White Album), a rare Bob Dylan, and the first Elvis Presley recording are some of the most valuable vinyl records ever pressed. However, most LPs aren’t worth enough for you to retire, let alone pay your next electric bill. Most copies of classic albums currently on the shelves are mass-produced re-issues, so they’re not going to command top dollar if you decide to sell them. Plus, even if you have a vintage version of a classic record sitting around the house, it will only bring top dollar if it’s in pristine condition.   * Perfection Cleaning does not guarantee or warrant any of the info provided here. Get rid of your collectables at your own risk.      

  • 0 Workplace Productivity Increases With Clean Windows

    Studies show that clean windows play a key role in office efficiency!   Studies show that a lack of sunlight in office buildings can negatively affect employees’ self-esteem and productivity. Psychology Today reports that natural light can drastically improve performance in the workplace and that there is a strong correlation between employees’ exposure to daylight and their subsequent sleep, activity level and quality of life. The more access to natural light employees have, the more content they report feeling.   Cornell University’s Daylight and Workplace Study, reveals workers seated by a window report an 84 percent drop in symptoms associated with computer vision syndrome, which is caused by prolonged screen use. These symptoms include eyestrain, headaches and blurred vision. The study also finds these same employees experienced a 2 percent boost in productivity. That’s the equivalent to around $2 million worth of value over the window’s lifetime. The average American spends 90 percent of their time inside, so it’s important to optimize the available sunlight through windows that are clean.   Dirt and pollution can build up over time and dim corporate windows. Dirty, obscured windows block valuable natural light and negatively impact worker productivity.   So, contact Perfection Cleaning today to get those small office windows cleaned.   **Note: Perfection Cleaning BC only does lower level inside & out window cleaning. Upper levels, inside only.  

  • 0 You Need a Cleaning Company in Your Office-Here’s Why!

    Most of us spend at least 40 hours a week at the office or workplace, making it like a second home to us. How do you feel when you enter your home and it’s untidy or in need of a good deep cleaning? If you’re like most, you’ll instantly feel anxious, embarrassed, frustrated or a combination of everything. There are a few major benefits of having a professional cleaning service handle the cleaning needs of your business and they all impact your productivity.1. Decreased absenteeismObviously, the bathroom anywhere is one of the dirtiest places, however, a dirty washroom is one of the main reasons your employees will get sick. They are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and failing to clean them on a regular basis can cause the germs they house to spread like wildfire through your office. Having healthy employees means you’ll have happier and more productive employees too.2. Increased motivationMost employees won’t leave or turn down a job because of an untidy workspace, but you don’t want them to feel uncomfortable at work either. Ensuring the comfort and safety of your employees should always be at the top of your priority list, and that includes providing a clean workspace, and amenities. If your employees constantly have to deal with unkempt spaces, dirty bathrooms, or a sink full of dishes in the break room it will discourage them from doing their best, even if they may not realize it. Treat your employees well, and they will want to stay.3. Decreased stress levelsWe’ve all needed to use a public restroom, to enter and find out it is completely disgusting. Sometimes you have no choice, but your employees should never feel that way at work.4. Longevity of your office assetsInvesting in your workspace, and all of your equipment can be a large monthly cost to most businesses. Taking care of your assets is crucial to getting the most out of your equipment and ensuring it lasts as long as possible. Assets can include, the building itself if you’re the property owner, right down to your computers, and furniture. Keeping a properly cleaned and maintained office is the perfect way to save money in the long run.5. ProfessionalismThe minute a customer walks through the door they are forming their first impression of your business. Do you want to be perceived as the disorganized office; the one who may lose their important information? Or would you rather make a lasting impression because of your clean and tidy space with employees who are truly happy and comfortable in their work environment?A cleaning service is a monthly investment (and write off!) for your business, but one that is well worth it in both the short and long term.  Ready to learn more? Contact Perfection Cleaning today. 

  • 0 The Best Ways to Keep Your Car Clean in The Winter

    We know it’s only October, but winter is just around the corner and from what we’ve heard we might be in for a doozy! There is no better time to get prepared to keep your car in tip top shape during the winter months than now. Make a mental note of these five ways to keep your car clean and tidy for when you’ll need them shortly!1. Invest in some good rubber floor mats. Most vehicles come with standard carpet floor mats that can be a nightmare in the rain or even worse in the slush and snow. The salt in the moisture from outdoors will cause awful stains on the carpet and can soak through and cause rust and corrosion on the floor of your vehicle. To avoid these headaches, grab yourself a set of rubber floor mats. These will cover your carpet protecting your vehicle from any moisture damage.2. Swap your rims. If you can, it’s always a good idea to switch to steel or alloy wheels for the winter when you put your winter tires on. The steel or alloy will be far more durable against the elements and won’t leave you with corrosion or rust come the spring. Consider spraying your rims with a spray on protector to give them some additional durability during the dirty driving months.3. Wash and wash some more. It seems counteractive to wash your vehicle in the winter, but it really isn’t. If you want to increase the longevity of your car while keeping it in tip top shape, washing at least every 10 days is essential. Use fresh water and a high-pressure hose to remove as much of the salt from your vehicles surface as possible. If you own a pressure washer and plan to wash at home, adding baking soda to your water will help to dissolve dry salt. If you need to scrub your vehicle be sure to use a proper wash mitt to avoid leaving scratch marks behind and always wash the undercarriage of your vehicle to remove any salt and chunks of ice. Salt can cause a serious corrosion and rust problem if left too long.4. Dry your vehicle. Once your vehicle has been washed and rinsed, drying is necessary. Leave the doors open slightly so any trapped water can dry out. If you avoid letting these areas dry, you could find your doors frozen solid. Applying wax is another practice to consider adding in the winter. Wax acts as a seal on all surfaces of your vehicle.5. Take caution when driving. When you’re driving in the winter, try to avoid very deep snow and deep puddles if possible. The depth of the snow or water, can exposure the undercarriage to far more salt than normal and could leave you with corrosion. To make matters worse, the undercarriage can be extremely hard to wash so avoiding this as much as possible is beneficial 

  • 0 Cleaning Your Kids’ Outdoor Toys

    With summer in full swing, you may be looking at your kid’s outdoor toys and thinking yuck! They are probably stained, dirty, covered in cobwebs and who knows what else. Not exactly ideal for your kids to be playing with. Here is our go to list for cleaning those outdoor toys to open up endless opportunities for fun for your kids!Plastic Outdoor ToysFirst look at each plastic toys stability. If the toys are solid, and you have access to a pressure washer cleaning them is simple and efficient. Test the pressure of the machine you’re using to avoid any damage and be sure to keep your distance just like when you’re washing your car!If a pressure washer is out of reach, some dish detergent, a good brush, and some elbow grease will do just as well. First, brush off any caked mud or dirt. Once all caked mud/dirt has been removed, add dish soap to a bowl of hot water and scrub down the plastic with a softer wired brush. A toothbrush is a great option to get into the crevices and small hard to reach places.If you’re looking for a more natural way of cleaning you can substitute dish soap for white vinegar and mix 50/50 with water. Take note that vinegar can do some harm to your grass if spilled.Ride OnsThe ride ons parked in your garage are probably some of the most beloved toys your children own. Each year after washing them down in the same manner as your plastic toys, look over any moving parts and give a thorough safety check. If you notice anything sticking, spray some WD40 into the moving parts to get them moving efficiently again. A good cleaning and proper maintenance go a long way to ensure the longevity of ride on toys.  Playhouses​While a playhouse can fall under the same category as plastic outdoor toys, there is a bit more to cleaning a playhouse. For the outside of the house, scrub with hot soapy water to remove any stains, cobwebs, etc. Next, dilute a solution of 2 tablespoons of bleach in 5 litres of water. Wipe down the outside of the house with this solution and let sit for 15-30 minutes. Wipe clean after to leave the exterior looking like new.Disposable cleaning wipes or hot soapy water are both excellent options for cleaning the interior of a plastic playhouse. Much like the exterior, wipe down all surfaces, and crevices with the cleaning product of your choice. The biggest challenge cleaning the inside is having enough room to move around! Cleaning the inside of the playhouse is the perfect opportunity to turn cleaning into a fun game for your little ones while getting some help with the chores!While a little dirt never hurt anyone, it’s always a good idea to keep outdoor toys in good working order and clean. Which of your kids’ outdoor toys is their favourite? 




 

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