Little Things | Portland

It's the Little Things | Portland

So, your home is clean, uncluttered. It might even be *gasp* properly organized. Now, how to keep it that way?

After you've spent the time to get your home (and maybe even your life) tidied up, do you have a strategy stay on top of things?

Here's a few tips to keep your grasp on the situation. 

You have two hands, use one to put something away as you walk from one room to the next. 

If you spot clutter trying to take hold, stop it in its tracks. Clutter attracts clutter, so it should be dealt with as soon as you notice it. Put it away, wash it, just don't let it start a party on your counter, table or desktop- it will get out of hand quickly otherwise. 

Stop. Sit down. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths. Open your eyes and take a look around. You will probably spot at least one thing out of place. Deal with it, then enjoy your day- and your fresh, clean space!

Gross!

Nastiest Things that Don't Get Cleaned Often

There are some items in your home that just don't get the attention they need when it's time to clean.

Inside dishwasher- Who knew, right? The folks at Today do. This machine is all about getting things clean. Over time, the gunk that was on your plates can coat the inside of your dishwasher. It won't be as effective at getting your dishes clean and may even start to smell funky!

Use about a cup of baking soda, sprinkled on the bottom of the dishwasher overnight. In the morning, run the machine on the highest temperature setting with a cup of vinegar for a cycle. It should be back to getting your dishes sparkling clean more efficiently than before. 

Pillows- So gross! Did you know that a pillow is growing? Due to the accumulation of dead skin, dust mites and the waste they produce, your pillow may double its weight over two years. 

If you have synthetic pillows, you're in luck. You can throw them in the washing machine on a heavy cycle with gentle detergent. Tumble dry on low with a couple tennis balls. You want to get them completely dry to avoid mold!

Melissa Maker, over at Clean My Space  brought up the Toilet Bowl Brush- For being a "no-brainer" on the yuck factor, this object is routinely neglected after it does some of the dirtiest work in your home. 

Place it between the seat and the rim of the bowl, spray with disinfectant till dripping wet and allow to sit for ten minutes. Rinse with really hot water and put it back between the seat and bowl to dry again. 

Among the items Fitness Magazine talked about gym bags, among other things that can get really nasty. If you carry damp clothes- make sure they're in a plastic bag in your gym bag, the same goes for your shoes!

Well, this is just a short list, feel free to add more icky items in the comments!

Spring Forward, Save Time

Saving Time

Daylight savings has happened. Do you not feel like you have more time yet? 

The average American woman spends about two hours every day on household chores, men spend closer to an hour and a half a day on housework. 

Can you think of other ways you'd like to spend that time?

Call Grit Elite Cleaning Services and save your time for more important things!

(503) 676-3322

Where does Soap Come From?

Sudsy Starts | Portland

Did you know people have been using soap for up to 5000 years?

It's true, according to ancient cuneiform tablets, Sumerian people were using a combination of ash and fat to clean up tough messes. Ancient Egyptians recorded recipes for soap on papyrus scrolls in 1500 B.C. 

Soap use declined after the fall of the Roman Empire- as a matter of fact, it's believed that the decline in hygiene was in part responsible for the rise of the bubonic plague, aka the Black Death. Many people blame the Catholic Church for discouraging daily bathing (apparently too "pagan,") but the truth is- early soaps didn't smell very good. It's true, boiled animal fat and ash don't always smell awesome. 

Today, our soaps smell great, or like nothing at all if that's what you want. You can choose if you want a lot of suds, or hardly any. We have come a long way from beating our clothes against rocks near a river to get them clean. 

Planning Your Spring Cleaning

Planning Your Spring Cleaning |

Are you feeling the spring cleaning itch?

It's almost time... the days are getting longer and warmer, it's still light out when you leave work again... and your home is a wreck. 

It might seem tempting to throw your hands up in despair, but you can do this- we're here to help. 

To really tackle your spring cleaning right, you want to invest a little time into planning. 

First, assess. How much cleaning versus how much discarding do you need to do?

If you focus on getting rid of unwanted items- that's clutter you're eliminating outright. Getting rid of stuff first will reduce your cleaning time later.

Next, figure out where to start. If you need to use a space often- like the kitchen sink, start there. If you need help staying focused, set a timer on your phone. After 20 minutes of cleaning, take five to do something more entertaining. Once your five is up, spend another 20 cleaning. You'll be shocked by your progress. 

If you don't have the time or energy, you can give Grit a call and we can get it done for you. Alternately, for a really deep clean, you can call us after you tidy up and we'll come in and sanitize, mop, and otherwise hit all those nooks and crannies for you. 

(503) 676-3322