How to clean a granite bench

Granite bench tops in recent times have become more and more popular and are often the material of choice for those re-modelling their homes. It is a great finish to kitchens, however, it does require a lot of maintenance. Regular cleaning will keep it looking brand new. A plus to choosing granite as the material for your bench top is that its a hard stone and is therefore virtually unscratchable.

To clean a granite bench top follow these steps:

1. Firstly, always clean up spills immediately before the spill penetrates the surface.
2. Give the bench top a general clean using some warm soapy water and a sponge to pick up any residue. 
3. Rinse the sponge in water only and reclean the area to prevent a soapy finish. 
4. Dry the area with a clean towel.

To remove stains from the granite bench top:

1. First identify what kind of stain it is.
2. To remove coffee or tea stains use hydrogen peroxide and 2 or 3 drops of household ammonia.
3. To remove an oily stain such as milk, oil or grease make a paste of flour and hydrogen peroxide over the stain, cover with plastic wrap and then let sit for 8 hours. It will draw the stain to the surface. When you remove the plastic wrap, then scrape away the mixture with a flexible, plastic utensil to avoid scratching. Repeat if necessary
4. For an ink stain on granite, clean carefully using nail polish remover (acetone)

Dave's Tip:
Never use anything abrasive that will scratch such as scouring pads, scouring powder or steel wool. Never use vinegar, orange or lemon based cleaners. Acid based cleaners may damage the bench.

Melbourne Professional Cleaners

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How to clean a ceiling fan

It is hard to see when dust or dirt gathers on your ceiling fan as the view is much higher than eye level. A dirty and dusty ceiling fan can cause the motor to stop working, and make the fan shake and wobble. Also, the dirt and dust can fly all around the room when the fan is switched on, creating more mess around your home. As summer comes it is important to clean the fans before they are used regularly again.

To clean your ceiling fan:

1. To the fan off and wait until the blades have stopped rotating.
2. Place a ladder under the fan where it will be comfortable to reach
3. Using an all-purpose cleaner such as spray & wipe, spray it onto the some clean paper towel.
   Do not ever spray it directly onto the fan, as this may damage the motor.
4. Place the paper towel at the start of one of the blades, near the centre of the fan. Drag the cloth backwards towards the end of the blade. Be careful and use your other hand to hold the blade as they may move while you do this. 
5. Repeat the above process for each blade. As plenty of dust may have accumulated it may be necessary to use a new piece of paper toweling for each blade.
6. When finished with the blades, don't forget to clean the center of the fan and the motor in the same process.

Dave's Tip:
Place a drop-cloth underneath the fan if it has not been regularly cleaned as large pieces of dust and dirt may have gathered and may fall on the floor during the clean. 

Regular Domestic Cleaners

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How to clean silver

Although silver is a beautiful and popular metal it is also very fragile and can quickly develop tarnish, stains and scratches. Many people are anxious to clean their silver because most silver pieces are special and they do not want to risk damage. The best tip to cleaning silver is to clean it often. This way, when tarnishing begins, all that you need to do is wash the silver under warm (not hot) water with a phosphate-free detergent.

When tarnish develops, simple hand washing will not remove it.

To clean silver follow these easy steps:

1. Moisten a silver-polishing cloth or a sponge and use a silver-polishing specific solution provided with the silver or some other household product such as 'Silvo'.
2. Rub the silver in a straight motion, back and forth. Do not clean using a circular motion. Avoid scrubbing.
3. Rinse the silver under running water.
4. Dry the silver with a soft, clean cloth.

Dave's Tip:
Wash silver separately. If you wash silver items with other dishes the silver items will sink and other utensils can scratch the silver. Also, when in contact with stainless steel, silver can be damaged.

Melbourne Cleaners

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How to clean your bathtub

Cleaning your bath is simple if you clean it on a regular basis. If you treat it once a week, it can save you hours of scrubbing time. If you have children, or use the bath regularly yourself, the build up of dirt and soap scum is more prominent and requires more attention. If you do not use the bathtub much, cleaning is still important as dust and other marks can build up.

Before beginning your clean make sure you find out what kind of bathtub you have, this is important when selecting your cleaning product. If you have an enamel tub you will need an abrasive or heavy duty cleaner, if you have a fiberglass bathtub make sure you use fiberglass specific cleaners or else you may damage it. An acrylic bathtub requires a non-abrasive bathroom cleaner.

To clean your bathtub follow these steps:

1. After identifying which cleaning product to use, spray this all over the bathtub. 
2. Leave to soak for ten minutes to allow the chemicals to begin breaking down the scum.
3. Lightly scrub the tub with a soft-bristle brush, do not press too hard, otherwise you may scratch the tub.
4. Pay special attention to the corners of the bath and areas around the tap as they tend to build up a lot of grime.
5. Rinse the cleaner off using the bath water or a bucket, placing water all over the bath from the top to the bottom.
6. Dry the bath with a clean towel. This is important, as the water you use to rinse the cleaner may leave dirt behind if it is not dried properly.

Dave's Tip:
Many new bathrooms are subject to mould under the edge of the silicon, this cannot be cleaned off easily and needs to be treated with an anti mould cleaner regularly. Drying the joints/ corners after use is a good way to maintain the silicon

Residential Cleaners Melbourne

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How to clean and shine your hardwood floor

Hardwood floors require plenty of attention to keep their appearance looking clean, well-maintained and shiny. It is important to choose the right cleaning product as many can damage the floors by stripping back the linoleum. One of the most popular methods to cleaning hardwood floors is by using a simple mixture of white vinegar and water.

To clean your hardwood floor:

1. Remove rugs and upholstery from the room.
2. Sweep the floor to remove as much dust and dirt from the surface before mopping.
3. Fill a bucket of warm water and mix half a cup of white vinegar. Vinegar acts as a natural disinfectant and the vinegar smell will evaporate when it dries.
4. Soak your mop in the vinegar and water solution. If possible, use a mop which rings out most of the water. The mop should be damp, not soaking wet. Excess water should not be left to dry on hardwood floors.
5. Begin mopping in the corner of the room and work your way back through to the entrance to avoid walking on the area you have just cleaned.
6. Change the vinegar and water solution as needed when the water gets dirty.
7. Damp floors can be left to air dry.

Dave's Tip
A good way to clean a dirty mop is to wash it in the washing machine.

Commercial Cleaning Melbourne

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How to Clean and Polish Marble Floors

Demand for marble cleaning products has increased as the amount of people opting for marble floors has also increased. The truth is, marble cleaning and polishing kits are expensive and ultimately unnecessary. You can achieve the same look using a damp cloth or mop and some tin oxide. Marble will always add value to your home in both visual appeal and in financial worth.

If you do use marble polishing products be sure to read the label and follow the instructions exactly.

Never use acid products to clean marble tiles. The calcium carbonate, which marble is composed of, will be destroyed by the acid. The acid will find its way under the highly buffed polish or finish and will spoil the surface. Soaps, even mild detergents, are also not suggested. If you’re not using a proper marble cleaner, use warm water only.


To clean and polish marble floors:

1. Start by sweeping away the excess dirt using a soft bristle broom.
2. Wet the entire marble surface with clean water.
3. Sprinkle tin oxide over the whole wet area. Tin oxide is the home ingredient found in marble polishing kits. You can find tin oxide at any hardware store for a cheaper price.
4. Using a soft rag or cloth, rub the marble floor forcefully in a circular motion until you can see improvements.
5. Use a wet rag to wipe the surface down and then repeat using a dry, soft cloth.
6. Apply marble flooring sealer


Dave’s Tip:

For heavily damaged, soiled areas call a professional marble restoration service.


Residential Cleaning Melbourne

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How to clean venetian blinds

Venetian blinds are an expensive purchase so it is important to keep them well cleaned and maintained. They are a great feature to your windows, and block a lot of light out. Venetian blinds collect dust very easily and require very regular dusting. It is also important to thoroughly clean your blinds every four to five months to prevent the build up of grime and dust which will spoil the look of your venetian blinds.

To thoroughly clean your venetian blinds follow these steps:

1. Remove blinds from the window via user guide or following the method you used to install them.
2. Place them in your bathtub
3. Fill the bath three quarters of the way or until the water covers the blinds.
4. Add 3 and a half litres of white vinegar to the water and mix it around with your hands.
5. Let the blinds soak in the water and vinegar until the dirt has completely disintegrated. The vinegar works by corroding the filth on the blinds without damaging them. Stir the water every so often to loosen the surface dirt.
6. Empty the blinds and rinse the water from the bathtub. Then use cold water to rinse the blinds. If possible, use a shower attachment to rinse.
7. Allow blinds to dry. You can air dry them during the summer or pat them dry with a soft clean towel in the winter.
8. Once dry, place them back on as usual. Remember to dust them regularly.

Dave’s Tip:

For really dirty blinds it may be necessary to wash with a soft broom on a hard clean concrete surface with a mild degreaser.


Cleaning Services Melbourne

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