Let’s face it, not many people like to clean. It seems to be a terrible chore for most. A clean home, however, is a healthy home that allows you to breathe clean air so you don’t get sick as often. We know that at some point, every home needs a cleaning, but how often should you clean your house? The answer to that is it depends. Your Schedule We all lead busy and complicated lives. It’s sometimes difficult to find the time to take care of certain household duties. Work, family, emergencies, and so many other things tend to pop up and get in the way. As former Beatles founder, the late John Lennon said, “Life happens when you’re busy doing other things.” A part of life is taking care of your personal space and regular cleaning of your home, whether it is weekly, biweekly, or monthly, will have an impact on other aspects of your life. You will feel better, have the time to digest what is happening in your life as you clean your home, and your confidence will rise. But as was mentioned, it’s not always easy to fit cleaning into your schedule. Lifestyle You may lead a busy life but we all have a different perspective and way of doing things. Someone who is in construction, for example, may spend much of the day in a big mess and wants to come home to a clean environment. On the other hand, a surgeon spends plenty of time in a sterile workplace and may not feel the need for cleaning at home quite as often. Use your lifestyle to gauge how often you should clean your home and take steps to achieve that goal. Solutions If time, desire, or energy get in the way of your house cleaning, hire a professional cleaning service to take care of it for you. In general, house cleaning can be very affordable, give you the time you need to take care of other priorities, and offers great convenience. You can arrange regular house cleaning services on a weekly basis to keep your home in top form or you can select any time frame that suits you. But there are ways to keep your home clean without having to clean your entire house every time. Consider cleaning certain areas on different schedules: Microwave and stovetop: These are daily use items in your kitchen that may require cleaning more often. It’s suggested that these areas are cleaned each week. Although your kitchen countertops do need daily cleaning, to keep your food preparation healthy. Bed linens: Although this falls more under the laundry category, it can often be overlooked. Wash your sheets every one or two weeks and while doing so, vacuum the bed to remove any unwanted mites and shed skin. Bathtub: We use the bathtub daily to clean ourselves so it makes sense that we would want to get into a clean tub. Washing your bathtub weekly will keep you clean too. Hardwood, tiles, and carpet: Vacuuming and washing your floors is a major part of a clean home. It’s where most dust and dirt end up so it’s suggested that these are cleaned every two weeks or more frequently if possible. Also, you can shampoo your carpets once every six months to a year to maintain its cleanliness and the fibers within. Remember that cleaning doesn’t have to be a chore, especially if you hire a reputable and professional house cleaning service. Setting up a weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly cleaning schedule will do wonders for you and your home.

How Green is your Clean? Cleaning products take a toll on our environment. In order to kill viruses and harmful bacteria, people have become accustomed to using products which are also dangerous and toxic to the environment. We must take care to avoid getting them on our skin, or in food. Many toxic cleaners release fumes which harm air quality and contain substances which pollute waters and hurt fish and other wildlife. There are now plenty of safe  and effective cleaning products on the market. No one has to use toxic chemicals in their home or office in order to get things clean and sanitary. We can avoid all these dangers and feel better about our clean by using green products. If you have your cleaning done by a service, you can ask them what cleaners they use and most will have green cleaning options by request. Clean and Safe Doesn’t Mean Sterile When you shop, look for green products, check the ingredients, do some research. You can also make your own cleaning products out of basics like baking soda, white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, castile soap and vodka which are all green and effective. You can further enhance the effectiveness of these products by adding small amounts of essential oils. Tea tree oil and lavender essential oils are both highly effective at destroying harmful bacteria and viruses while remaining safe, gentle, even beneficial, for the body and the earth. Products like the anti-bacterial ingredient triclosan are too aggressive and are causing health issues as  well as contributing to stronger  bacteria. We don’t really need sterile environments unless we are doing surgery. Washing hands with mild castile soap and keeping your home clean in a green way is the best way to stay healthy. We do not need or want to kill all the bacteria; only the harmful ones.

Cleaning services are great option for you Keeping your house clean can be a monumental task, especially if you work full time, have young children or pets or all of the above. As a result, many busy homeowners are hiring a professional house cleaner to help lower their stress and make their lives easier. It’s a magical feeling to open your door and find your home sparkling clean. A reliable cleaning service can do wonders for your home and peace of mind. Spotless windows, mopped floors and dusted shelves are among the things you should expect, but the best providers offer additional services you may not have thought of. Residential cleaning service prices depend on the extent of the cleaning job and any specialized services. Cost of cleaning services You should be aware that the average cost to hire a house cleaner or housekeeper in the United States is about $160. While the amount will vary depending on where you reside and the size of your living space, among other factors, the typical U.S. homeowner can expect to pay somewhere between $115 and $227 for general housekeeping services. Whether you’re hiring a cleaning company or a private individual, rates will fluctuate. The high-end price for housekeeping can be as expensive as $340. On the low end, you can expect to pay as little as $60. As I mentioned, the cost of this services depends on many factors. You need to know that housekeepers, depending on the area, charge between $8 to $17 an hour. Of course, if you are planning to hire professional cleaning agency, expect to pay more. The average hourly rate for a maid service company ranges from $25 to $35. Keep in mind that many housekeepers and agencies charge extra for cleaning windows, refrigerators and ovens. Before you will hire anyone, you should check with your housekeeper or clening agency about additionals costs.