Cleaning and disinfecting your home during Coronavirus can seem over whelming, but here is a simple way that we can clean and disinfect.
How to clean and disinfect
Hard (Non-porous) Surfaces
Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Gloves should be discarded after each cleaning. If reusable gloves are used, those gloves should be dedicated for cleaning and disinfection of surfaces for COVID-19 and should not be used for other purposes. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and disinfection products used. Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed.
If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
For disinfection, most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective.
A list of products that are EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19 is available here external icon. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products for (concentration, application method and contact time, etc.)
Always read and follow the directions on the label to ensure safe and effective use.
Wear skin protection and consider eye protection for potential splash hazards
Ensure adequate ventilation
Use no more than the amount recommended on the label
Use water at room temperature for dilution (unless stated otherwise on the label)
Avoid mixing chemical products
Label diluted cleaning solutions
Store and use chemicals out of the reach of children and pets
You should never eat, drink, breathe or inject these products into your body or apply directly to your skin as they can cause serious harm. Do not wipe or bathe pets with these products or any other products that are not approved for animal use.
See EPA’s 6 steps for Safe and Effective Disinfectant Use external icon
Additionally, diluted household bleach solutions (at least 1000ppm sodium hypochlorite, or concentration of 5%–6%) can be used if appropriate for the surface. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application, ensuring a contact time of at least 1 minute, and allowing proper ventilation during and after application. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against corona viruses when properly diluted.
Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:
5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of room temperature water or
4 teaspoons bleach per quart of room temperature water
Bleach solutions will be effective for disinfection up to 24 hours.
Soft (Porous) Surfaces
For soft (porous) surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes, remove visible contamination if present and clean with appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces. After cleaning:
Launder items as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely.
Otherwise, use products that are EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19 external icon and that are suitable for porous surfaces.
Electronics
For electronics such as cell phones, tablets, touch screens, remote controls, and keyboards, remove visible contamination if present.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products.
Consider use of wipeable covers for electronics.
If no manufacturer guidance is available, consider the use of alcohol-based wipes or sprays containing at least 70% alcohol to disinfect touch screens. Dry surfaces thoroughly to avoid pooling of liquids.
Linens, clothing, and other items that go in the laundry
Wear disposable gloves when handling dirty laundry from an ill person and then discard after each use. If using reusable gloves, those gloves should be dedicated for cleaning and disinfection of surfaces for COVID-19 and should not be used for other household purposes. Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed.
If no gloves are used when handling dirty laundry, be sure to wash hands afterwards.
If possible, do not shake dirty laundry. This will minimize the possibility of dispersing virus through the air.
Launder items as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely. Dirty laundry from an ill person can be washed with other people’s items.
Clean and disinfect clothes hampers according to guidance above for surfaces. If possible, consider placing a bag liner that is either disposable (can be thrown away) or can be laundered.
Hand hygiene and other preventive measures
Household members should clean hands often, including immediately after removing gloves and after contact with an ill person, by washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol may be used. However, if hands are visibly dirty, always wash hands with soap and water.
We will all get through this together and remember Tidy Up Angels for all your home cleaning needs. Tidy Up Angels in Overland Park at 913-642-2006
There is much to learn about the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Based on what is currently known about COVID-19, spread from person-to-person of this virus happens most frequently among close contacts (within about 6 feet). This type of transmission occurs via respiratory droplets. On the other hand, transmission of novel coronavirus to persons from surfaces contaminated with the virus has not been documented. Recent studies indicate that people who are infected but do not have symptoms likely also play a role in the spread of COVID-19. Transmission of coronavirus occurs much more commonly through respiratory droplets than through objects and surfaces, like doorknobs, countertops, keyboards, toys, etc. Current evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials. Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in households and community settings.
It is unknown how long the air inside a room occupied by someone with confirmed COVID-19 remains potentially infectious. Facilities will need to consider factors such as the size of the room and the ventilation system design (including flowrate [air changes per hour] and location of supply and exhaust vents) when deciding how long to close off rooms or areas used by ill persons before beginning disinfection. Taking measures to improve ventilation in an area or room where someone was ill or suspected to be ill with COVID-19 will help shorten the time it takes respiratory droplets to be removed from the air.
Purpose
This guidance provides recommendations on the cleaning and disinfection of households where persons under investigation (PUI) or those with confirmed COVID-19 reside or may be in self- isolation. It is aimed at limiting the survival of the virus in the environments. These recommendations will be updated if additional information becomes available.
These guidelines are focused on household settings and are meant for the general public.
Cleaning refers to the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. It does not kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
Disinfecting refers to using chemicals, for example, EPA-registered disinfectants, to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.
General recommendations for routine cleaning and disinfection of households
Community members can practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks, and electronics (see below for special electronics cleaning and disinfection instructions)) with household cleaners and EPA-registered disinfectantsexternal icon that are appropriate for the surface, following label instructions.
Call us for all your house cleaning Overland Park KS needs; and we will get with you on our special and discounted pricing.
Don’t give up if your first attempt at cleaning your windows
doesn’t come out perfect. Try a small tweak to your cleaning solution. These tips and tricks are from our Tidy Up
Angels. And by the way ask us about our whole house cleaning services Overland
Park Special!
Fill a squirt bottle with a 50-50 mixture of white vinegar
and distilled water (or undiluted vinegar for very resistant spots) to remove
white spots caused by hard water build-up. Spray the spots and remove with a
microfiber cloth or soft bristle cleaning brush. Rinse with clean water and
squeegee dry or follow up with the no-squeegee method.
When using microfiber cleaning cloths, either dip the cloth
in the solution and wring it out or spray the glass surface. Begin to wipe in a
circular motion and as the spots disappear, follow-up with vertical strokes and
finish with horizontal strokes (or vice versa). Use your finger
tips/fingernails for extra scrubbing power or scrunch up the cloth on stubborn
spots.
Finish one side of the window with horizontal strokes and
the other side with vertical strokes so if streaks appear, you know which side
they are on.
Lemon juice and baking soda (mixed with water to form a
paste) are also effective at removing spots from windows or mirrors. Allow the
baking soda paste to sit a few minutes on stubborn stains like toothpaste or
hold a cloth soaked in cleaning solution against the spot to loosen its hold.
Add lemon juice to any homemade cleaner for a refreshing scent. Whenever
possible, use distilled water to help eliminate streaks.
Shaving cream removes soap scum from glass shower doors,
cleans cloudy mirrors and will prevent foggy windows and mirrors in the
bathroom after hot showers. Apply the cream with your fingertips and smear it
all over the surface. Remove it with a clean, dry cloth and reapply every 2-3
weeks.
When Cleaning windows
with squeechee’s
When using a squeegee, use one continuous motion from top to
bottom. Wipe the solution off of the squeegee with a damp cloth before making
your next pass on the window. Overlap the clean area slightly so you don’t
leave a line of solution between each squeegee pass.
Buff away streaks left from squeegeeing with a dry
microfiber cloth or crumbled up newspaper.
If you prefer using newspaper or a coffee filter, apply the
solution with a spray bottle. Wipe the solution away using horizontal or
vertical strokes for a streak-free finish.
Clean your windows on an overcast day or when the sun isn’t
shining directly on the window. The sun dries the cleaning solution before you
can remove it, leaving behind streaks and marks.
Always wet the glass or use a damp cloth to remove spots on
the window. Scraping at a spot on a dry window might scratch the glass. Rubbing
dry dirt can also cause small scratches on the glass surface.
Never use abrasives on the windows. You might scratch the
glass.
Avoid using paper towels as they leave bits of lint and paper
remnants.
If you use a commercial window cleaner, choose one with an
ammonia base like Windex. This lets the solution dry faster and reduces the
chances of chemicals being left behind. Never use an ammonia-based cleaner on
tinted windows.
Take special care when cleaning stained glass. Dust the
surface frequently and use only filtered or distilled water to avoid
discoloring the glass.
Try different combinations of cleaning solutions and
cleaning tools to find the one that works best for you.
If you are to your wits end and do not want to mess with it
and want to leave it to the pro’s – call us for all your house cleaning
Overland Park KS needs; and we will get with you on our special and discounted
pricing.
Cleaning wipes are easy to make, economical, and
contain only those cleaning agents you select. Use them in the kitchen, the
bathroom, or for cleaning windows. These
little things will help get you through until the Tidy Up Angels can come back
for your monthly cleaning. And if you
don’t have us helping with your cleaning and want to leave it to the Angels –
we can help with all your house cleaning services in Leawood KS and Overland
Park KS needs. No job in the KC Metro
area is to big for us Angels.
Here are some great tips and tricks when it comes to making
your own refillable cleaning wipes – and put homemade cleaning wipes to work
for you with our easy instructions and cleaning recipes.
Homemade Cleaning Wipes
Materials and Equipment Needed:
cylindrical or tall square plastic food storage
container, 10-cup capacity
extra-large roll of paper towels
cleaning agents of your choice (recipes follow)
electric drill with 1/2-inch drill bit
electric knife
liquid measuring cups
Instructions:
In the garage, place a small block of wood beneath the
plastic food storage container lid. Use electric drill to drill a 1/2-inch
diameter hole in the center of the container lid.
For best results, select an extra-large roll of good quality
paper towels for this project. Less-expensive towels fray or shred when pulled
through the holder; thicker quilted towels have greater cleaning strength and
withstand more scrubbing.
Without removing the paper towel wrapper, use the electric
knife to cut the paper towel roll into two shorter rolls. Be patient! It may
take up to two minutes to cut through the towel roll and cardboard tube inside.
Remove the wrapper, and place one short paper towel roll
inside plastic food storage container. Save the second roll for a refill later.
Using a liquid measuring cup, gently pour one of the
following cleaning solution recipes over the top of the paper towel roll.
Place the lid on the plastic food storage container, and
allow paper towels to absorb cleaning solution for overnight.
Open the food storage container. Gently pull the wet
cardboard tube from the center of the paper towel roll and discard.
Carefully pull the end of the paper towels from the inside,
where the cardboard roll had been. Thread the end of the towels through the
hole in the lid, and replace the lid.
Pull gently on the exposed end to separate the cleaning
wipe.
You can make your own concoction – but here are some Cleaning
Wipes Recipes
You will need between 2 and 4 cups of cleaning solution to
fill your homemade cleaning wipes container, depending on the size and
absorbency of the paper towel product selected. These cleaning recipes make
about three cups of solution; increase or decrease amounts if needed.
General Surface Cleaning Recipe:
1 1/2 cups white vinegar
1 1/2 cups water
Disinfectant Cleaning:
1/4 to 1/2 cup pine cleaning solution such as
Pine-Sol brand
2 1/2 to 2 3/4 cup water
Window and Glass Cleaning:
1/2 cup rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
2 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon white vinegar
Tired of scrubbing and cleaning and want to be done with it
– call the Tidy Up Angels and we will do your entire house cleaning. Call the Tidy Up Angels today at 913-642-2006
– or fill out our online estimator for your home: https://tidyupangels.com/house-cleaning/
And ask us about our whole house cleaning services in Leawood KS specials.
It is very natural for soap scum, mildew and hard water spots to form on home surfaces. Hard water deposits are alkaline, so an acid-based cleaner is the best way to clean them. What may appear to be hard to clean can really be a simple fix, with these tips.
Here’s a lowdown on a few hard water spots cleaning Hard Water Spots Cleaning Tips For Your Move in Cleaning Overland Park Professionals.
You’ll Need- Acid-based or phosphoric acid cleaner, lime scale remover, water and white nylon-backed sponge.
Directions–
First and foremost, apply an acid-based cleaner, phosphoric-acid cleaner or lime scale remover to the hard water spot. An acid-based cleaner is the best way to clean them as hard water deposits are alkaline. Phosphoric acid works well and is safe for most surfaces. Grocery store cleansers with phosphoric acid contain 4 to 6 percent acid. You can purchase lime scale removers at janitorial supply stores as well that contain 8 to 12 percent acid which will help to get the job done faster.
After application, let the acid sit for a few minutes.
With a white, nylon-backed scrub sponge, scrub the applied areas and rinse the surface thoroughly with water.
Hard water deposits may be tough which may require more than one application. You can consider a higher concentration of acid which is safe on most household surfaces provided you rinse the surface to remove all traces of the acid after the cleaning is complete.
A very important thing to keep in mind is the fact that prior to applying phosphoric acid solutions to surfaces, read any manufacturer’s warnings.
For house cleaning services in the Overland Park region, you can approach Tidy Up Angels LLC. It is just a matter of a call and the experts will land at your doorstep and carry out the work resulting in you getting a clean and tidy home.
Some of our services include:
Put on Market Cleaning
We specialize in put on market cleaning: we understand the impact a clean home can make as you try to sell your home.
Custom House Cleaning
Designed to provide you with a more detailed level of cleaning. We service your home top to bottom. Everything from blinds, baseboards, ceiling fans, floors, the works!
Move-In House Cleaning
When you are shifting houses, you do not want to live with all the dirt and smell left by the previous occupants of the house. Professionals will work in order for you to find yourself in almost a new house when you move in. The kitchens will be scrubbed, the rooms tidied and the floors polished before you enter your house.
Move-out House Cleaning
Suppose you want to rent your house and would want the new tenants to have a good impression about you, then it is best to approach these services. Specialized cleaning services staff will take care of removing the dust and dirt from your house by using modern equipment. You can expect to create a good impression on your prospective tenants or clients.
Why Tidy Up Angels LLC
Integrity– Integrity is at the heart of everything we do. We take pride in the role we play in the lives of our customers.
Transparency- There is no secrecy to how we arrive at our price. You are in control at every step of the way.
We live by the continuous improvement model. We work tirelessly to figure out ways to add more value to the service we provide. Contact us on 913-642-2006, we have been providing residential cleaning to the Overland Park area since 2008.
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