Lemons Lemons Lemons

by Tidy Up Angels Team | Apr 12, 2025 | cleaning services overland park, Home Cleaning Overland Park, House Cleaning Services Overland Park, maid service in Overland Park, move in cleaning Overland Park, move in out cleaning services, residential cleaning services Kansas City

If you’re wondering why lemons and lemon juice are often recommended for cleaning, you’re not alone. I had the same question, but a quick search confirms this is down to the properties found in citric acid. These help lemon juice function as an antibacterial, antiseptic, and bleaching agent.

This is also what makes lemons so great in a kitchen, where you’re bound to confront a wide variety of messes in all of these categories and more, from grease to rust.

Cleaning My Countertops
We live in a rental, and—if I’m being honest—our countertops are not my preferred finish. They’re a black granite that instantly shows any crumb or mark, and can easily look scuffed and stained. Paired with hard water, the area next to my sink is constantly dull and covered in white limescale rings.

Usually, we tackle these with either an all-purpose spray or white vinegar, both of which work fine—though I’m not the biggest fan of the vinegar smell.

Because lemon is supposed to be great for removing these stains, I decided this was a good place to start. I simply cut a lemon down the middle, and used one half as if it were a sponge, wiping in a circular motion around the whole area. The end result?

Not too bad, actually! It removed the rings, and smelled great. This is definitely something I’d do again, especially if I had a leftover lemon I could use rather than toss.

Killing Bacteria on Wooden Accessories
Like many kitchens, most of our cooking utensils and cutting boards are wooden. Because of the aforementioned antibacterial properties found in citric acid, I learned that wooden kitchen accessories take well to being cleaned with lemon. Naturally, I decided to take the second half of my countertop lemon and scrub accordingly.

Once again, the lemon smelled great and it certainly didn’t seem to harm anything (with no suds and no shiny, sparkling end result, I honestly can’t be sure if it worked).

I think in the future, this would be a great option to quickly clean after cutting veggies or stirring pasta water with my wooden spoon. Though for anything with real bacteria—such as raw meat—I’ll stick to more traditional dish soap.

Removing Odors From a Microwave
For my next lemon-flavored trick, I cut a second lemon in half and squeezed all the juice into a Pyrex measuring cup full of water. Then, I popped the glass container into my microwave and blasted it until it was boiling.

After a recent family movie night that left our microwave smelling extra buttery, this was my favorite hack so far. The odor was completely cleared, leaving only the scent of lemons in its wake.

This is one I’m sure I’ll do again and again.

Leaving Glassware Streak-free
I let this microwaved mixture cool in the fridge, and then poured it into a spray bottle and tackled a few drinking glasses, wiping them down with the solution. While I was promised a streak-free shine, I was dubious about this tip—and I was right to be.

The end result wasn’t particularly streak-free, and I decided to revert back to my normal cleaning methods for glass moving forward.

Conclusion
Out of the many natural home cleaning hacks I’ve seen and tried – this makes the top of my list. I loved the way it made my kitchen smell, and in a few places, it was incredibly effective. My favorite, hands down, was to remove the odor in my microwave.

How to make cleaning a game with kids

by Tidy Up Angels Team | Mar 15, 2025 | cleaning services overland park, Home Cleaning Overland Park, House Cleaning Services Overland Park, maid service in Overland Park, move in cleaning Overland Park, move in out cleaning services, residential cleaning services Kansas City

Teaching your kids to clean up after themselves can be a chore in itself. (And good luck trying to enlist an extra pair of hands when you’re trying to declutter or deep clean the entire house.) Though having a little one at home means it’s inevitable that mounds of toys and clothes will pop up, there are actually plenty of ways to make cleaning fun for your kids. Making kids part of the solution is all it takes. And at the end of the day, keeping things tidy is a plus — the real goal is to instill good habits in your children at a young age. So if you’re wondering how to make cleaning fun for your family, here are easy ways to get your kids cleaning (without a fuss).

Teach Them How to Organize
At some point, it’s worth incorporating a bit of design or aesthetic instruction into your child’s cleaning routine. After all, kids might be so eager to finish the actual task of organizing their room that they rush through it and end up sweeping things under the rug, literally and figuratively. Teaching your child to color-code their toys can be a great way to have them engage more deeply with the way their belongings are stored. When it comes to books, for instance, show your child your own library and how to organize their books the same way. Work with them to develop a purpose for every drawer or shelf, so that every object has a home that makes sense.

Stage a Cleaning Contest
Why not entice your kids to clean by offering them a fun contest? If you have more than one child, you can assign each one a room to clean and whoever can clean that room the quickest will receive a prize You can also set a sliding scale for allowances — for example, if your kids clean their room once a month, they get $10. If they clean the living room on top of that, they’ll get an extra $10. Instead of money, you can also invent a points system, where each household chore earns a certain number of points that can be traded for rewards such as an extra book at bedtime, a video game, a toy or a sweet snack, depending on their age.

Show Appreciation
Instead of resorting to punishments or rebukes when your child throws a tantrum or makes a halfhearted attempt at cleaning their room, try to be supportive and encouraging as often as possible. Make sure to thank them for their hard work rather than insincerely praise them for a less-than-successful execution, and find opportunities to continue practicing the task again together while giving them helpful hints that will make them more successful the next time around. If you ask them for help during a spring cleaning binge or weekend tidy-up, be sure to express your gratitude and explain to them exactly how they’ve made the space clean to positively reinforce their contribution.

After some great bonding time and cleaning with the kids – and if you are looking for a easy solution for all your in home cleaning needs and services – we can help! For ongoing cleaning whole home schedule– using our cleaning service in Kansas City, you can count on our skilled staff to take care of any loose ends throughout the week. Call us today to our teams of professional cleaners are ready to take care of the hard work for you. Book a clean today and leave the rest up to us – Treat yourself and your home! Tidy Up Angels has been providing residential cleaning service to the Overland Park area since 2008. Trusting someone to clean your home can be a little unnerving. If this is your first time hiring a cleaning company, we want you to know that you can relax with Tidy Up Angels. Our company is fully insured and bonded; safeguarding your most personal possessions. Honesty, integrity, and good work ethics are the back bone of our company. We aim to meet all your expectations and we hope to exceed them during each service. Let us know how we can help with your house cleaning services in Overland Park and how we can help you – contact Tidy Up Angels LLC at 913-642-2006

Classroom Cleaning Hacks and In Home Cleaning Hacks For Teachers and Non Teachers

by Tidy Up Angels Team | Aug 12, 2024 | cleaning services overland park, Home Cleaning Overland Park, House Cleaning Services Overland Park, maid service in Overland Park, move in cleaning Overland Park, move in out cleaning services, residential cleaning services Kansas City

The school year is upon us and here are some great classroom cleaning hacks and home school cleaning hacks and even just great tips and tricks for all those items that we have grown very accustom to.  Here are some great hacks for all those items:

Dry-Erase Marker Method For Your “Permanent” Mistake
If you’ve accidentally reached for the permanent marker to use on your whiteboard, there’s no need to panic. You can quickly fix the issue by using a dry-erase marker to trace over the stains. After that, simply wipe the board clean, and your whiteboard will look as good as new again.

Glitter Cleaning: Lint Rollers and Masking Tape as Allies
Glitter is a commonly used art supply for various arts and crafts activities. However, it’s also one of the messiest materials and can be extremely difficult to clean up. If you are having trouble cleaning up glitter, consider using a lint roller or masking tape. These two methods effectively remove even the most stubborn glitter-related messes.

Battle Whiteboard Discoloring and Stains with Ease
If your whiteboard is showing signs of wear and tear, there are a few different methods you can try to preserve its condition. You can use Mr. Clean Magic Erasers or a light mist of Febreze to clean and freshen up your whiteboard. For a more budget-friendly choice, a swipe of 91% rubbing alcohol can also do the trick. Additionally, to help keep your whiteboard looking new for longer, consider trading in your traditional whiteboard eraser for a microfiber cloth.

Lemon Fresh Trash Cans
For a fresh-smelling trash can, consider adding a cotton ball infused with lemon essential oil. This is a handy trick to help eliminate odors and leave a delightful fragrance, ensuring the environment is more inviting for teachers and students alike.

Restore Crystal-Clarity to iPad Screens With Microfiber Cloths or Felt Pieces
To ensure an uninterrupted and optimal learning experience, it’s essential to keep your iPad screen clean and free from smudges. One effective way to do this is by using microfiber cloths. For a cost-friendlier alternative, you can also provide students with small felt pieces, which work just as well. Preserving the longevity and appeal of your devices safeguards your investment while keeping students engaged in their learning experience.

Shaving Cream or Hand Sanitizer for Desk Detailing
For stubborn ink markings and desk dirt, consider using shaving cream to clean desks in your classroom. This foam-based product is essentially a concentrated form of soap, making it an effective cleaner that cleans up the desk and keeps it fresh. Hand sanitizer works great, too, while giving you a cleaner, more hygienic workspace. As an added bonus, students will be able to enjoy a fresh scent on their desks all day.

Tape Residue Removal with a Hair Dryer or Goo Gone
Use a hair dryer or Goo Gone to remove wall tape residue. Apply heat with the hair dryer to loosen the residue, or use Goo Gone, a product designed for removing sticky residue. These methods keep your walls clean without damage, helping you achieve a smooth and clean wall to display art or educational materials.

Ant-Free Classrooms/homes with Baking Soda
Use baking soda to keep ants and other insects at bay. Sprinkle it in areas where ants are likely to enter, and you’ll have a safe and effective solution for pest control. Since baking soda is also a natural and non-toxic substance, you won’t have to worry about harmful side effects.

Toothpaste Power: Erasing Crayon Art from Walls
Finally, you can use toothpaste to gently remove any crayon drawings from walls, causing minimal damage to the wall’s surface. This will also relay the message to students that having respect for and taking responsibility in communal spaces is a necessity.

Treat your teacher to an in home cleaning of their residence – and or for all your home cleaning needs treat yourself every week or every month – it is time for a good clean at the house – using our cleaning service in Kansas City, you can count on our skilled staff to take care of any loose ends throughout the week. Call us today to our teams of professional cleaners are ready to take care of the hard work for you. Book a clean today and leave the rest up to us – Treat yourself and your home! Tidy Up Angels has been providing residential cleaning service to the Overland Park area since 2008. Trusting someone to clean your home can be a little unnerving. If this is your first time hiring a cleaning company, we want you to know that you can relax with Tidy Up Angels. Our company is fully insured and bonded; safeguarding your most personal possessions. Honesty, integrity, and good work ethics are the back bone of our company. We aim to meet all your expectations and we hope to exceed them during each service. Let us know how we can help with your house cleaning services in Overland Park and how we can help you – contact Tidy Up Angels LLC at 913-642-2006.

How Often Should You Clean Your Garage?

by Tidy Up Angels Team | Jul 11, 2024 | cleaning services overland park, Home Cleaning Overland Park, House Cleaning Services Overland Park, maid service in Overland Park, move in cleaning Overland Park, move in out cleaning services, residential cleaning services Kansas City

How often you clean your garage depends on your lifestyle and how frequently you use this space.  Deep cleaning your garage includes cleaning floors and surfaces, inspecting for pests and mold, organizing storage spaces, and donating or tossing unused items.

Before Getting Started
Before starting the cleaning process, think about how your garage can best serve you and sketch out a plan for how to achieve an end result you’re happy with. Are you an avid gardener? Do you need easy access to sports gear? Does your garage double as a laundry room?

How to Clean Your Garage
Now that you have a plan in place, you can begin cleaning your garage.

1. Empty Your Garage
For a proper deep clean, start by emptying out your entire garage. This may feel overwhelming, but it’s the best way to ensure you go through every item in your garage. Fully emptying this space out also allows you to better reach the floors and corners where there may be a build-up of dirt and other grime. To break this process up, empty and edit one section at a time.

2. Go Through Your Items
Once everything is out of your garage, sift through your items and make piles for things you want to keep and those you can donate or get rid of. If you’re having trouble letting things go, try itemizing things into “use regularly,” “use annually,” “never use,” and “sentimental storage” categories.

Everything in “never use” can be donated or tossed. Check annual and regular-use items for signs of wear and tear, and replace or store them. Move sentimental items into your home, like photo albums and old toys, as these risk being damaged in your garage.

3. Create Additional Storage
If you’ve gone through all of your items and still don’t have enough room to store everything efficiently, now is the time to create additional storage solutions. In a garage, utilizing vertical space is ideal.

Overhead storage racks suspended from the ceiling are great for storing bulky items such as seasonal decorations, camping gear, or bins of less frequently used items, says Sokolowski. Other options include: creating a peg board with hooks for hanging tools, installing a wall- or ceiling-mounted bike rack, and hanging hooks for gardening tools.

4. Dust and Clean Garage Surfaces
Once your garage is empty and you’ve installed additional storage (if needed), you can start the cleaning process. Wipe down all of the garage surfaces with a damp cloth and a cleaning solution suited to the materials in your garage.

5. Clean Garage Floors
Sweep up any loose dirt and debris, then give the floors a good scrubbing.  Depending on the type of flooring you have, you may need to use a mop and some soapy water or a specialized cleaner to get them clean.

6. Wipe Down Garage Items
Return to the pile of items you moved out of your garage, which should now be down to the essentials. Take the time to wipe down these items with a damp cloth to remove accumulated dust and avoid tracking it back into your garage.

7. Organize the Garage
Come up with a thought-out plan when returning items to your garage. Store frequently used items within easy reach, creating designated zones for different purposes like yard work, gardening, and seasonal items to maintain organization.   Keep these items in clear, labeled bins to ensure they stay contained but are still easy to see and access.

For all your home cleaning needs treat yourself every week or every month – it is time for a good clean at the house – using our cleaning service in Kansas City, you can count on our skilled staff to take care of any loose ends throughout the week. Call us today to our teams of professional cleaners are ready to take care of the hard work for you. Book a clean today and leave the rest up to us – Treat yourself and your home! Tidy Up Angels has been providing residential cleaning service to the Overland Park area since 2008. Trusting someone to clean your home can be a little unnerving. If this is your first time hiring a cleaning company, we want you to know that you can relax with Tidy Up Angels. Our company is fully insured and bonded; safeguarding your most personal possessions. Honesty, integrity, and good work ethics are the back bone of our company. We aim to meet all your expectations and we hope to exceed them during each service. Let us know how we can help with your house cleaning services in Overland Park and how we can help you – contact Tidy Up Angels LLC at 913-642-2006.