Merry Maids Experts Offer Advice for Expediting the Spring Cleaning Process

By: Merry Maids | 4 Shares 175 Reads

Handy tips and a checklist to give you a jump on cleaning.

Memphis, TN (PRWEB) March 27, 2013 - By the time spring arrives, the last thing most homeowners want to do is spend their free time inside cleaning their home.

If spending less time cleaning your home sounds like a good idea, here are some suggestions from the cleaning experts at Merry Maids, the world’s largest home cleaning franchise network.

“It always starts with the products and the plan,” said Debra Johnson, training manager for Merry Maids. “Make sure you have all the cleaning supplies you need and they are easily accessible. People waste so much time scrambling at the last minute because they do not have the cleaning supplies they need. Putting a cleaning plan together is also key. Find the room that bothers you the most and begin there.”

Johnson says the best way to plan a spring-cleaning attack strategy is to make a checklist. Merry Maids provides a downloadable checklist on its Facebook page. This checklist outlines all of the major chores and items to focus on when cleaning the house this spring.

“A checklist is a great tool to use,” said Johnson. “You’ll get a lot of satisfaction from cleaning a room, then checking it off your list before moving on to the next room.”

Once you have the checklist in hand, cleaning caddy organized and a plan mapped out, Johnson and the experts at Merry Maids suggest some additional key tips* that most don’t consider when doing their spring cleaning:

Windows: Launder drapes and curtains. Clean shutters and blinds. Remove cobwebs from the top of windows. Make sure to lift windows and clean the tracking. The best way to do that is use a grout brush to quickly loosen dirt, then finish with a microfiber cloth. Wipe down windowsills, too. Since you’re already working on the windows, be sure to wash them inside and outside. There’s no need to overload on cleaning products; a light spritz will do. If the windows have screens, place them outside on a flat surface and scrub with a brush and soapy water.
Beds: Remove and launder comforters/bedspreads/duvets. Remove sheets and wash the mattress cover. Vacuum and, if possible, steam the mattress. Rotate or flip the mattress. Dust the wall and baseboards behind the headboard, where dust collects. If items are stored underneath the bed, pull out the items and vacuum thoroughly underneath the bed.
Vents and Cobwebs: Either a three-step ladder or an extension wand will be needed to remove cobwebs and dust from vents. Using a vacuum with extension wands and a brush attachment will achieve the same results.
Ceiling fans and light fixtures: If it’s within reach of a ladder, remove the dust from the tops and sides of ceiling fan blades, as well as the encasing around the motor. Using a damp microfiber cloth will complete the blade-cleaning job.
Walls: Vacuum to quickly remove any cobwebs. To wash walls, test an inconspicuous area to be sure the cleaner (a neutral cleaner such as a floor product) will not remove paint from the wall. Use a microfiber flat mop to wash the walls. Place the microfiber pad in a solution of water and cleaner. Be sure to wring out the microfiber cloth pad until it’s only damp. Always start washing at the bottom of the wall and move upward as this will cause fewer water streaks on the wall.

Of course, the easiest way to get your home in order this spring is to call Merry Maids. A team of home cleaning specialists can help take the worry out of deep cleaning your home this spring and give yourself more time to enjoy the season. To find the Merry Maids location nearest you, visit http://www.merrymaids.com.

About Merry Maids

Merry Maids is the largest home cleaning franchise network in the world. Merry Maids provides services in 49 states and the District of Columbia through approximately 70 company-owned locations and 400 franchised outlets. The company also provides home cleaning services in Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom and has licensing arrangements whereby licensees provide these services in Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia and Australia. Through its company-owned and franchise locations, Merry Maids employs more than 8,000 home cleaning professionals that service homes on four continents, including more than 325,000 homes in North America every month. Merry Maids is a subsidiary of The ServiceMaster Company, one of the world's largest residential and commercial service networks. The company’s brands include Terminix, TruGreen, American Home Shield, ServiceMaster Clean, Merry Maids, Furniture Medic and AmeriSpec. Go to http://www.merrymaids.com for more information about Merry Maids or follow us at twitter.com/MerryMaids and facebook.com/MerryMaids.

About ServiceMaster

With a global network of more than 7,300 company-owned, franchised and licensed locations, Memphis-based ServiceMaster is one of the world's largest residential and commercial service networks. The company's high-profile brands are Terminix, TruGreen, American Home Shield, ServiceMaster Clean, Merry Maids, Furniture Medic and AmeriSpec. Through approximately 20,000 corporate associates and a franchise network that independently employs an estimated 31,000 additional people, the ServiceMaster family of brands provided services and products to approximately 8 million customers during the last 12 months. The company’s market-leading brands provide a range of residential and commercial services including termite and pest control; lawn, tree and shrub care; home warranties and preventative maintenance contracts; furniture repair; home inspections; home cleaning; janitorial services; and disaster restoration. Go to http://www.servicemaster.com for more information about ServiceMaster or follow the company at twitter.com/ServiceMaster or facebook.com/TheServiceMasterCo.

*Before following any of the cleaning information, methods, advice or suggestions above, always test a small area that is less visible first. Also, you should consult the manufacturer's care instructions and warnings before trying any of the above. Due to the general nature of the advice in this material, neither Merry Maids, L.P.®, nor its individual franchises assumes any responsibility or accepts liability for any loss, damage or injury, which may be incurred as a result of any action inspired by information, advice or suggestions through this material.