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Discover These Cleaning Hacks with Common Household Items
Cleaning – ugh! It takes so much time. There are so many fancy cleaning products out there to choose from, it’s overwhelming to know what to choose. The cleaning cloths you use always seem to leave streaks on the mirrors. And, just when you finish cleaning, you find yourself right back at the beginning with new smudges, trudged in dirt, and toilets that seem to need yet another deep scrubbing. It seems like it’s a never-ending chore.

What a hassle!

Feeling as though you can relate a little too much? You are not alone!

Did you know that there are easy cleaning hacks to save you both time and money, making this chore a bit less of a hassle? These hacks could even make cleaning – dare I say it – fun!

It’s true! Here are five cleaning hacks to help make this never-ending chore more enjoyable while making your house sparkle just a bit longer.
General House Cleaning Hacks

You do not need any fancy cleaning products to make your house shine. All you need are vinegar, dish soap and baking soda. These are what the team at Clean Club Calgary uses. For really tough jobs, we do use Bar Keeper’s Friend, but that tends to be it. Why these items?
- Dish soap is a gentle solution that (typically) doesn’t irritate your skin or give off any harmful fumes like many cleaners do over time.
- Baking soda is a versatile cleaning agent that can be used for everything from removing odours to cleaning ovens and sinks. One note – be sure to rinse surfaces thoroughly to avoid leaving a white residue behind.
- White vinegar is a great choice for deep cleaning tasks like descaling coffee makers, removing hard water stains, and cleaning and disinfecting cutting boards.
A few reasons why these common household items are great for general cleaning hacks around the house include:
- A dollop of dish soap in water goes a long way to cleaning your showers, washing your cabinets, baseboards and doors, scrubbing the toilet – literally the entire house.
- With your floors, you can use a mixture of vinegar and water. Just beware as vinegar can be harsh on some materials. Learn more about which dish soap, vinegar, and baking soda concoctions work best on which type of flooring here.
- From a health perspective, when using these basic household items, you reduce the risk of allergies in family members because they do not contain harsh chemicals.
One final general house cleaning hack is to keep a simple pattern when cleaning: clean left to right, top to bottom. This way, you have a rhythm to your cleaning and you’ll never miss a spot.
Maid Service Cleaning Hacks

If you work with a cleaning service, know that you should be allowed to say what products are used in your house. Simply share that vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and dish soap, along with water, are the items you would like used rather than any chemical-based products they may provide. This will help reduce the risk of unintentional damage to your household surfaces because these items are more gentle than traditionally used cleaning products. Before starting your cleaning, let them know that you would prefer to use these common household items for cleaning. This will help ensure that they come prepared with the right tools and materials. Alternatively, they may ask that you provide these items for them to use, along with instructions for how to use them effectively. If this is the case, below are Clean Club Calgary’s recommendations for which products to use where:
- For kitchen cleaning, vinegar and dish soap are great choices for cleaning countertops, appliances, and floors (material dependent).
- For bathroom cleaning, hydrogen peroxide and baking soda can be used to clean and disinfect sinks, toilets, and shower tiles.
- For dusting and vacuuming, microfiber cloths and vacuum attachments are great for getting into tight spaces and removing dust and dirt.
If you have any concerns or questions about using household items for cleaning tasks, your cleaning service should know how to use these items properly, providing you with tips and advice for using them safely and effectively. If not, please reach out to Clean Club Calgary with your questions.
Deep Cleaning Hacks

Once or twice a year, you should complete a deep cleaning of your house. Ideally more…but let’s be realistic. This is the type of clean where you get into all the corners, underneath all the furniture, and behind all the cabinets. Like regular cleaning, we recommend you use baking soda, dish soap and vinegar. However, here is where you’ll use more hydrogen peroxide to help remove tough stains that have built up, disinfect surfaces rather than simply clean them, and eliminate odours that may appear (such as down the garburator).

One thing to note is that hydrogen peroxide is a powerful cleaning agent that can be used to remove stains from fabrics, clean and disinfect surfaces, and even whiten grout. A few notes to consider when using hydrogen peroxide include:
- Always wear gloves and avoid getting the solution in your eyes or mouth. While this product is safer than other cleaners on the market, it still can be harmful if ingested or irritating to the skin.
- To prevent damage to surfaces, test it on a small, inconspicuous area before using it on a larger scale.
- Always make sure to read the labels and follow instructions to use them safely and effectively. This goes for any household cleaning product, including our preferred product, Bar Keeper’s Friend.
In addition to deep cleaning the above-listed areas of the house, there are also items throughout your home that should be deep cleaned. These items often include descaling your coffee maker, polishing your glasses and silverware, cleaning your oven, or purging your fridge of expired items. Another item that should be cleaned – one that many cleaners, including Clean Club Calgary, steer clear of unless given explicit permission to clean – is the China cabinet and all the sentimental, often breakable items contained within. During your deep clean, do a thorough dusting and wipe down the inside and outside of the cabinet and everything in it. Add these types of items to your deep cleaning checklist and you’ll add extra zhuzh to your after-sparkle.
Recurring Cleaning Hacks

There are items that everyone should clean regularly – think the kitchen, bathroom, and vacuuming of high traffic areas. Below are a few tips to help limit your time on these regularly cleaned areas.
- When dusting with a microfiber cloth, spray a bit of water or vinegar onto the cloth so you can easily trap dust, limiting the number of times you have to go over a spot.
- To freshen up a room, place a small bowl of vinegar – ideally in a central spot – and let it sit for a few hours. The vinegar helps absorb unwanted odours, leaving the room smelling fresh.
- Sprinkle a light layer of baking soda on the carpet and let it sit for a few minutes before vacuuming it up. This hack helps eliminate odours often trapped within the fibres, improving the smell of your carpets and rugs.
- Create a checklist of regular cleaning tasks and identify which household items are used for which task. When ready to clean, you’ll know exactly what you need for each room.
- Set a regular day and time for specific cleaning tasks. Note that you do not have to do all your cleaning in one day (unless you want to). Some families have a designated day for dusting and vacuuming, another for bathrooms, and another for laundry. Others choose one day of the weekend to get everything done. The trick is to stay consistent from week to week.
Spring Cleaning Hacks

Spring cleaning is one of my personal favourite times of the year. Similar to deep cleaning, spring cleaning takes “clean” to a whole other level!

Here is where your vinegar and baking soda will truly earn their keep. In addition to all the great cleaning hacks listed above, the following items will benefit from these products:

Windows

Add vinegar to water and wash the inside and outside of your windows with it for extra shine.

Fridges

When cleaning your fridge, scrub inside using diluted vinegar/water solution to eliminate odours and remove any spills or stickiness that may be lurking.

Pots and pans

Add baking soda to your pots and pans, let them sit for a few minutes, add a bit of vinegar, then scour them clean. One warning – do not do this with cast iron items!

Carpets & Furniture

Sprinkle your carpets and upholstered furniture with a light baking soda dusting, let it sit for a few minutes, then vacuum up the soda. On your furniture, use the proper vacuum attachment so as not to damage the material.

For more tips, tricks, and spring cleaning hacks (and checklists), visit our Spring Cleaning blog here.

There is a world of cleaning hacks out there to be discovered. The above are some of the easiest, most cost-effective ones to start with.

Of course, we believe that the best cleaning hack of all is to not have to do it because you work with a professional cleaning service. If this is the hack you’d like to try, then connect with us for an initial quote.
May 18, 2023
The Benefits of Professional Cleaning Over DIY Cleaning

“The more things change, the more they stay the same.” – Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr

The reality is that life, in general, has undergone huge changes since 2020 with the constant need to navigate, adjust, and adapt to new ways of being. It’s no wonder so many of us have seen an increase in our stress and anxiety over the past three years.

However, there are still things that remain the same. The need for consistency in key areas of our lives is one of them. This is where cleaning comes in. Cleaning our homes is a never-ending chore, one that keeps our homes healthier. Of course, this chore tends to be one of monotony that interferes with our free time. Time we could – and should – be spending doing things we enjoy, with the people we enjoy.

However, with all the hustle and bustle throughout the week, we often do not have the energy or desire to clean our homes in the evening or on the weekends. This is why we can always rely on cleaning services to be there when we need them, helping us to keep our surroundings clean, safe, and organized.

There’s a reason that Clean Club Calgary believes that we clean so you don’t have to. Even with all your Do It Yourself (DIY) cleaning intentions, life happens, easily distracting you from ensuring your home is cleaned and cleaned effectively. A professional cleaning company doesn’t just provide comfort in the consistency and quality of cleaning. They provide several other health benefits that support your overall well-being.

Reduce Stress

DIY cleaning may seem like an easy way to save money, but it often leads to increased stress and anxiety if you do not like cleaning or you continue to put it off. The more you procrastinate, the bigger the chore becomes, eventually overwhelming you because it is always in the back of your mind when you’re at home. Constantly seeing clutter pile up or surfaces that need to be scrubbed are visual reminders that you aren’t doing something. It overstimulates your mind, distracts you and pulls your focus from more important things, creates guilt and frustration, and can leave you feeling helpless.

Working with a professional, you take the stress of having to clean your house off your shoulders because you know it will be taken care of…just not by you!

Goodbye Sick Germs

Cleaning has become even more important in recent times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With schools and workplaces placing greater emphasis on staying home if you have even a hint of a sniffle or cough, a clean home helps reduce time away from these important areas of life.

One key thing here is that cleaners don’t just clean your home, which is the removal of dirt, debris, dust and other unwanted materials from surfaces, we sanitize them. This further reduces the germs living on a surface, helping to minimize contact with unwanted bacteria that may have made their way into your home. A professional cleaner brings industry training and an understanding of the science behind cleaning, which offers knowledge and experience to thoroughly clean and sanitize all areas of a home. We are equipped with high-quality equipment and cleaning supplies to ensure no corner is left untouched. Knowing that your home is regularly being cleared of these critters and unwelcome germs provides greater peace of mind. We get our hands dirty so you and your family can breathe more easily.

Enjoy a Regular Schedule

Working with a professional cleaner on a regular schedule ensures that your space is consistently clean and maintained. This not only reduces stress but also promotes better health and well-being for everyone in the space. This also provides a greater sense of comfort that matches your personal preference and lifestyle because it builds consistency in your calendar, which provides a sense of control in this uncontrollable world.

How often cleaning is scheduled is up to you and the factors that influence the cleanliness of your home. If you’re a family of four with two furry dogs, we recommend weekly or bi-weekly to avoid the build-up of clutter, hair, fur, and grime. If you’re single, child and animal free, travel two out of four weeks a month and live in a spacious condo, monthly may be enough. Whatever a regular cleaning schedule means and works for you, is the schedule that we would recommend.

Deep Cleaning Splendour

Lastly, professional cleaners provide a deep clean that removes dirt, grime, and bacteria from every surface without damaging your home along the way. We’re trained in what type of cleaning product works best on what type of surface, how to clean leather furniture versus fabric ones, and the tricks to get your toilet sparkling. This level of cleanliness can be difficult and time-consuming to achieve with DIY cleaning methods, particularly without the knowledge of how to help prolong the life of furniture, carpets, and other household items.

We always recommend a deep cleaning at least twice a year, often at the beginning of spring and the end of autumn. This allows us to really get into the corners that a regular clean doesn’t allow time for.

Ultimately, a cleaner isn’t there to tidy up. We are there to scrub, freshen, and transform your home into a place to relax in, not complete yet another chore that distracts you from what’s truly important – your time.

While DIY cleaning may seem like a cost-effective solution, it’s important to consider the short and long-term benefits of hiring a professional cleaner. With their expertise, equipment, and commitment to deep cleaning, professional cleaners offer a stress-free, high-quality solution for maintaining a clean and healthy environment.

If you’re interested in trading your cleaning gloves for more free time, Clean Club Calgary is having a special right now on Deep Cleaning. Learn more here. With spring here, now’s the perfect time to enjoy a deep clean, removing the heaviness of winter, and welcoming in a new season that entices us all outside…where we just don’t have time for indoor chores.

March 21, 2023
What to Expect with Regular Home Cleaning Services
This is the year you finally decided to spend more quality time with your family; time that doesn’t involve a mop, broom, or scrub brush. That’s right – this is the year you are taking back this valuable time by hiring a home cleaning service. Someone else can clean so you don’t have to.

Now, the only thing that’s left is to understand how often you want your cleaners to come in and what will be cleaned when they’re there. That’s what we’re here to help with today, providing clarity on what to expect when you work with a professional cleaning company. Let’s dive in!

When you receive regular cleaning services, you typically invest in weekly or biweekly cleaning. If you’re looking for a monthly clean, this is considered a deep clean as it often takes more time to complete. One reason is that with weekly/biweekly cleaning, we’re able to rotate what is cleaned each time, whereby a monthly cleaning requires everything to be cleaned in one fell swoop.

Once we determine which service it is you’re looking for, we schedule our initial cleaning visit. This visit is typically a deep clean as the first clean almost always takes a bit longer for a few reasons:
1. We’re getting used to the overall layout of the house.
2. We’re creating a clean slate so we’re all on the same page as to what “clean” is. Every so often, we walk into a home to learn that the house isn’t quite ready for a simple regular clean.
3. We set up our working relationship, learning your expectations and how we can best meet them.
After the initial deep clean visit, we begin our weekly/biweekly regular services. What follows is a breakdown of what your investment includes.
Bathrooms

As one of the least clean spaces in your home (sorry – it’s true), we always clean the bathroom. This includes scrubbing the toilets, sinks, showers and tubs, along with a wipe down of the baseboards, walls and cabinets.

If weekly, we do a full cleaning of the outsides of the walls and cabinets every second time we are in there (e.g., weeks 1 and 3). For biweekly, this is done each time.

Kitchen

A standard kitchen cleaning involves washing counters and stove tops, and wiping down the outside of the oven, dishwasher, and fridge, along with the inside and outside of the microwave. On the counters, we make sure to lift and clean underneath items (e.g., coffee machine, knife blocks, etc.). Note that the less there is on the counter for us to clean around, the more time we’re able to save, which allows you to save money because we do not have to work around as many objects.

What is not included is doing the dishes – unless specifically requested. If the sink is full of dishes, we are unable to do the work you hired us for. We will most likely put them in the dishwasher but note that this will be added as an additional service.

Every fourth week (or every second time for biweekly cleans), we do a complete wipe down of the cabinets.

If you require us to clean inside things, such as the inside of the fridge, oven, cabinets, or drawers, this does add extra time. Depending on what this special request is will determine how this influences your budget. These extra request cleanings are completed only at your discretion and request.

Dusting

This is where we often have a miscommunication in expectations with clients. While we do a basic dusting each time we’re there, we do not dust everything. This includes high-cleaning items (items above the cabinets, tops of shelves, etc.), door frames, baseboards, and so forth. These are dusted on a rotating schedule, typically done every fourth week for weekly cleaning, and every second time for biweekly.
Floors

Your floors deserve TLC every single time we’re there. This is why we always do a thorough vacuum and mop (in the rooms you ask us to). A few things to note about this:
1. If we’re able to easily reach our vacuums/mops under your furniture, then we’ll be able to clean underneath them.
2. If you would like us to clean underneath your furniture, we ask that you move it as we typically do not move furniture, particularly on floors, to avoid scratching your flooring material. This also requires a bit extra time; therefore, we ask to schedule this in advance of the regular cleaning.
3. We do vacuum fabric furniture (e.g., sofas). However, if it is a huge sectional, this can take 30+ minutes, especially if there is a lot of animal hair involved. If you need us to vacuum this item, we ask that you book extra time.
Common Bits and Pieces

There are three items that we’re often asked about: bedding, garbage, and the “little things”.
1. Changing bedsheets – this is a special request that you must make in advance. We ask that you leave the clean sheets on the bed you’d like us to put them on. However, we do not launder them as there are often personal preferences when it comes to doing the laundry.
2. Taking out the garbage – we collect and take this out each and every time. However, we leave the compost and recycling up to the customer as people have preferences as to how they like to sort these items.
3. “Little things” – we do our best to clean what we can in the amount of time you’ve booked. Sometimes we’re able to squeeze in those little extras (e.g., wiping your dog’s nose art off the inside of your front window). However, all these “little things” quickly add up to a half hour or more. This is why we prefer to work on a rotating schedule when it comes to weekly/biweekly regular cleaning services. All we ask is to remember that while we are always happy to help clean your home, we are still a business, and our cleaners deserve to be paid for their time. Be clear with your expectations and we can ensure we are able to meet them within the right amount of dedicated time.
If you still have questions as to what you should look for beyond, “what’s included in a regular clean,” please read this blog for common questions we hear when scheduling new clients.
One Final Note

Cleaners do not come in to tidy up. We come to clean your home. This is easier when clothes are put away, dishes are in the dishwasher (not in the sink), and toys are tucked away instead of scattered on the floor. This way, we can do what we do best – make your home sparkle and give you more time with the people you want to spend time with.

To inquire about our services or to book an initial quote, connect with us today.
January 19, 2023
10 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Cleaning Company in 2023
What in the world do I ask someone who’s going to be cleaning my space? Even more…how will I know if they’re the right person or company for me to trust with cleaning my property?

Both are legitimate questions to ask when considering which cleaning company and which services you’re looking to hire. There are many articles out there that cover the basic questions to ask, including:
- What type of training does the company provide their employees?
- What is your budget for cleaning services?
- Who will be cleaning your property
- When are their working hours?
- Do you need to be home when the cleaners are there?
These questions are absolutely important to have answered as they set you and your cleaning partner up for success. However, I’ve recently been asked a few more detailed questions when quoting on cleaning jobs. To help you better understand if a cleaning company is the right fit for you and your home, below are ten of these commonly asked questions to make sure you cover the nitty gritty of residential cleaning.
Do you dust or vacuum first? Why?

We always dust first. The reason is that if we vacuum before we dust, then any loose particles released when we dust will then settle on the floor, making the vacuuming moot. When we dust first, we’re able to vacuum up any particles that fall to the ground. To learn more about how we vacuum and dust, read the below two blogs.
1. How to Properly Vacuum So It Doesn’t Suck
2. How to Properly Kill All Dust Bunnies Invading Your Home
Our dishwasher stinks – what can be done about this?

It often comes as a surprise that dishwashers tend to produce unpleasant odours over time, especially if you use them frequently. While cleaners typically wash the outside to make it shiny, the real trick to keeping a dishwasher smell free is by properly maintaining it as the smells typically come from its filter. This filter, usually located at the bottom, traps food particles. We recommend that once a month, you remove the filter, wash and clean it, then put it back.

In addition, once a month, run a cup of vinegar through a normal cycle to keep the inside continuing to smell nice while also creating a nice inner shine.
Our vacuum cleaner has stopped doing a good job. Why?

Vacuums are another cleaning tool that requires regular cleaning maintenance. If it’s not working properly, check to make sure that:
1. The bag isn’t full. If it is, replace it.
2. The filters are clean as they hold a lot of dust. If dirty, remove and wash them.
3. The brush is not clogged with hair, fur, or something else. If so, remove these from the brush (they may need to be cut out if they are wound up tightly).
4. The nozzle itself isn’t clogged. This often happens when larger items are sucked up, such as toothpicks, paper, fabric, etc.
To learn more about how to properly vacuum and care for it, visit this article.
Which would you recommend – wet or dry dusting?

It depends on what it is that needs dusting. Most items can have a wet dusting, meaning that we use a damp cloth and wipe this to pick up the dust particles. The best cloth for this is a microfibre one that has been well wrung. This goes the same for mopping, which is essentially dusting for the floor. After you’ve swept, use a damp mop to pick up any remaining dirt, pet hair/fur, or crumbs with ease.

Dry dusting, on the other hand, works best for items, such as picture frames, trinkets that sit on your shelves and wood/antique furniture. If you use a damp cloth on wood/antique furniture, you may create a haze within its colour. To better understand the ins and outs of dusting, visit this article.
How can you help us clean up all the pet hair and fur?

We all love our pets…but keeping furniture and carpets free from their hair is and always will be a daily struggle. We’ve found that, if there’s only a bit of pet hair, the easiest thing to do is use rubber gloves or a brush, slightly dampened, and rub your hands/brush over the area. To remove the hair off the gloves/brush, plunge them into a sink of warm water. The fur will lift off easily.

If there is a lot of pet hair – tumbleweeds of it even – you’ll find it easier to use:
- the nozzle of a vacuum cleaner to suck the fur up off the floor.
- the furniture attachment that came with your vacuum to remove pet hair from furniture.
Are you comfortable washing our high-quality flooring (e.g., wood and laminate)?

Washing floors is one of the most relaxing cleaning services we provide. But, not all floors are mopped the same. Laminated and sealed wood floors require more than a quick swipe of the mop over the floor. Rather, these floor types should first be swept and then damp-mopped, taking special care to not use too much water on the wood. Too much water will cause the wood to swell.

If there are marks and stains that need a bit more strength to remove, then use a diluted solution of water with a touch of vinegar.

For other types of flooring materials and how we clean them, be sure to read this article.
How can we reduce all the clutter we have?

Clutter can make our space look less clean than it actually is. Plus, it can increase your stress level, create frustration, and cause larger health – both mental and physical -issues, which you can read about here.

From a financial perspective, clutter slows down the cleaning process, which means it will take longer, and therefore cost more, for you to have a space cleaned. To not run into this, we recommend the following five tricks to help reduce your clutter and increase your overall satisfaction.
1. Keep a bag for charity on the go at all times, adding to it as you go throughout your days (as needed). This way, you’re keeping what’s clutter to you out of sight, while also having a bag full of treasures for people when you take it to a donation centre.
2. When you’re cleaning, take a garbage bag round with you wherever you go. When you come across pieces of garbage, toss them in the bag. Items such as random sheets of paper, the mysteriously appearing tissue, or even those larger clumps of fur that accumulate rather quickly!
3. Store all your paperwork in one area – mail, grocery lists, school parent consent forms, etc. Once a week go through this and deal with the paperwork before it piles up.
4. Make the stairs a “no storage space” meaning…don’t leave things on the stairs. Rather, take them up/down when you realize they need to go to another level. Added bonus – a little extra exercise for your lower body!
5. Make cleaning up toys fun. Keep a nice box in your kids’ rooms where they can place their toys at the end of the day.
Is there a way to remove marks on the wall without removing the paint?

This is going to sound strange, but soft white bread will do the trick. Believe it or not, it is great at removing scuff marks from walls and paintwork. Gently rub the marked up area with a scrunched-up ball of white bread. It’s essentially like using a very big eraser.

Alternatively, you can use a Flash Magic Eraser or Bar Keepers Friend.
How can we prevent dirt from getting into the house?

You simply cannot prevent dirt from getting into your house. However, you can limit the amount of dirt that comes in. We recommend the following three ways to reduce dirt from infesting your house.
1. Invest in machine-washable doormats and wash them regularly.
2. Brush pets outside of the house to prevent excess fur in the house, and to remove any dirt they may have attracted while out and about. Many cats tend to roll around in planters and dogs love to roll around on the ground. They may not actually look like they have dirt on them, but they do. Trust me on this one…I learned this from my own cat.
3. When you see dirt, wipe it up so it doesn’t have the chance to build-up.
Why doesn’t our television ever look clean?

Think back – when was the last time you remembered to clean your TV – especially if it’s a flat-screen that’s wall-mounted? So many of us forget about them because they tend to “blend in” with the wall. Part of our routine for cleaning rooms with televisions in them is to make sure they are clean, and your picture is dust free. If you’re wanting to clean it yourself, we don’t blame you – they are very delicate. Here are a few steps as to how we clean them:
1. Use the right materials: a smart clean cloth and distilled water
2. Spray the water on the cloth. DO NOT spray it directly on the screen. This will harm it.
3. Using the dampened cloth, start at the top left corner, wiping right. Then repeat below.
4. Turn on the television and enjoy your next show (this isn’t part of our cleaning services, though!)
I love hearing all the different questions clients ask when we come in to quote a cleaning for their property as it helps me to understand what is important to them, along with their expectations of what “clean” means. These ten are some of my absolute favourites. If you have any questions that you’d like answered, feel free to reach out and ask away.

Of course, if you’re simply wanting someone to come in and clean, we can do that too! Connect with us for a quote.
December 14, 2022
Don’t Miss this Critical Step on Your Party Planning Checklist
We’re coming into the ultimate party planning season. Holiday parties at home; holiday parties at the office; holiday parties at community halls – parties, parties everywhere! If you’re the one planning the party, there is one detail that you do not want to miss.

That one critical detail? Cleaning the space where the party is happening.

At Clean Club Calgary, we’re no strangers to party cleaning, so I figured we’d share a few of our tips and tricks to make this often overlooked step in party planning a breeze.
What to Clean Before the Party

There’s no doubt that you want your space to be spotless for the party – whether it’s at your house, the office, or a hall. In my experience, though, I would not recommend a deep clean prior to the party. After all, your place will require cleaning again within a few hours, rendering all your efforts moot. Another reason is that most parties typically happen towards the end of the day when the light is lower. This means that dust won’t show nearly as much and these kinds of details are not paid much attention to (unless, of course, you have big dust bunny balls floating around…that’s a different story). In addition, unless you’re opening your entire home, your guests will mix and mingle in one central area. Rather than requesting a deep clean before your celebration, consider the following to ensure you get exactly what you need where you need it most.
- Main party area: Think of where most of the party is happening. Is it in the living room? Perhaps it’s in the dining room for a sit-down dinner party? Think of the flow of people traffic. Wherever it’s highest, this is where you’ll want to focus your cleaning efforts. If they’re not going into your bedrooms, downstairs, or into your private office areas, then do not worry about having these areas cleaned.
- Guest bathroom: Whichever bathroom(s) you plan on allowing your guests to use, absolutely have these deep cleaned prior. That’s just the healthy thing to do. I also recommend putting a scented candle in there as this will contain any odours you don’t want sneakily joining the party. Not to mention, it creates an inviting ambiance to the bathroom itself.
- Floors: You are going to want to spend the most time cleaning the floors, especially if you’re asking guests to remove their shoes. You do not want your guests to lift their feet, only to find that their socks have picked up dirt and other floaties (e.g., hair – human and pet alike) on them. You also do not want guests to step in something sticky on the floor either. That’s a holiday surprise that nobody wants. Focus on having nice, clean, shiny, well-vacuumed and mopped floors.
- Knickknacks: While you may not need to clean certain spaces, you may want to gather and put away knickknacks and other small appliances that are taking up space and won’t be needed during the party. In the kitchen, we recommend putting away the toaster, blender, and coffee machine (unless you’re using it), giving you more counter space. In living rooms, gather remotes, books, pillows, and other items taking up space and put them into containers/storage out of the way. This will ensure they don’t get lost or damaged, while also showing that it is a clean, well-organized space.
- Create a feeling: Putting scented candles around your home (a safe distance from guests, drapes, and other flammable items, of course) is an added step to create a certain “togetherness” feeling. With these candles, you can then dim the lights a bit, which creates a cozy atmosphere for your guests.
Don’t Forget the Kitchen

I’ve hosted many team parties at my home. While I often make all the food myself, there have been times I’ve brought in a bartending service. I’ve also attended parties where the host has brought in a catering company to provide all the food for their guests.

Whoever you choose to bring in, they will require space to set up and prepare their drinks/food. This is typically done in the kitchen. If you are bringing in one of these services, then make sure to give them counter space – clear any dishes off the counters, empty the dishwasher, and remove small appliances they do not need. This allows them to be efficient in their prep work, along with their serving and/or clearing of dishes. This also lowers the risk of them damaging any of your items due to lack of room.

Unless you are having your party specifically in the kitchen, there is no need to clean it beyond the above, along with wiping down the fronts of your appliances and cabinets to remove any food splatters and fingerprints.

If you’re looking for a bartending service, I highly recommend Bartendo. All they need is a place to set up their bartending station with room to put glasses out and prepare drinks. For fun, have a drink list ready for your guests to choose from. Some of the customized drinks that Bartendo created for us in the past included the Vacuum Cleaner and the Boss’s Favourite. Delicious!
Think About the After “Party”

The party’s wound down. The candles have been blown out. Carols may have been sung. Laughs were absolutely had as friends joined in celebrating another year. Now they’ve left and you’ve turned the lights on only to find…

The after party clean up that remains! Yikes!

THIS is when we recommend that you invest in a deep clean – including the areas of the house you didn’t have cleaned before the party.

Plus – who really wants to clean up AFTER the party?

Whether you are or are not bringing in cleaners to clean the following day, there are a couple of things that I recommend you do either way:
1. Put your dishes in the dishwasher and run it. This will help keep any food from sticking to your plates or needing extra elbow grease come the morning.
2. Put any remaining food away, especially if you have animals who can easily access the counter (like my curious cat loves to do). This way the food won’t go bad, and you’ll have tasty leftovers the next day and your animals won’t run the risk of eating anything that could make them sick. No one wants to make an emergency visit to the vet the day after a party (or ever, really).
A benefit to hiring caterers or bartenders is that they usually clean up after themselves. They clean their dishes and often put other dishes in the dishwasher. The Bartendo crew I used did this so all I had to worry about was wiping down my floors and other surfaces the next day.

Chances are you’re so busy getting ready for a party, focusing on the tiny details to ensure your guests have a good time, that you really don’t want to worry about cleaning. Plus, even if you’re doing the bare minimum to clean your space ahead of time, this can still take up to three hours, time you could be using to prepare the food (or organize the caterers), set up sitting spaces, remove any knickknacks, and get yourself ready. Don’t stress yourself out by adding cleaning on top of everything else on your checklist. Bringing in a cleaning company to do a quick clean before the party, and a deeper clean one post party will allow you to simply enjoy the holiday fun before, during, and after you host.
If you’re planning your holiday party and need support with the cleaning part of your to-do checklist, connect with us for a quote. We’re here to help you celebrate with ease.
November 17, 2022
The Ultimate How to Mop for Common Types of Flooring
You put the mop in the bucket, squeeze out the water, and just start mopping, right?

Well, not quite. As much as we wish this was the case (talk about a time saver), if you don’t mop properly for the type of flooring you have, you could inadvertently harm it.

If you’re ready to mop up the footprints, dirt, leaves, food, and all other kinds of goodies found on the floor without damaging it, then this is the article for you. The ultimate article on how to mop any floor to make it sparkle!

Before you mop

In Calgary, the most common floors we have are hardwood, tile, laminate, linoleum, and slate. While each one has a unique way to be mopped, each of them has one thing in common:

Always vacuum or dry mop the floor before you mop with water.

There is always some combination of dirt, hair, fur, grit, and other debris on the floor. If not removed, then you’ll just be smearing it around the floor. There will absolutely be no sparkle without a good vacuum/dry mopping as step one.

From there, it’s all about the details for the type of material your floor is made of.
How to mop hardwood floors

Calgarians seem to love their hardwood floors. It is the most common flooring that we come across. Many people tend to be nervous about mopping their hardwood, but do not fear! It is really very simple. In fact, I made a video tutorial to watch to show you just how easy it truly is. You can find it on our YouTube channel here.
1. Fill a bucket with warm water.
2. Use a mop that has a removable pad. Attach a microfiber cloth to the bottom in place of the pad. The microfiber cloth has better water retention and can wring it out more thoroughly.
3. Do not use too much water (hence why you need a mop that allows for thorough wringing).
4. Go over the floor two-three times to do a good mopping. The first time, use a bit more water (sometimes may have to bend over to remove tough sticky spots, e.g., jam splatters). Then, rinse the cloth, wring it, use less water, then go over it again.
A few rules of thumb.
- Climate plays a role in how much water you can use. In drier climates, such as Calgary, the water will dry very quickly, but you still do not want to soak the floor. So long as you wring the pad out properly, mold will not form.
- It’s best to use just water. However, this is not always feasible because of the foot oils left behind by both humans and pets.
- Should you need to use a product, we recommend simply adding a bit of vinegar, tide, or mild dish soap to the water. Use only one of these three – not all three.
- The lighter the hardwood is, the easier it is to mix your water with product. The darker the wood, the less product you want to use as this will make the floor look hazy and leave streaks behind.
How to mop tile floors

I hate to say this, but it’s true, with tile, it is virtually impossible to get absolutely everything off the floor. This is because of the grooves within the design and the grout required to seal the tiles.

In fact, while we do scrub these floors, we cannot scrub too hard with the grout – which is also a major dust collector. If we do, we run the risk of removing the grout.

All that said, it is one of my personal favourite types of flooring to clean because it is easy to do so.

When mopping a tile floor:
- Use the same technique as you do for hardwood but know that you can use a lot more warm water, with a bit of gentle dish soap.
- Always rinse your microfiber cloth each time you dip it back in the bucket to remove the dirt picked up.
- As the water becomes gray, change it. This is dirty water and you do not want to just spread the dirt back on the tile.
A few recommendations if you’re considering tiles:
- If you are adamant about getting tile for your floors, particularly in the kitchen, invest in a tile that does not require white grouting as this will discolour and become gray over time.
- Invest in a good mop to help get into the grooves of the designs (recommend this for all floors, really).
- Do not use too much product, such as the sprayable Dawn. By the time you mop it up, a haze and streaks will be left behind and you’ll have to mop again.
How to mop laminate floors

Laminate flooring is a lot like hardwood floors when it comes to mopping where you do not want to use too much water. Similar to hardwood, laminate comes in all kinds of colours and designs. The lighter the colour, the more product you can use in your water. The darker, the less product you want to use as you increase your likelihood of leaving a haze or streakiness on the surface. To mop the floor, simply follow the hardwood flooring instructions above.

Laminate also mimics tile in many ways whereby many designs have grooves within the material. We’ve found that the best rooms for laminate flooring are the kitchen and the bathroom. This is because you can scrub with extra elbow grease to remove stubborn stains without the worry of damaging, removing, or discolouring any grout.
How to mop linoleum flooring

Alright – we’ve made it through the more detailed floor types. Onto one of the easiest flooring materials of them all to mop.

Follow the hardwood floor instructions again, but with linoleum flooring, you can:
- Use more water than the others without fear of damaging the product.
- Use lots of different products depending on your preference.
- The best product (in our opinion) is simply adding mild dish soap to your water as it will always give a thorough cleaning. In this case, it’s sometimes better to have your mopping water that’s a bit foamy.
- Then, mop away!
The great thing about laminate is that nowadays it can look like tile, without the issues of haziness or worrying about removing the grout. Not to mention, the cost is often more effective for families on a budget.
How to mop a slate floor

Slate stone is beautiful to look at but can be quite tricky to mop because it’s very bumpy. For this type of flooring, we recommend that you use the original pad that came with the mop rather than the microfiber cloth. Now, the how-to!
- Unlike the other materials where you can make broad strokes with the mop, for slate, you want to make smaller strokes.
- You can use more water on this floor with a little dish soap to remove the grime.
- When done mopping, wipe down the floor with a dry pad, like how you would have started.
Whatever you do, DO NOT use vinegar or any acidic cleaning product on slate stone as this is a very porous material and will be damaged by acid. Gentle dish soap is your best bet.

A word to the wise, we honestly wouldn’t recommend this type of flooring in large areas, such as the kitchen. If you are going to use it, use it in smaller areas, such as the front entrance or mud room.

How to wash other natural stone and marble floors

While we rarely come across natural stone or marble floors, we feel it’s good to mention them. With these materials mop with water only. These are incredibly sensitive materials, and all types of cleaners will stain and/or destroy them.

Our best recommendation? Do not install natural stone or marble as flooring. Rather, these materials are best used for backsplashes and design accents.

One last warning about mopping any type of flooring. Do not, under any circumstance, no matter how fun it may seem, throw a bucket of water on your floor. If you do, you run the risk of mold, your flooring lifting and/or bucking, and potentially causing a leak which could flow down to other levels in your house.

At the end of the day, we’re talking about floors, which are the dirtiest things in our homes (next to the most used toilet, of course). Knowing how to properly mop the floor material that you have goes a long way to ensuring that your home isn’t just cleaned, but cleaned, sparkling, and long-lasting!
If you simply do not want to be bothered mopping the floor, then connect with us for a quote today.
October 14, 2022
House Cleaning Tips for Families on the Go

We’re here again! Back to September after the lazy days of summer and with it, activities galore are restarting all over the place. With new routines, weeknight commitments and homework, and busy weekends away from the house, the one thing that may fall by the wayside is the house cleaning now that everyone is back into their new weekly habits.

Not to fret! There are quick cleaning tips and tricks you and your family can do to keep your home organized, smelling fresh, and looking good. Just follow along with these easy house cleaning hacks in the next few slides ahead.

TOILET TIME

Keep an eye on your toilet. This is the dirtiest place in the house that contains hundreds of germs (blah!). At the bare minimum, do a weekly cleaning of this – even if it’s a swish of the brush with your cleaning product. Once a month, do a deep scrub of the toilet to get rid of any missed germs and grime the weekly brush swishing missed.

SHOWER CURTAIN RENEW

Keep an eye on your toilet. This is the dirtiest place in the house that contains hundreds of germs (blah!). At the bare minimum, do a weekly cleaning of this – even if it’s a swish of the brush with your cleaning product. Once a month, do a deep scrub of the toilet to get rid of any missed germs and grime the weekly brush swishing missed.

ENJOY SHOWER PRESSURE AGAIN

Over time, shower heads become clogged with deposits from hard water minerals, reducing the pressure of the water. To restore this pressure to its former glory, pour a cup of white vinegar into a plastic bag. Tie the bag around the shower head to immerse the head’s holes in the vinegar solution. Secure it with a twist tie. Let it soak for up to an hour, or overnight, then remove and wipe away the loosened deposits.

BRING BACK YOUR BATHROOM’S SPARKLE

To clean grimy grout, mix ¾ cup of household chlorine bleach and 1 tablespoon of powdered Tide with 1 gallon of water. Use a stiff brush to apply the mixture to one small area at a time. Let this sit for several minutes, then scrub and rinse.

Make sure to wear rubber gloves and eye protection, though! This will keep your skin and eyes safe from any bleach backsplash.

MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL

Shine up those mirrors by wiping them with a damp microfibre cloth. After this, shine it up with our amazing smart clean cloths, perfect for glasses, mirrors, and windows.

PERFECT YOUR SLEEPING BEAUTY

Freshen up your pillows and blankets and fall asleep with ease. Put your pillows in your washing machine and run them through a regular cycle. Make sure you wash two pillows at a time to balance your washer. If you are comfortable doing so, use a bit of bleach.

Duvets and comforters can either be washed or taken to the dry cleaner, depending on the type of material they’re made of. If the duvet has feathers in it, put it in the dryer on your machine’s hot cycle once a month. The heat will kill off any mites who may be in the cover. If this isn’t possible – remember, our schedules have just been thrown back into busy routines, then once every three months will suffice.

REMOVE SCUFFS WITHOUT ALL THE BUFF

All floors have scuffs at some point. Stay on top of these by mopping with ease. Use a mop that has a Velcro bottom – not the string and squeeze type. Then, attach a clean microfiber cloth to the bottom. From there, mop away using a simple mixture of water and a small bit of dish soap. Once down, remove the microfiber cloth and throw it in the washing machine.

KEEP YOUR DRINKING GLASSES SHINING

No more hazy glasses coming out of the dishwasher. First, put the glasses in the dishwasher. To remove the built-up film from hard-water minerals add 1 cup of white vinegar to your dishwasher and run it through the dishwasher cycle. Promptly remove and touch up your glasses with the smart clean cloth. This removes those lingering water droplets to spiffy up the glass with shine.

NO MORE SMELLY GARBURATORS

Garburators, if not cleaned regularly, are famous for producing terribly unpleasant smells. But do not put your hand in it to scrub it clean. Simply run some citrus peels through it – lemons, limes, or oranges – to remove the smells and leave a fresh scent behind.

A little extra hint: keep the blades sharp by grinding some ice in it.

DEGREASE THOSE CABINETS

Just like your cooking tools, your cupboards can get grimy when you’re making dinner with those pesky splatters and splashes. Add two tablespoons of powdered Tide to a bucket of water and wash the cabinets with a microfibre cloth. Then, rinse with a well-wrung cloth and dry. If you’re wondering whether our amazing cloth shines up your cabinets, the answer is yes!

TACKLE THE MICROWAVE

A family on the go uses their microwave almost every day. Make caked-on grime easier to wipe off by soaking a kitchen sponge in water, adding a dab of dish soap to it, and putting it in the microwave. Then run it on high until the microwave’s window is steamy. Let the sponge sit for 10 minutes before you open the door, and simply wipe the inside clean with the sponge.

GOODBYE MUSTY SMELLS

We’ve all heard that placing an open box of baking soda in the fridge can reduce pungent food smells, but this also works if you place one in your linen closet to prevent your sheets and towels from producing a dank smell. Just remember to change the box every one to two months.

DELIGHT YOUR DISHWASHER

It may be called a dishwasher, but it cleans so much more than just your dishes! You can clean toys, such as Legos, pet dishes, kitchen brushes or even stove accessories like greasy buttons. Your dishwasher will be so happy you’re using it to its full potential.

SHIMMERING STAINLESS STEEL SHINE

Don’t let fingerprints stop you from enjoying the beauty of your stainless steel appliances. Spray them with a dish soap/water concoction and wash them off with a microfibre cloth. Then make them shimmer by using the versatile Clean Club Calgary cloth.

However, if there are too many marks on the stainless steel, use a bit of Bar Keepers Friend on your damp microfibre cloth instead of the dish soap/water mix. Then, rinse off the surface and shine it back up.

ZAP OVER SPILLS

If you don’t own a self-cleaning oven, try using Easy-Off Professional Fume Free Max Oven Cleaner to effectively remove any baked-on gunk. It is one of the best products we use to keep our ovens free of those burnt food bits from piling up.

CLEAN YOUR WALLS

We often forget that our walls need to be wiped down. To make this an easy, quick to-do on your cleaning checklist, mix 1 tablespoon of powdered Tide with warm water in a bucket. If you are comfortable with bleach, add a tablespoon as well. Use a microfibre cloth to wash the walls. To reach those high spots, simply attach the cloth to the mop and “mop” the wall. This mopping cleaner mix is also amazing on baseboards and doors.

KEEP THE PETS…NOT THE ODOURS

We love our furry family members…but they do tend to add some extra unpleasant smells. For those soft, cushy places we often find them resting – such as their dog beds, or fabric-covered couches – we can easily deodorize them with baking soda. Sprinkle the soda on the surface, let it sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum it up.

Many dog beds can also be thrown into the washing machine post vacuuming for an extra deep clean. Just be sure to read the labels of the bed to make sure the fabric can go in the machine.

NO MORE HAIR/FUR TUMBLEWEEDS

Hair! While it’s a great musical, it is frustrating to have so much of it floating around our homes like lost tumbleweeds. Whether it’s your hair or your pet’s, we’ve got the solution. Use a rubber brush on your furniture, carpet, and area rugs. Then simply vacuum up all the excess pet hair once it’s been pulled out of the material with the brush.

These are some of the most common house cleaning hacks and tricks we use to keep our own homes clean when we’re on the go. You can also find some great cleaning checklist downloads right here to create a schedule for cleaning that follows your household routine.

Of course, if you simply do not have time, but you do have the budget, hiring a cleaning company helps you and your family focus on what matters most – time together in the chaos of new routines. Connect with us for a quote.

September 13, 2022
How to Do the Bare Minimum for House Cleaning Comfort
We only have a few more weeks of summer left and the last thing any of us want to do is spend these warm days cleaning our house when we could be outside enjoying the sun with friends and family. This goes for our team of cleaners as well. We all love cleaning, but when it comes to our free time, you will not find us passionately scrubbing our toilets.

At the same time, we also don’t want to come home and find our homes in disarray, dust bunnies floating by in triumph, and toys making themselves permanently comfy on living room floors. So, what in the world can we do to maintain our home without taking time away from enjoying the rest of our summer (or throughout the entire year for that matter)?

I know I shouldn’t say this, but sometimes, the bare minimum for house cleaning is enough. All we need is a plan to keep our minimum from expanding into hours upon hours of cleaning.

So, let’s get you back outdoors enjoying your summer days with a few tips to maintain your house by doing the absolute bare minimum for cleaning!
Clutter Storage

More often than not, your home isn’t dirty…it’s overrun by clutter. All this means is that you have clutter that can be stored. The best way we’ve found to handle clutter without taking too much time is with storage boxes.

That’s right! Bins and boxes are the bare minimum cleaner’s best friend as you can simply toss things into them, quickly stopping sock piles from becoming sock beds. A few bins our team and our clients benefit from include:
- Keeping shoe bins by the main entryway to keep shoes from sprawling out and wandering through the house.
- Storing hats/mittens/etc. bins at the main entrance to toss the many layers we take off when we walk in the door (especially during the winter months).
- Handy toy boxes where kids can simply toss their toss when done playing with them.
- The family junk drawer for all those random bits and pieces that float through the house. Just make sure to set aside some time every now and then to clear it out…you still want to be able to open the drawer.
I have yet to meet a family that does not have clutter to one degree or another. It’s simply a matter of keeping it contained rather than spread out that helps reduce the visual anxiety and “dirty” feeling it can create.
Kitchen Control

It’s easy to let dishes pile up in the sink with hopeful and well-intentioned thoughts of, “I’ll do this later” or “these need to soak…for days!” Not only does this often add to our stress and anxiety, but it can also lead to odours, stuck on grime, and, if you have pets, unhealthy and potentially harmful “treats” should they be able to reach the dishes. A few ideas on how to keep your kitchen clean without all the arm grease include:
- Wash the dishes and/or put them in the dishwasher as soon as you’re done with them. Do this every single time you use a dish, every single day.
- Clean up as you go when making meals or baking rather than waiting until after you’ve eaten.
- Wipe up spills and slops immediately before they dry on the counter and/or floor.
- Clear off the counter immediately, especially if you have pets. Remember – animals will not let anything come between them and the food they desire.
- Put your groceries away as soon as you get home. Just be sure to schedule the 5 – 15 minutes this will take directly into your grocery shopping activity.
Bathroom Benefits

I know, I know – the bathroom can be the bane of the home cleaning existence, but of all the rooms in your house, this is the one that should be cleaned the most. Sometimes, though, pulling out the scrub brush and shower squeegee is just too much. A few tricks to make this space feel a bit less scummy involve using the storage that already exists in the bathroom.
- Use the bathroom cupboards. As much as we like to have everything handy and within reach on the counter, this just creates clutter. Use plastic boxes to store your usual counter items such as hairdryers/hair products, toothpaste/floss, and makeup/makeup brushes, to organize these items. Then, put the boxes in the cupboard. When needed, pull them out, use the items you need, then put them right back where they came from. Personally, I’ve found dollar store containers work great for this without breaking the bank!
- Stand your items up. In the containers you’re storing, stand up your items if you can. This helps save time in identifying what product you want to use so you can easily locate, use, and put it back.
- Quick toilet scrubs. I always recommend cleaning the toilet because the toilet is one of the dirtiest seats in anyone’s home, which can be a health risk. But, you do not need to do the full scrub-a-dub-dub of the toilet. A quick pour of your toilet cleaner, sloshing around of the toilet brush, and a simple flush will suffice as a bare minimum cleaning hack.
One-Touch Policy

I have a colleague who uses a “one-touch policy.” This means that she only touches something once and deals with it right away. If she knows she can’t do something right away, she won’t touch the item until she can. Items I’ve since started using this policy for in my own home include:
- Emptying the dishwasher. Do not take the dishes out unless you are able to put them away in your cupboards immediately. Taking them out and leaving them on the counter simply creates clutter. Clean clutter, but clutter, nonetheless.
- Hanging coats and jackets. Hang coats and jackets up in the closet as soon as you walk in the door. If putting them on a hanger is too much – and it is for many people – invest in a coat stand where you can place your jacket.
- Controlling clothing sprawls. When you take off a piece of clothing either throw it in the hamper if dirty or hang/fold it and put it away if it’s clean and can be worn again.
The overall benefit of these bare minimum house cleaning hacks helps with your overall state of mind, your overall house cleanliness, and your overall enjoyment of your home. Plus, when/if you do have cleaners coming in, you are saving time and money because your cleaner will not have to remove everything, clean, and then put the items back having to organize them.

The bare minimum is about using a few minutes a day to tuck things away to maintain your home. Then, you can go out and enjoy your activities without having to worry about all the piles of stuff when you come home. Yes, it may take some time to start working these new cleaning habits into your schedule, but as you do, you’ll notice that you have more time in your day…and more space in your mind for the things that matter most to you!

If the bare minimum is all done and you’re ready for a deep clean, then that’s where a professional cleaning company can come to clean, sanitize, and bring back even more sparkle to your home.

Ready to go enjoy the last few days of summer and need a deep clean? Connect with us and we’ll get you back in the habit of easy, bare minimum cleaning ASAP!
August 11, 2022
Key Questions to Ask When Hiring a Cleaning Company
How do you hire a cleaning company? A question we always get. After all, when you’re hiring a cleaning company, you’re bringing people into your home who are responsible for making your property sparkle and you want to be confident in them. The best answer I can give is to hire the cleaning company that you feel most comfortable with.

That said, if you’ve never worked with a cleaning company before, you may not know what questions to even ask to know if they’re a fit for you. To kickstart your own hiring journey, below are twelve questions to help you determine whether or not a professional residential cleaning company is the one for you.

12 Questions to Ask a Potential Cleaning Service

1. Do you have any references?

While we have great reviews and testimonials, we do not provide direct references to our clients. The reason is that references are quite biased. Rarely does someone agree to be a reference unless they have great things to say about you (not in every case, though). At Clean Club Calgary, we’ve found the best references come from our Google Reviews where we currently have 4.9 stars from nearly 368 reviews. These are all customer submitted, of which we take the time to review ourselves and implement any changes based on feedback provided here.
2. How much do you charge for residential cleaning?

On average, cleaning companies charge between $45 and $65/hr/cleaner onsite. The exact fee for cleaning depends on the unique aspects of the home, frequency, and type of cleaning. Specifically for Clean Club Calgary, as of December 2024, we run at $65/hr/cleaner.

Within this question, we often are asked “how can we tip our cleaner?” While not all companies will allow tipping, we are thrilled when someone wants to tip a team member. There are a few ways to tip your cleaner should you want to acknowledge their work in a financial surprise. At Clean Club Calgary, all tips go straight to the individual requested. There are three ways to do this:
- Simply give the tip directly to the team member
- Add the tip amount to your etransfer payment, making note of who the tip is for, and we will send it to them on their paycheque
- When paying by credit card, add the tip directly to your payment, again indicating which team member it is for.
3. What will my cleaning include?

The reality is that all cleaning is customizable. When you request a quote, we go through a series of questions to determine what you want to be cleaned. This will help us understand the type of cleaning you need and the budget you are working with.

Prior to each scheduled cleaning, we will also confirm what you want to be cleaned during this cleaning. This communication ensures that we are all on the same page regarding what your expectations are so we can meet and exceed them.

That said, there are things that we are not able to complete, such as cleaning garages, outdoor windows, and carpet cleaning to name a few. We do, however, have trusted partners for these services who we are more than happy to refer our clients to.
4.    What types of cleaning products do you use?

We find that simple is best. We do not use green products because they do not work on hard water stains, thick grime, and other yucky messes. Rather, we use basic household supplies, such as vinegar, tide, dish soap, and toilet bowl cleaner. Other cleaning tools we use can be found in this post here. Of course, should you require specialty products, such as green ones, we ask that you provide these, letting us know what the product is to be used for (e.g., cleaning the kitchen, toilets, etc.) and where these products are kept in your home.

5.    Do you bring your own cleaning equipment and supplies?

Absolutely we do! We want to make sure we have all the tools to do the job without wasting time trying to find equipment. We also have a specific part of our team training program that goes through how to maintain our cleaning equipment. This ensures that all our team members have equipment that works well, is kept in good condition, and is able to support whatever scum, dirt, or grime that awaits them.

6.    How do we prepare for your arrival?

We simply ask that you tidy up by putting away personal belongings, clothes, dishes, and toys. We also recommend that you put away anything that is valuable such as jewelry and money. If you have anything that has sentimental value or is particularly delicate, please let us know not to touch this. We also ask that if something is broken in your home (e.g., picture frames, stove tops, chipped counters, etc.) to let us know ahead of time. This is for two reasons. The first, if something is broken and has jagged edges, we do not want our team to hurt themselves because they didn’t know something was broken. The second, we do not want our team members thinking they broke something in a client’s house if they did not.

7.    How will you access our home?

If you are not going to be home during your scheduled cleaning, we ask that you provide us with keys to your home, along with any access codes should you have an alarm system. We also ask that you leave instructions on how to properly lock up your house, including how to turn the alarm on and off, so we can leave your home safe and sound when we’re done.

8.    Who is the owner of the cleaning company? Am I able to speak to them?

Not all cleaning companies have this information readily available. In fact, not all cleaning company owners want to make themselves available. This is not how Clean Club Calgary operates. Rather, I am the owner! That’s right! Judith Virag here – author of these blogs and founder and owner of Clean Club Calgary. While I have a great management team who are more than capable of handling all client calls, when a client wants to speak with me, I am always available. If you would like to learn more about me, my why behind Clean Club Calgary, and how Clean Club Calgary came to be, check out our Team page or visit my LinkedIn profile.

9.    Do you complete background checks on your team members?

Yes. Before we provide an offer to a potential team member, we complete a background check. We also have liability insurance and WCB coverage to ensure that you, our people, and the company are all protected. These items are a signal that you are working with a legit cleaning company. Because of this, cleaning fees tend to be higher since we are sending in people who are screened, safe to send into your home, and are properly trained having gone through our extensive onboarding training program.

10. Is my satisfaction guaranteed?

Absolutely! Once we understand what your definition of clean is, our goal is to achieve and/or exceed this every single time. As such, we have a 24-hour guarantee. After this time period, it’s hard to know if we missed something or if the owner missed it during their review of the work. If, after you’ve checked our work and you find that you are not satisfied, call us right away within this 24-hour period. We will send the teamwork back to redo the work as this ensures that you get the cleaning you’ve invested in while also supporting the team member’s training so they do not make the same cleaning hiccup again.

11. What should I do with my pets?

Pets are some of our favourite customers. They help with dusting by using their tails, they keep us company as they watch us scrubbing toilets, and sometimes, they simply ignore us completely, staring out the window and daydreaming of wandering to the neighbour’s house.

Needless to say, we are very comfortable with pets. However, you know your pet best. If you have a pet that’s skittish, overly shy, or is an escape artist with doors/windows, isolate your pet in one room that we’re not cleaning or crate them, making sure they’re comfortable while we’re in your home.

12. Does Clean Club Calgary require me to sign a cleaning contract?

We used to, but now we do not. Today, we work on a clean-by-clean basis, where customers can cancel at any time if they’re not happy. At Clean Club Calgary, we do not want a client locked into a contract if they are not happy. Rather, we focus on being very communicative with our clients and our team, always wanting to solve a problem should one arise. This desire to do the right thing for our customers builds greater trust between us and removes the need for a contract.

There are other common questions we tend to get, so we’ve compiled them all in a comprehensive FAQ page just for you. You can find these other questions and answers here.

Of course, the best way to know if a cleaning company is the company for you is to connect, receive a quote, and begin your cleaning partnership today. Ready for that connection? Connect here for a quote.
July 15, 2022
7 Ways to Professionally Clean Your House Like the Pros
Disney’s Classic, Cinderella, gave us all certain expectations about how cleaning happens. It involves singing, friendly mice, and helpful birds. We’ve since learned that we were way off base.

Not a single member of Clean Club Calgary has yet to see one mouse, one bird, one critter helps us with cleaning – even when we sing a lovely little song. Personally, we believe it’s because these creatures merely have a misunderstanding of what cleaning a house entails.

So, if the neighbourhood chickadees aren’t yet sweeping your home, we thought it best to provide some insight into how we professionally clean a house just in case you need to clean…without the help that Cinderella had.

1. Your Home; Your Cleaning Schedule

Some families complete chores one day a week. Others, complete smaller chores each day. The best schedule for your home is the one that works best for you.

What we do recommend at Clean Club Calgary is that if you have a busy household, tidy up every day or two so the build-up of “stuff” doesn’t start to overwhelm you. For example, do not leave dirty dishes and food on the kitchen counters, especially if you have pets. Pets will jump up with ease if there’s any hint of food on the counter. I personally have seen a dog eating a full birthday cake, knife and all, without even a second thought! Don’t worry, they survived.

2. Bust the Bathroom Fear.

Bathrooms are not as challenging as many of us think. It’s knowing what techniques and tools are available to you that make it easier. For instance, if you have hard water and glass shower doors (not the best combination if you ask me) make sure to take 10-seconds after each shower and squeegee the glass. This helps to reduce/prevent scum and hard water stains on the shower. Our personal method for cleaning this type of surface is starting at the top corner and working your way down to the bottom right. Go through and wipe down surfaces. If you stay on top of this, a scrub down of the surface will not be required each time you clean, but a simple wipe down. Another bathroom buster that reduces the heavy bathroom cleaning lifting is ensuring you clean your toilet the right way. Yes – there’s a right way! Here’s an article that gives you the step-by-step details to sparkling up that toilet (and freshening your whole bathroom) with ease!
3. Let the Bedsheets Breath.

Clean bedding should not be an afterthought when it comes to cleaning. There are often hidden, itty bitty dust mites, sweat, dead skin cells, hair, and fur (for pet families) and sometimes even bugs. A few things you can do to reduce these yucks are:
1. Make your bed every day,
2. Wash your bedding weekly and at least every second week.
Super simple! This is the first place I typically recommend people start with cleaning their house. Once the bedsheets are changed, dusting will be a breeze too, as you shook all the dust around and it can now be wiped with ease. 😊
4. Kitchen Nightmares Become Dreams.

Our kitchen can seem overwhelming to clean at first. There are all these corners, random spills and splotches, and food burnt onto the stove that seems to have made its home there. This nightmarish feeling doesn’t have to be. Begin building “every day tidying up” into your schedule (5-10 mins/day max). Since you clean or wipe down your kitchen after each meal, the more in-depth cleaning will be easier later. There are, of course, a few cleaning hacks we have to help along the way:
1. Microfibre cloths are the best to wipe down surfaces, both when wet and dry.
2. Soap and water are all you really need. Although, if you want a little extra kick, we recommend Bar Keeper’s Friend.
3. Make your stainless steel appliances, glasses, and faucets sparkle with an amazing cleaning cloth.
4. Remove pet and kid prints from cabinets with a damp, soapy microfiber cloth. Wipe down the cabinets with the damp cloth, then use a dry microfiber cloth to dry and polish up the cabinets again.
5. A Dust is an Absolute Must!

A quick once around the house with your dusting materials is all you need once a week. If you want to do a deeper dusting, we recommend dusting the baseboards and vacuuming the vents. Realize that dusting can also become quite cumbersome, particularly if you have lots of knick-knacks and other items that collect dust. However, dusting is one of the things that will immediately improve the air quality of your home, along with how “fresh” a space feels. To learn more about the ins and outs of how to properly dust, read this post on dusting tools and techniques .

6. Vroom Vroom Vacuum.

Our floors have so much more on them than we can ever imagine. Whether wood, cork, tile, or carpet, there’s dirt, dust mites, grit, and so many other hidden ickies that it’s best not to mention them further. Vacuuming is always required if you want a clean home. If you have pets, we recommend vacuuming a minimum of once a week. Every couple of months run the vacuum along the edges of your carpet as dust just loves it in these groves. And don’t forget under the bed! These areas are the biggest dust and dirt collectors. If you find yourself regularly waking up all stuffy and sneezy, ask yourself when the last time you vacuumed under the best was. To learn the ins and outs of vacuuming and on different floor types, read this post .

7. Mopping the Good Ol’ Way.

Mopping is not fancy. All it takes is a bucket of water with a mop and microfibre cloth. A good wash and wipe down of the floor is always the best. If you really want, you can add some essential oils to the soap and water to give a little extra zest to the smell. Start in one corner and work your way to the other. Take our advice though and be careful not to mop yourself into a corner where you can’t move until the floor is dry. It gets tricky trying to leap over the wet floor.

With each of these steps for professional cleaning, we created this simple cleaning tool list, outlining the top 10 cleaning items you need to get your home all sparkly clean . Have these tools, follow the above insights, and your home will look as though the professional did it!

Of course, there is an eighth way to clean your house, especially if the above simply leaves you saying, “no thank you!” Hire a professional cleaning company. We’d be happy to help 😉. Request a quote today.
June 17, 2022