It’s back to school time! Summer is coming to a close and the school year is about to start. This time of year is a great time to jumpstart your new routine that will help you move smoothly throughout the rest of the year. Yes, your kid’s school schedule and routine is very important, but we’re talking about your cleaning routine today! Read on to learn how you can set up a fantastic routine with the best set of essential cleaning items to help you get through the day and the school year with ease. 

Organize Their Rooms To Accommodate School Studies 

To get the house and your kids in order and ready to take on the new school year, you will want to start with your children’s home base: their bedroom. 

• Declutter their floor and make sure all of their clothes are clean and ready for their first week of school. Have them try on their current outfits and see if any can be used for a while longer or if it needs to go to a younger sibling or sent to the thrift store. Then, it’s off to the store to fill in the gaps for their new outfits!
• Help them organize their closet and clear out any trash, old toys, and other items.
  • Make sure that they have a place to put everything away when they are done using their things
  • Have them evaluate each toy and see if they want to keep or donate or pass it along to their siblings other family members
  • Show them where their new outfits are stored and how they should be put away after they have been washed
• Get their room ready for homework and study.
  • Assuming they will be doing most of their homework and study activities in their room, help them set up a little study area that will facilitate their homework.
    • Set up a little desk and stock it with basic supplies
    • Make sure the study area has ample lighting
    • Put it close to an electrical outlet so they can charge their laptop or tablet, if they are using one for their studies
    • Put a small trash can nearby so they can throw things away without getting up and interrupting their studies

Set Them Up For Success!

After their room is organized and made into a nice study environment, you can help maximize their school performance potential by decluttering the rest of the house and setting up the kitchen to be their secondary study area if need be. Sometimes finishing homework and eating have to be done at the same time. Make sure the kitchen is also stocked with fresh brain-friendly foods like blueberries, strawberries, fish, and avocados! 

Bonus: Hand Sanitizer Travel Bottles

This day and age, it pays to be prepared, especially when it comes to keeping your kids’ hands germ free. Make sure to pack a few in their backpacks or even put one in their lunchbox to ensure that they have clean hands before and after they eat and have access to sanitization whenever they need it. 

For The Road

Getting your back to school cleaning essentials together is no small feat, but with a little preparation you can be ready for anything that comes your way this year. Contact us if you or someone you know may be in need of a residential or commercial cleaning service like ours. We can’t wait to hear from you. Give us a call or email us here. Have fun and stay safe out there!

It is such a bittersweet time of year each year, but it has to be done. Nothing beats the thrill of lighting a fuse on a firework and watching it pop off in spectacular, fiery glory. Once the festivities are done, though, it is time to pick up the pieces, literally! In today’s article, we’re going to give you a handy step by step guide on how to safely pick up and dispose of your 4th of July fireworks. 

Before You Get Started: The Supplies

Even before you start lighting off your fireworks, you should gather your needed supplies in order to have them on hand when the time comes. You don’t want to be scrambling to find your safety gear at the last minute once the party is over. Here is what you will need:

• Sturdy work gloves, preferably leather (helps with picking up exploded fireworks safely)
• A flashlight or headlamp for each person helping with cleanup (for nighttime cleanup)
• Two five gallon buckets of water
• Several large trash bags, heavy duty plastic if on hand
• Outdoor push broom and dust pan
• Trash can or metal bin that fireworks can be stored in overnight

Step 1:  Picking Up Spent Fireworks

After putting on your work gloves and filling up your buckets with water, go ahead and start gathering up the spent fireworks and any large pieces of fireworks that you can easily grab with your hand. Drop them in the buckets and let them soak for at least 20 minutes. If you’re done with your fireworks for the year, then you can even dump the unused ones as well to safely dispose of them. Keeping unused fireworks in your home is a fire hazard!

Step 2: Sweeping And Dumping Small Debris

Once you have the large pieces soaking safely in the water, you can start to sweep up the smaller pieces while you wait. If you think that some of these small pieces may still be hot, then you can just dump them directly into the water rather than into a trash bag for now. 

Step 3: Bagging And Storing

Once they have been soaking for about 20 to 30 minutes, you can take the fireworks out of your soaking buckets and place them into your heavy duty plastic trash bags (like ones used at construction cleanup) and then haul those bags away. Out of an abundance of caution, you don’t want to put those bags in your home’s trash can just yet. Let them sit in your metal bin or storage container overnight and then transfer them to your outdoor trash bin later, making sure to keep all fireworks outside and away from structures overnight. 

For The Road

Getting your fireworks picked up and put away safely is no small feat, but with a little preparation you can be ready for anything that comes your way this year. Contact us if you or someone you know may be in need of a residential or commercial cleaning service like ours. We can’t wait to hear from you. Give us a call or email us here. Have fun and stay safe out there!

It’s summertime, and you thought things, schedule-wise would slow down: but this doesn’t seem to be the case. You still need to work, the kids have swim lessons, day camps and various play dates. Not to mention, the in-laws come to town in a week, and you leave town in two weeks.  Making arrangements for your in-town company, and putting the final touches on your vacation plans has you overwhelmed.  You’re supposed to be enjoying this time, but it’s hard to pause to even take a breather.  Well take that deep breath: breathe in, then out.  No: we weren’t trying to stress you out, we are just seeing things from your vantage point.  Now take another breath: we are here to help. With all the summer “fun” we can take some of the load off by taking care of your cleaning needs!

While you are sitting at the little one’s swim lessons, relax, we can be at your house doing a good deep clean for you. Or when you are shuttling the kids to their play camp or while you are working the daily grind, we have your household chores under control. 

Nervous about the out-of-town company arriving in town? Maybe you have an overly-picky mother-in-law who drops comments about the dust bunnies in the spare bedroom, or the sister whose house is always spick-and-span? Meanwhile you’re finding peanut brittle on your kids’ bookshelf from last Christmas… sigh.  First of all, we’re all doing our best, so you shouldn’t let anyone judge you.  Meanwhile, that’s easier said than done. Again, we are here for you. Contact us for a free consultation, and we can take the worry out of the time that should be devoted to reconnecting and building new memories. 

Now: vacation time.  The packing, the checklists, the last minute details and set-backs, all these things can lead to an overlooked house, and returning to chaos is not fun.  Keep all the fun in the vacation, and feel the relaxation continue as you return to a clean home.  Contact us, and while you’re on the beach or in the air returning, we can be creating a clean space for you to come back to. 

One last thought: summertime is a big move-in/move-out time.  If you are in the middle of the moving process, there is no doubt: stress is involved. Let us take care of that detail as you are dealing with the others. Or, do you have a friend or family member who is in this process? You could be the ride-or-die who shows up, rolls up your sleeves, and dives into that deep-clean process.  Or, you can contact us, and gift them a clean.  Either way, your kindness won’t soon be forgotten. 

So if you want to soak up the summer, outside playing rather than inside cleaning, don’t sweat it: cleaning is not for everyone, but it is definitely for us! Don't let your summer slip by without getting a good deep cleaning. Contact us if you or someone you know may be in need of a residential or commercial cleaning service like ours. We can’t wait to hear from you. Give us a call or email us here. Have a fun and safe summer!

After travel, whether it be for business or pleasure, even unpacking can feel like drudgery, so the last thing we might think of is the cleanliness of our luggage. Instead we stow those suitcases away in the closet or even the garage. But once you pull them out again for summer travel, consider giving your bags a little TLC: it may be good for your health as well.

As Explorer.com points out, “considering how checked luggage is handled — exposed to all kinds of stuff like dirt, grime, bacteria, and even those mystery liquids on the tarmac — there's one thing your bag is probably longing for after any trip: a good, deep clean.”

So where does one start? The New York Times offered some tips: “To clean your hard-sided luggage, rub it down with either an alcohol wipe or a rag with a mix of dish soap and water. Avoid anything abrasive that might cause scratches. That's it. If you want to restore polycarbonate to something close to its original luster, try buffing it with a wax-based furniture polish.”

To clean the soft-sided luggage you’ll need these basic things. 

• a microfiber towel
• soap and water
• baking soda

Soak a soft (likely old) towel in soap and water. Wring out the excess water and wipe down the case. 

In the instance of oil-based stains, sprinkle stains with water, then with baking soda. Once the soda dries, vacuum the luggage off.

For most other stains, dilute a tablespoon of laundry soap in lukewarm water and pat the stain. If this does not work, try again using mild dish soap and warm water and blot the stains once more. 

For especially stubborn stains, consider applying a non-toxic upholstery cleaner. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.

For scuffs on plastic parts of luggage, try rubbing alcohol on a cloth. 

To remove scuffs from your luggage you will need these basic things.

• a microfiber cloth (again)
• all-purpose spray
• white vinegar (kitchen staple like baking soda!)
• gentle dish soap
• leather cleaner

For both fabric bags or hard-case luggage, use a damp cloth paired with a natural all-purpose spray, a homemade white vinegar-based cleanser, or gentle dish soap to remove marks.

For 100% leather luggage, research good leather-cleaning products. 

With running around various train stations, tram stations and airports, your suitcase's wheels might be the dirtiest part, since they come in direct contact with the ground. For this cleaning process, you will need:

• soap and water or all-purpose cleaner
• microfiber towels
• screwdriver

For wheels, create a soap-and-water mixture, or spray the wheels with all-purpose cleaner, then wipe down the wheels with the cleaning solution. Roll the wheels over a microfiber cloth to dry them. 

To clean the inside of a suitcase, you will need these basic things.

• baking soda
• spray bottle with water
• a vacuum

Mist the inside of your suitcase with water and then sprinkle with baking soda. Leave the case open to dry. Once dry, vacuum up the baking soda.

By following these steps and maintaining your luggage, you can keep it clean for the next time you’re ready to pack up and skip town. Have other luggage cleaning tips? Let us know! 

Also consider giving the team at 208 Cleaning a chance to show you what experts and professionals we are in the cleaning world. Contact us if you or someone you know may be in need of a residential or commercial cleaning service like ours. We can’t wait to hear from you. Give us a call or email us here. Have fun and stay safe out there!

Spring flowers are beginning to bloom and the beautiful trees of the Treasure Valley are coming alive again in all the shades of green. If your view of spring coming alive is marred by dust and grime then you are probably looking through dirty windows. If it is time to change your point of view and get those windows from grimy to glistening we have a step by step approach to sparkly shiny windows. Making your windows sparkling clean involves a few steps and the right cleaning products. Here's a guide on how to clean your windows effectively and keep them cleaner longer.

Materials Needed

• Microfiber cloths (for streak-free cleaning)
• Vinegar and water solution (for a natural cleaner) or a commercial window cleaner
• A spray bottle
• A bucket
• A scrub brush or squeegee (if you prefer to use one)
• A ladder (if you're cleaning high windows)

With our materials at hand we are ready to get to the dirty work of cleaning windows. We also recommend playing some tunes to help the cleaning process go by.

Cleaning Process

Step 1: Preparation

• Open the windows to allow fresh air in and to prevent the spread of cleaning fumes.
• Cover nearby furniture or surfaces with a towel to protect them from splashes.
• Fill a bucket with water. If you're using a vinegar solution, mix 1 part white vinegar with 4 parts water in a spray bottle.

Step 2: Cleaning the Frame and Sill

• Start by cleaning the window frame and sill to prevent dirt from the frame from getting on the glass.
• Use a scrub brush and warm water to remove any dirt or grime.
• Rinse the area with a clean, wet cloth or paper towel.

Step 3: Cleaning the Glass

• Spray the window with the vinegar solution or commercial cleaner.
• Use a microfiber cloth to wipe the glass in a circular motion, working from the top down. This prevents streaks and helps to catch any falling water drops.
• If you have a lot of dirt or grime, you can use a squeegee. Apply the cleaner, then pull the squeegee from top to bottom in a single motion.

Step 4: Cleaning the Tracks

• Use a cotton swab or a small brush to clean the window tracks, removing any dirt or debris.
• Spray the tracks with the cleaning solution and wipe them clean with a damp cloth.

Step 5: Final Buff

• For a streak-free finish, use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to buff the glass.

Now that you're seeing clearly through your windows you will want them to stay that way! Here is a guide to maintaining that beautiful shine.

Regular Cleaning: Clean your windows at least once a month to prevent a buildup of dirt and grime.

Dust Prevention: Keep indoor plants away from windows to prevent dust from settling on the glass.

Shade Usage: Use window shades or blinds to block direct sunlight, which can cause dirt and dust to stick to the glass.

Sealing: Ensure that your windows are properly sealed to prevent drafts and the entry of dust.

Screens: Clean your window screens regularly to prevent dust and debris from accumulating on the glass.

By following these steps and maintaining your windows, you can keep them sparkling clean and enjoy the view outside without the distraction of dirty windows. Have other window cleaning tips? Let us know! The BEST way to ensure that your windows look the best they can is to hire the professionals to do the job. Give the team at 208 Cleaning a chance to show you what experts and professionals we are in the cleaning world. Contact us if you or someone you know may be in need of a residential or commercial cleaning service like ours. We can’t wait to hear from you. Give us a call or email us here. Have fun and stay safe out there!

We are officially in spring, which means longer days, BBQs, game nights, and of course- Spring Cleaning. If you are looking around and don't know where to start, not to worry! We have put together a helpful list of our top five tips to help you make the most of your time and get your spring off to a great cleaning start. 

Make A List

When trying to clean it is always best to start out in an organized way. Making a list will give you a map of what you want done and will help ensure that you have all the tools that you need to start off right. Start your cleaning day off with a nice cup of coffee and take some time to list off all your cleaning goals from washing windows to cleaning toe kicks. The other thing we love about making lists is we get to check things off as we finish and it keeps us motivated to start the next project! 

Cleaning is a Team Sport

Have you ever heard, Friends Don't Let Friends Clean Alone, or A Family That Cleans Together Stays Together? We love these mottos when it comes to Spring Cleaning. The main point is to get everyone in the household involved. It is not fair to take it all on yourself, so communicate ahead of time the cleaning day and your expectation for everyone to pitch in and hold them accountable. Remember, cleaning doesn't have to be a horrible chore; blast some good tunes and turn Spring Cleaning into a party that everyone is invited to. 

Don't Just Clean…CLEANSE!

Think of Spring Cleaning also as a time to clear out the old and make space for the new. We recommend having a box nearby at all times as you are cleaning things up so that you have a place to put the items that no longer spark your fancy. Put the box in storage or take it for donation so that when cleaning is done those items are gone. Use Spring Cleaning to get rid of your clutter and start off the season with a fresh slate.  

Go Top To Bottom

This is a very practical piece of cleaning advice, but it can save you a great deal of time and headache. When we say start top to bottom we really mean it. We want the dust to fall on things that have not been cleaned and spare us having to clean things twice. So we will start a room by dusting the top molding and end the room by mopping the floor. 

Pass On The Work

Looking around at the work and overwhelmed? Too darn busy to address Spring Cleaning? Would rather be outside playing than inside cleaning? Don’t sweat it, deep cleaning is not for everyone, but it is definitely for us! Don't let another year go by without getting a good deep cleaning. Contact us if you or someone you know may be in need of a residential or commercial cleaning service like ours. We can’t wait to hear from you. Give us a call or email us here. Have fun and stay safe out there!

The first signs of spring are just starting to appear. While there is still snow up in the mountains there are spots of green down in the valley. For a lot of us, that means spring cleaning time is here. After back-to-back holidays you may be looking at your carpets and upholstery and wondering how you will ever get them cleaned again. If you are anything like us your holidays were full of treats and all of those chocolates from Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day have left their mark all over your home. Are those stains making you feel more bitter and less sweet? Fear not, here are a couple of trusted tips to treat those stains and get you feeling shiny and clean for spring. 

Cleaning the Carpets

• First, use that butter knife and gently scrape off as much dried chocolate as you can. You will find that when the chocolate is dried it is removed in clumps. Chocolate that is still wet or melty is likely to spread making the stain worse.
• After scraping as much chocolate residue as you can from the carpet, pull out the trusty vacuum directly over the stain to remove any flakes that may remain.
• Cover the affected area with a few paper towels.
• Now it's time to use the iron. Set your clothing iron to the lowest, non-steam setting possible. Move the iron over the paper towels slowly. This should help the chocolate start to stick to the paper towels.
• When you’re ironing the paper towels, be sure to keep the temperature steady while doing so. Go over the stain as many times as necessary until the stain is gone. 
• If any dark stubborn spots remain, apply a household carpet cleaner to the area and agitate gently with a clean white towel. 

This method is sure to get your carpet back to the color it is supposed to be. Now what to do about bon bon bombs on your couches and chairs? Here is a method that has proven beneficial for chocolate stains on a variety of fabric types.

Cleaning the Upholstery

• Mix a common liquid dish soap in hot water and dampen a clean cloth in this stain-cleaning solution.
• Start cleaning the affected area with this damped cloth in a gentle circular motion. Try to avoid rubbing the stain, this will push the stain further down into the fabric.
• As the stain lightens, take dry paper napkins to absorb the moisture.
• Now dust cornmeal on the stained area and let it sit for some time. It will soak up dampness as well as the remaining chocolate stain.
• Gently brush off the cornmeal from the upholstery and vacuum the residue.

Chocolate can be one of the most unpleasant stains to look at in your house. We hope these tips help tackle this unpleasant chore. It is important to remember, only you know the make and quality of your carpets so be sure to take care and get a spot cleaner that is meant for your specific carpet type. When using any of the tools mentioned above, use caution to avoid over-agitating carpet fibers which might cause damage. And remember for the big jobs, we got you covered. Contact us if you or someone you know may be in need of a residential or commercial cleaning service like ours. We can’t wait to hear from you. Give us a call or email us here. Have fun and stay safe out there!

The holiday season is finally over and it is time to take a much needed respite. This time of year is a great opportunity to prepare for the rest of the year ahead and to pay attention to the little details or tasks that may have been sidelined since the mad dash that typically occurs from Thanksgiving Day through Christmas (and beyond!). In today’s article, we’re going to talk about great resolutions that you can establish this year when it comes to cleaning your house and keeping it organized and you sane. 

Leverage Trash Days To Help Pair Down Unwanted Junk/Clutter

We all want to pair down our accumulated junk and clutter, but there is never really a right “time” for when it should be paired down. Well, you can make the time really easily if you just set a simple reminder on your calendar or smart home device to take 15 minutes (or more) on trash pick up day to go through the house and garage and gather up a few handfuls of junk and toss them in the trash cans before putting them on the curb. It is a great habit to start and by the end of the year, if you’ve done it 25 or even a full 52 times, then your home will be about as close to clutter free as humanly possible! 

Speaking Of Trash Day! Set A Monthly Freezer Clear Out Reminder

Most households have at least one freezer and if you have kids, then you will most likely have two or more! Set another quick reminder for the last trash pickup day of every month to be “freezer clean out day” so you can just dump the unwanted freezer items directly into your bins as you are taking them to the curb so that you don’t have to worry about your frozen food thawing and stinking up the neighborhood for the better part of a week while you wait for trash day. Just do it the morning of or the night before and you will enjoy a cleaner and more spacious freezer all year long. 

Turn Your Clothes Hangers Backwards

That’s right. At the start of this year, try turning all of your hanging clothes backwards, i.e. hang them so the hook is pointing toward you rather than the back of the closet as you hook them. When you use your clothes this year, replace them forward and take stock after six months or so. Look at all of the clothes that are still hanging up backwards. You haven’t used them in six months. Do you still need them or should you clear them out (donate or give away or recycle) and buy new clothes or just enjoy the larger space that a clutter free closet affords you. It is a bit of a long play, but it is definitely worth it.

For The Road

Putting together the perfect New Year’s Resolutions for your home is no small feat, but with a little preparation you can be ready for anything that comes your way this year. Contact us if you or someone you know may be in need of a residential or commercial cleaning service like ours. We can’t wait to hear from you. Give us a call or email us here. Have fun and stay safe out there!

 

You’ve heard of Spring Cleaning, but have you heard of End of Year Cleaning? Well, it may not be super popular right now, but we are nothing if not trendsetters around here. You see, End Of Year Cleaning is a great idea that should be just as big of an event as Spring Cleaning. Why, you ask? Well, getting your home decluttered and cleaned at the close of the year will go miles toward helping you start your new year off with a bang and set yourself up for success the entire year. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be as intense or as time intensive as Spring Cleaning, but it will take a little elbow grease to achieve, but what are the holidays without a little magic? In today’s blog, we will cover some of the best and easiest ways you can help to set your home up for absolute success for the new year. 

Rotate Summer Clothes

If you haven’t already, now is the perfect time to rotate your closets and drawers in order to store your summer style clothes and to bring out your winter wear because winter is going to be here to stay for a while now. Check every coat closet and shoe bin in the house and make sure that summer shoes and apparel are safely stowed away until next year when the temperatures start to rise again. 

Deep Clean Your Refrigerator

Here’s the thing. The holidays are a tough time to be dieting, we get that, but early January is the perfect time to start the year off with some new healthy habits. Set your future self up for success by deep cleaning your fridge in December and getting it organized so that when January comes around you are ready to fill it full of healthy foods and diet friendly drinks. Bonus points if you stock it full of healthy foods now to get a jump on the New Year’s Resolutions!

Remove And Donate Any Unneeded Kids Clothes And Toys

The Holidays are an excellent time to open your heart and your wallet to those in need. When it comes to holiday hardships, it is often the children who are hit the hardest. This holiday season, you can both clean up your house and get it better organized while also doing something good for little boys and girls in your community who may be in need of a Christmas miracle, however small. Go through your kids’ toys and clothes and sort them in three piles: Donate, Trash/Recycle, and Keep. Once you have everything sorted, then it is time to put the “keep” items away neatly and in a more organized way. Once that is done, you can pack up the “donate” items and drop them off at your charity of choice like The Salvation Army or The Idaho Youth Ranch. They will ensure that your donations are made available to local children and families in need. 

For The Road

Putting together the perfect cleaning event during the holidays is no small feat, but with a little preparation you can be ready for anything that comes your way this year. Contact us if you or someone you know may be in need of a residential or commercial cleaning service like ours. We can’t wait to hear from you. Give us a call or email us here. Have fun and stay safe out there!

It really is a toss up between which is more stressful and exhausting to have to do during the holiday season: travel to a relative’s house or use your house to host. If you’re traveling, then you are spending more money and have to endure all of the rigors of getting your family from point A to point B, but if you are hosting, then you have to ensure that your home is immaculate and ready to endure having your homelife completely upended until your guests leave. Either way, you are in for a fun, chaotic, and sometimes stressful time. In today’s article, we are going to help you take a little of the sting out of using your home to host guests this holiday season by allowing you to get ready for them with as little stress and fuss as possible. 

Put Together A General Cleaning Kit/Package And Keep It Handy

The best way to ensure you will clean on a regular basis is to make it as easy as humanly possible to do so. One way to do that is by gathering all of your most used and most useful cleaning supplies in one place and making them exceedingly accessible. For instance, you can put everything in a bucket or tote or portable box that you can carry to the problem area and deploy as necessary. Then, once you’re done, you can just toss everything back in the caddy and not have to stash everything around the house in 5 different places. Let us give some examples of what you can build out your tote with:

• Paper towels
• Rubber gloves
• Microfiber towels or other clean rags
• Spray bottle of all purpose cleaner
• Bottle of glass cleaner
• Glass squeegee
• Clean sponges
• Duster or dust rags
• Several types of scrub brushes for food-safe surfaces and non-food-safe surfaces
• Toothbrushes for tough to reach cleaning
• Extra trash bags
• A small scraping tool for stuck on spots of food or dirt
• Spray bottle of filtered, clean water
• Fresh baking soda
• A Bluetooth speaker to play your favorite cleaning tunes or podcasts

Don’t Wait To Do It All At Once: Plan It Out

Getting ready for the holidays doesn’t always have to mean that you are stuck deep cleaning the house from top to bottom the night before your guests arrive in a mad dash to have everything done by the time you have to pick them up at the airport. Not this year! Once you have a rough idea of when they are arriving then start deep cleaning at least a week prior. Break down your cleaning duties into smaller areas of the house so you’re not doing it all at once. Then, each day before they arrive you can just do simple spot cleaning and upkeep rather than a panicked session of last minute deep cleaning. A little planning will go a long way to helping you stay ahead of the mess and stay stress free (until they arrive, that is!).

For The Road

Putting together the house for holiday guests is no small feat, but with a little preparation you can be ready for anything that comes your way this year. Contact us if you or someone you know may be in need of a residential or commercial cleaning service like ours. We can’t wait to hear from you. Give us a call or email us here. Have fun and stay safe out there!