admin, Author at Orchid Maids

A Brief History of House Cleaning & Cleaners

There’s no doubt that the notion of cleaning dates back to the beginnings of civilization. From personal hygiene to keeping the living area tidy, our distant ancestors had their own ways of doing things. Of course, the tools and methods were nothing like we know today, but in principle, still similar.

Nowadays, there are many companies in almost every town and city, as well as in Stonington, CT, that you can rely on for your housekeeping tasks. However, in the not-so-far-away past, people had to take care of their own chores. Keep reading to find out more about the development of cleaning through history.

When was cleaning invented?

When it comes to cleaning as a service, it goes as far as Ancient Egyptian civilization. Only, at that time, it wasn’t actually a service because nobody earned from doing it. Rulers and powerful people had their slaves do the chores for them. It was by no means an easy task since aesthetics and cleanliness were a big part of their culture.

What is the history of housekeeping?

We can observe the evolution of maid service throughout history starting from ancient civilizations. It begins with the Egyptians, but it goes on with ups and downs until modern times.

Ancient times

Apart from the Egyptians, powerful people of Greek and Roman civilizations also had their own servants to keep their environment tidy. Even back then the cleanliness was important, and they had their own ways of taking care of it.

Egyptians used alkaline salts and vegetable oil to make soap for both their clothes and themselves. Greeks, on the other hand, used ashes, clay, and sand, combined with oils. Finally, Romans had their animal fat soaps and public baths.

However, there was still no knowledge of hygiene being connected with disease, so there arrived a period between 500 and 1000 AD when many diseases spread.

The period of the renaissance

Once hygiene was finally connected with cleanliness, attitudes started to change, and cleanliness became fashionable. Yet, wealthy people wouldn’t spend their time on chores, so lower-class women managed these jobs. This time, these women were paid for their work, but they were often exploited and received very little.

WWI and WWII

With a lot of men off to war, women started to take up other jobs apart from housekeeping. However, having found out they were capable of much more than house chores, many of them refused to return to this job after the war, resulting in a huge decline in maids. Since the same happened during WWII, wealthy women had to take care of their own houses.

Modern times

With the progress of society and gender stereotypes becoming less prevalent, male cleaning technicians have become more common than they used to be. Furthermore, professional cleaning services have come to be a respected business that many busy people reach out to, especially if they have pets and little ones to care about.

What companies in Stonington, CT, offer reliable housekeeping services?

Thanks to the modern times we live in, you can now easily opt for a professional service to take care of your bedroom or deal with those grease spots in your kitchen. Our experts at Orchid Maids are highly trained and insured technicians who always go out of their way to meet the needs of our clients and take care of every single corner of your home.

Spend a relaxing day at the Haley Farm State Park while we make sure you come back to a clean home. Call now!

How to Keep Your Place Tidy With Pets

You and your family certainly love your little furry friends. Still, no matter how much you enjoy their company, there’s always the not so enjoyable side of having a pet, cleaning up after them. This can sometimes be overwhelming, so it’s good to learn beforehand what chores await you once you get a pet.

There are reliable companies in Stonington, CT, that offer a comprehensive and pet-friendly maid service you can reach out to keep your home clean. In the following article, we’ll give you useful tips on how to keep your place hygienic with a pet around.

Is it possible to have a clean house with pets?

It is certainly possible to have a pet and a clean home, but you should be aware that you’ll have to dedicate more time to tidying up. These are the things you should have in mind.

1. Keep your pet clean

Regular grooming means less dirt around your home. While you should use pet shampoo only occasionally, it’s perfectly fine to use plain water for a more frequent wash down. You can also take your pet to a professional groomer for a complete treatment.

2. Invest in a quality vacuum cleaner

You’ll need a high-quality vacuum to make sure you keep hairs and odors at a minimum. You should look for a quality filter, strong suction, and a good brush that will be able to properly pull out hairs from your carpets. If you allow your pets on furniture, check if there’s an upholstery attachment. You’ll also need to regularly check whether you need to remove the dirt and hair from the filter in order to prevent the spreading of smell while vacuuming.

3. Fight odors with natural ingredients

Baking soda and white vinegar are excellent for removing odors. You can sprinkle baking soda over different areas such as furniture, carpets, your pet’s bed, or offending areas. Leave it in for at least half an hour, then vacuum thoroughly. This will not only remove any bad smells, but also disinfect the area.

When it comes to white vinegar, it’s great for washing pets’ toys and beds. If the beds are machine washable, add them to the softener compartment cycle.. To disinfect the toys, soak them in a bucket of water with a cup of vinegar.

How often should you clean your house with pets?

The frequency of cleaning depends on how many people and pets live in a home, as well as the type of your pet. For example, if you have a dog that sheds heavily, you’ll need to vacuum every day. A general rule says that you should vacuum once a week for each human or large pet. So, if there are three people and one dog in your home, you should vacuum every other day.

You’ll need to scale the frequency to your own needs, but hiring a professional company to take care of it will save you a lot of trouble since they’ll be able to tell you exactly how often to do it. Also, with their long experience behind them, you’ll ensure they’ll deal thoroughly with all the hairs and dirt.

Where in Stonington, CT can I find a dependable maid service?

When it’s time to thoroughly deal with your kitchen, or you’re not sure about the proper way to tidy up your bedroom, it’s time to call Orchid Maids. Our professional staff is here to take excellent care of every single client, and will meet all your needs and preferences. Take a lovely tour of the Stonington Lighthouse Museum and let our qualified technicians do the rest. Give us a call today!

How to Keep Your Cleaning Supplies Clean

You always search for better and more efficient ways to clean different areas of your home, but many people often forget to deal with the actual cleaning tools before putting them away. However, this is important if you want to save money in the long run and keep your cleanings as effective as possible.

When you book a residential cleaning in Canterbury, you don’t need to worry about the tools at all. However, if you’d like to know how to keep them hygienic and ready for the next session, read on and find some great answers that will help you bring the cleanliness of your home to a new level.

How do you clean and sanitize cleaning tools?

To keep your tools clean and have them last longer, make sure you take good care of them before you put them back in the storage place. Here’s how to deal with each piece of your kit:

Brushes

Put on your gloves to pick out any debris and hair from the brush. It’s enough to rinse your brushes well after every use. However, you should thoroughly clean them once a month. To do this, fill a bucket with warm water and add ½ cup of oxygen bleach. Soak them in the solution for disinfection and deodorizing. Leave them on a towel to dry.

Sponges

The safest way to sanitize your sponges is to soak them in a bath of oxygen bleach. Add a tablespoon of the bleach to a bucket of warm water, soak the sponges, and let them sit for about 30 minutes. Rinse them well and allow them to dry.

While this process kills germs and bacteria, you still need to replace a sponge occasionally, especially when the abrasive side begins to wear down.

Cloths

You use different kinds of cloths in your household, from old towels and T‐shirts, to microfiber cloths. As for the rags, T‐shirts and towels, you can throw them in your washer and set it to the hottest cycle. Add about 1⁄2 cup of baking soda to the detergent, and they’ll be as good as new.

When it comes to microfiber cloths, it’s important that they keep their electrostatic charge, so there are certain rules to follow. You can also wash them in the machine, but make sure to put them in a laundry bag and set the temperature no higher than 105 F.

Add a bit of regular detergent and do not use fabric softener. If possible, let them air dry. Wash your cloths once a month.

Brooms and mops

If you use a standard broom, you can treat it the same way as your brushes. However, if you have a corn broom, the best thing you can do is brush it out and avoid contact with water since this can weaken the bristles.

When it comes to mops, you can wash them at the hottest cycle, adding a cup of baking soda and making sure you remove the debris first. In the case of a flat head mop which is made of microfiber, you should follow the same procedure as for the cloths. Wash your mops once a month.

What companies offer reliable residential cleaning in Canterbury?

If you’re not sure about the right supplies for your tasks, or want to avoid any mistakes along the way, Orchid Maids is the company that will set your mind free of these worries. Our professional staff will make sure your home receives the treatment it deserves.

Spend a day in nature at the Hopeville Pond State Park while our technicians take care of your home. Call now!

Top 5 Mistakes People Make When Using Cleaning Products

Although most cleaning products today are designed to be safe and easy to use, it’s important to remember that they’re still chemicals and that some of them may be hazardous when used and stored improperly.

One of the best ways to keep your home both safe and hygienic is to hire a reliable housekeeping service in Canterbury. However, if you’d like to take care of your living space yourself, you should be aware of these 5 common mistakes people make when using cleaning products. Read on to learn what they are.

What are the most common mistakes people make when using cleaners?

It’s an unfortunate reality that most people are making at least one of the following 5 mistakes in their everyday cleaning routine. Read carefully and make sure you take action where needed:

1. Mixing bleach and other chemicals

Bleach reacts with other substances such as ammonia, alcohol, and vinegar and produces toxic gas which can seriously damage your health. Many commercial products contain one or more of these substances. To make sure you avoid any possibility of producing and inhaling the toxic fumes, only use water if you need to dilute bleach, and do not mix it with any other products.

2. Not ventilating

Even if the product smells nice, the chemicals it contains still give off fumes. To reduce the amount you breathe in, make sure you ventilate the room well. If possible, open the windows and doors, or at least turn on a fan and try to be fast and efficient so your exposure to the chemicals is short.

A great way to reduce the use of harsh chemicals is to limit it to high‐touch surfaces such as doorknobs, countertops and faucets, and use natural solutions for other surfaces.

3. Not cleaning your supplies

While the main purpose of solutions is to help remove dirt, not washing your tools after use has quite a few drawbacks. The residue can damage your brushes, sponges, or cloths. This will significantly reduce the efficiency of your tools and shorten their life, so make sure to rinse them thoroughly before putting them away.

4. Improper storage

Whether they are natural solutions or store‐bought products, the most important factor for proper storage of your supplies is keeping them out of reach of children and pets. Next, make sure you check the label for storage instructions since different chemicals require different conditions. If you properly put away the supplies, you’ll ensure both their efficiency and your family’s safety.

5. Improper use

Always use a product only for the purpose specified on the label. For example, if you use household cleaning wipes, don’t clean your hands with them. Moreover, you should wear protective gloves and wash your hands once you’ve finished.

By following the designated use, you keep yourself and your family safe, but also prevent potential damage of surfaces.

Where can I find a dependable housekeeping service in Canterbury?

If you’re tired of everyday chores, or you don’t want to waste your time searching for the right supplies, reach out to Orchid Maids. We provide comprehensive services thanks to our highly trained, professional technicians who always go out of their way to make our customers happy and satisfied.

Rather than spending hours scrubbing your bathroom and kitchen, take the well deserved break and head to the Quinebaug Lake State Park for a lovely afternoon with your family. Give us a call today and find out why we’re the right company for you!

Your Guide to Storing Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning supplies are an indispensable part of your home. You buy all kinds of products in order to keep your environment healthy and hygienic for you and your family. However, once you have your kit, it’s important to store it properly for best results and safety.

A great way to avoid dealing with supplies is to hire a trustworthy team for house cleaning in Canterbury to take care of your home. However, if you want to tackle chores by yourself, you should know how to properly put away your supplies after you’re done cleaning. Keep reading to find out how.

Where should cleaning products be kept?

There are several points to consider when deciding about the perfect place for your supplies, and the main goal is safety since most products contain potentially hazardous chemicals. Have a look at the following factors to help you determine the right storage spot in your home.

Keep out of reach of children and pets. This is crucial for your family’s safety. Certain chemicals can be extremely dangerous if humans or animals swallow or spill them.
Keep away from food. It’s necessary to keep these products away from food in order to prevent spills and food contamination and avoid ingesting.
Keep out of heat and sunlight. You should make sure there’s no ignition source of any kind close to the chemicals. High temperatures may lead to toxic vapors and even explosions.

A convenient place to keep your products can be a cupboard or shelf in your bathroom or hallway. Make sure the spot is high enough so your children and pets cannot reach it. Certain chemicals give off odors and fumes, so you should air the room regularly. It’s also great to use a plastic container with a lid to prevent fumes from spreading around.

Since there’s always a lot of food in your kitchen and at least one source of heat, you should never keep any cleaners in this room.

How to store my cleaning supplies?

Always keep all the supplies in one place. This will make it much easier for you to quickly reach for the products you need, but also to have a good overview and not risk finding an open bottle of cleaner in a corner of your home when it has already expired. You can use any kind of container for this purpose. It can be a caddy or a bucket that you use while you’re cleaning.

Make sure the conditions where you keep your products are appropriate. Here are the key factors to keep in mind:

Keep the product in its original, undamaged packaging
Mind the temperature – it should be between 50 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit
Keep the supplies protected from external conditions like high temperature, sunlight, or humidity
Check expiration dates regularly
Make sure you clean the tools before you put them back in their place

Who provides reliable house cleaning in Canterbury?

If you’re not sure what the best supplies for your home are, or if you’d like to avoid any mistakes while dealing with house chores, Orchid Maids is the perfect company for you. We have a crew of professionally trained and insured technicians who always go out of their way to meet the needs of our clients.

With our detail‐oriented approach, and by using natural and eco-friendly products, we’ll tackle every single speck of dust in your home. Instead of wasting your time on mopping and dusting, enjoy a well deserved break and take a trip to the Mohegan State Forest while we deal with the chores. Call now!

Must‐Have Supplies for a Clean Home

Whether it’s time to restock your supplies or perform a deep clean, you should make sure you’ve got the right housekeeping tools and products. With a whole lot of different options in the market, it’s easy to opt for an article that seems practical, but doesn’t actually offer many benefits.

Luckily, you can always reach out to a reliable cleaning service in Canterbury and take these worries off your mind. However, if you’d still like to tackle your home cleaning on your own, read on to learn what the best cleaning products for general housekeeping are.

What do professional cleaners use?

Professionals use supplies that help them do their work thoroughly and efficiently. To clean like a pro and avoid any mistakes along the way, you should invest in the following items:

An all‐purpose cleaner

With a good all‐purpose cleaner, you’ll be able to deal with different areas of your home while saving both money and storage space for your supplies. Look for a mild one that’s safe to use on different surfaces and doesn’t leave behind a strong odor.

Microfiber cloths

Microfibers are excellent at grabbing dirt and dust and they’re cleaner than sponges. They’re effective whether they’re dry or wet and you can use them on any surface. Make sure you have several of them for different areas. If you need to clean bright color upholstery, you should use a white cloth to avoid color transfer.

Vinegar

This household item is great for making natural solutions that you can use in a lot of areas. You can sanitize surfaces, get rid of soap scum, clear clogs, and do many other things without using harsh chemicals. Once you try it, it’ll be your favorite ally in keeping your home hygienic.

Baking soda

This is another ingredient that you certainly already have in your home. You can mix it into pastes or solutions to help you polish, shine, and scrub different surfaces, but also get rid of smells since it works great as a deodorizer. With baking soda in stock, your home will always be clean and fresh.

Vacuum cleaner

While the main purpose of a vacuum cleaner is to keep dirt and dust out of your carpets, you can also use it for other areas such as curtains, furniture, and ceiling corners. It’s best if your vacuum has a HEPA filter, since it catches most of the germs that go pass it.

Don’t forget to use attachments. They’re very convenient and will make vacuuming more efficient. If you’re a pet owner, an upholstery attachment is a must‐have.

Rubber gloves

While it may seem irrelevant, it’s actually very important to keep your hands protected with rubber gloves. Even the mildest solutions may cause irritations and allergies if they come in contact with skin and harsh chemicals may cause burns. Just as you keep other tools clean and tidy, make sure you wash your gloves after each use.

What dependable companies offer a comprehensive cleaning service in Canterbury?

Are you tired of all the chores that never end and just want to have some time for yourself and your loved ones? Orchid Maids can help. Thanks to our modern approach and highly trained professionals, we always make sure our customers are satisfied.

Spend a relaxing day with your family at Beaver Brook State Park and let us worry about the cleaning. We guarantee you’ll love the results, so give us a call now!

How to Drive Away Dust Bunnies from Your Home

While their name might sound cute, their presence in your home is far from that. Dust bunnies are clumps of dust, hair, and dirt that linger around your home in places like underneath the furniture and appliances, or in storage places that you don’t use often.

Regular home upkeep will make them go away, and you can hire some of the dependable house cleaning services in Waterford and the nearby areas to handle it for you. However, you can also have a look at why they appear and the ways to get rid of them and easily do it yourself.

What causes dust bunnies in a house?

You can find dust bunnies in different parts of the house. These are usually corners, areas under and around furniture and big appliances, window sills, or any area you don’t use or clean regularly, and what causes them is exactly that – irregular maintenance.

Dust moves around your home and, thanks to hairs and electrostatics, it attracts more dust, dander, lint, and grime, forming fluffy lumps that keep moving and become larger.

How to get rid of dust bunnies?

An obvious and easy way to remove them is to simply vacuum them, but if you want to get rid of dust bunnies forever, there are two rules you should follow. Check them out.

Consistency

The only way to prevent dust and other dirt from forming into fluffy balls is by removing dust on time. Dust is always present, but if you let it accumulate, you create an excellent environment for dust bunnies. Tending to the never‐ending chores really is tedious, and it takes a lot of your precious time, but with good organization, you can make it work.

If you make daily, weekly, and monthly upkeep plans, you’ll be able to stay on top of it. Having a clear overview of all the tasks will help you track your progress and give you further motivation to keep up with your schedule. Once you start putting it in practice, you’ll notice that there’s no sign of dust bunnies in your home.

Thoroughness

Adopting a detailed approach is equally important as being consistent, and you have to combine them to successfully keep dust bunnies away. As you devise your plan, take your time and make sure you really include every single corner of your home. To help make your schedule efficient, here’s a list of most common places where you can find dust bunnies:

Behind and under furniture – it’s also important to keep your upholstery clean
Behind, under, and around appliances
Behind box springs and mattresses
In room corners, on the floor
In pleated items – lampshades, bed skirts, curtains
On window sills

Depending on the area, you can use a damp microfiber cloth or your vacuum to remove dust. For best results, use your vacuum attachments, matching them to the task. When there isn’t enough or any dust at all, there’ll be no bunnies around, and your home will be hygienic and safe.

Where can I book dependable house cleaning services in Waterford?

Whether you’re up to wood furniture maintenance, or planning a detailed disinfection of your little one’s toys, feel free to reach out to Orchid Maids. We offer comprehensive services and hire only professional and insured technicians to ensure the best results and our clients’ happiness.

We appreciate your time as much as you do, so let us take excellent care of your house while you take your family on an inspiring tour of the beautiful Harkness Memorial State Park. Call now and schedule your initial appointment!

How to Properly Clean Wood Furniture

Would pieces around your home bring a special warmth to it, whether they are pieces of furniture, decoratives, or floors. While this material doesn’t require high levels of maintenance, it does need regular dusting and an occasional deep clean.

If you’re not sure how to properly take care of your wood furniture, hiring a cleaning person from one of the reliable companies in Waterford is a great option. However, when taking up this venture on your own, it’s best that you have a look at the following dos and don’ts of wood maintenance.

What is the best way to clean wood furniture?

To keep your wood furniture clean and looking good, a couple of tricks are just what it takes for excellent results. Depending on the current condition of your piece, you can apply these steps.

Dust

While it may not seem relevant, dusting is the first and very important step. Tiny dust particles easily scratch wood surfaces. If you skip this part of the process, you risk leaving serious marks on your furniture.

The best way to safely remove dust is by using a clean microfiber cloth. This is a part of regular maintenance and you should do it once a week. Make sure you tend to all wooden pieces including arms, legs, and smaller parts. Don’t forget to dust under the furniture and check for dust bunnies.

Heavy grime

Once the dust is off, you can move on to the next step and remove the layer of grime which occasionally builds up even if you dust regularly. Make a solution of one quart of water and one tablespoon of mild dishwashing detergent. Use a clean microfiber cloth and dampen it with the solution. Make sure you wring it well so it’s only a little damp, not wet. Wipe down the surfaces while often rinsing the cloth with clean water.

Deep clean

To remove any dark or cloudy smudges that usually appear because of too much wax or polish, brew two bags of black tea in two cups of water. Once it’s cool, dampen a soft cloth with the tea, start from the top of the surface and gently wipe following the direction of the grain.

Rinse the cloth in clean water, wring it, dampen it with tea and continue the cycle until you’ve covered all surfaces. Finally, dry with a clean cloth and buff to shine.

Spills

It’s crucial to wipe all spills immediately. You can use paper towels to blot the liquid, but if it also stains your upholstery, make sure to use a cloth. Then, use the same solution as for removing grime. The longer the spill remains, the larger damage you risk.

What shouldn’t you clean wood with?

You should only use gentle products for wood maintenance and avoid any harsh chemicals that cause damage. Here’s what not to use:

Ammonia
Bleach
Hydrogen peroxide
Vinegar
Lemon juice
Glass cleaners

When it comes to vinegar, it’s only safe to use it as an addition to a solution, and in very small quantities.

Where can I find a reliable cleaning person in Waterford?

When it’s time to put your home in order and disinfect everything including your children’s toys, then Orchid Maids is the one you need. Thanks to our modern approach and highly professional staff, we deliver comprehensive services and take excellent care of our customers’ needs.

Instead of wasting your time on chores, have a relaxing trip to the Fort Griswold State Park together with your family, and we’ll make sure you come back to a fresh and clean home. Reach out to us today!

How to Deal with Old Stains on Your Furniture

Maintaining your couches, sofas, chairs, and recliners can be frustrating, especially when you don’t notice or don’t tackle a stain right away. When it dries up, it’s almost impossible to remove it. However, not everything is lost since there are useful tricks to remove those stains, even if they’re old.

Most dependable residential cleaning services in Waterford will be able to help you with this, but you can also apply these tips and make your long stained sofa as good as new. Keep reading to find out how.

How do you get old stains out of upholstery?

Whether it’s an old piece of furniture that was stored away, or a stain you failed to see or clean immediately, the following tricks will help you restore your furniture.

Prepare

To loosen the parts that have dried onto the fabric, use a brush or a clean towel and brush the affected area. Next, sprinkle some baking soda over the stain, but feel free to cover the rest of the couch, sofa, etc. It will freshen up and disinfect it. Let the soda sit between 20 minutes and one hour, and then vacuum it with a brush attachment.

Further on, to loosen up the stain and make it more susceptible to the following treatment, apply some steam. If you’re treating a small stain, you can use the steam function of your iron. However, if you have a bigger area to treat, it will be easier to use the steamer.

Clean

A simple solution should work just fine on most stains. Pour some water into a medium size bowl and add a bit of dish soap. Grab a clean white cloth, dampen it with the solution and dab the stain. Next, use a clean cloth dampened with clean water to blot away the soapy solution. Dry with a dry towel or cloth. Repeat until the stain is gone.

In case this simple solution doesn’t work, you can try with a bit stronger solution. This time, you’ll need a spray bottle where you will put 1 cup of warm water, 1 teaspoon of dish soap, and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar. Then, add ½ teaspoon of baking soda, but be ready to screw the top really quickly since soda reacts with vinegar.

Next, spray this solution onto a white cloth making it damp, and gently rub the stain. Again, use a clean cloth and clean water to blot away the solution, and a dry towel to dry the spot. As a precaution, first test the solution on an inconspicuous area since vinegar could dissolve the color. Also, make sure you keep this vinegar solution away from any untreated wood.

What is the best way to clean a fabric sofa?

To prepare your sofa for a good clean‐up, you can sprinkle it with baking soda, applying the same steps described in stain removal preparation. This is also great for removing any odors. Next, check the manufacturer’s label for instructions. If your sofa can be cleaned with water, the steamer is a great option. However, if it cannot be cleaned with water, you’ll need to purchase an appropriate commercial cleaner.

Where can I find a reliable residential cleaning service in Waterford?

If you’re wondering how to properly clean all your kids’ toys, or what’s the best way to make dust bunnies go away, reach out to Orchid Maids. We are always ready to make your home sparkle, and our professional staff go out of their way to meet the needs of every single client. Take your family for an amusing afternoon at the Fort Trumbull State Park, and let us tackle the chores. Give us a call today!

How to Clean and Disinfect Children’s Toys

Keeping your children’s toys clean and safe for them to play really can be a difficult venture. Not only because your little ones probably have tons of them, but also because you can’t properly clean all toys in the same way.

You could reach out to a reliable residential cleaning service in Waterford for a piece of advice, but if you go on reading, you’ll find out exactly how to treat different types of toys so your kids can safely enjoy all the fun.

What is the best way to clean children’s toys?

Depending on the type of toys, there are different ways to make them fresh and clean again. Have a look at these steps.

Plastic and bath toys

You can easily wash solid rubber and plastic toys with some warm water and a bit of a mild dishwasher. Take a bucket or a large bowl and fill it half way with warm water. Add a squirt of the detergent and soak the toys. Rinse them under running water and dry them using a clean cloth or towel.

Be careful with rubber toys with holes. When the water gets inside, it’s impossible to squeeze out every drop and that way, mold grows. The safest way is not to use them as bath toys at all.

Plush toys

Plush toys can be further divided into those that can be machine-washed, hand-washed and surface-washed. Here’s how to deal with them:

Machine washables. You can wash in a machine. Make sure to first put them in a pillowcase and tie the top. Set the machine to a gentle cycle and slow spin. Once they’re washed, you can put them in the dryer while still inside the pillowcase, or you can air dry them in the sun.
Hand washables. Some toys require hand-washing because they’re not colorfast or they’re too soft and could be damaged by machine washing, even when protected by a pillowcase. Soak them in a soapy solution you’ve made with a mild clothes detergent or your kid’s shampoo. Rinse them in clean water, gently drain and let them air dry.
Non‐washables. Plush toys with battery packs or other hard parts cannot be soaked in water. Instead, go over them with a cloth dipped in the soapy solution and then rinse them with a cloth dipped in clean water. Dry them with a hair dryer.

Electronic toys

Before you start cleaning any electronic toys, make sure you’ve turned them off. Remove the batteries and place back the cover. Then, you can apply the same procedure as for the non‐washable plush toys. However, instead of using a hair dryer, let the toys air dry or dry them with a clean cloth.

How do you disinfect toys?

There are different products you can use to disinfect the toys. The best way is to use disinfectant wipes or a disinfectant spray which are readily available on the market. Sprays are especially suitable for plush toys, but you can also use a garment steamer to disinfect your little ones’ fluffy toys.

What is a dependable residential cleaning service in Waterford?

If you’re ready to deal with the dust bunnies around your home, or you’re looking for the best way to clean your upholstery or keep your wooden surfaces shiny, it’s time you call Orchid Maids. Our company provides comprehensive cleaning services and employs only professional and insured staff.

We make a great team that successfully meets the needs of every single client. Spend a family day at the Harkness Memorial State Park while we take care of your residence. Call now!