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Cleanhome York were very quick to respond to my initial query and were able to find me the right support in less than one week. I was looking for a cleaner as soon as possible … but I never thought Cleanhome would be able to act so quickly. I had not heard of Cleanhome York before so I was very impressed with this service. Vicky has been excellent – its like having a second pair of hands … only better!!

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Household cleaning hacks: Baking Soda!

Baking soda

You can spend a lot of money on cleaning products made and advertised by big companies. Over the coming weeks, let's look at some alternatives you can find in the usual stuff you keep around your home! Today ...

Baking soda

The humble but mighty baking sodaOk, we’ll start with the one most people know about: the humble but mighty baking soda. Sodium Bicarbonate – NaHCO3 – is technically a salt and found in nature, dissolved in many mineral water springs. It’s a mild disinfectant, and can be a good fungicide too. But we’re interested in what it can get clean!

In water, baking soda forms a strong alkaline solution. In most cases, it’s recommended to use either a paste made from baking soda and a little cold water (using hot water can make it more corrosive than you want), or a solution made using a few teaspoons in a bowl of water.


Steel

If you have rust spots on iron or steel items, smear baking soda paste over the surface of the metal, leave for a few minutes, gently rub and then rinse and dry. The alkaline solution forms a water-soluble compound with the rust, meaning it can be washed away. Make sure you thoroughly dry the metal afterwards, or the rust will be back!

Note: make sure the items you’re cleaning aren’t aluminium; baking soda paste can remove the layer of aluminium oxide that forms naturally and protects aluminium surfaces. Generally, if the item sticks to magnets, it isn’t made from aluminium. Just check it doesn’t have aluminium parts.


Silver

Silver pendant

Photo by Ilja Frei on Unsplash

If you have silver items that are tarnished, use a hot water solution and some aluminium foil (yes, you want aluminium for this one!). Line the bottom of a small heat-proof bowl with aluminium foil and place your silver items on top of the foil. Boil half a litre (about a pint) of water, pour into a jug and place in a sink. Add and dissolve 2 tablespoons (35ml) of baking soda – it may froth up and spill over the sides of the jug, hence placing in the sink. Pour this solution carefully (rubber gloves are advised) into the bowl with the foil and silver items, ensuring that the silver items are immersed. If the silver items are only lightly tarnished, one treatment leaving them in the solution for a few minutes should be enough. If they’re heavily tarnished, you might need to repeat the process one or more times.

This process is one of the least corrosive ways to polish silver. Rubbing polish or using dip treatments actually removes some of the silver when it takes the silver sulphide (which is the dark tarnish) away. In the aluminium+baking soda trick, the aluminium foil is actually taking on the sulphur ions, forming aluminium sulphide, and turning the tarnished silver back to pure silver!


Laundry

Adding 4 tbsp (70ml) of baking soda straight into the drum of your washing machine before you add your clothes  should reduce the amount of detergent you need. It will help to regulate the pH of the water in the machine, and also works effectively to break down the bacteria in fabrics that cause odours. Added to that, the baking soda can prevent detergent residue from clinging to the garments being washed, meaning they should feel softer once dried. How good is that?


Irons

If your iron has built up scorch-marks over time, you’ll know they’re very difficult to remove. Well, guess what? Our trusty baking soda paste can help to make that easy. Make sure the iron is completely cool before you start. Use a white cloth to rub a baking soda paste over the plate of the iron, leave for a few minutes and scrub gently to clean. Repeat if necessary. Once it’s clean, polish it up with some white vinegar on another cloth.


Know any other cleaning tips using baking soda?

If you have used baking soda for other cleaning puposes around the house and you’d like to share, please let us know! You can find us on Twitter and Facebook. We’ll check them out and add them to the list here!

And of course, if you’d like to get your domestic chores done for you and reap the benefits like our other clients, it’s a piece of cake. Give us a call and we’ll get the ball rolling!

 

Get in touch to find out more

"Vicky has been excellent – its like having a second pair of hands … only better!!"

- Mrs C, Great Ouseburn​

Cleanhome York – Bespoke Service.

We are not happy until you are! Your cleaner will usually tailor their services to fit exactly with your requirements, including spring cleaning and ironing.

Bespoke Service

We are not happy until you are! Your cleaner will usually tailor their services to fit exactly with your requirements, including spring cleaning and ironing.

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Only 1 in 50 applicants makes it on to our carefully screened database. We interview them twice, visit them in their own homes and take up at least two references. And if they still subsequently don't measure up to your standards, we will send you someone who does.

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We don't operate in teams, and therefore you get the same cleaner every week. This is good because you develop a relationship with your cleaner. We have some clients who have had the same cleaner for years and years - and that's what we want for you.
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Cleanhome York
0800 061 4191
30 Snowdrop Close, Easingwold York YO61 3GT

COVID-19 5th January Update

 

Just to let you know we are open for business as usual and you can continue to have your cleaner clean your house.

The government has made it clear that cleaners are still permitted to work inside peoples' homes as long as Government Guidelines on social distancing and staying safe are followed (see below). In summary:

You can be outside of your home for work purposes where your place of work remains open and where you cannot work from home, including if your job involves working in other people's homes.

The full text can be found here New National Restrictions from 5 January (in England; there are similar texts available for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). Specifically relating to cleaners, the guidance continues: 'This guidance applies to those working in, visiting or delivering to home environments. These include, but are not limited to, people working in the following areas:

  • 'This can include work in other people's homes where necessary - for example, for nannies, cleaners, social care workers providing support to children and families, or tradespeople (this is not an exhaustive list)'

Note this guidance is for people who are fit and well, and is dependent on the following social distancing guidelines being followed:

  • No work should be carried out in a household where people are isolating or where an individual is being shielded.
  • The cleaners can continue work, providing that they are well and have no symptoms. No work should be carried out by a cleaner who has coronavirus symptoms, however mild, or when someone in their own household has symptoms.
  • No work should be carried out in a household where any occupants are clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus, or households with a possible or confirmed case of coronavirus.
  • Whilst in the house. a cleaner should maintain a safe distance of at least two metres from any household occupant at all times, and ensure good ventilation in the area where they are working, including opening the window.
  • Upon entering the home, cleaners should wash their hands using soap and water for 20 seconds.
  • Cleaners should wash their hands regularly, particularly after blowing their nose, sneezing or coughing, and when leaving the property.

The good news with regard to cleaning is that the cleaners can social distance from their clients very easily, and we would advise that, if you are at home when they are there, that you remain in a separate room to your cleaner.

If you are happy to adhere to the government guidelines - and if your cleaner has not been in touch already - then please just call the office and we will ensure that your cleaning continues.

Best regards

The Cleanhome Team