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In every house, having a hardwood floor brings warmth and the feeling of a raw, natural environment. If you live in Palmer, AK, the colder climate can make maintaining this type of floor a bit more difficult. Hiring a maid service may therefore be useful, so your hardwood floor is properly cared for every time. We know that out of all the areas in your home, the floor tends to take the most damage. It is constantly stepped on with different types of shoes, various objects are dropped on it, not to mention pets and children’s toys that can scratch it. Also, any type of spillage can be soaked into the wood, which damages the material even more. Luckily, we’ve prepared some tried and true hardwood cleaning tips for you. Read on!  How to clean hardwood floors? As much as we think that wood is a difficult material to take care of, you’d be surprised to know it’s actually quite a simple process. Here are a few tips that can help you clean your floors quickly and efficiently. 1. Use soap and water or a wood cleaning product Water and soap work together as a perfect cleaning agent for wooden countertops and all flat surfaces. But you should know that water is dangerous for wood when used in large quantities. If you’re mopping hardwood floors with soap and water, make sure to use a damp cloth and not a soaked one, and use a dry cloth to pick up any leftover water afterwards . If you have some stubborn dirt spots that are difficult to remove with plain soap and water, you might opt for a wood cleaner. There are various products for cleaning wooden furniture and floors you can find at your local store.  A wood polishing compound can be a cheap and great way to restore the shine to your floors and other wooden surfaces. 2. Sweep before you mop Before you begin, it’s good to remove all the clutter that lies on the floor, so it’s easily accessible. Start by sweeping all the dust and tiny dirt particles that might have landed on the floor, and make sure to use a broom or a brush extension for a vacuum cleaner. Using a normal vacuum extension can make scratches on your floors and dull the shine. After sweeping, use a spin mop or a damp, almost dry cloth and mop your floors. You can use soap and water or a wood floor cleaner. One of the mistakes that people make with hardwood floors is mopping them with a wood cleaner that’s designed for the furniture, so try and avoid that. 3. Clean more frequently The floor is the part of the house that gets dirty the easiest, so it’s only fair for it to be cleaned more often. A simple sweeping at the end of each day may be sufficient, but mopping should be done at least twice a week. If you have small children, you might want to mop even more, because kids are prone to drop stuff on the floor and put it in their mouths without thinking. Also, floors in the high traffic areas of your house should get more TLC. This is because they get dirty so quickly, whether it’s from walking on them in outdoor shoes or spilling something. Scan your floors for the dirtiest parts and you’ll know right away which areas to focus on. Do you live in Palmer, AK and are looking for a professional maid service? If caring for the floors seems like a lot of work to you, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! White Lilac works with professional cleaners that know how to take care of any type of surface, so rest assured they’ll clean your floors to perfection. Contact us today to book an appointment, and we’ll send someone right away. While you spend time having fun at the Alaska State Fair, we’ll tackle your dirty wooden floors! 

Ever since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, people have become more vigilant about the cleanliness and safety of their homes. They want to make sure everything is germ-free and sanitized, and it is well known that bleach is a good product for disinfecting and killing bacteria and viruses.  However, hiring professional cleaning services is by far the easiest way to make your house a healthy environment, especially if you live in Wasilla, Alaska. Nevertheless, there are a few things you should know about bleach, because it’s not good for every surface and it can cause permanent damage if not handled with care. Read on.  What surfaces should not be cleaned with bleach? Bleach is particularly great for sanitizing the bathroom. Your ceramic toilet bowls and sinks will be shinier than ever after being washed with bleach thanks to its acidic nature. Also, since bleach is a powerful disinfectant, it can kill most dangerous germs in your bathroom. It’s also great for when you want to deep clean your shower or bathtub, as it dissolves all the skin particles left after showering.  However, not all surfaces should be cleaned with bleach. You should avoid putting bleach on: Stone countertops Wooden surfaces Anything made of metal These three materials are porous, and when bleach is poured onto them, it can easily fill in the pores. What’s more, bleach might not come out completely when washed off. It can also eat the material and make holes where bacteria can multiply. Moreover, it would not be safe to use these surfaces afterwards, as you may fail to wash away the bleach entirely.  Stone countertops  If you have countertops made of stone, like granite, using bleach to clean them is not a good idea. Bleach can dull the surface and make it matte. It may also dissolve the safety enamel and go into the stone, creating holes and dents. In order to properly clean marble or granite countertops, you should use non-acidic cleaning products, like baking soda, dish soap or hydrogen peroxide. Wooden surfaces  You should clean any wooden spoon, chopping board or a plain wooden surface using soap and water and let the surface fully dry. Bleach is too strong of a chemical to be used on wood and it can do more damage than good. It can whiten it and leave ugly spots, which are irreversible.  Metal items  Cleaning metal with bleach is not a good idea because it can damage its natural shine, and  nobody likes dull metal. Avoid putting bleach on shower heads, eating utensils, and baking trays. You can find another way to clean your kitchen sink but avoid using bleach if it’s made from metal.  Do you need to rinse after cleaning with bleach? Absolutely. No matter if the bleached surface is used for preparing food or not, everything cleaned with bleach should be rinsed with warm water. Bleach is not healthy, and there are specific safety tips for when you’re cleaning with it. Always use rubber gloves and a face mask, to prevent skin contact. Never mix bleach with other chemicals, as it can make toxic fumes, and even cause an explosion. Dilute bleach with water when using it, it doesn’t need to be fully concentrated for cleaning. Keep bleach away from food.  Looking for professional cleaning services in Wasilla, Alaska? If dealing with bleach seems like a tiring process and you want to avoid all the risks, give us a call! White Lilac can match you with professionals who know how to safely clean and disinfect your house using bleach and other time-tested cleaning products. Enjoy a relaxing day at the Iditarod Trail and leave the cleaning to us. We’re always here to help. 

Marble is one of the most popular luxurious materials that can make any surface look expensive and refined. To keep your marble looking fresh, however, you should learn the best maintenance and cleaning methods employed by professionals. Or better yet, you can hire cleaning services in Wasilla, AK and make sure all your surfaces are professionally cleaned and cared for. In the meantime, keep on reading to learn some great marble cleaning tips.  How do you clean and polish marble? To properly care for marble, keep the following tips in mind:  1. Know which type of food can damage marble It’s not easy to have your surfaces clean all the time, especially if you’re the cooking type. Food can be spilled in a second, without you even noticing, and certain types of food can damage your marble. Before you start cooking, make sure you know which food can spill on your countertops, so you don’t end up with scratches and dents all over your prestigious surface.  Acidic foods, like lemon, vinegar, milk, tomato or wine can damage marble. These are staple ingredients, commonly used in most households. So, the next time you’re cooking, try putting some kind of protection on your surface before starting, to prevent any spillage directly on the marble. 2. Never use bleach or acidic cleaners There are certain surfaces that shouldn’t be cleaned with bleach, and marble is one of them. Bleach is, most of all, a whitening product, which is why it can dull the shine of your marble if used for cleaning. Not only that, but bleach can also cause irreversible damage in the form of dents, holes and etches. The same goes for other types of acidic products, cleaners that contain alkaline, and abrasive cleaning agents. Just plain warm water and soap are good enough to wash away any type of stain. However, if the stains are more stubborn, you can try baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. These two ingredients are common in every household and are the safest way to clean anything. Although baking soda is a powder, it is not abrasive enough to damage the surface, but it’s strong enough to scratch away the stain. They can also be used when deep cleaning your shower, if the stall is made of marble. 3. Clean your surfaces as often as possible This is the best way to prevent dirt buildup and to keep your marble in best condition. A quick wipe after every meal preparation is more than enough. Just like you should clean your kitchen sink everyday, the same goes for your counter surfaces. It doesn’t take much time and it helps maintain the surface in a healthy, mint condition. Make it a habit and you’ll notice the difference! How do you make marble shine again? As any type of stone, marble has certain specific requirements when it comes to cleaning and polishing. Before you start polishing, make sure that the marble is clean. After that, you can use very fine sandpaper to remove small scratches. To restore the shine, use a polishing compound specifically made for marble and a microfiber cloth. You can buff in the shine more quickly by using a small variable-speed grinding machine. When you’re done sanding, wash away the dust and the polishing compound with warm water, and you’re done!  Where can I schedule the finest cleaning services in Wasilla, AK? If cleaning and polishing marble is not your favorite thing to do, don’t worry – White Lilac is here to help! Contact us today to book an appointment with trustworthy professional cleaners in Wasilla. They can help you restore the shine, not only to your marble, but to your whole house as well. Take a day off and relax at Wasilla Lake, while we take care of the dirt in your home. Contact us now. 

No dish washing can be complete without cleaning the sink. However, it can sometimes feel like the sink can never be truly clean again, because of all the food that’s washed off the dishes.  If you struggle with cleaning the sink, the best thing you can do is to hire a maid service in Wasilla, Alaska to have it professionally cleaned. But if you want to do it yourself, there are a few things you should know before attempting to clean your sink. We’ve compiled a list of expert tips that will make the process as easy as it can be. What is the best way to clean a kitchen sink? Depending on the material your sink is made of, you should first check which cleaning products you can use. Most of the kitchen sinks are made of stainless steel, so they are safe from rust and scratches. However, using bleach to clean steel isn’t recommended, so you can opt for other non-toxic cleaning solutions. Baking soda is always a good choice, because it’s abrasive enough to scrub away all the grime, and it isn’t harmful to the surface.  Here are a few tips on how to deep clean your kitchen sink: 1. Disinfect everything This is the most important step, so make sure not to skip it. After removing all the dishes and sponges from your sink, wash it with soap and water and then sanitize it with rubbing alcohol or other antiseptic. Also, disinfect the faucet, the drain and the surface around the kitchen sink, as bacteria can easily be there when water splashes it. A similar method can be applied to a shower faucet, as well as the drain. For hard to reach places, use a toothbrush to scrape away all the grime. 2. Unclog the drain You don’t have to wait for the drain to clog so you can clean it. Furthermore, you can prevent clogging by pouring some baking soda and white vinegar down the drain. There will be a satisfying reaction of foaming, after which you can pour boiling water to remove all the residue. For an extra touch, squeeze a lemon in the drain to leave it with a fresh scent. The same procedure can be applied to the garbage disposal. 3. Change sponges, steel wool and kitchen cloths When you notice your sponge’s abrasive side isn’t as rough as it used to be, it’s probably time to throw it away. It’s not a waste if it doesn’t serve its purpose.  Since you’re cleaning the sink, you might as well make it look as good as new. Switching up your cleaning supplies is always refreshing and it will make washing the dishes a more enjoyable experience. How do I remove stains from my sink? If your sink has “unremovable” stains from some types of food, don’t worry, there’s a solution for that! The easiest way to remove the stains is to use an abrasive pad. Add some dish soap to it and gently scrub. If that doesn’t help, opt for sandpaper, but pick the softest grit, because the harder grit can further scratch the stainless steel. Also, if you have stains on your marble countertops, there are certain methods that can make it shine again. Need a reliable maid service in Wasilla, Alaska? Contact us!  Sometimes, cleaning the kitchen sink is not on top of your priority list, and that’s okay. White Lilac is here to help you. Visit us today and we’ll send professional cleaners your way to tackle all the dirt and grime on your sink. Take a day off and relax with your family near Lucile Lake and leave the rest to us!

We all know that the bathroom is the dirtiest room in every house. This is why it’s important to properly maintain the cleanliness of the room, not only because of aesthetics, but also for health reasons. There is an easier way to have every inch of your home clean at all times, by hiring the best house cleaning services in Wasilla, AK.  We’ve prepared a list of ways to make your shower look and feel clean, since we know it’s tricky to keep it pristine at all times. Keep reading to learn more. How do I deep clean my shower? There are a few things that people forget to do when cleaning the shower, especially when it comes to frequency of cleaning. Most people just wash the tub, the curtain and the walls once a month and forget doing this: Unclogging the drain Deep cleaning the shower head Washing the shower caddy Replacing the caulk if needed The drain The drain doesn seem so important until it clogs. Then it’s time to call the plumber to deal with all the mess. Isn’t it better to skip that step by occasionally cleaning the drain and removing the trapped hair with a drain snake? You can also pour some baking soda and vinegar down the drain and clean the whole pipe without using toxic chemicals. This will make your showers much more enjoyable when you see all the water rapidly going down the hole, without any buildup. The shower head This is another one of the areas in the shower that often gets ignored until it gets clogged due to hard water. Most people usually throw away the shower head and replace it with a new one, but that’s such a waste. Why would you buy a new one, when the one you already have is so easy to clean?  Here’s a trick for unclogging it: vinegar! Fill up a zip-lock bag with vinegar and wrap it around the shower head, so it’s soaked in the solution. Leave it in for an hour and then rinse. Your shower head will be as good as new! This is one of the most effective bathroom cleaning hacks that can be used for cleaning the faucet in your kitchen and bathroom sink. The shower caddy When was the last time you cleaned your shower caddy? This is the part of the shower that always gets wet, so it could be moldy on the inside without you even knowing it. Make it a habit to empty out your container and give it a daily wipe, to save it from deteriorating. The caulk This might seem like a complicated job to do, so you’d think about calling a professional to do it, but did you know that you can actually do it yourself? Replacing the caulk is easy if you follow these steps: Scrape away the old caulk; Make a guide for the new caulk with tape; Put in a new caulk (silicone or latex) and wipe away the excess with a wet finger. This will give your shower a fresh look and it will prevent the water from running between the tub and the walls. Still, you can always rely on professionals if this sounds like too much work.  How do I get my shower white again? When you think of whitening any surface, you probably think of bleach. However, it’s important to note that not everything should be bleached. By using a natural cleaning product, like baking soda or hydrogen peroxide, you can ensure that your whites remain white, without causing any harm to the surface.  To make a solution, mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda so it forms a paste. Then apply it to the tub and let it sit for a few minutes. Use a sponge to scrub, rinse with warm water and your tub will be white again! If your tiles are in need of a polish, you can try other methods for making your marble shine again. Where can I find professional house cleaning services in Wasilla, AK? We know that cleaning the shower is one of the most boring house cleaning tasks. That’s why White Lilac is at your disposal for an easy and carefree solution. Contact us today and we’ll send you our best team of cleaners, so you can go relax in Carter Park, while they tackle the grime in your house!

With the spring coming around in Wasilla, the sun shines longer through your windows. Unfortunately, it can sometimes be annoying for the sun to constantly remind you that it’s time to do some window cleaning, especially if they were neglected during the winter. While it’s not easy to keep your windows spotless at all times, you can up your cleaning game by avoiding the following common mistakes.  How do you clean windows like a pro? In addition to learning how to properly clean your windows, you should also learn how not to clean them. Here are 4 common mistakes people make when washing their windows.  1. Washing the windows sparsely This should come as a no-brainer. If you want pristine windows, you should clean them on a regular basis. Of course, this doesn’t mean washing them everyday, but a wipe-down every month will get rid of the dirt before it accumulates. Also, dirty windows are prone to damage, because of the weather. With the help of rain and sun, dirt spots can easily turn into cracks, and that means bringing your windows closer to the end of their lifespan.  Try to clean your windows every month to avoid dust and grime build-up, and you will enjoy the rays of sun coming through your sparkly glass every morning. This way, you’ll also prevent sticky finger marks from bothering you. Plus, it won’t take long for you to wash them, because they weren’t there for too long. 2. Using a soapy cleaner It does seem more natural to use a window-cleaning product, especially if it was advertised specifically for the type of glass that you have. However, people often make the mistake of using too much of a soapy product, which can leave those nasty streaks on your windows. Opt for a water-based solution, or rubbing alcohol, as they are more efficient in removing and disinfecting every surface, especially glass. Soapy products are known to produce foam, which leaves residue in the form of streaks if not properly washed away. Also, avoid using tap water as it’s full of minerals that can leave hard water marks on glass surfaces. Distilled water is a great alternative, because it leaves zero marks and is perfect for cleaning as well as for ironing clothes. 3. Not cleaning the window frame This is a mistake that people mindlessly make. A window consists of the glass and the frame, and they both need to be washed in order to keep the cleanliness on point. If the frame isn’t washed, the dust on the upper part can easily fall onto the glass the next time you open and close your window. Whether your frame is wooden or PVC, using the proper window cleaning product will ensure that the cleanliness of the whole window is properly maintained. 4. Using paper towels They might be good for soaking the liquid on most surfaces, but in the case of window washing, paper towers do more harm than good. First of all, they leave lint and can easily tear, which can be very frustrating if you’re looking for a quick way to wipe down your windows. Second, if they’re the cheaper kind, they can scratch the glass surface, leaving a permanent mark. The best thing to use is a microfiber cloth as it’s fast absorbing and washable, so it’s also environmentally friendly. It will ensure your windows are spotless and will do no damage to them  because of its million little fibers. Where can I find the best Wasilla window cleaning service? If you are in need of reliable window cleaning, contact White Lilac to book your appointment and we’ll send skilled professionals to your door. While your expert cleaners work, you’ll finally have the time to visit the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry with your family or focus on your work without worrying about the dirt on your windows.  Give us a call today and experience the glass cleaning you won’t regret hiring.