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Cleaning Myths vs. Facts
Cleaning Myths vs. Facts
How Do I Get Rid of Stains On My Granite Counters?
by Amy Sardone
on Oct 11 2024
If you have granite in your kitchen and are a tea drinker, you may have encountered the heartbreaking stains that can be left by wet tea bags. Don’t fret! We can walk you through how to save the beautiful stone in your kitchen. Load up your apron with a few cleaning tools and off we go!
First, try to remove the stain with 12 percent hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia. (Hydrogen peroxide for bleaching hair is 12 percent—the kind in your first aid box is only 3 percent). If that doesn’t do the trick, you could try a poultice: a cleaner or chemical mixed with an absorbent material and then applied to the stain.
An organic stain should respond to a poultice of hydrogen peroxide and Bon Ami. Mix the two ingredients to the consistency of cake frosting, then use a plastic spatula to apply it over the stain, approximately 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch thick. Cover the poultice with plastic sheeting or plastic food wrap and tape the edges to the granite. Use painters’ tape or any masking tape that doesn’t leave a residue so you don’t have to clean that up later.
Allow it all to remain for twenty-four hours, then remove the tape and plastic to allow the poultice to dry for another twenty-four hours. Then wipe off the poultice, clean the area with water, dry with a cloth, and inspect the stain.
Did it disappear? Great! If the stain only got lighter, repeat the process. If it’s not improved after three tries, give up or call a professional.
You can also make a poultice out of cotton balls or gauze pads, which is easier for small stains. Put either over the stain and wet with the hydrogen peroxide, but not to the point of dripping. Then cover and tape as outlined above.
Do you have dark granite? It might be safer to substitute acetone for hydrogen peroxide because of the slight possibility that the hydrogen peroxide might bleach the stone. We always recommend doing a small pretest first to ensure you’re not harming the stone.
If it’s an oil stain, try a poultice with these combinations:
baking soda and water
Bon Ami and mineral spirits
cotton balls or gauze plus mineral spirits.
Note that granite is more resistant to stains and acids than marble, but resistant doesn’t mean that it won’t stain at all. To guard against stains, we recommend sealing and waxing natural stone surfaces.
If you found this helpful, you might benefit from our total home care kit.
Cleaning Myths vs. Facts
Can Microfiber Cloths Revolutionize Your Skincare Routine?
by Amy Sardone
on Oct 11 2024
Microfiber Cloths Aren’t Just for Cleaning the House
Are you ready for a new twist on using microfiber cloths??? Washing your face. Yes, you read that right – the house cleaning pros at Speed Cleaning are bringing you a beauty tip! After doing a little research online, we couldn’t wait to share this tip with our readers.
Microfiber cloths (we’re referring to the fluffy type here, not the smooth ones) are made up of super-fine split strands that create an extremely soft cloth. But don’t let that softness fool you – the split fibers create crevices and fingers that grab and trap dirt and bacteria. When used on skin, the fibers collect dead skin cells as well.
While a good-quality microfiber cloth feels very soft to the touch, it’s capable of removing makeup with just water and acts as an exfoliator. This exfoliation from such a soft cloth is what most online reviewers rave about. They do recommend starting out with a very light hand when cleansing, especially on your face, until you determine the right touch for your skin type. You can choose to use just plain water or your favorite cleanser.
Microfiber cloths marketed as washcloths are sold in the beauty section of stores and online. They’re the same material as cloths sold for house cleaning and car care, but they’re generally smaller in size and cost more. (No surprise there!)
Speed Cleaning’s Microfiber Dusting and Cleaning Cloths would be a great choice for personal care. Each cloth is a generous 16” x 16”. At that size, you could cut one up to make four smaller cloths for even more savings! And with Speed Cleaning’s four-pack, you can set some of the cloths aside just for house cleaning.
Whether you’re using your microfiber cloths for dusting, cleaning, or personal care, the same rules apply when washing them: no bleach or fabric softener. We also highly recommend allowing them to air dry rather than putting them in the dryer to maintain the fiber integrity and softness. They line dry very quickly. Washing them with only other microfiber cloths or other non-linting items will prevent the cloths from picking up lint. These cloths are just as grabby in the washer as they are when cleaning!
We encourage you to do your own research online to determine if using a microfiber cloth for personal care is right for you. Who doesn’t love learning about additional uses for everyday things!?
Cleaning Myths vs. Facts
8 Tips for Cleaning Window Blinds & Shutters
by Amy Sardone
on Oct 11 2024
Whether you’re cleaning for guests at the holidays or just playing catch up after neglecting your blinds for too long, these helpful tips on window blind and plantation shutter cleaning should make the job easier and more successful. Our expert contributor is Jim Jones of Mr. Maid, a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania cleaning service.
1. Use a feather or microfiber duster for dusting each week to clean your blinds or shutters. Dusting regularly will prevent you from backbreaking work later.
2. Wrap a sock or cloth around a ruler to clean thin, narrow blinds easily. This is especially good for metal blinds that are fragile and easy to bend.
3. To keep dust at a minimum, rub a fabric dryer sheet onto both sides of the slats. This will not prevent dust but it will cut down on the amount that clings to your blinds or shutters.
4. For a quick dusting (when family or friends are about to pop in), slip a sock onto each hand and rub between each slat which will clean both sides of the blinds quickly simultaneously. (Or use a microfiber dusting mitt!)
5. When your blinds or plantation shutters have been neglected for some time and are extremely dirty, lay an old sheet or newspaper under them before beginning your cleaning efforts. This will prevent double cleaning duty by catching the dirt before it lands on the floor.
6. When you are vacuuming your floors, if you have one, use the brush attachment to clean blinds and shutters. This is great for removing dust from hard-to-reach window treatments on tall windows. Some cleaning services provide this type of cleaning at an extra charge.
7. Use a paintbrush to clean extremely dirty blinds and plantation shutters. Dip the paintbrush into hot soapy water, oil soap, or plain water for extra cleaning power. Be sure to use a dry cloth to remove excess cleaner and clean the brush often to prevent transferring dirt.
8. You can clean the slats with a cloth or towel if you do it on a regular basis. Spray the towel lightly with dust remover, close the blinds or shutters, place the towel over the slats and rub side to side. Reverse the slats and do the other side to complete the job.
Now that you’ve got those blinds and shutters clean, how about the windows??
Cleaning Myths vs. Facts
Do Feather Dusters Work? A Must-Know for Pros
by Amy Sardone
on Oct 11 2024
Feather dusters often get a bad reputation for simply “spreading dust around.” But that’s only true if you’re using the wrong kind of duster—or using the right one the wrong way. For professional cleaners, a quality feather duster is not only effective, but it can save time and protect surfaces, especially when used with the correct technique.
Feather dusters are mainly used for maintenance cleaning, not deep cleaning. They’re perfect for keeping dust at bay between detailed cleanings.
In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know to dust like a pro—from choosing the right tool to using it the Speed Cleaning way.
How to Identify a Professional Feather Duster
First, only 100% ostrich-down feathers reliably attract dust. Yes, ostriches have down feathers just as geese do. And just like the goose variety, ostrich down is softer, more pliable, and more valuable than run-of-the-mill feathers.
Black feathers are the superior ones
What sets black ostrich feathers apart—especially those from mature birds—is the structure of each individual strand. It helps to visualize how each fine, finger-like feather strand traps and holds onto dust. Black ostrich down has more of these soft, fluffy filaments than gray or brown feathers, making it significantly better at catching and holding dust instead of just moving it around.
Real ostrich feathers—especially black—are:
Soft, flexible, and naturally electrostatic, meaning they attract dust instead of scattering it.
Black ostrich feathers (from mature birds) are denser and longer-lasting, perfect for pros.
❌ Avoid synthetic or chicken feather dusters—they just move dust around
. Sturdy Handle
Look for a wood handle with a strong feather attachment.
❌ Flimsy handles or cheap feathers = Not worth your time.
Watch the video below to see the difference between a high-quality feather duster and a cheap one—you’ll be surprised!
How to Use a Feather Duster – The Speed Cleaning Way
Even the best duster is ineffective with poor technique. Here’s how to use your feather duster like a pro:
Correct Technique = Better Results
Move quickly but with control (Top to Bottom)
Your goal is to push the dust downward, not scatter it.
Use smooth strokes and always come to a dead stop at the end of each motion.
Why? That pause allows dust to cling to the feathers instead of flying off.
Don’t “fling” the dust
Common mistake: Waving the duster around wildly.
The correct method: Dust and stop. Let the duster work for you.
Clean the duster mid-job
Tap the handle against your ankle (close to the floor) to release the dust safely where it can be vacuumed later.
Use one hand only
Keep the other hand free for balance and agility—especially when reaching high or moving around furniture.
Store it properly
Don’t crush or bend the feathers.
Hang or store in a vertical position to preserve shape and softness.
Check out the video below to see the Speed Cleaning feather duster technique
Professional-grade feather dusters:
🪶 Trap dust efficiently—better than microfiber dusters.🪶 Help reduce the time spent cleaning each room.🪶 Are reusable and washable, making them more sustainable.🪶 Last longer than most other types of dusters.
When your feather duster starts to feel dirty or less effective, follow the cleaning steps below to restore its performance.
Ethical & Sustainable Choice
Did you know ostrich feather dusters are ethically sourced? Ostriches naturally shed their feathers annually, and trained professionals collect them during this molting period, ensuring the birds are not harmed. This process makes ostrich feather dusters a responsible and sustainable cleaning tool.
Feather dusters can be highly effective, but only if you're using a professional tool and following the correct method.
In professional cleaning, every second counts. With the right feather duster and proper technique, you can save time, protect your health, and deliver a spotless result your clients will love.
Happy Cleaning,
Amy
Cleaning Myths vs. Facts
by Amy Sardone
on Oct 11 2024
If you have wood or other hard-surface floors in rooms besides the kitchen and bathrooms, and if you have one or more dust bunnies of any species, you should own a dust mop. (Kitchen and bathroom floors should be wet-mopped.) The floor attachment to a vacuum does a pretty good job of removing dust and debris from hard floors, but the vacuum doesn’t “wipe” the surface of the floor the same way a dust mop does. Imagine vacuuming the top of a dusty glass table instead of wiping it with a cloth, and you will understand the difference between vacuuming and dust-mopping a floor. Also, a vacuum doesn’t restore the floor’s shine the way a dust mop does.
The best treatment for floors is a combination of both: vacuum the floors most of the time, and dust-mop only occasionally. If your home has a rug over most of the hardwood, the hardwood is usually exposed for a foot or two around the edge of the rug. In such rooms, a dust mop isn’t as effective as a vacuum. If you get a dust mop, though, make sure it is small enough to fit into that border without touching the carpet. This works usually if you just turn the dust mop sideways and push forward as usual.
ECO FRIENDLY FLOORING
Do you have cork or bamboo floors? Our microfiber wet/dry mop is perfect for this use. It comes with a microfiber dry dust mop pad and microfiber wet mop pads that you can use slightly dampened with your favorite appropriate cleaner or better yet – just plain water. You can swap the pads out and finish your floors quickly. Check out all the floor care products online!
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