Today is Clean Your Floors Day! Floors take the greatest amount of wear and tear in our homes. Allowing your floors to get too dirty can cause them damage but also spread dirt around the house. Here, we have teamed up with Stories Flooring to share our top tips on how to keep your floor looking spic and span.

How to clean wood floors naturally

Cleaning floors with vinegar is eco-friendly and cost-effective. It is also one of the best ways to get the job done. We Buy Any House suggest that before you start mopping, you need to make sure you have removed furniture, appliances and other objects that might be damaged by water.

Add ½ cup white vinegar to a gallon of warm water in a bucket. Place your mop in the bucket and wring it out to remove the excess water. Work your way toward a door, mopping in a circular or side-to-side direction. Once you have mopped the floor thoroughly, empty the bucket and refill it with clean, warm water. Go back over the floor once...

As many companies adopt a permanent transition to remote working, employees are spending more time at home. Home cleaning and decluttering have become more important than ever. Keyboard, mouse and phone contain high levels of bacteria that pose a risk to health. We created a handy infographic showing the importance of keeping your home workplace clean.

The average keyboard and phone have 3.5 million and 1.6 million bacteria per square inch, respectively. By comparison, the toilet harbours about 3.2 million bacteria per square inch. Pathogens like MRSA could survive for up to 180 days on hard surfaces, while other common but less deadly pathogens, such as flu can survive for 24 hours. 

Introduction

It is timely that April is Stress Awareness Month. After a year in a global pandemic, the strain of repeated lockdowns and uncertainties have increased stress and impacted mental wellbeing. However, stress can be controlled in our daily lives. In this article, we look at the connection between a clean house and mental health and how cleaning can help stress levels.

Clutter increases stress

Because of lockdowns and working from home, we are spending most of our time stuck at home. Over the past year, 74% of UK adults have experienced problems with mental or emotional pressure. Researchers have found that clutter and mess are strongly associated with increasing stress and anxiety. According to a study clutter starts with loosing pens and papers, filling your desk with unnecessary clutter and leads to low quality work environment and increased anxiety levels.

Over 82% of Brits’ mood is impacted by clutter in some way....

It’s that time of year where your house deserves a serious makeover. We’re not just talking about a general sweep or some light dusting – we’re talking about that yearly spring deep-clean that will transform your house from messy and mediocre to sparkling-clean five-star-hotel standard.

It’s going to take some hard work, which is why we are joined today by The Handy Squad, handyman services in London, who are going to share some of their top spring-cleaning tips.

Create a plan

Before you dive straight in, grab a pen and paper and start writing out a ‘to-do list’. Cleaning your entire house can be overwhelming, especially if there’s a lot to get done! Instead of having one large task with a single overall goal, break the job down into lots of little tasks. Start by writing out all the chores you know you need to complete and then organise them by room. For inspiration, check out Taste of Home’s spring cleaning checklist - but...

Since the beginning of the pandemic, working from home has become part of the ‘new normal’. With the government urging workers not to return to their offices, more people are doing their jobs from the comfort of their own home. Whilst remote working is not a new concept, professionals are having to adapt to this new style of work. It’s safe to say it has brought with it several challenges.

Work from home challenges

As we are now surrounded by home comforts in our everyday working lives, our distractions at work have multiplied. And with the kids running around, it’s no wonder we can’t focus! This feeling of demotivation and stress begins to extend past working hours once we close our laptops and realise how many chores need doing. Subconsciously, visual mess in our homes adds to our stress more than we realise. An untidy background means our brain must work twice as hard to concentrate on the task at hand. With more distractions and less...

Introduction

There are a few cleaning tasks that should be done at least once-a-year. When these tasks are done, your quality of your life will be so much better, and your home healthier. These annual tasks are like medicine for a healthy and happy home. But what does a yearly house cleaning schedule look like?

To make the tasks manageable, they can be spread across the year according to the seasons. The yearly cleaning schedule will help you to keep your home looking spotless from Spring through to Winter!

Spring

Spring is a great time to do some clearing-out after the Winter months indoors. Over the course of a year, the kitchen and garage accumulate clutter and Spring is a good time to clear them out. Your gutters accumulate debris over the Fall and Winter months and Spring is an excellent time to get them back in perfect working order.

Kitchen and pantry 

Now is the best time to organise your kitchen and pantry. Begin with a declutter. Remove and dispose of...

Does pet hair go everywhere around your home? You see it all over your floors, sofa, curtains and even clothes! We love our pets too much to get too annoyed with them. 

If this is really bothering you, we suggest you groom your dog more often, cover the furniture with a sheet or towel and train them not to climb on furniture. 

You cannot prevent all pet hair from being shed around your home. We share our top tips to help you clean up after your beloved pet. 

1. Use a lint roller

Using a lint roller will help clean the hair that is stuck to your sofa. It is easy and you can go over the furniture and clothes or even the dog itself!  Using a lint roller will not harm the dog or the furniture.

2. Use tape

Another way of removing the stubborn dog hair from furniture is by using tape. Just flatten a section of sticky tape against the furniture, leave it for a bit and peel it off. Duct and masking tape are perfect for this case, but you might need to repeat the process...

Technology innovation is one of the most discussed topics nowadays. Many cleaning tools have been electrified and updated to help us clean faster and easier.

Many ingredients in common household products have been linked to health problems. Using innovative technology tackles environmental issues and makes our lives easier. In this post, we share some new technologies that can improve your health and the environment as well.

ROBOTIC VACUUM CLEANERS

Robotic vacuum cleaners have been around for some time. The technology is constantly improving, and they now have the potential to revolutionise the way we clean.

One of the features of the automatic vacuum cleaner is that it automatically adjusts between floor types and can clean under your furniture. Your only task is to turn it on and leave it on the floor. It would be the best solution if you have a busy lifestyle. Let the new technology do the dirty work, while you enjoy your free time.

ELECTRIC MOP

The electric mop has also existed...

Our ancestors first used leather to protect themselves from the elements. Since then, we have adapted leather’s durability and beauty to use it in apparel, furniture and fashion accessories.

Leather products are a style statement. However, as a natural material, it needs special treatment when it comes to cleaning.

 It is preferable to minimally treat your leather products and to use natural cleaners to avoid damage. Always spot test a cleaning product on a small area before using on the entire area.  You don’t want to damage your beautiful leather furniture by mistake!

It’s important to realize that if you are cleaning a suede product, the treatment is not the same as cleaning leather. 

So, let’s get started on how to take care of your favorite leather products.

Furniture

Leather furniture is a must-have choice when it comes to owning a durable and sleek piece of furniture. Though, most love to own it but lack the...

Having a clean bathroom is important to us. We want to feel clean and hygienic when we are in the bathroom. It is also important to prevent the build-up of harmful bacteria, mould or mildew. Most people know how to clean a mirror, sink or toilet. However, cleaning your shower and bath tub is a little more complicated. . Read on for our top tips for how to clean a shower as part of your bathroom cleaning routine.

Fast fixes: Cleaning your shower as quickly as 1, 2, 3

1) Invest in a specialised cleaner to get rid of mould and mildew.

There are a few important things to consider:

• Make sure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the packaging.

• Always keep the area well ventilated.

• Shut the door to prevent children or pets entering the bath or shower room whilst you are using the product.

• Don’t use these types of products when you are pregnant.

2) Clean the drain.

This is especially important if you or other members of the household have...

Has your laptop ever suddenly stopped working? Cleaning your laptop is vital to keep your machine running efficiently. 

Sometimes dust and dirt can find its way into your laptop’s cooling vents causing it to overheat and switch off. Laptop keyboards are also a great place for bacteria to grow. To keep you and your laptop healthy, we have compiled our top cleaning tips.

1) Wipe your screen with microfibre cloth

If you need to clean the dust and smudge marks on your laptop monitor do not use rough paper or paper towels. If you use these materials the dust just clings to the surface and falls back onto the keyboard.  Rough fabrics or materials can also cause screen scratches.

The best material to clean a laptop screen is a microfibre cloth because it doesn’t leave any lint behind on the screen and its softness minimises any risk of scratches on the screen. Move the cloth in a circular pattern to clean and polish the surface. 

2) Use a hairdryer...

When was the last you cleaned your blinds? Blinds are tricky things to clean so if you are like most people, it was probably a long time ago. Because your blinds are probably due a thorough clean, we have come up with the ultimate guide for cleaning all types of blinds.

In this post we’ll explain the correct way to clean your blinds without damaging them. We had some help compiling this list from one of our domestic cleaners in Knightsbridge. To get started you need 1) a vacuum with hose attachment 2) warm water 3) microfibre cloth 4) easy clean duster 5) mild dish soap                                                                                             

Cleaning vertical blinds

When cleaning vinyl vertical blinds, be careful when...

We scour the world for the best cleaning tips and take inspiration from expert authors. We have compiled a list of the best books about cleaning in order of Amazon Bestsellers ranking.

Hinch Yourself Happy: All The Best Cleaning Tips To Shine Your Sink And Soothe Your Soul – By Sophie Hinch (Mrs Hinch)

Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 20 in Books

Mrs (Sophie) Hinch offers not only a ‘how to’ but a ‘why to’ guide to caring for your home and family. ‘Hinch Yourself Happy’ effortlessly guides you on a mesmerizing and revolutionary journey from expert recommendations on health and safety to cleaning and childcare. ‘Hinch Yourself Happy’ is a personal guide to the art of household management.

Hinch advocates that you owe it to yourself to make your homes as pleasant as possible. ‘Hinch Yourself Happy’ will ensure that your housekeeping not only benefits your health and efficacy...

Here we share our top tips on how to clean a dishwasher and ensure that your dishes continue to sparkle after every wash.

When you press the button to start your dishwasher, you would think your dishwasher would also clean itself in the process.  But unfortunately this is not the case. We spoke to one of our experienced cleaners in Brockley and she had some pointers to pass on to help her clients with regular dishwasher maintenance. 

After every cleaning cycle pieces of food and other gunk can pile up and block your dishwasher’s filters. The absence of a regular clean of your dishwasher leaves it susceptible to producing poor results and could lead to you incurring unnecessary costs should it breakdown. And nobody wants that.

Remove and rinse the dishwasher filter

Have you ever wondered how the loose bits of food stuck to your dishes are removed as your dishwasher performs its job? The answer is the filter of your dishwasher. The filter’s primary purpose is to...

For most people, cleaning can be an almighty chore. Though it can be rather fulfilling to see the visible transformation of your home after a deep clean, cleaning is an endless pain no matter the results.

But what if there were some nifty tricks that would enable you to clean your home more quickly? Here we detail 5 time saving cleaning hacks that would make quick work of your weekly cleaning routine.

Use a lint roller to remove dust around your home

One of our experienced cleaners from Hampstead says that lint rollers can be your best friend when you have lint or hair on your clothing. However, when it comes to household cleaning, lint rollers are also very effective on many items around your home.

Whether it’s your carpet, drawers, lampshades, sofas, chairs or even your pool table, a lint roller is certainly the go to tool for cleaning. Rather than spending a vast amount of time hoovering, lint rollers are a convenient alternative to help speed up your cleaning session....

Cleaning burnt pans can be extremely frustrating. Having ruined your perfect meal a painfully long cleaning session could be in order. You may wonder if it is even possible to bring your pan back to life. The good news is that it is possible and there are many ways to do it. Here are our top tips on how to clean a burnt pan and keep it in tip-top shape.

The soak and scrub method

One of the easiest methods to remove burnt stains from your pan is by soaking your pan in piping hot water. Warm water alone will not remove such stains, but what it will do is loosen up any burnt pieces allowing you to clean them off more easily. Once that is done you can add washing up liquid and scrub away using a wire or plastic scrubber. For the best results it is wise to leave your burnt pan to rest overnight before beginning the scrubbing process.

How to clean a burnt pan with salt

Whilst salt is used to provide flavour to your favourite meals, salt can also bring great benefits to your cooking...

Cleaning mattresses is certainly an overlooked household chore. When was the last time you cleaned your mattress? Have you ever cleaned it?

One of the professional cleaners in Finchley says that though not required regularly, cleaning your mattresses once in a while ensures that they are kept fresh and critter free. Most people don’t know how to clean their mattresses so here we provide our cleaning guidelines.

Different cleaning methods

There are many possible ways to clean your mattresses but we highlight to effective methods that do the job well.

The natural method

During the warmer seasons, it is possible to freshen up your mattresses by airing it outside under the warm sunshine. The sun’s ultraviolet light serves as a great tool to kill off that unwanted bacteria scattered around your mattress.

So how exactly do you use the sun to clean your mattress? The answer is as follows.

• Firstly remove your bed sheets off of you mattress and place them in the washing...

Your entire effort in keeping the house clean can be wasted if dusty fixtures and fittings dull the overall home appearance. From taps to showerheads to towel bars and hinges, chrome exists everywhere in the house, mainly in the bathroom. We share some of the best tips on how to clean chrome and keep it shiny.

How to clean chrome with lemon

As you might know, lemons are used for various cleaning purposes and they play a vital role in cleaning chrome fixtures. Follow these easy steps on how to clean chrome with lemons:

• Rub the crux of the lemon on the chrome with a little pressure.
• Let the lemon juice rest for a while on the fixtures for 5minutes to clean hard water stains and buildups.
• A microfiber cloth can then be used to wipe off the juice on it.
• Repeat this process until your fixtures and fittings are free from rubbles.

How to clean chrome with vinegar

You can use vinegar too to clean chrome. Just follow these simple steps:

• Mix equal amount of vinegar with equal amount of...

Cleaning kitchen appliances isn’t much fun! However, it is important because kitchen appliances harbour harmful germs. Grime and mould can make them difficult to clean and maintain so we have some easy tricks to help you clean kitchen appliances and keep them shipshape. We've put together a list with our top tips on how to clean your kitchen appliances and keep them in tip-top condition.

Cleaning a refrigerator

Use a solution of 50-50 water and white vinegar to clean and sparkle the inside and outside of the fridge. Wipe the shelves and the crispers at least on a weekly basis to help keep maintain them. Use damp cloth to clean the finger marks on the exterior of the refrigerator.

Not many people clean behind their fridge but it is essential. To clean it, pull out the refrigerator and give it a mop. After mopping, vacuum the refrigerator coils behind the fridge.

Cleaning a dishwasher

Almost everyone believes that it is not necessary to clean a dishwasher as it cleans...

In this article, we share our top 3 tips on how to clean a fabric sofa and keep it in tip-top condition. Cleaning a fabric sofa can feel like a lot of work, but we know some quick tricks for making your sofa as fresh as new! Many of the materials needed to clean a sofa must already be in your kitchen. So let’s get started with it!

#1 Always check the label first

It is highly recommended to check the label of the upholstery before cleaning your fabric sofa. You can usually find it in the footing of the sofa. You can also check with the manufacturer if you are unsure about it.

The code on the label shows you how to clean the sofa fabric. Our professional housecleaner from Islington let us know that there are some common cleaning codes found on sofas such as:

• W: This indicates that water can be used for cleaning.
• SW: This indicates that either water or any solvent cleaner can be used. It also means that steam is safe to use.
• S or P: This means that only a solvent cleaner can...

We’re always on the hunt for the best cleaning tips and tricks. Whatever home cleaning challenge you may be facing, there is a website out there that has the answer. But which websites have the best cleaning tips?

We’ve scoured the globe for cleaning gurus and compiled the best websites into this killer list. These are the best of the best cleaning websites.

1) Goodhousekeeping.com

Established in 1885, long running magazine Goodhousekeeping has been providing expert advice on a large range of topics, from home tips to holiday destinations and everything else in between.

With a philosophy that life should be pleasant and not feel like a chore, they deliver on that promise with inspiring suggestions.

They have some classic tips on problems, such as removing red wine stains from your carpet. They even guide students on tackling those hard to rid pen stains.

With somuch content, you are bound to find answers as well as...

In this article, we provide the best tips and methods to clean your oven. You can keep your oven clean with this easy six-step maintenance that doesn't take much time but will help get your oven cleaned and in good working condition. If your oven isn't regularly cleaned, then it could result in unpleasant smells, food residue on the bottom or a door splattered in grease.

PRE-CLEANING YOUR OVEN OVERNIGHT

To thoroughly clean your oven, start by turning it off to avoid burning yourself while you scrub it. Take out any pans, pots, and oven racks and set them aside. For the pre-cleaning solution, blend in some warm water and washing liquid and soak your oven with it. Leave this overnight on low heating mode or alternatively, spray the oven inside out with an oven cleaner and leave it overnight. Most of your job will be done by the time you wake up. You can even soak the baking trays with the soapy water mixture. This will save your time and energy on superfluous scrubbing.

...

Wouldn’t it be great to have clean and gleaming silverware on your beautifully set table with perfectly shaped linen napkins and flowers? You don’t want tarnished cutlery to create a major dark spot to your special occasion. 

We asked some domestic cleaners in Stoke Newington for the best tips on how to clean silver that are chemical-free. These are the four surprising tricks to tackle even the most severely tarnished silver. We share tips on how to clean silver with toothpaste, ketchup, banana peels and aluminium foil.

1. How to clean silver with tomato ketchup

The reason behind using ketchup is the fact that the acid in tomatoes reacts with the oxidization of the tarnished silver. You just need to pour ketchup into a plate and place the silver in it until its fully submerged. The silver can then rest in it for 10 minutes. You can then remove and rinse the silverware with warm water and pat dry it with a rag. This is undoubtedly one of the most unusual...

Have you covered all the bases in your deep spring cleaning?

Many people book a cleaner
in order to save time on their schedule to create time to do more activities. However, no one knows your house better than you! So you may have taken this challenge on yourself to clean the entire house. In the chaos of tackling the laundry, kitchen, bathrooms and more all at once; there are some points that may be forgotten along the way.

Here’s a list of some of the things you might have forgotten while cleaning the house. Remember these spots and you’ll have a completely tidy house!

1. Remote controls

We often overlook the multiple remotes we use every day. Whether it’s the kids or your own self, the remotes get the brunt of our sticky hands while changing to our favourite shows during snack time. Our remotes are used every day and if not cleaned hold a large amount of germs. Use a cloth and a disinfectant to resolve this issue quickly.

...

Is your wardrobe so packed full of clothes that finding an outfit becomes a chore?

If so, it may be time to clean your wardrobe and there is no better time to do it than spring!

Even if you book a cleaner through a local cleaning services company for your spring cleaning, decluttering your wardrobe is one chore that is difficult to delegate!

So, we have put together an easy six-step checklist, on how to clean a wardrobe and make it a little less daunting task.

Follow these steps on wardrobe cleaning and make it look neat and tidy in no time!

1. Take out everything 

Yes. Everything! We often half-heartedly decide to clear out our wardrobes and end up neglecting the items stuffed in the bottom of our drawers. When it comes to wardrobe cleaning, it is essential that all clothes are taken out and every drawer or compartment is emptied. Don’t worry about deciding if you want to keep each item at this stage. Just pile the clothes into categories, e.g. skirts, trousers and...

Is your garden ready for Spring?

Spring has arrived, which means it’s time for the big spring clean! Whilst you may have your home spring cleaning checklist sorted, don’t forget your garden will need some TLC too!

Spring is a great time to tidy up the lawn, clear the weeds and clean the patio.

It’s time to throw open the doors and roll up your sleeves. Here are 6 great tips on how to clean garden and get it back in shape for spring!

Power wash the patio

My patio is north-facing and has been covered with unsightly moss for longer than I care to remember. I’ve tried moss weed-killer in the past, but the moss turns brown for a bit and then laughs it off! Then I discovered this brilliant tool. I won’t lie and say that it was an easy job. You will get a good work-out scraping the moss away, but the end result is very satisfying.

Once you have tackled the moss, it’s time to give the patio itself a thorough clean. Simply get a bucket of warm soapy...

Many of us are is such a hurry to finish our household chores, that we don’t stop to think if we are cleaning our homes correctly. 

So, we have gathered the 7 most common cleaning mistakes from our professional homecleaners based in Canary Wharf and our meticulous housekeepers in Maida Vale. 

You may be surprised, but if you avoid these common mistakes you will save yourself time and effort when keeping your homes clean and tidy!

1. Washing windows on a sunny day

Do you often choose a sunny afternoon to roll up your sleeves and wash the windows?

While it may seem like the ideal time, it is in fact entirely counterproductive. Direct sunlight tends to dry the glass too quickly, leaving your windows with unwanted streaks. So, the next time you are planning to wash your windows be sure to choose a cloudy day, to avoid ruining all your hard work!

2. Using a feather duster

Keeping on top of dust feels impossible, it appears out of nowhere...

Are you tired of using commercial cleaning products that are full of dangerous and toxic chemicals?

If so, essential oils are a must – have for every green cleaning starter kit. As many studies have shown, they have powerful antibacterial, antiviral and antiseptic properties, which makes them great natural household cleaners.

But with so many to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start.

So, here are three essential oils that are great for keeping your home looking clean and smelling fresh, the natural way!

Lemon

Lemon essential oil is often a favourite choice because of its fresh, clean scent and versatility. It can be used to cut through grease, clean flooring and even polish cutlery!

Lemon essential oil can also be great for deodorizing your fridge. Simply add a few drops of the oil to some baking powder (it is recommended you use 2-3 drops for every 30g of baking soda). Place the mixture into an old spice jar or other small glass...

49% of UK adults own a pet. While we love our furry companions, every pet owner knows that cleaning up after them can be a challenge. From muddy paws, to shedding fur, keeping your home clean and tidy can seem like an endless chore.

So, how do you have a pet and keep your home clean?

We have gathered 8 great tips from our professional cleaners based in Queensway and our cleaning specialists from Putney, to help keep you pet-loving home looking clean and smelling fresh!

1. Bath time

Keeping your pet clean is the first step to keeping your home clean. Your dog needs to be bathed from time to time, especially if it spends a lot of time outdoors. Whilst cats do not need to be bathed, except in rare occasions, as they dislike being wet and can find the process quite distressing.

Pet wipes can be a great way to keep both your pet and your home clean on a day-to day basis. Get into the habit of wiping your pet’s paws as soon as you get in...

When was the last time you gave your trainers a good clean? 

We know that finding the best way to clean your favourite trainers can be a real task.  So, we asked some of our experienced housekeepers in Highgate as well as one of our best cleaners in Waterloo to put together a few simple and inexpensive cleaning tips that will leave your trainers looking and smelling great!

Using the washing machine 

Even though it is a quick and easy solution, it is important to check the care label on your trainers or the manufacturer’s instructions before simply throwing your trainers into the washing machine.

Once you have made all the necessary checks, follow these 5 simple steps:

1. Remove the laces from your trainers and use a soft brush to clean off any excess dirt or mud.
2. Before starting the wash, place the trainers and the laces into a mesh laundry bag.
3. Throw in a few old towels into the wash at the same time, as this will reduce the noise of the...

Your child could be soaking in a tub full of bacteria. After a few weeks of use your child’s bath toys can be covered in mould and mildew and once bath toys get mould in them it is very difficult to get the mould out. We have two beneficial ways to limit this disgusting growth.

Purchase a bath net

After every bath squeeze excess water out of toys as much as possible and place in the bag to drain further.

Deep Clean

After three weeks of your child playing with bath toys, it is time to clean them. Fill a bucket of hot soapy water and give the bath toys a deep clean (scrub with a toothbrush). Then place the toys in a 50/50 mixture of fresh water and white vinegar. Squeeze the toys, so they soak up the vinegar water and leave overnight then squeeze the water out of the toys, rinse them off and let them air dry in the bath net.

Please Note: A bleach solution should not be used to wash squirty toys as it’s difficult to rinse thoroughly out of the inside of the toys and would...

The horror of the rainy season is upon us but parents we have a miracle that will keep your home clean and eliminate muddy footprints forever. Get ready to say goodbye to gritty carpets and hello to embracing a wet winter. Create a boot mud tray with the items below.

Materials

• Black rubber tray (Poundland)
• River rocks or pebbles
• Grip glue adhesive (Tesco)

Directions 

Arrange the rocks in small sections as you would a puzzle piece or fill the tray (keep in mind if you have younger children those rocks won’t stay in the tray for too long.

Once arranged, pick up a stone, glue the stone and place it back into its rightful position. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

Place the tray by the door and train the little ones (husband included) to take off their wet, muddy shoes off at the door.

In the past few years companies have developed more efficient ways to clean our homes. There are now more robotic cleaners than ever before! You have the robot vacuum cleaner, the robot mop, and even the robot window cleaner, that’s a lot of robots for one household. Now I know most people think well if they can cut down on the time it takes to clean their homes then the technological advancements might be worth the investment, but I wouldn’t rush to make that purchase just yet.

The surge of robotic cleaners has come with a price, a high price most robots starts at around £700 and yes they do call it an investment, but if your investment breaks you will be reconciling with your old cleaner to get your house up to par not to mention there have been various test that show the bots just cant catch them all.

No matter how great the cleaning-bot it will never provide the same satisfaction as our dear professionals. As a matter of fact, a robot will always need a human...

Dear Reader,

Today a thought popped into my head?

“When was the last time I cleaned my window sills?”

As I thought about it, it hit me…over six months ago. Can you believe that?

Maybe some of you can, but as an avid cleaner, I think it is unacceptable, for me of course.

So I got to work and scrubbed and washed, alternating between a toothbrush and cloth with a little help from some baking soda and vinegar. The process took well over an hour as windows tend to collect a lot of dirt in the corners.

Once I finished my task it occurred to me that there must be other places in my home I ignore. Below are a few other areas in and around the home we should all try to clean even if it is just once every new moon.

Be on the lookout for other forgotten areas and tips on how to clean them.

Note: This blog claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners.

How do professional cleaners get your bathroom so sparklingly clean? Here are the secrets.

1. Scrub the sink, toilet, shower and tub

The cleaning procedure for sinks, toilets, showers and tubs is quite simple. First of all, pour hot water on them (this will shift the bulk of the dirt and loosen the rest).

After that, apply any specific cleaning agents you want to use, including your vinegar or other products to remove limescale.

Finally, scrub them down thoroughly. If you need to remove any odours, apply some baking soda and then wipe it off or rinse it away.

Pay close attention to taps and especially the showerhead, which can carry mycobacterium avium, a pathogen linked to pulmonary disease. According to professor Charles Gerba (a microbiology professor from the University of Arizona), neglecting items like these can send millions of germs straight into your lungs.

2. Clean the tile and grout

Grout is highly susceptible to bacteria growth. Therefore, apply a...

Moths are completely inoffensive creatures that don’t bite, buzz, or sting. Still, finding some in your cereal or in your cashmere sweaters is not something you would want.

Follow these tips to prevent those pests from making your home their home. 

1. Know your enemy

Pantry moths and clothes moths are the most common ones in our house.

According to Orkin entomologist Chelle Hartzer, the pantry variety goes after grains and dry goods. For example, when you come across tiny caterpillars inside your snacks, those are a not-so- pleasant gift from the pupae and larvae.

Clothes moths naturally stay in closets or wardrobes. According to pest management brand Woodstream, these kind of insects can also leave behind excrements that look like large grains of sand.

2. Start cleaning

First of all, throw away any potentially contaminated food and get it out of the house.

Then, as Carolyn Forte, Director of the Cleaning Products and Textiles Labs at the Good Housekeeping...

London is one of the busiest cities in the world and, let’s face it, we don’t always have enough time to stay at home and clean up the messy clutter we pile up. Our lack of time makes us take short-cuts and get into some bad housekeeping habits we should all quit.

1. Randomly putting things in a “junk drawer”

Do you remember that drawer where you dump everything in and then you cannot find what you need? Well, yes, that’s a “junk drawer”. In order to avoid wasting time looking for something, keep loose items such as buttons and screws in small plastic bags or boxes and label things so you can easily tell what and where they are.

2. Laundry procrastination until the last pair of socks

This is a hard habit to break. We all tend to put off the laundry until we can’t put it off anymore, then it costs us a lot of time doing all the washing at the same time. As a matter of fact, make a new rule: Tackle your dirty laundry as soon as you can...

We, at TidyChoice know a lot about keeping homes clean. We also wanted to find out how much cleaning our personal items need. So, we did some research to find out what the experts think.

Phones: Clean every day

Believe it or not, a recent study by research firm Dscout found that on average we touch our phones 2,617 time every day, leaving us to the risk of being exposed to 7,000+ types of bacteria. Although most are harmless, some are not. It is indeed highly recommendable to clean your phone everyday with an antibacterial wipe.

Bras: Clean every 2-3 wears

Good news ladies: if you don’t know it already, bras don’t need to be washed after every wear. If you’ve had a particularly sweaty day, you might want to wash them after just a wear.

Over-washing can quickly damage the elastic, that’s why washing them after every two wears, possibly three, is ideal.

Handbags and wallets/purses: Clean once a week

Bags carry nasty germs (well, it’s no wonder when you...

Are you afraid that some cleaning products might be toxic for you and your pets? Well, here are some natural alternatives.

Ground coffee beans

Ground coffee beans are good odour removers. After you make your flat white, you can save the beans and leave them in a small bowl. When they are completely dry, they can help deodorize your fridge, cupboard, and wardrobe.

Baking soda

Baking soda is the killer of stains and oil. When mixed with water and vinegar, it can dissolve dust, grease, and oil in your kitchen. It can also remove hard water stains in water boilers, coffee stains on clothing and polish silverware and jewellery.

Vodka and gin

Liquor can shine your silver and glass. Because of its high concentration of alcohol, it can also kill bacteria and is good for cleaning bathroom tiles. You can also replace special screen wipes with regular alcohol wipes.

Phones and laptops might be two of the dirtiest things that we carry around with us every day. Let’s question ourselves for a second. Have we ever brought our phone to the bathroom? Have we ever had lunch while watching dramas on our laptop? Well, I will admit it.

We need to clean these filthy devices NOW.

Take off and clean the cases

Phone cases protect your devices but also accommodate dirt. If they are not made of precious materials like real leather or silk, you can wash them under running water with some dish soap. If they aren’t washable, gently wipe them with disinfection wipes.

Clean your screens and keyboard

Before you do any cleaning, please make sure your electronics are switched off. You can use special screen cleaning wipes which claim to be anti-static to clean the screens and keyboard. Or you can simply use alcohol wipes to wipe out all the oil and kill all the bacteria on your devices. Cotton buds can be super helpful for...

Lingering smells are a common issue faced by many homes, and there are various reasons why your home may be experiencing these yucky odours.

The truth is that there are very few easy fixes to these issues. In most cases, spraying air freshener all over your house is going to solve the problem only in the short run. Once the air freshening particles fizzle out, it’s likely that bad odours would also return. For a more permanent fix, you first need to find out the source of the smell, which would indicate which appropriate measures need to be taken.

Mould

One common culprit of household stench is mould, which produces smelly gases that can cause health problems in humans. These invasive mushrooms love moist spaces, and are commonly found on your home’s walls and ceilings, as well as in cupboards and other furniture. Over time, the fungi colony can also grow into your walls and furniture’s interiors, making the problem even harder to...

We touch, hear, see, smell, and taste in order to explore our surroundings. Not only do children touch their toys, but they sometimes enjoy licking, chewing, and biting their playthings. In this process, they get in contact with various germs and can even catch illnesses.

To remain healthy while their immune systems are still developing, small children need help to reduce their encounters with undesirable bacteria in their toys. First and foremost, parents can do their part by regularly cleaning the objects that their kids like to play with.

So how should toys be cleaned? The answer depends on which toys we are talking about.

Bath Toys

Firstly, let’s establish that rubber bath toys do need to be cleaned. Many people may assume that their regular contact with soap and bath water is sufficient for these playthings to remain sufficiently hygienic. This is false. The damp condition that these toys are often in is great for the growth of mould,...

Having a tidy home can be a challenge when you have children running around with their toys all over the house. That time is the ideal time to show your kids that the house shouldn’t be messy and that they can do a lot about that. All they need is a little motivation and a reason to learn something more.

You are the head of the house

You child looks you with admiration because you are a hero in their eyes. You are making them meals, giving them kisses and hugs, making them happy or comforting them when they are sad. When they need something they go to you.  That means that you are their role model and that means that they will copy you in everyday situations. Due to that, make sure that they observe you while you are cleaning the house and you will see that they will start to do the same with their toys.

Make a schedule for chores

It is easier to do chores when you develop a habit around them. Those chores can be a part of your daily routine, for example,...

Dogs are cute and clever. No wonder many people love having them as their household companions. Unfortunately, despite the greater  emotional well-being and love that your four-pawed friends’ place bring to your life, dog ownership also has its challenges, not least how to keep your house clean with a dog around.

As hairy animals, dogs often leave traces of their hair behind places they visit. They also like scratching surfaces. Lastly, they can occasionally leave smells behind.

So how should new dog owners prepare themselves for all these eventualities?

Dog-Grooming

Ensuring that your dog is well-groomed is a great way to minimise your friend’s impact on your house’s tidiness.

Bathe your dog once a month to ensure decent hygiene. Trim their nails occasionally to reduce the amount of scratch marks that they could leave on your home’s surfaces. And don’t forget hair cuts!

Prepare Your House

...

As your children grow it is important to include them in various different activities including chores in order to teach them responsibility and also give you a little bit of a break every now and then. Here are a few tips on ways that they can be included – from showing them a guide on how to clean a hairbrush from Cleanipedia, to including them in the fun of Christmas at this time of year.

In the bedroom

One of the simplest chores that children can be involved in is taking care of their own bedroom. Children as young as three are capable of learning to make their own bed in the morning when they get up and ensure that all their dirty washing is placed into the laundry basket.

In the kitchen

Joining in with baking Christmas cookies or helping cook up the perfect Sunday roast are chores that most children love to do; and as they grow a little they can begin to have involvement in other chores in the kitchen too. For example, why not ask your children to put the food...

Christmas is coming in less than two weeks, and many people are now in their full Christmas-preparation mode. However, besides doing your Christmas shopping and decorations, readers should consider adding a small but highly rewarding task to their festive to-do list. This extra task that we are referring to is pre-Christmas decluttering.

Why Declutter Pre-Christmas?

Christmas provides a perfect reason to declutter your house. As the holiday season arrives, you may be expecting many guests to visit your home. Cleaning your house thoroughly is not enough to present your living space to invitees in its most inviting state. Clean houses can still look messy and unorganised, and you don’t want guests to perceive your house that way. Pre-Christmas decluttering is the key to improving your home’s appearance through the removal of unnecessary items from your house.

Ensuring the organisation of rooms which guests will be making...

Last week, TidyChoice explored five dirty household items which are rarely cleaned by their owners but deserve some more attention. This week, we look at things which are often similarly neglected in cleaning routines. However, what makes them special is the fact that they are all cleaning tools. We might, therefore, see no point in re-cleaning them. However, this is a grave error is some cases, and below, we provide some tips on how to ensure that your cleaning tools are in tip-top conditions.

1. Kitchen Sponge

While we already wash sponges every time we use them to scrub our dishes, everyone knows how dirty these things can become. To rid the sponges of grease and food particles, extra sanitary effort is needed.

To remove bacteria and make your sponges look brand-new, either

• Soak them in vinegar for around five minutes
• Wash them in your dishwasher
• Dip them in a cup of water and heat the cup in a microwave for a minute.

2....

As the winter months draw on, we may feel like there is enough cold and ice outside to want anything to do with it in our household chores. However, defrosting your freezer is a vital task and one that should be undertaken regularly whatever the weather is like outside. Sometimes we put off big jobs like this because we are not one hundred percent sure how to do it, so if that is your reason we are here to put you straight. In this article, we go through how to defrost a freezer step by step, giving you all the important tips and tricks to get this housekeeping chore done quickly and easily.

Step 1: Knowing when to defrost your freezer

As with all cleaning tasks, it is important to know how often you should be doing it. In essence defrosting your freezer is not something that you need to do like clockwork every month or three. Instead regularly check for signs of ice building up – when that happens, it is time to defrost.

Step 2: Having all the equipment to hand

Now that...

Using a dishwasher greatly reduces your workload and makes post-meal times much more pleasant. However, despite these machines becoming more common, their misuse is still frequent.

Here are some tips on how to ensure that your dishwasher properly cleans your kitchenware:

1. Remove food particles and rinse the dishes before putting them in the machine.
2. Leave sufficient space between dishes to ensure that they are properly washed.
3. Place glasses, cups, and mugs face-down on the top rack.
4. Do not place wine glasses next to each other, as they may break when placed too closely to each other.
5. Make sure that plastic materials are placed securely in the dishwasher. If not, they may dislodge due to light weight.
6. Set your washing cycle’s intensity based on how dirty your dishes are.
7. Clean your dishwasher.

With these tips in mind, you should be ready to maximise your dishwasher’s potential and ensure that your kitchenware is clean and safe for use.

Drawings and markings on walls are common in houses of people with young children. Luckily for the parents, in many cases, these marks need not be permanent. They can be removed through a variety of techniques depending on the materials initially used to create them.

Today, TidyChoice provides readers with some advice on how to remove wall marks caused by some common materials children may get hold of, including coloured pencils, crayons, and pens.

However, before we begin, it is worth remembering that different walls may respond differently to each cleaning tactic, depending on whether they are covered by wallpaper or paint.  In particular, you should be more careful when trying to clean a wallpaper, as it can be damaged more easily by some cleaning material.

Coloured Pencils

Coloured pencil marks can be cleaned off walls with baby wipes or a damp sponge and a small amount of washing-up liquid. If you are trying to clean the marks off a wallpaper, you may want...

Trick or Treat?

That is the phrase that is most associated with the Halloween season. However, do not get overjoyed by the nice little smiles directed at you by cute dressed-up children as they stand in front of your house asking for sweet treats. It is common knowledge that tricking is a relatively standard practice, even among the loveliest-looking zombie in town.

This October, TidyChoice’s blog brings you some advice on how to deal with the most scary thing about Halloween – the tricksters’ mess.

Eggs

Eggs are among the most common instruments used by Halloween pranksters. When your house is egged, its wall will be left with a sticky liquid mess that requires special cleaning techniques to deal with.

To resolve this situation, clean the mess as soon as possible, as sunbaked yolks can easily stain your wall. Begin by applying warm water to the bottom of your siding and work upwards to the eggs’...

First Impressions are very important, and the first time your date steps into your place is no different. Even if your dirty and unorganised self will eventually reveal itself to your date over time, it is crucial to make his/her first step into your house a memorable one – in a good way.

Today, TidyChoice presents you with some tips on how to prepare your house for that first visit by your special someone:

• Vacuum and Dust Keeping the dust away is a great way to signal your ability and willingness to sustain long-term relationships (in this case, with your house). Dust removal also makes a great difference on how your place looks, and you never want to trigger your invitee’s dust allergy!

• Check the Smell If needed, leave your windows open for a bit for ventilation prior to your date. Freshen your bathroom and leave a freshener there just in case. However, don’t just spray your freshener on everything....

Part of going back to school may mean the age-old morning struggle of getting your children dressed in the morning. The budding fashionista may throw a tantrum if the outfit isn’t what she wanted or you might have a child that insists on wearing the same shirt day after day. Moreover, a child might even refuse to get dressed in the morning! This can throw the entire household into chaos.

Here are a few tried and tested methods to solve these problems:

• Plan Ahead! Waiting to choose and outfit is a sure-fire way of failing. Pick out an outfit the night before and get it approved by your child. This will save you valuable time in the morning. You can eve spend some time on Sunday and make sure that the wardrobe for the coming week is sorted!
• Allow the Children to choose! Giving your children the power to choose their own outfits minimises the morning chaos. It will save you time and won’t drive you insane in the morning. It may even help your child become more...

School’s about to open and you’re about to enter a world of chaos. No more time for any DIY projects! Maybe it’s about time to give your child’s bedroom the upgrade it deserves.

Here are a few quick and easy ideas that will make the room more fun and exciting!

• Blackboard Paint! Give the room a fresh and interesting look by using blackboard paint as a wall feature! This will allow the kids to unleash their creativity all while serving as an organiser for homework or chores!
• Create a Picture Wall! Provide your kids with the opportunity to be creative by hanging up their work on the wall! This will help them gain self-confidence while giving a personal touch to their bedroom!
• Brighten up with fairy lights! Hanging up fairy lights and accessories greatly brighten up the room! You can add light to the room and give it a new look without having to change the wallpaper!
• Get rid of the Clutter! One of the most effective ways to change a room is...

The age old saying “Time is money” has never been more true than it is the 21^st century. The long hours at work may result in increasing levels of income but what about the level of happiness. Recent studies indicate that there is a greater increase in happiness from free time than there is from material goods. I.e. People spending money to free up their time report a higher level of satisfaction than those who spend on material things such as books or clothes.

According to the research conducted, spending up to £30 a week to help free time alleviates stress and results in a happier lifestyle. Paying people to do chores such as cleaning for you is still quite uncommon but if the research is anything to go by, that is the best place to spend those £30.

Many have lived by the saying “Time is money”, but maybe it’s time to adopt the another one; “Money can buy time” and as a result happiness. So, we highly recommend...

We all know that there are places in the house that host the perfect environment for microbes to thrive, such as toilets and dustbins. That is why we take extra care to clean these places. However, there are a few less obvious places where bacteria unexpectedly lurk. Here is our list of the more surprising places:

1. Kitchen sponge

Surprisingly, an article from TIME states that the kitchen sponge might be the dirtiest item in your home. It houses millions of microbes including salmonella and fecal bacteria. Clearly, households do not replace or clean their sponges often enough. Therefore, wash these sponges in the dishwasher every week and don’t be lazy to replace them.

2.             Phone

Do you take your phone with you to the bathroom? Most people carry their phones every day, everywhere they go, so it’s no surprise that these handheld devices collect a wide range of microbial colonies. The fact...

Have you ever wondered which Disney characters are the cleanest…? Of course you have! Luckily for you at TidyChoice we have all major Disney cleaning characters registered on our website. Feel free to browse their profiles and see if they are available to work in your area. You may want to enquire about their availability, Beast is very busy nowadays.

Cinderella

About

I am very experienced at cleaning. My stepmother and step sisters always say I am the best at cleaning, so they make me do it. In my spare time I like to practice ballroom dancing, but I also like Salsa. I cover #Oxfordshire, #BlenheimPalace, #Windsor

Gaston

About

If anyone is asking, especially Belle, I am a great cleaner. In my spare time I like to cause town mobs and pursue women who hate me.

“No one is as clean as Gaston, tidy as Gaston, mops like Gaston!”

I cover, #Beast’sCastle, #HouseOfMouse

Rapunzel

About

I am a young upstart. I do not have a lot of experience, but keeping...

At TidyChoice we understand that maintaining a clean house is not always possible. With the prospect of Brexit, the Trump vs Hilary debacle, and the break-up of Brangelina –  sometimes maintaining a clean house skips the mind. Here are 5 very unlikely scenarios where you should always have a clean house.

Britain’s Indian Summer

Do not let Britain’s recent Indian summer fool you, beautiful sunny days are a rarity and should be treasured. In the unlikely event that the weather remains mercifully good, having to stay inside and clean is downright cruel. Book a cleaner with TidyChoice and save yourselves from this hassle.

Brad Pitt knocking on your door

You know that Brangelina have broken-up, but what you don’t know is that Brad has flown across from LA and is now anxiously standing on your doorstep. After quelling your nerves, you realise that he might be looking for some comforting. However, is a messy house that reflects...

Your mental health will improve!

As we all know, not having a clean house has the possibility of doing some bad damage to our physical health. Work surfaces are great for bacteria to grow on, which is why we clean them.  But it can also affect our mental health; making us unhappy just by looking at the mess. Having a fresh looking house can really make you feel great. Whether you cleaned it yourself or hired someone from TidyChoice, you will feel so much better and maybe you will be excited to get back home from work!

Your kids won’t be at risk.

A cluttered house can be dangerous, especially for your little ones. Children love to play and in an untidy house, they have the possibility of tripping and falling on that old extension cable that was left out accidentally! Ensure their environment is safer by cleaning up and making sure it’s all nice and tidy.

You’ll be able to host guests more often?

Sometimes it can be embarrassing or even...

Whether you’re buying an armful of cut flowers in a bouquet or one to go in the garden now that the greenhouse has defrosted, scent is one of the biggest factor of why we buy flowers – not only do you bring something beautiful into your home, you get that natural essence that can’t be replicated out of a bottle.

Here at TidyChoice, we know people have pride in their homes, and so here are 7 flowering plants you can give this Mother’s Day to the special woman in your life to bring something special into her home and garden.

1. Roses (The Traditional.)

The classic choice. Our fascination with roses reaches back past the famous War of the Roses that shaped England, through time all the way to the Roman period where there were public rose gardens and even back beyond that, to their birth a staggering 25 million years ago.

The scent is complex and fascinating, and has even been linked to improve memory with a German study finding it increased...

Have you ever had a closer look at your kid’s favourite toy? According to new research by Dettol, your kids’ most used toys carry risks to their health.

Whilst their teddy bear may appear to be your child’s best friend, the cuddly toy could pose a potential health risk.

The Daily Mail published the research findings which reported that 1 in 4 toys contain bacteria relating to fecal matter and that 3 from 4 toys are not washed effectively.

Experts have warned that 80 per cent of teddies harbour bacteria. The research also found  that 90 per cent of children regularly drop their beloved toys on the floor, where they can pick up dirt and various germs. One of our housekeepers in Willesden said she couldn't believe how often parents neglect to wash their child's toys.

We, at TidyChoice, recognize the importance of maintaining a clean home for the benefit of your kids’ health and well-being. That is why our service provides a...

Sounds like yet another ploy to encourage families to employ home cleaning services but you’ll be surprised at what research has to show.

Is it time to make a clean and tidy home priority? Well, chaotic and untidy households have been shown to encourage bad behaviour in young children due to lack of routine and order in their home environment. So it might be time to employ some extra domestic cleaning help, or at least encourage your partner to get more involved in domestic tasks.

Not only are children’s behaviours affected, parents are hindered too. With chaotic environments, parents tend to become less involved with their children and interfere in moments of exploration, a key stage in children social cognitive development. In such cases, parents feel unable to adequately discipline their children and are consequently more likely to rely on physical punishments to correct their children’s behaviour.

Improve your family life by making household cleaning...

We know that everybody loves a clean home, but not everybody loves house cleaning! We just wanted to highlight some of the benefits a clean home has to offer you to motivate the cleaners in you, or give some justification for why you’re thinking of hiring trustworthy & affordable cleaners through #TidyChoice

• A tidy home reduces stress

Not only does less clutter and mess allow you to be more productive, as we covered in our last blog post, it reduces your stress levels. Think about it for a second. If you have fewer things around you competing for attention and distracting your every thought – you are bound to be more relaxed and able to focus on tasks one by one.

• A tidy home prevents infection and allergies

No one really knows the amount and variations of bacteria that are festering around your home. Whether your shoes or your pet has harboured them, little microbes are multiplying in your home by the minute. What’s the solution? Frequent...

Everyone moves on. One day, my fabulous and faithful cleaner of many years announced that she was moving back to her home country. My heart sank and I knew that a tsunami of chaos was about hit my normally pristine and orderly home. I needed a quick solution but I knew that finding a trusted replacement was not going to be an easy task.

My first port of call was to ask my friends and neighbours if they could recommend a good cleaner. Some were not terribly complementary about their current cleaners but one of my friend’s cleaners sounded like the perfect solution. Unfortunately, she was fully booked. I suspected that this might be the case for the very best cleaners.

Next, I turned to the traditional cleaning agents. They came to my place and gave me an estimate of the time required and likely cost (which was much more than my previous cleaner). They sent me a cleaner from a pool of cleaners that they manage. Whilst I was paying more than before the quality of cleaning was...

Tesco is the UK’s largest supermarket and we compared their price for a basket of 5 standard cleaning products with other supermarkets. Tesco’s basket totalled £10.65.

For the same items, Asda was cheapest at £9.48p and Waitrose the most expensive at £13.85.

Branded products are often not available at Lidl or Aldi but their products are the cheapest. Where they stock branded items they are often significantly cheaper than the main supermarkets. For example, Mr Sheen multi-surface cleaner is 65p in Aldi compared to £1 at Asda, Sainsbury’s and Poundland.

The best cleaners want to be independent so they can optimise their earnings. If they work for an agency or for an online booking platform, they will lose 20-40% of their earnings. TidyChoice is the only website which is a genuine marketplace that allows cleaners to choose your own rates and hours. Cleaners are not charged a percentage commission and earn their full hourly rate. TidyChoice helps independent cleaners market their services in order to find new customers in convenient locations. We have housecleaners in locations all over London, from experienced cleaners based in Archway to professional housekeepers based in Marylebone.  

“We have found that if the cleaners are not satisfied, the customers don’t get the quality of service expected. The best cleaners work independently to maximise their income and we are unique in allowing them to choose their own hourly rates, work locations and hours of work,”  says co-founder Ana...

You work long hours and try to fit in your housekeeping duties but then find that you have no time for yourself or your friends and family. We all get to a point where we look at our situations and think there must be a better way! But finding a good cleaner that you can trust is difficult. Here are some of the mistakes to watch out for.

1.Choosing a service based on price only

You can find people cleaning at an extremely low price. Beware. These people are probably not experienced or vetted, never background checked, and probably could not reimburse you for breakage. You are likely to get a poor-quality service and potential problems ahead.

2. Blindly hiring a cleaner

The days of “my cleaning lady just lives down the street and is a family friend” have faded away. However, do you really want to give a complete stranger access to your home and personal belongings? To hire an independent cleaner, you should carry out some background checks on all...