(Published on November 12, 2023)
- Cleaning Stainless Steel Appliances: To clean stainless steel appliances like refrigerators and ovens at home, use a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar. Wipe with the grain to avoid streaks. Cleaning stainless steel appliances effectively requires a gentle yet powerful approach that won’t damage the surface. By combining equal parts water and vinegar, you create a natural cleaning solution that can dissolve grime and fingerprints while being safe for stainless steel. When wiping the appliances, it’s crucial to follow the grain of the steel’s finish, as this minimizes the risk of streaks and ensures that your appliances maintain their sleek, polished appearance. This method not only cleans but also helps maintain the aesthetic appeal of your stainless steel appliances, leaving them looking as good as new.
- Removing Carpet Stains: Blot a carpet stain with a mixture of one part white vinegar and two parts water. Then, sprinkle baking soda on the stain, let it sit for 15 minutes, and vacuum it up. When dealing with carpet stains, it’s important to act quickly to prevent them from setting in. The vinegar and water mixture helps break down and dilute the stain, making it easier to lift. The addition of baking soda not only absorbs odors but also acts as a gentle abrasive when vacuumed, ensuring that the stain is lifted efficiently without harming the carpet fibers. This three-step process is a reliable and eco-friendly way to tackle common carpet stains, leaving your carpets looking clean and fresh.
- Unclogging Drains: Pour a mixture of 1/2 cup baking soda followed by 1 cup vinegar down a clogged drain. Wait for 10-15 minutes, then flush with hot water. Unclogging drains using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method. The baking soda acts as an abrasive cleaner that helps break down clogs and remove debris, while the vinegar creates a chemical reaction that generates bubbling and fizzing, further aiding in dislodging blockages. After waiting for the recommended 10-15 minutes, flushing the drain with hot water ensures that any remaining residue is thoroughly washed away, leaving your drain clear and free-flowing.
- Dusting Electronics: Use a clean, dry paintbrush to gently dust electronics like keyboards, computers, and TV screens. It’s effective and won’t scratch the surfaces. The soft bristles of the paintbrush ensure a thorough clean without the risk of scratching delicate electronic surfaces, making it a safe and efficient method for maintaining your devices.
- Cleaning Microwave: Place a microwave-safe bowl with water and a few slices of lemon in the microwave. Heat it for a few minutes, then wipe down the interior. The steam helps loosen food splatters. The combination of water and lemon not only helps with loosening food splatters but also leaves a fresh, citrusy scent in the microwave, eliminating any lingering odors. This simple and natural method is a quick way to keep your microwave clean and smelling pleasant without the need for harsh chemicals.
- Freshen Up Garbage Disposal: Drop a few ice cubes and citrus peels down the garbage disposal, then run it to clean and deodorize. The ice cubes help to dislodge any built-up food particles or grease on the disposal blades, while the citrus peels add a refreshing scent to the kitchen. This simple and eco-friendly method is a great way to maintain a clean and odor-free garbage disposal system in your kitchen.
- Removing Soap Scum: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray it on your shower or bathtub, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub away the soap scum. The combination of white vinegar and dish soap creates a powerful cleaning solution that can effectively break down soap scum, mineral deposits, and grime on bathroom surfaces. After scrubbing, rinse thoroughly with water to reveal a sparkling clean shower or bathtub, and enjoy a refreshed bathroom environment.
- Organizing Cords: Use old toilet paper rolls to keep cords and cables organized. Simply fold the cords and slide them into the rolls. This simple and eco-friendly organization hack not only prevents cord tangling but also helps you easily identify and access the cords you need without the frustration of untangling them.
- Preventing Odors in Shoes: Place dryer sheets or activated charcoal in your shoes to absorb moisture and keep them smelling fresh. In addition to absorbing moisture and preventing odors, placing dryer sheets or activated charcoal in your shoes can also help extend the life of your footwear by reducing the wear and tear caused by moisture and odor-related issues. Make sure to replace the dryer sheets or activated charcoal regularly to maintain optimal freshness and effectiveness.
- Cleaning Blinds: Use a pair of kitchen tongs wrapped in microfiber cloths to easily clean both sides of your window blinds at once. This clever cleaning hack not only saves you time but also ensures that both sides of your window blinds receive a thorough clean, removing dust and allergens that can accumulate over time. The microfiber cloths attract and trap dust effectively, leaving your blinds looking spotless and improving indoor air quality.
- Removing Red Wine Stains: Blot the stain with a paper towel, then sprinkle salt on it. Let it sit for a few minutes to absorb the wine, then rinse with cold water. Using salt to absorb wine stains is a quick and effective method, as salt’s absorbent properties help draw the wine away from the fabric. After rinsing the salt, gently blot the area again with cold water to remove any remaining residue and prevent a permanent stain from setting in.
- Cleaning Baseboards: Use a dryer sheet to wipe down your baseboards. The anti-static properties will help repel dust. In addition to repelling dust, using a dryer sheet on baseboards can leave a pleasant, fresh scent throughout the room. It’s a simple and efficient way to maintain cleaner baseboards and reduce the frequency of dusting in your home.
- Storing Plastic Bags: Keep plastic bags organized by placing them in an empty tissue box or an empty wipes container. Organizing plastic bags this way not only saves space but also makes it easy to grab one when needed, preventing a tangled mess of bags in your storage area. This simple and eco-friendly storage solution helps reduce clutter and promotes recycling by keeping plastic bags readily accessible for reuse.
- Preventing Foggy Bathroom Mirrors: After your shower, wipe the bathroom mirror with shaving cream and then wipe it clean. This will prevent fogging. Shaving cream creates a thin, protective barrier on the mirror’s surface that helps prevent condensation and fogging, ensuring a clear reflection even during hot showers. This cost-effective and time-saving trick is an effective way to maintain a fog-free bathroom mirror for your daily grooming routine.
- Organizing Fridge: Label containers and shelves in your refrigerator to help you find items easily and keep things tidy. Labeling containers and shelves in your refrigerator not only helps with organization but also minimizes food waste by making it easier to locate and use items before they expire. It’s a practical and efficient way to maintain a well-organized fridge and streamline meal planning and grocery shopping.
- Dusting Lampshades: Use a lint roller or a sticky tape roller to remove dust and lint from lampshades. Using a lint roller or sticky tape roller is a gentle and effective way to keep your lampshades looking clean and free of unsightly dust and lint, ensuring a brighter and more appealing ambiance in your home.
- Polishing Furniture: Mix equal parts olive oil and white vinegar for an effective and natural furniture polish. This homemade furniture polish not only cleans and shines your wooden furniture but also helps to nourish and protect the wood, prolonging its life and maintaining its luster.
- Cleaning Grout: Make a paste of baking soda and water, apply it to grout lines, and scrub with a toothbrush to remove stains. After scrubbing the grout lines with the baking soda paste and a toothbrush, rinse thoroughly with water to remove any residue. This natural and inexpensive method not only removes stains but also helps restore the original brightness of grout, leaving your tiled surfaces looking clean and refreshed.
- Disinfecting Sponges: Microwave damp sponges for 1-2 minutes to kill bacteria and germs. Regularly microwaving damp sponges is a convenient and effective method for disinfecting them, ensuring that they remain free of harmful bacteria and odors. Be cautious when removing the hot sponge, and allow it to cool briefly before use to avoid burns.
- Preventing Tarnish on Silver: Store silver items with a piece of chalk to absorb moisture and prevent tarnish. Chalk acts as a natural moisture absorber, helping to keep your silver items tarnish-free and preserving their shine over time, making it a handy addition to your silverware storage.
These household tips can help you maintain a clean, organized, and efficient home. Remember to always follow safety precautions and test cleaning solutions on inconspicuous areas before using them on visible surfaces.
Alternative Solution: Hire A Domestic Helper
Hiring domestic helpers can be beneficial for handling household chores for several reasons:
- Time Savings: Domestic helpers can save you a significant amount of time by taking care of routine household tasks, allowing you to focus on your work and the quality time with your family.
- Professional Expertise: Many domestic helpers have experience and training in various household chores, such as cleaning, cooking, laundry, and child care. They are familar with the above cleaning tips or what might be the best soap or cleaning products and how to use these products to remove stains, which can help keep you house clean in a more time-saving and effective way.
- Consistency: Having a dedicated domestic helper ensures that household chores are consistently and regularly performed, maintaining a clean and organized house and creating a cleaner and healthier environment for your family.
- Reduced Stress: Having a domestic helper and delegating cleaning chores to your helper can reduce your stress and workload, especially if you have a busy schedule at work. While your domestic helper is cleaning the the kitchen for you, you may make use of the time to enjoy a coffee, take a hot shower or practice deep breathing exercise to relieve your stress.
- Quality of Life: A domestic helper can improve your overall quality of life by allowing you to spend more time with family and friends or engage in hobbies and activities you enjoy.
- Support for Families: Domestic helpers can provide valuable support for families with children or elderly members, offering assistance with child care, elderly care, and daily household cleaning.
- Specialized Tasks: If you have specific tasks or needs, such as caring for pets, gardening, or home organization, a domestic helper can be trained to handle these responsibilities.
- Flexibility: You can customize the tasks and hours of your domestic helper to fit your specific needs and schedule.
- Multitasking: Domestic helpers can often perform multiple tasks simultaneously, such as cooking while cleaning or doing laundry while taking care of children, which can save time and effort.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing that someone is taking care of your home and loved ones can provide peace of mind, particularly when you are away or have other commitments.
- Emergency Assistance: In case of emergencies or unexpected situations, a domestic helper can provide valuable assistance, such as handling household repairs or medical care for family members.
- Cultural Exchange: Hiring domestic helpers from different cultural backgrounds can provide an opportunity for cultural exchange and learning, enriching your family’s experiences.
It’s important to note that the benefits of hiring domestic helpers can vary depending on your specific needs and circumstances. Additionally, the relationship between employers and domestic helpers should be built on trust, clear communication, and fair employment practices, including providing appropriate compensation and benefits.
When hiring a domestic helper, it’s essential to follow local labor laws and regulations, including obtaining the necessary work permits, understanding the terms of employment contracts, and providing a safe and respectful working environment.
Steps Of Hiring Domestic Helper On HelperChoice Platform
HelperChoice is a matching website and licensed employment agency. You can find a domestic helper on our online platform and then we can process their visa application for you.
Step 1. Sign up on HelperChoice platform
Step 2. After signup, choose a subscription plan on the dashboard in your account. See our Subscription Plans here. You may log in your account and click “Upgrade to Premium” (the orange box) on the dashboard. Choose a plan that fits your needs.
Step 3. Upon successful payment, you will be subscribed to the designated plan. That means you may contact an unlimited number of domestic helpers and interview them directly within the designated time period of your subscription plan.
Please note that your subscription plan will be automatically renewed.
However, if you have already found a helper on our platform or you no longer need this service, you may cancel your subscription at any time by going to your account under “premium” -> “options” -> “cancel renewals”.
Step 4. Once you find a domestic helper, you may choose our visa process package (applicable for Filipino helpers only).
More user guides here.
Feel free to contact us if you have any inquiry.
You might also be interested in:
- Visa Renewal For Filipino Maids
- How To Hire A Domestic Helper Online?
- Essential Steps to Domestic Helper Visa Processing in Hong Kong
- 2023 The Blacklist Of Maid Agencies In Hong Kong
Why HelperChoice?
HelperChoice is an ethical agency licensed by the Hong Kong Labour Department. Founded in 2012, HelperChoice has more than 10 years of experience in the industry, serving more than 75,000 customers and assisting them to find the best helper match for their family. HelperChoice also works closely with local NGOs like Enrich Hong Kong, PathFinders, Help For Domestic Workers for the benefits of foreign migrant domestic workers.
HelperChoice platform, both Filipino and Indonesian domestic helpers are available for employer’s selection. The employer can find a suitable helper in accordance with their family’s needs and specific job requirements, for example, the helper’s year of experience in child care, pet care or elderly care, cooking skill, nationality, training certificates, the ability of speaking Chinese (if applicable), reference letter from the previous employer and such.
See Also: How To Find A Domestic Helper On HelperChoice Platform?
Once you find a domestic helper, you may contact HelperChoice team to process helper’s visa for you (applicable for Filipino maids). Visa processing service fee varies depending on the case type – whether it is a local or overseas case. If you domestic helper is currently in Hong Kong and about to finish the contract soon, it will be deemed as a local case. The visa processing time will take around 6 weeks. However, if your helper is currently based outside Hong Kong, you have to choose overseas visa processing service and the processing time will be longer up to 3 months. Most of visa processing services provided have included 2-year mandatory helper insurance, which will cover helper’s medical fee. To learn more, please feel free to contact customer support via Whatsapp or click here for more information.