congestion fees, which vary depending on the area.
Photo: geograph.org.uk
This may be one of the reasons why waste collection services in London are starting to grow and operate with more and more households or business owners. Their services are easy to book, more affordable than hiring a skip, all skip hire disadvantages are waste collection companies’ benefits. If the carrier is a respectful one, a responsible disposal of the waste has to be absolutely guaranteed and easy to prove.
The process of rubbish clearance is simple as a kids’ play. You connect with the waste disposal firm, explain them with details what kind of junk has to be cleared and then schedule a visit for a pick-up. Many of the companies in London offer next day waste disposal and some even a same-day one. Scheduling a visit is easy when there is no council involved, as these companies often are available and operate 7 days a week, even on Bank Holidays.
The practice of the UK’s waste collection firms is not to leave you a container to fill it by yourself, but to transport the junk for you after they have first loaded it in their van or garbage truck.
Of course, sometimes the job is bigger for the average transportation vehicle. When this information is provided on time, companies have the time to react and prepare a special vehicle or send a selected team for the current job. All waste collectors are trained to handle all types of waste and the problems that waste can cause. Their job is to take the accumulated rubbish, load it quickly, leaving your home premises clean and saving you any stress.
Fly-tipping is forbidden in the UK, but it is still a growing problem in the recent years. Using the services of rubbish collection company in London ensures your waste won’t be fly-tipped somewhere. All waste carriers are licensed from the Environmental Agency to operate and dispose of waste, and if caught fly-tipping, that license will be taken and company shut down.
There are some items that need special attention when dealing with them – fluorescent tubes lights and fridges, for example, have to be disposed of according to the government regulation in the current area. Companies invest in their waste collectors, giving them trainings to operate and dispose of any type of junk.
As you may have already noticed, rubbish removal services really are a great way to avoid hiring a skip and the stress related to it. One more benefit of the services over skip hire, is that they are not restricted for certain type of waste. Waste collection companies will take large household objects, refurbishment waste, garden waste and will clear up, before leaving, it is part of their service.
If you have a garden you know it can cause a waste problem when season changes. Green waste collection is part of carrier’s services and they can collect sheds, soil, plants and more.
Collecting and disposing of garden waste can be tricky in London, because most of the residential properties do not have an entrance directly to it, but the rubbish collection specialists have to use the main entrance without leaving any signs that they had been there.
Not only households and domestic clients in London can use the services of a licensed rubbish collection company like Fantastic Waste Removal, but commercial clients and business can too. Offices, shops or other properties in the commercial sector can receive a visit from the carrier. They can take almost everything, from furniture like desks and filing cabinets to electronic appliances and such.
In the capital of UK, the most busy part of the whole country, it was always a hassling experience to get rid of your household or commercial waste. Council’s requirements, skip permits, parking fees and etc made it even a worse and more expensive experience.
We constantly hear on the news of new polluted places, maybe this raised the awareness and now more Londoners find the issue of what happens with their waste as a highly-important one.
Waste collection services in London are a growing business, created with one purpose – to solve all these problems and ensure a healthier living for UK’s citizens.
Photo: flickr.com
Unfortunately, the more you put off sorting through the miscellaneous piles that have accumulated throughout your home, the longer it will take to do it, and the less motivated you will be to start on it. Keeping an area organized, clean, and clutter-free is not that difficult, but if you are starting with a cluttered mess, it may feel overwhelming or even impossible. Don’t worry, it can and will be done!
Your home is your castle. It is a representation of you and it should be something you are proud to show off. Many people who allow clutter to flood their lives will stop inviting company over and even isolate themselves from the rest of the world. They are embarrassed by the mess, so they try to hide the neglect of their home from the people who mean the most of them. The emotional and social struggles that come with hoarding can quickly take over your life.
Fortunately, things can be easily changed and improved. Simply by making a commitment to living a clutter-free life and spending 15 minutes a day cleaning your home, you can transform it back into the castle you deserve.
I know cleaning and organizing the clutter in your home doesn’t sound like a fun way to spend your time, but trust me, the reward will be worth the effort. Not only will you have a nicer looking home, but it will simplify your daily tasks and save you significant time in the long run. However, if you don’t want to waste your time in house clearing, call some of the rubbish clearance London companies to come in and clear your home for you. They will collect everything worthless from your premise, and will dispose of it according to the local rubbish removal regulations.
Decluttering Saves Time and Money
Being organized will end up saving you a lot of time, since it will be much easier to find the things that you use the most. Everything in your home should have a designated place where it belongs. If everything is your home is put back in its rightful spot, you won’t waste time searching for things.
You will also save money, since you won’t end up buying something that you already own. I know this happens because I have done it many times myself. For example, every time I bought wrapping paper, I would pick up a roll of Scotch tape. I never put the old roll back in the same spot, so I was never sure if I had any leftover when it came time to wrap another gift. When I finally decluttered my home, I came across six open rolls of tape.
I also found many exciting hidden treasures during my decluttering effort. My grandfather has passed away several years before I gave my home an overhaul and I collected several items from his home as keepsakes. I has his photo albums, which I kept for sentimental reasons, but there were other items from his home that proved to be quite valuable.
I found one of his old vases that I ended up selling online to a collector for £350, as well as a painting that sold for £220. There was also a shelf my grandpa had built that I now use to organize my books and a small leather storage ottoman that is now in my living room.
During my decluttering, I also discovered that I still had a small collection of vinyl records. I ended up selling all of them for £250 at my first post-declutter yard sale. In fact, I sold a lot of excess items at my yard sale and made over £1000 that day, but those records brought in the most money. It truly is amazing how much money you can find in your home, if you take the time to look for it.
That is the real trick behind a successful decluttering effort. It is about deciding what gives your life or home value and what is worth more to you if it is sold or given away. There are things in your home that may have a high retail value, but if you are not actively using it, does it really provide your life with any value?
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Photo: www.flickr.com
So, it didn’t take us plenty of time to create the sushi rolls. They turned out pretty good and we were both very proud of ourselves. Of course, we were eager to taste them and this is when the horror began – I accidentally spilt soy sauce on the white tablecloth. Instantly, I felt the mini heart attack. My boyfriend reacted more adequately than me and tried to absorb the sauce with paper towel, but unfortunately there was a stain left on the tablecloth.
When my shock faded away, I started thinking clearly again and decided to put myself together. A stain from soy sauce is not the end of the world, right? I called a friend of mine who is an expert in all kind of flat cleaning tasks. If you are a clean freak like me, you shouldn’t panic, because there is a way to get rid of this type of stain. So here is how to clean soy sauce stains:
You will need:
- Clean cloth
- Cold water
- Liquid laundry detergent
- Vinegar/lemon juice or bleach
Instructions:
- First, try to absorb the soy sauce with a clean cloth or paper towel, like my boyfriend did.
- Then run the stain under cold water. There are two important things that should be mentioned here:
- Use only cold water, because hot water will set the stain to the fabric and it will be much harder to remove.
- Run the cold water on the back of the stain to stop the sauce from spreading.
- Start rubbing the liquid laundry detergent gently into the stain, using your fingers. Leave it like this for several minutes so the detergent can do its job.
- If the stained fabric is white or colour-fast, you can try to save it with another technique. Apply vinegar, lemon juice or mild bleach on the stain using a cloth or a sponge. Rub it until the soy sauce stain comes off and then rinse with water.
- If the stain is very stubborn, you should repeat the same steps until there is no trace of it. You can see that by checking the fabric at direct sun light to see if the stain is completely gone.
And this is how I dealt with my soy sauce crisis. Hope that you will also find these tips useful.
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Cleaning the bathroom(s) of a house isn’t a chore people look forward to, but unfortunately it must be done at least once a week in order to ensure it is sanitary. Cleaning regularly is especially important if you live in a household with many members. This article will give various tips as to how to clean your bathroom in an efficient, effective manner.
The counter-tops and/or wash basin in your bathroom are covered throughout the day with debris caused by you and other members of your family as you wash. This waste usually consists of toiletries such as shampoo and deodorant. However, the materials used in the counter-tops and basin are durable and are relatively easy to clean. Before starting to clean the surfaces you should identify what they are made of, it is likely to be either cultured marble or plastic laminate.
Don’t use materials with an abrasive edge on the marble as it can potentially permanently damage the surface and make it more difficult to clean in the future. Plastic laminate on the other hand will not be damaged by rough material, and will benefit from the application of any specialised commercial cleaner.
Bathroom mirrors can become steamy when someone has a hot shower, or spotted with toothpaste and shampoo. They are very easy to clean and in most cases all you need is a dry cloth, but if the mirror is especially dirty you could make your own cleaning solution. One such solution is made by pouring vinegar into a bowl and then dipping a single sheet of newspaper into the vinegar and applying it to the mirror. Finish by drying with a soft cloth.
The biggest job when you are cleaning your bathroom tends to be the shower and/or the bath.
Showers become dirty very easily and it is recommended to clean them after each use, but as this is normally impractical dirt, hard-water and mould can build-up. This can be prevented to a certain degree by allowing continuous ventilation into your shower via an open window. Hard-water can be removed by using a solution consisting of water and white vinegar. Get rid of mould and soap scum by mixing one cup of liquid fabric softener to one quart of warm water and applying.
Bathtubs are mostly made of porcelain and it is recommended to clean them with a non-abrasive cleanser. Drain clogging can be prevented by keeping it clear of any hairs. Use any commercial rust remover to stop rust build-up but be sure to closely follow the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent any accidental injury.
Finally, if you do not have the time or the inclination to clean your bathroom regularly yourself, you can utilise the services of professionals such as carpet cleaning Peckham to get the job done for you.
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When I moved into my first apartment separate from parents and roommates I was very happy decorating it, buying furniture and accessories, making it my own special place. What I didn’t know then, was that not everything that looks good is easy to clean and maintain. So, if you’re about to get a place of your own, there are few things to consider if you don’t want to be a slave to housekeeping.
Hints for Cleaning and Maintenance of Your Home
- Don’t take too massive furniture. Huge sofa sure looks great and comfortable, but when it comes to thorough cleaning and you want to move it to clean the carpet or floor underneath you will understand that moving it is not an easy task. There are many different models of couches that are both light and comfortable.
- Don’t place carpets in every room. Carpets give your home great warming appearance, but, let’s admit it – they are taking too much effort to maintain. If you want your carpet to be clean you will have to vacuum it every week and wash it every month, otherwise carpets get that worn and scruffy look that none of us likes. Not to mention the stains and spills – if you don’t remove them right after they are made it’s getting really hard to remove them without professional help. Small rug in living room and a carpet on bedroom’s floor is enough.
- Choose right type of upholstery – there are some fabrics that are very easy to maintain, and some that are impossible to clean. When buying upholstered furniture and curtains look carefully the labels – there should be information for the fabric. Ask the shop assistants which upholstery is easy to maintain.
- Don’t buy tons of small accessories and decorations. They are really cute, but usually accumulate a lot of dust and you will have to spare plenty of time cleaning them.
- Don’t put many open shelves – they also accumulate dust easily. Take chest of drawers instead – there will be enough room for sundries and other small stuff and it will be easy for you to tidy up the rooms.
- Get a big wardrobe. Even if you don’t have so many clothes there are things that you’re not using very often such as suitcases, travelling bags etc. You can all these stuff inside when you don’t need them, especially if you don’t have a closet at your new home.
- At last, but not least – do not put wallpapers. Wallpapers are much harder to maintain than painted walls, and often get darken and absorb odors easy. Painted walls are not hard to clean and if you get bored with the look of a room you just have to change the colors.
In my experience these are the basic things that usually take time and effort to maintain. Of course, you will still have to clean your home, but it will be easier if you take these suggestions in mind.
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The dirty secrets of the clean home are hidden in the décor details, the ones that make a room look cosy and comfortable. These interior elements have a decorative function and this is the reason why often they don’t receive the needed attention.
The truth is, that no matter how many efforts a woman puts in making her home spotless, she will feel very uncomfortable when the dirty secrets come out. And this usually happens in the most inappropriate moment. If you want to avoid these unpleasant emotions, you should remember cleaning your home every few weeks in order to unravel its dirty secrets.
Dirty Secret 1 – Pillows 
Many housewives don’t wash the pillows in their home. As time passes, the dirty pillows can affect not only your good sleep, but your health as well. Pillows filled with foam or synthetic fabric can be cleaned in a washing machine, but separately from other clothes and using a slow program.
Pillows filled with down and feathers should be hand washed, otherwise they will be destroyed. Soak them in warm water mixed with detergent and when they are thoroughly soaked, mash them gently. Throw away the dirty water and squish the pillow down to get out the remaining water. Wrap the pillow in a towel, which will absorb the rest of the water and afterwards let it dry completely.
Dirty Secret 2 – Windows
The windows are the eyes of a home. They let the natural daylight inside and that’s why they need to be clean. But many housewives make the same basic mistake – they try to wash the windows under the hot sun rays. The direct sunlight causes the instant evaporation of the detergent, before you manage to wipe it away. This leaves nasty marks on the glass surface, which can clearly be seen during the day.
The most appropriate time for cleaning windows is early in the morning or after the sunset, when the windows have cooled off. Touch them and if you feel warmth, you should wait more. First apply the detergent all over the window with a slightly wet sponge. Then wipe it off with a cloth, which should be washed with clean water after every move. At the end, wipe the windows with old newspapers to avoid any marks.
Dirty Secret 3 – Curtains and Drapes
Decorative curtains usually are easy to maintain – you can wash them in the washing machine or by hand. Drapes, especially the ones made from plush or velvet, are harder to clean. They gather a lot of dust, because of the mossy fabric, but there is a way to deal with this problem. Soak a cloth in warm water, squeeze it and then carefully rub it along the drapes. You can vacuum the dust beforehand or clean it with a soft brush, but in this way you risk spreading the dust in the whole room.
Dirty Secret 4 – Upholstery
To freshen up the upholstered furniture, use a vacuum cleaner on high speed and a narrow nozzle, which will allow you to reach every hidden part. Don’t forget the corners and all sides of the furniture pillows, as well as the frame underneath them.
If you have to use a special detergent for upholstery to clean a stubborn stain, don’t apply it directly to the spot unless you have already tried its effect on the fabric. Sometimes unpleasant chemical reactions occur, which can destroy your piece of furniture.
If you have a pet, probably its smell has been absorbed by the upholstery. Sprinkle the furniture with baking soda, let it stay for about 15 minutes and then hoover it.
We have already covered the topic “how to clean leather furniture” and you can find very useful tips in it.
If your schedule is too busy and you don’t have time to deal with the dirty secrets of your home, you can always find a reliable cleaning company, which can help you with that. I recommend this one: http://www.flatcleaninglondon.co.uk/
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Put the Decoration Away
I know that if it was up to you, the Christmas decoration will stay longer than a month. But it will only remind you that the holidays are over. So if you don’t want to feel nostalgic about the past magical days, better put away the decoration. Check if there are any broken ornaments, so you don’t waste time next December when you hang them again. Wrap the other ornaments in old newspapers or napkins, so they won’t gather dust during the year or scratch each other. Put the decoration in boxes and then label them, so you won’t forget what you placed inside.
Clean the Fridge
I am sure that you have food leftovers from New Year’s Eve, but there is always something more delicious and freshly cooked, which you prefer to eat first. Therefore, check the expiration dates of the old products in the fridge, in order to know what you have in store and till when it’s good to consume. Don’t keep the leftovers for days, if you have no intention to eat them, because you risk to contaminate your fridge with bacteria, which will result in more hours spent cleaning.
Express Cleaning
The express cleaning is not just a dream. You can actually achieve it once you have put the decoration away, cleaned the fridge and every item has taken its usual place. It is enough to wipe off the furniture dust, dispose the garbage and vacuum the floors. Don’t forget to hoover under the furniture too, because your children might have stacked some popcorn, candies or toy elements underneath.
Did you use fake snow for decorating your windows? You can clean it off by creating a solution of one part alcohol and three parts water. It may need some hard scrubbing to come off but in the end you will have clean windows again. If there are stains from the alcohol, you can remove them with warm soapy water.
If you have to go back to work straight after the holidays and you don’t have time for cleaning, I recommend you to hire a flat cleaning team from London to do the job, like this one.
Check Your Mini Bar
During the holidays, people often have occasions for making toasts and you can tell that by the lack of alcoholic beverages in your home mini bar. Make a quick revision of its content, so you will know what to buy next time you go shopping.
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Unfortunately, silver is also a metal, which can be easily damaged by scratches or tarnish. Therefore, you need to know how to protect and how to clean silver, so you can enjoy your silver items longer and maybe even pass them to the next generation.
Personally, I know several tips for cleaning silver, but just in case I contacted a flat cleaning expert from London, who also shared several tricks with me.
How to Clean Silver Tarnish with Boiling Water
You will need:
- a heat-proof pan, dish or cup
- a sheet of aluminium foil
- 1 tbsp. baking soda
- 1 tbsp. salt
- 5 litres of water (preferably distilled)
- a clean, soft cloth
Instructions:
- Put the sheet of aluminium foil on the bottom of the heat-proof pan. Remember that the shiny side should face up.
- Place the silver items (jewellery or tableware) on the foil.
- Prepare a mixture of the baking soda, salt and boiling water.
- Pour out the solution over the silver pieces and make sure that all of them are submerged and laying on the aluminium foil.
- Remove the silver items from the pan, when the tarnish is gone, and rinse them with water.
- Use the soft cloth for completely drying and polishing the silver.
How to Clean Silver with Baking Soda
You will need:
- 1 tbsp. baking soda
- 1 tbsp. vinegar (or a few drops of water)
- an old toothbrush (optional)
- a clean, soft cloth
Instructions:
- Make a mixture of the baking soda and the vinegar. The two ingredients will produce a chemical reaction, which is strong enough to clean tarnish, without damaging the silver itself.
- If you are not a big fan of vinegar, you can substitute it with water. Create a thick paste of 1 tbsp. baking soda and a few drops of water.
- Tenderly rub the silver with the mixture you have prepared. For this step you can use an old toothbrush with soft fibres.
- Clean the residue with warm water.
- Finish by buffing the silver with a soft cloth.
How to Clean Silver with Toothpaste
You will need:
- white toothpaste
- an old toothbrush
- a few drops of water
- a clean, soft cloth
Instructions:
- Choose a white-coloured toothpaste and make a part of it into foam by using a few drops of water.
- Cover the silver items with the foam and let it do its work for several minutes.
- Use a soft toothbrush for treating stubborn stains or reaching hard accessible parts of the silver item.
- Rinse the silver with warm water and dry it with the cloth.
All these cleaning methods include easy-to-find, inexpensive, green materials and this makes them very efficient and eco-friendly. Hope that I have been helpful and that your silver pieces will preserve their beautiful look for ages.
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A lot of people are scared of this cleaning task but actually it’s not that hard. Most leather furniture manufacturers include instructions for cleaning on the labels or in an additional booklet, which is given to the customer in the store. So I advise you before using any other cleaning tips, first follow the instructions of the producer.
The type of the leather also matters, because some of the different kinds need special treatment, which should also be specified on the label.
If you can’t find any instructions for your pieces of furniture, don’t worry. I am here to explain you how to clean leather furniture in few simple steps, provided by experts in the field of flat cleaning London:
You will need
- Water (preferably distilled)
- Several white and clean cloths
- Neutral liquid soap
- Bucket
- Vacuum cleaner
- Leather conditioner (optional)
Instructions
- Start with the vacuum cleaner but don’t use the regular nozzle, because leather can easily be scratched. Instead, use a soft brush nozzle for gently removing the dust off the piece of furniture. You can repeat this on a regular basis, for example once a month.
- Create a mixture of ¼ distilled water and a few drops of liquid soap. Mix it until its completely homogeneous.
- Pick a small area (e.g. on the back of the furniture) and test the soapy water to see if there is any kind of undesired reaction.
- When you see that the mixture is right for your furniture, damp a clean cloth in it and start wiping the surface.
- After that clean any remains of the soap with another cloth, soaked with clean water. It’s better to be a white one, so you don’t accidentally transfer dyes on the leather. By using a white cloth you will also see the results of the cleaning better.
- Completely dry off the leather furniture with a third cloth.
- If you want to keep the shiny, clean look of the leather, you can rub it with leather conditioner, which can be found in most furniture stores.
More tips
- Clean the leather furniture regularly with dry white cloth or a vacuum cleaner. In this way you will preserve the beauty of the leather longer.
- Place the leather furniture away from heat sources and direct sunlight, in order to avoid fading or cracking of the leather.
- Spilt liquids should be cleaned with a paper towel as soon as possible. Otherwise, the pores of the leather will absorb it and it will be harder to clean.
- Stains from chocolate, ketchup or something greasy can be easily cleaned just with a dry and soft cloth.
- Clean ink stains by rubbing them with cotton swab, soaked in alcohol.
- Never use abrasive cleansers or oils, because they will damage the leather furniture.
These tips are suitable for all types of leather furniture at your home or office. If there are too many pieces of leather furniture at your workplace, it’s better to hire a professional office cleaning London team, instead of dealing with all of them by yourself.
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There a different types of flooring and that determines the cleaning method used. The best thing about hard flooring is you don’t need any special equipment in order to keep if clean and shiny.
There are special cleaning solutions for the different types of hard flooring, but there is one thing you have to remember. Use small amount of the detergent mixed with warm water, otherwise you risk dulling your floor. Be careful when mopping, always use damp mop, because water can damage the flooring. Even though almost every type of hard flooring is water resistant, doesn’t mean it is completely waterproof. Ask the manufacturer for advice about which cleaning solutions best suited for your type of flooring.
Cleaning Different Types Of Hard Flooring
Lets start with the most beautiful and expensive type of flooring. Yes, I’m talking about the all-time classic, hardwood flooring. Mainly you have to frequently vacuum the floor with lightweight vacuum cleaner with a soft brush. Sweeping with a dry mop is also a good alternative. Every now and then you should clean the hardwood more thoroughly using a cleaning agent. Better to be a light and Eco-friendly one. Take care of any spills immediately. Neglecting them will permanently damage your floor.
Laminate flooring is a cheap alternative to the hardwood. It is covered with a protective coating, which is very durable. Nevertheless you shouldn’t use too much water while cleaning. Try a mixture of warm water and lemon juice. Believe it or not it actually cleans pretty well and at the same time freshens the air. There is also unsealed linoleum, but I don’t think we should even discuss it. The material it is made is porous and any liquid will be fatal. The good thing is you can seal the linoleum, making it washable.
I’m not sure that the next type even belongs to hard flooring. Vinyl is a soft and shiny synthetic material similar to leather. Daily vacuuming is a good idea, because over time dirt and dust can build up, resulting in stains. Every once in a while you’ll have to use light detergent mixed with water. Last comes the ceramic flooring. I personally don’t recommend it, because it demands more care. The best way to clean it is by hand. If you live in don’t want to do it you can always call a cleaning company.
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