Lola Clean Freaks

There’s a powerful psychology behind cleanliness. Keeping things clean and organized results in better night's rests, a more active body and more focused mind. And today, with the new technology and cleaning innovations, your weekly  disinfecting, feather-dusting and sweeping routine has been made easier with more efficient and affordable products. This gives us the power to have our home cleaned, when we want.

Our body is made up of thousands of neurochemicals and biologically organized systems. That’s probably why we inherently love order and organization. That goes for cleaning as well. So here is a checklist for you to use, that will also serve as a strategy, to attack your cleaning in a systematic and organized way.

Start by picking up clutter as you go from room to room. The less clutter you have, the less you have to put away. Feel free to assess your belongings and whether you still need to keep them.  Dust and wipe. Arrange your books, magazines, newspapers and DVDs based on your level of interest. Put items you're likely to use again soon on the top of the pile. Do the same with some of the possessions you've outgrown like old clothes in the closets and shoes on the racks. Before you leave each room, spray your favorite scent of disinfectant and prepare to start dusting.

To dust is a must.  Speaking of dust, dampen a cloth (or even better yet a sheet of Wowables) and hit the tops of doors, fans, light bulbs and picture frames. If you're using cleanser, don’t spray too much on glass windows. Instead, wipe them using a cloth or towel that's been dampened with an all-purpose cleaner/warm water mix. These are the things that we often overlook but will greatly contribute in achieving fresher, cleaner air. Face your fears of cobwebs - no one likes them, but getting rid of them is a must. Dust and wipe again. To be more efficient, you can use a hand held vacuum cleaner. And then, it’s about time to spray your favorite scent of disinfectant again. Prepare as mopping comes next.

Don't stop before you mop. Dampen the head of the mop into a mixture of water, lemon, vinegar and baking soda. Start mopping at the farthest corner and move back toward the entrance. Rinse mop after completing a good-sized area. Do not hesitate to create another mixture if needed.  As we mentioned earlier, advances in technology have made cleaning easier and mopping is a perfect example. Items like a spin mop or an in and out mop are significantly easier to use and much more effective than standard cotton deck mops.  For example, a spin mop like The Revolution allows you to never have to touch a dirty mop head again (or spread dirty water around your floor like you do with old school mops).  An in and out mop, like The Evolution, has a dual compartment bucket - one side washes, one side dries - so you're never mopping with a dirty head again.  Plus, the microfiber mop head is powerful enough that you don't need to use any chemicals.

Don't sleep on cleaning your bed. After removing the dust and tidying each corner of the house, it’s time to fix your bed. Inspect the joints and springs of the bed and repair if needed. Straighten the sheets. Replace the pillow cases and blankets. Don’t forget to spray your favorite scent of disinfectant again.

Cook up a clean kitchen. Put away all the things that have nothing to do with the food you are preparing. Sanitize the utensils and equipment. Don’t forget to clean the appliances inside and out. Grab a cloth and wipe down the microwave, dishwasher and refrigerator. Clean the inside of each using an absorbent towel and make sure to read the manual before touching any electrical parts. Don't forget about the floor - hit it with a spin mop or flat mop rather than sweeping and mopping it separately to save time.

Give your bathroom some love. Lastly, give your bathroom a proper cleaning. Replace the rugs, bath mats and wastebaskets. Grab a sponge or scourer to scrub the sinks.  Hit the toilet with a toilet bowl brush. Freshen up any tiled surface with eraser pads. Clean the shower rack and door track. Lastly, spray your favorite scent disinfectant again.  

Set aside a little time each week to devote to these easy steps and you'll keep a fresh, clean home.

First things first, start looking at all the gadgets around your home as investments. Now more than ever, items like your phone, television, computer, and echo devices (Alexa, play Rockstar by Post Malone and 21 Savage) aren't just for entertainment. You use them at home, at work, and definitely can't just easily replace them (especially your phone/computer). That’s why it is important that we educate ourselves on how to take care of our electronics. We must know how to clean and protect our fancy gadgets otherwise you'll end up spending a fortune replacing them earlier than necessary.

Good news. You don’t have to be tech-savvy to take care of and clean your electronics. Just remember these tips to help and guide you - they'll assist you in making your gadgets last longer and allow you to sell them when it’s time to upgrade to something new. DON'T FORGET: Unplug your electronics before cleaning them.

Dust your electronics. Dust is annoying and not good for anyone, including your electronics. Dust buildup blocks essential components like fans, ports and sockets which can result in overheating. This'll definitely ruin most gadgets’ inner workings over time. Use a microfiber cloth or electrostatic duster to clean them while not scratching the screen. Turkey feather dusters work wonderfully, as do items like the Swiffer® 360° Duster.

Wipe spills as soon as they occur. No matter how cautious you are about keeping your gadgets away from any type of food or drink, it seems that spills are inevitable. The first thing you have to do is to turn off and unplug your electronic devices right away. If it’s your cellphone, turn it off and remove the battery right away (if it's accessible externally). Wipe the spill immediately to avoid it from spreading.  You'll want to use something with fast wicking time (industry lingo for how quickly an item absorbs moisture) such as Wowables.  Assess the damage and if you need to, call a professional. Water and moisture can greatly damage your electronics, so always remember to keep them dry and away from liquid. Even when cleaning, never spray the liquid cleanser on directly. It can cause permanent damage by dripping excess liquid or moisture into the essential components.  Instead, grab an anti-microbial cloth to get the job done. If you must use a liquid cleanser, first spray it on an absorbent cloth (we recommend a cellulose sponge cloth or Swedish cloth because they won't leave behind any excess liquid that can damage your devices) then wipe.

Protect your devices. Invest in a waterproof or shockproof case for your phone. They may be a little more expensive but are definitely cheaper than buying a replacement. For your other electronics such as laptop, tablet, and/or echo devices, it’s always safe to put a cloth cover to protect them from spills. You may also consider putting a maintenance mat at the bottom of your electronics. For the screens, put protective/tempered glass covers to avoid direct scratches and damages. Never EVER use a regular, disposable paper towel to wipe your screen (however, Wowables are safe to use). For the push-button devices, such as keyboards and keypads, you may consider using cotton balls dipped in alcohol as they've proven to be super effective.

Every time you go anywhere you always form your own first impression of the place and the people in it. When you enter someone’s house, you likely look around and keep an eye on the flooring. You may even take your shoes off to be polite. All while subconsciously you check whether the carpet or floors are clean.

So if you’re the type of person that values what others think, then pay attention to your floors as it is key to keeping a clean home. At the very least, spare some time to shine and mop it.

However, cleaning laminate floor has an added level of difficulty. Sometimes it becomes more sticky AFTER mopping.  The key is to understand laminate flooring - start with the basics and learn the best ways to clean it. Here are some tips to get you started...

Let go of traditional

A broom is not the best tool for laminate flooring. As we all know, it always leaves behind some particles or grains resulting in an irritating feeling when you walk on it.  Mopping isn't a great option either as it will just mix up those particles and spread around your floor. Some grains, tiny stones or particles may even scratch and damage your floor. To do it right, you’ll need a vacuum cleaner with a setting for hard floors to remove surface dirt. Be sure to check whether your vacuum has rolling brushes as they might damage laminate floor as well. If you really want to get the job done with no risk of damaging your floor, grab one of our sticky mops - they pick up everything that even a vacuum leaves behind.

Choose to dry clean 

Water, indeed, is a great help when it comes to cleaning. But if you don’t want your laminate floors to swell and ultimately be damaged, water is something that you should not attempt to involve in their cleaning.  Water and other liquids can flow or leak between the laminate boards, so if possible leave water out of the equation.  Dry mops, such as Lola's Swiffer® Sweeper® Comparable Wet & Dry Sweeper Floor Mop and Flexible Dust Mop, are effective for cleaning laminate floors. In cases when you absolutely must use water, use a minimal amount by putting it in a spray bottle, and sprinkle it as needed for a given section. In the majority of cases, a microfiber cleaning cloth will be your best bet as they've proven to be an effective absorbent.  The Revolution Microfiber Spin Mop System and The Evolution Microfiber Self-Washing Mop System are two mops that if used carefully, are also viable options.  One last item that works well on laminate flooring is the Microfiber Spritz n' Mop - it sprays a light mist and has a 17" wide microfiber head so it can be used either wet or dry.

Keep it that way

To protect is always better than to replace.  This calls for you to be proactive, rather than reactive. You exerted effort, money and time in choosing and installing that beautiful flooring and if damaged, you'll have to spend it all over again. Take protective measures instead. If you're pressed for time, just placing mats at the entrances of your home can make a huge difference. You can also implement some rules in your house like taking shoes off before anyone enters.  You may also put maintenance pads on the bottom of sofas, tables, and chairs to protect your floor from any possible damage, leaving it beautiful as it is.

Always remember that the floor is the foundation of every beautiful home.

“You never get a second chance to make a great first impression.”

In your home, you share stories and laughter, you give hugs and second chances, you say “thank you” and “I’m sorry”, you celebrate victories and mourn losses, you build your dreams with hopes and welcome individuals you call family.

That’s why regardless of the season, whether you’re planning to sell it in the future or not, it is important that you invest extra effort to increase its curb appeal. Here are some tips to help you out.

Colors speak louder than words. Picking out paint colors for your home's exterior is a priority. You must consider three different complementary hues—siding, front door, and trim—as well as the cost, time and effort you should exert in painting your whole house.

Cultivate your own garden.  Use flowering trees as borders to your entire yard. Trim your bushes and hedges evenly and regularly. Use stones and pebbles decoratively to decrease the amount of grass on your lawn. Group similar flowers and plants together according to their needs such as water, sunlight and soil type required. This way, you can ensure that you treat all of your plants properly and that you maximize their beauty.

Good fences make good neighbors.  Building a good fence is more than just making it look good. It is all about considering the function you want the fence to serve, choosing the right materials, building and maintaining it properly. Select the right type of fence according to your need. It can be a decorative fence that is more about design, a protective fence that’s focused more on security features, or a privacy fence that is more about the height.

Welcome them with a front porch. We love the way a porch functions as an additional living room during the spring and summer months. You can arrange an intimate corner where you can chat with your friends or loved ones. It can be a combination of two outdoor sofas and a table on a corner or two rocking chairs facing the yard.

Lights will guide your home. Illuminate your yard with landscape lighting. You may place decorative area lights in your garden to illuminate your plants and flowers and increase its appeal, especially at night. You may also want to put lighting at the corners of areas such as decks, patios, walkways and entryways in order to light paths.

Clear the path.  Clear out weeds and neaten up your backyard. Repair the damaged areas of your driveway and freshen up sides with stones and pebbles.

Don’t be like the rest of them, darling. Lastly, find a unique door that matches your home design. And, always keep in mind that while other people overlook small details such as the house numbers, you can turn them to a new center of attraction - a head-turning, cool and stylish house decoration. Make them big and bold yet beautiful.

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