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How to Clean Your Home to Decrease Allergens

Your home should be your safe haven – a place where you can unwind and relax after a long day at work or school. Unfortunately, many Indianapolis homes are full of allergens and other irritants that make it difficult to breathe freely and sleep soundly. And it’s not just during pollen season. Dust, dander, and pollen – carried in on clothing, shoes, and pet fur – can linger indoors and exacerbate allergies year-round.

Common indoor allergens in Indiana include:

  • Dust
  • Mold
  • Pet dander
  • Pollen tracked in from outside
  • Harsh household cleaners

Follow these 8 allergy-smart tips to reduce indoor allergens in your Indianapolis home.

1. Get Rid of Clutter

Decluttering is one of the simplest ways to reduce allergens. Extra items collect dust and make cleaning more difficult. Minimize clutter to make cleaning – and breathing – easier.

Follow this simple decluttering checklist to get started:

  • Set aside an hour or two of uninterrupted time to declutter without feeling rushed.
  • Make a list of rooms, items in each, and how often you use those items.
  • Start with places that are most visible, like your kitchen or living room, to build momentum and motivation.
  • Ask for help with big projects like the basement or attic to avoid overwhelm.
  • Donate or sell unwanted items.

Pro Tip: If decluttering feels overwhelming, consider hiring a professional to help you declutter. Keep It Neat Indy and The Simple Life are two local businesses that can help you declutter your Indianapolis home. Then, give Plan: B Cleaning a call – we’ll provide the post-cluttering deep clean your home deserves.

2. Use Non-Toxic, Fragrance-Free Cleaning Products


Regular cleaning is essential to reduce dust, dander, and other allergens – but many conventional cleaning products contain ingredients that can irritate airways and worsen allergy symptoms, including:

  • Preservatives (like formaldehyde)
  • Fragrances
  • Enzymes
  • Solvents
  • Surfactants
  • Chlorine bleach

Switching to fragrance-free, non-toxic cleaning products is a great way to improve your indoor air quality. At Plan: B Cleaning, we use eco-friendly, non-toxic products that are safe for your family and pets. Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner and the ECOS All-Purpose Cleaner are two great options. Or you can make a homemade all purpose cleaner.

DIY All-Purpose Non-Toxic Cleaner:

Pro Tip: Pair your non-toxic cleaner with microfiber cloths, which attract and trap dust particles rather than spreading them around. Wash cleaning cloths frequently to prevent buildup.

3. Invest in a High-Quality Vacuum

Carpets and rugs can trap allergens like pollen, pet dander, and mold spores. Vacuuming regularly with a true HEPA filter bagged vacuum can reduce allergen-causing particles by up to 99.97%. Check out Kenmore’s Pet Friendly Pop-N-Go Bagged Canister Vacuum or stop in to Indianapolis’s own Vacuums & More and have their experts help you pick the right HEPA filter vacuum.

Pro Tip: Always remove your shoes when entering your home; preventing allergens from being tracked in is easier than removing them later.

4. Change Your HVAC Air Filters Regularly

Your HVAC system can either help your symptoms or make them worse by circulating dust and allergens throughout your home. The EPA recommends changing your air filter every three months – or more often if you have pets or severe allergies.

This is especially important during seasonal pollen spikes in Indianapolis – ragweed pollen in the fall and maple tree pollen in the spring – but remember, indoor allergens exist year-round.

Pro Tip: Upgrade to a MERV 13 air filter, which captures smaller particles like pet dander and mold spores more effectively.

5. Use HEPA Air Purifiers

HEPA air purifiers are great at removing harmful air particles and can lead to a significant difference in your overall health. If you have allergies, consider getting one for your bedroom and any other rooms where you spend a lot of time.

You can also opt for a whole-house HEPA purifier. This option is more expensive but provides increased health benefits by reducing allergens in every room.

Pro Tip: Like HVAC systems, air purifiers can cause more harm than good if they’re not maintained properly. Follow instructions for replacing filters to keep your purifier working effectively.

6. Wash Your Bed Sheets Regularly


We spend about a third of our lives in bed. If your sheets aren’t clean, that’s a lot of time spent with dust mites, mold, and pet dander. Wash your sheets weekly in warm or hot water using a non-toxic laundry detergent that is designed for those with allergies and sensitive skin. Avoid bleach and fabric softener, which can cause irritation.

Add blankets and comforters to your wash schedule at least once a month.

Pro Tip: Use hypoallergenic pillow and mattress covers to prevent dust mites and dander from settling into your bedding.

7. Keep Your Furniture Clean

Your furniture collects dust, pet dander, and other allergens over time. Regular cleaning helps keep those allergens from circulating throughout your home.

Dust hard surface furniture – like tables and desks – at least once a week using a microfiber cloth.

And don’t forget soft surfaces like rugs and couches. We spend hours relaxing on our sofas, yet they rarely get the TLC they need. Over time, they can collect dust, pet hair, and even mold spores that trigger allergies.

How to Clean a Couch to Reduce Allergens

  • Vacuum upholstery weekly using a hose attachment
  • Clean underneath cushions and in crevices where dust collects
  • Spot clean with an allergy-friendly upholstery cleaner
  • Steam clean occasionally to kill dust mites

Pro Tip: Consider using a washable couch cover that can trap allergens and be washed weekly.

8. Invest in a Cleaning Service

If your schedule is too hectic to clean your home – or you’re still battling allergies despite regular cleaning – it might be time to call in professional help. A biweekly or monthly cleaning service can keep allergen levels low and make a big difference for your health.

At Plan: B Cleaning, we specialize in allergy-safe cleaning for Indianapolis homeowners. We use non-toxic products and tailor cleaning to your needs.

Our services include:

  • Vacuuming
  • Mopping
  • Dusting
  • Hand-washing surfaces
  • And more!

We proudly serve the Indianapolis metro – including Fishers, Carmel, Noblesville, and Fortville – helping homeowners create cleaner, healthier spaces.

You deserve to breathe freely in your home. Plan: B Cleaning can help.

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Moving Out?  Hire a Professional Cleaning Service for a Stress-Free Transition

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Moving is a BIG job! Even if you don’t think your home has a lot of things to move, people who move always seem to say, “I had more than I thought I did!”

One thing you can do to make your move much easier is to have your home cleaned before you move into your new place. Here are a few reasons why having a cleaning company to clean your new home ahead of your move really makes sense.

1. Having Your Home Cleaned Before You Move in Saves You Time!

Everyone knows that moving day is STRESSFUL. Why add another task on moving day? Just call a cleaning service to have your home prepped and ready to go before the moving truck even pulls into the driveway. Think of the stress relief you will have knowing that one of the most important tasks is already done. Your clean, new place is waiting for you!

2. Allows You to Save Your Energy Moving, Instead of Cleaning.

If you are helping to box things up at your old house, or helping move things into the truck, let us remind you that you won’t have the energy left to pack, load it up, unpack, and then clean. There won’t be any energy left for you to clean your new place. So, call ahead and get your new place cleaned ahead of time. Your move will be much smoother and happier!

3. A Pre-Cleaned Home Allows You to Focus on Unpacking

When you arrive at your pre-cleaned home, you will be able to clearly see and decide where things need to go. Finding the right spot for your toiletries, linens, dishes, clothes, décor and more is much easier when you don’t have to look at a dirty floor, dusty baseboards, or a grimy bathroom.

4. A Cleaned Home will Remove the “Germs of the Past”

When you move into your home, you want to start with a clean slate! The only way to do this is to get a cleaning service to clean your new home before you move in. When you move, it’s hard to unpack if you know your things will be placed into a dirty house, with someone else’s germs. Even if you don’t think the home looks dirty…how do you really know? Getting your home cleaned by a professional cleaning service can allow you the confidence to know that your home is sanitized and ready for a new resident.

5. You Will Rest Better Knowing Your Home Was Professionally Cleaned!

When you are done moving, you will want to relax in your new home. It will be a lot easier to do this with confidence if you know it was thoroughly cleaned by a professional service. A professional cleaning service can clean the blinds, the baseboards, the appliances, the bathroom sinks, showers, and toilets, and mop the floors. They will dust the top of the refrigerator, clean inside the oven, and get the shower tiles to sparkle.

After a day (or a week) of moving, you won’t feel like mopping and scrubbing. Leave it to our professional cleaning team! Call Plan B Cleaning for help with move-in or move out cleaning.

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The Best Move In, Move Out Cleaning in Town

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Trusted House Cleaning Service in Fishers IN

No matter where you live, moving in or out of an apartment or house can be extremely stressful, to say the least. You’ve got to figure out where you’re going to live, pack your things and move them, and then unpack everything when you get there. This process can be even more difficult if you already have a home that needs cleaning before your move-in date, but not enough time to clean it yourself.

Don’t fear, Plan B Cleaning is here! Move-in, move-out cleaning is one of our specialties. We are happy to help you and take these extra chores off of your plate as you’re preparing to move. We understand the stresses that come with moving, and do not want cleaning to be one of them!

Keep on reading to see how we make the move-in, move-out, and cleaning process effective and efficient for everyone in Hamilton county and beyond!

We are reliable.

First and foremost, we are reliable and won’t flake on you at the last minute when you need cleaning the most. We will show up and show out, ready to go. Our cleaning team will be punctual and prepared with the appropriate cleaning supplies and their biggest smiles.

We are flexible.

Moving date got changed? We are always willing to work with your schedule and offer lots of flexibility. The further in advance you are able to let us know, the more likely we are to be able to reschedule your cleaning for a more convenient time.

We are attentive.

Finally, we are attentive. Our team is repeatedly complimented and praised for their attention to detail and mindfulness. Have an important meeting or phone call? Let us know so we can wait to vacuum! Have a pet? No worries, we love puppy kisses.

Check out our checklist!

Plan: B can clean between 500 and 600 square feet of space per hour. What we clean well when we clean your home:

  • Dusting: High (ceiling areas and walls)/low (baseboards) dust-remove cobwebs; Surface dusting-all flat surfaces hand-wiped with a microfiber towel
  • Floors: Vacuum carpets: Sweep and wet mop floors hard surface floors with a ph Neutral cleaner
  • Walls: Mirrors & pictures left clean and shiny
  • Trash: Trash removed and relined with plastic bags
  • Kitchen: Disinfect and Sanitize countertop, stovetop, outside/top of the fridge, and inside microwave; Sink is disinfected and left clean; Sweep and wet mop the floors with Microfiber Mops.
  • Disinfect, sanitize and wash all showers, tubs, commodes, and sinks; Sweep and mop the floor.

When we clean your house, we want to make you happy with our best house cleaning services imaginable!

Our best house cleaning services guarantee you that when we make a mistake, we re-clean any area of your concern. That’s our promise and our guarantee. This is a comprehensive 100% House Cleaning Satisfaction Guarantee because you deserve it!

Testimonials

Check out these testimonials to back us up!

From a mom of two… “Lisa and Katana are the BEST. We started using Plan B Cleaning after having our second child and realizing we needed help with house cleaning. They pay attention to the details and do such a great job. We’ve used a few companies before for one-time cleans and have never been this happy with the results. Thank you so much for making my life a little easier!!!” – Lily Shogren

From a perfectionist… “I found Plan B to be quite prompt and thorough. The owners, Debbie and Ben, are extremely conscientious and professional; their teams are well trained. They ensure that their clients are satisfied, which is amazing since my husband and I are perfectionists! If there would ever a problem, I have every confidence that they would make it right. We trust them with our current home, and I will not hesitate to hire them for cleaning and prep our new home before and after move-in. Thanks, Plan B, for holding yourselves to higher standards! Your integrity has set your business apart in your industry.” LJH

From a loyal customer… “We have enjoyed Plan B’s house cleaning services for . . . gosh . . . I don’t know how long. 2 years, maybe? Regardless, our carpets, hardwood, cabinets, appliances, bathrooms, closets, etc have received a lot of love over that time, thanks to Plan B. When we occasionally request special attention to items that can use a little extra scrubbing, they don’t balk. Today, Tiffany and Nyhle went above and beyond by giving a little extra love to baseboards and photo frames. Plan B is our Plan A.” – Jeff Bugher

Contact Us!

Contact Us! As you’re packing boxes and moving furniture around, you may realize that your home could use a deep cleaning!

We recommend signing up for a one-time, weekly, biweekly, or monthly cleaning service with Plan B Cleaning. This will give you the time to do what you love most and enjoy the fall festivities in Fishers, Indiana. Plan: B Cleaning serves the Hamilton County area in Indiana, including Fishers, Carmel, Noblesville, Westfield, Fortville, and Geist. Call today to set up your cleaning service at (317) 572-8515 or visit our website at www.planbcleaning.com.

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A Guide to Cleaning Any Type of Flooring

There are many methods to choose from when it comes to cleaning floors, carpets, or tiles. You can use a mop, a broom, or a vacuum. You can scrub with a cloth or spray a detergent onto the surface and scrub with a rag. The options for cleaning floors are endless. Which one is best? Different types of materials for different cleaning methods largely depend on the type of floor you have to clean. This guide will introduce you to different floor cleaning methods and the materials they are best used with.

Different Types of Floors, Different Cleaning Methods

One of the toughest questions regarding floor care is “how do you clean different types of floors?” The answer to this question is not as simple as it may seem. While it is possible to clean most types of floors using the same or similar methods, some flooring requires special care. If you are moving to a new home or looking for a different cleaning method for your current home, it is important to consider the type of flooring you have. For example, wood, laminate, and tile flooring are durable flooring types that are easy to maintain.
Let’s get to learn more about the different types of floors and how you should clean them:

Wood Floors

While hardwood floors have bounced back in popularity, they can still be a pain to clean. One of the biggest turn-offs to having wood floors is the frequent need for maintenance. Dust, dirt, and debris can build up over time and cause scratching of the surface. And if you don’t have good vacuum cleaners or cleaning solutions, it’s easy to end up with dirty and scratched floors. Luckily, it’s not too complicated to clean your wood floors, and you don’t need any expensive cleaning products to do it.
The best way to clean wood floors is with a mild detergent and pH-neutral cleaner You can also use a cleaner like Bona Hardwood Cleaner which is created specifically for hardwood flooring. Read the instructions carefully. Make sure to clean all spills immediately, as that will prevent staining and discoloration. Use a towel or sponge to wipe up spills. If your wood floor looks dirty, use a mop and broom to remove dust. Make sure to mop the floor in the direction of the grain.

Marble Floors

Marble floors are a beautiful addition to any home, but they need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Marble is a type of crystal composed of calcite and dolomite. It is generally white to pale gray. Marble is smooth and requires very little maintenance, but the downside is that it can easily stain. The cool thing about marble is that there are so many beautiful colors to choose from. So, how do you clean marble floors?
You can periodically buff up marble floors with a microfiber cloth and some cleaning solution, but marble is sensitive to acidic chemicals and abrasives. Just be careful not to overdo it with cleaning products since marble can react with acidic cleaners and strip the polish off. It is recommended to use a mild detergent and a pH-neutral cleaner to clean your marble flooring safely.

Ceramic Tile Floors

Tile floors are attractive and practical, but they’re not the easiest floor to clean. They can be difficult to keep clean, especially if you live in an apartment and have to share maintenance duties. Fortunately, there are many different ways to care for your tile floors.
However, ceramic floors are a tough material to maintain, and you may need a professional to come in and help with cleaning them. There are many different kinds of ceramic tiles, and not all are cleanable. You can clean the grout with a steam cleaner, but that is not recommended unless you have glazed and sealed tile. Glazed tiles are easy to clean, and sealed tiles will get dirty easily. Unsealed tiles should be sealed, but mopping them daily with a mild detergent and water should be enough.

Linoleum Floors

Linoleum Floors are old, but they are making a comeback. Homeowners are rediscovering the vintage look of these resilient floor coverings, and there are some big reasons you might consider having them in your home. One reason being is that they are very durable and can last for decades. They are also easy to clean and are resistant to water, stains, and bacteria.
If you have linoleum floors, you know just how tough they are. Linoleum flooring can withstand just about anything, from dog messes to spills, dirt, and even snow. The good news is that linoleum floors also tend to be easy to clean. You can vacuum the floors and then mop them. You can also disinfect the floors with a disinfecting solution and water.

Terrazzo Floors

Terrazzo floors are a beautiful floor option for many homes and offices today. They add a unique, luxurious touch to any space and are the perfect accent to almost any design. However, as a floor option, the upkeep of terrazzo floors can be a bit difficult.
Because terrazzo floors resist scratches and stains, they’re an attractive option for flooring in kitchens, bathrooms, entryways, and other high-traffic areas. But like any other floor material, terrazzo accumulates dirt, grime, and scuff marks over time. Many homeowners clean terrazzo floors with mops, but the process can be time-consuming and ineffective. Instead, consider trying out an alternative method: terrazzo floor cleaning with vinegar.

Vinyl Floors

Floor cleaning is an important part of home maintenance. Vinyl floors are easy to clean in most cases, and a quick mop and sweep are usually all that’s needed.
Also, avoid using a steam mop on vinyl flooring since the steam and heat can warp the vinyl flooring. Vinyl floors don’t “wear out” like carpet or hardwood; they stay beautiful, shiny, and easy to clean for years. Vinyl floors can be damaged by even the best cleaning methods, so following the product’s manufacturer’s recommendations is very important.

Concrete Floors

Concrete flooring is an excellent option for many homes and buildings, providing a durable, attractive, and cost-effective alternative to other flooring materials, such as hardwood, carpet, or tile. These qualities make it a popular choice for flooring in high-traffic areas, but concrete surfaces also tend to harbor stains, dirt, and dust over time, making them harder to keep clean. Fortunately, these surfaces are not as difficult to clean as you might have imagined. You can:

  • Sweep the floor to remove any debris and loosen impediments.
  • Apply an appropriate cleaner for the floor (if necessary, mix the cleaning solution yourself).
  • Scrub the floor using cleaning pads or brushes.
  • Rinse the floor area with clean water, then dry it with a towel.
  • If needed, apply a sealer to the floor after it dries.

Whether you’re dealing with concrete on the street or in the home, cleaning it up can be a daunting task. Concrete is porous, making it perfect for mold and germs to grow, along with stains from dirt and spills. But, with the right cleaning supplies, it’s not impossible.

Hire a Professional

Clean floors are important to every single house, but almost all types of floors can gather dirt over time if not properly cared for. That is why if you are still not confident in handling floor cleaning, then hiring cleaning companies will be better. Professional cleaning companies like Plan: B Cleaning can provide a deeper floor cleaning that goes above and beyond what a homeowner can do.
Interested in a residential cleaning service to do the hard work for you? Call Plan: B Cleaning today at (317) 572-8515 or visit www.planbcleaning.com. Plan: B Cleaning serves the Fishers, Indiana area including Geist, Noblesville, Carmel, Fortville, and more!

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How to Declutter Your Life & Enjoy The Benefits of Cleaning on Mental Health and Well-being

Wondering how cleaning improves mental health and wellbeing? Several recent studies show that cleaning your space may help reduce your cortisol levels, reduce visual noise, and help you focus on the things you need to. Furthermore, even taking small steps to clean and organize, like making your bed in the morning or hanging up your clothes, can heighten your mood and productivity for the day. What may seem like a small task or chore really does have the ability to boost your well-being and impact your life positively.

At Plan: B Cleaning, we understand the benefits of cleaning and organizing both your space and mind, so we want to share them with you! We know that decluttering your life can be difficult, but one way to ease the process is by choosing our cleaning services as an ally to your mental health and wellbeing. Let’s take a look at some of the tips and tricks, as well as the positive effects cleaning has on your mind, body, and overall well-being.

Tips for getting started

Before you begin, decide if you’re going to start with what’s easiest for you – your workspace or your bedroom – or if you want to set a goal for how much cleaning you want to and can do. If your goal is something lofty, such as “I’m going to declutter my entire house!” – that might be overwhelming at first. Instead, break it down into smaller chunks – perhaps starting by tackling your desk area, then moving on to other areas as they become manageable. Setting goals can help keep you motivated, but don’t be afraid to take breaks when needed. It may take several days or even weeks before you feel comfortable getting rid of things in your home. Just remember: You just have to start somewhere! Then, you can always pick up where you left off.

Why decluttering and donating can improve your mood

Decluttering is one of the first steps to deep cleaning. By getting rid of old items that you no longer use, you are actively creating more space for yourself and new, positive thoughts. When you give away or throw out things that aren’t serving you, it can also help reduce feelings of stress. If a room is overflowing with objects you rarely use, give those objects away. Donating items gives them a new life with someone else who will use them and frees up space in your home. You will feel happy to help someone in need, and also an immediate sense of relief once your new, clean space is established. It’ll be like taking a breath of fresh air.

If you are wondering where to donate clothes and gently used items, check out this blog for places to donate near Indianapolis, Fisher, Carmel, and so on. Find a cause that speaks to you, whether it is donating to domestic abuse survivors, homeless folks, refugees, and so on.

Ways to eliminate clutter

One rule that works well when decluttering is that if you haven’t used it in a year, get rid of it. If you have doubts about whether or not you’ll ever use an item again, consider donating it rather than putting it in storage. And remember: Don’t sweat your stuff. Try to avoid getting worked up over clutter by reminding yourself that material things are simply items. They don’t define you, but neither do they dictate your happiness. Be disciplined but forgiving with yourself if some items seem hard to part with—after all, we all have sentimental attachments to certain items.

Organizing your belongings is as important as throwing them out

A well-organized home helps combat stress by being more effective, easier to use, and ultimately healthier for your mental wellbeing. You’ll be able to find things when you need them, making it easier to make plans and follow through. You won’t have a panic attack every time you come home from work; instead, you can enjoy kicking off your shoes and relaxing in a calm environment. Having less stuff just laying around also gives you a greater sense of freedom as there will be fewer options for clutter throughout your living space. Here are some easy tips and item recommendations to get organized:

  • Invest in desk organizers. (Check out your local office supply store or order online!)
  • Closet organizers. I am a big fan of my hanging closet and shoe storage purchases. These come in different sizes and styles so you can find what works best for you.
  • Baskets, lots and lots of baskets. Baskets can go anywhere and are great for storing nearly anything as they also come in different shapes and sizes.
  • Utensil organizers … basically special baskets for your utensils. These make putting away dishes so much easier.

Freeing up space in your home can have positive effects

Sort everything into four piles: trash, recycle, donate, and keep. Clearing out clutter has been shown to reduce stress, improve sleep, and increase feelings of happiness. As satisfying as it is for our brains, decluttering also has practical benefits; you’ll save money by avoiding purchases you don’t need or making better use of household resources. If you’re trying to get your finances in order or simply have too much stuff, start decluttering now!

Examine your relationships with possessions, both material and digital

Being careful with possessions is important because every object you own serves a purpose. Ask yourself why you have each possession in your life and whether or not it enriches your life or consumes it. It’s also important to examine your relationship with digital possessions, like emails. You can start by asking questions like: Why do I have so many emails? What use are they adding to my life? Do I ever really read them? And what do they do when they just sit there in my inbox, untouched? A lot of times, we collect items that we don’t even need but convince ourselves that we need them. These items aren’t helping us; instead, they are literally sucking our time away from us. Start by deleting any old apps on your phone or computer programs you no longer use. Declutter your inbox while you’re at it. You can do this by unsubscribing to any newsletters from stores you no longer shop at. This will also help you avoid impulse buying.

Decluttering leads to more time you can spend doing things you enjoy

Simply having less stuff around can reduce stress, but we know you want more than just that. Not only will there be less clutter around your home making things easier to find, but you’ll also save a lot of time by not searching through piles or looking for misplaced items. If you’re always running behind because you can never find anything, maybe it’s time to declutter. If you can find your contact lenses, a spoon for cereal, and a spoon for cereal – you will be out of the door in no time!

Next Steps

After decluttering and organizing, you are ready for a deep clean. Treat yourself to assistance from a cleaning service to really get the grime out of your newly organized space.

Call today to set up your cleaning service at (317) 572-8515 or visit www.planbcleaning.com. Plan: B Cleaning serves the Hamilton County area, including Fishers, Carmel, Noblesville, Westfield, Fortville, and Geist.

 

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How to Clean When You Hate Cleaning: 10 Tips to Get You Started

Let’s face it – cleaning isn’t anyone’s favorite thing to do. However, if you don’t do it, your house will quickly fall into chaos, which can affect your mood and health. If you hate cleaning, though, that makes the prospect of doing it even worse, right? With these 10 tips, you can learn how to clean when you hate cleaning and find yourself enjoying the benefits of a tidy home in no time!

1) Start With Simple Tasks

The biggest thing that can hold people back from cleaning is that they think of it as a big task. Think about all of those small tasks, like making your bed in the morning, taking out garbage and recycling, or wiping off your desk at work. If you start doing these little things throughout your day, it will make it much easier for you to tackle bigger chores. There is even a great book called “Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe the World” written by a navy seal, Admiral William H. McRaven, that describes how making your bed can improve your mindset. Start with those simple tasks, and then slowly start adding in bigger ones until cleaning becomes a habit for you!

2) Choose Your Tools Wisely

The first step in cleaning is choosing your tools. First, you want to pick a broom with sturdy bristles for sweeping up large amounts of dust and dirt. Next, get a good vacuum—not just any vacuum, but one that can thoroughly clean carpets and bare floors alike. Our cleaning professionals at Plan: B depend on high-quality and efficient vacuum cleaners. So we recommend checking out Miele canister vacuum cleaners and finding the right fit for you. Finally, don’t forget to grab a mop or sponge—these are essential for scrubbing hard-to-reach areas like kitchen counters and bathroom sinks. Once you have these items, it’s time to start cleaning!

3) Divide and Conquer

Is cleaning your entire home one project too daunting? Break it down into smaller steps. Start with one room or part of a room and go from there. As you tackle each area, think about what you can do in just five minutes—this should keep you moving at a steady pace while still ensuring that you don’t get bored by longer projects. In addition, these short spurts of time are much easier to carve out in your busy schedule than larger chunks would be.

If you find yourself getting stuck on something, give yourself permission to stop for now and come back later. Remember: If it doesn’t look like it needs doing right now, leave it alone! That way when you pick up where you left off tomorrow, you won’t feel overwhelmed.

4) Take Small Breaks in Between

Too much cleaning at once can be tiresome or even stress you out. So, take small breaks in between tasks to keep yourself from getting overwhelmed. If you need a break, get up and stretch your legs for a few minutes before returning to work. It’s also a good idea to change up your routine every so often by doing something different with each task. This will help you focus on what needs to be done instead of getting bored with repetitive chores like washing dishes or vacuuming floors. Grab some water while you’re at it! Staying hydrated is important, especially when you’re working hard.

5) Avoid Clutter at All Costs

Having a messy house isn’t just unsightly—it can also wreak havoc on your mental health. While more stuff does not equate to a better life, living in constant disarray can be incredibly stressful and, if you have children, dangerous. So if you hate cleaning but want to get organized once and for all, avoid clutter like the plague. Declutter your home by making three piles (keep, donate/recycle, trash) whenever you bring something new into your home.

6) Find Supplies Suited for You

It sounds trivial, but when you hate cleaning, spending a lot of time and energy on supplies is frustrating. Therefore, in order to effectively get your house clean when you hate cleaning, it’s important that you stock up on supplies that make scrubbing your house easier.

For example, if mopping irritates your back or knees then opt for a Swiffer Sweeper rather than a mop and bucket. If dusting makes you sneeze, try investing in some microfiber cloths so you can dust without all those irritating allergens flying around. Here at Plan: B Cleaning we love our microfiber towels. They do a great job at picking up dirt, dust, and germs. For your home we’d recommend considering the perfect clean microfiber or the Buff ™microfiber product from microfiberwholesale.com.

Vacuuming can also be a hassle if you have a lot of space to clean or find yourself vacuuming often. If vacuuming feels like too much work, invest in a robotic vacuum cleaner that will do all of the hard work for you!

7) Add Music

Most cleaning chores can be made easier if you have a great playlist on your phone. If you don’t have one, it’s time to get busy! Create a playlist of songs that are upbeat and inspiring. The right music will inspire you to clean up and help clear your mind when you are too stressed. This is an easy way to make cleaning more fun! And what could be better than that?

8) Keep a Routine

Of course, no amount of cleaning products or techniques will work if you don’t keep them up consistently. That’s why it’s important to try and get into a routine that fits your life and stick with it as closely as possible. If you can make daily maintenance part of your schedule, then you’ll be less likely to let things slip through the cracks. And when things do slip? Don’t beat yourself up—just start again! It may take time to find what works for you, but in time you’ll have an effective system down pat. The key is to not give up and always move forward.

9) Do it in little bits of time

Like anything you’d rather not do, cleaning can be a pain. But chances are there are little pockets of time in your day where you aren’t doing anything important—waiting for the coffee to brew, standing in line at the grocery store, staring into space during a meeting—that you could use for scrubbing and polishing. This is especially true if you have pets or children—two groups that typically require frequent cleanup! Set aside time each week and make it a habit.

You might even surprise yourself with how much you enjoy it. If nothing else, you’ll feel accomplished when you walk away from a clean house (and won’t be as tempted to leave things undone).

10) Hire a cleaning service

Hiring a cleaning service is one of those luxuries that make life so much easier. If you do hate cleaning, paying someone else to do it for you could be just what you need. Fortunately, Plan: B has an excellent cleaning service! It’s definitely worth considering if you’re looking for help with housework.

Call today to set up your cleaning service at (317) 572-8515 or visit www.planbcleaning.com. Plan: B Cleaning services the Hamilton County area, including Fishers, Carmel, Noblesville, Westfield, Fortville, and Geist.

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6 Things You Could Do With Your Time If You Hire a Cleaning Service

How much time do you waste cleaning your home each week? An hour? Two hours? Three? If it’s more than an hour, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Many people find themselves spending far too much of their free time trying to maintain a clean house. When you hire a cleaning service available in your area, you can spend all that time doing something else—like spending quality time with your family or getting to work on that project you’ve been putting off. In this blog, we will discuss 6 things you could do with your free time when you hire a residential cleaning service to clean your home.

1) Volunteer

With the free time you get from hiring a cleaning service, you can start volunteering more of your time to a cause that you care about.  This is not only an effective way to give back, but it’s also a great way to make new friends and spend time with family members who share similar interests. For example, if you’re passionate about animals, consider volunteering at an animal shelter or helping out at your local zoo on weekends. This could help you connect with people in your community who have common interests.

By hiring a residential cleaning service for your house or apartment, you can spend your valuable time giving back to others! Your free time can be spent giving back to those in need in your community thanks to the help of a professional residential cleaning service.

2) Get creative

Spending your free time using your creativity can be just as important to your health and well-being as working out or getting enough sleep. (That said, it’s important to get enough sleep.) When you hire someone to clean your home, you still have plenty of free time and energy left over for painting, drawing, reading, writing, or making crafts that bring joy into your life.

With the extra free time that hiring a residential cleaning service can give you, you can pick up a wide variety of creative hobbies that will bring you happiness. You can paint a portrait, write a novel, learn how to make jewelry, or read a new book series with your newly found time. 

If you are starting a new creative hobby, try watching free instructional videos to learn how to do things or go to a local class with friends. You can also try thrifting certain things like books, canvases, jewelry pieces, and more for your chosen hobby. You don’t have to spend a ton of money to start a new hobby with your free time!

3) Spend time with friends or family

When you hire someone to do your cleaning, you’ll find yourself with extra time on your hands to spend your time with friends and family. With work taking up most of the day,  it can be hard to find time for our loved ones—but having a cleaning service frees up time that you can use for other things. 

Whether it’s going out for dinner or catching a movie, spending time with those around us is an important part of life that we often don’t make enough time for. So when you have time off from housework, take advantage of it! The time will go by much faster than you think.

Some fun activities you could do with friends or family in your free time include:

  • Host a game night
  • Go to a concert
  • Play a sport 
  • Attend a yoga class 
  • Try a new restaurant
  • Have a board game night
  • Host a movie night
  • Learn how to cook a new dish
  • Start a garden
  • Paint together

4) Redecorate

Decorating your home or apartment is an excellent hobby, as it gives you something to do on days off and is highly rewarding. Pick up some books on interior design, check out your local flea markets for unique pieces, or simply spend time looking at magazines and daydreaming about what you’d like to do with your space. The time saved cleaning can be better spent redecorating your space.

Try also drawing inspiration for redecorating from online idea boards, such as Pinterest. You can research what style you like and curate your design ideas to fit your specific house or apartment’s look.

And as an added bonus, your home will be cleaned by the professionals when you redecorate so you’re starting with a clean foundation. Redecorating is much easier when you are moving furniture and hanging art on the walls when you are starting with a clean home. The last thing you want is to redecorate on top of dust and dirt that you will have to clean up later!

5) Catch up on sleep

It’s no secret that your cognitive ability is sharpest when you’re well-rested. Who has time to make sure everything is clean while they’re trying to stay on top of their job and manage personal life too? That’s where hiring a cleaning service comes in handy. You won’t have to stress or spend time cleaning and can therefore rest easy when you get home from work or other activities!

With the time you save by hiring a residential cleaning service to clean your home or apartment, you can catch up on the sleep you’ve missed out on by trying to keep up with work, cleaning, and all of your other tasks. Make sure to plan ahead so that you can get enough rest before an important meeting or presentation!

6) Exercise

Having someone else clean your home not only saves you time but can also give you an opportunity to start exercising! Since you won’t be tied down with chores or worried about cleaning your home, feel free to do some exercising—go on a hike out in nature, take a jog around your neighborhood, or attend a yoga class. There are so many different ways to get active with your free time so you can find an activity that you enjoy doing. From biking to dancing to rollerblading, you can try any exercise in your newfound free time.

Be sure to set aside time each day to make these activities part of your daily routine; you’ll feel better knowing that you’re doing something good for yourself in addition to hiring us. And as an added bonus, exercising is proven to improve your overall well-being, mentally and physically!

Take Back Your Free Time

We all know that spending more time with our families and practicing new hobbies is something that’s on everyone’s wish list, but for many of us, time seems to slip away faster than we can keep up. That’s why you should consider hiring a residential cleaning service. A professional maid service can make your life easier by coming into your home and doing some of your chores so you have more free time in which to spend doing what you love and enjoy.

Plan: B Cleaning can give you back your free time to enjoy doing what you love again by offering residential cleaning services in Fishers, Indiana. When you hire our team of cleaning professionals for deep cleaning services, your home will be cleaned from top to bottom so your house or apartment is as clean as it was when you moved in.

Call today to schedule your cleaning service at (317) 572-8515 or visit www.planbcleaning.com. Plan: B Cleaning services the Fishers, Indiana area, including Carmel, Noblesville, Fortville, and Geist.

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How to Get Your Bathroom Spotless

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Plan: B Cleaning Services of Fishers, IN

A clean bathroom can be an absolute treat to come home to after a long day. But cleaning your bathroom doesn’t have to take up your entire weekend – and with some careful planning, it can even be pretty easy and the results will be worth it! Check out this guide on how to get your bathroom spotless and enjoy your clean space all week long.

DIY or Professionals?

As they say, if you want something done right, do it yourself. While that might be true in many situations, when it comes to getting your bathroom clean and sparkling, hiring a professional cleaning company is a much better route. Using professional bathroom cleaning services will ensure your grout gets cleaned thoroughly, tiles come out sparkling and tubs are cleaned well enough that you won’t even have to worry about them for weeks.

If you find your schedule is too hectic and your bathroom is getting dirtier and dirtier, a professional cleaning service is the right choice for you. Whether you want to free up more time for yourself or for family or friends, hiring a cleaning company can do that for you. You’ll have more time to do what you love and always have a clean bathroom!

If you do have the time (or you just like cleaning), the DIY route can be simplified so that your bathroom is always looking and smelling fresh. Keep reading on to learn the best way to get your bathroom spotless!

Clean the Shower and Tub

While a clogged drain can be frustrating, it’s an easy problem to fix. If your shower or tub is starting to look grungy, it might be time for deep cleaning. The first step is emptying out whatever gunk has been building up in there over time. 

You can start by using a drain-clearing product that you can find at most stores, such as Drano. If you are looking for a natural alternative to Draino, try using baking soda and white vinegar! Put a good amount of baking soda down the shower drain and follow up by pouring vinegar down the drain. The reaction between the vinegar and baking soda will clean out the drain. Leave the mixture to do its magic for 10-15 minutes and then rinse with warm or hot water.

Next, you need to get all of the soap scum and product buildup off of the shower surface.  You can use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar again for cleaning or you can use a store-bought cleaner that is specifically made to lift tough soap scum off of the shower. Spray it on your tub or shower walls and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing it away with a cleaning brush and then follow up by wiping it down with a sponge or rag.

Clean the Bathroom Floors

When cleaning a bathroom, the floors usually get forgotten. But in contrast, they tend to be the dirtiest surface in the bathroom! Start by sweeping or vacuuming any dust, dirt, or debris that is on the bathroom floor. Then you can move on to the deeper cleaning. Choose the floor cleaning product that suits your floor type. Some bathrooms have ceramic or porcelain tile flooring, some have laminate flooring, and some have vinyl flooring. Make sure to check the product you choose to clean the flooring is safe for your bathroom’s flooring type.

The quickest and easiest way to clean the bathroom floor is to use a microfiber mop or a tool like the Swiffer. Microfiber mops are great because they any remaining trap dirt, dust, and hair in their fibers so you don’t have to worry about leaving behind a dirty floor. Just make sure you wring out your microfiber mop frequently and wash it between uses so that it stays clean. 

Using a Swiffer is also another easy option for cleaning bathroom floors because it’s pre-moistened with cleaner, so all you have to do is swipe it across your bathroom floor!

Clean the Bathroom Sink

Cleaning a bathroom sink is the easiest step you can take to refresh your bathroom. Remove any buildup of soap scum with a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar or any multipurpose cleaner. To do the DIY method, sprinkle baking soda on the sink and soak a microfiber rag in vinegar and gently rub it into your bathroom sink until all soap scum has been removed. Rinse off any remaining product by rinsing your sink with water. 

Next, don’t forget to clean the mirror!  Cleaning a bathroom mirror is a breeze with a lint-free microfiber cloth and any glass cleaner that you prefer. 

Finally, when you’re finished cleaning your sink and mirrors, make sure you dry them thoroughly so they won’t become a breeding ground for bacteria. Use paper towels or microfiber cloths to wipe away any excess moisture.

Clean the Toilet

Toilets are home to some of the most bacteria and grime and can’t be forgotten about. The good news is that cleaning your toilet bowl doesn’t have to be a complicated or costly process—there are a few simple things you can do on your own in order to get it looking its best again.

You’ll need a toilet bowl cleaner of your choosing and a toilet bowl brush. You can also utilize the baking soda and vinegar method that you use for the sink in the toilet too if you don’t want to buy conventional cleaning products. Next, scrub away! Make sure to get under the sides of the toilet where water comes out because hard water can build up unsightly sediment in this area. Follow up with a flush and the toilet should be shiny and clean!

After cleaning the interior of the toilet, use a disinfectant wipe or cleaning spray to thoroughly clean the toilet seat, the lid, and the base of the toilet. And don’t forget to wipe down the toilet flusher, too! It can gather as much bacteria from use as the toilet seat can.

Organize Under the Sink

Under-the-sink cabinets are perfect for storing cleaning supplies, which is helpful when it comes time to do a quick bathroom clean-up. To really make things easy, consider creating an under-the-sink cleaning kit with a bunch of basic cleaning products that you can easily grab and throw away without ever having to leave your toilet. 

It’s a great idea to utilize storage solutions like baskets and containers to hold any cleaning products or toiletries for easy access. A clean bathroom doesn’t require a lot of elbow grease—just some patience and organization.

Wash the Linens

Wash your bathroom linens regularly so that they don’t harbor bacteria or even worse – mold! This includes any bath mats or rugs you have on the bathroom floor, hand towels, bath towels, robes, and even the shower curtains and liners.

Many people forget to take down the shower curtain and liner to be washed, but they should be washed at least once a month. It’s recommended to use a fabric shower liner so that it can be washed to prevent any mold or mildew from growing on it. After all, it gets soaked every shower and sometimes doesn’t have the time to dry between shower times. Being able to just throw the liner into the wash is quick, easy, and effective. 

Another tip to prevent bacteria or mold growth on the shower liner is to always pull the shower curtain closed after use so that it can dry more thoroughly. This will decrease the chance of mold and bacteria growth so that your shower stays cleaner and fresher for longer! 

Hire the Professionals

If all of these tips sound too time-consuming or too difficult, consider hiring a professional cleaning service. A cleaning technician will clean all of the surfaces of all of your bathrooms so that it is fresh, clean, and bacteria-free!  They’ll also be able to scrub out any tough stains on your bathroom floors and walls, as well as disinfect any potential hazards in your bathrooms. 

Plan: B Cleaning serves the Fishers, Indiana area for residential cleaning services. So if you want your bathroom to be spotless in your house or apartment, call Plan: B Cleaning to set up your weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly residential cleaning service! Plan: B Cleaning creates a custom profile for each client so that they can learn more about your space and deliver exceptional cleaning services every time.

Plan: B Cleaning serves the Fishers, Indiana area, including Carmel, Noblesville, Broad Ripple, Geist, Fortville, and more. Call today at (317) 572-8515 or visit https://planbcleaning.com/ for a free estimate on your cleaning service!

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7 Tips to Keep Your Living Room Clean

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The living room might be the most important room in your home. It’s where guests will first enter, and it’s where you can relax with your friends or family after a long day at work. It’s important to keep your living room clean and organized so that it inspires relaxation rather than anxiety when you walk through the door. Here are 7 simple ways to keep your living room clean and organized.

1) Have designated space for items

The best way to keep your living room clean is to have designated space for items. For instance, keep all of your electronics in one place, books on a shelf, or house plants in a corner. Set up a table for remote controls and snacks and make sure you put them back when you’re done using them. Designate one container or shelf for DVD cases and video games so they don’t get lost around the room. 

You can even create different sections with furniture: One area could be devoted to reading material, whereas another could be reserved for watching television or listening to music.

Having designated space for items can make a big difference. It’s easy to lose things when they’re scattered around a room, and if you need something specific but can’t find it, chances are it won’t get used. Before long, your living room will be overrun with clutter that you don’t have time or patience to deal with. Designating areas for items gives them an obvious place to go, making them easier to store and access.

2) Adopt the one in, one out rule

Some people have a hard time letting go of an item that they’ve grown attached to. But rather than keeping sentimental attachments instead of discarding items to keep your living room clean, remember why and how they came into your life in the first place. If they’re not bringing joy into your life or you don’t need them anymore, then discard them. 

In most cases, you’ll find your living room feeling a lot less cluttered if you approach it with a philosophy of one in, one out. That is, for every new item you bring into your living room (whether it be a decoration or furniture), an old item should likely be removed from that space. 

This rule can be applied to all sorts of things—books, clothing, decor, etc.—and will help keep your home from getting too cluttered. You might not feel the need to apply this rule quite yet; however, once you do, it can hold you accountable in your efforts of organizing the living room.

3) Use baskets or bins

Baskets and bins are great for keeping things in their place. Rather than leaving books, magazines, and newspapers lying around, tuck them into baskets you can then store on shelves or in corners of your living room. It’s a simple trick that makes a big difference over time. 

Also, don’t forget to put anything you tend to pick up while watching TV—remote controls, coasters and so on—into one basket at night. This way, you won’t have to go searching for these items when it comes time to turn off the television. 

Additionally, you could invest in an attractive basket for your keys or another similar item you tend to drop or misplace on a regular basis. Then, put it somewhere where you won’t forget about it—for example, near your purse or coat when you come in from work every day. Using baskets or bins to organize your items allows for greater accessibility and will save you time in the long run.

4) Set aside time each day to clear the clutter

Schedule time for you to clean and organize your living room each day. This can be as little as 5 minutes or as much as 30, depending on your lifestyle and how often your space gets cluttered. But by setting aside some time each day to clear clutter, you’ll prevent it from piling up and making a bigger mess than necessary. 

You might find that having an empty and organized space makes it easier to stay organized throughout the rest of your home. And if you do end up with extra time at one point during your cleaning session, perhaps see if there are any other areas in need of attention. Consider setting an alert on your phone to remind you when it’s time to clean. 

You can also make cleaning part of your bedtime routine, so you don’t feel tempted to spend time doing other things while your living room is messy. Moreover, if you don’t have the time to clean your home, then it might be a good idea to contact a professional cleaning service and get an estimate (see more information below).

5) Donate what you don’t use/need/want

There’s a good chance that you have at least one item in your home that hasn’t been used in quite some time. Maybe it was something you purchased on a whim and never used, or maybe you received it as a gift and simply don’t like it. 

Take an inventory of your items, find those things you don’t use anymore, and get rid of them. Not only will donating them benefit someone else, but it will make room for things that are actually necessary for you. It might be hard to part with certain items but remember: If you haven’t touched it in months, chances are you won’t miss it.

It’s easy to hold onto things out of a fear that you may need them someday, but let go of these possessions and clear some room for newer items. Having fewer possessions allows you to maintain your home more easily. If you have too many belongings, they can make it harder for you to keep your living room clean and organized. Aim for simplicity by donating those unused items.

6) Get rid of anything that stinks

Oftentimes, people find that there are a few things around their living room that can smell pretty bad. Garbage cans, dirty clothes, food remains—all of these can start smelling pretty badly after a while. 

If you have more than one garbage can in your home, make sure they’re all cleaned out at least once a week. This will keep foul odors from collecting in one location and will keep your home looking nicer overall. It’s also important to clean up spills immediately; when liquids sit for too long, they can seep into carpets or cause permanent damage to floors. It may be worth investing in some odor-removing products as well, such as air fresheners or deodorizers.

7) Schedule regular cleanings with your partner/roommates

Having a set schedule and making cleaning an expected, regular occurrence will keep your living room from piling up with clutter. Plus, sharing cleaning duties with your significant other is a great way to stay connected without too much extra effort! If you often find yourself busy, then it might be beneficial to hire a professional cleaning service. Residential cleaners know exactly how to treat your home, as these services specialize in their cleaning roles.

Hire a Professional Cleaning Service Today

If your living room and/or your home is in need of some thorough cleaning, then it’s a good idea to hire professional cleaners to get the job done properly. 

Plan: B Cleaning offers residential cleaning services to help you keep your residential space clean and free from allergens. If your schedule is too hectic to clean your home, investing in a professional cleaning service is the way to go. Call today to schedule your residential cleaning service at (317) 572-8515 or visit https://planbcleaning.com/ to learn more!

Plan: B Cleaning serves the Fishers, Indiana area, including Carmel, Noblesville, Fortville, and Noblesville for all of your residential cleaning needs.