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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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house cleaning

The Ultimate Guide to Apartment Deep Cleaning Services

A spotless home is a wonderful thing to have…but it’s hard to get it all done and then KEEP IT that way. That’s when you call for house cleaning help! Plan: B Cleaning is the one to call.

Our lives get busy with kids, extended family, sports, hobbies, jobs, and more, and our clean home is always the thing that seems to suffer from a lack of time to finish it all. We see this in almost every home that we visit, and it makes us feel good to know that we are helping people who have busy lives!

One thing that keeps people and families from keeping up with the cleaning tasks is a lack of time and energy. That is one way that hiring a cleaning service can help you upgrade your standard of living AND give you back time.

Hiring Plan B Cleaning to do the housework for you saves you time and effort of doing it yourself, and you can spend that time doing what you want to do!

If you have an apartment, your storage space may be limited, and that is all the more reason to keep your apartment the cleanest it can be, because in a smaller space things can get cluttered even faster. You have to stay on top of the cleaning tasks.

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

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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Looking Back on 10 Years of Cleaning with Plan B Cleaning

This year marks a milestone for Plan: B Cleaning – our 10 year anniversary! We are so proud to have been providing cleaning services to our local community for an entire decade, and we wanted to take a moment to look back and reflect on the success and growth we have experienced over the years. We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our valued customers, and we look forward to the future of Plan B Cleaning.

What started as a way to help clean homes in our community has become so much more

When Plan: B Cleaning first started, our mission was to provide a top-notch house cleaning service to the greater Fishers, Hamilton County, Carmel, and Noblesville areas of Indiana. We wanted to be the go-to choice for families, busy professionals, and people who just needed a helping hand around the house.

But in the past decade, Plan: B Cleaning has grown into something much bigger. We have expanded our services beyond just basic housekeeping and now provide move-in/move-out and event clean-up services for weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries or holidays as well as deep cleaning and office cleaning services. We even offer additional services such as townhouse and apartment cleaning services.

This growth is due in part to our dedication to providing excellent customer service and quality results every time. We take great pride in being able to make a home look and feel like new again. We strive to make sure our clients are happy with their service and that they are receiving the best possible value for their money.

At Plan: B Cleaning, we are passionate about helping our community by providing a top-notch cleaning service that takes away the stress of keeping a home clean. We believe that everyone should be able to enjoy living in a clean and organized home without having to spend hours trying to keep up with it.

What the future holds for Plan: B Cleaning

The future is bright for Plan: B Cleaning as we continue to provide our clients with high-quality housekeeping services in Hamilton County IN, Carmel IN, Noblesville IN, Fishers IN, and surrounding areas. We have been able to expand our services over the past 10 years, and our experienced staff is looking forward to bringing their expertise to even more households and businesses in the area.

We plan on continuing to deliver high-quality service to our customers, while also introducing new technologies and solutions to ensure that we remain competitive in the house cleaning service industry. Our goal is to make sure that our clients have access to the best possible cleaning service, and we will continue to do everything we can to stay ahead of the curve.

We are also looking at ways to improve our services for the community and are actively exploring new ways to give back. We have already had a great 10 years providing cleaning services in our community and we look forward to many more years of helping keep homes and businesses clean.

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A message of thanks from the team at Plan B Cleaning

We are so grateful to be celebrating 10 years of cleaning in our community. It has been an amazing journey that has seen us become one of the leading house cleaning services in Fishers IN, Hamilton County IN, Carmel IN, Geist IN, Westfield IN, Fortville IN, Broad Ripple IN, and Noblesville IN. We would like to take this moment to thank all of our customers, who have trusted us with their homes over the past decade and have allowed us to do what we love.

As local business owners, we are so proud of the company we have built and we look forward to continuing to bring excellent cleaning services to the community for years to come. We want to extend a special thank you to those who have been with us since the beginning and continue to show their loyalty.

It is our mission to always provide a high quality service and a stress-free housekeeping experience. We are passionate about being the best in the business and we will continue to strive towards this goal. We could not have reached this milestone without the support of our customers and we thank them for their loyalty and patronage.

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Why Keeping Your Bedroom Clean Is Essential This Year

Tired of losing sleep? Are you waking up in a messy room? Feeling exhausted all the time? If you’re looking to heighten your sleep, your bedroom, and your quality of life, you are in the right place! Think about it – you probably spend 7-10 hours in your bedroom a day. Hence, your bedroom should be the cleanest room in your house. Plan: B Cleaning is here to help you learn the reasons why and take the next steps to sleeping better. Check out our blog detailing some of the many benefits of keeping your bedroom clean and why it should be a priority in your life!

Sleep Better

A messy bedroom makes you less likely to want to sleep there. But getting eight hours of uninterrupted sleep every night is vital for maintaining good health. When we leave clothes, shoes, and other items in our bedroom, we’re effectively wasting space. And if your bedroom isn’t clean and organized it can actually have a negative impact on your mood and sleep schedule. For example, having a mess in your room could cause you to feel anxious because you have a cluttered environment to look at before you go to sleep. You may feel like your brain is also cluttered. You may feel claustrophobic. But what you really want to feel is calm and relaxed, so keep reading!

Declutter

A clean bedroom not only makes it easier to fall asleep but also relieves stress throughout your day – especially if a messy room causes you anxiety. Decluttering regularly is important. Fit it into your schedule whenever you can – but be sure to do it after packing for and unpacking from vacations, celebrating the holidays, and so on. The easiest way to do that is by reallocating what you do not use regularly: make a pile of unnecessary items, and organize what you use often and consider a bedside table that stores what you need at night (phone charger, watch, glasses). After you have made a pile of things you do not need, you can donate them to a local organization supporting those in need. If you have more time on your hands, you can take pictures, add descriptions, and resell on Facebook Marketplace. Other platforms like eBay, Mercari, Poshmark, and so on are a great place to make some cash back.

Boost Productivity

When your bedroom is clean, you have more energy to do things outside of it. Cleanliness is shown to make us feel and be more productive, since we are able to function at a higher level rather than stepping around clutter or stressing about the mess. This may not seem like a big deal, but when your bedroom’s a mess and you’re tired from working all day, trying to get anything done can feel like an impossible task. By keeping your bedroom tidy, you’ll have more energy throughout your day—and you’ll be more motivated to get out of bed early in the morning. You might even wake up feeling rested!

Save Time and Money

If you want to save time and money make sure your bedroom is always clean and tidy. You’ll be able to find what you need quickly, which will save you time in the morning when it comes to getting ready for work or school. You’ll also be able to find things like your wallet or keys if they get lost in a mess of clothes on your floor, which can help avoid unnecessary trips back home from work or a night out with friends. In addition, having a clean room can help reduce stress levels by eliminating distractions that cause worry or anxiety over messes.

Finally, keeping your bedroom neat and organized will help save you money because you won’t have to replace items as often. For example, not losing your favorite shirt when it gets mixed up with other clothes means you won’t have to buy another one. As an added bonus, you won’t have to spend as much money on cleaning supplies if you stay on top of your cleaning routine.

Prevent Illness

Preventing illness and maintaining good health starts in your own home! Dust and dirt buildup can result in everything from the odd sneezing fit to the scary experience of an asthma attack. This is especially true if you also have pets in your house.

Your bedroom is also a space where germs spread easily–especially if you share it with others in your home. By keeping your bedroom clean, you can prevent germs from contaminating your home. It takes less time to be healthy if the family can cooperate and clean their rooms every few days.

Additionally, getting more sleep comes with its own long list of health benefits like hormone regulation, better eating habits, and so on.

Contact Us!

We’ll do the cleaning while you and your loved ones focus on celebrating and working toward your new goals! If you are looking to hire a cleaning service for your home or office to ring in the new year, you know who to call!

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 start the new year off strong 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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Plan Blessing: Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Do you know someone who would appreciate a free house cleaning service? If so, we’re here to show our support. Through this October (National Down Syndrome Awareness Month), our team at Plan: B Cleaning wants to show our love and support to our local community by offering free housecleaning services to families with children that have been diagnosed with Down syndrome. We believe that this will not only offer an opportunity to bless a family in need but will also provide us the opportunity to better support our local community here in Indiana.

The importance of raising down syndrome awareness

Down syndrome is one of the most common chromosomal conditions and occurs in about 1 out of every 800 births. When individuals with Down syndrome are given opportunities to live, learn and work, they can be successful contributors to society. It’s important for people to understand that this isn’t a disorder but a genetic condition that manifests differently for each person who has it. It’s often incorrectly considered a mental handicap because people don’t know how much these individuals can achieve if provided the opportunity. We want our community members to know that there are many ways we’re supporting awareness month by providing free housekeeping services for a nominee in need during October!

What is Plan: Blessing?

Plan B Cleaning dedicates itself to service the communities we provide by providing free cleanings for those who need it most. During this tough time, we want to demonstrate love and support. A clean house will not fix life’s problems, but it does have the ability to convey love and show support during a tough season. Plan Blessing includes free cleaning services for those in need in our communities. During the month of October, we provide families with a free cleaning in respect of Down Syndrome awareness. Plan Blessing is offered to all individuals who are in need of an extra hand during difficult times. Our hope is that through the power of cleanliness and hospitality, love and encouragement will shine through the difficult days.

What does the free cleaning service include?

A Plan B Clean includes a deep cleaning and light refresh, such as dusting, vacuuming, kitchen cleanup, bed making, bathroom tidy-up, and window washing. We want to serve the communities we provide services to by offering a free cleaning service during this month of down syndrome awareness. You cannot completely repair problems that have fallen on you by making your home clean. But having a spotless home can create peace of mind, and it shows love and support to someone you’re doing your best to take care of. We want to take care of you and let you take care of what matters.

Benefits of a clean home

A clean home can help relieve stress, improve your mood and increase your self-esteem. It also reduces the risk of accidents and will keep your family healthy by reducing dust mites and other harmful particles in the air. But most importantly, a clean house is a comforting place for children with developmental disorders like down syndrome to go home to after school. We want them to know that their home always welcomes them with open arms. And we want their parents to know that our team at Plan: B Clean has taken care of their house while they have been busy taking care of them.

Nominate a loved one for a free cleaning service

Nominate a loved one for a free cleaning for our Plan: Blessing this October. We want to support families and the communities we provide services to by providing them with a clean house. Plan: B Cleaning believes that the power of a clean house will not fix life’s problems but it does have an undeniable power to show love and support during a hard season. If you or anyone you know needs a little help getting their home clean, please fill out the form below and one of our team members will be in touch soon!

Help make a difference in our community

At Plan: B, we feel like it is part of our responsibility to support others in our community and make a difference. Help us make a difference today by nominating a family you know with a family member who has down syndrome. Together, we can strengthen our community and continue to look after one another. To nominate someone, please fill out the form via our www.planbcleaning.com/plan-blessing and click submit. The more nominations we receive, the more people we can bless. Thank you for being a part of our effort to support our local community.

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The Best Move In, Move Out Cleaning in Town

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.