No matter how big or small your home is, if you’re not naturally a tidy person then keeping it clean can be a bit of a challenge.

The section idea is a great one for someone with tight work schedules as this gives you the notion that cleaning doesn’t have to be a chore. Here’s how it works:

• Divide your home up into seven sections, based on how dirty they typically are. The idea here is to get seven areas to clean that should take you an hour or less. So, if your bedroom is a total mess, then maybe that should be divided into two, while the unused spaces could potentially be combined into one. Think: What could I realistically clean in an hour? Don’t ever have a “section” that’s going to take much longer than that.
• Assign each section a day of the week. For instance, if your pick Saturdays as kitchen days, you wake up and dust off your counters and cabinets and do a quick floor cleaning and you are done. It can take you all of thirty minutes and you have a sparkling clean kitchen.
• Once you’ve got everything divided up, make a point of sticking to your schedule and getting those areas in order. If you have a big house, then you may need to expand that initial cleaning over a few weeks. Make it manageable for you and your schedule. If it’s not, then you’re likely to abandon it; so make it convenient for yourself.
• After that initial clean, come up with a maintenance schedule you know you can stick to. For instance, for those who have a lot of cooking time and less cleaning time during the week can make the weekend kitchen cleaning time since there will be more time then.

Breaking things up into smaller easy-to-do chunks makes cleaning so much more easier for you. Try It Today!

Do you have your own tricks for keeping your place clean? Let us know what you do in the comments. Call us – +234-805 634 0827 or send us an email info@healthrangers.com.ng

You may not realize this, but one of the best things about having kids is that they can be taught to help out around the house. And if you teach them right, they’ll actually love to pitch in.
Well, most of the time.
The truth is, participating in running the family home is an important part of growing up, gaining independence, building confidence, and learning compassion. It’s also an important part of parenting; moms and dads are doing a disservice to their kids if they fail to teach them these necessary life skills.

Your first step in making chores fun is to stop calling them chores. Call them to-dos, tasks, jobs, or whatever you want; the trick is to imply that they aren’t something to be dreaded, but vital roles we all play to make sure we can enjoy and support our family.

1. Meal preparation

There are several ways kids can help put food on the table, and none of them violate any labor laws. Slicing vegetables for the dish, stirring pots, making sandwiches and salads, filling water glasses, setting the table—the list goes on. Have your child pick a task to start with or draw it out of a hat to keep things interesting.
Keep the fun alive by watching and searching for recipes as a family (helping decide what to eat is a very big chore in our house, even for the adults) and encourage your kids to take more and more ownership over the meals they eat.

2. Loading and Unloading The Dishwasher/Sink

This was one of the first chores you can ever give your children, and for a really good reason:
Keep the fun alive by occasionally leaving huge THANK YOU notes in the clean plate racks to show them that you appreciate the hardwork.

3. Clean their rooms

I know what you’re thinking. There is nothing about cleaning a bedroom that a child would love to do. The trick to this one is to remind them to pick up their rooms before they go to bed or before they are allowed to play games or do anything fun. As we all know, the house stays cleaner if we do a little bit every day.
Keep the fun alive by putting on headphones and listening to your favorite songs while your children complain.

What do you do to get your kids to pitch in?

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Here are five cleaning tips for all you clean freaks well, and all you non clean freaks, too. You need to clean occasionally, as well don’t you?

1. Collaboration

In order to get your desk actually clean and disinfected, you have to clean all of it. Taking everything off of the desk first, from the mouse, computer, all paperwork, pens and any other thing you have on the desk. Everything has to be off, and this is where collaboration comes in. If it takes someone to help you, then ask. Return the favor when they need it.

Working together will get everything done faster and help avoid any problems (like dropping a monitor or breaking your back trying to move the filing cabinet).

And, if you’re all really lazy or the office needs a very deep clean, you could consider convincing the boss to hire a cleaning service company wherever your office is located, to come help out and do a professional clean.

2. Go in order

The highest places should be always be cleaned first, start from the ceiling, walls, windows, and then the furniture. Why? Because the dust and dirt will fall and cover everything below. If you clean your desk, and then the ceiling… chances are you’ll have to clean the desk again.

Start high and work lower and lower until you end with a nice sweep, mop, or vacuum job.

3. Cleaning Electronics

Whenever you clean electronics, like the computer, for example, it should be done with a microfiber cloth that is slightly humid with a soap and water solution. The soap should be neutral.

They should never be directly dusted, and should be disconnected or unplugged and the battery taken out.

LCD monitors are delicate and if you use a dry cloth, you could scratch it. Look for special screen cleaning products to be sure you won’t do them any damage.

4. Disinfecting Phones

A lot of sicknesses and colds are passed around on the phone. People’s mouths are in close proximity to the microphone, thus, can carry a lot of germs. This means that it’s important to disinfect it. Maybe you hadn’t ever thought of that, but you’ll remember it from now on!

5. Furniture With Fabric

It’s a little more complicated to clean chairs, sofas, and other furniture that has a textile covering. They tend to get very dirty and to retain dust and dirt, which makes it difficult to clean with good results.

A good place to start would be to dust them daily. Every once in a while, you can try cleaning with a shampoo. It’s important not to get it too wet, as the dirt inside can rise to the surface and create more stains.

Take a look at our 6 common carpet cleaning mistakes and why you should avoid making them in the future.

1. Rubbing not blotting

Once an accident has happened it can be all too easy to panic and try to remove the stain by forcefully rubbing the carpet. This can actually cause the stain to go deeper into the fibres of the carpet and spread the stain to a wider area. The best way to tackle a stain is to remove excess solids and then gently blot the liquids up, before using an appropriate cleaning product to tackle the specific stain.

2. Over wetting

Excess moisture on your carpet can actually cause a number of issues including carpet lifting, dark patches and a damp smell. When cleaning up spills and stains make sure you don’t use too much water and always blot the area dry with a paper towel or dry cloth.

3. A full vacuum

Regular vacuuming is vital to ensure your carpets are kept clean. If you vacuum when your bag or drum is full, it reduces the power of your vacuum cleaner which leads to reduced suction and a poorer result – filters can also become clogged – especially after using a dry powder carpet cleaner. Always empty your vacuum cleaner after each use. It will save you time and make your carpets look cleaner in the long run!

4. Waiting to remove a stain

Leaving a stain to settle and dry on your carpets is a big mistake, depending on the carpet and stain, bleaching can occur and the stain can become much more difficult to remove. Urine accidents need attention as soon as possible as it forms hard crystals which will need an overnight enzyme digesting treatment to remove the stain and odour. Tackling a spill straight away gives you the best chance of completely removing the stain and any odour from your carpet.

5. Not testing the product first

All of our cleaning products are thoroughly tested on a number of different carpet materials, types and shades. We advise on the product labels those carpets and fabrics that are not suitable. You should always test the product on an inconspicuous area of the carpet for colourfastness.

This way you can make sure your carpet is color safe and the product has no unwanted effects.

6. Not Deep Cleaning

Deep cleaning your carpets every 6-12 months removes dirt, debris, allergens, and the breeding ground for bacteria from between the fibres of your carpet, prolonging its life and removing any unpleasant odors.

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We can all agree on one thing, and that is the whole stress of cleaning your house is the reason why everywhere is still messy till right now. The continuous ritual of putting things away, dusting, scrubbing and shining is not anyone’s idea of a fun time. However, as tedious as the chore of cleaning house can be, making an effort to keep things tidy is extremely important to maintaining both mental and physical health for you and your family.

We have put together some of those surprising benefits that make the job just a little less awful.

1. A HEALTHIER FAMILY

This first one is a bit obvious, but it’s worth mentioning. Bacteria, mold, dust, and dander cause everything from allergies to asthma. Regular cleaning sessions will significantly lower the potential for sickness, and create a healthier family overall.

2. MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE HOSPITABLE

Imagine having a friend stop by and my house is a wreck, that’s the beginning of over explanation and embarrassment really. It’s not only super embarrassing, because people will always think about your home and how it reflects on you as a person!
Don’t get us wrong, your house doesn’t have to be spic-and-span to impress. A general pick-up is easy to do each day, and makes your home look so much better.
The little things always make a HUGE difference!

3. LESS MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS

By keeping your appliances in good condition, you will spend less money to repair or replace them. And how do you do that? By cleaning them! If you’re not sure when you’ll find time to do all the extra stuff when you’re barely keeping up with doing the dishes, try to establish a regular cleaning schedule first or get in touch with us to help. I’ve found that with a regular routine, you can easily add one deep cleaning task a week {or month} without too much hassle.

4. A QUICK BURST OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

If you hate to exercise, but want to stay active and healthy, just get you soap and bucket out and tackle a few cleaning jobs for 20-30 minutes. You will quickly break a sweat without paying for an expensive gym membership.

5. NOT WASTING TIME

I know it sounds super simple, but taking just a few minutes to put items away right after you are done using them has an amazing effect. Not only will you have less of a mess to clean later, you’ll easily find an item within seconds of needing it. This in turn, saves time, and time is just as important as saving money!

6. LESS GUILT ABOUT DOWNTIME

Have you ever felt guilty about watching a movie or reading a book? A clean home takes all that guilt away. It’s almost like having your chores finished so you can go play….and feel less guilty about it!

7. INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY

“Clutter is the enemy of creativity.”
Keeping a clean home gives you physical and mental space to work, and allows you to focus exclusively on the task at hand. This makes you WAY more productive.

8. SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT

One quick glance over your clean and tidy home encourages you to continue the habit in the weeks, months, and years to come because of the great sense of accomplishment you get from it.

We’ve been in the cleaning business long enough to know that hiring a cleaning service isn’t for everyone. Some people like to do it themselves. Some people aren’t comfortable having someone else clean their bathrooms (although most people would LOVE to give up that job). And some people think it’s an expense they should best do without.

The many people, who decide to use a cleaning service, do so for the opposite reasons. They hire a cleaning service company because they hate to clean (especially bathrooms). They use a cleaning team because they don’t have the time or energy to do all that is required to get a clean home based on busy schedules. They choose the bi-weekly or monthly expense because of the value it offers them; it gives them the ability to focus on their other commitments that can’t be outsourced.
For those that decide to use a cleaning service, choosing the right one is a thoughtful and personal process and one that usually will be successful when you follow these tips.

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Termites can often live on your property or inside your home for an extended period of time before being detected. Whether it is dry wood termites, which burrow deep within wooden structures, or subterranean termites, which are primarily found underground, these discreet intruders can be tough to discover before significant damage has already been done. To help keep the termite damage to a minimum, it’s crucial to catch the warning signs as soon as possible.

Keep an eye out for the following signs of termite activity:

1. Discolored or drooping dry wall
2. Peeling paint that resembles water damage
3. Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
4. Small, pinpoint holes in drywall
5. Buckling wooden or laminate floor boards
6. Tiles loosening from the added moisture termites can introduce to your floor
7. Excessively squeaky wood
8. Crumbling, damaged wood
9. Stuck windows or doors
10. Maze-like patterns in furniture, wood or walls
11. Mounds of dry wood termite pellets, often resembling small piles of salt or pepper
12. Piles of wings left behind after swarms, often resembling fish scales
13. Mud tubes climbing the foundation of your home
14. Flying termite swarms anywhere on your property

Dry wood Termite Signs

Dry wood termites are usually found in warm, southern climates. They house their colonies within the wood on which they feed. As the termites consume wood, they burrow mazes of tunnels and chambers within walls and furniture. The pests leave small piles of feces that resemble pellets where they have eaten or nested.
Drywood termites also cause sagging floors, walls and ceilings and may leave behind areas which appear to be water damaged. After winged dry wood termites swarm, their wings shed and can be found in small piles throughout an infested home. These wings resemble fish scales.

Dry Wood Termite Signs:

Dry wood termites are usually found in warm, southern climates. They house their colonies within the wood on which they feed. As the termites consume wood, they burrow mazes of tunnels and chambers within walls and furniture. The pests leave small piles of feces that resemble pellets where they have eaten or nested.

Drywood termites also cause sagging floors, walls and ceilings and may leave behind areas which appear to be water damaged. After winged dry wood termites swarm, their wings shed and can be found in small piles throughout an infested home. These wings resemble fish scales.

Subterranean Termite Signs

Subterranean termites are found throughout the country. These pests build their colonies underground and can travel above ground to access food sources. They enter homes through cracked or unsealed foundations as well as through tunnels constructed from mud, their feces, and saliva. These tunnels are brown, dry, and cylindrical in appearance.

The presence of these tunnels near the foundation of your home is a sure sign of subterranean termite infestation. Just like dry wood termites, subterranean termites produce winged swarmers which indicate an active termite colony.

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When you have a pest problem, especially when the problem is severe, you want the most effective pest control solution available on the market. Many people resort to sprays and residual applications, but often these types of treatments aren’t completely effective. Repeat treatments are the result, which can cause expensive bills and a pest problem that isn’t totally eliminated. When it comes to effective pest control, in some cases, a pest professional will determine that the most efficient option is fumigation.

There are many benefits of fumigation and we have put together what we consider the top 4 advantages of having the service in your space.

• No matter what stage of life your pest problem is in, fumigation can eliminate them. Eggs, pupae and larvae as well as adults. Fumigation is the right treatment to get rid of every life stage that is present. Some non-fumigation type treatments will work best on certain life stages, while other life stages will remain unperturbed. Fumigation is appropriate when all life stages may be present like in the case of a severe infestation.
• Fumigation is a quick solution to your problem. Many pest control measures can some time to work, including baits and sprays. Fumigation is quick, often taking care of your pest problem overnight. This may be necessary for sensitive environments or commercial establishments in which there’s zero tolerance for pests.
• Fumigation has the ability to get to those ‘hard to reach’ areas where pests may be hiding. It permeates a room, even if the room is filled with your belongings. Fumigation can reach where sprays, dusts, aerosols and other typical pest control materials cannot, ensuring complete pest eradication.
• Fumigation is ideal in sensitive environments, including food processing and storage facilities. There are reduced residue problems in fumigated areas compared to typical pest control treatments.

Fumigation is a great option for pest control and when performed by a trained professional, it can be completely safe and effective. This option is an excellent choice for both residential and commercial facilities facing pest problems. For more information on fumigation services and to learn whether or not this is a treatment best suited for your pest situation, give us a call today!

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The one place in your home that should definitely always remain clean is your bathroom (we are talking toilet and bathroom) and that’s simply because it is prone to loads of bacteria because of the different activities that go on in there. Do you want to make your bathroom sparkle? Following these bathroom cleaning tips that we have put together and you will in no time get a pretty CLEAN bathroom.

1. Cleaning the Toilet

Spray the closet/toilet bowl inside and exterior with toilet disinfectant and liquid toilet soap. Let it sit on the inside while you use a foam sponge (for absorbing) to wipe the rim and the outside of the bowl, lid, behind the seat, all the way down to the floor and around the base of the toilet.
After the wipe down then pick your brush to clean the inside of the bowl, then flush. To remove tough toilet bowl rings, you can either use vinegar or a pumice stone to do a quick job.

2. Move to the Bath tub and Shower

After the toilet bowl you can then go ahead to focus on your bathtub or shower. Wet the surface with water and the same cleaner used for the toilet. Using a scrub brush or sponge (whichever you prefer), work from the top; that is you scrub the walls from the top and then make your way down to the floor or the tub. To get to the tiny crevices, try using an old toothbrush so you can make sure everywhere is clean. Rinse then take a look to see if any surface still needs cleaning, and then go ahead to re-clean till you are satisfied.

3. Cleaning the Sink

Move all items from the counter area, spray the counter with a disinfectant that’s safe for the surface (wood or glass) you have. Spray the sink with household cleaner and/or soap.
A regular household sponge specifically for cleaning works well for bathroom sinks and counters. Use the toothbrush to scrub around the faucet and drain to loosen any toothpaste gunk that might have accumulated.
When you’ve finished, rinse the sink well with fresh water then, using cotton rag wipe down the entire counter, faucet, and sink. Clean any wooden surfaces with furniture polish to protect from water stains.

4. Cleaning Mirrors

Using a soft lint free cleaning cloth, this is to make sure that there are no particles left on the mirror after cleaning, give the mirror a quick once over to remove any loose particles of dirt.
Using the same cloth, spray your cleaning cloth with and wipe down the mirror.

QUICK TIP:
Streakless Window Cleaner

A quick and easy homemade cleaner for windows and mirrors can be made using vinegar and alcohol.
Pour 1 cup rubbing alcohol with 1 cup water and 1 tablespoon vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray on a clean lint free cloth or old newspaper and wipe down the mirror.

Rubbing alcohol evaporates and does not leave a residue; vinegar also leaves no residue and is a disinfectant.

What Not To Do When Cleaning a Mirror
Do not spray cleaner directly on mirrors. It can produce a dim, stained look on the edges if not wiped down completely. It can also get behind frames and depending on the material of the frame, it could damage it.

5. Cleaning the Bathroom Floor

Last but not least, the floor. Use a disinfectant in your soap mix; this will deodorize and kill any mold and mildew that may be on the surface. Wash, mop and dry the floor then put back any rugs that should be in the room back in place.
We know cleaning a bathroom, or any room for that matter takes a whole lot of time but if you follow these simple steps you will find that cleaning does not have to be so hard.

If you can’t handle the cleaning yourself then you can give us a call to book your cleaning appointment. CONTACT US NOW

Having a home with rugs and carpets is never easy because there will always be spills even if you are careful all the time. How to remove carpet stains is something we are asked all the time. For most stains and spills, the first thing you do is the most important in determining the end result. So after any kind of spill don’t panic and grab the first carpet cleaning product you see! If you are in any doubt by the way, it might just be best to give Health Rangers a call let’s help you get rid of the stains PROFESSIONALLY.

The first step is to try to remove as much of the spill as possible, so use a clean white cloth or towel to soak up any spilled liquid on the carpet. Also gently scrap off any solids.

1. Removing Red/Brown Stains

Stains such as coffee, wine, and soft drinks stains have a low PH level. The lower the Ph the more likely it is that the substance will leave a stain. To neutralize acidic stains you can use a few drops of dish washing detergent mixed with warm water. Lightly put the liquid onto the stain (do not over wet the carpet). Then gently rub off with a clean dry towel. Repeat until the stain has gone and make sure you dry the area well. If this method fails to remove all traces of the stain, then use hydrogen peroxide dab a little on the stain, wait an hour and repeat if necessary.

P:S – Do not use any product containing bleach.

Time is also important as the longer the stain is left on the rug the harder it is to remove.

2. Removing Red/Brown Stains

Stains such as coffee, wine, and soft drinks stains have a low PH level. The lower the Ph the more likely it is that the substance will leave a stain. To neutralize acidic stains you can use a few drops of dish washing detergent mixed with warm water. Lightly put the liquid onto the stain (do not over wet the carpet). Then gently rub off with a clean dry towel. Repeat until the stain has gone and make sure you dry the area well. If this method fails to remove all traces of the stain, then use hydrogen peroxide dab a little on the stain, wait an hour and repeat if necessary.

3. Protein Based Stains

Substances that contain living organisms such as blood, egg and milk contain protein and we recommend you call us to remove these types of stains rather than attempting to remove them yourself. The spots can be hazardous and require specialized handling. They also need to be thoroughly rinsed from the carpet after stain removal and this is best done with an extraction machine.

4. Protein Based Stains

Stains such as rust, ink, paint, oil, grease, and other non-water soluble substances should not be removed with water as you will only make the stain worse. Call us for help and advice. We do not recommend you try to remove the stains yourself. Make sure you thoroughly rinse the chemicals from the carpet after stain removal and therefore an extraction machine is essential.

Help is just a phone call away, so call us to help you get rid of those stains.