Get matched with top cleaning & maid services pros in Hightstown, NJ

The best way to help a family member or friend declutter their home is to hire a professional organizer or cleaner to do it for them. However, you can also help them make a plan to tackle the clutter. Sit down with them and sort through the items, making piles of what to keep, toss, and donate. Focus on one area at a time to avoid overwhelming them. If they have trouble letting go of some items, ask them when they last used each item, what its purpose is, and whether it has sentimental value. The answers to these questions can help you advise them on handling clutter.

The average house cleaner cost is around $180, which should cover about four hours of work. However, each project is different and costs can range from $100 to $1,000, depending on the house size and the cleaning needed. Other cost factors can include your location and what level of cleaning you want. Standard or basic cleaning may include vacuuming, dusting, and disinfecting the kitchen and bathrooms. Deep cleaning costs about twice as much and often includes cleaning behind and underneath furniture, washing windows, and polishing hard-to-clean surfaces. Emergency cleaning, extreme cleaning, and holidays also impact pricing. Move-in and move-out cleaning typically cost more, too, because of the extensive, whole-house cleaning involved.

A standard professional cleaning of an entire apartment typically takes 2 to 3 hours. However, the timing varies depending on the size of the apartment, the number of people and pets that live in it, and how frequently it is cleaned. A deep cleaning typically takes 4 to 6 hours.

Both bleach and vinegar are effective for cleaning a washing machine, but they serve different purposes. Bleach is best for disinfecting and killing mold, while vinegar's superpowers address light odors and residue.