Get matched with top cleaning & maid services pros in Mount Crawford, VA

Bleach isn’t the best choice to use while cleaning a refrigerator. Food absorbs odors, and bleach is known for its lingering smell, which can then lead to your fresh foods tasting off. Most people don’t safely dilute bleach, either. If you’re concerned about bacteria or mold from contaminated food, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using a bleach solution of 1 tablespoon of bleach to 1 gallon of water for sanitizing. Be sure to let the fridge air out for an hour or more afterward to let the fumes dissipate.

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.

If you’re unsatisfied with the cleaning, address your concerns directly and promptly with your housekeeper or the company. Many professionals offer satisfaction guarantees or will return to address missed areas at no extra charge. Document specific issues and clarify your expectations for future visits to ensure better results and avoid ongoing frustration.

To maintain your mattress and keep it fresh, you should aim for a deep clean at least twice a year. However, if you have allergies, pets, or sweat heavily at night, you may want to clean it more frequently, such as every three to four months. In between deep cleanings, it's a good practice to vacuum the mattress surface regularly and spot-clean any stains as they occur. Using a mattress protector can significantly help by minimizing the buildup of allergens, dust mites, and bodily fluids, which can make your cleaning routine more effective. Remember to launder the protector regularly, as some dirt and sweat can still get through to the mattress.