Studies suggest that many people sleep better if they're in a clean room and bed. Since you spend almost one-third of your life asleep, it makes sense to schedule regular deep-cleans of the entire bed. The expert cleaners at MOLLY MAID have created an easy, four-step cleaning guide that will freshen the mattress, help eliminate dust, and create a wonderful place for you to lay your head.

Step 1: Remove all bedding, including sheets, pillow cases, mattress pad, valences, etc. Wash them in hot water - at a minimum of 50 degrees Celsius.

Step 2: Vacuum the entire surface of your mattress, including the sides and underside.

Step 3: Use a natural stain remover or a laundry spot remover to treat and remove any stains. Be careful not to spray on this product too heavily. The cleaners at MOLLY MAID recommend using a dry cloth to blot the cleaning solution spray over the stained area with water. Then, blot the water up with a dry microfibre cloth to help remove any chemicals that may have been left in the process.

Step 4: Mix together a small amount of baking soda with a tablespoon of your favourite fabric softener - sprinkle this mixture over your mattress. Let it sit for one hour, and then vacuum it all up. (Do this once every couple of months, but be careful not to use too much fabric softener.)

Note: If you use liquid cleaner or water on your mattress, allow it to dry for a full four hours before you place linen back on the bed. This will prevent any mold or mildew from drawing upon extra moisture. 

If your son or daughter comes home from a soccer practice covered in mud, don't panic! The house cleaning experts at MOLLY MAID know how to tackle those stains while avoiding the problem of clogging the filters in your washing machine.

Follow these simple steps to remove stains:

1. Let the mud stains dry completely.
2. Gently - and carefully - scrape away any excess dirt.
3. Rub the stains with a little bit of liquid dish soap with your fingers in order to loosen ground-in dirt.
4. Add a few drops of water to the stain and detergent.
5. If the items are REALLY muddy, follow steps one and two again. Then, place items in a bucket of cold water, add detergent - and pre-soak the items. Use a cloth to loosen mud from the fabric.
6. Wash the item according to the washing guidelines.
7. When the wash is completed, check to see if any stains remain. If there are, repeat the previous steps.

Note: Definitely do NOT put clothing in the dryer if stains are persistent and still remain. Heat will set the stain, making it even harder to remove. 

Love April Fool's Day pranks but hate the clean-up?  Not to worry, say the cleaning experts at MOLLY MAID who share a few tricks of their own here to help you tackle two particularly icky stains.

• Vaseline  - Spreading Vaseline on a door knob can get a few good laughs, but then someone goes and wipes their hands on their shirt. It's best to pre-treat the stain before you wash it. Here's how:
  • Remove as much of the Vaseline as possible without spreading the stain.
  • Gently dab a small amount of liquid dish soap onto the stained area, and let it sit for five minutes.
  • Rinse thoroughly to flush out the soap and any remaining Vaseline.
  • Apply your usual stain removal spray, then toss the shirt into the washer with a regular load of laundry.
• Urine  - Some people still pull the 'hand in a warm cup of water' prank... yikes! While most people think urine is a stain that can't be removed, MOLLY MAID actually has a tried-and-true cleaning method that you can use to remove both the odour and stain from a mattress (if you have young kids) or carpets (if you've got pets).  
  • Mix one part white vinegar and two parts liquid dish soap.
  • Generously apply mixture to the stain with a clean, dry microfibre cloth and let sit for 30 minutes.
  • Take a clean, wet microfibre cloth and pull up as much of the soap mixture as you can.
  • Sprinkle the wet area with baking soda and leave for several hours (or overnight if possible), then vacuum the remainder of the baking soda.

Now's a great time to stock up on the cleaning supplies you'll need for your cleaning chores. Remember, Easter guests are just around the corner and so is the annual Spring Clean!

Use the lists below to be most effective in cleaning your home (and don't forget that if you're running out of time, you can always call in the experts at MOLLY MAID to help you out!)

GO CLEAN Cleaning Supplies Checklist

• All-purpose cleaner
• Washroom cleaner
• Glass cleaner
• Degreaser
• Disinfectant

GO GREEN Cleaning Supplies Checklist

If you prefer to go the natural route, these common household items can double as 'green' cleaners:

• Lemon juice
• Baking soda
• White vinegar

Cleaning out your clothes closet - packing away warm clothing and hanging up spring and summer items - is one of those must-do chores at this time of year. The cleaning experts at MOLLY MAID recommend this simple way to streamline the process. Get three containers (bins or bags) and label them: 'Keep', 'Donate' and 'Toss'.  Then, follow these rules of thumb to help you decide where each piece of clothing belongs:

1. Keep

• Keep all 'favourite' items of clothing that you've recently worn within the last few months.
• Keep items from last spring and summer that are in good shape and that you look forward to wearing.
• If any of the clothes have been hanging in the closet unworn for a long time (they may even still have price tags but have passed the return/exchange date at the store), maybe it's time to reconsider keeping them. Perhaps they should be put into the 'donate' container.

2. Donate

• Donate clothes that you didn't wear last year. 
• If you keep the same clothes in your closet year-round (regardless of the season) then shorten this to a six month rule. If an article of clothing hasn't been worn in six months, it's time to let someone else enjoy it instead.

3.    Toss

• Toss any items that are full of rips, holes or stains.
• Consider re-using some of the tossed pieces of clothing as rags for cleaning. Examine the pile and consider if any items would work cut up as cleaning rags, especially for those outdoor projects that include dirt or grease (think: cleaning the BBQ or lawn mower).