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How to Care for Delicate Fabrics: Silk, Lace, and More

How to Care for Delicate Fabrics: Silk, Lace, and More

Delicate fabrics look so beautiful and luxurious, but they require special care and attention to keep them that fabulous for a long period of time. Having years of experience handling a wide variety of fabrics, we put together some tips and tricks for caring for delicate materials like silk, lace, chiffon and others.

Read the Care Label

The first step in caring for any delicate fabric is to read the care label. The label should provide information on the recommended washing and drying methods for the particular material. If the label says "dry clean only," then you should take the garment to a professional cleaner. If the label allows for machine washing, then you should use a gentle cycle and a mild detergent.

Hand Washing

If the care label recommends hand washing, fill a sink or basin with cool water and a mild detergent. Gently agitate the water to create suds. Add the garment to the water and swish it around for a few minutes. Then, drain the sink or basin and rinse the garment thoroughly with cool water. Be sure not to wring or twist the piece, as this can damage delicate fibres.

Drying

To dry delicate fabrics, lay them flat on a clean towel and gently press out any excess water. Then, roll the garment in the towel to remove even more moisture. After that, lay the garment flat on a drying rack or another clean towel to air dry. Avoid hanging delicate fabrics to dry, as this can stretch or distort them.

Ironing

If the fabric requires ironing, use a low heat setting and a pressing cloth to protect the delicate fibres. Iron the garment on the wrong side, and be sure to avoid pressing too hard or leaving the iron in one place for too long. This can cause scorching or other damage. Perhaps the best option for ironing delicates is with a vertical steamer. Those are used often by designers and in TV studios to ensure the models or TV hosts look their absolute best seconds before the catwalk or going live.

Storing

When storing delicate fabrics, avoid using wire hangers or plastic bags, as these can cause wrinkles or damage. Instead, use padded hangers or fold the garment and store it in a breathable garment bag.

Dealing with Stains

If a stain occurs, it's important to act quickly. Blot the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel to remove any excess liquid. Then, treat the stain with a mild detergent or stain remover that is appropriate for the fabric. Be sure to test the product on a small, inconspicuous area of the piece first, to ensure that it won't cause damage to the fabric.

Handling Lace

Lace is a particularly delicate fabric that requires special care. When washing lace, place it in a mesh laundry bag to protect it from snagging or tearing. Avoid using fabric softener, as this can weaken the delicate fibres. Instead, add a tablespoon of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to help remove any soap residue and keep the lace looking bright and fresh.

Caring for delicate fabrics such as silk, lace, chiffon and others can be challenging, but with the right techniques, you can keep your garments looking beautiful for years to come. Remember to always read the care label, use gentle washing and drying methods, avoid high heat, store the garment properly, and act quickly to treat any stains that occur. Of course, another safe option would be to book a professional laundry and ironing service with your local launderette.

deep cleaning services

Why You Need a Deep Clean before the Holidays

Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas will be saved! This year has been so different and challenging, hasn’t it? But if there’s something that no one and nothing can take away from us is the spirit of Christmas holidays. We all hope that we will be able to celebrate with our family members or closest friends and to make it a memorable experience we need to get ready in advance.

Best Time for Deep Cleaning

The best time for getting your home deep cleaned in autumn is before you put your Christmas decorations up. There will be less things to move around and will allow effective dusting. If you by any chance have decorated already, then it might take extra time to do a really good job.

Where to Start From

We always recommend to start at the top and work your way down to the bottom. That means, ceilings and top corners come first. Make sure there are no cobwebs and remove any dust built-ups. Clean walls and ceiling will make it easier to fix some of your Christmas decorations. Continue in a steady pace to the floor. Don’t ignore the hard to reach areas. That’s what deep cleaning is all about!

Why Deep Clean the House before the Holidays

If you are going to have some family or friends over, then your house will be left in a total mess immediately after the Christmas dinner. Well, that’s not a good enough excuse to skip on deep cleaning before the holidays. You don’t want to embarrass yourself in front of your guests with a dirty house. But even if you were spending Christmas with your household alone, a clean home always makes you feel more positive, joyful and cosier.

Apart from all that, deep cleaning comes with its health benefits. Thorough clean in all areas of your home eliminates the risk of bacterial or viral transmission. It also purifies the air, which improves the quality of your sleep and boosts your immune system. Last but not least, reduces the hiding spots for germs and pests that can ruin your festive mood.

DIY or Outsource Deep Cleaning

Perhaps you have been spending more time at home lately and you are willing to try deep cleaning your house on your own. That’s a great idea, especially if you enjoy such activities. However, don’t underestimate the complexity of the task. There’s a lot to be done and it will probably take more time than you originally anticipated.

Of course, if you are still very busy or simply hate cleaning, there’s always the option to outsource to a professional cleaning team. Our cleaners, for example, will get it all done in just a few hours and to perfection. Don’t worry about safety measures - we have them all in place. All you need to do is pick up the phone and give us a call.

moving houses tips

Quick and Painless Tips for Moving House

Moving house soon? Oh that could be such a pain. Especially now, when we are in the middle of a world health and economic crisis. But regardless of the circumstances, life must go on. And changing homes is sometimes part of it. Here are some quick and painless tips for moving to a new house.

 

Create a Plan

 

The first thing you need to do when you know you are changing homes is creating a plan and identifying all the things you need to do. For example, updating your address with different institutions and companies, registering with a new GP or dental practice (if you are changing areas) and applying for a school or nursery place if you need to. Then, plan the time you will need to pack your belongings, book a date for your end of tenancy cleaning and settling in your new place. It is a common mistake for people to underestimate the number of days or weeks they will need to complete the process.

 

Create a List with Packing Tasks

 

After the plan for action, follows a plan of packing actions. Make a list with tasks per room. It will be easiest to start from the living room or guest rooms. Most of the items there are probably not used that frequently and could be packed first. Your closet and the children’s toys and clothes will follow. Start making your way through the kitchen and the pantry. There will be a lot to move, to dispose of and still to use until it’s time to go.

Arrange an End of Tenancy Cleaning

 

It could be tempting to do the end of tenancy cleaning yourself if you are trying to save some money, but actually this choice could cost you more than you expected. Make sure you book an experienced professional end of tenancy cleaning team. They will do the job quickly and to a very high standard. Most agencies and landlords are looking for extremely thorough clean at the end of your tenancy. Failure to meet their expectations could lead to losing a big chunk of your deposit.

 

Moving In Task List

 

Packing is just the first part of moving houses. Unpacking actually takes longer most of the time. Now that you have a brand new place you want make sure you find the perfect spot for all your belongings. It could take you weeks to settle in if you do it on your own. Why not think about booking a moving in service? Many cleaning companies in the UK, including Bredon Hill Cleaning Services, now offer this option as an extra or a separate service to your end of tenancy cleaning. What we do is take over the unpacking and organisation of your new home. This way, in just a day or two you are completely settled and enjoying a cosy, warm atmosphere, ready to make new memories.

brendon hill anniversary

Happy Birthday to Us!

It’s that time of year again and we are so blessed to celebrate with you one more of our birthdays. Bredon Hill Cleaning Services is officially 11 years old!

Firstly, I want to once again say how grateful I am to all our amazing customers who stuck with us through this whole time. I especially appreciate the overwhelming support we received in this very extraordinary year of our lives. Many businesses were forced to close permanently as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are still here and we are growing thanks to all of you who stood by us continuously.

Of course, I can’t skip giving credit to some truly deserving people and those are our staff members. Every business owner strives to build a dedicated, reliable and capable team. I am proud and blessed to say that at Bredon Hill Cleaning Services, we have achieved this objective. Again, without our incredible professional cleaners, we wouldn’t be where we are today. So, thank you, ladies, for all of your hard work and dedication!

What is the future ahead of us? In one word, I can confidently say - bright. We will continue to do our best to keep our clients happy and safe. We will continue to treat our personnel with respect and care. We are looking to expand our reach and be able to serve more areas in Gloucestershire, perhaps, introduce even more new services.

I would like to invite you to follow us on all our social media platforms, read our blogs and stay in touch. We do our best to keep you updated with useful cleaning tips and information about our services on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. We love creating a conversation with you and giving you ideas about your home organisation and lifestyle.

I’d also love to use this opportunity to gather some feedback from you. What would you want to see from us more often? What do you think about the content we share on social media and here on the blog? Is there something you would like us to improve in our services? Any extras you wish we could offer? Also, don’t shy away from telling us all the things we are doing right. Your satisfaction is the greatest motivation for me and my team to keep upgrading our standards and doing our job with love.

It’s fantastic when you turn your passion into your way of life. Those who know me know cleaning has always been my passion and I am proud to have built a tangible legacy out of it.

Thank you for all of your priceless love and support through the last 11 years! Cheers to the next!

Yours truly,

Hristina

more benefits of ironing

More Benefits of Ironing You Should Think About

More Benefits of Ironing You Should Think About

Now that most of us are back to working from home you probably bother less whether your clothes are neatly ironed. We get that, but apart from professional appearance, ironing brings a lot more benefits you may be overlooking.

 

Killing Bacteria and Germs

 

Ironing is the best natural germ killer on fabrics. The high temperature eliminates bacteria, its spores, dust mites and common allergens. In times of a global pandemic, an extra layer of harmless protection for your health is always welcome.

 

Making Your Clothes Feel Better

 

Ironing your clothes brings out the softness of most fabrics. Ironed clothes feel more comfortable and pleasant to your body. Shirts have that silky touch after being pressed and winter sweaters become ever so cosy.

 

Fixing Shrinkage

 

Mistakes do happen in the washing machine. And although not all of them are fixable, some shrinkage disasters could be rectified with a good old iron and the right technique.

 

Eliminating Bad Smells

 

There’s nothing more disappointing than freshly washed clothes that smell disgusting. The reasons for bad odours on fabrics can be many. Sometimes it's due to your drying method - drying clothes indoors or placing them on radiators is not a good idea. Other times, bad smells are simply due to overuse of detergent. Weird, but true! Luckily, ironing could fix that most of the time. Your clothes are not just smooth and soft, but also smell fresh.

 

Better Sleep

 

If you have your bed linen ironed you are in for a treat. First of all, your bed sheets are naturally disinfected. Second, they have this smooth and relaxing touch to your skin. Last but not least, the steam from ironing purifies the fabric, which helps people (especially those prone to allergies) breather easier when in bed. Ultimately, that improves the quality of your sleep!

 

A Good-looking Shirt is Still a Necessity

 

Although most corporate positions are now based at home, some Zoom meetings still require professional attire. You may be wearing your sweatpants below the desk, but you will need a crisp, freshly ironed shirt to charm the camera and those watching on the other side.

 

Outsourcing Saves Time

 

Staying at home doesn’t lighten up the schedule much. Most of us still have a very challenging and busy lifestyle. Household chores often get pushed down on the list of priority and ironing doesn’t even make the list sometimes. Given all the health and feel-good benefits it brings, we firmly believe there has to be a way to get it done. The best solution is outsourcing.

 

At Bredon Hill Cleaning Services we have been helping our clients with their laundry and ironing without a break even when the first lockdown happened. Our service is designed to fit around your schedule and ease the stress of everyday life. We operate with a collection and drop off service depending on our client’s needs. If you are going shopping you can drive by the office and leave your laundry or items for ironing and get them all clean and pressed in 48 hours. If you have no time at all, we will come collect everything from you, work our magic and drop it back at your door a couple of days later.

holiday cleaning hacks

How to Keep Your Home Clean During the Holidays

Christmas is 2 months away, yes, we know. But it will eventually get here and with it comes big family celebrations. We know how much effort you put into making your home look clean, welcoming and cosy, so we wouldn’t want that to go to waste after the holidays.  So, we put together some good tips on how to keep your home clean during the holidays.

Clean as you Decorate

Decorating your home for Christmas is the perfect opportunity to get rid of old stuff you don’t need. You can move the furniture, wipe all surfaces, remove all dust and cobwebs on the ceiling. Many people use fake snow spray on their windows. That’s very pretty but don’t forget to wash your windows before that. Now you have a clean and lovely house, ready to be transformed into a magical Winter Wonderland space. You practically performed deep cleaning, which means between the holidays your cleaning workload is minimised and you may only need to vacuum a couple of times.

Focus on the Living Room and Common spaces

Your cleaning priority will be the living room, kitchen and bathrooms. Those will be the most used areas in your home during the holidays and your guests will have access to all of them. Maintain them always in good condition. Your own bedroom can wait until after the holiday madness.

Use Sofa Covers

You love your sofa, right? Cover it with disposable sofa covers. You can even choose festive patterns and add to the Christmas spirit in your home. Best part is, none of the festive menu items will leave a mark on your favourite and precious family sofa!

Use the Advent Calendar Trick

If you have children, you have a great advantage! Use the Advent Calendar to make them help you with some domestic cleaning chores. Tell them they can have the prize for each day only if they complete a certain task, for example, dust the furniture, clean up their rooms or vacuum the living room. If they do that for 24 days, it could easily become a habit and they would continue doing it even after Santa’s brought the gifts.

Keep the Cleaning Products Close

With all the festive family dinners and parties on the calendar, frequent messes are inevitable. Keep your home clean at that period is having your essential cleaning products within safe reach. Wine on the sofa? Quickly spray it and clean up the stain. Sorted! The minced pie got smashed on the floor? Fix that fast too.

Use the Dishwasher More Often

Christmas = a lot of food, a lot of food = a lot of dirty dishes. Load the dishwasher every night before bed so you have clean plates and cutleries every morning. That way you can peacefully enjoy your morning coffee, watching TV, instead of standing in front of the sink.

Do you have other ideas on how to keep your home clean over the holidays? Please share them with us, we are genuinely interested to learn how you do it.

Ah! One last thing… if you just want to relax for that one most peaceful (and lazy) week of the year, we can take the cleaning off your plate. Make sure you book an appointment quickly before our capacity is full!

working abroad

Working Abroad Diaries

There’s no holiday for the business owner. I’m sure many people know exactly what I mean. I thought I’d write this blog post to share with you how my summer is going and give you a chance to get to know me better.

Some of you know that I am originally from Bulgaria and every summer I go back for a few weeks to see my relatives and spend time in the nature. This year my time away is very short, but still blissful.

Anyway, despite the fact I’m not in the office, I keep doing all the things I would normally do when I am in the UK. Except visiting client premises.

My mornings are still made up of running and fixing schedules, resolving arising issues, supporting the cleaners and communicating with clients. The only difference is, I am doing it from the peaceful environment of one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. Mmm, you can smell the fresh scent of pine trees all over!

In the afternoons my family and I usually go to the woods. The men gather together to pack logs for the winter time and my kids and I pick fruits, mushrooms and herbs. It’s a lot of fun! Yet, my phone is never switched off and I’m always online, ready to respond and resolve any crisis. I don’t mind it and I’m happy I can still do my work efficiently, surrounded by the people I love.

I know that our clients rely on us and my staff needs me to provide support. I value their loyalty and count it as a blessing. It could be stressful at times, but it’s the life I’ve signed up for and don’t regret it for a minute! It actually makes my time away more fulfilling, knowing I am still useful even though I’m not in the office physically.

Our clients know we won’t disappoint them. We work very hard all year round and even during the holiday season we still have enough personnel to cover all bookings. I believe this is very important because it gives you that peace of mind that things will run smoothly no matter what.

I am truly grateful to my cleaning staff, who work diligently and tirelessly to make homes and commercial settings beautiful, safe and inviting.

Now, I’m off to mushroom hunting with my family, but sending you lots of hugs and positive vibes from sunny Bulgaria and the mighty Rhodope mountain. And if you need me, I’m still here, so pick up the phone and call me.

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Your truly,

Hristina

holiday-homes-cleaning

Serviced Apartments & Holiday Homes – Is It a Commercial or Domestic Cleaning

Summer is here and with the restriction on lockdown easing more and more, many people will be planning a short escape to the countryside or perhaps a quiet family holiday away from the familiar setting.

For many years, Bredon Hill Cleaning Services has provided professional cleaning services to over 40 holiday homes and serviced accommodation in the Tewksbury area. Our managing director and co-founder of DCBN, Hristina Anastasova, says this is her favourite type of cleaning.

Just recently Ms Anastasova gave a video presentation to DCBN members and other cleaning professionals outside of the network, who want to learn more about servicing such a property.

There’s a clear debate on whether cleaning serviced apartments and holiday homes could be classified as domestic or as commercial cleaning.

Like she said in her video, Bredon Hill Cleaning Services Director believes this type of cleaning is unique and has different elements of both commercial and domestic cleaning. She also shared the process our company has adopted when onboarding new clients for this particular type of service.

What Happens First

After receiving an enquiry to clean a holiday home, we book a visit to the place with the client. We want to see every inch of the property and find out every little detail about our new client’s needs and expectations. Our visits are usually 40-50 minutes long and we come prepared with a lot of questions. But this is not to interrogate the client or appear nosy. We just want to make sure we will be maintaining the property exactly as the client wants it and has advertised it. That’s important for the satisfaction of their customers and we know when they are happy, our clients are happy. That’s our goal and motivation.

At the end of the visit, we present the new client with a welcome pack. It includes some information about our company, the terms and conditions of the service, available add-on or extra services such as laundry and ironing and stocking of supplies.

What Happens Next

Usually, by the end of the visit we’ve managed to impress our client and they can’t wait to receive our quote so we can seal the deal. As soon as we get back to the office Ms Anastasova sends teh custom quote to the client and we wait for the response.

In most cases, the client comes back pretty quickly with a go ahead. One important thing we always do is inspect the property together with the client after the first clean. This way we have the opportunity to make notes of anything the client might want us to change, do better or particularly likes exactly how it’s done.

Domestic Cleaning Business Network DCBN

What is DCBN and why did we create it

In October 2019, a few other business owners from the cleaning industry and I launched a new support network for domestic cleaners - DCBN. Domestic Cleaning Business Network was born out of the desire to share our knowledge, experience and expertise with others to help them grow. But let me explain what exactly DCBN is why it is so important to have such a network in the cleaning industry.

DCBN is a non profit trade association set up to represent the domestic cleaning industry, raise the profile and industry standards and to celebrate and support those running businesses and working in domestic cleaning throughout the UK.

All the years we’ve spent in the industry showed us that a body like that is clearly needed in our line of work. There’s so much potential we see in so many cleaning start-ups and it’s often overshadowed by lack of direction and knowledge. We want to change that. We want people to respect everyone who works in the cleaning industry and we want the workers to do their job with pride and smile on their face.

At DCBN, we work with an array of specialists in marketing, business development, accounting and other important areas for growth. We run frequent training and networking events where our primary aim is to connect cleaning businesses and stimulate them to work together rather than being sore competitors.

The platform has three types of membership - for self-employed cleaners, for cleaning companies and for affiliate members. Each membership has its own benefits which are specifically designed to answer the needs of everyone who joins the network. Members also have access to private professional forums where they could receive advice and support in real time.

The existence of a professional body like DCBN is beneficial not only for people working in the industry, but for the consumers too. We make sure that the businesses and solo cleaners who register with us are legitimate providers and they have access to specific training session, which impacts the quality of their work. For you as a potential client, hiring someone who is a member of a professional organisation like DCBN, would bring a peace of mind and reassurance that you leave your home in capable and reliable hands.

The first training and networking event DCBN hosts will be on Sunday, 12th January at Oxford. For more details and registration, check Eventbrite.

 

Spring Cleaning in the Autumn | Bredon Hill Cleaning Services

Spring Cleaning in the Autumn | Bredon Hill Cleaning Services

Spring Cleaning in the Autumn

Spring cleaning is traditionally done in March or April of every year and that's where it gets its name from. However, this is actually deep cleaning and as professionals, we recommend having it at least 2 times a year. In some cases, even more often. Furthermore, there are some specific benefits of doing spring cleaning in the autumn.

Keeps you in a good mood

With the summer waving goodbye and all of us returning to work, it's easy to feel a little bit down and maybe even sad. Autumn often sees a rise in cases of depression. Having spring cleaning at your home or even doing it yourself can lift up your mood and bring you satisfaction. Your living area will look fresh and tidy, which stimulates positive feelings and brain activity.

Keeps you healthy

Autumn is the season of flu and all sorts of viruses and bacteria. You can germ-proof your home with deep cleaning. A professional cleaner will perform a really thorough clean, moving small furniture, disinfecting the bathroom and kitchen working areas and washing the windows from the inside. It's a lot more work than a regular domestic cleaning service but it is totally worth, especially from a health protecting point of view.

Keeps the spiders away

Early autumn is the mating period for spiders, so that's why you see them crawling everywhere. One of the best ways to get rid of them is deep cleaning your home. They love hiding in corners or behind furniture in dark and safe places. Vacuuming behind the sofa or other heavy bits you wouldn't normally move, should be effective. Also, spend some time cleaning the skirting boards and windows!

Keeps the clutter out

Spring cleaning is often associated with decluttering. It is a brilliant idea to declutter your home right before the cold weather settles in. Arrange your home in a cosy and inviting manner, use warm colours to decorate. Re-organise your kitchen and make sure the tea and hot chocolate take the front row in the pantry. Finally, make space for the fluffy winter sweaters and cardigans, putting the light summer clothing at the back of the closet.

Not sure you can cope with deep cleaning on your own? We get it, after all you are busy and all you want after a long day at work is to put your feet up in a nice and calming homely atmosphere. That's why you have us and we are just a phone call or an email away. Let us do the cleaning, you enjoy the results.

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