Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with cleaning and cleaner

Recommendations for a Seattle cleaning service

grouse — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:29:58 -0800

Looking for a service to clean my Seattle apartment. Any recommendations? General recommendations on how to pick a cleaner or service are welcome. I don't have a vacuum cleaner or a lot of cleaning equipment and chemicals yet, so a service that would bring all of these things would be best for now. But I'd also be happy with recommendations for services or cleaners where I supply the equipment and chemicals, for later on.

The only Seattle recommendation I saw in searching previous AskMes was for Dana's. Of course, I can't use them since I don't have my own equipment yet. I searched on Yelp, but didn't find many services with multiple reviews, and I'm not sure I trust a single anonymous Yelper. I've heard all about the evils of Merrie Maids, so if I go with a service it will probably be a more local one.

If you don't have specific Seattle references, feel free to chime in with general advice. I've read through some of the older general questions on this. If I go with an individual, what is a good way to check references? There is an incredible variance in prices for individuals seen on Craigslist, ranging from $13 to $30/hour, and services go up to $40. I suppose for a service I can check with the BBB.

dirty deeds done dirt cheap?

melissa may — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 08:18:04 -0800

Where can I find a Saeco Piccolo steam cleaner in the US? Apparently, when it comes to steam cleaners, only the Europeans know how to really scald a thing clean. Various consumer reviews claim that US brand equivalents (such as the SteamFast) don't permit enough steam pressure to build to easily clean tough surfaces. I would primarily use this cleaner for indoors (windows, floors, bathroom surfaces) but it would be nice to be able to use it for tougher jobs like cleaning a barbecue grill. Is this product available through any reputable US vendors? If not, do you have a high-pressure steam cleaner equivalent to recommend? Major points for any product under $100. Thanks!

Help me keep it clean!

6:1 — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 09:32:54 -0800

Anyone have first hand experience with ultrasonic cleaners that they purchased for jewelry and eyeglass cleaning? We will use it for other things, but this would be it's primary use, (watchbands, rope chains, silver, etc.). I've checked reviews, and it seems many machines don't do a thorough job.

I want a heavy-duty one that works. Any recommendations? What makes an ultrasonic cleaner good? Frequency? Energy waves? Size? Stainless steel basket? The word "Professional" in the description?

Know any good cleaners in south London?

adrianhon — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 12:53:09 -0800

Know any good cleaners in south London? Ah, the life of two busy young professionals - I live in a two bedroom flat in Clapham, and while we're both fairly tidy people, we don't have much time to clean the place. Can anyone recommend a good, reliable and hopefully cheap cleaning agency (or cleaner) who might be able to come every week or fortnight?

Also, any ideas how long should we have them over for? It's a reasonably compact flat, and we don't make much mess.

Big dust bunnies in Toronto

typewriter — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 21:15:44 -0800

Can anyone recommend a a good non-agency house cleaner in Toronto? (Also bonus points: out of curiousity, does anyone know the maid service that Globe and Mail reporter Jan Wong worked for in her series, "Maid for a Month"? Okay, I'm mostly over my lefty guilt over needing/wanting someone to clean my house. But it's time. And guess what? I don't have time. Deadlines left and right, dusty house and Japanese students on their way to stay with me. Don't want to cause an international incident with my dirty house. I've read the other threads about maids etc. but would like a good recommendation preferably with references in Toronto. I'm not rich, but know I probably need to pay for a decent job. Thanks.

Vinegar - tasty condiment or household disinfectant?

catfood — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 12:34:55 -0800

Is vinegar really effective as a household cleaner? A number of people have suggested to me to use vinegar instead of bleach in my household cleaning, stating that it's just as effective as killing germs & bacteria and leaving things nice and clean, without being as toxic as bleach.

I do use vinegar to de-stink things (the dishwasher, coffeepot, etc), but I'm not sold on the fact that it's a disinfectant. Maybe my Google-Fu is off, but I can't find any information about it except from "Frugal Living" sites, and their primary goal seems to be more to save a buck than to clean your raw-chicken-slimed kitchen counters or toilet bowls.

Anyone have any evidence? Or suggestions for other less-toxic household cleaners?