What do most people expect from spring cleaning your home?

Most people thoroughly clean their home in the springtime simply because it is habit or tradition they’ve developed. When your home has that clean feeling, you tend to feel better about yourself and appreciate your belongings more. It’s an opportunity to open your windows and let some fresh air flow through your home, something you’ve not been able to do since the late fall season.

1. CLEAN YOUR WALLS

The walls are the primary thing when thinking about the most important parts of your house. People rarely include walls on their cleaning list yet it’s so important to the overall cleanliness of your home. It’s astonishing that a flat dry surface is able to catch so much dirt throughout the year. Taking the time to clean them at least once a year will make your whole home feel cleaner and fresher, longer.

2. FRESHEN UP YOUR CURTAINS

Curtains are to dust as fly catchers are to flies. They catch dust as if it were their main purpose. Most of the time we don’t even realize how dirty and dusty they are until we get really close to them (and open them dramatically to let some sun in). Your curtains require deep cleaning to prevent allergies. Some curtains can be laundered at home but some require dry cleaning or a larger washing machine than the one you have in your home. Most of the time however, it’s best to leave curtain cleaning to professionals. What better time to do this than during your spring cleaning period?

4. DEEP CLEANING YOUR CARPET(S) & RUG(S)

During the winter season, dirt and dust accumulates inside your home, being brought in under your shoes, on your clothes and even on pets. These end up on and in your carpet and rug. A good vacuum will remove most of the surface dirt and dust, but over time most of it will drop to the base of your carpet, which is difficult to remove with your domestic vacuum cleaner.

To keep your carpet in excellent condition you really need to get it professionally cleaned. The environmental protection agency suggests that carpets be cleaned every 6 to 12 months, especially if you have young children, elderly parents or anyone suffering from breathing disorders. Bacteria and dust mites live in dirty carpets and they may cause some health issues and allergies. Professional cleaning of your carpet/rug removes these unwelcome guests and dirt that reside in your carpet, and increases its lifespan. Learn more about our household textiles service (including carpets) here.

 

! Carpets & rugs are sometimes used interchangeably. But they are different. Carpets cover room floors and can’t be removed. Rugs can be rolled up and moved. For carpet cleaning, you can rent a cleaning machine at most hardware stores.

The post Spring Cleaning? Don’t Forget These 6 Things In Your Home! appeared first on Mr. Timesaver©.

Sweat & house dust mites are not good for your comforters

Sweating + comforter = smelly, dirty and let’s be honest, disgusting.

You lose a quarter to half a liter of moisture every night in your sleep. Your comforter gets wet and the material it’s made out of swells up. When you get out of bed in the morning, the moisture slowly evaporates and the material shrinks back down. This process happens night after night. Eventually the material gets so stuck together that your comforter holds less warmth and you’re lying there in bed, cold and shaking.

House dust mites living in your duvet?

Every night 0,5 to 1.5 grams of skin flakes are left in your bed. The house dust mites living in your sheets feed off these flakes. House dust mites are little white creatures that belong to the spider family. They are only 0,1 to 0,6 mm, so they are invisible to the naked eye. House dust mites are not harmful, unless you’re allergic to them. Allergic reactions occur because of the house dust mite’s feces and the symptoms are shortness of breath, sneezing, & red eyes. Even though you may not be allergic, the idea that half a million crawling creatures are living in your comforters is well… Ick!!

Do you wash or dry-clean your comforter?

House dust mites die at a temperature of a minimum of 60 degrees Celsius. Whether you should wash or dry clean your comforter depends on the material. The most common materials are: wool, down, and synthetic comforters. Each material requires its own maintenance process. Check the labels and follow the washing instructions carefully. That way you’ll still surely have a warm and fluffy comforter after it’s cleaned.

Wool Duvets Should Be Dry Cleaned

In general, it’s best to dry clean wool comforters. Wool has a soft, protective, and water resistant layer, called lanolin. Normal washing weakens this layer permanently. Wool also shrinks and becomes stiff when washed. Those are the last things you would want in a comforter.

Down & Synthetic Duvets Should Be Washed

For a down and synthetic comforter washing is best. Now you’re probably thinking: I can do that myself right? In theory, yes, you can. Do keep in mind that the comforter needs ample room in the washing machine. Stuffing your comforter in a small/normal machine may lower the cost, but your comforter wont be cleaned properly. Lack of space means insufficient water and detergent reaching the material. A large dryer is also important. One with enough room to circulate the comforter with warm air. A comforter needs to be dried quickly to prevent bad odors.

Dragging your comforter to the dry-cleaner or laundromat is a hassle!

Is your washing machine and/or dryer not big enough for your comforter/duvet? You don’t have to stress about taking it to the laundromat or dry-cleaner. We’ll do that for you. Mr. Timesaver picks up and delivers it back to you without extra costs! Depending on the material and size of your comforter, you can select dry-cleaning or laundry services. Depending on the size of your comforter you can select a medium or large laundry wash. In either case you’ll have it back, clean and fresh in 24 hours. In some cases you can have it delivered even on the same day! Have Mr. Timesaver pick up your dirty comforter and other bedroom textiles before 9 a.m. and you can be sleeping on clean cozy sheets, under your warm fresh comforter that same night.

Can your comforter and other bedroom textiles use a wash or dry clean service? Plan your pick-up & delivery easily online or call us at 0881846300. Choose between wash sizes or dry cleaning services (depending on your label/instructions).

What about your bed sheets? You can learn more about the proper care of your bed sheets here.

The post Machine Wash or Dry Clean a Comforter? Goodbye Sweat & Dust Mites! appeared first on Mr. Timesaver©.

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Not surprisingly, when it comes to a household chore there are plenty of opinions on how often it should be done (or even if it’s necessary to get done). We spend a third of our lives on our beds, leaving behind 56 hours a week of sweat, body oils and dead skin cells.

So, How Often Should You Wash Bed Sheets?

At minimum, you should wash your sheets once a week, says Philip Tierno, Jr., Ph.D., director of clinical microbiology and immunology at New York University’s Langone Medical Center.

That’s because the second you crawl into your sheets, you’re infecting them with your constantly-shedding skin (you lose millions of skin cells per day), lotions, makeup, sweat, hair, and anything you’ve picked up during your day, like pollen, pet dander, fungal mold, and dirt particles, says Tierno. All come with unhealthy dose of bacteria. Not washing your bed sheets regularly can contribute to increased suffering from health problems such as asthma and allergies. If you, your partner, your children or someone in the family is sick, if you tend to sleep naked, or if you go to bed without showering after a workout, you might consider cleaning your bed sheets more frequently. Weather is a factor, as well. Depending on your lifestyle, bed linens may go through more wear and tear in the summer months, as we sweat more during the daytime in warm weather.

Here are some of the questions you can ask yourself to estimate the frequency of your washing needs:

• Do you sleep alone?
• Do you sleep naked?
• If you don’t sleep alone, who else sleeps with you?
  • Your spouse/partner?
  • Your children?
  • Pets?
• Do you shower before you go to bed at night?
• Have you been sick recently?
• Do you eat in bed?
• How much do you sweat at night?
• Do you sleep at home every night or are you frequently away?

CONCLUSION: There are enough reasons to urge you to change your sheets regularly

Knowing how often to  wash your bedding is as important as how to wash your bed sheets. Deciding how often to wash bed sheets might be a matter of personal preference.  However, there are some good reasons to change and launder your bed sheets on a regular basis. But here’s the best reason we can give you: The feeling of a freshly made bed is like no other. If getting into bed every night is one of life’s fine pleasures, then slipping between fresh clean sheets is like the cherry on top of the cake version of that pleasure. The reward of that fresh sheet feeling more than makes up for the worth of effort it takes to remake the bed.

On-Demand Dry Cleaning, Laundry, Clothing Repair and Shoe Services Delivered to Your Door. Yes, including bed sheets, comforters & more!

If you’re someone who has a busy and demanding lifestyle, you can truly benefit from the professional services provided by Mr. Timesaver. Mr. Timesaver offers on-demand dry cleaning, laundry, clothing repairs and shoe services, delivered right to your door. All you have to do is schedule your own preferred pickup and delivery dates and times and you’re all set. Mr. Timesaver is open 7 days a week starting from 7am until Midnight. Mr. Timesaver offers dry cleaning services in: The Hague (Wassenaar, Voorschoten, Leidschendam, Rijswijk and Zoetermeer), Leiden, Rotterdam, Delft.

Make your life easier with Mr. Timesaver!

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So how often should you clean your curtains?

Proper Curtain Care May Prevent Allergies

Curtains naturally attract dust and absorb odors over time. It is recommended to clean your curtains every 3 to 6 months. Having your curtains cleaned on a regular basis is a good idea to keep your house fresh and clean.

Machine washing

If your curtains are fully machine washable (check the label care instructions), you can carefully do the cleaning yourself. Pick a nice warm sunny day to let them dry in the open air after they’ve been through a gentle machine wash cycle. Make sure to iron your curtains while they are still a little damp, then hang them up immediately to prevent wrinkling. Keep in mind that curtains contain a lot of fabric, which often makes them unmanageable in a small/constrained home environment. If you’re concerned about your washing machine not being big enough, your ironing board being too small or simply have nowhere to dry your curtains, you may be better off getting professional help.

The same applies for stained curtains. Leave it to a professional curtain cleaning company to remove stains without the risk of damaging your curtain fabrics.

Dry Cleaning Curtains

Curtains that are made of silk, linen or other sensitive fabrics will need to be professionally dry cleaned. The reason for this is that the hot water, detergent and constant rubbing action in the washing machine can easily cause damage such as fading or shrinking. Curtains can be an expensive investment for your home, so it is important to look after them in order to give you and your family member years of pleasure.

When will a curtain require more frequent cleaning?

While cleaning your curtains every 3 to 6 months should be appropriate for most household requirements, we would recommend more frequent cleaning if the following factors play a role in your home:

Allergies

Curtains can trap a variety of common allergens including dust, pollen, mold spores, pet hair and dander. If you or a family member suffers from allergies, regular curtain and carpet cleaning should be a crucial part of your household routine.

Smoking

Smoke particles from cigarettes, cigars and pipes are easily trapped in curtains fabric. If you don’t want to make your curtains yellow or have a strong smell of smoke in your house, make sure you let plenty of fresh air in and clean your curtains every month if possible.

You live near the sea

If you live near the sea and specially if you have sea views, salt is not your best friend. Salty sea air can affect curtains as well as the window panes. Hard wearing curtain fabrics are your best choice under these circumstances, and frequent cleaning is a must.

So how do you keep your curtains clean? Share your best advice in the comments section below.

The post How Often Should You Clean Your Curtains? appeared first on Mr. Timesaver©.

Here are 8 ways to add a touch of luxury to your life.

1. Eye catching welcome

What is the first thing you notice when you enter a hotel? Probably the well-arranged seating areas, some exotic flower arrangement, large fancy mirrors, dim lighting, and simple colorful artwork. Of course at your home you don’t have a large lobby to work with, but there are ways to make your entry-way more welcoming.

Start with a small entry way table made of marble, wood, or shiny lacquer. Accessorize your table with a lamp, a bowl for knick knacks, some books, and a fresh flower arrangement (no fake flowers!). If your table is against a wall, then place a painting or statement mirror above it.

2. Bathroom or home spa?

Your hotel bathroom always looks so clean and crisp that you almost don’t want to use it. You suddenly see yourself taking a warm bath (with bubbles of course), putting on a mask, and reading a book. Come on, say it with me: “ahhhhh”.

At home on the other hand it’s more of a jump in jump out feeling. Let’s change that shall we? Firstly, make sure your bathroom gives the spa like feeling by using the freshest color palette: white on white. White, neatly folded matching towels (Egyptian cotton if you want to splurge), scented candles, lavender hand soap, white or light colored shower curtain, and don’t forget the matching bathroom mats. The next time you’re at a hotel, ask them if you can buy a bath robe to use at home or just buy one at your local home-store to hang by your towels.

3. Space & clutter

Spaces are always well-organized in a hotel. There are book cases, shelves and tables that look like they jumped out of a design magazine. There is virtually no clutter, and everything is very purposefully used. You don’t need a designer to improve the space and clutter situation in your home. Use baskets and decorative bowls to hide clutter. Shelves should be used to display collections. Side tables are for pretty vases, fresh flowers, and lamps.

Adding a rug or carpet to a space also brings the entire room together. Do make sure your rugs and carpets are always clean and presentable though, to prevent odors, allergies, and embarrassments! Tips on choosing the right rug for each room can be found here.

4. Curtains

Curtains, drapes, and blinds are something many of us overlook. We hang up some wooden blinds for privacy or we buy cheap pre-made curtains at the local chain stores. We do this with good reason though. Custom drapes are expensive and difficult to find. But they are to the home as beautiful shoes are to a pretty dress.

The best option is to find a seamstress that is willing to work within your budget and to buy the fabric yourself upfront. Pick fabrics that suit your tastes and fit the rest of your decor. For the luxury look, think silks, damasks, and linen as your fabrics of choice. Bonus: add black-out curtains in your bedroom for a full night’s rest, without any light gleaming in. Have your custom drapes cleaned professionally to maximize their longevity and prevent serious harm to your health.

5. Layers & Neutrals

Luxury hotel rooms are typically designed in a layered manner. The main flooring is usually marble or hardwood, layered with rugs. Decorative pillows and trims are also placed expertly within the space to accent sofas and chairs. Try to use neutral colors for the main objects, such as rugs, curtains, chairs, & sofas. Hotels do this because the space needs to appeal to different people and their tastes. Accessorize the space with fun and chic pops of color with artwork, books, and vases to make it a bit more you.

6. Outsourcing laundry & dry cleaning services

Housekeeping, turndown service, breakfast (in bed), or dry cleaning and laundry services are just a few of the perks of staying at a luxury hotel. While hiring a house staff to do this for you will cost you a fortune, there are less expensive ways to pamper yourself once in a while. Hire a housekeeper twice a week to keep your home tidy with Book a Tiger. Order dinner from your favorite restaurant with services such as Deliveroo or Foodora. Have your laundry and dry cleaning picked up and delivered in just a few clicks with Mr. Timesaver. Best part? Fewer dishes to wash at dinner and no more folding & ironing clothes. Need more reasons to use Mr. Timesaver? Click here.

7. Bedroom: pressed bed sheets and comfy duvet

Hotel bedrooms are always well designed with matching bedding, curtains, rugs and furniture. The bed is always so inviting and resisting the urge to run over and take a plunge isn’t always easy. Yet sadly, it’s the room in our home that most of us ignore, since guests never see it anyway. But your bedroom is actually the room you should not skimp on. Start with a good mattress and layer with soft, neutral colored Egyptian cotton sheets, comforter, and plump down pillows. Your bedroom is where you rest after a long day and the first thing you see in the morning. It should look and feel like your safe haven.

Add a side table and a side lamp, your favorite book and some scented candles. Do make sure to keep your bedding fresh and clean as hotels do, and always make your bed in the morning! Keep a few small chocolates or candy in your drawer for the occasional treat. No need to tempt yourself everyday by putting it on your pillows in the morning.

8. Nature & scents

Nothing makes a space come to life like fresh flowers or greenery. Luxury hotels always have beautiful flower arrangements and/or live plants in all rooms. It may be daunting and expensive to maintain a home full of fresh-cut flowers, but there are ways to attain this aesthetic without the high costs and effort. Just add some house plants such as orchids or large palm plants. If live plants aren’t really your thing, you can also add other natural elements to your home. A vase filled with spindly twigs or a glass bowl filled with acorns and potpourri isn’t uncommon.

Scented candles like vanilla or lavender also add a touch of serenity to your home. Having them in every room of your house will not only create a look of luxury and romance (while showing your attention to detail and design), but will also give your home a balanced and harmonious scent.

The post Pressed Sheets & Fluffy Towels: Make Your Home Feel Like A Fancy Hotel appeared first on Mr. Timesaver©.

Here are 9 tips on how to get a better night’s sleep and improve your quality of life

1. Make your bed in the morning

Can you recall the feeling you have when staying at a hotel? You enter the room and it’s tidy and inviting. Right away your mood elevates and you look forward to climbing into the crisply made bed of the gods. By making your bed every morning, you declutter your space. A decluttered space lowers your level of stress. Taking just two minutes every morning rewards you with an elevated state of mind every night!

2. Exercise to sleep better

Research done by the National Sleep Foundation on a representative sample of more than 2,600 men and women, ages 18-85, showed that just 150 minutes of moderate activity a week (that’s only 20 minutes a day!) provided a 65% improvement in sleep quality. Take a walk during your lunch break, walk your dog more/longer, get off the bus/tram and walk the final stop to your destination. You’ll also feel more energized during the day and not to mention it’s also good for your cardiovascular health.

3. Drink up!

The biggest change in your diet that may help you sleep better, be more active, and have more energy throughout your day is staying hydrated. In fact, the #1 source of daytime fatigue is dehydration. Water is essential for almost all of your bodily functions,  especially brain function. So,  it shouldn’t be a surprise that being dehydrated may disrupt healthy brain function while sleeping.

4. Clean sheets & comforters

You can’t see it, but your comforter and bed sheets get dirtier every night. Everyone loses moisture in their sleep by sweating. On top of that, skin flakes come off while you toss & turn. House dust mites survive off your skin flakes and live in your bed sheets, comforters, & pillows. Moisture and spider relatives in your bed.. You can probably imagine that this isn’t ideal for a good night’s rest. Therefor, it is important to have your comforters (and pillows) cleaned professionally at least once/twice a year. As a general rule, it’s a good idea to wash your sheets and pillowcases once a week or every two weeks.

5. Seasonal rotations

It’s getting warmer in the Netherlands (yay, summer!), but sleeping in a warm room isn’t ideal. Overheating is one of the main (physical) causes of bad sleep. The type of bed sheet or linen that you have may be retaining heat and may be making you feel hotter than the already hot summer weather. We should change the material we sleep on to make us feel less hot and sleep more comfortably. The same goes for the colder months.

Guideline

Warm months: cotton or linen sheets

Cold months: flannel sheets

Cool & warm weather (adaptable): silk or satin sheets

6. No more coffee! 

Just kidding! Do avoid caffeine 4 to 6 hours before bedtime though if you want to sleep better. Caffeine is in coffee, soda, iced tea, chocolate, and various over-the-counter medications. It is also a little-known fact that caffeine can stay in the system for up to 12 hours. So try not to have any past lunchtime and have decaffeinated coffee after dinner if you must.

7. Next day plan

By creating a good morning routine for yourself, you can focus more on the important things throughout your day. You start your days goal oriented, efficient, and conscious while maintaining control over the rest of the day. You also sleep better knowing tomorrow is already planned and organized because your mind can rest without worry.

8. Shower power

Before we are ready to head to bed, the body’s temperature naturally drops, which activates other automatic reactions that prepare us for sleep. When this shift happens, body heat escapes through the skin, which is why you may notice your skin feeling warmer at nighttime. Take a warm shower or bath before going to sleep. The drop in body temperature after stepping out of the shower tends to induce sleepiness. Also make sure the temperature in your bedroom isn’t too cold or too warm, as this could make it more difficult to catch some z’s. The ideal temperature for sleep is believed to be around 18 degrees celsius.

9. Out with the old..

Buy new bedding every 18 to 24 months. Like most clothing (other than, for example, jeans and sneakers), new bedding just looks and feels better. Just like any other fabric, hot water and repeated washing will shorten the life span of your sheets. Can’t wait that long and want a less expensive solution? Simply buying some new pillowcases will completely change the way your bedding feels. Being comfortable definitely adds to a better night’s sleep.

BONUS

10. Turn your bedroom into a sleep haven

• Clean sheets
• Made up bed
• Cool temperature (18 C)
• Soft music/ambience (nature or rain sounds)
• Dark room
• Water bottle (hydration = good)

The post Are you unknowingly self-sabotaging? These 9 tips will help you sleep better and live better. appeared first on Mr. Timesaver©.