Blog - Illinois Valley House Cleaning Services

How Much Time Should Your Kids Spend Online?: A Guide for Parents

January 7, 2019 by Illinois Valley Clean Team

The advantages that smartphones, tablets, smart TVs and other such devices give us are undeniable, especially for kids, who stay socially active and develop their motor skills through them, but it’s also true that they have some worrying drawbacks concerning the time kids are spending on them.

There are different types of “screen time,” which means how much screen time does the average child get to spend online depends on what they’re spending it on.

Take these four categories defined by the Common Sense Census: Media Use by Tweens and Teens:

Passive consumption: watching TV, reading, and listening to music
Interactive consumption: playing games and browsing the Internet
Communication: video-chatting and using social media
Content creation: using devices to make digital art or music

As you can see, different areas of their lives are affected directly by each category, so it stands to reason that not all of their online time should be seen as a single, monolithic block to be taken away altogether. Many studies show that it’s not necessarily the length of time kids spend online, but the nature of it, what really matters. The key is to find a balance between the different uses for their online presence with equally positive offline activities.

Being realistic is the first step towards finding this online-offline balance since many of the activities and life experiences that were common in our generation are now fairly different or have adapted to a permanently online world. Communication, then, is an absolute necessity, because your kids should understand that these limitations are implemented to foster a healthier development for them, instead of arbitrarily set by parents who “just don’t get it”.

1. Set realistic, clear limits

Depending on the age of your kids, their need for a laptop or a tablet for schoolwork might seem like an obstacle to setting clear online time limits, but that just means you have to monitor their usage more closely and to set more fluid conditions for internet usage.

Does it make any difference if you allow three periods of 20 minutes or 1 of an hour? Remember, it’s not so much the time, but the quality of it. Whatever time you allow, make sure your kids consume age-appropriate media always. You can start by making a schedule, which would in turn, allow you to better monitor your children’s online time.

For example, try this:

No screens before homework is done, then some free time, a screen-free dinner, some more free time, then chores, some family time, and they can’t take their screens to the bedroom.

There are no set times because, as we mentioned earlier, it’s better to be fluid when limiting such a common part of modern life. Mix their free time with homework and chores, or if you’re having someone over for cleaning, make it into a screen-free family outing.

2. Be a proper example

It will be hard for your kids to listen to you if you don’t practice what you preach. Just being an adult does not excuse us from using the internet responsibly. This does not mean, however, that you should hide every time you need to check your inbox, just make it clear that you have a purpose for picking the phone up: “Let’s check the weather for tomorrow,” “I need to order some groceries,” etc

If you make a habit out of these practices when they’re still young, that will help mold their expectations of how much online time is normal into a more realistic amount.

3. Teach them to prioritize

Future technologies will be more advanced than we can even imagine, so being thoroughly restrictive about screen time with our children might leave them at a disadvantage when they are adults. They should understand that breaking the rules carries along consequences and that you will enforce them, but merely taking the device away with a “because I say so” attitude won’t help your cause.

Help your children understand that, rather than just limiting their time, you want them to learn how to properly prioritize their own time, which will make their lives easier once they take on different responsibilities as they grow older.

Seven Tips for Washing Your Winter Clothes

December 17, 2018 by Illinois Valley Clean Team

Winter means putting on extra layers of clothes, and your laundry basket fills up a lot faster. If you know the right way to wash your winter clothes in a washing machine, how to wash a hoodie and keep it soft, it helps for keeping your favorite winter clothing looking new for next season. You can also cut back on laundry time and even save money.

Check out these seven tips for washing your winter clothes!

Vests and Down Parkas

These type of clothes should be washed at least twice a season. Don’t overwash it! Overwashing tends to cause the feathers to break. If you’re going to use a washing machine, you must use cold water and non-detergent product.

After washing, use your dryer on low setting and put three clean tennis balls to keep feathers in place. Then, make sure that the coat is dry to prevent clumping.

Jacket and Coat

You can machine wash your jackets or alternative coats twice within a season. Put the coat in your washing machine with cold water and detergent, then let it soak for about 30 minutes. Wash on the gentle cycle setting, then squeeze excess water, but be careful not to twist the jacket! Afterward, dry on low setting.

Sweaters, jeans, and pajamas

When it comes to knitted sweaters or cashmere scarves, you should hand wash them with a few drops of gentle dish soap. With a bucket full of cold water, you can add the soap and swish the sweater around, but don’t twist it. Until the sweater is rinsed clean, you must empty the bucket, refill with cold water, and swish it again. Repeat this step if you need to get the all of the soap out.

After washing, roll the sweater in a towel to absorb extra water, then put the sweater on the paper and reshape it to fit the framework. You should allow it to dry flat.

Wash “performance clothing” like long underwear and fleece jackets with regular detergent, but skip the fabric softener because it can keep these fabrics from wicking moisture properly.

Corral hats, scarves, and gloves.

You should put these items in a zippered mesh laundry bag. Then, toss these items into your washing machine once a month, and lay down flat to dry. The pack will keep your pair of gloves together and prevent your scarves from getting tangled around your other laundry.

Deodorize stinky snow boots.

To deodorize your winter boots, you should fill a pail with cold water, half a cup of vinegar, and one capful of laundry detergent. Pull out any boot inserts, soak them in the mixture for 30 minutes, then rinse completely and hang to dry. After, you can wipe the exterior of the boots with the help of a soapy cloth and sprinkle baking soda inside before putting the inserts back.

Line dry in the winter.

Line drying your clothes in the winter has an unexpected benefit—it helps humidify dry winter air. So, hang your clothes over towel bars and curtain rods in your bathroom. You can also use those neet foldable racks you can store and fit in small rooms or apartments so that you can hide them when you’re not using them.

Keep air-dried clothes from getting crunchy.

Keep air-dried clothes from getting crunchy.
This tip will help you keep your air-dried clothes from getting stiff and crunchy. To use this method, you must add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle; it will help soften and remove excess detergent. Then, shake your clothes, and hang them up to dry. If it is still a little stiff, toss your clothes in the dryer for about 5 minutes with a damp washcloth.

You should learn how to take care of your winter clothing to protect your investment and keep it looking best. These tips will surely help you! These pieces of clothing will keep you warm from the winter. You can also hire a professional house cleaning service to give your house the warmth even in the winter breeze.

Illinois Valley and Chicago Events to Get You in the Holiday Spirit

December 3, 2018 by Illinois Valley Clean Team

There are a number of massive and great events in both the Illinois festivals 2018 and the Chicago area, with a superb schedule of festivals, concerts, and conferences throughout the year. Get out and enjoy family-friendly, holiday, snowy and exciting events throughout the state.

Here are some of Chicago and events in Illinois this weekend to get you in the holiday spirit!

Illumination At Morton Arboretum

You won’t see any usual Santas or Rudolph because mother nature is the star of this show. Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum is designed with interactive features that allow trees and lights to “react” to motion and sound. The mile-long kaleidoscope of color is a blend of nature, technology, and holiday spirit.

Choose to stroll the main path that offers hands-on fun or a clear trail and view around the lake. Experience the sights of the Crown of Light, which is a five-piece sculpture from a Smithsonian-featured arts collective. You can also step into Woodland Wonder where a grove of trees envelopes the rotating points of light.

Zoolights At Lincoln Park Zoo

This annual ZooLights holiday tradition has been going on for 24 years. The joyful experience has offered free family-oriented holiday celebrations featuring bright displays and incredible seasonal activities.

You can take photos with Santa and enjoy warm spiced wine and frosty beers. You can also indulge in gift shopping and holiday snacks; listen to carolers, and musical light shows at the Winter Wonderlawn. Then grab your 3D specs for the individual displays, and stroll Candy Cane Lane and more than 100 giant, themed exhibits.

Joffrey Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”

The Joffrey Ballet’s beautiful rendition of The Nutcracker will make you squirm in delight. Reimagined by Christopher Wheeldon, a Tony Award-winning choreographer, it has been the city’s highlight of World’s Fair since 1893.

As it returns on December 1-30, 2018, the magical production opens in Chicago on Christmas Eve and take audiences on otherworldly visits to the Fair’s attractions.

Annual Holiday Cookie and Bake Sale

On December 7, 2018, unleash your baking skills. Zion UCC will hold our Annual Holiday Cookie and Bake Sale at 3:00 pm until sold out. A different kind of cookies, baked goods, and candy will be available. Not only will you showcase your talents, but you can also help others, too. Proceeds will benefit kids that are going to the camp and provide support to various local organizations.

Chicago Jazz Festival

One of the significant musical events is the free jazz festival, attracting big names and newcomers to the outdoor stages at Grant Park and Millennium Park. You and your family can sit on the lawn and enjoy the tunes, and if you’re a real jazz fan, you should be on the lookout for hot after-hours jazz sets at the city’s top clubs and bars.

Chicago International Film Festival

The Chicago International Film Fest is America’s longest-running competitive film festival since 1964. There are more than 100 flicks in all kinds are screened at theaters all around the city. There’s a great emphasis on international films which will be bringing some rare treats from around the globe to the city’s screens. Famous directors and actors also make debuts at premier events.

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade commenced in 1934 and is one of America’s oldest Thanksgiving Day parades. Illinois has more floats, balloons, and marching bands. The show plays up State Street for several blocks as 350,000 people watch on the sidewalks in the nippy November air.

Illinois Valley and Chicago come alive in winter with holiday celebrations, snowy festivals and more. So pull yourself away from home and bundle up for an outing—you don’t want to miss these exciting events. While you’re out enjoying these events, hire a professional house cleaning service.

Six Tips to Get Rid Of and Prevent Ants in Your Home

November 19, 2018 by Illinois Valley Clean Team

All animals have their role to play in the environment, even ants, but too much of them in the wrong place means they are a pest. You’ll be grateful to know that it’s possible to get rid of them without having to fumigate your entire house, over and over again. There are many conventional ways you can get rid of ants from your yard or homes. Once the ants are gone, you’ll need to keep your home clean and secure to prevent reinfestation. Read on to learn more.

Here are six tips on how to get rid and prevent ants in your home.

Know the popular hangouts.

A kitchen is a place full of food and water that even pests like ants will need to survive. So it’s no surprise that ants will infest this place. Bathrooms, living rooms, bedrooms, inside walls, basements, and in or around air conditioning and heating units are also known to attract ants.

Block off any access points.

You should take the time to inspect the outside of your home for any easy access points. Bushes and trees should be trimmed away from your home because branches can be a bridge for ants to come inside. Then seal any crevices and cracks on the outside of the house with silicone caulk, paying particular attention to areas where utility pipes enter.

Eradicate water sources.

If you reduce moisture and standing water around your home, it can go a long way to help prevent ants. You should also repair leaky pipes and routinely check under sinks for areas of humidity. You should consider using a dehumidifier in damp basements, attics or crawl spaces. Outside, you must ensure that downspouts and gutters are functioning correctly so that water flows away from the home’s foundation.

Clean your pets’ food and water bowls.

Your pets can accidentally invite ants into your home. Their food and water bowls attract pests, so be sure to keep it clean and tidy up any spilled water or food immediately.

You can opt to store dry pet food in a sealed plastic container instead of the paper bags they regularly come in. Inspect your dog or cat doors to guarantee that pests cannot get through. Always remember that ants can fit through anything, even the tiniest openings.

Put coffee grounds, cinnamon, or baby powder near doors or windows.

The scents of these substances repel ants, and also coffee grounds are acidic, which can burn the ants if they try to cross it. You can use peppermint or cinnamon essential oil. Combine a few drops of the oil into your spray bottle full of water, then spray it around windows and doors.

Clean your kitchen after each meal.

As mentioned above in tip number one, the kitchen is where ants like to hang out. If you keep your kitchen tidy, it will help discourage ants from coming indoors. Sweep floors and wipe down counters regularly to wipe out crumbs and residue from spills.

You should store your food in highly sealed and pest-proof containers while keeping ripe fruits in the fridge. Wipe down sticky jars, especially any containing syrup, honey, soda or other sweets. Finally, use a lid on trash cans and dispose of garbage regularly. You can also hire a professional house cleaning service to keep your kitchen spotless and mess-free.

Without the proper tools and training, fighting off ants can be an uphill battle. What’s worse, an infestation can continue to grow if it is not adequately treated. Don’t forget that prevention is better than cure. You should do these tips above and find natural ways to repel ants from your home.

5 Ways to Keep Your Bathroom Dry and Mold-Free

November 12, 2018 by Illinois Valley Clean Team

Your bathroom can instantly become one of the most humid places in your home. With steaming showers and piping hot baths, the added moisture can cause mold formation in the bathroom.

How do you prevent mold in the bathroom? If you want to keep your bathroom dry, keep on reading and learn more about it.

Check out these tips on how to build a mold free bathroom!

1. Install a bathroom exhaust fan.

You can prevent bathroom moisture by installing an exhaust fan that vents humidity to outside your home. You can run it during your shower for 15 to 20 minutes to help circulate the air and eliminate the moisture. This method is best if you love a steaming shower every day.

2. Use a portable bathroom dehumidifier.

If you can’t install an exhaust fan because you’re in rental or particular aspects of your home, consider buying a portable bathroom dehumidifier.

Even portable dehumidifiers can work wonders at removing moisture from the air, which helps when trying to keep your bathroom dry and mold-free. If you’re not ready to commit to a portable dehumidifier, you can always opt to open your bathroom windows during your shower to produce a similar effect.

Dehumidifiers can take moisture away from the air and collect it like water, so if you have one of these runnings while you use the bathroom, you’ll get a significant drop in condensation.

3. Heat and insulation are key.

Turn up the heat a few degrees with your thermostat to keep your bathroom air at a warmer temperature. The more your air is heated, this will reduce condensation.

If you want your bathroom warmer and less likely to form condensation, you can also improve your window insulation. You can replace your single-pane windows with double or triple panes. Then insulate your bathroom walls by injecting insulation material into your walls.

4. Make wiping away excess moisture a habit.

Take your time to wipe surfaces in your bathroom, and you can use a shower squeegee to eliminate excess water from the walls of shower or tub. This method is more effective at removing excess moisture from glass shower doors or tile walls than wiping the walls with your towel and also prevents water spots from forming.

If any black spots develop around your bathroom from too much condensation, then you can discard them through a combination of bleach and water. Otherwise, your bathroom will become a breeding ground for mold.

5. Take a slightly cooler shower.

Try practicing a slightly cooler shower to avoid saturating the air with water droplets. By taking a shorter and more cooling shower, it helps reduce heat and condensation in your bathroom. This can also help you save on your heating bills, which is an added advantage.

Apart from annoyingly misted up mirrors and windows, it can also cause problems with mold in your bathroom by immediately ruining wallpaper and other surfaces.

Thankfully, we’ve gathered a few easy steps you can take to reduce the levels of condensation in your bathroom dramatically. You can also hire a professional to help you clean up your bathroom real good.