Autumn is here and we think it is one of the most depressing seasons of the year. Not only kids are back to school which given us a lot of stress to get them ready, but Christmas is only couple months away. This means most of us work extra hard to save up and spoil each other with presents as well as work ramps up into the last quarter. This season changes so fast, trees start to shed their leaves and rainy days stops us from enjoying the weather. Fall however is a great opportunity to achieve a happy work life balance so it is important to free up time to do so. This blog will cover some of our tips for this season.


Seek for help


As we are getting busy, it can be difficult to do everything yourself. It is important that you ask for help and not to be afraid to do so. If you are going to be stuck at work, ask your family or friends with childcare or whatever it may be. Have been delegated a lot of tasks? Ask your work colleagues to take on some of those tasks for you. And remember to balance a friendship, return the favour when you can.


Stop when you need to stop


Sometimes we set targets that are not really achievable and have a mindset of “if I finish this today, I won’t have to deal with this another day”. Unfortunately, this workload can be unhealthy not just for your health but your family too, so it is important that you stop when you need to. You should also set strict work boundaries to make sure you get time for yourself and spend it with your family and friends.


Manage your time efficiently


A great time management is not only great for work but also good for you. Learn how to manage your time effectively for example if you feel like you won’t have time to clean, ask your friends or family to help or even better, book a cleaner. You can also save time by ordering online your groceries or anything else you might need (and this is better for our environment to reduce pollution).


Learn to say NO!


None of us are perfect and we are unable to do everything for everybody whilst we have other responsibilities. Learn to say no to invitations or any other requests your friends or family may have. Remember good friends will understand and support you and if they don’t, they are not good friends.


Prioritise yourself


There are a lot of people who often tend to put other first without realising that in order to be happy and relax your mind – you need to look after yourself. ‘Me-time’ often helps to work on yourself and you can do things on your own like a long relaxing bath, going for a massage or visiting friends or family or even going to the mall and buying yourself something nice. As you relax and use time to focus on yourself, you will be in happier state and this will work for a healthy work balance as well as for others around you as you will be in a happy mental state.

 

Book a cleaner


Being an adult is already stressful enough with work and life balance, cleaning is another one of the major stress in life. As studies show clean home equals a clean mind, it is important that we come back home to a clean home and able to relax. If you struggle or work long hours, we are here to help with our fully insured and DBS-checked cleaner, we can visit your home with your peace of mind. Your home will be cleaned whilst at work and locked securely. And like we say, your money returns but your precious time doesn’t. So enjoy the things you want to do after work instead of cleaning your home. 


Stay safe, stay clean

with Cleaning Queen

New year cleans in September!

New year cleans in September!

by Danielle Navarro • 3 September 2025
New year cleans in September!
Should I prep for my cleaner

Should I prep for my cleaner?

by Danielle Navarro • 4 August 2025
Whether you're welcoming a cleaner for the first time or having a regular clean, knowing how to prepare your home for a cleaning service can save time, reduce stress, and improve results. As an established cleaning company serving homes across East Anglia, we’ve compiled our top recommendations to help you get the most from every visit. We understand that not everyone is able to prep and you definitely don't have to, it's your own preference but it does save time, therefore money and your cleaner can complete more cleaning rather than tidying. Why Preparation Matters Hiring a professional cleaning service doesn’t mean you need to scrub before they arrive—but a few simple steps can help cleaners focus on the cleaning. Our customers often ask: Do I need to tidy up before a cleaner arrives? Should I leave out my own cleaning products? Will they clean around clutter or organise things? This blog answers those questions and more. 1. Tidy Up, Don’t Deep Clean You don’t need to clean before the cleaners—that’s our job! But light tidying is highly recommended. What to do: Pick up toys, clothes, paperwork, or other clutter from floors and countertops. Wash up any dishes and put away. Remove personal items from bathroom counters. Why? Tidying frees up surfaces and floors so cleaners c an vacuum, dust and polish eff iciently without needing to move lots of items. 2. Clear Kitchen & Bathroom Surfaces Kitchens and bathrooms are two of the most time-intensive areas to clean—especially in UK homes where limescale and grime build up quickly. What helps: Remove dirty dishes and food items from counters. Take toothbrushes, razors, or cosmetics off the sink area. Keep on top of stray hairs. Pro tip: use a squeegee after showering to remove the water and reduce limescale building up. 3. Secure Pets & Provide Access At Cleaning Queen we love pets—but they can be distracting. On the day of cleaning: Let us know if pets will be home (especially if they’re reactive or nervous). Keep pets in a separate room or garden if possible. Ensure keys, alarm codes, or access instructions are communicated in advance if you won’t be in. Some clients also leave out pet-safe floor sprays—we're happy to use these when requested. 4. Make Special Requests in Advance Want us to focus on skirting boards, deep bathroom scrubbing, or skip a certain room? Just let us know. Best practice: Message or email requests or you can let your cleaner know on the day if you wish as long as it fits within the timescale booked. Label any areas that should be avoided (e.g. work-from-home offices) 5. Leave Out Products (If Required) While Cleaning Queen bring their own products, clients w ith allergies, eco concerns, or pets may prefer to supply their own. We use our clients vacuum and mop so please either advise us where these are kept or leave them out for your cleaner. Options: Leave out preferred products (e.g. Method, Ecover, Zoflora) and tools (like your own mop or vacuum). Speak to your cleaner or leave a note if certain products should or shouldn't be used in certain rooms. If you’d like us to use your own products just let us know—we’re happy to do this. 6. Prep Payment & Instructions (If You're Out) If you won’t be home during the clean: Provide us with detailed instructions on access and any specific requests in advance Leave payment (if paying by cash) in a clearly labelled envelope. Ensure doors, gates or alarm systems can be operated easily. 7. Don’t Worry About Perfection! Your cleaner isn’t judging your home. We’re here to make life easier, not harder. Life gets messy—especially with children, pets, or a busy schedule. That’s exactly why you asked us to help. We recommend: Keeping open communication. Letting us know what’s most important to you. Booking regular cleans (weekly or fortnightly) for consistently clean results. Preparing for your cleaner’s visit doesn’t need to take long—but a small effort can make a big difference. With a clear space to work and clear instructions, your cleaner can deliver the sparkling results you’re paying for. 

The Dark Side of Viral Cleaning Hacks

by Danielle Navarro • 29 June 2025
The Dark Side of Viral Cleaning Hacks: What TikTok Won’t Tell You! In the age of social media, cleaning has gone from a chore to a trend. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are full of cleaning hacks, DIY solutions, and “CleanTok” time-lapses that promise miraculous results with minimal effort. But while some of these tips are genuinely helpful, others are risky, misleading, or even dangerous. As a professional domestic cleaning company, we’ve seen first hand the consequences of viral cleaning advice gone wrong. Here’s what you—and your home—need to be cautious about. 1. Mixing Chemicals = Hidden Danger One of the most common (and dangerous) mistakes seen in viral videos is mixing household cleaners without understanding the chemical reactions involved. Examples: Bleach + vinegar = chlorine gas (toxic when inhaled) Bleach + toilet cleaner = fumes that can burn the lungs Baking soda + vinegar = dramatic fizz, but neutralizes both and does little actual cleaning Just because it foams or smells fresh doesn’t mean it’s effective—or safe! 2. TikTok = Entertainment, Not Expertise Many creators aren’t cleaning professionals. Their content is often designed for views and likes, not safe or effective results. Unvetted advice : Some “hacks” are based on myths or half-truths. One-size-fits-all tips : Using lemon on stone surfaces, for instance, can etch and damage natural materials like marble or granite. Overuse of products : Soaking fabric in disinfectants may lead to skin irritation or fabric damage. Your home deserves more than internet guesswork! 3. Damage to Surfaces & Appliances What looks satisfying in a 15-second video can cost you in repairs. Common Issues: Magic erasers scratch glossy or delicate surfaces if used too harshly. Toilet cleaning bombs (often with blue food dye) stain ceramic and plastic. Foil in the dishwasher trick (to make cutlery “shinier”) can void your warranty or harm filters. What seems like a “cheap trick” can become an expensive mistake! 4. Wasteful or Overcomplicated Routines Some viral hacks involve multiple steps or excessive use of products you don’t need: Using six products where one will do Cleaning routines that take 3–4 hours daily —unrealistic for most Highly fragranced items that trigger allergies or asthma in small homes with poor ventilation Minimalism often wins. Less product, more technique! Safer Alternatives: What We Recommend Instead of jumping on the latest trend, try: Microfibre cloths + warm soapy water for most surfaces Using eco-certified, fragrance-free products for kitchens and bathrooms Following manufacturer guidelines for ovens, floors, and furniture Consulting a professional (like us!) for deep cleans, limescale build up and maintenance cleans Final Thought TikTok hacks might look impressive—but they’re no substitute for real knowledge, experience, and care. At Cleaning Queen, we love innovation—but only when it’s safe, proven, and actually effective. Let’s leave the entertainment to influencers and the elbow grease to the experts!
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