Garland

Using A Sh-Mop In Your Home

by Jennifer | No Comments Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Here at Bit a Bliss, our cleaning professionals use a Sh-Mop as opposed to a conventional mop. It is a greener, cleaner, and much safer alternative. As you can see above, it looks similar to a Swiffer mop, but there is a big difference between the two. The Sh-Mop is used as a wet mop, and comes with removable mop heads that are laundered, so there is less waste since they don’t get thrown away. Every home we go into gets a fresh mop head (and more as needed) so you won’t need to worry about having another home’s dirt brought into yours.

The way we use it, is we take the mop head and get it damp, then spray cleaner directly on it and mop the floor in an inward motion so that any dirt that is left behind can be delegated to a small area to be wiped up. If used correctly and with products that are designed for your floors, it will leave behind no streaks or smudges, and will leave your floors sparkling.

If you have never heard of this handy tool, you can get More Information Here. If you would like, you can purchase it on your own or through us. If you are a client and would like to get one through us, let us know and we can bring it to your home on your next cleaning and simply add the cost to your cleaning! If you are not a client, that is no problem at all, we can have it shipped to you.

White Chicken Chili

by Jennifer | No Comments Wednesday, December 5, 2012


The weather here in Texas is, well, not very wintery right now. But that’s no reason you can’t have a heart warming bowl of chili! This is one of my all time favorites, and what’s great is if you have a crock pot, this dish practically makes itself! And even if you don’t have one, it is very easy to make and will be a big hit with the family. This recipe serves 6-8.

Ingredients:
-1 1/2 lb. cooked chicken, cubed or shredded
-1/2 of a white onion, chopped
-1 bell pepper, any color you like
-1/2 of a fresh jalapeno, chopped and seeded
-1 tbsp. minced garlic (if you don’t have any, 2 tsp. garlic powder will do)
-1 can of corn, drained, OR 1 cup of frozen
-1 stalk of celery, chopped
-1 tbsp. cumin
-1 tsp. white pepper
-1/4 tsp. black pepper
-1 tbsp. dried oregano
-2 tsp. chili powder
-1 tbsp. salt
-3 tbsp. flour
-5 tbsp. butter, separated into 3 tbsp. and 2 tbsp.
-2 15 oz. cans of cannellini or northern beans, drained but not rinsed
-4 cups of chicken stock
-Garnish: shredded cheese, sour cream, and chopped green onion (optional, but highly recommended!)

If you have a crock pot: mix all ingredients together until there are no lumps, and cook on high for 3-4 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours. Stir occasionally.

-Otherwise, in a 6 quart pot, heat to medium high and add 2 tbsp. butter and sautee the garlic, onion, celery, pepper, and jalapeno. Add a pinch of salt and pepper. Sautee for 5-7 minutes, until they begin to look clear, also known as “sweating.”
-Add the other 3 tbsp. of butter, and once melted stir in the flour and all the spices (cumin, white pepper, the remaining black pepper and salt, oregano, and chili powder)
-Whisk in the chicken stock
-Add the beans, chicken, and corn
-Bring everything to a boil, then reduce and simmer for 20-25 mins, stirring occasionally. And you’re ready to eat!
-This chili works great over rice, a baked potato, or with some crackers. And you can garnish with cheese, sour cream, and green onions if you would like.

This recipe can be frozen for storage, good for 6 months. Thaw in the refridgerator for 24 hours before use.

Being More Efficient In Your Kitchen

by Jennifer | No Comments Thursday, November 29, 2012

The kitchen is often the most used room in the home. It can be very easy to become unorganized, especially when it is the central hub. But there are a few things you can do to keep your kitchen from spiraling out of control and make it easier on you and your family to keep the area efficient and always ready to go!

-Pre-plan Your Meals For The Week

You hear this over and over, but most have never tried this. Go ahead, give it a shot! Once you get into the habit of it, there are plenty of benefits to it. You will never get frustrated over a meal if you are ready to go, and since you already know everything you will need, you will save a great deal of money on groceries and won’t buy things you won’t use.

-Store Equipment Wisely

This sounds like a no-brainer, but really think about where everything is. Silverware should be close to the plates, and pots and pans are actually better suited next to the sink, since typically the first thing you do with them is fill with water. Once you start to realize what works better, you will save yourself a great deal of time, instead of constantly running back and forth.

-Don’t Keep Appliances Out That Aren’t Used Regularly

Sure it may look cool, but do you really use those high-end appliances that often? If the answer is yes, I concede. But chances are, most of what’s on your counters aren’t used daily. If you notice you have something out that doesn’t get used EVERY day, find a place for it out of sight. That way there’s more room for everything you do use often.

-Clean As You Cook

If you save all the cleaning for after dinner, chances are you’re going to tell yourself some of it can wait until the next day. Clean as you go, throwing things away and wiping off surfaces right after use, and that way you won’t have much to worry about when you’re so full you can hardly stand up! And it will cut the time spent doing dishes down considerably, since food will usually rinse right off if you get to it before it has time to cool down and dry.

-Utilize Wall Space And Install Racks Inside Cabinets For Optimum Storage

Of course, you don’t want to use up every available square inch of wall space for storage, that would look disasterous! But hanging up a spice rack, a magnetic strip for knives, or even a small peg board for your most used cooking utensils can look great and make everything much easier. And one of the most underused spaces in the kitchen is the inside of cabinets. Install racks and small baskets inside them, and you get a great deal of extra storage without sacrificing the overall look of your kitchen.

For a great deal of more information on improving efficiency in your kitchen, check out This Blog From Kitchen Floor Plans And Layouts!

 

Caring For Granite Countertops

by Jennifer | No Comments Tuesday, November 13, 2012


Granite countertops are a beautiful addition to any home. If cared for properly, they will last a lifetime, which makes the hefty pricetag completely worth it if you can do it.

-Keep Your Countertops Sealed

Have you ever noticed that not long after cleaning the counters again, they feel a little grimy again? That is due to the sealant wearing down. Making sure your counters are properly sealed will keep that to a minimum. Check with your manufacturer, but most granite needs to be resealed at least every 6 months to a year. In most cases, if it’s just routine maintenance, you can buy products from your local home improvement store to keep it in good condition. If your counters are in bad shape, consult a professional and look into getting them buffed and resealed.

-Use Only pH Neutral Products

pH neutral products are very close to water in composition. If you can, always try to use something specifically made for it, such as Method Granite Cleaner, or you could use a little bit of mild dish detergent with plenty of water (just be sure and get all the soap off, or it will be left streaky!)

-DO NOT Use Acidic Or Otherwise “Heavy Duty” Products To Clean It.

Vinegar and lemmon juice are fantastic cleaners. However, granite, marble, and other natural stone surfaces cannot tolerate them and should never be used to clean them. It will eat away at the sealant and do a great deal of damage. Do not use anything formulated for soap scum, heavy disinfectants, undiluted ammonia, etc.

-Wipe Up Spills Immediately

It is always important to wipe up any spills immediately. Anything that’s not water can damage the surface. And even if it is water, if there are any cracks on your counters it can seep into those. Staining is also an issue, as they are not easily removed. The sooner you clean up the spill, the less of a chance of any damage being done.

 

7 Vacuum Maintenance And Safety Tips

by Jennifer | No Comments Friday, November 2, 2012

Having a good vacuum is essential in keeping your home clean and well maintained. But if you find yourself needing to buy a new one more than every few years, chances are it is not being properly cared for. Keeping your vacuum in great condition is relatively simple, and does not require a great deal of time. Safety is also a very important factor, as it can be very easy to hurt yourself, others, and your belongings if not used properly.

-Check The Beater Bar Regularly

The beater bar is the long round bar at the bottom of your vacuum with the bristles all over it. Check it often and make sure there isn’t a buildup of hair and string wrapped around it that can affect the efficiency of your vacuum.

-If Your Vacuum Is Bagless, Empty The Cannister After Each Use

Emptying the cannister after each use will keep your vacuum from building up unsightly smells, and in some cases bacteria that can be redistributed throughout your home. Yuck! Also, if your cannister gets full while you are vacuuming, stop to empty it out. The more full it is, the harder the motor will have to work, and that will wear it out quicker than it should.

-Keep Your Filters Clean

Having a filthy filter, like having a full cannister, will cause your vacuum motor to work harder and will wear it down faster. After every time you vacuum, take the filter(s) outside and shake them out. Every once in a while you will want to wash them, but be very careful to make sure they are 100% dry before putting back in, or they will mildew and make everything smell.

-Never Yank A Cord From A Distance To Unplug

Always unplug directly from the outlet. Yanking the cord can bend the plug and/or wear down the cord itself, exposing wires that could lead to electrical shock.

-Don’t Vacuum A Wet Surface

If there is a wet area on the floor, leave it alone! Vacuuming over a wet area can cause an electrical shock to you, and do damage to your vacuum that will need professional repairs.

-When Using The Hose Attachment, Hold The Vacuum At An Angle

Leaving your vacuum flat on the floor for any amount of time will run you the risk of burning the carpet and possibly the hardwood/tile. However, there are some models that will automatically turn off the beater bar when the hose is used, so if you have one of those you should be good to go. But just to be safe, turn the vacuum on its side when the hose is out to make sure it is still working properly.

-Last But Not Least: Keep Away From Children!

Do not let small children operate your vacuum, or be within close vicinity when you are using it. Their clothing can get caught in it, and best case scenario will just damage the clothes.

For more great tips on keeping your vacuum in top shape, Check Out About.com’s Vacuum Care and Maintenance Tips!