How often should I have my home professionally cleaned?

For 1–2 person households: monthly. For families with children or pets: bi-weekly. For heavy-use households: weekly. First-time professional cleans should always be a deep clean.

What should I do before a professional cleaner arrives?

Declutter surfaces so cleaners can access everything. Clear the kitchen counters and move any items from the floor. You don't need to pre-clean — that's what your cleaner is there for.

What is the difference between a deep clean and a standard clean?

A standard clean covers bathrooms, kitchen surfaces, floors, and dusting. A deep clean adds inside appliances, inside cabinets, baseboards, window tracks, and all the areas that accumulate over time. Always start with a deep clean for a first booking.

How do I keep my home clean between professional cleanings?

A 10-minute daily reset — dishes away, kitchen counter wiped, bathroom sink wiped, entry swept — prevents accumulation between visits. Squeegee the shower after each use to eliminate 90% of soap scum buildup.

Cleaning Tips4 min read

How to Clean a Washing Machine — Toronto Home Guide 2026

How to clean a front-load or top-load washing machine in your Toronto home. Remove mould, odours, and detergent buildup for fresher laundry.

Maidless

November 7, 2026

How to Clean a Washing Machine

Washing machines get dirty — soap scum, mineral deposits from Toronto's tap water, fabric softener residue, and mould from moisture left in the drum and gasket combine to produce the musty smell that transfers to your clothes. Here's how to clean both front-load and top-load machines.

Front-Load Washing Machines

Front-loaders are more prone to mould because water pools inside the rubber door gasket after each use. This is the number one complaint about front-loaders in Toronto homes.

Monthly Cleaning Cycle

Remove any clothing from the drum
Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the drum directly (not the dispenser)
Add 2 cups of white vinegar to the detergent dispenser
Run on the hottest available cycle, longest duration — usually "Cotton" or "Heavy Duty"
After the cycle completes, leave the door open for 30 minutes to air dry

Alternatively: use a commercial washing machine cleaner tablet (Affresh is widely available at Canadian Tire) in the drum — these are specifically formulated to break down biofilm and mineral deposits.

Rubber Door Gasket

This is where mould actually grows. After every wash:

Wipe inside the gasket folds with a dry cloth to remove standing water
Leave the door slightly ajar after each load to allow drying

For existing mould in the gasket: spray the inside of the gasket with a 1:10 bleach-water solution. Leave 5 minutes. Scrub with an old toothbrush inside all the folds. Wipe clean and dry completely. Run an empty hot cycle afterward.

Detergent Dispenser

Remove the dispenser drawer if possible and wash it in warm soapy water — detergent and softener residue build up and become mouldy here. Wipe inside the dispenser housing with a damp cloth.

Top-Load Washing Machines

Top-loaders are less prone to gasket mould but accumulate soap and mineral deposits inside the drum and agitator.

Set the machine to the largest load setting and hottest water temperature
Add 4 cups of white vinegar and start the cycle, let it agitate for 2 minutes, then pause and let it soak for 1 hour
Add 1 cup of baking soda, resume and complete the cycle
Wipe inside the drum, lid, and control surfaces with a cloth

How Often

Cleaning cycle: monthly
Gasket wipe: after every load
Dispenser drawer wash: monthly
Leave door open: always after use

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