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 Tips3 min read

How to Get Ink Stains Out of Fabric and Carpet — Toronto Guide 2026

How to remove ballpoint pen, marker, and printer ink stains from fabric, carpet, and upholstery in your Toronto home. The rubbing alcohol method.

Maidless

November 28, 2026

How to Get Ink Stains Out of Fabric and Carpet

Ink stains vary significantly based on ink type — ballpoint pen, permanent marker, washable marker, and printer ink all have different chemical compositions and require slightly different approaches. Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) is the most versatile and effective household treatment for the majority of ink types.

Important Rule: Don't Rub

Rubbing spreads ink and drives it deeper into fibres. Always blot.

Ballpoint Pen (Most Common)

Ballpoint ink is oil-based and responds well to alcohol:

Place a clean cloth or paper towel beneath the stained fabric to absorb the ink as it's removed
Apply rubbing alcohol (70–91% isopropyl) to a cotton ball or clean cloth
Blot the stain gently — the ink transfers to the cloth. Use fresh sections of cloth as each absorbs ink.
Apply more alcohol as needed and continue blotting until no more ink transfers
Rinse with cold water and launder as normal

Permanent Marker (Sharpie)

Rubbing alcohol is the most accessible option — apply the same way as above
Hand sanitizer (which contains high-percentage alcohol) also works and is effective on fresh marks
Acetone (nail polish remover) works on permanent marker on hard surfaces and some fabrics — test on hidden area first
Permanent marker in fabric often requires repeated treatments and may not fully remove

Washable Marker / Crayon

These are water-soluble — blot with cold water and dish soap first
Rubbing alcohol as a follow-up removes most residual colour

Printer Ink (Toner / Inkjet)

Inkjet ink: cold water and dish soap treatment, then rubbing alcohol. Do not use hot water — it sets inkjet ink.
Laser toner: toner is a dry powder that melts when heated — do not iron or use hot water on toner-stained fabric. Cold water and gently flaking off any dried powder first, then cold water treatment.

Carpet Ink Stains

Apply rubbing alcohol to a cloth (not directly to the carpet) and blot
Place a clean cloth over the spot and press firmly to draw up the dissolved ink
Rinse with cold water applied to a cloth, blot to remove alcohol residue

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