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 Mildew Smell Out of Towels — Toronto Guide 2026

How to remove the musty mildew smell from bath towels in your Toronto home. The vinegar and baking soda method that resets towel freshness without replacing them.

Maidless

November 25, 2026

How to Get Mildew Smell Out of Towels

Musty, mildew-smelling towels are caused by mildew (a type of mould) growing in the towel fibres. The root cause is damp towels sitting too long before drying — either because they were left wet after use, or because they were washed with detergent buildup that leaves residue in the fibres that traps moisture. The fix is straightforward: kill the mildew and strip the residue.

The Two-Wash Reset Method

Wash 1: Vinegar

Wash the smelly towels in hot water with 1 cup of white vinegar — no detergent
The acetic acid in vinegar kills mildew, bacteria, and breaks down the soapy residue that traps moisture in the fibres
Use the hottest water setting your towels allow

Wash 2: Baking Soda

Immediately after the vinegar wash (without drying first), run a second hot wash with 1/2 cup of baking soda — again, no detergent
The baking soda neutralizes any remaining vinegar, deodorizes further, and lifts additional residue

Dry Completely and Immediately

Put the towels straight into the dryer on high heat — do not leave them sitting in the drum
Dry completely — even slightly damp towels will re-develop mildew smell within hours
Add a few dryer balls to increase air circulation and speed drying time

Why Towels Develop Mildew Smell in the First Place

Too much detergent: Excess detergent leaves residue in the fibres that traps moisture and feeds mildew. Use half the recommended amount for towels.
Fabric softener: Coats fibres with a residue that reduces absorbency and traps moisture. Avoid fabric softener on towels.
Not drying quickly enough after use: Hang towels fully spread open after use, not folded or bunched. A towel needs 20–30 minutes to dry in a ventilated bathroom. Install a towel bar rather than a hook for better air circulation.

Preventing Mildew Smell Long-Term

Use less detergent — towel fibre residue is the most common cause
Wash towels every 3–4 uses
Never put damp towels in the laundry hamper — hang until fully dry first
Run an occasional vinegar wash (without detergent) every 1–2 months as maintenance

Book a Maidless deep clean at maidless.ca — 4.9★, 100+ reviews, vetted cleaners across Toronto.

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