Compass Greater NY, LLC
Ann Marie Damashek, GRI, CBR, SRES, Compass Greater NY, LLCPhone: (917) 623-0624
Email: [email protected]

Five Things You Might Skip During Your House Cleaning

by Ann Marie Damashek, GRI, CBR, SRES 06/02/2019

Here are some secret places where dirt and germs accumulate.

Kitchen - The Sponge 

Even though we take time to clean the sink and worktop, there is something that often escapes our routine cleaning... the kitchen sponge. 

How to take care of it?

Opt for sponges that are good quality, dependable, and wash with hot water. The hot water helps kill some germs and makes your cleaning more effective. Flap the sponge well when you're done using it every day to avoid humidity in which the bacteria reproduce.

Living room– Remote Control

One never thinks of cleaning it, yet everyone fiddles with it, makes it fall to the ground; it passes in the hands full of crumbs of chips, under the soles of the slippers; not to mention the times when we sit on it by mistake or those where the dog drool over it.

How to clean it?

Spray a little liquid soap on a cotton swab and clean carefully between the keys.

Bathroom - The toilet seat

The toilet seat sometimes does not get all the cleaning it deserves.

How to clean them?

Washing your toilet set once a week won't suffice. You must do it every day or at least three times a week. The lid is flipped before flushing to prevent the movement of water from causing the bacteria to fly.

Doorknob

Doorknobs can be one of the dirtiest places in the house especially that of washrooms and the ones facing outdoors.

How to clean one?

80% of infectious diseases spread by hands. Think about putting a disinfectant bottle near the door at the entrance and outside your washroom to ensure that the hands that hold the doorknobs are clean and do not transfer any germs.

Bath Mat 

Sometimes you wash the towels and bath and remember to clean the shower. Most times, the bath mat goes scot-free in the middle of household chores. However, it must be washed and changed at least as much as towels or more: because it stays on the ground, wet, and is used by several people. 

How to wash it?

You need to, first of all, stop taking shoes into the bathrooms and also ensure that you clean the bath mat often enough. You should also ensure that your floor mat stays dry as much as possible.

Pay attention to these areas to keep your home clean. Pay extra attention to these areas when cleaning your home for inspection or an open house.

About the Author
Author

Ann Marie Damashek, GRI, CBR, SRES

Ann Marie Damashek has always been a natural at helping people prepare their homes for sale. She started out with a successful business selling goods for people on eBay. "Nine times out of ten they were hiring me because they were down-sizing,” Ann Marie says. "So I decided to get my license. I said, ‘Might as well sell their house too.’” The transition was a smooth one and for nine years she’s had a thriving full-time real estate business that allows her to marry her entrepreneurial spirit with her passion for helping others. With an office in Larchmont, New York, she serves all of Lower Westchester County, with her primary market in the Sound Shore region. The majority of her business is "sphere of influence” with former clients referring her to friends and family. A gifted communicator, Ann Marie quickly builds trust and rapport with her clients by being both thoughtful and responsive; she understands that during the purchase or sale of a home, a quick response time is crucial. "I am very accessible,” Ann Marie says. "I always make time for my clients. They can call me, text me, email me up until 10 o’clock at night and I will respond. I’m available on weekends. I get back to people very promptly. I’m very customer service-oriented.” Her clients appreciate her professionalism, passion and enthusiasm and as a result her repeat and referral rate continues to grow each year. While selling real estate is serious business, Ann Marie knows that at times humor and a moment of levity can be a relief to clients. While she has a laidback and easygoing personality, she can be assertive when needed on her clients’ behalf. She loves being of service to them, and the continually changing nature of the work keeps her engaged and fulfilled. "It’s never boring,” Ann Marie enthuses. "Every day is different. That’s probably what I like most about it. But I also enjoy helping people sell or buy and educating them about the process. I love helping them achieve their goals.” This ethic of service has resulted in well-deserved recognition. Ann Marie has received the Westchester Magazine Five Star Real Estate Agent Rating four years running, in 2015 and 2016 she was the #1 agent in her office, and she’s a Zillow 5-Star Premier Agent. To keep in touch with former clients, Ann Marie sends cards to mark special occasions or reaches out via email. To market her listings, Ann Marie uses Multiple Listing Services (MLS), as well as Listingbook.com, a service that allows both agents and their clients access to MLS data. She also uses a Facebook business page and ads to boost new listings or promote upcoming open houses. "That drives a tremendous amount of traffic,” Ann Marie says. She also uses the most popular real estate websites such as Zillow and Trulia. A strong believer in giving back, Ann Marie sits on the Board of Trustees of her church and is involved in a variety of social justice projects. She’s affiliated with Furniture Sharehouse, a furniture bank for Westchester County, which collects and distributes gently used furniture free of charge to those in need. "I love it on so many levels because as a realtor, it’s helps my sellers downsize through charitable donations. I like the environmental aspect of it as well. And it helps people who truly need things.” She’s also involved in Impact 100, a women’s philanthropic giving organization. In her free time, Ann Marie enjoys gardening, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. For the future, Ann Marie wants to continue expanding her business and developing her brand, and she someday hopes to grow a strong team. But her main goal is to stay in the real estate business, helping her clients to achieve their dreams.