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Posts Tagged ‘house cleaning’

Tips For Preventative Carpet Cleaning Solutions

September 28th, 2009
by Edwin Carey

Its vital to clean your household carpets, for keeping up the appearances. Even more importantly, its vital to clean your carpets for general hygiene. Carpets are a warm humid hotbed for household dust mites. The excrement of this mite is one of the most widespread allergen triggers for allergies, asthma, and eczema. These mites thrive in the carpets of even the most immaculately clean homes. Children continually exposed to dust mite allergens over extended periods, may develop asthma later on. Carpet is also home to pet hair, mold spores, and pollen.

The art of keeping your carpets clean is to commit to a regular cleaning schedule. You might even want to hang up a carpet cleaning roster in your kitchen cupboard for example, so that you are regularly reminded to take out the vacuum or to clean the carpets. Spot cleaning is a different story, of course, because most homeowners will deal with a glass of spilling juice or wine on the carpet right away, for fear that the stain will be permanent.

Next, you want to go out and buy new slippers for the whole family. Shoes track in dirt that is hard to remove from you carpet fibres. Take some sandpaper and rub the bottom of your shoes, just to see for yourself what kind of dirt youre tracking in. Going barefoot is not much better because the oil from the bottom of your feet also dirties any carpets.

If youre planning to use a carpet shampoo on your carpets, research your product first. Shop for an ecological, environmentally-friendly product. Make sure it contains anti-resoiling additive, else you will find that you manage to get some of the dirt out but you leave in a sticky residue from the shampoo which attracts new dirt, like a magnet. You also want to be attentive to the drying time, stain removal and optical brighteners.

Preventative cleaning solutions will extend the lifespan of your carpets, and keep them looking new longer. The advantage of opting for a DIY cleaning solution, is that you know what you’re putting on your carpet. Only opt for a professional clean provided you know what chemicals are being poured into your carpet. You want to improve appearances, but also remove pollutants, and this means using ecologically friendly, toxic-free cleaning solutions, that will not be harmful to the environment or to your own health.

About the Author:

Edwin Carey Home , , , , , , , , , , ,

Carpet Cleaners: What Are They Made Of?

June 23rd, 2009
by Alexa Shepherd

Your carpet is a vital part of the interior decoration of your house, it is an investment that can last for a long time and must be taken care of properly. Your carpet is bombarded everyday with dust and dirt, and there will always be risks of having your carpet stained and spilled with various liquids which can destroy its luster and beauty. For this reason, you must employ the use of carpet cleaners to help maintain your carpet. Carpet cleaning machines are readily available in the market, but the problem is, with so many models out there, which one should you buy?

Carpets can be made with a variety of materials, be it natural or synthetic, and can come in different styles and themes. They can be very expensive too. Various carpets need particular cleaning methods, which is why we need to know our carpet well before doing any cleaning. Care must always be exercised in using carpet cleaners or carpet cleaning machines, as they easily damage your carpet instead of protecting it. Always make sure you follow your manufacturer’s instructions in caring for your carpet.

Getting help from a professional carpet cleaning company is a great way of ensuring your carpet gets the maintenance it needs, although they can be quite expensive. Carpet cleaning machines are now easily accessible to consumers and can be a much cheaper way of regularly taking care of your carpet. Now you get the chance of cleaning your carpets with less effort at a fraction of the cost.

Having an overview about carpet cleaning machines, how they function and their advantages and disadvantages can prove to be useful prior to purchasing one. In this way you don’t get stuck with equipment that is not suitable for your carpet, does not get the job done well or make unnecessary expenses just because you bought the wrong machine.

Carpet cleaning machines generally come in two categories, which can either use the dry or wet method of carpet cleaning. Dry carpet cleaners specifically use absorbent chemicals which collect dust, dirt, stains and other particles and then these get vacuumed from the carpet without damaging it in any way.

Carpet cleaners that employ wet methods in cleaning make use of the power of water or steam, as well as cleaning agents that are sprayed into the carpet for a more efficient cleaning. This cleaning method uses water extraction to clean your carpet and is also called steam cleaners. Wet type carpet cleaning machines needs a powerful motor to make cleaning much more effective.

The good thing about dry carpet cleaners is that since little water is used in cleaning your carpet, there is virtually no drying time and you can instantly see the results of your cleaning efforts. It is important to note that the absorbent chemicals distributed in the carpet must be vacuumed well to make sure that there are no residues since they can affect indoor air quality and can be harmful to people and pets. Dry carpet cleaners are known for being able to clean just the surface of the carpet only.

With wet carpet cleaners, you get to have your carpet cleaned completely and eliminating hidden dirt, soil and stains which can’t be done with dry cleaning methods. This way you are able to clean your carpet inside and outside! Just make sure you don’t wet your carpet too much as it can cause shrinkage or discolor it. The problem with wet carpet cleaning is that drying can take anywhere between 8 hours to 3 days.

As you have read, carpet cleaning can be done in many ways and your choice of cleaning method will depend greatly on your type of carpet and your budget as well. Hiring professional carpet cleaners is also a good option if you know a good provider and if you have the budget for it, but carpet cleaning machines are one-time investments you can make in order to protect and take care of your precious carpets at home.

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Jenny Smith Gardening , , , , , , , , , ,

Carpet Cleaner: Cleaning Methods You Need To Know

May 24th, 2009
by Mary Stone

Carpets have always served an important home interior function. It’s a major investment that gives some touch of luxury to our home, especially when mix and matched well with other interior d?cor. But often times, cleaning has always been an issue for many because of the difficulty of the chore, not to mention the risk of damaging your carpet. This is why experts recommend bringing them to a professional carpet cleaner. There are also many carpet cleaning equipment available in the market, but it is important that you get some background on the different methods of carpet cleaning.

Carpet cleaning is commonly classified into five methods. They include shampooing, dry foam, bonnet, dry powder and hot water extraction. Shampooing involves scrubbing your carpet after applying a foaming solution which draws in dirt and soil. This solution will dry after a few hours, and only then can the foam residues containing the dirt can be vacuumed to make the carpet clean again.

Dry foam cleaning makes use of dry foam for cleaning, unlike shampooing which is wet. It cleans in the same manner as shampooing, but since the carpet almost doesn’t get wet, it dries faster and therefore achieves faster cleaning time. These two methods make a lot of hard brushing action with the carpet and risk some damage to it. Some foam residue might also be left behind and attract more dirt which will cause more staining to the carpet over time. These are the issues that make shampooing and dry foam cleaning substandard methods.

Bonnet cleaning, also sometimes called dry cleaning, can be done by spraying some bonnet cleaning solution into the carpet, and then an absorbent pad is attached to a rotary floor machine which is driven into the carpet for cleaning. Sometimes the absorbent pad gets sprayed with the solution instead of the carpet. These pads are used until it can no longer collect dirt and replaced for repeating the process until the carpet is fully clean.

On the dry powder method, cleaning makes use of absorbent granules which contain cleaning agents that are distributed all over the carpet. These granules collect dust and dirt, and dissolves oil and grease. After drying, the granules must be vacuumed completely until no trace of the powder can be seen.

The problem with this method is that you need to carefully vacuum every trace of cleaning powder that is visible in the carpet. This is because these granules can easily damage and stain your carpet when left over time, not to mention the way it can affect your air quality at home.

A carpet cleaner that employs hot water extraction method is the most effective in restoring the beauty of your carpet. The reason is because it is able to penetrate deep beyond the carpet surface to remove more dirt, stains and soil that other cleaning methods cannot. Sometimes this is also called steam cleaning because of the steam-like streams of water that comes out from the carpet cleaning equipment.

The process involves spraying a steam-like fine mist of cleaning solution mixed with hot water, which is immediately extracted by a specialized vacuum which transfers it to a holding tank that collects the dirty solution from the carpet. This method is very efficient in cleaning as it flushes out completely the deep seethed dirt, soil and other small foreign objects in the carpet.

Having a good overview on carpet cleaning equipment and the cleaning methods is very important in making a decision which method is right for you. This will all depend on your carpet type, budget, and the time and effort you are willing to spend in cleaning. But when all else fails, you can always get a professional carpet cleaner to do the job for you so that you are sure to get professional results, especially when you have a very expensive carpet.

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Victoria Tsau Gardening , , , , , , , , , ,

Streak Free Window Cleaning Tips

April 14th, 2009
by Justin Keller

Ahh, spring time is here, well okay, I guess living in San Diego it seems like it is always beautiful spring time weather. What can I say?

Being the owner of a San Diego window cleaning company does have its advantages. But let me tell you, just because the weather is perfect year around, does not mean we don’t know what a dirty window is.

Because we don’t get bad weather, most of the time, us San Diegans think our windows don’t ever get dirty. Not so.

But before I begin, this isn’t just for us Southern Californians. These San Diego Window Cleaning tips can be applied to any part of God’s green earth.

So ready? Let’s begin.

Can you guess what the main problem is when trying to clean windows? Those ugly streaks. We wake up one day feeling great, believing we can take on the world. So what do we want to take on? We want to take on our windows.

But wait a second my friend, before you take on such a huge task, and I am not saying it can’t be done. Make sure you have a plan on what you are going to do. It won’t be that difficult.

So ready? Here goes rapid fire.

First, make sure you have the right equipment. This isn’t like you are cleaning you wonderful local family room glass table. No this is glass that has been beaten up by the wind, rain, dust, birds, insects, doesn’t matter what part of the country you are in.

So what is the right tools for the job? Well it isn’t going to be windex and paper towels. Not that easy. All you really need is a squeegee and a spray bottle, and then some paper towels.

You get that right and you are golden.

What next? Well you need the right ingredient to go in that spray bottle. And what is that you may ask? All you need is a bucket of 2 gallons of water, and here it comes, the secret sauce, a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid. What? That’s it? That’s right my friend. You get this right, and you will have beautiful windows.

Oh, one more big thing, you have to add a lot of elbow grease.

Remember when you woke up all gung ho ready to take on the windows? Well after the third window or so, that little bit of elbow grease might just not be enough.

And when you start running out, don’t forget who gave you the great advice. Your wonderful local San Diego window cleaning company, who might be able to spare some elbow grease.

Till next time, happy cleaning.

About the Author:

Justin Keller Gardening , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Cleaning Windows Don’t Have to Have Streaks

April 13th, 2009
by Justin Keller

Okay it is spring time, well okay, I guess in San Diego it is always spring time like weather. What can I say?

Owning a San Diego window cleaning company does have its perks. But just because it seems like spring year around, and it does, does not mean we don’t get dirty windows.

We tend to take it for granted that since we don’t get bad weather, we think our windows can never get dirty. Uh, scratch that.

But before I begin, this isn’t just for us Southern Californians. These San Diego Window Cleaning tips can be applied to any part of God’s green earth.

Ready to start? Let’s begin.

So what is the main problem when we are trying to clean our windows? Streaks my friend. We get up one day, feeling great, and we feel like we can tackle the world. So what gets into us? We feel like we can tackle our windows.

But slow down for one second. Before you begin a pretty big project like cleaning all your windows, make sure you know what exactly you need to do. And it won’t be that hard.

Ready to begin? Let me fire it off rapid fire.

First, make sure you have the right equipment. This isn’t like you are cleaning you wonderful local family room glass table. No this is glass that has been beaten up by the wind, rain, dust, birds, insects, doesn’t matter what part of the country you are in.

So what equipment will you need to get it done right? Well it isn’t going to be as easy as getting some windex and some paper towels. Nope, what you really need is a squeegee, a spray bottle, and then some paper towels.

You put all that together and this big job won’t be so tough.

So what now? You are going to need the right ingredient for that spray bottle. And what is this top secret ingredient? Well it is 2 parts. It is 2 gallons of water, and here comes the secret sauce, a teaspoon of dish washing liquid. That’s it? That’s all you’ll need. You get that straight, and beautiful streak free windows are yours.

One final thing I forgot to mention, and don’t hate me for this. You are going to have to add a lot of elbow grease.

Remember when we talked about getting up and feeling you can do anything today? Well after the third or fourth window, that elbow grease might run a little low.

Well when you do, don’t forget where you got the advice. Your wonderful local San Diego window cleaning company, who won’t mind adding some elbow grease.

Till next time, happy cleaning.

About the Author:

Justin Keller Gardening , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Chemical Cleaning For Your Roof And Siding Is Better Than High Pressure

April 8th, 2009
by Chris Webster

When I’m out giving estimates for a roof cleaning or house wash I often come across homeowners who have a lack of general knowledge about exterior cleaning. Many of them have been led to believe that the only way to clean outdoor surfaces is with very high pressure supplied by a power washer. The industry secret, though, is that in most scenarios high pressure cleaning is totally unnecessary.

I realize that this concept most likely clashes with all that you’ve ever been told about building cleaning. It’s important to remember, though, that the source of this bad information is those who stand to gain handsomely from consumer ignorance: power washer manufacturing companies. These folks have worked hard and spent lots of money to supply the public with the bogus idea that nothing but very high pressure can possibly clean your home’s exterior.

Please don’t misunderstand me. There is certainly a time and a place for high power washing. It is very helpful when surfaces like brick, stone, and concrete are involved.

Asphalt roof shingles and house siding, on the other hand, has a tendency to react very badly to cleaning that relies on a high pressure. I’ve seen shingle granules dislodged and vinyl siding blasted clean off a house because some numbskull didn’t take the time to learn the proper methods. I’ve even seen situations where water was used at such high pressure that it made its way inside the home, damaging everything from drywall to carpet.

The truth of the matter is that the utilization of chemicals can virtually eliminate the need for any kind of pressure, whatsoever. Not just any chemicals will do, however. The proper solutions for cleaning a roof or house siding should include bleach as a major component.

Perhaps someone has told you somewhere along the way that bleach-based cleaning is a bad idea or ineffective, but this simply isn’t true. The reality is that the safest and best method for cleaning roofs and siding is with a mixture that contains bleach. Those who take shots at bleach do so because it can’t be produced and shipped in a lucrative fashion.

Roof cleaning will demand a rather strong ratio of bleach to water, but you can get away with a much weaker formula for house washing. When cleaning a roof just make sure to have a rinse man in place who can dilute any chemical that might land on grass or bushes. Also, please be sure to use common sense when dealing with bleach. Skin, eyes, and lungs should never come into contact with this chemical.

So the next time a contractor tells you he wants to clean your roof or house with high pressure make sure to send him on his way. There are plenty of qualified cleaning professionals in every major city that know how to do the job the right way. Your home is likely your biggest investment, so make sure it is maintained in a way that is consistent with long-term durability and integrity.

About the Author:

Chris Webster Home , , , , , , , , , ,

Your Roof And Siding Are Allergic To High Pressure Cleaning

April 2nd, 2009
by Chris Webster

As the owner of a roof cleaning and house washing service business I constantly find myself engaged in a battle with misinformation. Most people think that the best way to clean any exterior surface is to blast it with the high pressure of a power washing wand. The truth, however, is that in the majority of cases high pressure should not be necessary.

I realize that this concept most likely clashes with all that you’ve ever been told about building cleaning. It’s important to remember, though, that the source of this bad information is those who stand to gain handsomely from consumer ignorance: power washer manufacturing companies. These folks have worked hard and spent lots of money to supply the public with the bogus idea that nothing but very high pressure can possibly clean your home’s exterior.

Please don’t misunderstand me. There is certainly a time and a place for high power washing. It is very helpful when surfaces like brick, stone, and concrete are involved.

Most other surfaces, though, don’t handle high pressure very well. I’ve seen up close and personal the disastrous side-effects that are possible from irresponsible cleaning methods. I’m talking about dislodged siding, ripped shingles, and even interior water damage.

The truth of the matter is that the utilization of chemicals can virtually eliminate the need for any kind of pressure, whatsoever. Not just any chemicals will do, however. The proper solutions for cleaning a roof or house siding should include bleach as a major component.

Maybe you’ve heard somewhere that cleaning with bleach is unwise or doesn’t work, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. There simply is no safer or more effective way to clean many surfaces than with a bleach-based concoction. The cleaning product pushers who bash bleach only do so because they can’t produce and ship it profitably.

Non-pressure roof cleaning requires a very strong mixture of bleach and water, but siding washing can usually be achieved with a much more diluted solution. There is little chance of damage to shrubs and grass as long as proper rinsing procedures are in place. Safety precautions should be in place, however, to protect yourself from bleach contact.

So the next time a contractor tells you he wants to clean your roof or house with high pressure make sure to send him on his way. There are plenty of qualified cleaning professionals in every major city that know how to do the job the right way. Your home is likely your biggest investment, so make sure it is maintained in a way that is consistent with long-term durability and integrity.

About the Author:

Chris Webster Home , , , , , , , , , ,

How To Clean Upholstery And Keep Your Furniture in Great Shape

March 22nd, 2009
by Marc McDavis

Many people are enchanted with the look of a new furniture set when they first receive it. But all too often, people lack the knowledge of how to clean upholstery the right way to keep it in good shape. Too many people simply let their furniture sit without using proper upholstery care techniques to keep it fresh and new looking.

Upholstery cleaning is not as difficult as you may think, especially when you make it a routine part of your household cleaning. At least once a week, take some time to vacuum the upholstery while you are vacuuming the floors.

Vacuuming is essential for proper upholstery care, because it removes dirt from the surface so that it won’t become embedded deep in the fabric fibers. As an alternative to vacuuming, you can also use a soft bristle brush to sweep dirt off the surface of the furniture.

You should also periodically fluff and flip over loose cushions to extend the life of your furniture. This can easily be done weekly when you vacuum or sweep the upholstery. This will allow for even distribution of wear and help prevent indentations in the cushions.

In addition to turning and fluffing the cushions, you should also change their configuration. Dad’s favorite spot may suffer more wear than others, so changing the position of the cushions ensures even distribution of use among family members.

Keeping furniture out of direct sunlight is another critical upholstery care step. Sunlight can cause wear and fading to the fabric on your upholstered furniture. Also, whenever possible, protect furniture from smoke, cooking fumes, and other indoor air pollutants. While cooking fumes can be tough to avoid, placing furniture away from areas where fumes tend to collect and keeping the area well-ventilated are good strategies.

Sometimes prevention is the best method of upholstery cleaning. To minimize staining and dirt on the furniture, create rules and make sure they are followed. Don’t allow anyone to eat on the sofa, loveseat, or chairs. Make sure there are no shoes on the couch. To ensure that this rule is followed, make it a routine for everyone to take off their shoes upon entering the house, or at least before sitting down. Also, keep pets off the furniture. Better yet, keep pets out of the room where your upholstered furniture resides. Also, use removable, washable covers for dining chairs, and for other chairs with a removable fabric cushion.

Don’t overlook the power of a good stain protector for upholstery cleaning. This can sometimes make stain removal a simple process of blotting up a spill. Whether you use a fabric protector or not, you should promptly treat and remove stains. Blot up as much of the liquid as possible with a clean cloth. Don’t rub; this will deepen the stain and damage furniture. Use a spot remover designed particularly for upholstery. Be sure to observe all of the manufacturer recommendations, and test the product in a hidden area to make sure it won’t damage the fabric. Work the cleaner in with a soft brush in a circular motion, then vacuum the spot after it dries.

Consider hiring a professional to clean your upholstered furniture every couple of years. Once dirt has become embedded in your furniture, professional cleaning can help restore its appearance. Knowing how to clean upholstery properly and having it professionally cleaned every couple of years will keep your furniture looking as new as the day you purchased it.

About the Author:

Marc McDavis Home , , , , , , , , ,

Upholstery Cleaning ? How To Clean Upholstery While Taking Care of Your Furniture

March 19th, 2009
by Marc McDavis

While the look of a new furniture set is its major appeal for most people, what many fail to take into account is that knowing how to clean upholstery is important for keeping it looking fresh and new. It’s important to use good upholstery care techniques to keep your furniture in good shape.

It’s quite easy to work upholstery cleaning into your regular housework routine. As you vacuum your floors, take a few moments to vacuum your upholstered furniture as well. Your goal should be to do this at least once per week.

Removing dirt and debris from the surface of your upholstered furniture is important to prevent these particles from becoming deeply embedded in the fabric fibers. Instead of vacuuming, you can also gently brush away the surface debris with a soft-bristled brush.

You should also periodically fluff and flip over loose cushions to extend the life of your furniture. This can easily be done weekly when you vacuum or sweep the upholstery. This will allow for even distribution of wear and help prevent indentations in the cushions.

Each week when you vacuum, flip, and fluff, you should also move the cushions around to a new position. Most family members have a favorite spot to sit, and some cushions will take more abuse than others. Rearranging the cushions helps to even out wear and tear.

Proper upholstery care also includes protecting your furniture from exposure to direct sunlight. Sunlight can fade or weaken the fabrics of your upholstered furniture. You’ll also want to keep airborne pollutants like smoke and cooking fumes away from your furniture. This is sometimes easier said than done, but proper room ventilation and strategic placement of furniture can help.

Sometimes prevention is the best method of upholstery cleaning. To minimize staining and dirt on the furniture, create rules and make sure they are followed. Don’t allow anyone to eat on the sofa, loveseat, or chairs. Make sure there are no shoes on the couch. To ensure that this rule is followed, make it a routine for everyone to take off their shoes upon entering the house, or at least before sitting down. Also, keep pets off the furniture. Better yet, keep pets out of the room where your upholstered furniture resides. Also, use removable, washable covers for dining chairs, and for other chairs with a removable fabric cushion.

A good fabric protector can be your best friend when it comes to upholstery cleaning. This can make removing stains a simple matter of blotting up a spill with a clean cloth. Remember though that it’s better to be safe than sorry. Always blot up spills with a clean cloth right away. Never rub; this can damage your furniture and rub-in the stain. If necessary, treat the spot with a stain remover specifically designed for use with upholstery fabrics. Follow all manufacturer instructions, and test first on an inconspicuous part of the furniture to make sure it won’t damage your upholstery. Use a soft brush to gently work in the cleaner in a circular motion, then vacuum up when dry.

Understanding how to clean upholstery is important for keeping your furniture looking nice and extending its life. You may also want to hire a professional cleaner every couple of years to treat deep down dirt that may become embedded in the furniture over time. By taking good care of your furniture and having it professionally cleaned every couple of years, you’ll keep your upholstery looking fresh and new.

About the Author:

Marc McDavis Home , , , , , , , , ,

Cleaning Tips For Your Home

March 17th, 2009
by Melvin Shovnac

Everyone likes to have a clean home to live in. We all just feel better when we have a clean environment? animals do too; they will make an effort to keep their nesting places clean and neat. While we all love a clean home, a lot of us have a hard time facing up to the chore of keeping our homes clean and tidy.

The biggest problem people have with housecleaning is simply knowing where to start. It can seem like an impossible task; there are many who get discouraged by the scope of the job and quit before they ever get started cleaning their homes. The best way to get started cleaning up is to tidy. Go around and pick up everything which needs picking up. This will save you a lot of time and effort later, since you won’t have to stop constantly and pick things up as you clean. Tidying is also usually the most difficult part of cleaning and with the hardest part done first, it will be easier for you to continue cleaning and get the job done.

Something else that will make your cleaning organized is to gather you cleaning products that you will use to clean the room before you start cleaning. You may want to get a light bin that you can use to place all of your cleaning products in so it is easier to carry them around with you as you move from place to place and room to room. A few cleaning products that you will want to include in your bin is window cleaner, furniture polish, rags, antibacterial spray, and carpet cleaner and re-freshener. You can also carry around a small garbage bag around with you instead of running back and forth from the garbage can. Also, use the right cleaning supplies that will get the job done. It is a waste of time trying to clean a dirty spot with an inferior product. You will spend too much for your time re-cleaning the thing that did not get properly clean the first time.

When the tidying up is done, start from the top of the room and move your way down towards the floor. Getting the cobwebs out of the corners of the ceiling and dusting the top selves first, eliminates the possibility of getting the floor dirty again by falling dust. Also clean one room at a time. You will feel a better feeling of accomplishment and will save time and energy in the long run.

There are a number of good reasons to clean your home. Obviously, it makes your home look better and makes you feel better. The cleanliness of your home is also the first thing which visitors will notice when they walk in. A clean home is also far healthier than one which is dirty, where there is moisture and dirt, there will be bacteria; which of course can cause illness. When you keep your home clean, you make it a more attractive, healthier and all around more pleasant place to live.

About the Author:

Carlton Markkrite Business , , , , , , , ,