Not Everything Should Be Bought At A Rummage Sale

The first thing to consider is how you will get any purchased items home. If you do not have access to a vehicle capable of hauling large items it is probably not wise to invest in those things.

The next thing to consider is whether you will have the storage space for a particular item. Any individual will be happy to rid their home and garage of unwanted things. Moving clutter from their garage to yours is not a good idea though. It would be pointless to purchase something that will be dumped in your own garage and never used. Try to only purchase items that you know you have an immediate use for.

Just about anything you could ever want can be found while rummaging. Clothes, toys, appliances, and exercise equipment are just a few of the things available. Generally there is nothing wrong with the items being sold. There are just some items that should be bought new. Below are outlined five items that should never be bought while rummaging.

Item to Avoid #1: Child car seats

It is likely very tempting to purchase a safety seat on the cheap. Car seats can be quite expensive when bought brand new. Also, a child can quickly outgrow the chair within a matter of months. Most people are unaware, however, that child safety seats expire. Safety specifications and requirements are constantly being updated in order to make the chair as safe as possible. The safety of your child is certainly worth the few extra dollars for going new.

Item to Avoid #2: Laptops

Just because a laptop turns on does not mean it is capable of performing other expected actions. It is very difficult to tell how much life a computer will have to the untrained eye. One can never be sure of the contents of the hard drive and there is also viruses/spam to consider. It is not a good idea to purchase a used laptop from a private owner.

Item to Avoid #3: Plasma Television

Finding a plasma television may seem like a tremendous find. There are a couple of things to consider prior to making this purchase though. Plasma televisions are very susceptible to "screen burn-in" or image retention. If the same picture remains on the screen for too long it will be permanently visible on the screen. Also, this type of television will lose luminosity/image brightness over time. These are things that would probably go unnoticed until the television is set up in your home.

Item to Avoid #4: Mattresses

Any mattress will be full of dead hair and skin cells from the previous owners' body. There has also been a rise in the number of bed bug cases across the U.S. For those reasons, it is best to purchase new when springing for bedding.

Item to Avoid #5: Shoes

Shoes can serve as a breeding ground for various fungus and bacteria. Fungi can easily be spread simply by wearing shoes that have gotten wet from water or perspiration. It is impossible to tell what exactly an individual used a particular pair of shoes for. Stick to department stores when shopping for shoes.

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Tips on How to Clean Your Windows

Window cleaning is an important way to ensure that your home and business look their best. Not only will this provide you with a warm and welcoming appearance, but it can also help to preserve the glass of your windows, since the dirt and grime that can build up on them can cause scratching.

There are some simple ways that you can keep your windows clean outside of hiring a window washing company. Take a moment to consider these tips are being some of the things you can do.

To begin with, you will want to use clean water with just a little soap when possible. A mild soap is going to help to break down the grease that can build up on your windows and leave them looking cleaner, without the dangerous chemicals that are often found in industrial solutions. Of course, you will need to ensure that right after your window cleaning that you do dry off the windows with a squeegee to prevent streaking.

Something to keep in mind when you are window washing is that your water is going to need to be changed regularly. If the water becomes too dirty, you are going to find that you end up spreading around the dirt, rather than ever getting it clean. A little discoloring isn't going to be an issue in the water, but as soon as it becomes murky, you will want to replace it.

Another important part of window washing will be to use a scraper to remove buildup on the windows before you wash it. If you try to wash the window while the hard buildup is there, it will be possible that you end up smearing the dirt and creating a bigger mess. Just make sure that you are being gentle as you scrape the glass to avoid putting scratches on it.

An important part of window cleaning that is often overlooked is how to proceed with the window washing. It is important that you begin outside and work to the inside of windows to ensure that you are getting the best results possible. With that, you will also want to clean from the top of your windows to the bottom to ensure that you are pushing down the mess, rather than from side to side instead. After all, what you are looking for is to have the cleanest windows possible.

As you are window cleaning, make sure that you do wash in a circular motion, and then dry with the squeegee from the top of the window to the base. The circular motion is going to break down the dirt better and help to ensure that window streaking is reduced.

Keep these simple steps in mind when you are looking to wash your windows. By following this advice, you do increase the chance you have for success and ensure that your windows are going to look great every time you set out to wash them.

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How to Get Rid of Clutter on Tables and Counters to Live an Organized and Decluttered Lifestyle

Flat surfaces can be a blessing and a curse. Isn't it nice to see a cleaned off table - just think of all the things we could do; we could set the table for a big family meal, we could sit and use it for crafts, we could let children use it for their homework or drawings, there are so many possibilities! Unfortunately as soon as we have a flat surface cleared we usually start putting things back onto it. It's almost like the side table, kitchen counter, entryway table, coffee table, bathroom counter, and every other flat surface has a clutter magnet on it! There's no arguing here - keeping these surfaces clear is tough for anyone. A good way to deal with these is to go through the normal decluttering process and get to the clean surface. Once you have done that take a look at what you want and what you like on that surface. Does it have a lamp that you use? Is there a picture that you want to display? Figure out what you like the best and how many items this is - we want to limit the number to something reasonable, but we also want to be comfortable with what we choose. Once we have this figured out you will know how many things should be there. When you start to see how this can help you maintain a decluttered environment this should become second nature.

If we let some things sneak back onto a surface, don't worry too much about it. Set a time when you will go over the area and pick things up and put them back where they belong. We can't have a spotless and totally organized house one hundred percent of the time - we would go crazy even trying! The idea is to get used to regularly keeping things under control. This might mean putting your books away every night, cleaning up when you get home from work, or taking Saturday afternoon to pick up after yourself. It is certainly a give and take - you don't want to spend so much time picking up that you start hating spending the time doing it, but you don't want to wait so long that it becomes a huge project again! We want to find what works best for ourselves. It takes time and a little trial and error. After a few weeks it should be fairly evident what works best for you. If by the end of three weeks you can't seem to get a good system going on a regular schedule I suggest setting aside five or ten minutes three nights a week to pick up and clean off your surfaces. Write them down, make a checklist, or set an alarm - just make sure that you are following through and sticking to a schedule. It is like many other habits - you have to keep doing them for it to be effective, the first few weeks can be the most trying but it does become much easier after that.

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A Guide to Mold Removal

Many homeowners often assume that they can remove the toxin on their own and that hiring a mold removal company to remove it for them will be a waste of money. In order to remove this allergen from the home properly, there are quite a few things that someone needs to know and be able to do if they want to do it in the safest manner possible.

There are many different types of mold that could be growing in a home. If someone tries to remove any of them him or herself without wearing any protection, they could potentially inhale spores into their lungs, which could lead to serious health issues. Removing mold in a home where a family is living could put not only the person that is removing the mold at risk, but also the rest of the family that is living in the home. The mold spores could easily get into the ventilation system and spread throughout the home, which could lead to serious illness for all family members who are exposed to the spores.

When looking for a company to come and handle the mold removal, it is important to find out about their certifications, their licensing, and their insurance coverage. In order for someone to be able to remove allergens legally from a home, they need to have the proper training. In the training, they have learned how to identify all of the different types, how each one will need to be removed from a home, and how to dispose of them properly after it has been removed. This training is essential as mold spores can remain in a home for a very long time. If it is not removed properly by the mold removal company that is hired, it could leave the family at risk.

After checking the company's credentials, someone will want to ask to speak with references from previous clients. If a company cannot provide references, someone should avoid hiring them for their mold removal needs. A legitimate company will be able to provide references for work that they have done and prove that they have the experience that is needed to do a good job. When speaking with references it is important to ask about the job that was done. Someone needs to find out if any damage was done to the house, if everything was properly disposed of when the job was complete and if it was removed in a timely manner. Someone will want to insure that other homeowners have had great experiences with the company before agreeing to allow them to remove the mold from their home. Before beginning the process, it is important for a homeowner to sign a contract with the company stating the set price that will be paid for the job upon completion. This will allow all parties involved to know what amount will be paid and that the business will not overcharge for the job upon completion.

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Butcher Chopping Block Maintenance: How to Clean and Oil in Five Easy Steps

Wooden counter tops add warmth and beauty to any kitchen. Unlike other trendy counter top surfaces, wooden counter tops are timeless and never go out of style. They also add functional value to a kitchen that appeals to chefs and foodies. However, they are not completely care free. They need to be kept clean and sealed in order to maintain the surface. Proper maintenance will not only lengthen the life of your counter top, but will keep it hygienic. Five easy steps for maintaining all of your wooden cutting surfaces, including counter tops and chopping blocks are listed below.

You will need:

Dish detergent

Scrubby sponge

White vinegar

Either lemon juice and salt Or water and baking soda

Mineral oil

Step one - Clean.

Cleaning the board with warm soapy water and a scrubbing sponge will get off any visible debris and will remove a small amount of oil from the board. Use warm water and scrub gently. You aren't trying to sanitize with this step so don't use hot water. Hot water is unnecessarily aggressive and will damage the board over time. Rinse all of the soap off when the surface is clean.

A word of caution - do not submerge portable boards in water. Water will soak into the wood fibers causing the wood to swell and warp. This breaks the glue bond in the lamination. Then as the wood dries, it cracks.

Step two - Sanitize.

Sanitize your butcher board by wiping it down with full strength white vinegar. Why vinegar? Vinegar is an effective disinfectant against common kitchen bugs such as e.coli, staphylococcus, and salmonella. Vinegar is not damaging to the wood fibers like chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach is corrosive and it's effects are accumulative. Over time it changes the color of the wood and it breaks down the lignan (the natural glue between the fibers). The wood will look ashy even after it is oiled and the fibers will have microscopic tatters for bacteria to hide in. It's a good idea to keep a spray bottle of vinegar handy to use as a regular sanitizer for your wooden cutting surfaces.

I use vinegar and air drying to sanitize my wooden counter tops and it works great. However, if you need extra assurances, you can allow your butcher board to dry after the vinegar treatment, then wipe it down with 3% hydrogen peroxide.

After sanitizing, you can move to steps four and five, allowing the board to dry and then oiling it. Or you can do some additional deep cleaning as in step three if you have a heavy build up of oils, odors, or stains.

Step three - Deep Cleaning

Make a paste of salt and lemon juice OR water and baking soda. Using a scrubby sponge, lightly swirl the paste around focusing on stains if you have any. This paste mixture will lightly strip away old oils. It will also deodorize the wood and lighten stains. Both lemon juice and baking soda are aggressive cleaners so don't allow them to just sit on the board for hours. Just gently scrub the paste around for a few minutes and rinse it completely away when you are done.

Step four - Dry

Allow block to dry completely....over night is best. A dry environment is the best defense against bacteria, mold and virus. Allowing the board to dry completely before oiling it helps to lock moisture OUT rather than sealing it in. Also, the dryer the wood is, the more easily it will soak up oil.

Before you oil your butcher board look it over. If you still have stains use a sanding block to remove light stains or use a palm sander with a fine grit paper to sand down the entire board.

Step five - Seal with oil

Oil your butcher board. Oiling your wooden counter tops and cutting boards helps to protect the wood from damage and keeps the surface hygienic. The oil creates a water resistant barrier. It keeps the wood dry and keeps bacteria out. The best oil to use is food grade mineral oil as it will not go rancid the way vegetable based oils will. This can be found in the laxative department of your local drug store or you may find it also at your local hardware store. Just pour a little onto the board and rub it in with your clean hands or use a clean lint free rag. If you really want to pump up the water resistance of your oil, you can warm it and add bees wax or paraffin to it. Use a ratio of one part wax to nine parts oil. When this oil has soaked into your wood, it will leave behind a thin waxy layer that is even more water resistant!

Every type of counter top needs basic maintenance. Granite needs polishing. The grout in a tile counter top needs scrubbing. A wooden counter top or butcher chopping block needs to be cleaned and oiled. With a little bit of care your wooden cutting surfaces can last life times and add functional value to your kitchen.

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Maintain the Beauty of Your Carpet With These Tips

This article will give you several tips that should help keep your carpet in good shape and make it stay as beautiful as it should. The way we feel when we step into a house decorated with a clean and spotless carpet is indescribable. It is so pleasant to walk into a welcoming room. No one wants to walk into a room with a poorly kept carpet. This is because a poorly maintained carpet will have residue within its fabrics and some unpleasant odors. One of the biggest investments a homeowner will make would be purchasing a carpet, be it for the living room, bedrooms or even the car. The carpet is the furniture that portrays a person's home-keeping abilities. This article will certainly provide you with some tips that you can use to make your house ooze of freshness, cleanliness and health.

a- Start by choosing the right fabric for the carpet you need. You would want to check on the cleaning needs and the durability.

b- Make sure you buy a vacuum that is of great quality and is not just easy to handle or is a light cleaner.

c- I cannot emphasize how important it is to vacuum the carpet regularly.

d- Make it a point to take off your shoes before stepping on the carpet when you spend the day walking on asphalt.

e- Ensure that every spill is blotted out immediately and with a clean piece of cloth or towel.

There are only five tips mentioned in this article, but there are a million tips that work miracles when it comes to keeping your carpet looking beautiful and clean all the time. One thing I can recommend is to grow a close relationship with a professional in the field of carpet cleaning. This will make it easy for you to ask for professional advice without any extra charges. This closeness can work in your favor in many ways, such as receiving priority treatment as well as discounts on prices. A professional will put in great contributions in making sure the carpet has a long life.

In conclusion, you don't want to use cleaning products that are meant for the home to clean your carpet. This can cause irreparable damage to your carpet. Such products are not designed with carpets in mind. They are designed for use on clothes. Many carpets have been destroyed by the use of oxygenated products. To use these products on your carpet, you must ensure that they are properly extracted from the carpet fabrics after use. However, this can only be well done by industry professionals. The best way to get the proper treatment for your carpet would be to tell the cleaning professional everything that he must know. Every spill should be detailed in time and type. This will give the cleaner a chance to make an informed and good decision for the proper cleaning procedure.

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The First Steps of End of Lease Cleaning - Part 1

Remember, the landlord and agent will be inspecting property in detail so cleaning every room thoroughly should be high on your 'to-do' list.

You have a couple of options when you get to this point. One is to call a professional end of lease cleaning company to tackle the task ahead or two; do the cleaning yourself. Now you may want to think this through because if you're not the cleaning type, most estate agents would recommend contacting a professional cleaning service to take on the job.

For one, end of lease cleaning companies know what's involved and do it on a daily basis. Here are a few basic questions you can ask yourself in order to help make the decision a little easier:
Have you ever de-greased an oven?Have you ever cleaned the range hood filters?Have you ever steam cleaned carpets?

When can the landlord legally charge for carpet cleaning?

When you damage or abuse the carpet beyond normal wear and tear. For example, the carpet requires treatments to remove severe stains or repair damage caused by you, your guests, or your pets. ("Tenant Resource Centre")

What's at stake?

Well for one thing, a percentage of your bond money. How much you ask? It depends on a few things. If your real estate agent turns nasty after the final inspection (as they're not satisfied with the overall clean) they can try and take you to the cleaners (no pun intended). They may withhold the bond money to cover the costs for an end of lease cleaning company.

If the agent or owner find that any part of the property is not up to their standard when it comes to cleanliness and the overall condition they may ask you to re-attend the property to do a re-clean or they might propose to deduct money from the bond to cover the costs of hiring professional cleaning services. Keep in mind if this happens, it's your right that they supply cleaning quotes in writing from various cleaning companies.

Don't trust the agent!

Also, be careful that they (the agent/owner) aren't going straight to their so called 'in house' cleaning company as they may have worked out a side deal in which they receive a cut of the cleaning bill. This is becoming more frequent in the real estate industry.

Most agents make extra money by referring their clients to various people who will give them referral fees. Mortgage brokers, contractors, tradesmen, home stagers, lawyers - you name it and your agent can probably give you a name. (Mike)

The Bond Money

Primarily the bond is put in place to act as security against the lease contract. It can be claimed if there is any money owed by the tenant at the end of the lease agreement - e.g. cleaning costs, rent arrears. ("sa.gov.au")

If the weekly rent is:
$250 or less you may be up for four weeks' rent as a bond$251 or more you may be up for six weeks' rent as a bond.

The agent must supply you with a receipt within 48 hours of receiving your bond deposit. ("sa.gov.au")

References:

. "Bond, rent and other charges." The Government of South Australia. The Government of South Australia, 2011. Web. 4 May 2012. .

. "Carpet Cleaning." Tenant Resource Centre. Tenant Resource Centre, 2011. Web. 4 May 2012. .

Mike, Holman. "Even more reasons not to trust your real estate agent." Money Smarts. Money Smarts, 2012. Web. 4 May 2012. .

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Granny's Best Carpet Cleaning Secrets: Removing Stains With Vinegar

One of the best uses for vinegar is removing tough stains from carpets.

Removing stains with vinegar is perhaps one of the most effective and environmentally friendly ways to get even the toughest set-in grimy spots from a carpet. As a young pup growing up in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, I can remember my Granny using some of her time-tested, old-school methods for keeping a spotless and almost sterile-clean house. Many of those old-time recipes included using vinegar cleaners for just about any room in her house. One of her favorites was using vinegar to clean stains from her carpets. She was a loving soul but one of the things that Granny hated most was stains in her carpets. With so many grandkids running through her house every day, there were a lot of spots, stains and dirt.

How to Remove Stains with Vinegar

While it may not lift out every type of stain from your carpet, using white distilled vinegar as cleaner will take out just about any stain. Here's how you do it: First, dissolve 2 tablespoons of salt in about 1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar. Rub the solution into the carpet stain, let the area dry and then simply vacuum. If you have a larger stained area, try mixing 2 tablespoons of borax into the vinegar-salt mixture and treat in the same way.

Spot Treatment with Vinegar as Cleaner

You can also make a spray-on spot treatment by mixing 1 part vinegar with 5 parts water. Get a second spray bottle and fill it with a solution of 5 parts water and 1 part non-sudsy ammonia. To treat spot stains in your carpet, soak a cloth with the vinegar solution and saturate the spot or stain. Let it sit for a few minutes and blot dry with a clean cloth. Now spray the ammonia solution on the spot or stain and blot dry. Repeat this alternating treatment until the spot is gone.

What Granny Knew About Removing Stains with Vinegar

Some folks tried to encourage Granny to start using some of the commercial cleaning products available from the local grocery store. They claimed these new-fangled cleaners would save her time and help Granny to get the job done quicker. Granny simply smiled and went on doing as she had done for so many years. Perhaps she knew more than she was telling about these natural cleaning methods, or maybe she was just stubborn. Either way, those old-fashioned ways of cleaning are making a big comeback in this era of environmental awareness.

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How Mold Remediation Can Protect Your Property and Your Health

Do you know what is considered among the most serious of common household hazards? This hazard is also one of the most difficult to eradicate. If you see signs of mold infestation or have recently recovered from flood damage, it's extremely important to check your home for mold damage. The best way to keep you, your family, and your possessions safe from this fungus is to hire a qualified mold removal company.

Mold spores grow wherever they can find a reliable source of moisture, which means that they can grow almost anywhere. This dangerous substance commonly forms in homes after flooding and plumbing problems, but it can also develop in humid basements or even within wet clothes. Bathrooms are also a common place for a mold problem to start. Their warm and moist atmosphere makes them a breeding ground for mold.

When mold grows in a household, it produces irritants and allergens that can induce sneezing, stuffy noses, sore throats, and dermatitis in people, particularly children and the elderly. In addition, mold can cause permanent damage to furniture, carpeting, and even walls.

Some ways to avoid mold growth in your home is to maintain common mold deterring practices such as:

Keeping moist areas well ventilated.Regularly cleaning areas where mold is likely to grow (showers, kitchens, sinks).Removing "mold food" or organic materials that have gone bad.

Eliminating mold from a house is not a simple task, and ordinary cleaning methods may not suffice, especially if mold has grown within walls or beyond the surface. Proper mold remediation involves using specialized equipment to safely remove all affected substances from a home along with anything that is causing mold to form. A mold remediation professional will do this with care and respect for a home, aiming to restore a household to its prior condition.

While regular cleaning practices can help repel mold growth in moisture-rich areas, if water damage has affected areas of your home that are beyond reach, mold could become a serious problem. To avoid mold damage after a flood, have a professional water damage repair company clean up any water damaged areas.

If you believe that any part of your home has become contaminated by mold, you should have an inspection performed by a mold removal company. A trained professional will be able to tell you where you have a serious mold presence in your home and provide you with a removal estimate.

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Slate Sealer for Tiles

The right slate sealer is not hard to find. The search should start in determining the characteristics of slate as a construction material. Slate has been used for billiard tables and electric motor parts because of its fire resistance and excellent insulation properties and was later introduced as a material for making tiles. It was also used in the olden times as roofing materials called roof shingles and has been continuously used as a fine stone material for building purposes in today's modern construction industry. Its use as slate tiles for flooring has become popular and it is for this use that the right sealer for slate tiles is sought by contractors.

Slate tiles retain the porous characteristics of the natural occurring slate rocks which are actually sedimentary shale formed by geological forces for millions of years. Although such rocky materials are hard and sturdy, they are easily penetrated by water-borne substances and organisms that can ruin its aesthetic qualities. Using a sealer is the best way to preserve slate materials that are made into kitchen floors, outside pathway floors leading to pools and external patio floors. To protect slate from molds and other similar organic matter that attack the tile surfaces, the sealer must be applied properly and made to penetrate the interior of the stone tiles with substances that can preserve their aesthetic qualities.

Aside from proper application, the kind of sealer must also be taken into consideration. Many prefer water based penetrating and impregnating sealants because they are more efficient in providing protection for the surfaces of slate tiles. Without protection, the tiles will lose its natural color and the surface becomes spotty and unsightly to behold. A good water-based sealer must be able to penetrate the surface of the tiles and impregnate them with the right chemical shields that will prevent discoloration and tarnishing of the tile surfaces.

A good water-based sealer provides the transparent coating that allows the natural color of the slate tiles to stand out due to the almost invisible film that protects the outer surface of the tiles. Because the sealer penetrates deep into the pores of the stone tiles, the surfaces applied with the sealer become resistant to oil, water and stain, pushing out any harmful chemical substances or organic matters that threaten to invade the surfaces. It is important therefore that when the slate tiles are installed, they should be immediately treated with a water-based sealer for slate tiles to make sure that they will be stay intact for a long time.

The protective action of a water-based sealer is actually designed to penetrate the pores of the slate and impregnate those pores with the emulsified substance that it holds and delivers through its water carrier. When the water evaporates, what remain in the pores are the protective chemicals that repel oil, water and staining substances that attack the slate tiles. In order to make maintenance that more easier in the future, sealing slate is absolutely essential.

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Maid Cleaning Before a Walkthrough

Whether renting a home or an apartment, maid services can be helpful before a final walkthrough. You want to leave the place in great shape to ensure that you get your security deposit back and move on to your next residence. The property manager is going to expect that the entire place is cleaned from top to bottom before ending the lease.

Clearing Everything Out

Obviously there is no reason to have a maid come in if the property has not been cleaned out. Even leaving behind a couch or a dresser can make the cleaning service less effective. Make sure the clothes are out of the closet and all of the kitchen cabinets are empty. Before the team comes in to clean, ask someone else to walk through every room looking for anything that may have been left behind. It often helps to have new eyes go over the area.

Remember that as people walk in and out of the place, they could be tracking all sorts of things in and out of the house. The carpets could be soiled with this going on, so wait until everyone is out to bring in a maid. Their final task will be to clean the carpets on the way out, leaving everything clean and ready for the next set of residents.

Making the Arrangements

Scheduling the service in advance reduces the chances of a last minute issue. If the walkthrough is set up for a Saturday, consider having the property cleaned on Wednesday or Thursday if possible. If things don't meet up to a resident's expectations, there is time to work things out before the property owner arrives.

It may or may not be necessary for someone to let the maid into the home or apartment. Some companies also require that the customer be available when the team is done with the work. Payment should be made at this time and work can be inspected.

Cost Analysis

Is it worth bringing in a professional team to handle the cleaning before the walkthrough? The answer will be different for every person. If the security deposit is sizable, the cost of cleaning could be looked at as an investment. Others just do not have the time to clean the property because they are in the process of moving.

Shop around for a local company that offers the best deal for the services provided. Many offer discounts and coupons on a regular basis. Keep an eye out for the savings well in advance. Some even offer special cleaning services for those entering or vacating an apartment or house.

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How to Clean Mirrors!

Not the most exciting topic ever, but if you've ever tried to clean a mirror you will understand how frustrating it can be. From one angle it looks clean, only for you to move across the room to see unsightly streaks or smears.

Searching the Internet can produce all sorts of weird and wonderful answers for getting the glass of your mirror to sparkle. From using scrunched up newspaper, mixing white vinegar with concoctions of chemicals, through to using coffee filters as cloths. I am sure that all of these solutions hold merit, but in actual fact achieving that desired shine is so simple...

The biggest culprit for 'dirt' on mirrors is dust, especially around the edges next to the frame. My first piece of advice is therefore to start from the middle of the mirror and work outwards. Starting at the edges is the most natural way to start your cleaning, but by doing so with a mirror you are more likely to spread the condensed dirt right across the face of the glass, making the task at hand much more difficult.

Step 1: Dust!
Using a clean dry cloth, start in the middle of the mirror and move the surface dust on the mirror to the edges. You can then go around the frame edge to clean away any loose dirt.

Step 2: Wash!
Put a tiny drop of washing up liquid in a bowl of warm water. The amount of liquid should be so minute that you simply get a couple of surface bubbles on the top of the water and nothing more, it should almost be as though there is nothing in the water. Rinse a new cloth in this water and ring it out so that it is just damp (not dripping water) and wash the surface of your mirror, again from the middle outwards.

Step 3: Dry!
This stage is vital if you want that perfect shine. Use a dry, lint-free cloth and literally dry your mirror and you've guessed it, start in the middle and work outwards.

Working in the industry that I do, cleaning mirrors is a regular occurrence for me and it was actually my window cleaner that recommended this technique to me, because after all a mirror is just glass at the end of the day.

So when you are following these simple steps think like a window cleaner: Middle then edges. Dust! Wash! Dry!

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Safely Store Wool Long-Term

It's warming up outside and it is feeling like it's time to store away those heavy winter clothes and blankets. Before you seal your wool items away in a plastic space bag or container, you should read this. Wool, alpaca, mohair, and angora are actually animal hair. This is why they are so susceptible to becoming the feeding grounds for insect larvae. Properly preparing and storing these items will save you money, time, frustration and can even help you to avoid health problems.

Storing wool and other clothing in plastic doesn't allow them to breathe properly. If there is any moisture or humidity at all then the clothes will grow mold and mildew that can be hazardous to your health. This is why clothes that are sealed up smell musty when you take them out of storage. Storing clothing in breathable cotton or paper will allow air to circulate around them. Storing wool items in pillow cases or paper bags will also create a barrier that bugs and insects will not penetrate.

Insects are attracted to wool and other animal hair clothing. They lay their eggs there and then the larvae hatch and eat away at the fabric, ruining your wardrobe and blankets. People used to use moth balls to repel insects while their clothing was in storage, but we now know of the terrible side effects that moth ball vapors can have on human beings and pets. Using natural deterrents is far safer and just as effective.

One way to keep pests from being attracted to your clothing is to have it cleaned before you store it. Wool items should be dry cleaned to remove any body oils that may have come in contact with them. Human body oils are irresistible to moths and other insects. Wearing your suits or sweaters and then storing them will only attract more pests to your closet or storage areas.

Cedar is the simplest, safest way to repel unwanted pests away from your clothing. Using cedar clothes hangers for suits, coats and even blankets is enough to confuse and deter them. Cedar also absorbs moisture from the air, turning your closets into ideal places for storage. The fresh scent has been loved for hundreds of years and cedar actually deodorizes the area where it is kept. Using cedar products in your drawers and storage containers is an inexpensive way to keep everything safe.

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How to Keep Your New Carpet Looking Beautiful

When you buy a home, you want to decorate it with carpeting to match your personal style. Over time, carpet can get dirty and dingy from being walked on constantly. Luckily, there are measures you can take to ensure your carpet will last as long as possible. Here are some tips to care for your home's carpet to keep it looking nice and new.

Vacuum Regularly

Be sure to vacuum your carpet often; one to two times a week is best. Vacuuming will help to remove any soil that can ruin the fibers of your carpet. It is important that you continue to vacuum since much of the dirt that can slice your carpet fibers is not visible to the naked eye.

Check Your Carpet Warranty

When you first, make sure read the manufacturer's warranty. The warranty should spell out any specific instructions on what you need to do to keep your warranty valid. If the carpet manufacturer has any recommendations, try your best to follow it.

Spot Clean When Your Carpet Gets Soiled

It is inevitable; eventually something will get spilt or dragged onto your new carpet. New carpet typically comes with an anti-stain barrier to help protect your carpet from such events. Some anti-stain technology is better than others, and your first spill is the perfect time to test yours out. Your manufacturer warranty should list what types of stains are covered under warranty, and also what their recommended method for spot cleaning is.

Protect Your Carpet

Carpet is made to be walked on. The more people you have living in your home the more wear and tear your carpet will endure. Carpet tends to wear down first in high-traffic areas, such as those in front of the front door or in a hallway. To protect your carpet from such wear and tear, use runners or mats in those high-traffic areas. Runners can be placed down your hallway to protect rug burn, the wearing down of your carpet. You can also use a sticky-backed plastic on your stairs to help protect the carpet from constant use. Rearranging your furniture every now and then can also help by changing the pattern of heavy traffic in your home.

Get Professional Cleaning

In general, it is best to have your carpet clean by a professional carpet cleaning company once a year. If you have areas that are subjected to really heavy traffic and a lot of dirt, you may want to have it cleaned more often than. Professional cleaning does not leave any residue, and completely and thoroughly gets the dirt and stains out of your carpet. Many anti-stain carpet manufacturers state in their warranties that you should have your carpet professionally cleaned every other year. Cleaning by a professional can remove the dirt and soil that vacuuming may leave behind.

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How Low Water Flow Technology Makes a Better Rug Steam Cleaner?

Whether it's an industrial complex or a commercial building, these areas need the right kind of rug steam cleaner to keep carpets clean. The carpeting in these areas is not only exposed to some of the toughest kinds of dirt and debris, they also have to deal with steady stream of traffic. Conventional carpet cleaning methods may get carpets clean, but they also leave them very damp after cleaning. In many cases, it simply isn't possible to cordon these areas off for long periods of time, just to allow the carpets to dry. The best way to deal with this situation is to choose carpet cleaning units that are not just designed for effective cleaning, but also to help the carpet dry out quickly.

Tackling Dirt from a New Angle

If you look at a conventional rug steam cleaner, you will notice that they use a considerable amount of water during the cleaning process. This is understandable, especially when dealing with ground-in stains and sticky deposits. Unfortunately, the more water the carpet cleaners use, the damper the carpet will be after cleaning. This can be a huge inconvenience as damp carpeting can take a very long time to dry out completely. In humid climates, it can take even longer. Apart from that, damp carpets provide the perfect conditions for mold and bacteria to take root. Carpets that haven't had a chance to dry out completely often emit a foul odor. This often happens in areas where the carpets are not exposed to any kind of aeration.

In these instances, it's clear that the problem lies in the excessive water used during cleaning. The good news is that a rug steam cleaner doesn't have to use copious amounts of water for cleaning. In fact, some of the most effective carpet cleaning units rely more on suction and extraction powers to get carpets clean. Even ground-in stains and hardened deposits that have settled deeply into the carpet fibers can be removed using the right kind of extraction powers.

Less Water, More Clean

A rug steam cleaner that uses low water flow technology provides multiple benefits for commercial and industrial cleaning tasks. As these units use less water, the carpets are not left soaking wet after cleaning. This means that the carpets can dry out much faster, sometimes in just a matter of a few hours. There is less chance of mold and bacteria settling in the damp carpeting. Even in humid climates, these carpet cleaning machines can help assure that the carpets have a chance to dry out completely. Carpet cleaners that use low water flow technology is also an eco-friendly option. These rely mainly on suction and extraction powers to get carpets clean. They do not need to use chemical-based detergents or cleaning agents.

Selecting a rug steam cleaner or carpet shampooer that uses less water can mean a faster and more efficient carpet cleaning process. A portable carpet cleaning machine provides extra user convenience, and is particularly useful when cleaning large areas. No matter how big or how small the area is, a portable carpet cleaner that uses low water flow technology offers multiple cleaning benefits.

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Some Hidden Dangers of A Dirty Carpet

Nowadays, the carpet is a piece of furniture, the cleaning of which, is very often minimized and even unconsidered by some home owners. It is not uncommon to see many people clean their carpets only when there is an occasion or when they are moving into a new place. The best time for you to do some carpet cleaning is when you are settled in your home or just before you move homes. You should know by now that the dangers of not paying for the services of a seasoned and prolific carpet cleaner are umpteenth. You must make an effort to have regular carpet cleaning sessions a minimum of two times a year.

Take for instance a light colored carpet such as white; it could look very sharp and cute at surface level but very disgusting within its fibers. Carpets are the most known materials for absorbing and storing dirt.

Actually a lot of people do not realize how important it is to have a professional carpet cleaner do the job for them. It is important because the professional knows exactly what to do in every situation. They know what product to use and what machine works best for every type of carpet fiber. When your carpet is not properly cleaned, it could lead to very precarious health hazards that will use up more money than a few carpet cleaning sessions would. There is a very high rate of fungus and mold that grows in carpets that have silk, cotton, wool or other common carpet fabrics. Such fabrics are suitable environments for their growth, when not properly cared for. The same applies to our sofas, rugs and some well known upholstery.

However, the great majority of carpets nowadays are made with synthetic fiber. Such fibers, as they are not natural, do not easily favor the growth of fungi and mold within their fabrics. They do have issues that need to be handled to prevent them from causing havoc in our various homes. It is very easy for carpets to harbor such pollutants as dander, dust and pollen. There are hardly any doubts as to how polluting these elements can be to the air around us.

A single carpet cleaning session will prove to the owner that the home can feel fresher and a lot more comfortable. When there is a professional carpet cleaning session in your home, everything is different; the air is fresher, the carpet feels softer, beautiful and clean, while the entire house feels more warm and welcoming to everyone. You don't want to turn your home into a sickbed just because you do not constantly clean your carpet.

A regular carpet cleaning session would give the carpet a life span of about 10 to 15 years of healthy living and beauty. Give your family the best of carpets by taking your cleaning sessions seriously.

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Natural Remedies to Use Around the House and Garden

We are now starting to realize that all of the pesticides and chemicals we have been using for all of these years are taking a toll on the environment. Many of the species of plant life that once were found in abundance are now extinct due to the pollution we have created in the air and the water. If we intend for this planet to remain a viable habitat for life we are going to have to work hard to stop the use of all of those pesticides. One way we can reduce the harmful chemicals is to use some of natures remedies to get rid of pests, and to clean, and when possible to medicate ourselves.

One of the biggest problems in the garden is the stink bug. No birds or other animals want to eat them, and they can destroy your tomatoes, your squash, and even your okra. The secret to having a garden that is free of these creatures is the color yellow. They are attracted to the color yellow. All you have to do is get out away from your garden a little and plant some yellow sunflowers. The sunflowers attract the stink bugs and in the fall you will be rewarded with some wonderful seeds you can roast and eat.

To stop sand fleas from coming in your home you need to go around the house on the outside with regular table salt. The fleas hate the salt and you are bug free. It also helps to wash your pets bedding in vinegar and rinse your pet in vinegar to keep the fleas from being attracted to them.

Mosquitoes can send you in the house quicker than any other pest. You can purchase poisonous sprays to rub into your skin to keep them from biting, but you do not want to put these poisons on the skin of small children that might place their hands in their mouth. So you can take a wet wash cloth and pour a small amount of vanilla on it to create a repellant for them that is non-toxic. The vanilla must be one hundred percent pure vanilla and not an imitation.

Another wise little tip for the garden comes straight from your kitchen. Use all of your used coffee grounds to place around your tomato plants. These grounds feed the plants and encourage fruit production. You can also weaken the coffee with water to create a mild liquid fertilizer to use on your indoor plants.

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Getting Rid of Orange Juice Stains From Your Carpet

It is almost impossible to make a list of U.S.A's favorite beverages without naming orange juice in the first five. Orange juice is one of the most delicious, most nourishing and most refreshing drinks you may ever come across. This is because the orange provides consumers with loads of vitamin C that are really good for human health. With the daily increased rate of the consumption of orange juice, it is but normal to consider that the health benefits of orange juice are known by many people across the globe. Despite all the virtues of the orange juice to the human system, accidents during handling are generally bound to occur. Juice could get spilled on the floor, the table or in the worst case scenario on your carpet.

Needless to say an orange stain is a pain in the neck. It is not easy to get rid of such spills as they leave quite difficult stains that need careful handling, preferably by a professional. Orange juice can be very unsightly and difficult to remove when it lands on a carpet that has a light color. However, there are certain tips any one can use to immediately treat a carpet that has been stained by orange juice.

To begin, you would want to get rid of the excess orange juice that may have set into the fabrics of the carpet. This first step will keep the spill from sinking deeper into the fabrics of the carpet and causing any unpleasant odor. To soak out this juice, you would need to make use of paper towel or a neat piece of cloth to blot it out. If you waste any time before applying this tip, the spill will soak deep into the carpet fabrics and this would make it more difficult to clean the carpet.

Secondly, after blotting out all excess juice from the area of the carpet that was spilled, you will then get a carpet cleaning product that you like. The cleaning chemical will be used to get rid of the stain that has probably set in on the surface of the carpet. Needless to say the market is jam-packed with carpet cleaning products that you may make a choice from. Commercial cleaning products are found in stores and are easily affordable. The only precaution for you to take would be to ensure that you are choosing a product that works positively on your type of carpet. This should help prevent carpet damage and potential accidents during the cleaning process.

To add, you would want to spray the cleaning product on the area that has the stain and then use the aforementioned paper towel or cloth to blot out the stain. It is totally forbidden to rub the area affected by the stain as this will spread the stain on the carpet. Simply do a neat blotting job starting from the outside going towards the inside.

Furthermore, you would want to do this move as many times as possible until the spill is completely removed. This method actually takes some patience as the first cleaning will not completely get rid of the stain. You simply have to repeat the earlier steps to get better results or until you see that every inch of the stained area is clean.

Last but not least, you should end the session by rinsing the area with some clear water. This last step prevents the accumulation of residue and the attraction of other dirt particles onto the carpet.

Indeed, one is no longer obliged to be strained by orange juice spills as in days past. The steps listed and explained in this article should make it very easy to get rid of an orange juice stain on your carpet.

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Simple Carpet Maintenance - Take Your Shoes Off in the House!

I get asked all the time by my clients about ways to maintain their carpets at home. There's an EASY answer to this question. We're not talking about stain removing techniques (although that's important), we're not recommending the proper vacuum cleaner (which I will discuss in an upcoming blog), but it's a very simple preventative measure. Take your shoes off before you walk in your home! There are very simple reasons why taking your shoes off upon entering you home is crucial to the cleanliness and longevity of your carpet.

Dirt, asphalt, pesticides, and all sorts of bacteria and toxins are living on the bottoms of your shoes. Those can easily be tracked into your home onto your carpet. *Think of your child playing on the floor - not a good vision, huh?

Aside from contaminates on the soles of your shoes being tracked into your home, another reason you should NOT wear your shoes in the house is because dirty shoes can cause those darker pathways to appear around where you walk the most. You've seen them- Those dark paths from one door to another door... Those dark paths are affectionately known as traffic areas. Most think that traffic areas are mainly dirt that deposits on in the carpet from repeated use. That's only partially correct... Traffic areas are in part, abrasions within your carpet fibers. Think about this... 90% of carpeting today is made from synthetic fiber. Synthetic fibers are mostly derived from plastic. Ask yourself this question... What happens to a plastic bottle when you continually rub dirt on the clear plastic? Yep, the plastic becomes muddy in appearance (even if it's perfectly clean) due to abrasions in the plastic. That's exactly what happens in the traffic areas of your home. Shoes will grind in dirt and debris into the carpet fibers, giving it a dull and dark appearance. No amount of cleaning will improve the look of those carpet fibers.

By NOT wearing shoes in your home, significantly decreases the traffic area affect and ultimately keep your carpets looking new, longer.

So... this is your excuse to find the most comfy bunny slippers that you can find and wear them proudly (inside of your home, of course...).

If you insist on wearing shoes inside the home, please at take this advice... Go to your local retailer and grab a few doorway entry mats. Place those mats at every point of entry into your home. Last, but not least; use them!

Stay Green Folks!

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Carpet Cleaning On Your Own - Are You Sure It's A Good Idea?

If you have a lot of carpets at home then you will have to give the subject of carpet cleaning some thought. You definitely have to ensure that they are kept as clean as possible and this will only happen if you have a regular schedule for cleaning them. If your rugs and other floor coverings are not cleaned well then there is a chance that they will begin to harbor fungus and molds. They will also smell a lot.

The problem is that carpet cleaning is a very cumbersome job especially if you have quite a few of them at home. You need to go over every part of them carefully in order to remove ingrained dirt. You also need to wash them regularly in order to get them as clean as possible. This strenuous job is generally beyond the capabilities of most people which is why it is a good idea for you to get professional help instead.

A professional carpet cleaner will ensure that all dirt is removed from the rugs. In fact, the cleaners will have detailed knowledge about how exactly to get rid of specific kinds of dirt. If there is dust on the rugs then it generally needs to be vacuumed out. Grease or food stains need to be cleaned with special detergents. Once the rugs are cleaned well with water then they need to be dried properly so that there is no chance of them attracting mold.

Professional carpet cleaning can be quite expensive especially if you have a large number of these rugs to get cleaned. This could be one reason why you might want to clean them yourself even though it will take a lot of effort on your part. However, there are certain steps you could take to bring the cost down of cleaning the carpets and can therefore afford to get professional help for your floor coverings.

You will be very glad to have clean carpets at home because they will smell and look very good. They will also last very long since it is a well-known fact that the presence of dirt particles will cut the fibers of the carpet, leading to holes in them in the long term. All you have to therefore do is identify a really good company that will clean your carpets for you at a very reasonable price so that you don't have to do it yourself.

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Can I Wash My Drapes?

Are your drapes looking dingy and dirty? Are stains and dust making you consider replacing them? Never fear, most drapes can be cleaned and returned to their original beauty. Valances and fabric shades or blinds can actually prove to be the most challenging, but they're still not incredibly hard to clean. Use this guide to clean your window dressings and get your home back to looking like it did when you first decorated it.

The good news is that almost all sheer curtains are machine washable. Most can even be put in the dryer. Check each panel of sheers in your home for tags. If you can find a tag, there should be fabric care instructions there. If they are cotton, polyester, or nylon, then they should be machine washable. If you're not sure, clean them in cool water with a little bit of clear laundry detergent or baby shampoo. Dyes can sometimes stain fabrics, so I choose to use a detergent without dyes.

Gently move the curtains around in the water every few minutes while you soak them for about an hour. Drain the tub, refill it, and then move them around again. Repeat this process a couple of times to rinse out any remaining soap residues. When they are clean, press the water out of them with a towel. You may want to fold them in half and roll them up in a towel to get remaining water out. Hang them to dry or put them in the dryer on a low heat setting.

Valances can be difficult because sometimes they are attached to the wall in a way that you can't get them down. They may also be wrapped around wood that should not be submerged, or even cardboard. The best way to clean a valance is with a vacuum. Brush the fabric gently with a soft bristled brush while you vacuum it if the fabric is sturdy enough to handle it. I gently pat the fabric with my hand to release settled dust while I do this. You can also use steam from your iron or a steam cleaner to perk-up those dull fabrics.

Drapes are a little trickier and most have to be dry cleaned. Check for tags to see if your drapes could be machine washable. If not, just hang them over hangers and take them to the dry cleaners. They are generally inexpensive to clean and will come back pressed and free of dust and stains.

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Why Should I Get My Air Ducts Cleaned?

Some of the benefits of air duct cleaning are that system cleaning will allow systems to run more efficiently by removing debris from sensitive mechanical components. Clean, efficient systems are less likely to breakdown. They have a longer life span, and generally operate more efficiently than dirty systems. Duct cleaning can also reduce the amount of allergens in the duct system. These allergens can be circulated throughout the home with your forced air system.

How a forced air system works is that air is drawn into the system through your return grills and fed into the system through your return ductwork. The air from the return side of the ductwork is fed into the lower compartment of the furnace; where the blower is located. The air passes through the filter and then is pushed up with the help of the blower. The air then passes through the upper part of the furnace where it can be heated or cooled depending on if the heat or air conditioning is on. The air then flows through the supply side duct work to the supply side grills where it exits into the rooms either heated or cooled. The process repeats itself throughout the day and evening until the temperature that has been set at the thermostat has been reached.

The air travels in a circular motion from return to supply side. While you have a filter you must understand that filters vary in efficiency. Some are 90% efficient. Some are only 5% efficient. What does this mean? If a filter is 90% efficient it will stop approximately 90% of what passes through the filter. If a filter is 5% efficient it will only stop approximately 5% of what passes through the filter. This is a very basic explanation there is more to it than this but the important point is that a 90% filter is much better than a 5% filter. Which do you have?

Whatever filter you have it isn't 100% filtration. You couldn't heat or cool your home with 100% filtration because no air could pass through that type of filtration. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association recommends that you clean your air ducts every 3 to 5 years. When was the last time you had your air ducts cleaned? Have you ever had your air ducts cleaned? If you had your ducts cleaned did you get a professional job, not did you pay for a professional job, did you get one?

Clean ducts helps to create a healthier living environment. Clean air ducts help furnaces operate more efficiently. Clean air ducts help your system run longer. So if you can't remember when you last had your air ducts cleaned your probably over due. So do your best to select a reputable duct cleaner. There are many unscrupulous air duct cleaners out there so ask your friends if they have a recommendations. Referrals are one of the best ways to find a good service provider. Angie's list is another great resource or possibly a local chamber of commerce. Good luck in getting your air ducts cleaned. Start breathing easier today, why wait?

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Pressure Washing Tips

If you are a home or business owner and you are thinking about doing some pressure washing around your home or business, there are a few important things that you should consider and understand before you attempt anything of this nature.

Pressure Washing is a common service that many home, property or business owners may decide to attempt themselves and not engage a professional power washing services company or contractor. However if they are unprepared, then this will more than likely turn into a big mistake because it will take up too much of your valuable time, time probably better spent on doing something else. Also because the results that you are likely to achieve will be far less superior than if you had engaged a company who specialize in doing this type of thing day in and day out every day of the year.

The biggest issue that could result is damaging your property, house or building. Damage that could be permanent without expensive replacement costs.

If you are up for the challenge then let me point out the basics of what you need to know before you undertake such a task, this is from somebody who has been in the pressure cleaning or pressure washing industry depending on what part of the world you are from for nearly 15 years.

Identify the stains that you are trying to remove (sodium hydrochloride is great for mold, mildew and algae. De-greasers should be used for oil and grease stains on driveways)Identify the substrate that you are attempting to clean (some substrates such as concrete will tolerate much higher pressure, whereas bricks and sandstone are much more delicate and can only withstand low pressure)Make sure you have the proper equipment and attachments for the job (many pressure washers that home owners buy are not suitable for the job of cleaning large scale areas such as a home or driveway. Also if you have an industrial strength pressure washer, ensure you have the right nozzles and lances to make the job easier)Realize that pressurized water alone is not sufficient and you will need to find appropriate cleaning agents to complete the job to the highest level (as with any cleaning procedure, water alone can only do so much. You need cleaning chemicals or agents to complete the task)Wear appropriate P.P.E Personal Protective Equipment (Ear Muffs, Water Proof Clothing, Hat, Gloves, Boots. Wear a respiratory when working with chemicals)Ensure that waste water is not going to escape into storm water drains and pollute the environment (it is against the law in most areas to have waste water from pressure washing run into drains and hefty fines apply)Ensure plants and gardens will not suffer from over spray of chemicals or from flooding (an inexperienced contractor could easily kill plants or small shrubs or trees during a pressure washing undertaking. Ensure that your garden is protected)

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Get Rid of Grease Stains From Your Carpet

Indeed, carpet cleaning and maintenance can be a very hectic task when underestimated. Every day, as you walk around the house doing your chores, there are too many potential accidents that may occur and cause irreparable damage to your carpet. It is true that there are different types of damages that can be done on a carpet. However, one of the most common ones would be stains caused by spills. As a carpet owner you would have to deal with hard-to-remove and easy-to-remove stains every now and then. The tough stains are those that will take a lot of money, effort and time.

Actually, one of the most common of such stains would be stains caused by grease. It is true that grease originates from a variety of sources; however, the most obvious source would be that used on vehicles nowadays. Some people are well aware of how nightmarish grease stains could be when they hit the carpet. They are not only black and unsightly on the beautiful carpet, but they equally get sticky and this damages the fibers of the carpet. Nevertheless, no matter how difficult motor oil grease may appear it is not impossible to clean. You will certainly need some tips, the right tools and some patience to go through the cleaning process. Below are a few steps to follow:

Step 1; you will start by scraping off any excess grease that has settled on the carpet. This prepares the carpet for proper cleaning while keeping the stain from spreading any further. For this step, use a bread knife or a strong spoon; use this to scrape off the excess with a lot of care while making sure not to spread it to other parts of the carpet.

Step 2; after removing the excess, take a good amount of baking powder and sprinkle it over the area that has just been cleaned and then allow for 15 minutes. After the fifteen minutes have elapsed, get your vacuum cleaner and use it to absorb the baking soda. You should notice some improvement on the stained area.

Step 3: Follow the vacuuming with an application of the right carpet cleaning chemical. You may choose one that you are used to. You will want to spray this product on the affected area and then blot it out with a clean piece of cloth. This step should be repeated as often as possible, until the stain is completely removed.

Step 4; lastly, sprinkle very clean water to the affected area and use some clean towel to soak it out.

By following these easy steps you will get rid of stains that get you frustrated and ruin your beautiful carpet. A clean carpet is very important for every home.

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How Does Carpet Fiber Protection Work?

Win/win Benefit of stain guard protection

This process will help people to protect their carpets. It is part of a pro-active Carpet maintenance. The main reason people replace carpets is because of wear patterns and stains.

Carpet fibers such as olefin, polyester and smartstrand are more effective than nylon at not absorbing stains, however they are not as durable as nylon and get replace because they wear out faster. To combine the durability and cleanability of nylon with the stain resisting ability of these other fibers, flourochemical stain protection can be used.

How does it work?
We use a technology flourochemical protectant that actually really does work well. It creates a negative ionic charge in the carpets which repels liquids and soils. Kind of like magnets that push away from each other. They create more surface tension on the carpet fibers so that spills bead up on them better. There is a difference between stain resistant carpets and applying fiber protection. Stain resistant carpet have a dye blocker injected into the fibers in the dyeing process while fiber protection is applied to carpet fibers after the dyeing process.

Does this mean that your carpets won't stain or get dirty?

No it means it gives you time to remove the spill or soil before it penetrates into the carpet fibers.

How long does it last?
It depends on the amount and type of traffic on the carpets. For best results Heavy traffic areas should have it reapplied every year and light traffic areas every other year. Areas that are likely to have a lot of spills or where the dogs like to lay down are good spots to apply protection.

Applying fiber protection to your upholstery is also a good idea. On the arms where grubby hands rest of where the back of the head can leave oil from hair are places that should have fiber protection applied.

If your fibers are natural fibers such as cotton or wool then you need to use a solvent based protectant because leaving natural fibers wet too long can create browning problems.

Other cautions; Using high alkaline cleaning solutions with a ph of over 10 may remove the protectant from the carpets. If a high alkaline solutions has been used on the carpets, be sure to thoroughly rinse out the area using an acidic rinse. White vinegar diluted in water works fine. Then apply more protectant to the area. You can purchase protectant from your local carpet cleaning supply store.

Make your carpets look better and last longer with carpet fiber protection.

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Interior Cleaning - The Tips That Can Change Your Life

If you really want interior cleaning that is going to maximize efficiency, save you time and energy, and make your life a lot easier, you should consider hiring a professional service. Even if you only have them come in once a week (or even once a month), it can make a big difference in terms of how much effort you have to put in to keeping your house tidy. Even if you've decided to hire a part-time service, however, you'll still be possessed by the urge to clean up a bit once in a while. If you've chosen to eschew a service in favor of doing it all yourself, you'll likewise need some tips to make things easier. Here are some tips that can do just that.

No Paper Towels

Everyone's first inclination when cleaning windows and other glass surfaces in their home is to grab a roll of paper towels, the Windex, and go to town. This is not typically the best way to go about it. You won't find many professional interior cleaning services using paper towels to do the job. Why? Paper towels can get expensive, for one thing. More importantly, they simply don't do a great job. They tend to leave streaks (which most people then proceed to blame on the glass cleaner), and they almost always leave bits of fiber behind. A far better solution is to invest in some microfiber cloth and use that as your primary tool. You'll save money and leave results that are much improved.

Throw Out Your Broom

If you're accustomed to spending an hour every Saturday sweeping leaves out of your garage, you really could be speeding up the process by using a leaf blower. You wouldn't sweep your driveway (would you?), so why not bring that technology into your garage and save some valuable time? Interior cleaning services maximize their efficiency by using a combination of the most effective methods and the ones that save the most time. Using a leaf blower to get rid of leaves in the garage meets both of these expectations. Just make sure you weigh down any papers or important materials that could go flying in the wind!

Using Tape and Other Sticky Surfaces

Do you dread taking the vacuum attachment to the couch in an attempt to get rid of all the dog hair? No one enjoys this process, precisely because it works so poorly. There are better methods, and using duct tape is a popular one. Simply put the sticky strip of tape on an area of the couch that needs de-furring and quickly remove it. If this seems a bit time consuming, you can look into specialty products that do the same thing. They are often more effective and certainly easier to use.

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Granite and Marble Sealer

Granite and marble are certainly two of the most beautiful materials in construction, architecture, and interior design. Their beauty adds value to the place and gives that place elegance and sophistication. An ordinary house can adopt the feel of a palace due to marble or granite as the primary cladding material. An ordinary kitchen suddenly becomes imposing with marble or granite counter tops. Banks use granite counter tops to add to the interior's sophistication.

Protecting granite and marble from the elements is necessary to maintain the beauty of such finishing materials. That is why a granite sealer is essential for a person working with such materials. What does a marble sealer do? The material not only protects marble and granite, but also protects concrete, natural stone, reconstituted stone, and pressed pavers. A granite and marble sealer also protects such materials from stain. This is very crucial especially for kitchens as such a room is home to abrasive chemicals like detergents, bleaches, and vinegar.

What then does a penetrating/impregnating granite sealer do? One can use a surface granite sealer, but must use an impregnator to penetrate below the stone's surface. This is done by coating the minerals below the stone surface or by depositing solid particles in the stones' pores. A properly applied marble sealer will not affect the stone's appearance. An impregnator is essential for a smooth and polished surface as most sealers can be easily abraded and will not bond.

In the stone industry, penetrating/impregnating is oftentimes confused with one another. An impregnator is used to protect the granite's or marble's insides from staining. The impregnator prevents acid from seeping into the stone, but not the top surface. Thus, a surface marble sealer must still be applied. Sealers protect the surface and better resist stains. However, sealers change the appearance (the color may be darker, but the composition will remain the same) and require frequent reapplication and stripping.

A typical granite and marble sealer offers maximum stain protection. It is non-fim forming and protects against moisture damage. It offers high impregnation depth and it repels water totally. It also minimizes efflorescence and there are generally no visible changes in the surface. Some sealers are designed specifically for high-level protection of marble, granite, and other high-density surfaces; and other high-traffic areas like patios and foyers, driveways, and bathrooms. Other sealers protect against grease/oil around splashbacks, benchtops, and around barbecues.

Other advantages of sealers are that they repel graffiti, stains, and food products - thus, it makes cleaning easier. They also perform well in all environments and are unaffected by ultraviolet light. Sealers also minimize mildew and mold growth and freeze-thaw spalling. They also block chloride ions and salts. Sealers also protect against wear and weathering and withstand contact with alkaline environments and cement-based materials.

Most companies provide performance warranties for a few years whenever they are tasked to apply the sealer. Granite and marble do not come cheap. Being porous materials, they are prone to wear, tear, and environmental elements; thus, a good granite and marble sealer is essential to protect such materials. After all, marble and granite add greatly to the exterior and interior of the building.

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What Can You Use Vinegar For?

Perhaps the better question is to ask what vinegar cannot be used for. Through the centuries, humankind has used this remarkable liquid in cooking, industry, medicine and cleaning. Made up of acetic acid and water, this most basic and natural substance is making a comeback in the environmentally aware world of today. People have used vinegar as cleaner, food additive, odor remover, and even as a weed killer. Others have used vinegar to clean out and deodorize coffee makers, washing machines and dishwashers. So, what can you use vinegar for? Here are a few suggestions.

Vinegar as Cleaner in the Kitchen and Bathroom

In the kitchen and bathroom, make a paste of vinegar, baking soda and liquid detergent for cleaning hard, impervious surfaces like tile, glass and chrome. Need to clean out and deodorize a smelly drain? Simply pour a cup of baking soda into the drain followed by one half cup of heated, white distilled vinegar. Let the mixture sit for five or 10 minutes and rinse with hot water. Vinegar is also useful for cleaning splatters in the microwave, removing tough stains from coffee or tea cups and for getting rid of that spoiled food smell from a refrigerator. Cleaning with vinegar is one of the best ways to avoid using harsh, toxic chemical cleaners in your home.

Vinegar Does Wonders in the Laundry

You don't need those commercially manufactured cleaning products to get brighter colors, whiter whites and softer clothes form your laundry. Simply add one half cup of white distilled vinegar to the final rinse cycle of your washing machine. In order to get rid of tough stains from white clothes, add a cup of vinegar to a pot of water, bring it to a boil and carefully add the white articles to be cleaned. Turn off the burner or remove the pot from the heating source and let the items soak overnight. Vinegar and water mixed in equal parts and placed in a spray bottle make an effective spot remover for the toughest stains caused by mustard, ketchup, wine, rust and grass.

The Most Effective, Cheapest, All-Purpose Cleaning Solution

Many people have simply not taken the time to become familiar with all the uses for vinegar. As a natural disinfectant, vinegar as cleaner will kill just about any mold, mildew, bacteria or germs from on almost any surface. As a natural odor remover, a bowl of white distilled vinegar left overnight in a car will remove any odors left by a carsick passenger. A bit of vinegar added to your pets drinking water will also keep fleas away. You can even use undiluted vinegar to remove rust from garden spigots, tools, screws or immovable rusty bolts. Take some time to find out about the many uses of vinegar as greener cleaner, deodorizer, disinfectant and more.

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Getting Professionals for Your Window Cleaning

Any business or office space with large windows should consider hiring professionals to give them a regular and thorough cleaning. Often a business owner or manager doesn't take the time to consider the effect of unclean windows has on business. In an office, dirty windows can subtly contribute to low morale. In retail it is essential store front windows are sparkling so displays look their best and the store looks inviting.

Hiring professionals for window cleaning can be as simple as phoning a few firms and taking the lowest price. This isn't always prudent as the lowest price isn't always the best deal. Here are some simple steps to take to be sure you get it right.

Get referrals. A recommendation from someone you trust is always the preferred method of finding a service firm. If you can't manage a referral, head to the internet or phone directory to find local firms.

Research firms- A few things to look for: first, the firm should be fully insured. Check to see how long they have been in business. One can also perform a search of most firms and in many cases get reviews or determine if they have any major complaints lodged against them. In some cases, the firm may be a very small proprietorship, so it may make sense to search the owner's name to see what comes up.

Price quotations- Try and get estimates from at least three firms. The firm will need to visit the location in order to generate an accurate estimate and be sure whilst they are there you relay any specific needs or instructions you'd like carried out. You should also inquire about how they go about their cleaning and typical intervals. Some companies use power washers for outside and others traditional brush and squeegee. Also, if you are a retailer and use storefront windows for signage (either signs and posters or applied directly to the window) make sure this is discussed and acknowledged in the estimate.

Ask for references. As part of the estimate review process, ask for relevant customer referrals and follow-up. When speaking to the person with whom the firm referred you to, ask specific questions. Are they completely satisfied with the service they receive? Have they ever had any issues with the service? Does the firm keep appointments and show up regularly? Another great question is to ask if there is anything the firm could do to improve their service. This often leads to revealing comments.

Review contract. When you've determined the favored firm you'll likely be asked to sign a contract for a specific term. It is important to insist on a trial period or some way to cancel the obligation if the service is not up to your standard. Another approach is to simply go on a monthly term.

Closely monitor service during trial term. Of course a new firm will want to put its best foot forward during the initial period, but nonetheless inspect the work closely and be sure to provide feedback. This is good advice for the long term. If something is not being completed according to the contract, contact the firm immediately to rectify the problem. One should not put up with poor or substandard service. If service becomes a regular issue, it may be time to find a new firm!

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Get Bad Smells Off Your Carpet

The material that is used to make carpets is pretty much easy to guess. The fibers used for carpet making are porous and consequently they easily absorb residue into the fabrics. This is especially true for juice, tea or coffee spills that provoke unpleasant odors in the house. When these spills are not promptly and properly dealt with, they cause bad smell which may lead to air pollution in the house. Needless to say this pollution is a potential health hazard for those living in the house.

I know the question running through your mind now is, what do I do to get the horrible odor off my carpet?

My oldest tip for treating a smelly carpet, while at the same time steering clear of the shampooing process, would be to spread a good amount of baking powder on the carpet and leaving it on for a while. After leaving the baking soda on for a while, vacuum the carpet for a fresh smell.

Home Uses of Baking Soda and vinegar

There is no doubt, looking back at its long history of use, that baking soda is a precious element when it comes to getting rid of carpet odors or any other odor from fiber objects. Another very useful product that helps to get rid of bad smell is vinegar. A blend of two parts of water and one part of vinegar can be scrubbed unto a carpet to deal with odor issues. This option is more affordable than buying shampoo dedicated to carpet cleaning or hiring a shampooing cleaner for the same purpose.

The use of fresh air

Indeed, the use of fresh air to clear your carpet of odors may seem a little strange for a beginner. However, this method is a good aid in combating carpet stench. Nevertheless, spraying a carpet or air freshener on the carpet will only mask the smell for a little while. If you want to thoroughly handle the odor, it would prove inadvertently wise to do intensive shampooing of the carpet. The type of shampoo to use for this would be one that is very strongly scented. To get the best of this cleaning process, you would want to do several repetitions. You will want to concentrate most of your efforts on the particular area that was affected and that is causing the bad smell.

Furthermore, you may scrub the affected areas with a brush before you start the shampooing and vacuuming process. Should in case the shampooing does not give the desired results, you will need to pull up the carpet from the floor and clean beneath. Pulling up a carpet is no walk in the park; you must therefore take all things into consideration.

Indeed, you can use the strongly scented shampoo to get rid of odors provoked by pet urine. However, the scent may not completely go away. As such, you may need to hire the services of a professional carpet cleaner for such delicate situations. If the services of the professional do not deal squarely with the situation, you may want to give up the carpet and get a new one.

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