Carpet Cleaning - Doing It Like a Professional

While there is hardly any substitute for actually hiring a carpet cleaning professional when it comes to getting those fibers squeaky clean, most people can't afford to bring in a company like that more than a couple of times a year. Thankfully, you probably won't need to. But that doesn't mean you can't get the most out of your vacuuming routine. If you're tired of feeling like you live in a dirty house even when you spend hours fighting the dust and dirt every week, here are some tips to help you clean like a professional.

Vacuum Frequently

The longer you wait between vacuuming, the longer the dirt has to settle down into the fibers. If it gets stuck down there, your vacuum cleaner isn't going to be enough to get it up. However, if you do it at least once a week, you stand a good chance of getting more than ¾ of the loose dirt up and out of your floors. This may not seem like a lot, but it is more than you'll get with an irregular vacuuming schedule. Most professionals will also recommend moving with the grain to get rid of the dirt on the surface and against it to get the deeper dirt.

Rotate Your Furniture

Not only will rotating your furniture every so often keep you from getting bored with your decor, it can have a positive carpet cleaning benefit. One of the biggest drawbacks of a carpeted floor is the wear that occurs. Over time, that plush floor looks like it was chewed up and thrown in a dirty dryer. By rotating your furniture, you can prevent some of the premature wear from developing and will change the traffic pathways in your home. People tend to walk in the same spots, day after day. Changing things up will, at the very least, make sure your floors get evenly worn.

Cautious Steaming

It's not uncommon to skip calling out the carpet cleaning professional in favor of renting a steamer. Unfortunately, this can have poor repercussions. Yes, you can save money going this route, but you can also leave a lot of moisture in your carpeting. When this happens, it can get down into the padding, which is a surefire way to promote mold growth. If you thought you had a problem with dirt, you haven't seen anything yet. If your floors are taking more than a full 24 hours to dry, you went wrong somewhere. Call a professional next time and avoid a big problem from growing on your floors.

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How to Choose a Cleaning Company

If you are looking into a choosing a cleaning company there are some things you need to do before hiring a cleaning company. The first thing you need to do is ask around to family and friends about any cleaning company they may be using. The best feedback for a cleaning company is someone that uses this them on a regular basis. When you personally know someone who uses a that company you are going to get an honest feedback. Your family member or friend will let you know how good this company cleans, costs and the kind of chemicals they use.

When considering a cleaning company you also need to know if this company is insured. You don't want someone coming in your home and accidentally break an expensive item and you're out the money to replace this item. If the cleaning company has insurance they are responsible for any damages done to your home.

You should also ask the cleaning company what kind of cleaning products they use or if you need to supply these products. If you are wanting your home cleaned with green products, then you need to let the company know that you don't want anything else used to clean your home.

An important thing to ask is about the cost of the cleaning service. How much will it cost you to have your home cleaned and what all will be covered in the cleaning that they will do. Some cleaning companies only do basic cleaning which is they will come in dust and vacuum. They don't do dishes, trash or make beds. This is a basic cleaning. If you are wanting a cleaning that you want everything done, then you will need a price for this. You should also ask the cleaning company if you are paying them by the hour or the job. If you are paying by the hour you may end up paying quite a bit of money for their service.

You also need to know if you need to be home when the cleaning is done or can they do the cleaning while you are at work. Always ask them how many people will be doing this job too. You need to know how many people are in your home. Ask the company if they perform criminal background checks on their employees. You don't want to think that someone in your home cleaning will be taking things out of your home.

You can find a great cleaning crew just by asking many questions. Don't be afraid to ask questions. This is your home and you want a good job and a safe job done.

Triple Dog Dare You to Lick the Floor

The average office employee's hands come in contact with 10 million bacteria a day: E-coli bacteria are present on 10% of coffee mugs; The average desk is home to 400 times more bacteria than a dirty dish cloth; Fecal matter can be found on 16% of phones; Each time you use the office phone you are making much more than a three way call- you are talking to 25,127 microbes per square inch. If our bodies' natural defenses stopped working, the bacteria in our guts would consume us in a matter of 48 hours. Scientists have even found bacteria living and thriving in the clouds, confirming every germaphobes worst nightmare: germs are EVERYWHERE.

Thinking about leaving your plush leather chair to curl up into a ball on the floor somewhere? Think again: Dust off one of those forgotten used floor scrubbers and go to town. One of the filthiest places in our everyday life is our shoes and (guilty by association) - the floors. The average person's shoes are home to at least nine different bacteria and 90% of the time the germs we carry on our shoes are transferred to our floors.

Carpets are the worst host, housing enough germs to be 4,000 times dirtier than your toilet seat. Carpet is the germ residence of choice due to all the human skin cells that are caught in between the fibers, serving as food for our tiny friends. From here, I think we can all reason that any "five second rule" we have been using should be considered null and void.

Luckily, most of these microorganisms can be eliminated by using the company floor cleaning machines. Floor scrubbers are ideal for carpet cleaning because of the amount of pressure the machines exert. This extra pressure allows the cleaner to reach deep within the carpet (where most germs live), instead of just brushing the surface. A floor scrubber machine is also continuously replenished with fresh water and chemicals, so that it never regurgitates contaminated solution onto your floors. A floor sweeper is a more efficient cleaner than a typical vacuum cleaner because instead of sucking particles into an open container and then letting them spill back onto your floor, sweepers secure the bacteria in an enclosed, airtight container (and keep them there!). These machines clean beyond the naked eye, ensuring a more sanitary floor space. With the aid of a quality scrubber and sweeper, there is still hope for a world where dropping your last Cheeto onto the floor does not cause a mental breakdown. 1... 2... 3... 4... 5!

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The Best Procedure to Clean Sidewalks

Concrete sidewalks are something that is often neglected and not properly maintained. When sidewalks are not properly maintained they can quickly build up with dirt and grime and the result is a property that has a diminished curb appeal. Because concrete is such as porous surface, dirt and grime can easily become trapped in the pores of the concrete and build up over time can make the concrete surface look many more years older than it actually is.

Commercial property can also be subject to high traffic which further accelerates the aging process. However, if the property owner doesn't choose to neglect the concrete around their property, they can greatly enhance the properties curb appeal.

If you are look to clean the concrete sidewalks around your home or business and you want some tips on how to do it yourself, the following is a list of the things you will need to consider.

1. What type of stains are present on the concrete sidewalks - Typically concrete sidewalks will build up with general and dirt, grime and moss or mold. Sodium hydrochloride, otherwise know as liquid chlorine is highly effect at combating general dirt and grime that is caused by atmospheric contaminants. For these types of stains spray or apply liquid chlorine on with a concentration depending on how bad the stains are. For heavy stains you may need to apply the chlorine straight and for light staining apply a diluted solution, perhaps 1:1 or slightly stronger. A good idea is to prewet or even pressure or power wash the concrete beforehand and do not allow the chemical to dry on the surface as this can leave a chemical residue. For other stains such as food/drink stains or oil and grease stains, general purpose degreasers can be highly effective. For heavy oil stains, caustic soda can be used, however be very careful when using strong chemicals such as caustic soda.


2. Obtaining an appropriate pressure washer - For large concrete sidewalk areas, you will need an industrial type pressure or power washer. If you are not going to regularly do this, you will be best to hire a machine or borrow one. If maintaining your concrete sidewalks is something that you would like to do on a regular basis, then purchasing one will save you money in the long run. You will need to decide between cold or hot water. Hot water is best for greasy sidewalks otherwise you can get by with just cold water. If it is only a small area of concrete perhaps a small domestic style machine will be sufficient. Look for a unit with good PSI (pressure per square inch) and also GPM (gallons per minute).


3. Environmental Issues and Run off water - When undertaking a pressure washing task, you must be mindful of the run off water. You should not allow waste water to enter storm water drains. You should contain all waste water and dispose of it in accordance to your state regulations.

What Maids Do to Make Your Life Easier

In this day and age, living a busy life and running a successful business requires you to be up and available 22 hours a day. Since there are only 24 hours in a day, it will be very hard for you to squeeze in time for anything else. This means that not only will you lose quite a bit of sleep, you may end of suffering from some poor health every now and then and you won't have time to do most of your required daily activities. Of course, daily activities include cooking meals, cleaning your home and keeping the laundry clean. What are you supposed to do in order to keep everything in order without having to give up your career? You need to hire some maids to pick up where you left off.

Maids can be a life saver. Not only can they pick up your slack, they can also make it appear as if you have everything under control. If you haven't used a cleaning service before, you should take a more in-depth look at the ways maids can help you.

Maids can clean your home and business and keep everything organized. It doesn't matter how cluttered you r place is, they will pick up the mess and put things where they belong. This will allow you to feel less guilty about the state your home is in. Garbage will not be able to accumulate and you won't have to waste precious time looking for important items.

Instead of you digging through last week's piles of dirty clothes to find something to wear that looks clean, you can get used to the feeling of having clean and fresh clothes to wear. Your laundry won't pile up and you never have to wonder if something was washed or not. The best part is it will already be folded up and hung up. This is really great, if you are constantly on the go.

One advantage to using a maid service is you can pick when you want them to come and do their job. If you want everyone to think you are able to handle everything yourself, then you should have the cleaning team come while everyone is out. If you want to look as if you are professional and wealthy, you may want to have them come while you have company.

No matter what your exact needs are, you should be happy to know that the right cleaning service can handle them. There is no need to contact every company in the phonebook, in hopes of find a specific service for each of your needs. If you contact the right professionals the first time, you can have the peace of mind in knowing that even if you are incapacitated for a few days and in need of some assistance, your maids are always there to help. Contact a company you can trust and see how well they take care of all of your chores.

Keep on Top of Pet Dirt With a Powerful Vacuum for Pet Hair

Without the repeated use of an efficient pet hair removal tool, our home and furniture soon becomes covered in dirt, dust, and lost hair. Also, without the necessary cleaning schedule in place, this build-up in pet hair has the potential to flare-up certain allergies or respiratory problems in humans. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a non-shedding dog; all breeds naturally loose hair to some degree. Whether it is for a long-haired, short-haired or flat coated, a need to vacuum at least once a week is essential to combat household dirt and hair.

The most proven vacuums for eliminating pet hair are those designed for this particular task, which feature several different purpose-built attachments for ease in sucking up hair and dirt from furniture or difficult to reach areas. A product specific tool, such as the vacuum for pet hair, works a lot more efficiently than a standard stand-up vacuum cleaner.

Popular pet vacuums consist of -

Dyson's DC25 Animal - a cutting edge vacuum that is designed with pet specific features to assist in cleaning up stubborn dirt and pet dander from all floor surfaces, upholstery, or a vehicles rear seats or cargo area. An up-right, bagless, and tough built ABS polycarbonate constructed vacuum that comes with Dyson's innovative ball technology, HEPA filters, telescoping reach wand, and a detachable mini-turbine for ease in accessing difficult or tight spaces.

Hoover WindTunnel T-Series - sleek designed, and easy to maneuver, a deep cleaning vacuum equipped with multiple features, such as an adjustable brush-roll, collapsible handle, automatic rewind cord, and even a light to illuminate dark corners. Multiple pet specific tool attach for ease in cleaning tight corners or crevices on furniture pieces.

Shark's Lift-Around Portable - a lightweight alternative to the stand-up vacuum, the Lift-Around gives similar power and performance to a full-featured stand-up vacuum, yet comes in a compact, lightweight and easily portable package. Premium tools and accessories exist for sucking up ground-in dirt, dust and pet hair. A great choice for cleaning places an upright can't.

Even though a high-performance vacuum ensures effective cleaning, putting in the time to give a pet a proper and regular grooming schedule will also help a great deal in cutting down on excessive shredding, Pet owner owners often struggle with keeping on top of the dirt left behind by a cat or dog, so making sure a purpose-built vacuum is always available makes it that much easier to pull stubborn dirt from the carpet, upholstery, beds, or even articles of clothing.

Looking for the Best Carpet Cleaning Service Provider

Most homeowners do not regularly clean or have their carpets cleaned by professional cleaners. Most of us wait too long to clean our carpets. This should be done about once every three months if we want to restore their original state or make them last longer. If you live in dusty area, cleaning carpet should be done regularly.

Most homeowners only get in touch with professional cleaners only when their carpets have become dull or grayish in color because of winter or they move out of their rented apartment or home. No matter what the reason is, hiring a professional cleaner is recommended if your goal is to restore your carpet to its original state.

When hiring a provider, consider these tips.

First, do not just look for a provider in the phone book and contact the first one you see in it. That is foolishness! Many carpet cleaning services providers who spend big money on advertisement are usually the ones that come pricey. Needless to say, price does not usually guarantee good service. You should know that!

Second, trust word of mouth in your community. Take time to ask your friends, family, or office-mates about a good provider in your area. The people you know may give you the right carpet cleaning professionals to work with. These people are honest about recommending a provider.

Third, look for online reviews. Yes, online reviews do help as long as the reviews are done honestly by people who have availed of the services of your prospective provider. If the reviews are highly advertorial or you sense that they are not real, then skip to the next possible provider. A reputable review site offers both positive and negative reviews of companies.

Fourth, call a prospective service provider. Ask them honest questions. Talk to them upfront about the cost of their service as well as the best method to use to clean your carpets. Explain to them the condition of your material to be cleaned.

Fifth, make sure that you check if the business is licensed. You don't want to deal with a fake company, do you? There are carpet cleaners who are not licensed, so you must ask their business number. It is also wise to ask them if they have a general liability policy. Avoid fly-by-night cleaners.

These are simple tips to follow if you want to have the best service provider to clean your carpets. Put premium on efficiency, effectiveness, reliability, and friendliness of carpet cleaning technicians!

The Advantages of Using Steam Mops

There are a lot of advantages using a steam mop over the old mop and bucket of water. You must have thought or even gotten frustrated with how heavy the bucket of water was, or how much time it took you to clean that one little spot of spill on the floor because you would have to mop the whole floor for it to not leave streaks. Here is the solution to solve all the frustrations-steam mops.

Get rid of the old mop and bucket of water

With steam mops, you don't have to have a bucket of sloppy water follow you while you clean. All you need to do is push a button and steam will come out. With one wipe you will see the spot comes clean. You don't have to worry about leaving streaks behind because they are designed to dry floor quickly, so water will not go into the floor and ruin it. They can be used on all floor types: marble, hardwood floor, laminate flooring, etc. Some floors are really sensitive to chemicals, and you have to wipe the floor immediately after mopping, otherwise, you are in risk of ruining your floor. However, you don't have to worry about that with steam mops because it dries the floor quickly, no water will be left behind after cleaning, and they are chemical free.

Safer Environment for Everybody

Like it was mentioned, steam mops are chemical free, so you don't have to clean with different types of chemical and might end up damaging your floor. Since the mops are using steam to clean, there are no additional chemicals that are harsh to your floor, or any chemical that might be left behind on your floors which happens with the old mop and bucket of water. The steam can be as high as 130 degree Celsius (266 ͦF), so it kills bacteria and germs effectively. They also prevent the growth of molds and mildew, and people with allergies are also using them to destroy and prevent dust mites and other potential allergens. The regular old mop and bucket of water will never give the same result because you are using the dirty water over and over again when you repeatedly dip the mop back to the same bucket of water. Steam mops also give you a fresh scent after cleaning where the old mop only gives you chemical smell.

Steam Mops are Easy to Store

You can get rid of your old mop and the bucket from your closet and replace them with one steam mop because you no longer need the bucket of water. You can even leave the solution in the solution tank for a few days and reuse it again later. You can also save money and space by using steam mops because there is no need of buying chemical cleaners and storing them at your house, so you can have a healthier environment for your children and pets. They are easier to handle than the old mop and bucket style; with adjustable handle, you can even mop your floor sitting down.

Therefore, you can have a healthier environment for children and pets with using steam mops because they kill germs effectively and chemical free.

Why Invest In Pet Odor Removal Products

If you have pets and you want to keep a clean and hygienic home, you've got to use what professionals use and recommend you to use. That's how you choose a really good pet urine remover. Because of its ability to completely eliminate urine sight and smell to the extent that the pet doesn't know where he peed the last time, many pet trainers, kennel owners and carpet cleaners rely on the excellence of pet odor removal agents for pet urine.

The pet odor removal products are different. They usually do not mask the obnoxious odors of pet urine with chemicals but completely takes it away from the source. If you realize, this is the tricky part where many other types of cleaning agents fail. Once the pet odor removal products finish their job, they leave behind a clean and crisp perfume in the air which spells cleanliness.

The basic reason for the pet odor removal products' success with pet urine stains and smell is that some of them contain an ingredient known as the remains of organic matter taken from your pet. When this is applied to the urine-affected spot, it works in a way that gets rid of the source of the urine odor at the source, and that includes the stains too! However, these products have other related uses too which makes them all the more cost-effective for pet owners to invest in - they can also be used to remove the vomit and feces of pet dogs and cats, besides the corpses of other decaying animals.

So, if you have an obstinate cat that will go back to the same spot that he had peed in earlier, he's surely not going to find that spot once the cleaning solution is used to take it away. When pet owners used white vinegar to get rid of such stains and smells, cats would return to the same spot since they could still smell their urine there. This proves that white vinegar did not do a 100% job as this cleaning agent does. If you, as a pet owner, try the cleaning solutions, you will know the difference.

Another benefit of investing in the cleaning solution is that they can be used on a spectrum of surfaces that include carpets and rugs, hardwood floor, ceramic tiles, linoleum, stainless steel and upholstery. And, you can get rid of recent spots and stains using the cleaning solutions or even decades-old stains and spots and still get the same 100% results. Can you ask for more?

The cleaning solutions are also easily available. Besides being available in the nearest store to you, you can also buy them online. To convince you that you're on the right track, you can also read users' reviews and be sure that you're investing in the right product for your home. Pet odor removal products are sure to impress you with their high level of quality performance they it has wowed others before you.

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Home Cleaning - Cleaning That Is Customized to Meet Your Needs

If you have been struggling to get some type of order in your home, you could hire a professional maid service and let them do the work for you. When you use the services of a professional home cleaning service, you can leave your home with a dirty bathroom, messy countertops, dirty floors, and return to a home that is sanitized, clean, neat, and smelling fresh. This will take away all of the guilt that you may have felt by not having enough time to devote to your homes' cleaning needs. It also sets a positive example to your other family member, especially your children, on how a home is to be properly maintained.

A great maid service to use is one that is committed to hiring a cleaning crew that will complete their cleaning tasks quick, thoroughly, and to your specific requests. The cleaning crew the company hires should have also successfully completed and passed a drug and background check. The home cleaning service should also re-clean any area you feel has not been cleaned thoroughly. This means you will check to see if the cleaning company offers guarantees on their cleaning service to include promptly returning to your home and honoring your re-cleaning requests. You should also check to see what type of products and equipment the cleaning company uses because there are some companies that will honor your request to use "green" products.

You could ask the representatives of the maid service if they are available for special cleaning services such as getting your home professionally cleaned for events such as a wedding anniversary party, a New Year's Eve celebration, your daughters sweet sixteen party and more. For a basic cleaning service, you can hire the cleaning specialists to come to your home daily, weekly, or monthly. You can also specify special requests on how you want a particular area cleaned by writing the information down and presenting it to the cleaning team. Some of the basic cleaning services offered by a professional cleaning service may include vacuuming your carpets, sanitizing your shower and bath area, sanitizing the kitchen, dusting, and mopping.

To get started with your home cleaning service, call and schedule a consultation where someone will come to your home and provide you with options that will meet your needs and budget. You can also visit their website to learn how long they have been in business, the cleaning awards they have won, and information on their cleaning commitment to their customers.

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Why Steam Cleaning Is Your Best Option

When it comes to really cleaning your home, especially your carpets and upholstery, steam cleaning is the only way to go. You can rent a shampooer or use those over the counter mops that have the removable pads. But if you really want to remove nearly all the bacteria and allergens from your home steam cleaning is by far, the most effective option.

In homes where there are young children and pets, daily accidents are bound to happen. By shampooing the carpet or taking out your trusty mop you are visibly cleaning the mess but beneath the exposed surface particles and liquids are still trapped. After a while this dirt and dust mount up to filth and eventually, odor. It is then that you will question your cleaning methods. Save yourself precious time and effort and do it right from the start.

Steam cleaning has caught on in recent years because many of us realize that surface clean is not the same as being thoroughly clean. With the economic uncertainty many people are trying to keep their furnishings for longer than they used to. Having your home steam cleaned will guarantee that you are removing harmful bacteria such as listeria, salmonella and e-coli. Add a few friendly pets into the environment and you are certain to have animal dander lurking behind the scene as well. By steam cleaning you are creating a safe home for you and your family by eliminating these bacteria and particles.

If you really want your home to be free from dust, allergens and harmful bacteria you would do well to hire a professional steam cleaning service. The cleaning service is familiar with the equipment used and knows how to handle different fabrics. There is a lot that goes into doing the job right. The steam needs to be at a level that will remove the dirt quickly so that you do not over saturate the area and then create additional issues such as mold or mildew which can prove to be very harmful to your family members.

Having a professional Steam cleaning service do the job allows you to worry about other things. If the work is not done to your satisfaction you have somewhere to go to get it rectified. They can also provide you with tips that you can do in between steam cleaning to keep your furnishings looking good until your next appointment and that is what an expert service is really about.

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Maid Service Can Help You Keep Dust Away

Whether you own or rent your place of residence, you need to keep it clean, but don't always have time to do it right. For years, cleaning the home has been considered the woman's job, but since we have many women in the work force now, it has become important to hire a maid service. No matter what the reason is that you struggle keeping a clean house, you may want to consider hiring someone to give you that needed edge before company comes to town. Many homeowners today also are not familiar with the cleaning.

Maid service is any outside company that specializes in cleaning homes or businesses for profit. Maids are often thought of, as being females who work in the homes of the wealthy, but in today's society, can also be domestic workers employed in the homes in the middle class as well. The tasks they perform include cooking the family meals, cleaning, walking the family pet, caring for the children, and shopping for the family groceries.

You may consider using a maid service for several different reasons. These could include the culture of where you live, you just had a baby and could use some extra help, don't have the time due to family or occupational responsibilities, or that you can afford it.

When you are looking for a maid service you want to make sure that you are choosing one that you can trust and will supply workers that are reliable so that you can depend on them being at your home or place of business when they are scheduled. The best way to find one is to go through an agency. This will give you the piece of mind that you need because each person who works for the agency has had background checks performed. The agency will also make sure that the maids understand what is expected of them, in case there are language barriers that make communication more difficult. Choosing your maid through an agency will also make it so that you are not liable if there is anything wrong with their ability to work in the United States and that they are being paid properly since they will do all the paperwork for you. It will also assure that you will be hiring a trustworthy house cleaner so that you can leave your home in her care while you work or if you have errands to run.

When you are looking for a company to clean your home, you want one that makes you comfortable so that you can enjoy some time for relaxation without worry.

Mistakes Not to Make When Choosing a Professional Carpet Cleaner

Many homeowners nowadays are too busy with various things to clean their carpets themselves. It could be due to a full time job that he or she has or it could be spending time with the kids, but whatever the reason may be it is still not good to leave your carpet to become filthy and ugly.

This is why many carpet owners decide to hire a professional carpet cleaner to do the job. Hiring professionals to do the task of cleaning your carpet is a great way for you to have your free time and still be able to get a beautiful and clean carpet at home. Sadly, hiring a professional cleaner is not as simple as it may seem. You would need to hire a good carpet cleaner to ensure that your carpet is in good and reliable hands. Not doing so can pose serious harm to your carpet.

But despite this, many homeowners still make little errors when they choose a carpet cleaning company. This can leave you with either a still dirty carpet and in some cases they can even ruin it completely. If you want to be a good carpet owner, here are some errors you should not do when you are choosing a professional carpet cleaner.

1. Hiring the First Company You Find in the Yellow Pages or Online - This is certainly not the best way to find your carpet cleaner. Simply flipping through the yellow pages or checking online and hiring the first company you see is not a wise choice. You should always look at several factors when hiring a professional cleaner. You should check up on the company's reputation and services before you hire them. Hiring a professional cleaner because it's the first one on a list is not enough, you should always take the proper effort to find out more about them before making your hiring decision.

2. Not Checking for a Good Guarantee - A good guarantee can make a big difference when it comes to hiring a professional cleaner. There are a lot of carpet cleaning companies out there and surely picking one with a good guarantee is recommended. This is why not checking if the company you are hiring even has a guarantee can be one mistake that could be costly. This is because without a guarantee, if the company you hired did a poor job of cleaning the carpet, you will not have any reason to have them do the job again or give you your money back. Thus you would need to hire another cleaning company to do the job. Don't make this mistake; always check if the company you are planning to hire has a guarantee so that you won't be disadvantaged in the long run.

Drain Cleaning: Removing Pesky Clogs

At some point or another, every homeowner will have to deal with a clogged drain. More often than not, this clog occurs in the kitchen sink. To fix the issue, you'll have to become familiar with one or two methods of drain cleaning. These strategies can run from cheap and quick to somewhat more expensive and complicated. Of course, the best strategy is to avoid these clogs in the first place. You can do this by not putting substances like grease down the sink, which can congeal against the sides of your pipes and cause problems. While calling the plumber is always an option, here are some things you can try in the meantime.

- Manually Remove The Debris

Your first step should be to take the stopper out of the sink and see what you can remove with your hands or some kind of grabber. This is the simplest method of drain cleaning, yet it is often the most effective. Generally speaking, however, this is going to be more successful with bathroom clogs, where the culprit is often hair. It tends to get wrapped around the stopper's length, preventing water from flowing through. Still, you may find that removing some food or debris from your kitchen sink will do the trick.

- Plunge It

We usually think of using a plunger to clear toilet clogs, but it can also be used to clear kitchen sink clogs. Fill the sink with water and put the plunger over the drain hole. If your plunger is too large, you can buy a smaller plunger meant for sink use. Pump the plunger five or ten times and then lift it quickly out of the sink. You'll know right away if it worked or not, as the water will either begin swirling down or it won't. If it doesn't, try again a few times. If that doesn't work, you'll have to move on to more advanced methods of drain cleaning.

- Open It

You've probably noticed that there is a curved piece to your pipe underneath the sink. This is called the "trap" and it can be a great place to retrieve a ring or other valuable object you accidentally dropped down the sink. It can also make a great place for clogs to develop. Put a bucket underneath the pipe and unscrew it with the appropriate tools (some traps have a plug you can release to make it easier to access). Once you've removed the piece, you can use a clothes hanger to free up any debris. Replace the trap and see if that did the trick. If not, you may need to call a plumber and get professional drain cleaning services.

Clutter and Relationships, Part I

Decluttering involves more than just possessions and extra items laying around. It involves people, emotions, and relationships. If we don't consider this facet of getting rid of clutter we can make the road to a clutter free life much more difficult. In this multi part series of decluttering articles I will discuss ways to make the human side of decluttering go as smoothly as getting rid of the clutter itself.

When we want to make changes in our lives we need to be aware that this can affect other people as well. This can be very apparent when we live with those people. There are sometimes more people affected than we realize - here is a short list of those that are likely to be affected by your decluttering.

• Parents
• Children
• Pets
• Friends
• Neighbors
• Coworkers

Some of the people on that list might seem a bit far fetched but I guarantee that when you make changes in your life other people will notice! Whether it is your husband or wife who is watching or helping you to get rid of clutter, your children who might not understand why things are changing, or the neighbor who sees you taking better care of your house, there are people around you that will notice and can react in good and not so good ways.

So - take the initiative and let people know what you are doing! In addition to letting them know what you plan on doing it will lend accountability to the situation that can help you follow through with your plans. The best place to start is with your immediate family. Tell them that you want to make some changes and that you intend to declutter. You know it is a healthy choice and one that can bring you, and them, many benefits. It may include some changes in their way of doing things, so be up front with them and what you expect.

Some common ideas and situations to bring up for discussion are:

• Do you have any expectations of them helping you?
• How can they help you?
• Are they interested in getting rid of clutter or being a part of the process?
• How are you going to go about this "decluttering"
• Why are you now taking action to get rid of things and be more organized?

Bringing these subjects up can save time, effort, and hurt feelings. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our own worlds that we forget that others, even the ones we see everyday, might not be on the same page as us. When others know what you are doing, and why, they will more likely respond in a favorable way and probably want to help.

Have you had relationships impacted by clutter? Have you found a way through the maze of relationship issues? Let us about it in the comments below.

The next article in this topic will be: How can we enlist the aid of others in decluttering?

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Is Gojo Soap for You?

Gojo Soap is that orange smelling, abrasive feeling, hand sanitizer that cleans like no other soap. It is easily identified in its orange bottle and is known for its industrial strength use. Auto mechanics, hospital personnel, and people in other similar industries that require sanitary work environments or require individuals who work in very dirty climates to clean up well use it. The coarse pumice does a great job while getting rid of all the bacteria and dirt.

Gojo Soap also leaves your hands smelling like fresh oranges. Instructions for use are very easy. First, you want to make sure your hands are not wet. Give one pump or more depending on the situation. Begin to scrub your hands and start to mix in some water as you rub your hands. Finally you need to thoroughly rinse your hands with water and wipe your hands dry.

It is not recommended to use this product every day unless your job requires it, but it does an excellent job when you need extra strength. For example, it is great to use after changing your own oil or after cleaning out the dirty old storage shed. However, it is not necessary to use water in less extreme instances. For example, the Yankee stadium, home of the New York Yankees, one of the most decorated teams in Major League Baseball, use Gojo Soap in all of their bathrooms. This actually saves millions of gallons in water every year and is another great example of the far reaching benefits of using Gojo Soap.

Personally, I have had a great experience with Gojo soap. When I was younger, I worked as a commercial electrician for about 4 years. This was when I learned about Gojo and how wonderful the stuff really is. The company was based in Arizona, and we did maintenance and upgrades on several machine shops. I climbed through many ceilings and touched lots of dirty equipment. All of the machine shops had these bright orange bottles that I quickly learned was Gojo. It worked like a charm, and I would use it a few times a day when I had to get my hands clean like, for instance, for lunch break. I would go to the restroom and then wash my hands with the orange pumice. I truly believe that I am healthier today because of Gojo.

Ridding yourself of bacteria can directly lead to a healthy lifestyle. Purell Instant Hand Santizer is another great Gojo product that allows its customers to ensure that they kill bacteria at a moment's notice without necessarily having to use a heavy duty cleaner. This product does not require water so it can be used anywhere by simply applying it to your hands. It is important to keep up on your hygiene so that you do not get sick. Whether you need an everyday cleaner like Purell or an industrial strength product like Gojo Soap, Gojo Industries has you covered!

This news article is brought to you by ARCHERY - where latest news are our top priority.

Extend the Life of Your Furniture With Upholstery Cleaning

One of the most overlooked tasks of managing a home is cleaning the upholstery. Sure most people will remember to vacuum their furniture on a weekly basis and maybe even remember to spray some antibacterial spray onto the fabric, but these tasks will not prolong the life of your furniture. Home furnishings are one of the most expensive investments that a person will make in their life time. On average, people hope that their furniture will last at least 10 years before it will be necessary to buy new ones. However, without upholstery cleaning this is not likely.

The fabric and padding of your furniture quickly absorbs dirt and debris from your clothes every time you sit on it. When you have children, especially, this means that a lot of bacteria and allergens are finding a place to call home inside of your furniture. Over the course of two or three years fabric will begin to fade and wear out making the furniture look dull and in need of replacement. With upholstery cleaning services companies you can save your furniture by having it cleaned by a team of professionals at least once per month.

At home steam cleaners are not as powerful as commercial units. These devices are designed to clean the fabric of your furniture at the deepest level. Using powerful suction and deep penetration of hot water, upholstery cleaning companies are able to offer the best fabric restoration available. If you want to get your furniture really clean then it is necessary to hire the professionals. The time table for having your furniture cleaned will depend on how much it is used. Homes with several children or regular guests should consider upholstery cleaning every six months. Medical offices should consider it as often as every month to help control the spread of bacteria between patients.

Upholstery cleaning offers a better clean than doing it yourself. At the end of the cleaning process you should have the company apply a protectant fabric seal to the material. This will help protect the material from bending, breaking and absorbing dirt and debris into for up to six months depending on the use of the furniture. Without upholstery cleaning you will be forced to replace worn out furniture every few years instead of every decade or longer. Upholstery cleaning services will usually offer curtain cleaning as well. You should check with the company you choose to determine if there are more services available for your home or office.

Dangerous Jobs - High Rise Window Cleaning

Having an office in a high-rise building has many benefits, the most important one being the amazing views you can enjoy. To be able to enjoy the view, the windows have to be clean at all times. Cleaning wind ows in a high-rise building poses a great challenge that makes this one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. This is not a job that anyone can do, and it requires someone who is well trained and has no fear of heights.

When looking to rent office space in a high-rise building, you have to consider the condition of everything in the office including the windows. Building owners have the responsibility of ensuring that the windows are clean as this is the only way they can hope to attract clients. If you rent office space in a building where the windows are not clean, it will reflect badly on your business.

High-rise building owners contract window cleaning services to carry out the dangerous task of cleaning the windows. The services tend to be quite costly, but the fact is that this is a dangerous job and anyone willing to do it should be paid well for it. Trying to clean the windows from the inside is a futile attempt when the outside remains dirty. Some of the cleaning services are more affordable than others, and you should carry out research to find the ones that suit your budget.

It is important to find a company that uses the right equipment and products. If there is someone working on the outside of the high-rise building, it helps to know that the person is safe. The best way to find a company that offers quality cleaning services is by getting references. You can also read online reviews to find out the most reputable cleaning services. If you find a good service provider, you can get into a long-term relationship that will cost you less in the end.

For as long as there are dangerous jobs to be performed, there will always be people willing to do them. Fortunately, there are different people in the world, and what one person may consider impossible e simple for another individual. For as long as there are high-rise buildings, there will always be the need to clean the windows. Until technology can come up with new self-cleaning windows, the world will have to continue to depend on the brave souls who are willing to do the job.

As far as technology is concerned, the owners of the tallest building in the world- Dubai's Burj Khalifa, have come up with an ingenious way to ensure that the windows on the 160 stories building remain clean. Large multi-million dollar carousels were created to enable window cleaners to safely manage to clean the almost 1.3 million square feet of glass. The carousels that weigh 13 tons are able to ensure that 36 window cleaners can safely carry out their job. Even with the carousels, the widow cleaners can only clean to a level of 1200feet, after which robotic window washers carry out the rest of the task.

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What Is Full Immersion Rug Cleaning?

Oriental rugs require expert care to preserve their beauty and materials. A very popular and traditional method is called full immersion cleaning. This article will give a brief overview of the method so you know what to expect and whether the process is right for your needs.

Definition

Full immersion rug cleaning is a professionally done process where an Oriental rug is submerged in water to be cleaned of dirt, oils and other debris. Both the top and underside of the carpet are agitated with natural soap, followed by a thorough rinsing and drying process.

How does it work?

Before the rug is put into a water solution, it is dusted and beaten to get rid of as much of the dry dirt, dust and debris as possible. For delicate or antique rugs, they are placed between two screens to ensure the pile isn't damaged. The process goes until no more dirt falls out, which can be upwards of an hour.

The rug will be dye tested so the solution chosen by the professional cleaner will preserve the rug's color. Plus, any fragile fibers will be stabilized and secured. Then the rug is submerged into a washtub where natural soaps are agitated into both sides of the rug's surface. For delicate rugs, this is done by hand. Next, the soaking process brings in clean water to circulate around the rug while the dirty water is removed. A flushing tool is used to penetrate deep into the fibers to clean out the contaminated water.

Finally the rugs are laid flat to dry on screens in a temperature controlled area. The goal is to ensure the rug dries evenly to avoid shrinkage. Often dehumidifiers, heat and air circulating fans aid the drying process. The dried rug will be gone over for details to remove lint and care for the fringe.

Benefits

Cleaning Oriental rugs ensures longevity by strengthening the fibers and removing damaging soil. This type of deep cleaning will remove odors, most stains, and brighten the appearance of the rug. Plus, it will remove any moth larvae and repel future infestations, especially if you plan to store the rug after the cleaning.

When should a rug be fully immersion cleaned?

How often you clean your rug depends on its usage. Most specialists suggest with proper upkeep, Oriental rugs in high traffic areas be deep cleaned every 3-5 years to protect the fibers and integrity of the rug. In less used areas, cleaning can be done every 10 years. However, if you have stains, especially pet urine, it is best to have the rug cleaned sooner than later. And be certain to let the rug specialist know about the stains. Often, such soiled areas "blossom" when they are put into water, pronouncing the stain. However, if the cleaning specialists know ahead of time what to expect, they can treat the rug first and help to get rid of otherwise damaging stains.

If you would like to have your rug cleaned, find an Oriental rug specialist near you. If you are in Georgia, Atlanta Oriental rug can help you with your cleaning needs.

Sharian Rugs

Atlanta, Georgia

Sharian.com

How to Select Maids

Finding maids that you feel comfortable working with can be a challenge in any situation. You know your home. You know what you want this space to look like and how you want it cleaned. Yet, it can be hard to communicate those needs to the professionals who will come into your home to do the work for you. Instead of dreading the process or feeling as though you are the only one that can do the work, know what to look for in these professionals before you decide to hire them. It can make a big difference in the outcome.

Tips for Choosing the Best

When it comes to choosing maids you know you can trust, it pays to look for a professional company rather than an individual. This way, you can work closely with those they bring in and know that the company knows what you expect. You can set the standards and count on working with professionals who have experience in maintaining the home. You do not have to worry that you will need to do all of the work on your own.

The following are some tips to consider when hiring a maid for your home. Do not overlook interviewing more than one professional to determine who the best choice for the job is.

• Learn about experience and training. These two things are the most important when it comes to selecting who you will work with for this need.

• Consider the types of tasks they can or will do for you and what services may be available as add on purchases. Sometimes, you may need a more tailored plan that fits your specific home's needs. Ensure they can fill these needs.

• Determine the frequency of the visits. How often will they come and how long will they stay? This may tell you how much time they will actually take to ensure your home looks great.

• Does the company have a solid reputation for providing good services? Are they willing to work around your needs? Understanding the customer service abilities of the company is just as important.

• Is the company one that you can turn to with a problem? For example, if you do not like the job that is being done by one team, is it possible to request someone new? This may help you feel more comfortable in the process as well.

When it comes to hiring maids, many factors play a role in the success you will have. Ultimately, though, it is up to you to hire the professionals who are going to get the job done to the level you need them to.

Home Improvement: Why You Should Have Your Blinds Cleaned or Repaired

Your window blinds are not only tools that block out sunlight from entering your home; they can also serve as indoor decorations of sorts, and add to your interior design. This is only the case, however, if your blinds are clean and in good shape. If your drapes are dirty, stained, and generally unsightly, they can actually make your interior look worse and can be become a focal point in your home for all of the wrong reasons. That's why, if you have dirty blinds, or blinds that are in need of repair, it's important to have a trusted blind repair company picked out that you can call.

Why use a company for cleaning and repairing blinds? For one, a regular blind cleaning can help save you money. When your drapes get dirty, you may not have the materials or the knowledge of blind cleaning to successfully clean them on your own. When this occurs, you might otherwise opt to purchase replacement blinds of the same color and size. Doing this repeatedly can start to add up and put a dent in your wallet. Having your drapes cleaned by a professional can help keep some of that money in your pocket, and can keep you from constantly replacing your blinds.

Of course, replacing blinds can only happen if the color and size you bought previously are still being manufactured. If your blinds have been discontinued, you're looking at potentially having to select different drapes that will change the look of your interior. If your blinds are broken or have become dirty, you can avoid this route by hiring a company to clean your blinds for you. Repairing your damaged blinds may be the only option if they're difficult to find or aren't being sold anymore, and regular cleanings can keep your drapes in good shape and increase their life expectancy.

These are just some of the reasons you should consider hiring a blind cleaning and repair company. Your blinds serve multiple roles in your home, and keeping them in good condition can not only keep your home's decor looking great, it can also help save you money by reducing the need to replace your blinds with new ones. As far as finding such a company goes, browse the Web or ask around for recommendations for specialists that you can call in case you ever need your blinds repaired or cleaned.

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Best Pet Stain Removal Products

With a stained carpet and a pet that's ready to return to that spot every day to do his business, you've got a big problem on your hands. And if this is the case, then you've got to begin scouring the market to look for that one product that will restore your carpet to its earlier look.

Well, if you look in the right places you could be in luck because the market does have proven pet urine cleaning agents, which carry out effective odor removal. These products are your best choice for pet urine and feces odor removal. These products have been in the market from a long time and have been successful in removing pet urine odors from rugs, carpets, drapes, fabric, furniture, wooden and tiled floors, ceramic, concrete and metal. Apart from completely eliminating dog and cat urine, it also gets rid of their feces, vomit and other waste that brings about odor and stains.

These amazing products work in a way unique. How? By taking over the odor of the urine. There are enzymes contained in these products that consist of live bacteria eat the bad bacteria and so eliminate the odor at source. So, by using such products, you're well rid of the problem until your pet chooses to have an "accident" at another spot.

How to use these products?

If your pet urinates on your carpet and you can lift it, heavy as it might be, spray the deodorizer and cleaning agent on both sides of your carpet, on the padding and the floor. If you can spray the entire area of the carpet damaged by urine, it would be the best.

Ensure that you get the cleaning liquid into the carpet pile as this is the spot where almost the entire urine collects. For best results, spray the carpet on the urine-damaged area, tread heavily on it so that the liquid goes right through the carpet and reaches the urine collection spot. Now, after a couple of days, spray the surface of the carpet once more and as thoroughly as before.

However, if you can't lift the carpet, use a syringe injector and inject the cleaning agent into the carpet at the soiled spot. Injecting is, in fact, the best way of treating your carpet for pet urine stains and smell. You can have a large spray bottle containing the liquid and a shallow bowl into which you will pour the liquid to fill the injector or syringe.

Now, stab the back of the carpet with the injector needle and lift the tufts a bit with your hand. Push the needle into the carpet body horizontally so that it is between the secondary padding and the layer above it. Inject about 30 cc into the carpet and keep repeating the procedure for every five inches of carpet you need to cover of the contaminated spot. After you have finished injecting all you need to, walk heavily over the affected area applying your entire weight on it. When you spot white foam from the digester coming up through the back of the carpet, you will be sure that the cleaning liquid has gone right through the carpet and done its job.

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Easy House Cleaning With Micro Fiber

One of the key ways to make your house cleaning more efficient is to use good tools. When you are working with inferior materials or products you either have to settle for second rate results or you have to put in a great deal more time or energy to achieve excellence. Technology has given us a wonderful new tool to add to our cleaning power and it gives superb results with less effort, is eco- friendly and is affordable.

Micro fiber cleaning cloths are common on our supermarket shelves but if you have not tried them yet -- now is the time! This fantastic fabric is made from weaving hundreds of microscopic textile fibres together, the fibers together and the fibers themselves have hydrophilic and lycophilic properties.This means that grease and water are naturally attracted to the material -- perfect for cleaning! The micro fiber cloth does not streak or leave lint on the cleaned surface and will hold up to forty times its own weight in dirt and water.

The cloth fabric itself is light but hard wearing and very durable - it is estimated it can be washed up to one thousand times without losing its cleaning properties, and yet each cloth costs only pennies to buy and they are available in the cleaning sections of most supermarkets.

The fibers in the micro fiber cloths are very different from a traditional cotton cleaning cloth. A cotton fiber is rounded and smooth the fiber from a micro fiber cloth has many wedges over the surface -- this greatly increases the surface area of each fiber and the total number of fibers in a micro fiber cloth is hundreds of times greater than in a cotton cloth you can understand why the cleaning power of micro fiber is so much better than cotton.

Micro fiber is extremely eco- friendly. Because of the superior cleaning attributes of the cloth itself, you will need much less of your normal cleaning product. In fact water alone with the cloth is usually sufficient for all but the most difficult cleaning jobs. You no longer need to buy expensive cleaning products, that means you save money and your home will be free of chemicals found in the poducts that you used to buy. Those chemicals will not be in your home and nor will they be in the drains or in our ground water.

Only a light spray of water is usually enough to effectively clean glass or mirrors.If you prefer you can use two cloths to clean, use one that is just damp and wipe and polish with another dry cloth and you will achieve sparkling, streak free glass every time and you will use only a fraction of the water that you would normally use for cleaning..

Micro fiber can be used to clean everything in your home without scratching or streaking. Use these cloths for the kitchen and the bathroom, for polishing your furniture and cleaning your windows. Keep a stack of the cloths in your car and use them to wipe down wet pets and clean off muddy boots. They can stand up to the hardest cleaning jobs you have and yet are gentle enough to be used on your crystal!

Make sure not to use laundry softener when you wash micro fiber and don't use softener sheets when you dry them -- this will ruin their dirt attracting properties.

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How to Look After Your Rug at Home

Unfortunately, rugs are not a self-sustaining investment. In order to keep them beautiful and elegant, they require a little work to keep them healthy and vibrant. There are several things for you to consider in order to extend a rug's life for as long as possible.

Maintenance At Home

To begin with, you should rotate your rugs on a set schedule. You'll want to even out the wear, so make sure it is rotated equally, especially if your rug is in a high traffic area where people are walking all the time. Also, too much sunlight on one spot can make the colour fade in one spot on your rug. Heaters and fireplaces can affect it too so ensure you rotate for this reason too.

Next, you'll want to vacuum regularly. Vacuums can help to lift off and extract the lighter dirt and dust that's stuck in your rug. This allows for a cleaner surface for you to enjoy in your home.

If your rug isn't a big thick shag then you should definitely use a power head vacuum in order to get as much dust out as possible. If it is a big shag then a power head will just get tangle in the vacuum

Remember when vacuuming that just because the vacuum went over the carpet doesn't mean that it is properly vacuumed. You should go as slowly as you can, giving the dirt time to be sucked up.

For spots and stains, try pouring a little water over the stain and blot it with a towel before resorting to any chemicals. Some of these chemicals can harm your rug if used incorrectly. This is best done as soon there has been a spill in order to suck up as much of it as possible. If you can leave a dry towel on the spill afterwards and place something heavy on it overnight you can get the best results.

Please be careful as dyes in the rug can bleed! It might be better to take it to be cleaned at this point

Taking Your Rug to the Professionals

Last step, and it is an important one. Make sure it gets the proper cleaning and maintenance it needs from a professional cleaner. Don't just get any old carpet cleaner either, a rug is a whole different kettle of fish compared to wall to wall carpet. Find someone with qualifications to clean rugs.

Professional cleaners can diagnose your rug's problems and work to fix them. They probably have expensive specialised machinery specifically for rug cleaning that allows them to properly clean your rug.

There is no substitute for a professional clean especially because it reduces the risk of damage or harm to your rug. You can be assured that a qualified rug cleaner won't just take it out to the driveway for a quick once over. They will choose the appropriate method for that specific rug, because different types of rugs need different processes.

Without professional cleaning, the life of your rug will be shortened no matter how much home maintenance you put in. Do both of these things though and you can extend the life of your rug by years.

Tips to Window Cleaning (Part 2)

The excellent results achieved by professional window cleaners comes as a result of many hours of intensive work where one learns the tricks of the trade, whether it be via a schooled professional or more commonly trial and error. I previously listed the equipment commonly used by professionals when cleaning windows and will now explain the technique I use to employ this equipment. Follow this guide and you too can have windows that glisten with that much wanted professional touch.

The first step is to fill the bucket with water and add your detergent; my personal choice is Morning Fresh, this will assist in lubricating your squeegee to glide over the surface of the glass. Next add methylated spirits to your water, I do this so as to aid evaporation which helps prevent streaks.

We'll assume the windows we are to clean are free of debris; we'll look at tips on cleaning windows after a builders clean in a later article. First I would apply the detergent to the glass using my washer. In the event the glass hasn't been cleaned for quite some time and is covered in grime the doodle bug with its scouring pad will be useful in scrubbing the window. Ensure the pad and the glass are free of any debris that may scratch the window pane. You will eventually develop a feel of the doodle bug and notice that it glides so much easier as it frees the window of its grime.

With the glass now covered in your cleaning solution we take a hold of our squeegee and look to the top of the window. Apply the rubber corner of the squeegee along the edge of the glass or you could use a cloth, make sure the cloth is free of lint, like a microfibre. The purpose of wiping the top edge is to prevent solution running down your glass when you squeegee the solution off the glass.

For the novice let's begin with the easiest technique. Place the squeegee horizontally at the top left of the window. Now run the squeegee straight down the window in a vertical direction. Keep constant pressure on the window all the way down to the bottom, with practice you will develop a feel as to how much pressure on the squeegee you will require, too little or too much will leave streaks. Wipe your rubber with a cloth then return to the top and repeat this action to the right side of the area just cleaned, have the squeegee overlap the cleaned area by about 3 cm, repeat this until you reach the right side of the window.

The window is now clean so let's dry the side and top edges with a dry cloth, using your finger to run along the edges. At the bottom of the window you will need to mop up the excess water on the sill then use your dry cloth to dry the bottom edge.

Step back and inspect your work. Look from different directions to try to detect any streaks or marks left on the pane. Marks can appear from different angles. Should you detect any streaks use your dry lint free cloth. If there are too many streaks then it's easier to start the process again by applying the solution to the window. For stubborn marks I tend to use grade 0000 steel wool, designed for polishing glass. Of course the window isn't truly cleaned until both sides are done.

A couple of warnings, on hot days your solution can evaporate quickly, this can cause friction with your squeegee on the glass resulting in streaks. Also, your worst enemy is the sun. A window that looks perfectly clean in the morning may show horrible streaks once the sun shines through so the key is to develop a keen eye for spotting those marks on your window.

For the next technique, again for novices, run your dry cloth down the left edge of the pane. Now hold the squeegee vertically and place it along the left edge of the window at the top. Run the squeegee straight across the window in a horizontal direction. Keep constant pressure on the window all the way across to the right side of the window. Wipe your rubber with a cloth then return to the left and repeat this action to the bottom of the area just cleaned, have the squeegee overlap the cleaned area by about 3 cm, repeat this until you reach the bottom of the window.

The technique most professionals use is to glide the squeegee across the window in one fluid motion, without lifting the rubber blade, to prevent stopping and starting. This speeds up the process. I start at the bottom left side of the window, move upwards to the top of the window, with the squeegee slopped towards the centre of the glass to allow for run off. Then without lifting the blade, move across the top then down the right side, all the way pushing the detergent to the centre of the glass. Again, without lifting the blade, move to the top of the window, overlapping the cleaned area by a few centimetres and always pushing the solution to the centre. Now snake your squeegee down the glass to the bottom. Mop up the sill, dry the edges, step back and inspect. Correct any blemishes then you're done.

So there you have it, gleaming clean windows, just like the professionals.

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Finding a Great Home Cleaning Service

Understand that everyone needs a little help from time to time. Whether you're one of those people who has always cleaned up on your own, or someone that consistently uses a home cleaning service, it is a job that always needs done. One of the first steps for those who are new to hiring outside help is to ask around to friends and family about their recommendations.

The second thing that you should do when looking for a home cleaning service is to call the companies that you're interested in. There are a few key questions you will want to ask. First of which, find out how long this company has been doing business. If it is a franchise, you may be in a better situation than hiring an independent purely by virtue of existing protections and policies being in place. You might also find out if they are licensed and bonded. Another question to ask is if there is a set schedule or if this is something that is just an estimated time frame.

When researching the various companies after you've called, your next step will be to look them up on the Better Business Bureau website to find out if they have any complaints filed against them. Remember, you are hiring someone to come into your home and clean, so you need to be proactive in finding out if there are any concerns, and further, how those concerns were handled.

Insurance is also very important. Hiring a company that insures their employees is key because if he or she is injured while in your home, you may have some issues that you are responsible for. These costs are not only out of pocket or your own expense, but can often times impact your homeowners' insurance.

Screened, bonded, insured and licensed are all things you will want to look for. When you are asking, ask about each of those things. You'll want to be assured that each person who will be in your home has been adequately checked for criminal history, and also you'll want to know should a theft occur, you'll be protected. It is also very important to make sure that the company hires its own people. Some companies will hire contractors and otherwise but this is not always the safest way. The best way to be as careful as possible is to be sure that these are all checked employees of the company itself.

Lastly, when you are hiring a home cleaning service you might want to ask about the services they provide and the equipment or supplies they may need. There are a variety of ways that you can lower costs and if they do use your supplies this may mean less cost on their end and more money in your pocket. However if you want them to use their own supplies, this is fine, too. Neither is a sign of any kind of issue, it is just a matter of personal preference. If you do meet the person who is cleaning your home and you do not feel comfortable with them -- don't hire them. Let the company know how you feel and be sure to express your concerns.

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Preserving Care for Lace

Lace has always been a gorgeous way of dressing up gowns. More recently, it has become more popular even in everyday clothing. I especially love it on the Christening gowns from my Boutique store. Lace, which is typically made of cotton, linen, or synthetic fabrics, is beautiful to wear but perhaps calls for a little caution when it comes to cleaning. And rightfully so! Here are some pointers and tips for those who have delicate lace clothing and are now wondering what to do with it.

It is best to hand wash lace. Use cold or room temperature distilled water and mild soap. If there are any buttons or zippers on the garment, zip or fasten them to prevent snagging. Let it soak for about a half hour to loosen dirt and remove other particles. Be gentle with the material by moderately squeezing and avoid scrubbing or wringing. Rinse thoroughly. You may spend a good time simply rinsing. A suggestion here, if there is a lot of lace, is to pull the fabric out on fiberglass screen with the edges taped. The goal is to prevent the weight of the heavy water from straining the delicate lace. Air or dry flat, and re-shaping may be needed.

If ironing is needed, be sure to use a thick-padded ironing board or lay down a thick white towel first. Then use a press cloth between the iron and the lace, which will prevent crushing the detail of the lace and snagging. For steam-pressing, you could set the iron on low and use a damp cloth. Do not use starch.

Yellowing is a common encounter with either heirlooms or lighter fabric in general. If you are desperately in need, something that may work to get the yellowing out of a white garment with lace is soaking in a non-chlorine bleach (BIZ can be found in the detergent isle of almost any grocery store and is recommended for fine washables) and rinse thoroughly. I would recommend reading the cleaning label first. If there is a stain, try sprinkling baking soda on the area, rub softly, let sit for five minutes, and then rinse. Try repeating a few times if the stain stays.

These are also good guidelines to follow with any fine washables and may be used for other gowns or suits of different fabrics. It may seem like a little extra work, but worth taking the care once you have selected a beautiful outfit. Now, lace on!

Buy Professional Carpet Cleaning Machines With The Right Features

In business, there is no compromise on quality of service and customer satisfaction. To maintain good quality and higher level of customer satisfaction, you need to make sure that you have the right equipment for carpet cleaning. Professional carpet cleaning machines are easily available on retail shops. Also, these machines are available at discounted prices and with additional features. When you are searching for carpet cleaning machines specifically for your business (old or new), you must keep an eye on few features that make some machines better than others. These are general features and can be found in all the machines that are available in the market.

First of all, you need to explore your options and narrow down your search to few manufacturers, because while your business is in running condition, you cannot keep experimenting with different companies. You need to find that one particular brand you can stick to for a long time. While cleaning carpets for your customers, keep a track of features that come in handy most of the times and that are most advantageous. It will help you buy professional carpet cleaning machines in future, as will easily make sure that these features are available in the unit you are purchasing.

First thing you should consider while looking for professional carpet cleaning machines is the power of the motor. The more powerful the motor, the better your cleaning will be. Remember that you will be cleaning thousands of carpets and sometimes you might have to clean the ones that look like a clay court. For dealing with carpets that are way dirtier than normal ones you handle, you will need very thorough cleaning, powerful machine and powerful extraction. At the same time, you need to make sure that you don't take too much time in cleaning such carpets and for that, you need powerful motor.

The length of your hose pipe is another important factor and you might not know, but it can be really cost effective when it comes to businesses. With small hose size, you will need to deploy more workers on the same carpet to work on different areas simultaneously. On the other hand, with a big hose size, only one worker would be enough to cover a large carpet area. Some of the professional carpet cleaning machines have even 15 feet long hose pipes and considering them in your options would be great. Along with the size of hose, get a long cord with your carpet cleaning machine as well.

Finally, keep a close eye on the tank size when you are exploring professional carpet cleaning machines. As mentioned above, you need to do your jobs quicker, so you can pick up more projects in a day and increase the revenue for your business. If the tank size of your machine is smaller, your workers will require refilling them again and again. This can consume a lot of time. At times, it can be annoying for your customers as well. So, consider machines with larger tank size. Finally, stay loyal to your business and never make the mistake of leaving a carpet wet.

Why Are Carpet Cleaning Machines Recommended For Carpet Cleaning?

You will often see people debating on the subject of using carpet cleaning machines for cleaning the carpets. Many people think that using a regular vacuum cleaner should suffice and there should not be any need of using a machine. They don't consider it wise to spend so much money on something that serves the same purpose, which can be achieved with a vacuum cleaner you already have at home. Sounds like a debatable issue, but it's not. Why? Would you like to race with your old and traditional four door sedan in an F1 race?

The idea of using a carpet machine is that they are meant to do the job more effectively, easily and timely. The ease of use is not limited only to cleaning, but their design does not let the user tire soon while using them. Of course, the cleaning procedure requires energy and time, and with a traditional vacuum cleaner, you consume both for inferior results. Carpet cleaning machines on the other hand are designed so you can use them with ease. You can use walk behind cleaning machine, the canister design, the upright or various other portable ones.

The technology used by carpet cleaning machines is far better than the vacuum cleaners or other forms of cleaning methods. Long hose and cord size allow the users to perform their task without moving too much. Machines with large tanks for containing water and other cleaning agents make it convenient for the users to use machines longer without having to refill the tanks repeatedly. These machines use various forms of cleaning methods and procedures, for example the steam cleaning, hot water cleaning, dry cleaning, etc. All these cleaning methods have their own pros and cons.

Carpet cleaning machines are designed to provide you with relatively better results than other forms of cleaning. If you see how different carpet cleaning services work, some use 2 or 3 steps for cleaning to ensure neater and better looks of the carpets. Some companies use even more advanced machines that include the feature of deep cleaning and guarantee a better extraction of dirt, dust, grits and even the cleaning agents. Remember, the removal of cleaning agents from the carpet can also be an issue sometimes. Machines effectively extract the cleansing agents.

If you are worried about the prices of machines, don't be. These machines are not very expensive. You can easily find carpet cleaning machines for home use between $100 and $400. The best thing is that you will be able to get all the latest features in your machine within this price range.

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Avoiding Damage to Your Rug From Cleaning Solutions

There is nothing is worse when I see someone who has damaged their rug from using an inappropriate cleaning solution. They were just trying to clean their rug and are left with a great big mark or faded area. Usually I can tell just by looking that they have used a chemical that was way too strong or just plain wrong for the job.

I clean rugs for a living, and when I do so, I still take every possible precaution that I don't let the dye bleed or leave the rug with a bad patch from overexposure to any cleaning solutions. Sometimes after using a cleaning chemical the rug looks great but after a few months starts to fall apart.

I still get the odd rug that just can't really be wet safely without ruining the carpet and have to clean it and without getting it too wet. It's not easy and like I said I do this for a living.

So you'll want to make sure you know how to avoid this problem.

Cleaning solutions need to be used properly in order to avoid any harm or damage to your carpet or rug.

So how can you make sure you are using the solutions and chemicals right?

The first step is to know that a solution cannot clean all kinds of carpets or rugs. Rugs and carpets are made of different fibres, and require their own specific solution.

So what worked for your friend or family member won't necessarily work for you because you may not have the exact same rug or carpet. And it could cause damage.

Retailers will try to tell you that their one product can clean everything. This is not true. Be careful with what you buy, because it could be damaging to you rug or carpet.

Try water first. It sounds strange but sometimes water is the best solution to remove or separate stains from carpets or rugs.

It doesn't always work but by pouring water on the affected area and using a towel blot the stain or spill. Don't rub or you could just spread the stain. Also be careful not to use too much water or you can damage the rug.

Another step to avoid any harmful solutions is to purchase Woolsafe approved logos on them to make sure it is safe for wools.

This will make sure that the solution will not harm your rug. You should absolutely still talk to an expert if you have any concerns, but solutions that are Woolsafe approved will be safe for use.

Besides these steps going to a rug cleaner is the probably the best option. If you damage you rug yourself then it might not be fixable.

This news article is brought to you by SUVS - where latest news are our top priority.

Wooden Bowl Care

Wooden bowls intended for use around the home are tough and long lasting. Bowls of ceramic or glass remain unchanged right up to the day when they chip or smash. Wood is unlikely to break in normal use, but does feel the effect of time on its surface. Minor damage will initially lessen the bowl's appeal, but the wear and tear of everyday use over time creates a patina that can enhance the item. Each mark is part of its history.

The owner of a new bowl has a decision to make. Some people like the sparkle of a freshly made piece, while others prefer the appearance of a timeworn and cherished antique. The way you care for the bowl depends on this preference. Either protect the bowl from anything that will damage it, or just put the bowl to use and let it develop the patina that will come from constant handling.

The polished surface of a wooden bowl can be dulled by sunlight, moisture and abrasion. So to keep the shine, minimise exposure to these. But if damage does occur, the surface can be refreshed or even re-finished if necessary. If the surface is still in reasonably good condition, a coat of wax polish or oil is enough to revive it.

To restore the original appearance of a damaged bowl, start by cleaning it using mild detergent and water, scrubbing if necessary to remove any dirt, wax or oil residues. Don't soak the bowl for any length of time. Dry it thoroughly.

It is then ready for any repairs that might be needed. To remove scratches or roughness, use fine grit 'wet or dry' abrasive paper, rubbing along the grain to blend in the damaged area. The paper can be used dry, but if it clogs it can be lubricated with a little water. Clean off any residue and dry the surface again.

Small dents in the wood can be sanded away. Larger ones can be steamed out. Moisten the dent with water and apply local heat with an electric iron, taking care not to scorch. The moisture turns to steam and the bruised fibres return to their original shape. Some fine sanding may be needed afterwards to blend in the damaged area. If the fresh wood exposed while sanding has a different colour to the rest, it will soon blend in again.

When the bowl has a smooth, clean and dry surface, it is ready for refinishing. Most are finished either with a drying oil, such as Danish oil or walnut oil, or a non-drying oil such as mineral oil. Non-drying oils leave a matte finish that attracts dust but is easily washed and re-oiled. Drying oils penetrate and harden, leaving a clean, dry surface that does not hold dust and needs less maintenance. Either can be used whatever the original finish, but remove any non-drying oil from the surface before applying drying oil.

If using a drying oil, wipe on a coat and wipe off any surplus after a few minutes. Let the bowl dry for a few hours, then repeat. When the surface does not absorb any more, remove any roughness with a clean, dry kitchen scouring pad or very fine steel wool and apply one more coat. After a few days to dry properly, wax can then be applied to give a softer feel.

Non-drying oil is easy to apply. Just wipe it on and then wipe off any surplus. Repeat any time the surface looks dry. Soft wax can be applied over the oil.

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Dust Matters

Dust is everywhere, literally. In our homes, on the roads, in the market places, the offices, the parks and the parking lots: you name it and you will find it. Nothing is free from dust. Everything is laden with it - the computer, the kitchen ware and home appliances, the furniture and the wall hangings, the decorative pieces and the book shelves. Dust is not a monopoly of the East; it has its niche in the West too, though not as rampant and obvious. Indeed, dust is not limited to our home planet, but is prevalent in our planetary neighbors, comets, meteorites, stellar cousins from outer space and in inter-galactic spaces too as cosmic dust - the starry equivalent of our earthy material. After air, it is the most ubiquitous composite matter on earth, sometimes hardly distinguishable from it.

Dust in residential areas is constantly whipped up by wind and human activity. It rises and settles all the time and while air-borne travels from house to house. It is made up of skin flakes, fabric fibers, flour and food dust from mixers and grinders. It comes from cleaning, sweeping, cooking and, of course, dusting. All this is home-made; there is also dust coming in from the outside such as dust from the street raised by flowing traffic, the blowing winds carrying industrial pollutants, the things purchased from the shops and of course people walking in. Once inside the house, it finds several things to settle on: carpets, furniture, shelves, window sills and the walls and ceilings. Fluffs of dust gather into dust bunnies in little-used corners, under the beds, embedded in seat cushions and pillows, on top of shelves and cupboards and certainly in the attic space.

Coping with dust is not a simple task since we are chasing a moving target. Dusting whips it up and spreads it, exposing ourselves and other things around the place for it to settle down again. Vacuuming is a limited, effort-driven, energy-sapping activity that leaves us drained, even while leaving the unreachable places as dust repositories. Closing the doors and windows and shutting yourself in is not an option either, since it cuts off air flow and the dust that is already in is sure to get to you sooner than you think. One cannot leave them open either, since with the air flow more dust comes in and the bunnies start to appear more frequently and in copious quantities. Floor mopping, carpet cleaning, wiping furniture and keeping kitchen waste from flying are some of the measures we take, in addition to the afore-mentioned activities, but dusting remains a losing battle. Most of our energy is spent in keeping the house dust-free, which is of course an ideal state. It is a myth to expect a place to be completely free from dust, since dust gathers faster than you can clean it, always. And professional dust busting sucks you dry; it cuts your purse strings and leaves you to cope with it again after it is done. With dust, nothing is over.

Nothing is more shocking to watch than sunlight shimmering through a crack in the door or a window pane: it is a revelation to know that the tiny insect-like particles dancing in its path are the dust that we are breathing right now. You blow at them and watch them with fascination as they scatter and re-group again to continue their dreadful dance. Obviously, they are all over the place. What are these particles? Is there anything in the world that is more vulnerable and tenacious at the same time than these little things that have made our life miserable? We have gained control over nature, mastered the laws of science, invented ways to probe the depths of oceans and outer space, invaded the far corners of the earth and extended our scale of study from the very minute to the mammoth objects in the universe; yet, we have failed to contain this menace from these tiny particles that have a tyrannical hold over us. There is no conquering them; there is no getting rid of them; there is indeed no living without them, no matter what havoc they unleash on us.

Dust particles are waste matter. As we chuck our fluid waste into the sea, so we let loose our solid waste matter into the air. Nothing ever goes away for good; no matter where we throw it, it comes back to us. Ash, burnt tire rubber, dandruff, kitchen waste, decaying matter (leaves and flowers), soiled shoes, broken cobwebs, abrasions from skin (human and animal), rock (erosion) and metals (rust), industrial waste as air-borne pollutants, human and animal hair, textile and paper fibers, minerals from the soil and a host of other materials that are typical to a particular surroundings. So we see that dust is composed of organic matter as much as chemicals and other natural stuff that has been thrown away as waste.

This floating waste dump is a mobile breeding ground for germs and a hanger for harmful chemicals which pose a perpetual health risk to us. Not only the industrial environs, but even household dust contains hazardous chemicals, as reported by some pollution and health study groups around the world. No wonder, then, illnesses like asthma, allergic reactions, hay fever and endemic flues dog our lives in no small measure. Dust, the all-pervading ever-present dust, is not only teeming with life, but also with life-threatening stuff.

There are two ways to deal with this fluffy material universe we live in:

• Go at it with a missionary zeal, eradicate it from your life by preparing a strategy to minimize, if not eliminate, it from your life and follow it up scrupulously.

• Take it easy. Consider it chic to have dust around. Stop dusting your bookshelves. Let it accumulate on your possessions - it adds a protective coat of gray matter that shields the surface underneath from scratches. As a newspaper columnist put it rather flippantly - "No more need to take up the broom, brush, duster or vacuum cleaner to fight a losing battle. Just welcome it as your boon companion and relax!"

Making Donations To Get Rid Of Your Clutter

Something that clutter can actually do for us is to remind us that we are lucky enough to be in a situation where we have too much stuff. There are lots of families, communities, and individuals out there that have an actual shortage of income or possessions. Donating your extra items can not only help you get rid of clutter, but can provide someone with the opportunity to have something that they genuinely need. Clothes are the first item that usually come to mind, and are definitely an important clutter and donation factor, but there are many others.

Does your home have extra toys laying around? Do you or your children have boxes of old toys that are never used anymore? Consider donating these to help others in need - imagine how happy a child would be to have a "new" toy to play with!

Do you have some electronics that are still serviceable and in working condition that you are going to replace or have duplicates of? Think about how big of an expenditure a printer can be - this could really help someone who is looking to either outfit themselves with the ability to have a home office or to do things like print out resumes for a reasonable cost while conducting a job search. These electronic items can also be a difficult type of clutter to get rid of. Different areas have different rules governing the disposal of electronics - luckily many stores are now required to take out of service electronics to keep them from landing in the landfills. If your printer, computer, monitor, calculator, or other piece of electronics does not work any longer consider turning it over to a store or donation center for proper disposal. The EPA lists many businesses that offer programs for turning in used electronics; below is a partial list:

• AT&T
• Best Buy
• Dell
• eBay
• Hewlett-Packard
• Intel
• LG Electronics
• Office Depot
• Samsung
• Sony
• Staples
• Verizon

Some of these companies with retail locations will dispose of electronics of various types - contact the store for details. The full list and other great electronics disposal and donation information can be found at the EPA site here: http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/ecycling/donate.htm

Another good source for making the donations or disposals is your local Goodwill or Salvation Army center. At the time of writing this article Goodwill takes unwanted electronics in any condition; they will refurbish, reuse, or recycle the items in an environmentally responsible way. More Goodwill information can be found here: http://www.goodwill.org/get-involved/donate/donation-acceptance-guidelines/

As with retail locations, it is usually a good idea to call ahead to your local donation center to make sure you are going to be able to donate your items.

In addition to getting rid of your clutter in a responsible manner and helping the community and individuals, donations are tax deductible! Keep in mind that to claim the deduction you will need to itemize your deductions - we won't go into the details here, and you are encouraged to look further into tax information regarding donations if you plan on claiming these tax deductions. Some of the important points are:

• You must keep records of donations (letters from the charity, canceled checks, appraisals for donated property)
• The paperwork and requirements get more stringent for donations valued at $500 and again at over $5000.
• There are limits to tax deductions based on charity donations based on your income level.

So - time to get busy decluttering and helping out others! There are so many benefits to making donations and getting rid of electronics that we should really never be throwing out many types of our "clutter" in the garbage.

Happy decluttering!

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A House Cleaning Checklist to Consider When Hiring

For those who plan to hire professionals for house cleaning services, it can help to have a solid understanding of what your options are before you even begin considering the options. In many cases, you will need to look around your home with the professional to determine what things you need to have them do and what you do not need done. During this initial meeting, you will learn what tasks can be done and which may be more expensive. You will also learn what the cost of this product will be for your needs.

Look Around Your Home

Before you bring anyone into your home for your house cleaning needs, it is a good idea to walk around the location and to make a list of the numerous tasks that you need to have completed. This process will provide an opportunity for you to gather your thoughts and desires from this service. Here are some things to keep in mind when making this type of checklist.

• Most of the time, the company will handle most light duty tasks for you with a basic service. This includes dusting, cleaning countertops and scrubbing toilets. These are the types of tasks most need done all the time.

• If you are looking for help with organizational steps, this may be something the company offers as well, but it may not be. You will need to talk to the company about how much extra this will cost, too.

• You may need to consider additional tasks that you would like done that may not need to be done every visit. For example, some companies do offer services on a charge per time done. This may include detailed appliance cleaning, windows and carpeting cleaning.

• Look through your home and determine which rooms need regular care. If some do not, it is a good idea for you to put these to the side to keep the costs lower. However, you may be able to get more rooms for less money. Find out from the company how it charges.

• Discuss the overall limitations in the service the company provides. Some companies do not do specific types of tasks. Ask for this information before you invest in that company.

The more you know about your needs for house cleaning, the more prepared you will be when the company does visit for a tour. Know what you want and you may be able to negotiate for additional options as you go. Do not put off calling these professionals, though. Many times, they can provide you with exactly what you need and more for less than you would expect.