Tips for Keeping Dirt Out of Your Carpet

Carpet is one of the most popular floor coverings around. When carpet is installed in a home it adds value and provides comfort. But as you probably already know carpet can be really hard to keep clean. Dirt coming in from the outside can make a carpet look bad and can even damage its fibers. Keeping the dirt out is a major task, luckily we have come up with some tips to help you out!

Install A No-Shoes Policy

A great way to keep the dirt out of your home, and away from your beautiful carpet, is to enact a no-shoes policy. By having everyone take their shoes off at the door, you will be able to avoid most dirt. This policy should not only be followed by the family but also anyone paying a visit to your home.

Use A Welcome Mat

Welcome mats are a great way to greet your guests. They add style and flare to your home but they also help to keep the dirt out. Welcome mats are very affordable and should be used on both your front and back doors. Also, make sure to clean off your mats at least once a week.

Clean Your Pet's Feet

If you have a dog that likes to go out and play in the backyard, you may have a dirt problem. To avoid unwanted dirt, keep a towel by the door. When your pet decides to come back inside, use the towel to remove any dirt from his paws. This will make both you and your pooch happy campers.

Limit How Long You Leave Your Windows Open

Opening your windows on a nice day is a great way to air out your home. But keeping them open for longer periods of time may allow pollen and dirt to get in. During days of heavy pollen count, you should keep your windows closed. This will help you avoid allergens and keep your family healthy.

Change Your Air Filter Each Month

Heating and cooling systems make our homes comfortable all year long. But they have the tendency to move around dirt and dust. These allergens get trapped in your air filter and can build up over time. So make sure that you are changing them out at least once a month.

Empty Your Vacuum Outside

Vacuuming your carpets a few times a week is a great way to cut down on dirt. Once your vacuum gets full you will need to dump the container or replace the bag, depending on which type of vacuum you own. Instead of dumping it in your kitchen trash can, take it to your outside can. This will help you avoid spreading any of the contents in the air which can end up back in your carpet.
 
These simple tips will help you keep your carpet cleaning bill down and your home more enjoyable to live in. So make sure that you put some of them in place in order to keep pesky dirt from getting inside.

Ways to Clean Your Home after Water Damage

Water in places that are unwanted especially our homes can cause severe damage. It can ruin all your precious possessions and overall house. It is essential to act quickly after water damage to minimize high chances of destruction and save your belongings. The level of rescue depends on how long the loss occurs. There may be furniture or carpet that can be avoided. Unfortunately, electronics, when hit by water, is already doomed. You should not treat flood water in an unwanted place lightly even if it has a small amount of water. Any moisture at your home will be a breeding place for mold and bacteria. The growth of mold has negative impacts on walls, flooring or carpet. It can also lead to inadequate ventilation of indoor air which in turn might lead to respiratory problems such as asthma. Apart from contacting the insurance company, here are the following ways in which you can reduce chances of water damage.

Turn off the power supply

Disconnect supply of power and switch off any electronics quickly. Remove all furniture, electronics, and other movable items before they are damaged. Sometimes water rises above the power outlet and can cause more damage. You can also remove the carpet, cleaned it and disinfect it. Underpadding maybe unlikely to be saved it absorbs lots of water and behaves like a sponge.

Get rid of water

There are many ways to remove water at your home. You can use power. However, if you do not have, you can use the manual method. Make use of buckets, rugs, and towels to mob away excess water. You can use your neighborhood sewage, but if it is not working, you can pour water into the drainage. Wear rubber boots in wet areas. After removing standing water, open windows and doors and use fans to blow away air. Wait for a specialist before turning on the HVAC if water also damaged the vents.

Cleaning and disinfect

After ensuring that standing water has been eradicated, do general cleaning. Use hot water to scrub all the surfaces using a powerful cleaner. Chlorine is the best solution to disinfect your home. Use a quarter of chlorine in one bucket of water. The solution will kill all germs. Avoid using bleaches in materials that might fade. To stay healthy ensure all the utensils, dishes and areas for preparing food are sanitized before you use them.
Additionally, disinfect places where kids like playing. During the cleaning process ensure that you do not mix various products. A mixture of these chemicals can cause severe damage to health because they are toxic.

Drying walls and ceilings

Water might have soaked in walls and ceilings. Plaster and panel ceilings can be saved but ensure that air circulates in the cavities to dry all sills and studs. There are three types of insulations that we usually use. Styrofoam might be lucky and can be easily be hosed off. Fiberglass batts should be cleaned and dried thoroughly, but if muddy it is wise to throw it away. Loose should be replaced because it can absorb water for some time this lost its abilities of fire and antifungal resistance.

Prevent the growth of mold

Remove bedding, carpet, furniture, clothes, and rugs outside and dry them as soon as possible. Utilize a dehumidifier or air conditioner to eliminate moisture. Open all doors and windows to allow maximum ventilation of air inside your home if there is minimal damage. You can make use of vans to provide circulation inside the house. Ceiling and vacuum floors should be washed with disinfectant to deter the growth of mold. Ensure that you wear a protective mask and other gears while working to protect you from breathing spores which might be harmful to your health.

Electronics might have been wrecked but to avoid assumption contact a professional for repair. Television, computers, and radios can still be repaired if there was less water damage. The entire home appliances such as a fridge should be cleaned and disinfected because they hold food. Do not forget to contact your insurance agent before cleaning. Ensure that you have the full records of damaged items such as videos or photos for the sake of insurance claims or disaster assistance.

Tips on Cleaning Your Home After a Wildfire

Wildfires can cause a lot of damage to your home even after it has escaped its raging flames. Smoke and ash can travel for long distances within no time unleashing destruction in unimaginable proportions.

California wildfires have for a long time been a thorn in the flesh of many homeowners owing to the high number of times the area experiences such disasters. As a result, professional house cleaning has become a necessity every time such incidences occur to help minimize risks. Experts use specialized equipment and skills to inspect, test, clean and restore your home to its pre-exposure condition.

The cleaning work can be categorized into two. Structural and content cleaning. When cleaning your house after a wildfire, the following tips are vital in ensuring a thorough job regardless of whether you are the one doing it or it is being done by a cleaning firm:

1. Structural cleaning involves cleaning on ceilings, walls, exteriors, attics, cabinets, doors, odor control, windows, debris removal, and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) air filtration. Areas such as open windows, ventilation system, and attic can let in a lot of smoke and dust. Failure to thoroughly clean these areas can leave your home with smoke residue and odor.
   • hange air filters in air conditioning units to remove soot residue and ash since airborne particles trapped will mix with fresh air polluting the quality of air in your house after cleaning.
   • Dilute and flush the dried residue using firefighting foam residue mixed with a little detergent to wash it from the surface and then rinse using clean water. You can after that blow the surface using pressure washing to get rid of fine particles which might have been left during scrubbing.
   • Dilute ash and smoke around your home for it to be absorbed by the ground since it will continue emitting smoke odors and microparticles that mix with the air when they come in contact with the wind. You can use high-efficiency particulate air filters in your home to reduce the health impact of airborne particles from the smoke and ash.
2. Content cleaning involves cleaning of fixtures and furniture, appliances, and carpet cleaning. Items in your house will also suffer from ash and smoke and require to be cleaned.
   • ash all clothing to remove dust particles that might have been left on the garment.
   • Disinfect and deodorize curtains carpets, mattresses, upholstery, and furniture using steam to restore their luster and get rid of the acrid smell of the smoke. You should avoid using odor masking sprays since they are only useful for a short time. Smoke and ash from wildfires can cause significant health and property damage. Seeking professional help when cleaning your home after a wildfire helps restore your property’s aesthetic appeal and make it conducive for living. Leaving professionals to clean your house after wildfires help you have peace of mind. Some of the damage is not visible through naked eyes but will get worse if left unattended when it happens. It saves you money and treasured memories in and outside your house.

Tips on Cleaning Shower Doors

 Walking into a bathroom that is fresh-smelling and extremely clean not only makes you comfortable as you do your business but stamps your confidence in the hygienic conditions of the entire house. Most people engage in house cleaning but overlook shower cleaning yet it is the other area that carries loads of germs, besides the kitchen. However, maintaining high standards of cleanliness can be overwhelming if you do not know the right ingredients to use. Besides, even though you clean your bathroom regularly, it is easy to forget about the shower doors where streaks of soap and scum can remain lodged for long. This article will inform you tips on cleaning shower doors to keep your bathroom free of stains and looking good.

1. Using furniture oil

It is difficult to clean soap scum off your shower doors so why wait for it to accumulate! They say it is better to prevent better than to cure so avoid scum from building up on your shower doors using furniture oil. Furniture oil acts as a barrier preventing scummy buildup so apply it on the door. However, you will need to clean the door first so that the oil can hold. After washing, apply a thin coat of oil and allow it to sit for about two minutes then polish off any excess with a clean, dry cloth. The oil will be a buffer against future scum.

2. Use vinegar and baking soda

If your bathroom has glass shower doors, then vinegar is the best bet as your cleaning solution. Vinegar is acidic, and it is this acidity that helps to clean the dirt thoroughly. Mixing baking soda or sodium bicarbonate with vinegar creates carbonic acid that immediately breaks down into carbon dioxide and water, making it safe.
 
Here is what you will need:

1. Baking soda.
2. Scotch Brite.
3. Window scrubber (10 inches)
4. Window Squeegee (12 inches)
5. White vinegar.
6. Paper towels.
7. Spoon.
8. Small container

Method

1. In a plastic bowl, pour half a cup of baking soda.
2. Add enough white vinegar.
3. Use a spoon to mix the vinegar and baking soda until it forms a paste-like consistency.
4. You will observe fizzing and wait till it stops then scoop up a little of the paste using the Scotch Brite.
5. Wipe the paste onto the shower glass door.
6. Let the paste sit for about 10-15 minutes then thoroughly clean it using water and the window scrubber. Use the window squeegee and paper towels to dry the door and ensure that you have cleaned all the scum.

3. Using white vinegar

You can also use vinegar alone without baking soda to clean glass shower doors. You will need:

1. Water and distilled white vinegar ( equal amounts)
2. A spray bottle.
3. Paper towels or black and white newspapers

Method

1. Use the vinegar and water to make a solution.
2. Put it in the spray bottle and spray it on the shower door.
3. Use the newspapers or paper towels to clean the grime off the glass.
4. Buff the glass clean using clean per towels or a dry cloth.

What happens when the vinegar solution does not remove the stains?

If the stains are stubborn and the towels are not useful, you may use a soft brush. Further, you can cut a lemon in half, apply salt on one cut side of the lemon and in circular motions, use it to remove stubborn hard water marks. You can then use the vinegar solution as above and dry the glass using a clean, dry cloth.

How do you keep the scum off for good?

You do not have to keep scrubbing your doors. Instead, keep your shower doors easy to clean using Rain-X 2-in-1 rain repellent and glass cleaner. Once a week, you can spray it on your doors and wipe it off with a microfiber cloth. It forms a protective film that prevents water from sticking to the door.

Final thoughts

The condition of your bathroom speaks volumes and let it communicate positively by keeping your shower doors spotless using these tips.

Hiring Professional Cleaners for Retail

A busy retail establishment can have thousands of people moving in and out on a daily basis necessitating high levels of cleaning which might be overwhelming to you. Lack of thoroughness in cleaning can turn away customers, making you lose on revenue or make you incur litigation costs from suits. You require to hire professionals to help you accomplish the task professionally and efficiently. Professional cleaners can handle a range of your cleaning needs such as mopping, dusting, carpet cleaning, floor polishing, window cleaning, and other minor cleaning tasks arising from time to time. Hiring cleaning services for retail stores has the following benefits:

Cleaning Companies are Professionals

Having your staff clean crucial parts of your retail establishment such as toilets and the carpeted area can result in substandard work since they lack the skills required to accomplish the task satisfactorily. Cleaning companies will conduct a thorough job in such sensitive areas capable of influencing a customer’s opinion about your store. The companies have the right tools and expertise to get the job done and instill confidence in your shoppers. You will have cleaning tasks done right without having to repeat. Cleaning companies do not just clean; they also offer you useful suggestions on how you can maintain the surfaces that require cleaning to ensure their quality does not deteriorate.

Risk Mitigation

Floor cleaning poses a danger to persons doing the job and others due to using off chemicals and wet floors on walkways. Cleaning companies’ staff are trained in safe working procedures to ensure the safety of other people in their working environment. Also, hiring cleaning services for your retail store transfers third-party liability form you to them. Cleaning companies are insured against risks that may occur in their workplaces which is a good thing to you when medical bills and compensation suits arise.

High Traffic Protection

Retail store premises have a lot of activities that can cause damage to the floors and walls such as pulling of loaded carts and dragging of heavy merchandise. The floor requires regular re-waxing and polishing to prevent discoloration on walkways. Do it yourself cleaning is incapable of maintaining your floor which will cost you more to repair and overhaul. Hiring the cleaning services ensures your floor is well taken care of thus saving on capital investment allocated to depreciation.

Equipment

Cleaning companies have specialized equipment for commercial cleaning that will enable them to cover the vast area in a shorter time thus reducing business interruptions. Cleaning companies also possess expert knowledge about the various chemicals that are best suited to give you good results from their years of experience.

Cleaning Services

Time is money. Spending valuable time cleaning your retail outlet or engaging staff in cleaning makes you lose resources in the form of time, productivity, and revenues. Your staff becomes demotivated from having to perform a task they know little about and were neither hired to accomplish. Hire professionals to clean your store and support your staff to deliver on your business objective. An adequately cleaned working environment reduces the chance for your staff to contract respiratory diseases which increases absenteeism rate thus negatively impacting on productivity.

How To Prevent Restaurant Health Code Violations Through Cleaning

Preparing and maintaining a regular cleaning schedule that covers all the areas in your restaurant is the best way to avoid health code violations. Most health code violations originate from the most unlikely places and equipment that are usually overlooked during cleaning. Health inspectors understand this and will try to make you pay dearly for your shortcomings in cleaning these spots. Maintaining these red-flagged areas and items spotless is the most effective defense you can put against dismal hygiene performance during surprise inspections. You should categorize cleaning tasks to be done on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.

Daily Cleaning Tasks

Many food establishments fail to meet health regulations on cleanliness due to failures in daily cleaning tasks. Tasks in this category are sensitive and failing to execute them compounds the resulting mess. Areas that come into direct contact with dirt should be cleaned on a daily basis. Some of these areas will require to be cleaned more than once in a day when they become dirty. Daily cleaning tasks include:

• Wiping down the walls to clear them of splashes
• Floors.
• Countertops
• Disinfecting food preparation areas
• Wiping the electronic appliances to remove spills from food and prevent accumulation of dirt.
• Cleaning beverage dispenser heads and bottle openers.
• Wash the crockery and utensils and leave them to dry.
• Clean rags, aprons, towels, and uniforms.
• Replenish the soap dispensers and paper towel rolls.
• Remove waste material and recycled products from the kitchen store.
• Disinfect the waste disposal area and the waste bins

Weekly Cleaning Tasks

Areas that do not require daily cleaning but are exposed to a considerable amount of soiling should be cleaned once in a week. The cleaning work includes:

• Cleaning the ovens.
• De-liming the faucets and sinks
• Disinfect walk-in freezers and refrigerators
• Cleaning of mats
• Cleaning the floor drains
• Monthly Cleaning Tasks
• Remove grim on electrical appliances in the kitchen
• Clean and disinfect the cold store
• Dust the refrigerator coils
• Wash vent hoods
• Empty the grease traps
• Clean and sanitize the freezer
• Wash walls and the ceiling to get rid of grease build-up
• Replace pest traps.

Personal hygiene must also be incorporated into your restaurant cleaning habits. Food handlers must wash their hands and ensure to work with clean equipment. Hand washing sinks must be within reach when preparing food. Dishwashers must be maintained at the right temperature, and cleaned utensils let to dry and not be wiped. Finally, chemicals and other cleaning materials must be stored away from food items to avoid contamination.

You should ensure that your restaurant cleaning can pass internal inspections to have the assurance that you will not be held in contravention of health codes. Having some cleaning schedules that run concurrently is vital to have an overlooked spot be remedied when you still have time and also put in place measures to avoid the shortcoming in future. Entrenching proper cleaning habits among your employees in your establishment might take time, but the benefits far outweigh the long wait. Maintaining a fool-proof cleaning schedule is vital for the good health of your staff, customers and business growth.