Why It's Important To Clean During Flu Season

We’ve all heard that cleanliness is second to godliness more times than we can recall. This is especially true during the flu season. According to research, flu germs may last from 2-8 hours on hard surfaces and proper hygiene is without a doubt an individual’s first line of defense against being susceptible to germs easily and becoming sick. A person can be infected with the flu without even knowing and because people touch their faces almost every four minutes, germs get a free ride in their respiratory system. There are many reasons why you should pay special attention to home cleaning during flu season, so keep scrolling as we examine some of them.

Reduces the number of sick people in your household

During the cold season, it is possible for one member infected with flu to spread the virus to other members. People are fond of touching their faces, rubbing their eyes, biting their nails and even wiping their noses, which provide a clear path for flu germs to get their way into the respiratory system. When an infected person touches any object, the germs are left behind and if uninfected people get hold of the same objects and then touch their faces, they will catch the virus. However, proper home cleaning and sanitization can kill and prevent the spread of germs thereby reducing the number of sick people in your household.

Maintains a higher standard of health and well-being

According to OSHA, employees should be provided with a clean work environment to prevent ongoing illnesses, and your home is no different. You and your household need a clean environment to maintain your health and well-being. Sanitizing and cleaning every room in your home from bathroom, dining room and kitchen to the living room and bedroom during flu season will ensure that none of your family members catches a cold, and those that are unfortunate to catch the virus will not spread to others.

Controls the number of new flu outbreaks in your home

If you suspect that one of your family members is having flu, chances are that you do all you can to get them treated. And the moment you think that sickness is under control in your home, a new outbreak begins simply because you treated the sick person but didn’t bother to clean your home where the virus may have spread. If everything in your house is sanitized and cleaned, there is a lower risk of new flu outbreaks as new viruses or germs are killed.

Bottom line

It goes without saying that during flu season, germs spread very first and fill your home even before you know it. Similarly, the virus can spread from one person to another within a short period. If you’d want to keep your family members safe and healthy, you should be focused on limiting cross-contamination and combating infections by proper home cleaning. As a rule of thumb, there are specific areas you need to clean regularly during flu seasons, such as spots you touch often (doorknobs, phones, remote controller, computer keyboards and kitchen counter), as well as other places such as bathrooms, bedrooms and don’t forget to clean all the tables and kids’ stuff such as toys.

Bed Cleaning Tips

Did you know that human beings spend a third of their lives on the bed?

Well, if you had no idea, imagine how many hours you sleep at night and also the time you go to bed to unwind. With that information, therefore, the bed is one of the most important household items you should take care of especially in cleaning.

Proper bed cleaning can keep your bed clean for years and reduce allergens in your bedroom. A bed consists of many components but the most important ones are mattresses, sheets, comforters, pillows, and pillowcases. A clean bed is not only good for your health but also keeps your bedroom fresh.

Here are amazing tips on how to clean your bed.

1. Remove pillows and decorations from the bed

The best bed cleaning approach starts with stripping your bed. Remove the top layer of items such as pillows, toys, decorative pillows, blankets as well as other objects. Also, remove the pillowcases, sheets that are covering the mattress such as fitted sheets, top sheets and any other mattress protector you may have and throw them in your laundry basket. Fold your blankets and move the items to a different place to get ample space for cleaning your bed.

2. Wash your bedding and linens

After removing everything from the bed and the mattress is bare, it’s the right time to start cleaning. Wash the pillowcases, linens, and sheets in a washing machine. As a rule of thumb, ensure you carefully read the care labels when cleaning any fabrics and use hot water to kill dust mites or bacteria that could be hiding in your linens. Remove the mattress and clean the headboard, bed frame and footboard using a soft cloth and hot water.

3. Cleaning and deodorizing the mattress

Given that you spend as many as eight hours on your bed, you should pay special attention to your mattress and clean it using the following steps;

• Vacuum - First things first, you should vacuum your mattress to remove dead skin, dust, hair, mites, dust, and other debris. The top of the mattress should be vacuumed using a wide brush attachment, and a long upholstery nozzle to clean the corners and sides.

• Address fresh spills - If there are fresh spills on your mattress, address them first using cold water and a damp cloth. Avoid scrubbing or rubbing the spill as it will push it further into your mattress, and instead, blot it with the damp cloth until all the excess liquid is absorbed.

• Clean stains - Take a small bowl and mix one tablespoon of liquid dish soap and two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. Stir them gently using a spoon to create suds that will be effective in treating stains from drinks, food, and dirt. Take an old toothbrush, dip it into the suds and scrub on the affected areas gently. Wipe excess cleaner using a clean, damp cloth.

• Clean biological stains with an enzyme cleaner - An enzyme cleaner is effective in breaking down the proteins in urine, blood, vomit, sweat and any other biological stain. Therefore, take a clean cloth and spray enzyme cleaner on it. Blot the stained areas with a clean cloth to saturate it and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Use the same cloth to blot the area to get rid of the stain and finally blot the area using a cloth damped in cold water.

• Sprinkle baking soda over the mattress - After dealing with stains, clean and deodorize your mattress by sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda on the surface of the mattress. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes to absorb smells, other liquids left during stain cleaning, and break down acids.

• Vacuum the mattress once again - After allowing the baking soda to sit on the mattress for some time, vacuum it to get rid of baking soda. That way, you will take odors, acids and any other liquid absorbed by the baking soda. Lastly, let your mattress air out to allow any liquid left to dry out. According to experts, if your mattress traps moisture, it can lead to mold which will not be good for your health and therefore, ensure you give it time to dry.

Bottom line

A clean bed helps you sleep like a baby and wake up the next morning with energy to face the day ahead. Also, cleaning your mattress protects your investment in your bed. The above bed cleaning tips will help you clean like a pro. Once your bed is clean, make it even better with clean linens and enjoy quality sleep.

3 Things To Know When Buying A Vacuum

Let’s face it, vacuuming is an important key to keeping your home clean and it’s no surprise that you should have a quality vacuum cleaner in your cleaning closet. A vacuum cleaner makes cleaning easier as it sucks up debris and dirt and can as well remove pet hair, allergens, and more from your living space.

Whether you have plush carpeting or hard floors, a vacuum cleaner is what you need to keep your home tidy. According to research, vacuum cleaners use a cleaning head with a brush and a motor to generate power that sucks up debris into the nozzle which eventually travels to the dust collection bin or bag for later disposal. Some vacuums have specialized onboard filtration systems to entrap minute particles and prevent them from being released to the air via the vacuum’s exhaust.

Vacuum cleaners are available in all sizes and shapes with different features and use. With that in mind, choosing the best one for your home can be intimidating, but getting your hands on the right one can make a difference in your cleaning chores. Before spending your hard-earned money on a vacuum, here are three things you should know.

1. There’s a different type of vacuum for every need

There are different models and types of vacuums and that’s what makes shopping for the right one confusing. If your friend tells you that they bought the best vacuum for carpet cleaning, that doesn’t mean you can buy the same model for a different purpose. The truth is that vacuums are different for every need and you should ask yourself why you need one before purchase.

If you are not sure which type will suit your needs, focus on the features you’re looking for and surely, you’ll get your hands on the right one. If for instance you want a device that’s portable and can clean small spaced areas, a handheld vacuum will be perfect for you. If you want a vacuum you can excellently clean your house without the need to plug and unplug, a cordless model will suit you. The following are some of the most common categories of vacuum cleaner models to put into consideration;

• Upright – In this device, suction head and motor are contained in one unit and hence perfect for large houses and carpet cleaning

• Handheld – They can be corded or cordless. Interestingly, they are handy and can be used for quick bare floors and carpet cleaning. Also, some of the handheld vacuums can clean the interior of your car, while others can deal with pet hair on your furniture

• Canister – With their suction head and motor separated, these vacuums are perfect for cleaning stairs, bare floors and under furniture. Besides, their attachments are ideal for cleaning upholstery and drapes

• Robotic – They have a programmable device and can do all the cleaning as you relax. The newest models can be controlled on your Smartphone using an app

2. The best time to buy

Most people think that they can purchase a vacuum any time of the year. Well, even though that’s true, there’s the best time to make the purchase without straining the wallet. After discovering the vacuum that will meet your household needs, plan to shop during the spring cleaning sale season in April or May. Someone could ask the reason to buy during this season and because you’re reading this article, we’ll tell you. According to research, every year, April or May provides amazing discounts on vacuums and you can find yourself buying a high-quality vacuum at half price. This will ensure that you get your desired home cleaning assistant without breaking your bank.

3. There are many product specs you should read

Different types of vacuum cleaners come with different specifications and you should read them before committing to buying one. It goes without saying that you’d want a device with features that don’t compromise your expectations and to avoid disappointments, take your few minutes to read through the specs of your desired vacuum. If you don’t know where to start from, relax as there are few components to consider;

• Weight – Determine how heavy you want your vacuum to be depending on your household needs

• Cord length – If you prefer a corded model, make sure the cord is long enough to clean the entire room without the need to unplug

• Battery – If you desire a cordless model, ensure you get the right information on how long it will keep operating on a single charge

• Bag – Vacuum replacement bags can be expensive and if you don’t wish to purchase them from time to time, it would be wise to go for a bagless vacuum variety

The Bottom line

Modern vacuums come in a variety of sleek shapes, designs, and cool colors. While some people will go for shapes and other designs, it's worth investing in a vacuum that will do a good job as you’d want. Keep in mind that features may be appealing but you should spend your money on a device that fits your cleaning needs.

Three reasons why dusting is important

We all understand the challenges that come with dusting. Once you realize that dust has already built up in your home, you take the necessary measures to clean it and within a short period, it creeps up back again. We are human beings and we can get tired of doing the same thing over and over again.

But, before you throw your hands and ignore the dust, we will advise you that dust is not something to give up on. According to research, close to 50 million Americans report experiencing allergies yearly, and most of them are allergic to dust. Therefore, dusting should be considered as part of home cleaning activity, naturally. Besides giving surfaces a fresh look, dusting is extremely important. Keep reading as we educate you.

What is dust and where it’s located?

Dust can be defined as small particles that become mobile, travel and find their way back to the earth and land on chairs, blinds, tables, desks, windowsill and other surfaces around our home. Dust is composed of up to five thousand different small particles of materials such as animal dander, the skin we shed, soil particles, smoke and ashes, bacteria, pollen, hair, insect parts, fibers, fungi, and dust mites. If you reside in an area with smoke from factories or construction, dust can find its way in your home through venting and open windows especially if you don’t change or clean your heating and cooling filters regularly.

Importance of dusting

Now that you already know what dust is, the question that could be going through your head is, why is dusting so important? Let’s find out.

1. Dusting is good for a healthier environment

When dust collects on desks, upholstery, beddings, tabletops and other soft fabrics, it becomes easier for your entire family to breathe it in. What’s more, it can find its way in your HVAC system easily and circulate all over your home. The result is that every member of your family will be more susceptible to dry eyes, breathing issues and illness. Dust can as well spread contaminants that cause various diseases and if you’d want you and your family to live healthy year-round, make dusting part of your home cleaning chores. According to experts, pollen and other allergens can find their way in your house and when they become dust, they’ll make things uncomfortable for individuals with asthma and allergies. Most importantly, dust on the surface makes your home untidy and dusting ensures you and your family are living in a clean environment.

2. Protects your HVAC system

When you have dust in your apartment, it doesn’t just collect on the furniture or sit on baseboards, it also gets its way in your HVAC system. Most people will argue that it’s a good thing for the dust to be trapped in the filters, but the truth is that it also collects in the ductwork. Once the dust gets caught in the filter, the HVAC system will be forced to work harder in pushing air through the filters and eventually in your house. This is not only detrimental to the air quality but also damages your expensive system meaning that it will wear down a short period after buying it.

3. A better-looking home

Dusting your home regularly gives you peace of mind knowing that you are living in a dust-free environment. Besides, a clean home looks and feels better and provides a comfortable environment for you and your family to unwind. As a rule of thumb, ensure you pay special attention to places that are hard to reach such as along the windowsill and on the top of the fan blades. If you have pets, it is common for pet dander to spread faster and therefore, remember to vacuum your upholstery. According to experts, dusting ensures that dust doesn’t accumulate in your home and this makes daily routines such as cleaning easier.

Bottom line

Keeping your home dust-free is not always a walk in the park. But, if done correctly, dusting provides a healthier environment for you and your family to live in. If you have a busy schedule or you think dusting will be too much work for you, you don’t have a reason to risk your health as well as that of your household as you can seek home cleaning services in your area for professional dusting and have peace of mind knowing that you are living in a dust-free home.

Does Carpet Cleaning Ruin Them?

A person is likely to check on your carpet when he/she enters the living room. Therefore, it’s your responsibility to make it clean.

Carpet cleaning is necessary for everyone who has a carpet. Some people think that carpet cleaning can ruin the look of the carpets. Carpet cleaning won’t ruin your valuable asset if you use the right tools and processes.

How can carpet cleaning ruin your carpet? How can you prevent this?

This article will answer these questions.

1. Use gentle chemicals

Your carpet will remain intact if you use modern cleaners. The chemicals are gentle but firm and can penetrate the carpet fibres without ruining it. Carpet cleaning regularly can keep your carpet looking new.

Ensure that you test a carpet cleaner before you use it. You can test it on a small spot and see its effect before cleaning the entire carpet.

2. Don’t use too much water

Although you should rinse the cleaning products from the carpet, ensure that you regulate the amount of water. Ensure that you rinse the carpet and have it dry in a few hours. Use the right amount of cleaning chemical. The carpet will take longer to dry when you use too excess chemicals since you will to rinse over and over. Note that leaving the carpet with too much water can cause shrinking. Therefore, you should balance between chemicals and water to get the best results.

3. Don’t scrub

The first thing that people think of when they see a stain is scrubbing it. Removing stains by scrubbing can do more harm than good. Scrubbing can destroy the carpet fibres. The best way of removing stains is by blotting. Also, ensure that you don’t spread the stain while blotting. Blot from the outside and not the inside. All use white towels since colored ones may transfer their dyes to the carpet.

You should try to remove the stain as soon as you spot it. Stains become more stubborn when you fail to remove them quickly. You will need to use harsh chemicals to remove the stain, ruining the carpet instead.

4. Don’t use powder deodorants

Although powder deodorants are cheap, using them ruin your carpet. The deodorant can build-up in the carpet fibres, and vacuuming it may not remove them completely. The powder may mislead you into thinking that the carpet is clean since it has a good scent. Therefore, you should ensure that you use liquid deodorizers instead.

5. Deep clean the carpet at least once in a year

Surface cleaning is important but should rely on it since it doesn’t remove all the stains. Ensure that you deep clean them to prolong their life. Since deep cleaning is not easy, you should hire professionals to do the job.

Conclusion

Carpet cleaning can’t ruin your carpet if you do it properly. Ensure that you use the correct tools and chemicals. You should hire carpet cleaning professionals instead of doing it yourself. They have the skills and knowledge of how to clean your carpet without ruining it.

Difference Between Dry Carpet Cleaning and Steam Cleaning

There are two major ways of cleaning your carpet. You can either dry clean your carpet or steam clean it. Both ways can provide excellent results depending on the tools, equipment and the technician. The major difference between the two methods is the amount of water used in the cleaning process.

Dry carpet cleaning

The procedure

Carpet dry cleaning involves removing any dry soil by vacuuming. This step is also important in steam cleaning since removing wet soil is hard. A special dry cleaning solution is then applied to treat the carpet. The solution is powerful and can break down oily residues. Oily residue holds dirt on to the carpet fibres and is one of the reasons why most carpets become dirty. It is easy to remove other stains once the oily residue is broken down.

Cotton pads are then immersed in hot water. The pads are then placed over the carpet under a machine (rotary machine). The rotating pads release the dirt from the carpet with ease. The pads are changed continually for effectiveness.

How it works

The best thing about dry carpet cleaning is that it leaves the carpet dry. It takes less than an hour for the carpet to be completely dry. The effectiveness of this method relies on the solutions used during the process. You will get excellent results if you use the best solutions. Also, the procedure will dictate how clean the carpet will be. Ensure that you do it correctly or hire a professional to do the job.

Steam Cleaning

Steam cleaning or hot water extraction requires more water than the other method. Pre-cleaning agents are used to treat any stains available. Hot water is then injected into the carpet fibres using high-pressure pumps. The water will penetrate deeper if you treat it effectively. Also, ensure that you use quality pre-cleaning agents for better results. The water dissolves any soil and stains available. The water carrying the stain and impurities is later extracted, leaving the carpet clean.

Steam cleaning is a slow process and requires patience. You will only get excellent results if you hire a professional who is willing to take the required time to extract all the dirty water.

How it works

Steam cleaning is very effective in removing dirt. You should ensure that your technician extracts all the water from the carpet. Also, ensure that he or she uses effective pre-cleaners. Using this method without effective pre-treatment is a waste of time since it will leave oily stains on your carpet. These oily stains can cause the dark spots that you see on most carpets.

The main disadvantage of steam cleaning is that it takes longer for the carpet to dry. It can take up to 24 hours for the carpet to completely dry.

Conclusion

Dry and steam cleaning have different advantages. Some professionals use both methods to deliver a better result. You can choose dry carpet cleaning if you want to use the carpet in a short time. Note that the compounds used in dry cleaning are strong, and may produce fumes that can take a while to go away.

Green Cleaning Benefits to the Environment

If you’d like a meticulously fresh smelling and clean environment with no heavy chemical smells, green cleaning could be what you need. In layman’s language, green cleaning is the use of cleaning products, equipment, and practices that are environmental friendly in nature to not only protect the environment but also the health of individuals and animals in that environment. Employing green tactics aims at establishing a healthy, hygienic and fresh-smelling living environment that creates a sense of well being and therefore, it’s the best option for house cleaning. The following are some of the benefits green cleaning has on the environment.

1. Better air quality

Air is life simply because we breathe it all our lives. The use of materials and chemicals containing toxic chemicals emit volatile organic compounds in the air and can cause respiratory conditions. Besides, most people cannot withstand the smell that comes with strong chemical odors and if you are one of them, the best solution is to switch to eco-friendly cleaning products. Whether you prefer to make green cleaning products at home or buy at your nearest store, the fact is that they contain pleasant natural essential oils that will motivate you to do your cleaning every day without experiencing any health problem thanks to the better air quality.

2. Reduces environmental damage

The colorful and bright cleaners you grab at your nearest store may be promising to be a quick fix but they’re harmful to the environment in two major ways. One, the toxic chemicals released in waterways contaminate the natural water resources and two, the chemicals released in the air cause air pollution. Therefore, the best way you can help the environment is by going green. That way, you’ll end up preventing air and water pollution and control the global climate change and minimize ozone layer depletion. Again, there will be no toxic chemicals draining to natural water resources meaning that you’ll be saving aquatic life.

3. Less packaging waste

Traditional cleaners are packaged in different materials most of which cannot be recycled because the chemicals they contain are corrosive and dangerous. Fortunately, green cleaning products are not corrosive and therefore, they can successfully be packaged in environmentally friendly materials which can be recycled to minimize waste released in the environment. That way, you will end up living in a clean environment.

4. Makes your home safer

Many are the times when the chemicals we buy for domestic use have labels that warn us that they are either toxic or flammable. In fact, some chemicals such as ammonia and chlorine can be dangerous when mixed together and therefore, having them at home makes the environment unfavorable. According to experts, pets and small children are vulnerable to higher exposure to these chemicals due to their size Besides, the National Control Center reports that house cleaning supplies are among the things that put your family at risk and the only way to minimize this risk is by shifting to eco-friendly products that are not dangerous or toxic.

Final thought

We all want to work and live in clean and pleasant space and, eco-friendly or natural cleaning products are the best for our environment as they use natural ingredients that can never cause any danger. These products benefit your family and home as well as the surrounding environment because it doesn’t suffer from exposure to pollutants and toxins. If you are concerned with the environment you live in, then there is no better time to use green products than now and you’ll definitely take part in securing a better future for the upcoming generations.

Household Cleaning Hacks

Do I need to make great efforts to keep your home clean and neat? No one likes The uncluttered house, but some Of us hate house cleaning more.

Here are seven great tips to help keep your home clean without bothering.

Clear Of Excess

Chaos accumulates quickly if You have a slight increase. If there is not enough space in your house, The mess begins to appear everywhere and makes The house dirty. Instead Of storing things for "just in case" situations, get rid of everything which You no great use. You may even donate to gifts so as not to be in vain. This can make your home clean, without any special effort, You will be fine too.

There is a place dedicated to everything.

After getting rid of The mess, it is essential to give all that remains in The room and where You belong. For example, hooks in The lobby can be used for your coats, bags, shelves in living room tables and drawers ideal for books, magazines, and TV remote controls. This avoids a mess on The carpet, so when it comes to house cleaning, it's easy to do.

Develop a strategy for Your Children.

If You have children, you'll know they might be thinking a bit about The cleanliness Of where they live. If your child likes drawing, make sure You have extra drawing boards and do not Use walls to show your skills.

If your kids are too big to help, You can Use baskets with stickers to know where everything is arranged. Because children enjoy, they can color carpets by dropping products, so You can use The services Of professional carpet organizers to clean carpets in your living space.

Do work on The go

To go to The bathroom for a shower, make sure to check out certain places quickly. For example, if The tub is dirty, You can clean it immediately before bathing. This hotfix can help improve The performance Of your entire home, yet You still have 10 minutes to complete The task.

Capture everything at dusk

Select for each member of The family (including you!) The general rule that tries every night at a particular time to collect all things for at least 15 minutes and put them in place. The complete process rarely needs any effort, and also your home shall become more realistic than before.

Reduce Paper usage

Consider removing Paper in your daily life. Magazines, receipts, magazines, and newspapers are rapidly accumulating at home, lumping up all The space. Change your bank accounts to sheets, and get a shelf to keep magazines and newspapers in order.

Make a bed every day

Although they may look dull, they are not. Cleaning The bed takes less than 5 minutes and is one of The easiest ways to make your bedroom cleaner and tidy. It also sets a tone for The rest of The day and most likely will go in an elegant tone. These household cleaning hacks will always ensure that your house is very clean than ever.