Springing into Spring Cleaning

By Jennifer Jordan

Ah, spring cleaning: the one time a year when surface cleaning is replaced with digging in deep to take away the dirt and grime. No one really enjoys spring cleaning, sans the star from the TV Show Monk, but it is necessary. Without it, the messes of years gone by are sure to accumulate, taking over your house in the form of rabid dust bunnies and cruel cobwebs. You may be putting your spring cleaning off, hoping your house will just somehow clean itself, but with a few tips spring cleaning doesn’t have to be the chore it’s known to be.

Don’t Throw Away What you Can Give to Charity: When you’re spring cleaning, it’s easy to just get a giant trash bag and throw away things you don’t want, thing you don’t need, and things you don’t like. But, instead of throwing away these things, sort out the ones you can donate to charity. Items like old clothes, old furniture, and old recreational items are great donation choices. Not only will this allow you to help the less fortunate, but it will also allow you to help yourself in the form of a tax write-off.

Don’t Throw Away What Might be Valuable: Most of us know someone whose mom or dad threw away their baseball card collection, subjecting Mickey Mantle and Joe Dimaggio to the kitchen trash. At that moment, it may have seemed like these cards had little or no value, but you never know what time will do. Instead of throwing away things that have potential importance, simply put them aside: store things in your garage or your attic, where they are out of your way but not out of your life.

Don’t Do it All Yourself: You may be particular about your spring cleaning, wanting to do it all yourself so you can make sure it is done correctly. While this may seem like the best route, it is also the route that is sure to burn you out the quickest, leaving you to surrender to that crayon stain on your living room wall before you’re even halfway done. Instead of doing everything yourself, solicit help from the rest of your family: ask your spouse to help, have your kids spring clean their own rooms, and make Fido earn his keep by promising not to shed on nearly vacuumed furniture.

Don’t Mix Cleaning Solutions: You may find a need to mix one cleaning product with another, letting out a mad scientist laugh as you do so. This might not cause any problems, but there is potential for a toxic combination. For this reason, never mix anything on a whim: follow the directions of each cleaning solvent. If you need something stronger than what your cleaning solution provides, try purchasing an industrial strength product, using steel wool, or using a putty knife to scrape away the mess.

Don’t Do it all in One Day: You may be anxious to finish all of your spring cleaning in one day, wanting it over and done with. But, spring cleaning is much more invasive than regular cleaning: it takes a lot longer. For this reason, don’t be in a huge rush to get everything done in a twenty four hour time span. Take your time and take some breaks: your house isn’t going anywhere.

Jennifer Jordan is the senior editor for http://www.etodoors.com. Someone who changes her mind every five minutes, her house is in a perpetual state of home improvement.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Jordan

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Do It Yourself Carpet Cleaning???

By Noah Stone

As the Owner/Operator of Dry-Tech of Northwest Ohio, there are many times customers ask me "what's the difference between the machines that you use and the type that I buy in the store or rent?" In this article I will talk about the many reasons that you should always consider using a professional rather than using a store bought or rental unit.

The truth is that the carpet machines you get from the store are just not powerful enough to clean deep down in the carpet fibers. They usually have a good cleaning concept but lack both the pressure in applying the cleaning solution and the suction to remove the dirty water. Typical residential models will apply solution if not in a passive form, a very low pressure such as 15-20 pounds of pressure (if your lucky). Common sense can tell someone even if they knew little about carpet cleaning that if a machine is $200 for "Johnny Homeowner", one could only expect that a commercial unit that can run up to $5,000 must have something a little better! The vacuums are not too much of a problem because they don't need to go too deep. What happens is the machine does not push the cleaning solution far enough in the carpet. The vacuum really does not need to be too successful.

Equipment aside, a professional will have the knowledge in carpet styles, stain removal, repair and usually a pretty basic knowledge of chemistry which is the basis for understanding carpet stain removal. Remember a professional will have had experience in many situations that the average home owner does not. Dollar for dollar you get a better bang for your buck by having a professional handle the headache. Your home will be healthier and free from dust mites, allergens that can cause sickness. You and your family will feel much better when you have your carpets cleaned regularly. At Dry-Tech of Northwest Ohio we recommend that a person get their carpets cleaned every twelve to eighteen months by a professional. If you must own your own machine, get the one that offers the most in psi (pounds per square inch) and suction. These machines are good for maintenance but will still leave plenty behind for the pros to get out even after your finished!

Noah Stone Owner/Operator Dry-Tech of Northwest Ohio http://www.drytechnwohio.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Noah_Stone

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House Cleaning Tips: Efficient Carpet Cleaning

By Brian Ward

Are you one among the many that think 'mine is the only living room that is this cluttered'? Then you need to read through some house cleaning tips. Efficient house cleaning gets simpler if you stay organized and keep motivated.

One among the biggest task, carpet cleaning can be pretty simple if you are keen on not allowing dirt to build up on the carpet. You will need to invest a little in a good quality vacuum. The cost can run up to $ 400, but you can also find good quality home carpet cleaning system for half the price as well. The good thing is you can save money in the long run as you need to hire a professional carpet cleaning service less often. But make sure you use the carpet cleaning system on a regular basis.

Both water based and dry cleaning carpet cleaners are available in the market. If you plan to dry clean your carpet, it can cost you higher in the form of machine cost and cost of chemical adsorbents.

Red wine stain on carpet can give you moments of frustration. As will all cases of carpet cleaning it is better to clean as quickly as possible after the spillage. It can become harder to remove the stain if you take too long. Blot away the red wine with a towel paper and pour some concentrate salt solution at the stained region. When the salt crystallizes after a few hours, you can safely vacuum the area without any trace of stain. If the stain is old, you will find it extremely difficult to remove the stain. A good quality carpet cleaner will be required to remove the stain.

If you have installed carpets at your office, you have extra task to maintain the cleanliness of the carpet. Strictly stop the use of any colored drinks inside the office. You can also use a comfortably large doormat so that the shoes do not carry with them dirt from the outside.

Safety concerns of using carpet cleaning chemicals at home.

Most carpet cleaning chemicals are safe on hands. However, carpet spot cleaners have highly reactive chemicals, which can create skin problems. It can also make permanent marks on the carpet or can bleach the original color of the carpet. It is always the right idea to use gloves while using carpet spot cleaners.

Sometimes plain water will be enough to clean some spillage, especially a fresh spillage. Use chemicals only if you are so sure about the results. This is same with all types of house cleaning tips. Efficient house cleaning does not necessarily mean you go for high concentration chemicals that may harm your skin or the environment. Seeking professional service can sometimes become indispensable. Look for a professional service whenever you feel carpet cleaning or general household cleaning is beyond your scope. Read more Carpet Cleaning Tips from a Professional Carpet Cleaner

Brian Ward author of cleaning tips for home owners offers you help in finding helpful Carpet Cleaning Tips from a Professional Carpet Cleaner. Visit http://www.carpetcleaninghelp.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Ward

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Professional Carpet Cleaning: How Often Should Carpet Be Cleaned

By Shannon Sullivan

When was the last time you had your carpets professionally cleaned? If you’re like the average American household, it was probably some time in the last year – and you will probably wait at least another year to get them cleaned again. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends carpets in residential homes are cleaned every 6-12 months if 2 or fewer people live in the home who is non smokers. For larger families with both kids and pets, the EPA recommends a professional carpet cleaning every 3 months [U.S. EPA letter, January 1989].

Recommendations like this are based on the indoor air quality in homes. Dust, dander and a multitude of soils collect on carpet, which acts as filter as air circulates through vent systems in a home. For persons with allergies, asthma, and even pregnant women and the elderly, having clean carpets can make a big difference in their quality of life indoors.

Having your carpet cleaned every 3 months can be very expensive. A market check of professional carpet cleaning prices showed that among both national brand names and smaller local carpet cleaning companies, the average cost for a 3 room, two hallway carpets cleaning at about $125 after coupons and specials were applied. If a homeowner has a carpet cleaner visit 3 times a year, the total cost of carpet cleanings can really add up.

Some families are choosing the do-it-yourself route to cleaning their carpets. Depending on where you live, grocery stores are offering cleaning machines and a multitude of carpet cleaning solutions for purchase. This may be another good way to keep your carpets cleaned. The drawback is that homeowners must do all then tough work themselves – lugging the machine to their cars and moving their own furniture. There are also some inherent risks with do-it-yourself methods that include:

- Over saturation of the carpet. If too much water or solution is applied, the glue that holds carpet fibers together can separate and ruin carpet - Misapplication of cleaners. The incorrect cleaning solution applied to certain stains can permanently bleach or discolor carpet.

One thing is clear, indoor air quality is affected by the frequency with which your home’s carpets are cleaned, so professional carpet cleaning companies are finding unique ways of providing less expensive cleanings. Some offer new and improved package pricing to their customers. Customers who combine carpet cleaning with other services like Oriental rug cleaning can sometimes save upwards of 60% off their total bill. This allows homeowners to save some money and gets both carpet cleaning and rug cleaning taken care of in one visit. Other carpet cleaning companies are selling professional-grade carpet cleaning sprays and solvents, so that customers wanting to take care of their carpets themselves can do so without some of the risks associated with over-the-counter products. Another unique approach by professional carpet cleaning companies is to offer a stain removal only service. Here, customers pay only for the stain removal and not an entire carpet cleaning. Kiwi Carpet Cleaning offers this with a One Year Carpet Cleaning Warranty, where entire rooms are cleaned at a low price throughout the year. While you might have to move furniture yourself and vacuum before the carpet cleaning technician arrives, the low price may offset any minor hassles.

With all the dust, dander, dirt and soot collecting on the surfaces in your home, it is important to remind yourself that what you collect on a dust towel is just a small fraction of what ends up in your carpet. Take inventory of how often your carpets are walked on in your home and make carpet cleaning decisions that help you and your family breathe easier this year.

Dallas Carpet Cleaning Rugs & Carpet Cleaning Services Air Duct Cleaning Services Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shannon_Sullivan

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Smart Ideas For One Easy After Party Cleaning

By Jessica Brandle

Everyone knows what a mess is to have a party at your own home and, sadly, sometimes we even prefer to deprive ourselves of that pleasure just because we don't want to handle with the consequences. But as well as we all know, nothing can be more important but the precious moments, spent in the company of our friends during a party. So why miss all the fun when you can organize a thrilling celebration and then easily handle with the situation by follow some simple rules which will help you to clean and tidy your home for no time after the wild night has ended.

What is the best decision in these cases is to separate the work in two parts. There are some activities you should do right after you have sent off the very last guest and the other part of the tidying you should leave for the morning. There is no point of trying to deal with the entire mess immediately, just do what is absolutely necessary at the moment. And that is, firstly, to collect all the bottles, glasses and the other vessels and bring them to the kitchen. If there appears a stain, you have to clean it as soon as it is possible and don't leave it for the morning, because then it will be more difficult to handle with it. Cleaning it immediately will save you a lot more time than you expect.

The second rule is related to the kitchen. Whatever you do just gathered everything in the kitchen - empty the half-filled glasses and together with all the vessels and bottles put them on the counter. Then collect as much of them as it is possible and put them into the dishwasher, but be sure that you have filled as much dishes as the dishwasher can contain. There is no point of repeating the loading if it can be avoided. Also washing the dishes right after the party will help you miss the part with the very unpleasant smells and odors in the morning.

After you have done this, take some plastic bags and fill them with all the garbage that has left after the party. Start from one place and don't go to gather up at other if you haven't finished with it. You will convince yourself that it's a lot more effective than to collect first the bigger things which has caught your eye. While working, try to centre the clutter at the kitchen. And don't forget to take out the garbage as soon as it is possible, because this is in order to prevent the appearing of any odors and leaks.

That's all you have to do in the evening and after one refreshing and long sleep take care for your home in the morning. Bright idea is to supply yourself in the day before the party with some useful cleaning products which will help you win the battle with the stains and the disinfecting. Deal with the dusting and vacuuming finishing the tidy process at the place, but don't forget one simple thing - when you are cleaning work your way toward the kitchen. That will help you systematize your efforts and activities and will definitely help you not to disturb yourself with cleaning unimportant things at your home or even starting completely different things like reordering the contents of some cupboards. Remember that this cleaning is only for removing the results of the last night party and if you want to do it right, try not to forget the main goal. You have to clean the kitchen last if you want to finish everything at once. After all the vessels are washed, all the surfaces are disinfected and the entire garbage is taken off the house you can congratulate yourself with the perfectly done job.

There are some things you should do before starting with the cleaning in the morning and they are related to your perfect condition during the working. If you wear loose clothes it would be easier to you to handle with the duties without your body to feel uncomfortable. The next thing to do is to load a CD with pleasant music which gives you an appropriate mood. Also try not to disturb yourself by additional activities like talking on the phone, talking with neighbours or watching something on the TV. Remember that if you don't finish with the cleaning once you have started it this could cost you a lot more efforts to start again after the interrupting.

This resource is offered to you by Top Cleaning London - quality cleaning company in London working in the field of London party cleaning services and also specialized in domestic, office and industrial cleaning. If you are interested visit our website http://www.topcleaning.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jessica_Brandle

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Carpet Cleaning How To - Three Carpeting Cleaning Tips You Don't Want To Miss

By Marie Stark

Do you need a few carpet cleaning how to tips?

Do you avoid inviting friends and family to your house because of unsightly carpet stains and embarrassing carpet odors?

Do your children and pets always seem to track mud across the carpet?

Do your children --or perhaps you -- spill drinks on the carpet on an almost daily basis?

If you would like to end your dread of dirty and smelly carpets, relax and follow these three simple carpet cleaning tips for keeping your carpet stain free and for carpet odor removal.

Carpet Cleaning Tip #1: Routine Maintenance for a Longer Life

Vacuum your carpets on a regular basis. Dirt, pet hair, and other grime accumulate in the carpet fibers resulting in dirty looking carpet and problems for allergy sufferers. If the dirt and grime is left to build up, your carpet can become damaged and it will be more difficult to thoroughly clean.

Carpet Cleaning Tip #2: Clean Spills Immediately

Clean up spills immediately to avoid odors and stains. If a solid substance --food or animal waste -- is the problem, use paper towels to carefully remove the mess before cleaning the carpet. Take care to lift the mess straight up without further rubbing it into the carpet. Once the problem is removed, begin to clean the spot with plain water and paper towels or clean rags. Blot the area with the paper towels and then using the towels, move in a circular motion clockwise and then repeat going counter clockwise to remove all traces of the mess. Avoid scrubbing the carpet spill as this may damage the fibers of the carpet.

Carpet Cleaning Tip #3: Use the Mildest Form of Cleaner Possible

If plain water does not remove the spill, combine water and a small amount of mild liquid soap. This solution should help remove most stains. However, if you still can't get the spill clean, consider a chemical carpet spot remover. Remember that chemicals can damage carpet fibers and products designed specifically to remove carpet stains may contain dangerous chemicals.

Use chemical products sparingly. Make sure you work in a well ventilated area and wear gloves. Before using a chemical cleaner, test it in a hidden area to make sure it will not discolor or harm your carpet . To clean the spot, apply a small amount of the spot remover to a rag and wipe gently in a circular motion. Rinse with clean water and blot dry with more rags. Remove as much water as possible to avoid mildew or carpet damage.

Taking the time to clean up spills immediately will prevent the unsightly carpet stains and embarrassing carpet odors that may prevent you from enjoying the company of friends and family in your own home.

Carpet stains and carpet odor cleaning -- YUCK! But it has to be done. To get rid of smelly carpet odors and carpet stains, check out these easy-to-follow carpet cleaning how to tips that really do work. Get more home improvement tips and strategies here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marie_Stark

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