design5

The Importance Of Steam Cleaning Furniture

Fri, 05 Feb 2016 00:44:28 GMT

Many homeowners may not realize that steam cleaning furniture is possible . Actually, this process can extend the life of many items in the house.
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Great Ideas and Tips for Cleaning Carpets

Fri, 05 Feb 2016 00:42:00 GMT

Carpet has many merits and advantages as a flooring material, but spills can leave stains and daily traffic takes its toll. Learn how to clean carpet with methods for vacuuming, deep cleaning, and stain removal to help your carpets look better and last longer.
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How to Remove Pet Stains and Odors. Accidents happen; here's how to clean up and eliminate the smell

Fri, 05 Feb 2016 00:38:46 GMT

You know how it goes: Your pet decides that your new carpet's the perfect place to relieve himself. Or perhaps you walk into your bedroom and catch a whiff of something like ammonia, or worse.
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How to Clean Microfiber Furniture

Mon, 28 Dec 2015 01:25:19 GMT

Many types of microfiber fabrics cannot get wet or a watermark will remain. Obviously, this poses a particular challenge for cleaning. While microfiber fabric is stain-resistant, it is not completely immune to stains and dirt, which means it will need to be cleaned at some point.

A three-step strategy for keeping upholstered furniture looking fabulous year-round

Mon, 28 Dec 2015 01:24:58 GMT

There's nothing like new upholstery to freshen up your fave soft furnishing for spring. A few yards of fun and flirty fabric can certainly breathe new life into a timeworn treasure, but how long it remains looking crisp and clean is entirely up to you. Follow our three-prong strategy to keeping soft furnishings looking fab year-round.

How often you should clean your carpets — and the right way to do it

Mon, 28 Dec 2015 01:24:39 GMT

Dirty carpets not only look bad, they're loaded with pollutants and grime. These dirt particles act like sandpaper, breaking down carpet fibers every time you walk on them. That's why it's important to clean carpets regularly.

Carpet Cleaning Reduces Asthma and Allergies

Mon, 28 Dec 2015 01:24:19 GMT

The U.S. EPA reports that Americans spend nearly 90 percent of their time indoors which means that indoor air quality is of the utmost importance.

Vacuuming Does NOT Count As Carpet Cleaning... Seriously.

Mon, 28 Dec 2015 01:24:01 GMT

We like to think we can keep our carpets clean on our own, thank you very much. We just need to vacuum every month or so and blot when there's a stain... right?

Carpet Cleaning Tips for Long Lasting Carpet

Mon, 28 Dec 2015 01:23:43 GMT

Properly cleaned and maintained carpet will last twice as long. Learn the effective strategies for keeping your carpet looking new and fresh for years.

CARAMEL TO CRANBERRIES: HOLIDAY STAIN-BUSTING TIPS TO KEEP CARPETS BRIGHT

Wed, 09 Dec 2015 02:00:28 GMT

Whether it’s the ghouls trick-or-treating on Halloween, the gobbles of great food on Thanksgiving, or the gatherings of loved ones over the holiday season, you will likely be hosting an event at your home in the upcoming months. Food and friends make the perfect pairing for celebrations – but that can mean spills and splashes on carpets. There’s no need to panic when you know the tricks the pros use to treat tough holiday carpet stains.

“It is important to treat spots and stains promptly and properly to avoid letting them do permanent damage to the fibers,” explains Barry Lichtenstein, a certified master textile cleaner and owner of Amcho Carpet Cleaning in Framingham, Mass.. “This can cause damage to either the color or texture of the fibers.”

From splashes of punch and gravy to smears of caramel and cranberries, the holiday season can leave your carpet looking drab. Lichtenstein says many homeowners with good intentions are actually making stains worse by incorrectly treating the spots. He advises homeowners to avoid these common mistakes when treating carpet stains:

• Do not over-saturate the stain with cleaning products. This just makes a small spot larger.
• Do not rub the carpet. This can cause damage to the texture of the carpet.
• Do not put water on a dry soil. Rather, make sure to vacuum it first.

From candy canes to fudge to Grandma’s famous yams, most stains can be cleaned using these techniques. For additional stain removal information, Lichtenstein recommends visiting the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Residential Spot Solver on carpet-rug.org,or choosing a spot remover from the CRI list of tested and certified products.

In addition to stains, parties mean more foot traffic in your home. As people come and go during your holidays, you’ll likely notice extra soil on carpets and other flooring. There’s no need to panic that your carpet investment is compromised. Simply vacuum regularly with a quality vacuum that has received the CRI Seal of Approval, which means it’s been tested thoroughly for soil removal, filtering and the ability to maintain the texture and appearance of carpet.

Frequent vacuuming is also a great way to keep the air in your home clean, especially during the long months of winter when we spend most of our time indoors. A high efficiency vacuum from the Seal of Approval list removes 80 percent or more of the soil in a carpet – making carpet a good option even for allergy sufferers.

“Carpets and upholstery fabrics should be cleaned on a regular basis before they show overall soiling or staining,” Lichtenstein says. “When a high level of overall soiling or staining has been reached, there is always some permanent damage that has occurred. For the best results, clean the fabrics before they reach that level of soiling.”

How often should you vacuum? The CRI recommends high-traffic or pet areas be vacuumed daily, medium-traffic areas be vacuumed about twice a week and light-traffic areas should be vacuumed weekly.

For tough holiday stains or deep set-in soils, it may be time to call in the professionals for help. Working with an IICRC certified firm (a leading certifying body for the cleaning and restoration industries) that uses CRI Seal of Approval equipment and cleaning agents ensures your carpets and upholstery will be cleaned the right way by knowledgeable experts.

Visit carpet-rug.org and www.criblog.org to learn more.

Introducing Groom Industries product line

Wed, 09 Dec 2015 01:49:28 GMT

Introducing Groom Industries product line. Here’s what you'll see:

1. A wealth of information regarding their cleaning compounds (which are actually a modified or neutralized version of the very same products I use and recommend to work miracles at your home).

2. A spot and stain remover chart, which will walk you through the process of removing everything from chewing gum to latex paint to blood and even urine staining and odor.

3. Various carpet cleaning tips as well as special offers on everything from natural stone cleaners to tile and grout cleaners to leather and wood to even general purpose and bathroom cleaners and finally the application techniques for each.

4. If you've secretly admired my carpet rake from afar, but were too timid to ask where you might pick one up...now is your chance. They even offer free shipping on all orders over $50.00.

This year you can rest assured and be prepared for whatever comes your way and for your regular, deep cleanings (whether they take place before or after the holidays) please give me a call and we'll certainly do our best to fit you in during this most happiest, and most busiest time of the year.

Did you know? Healthy Home Fact #5

Thu, 22 Oct 2015 23:38:48 GMT

DID YOU KNOW…?

Don’t Be A Dumbbell

Too often, in our rush to get in shape, we overdo it, especially with weights. There’s a tendency to hurry, which is often mistaken for “working out.” But the end result is a bad lower back. Mishaps are bound to occur in the weight room. But the American Council on Exercise has this to offer next time you hit the gym and the dumbbells.

Stretch more. Not stretching was ranked No. 1 in the category of the biggest mistakes. Stretching at least five minutes before you exercise can reduce stress int he muscles and help reduce injuries.

Don’t lift more weight than you can handle. In fact,it’s better to do lighter weights correctly and more often than it is to life heavier weights incorrectly.

Warm up. Run around the block or the track a few times. It’s important to warm up for five minutes or more in order to deliver blood and oxygen to your muscles.

And drink a lot of water. Don’t wait until you are thirsty or dehydrated. Drink it during the workout.

Exercise regularly. Don’t be inconsistent. That won’t get you anywhere.

Did you know? Healthy Home Fact #4

Thu, 22 Oct 2015 23:37:05 GMT

DID YOU KNOW…?

Cold Showers: Advice To Avoid

Here’s an old wives’ tale that deserves debunking: A cold shower after a workout improves circulation and boosts immunity. Not only does a cold shower not improve circulation, it can be dangerous.

When you work out, your capillaries widen so that they can carry more blood. A good post-workout cool down should give these tiny blood vessels the chance to gradually narrow so that blood flow can return to normal.

A cold shower forces capillaries to quickly snap shut. Theoretically, his could lead to a heart attack because when the blood vessels reopen, the resulting rush of blood could dislodge plaque from arterial walls, sending those obstructions to the heart.

As for the claim that a cold shower after a workout boosts immunity, there does not appear to be any medical evidence to support such a practice. In fact, exercising is itself a boost to the immune system, so a cold shower would just be redundant.

#healthyhomefact

Did you know? Healthy Home Fact #3

Thu, 22 Oct 2015 23:37:03 GMT

DID YOU KNOW…?

Getting Rid Of Household Odors

With all the cooking you’re doing, chances are pretty good that some of the odors may linger around the house. Here are a few simple ways to get rid of those annoying household smells.

Place a pan of white vinegar on the stove and let it simmer for a while
Use lemon juices to remove fish, garlic, and onion odors from utensils, pans, and even hands
Odors from your garbage disposal can be eliminated by grinding up orange, grapefruit or lemon peels while running hot water.
And don’t forget about the odor-absorbing magic of baking soda. For nasty spells and odors inside your fridge or freezer, wash it out using a sponge or cloth and a solution of 2 tablespoons baking soda to 1 quart warm water. And keep a box of baking soda in the fridge for freezer to soak up new odors. Baking soda also helps keep kitchen drains odor free. About once a week toss a handful of baking soda down the drain and let the warm water run.

#healthyhomefact

Did you know? Healthy Home Fact #2

Thu, 22 Oct 2015 23:37:01 GMT

DID YOU KNOW…?

Preventing Household Mold

Household mold can cause a host of ailments, particularly among young children and older adults. Symptoms include respiratory problems, such as difficult breathing and coughing, as well as headaches, fatigue, and rashes.

Scrub small. Damp visible patches of mold with a solution made with a cup of bleach in a gallon of water. For large areas of dried mold, call in professionals because tackling this yourself can release toxin-carrying spores into the air. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also offer these tips to prevent the growth of mold:

- Do not carpet moist indoor areas like bathrooms and basements

- Remove or replace previously soaked rugs and upholstery

- Fix leaky or broken pipes quickly

- Use a dehumidified to keep indoor humidity below 50 percent

- Clean bathrooms with anti mold products

- Make sure that ventilation is adequate

#healthyhomefact

Did you know? Healthy Home Fact #1

Thu, 22 Oct 2015 23:37:00 GMT

DID YOU KNOW…?

Plastic in the Microwave

Some scientists have expressed concerns about using plastic containers and wrap in the microwave because chemicals in the plastic can leach into food, contributing to cancer, birth defects, and fertility problems. No definitive studies have been made, but food scientist Dr. Jean Weese of the Alabama Cooperative Extension suggests these precautions:

Use only plastic wrap that is specifically meant for microwaving, and don’t let it touch the food.

Don’t reuse plastic storage containers designed for cold foods, such as margarine tubs, or those intended for a single use, such as take out containers.

Don’t reuse plastic trays or containers that come with microwave convenience foods

Don’t use plastic storage bags or grocery bags in the microwave.

#healthyhomefact

Pets and Carpets

Thu, 22 Oct 2015 23:36:58 GMT

We love our pets but we don’t always love the wear and stains on household fabrics that can result.