From the Mouths of Maids: Health Risks of a Messy Home

When life gets busy and hectic, parts of a person's normal routine have to be skimped on. There are only so many hours in a day, and even the most organized have to cut some corners now and again. Often times the chores around the home are the first to be neglected, especially without the help of maids. Dishes pile up in the sink and laundry goes unattended when things get too fast paced. While a little untidiness can be harmless, recent studies show that a messy or dirty household can negatively affect the health of you and your family.

For some, a cluttered house can lead to stress. When clothes are scattered about the floor and dishes are piled on the kitchen counter, life at home seems a little more chaotic. Studies have shown that high blood pressure is linked to individuals whose homes have become domestic disaster areas. Patients surveyed were found to have increased stress levels and blood pressure, but not while at home. Most of the patients' stress actually came from anticipating doing the cleaning and not having the time to do so. By setting aside a little extra time for cleaning or enlisting the help of maids, high-strung individuals can eliminate one of the stressors that leads them to discomfort.

Too much clutter around the house also creates falling hazards. Households with children or elderly are especially at risk, though an unlucky person of any age could fall victim to a stray object in the dark at night. If your house has multiple stories a staircase can become a serious danger when left unattended to. Confining your dirty clothes to a laundry hamper can easily keep your floor space clear, and a little extra time spent putting your groceries or purchases when you get home will go a long way. Spend some time determining where all of your possessions belong. A little organization ahead of time means that you won't have to decide what to do about your clutter when you're low on time. Bringing maids in for a weekly visit can also keep your belongings neatly tucked away and walking spaces open.

Of course, a house left unattended to is a safe haven for germs. Food left out after meals and uncollected garbage are breeding grounds for harmful bacteria that cause sickness. Without the regular cleaning and upkeep that maids are used to, the surfaces and basins in your home will turn against you. Dishes left in sinks are prone to growing colonies of E. coli and salmonella, while infectious bacteria like staphylococcus are fond of bathtubs. These infections aren't hard to prevent, but many Americans don't realize the danger because these threats are invisible.

An unkempt home can cause health risks of all kinds, but a little extra time or planning can go a long way in bringing peace to your hectic life. A little planning for your home's organization and perhaps some help from a few maids will keep you feeling better and able to focus on what's most important in your life.

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Why Is It Important To Wash Your Windows?

How frequently do you wash your windows? Maybe once or twice a year? Perhaps never? But you know window cleaning should be done. There's nothing fascinating about looking out the window and seeing grime instead of having a clear view of how beautiful the day is. Freshly cleaned windows can brighten up a home or office.

Clean windows are an important part of home or office maintenance, but most people don't like to do it. Some people wash their windows a couple of times a year, but that's not enough. Window washing should be done regularly, at least once every two months, depending on the surrounding conditions. If you are in a city, or forest, it's a good idea to wash them at least monthly. If you're in a place where pollen and dirt don't always stick, you can do window cleaning every two months or so.

Importance of Window Cleaning and Window Washing

Windows get dirty over time. If they are not cleaned regularly, they increase the likelihood of irreparable damage as a result of etching of frames and glass. Calcium or lime scale build up on a window could damage and consequently require you to replace the window, which can be costly. Another problem is by not washing your windows, this increases the chances of salt water build-up which could possibly cause corrosion damage.

It is important to have your windows professionally washed or cleaned on a regular basis. Clean windows are obviously very important. Windows permit light to enter into your home which helps in heating your home in winter, thus lowering the electricity bills while brightening your home. Cleaned windows can greatly improve the appearance of a home or office, and also let in more natural light.

Window Cleaning Services

There are many individuals and businesses that can provide monthly or bimonthly services. Some of these services can even come at scheduled times throughout the year. Using this kind of scheduling can be convenient, of course, as it allows you to just go about your business or daily life and not bother about this chore. Once you have decided how often you want your windows cleaned, you can have the window cleaning service come at designated or scheduled times. Once that timeline is convenient for you, and you have a window washing service you are comfortable with, you will never be bothered by it again.

Considerations

Window washing is not one of those tasks many people want to undertake. Yet windows cleaned properly and regularly look fantastic and add the finishing touch on a home. This is because cleaning windows can be a difficult task. All too often windows end up covered with streaks after being washed or cleaned. Washing windows takes effort and time, but usually can be done properly by skilled person. Paying for professional window cleaning services is an investment, not an expense. Over time, it will cost you less. You will also enjoy the added benefit of having a sparkling clean house or office.

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Benefits of Using Carpet Shampoo Machines With Hot Water Cleaning Features

Choosing the right type of carpet shampoo machines can cut down your carpet cleaning time dramatically. Carpet cleaners are used not only for spot cleaning and general maintenance of carpets at home but when large stretches of carpets and huge numbers of rugs need to be cleaned quickly and efficiently in a commercial establishment. The sad story is that while there are a number of carpet cleaners available on the market, only a handful of them are designed with the customer's convenience in mind.

Most carpet shampoo machines come with powerful and impressive cleaning powers. However, the biggest downside is that they use a lot of water which increases drying time. It can take as much as 24 long hours for even a small carpet to dry completely. Another disadvantage is that the carpets become perfect breeding places for mold and mildew as it remains damp for a prolonged period.

Machines with Advanced Features for Comprehensive Cleaning

Carpet cleaners with advanced cleaning features are now available from reputable dealers. These machines have changed the way rugs are cleaned for both residential and commercial types. Steam carpet cleaners are used extensively to clean commercial carpets but are not recommended for cleaning of heat sensitive carpets and rugs because the extreme high temperature of the steam can damage the sensitive threads of the rugs and damage them permanently. Non heated carpet shampoo machines are ideal for cleaning such carpets.

Cleaning machines with heated output improves the efficiency of the cleaning process and also speeds up the cleaning task significantly. The best heated cleaning machines are designed to deliver temperature output of up to 210°F and can remove stubborn stains and grime from commercial rugs quickly. Carpet shampoo machines also come with low flow technology which reduces the use of water drastically. This eliminates the risk of mold formation and foul odor as the rug gets dried in as little as two hours.

Hot Water Carpet Cleaners for Quick, Meticulous Cleaning

It is important to use the right type of carpet cleaning machines for different types of cleaning tasks. Rug steam cleaners for instance, are used to clean high end rugs that are heat sensitive and cannot withstand the extreme heat from powerful steam cleaners. Carpet cleaning machines equipped with heating features are perfect for cleaning rugs and carpets with heat sensitive materials and threads.

If you are looking for rug steam cleaners that clean your rugs, quickly and more efficiently than conventional carpet cleaning equipment, it is advisable to go for hot water carpet cleaners because they have the capability to clean the most stubborn of stains and grime from carpets comprehensively.

Carpet shampoo machines, that offer hot water cleaning, are able to break the bond between the dirt and the surface to which they are attached. Cleaning with conventional carpet cleaners will not break this strong bond and leave traces of dirt behind even after the rugs are cleaned. The high temperature output helps dissolve the dirt easily after which they can be easily removed from the rug surface.

Rug shampoo machines from reputable dealers can help you clean any type of carpets, rugs and upholstery with a greater degree of efficacy. They are also convenient to handle.

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Get Rid of Grease Stains From Your Carpet

Indeed, carpet cleaning and maintenance can be a very hectic task when underestimated. Every day, as you walk around the house doing your chores, there are too many potential accidents that may occur and cause irreparable damage to your carpet. It is true that there are different types of damages that can be done on a carpet. However, one of the most common ones would be stains caused by spills. As a carpet owner you would have to deal with hard-to-remove and easy-to-remove stains every now and then. The tough stains are those that will take a lot of money, effort and time.

Actually, one of the most common of such stains would be stains caused by grease. It is true that grease originates from a variety of sources; however, the most obvious source would be that used on vehicles nowadays. Some people are well aware of how nightmarish grease stains could be when they hit the carpet. They are not only black and unsightly on the beautiful carpet, but they equally get sticky and this damages the fibers of the carpet. Nevertheless, no matter how difficult motor oil grease may appear it is not impossible to clean. You will certainly need some tips, the right tools and some patience to go through the cleaning process. Below are a few steps to follow:

Step 1; you will start by scraping off any excess grease that has settled on the carpet. This prepares the carpet for proper cleaning while keeping the stain from spreading any further. For this step, use a bread knife or a strong spoon; use this to scrape off the excess with a lot of care while making sure not to spread it to other parts of the carpet.

Step 2; after removing the excess, take a good amount of baking powder and sprinkle it over the area that has just been cleaned and then allow for 15 minutes. After the fifteen minutes have elapsed, get your vacuum cleaner and use it to absorb the baking soda. You should notice some improvement on the stained area.

Step 3: Follow the vacuuming with an application of the right carpet cleaning chemical. You may choose one that you are used to. You will want to spray this product on the affected area and then blot it out with a clean piece of cloth. This step should be repeated as often as possible, until the stain is completely removed.

Step 4; lastly, sprinkle very clean water to the affected area and use some clean towel to soak it out.

By following these easy steps you will get rid of stains that get you frustrated and ruin your beautiful carpet. A clean carpet is very important for every home.

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How to Keep You Home Clean and Green

As we move away from the sluggish winter season we start looking forward to all the green and new possibilities of Spring and Summer. Most of us are familiar with spring cleaning rituals, but this year my ritual has changed and I have adopted a new way of cleaning which involves using only natural ingredients and hot steam.

The web is full of natural cleaning solutions and steam cleaning mops that can help keep your home clean and green but I will list some of the things I have tried that have worked and I stick by.

I have found that to clean green you will need the following containers

What you need:

• Plastic squirt bottles of various sizes.

• Plastic spray bottles.

• Misters (plastic pump spray bottles).

• Coffee cans with lids.

• Cotton cloths (to use instead of paper towels).

Natural Cleaning ingredients.

Warning beforehand: If you use natural ingredients like tea tree oil, lemon, vinegar, or baking soda keep in mind that you should treat them as you would commercial cleaners where you put on gloves when you are washing or scrubbing and you do not swallow any of the natural cleaning solutions.

Cleaning with natural ingredients brings you closer to mother nature and allows you to feel easier about cleaning your home especially when you have babies or toddlers that are still crawling around floors and carpets and put almost anything in their mouths. Natural cleaning ingredients I use are lemons, hot water and vinegar. I usually mix it all together and put it to a spray bottle. It can help clean and sanitize counter tops and sinks after preparing raw meat and chicken. However, for the latter, I use my steam cleaner and convert it into a hand steamer and load the top tank with lemon, water and vinegar so that I can get a proper steam cleaning in my kitchen. A simple and effective way to freshen up your kitchen is to cut a lemon in half and just scrub the sink and counter top with it.

This is my favorite dishwashing recipe, I know there are so many out there but if you have any please me know your favorite.

DIY Natural Dishwashing liquid

1/4 cup soap flakes

2 cups hot water

1/4 cup glycerin

1/2 teaspoon lemon essential oil

Directions.

1) In bowl combine soap flakes and water and stir until the soap is dissolved.

2) Stir in the glycerin and the essential oil, leave to cool. As it cools it will form a loose gel. Stir with a fork and break up the gel and then pour into an old shampoo bottle or any other similar shaped container.

3) To use, squirt 3 teaspoonfuls into hot running water.

Tea Tree Oil

My personal favorite natural cleaning agent is Australian tea tree oil. Australian tea tree oil is broad in its function that its a germicide, fungicide and a bactericide. Tea tree oil helps kill mold and mildew by just mixing in two teaspoons of Australian tea tree oil in a spray bottle with two cups of warm water. When you spray you shouldn't scrub but let the smell and solution absorb for a few days.Tea Tree oil and essential oils are a great way to add scent and disinfect stains and messes. You can use lemon essential oil to clean your microwave

What you will need.

1/4 cup baking soda

1 teaspoon vinegar

5-6 drops thyme, lemongrass, or lemon essential oil

Combine all ingredients to make a paste. Apply to the walls and floor of the microwave with a soft cloth or sponge. Rinse well and leave the microwave door open to air-dry for about 25-minutes.

Make Your own Natural Healthy Disinfectant Spray:

2 Cups Water

1/4 Cup White Vinegar

1/4 tsp. Tea Tree Oil

1/4 tsp. Lavender Oil

Combine and store in a spray bottle. Shake occasionally. Use wherever a disinfectant spray is needed.

As a busy mother of 3 my cleaning time is always cut short so what I do with tea tree oil and my steam cleaner is I put 3 teaspoons of tea oil in the front tank and steam spray my tea tree oil solution into the grout in the shower. This helps repel mold and mildew. If you don't use a steam cleaner, then what will happens is that it will kill the mold but it won't take away the mold discoloration.

I also use tea tree oil in the laundry. I add ½ teaspoon of tea tree oil to towels and bedding and other fabrics that are prone to getting moldy.

There are a lot of natural remedies out there that do work but require more elbow work then most commercial cleaners which means you can be cleaning for longer.I suggest investing in a steam cleaning mop that uses hot steam to help clean and disinfect your home. A good carpet steam cleaner or handheld steam cleaner only uses water and no other detergent. If you are interested in getting one the best thing to do is check out steaming cleaning mop reviews and find out which steam cleaner would be good for you. I myself have purchased many in the past so I always try to look up reviews when I'm getting a new one. The steam cleaner I use now which works wonders and uses nothing but regular warm tap water and anything else I add to it.

So there you have it, simple solutions to keeping your home clean and green.

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Water Based Penetrating Concrete Sealer

A water-based penetrating concrete sealer is the best option available for filling in gaps between bricks, coating concrete surfaces, and providing a semi-gloss finish to certain parts of your home. This form of protection gives full coverage, so you can ensure that your driveway or pathway will stay in top condition. It will be protected against the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun that cause fading. It will also be protected against foot traffic, liquid spills, and growth of weeds.

Nothing can be more frustrating than having a driveway or pathway with cracks and tiny holes. Things like this may seem trivial which is why a lot of homeowners ignore it. However, seemingly unimportant things like this can turn into worse situations. A little crack on your driveway can be bigger in the next few months, making the surface uneven. As a result, you will not be able to drive your car properly into the safety of your garage or out the gate.

Likewise, a small gap between the bricks on your pathway may seem alright for some people. You may even find that quite adorable. Then again, you should be aware that these small gaps could be the birthplace of weeds that will eventually damage your pathway. If you do not coat your pathway with a concrete sealer, it will not be protected against weeds and fungi. Mold and mildew can even grow on it, putting the health of your family at risk.

When buying a concrete sealer on the market, you should choose the water based type. Water based concrete sealer is environmentally acceptable which means that it does not contain ingredients that may be harmful to the environment. Once dry, you may dispose it along with the other trash in your house. Just place it in the garbage bin. Do not worry about its effect on the environment. There is no special disposal required not like with the other types of sealants.

Water based penetrating sealers have a clear, water repellent, and non silicone coating, which is why it is able to protect the exteriors of both low porosity and medium porosity materials. This concrete sealer neither scratches nor peels, but strips off easily when you want to replace it. It can provide adequate protection even with minimal maintenance. Hence, you can be rest assured that your home will still look great after many, many years.

Moreover, concrete sealing may be used as a primer for waterborne finishes to increase their performance and durability. You may apply it over cured coatings, as well as on the surfaces of bricks. As a result, your bricks will have a glossy appearance. Its vibrant red color will also last for a long time. It will not fade or crack. It will stay in good shape despite being exposed to varying weather conditions for years.

Water based penetrating concrete sealer is also breathable. This means that it allows moisture to escape, making your driveway or pathway less prone to cracks. After years of usage, your driveway or pathway will collect moisture from rain, snow, or spills. Fortunately, this concrete sealer does not allow efflorescence to be trapped.

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Floor Cleaning: Tips on How to Clean and Maintain Your Floor

A beautiful floor can provide extra attraction to your house especially when it is properly maintained. Whether your floor is made of tiles, hardwood or stone, cleaning it requires proper application. If you wish to clean your own floor, follow the tips below and you will surely keep your floor look pretty for the years to come.

Vinegar Solution

If your floor requires quick maintenance use a vinegar solution. Mix a half gallon of warm water to 3 cups vinegar (the ratio will depend on the size of the area you are going to clean) and then use a mop to clean the area. If your floor looks listless and dull then you definitely need to mop it with a vinegar solution.

You can use this cleaning agent to all types of floor except marble floors. Floor experts believe that vinegar won't work on hardwood floors as well. On the other hand, some home owners find this to be untrue. If you're curious about this, the best thing for you to do is test it yourself.

Cleaning Ceramic Floors with Squeegee

Like any other types of floors, ceramic floors are functional and beautiful only when it's new. As it ages, ceramic floors will eventually look dull. Cleaning it with vinegar solution is fine but cleaning with a squeegee can be better. Squeegee is used for window cleaning, but least assured that it can also clean your floor just as fine.

To clean, mop the area first with soap mixed with warm water. After which, improvise a pole where you will attach your squeegee (this is so that you won't hurt your back in the long run). Draw the pole across the floor removing the soapy solution as this will make the floor clean. Clean the squeegee with a dry cloth after every stroke.

Candle Wax Stain and Gum Stain

To remove this kind of stain on your floor you need the following: ice cubes, a dull knife, paper towels and iron. First you need to apply cold pressure using ice cube. See to it that the wax is still wet before you apply. After which, scrape the wax using a dull knife and cover the affected area with several layers of paper towel. Lastly, run a warm iron on top of the paper towels. This will allow the candle wax to soften and seep into the towels.

On the other hand, gum that finds its way on your floor can be troublesome if not treated right. To remove gum on your floor, simply apply cold pressure using ice cube and it will eventually harden. If you're sure that it's hard enough, scrape it off using a dull knife.

As tedious as it may seem, cleaning and maintaining your floor is not that bad. If you can find the passion to do so, you may as well enjoy a beautiful and shiny floor for as long as you wanted. Learning the tips above will surely help a lot, or if not give you added information on how to maintain your floor effectively.

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Different Processes of Cleansing the Grout Lines

Tile flooring dates back to the Ancient Greek and Roman civilization. The world has advanced since then, and so has the type and fashion of the tile flooring. Whatever the type of tiles integrated in the floors, the vast part in maintaining them involves cleaning those vicious mildew stains. These occur in the grout lines of the tiles especially in wet environments. These are easy to remove as long as there is hard work.

The tool needed to clean the grout has to small with special hard bristles. Available at the hardware store as the grout brush, this can also be substituted with an old toothbrush. Any tool that has hard bristles in a small head is efficient for the job. The small head prevents the floor from scratching.

The conventional method of grout cleaning

For the conventional method of cleaning, the concentrated clean out agent used is household chlorine bleach. The brush is first dipped in the chlorine and scrubbed thoroughly. For tough stains, the bleach can be kept in the affected area for several hours before cleaning. When the scrubbing has removed all the grout, a solution of baking soda and water will remove the harmful toxic odor of the chlorine bleach. The final step to this procedure is to wash the floor with pails of water, so that all the bleach has been eliminated.

Precautions to take when cleaning grout conventionally

Bleach is toxic in nature. It releases harmful vapors and therefore, windows should be kept open to avoid the buildup of these injurious elements.While scrubbing, the cleaning agent tends to splatter and therefore it is advisable to wear old clothes.Chlorine is a bleaching agent. This means the hue of the grout lines changes color after repeated use.All pets and children should be kept away from the floor in which chlorine is used.

The professional approach to grout cleaning

Some stains are particularly difficult to remove. Eliminating the stain can become a nightmare and this is the place when a commercial janitorial service would necessitate. Since they use industrial cleaning agents, it is always best to leave this cleaning to those who are trained. They are equipped with gadgets that protect them from these strong cleansing products. They are also aware of the correct techniques and precautions thereby facilitating the entire process.

Going environmental safe: The Green Grout Cleaning Methods

This method utilizes environmentally safe cleaning product. It is made 50 percent of hydrogen peroxide and water. When applied to the grout lines, the dirt and the stain can be removed with a damp sponge, spray bottle and a brush. The only drawback is since it is a mild agent, it may require several applications before you find any real change.

Once the grout lines have been cleaned by any of the above stated methods, sealing them would enable a protective surface. This would also prevent the rebuild of the dirt and mildew.

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Get Bad Smells Off Your Carpet

The material that is used to make carpets is pretty much easy to guess. The fibers used for carpet making are porous and consequently they easily absorb residue into the fabrics. This is especially true for juice, tea or coffee spills that provoke unpleasant odors in the house. When these spills are not promptly and properly dealt with, they cause bad smell which may lead to air pollution in the house. Needless to say this pollution is a potential health hazard for those living in the house.

I know the question running through your mind now is, what do I do to get the horrible odor off my carpet?

My oldest tip for treating a smelly carpet, while at the same time steering clear of the shampooing process, would be to spread a good amount of baking powder on the carpet and leaving it on for a while. After leaving the baking soda on for a while, vacuum the carpet for a fresh smell.

Home Uses of Baking Soda and vinegar

There is no doubt, looking back at its long history of use, that baking soda is a precious element when it comes to getting rid of carpet odors or any other odor from fiber objects. Another very useful product that helps to get rid of bad smell is vinegar. A blend of two parts of water and one part of vinegar can be scrubbed unto a carpet to deal with odor issues. This option is more affordable than buying shampoo dedicated to carpet cleaning or hiring a shampooing cleaner for the same purpose.

The use of fresh air

Indeed, the use of fresh air to clear your carpet of odors may seem a little strange for a beginner. However, this method is a good aid in combating carpet stench. Nevertheless, spraying a carpet or air freshener on the carpet will only mask the smell for a little while. If you want to thoroughly handle the odor, it would prove inadvertently wise to do intensive shampooing of the carpet. The type of shampoo to use for this would be one that is very strongly scented. To get the best of this cleaning process, you would want to do several repetitions. You will want to concentrate most of your efforts on the particular area that was affected and that is causing the bad smell.

Furthermore, you may scrub the affected areas with a brush before you start the shampooing and vacuuming process. Should in case the shampooing does not give the desired results, you will need to pull up the carpet from the floor and clean beneath. Pulling up a carpet is no walk in the park; you must therefore take all things into consideration.

Indeed, you can use the strongly scented shampoo to get rid of odors provoked by pet urine. However, the scent may not completely go away. As such, you may need to hire the services of a professional carpet cleaner for such delicate situations. If the services of the professional do not deal squarely with the situation, you may want to give up the carpet and get a new one.

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Benefits of Hiring a Reliable Residential Home Cleaning Service

There are various cleaning companies out there that claim to offer quality services but few that come through with this promise. It is therefore important to hire a reliable residential home cleaning service. However, many people wonder what benefit there is to hiring a professional cleaning service. Wouldn't it be better to hire an individual or contractor at a lower price?

In today's society, security is one of our highest concerns. Watching the news is enough to discourage us from allowing strangers into our homes. When you are considering hiring a professional cleaner, this will be one of your greatest concerns. You need to trust the cleaners to some degree to allow them into your home. This is not easy when hiring an individual.

Using a professional service will take this burden off your shoulders. The service will allow you to hire a professional that has been checked thoroughly. Many reliable services carry out background checks that include checking criminal history records, employment records and other such files. This process can be tedious to an individual who may end up doing a half baked job of it. You can therefore rest assured that your safety has been taken into account by the professional company.

Quality is also a great concern when hiring cleaners. Whether it is an individual or a group of cleaners, you will want them to do a thorough job. It is therefore important to get references from previous employers to determine the kind of quality the cleaner will give you. However, this process is also a tedious one. Professional residential home cleaning services will carry out the reference verification for you and ensure that the cleaners have been trained to high standards. You can therefore rest assured that you will be getting a professional cleaner.

A reliable residential home cleaning service also ensures that all its employees are insured. This will ensure that you are compensated adequately in case of any accidents or loss of items resulting from the cleaner's activities. You will not have to make a claim from your own insurance.

Insurance is also important for the cleaner. In case an accident occurs while cleaning your home, the cleaner will be fully compensated by the company. You will not have to worry about having to cover any medical fees or paying the cleaner while recovering. The insurance of the cleaning service will do all that. It is therefore important to check the insurance cover of the company before you hire them.

Hiring professional residential home cleaning services will give you peace of mind and allow you to create time for other activities. You will have a clean home and lots of free time for your family and other projects.

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Maids - Common Household Chores

Maids are workers who are hired to clean and maintain houses, offices and other establishments. In many cases, these helpers are hired privately and personally by the home owners to clean up the dwellings and keep them the way they are. In some instances, home owners might also like the convenience of hiring these helpers from an agency that has already trained and screened them for the express purpose of doing a proper job and being trustworthy in their job. Females are the usual employees for agencies like these although there are also some males who might enter into this line of work.

Terms of Employment

The terms of employment of the maids that are hired through an agency may vary depending on the firm that has contracted them. Usually, the individuals go through some form of training to familiarize them with the different appliances and gadgets that are used for the job. In dwellings, vacuum cleaners and dish washers are among the most common things that the helper needs to be familiar with in order to do a proper job. Since there are several brands that carry vacuum cleaners and dish washers, it is probable that the agencies that hire out the workers familiarize them with the most common ones. This not only helps them by not wasting time being instructed how to work it but it also lowers the risk of the maid breaking or damaging the appliance. Trustworthiness and the ability to be discreet are also two of the things that many of the people who go through agencies to hire maids expect from them. Many people hesitate to bring strangers into their homes. The firms that hire out their workers to clean up and maintain their clients' homes and offices are very aware of these aspects. The managers, or people who place their workers, make it a point to be clear on this with the people whom they train to be their workers. The employees also go through seminars that address instances that they might encounter in their everyday work. These instances include robbery, abuse, harassment and many others.

The contract that binds the worker with the agency is also quite complicated sometimes. When the worker goes through training at the expense of the company, the helper needs to stay with the company for a certain period of time. This ensures the agency that the investment that they put into the maids goes back to them after a specific period of time. In some instances, the helper needs to pay back the agency if she leaves them within the specified period of time. The agency also receives the payment of the maids from the clients. They receive a percentage of the payment that the helpers receive from the clients. This condition is part of the contract that a worker usually enters into when he signs up for the job. The other conditions and aspects of the contract are dependent on how strict the agency is with regards to other matters.

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The Added Benefits of a Paving Sealer

While optional, the use of a paving sealer does provide some added benefits, as compared to paving that has not been sealed. A water-based sealer minimizes maintenance and it also prevents stains from drink and food spillage, barbecues, fallen leaves, pet messes, and dirt. If one's pavers are sealed, such stains will occur on the sealant and not on the pores of the paver or the paver itself.

A penetrating/impregnating water-based paving sealer also prevents and slows the growth of mildew or moss in damp areas. It also reduces the rate of color fading and initially inhibits insect infestation and weed. The sealer also helps keep the pavers looking "brand new" longer than a paver without a sealer. A water-based paving sealer, which is environment-friendly, is recommended for most porous surfaces like rendering, concrete stone masonry, and block paving. The penetrating/impregnating water-based sealer gives a protective and durable barrier against oil, water, and grease stains on both vertical and horizontal surfaces and gives a medium luster and sheen.

The water-based paving sealer can be used on most porous surfaces - vertical or horizontal - even if the surface is wet, as long as all standing water has been blown or brushed off. This sealer can be used on imprinted concrete and block paving on footpaths, car parks, driveways, and other areas. It can also be used on floor and wall surfaces like rendering, masonry, slate, and natural stone. It can even be applied to pedestrian walkways, terraces, and stairs.

The added benefits of a water-based paving sealer are that it can be applied to damp surfaces and that it is eco-friendly. It prevents staining and enhances the paver's natural beauty and there is virtually no effect on skid resistance of the surface. The sealer guarantees durability, is fade- and UVA-resistant and can be used externally or internally. The durability is potentially indefinite in light traffic areas and indoors. Durability is guaranteed with correct maintenance and depends upon the type of surface. The paving sealer can be reapplied without stripping.

Maintenance is quite easy. One only needs to regularly sweep the surface to remove abrasive grit and dirt from the surface. Hosing down or mopping regularly using clean water is recommended. A mild detergent can be applied by hand to heavy stains. Marks and spills must be cleaned off/wiped up and not be allowed to dry on.

Applying a paving sealer is also easy. One can have the landscaper seal the pavers or the owner can seal them, too. Some methods on applying the sealer include rolling, dipping, spraying on, or brushing. On dipping, pavers are dipped into the seal before laying them out. On rolling, a paint brush roller is used to apply the sealer. A brush or a broom can be used to brush- or sweep-apply the sealer. Lastly, the paving sealer can be sprayed on using a pump or bottle device. Sealing pavers will extend the "new" look and life of the pavers and the expense and initial work will add luster and life to the newly-laid surface.

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Knowing All About Hot Water Pressure Washers

Two types of hot water pressure washer machines are currently available: ordinary hot water machines and tri-mode machines. Before going into details of these machines, it would be worthwhile to have a look into some of their basic aspects.

Basic Features
A hot water pressure cleaner can provide an output temperature of up to 210°F. For this, these machines should contain heating elements. Normally, hot pressure cleaning machines can provide two types of output: hot water and cold water, in other words, heated output and non-heated output.

The difference between a hot pressure cleaner machine and an ordinary pressure washer lies only on its output temperature. There are machines that do not contain heating elements. These are called cold water pressure washing equipment. There are machines that can provide higher output temperatures. These are known as steam pressure washing machines, which can provide output temperatures of up to 330°F.

There is not much difference between an ordinary pressure cleaner and a tri-mod pressure washing equipment in other aspects. For example, there is no constraint on output pressure level or flow rate. Any kind of power source can be used.

Now, it is time move into different categories of hot water pressure washing equipment.

Ordinary Hot Water Machines:
These are one of the widely used cleaning machines. These are used for cleaning outdoor locations such as parks, stadiums, roads, pavement, and parking lots. These are also used as hard surface cleaners of indoor areas, such as floors and walls. Normally, ordinary hot water pressure washers are classified into two types based on the power source: machines powered by electricity and machines powered by fossil fuels.

Electricity-Powered Machines:
Pressure washing machines can have one of two types of sources for generating output pressure: an electric motor or a combustion engine. Machines that use electric motors are known as electric pressure washers, and those that use combustion engines are known as gas pressure washing machines. Heating elements can also be powered by electricity or fossil fuel. The machines that have electricity to power heating elements are known as electric-powered pressure washing equipment.

Normally, these machines are all electric pressure washers; that is, they use electricity to generate both output temperature and output pressure. These machines work smoothly and silently. Moreover, these machines do not emit any combustion byproducts.

Machines Powered by Fossil Fuels:
In such machines, the heating elements are powered by fossil fuel, such as kerosene, diesel, or gas. Such heating elements are used both in electric pressure washers and in gas pressure washers. In fact, such machines are more common than all electric machines.

Tri-Mode Machines:
This is another category of hot water pressure washer machines. These machines can provide three kinds of output temperature: cold water, hot water, and steam. Cleaning workers can change the output temperature based on the nature of the surface.

These are costlier than ordinary pressure washing equipment but suitable for cleaning companies and big factories that have varieties of surfaces to clean. The main advantage of tri-mode equipment is that they can be used to clean almost all kinds of hard surfaces. These machines definitely enhance cleaning efficiency and speed up the cleaning process.

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If You Are Running A Successful Business Then Do Not Waste Time Cleaning Windows, Get The Experts In

Cleaning the office windows is always a problem. It's tiring work that takes hours and hours to get it done properly. You have to obtain the right cleaning materials, and then you have to be careful while cleaning the windows so that no smudges will appear on the window and then you have to wait for it to dry to see the results. If the result is not desirable then you have to repeat the procedure all over again. So it is better that you leave this job to professional window cleaners and local window cleaners.

Window cleaners and local window cleaners are professionals and they know what they are doing. The work that you will do in hours, these professionals will do that in a matter of minutes. In addition, their work will be much more effective than yours will. You just have to pay them for their services and your job will be done well. They will have all the proper tools and materials and they are properly trained. You just have to call them and they will do the work for you. You can concentrate on your business knowing that your windows are being cleaned perfectly.

When choosing a company for this service, make sure that they are local. This means that you do not have to pay too much for travelling expenses on top of the normal service. It will also be convenient because they will arrive at your premises early, you will not have to wait for hours and hours for the professional cleaners to come. Alternatively, you can call your usual cleaners to do the job because they will know what kind of standards that you have. This will be more convenient for you and you can be sure that the cleaning of your windows is in the right hands.

Look for the experience of the cleaning company before you hire them. The company you choose should have at least five to ten years of experience and you can be sure that your work will be done the right way. If you hire a new company then you will face more problems than convenience. The workers will not be properly trained and will not be familiar with the different working conditions. They might have some problems with tools and techniques, which might lead to bad results. Never compromise on the company's experience because it is the last thing you want.

You can search for cleaning services online also. Here you can even see their websites and their contact details as well. This will provide you some guarantee on their work. Call their offices and ask questions. Negotiate the terms and ask questions about their working experience. Ask your friends about different companies that work in this field, they will tell you which company is good and which is not. It is always better to get first hand information from someone you know. Make sure that your chosen company has experience in both commercial buildings and residential buildings.

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How Mold Remediation Can Protect Your Property and Your Health

Do you know what is considered among the most serious of common household hazards? This hazard is also one of the most difficult to eradicate. If you see signs of mold infestation or have recently recovered from flood damage, it's extremely important to check your home for mold damage. The best way to keep you, your family, and your possessions safe from this fungus is to hire a qualified mold removal company.

Mold spores grow wherever they can find a reliable source of moisture, which means that they can grow almost anywhere. This dangerous substance commonly forms in homes after flooding and plumbing problems, but it can also develop in humid basements or even within wet clothes. Bathrooms are also a common place for a mold problem to start. Their warm and moist atmosphere makes them a breeding ground for mold.

When mold grows in a household, it produces irritants and allergens that can induce sneezing, stuffy noses, sore throats, and dermatitis in people, particularly children and the elderly. In addition, mold can cause permanent damage to furniture, carpeting, and even walls.

Some ways to avoid mold growth in your home is to maintain common mold deterring practices such as:

Keeping moist areas well ventilated.Regularly cleaning areas where mold is likely to grow (showers, kitchens, sinks).Removing "mold food" or organic materials that have gone bad.

Eliminating mold from a house is not a simple task, and ordinary cleaning methods may not suffice, especially if mold has grown within walls or beyond the surface. Proper mold remediation involves using specialized equipment to safely remove all affected substances from a home along with anything that is causing mold to form. A mold remediation professional will do this with care and respect for a home, aiming to restore a household to its prior condition.

While regular cleaning practices can help repel mold growth in moisture-rich areas, if water damage has affected areas of your home that are beyond reach, mold could become a serious problem. To avoid mold damage after a flood, have a professional water damage repair company clean up any water damaged areas.

If you believe that any part of your home has become contaminated by mold, you should have an inspection performed by a mold removal company. A trained professional will be able to tell you where you have a serious mold presence in your home and provide you with a removal estimate.

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Eliminating Dead Cells On The Skin For A Fresh Appearance

Our skin protects our internal organs. It safeguards it from all sorts of harmful vectors that could enter our body. The touch sensation is caused due to the perception of the neural receptors present in the skin. Skin can be of various types, from the oily to the normal to the dry variety. What sets them apart is the amount of the sebaceous glands that are present under its first epithelial layer.

Being such an important component of our bodies, it is essential to keep the skin clean. Each variety has their own routine, but it is the dead and the dry skin that gives the skin a dull outlook. The dead cells layers on it grant a lifeless appearance. Eliminating by exfoliation is the only way to remove these dead cells and provide the chance for newer skin. Before proceeding with the cleaning procedures, it is important to understand why this phenomenon happens.

The Different Causes of Dry Skin

Before deciding on the cleaning regimen of the dry and dead cells, we need to understand what triggers their formation.

• Too much of hot water: Long hot showers may be tempting but they also eliminate the prized oils of the skin making it more apt for dryness.

• Winter: The cold harsh air blowing during winter can wreak havoc on the skin. Coupled with this, the heat indoors also leads to the build-up of dead cells.

• Conditions of the health: Persistent problems of the skin like psoriasis and eczema can bring about a layer of dead covering.

• Harsh soaps: Soaps or washing agents, which has higher chemical concentration, can strip away the natural oils.

Ways to Remove the Dead Cells

The dead dry layer can be effectually removed with scrubbing. Using scrubbing agents that would exfoliate like the sponge, loofah, pumice stones etc would leave behind a clearer layer of skin. A scrubbing agent, which is recommended by the dermatologist, can also be used. More than eliminating the dead layer, it is important to lock the moisture inside. If it still feels dry, one can add additional moisturizer to keep it soft and smooth.

Whenever cleaning, it is imperative for the therapists to remember the skin type. Since it is already in the dry condition, it needs special treatments to improve. To avoid such situations in the future, it's best to maintain a daily regime and to moisten them on a regular basis. If the problem persists, a dermatologist needs to be consulted.

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Is Snow Shoveling Dangerous?

Snow shoveling used to be simple. Pick up a shovel and get to work clearing that driveway. These days it's much more complicated. Many new models have come to the market for manually clearing snow because of health risks. Several studies have been done recently that show a strong correlation between increased risk for heart attack and shoveling snow. For sources on this, simply search the web, where plenty of studies are outlined on credible websites such as ScienceDaily. Besides heart attacks, many other injuries are correlated, such as strokes, broken bones, injured neck and back, pulled muscles and even strained ligaments.

What's the science behind these studies? I mean really, how could snow shoveling lead to heart attacks? Well, it is usually done in bitter temperatures, and for those who are not exposed to strenuous workouts on a regular basis, shoveling can be a real shock to the heart, just like any other workout that you are unaccustomed to. Undergoing a strenuous workout with the addition of cold temperatures is what leads to increased strokes and heart attacks.
What does this mean for you? If you are older, it can be extremely dangerous and it is highly advised to find an alternative to conventional snow shoveling. There are a few easy alternatives to doing it yourself. Either have a younger friend or relative do it for you, or if that is unavailable, buy a snow shovel that will help lead to an easier, less exhausting experience. Buying smaller snow shovels and working at a slower pace is recommended, since that will lead less exhaustion than shoveling huge amounts of snow per shovel.

Since recent studies, there is a very important new shovel on the market named the "wovel." The wovel has been tested to be the safest snow shovel on the market because of its unique design. It is named the "wovel" because of the wheel the shovel rests on. It acts as a wheel barrow of some sorts, and allows people to move snow with much greater ease and efficiency. There are many other safety benefits to the wovel because of its design, and will overall reduce stress on your body.

Shoveling snow in the winter is a daunting task sometimes. We all know that aching feeling of looking at a menacing amount of snow to be cleared in your driveway. It's easy to grab the shovel and overexert yourself out in the cold, and I warn you against that. The last thing you want is suffering a major injury while spending some time outdoors in the snow. Once again, snow shoveling accidents are much more common than the average person would imagine, so take the necessary precautions by either buying a snow shovel that fits your needs or going at a slow and steady pace.

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Butcher Chopping Block Maintenance: How to Clean and Oil in Five Easy Steps

Wooden counter tops add warmth and beauty to any kitchen. Unlike other trendy counter top surfaces, wooden counter tops are timeless and never go out of style. They also add functional value to a kitchen that appeals to chefs and foodies. However, they are not completely care free. They need to be kept clean and sealed in order to maintain the surface. Proper maintenance will not only lengthen the life of your counter top, but will keep it hygienic. Five easy steps for maintaining all of your wooden cutting surfaces, including counter tops and chopping blocks are listed below.

You will need:

Dish detergent

Scrubby sponge

White vinegar

Either lemon juice and salt Or water and baking soda

Mineral oil

Step one - Clean.

Cleaning the board with warm soapy water and a scrubbing sponge will get off any visible debris and will remove a small amount of oil from the board. Use warm water and scrub gently. You aren't trying to sanitize with this step so don't use hot water. Hot water is unnecessarily aggressive and will damage the board over time. Rinse all of the soap off when the surface is clean.

A word of caution - do not submerge portable boards in water. Water will soak into the wood fibers causing the wood to swell and warp. This breaks the glue bond in the lamination. Then as the wood dries, it cracks.

Step two - Sanitize.

Sanitize your butcher board by wiping it down with full strength white vinegar. Why vinegar? Vinegar is an effective disinfectant against common kitchen bugs such as e.coli, staphylococcus, and salmonella. Vinegar is not damaging to the wood fibers like chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach is corrosive and it's effects are accumulative. Over time it changes the color of the wood and it breaks down the lignan (the natural glue between the fibers). The wood will look ashy even after it is oiled and the fibers will have microscopic tatters for bacteria to hide in. It's a good idea to keep a spray bottle of vinegar handy to use as a regular sanitizer for your wooden cutting surfaces.

I use vinegar and air drying to sanitize my wooden counter tops and it works great. However, if you need extra assurances, you can allow your butcher board to dry after the vinegar treatment, then wipe it down with 3% hydrogen peroxide.

After sanitizing, you can move to steps four and five, allowing the board to dry and then oiling it. Or you can do some additional deep cleaning as in step three if you have a heavy build up of oils, odors, or stains.

Step three - Deep Cleaning

Make a paste of salt and lemon juice OR water and baking soda. Using a scrubby sponge, lightly swirl the paste around focusing on stains if you have any. This paste mixture will lightly strip away old oils. It will also deodorize the wood and lighten stains. Both lemon juice and baking soda are aggressive cleaners so don't allow them to just sit on the board for hours. Just gently scrub the paste around for a few minutes and rinse it completely away when you are done.

Step four - Dry

Allow block to dry completely....over night is best. A dry environment is the best defense against bacteria, mold and virus. Allowing the board to dry completely before oiling it helps to lock moisture OUT rather than sealing it in. Also, the dryer the wood is, the more easily it will soak up oil.

Before you oil your butcher board look it over. If you still have stains use a sanding block to remove light stains or use a palm sander with a fine grit paper to sand down the entire board.

Step five - Seal with oil

Oil your butcher board. Oiling your wooden counter tops and cutting boards helps to protect the wood from damage and keeps the surface hygienic. The oil creates a water resistant barrier. It keeps the wood dry and keeps bacteria out. The best oil to use is food grade mineral oil as it will not go rancid the way vegetable based oils will. This can be found in the laxative department of your local drug store or you may find it also at your local hardware store. Just pour a little onto the board and rub it in with your clean hands or use a clean lint free rag. If you really want to pump up the water resistance of your oil, you can warm it and add bees wax or paraffin to it. Use a ratio of one part wax to nine parts oil. When this oil has soaked into your wood, it will leave behind a thin waxy layer that is even more water resistant!

Every type of counter top needs basic maintenance. Granite needs polishing. The grout in a tile counter top needs scrubbing. A wooden counter top or butcher chopping block needs to be cleaned and oiled. With a little bit of care your wooden cutting surfaces can last life times and add functional value to your kitchen.

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Top DIY Carpet Cleaning Methods

Carpet is a common floor furnishing to many homes, offices, hotels, planes, auditorium, and many more places. Carpet is a popular choice to decorate the floor for some obvious reasons, such as:

The carpet makes a perfect floor decorating element. There are many varieties of carpet pattern and material available in the market that can bring out a different ambience to the room and accentuate the intended interior design.
Carpet helps to reduce noise. Especially in commercial premises,it helps to absorb reflecting noise emitted by footsteps from human traffic, ringing phones, printers, etc.
Carpet keeps the floor warm. This benefit is not practical in tropical country like Singapore as the climate is warm almost throughout the year. But if your premise is fully air conditioned, then it will be nice to walk on instead of walking on a cold, hard floor.

But with any textile furnishings, carpet need continuous maintenance in order to keep it in good condition and ensure indoor air quality is not compromised because carpet is known to trap immeasurable amount of dust and dirt particles, not to mention the micro organisms like dust mites, mold, bacteria, etc.

Ideally, carpet should be professionally cleaned at least once a year, depend on the human traffic walking on the carpet, to ensure that it is thoroughly cleaned and maintained. But, in between the in-depth professional carpet cleaning schedules, there are a few DIY carpet cleaning steps which you can practice to maintain the carpet's condition:

Vacuum carpet at least once in 3 days, depending on the traffic condition. This is the most important step which you need to adhere diligently to upkeep the carpet condition. Huge amount of fine particles are brought into the carpet pile every day so regular vacuuming helps to minimize the amount of accumulated dirt particles instead of letting them to pile up within the carpet while waiting for the next in-depth carpet cleaning schedule. This negligence will become an indoor air hazard which will cause serious harm to health.
Always attend to any stain on the carpet immediately. Do not allow any stain remain on the carpet as the longer the stain stays on the carpet, the more difficult it will be to remove the stain.
Never rub when you attempt to remove stain on the carpet. Rubbing tends to spread the stain to a wider spot and you may also risk damaging the it. Always blot whenever attempting to remove stain on the carpet. Start from the outer edge of the stain and work on the stain using a clean white cloth towards the centre.
If stain can't be removed by blotting with water, blot the stain with diluted vinegar. If you prefer to use some form of foam, mix a tablespoon of mild dishwashing detergent with 2 cups of water and agitate the detergent solution till foams are formed. Blot the stain using the foam. Do not wet the carpet with the foam solution or you may risk damaging the carpet if it is not dried sufficiently.
Always dry damp or wet carpet immediately by using hair dryer or by sprinkling some baking powder to absorb the moisture. Mold and mild dew tend to thrive within damp carpet. Moisture in the carpet also encourages the growth of bacteria and other micro organism.
If you are looking for carpet shampoo or stain removal product from DIY store, always try the new product on a hidden spot first. In fact, ideally, it is advisable to check for recommended carpet cleaning shampoo or stain removal by your carpet installer or carpet retailer to ensure that the product used is safe for your carpet. If you are not sure, then leave the job to professional carpet cleaners who are equipped with the necessary products and trained to handle difficult stains.

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How to Find Home Cleaning Experts You Can Trust

When it comes to finding a home cleaning expert to help you with your needs, what steps do you take to ensure the person you are hiring is someone you can trust to do a good job? It is not always easy to find help that you feel will do a good job every time. However, there are experts out there who know the steps necessary to take to get your house looking great every time. As you consider hiring these pros to come into your home, know what to expect from the company long before you bring them in.

What Services Do They Offer?

It is a good idea to find out the services the home cleaning professionals offer before you even contact them. You will want to know what services are part of their package and which are not. You will also want to know if the expert offers other services you may need from time-to-time. This may include window washing, carpets, or appliance detail work. Determine what services you need and ensure the company offers them.

What Type of Training Does the Staff Get?

Look deeper into the company to find out who will be coming to your house to do the work you need done. Specifically, find out what these professionals are doing to learn the craft properly. Cleansing a home requires skill. Do they get training in how to clean? What steps are taken to ensure they are people with the skills to do the job? In short, you want to know that you are paying for an expert job and getting that, too.

Can You Trust Them?

Is the staff that will be coming into your house people you can trust? Not only do they need to do a great job for you, but they also need to have background checks, too. You want to ensure these professionals will not steal or cause other problems for you as well. The best companies ensure proper screening of anyone who will enter into a customer's place of residence. Find out what steps the business takes to make sure those they are bringing in are worthy of the job.

Home cleaning companies can impress you, if you choose the right one. Set your standards high. Ensure that anyone that wants to work with you has the means to do a great job every time they come into your location. Anything less than this would be a waste of your time and your money. However, once you find someone that is great at doing just what you need, you will want that person to come to your house often.

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How to Select the Right Commercial Cleaning Service

Whether you are looking for a commercial cleaning service for your home or office, there are several things that you must consider before selecting a company. Choosing the wrong organization can be very detrimental, as you must remember that they will be cleaning the area during "off" hours. This means that trust is an integral part of the selection process. We will outline what commercial cleaning services can offer to their clients, and how it will impact the appearance of your home or office. Additionally, we will offer up some selection tips in order to give you the best chance at making a great choice and establishing a strong working relationship with your commercial cleaning service provider.

Business Cleaning Services

The appearance of your office means everything in the business world. Since clients may drop by unexpectedly and you always want to have a workspace that facilitates efficiency, it is always recommended to that companies of all sizes hire a commercial cleaning service that will keep things tidy and neat. Further, the health of your employees is always at stake when you factor in the presence of dust or mildew in the carpeting or on working surfaces. The right cleaning company can ensure that these elements do not affect those that work in the office, saving your company thousands of dollars in health and insurance claims.

However, choosing the right commercial cleaning service for your business involves a few intricate elements. For example, the cleaning company employees will be in your office during non-business hours, so you'll need to have an element of trust regarding sensitive information and the proper treatment of any expensive equipment. You can outline which things should not be handled or tampered with when contracting the company, but research regarding their client experiences is imperative. Are their claims of theft? Do they get the job done right, without the watchful eyes of a supervisor? These questions should always be answered before opening your office doors to a commercial cleaning service.

Environmental Concerns

Many cleaning services offer environmentally friendly alternatives to some standard chemical cleaning products. This can significantly decrease any health issues associated with the use of specific chemicals, so always inquire about how they look to provide "green" alternatives. Often times, the prices involved will be comparable, so don't expect to absorb a substantial increase in price simply because you are hoping to use products that are a bit better for the immediate, and global, environment.

Employee Presence

The employees that a commercial cleaning service uses will play a huge role in the effectiveness, and safety, of their service as a whole. Background checks are a great way to learn more about the level of accountability a company maintains regarding the security of your operation while their employees are in the building alone. Information can be stolen that can really hurt your organization, so be sure that anything that is incredibly sensitive is safely secured in locked file cabinets and that all computers are password protected.

Granted, most commercial cleaning services are quite reliable. However, this doesn't mean that there aren't a few things that an office can do to protect itself should issues arise. Remember that the commercial cleaning service that you select should always run background checks on its employees, and be sure to counsel your own employees about the safety of sensitive information or expensive equipment. In doing so, you'll eliminate any negative possibilities while giving your office the necessary "freshening" that it needs to maintain a professional and healthy environment for both your employees and any clients that drop by unexpectedly.

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House Cleaning Services for Spring Cleanups

House cleaning is the type of service you can obtain for everyday use as well as for one time use. There are some situations where the tasks of cleaning out and organizing just seems to big or too much work. That is where these professionals can come in and help out. If you are ready to make changes and you are ready to improve your quality of life, the first step is to find a professional who can help you. For spring cleanups, there are several things you will want these professionals to help you with during the service call.

What They Can Help With

Most of the time, house cleaning crews can help with most types of tasks. You will need to make arrangements in advance to determine what services you need from the company. The cost of the service is often based on what you need them to do. However, do not be afraid to ask for help. Many times, a customized cleanup can be organized to include all of the tasks you need help with no matter what they might be. The following are some examples of how these professionals can help you to get your home looking great.

• You may need help with organization. Keep in mind these professionals are not able to make decisions for you about what to keep and what not to, but they can help you to organize what you own.

• They can handle deeper cleanups. For example, you may need more than dusting. You may need the walls, baseboards and other items in the space washed down. You may need a more thorough level of cleansing.

• Do you need help with the furniture? Sometimes, this type of service is a one-time need. However, proper furniture treatments can bring back to life your couches and chairs.

• Do you need help with packing or unpacking? Many times, these providers offer this service as well. You will need to make the decisions about what to keep and where to put it, but they can do the work for you.

• Do you need help with other systems in the home? You may need window washing help. You may need the interior and exterior of appliances cleaned out. You may need your carpeting or tile cleaned properly.

When it comes to house cleaning, see it as an opportunity to freshen up your home and to improve your overall quality of life. Even if you are unsure what services you need, there are things these professionals can offer to help you to reclaim the space you are living in. Do not delay in calling a professional who can help.

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Some Hidden Dangers of A Dirty Carpet

Nowadays, the carpet is a piece of furniture, the cleaning of which, is very often minimized and even unconsidered by some home owners. It is not uncommon to see many people clean their carpets only when there is an occasion or when they are moving into a new place. The best time for you to do some carpet cleaning is when you are settled in your home or just before you move homes. You should know by now that the dangers of not paying for the services of a seasoned and prolific carpet cleaner are umpteenth. You must make an effort to have regular carpet cleaning sessions a minimum of two times a year.

Take for instance a light colored carpet such as white; it could look very sharp and cute at surface level but very disgusting within its fibers. Carpets are the most known materials for absorbing and storing dirt.

Actually a lot of people do not realize how important it is to have a professional carpet cleaner do the job for them. It is important because the professional knows exactly what to do in every situation. They know what product to use and what machine works best for every type of carpet fiber. When your carpet is not properly cleaned, it could lead to very precarious health hazards that will use up more money than a few carpet cleaning sessions would. There is a very high rate of fungus and mold that grows in carpets that have silk, cotton, wool or other common carpet fabrics. Such fabrics are suitable environments for their growth, when not properly cared for. The same applies to our sofas, rugs and some well known upholstery.

However, the great majority of carpets nowadays are made with synthetic fiber. Such fibers, as they are not natural, do not easily favor the growth of fungi and mold within their fabrics. They do have issues that need to be handled to prevent them from causing havoc in our various homes. It is very easy for carpets to harbor such pollutants as dander, dust and pollen. There are hardly any doubts as to how polluting these elements can be to the air around us.

A single carpet cleaning session will prove to the owner that the home can feel fresher and a lot more comfortable. When there is a professional carpet cleaning session in your home, everything is different; the air is fresher, the carpet feels softer, beautiful and clean, while the entire house feels more warm and welcoming to everyone. You don't want to turn your home into a sickbed just because you do not constantly clean your carpet.

A regular carpet cleaning session would give the carpet a life span of about 10 to 15 years of healthy living and beauty. Give your family the best of carpets by taking your cleaning sessions seriously.

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Five Tips in Finding a Good House Cleaning Service

Finding a good and trustworthy house cleaning service can sometimes be difficult. Generally, one finds a house cleaner from a friend, a friend of a friend, or someone who knows where these good services are found. Well, you get the picture. And it always seems like the first time the new cleaning service cleans, the house looks perfect. Then there are the odd occasions when the quality can go down. Here are some tips to help you find good service, which ensures that they keep doing the job you want.

Tip One: Don't just go with the first company you meet. For some reason, many people are uncomfortable interviewing service workers. It feels very personal, especially if you're meeting the actual person who may be cleaning your home or apartment. Even if you've gotten a stellar recommendation from someone you absolutely know and trust, you still need to meet and interview at least two firms or individuals. Ask how long they've been in the business, how many people they have cleaned for and how were they hired by the people they work with.

Tip Two: Get four references, and make sure you call them. This is another one of those things that we sometimes feel is too much work to do, but it really is crucial. When speaking to the person, you need to be specific in your questions, such as why would you recommend this person? This question form will force them to give you reasons. The other key question to ask is what would be the one thing that you would change about the way they clean your home? This gives the individual the opportunity to be critical without being negative. Sometimes, this is the most enlightening part of the conversation.

Tip Three: Give the firm a try. Now this may seem like a waste of time. Won't they do their very best job on this first cleaning? Yes, they should, as you can sense what their very best is. If after this first cleaning you find there are problem areas, then they're probably not the firm for you.

Tip Four: At the first cleaning, be sure to do a walk through with the service to find out what they use or recommend on different surfaces. Although most companies use similar products, it is good to let them know of special requests ahead of time. This little walk around could also tell if the person does not seem to know what to use. It can be an indicator of inexperience or lack of attention to detail.

Tip Five: Be critical. When reviewing the cleaning work, make note of anything you find unacceptable or uncertain. Again, don't be shy about giving honest feedback. Most people have little individual pet peeves regarding their house cleaning, so these need to be addressed. If the service doesn't consistently measure up, move on. A good, conscientious service will know what is important to their customers where they will make sure that those things are consistently handled.

Keep these tips in mind when hiring and you'll have a much better chance of getting a quality cleaning service.

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Flooding Damage Control Tips

If you or someone you know has recently become the victim of flood damage, you know exactly how traumatic such an experience can be. In addition to causing substantial emotional and mental duress, a flood causes physical damage to property and can prove incredibly expensive.

When a flood strikes, the most significant thing that a homeowner can do is to act quickly. The damage caused by a flood can grow exponentially worse if left untreated. Fortunately, there are a number of effective actions you can take immediately if your home has been affected by flood water. Adhering to the following flooding damage control tips can help you salvage a large portion of your possessions and help to expedite the process of reclaiming your home.

• Insurance: First and foremost, it is crucial to protect your home and your possessions with a flood insurance policy. Homeowner's insurance does not pay for loss of property due to flood damage. Regardless of where you live, it is important to understand that heavy rains and flash floods can occur without warning, even in areas in which flooding is not common.

• Carpets: If your home is affected by flood, the carpeted areas will most likely be the primary focus of your concern. This is because water that seeps into carpeting can quickly form mold and mildew, both of which can be harmful to you and your family and are expensive to remove. Carpets and rugs should be dried as quickly as is possible after excess flood water has been removed. Open all windows in the house in order to allow faster drying and to further prevent mold formation. After the carpet is completely dry, vacuum with an effective carpet cleaner to remove odors and stains.

• Flooring: If left untreated, flood damage to floors can eventually cause major structural issues within the foundation of your home. When saturated for an extended period of time, wooden floor boards can harbor moisture for months following the flood. Mold spores are often found in concentrated amounts beneath tiles and stone flooring, as these types of floors are difficult to replace without the assistance of a proficient flooring expert. Take care to remove as much water as possible quickly after flooding has stopped. Use a sump pump to remove excess water to avoid damage and potential injury.

• Furniture: Though the majority of flood damaged furniture is relatively difficult to salvage, certain pieces can be saved with thorough cleaning and care. Leather furniture is most frequently counted as a total loss, but if the damage is minimal, it may be possible to replace certain parts and save the entire piece. When treating upholstered furniture that has been submerged in flood water for an extended period of time, consider the fact that cushions and other fillings will most likely need to be replaced. Even if dried completely, this type of stuffing can harbor millions of microscopic mold spores. If possible, remove all exterior coverings and launder them as directed by the manufacturer's labeling. Use a quality rust inhibitor to protect all metal components, such as springs and frames. Wooden frames should be left outside in the sun to dry before you attempt to reassemble furniture.

• Safety with electrical appliances: Electrical appliances that have been submerged, even for a short period of time, should not be used until they are serviced by a certified electrical repair professional. Never turn on electrical appliances that have been damaged by flood water, as this can result in overheating, fire or injury by electric shock. An electrician should also be consulted before turning on fans, lights or other appliances operated by a wall switch, as water can remain within the walls of your home and cause major malfunction of wires and circuits.

• Safety with gas appliances: Gas appliances that have been damaged by flood water should also be inspected and repaired by a certified professional before they are used. Even if a gas appliance appears to be functioning properly, it is possible that its safety features have been disabled by the presence of standing water, making them extremely dangerous to operate. Gas leaks, also often caused by flood water damage, can cause fires and explosions if exposed to flame. Always turn off the main valve to your water heater if you suspect a gas leak and call your gas company immediately to remedy the problem.

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Tips on How to Clean Your Windows

Window cleaning is an important way to ensure that your home and business look their best. Not only will this provide you with a warm and welcoming appearance, but it can also help to preserve the glass of your windows, since the dirt and grime that can build up on them can cause scratching.

There are some simple ways that you can keep your windows clean outside of hiring a window washing company. Take a moment to consider these tips are being some of the things you can do.

To begin with, you will want to use clean water with just a little soap when possible. A mild soap is going to help to break down the grease that can build up on your windows and leave them looking cleaner, without the dangerous chemicals that are often found in industrial solutions. Of course, you will need to ensure that right after your window cleaning that you do dry off the windows with a squeegee to prevent streaking.

Something to keep in mind when you are window washing is that your water is going to need to be changed regularly. If the water becomes too dirty, you are going to find that you end up spreading around the dirt, rather than ever getting it clean. A little discoloring isn't going to be an issue in the water, but as soon as it becomes murky, you will want to replace it.

Another important part of window washing will be to use a scraper to remove buildup on the windows before you wash it. If you try to wash the window while the hard buildup is there, it will be possible that you end up smearing the dirt and creating a bigger mess. Just make sure that you are being gentle as you scrape the glass to avoid putting scratches on it.

An important part of window cleaning that is often overlooked is how to proceed with the window washing. It is important that you begin outside and work to the inside of windows to ensure that you are getting the best results possible. With that, you will also want to clean from the top of your windows to the bottom to ensure that you are pushing down the mess, rather than from side to side instead. After all, what you are looking for is to have the cleanest windows possible.

As you are window cleaning, make sure that you do wash in a circular motion, and then dry with the squeegee from the top of the window to the base. The circular motion is going to break down the dirt better and help to ensure that window streaking is reduced.

Keep these simple steps in mind when you are looking to wash your windows. By following this advice, you do increase the chance you have for success and ensure that your windows are going to look great every time you set out to wash them.

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Household Hints and Helpers Using Vinegar

There was a time when the majority of the cleansers that people used in and around their homes were made from the supplies they had. They could not have afforded to purchase commercial cleansers even if these items had been available. So they learned to use the things they had to clean the dirt and grime away.

Vinegar was one of the items that were easily purchased at the stores that were available to shop in, or the ingenious people could allow apples to ferment and create their own apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar was used to treat ailments of the body, to doctor the livestock, to cook with, and to clean the house.

Vinegar is fantastic at cutting grease and grime out of clothing. So the substance was mixed in with the wash water on wash day to help get the clothing cleaner with less scrubbing. The pungent liquid also helped to remove odors from the clothing. During the Wild West days people wore their clothing for several days at a time before they were washed. The clothing took on odors that were hard to get out on wash day, so the aspiring housewives would put vinegar into the rinse water and this would eliminate some of those odors.

The floors inside the home were often scrubbed with sand because the sand could remove the grime. Sand is abrasive so the women would pour the sand on the floor and rub it into the wood grain using a broom. Then they swept the sand out of the house and used a vinegar rinse on the floors to make them smell better.

Pretty girls have always liked pretty clean hair. One of the ways that the girls made their hair smell nice for long periods of time was to use this magic odor killing liquid when they rinsed. If they wanted their hair to feel soft they would use rain water they gathered in barrels to rinse their hair with. The rain water had a conditioning effect and left the hair soft and supple.

This magic liquid was used as an antiseptic to wash wounds before they were bandaged. It effectively killed bacteria and helped to prevent infections from setting in.

People drank small doses of this liquid every day to help improve their digestion. It helps individuals that have a history of indigestion and stomach disorders.

Because the vinegar is so good at removing odors women frequently mixed it with water to create a feminine hygiene product.

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Why Should I Get My Air Ducts Cleaned?

Some of the benefits of air duct cleaning are that system cleaning will allow systems to run more efficiently by removing debris from sensitive mechanical components. Clean, efficient systems are less likely to breakdown. They have a longer life span, and generally operate more efficiently than dirty systems. Duct cleaning can also reduce the amount of allergens in the duct system. These allergens can be circulated throughout the home with your forced air system.

How a forced air system works is that air is drawn into the system through your return grills and fed into the system through your return ductwork. The air from the return side of the ductwork is fed into the lower compartment of the furnace; where the blower is located. The air passes through the filter and then is pushed up with the help of the blower. The air then passes through the upper part of the furnace where it can be heated or cooled depending on if the heat or air conditioning is on. The air then flows through the supply side duct work to the supply side grills where it exits into the rooms either heated or cooled. The process repeats itself throughout the day and evening until the temperature that has been set at the thermostat has been reached.

The air travels in a circular motion from return to supply side. While you have a filter you must understand that filters vary in efficiency. Some are 90% efficient. Some are only 5% efficient. What does this mean? If a filter is 90% efficient it will stop approximately 90% of what passes through the filter. If a filter is 5% efficient it will only stop approximately 5% of what passes through the filter. This is a very basic explanation there is more to it than this but the important point is that a 90% filter is much better than a 5% filter. Which do you have?

Whatever filter you have it isn't 100% filtration. You couldn't heat or cool your home with 100% filtration because no air could pass through that type of filtration. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association recommends that you clean your air ducts every 3 to 5 years. When was the last time you had your air ducts cleaned? Have you ever had your air ducts cleaned? If you had your ducts cleaned did you get a professional job, not did you pay for a professional job, did you get one?

Clean ducts helps to create a healthier living environment. Clean air ducts help furnaces operate more efficiently. Clean air ducts help your system run longer. So if you can't remember when you last had your air ducts cleaned your probably over due. So do your best to select a reputable duct cleaner. There are many unscrupulous air duct cleaners out there so ask your friends if they have a recommendations. Referrals are one of the best ways to find a good service provider. Angie's list is another great resource or possibly a local chamber of commerce. Good luck in getting your air ducts cleaned. Start breathing easier today, why wait?

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