Caring For Specialty Floors And Furniture With A Dry Cleaning Mop

While it may seem counterintuitive, some types of flooring and furniture are best cleaned dry using a dry cleaning mop or in combination, vacuum cleaner, with a light cleaner such as a dusting spray. Hard wood floors and laminates, for example, can be damaged, vacuum cleaner, by too much moisture. In order to keep the finish on these floors in the best condition, a cleaning mop specially designed for this purpose can create the best clean. A dry mop, vacuum cleaner, made from 100% cotton, for example, will not scratch the delicate surfaces on polished hard wood floors or specialty laminates. Over time, even the smallest scratches can create a dull appearance.

Dry cleaning, vacuum cleaner, mops are designed in such a way as to pick up and retain dust and small particles. As such, they are good for collecting dirt in between deeper cleanings. They also reduce the spread of dust and small dirt particles into the air, which can exacerbate allergies and asthmas. When used in combination with a dusting product, the chances of dust being kicked into the air by the mop are even smaller.

When cleaning a hardwood or laminate floor with a dry mop, begin at the far end of the room and work inward, using a figure eight pattern on the floor. This keeps the dust and particles moving toward you and is much, vacuum cleaner, easier on your back as it distributes the effort more evenly through your arms and back. Avoid using the mop to push the dirt and grime away from you as this, vacuum cleaner, can create dust flying up. The pulling motion, on the other hand, keeps the mop head in contact with the floor that eliminates dust kicking up., vacuum cleaner, Keep the mop head in contact with the floor as you clean. Even though the cleaning mop is dry, it is a different cleaning motion than a broom.

Avoid the temptation to use, vacuum cleaner, your dry mop as a wet mop. These cleaning mops are specifically designed to be used dry, and while they may work as a wet mop, it won’t be as effective thereafter as either a wet or dry mop. Additionally, dry cleaning mops do not have a mechanism for squeezing out excess liquid, which is both messy and hard on your hands and back. Besides, many specialty floorings should, vacuum cleaner, never be cleaned using a wet mop, such as Pergo and others. If you, vacuum cleaner, have specialty flooring in your home, be sure to read the manufacturer’s recommendations on the care. Using the right tool for the job is one of the best tricks in effective cleaning and ultimately saves time and money.

When using a cleaning mop designed to be used dry, avoid, vacuum, vacuum cleaner, cleaner, scrubbing the floor with the mop. For caked on dirt or grime, other cleaning methods should be employed, using products and guidelines specific to your type of flooring. Because the cleaning mop is designed to trap and hold dirt, putting too much pressure on the mop can create scratches on, vacuum cleaner, the floor caused by the dirt particles trapped inside the mop.

Depending on the style, the best, vacuum, vacuum cleaner, cleaner, mop will be designed in such a way that in can be used to reach under low and heavy furniture such as beds or bookcases. This allows you to clean without having to break your back moving heavy furniture. It also eliminates, vacuum cleaner, the need to drag out a heavy vacuum to clean a small area. Some cleaning mops, vacuum cleaner, have the added benefit of removable heads that can be used as a hand duster, which eliminates the need to purchase specialty, vacuum cleaner, dusters or mitts. . The ability to replace the heads also eliminates the need for purchasing a new dry mop when the old one becomes too dirty.

Even with the removable head feature, you can still clean a cleaning mop head prior to replacing it. To avoid scattering dust in the house, take the cleaning mop outside and give it a good shake. Because these mops are designed to retain dust, it may take, vacuum cleaner, a bit of effort. If you use the mop with a dusting product,, vacuum cleaner, be sure to allow the mop ample time to dry before shaking out the excess dust. Avoid banging the dry mop head on walls, cement, or other outdoor furniture as this can damage the head.

To keep your cleaning mop in the best possible condition, store it upside down or hanging from a wall so that there is no pressure on the mop head. This helps your mop remain the best mop possible for as long as possible.

How To Deep Clean Carpets For Better Health

December 15th, 2009  Tagged , , , ,

Maintenance of a carpet is not one of the easiest jobs and it takes time and effort to keep your carpet in good condition. Most people use vacuum cleaners for carpet cleaning but this is not enough; your carpets also need some deep cleaning. The truth is that a carpet is easily prone to contaminants and pollutants, vacuum cleaner, . Your dog may walk in wagging his tail and shed some of his lovely hair on the carpet. A storm may bring in a few more surprises in the form of dust and allergens. To top it all, there is always the fear of spilling liquid or food, which may cause deep stains. All this translates to one thing: deep carpet cleaning.

It is advisable, vacuum cleaner, to deep clean carpets at least once in 12 or 18 months. This will, vacuum cleaner, not only remove the dust and the dirt but also the deep stains. As, vacuum cleaner, a result of, vacuum cleaner, deep carpet cleaning, the life span of your carpet will increase and it will also look as good as new. Deep cleaning of carpets will reduce the wear and tear and keep its colors bright. The question is how best you can deep clean your carpets?

Deep cleaning of carpets is not something that you can do at home always. This, vacuum cleaner, kind of carpet cleaning requires professional help. When you buy a new carpet, you will find a manufacturer note that states that the best cleaning process for all carpets is deep cleaning. It is important that you follow the instructions provided by the carpet manufacturer. You can try deep carpet cleaning at home too but for that you will require a carpet shampoo. There are different types of shampoos available in the market that can be used for specific carpets like woolen or silk carpets.

You should avoid using soap and household detergents for deep carpet cleaning as they can severely damage your carpet. To get the best results, start by vacuuming your carpet completely and then apply a pre-conditioning solution. The pre-conditioning solution is a form of mild detergents, which will help the soil on the carpet to loosen before you can start the actual deep cleaning process. Alternatively, you can also hire a carpet cleaning professional to do, vacuum cleaner, the job, vacuum cleaner, .

You can search over the internet for firm in your area that employ different deep carpet cleaning processes. The best way to find a professional is through references. Ask for references from your friends, neighbors, colleagues and family. While speaking to different professional carpet cleaners, make sure that you discuss the use of the five, vacuum cleaner, different methods of deep cleaning. Take their advice as they know which method will be best, vacuum cleaner, suited for your carpet. The five methods of carpet cleaning are:

Dry extraction: In this method, vacuum cleaner, professionals use an absorbent that contains special solvents and detergents. This absorbent is, vacuum cleaner, infused in to the carpet using special machines. The absorbent acts like a magnet and attract all the dirt,, vacuum cleaner, dust particles, vacuum cleaner, and soil from the carpet fibers. Once that happens then the carpet can be cleaned using a vacuum cleaner. This process works, vacuum cleaner, well for sturdy carpets.

Dry foam extraction: In this method, the professional will apply a detergent solution, which will create foam. The foam will then be applied to your carpet. The foam will attract all the dirt and the other pollutants, which can be removed later on using a vacuum cleaner. This process of carpet cleaning will work well for woolen carpets.

Hot water extraction: This is also known as steam cleaning and you can do it at home. First you will have to precondition the soiled areas of the carpet and then use a specially designed hot water extraction machine to infuse the cleaning solution into the carpet. This will help in loosening and removing of the soil.

Rotary shampoo: This is one of the classic carpet cleaning methods. It is done by professionals who use a machine that has rotary brushes. With the help of the brushes, cleaning, vacuum cleaner, solution is injected into the carpet, which helps in removing loose soil.

Absorbent pad: This is the last of the carpet cleaning methods and should not be done at home, vacuum cleaner, . A specially designed machine, vacuum cleaner, is used for removing the soil. The machine has absorbent spin pads, which can absorb the soil from your carpet.

At the end, it is always advised to refer to the instructions mentioned by the carpet manufacturer to help you choose the right deep cleaning method for your carpet.

Vacuum Cleaners - Information on Selecting the Right Style of Vacuum to Meet You’re Cleaning Needs

December 8th, 2009  Tagged , , , ,

With the vast selection of styles, models and manufacturers in the vacuum cleaner industry it can become a little overwhelming on where to start looking for the right vacuum for your specific cleaning needs. The following information should help give you a starting point and speed up your search, vacuum cleaner, in getting the right vacuum.
Deep Cleaning Vacuums (or steam vacuums):
Typical features on a deep cleaning vacuum include rotating brushes that agitate the carpet pile and loosen the dirt for a more thorough clean; on hard floor surfaces the rotating, vacuum cleaner, brushes gently scrub the floor clean. Some models have a handy automatic tool conversion button or switch that you push/flip as you move, vacuum cleaner, from carpeted surfaces to hard, vacuum cleaner, floor surfaces or vice versa.
The most common, vacuum cleaner, use for a deep cleaning vacuum is for the removal of carpet stains, hot water and the cleaning solution are pushed deep into the carpet to extract the stain. Special nozzles can be attached to make, vacuum cleaner, it more effective. When the job is complete you just empty the container, most models are equipped with a handy one hand tank removal.
Deep cleaning frequency: If you take a scheduled approach to cleaning your carpets they will look cleaner longer. Clean entrances every 4-6 weeks, bedrooms about, vacuum cleaner, every 8 weeks, main traffic areas every 12 weeks, clean the entire house every 15 months.
Hand Held Vacuums:
Hand held vacuums are light weight, can be either corded or cordless and most can be mounted on a wall. Cordless performance depends a lot on the charge of the battery, as the battery power drops so does the suction power. Two styles of hand held vacuums include; straight suction or suction with a power brush to agitate the carpet or upholstery for a deeper clean, this works very well on pet hair. Other available attachments include: a brush for upholstery, crevice tool, extension wand and a switch to lock the machine in the on position.
If you are considering a hand held vacuum determine its primary purpose, will it be used occasionally on small jobs or part of a regular cleaning schedule. Determining this will better guide you to selecting the right model.
Broom Vacuums:
Broom vacuums or stick vacuums are ideal for small apartments, those quick clean ups in the kitchen, bathroom or family room. The benefit of a broom vacuum is its light weight, if you have trouble pushing your heavier standard upright, this may come as welcome relief. You have the option of getting your vacuum corded or cordless, allowing you the freedom to roam around the house spot cleaning. The light weight, usually just 2lbs.-7lbs, allows you to easily store the unit, vacuum cleaner, in the closet taking up minimal space.
For quick, convenient disposal of dirt and debris most models, vacuum cleaner, are bagles.
Broom/stick vacuums work great on those small jobs, vacuum cleaner, but they just don’t have the power or capacity to clean larger homes, however they are a great companion to your regular size vacuum cleaner. If you have never, vacuum cleaner, owned a broom/stick vacuum you might be surprised at how often and useful you find it.
Wet/Dry Vacuums:
Wet/Dry vacuums may be, vacuum cleaner, the most versatile vacuum cleaner on the market, with numerous attachments and functions it is handy appliance to have around the house, vacuum cleaner, . Canister sizes can vary greatly from the smaller 6 gallon to the larger 22 gallon. Horsepower ranges, vacuum cleaner, from about 2 H.P. up to 10 H.P. Try to match the size of unit to the size of the job and the frequency of use. Some beneficial features to look for in a wet/dry vacuum include:
Pleated Cartridge Filter: These filters will save you time and money. Just pull it out when it’s full of dust and rinse, vacuum cleaner, it off with water. Wheel Base: Make sure your machine has a wide wheel base, this will help stop it from tipping over, and they generally pull easier.
Drain Valve: To make it easier to empty liquids some units have a drain valve or nozzle located at the bottom of the canister.
Auto shut-off: This sensor has the ability to tell when your vacuum is full of water and automatically turn off the motor.
Some of the tools you can add to a wet/dry vacuum cleaner include: a scrubbing brush, crevice, vacuum cleaner, tool, water nozzle, combination nozzle (wet & dry), extension wand, cleaning kits and some larger models have the ability to attach a leaf blower.
Upright Vacuums:
One of the most common features of an, vacuum cleaner, upright model is the, vacuum cleaner, bagles system. In addition to increased performance, there is no need to purchase any bags saving you time and money. Emptying the bagles canister can be a little dusty.
Some bagged upright vacuums feature a full-bag alert which will notify you when the bag is getting to full. Both bagged and bagles styles may offer a dirt sensor that notifies you when there is a certain, vacuum cleaner, level of particles in the air stream indicating there is still some dirt not being sucked up into the bag. An on/off switch for the power brush is good safety feature to have in case the vacuum accidentally gets pulled over your feet or cord as you focus on using the attachments.
Most upright models come with a standard set of attachments that may include an upholstery tool, a crevice tool and an extension wand. A retractable cord, manual or automatic pile-height adjustment are two more handy features. Some vacuums allow the dirt to be sucked through the bag initially before it reaches the fan, other systems have the dirt goes through the fan first then to the bag, this may damage the fan. A HEPA filter is another common feature found on upright vacuum cleaners.
Canister Vacuums:
Retractable cords are common on canister vacuums and considering most cords are around, vacuum cleaner, 25 feet in length this handy feature helps from having to drag the, vacuum cleaner, cord, vacuum cleaner, around and possibly damaging furniture. A push of a button or slight tug on the cord will retract it into the vacuums canister.
The nozzle is usually one of two, vacuum cleaner, types, a suction nozzle or a power nozzle. To thoroughly clean the carpet it is recommended that you use the power nozzle which will agitate the carpet and loosen up the dirt for a deeper cleaning.
Another feature to look for on a canister vacuum is a suction-control switch; this allows you to adjust the airflow for cleaning delicate material like drapery and upholstery. Some, vacuum cleaner, handle grips also have an automatic shut off should you loose your grip and let go of the handle.
Pile-height adjustment, vacuum cleaner, is another feature that may be offered on a canister vacuum. Being able to match the height of the vacuum to the height of the carpet will improve cleaning. Automatic pile-height adjustment does not seem to work as effective as manually adjusting the height of the vacuum cleaner.
I hope, vacuum cleaner, this information helps to narrow down your search to the style, vacuum cleaner, of vacuum cleaner that is best suited for your cleaning needs. Next you just need to compare the different manufacturers’ models and features in your price range.
Randy Heslip is a regular contributor to http://www.vacuum-reviews-cleaners.com
This article may be reproduced as long as it is kept intact including the resource box.
Copyright. 2005 vacuum-reviews-cleaners.com

Best Carpet Cleaners And The Spilled Carpet

As carpets are meant to provide your house and the floor with the most demanding look, it, vacuum cleaner, is necessary to make them clean and uphold condition. The carpets become full of strains, spill and muddy particles with the environment, it requires proper cleaning to revitalizing its look by the cleaning service of San Jose, California, vacuum cleaner, . Cleaning costs are minimal when you consider the replacement cost of carpets and furnishing, so regular cleaning makes, vacuum cleaner, economic sense too.

When to choose the right carpet cleaning service, it will be a tough work for you to go with, most of carpet cleaning service provide you with the little part of it, where as you expected more. But some of the referred cleaning services are going, vacuum cleaner, to give you the full return. Berber carpet cleaning service will be up to it. They will put the importance for people who are sensitive to dust and other indoor pollutants. You can clean you carpet your self though.

There are pros and cons to both sides. Having the carpet cleaning done professionally can be costly, and if you get a less than reputable company in your house the result can be ruined padding and floors, stained carpet and all hope lost of getting your damage deposit back if you are a renter. The up side is that if you hire a good professional, your carpet will be left healthy, look almost like, vacuum cleaner, new and come with a guarantee that you can hold onto.

If you choose to do the carpet cleaning yourself, you could save a lot of money - if you know what you are doing, how to do it and if you do not believe in magic. Otherwise, renting a carpet dry cleaningmachine which you don’t know, vacuum cleaner, how to work can damage the carpet and, vacuum cleaner, soak the floor, and you will be out of cash and still, vacuum cleaner, have a less than attractive carpet.

Best carpet cleaners are, vacuum cleaner, recommended for carpet and area rugs that are made of wool, silk or other natural fibers. For any do-it-yourself cleaning method, the following points are critical: always vacuum to remove as much dry soil as possible, and follow instructions carefully. A common mistake with do-it-yourself cleaning is using too much cleaning product and failing to extract the entire product from the carpet, vacuum, vacuum cleaner, cleaner, during the cleaning process. The residue not only attracts dirt and makes carpet look bad quickly, but, vacuum cleaner, it also speeds the breakdown of fiber, shortening the life of the carpet.

Healthy Vacuum Cleaning Routines Reduce Illness Factors

November 23rd, 2009  Tagged , , , ,

Do you suffer from allergies or do your friends and family suffer from, vacuum cleaner, allergies? Do you realize just how important it is just to vacuum your home and some of, vacuum cleaner, the improvements or benefits for your health that can come with vacuum cleaning regularly. Is your vacuum cleaner up to the job when it comes to superior carpet cleaning?

Most people do not know how important it is to vacuum their homes on a regular basis to avoid the potential health risks associated with poor air quality, vacuum cleaner, and indoor air pollution. Nearly all of us spend most of our time inside buildings and the majority of those hours within our homes. Therefore it is important that we do what we can to make sure the best indoor air quality is available for ourselves and our families. Improved indoor air can assist us in safeguarding against potential health risks that come with indoor air pollution.

What is indoor air pollution? Indoor air pollution is all manner of particles. Those particles like dust, mold, dirt, bacteria, viruses, pollen, animal hair and so on. These items all take haven in the hard to reach places in our home or hide within our carpets and furniture. Vacuum cleaners, what ever the design of them, providing they have good filtering systems in place, are used to extract these kinds of particles and remove them from homes. Therefore it should be clear that not vacuuming, or using an ineffective vacuum cleaner, can only have negative effects on your health and the health of your family.

There is a lot of evidence to suggest that indoor air pollution, especially in relation to trapped particles, is hazardous to your health. So any areas in your homes that remain lodged with debris, dirt, dust and so on are lowering the quality of the air you are breathing in your home. With every, vacuum cleaner, movement you or your family members make within your home you are “upsetting” these dust particles which are then free floating in the air and you are, vacuum cleaner, breathing them in and therein the health risk.

Many people suffer from allergic conditions, with asthma being one of them. There are also those health conditions that many of us do not even realize can be exacerbated by the continued breathing of polluted air. Some respiratory problems and respiratory illnesses, increased allergies, colds and flu can also be contributed to indoor air pollution. Inadequately vacuumed carpets can trap large amounts of dust, fungus, bacteria and pollen as well as a number of other biological particles. These particles are then distributed as movement occurs within your home or even air circulation from artificial or natural sources.

There are various other ailments that are not obviously related to polluted air but could in fact be evident in you or your family members due to the carpet condition. Some of these are eye, nose and throat irritation, runny noses, continued congestion. There are others however scare tactics do not always create a more reliable option to getting the message, vacuum cleaner, across, the information herein enough should be sufficient to convince you of the benefits or preventative measures that you can put in place just with carpet cleaning on a regular basis.

The type of vacuum cleaner you use, high powered or small, standard or upright vacuum, vacuum cleaner, cleaner, will also have an, vacuum cleaner, impact of course and there are those that offer more filter protection than others. If you or your family do suffer, vacuum cleaner, from any of the ailments mentioned above then you may well be wise to invest in a superior brand of filtration system vacuum cleaner unit to make sure you are getting the best protection, vacuum cleaner, in your home.

Do your utmost to avoid these health risks in your own home with simple and effective carpet cleaning processes yourself with your trusty vacuum cleaner. Don’t just leave it stored in, vacuum cleaner, your cabinet, bring, vacuum cleaner, it out and get it working for you as it, vacuum cleaner, should be. Not only to make your home presentable but to actually remove some potential health risks from your home. You spend a lot of time in your home, as does the rest of your family, so make sure you are taking care of these simple areas of cleanliness to ensure you are not the next allergy sufferer in your family.

Homemade Cleaning Products - Safe, Affordable and Non-Toxic!

November 21st, 2009  Tagged , , , ,

Safe, Affordable and Non-Toxic!

Standard commercial cleaning products are full of chemicals, vacuum cleaner, and substances that are not exactly good for your health. Homemade cleaning products, on the other hand, provide a healthier, more natural and inexpensive way for you to keep control of your home’s cleanliness.

So without further ado, here are a few suggestions that can be easily whipped up with some surprisingly common household materials:

Air Fresheners

Of all the homemade cleaning products, it is perhaps the air fresheners, vacuum cleaner, that are,, vacuum cleaner, vacuum cleaner, most sought after. Ammonia, vinegar, baking soda and lemon, vacuum cleaner, are the standard ingredients of the odor-fighting arsenal,, vacuum cleaner, and each has its own area of specialization.

Lemons are, vacuum cleaner, a natural scent-savior in any home, so keep a few in storage at all times, and not just for your salads and dressings, vacuum cleaner, . Tossing a slice in the grinder nullifies the smells while keeping a dried one in your clothes cabinets keeps the moths away.

Vinegar is known for its tough spot-and-stain removing qualities, but it can also help absorb and nullify scents by being placed in a platter and letting stand in a room for a few hours. Placing lemon or baking soda with vinegar on a plate adds to the effect, but don’t mix all three together to avoid overdoing it.

Ammonia, on, vacuum cleaner, the other hand, has a less acidic and more basic approach to deodorizing. Half a cup of ammonia generously spread around a toilet bowl works wonders for the bathroom, while simply letting that half-cup stand in your oven is enough to absorb the smells while loosening clingy dirt in the process.

Baking soda, aside from its exfoliating properties, takes a more scent-absorbing, vacuum cleaner, role than its air freshening peers. Take a box, cut it open, and stick it in confined spaces to absorb nasty smells. Ideal locations include the freezer, cooler and waste disposal bins. Or you could just mix it with vinegar for, vacuum cleaner, double the room-clearing power.

Pot and Pan Cleaner

While your typical liquid soap is enough to clean regular dishes, pots and pans have a tendency to collect a lot of hard-to-remove sediments. This, vacuum cleaner, is especially so when you manage to burn the food you are cooking.

The solution here would be to mix about one to three tablespoons of baking soda in a quart of water, then let it sit in the pot for ten to thirty minutes. The total soaking time and mixture, vacuum cleaner, density depends on the, vacuum cleaner, severity of the leftover sediments. Use less soda and fewer minutes, vacuum cleaner, for light buildup, and use full-strength if you really managed to do a number on your pots and pans.

Carpet Deodorizer

Of all the homemade cleaning products, carpet deodorizers are perhaps the simplest to create.

Simply spreading baking soda over, vacuum cleaner, a carpet before vacuuming is a great way to handle the smells. If you want a more fragrant carpet, however, you can mix in a dash of talcum powder and cornstarch along with the baking soda. Just make sure to let the powders sit for around two to three, vacuum cleaner, hours before vacuuming in order to allow the scents to actually sink, vacuum cleaner, into the carpet.

Surface Sanitizer

Sanitation is a major issue in every home. This is especially so when you have surfaces require meticulous sanitation, like telephone receivers and chopping boards.

A piece of cotton, vacuum cleaner, with a, vacuum cleaner, little rubbing alcohol dabbed on is the choice for plastics and other sensitive materials that will not be used to process food. If you want to sanitize a surface where foods or liquids will be ingested, then a few drops of lemon juice is the preferred choice over rubbing alcohol.

Drain De-clogger

Drains tend to get clogged with oils and other solid objects, but do not necessarily, vacuum cleaner, require a full-strength acid to take care of the problem when it first pops up.

Hot, not boiling, water is the first choice to flush down the drain, and making it a daily habit helps prevent oils and greases from forming up. Add a touch of salt when you want a little more oomph in the de-clogging, vacuum cleaner, abilities of hot water.

If, however, you find, vacuum, vacuum cleaner, cleaner, yourself with a more severely clogged drain, you need to pour a mixture of one part, vacuum cleaner, baking soda and one part vinegar down the drain. Flush it with boiling water after fifteen minutes to clear the drain. Pour hot instead of boiling water if your pipes are made of plastic in order to prevent warps or cracks from forming in the pipes.

Stain Remover

Carpet and clothing stains are a major pain in the neck to clean, especially if they are from liquid sources that tend to get in textiles and never let go once they settle in.

Equal parts white vinegar and water are a potent mix when it comes to stains on tougher materials like carpets, while lemon is a good alternative for more sensitive materials like cloth. Just remember to be careful with acids, as they have a tendency to discolor stuff. Never use yellow vinegar for removing stains on colored articles of clothing, especially for prolonged periods of time.

Mold Killer

Molds are an irritating reality to any household, especially in the more humid and concealed portions of the home.

Hydrogen peroxide is, vacuum cleaner, a surprisingly effective solution to molds on wider surfaces. Mix a cup of peroxide with two cups of water,, vacuum cleaner, put the mixture in a sprayer, and spray at the problematic surfaces. Let the solution sit for an hour before rinsing. Just be careful where you spray the stuff and use only on surfaces that will not react negatively to the peroxide solution.

If on the other hand you have a small area or patch of molds, then white vinegar or lemon juice is an effective alternative to a hydrogen peroxide solution. Use them full strength, apply them with a sponge, and then wipe away with water. This should help you quickly, vacuum cleaner, and efficiently get rid of those irritating spots.

Final Notes

There is one thing you should always remember when it comes to using, vacuum cleaner, these solutions in your home. NEVER mix homemade cleaning products with commercial cleaning products. The resulting chemical reactions may produce toxic and dangerous fumes, so avoid the temptation to throw in a chemical cocktail down the drain if you do not want to get in trouble.

How To Keep Your Microfiber Sofa Clean

November 15th, 2009  Tagged , , , ,

It, vacuum cleaner, can be a bit difficult to tackle the cleaning of microfiber furniture when you are not sure how to go about it. Here is a selection of tips to make this process easier.

It can be tricky to clean microfiber furniture yet more and more people select this great looking material for their home. While the material looks and feels fantastic, what should you do if something gets spilled of the kids leave dirty fingerprints all over it? Modern life can be tough on your microfiber sofa and furnishings. Here are a few tips that will hopefully help you bring them back, vacuum cleaner, to looking their best in your home.

Before you do anything further, the very first thing to do when it comes to your microfiber items is to read the label. It would not be right to advise, vacuum cleaner, you on a course of action if it is not recommended by the manufacturer. By spending a few minutes reading the information that came with your item you can be aware of what to avoid with regards to a particular piece of furniture.

Once you have done that, there are a few tips and tricks that will help you get the best out of your microfiber products.

• To remove the lint, debris and pet hair that get into your microfiber furniture, you should vacuum it with the upholstery attachment of a powerful vacuum cleaner. Aim to do this on a monthly basis or more if you have children and pets.

• Treat any spills immediately. The best way is to use an absorbent white terry cloth and blot the stain until completely dry. You should never scrub over a spillage, vacuum cleaner, as it can, vacuum cleaner, worsen it.

• You can use a mild detergent to remove stains or spots. Blot on as little as possible and then blot off until dry, without scrubbing. Always ensure that you, vacuum cleaner, never use products containing bleach as they would discolor your furniture.

• Should the stains remain after using a mild detergent you can try, vacuum cleaner, using dry cleaning products. Always ensure that the product you purchase is suitable for its intended use, and follow the instructions on the packaging.

• For a professional result you can take your furniture to be, vacuum cleaner, cleaned by a specialist. This, vacuum cleaner, way you do not have to worry about using an unsuitable, vacuum cleaner, chemical or the wrong attachment of a carpet washer that could cause the microfiber to crease and, vacuum cleaner, shrink.

In order to keep your microfiber furniture looking as great as when you first bought it, you need to make sure you take the time to clean it the right way.

Speed Cleaning Tips from a Pro

November 8th, 2009  Tagged , , , ,

You have permission to publish this article electronically or in
print,, vacuum cleaner, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A
courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.

Inside Tricks to Speed Cleaning Your Home By Mary Findley
copyright@2003

Time is tight, the kids want attention, dinner simmers on the
stove, vacuum cleaner, and the house needs cleaning. Did someone mention
housework? Most people would rather darn, vacuum cleaner, socks than clean their
home. Consequently those annoying chores, vacuum cleaner, get tucked on the back
burner where they sit simmering until the pot boils dry. That
once 30-minute job has now turned into a half-day nightmare.

Rather than ignoring those chores let?s explore some time
savings tips professionals use to clean a home. Start by hiring
yourself to clean your home. If a professional comes to clean
they will insist that dishes be put in the dishwasher, clothes
hung up, papers picked up and the house tidy. You cannot speed
clean a home with clutter anywhere let alone everywhere, vacuum cleaner, .

Here are a few shortcuts to help, vacuum cleaner, you declutter your home.

? If the clutter in your home seems a bit overwhelming, start
with the big, vacuum cleaner, stuff. We live in a time when everyone thrives on
instant success. Picking up large size items like clothing means
fast results. That spurs you on to tackle the smaller piles. ?
Never leave a room without taking something with you. Put it
where it belongs so you don?t waste time looking for it later. ?
Clean up your dishes after every meal. Instruct each family
member to rinse and put away their own dishes. This goes for
cups or glasses used during the day too. ? Learn to multitask.
If you head in the direction of the washing machine, take a load
of clothes with you. When you pull meat out of the freezer in
the garage, get enough for 3 days. Leaving, vacuum cleaner, for the grocery
store?, vacuum cleaner, Take the garbage out with you. ? Purchase a spare pair of
needle nose pliers,, vacuum cleaner, regular pliers,, vacuum cleaner, a hammer and one of those
screwdrivers with all four heads in one handle. Tuck them in a
kitchen drawer so they are handy when you need them.

Organize then organize again. Experts encourage people to
organize their lives. They know disorganization robs you of
valuable time among other things. Follow this outline to
organize your cleaning supplies.

Head to the hardware store for the following items: * Tote tray
with dividers ? do not waste your money with aprons designed to
hold bottles of cleaners,, vacuum cleaner, etc. The weight of so many full
bottles slows you down. Talk about an achy breaky back! * White
nylon scrub, vacuum cleaner, pad found in the cleaning section. Use it for
stubborn spots or water spots on glass shower doors. Use only
white. Other colors may scratch. * Stiff bristle brush that
looks like a toothbrush. It is ideal for scrubbing around
faucets. * 1 ฝ inch paint brush. Use it to dust cobwebs along
window frames and doorways etc.

At the grocery store pick up the following: * Window cleaner *
Concentrated orange cleaner without petroleum distillates * Bar
Keepers Friend * Toilet bowl cleaner * Toilet bowl brush without
metal rings * Rubber Gloves

Next stock a plastic bag with old but clean terry cloth towels
and a few lint free towels for dusting. Tuck in a second plastic
bag to store soiled towels as you clean. Then add a large trash
bag for emptying the trash.

Speed Cleaning Essentials

In, vacuum cleaner, today?s world of quick fixes people want fast results. They
buy the fastest computer and instant dinners. The single most
important, vacuum cleaner, thing, vacuum cleaner, you can do to speed clean your, vacuum cleaner, home has no quick
fix - exercise. A regular, consistent exercise program gives you
the strength and stamina to rocket you through not, vacuum cleaner, only your
house cleaning chores but everything you do.

Clean like the pros. You never see a professional enter a home
and heat up a cup of coffee, flip on the TV or send an email. Do
not allow distractions to pull you away from the task at hand.
Let the answering machine handle your phone calls and wait to
retrieve the mail until you finish. Distractions turn a
15-minute job into, vacuum cleaner, an hour?s worth of time, vacuum cleaner,, vacuum cleaner, .

A key point to remember: You build speed as you clean. Every
time you stop it takes time to rebuild your, vacuum cleaner, momentum costing you
valuable time. Give yourself the gift of time by staying focused
on the task at hand.

Speed cleaning usually entails cleaning your entire home all in
one day. For many people this does not work due to busy
schedules. Should this be your, vacuum cleaner, case, dust your home one day,
tackle the bathrooms the next etc. Whichever job you do complete
the entire task. Dust the entire house or clean all the
bathrooms. It takes time to pull out your cleaning equipment so
keep going until you finish.

Divide and conquer. Many people become overwhelmed at the
thought of cleaning their entire home at one time. A
professional breaks a home into sections cleaning one section
then moving to the, vacuum cleaner, next. Here is a basic outline to follow.
Adjust the sections according to the layout of your home.

Section one: Bedroom area and hallway Section two: Kitchen,
dining area, den or family room Section three: Formal living
room and dining, vacuum cleaner, room Section four: Laundry room and any remote
rooms.

*Tip: Add a 15 to 25 foot extension cord to your vacuum cleaner
so you can reach all the rooms in one section without taking
time to move the cord from room to room.

Also remember you may not need to clean formal living rooms or
dining rooms each time you clean. Use that time to dust cobwebs,
clean cabinets, windows etc.

>From the top down. Deciding, vacuum cleaner, where to begin and how to proceed
baffles many people. Clean the top floor first beginning at the
back working your way either down the steps or to the center if
you are on the first floor. Following this pattern keeps you
from dragging equipment and dirt over freshly vacuumed carpets.
Once you have developed a cleaning routine stick with it. The
more, vacuum cleaner, familiar you are with the flow the faster you clean.

Here is a common cleaning pattern to follow. Remember you will
need to make adjustments based on the layout, vacuum cleaner, of your home. Empty
the trash as you clean. You will be amazed at the amount of
clutter that heads to the garbage when a trash bag is handy.
Carry a second trash bag for items that can be taken to
Goodwill.

1.Master, vacuum cleaner, bathroom 2.Hall bathroom, vacuum cleaner, 3.Dust all bedrooms, stairway
railings and wall hangings 4.Vacuum the master bedroom,
bedrooms, hallways then stairs 5.Clean kitchen 6.Dust family
room and dining area 7.Vacuum or dust, vacuum cleaner, the floors in kitchen and
family room and mop the kitchen floor 8.Half bathroom 9.Dust
formal living room and dining room 10.Vacuum these areas and
damp mop the entry way if it has hard flooring. 11.Laundry rooms
and any remote rooms like guest rooms, vacuum cleaner, or offices

The order of business: People often follow a different procedure
each time they clean a room and each room they clean. The secret
to speed cleaning lies in repetition. Begin either at the left
or the right of the room depending on which feels more
comfortable to you. Then circle the room.

Bathrooms:

1.Spray the inside of the toilet with the bowl cleaner. 2.Spray
the rim, toilet seat, counter top and, vacuum cleaner, sink with your all-purpose
cleaner. Remember each time you put a bottle down and pick it
up, you waste time. 3.Use your diluted orange cleaner and squirt
down the shower or tub enclosure. 4.Next clean the toilet and
toilet rim by sprinkling baking soda or Bar Keepers Friend on
your toilet bowl brush. 5.Spray only the part of the mirror that
is dirty wiping it down with a clean rag. That puts enough
cleaner on the towel to clean the rest of the mirror. 6.Wipe the
counter, sink and the exterior of the toilet and the floor
behind. 7.Next clean the shower walls. pray the shower floor and
clean it. Finish by mopping the floor.

Dusting:

1.Lift objects with one hand then dust with the other. Place an
old clean, vacuum cleaner, cotton, vacuum cleaner, tube sock over your dusting hand and lightly
dampen it with your cleaner. People with arthritis or hand
dexterity problems find it helpful to wear a rubber glove on one
hand giving them a better grasp on objects. 2.Spray a lint free
towel with the window cleaning solution, vacuum cleaner, and toss that over, vacuum cleaner, one
shoulder, vacuum cleaner, to clean any glass inlaid tables or cabinets. 3.Begin
dusting from either the right or the left and work your way
around the room dusting window sills and wall hangings as you
come to them. 4.For homes with pets, tuck a clean pair of rubber
gloves into your back pocket. When you come to, vacuum cleaner, couches, vacuum cleaner, or chairs
with pet hair, use the gloves and work you hands in a circular
motion moving over the furniture. Toss the rolled up lint onto
the floor for the vacuum to pick up. Some people cover furniture
with a, vacuum cleaner, body size bath towel to keep them clean from pet hair.
Easy to launder, towels also save on furniture wear and tear.
5.As you dust move furniture towards the center of the, vacuum cleaner, room to
vacuum behind it. Kitchens 1.Place a coffee cup half full of
water in the microwave. Cook on high for two minutes. The
resulting steam loosens any baked on food for easy cleaning.
Allow the cup to cool for a minute, vacuum cleaner, before moving it so you don’t
scald yourself. 2.Spray the stove or any counter area that
contains dried food with the orange cleaner. 3.Start at the left
and work your way clockwise around, vacuum cleaner, the kitchen leaving the sink
for last after you mop the floor. 4.Move appliances to one side
then spray the counter, dishwasher, refrigerator or microwave, vacuum cleaner, if
it is in that immediate area. 5.Clean one section of cabinets
each time you clean the kitchen, paying special attention to
door pulls. 6.Mop the floor using a 100% terry cloth towel.
Rinsing mops and filling buckets of water consumes time. A towel
rinses quickly under a faucet then can be laundered for easy
care. 7.Sprinkle the sink with Bar Keepers Friend or baking, vacuum cleaner, soda
using a brush to thoroughly scrub, vacuum cleaner,, vacuum cleaner, the sink.

Vacuum Vacuum around the room in the same order you dust. Vacuum
behind furniture first, replace the furniture then back out of
the room. If the floors are hard wood or laminated wood, dust
them then damp mop using terry towel dampened with a small
amount of white vinegar and water. For all other hard surface
floors, vacuum them then damp mop using hot water only. Marble
floors must be dried.

Home Office Cleaning Tips For the Busy WAHM

October 11th, 2009  Tagged , , , ,

If you’re like most work-at-home moms, you might find it difficult to keep your home AND office clean. Besides, when you leave “work” you certainly don’t want to spend your off time cleaning the office, right? What if you could easily keep your office clean while you work and spend your time off with your family? By making just a few simple changes in your office cleaning habits, you can keep your office in sparkling condition throughout the workweek. This will free your, vacuum cleaner, time to take care of household needs when you’re not working.

Cleaning Products for the Home Office

Today, vacuum cleaner, there is a variety of cleaning products designed to make home office cleaning easier than ever. A mini, handheld vacuum works great for clearing out any dust that may collect under your desk and among all those pesky computer and phone cables. For your desktop and filing cabinets, keep a feather duster handy and wipe clean once a week with a dusting solution, vacuum cleaner, .

Keep a small container of glass cleaner handy for your computer screen, vacuum cleaner, . And of course,, vacuum cleaner, don’t forget the can of compressed air to blow dust out of your keyboard and air vents on your computer hard drive case.

For deep cleaning, a product that’s a must-have for the office is a high tech cleaning compound called CyberClean. This putty-like compound can be used to clean all your electronic devices, and it cleans in those hard-to-reach areas of your computer keyboard. Germs and bacteria often lurk in areas such as between the keys on your keyboard or on your office phone or even your Blackberry cell phone. You might notice grime, vacuum cleaner, build-up around control buttons on your printer or fax machine. Any electronic device or gadget can accumulate dust, hair, food or other substances if left unattended for a while.

Cleaners like this also work well for auto cleaning. Cars often collect lots of dust, food particles, drink spills, etc. Using CyberClean and other germ-killing or anti-bacterial solutions such as rubbing alcohol can help minimize the spread of viruses in the office environment while giving your office equipment a clean, fresh look and feel.

Organize to Make Cleaning Easier

One, vacuum cleaner, way to simplify the office cleaning process is to organize your office. Put away files, papers and books to avoid clutter. Use cable organizers to cover and protect your cables. These can help, vacuum cleaner, keep your cables from collecting dust and improve the look of your office. Cable covers can also protect cables from pets or from foot traffic if the cables run across the floor of your office.

If you don’t have a file cabinet or storage shelf for your, vacuum cleaner, home office, invest in one as soon as possible. These can make organizing so much easier while also keeping papers and files out of the way while cleaning. Also consider desk organizers for pens, calculators,, vacuum cleaner, paperclips, etc, vacuum cleaner, . You’ll be able, vacuum cleaner, to think clearer and have, vacuum cleaner, more space to work once all your office items are in place.

Being a work-at-home mom isn’t always easy. There are household and office chores that must be taken care of on a daily or weekly basis to keep things running efficiently. Whether you have one kid or five, you’ll, vacuum cleaner, need, vacuum cleaner, quick, easy cleaning solutions for your home, office and automobile!