Category: Carpet Cleaning

Best Carpet Cleaners’ Advice: Keep Dry, Bid Molds Goodbye

Best Carpet Cleaners Recipe for Molds and Mildew: Clean, Pat, Dry

It’s a long magical ride for carpets, which may have originated in Central Asia in the 3rd millennium, traveled all the way to Europe and found prominence in many stately interiors, until it found its way to almost every American and European homes, today.

Cleaning Carpets is the least-liked household chore of most women for three counts: first, it covers a wide expanse of space, second, it requires a certain degree of skill and care, and 3rd, it should not be a woman’s chore! Period.

The “odds” however are far outweighed by the benefits of unrolling this felted cloth on the floor. Here are some of them:

– Aesthetics. Carpets have a comfortable look ( and feel) on them; they can easily transform a dull room into an attractive and cozy place; carpets also lend a certain degree of class in the interiors of any house or office.

– Energy saving. Homes with carpeted flooring cut back on energy costs since carpets are heat insulators.

– Safer. Fewer slip and fall accidents are attributed to carpets than wood or laminated surfaces.

– Practical. Cleaning carpets, though it entails cleaning a whole lot of space, is easier to do than other surfaces. It eliminates the stripping of old wax and application of a new coat for one; cleaning can be scheduled less frequently than cleaning wood and laminates.

– Other Plus points. Carpets reduce noise as it absorbs it; air pollutants that enter the household are trapped as well.

But just like in anything doing well, there are always “spoilers”.

Molds and mildew can grow at a faster rate under carpets because of the textile’s tendency to hold in moisture. Let alone, molds and mildew can chew up your carpet easy…slowly but surely.

Best carpet cleaners, also referred to as “the carpet authority” can recommend products in the market that can provide instant solution to the problem, but would advise you not to throw caution to the wind. Read the labels carefully; check the manufacturer’s warnings.

It’s easier to grab from store shelves, molds and mildew removal solution than replacing a damaged carpet altogether, which is far expensive, too! Don’t believe on the first product advertisement you hear. If unsure, you can have a “dab test” on a less conspicuous part of the carpet, to make sure that the color of your carpet does not bleed with the molds and mildew solution.

Homemade solutions against molds and mildew may prove useful too, according to some carpet dry cleaning experts: try dusting off carpets with your kitchen’s baking soda. When done regularly, this can eliminate the proliferation of molds and mildew on your carpet. Don’t forget to vacuum after a few hours.

“Prevention is better than cure”. That’s the other golden rule. Molds and mildew grow in damp areas. To avoid persistent problems with molds, there are housekeeping “ups” that can tilt the balance in your favor:

– Brighten up! A well-lit household has a lower incidence of growing molds and mildew because these can’t thrive under the light. Replace dimly-lit bulbs with bright ones in areas or rooms that pose a higher risk to grow molds and mildew. It’s cheaper to invest in well-lit bulbs than replacing carpets;

– Clean up. The real antidote to all housekeeping woes is to keep all areas in your house clean. Simple.

– Dry up. Your carpets hold in moisture as it circulates in the air. Molds and mildew thrive on beneath your carpets for the same reason – they need moisture to survive. To minimize growth of molds and mildew, you should lessen the amount of moisture that circulates in the air and sinks into the carpet. Wipe everything dry as you go – shower rooms, where bathroom mold starts to form should be maintained clean and dry; kitchen sinks, too. Hang damp clothes, instead of letting them stay in the laundry bin, until the next washing day. Molds and mildew destroy fabric, too.

You may opt for Carpet dry cleaning, which is usually done by a professional. Carpet dry cleaning professionals operate their business legally; this is premium service guarantee.

There are other “un-homemade” solutions like buying a dehumidifier, which lowers the humidity level indoors, and purposely eliminate the growth of molds and mildew. You can try this one out, if you have cash to spare. Fans and air conditioning units have proven helpful, too.

In the overall, carpets remain as one of your wise investments for the home. The soft feel and welcoming effect of carpets, makes coming home each day, not a drab routine but a renewing experience.

Is A Cleaning And Maintenance Franchise For You?

There is a slate of incredible franchise opportunities in the market today and one of the most exciting businesses prospects involves owning a cleaning franchise. The most important factor to keep in mind is that cleaning franchises offer all the profitable advantages of owning a franchise business in addition to benefits exclusive to the cleaning industry.

Work from Home with a Cleaning Franchise

There are several benefits for entrepreneurs interested in operating a cleaning franchise. The chance to earn a home-based income is one of the most attractive aspects of this franchise opportunity. For many people, working from home sounds too good to be true. However, investing in a franchise business is the most sensible and lucrative ways to build a home-based company.

For example, when you become part of a franchise, you have the advantage of a well-established brand name. Merry Maids, a cleaning franchise that has been in business for 25 years, has the highest name awareness in its industry. Rather than starting a home-cleaning business on your own, why not purchase a Merry Maids cleaning franchise? Once you consider the name awareness, training and third party support, the modest capital investment just makes sense.

Furthermore, there are many carpet cleaning franchises that allow franchisees to earn a home-based income. For instance, the ServiceMaster Clean franchise business offers this kind of flexibility with a low-cost investment. This company has been in the franchising business for over 50 years and they offer financing assistance to franchisees. Additionally, if you are would like to participate in a unique marketing opportunity, you may be interested in ChemDry Carpet Cleaning. This particular carpet cleaning franchise partners with Home Depot, which allows franchisees to set up displays in its stores.

Most importantly, services like carpet cleaning will always be in demand. In fact, recent reports show that infants and young children frequently encounter high amounts of lead from dust in the floors of their homes. For reasons like these, families are willing to hire carpet cleaning professionals to make sure that their floors are clean – and safe. Ultimately, when you become part of a great franchise business, you have an edge over your competition. The floor cleaning industry is booming and the sky really is the limit for this franchise opportunity.

Even more appealing, when you own a franchise of any kind, whether home-based or on location, you have the chance to be your own boss. This means choosing a franchise business based on the amount of time you would like to invest and the money you would like to earn.

Cleaning Franchises Offer Training and Support

Even though you have plenty of experience cleaning your own home, you will undoubtedly have questions about how to manage your house cleaning franchise. Perhaps you have shampooed your own carpets plenty of times. Still, you would most likely seek professional training before launching a carpet cleaning franchise. Moreover, even seemingly simple cleaning services like pet waste disposal and junk removal can become complicated when you consider the business aspects. That is where franchise businesses can be an especially wise investment. After all, your success contributes to their success.

It should come as no surprise that most every franchise business provides training, ongoing support and even financing. This kind of assistance can only be found when working with experienced franchises rather than building a business alone.

For example, most franchise businesses will help you implement a marketing plan, choose the best location for your store (if applicable) and other intricacies involved with their respective industries. In addition, many of these companies take training a step further by helping you recruit clients and even employees.

One example of this is the Coverall Cleaning Company franchise. As a leader in the commercial cleaning industry, Coverall Cleaning Company will help you obtain a customer base. Furthermore, you receive assistance with billing and collection services. Additionally, dry cleaning franchise businesses like Lapel’s Dry Cleaning will help you negotiate with garment care specialists, which will allow you to focus on the details of operating a retail store. However, if you choose to run a plant in addition to your store, you receive all the necessary training to help you run a successful, environmentally friendly plant.

How Cleaning Franchises are Especially Profitable

The number of two-income families continues to increase, which means that fewer families have someone available to assume full time roles as homemakers and caregivers. As you may know from your own personal experiences or from someone you love, there is little time left once a person returns home from a full day of work.

Plus, not many people are willing to spend the entire weekend cleaning their homes or businesses. After all, so much hard work should afford them some leisure time! As you may have already determined, families are happy to hire cleaning professionals. As more and more professionals enter the workforce, their time becomes increasingly valuable. Most importantly house cleaning, carpet cleaning, pool sanitizing, garage organizing and junk removal services are sought after more and more. Thus, these services are more valuable than ever.

Furthermore, people realize that purchasing the services offered by a cleaning franchise can actually improve the health of their families. In today’s world, people are acutely aware that their living environments have a direct affect on health. When you decide to take advantage of this incredible franchise opportunity, you tap into a growing market where people are willing to hire franchise businesses like 1-800 Water Damage, DUCTZ Duct Cleaning and The Duct Genie. After all, chemical pollutants and allergens in the air are not just nuisances anymore. People see them as a threat to the health and well being of their families. As the proud owner of a cleaning franchise, you have the opportunity to provide cleaner, healthier homes and businesses. Most of all, you enjoy the fruits of a profitable business franchise.

Now is a great time to own a cleaning franchise and become part of a very lucrative and growing industry. One of the most important things to remember is to take the time to research all the options available to aspiring entrepreneurs like you. There is a variety of different cleaning franchises that can make your dreams of become a successful business owner a reality.

12 Things To Know About Carpet Cleaning

Carpets, there in all of our homes. Of course it’s a given that at some point you will be doing some carpet cleaning. Here are 12 things to know about carpet cleaning that will make your life easier.
1. Toxic
Most of the products on the market for carpet cleaning are safe and will have a minimal impact on the environment. However some of the carpet cleaning products do contain toxic chemicals which can be hazardous to the person using them as well as other people in the house or pets. So be sure to read the labels carefully before using. Always try to choose a product with the least amount of chemicals and in the mildest you can find that will work.
2. Clean Often
It’s always best to clean your carpets on a regular basis. If you do not clean your carpets on a regular basis you will need to use a stronger chemical product because the dirt will have ground itself deeper into the carpet and it becomes more difficult to lift. Cleaning your carpets on a regular basis is easier on the environment, your health, and it will help extend the life of the carpet.
3. Use Caution
Read labels very carefully. Not only on the product but on any documentation provided with the carpet. Should you use the wrong product or a product with stronger chemical than your carpet can handle you could damage the carpet.
4. Hire The Pros
If you are not comfortable with cleaning your carpets yourself or you can’t be bothered to rent a carpet cleaning machine, drag it home, and get to work, then hire the pros! There are many professionals that will clean your carpets for a very reasonable fee and give you a guarantee on the work they do.
5. Installation
If you are laying new carpets chances are the reason you are doing this is because you want them to look appealing and accent the room while at the same time providing functionality. If you install the carpet poorly or install the wrong type of carpet for the area you will have a higher maintenance cost and the carpets will need to be cleaned more frequently. So make sure you choose the correct carpets. Regular vacuuming and spot removal will also lower your cleaning maintenance costs.
6. The Right Underlay
The underlay is more important than you might think and is directly related to carpet cleaning. You need to match the underlay to the type of carpet you will be installing. Carpet should not be placed in areas were water, chemicals or hard to clean products could be spilled on the carpet. Kitchens, copy rooms, lockers, and entrances to buildings are not a good location to place carpets because your carpet cleaning costs will be high. Poor grade underlay will affect how the stain soaks into the carpet and how difficult stain removal becomes.
7. Stop The Worst
The worst soiling on your carpets comes from outside. So if you stop outside soil from coming in contact with your carpet you will reduce the amount of chemical cleaners you will have to use. Place a large walking mat at all outside entrances Every few days you should vacuum the mats this will prevent soil from entering the carpeted areas of your home. Have visitors remove their shoes so that they aren’t dragging that loose dirt across the carpets.
8. Vacuum Often
Believe it or not daily vacuuming with a good vacuum cleaner that has good suction and a power head with a brush type power bar will help to eliminate soil build up and reduce the amount of times you will need carpet cleaning performed. That’s because the dirt gets picked up before it has a chance to get ground in and soil the carpet.
9. No Drinks
Limit the places you allow the kids to have drinks and messy foods. If you have young children make them stay seated while drinking. If you are really concerned about reducing staining then don’t let any family member’s family drink or carry soft drinks, coffee or other food items across the carpet.
10. Act Fast
If you can react to the spill immediately and any spots you see with a good spot remover you will help prevent stain from becoming permanent and it will save you having to use a carpet cleaner. Be careful what you use to remove stains because if you use the wrong chemicals you could smear the stain and spread it further and deeper into the carpet. Always first try clear cold water and blotting with a cloth to remove the stain and only move on to a stronger product only as a last resort.
11. Toxic Chemicals
You should know that carpet spot removal cleaning products contain some of the most dangerous chemicals found in any cleaning products. If you us these products be sure to wear gloves and use the cleaner according to the manufactures directions. Avoid all type 4 spot removers because they contain Tetrachlorethylene which is very toxic to people and pets.
12. Steam Cleaners
Steam or rotary cleaners for carpets use a fairly mild products so they are an excellent choice. But you can still misuse them so follow the directions carefully. If you use this type of cleaner you will have to be careful that you do not saturate the carpet with hot water because if you do it will take longer to dry and may result in damage to the carpet.
Some of the cleaners supplied with the machines you rent from the local store are highly toxic so be sure the room or rooms you are working in have a good supply of fresh air. Be sure to keep kids and pets off the newly cleaned carpets until it is dry because there is always a residue left on the carpets that can be harmful to kids or pets. Always let the carpets dry completely and then vacuum right after it is dry to remove any residual contaminants.
These 12 things to know about carpet cleaning that will make your life easier much easier and keep you on top of the carpet cleaning game.

Cleaning Business Opportunities

If you are looking for a business venture to get into, then a cleaning business opportunity could be right up your street. In today’s busy world more and more people are turning to hiring house cleaners to take care of their homes. The cleaning business provides several options and opportunities to start and run a successful full or part time business, big or small.

People want and need all types of cleaning, from regular full general house cleaners to laundry specialists, carpet and upholstery and janitorial services.

The cleaning business is one business which provides a vast array of opportunities to get your foot into the door of the business world.

Good general house cleaners are always in demand, with more people following careers rather than staying home, reliable, professional cleaners are worth their weight in gold. The lay out costs are relatively cheap, with cleaning materials, equipment and reliable transport being all that’s really needed to get you started. Of course you will have to promote your business, but this can be done by advertising locally to begin with.

Another way to get into the cleaning business is to choose to go commercially. Hospitals, schools, restaurants and day care centres all rely on good hard working, professional cleaners to keep things in tip top shape. Although there will be a little more cost involved if you choose to go commercially the start up costs are still relatively small.

The hours you could work might differ from going into peoples homes, as offices, schools e.t.c could prefer night time or very early morning cleaners.

Specialist services such as carpet and upholstery cleaning is also another popular business to get into. The majority of these start out being run from home and then expand. The cheapest way to get into this specialist area is to start residentially rather than go for office cleaning, as this will need larger and more specialist equipment. Along with carpets many businesses also supply upholstery, fabric and drapery cleaning services.

As you can see there is a whole choice of cleaning business opportunities out there, it’s just a matter of choosing the one most suitable to you.

Don’t leave your blinds hanging – Vertical blinds cleaning tips

Are constantly fighting off dust in the battle to keep your home fresh and clean? Do you feel like your losing the battle against grease and grime? What does your home say about you? Household cleaning is a regular, ongoing and everyday job. It can seem never ending and is often thankless. Dirty blinds and stained carpets can really make your home un welcoming. One of the biggest jobs is cleaning your vertical blinds. These are important because they present your house both inside and out. These simple vertical blind cleaning tips will help you keep on top of the cleaning.

Vertical blinds can be a nightmare to clean but if left to gather dust and cobwebs they are a nightmare to look at. You need to dust them regularly as you do the rest of your home. Use a duster that will lift the dust right off the blinds rather than just move it around. Other vertical blind cleaning tips that have proven effective include. Using a dust or enzyme spray, use a dust spray to loosen and remove dust from blinds and other hard to reach places. For extensive cleaning which you may like to do once a month with vertical blinds you need to take them down. Depending on material you may only need to vacuum the blinds. You can also soak, scrub and rinse blinds to remove stains. Soak vertical blinds in the bathtub or rinse them outside with hose after cleaning. Use your own home remedy or professional cleaning supplies.

You can use your own household solutions or vertical blind cleaning tips for cleaning blinds but it is also a good idea to use professional cleaning supplies. You can use a soft cloth to wipe down your blinds after soaking or a brush to scrub away excess dirt. If you want to leave them hanging during cleaning you can use a duster, dust cloth, spray or vacuum. Most fabrics will clean up relatively easily and may only require a regular dusting. If your blinds are looking a bit worse for wear just use some of these vertical blinds cleaning tips.

For other tricky cleaning endeavours use some of the best household cleaning tips to make the job a little easier. You will find you have much of what you need already on hand in your home. A number of areas require special attention in your housecleaning efforts. If you focus on these specific areas your home will sparkle and you will be able to notice the difference. Some of the main areas that need extra attention are carpets, kitchen and bathroom. These areas if left to fester will really affect the outlook of your home. With a little care and cleaning they can brighten up the household.

The best household cleaning tips for general carpet cleaning are; use professional cleaning supplies that suit your carpet type and fabric for general cleaning and stain removal. You can use a number of general household cleaning products to remove various substances that may get on your carpet. Windex is helpful for removing paint. For marker or pen marks you can use a cloth soaked in alcohol to remove the stain, dab do not rub. For liquid spills or pet urine first soak up the liquid with paper towels then clean the area with warm soapy water. Rinse with clean water and dry. You can also use a combination of water and vinegar to blot the stain, remember to rinse and dry before sprinkling with baking soda or carpet deodoriser. The other option for stains on carpet or for general cleaning is a professional carpet cleaner.

The best household cleaning tips for your kitchen are also the simplest. The kitchen is the one place in the house that needs constant attention. For hygiene and health reasons it is always best to go with the proven professional cleaning supplies. Dusting is the first step and you can use either a spray or handheld duster. Use professional cleaning supplies for oven cleaning, surfaces and dishes.

The bathroom is susceptible to all kinds of cleaning nightmares. The best household cleaning tips for bathrooms are regularity and professional cleaning. Professional cleaning supplies such as disinfectant, toilet, shower and floor cleaners are a must when it comes to keeping your bathroom germ free.

So with these vertical blinds cleaning tips making hard jobs easy and the best household cleaning tips you will find you will have extra time in your life to do the things your really enjoy.