How Should I Clean My Carpets?

Carpet cleaning like cooking can be done using different recipes and getting satisfactory results. Lets look at some of the methods currently being used. A skilled carpet cleaner can get the job done using almost any machine or method. Hot water extraction commonly called steam cleaning uses the hottest water possible to get the soil out of a carpet. Pressurized hot water is sprayed onto the carpet and immediately vacuumed off. The pressurized water provides agitation. Water can be heated to as high as 300 degrees f in the carpet machine. After the water passes through hose and wand and hits the carpet it can be as hot as 120 to 250 degrees f. The more suction the carpet machine has the better. The dirty water is vacuumed into a tank for latter disposal. Pre-spraying the carpet and agitating heavily soiled areas with a carpet rake helps get the carpet cleaner. It is beneficial to rinse the carpet with an acidic rinse to return the carpet to a neutral state. Also air movers can speed drying.

During steam cleaning if the furniture is moved and the carpet is cleaned, the following should be done to protect the carpet when the furniture is put back into place on the damp carpet. Foam blocks or plastic squares can be put under the furniture legs to prevent varnish or rust stains from developing.

Bonnet cleaning or absorbent pad cleaning is used when a carpet is not too heavily soiled. For example between steam or restorative cleanings. This is referred to as maintenance cleaning. Some popular methods of bonnet cleaning mix club soda (carbon dioxide and water) with a bonnet cleaning solution and spray it onto the carpet as a mist. This is not technically dry cleaning but it is a lot drier than steam cleaning. A cotton pad is rotated on top of the carpet using a low speed floor machine at 175 rpm. The pad is lubricated by the cleaning solution and picks up soil. The pad is then soaked and rung out in a bucket of bonnet cleaning solution. The pad can be used again until it is filled with soil. At this point a new pad is put into service. The bonnet or absorbent pad can be use again after washing.

The bonnet cleaning method can be used in conjunction with steam cleaning to improve the overall cleaning. Soil which can wick back in heavily soiled areas can be pulled from the carpet fibers while helping the drying process.

The cleaning methods just described are just 2 of the more popular methods currently being used in 1 form or another. Shop around and experiment and find the one that pleases you. Happy cleaning!

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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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Clean Air Means Less House Cleaning and Dusting? Yep, Sure Does!

Does it seem like you're cleaning all the time? And every time you turn around, there's another layer of dust on that piece of furniture? Time for carpet cleaning...again?! Does house cleaning ever end??!!

Let's face it. Very few of us have time to constantly clean and dust. We're just too busy! Plus, in this economy, most of us don't have the extra money for house cleaning services, either! Where does this dust and dirt come from anyway?

Well, it's a combination of stuff we track in from outside, the dust from your ducts / air conditioner vents, and tiny particles that are released when our hands and feet rub across furniture, bedding, carpets, etc. The air that's moving inside the room picks up the particles and those particles settle on everything, and there you go-more dusting and cleaning to do. Ugh.

You mean having clean air can really help us keep up with our fast-paced lives, reduce house cleaning time and the cost of cleaning supplies? Absolutely. It just makes sense. If you can remove the particles from the air, then there will be less to settle and accumulate-in the corners, and in our noses! And you'll get the added benefit of feeling better, with less sneezing and coughing, or even asthma attacks. Don't forget, dust is very dirty stuff, composed of dirt, dead skin cells, dust mite/insect parts, pet dander, bacteria, viruses, pollen, mold spores and more. In a month or so, you'll be happy to notice that you just aren't buying as much cleaning supplies, cleaning services, Swiffer duster refills, carpet cleaning--and probably less allergy medications!

So how do we do clean up the air? All you need is a 1) a good allergy rated filter in your home a/c system, 1500 rating or higher, and 2) get a quality air purifier that can handle the amount of air in your home or room, and has a true HEPA filter, which will remove 99.97% or higher of the particles floating around. Be sure to change the air filter in your home at least every 3 months, and the HEPA filter in your air purifier as indicated by the manufacturer. And the air purifier will actually extend the life of the home air filter, too, so that's another cost reduction!

One very good air purifier we found that is very good for getting rid of dust is the Blueair 403 This unit features durable steel construction, a powerful HEPA filter that removes up to 99.99% of particles, healthy negative ions to further purify the air, and an available lifetime warranty. This will handle rooms 375 square feet and smaller.

For larger spaces, up to 1500 square feet, the Aller Air 5000 Exec works very well.This air purifier features a true HEPA filter, a pre-filter, and a full 18 pounds of activated carbon to remove chemical vapors and odors-vapors and odors that cause allergy attacks, headaches, and more! Got headaches that you can't put your finger on? It really could be in the air!

Both of these air purifiers will definitely reduce the need for house cleaning and dusting, and leave you more time for the important things like family and fun times.

As always, if you have any questions, give us a call at 1-800-701-2513. The expert staff at Air Purifiers and Cleaners.com is standing by to help.

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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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Why Clean Your Air and Appliances?

Is your dryer not performing to its full potential anymore? Clothes taking an extra long time to dry or clothes that are hotter than normal at the end of the cycle are two signs that your appliance needs to be cleaned. Just like air ducts, dryer vents can infect your indoor air quality. If you are trying to improve your air quality and the performance of your appliances, then your best bet is to contact an air cleaning company. They can help with residential and commercial buildings of all sizes.

Homeowners and businesses alike can benefit from air duct cleaning services. A smoothly running HVAC system is important and even more important is the air it is pushing out. Dirty air can seriously take a toll on someone's health. People with allergies or asthma especially should be aware of the quality of air they are breathing in. Breathing in contaminants will only trigger allergenic symptoms and attacks. Those with small children or infants should also remember the importance of having clean ducts. Professional companies can clean every inch of your ducts by using positive and negative air and soft bristles. Any dust or particles clogging the duct will be safely cleaned out and removed without entering the building's air flow. Chemical treatments are also always an option.

Some appliances can be serviced and cleaned to help improve air quality and the safety of a home or business. For example, dryers pose a huge threat when they are not maintained. Clogged dryer vents can be dangerous and are the cause of many fires that could have potentially been avoided. Cleaning your dryer vent professionally guarantees that the machine runs smoother, prevents moisture and mold, increases the system's lifespan, and helps prevent carbon monoxide invasion if it is a gas dryer machine. You can almost always tell when your machine is past due for a vent cleaning because the machine performs differently. Clothes may be hotter than normal at the end of a cycle or they could take much longer to dry than normal. Another sign is if the flapper does open that is on the vent hood when the cycle is running.

Cleaning your air can be done easily by taking advantage of professional air technicians. They can test it for quality and provide multiple different services that help improve quality. Not only do these maintenance services make breathing easier and healthier, but they can help prevent fire.

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