Posted by Jason Gettum on Thu, Nov 01, 2012 @ 06:00 AM
Steps for Clean and Fresh Carpets
Keeping carpets clean and fresh is very important part of the routine cleaning because it is the ground where the children gather to play, where every day the whole family dinner in the dining room or living room takes place, where you often step on when you have cold feet. Take good care of your carpet and it will pay off, creating unparalleled comfort in your home.
Clean Regularly with a Vacuum Cleaner
Your worst enemy at home is dust. It can cause allergies, asthma, and other breathing difficulties or health problems. The most common places where dust is accumulated, are carpets, rugs and under the beds. It is important to clean these areas regularly. It is good to vacuum the carpet at least 2 times a week to prevent the accumulation of dust and dirt. Once a month, you can clean with a wet rag.
Seasonal Washing
No matter how thoroughly you clean the carpet at home with a vacuum cleaner and a rag, accumulations of dust cannot be removed completely. It is, therefore, necessary to wash the carpet at least twice a year. The perfect moment for that is during the spring or autumn cleaning – use either, or better – both occasions. Excellent results are achieved with the help of steam cleaners because the steam penetrates between the fibers with high power and strength, and removes all the dirt and bacteria.
Remove the Stains on Time
The biggest enemies of your carpets are coffee, drinks, wine, oil, and children and pets, and they can cause some serious damages on it. It is really important to react quickly in such situations. Do not leave stains to stay longer because they dry and deposit deeply into the carpet. For old and persistent stains, stir a mixture of a spoonful of vinegar and a tablespoon of cornstarch. Apply on the carpet with a dry cloth. Leave it for 2 days and clean with a vacuum cleaner.
Change the Position of the Carpet or Furniture
When the carpet in the living room, for example, stands for a long time in a certain position, you can notice the so-called “traffic areas”. These are sections of carpet where you most often step or sit, or where your kids play. On the other hand, areas that remain tucked under a sofa or bed keep their fresh color and are visibly clean. To avoid this situation and to prevent the formation of traffic areas, rearrange furniture or the carpet itself from time to time.
Choose a Compact Carpet
If you are just going to buy a carpet, choose a model with compact dimensions. Anyway, big, heavy and expensive rugs are out of date. This is a practical advice to women who dream of perfectly clean house, because the smaller and lighter the carpet is, the easier it will be to take care of it. One of the precautions you can take is to buy quality mats. They will capture not only larger particles, but the smaller ones as well, and, that way, you will prevent your home from all the dirt and dust that come from the outside.
About the author:
Cindy Davis is dedicated writer and blogger. She is mainly focused around home maintenance and home improvement projects. Therefore she presently contributes articles on office and household cleaning.
Posted by Jason Gettum on Thu, Oct 04, 2012 @ 06:45 AM
How to remove toilet stains
Question:
I have ugly water stains in my toilet. Can you suggest a solution for removing them?
- Michelle Stewart
Answer:
Sure Michelle.
There are several commercial, products that would do the trick. However, there are other, eco-friendly solutions that can be done with simple, inexpensive products rather than harsh chemicals. Follow the steps below.
Steps to clean stains from a toilet-
- Drain the water from your toilet bowl
- Pour a 2 liter of cola the affected area and allow it to set for 4-6 hours
- Use a pumice stone to scrub away the loosened deposits. The pumice stone should not scratch the surface as long as you do not scrub too hard.
If deposits or stains remain, simply repeat these simple steps until they are gone.
Good luck!
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Posted by Jason Gettum on Thu, Jul 12, 2012 @ 09:25 AM
Clean your window screens as part of routine summer maintenance
Window screen maintenance tips and advice
Oftentimes overlooked during yearly maintenance, window screens need regular cleaning and care. Gettum Associate Inc, Indianapolis home experts recommend removing and cleaning window screens every year for maximum performance in the home.
Window screens are generally made of fiberglass or aluminum mesh and require proper maintenance to allow for maximum airflow into the home and prevent insects from getting in the house.
Window screen cleaning tips:
To clean window screens, remove the screens from the window frame, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Place the screens on a flat surface (such as the driveway) and use mild soap and water with a soft bristle brush to remove dirt and grime. Clean both sides of the screen and around the interior and exterior of the frame. Rinse off the unit with lukewarm water. Allow the screen to dry completely before replacing in the window.
Never pressure wash screens or windows because the force of the water may damage the units. Use extreme care when cleaning aluminum mesh, since it can be dented or creased if too much. pressure is placed on the screen.
Maintaining Window Screens:
While most window screens may remain in the windows year-round, some homeowners prefer to store screens during winter months. If you choose to remove your window screens, make certain to store them either in an upright or flat position. Covering them with plastic or a sheet will keep them clean while in storage. And, make sure nothing sits on top of (or leans against) the screens to eliminate the chance of bending of the frames or poking a hole in the screens.
If a small hole or tear does occur in your screen, patch kits are available in most hardware and home stores. Homeowners unhappy with the look of a patch (or who have a large gash in their screen) may choose to get the screen mesh replaced on the entire unit. Many cities have screen repair services where you can take your screen frame and have new mesh added to replace torn mesh.
Window Screen Safety:
Screens are not meant for animals or children to lean up against. Screens can be damaged or pop out if a child or animal pushes against them with enough force. Never consider a screen a safety feature in the home … they’re available only to allow in the flow of air, not to restrict anything of force. Another safety tip for the home is not to place cribs or furniture directly under a window. Children can climb and push out on the screens when the windows are open, resulting in a potential fall.
Window screens are terrific for ventilating the house and keeping insects outside, but that’s all they’re intended to do. Maintain their screens regularly and make sure to keep the bottom sash of windows closed when children and pets are around to prevent potential problems.
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Posted by Jason Gettum on Sun, Apr 29, 2012 @ 09:38 AM
Deck maintenance-Indianapolis home advice
How often should a deck be cleaned and how long does a sealant last?
QUESTION: I’d like to make sure that I’m on the right maintenance schedule for my deck. How often should I have it cleaned and how long does sealant last? - Bob Ryan
ANSWER: That’s a great question Bob. Many people realize too late that without proper maintenance the lifespan of your deck can be surprisingly short. First let me say that spring, summer, and fall are typically the best time for deck maintenance. The key factor is temperature.
Almost all deck preservative products cure and dry properly when the temperature is at least 50 degrees. Cleaning and sealing your deck depends on climate, weather, and sun exposure. Decks in the direct sunlight tend to fade and dry out. Decks in humid and shady areas may grow algae and fungus spores. Both problems require attention yearly, or no later than two seasons apart. One additional factor to consider is your choice of products. Having your deck cleaned and sealed with quality products will help prolong your enjoyment of your outdoor getaway.
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Posted by Jason Gettum on Thu, Apr 12, 2012 @ 07:30 AM
Quick Tips to Tackle Spring Cleaning
Spring is here and with it comes the annual ritual of seasonal cleaning. During the month of April you can expect that nearly every house from one end of town to the other will have large piles of “stuff” out for the garbage.
Here are a few basic tips to help get your spring cleaning projects underway:
- Dust each room, including all knickknacks and bookshelves.
- Clean the telephones, keyboards, tables, desks, doorknobs, light switches, hanging lights, ceiling fans, and yes, even the walls. The walls might not seem dirty, but if you don’t wipe them down every year or so they could build up dirt and grease, which could alter the color of your walls.
- Clean all mirrors and windows.
- Throw away old newspapers, junk mail, and magazines.
- Use white vinegar and rubbing alcohol to polish and shine chrome fixtures.
- Clean out the fridge and freezer.
- Vacuum all rooms of the house, including the windowsills, bookshelves, air vents, and under the furniture.
- Give your stove a good cleaning - inside, out and behind. Replace the dials, if necessary.
- Clean out the inside and outside of your washer and dryer. Sweep behind them and under them to ensure that stray items are removed that could cause a fire. Vacuum out the dryer vent as well, to keep lint at a minimum. Speaking of dryer safety, have you read our dryer vent saftey blog?
Follow these quick tips and you'll be well on your way to tackling spring cleaning early this season and enjoying a little more relaxation during the summer months ahead.
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