Carpet Cleaning Services Focused On Allergy Relief

Allergies are immune system reactions to foreign substances such as pollen and pet dander. When people have allergies, their immune systems identify these substances as harmful and react in ways that inflame airways, skin, sinuses, and other parts of the body. According to the Canadian Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Foundation, approximately 20 to 25 percent of Canadians suffer from hay fever and 2.5 million Canadians have asthma. Carpet cleaning services that make allergy relief a top priority are the providers of choice for these individuals.

Though many Canadians live with allergies, they do not need to suffer. Allergists recommend lifestyle changes that include reducing exposure to household airborne allergens such as pet dander and dust mites. Washing bedding in hot water regularly, maintaining a low indoor humidity level, and using a vacuum that features a high-efficiency particulate air filter or other fine filter may provide relief.

Carpeting harbors pet dander, residue from dust mites, and allergens tracked indoors on clothing and footwear. Cleaning carpets extracts these substances, leaving the floor covering free of debris and improving the quality of indoor air. By controlling dust mite allergens, carpet cleaners help to prevent asthma attacks and the onset of other chronic illnesses. Allergy treatment for carpets features powerful ingredients that neutralize the protein in dust mite feces, providing immediate relief to people suffering from allergies.

Though this treatment is strong, it is not harmful to humans. In fact, it is all-natural and hypo-allergenic so customers need not worry about toxin release. Carpet treatment designed for allergy relief contains no detergents or soaps so children with sensitive skin will not experience irritation when playing on clean carpeting. The treatment is made from renewable vegetable and fruit seeds, making it as natural as possible.

Dust mites may be microscopic but they can cause big problems for allergy sufferers, making it important to remove all remnants of them. The typical dust mite lays hundreds of eggs and produces 200 times its body weight in excrement. It lives where residents spend most of their time, making it important to treat upholstery and bedding in addition to carpeting.

Allergies range from mild to severe but all are uncomfortable. Carpet cleaning services focused on allergy relief help people suffering from asthma and hay fever by removing dust mite residue, pet dander, and other allergens from carpet fibers. Cleaner carpeting means fewer airborne allergens, resulting in fewer sneezes, sniffles, and puffy eyes. 

Homeowner's Summer Checklist

Summer is finally here! After all the storms this winter, it’s the perfect time to give your home a checkup. Every home needs some maintenance during the year, and most folks also do about one improvement project each year. As you look ahead to the best months for repair and remodeling, a little planning can save you both money and time.

Now is a great time to take pen and paper and go through every room in your home. Check the exterior too. Make a list of every chore that needs to be done. As you complete the chores, check them off the list. Make sure that you delegate some of the work to other members of the household too. For the jobs you can’t do yourself, hire a professional.

Here are answers to some of the most common maintenance questions:

Q: I barely have time to deal with the obvious repair items, how am I supposed to find time to do a thorough inspection of my home?

A: Most people who use the checklist as an organizing tool report that it ultimately saves time. When you know the full range of projects you face, you can group projects. How many times have you had a plumber out for one problem, like clearing a drain or fixing a leak; but forgotten to get him to fix a toilet or change a washer at the same time? If you have a complete “to do” list, you’ll get all your plumbing problems taken care of in just one visit by the plumber. This is true for electrical projects as well. For small painting and carpentry jobs, you can save a huge amount of time by getting it all done as one project.

Q: My heating and air conditioning company sells a service plan that includes a spring tune-up. Is that necessary or just a way to get more money out of me?

A: Many heating and air conditioning companies sell such services. If you still have the paperwork that came with the your unit, it will include recommended maintenance. Most units do not require annual, professional maintenance. However, there are simple things you can and should do yourself. Most important, you should keep the outside unit clear of debris, vines and shrubs. Filters should be cleaned or changed following the manufacturers schedule.

Many people opt to have annual servicing by a professional firm to reduce the chances of a breakdown during a period of heavy use.. The technician can often spot problems before they are noticeable to you, and by taking care of it on the spot, prevent a system failure at a time when it might be very hard to get a technician out to your home.

Q: My house just needs one or two minor repairs and I can’t find anyone who’s willing to do such small jobs. What can I do?

A: If you take the time to look over your whole home, you’ll probably find there are quite a few minor things. Besides repairs, there might be small improvements as well; things like adding a shelf in the pantry, replacing faulty kitchen cabinet handles, or adding a longer handrail to the back steps.

If you take a little time you will usually find that you can put together a bundle of small jobs that starts to be pretty attractive to a carpenter or handy person. If you are planning a more significant project this season, such as a deck or porch enclosure, it is fairly easy to get the small items taken care of in conjunction with the larger project.

Q: I’m a retired widow and my husband used to take care of all the house things. I don’t think I can do an inspection myself. What can I do?

A: Working with a good checklist, almost everyone can inspect his or her own home. While you won’t be as effective as someone with more experience, you’ll get better every time you do it. It’s a good idea to get more familiar with your home, and doing an inspection is an ideal way to start. If you need help, enlist a trusted neighbor or a family member.

By making a list and setting a goal to complete it, you’ll get a lot more work done then you would if you don’t have a written plan. As the old saying goes, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail! With a written list, you’ll enjoy a great feeling of accomplishment once every item on the list is crossed off. Have a great summer.

Traffic Lanes On Your Carpets

Understanding Traffic Lanes And Traffic Patterns And What Can Be Done About Them

Often, we forget that carpeting is a textile, just like our upholstery, linens and clothing. When we pay $50 for jeans, we are not upset when the seat and knees become threadbare. Why, on the other hand, do we feel that carpet should last a lifetime? After all, it is a fabric, similar to other products made from textiles.

           

The main reason a carpet shows signs of premature wear is because of improper maintenance. If major traffic lanes were vacuumed more frequently and spots and spills were cleaned properly, carpeting would look better and last longer.

           

Traffic lanes and patterns are usually caused by the following factors: Traffic lane gray, soiling, matting and wear. We will review each problem, how it is caused and what can be done to prevent it.

Traffic Lane Gray

Carpets are known to eventually show signs of wear. This wear creates an illusion of soiling, which often causes frustration and misunderstanding between homeowners and carpet care experts. Even though a carpet has been cleaned, it doesn’t mean that it will look the same as the rest of the carpet. Wear often causes what is known as traffic lane gray, a condition that has been nicknamed “ugly out.”

There is not a lot that a carpet care expert can do with “ugly out.” If a 10-year-old carpet is cleaned, you have a clean 10-year-old carpet. Just as a clean pair of old jeans will show wear and discoloration around the knees, a clean old carpet will show signs of wear in the traffic lanes.

Soiling

The main cause of traffic lane soiling is tracking in soil, dust, airborne pollutants, and food and beverages spilled on the carpet.

Soil damages a carpet as well as making it look dirty. The main problem caused by soil is called fiber abrasion. Fiber abrasion is created by dirt particles scratching and scraping the fiber surface. Scratches and scrapes block light reflection causing these areas to look even dirtier and gray. The easiest way to prevent soil from damaging the fiber is to vacuum regularly.

Matting

There comes a point when carpet fibers no longer return to their original shape. As fibers lose their shape, they begin to look twisted, frayed or distorted, causing the carpet to look dirtier and gray. The easiest way to avoid matting is to vacuum and rake the carpet often. Rearranging furniture also helps to prevent traffic lanes and patterns.

Wear

Wear is a combination of several things. Soil, heavy traffic, loss of fibers, improper vacuuming, improper cleaning and time… all contribute to a worn carpet.

Regular Maintenance

The best way to prevent excessive wear is to properly maintain your carpet. Vacuum every day if possible. Vacuuming removes loose soil before it becomes embedded in the fiber. Removal of abrasive soils from the carpet helps extend its life.

Repel Mildew On Shower Curtains

Add a little salt to a spray bottle of water and spray on shower curtain weekly. Mildew can't stand salt water. This will stop it in it's tracks even before it has a chance to even start. For extra protection, don't forget about the folds. When finished showering, close the curtain. Since mildew can develop in the folds, pulling it straight prevents that from happening.

Tips For Maintaining A Healthy Home

The best way to reduce allergic reaction to indoor allergens is to reduce your exposure to them. Here are some tips for maintaining a healthy home environment:

·   Vacuum carpets, floors and upholstery 2-3 times a week using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.

·   Sweep entrance mats regularly to reduce the amount of tracked in dust and soil.

·   Have your heating & air conditioning system inspected & serviced annually. Use & replace high-efficiency filters on a monthly basis.

·   Wash bed linens and coverings weekly in hot water.

·   Have your carpets & upholstery cleaned by us at least twice per year, more often if you children & pets.

·   Have us clean your mattresses & box springs, then encase them in allergen impermeable covers.

Giving Your Carpets A Fighting Chance

Just like your clothing, your automobile, and your home, your carpet needs regular preventative maintenance to help it look and perform its best. Regular care will not only keep your carpet looking fresh and new, but can actually add years to its life.

Just as you put wax on your car to protect its finish from the elements and to keep it looking newer longer, your carpeting needs a protective treatment too.

Vacuum Up Dirt Easier

Carpet protectant creates an invisible shield, which allows you to vacuum soil away more easily. Proper vacuuming is crucial because it helps remove abrasive dirt particles, which can make your beautiful carpet look dull and dingy. This everyday soil can actually shorten the life of your carpet.

Spill Something? Don't Panic

Protectant provides a "window of opportunity" for you to remove common household stains. Carpets that are unprotected can absorb spills so quickly that even your best efforts to remove them are fruitless. Carpet protectant creates an invisible barrier, which helps keep stains (like fruit punch) from becoming a permanent part of the carpet fibers. While no carpet is bulletproof, carpet protectant gives you a fighting chance.

You take pride in the appearance of your home. After all, it says a lot about you. Your carpet is a crucial part of your indoor space. Its color, style, condition and cleanliness reflect upon you as an individual. Let protectant help you maintain the beauty of your carpet. The next time we clean your carpets, us for carpet protectant. You will be glad you did!

Here Comes The Pollen

Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Open The
Windows… Here Comes The Pollen…Here Comes The
Heat and Humidity!


How often does your house get a breath of fresh air? Today's homes are so energy efficient, they are almost airtight. The only way to completely flush stale air out of your home is to open the windows.

But when is it realistic to have windows open?

Certainly not during the winter months—it's too cold. Most of the summer months are also ruled out—unless you love filling your home with heat, humidity, and pollen. That leaves only spring and fall as "open window" time.

Or does it?

Have you noticed how winter and summer tend to squeeze spring and fall right off the calendar? It seems like half the year we are running our furnaces, and the other half our air conditioning.  The window of opportunity for—open windows—seems at best limited to a few weeks in the spring and fall. And if you suffer from allergies, the window may be closed year-round.

So what does this have to do with carpet cleaning? Glad you asked…

Recent studies have shown carpet plays a major role in the quality of the indoor air you and your family breathes. Carpet acts as a filter, trapping mold spores, bacteria and other air pollutants. Carpeting actually helps clean the air that is trapped inside your home. The drawback is, that just like any filter, your carpet filter must be cleaned regularly. Carpeting can't continue to filter your indoor air without your help.

How can you help?

There are three things your "carpet filter" needs from you.

1.    You must cleanup food spills and water leaks immediately to prevent bacteria and mold and mildew growth.
2.    You need to vacuum your carpet regularly with a vacuum that has a high-filtration bag.
3.    You must have your carpet professionally deep cleaned at least annually. (More often for homes with allergy sufferers. Heavy traffic areas may need more frequent spot cleanings.)

Great News! You also get a bonus benefit when you keep your carpet filter clean!

Clean carpet not only improves indoor air quality—clean carpet lasts longer too. Wear is caused when dirt and grit grind away at your carpet's fibers. With regular vacuuming and professional cleaning, your carpet will look like new for years to come.