Our beloved household pets are one of the most common sources of allergic conditions. Many people think that pet allergies are triggered by the fur of cats and dogs, but, researchers have found that the major allergens are proteins secreted by oil glands in the animals skin and shed in dander, along with proteins in saliva, which stick to the fur when the animal licks itself. Pet urine is also a major source of allergy-causing proteins.
Cats are more likely than dogs to cause allergic reactions in humans. They lick themselves more frequently and are more often held than dogs. They also tend to spend more time indoors than dogs. Consider the following:
• Vacuum frequently (did I mention that already?)
• Wash hands after handling pets & wear a dust mask when changing a litter box
• Have a non-allergic family member brush pets outdoors frequently.
• Bathe pets weekly, to keep dander from accumulating.
• Keep pets off of furniture.
• Keep pets out of the bedroom.
• Call us to treat urine-damaged areas.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Furniture Care Tips
Furniture Care Tips...
Furniture manufacturers recommend that consumers not wait until severe soiling occurs before cleaning because the greater the soiling, the less the likelihood of restoring the fabric’s original color, appearance, and texture and the greater the adverse affect on indoor environmental quality.
Here are some tips for maintaining your furniture:
• Control soil by using arm caps and rotating seat cushions frequently to prolong life and appearance of areas prone to wear and tear.
• Remove dry soil by vacuuming and, depending on the fabric, brushing to remove dust and soil particles.
• Increased cleaning may be required when fabric is subjected to heavy use, or when it is located in homes occupied with persons with allergies or respiratory sensitivity.
Furniture manufacturers recommend that consumers not wait until severe soiling occurs before cleaning because the greater the soiling, the less the likelihood of restoring the fabric’s original color, appearance, and texture and the greater the adverse affect on indoor environmental quality.
Here are some tips for maintaining your furniture:
• Control soil by using arm caps and rotating seat cushions frequently to prolong life and appearance of areas prone to wear and tear.
• Remove dry soil by vacuuming and, depending on the fabric, brushing to remove dust and soil particles.
• Increased cleaning may be required when fabric is subjected to heavy use, or when it is located in homes occupied with persons with allergies or respiratory sensitivity.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Caring For Your Carpet
.Put walk-off mats inside and outside every entrance to the home.
.Also place mats at carpet entrance from high traffic areas like kitchens.
.Keep mats clean:vacuum frequently and machine wash or hose and squeegee clean.
.Vacuum traffic areas 3 to 5 times per week, all open areas weekly.
.Reapply protective finish each time carpet is cleaned.
.Clean your carpet at least once a year.
.Seek and remove spillables before they spill.
.Clean spills up immediately.
.Also place mats at carpet entrance from high traffic areas like kitchens.
.Keep mats clean:vacuum frequently and machine wash or hose and squeegee clean.
.Vacuum traffic areas 3 to 5 times per week, all open areas weekly.
.Reapply protective finish each time carpet is cleaned.
.Clean your carpet at least once a year.
.Seek and remove spillables before they spill.
.Clean spills up immediately.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Pet Stains
• Blot up as much of the urine as possible. Do not scrub. When you think you have as much of it up as possible, blot the area again using a towel soaked in warm water. Be careful not to get the area too wet—you may force the urine deeper. Blot the area again with a dry towel.
• Next, apply a low-residue carpet spot remover, let sit for 60 seconds and again blot the spot.
• Finally, fold a dry towel to several layers, place over the spot and apply at least 10 pounds of weight. Let it sit overnight. When you remove the towel, fluff the carpet up and allow to dry. If the spot returns after a few days, repeat the last two steps.
After the carpet dries, stick your nose down to the carpet and give it a good whiff. Any odor? If so, please be very careful what you use. Most store-bought deodorizers only work in mild odor situations. Don’t over-use them, you may do more harm than good. Call us if you need help.
• Blot up as much of the urine as possible. Do not scrub. When you think you have as much of it up as possible, blot the area again using a towel soaked in warm water. Be careful not to get the area too wet—you may force the urine deeper. Blot the area again with a dry towel.
• Next, apply a low-residue carpet spot remover, let sit for 60 seconds and again blot the spot.
• Finally, fold a dry towel to several layers, place over the spot and apply at least 10 pounds of weight. Let it sit overnight. When you remove the towel, fluff the carpet up and allow to dry. If the spot returns after a few days, repeat the last two steps.
After the carpet dries, stick your nose down to the carpet and give it a good whiff. Any odor? If so, please be very careful what you use. Most store-bought deodorizers only work in mild odor situations. Don’t over-use them, you may do more harm than good. Call us if you need help.
• Next, apply a low-residue carpet spot remover, let sit for 60 seconds and again blot the spot.
• Finally, fold a dry towel to several layers, place over the spot and apply at least 10 pounds of weight. Let it sit overnight. When you remove the towel, fluff the carpet up and allow to dry. If the spot returns after a few days, repeat the last two steps.
After the carpet dries, stick your nose down to the carpet and give it a good whiff. Any odor? If so, please be very careful what you use. Most store-bought deodorizers only work in mild odor situations. Don’t over-use them, you may do more harm than good. Call us if you need help.
• Blot up as much of the urine as possible. Do not scrub. When you think you have as much of it up as possible, blot the area again using a towel soaked in warm water. Be careful not to get the area too wet—you may force the urine deeper. Blot the area again with a dry towel.
• Next, apply a low-residue carpet spot remover, let sit for 60 seconds and again blot the spot.
• Finally, fold a dry towel to several layers, place over the spot and apply at least 10 pounds of weight. Let it sit overnight. When you remove the towel, fluff the carpet up and allow to dry. If the spot returns after a few days, repeat the last two steps.
After the carpet dries, stick your nose down to the carpet and give it a good whiff. Any odor? If so, please be very careful what you use. Most store-bought deodorizers only work in mild odor situations. Don’t over-use them, you may do more harm than good. Call us if you need help.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Cleaning Tips
. Do not mix ammonia and vinegar together. They will neutralize each other.
. Vacuum cobwebs instead of smashing them on the surface with a broom or dust mop. They are sticky and can leave a stain.
. Wash your painted walls instead of repainting. It's faster and cheaper. You can have them professionally washed for a fraction of the cost of repainting.
. When washing walls or floors, use two buckets. One with a cleaning solution, one with clear rinse water. Rinse your sponge or mop in the rinse water before placing it in the solution bucket. Change the rinse water frequently. You will use less cleaning solution with this method.
. Remove crayon marks from painted walls with lighter fluid.
. Remove black shoe marks from flooring with an eraser.
. To wash window screens, lay them on a flat surface with an old sheet underneath. Apply cleaning solution, scrub them gently with a brush, rinse with a hose and shake off excess water.
. Rotate area rugs so that they soil and wear more evenly. If they have a pad under them, vacuum it annually.
. Use a hair dryer to blow dust from dried flower arrangements or silk flowers before vacuuming the room.
. Remove candle wax from holders by placing them in the freezer for an hour.Then peel off the frozen wax.
. Vacuum cobwebs instead of smashing them on the surface with a broom or dust mop. They are sticky and can leave a stain.
. Wash your painted walls instead of repainting. It's faster and cheaper. You can have them professionally washed for a fraction of the cost of repainting.
. When washing walls or floors, use two buckets. One with a cleaning solution, one with clear rinse water. Rinse your sponge or mop in the rinse water before placing it in the solution bucket. Change the rinse water frequently. You will use less cleaning solution with this method.
. Remove crayon marks from painted walls with lighter fluid.
. Remove black shoe marks from flooring with an eraser.
. To wash window screens, lay them on a flat surface with an old sheet underneath. Apply cleaning solution, scrub them gently with a brush, rinse with a hose and shake off excess water.
. Rotate area rugs so that they soil and wear more evenly. If they have a pad under them, vacuum it annually.
. Use a hair dryer to blow dust from dried flower arrangements or silk flowers before vacuuming the room.
. Remove candle wax from holders by placing them in the freezer for an hour.Then peel off the frozen wax.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Clean Secrets
True or False: You can make your water clean better and clean easier.
True: To a sink of sudsy water, add 1 tablespoon of bleach to kill germs and a few drops of water softener to make cleaning agents penetrate faster.
True or False: There are more harmful germs on your bed sheets than on your sofa.
False: Sofa's have more germs because they don't get cleaned enough, while sheets are washed often.
True or False: For dust allergy sufferers, hard floors are better for health than carpets.
False: Properly maintained carpets are better, because they hold dust instead of letting it blow around.
True or False: Guests decide if you are dirty or clean by the appearance of your carpet.
True: 60% of your guest's first impression of the inside of your home is formed around the carpet.
True: To a sink of sudsy water, add 1 tablespoon of bleach to kill germs and a few drops of water softener to make cleaning agents penetrate faster.
True or False: There are more harmful germs on your bed sheets than on your sofa.
False: Sofa's have more germs because they don't get cleaned enough, while sheets are washed often.
True or False: For dust allergy sufferers, hard floors are better for health than carpets.
False: Properly maintained carpets are better, because they hold dust instead of letting it blow around.
True or False: Guests decide if you are dirty or clean by the appearance of your carpet.
True: 60% of your guest's first impression of the inside of your home is formed around the carpet.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
What Shoud I Wear On My Feet When Indoors?
The best thing to wear on your feet in the house is white cotton socks. Shoes are abrasive on the carpet and track minute amounts of oils on the carpet (like tar and asphalt), which then attract dirt.
Bare feet also have oils from skin and soap, which attract dirt. So socks or special indoor-only slippers are best. Cotton is great because dirt sticks to cotton easier than it sticks to synthetic carpet fibers.
By wearing cotton socks, you actually pick up some of the dirt that would otherwise end up on the carpet. I suggest white socks, because some socks or slippers have dyes that rub off and stick to the carpet and can stain the carpet permanently.
Bare feet also have oils from skin and soap, which attract dirt. So socks or special indoor-only slippers are best. Cotton is great because dirt sticks to cotton easier than it sticks to synthetic carpet fibers.
By wearing cotton socks, you actually pick up some of the dirt that would otherwise end up on the carpet. I suggest white socks, because some socks or slippers have dyes that rub off and stick to the carpet and can stain the carpet permanently.
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