A1 Sparkles

How Much Does Air Duct Cleaning Cost?

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 11:22:00 GMT

If a company tells you that you have mold in your air ducts, that could be a red flag. I recommend sending that company on its way before any work is done and having a qualified mold testing firm out to your home to verify if in fact mold is present. If so, the tester can provide that information — and a protocol for removing the mold — to a separate mold remediation firm.

Unfortunately, the air duct cleaning industry doesn’t have many regulations. Most states don’t have licensing requirements for air duct cleaners – Connecticut doesn’t — so it’s important to do your research and hire a company with a good reputation. Check online reviews and ask for referrals. Ask potential air duct cleaning companies to provide you with a written checklist of exactly what they will do, and if you hire them, ask them to verify each task as they complete it. Qualified air duct cleaners will follow strict standards set by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association and should be happy to show you their credentials.

Angie Hicks, MCT

I’ve talked to many homeowners who have been victimized by these scams. Even the ones who don’t succumb to the high-pressure techniques are still frequently wronged, as these low-ball companies often use inadequate tools and equipment — like handheld vacuums and drills — to do the work. They quickly go through the house, vacuuming out a few vents, and are gone in less than 30 minutes. A legitimate air duct cleaning should take three to four hours to complete, according to reputable duct cleaning companies that I’ve spoken to.

Q: I’m looking to have my air ducts cleaned but I’ve seen prices vary from $99 to $800. I have not been given an explanation that I believe as the reason for the price difference. What are your thoughts on the reasons for the wide range of costs?

A: My advice is simple: avoid those low-ball offers. Companies offering a super low price on air duct cleaning might do more harm and no good. The fact of the matter is this: The average air duct cleaning for most homes costs between $300 and $500, with factors like the size of the home, the number of ducts and their configuration affecting the price.

The majority of good air duct cleaning companies use outdoor vented equipment, so all the dust and debris they capture is vented and contained outside the home. A duct cleaner who uses inferior equipment can actually cause more harm by agitating and releasing more dust into your home, or worse, damaging your ductwork.

Here’s the problem with those $99 specials (we’ve actually seen them advertised for as low as $49): What typically happens in those scenarios is the company offers this great price, usually in the form of a coupon, to get in the door. Once inside, they almost immediately find other problems — black mold is a common scare tactic used by unscrupulous contractors — or they try to up sell the homeowner on additional services. Those who fall prey to these ploys often pay upwards of $600, even into the thousands.

Spring into a Clean Home

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 11:59:42 GMT

Sparkles of Spring?

Finally, there is an end in sight to this long winter! March 20th is the first day of Spring and warm weather is on its way. While everyone is dusting off their warm weather clothing and packing up their sweaters and thick overcoats, our houses are ready to get some much-needed attention, as well. We offer residential and cleaning services to help you power through spring house cleaning with ease.

Time To Get The House Clean!

Natural Carpet Cleaning – Our carpet cleaning services are Green Seal Certified to ensure that you have zero chemical residue. We have several packages to accommodate your budget and offer cleaning specials and discounts for existing clients to make sure your house always sparkles!

Upholstery Cleaning - During the winter, we spend more time inside where it’s more comfortable. That also means more dirt and allergens on your furniture. We subject each set of furniture to a colorfastness test and fiber identification in order to determine the appropriate cleaning method. We finish with an optional anti-allergen or upholstery protector to ensure a longer lasting clean.

Rug Washing – We expertly clean all types of rugs – Persian, Oriental, Turkish, Pakistani, Baluchi, Hand-loom, Knotted, and machine made rugs. For a quick clean, we offer a 5 step in-house rug cleaning. For more delicate materials or an extensive treatment, we offer in-plant washing at our rug spa for a deep and delicate clean with no chemical residue. Don’t forget to ask us about our additional rug services like fringe whitening and odor control.

And So Much More!

We offer services to make sure your whole house sparkles! Visit our website to learn more.

Pennsylvania Service Areas

Ardmore, Blue Bell Bryn Mawr, Bala Cynwyd, Collegeville, Conshohocken, Devon, Gladwyne, Haverford, King of Prussia, Lansdale, Phoenixville, Philly, West Chester, Villanova and more.

Can House Cleaning Improve Your Health?

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 13:58:33 GMT

If you are someone who isn’t in the habit of keeping the house clean and doesn’t see its importance, you may want to reconsider. We all know a clean home looks great, but more importantly, research shows that it can make you feel great too – mentally and physically! The Environmental Protection Agency says that indoor air can be five times more polluted than the air outside. So if you’re spending most of your time inside, you could be inhaling dust mites, mold, pollen, and many other toxins that are detrimental to your overall health.

Health Benefits of a Professional Cleaning Service

Prolonging taking care of the mess until tomorrow (or the next day, and the next day…) is certainly the easiest option, but keep your home clean and you could start seeing the following benefits:

Reduced allergies – Many of the toxins we mentioned earlier are major causes of scratchy eyes and runny noses, but a fresh clean home keeps the dust and mold out and reduces the number of impurities floating around in the air.
Sanitation – Dirty kitchens and bathrooms can be the perfect habitat for bacteria and viruses. Germ-killing cleaning products will destroy illnesses like E. coli, staph bacteria, and Salmonella that could be lurking in your own home.
Less stress – Just being in a clean home can make you feel at ease, especially with the knowledge that there are now fewer chores on your to-do list.
Reduced risk of injury – This one is simple: Without clutter, you are less likely to trip over toys, clothes, stacks of boxes, or whatever else is lying around.
More social opportunities – A house that appears sloppy and poorly maintained isn’t likely to be the social hotspot for you and your friends. When everything looks clean and in order, aren’t you more inclined to host get-togethers at your place? There’s no need to feel embarrassed about the state of your home. We can create a tidy and welcoming environment that your guests will admire.

Call A1 Sparkles and Keep You and Your Home Healthy!

If you are sick and tired of living in a dirty home, A1 Sparkles is here to help! Our work is backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so when you work with us you’ll be sure that your home will get the thorough cleaning it deserves. Plus, our rates are extremely competitive and affordable. We proudly serve Philadelphia, Montgomery County, Bucks County, Berks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Delaware and South JerseyMontgomery County area. Give us a call today at 610-831-4655 and get the best cleaning services in the area!

Dryer Vent Warning Signs

Sat, 24 Jun 2023 14:08:01 GMT

Although cleaning your dryer vent probably isn’t at the top of your to-do list this summer, it’s actually pretty important. A dirty dryer vent could put you in danger if it’s ignored for too long!

Now, you’re probably wondering what in the world your dryer vent has to do with your safety. Well, that’s what A1 Sparkles is here to explain!

A1 Sparkles is an award-winning natural cleaning and restoration company in Montgomery County. Our goal is to wow every customer with our quality services, so they’ll always want to refer us to their friends and family.

In 2010, clothes dryers were the cause of over 15,000 house fires in the United States. Lint and debris buildup restricts airflow, which backs up exhaust gasses and can lead to a spark. The good news is this can be avoided. So here are five warning signs your dryer vent is in need of some maintenance:

Drying time for clothes is taking too long – When the vent is clogged up with dust and debris, drying your clothes can take twice, if not three times as long as normal!
Clothing and dryer are very hot – This is a sign that your vent is not exhausting properly, so the clothes are retaining too much heat.
It’s been over a year since your last inspection – To avoid buildup in your dryer vent and the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, you should have your dryer vent inspected once a year. Schedule an appointment with A1 Sparkles now if you’re behind!
Vent hood flap doesn’t open properly – A telltale sign of a dirty dryer vent is if you can actually see lint and debris around the outside vent opening or dryer hose. Or perhaps the duct hood flap doesn’t open like it’s supposed to when the dryer is running. This would be due to airflow that is being restricted.
You notice a burning smell – Lint can build up in the exhaust tube, and guess what – it’s very flammable. If you smell something burning while the clothes are drying, stop using your dryer immediately and have it inspected.

Contact A1 Sparkles Today For A Dryer Vent Cleaning!

If your dryer vent hasn’t been lint- and dust-free for over a year, call A1 Sparkles for a dryer vent cleaning or inspection today! We’ll give you peace of mind knowing your dryer is in good condition and is safe for the whole family to use. A1 sparkles proudly serves the Montgomery County, PA area, including the towns of King of Prussia, Norristown, Collegeville, Wayne and much more. So contact us today by calling 610-831-4655 to schedule an appointment and see why people are choosing A1 Sparkles!

How To Hire The Best Carpet Cleaner In Philadelphia

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 11:13:30 GMT

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Firstly, congratulations! The benefits of hiring the best carpet cleaners in Philadelphia are fantastic: prolonged life span, beautiful appearance, softer feel, and improved indoor air quality.

The Best Carpet Cleaners In Philadelphia

If you are in the Philadelphia area, an internet search will show over 1000 carpet cleaning companies. So how do you hire the best carpet cleaner in Phildelphia?

Carpet cleaning is very personal, and hiring a carpet cleaning company means allowing a stranger into your home. Probably many questions are going around your head like “Nobody cleans my home like me.” or “what happens if something goes wrong?” or “Can I afford it?” or “How will they know what I need doing?”

We have compiled a checklist of the most important factors for hiring the best carpet cleaner in Philadelphia

1. Physical Location

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2. The Owners

Do you know who owns the company? Can you talk to them? What are the owner’s education level, personal experience, and overall involvement in the company? Look for owners that are active in the company and the local community.

3. Insured

If you are going to have any carpet cleaning service or contractor enter your home or business, they must be insured, or you’ll be at risk. If not, you might need to be insured against them!

4. Repu tation

Professional affiliations, Better Business Bureau, Angie’s List, certifications, Google Reviews , and online reviews .

5. Staff

Can they clean? What are the companies training and hiring procedure? Employee retention, tenure, and training are vital. Are the employees or subcontractors?

6. Products and Equipment

What kinds of cleaning products is a cleaner introducing into your home? Do you have children and pets you need to worry about? Compare a $500 portable carpet cleaning unit to a $50,000 truck mount unit. Or compare dollar store carpet spotters to certified green cleaning products. HEPA vacuums are an absolute must.

7. Guar antees

What kind of guarantees do they offer? What is their complaint procedure?

8. Price

Professional carpet cleaning companies charge more because they invest more in their cleaning equipment and staff. Cleaning takes time, training, and professional equipment. Time is money, so avoid hiring the cheapest service. As a general rule, you get what you pay for.

If you are going to hire a professional carpet cleaning service, you must ensure you know who they are and you can trust them! Anything less and you’ll be cutting corners.

9. Trust

A1 Sparkles Natural Carpet Cleaning is The Best Carpet Cleaner in Philadelphia!

CBS Philly’s Jim Donovan & Angie’s List: Keeping Your Carpets Clean

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 11:43:01 GMT

By Jim Donovan

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Are you thinking about getting your carpets cleaned and tempted by ads offering rock bottom prices? But how many of those ads are too good to be true? In this week’s Angie’s List report, Jim Donovan explains what you should know so that carpet cleaning doesn’t end up ruining your budget.

Wendie Zeller’s dog, Jack, isn’t exactly easy on her carpets. So when she saw an online deal for professional carpet cleaning, she jumped at the offer.

• “Steam cleaning” is probably the most well-known type of carpet cleaning. To the pros, it’s better known as hot water extraction cleaning, because it involves a pre-treatment and then a blast of water (up to 250 degrees!) going on and off of the carpet simultaneously. This is usually the only type of cleaning covered by a carpet warranty.

• Carbonated cleaning allows cleaning agents to get to the carpet fibers with very little wetting. The solution doesn’t contain the oil or detergents that typically leave a dirt-attracting residue, and dissolved dirt is removed with a machine that rubs cotton pads over the carpet.

• The HOST system is the only all-dry, an all-natural cleaning system that is currently Green Seal certified. It uses an absorbent to pre-treat and cleans the carpet by trapping grease and dirt, which then extracting it. It leaves the carpet ready for immediate use, with no downtime. It’s completely non-toxic, with no threat of moisture or harsh chemicals

• “Bonnet” cleaning uses spray foam that is removed by a rolling/buffing machine that has a bonnet-like attachment. This is mainly for commercial carpets and is similar to what buffing a hard floor surface is like.

We spoke with some highly-rated carpet cleaners on Angie’s List about keeping your carpet looking great

Types of Cleaning Methods:

• Ask how much experience they have with cleaning carpets.

• Make sure they use the right type of solution on your carpet.

• Watch out for those companies who come in and out in a hurry. It takes time to go through the process from start to finish.

• Do they have liability and insurance? If they break something in your home, will they pay to fix it or leave you with the cost?

• Does the company use hot water from its truck? Or will they be using your water?

• Your carpet cleaner should be certified by the IICRC (Institution of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification.) You can check at www.iicrc.org.

• Is there a guarantee? A good company will return to clean spots that reappear within a short period of time.

• Insist on a written estimate that details all charges – and read the fine print.

• Don’t guess if you don’t understand anything on the estimate. Do they charge by the hour or for the square feet of the room? Are they going to charge you for the square feet where your master bed is that you just want to be cleaned around? Do you need to move your furniture, or will they charge you to do that? Are all pre-sprays and other tasks included or add-ons?

Angie’s List tips to avoid getting scammed:

• Bait and Switch – This is the offer to get your carpets cleaned for $5 to $10 a room. Usually, the homeowner is told their carpet is in really bad shape and the offer didn’t include pre-spray, deep cleaning, and sometimes even using hot water – all essential to a proper carpet cleaning.

• High-pressure sales – This tactic preys on the homeowner’s desire to get the job done right. Homeowners are told there are some spots that need additional cleaning because of how dirty they are, and that without the extra attention, those areas of the floor will stand out and make the floor look bad.

The two most common tactics:

A professional cleaning will help rid your home of hidden dust and allergens that regular vacuuming can miss, and it will help preserve carpet fibers and keep colors brighter. But getting this work done sometimes comes at too high a price because of disreputable companies who dangle get-in-the-door prices that don’t generally hold up once you let the company inside your home.

It was exactly the deal Wendie needed. That is until the cleaner showed up at her door.

“Do you have pets? Do you have kids? Do you have special areas that need treatments because you’ve had spills? The more information you give them, the more prepared they can come to do the actual project in case you need special cleaners for some difficult spots,” said Hicks.

“One common complaint we’ve heard over the years when it comes to carpet cleaning companies is suggesting a price that just seems too low to be true. What happens is they get there, and the consumer ends up paying more than they expected,” said Angie’s List founder, Angie Hicks.

In order to avoid added extras, homeowners should insist on a written, detailed estimate of what the company will do for the advertised price. And never be shy about sharing your own family’s details.

Are Carpet Stains On Your Holiday Guest List?

Tue, 17 Oct 2017 12:32:03 GMT

Say Goodbye to Phantom Carpet Stains

Oh My, what is that? A cranberry juice stain that never came out?Your busy, so don’t look down to check for dingy-looking color and stains. Do you need to call us?

Don’t wait until the last minute to make sure your house is ready for entertaining holiday guests!

Time To Call The Carpet Cleaning Professionals

Carpets are notorious for hanging onto stains that reemerge with added foot traffic. No matter how many times you vacuum or scrub, they always seem to come back! That’s because most household cleaners can’t get deep down to the root of the stain – they can only get what shows on the surface.

The dirt and soot left deep in the fibers at the base of the carpet rise back to the top as people walk around. This is why the carpets look dirty again after you clean them yourself. With the help of a Philadelphia carpet cleaning professional, your carpets will be deep cleaned as all the deep-down grime is lifted and removed from the fibers.

Not all carpet cleaning companies in the Philadelphia suburbs are the same, so be sure to ask questions before you choose one. You need to be sure that they guarantee their work and that they don’t use cleansers that leave a chemical residue. You also want to be satisfied with the results for a long time.

Call A1 Sparkles For Guaranteed Carpet Cleaning

A1 Sparkles uses state-of-the-art equipment to penetrate the deepest stains when we clean your carpets and area rugs. Carpets do have a lifetime of use, so if we can’t get the grime and stains out then it’s not coming out! Our goal is to make sure you are 100% satisfied with our service. As a local family-owned business, we know how important it is to receive reliable service.

The best part of our cleaning process is that it’s 100% natural. We use a Green Seal Certified pre-treatment and an eco-friendly carpet cleaning technique that uses no soaps or detergents and leaves no chemical residue or allergens. Once your carpets are sparkling clean, they will dry fast so you can get back to walking on them.

Our owner, Dennis Myers, says that “We understand your carpet is a considerable investment. We work hard to clean it, repair it, and keep it healthy for years to come. You will be so pleased; you’ll refer us to your friends.”

Protecting Your Carpets During Holiday Dinner Parties

If you don’t want to live with cranberry stains or wine stains over the next year, ask us about our Scotchgard Carpet Protector. With this protection, your carpets, upholstery, fabrics, and furniture can be protected from stains. The Scotchgard treatment repels water so liquid can’t penetrate the fabric. This is going to be important for your house during Thanksgiving dinner!

A Richer Healthier Home

Sat, 31 Dec 2016 12:14:19 GMT

How keeping a clean home can make you rich in 2017!

New year’s is the time, naturally, for life changing decisions. It is a major event in most people’s lives, and is usually characterized with a resurgence of a positive outlook to meet whatever fate might bring head on.

Consider the following reasons why a clean home is a healthy, wealthy and wise.

Save Time

Extend the life span of some materials if you keep them clean. For instance, cleaning you carpets , rugs and upholstery keeps them looking new and lasting longer. Dryer vent cleaning can save you thousands.

House cleaning costs you 20 hours every week.Tidy up the family room, vacuum carpets, wipe the kitchen, clean dishes, sanitize baths, organize, and take out the trash. Deep-clean the kitchen and bathrooms. Change linens, laundry, scrub and steam clean floors.

Save Money

Never Be Ashamed

Greeting guest with a dirty house is embarrassing. By keeping your home clean and orderly, you’ll want to invite people and enjoy their company.

Live Longer

The EPA estimates most homes have poor air quality. High levels of viruses, bacteria, mold, lead, and dust cause sick home syndrome. Regular cleaning keeps your home makes it a much better environment, particularly for allergy suffers and children.

Sleep Better

Everyone enjoys coming home to sparkling kitchens and spotless floors. And there’s nothing more relaxing than jumping in a bed with clean sheets saying good night to an orderly house. You’ll awake earlier knowing your home is healthy, wealthy and wise.

So, don’t wait – go ahead and wash those dishes. Then start putting systems in place to keep your house clean and organized. It can make a world of difference in your quality of life.

My Area Rug Smells Like Rubber!

Wed, 21 Dec 2016 12:42:44 GMT

Most common in rugs that have a covered backing, and from India, you may smell burning rubber emanating from your rug. Known as hand tufted rugs this odor is the latex holding the rug together that off-gases under certain conditions, and may even leave a white powdery sand on your floor. The odor cannot be eliminated or treated to much success. The odor of this glued latex can be accentuated if:

You have radiant heat.
The area rug is brand new.
The rug is wet.
The rug is deteriorating.

If the rug odor gets worse after vacuuming it, you can bet its deteriorating.

We do not suggest immersion washing these hand tufted rugs. Low moisture hand cleaning , or a simple in-house freshen up will be all you need. If the odor is causing headaches or just too much to handle, you should consider replacing the rug.

Why You Should Clean Your Air Ducts This Fall

Thu, 20 Oct 2016 12:47:52 GMT

Contact A1 Sparkles Today for Air Duct Cleaning!

Cold mornings, changing leaves – these are all signs that summer is long gone and fall is in full swing! But it also means that winter is around the corner, so now is the perfect time to prepare your home.

Getting your air ducts cleaned may not seem like the most important home-maintenance chore, but if you put it off you may find yourself facing major problems. So follow tips from A1 Sparkles to make sure things run smoothly in your home all year long!

A1 Sparkles is an award-winning cleaning company in King of Prussia. Our rates are competitive; in fact if you find a lower price, we’ll match it!

As the most trusted cleaning company in the Philadelphia suburbs, A1 Sparkles wants to help you enjoy the changing seasons without any headaches. So here is a list of reasons why you should clean your air ducts this fall

Reduce dust circulation – The average home accumulates about 40 lbs of dust every year. Your air ducts will naturally collect dirt and grime, but if they are left untouched those substances could circulate throughout your home. Cleaning them regularly will reduce the harmful pollutants your family breathes in.
Lower energy bills – When your air ducts are clogged with dirt, your system has to work harder to pump air through your home. Make it easy on your home – and your wallet – by keeping your air ducts clean to improve airflow and lower energy use.
Improve overall air quality – Studies show that indoor air quality can be 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air quality. In the winter you’re going to be spending most of your time indoors, so you’ll want to make sure the warm air circulating throughout your home is as clean as possible!

When you’re ready to have your air ducts cleaned , call the cleaning company that guarantees 100% satisfaction! A1 sparkles offers a variety of cleaning services for unbeatable prices. We serve many towns in the Philadelphia area including Merion, Norristown, Wayne and behind.
Contact us today by calling (610) 292-9069 !

8 Tips for Maintaining Oriental Rugs

Fri, 10 Jun 2016 12:38:34 GMT

Here are eight tips for maintaining your Oriental rugs:

You just bought a beautiful oriental rug, and rather than showing it off with pride, you’re covering it up to keep it from getting ruined! Sound familiar? Oriental rugs may be delicate (and dazzling!), but don’t worry. There are many simple ways to clean and preserve your rugs so you can get some use out of them!

A1 Sparkles has tips and tricks for properly maintaining your rugs. We are a natural cleaning company that has built a reputation for providing high-quality cleaning services to our clients. We know rugs like the backs of our hands!

Block sunlight – Direct sunlight can cause the dye in your rug to fade over time. Keep sunlight from hitting the rug to help keep those beautiful colors intact.
Rotate regularly – Some say you only need to rotate your rug every two years, but we’d recommend every month or two if it’s in a high traffic area of your house. This will help keep it looking uniform – not worn in only one area. You can also move your furniture around every six months.
Flip it – Don’t try and comb out any fringes at the end of the rug because they are delicate and can tangle or get damaged. Instead, flip one end of the rug over to the other so the fringes can straighten out naturally.
Vacuum – Vacuuming prevents the natural fibers of the rug from becoming packed down, so try and vacuum your oriental rugs a little more often than your carpets.
Use padding – Putting a pad underneath the rug helps protect the shape, reduce wrinkling, and stabilize the rug.
Air it out – Don’t let moisture get trapped in your rug, otherwise mold and mildew will form! Hang-dry your rug every six months.
Wipe it down – If you aren’t keen on beating your rug, you can wipe down the surface with a cold, damp cloth to help remove surface dust.
Get it professionally cleaned – The best way to keep your oriental rug healthy is to get it professionally cleaned on a regular basis. A1 Sparkles uses the safest cleaning products to keep your rug in mint condition! We recommend getting this done every 12-18 months.

Keep Your Rug Gorgeous All Year Long with A1 Sparkles!

If it’s been years since you’ve had your oriental rugs professionally cleaned, it’s time to give A1 Sparkles a call! We offer our unbeatable cleaning services in Montgomery County, PA area including Norristown, King of Prussia, Blue Bell, and surrounding areas. Call us today at 610-831-4655 to get an expert cleaning service for your area rugs.

What’s That Smell? – Carpet Odor

Fri, 27 May 2016 14:21:03 GMT

Remove Carpet Odor Once and For All!

Have you ever walked into your home and thought, “What’s that smell?” The food in your fridge is fresh, the trash is empty, and even after a house-wide scrubbing you still can’t find the source!

If this sounds like you, you may be dealing with a carpet odor problem. Unfortunately, the smell is not something that can be removed with your standard household vacuum. But don’t panic, A1 Sparkles has the solution!

A professional carpet odor removal service from A1 Sparkles can do the trick to get rid of that musty carpet smell. But you may be wondering what is causing the odor in the first place? Here is a list of the possible culprits causing your carpet to smell:

If your carpet is leaving your home smelling unpleasant, call the odor removal experts at A1 Sparkles who can neutralize the volatile smell at the molecular level. Our carpet odor removal services will not only remove the lingering smell, but they’ll improve the overall air quality in your home as well!

Schedule an appointment with A1 Sparkles online , or call us today at (610) 292-9069 . We serve homes in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas like Norristown, Merion, Villanova and more! Contact us today and find out why we have the highest reputation for cleaning services in the area!

Moisture – Water can get trapped under your carpet from a flood, a spill, dripping potted plants or even just humidity. It then leaves a foul smell and can cause mold growth, which will only make the smell worse!
Cigarette Smoke – If someone is smoking regularly in the home, the carpet will suck up all that smoke odor. The smoker may not notice, but his or her guests sure will.
Pet Odors – Pet accidents like urine and vomit can leave an obvious odor, but even after you’ve cleaned it smelly particles can still remain in the carpet. This is because the bacteria in the stain releases gasses as it digests the substance. Sometimes, only a professional clean can thoroughly get the job done.
Spills – Like pet accidents, food and drink are organic material so they attract bacteria. The bacteria from these spills will also release smelly gases when it breaks down.
Old Age – Carpeting is made from fibers that will break down over time, causing a musty smell. An old carpet might just need to be totally replaced.

5 Secrets About Carpet Cleaning

Fri, 13 May 2016 14:25:10 GMT

Call A1 Sparkles and Make Your Carpet Look Like New!

No matter how clean you keep your house, a nasty carpet stain is bound to happen. Whether it’s food, dirt, pet accidents or all of the above, chances are you’re dying to remove it – and fast! But anyone who’s tried to scrub last night’s red wine out of a white rug knows it’s not always the easiest task. Sometimes no matter what you do, the stubborn blemish just won’t disappear. So what’s the secret to removing all stains and keeping your carpets looking clean and clear?

Extraction – When the stain hits the floor, your first instinct may be to scrub. But scrubbing grinds the particles further into the carpet. Using progressive pressure, blot the stain inward (not outward, because that will spread the stain). Repeat until your clean towels can’t absorb any more of the stain.
Rinse – Following manufacturer’s directions, apply your favorite spotter, club soda, or our free carpet spotter. Apply the solution to the cleaning towel for light stains. For heavy stains apply directly to the carpet agitate and let dwell. You may need to repeat the process.
Extraction – Repeat step one to get the spotter out. Other wise re-soiling will make the stain permanent.
Dry – Hair dryers, fans, whatever your can do to dry the area fast.
Steam – Call a professional carpet cleaning company to treat the area.

Sometimes the stains are just too large or too difficult to tackle alone. But don’t worry, that’s why A1 Sparkles is here! We’ve been serving the Montgomery County area including Ardmore, Blue Bell, Merion and more for over 15 years, plus we use top-shelf equipment that can remove even the most stubborn stains! Just check out some of our reviews to see what satisfied clients are saying about us.

Call us today at 610-831-4655 and find out why A1 Sparkles is the right cleaning company for you!

A1 Sparkles will give you not one, but five secrets from cleaning professionals that’ll help you tackle even the most persistent stains.

The Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning

Fri, 17 Oct 2014 14:10:30 GMT

What Every Homeowner Should Know About the Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning.

If you have never had your air ducts cleaned, it is time that you learned about the benefits of air duct cleaning. Everyone knows how important it is to breathe clean air. Many are concerned about the pollution outside. However, what these same people may not realize is that the air you breathe inside your home is just as important. Breathing in stale, dirty air can have negative health consequences. If you find yourself asking how you could possibly have to dust so often, that is a sign that your air ducts need cleaning. Read on to learn more about the benefits of air duct cleaning.

Top 5 Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that removing as little as .4 inches of dust from cooling system coils will reduce energy consumption up to 21 percent. This can save you considerable money on your heating bill.

Money Savings

It is estimated that nearly nine out of ten central heating and air conditioning systems fail or breakdown because they were not maintained properly.

HVAC System Life

Many consider air duct cleaning vital to maintaining healthy indoor air. Dust, allergens, pollen, pet dander, and toxins (mold, mildew, and rodent droppings) are commonly found in air ducts. If air ducts are not cleaned regularly these particles can be released into your home. Even if family members do not suffer from allergies the particles can cause severe respiratory problems, among other things.

Improved Indoor Air Quality

Allergies

If family members suffer from allergies or asthma, air duct cleaning may be necessary to provide a safe haven. Air duct cleaning can drastically reduce the amount of allergens. With a professional air duct cleaning you’ll notice less sniffling, wheezing and sneezing. If you have allergies, it is all the more reason to clean the air ducts in your home.

Smell

Dust, mold and bacteria in an air duct system will create a musty smell in a home that no amount of air fresheners or candles can eliminate. Regular air duct cleaning can eliminate this problem almost entirely.

DYI Carpet Cleaning Check List

Fri, 03 Jan 2014 14:29:46 GMT

When To Clean Your Carpets

Saving money is important, but it is also important to have the job done right. Periodic professionally carpet cleaning is very important and required to maintain your carpet warranty.

If you clean your carpets frequently they’ll look better and you should get a lot more mileage out of your carpeting. And that’s good news, given how much it costs to replace.

Carpet cleaning is a task you can do yourself, and with decent results. There comes a time for every carpet when vacuuming can no longer restore its beauty. Whether you plan to do it yourself or hire a professional there are 5 major indicators of when it’s time for a deep carpet cleaning.

Hiring professional will be a little more expensive than doing it yourself, but it can be well worth the money.

Before cleaning your carpet, test for colorfastness. Moisten a white towel with the cleaning solution that you are going to use, and apply it to an inconspicuous area. If the towel does not pick up any color from the carpet, it is probably safe to use the solution on the entire carpet.
Remove as much furniture from the room as possible, and place foil or plastic film under the legs and bases of the remaining furniture to prevent stains.
Vacuum the carpet thoroughly, then spot-clean and pre-treat stains before cleaning the carpet.
Follow the instructions printed on the carpet cleaning solution.
Use one solution stroke and multiple dry strokes over the all carpet fibers.
Do not over wet the carpet or use too much solution.
Hand scrub carpet stains and re-clean.
Wipe cleaning solutions and from furniture legs and woodwork immediately.
Fluff damp fibers against the nap to aid drying.
Make sure the room is well-ventilated after cleaning to speed drying.
Try not to walk on carpets until they are completely dry.

Age – the carpet is no longer the same as carpet was new.
Traffic Lanes – the carpet is matted in high traffic areas.
Stains – the carpet has grimy circles from spills.
Odors – pet accidents, old spotting treatments or musty smells.
Soil – the carpet releases dust storm when you run across the room.

If any of these descriptions fit your carpets or rugs, then it is time to clean it. If you have the time, $100, and strength to do a thorough carpet cleaning take a minute and review our carpet cleaning check list.

Carpet Cleaning Check List

Carpet Care Tips

Fri, 19 Jul 2013 14:45:48 GMT

If you want carpets that sparkle use these carpet care tips.

Tip 1: Choose High Quality Carpet. Builder grade carpet or really cheap carpet will not release stains and damages easily. For the best carpet price stay in the mid-range rates. Make sure your carpet comes with a Stainmaster warranty. If your looking to go top-shelf buy a wool carpet. These natural fibers are hypo allergenic and wool carpets can last a lifetime.
Tip 2: Clean Up Pet Accidents. Do this immediately. Otherwise they will cause permanent fiber damage.
Tip 3: Leave The Dirt Outside. Invest in heavy-duty door mats and remove your shoes.
Tip 4: Avoid Accidents. Confine all drinks and meals to the kitchen. It’s the only way to prevent spills.
Tip 5: Vacuum Often . In high-traffic areas daily. For less-traveled areas, one to two times per week. Use multiple overlapping passes and you will remove damaging dirt from the fibers.
Tip 6: Clean Spills Quickly . Dry blot first. Then apply spotter. Agitate and rinse carpet until no product remains. Dry area with clean towel until no moisture wicks up from the carpet.
Tip 7: Avoid Traffic Lanes. Once you start to see traffic lanes its time to act. High traffic areas can crush your carpet fibers. Prevent traffic patterns with regular care and by moving your furniture around.
Tip 8: Clean The Carpet. Hire an IICRC, truck mount steam carpet cleaning company at least yearly.

Simple carpet care tips can make your carpet look better and last longer.

New Rug Odor

Tue, 28 May 2013 07:21:41 GMT

Hand-Tufted Rug Odor

Hand-tufted rugs from the Middle East, particularly from India, Pakistan and even China, have become increasingly popular with consumers over the past several years. Although these rugs are made by hand (and thus the consumer thinks they’re buying a true Persian rug), the way in which wool or other pile yarns such as cotton or acrylic are inserted into the rug’s backing is unlike traditional knotting techniques used in Oriental rugs.

As opposed to being hand knotted, the pile of a hand tufted carpet or rug is created with a tufting gun. Using a hand held tufting gun, the fabricator inserts yarn into a cotton base cloth to create the pattern. Sometimes this cloth is pre-stenciled with water soluble markers which may bleed when the rug is cleaned. After the pattern is completed with all colors of yarn in the appropriate sections, the backside is covered with a layer of flexible latex adhesive.

A common problem with these rugs is a persistent, sometimes putrid rug odor coming from the latex back coating. Many rugs sold by mail order retailers are notorious for this condition. The smell may range from “diesel fuel” or “burnt oil” to “dead animal” type rug odor coming out of the latex. The rugs may have the odor in the store, but it becomes more noticeable when the consumer places it in the home.

There is no definitive reason for the odor, but it may be caused by defective, low-quality latex adhesive or the fillers used in the latex at the time of rug manufacture. Perhaps the latex is not given enough time to “cure” or dry completely before the rug is shipped overseas and during transport the latex may absorb diesel fuel odors

Unfortunately, no amount of professional cleaning or deodorization will permanently remove the rug odor. Believe me, I’ve tried many types of topical deodorizers as well as complete submersion in decontamination solutions. Nothing helped. In fact in many cases, the cleaning or application of topical treatments actually amplified the odor. This condition is a defect in the rug or carpet originating from the manufacturer or distributor. The consumer should be advised to return the rug for replacement or a complete refund.

How To Keep Your Carpet Warranty Valid

Thu, 02 May 2013 07:36:16 GMT

Keep Your Carpet Warranty Valid

Would you drive your car for 100,000 miles without changing the oil? Of course you would not. To keep your engine in good working order, you change the oil and do a tune up once and a while, right? Your carpet is the same way. Just like regular auto maintenance, carpets require regular cleaning to keep your carpet warranty valid.

What ar e the warranty requirements?

Depending on your type of carpet, stain resistant warranties can vary from 5 to 20 years. Most manufacturer warranties require professional carpet cleaning at least every 11-18 months. Check your warranty. ALL STAIN RESISTANT WARRANTIES REQUIRE REGULAR HOT WATER EXTRACTION CLEANING, REGULAR VACUUMING, AND IMMEDIATE STAIN REMOVAL.

Major Carpet Manufactures Warranty Coverage Summary

Hot Water Extraction otherwise known as “steam cleaning” is the preferred method of carpet manufactures. This is because other methods don’t truly extract deep down embedded dirt. Truck mount hot water extraction carpet cleaning systems are not required, however they do proved the best results and quicker drying times.

It is said that the three most important rules for maintaining carpet are vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. Vacuum your carpet often. Once or twice a week at least. Vacuuming removes the sharp soil that can cut and slice the fiber causing premature wear. Much of this soil is not visible to the eye.

In summary: Vacuum frequently, treat stains immediately, and clean your carpets before it looks visibly soiled. To keep your carpet cleaner longer, have Scotchgard protector reapplied.

Carpet stains that are not immediately removed can turn into permanent stains very easily. Always use a spot cleaner that is recommended by the carpet manufacturer or your certified professional cleaner. Many “over the counter” spotters leave too much soap residue that leaves a sticky residue behind that will make your spots return!

Shaw® Nylon Carpet Warranties offer lifetime* (10 Year limited) stain, soil, pet urine, plus 15-Year texture retention and abrasive wear. Shaw carpets must be “ Professional carpet cleaning every 6 – 24 months.” The Fine Print: Excluded from this limited warranty are color changes to the carpet fibers.

Mohawk® has extensive coverage limited to acids that add to or take away from the carpet fiber. Mohawk’s Carpet Care Guidelines include professional carpet cleaning every 18 months using cleaning products, equipment, systems and services specified with the Carpet and Rug Institute Seal of Approval. The Fine Print: Excluded from this limited warranty are damage or stains caused by vomit, feces, urine other than pet, , but not limited to tar, shoe polish, lipstick or mascara.

All STAINMASTER® carpets feature lifetime* (10 Year limited) warranty protection against: food and beverage stains — no exclusions, pet urine stains, soiling and even static shock! Carpets require professional cleaning by trained, qualified carpet care professionals at least every 24 months . Failing to do so can void your warranty. The Fine Print: Excluded from this limited warranty are color changes from grease, pile reversal, asphalt, tar, ink, rust blood, pets, urine, and mud.

Karastan® Carpet and Rugs pairs its high standards of excellence with outstanding warranties that guarantee your satisfaction. Karastan ® has the most extensive almost total coverage, with many different many packages. The Fine Print: You are financially responsible for the labor charges associated with “non warranted characteristics”. Karastan® carpet and rugs require cleaning every 12 to 18 months , by a Carpet & Rug Institute professional.

How to Choose New Carpet

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 07:41:32 GMT

Before shopping for new carpet, it is important to understand the four main types of carpet fibers and carefully weigh the pros and cons that type of carpet each offers.

1. Wool Carpet is the most expensive choice for a good reason. Wool carpet is the softest, most luxurious feel that its natural fiber affords. It also comes in a range of various hues, repels moisture and is extremely durable. The problem with wool carpet is it must be properly cleaned. Carpet cleaners that use strong chemical cleaners and portable units can permanently damage wool carpet.

2. Nylon Carpet is among the most widely used carpeting options due the comfort, durability and high stain-resistance that it offers. These traits make it ideal to use in high traffic areas, but not in areas prone to moisture. It is perfect for hallways, stairs, and living areas. For heavy duty functions, choose nylon carpets that have been manufactured to be densely packed as they retain their rich texture longer than standard carpeting.

3. Polyester Carpet offers quite the same comfort/quality as that of nylon. It may also be stain resistant but may easily attract dirt. If not cleaned often polyester carpet fibers can scratch easily causing irreversible traffic lanes.

4. Olefin Carpet (Berber) is popular for its extreme durability and resistance to moisture as well as chemicals and bleaches. The downside with this type is walking barefoot on it may not prove to be a pleasurable experience. Furniture can leave permanent marks in Olefin carpet, so if your plan to rearrange your furniture Olefin carpet might not be a good choice.

How Much Does New Carpet Truly Cost?

For most new carpet shoppers cost is a major issue, and one that often leads people toward “buying cheap carpet.” These People soon realize that their purchase wasn’t really economical. Cheap carpet tends to stain easily and wear badly, requiring premature replacement. So
,spend wisely not cheaply.

The area in your home where you plan to install the carpet will determine the potential wear and tear. Don’t forget to factor in other elements that it will be exposed to.

Lifestyle

Do you have the time, and will you invest the effort, to maintain the beauty of your carpet? Ideally, your choices should mirror your lifestyle.

Wall-to-wall or area rug

An area rug is ideal for families or homeowners who want to compliment an attractive hardwood or stone floor. The colors of area rugs can also add a touch of ambiance to any room. For renters area rugs can be an excellent choice, because it can travel with them when the move out.

Wall-to-wall carpeting, however, is a popular option that can provide any room with luxury and style. One of the most overlooked benefits of wall to wall carpet is it can improve the air you breath. As air moves through your home, carpets act like an air filter, catching and trapping air contaminants. Carpet fitting requires skills and expertise. For the best quality fitting, hire IICRC professional installers. If you buy your carpet from a big box store, remember they use the cheapest subcontractors to install it. If they are not IICRC certified carpet installers, make sure they use carpet power stretchers.

Choosing the right carpet means making the wisest investment that helps you achieve harmony in terms of interior design while affording you simple cleaning and care.

Here are several tips and factors to look into to bring the greatest bang to every buck.

Carpet Cleaner Earns 10th Clean Trust Certification

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 07:47:13 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Oct 13, 2012 – The value of education cannot be overlooked. The ability to adapt, learn, and master new skills is more important then ever. Cleaning technician, John Kutch has just completed an 18 hour carpet cleaning training class in Philadelphia, PA. “It was a lot to learn, and the exam was not easy”, says’ John.

Founded in 1999, A1 Sparkles is a natural carpet cleaner. Instead of heavy chemicals they use green products and pure steam carpet rinsing. Located in King of Prussia, PA they serve the Philadelphia area. The company claims “from maid service to air ducts, area rug cleaning, carpets, tile, floods and marble. We make it sparkle”.

As of 2012 the IICRC became known as The Clean Trust.

— End —
http://www.prlog.org/11998835-carpet-cleaner-earns-10th-clean-trust-certification.html

The IICRC started in the 1970’s, by Ed York, who designed and sold the then new “Carpet Steam Cleaning” truck-mount system for deep cleaning carpet cleaning. The new carpet cleaning system attracted so many members, Ed started a training school. The IICRC became a trade school for people all over the world looking to learn about the carpet, rug, and fiber cleaning business.

“John is a proven leader. I’m excited he’s now of the best carpet cleaning experts in the world. For our company this is great news. This year we passed the EPA LEED Safe certification, designed a new oriental rug cleaning plant, and now this. I’m excited for John,” said manager Dennis Myers.

Dusting Tips

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:49:26 GMT

House Hold Dusting Tips

1. Keep windows, doors, and garage doors closed.
2. If you keep your windows open, buy allergen screens. Run HVAC Fan to ciculate and clean air inside.
3. Buy high end filters for your home that minimize dust.
4. Take off your shoes before coming into your home and leave them by the door.
5. Don’t let guests wear their shoes in your home.
6. Purchase a micro fiber cloth for dusting; it cleans without chemicals.
7. Make sure to dust weekly, including all fabrics.
8. Have all your supplies on or near you to save time. (Wearing tools cuts cleaning time in half.)
9. Look for Swiffer dusters
10. Buy a HEPA or high efficiency filtered vacuum to capture allergens.
11. Use a vacuum cleaner attachment to clean electronics and furniture.
12. Start at the top with your HIGH DUSTING.
13. Work your way around the room MID DUSTING.
14. Lastly, you can begin your LOW DUSTING.
15. Dust light fixtures, ceiling vents, floor vents, and doors.
16. Vacuum at least weekly and use multiple passes.
17. Vacuum all hard and carpeted floors with a hi-filtration vacuum.
18. Have your air ducts cleaned at least every 3 years.
19. Clean you carpets every year.
20. Have your HVAC system serviced regularly.

What Are House Dust Mites?

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 08:09:38 GMT

Dust mites are in your home and cause allergic reactions. They belong to the family of eight-legged creatures called arachnids. This family also includes spiders, chiggers, and ticks. Dust mites are hardy creatures that multiply easily in warm, humid places. They prefer temperatures at or above 70°F with a relative humidity of 55-80 percent and die when the humidity falls below 45 percent. Dust mites are rarely found in dry climates.

Dust mite-allergic people who inhale these particles experience more frequent allergic symptoms. In fact, a dust mite allergic patient who sleeps for 8 hours every night spends one-third of his or her life with their nose in direct contact with a pillow loaded with dust mite particles!

There may be many as 19,000 dust mites in one gram of dust, but usually, between 100 to 500 mites live in each gram. (A gram is about the weight of a paper clip.) Each mite produces about 10-20 waste particles daily and lives for 30 days. Egg-laying females can add 25-30 new mites to the population during their lifetime. Dusty mite critters eat particles of skin and dander, so they thrive in places with people. Dust mites don’t bite, cannot spread diseases, and usually do not live on people. They are harmful only to people who become allergic to them. While usual household cleaning and insecticides have no effect on dust mites, there are ways to reduce exposure to dust mites in the home. Make it Sparkle.

Philly, NJ, DE Area Professional Cleaning Service.

As many as 10 percent of the general population and 90 percent of people with allergies and asthma are sensitive to dust mites. Recent studies in the United States suggest that at least 45 percent of young people with asthma are allergic to dust mites.

People who are allergic to dust mites react to proteins in their decomposition and feces. These particles are found in the highest concentrations in pillows, mattresses, carpets, rugs, and upholstery. They are so very light they can float in the air for hours. When disturbed by: airflow, vacuums, foot traffic, ruffled bedding, and pets, they settle out into the air again.

Free Cleaning Products

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 08:52:48 GMT

Friendship has its benefits. If you are a fan of the A1 Sparkles Cleaning’s facebook page , you are already automatically entered to win the cleaning supplies package Giveaway. Drawing will be held on September 1st, 2012.

Professional Hardwood Floor Cleaning

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 08:49:47 GMT

Professional Hardwood Floor Cleaning

Philadelphia, PA- March 27th, 2012- Philadelphia based house cleaning and carpet cleaning company, A1Sparkles, has just launched its much anticipated hardwood floor cleaning and refinishing service. The announcement by the ever growing cleaning company is meant to inform customers of the entirety of its services and its importance to your home. For over three years and thousands of dollars invested in unsuccessfully trying various hardwood floor cleaning systems the company finally found a system that works. After attending server training seminars at Inter Link Supply in Philadelphia, sponsored by Basic Floor Coatings, the company is now offer its customers a solution to maintaining hardwood floors without the cost or mess that conventional hardwood floor sanding company’s offer.

The training workshops help professional carpet cleaning companies with the specific procedures and cleaning challenges to overcome when performing hardwood floor cleaning and refinishing. Additionally the training went over the features of its new hardwood floor cleaning equipment and its possible residential and commercial hardwood floor cleaning applications. One such example is to use the system to beautiful and prolong the life span of gym hardwoods.

The goal is to provide customers with an inexpensive method to clean and refinish their hardwood floors while extracting tiny dirt particles that if left untreated will result in permanent damage to all hardwood floors.

More information about A1 Sparkles hardwood floor cleaning can be found at the company’s newly redesigned website www.a1sparkles.com.

PR log Hardwood

Mold Fact Sheet

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:18:39 GMT

Mold Fact Sheet – Referenced directly from the EPA and CDC

There is always some mold everywhere – in the air and on many surfaces. Molds have been on the Earth for millions of years. Mold grows where there is moisture.

Mold and Your Health

Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, molds can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation. People with mold allergies may have more severe reactions. Immune-compromised people and people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may get serious infections in their lungs when they are exposed to mold. These people should stay away from areas that are likely to have mold, such as compost piles, cut grass, and wooded areas.

A link between other adverse health effects, such as acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants , memory loss, or lethargy, and molds, including the moldStachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra), has not been proven. Further studies are needed to find out what causes acute idiopathic hemorrhage and other adverse health effects.

Mold and Your Home

Mold is found both indoors and outdoors. Mold can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can also attach itself to clothing, shoes, bags, and pets and can be carried indoors.

Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.

You Can Control Mold

Inside your home you can control mold growth by:

Thoroughly cleaning and drying after flooding;

Ventilating shower, laundry, and cooking areas.

If mold is growing in your home, you need to clean up the mold and fix the moisture problem. Mold growth can be removed from hard surfaces with commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water.

Mold growth, which often looks like spots, can be many different colors, and can smell musty. If you can see or smell mold, a health risk may be present. You do not need to know the type of mold growing in your home, and CDC does not recommend or perform routine sampling for molds. No matter what type of mold is present, you should remove it. Since the effect of mold on people can vary greatly, either because of the amount or type of mold, you can not rely on sampling and culturing to know your health risk. The best practice is to remove the mold and work to prevent future growth.

Keeping humidity levels between 40% and 60%;

Promptly fixing leaky roofs, windows, and pipes;

If you choose to use bleach to clean up mold:

Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products will produce dangerous, toxic fumes.

If the area to be cleaned is more than 10 square feet, consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide titled Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document also applies to other building types. You can get it free by calling the EPA Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse at (800) 438-4318, or by going to the EPA web site at https://www.epa.gov/

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using bleach or any other cleaning product.

Open windows and doors to provide fresh air.

Wear non-porous gloves and protective eye wear.

MOLD PREVENTION TIPS

Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried promptly. Consider not using carpet in rooms or areas like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture.

To learn more about preventing mold in your home, see the Environmental Protection Agency’s publication A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home at https://www.epa.gov/

Keep the humidity level in your home between 40% and 60%. Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months and in damp spaces, like basements.

Be sure your home has enough ventilation. Use exhaust fans which vent outside your home in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.

Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting.

Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.

Clean up and dry out your home thoroughly and quickly (within 24–48 hours) after flooding.

Fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.

Using Ozone to Clean

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:54:44 GMT

Natural Odor Removal

Ozone is a naturally occurring substance in nature that we cannot live without. Ozone is an activated form of oxygen with three atoms where regular oxygen has two. Ozone in the upper atmosphere filters out harmful rays from the sun without which all life on earth would cease to exist. Closer to home ozone is produced by lightning in thunderstorms. I’m sure you have experienced the freshness in the air after a storm. Ozone is very unstable and has an average half life of 20 minutes, which is why ozone must be produced at the point of use and cannot be stored.

Ozone will cast off it’s third atom onto any other organic element thereby oxidizing it or converting it into another substance. In the case of odors it will convert a foul-smelling substance into a non-odorous substance naturally, with no unhealthy chemicals to buy, store, or use. Once ozone has done it’s job it converts back to oxygen. Ozone will also deactivate and destroy molds, bacteria, virus, fungus, and mildew.

Ozone is “active oxygen”, nature’s special element.(Each ozone molecule consists of three oxygen atoms.)

· Ozone is a natural purifier.

· Ozone is created in nature by the combination of oxygen in air and the ultraviolet rays of the sun or by the corona discharge that occurs during a lightning storm.

· Ozone has the clean, fresh scent noticed after a rainstorm.

· Ozone is the most powerful oxidizer safely used.

· Ozone is the alternative water purifier to traditional chemicals such as chlorine and bromine.

· Ozone destroys bacteria, viruses, mold, and mildew.

· Ozone eliminates spores, cysts, yeast, and fungus.

· Ozone oxidizes iron, sulfur, manganese and hydrogen sulfate.

· Ozone eliminates oils and other contaminants in water.

· Ozone eliminates odors in air, such as smoke.

· Ozone keeps water clean and sparkling clear.

· Ozone keeps food and water fresh

· Ozone leaves no chemical by-products in water.

· Ozone leaves no chemical taste or smell.

· Ozone will not burn eyes or make them red or irritated.

· Ozone will not irritate or dry out skin, nose, or ears.

· Ozone will not leave a chemical film on material or skin.

· Ozone will not discolor or damage hair or clothing.

· Ozone rids water and air of unhealthy microorganisms.

· Ozone is NOT a carcinogen.

· Ozone is not flammable and will not explode.

· Ozone is not a fire hazard.

· Ozone may damage electrical wiring, plumbing fittings or pipes.

· In 1906, Nice,France built the first water purification plant to use ozone.

· Los Angeles, California has the largest ozone drinking water treatment plant in the world.

· Most bottled water is purified by ozone.

· Ozone is used to clean water and toxic waste.

· Ozone purifies water in well and home drinking water systems.

· Ozone systems have brought life back to “dead”contaminated lakes and pools.

· Ozone is used to purify air in hotel rooms, boats, RVs, cars, and smoke/fire damaged structures.

· Ozone is used in thousands of residential and commercial pools and spas all over the world.

· Ozone does not have to be purchased or stored.

· Ozone is generated “on site” and is introduced into the water or air automatically.

· Ozone does not affect the pH balance of water, thus minimizing pH adjustments.

· Ozone helps reduce total dissolved solids in water so that the water does not have to be changed as often.

· Ozone eliminates much of the routine maintenance because it does such an effective job keeping the water clean.

Everything You Need to Know about Vaccines

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:30:07 GMT

Everything You Need to Know about V accines

Keeping up with vaccines is not always easy, particularly if you live in a household with family members of different ages. Vaccination needs can also change quickly if there’s an outburst of a disease.

These days, however, figuring out who needs to get vaccinated, when and where is as easy as visiting Vaccines.gov , the federal government’s centralized portal for everything related to vaccines. The portal recently launched a Spanish-language version of the site.

“Vaccinations protect you but also protect family members and the community, and this website will help everybody get answers to some of the most basic questions about vaccines,” said Guillermo Avilés-Mendoza, a Public Health Advisor to the National Vaccine Program Office at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Useful Information about Vaccines

The site offers information about vaccines from a practical and useful perspective. You’ll find, for example, vaccination calendars, explanations on how vaccines work and resources on which vaccines you need to take before going abroad.

In addition, you can:

Read about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines.
Learn which diseases are preventable through vaccines.
Become familiar with the many acronyms and abbreviations surrounding vaccinations.

“It’s a place where you can find practical and useful tools,” said Guillermo Avilés-Mendoza.

Who Needs to Get Vaccinated and When

Dozens of people died during an outbreak in 2010, most of them children under the age of one who couldn’t get vaccinated because they were too young. That’s why the federal government recommends that 11 or 12 year-olds get a booster of whooping cough vaccine, and that all adults get vaccinated against the whooping cough and get a booster every 10 years.

“The vaccine protects the person who took it, but also those who can’t get vaccinated, such as small children and people with weak immune systems,” said Avilés-Mendoza.

It’s a myth that vaccinations are only for children, pregnant women and senior citizens. In fact, every year thousands of adults get vaccinated against flu. There are different factors that determine if you need to get vaccinated, including your age, lifestyle, medical conditions and the places you visit. You might also want to get vaccinated if there’s an outburst of a particular disease, like whooping cough.

Find out who needs to get vaccinated and when .

Where to Get Vaccinated

Vaccinations are available in many places, from your doctor’s office and hospitals to pharmacies, churches and even schools and colleges. And many insurance companies cover the cost of vaccines. But what if you don’t have insurance?

“These clinics are great because they also offer other types of services such as prenatal care, dental and mental health services,” said Avilés-Mendoza.

You can always get vaccinated at the many community clinics funded by the federal government across the country. These clinics offer low cost vaccinations, so you pay what you are able to afford. Vaccinations.gov has a community clinic locator . Just type in your ZIP code.

Dust Mites – An Unwanted House Guest

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:37:06 GMT

If you have allergies or asthma, a tiny creature living in your home could be making big problems for you. Although you can’t see them, dust mites do live in your home!

Dust mites are microscopic and are found in most high-humidity environments. In homes with dust mites, a recent survey determined that dust mite populations are highest in the following areas:

Living With Dust Mites

Beds –Over 60% of the dust mite population loves your bed as much as you do—dust mites are living in your mattress, pillow, and covers.

Upholstery– Over 30% of the dust mite populous enjoy lounging on your sofas, chairs, and other fabric furniture.

Carpets– 10% of dust mites set up shop in your carpet, most commonly in your bedroom carpet.

AirDucts – 0%. This is because there is no food source in your air ducts, although many other nasty allergens thrive in air ducts.

This makes sense because dust mites feed on shed skin scales from humans, animals, birds, moths, and butterflies; also on pollen, fungi, and bacteria – which explains their high concentration in mattresses, upholstery, and carpet where abundant skin scales provide a plentiful food source.

The most effective way to evict dust mites is to:

Reduce indoor humidity levels
Vacuum regularly with a HEPA filter
Wash bedding weekly in hot water
Purchase a new pillow every six months
Encase your bedding
Clean your mattress, upholstery and carpets twice a year

Dust mites cannot bite their food must be moistened so the protein can be absorbed.

Dust mites need moist conditions to survive. Dust mites thrive in humidity levels above 55%.

DustMites live 2 to 2 1/2 months but cannot survive more than 7 to 10 days in areas with less than 50% humidity.

Vacuum Cleaner Reviews

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:53:32 GMT

Choose The Right Vacuum

Carpets top the list of critical cleaning chores, where upright models have traditionally excelled. But you may prefer a canister or a central vacuum for other cleaning. Within types, powerful unit, one that performed well on carpets, bare floors, and in our airflow tests. Here’s what else to go by when shopping:

Consumer Reports:

Types of Vaccum Cleaners

Before you buy a new vacuum, learn about the different types of vacuums on the market. While one type might have features that appeal to you, it might not fit your budget or lifestyle.

Upright vacuum

This traditional design is still the most popular. Uprights tend to cost less than canister vacuums.

Pros: Uprights generally provide a wider cleaning swath than canisters, and they tend to be better at deep-cleaning carpets. Most are also easier to store.

Cons: You must drag the entire machine back and forth for most floor and carpet cleaning. Some top performers weigh 20 pounds or more, although many competent machines are much lighter. Uprights also tend to be noisier than canisters overall.

Canister vacuums

The best ones clean carpets just about as well as uprights. (Pet owners note: The uprights and canisters that did best at regular cleaning also tended to excel at picking up pet hair.)

Pros: Canisters tend to be better than uprights for cleaning bare floors, drapes, upholstery, and under furniture, and they’re easier to handle on stairs. Most are quieter, and you mostly need to move only the hose and powerhead, not the entire machine.

Cons: The entire vacuum tends to be heavier and bulkier than an upright, and the hose and wand make a canister harder to store.

Pros: They’re even easier to use than a canister. You carry only the hose and powerhead, and there’s no vacuum body to pull along. Central vacuums tend to be relatively quiet, and they don’t need to be emptied frequently.

Central vacuums

Cons: Their 30-foot hose can be cumbersome and takes up storage space. And there’s no place to store cleaning tools while you work

Although they’re convenient, central vacuums are pricey, and they typically require professional installation.

Small vacuum

These miniature electric models come with or without a power cord.

Pros: They’re handy for light, quick surface cleaning on short-pile carpets and bare floors.

Cons: They lack the power and capacity of full-sized models.

Robotic vacuums

Pros: Do the grunge work while you relax. In uncluttered rooms, a robotic vacuum can fill in between regular vacuuming sessions.

Cons: They can be time-consuming to set up and run, and they tended to miss edges and corners in our tests. Some also tended to close doors behind them, locking themselves in a room.

Think of these more as expensive novelties than a practical appliance

Stick vacuums

Cons: Most don’t perform as well on carpet as handheld vacuums, the capacity of their dirt bin is typically small, and most are fairly noisy.

Some vacuum cleaner features improve performance or take some of the drudgery out of cleaning. But don’t be dazzled by gadgets. Here are the vacuum features to consider.

Stick vacuums generally provide smaller capacities than upright models, but they do weigh less. Like uprights, they have long bodies and handles and foot nozzles. Many are battery-powered. They are mainly for picking up surface litter and not a replacement for a good performing deep cleaning conventional vacuum.

Pros: They’re convenient when you need to quickly clean up a mess. Plus, they eliminate your having to bend to clean up a dirty floor.

Add-on cleaning tools

Think twice about splurging on extra cleaning tools. Most vacuums come with a narrow tool for crevices, a small upholstery brush, and a round brush for dusting. A power nozzle cleans carpets more thoroughly on canister vacuums than a simple suction nozzle. These basic tools should suffice for most cleaning jobs. Others may include tools that combine features of two tools, such as upholstery tools and dusting brushes; bare-floor tools and wall brushes to clean hard surfaces; and wands and stretch hoses to extend the reach of attachments.

Carpet-height adjustment

Dirt sensor

Bare-floor options

Bags vs. bagless

Brush agitator

Attachment reach

This is the manufacturer’s estimate of the combined length of the suction hose and all the hose extension attachments provided with the machine.

Some upright vacuums and canisters use bags; some collect dirt in a bin. Bag-type vacuums tend to hold more dirt, and emptying them releases less dust into the air. An indicator that tells you when the bag or bin is full reminds you to empty the dirt before it impairs cleaning. With bagless vacuums you can save money by not having to buy bags, but they still use filters (such as HEPA filters) that need to be periodically cleaned or replaced. Replacement filters tend to be significantly more expensive than bags. Another caveat: Emptying the dustbin and cleaning a filter can be messy, and handling it can expose you to dust and other allergens.

These include equipment and features that can help when cleaning hardwood, vinyl, and other uncarpeted floor surfaces. Most common is an on/off switch for the vacuum’s brush (see below); Other options include a bare-floor setting, which is usually a very low-height setting for uncovered floors.

Also known as the roller brush, it is found underneath the machine. This roller has bristles attached to it and spans the width of the base. It spins when the machine is on and dislodges dirt, dust, and grit from the carpet so that the airflow can pick it up easily. Some models have a switch to turn the brush agitator off when cleaning bare floors; a rotating brush on a bare floor can move dirt and debris around before it can be sucked up. The switch also makes it less likely that throw rugs, bedspreads, and the like will inadvertently become tangled in the roller brush. And it eliminates any hazard should the vacuum tip over while you have the hose extended.

This feature adjusts the height of the machine to a carpet’s pile height to allow for easy movement and thorough cleaning. Adjustments are automatic on some models, but we prefer manual control.

Found on only a few models, this feature can detect when the vacuum is no longer picking up dirt. However, as our tests have demonstrated, that doesn’t necessarily mean there’s no dirt or debris left to be picked up.

Easy on/off

A switch that is located on the handle or where your foot can activate it is more convenient than one on the body of the vacuum.

Filter

A growing number of vacuums are claimed to do a better-than-standard job of filtering out fine particles that may pass through the machine and escape into the air through the exhaust, either through the bag or a separate filter. Micron filters can provide a higher level of filtration than standard models but possibly not as high as high-efficiency particulate-air (HEPA) filtration. HEPA filtration might benefit someone with asthma. It provides the highest level of vacuum-cleaner filtration. In our tests, models with a HEPA filter have been very effective at reducing emissions. However, some models that don’t have HEPA filters have performed just as well in our tests, and such vacuums may cost less than HEPA models.

Full-container indicator

Suction control

Edge cleaner

Self-propelled

Lets you reduce the flow of air through the hose, which can be helpful when cleaning upholstery and curtains.

Retractable cord

Motor protection system

Headlight

Models with this feature (including most uprights and some canisters) can pick up debris under the entire area of the cleaning head. That’s useful when cleaning wall-to-wall carpeting–the vacuum can clean right up to where the carpet meets the wall.

Some models have a feature that alerts the user when the dust bag or container is full, which impairs the vacuum’s ability to clean. Some bagless models simply have a clear bin, letting you see when the vacuum is full. Other models have an electronic or mechanical indicator.

A headlight (or headlamp) improves visibility under furniture or in rooms without direct light. It’s all but standard on most upright models and is positioned on the power head on some canister vacuums.

This serves to protect a vacuum’s blower motor from overheating or electrically overloading, particularly when jammed.

A feature more common in canisters, it lets you rewind the cord with a slight tug or the push of a button. Most machines have an electrical cord of at least 20 feet; some cords are longer than 30 feet, which we think is a plus. A cord-release clip, found mostly on upright models, allows the entire cord to be released at once, rather than one wrap at a time.

This feature typically uses a transmission and drive system to assist the pushing and pulling of the vacuum, thereby requiring little effort by the user. However, it typically adds weight that can make some vacuums very heavy and difficult to carry or use on stairs.

Sometimes you might decide to buy a vacuum based on brand as opposed to a specific model. Here is information that will help you compare vacuums by brand.

Bissell

Bissell positions its upright vacuums to meet specific consumer preferences and needs. Healthy Home models target consumers who want to “breathe easy” by reducing allergens; the Pet Hair Eraser is meant to appeal to dog and cat owners. Bissell products are available at a wide variety of discount stores and mass merchants, including Walmart, Target, and Kmart. Upright models range in price from $40 to $270. Bissell also makes hand and stick vacuums, canisters, compact hand extractors, upright deep cleaners, and bare-floor cleaners and makes carpet-care products under the Woolite brand.

Bissell focuses less on canisters and has just two models, priced at $50 and $230. Bissell canisters are sold through the same retail stores as their other vacuum products.

Dirt Devil

Dirt Devil is positioned for the when-I-can-get-to-it consumer who can accept surface cleaning. Marketing efforts focus on ease of use and convenience to make cleaning quick and effortless. Dirt Devil is available at a wide variety of discount stores and mass merchants, including Walmart, Target, and Kmart. Upright models range in price from $40 to $250. Dirt Devil also makes hand-and-stick vacuums, canister models, deep cleaners, and central vacuums. Dirt Devil has been focusing on design lately, teaming up with designer Karim Rashid to produce elegant, stylish cordless hand and stick vacuums.

Dirt Devil has just two entry-level compact canister models, priced at $80 and $150. They are sold through the same retail stores as their other vacuum products.

Dyson

Dyson is a relatively new brand in the U.S. market. With a very effective advertising campaign featuring its namesake owner and designer, Dyson entered the U.S. with a bang, quickly garnering a competitive share of sales. Ranging in price from $300 to $600, Dyson vacuums single-handedly increased the average price paid for uprights and created a new top-pricing tier in the mass market. Dyson focuses on innovation, technology, and design and has connected with status-seeking consumers, making it the “It” brand of vacuums. Originally producing only uprights, Dyson has recently introduced a canister and a hand vacuum. The brand is available nationwide through major mass merchants such as Target, Best Buy, and Sears.

Eureka takes a situational approach to making vacuums and sells a wide variety of models. Uprights range in price from $50 to $200. Eureka is a national brand available in a wide variety of discount stores and mass merchants, including Walmart, Target, and Kmart. It also makes hand-and-stick vacuums, canister models, deep cleaners, and central vacuums.

Eureka

Eureka has about a half dozen canister models, ranging in price from $60 to $260, available through a more targeted selection of retailers, such as Bed Bath & Beyond and Lowe’s.

Hoover

Kenmore

Kenmore is a trusted brand in appliances, including vacuums. Once exclusive to Sears, Kenmore uprights are now available in Kmart stores as a result of a merger of the retailers. Kenmore uprights range in price from $80 to $300. Kenmore also offers canister models, hard-surface cleaners, and a carpet shampooer.

Kenmore is the brand leader in canister models and sells a wide range of models from $50 to $600 at Sears as well as Kmart. The best-selling canisters are priced between $250 and $500.

Hoover has a more established presence in canister vacuums and makes about a dozen models, priced from $80 to $300.

Hoover is positioned for the consumer who vacuums regularly and appreciates a deep clean. It introduced its first vacuum in 1907 and has established itself as one of the most recognizable brands in this country. More recently, Hoover was bought by TTI Floor Care, the owners of Dirt Devil, from Whirlpool. Hoover sells a wide variety of uprights in mass-market retailers, with models ranging in price from $50 to $300. It also makes hand-and-stick vacuums, canister models, deep cleaners, central vacuums, bare-floor cleaners, and an outdoor sweeper.

How To Clean Laminate Floors

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:05:45 GMT

Laminate Floor Cleaning

WARNING – do not use any aftermarket cleaners or sprays that state leaves the floor shiny or sparkly or contain any glossing agents, these will leave you without any warranty on your flooring; the manufacturers of the flooring clearly state that no artificial glossing agents, polishes or shining agents such as waxes are to be used on melamine laminate flooring. There are several leading high street brands offering such products; they even say that they are suitable for laminate flooring on the label; this is their opinion, not the manufacturers of the flooring, however, so beware. These companies do not take into account the requirements of many leading laminate floor manufacturers such as Pergo, Quickstep, Krono Original, Egger, Balterio, Berry Floor, etc, and use of these products can often lead to problems and loss of warranty offered.

You should also avoid any laminate floor cleaners that state they are made from soap, as soap needs to be rinsed away, and most laminate floors these days cannot be rinsed or wet mopped due to the click system or ‘v’ groove technology used. The instructions on many soap-based cleaners are incompatible with the newer styles of laminate floors and often lead to damage to the flooring over time. Any concentrate cleaner used that states you mix it in a bucket and soak the mop cloths should only be branded manufacturer laminate cleaners only; many aftermarket cleaners can have chemicals in them that can lead to problems over time with certain laminates. Follow the instructions on the bottles closely, and never overwet the flooring.

Laminate floors are fade, stain, dent, burn, and scratch resistant. However, it is still possible that you may end up with a scratch, chip, or dent that will require repair. Laminate flooring is very tough, but it is not ‘bulletproof’.

There is a range of flooring laminate putties which can help mask any small chips in your flooring; however, they will not cover or hide scratches. Scratches will fade a little with the use of the flooring, depending on how deep; with proper advice and cleaning equipment, you can reduce the risks of damaging your flooring and keeping it looking new.

While laminates are meant to stand up to wear, they keep a new look if you follow this simple advice.

Vacuum or sweep the flooring to remove loose dirt or grit
(*** Caution – do not use any vacuums with a rotating beater bar – hard floor attachments only).
Whilst many laminate flooring manufacturers actually say you can use vacuums with hard floor attachments, we recommend you only use a soft brush to clean the surface grit and dirt away prior to mopping. We have found that if your flooring is suffering from a lot of grit particles on the floor, you do risk the chance of some of this grit getting onto the wheels of the vacuum, and whilst dragging or pushing the vacuum around the floor, it is possible that a piece of grit can stop some of the smaller wheels found on today’s vacuums from going around, this will result in a scratch on your laminate floor.
Flat mop, using a laminate manufacturer’s cleaning solution. Spray the cleaning solution onto a dry flat mop with a microfibre cloth, do not saturate or over-wet the mop. The mop should not leave moisture behind. The mopped area was cleaned; this should be almost dry. If your laminate flooring has a wood grain-type finish, the flooring should be mopped in the same direction as the grain. (Most good quality laminates have an impressed grain effect in the wear layers on wood-type finishes) cleaning in the length of these grains helps bring back the luster of the flooring; only microfibre cloths can get into these impressed grains, and cleaning across the grain is not as effective. Once mopped with the cleaner spray on the flat microfibre mop cloth, the floor should then be buffed with a dry clean version of the flat microfibre mop cloth; this will help remove any residue from the cleaning procedure.
Never use polish, varnish, or wax. Most laminate flooring has a pre-finished wear layer; this never needs further treatment, only correct cleaning. There are many after-market (generic) laminate floor cleaners on sale today; many of these cleaners can actually lead to more damage to your laminate flooring over a long period of time. Many of these after-market cleaning products have glossing agents in them, designed to offer your flooring a glossy clean sparkly finish, or have soap included in their makeup. Glossing agents will actually make your laminate flooring appear patchy; as you use the flooring, the worn areas fade as the glossing agent wears off quickly, then you have to constantly keep glossing your floor to keep it looking good, this is classed as a polish and the manufacturers can and will invalidate your warranty as a result if these products are used. The glossing agents and soaps found in many after-market cleaners often cause the flooring to become sticky, and this will cause the flooring to attract dirt rather than repel it. More dirt on your flooring will lead to more scratching with time.
Never clean with abrasives, scouring powder, or steel wool.
Wipe up spills/liquids immediately.
Avoid allowing any liquids to stand on your floor – including your pet’s water bowl.

Dirt is the primary enemy of laminate floors. Walking over time causes fine scratches that lead to dullness, and larger particles of sand or rocks cause visible scratches.

Natural Carpet Cleaning – Hydrogen Peroxide

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:56:49 GMT

Hydrogen Peroxide Carpet Cleaning

Most carpet cleaners rely on traditional butyl-based chemicals. While effective, these carpet pre-treatment products could also damage carpet fibers, cause premature stain master wear, and be detrimental to occupant and worker health.Also known as butyl glycol, Dowanol, and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether(EGBE), which has made it on to the list of California’s toxic air substances,and some animal studies indicate that it produces reproductive problems, suc has testicular damage, reduced fertility, death of embryos and birth defects. In humans, it can irritate mucous membranes and cause liver and kidney damage. Butylcello solve is also a neuro toxin that can depress the nervous system and cause a variety of associated problems. Sounds like something we should be using around our house, no?” I’ve had customers call to have us re-clean their carpet (after the last carpet cleaning company) because they were coughing and hacking. Natural and Green carpet cleaners use alternative cleaners such oxygen-based products to provide a safer environment.

This is where oxygen based carpet cleaners come into play. One type of oxygen cleaner is oxygen-based-bleach cleaner that uses sodium per carbonate as its main ingredient. However,the superior oxygen cleaners in today’s market and the one we use are hydrogen-peroxide-based.

Hydrogen peroxide molecules are comprised of two atoms of hydrogen and two atoms of oxygen. Orangeade is added to the hydrogen peroxide to help it penetrate the surface and reach the embedded soil. When the cleaner comes into contact with the soil, the hydrogen peroxide releases oxygen to boost the cleaning. The only by-products of the reaction between the cleaner and the stain are oxygen and water. Followed up with purified stream rinse the result is no chemical residue, which can lead to re-soiling, and adverse health effects.

Hydrogen-peroxide cleaners are designed to remove proteins and other stains and soil of organic nature. They work well on dried tannin stains, such as coffee, red wine and cola. The cleaners are effective on both porous and non-porous surfaces including marble, stone, wood laminate, white boards, desktops, tile, grout,glass, carpet, leather and porcelain.
Oxygen cleaners deodorize the surface in addition to cleaning it because the hydrogen peroxide actually destroys the organic source of odors.

10 Tips For Cleaner Commercial Floors

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:45:44 GMT

Due to budget cuts, facility managers are trying harder to keep carpets clean and healthy as cost-effectively as possible. Carpets absorb matter and moisture, so managers may not realize soiling until it is too late. Damage may have occurred by then, and costly restoration or replacement may be necessary. However, this can be prevented.

HydraMaster provides the following Ten Ways to Keep Carpets Clean, Healthy, and Lasting Longer:

1. Exterior maintenance. Building occupants “walk-in” the bulk of soil entering a facility. Much of this comes from sidewalks, parking lots, and outdoor walkways. These areas should be kept clean throughout the year.

2. Enforce the “Rule of 15.” At least 15 feet of high-performance matting should be placed at all building entries. Matting defends a facility from walking in soil and moisture.

3. Vacuum daily. Vacuuming high-traffic areas removes the dry soiling that can damage a carpet’s appearance and health.

10. Develop skills and training. Proper carpet cleaning is a science, and know-how is critical.

“This is a proactive approach to carpet care,” says Wayne Boone, Director of Sales for HydraMaster. “It can extend the life of carpets while keeping facilities cleaner and healthier.”

6. On-the-spot spotting. Spots should be removed as soon as possible. Make spotting tools and equipment readily available throughout a facility.

8. Clean carpets where needed. Place greater concentration where cleaning is needed, on heavy trafficked areas.

4. Pile lifting. Pile lifting opens carpet fibers and helps improve vacuuming. It should be performed regularly for more effective soil removal.

5. Focus on lower floors. Keeping lower floor carpets clean helps prevent soiling on upper floor carpeting.

7. Elevators transport people—and soil. Placing matting inside and outside elevators helps prevent this.

9. Use hot water extraction. Experts say the most effective way to clean carpets is by using hot water extractors. Further, truck mount systems, because of their added power and heat capabilities, are usually the most effective extraction method.

Seven Tips to Slow the Spread of Flu

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:03:24 GMT

Although the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says vaccination is the first line of defense against infectious diseases and influenza (flu), cleani ng and disinfecting also play a pivital role. To educate custodial departments on proper cleaning techniques, the CDC outlined seven tips that will help slow the spread of flu.

1. Know the difference between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing.

Cleaning removes germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces or objects. Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects. Sanitizing lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level, as judged by public health standards or requirements.

2. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are touched often.

This means daily sanitizing of surfaces and objects that are touched often, such as desks, countertops, doorknobs, computer keyboards, hands-on learning items, faucet handles and phones.

4. Clean and disinfect correctly.

Always follow label directions on cleaning products and disinfectants.

It’s important to match your cleaning and disinfecting activities to the types of germs you want to remove or kill. Flu viruses are relatively fragile, so standard cleaning and disinfecting practices are sufficient to remove or kill them.

3. Simply do routine cleaning and disinfecting.

5. Simply do routine cleaning and disinfecting.

Ensure that the custodial staff who usees cleaners and disinfectants read and understand all instruction labels and understand safe and appropriate use. This might require that instructional materials and training be provided in other languages.

6. Handle waste properly.

Follow your school’s standard procedures for handling waste, which may include wearing gloves.

7. Learn more.

The CDC offers a number of resources for additional information.

Study: Dirty Restrooms Lead to Lost Business

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:56:19 GMT

A recent survey of more than 1,000 adults ages 18 and older revealed that 94 percent would avoid a business in the future if they encountered dirty restrooms. According to Cintas Corporation, commissioners of the survey, when asked what specific types of businesses participants would avoid if they encountered dirty restrooms, adults reported the following:

• Restaurants – 79 percent
• Hotels – 79 percent
• Health Care Facilities – 77 percent
• Supermarkets – 50 percent
• Retail Stores – 45 percent
• Gas Stations – 45 percent
• Car Dealerships – 39 percent

“To satisfy customers, businesses must ensure restrooms are consistently stocked, clean, dry and functioning,” explained Dave Mesko, Senior Director of Marketing, Cintas.

Soap vs. Sanitizer: What’s The Difference?

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:53:39 GMT

The Dirt On Soap

Thanks to media coverage following the outbreak of H1N1 and other pandemics in recent years, the public has finally caught on that regular hand hygiene is essential to help prevent the spread of germs. People are washing their hands more frequently, and hand sanitizers are populating buildings more quickly than ever before.

But, despite this increased awareness, misinformation still exists about the difference between soaps and hand sanitizers, as well as how and when to use them. Simply stated, soaps clean hands, and sanitizers do not.
“The difference between soap and sanitizer is soap removes soil from your hands,” says Dave Smetzer, sales manager for Capital Sanitary in Des Monies, Iowa. “In the process of cleaning your hands, you wash away the soils and germs.”

Sanitizer is equally effective at killing germs, but it will not remove dirt from hands.

“Hand sanitizers aren’t necessarily a cleaner,” notes Bill Egerton, director of marketing for Birsch Industries in Virginia Beach, Va. “They won’t get grease off your hands, but they will kill bacteria on your skin. There’s nothing wrong with washing your hands with traditional soap. If you wash your hands properly, you’ll get the bacteria off your skin.”

Ronnie Kent, president of Associated Paper in Conyers, Ga., agrees that soap’s primary function is to clean hands and also remove germs.

“Every time you touch a doorknob, a phone, or a pen, you’re getting germs on your hands,” he says. “Washing your hands will get rid of those germs — germs that you can even pass on to yourself when you touch your face or nose.”

Nevertheless, distributors encourage custodial managers to offer both soap and sanitizers in their facilities. Although sanitizers are not a substitute for handwashing, they can serve as a backup to remove germs in the absence of water or when it is inconvenient to visit a restroom.

In addition to neglecting the back of hands and the area between fingers, most people do not wash their hands for a sufficient length of time. Egerton suggests scrubbing hands vigorously under the water for at least 10 seconds — or the amount of time it takes to recite the ABCs or sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice. Experts also encourage cleaning staff and the general public to wash their hands frequently — particularly after using the restroom or before touching food — something people often neglect to do.

To encourage more frequent handwashing, soaps need to be easily accessible in restrooms.

While handwashing is the preferred method of sanitizing hands, most people do not wash their hands correctly, say distributors.”Don’t just wash the palms of your hands,” says Kent. “Germs aren’t just on your palms, so you have to rub all over your hands — front, back, and between your fingers.”

“The best place to put soap is directly to the left or right of the sink, or have a dispenser directly on the sink where people can see what it is,” says Gary McCain, sales manager for Five Star Janitorial Supply in Leesville, La.

Distributors also recommend touch-free soap dispensers, which further reduce the risk of cross-contamination. And in restrooms that don’t offer touch-free faucets or towel dispensers, distributors encourage the use of hand sanitizer after handwashing as an added precaution.

“Often people will wash their hands and then use a hand sanitizer after they dry them,” says McCain. “When you first turn the faucet on, you’re possibly transferring germs to the handles. So when you wash your hands and turn the water off, you’re readmitting germs to your hands. Also, if there isn’t a hands-free towel dispenser, you have to use your hands to touch the dispenser, which may have germs on it from the previous person.”

Is Your Office Making You Sick?

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:24:39 GMT

Economic Impact Of Poor Indoor Air Quality
What is poor indoor air quality really costing you — and your employees?
The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute

Oftentimes poor indoor air quality (IAQ) is associated with potential health issues — and rightfully so. But, while looking at the adverse health effects, you’ll also need to look at how poor health impacts the economy.

Table 1
Potential Annual Health Care Savings And Productivity Gains From Improving Indoor Environments (Fisk and Rosenfeld 1997).

Reduced respiratory disease 16 to 37 million avoided illnesses $6 to $14 billion.
$23 to $54 per person

Source of Productivity Gain Potential Annual Health Benefits in U.S. Potential U.S. Annual Savings on Productivity Gain (1996 $U.S.)

One of the best studies to date on quantifying potential health and productivity benefits from providing good indoor environmental conditions — IAQ, thermal, and lighting — was conducted by William Fisk, head of the Indoor Environment Department at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and his colleagues. Their findings reflect an analysis of a large number of earlier studies.

See Table 1 for a summary of the findings.
Fisk et al. concluded: “Improving air quality would not only lead to significant reductions in illness but would have a direct positive impact on worker productivity. … The potential direct increase in office workers’ performance was estimated to range between 0.5 percent and 5 percent.”

Reduced allergies and asthma 10 to 30 percent decrease in symptoms in 53 million people with allergies and 16 million people with asthma $2 to $4 billion
$20 to $80 per person (with allergies)

Improved worker performance from changes in the thermal environment and lighting Not applicable $20 to $160 billion

They also estimated the annual economic costs of common respiratory illnesses (reported in 1996 dollars):

Reduced sick building syndrome symptoms 20 to 50 percent reduction in symptoms experienced frequently by 15 million workers $10 to $30 billion
$300 per office worker

180 million lost workdays
120 million additional days of restricted activity
$36 billion ($140 per person) in healthcare costs
$70 billion ($270 per person) total cost

Complements of The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute

Are Newspapers Good For Cleaning Glass?

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:28:57 GMT

You’ll hear it in many places…the idea that newspapers can be used to polish up a mirror or glass. You can recycle the paper and get your glass clean at the same time. But does it work?
It does work, but it’s not usually the best option, and there may be some serious drawbacks. Many people swear by this method, but honestly, I’ve never been a huge fan. It works in a pinch, but I much prefer other methods of cleaning glass and mirrors.

The truth is that newsprint ink can smear on the glass, especially on the frame of mirrors and windows. Newspaper doesn’t hold together very well, when wet. And given the opportunities to recycle newspapers that we have, it seems to make more sense to repurpose the paper instead of tossing it into the trash after wiping down a mirror.

Does Carpet Cleaning Shrink Your Carpet?

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:35:02 GMT

Can Carpet Cleaning Shrink Carpets?

It’s everyone’s worse nightmare. You hire someone to clean your carpet, only to find your carpet cleaning shrunk. In the past, it was a common problem but hardly exist today.

Today most carpets are made of synthetic materials, reducing the risk of carpet cleaning shrinkage to almost nothing. It’s always a good idea to know your carpet type and the manufacturer’s instructions for it.

One thing that could cause minimal carpe shrinkage would be an overly wet carpet after your technician is finished cleaning. Reputable companies and carpet cleaning technicians don’t allow this to happen. Even so, it’s a good idea to check your carpet’s wetness before the tech leaves your home. Express concerns if you have them. And be sure to hire a reputable carpet cleaning company to clean your carpets.

How Much Does A Good Vacuum Cleaner Cost?

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 11:44:50 GMT

Low-End Upright Vacuum Cleaners

There are a few general rules about vacuum cleaners and price. Upright vacuum cleaners are overall less expensive than canister vacuum cleaners. Another general rule is that newer features can drive up the cost.

Canister vacuums range anywhere from 150 dollars to 1500 dollars. Canister vacuum cleaners can be bagged or bagless. Some canister vacuum cleaners offer HEPA filtration. You’ll want to look for a canister vacuum cleaner with wheels that won’t scuff or damage your floors. Canister vacuum cleaners that have onboard tool storage are convenient.

Although the price may play a large part in your decision to purchase a vacuum cleaner, choosing a vacuum cleaner based on the features you need most will help you keep your costs down while buying a vacuum cleaner that is a good fit for your needs.

Higher-end canister vacuums may have a power nozzle and suction control switch. Controlling the suction allows canister vacuums to clean delicate and heavy-duty areas of the home. There is not much difference in the abilities of canister vacuums cleaners between the bottom and top. To make your choice, you will need to look at the company, warranty information, customer service reputation, and bonus features. Some canister vacuum cleaners are doing better at cleaning both carpet and hard floors better by having an on/off brush roll, so you may want to make a choice based on versatility. Like their upright vacuum cleaner cousins, canister vacuum cleaners at the uppermost end of the price range may be merely expensive and not necessarily higher quality or more effective.

A low-end upright model will have a suction hose with a crevice tool, stair brush, and extended wand piece. The lower-priced upright vacuum cleaner may include a manual adjustment for the height of the carpet. At the lower-end of uprights, you will find a few models that have an additional feature, like bagless models or bagged models with a full bag indicator light. They may also have headlamps and/or bumper protection for furniture. It will be difficult to find advanced filtration systems in the bottom price range.

The highest level of upright vacuum cleaners is very expensive. These brands may cost anywhere from 800 dollars and above. Vacuum cleaners over 1000 dollars are even possible. Many times you may pay a lot of money for a vacuum cleaner that will perform at the same level as a much less expensive upright vacuum cleaner.

An upright vacuum cleaner will cost anywhere from 50 dollars a low-end lightweight model, to over 1000 dollars for some of the newer most advanced models.

These upper-priced upright vacuum cleaners may range between200-500 dollars, depending on the features. The highest of these models may carry every available feature of an upright vacuum cleaner. They may be true HEPA vacuums. They will have a more comprehensive cleaning path, possibly dirt sensors, and some will be self-propelled. You will find pre-motor filters to protect the motor from damage in this price range as well. The suction hoses may be more sturdy and crush resistant. Though not necessarily more powerful, these vacuum cleaners have a lot of gadgets that may be handy for your home.

Higher Priced Upright Vacuum Cleaners

Highest Priced Upright Vacuum Cleaners

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What Can Vinegar Clean

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 09:43:02 GMT

Can Vinegar Clean Anything and Everything?

Vininger is as close to a miracle cleaner as anything I’ve ever found. But sometimes, people go a little far in their expectations of vinegar’s abilities. Believe it or not, there are a few things to Not use Vinegar to clean;

Carpet Odors - Often vinegar is suggested to be used on pet stains on carpet, but it doesn’t work as well as an enzymatic carpet cleaner. Vinegar might mask the odor, but it won’t eliminate the odor.

Unsealed Grout - Grout that hasn’t been sealed or needs to be resealed should not have vinegar used on it. Over time, vinegar can deteriorate the condition of your grout.

Stone Surfaces - Stonesurfaces can be etched and damaged by vinegar. For best results, check with your stone supplier for guidance on vinegar and the best cleaners. Often, all thatis needed is water and a soft cloth to keep your stone looking great.

Regifting, Recycling and Reducing Holiday Waste

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 11:56:32 GMT

Tips to Reduce Holiday Waste

Celebrations and gifts will be at the forefront of the festivities. Presents ripped open, gift wrap and tissue paper, bags and boxes tore into in search for the of the perfect gift. There is bound to be piles of holiday waste in nearly every home. That translates to a whole lot of trash going to the landfill.

Not so good for the environment. The gift wrap industry earns roughly 2.6 billion in yearly retail sales, the bulk of it, Christmas. The United States produces 5 million tons of waste is during the holidays , 4 million tons of that are gift wrap and plastic bags, according to the Clean Air Council.

There are smarter solutions, and this is a perfect time of the year to practice reuse, reduce, and recycle wisely. It can be an educational lesson for kids too and teach them re sponsibility.

Arts and crafts are an excellent way to reduce holiday waste
Holiday paper makes for excellent scrapbook matting.
If you .actually have large enough chunks of surviving gift wrap, use it to re-wrap other gifts, or collect small bits of paper and make a collage.
Shred the paper, and use it in gift bags throughout the year, or reuse the tissue paper.
Save the boxes, for whenever you have a present to give that requires a box you will always have some on hand.
Use the gift wrap for something like practicing origami and save the delicate pieces of paper for when you get the hang of it.
The most significant way to reduce your contribution to holiday waste is to use environmentally responsible wrapping materials.

Look at some of the ways that you can reuse gift wrap and tissue paper, bows and ribbon, before you toss it out into the garbage. Don’t forget about those empty gift wrap cardbo ard rolls either, those are good for arts and crafts, and small furry pets love them!

7 Ways to Reuse Holiday Wa ste

This year is a perfect time of the year to practice reuse, reduce, and recycle wisely. It can be an educational lesson for kids too and teach them environmental responsibility. These are just a few ways to reduce holiday waste before the big clean up. Can you think of more?

Control Dust Mite and Pet Allergies

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:58:02 GMT

Bedding: Select non-allergic, washable bedding materials. Rather than pillows stuffed with feathers. Get special casings (plastic or rubberized fabric) that zip around mattresses, box springs and pillows. These limit your exposure to dust mite particles. Use washable blankets and spreads, and wash all bedding (including pillows) every week in hot water.
Humidity: If possible, install a room dehumidifier in the bedroom. Keep humidity below 50%. Lowering humidity reduces the number of mites. Avoid using vaporizers or humidifiers.
Cleaning: Clean and dust your home thoroughly a regular basis (particularly the bedrooms). Vacuum frequently using HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Arresting) air filtered vacuum. Clean your carpet, rugs, and upholstery every year. Clean your air ducts every 3-5 years.
Clothes: Wash in hot water, hang them in your closet and keep the closet door closed, or put them into dresser drawers.
HVAC: Change or clean air-conditioner and furnace filters monthly. We recommend using a HEPA cleaner on your heating system or a portable HEPA filter unit in your bedroom.
Clutter: Get rid of stuffed animals, and other dust collectors, or use washable ones.
Pets: Never allow pets in the bedroom. Bath them twice a month with a Dander shampoo. You can use Dander wipes in-between baths.
Concentrate efforts in the bedroom of the dust-sensitive person.

What are the Methods of Carpet Cleaning

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:19:32 GMT

1. Absorbent Compound

The 5 Methods of Carpet Cleaning

An organic or synthetic compound that is spread into the carpet, absorbs soils, and is removed by dry vacuuming.

Advantage:

Low Moisture

Allows Blending

Quick Return to Service

Disadvantage:

Low Cleaning Power

Carpet Fiber Distortion

Leaves Some Residue – No Rinse

Uses

Not recommended. Used as an interim or spot cleaning for commercial carpet or dry rug cleaning applications.

2. Dry Foam

A preconditioner may or may not be used prior to application of a foam detergent. Once the foam is distributed suspended soils and the foam are extracted by a wet vacuum.

Advantage:

Low Moisture

Surface Cleaning

Easy Application

Disadvantage:

Low Cleaning Power – Surface Only

Increased Resoling – Low Extraction

Leaves Dry Dirt Residue – No Rinse

Uses

Not recommended. Out dated technology, sometimes used in quick cleaning carpet cleaning for hospitality industry.

3. Shampoo

A preconditioner may or may not be used prior to shampooing. A foaming detergent is showered into the carpet surface followed by a nylon rotating brush that creates a foam suspends soil. Either a wet vacuum or dry vacuum is used to extract soils.

Advantage:

Aggressive Cleaning Power

Surface Cleaning

Easy Application

Disadvantage:

Surface Only

Very High Resoling – Little Soil Extraction

High Soapy Residue – No Rinse

Uses

Not recommended. Out dated technology, sometimes used in hospitality industry.

4. Encapsulation

A cleaning agent is brushed into the carpet using a cylindrical or rotary brush machine. Encapsulation chemistry surrounds each soil particle and crystallizes so it can attract other soils. The encapsulated soil particles are removed through dry vacuuming or pile lifters.

Advantage:

Excellent Cleaning Power

Mid Surface Cleaning

Improved Vacuuming

Disadvantage:

No Health Benefits

May Cause De laminating

Chemical Residue

Uses

Recommended for commercial use only. Encapsulation Carpet Cleaning is technologically advanced, providing excellent low moisture mid surface carpet cleaning. Carpet surface continues to improve over time with regular vacuuming. At this time residential applications are not considered a professional carpet cleaners best practice.

5. Absorbent Pad (Bonnet / Oscillating Pad)

A carbonated preconditioner may be used prior to application. Once the precondidtioner is distributed suspended soils are agitated and extracted via rotary bonnet absorbsution. Bonnets must be turned over or replace frequently to ensure good absorption rates.

Advantage:

Low Moisture

Mid-Surface Cleaning

Disadvantage:

Moderate Cleaning Power

Professional Use Only

Little Residue – No Rinse

Uses

Interim or Combined Carpet Cleaning Only.

Often used by franchise carpet cleaners for commercial and residential applications for its easy application. Bonnet Carpet Cleaning produces good visual results but does not clean deep down, reducing the ability to remove stains and offering little health benefits. Excellent Carpet Cleaning results can be achieved when combined with Hot Water Extraction Carpet Cleaning.

6. Hot Water Extraction (Steam Carpet Cleaning)

Although there are many different carpet cleaning methods Hot Water Extraction is the safest and most effective method for deep down carpet cleaning . Often called Steam Cleaning this proven technology is a favorite among professional carpet cleaners, and customers. Our method of Hot Water Extraction Carpet Cleaning involves an organic or synthetic preconditioner that breaks down and suspends soils so that they may be flushed out from the carpet using a hot water rinse. Even heavily soiled carpets will look and feel like new. The rinsing process is completed by powerful vacuums that extract the suspended soils and any remaining water. The result is a healthy deep down carpet clean.

Under normal circumstances your carpets will be dry to the touch with in 2 to 3 hours. Drying times vary according to humidity, and soil levels. The use of high speed air movers will drastically increase your carpets drying time. For heavily soiled carpets complete drying should be accomplished with in 6 to 8 hours. Included in our process we provide you with shoe covers or “booties” that allow you immediate access to the cleaned carpets.

Advantage:

Excellent Cleaning Power

Deep Down & Surface Cleaning

Safe, Healthy and No Chemical Residue

Disadvantage:

4 – 8 Hour Drying Time

IICRC Professional Use Only

Suitable To Over Wetting / Operator Error

Uses

Commercial And Residential Carpet Cleaning. Heavy Duty Carpet Restoration, Disaster Recovery or Interim Carpet Cleaning. Considered the Gold Standard, Hot Water Extraction Carpet Cleaning is the most popular choice among professional and consumers alike. Hot Water Extraction Carpet Cleaning not only produces excellent visual and textural results, it also is the only carpet cleaning method that has added health benefits to indoor air quality. When properly applied by a certified Carpet Cleaning Technician (CCT) you can expect clean, soft, healthy and longer lasting carpets.

How To Remove Urine From Carpet

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:04:50 GMT

Keep the following items on hand so you will be prepared to handle fresh spills on your carpet:

Use a “wet-vac” to extract liquid from the area if possible. Paper toweling placed over the cleaned area and weight with a color-fast object will help absorb resurfacing stains. The use of fans to decrease the drying time will also help.

Spotters such as our free lifetime replacement Spot Out® and Enzyme product for urine stains

Neutral dish detergent such as Dawn®

Clean Rags, Small Scrub Brush, and Bottled/Purified Water

Hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) for browning stains; isopropyl alcohol for inks or other colored stains

A Wet/dry vac is great to have as well.

Act fast. The key to any successful spot removal is extracting it from the fibers as quickly as possible. Don’t use hot water on a fresh stain. Heat will set most stains.
Blot as much of the spill as possible and remove any solids. For large spills use a wet/dry vac. Work from the outside in.
Carefully apply cool purified or bottled water to the stain, do not over saturate. Blot, gently pressing a clean towel into the carpet pile in the stained area to remove as much moisture as possible. Start your blotting on the outside edges of the stain.
Apply appropriate spotter, and wait. Let the product do its job! At this time you may want to slightly agitate the carpet fibers. After at least 5 minutes began blotting, working from the outside perimeter of the stain, moving inward. If no spotter is available use dish detergent diluted at 30:1
To prevent re-soiling extract spotters with purified water; blot the area dry paying special attention to the edges. This is a step is a critical step, because you do not want to leave the chemical residue in the carpet fibers.
To remove any remaining moisture, place several towels over the spot, weigh them down, and leave it there overnight.
When the carpet is dry, vacuum the pile using multiple passes.
If you can still see the stain, call your professional carpet cleaning company.

These stains are not permanent and typically can be removed by simply repeating these steps. Here are some additional suggestions:

Avoid over-wetting the carpet backing during spot-cleaning and rising. Blotting to remove excess moisture reduces the occurrence of wicking stains.

8 STEPS TO REMOVE URINE FROM CARPET

It is not unusual for carpet stains to sometimes reappear after spot cleaning. This occurs for two primary reasons.

Chemical Residue – When spotting and even with some professional carpet cleaners, some residue remains in the carpet, causing rapid re-soiling. If this happens repeat step 5.
Wicking occurs when a liquid has been spilled on the carpet (usually a large quantity) and cleaning attempts remove only the stain and liquid from the carpet fibers. Liquid still remains in the carpet backing or padding. Through capillary action, the stain can “wick” back up into the carpet fibers.

Carpet Cleaning Tips

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The Best Carpet Cleaners In Philadelphia

1. Physical Location

2. The Owners ﻿

3. Insured ﻿

4. Repu tation

5. Staff

6. Products and Equipment ﻿

7. Guar antees

8. Price

9. Trust

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Mold Fact Sheet – Referenced directly from the EPA and CDC

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You Can Control Mold ﻿

If you choose to use bleach to clean up mold:

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2. The Owners

3. Insured

6. Products and Equipment

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Time To Call The Carpet Cleaning Professionals

Call A1 Sparkles For Guaranteed Carpet Cleaning

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Live Longer

Sleep Better

Contact A1 Sparkles Today for Air Duct Cleaning!

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Improved Indoor Air Quality

Allergies

Smell

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Useful Information about Vaccines

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Types of Vaccum Cleaners

Upright vacuum

Add-on cleaning tools

Carpet-height adjustment

Laminate Floor Cleaning

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Tips to Reduce Holiday Waste

1. Absorbent Compound

2. Dry Foam

3. Shampoo