The Various Kinds Of Commercial Cleaning Services Out There

You can think of any kind of commercial venture existing out there at or since the turn of the millennium. You are bound to find hundreds and thousands of services of the same kind. This comes as no surprise as in this age the global economy is quite convoluted and the various economies of different countries interlinked. This in turn has led to millions of small scale businesses thriving everywhere in the world, more so as a recent phenomenon in the developing economies of the world.

With millions of businesses, however, come billions of all kinds of needs. Some are very logical, and some are not all that trivial. While some needs are tricky to get done, some can be a big pain for a regular business indeed. But amid all this we are going to look at something that is very trivial, but immensely significant for any kind of business growth. I'm talking of course of the requirement of cleaning. This comes as a natural and scientific consequence of holding a non-zero office space. Anything that occupies space in nature, exists and therefore needs to be cleaned, and more so for all things man made.

Now that we have established regular cleaning is required for any household or business, let us look at the solutions for this regular chore. One of the time-tested and optimal solutions is of course the procurement of commercial cleaning services. These are professional services that would serve your household or business in a time bound fashion. The relationship is most likely to be contractual in nature and the services will be delivered with an air of professionalism. Now we look at the various kinds of commercial cleaning service providers out there.

One of the main categories is residential. Under this category, you can employ professional cleaners on a regular basis to come and clean your household. They come equipped with their own inventory so you need not invest in that.

The other broad category is of course for businesses. The growing businesses would definitely require professional cleaners to take care of their regular cleaning chores. The contract would oblige the cleaners to have different kinds of tasks with various periodicities.

Then the cleaners can also be classified in term of the kind of service they provide. For example, look at the carpet cleaners. These are the kind of service providers that work across residential or industrial projects. They would ensure a thoroughly professional cleanup of your carpet - with chemicals, vacuuming, etc. They would typically charge on the area of the carpet cleaned.

Winter Mossyland

Not everyone is looking forward to winter. Aside from the undeniably cold cold nights, moss starts to grow all over the house especially on the roof. I recently learned that moss on roof could shorten its lifespan. What it does is it keeps the roofing materials damp for extended periods of time. The moisture on the surface therefore hastens the rotting of the wood or erodes the asphalt in shingles. I do not need another reason to spend money for I have to act upon the burgeoning moss on my roof right away.

Roof cleaning could require so much work. I live on my own so housework can be a bit of a nuisance especially if it requires such humongous tasks. Cleaning the roof includes brushing the surface where moss grows. A standard bristle scrub would do but be extra careful not to be too aggressive with the scrubbing. This might tear the bond between shingle layers and worsen the problem. It is recommended that you use a roof mold remover to hasten the process. Most people use chlorine bleach but I would not recommend it because it has been observed that when it drains down to the garden, it could kill the vegetation, not to mention corrode the metal gutter. There are available organic moss killers. This would be a better alternative since it would not be detrimental to the rest of your plants in the garden. Another roof cleaner alternative is non-toxic oxygen bleach. This is widely available in garden shops. You just apply it on the roof and let it sit for about half an hour before lightly scrubbing it off the roof. The solution will loosen the grip of the moss on roof so it becomes fairly easy to scrub it off there.

In addition to that, I learned that copper on the roof surface could also prevent moss growth. I have not tried it but according to my research, copper molecules create a poisoned environment that moss dislikes.

In order to spare yourself from all the hard work and worries about moss on roof, what you can do is clean up your roof from falling leaves once in a while. You also need to trim tree branches that cover the most part of your roof. Doing these simple tasks would allow natural light to dry your roof.

Despite this minor hiccup of cleaning roofs, it still could not outweigh the lovely feeling of snow falling lightly in the lawn and the crisp wintry chill early mornings. I still love winter.

Learn how to get rid of moss on roof without ruining the rest of your foliage in the garden. Rid your roof of this pesky moss to lengthen your roof's lifespan.

Why Gum Removal Is Important for Parking Lots and Garages

When pulling into a parking garage or looking for a space in a parking lot, gum removal is often not the first thing that comes to mind. Chewing gum, particularly discarded chewing gum, is one of those things that you simply do not think about until you actually come into contact with it. Stepping in chewing gum, accidentally touching it or getting it on your clothes can be a huge nuisance. In addition to that, chewing gum wads can really put people off when it comes to places such as stores and restaurants. A hotel walkway that is littered with wads of gum is certainly not going to make a good impression. The same holds true for parking lots and parking garages. This is why businesses must partake in proper gum removal procedures to keep customers happy and their shoes gum-free.

A Place to Park

The truth is that many parking lots and garages simply may not take the task of gum removal too seriously. After all, people are simply looking for a place to park their car; they are not looking to stay there for a long time.

There may be a feeling that people are not worrying about the gum stuck on the ground. This is in fact a very narrow view of the situation. Many people are conscious about where they park their vehicles. The condition and cleanliness of the facility plays into this consciousness. The truth is that a well-maintained parking garage speaks volumes. If given a choice between a dirty, gum stained parking lot and a clean, well-maintained one, people will choose the well-maintained lot time and again.

To understand better why gum removal is important for parking lots and garages, it is important to view these areas in the right way. They are very similar to public transportation vehicles in that people use them but do not spend much time on them. At the same time, seeing a dirty bus or train, dotted with gum stains can really put passengers off. They would much rather travel comfortably on a bus that is clean than on one that is dirty. The same applies to parking lots and garages. People would much rather leave their vehicles in a place that is well maintained and free of gum wads.

The Right Machine

The good news is that when it comes to gum removal, there are cleaning machines available that are safe, effective and fast. Many conventional gum-removing methods can take up a lot of time. Scraping away at each stain with a knife can be a very time-consuming job, especially if there are many pieces to be removed. On the other hand, chemical cleaners have their own disadvantages, as well. Those in the removing chewing gum business know that sometimes harsh chemicals will not remove a stain completely. They may also leave behind harsh fumes or chemical traces.

Professionals in the removal of chewing gum business will tell you that it is best to invest in a gum removal machine that uses the cleaning power of steam for the removal of gum. In addition to this, a unit that also has vacuum extraction capabilities can help to physically remove the residue once it has been loosened, rather than simply disperse it. Stainless steel brushes are ideal for tackling very old, black and hardened stains that may have settled deep into the surface. These units allow you to clear thousands of wads of gum per day. In this way, even the dirtiest parking lot can be rendered gum-free in a manner that is fast, safe and effective.

What Makes Electric Pressure Washers Better Than Gas-Powered?

The use of electric power washer machines is fast gaining popularity among maintenance professionals. Power cleaners that run on electricity are usually classified according to their pressure levels and flow rates. Light-duty pressure cleaning machines designed for general cleaning jobs come with pressure levels of around 1000 psi and flow rates of 2 GPM. On the other hand, powerful versions created for tough, industrial cleaning applications feature pressure levels of 3000 psi and flow rates of 5 GPM. Hot water and steam temperature options also help remove dirt and debris.

Leading suppliers now offer high-grade versions of pressure washing equipment empowered with exciting technologies. Here is a look at some of the quality aspects available in these excellent electric power washer systems:

Powerful, top-grade heating coils enable power cleaning units to eject steam at temperatures of up to 330?F. This super-hot steam easily softens tough stains, greasy deposits and hardened dirt.The housing of quality power cleaners is steel powder coated, chemical resistant and chip-resistant.Heating coils in the best pressure cleaning products should be schedule 80 heating coils or comprised of stainless steel.

Abiding by these quality standards will enable efficient use of your machine for a prolonged length of time.

Electric vs. Gas Versions

Both gas-powered and electric power washers units offer superb cleaning power. However, many professionals prefer electric powered systems. This is because electric offer a number of advantages professionals look for in a pressure washer. Here is a look at what makes electric pressure cleaning machines versatile machines:

Compact and portable: Since electric pressure washers do not come with fuel tanks like gas-powered versions, they are smaller, lightweight and thus more portable.
Low maintenance costs: Fuel-powered pressure cleaning units such as propane pressure washer systems and gas-powered systems need regular maintenance. For instance, gas power washing products incur maintenance jobs such as replacing air filters, draining oil, tuning up ignition and replacing exhaust manifolds. Electric versions do not need any such maintenance and thus saves you a good amount in maintenance costs.
Clean, 'green' cleaning: Electric pressure washer systems do not use fuel and thus do not generate carbon fumes. That makes it a clean, eco-friendly cleaning option. Propane pressure washers and gas-powered units can generate exhaust fumes that can be harmful to the user when used indoors without proper ventilation.
Reduced noise: Pressure washers that run on gas produce up to 85 decibels of sound while in operation. In comparison, electric versions function much more quietly. This makes electric pressure cleaner products suitable for maintaining indoor areas.

To sum up, electric power washer machines are here to stay. They feature the perfect combination of excellent construction, high-grade components, effective cleaning technologies, user-friendly operation, safety aspects and green cleaning technique. Check out the websites of leading distributors to understand more about these versatile cleaning systems.

Vanquish That Stain The Earth Friendly Way!

It's been a wonderful dinner. You've talked and laughed, enjoyed fine wine and scrumptious food, and now it's time to go. You stand up - and realize there's a big stain of tomato sauce right down the front your favorite organic top! Just like in the commercials, you reach for your trusty stain removal solution:

But wait! It's not a plastic spray bottle filled with noxious chemical soup.

Instead, you delve into your arsenal of eco-friendly stain remedies to find one that's tough on your stain - but not on you (or the planet.)

Can't think of any? Don't worry. Just refer to this simple guide to earth-friendly stain removal.

When you have a spill that might stain:

Act quickly. The faster you get to it, the easier it will be to avoid setting and permanent damage. Physically remove as much of the staining substance as you can from the surface of the fabric. Don't rub it in. Try lifting it off with the edge of a table knife or dabbing with an absorbent cloth. Analyze the stain and treat it appropriately. The last step is very important. You want to make sure you're using a method that won't make the stain worse. For instance, hot water is great for juice, but if you try using it on blood it'll just set the stain.

Here are a few common stains and some non-toxic ways to get rid of them:

Berry (including tomato), wine, or juice: Hit it with hot water. I mean really, truly, screaming-teakettle HOT! Many stain-killing ecofashionistas report that stretching the fabric over a sink and pouring water directly from the kettle from 3 feet up works like a charm. (PLEASE do be careful to protect your skin if you do this - and tell children to stand back or leave the room. Scalding water can cause serious burns.)

Grease, fat or oil: Try rubbing cornstarch or corn flour into the stain. Let it dry and brush it off. You might have to repeat this more than once.

Rust: Rub the stain with salt and lemon juice. Let it stand at least 20 minutes then wash out with a mild detergent.

Blood: Scrub the area right away with plain old COLD water. You can also try 3% hydrogen peroxide - the kind they sell in the pharmacy.

Ink: Try soaking it in milk or vinegar. This may take a while.

Chewing gum or wax: Freeze the item, then peel off. If wax has soaked into the fabric, sandwich the stained area between layers of newspaper and iron on low. The wax will melt and be absorbed into the newspaper. (It might take several tries to get it all out.) You can also try dipping it into boiling water. (I tried baking t-shirts once and I got huge amounts of wax out quickly and easily by boiling the shirts. It's great for organic cotton, as long as you take shrinkage into account. Don't do it with wool, alpaca or viscose clothing though.)

When you're done treating the stain, take a look and see if it was successful. If not, repeat the treatment. Sometimes you just have to be persistent. Then wash and dry your garment as usual - the sooner the better.

Hopefully you'll have the luck o'the Irish and never need to use these tips. But isn't it great to know that should you ever need effective stain removal (especially for your organic and eco friendly clothing) you won't need to resort to harsh chemical solutions?

What are your best tips for caring for your organic clothing? Email them to admin@fashionandearth.com and we'll feature them in a future issue!

Ways to Decrease the Affluence of Mold

As a homeowner or landlord it can become very frustrating to have to deal with the daily problems and pressures of a moist, damp, wet basement filled with bad odors and smells that can put you and your family at risk of topical skin rashes, breathing difficulties and unexplained flu-like symptoms. Homeowners should be aware if these symptoms go untreated for a long period of time, it can cause serious health issues to some adults and small children.

Many homeowners try to resolve these problems themselves, and resort to over the counter DIY (do it yourself) waterproofing methods such as paints and sealants. Most of these over the counter DIY methods only last a short period of time, if they work at all.

One common question among homeowners is, "How can I achieve a dry basement that's completely rid of mold and mildew?"

Well, there is no definitive way of completely ridding your basement or home of mold and mildew, but there are several steps you can take to protect your home and have a dry, mold-free basement.

Here are a few helpful methods to achieve a dry basement:

Humidity Levels

Many homeowners and landlords tend to overlook the level of humidity in their homes. The best and most effective way to control the humidity level in your home is by reducing the humidity level to below 60%. However, ideal levels are 30% and 50%.

Weatherization

Always weatherproof around the windows and doors of your home, twice a year.

Dehumidifier

It is best to watch for damp, wet spots and condensation that may occur on the walls and floors of your basement. Some basement waterproofing contractors will suggest a dehumidifier to help remove moisture and dampness in your basement that result from condensation.

In the event that your basement has been exposed to water damage, it is best to remove all and any items that have been exposed, as mold and mildew will begin to develop in as little as 24 hours.

Fans

Depending on which waterproofing contractor you speak to, some strongly suggest fans to help dry out your home, but there are many contractors that strongly disagree to the usage of fans, and believe fans cause more problems for homeowners and landlords.

Drips and Leaks

One of the most important steps to maintaining a dry, clean, odorless living space is to check your basement, bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room for drips and leaks that can occur from leaky pipes or spigots. Even the smallest drip or leak can create a concrete-eroding puddle in very little time.

Call a Plumber

If you discover a drip or leak in your basement or other living space, fix it immediately. If you are inexperienced, contact a professional plumber. It is less expensive to repair a leak than to repair damage to your home or foundation.

Gutters

Water that falls near the foundation of your home can create puddles. These puddles can seep into your basement with very little effort or time.

The rain gutters and downspouts are added protection to your home. Although rain gutters and downspouts will not solve all your problems, they will help stop the rain from directly hitting the walls of your foundation.

Solution

Each of these tips will not stop the mold from growing and multiplying, but the most effective way to protect your home is to consult a waterproofing expert and have your basement professionally waterproofed.

A good waterproofing expert will examine your basement and recommend the best and most cost efficient way to solve the problem.

Why Is It Necessary to Carry Out a Fireplace Repair?

Maintaining and repairing a fireplace is absolutely necessary. Winter months can be quite harsh and traumatic especially if you have a dysfunctional fireplace. Hence carrying out a fireplace repair at periodic intervals is absolutely essential. When fireplaces are not well maintained, they could expose your home to quite a lot of danger. Hence, it is in your interests as well as the interest of your family to keep the fireplace in a good condition.

Fix the Chimney

The chimney vents could have some problem or there could be a problem with masonry and both these issues cannot be neglected. They have to be addressed immediately in order to avoid any mishaps. Neglecting these areas could prove to be detrimental. If there are problems with the chimney caps or flues, they can be fixed quite easily. Even the masonry work as well as the drafting can be done quickly without too much hassle. But complex issues will require intense efforts and would also involve a lot of expense as well. But all of this would be worthwhile when compared to replacing the entire fireplace.

Timely Repairs

By carrying out a fireplace repair on time, you can prevent the damages from worsening and you can avoid a replacement. You should hire the services of a professional and ensure that they have the expertise to carry out the job. When they have the latest technologies and the required tools, the repairs can be carried out quite effortlessly and effectively.

Fixing Water Leakage

Problems with masonry and water leakages are important aspects and will have to be attended to immediately. When you hire professionals, you can be rest assured that they have the expertise and the know-how to carry out the job to perfection. Water leakages should be fixed without delay. The water should drain out easily and reach the rafters as well as the dry board. If there is seepage, then it might result in mold and mildew which can cause serious health problems. Breathing in mold spores could have adverse effects on your health and lead to severe ailments in future. Hence, it is absolutely essential that you get these issues sorted out as soon as you notice them.

Get Experienced Professionals

You must ensure that you get experienced professionals to do the fireplace repair. This is one way of ensuring that their work is guaranteed. Before entrusting the job, you must also ensure that the company has enough experience in this field as this is a specialized job. Check out their previous work record as well as their professionalism. Also check the reputation of the company and preferably get some references from friends and family before deciding on the right person to do the job.

If you don't get the right person to do the fireplace repair, it will only compound the problem and your situation could become far worse than what it was. A shoddy job will aggravate the situation and you might end up spending more money to set it right.

Upholstery Tips for Clean and Beautiful Furniture

Upholstery tips are invaluable pieces of information for homeowners to have. It's highly unlikely that you'll be going for wooden pieces of furniture for your whole house; if you're looking for comfort and the utmost relaxation, your best bet would be upholstered furniture. The thing is, for the beauty and the comfort they contribute to your home, you also have to do your part by keeping your upholstery clean. This is where the tips come in.

Once you've chosen appealing and high quality pieces of furniture, you have to ensure that you give your upholstered furniture a vacuuming and light brushing once a week. Sure, you may have purchased the most beautiful looking furniture but if it's dirty, it won't do you any good. If dirt gets onto the fabric, you can take care of it before it actually gets into the upholstery. Following this simple tip, you can maintain the beauty and cleanliness of your upholstered furniture.

For couches and easy chairs, you should reverse cushions on these once a week too. When you follow these upholstery tips, the cushions will wear out evenly. If you make it a habit of reversing your cushions, you also have a better chance of spotting stains. Before the stains even set, you can take care of them and clean them out of the fabric. With regard to the stains, you can generally remove them with a mild cleaner. A great tip to remember is to start with a very weak solution when cleaning stains out of your upholstered furniture; and always follow the products directions as this could void a furniture warranty if you have one.

When the cleaning day for upholstered furniture comes, the best upholstery tip is that you must use an effective cleaner. The best cleaner for your upholstered furniture will be something that is safe for the fabric and one that doesn't have any abrasive elements or harsh chemicals. You might like to purchase a cleaner that will deodorize the upholstery at the same time. Before you set out with using the cleaner on your furniture, brush loose dirt off your furniture; this can be done with your hand or a vacuum. This process ensures that you won't be rubbing and spreading dirt into the fabric of your furniture.

If you're dealing with stained areas, you can use a strong brush for cleaning your upholstery. However, don't rub the fabric too hard or you might make a hole in the fabric where the cleanliness of the furniture will be the least of your problems. Give a few minutes for the cleaner to set and then you can wipe away the stain with a damp cloth or sponge. Also, don't forget to completely and carefully dry your upholstered furniture when you're done cleaning it. You can turn a fan on the furniture for a quick dry of the furniture's fabric. By following these simple upholstery tips, you will always have clean and beautiful upholstered furniture.

Tips on Carpet Cleaning: Continue the Life and Beauty of Your Carpets

Before you even set out shopping for carpets for your home, knowing and understanding some tips on carpet cleaning will help you make the choice for the best carpet. Basically, while a plain white carpet will greatly enhance the beauty of your home, it's also difficult to hide stains and soil with something so light and bright. On the other hand, if you go for darker colored carpets, you can easily disguise wear on these carpets. That said, it's important that you go for medium colors and even carpets designed with patterns to disguise wear and hide soil and dirt.

It's important to bear in mind that one of the best tips on carpet cleaning falls under prevention. When you maintain your carpet's cleanliness and condition, you'll be saving a lot in line with carpet cleaning products as well as the effort and energy for scrubbing and getting a soiled carpet clean. If, however, you already have a stain on your carpet, you don't really need to rub harshly to get the stain out. Using the proper cleaning products, you will get the stain out. With careless and harsh rubbing, you can smear the stain further and have a bigger problem with wearing.

Also, if you don't clean a stain on your carpet well, you'll have to deal with it again in the future. Untreated stains will often reappear, so the ideal solution would be to put a thick cloth on the stain and weigh this cloth down with a heavy object. The next day, the cloth will have absorbed the stain and you can go about cleaning your carpet as usual. If you think that your hair dryer or an iron can help you get rid of a stain, think again. The heat will permanently seal the stain on your carpet.

Vacuuming your carpet regularly is another great tip for cleaning your carpets. It's a great way for you to maintain the cleanliness as well as the beautiful appearance of the carpet. Moreover, you can increase the life of your carpet. With a few passes of the vacuum per week, you'll clean out about 80% of dirt, soil and debris from your carpet. If you're going to use cleaning products for your carpet, go with the mildest. The harshest ones are great for stubborn stains and you don't need them to clean the entire carpet.

Lastly, you have to schedule a deep cleaning for your carpet at least once a year. This can be done by a professional and increases the life and look of your carpet. You can go with shampoo, dry extraction, steam cleaning or bonnet cleaning for the deep cleaning of your carpet. Carpets can be a very expensive type of flooring and by cleaning them regularly, from the beginning; you will be saving money in the long run. It is also wise to keep your carpet protected from direct sunlight and moving furniture around to even out the wear in your carpet. By using these tips on carpet cleaning, you will have long-lasting and beautiful carpets.

Where Do We Find Molds?

Molds are fungi that can be found almost everywhere. They are also present at any time of the year. They best develop on places which are warm, slightly wet and have humid conditions. Houses with damp wet spots are of high risk of mold's presence. Places where we work, learn, enjoy or even relax are commonly infested with molds and mildews. However, since they are tiny and hide themselves in small holes or cracks, most of us are unaware that we are already exposed to harmful organisms.

Outdoor Molds

Outdoors, molds are commonly present in places which are sheltered from direct light from the sun. They can also be found in damp areas or places where dead body of animals, leaves and other decaying plant materials are present. Outdoor molds actually take part in the decomposition of these organic matters. Mold from the outdoors could be carried indoors by pets or when attached to men's garments or shoes. Floating spores of molds could also have access into buildings through open doors and windows.

Indoor Molds

Indoor molds are often found in areas of high humidity levels. The basement and shower stalls are examples of these. We must get rid of these indoor molds at once upon notice because they could destroy surfaces and objects where they grow and worse, cause health problems. Usually when a certain room or building is infested with molds, it is accompanied by a noticeable bad odor. This should not be ignored by the occupants rather be addressed by. Molds may grow on different damp materials found indoors such as woods, rubbers, papers, petroleum products, carpets and even on foods. They destroy these materials by digesting on them. When excessive moisture on something is unnoticed, the growth of molds is encouraged. Although it is impossible to eliminate all kinds of molds in the indoor environment, we must keep in mind that their growth could be controlled with proper measures.

Common Indoor Molds

Cladosporium. This mold can grow in various places. Allergic reactions are the health problem brought about this type of mold.Penicillium. This type of mold is commonly bluish in color. This type is considered as a food contaminant.Alternaria. This type usually appears to be black or gray. It has also been known to cause allergic reactions.Aspergillus. Aspergillus is a common mold which is characterized to possess a wide variety of colors. People with weak immune systems may be severely harmed by this mold. Others will only cause allergic reactions.Stachybotrys. This mold is often called the "black mold". It is actually a greenish-black mold but looks black on surfaces. This is the common toxic mold.

Molds in Foods

We can only notice molds that settle on the surface of foods. Molds on the food surfaces may appear to be like gray fur, green dots, white dust, velvety circles, or furry growths. When a certain kind of food is infested by huge mold growths we could already assume that the root threads of these molds have already invaded deeply into the food. The poisonous substances of molds are contained in these root thread. Discard the food at once because toxins have already spread out. Why Can Molds Grow in the Refrigerator? The growth of molds is not limited to places with warm temperatures. They could also survive at refrigerator temperatures. Better than other types of food invaders, molds have high tolerance for salt and sugar. So never underestimate the dangers of molds found in your kitchen. Cleanliness must always be observed especially in the kitchen where the foods are stored.

Where Are Molds Found in Homes?

Molds can be present in any areas of the house that are moist. Molds are very common in bathrooms and shower stalls because these places are usually left slightly wet. The kitchen sink is also a common place for molds to settle since water consumption through faucets is usually done here. Pipes found inside the house are also suitable places for molds. Dry areas around these pipes are also infested as these mold spores spread out from the pipes. There are also molds hiding underneath carpets, behind walls or even deep inside house furniture.

What Makes A Cleaning Company Worth Using?

?Having your carpets cleaned on a regular basis can undoubtedly keep them looking like new for many years, but choosing the correct company to do this job can sometimes be really hard. The market is really competitive with many companies offering this type of service, so is vital that you choose the correct one before making that booking.

Below, we offer our top things to look out for when choosing a carpet cleaning company or firm to come in and make your carpets look amazing.

Machinery - Someone that turns up to your house with a worn out and shabby old carpet cleaner is probably not what you require, so always check out their website and actually ask the company about the machinery they use. The Truck Mount system is arguably the leader when it comes to carpet cleaning, but always ask the questions before making that booking.

Prices - Price is always important when it comes to any product or service, but if you go for someone that is really cheap then you might not find the service up to the standards you require. When seeking carpet cleaning services, try getting a couple of quotes before you make your decision, because you will then be able to work out a rough average for the type of work that you require.

Experience - Although every business needs to start somewhere, you might want to consider how experienced the company is before you use them, as you would ideally be looking for someone that knew what they were doing. Carpet cleaning is a knowledgeable business, from knowing what works best on your carpet all the way through to offering the correct after care advice, so make sure you pick someone who understands the industry.

Area Coverage - Unless you use a national company, you will normally find that most cleaning companies only deal with a certain radius when it comes to the jobs that they will take on. Make sure you ask first if they will come to your house in the area that you live and make sure there are no extra charges if it's slightly further than they would normally travel.

Specialities - Some cleaning companies only offer residential carpet cleaning whereas some firms will offer everything, so it's important to find out that the ones you might be considering offer the services you require. For example, not all cleaning companies will offer a rug cleaning service, so make sure you ask the questions and check that they can do exactly what you require of them before booking them for the job.

Recommendations - Any company that is worth using will have a list of glowing testimonials and references, so make sure that you try to find a company that can back up its work with happy customers. Reading through the testimonials also helps you to understand the type of work that they are especially good at and also how experienced they are.

Britannia Services are a privately owned Cheltenham based cleaning services, family run company. Established for over 20 years we have experience in providing the following services'.

Gareth runs the company and delivers high quality cleaning services in Cheltenham, Gloucester, Forest of Dean and Gloucestershire.

Cleaning Companies Gloucestershire

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gareth_Evans

Why Organic Cleaning Products Are Better

The wellness movement has affected even the way we clean our house. Should you jump on the bandwagon?

The health and wellness revolution is alive and well, and is well on its way to becoming the biggest movements, if not THE biggest movement of the twenty first century. It's no secret, in fact it is blatantly obvious, that a large part of the U.S. population is unhealthy and overweight, and now people are cashing in. It's a trillion dollar food industry cashing in, not to mention the trillion dollar healthcare industry as well.

Now, the health and wellness revolution is not only about food without chemical fertilizers, pills and herbal supplements, fitness programs, emotional well being, and healthcare. The movement has also shaped how we buy consumer products.

Truth be told, even household products have jumped on the bandwagon. The surface of our cookware is being scrutinized, insect killers are now available using natural ingredients, and so much other changes are going on.

As a result, a plethora of organic household cleaning products now share the shelves of your local hardware store alongside their regular, chemical counterparts. More and more people are now opting to get rid of mold, clean moss on roof, clean brick, and any other house cleaning endeavours the green way.

But is it worth to make the switch, or is this just a fad like most other things?

The answer is probably yes...yes for the environment, for you, and even for the item you're cleaning.

First, organic products are biodegradable. Things we spray or pour through the drain will eventually go into our water supply. Chemical products can do a number here, killing fish and other aquatic life, and poisoning our water; but natural products are much gentler to our rivers and seas.

For you, many of the chemical in regular household products disrupt your health. They disrupt your body's hormonal balance and your immune system, among others. The chemicals are now found to be culprits to many problems such as falling sperm counts and infertility, cognitive problems, and menopausal symptoms. They are now even the culprits to several life-threatening diseases like cancer. The sales pitch of the organic products is that they don't have these chemicals.

For what you're cleaning, chemical products can be quite strong and damage even the surface you're cleaning. Most products that remove mold and mildew, for example, can be either very acidic, or very caustic. Organic products are very gentle and are not in any of the extremes.

Granted, many feel that chemical products clean better than their organic counterparts, but the latter can do a satisfactory job in most cases, and you get to do yourself and your environment some good.

Dyson Vacuum Cleaners - 3 Tips To Help You Choose The Right Dyson Vacuum Cleaner

Are you looking for Dyson vacuum cleaners? If so, here is a guide that will help you choose the right vacuum and find the best price online. Dyson engineers are continuously changing existing products and developing new technologies to make them work better.

Dyson vacuum cleaners have a reputation for being very innovative, stylish and effective at cleaning. There are several different models of Dyson vacuums on the market today. You need to know exactly what you need the vacuum for in order to get the right model.

Here are a few things you need to consider.

Do You Have Different Types of Floors?

The All Floors vacuums are used to clean all floor types. They are very effective on different floors whether its hardwood floor, carpets or tiles.The brush bar can be turned off on floors or fine carpets to provide gentle suction without the brush, but can easily be turned on to deep clean.

You don't need to incur extra costs purchasing other vacuums or cleaning equipment if you have different floor types. The Dyson DC24 ball all floors upright vacuum cleaner is a good example.

Do You Need A Bagless Vacuum Cleaner?

Dyson has a wide range of canister vacuum cleaners. This means that you do not need to buy any bags. The bin on the vacuum is clear, so you can see what is being sucked up and also determine when the bin needs to be emptied. The canister is very easy to empty. You don't have to touch dust when emptying the dust bin. Just pull the trigger and it empties itself. The Dyson DC33 multi floor is one example of a canister vacuum.

Do You have Pets?

Do you have pets and just can't get rid of all the hair and fur on the carpet and floors? Dyson animal vacuums are specially designed to pick up pet hair or fur effectively. One example is the Dyson DC17 Animal Cyclone Upright vacuum cleaner. It is designed for homes with pets because it does not lose suction and is very effective at picking up those tiny bits of hair on your carpet and floors thanks to its Root Cyclone Technology.

The unit's advanced mini turbine head cleans pet hair from confined spaces such as upholstery, stairs, and the car. The motorized brushbar can be turned on to remove dirt and pet hair from carpets, or turned off to protect delicate rugs and floors.

Generally, Dyson vacuum cleaners come with a parts and labor warranty. Make sure you confirm this when you purchase your vacuum. This will certainly give you peace of mind if your vacuum cleaner becomes faulty for whatever reason.

Once you've picked the right Dyson vacuum cleaner, you need to decide where you are going to buy it.

Visit this blog to read an honest Dyson DC17 review and Dyson DC33 review. You will also find the best prices online for these vacuums.

Make sure the store you pick has a good price and free shipping both ways so you can exchange or return your vacuum cleaner if it doesn't work as it should.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=T_Jones

Dyson Cleaners - Aids You To Overcome Your Allergies

Can Vacuuming Actually Make Things Worse?

Can you really be allergic to vacuuming? This can appear to be a bizarre question, but were you aware that vacuuming using a standard vacuum cleaner will exacerbate a lot of allergy sufferers? It is clear when you look carefully at how a conventional vacuum cleaner works.

A conventional vacuum cleaner functions like this: 1) an electric-powered motor draws air inside the vacuum 2) this air is forced through a bag with small openings so that dirt and dust particles are trapped within the bag, but air is expelled out. Among the specific major failures of the conventional vacuum cleaner is that as you use the vacuum cleaner it fills up with dirt; and as it fills up with dirt, the dirt clogs up many of the pores of the vacuum bag and restricts air flow. The result is a huge reduction in the vacuum's "suction" as you use it.The issue with many allergens is that the contaminants are small (often between 0-40 microns).

So if you want to capture the allergens in your vacuum cleaner, this requires a vacuum bag or filter that has pores smaller than the size of the allergens. However tiny holes quickly get blocked and also make it harder for air to be forced through the bag. The result is that severe allergy sufferers will purchase these fine pore vacuum bags (to catch most allergens) and switch them around 10 times per month (to maintain sufficient suction). They will also obtain special HEPA filters and have a someone else clean out the vacuum. But even using the right bag and following careful precautions may not be enough.

Pumping Allergens to Air

Looking mainly at the physical mechanisms, you can view a vacuum cleaner like a device that actually pumps allergens into the surrounding and further aggravating allergies. Different particles are drawn into the vacuum bag by the motor and slowly "clog up" the bag and lowers its ability to draw a vacuum. Sadly, it's the smallest particles (the ones which also result in the biggest problems) that exit the majority of vacuum bags. The size ranges for some well-known household allergens vary from 0-40 microns.
Plant pollen: 10 - 24 microns
Dust Mite: 10 - 40 microns
Mold spore: 4 - 5 microns
kitty allergen: 0 - 2.5 microns

The Dyson, however, uses a different system for separating dirt.First, the air is sent spinning in a primary "cyclone" where centrifugal force (~500 G) causes the heavier dirt particles to spin to the outside, and drop to the bottom. Some conventional bagless systems use a similar design to remove the heavier dirt particles, but a pleated filter is then used when it time to filter out the fine particles (see the diagram below showing (a) a conventional bag vacuum and (b) a conventional bagless vacuum).

The Dyson is totally different because the second stage is a set of 7 parallel tiny cyclones, each spinning at very high speeds (centrifugal forces ~100,000 G). These 7 tiny cyclones force the tiny dust particles to drop out. After the cyclones, the air does go into a washable mechanical pre-motor filter made of foam and electrostatic filter paper, and then into a post-motor HEPA filter that never needs to be changed under normal usage. The result is great suction over the life of the vacuum and containment of particles within the vacuum.

Cleaning out the dirt and dust

Most allergy patients recognize that they should not be the person changing the vacuum bag or filter on a traditional bagless vacuum. There isn't an easy way to handle a vacuum bag or a filter without getting dirt, dust and allergens all over you with a conventional vacuum. The Dyson does somewhat better here by having a door that frees when you pull a lever, but it is tough to avoid some contact. When cleaning the Dyson, my best advice is to:

Unload dirt when the allergy sufferer is not at home, or empty the vacuum cleaner outside the home. If you must empty the vacuum cleaner within the home, empty it within the garbage can directly, or have your family and friends help empty the vacuum cleaner. You should also wash your HEPA filter regularly (for the Dyson only).

One Last Note to Allergy Sufferers

Every little detail of the design has been fastidiously screened and engineered, and the end result is just a great product that really makes people say "wow" and "ahhh". If you suffer from serious allergies, I am confident that you'll enjoy the Dyson. If I worked for Dyson (and I don't), I would go so far as giving you a 100% rebate if you haven't fallen in love with your Dyson in 90 days. I fell in love with my Dyson after cleaning up the mess from my first home construction project.

What Are The Best Carpet Steam Cleaners?

The biggest contributors to dirty carpets are children and your pets. Purchasing your own carpet steamer can be more convenient than renting one, especially if you need to clean your carpets fairly often. Before buying your machine there are several things that you need to look into in order to find the best machine to fit your needs.

Hoover SteamVac Plus
This is a fairly inexpensive and features strong cleaning machine. It is simple to use and is easy to clean up after your finished. It includes 5 spinning brushes, and works on bare floors and upholstery.

Bissell PowerSteamer ProHeat Plus
This is a carpet steamer that features a heater that keeps the cleaning solution warm. It also has a nozzle that cleans in both forward and reverse. Another feature is the power brush attachment that gets deep into the carpet to remove dirt and it automatically adjusts to the height of the carpet. It works on bare floors but is not recommended for hard wood floors.

Bissell Big Green Clean Machine
This is a canister style vac that features a powerful rotating brush with high-powered water jets. This carpet steamer has a 2 gallon water tank where as most upright vacs have a one gallon tank. Can also be used as a dry or wet vacuum.

Bissell Little Green Clean Machine
This is a smaller version of the Big Green Clean Machine and is used for stain removal. It features high-pressure jets that break down the dirt or stain and powerful brushes to scrub up the stain or spot. This unit is good to have in conjunction with an upright carpet steamer.

Dirt Devil Easy Steamer
This is a very lightweight and affordable carpet steamer. This unit does not contain a motorized brush, but is a full size steamer and contains a one-gallon tank for cleaning solution.

Eureka Deluxe Steamer
This machine features a looped handle to help with control, and the handle folds down for easier storage. It is a pretty basic carpet steamer and cleans carpets, bare floor (not wood flooring), stairs and upholstery.

This is just the top 6 of the best carpet steam cleaners on the market. The one that is best for you depends on what type of flooring you have in your home, and the type of "traffic" that your carpet sees on a daily basis. If you do not have children or pets in your home, it would probably be more cost effective if you rent a machine which can be done from almost any home improvement store.

What's the Best Carpet Cleaning Method I Should Go With?

The carpet in your home is what gives it the comfortable and cozy feeling. It can be rather embarrassing to have company come over and the carpets are dingy and stained. Cleaning your carpets is a rather simple task, made easier by choosing the best carpet cleaner. Choosing the best machine can be the hardest part of the whole project, but with these simple hints you can accomplish this task fairly easily.

Do you have children or pets? Did the carpet look a little rough when you moved into the home? Do you have messy housemates? If you answered yes to any of these questions then you carpets are probably badly in need of a deep cleaning. Choosing the best way to accomplish this depends on several factors. Are you going to hire a professional or are you going to do it yourself? What method of cleaning do you want to use? What type of flooring do you have in your home? You will need to answer each of these questions before you make your final decision and begin tackling your project.

Should I Have A Professional Do It?

So let's talk about the first step, do you hire a professional or do you do it yourself. Using a professional can get rather expensive, but if you have very little amount of carpet in your home, then using a professional may not be a bad idea. Being as professional cleaning services charge per room that they need to clean. So say you only have carpet in the bedrooms, then there is not much for them to have to clean. But if you have carpet in every room except the living room, then it may behoove you to do the cleaning yourself. You have two options for doing it yourself, you can purchase a carpet cleaner or you can rent one. This choice will depend on how often you will need to clean your carpets.

Should I Do It Myself?

Now that you have decided whether you are going to tackle this yourself or not, now you need to choose what method you want to use. Steam cleaning your carpets is the method that is recommended the most. It kills more viruses and bacteria that may be trapped in your carpets, and uses quite a bit less water than the shampoo method. Professional cleaning services primarily use the steam clean method. Steam cleaners seem to be the best carpet cleaner for pet stains. Most machines that you can purchase or rent are a shampoo-based method.

With both of these methods you need to make sure you remove as much of the water from the carpet as possible to reduce to risk of damaging the carpet. If there is too much moisture left under the carpet backing, old and mildew can grow and begin to make the people in your house sick. And can result in having to replace the carpet all together, and that can get rather expensive. Another method of carpet cleaning is called "dry" cleaning. This method is not as common as the other two, but has its perks.

Should I Use A Machine?

Most cleaning machines can be used on just about any type of flooring, with the exception of hard wood floors. Wood floors require a special type of cleaning, and using a machine that is intended for carpet can damage the wood flooring and result in a large bill to replace the floor. Be sure to read the manual for the machine that you choose to make sure if it can be used for this type of flooring.

With the wide use of the Internet, you can find plenty of reviews about the various cleaning machines available. Be sure to do your research before you make you final decision on the best carpet cleaner for you. And remember, what is best for one person may not be the best machine for your needs. But their insight into the machine may be a big help for you to find the machine that works the best.

Dyson Dc25 Animal Vacuum

Looking for Dyson vacuum DC25? Many people are looking to buy this powerful vacuum cleaner, and that is why I wrote this article.
Dyson cleaners are well designed and are rated to be one of the top manufacturers.
The Dyson DC25 cleaner is designed to solve all the main problems of other vacuum cleaners: Powerful, Easy to maneuver with its ball technology, Prevent loss of suction with its Root Cyclone technology and Allergy safe approved.
Why this Dyson vacuum DC25 become so popular?
It is so popular, because it manages to get dust out of your carpet even when you think it is clean. Test is yourself - vacuum your carpet with another vacuum cleaner, after you finished try with your Dyson DC25 (with an empty bin) and see how much dust is still coming out.
This cleaner is approved by 12 allergy associations world wide including the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and the British Allergy Foundation (BAF). It uses HEPA to filter the air coming out of the vacuum cleaner.
The 4 major points that makes this Dyson DC25 cleaner unique:

• The Ball technology - this cleaner is actually sitting on a ball allows easy maneuverability and steering, instead of the regular back and forth direction which is used in most of the upright vacuum cleaners it can instantly change direction with just a turn of the wrist. No more unreachable corners.
• Root Cyclone technology - The cyclone technology basically rotates the dust inside the dust bin (like a cyclone storm) to prevent the dust from clogging and to prevent the loss of suction even when the dust bin is getting full (unlike using a dust bag cleaner).
• Using HEPA filter - the air which is coming out of the vacuum cleaner is filtered by the HEPA filter that traps microscopic allergens such as dust mites, pollen and bacteria.
• The brush bar on the DC25 can be turns off to protect delicate rugs or bare floors or turned on to pick up pet hair from carpets.

The price of the Dyson DC 25 is an excellent price for its quality. It is known to be the best in this price range.
If you are looking for a powerful vacuum cleaner that can clean the dirt and allergens from your entire home then getting Dyson DC25 is a wise choice.