Posted by: in cleaning on February 21st, 2010

The term HEPA has become synonymous with clean air. We hear about vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters that keep the dust particles from your carpets from floating back into your air. You may be aware of your office building have a HEPA filtration system because you’ve seen the maintenance crew come through and periodically change the filters. But do you really know what a HEPA filter is and does. This article should clear the air about what is fact and what is fiction as it relates to a HEPA air cleaner.

The HEPA Standard

First of all HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance. Any air filtration system that claims to contain a HEPA filter must be able to remove 99.97% of particulates larger than 0.3 microns in size from the air consistently. That is a high standard to follow and why the places with the most critical air quality requirements rely on HEPA filters. This high rate of filtration can also never dip below the 99.97% to maintain true HEPA quality.

Another distinguishing feature of HEPA filtration is that once the air particles are trapped into the filer, they cannot be allowed to re-enter the air. A HEPA filter is removed and washed or replaced to eliminate the trapped particles.

HEPA filtration systems also cannot produce any bi-products from the filtration process. Other methods such as ionic air filters emit ozone as a part of the filtration process.

One point of distinction regarding HEPA filters is that the high standard is the ideal. Not all HEPA filters perform at this level all of the time. As filters get dirty or if the air is excessively polluted a HEPA filter will not be able to always remove 99.97% of air particles.

Be cautioned that many products claim to be “HEPA type” filters and this is not the same product. The requirements for filtration on products labelled “HEPA type” are only 95% filtration of particles larger than 0.3 microns in diameter.

HEPA Filters for the Home

Home applications of HEPA filters are found in air conditioning systems, furnaces, and even vacuum cleaners and bags. There are also appliance-like filtration systems that resemble a piece of furniture. You can create an environment of fresh air in your home with a table top air purifier that contains HEPA technology. This may or may not be combined with a humidifier system that also adds moisture to the air creating the perfect blend of clean air and humidity.

An important part of creating a safe and healthy home environment is regular maintenance of home appliance and systems that contain filters. Also, use care to properly ventilate your home and make a home improvement project out of replacing and/or cleaning your filters regularly.

Any improvements in air quality can impact your health for the better. If you are prone to allergies, it is important to use air conditioning and filtration systems to keep pollens out. Keeping surfaces free of these allergens with regular dusting will allow air purifiers and filters to do a better job of trapping air borne culprits.
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Posted by: in carpet, cleaning, cleaning tips on December 21st, 2009

When we buy a new carpet or rug which is normally the long dirt in carpet dust if the dust terdpat then we will feel shortness of breath and worn carpet will look better than that so we clean the carpet yourself or hire a carpet washing services. Carpet cleaning is usually a mild model of at least once a week. If the environment a lot of dust, at least twice a week. Weight carpet treatment can be conducted six months.
The following tips on how to clean the carpet with light and heavy models

Lightweight carpet treatment model:
1. Clean the carpet using a vacuum cleaner products. Suck dust on all surfaces and carpet export base.
2. To help remove the hidden dirt from carpet model, while vacuuming, surface beaten at the carpet from a carpet salesman with a broom stick.
3. If there is dirt or food stains stick, clean using soap / detergent and a damp sponge. After it dried.

Weight carpet treatment model:
1. Remove the carpet from carpet sellers and hanging in the clothesline. At-at the carpet with a broom stick to the dust knocked out. Apply suction with a vacuum cleaner dust.
2. Lift the carpet and do the drying process (dry cleaning). Use a special soap carpet, then brush the entire surface of the carpet to lift dirt at the bottom to the surface.
3. Wait or dry in the sun to dry. After that, apply suction using a vacuum cleaner dust.
4. Longer drying carpet before storing or setting them back.

Posted by: in cleaning on June 19th, 2009

A leather sofa should last a life-time. But, all too often the leather becomes dull and scratched from people and pets enjoying that comfy seating. There are special wipes which will restore and polish your leather furniture. But they do not come cheaply and they’re full of alcohol and synthetic polishes that waste your money and the earth’s resources. There is a much more Eco friendly method of cleaning leather and it’s cheap too!

All you need are two ingredients and two cloths to keep all the leather in your home looking as good as the day you bought it. Vinegar and olive oil are all it takes. The olive oil can be the cheapest you can find, I’m not talking gourmet oils here and the vinegar can be anything so long as it is light or clear. Distilled malt vinegar is now available in large bottles because so many people are starting to use it as a cheap green cleaner.

Take an old jam jar and fill it a third with vinegar and top up with olive oil. Now replace the lid and give it a good shake to emulsify the contents. Now all you need to do, is rub some of this simple leather cleaner onto your furniture, boots, jacket or indeed sofa. You only need a drop as it goes a long way. Then buff it all up again with a clean cloth.

The vinegar lifts off dirt and grime while the oil feeds and nourishes the leather. Of course you need to be careful not to use too much – we’re not looking for an oil slick effect after all. Give that jam-jar another shake every so often to mix the ingredients together again as they will want to separate.

Light scratches and scuffs will blend away as the oil brings some lustre and shine back to the leather.

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Posted by: in cleaning on March 25th, 2009

There are many different products available on the market that will help you to remove almost all types of stains. The ideal solution in minimizing or totally removing stains is by simply cleaning the spills and dirt the moment they crop up.  Cleaning them up won’t even require you to leave your home just to rush out and buy the expensive types of cleaning products.

There are several ways to clean up stains simply by using products already available in your home which you use on a regular basis, such as detergents, rubbing alcohol, vinegar, lemon juice, etc.  Its simply a matter of knowing how to use these common household products and the procedures involved to clean up stains.  Below, you’ll find some tips on how to clean up pet stains and some other types of common carpet stains.

Pet stain For your first option you can use one teaspoon of clear, household type ammonia to a half cup of cold water.  You can use this solution in a spray bottle or apply it to the carpet directly.  It is very important not to wet the carpets backing when you apply the solution.  After you have applied the solution, use paper towels to blot then allow it to dry completely.

For a second option, you can use detergent solution made of hand soap or dish soap.  The combination is one quarter of a teaspoon detergent to one quart of water.  You should always make sure the soap doesn’t contain bleach or lanolin.

The third and best option, is to use water, it can re-hydrate the stain to help with removal.  Most types of pet stains can be cleaned up by using a steam cleaner.  Once you have finished, be sure to dry the area as thoroughly as possible.

Ink stains:

  1. You can purchase isopropyl rubbing alcohol at your local department or grocery store.
  2. You can apply it by pouring some onto a clean white towel or cloth.  You can use paper towels as well, as long as they are white.
  3. Blot the stain as much as possible until it is removed.
  4. Make sure you be careful, because if the stain is small, you need to blot in one direction only so you don’t spread the stain.

Beer and wine stains:

  1. Mix a solution with one part white vinegar and one part water.
  2. Apply the mixture to the stain using a spray bottle to saturate.
  3. You should allow the stain to sit around ten to fifteen minutes.
  4. Use a sponge and clean in a rubbing motion.
  5. Rinse the area with warm water.
  6. Brush the carpet pile back into the natural direction it has.
  7. By using layers of white paper towels, place paper towels on top of the area, then something with weight on the paper towels.  Allow everything time to sit like this until the area has dried.
Posted by: in carpet, clean, cleaning on March 21st, 2009

Anyone who has experience with carpet knows the types of accidents that can happen.  Carpet is very common with most houses these days, making the risk for accidents and spills higher than ever.  No matter what the spill may be, mud, blood, or milk – there are ways to clean everything.

At your local department store or grocery store, there are several products that you can pick up that will work great.  The only problem with these products is the fact that they are normally very vague with how you should use them.

The first thing you should know is that if you have a red stain on your carpet, you shouldn’t try to get this out yourself, but instead leave it to a pro.  There are certain procedures and very effective methods that your local carpet cleaning company can do to save you from ruining your carpet.

Keep in mind that red is the toughest stain to get out.  A professional carpet cleaner is the way to go, as he is properly trained and equipped to handle them.

For everything else, there is always an effective and cheap way to clean spots on both your carpet and the upholstery.  If you are only buying the products that work for you, then you aren’t paying much attention to the label or the technique in getting the stains out.

The first thing to do is go to your local Auto Zone or auto parts store and pick up the auto upholstery and carpet cleaner in the can.  Tuff Stuff is one of the best you can get.  Almost all cleaners that come in a can are foaming cleaners, which will make your work a lot easier.

The foam in these canned cleaners will penetrate the fibers upon contact and as it foams, it will release and suspend the stains and soils.  You may need to lightly scrub the areas with a towel or soft bristled brush.

To help you clean the spots, the tips below may come in handy:

  1. You should only use white rags or towels when you clean carpet and upholstery to reduce the risk of ruining colors or color transfer.
  2. You should use foaming cleaners to clean your entire upholstery, even though it may state to dry clean only.
  3. You should always test your product of choice first on a hidden area to save yourself heartache and embarrassment in case things don’t turn out the way you hope.
  4. If you need the help of a professional, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact one.

As long as you don’t have a red stain in the carpet, you shouldn’t have any problems getting it out.  Stains and spots are a carpet’s worst enemy, which is why you should always get them out as soon as you can – to prevent things from getting any worse.

Posted by: in carpet, clean, cleaning on March 10th, 2009

Below is 4 tips to clean carpet (carpet cleaning):

Tip 1
Make sure that you get a deep cleaning of the carpet as often as it is needed.  To achieve a clean carpet, you’ll need to have it cleaned by a professional or you’ll need to use a deep cleaning machine.  There are advantages and disadvantages to this method, although a thorough cleaning is needed every six months or so.

Tip 2
Keep your eye out for spills and take care of them in a quick manner to keep your carpet clean.  Simply using water on a spill will help most of them.  If that doesn’t work, simply expand your search.  You’ll find several products out there on the market that can help you get rid of spills quick.

The products range in use and can be helpful when matching them with the different types of spills. You can also use a mixture of water and vinegar to help you keep stains out.  By taking immediate action you can prevent spills from becoming stains that leave you with a dirty and messy carpet.

Tip 3
A clean carpet is a carpet that has been taken care of very well.  You should always take the time to vacuum your carpet often and make sure you do a good job.  This means going over the floor in several directions to allow the vacuum time to pick up all it can.  High quality vacuums are the best choice, as they get up the most debris.

Tip 4
The proper use of entrance will greatly help to clean off people’s shoes and keep most of the tracked soils off the surface of the carpet.  You should always use entrance mats outside of your doors and make sure that anyone who enters your home use the mats to help get debris and dirt off of their shoes before they enter.  You can also take off your shoes and request that guests do the same, prior to entering your home.

Around 80% of the soils that enter a building or home are dry.  The remaining 20% are greases, oils, and starches.  The dry soil types are easily  removed by vacuuming.  As long as they are removed on a daily basis, it will help to minimize the damage to the carpet.

Maintaining and keeping a clean carpet is more than just healthy, as it can also help to prolong the life of the carpet.  If you have just laid the carpet, you are already aware of the expenses involved with doing so.

Even if you haven’t had this done, you probably know the benefits of keeping a clean carpet.  A clean carpet will add value to the home if it is maintained well.  It will also help to keep the home free from odors as well.  Also, it will help to make a comfortable living area for your friends and your family.

Posted by: in carpet, cleaning on March 5th, 2009

Although vacuum cleaning can remove a majority of the dry soil, it is also necessary to clean your carpet on a frequent basis to remove the oily, sticky soil that builds up in the pile as a result of odors and dirt that is tracked in from outside.

If you can clean the carpet before it becomes too bad, the cleaning chore will be easier to do and a lot more successful.  There is a myth that is totally false, which states that cleaning the carpet before it is necessary will get it dirtier faster.  The carpet with the typical household should be cleaned every 12 – 18 months depending on the number of people living there and the amount of traffic that walks on the carpet.

The choice of the right vacuum is important as well.  There are some vacuums that will leave residues behind, which will promote re-soiling and basically defeat the whole purpose of household cleaning.

Professional carpet cleaners It is in your best interest to use professional cleaners simply because their experience will enable them to do a much better job than you can do yourself. The equipment they use has more extraction power than the units available to you, and the carpet will dry faster as well.  They know the cleaning agents to use, and they know the differences in carpet construction and fibers.

Doing it yourself If you have made the decision to rent a steam cleaning machine and do the job yourself, you should check on several systems before you make a selection.  Most of the units available for rent don’t clean well enough and may end up damaging your carpet.  Therefore, you should always consider the following:

  • Several rental companies offer cleaning equipment that is similar to what the professionals use.  The equipment should have enough vacuum power to allow the carpet to dry within 12 hours of cleaning.  You should always avoid rental units found in retail and grocery stores that don’t have the power to extract the cleaning solution from the carpet fast enough, as it can actually damage the carpet due to over wetting.
  • Make sure you avoid over wetting the carpet.  Any prolonged dampness can lead to mildew growth and bacteria in the carpet, or cause a seperation of the backing.  A wet carpet that stays this way for longer than 24 hours can develop problems.  You can control this by using proper equipment and the right training.
  • Carpets that have stain resistant treatments have to be cleaned with products that are formulated for this very purpose, or the stain resistance will be impaired and the warranty will be voided.  Never use cleaning or spotting solutions that contain bleaches as they can mess up the color of the carpet. Never use any silicone based treatments on the carpet.
  • You can help to reduce the drying time by using several fans to move the air around the carpet.  You can use a dehumidifier as well, as it will pull moisture from the air.

Hot water extraction
The hot water extraction system is highly recommended, as it considered to be one of the best methods
for carpet cleaning.  Also known as steam cleaning, the process consists of spraying a mixture of water and detergent into the pile and recovering the water and soil with a powerful vacuum that puts it into a holding tank.  You can use a truck mounted unit or a portable self contained unit as well.  This method is easily one of the best, and is ideal for soiled carpets or pet stains that you have yet to get out of the fibers.

Posted by: in cleaning, floor cleaning, mop on January 26th, 2009
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