Spring Cleaning DIY Tips

4/10/2018 (Permalink)

Spring is here, and the ability to throw open your windows and to clean out all the clutter from the winter has arrived.  It is a great feeling to clean out the clutter, but it is also helpful for your health to deep clean your home. Here are a few of our favorite DYI tips.

• Remove water stains with lemon for a natural faucet fix

This spring, make faucets clean and sparkly by rubbing a lemon half on the water stains. The citric acid helps remove hard water marks. Then, use the other half of the lemon for our next tip.

• Clean your microwave by heating lemon juice and rinds in water

Cut a lemon into halves, squeeze the juice into 1/2 cup of water and drop the rinds into the mixture. Microwave for three minutes and let it stand for five minutes without opening the door. The trapped steam will loosen the grime, so you can wipe the microwave clean with less elbow grease.

• Use white vinegar to beat shower head buildup

Looking for more natural ways to clean your bathroom? Vinegar can dissolve the mineral deposits accumulate in showerheads over time, causing reduced pressure and water flow. Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar, secure it over the showerhead with a rubber band and leave it overnight to get rid of buildup. Just be sure to run the shower before you hop in, or you risk smelling like vinegar all day.

• Clean stainless steel sinks with baking soda

Simply wet your sink and faucet, sprinkle baking soda, and scrub with a sponge. If you need more heavy-duty scrubbing power, add salt to the baking soda.

• Use newspaper to clean dirty windows and mirrors

Mix ¼ cup of white vinegar, 2 cups of water and 2 teaspoons of liquid soap into a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto the glass and scrub with newspaper for a streak-free window or mirror. The ink acts as a mild abrasive and allows you to make use of old newspapers.

• Organize your fridge and cabinets with rotating turntables

Don’t limit rotating turntables and Lazy Susan’s to your tabletops. After discarding old condiments and spices, organize your pantries and refrigerator with this useful storage hack.

• Place a wet dryer sheet on your ceramic stovetop to remove burnt-on residue

Dryer sheets are non-abrasive and a great way to remove burnt-on food from your stove. Place the wet dryer sheet on your stovetop at least 15 minutes before rubbing the gunk away.

• Clean your grill with an onion.

Get your grill cleaned up and ready for the warm weather. First, heat it up and spray some white vinegar onto the grates to help loosen the residue. Then, scrub the area firmly using half an onion. The acid from the onion will rid your grill of any leftover remnants.

 Remember, spring means clean!  Let SERVPRO of LaGrange Park/North Riverside help you with your spring cleaning of your HVAC system, and your carpets.  Give us a call at 708-240-4873. 

Why is Carpet Cleaning So Important?

3/14/2018 (Permalink)

Just take a moment to think about all the allergens, bacteria, and dust that are hiding in your carpeting.  Gives you the chills a little bit, if you are like me.  However, it’s not all about the contaminates found in your carpeting, but it helps maintain the carpeting, saves you money in the long run, and improves the smell in the carpeting.   

Saving you money, you say?  Yes, carpets are expensive.   Regularly cleaning your carpet helps to keep it in good condition, protecting the money you spent on it. If you are looking to sell your home soon, or if you have brand new carpeting, it’s much easier to spend some money to call SERVPRO of LaGrange Park/North Riverside, rather than replacing the entire area.

We all know that first impressions are important.  Maintaining your carpeting will allow your home/office to look clean.  Vacuuming regularly is a great way to remove dirt and debris that ends up in the carpet. However, a regular deep clean is also needed to get some tougher stains out. 

Got children?  Got pets? If so, there is a good chance that your carpet does not smell as great as it did before.  Routine cleanings are important, and an occasional steam clean is a great option if you want a fresh smelling carpet.

Last, but certainly not least, the best way to prevent spreading bacteria and allergens is to have a regularly scheduled carpet cleaning.  Carpets are a perfect breeding ground for allergens and bacteria, and they can expose you and your family to dangerous pollutants. Especially if you have young children or pets, or if someone in the home has allergies, regular carpet cleaning is essential.

Call SERVPRO of LaGrange Park/North Riverside at 708-240-4873 to schedule your carpet cleaning.  We are always here to help. 

Getting Outdoor Furniture Ready for Winter Storage

8/22/2017 (Permalink)

With summer wrapping up soon, it’s time to start thinking about cleaning up and storing your outdoor furniture.  Better Homes & Gardens has some wonderful tips on how to get our outdoor furniture ready for end of summer. 

Wood items (includes teak and wicker)

Use a mild oil-base soap, such as Murphy Oil Soap, mixed with warm water.

For a do-it-yourself cleaning solution, mix 1⁄4 cup ammonia, 2 tablespoons white vinegar, and 1 quart warm water.

Commercial wood cleaners are often the most effective, but be sure to read directions carefully. Wicker and painted woods might require diluting the solution.

For hard woods, consider annually sanding and applying a fresh coat of protective finish, such as oil, stain, or a polyurethane coating.

Hose down wicker every few weeks to prevent dirt buildup in crevices.

Regularly wiping down wood to remove dirt, debris, and excess water is the best way to protect it.

Metal (includes wrought iron, cast iron, and aluminum)

Oxidation is the most common problem with aluminum furniture. Before cleaning, remove as much of the imperfection as possible using a metal polishing paste or a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water.

Avoid chemicals such as ammonia and trisodium phosphate (TSP); alkaline cleaners cause oxidation.

Wash aluminum frequently to preserve its natural luster.

Remove scuff marks from aluminum with a soft cloth dampened with a nonabrasive product, such as Soft Scrub.

Combat rust by sanding it off along with damaged paint. Wipe off metal residue with a cloth dampened with mineral spirits or naphtha. Use a rust-resistant primer before painting with a rust-resistant paint.

Consider having your wrought-iron furniture sandblasted or powder-coated for added protection.

To protect after cleanings, apply a coat (two for iron) of automotive wax.

Glass

Dish detergent and home cleaning solutions are the most effective cleaners.

Remove any stuck-on debris with a glass-safe, nonabrasive material. Many scrub brushes will scratch glass, so opt for one designed to tackle tough cleanup jobs without marking your furniture.

After an initial cleaning, spray on white vinegar or glass cleaner and wipe away with a microfiber cloth or paper towel.

Clean the underside of a glass table at least once a month to prevent irreversible grime.

Cover a glass table when it's not in use. Commercial window cleaners can't always keep your glass tables clean.

Fix small scratches and chips in glass with a glass-repair kit from an automotive retailer.

Clean frames of glass tables according to their material type.

Plastic (includes hard-resin materials)

Cleaning Solutions:

1/2 cup washing soda mixed with 1 gallon warm water

3 tablespoons automatic dishwasher detergent (contains mild bleaching agent) mixed with 1 gallon warm water

For colored plastic: 1⁄4 cup vinegar mixed with 1 quart warm water

For white plastic, avoid chlorine and bleach because they eat away at the material.

For stubborn stains, dampen a clean rag with white distilled vinegar and wipe down the piece.

Sprinkle baking soda on a wet sponge to create a mild abrasive that will peel away stains but won't scratch surfaces. (Don't use abrasive cleaners; they will scratch plastic.)

Use WD-40 to restore shine; spray onto plastic and wipe clean with a dry cloth.

After washing your plastic furniture, protect it with a coat of automotive paste wax.

Though it is sad to see summer end, it’s always great to get things cleaned and ready for the next year of fun in the sun. For any of your cleaning needs, please keep SERVPRO of LaGrange Park/North Riverside in mind.    

Why clean your ducts?

12/13/2016 (Permalink)

Often people ask, why should we get our ducts clean? The simple answer is because they get dirty. When you consider the air ducts are the lungs of your home, it is necessary to do all you possibly can to keep your HVAC system running smoothly. One out of every six people who suffer from allergies does so because of the direct relationship to the fungi and bacteria in the air duct systems. (American Society of Heat, Ref., Ac. Engineers) Cleaning the air ducts in your home helps people with allergies, the elderly, young children, people with asthma, and people with other respiratory conditions breathe better. When you consider the dust, pet dander, smoke, mold, and even dust from work done in your home can be found in your duct work, keeping clean ducts are necessary for your health. Your HVAC system cycles all the air through your home 5-7 times per day. No wonder the ducts need cleaned!

The US Department of Energy states, 25 to 40 percent of the energy used for heating or cooling a home is wasted. Contaminants in the heating and cooling system cause it to work harder and shorten the life of your system. Although filters are used, the heating and cooling system still gets dirty through normal use. 90% of failed HVAC systems are caused by dust and dirt. The HAVAC Inspection, Cleaning, & Restoration Association says “When an HVAC system is clean, it doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain the temperature you desire. As a result, less energy is used, leading to improved cost-effectiveness”

Let SERVPRO of LaGrange Park/North Riverside help you protect your home, and your loved ones. Call us at 708-240-4873 to schedule your duct cleaning.