How to Remove Hard Water Stains From Glass Doors

Since hard water contains minerals which stick on substances, lack of frequent cleaning leads to stains. Stains are much harder to remove especially when left there for a long time. Vinegar, lemons and Calgon can be used to remove hard water glass stains. Glass doors, especially shower doors get hard water stains from the water we use and the best solution would probably be to soften the water we use. But once the damage has been done, we now have the option of looking for ways and means to remove the stains. To remove hard water stains from glass, we have to first determine how long the stains have been there and how hard the water is.

Hard water glass door stains can be removed using a variety of ways hence the most convenient method will depend on what you can easily get around you. There are water stain removers available at glass replacement stores that you use with a scrubbing pad that is lightly abrasive to rub on the stain areas.

You can also remove water stains from glass by spraying it with a laundry stain remover or with eyeglass cleaner. The eyeglass cleaner is sprayed after you have wet the door. Wet fabric softener sheets can also work wonders on hard water glass door stains after scrubbing thoroughly so is vinegar which is applied to the stain with paper towels. Depending on the stubbornness of the glass door stain, vinegar should be able to remove it, if not alone, with a glass cleaner spray.

For those of you who love everything natural, there are natural products that you can remove glass door stains with. Natural products include lemons, distilled water for rinsing, baking soda, cotton balls and food-grade vinegar. An equal measure of vinegar and water is the most used natural cleaner.

The best approach to remove hard water stains from glass doors is to identify the method that will be easy and safe to use. You can inquire from relevant source to know what is readily available in your locality that can remove glass door stains. Regular cleaning of the glass door will ensure the stain does not build up.

Autor: Tanner Larsson

Truth Revealed: Lemon Juice and Vinegar will NOT remove hard water stains from your glass and windows... all it does is smell bad. However, to discover a professional do-it-yourself method to permanently remove hard water stains click on the link below. I promise you'll be pleasantly surprised.
http://HardWaterStainRemoval.com/

Added: June 30, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

How to Repair Water Damage to Carpet

Water certainly isn't a carpet's best friend. Water damage to your carpet can be a danger to the health of everyone in the house or place of business. Before you decide if the carpet is salvageable you must first determine where the water came from so that you can evaluate whether the effort to restore it is really worth it.

If your carpet has been damaged by what the industry calls black water, this contains contaminants and untreated waste water, the carpet can't be salvaged and you must, for health purposes, dispose of the carpet in a safe manner. If it was ruined by black water it probably now contains viruses and bacteria that you don't want to be exposed to.

So, carpet water damage restoration should only take place when the damage has been caused by clean water. It is also safe to restore the carpet if it is damaged by gray water, which includes dish water, washing machine water or even toilet overflow water. In all cases the padding should be replaced and the old padding discarded.

What is important for restoration is to address the issue in a timely manner; as a wet carpet that remains wet for 12 hours or more can start to grow mold and cause serious health problems. If there's one cost you don't want to address it's the removal of mold from your home.

So to restore your carpet you should follow some basic steps in order to do it right. Of course, the first step is to eliminate the source of the water by fixing the leak or shutting off the source. Always determine whether restoration is feasible first with water damage to the carpet. Don't waste your time and risk health issues if it is not even a salvageable carpet.

Next, you have to move the carpet away from the floor. Lift it up and, if possible, take it into the garage or outside; then tear the padding up and dispose of it in a safe manner. Keep the carpet elevated so that the air can circulate around it. While it is elevated start the cleanup of any remaining water in the room where the carpet came from; you don't want any standing water there.

Whenever possible use fans and air conditioners to circulate the air faster and help speed up the drying process. After about ten to twelve hours the carpet should be ready to lay flat again. Once you lay it flat keep the air circulating and if you have a dehumidifier turn it on.

Remember to never attempt to salvage a carpet that has been damaged by seriously contaminated water. If you do this you risk serious health problems for you and your family. Doing it right by following the steps above will save you a lot of heartache and money in the long run. Water damage to a carpet can be costly if not done properly.

Autor: Sam Barton

If you would like to learn more about water damage carpet cleanup and the best and easiest ways to go about it, see http://waterdamage.synthasite.com for lots of great information.

Added: June 29, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Hard Water Stain Removal

Hard water is water containing large amounts of minerals, such as limestone, calcium, and magnesium. It is absolutely harmless, though it can have some pretty serious consequences on a person's house over time. The minerals in the water stain and permeate the surface making it very, if not particularly difficult to remove, and especially if the hard water deposits are not quickly addressed. Moreover, lime scale buildup will eventually develop in the plumbing and obstruct proper water flow.

Water enriched in minerals can also cause lesser troubles around the house, and in particular: water stains or spots. Hard water has an annoying effect sometimes, whatever it touches can begin to spot and tarnish; from cutlery to ceramic, clothes and even the car. It is therefore, always a good idea to invest in hard water stain removal early on prior to it wrecking mayhem in the entire house.

We mostly use most of our water in the bathroom, and thus hard water stain removal is often done on showers, tubs, and sinks. It typically appears as a thin film of rough powder on various surfaces because mineral-based water hardly ever dissolves soap. It is however more serious when metal is involved and especially if the moisture has high iron content. This normally leaves behind a red tinted slime; brass or copper fixtures develop blue-green rust as a result of the acidic ingredients in the water supply. The problem is however not limited to the bathroom as had been earlier stated.

The easiest answer to hard water stain removal is abrasive cleaners that can be bought at the store. There are also all kinds of home remedies for water stains. For example, using lemon juice to eliminate the scum; or pour a couple cups of white vinegar, scrub and flush away the buildup in the toilet. For more severe stains such as slime, rust, and corrosive tarnishes a person could use household chemicals such as ammonia, hydrochloric acid, oxalic acid, or other strong compounds. You must however make sure that you know how to use and dilute these elements before applying them to the fixtures.

Autor: Tanner Larsson

Professional Window Cleaner Reveals A Do It Yourself Method For Removing Hard Water Stains From Your Windows... And Trust Me, It Has Nothing To Do With Vinegar or Lemon Juice. Follow the Link Below To Learn More: http://HardWaterStainRemoval.com/

Added: June 28, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

What to Use on Water Spots on Windows

Water spots on windows make it look unclean and spoil the look of your living area. You need a lively environment in your room through your glass windows. You have to look for a better way to beat out this problem. The first step you should be thinking of is what to use on water spots on windows.

Go for glass cleaners that are recommendable for cleaning window. The cleaning agent you bought must be designed to wash out the water spot and the cloudy effect on your window. There are different types of cleaning chemicals but you have to go for the appropriate one that will clean up your window effectively.

Those stains you called water spot are the exact result of hard water containing lime, iron and calcium. The more you ignore them on your window the more they become difficult to clean. It is advisable to get rid of the stains once you notice them. You don't need an expert to deal with this problem; you can clean the window yourself. What to use on water spots on windows should not be a problem. Mix water with white vinegar, have your glass polish, if you don't have one buy, they can be found easily and cheaply. Then clean the window. Vinegar works well only for newly formed stains. When cleaning the windows do it gently not vigorously. Don't use hard water you will be adding stains and you will never get a better result.

These are basically what to use on water spots on windows. If you had left your window with the stains for along period of time there are likelihood that water spots will not be cleaned. The only solution here is to buy or replace that glass window. Buying other chemicals and cleaning agents may still not work out well. The best option is just to replace the existing window with a new one. When replacing the window, go for thicker glass panels for it to last long. Color glass windows need even more attention because they are expensive. Replacing them can be an extra cost all together.

Autor: Tanner Larsson

Truth Revealed: Lemon Juice and Vinegar will NOT remove water spots from your glass and windows... all it does is smell bad. However, to discover a professional do-it-yourself method to permanently remove water spots click on the link below. I promise you'll be pleasantly surprised.
http://HardWaterStainRemoval.com/

Added: June 26, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Eco Friendly Cleaners Are One Step in Protecting the Earth

Eco friendly cleaners are one step in the right direction to help protect the earth; these are the types of cleaners that are not made using chemicals that pollute the water, the air or the earth. That is important and is something that everyone needs be concerned with, and this is one easy way to help change things protecting the environment.

There are cleaners that are eco friendly for both inside and outside of the home, that can clean without using chemicals as good as the products manufactured that do include chemicals in their ingredients. Chemicals that are present in cleaners, not only are they bad for the environment, they can also cause other problems for the people that are exposed to them, such as allergic reactions. When a cleaner is made from natural products, there is no risk of allergic reactions that can be in the form of coughing, sneezing, rashes and other problems.

One of the best things about the natural cleaners is the fact the can actually clean and shine furniture, wood and floors better, and they are safer on vehicles. This is because they are not filled with chemicals that can harm surfaces by placing fine scratches in the surface or drying out wood. There are wood polishes that are made that while the place a shine on the wood temporarily they also have chemicals that actually damage the wood over time with continued use. The eco friendly cleaner is made from natural ingredients that is good for keeping wood hydrated and at the same time is able to give the wood a healthy coating to protect it, which also will make it shine like lemon and orange oils.

The natural ingredients that can clean even the tough grease on the outdoor barbeque is still safe enough that it will not affect the environment or the food that is cooked on it when eaten. This cannot be said for products made with chemicals, not only are they washed into the ground, they can leave residue where food is placed, and it is questionable how safe this can be to feed a family.

The eco friendly cleaner leaves no questions if it is safe to use on fabrics, surfaces, vehicles, or anywhere else, because there is nothing in the ingredients that can harm them. This includes cleaning cars and boats that have a clear coat finish, which is something that will scratch easily due to the dust and dirt collected on them. The natural cleaner is able to safely pull the dirt off of the vehicle without leaving fine scratches in the clear coat, this is what protects the paint on a car or boat and when damaged it can cause paint fade or places for rust to begin. These are reasons why eco cleaners are a good choice to use and to top it off using them for the safety of the environment is another great reason to use the natural cleaners.

Autor: Callie Morris

Callie Morris is a writer for eco friendly cleaners, for more information visit http://www.bayescleaners.com/pages/Eco-Friendly-Cleaners.html

Added: June 24, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

The Green Trash Can

One of the lessons on keeping the Earth green and clean is something that you have probably been taught back when you were a kid. This lesson is to throw things in designated areas only. If you have a piece of candy wrapper with you, do not just throw that out the window of the car that you are riding in. It would be best if you kept that right in your pocket or inside your bag and throw it when you see a garbage bin. Your bag or pocket may be full of things to throw out but that is the best thing that you can do to help the Earth be green.

That lesson is something that we all should be following right now. We may all know what it means and we all may have heard about it. But if we do not follow it, it would all just seem to be worthless. If everybody threw a piece of paper or a candy wrapper anywhere, the Earth would surely be a huge garbage disposal area and everything will be covered in these small pieces of trash that we did not dispose of properly.

Throwing your garbage in the right place is also very much applicable in your own home. Think of it this way. If you just threw your garbage anywhere in your house, your home would surely not look tidy and it will look really dirty. This is why even at home, there are garbage bins for us to throw our garbage in.

Keep your place continuously clean and you can have the clothespin trash can with you as your handy helper. Many have found this trash can to be very interesting because it is shaped not like all ordinary trash bins. Instead, it uses clothespins and other green materials. You get to help keep your home clean and you also get to help the Earth by using green products.

Using the clothespin trash can can be said to be a green and ethical thing to do. Plus, unlike most trash bins, this one will look really cool that you will be having a fun time throwing what you do not need in the right place. Oh, by the way, did you also know that this trash can's packaging is also reusable? Yes, everything about it is totally green. Now that is something that we all want to see in everything.

Autor: Paula James

Paula James is a 25-year-old online marketing executive at Gadget Epoint. The love for gadgets runs through her veins having grown up with a father who is into gadgets himself.

Added: June 23, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

How to Fix a Granite Stain

Many homeowners have granite countertops in their kitchens. As a cleaning business owner it is your responsibility to educate yourself and train your employees on proper cleaning methods and precautions to take when cleaning granite surfaces. However in the real world, we know that accidents do happen.

If a stain on your clients' granite is left by you or one of your employees, don't panic. There are steps you can take to assure proper removal of the stain.

First, take whatever made the stain to the granite dealer and ask for professional advice. Do not continue to remove the stain until you've spoken with the dealer. You could do more damage.

Here is a basic remedy for removing a stain from a granite countertop:

1. Mix up a poultice material to remove the stain. One of the best poultice materials to use is diatomaceous earth for both hard surfaces and carpet.
2. Spray the stained area with distilled water.
3. Prepare the poultice. Pre-mix the powder and the recommended chemical into a thick paste, the consistency of peanut butter.
4. Apply the poultice to the stain, about 1/4" thick, overlapping the stain.
5. Cover the poultice with plastic (food wrap works great) and tape the edges down.
6. Allow the poultice to dry thoroughly. The drying of the poultice will pull the stain from the surface into the poultice material. It might take 24 to 48 hours to dry, and possibly longer.
7. Remove the poultice from stain. Rinse with distilled water and buff dry with a soft cloth. If not removed apply poultice again. It may take up to 5 applications to remove difficult stains.
8. Note: some chemicals may etch the surface. If this happens apply polishing powder and buff to restore the shine

Autor: Jean Hanson Jean Hanson
Level: Basic PLUS
Jean Hanson is Vice-President and CFO of two online companies, MyHouseCleaningBiz.com and TheJanitorialStore.com. Her background is in retail management and human resources management. Jean and ... ...

Jean Hanson is Co-Founder of MyHouseCleaningBiz.com and TheJanitorialStore. Both are online communities for owners of commercial and residential cleaning companies who want to build a more profitable and successful cleaning business. Sign up for a free subscription to House Cleaning Profit Tips, and receive weekly chances to win a free one year membership.

Added: June 22, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Cleaning Your Aluminum Blinds the Right Way

Most homeowners have aluminum blinds instead of curtains in their home. It is more practical to have and it is easier to maintain. However, not all homeowners know how to clean their blinds with minimal effort. It does not take much because all you need is to wipe the blinds from one side to the other with the rag with a few drops of dish washing liquid. That's all that it would take. It is that easy. Plus, you would not have to do this every day. You can do this at least once a week and you will only need to do it a few minutes per blind. Why make it harder on yourself when you can do it the easy way?

Actually there are other ways to clean the aluminum blinds, if you have a vacuum cleaner; you can make use of that so some vacuum the blinds while they are still hanging on the window. It helps to remove dust and grime. So now you can maintain your aluminum blinds and make it look attractive and clean all the time. Remember to handle your blinds with care and with delicate hands instead of with strength.

So you can continue to enjoy using the aluminum blinds for a number of years. If handled right, you can enjoy it for as long as you shall live. If improperly cleaned, it will look horrible. They will look drab and will no longer enhance the room. So in order to enjoy years of having beautiful blinds, learn to clean your blinds properly.

Autor: Cheryl Forbes

Cheryl Forbes owns and operates the website http://www.aluminumblindshelp.com.

Added: June 20, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

What's That Smell? Keys to Eliminating That Musty Mold Odor From Your House

If your house suffers from a musty, dank odor, it is the result of hidden ( or not so hidden) molds and mildew munching on organic matter in your house. The mold and mildew will continue to make your home their home unless you make a few basic changes to your home's environment. You can take the steps necessary to improve the air quality of your home and thus improve the health of you and your family.

Mold thrives on moisture. It needs moisture to live and reproduce, so the obvious attack plan is to bring your home's moisture level down. It is recommended that your home's humidity level should never be above 50%. To reduce your home's moisture level:

1. Run a dehumidifier. Consider purchasing a dehumidifier with a built in hygrometer, which measures the air humidity level so you know at all times what the level is. Dehumidifiers also improve air quality by sucking in airborne microorganisms and dust and depositing them in the drip pan.

2. Run an exhaust fan or open a window when taking a shower. If you are installing an exhaust fan in your bathroom, install one that is rated for twice the area of your bathroom, that way you will not need to run it as long.

3. Increase circulation in your house by making sure furniture is at least 3 inches from an outside wall. The difference in temperature between your wall and the inside air can cause moisture to condense.

4. Run a "dry" air conditioner" in the warmer months. Dry air conditioners do not have a built in humidifying feature. This is very important as "wet" air conditioners can store mold microorganisms in the cooling water and spread these all over your house.

5. Insulating paint- Apply insulating paint to outside facing walls. These paints contain a tiny amount of ceramic that forms a barrier and slows the transfer of heat. Walls that are the same temperature as the rest of the room will not encourage moisture to settle on them.

By reducing the moisture level in your home, mold will not have the ideal environment it needs to grow. The air quality will improve as mold spores released during the reproduction cycle will be eliminated. If your family suffers from allergies or asthma, you may notice a marked improvement in those conditions. In addition, the odor produced by molds and mildew will go away as the invaders move on to more hospitable environments.

Autor: Peter David Johnson Peter David Johnson
Level: Platinum
Peter David Johnson is a veteran of a few epic mold battles waged in his 1880"s era house in New England. He has gathered relevant ... ...

To learn more about mold prevention visit http://www.eliminatemold.org where you will find many more tips on detecting and treating mold and mildew problems with links to products and professionals that can help you maintain a healthier home.

Added: June 18, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Secrets in Picking the Right Janitor Cleaning Business

Sometimes a start-up janitor service business can do a great job. They will usually come in with a lower bid and may save you some money over the long run. However, there are several things to take into consideration when hiring a start-up versus the value an experienced company can provide.

Often a new cleaning company will be at a disadvantage because they lack experience to do some jobs correctly. You may not be able to turn to them in you need additional work done & you will have to take extra time and effort to find a company that can do that work for you. If you do hire the new company to do additional work, just remember that you may be giving them paid training.

As with any business, a cleaning service gets more effective & efficient as it builds up experience. Rather than providing you with a break, hiring a start-up janitorial service may become a hassle in the long run.

Terms of payment are especially important when you are looking at a newer company. If you are paying them hourly be very careful. An experienced company may charge more per hour, but end up costing much less because they are more efficient at what they do. It won't matter as much if the start-up takes longer if you are paying piece rate or a contracted price, but you may have to look further before hiring them to do other services that aren't in the contract.

Of course the most important thing in any small business is the bottom line, however just remember when hiring a janitor cleaning business that price is not the only factor to consider. Even though on paper it may look cheaper at the onset, as things get rolling lack of experience can end up costing you much more.

Autor: Spencer Arnold

Spencer Arnold is an experienced janitor and business owner. He knows reputable Janitor Service Companies and how to start them.

This article contains one of 7 tips for finding a reputable local Janitor Service business For the other 6 tips please visit our site.

Added: June 17, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Make Your Own Laundry Detergent - Simple Recipe to Save Money

Ingredients:

• 1 Box of Washing Soda ($2.23)
• 1 Box of Borax (found in the laundry detergent aisle, approx. $1.99)
• 1 Bar of Soap
• Large Bucket
• Mixing Spoon
• Cheese Grater
• Old containers, water jugs, plastic bottles to store the detergent in

Making laundry detergent at home, is an excellent way to save money. According to the US Department of Energy, the average American does 148 loads of laundry per year. Some families wash clothes daily, which would equal a few hundred loads of laundry per year. Laundry soap is ridiculously expensive, and it's time you save some money = each load will cost you mere pennies!

I first made my own batch several months ago, after reading several tutorials online - my favorite which was from the Simple Dollar Website. So, thank you Trent, for your article as it has saved me a lot of money. My son and I enjoyed making our own detergent so much, that I wanted to create a little graphic tutorial for you on making laundry detergent from home. We altered the recipe a little bit to make. It was a fun project to do with my four-year-old son, took less than 20 minutes, and saved me hundreds of dollars (per year).

Tutorial: 4 Steps to Making Laundry Detergent Step 1: First, take your bar of soap (any kind of bar soap will work) and your cheese grater and grate that bar of soap down just like you would a block of cheese. This is the only hard part of making your own detergent, but it is worth the work! Grate it down until you have a bowl full of grated soap.

Step 2: In a large pan on your stove, put four cups of water and bring it to a boil. Take your grated soap bar pieces and dump them into the water, stirring constantly. It will take a few minutes, but continue to stir until the soap shavings dissolve fully. The water will become cloudy and thicken up. When all pieces are dissolved, you're ready for the next step.

Step 3: Leave the pan on the stove for a moment, and take out your large bucket. Put approximately 3 gallons of warm water into the bucket. Then add 1 Cup of Washing Soda, and 1/2 Cup of Borax. Stir it all until it dissolves.

Step 4: Take the pan off of the stove, and pour it directly into the bucket with the mixture of washing soda and borax. Continue to stir until everything is dissolved fully. And, you're done! It is recommended that you let the stuff settle overnight, before putting it all into containers for future useage.

The Final Result: My son and I (within 20 minutes) made a large batch of laundry detergent. We filled up all the old laundry detergent containers as well as the other bottles with detergent, and had detergent to spare. I ran out of bottles so I kept it in the bucket and used that first, before getting to the bottles. This stuff lasts a very long time, and costs just pennies for each load. Making laundry detergent at home is simple, fun and a great way to save a lot of money.

Autor: Holly Mann Holly Mann
Level: Basic PLUS
Holly Mann is an Entrepreneur & Author of Honest Riches, a comprehensive Work-From-Home guide that teaches people how to make money online, honestly. Holly enjoys ... ...

Holly Mann is an entrepreneur, helping others save money and make money from the Internet, at home. She runs numerous websites, and is the author of one of the most popular work-from-home guides, Honest Riches.

http://www.HonestHolly.com
http://www.HonestRiches.com

Added: June 16, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

How to Polish Your Marbles

Marble worktops are increasingly popular among new home owners due to it's natural appeal and luxurious feel, however, it is also very expensive and can be spoiled by stains so therefore it's important to know how to care for it.

In the first place you should always treat marble surfaces with care; this will make it much less likely that tarnishing might happen in the first place. As often as you can, wash with soapy water and rinse; a very sparing application of wax polish may be given occasionally. However, avoid the excessive use of polish on white marble, as it may yellow the surface.

Marble is slightly porous and although the surface of tables, worktops, etc., are likely to have been stopped and polished, stains are still fairly readily absorbed. They should therefore be rinsed off as soon as possible and the surface should be wiped dry. Coffee and wine stains which have dried on can be more of a problem. They should be sponged with a solution of borax and water (2 tbps. borax to 1/2 pint warm water) or a weak solution of sugar soap; always remember to rinse thoroughly after cleaning with clean water.

With very persistent marks, a little lemon juice or vinegar may help, but owing to their slightly solvent action, either of these should be rinsed off after a moment or two.

Marks made by cigarette burns and spirits 'eat' into the marble and their removal entails re-surfacing and repolishing the marble, which should be done professionally.

Autor: David Laird

From Baby Clothing Central - purveyors of the finest baby clothes and accessories for over 75 years.

Added: June 14, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Ensure You Pick the Right Janitor Cleaning Service

Finding the right janitor service company to fit your needs can be challenging. And finding a good one can be even more difficult. So it is important to know exactly what you need to ensure success in picking the right janitorial company. The first step in the process is to create two lists.

The 1st List:

Write down the absolute minimum expectations you have for the cleaning company. For instance, you may need on a regular basis, bathroom cleaning, vacuuming, trash removal, etc.

Then every company you talk to must:

1) Be able to provide service for you. (Some companies specialize and only offer service to restaurants for example. And some companies just don't have the ability to take another client.)

2) Offer the minimum service that you need.

The 2nd List:

Make a list of any other services that would be nice if the company provided. These might be things like drapery & carpet cleaning, simple landscape maintenance, or grounds clean up.

Then when you are calling companies, you can rate those companies that offer these auxiliary services higher on your list than the others. This gives you a starting point from which to choose.

Finally when you get on the phone with janitor services, be sure to have these 2 lists available to ensure whether or not the company you are talking to can meet your needs. This is only the first step in choosing the right company, so be liberal with who you discard as an option. You want the best fit possible for your situation and there are hundreds of companies to choose from, so be picky.

When you have a list of 5 potential cleaning services you have enough to start setting up appointments for a more formal interview. Continue the process of picking the best janitor service to save hours of frustration in the future.

Autor: Spencer Arnold

Spencer Arnold is and experienced custodian and business owner. We offer professional information for helping you choose a Janitor Service.

Added: June 12, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

You've Got Mold! Now What?

That musty smell was your first clue but now it's confirmed: You've got mold! Whether your house has been thoroughly invaded by the mold monsters or you have mold in a localized area such as the bathroom or basement, dealing with the mess can be overwhelming. Where do you begin? And should you even attempt to do it by yourself?

First, assess the damage. A small patch of mold in the bathroom and mold that has infiltrated the carpets, wallpaper, and drywall are two different beasts. One you can deal with on your own; the other requires professional help.

Next, consider the source of the mold. It won't do you any good to clean up the mold and ignore its source. Sure, the mold will be gone, but soon enough the mold will return. In short: mold needs moisture. The mold didn't just randomly decide to grow in your home. It sought out, and found, a delightfully moist environment and colonized it. Not only will you need to clean up the mold, you will need to make sure the water source is controlled, too. This may mean installing an exhaust vent, repairing plumbing leaks, caulking windows, and other repairs. Again, depending on the extent of the repairs, you may need professional help.

Before you begin, consider whether the mold has contaminated the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. If so, do not run these systems as you could spread mold further! This is a case where you will need a pro. Another instance where a professional is an absolute must is if the mold damage involves contaminated water, such as sewage or floodwaters. If you have health issues, cleaning up mold is not for you. Do yourself a favor and let a mold contractor handle the job.

Do-it-Yourself Steps for Small Mold Infestations
Once you've determined that the mold problem is mild enough to handle on your own, take care of the water problem. If you have a leaking washing machine hose, replace the hose. If a window is leaking, caulk and repair it. Next, don protective clothing including goggles, gloves, and protective mask (preferably an N-95 respirator). For mold on hard surfaces, such as a bathroom counter, scrub with detergent and water and allow it to dry completely.

Mold on porous and absorbent materials like drywall, carpet, and ceiling tiles may require that the material be removed and replaced. Mold spores are microscopic and can easily infiltrate these porous materials. While you may be able to remove the surface mold, those residing deep within the material are impossible to clean and the growth will continue.

Getting Help for Major Mold Problems
Job too big? Mold can quickly become too big to handle, especially when it's hot and humid. The sooner you get help, the better! Look for a dry out professional who is experienced in mold remediation and water damage repairs. You need someone who will address the underlying problem while taking care of the mess and preventing future occurrences.

Autor: Mark Decherd Mark Decherd
Level: Platinum
Dryout Inc. was incorporated in 1997 with a mission to serve waterlogged customers in south Florida. We specialize in water damage, mold remediation, and flood ... ...

By: Mr. Mark Decherd

For more information and other articles by Mark Decherd go to:

Dryout Inc.
1415 Colonial Blvd.
Fort Myers, Fl. 33907

239-437-7100 Water Damage

Mold

Dryout Inc Emergency water damage restoration, drying, deodorization, decontamination, disinfection, mold removal, water damage repair, restoration and reconstruction of commercial and residential properties damaged by fire, water and other disasters by a network of trained specialists, technicians and restoration professionals across the USA and Canada.

Added: June 11, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

How to Train Your Family to Clean Marble Effectively

To clean the green way, sure is one of the best things that you can do to improve your lifestyle and maintain a healthier, cleaner and safer home. Moreover, you also get to help Mother Earth gain back its balance, beauty and adequacy in terms of its gifts. Just how cruel humankind is to simply enjoy the abundance of the Earth's resources and yet not be able to maintain its safety. The environment greatly suffers from all the abuse and neglect the people had caused. And now, Mother Earth is taking its toll.

Through the going green campaign, better cleaning ideas especially safer or eco-friendly cleaning products have been made possible. Now, you can clean marble, granite and other surfaces at home without any further damage. Long gone are the days of using toxic-based cleaners which are harmful to health and atmosphere. Now, you will be at ease using cleaning products since more and more of them have been made to be toxic-free yet effective by all means.

Any kind of cleaning with the use of harsh cleaners and methods wont be considered effective. But with natural cleaning products, cleaning has never been this harmless, convenient and cost-effective. However, how can you possibly clean marble or granite in the most effective way if your family is not supporting or participating with you? How can you maintain a spotless and germ-free marble floor if your children kept on scratching them with their toys; if your teens keep on dragging down their stuffs against the floor? Or that other members of your family just care less about the welfare of your marble-made stuffs?

Indeed, you can effectively clean marble or remove various stains and the like. But you can't simply maintain its shine and beauty all by yourself. Since prevention is better than cure, you should be able to get the attention of your whole family with regards to proper cleaning and maintenance of your marble stuffs. Train your family members on how to do things so it will be easier and make your cleaning efforts more effective. Here's how:

1. Gather sufficient facts and information

Of course, you have to equip yourself with the kind of information you need with regards to the things they ought to do and how you can all make it effective and convenient. Determine what causes damages, stains and spills to your marble countertops and floors. If the actions of your family inflicted such dilemmas, then get them involved.

2. Plan with Action

Plan your new routines particularly with cleaning. You and the entire household should make a concrete and feasible plan on how to deal with things. Be open and ask for their suggestions too. Not only that you can improve your means of cleaning, you can also improve your lifestyle and family bonding since everybody's interacting.

3. Sort things out

Assign tasks. Designate and create schedule. Just don't forget to make it more enjoyable so the household wont get tired and feel forced. Rotate responsibilities and see to it that each member knows what they do.

4. Enforce a strict compliance

Make sure that the whole household comply and do their duties; not only with marble cleaning but with all the means of cleaning around the house. Be strict especially when you are just starting with the process but don't forget to lay low or let loose once they get the hand of it.

5. Make your whole family understand the essence

The need to go green or clean marble and other stuffs safely and effective should be understood by your whole family. Make known the essence by presenting the benefits and how such change can make their lives better and safer. You should also inculcate the value of becoming eco-friendly and choosing only the natural or organic ones in many ways possible.

Autor: Frank Denim

Only you and your whole family can clean marble effectively and safely. You cant always rely on the use of household cleaners since prevention is always better than cure. Train your family to work hard when it comes to cleaning marble and the essence of going green when cleaning through the use of natural cleaning products.

Added: June 10, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Dyson Sweeper - One of the Greats

A Dyson sweeper is actually unique compared to all the rest. Sure, you may now find sweepers that don't have bags but they copied from the look of Dyson. In fact, James Dyson won an award from the court for Hoover infringing on his patent. They turned him down cold, but then after a Japanese manufacturer backed the product and they saw their competitors, they copied. Of course, the copy was nothing like the first in other areas.

It's definitely simple to get into corners and move about. The reason being because of 2 reasons. A Dyson sweeper has a ball instead of axles with four wheels. That means it goes in all directions. It works like a PC mouse rather than a car a vehicle or lawnmower. How often have you moved your vacuum backwards and forth trying to get it in just the right position to clean something, only to give up, lift it up and set it in the right spot? That backbreaking task isn't required with the Dyson sweepers. It moves where you want it to go.

That's because the motor is only 1/2 the size yet due to PC technology has a big quantity of power. It works differently than other motors. I am sure you can find a method to block it if you wanted to do that, but, if you are like everybody else and just want a cleaner house without the trouble, this beauty does the job.

It has a large amount of sucking action thanks to the motor and the fact it does not use bags that block up when they fill. Standard vacuums have bags that fill and let the air out through small holes in the bag. These block and then you lose suction power. Not only does a Dyson sweeper have super suction power they also expel the air through a high potency particle air filter. That's quite an accomplishment

Essentially, the air that comes out of the Dyson sweeper has as much as 150 times less mold spores and less bacteria than the standard air in your home. That is pretty provoking, particularly if you consider the difference it makes in your circle of relative's health.

A Dyson sweeper has all new technology that makes your job of cleaning twice as straightforward and twice as fast with so much less hassle than you ever experienced that you can never wish to return to a traditional vacuum once you try it. Its suction power is bigger, it's better to use and cleans your home more thoroughly. What more could you want in a vacuum cleaner?

Autor: Hector O Mccarthy

If you've enjoyed all the exciting information you read here about Dyson Sweepers,you'll love everything else you find at Dyson Sweeper

Added: June 8, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

I can't really imagine what life would be like without a vacuum. It seems like everything in the house needs vacuuming. The floor, corners, ceiling, rugs, carpet, kitchen trim, furniture, and car are all in need of a good vacuuming now and again.

Of course all good people's houses are spotless wonders 100% of the time but if perhaps yours isn't, then welcome to the concept of handheld vacuum cleaning. Your house may look spotless on the whole but what about those places where it is inconvenient to get to with your big vacuum? Places like the top of the fridge or around your electronic equipment or your car or boat.

You may have been meaning to get out to the car to vacuum up that bag of pulverized Cheetos your beloved children spread on the floor in the back seat. Then you think of your back and the weight of that big upright in your closet and you sit down right there and think, "NO WAY!"

No wait: maybe you think to yourself , "I'll get my new handy handheld vacuum cleaner and hop right out there and get the job done."

Most of your new modern handheld vacuum cleaners are powered with rechargeable batteries and are therefore stored in a little recharger base that is left plugged in. The ones with the battery system in most new handhelds one doesn't need to worry about overcharging.

Some handheld vacuum cleaner actually come with beater bar attachments which means they need to have some seriously powerful and heavy batteries. The weight of the handheld vacuum really determines its usefulness. I can imagine hauling a big handheld vacuum cleaner up into a boat on a trailer. It's always a good Idea to have one of these items in the house because you really never know how useful they are until you've been able to use one.

Autor: Danny Mitchell Ashton

Handheld-vacuumcleaners.com

Added: June 7, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Carpet Cleaning - How Can You Possibly Keep it Clean?

The best thing you can do for the life and looks of your carpet is to keep it from getting dirty and worn in the first place. Now although, it's virtually impossible to prevent it from getting dirty altogether, there are things you can do to extend how quickly it gets dirty and needs a deep cleaning and even replacement.

Probably the number one thing that can be done to help keep your carpet from getting dirty and worn out is to have your family to remove their shoes at the door after they have been outside. A mat at the door is great for visitors that you don't want to ask to remove their shoes. Even though people's shoes may not be caked in mud, there are particles on the bottom of everyone's shoes that can attribute to stains and discoloration and also to causing your carpet to get worn out. Wiping shoes on mats and removing shoes altogether at the door can extend the life and look of your carpet for many years.

When I first got my new carpet, the first thing that I did was stop eating outside of the kitchen. Spills happen, even for adults. And it's almost impossible to eat without dropping crumbs. And usually crumbs can be oily and little fingers usually are oily and get wiped on your furniture and even on your carpet if someone is sitting on the floor. Crumbs that get dropped on the floor, then, will get stepped on and ground into the carpet. And as you know, oily spots are very hard to get out of carpet and upholstery. And a plus side for this rule, it can help eliminate a lot of "habit" and "boredom" eating which can lead to obesity.

When I went to pick out my carpet, I finally decided on berber. As nice looking as it was, it did have some down sides. My biggest pet peeve with this type of carpet was that when it did get a spill or stain and I cleaned it, the stain ended up being darker and larger than it started out as. So, after a little trial and error. I found the solution to the problem. When I get a stain, I usually use a generous amount of Dawn dishwashing liquid on a very damp rag. I scrub the spot very well and then wipe up the excess soap suds with a dry towel to where the spot is just damp. I, then, take a bath towel, fold it over a couple of times, making sure to completely cover any damp part of what I just cleaned. I place something heavy over the entire damp spot. (I use the weights that go with my son's weight bench. That works perfect) I leave it there 12- 16 hours and then I flip the towel over and place the weights back on it. After about 12 more hours, I check to see if the carpet is completely dry. If it's not, I place a new dry towel over it again and repeat the process. You see, at my house, dust will settle over the damp carpet which makes the spot darker and larger. By placing a towel over it, you are not only absorbing the wetness but also keeping dust from landing on it. I have had no trouble getting rid of spots since I figured out that little trick. Try it, it works wonders.

Autor: Kimberly A Gibbons

Kim is a housewife who is continually looking for ways to clean and organize her home in the most time efficient manner possible. Visit her website to find many of the carpet cleaning tips that she implements to clean her carpet and prevent it from getting dirty and worn so quickly. To check out her website, click here.

Added: June 6, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

How to Spring Clean Your Home by Steam Mopping, Sorting Paperwork and Other Suggestions

The first signs of Spring mean a time of rebirth - there are green shoots appearing and a joy in the air. Newborn lambs jump around picture-postcard fields. Nature never fails. It's a time to be optimistic again and to start getting one's own house in order. Mentally, a spring clean will make you feel better too.

Start your spring clean

Begin by breaking tasks into small manageable areas, that way you will not be overwhelmed. By doing a little bit of cleaning/sorting each day it will be no time at all before your place will be as a smooth and clean as a baby's bottom. Remember a journey begins with a single step. You could concentrate on each category over a number of weeks if necessary.

Monday - sort out paperwork
Tuesday - (kitchen) wipe surfaces and steam mop floors
Wednesday - (bathroom) clean cupboards, mop floor and give the bath/toilet/sink a 'deep' clean
Thursday - sort out an area that's been neglected, like a cupboard
Friday - throw out unwanted clothes
Saturday - concentrate on cleaning and vacuum any other areas of your home that haven't been done yet.
Sunday - take stuff to the civic waste tip. Put your feet up in the afternoon.

How about all those general tasks you've been putting off, such as re-painting the garden fence or repairing the garage roof?

Firstly, set a side a day for each of these larger tasks in your calender. Then add at least another day to the calender so that you have extra time if the task runs over.

With these suggestions you'll feel much better, your home will look great, and you will be able to appreciate green shoots everywhere.

Autor: Tim Mitchell Tim Mitchell
Level: Basic
I trained as a journalist and have spent most of my career in Government communications. This involved producing magazines (internally and externally), press releases and ... ...

Tim Mitchell is the Marketing Manager at Steam Mops Direct

Added: June 2, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/