Why it is Smart to Have Your Own Master House Cleaning List

Cleaning a home is not something that we are all fond of doing but none-the-less it has got to be done. Drawing up a house cleaning list to follow will no doubt help with the tedious chores. There are items on this list that your must not leave off. It would also be wise to keep a running list so you can habitually add and subtract from it as needed.

The first thing you want to include on your list is the order in which you want to clean your house. This means if you think it is faster starting in the bedrooms because they are upstairs, and moving your way down, write out to clean the bedrooms first. So you would have bedrooms, hallways, bathrooms, family room, dining room, kitchen. Or something of the sort. Write it out to whatever is going to be best for you. Generally speaking, cleaning from the top to bottom is the way to do it.

Once you have the order in which the rooms need to be cleaned, your next agenda is what to clean in each room. Again here it is smart to work from top to bottom when cleaning just so the dirt you clean from the walls and ceilings won't fall onto the already clean floor.

Here is the order in which I have always cleaned in my house. First I pick up and throw away all the trash. Next I pick up and put away all the things that are not in their proper places. At the same time I always try to better organize where things should go and get rid of things that I don't or won't use anymore. Have a designated spot to put things that you can give to the Salvation Army or to the needy.

Once I have cleaned the trash and have organized the items that I plan on keeping, then I begin my cleaning. On my house cleaning list I have dusting, cleaning counter tops, upholstery and/or furniture, and finally vacuuming or mopping the hardwood floors.

Each room should have its own list to follow. You should have a master house cleaning list so that you and whomevers turn it is to clean the house can know exactly what they need to do so they don't miss anything. I keep our house cleaning list saved on the computer as well because it is much easier to read than my handwriting and makes it easier to add and subtract chores. This way we can print it up and check off the list each time we go to clean house.

Autor: John Inbody

John Inbody invites you to learn more about what to include on your own House Cleaning List. Visit his website and sign up for his free mini-course to learn 10 secret How to Clean House tips that only the expert cleaners know about.

Added: August 31, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Rug Cleaning and Carpet Cleaning May Require Different Machines

Rug cleaning and carpet cleaning are two different things. This means that the best carpet-cleaning machine may not be the best machine for cleaning rugs. If you have a lot of rugs in your house and are looking to buy a good machine to clean them, you should do research first to make sure you get a good machine that is meant for rug cleaning.

There are a lot of different machines on the market and it can be confusing trying to figure out the differences between them. Going to Consumer Reports or some other place where they might have reviews of the machines you are looking at is a great idea because you don't want to end up with a machine that is not right for your carpet or rug.

The Von Schrader lines of carpet cleaning machines are a trusted brand and an industry leader. These machines have good reviews and customers have been satisfied with their performance for many years. As they are a top brand, the machines are a bit on the expensive side and so you want to make sure you buy the one that will work best for your type of carpets or rugs.

Another brand that is respected in carpet cleaning is Rug Doctor and their line of machines. Rug Doctor is one of the oldest names in rug and carpet cleaning and one of the most recognizable. As with all machines though, you need to pick the one that suits your purpose. For instance, you might need a different machine to clean your rugs if they are shaggy than you would if you have rugs or carpet that is cut close.

Doing the proper research is advisable whenever you are making a purchase for something that is expensive and you hope to use for many years. You could even hire a professional to come out first and clean your carpets so he can explain to you what type of carpets you have and what machines would work best to clean them. A professional will be able to give you a good analysis of your situation and perhaps save you a headache or two down the road.

Autor: Sammy Victori

Are you interested in researching the best carpet cleaning machines If you are please go to my website were you can find out more about the Von Schrader carpet cleaning machines.

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

3 Tips For Cleaning Leather Sofas

We have a set of leather sofas, which I love because of its durability and looks, and because of this, it is especially great with kids. But lets face it, even though they are very durable, with kids around the house, occasionally things are spilled, and for some reason, most of us lay people are nervous about how to clean our leather. I think the fear is cleaning up a spill, using the wrong product and leaving a dark stain on our sofa that we don't know how to get rid out. We have all probably seen those ugly leather stains, they ruin the look of leather sofas, chairs and ottomans. Leather furniture is too expensive to ruin with an unsightly stain. But there are basic ways to clean your leather that does not need to be a mystery. Here are three basic tips to help you out when needed.

One, remember that leather is a natural material that is designed to initially repel liquids, this works to your advantage. Any spills should be blotted, not wiped - this just spreads the liquid. A dark spot will be left behind once the bulk of the liquid has been removed, but this it normal. It is liquid that was absorbed. Often times this will naturally evaporate, leaving no trace of the mishaps. Obviously, the longer it takes to clean up a mess, the more liquid that was absorbed, and the longer it will take to evaporate dry.

Two, if you have a more serious spot that doesn't evaporate (more than water is often spilt), try cleaning it with a moisturizing, non-acidic soap (think mild, skin sensitive bar of body soap) or saddle soap. You do not want to lather up with a lot of water and soak your leather more. Instead, get a cloth wet, lather it a bit on the bar of soap and then rub it on the stain. DO NOT use circular motions, but back and forth OR side to side. Once you have worked over the stain pretty well, use a damp cloth to wipe down the area, rubbing in only one direction and then buff with a dry cloth. I have also seen recommendations to not wipe with a damp cloth, but just buff with the dry one, I just feel better going over it with the water only damp cloth, perhaps removing some of the excess soap. Regardless of how you do it, next you have to let the spot air dry. You may not know if the stain is gone from your leather sofas until after it dries, if it is not completely gone, then you may need to repeat the entire procedure.

Three, and this is very important, do not do the above cleaning process until you have tested it on an obscure area on the leather sofas first! You want to make sure that the soap you are using will not mar the leather surface, or make the stain worse.

Hopefully these tips will help you when you need to clean your leather sofas. With a little care and some basic rules, you can keep them looking like new for many years. After all, the life span of a leather sofa or chair should outlast fabric upholstery by four times. Though I find that the best way to preserve my furniture is to have a basic rule of no food or drink. No one thinks they are going to spill, but it happens to the best of us. And though I may ignore my own rule sometimes, as I tell my kids, it is better if I have a mishaps than if they do!

Autor: MJ Marks MJ Marks
Level: Platinum
Hi, I work at home at a variety of web businesses. I do web authoring for clickshops.com that offers a large variety of products for ... ...

MJ is a freelance writer for Clickshops, Inc. where you can find a large selection of leather sofas for your home at leatherfurniture.com. If you want a set of quality sofas, then your home needs leather sofas!

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

How to Care For Cashmere Socks and Garments

Cashmere socks and garments are one of life's guilty pleasures for the pure luxury and comfort they provide. The care instructions say dry clean only, but is it really necessary?

The truth is that it is not necessary to care for cashmere with dry cleaning. You can clean cashmere like you would any wool fiber garment. Meaning mainly that you should avoid the three biggies while laundering: harsh detergents, heat and agitation. Failing to avoid these will cause the fine fibers of cashmere fleece to shrink, loose their shape and pill.

Detergents are best kept mild and highly diluted. Use either baby shampoo, or Woolite. Use a very small amount of soap diluted in cold water. There should be very few bubbles.

Place the garments in the water and swirl gently to help remove dirt and odors. The fibers of the cloth are much weaker when wet, so handle gently and avoid rubbing the fabric together to remove stains.

Allow the articles to soak for a half an hour in the soapy water, then drain the sink and refill with cold rinse water. You can squeeze the articles gently to get the soap out, but do not twist or wring. Doing so will cause your clothes to loose their shape. Repeat the process as many times as is necessary to thoroughly remove the soap.

Remove the excess water from the articles by gently squeezing. Again, avoid twisting or wringing. Place the wet articles on a towel and reshape. Allow to dry flat.

Hand washing cashmere socks and clothing has one more advantage over dry cleaning above the obvious price savings, hand washed cashmere tends to become even softer over time.

Autor: D B Abernathy

The truth is that you can save a bundle on cashmere socks and thermal socks by avoiding the dry cleaners all together. Visit us to find out everything you ever wanted to know about these wonderfully luxurious socks.

Added: August 27, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

5 Things That Will Drive You Nuts About Carpet Cleaners and How to Prevent Them

What is worse than having a tooth drilled at the dentist? To many homeowners it's dealing with carpet cleaning companies. Here is what you can do about the 5 most common complaints people have about carpet cleaners.

- Problem: Bait and switch sales tactics. Many carpet cleaners make all sorts of promises to get into my home; then they try to pressure me into buying all sorts of extras that I really don't want. (A quick search on the Internet will reveal dozens of hidden camera consumer reports on these scammers).

Solution: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You can't clean a carpet for $9.95 per room and stay in business. Ask what is included with the clean and what is not. At a minimum, the price should include:

- Pre-vacuuming, particularly along the baseboards

- Pretreatment of traffic areas

- Steam cleaning equipment that is truck-mounted (not portables or bonnet cleaning)

- Grooming to set the fibers and promote quick drying after the clean

- If you have pet stains or other specific issues, get a rough idea of how much they charge for these services (Hint - Find out if they work in teams. It doesn't take 2 people to clean your home; one is there to do most of the work while the other is there to "work on you" for the up-sell)

- Problem: Waiting all day for the cleaner to show up. I have a busy schedule and hate to be at the mercy of a carpet cleaner who will not give me a firm time.

Solution: Keep searching until you find one that guarantees a specific time. Alternatively, if your time is worth a lot, offer to pay an additional amount for a timed clean - let's say $50.00. Carpet cleaners like all personal service providers, sell their time. Simply out bid others for your preferred time slot.

- Problem: Incompetent or inexperienced cleaner. The cleaner they sent to my home doesn't appear to know what he's doing, and he can't or won't do what I ask him to do.

Solution: It is really irrelevant that the company has been in business forever if the technician only has a few days of cleaning experience. When you make your first contact with the cleaner's office, ask which technician has been with the company the longest. Then simply request him by name. If he doesn't arrive at your home, reschedule the work. I predict that he'll be there for your next appointment.

- Problem: They don't stand behind their work. They did the work, but it's still dirty in a few spots, and now they won't return my calls.

Solution: Again, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Before you select the cleaner, a few screening questions can minimize these types of issues. Clarify what their guarantees are, and how they work. Give them a few hypothetical scenarios and if you sense there might be an issue, move on to the next company. If any service provider doesn't have a 100% money back satisfaction guarantee posted on their website, you haven't found the right company.

- Problem: Theft and personal safety. I'm worried about strangers in my home. Will they steal, will they damage my stuff, will my children and I be safe?

Solution: Many small companies don't conduct pre-employment screening. They don't run criminal background checks or verify previous employment. Refer back to the tech's experience level - any employee that causes problems of this nature is probably not with the company anymore. Also ask if they are insured and if they run background checks on the people that will do your work.

When speaking with prospective cleaners, open-ended questions work best. A simple way to phrase a question is: "I have a concern about ___, how do you handle that?" Ask clarifying questions, like "Can you tell me more about __?" or, "Can you give me an example of __?"

P.S. You can apply these examples to most home service providers and not just carpet cleaners.

Autor: Fred Terlaak Fred Terlaak
Level: Basic PLUS
Fred Terlaak is the CEO, and co-founder of Service Depot headquartered in Austin, Texas. The company provides an array of cleaning services to residential, commercial ... ...

Fred Terlaak is the CEO and co-founder of Service Depot. Started as an Austin carpet cleaning and restoration service organization, the company has operations in San Antonio, and Houston, Texas. We believe that educated customers become life-time customers. Therefore Service Depot provides technical information on its website to help its customers maintain a safe and clean living environment. For more tips and tools visit => http://www.servicedepotonline.com.

Added: August 25, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Different Types of Devices For Vacuum Pumps

When considering a vacuum pump there are several different things to consider. One of the things that you will want to consider is the type of device that runs your vacuum pump. As with everything there are pros and cons. Let's take a look at some of the different devices you can choose from to run your vacuum pump.

One of the devices is an ejector. This is one of the simplest and commonly used as a vacuum producer. The basic process of the ejector is that it converts pressure energy of a motive fluid into velocity energy as it flows through a usual small nozzle. Ejectors use many different types of motive fluid. Steam is one of the most common fluids. Some of the pros of an ejector for a vacuum pump are:

1. It is a simple design

2. It has no moving parts which makes it so that there is not much wear

3. Has the option of being fabricated from any type of metal. It can even be fabricated of various types of plastics.

4. Using an ejector for a vacuum pump tends to be one of the least expensive ways to make a vacuum device

5. Can offer the largest throughput capacity of any type of vacuum producing device

6. It is easy to startup or shutdown the vacuum pump. There is no special way to do it so it is easy for anyone.

7. Due to not having moving parts and being a simple design it is easy to repair and very low maintenance.

All of these things sound great, but there are some disadvantages for an ejector as a device for a vacuum pump. Some of those disadvantages are:

1. There is a requirement for the pressurized motive fluid

2. It is inevitable that contamination of the motive fluid will happen

3. It can be noisy

4. With the noise it could require discharge silencers or sound insulation

5. Most of the time there is a need for a cooling liquid source

Another option for a vacuum pump device is a liquid ring pump. This vacuum pump device is a multi-bladed impeller with a shaft that is mounted so that it can be an eccentric to the ring of liquid. Basically, as the blades rotate toward the discharge side of the pump the pockets decrease in size and the evacuated gas is compressed, enabling its discharge.

Some of the advantages of a liquid ring pump for a vacuum pump are:

1. Simpler design than most vacuum pumps

2. It employs only one rotating assembly

3. It can be constructed from any castable metal

4. It has minimal noise and vibration

5. It has very little increase in the temperature of the discharged gas

6. Can handle condensable loads

7. There is no damage from liquid or small particulates entrained in the process fluid

8. The maintenance is very simple compared to other vacuum pumps

9. If the pump needs to be rebuilt it is simple

10. It has a slow rotational speed which gives it a longer operating life

11. Can easily be started and stopped over and over

12. Can use any type of liquid for the sealant fluid

Like everything, there are cons to the liquid ring pump. Here are some of the cons:

1. It is inevitable that there will be a mixing of the evacuated gas with the sealing fluid

2. High power requirement in order to form and maintain the liquid ring

3. Due to the high power requirement it results in a larger motor than for other types of vacuum pumps

4. There is a risk of cavitations. This means that it requires a portion of the process load to be noncondensable under the pump operating conditions.

5. The achievable vacuum is limited by the vapor pressure of a sealant fluid at the operating temperature.

Another option for a vacuum pump is a dry pump. A dry pump doesn't need any working fluids. There are three different types of vacuum pumps available. They are: hook and claw, screw and lobe types. These types of vacuum pumps work by two different types of mechanisms. There is either volumetric reduction or the mixing of lower-pressure gas with higher-pressure discharge gas. With a dry pump it normally runs hot, because there is no liquid to absorb the heat of compression.

Some of the advantages for a dry-running pump are:

1. No contamination of evacuated gas which allows for the gas to be recovered readily

2. The pump can be built of standard, inexpensive cast iron. This is the case due to the lack of condensation.

3. It can discharge to the atmosphere

Some of the disadvantages of a dry running vacuum pump are:

1. Cannot handle particulates

2. Cannot handle large amounts of liquid

3. Might require a silencer

4. Due to it running hot it can discharge gases at high temperatures. Sometimes the temperatures can run as high as 600 degrees.

5. Most case it can be difficult to repair or rebuild

6. Due to the high temperatures it might require a gas purge for cooling to protect the bearings and seals from the process gas

Another option for a vacuum pump is a once through oil pump. It is commonly known as OTO for short. It is a vacuum pump that is a sliding vane type that uses once through oil to seal clearances and lubricate moving parts.

Some of the positives of an OTO vacuum pump are:

1. Can handle acidic or otherwise corrosive vapors

2. Can be built of cast iron

3. Has minimal vibration

4. Can handle high inlet temperature

Some of the negatives of an OTO vacuum pump are:

1. Requires the use of immediately removing the liquids to prevent liquid from hitting the vanes.

2. There can be contamination of the discharged process gas by the oil

3. Cannot handle particulates

4. It can be costly to repair or rebuild

There is one other option for a vacuum pump device and that is a rotary piston model. The piston is attached to a cam that is mounted to the main bore of the pump cylinder.

There are several different pros to a rotary piston model:

1. Minimal vibration due to it having a balanced configuration

2. It has a rugged design so that it lends to a long life

3. Can handle small particulates

Some of the cons to a rotary piston vacuum pump model are:

1. Cannot handle liquids

2. The condensable vapors are not easily handled

3. The discharged gas is contaminated with oil

4. Some of the designs can be noisy

With all of this information in mind you will want to weigh out the options and the specifics you are looking for that best meets your needs.

Autor: Billings Farnsworth

United Vacuum (http://www.unitedvacuum.com/) specializes in the manufacturing, and remanufacturing of industrial rotary piston pumps and rotary lobe blowers. Whether you require a new or remanufactured pump, United Vacuum is positioned to accommodate your needs. Many years of experience within the vacuum industry is available to you if you have process related pump questions or are looking to upgrade an existing system.

Billings Farnsworth is a freelance writer.

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

Best Practices For Cleaning Gutters

The gutters are to be cleaned up. What can you say about this? It is really a very boring job but every now and then you will have to participate in gutter cleaning. You can say that it is a boring task but believe me that it is one of the most important job which you will ever encounter. Let me tell you one more thing and that is the gutter are very dangerous and even a slight mistake will definitely take you to the hospital. Hence you will have to take lots of precautions if you want to be hundred percent safe from the wounds.

Following are some of the tips which you will have to keep in mind while you are cleaning the gutter. They are as follows:

1. Ladder safety

Let me tell you one thing and that is the ladder which you are choosing should be strong enough so that when you climb through it then you do not find any difficulty or it does not break down. You should also make sure that the ladder could support at least 5 gallon bucket.

2. Wear gloves

If you will clean the gutter with bare hands then believe me that you will definitely fell sick very soon. Hence you should make sure that while cleaning the gutter you are using the gloves. The gloves protect your hands from the dirt which is inside the gutter.

3. Protect your eyes

I definitely feel that you should protect your eyes from the gutter. Don't let any water enter your eyes. If you will allow them to enter then you will definitely fell ill and this will be a great set back for you. You can wear the protective glasses while you are cleaning the gutter. Let me tell you one more thing that your eyes are the most precious thing and you should protect them anyhow.

4. Rubber shoes

Let me tell you that the rubber shoes can save you from slipping. The biggest threat which you have while cleaning the gutter is that you can slip. If you will slip then you will definitely end up in hospital. I really feel that you should definitely make sure that your shoes are all right and the rubber shoes are the best as you will definitely not slip.

5. Clean it two times a year

Let me tell you that if you will not clean your gutter then you will definitely have to face lots of problem. Hence you should make sure that you clean your gutter at least two times a year.

These are some of the tricks which will definitely help you to clean your gutter in best possible way.

Autor: Penelop Caprio Penelop Caprio
Level: Basic
I am 40 yrs old lady living with my 15 yr old son. I like travelling and reading....

Looking for a Roofing Contractor? Find more about Gutters

Added: August 21, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Rust Removal - Getting Rust Off the Fabrics

Rust removal is not exclusive for metal items. Rust can also damage other non-metal materials to which the removal process must also be implemented. Nevertheless, for metal or not, there is one thing that must be certain in carrying it out. And that is that the removal must be effective.

Fabrics are examples of those non-metal items that rust can also damage. Specifically, clothes, curtains and carpets are the most prone to being rust stained. It is because they are the ones most often in contact with various metal items.

Generally, to keep any fabric from being rust-damaged, they must be kept in a safe distance away from metals. However, that is not the only way as there are other rust removal tips that are specifically for removing rust stain on fabrics. Same with those other tips for metal items, all of them must also be efficiently implemented for the whole process to be effective.

Before applying rust stain removal tips though, you must first know the steps of the process. Those steps are part of the basics of rust removal therefore, they must be first learned. Logically, it would be just a waste or even impossible to apply whatever specific tips you have known without knowing how to even just get the process started.

Here are the steps of the rust stain removal process on fabrics that you must know first before applying any rust removal tips.

• Lay the fabric on a flat surface. If you are to use lemon juice as the rust remover, put a white towel underneath the fabric. It will later absorb the rust when the lemon juice is applied.
• Blot your rust remover on the rust spot or if you use lemon juice simply squeeze it on the rust stain.
• For commercial rust remover, simply follow the manufacturer's instructions as to how long the solution should stay on the fabric before rinsing it. On the other hand, if you used lemon juice, sprinkle the spot with salt after you have squeezed lemon on it. Then add a bit more lemon and let it dry under the sun.
• Wash the fabric as usual.

After understanding how it works, you can then apply rust removal tips. Some of those tips are the following:

• Be mindful of extra sensitive fabrics especially the clothes. Those that are with "dry clean" label should be brought to a dry cleaner for better care.
• Before using the rust removal product on the damaged spot, try it first on the small and inconspicuous part of the garment to make sure it's safe.
• If you prefer to use commercial rust remover, go for the natural ones such as rusterizer as they are safer.

In conclusion, rust can also end up damaging fabrics. Though there are so many rust removal tips out there that can help make the removal of rust effective, its basic steps must be known first. It will keep you from jumping over to other steps without finishing the previous one which can cause of a lot of unnecessary expenses.

Autor: Maurice Manhattan

Rust removal may also be needed on fabrics. However, before applying any rust removal tips to boost its effectiveness, you must first its basic steps.

Added: August 19, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Commercial Pressure Washers For Professional Powerful Water Jet Cleaning

Commercial pressure washers form an integral part of professional water jet cleaning. In particular, they are often used in manufacturing plants, construction sites, farms, meat processing factories, etc. In other words, they are used in almost all industries which are required to maintain a certain level of clean environment. While household uses have become increasingly popular in recent years, commercial users still form the bulk of mainstream users.

Power pressure washers are essentially heavy duty water jet cleaners which use the pressure of water to blast away dirt, grime, stubborn grease and stains. The commercial machines can be used on many different types of surfaces and forms an integral part of industry cleaning tools. They are mainly driven by electricity, gasoline, diesel or hydraulic in hot or cold versions.

You differentiate the machine cleaning efficiency with a combination of PSI and GPM. The former defines pounds per square inch of water pressure while the later indicate water consumption. The PSI ranges from 1000 to 4000 and and GPM from 2 to 11. Another measurement parameter is voltage, which comes in 115, 208, 230, 460 or 575 volts. Machines with the right combination would enable thorough water jet cleaning. They are mainly belt driven although the less demanding tasks could use the direct drive versions. For best portability, commercial machines are trailer mounted machines.

All Power pressure washers come in a variety of cleaning accessories like rotating brushes, wash brushes, extension wand, detergent dispensers, form applicators, sand blast kits, a great variety of nozzle heads, spray guns and injectors. Your water jet cleaning tasks are made so easy, you could clean up an entire factory within a day. Commercial pressure washers come in a wide array of good warranties, extended warranties for parts and services etc. When buying a commercial machine, you should do your research thoroughly online before popping by the specific sales agent for a preview of the gadget.

Autor: Joey Lee

GET Your High Pressure Washers Tips Now at Power Pressure Washers. Find The Right Power Pressure Washers from the Full Range at PowerPressureWashers.net

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

Janitorial Supplies For Restaurants

People favor a particular restaurant mainly on account of two important factors - good food and clean environment. Any compromise in any of the two could tarnish the reputation of the restaurant and subsequently affect business. Good janitorial supplies for restaurants can address all the cleaning related needs. It is an unwritten rule that customers judge the overall service of any hotel or restaurant and put across their views to others. Good feedback equals good business.

The quantity of janitorial cleaning supplies needed for one's restaurant depends on the size of the business. Running a restaurant is a painstaking job and it is important to remember that health and hygiene officials won't tolerate unhygienic environs. Utensils and sinks get soiled all the time, especially when the residue consists of oil and grease. Quality cleaning accessories such as heavy duty scouring pads, scrubbers and wipes solve the problem faultlessly.

Floor and wall cleaning supplies such as upright dustpans, electrostatic dusters (attracts dust and dirt), floor squeegee and washer kit are essential for maintaining a clean and dust free surface.

Tabletops and glass tend to get dirty frequently. Without proper maintenance and cleaning, the situation could worsen. Glass mirror cloth, spray bottle, dusting wipes, all purpose liquid cleaning solutions, and window washer accessories are a must for every restaurant.

For general purpose maintenance, wool dusters (for hard to reach areas) and floor wax applications would suffice. Wool dusters are lightweight, durable and can be easily washed.

Toilets need special attention. An unclean toilet can 'put-off' customers and could be a cause for embarrassment. Anticipate the necessity of maintaining a clean toilet and be equipped. Toilet brushes and multipurpose scrubbing brushes or better yet, a cleaning kit, makes cleaning and handling easy.

Janitorial supplies for restaurants relieve you of all your cleaning and maintenance-related worries. Wholesale dealers have a good stock and supply of the same and it's better to order them online to benefit from discounted prices.

Autor: Eric K Kampel

Reliable Paper provides janitorial supplies for office buildings, restaurants and other commercial enterprises. The janitorial cleaning supplies that Reliable Paper offer include dust pans, spray bottles, window washers, etc.

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

How to Maintain a Vacuum Cleaner

Your vacuum cleaner is an important tool and with the proper care, you can prolong its life and efficiency while avoiding expensive repairs and costly parts. Various models require different maintenance techniques, so be sure to check your manual and read all instructions carefully before you begin.

Here are some of the tools you may need for performing basic maintenance tasks:

Replacement vacuum cleaner bags. Check that they are the right size and model for your unit.
A screwdriver
A scissors or seam ripper
Replacement belts and filters
A lubricant such as 3 in 1 oil (check your manual and do not use WD 40 as it will accumulate and harden)

Before you begin be sure to unplug your vacuum.

Step 1
Check your vacuum cleaner bag regularly and replace when full. A full bag means your machine has to work harder to push air through the debris, which cuts down on efficiency. If the machine is not picking up all the dirt when in operation, the bag is probably full. Check it with your fingers to make sure. Then fasten the new bag by hooking all the holders securely in place.

If you have a bag less model, empty the tray or bin every few weeks.

Step 2
Clean the brush roll. This is the spinning brush located underneath the unit that gets dirt out of carpets. You get to it by removing the bottom plate of your vacuum cleaner. There will be a latch or screws holding the plate in place. Remove the brush roll by pulling it out of the slots on either end and then sliding it out from under the belt. Clean the brush with your fingers, removing hair, string, and other debris. You can also use a scissors or seam ripper to cut out stubborn threads.

Unscrew the caps on both ends of the brush roll, remove the bearings, and clean out any dirt from the area. Lubricate the bearings so that the roll can spin freely.

Step 3
Check the belt for wear and tear. Look for cracks as well as melted, worn, or uneven areas. Replace the belt if it is damaged or if it seems loose. Ideally belts should be replaced every six months to a year. To replace the belt, remove the brush roll and slide the belt off the drive shaft area. Slide the new belt on and make sure it is taut. The belt goes on over the brush roll and drive shaft, with the brush roll fitting into appropriate slots. Replace the cover plate once you are through.

Note: Before you return the brush roll to its place, remove any debris from the air passages and housing.

Step 4
Replace or clean your vacuum cleaner's filters. Many new models are made with filters covering the exhaust area in order to catch particles. If your unit's filter is made of foam or plastic, rinse and then dry it thoroughly. If the filter is made of paper, you can simply shake out the debris or replace the filter with another.

Step 5
Check your vacuum's hoses for obstructions. If you are not getting enough suction power, you may have an obstruction inside the hose. Carefully push a broomstick or another similar device through the area to dislodge anything that might be stuck.

Other Helpful Maintenance Tips
If you own a wet/dry vacuum cleaner, make sure you empty the bin and replace or clean filter regularly.

If you have an upright vacuum cleaner, make sure your hose is inserted securely to avoid air leaks.

No matter what type of unit you have, do not vacuum up large objects.

Turn your vacuum cleaner off immediately if you hear a change in its sound during operation. Unplug it and check for obstructions.

If your vacuum cleaner overheats, unplug it and wait until it cools and then check for obstructions.

Make sure the plug does not pull out of the outlet while you are using your vacuum cleaner. This can cause damage to the prongs as well as the cord.

Make sure the cord to the unit does not catch on furniture or other areas to avoid puncturing or tearing.

Autor: Sachin Anand Sachin Anand
Level: Basic
Sachin Anand is the Director of Business Development at GoVacuum, the leading online retailer of Vacuum Cleaners and Air Purifiers and their accompanying accessories....

Govacuum.com one stop retailer for all types of branded vacuum cleaners, vacuum cleaner parts, accessories and air purifiers for home and commercial use.

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

Advantages to Owning a Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

As long as there have been vacuum cleaners, there have been cords on them. For decades, people could only clean as far as the cord would let them clean and then another outlet had to be found. These cumbersome ties make cleaning more difficult than it should be.

Cordless vacuum cleaners are also much safer without the cord. There is no worry about tripping and there is also no accidental yanking of the plug out of the wall when you get too far. The yanking of the plug from the outlet is not only dangerous, it can ruin the machine rendering it inoperable making the likelihood of expensive repairs or replacements reality.

Vacuum cleaners without cord provide many other advantages over their corded counterparts. The mere lack of a cord makes cleaning in difficult spots easier such as a stairway or around corners and even reaching under and behind items that were nearly impossible before. These vacuum cleaners are designed for easy storage. Because they are much smaller than conventional vacuum cleaners, finding a small corner where it can charge is usually a pretty easy task.

Cordless vacuum runs on battery-power. It is simply charged by putting it on a base and plugging it into an electrical outlet. Models may vary in how the charging process works, of course, but the premise is the same. The batteries must be charged in order for the cordless vacuum cleaner to work. Once it is fully charged, many models will then run for long periods of time making the worry of running out of power mid-cleaning non-existent which is an advantage in that once the job is started, you can be confident that it will run until the job is finished.

Cordless vacuum cleaner is very portable. Aside from being able to use it on a stairway or in other hard to reach places within the home, consider how convenient that portability is going to be when you need it in the garage or on the patio. Cleaning out the car is also easy and convenient with a cordless vacuum cleaner. No more taking the car to the carwash to spend money in that vacuum system that really isn't all that powerful. The hoses are short and it is not very flexible leaving people with the feeling that their car is just as dirty as when they started.

Cordless vacuum have become more common in recent years and the ability to purchase one has never been easier. From the low prices to wide availability, these handy machines are easy to own and even easier to use. It is easy to see that there are many advantages to owning a cordless vacuum cleaner.

Autor: Arya Walker

Arya helps others to understand more about cordless vacuum by writing reviews on Shark Cordless Vacuum and etc.

Added: August 13, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Cleaning Your Wood Bedroom Furniture

There are many types of wooden furniture but if you want to take good care of the one you have, it's important to know that each type will need both general and specific methods of care so they're kept in tip-top condition. Knowing the exact type of wood as well as how it was treated will be a major consideration in determining what type of care is needed. For example, if your furniture has been oiled, you have to clean using a method that is different from how you would clean a polished or painted piece.

If your oak bedroom furniture comes oiled to a warm gloss, you should clean it with a type of furniture cream that is meant for such treatment. A special type of this cream or linseed oil applied at least twice a week will keep those pieces looking great. Wax is out of the question when dealing with oiled furniture as this can damage the wood. Water spots may come off using dry baking soda and a fresh layer of oil. This is ideally how oiled wooden furniture should be maintained.

When you talk about furniture that has been treated with anything except paint, this is what you call polished furniture. This type of treatment will need the wood to be simply wiped with a furniture cream and then waxed before buffed to a shine. Chamois cloth is particularly good for polished wood. Water spots may disappear by soaking the affected part in oil for about an hour before waxing.

Painted wood is generally easier to maintain. You don't even have to do anything except vacuum it to get rid of dust. There is no need to wax and what you might want to do is use certain cleaners which you must carefully inspect before using as what you might end up using is a product that is meant for other wood furniture types.

B. Thamboo or wicker furniture is, perhaps, the easiest to take care of as it needs very little polishing. This wood can simply be vacuumed to be kept clean. If it looks brittle, you can just spray it with water and let it dry is wood simply absorbs the water and returns to its natural form, unlike hardwood which tends to warp.

With a good knowledge of how your wooden furniture should be taken care of, you can expect those pieces to last longer. It's also wise to go the extra mile in protecting these woods to avoid extra costs for repair or buying a new set altogether.

When taking care of your cherry wood bedroom furniture, mahogany bedroom furniture or any of those pieces made of hardwoods and softwoods, remember that cleaning should be done regularly to make it even more beautiful and add years to its life.

Autor: Kelly Y Kim

When taking care of your cherry wood bedroom furniture, mahogany bedroom furniture or any of those pieces made of hardwoods and softwoods, remember that cleaning should be done regularly to make them even more beautiful and long-lasting.

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

On the Couch? Remove Dog Urine

If you have dog urine on the couch then I feel for you. It is one of the worst places that your dog can urinate and I know from experience. My 2 cocker spaniels always used to urinate on the couch but now they know better because I trained them. So how do you stop your dog from urinating on the couch? Here are some of my top tips.

Reward them - Not for urinating on the couch. You must have an area or litter tray or something where you want them to go. Whenever they go and urinate in that area reward them with something they like, a treat for example. You should beckon them towards the area where they did it right and give them the treat there so they associate good things with that area.

How to clean - If your dog has urinated on the couch the first thing you will want to do is get some paper towels and some washing up gloves because this could get a little messy. Try putting pressure on the paper towels to soak up the whole urine as much as possible. Once they have soaked up as much as they can move onto the next step.

Baking Soda - Get some normal every day baking soda and sprinkle it on the area where the dog urine is still on the couch. A tip here is that you may want to test this on the back of your couch to see if it makes a stain of any kind. That way people will not be able to see it. You want to use more than enough so if in doubt, pour some more out. Now leave it for about 45 minutes.

Hoover - a hand held hoover would be preferable here but a normal one can do fine too. Just hoover up all the baking soda that has took up the urine and its smell. There may still be a smell of dog urine in the air but you can cover that with air freshener and opening the windows.

Autor: Richard Shelmerdine

"I bet you're searching the internet looking for the best methods to handle your dog urinating for free and I totally understand that. I was in your position and all the information seemed too much and information conflicted and it was pretty annoying at the time. Finally I just thought I'd buy something and apply it regularly and it worked way beyond my expectations. Now I have 2 dogs (both Cocker Spaniels) who I would not have recognized just 1 month ago. If you're interested in just getting this problem out of the way as quickly as possible. Click here for On couch remove dog urine

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

How Does Hand Sanitizer Work?

You have probably heard that hand sanitizers are effective hand cleaners that kill germs and bacteria, but have you ever wondered how a simple alcohol-based hand sanitizer could be as effective as washing thoroughly with hand soap and water? Hand soap and water lift the germs off our skin and rinse them away while hand sanitizers merely kill the germs on contact. This is pretty remarkable, and the question is how?

Hand sanitizers are made up of ethyl alcohol, inactive additives such as water, other alcohols and fragrances. Ethyl alcohol is the active ingredient and is designed to kill germs. An important thing to know about ethyl alcohol is that it's only effective if the concentration of alcohol is between 60 and 95%. Any less than 60% will not be sufficient enough to kill germs and is pointless in using. Many experts advised that it's very important to look at the labels on hand sanitizers to make sure that you're getting a quality product with sufficient concentrations of alcohol.

There are two general types of rubbing alcohol: ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol. Both types kill bacteria sufficiently but are not as effective on viruses. As the alcohol evaporates, it sucks out the insides of bacteria and viruses and kills them. However, the bacteria or viruses won't be dead until all the alcohol has evaporated. One thing to note is that isopropyl alcohol requires about 10 minutes on the skin's surface to kill bacteria, giving ethyl alcohol and advantage over isopropyl alcohol.

When you apply the hand sanitizer, be sure to rub every part of the skin on your hands thoroughly because this is what's going to kill the germs. Hand sanitizers will not get through bodily fluids, dirt, blood or other grime to kill germs. These things must be washed away before a hand sanitizer is applied. Also, the alcohol in hand sanitizer has a drying effect, so it's a good idea to use some type of hand or body lotion after using hand sanitizer.

Autor: Jodi M.

About the Author
Jodi M. is a mom with a passion for keeping her family healthy. She highly recommends utilizing a full system approach to defending against the cold and flu. Her favorite product for ultimate prevention is a Hand Sanitizer Spray. Using a spray instead of a gel helps with absorption and makes it easier to apply to kids. And we all know that kids need to fight bacteria more than anyone! With the added benefit of aloe and acai your hands will never feel better! Doux Soleil makes a scientifically advanced hand sanitizer as part of a complete line of cold and flu products to help protect, support, fortify, and treat you and your family 365 days a year.

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

Are Dyson Vacuums Really Worth the Money?

Vacuum cleaners much like most small home appliances are considered consumable in today's society, we use them until they break and buy a new one. We don't often spend time having them tinkered with at the corner repair shop, we don't generally send them in to the company to have them re-manufactured, and we definitely don't try to fix them ourselves like once was done in households across America.

For the consumer this means getting the most bang for your buck. You are going to considering price, life, and obviously performance when you are buying a new vacuum cleaner, so I ask the question is buying a Dyson vacuum really worth the money?

Over the last 3 years in my household I have had 3 vacuums, a fact that I wish wasn't quite so true. My first was an old hand me down from my family that had been with us for some time and I wasn't upset to see it go. It lasted a long time and worked very well until the final few months.

The second vacuum was a Bissell bag less upright that wasn't worth the plastic it was made from. I made the #1 consumer mistake, I purchased without doing any research. I went to the store bought the cheapest vacuum I could that looked good, and much to my dismay after 11 short months the vacuum was no longer working. I effectively washed $100.00 down the drain and I started to believe that old adage that you get what you pay for.

So my answer is yes a Dyson vacuum cleaner is worth the money, but why?

Today I own a Dyson DC24 and have so far been completely satisfied with my decision. Although the vacuum cleaner cost me more that 3 times the amount of either of my previous two vacuum cleaners I have reason to believe that it will outlast and outperform both of them combined.

The major selling point for me on the Dyson was its full parts and maintenance 5 year warranty. With my new vacuum purchase I wanted a sense of security and with the DC24's warranty I felt like I got it. No more wondering if it was going to work for 11 months or less because if it didn't this vacuum wasn't going to be a consumable, I was going to ship it back to the company and have it fixed for free. The second reason why a Dyson is worth the money is because of its performance and technology. My vacuum has 2 of the most innovative and performance driven technologies on the market, the Dyson Cyclone and the Dyson Ball. A benefit you won't find with any other vacuum manufacturer. Dyson is consistently doing research and development and is always leading the industry in creating new highly functional designs to make sure their vacuums are the best.

Finally I love my Dyson out of vanity. It is a beautiful piece of machinery. It looks high tech and whenever someone sees it they are immediately interested in it, how it works, and I think a little jealous of it. I have no doubt that buying a Dyson vacuum was the best purchase for me and that it is and will be worth every penny that I paid for it.

Autor: Adam Mlynarcik

Adam M. is a Dyson owner and writer/reviewer of Dyson vacuums over at http://www.dysoninfo.com where he invites you to become an educated shopper. Find out anything you would ever need to know about every Dyson model so that you can find the correct vacuum for your home. Plus we always keep our ears open for any Dyson on Sale so you might just find a great deal.

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

Hiring a Gutter Cleaning Service - Things to Remember

A gutter is simply a channel or a waterway, on the roof of the building, for carrying off rain water. If you neglect your gutters, the worst thing that can happen is that it can damage your building's foundation. If you have observed that your gutters are not working properly, then you need to clean them up. This task can be done by some professionals that have some kind of expertise in this field.

Cleaning up gutters can really be a messy and shaky business for any homeowner. It can also prove to be a bit dangerous, as it is not easy to simply climb up a 20 feet tall ladder and clean the mess of your roof. So, it is better to hire some gutter cleaning services. However, there are a few things that you should keep in mind while hiring a professional.

Some of the guidelines that you need to consider are:

1. Professionalism and Experience

The first thing you should consider is that the company or the individual is a thorough professional and has a good knowledge of cleaning gutters. He must also have a reasonable amount of experience otherwise it can be problematic for not only him but you as well.

2. Quick services

You also must make sure that the company or the individual provides you quick services and avoids unnecessary delays in work. They must not simply waste your time in doing some unimportant tasks.

3. Economical and proper way of working

A professional should not charge a handsome amount in exchange of his services. There is no pointy behind wasting so much money in gutter cleaning. You must also ensure that they do have a proper way of working and also have proper tools and mechanism to make the task simple and trouble free.

4. Qualified and certified company

Always keep in mind that you need to hire a qualified and certified company for this job, otherwise in case any fraud occurs against you, you will be in a position to file a suit. However, a company should only be certified to show that they are professional and experienced enough to handle all kinds of problems.

Besides, all these things you also need to consider that the person whom you are hiring is insured or not. Also remember that proper home maintenance is required for cleaning up gutters. These are some important things that you need to consider while hiring a gutter cleaning service.

Autor: Nicole Watson

Looking for a Roofing Contractor? Find more about Gutters Minnesota

Added: August 3, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

How to Clean Delicate Stuffed Animals

Your children may love their plush toys, but every time they hug them all you can see is the dirt and germs being spread from their favorite toy. You know it's time these stuffed animals get freshened up, but how do you do it without destroying your child's favorite toy? Luckily, this isn't as big as an undertaking as you think! With careful attention to any labels on the plush animals, and a calm perusal of what the toy is made out of, you can clean anyone's stuffed animal without ruining it for good!

Washing Machine and Dryer Method - Sturdier Toys

Believe it or not, the majority of plush toys will survive a cycle in the washing machine. Still, this isn't the case with them all, so you should pay careful attention to what their labels say. Most toy labels will say if the animal is not washer friendly. And if there is no label, then there is a good chance its safe by omission. Just don't just treat the stuffed animal like it's part of any old load of laundry. Use a delicate cycle with the cold water option, and use plenty of softener, so the toy doesn't lose its hugable feel. Don't overload the washer either with too many teddy bears or other stuffed toys at once. And when it's time to go in the dryer, make sure to tumble dry low and add lots of dryer sheets, to avoid static.

At Home Dry Clean Method - A Bit More Delicate Toys

Many popular toys, such as stuffed dogs, teddy bears, and plush cats have their eyes and noses made out of plastic. Some of this plastic is susceptible to heat, and there's the possibility that just throwing them in the washer and dryer could destroy the toy. If you have a stuffed animal that you're not sure about, then use a home dry cleaning bag, such as Dryel or some other reliable brand from your local store. Put one or a few toys and put them in the dryer on low, as per the instructions on the label. This will allow them to come out smelling fresh, without chancing any tears from a destroyed toy that was once loved.

Air Vacuum Method - For Delicate Toys in Need of a Serious Makeover

Some toys are obviously delicate, yet this hasn't stopped them from being put through the ringer. These "code red" toys need to be treated without water or heat. In fact, some of these toys can even be flammable, so putting them in the dryer is outright dangerous. Luckily, there's another option for these delicate but dusty toys: the bag and vacuum method. Just put a few plush animals in a garbage bag, so that they fit loosely. Then, put the hose attachment on your vacuum at the bag opening and lock it with your hand. Turn on the vacuum and the dust will gently be sucked out. Don't worry if they lose their shape through the suction; this is often only a temporary problem. Then, to freshen them up a little more you can squirt them with some fabric spray. Obviously, it's important to only try this method on large or medium stuffed animals; those that are too small could get sucked up in to the vacuum.

Hand Wash Method - The Delicate Measure for Delicate Toys

If you have a delicate toy that you don't dare take any chances with, then use the old fashioned way: wash them by hand. This allows you to be flexible. You can either wash the entire stuffed animal, or just scrub at the trouble spots. Say you have a stuffed dog, a good way to go about this would be to soak the stuffed animal in some water with detergent for about 10 to 20 minutes, then just scrub at the worst spots. When you're done, make sure to rinse the dog thoroughly, wring out the water, then let the animal air dry. If you want to do the spot method, simply use a toothbrush with soft bristles to dip into water and detergent. This way you'll only get the parts that are really dirty wet.

So as you can, no matter what kind of stuffed animal you have, there's a method for getting it clean. Don't give up on your favorite toys, they can be saved!

Autor: Corina Volegna

Do not have stuffed animal yet? Get your very own teddy bears, plush dogs and many other stuffed animals online from KCPlush.com. An amazing collection of real-looking stuffed animals is waiting for you.

Added: August 1, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/