HOW TO CLEAN THE CEILING FROM DUST

On July 6, 2016, in Cleaning advice, by admin
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94-ceiling-cleaningDust on the ceiling is quite common, because we usually do not clear the ceiling during cleaning. As a result, the tiny dirt and dust particles are deposited on the surface of the ceiling, and it looks dull and gray. In premises with high humidity and in the kitchen steam and smoke also settle on the ceiling.

Employees of our cleaning company will professionally and efficiently perform cleaning of your ceiling from dust and dirt. If you want to do it yourself, you may use pieces of advice given by our experts.

Dry cleaning method is the best one to clean the dust from the ceiling.

Purchase a long-handled brush with soft hair and use it merely for cleaning dust from the ceiling. This brush is convenient for removing cobwebs; it collects and retains fine dust and dirt without smearing it over the surface. It is extremely difficult to damage the ceiling surface while cleaning with such a brush.

To remove dust from the ceiling, a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush-tip may be used. To avoid scratching the ceiling, the tip of the vacuum cleaner must be kept at a small distance from the ceiling surface.

If the ceiling is particularly dirty, it is necessary to clean it manually. This requires a ladder or a sturdy table. The choice of cleaning method depends on the ceiling surface.

Emulsion paint 

Emulsion paint is the most common finishing coat of the ceiling in our homes. This coating does not tolerate wet cleaning; water contact with such water-based paint can cause stains and blotchiness. Therefore, the dry cleaning will suit better for such ceiling.
Small contamination can be cleaned from the ceiling surface with special wipes. Before using them, check the effectiveness of their impact on the paint at an inconspicuous place.

Oil paint 

Taking care of ceilings covered with oil or latex paint is much easier. All-purpose detergent can be used to remove contaminants from such a ceiling. Dissolve it in water and wipe the ceiling with a sponge or a cloth soaked in this solution. In order not to leave any water stains or blotches on the ceiling, thoroughly wipe it with a clean dry cloth.

Polystyrene tiles 

Ceiling tile lined with polystyrene tiles with protective film on them can be cleaned with a damp sponge or cloth. If there is no protective film, only dry cleaning is recommended.

Stretch ceilings 

While cleaning the stretch ceilings you should be very careful not to damage the surface. They can be washed with lukewarm water with using some specialized detergent. To clean the surface use a spray bottle, a soft damp cloth or if you like it more – microfiber cloth. Excess moisture should be removed from the surface in the direction of the welding joint. The cleaned surface must be carefully wiped with a dry cloth.

Important! When cleaning the stretch ceilings do not use hard brushes or abrasive detergents.

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Proper Care for Rattan Furniture

On January 14, 2016, in Cleaning advice, by admin
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93-rattan-furnitureIn order for decorative wicker interior elements to serve long time and have nice appearance rattan furniture needs a proper care. Actually, care for such type of furniture implies carrying out a range of preventive measures and prevention of cracking.
Rattan furniture is resistant to moisture, so it does not require treatment with various water-repellent agents or polishes. In the manufacture rattan furniture is coated with a special water-based varnish which creates moisture repellent properties.

Perfect conditions for using the rattan furniture

- Such furniture should be used in a dry place where there is a good ventilation and heating during the winter period. The most optimal temperature is from 40 degrees to 100 degrees, and humidity – 65-90%.

- To avoid dulling and deformation of the furniture top coat, wicker furniture should not be placed next to radiators, and it should be protected from direct sunlight.

- Such liquids as gasoline, alcohol, acetone and other solvents of lacquer coatings will damage the furniture. Therefore, you should avoid the contact of these liquids with furniture surface.

- To remove dust from the rattan furniture is better with a soft bristle brush or vacuum cleaner. If the surface of the interior items becomes dirty, then you can wipe it with a soft sponge soaked in a solution of soap and water or a special detergent designed for delicate fabrics.

- You should also protect such furniture from the hot, for example, do not put on the table surface hot kitchen items, or cups with hot tea on the armrests. The coating of rattan is absolutely not intended for such purposes.

- When caring for rattan interior articles, do not use stiff, especially metallic brushes and graters, since its coating doesn’t like such mechanical impacts.

- It is also not recommended to use abrasive cleaning agents for cleaning the surface of the wicker furniture, as they may affect the appearance of micro-scratches on the surface. It is better to use some mild detergents diluted in warm water.

Removing some stains from upholstery material of rattan furniture:

· To clean the upholstery fabric of rattan furniture from stains of tea or coffee you need to moisten a  soft sponge or a cloth in a soap solution and wipe the contaminated places, then wipe already with a clean damp sponge. It is also possible to use for cleaning of such stains on the upholstery a special foaming agent, designed for cleaning carpets.

· If you have smeared the surface of furniture with upholstery with lipstick, fruit juice, a ball pen or with wine, then you can use a 10% solution of ethyl alcohol. Dampen a sponge in alcohol and wipe the stains with it, then wipe with a cloth dampened in clear water.

· Beer stains are easily removed with the help of vinegar and water. 2 tablespoons of vinegar combine with 1 liter of water and use this solution to wipe the stains.

· The wax from the candles can be removed with a knife and a vacuum cleaner. To do this, gently scrape off the wax from the surface of upholstery material and collect it with a vacuum cleaner. Then cover the wax stain with a thin paper and iron with warm iron. After that, apply a stain remover on the cloth and dry the liquid on the surface.

· If the chewing gum stuck to the upholstered material, then ice and methyl alcohol will help us to deal with this. Lay the ice cubes over the gum, and when it freezes scrape it. Now apply methyl alcohol with a sponge and dry the material.

· At least once a year, but it is better, of course, once in six months, it is recommended to wash the rattan furniture with warm soapy water. And remember, until the furniture is completely dry it is forbidden to sit on it. Drying of such furniture must be in natural way, indoors or outside but not in the sun.

· To return to such furniture its original gloss, you may apply a thin layer of oil varnish, and then a layer of colorless lacquer.

As you can see, maintenance of rattan furniture is not problematic; you just need to remember that this furniture needs your care. Therefore, carrying out the necessary procedures, you will be able to preserve its original appearance for many years. After all, furniture made of natural, eco materials have always been popular and appreciated.

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How to Take Care of Paintings

On December 11, 2015, in Cleaning advice, by admin
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91-taking-care-of-paintingsThe harmony of images and colors on the canvases awakes a storm of emotions in humans. Joy, peace, serenity, inspiration – this is far from a complete list of feelings that we are experiencing looking at a work of art. The desire to constantly experience these emotions makes a man already for many centuries to decorate his dwelling with various artworks.

If your house or office is decorated with pictures, remember that they require a special care. It seems what can be easier? Just hang a picture on the wall and admire it. In reality, in order for the picture not to deteriorate but to delight your eyes throughout many years, several very simple rules should be followed.

- Do not hang a picture in direct sunlight, in places with high humidity, near heaters and above air conditioners, because changes in temperature and humidity may have an extremely negative impact on it.

- Try to do everything so that drops of water and fat do not get on your picture, do not touch the drawing with the fingers.

- Pictures do not tolerate fumes and tobacco smoke, because they absorb the smell and get covered with unpretty coating.

Watercolor Paintings
Watercolors are insufficiently durable. Over time, especially under the influence of direct sunlight, they lose their brightness and fade. Furthermore, the paper on which the drawing is made also fades, gets easily contaminated and becomes brittle.
If dirt gets on a watercolor painting, under no circumstances should you use water or an eraser for cleaning. For gentle cleaning, you can use a rolled-up white bread crumb. Thus it is necessary to process not only the contaminated area, but the entire surface.

To protect the watercolor drawings, experts advise to put them in a frame under glass. Due to the fact that the contact with glass also harms the drawing, it is the most advantageous to use the passé partout.

If your painting is hidden behind the glass, taking care of it becomes absolutely not burdensome: periodically clean the dust with a soft cloth from the glass, from the frame and the backside of the painting. To clean the glass, do not spray on it a wiper; the glass is better to be cleaned with a soft cloth dampened with water and some glass cleaner.

Oil Paintings
Paintings in oil are created on canvas, cardboard or wood. Such pictures, as a rule, are not hidden behind the glass. A picture painted in oils dry several years, therefore you should hang them in a warm place which a good ventilation. After a layer of paint hardens experts advise to cover the picture with varnish. It gives the picture additional stability to sunlight, water and mechanical damage. Place the picture at an angle to the light. If there is no varnish on the surface, glare of light will be uneven.

Painting in oils must be dusted from time to time. From the front side the dust is removed in one direction with a dry flannel or velvet cloth. Do not use a brush, a duster or a vacuum cleaner. The backside of the painting should be dusted with the same cloth. The cleaning of the backside of a painting should be done at least once in half a year. The dust from the frame is cleaned with a soft cloth. Faded gilding of the frame will restore its gloss if you wipe it with a flannel cloth soaked in a mild alcohol solution.

Experts advise not to use water and detergents for cleaning the pictures if the paint layer is cracked, this can irrevocably ruin the picture.
If the picture is heavily contaminated or deteriorated, do not try to correct the damages yourself. Only a professional restorer will be able to do a good job in high quality restoration of the picture.

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Top 10 houseplants that will purify the air in your office

On November 13, 2015, in Odor removal, by admin
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89-top-10-houseplantsHouseplants are perhaps the most often viewed as decorative elements. Nevertheless, different flowers can be used not only for interior decoration. They can reduce the concentration of contaminants in the room and even such detrimental compounds as, for example, benzene, formaldehyde, toluene and xylene. Plants are also able to reduce the amount of germs in the air and to increase the humidity.

Disengaging oxygen, houseplants ionize the air and increase the concentration of light ions, reducing the concentration of heavy ions. Light negative ions, which are so few in the polluted air, are necessary for our lives: they improve the activity of respiratory ferments and metabolism, acid-base balance of blood, strengthen the immune system, increase the muscle tone, and prevent the increase of blood pressure.

Besides, in most cases, the occurrence of such diseases as acute respiratory viral infection, influenza, etc. is associated with dry air in the room: in such environment the disease-inducing microorganisms and viruses easily reproduce and a person is more susceptible to diseases. This situation can be fixed simply by increasing the air humidity, and in particular, via houseplants. For this 1 plant for 10 meters of floor space will be enough.

The plants on the windowsill can easily cope not only with air pollution but can also help with headaches and overwrought nerves.

So what houseplants are best able to improve the indoor climate?

1. Schefflera (Schéfflera or umbrella plant) – the plant is literally created for rooms where people smoke. It perfectly “consumes” and neutralizes nicotine and tar contained in tobacco smoke.

2. Epipremnum aureum (or Pothos) clears the air of benzene. The large leaves of this plant absorb a large amount of harmful substances. It grows quickly, and does not need an often watering.

3. Dracaena neutralizes formaldehyde. This plant eliminates toxic vapors of formaldehyde, which at a minimum level, but still are spread by varnishes, adhesives and furniture made of chipboard.

4. Chlorophytum (or Spider Plant) captures very well the exhaust gases and neutralizes formaldehyde. Only a few plants in the office are enough to clear it of formaldehyde emitted by thermal insulation made of synthetic materials in the office. Scientists have found that Chlorophytum during a day completely purifies the premises, and if you put into the flower pots some activated carbon its purifying properties increase by several times, and it is scientifically proven.
Five-six plants are enough to purify the air in a room with the flooring space of approximately 20 square meters.

5. Chamaedorea elegans or parlour palm actively humidifies the air and filters out substances that plastic produces. It is particularly recommended for buildings located near the highways, since it neutralizes evaporation of harmful substances contained in exhaust gases – benzene, trichloroethylene.

6. Ivy (Hedera helix) is a record holder in air purification. It absorbs a lot of toxic substances, including formaldehyde, benzene and ammonia.

7. Ficus benjamina – in addition to the saturation of the air with oxygen, humidification and cleaning of toxins, it releases phytoncides, which suppress vital activity of microorganisms. The gloss of its leaves intercepts a lot of dust, and when washing or wiping the leaves it (the dust) can be easily removed. Since Ficus generates oxygen in the daytime, and absorbs – at night, it is not recommended to put a pot with this plant in a bedroom, and furthermore, in a nursery. The ideal habitat for it is a kitchen or a room with windows facing the industrial park or a highway.

8. Sansevieria is popularly called “mother-in-law’s tongue” or “snake plant” can rightfully be regarded as a generator of oxygen. Sansevieria helps the human body to adapt to changed conditions, increasing its immunity. Thus, it saves from cold, reduces the harmful effects of fluctuations of atmospheric pressure, temperature and humidity. It protects also from toxins produced by synthetics and linoleum.

9. Geranium, or pelargonium, performs the function of a “family doctor” at functional disorders of the nervous system. The scent of geranium relieves nervous tension, helps with insomnia, nervousness, stress, as well as oncology. The substance geraniol, generated by it, has antiviral and antibacterial effects, kills Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. And there is a belief that pelargonium “sucks” carbon monoxide and dampness, repels flies, refreshes the stale air. Therefore, it is well suited also for the kitchen.

10. Asparagus sprengeri is irreplaceable at presence of chronic diseases. With its presence it accelerate the healing of bone fractures and injuries of the skin, improves skin elasticity. It is useful at different lung diseases, as it strengthens the lungs. Asparagus is harmful to many disease-causing bacteria. In addition, it absorbs heavy metals from the air.

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How to clean blinds?

On October 9, 2015, in Cleaning advice, by admin
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83-blinds-cleaningBlinds came in our lives quite long ago, and are firmly staying there, replacing wherever possible heavy and bulky curtains. As of today blinds are used both in homes and in offices.

They perfectly protect from the sunlight, and have a wonderful design; however, this doesn’t change the fact that they collect a lot of dust. Especially, if the blinds are hanging in the kitchen area, in addition to the usual dust the remnants of fat and soot are accumulated on them. Blinds come in two types – horizontal and vertical, and have a special treatment technology.

So, let’s see, how to clean the blinds? This cleaning procedure depends directly on the structure and material of your blinds. As a rule, their cleaning does not take much time and effort, but on the condition that they are wiped every day with a wet cloth with the addition of detergents. This helps to maintain the purity and prevent heavy contamination. Otherwise , however, you will have quite a job to bring blinds in proper form.

In order to clean the blinds made of metal, it is necessary to take them off from the blinds holder and perform further cleaning in the bathroom. Washing under running water is necessary, without strong water pressure.
If the contamination is serious, it is necessary to use detergents based on soap, applying them with a sponge or a brush of medium hardness. The best option is to leave for a while lathered blinds to soak in the bath, and then gently rinse with warm water.

To clean the blinds made of wood, it is necessary to use only special cleaning agents since they can not be washed the usual way. The water will provoke the swelling of wood. That will result in quick wearing out of the blinds.

Now let us consider the options of cleaning the blinds made of fabric.
The most simple, but rough way of cleaning is washing in a standard washing machine. To do this, take off the blinds, twist them up into a roll, and put in a washing bag, then play the delicate mode and hope for a favorable outcome of these actions. Be prepared for a possibility that the shape of your blinds will likely never be the same.
Such a cleaning process in home conditions is the most effective. If of course, the degree of contamination is sufficiently high. To avoid strong dust content on fabric blinds, it is recommended during the office cleaning to vacuum them. At minimum power and with a special dust nozzle.

In order to clean the blinds without having to take  them off from the window, you must thoroughly, but very carefully, apply a cleaning agent with a sponge, and wipe each strip of blinds. Then change soapy water to clean one and repeat the procedure. It is necessary to accept the fact that the dirty water stains after such manipulations will definitely be on the window-sill, and on the floor, and on the walls.

However, a Pro Quality Cleaning company knows how to clean the blinds much faster and more qualitatively. All you need to do for this is just to apply for a cleaning service. And soon our specialists will arrive to your office, and in a short time will bring your blinds in perfect condition. In cleaning blinds, as well as in performing any other work, we use special, professional tools. We have specialized equipment and tools, for quick and maximum effective office cleaning.

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Dry cleaning of the car interior

On September 25, 2015, in Cleaning advice, by admin
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82-dry-cleaning-car-interiorPersonal car is a convenient means of transportation, which is not cheap. And some people have so many business trips, that their car turns into their “office”. If you want your vehicles to serve you for many years, apart from maintaining a good technical condition, you should take care of the cleanliness of its interior. The dust and dirt, accumulated inside the vehicle, may result in allergies and cause damage to the devices. In addition, the cloudy glass or stains on them worsen visibility and cause various kinds of accidents. To avoid this, you need to perform a regular dry cleaning of the car interior yourself or to look for the professional services of a cleaning company.

CLEAN BUT NOT DAMAGE A wide range of cleaning products allows you choosing an effective tool that can remove coffee stains, the marks of lipstick or ink, without damaging the upholstery. If the dry cleaning of the car interior is performed every 3-4 months, then you will not have any problems with removing the stains on your own. Deep stubborn stains should be left to the professionals. Employees of a good cleaning company can cope with any of such problems, and the result of their work will surprise you pleasantly.

Step by step instructions for the cleaning of car interior. How to make the interior dry cleaning the most efficient? To completely get rid of dust, litter and a variety of stains a comprehensive approach is needed.

Step 1. Preparatory. Before proceeding directly to the cleaning, you need to throw away both large and small litter from the interior, get floor mats out and empty the trunk. Then you can use a vacuum cleaner for cleaning the car. It will blow the dust and dirt from hard to reach places.

Step 2. Cleaning. For cleaning the interior take several wipes, a brush and stain remover. The upholstery on the ceiling is usually softer and cleaner than other surfaces in the car. Therefore the cleaning agent must not be aggressive so as not to damage the material. Means for cleaning the car interior can be checked on a small inconspicuous area. If the color of the coating has not changed, then go ahead and proceed with cleaning. Leather seats are cleaned even without any special means, with ordinary soap and water. But later they need to be wiped with a dry cloth and treated with an agent that protects the material from cracking and fading. Stains on the fabric seats are better to be removed with the help of foamy agents and a brush. You can also use a steam cleaner.

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Cleaning the furniture with textile upholstery

On September 11, 2015, in Cleaning advice, by admin
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81-furniture-with-textile-upholsteryThe specialists of our cleaning company will clean your upholstered furniture professionally and efficiently, using powerful sophisticated technology, which allows eradicating dirt, grease, unpleasant odors and dust mites. Such cleaning should be performed at least annually. But if you decided to clean your upholstered furniture yourself, you may follow some professional pieces of advice.

To clean the upholstered furniture and not to damage it
To remove dust from upholstered furniture use dry cleaning with a vacuum cleaner. For this purpose time use a special soft upholstery nozzle and the average engine speed. The wet cleaning is used for deeper cleaning and stain removal.

Steam cleaning
If you are a happy owner of a vacuum cleaner with a steam cleaner, you can use it to perform a deep cleaning of upholstered furniture from dust and dust mites. It is important that the vacuum cleaner is equipped with a highly efficient multi-stage filtration system.

Chemical cleaning
You may use some special cleaning agents that are suitable for the upholstery material of your upholstered furniture. Before using a cleaning agent try it on a small scrap of upholstery and let it dry. If the upholstery was not damaged during the treatment, apply the cleaning agent to small areas and carefully rub with a soft brush or sponge within less than a minute. The backrest should be the first to be cleaned, and then – armrests. The bottom part is the last one to be cleaned. The remains of a cleaning agent are collected with a vacuum cleaner. No need to dry upholstery with a hair dryer! The material should dry up naturally.

Old wives remedy
If the previous cleaning methods do not suit you, use the old natural home remedy. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of vinegar in 1 liter of water. Soak in this solution a large clean piece of cotton or linen cloth and squeeze it out well. Cover the sofa or chair with this piece of cloth and begin to dust off with soft beats of a beater. Wash the dirty cloth, soak it again in the solution of water and vinegar and repeat dusting off, until the cloth remains clean after dusting.

Cleanliness and comfort to your office!

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How to Clean Wood Floors in the Office

On March 27, 2015, in Floor Cleaning, by admin
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73-wood-floorCleaning wood floors in your office can be really hard and time-sapping. Our experts recommend several tips that will help to save your time and money.

First of all, no need to purchase expensive cleaners. Regular floor cleaning can be done with the help of apple cider vinegar and warm water.

What you will need:

·    ½ cup of Apple Cider Vinegar

·    Good mop with microfiber cover

·    and a bucket of warm water

First you will need to dust your floors or vacuum them removing all particles. Then add vinegar into the water, dip your mop into the solution and clean your floors.

Please, keep in mind that your wood floors shouldn’t be too wet. Water can destroy and damage your nice wood floors.
Our experts also say that finished wood floors can be cleaned using usual clean water without adding different cleaners, but from time to time you will need to refinish your floors.

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Your Messy Desk Costs You Money!

On February 2, 2015, in Office area, by admin
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70-messy-deskWhy some people have very clean desks? Is it in their personality? Or maybe they have too many free hours at work? Do they have little work? Are they productive and efficient?

One thing is true about clean desk – it is clean!

In 2010 Brother International conducted an interesting study: messy desks and time spent looking for hidden papers costs the country $177 billion annually.

Minutes that are spent in searching for the misplaced items in annual estimation end up in about two weeks of working time a year.

According to the study, nearly 1/3 of the workers didn’t receive the reimbursement of funds for their business trips only because these employees lost or couldn’t find the receipts.

65% of respondents told that their desks were not organized. The main idea of getting organized is staying organized! It should become a habit of yours!

Organizational experts say that it is very important to have place for every piece of paper, for every document. If you don’t have a place and a system of filing you will have a messy desk again and again.

Experts are sure that clean desk will surely boost your efficiency and productivity. There are surveys that prove this. You can read about boosting of your productivity in our earlier articles.

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Carpet Cleaning Tips for Your Office

On November 4, 2013, in Floor Cleaning, by admin
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29-carpet-cleaning-tipsClean office is the real face of how the office works. That’s why it is very important to have clean carpet in your office and not only on the day of cleaning, but all the year round. Professional janitorial service shares cleaning tips for your carpet.

1.      If you use the help of janitorial service, make sure they vacuum all the areas which are most frequently used at least two or three times a week, and the rest of the carpet at least once a week.

2.      Professionals recommend using special floor mats under the chairs, because it will save your carpet from scraping.

3.      You also need to make sure that cleaning crew uses stain-resistant carpet protector after cleanings.

4.      Make sure that a commercial cleaning company is ready to help you as soon as possible when a heavy stain occurs on the carpet.

5.      Cleaning crew shouldn’t also forget to clean under the rugs and carpets from time to time.

6.      If you don’t want the color to transfer from the furniture to the floor, use protective blocks for several days after cleaning.

7.      It is much better to clean carpets and furniture on the same day, because it will save time and won’t interrupt the working process.

When your carpet is properly maintained and cleaned, its’ life will be extended. But be sure to choose the right company that provide commercial cleaning services, choose the most professional company.

If you still look for a professional commercial cleaning crew, our cleaning company that works in Seattle and the area will gladly help you.

 

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