Category: Other

  • What Can You Power Wash Around The House?

    What Can You Power Wash Around The House?

    There may be many routines throughout the year that you engage in to keep your house looking sharp. On the inside, it may be waxing the floor, replacing torn window screens and washing upholstery. On the outside, it might be landscaping, cleaning the garage or painting the front door. Though you may think your home is satisfactory, one such cleaning routine that is important to implement is power washing. You can either purchase a pressure washer yourself to do this or hire someone like www.pressurewashingclarksvillemalachiexteriorwash.com to do it for you. A clean property not only elevates the visual appeal of your residence, it also creates a healthy environment for your family.

    Power washing might sound like a demanding task, but it’s not as difficult as it seems. All you have to do is set aside an afternoon and invest in a quality machine, and the benefits will follow. Of course, if you didn’t want to do it yourself or are unable to find the time to do it, you could also hire someone like this Pressure washing Richmond Hill, GA service to come out and get the job done for you. The elements can have a serious impact on the house as wind and rain may bring dirt and stain the walls.Power washing prevents long-term damage to your property because it eliminates traces of mold that may be growing on siding, gutters or brick. Not preventing mold formation isn’t best for indoor air quality. You can do a diy mold test to see how bad the mold is affecting your indoor air. Pressure washing can blast through these tough spots and take care of grime, mildew, dust, mold and other potential dangers.

    What Can You Power Wash Around the House? from Simpson Cleaning

    Maintaining the surfaces of the residence ensures that your investments are being protected. It’s crucial to create a solid defense against the elements and potential health concerns caused by mold and grime. By doing so, you can save money down the road by avoiding expensive, premature refinishing or repainting. If you keep ignoring these signs outside your home, in the long run, you might require assistance from experts who specialize in mold remediation in New Jersey (or similar ones in your vicinity. Therefore, protect your family and the environment in the process by using a power washer once or twice a year. For more information on which areas of the house a pressure washer can be used, take a look at our accompanying resource.

    Author bio: Debisree Saha is Senior Marketing Strategist at SIMPSON, a leading manufacturer of electric and gas pressure washers. She has 10 years of experience in the industry and focuses on marketing strategy and execution.

  • It Starts With You: How Keeping Your Room Clean Improves Your Life

    Because of these difficult times, you probably are spending a lot of time in your room. There are two types of people. The first one, those that during the lockdown developed a love for cleaning and have everything nice and tidy. And the second, people who suddenly have a mess around them as if it were magic.

    If you feel like you belong to the second group, then you might be feeling kind of guilty, but at the same time, without energy for cleaning your room. The whole pandemic situation has been a challenge, making us abandon our routines and leaving us with feelings of uncertainty.

    But if you really want to start changing things, you better start by cleaning your room, and I’m serious. Dr. Jordan Peterson, a Canadian psychologist, believes that if you want to make an impact or to jump into bigger challenges, you first need to take care of your immediate environment.

    Start with the fundamentals:

    Make Your Bed

    This is the number one thing when cleaning your room. Yes, I know you’re going to sleep in a few hours again, but think of it that way. Your day begins and ends, and you need to have that same basic logic in mind. Be ready to start your day by waking up early and making your bed right away, so you know it’s time to do all the things you have planned for. Then, at the end of the day, you’ll be ready to rest in a neat, nice bed. Not only that, ensure that the bed of everyone in your home is kept clean and maintained. In case you have a person at home with limited mobility, keeping their bed clean is even more important. If a normal bed is posing challenges, you can consider switching it to a comfortable hospital bed for home use. This is important because keeping the bed clean is the first step in maintaining a healthy home and lifestyle.

    Clean Up Your Clothes

    You may have a mountain of clean clothes, and another pile that’s half-dirty. And honestly, I don’t know which one is worse. Make sure to grab all your dirty clothes and clean them thoroughly. However, before you wash all your clothes together, ensure that you do not put an elastane material with cupro. They are two different fabrics, and washing them together might just damage both of them. Instead, try and understand the needs of each of your fabrics. For instance, you can learn a bit about the fabric–cupro. See if machine washing is preferable. Search for detergents that can help retain the quality of the fabric. Once you are done with all these, then take up the task of washing clothes.

    Also, do not ignore your recently-cleaned clothes. If possible, take your clean clothes and fold or hang them in your closet. When you finish, you’ll probably feel relieved and relaxed.

    Clear The Clutter

    Remember that by cleaning your room you’re also clearing your mind. Maybe you’ve been accumulating stuff without realizing it. If there are things that have been in the same place for ages, take them away or even move them to a storage unit for a specific time period (click here to learn more). Also, don’t forget to wipe the surfaces clean. In some cases, you might notice that you don’t even need much of the stuff that has been cluttering up your room for so long. You may not need to store these at all, which means you can either sell them, donate them, or if they are too old, throw them away. De-cluttering makes you realize how many things you have been hoarding, and that it’s finally time to get rid of a lot of those things. Consider getting in touch with a waste management service to come take what you don’t need.

    Vacuum/Sweep and Mop

    This is the final step. Once you’ve cleaned the mess around you, it’s time to really leave your room spotless. Reach as far under the bed as possible, don’t be lazy!

    Get Motivated; Turn On Your Favorite Music

    Make sure to have a good time while doing these chores. Music can inspire you and maybe you won’t just end with cleaning your room; perhaps you’ll start rearranging things from one place to another or have an easier time getting rid of things you don’t use anymore.

    Keep It Beautiful

    You need to be happy where you are. Your room is your starting point every day, so why not wake up in your perfect happy place? Use your creativity. Think about adding scented candles, placing flowers in your window, or putting houseplants around the room. You name it.

    If you can learn the basics of how to keep your room in order, your mind will be clearer for new ideas, and then you can probably start making more significant changes in your life.

    Alejandra Aguilera

  • 2020 Times-Standard Readers Choice Awarded to A-1 Cleaning Service

    2020 Times-Standard Readers Choice Awarded to A-1 Cleaning Service

    A-1 Cleaning Service, LLC for the second year in the row took first place for Carpet Cleaning in the Eureka Times-Standard Readers Choice Opinion Poll. The competition was stiff this year, but A-1 Cleaning excellent reputation for superior customer service helped them again to achieve this honor. A-1 Cleaning Service, LLC aka A-1 Carpet Cleaning is also celebrating 25 years in business this year, which is quite an accomplishment these days. A-1 Carpet Cleaning is a family-owned business that also provides commercial office cleaning, residential maid services, and window washing.

  • 20 Easy DIY Home Projects to Spruce up Your Space

    20 Easy DIY Home Projects to Spruce up Your Space

    Is spending so much time inside making you go stir-crazy? Well with life outside seemingly on hold, this may be the perfect opportunity to make a few easy home improvements to transform your house into a nicer and more refreshed place to spend your days. From adding a pop of color to your front door to cleaning out your closet, here are 20 DIY home projects you can tackle to spruce up your space while you’re hunkered down.

    Put leftover paint to use

    Many of us probably have an extra can or two of paint lying around. So why not use it to add some pizzazz and depth to your rooms with these DIY home projects.

    1. Give your cabinets a makeover

    Painting kitchen cabinets a fresh new color is a fantastic way to completely transform your kitchen. If you tend to be more adventurous when it comes to color, your cabinets are a great place to have some fun. If you already have a lot of color in the room or if space doesn’t have much light, it’s best to go with white or neutral cabinets. Painting alone will not always suffice. In such circumstances, cabinet refacing could be an option. This could be a fantastic way to give your kitchen a fresh, new look.

    2. Make your mailbox the star of your front yard

    Your mailbox is one of the first things people see when they pull into your driveway, so why not give your visitors a great first impression. Whether you live in a ranch-style house in Phoenix, AZ or you just bought a craftsman style home in Portland, OR, you can instantly boost your curb appeal by adding a fresh, vivid coat of paint to your mailbox.

    3. Add a pop of color to your front door

    Green Front Door

    Changing out your front door can be expensive, so painting your exterior door is an easy way to give the front of your home a makeover and also save some money in the process. Painting the inside of your front door is also a fun way to add a bold pop of color and some character into your home.

    4. Give new life to old furniture

    If the paint is chipped or wear and tear has gotten the best of some of your older furniture, a quick paint job can give it a new life. Transform a dated (but functional) dresser, nightstand, or bookshelf with this fun DIY project for a fraction of the cost it takes to replace it.

    Clear the clutter

    Getting organized can feel like a major undertaking, which is probably why a lot of us tend to put it off, and then put it off again and again. But since you can’t go anywhere, you might as well spend a morning or afternoon tackling the clutter you typically ignore.

    5. Maximize the utility of unused corners with shelving

    Running out of storage space? It’s time to finally make use of the corners in your rooms. Installing floating shelves is one of many DIY home projects you can try to create more space. You can get a melamine chipboard or whatever material you wish made to custom sizes and styles that fit the space and match the room. It’s a simple way to spruce up your wall decor while adding more storage in your home.

    6. Clean closets

    Chances are, you’ve opened up your closet and grabbed one of the same few items since spending most of your time indoors lately. Now’s the time to carefully clean out your closet and decide what you really need from those you haven’t touched in a few years. Start by taking every item out, setting aside the items you don’t need, and cleaning the inside of the closet. If you’re organizing a closet full of clothes, sort clothes into piles by season. Put clothes that you’re not currently using in the back of the closet, like that holiday sweater. Keep frequently used items in the front for easy access.

    7. Organize photos

    In a digital age, it’s likely that most of us have our photos stored online. But for those that still have hundreds of photos stored away in boxes, now’s the time to organize them. Start by grouping photos by date or event. Use leftover flashcards or cut up pieces of printer paper as an easy way to separate groups of photos in boxes. If you already keep your photos organized, think about digitizing them. You can use Google’s PhotoScan app to scan old prints and upload them. Organize your photos online into albums to better keep track of them and finally find that picture of your puppy when someone asks.

    8. Rearrange bookshelves

    Bookshelves

    Bookshelves may not initially come to mind when organizing, but they can easily make a space feel brand new. Think about taking some of the books you’ve got hiding away in a back closet and swap them with the current selection on your bookshelf. Wondering what to do with that collectible mug? Add it to your bookshelf for a fresh take on your decor. Best of all, it’s a free way to change up your space.

    9. Tackle under-sink storage

    The last place you probably think to organize is under your sink. From the bathroom to the kitchen, it’s likely filled with near-empty cleaners, dishwashing soap, or even makeup wipes. Set aside 10 minutes to toss out those old household supplies, instantly freeing up space to make way for all that hand-soap and disinfectant you just bought.

    10. Organize your pantry

    You may or may not have months’ worth of groceries in your kitchen right now. Before things get too cluttered, take this time to reorganize your pantry – move things around to maximize space, group like items together, and throw away expired items. You may want to break down the work into smaller parts to avoid being overwhelmed. For example, instead of cleaning out the entire pantry, just do one shelf or area at a time. It will be so refreshing to see the pantry all neat and tidy with everything in its place.

    Transform your space with lighting

    Nothing can change the look and feel of a room quite like choosing the right lighting. The perfect lighting can lift your spirits and make your home a more comfortable place to spend time.

    11. Replace your lightbulbs

    If you have a few extra light bulbs lying around, go from room-to-room and replace any that are burned out. You can also completely change the ambiance in your home simply by replacing any harsh white bulbs with calming yellow ones.

    12. Switch up lamp shades

    Lamps are commonly overlooked in the design of a home, but they add a lot of character and style to a room. So take a look at the shades on each of your lamps. If you have a similar size lamp in another room, swap the shades to give your space a new feel. You can also update a boring old lampshade with a few DIY home projects such as adding fun print or pattern, or a coat of paint.

    Tackle those forgotten about cleaning projects

    Clean Bathroom

    Since you’re spending so much time inside, you’re probably noticing all of the overlooked cleaning projects around the house. If you tackle them now, you’ll be rewarded with a living space that feels brighter and refreshed.

    13. Restore rugs and carpets

    By now, you’ve probably noticed that your carpets and rugs might not be in the same state they were when you moved in or had them replaced. Maybe you don’t even remember the last time they were properly cleaned. Even if you can’t hire a professional to clean your carpets, you can likely rent a carpet cleaner from your local hardware store or carpet cleaning company.

    14. Clean under your bed

    When was the last time you looked, let alone cleaned under your bed? This is one of those DIY home projects that everyone needs to tackle. The space under your bed is a breeding ground for everything from dust to forgotten items. If you use the space under your bed for storage, like seasonal clothes or extra bedding, make sure you’ve stored those items in vacuum-sealed bags to prevent moisture and mold buildup. Bed skirts also collect dust so throw those in the wash while you’re busy vacuuming underneath.

    15. Refresh tile grout

    Refresh your entire bathroom by cleaning and brightening your tile grout. Cleaning grout requires two things: a grout brush or sponge and a suitable cleaner. While there are plenty of store-bought grout cleaners available, it is just as easy to do this with ingredients you already have on hand, such as vinegar and baking soda.

    16. Pressure wash your home’s exterior

    Get some fresh air and restore your home to its former beauty by pressure washing the exterior of your house and hardscape areas. You can even bring back to life patio furniture and cushions. Plus, if areas like your Stamped concrete patio look great, you’ll be even more enthusiastic to welcome back people into your home when it’s safe to do so, knowing that it looks smart on the outside. If your exterior is looking a little worn, a pressure washer may not be the answer to restoring it to its former glory, it may be wise to look into having the outside re-done with stucco contractors in Colorado Springs (or wherever you are) taking a look at it and seeing how they can upgrade your exterior.

    17. Deep clean the refrigerator

    With the extra groceries you’ve probably bought lately, it’s time for a refrigerator clean. First things first, throw out any leftover takeout or expired items. When cleaning your refrigerator, use a surface-safe all-purpose cleaner for the exterior and warmer soapy water for the interior. Be sure to wipe down surfaces before putting your items back inside. Keeping similar items grouped together when refilling your fridge will make finding your favorite condiment or coffee creamer easier to find.

    Rethink your wall design

    Redoing your wall design is a fast way to transform the look of your living room, bedroom, or really any space in your house.

    18. Rearrange or hang up a gallery wall

    If you’ve always wanted to try to create the perfect gallery wall, this is the time to go for it. If you already have one, change it up to revive the space. Try pieces here and there: a new mix-up might surprise you and showcase your photos and art in an entirely new light.

    19. Use empty frames

    Go through the house, pull out any empty frames and put them to good use. Dust off those old photographs and display them proudly or find some printable art online. Hang your frames throughout your home or place them on tables, dressers, and desks.

    20. Put old fabric swatches to use

    When we think of fabric, we usually think of curtains, linens, or pillows, but there are plenty of DIY home projects you can do to turn a basic piece of fabric into a statement piece of wall art. So dig up any fabric swatches that you have laying around the house and put them to use. You can wrap the fabric around a canvas, hang it in a frame, and much more, letting your creativity soar.

    Originally published by Redfin

  • Rug Care: 7 Habits That Are Damaging Your Rugs

    Rug Care: 7 Habits That Are Damaging Your Rugs

    (Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/OHuzoS5hTbk)

    A rug is one of the staple decorations that can be found inside a house. That’s not surprising since it adds depth, style, and warmth if placed properly in a given room.

    It’s also quite durable. Inexpensive ones would usually last around one to five years, while the highest quality rugs have a lifespan of up to 25 years. That is, of course, if the owner takes care of the rug.

    Although rug maintenance can be simple, a lot of people usually forgo it due to misconceptions surrounding the practice. More often than not, it only takes avoiding these seven common habits that are detrimental to your rugs:

    1. Using Water to Clean Stains

    When you spill something on your rug, do not attempt to clean it with water right away as it may worsen the existing problem. A stain like an oil-based ink or nail polish will permanently set on the fibers if you apply water on it.

    Instead of applying water, try to dab the stain with a clean white towel to dry it as this will prevent further damage. Moreover, do not rub at the spot as you’ll only spread the stain.

    In some cases, you can opt to use seltzer water to keep the area moist until professional help arrives. An expert rug cleaning service will solve your problem quickly while ensuring that the quality of your rug remains in top condition.

    2. Failing to Conduct Proper Research

    With the internet on our fingertips, people would often turn to the web to look for tips on how to clean their rugs. But some of the tips advised may do more harm than good.

    To avoid this, try to verify the information on credible sites to see if the solution works well with the material of the rug. Cleaning companies would usually use a variety of cleaning solutions to clean a stain depending on the fiber of a rug. Using vinegar, ammonia, dish soap, or hydrogen peroxide is an option depending on your predicament. But again, do your research first before applying anything.

    3. Too Long Between Cleaning

    Similar to all areas in your house, your rug should be regularly cleaned as dirt and debris will accumulate on it due to foot traffic and other factors. Generally speaking, you should vacuum your rug at least once a week. If you’re too busy or lazy to handle it yourself, Rug Cleaning Melbourne or other local services may be able to assist you.

    Due to the significant contribution that fur makes to rug debris, pet owners should increase that frequency to two or three times per week. In areas with high traffic, vacuum both vertically and horizontally, going over the entire surface at least four times and at least twice. As a stopgap, pet owners can look for memory foam beds for dogsthat would likely tempt their dogs to sit on their own bed rather than relaxing on the rug, eventually reducing the amount of fur that accumulates on the carpet.

    (Image

    4. Addressing Spills Late

    When something gets spilled on your rug, try to blot it out immediately with a paper towel to avoid it from spreading and setting in. This is doubly true when the stain is pet urine.

    Don’t rub or scrub at it. Instead, dab the urine out until the area is no longer moist. You can then use an enzyme-based solution that’s specifically designed for this type of stain and one that is suitable for your rug’s material. Alternatively, you can mist on an ammonia solution followed by a mix of detergent and warm water.

    5. Using Colored Cloth

    Do not attempt to clean a stain with a colored cloth as the dye might bleed onto your rug, further complicating the problem. Always use a white towel or paper towel to blot out the stain.

    6. Too Much Solution

    When applying a chosen solution, do not over-moisten the rug as it may cause rug discoloration. Simply mist the area and blot it out with a colorless cloth.

    Repeat the process until the stain is removed. Also, make sure that no moisture is left on the rug once you’re done.

    7. Too Much Exposure to UV Light

    Placing your rug on areas that are constantly baked by the sun will cause discoloration and will turn the fibers brittle. To avoid this, try to be mindful of where UV light is streaming into your house and the pattern it follows when the season changes. Adding blinds and curtains to your windows and glass sliding doors would also do wonders when it comes to protecting your rugs. You can even look for custom curtains that can match your interior theme, wall color, and furniture. Moreover, there could be various options available in the market, including Motorized Blinds, wooden shades, shutters, solar shades, and more. So, you can do your research before opting for one that can help you manage the amount of sunlight that enters indoors.

    Discipline and Basic Knowledge

    Taking care of your rugs isn’t a complicated process, although it does involve a bit of basic knowledge and discipline on your end. Now, you can acquire the basic knowledge by asking around or reading up on blog posts (using your earthlink internet plans). But discipline is something that you yourself have to inculcate in your habit. For instance, you can learn from the Web that you should remove your shoes before entering your abode as it will ensure that minimal dirt gets in. But extending this practice when guests come over needs discipline.

    Training your pets is also another way to ensure that they don’t have an accident involving your carpet. And if they did, don’t let the stain sit for too long.

    And of course, having a professional clean your rugs from time to time will ensure that they last long. Diligent research is also needed on this front, especially if there’s a lot of competition in your local area. Try to find a company that friends and family can vouch for so you can ensure the quality of their output.

  • Become a professional window cleaner with these simple tips

    Windows are an integral part of the design of any residential building, as well as commercial offices. The primary purpose of windows is to allow the bright daylight to enter indoors and instantly freshen up your day. It is important to maintain the windows to ensure their optimum utilization. Dirty windows are not a pleasant sight and they have an adverse effect. Keeping the windows clean is highly beneficial; besides the aesthetic value, it also adds to the hygiene factor. This article lists several tips that will help you to perform window cleaning in a more precise manner and the benefits of considering the alternative of leaving the hard task of cleaning windows to professional cleaning in Virginia.

    The key to cleaning your windows like a professional is first to make sure you have the right equipment. Making some effort to prepare to start with can be highly beneficial. Once you do have the right equipment, it is a good idea to assess the dangers of cleaning the windows, depending on where it is. This is of more importance if the windows are located in a high-rise building.

    Finding out different types of windows present in your city and understanding their design could help you in taking the best tools for cleaning along with you. A list of buildings can be made based on their windows’ type, like double pane, single pane, and Secondary Glazing Listed Buildings (you might need consent for working in listed buildings). After making the list, it might be important to know how to start the cleaning process. As an example, you can start by cleaning the space beneath the windows to make sure nothing is in the way and that no damage can come to the surface or anything below the window. The equipment you select to clean the window should be down with some thought and after considering all factors like the height of the window, the method in which you will access it, etc. It is a good practice to remove the dust with the help of a vacuum before washing it with water. It is best to take a big bottle of liquid that is easy to spray and wipe. One should be prepared for unexpected obstacles. There are many types of cleaning challenges; for example, for droppings by birds and insects, it will be necessary to make some effort to wipe it once the dropping is cleared. It is necessary to be careful when removing tough stains since it can easily scratch the glass

    Why is it best to opt for professional cleaning services?

    A lot of people try washing windows on their own. It is quite strenuous and can take its toll on the muscles, not to mention the fact that it can leave one mentally drained. It may seem like a straight forward task. However, it is, in fact, a long, difficult task that leaves one in sweat and dirt once done. Besides having to make a lot of effort, there is also some level of risk involved when cleaning windows or other parts of house exterior, especially when it is at a great height. To top it all, this type of cleaning will be necessary regularly for it to be effective. Not just windows, cleaning other parts of the house like a deck, roof, stone walls, etc., can be dangerous as well. Therefore, hiring a licensed professional for power washing apex (or in other locations) can be a beneficial service. Power washing can easily wash away dust, grime, algae, and molds through high-pressure water blasting without causing any damage to the house.

    A professional window cleaner (such as those who specialize in office window cleaning london, for example) knows the ins and outs of the cleaning process, and they are experts at doing it. Keeping the windows clean is an excellent preventive measure against damage; it protects air quality and also helps maintain the energy efficiency of your home. Leaving this task to the professionals would mean you can save a lot of time and spend it on many other productive tasks. At the same time, hiring professionals for power washing in Northern Virginia means you can be sure they are 100% clean.

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