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2015 Articles

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2015 CLEANING ARTICLES
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Art-MZ Article – Cleaning – December 2015

How to Remove Hard Water Stains
 
Spots and stains, no matter where they land, are unsightly and ugly, and you work hard to remove them.

A spot is easy to remove, as it is a deposit of substance that sits on top of a surface. Examples include chocolate, milk, or ketchup. A stain is a different challenge altogether, as it means the substance has penetrated or is strongly attached to a surface. Examples include mustard, curry, or Kool-Aid.

Hard water stains are common occurrences, yet often challenging to remove. And if you don’t get to them quickly, they can become even tougher to tackle.

What are they?

Hard water stains, often called lime deposits, are basically limestone, calcium and magnesium, among other mineral substances. They all come from ground content. The more minerals in the ground, the harder the water.

Certain areas of the country have more mineral content than others, and without a water softening system in a home or business, the result is a buildup of hard water stains anywhere water stands and dries, such as around sinks, underneath water fountains, and on bathroom floors.

They can also be a problem in toilets and other receptacles that hold water. Mineral deposits can also affect appliances, such as coffee pots.

If you have ever washed dishes, your car, or other shiny surfaces, and the water is hard, you can easily see the issue. White “scales” of minerals are a problem.

How to remove them

Obviously, the best way is prevention. Wiping up water from surfaces before it dries keeps water stains at bay.

But when they do occur, you need to consider which type of cleaning product will react with the mineral stains.

The most common mineral stain cleaning product is white vinegar, which is acidic. Since mineral stains are alkaline, like rust, an acid-based cleaning product is required. White vinegar is safe, easy-to-use, and effective for most mineral deposit issues. Use it as you would any cleaning product. Apply, allow a minute or two of contact time, and wipe away.

But if the mineral deposit is heavy, and white vinegar doesn’t do the trick, then a formulated product from your department or hardware store is your next choice. These are stronger acid products and you must follow directions when using them. Applying them to certain surfaces can damage those surfaces so be sure to read the fine print.

Always wear protective gloves and glasses, as skin and eye contact with any cleaning product can be hazardous.
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And, as you know, when you have cleaning questions or need professional cleaning services in your home, do the smart thing. Call your favorite cleaning company. After all, it pays to call a pro

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Art-MZ Article – Cleaning – November 2015

Is Your Microwave… a Crud Collector?
 
It’s fast. It’s easy. It’s super convenient. Without it, some of us couldn’t survive in the kitchen. No way.
 
Yes, the microwave oven is an indispensable appliance.
 
The microwave oven is a modern invention. The first microwaves were around in the mid 1940s, but were mainly for restaurants and reheating food on airplanes. They were massive devices that had to be cooled continuously by water flow. By the 1950s they were introduced to homeowners and some did indeed purchase them, but they were approximately $12,000 in today’s dollars. The popularity along with more affordability began in the 1980s and microwaves as a common fixture in the kitchen is now here.
 
Virtually everyone has one. If you don’t, you are in the minority. What all microwave users have in common is cleaning up the mess that inherently comes with using these handy ovens that can cook snacks or complete meals in seconds or minutes instead of hours.
 
To ensure your microwave oven not only looks good but also operates efficiently, you must keep it clean.
 
Here’s how.
 
Scrape it
As with any cleaning task, scraping up as much as you can before applying cleaning agents is smart. Food particles and residue that resulted from an “explosion” of food can easily be scraped away from the walls and ceiling of the inside of the oven.
 
Spray it
When you have scraped up as much as possible, use an appropriate cleaning solution and liberally spray the interior of the microwave. Give it some time for the solution to work, perhaps five minutes, and then wipe away the grime. But if there is a lot of grime, continue reading and do this…
 
Steam it
Fill a microwave-safe bowl about two-thirds full of water. Put it inside the microwave and heat it up on high for about three to five minutes, or until it is boiling. Don’t open the door! Let the bowl sit in there for approximately 10 minutes, allowing the steam to loosen up the grime. Then…
 
Wipe it
Spray the moist interior of the oven with more cleaning solution, and use paper towels to wipe all interior surfaces. Even the toughest grime should come off after all your prep work.
 
Other dirty surfaces
 
Microwave ovens aren’t the only grimy things that can be part of the modern household. When you need any of your surfaces cleaned, such as carpet, furniture, hard floors and more, call your favorite cleaning company. It pays to call a pro!

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Art-MZ Article – Cleaning – October 2015

Caring for the Commode
 
It’s no fun. It’s un-delightful. But someone must do it.

Cleaning the commode — aka “the toilet” — is a task that must be done on a regular basis, because if you don’t do it… well, you know.

Over time, grime can build up but also very-difficult-to-remove hard water, lime, and calcium deposits. Rust stains can also accumulate.

And there is no “one way” to take care of each situation. Frequency of usage, the quality of your water, and other factors can dictate more frequent or less frequent cleaning.

The first rule of thumb is clean based on appearance. Don’t wait until you notice the commode needs cleaned. Schedule it and clean it even when it doesn’t look like it needs it. This may be weekly or bi-weekly. But put it on your calendar to-do list.
The first item you need is a good quality toilet cleaning brush. If your water quality is considered “hard”, purchase one that can provide some mild abrasion, such as a wire brush. This will help with the difficult task of removing mineral deposits. But don’t overdo it; you can scratch the surface of the commode, inside the bowl.
Now you need a quality cleaning product. This is where you really need to consider your best options.

A commercial-grade cleaning product is obviously the best choice, as it will handle most residential cleaning challenges with ease. There are no doubt some supply houses in your area that have these types of products, and most big-box stores also carry similar brands. If you neglect cleaning for a period of time, you will need one of these stronger products, usually a potent acid-based cleaner. If you keep your commode clean on a schedule, a milder household product should suffice.

Choose a cleaning product that has a spout you can use inside the bowl, applying the product up high under the rim of the bowl. Grime and mineral deposits like to hide there. Apply your cleaning solution thoroughly, using your brush to agitate the surface inside the toilet, and allow a few minutes of contact time for the product to work. Then agitate again and flush. Inspect, re-clean if needed… and you should be happy with the results.

As always, using cleaning products is partnered authomatically with a few warnings. Don’t allow it to contact your skin, so use gloves. And don’t forget the eye protection glasses or goggles. Safety first!

Never forget, however, that the absolute best cleaning of your home, whether in the bathroom or the living room, from hard floors to carpet, and more, let your favorite cleaning company do the work. After all, it pays to call a pro.

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Art-MZ Article – Cleaning – September 2015

Clean Car Catharsis
 
There are so many things to clean up after a long, messy winter, and bringing your vehicle back to life is probably at the top of the list.
 
Running it through a car wash occasionally helps keep the grime from building up on the exterior of your vehicle, but you want to give some attention to the entire car, inside and out. A clean car makes you feel really good. Until you encounter the next mud puddle, of course.
 
So as you stand there looking at your really dirty car, the question that might be on your mind is, “Where do I start?”
 
Outside
 
It makes sense to washing the exterior completely, using a sudsing detergent and water. Mix up your solution in a bucket, using warm or hot water if possible, and apply the sudsy mix to the exterior and allow it a few minutes to soak. Then scrub with a soft sponge or cloth, and rinse. If your water is hard, you will need to hand dry after washing.
 
The toughest part of cleaning the exterior of often the front of the vehicle, such as the bumper. Bugs, road tar, and other debris can build up and be really challenging to remove. Use your cloth vigorously, along with some dry solvent solution for the tar, but be very careful not to rub too hard or use too strong a solvent as that can damage paint. When the car is clean, consider a wax treatment, following manufacturer directions.
 
The tires will need some special attention. A dishwashing sponge with a handle is a good tool to use to get in the tight areas in wheel hubcaps and other sections of the tire. Following cleaning, you can use a tire shine product to really make your car look sharp.
 
Inside
 
This is where cleaning gets rough. All those details in the car need cleaned. That’s why they call it “automobile detailing” after all.
 
Start off with a thorough vacuuming of everything. The seats, carpet, nooks and crannies, under seats, between seats. You get the picture. A lot of stuff will be in there, and a vacuum with a crevice tool is the best way to reach debris.
 
Lay out your car mats and vacuuming them with an upright vacuum, as that will break free and remove more dust.
 
Mix up a sudsing detergent solution in a bucket, and using soft cloths, begin to clean all hard surfaces. You will need dry cloths as well, as you work through the vehicle. Some cotton swabs will work for reaching in smaller areas, such as air vents.
 
After all that is done, it’s time to do the windows. Use lint-free cloths and window cleaner, and inspect with a flashlight to see if there are any streaks remaining.
 
There’s more you can do, obviously, such as shampooing the fabric and cleaning any leather you may have. But these basic steps will get you started on your pathway to clean car catharsis.
 
And remember, your favorite cleaning company knows all about how to clean any surface, including your car. Call them today.  After all, it pays to call a pro

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Art-MZ Article – Cleaning – August 2015

Cleaning Up ‘Accidents’
 
Our pets. We love them. No matter what.
 
No matter if they hack up hairballs. No matter if they barf up their breakfast. No matter if they mistake the corner of the living room for the litter box or the grass patch outside.
 
Dogs, cats, gerbils, hamsters, birds… the list goes on as to the types of pets that people have in their homes and subsequently treat like family. Or even better than family.
 
With owning a pet comes responsibilities. Some obligatory, such as taking them to the vet for annual checkups. Others more of a necessity, such as cleaning up after they make a mess, from turning over the food dish to the previously mentioned hacking or barfing — or other issues that create a smelly, visible mess that must be dealt with.
 
Pet accidents. They happen to every pet owner. And are they really “accidents” — as if the pet didn’t really mean to do it? That’s another story entirely.
 
Here are a few basic steps to consider when cleaning up “accidents”.
 
Scrape or wipe it up — all of it
No matter the mess, whether tossed up tidbits from the food bowl to a hacked-up hairball to urine or feces in the carpet, the first order of business is to clean up excess residue. There’s no point to applying cleaning product or deodorizer to substance that you can remove with a few paper towels.
 
Blot and blot… and blot some more
Now is the time to get as much moisture (gross!) out of the carpet or off the flooring material, or even off furniture. Using white, absorbent paper or cloth towels, push down on the affected area. Do not scrub. The idea is to absorb as much contamination as you can.
 
Apply product — and clean!
The final step is to clean up all remaining residues from the surface. Always pretest colors and fabrics before adding cleaning products, although most surfaces are fairly durable and can handle mild cleaning agents. Get some ideas for the best products from your local carpet cleaning company. Control the amount applied with a flip-top bottle or adding the product to a white, absorbent paper or cloth towel. Work into the area and clean away the contamination. If you remove it when fresh, there should be no residual issues.
 
Sounds easy, right? It’s not always this easy. When you have difficult cleaning challenges, do the right thing. Call your professional cleaning company. After all, it pays to call a pro!

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Art-MZ Article – Cleaning – July 2015

Cleaning the Air Conditioner
 
It’s summertime. And if it isn’t that hot yet, it will be really soon. If hot weather isn’t in the forecast right now, give it time… it will warm up.
 
When hot weather strikes, most people work hard to be comfortable, and that means turning down the air in the home, using their trusty air conditioning system. For some, that means 80 degrees Fahrenheit. For others, 70. Others… like it even colder. It’s all about personal preference.
 
But when your air conditioner doesn’t perform adequately, or even worse, stops completely, panic strikes as the heat and humidity increases.
 
How can you avoid a sluggish or broken air conditioner? A few preventative maintenance steps can help tremendously.
 
Keep it simple — and clean!
Any part of your air conditioning unit, whether it is a portable window variety, mini-split, or central air, it’s important to keep all working parts, filters, everything clean of dust and debris.
 
All this means is a regular inspection, perhaps twice a month, and taking steps to clean dirty areas. If your air conditioner is portable and has a water collection tank, empty it regularly.
 
What comes in handy for removing dust and debris, especially from filters you can’t remove and aren’t washable, is a can of compressed air, such as you might use for your computer. But remember that when you blow dust off one surface, it will land on another.
 
And, if you aren’t sure about filter location or any aspect of your AC unit, ask a professional and take notes so you can refer to them in the future.
 
Call the pros
As with any electronic and complex piece of equipment, there are limits to what you can do yourself. Consider calling a professional heating, ventilation, and air conditioning company come in annually and perform an inspection. These are usually very inexpensive and, if you ever need repair service, they will respond faster if you are a regular customer (usually).
 
Once in a while, an air conditioning unit malfunctions or spills over, making a big mess. If that ever happens, it’s time to call your favorite cleaning company to take care of the issue. After all, it pays to call a pro!

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Art-MZ Article – Cleaning – June 2015

Fixing Those Irritating Dents
 
When you think of a dent, you might reflect on that small golf-ball sized one on the fender of your car, or the front or side of an appliance that got squashed when moving it in.
But dents can happen to floors as well. You might be thinking of certain hard floors that can be damaged by falling objects. But it happens to carpet most often.

“What? How can a carpet get dented?” you ask.
Just move a heavy piece of furniture, and look where the legs were. That is a carpet dent, or indentation, and you might try to fluff up or pull up those carpet yarns that have lost their resiliency. They are stubborn, are squashed down into the backing of the carpet, even crushed into the carpet padding, and with fight off the most valiant efforts you put forth to resurrect them.

Dent removal tips
So you got ambitious last week, and moved your furniture around, and now you can see a few dents that just have to go.
One of your options is to simply wait. In time, most carpet dents (and the squashed padding underneath them) will work their way back up. But this could take months, even a year, depending on the carpet fibers, as some are more resilient and can bounce back faster.

One popular way to remove a carpet dent is to add moisture to the area, but slowly. Putting an ice cube in the dent can do the trick, but you have to help it along. Get a screwdriver, kitchen fork, or other sharp object and, as the ice melts and the fibers absorb some of the moisture, start working the carpet yarns back out and up and give them a gentle grooming. This should help remove most of the dent.

When the carpet is dry, put your vacuum cleaner to work, using just the suction hose. Vigorously work the hose cuff over the dent and use the vacuum’s force to finish the job.
Dent still there? Do the ice trick again; it might take a few attempts.
 
If you still have carpet dent challenges, and can’t live with the issue, don’t despair. A thorough steam cleaning by your favorite carpet cleaner should finish the job. Give them a call and explain the issue. Their specialized equipment partnered with their expertise and years of experience have the power you don’t. After all, it pays to call a pro

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Art-MZ Article – Cleaning – May 2015

A Clean Kitchen the Easy Way
 
Here’s an easy quiz for you: What’s the most popular room in your home?
 
If you guessed “the bathroom” you wouldn’t be totally wrong, as it might be the most frequented room in the home.
 
But hands-down, the kitchen is the most welcoming, most enticing room in your home, because of what happens there. Delicious food preparation, nice conversations, a general gathering place for family and friends.
 
With that comes much usage and the need for cleaning. To make the unwanted task of cleaning a little easier, here are some simple maintenance tips that will save you time.
 
Above the floor
The sink, countertops, stove, cabinets and other areas above the floor get heavy use, and the residue can be sticky and challenging to remove.
 
The most aggressive cleaning is probably in the sink, where grime can build up that isn’t always that apparent. Use cleanser and a sponge or cloth, apply the product and clean multiple times, rinsing often. It should actually squeak when you run your fingers over it.
 
The other areas should be cleaned with an all-purpose, milder cleanser, misting it on and wiping it off with soft cloths. A final wiping with a cloth with warm water will remove any cleaning residues. You do this every day or so, and you will never notice a buildup of grime or dirt.
 
The floor
Sweep and mop on a schedule before it looks like it needs it. A dust mop might be OK, but a regular broom with soft bristles often picks up more debris. Hot water and a detergent for the type of flooring you have is recommended, but don’t overdo the concentration as it can leave streaks.
 
Odds and ends
Something often neglected are the drawers, especially those that hold small items like cooking utensils. Take a look at the drawer that holds your silverware, pull out some forks or spoons, and you will see bits of all kinds of food and debris hiding underneath. Every week, plan on cleaning just one drawer and they will all stay nice and neat.
 
But when you need a complete, thorough cleaning and don’t want to tackle it yourself, call your professional cleaning company. After all, it pays to call a pro

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Art-MZ Article – Cleaning – April 2015

The Dreaded Litter Box
 
It’s part of the home that you try to hide. It’s one that you hope no one stumbles across and, of course, hope no one sniffs and notices it is there.
 
If you have cats, you know exactly what we are talking about. If you have cats, you either train them to go outside (unlikely) or use the toilet (as seen on YouTube) — but most resort to the standard litter box for their feline friends to do their “business.”
 
As much as you would like anyone else but you to take care of cleaning and maintaining the litter box, if you are the owner of the cat, it’s probably your job to do.
 
Here are some simple tips to do it faster — and better — and keep things a little more sanitary as well.
 
Keep it contained
One thing most hate is when the cat (or cats) leave the litter box and bring those tiny litter particles with them, tracking them all over the home.
 
Placing a cat litter mat under the cat box and some type of carpet remnant where the cats step out on helps reduce the amount of litter tracked through the home.
 
Protect yourself
Litter boxes are festering tubs of bacteria and other contaminants that need to stay right there in the box. But a cleaning must happen, usually every day, to keep the clumps from taking over and becoming difficult to scoop.
 
Wear a proper pair of gloves, and even a dust mask, to keep yourself healthy and safe when doing the scoopin’.
 
Fresh is best
Besides daily scooping, adding some litter every few days is smart. When the litter gets low, add a little more to keep the litter box sufficiently full so your cats can easily cover over their “deposits”. You don’t want to give them any excuse to skip the litter box for a more convenience area to use, if you know what we mean. And each month, empty and completely wash the pan, and add fresh litter.
 
The inevitable
One thing that cats may do from time to time is “miss” the litter box, creating nasty odors, especially in carpet. That’s when you need some real help, from your favorite cleaning service. Do the right thing. Give them a call today. After all, it pays to call a pro!

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Art-MZ Article – Cleaning – March 2015

The Nooks and Crannies
 
Your home has plenty of areas for dirt and grime to hide. Locating them may seem easy. Cleaning them effectively is something else.
 
Most homeowners spend plenty of time sweeping, vacuuming, scrubbing, and cleaning areas that are obviously soiled and become soiled daily. There are areas that can really get gross in a short amount of time.
 
Your bathroom “work stations” — also known as vanity cabinets — are prime locations for soil buildup.
 
Let’s spend some time on how to tackle the chore of cleaning the bathroom vanity. One area of the home easy to ignore. After all, who looks in there besides the person searching out some face cream or hand lotion, among other items?
 
The buildup of residues can wreak havoc over time. Think of hairspray that you use daily and that ends up on the top of the cabinet. It may be easy to clean when fresh but give it 10 or more applications and you have a “goo” that’s not giving up its tenacious hold on the counter. This isn’t to even mention toothpaste and other necessary items that get smeared on the same surface.
 
Take some time each day — perhaps just a minute or so — to quickly wipe up any residues that land on the surface.
 
Then, take some time each week — perhaps just five minutes or so — to open up any cabinet doors or mirrors that house storage behind them, remove all objects, and use a household cleaning solution to wipe down all surfaces. After a week, you will still be amazed at how much residue has built up in there. Imagine what could happen after a few months!
 
And once a month, give your entire bathroom a close scrutiny and look for all those nooks and crannies that can be the host of soil. This could be behind the toilet, in the corners of shower stalls, where the soap resides on the bathtub edge. All these areas could use a good scrubbing each month, if not more frequently.
 
And all this is besides the typical routine cleaning you no doubt give all your bathrooms.
 
But when you need some real help, from your favorite cleaning service, do the right thing. Give them a call today. After all, it pays to call a pro!

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Art-MZ Article – Cleaning – February 2015

Get Your Streak Off
 
Everyone loves cleaning their windows in their home. Right? Maybe not. But when you have to do it, it sure is easier if you have some window-cleaning best practices in mind.
 
You may choose the very best window cleaning solution, the most lint-free cloths, but often you end up with streaks that just won’t seem to go away no matter how much you rub and buff.
 
Here are some tips to ensure a complete window cleaning job — without those pesky streaks.
 
Choose your solution
 
You can, of course, purchase a quality window cleaning solution from your favorite grocery or department store.
 
Another option is to make your own, using the power of vinegar. Vinegar is inexpensive and helps kill germs on contact. For spraying on windows, it’s non-toxic and safe (although sometimes a little smelly). Vinegar breaks down soils and films that cause streaking, so it’s one way to limit streaks after the cleaning is accomplished.
 
But don’t use just vinegar; that’s too strong and unnecessary, and you need to boost the power of vinegar with other solutions. It’s best to mix your vinegar (1/3) with water (2/3) and add a tiny drop of dish detergent. This has a two-fold effect: You are getting a little more grease-cutting power, and you can better see the progress as you clean your windows.
 
The cleaning process
 
The traditional method of window cleaning is to spray the solution (either store-bought or home-made) onto the glass, and then wiping it off with paper towels. If you use paper towels, choose a high-quality brand that doesn’t leave lint. Even better would be lint-free cotton towels.
 
Do the cleaning in two steps. The first is to apply a heavy amount of window cleaning solution to the glass and remove with the towels. Do it again with a light missing of solution and clean and polish until the window looks great. The first, heavier application removes virtually all the soil and film, and the second finishes it off nicely.
 
It’s best, when working the towel on the glass, to use consistent circular motions or go in the same direction. When cleaning the opposite side, do the opposite of what you did on the original side.
 
And don’t forget, for all your cleaning needs, from floors to furniture and more, do the right thing. Call your favorite cleaning company. After all, it pays to call a pro!

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Art-MZ Article – Cleaning – January 2015

How to Protect Your Tile Floors
 
No doubt in your home you have both carpet and hard floors, and probably a good bit of tile flooring.

Tile floors are great because they are fairly easy to maintain, and if something is spilled, easy to clean. Some homeowners prefer tiles floors over other types because of their durability and longevity. While soft surfaces like carpet tend to show wear areas in just a few short years, tile floors are quite durable.

Mistaken assumptions

Tile floors, while easy to clean with simple cleaning steps, such as sweeping and mopping, are still subject to issues that take a little extra thought and effort when it comes to maintenance.

One issue many have is with any grout lines in the floor. While tile is fairly non-porous, the grout is not. Light-colored grout lines can soak up spills and staining substances and be very difficult to clean.

One way to prevent this from happening — although nothing is 100% foolproof — is to protect the grout. You can do this with a quality protective sealant, which you can obtain from the same store you purchased your tile flooring. Most big box stores carry quality grout protectant products. The time to apply this is when the tile floors are new or after they have been thoroughly cleaned, preferably by a professional cleaning service.

With proper application of a quality grout sealant product, you have time to clean up spills before they soak in and stain the grout.

Physical damage

Everyone moves things around, such as their appliances, especially when it is time to do a thorough cleaning. When that happens, your tile floors are in danger!
Sliding a heavy refrigerator or range can scratch and scrape tile floors, leaving unsightly marks. Unless the feet of your appliances are soft, such as coated with rubber, this is something to be aware of.

When moving heavy appliances on tile floors, putting small squares of carpet — upside down — under the front legs will keep damage from happening. Then, as the appliance is pulled out, put squares of carpet under the back legs. If the squares of carpet aren’t visible just leave them there and you won’t have to worry about this issue in the future.

As with any flooring issues you have, from tile floors to carpet, call your favorite cleaning company. After all, it pays to call a pro.