Archive for the ‘Maid Services’ Category

 

How to Maintain Clean Furnace Ducts

Friday, January 17th, 2014

How to Maintain Clean Furnace Ducts - Heating and Cooling

With high-energy costs, it’s always important to make sure that the heating, ventilation, and cooling systems are working at peak efficiency. Maintaining clean furnace ducts is vital to the overall maintenance of your home, which can help save on energy bills as well as prolong the life of your furnace. Also, the less energy that you consume, the smaller your carbon footprint is.

Here is how to maintain clean furnace ducts.

1. Replace furnace filters.

The simplest, most effective thing you can do to keep furnace ducts clean is to change the filters. When the filters are dirty, they restrict the effective passage of air through the unit. Poor airflow forces the motor to work harder, which makes it burn more fuel.

You should replace filters every month, particularly if your area of residence is dusty, you have pets at home, or you’re doing some renovations at home.

2. Inspect ductwork for any leaks.

If you have a forced-air system, it’s easy to access and check a few of the ducts. While the fan is turned on, run a hand or a paper sheet beside the ducts. Feel around the seams and joints for air leaking out. If there are leaks, use heat-resistant tape to seal the seams.

3. Clear vents, forced-air registers, and radiators free of obstructions.

Check that no furniture, rugs, or curtains are blocking furnace vents as well as cold-air returns to allow the air to circulate better. Ensuring that vents and registers are unobstructed will help improve the efficiency of your system, increase room comfort, and prevent the growth of mold and mildew.

4. Get professional cleaning service.

It is ideal to have the furnace cleaned and serviced by a qualified professional every year, and the ductwork every three up to five years. With regular service, you can prevent dust buildup on your appliance, and hence, prevent damage to its sensitive components and extend its lifespan.

In addition, ensuring clean furnace ducts will reduce the amount of dust that blows throughout your home and can help the furnace run more efficiently. Between professional duct cleanings, the forced-air registers should be vacuumed occasionally so they will stay clean.

Hire a Furnace Duct Professional

Is it time to have your furnace ducts cleaned? If so, then it’s time for you to use TalkLocal‘s free service to find a quality cleaning service in your area. Send us your request now via phone or here in our website and speak to a reputable professional in no time.

Housekeeping Cleaning Services

Tuesday, January 7th, 2014

Housekeeping Cleaning Services - Maid Services

There are many types of housekeeping cleaning services, including companies, freelancers, maid services and “mother’s helper.” Cleaning services can be residential or commercial, targeting homeowners and businesses, respectively.

Among all these types of housekeeping cleaning services, professional, licensed companies, such as maid services for residential or domestic cleaning, and commercial cleaning service providers, follow the highest quality standards. When it comes to cleaning services, you want service excellence and reliability.

Residential Cleaning Services versus Commercial Cleaning Services

Residential cleaning services, also called domestic or consumer house cleaning, include window cleaning, housekeeping, carpet cleaning, and others.

Commercial cleaning companies, on the other hand, provide full-range or specific cleaning services for businesses of all sizes. Janitorial services, which come under the umbrella of commercial cleaning, are cleaning and maintenance services offered by professional agencies to big companies or corporations.

Housekeeping Cleaning Services Include:

– Floor and carpet cleaning

– Window cleaning

– Furniture and upholstery cleaning

– Waste disposal

– Pest control

– Building Maintenance

Whether you are a business or homeowner, when you decide to use a house cleaning service, there are many options to choose from. You can hire a particular cleaning service or a professional company providing comprehensive cleaning services. This means that you can delegate part or all of the cleaning to someone else who handles it for you. It all depends on your needs and budget.

However, when it comes to housekeeping cleaning services, you need to keep in mind that not all of them are created equal. You want impeccable reputation and high-quality work. Before you hire any cleaning company, make sure you check their background in the field. It is advisable to work with companies, which employ trained staff, and have an up-to-date license.

Need Professional Housekeeping Cleaning Services?

If you want to hire a housekeeping cleaning service, but are confused about all the offers that flood the market, let Seva Call make it easier for you. We handle the screening process, and put you in touch with up to three professional cleaning services in your area, that meet your criteria and expectations.

Find the Best Scented Bacterial Sprays

Monday, December 30th, 2013

Find the Best Scented Anti-Bacterial Spray - Maid Services

If you want to protect your loved ones against a wide range of bacterial diseases and relax in a comfortable, clean, and safe environment, then it is mandatory to keep all your rooms spotless and germ-free.

If you have lots of patience and plenty of spare time on your hands, you can clean all your rooms on your own. Otherwise, you can choose to rely on professional maid services.

In this situation, there is one major advantage: cleaning experts use a generous selection of premium tools and products, including the most effective scented bacterial sprays.

How to Identify the Most Reliable Anti-Bacterial Spray

With so many appealing alternatives at hand, finding the most suitable scented anti-bacterial spray for your regular home maintenance routine should be easy. Follow two simple steps to make an informed purchase.

1) Analyze the unique features of some of the most popular products.

2) Discover your favorite fragrances.

Some of the most remarkable products launched by top-rated brands keep your property clean and germ-free and fight unpleasant odors at the same time. The best sprays kill up to 99.9% of all bacteria and viruses, and also manage to eliminate mold and mildew spores.

Where Should the Anti-Bacterial Spray Be Applied?

Moreover, a disinfectant spray like Lysol, for instance, can also be used for spot treatments on extremely delicate surfaces. Scented bacterial spray can be used:

– On all commonly touched household objects that are exposed to germ contamination

– In the air

– On a wide range of fabrics, due to the fact that its special formula does not affect the materials in any way

It is very important to find a fragrance that you love. Odors that are too powerful can make you feel uncomfortable and can even cause headaches and allergies.

Count on an Expert Opinion

Don’t know which type of scented bacterial spray would be more appropriate for your home? In this case, make a smart decision by consulting a reputable provider of first-class maid services. Spot the best one by using TalkLocal, a free service designed to put you in contact with dependable professionals who are just one call away.

Cleaning Heating Ducts

Monday, December 23rd, 2013

Cleaning Heating Ducts - Maid Services

Better indoor air quality and airflow and a decrease of allergens in your home are some of the benefits to cleaning heating ducts. Usually, ducts become congested with dust, which is made up of not only outdoor dust but also flakes of human skin, hair, pet dander, insects, fibers, and other matter. Cleaning heating ducts is an effective way to remove all of these unwanted particulates from your home.

Cleaning Heating Ducts Yourself                

With the right tools, cleaning heating ducts can be done on your own. Here’s how to do it:

1. Access the duct system by removing all the air supply, and remove registers from your walls.

2. With the registers removed, start vacuuming the duct as far down as you’re able to reach using your vacuum cleaner. Use the vacuum’s extra hoses to maximize length.

3. Go down to your basement. Check how far from each register the vacuum hose was able to reach. Measure and mark the point. Then, cut the duct using snips to create an access panel so you can continue vacuuming farther down the trunk of the duct.

4. Repeat the steps of vacuuming and then making access panels along the ducts until you’ve cleaned them all the way back to your furnace.

5. Cover the access panels with patches of sheet metal cut to fit over the holes. Use sheet metal screws to attach the patches to the ductwork, and then apply caulk to the seams to prevent leaks when you turn on the HVAC system.

6. Screw back the registers on your walls. Do a final sweep with the vacuum to get rid of any remaining dust or debris.

7. Heating ducts should be cleaned once a year as part of your yearly home maintenance program. With the access panels already in place, cleaning heating ducts should be easier the next time.

Hire a Cleaning Service

Because this task requires using a powerful vacuum, which many homes don’t have, and some handyman skills, many homeowners prefer to hire a home duct cleaning service to take care of cleaning their heating ducts. It’s actually a more practical solution than renting or buying expensive equipment. If you’re planning to hire a professional to get your ducts cleaned, make sure to obtain several quotes before choosing the right one.

TalkLocal is a free service that will connect you quickly with up to three qualified and reputable contractors in your area who can help with cleaning your heating ducts. Send us your request now!

Clean Outdoor Teak Furniture

Thursday, December 19th, 2013

Clean Outdoor Teak Furniture - Landscapers

Teak is a widely popular choice for outdoor furniture, because it’s highly resistant to moisture and sunlight, has a distinctive appearance, and is easy to maintain. However, to protect your investment and make the most of its unique qualities, it is advisable to clean outdoor teak furniture on a regular basis.

Basic Clean Up

Just as you need to dust off your indoor furniture, your outdoor teak table and chairs will look better and last longer if you clean up the dirt and dust that build up over time. Use a hose to spray them gently with water, then clean the furniture with a sponge dipped in a soapy water solution. From time to time, you can add some bleach to it to restore the shine of the wood. Rinse with water and dry the surface with a soft cloth.

Use Teak Oil

Because it stays outside, your teak furniture will gradually lose its vivid color, turning to a silvery gray. If you don’t like this patina, and want to restore its original tone, you can apply some teak oil three or four times a year. However, to avoid staining your furniture, it is important to spread the oil evenly.

An alternative to teak oil is to use a special teak sealer, which will create a protective coating for your outdoor teak furniture.

Remove Stains

Sooner or later, someone will accidentally spill a cup of coffee or a glass of wine on your outdoor teak furniture. No worries though, because stains can be easily removed by gently sanding the surface of the wood. Sanding also uncovers the golden texture of your teak furniture.

Use Covers During Winter

To protect your outdoor teak furniture through the cold season, you can place some covers on it. Avoid plastic covers, because they cause moisture and may damage the wood.

Protect Your Outdoor Teak Furniture

Use these simple tips to clean outdoor teak furniture from time to time to extend its life, and enjoy it for years to come.

Need help to keep your house and patio in tip-top shape? Contact TalkLocal now, and we’ll connect you with reputable cleaning services that will take housekeeping duties off your hands.

Does Febreze Work?

Wednesday, December 11th, 2013

Does Febreze Work? - Maid Services

Numerous people who want to invest in the best housekeeping products are currently striving to find the best answer to the following question: Does Febreze work? In other words, can it really eliminate nasty odors in a highly effective manner, while ensuring a pleasant smell that lasts for the longest period of time?

How Febreze Works

In order to assess its effectiveness, first you have to know how Febreze was actually designed to work, from a chemical standpoint. The product was launched on the market in 1996 by Procter & Gamble, and its formula is based on one main component: Beta-Cyclodextrin.

Its Cyclodextrin molecule dissolves a part of the unpleasant odor from your environment. This means that the stinky molecules are still present, but can no longer connect with your olfactory receptors. Sometimes, the product deactivates the powerful odor or simply replaces it with an enjoyable fragrance.

According to different sources, Febreze’s formula also includes zinc chloride, a compound that is highly effective when it comes to giving nasty sulfur-based odors the boot, like rotten eggs, for instance. However, this ingredient is not listed on the label.

Does Febreze Really Work?

An article published by consumerreports.org indicated that Febreze can be a powerful ally if you want to neutralize a wide range of bad odors, including the ones coming from dead animals, dog fur, and pet waste. However, the results are temporary and not completely satisfactory.

In order to assess the effectiveness of Febreze Air Effects, a team of researches left an opened box of sardines and a significant amount of cat waste in a room for 4 hours. Afterwards, they ventilated the area, pulverized Febreze and invited blindfolded individuals inside the room.

The test results pointed in the same direction: Febreze managed to hide the smell for a limited period of time. Most participants managed to recognize the bad odors, and some of them refused to inhale.

Ask an Expert

Does Febreze work? Get the best answer to this question from a reputable provider of maid services. Find the best one by using TalkLocal, a free service designed to connect you with the best professionals in your area.

How to Handle Tipping Cleaning Service

Tuesday, December 10th, 2013

How to Handle Tipping Cleaning Service - Maid Services

There are no standard protocols when it comes to tipping cleaning service. Cleaning firms will say it is not a requirement and many cleaning professionals actually do not expect to be given tips all the time. Nonetheless, it can be hard to find reliable cleaning service these days, so when you do find such a service, one of the best ways to show your appreciation and encourage consistent excellent work is by giving a tip.

How Often Should You Tip?

It is your own prerogative how frequently you want to tip cleaning professionals. There are customers who tip every visit, while others are not even aware that they should ever tip at all. Again, cleaning crews normally do not expect to receive regular tips from customers, so don’t feel obligated to tip on every visit.

However, if the crew did an exceptionally good job, and you saw how hard they worked to vacuum every nook and cranny in your five-bedroom home, then it would really be nice if you would leave them a tip as a reward for that one instance. A common practice among homeowners is to give an annual tip, or a bonus during the holiday season, or on the person’s birthday, especially if the working relationship has already lasted several years.

How Much Tip is Adequate?

If you wish to tip a cleaning crew, the recommended amount is $5 per professional. Around the holidays, the amount of cash bonus given to house cleaning professionals varies greatly, with some customers giving an extra full month’s pay, while others give based on a certain percentage, say 20 to 30 percent of the service cost.

There are homeowners who will decide to give an extra pay worth two hours of work. Therefore, it really depends on what you can afford and wish to give.

Other Ways to Show Appreciation

Aside from tipping cleaning service, you can also show that you appreciate the people who clean your home by doing a range of thoughtful things for them, from giving them a gift on their birthday, giving food or buying meals, handing them a gift card, among others.

Looking for Professional Cleaning Service?

Whether this is your first time hiring a professional maid service or not, you want to make sure to hire a reputable service who you can welcome into your home with full confidence. Find trustworthy house cleaning professionals with the help of TalkLocal now.

Osburn Wood Stoves Cleaning Guide

Wednesday, December 4th, 2013

Osburn Wood Stoves Cleaning Guide - Heating and Cooling

Osburn wood stoves are top quality, durable and sturdy wood stoves. They are made for a lifetime of use and are covered by a warranty. These wood stoves come in different models, and each model has its own specifications. However, there are general rules to cleaning the Osburn wood stoves regardless of model.

Unlike central gas heating, wood stoves are economical, but they do require a bit more care and attention. In this article, we will show you how to properly clean Osburn wood stoves in order to get the best from them.

Cleaning and Painting Osburn Wood Stoves

Using a soft, clean, and damp cloth, clean the wood stove when it is cool. Clean it frequently to get rid of ash and soot. Avoid using an abrasive cleaner which could damage the surfaces of your wood stove.

It is also possible to repaint your wood stove with 650⁰C heat-resistant paint if the original paint has peeled or you just want a fresh coat of paint. To do this, simply use sandpaper to remove the original paint, and apply two coats of fresh paint.

Cleaning the Glass

Under normal circumstances, the glass remains clean. Glass cleaning may only be required if you are burning damp wood or having slow fires. In these cases, you may want to let the glass cool first and then use a ceramic glass cleaner applied with a damp cloth. Rinse off the cleaner for best results and dry the glass.

Osburn wood stoves do require a bit more cleaning and attention than most modern home heating sources, such as radiators, but the charm and character that they bring to a home makes the little bit of extra maintenance worthwhile.

Need Professional Help?

Contact TalkLocal today, and we will connect you with up to three cleaning professionals near you to help maintain your Osburn wood stove!

Essential Pool Cleaning Tools

Wednesday, November 27th, 2013

Essential Pool Cleaning Tools - Maid Services

Your swimming pool is a place for relaxation, but the idea of swimming in a dirty pool is not refreshing at all. After having a pool installed, you want to make sure you’ll be able to clean it regularly to keep the water clear and safe for swimming. For this purpose, you will need the following pool cleaning tools at home:

1. Skimmer – This is basically a net with a long handle that can be used to remove leaves, debris, and other particles floating on the pool’s surface. When you buy a skimmer, make sure to choose one with a handle that is long enough to skim stuff off the center of your pool.

2. Pool Vacuum – If your pool does not have its own vacuum system, you should invest in one. Vacuuming your pool once a week is highly recommended to remove dirt and debris that has settled on the bottom of the pool. You can purchase a manual push vacuum or a self-powered pool cleaner that automatically crawls along the pool’s floor to collect sediment and debris.

 3. Pool Brushes – Some of the most important pool cleaning tools are long-handled brushes meant to be used on the walls and floor of your pool.  Brushing the sides and bottom of a pool at least once a week will prevent the buildup of algae.

 4. Pool Filter – As water is circulated by the pump, it should pass through a filter to remove impurities. The best filter to choose will depend on factors like the size of the surface area to be cleaned and the amount of vegetation around the pool. There are several filters available in the market including:

— Sand filter – For basic pools with no or little surrounding vegetation; requires backwashing.

— Cartridge filter – Can filter double the surface area as a sand filter; will work better than sand filter if the yard has more vegetation.

— Diatomaceous Earth (DE) filter – Can filter the biggest surface area; best choice if the pool is surrounded by much vegetation.

 5. Testing Kit – These kits are used to test the quality of pool water, including its pH level, alkalinity, chlorine, and bromine levels as well as other components. Ensuring balanced water chemistry in your pool is critical to keep it safe and comfortable for swimming.

Need Professional Cleaning?

Keep your pool clean, clear, and inviting by having the right pool cleaning tools. If you need to hire a professional service for periodic pool maintenance, TalkLocal can help you find the right person in your area in no time. Contact us now!

Basic Products to Clean Household Mold

Thursday, November 21st, 2013

Basic Products to Clean Household Mold - Maid Services

The problem with mold is that it grows and spreads easily, but it can be hard to remove. You will need to use certain products to clean household mold and effectively control it. Look for products that will help you remove mold and stop it in its tracks, so it will not grow back again.

Do You Really Need to Remove Mold?

Aside from the fact that moldy surfaces are unsightly and emit an unpleasant, musty odor, the presence of mold in your home poses health risks to your household. You or your family could very well be inhaling mold spores that are known to cause allergic symptoms, asthma, nausea, and more severe medical conditions. This is why it’s so important to clean household mold.

Which Mold Removal Products Should You Use?

Fortunately, when you use the right cleaning products, you can get rid of mold and curb future mold growth to lessen the health risks in your home. It takes only some very basic products that people often have at home to clean household mold. Bleach, vinegar, and borax are just some of the things you can use to remove mold.

Here’s how to use them:

Bleach – Use a ratio of 1:10 bleach to water. Use a spray bottle or a bucket and sponge to apply the bleach solution to nonporous, moldy surfaces.

Be sure to put on gloves before starting to work. Bleach emits harsh chemical fumes and can seriously irritate your skin. For this reason, bleach is best considered as a last resort for removing mold.

White Distilled Vinegar – Pour some into a spray bottle. Don’t water it down. Spray it onto the problem area and let it sit for one hour. Then, wipe the area clean with water and let the surface dry.

Don’t worry about the vinegar smell; it will be dispersed after a few hours. Vinegar is effective in inhibiting mold growth, so you can continue to spray vinegar on the affected surface regularly, to stop the mold from returning.

Borax – This is a natural cleaner that doesn’t release harmful fumes. You can find it in the laundry section of most supermarkets.

To use borax, mix a cup of it per gallon of water. Using a scrubbing brush and the borax solution, scrub the mold from the surface. Wipe the area and just let the surface dry completely; there is no need to rinse. Borax also helps control mold growth.

Need Help with Home Cleaning?

While you may not always stop the development of mold in some areas of your home, especially if you reside in a wet and humid area, it doesn’t mean you can’t effectively clean household mold when it appears. However, if you would rather have a professional clean and remove mold in your home, TalkLocal can connect you with the right guys to do the job. Use our free service now!