Millions of homeowners who have decided to install a beautiful fireplace inside their homes are looking for pertinent answers to one of the following questions: How could I possibly keep my fireplace clean at all times, to avoid considerable safety risks? What is creosote, and how could I get rid of it fast and effectively?

Keep reading to discover the best answers to these questions and more, and to find out how you could find the most respectable providers of maid services, designed to simplify your life and turn your property into a safe, contaminant-free environment.

What is Creosote?

Creosote is a compound obtained from wood, tar and solidified flue gases. Creosote buildups usually appear on both interior sides of your fireplace, especially when the logs are incompletely burned.

Creosote accumulations go through three developmental stages; each stage requires specific cleaning methods and creosote removal agents to provide more than satisfactory results.

1. During the first phase, creosote buildups are represented by smooth accumulations, which could be quickly eliminated using soot eraser sponges.

2. During the second phase, the homeowner will have to deal with extremely flammable, curly, bubbly, or flaky, black or dark brown creosote accumulations.

3. Creosote accumulations in their third stage are known as glaze chimney deposits, which are hard to remove and could cause a devastating home fire almost instantly. Glaze buildups should be removed using special cleaning products and tools, like the glaze removal chains and a creosote removal powder.

How to Prevent Dirty Fireplace Hazards

As long as your fireplace functions optimally and you do your best to keep it clean and dirt-, dust-, and debris-free, you shouldn’t worry about your safety. Make sure you eliminate creosote buildups as soon as possible to avoid potential complications.

Ask an expert

If you don’t have what it takes to clean your fireplaces on your own, take the easy way out and ask for expert help today. Rely on TalkLocal, your trusted provider of fresh information, to identify the very best providers of impeccable maid services operating in your area, and simplify your daily life by making one phone call.

People who are interested in purchasing a new, appealing, durable fireplace now have the chance to check out a wide range of attractive products made from different premium materials, including marble, granite, cement and sandstone. A beautiful, resistant granite fireplace is definitely a great investment, but it will still require a thorough maintenance routine to preserve its original shine.

You can keep your granite fireplace looking like new for a longer period of time by relying on professional maid services, but you could also choose to complete a fast, cost-effective DIY project involving the usage of common household cleaning products and tools. Keep reading to find out how to clean granite fireplace in no time.

How to clean your granite fireplace in a few simple steps

1)    Gather all necessary tools and cleaning products

You don’t have to purchase special tools and products to clean your granite fireplace on your own. In fact, all you need is plenty of water, a bucket, some dish soap, a sponge and one clean towel.

If you eliminate smoke and soot residue periodically, the impurities could easily be removed using a mix of dish soap and hot water (up to 3 tablespoons of dish soap dissolved in clean water).

2)    Clean the granite surface properly

Scrub the entire surface with a sponge soaked in your cleaning solution, wait a few minutes, and then rinse it thoroughly to prevent the formation of opaque spots on the fireplace granite tiles, triggered by leftover soap.

In the end, don’t forget to dry the area, by wiping it with a clean, absorbent towel. It shouldn’t take you more than a couple of hours to clean granite fireplace on your own.

3)    Apply a secret tip to prolong the lifespan of your granite fireplace

Granite surfaces are very beautiful and highly resistant, but tend to lose their unique shine in the absence of a proper maintenance routine.

Help your granite fireplace stand the test of time, by polishing it at least twice every year and sealing it once on an annual basis.

Ask an expert

Now you know how to clean granite fireplace fast and effectively. If you want to count on an expert opinion when it comes to keeping your house clean and your amenities looking like new, rely on TalkLocal to connect you with the very best specialists in your area, offering you high-quality maid services tailored to your needs and budget.

Remodeling to add space is a good idea for an expanding family or if you just want a more spacious house with more room to entertain friends. Adding an extra wing to your house gives you more room to move around and have more space to put your things.

Aside from maintenance costs, there are other costs to consider when adding extra space. However, these are minimal when compared to the benefits. Cleaning the extra space isn’t too much of a chore, either. Here we show you four tips on how to clean the extra space.

1)     Decide on how you clean you want it to be

Do you want your new space to be spotless for guests, or just clean enough to be comfortable for your family? Based on this, you can decide how much time you can spend and want to spend on cleaning. You can also prepare your cleaning tools and vacuum cleaners.

2)     Cleaning glass/mirrors

It’s a common myth that regular cleaning agents can be used to clean glass and mirrors. For windows and mirrors, you have to use glass and mirror cleaners that are made especially for these, or you risk ruining the glass.

3)     Polish furniture

Use furniture polisher to keep wooden furniture looking new. Regular soapy water won’t do the trick, because it will ruin the wood and will make it rot. You can find a good furniture polish at your local hardware store.

4)     Using all-purpose cleaners

They aren’t all-purpose after all. Make sure to read the labels carefully. Many of them contain chemicals that are harmful to some furniture and upholstery. Read the ingredients and make sure they are compatible with the things that you are going to clean them with. These cleaners are not always all-purpose like they claim to be.

Or Call a Professional

Here at TalkLocal, we are committed to helping you find a professional near you. Give us a call today and let us connect you with the right professional!

We all know just how important it is to count on first-class appliances when it comes to keeping our house 100% clean, dry, and contaminant-free. Unfortunately, the overwhelming plentitude of products aggressively promoted by giant brands often puzzles buyers and makes them indecisive. Keep reading to discover how to identify the perfect cordless hand vacuums for your household, offering you the longest list of benefits and displaying the ideal quality-price relationship.

Basic things you need to know about cordless vacuum cleaners

If you hate small dirt particles hiding in hard-to-reach areas, then a highly effective cordless vacuum cleaner is, by far, the best option for you. Designed to eliminate a wide range of impurities while reaching even the tightest of areas, these helpful appliances will allow you to clean all of your rooms and even your automobile in record time, with minimal effort. They might even trigger financial savings, allowing you to skip one or two visits to the local car wash. All in all, tiny cordless hand vacuums are used to:

a)    Clean even the tightest corners of your house

b)    Clean hard-to-reach surfaces inside your vehicle

c)     Eliminate wet spills

d)    Eliminate pet hair

Things you should consider before making a purchase

It goes without saying that, despite the fact that they serve the same purpose, cordless vacuum cleaners launched by different manufacturers are far from being identical. Some represent a smarter investment, so pay attention to these key features before going in favor of a certain model.

1)    Battery life: It is advisable to opt for a product with maximized battery life to avoid supplementary expenses. Also, you should know that models with faster-charging batteries are much more energy-efficient than the rest.

2)    Weight: The perfect device should be lightweight, allowing you to carry it with you wherever you may go.

3)    Capacity: Even if the compact design might reduce the capacity to gather a significant amount of debris, some tiny cordless vacuum cleaners might surprise you with bigger dust bins required by ampler housekeeping assignments.

4)    Attachments: Obviously, you should go for a model that comes with a wide range of accessories, serving different purposes, like delicate upholstery brushes, extension wands, and crevice tools.

5)    Energy-efficiency: If you want to decrease the value of your utility bills and save energy around the house, make sure to opt for a cutting-edge model displaying a higher level of energy efficiency.

Ask an expert

Are you looking for the best cordless hand vacuums, or perhaps for professional housekeeping services delivered on time and on a strict budget? In this case, count on TalkLocal, your free source of information, designed to help you get in touch with housekeeping experts who will enable you to save time and money while profiting from high-quality services.

Formerly used for practical purposes, nowadays fireplaces are astonishing items of luxurious furniture meant to create a special atmosphere in your home, especially if they are made of marble. In order to cherish your piece of marble as long as possible, you should clean it whenever necessary. Although porous, marble is not so difficult to clean and maintain. Before discussing several ways of cleaning marble, it should be said that it is a very good idea to have a sealant on your marble, which is meant to protect this natural stone over time.

What Do You Need to Clean Your Marble Fireplace?

How to clean marble fireplace is simple if you keep in mind some basic tips. First of all, if you want to start cleaning your marble fireplace, all you need is a bucket, soap, a sponge, a rag, and a piece of cloth.

What’s the Procedure?  

1. First, you must dust your fireplace off.

2. When you’re done, take the bucket, fill it with warm water and add some dish-washing liquid to it.

3. Immerse the sponge, a soft one preferably, into the warm water, wring it out, and start cleaning the surface of the fireplace.

4. After removing the soap residue with a rag and, if need be, with some water, buff the marble with a dry cloth.

Are There Other Ways to Clean a Marble Fireplace?

Another possible way to clean your fireplace is using a vapor cleaner. If you need a more thorough cleaning, you can have it polished using chemical products with a stronger impact. Bear in mind never to use abrasive brushes or chemicals, because they can damage the surface. Also, avoid using products which contain acids, such as vinegar, as they may make your marble look duller.

Need an Expert Opinion?

If you are not sure about how to clean marble fireplace or whether a product is suitable for cleaning it or not, ask an expert before using it. Should you want to entrust this job to someone qualified to do it, TalkLocal can put you in contact with the right cleaning professional in just minutes.

Most homeowners don’t know how to clean their chimneys properly. In fact, numerous people don’t have a clue about chimney inspections, repairs, and cleaning services and end up being scammed by so-called specialists who charge ridiculously low fees for poorly done work.

Want to be able to estimate chimney sweep cost, pay the right price for an excellent maintenance routine, and hire the best professionals operating in your area? Follow these simple guidelines to avoid major mistakes that could impact your budget, health, and welfare.

How to Avoid Con Artists

Believe it or not, many homeowners have been deceived by extremely persuasive con artists pretending to be skilled, certified chimney sweeps. They come inside the house, perform an inspection, and signal problems that aren’t real, like an elevated carbon monoxide poisoning risk, for instance. Some try to trick people into buying expensive clay, metal, or concrete-based liners after telling them that their old liners are no longer useful; others bring dead birds or concrete fragments inside the house, claiming that they’ve just extracted these elements from the chimney.

Learn to estimate chimney sweep cost properly to avoid unpleasant surprises. Most scammers will tempt potential victims with insanely low fees. Don’t fall into this trap, and always avoid unreliable chimney sweeps offering you “professional,” “discounted,” ”complete” cleaning services under $40.

Pay the Right Price for High-Quality Cleaning Services

Any doubts on your mind related to chimney sweep cost? Think about the fact that cleaning a chimney is a really messy, complex, time-consuming assignment (a complete process takes at least 60 minutes), requiring state-of-the-art tools and equipment. Would you really expect to pay $39 or even less for this type of service? An inspection could cost you approximately $75; be prepared to pay twice as much for first-class chimney cleaning.

How to Find the Best Chimney Sweep

Wouldn’t you love to find the most dependable, friendly, experienced, skilled chimney sweep with minimal effort? TalkLocal helps you get in touch with the best cleaning specialists in your ZIP code. With Talk Local, all services you might need at some point are just a few clicks away.

A fireplace is a central point in any house, which not only keeps you warm in chilly weather, but also attracts attention through its aesthetic qualities. If you have a limestone fireplace, you are probably proud of its appearance and want to preserve it as long as possible. For that, you need to clean it regularly and protect it from possible damage. The following tips should make this easier for you.

Use the Right Cleaning Methods to Clean Limestone Fireplace

You can enjoy your limestone fireplace for a long time if you remember that limestone is a soft, natural rock that requires particular care. Its porous structure exposes it to various hazards, such as easy staining and scratching.

How Can You Keep Your Limestone Fireplace Clean and in Good Condition?

– Use soft cloths, preferably cotton, to clean the dust on your limestone fireplace.

– Don’t rub its surface with abrasive cleaning products, or you’ll scratch it and destroy its texture. Use liquid soap in a very low concentration. Make soft, circular motions when cleaning the surface of your limestone fireplace. Don’t apply pressure and don’t rub it forcefully or you might scratch it.

– Avoid sprays or wax, as they can produce discoloration and stains.

– This porous material absorbs water easily, that’s why it’s not advisable to place a flower vase on your limestone fireplace, as it will create spots on it that won’t come off when attempting to clean them.

– Refrain from placing objects, especially sharp or rough-edged items, directly on the mantel of your fireplace, as it can scratch easily.

How Can You Protect Your Clean Limestone Fireplace?

The simplest way to protect your fireplace is to have it sealed. This is very effective, especially if the fireplace is new. Sealants create a protection layer, preventing water and other liquids from penetrating through the limestone while at the same time protecting it from scratches or stains. Sealing your fireplace is a cost-effective solution that will preserve the beauty of your piece for years to come. For better results, it is advisable to apply two layers of sealant.

Additional Help

If you don’t have time to clean your limestone fireplace yourself or if you feel it’s safer to let a cleaning professional take care of it, TalkLocal can find you reliable maid services in the area, in no time.

A stone fireplace is a beautiful piece that increases the value of your home. Stone allows for multiple styles, from classic to modern designs. A stone fireplace is an investment that you probably want to maintain in the best possible condition. The longer, the better. To that end, it is important to know how to look after it and clean it properly.

How Can You Best Protect Your Fireplace?

Because stone fireplaces can stain easily, it is highly recommended to seal them in order to cover their pores. Open pores may absorb liquids, such as coffee or wine, causing staining and discoloration. Sealing is a great way to protect your stone fireplace because it preserves its appearance and increases its resistance. If you decide to apply a sealant, you need to clean the fireplace first.

How to Clean Stone Fireplace

1. If your fireplace is sealed, warm water and a cloth should be enough to clean the soot accumulated on the stone. If it’s not sealed, you can use a brush to remove soot and debris first.

2. Then use a solution. Mix liquid soap, detergent, and some ammonia in hot water and spread it on the surface of the fireplace. After it dries, use a scrub brush to remove it. Avoid chemical cleaning products, especially flammable or abrasive ones.

3. If these methods don’t work, you can dissolve half a cup of Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) in a bucket containing one gallon of hot water and clean the surface with it.

What Not to Do When You Clean Stone Fireplace

– Don’t begin your cleaning operation until you have removed all ash from the fireplace.

– Don’t use flammable products to clean your stone fireplace, as their residue is a fire hazard.

– Don’t use bleach except in very low concentrations, and only if other cleaning methods fail, as it may dull your stone fireplace.

– Don’t use cleaning solutions before testing them in less visible spots. Wait until they dry to see if it’s safe to start cleaning the entire fireplace with it.

– Don’t clean the fireplace when heated, not to mention in use.

Additional Help

You’d rather let a cleaning professional take care of your stone fireplace? TalkLocal can help by putting you in touch with local maid services that can get the job done. We do this for free.

There are numerous household maintenance assignments that can be successfully completed by the owner himself, on time and on a budget. However, other tasks require the attention, the skills, the tools, and the expertise of a real professional. Would you really clean your chimney on your own, knowing that poorly done work could easily put your health and safety on the line? Of course you wouldn’t; so keep reading to find out how to find a chimney sweep in three simple steps.

1)    Always opt for professional services ensured by a certified chimney sweep

You might think that cleaning the soot and the ash from your fire place is a simple assignment, but in fact competent chimney sweeps do a lot more than this. Every once in a while, you’ll have to remove potentially dangerous creosote buildups. You will need to rely on the best workers you can find, properly equipped with state-of-the-art tools, because creosote can’t be properly eliminated by simply scrubbing the surface with a wire brush. Apart from eliminating residues in a highly effective manner, well-trained, certified experts also perform meticulous inspections and repairs.

2)    Ask for testimonials from previous clients

Talk to your friends, neighbors, and coworkers. How have they managed to find a chimney sweep in their zip code? Are they pleased with the end result? Once you narrow down your search and spot a few reliable candidates, ask for testimonials from previous clients and opt for a chimney sweep with years of experience, first-class tools, and proper training who can make time for you even in his busy season; keep in mind that homeowners who use their wood-burning stoves intensively might need to schedule 3 or 4 different appointments with a chimney sweep in order to eliminate all health and safety risks.

3)    Rely on a free service to spot the best cleaning specialists

Are you worried that you might have a hard time trying to find a chimney sweep who is dependable, hardworking, and flexible enough to respond to your emergency calls at any given point in time? If so, make things a whole lot easier for yourself by profiting from a free service introduced to help you get in touch with the best professionals in a timely manner. Consult TalkLocal and make the most of a wide range of 5-star services available in your own area.