Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Good Residential Carpet Extractor - Hoover F8100-900

Cleaning your carpets with a great carpet extractor can make such a difference. A good residential heavy duty carpet extractor can make cleaning tough pet stains or heavy stained traffic areas look almost as good as a professional can. The new Hoover Platinum Collection Extractor removes more dirt from your carpet than any other brand according to Hoover. The new technology built into this machine allows it to remove more dirt than its competition.

The Hoover F8100 comes with MaxExtract technology that removes the dirty water from your carpet fibers while applying heat at the same time to maximize drying time. The F8100-900 has a steam setting for smaller stained areas and a spray setting for heavy traffic areas that need special attention. Unlike many other residential carpet extractors the new Platinum has a super stretch hose for cleaning furniture, stairs and even your car while being permanently attached to your machine. Other residential carpet extractors need to have the hose attached while this new Hoover extractor makes it permanently attached for easier and quicker use. Here are some of the excellent new features:

  • Unheard of 6 Year Manufacturer Warranty
  • User friendly ease of use
  • 30 Foot cord length
  • 1 Gallon Water Tank
  • 96 Inch Hose Length
  • 28.5 Pounds
  • Crevice Tool & Powered Hand Tool Included & Upholstery Tool
  • Holds 96 Oz of Dirty Water
  • Retail Price of $399

In conclusion the Hoover F8100-900 platinum collection carpet cleaner is in a class of its own. It is a simple to use residential carpet extractor that gives you professional results for a reasonable price. For more information click here!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Canister Vacuum Reviews - How to choose a good canister vacuum

A canister vacuum can truly come in very handy for just about anyone. The uses are endless for a these types of vacuums. You can vacuum furniture, vacuum your car, vacuum hardwood floors, crevice your baseboards for dust build up, vacuum blinds & curtains, vacuum high hard to reach areas and many other opportunities. A good one will assist in providing a great cleaning outcome with easy mobility compared to an upright vacuum. The word canister is extremely vague as some offer the same capabilities that an upright vacuum would, while other canister vacuums don't. There are canister vacuums that run as low as $70 to as high as $800. When looking to purchase a canister vacuum there are a few key features one should consider:
  1. Weight - Having a canister vacuum that is easy to transport up stairs and throughout the house is much easier when the weight is light.
  2. Bagged or Bagless - Bagged canister vacuums require the additional expensive of purchasing bags regularly though tend to be better for indoor air quality.
  3. Tools - Looking for the tools included and quality of the tools are important. Make sure the machine at minimum has a tool to vacuum upholstery, a tool to crevice in narrow spaces and corners, a good floor tool for hard surfaces and a brush of some sort to vacuum blinds.
  4. Wheels or Shoulder Strap - Having wheels is convenient to some as it can be nice to pull the vacuum. Wheels do add to the bulkiness and difficulty in maneuverability. Many canister vacuums offer shoulder straps and cushioned casing to wrap around the vacuum to prevent from wall and furniture damage when maneuvering.
  5. Brushroll or Beater Bar - Many canisters are used as a complement to an upright vacuum. Used to vacuum all those areas an upright can't get to. Though many canisters do not come with a brushroll or beater bar which is necessary for carpet vacuuming. Rugs need to be agitated with a beater bar to thoroughly vacuum.
  6. Cord Length - The longer the cord length the easier it tends to be to move around the house. Many commercial vacuums will have a longer cord and not more expensive than residential.

The above mentioned features are many of the important ones to consider when choosing a canister. Some popular good quality canister vacuums are Hoover Ch30000, Oreck BB900DGR, Sanitaire SC3683A, Hoover S3670 and Dirt Devil 082500.


For individual information on the above mentioned canisters click here! Good Luck.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Cleaning Floors With A Good Steam Mop - Easy Way to Clean Your Floors

The advantages of using a steam mop to clean you floors are many. Steam cleaning with a good steam mop allows you to penetrate deep into the surface of your floor without using chemicals. The heat from a steam mop will loosen the grime built into your hard surface floor and will allow the cloth to quickly wipe it away. Steam cleaning your floors is extremely beneficial to the environment as no chemicals need to be used, thus not leaving any residue behind on your floor.


The heat will kill viruses, bacteria and other nasty germs that are tracked in from outdoors. Steam cleaners can clean sealed hardwood, linoleum, ceramic, tile, marble, pergo and many other types of floors. It is recommended by many steam mop manufacturers to check with your floor manufacturer before use and on unsealed floors to use with caution. Moving a steam mop in a back and forth motion is recommended verse allowing the steam to release full force in one location without movement. Many steam cleaner mops come with a carpet tool attachment to allow for quick steaming of carpets to sanitize.


There are also a few steam cleaners that allow for the handle to be detached so you can use it like a handheld tool to steam mattresses, counters, furniture and other area's in your home. Below is a list of several steam cleaners and the key features each has. Important is heating time (as you won't want to wait long), weight and length of cord. If cord is small you can always use a good extension cord for more length and less aggravation using. Now put away the back breaking bucket & mop and start enjoying the benefits to one of the many steam cleaners listed below!


Oreck Steam-It Average Price $149:

  • Oreck Steam-It
  • 8.1 Pounds
  • 1 Year Warranty
  • 16 Ft. Cord
  • 50-60 PSI
  • Heats 30 Seconds
  • Holds 1 Liter of Water
  • Includes 2 Washable Microfiber towels, 2 Bonnets & 6 Attachments
H2O STEAM MOP Average Price $79.99:
  • 2 Microfiber Cloth Pads
  • Measuring Cup
  • Carpet Glider
  • User Manual
  • 360 Degree Pivoting Head To Get In Corners
  • Ready to Use Fast
  • Easy To Refill Water Tank
  • Dries Fast
  • Kill Germs & Bacteria
  • Lightweight & Ergonomic Design
Shark S3101 Steam Cleaner Floor Mop Average Price $67.50:
  • 1 Year Warranty
  • 20 foot power cord.
  • 2 MICRO FIBRE PADS INCLUDED
  • LIGHTWEIGHT.Weighs only 3 pounds.
  • DEEP CLEANING.Super-heated
  • HASSLE-FREE.Washable micro-fiber
  • STEAM ON DEMAND
Eureka Envirosteamer 313A Lightweight Steam Mop Average Price $99.99
  • Eureka Envirosteamer 313A
  • 6.5 Amps
  • 25 Ft. Cord
  • 12.5" Cleaning Path
  • 5.4 Pounds
Bissell 1867-7 Steam Mop Average Price $90:
  • Steam Mop Steam On Demand Ready in 30 Seconds
  • Washable Microfiber Mop Pads
  • 360 Swivel Head
  • Slim Lightweight Design
  • Quick Release 18 Ft. Power Cord
  • 100% Chemical Free
  • Weight: 6.8 lbs
  • 1 Year Manufacturer Warranty
  • 11 inch Cleaning Path
  • Cleans and Dries Floor
  • Microfiber Mops Washable 2
Monster EZ1 Floor Steam Cleaner Average Price $119:

  • Ready to Clean in 3 Minutes
  • 4 Levels of Steam
  • Weight: 6 lbs
  • 1000 Watt Boiler
  • 500ml Water Capacity
  • Front Steam Jets
  • 25 Foot Cord
  • 260 Max Steam Temp
  • 12 Inch Cleaning Path
  • Double Steam Distribution System
  • Trigger Controlled System
  • One Year Manufacturer Warranty
  • Accessories Included: Replaceable Microfiber Cloths & Carpet Sledge Attachment
Reliable Steamboy T1 Steam Floor Mop Average Price $120:
  • Reliable Steamboy Steam Floor Mop
  • 1500w Heating Element
  • Immediate Steam No Waiting
  • 180 Degree Swivel Head
  • 11 Inch Cleaning Path
  • Ergonomic Handle
  • Lightweight 8 Pounds
  • 16 Foot Cord
  • 2 Washable Cloth Pads
  • 1 Water Filter
  • 1 Carpet Glide
  • 1 Year Manufacturer Warranty
Haan FS-20+ Steam Floor Mop & Deluxe Carpet Kit Average Price $99:

  • Chemical free
  • Ready to use in less than 3 minutes
  • Color Signal Indicator lets you know when it is ready for use
  • Convenient lights indicate when power is on and when water tank needs to be refilled
  • Ergonomically designed to reduce hand and wrist stress
  • Telescopic handle adjusts for height and easy storage
  • Less than 4 pounds with a full tank of water
  • Durable construction to ensure years of use
  • Safe and effective on virtually all bare floor surfaces
  • Patented technology uses high temperature steam at over 212°F
  • 15 powerful steam jets Patented, super absorbent multi-layer microfiber
  • High quality microfiber pads are reusable and machine washable
  • Deluxe Sanitizing
  • Tray Option
Learn more by clicking here!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Steam Cleaning Machines & The Benefits

There are tremendous benefits to owning a steam cleaning machine for your home or business. A steam vapor cleaner can be used to clean any surface in your home. Flooring, bedding, furniture, kitchens and bathrooms will never be any cleaner than with using a professional steam cleaner. Hardwood, laminate and ceramic tile to name a few floor types are cleaned much deeper using a steam cleaner versus the traditional mop or hands & knees technique. It cleans, disinfects and dry's the floor all at the same time, making it much easier on you. The high temperature of dry steam will kill all bacteria and the best benefit of using a steam cleaner is it's all natural. No chemicals are necessary because the steam heat will disinfect and kill all the bacteria. No chemicals means no residue or harmful toxins left behind, only a sparkling clean product for all to enjoy. A steam vapor cleaner with super heated water can melt away grease, grime and build-up while killing mold, mildew, bacteria and allergens deep where they hide. Steam vapor cleaners are completely changing the way we clean by cleaning deeper, healthier and making our lives easier.

How to Steam Clean Hardwood Floors?
  • Hardwood floor cleaning has never been so easy, it's a simple 2 step process. A steam cleaner on a hardwood floor is completely safe and 100% more effective than a traditional mop.
  • Fill your steamer with water. We always recommend distilled water to prolong the life of your steamer, though clean tap water is fine.
  • Plug your steamer in and turn it on. After a few moments it should heat up and when the steamer is ready a light should go on to tell you your machine is ready. Attach the correct floor tool with a clean cloth over the floor attachment. Simply pull your trigger and start mopping the floor and it will be cleaner than ever. Please note that no specific cloth is really needed for the attachment. A simple clean household towel will do the job fine. Remember not to focus the steam on one spot to long as it may cause damage to the finish of the floor. Normal use in a back and forth motion will prevent any damage from happening. Your floor will dry extremely fast as little water is left behind compared to standard mops. You're ready to go!


How to Clean A Mattress & Kill Dust Mites?


Sleeping on a clean mattress will help you breathe easier and allow you to experience a better night's sleep. Using a steam cleaner is one way of ridding your mattress of dust mites and keeping it clean. A vapor cleaner is recommended as it uses less water and will allow the mattress to dry faster. Simply follow the following steps:

  1. Fill your steamer with water. We always recommend distilled water to prolong the life of your steamer, though tap water is fine.
  2. Plug your steamer in and turn it on. After a few moments it should heat up and when the steamer is ready a light should go on to tell you your machine is ready. While the machine is warming up you can strip the mattress of all bedding sheets and make sure that they are washed in hot water before being put back on.
  3. Attach an attachment to the end of the wand (a floor tool is fine with a new cloth over the top). Simply pull the trigger and start moving in a back and forth motion making sure not to stop in one area to long as you don't want to damage the mattress.
  4. Start from the top and move back and forth till you reach the bottom. Before flipping the mattress make sure to do the four sides of the mattress.
  5. When complete perform the same task on the opposite side of the mattress.
  6. Allow the mattress to dry for a bit before putting back in place and remaking the bed with the newly washed sheets. You're ready to go!

How to Steam Clean Grout?


Steam cleaning the grout of a tiled floor will leave it looking brand new. A professional steamer will clean the grout 10 times better than an individual could scrubbing and it can all be done with no chemicals, just water in a matter of moments. Follow these simple steps:

  1. Fill your steamer with water. We always recommend distilled water to prolong the life of your steamer, though tap water is fine.
  2. Plug your steamer in and turn it on. After a few moments it should heat up and when the steamer is ready a light should go on to tell you your machine is ready. While your machine is heating up you can clear the floor of all furniture and prep it.
  3. Add the detail brush to the end of your wand as this will allow you to clean the grout the best. Detail brushes come in different formats and you'll want to make sure to start by using the least abrasive brush first. The Nylon brush tends to be the softest and the steel tends to be the roughest.
  4. Start in a private area first to assure proper use and the correct brush. Place the tip of the wand over the grout and begin moving back and forth watching the dirt disappear. Once complete you'll want to take a dry cloth or mop over the tile to remove any excess water. A standard kitchen can be complete in less than 30 minutes leaving the grout looking brand new.
  5. As an added touch you can add the floor attachment and steam the tile to complete the overall appearance of the job. You're ready to go!

How to Profit in Your Business Using Steam Cleaning?


If you own a residential or commercial cleaning company, offering steam cleaning as an additional service is a great way of generating additional revenue from your existing customer base. The revenue opportunity is large and the opportunities are many. Residential customers love this service in their homes and the commercial opportunities are endless. You can offer this in nursing homes, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, super markets, offices and apartment buildings. Inside homes this can be used in bedrooms on mattresses, kitchen cabinets, refrigerators, stoves, floors, bathroom sinks, toilets, tubs and much more. You can sanitize any possible area and cut through grease in seconds.


The marketing of this business can be as simple as offering a free demonstration to your existing clients and the results sell the service for you. The revenue potential is as large as you want it to be. The typical charge for offering this service is what the market for the area can bare. Typically the average service charges $.50 per square foot with roughly 120 square feet of cleaning being able to be completed per hour. (That's $60 per hour for a machine that can be run by one person) Most services have a minimum service charge for the smaller jobs. Typically 5 or 6 jobs alone will pay for a great commercial steam cleaner that will produce tremendous future revenue as machines that are well kept last very long. You're ready to go! To View various Steamer Please click here!

Carpet Cleaning Business Income Opportunities

My daddy always told me to reach for the lowest hanging fruit. When looking to grow your revenue for your business marketing additional services that are relevant to your customers needs is definitely the easiest way to grow revenue. If you own a commercial, residential or carpet cleaning company one of the easiest ways to generate additional revenue is through duct cleaning. Duct cleaning is an extremely profitable business, easy business and business with a huge marketplace. The average duct cleaning company will charge anywhere between $400-$1200 depending upon the market and size of home.

Dwellings should consider having their ducts cleaned for many reasons. HVAC systems are typically filled with bacteria and dust that create poor indoor air quality (IAQ). This can add to the amount of dust inside a dwelling. Consumers who have their ducts cleaned are also allowing their HVAC system to perform more efficiently. The cleaner the HVAC system the better the IAQ, more efficient the system, lower their bills and increase in life expectancy of the HVAC system. Frequency will range on how often the ducts of a home need or should be cleaned. Individuals with a lot of pets in a home, smokers, allergies or who have had a recent remolding should consider having their HVAC system cleaned.

The process of cleaning the ducts inside a dwelling is relatively simple. Duct cleaning requires the use of a tool to agitate the ductworks and loosen the dust. After the agitation of the ductwork a vacuum will be needed to remove the dust. Good equipment makes the process easy and a portable device can be used just as efficiently as the expensive truck mount units used by many duct cleaning companies. The equipment itself can typically be paid for in as little as 3 jobs based on the minimum average charge for duct cleaning. The process only takes a little bit to teach ones self.

In conclusion with the public interest in better indoor air quality more customers are open to this additional service. The health benefits and reduction in dust are powerful reasons for consumers to agree to this additional service. Having the relationship with the customer already will make this service offer that much easier. Customers will win with a healthier environment, working with an existing service provider they know and most likely since your out at the site already a little lower cost.
To learn more about duct cleaning and watch a video of the process visit us at click here.

Commercial Portable Carpet Extractors & What to Look For!

The carpet cleaning business continues to expand rapidly across America. Independents and franchisees are growing by large numbers. Carpet cleaning companies are cleaning carpet, tile & grout, boats, automobiles, furniture, drapes, walls, carpet dyeing and much more. Some specialized carpet cleaning companies have even branched out into the lucrative duct cleaning business and water restoration business. Although the residential carpet cleaning business is large, even larger is the commercial opportunity. Although running a commercial driven carpet cleaning business might require more equipment and might not be able to be run out of your home the opportunities are large. Hospitals, office buildings, hotels, warehouse facilities, retail outlets, restaurants, apartment complex common area's, club houses and much more all need this service more than once a year.

It is because of this fast growing business that there are dozens of manufactures of carpet extractors to choose from. Over $100,000,000 in carpet extractors was sold in 2008! With this huge opportunity getting started requires choosing the best machine possible for your budget to begin. It is important to determine how much machine you would like. There are machines that do both carpet and tile & grout, though if you're going to be cleaning mostly cars or lugging this machine up stairs often it may not be a machine you'd want because of its weight. The following is a quick summary of the different features to look for when choosing a portable extractor:
  • PSI - There are extractors that go from 50 psi - 1200 psi. If you plan to do mostly residential homes and upholstery having a machine that does is between 50-250 psi is usually sufficient. Too much pressure and you'll get the common compliant that you're leaving the carpet to wet buy homeowners. When cleaning upholstery typically you'll only be at 50 psi and for most residential carpets you'll be either at 100 or 200 psi. If you plan on doing a lot of tile and grout you'll want high pressure of 1200.
  • Heat vs. No Heat - Hot water does assist in the cleaning process. It will help in breaking down the oil and debris in the carpet. Soil in the fibers typically will extract easily with no heat, though the oil in the fibers of a carpet are more easily extracted with heat. Heat will speed up the process, though with no heat agitating the carpet before will assist or a higher PSI will also assist in extracting without heat. The labor cost if running crews is much lower using heat than using only a cold extractor. Another option is pouring hot water in the extractor and pre-spraying before hand. The downside to heat is you'll be using more electricity and risk tripping the breaker with some machines.
  • Tank Size - The bigger the tank the less stopping to refill when cleaning. If you're going to be doing a lot of automobiles and upholstery a 3-6 gallon should be ok, though if you're doing a lot of rooms you'll want a larger tank.
  • Weight & Size - Remember you'll need to load the machine in a truck or van. Some machines are terribly heavy, while others aren't.
    CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) - This is the air flow which will assist in the drying time for the carpets
  • H20 Lift - This is how much the lift is for pulling back up the water that's been released into the carpet. The more you lift the dryer you'll leave the carpet. A good balance between lift and CFM tends to be better.
  • Look for attachments you'll need. Most portable carpet extractors aren't sold as packages so you'll want to make sure to purchase the vacuum & solution hose, wands, upholstery tool and crevice if needed. Packages are put together occasionally so make sure to check.

In conclusion it is essential to choose the best machine for your budget when starting a cleaning business. The better the machine the greater the saving are in time spent at each job site and quality that your customers will receive. Good Luck and always feel free to visit us online and chat with a personal account manager with further questions. Click here for list of Portable Carpet Extractors.

Starting a Car Detailing Business & Mytee 8070 Carpet Extractor

The auto detailing business is a huge opportunity for individuals looking to start a part-time business or those looking to venture into a full time business opportunity. The start up cost of starting a mobile detailing business is low and relatively simple to teach oneself how to operate. A mobile detailer can manage the cleaning of fleets for company cars, travel to people's homes, office buildings with big parking lots and many other opportunities. Depending on how extensive one plans to get you can charge from $50 - $200 to detail a car. Entrepreneurs who can provide good customer service and a great quality detailing can have tremendous opportunities.

The marketing of beginning an auto detailing business can be done at a very low cost. Simply put together a flier and you can go to office complex parking lots, shopping centers, malls and put fliers on windshields. If you don't have the time to do this yourself you can pay a student to do this for you. Make sure if you're paying someone to do this for you to do it on a commission basis. Have a coupon on the flier for a special and have the person handing out fliers put initials on the coupon. Pay the individual based on the number of calls to assure they're handing out the fliers by asking for the initials on the coupon. Another great way to get your new business out in the community is offer on a Saturday morning to assist at a school fundraiser that's having a car wash. Offer to do the car mats with your extractor for free and you'll get your company out in front of a ton of people who enjoy clean cars.

Choosing the right equipment is essential in detailing and a good carpet extractor can really assist in providing great quality cleans. There are many auto detailing extractors on the market. One of the best and most reasonably priced auto detailing extractors available is the Mytee 8070 Lite. They Mytee 8070 is a 3 gallon heated extractor that comes fully packaged to start cleaning immediately. The 8070 extractor is a compact easy to transport carpet extractor that can do everything that the bigger machines can do. The Mytee Lite has a 1000 watt in-line heater to provide hot water that will assist in breaking down the dirt quickly. The Mytee Extractor has nice large casters to move easily, has 100 PSI Pump to provide enough force to break up dirt, weighs only 40 pounds, comes with a 3" upholstery tool and can fit in the back of most cars.

Good marketing and solid equipment will help you get a great name in your community. The marketing can be started for under $50, machine for under $700 and supplies another $50. As your business grows you can expand into larger detailing machines that are also portable or built right into your truck. These truck mount systems allow for many other opportunities but can cost as much as $5K. To begin your business with little capital and limited risk one can do so for $800. Good luck with your new auto detailing business and always contact our support team if we can be of any assistance.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

How To Clean You Home Fast Like A Professional Cleaner


Having a system in place will help the average homeowner clean their home faster and more efficiently. I've often been asked how is it that cleaners are able to be in and out of their home in less than 2 hours. Customer's state it takes them all day on a Saturday to clean and it doesn't look half as good as the way the cleaners do it? The reality is that a professional house cleaner is in the home to do a job. Cleaners aren't distracted by request from children, the house phone ringing, the dog needing to go out and so on. If you were to be able to put all distractions aside the other reason cleaners are able to still able to move more rapidly with great quality is having the right tools and a system to follow.



Having the right tools to clean can really help in saving time and it doesn't have to cost a lot either. First you should separate the tools needed for wet areas of the home (bathroom & kitchen) and for the dry areas. A good cleaning tote that can hold your chemicals, sponges, brushes and other accessories will help. In this tote keep a few rags to use to shine, dry and buff. In a separate tote keep you dry tools such as vacuum attachments, polish spray, Windex and some microfiber cloths. A bottle with water and vinegar will also be just as efficient as polish and Windex while being better for the environment. In this bucket have a nice wooly for doing corners of walls, fans and high dusting. Lastly having two separate vacuums will really assist in better quality and faster speed. A good canister to vacuum hard surface floors, stairs, furniture and corners will be much more efficient than an upright with tools and easier to carry. You can purchase the Hoover CH30000 for less than hundred dollars and it should last forever. A powerful upright like the Hoover C1404 or Oreck XL2000 will save time in vacuuming carpet as they're strong machines that are light and easy to operate.


Now that you have your tools to clean this is a quick system that should really help in reducing time and keeping your home white glove clean:



  1. Begin with you Lambswool Duster in the top floor of the home and begin going from room to room to dust all corners of walls, behind furniture, fans, high light fixtures. End in the kitchen. Doing this first allows all dust to settle. Very important when using the duster and whenever dusting to work from top to bottom to allow dust to settle. As your high dusting carry a bag to empty all trash cans.

  2. Next grab your wet tote and head off to the bathrooms. The dust has had a chance to settle. Empty everything on the floor and put it outside the door. Vacuum the floor with you small canister vacuum as this will assist when you need to scrub the floor for small hairs.

  3. Begin with the scrubbing the sink first. Then wash the mirror, counters and dry the sink. Important to follow this order as if you do the mirror first and then the sink when you're scrubbing your sink the water will go back on the mirror and you'll waste time redoing the mirror. Use a toothbrush occasionally around corners and faucets to loosen any built up dirt.

  4. Proceed to the shower area. Empty it, wash off ledges for dust to fall to bottom and if you have shower doors get inside the tub to do them first. Proceed then by scrubbing the walls, faucet and basin. Dry and clean outside bottom basin or shower door.

  5. Proceed to all fixtures on the walls to dust and wipe down.

  6. Proceed to the toilet to scrub inside bowl and outside. Again use a toothbrush around corners. Don't forget to dust toilet tissue holder.

  7. Wipe down all doors

  8. Lastly wipe floor from furthest point toward door. Use a scrub brush occasionally to loosen up dirt and for larger floors a good deck brush will speed the process.

  9. Head to next bathroom and powder room following same system. When complete leave the wet tote in the kitchen and head back to bedroom areas with your dry tote.

  10. Begin dusting the rooms moving left to right and top to bottom. Move around each room lifting everything possible to remove all dust. Dust each floor and then take your small canister vacuum to vacuum in areas that the larger vacuum can't reach. Every other month try to wipe all baseboards with a damp cloth and crevice the corners with the vacuum to prevent dust buildup. Take the upright vacuum out to complete the vacuuming for that level of the house. If hard surfaces throughout home, small vacuuming the floor under beds and then mop.

  11. Follow same procedure now in all living areas. Dust first the entire living area again left to right top to bottom. Finish off with vacuuming. Every other month try to vacuum furniture and under cushions.

  12. Head off to the kitchen for completion.

  13. Every other month begin with wiping down kitchen cabinets.

  14. Head to the stove to clean. If the microwave is above the stove wipe it down first so as debris falls it isn't going on a stove already cleaned. If filters under microwave take out every other month to wipe and clean. This helps the fan work better when cooking. Wipe down stove and take off knobs if possible to clean and soak if necessary.

  15. Next wipe all counters down moving everything to get behind that is possible. Clean toaster, spice racks, front of refrigerator (grill also) by wiping down. Also wipe down tables and chairs.

  16. Fill mopping bucket and then clean your sink. Again use a toothbrush periodically to loosen dirt. Dry sink.

  17. Vacuum kitchen floor

  18. Mop the floor from furthest corner to the exit area. Empty bucket in slop sink and clean. Head back to put everything back and you're complete!

Following this system should save a tremendous amount of time and assist in having a clean home all the time. As for following a schedule for when to give extra attention to different areas of the home divide the home into four different cleaning zones:



  1. Living Area

  2. Bathroom Area

  3. Sleeping Area

  4. Kitchen Area

Each clean try to pay extra attention to these area's and you'll notice you're cleaning like a professional at top speeds! Visit at http://www.discountcleaningproducts.com/ or contact us at marketing@123buyit.com or (888) 233-0851

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Moisture Control & Measurement For Better Indoor Air Quality

The control of moisture inside a building or ones home is highly important. Moisture inside a structure can cause serious issues that initially may not be detected. Moisture can cause floors to buckle or crack, can cause mold & mildew, odors and unhealthy respiratory conditions. Dust Mites love warmth and high levels of humidity and they're also one of the top allergens. IAQ (indoor air quality) is highly related to the level of moisture in ones workplace or home and high moisture readings is also the leading cause of dwelling deterioration. There are many steps one can take to control moisture and ways to measure moisture. This article will briefly describe ways to prevent moisture and measure moisture.

Preventing moisture is simply not always an easy process. A small amount of moisture is healthy as not enough moisture can cause dryness in the skin and also cause poor respiratory conditions. Signs of excessive moisture in a dwelling can be pipes sweating, damp spots on ceilings, moisture on basement walls, ice forming on windows, mold & mildew growth on walls and many other things. Moisture is created by:
  • Normal household conditions such as breathing, cooking, bathing, mopping floors and so on. A normal household produces 2-4 gallons of additional water vapor per day in a home from daily activities
  • Temperature being kept to low in a home or building
  • Poor ventilation
  • Poor drainage around your foundation
  • Clogged gutters

The following are some ways to prevent moisture:

  1. Installing exhaust fans throughout ones home or building can significantly assist in lowering moisture levels in ones dwelling. Exhaust fans should be used when cooking and used when taking a shower.
  2. Cloths dryers should be properly vented and always clear the lint from the trap to lower moisture & prevent fires.
  3. Gutters should also be maintained as often as possible to assure proper drainage instead of the water sitting causing more moisture.
  4. Try to close as much air path leakages from indoor to outdoor. Caulk and use sealants around windows, doors and vents.
  5. In the winter if using a humidifier make sure not to close off the room or allow humidity level to get to high.
  6. Crawl spaces should be vented well and checked regularly for moisture as this can be a big cause of moisture inside a home. Check often and insulate well.
  7. Immediately repair leaky pipes
  8. Annual inspections and maintenance of HVAC unit
  9. Balance of temperature indoors compared to outdoors. Drastic changes of warmth inside in the winter with the cold outside and vice versa in the summer can cause moisture issues.

Measuring moisture inside a dwelling can be done a few ways. Typically individuals can live comfortably with 25-50 percent humidity and with the temperature between 66-72 degrees. Again the lower the heat or the higher the humidity can all add to the moisture in a dwelling. Humidity levels above 60% do overtime begin to affect ones health. Many tools are available to measure the humidity from consumer tools costing as little as $25 to commercial products costing thousands. A decent tool like the Hygro-Thermometer Pen can be purchased for under a hundred dollars and this tool will simultaneously measure the temperature and humidity.

In summary it is highly important to address any moisture issue inside a dwelling. Proper steps should be taken to control and detect moisture. Proper control of moisture will significantly control any possibility of mold forming inside a dwelling which eventually destroys whatever it may grow on. Likewise by controlling the humidity level you'll also control moisture levels inside a dwelling and live much more comfortably. For further assistance please contact our service team to answer any questions or make any recommendations on chemicals, products or other steps you can take to achieve better indoor air quality with less moisture.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Best Vacuum for Pet Hair Removal


Pet hair can be one of the most challenging obstacles for a vacuum. Pet owners are consistently challenged with what vacuum will assist in removing pet hair from their carpets and furniture. Frequent vacuuming does assist in the effectiveness of keeping your carpets and upholstery clean. Having a powerful vacuum with the best attachments will ultimately assist in maintaining and the removal of pet hair from carpets. A strong vacuum with good brushes on the vacuums beater bar assist in agitating and grooming the carpet. Worn brushes will definitely worsen the results, thus it's very important to check your beater bars brushes regularly. Consider using a carpet rake prior to vacuuming your rug. Carpet rakes will:
  • Revive crushed matted pile in high traffic areas
  • Raise ground-in dirt to the surface for effective vacuuming
  • Remove embedded pet hair
Overall the Hoover U5491-900, Bissell 3920 and Eureka Boss all scored high for effectiveness in pet hair removal. If you're interested in trying a carpet rake click here to view one and use coupon code CARPETRAKE to receive an additional $2 off.

Cleaning with Microfiber Cloths & The Power of Microfiber Towels


Microfiber cloths clean better as they trap more dirt than traditional towels. Microfiber performs best when damped with water. Microfiber towels lift and trap dust particles, lint, dirt and other residue better than any other towel. Microfiber towels hold up to 7 times their own weight in liquid. Color coding has become very popular with microfiber towels as a way to prevent cross contamination by using only certain colors in different areas. Here are the top 10 Powerful Benefits of Microfiber Cleaning:
  1. Moves more easily across surfaces
  2. Floors & surfaces dry quicker
  3. Hold 7 times their weight in liquid
  4. Hypo-allergenic
  5. Trap dirt more efficiently
  6. Can be washed hundreds of times
  7. Color coded options
  8. Lint Free
  9. Non-Abrasive
  10. When cleaning with chemicals spreads product more smoothly and evenly

Cleaning Microfiber Towels & Washing Instructions


Cleaning with a microfiber towel provides better indoor air quality and last much longer than conventional products. Microfiber cloths clean better as they trap more dirt than traditional towels, though if not cared for properly the cloth is not effective. The following are instructions for washing Microfiber products:


  1. You should only wash and dry microfiber products with other microfiber products. The most common mistake is that people wash other products with their microfiber towels. Cotton products release lint that will ruin the performance of the microfiber cloth.

  2. Use regular detergent when washing and never use Bleach. Bleach contains acids that will also make the microfiber cloth less effective. Temperature at 160 is perfect.

  3. Never use fabric softener when washing microfiber towels. Fabric softener destroys the polyamide material in the microfiber cloth which makes it less effective.
  4. Recommended drying time is 10 minutes at a low to medium heat. Many individuals hang the cloths to dry also.

Proper washing of your Microfiber towel will prolong the life of you cloth to be used hundreds of times with excellent performance.

Monday, March 8, 2010

How to Choose a Residential Carpet cleaning Machine


There are so many different carpet cleaning machines available with so many different price ranges one could pull their hair out. In choosing a residential carpet cleaning machine an individual should consider a couple key factors. First when looking at different carpet cleaning machines one should consider if the unit has separate tanks for the cleaning solution and hot water, as you typically need to refill water more often. Secondly if you have fabric furniture in the home look for a carpet cleaning machine that comes with attachments to do your furniture and your stairs in the home. If your unit comes with attachments you also get the advantage of doing your automobile floor mats. Heat is also a nice feature as it extracts dirt better than cold water. Paying extra for heat on a residential machine though typically isn’t worth the upside as the tank doesn’t hold much water and won’t reheat fast enough for an average individually to get the full advantages. Weight is another factor if you’ll be carrying the machine around and upstairs. Lastly when picking a carpet cleaning machine for your home consider if you have a lot of hard surface in your home a dual floor machine. Dual floor machines give you the advantage of being able to clean hard surface and carpet with one machine. While nothing compares to what a professional extractor can do many residential quality machines can come very close. For further help please call Discount Cleaning Products as our support team is well versed in all the different brands and options.

Best Carpet Cleaning Machines for Your Home


The results are in for the top residential carpet cleaning machines and the top manufacturers were Hoover and Bissell. The top choices were based on thousands of consumer’s feedback and much analytical testing. Overwhelmingly it was agreed that nothing beats the performance of having a professional carpet cleaning company with their powerful machines. The ratings were based on noise, cleaning ability, dryness and weight. Overall not many quality carpet cleaning machines will be found under 20 pounds. The best residential carpet cleaning machine was the Hoover F7452-900 as you can do both hard surface and carpets. Another great feature to consider when purchasing a carpet cleaning machine for your home is the tools it comes with. Having the ability to clean your upholstery will always come in handy.

The following are some of the best residential carpet cleaning machines:

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Best Residential Vacuum & Top Household Consumer Vacuum Choices


The top 2010 residential vacuum choices are in and among the top choice manufacturers were Hoover, Oreck, Panasonic and Eureka. The Hoover Windtunnel Anniversary & Hoover Platinum came in as the best Upright Vacuums based on consumer’s choice. The best upright vacuum for the least amount of money is the Hoover Tempo Widepath U5491-900 running less than $80. Consumers voted the Hoover Windtunnel S3670 the best consumer canister vacuum for performance and price. Consumers voted canister vacuums with tools better performers than Upright Vacuums. As always the Oreck XL lightweight vacuum came in as a top consumer choice for easy to store lightweight vacuums. The top vacuum choices were based on thousands of consumer’s feedback and many analytical test.


Some Top Consumer Voted Upright & Canister Vacuum Choices:


Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Do You Know Who You’re Sleeping With?



Do you ever wake up with watery eyes, stuffiness, runny noses or a headache? These are all signs of dust mites the most common indoor allergen. Dust mites are nasty little flesh eating insects too small to be seen by the eye and it is their feces that are a cause of allergies. Dust mites can be found in every home and are the largest component of household dust with over 50 million Americans suffering from them. Dust mites feed on dead skin flakes and love warmth, thus the average mattress contains 2 million mites within 6 months. One gram of dust contains 2500 dust mites – try vacuuming your mattress with black pantyhose put inside your vacuum wand with rubber band holding it in-place and look at all the powder you extract – all mites!

No one method is the best in reducing mites, though a few methods will significantly reduce them:
  • Wash bedding weekly in very hot water


  • Vacuum your mattress & pillow monthly on all sides


  • Lower humidity inside your home to 50% or less


  • Damp dust vs. dry dusting will reduce airborne particles greatly


  • Vacuum after dusting to allow dust to settle and vacuum furniture

Many products are offered to assist such as air purifiers, UV-C light and anti-allergen chemicals for carpet, bedding and upholstery. Call our support team if we can assist!