Vacuum Your Fireplace Safely & Fast!

Fireplaces are phenomenal to use during those chilly days by all, unfortunately no one enjoys cleaning them either. Ashes are such fine particles that they tend to go everywhere when trying to scoop them up into the garbage. The mess is only part of the problem as the coals can typically remain hot for many days adding to the difficulty of cleaning. Most household vacuums can't withstand the heat to vacuum the ashes and there aren't any commercial vacuums either. The Ash vacuum is designed to handle the heat from stoves and fireplaces while cleaning without any ashes flying around the room!

The Loveless Ash Vacuum is one of the safest ways of cleaning stoves and fireplaces. The entire vacuum is made of metal to withstand the highest of temperatures. The fire resistant filter is so fine that no ash will escape back into the room. Cleaning the filter is simple so as to allow the entire cleaning process to be completed without having to stop and clean the filter. The machine is designed to also hold up to 3 gallons of debris safely and securely. The manufacturer did not design the system to vacuum up wood or larger coal as they recommend leaving that to burn later. The unit operates very quietly and comes in several different styles that look appealing when left out. The device has many fire resistant plastic accessories to allow for easier cleaning based on the area size. Loveless designed the Cheetah series and the more expensive Cougar series which is the same though the noise level is much less.

The Loveless units are the safest and easiest way for you to clean your ash contraptions in your home or office. This vacuum is designed with safety in mind and homeowners love it. No homeowner enjoys cleaning, though this vacuum series has definitely made it a much easier task.

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Can A Maid Servce Help You - 5 Steps to Take!

Having your home cleaned by a professional house cleaning services can be the best imaginable experience. A cleaning company checks off that huge to do list around the home to allow you the opportunity to spend more time with your family and do those other things that need to be done. Experienced house cleaning companies allow you to come home from a day out with the family or work to know the home is cleaned the way you expect and more. People today are stressed for time and having a residential cleaning company can really free up a lot of time. To ensure a cleaning company can truly help you these are 5 crucial steps to take.

1. Make sure the cleaning service is someone you can build a relationship with. Larger cleaning services typically allow you the opportunity to discuss individual issues with management verse having to deal directly with the individual if it's an independent service. On the other side if it's a larger service make sure you can have the same cleaners all the time to ensure a relationship. Larger services do have the advantage of having extra staff to avoid having to cancel if someone is sick for the day.
2. Make sure the cleaning service is someone you can trust. If it's an independent make sure they were referred and have insurance. Larger cleaning services should be insured for damage and bonded for dishonesty. All services should provide proof of insurance.
3. Make sure they can clean the home the way you would like. Many services only surface clean which really leaves the other work to you.
4. Make sure the cleaning company is flexible enough to meet your changing schedule and affordable.
5. Most importantly when deciding on a cleaning service make sure you maximize the experience by enjoying your free time. Allow the service to do the work and make sure not to assist.

A maid service cleaning your home is great. If you can trust, build a relationship, get your home cleaned correctly and relax while it's being done then a cleaning service can truly help you. Reliable cleaning services will typically have enough flexibility to offer a cleaning schedule that can meet your needs either of weekly, bi-weekly or monthly cleaning. Life is so short and a professional service can give you back that precious time everyone deserves.

Are you ready for a cleaning company - 5 Questions to ask yourself if your ready for a Maid Service!

People seem to work longer in today's economic environment. Hiring a maid service to assist in keeping your home clean can allow you more time to spend with your family and friends. Coming home from a busy day at work or with your kids to have had someone dust, vacuum, wash floors, clean your kitchen and baths can take away a lot of household stress. Typically most households that are cleaned thoroughly twice a month are sufficient enough and will free up a tremendous amount of time. The average household that cleans their own home efficiently will spend five hours a week or 21 hours a month cleaning their home. The average national bi-weekly cleaning from a professional service cost $90 or $180 a month. By hiring a cleaning service to clean your home every other week at a cost of $6 dollars a day you can gain 21 hours of time to spend with your family or friends a month. Are you ready to reduce your hassles at home and have your home professionally cleaned? Here are 5 questions to ask yourself if you're ready for a professional cleaning service:

1. Are you ok with allowing access to your home if you're not home? To truly gain the ultimate advantage of having your house cleaned by a professional and free up time for yourself you'll need to feel comfortable with having individuals in your home when you're not home. Hiring a national franchise that has a strict hiring process in place and is also insured will assist in making you more comfortable.
2. Are you comfortable hiring a national insured franchise vs. a lower cost independent cleaner? Though it may be tempting to hire the less expensive independent cleaner, if you're not paying taxes on them or their social security tax you're opening yourself up to possible issues in the future. The IRS will fine households who don't pay taxes on independent cleaners. Typically hiring a franchised cleaning company will take the responsibility away from you as they'll pay the taxes and be insured.
3. Are you o.k. if something were to be damaged? Though breakage is not typical if properly trained, accidents do happen. Having a larger franchised cleaning company can help as they tend to be better trained and are also insured for incidents should they happen.
4. Do you feel you're constantly spending your free time cleaning your home? Professional house cleaners are trained to clean in a systematic way that they can clean a home much faster than a homeowner who has household distractions to deal with. A $90 clean typically takes 2 professional cleaners less than 2 hours when cleaning a home uninterrupted.
5. Are you constantly feeling like your home isn't as clean as you'd like? Professional cleaning companies who have a system that is followed typically will keep the house much cleaner than an individual with a busy schedule. Professional cleaners typically have the tools also to clean better and you'll not have to bare the cost of purchasing cleaning products any longer.

In conclusion hiring a cleaning service to clean your home will free up a tremendous amount of time. Your home will consistently be maintained and you should have the time to do much more. A national franchised cleaning company or insured independent company will also make the experience much more enjoyable. If you answered yes to the five questions above you're ready to begin interviewing cleaning companies and enjoying your extra time.

Disinfectant Can Be Non-Toxic - A Few Options!

Many disinfectants used for cleaning are harsh and unhealthy when used repeatedly in your home. Most disinfectants are extremely toxic to be used around children, pets and the elderly. Many individuals with severe kidney issues need to have their homes cleaned well with disinfectants to kill off harmful germs and bacteria to their immune systems, though just as harmful possibly are the chemicals being used to clean. Many disinfectants contain ammonia, alcohol, chlorine and other ingredients that cause skin irritation, eye irritation and bronchial issues. There are a few greener alternatives that individuals can clean with in their home while having the same result of a disinfected sterile home.

Benefect botanical Disinfectant is by far one of the safest of natural alternative disinfectants. Benefect disinfectant is considered so safe that it doesn't require any warning label or first aid comments on its labeling. The EPA has reviewed Benefect as safe and hospitals use Benefect to disinfect regularly. The product comes ready to use immediately and you can just spray the solution on any surface without having to wipe it away. Benefect will kill fungus, germs, TB, HIV, Bacteria, Salmonella and other toxic diseases. A natural plant solution like Benfect is a great option for cleaning safer.

Simple Green is another natural non-toxic alternative option for cleaning. Simple Green is 100% natural, biodegradable and a safe household solution. Simple green has received approval from the EPA for being effective in killing H1N1 Flu and other viruses. Simple green is a great all-purpose non-toxic cleaner for the home, though has not been shown as a disinfectant solution to kill all germs as Benefect will.

In conclusion for individuals looking for a safe way to clean a home both Simple Green and Benefect Botanical are great options. Individuals with severe medical issues looking for a safe effective solution for disinfecting their homes will want to consider Benefect. Benefect is expensive compared to other solutions, though is one of the only true safe ways of killing germs in your house or building. Benefect is a true disinfectant that is EPA approved and safe to use around your family, children, elderly and others.

Top Rated Cleaning Supplies to clean like a Professional

The best cleaning supplies can really assist in making the daunting task of cleaning your home easier. Choosing cleaning supplies can really be a difficult task as there are so many different manufacturers and each manufacturer claiming to have the best products. Purchasing a simple upright vacuum becomes so difficult with all the different choices available. Tools or no tools, bagged or no bag, self propelled or manual and the choices go on when picking a vacuum. At the end of the day all one should care about is if the product works efficiently and does it make the task easier. The following are a list of necessary products to clean a home and a few recommendations of great brands.

• Steam Cleaner: Owning a good steam cleaner can make cleaning all the different area's of the home much easier and cleaner. Individuals who have to continually do floors because of high traffic might consider a good steam mop like either the Haan FS-20 or the Oreck Steam-it. Both are reliable, heat quickly and will clean your floors much better than a mop. Individuals who would like to clean better in bathrooms, kitchens and other areas of the home will want a canister steam cleaner with attachments. The Unilux 3000, Vapor Clean II or Haan MS-30 are all excellent choices.
• Upright Vacuum: Many manufacturers create a lot of bells and whistles to choose from when picking a vacuum. One without tools will typically last you much longer than one with tools. The Oreck XL2000, Sanitaire SC886 or Hoover C1404 are each very dependable, strong and long lasting vacuums.
• Canister Vacuum: A good canister vacuum with tools can help both in and out of the home. You can vacuum hard surfaces, upholstery, baseboards, cars, blinds and so many other area's that an upright can't. The Hoover CH30000 and Oreck BB900DGR are both excellent choices that have amazing suction power.
• High Dusting Tool and Feather Duster: Having a high dusting device will assist in cleaning walls, ceiling, fans, tops of high furniture and all other area's you can't reach without a ladder in a home. Ceiling fans are well known dust collectors and a good dusting tool can help maintain. The Corner Boy Lambswool Duster is a great duster that won't break easily. It can attach to most threaded polls. To dust light fixtures consider the Premium Retractable Ostrich Feather Duster as it is strong and will not fall apart.
• Bucket & Janitor Caddy: A janitor caddy can hold all your chemicals, sponges and rags. The bucket can be used for filling water when necessary.
• Cleaning Chemicals: Vinegar and water can really clean the majority of your home naturally. Those looking for other choices might consider the following brands that carry multi-surface cleaners like Seventh Generation, Green Works or Simple Green. Each of these are environmentally friendly and extremely dependable.
• Cloths, Mop, Sponges & Brushes: Micro-Fiber cloths tend to work the best. For a great mop consider the hard floor cleaning Sh-Mop. This is a great tool for cleaning all types of floors and easy to use.

The above mentioned products will help any homeowner clean like a professional. Each of the tools mentioned are used by cleaning companies throughout the world and will make your job much easier. Cleaning is a tedious process, so make sure to have the best tools possible to make the task easy and less daunting.

Cleaning Glass with No Streaks!

Having streak free windows, mirrors and glass throughout your home is a phenomenal experience. Nothing can be more annoying than seeing fingerprints on sliding glass doors and after cleaning them away being left with streaks! All glass can be cleaned well if done the right way. Learning how to clean glass and using the proper products can help you have fantastic looking glass each time.

The best way to prevent streaks on any glass is to make sure to dry it as quick as possible. The longer your solution sits the higher chance you'll have of leaving streaks. This is also why cleaning in direct sunlight is not suggested as it helps dry glass faster leaving behind streaks. Cleaning in the sun can be your worst culprit for streaks. Likewise using the proper cloth towel to dry can make a very big difference.

Typically cotton wash cloths aren't as efficient as a micro-fiber cloth will be. If you ever watch window washers you'll notice they don't use rags at all. Typically window washers will use special disposable towels, surgical cloths or newspaper which cleans great. Wash cloths unfortunately will streak and spread dirt. Newspaper is fantastic and leaves a really nice shine. Micro-fiber mitts that fit over your hand are extremely beneficial when cleaning glass also and will trap more dirt.

The least expensive solution to use for glass cleaning is soap and water. Simply fill a bottle with water and a few squirts of liquid soap detergent. For additional strength and shine add some rubbing alcohol in the mix. Aerosol glass cleaners also tend to work very well. Aerosol glass cleaners often contain oil cutting detergents that break down the dirt and are streak free. Auto shops use them all the time to clean windows rapidly and professionally. Leave an aerosol can and microfiber mitt near your sliding glass doors, mirrors or in your car for quick streak free cleaning.

In summary streaks can be prevented. There is no magically solution necessary for the perfect appearance. Proper tools and time of day will assist in a streak free home.

How to Start a Cleaning Business!

Owning a successful cleaning company can be very lucrative and a great long term investment. Companies who provide great service and a professional experience for their customers can create a continuous repeating revenue stream. The residential cleaning industry has exploded in growth with more dual income families and the janitorial business has also seen healthy increases. Individuals who run cleaning companies as a business verse a job can experience great financial rewards.


Making you business legal and official are one of the first few important steps to be taken. Customers want to be assured when allowing someone in their home or business that they are properly insured. Most homeowners will demand insurance as will larger corporate accounts. The process for doing this is not difficult and will definitely assist a new cleaning business in distinguishing themselves from a non-professional independent company. Establishing your type of business formation can be done typically with your accountant who can also apply for a federal tax id number for the business. Determine with your accountant if you're going to be a sole proprietor, limited liability partnership or a corporation. Once your business formation is complete you'll need to register your business with your municipality or county. Businesses will also want to register a fictitious business name the company can run under which is unique to your business only. Once this is all completed you can now open a business bank account so customers can make checks payable to your business name.


To finalize the official part of your cleaning company you'll want to make sure to obtain insurance for your business. You will be required to have general liability, workers compensation and insurance possibly for your vehicle. General liability insurance will help protect you personally from losses should your business be found personally liable for damages. Bonding your employees for dishonesty will also assure customers you're committed to protecting them and also that you have run background checks on your employees as the insurance company will require this. Workers compensation is the final requirement that will protect your business if an employee is injured on the job. Typically these insurance premiums are determined based on a percentage of your payroll exposure. The longer you are in business and the more experience you get the lower your percentage amount will become.


Once your business is legally formed and official you'll want to establish a marketing agenda. A company logo, stationary, email address, business phone line, website if possible, estimate sheets, business cards and signs will all be needed. Vista Print is a low cost effective business to get all these tools for a low cost. Establish your target market and location to begin your marketing. Door hangers, flyers for car windshields and brochures with mailing list are very effective forms of advertising targeted homes. This form of advertising allows you to advertise your business to the area's you want to be in. College students can be hired cheaply for this and paid a bonus based on returned phone calls from the marketing. For house cleaning businesses large mansions might seem appealing, though they take longer to clean and you won't get the same return as you would in a nice average household neighborhood. For commercial cleaning business join a local chamber and networking chapter to get your business out in front of others. Typically direct mail or the internet will produce greater returns than a newspaper ad or telephone book.


Now that your marketing has begun you'll want to establish a pricing model that is competitive with the local market. Consider calling around to your local competition to see their pricing f or you to build your own pricing model. Have a few competitors visit some family houses for an estimate to compare how you can price. Listen to their presentation and try to ask a lot of questions to learn as much as possible. Establish how you'll price your homes based on the amount of pay you'll be offering employees, supplies needed to clean the home and taxes that need to be paid. This sum of all those cost should all come in under 60% of the cost to clean the home. The remainder should go towards running the business and profit for the owner. The cost for running a cleaning company will decrease dramatically as your customer base increases over time making it much more profitable.


Calls should start to rapidly come in for estimates. Make sure to purchase ahead of time all necessary cleaning supplies for the particular cleaning business you're looking to start. Typically a good upright vacuum, canister vacuum, mop, rags, sponges, brushes and some good chemicals can get you started all for under $500. Once your first few appointments are set you'll want to make sure to have ads ready to advertise for employees to be hired. Consult an attorney about proper employee paper work and local requirements. Make sure that you have designed a program for your cleaners to follow when cleaning homes. Train them in your home or a friend's house. Develop a system for them to follow that you can advertise to your customers of how you'll clean their home. Train your employees to clean this way and consistently remind them of what you're advertising to meet your customer's expectations. It is highly important in the cleaning business to consistently inspect your employees work to be assured that your quality is what your customers expect.


This was just a quick summary of the basics of starting a successful cleaning business. Cleaning companies are relatively simple businesses to run provided you always advertise for new customers, manage employees well and inspect your customer's homes to make sure they're receiving the best possible performance. Cleaning businesses have great add-on capabilities by offering carpet cleaning, tile & grout cleaning, window cleaning, laundry services and many other opportunities. Start off by mastering one trait first to build your brand as you will have your hands full in the beginning until you hire a manager to assist.


Customer relationships and service are highly important to establish a great image in your community from the start. The cleaning industry has great opportunities in both the residential or commercial side. Franchises and business opportunities are available for those looking for greater assistance, though many structured independents have extremely successful practices. In conclusion starting a cleaning business can be extremely rewarding and simple with a well structured plan. Visit us online for low cost cleaning supplies or office supplies!

Green Cleaning For Residential, Commercial and Janitorial Cleaning Businesses and Why You Need To Start

Cleaning professionals need to strongly implement some type of "Green" effort in their business for many reasons. Obviously its highly important for the sustainability of mother earth, though that aside your business needs to begin or increase your shift towards green cleaning. Over 50% of businesses and over 60% of homeowners in the U.S. make purchases based on whether the product or service is "green". Other studies have shown that over 70% of consumers are demanding better environmental practices from the individuals they spend their money with. Commercial cleaning companies, janitorial companies, maid services and residential cleaning services need to adapt to these demands in order to maintain and increase future revenues.

Green cleaning has become a bigger movement over the last 5 years. Green cleaning involves the products you use and the daily steps your business takes. The chemicals you use to the vacuums you use, machines you use, rags you use and even the way you wash the rags you use after cleaning. Currently there are no universal standard for "Green Cleaning". There are over 100 organizations that certify companies as green or have set some type of standards to follow. Green Seal Inc, CIR, EPA, IEHA and many others have set some type of policies for companies to follow or certifications they'll award to cleaning professionals. With no universally accepted policies your business needs to set your own policies that you'll follow and begin advertising this to stay ahead of the curve.

There should be no reason today why cleaning professionals shouldn't want to implement some type of "Green" policies. In the past the cost were much higher, though today the cost have been reduced significantly to virtually the same as non-green products. The quality of the products has also increased tremendously. In the past cleaning professionals were reluctant because the quality wasn't as good. Today many "Green" chemicals are just as powerful and effective as non-green products. Cleaning companies need to realize that if the quality is just as good and that the cost are now the same that the only risk is not setting some type of green policy since consumers are demanding it.

Here are some quick steps to take so you can begin advertising your business as Green.

• Chemical purchases should have one of the many types of seals as Green Certified
• Vacuums and other machines should be CRI certified for better IAQ (indoor air quality). Consider using Steam Cleaners as the clean is more effective and its natural cleaning.
• Office daily procedures can become more "Green". Using recycled products when possible, using friendlier laundry detergents, using mugs instead of Styrofoam cups, using energy saving light bulbs
• Janitorial companies can begin using more environmentally friendly papers, soaps and other products they use in buildings

Implementing just a few of these steps can assist you in beginning the move towards a Green business. As consumers are overwhelmingly demanding greener efforts when making a purchasing decision it is highly important you transform your cleaning business so you can begin advertising yourself as Green. The cost is the same and the quality is just as effective. The only cost of not "Greening" your company is the downside possibilities, so get started today!