Most house cleaning services will not send out a steam cleaning machine with their maids for cost reasons. Both cost of the machine and time it takes to clean a floor. The mops they use like the StarMops we use at Cleaning Enterprises are much faster and actually better at cleaning ground up dirt on tile or wood floors. Also, the steam cleaning machines that are sold on TV are under powered and subject to short life expectancies. Plus they take two to three times as long to clean a given area.
At Cleaning Enterprises we do have commercial steam cleaning machines. Their primary purpose is to clean grout in ceramic tile. We also use them to clean really dirty floors - like those found quite often in foreclosed homes. In this case the dirt is really ground in and needs the power of steam to lift it away from the tile. The steam comes out at 250 degrees and 90 psi. In comparison the TV brand machines are at about 150 degrees and 30-40 psi. Plus the boilers in our machines hold a gallon or more of water and have automatic refill capability - rather than a pint of water.
Office cleaners tend not to use steam in favor of large spinning disk machines. These are ideal for concrete floors and can be used on tile with care. They are less practical for in house applications; again due to cost.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
When I wash the windows there are no streaks but they don't sparkle like my window cleaner's windows. What did he do that I don't.
This is a window cleaner's trick. If he has extra time he probably cleaned the inside of the glass with either 000 or 0000 steel wool. This method removes micro-abrasions in the glass without scratching the glass. In fact if we're cleaning french windows and doors, this is how we clean the inside - because the panels are so small.
This method isn't all that effective for large panes of glass because of the surface area that needs to be cleaned. Also it is more physical work to use steel wool rather than a sqeegee. But it surely does a great job. Also we don't normally use it outside because of the dirt that's on the window. Scrubbing dirt with steel wool could scratch the glass. Cleaning it first the normal way, and then using steel wool is very time consuming. Thus most window cleaners don't do it on the outside.
This method isn't all that effective for large panes of glass because of the surface area that needs to be cleaned. Also it is more physical work to use steel wool rather than a sqeegee. But it surely does a great job. Also we don't normally use it outside because of the dirt that's on the window. Scrubbing dirt with steel wool could scratch the glass. Cleaning it first the normal way, and then using steel wool is very time consuming. Thus most window cleaners don't do it on the outside.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Why doesn't my vacuum cleaner seem to pick up all the dust?
That's a good question and depends on what type of vacuum you have. Here at Cleaning Enterprises we use Sanitaire Commercial vacuums. We tend to them every day because of the number of houses we clean. Each vacuum has it's bag replaced and belt and rollers checked. Any items wound around the roller (hair is a typical culprit) are removed. The belt is checked for fraying and replaced if there are any signs. Finally the vacuum is cleaned both top and bottom to remove any dust. Once every week or so the cord is cleaned so that if it were to rub against a wall or a door it wouldn't leave marks.
However your vacuum may not be like ours. Yours may be a bagless type. Many people think these don't need maintenance like the bag variety. Actually, these can emit more dust than a bag vacuum unless the seals are lubricated and the filters cleaned. What filters you ask - mine doesn't have filters. My answer is a definite yes it does - or throw it out! The vacuum needs to exhaust the air somewhere. Without a filter, all of the dust and dirt in the vacuum chamber that replaces a bag would come out.
Many people don't clean their filters and over time the vacuum loses suction. Eventually wearing out the motor. Look around for filters either at the base of the vacuum chamber or on the sides of the motor housing. Typically the filters are either foam rubber or some other semi-porous material that lets out air but not dust. Clean with soap and water and replace. Ultimately these filters will wear out or wont be able to be cleaned. Your local vacuum store should have replacement filters.
However your vacuum may not be like ours. Yours may be a bagless type. Many people think these don't need maintenance like the bag variety. Actually, these can emit more dust than a bag vacuum unless the seals are lubricated and the filters cleaned. What filters you ask - mine doesn't have filters. My answer is a definite yes it does - or throw it out! The vacuum needs to exhaust the air somewhere. Without a filter, all of the dust and dirt in the vacuum chamber that replaces a bag would come out.
Many people don't clean their filters and over time the vacuum loses suction. Eventually wearing out the motor. Look around for filters either at the base of the vacuum chamber or on the sides of the motor housing. Typically the filters are either foam rubber or some other semi-porous material that lets out air but not dust. Clean with soap and water and replace. Ultimately these filters will wear out or wont be able to be cleaned. Your local vacuum store should have replacement filters.
Friday, November 20, 2009
My grout gets really dirty and is hard to clean. Help!
People that have a cleaning service think their floor tile grout shouldn't get dirty. Wrong! Dirt collects in the grout lines because they are at the lowest spot on the floor. It will be cleaned up the next time your maids clean, as long as the grout seal is still effective. Unfortunately sealing is typically only effective for a couple of years at most. After that the water used to clean the tile will actually push the accumulated dirt into the grout. Over time this builds up and makes the grout look at lot darker than it was originally.
There are several methods that can clean grout. They either cost a lot of money and involve expensive pieces of equipment like high-speed brushes or powerful steamers and a cleaning company. Or there are specialized grout brushes that take elbow grease to remove the dirt.
There is a third way however that involves neither of the above. Oxygen Bleach when used appropriately will clean your grout with a minimum amount of effort and almost as fast as the expensive equipment. What is oxygen bleach and is it safe you might ask? It's not a bleach like chlorine bleach. It's a powdered form of oxygen contained in an inert filler material (soda ash). When the powder comes in contact with water, pure oxygen is released. The oxygen is the cleaner.
OXI-CLEAN, a commercial laundry additive is an example of oxygen bleach although it is relatively under powered for tile as it's only 50% sodium percarbonate (the active oxygen ingredient). For tile you really want a 75% to 90% sodium percarbonate concentrate.
Oxygen bleach can bleach out certain materials although not nearly as bad or as many materials as chlorine bleach. So test out carpeting areas that border the tile to make sure it won't bleach the carpet. A damp mop soaked in the qxygen bleach solution should be laid down on a pre-cleaned tile floor. Leave the solution on the floor for thirty minutes. Add solution to those areas that dry out (meaning the solution has permeated the grout). Mop the floor with clean water when finished and dry the surface with a dry mop.
You should be able to do 500 square feet of tile in an hour and a half. Remember to use booties when you do this and take them off before stepping on anything other than tile as they will have oxygen bleach solution on them.
There are several methods that can clean grout. They either cost a lot of money and involve expensive pieces of equipment like high-speed brushes or powerful steamers and a cleaning company. Or there are specialized grout brushes that take elbow grease to remove the dirt.
There is a third way however that involves neither of the above. Oxygen Bleach when used appropriately will clean your grout with a minimum amount of effort and almost as fast as the expensive equipment. What is oxygen bleach and is it safe you might ask? It's not a bleach like chlorine bleach. It's a powdered form of oxygen contained in an inert filler material (soda ash). When the powder comes in contact with water, pure oxygen is released. The oxygen is the cleaner.
OXI-CLEAN, a commercial laundry additive is an example of oxygen bleach although it is relatively under powered for tile as it's only 50% sodium percarbonate (the active oxygen ingredient). For tile you really want a 75% to 90% sodium percarbonate concentrate.
Oxygen bleach can bleach out certain materials although not nearly as bad or as many materials as chlorine bleach. So test out carpeting areas that border the tile to make sure it won't bleach the carpet. A damp mop soaked in the qxygen bleach solution should be laid down on a pre-cleaned tile floor. Leave the solution on the floor for thirty minutes. Add solution to those areas that dry out (meaning the solution has permeated the grout). Mop the floor with clean water when finished and dry the surface with a dry mop.
You should be able to do 500 square feet of tile in an hour and a half. Remember to use booties when you do this and take them off before stepping on anything other than tile as they will have oxygen bleach solution on them.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
How to clean an LCD Screen
Here's a posting from Corey on the MaidPro Home Office Blog: http://www.maidpro.com/blog
LCD screens have gained popularity over the past few years, but when it comes to cleaning, they are nothing like the glass television screens of yore. LCD screens are much more sensitive than a traditional glass screen, so taking a windex soaked paper towel to it will lead to scratching and clouding. But LCD screens gather dust faster than regular screens, so what's a girl to do?
LCD screens have gained popularity over the past few years, but when it comes to cleaning, they are nothing like the glass television screens of yore. LCD screens are much more sensitive than a traditional glass screen, so taking a windex soaked paper towel to it will lead to scratching and clouding. But LCD screens gather dust faster than regular screens, so what's a girl to do?
Here are the steps you need to take to clean your LCD screens safely and effectively:
- Gently wipe the screen with a dry microfiber cloth (like the ones we use at MaidPro!)
- Use a proper LCD screen cleaning solution. Most solutions on the market are simply a 50/50 solution of isopropyl alcohol and water. If you feel confident, mix it yourself. Otherwise, head to your local office supply store and pick up a spray bottle of the stuff.
- Apply the solution to the cloth (never apply it directly to the surface!)
- Gently wipe down the screen. If you rub or press the cloth, you risk damaging the screen.
The solution should do most of the work for you. If you are having trouble getting any marks out, let the screen dry and repeat the process a few more times. There are special products available for more difficult marks.
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