How the Coronavirus Spreads

The disease is most commonly spread person-to-person. So you can take preventative measures to protect yourself from the virus by washing your hands frequently, avoiding touching your eyes, mouth, and nose, and putting distance between yourself and other people. These are the most crucial measures to take in order to stop the virus’ spread. You can most easily protect yourself from exposure by staying home. 

However, the World Health Organization says contamination on surfaces is one of the main ways that COVID-19 spreads, so it is also important to clean and disinfect your home as another method of prevention. This is something we all can do to take action against the pandemic. 

How to Sanitize Your Home

Here are a few ways to clean and sanitize your home that will not only keep the virus at bay but also give you more peace of mind — something we all could use a little more of right now. 

1. Clean and Disinfect All Surfaces

This is particularly important for frequently touched surfaces and common spaces. Think tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, remotes, etc. These highly-touched surfaces should be cleaned daily with soap and water and then disinfected. 

Soap and water is an effective method for cleaning all surfaces, but you also need to disinfect. You can use household cleaners such as diluted bleach or disinfectants, sprays, or sanitizing wipes. Keep in mind that alcohol solutions and sanitizers must contain at least 70% alcohol to be effective against the virus. 

You can reference this helpful list to learn which products you should be using. The list outlines household products that meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s criteria for effective use against the Coronavirus. 

2. Deep Clean High-Trafficked Areas 

The kitchen and bathroom are high-trafficked areas of your home and deserve special attention at a time like this. In a recent study, researchers learned that the virus could survive on plastic and stainless steel for up to 72 hours after exposure. As we know, the kitchen is full of stainless steel and plastic surfaces, from appliances to Tupperware. So, it is important to deep clean this area in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep you and your family safe. 

There are a few areas you should pay special attention to and clean as often as possible, if not daily:

In The Kitchen

• Countertops
• Appliance handles
• Cabinet and drawer pulls
• Trash cans
• Sink and faucets
• Tables and chairs
• Dish towels. You should wash these frequently after minimal use.
• Dishes and Silverware. These can be effectively sanitized in the dishwasher if you have a dishwasher that reaches 150 degrees Fahrenheit, as recommended by The Public Health and Safety Organization.

In The Bathroom 

• Faucets and handles
• Shower and bathtub
• Toilet
• Trash Cans
• Countertops
• Cabinet and drawer pulls
• Doorknobs
• Towel Rack

For a deep clean, consider using a professional-grade steamer in your kitchen and bathroom. It can be used on a number of surfaces such as tile, walls, and glass and will provide not only heavy sanitation but also remove the build-up of grease or mildew. 

A steamer is both a great versatile tool for deep cleaning anything in your home and is also effective at killing viruses such as COVID-19. The virus cannot survive extremely high temperatures, which steamers far exceed. Plus, steam cleaning is extremely efficient, which is beneficial as you try to cover all the ground in your home as quickly as possible. 

3. Don’t Forget About Furnishings

Don’t overlook cleaning areas you might not expect to carry the virus, such as fabrics and soft surfaces. Items such as lightweight curtains, pillowcases, clothing, towels, and blankets can be cleaned in the laundry. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using the warmest water possible when washing and drying items to fully disinfect them. Put the items on a “hot” drying cycle for the most effective results. 

For heavier furnishings that can’t be laundered or treated with regular cleaning products, turn to a steam cleaner. Steam cleaning is an effective method for disinfecting items such as rugs, couches, and mattresses. It will not only kill germs potentially from COVID-19, but also lift dust, dirt, and mites for a complete and thorough clean.  

Furnishings Cleaning Checklist:

• Blankets, Sheets, and bedding
• Tablecloths and runners
• Curtains
• Carpets and rugs
• Pillows
• Towels. Wash these frequently, after each use.
• Clothes

If you or anyone you know has come into contact with someone affected, you may want to enlist the help of a professional. Protect your home against the Coronavirus by calling on SteamCo’s professional services, including our new disinfectant fogging service, to steam clean the at-risk areas of your environment. These simple steps will help you stop the spread of COVID-19 at home. In addition to keeping you safe and healthy, they will keep your home spick-and-span in the midst of quarantine and hopefully give you a bit more peace of mind. 

For more information on COVID-19 and protecting yourself against the virus, visit the CDC. 

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Due to the amount of use that most carpets get, they are often the prime target for many types of bacteria, germs, and allergens. Many times, tenants may rent a new apartment or owners will buy a new house without knowing exactly how clean the carpets are. Sometimes new carpets are not an option based on budget or type of dwelling. Since many apartment high-rises require a certain percentage of carpeting, tenants must keep the existing carpeting from the previous tenants. It is hard to know exactly what might be in the carpet, especially if there are apparent stains.

The following are the most common culprits to creating stains on your carpet:

1. Dirt and Dust

Dirt and dust are the leading cause of stains and wear on a carpet. They are bound to collect on your carpet, no matter how great of a cleaner you are. They are tracked into the house every time you enter or through open doors and windows. Dust accumulates from human and pet hair, mildew spores, dust mites, soil, and other sources. And it never really goes away—wipe it away one day and it will be back within a week.

2. Dander

Pets and people alike shed skin all day long. Small insects such as mites, ticks, and fleas love to hide in carpet and feed on the skin or dander. Regular vacuuming can help reduce the amount of dander in a carpet, but carpet cleaning services will do a more thorough job of getting rid of them and can help to reduce allergies.

3. Mildew and Mold

Carpets are susceptible to holding mildew and mold, particularly after flood damage, when the carpet was moist. Mildew and mold might not always be visible, so if a carpet did get wet for any reason, it is important to dry the carpet thoroughly. It should also be cleaned to get rid of any mildew or mold residue so it does not permanently stain and damage the carpet.

4. Food

We have all spilled food or drinks before. Unfortunately, when it happens on the carpet, it becomes a problem. Depending on the food or drink, the spill can cause a major stain. And, if it is not properly treated afterward, it may cause the carpet to be damaged and emit odors.

Regular vacuuming and removing shoes in the house will help to prolong the life of the carpet and of course, keep it cleaner. However, professional carpet cleaning is the only way to ensure that a carpet is thoroughly rid of dirt, dander, mildew, and food stains. Contact the carpet experts at SteamCo Carpet Cleaning today and make your carpets look brand new!

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1. Carpet Cleaning

Carpet cleaning is necessary when filth, whether it be from food or from a pet, builds up. Filth can result in stains that are visually unappealing to anyone in the house. One would definitely want to get rid of these before visitors come over. SteamCo’s technicians use Professional Truck Mounted Steam Cleaning. This technique involves a water-based strategy that loosens up the tough stains in the carpeting. With this unique tactic, you know that you are in good hands with SteamCo compared to other companies.

2. Flood Damage

Sometimes, water ends up overflowing in the house, causing unwanted damages. In addition to carpet cleaning, SteamCo also deals with flood damage. This additional service alone makes the company stand out, as other carpet cleaning companies may lack this service. It can be comforting to know that SteamCo is an all-in-one deal. Water can cause erosion of your floor and furniture. The technicians would use fans to dry out the material, freeing it of any vapor. Calling SteamCo for flood damage services right away can save you from having to pay high costs of further damages. 

3. Upholstery Cleaning

While it might be more common for stains to end up on the floor, it is also possible for them to make their way onto the upholstery, or fabrics of various furniture. Luckily, SteamCo can handle upholstery cleaning as well. Whether it be chairs, couches, or sofas, SteamCo’s skilled workers would be able to clean the furniture, no matter how dark the stains or blotches are. A deep cleaning would be followed by deodorization via the use of spray protector to form a barrier around the fibers, effectively keeping dirt and dust from piling up.

4. Tile & Grout Cleaning

Due to everyday activities, tiles and grout can build up dirt, grease, and grime. This is especially true of floors that have high foot traffic. This can accumulate and create an unappealing appearance. While there are home remedies for this, it would be more effective and convenient for you to have SteamCo do a deep cleaning. Since they are knowledgeable about dealing with tile and grout, SteamCo’s professionals would be able to take care of things for you.

More Services, More Quality

SteamCo has trained people to take care of the aforementioned services in a professional manner. Since they are available to take care of all of these services, that makes them the best choice for cleaning all the different types of messes around your house. If there is ever some sort of mishap in your home that leads to unwanted messes like the ones mentioned above, you should contact SteamCo and so that they may restore your home to the quality that you deserve.

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Supplies

For a homemade carpet cleaning solution, you will need to start with an empty spray bottle (even a small one will do the trick) to fill with the mixture. While solutions like rubbing alcohol or shampoo can be used to remove stains, a stronger solution would be a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. The combination of baking soda and white vinegar, or the combination of a base and an acid, creates carbon dioxide that helps make the cleaning process substantially easier. In addition, you will need a dishwashing liquid, some warm water, an absorbent towel, a vacuum cleaner, and a sponge. Make sure that your sponge is clean before you start. For accurate measurements, you may need a measuring cup and a tablespoon.

Measurements for the Mixture

While stain sizes vary, it will be safer and provide more consistent results to use the same measurements for each batch of the cleaning solution you make. Work over your sink for safety. For white vinegar, you will need one tablespoon. For the dishwashing liquid, on the other hand, you will need one teaspoon. Once you have mixed these two ingredients into the bottle, pour in a cup of warm water. Staying ready to close the top back onto the bottle, put one teaspoon of baking soda into it and then close it very quickly as it bubbles up on the inside.

Cleaning

Before using the spray, run a vacuum cleaner over the stained area. After this, use the abrasive side of the sponge to rub gently against the stained area. Now you are ready to spray the mixture onto the spot on the carpet. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t use too much all at once. Use the towel to wipe and dab softly. Right away, you should be able to notice a difference in how the area looks. So just keep on dabbing until the stain goes away. Once it is gone, your carpet will look presentable once again to residents or visitors. After this experience, you can confidently take care of other future carpet stains.

Consider DIY Carpet Cleaning

DIY carpet cleaning can save you lots of time and money in the long run. However, if you find DIY carpet cleaning difficult, or are too busy to experiment with homemade cleaning solutions, then the best carpet cleaner is from a qualified company such as SteamCo. SteamCo lets you know upfront how much the damage would cost, and relieves you of extra stress. No matter the size or severity of the stain, SteamCo is there to help you figure out which treatment is best for your carpet.

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1.Mattress

Mattresses are often heavily neglected when it comes to cleaning. Research suggests that used mattresses can have anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million dust mites inside because mites feed off of dead skin cells, which mattresses are chock-full of.  

Steam cleaning is a great option for eradicating those pesky dust mites, getting out old stains and deodorizing your mattress. Just be sure to let your mattress dry fully before putting your sheets and blankets back on the bed. 

2. Shower 

The shower is a goldmine for mold and mildew, which can be tough to remove with standard cleaning products. Running a heavy-duty steamer over the surfaces of your shower can help remove and prevent mold and mildew from building up on your shower curtain or shower door without the use of harsh chemicals like bleach. 

3. Walls 

Many people do not include their walls in their cleaning routines; however, walls need to be cleaned regularly. Walls can accumulate dust, dirt, germs, and stains over time. Steam cleaning walls is a quick and easy way to remove these impurities and give your home a fresh and clean look. 

4. Kitchen 

A steamer can clean just about anything in your kitchen. Steam cleaning can help clean up greasy buildup around your stove, oven, microwave and other appliances. It can also loosen up dirt and grime in the grout on your backsplash and counters. Using a steamer in your kitchen is great for not only a pristine look but also for some heavy sanitation so you can cook in a spic and span environment. 

5. Mirrors 

Tired of streaky mirrors that you can barely see-through? Applying steam to the glass surfaces on your mirrors is the perfect way to get a streak-free shine. Whether in your bathroom, bedroom, or anywhere else in your home, a steamer can give you a crystal clear reflection. 

Steam cleaning is one of the fastest and easiest ways to clean and sanitize your home. While many think steamers are reserved strictly for carpets, steam can be used virtually anywhere in your house including the aforementioned areas. 

If you’re interested in learning more about our professional carpet cleaning services or other professional cleaning services, request a free quote online today. 

The post 5 Areas in Your Home You Wouldn’t Guess a Steamer Can Clean appeared first on Steamco.

Type of Carpet

One of the first questions you will have to ask when it comes to determining how often you should get your carpets cleaned is the type of carpet your home has. Maybe there’s just one or maybe you have a combination of carpet materials based on their individual design features and functionality. 

One popular option is nylon, due to its stain-resistant and durable construction. Nylon is the preferred carpet material for homes with children, pets, or heavy traffic in transitional areas like hallways and stairs. Polyester is a step down in durability, but a step up in luxury, closely followed by olefin, which is ideal for facilitating a denser feeling underfoot. The last carpet material is wool, which is known for its thicker, natural texture and long-lasting quality. 

Professional Carpet Cleaning Service 

The level of traffic your carpet experiences will play an important role in determining how often it needs to be cleaned, but the industry standard is to schedule a professional steaming service at least once a year. An incredible amount of dirt, dust, and other undesirable elements can get trapped in the fibers over the course of an entire year, causing the fibers to split and deteriorate. 

To clean your carpet, a professional will inspect and pre-vacuum it, then extract, rinse, and neutralize the carpet at high temperatures. After this process is complete, it will be spot-checked, coated in a protectant, and examined again during the post-inspection. 

Home Health Benefits 

It’s true that vacuuming isn’t enough to clean your floors. Along with eradicating trapped pollutants, a professional carpet cleaning service can get rid of dust mite infestations and help prevent mold growth. If you have small children or pets, it is especially important to schedule regular cleaning services to ensure that their play environment is as safe and healthy as possible. 

Extend Carpet Life

Carpets are designed to withstand a certain level of traffic, dust, and stains, but when neglected, the fibers will deteriorate faster than their intended lifespan. Anyone who has ever built a home or redone a room knows that the cost of a carpet can quickly skyrocket, so it’s important to protect your investment by regularly maintaining your carpet’s health. Not only will a yearly cleaning service help ensure the functionality of your carpet, but it can also make your space look brand new again.

At SteamCo, we understand that your carpet is an essential element of your house. Contact us today as we offer a variety of professional carpet cleaning services to help make your home as clean, comfortable, and healthy as possible. 

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Carpet

The most obvious use for a professional steam clean is carpet cleaning. The steam gets down into the fibers and lifts dirt that even the most powerful vacuum leaves behind. It also gives new life to worn carpets and makes them look like you just got them. When choosing to get your carpet steam cleaned, it’s important to move as much of the furniture out of the room as possible so you can get those hard to reach areas. Carpet holds in germs and allergens, which can make allergy sufferers miserable. Steam cleaning helps reduce this problem so you can breathe freely again. 

Upholstery

Dirt and allergens get into the upholstery of your furniture as well, and a steam cleaner can do wonders for a couch and chairs. A professional steamer will know how to clean all types of fabrics, from wool to polyester and avoid damage to the material. With their special equipment, they can also get down into crevices and other areas in your furniture that are difficult to reach. This method of upholstery cleaning is ideal for fabrics that are sensitive to water and heat like vinyl, suede, velvet, and leather. The cleaner can adjust the temperature controls based on the type of material being cleaned. 

Curtains

If you have heavy drapes, it can be a monumental task to take them down for cleaning. A professional steam cleaner can make your drapery look fabulous without you taking on all that extra work. Steam cleaning is also gentler on the fabric than putting them in a washing machine. Even lightweight curtains are easier to clean with a steamer and the results look fabulous. 

Linens

You might not think of linens when you consider steam cleaning, but it does wonders on tablecloths and other linen products. The steam not only cleans the material, but it removes wrinkles so the linens look like new. Some tablecloths and other linen items are too heavy and cumbersome to clean in a washing machine, which is why steam cleaning is the best option in these cases. 

Steam works wonders on many items in your home, and it can be more effective than other methods of cleaning. It not only removes dirt and grime, but it can get rid of stains without causing damage. It also sanitizes the space because it kills germs and bacteria. Steam cleaning will remove pesky odors and professional steamers can get in small spaces to ensure an item is completely clean.

While you can do the job of steam cleaning by yourself, it’s not always the best idea. A professional steamer will know what temperature settings to use and other factors for properly cleaning all kinds of material. They know how to remove stains and not damage the carpet, upholstery or whichever item needs the clean. The next time you’re thinking about giving your space a deep clean, consider getting a professional steam cleaning for a fresh clean you will appreciate it. 

The post 4 Things in Your Home That can be Cleaned by a Professional Steamer appeared first on Steamco.

Be Safe

The most important thing is to be safe when you’re dealing with a flooded home. Turn off the power to the house or the area that has been flooded. Just make sure you don’t have to get in the water to reach the power. If the electrical box is in an area of the house where there’s flooding, contact an electrician. 

Look for any damage to the structure or cracks before you enter the house. You could get hurt from pieces of ceiling or walls that fall away. 

Before you enter the house, protect yourself from health hazards. Standing water is often breeding ground for diseases. Wear waterproof clothing, boots, and rubber gloves. 

Take Photos and Call a Professional

You’ll need to take pictures of the damage to show your flood restoration provider. Don’t move anything around unless it’s absolutely necessary for your protection or to prevent further damage. Depending on the reason behind the flooding, your insurance carrier may pay for repairs, and your restoration team will assist with that. For right now, your focus should be on making your home safe and reducing the damage. Take pictures and save them for when you contact your provider.

Get the Water Out

Once you’ve contacted your insurance provider and gotten their approval, you’ll want to get the water out of your home. If there is a lot of water, you’ll need a sump pump to remove it. If the water is just in the carpeting and other materials, you can use a wet vac. 

Once the standing water is gone, you’ll want to start drying everything out as quickly as possible to prevent the growth of mold. You have a short timeframe to save your furniture and personal belongings. It takes about 48 hours for mold to start developing, so make sure to dry what you want to keep as quickly as possible. 

Once it’s safe to turn the electricity back on, you can use fans to dry out the area. This is especially helpful for walls and flooring that you cannot remove to get dry. 

Hire a Professional for Flood Restoration

You should find a professional company for flood damage restoration. They will work with you to remove everything, clean what can be saved, and remove what must be thrown away. Having a lot of experience, these experts know how to restore your home to its former glory in a way that you can’t DIY.

From carpet cleaning to mold removal, a flood restoration company will help make this challenging task easier and safer for you and your family. If you’ve sustained home flood damage, take care of the issue as quickly as possible to limit the amount of damage and to have a safe and dry home for you and your family once again. 

The post What You Should Do Immediately After You Find Your House Flooded appeared first on Steamco.

Hand Shampoo

You will need a shampoo that is designed for the specific kind of material of your sofa and chairs. Dip a sponge in a bucket of warm water that has been mixed with the appropriate shampoo. Then, wipe down the furniture, moving the sponge in a circular motion. Be careful not to rub too hard or you could damage the fabric. Also, it’s important to not soak the upholstery by making sure the sponge is only damp. This option is best for spot removal. 

Steam Cleaning

It’s possible to clean upholstery just like you would carpet. You can rent a steam cleaner if you don’t have one and use the attachments to clean the upholstery. The steam from the machine will get deep down in the fabric and remove tough stains. After the cleaning, you will go back over the furniture to remove excess water, which will help it to dry faster.

Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning upholstery works similar to hand washing except the solvent doesn’t require water. This makes it ideal for use on delicate fabric or material that may be damaged by water. Instead of putting your sponge in water, you will put solvent on it. Just like with hand shampooing, you will work in a circular motion. Make sure not to over-saturate the fabric. Have plenty of ventilation for the area and keep the solvent away from any open flames, as they are generally flammable. 

Hire a Professional for Upholstery Cleaning

Have a professional upholstery cleaning service clean your upholstery. They will know what cleaning solutions and methods to use to make your furniture look new. This is the best option if you have chairs that are made of delicate fabric. It’s also best to hire a pro if you are restoring an old piece of furniture or an antique. You may not know the best cleaning solutions and methods to use to preserve the piece and the wrong option might ruin or devalue the furniture. 

For any piece of upholstery, you attempt to clean on your own, test a small area first. You might want to try the underside of a cushion or the back of the chair or sofa. Before you try to clean your upholstery, make sure you know what material it’s made of. Suede and leather will use a different cleaning method than polyester or wool. Don’t forget you must consider the padding and other parts of the furniture, which can also be damaged by the wrong cleaning methods.

Protect your upholstery and make it look like new again with the right cleaning method. Hire a professional cleaning company if you want the best results for your furniture.

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Step 1 – Find the Appropriate Cleaner

The first thing you must do in DIY grout cleaning is buy or make a cleaner for your grout. You can use commercially-prepared grout cleaners, but some of them contain harsh chemicals that will erode the grout with repeated use. Another option is to make your own grout cleaner with equal parts vinegar and water. If you have major stains in your grout, you may want to create a stronger cleaner with two parts baking soda to one part water. This mix will help lift stubborn stains.

Step 2 – Apply it to the Grout

Once you have your grout cleaner, you will spray it into the grout. Let it stand for a few minutes (or overnight for stubborn stains). You’ll need to spray enough to saturate the area without having standing water on the floor or pooling on the floor from the wall.  

If you buy a commercial cleaner, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to apply. Take the time to read the instructions to ensure the best results.

Step 3 – Scrub-a-Dub-Dub

This step is the most time-consuming and there are no shortcuts to it. You will need a soft brush to complete this task by hand. An old toothbrush will work well because it can fit in the small spaces of the grout. An electric toothbrush is even better because it has more scrubbing power. Just make sure you don’t use metal as it can damage the grout or scratch the tile.

You will need to scrub the grout by hand using the brush in a circular motion. Work in a small area and move to the next space. Once you have cleaned all the grout, you will need to rinse the space you’ve cleaned.

Step 4 – Seal the Grout

Let the grout dry for about 24 hours before you complete the next step. If it’s in a damp area, such as a bathroom, you may want to use a fan to help dry it. After it’s dry, apply a grout sealer to help prevent stains in the future.

You will need to re-apply the grout sealer at least every two years and more often in high-traffic areas. As you can see, cleaning grout is a time-consuming and labor-intensive project, but it’s necessary to keep your tile looking good and to extend its life. If this sounds like more work than you want to do, call in a professional tile cleaning company for tile and grout cleaning. They can have your grout cleaned quickly and efficiently so you can get back to loving your home.

If you need your grout cleaned professionally for a reasonable price, contact SteamCo Cleaning and Restoration.

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