There are a number of things that must be thought out and prepared in order to run a house cleaning business in a correct and productive way. This is not a time to do things in an unorganized way. The advice items that will be explored and used to make this all happen in a professional way can be listed as:

1. Decide what services you are willing to provide. Without a basic plan detailing, exactly, what you are willing to do in exchange for their business, you will cause an ever expanding list of things that will drain you of time and resources. This will also make for injured feelings, on their part, when something can not be added on at the end of a fairly long shift for you.

When you go to an auto repair shop, they have a list of their services; many of them will not do anything that is not on their list. You want to be in a position of stating what you will do and, firmly, remind them of things you will not be doing.

2. Decide on the prices you will be charging for each service. This is a fundamental part of everything you do as a professional. When you go into a coffer shop, the prices are listed on a menu board. They had decided what their product is worth before they opened their business. You need to do the same. Do not undervalue your service to them. You are providing something they do not have the time, energy and/or inclination to do. If you do not value your time, they will not.

These prices can be based on actual time spent, that is; time that it takes you to complete this in your home. This can be based on a particular hourly rate. This can also be based on a factor of the prices that are charged by some of the other house cleaning companies in your area.

3. Standardize your equipment and supplies. This is not necessarily significant if you are the only worker, however, when you begin to have additional associates working for you, it will be beneficial. The reason behind this is the savings this will represent when repairs need to be made.

A standard vacuum cleaner, for example, will allow you to purchase the same bags and belts. That standard vacuum should be a bagged unit. This bag represents an additional filter. The worst thing that can be done is to vacuum your client’s house and have the vacuum spit the dust back out into the area. There are many bag-less versions, available, and they should be looked at, however, the best unit for house cleaning is still the one that has a bag in it.

One of the reasons for this is a matter of physics. You will be transporting this vacuum in your vehicle. This may be a trunk or the back of a van. The moving around can damage the machine and the fine seals that are present in many of the bag-less machines can get out of line. The bag stands to help prevent this from becoming an issue.

Using the same chemicals will bring predictability to all of your cleaning activities. You will have less dangerous side effects than if you change them all of the time. This will also allow for the bulk purchasing of these important elements for cost savings.

4. Customer Service is the largest issue in which you will be dealing. What you do and the way you do it will be of the utmost importance. Homeowners have invited you into their homes to perform certain tasks. They have not given you the run of the house to do things that make them uncomfortable. A brief conversation with them about how things can be done will give them license to explain things about which they want you to be careful. This is something you will make sure to confirm with them.

5. Establish the way you will move around in each and every room. In order to make the most efficient use of your time, you will need to deal with everything you are supposed to, only one time. The appropriate way to clean most areas is to start at the top and work down.

Dusting is usually the first thing accomplished. This is to eliminate the resettling of this troublesome material on the cleaned surfaces beneath them after they are cleaned. As you work your way down, the dirtier areas present themselves.

6. Design your cleaning tasks based on the basic cleaning principles that have governed cleaning for the last hundred plus years. These principles have never failed those who follow them. These principles are:

Application of chemical. Whether the chemical is a packaged product or just ordinary water, it must be applied to the entire, dirty, surface. This is to help move the soils, mechanically, off of the surface and suspend them in a solution that can be removed.

Dwell time. Many people forget about this important part of the process. Many soils need this extra few seconds for the cleaning agent to work on lifting them off the surface. Working smarter, not harder, will help you see the importance of this.

Agitation as needed. Some stuck on material may need agitation in order to break them free of the surface. This can be done with any cleanable cloth.

Removal of soils. This is the actual removing of the solution that contains the soils, or material being cleaned, off of the surface. This can be accomplished with a clean cloth.

7.The act of sanitizing, such as what would be done in kitchen areas and bathrooms are conducted after they have been thoroughly cleaned. There are a lot of products that will claim they will clean and sanitize all in one step. Be wary of them. In order for a sanitizer to work, it must come into contact with the surface. If the solution of cleaning agent/sanitizer/dirt is on the surface, at the same time, there is no real sanitizing being done.

A basic list of equipment and supplies: (All should be in clean and serviceable condition)

Vacuum cleaner. Again, it is recommended that it be a bagged model. It should have a hose for reaching behind and under things. It should be easy to use and sturdy enough to transport without a lot of damage.

Mop. This should be a model that will allow the removal of the head and laundered. One of the flat-mops that have been popular for some years, in the commercial cleaning field, can be used as a sign of your professionalism.

Mop bucket. This should be as small as practical and still be able to cover the mop head with solution.

Several cleaning cloths. Micro fibers are neat to have, and the price has been coming down for quite some time on these professional items.

Toilet Bowl brush. This should be contained in a caddy so that it does not touch other things in your kit. A piece of Scotch bright can be used, as well.

A strong toilet bowl and hard surface cleaner in a spray bottle. A soft abrasive, such as Comet, for some of the harder to remove material, would be appropriate. A scotch bright can be used for various things as well, yet, not the same one used in the bathroom.

This short list can be supplemented with other small hand tools as you find the need. Some of those additional items will run the gambit from putty knives of various sizes, through paint brushes for detailed dusting and into vapor steam cleaning equipment. The tools needed, as are the tasks themselves, can be limitless.

Creating a house cleaning business can be hugely rewarding. You are helping people keep their spaces clean and making money while doing so. This is growth industry, even in this economy, as there are more and more people being away from their homes for longer periods of time. The satisfaction and fulfillment you can find performing this basic service will help pay the bills with a little more left over at the end of the month.

by Steve Hunter, Owner of Alexandria Carpet Cleaning, a family run service serving Northern Virginia since 1988.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

Spring cleaning is an exercise to get rid of the old and make space for the new. For an environmentally friendly spring clean, go through all your stuff and throw out the things that are too old, or simply too broken to be used. Next, give away everything that is new or unused to charity shops. Lastly, set up a system to sort your trash for recycling.

Zap with ultraviolet rays

A new, novel way of getting rid of viruses, bacteria and mites, an ultraviolet (UV) sterilizing wand kills microbes without the use of toxins. You can use one on surfaces such as your couch, mattress, kitchen counter and bathroom surfaces, or even to sterilize children’s toys.

Use natural cleaners

Lemon juice is acidic in nature, and can be used for tough stains on almost any surface such as tile or vinyl. Vinegar and baking soda together make the perfect pair for fighting grease and grime. Sprinkle baking soda onto surfaces, dilute white vinegar with double the amount of water, then spray this solution onto the baking soda. Leave for an hour then wipe clean.

For wood polish, use a homemade solution of two parts olive oil and one part lemon juice. Apply with a soft, buffing cloth. When shining copper or brass, make a paste from equal amounts salt, vinegar and flour and leave this paste on until it dries, then wipe off with a damp cloth.

Nature’s own scents

Instead of using store-bought air sprays, give your home a fresh, clean smell with natural products. Boil cinnamon to scent the air with a comfortable, cosy scent, or use cloves and oranges to create a natural air freshener. Scatter lavender flowers underneath rugs – when walked on, the plants will be crushed, releasing a calm, pleasant smell.

Newspapers for glass

You don’t need expensive, toxic cleaning products to clean glass and mirrors. Simply dampen some old newspaper slightly, crumple into a ball and wipe across windows and mirrors. Don’t use too much water. The newspaper should be sprinkled with water, not sodden.
Go big, go natural

For the bigger projects in your spring clean like the carpet and drapes, choose natural options wherever possible. Carpets can be cleaned naturally by sprinkling borax and essential oil over them, leaving them for an hour or two, then vacuuming out the powder, which would have absorbed grease and dirt. For curtains, use earth-friendly washing detergent in the washing machine or send them for dry cleaning at green cleaners.

Save energy

Vacuuming out the dust from refrigerator coils, changing old light bulbs for new, energy-efficient bulbs and cleaning out your oven are all ways of going green in your spring clean. These appliances rely on being maintained to function efficiently, using the minimum amount of energy. Your heating and cooling air ducts should also be inspected and cleaned regularly, as recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Get rid of junk mail, for good

Tired of throwing out unsolicited credit card offers and delivery menus you never use? Reduce your paper waste by signing up to 41pounds (41pounds.org) or Greendimes (greendimes.typepad.com). These two companies that will get rid of your junk mail for a small price and help reduce the amount of paper you have to throw out.

It’s no wonder so many people are searching for alternative ways to cut back on costs and find ways to save money.

A regular household budget is usually allocated toward specific items needed to keep your household running smoothly. These generally include bill payments, loan repayments, food costs, and fuel expenses – among other things.

Reducing How Much You Spend on Groceries

Did you know one of the most unnecessary expenses within your grocery bill is the amount you spend on cleaning items?

You can make your own cleaning products at home which will help to cut back the budget and protect your family from harmful chemicals at the same time.

Television advertising has taught us we need to use harsh abrasives that smell like chemically-induced flowers so people will think our home looks and smells clean.

Take a walk down the ‘cleaning’ aisle in your supermarket and tell me what chemical concoctions assault your nose as you go past. It’s very strong and highly noticeable.

Yet many people take no notice, filling shopping carts with a collection of harsh, often highly caustic chemicals that are not only bad for our environment, but bad for us as well.

Environmentally-Friendly Cleaning Alternatives

Rather than pay for expensive stove cleaner or grout cleaner, mix a little bi-carbonate of soda with a little water until it forms a paste. Rub the paste gently onto the stove surface with a soft cloth. You’ll find that even baked-on food comes right off, leaving you with a sparkling clean stove.

This same paste works perfectly as an oven cleaner. It will also keep your bathroom tiles clean, removing soap scum and keeping your grout clean.

White Vinegar

Plain old white vinegar can act as an antibacterial surface cleaner, a streak-free window cleaner and an air freshener. You can make your own surface cleaner by mixing ½ cup white vinegar with ½ cup of water in a clean spray bottle. Add a few drops of lavender oil and you have a great surface cleaner that costs a fraction of store-bought cleaners.

Mixed with a little water, white vinegar can also be used as a great floor-cleaner, leaving your floors shiny and residue free.

Have you ever looked at the grime inside your electric kettle? Try pouring ½ cup of vinegar into your kettle with some water. Boil as usual. Flush mixture away and rinse kettle. You can now use it as normal but without the grime and build up on the inside of your kettle.

The same principle can also work when cleaning your dishwasher. Add ½ cup white vinegar to an empty rinse cycle once a month. This cleans out any bacteria and growth from inside your dishwashers pipes.

You can also use white vinegar in your toilet tank. Simply pour 2 cups into your tank once a month. Your bowl will be sparkling!

A simple mix of equal parts white vinegar and water, with a few drops of tea tree oil creates an antibacterial spray-and-wipe surface spray. Simply pour your mixture into a spray bottle and shake before use.

Add 1 cup of Clorox2 and shave 1/3 bar of Fels Bar Naptha to 5 gallons of water for the best carpet cleaning solution to remove stains from your carpet using a rental carpet cleaning machine from the grocery store.

Bi-carbonate of soda (or baking soda) can be mixed into a paste with water and a couple of drops of lemon juice to create a mild stove and oven cleaner. This same mix can also be used to remove soap scum from tiles and leave your bathroom sparkling and smelling fresh all day.

Baking soda can also be sprinkled lightly onto your rugs or carpets as a great deodorizer. Leave on for a few minutes and then vacuum up as normal to leave your rooms smelling fresh.

It really is possible to make every cleaning item you need for your home using natural, healthy, environmentally friendly products – for a fraction of the cost of supermarket brands.

What a great way to save money and help save our environment at the same time.

By Steve Hunter
Owner Astrobrite Carpet Cleaning
http://www.astrobrite.net

From office buildings to hotels, every business needs to have clean carpets. But getting those great looking carpets is easier said than done. To achieve the right look, you need state-of-the-art carpet cleaning equipment. The right carpet cleaning equipment can make a huge difference in everything from reliability and durability to drying times and ease of use.

This state-of-the-art carpet cleaning equipment can actually save your businesses money by allowing you to have all of your carpet cleaning done in house, rather than farming it out to an expensive and unreliable third party. When you choose the right carpet cleaning extractors, you can get the kind of deep cleaning that would normally cost hundreds of dollars, all using carpet cleaning equipment you already own.

Carpet cleaning equipment is also a great investment if you want to run your own cleaning business. Carpet cleaning is a big part of any cleaning business, and you can use these state-of-the-art technologies to help your business thrive in a competitive world. By using a combination of truck mount units, portable extractors and carpet cleaning extractors, you can sell your services to other businesses in your area and make a very good living.

When you go shopping for carpet cleaning equipment, it is important to consider a number of factors, including drying times, reliability and durability. Drying time is obviously an important consideration for professional carpet cleaning equipment, since fast drying equals a faster turnaround, and that can help you get more done in a short period of time. Whether you choose one of the many truck mounted units o the market, portable extractors or state-of-the-art carpet cleaning extractors, faster drying time increases the profitability of the equipment and decreases the payback time.

Truck Mount Carpet Cleaning Equipment
If you just need to clean your own business, chances are you do not need any truck mount units. But if you make your living cleaning carpets for others, truck mount units can give you a huge advantage.

When you choose this type of carpet cleaning equipment, you can simply move from place to place, cleaning carpets as you go and garnering a large and loyal following among the local business community. The best truck mount carpet cleaning equipment features fast drying times, great reliability and superior age of use. What that means to you as the business owner is that your workers can get more done in a shorter period of time, and that means greater profits for you and your business.

Portable Carpet Cleaning Equipment
The right portage carpet cleaning equipment can be a real convenience to both professional carpet cleaners and individual business owners. This type of carpet cleaning equipment is designed to move easily from place to place, allowing you to do an entire home or office in no time.

If you own your own carpet cleaning business, portable carpet cleaning equipment with a fast drying time allows you to move seamlessly from room to room, verifying the cleanliness of the carpet as you go. If you plan to clean your own carpet, a portable machine can help you get your office, hotel or other space cleaned in no time, allowing you to get on with more important things.

Finding the Best Carpet Cleaning Equipment
Whether you are cleaning your own carpet or running your own business, you need to choose the best carpet cleaning equipment you can find. As you shop, you will see many different kinds of carpet cleaning equipment, from portable extractors and carpet cleaning machines to truck mount units designed for business use. Choosing the right carpet cleaning equipment means looking at your own needs and choosing a state-of-the-art solution that meets those requirements.

For instance, if you plan to open your own business, you should at least consider truck mount units for your carpet cleaning needs. These truck mount units can pay for themselves in no time with the time you will save. That allows you to squeeze more business and residential clients into the same block of time, which in turn can boost your profits and the reputation of your business.

If your needs are limited to your own home or business, a quality portable machine can give you the power you need to get the job done quickly. Whether you combine that carpet cleaning equipment with portable extractors or use them on their own, you can get your carpets clean in no time simply by choosing the right carpet cleaning equipment.

By Thomas Klenner
Certified Master Textile Cleaner

A mom Spring cleaning

Target Problem Areas

That corner of your garage with boxes piled to the ceiling might be irksome, but does it have a major impact on your everyday life? If not, let it go, and focus instead on those issues that are really causing you trouble. If you have a kitchen cabinet full of bottles and pacifiers but your youngest child is 4 years old, box them up, and move them out to the garage. If your linen closet became storage for toys your kids have long forgotten about, donate them, freeing up space for your sheets and towels. Cleaning and organizing those spots in your house that have been driving you crazy is an effective way to spring clean without scrubbing every nook and cranny in your house.

Focus on the Season

When temperatures chilled several months ago, you probably winterized your house for the cold and snow. Now, it’s time to prep the house for warmer weather. Put away the sleds and boots. Prepare your backyard or deck for spring and summer outdoor fun—set up the patio furniture, double check that the swing set is in playing condition, and plant a few flowers. Transform your kitchen table by adding some bright placemats or a pastel table runner along with a vase full of freshly cut flowers. Your house will instantly feel updated, as you usher in spring with season-appropriate decor and items inside and out.

Assign Tasks

Spring-cleaning tasks shouldn’t be yours alone; instead, get the family involved. Challenge your kids to tackle a couple of productive but manageable tasks. Ask them to pick out five outfits in their closet that no longer fit them. Set a good example by donating these outgrown clothes to a charitable organization in need. Have the hubby organize the garage or do some springtime landscaping. Together with your family’s help, you can spruce up your house in time for spring.

Offer a Reward

Motivate your family to chip in by planning a springtime activity to enjoy once the cleaning is complete. Choose an outdoor activity to take advantage of the warmer weather. Plan a picnic in the park. Get tickets to a minor league baseball team’s opening day. Host a backyard barbecue for the kids and their friends, allowing you to enjoy the updates you made outside. A seasonal celebration can help you get your spring cleaning wrapped up and allow you to spend quality time with the family.

Conclusion

Don’t let spring cleaning take over your life—you simply don’t have time for that. Tackle a handful of manageable tasks with your family, and then reap the benefits of your hard work with some outdoor springtime activities.

By Steve Hunter, Owner of Astrobrite Carpet Cleaning, a family run service serving Northern Virginia since 1988. http://www.astrobrite.net

carpet mold damage

It is not uncommon for people to experience water damage in their homes. Water damage can happen due to leaky appliances, overflowing sinks and washing machines, burst pipes, sewer backups, heavy rainstorms, and floods. Other than ruining your home and possessions, it can also expose you to greater health risks. One of the health hazards that result from water damage is mold problems. Mold can grow in damp areas after water damage, and they can cause a wide range of health problems, including allergy, infection, respiratory illness, headache, dizziness, nausea, and others. As such, it is important that you get rid of all potential mold problems that are caused by water damage.

When flood damage occurs in your home, the first thing you need to do is to locate and stop the source of water. This will ensure that no further damage will be done to the structures and possessions in your home. Then, you need to assess the severity of the water damage. You can either do it yourself, or engage the service of a professional water damage restorer. After the damage is assessed, proceed to move furnishings and objects from the affected areas to a dry place. If your carpets are wet, remove as much water as possible from them and apply a disinfectant. Prop the carpets up and let them dry. You can speed up the drying process by using fans to direct air to the undersides of the carpets.

It is common to see mold growing in dark damp areas of your home after a heavy rain. Carpets are especially prone to mold growth when they are drenched, and you have to take prompt action to remove the mold completely. First of all, you need to find the root of the problem, which can be a plumbing leak, water seepage, or sewer backup. You have to fix the problem before you start removing the mold. It is essential that you take measures to protect yourself from the harmful effects of mold. Mold can release spores into the air, and these spores can cause health problems when they are inhaled. As such, you have to wear a mask to prevent the spores from getting into your airways and lungs, as well as gloves to protect your hands. Additionally, make sure that the affected area is well-ventilated. Then, apply a general purpose cleaner or fungicidal cleaner on the carpet and scrub off the mold.

Before you attempt to remove mold by yourself, it is best that you consult an expert first, because some types of mold can be dangerous. If you really want to be sure that your carpets are free of mold, you should consider hiring a professional carpet cleaning company. Astrobrite Carpet Cleaning has helped many residents in Northern Virginia eliminate mold problems in their homes, and it can do the same for you. This company offers a 24-hour water damage emergency call service to ensure that water damage problems will be managed promptly and effectively.

Having your carpets professionally cleaned on a regular basis is one of the best things you can do to keep your home or business clean. Professional cleaning gets to the source of the problem, removing those deep seated particles of dirt and debris and leaving your carpets as sparkling clean as the day they were first installed.

Of course not all carpet cleaning services are created equal, and when you pay for professional carpet cleaning you want to make sure you get your money’s worth. If it is time for your next carpet cleaning, it is a good idea to look at a truck mounted cleaning service. Truck mounted carpet cleaning has a number of important advantages, including a deeper and more effective cleansing of all the carpet fibers.

One of the things that makes a truck mounted carpet cleaning service so superior is the unique combination of high heat and a strong vacuuming. The high heat helps to bring that deep seated dirt to the surface, where the strong suction of the truck mounted vacuum can whisk it away.

A quality truck mounted carpet cleaning service can remove not only the deeply embedded dirt and debris but difficult to remove odors as well. The things that make carpet so popular, including the deep pile and softness, often come with a price. Once odors get into a carpet, it can be nearly impossible to completely eradicate them.

The good news is that a truck mounted carpet cleaning service can get at the source of those odors, bringing even the most deeply embedded odors to the surface and getting rid of them once and for all. Whether you are dealing with pet odors, smoke odors or food odors, a truck mounted deep cleaning can give remove those unpleasant aromas and replace them with pleasant smells.

Having your carpets deep cleaned on a regular basis is one of the smartest things you can do for your home or business. A truck mounted carpet cleaning can restore the beauty of your carpets and make them look like brand new.

Tips to Help You Clean a Flooded Basement

By Steve Hunter -

The flooding of a basement occurs more frequently than most people would like. Do you know what to do if it happens to you? Pick up a few tips to help you out of this wet spot in your life.

Flooding of the basement can occur due to natural flooding or burst water pipes. In fact, certain areas of the country are more prone to flooding than other areas. No matter how your basement becomes flooded, it is usually a lot of work to clean it up. Obviously, the first step is to stop the flooding of water into your basement. Then, the next step is to remove the water.

Removal of Flooded Water in the Basement

In most cases, the best way to remove water that has gotten into your home’s basement is to use a wet vacuum, sump pump, or wet shop vacuum to suck the water up and out of the basement. If you have flooding problems one or more times a year, it is probably best for you to purchase one of these items and keep it in storage in the garage until you need it. It is also possible to rent larger versions of these tools from a tool rental shop.

Removal of Flooded Water with a Portable Sump Pump

Sump pumps require an outlet for the water they remove. Portable sump pumps generally have a hose attached to them that allows the water to drain away from the area where it has been removed. Most likely, you’ll need a long hose and access to a window from which the water can exit. In most cases, you are not going to be able to allow the water to drain down an existing drain

in the basement since it may be flooded.

Removal of Flooded Water with a Wet Vac

The majority of wet vacs are not designed to remove large quantities of water.

Therefore, if you opt for a wet vac as your water-removal tool, you are going to need a strong back and lots of energy. Wet vacs typically hold between 5 and 10 gallons of water, requiring constant emptying in the event that a large amount of water has flooded a particular area.

Removal of Flooded Water with a Shop Vac

Shop vacs are designed to hold large amounts of water. However, while this might seem like a good idea at first, you need to realize that you still have to empty the water out each time the shop vac becomes full. The work required to do so will be more tiring and tedious than with a simple wet vac.

Strategies for Removing the Water in a Flooded Basement

You have two basic solutions for water removal. You can start at the highest point where the least amount of water exists. This strategy removes the water from an area that has the least amount of water. Once the water is removed from this section, it should be able to stay dry. You simply work your way down to the deepest area of flooding, opening up more area to dry as you go.

The second strategy is to start at the deepest area of the flooding. Eventually, as long as the water has stopped coming into your house, the water recedes from the highest end, opening up an area so that it can dry. If the water has already stopped flowing into your basement, this strategy lowers the level of the water at the deepest end, possibly disrupting further damage to your home and possessions in that particular area.

Airing the Room Out

It is important to open any windows once the raining stops to allow moisture in the air to escape. As moisture escapes from the air, the room will dry more quickly.

You can also turn on the heat in the room to assist in drying it out. The heat forces the moisture into the air as it dries the floor, walls, etc. The water evaporates and enters the air. Before you turn on your heat, you need to make sure that the flooding has not damaged the equipment.

A dehumidifier can be used to draw moisture out of the air. Dehumidifiers extract moisture slowly, so you shouldn’t rely solely on using this method to dry out the room. This type of device needs to be emptied manually, so be prepared to keep an eye on it.

Fans can also be used to help circulate the air and dry the room out c

ompletely. The fans should be placed so that they blow the air out of the room. This strategy is helpful in preventing mold and mildew from growing.

Once the room is dry, you should take the time to clean it thoroughly. Use a strong cleaner and clean all surfaces thoroughly, even those that were not involved in the actual flooding.

For carpet cleaning 300-400 psi is recommended. Also, how does 148 inches of water lift sound instead of 100 inches from the Rug Doctor. Once you add 200 degrees of heat to the water you can clearly see that none of the rentals can compare.

Therefore, why not call around to your local carpet cleaning companies and see if any would rent out a machine. I have often had one or two extra steam cleaner machines not working and would not pass the chance to rent them out as opposed to letting them sit in the corner. Then you will have a win-win cleaning solution. No pun intended.
By Astrobrite Carpet Cleaning in Fairfax Virginia