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What to Clean Before Putting Your Home Up for Sale

By Carpet Cleaning, Concrete Cleaning, Deep Cleaning, Furniture Cleaning, Tile and Grout, Upholstery Cleaning, Wood Floor Cleaning

What to cleanSelling your home takes ample preparation, and not just in thinking about the financial aspects and figuring out where you’ll move to next. As you’re working on vacating your home, someone else will be determining if it is the place they want to move into. You need to make sure that everything looks as appealing to a potential buyer as possible.

You want your house to have vibe appeal – that intangible factor that makes it feel like home to a prospective buyer. Despite not having concrete elements, vibe appeal goes a long way to making a sale. While you don’t want to dig into any massive investments that won’t bring you proportionate payout, little touch-ups can make a big difference in making your home more appealing to its future residents.

Surface Cleaning

A clean home is easily one of the major components of vibe appeal, and thorough cleaning means your house will look as attractive to potential buyers as possible. Cleaning up any dust, polishing metals, and wiping down the windows can make a big impression on visitors.

Carpet

You don’t just want to stop at surface cleaning, however. Beyond general tidiness, give your carpets a thorough once-over. Don’t just stop at vacuuming; get your carpets professionally cleaned so they look and feel the best they can.

Tile and Grout

Tiles make for a great stylistic choice, but grout has the unfortunate tendency to show staining, even with regular cleaning. A full-scale deep cleaning of grout can make your tile look tip-top, giving the impression of newer tiles.

While all tiles are important, you want to take special care when tending to your bathroom. A dirty bathroom can give the impression that the whole home is dirty. Eliminating any traces of dirty grout will help your restroom contribute to the sale of your home instead of driving potential buyers away.

Front Lawn and Driveway

The adage “don’t judge a book by its cover” unfortunately does not apply to homebuyers. Before they even consider taking a tour, potential buyers will decide if they want to buy your house based on the front exterior. You need to do a little more than stick a “for sale” sign in your driveway to make people want to step inside.

Make sure you’ve tended to your front lawn. Adding a few plants and flowers helps make your house look attractive to others. If you have a driveway, keeping that in shape is essential, as well. Tend to any potential cracks and power wash the concrete.

Removing Clutter

There’s a chance your house has been your home for a substantial amount of time, and it’s filled with your belongings and memories. You need to remove as much mess as possible. Clean up any clutter for showings, so potential buyers can feel they have enough space and imagine themselves at home. For areas such as closets, removing at least half of your clothes can make the space seem roomier.

Cleaning is easily one of the most critical parts in successfully selling your home. Be as thorough as possible and watch your vibe appeal increase as a result.

Thinking about putting your home up for sale? Call us today at (419) 705-8693 to request a FREE demo.

Carpet Cleaning Myths Debunked

By Carpet Cleaning

carpet cleaning myths

Whether you’re thinking about your next flooring choice for your home or you’re debating cleaning your carpets, there are many carpet cleaning myths that you may have not known about before.

Carpets Cause Allergies

Many people believe that carpets are the culprit for their allergies. However, the opposite is true. Carpets trap allergens and dirt and keep them there until the carpet is professionally cleaned or vacuumed.

Related Article: 3 Ways Professional Carpet Cleaning Protects Your Health

Carpet Deodorizers Will Make Odors Disappear Forever

Unfortunately, store-bought and DIY carpet deodorizers don’t truly remove odors inside carpets. Instead, they only mask the odor on the surface. The source of carpet odors is usually deeper than surface level, so it’s better to have your carpets professionally cleaned to permanently remove the smell.

Related Article: What’s That Smell? Dealing With Sneaky Carpet Odors

Dry Cleaning Carpets Is Better than Wet Cleaning

Dry cleaning may seem like a better idea because your carpets won’t get damp, but it doesn’t clean deeper than surface level. Steam cleaning is a better option because it’ll penetrate deeper into the carpet and extract the dirt, bacteria, and allergens.

Once You Start Cleaning Carpets They Get Dirtier Faster

This was only true in the past when improper cleaning methods left carpets dirtier because of residue. Carpet cleaning has advanced now, so it won’t shorten a carpet’s lifespan. Additionally, professional carpet cleaning services now add dirt-resistant barriers that will keep your carpets cleaner longer.

The Carpet is Still New and Doesn’t Look Dirty, So I Don’t Need to Clean It

Even if you have newly installed carpet, or it has been a part of your home for only a few months, it can get dirty quickly. Although the carpet might not show signs of being dirty, there are likely allergens and bacteria beneath the surface.

Vacuuming Carpets Too Often Will Ruin Them

The opposite is true with this myth: carpets get worse the longer you leave them alone. Carpets need vacuuming to remove dirt. Some vacuums may be aggressive, but for the most part, carpets can handle frequent vacuuming. In a home, carpets may need weekly vacuuming, but in places with high-traffic, it may require daily vacuuming.

Steam Cleaning Carpets Will Leave Them Wet and Mold or Mildew Will Grow

If a company improperly cleans your carpet, then they will be wet for an extended time, leading to the possibility of mold or mildew growing. However, when a company correctly cleans carpets, they should dry quickly. Steam cleaning is a highly effective way to clean carpets and shouldn’t create mold or mildew growth because the water will not penetrate into the carpet backing.

In addition to debunking carpet cleaning myths, we also clean hard surfaces including but not limited to, tile and grout, brick, block, concrete, granite, and marble Terrazzo. Our unique process for hard surface cleaning is revolutionizing the way you restore and maintain all floors back to their natural beauty, including carpet! Call us today at (419) 705-8693 to request a FREE demo.

3 Ways Professional Carpet Cleaning Protects Your Health

By Carpet Cleaning, Uncategorized

Carpet Cleaning Protects Your HealthThe health of your family is vital. Many people go to great lengths to ensure their homes are safe. However, some forget about the dangers that may lie in your carpets. Carpets not only hide dirt and debris, but also bacteria that may be harmful to your family. It is important to get your carpets regularly cleaned by professionals for many reasons.

How Professional Carpet Cleaning Protects Your Health

Gets Rid of Dust Mites

Dust mite infestations are common in homes across the country. However, few people are aware of them because the mites are impossible to see or detect with the naked eye.

Though dust mites, themselves, do not exacerbate allergies, they sometimes leave behind parts of their body or excrement that are allergens. The debris they leave behind can fly into the air anytime people walk across the carpet. Because they are microscopic, people can inhale them without realizing and have an allergic reaction.

By having your carpet professionally cleaned, you will clear out all dust mites or debris that dust mites left behind, significantly improving any allergy problems in your family.

Gets Rid of Trapped Pollutants

Studies have shown that numerous pollutants can become trapped inside carpets. Some of the potential pollutants that could be in the fibers of your carpet include pet dander, lead, cockroach allergens, dirt, dust, and particle pollutants. Toxic gases in the air can attach to the particles and join them in your carpet. Both pollutants and gases can slowly release throughout your house each time someone walks on the carpet, vacuums, or does other everyday activities.

Professional carpet cleaners use special methods and formulas to completely rid your carpet of trapped pollutants and gases.

Prevents Mold

Dirty carpets are at a serious risk for mold, especially in areas of the country that are extremely humid. If a carpet becomes moist at any time, mold may begin growing if the carpet does not dry completely soon after. Carpets can easily become damp when people walk inside after being in the rain or from a wide variety of other circumstances. If not dealt with soon, mold smells bad and can lead to serious health problems for you and your family.

A professional carpet cleaner has the experience, skill, and tools to completely rid your carpet of any moisture, preventing mold from growing in the fibers. It is important to have them cleaned regularly so you can continue preventing any future mold from taking over your carpets.

Ready to Have Healthier Carpets (and Home)?

Professional Surface Restoration’s patented process cleans hard surfaces including but not limited to, tile and grout, wood floors, brick, block, concrete, and natural stone. Our unique process for hard surface cleaning is revolutionizing the way you restore and maintain all floors back to their natural beauty, including carpet!

Call us today at (419) 705-8693 to request a FREE demo.

Why to Deep Clean Restrooms in Assisted Living Facilities

By Deep Cleaning

deep clean restroomsWhen looking for a assisted-living facility or nursing home, one of the determining factors of a high-standard facility is the bathrooms. On average, six people will share a bathroom, so it’s essential that each room is pristine. When an assisted-living home does not keep its bathrooms clean, it increases the chances of elderly residents contracting infections and diseases. Several health issues can occur from unsanitary restrooms. Below are 5 reasons to deep clean restrooms at assisted-living facilities.

Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common infections among the elderly. This is because of diabetes and the use of catheters. Symptoms of UTIs in older adults include confusion, discomfort, and urinary incontinence. Antibiotics can usually treat UTIs. Having a clean bathroom is important for nursing home residents, whether they have a catheter or not.

Skin Infections

As skin ages, it becomes more susceptible to cuts and infections. Some infections can be viral, including scabies, pressure ulcers, and shingles. The elderly can also contract bacterial or fungal foot infections. Symptoms to look for are itching or pain. These infections can be treated with medicines or vaccines, but they could be prevented with access to clean bathrooms, proper hygiene, and regular help from nursing home staff to shower and clean their bodies.

Bacterial Pneumonia

Pneumonia continues to be the leading cause of mortality for nursing home residents and occurs because of an increased exposure to diseases in a community setting and a weaker immune system. Symptoms of pneumonia are confusion and delirium. Those suffering can usually treat bacterial pneumonia with antibiotics. A vaccine that helps prevent some types of pneumonia is available, and it is highly recommended that nursing home residents receive it.

Gastrointestinal Infections

Digestion changes due to age and an increase in gastric acid ups the risk of gastrointestinal infections. Two of the most common infections are Helicobacter pylori and Clostridium difficile. Symptoms may include fever, nausea, and upper abdominal pain. A doctor will treat these infections with prescription medications.

Influenza

The flu spreads through breathing, coughing, and sneezing, so a small space shared by many residents in close proximity is a breeding ground for illnesses and increases the chances of contracting diseases. This means nursing homes should always keep the environment as clean as possible to prevent illnesses. Symptoms of influenza may be different for the elderly, but can include coughing, chills, and fever. An annual vaccination can help prevent influenza, but for those who have already contracted the illness, antiviral medication may be the solution.

All these health issues are common in the elderly, especially nursing home residents, because of the compact area that many residents share together. One way that staff can help the elderly prevent these infections and diseases is by deep-cleaning restrooms. There are many places in a bathroom where bacteria can grow, so keeping them clean is vital. It is the staff’s job to ensure residents’ living area are clean, so they are able to practice good hygiene and avoid illnesses.

Have a need for restroom deep cleaning? Give us a call at (419) 705-8693 or click here and we’ll come out and take a look.

What’s That Smell? Dealing With Sneaky Carpet Odors

By Carpet Cleaning, Deep Cleaning

carpet odorsCarpet odors can sneak into your home over time, undetected until someone points them out or you return home after being away. Over time, we become accustomed to smells from pets, cigarettes, mildew, and foods, so it’s difficult to notice them.

Once you discover them, you’ll need to persistently work on removing the odors. Here are several strategies you can use to get those pesky smells out of your carpet and keep them smelling fresh and clean.

Using Carpet Cleaners and Deodorizers

There are an abundance of carpet cleaners and deodorizers on the market today that deliver great results. Some of them use synthetic solvents, but there are also natural cleaners if you want to avoid using harsher chemicals. Using carpet cleaners regularly will help keep your carpets fresh.

Baking Soda

If you want to save money and use natural ingredients as a home remedy, baking soda can help with pet odors and smoke. It works by trapping smells and absorbing moisture. Sprinkling it on your carpet overnight and then vacuuming it up the next morning will help clean and deodorize your rug.

If you’re focusing on deodorizing, mixing baking soda with ground spices and borax will remove odors and leave your carpets with a pleasant scent. A popular spice to use is cinnamon but avoid it if you have light-colored carpets. You can also add essential oils for a nice scent.

Vinegar and Vodka

Vinegar is another natural solution that removes unpleasant odors from your carpet. It works well on pet odors. White vinegar is recommended, and although it smells at first, the scent disappears once it dries. Spray it evenly onto your carpet and let it dry. You can repeat the process until the odor is completely gone.

Vodka also works well on stubborn odors. It kills bacteria and removes stains. For spot cleaning, apply vodka over a stain for 10 to 15 minutes, then blot the moisture with a paper towel. To deodorize your carpet, spraying it evenly and vacuuming afterward will remove unpleasant odors. You can mix vodka with baking soda to absorb excess moisture before vacuuming if you desire.

Preventing Carpet Odors

Regularly cleaning your carpets will prevent odors from settling into your carpets and keep dirt and residue from building up. Steam cleaners in combination with other cleaning solutions can penetrate deeply into your carpets, forming embedded stains and odors. If you’ve tried several cleaning solutions and none of them work, it may be time to hire a professional to clean your carpets.

Carpet odors are inevitable but taking these steps and consistently caring for your carpet will help keep them cleaner for longer.

Contact our team or call (419) 705-8693 today to schedule a free, no-obligation demonstration of our amazing carpet cleaning system in Toledo for your home or business.

5 Cleaning Tips to Maintain Your Concrete Surfaces

By Concrete Cleaning

concrete surfacesWith summer right around the bend, many homeowners will be pursuing their deep-cleaning plans to prepare their homes for the warmer months. Many homeowners forget to include the cleaning of hard surfaces, such as concrete and natural stone in their cleaning efforts. These surfaces require routine maintenance and cleaning, especially if you want to keep them looking great between professional cleaning and sealing services.

To make sure the concrete surfaces of your patio and around your pool are ready in time for the spring and summer months, check out the following five ways to keep your hard surfaces looking as good as possible:

  1. Use Baking Soda or Vinegar-Based Solutions

Baking soda and vinegar are two great ingredients for cleaning cement and concrete patios. Both are safe and natural options. To remove heavy stains, use a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water. For a gentler cleaning solution, mix ½ cup baking soda with one gallon of water and 1/8 cup of liquid dishwashing detergent. Simply spray your patio thoroughly, scour, and rinse completely.

  1. Pressure Washing

If your patio is severely stained or mildewed, it might be a good idea to utilize a pressure washer, which can be rented or purchased at a tool rental center or your local home improvement store. Be sure to follow the directions when using the machine and to wear eye protection because these machines send water out in quick, forceful streams.

  1. Protect Stains with Concrete Sealer

When your patio is thoroughly cleaned, you can ensure it is safe from additional stains with the use of a concrete sealer. Always begin at the center of your patio and use a paint roller to spread the sealant out to the corners. When your patio is dry, it will be shiny and clear just in time your first barbecue of the season.

  1. Use Walk Off Mats

Dirt can erode the exterior layer of a hard surface, and it can cause serious damage if it is not kept at bay. If you have concrete flooring inside your home, experts say having at a walk off mat with a length of at least 5 feet can reduce approximately 35 percent of the soil from reaching a hard surface. Even better, a walk off mat of 25 feet can deter nearly all of the soil from getting to and deteriorating your hard surface floor covering.

  1. Conduct Routine Maintenance of Concrete Surfaces

The best way to avoid lasting stains and surface erosion to your hard surface flooring is to reduce the amount of debris and dirt that accumulates on a regular basis. Basic weekly or monthly upkeep means starting with dry maintenance procedures including sweeping, dusting, microfiber mopping, and vacuuming, and then moving on to wet maintenance procedures, such as spot and wet or damp mopping.

For questions about how to maintain your concrete surfaces, call Professional Surface Restoration at (419) 705-8693 today.

5 Common Infections in the Elderly that Deep Cleaning Can Help Deter

By Deep Cleaning

deep cleaningUp to 33% of elderly people in the United States die every year because of infections. Infections that are harmful for younger people can be even more dangerous for the elderly. The following are some of the most common infections in the elderly and tips on how deep cleaning can help prevent them.

Flu

Influenza is a common ailment in the United States. Elderly people often have weaker immune systems and other diseases that make it more difficult for their bodies to fight off the flu. Additionally, nursing homes serve as ideal locations for the flu to spread, because of the close and sometimes cramped conditions.

Pneumonia

More than 60% of people older than 65 are admitted into hospitals for pneumonia. In the elderly, the symptoms manifest less in chills and coughing and more in confusion and delirium. Elderly people are at a higher risk of getting pneumonia because of exposure in community settings, preexisting diseases, and various other factors.

Gastrointestinal Infections

One of the most common gastrointestinal infections that occurs in elderly people is Clostridium difficile, or C-diff. C-diff often occurs in nursing homes when someone has been taking antibiotics that kill off healthy intestinal microbes.

Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs), are common in all age groups and can usually be treated with antibiotics. However, UTIs can become extremely dangerous if the infection goes unnoticed and it spreads to the kidneys. Not only are elderly people anatomically predisposed to experience UTIs more frequently, the catheters that some use can cause UTIs.

Skin Infections

Elderly people are at a higher risk for skin infections because their aging skin is more damaged and less capable of fending off diseases. Most skin infections are very treatable, but they can become dangerous if no one notices them, especially for the elderly.

Preventing Infections with Deep Cleaning

Along with antibiotics and various other medications, deep cleaning is an extremely effective way to prevent infections in the elderly. Deep cleaning includes both the person and the environment. Make sure the elderly person is washing his or her hands and body thoroughly and frequently. Have the tile or carpet floors in personal and communal spaces thoroughly cleaned as often as necessary. Seniors are more vulnerable to infections, so it is important to do all you can to limit the potential diseases, germs, and bacteria in their environment. Keeping each room as clean as possible could prevent an elderly person from contracting a serious, possibly fatal disease or infection.

Have a need for carpet deep cleaning? Give us a call at (419) 705-8693 or click here and we’ll come out and take a look.

3 Reasons to Hire a Professional Post-Construction Clean-Up Crew

By Construction Clean Up

Construction Clean-UpPlanning a construction project is an all-encompassing job and requires you to consider a wide range of issues. An often-ill-considered aspect of construction is clean-up at the end of the project. Before scrambling to do the clean-up yourself, consider hiring a professional construction clean-up crew that has the experience and knowledge to clean a site to avoid safety issues.

Why Hire a Construction Clean-Up Crew?

Specialty Cleaning Services

Post construction cleaning is not like cleaning the interior of a home – not everyone can do it. You don’t want your site to look like a disaster hit it when the carpenters, electricians, plumbers, HVAC workers, and finishers complete their jobs, and you don’t want your crew stuck doing clean-up when you could have them on another job, making the company more money.

Saving Time and Money

Reassigning carpenters and other construction workers to clean constructions sites after a project is a waste of resources. These professionals will not only leave remnants behind, they will also be disgruntled if they think you are squandering their talents. This causes slow and incomplete work. Maximize your time and money by hiring a professional clean-up crew. Professionals can begin cleaning parts of the site before construction crews have completed the project, which leads to a faster turnaround time.

Making Sure Your Site Gleams for the Inspection

Cleaning up after a construction project is a tedious, but very important job. You want the site to look perfect when the building inspector checks out your newly finished project. Whether it’s a beautiful new residential home or a top-end commercial building, you want the floors and walls to shine, you want the appliances to sparkle, the carpets to be spotless, and the air systems dust-free.

A professional pos-construction cleaning service can clean the floors (carpets, vinyl, and hardwood), polish all the mirrors, wipe down and polish countertops and cabinets, sanitize bathrooms (sinks, toilets, and other fixtures), make the windows sparkle, the appliances shine, even sweep out the stairs and walkways and make sure that they are free of debris.

Making the Decision

Hiring a professional, experienced cleaning crew is always recommended for construction sites. These individuals are efficient and can help make sure that your company passes its final inspection with flying colors. Your crew does the building; let us do your cleanup and we’ll make sure that your building is a shining example of the kind of work your company produces.

Give Professional Surface Restoration a call today at (419) 705-8693, and let us help you deliver a great first impression every time.

4 Reasons to Deep Clean Carpets in Your Assisted Living Facility

By Carpet Cleaning, Deep Cleaning

deep clean carpetsAny type of carpeting requires regular, thorough cleanings for it to function properly, and a carpet’s purpose goes beyond just providing a soft surface for your feet. Carpets also function as air filters, trapping dust, dirt, debris, and bacteria. Performing regular deep carpet cleaning is important for any homeowner or business owner with carpets, but it is especially important in assisted living environments.

Elderly people are more susceptible to disease and illness, so the benefits of a thoroughly cleaned carpet are especially important in nursing homes and assisted living facilities for several reasons:

Greater Comfort

Deep cleaned carpets enhance overall comfort in more ways than one. Not only are cleaner carpets softer and more pleasant to walk on, they are also more visually appealing as well. This can make a space feel more calm and inviting, while dirty carpets convey a sense of untidiness and can sour a person’s perception of a living space.

Better Insulation

Clean carpets are better at retaining heat than dirty ones. Older individuals are more vulnerable to temperature changes and extreme heat and cold than younger people. Thoroughly cleaned carpets will trap heat and help regulate a room’s temperature.

Increased Safety

Millions of Americans suffer slip and fall injuries every year, and this is especially an issue among senior citizens. A deep clean carpet provides more traction while walking and can even help prevent some slip and fall incidents. It will also offer more cushioning after a fall than a dirty one. A dirty carpet will compress and harden over time, providing little in the way of cushioning if someone were to fall on it.

Improved Air Quality

Carpets function as air filters, trapping dust particles and other debris in their fibers as they drift along the floor’s surface. One square foot of carpet can trap up to one full pound of airborne allergens and debris, so regularly cleaning your carpets keeps this air filtering aspect in shape.

Tips for Deep Cleaning Carpets

Deep cleaning carpet requires several solvents and chemicals to ensure a thorough cleaning, but it’s important to select senior-friendly versions of these substances. Abrasive cleaners can damage carpets or alter the texture, and the scent from some cleaners can irritate elderly residents’ eyes and respiratory systems. Some cleaning substances can actually cause dirt to accumulate more quickly in carpets, increasing the need for regular cleanings.

These are just a few of the reasons why regular deep carpet cleaning is crucial for assisted living facilities and nursing homes. Not only does regularly cleaning carpets maintain their healthful benefits, it also creates a more welcoming and comfortable atmosphere.

Have a need for carpet deep cleaning? Give us a call at (419) 705-8693 or click here and we’ll come out and take a look.

3 Reasons to Hire a Professional Upholstery Cleaning Service

By Furniture Cleaning, Upholstery Cleaning

upholstery cleaning service_Toledo OhioWhen the furniture needs cleaning, most people try to save money by attempting to remove the stains themselves. Many don’t realize that furniture is commonly upholstered with fabrics that don’t react well to certain chemicals and that typical cleaning methods often cause even more damage. In fact, most furniture requires specific chemicals and tools that most people do not own.

Professional upholstery cleaning service technicians are experts in handling these chemicals and working with specialized tools to clean and remove stains of all types. If you’re on the fence about whether to hire a professional, consider the following three reasons you should call an expert for your next upholstery cleaning.

Knowledge

When it comes to cleaning furniture, one must understand that the fibers in furnishings are often fragile and need to be handled with care. To prevent needless damage, it is important to know which chemicals can be used on which fabrics. The truth is that most people do not have this type of knowledge on hand, whereas professional upholstery cleaners have the expertise to determine what fabrics and chemicals are incompatible with one another.

Many fabrics are also difficult to handle, making them more likely to be damaged when an untrained person tries to remove a stain. Professional furniture cleaners know how to deal with a variety of fabric types and can agitate each correctly and safely. Having a professional’s knowledge of chemicals cleaners and fabrics is extremely helpful if you have furniture with no cleaning tag attached.

Tools and Equipment

In addition to being fragile and difficult to manage, the fabrics in furniture upholstery do not work with generic cleaning products and procedures. Often, upholstery stains require specific types of cleaning solutions, which most homeowners do not own. Also, specific furniture designs require the use of special tools to achieve a thorough cleaning. At the end of the day, purchasing these tools is not a cost-efficient option for homeowners, so the best idea is to hire a professional cleaner and save yourself the expense and hassle of learning how to use the equipment.

Protection

Many homeowners value their furniture and see it as an investment. And like any other type of investment, furniture requires attention and care to stay in good condition. A genuine attempt to save money by cleaning the upholstery yourself can end up costing you more in the end if you ruin your furniture. Professional cleaners can also offer you advice for handling spills and keeping your furniture in the best condition possible, so you have the information you need to manage stains in the future without accidently damaging your upholstery.

Professional Surface Restoration offers free upholstery cleaning service estimates with no obligation. Contact us to set up an appointment.