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Deep Cleaning

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.

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 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.

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.

How to Winterize Your Pool

By Deep Cleaning, Pool Cleaning

winterize your poolIs it time to winterize your pool? It may not seem like it now, but before long, the weather will be changing. Leaves will start to fall, and families will start to look toward the holidays. Winterizing your pool protects it from damage when water freezes. If you have a cover, it also keeps out leaves and other debris. Whether you have an in-ground or above-ground pool, here’s how to get it ready for the months ahead.

Deep Clean Your Pool

No matter what kind of pool you have, it needs to be sparkling clean before you winterize. That water isn’t going to be circulating through the filter for months, so anything you leave behind will be a mess to deal with in the spring. Make sure you deep clean in the fall to protect your pool and make it easy to open again next year.

Sometimes hard water stains build up on pool tiles, making them look cloudy. These deposits can be extremely hard to remove. When water sits along the tile line all winter, it leaves behind discoloration and oils from the water. Consider hiring a company that specializes in hard surface cleaning to remove stains before you cover your pool for the season.

Steps to Winterizing an In-Ground Pool

Always check with your pool equipment’s manufacturer to see if there are precautions unique to your type of equipment. The first step in winterizing any pool is to balance your pool water. Several weeks before you close your pool, shock the water, then adjust your pH.

Clean the pool as thoroughly as possible to remove any debris. Lower the water level about a foot and add the chemicals from a pool closing kit. Use your net or brush to make sure chemicals are distributed evenly.

Clean your pool filter and remove drain plugs from filtration equipment. Blow out the lines to make sure there’s no water left that can freeze and cause pipes to burst. Use freeze plugs in skimmers and returns, then shut the pump off at the circuit breaker so it won’t kick back on.

If your pool has a vinyl liner, take a few extra precautions. Monitor your water level to make sure it doesn’t get too low or your liner may pull away from the wall and become damaged. Add water as needed to prevent damage.

How to Winterize Above-Ground Pools

Winterizing an above-ground pool requires many of the same steps as other pools. Make sure you do the following:

  • A few weeks before you close your pool, check and adjust chemicals.
  • Clean your pool and get the water crystal clear. Be sure you vacuum the sides, floor, and clean along the water line.
  • Add winterizing chemicals.
  • Drain water from all pool equipment.
  • Secure your pool cover.

When it’s time to get your pool tile and other hard surfaces as clean as they can be, B Clean Pro Surfaces specializes in restoring surfaces to like-new condition. Get a free quote on our professional cleaning services today.