What the EPA Says About MOLD
When the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, speaks… most of us listen. And the EPA has much to say about mold, which can affect health in minor, irritating ways (slight respiratory issues) to severe life-threatening reactions, resulting in medical care and the unthinkable. Here are the edited highlights from the EPA.gov site, along with our own thoughts, that all households should consider. Of course, the EPA recommends that everyone should fix plumbing leaks, water intrusion issues, and keep all interior surfaces clean and dry at all times. If you do this, mold should not be an issue. But if it happens, here are some tips. Mold cleanup Who should do the cleanup? There are a number of factors. First, consider the size of the mold problem. If less than 10 square feet, you may be able to handle the cleanup yourself. However, with water damage and mold growth more than 10 feet, consult an expert. And there is no way to know 100% if even a small amount of mold could have an adverse health effect on you or those you care about. HVAC and air conveyance systems Don’t minimize the impact that mold can have in your ductwork or other air conveyance areas. Hidden mold may be out of sight, but it should be taken seriously. Slight musty odors should trigger an investigation. Get your duct work inspected immediately and have the work done by a professional. Restrooms, shower stalls and more Mold is normal in some areas, like in the corner of a shower stall. Don’t panic. Just clean it up. But if you need help, hire a pro. A very small amount of mold is no doubt fresh and can be easily removed. Hiring a pro If you decide to contact and use a disaster restoration company or a mold removal service, be a smart consumer and check their references and credentials. There are many “companies” that claim to be experts in mold removal, but they are far from qualified. Do the right thing with mold. When you know you have it, you should know how to get rid of it. The easiest, best, and safest way is to let a disaster restoration, water damage, or mold remediation company do the work. After all, it pays to call a pro! How to Remove Wax from Surfaces
Wax is a big part of everyday life. You use candles to add a nice warm glow to your home, and to add a pleasing scent as well. You wax your car to give it a nice shine. You use wax to remove unwanted hai… oops, let’s not get too personal. But you get the picture. Wax is beneficial, handy, it has many uses, but when it is spilled onto a surface by accident, it can be a tough challenge to clean up. As you know, when wax is spilled, it is hot and can really stick to surfaces, especially fabric like carpet or upholstery. Here are a few useful tips you can implement when cleaning up wax. Carpet, furniture, and fabrics There’s no point in hurrying. Once it hits the surface, it hardens up faster than ice cream disappearing in front of a teenager. But once it hardens, you may be able to break up the wax and pull it off the fabric. BE CAREFUL not to damage the fabric, especially furniture. You can choose cold or hot treatment. You can freeze the wax with ice cubes and break it off, or you can warm it up for removal. You can do this with a hair dryer, clothes teamer or even a clothes iron if you use the lowest setting and keep a damp towel between the iron and the surface, and just dab at it to transfer the wax. If you can warm up the wax to melting temperature, you can remove it. The color left behind will most likely need the attention of a cleaning company. Hard surfaces This is easier. You have several approaches. Whether glass, wood, tile, or other hard surfaces, simply scrape (be careful not to scratch the surface) the wax off. If stubborn, you can also warm up the wax with a hair dryer or clothes steamer and then wipe it off. An oily residue may remain, and you can use a hot detergent and towel to remove that. Some recommend rubbing alcohol as the solvent of choice. Prevention – and the best cure Of course, being careful not to spill the wax is the smart thing to do, but accidents do happen. And when they do, and you need help, reach out to your favorite cleaning company. After all, it pays to call a pro! How to Remove Wax from Surfaces
Wax is a big part of everyday life. You use candles to add a nice warm glow to your home, and to add a pleasing scent as well. You wax your car to give it a nice shine. You use wax to remove unwanted hai… oops, let’s not get too personal. But you get the picture. Wax is beneficial, handy, it has many uses, but when it is spilled onto a surface by accident, it can be a tough challenge to clean up. As you know, when wax is spilled, it is hot and can really stick to surfaces, especially fabric like carpet or upholstery. Here are a few useful tips you can implement when cleaning up wax. Carpet, furniture, and fabrics There’s no point in hurrying. Once it hits the surface, it hardens up faster than ice cream disappearing in front of a teenager. But once it hardens, you may be able to break up the wax and pull it off the fabric. BE CAREFUL not to damage the fabric, especially furniture. You can choose cold or hot treatment. You can freeze the wax with ice cubes and break it off, or you can warm it up for removal. You can do this with a hair dryer, clothes teamer or even a clothes iron if you use the lowest setting and keep a damp towel between the iron and the surface, and just dab at it to transfer the wax. If you can warm up the wax to melting temperature, you can remove it. The color left behind will most likely need the attention of a cleaning company. Hard surfaces This is easier. You have several approaches. Whether glass, wood, tile, or other hard surfaces, simply scrape (be careful not to scratch the surface) the wax off. If stubborn, you can also warm up the wax with a hair dryer or clothes steamer and then wipe it off. An oily residue may remain, and you can use a hot detergent and towel to remove that. Some recommend rubbing alcohol as the solvent of choice. Prevention – and the best cure Of course, being careful not to spill the wax is the smart thing to do, but accidents do happen. And when they do, and you need help, reach out to your favorite cleaning company. After all, it pays to call a pro! |