It’s one of the most frustrating things… moving an item on a bookshelf only to see a clear outline of where was sitting.
 
Or how about moving a piece of furniture and discovering a herd of “dust bunnies” has taken up residence?
 
Dust happens to everyone, even those who attempt to keep their homes spotless. While you can’t keep every last speck of dust out, you can greatly reduce the amount of dust that finds its way into your home.
 
Here are just a few ways to create a healthier (and more dust-free) home.
 
Run the HVAC
 
While you may enjoy having open windows when the weather is nice, using your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is actually better for keeping dust out. As long as you make sure your filters are changed on a regular basis.
 
Door mats
 
While dust can become airborne, most soil comes into the home from shoes. Having quality door mats to catch the dirt means less build-up of soil and debris in the home, reducing dust particles as well. Leaving shoes on the door mats or at the door is another smart idea.
 
Cleaning
 
Yes, you clean on a regular basis, but some extra effort with the details will help keep the dust out. When dusting tables, desks, bookshelves and other surfaces, use microfiber cloths to better grab the dust. When sweeping the hard floors, follow up with a damp mopping. It will really grab the dust sticking to the floor. Be sure to vacuum not only the top of your area rugs, but also turn them over and vacuum the backs. And for your wall-to-wall carpet, vacuum several times a week, especially in high traffic areas and entryways.
 
For cleaner homes, call your cleaning pro! 

Just a friendly reminder from Jeff Cross, the executive editor of Cleanfax, the magazine and online authority for cleaning and restoration contractors. Let me know if you have any questions. Send me an email at jcross@cleanfax.com

For most of you, it's that time of the year again... when the kid(s) head back to school and you are faced with some extra cleaning chores.

With the kids otherwise occupied, it's a good time to take a look at something that doesn't receive as much attention as it should - the floors.

Even if you don't plan to have your carpet cleaned, take this opportunity to move all the furniture and do a very thorough vacuuming. Move the vacuum slowly across the carpet, removing as much dry soil as you can. Your vacuum won't do anything about Kool-Aid, coffee, tea or other food related stains, but it will remove quite a bit of dirt.

In fact, something you might not have known about, it is estimated that nearly 80% of all soil in carpet is dry, insoluble soil. That means your favorite carpet cleaner will actually remove more dirt with his professional vacuum cleaner. His deep cleaning method will take care of the water based soils and oil based soils, which are what really creates a dirty carpet.

So don't forget: It's time. Time to clean your carpet. Do what's right for your home, your family and those kids about to come home from school ready to play. Call your carpet cleaner.

Just a friendly reminder from Jeff Cross, the executive editor of Cleanfax, the magazine and online authority for cleaning and restoration contractors. Let me know if you have any questions. Send me an email at jcross@cleanfax.com

This is a really cool PDF download about the issue of what happens when carpet begins to be replaced by hard flooring. This is really impacting the hotel industry and you are no doubt seeing similar issues with some of your commercial accounts. This could also affect the residential market... check it out, a good read.

Click here for your own copy of the Commercial Flooring Report.

Enjoy!

P.S. If you want your own Outpost Site, just sign up for your own MarketingZoo subscription. This is a directory site that is really getting some good SEO results for members. Click here for the MarketingZoo homepage with all info.

Check out how this cleaning pro did an amazing job getting some abused, seriously soiled tile and grout clean. The cleaner is Ryan Szemacs with Noble Carpet Cleaners of Las Vegas.

Ryan describes this particular job: “This is a client’s re­cently purchased house. The previous owners neglected to clean the tile or grout. We used a heavy, citrus-based degreaser along with a high-alkaline, powder tile and grout cleaner. We let it sit for 20 minutes and used a Brush Pro with tile brushes to scrub the floor. We then used our four-jet tile wand at about 900 psi to clean and extract the floor. The results speak for themselves. Our client was very happy, and along with that came another five-star Yelp review.”

When you need a quality tile and grout cleaning company, do your research and maybe even ask for some before and after photos. You want the absolute best tile and grout and hard surface cleaning possible.

Just a friendly reminder from Jeff Cross, the executive editor of Cleanfax, the magazine and online authority for cleaning and restoration contractors. Let me know if you have any questions. Send me an email at jcross@cleanfax.com

It can be a very scary thing! No, not a spider in your bed or a snake in your garden... but hiring a carpet cleaning company or furniture cleaning company (or any service company for your home, in fact).

But you have to do it, so you investigate companies you might hire. It's not an easy assignment, although looking at online reviews does help. Check out Angie's List, Yelp and Google Reviews for information, among other sources. Most people are honest (most!) about what they say in reviews.

That being said, it's just a start. You have to really do your homework, because you are inviting strangers into your home. You want to trust you have chosen the best carpet cleaning company in your city.

And once you have chosen a quality company, keep using them! Yes, there are cheaper companies out there, but quality is important.

How can you do your homework and your own investigation?

1. Ask your friends and workmates. Nothing is better than a good referral. And when you call the cleaning company, let them know how you got their number. It kind of puts them on their best behavior, knowing they are working for a referral and all companies know that good work means MORE referrals.

2. Check out their social media pages. See what they say, especially about their customers. You want to see pictures of their work, and how proud they are to be the best.

3. If you can, look at their trucks when you see them driving around. Are they neat and clean, or in need of attention? Cleaning companies should be clean themselves.

4. When calling a potential company, ask if they have pictures of the tech they will be sending. Some companies have their entire staff on their website, which can give you peace of mind (or send you away quickly!)

5. And when making that phone call to inquire of their services, pay attention to how they answer the phone and treat you while discussing potential services in your home. That matters, too.

6. Don't be afraid to "just say no" if a company arrives and you are uncomfortable. Most companies are top notch and you shouldn't have a problem, but there are a few out there, such as the "bait-and-switch" carpet cleaners, who sell you a cheap price but want much more when it comes time to clean.

Just a few friendly reminders from Jeff Cross, the executive editor of Cleanfax, the magazine and online authority for restoration contractors. Let me know if you have any questions. Send me an email at jcross@cleanfax.com

Installing floor covering materials of any kind, and floor preparation treatments such as leveling agents and feather finishes, is challenging enough without impeding their effectiveness with a barrier.

This technical bulletin from LGM and Associates has some great info, Just click on this link below and enjoy this report, in PDF format.

Click here for the complete report.