Don’t Forget these Spring-Cleaning Tasks
When the spring season finally arrives, most of us get into a cleaning mood. Others clean out of necessity. But regardless the motive, spring is a great time to spruce things up, clean areas or items that have been neglected during the long winter, and just get ready for a busy summer. However, besides the obvious things we clean, such as carpet, floors, windows, and the like, there are some chores we might either ignore (on purpose) or forget about completely. Spice rack and containers You use them all the time. Grab a nice spice and give your sauce a dash of flavor. Put the lid back on and put it back on the spice rack or wherever you store your spices. Did you clean that jar before putting it back? Have you ever? It’s one of those often-forgotten items that could use at least an annual cleaning. Imagine all the hands and fingers on all those spices during the year… Give your spice rack and contents a good spring cleaning. Stove and microwave hoods and filters The purpose of the hood, vent, and any filters is to collect debris, and it’s all greasy. Get a good all-purpose kitchen degreaser, some paper towels, and any other scrubbing tools you wish to use, roll up your sleeves, and get cleaning. You will be amazed how much a year of cooking and normal use will add to the grease build-up on these surfaces. Garbage disposal Just think of all that stuff you put into the sink and into the garbage disposal. While it grinds away and does its job without complaining, there is often a buildup of grime on the blades and in the mechanical parts of the disposal. An easy way to clean your disposal is with lemon wedges. Cut up a lemon and add a few wedges to your disposal, turn it on, and let it run with hot water. That should cut the grease and clean the disposal. The wedges may not get “disposed” of enough so after it is all done, you may have to remove them. Be sure to turn off the electricity to the disposal before reaching in, and never use your fingers. Use cooking tongs to be safe. Underneath stuff This is easy. Get down on your hands and knees and look under your kitchen table. Enough said. Get to work. When you need professional cleaning, don’t hesitate to call your favorite cleaning company, especially with surfaces like carpet and hard floors. After all, it pays to call a pro! How Flooding Works
While flooding can occur at any time, in many parts of the country it is more common with spring rains. It just depends on where you live. That being said, it is worth noting how flooding works, why rainwater can build up and become a devastating force to deal with, and other causes of flooding. Flooding usually happens when an abundance of water covers dry land. It can happen when a lake, river, creek, or other waterway overflows its banks. That can be from heavy rainfall or even when water is released from a reservoir, canal, or dam. Some flooding may be a few inches deep, and at times in severe weather or a devastating event, it can cover a house. It can come ashore near an ocean in the form of a hurricane, be carried by high winds, and other natural causes. It can come down from mountains when there is heavy rain or even snow melting. In fact, mountains and hills produce an impressive amount of runoff, which can cause streams and waterways to quickly rise. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says this can happen in just minutes in heavy rainfall, which means there is virtually no warning time. All you can do is appreciate potential danger and watch the weather, and not just in your area, but for any part of the waterway you are near. This type of flash flood is really considered the most dangerous type because it happens in a… well… flash. Quickly. It occurs when heavy rainfall exceeds the ground’s ability to absorb moisture, or when a previous-mentioned event (overflowing banks, release from a reservoir) happens. In the United States, floods kill more people than tornadoes, hurricanes, or lightning. Floods are extremely dangerous but often the risk is downplayed. Areas that are densely populated are at risk because the construction of buildings, roadways, parking areas, and what is typical of an urban area allow rain to build up with nowhere to go, especially if it has rained over an extended time and the storm drain system is overworked. Never enter a flood zone unprepared or untrained. Rely on the experts. Even a small amount of flooding can be dangerous. We have all seen the pictures and videos of those stranded in their vehicles, some standing on top of them, while flood waters raged by. And some have lost their lives because they thought they could get through flood waters. Don’t become a statistic. With flooding comes water damage in homes and buildings, which bring unique potential dangers, such as mold contamination. When you experience water damage, do the right thing. Call your favorite disaster restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro! When Mold Attacks Grout
Your bathtub or shower are prime locations for mold to grow and thrive. After all, mold needs moisture, a relatively dark area, and a food source — all of which can be found almost any bathroom. Mold growth in a home is a concern because of possible health hazards from exposure. If you see mold, it’s best to call a professional restoration company because the root cause may be more serious than you think. Mold under cabinets and in dark areas of a bathroom can be a cause for concern. But mold on grout, especially in a bath or shower, is a task you should be able to handle on your own easily and safely. When mold attacks grout, you need these tips to get the job done right. Scrub brush and detergent solution This is an easy first step. You can use an off-the-shelf bathroom surface cleaning product, or create your own from warm water, a little dish detergent, and some baking soda. The detergent will help clean, and the baking soda will raise the alkalinity which helps clean mold. Apply the solution liberally to the grout and use your scrub brush vigorously and this might do the trick. Rinse and repeat. Grout is tough, scrub away! Bleaching solutions If cleaning doesn’t do the trick, it’s time to get creative and do what the pros do — bleach away discolorations. Remember that bleach alone is not the best cleaning agent. The job of a bleach is to remove color, and the dark stains from mold in grout is just that — color. If you clean thoroughly, then bleaching comes next. You have choices with bleach. The safest to use is hydrogen peroxide, which can be purchased at any grocery store or pharmacy. Pour the peroxide directly on the grout, give it several minutes to work, and scrub and rinse. Let it dry and see how it looks. This might do the trick. Some recommend chlorine bleach, the common household bleach used in laundry. If you use it, be very careful as this is very strong and must be used according to directions and never mixed with other products. The professionals have answers to any of your mold questions. When you see mold, do the right thing. Call your favorite disaster restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro! |
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June 2023
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