Sharing is Caring, Especially When It Comes to Cleaning

Clean Your Windows for a Happier Winter

Cat in Clean Window | Flat Rate Carpet BlogIt’s hard to get enough sunshine in the middle of winter, especially since we spend most of our day indoors. We need sunlight to regulate melatonin, give us vitamin D, and to help beat the winter blues. Even if you’re unable to get outside during the day, the sunshine that comes in through the windows is an extremely important source of light. Dirty windows block out a lot of important sunshine, and keeping your windows clean will double the amount of helpful sunlight exposure throughout your day.

To help you maximize the sunshine in your life, we’ve compiled the following tips for super clean windows.

  • Vacuum screens to remove dust.
  • Clean windows with a squeegee, or a soft cloth to avoid the lint left behind by paper towels.
  • Prewash the outside of the windows with a hose or water to remove excess dirt.
  • On the outside of the house, wash windows up and down, and on the inside, wash them side to side – that way if there are streaks on the windows, you’ll know which side needs to be rewashed.

To make you’re own window washing liquid, just mix distilled white vinegar with water and wash away. If you’re using white vinegar for the first time, add a drop of dish washing soap to the mixture. Conventional window cleaners leave behind a waxy residue, which will leave streaks if you wash the windows with vinegar, however the drop of dish soap will remove the residue and make your windows shine.

You don’t have to freeze outside to enjoy the benefits of natural sunlight. Wash your windows well and bathe your home or office in light.

Winter Cleanup: Mattresses and Health

Messy Bed | Flat Rate Carpet BlogKeeping your mattress clean is not always the easiest task. Even if you change your sheets often, and don’t have any young children or pets, mattresses should be thoroughly cleaned at least once a year. In between professional cleanings there are many steps you can take to ensure that your mattress has a long and clean life.

We don’t like to think about it, but mattresses are weighed down with dust, dead mites, skin cells, sweat, hair and other bodily fluids. Even the cleanest mattresses will accumulate much of this over time, so it’s important to vacuum your mattress regularly. Vacuuming your mattress helps remove much of the dust, skin and bugs from the surface before they get worked deep into the mattress itself.

Getting a mattress cover is another great way to protect your mattress. Some people cover mattresses in a sealed plastic cover. Although these covers work well to protect the surface of the mattress, they can be uncomfortable. Foam or cloth mattress covers are comfortable to sleep on, and are less expensive to replace than a new mattress.

A thorough, professional mattress cleaning is the best way to keep your mattress in great condition. Professional cleaning removes deep down grime, sweat and other liquids that vacuuming can’t reach.

Winter is the perfect time to get your mattress professionally cleaned. A clean mattress will help you stay healthy by limiting your exposure to germs. People usually have their carpets, mattresses and upholstery cleaned in the Spring. Since it’s a slower season, cleaning companies have amazing deals in the winter. Getting your mattress cleaned now will cost less, and keep you healthier all winter long.

We spend nearly a third of our day in bed, why not make it a clean and comfortable space?

How to Remove Champagne Stains

Champagne | Flat Rate Carpet BlogMost people who host a New Year’s party spend the night worrying about red wine spills and ground up appetizers ruining their rug, but few think about spraying champagne all over the house at midnight. Although champagne is colorless and bubbly, it can still leave behind marks on furniture and other fabrics. Here are some simple tips in removing champagne stains.

Add a small drop of dish soap to warm water and mix. Dip a clean, white cloth into the solution and gently dab the stain. Repeat the process until you’ve covered the whole area.

Next use a different clean, white cloth and redab the area with warm water to rinse.

This method will get champagne stains out of upholstery, carpets and clothing without any added hassle.

If only everything in 2013 will be this easy!

Christmas Cleaning Tips

Christmas Clean | Flat Rate Carpet BlogAs we get closer to Christmas it seems like there is so much more to do, and so much less time to do it. Before you get even more overwhelmed, we’ve got a few tips to help you make it to Christmas with a clean house and some sanity!

Start by sitting down and making a list of all the housework that needs to be done. Now take a second look at the list and cross off anything that doesn’t really need to be done. For example, Christmas means guests dropping by, so it’s good if any bathrooms open to guests are clean but your own bathroom can wait. Made beds are less important than a tidy living room and allowing yourself to forget less important chores will open up time for the important stuff.

Don’t do it all alone. Sure it feels like everything falls on your shoulders, but it’s time to call in the backup troops and put the rest of the family to work. Put a positive spin on chores by giving the kids a chance to earn bonuses on their allowances.

Take it all one step at a time. If you’re trying to do all the laundry, you might find yourself so overwhelmed that you get nothing done at all. Instead, decide to do one load of laundry a day. That way clean clothes keep coming and you still have time for other activities.

Remember, in the end nobody will know if you haven’t cleaned your bedroom in a week. What’s really important this time of year is spending valuable time with the people you love.

Merry Christmas.

How to Clean a Hanukkah Menorah

Hanukkah Menorah | Flat Rate Carpet BlogThe site of a beautifully lit Hanukkah menorah in the window brings back memories of family, childhood and joyous holiday celebrations. However many menorahs wind up covered in dripped candle wax that’s impossible to scrape off without ruining the menorah. Cleaning candle wax off a Hanukkah menorah is very easy, and will help keep preserve the beauty of your menorah for generations to come.

For a quick clean up of large amounts of wax, simply place your menorah in the freezer for a few hours. The wax freezes and breaks off the menorah quickly. This freezing method is fast and easy, but will still leave small amounts of wax on the menorah. Freezing works best for ceramic menorahs.

For a more thorough clean up use boiling hot water to loosen up the wax. Boil water in a tea kettle, and then slowly pour the water over the menorah. Go one branch at a time, and peel the soft wax off slowly. Make sure you hold the menorah with a towel as it can get very hot. Before the menorah has a chance to cool down, polish it with soft cloth to remove leftover wax and prevent water stains.

Hanukkah menorahs make valuable heirlooms, and brighten up the home during the holidays. Keeping your menorah clean will extend it’s life and it’s beauty.