DIY Home Cleaning

Believe it or not, it’s time to start thinking about spring cleaning your home. Spring cleaning is important for everyone, particularly if you’re an allergy sufferer. You owe it to yourself and your family to enjoy a clean that’s more than dirt-deep. Think allergen-deep.

Make a Schedule
Scope out your home: What areas need the most work? Where do you skip during routine cleaning? Those are the best places to start.

De-clutter
Decluttering makes you more efficient and keeps you organized. But more than that, clutter has psychological influences. It signals to your brain that work isn’t done. Studies have shown that a disorganized home adds to your stress level. The scientific implications of inhaling dust – combined with the psychological stress of coming home to a pile of unsorted laundry or cluttered desk – can take a toll.

Always Work from Top to Bottom
When you think about how to spring clean your home, it’s important to start from the ceiling down. This will force debris downward and keep you from having to re-dust or re-clean your space. If you have a vacuum with an extension hose, use it to get cobwebs and dust from your ceilings and fans first.

Use a HEPA Vacuum
Is your vacuum ready for spring cleaning? Finding the right vacuum is one of the most important parts of spring cleaning. Remove more than just dust and build-up when you vacuum. A high-quality HEPA vacuum catches particles you can’t even see. It traps pet dander, allergens and all household particles in your home.

Walls and Windows Need Love too
People almost always clean their floors, but they typically forget about walls and windows. Not all dust settles on the floor and other surfaces. Just use a damp towel to wipe down walls and blinds (starting from the top). Remove and wipe down the window screens outside.

Don’t Be Scared of the Kitchen and Bathroom
Kitchen
– Wipe down your cabinets.
– Go through your pantry and refrigerator. Wipe down the shelves, and throw away any old items.
– If you have stainless steel appliances, be sure to use gentle cleaners or a steam cleaner to avoid scratching or other issues.

Bathroom
– Change your shower curtain.
– Go through your cosmetics drawer or medicine cabinet and throw away any expired items.

Get a deep clean by the Healthy Home Authority: Byrnes Chem-Dry!
Our cleaning solutions rely on the power of carbonation to deliver superior results. Byrnes Chem-Dry technicians have the knowledge and experience to keep your rug in tip-top shape. We offer powerful protectants, providing stain resistance throughout your home. Byrnes Chem-Dry also offers drapery cleaning and other upholstery maintenance. Whether it’s on a sofa or curtains, you’ll never have to worry about stains or odors in your home.

Every year around this time colds and the flu spread, which means it’s more important than ever to protect yourself and your family. This season, in particular, the flu is especially tough. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to stay healthy this season. Read our latest infographic to find simple tips for keeping your home clean, avoiding germs and strengthening your body so you can keep yourself and your family safe and healthy this winter season.

Fall is coming faster than we think, and with the change of seasons comes the severe allergies. Here are 7 tips to help you avoid Fall allergies…

Do you or a loved one suffer from allergies? Even if you don’t spend much time outside, you could be “homesick” from allergens that build up over time in your home. Start the new season with a fresh, clean home! Contact us for a free estimate today!

Raise your hand if you find keeping your home clean totally daunting. Or if you stumble upon dust, rust, or dirt in spots you totally forget about too often for comfort. We get it. Which is why we created this super handy checklist to help you stay on top of how often you should bust out your cleaners and get to work — but there are a few exceptions to keep in mind.

First of all, the obvious: If something looks dirty, don’t wait — add it to your immediate to-do list. Secondly, when it comes to sanitation, our guidelines represent the bare minimum so you can ramp up those task as needed. And finally, don’t forget about laundry, for which we created separate guidelines to follow.

Take a look:

1. Know your triggers. Learn which allergens trigger allergy symptoms in your family. Indoor and outdoor allergens may require different responses. If they’re indoor allergens such as pet hair, dust, and mold, open the windows to air the house out. If they’re outdoor allergens such as grass and tree pollen, keep the windows closed.

2. Get rid of standing water sources. It can be a breeding ground for molds.

3. Don’t move dust around, trap it! Feather dusters can just push dust into the air. A damp cloth or paper towel traps the dust instead.

4. Avoid strong or scented chemicals. They can actually make allergies worse. There are brands of “green cleaners” such as Seventh Generation and Method.

5. Clear dust from all surfaces (especially those you don’t always think about). Don’t forget windowsills, window frames, door frames and ceiling fans.

6. Keep the house cool and dry. This makes it less of a haven for dust mites and mold spores.

7. Wash or replace moldy shower curtains. Mold from the shower can spread to other parts of the home, especially in warmer months.

8. Remove trapped allergens. Carpet, rugs and upholstered furniture act as air filters for your home that should be vacuumed weekly and ideally need to be professionally cleaned every 3-4 months. Pay special attention to entryways, high-traffic areas and frequently used furniture.

9. Wash and air our bed linens regularly. Every 1-2 weeks is recommended.

10. Change HVAC filters regularly. Change your filter at least every 6-12 months, but usually closer to every 90 days. Change more frequently if you have pets or allergies.

1. Know your rug. What kind of yarn is it? What kind of backing? Any special instructions from the manufacturer?

2. Rotate your rug. Life of high traffic areas can be elongated/preserved. Consider having multiple rugs to rotate in the same space if traffic is extremely high.

3. Schedule regular professional cleanings. professional cleanings is the best way to ensure a long life for your rug. It can reverse a lot of the day-to-day damage that life can do to your rugs.

4. Avoid the sun. Limit your rug’s exposure to direct sunlight to prevent fading. Keep blinds closed when the room is not in use.

5. Manage shedding. Vacuum 1-2 times a week initially. Do not pull on stray loops, always cut them back to size.

6. Protect your rug from furniture. Use protectors on the feet of furniture to prevent large divots or damage to the pile.

7. Vacuum regularly. Vacuuming your rug will extend the life and beauty significantly. Every 1-2 weeks is ideal for high traffic. Make sure to use a vacuum that can cater to the pile of your rug. If you have a high pile rug, it could be damaged by a vacuum on a low pile setting. If you have a low pile rug, a high pile setting won’t really clean your rug.

8. Removing pet hair. If there is stubborn pet hair or dirt, there are a few tools you can use to get rid of it without damaging the rug. Use a carpet brush, a carpet rake, or a standard squeegee generally used for glass and mirrors.

9. Stain and spill triage. Do not rub, this can press the spill further into the fibers and increase the likelihood that it will stain. Scrape up semi solids with a thin spoon.

1. Use a Seam Ripper To Clean out Vacuum

If you want to make sure your vacuum is picking up everything it can on your carpet, then try getting out all of the hair and string off the roller with a seam ripper so that there’s nothing blocking it.

2. Clean Faucets Around Home with a Lemon

Whether it’s in the bathroom or the kitchen, a lemon is a great way to get rid of hard water stains on your home faucets.

3. Use Vinegar for Your Faucets and Shower Heads

Now if you don’t like that scum and dirt that gets trapped in your faucets, then try tying a bag of vinegar with a rubberband around the faucet.

4. The Best Way to Clean Window Blinds

If you have a lot of blinds in your home and you can tell that they’re gathering a thick layer of dust, then try out this cleaning hack!

5. Use a Magic Eraser for Your Windowsills

Windowsills are prone to get dark with dirt and dust, but a magic eraser is a great way to get rid of it all.

6. Use a Cloth and Broom to Dust the Crown Molding

If you’re having trouble reaching those high places and you notice that they’re getting dirty, then just tie a towel to the end of the broom to dust those hard to reach areas.

This spring, make your house a safer, healthier place to live by cleaning and maintaining your carpets, upholstery, and floors. The tips below not only get your home back in shape for the spring and summer, but they help make your home a healthier place to live by minimizing germs and reducing allergens.

Thoroughly dust your home and clean or replace air conditioning and heating filters. Clean all ducts and vents to decrease your exposure to pollens and other airborne allergens.

Remove mold and mildew in moist areas of the home. Mold is a fungus that can spark allergic reactions for many people. Spring is a tough time of year for anyone with allergies of any kind. Use non-toxic cleaning products and make sure bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens are free of unhealthy mold.

Don’t forget the tile, stone, and grout. High traffic areas collect months of winter dirt and germs, and most weekly cleanings don’t do the job when it comes to giving these surfaces a thorough, healthy cleaning. The grout between tiles and stone can be the toughest to get clean. While Chem-Dry is taking care of your carpets, area rugs and upholstery, ask them to also give your tile, stone, and grout a professional cleaning to eliminate stains and bacteria from these extremely porous surfaces and start spring off on a healthier foot.

This spring, celebrate the start of nicer weather by making your home a cleaner, safer, healthier place to live and enjoy. And you can trust the professionals at Byrnes Chem-Dry to make this more manageable and to be sure your family gets the healthier home makeover you want.

Wine is made for entertaining, enhancing and enjoyment. Though one slip and the next thing you know your carpet is soaking up a bouquet of crimson vino. No need crying over spilled wine (that is unless you really love wine). Follow these simple steps and knock out that red wine stain before it becomes a permanent resident on your home’s carpet. Note: Before removing any stain on your own make certain your carpet does not have any special cleaning requirements, such is the case with carpets made from natural materials or those containing special dyes. In the event you are unsure don’t hesitate to contact a professional carpet cleaner.

First, as soon as the wine hits the carpet grab a clean towel and begin to blot the stain. This is stain removal 101. Remove as much of the stain as you can without scrubbing. Scrubbing only grinds a stain into the carpet.

After you have soaked up as much you can there are a couple of handy items you may have just sitting around the home that will help you get rid of that stain. Before you begin application of any stain removal product or household item, test the remedy on a small patch of undamaged carpet.

Club Soda: This bubbly concoction is great for cleaning most any stain. It works on the same principles of our Hot Carbon Extraction method. The bubbles help break up the stain and the higher levels of acidity give it deeper stain penetrating power.

For tough stains such as red wine, consider calling us at Byrnes Chem-Dry for some professional assistance. Using an arsenal of safe and effective stain removal products with the most innovative equipment, Byrnes Chem-Dry can knock tough stains out of carpets, rugs, and upholstery for good.

Every area rug requires special care to maximize the life and durability of the piece. When purchasing an area rug, be sure to note the fiber types and origins of the rug. This information may be helpful as your Byrnes Chem-Dry technician offers a specialized cleaning plan to ensure longevity.

Avoid spills on your area rug. If a spill happens, quickly remove as much of the spot as possible using a dry white towel or wet suction extractor. Depending on the type of carpet fibers, hot water may damage your rug (consult with a Chem-Dry specialist on how to best handle your specific rug).

Protect your area rug with Chem-Dry PowerGuard, Repel or Wool Protectant. Each formula is designed to match the needs of your carpet fibers to help minimize stains and make cleaning up spills easier. Avoid leaving an area rug in direct or partial sunlight as fading may occur and have your area rugs cleaned routinely.

Leather upholstery furniture can add warmth and comfort to any room. Like any upholstered furniture, it requires routine maintenance to keep it looking its best. You can help make your leather furniture last for decades with the proper care and cleaning.

For most normal and routine cleanings, you can remove dirt and dander by vacuuming the crevices of your leather furniture or using a dry dusting cloth. If you do encounter a spill on your upholstery, be sure to wipe it up immediately with a clean and absorbent sponge. If there is a sticky substance on your leather, you can use a damp cloth to wipe away the residue and allow the spot to air dry on its own. You should never use soap or a heavily soaked sponge on your leather, as this can lead to more damage. If you are having difficulty removing a stain from your upholstery, it is best to call a professional leather specialist to clean the area.

In addition to these cleaning techniques, it is important that you keep your leather furniture out of direct sunlight. Leather can fade over time if exposed to too much sunlight. While you should avoid cleaning solvents, furniture polish, oils, and any other abrasive soaps, you should use a good leather conditioner on your upholstery every 6-12 months.

Caring for and protecting your leather furniture is an important part of maintaining its look over time. Whether you are looking to clean your upholstery, protect it against stains, or remove marks and scratches, be sure to use only those products that are safe for leather and won’t damage the leather finish. If you are ever in doubt, consult a professional like Byrnes Chem-Dry that is specially trained in caring for leather.

It can be a lot of fun hunting for used furniture at garage sales, consignment stores, and antique stores. You might even inherit a piece of furniture from a friend or relative. Not only can you find some incredible pieces of furniture, but you can get some great deals as well. Nonetheless, you will want to clean and disinfect any furniture and its upholstery before bringing it into your home. This is important so that you do not bring germs or bacteria into your home. It will also help to rid used furniture of unpleasant odors.

First thing, you will want to be sure that your furniture is properly disinfected. There are a number of ways to disinfect your furniture. You can purchase sanitizing wipes, aerosol sprays, or create your own mixture of vinegar and warm water. You can also call in professionals like us. We will use professional strength sanitizer to eliminate unhealthy bacteria.

After you have sanitized and disinfected your furniture, you can begin removing any unwanted odors. Since many of these odors can be caused by moisture that has been trapped in the fabric or pet odors, fabric fresheners, and deodorizers won’t get rid of the musty smell. Instead, you should try cleaning the fabric with warm water and vinegar or using baking soda or calling Byrnes Chem-Dry who specializes in eliminating unwanted odors, not just masking them including pet odors.

Once you have taken these necessary steps, you will feel more comfortable bringing the furniture into your home and you can begin to enjoy your new treasures!