Keep a Healthy Indoor Environment

As much as 90 percent of our time is spent inside, especially during colder weather. Yet the Environmental Protection Agency estimates the air inside homes is two to five times more polluted than the outside air. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) recommends the following tips to help maintain a healthy indoor environment for you and your family:

• Maintain a humidity level below 60 percent. Higher humidity creates an environment for mold growth and produces allergens.
• Vacuum frequently. Carpet and furnishings can hold dust and particle soil, mold spores and other allergens.
• Have furnishings cleaned professionally once per year by an IICRC-certified firm to ensure the use of proper extraction procedures, to make certain that soil is not just redistributed, but removed.

To locate an IICRC-certified inspection, cleaning or restoration professional, visit www.certifiedcleaners.org or call (800) 835- 4624. If you live in Roswell, NM or the surrounding areas, visit www.pro-steamer.com or call our toll-free consumer awareness hotline at 1- (888) - 509-3974

What Air Duct Cleaning Is All About...

This weeks tip is about air duct cleaning. Not all air duct cleaning companies are the same, and having you ducts cleaned incorrectly can actually be worse than not having it done at all. No doubt you’ve seen or heard a lot of advertising for air duct cleaning. Many of these ads offering incredible deals are very misleading. Often times your are quoted a price that sounds good until all the “add on charges” are applied.

Due to increased awareness of the importance of having your air duct system cleaned, many states have set standards for how the works should be performed. New Mexico has not yet done this, so everyone with a vacuum cleaner can say they are in the HVAC cleaning business. As a way of introducing you to Pro Steamer and helping you protect yourself, I have provided some information for you.

Here’s What Air Duct Cleaning Is All About...

A company with the right equipment and training will remove the molds, bacteria, fungus, original construction debris, and dust from your air ducts and furnace, to be sure the air you breathe is the cleanest possible. (BONUS: by removing the dust and debris, your heating system will operate at peak efficiency.)

• Step 1: A trained technician will inspect the HVAC system to determine performance and degree of contamination. (Before, we get started we will protect your floors and furnishings from any escaped debris)
  
• Step 2: The technician connects a powerful vacuum to the main trunk line, then seals off the outlets in each room to create a vacuum within the air duct system. Then uncovering one register at a time, he cleans just the air duct.
  
• Step 3: Next, he inserts specially designed air tools into the air duct to loosen dirt and lift debris into the vacuum stream for removal of the contaminants that are clinging to the walls of the air duct. The air duct is cleaned from the register, through the entire duct--all the way back to the furnace. Contaminants are removed.
  
• Step 4: An access door is installed in the plenum to access the return side of the air duct system. Now the technician can clean the cold air and return and plenum. This is where we find the majority of contamination. (NOTE: This step requires very powerful vacuum system that most air duct company’s DO NOT HAVE)
  
• Step 5: Attention to the furnace--Vacuum out the inside of the furnace chambers, remove dust and debris from blower and blades. Clean your filters, or if you choose install new filters, and inspect.
  
• Step 6: Sanitizing of the air duct system. Sanitizing reduces odors, kills molds, bacteria and fungus.

THOROUGHLY CLEANING YOUR HOME WILL GIVE YOU A SENSE OF WELL BEING AND ADDED HEALTH BENEFITS.

PLUS, only the Video-Aire has a built in camera system that allows you to watch the cleaning process as it is taking place!! Keep a video-tape of the cleaning to show your spouse--or your insurance company.

If you live in Roswell, NM or the surrounding areas such as Artesia, Dexter, Hagerman, or Portales, call us at 575-623-0993 to schedule your air duct cleaning.

Upholstery Cleaning and Care

Here are some upholstery care tips...

Regular Maintenance

• Dirt, dust, and body oils are hazards of everyday use, but you can minimize wear and tear by vacuuming and rotating cushions weekly.
• Be aware of potential stain-makers. Newspapers and other items with ink or dyes (including new denim jeans) can bleed onto light-colored upholstery
  Vacuuming is your first line of defense against big cleaning hassles.
  
• Avoid positioning furniture in direct sunlight to minimize fading, and keep it at least 10 inches away from vents or fireplaces, which could cause over-drying and cracking (especially in the case of leather upholstery).
  

Cleaning

• Have your upholstered furniture professionally cleaned by Pro Steamer every year or two, before it becomes visibly soiled.
• Except for emergency cleanups, never remove the fabric cushion covers to wash separately. Have the entire piece of furniture cleaned to prevent uneven fading, wear, and discoloration.
• Don’t remove that tag. You won’t be arrested, but it may have cleaning code that will help you determine the best method for cleaning your furniture. For more information on manufacturers’ cleaning codes, see this HC-Pedia entry: Upholstery.

Spot Removal

• Test spot-removal products in an inconspicuous area, even if the cleaner has been recommended for your particular upholstery. Vacuuming is your first line of defense against big cleaning hassles. Do not over-saturate upholstery fabric, even if it is water-washable. Never scrub or use vigorous motions, which could damage the fabric.
• Blot up spills as soon as they happen with a dry, white cloth or white paper towels, using a light touch. Turn or replace the cloth or towels frequently. Excessive pressure can push liquid deeper into the fabric.
• Don’t use a wet cloth initially to clean a dry spill. Instead, remove with a soft brush or vacuum with a brush attachment. Spatters, spatters everywhere? Whatever you do, don’t spread them around.
  
• Mud should be allowed to dry, and then gently scraped away before vacuuming.
• For peanut butter, lotion, or other oil-based messes, lift excess carefully using a plastic scraper. Do not use any liquid cleaner until all of the surface substance has been removed. If an oily stain remains, dab a manufacturer-recommended spot cleaner from the outer edges of the spot to the center.