Monday, January 30, 2012

Orange County Window Cleaning: Cleaning Myths And Dangers

Most individuals learn their cleaning habits while growing up in their parents homes. Moreover nearly every set of parents and grandparents for that matter have their own home remedies for cleaning chemicals and tips for getting the job done more efficiently. Unfortunately many of these tips and home cooked remedies for cleaning solutions are more smoke and mirrors than they are effective. In fact many of the cleaning tips and tricks that parents pass on to their children are nothing more than cleaning myths which eventually perpetuate cleaning mistakes.

When it comes to flooring, countertops, and fixtures there is an urban myth that says bleach cleans these things effectively and quickly. While bleach can be an effective and powerful cleaning agent, bleach is ineffective in removing impurities from surfaces unless they are first cleaned with products designed to remove the dust and dirt from them. Germs can hide from bleach in the dirt and dust that often resides or sits on tops of the surfaces.

There are some homeowners who have been taught that cleaning the carpets does more harm than good. Nothing could be further from the truth in fact as dirt, mold, odors and even shrinkage arise from carpet that is left uncleaned and/or wet too long. The majority of carpets can be cleaned effectively by homeowners by way of solid carpet cleaning equipment and chemicals, usually those found in local grocery and hardware stores. Renting these is relatively inexpensive and the job can be completed rather quickly. Carpets, like anything else at home need to be cleaned regularly if they are to be safe and last for any length of time.

The biggest myth surrounding wood cabinets and wooden furniture is that applying too much wood polish is bad for the wood. It's also believed by many homeowners that the interaction between the chemicals within a wood polish and the wood itself attracts excess dust and dulls a finish. In reality homeowners who consistently dust their wood cabinets and furniture will usually be doing enough to keep their wood looking good and sharp. While adding excessive polish won't hurt wood furniture or cabinets consistent dusting does a lot more for them.

Tile grout is deceptively easy to clean though most homeowners believe it to be excessively difficult. In truth homeowners need only to remove dirt from the tile grout with water and then apply baking soda and vinegar to clean the grout effectively. Unfortunately many homeowners believe cleaning tile grout to be so difficult that they skip trying themselves and contact a professional right off the bat which means they spend money that they really don't need to.

When it comes to cleaning rain gutters the vast majority of homeowners seem to think or have been told that throwing the leaves out of the gutter is all they need to do to complete the job. The reality of the situation however is that good gutter cleaning requires identifying leaks, seams and even flushing downspouts. All of these things prevent clogging and damage to homes. If the homeowner has rain gutters that need to be cleaned their best bet is going to be to work with a professional.

Washing a home's windows is not only something that most homeowners try to avoid but a project that most homeowners do incorrectly and dangerously as well. A homeowner must be aware of the dangers not to themselves but to their windows when they decide to clean them on their own. Not all windows are constructed out of the same type of glass and different types of glass require different cleaning techniques as well as different types of cleaning chemicals. Utilizing the wrong chemicals and tools on the wrong type of window can result in scratching, smudging, breaking, and windows that just don't look very clean. Window washing is a job best left to professionals.

Regardless of what type of cleaning a homeowner may want to undertake, it's always a good idea for them to first consult with a professional if for no other reason than to be certain that they're doing the job correctly and to avoid damaging surfaces and areas in and around their home.

Stanley Window Cleaning specializes in Orange County window washing, Orange County power washing and Orange County window cleaning.

orange county power washing, orange county pressure washing, orange county ca power washing, orange county ca pressure washing, Orange County window cleaning, Orange County pressure washing, Orange County glass repair, Orange County gutter cleaning, window cleaning Orange County CA

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Rain Gutter Cleaning Risks

There is often an enormous amount of pride associated with the phrase "do-it-yourself" as well as the do-it-yourself attitude. There are many things in and around the home homeowners can do on their own to both save themselves money and to invoke a sense of pride though some things are better left to the experienced hands of professionals.

While painting a child's room and even laying some new tile in the kitchen might be the type of job that makes a homeowner feel proud or accomplished these types of jobs are relatively safe and pose little danger outside of small cuts, scrapes or stains. Cleaning rain gutters around the home however is the type of job that a homeowner should avoid doing themselves whenever possible. The risks associated with cleaning rain gutters are not always readily apparent to homeowners or to those people who've never worked with them or cleaned them before.

The dangers homeowners face when handling projects themselves are numerous but unlike the majority of them, the dangers posed by cleaning rain gutters are far more likely to cause serious and even fatal harm. Of course the first part of cleaning any rain gutters is to climb up a ladder and either work from a high point on that ladder or from the edge of a roof. Both scenarios pose considerable risk to even experienced professionals and lay persons unprepared for such dangers face even greater risk.

Homeowners cleaning their own rain gutters that are lucky enough to avoid falling will still find themselves face-to-face with an extremely sharp object. Rain gutters are cut very thin and many people find themselves cut very easily. So sharp are the edges of rain gutters that many people don't even realize they've been cut until it's too late or until fingers or hands have gone missing. Even wearing thick construction grade gloves doesn't always protect an individual from potential rain gutter cuts or worse.

Professionals who clean rain gutters for a living and those who install them know exactly how to handle both the gutters themselves and how to free them from all of the debris that can become lodged in them overtime. The debris lodged in rain gutters can also pose a threat to the do-it-yourselfer as many rodents, insects, and even spiders can make a home in the debris if left unattended for a lengthy period of time.

With so many dangers associated with cleaning rain gutters homeowners should ask themselves, "is it really worth the risk"? There are no professional cleaners out there who'll ever will ever suggest any homeowner clean their own rain gutters as they know firsthand the damage and injury that comes as a result of doing so.

Stanley Window Cleaning specializes in Orange County gutter cleaning , Orange County power washing and Orange County window cleaning.

orange county power washing, orange county pressure washing, orange county ca power washing, orange county ca pressure washing, Orange County window cleaning, Orange County pressure washing, Orange County glass repair, Orange County gutter cleaning, window cleaning Orange County CA

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

The Dangers Of Using Pressure Washing Equipment With Untrained Hands

When it comes to projects in and around the home there a lot of individuals who prefer the do-it-yourself method. When dealing with pressure washers however persons who have not been properly trained to use pressure washers and handle their chemicals are taking a chance with her health and even their life.

There are numerous cases of laypersons renting or buying pressure washing equipment and injuring themselves. Broken bones, burns, and sprains are not uncommon when inexperienced handle pressure washing equipment. There are even a few documented cases of people losing their lives as a result of not knowing how to properly utilize pressure washing equipment.

It is for these reasons that we professionals strongly recommend that you contact and hire someone who knows what they're doing when you want areas around your home pressure washed. We strongly advise that no layperson attempt to utilize commercial grade pressure washing equipment on their own.

Should you have any questions about our pressure washing equipment and/or services please be sure to contact us that we may be of assistance.

Stanley Window Cleaning specializes in:

Orange County Pressure Washing - Orange County Window Cleaning - Window Cleaning Orange County Ca

Monday, January 16, 2012

Tips for Green Cleaning

No matter where you search for the best cleaning products for your home, you’ll always hear about Green Cleaning. You’ll find those cleaners in the soap and cleaning product aisle, but many call themselves ‘Green’ because the label is green. Doesn’t always mean that the product is green, so beware.

There are many cleaning products you probably already have around your home. Things like baking soda, salt, white vinegar, Borax, olive oil, and even lemon juice. These products are less toxic and also cost much less than the advertised labels in the grocery store.

However there is nothing wrong about using the products that are already mixed and don’t require as much scrubbing as your homemade products.

A few tips that could prove useful in your quest to clean with green cleaners: to prevent clogged drains, use a strainer to catch hair, food and other stuff from clogging your drains. If you cook with a lot of oil and some of it goes down the drain, pour boiling hot water down the drain at least once a week.

That hot water works better and faster than most powerful chemicals. If the drain is still clogged, use a ½ cup of baking soda followed by ½ cup of white vinegar. It’s best if you then cover the drain and let the process foam. You could also add ½ cup of salt followed by six cups of boiling water. If all else fails, you may have to get a plumber’s snake to force out the clog.

For cleaning wood floors there are a lot of combinations you could use of olive oil and vinegar. The type of wood and the finish would designate the ratio, but try ¼ cup of vinegar and one gallon of hot water. Use this first on a small area that is hidden under a rug or behind the couch.

Clean dirty windows with ¼ cup of vinegar and 2 to 3 cups of water. Others suggest a little liquid detergent, still others prefer lemon juice. Newspapers are popular when cleaning windows, while others prefer a clean cotton rag or towel.

To clean ovens, many simply buy a commercial oven cleaner, and they are caustic, so be careful.

To freshen the air in your home, even in the dead of winter, open that window to let the clean air flow.

Many homes are air tight, and the air gets stale. Nothing is better than clean fresh air from an open window.

Stanley Window Cleaning specializes in Orange County pressure washing, Orange County power washing and Orange County window cleaning.

orange county power washing, orange county pressure washing, orange county ca power washing, orange county ca pressure washing, Orange County window cleaning, Orange County pressure washing, Orange County glass repair, Orange County gutter cleaning, window cleaning Orange County CA

Friday, January 13, 2012

Pressure Washing For Your Home And/Or Business

Although we often talk about our pressure washing services, we don't always going into the details with regards to just what areas pressure washing can be applied to and what types of things it removes from those areas.

Our commercial grade high-pressure mechanical washers are used to remove loose paint, mold, grime, dust, mold and dirt from a number of different surfaces. All of these are areas that people see first at both professional and residential locations. As a result of this most homeowners as well as business owners and/or managers want the following areas to look as clean as possible.

Pressure washing can be applied to:
  • Walls
  • Driveways
  • Walkways
  • Fences
  • Decks
  • Patios
  • ... and many more!
Should you be interested in having any of these areas around your home and/or business location pressure washed please be sure to contact us set up a booking!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Winter Window Cleaning?

Thus far the winter of 2012 is a mild one and in many ways feels more like an early spring than anything else. Not only have temperatures been in the high 60s, 70s, and in some places the 80s, but there's been little to no rainfall as well, especially in Orange County.

While we continue to offer a seven day reign guarantee on any windows we clean, many homeowners remain apprehensive about hiring a professional window cleaner during this time of year because of the weather. This winter however presents homeowners with a unique opportunity to have their windows cleaned in the middle of winter without having to worry about inclement weather. It also makes for a great time to have your walls, driveways, and walkways all pressure washed as well.

Should you wish to take advantage of this unusual season and book us please be sure to contact us and we'll be happy to assist you.

 Stanley Window Cleaning specializes in:

Orange County Glass Restoration - Orange County Window Cleaning - Window Cleaning Orange County Ca