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So you just bought the best vacuum cleaner on the market and now that you went over the carpet, it is time to put it away, right? While you could keep it in the closet and let it collect dust until the next time you vacuum, there are plenty of other uses for these devices. As it turns out, there is a purpose for all of those attachments that came with the vacuum.

While dusting will remove a large portion of the dust, it will also push the debris around leaving some behind. Since vacuums suck up the dirt rather than pushing it around, they can provide a deeper clean. Here are some secret vacuuming tricks that cleaning companies in Bucks County use to get the most out of your vacuum.

Ceiling fans seem to be magnets for dust, no matter how long it has been since their last use. Many people will want to clean them with a duster, but one swipe is likely send the dust into the air and onto the walls and carpet. Instead, grab an attachment with an angled head and vacuum each blade to stop the spread of dust. When going to wash or paint the walls, after wiping them down, go over the area with any attachment to remove the dirt the cloth missed.

Bookshelves and drawers are also notorious for collecting grime and various debris. To quickly and effectively clean these areas, use the narrow crevice attachment to get in the tight corners of these areas.  You can keep this attachment on to remove all the crumbs out of a trash can without having to reach in there yourself. You can use the crevice or soft brush attachment to clean the dust out of humidifier vents to increase the air quality in your house. The same attachments can be used to remove the built-up dust from the coils behind a refrigerator to maximize its efficiency.

Many people neglect to clean their mattress and think that cleaning their sheets is enough. The bed can be covered in dead skin, dust mites, and other dirt that a quick dusting would miss. Whenever you wash the sheets, take a minute to vacuum the mattress, box spring, and pillows.

Now that you are armed with these tips, you are ready to get the most from your investment and prevent it from becoming something that sits around collecting dust. If you do not have one the best vacuum cleaners and are looking for house cleaning companies in Bucks County, give us a call today to get a free quote today.

• If your patio furniture didn’t make it through the winter, consider replacing old or worn furniture with something new. Or, if you don’t have patio furniture, purchase a set so that you can take advantage of your pretty outdoors this summer.

• If your furniture frames are in good condition but your cushions are looking a bit worn or out of style, simply replace your cushions or add a new umbrella to your space.

• If your furniture and cushions all made it gracefully through the winter, consider yourself lucky! Take this opportunity to update your overall look and feel by adding a few fun and stylish outdoor accent pillows to your seating.

• Beautiful flowers always add a pretty touch to your outdoor space during the summertime. Adding planter boxes, either window or stand-alone ones, can give you extra space to decorate with a colorful array of fresh blooms this summer.

Solar lights  

• Light up your pathways with pretty solar lights this summer. Not only are these super simple to install, but they also won’t increase your electric bill!

• Add a little sparkle around your deck with a pretty set of stringed party lights! From caged string lights to colorful jewel-toned lights, these can truly add sparkle to your deck while reflecting your own personal style.

• Don’t forget to protect yourself and your guests from pests! A simple citronella candle works, but pretty citronella tabletop torches are available in a variety of styles and colors to suit your personal preference.

• If you have outdoor electricity and an overhang, install an overhead fan to keep you cool on hot summer days! If that doesn’t describe your outdoor space, you can always bring a standing fan outside to help keep you cool.

• Another great way to spruce up your outdoor space is to add a decorative outdoor rug! Rugs come in a variety of styles and colors to fit your outdoor needs.

• If digging a fire pit isn’t on your summer to-do list, you can still stay warm on cool summer nights and roast marshmallows over a pretty fire pit you bring home from the store.

• Take a moment to sweep off your patio or deck and then use a power sprayer to get the remaining winter dirt and grime off. If you have a wood deck, consider restaining and resealing it if necessary. (Lowe’s, $299)

• Spring cleaning can do wonders for your home and your soul, so don’t forget to clean your outdoors, too! Grab the kids and a few rags and clean off all the dirt, grime and cobwebs from your patio furniture. (Lowe’s, $5)

Hope this helps get you all ready for Summer 2014!

Are you starting to think about Spring Cleaning?  I am!

The sun is out in California which means you can see every bit of dust in every room. This time of year I start getting into a bit of a frenzy to make sure every room and closet and drawer gets cleaned out.   I also like to freshen things up and move out the winter stuff and lighten and brighten for spring and summer.

So I wanted to post about how to clean and dry pillows because I have a bit of an issue with pillows.  A long time ago I read a little tip in Real Simple magazine that your pillow can actually double in weight over time due to dust, dirt, skin cells and other nastiness best not to think about.

Is that just the grossest thing ever or what?  Like I don’t have enough problems, now I need to sleep with one eye open thinking of the yuckiness creeping into my pillow. #nothankyou

So I actually wash our pillows every 2 months because we have small children and a great big dog and such but I wanted to pass along some great tips to be sure your pillows are nice and clean for a great night of sleep.

Please note if you have a memory foam pillow these tips will not apply.

Tips to Clean Microfiber or Feather Pillows:

1. First check the pillow.  If it is yellowed or stained, you want to treat the pillow (see tip #4).  If your pillow seems pretty floppy and thin, it is probably time to just replace the pillow.  You should get fresh pillows about once a year or at least once every two years.

(Give your pillow a karate chop in the center and fold it over. If it stays in the folded position it is for sure time to replace.  If it bounces back to a flat position you have a nice pillow and no need to replace.)

2. Pillows should be washed in the washing machine every 3 months.  Check the care instructions first on your pillow but if you cut off that tag you should be able to just pop them in the washing machine.  You want to wash with hot or warm water and it is very important to get the moisture out from washing the pillow (or it can get moldy inside and seriously how gross is that?)   A second spin cycle on the washing machine is a great idea to really push out a lot of moisture.

If you feel fancy you can put a few drops of essential oils (lavender is nice or maybe rosemary or something calming) in the rinse cycle to give them a hint of fragrance.  Your face will be smooshed into the pillow so if fragrances bother you or you have any skin issues don’t do this  .  

3. When you are ready to put the pillow in the washing machine, try to push all the air out of your pillows first and add 2 pillows at a time to balance the load.   If you have a top load washing machine, try to fit the pillows in vertically instead of horizontally so they don’t get wrapped around the thing-y in the middle of the washing machine.    If you really smash the pillows down to get all the air out it will help to fit them in the washing machine.  (I have King size pillows on our bed so I have to go Crocodile Dundee style on my pillows to squish them enough to fit nicely inside our front load washer.)

4. If you have yellowed pillows or pillows that are a tiny bit smelly- you can try a few things.  First you can add 1/2 cup baking soda or 1/2 cup vinegar with your laundry soap to the machine.  The vinegar is for odor and the baking soda helps with both odor and stains.   If your pillows are really in need of TLC from staining and such I would use the hot water for sure on your load.

And once they are nice and clean it is time to dry the pillows:

1. As mentioned above it is super important to get all the moisture out.  It is best to dry the pillows on a low setting for a long time as opposed to a short time on a hot setting.

2. I like to add two tennis balls to my dryer and the bouncing motion of the tennis balls does two things- it helps fluff the pillows and it also helps to beat the heck out of the moisture inside the pillows. Depending on your tennis balls- if they have that yucky plastic-y smell to them or they are a bright color, you might want to pop the tennis balls inside a clean, white sock first.  That will protect your pillow against any odor and discoloration.

(Side note–I have tennis balls on hand because they are awesome for working out tight shoulder muscles or pain from exercise.  Just position your back against a wall and put the tennis ball where it hurts and push.  Almost like a mini massage.)

3. Once you think the pillows have dried long enough take them out and give them a giant hug.  You are feeling for any moisture and you might as well push your head into the pillow and smell.  (My family already thinks I am crazy so they wouldn’t bat an eye at this, but if you have yours fooled into thinking you are normal you might do this in a private place.)  You are smelling for any dampness and if it does still smell damp just toss back in the dryer.

All done!  You can hit the hay tonight knowing you have perfectly washed and clean pillows.  Yeah!

Minch Cleaning Services is pleased to have found a new way to truly clean at the deepest level of surfaces and to protect surfaces far beyond what bleach, antibacterial products and disinfectants can do.  It is not enough to be “green” or “natural” or even “organic” anymore, which is why Minch has embraced the consumer line of PIP Healthy Products and the commercial line of Z-Bioscience probiotic based cleaning products for their 21 year old cleaning company.

Probiotics aren’t just for digestion anymore!  By incorporating probiotics into cleaning products, surfaces are covered with a much needed army of good bacteria that eliminate biofilm. Biofilm, which is the plaque on your teeth, is also on all of the surfaces around you, including, toys, computers, door handles, coffee tables, counters, sinks, appliances, car seats and much more – it can basically adhere to any type of surface with one drop of moisture, and all superbugs like, MRSA, Ecoli, Salmonella, Staph and C-difficile, live in biofilm. If biofilm is not removed, your cleaning efforts are ineffective and leave you susceptible to sickness, infection, mold, mildew, fungus and odors.

The President and founder of PIP Healthy Products, Heather Holmes says, “It is a very different world today from a biological standpoint. There are new superbugs emerging every day for which there are no antibiotics. Killing bacteria only makes them stronger, so a change is necessary to address bacteria in a way that they will not become resistant. Our products don’t have to kill bacteria to clean better and longer  than bleach, disinfectants and antibacterials . Plus our products do not create resistant bacteria like those products do.”

Minch plans to clean homes, schools, churches, offices, gyms and daycares with probiotics, ensuring that its customers will be safe and protected with the best in class products available today. Remember, just because something looks clean or smells clean, it does not mean it is clean.  It is only probiotics that something is truly clean. “PIP® and Z-Bioscience products are all natural, use 100% certified ingredients, certified green, non-irritating, non-allergenic, biodegradable, eco-friendly, non-toxic, non-GMO, vegan, Paleo friendly, contain no harmful chemicals and are safe for skin, children & pets.

We don’t know about everyone else but we are VERY ready for Spring time! With that also comes Spring Cleaning!! Over the next few weeks we will be posting tips to help with your cleaning. Here is one for today:

Do you have a stubborn burner on your stove top that just will not come clean no matter what you do? Well here is something for you to try out. Take the dirty burner and place it into a Zip-loc type gallon bag or bigger. Also in the bag put in 1/4 cup of pure amonia. Seal up the bag and let it sit overnight (at least 12 hours). The next morning take the burner out of the bag and wash it in the sink with warm water and dish soap. Then dry it off completely. Your burner should be sparkling and looking brand new!
Follow us on pinterest for more tips and tricks for cleaning your home 🙂

Although there are several reasons why salt stains can form on carpet. One known fact is that salt has the power to ultimately leave carpets discoloured and even potentially ruined if stains are left untreated. As a result, there is an easy remedy that will solve such issues and eliminate unsightly spots that can be left behind. This article will discuss one of the main methods for cleaning up salt stains on carpets. While clean up time does not take too long, there may be a little bit of elbow grease required, depending on how deep the stain.

To begin, vacuum up all loose salt that has not been ground into the carpet. Any remaining salt particles that have been crushed into the carpet when walked upon will require a more thorough cleaning. When this is the case, simply take some white distilled vinegar and add some warm water in a bowl. Combining these two cleaning agents will allow the stain to be completely removed should the stain run deeper into the carpet. Once the stained area has been vacuumed and the vinegar/water mixture has been made the next phase in salt stain removal can be continued.

Once the cleaning solution has been prepared, the next step that should be taken is to take a wet sponge and dip it into the water/distilled vinegar mix then scrub the area thoroughly to ensure that the cleaning agent goes deep enough, right where the stain began to form. After running through the stain for the first time, allow the cleaning agent to settle. Give this about fifteen minutes or so before going back to the stained area and scrubbing once more. It may also help to gently dab the stain instead of scrub to remove the salt carpet stain completely.

The final step in the process of removing salt stains from the carpet involves drying the once stained area. To do this simply take a dry rag or towel and scrub the area until dry. This will finish the process and, furthermore, keep mold from forming from a wet piece of carpet. One other piece of advice is that if the humidity is high, then it is advisable to keep a fan running over the area to have it completely dried up, especially if the area is not completely dry. The stain has now been removed.

There isn’t much I dislike more than stink.  Ick.  I try to fight the stink as much as possible.  I have bought every candle known to man, plugins (which aren’t very safe), and chemical filled fabric refreshing sprays, and they work just fine.  I wanted something a little less chemically (that’s a word – well, it is to me).  I did some research, and it seems that baking soda is the one natural ingredient that really has the power to neutralize odors.  That’s great, but I like pretty smells too.  I have finally come across the best smelling solution on the planet, and today I’m going to share with you how to make your own fabric refresher spray … a natural cleaning trick!

I start by adding 1 tablespoon of baking soda to a clean spray bottle.  You can buy these for $1 at The Dollar Tree or clean out an old spray bottle thoroughly and recycle it.  Next I add two cups of warm water, put the lid on and shake until the baking soda has dissolved.

Now I take the lid off and add 10 drops of lavendar essential oil.  I love the smell of lavendar, but you may not….no problem…just use a different scent, like maybe lemon?  Put the lid back on and shake well.

Now, spray your fabric or just spray it all around the air!  I use it on curtains, bedding, pillows, furniture and my rugs.  It smells like Heaven, and I don’t have to worry about spraying chemicals all over the house where my family lives…that’s what you call a win – win!

It is hard to believe Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.   Wondering what to get your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day?   How about the gift of a perfectly clean home!   Let’s be honest who wouldn’t want that.   Think about it this way, the less time spent cleaning means more time spent together.   I am pretty sure your sweetheart would love that!   Here is the best part, not sure what type of clean to get your sweetie?   Lucky for you we have giftcards available that can be used as payment towards any of our services.    They are available in $10, $25 and $50 increments.    One of the biggest complaints we adults have anymore is that there never seems to be enough time in our days.   Look no further cause we can help with that!  Feeling a little overwhelmed or confused about all these decisions, no worries.  Just give us a call at our office and we can help you figure out what works best for everyone.

Happy Valentine’s Day from all us to you!!

Did you know that certain foods are consumed on New Years Day in order to bring good luck in the new year? Each culture has their own unique take on this tradition so we have compiled a list to inspire your own luck in 2014. Bon Appetit!

12 Grapes

The Spanish and Portuguese eat twelve grapes at the stroke of  midnight to symbolize the twelve months of the new year. Each grape represents a particular month. Sour grape = troubled month, sweet grape = lucky month. If you finish all twelve grapes in the first minute you will have extra luck and prosperity so eat fast!

Pomegranates

Pomegranates are considered lucky in Turkey and Greece for several reasons. Their red color represents the heart, life and fertility. In addition, their medicinal properties represent health and their abundant, round seeds represent prosperity.

Round Fruits

Eat 12 of these sweet, coin shaped treats for a charmed New Year. Red apples, watermelon and grapes are lucky, delicious  favorites.

Black-Eyed Peas and Collard Greens.

Down South, black-eyed peas and collard greens are considered lucky due to their resemblance to coins and paper money and are thought to attract good fortune and prosperity (and they are good for you too!)

Cornbread

All of us here at Minch Professional Cleaning Services, LLC want to wish you a very Happy Healthy and Prosperous New Year!   We look forward to continuing to work together in 2014!