The Reasons You Should Utilize Hot Water For Cleaning

When your pressure washing, you have to think about the temperature of the water that you’re going to be using. Some people assume that the high powered streams are stand alone, and just work without worry about temperatures. In theory, yes, that can work, but if you’re cleaning concrete, you’re going to need to look at a few reasons why you should be utilizing heated water, not just cold. There’s several arguments to be made about cleaning with hot water today, and it starts with the end results that you get.

Grease and Oil Problems

The first thing that you need to consider is where you’re cleaning. Let’s assume that you were cleaning commercial property that is susceptible to oil and debris from foot traffic and cars (parking lots etc.). That alone would require a great deal of pressure to wash away, but more so, you’ll need to kill the goop, and oil that can be deposited deep within the concrete. Hot water can penetrate and break up the elements, allowing you to move things faster, whereas cold water is only going to work friction. Friction alone is not going to help you clean things thoroughly.

Disinfecting Exteriors

Another reason why you should look towards using heat is to disinfect. The disinfection process is going to help you not only remove deposits of grime, dirt, and mold, it’s going to ensure that things are not coming back to haunt you. It’s tough to get rid of these things across exteriors as it is, so why risk having them return? Seriously, it’s best not to let these things comeback, which is where hot water comes into play.

Safe To Use

Some individuals may worry about the damage that hot water can pull through with pressure washing. High heat water can dissolve certain materials, but if you’re working with concrete, and asphalt, that’s not going to be a problem. The hot water used in pressure washing is not going to melt anything. It’s just going to allow for cleaning and disinfecting, nothing more. You don’t have to worry about damage, or issues related to this, which is why it’s best to utilize this option for cleaning exteriors.

At the end of the day, it’s easy to dismiss the notion of using hot water. However, if you are serious about getting exteriors clean and disinfected, test this out once. You’ll find that it trumps all other options with relative ease. Even without detergents, heated water works best.

Orange County Commercial Pressure Washing

Killer Window Cleaning Tips From The Pros

Whether you’re going to strike out on your own for business or you’re just going to clean your home’s windows, there are a few tips and tricks that the pros recommend. The following breakdown will show you a few tips that will no doubt help the DIY weekend warrior, as well as those looking at cleaning other people’s windows. Of course, no matter what you’re doing, a pro will be able to do a bit better, but if you’re poised to tackle this solution, especially when cleaning commercial properties, consider a few tips.

Water For You, Not Just Windows

The first thing that you need to remember is that this activity takes a toll on the body. You’re going to find yourself winded, sweaty, and tired. To offset that a little, make sure to drink plenty of water. The windows will need a bit of liquid, of course, but you need hydration just as badly.

Test Specific Spots First

Before you go overboard and spray solution across entire windows, test out small spots and areas first. You want to make sure that you have the right solution and ensure the windows don’t have debris or added dirt that will cause problems when cleaning. Start small, and you will not have to deal with a large cleanup project after the fact.

Don’t Rush Things

Whether you have a large squeegee or a small one, the worst thing that you can do is rush through a job. Do not rush anything. The more you rush, the better the chances are that you are going to make a mistake. Take your time, and make sure that you wipe off the excess water on your squeegee before your next wipe. Work on this part too fast, and the water will cause streaks and spots where you just cleaned.

Have Microfiber and Sponges Ready

The next tidbit is important for detailing. You want to have a microfiber cloth and sponges on hand. These are going to help you clean up the finer details, including window sills and frames. After every job clean these up so that you have plenty for the next time. These are going to also help you soak up any additional water droplets from windows that may be left behind after you swipe your squeegee.
The last tip that you are going to want to remember is a simple one, don’t use a lot of soap. Soap can leave a film on glass that makes it look dirty. Take your time and use a balanced solution that is not too soapy, so that you can ensure that glass is 100% clean.

Professional Window Cleaning Services

How To Clean Up Spills – Critical Steps

One of the things that you are going to face off against in your home or office is that of spills. No matter how much you try to avoid it, you’re not going to be able to miss this. Cleaning up spills is a difficult thing to work with if you let them dry up. For that reason, you need to be proactive, and ready to strike whenever this occurs. That being said, the following are tips and tricks that will help you clean up and get moving forward with relative ease. These are going to help diminish the amount of problems you’ll face off against when it comes to spills that are small and of course, spills that are big.

Utilize Microfiber Cloths and Towels

There are two rules of thumb that you need to have when it comes to spills on carpeted areas. The first is not to embed the liquid further by pressing down hard on it. The second is to act fast. That’s where microfiber and regular towels come into play. As soon as you see a spill happen, or you feel wetness, use these and lightly push a little. You have to have a light touch so that the liquid goes into the cloth and towel. Repeat this process until the liquid is lifted and you no longer see the stain. Once you have this done, you can move to the next step.

Vacuum After The Fact

Assuming you have gone through the above step, you will want to sprinkle little baking soda where you see the spill, and then vacuum it up. This is going to help neutralize the fibers of your rug or carpet, but also suck up any excess liquid that may be leftover. This is also going to ensure that there is no major stain in the carpet, and will not let things settle into the underpadding. After you’ve done this, wait a few days, and vacuum the area again, just to make sure that there are no particles in the fibers.

For Hard Surfaces

Wood, tile, and other harder surfaces require fast action as well. You want to have a towel ready to soak up the spill. You do not want to dampen the floor further with a mop, or add wetness to these areas. Instead, use mild soap and water to clean the area and immediately dry it as you clear up the stain. Do not let stains rest, and don’t soak your floors trying to clean them.

At the end of the day, your best bet is to act fast. If you act fast, you will not have to worry about spills too much.

Maid Brigade Orange County

Do You Know What Lurks Beneath Your Sink?

Open up your sink and you’ll find that there may be a lot of cleaning products. Everyone has these, but not all of them are going to be “green”. Unless you’re making a concerted effort to only go with green certified products, you are going to be astonished by what you find. Some of the best products, at least based on what consumer opinions are, may be the ones that are going to cause problems within the atmosphere.

The Ingredients

Here’s the hard truth, cleaners, especially those for the home, don’t list all the products. They aren’t required by law to have them. You could very well be using a cleanser that is nothing short of poison, and not even know it. If you do your research, you can find a few notes on these things, but chances are you are going to be running into a tough time. Making informed decisions about cleaning products is made increasingly difficult by the money spent on advertising that these companies work with.

Warning Signs

Take out the products that you have under the sink. Look at them carefully and see if there are any warning signs. Chances are, you will have a lot of options that say “not safe” or “toxic”, which is not a good thing. These things should not be used in closed areas, and should not be within reach of children. Some of these options can have fumes that are flammable, and cause severe allergic reactions. Children as well as pets can find these elements to be dangerous if they are exposed. These should not be kept under your sink, as the heat could cause issues as well.

Going Green Slowly 

This is not a call to throw out everything you have. Instead, be careful about using what you have, and slowly start to build your cleaning arsenal towards a greener solution. By just adding a few things here and there, you’ll slow build towards something grand in your kitchen and other areas. Start with picking up replacements to existing cleansers you have, and focus on finding options that are 100% green, and certified at that. You’ll be surprised by how many green solutions area available today. You may have to pay a little more up front, but the peace of mind and cleaning power you get from green options will definitely be worthwhile. Replace poison, toxic cleaners with natural solutions, and you’ll help your home and the environment at the same time.

OC Maids

Cleaning Up The Exterior of Properties

Regardless of whether or not you have a commercial property or a residence, you’ll want to look at the exterior at different phases. Obviously, you’ll want to clean the inside, but curb appeal suffers if you neglect the exterior. It’s for that reason why you should look into a few notes about cleaning the outside with relative ease. There are several options that you can consider including power washing, replacing windows, and of course exterior paint jobs.

The Power Wash Option 

The first solution that you will want to explore is that of power washing. Power washing can give you a great deal of change over. The big thing that you will see here is that you can easily get rid of grime, mold, and dirt fast. This is a process in which you use very high pressure water streams to clear off the exterior of a building. This doesn’t harm the paint or the building itself, it’s just high pressure water. Sometimes there is a detergent used to help with this, but it’s not mandatory.

Replacing Windows

From time to time, you’ll want to replace windows. If you haven’t replaced existing windows, and are sure that you do not have high efficiency, double or even triple pain windows, it’s time for an upgrade. Upgrading this option will help you with curb appeal and energy costs. You’ll find that the right windows can help with blocking out UV rays, helping keep warm in the winter, and also reduce the noise you may hear from a noisy street. They also look great, and can be framed in a number of different design choices.

New Paint

Perhaps one of the best options to consider outside the above is to paint. With an updated paint job, you can bring new life to your home. Do this in the spring time, and you’ll find that your home could look amazing throughout the summer, and into the fall and winter months. You can go brighter, or just add trim, but the point is to make sure that your property looks amazing. Sometimes, just a simple paint job could increase the value of your home by several thousands of dollars.
At the end of the day, the above highlights a few ideas that you can take with you today to make your property “pop”. Not only will it help with curb appeal, it will raise the property value. Even if you don’t plan on selling, making your property look great is always a good reason to explore the solutions above.


Huntington Beach Pressure Washing

A Look At Window Cleaning Technique

At first glance, cleaning windows seems easy. Millions of people do this on a regular basis, but realize fast that there’s a bit of technique that should be utilized. Without a certain focus on details, you’ll quickly find that you can end up leaving streaks, debris, and more on windows. It’s for that reason that you should look into what experts say about cleaning windows, especially when you want a clear, streak free finish.

Get A Good Squeegee

First and foremost, you will need a good squeegee. This is going to help you get streak free finishes no matter what liquid you’re going to be using. Look for a good quality solution here, and don’t skimp. You want an option that is going to help you get absolute cleanliness.

Avoid Cold Water

As you look into mixing window cleaner, don’t use cold water. Going too cold here will cause problems with cleaning. Warm water is good, and to ensure that you’re getting an added cleaning element, use alcohol. Alcohol and water will give you superior cleaning potential as the freezing point is far lower and will help you out through colder weather shifts. Of course you don’t want water that is too warm, so go with room temperature.

Proper Squeegee Use

When you’re cleaning windows, make sure that you work on your squeegee process. You’ll want to utilize both horizontal and vertical strokes, however, try to make sure that every stroke you use is dry. Dry off your squeegee with a microfiber cloth between strokes, and make sure that you’re consistent with how you’re moving your tools.

For Stubborn Debris

A good option to help you clean glass is to utilize a glass scraper. However, do not use this without putting solution on glass. You don’t want to crack windows. You also don’t want to scratch, but rather gently lift debris, and other deposits that can end up on surfaces. Test your scraper in a small area before testing it out on any window, and then make sure that the glass is wet before you put the blade to it.

Don’t Forget Detailing

Another thing that you should work with is simple, detailing. You can use solution and squeegee just fine. However, there will still be wetness around the window and streaks may form. To avoid these, make sure that you look into using a microfiber to pick up any water that is left over, simple as that. You want to make sure to pick up any extra wetness that comes through, and detailing is what works best.

At the end of the day, you need to take your time when cleaning windows with a solid technique. Take your time, and you’ll be rewarded for the effort you put in.

The Healthy Way To Clean Your Mattress

One of the most important things that you need to clean is simple, your mattress. It’s easy to forget this. Many people just go through life sleeping on their mattress, without ever considering cleaning. The problem with this is that a lot of elements get into the mattress fabrics. This includes sweat, dead skin, and more. This can go forward for years, without any cleaning. Don’t panic. You can clean your mattress with relative ease, if you know what to do. The following will help you get things done the right way, so that you’re not having to deal with the elements that could build up in your mattress over time.

First Things First 

Before you start cleaning, you need to make sure that you take your linens and bedding off of your mattress. You need to ensure that you leave it barren.  Once you do this, you will need to just lightly brush things off with an upholstery brush. This will get some of the loose fibers from the top, and you can vacuum that up on your flooring. You want to make sure that you brush everything off of the top first. After you do that, you’ll be ready to move forward with a little more cleaning.

For the linens, you should make sure that you wash them at high heat. Your washing machine’s “hot” element will help you no doubt. It’s recommended that you wash linens at no less than 130 degrees for cleaning things.

As for your mattress, you will need to clean the foam and elements with a mix of detergent and liquid dishwashing soap. Mix these things with water, and use it to spot clean stains, and lightly scrub areas without soaking things. Utilize a little baking soda too, and you can deodorize as you clean up spots. It’s tempting to utilize cleaners that you can buy over the counter, but they are not going to help you out too well. They are harsh, and can soak into the mattress.

After Cleaning

After you’ve focused on cleaning, you will want to look into a good hypoallergenic set of pillowcases, and mattress pad. This will help you out overall. Wash your linens regularly, and focus on this cleaning process every few months to ensure that you are getting things cleared up with ease. As long as you keep things up every few months, you’ll ensure that your mattress is safe, and sound.

Mission Viejo Home Cleaning Services

Shining Light on How Car Thieves Hack Keyless Entries

Keyless entry is a great way to secure your home, car, and more. However, they are not without hacks. Car thieves are getting more and more savvy, and can actually get into vehicles and more through a few methodologies. While you shouldn’t panic about this, you should at least know a few things that car thieves do to gain access to a lot of different keyless entry options.

Frequency Jamming

This is a solution that can cause a signal jam to the lock. The way that keyless options work is through emitting a signal. When your remote is near it, you hit a button and the locks open up. Well, thieves can send an amplification device that sends signals to the lock and opens them up over time. This is a bit complex, but it is a way that some thieves have cracked the code of high end vehicles and other solutions. Jamming a signal requires a bit of toil, but it works often.

Deliberate Force 

In the world of hacking, brute force or “Brutus”, was a standard. This same style of attack is utilized with security options. Brute force is like it sounds, a push through the functionality of the encryption, breaking it over time. It sends combinations at rapid fire to the entry point, overloading circuits and causing things to break down.

Signal Amplification 

Similar to that of frequency jamming, this is a solution that searches for signals within a keyless entry and then turns up the signal as high as possible. Specialists utilize authorization codes that send signals to the lock mechanisms, opening things up. Frequencies here are trial and error and similar to that of jamming, although it doesn’t “jam” the code, rather it tests a variety similar to brute force, but with a bit less strength.

Why You Shouldn’t Fear Hacking

Here’s the thing, it’s not likely that your keyless entries are going to get hacked. Hacking is not an impossible task. It’s very possible, but you’re going to find that it takes a specialized knowledge to get this done. Hacking is not common. The chances that your entry points will get hacked is unlikely, but not impossible, obviously. Automakers utilize a great number of software updates to change locking systems and keep vehicles safe. The same can be said with locks and keyless entries for businesses and homes. This is not something to panic over, or worry too much about.

Emergency Locksmith in Boston

Healthy and Easy Ways To Clean Grout At Home

Wherever you have tiles in your house, you will have grout. Grout holds things together between the pieces. Putting down tile requires a sealant to hold things together. You may not even notice it when it’s new, and clean. However, over time it can get dirty, mold can start to sit, and you’ll definitely see it. When the darkness sets in, you’ll find that your kitchen’s backsplash, bathrooms, and other areas will look dirty overall. To clean these things up, and to ensure that the stains don’t become overwhelming, you can clean up with the following simple, green, and healthy solution.

The Simple Recipe 

The first thing that you need to do is simple, you need to look into mixing a cleaning solution. YOu could buy over the counter options, however, they are going to be made up of chemical elements that are not necessarily “green” in comparison. The following will help you mix things up to save money, and get the results that you seek from cleaning grout around tile.

You will need:

1. Hydrogen peroxide
2. Water
3. Spray Bottle 
4. Optional – Vinegar 

*Note: Do not mix hydrogen peroxide and vinegar. Use 1 or the other.

That’s it. You just need these things, and put them together. Now, there are some that will recommend utilizing vinegar instead of hydrogen peroxide, but that’s up to you. You’ll want to mix half a cup of peroxide or vinegar and one cup of water for every half cup of the other ingredient. Once you mix these things up, you’ll have a solution that will clean through grout stains easily.

The Process of Cleaning 

The next thing that you will need to do is to get a toothbrush and clean the grout. Spray the dirty areas and then brush the areas slightly and you’ll see the stains start to come off. Within a matter of minutes, you’ll be able to change things up with ease.

This option is a simple solution that is 100% green, free of chemicals, dyes, and lightweight overall. The cleaning effect is simple to get, so long as you just spray, and brush. You don’t need to work too hard to get through cleaning grout after you work on this once. If you don’t see changes right away, let the solution sit on the dirty grout for a little longer, then brush it off. Rinse it off with water after you have finished brushing, and that’s it. It’s a simple option that will allow you to go green, with relative ease.

Irvine House Cleaning with Maid Brigade

Different Types of Locksmiths and Skills For Security

Locksmiths go through a lot more than just opening doors. Sure, they are skilled in doing this, but there’s a lot more today than just picking and opening locks overall. Security elements today take on a lot more technology than ever before. You may see locks often, and they are simple, utilizing keys and traditional methodologies. However, you’ll find that today, there are digital elements, finger print solutions, electronic locks, magnets, and much more. It’s because of this, there are several different locksmith types and security concerns that you should consider overall.

The Small Business Locksmith

Traditionally, you’ll find locksmith services around metropolitan areas. These are storefronts often, and you can get keys reproduced, locks opened and a lot more. These small businesses utilize modern techniques to open locks for home, cars, and much more. They duplicate options, and install security systems across different areas in the community. Businesses of this type moves through the traditional naming convention of “smith”, which dates back centuries.

Security Consultants

The next type of locksmith works with modern security systems. The locks and keys are the beginning of this, but overall, these individuals work with assessing security elements for homes and commercial properties. They can help with focusing on systems that utilize high tech media units, video, sound, lighting, and more. Focusing on modern security elements beyond keys and locks is what consultants in this arena work on, many of which in conjunction with small business locksmith options.

Emergency Solution Locksmiths

There are a lot of locksmiths that work within the notion of emergency situations. When you are locked out of your car, or when you can’t get into your home, you will need a helping hand. A locksmith that works with emergencies will be able to help you get into your home, office, or vehicle, can be called to save the day at any time of day or night. Emergency solutions are no doubt going to happen, so having someone that can open things up and help at any time is critical overall.

The Education and Cost of This Trade 

As you look into this trade, you’ll find that the tools and education of locksmiths goes from basic to extreme. The basic starts with keys, locks, hardware, keypads, and more. People trained as masters in this arena go through apprentice offerings, work with guilds, or through vocational schools.
The costs associated with hiring a locksmith can be as little as $50 and upwards of $500 depending on the situation. This of course is just a matter of opening up doors, or cars, and things along those lines. Setting up a large security system could boost the costs upwards of $1,000 or more depending on several factors.