Sources of Heat Loss in the House

There are three main sources of heat loss in the house that when fixed may save you up to $500 per year. One source of heat loss that you may not have considered is the fireplace. Some homes have an open fireplace that is certainly just like leaving a window open. Warm air escapes through the chimney, which acts as a funnel, drawing air up and out. Even if you have a firebox installed into your fireplace and the gaps all around sealed, there is still the damper.

The damper creates an airflow without which the fire could not burn, but when there is no fire going, leaving the damper open is like leaving a window open. In fact, you could lose up to 30% of your air conditioning heat through the damper.

Not all houses have an attic, but many do, so if you have access to your attic by means of a folding stair, the ceiling and insulation will have been removed to install it. Frequently it is just covered up by a thin piece of plywood that may even have gaps around the edges. To find out, switch on the attic light at nighttime and view it from below. If you can see specks of light, there are gaps that need closing. In fact, the whole area should be covered with an attic stair cover.

The third place for heat loss is if your clothes dryer exhaust is ducted to an outside opening. Even when the door is shut, warm air can still escape through the clothes dryer. Add a dryer vent seal to solve the problem and keep out bugs as well.

Dyer Vent Cleaning - Prevent a Fire by Cleaning Your Dryer Vent

Did you know--- Only 60% of the lint is captured in the lint trap of residential and commercial clothes dryers. The other 40% is vented outside. Over time, the damp lint accumulates to the inside of the duct. The result is like a clogged pipe that becomes more restricted over time which can cause a fire hazard! According to the National Fire Protection Association, 16,000 fires start in the laundry room each year.

Also, the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates more than 84.4 million in property damage annually. This is a reality that needs to be taken seriously. The State Fire Marshal recommends that your dryer vent be cleaned or inspected once a year to ensure your safety.

Here are some signs your dryer vent might need cleaning:

If it takes longer than one cycle for your clothes to dry, or the clothes are very hot after drying, this is a good sign your vent needs cleaning.
If the clothes have a musty smell after drying.
If your dryer shuts off or stops during a cycle, the element may be getting too hot from the duct restriction.
If there is a great deal of lint escaping from the back of the dryer.
If the outside vent has lint covering the outside of the vent cover.

Here are the benefits of a clean dryer vent:

Reduce laundry drying times
Avoid dryer element replacement costs
Improve the quality of dried clothes
Save money on utility bills
Prevent a dryer fire!
So, how do you go about cleaning your dryer vent. Here are the steps if you plan to do it yourself.

1. Get the right tools. For this job you will need a shop vac and extension hose of at least 10 to 15 feet, depending on the length of the dryer vent outside to your dryer. Next, you will need a flexible cable with a brush on the end (can be found online) to snake through the duct, and finally, a dust mask and gloves to protect yourself from the airborne lint.

2. Disconnect your dryer from the flexible duct and clean the back of the dryer and any lint that has accumulated under the dryer. Check the flexible duct and replace it with a new one if it is damaged or has holes. The first part of the process will involve running the flexible cable and vacuum from the inside of the house by your dryer. The second part of the process involves the same thing only from the outside by your dryer vent that goes to the outside.

3. Run the flexible snake with brush through the dryer vent duct as far as you can go, be careful not to push past any turns or angles that might cause the cable to get stuck in the ductwork, otherwise you will have a difficult time getting it out. Vacuum out the loose lint with the shop vac and hose. Run the hose as far into the duct as you can go.

4. Locate where your dryer vents to the outside of the house. Remove any dryer vent hardware to access the duct.

5. Repeat the process from the outside, running your flexible cable into the duct (toward the dryer) and vacuum out the loose lint. Follow this by hooking the dryer back up to the flexible duct inside the house and turn the dryer on, any remaining lint will blow out of the duct. Finally, replace any hardware on the outside of the house.

You may be surprised by the amount of lint you vacuum out. In some cases you might remove several POUNDS of lint. In any case, you will save yourself the chance of a fire disaster, and keep your dryer running smooth for years to come.

What Is a Commercial Vacuum? Which One Is Best Designed to Fit Your Needs?

Whether it is hundreds of files stored in your office or thousands of books in the school library; dust and dirt can reach just about anywhere. Sweepers and cleaners will do their job well but some amount of dust and dirt will still remain. Whether it is an office building, a school, hospital, super-market, industrial space, hotel or any other commercial or industrial building; it is important to clean in such a way that dust and dirt is removed. This is where professional cleaning services come into the picture but then their charges can be outrageous. Is there any other solution?

There certainly is a solution and it is a one-time investment - buy a commercial vacuum. Using a commercial vacuum cleaner or even floor polishers and floor extraction cleaners, you can keep your office space free of dust and dirt. Dirt and dust not only accumulate on the floors but also on furniture and in places where your hand might not reach. This is where commercial vacuum cleaners will be extremely useful.

Choosing a Commercial Vacuum Cleaner

Depending on your requirements including the type of building, you will need to choose a commercial vacuum cleaner. Some of the top brands offering commercial vacuum cleaners include Eureka, Hoover, Electrolux-Sanitaire, and Royal although the top two brands of vacuum cleaners are Sanitaire and Royal. You can even buy floor extraction cleaners and floor polishers from Sanitaire or Royal as well.

When choosing a vacuum cleaner, you need to know the types of commercial cleaners available and how they can satisfy your need/requirement. There are basically two types of vacuums: commercial uprights and canister vacuums. Both types of vacuums have their advantages and disadvantages. Here is an insight into both types of vacuum cleaners:

Important Aspects of Commercial Vacuum Cleaners

One of the important things is that whether you are buying Sanitaire or Royal commercial vacuums, you need to choose those models that offer you more value for money. Sanitaire and Royal commercial vacuums are definitely the best in the market but they have different models that satisfy different requirements/needs. Here are some of the important aspects that you need to keep an eye out for:

a) Motor power: Motor power determines the performance of all vacuums. If your office has a huge pile of files and books and other inventory that regularly accumulates dust then you will need a commercial vacuum with a minimum of 8.5-amp motor although 12 amps is considered as ideal. For floor cleaning, you can even use the SC6005A Floor Machine w/ 15" Brush. There are different types of floor polishers and floor extraction cleaners that can be used but ensure that the minimum power is 10hp.

b) Cleaning Path: You need to choose a Sanitaire or Royal vacuum that offers the widest cleaning path within your budget. For example: You can get a 13-inch cleaning path using a 12-amp motor with the Royal RY5300 Commercial Upright Vacuum Cleaner, which is perfect.

c) Filtration: Both Royal and Sanitaire commercial vacs offer some of the best filtration technologies in the industry for a price that you can afford. Both brands offer HEPA filters as a part of their standard equipment. This is a recommended feature because it will ensure that your office or school, hospital or industrial space remains dust-free and allergy-free. In case, you are unable to find HEPA Sanitaire vacuums in your city then you can even opt for 2-stage filtration commercial vacuum cleaners.

Last but not the least, always ask for manufacturer's warranty and what all it covers. At the end of the day, a commercial vacuum cleaner will remain as one of the most important assets. After all, a clean office reflects a professional image!

Interior Styling So Simple Even a Guy Can Do It

Do you know the difference between a duvet, davenport and armoire? Does your wall decor and table centerpiece have to match the linens? Do you know the difference between primary colors and secondary colors? If you answered 'yes' to any two of the previous three questions: congratulations, the Bravo network would like to offer you your own television series! But, if words like camel-back, drop-leaf and love-seat bring to mind the pictorial from that certain magazine you've got stashed away in the garage, read on.

When it comes to interior design for your vehicle, there are a number of simple and affordable additions that can revitalize your interior faster than you can say "queer eye for the straight guy." And as any of those guys will tell you, simply tossing in a set of fuzzy dice ain't gonna cut it, honey. Here are three of the easiest and most affordable upgrades you'll ever make to your vehicle.

The first interior upgrade is also the most functional: a set of auto seat covers. Your upholstery can soak up sweat, dirt and other grime like a sponge. Before long, your interior reflects a dull, worn look and smells like a gym bag. But with a set of high-grade auto seat covers, you can protect your interior from spills, stains and other wear and tear that can permanently ruin your upholstery...and resale value along with it. Crafted from heavy-duty materials for long-lasting durability and comfort, a quick spin through your home washer and dryer cleans them up and restores them to like-new. Their precision-cut patterns go on and off in seconds and don't even require tools to install. If you know how to slip something on (a glove, for example), you've got all the skill you'll need. Plus, many auto seat covers come pre-coated with a water-repellent treatment to protect your interior from liquids that would otherwise permanently soak in or stain the fabric of your car seats.

Dash covers make another good upgrade. Lining the curves and contours of your dash, dash covers and a dash kit provide a quality look through precision patterns, ensuring a flawless fit. Available in a wide variety of styles and colors, including carpet, suede and velor, dash covers protect your dash from UV rays, muddy shoes, soda pop spills and anything else encountered in everyday driving. In addition, quality dash covers are custom-tailored to your vehicle's make, model and year for a perfect fit that won't block any of your vents.

The final upgrade would be the inclusion of heavy-duty car mats. The workhorse in any vehicle, car mats feature tall outer ridges that contain the nastier, runnier messes that would otherwise soak into the carpeting of your floorboards. They're available in 1-piece or 2-piece designs and computer-designed for a precision fit, providing maximum coverage without covering up those essential floor controls.

Things to Know Before You Hire a Carpet Cleaning Business

Your home is your Castle. It's your refuge from the world and the most precious place to you and your family. You know this. You also know how important it is to maintain your home. And to do that, you need a reputable company that you can trust to keep your home clean.

Regularly tracked-in-dirt, and oily sticky soils, can build up, acting like a magnet, attracting more soil. These can actually dull the color of your fine carpeting. That's why regularly scheduled cleanings are to your advantage. The following are some ideas when choosing a good carpet cleaning company.

Reputation: A good name is built on a good reputation. When looking for a reputable company, you will want to seek those that others often use. Try asking family, friends, and neighbors who they use. Ask your Better Business Bureau to give you company names that consumers regularly use. The satisfied client will be a repeat client.

Don't be afraid to ask necessary questions, before an informed choice on a carpet cleaner. Find out the average cost of carpet cleaning in your area.

Remember, the cheapest price isn't necessarily going to give you the best or the proper cleaning for your home. You could be sacrificing a low price for a poor quality cleaning. And worse yet, it could cause harm to your carpeting investment, with wrong company using cheap cleaning products and inferior cleaning machines.

So don't be shy- Ask questions!

Experience: A good carpet cleaning company will have the necessary experience for all types of cleaning. Experienced carpet cleaners will have been thoroughly trained by an accredited program.

One widely used is with the IICRC, or Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration. Employees trained with them, are very knowledgeable, and can effectively clean some of the toughest cleaning challenges known.

Experience means knowing and using the best State-of-the-Art equipment available. Carpet manufacturers, such as Mowhawk, and Shaw, recommend cleaning carpets using the Hot Water 180 degree Extraction System.

This system is regularly referred to as Steam Cleaning. Another good question to ask about is the type of cleaning products they use. Are they toxic, chemical based, or are they non-toxic, bio-degradeable?

Are they safe to be used around humans and pets? How well do your cleaning agents work?

There are several companies that regularly use safe, non-toxic cleaners, such as a fine company called Bio-Kleen. Their cleaners use natural grapefruit, citrus, and Valencia Orange extracts, for their cleaning power. They are very effective cleaning products, and are used for a wide range of projects, with an added bonus of a pleasant deodorizing scent.

Dependability: A dependable company will show up at your home, on the appointed day and time you have requested. It is always good to know you can count on them. Your technician(s) should be friendly, courteous, and answer any questions you have. After carefully measuring all areas to be cleaned, per your instructions, you should be given a written estimate for your approval. A good company will always give your estimate to you in writing before cleaning for you.

Always get a written estimate, before your cleaning begins, if at all possible. Before your actual cleaning, is a great time to discuss all your options. Such as, what can be done to remove stubborn spots, stains, or even the possibility of adding Scotch Guard to protect your cleaned carpet . They will use the best equipment possible, the most effective cleaning products available, and put their training towards giving your home an excellent cleaning.

Any company that advertises a "Special Low Price" or several areas for one low price, is probably setting the potential client up for a "Bait and Switch."

Customers have unfortunately fallen prey to such scams. They advertise one price, and pressure customers to take advantage of the great deal, then hit them with an exorbitant amount when the job is completed. And the job is most likely done poorly.

A good carpet company will always insure their employees. You may be surprised at how many companies do Not, as it can be costly. But a dependable company will cover your technician, and doing so, you, as well.

Your carpet cleaning company should also guarantee the work done for you. You should be reasonably satisfied. Of course, stubborn stains, and problem areas previously discussed with your technician, and the nature of the spot or stain, may cause it to be more of a permanent situation, in some cases.

Overall, a job done well is a job done right. Reputation, Experience, Dependability -All integral parts of any good business. A good practice that leaves their clients with a TLC...Thorough, Lasting, Clean...Home.

Can You Wash a Goose Down Duvet?

If you're wondering if you can wash your goose down duvet yourself, the answer is yes. It's risky, but you can do it. To be clear, we're talking about the actual comforter that is made of goose down. Dry cleaning is very costly and you end up with no comforter for at least a few days, so if you can do it yourself you might as well. Don't wash your goose down duvet very often though since the fewer times it is washed, the longer it will last. To simply freshen rather than wash, you can take the cover off and simply hang it outside. It is recommended that you dry clean your goose down about once every three to five years.

You may be able to wash a twin or possibly full sized goose down duvet in your home washing machine, but if you have a queen or king you should go to a laundry mat and use one of their large washing machines & dryers.

Washing

Use a lot of cold water. Do not use any fabric softener and very little laundry detergent. If the comforter starts to baloon up, you need more water. It should look soaked and shrunken. You may need to do several wash cycles to get it to look like this.

Drying

Dry on cold air. An industrial sized dryer at a laundry mat will work the best. Add a tennis ball or some sort of solid ring to help break up the down while drying. It's important for the comforter to be 100% dry, or it it will smell. Make sure to pull the comforter out and rearrange it to expose the wet parts. You can dry it in the dryer for a half hour to an hour and air dry it the rest of the way. It may take up to 24 hours of air drying before it's ready to be back on your bed. All areas should be totally dry.

Other ways to keep your goose down looking fresh:

1. Shake it out everyday to redistribute the down and allow for air to move through.
2. Invest in a good comforter cover to help protect your comforter from stains and reasons to need to wash it.
3. If you need to store your goose down comforter, use a breathable bag. A plastic bag will encourage mold and mildew growth.
4. If you get something on it, clean it right away with cold water and make sure you allow it to fully dry.

How to Care For and Clean Hardwood Floors

When cleaning your hardwood floor, you need the right equipment to get your hardwoods clean leaving you with less work.

1) First you will need a dust mop, you can purchase this at your local janitorial cleaning supply company store or you may purchase your dust mop at your local home depot , Lowe's, or other home improvement stores in your area.

2) You will also need a commercial mop , and a commercial mop bucket which you can also purchase at your local home improvement store or janitorial supply store.

3) Then you need a broom and dust pan. I like the dust pan with the handle for ease on your back.

4) last you will need cleaning solution to clean your hardwood floor, we recommend Murphy's oil soap hardwood cleaning solution, which is effective on all types of floors including lanolin, laminate, and hardwood floors and you may purchase this at your local grocery store, dollar store, or home improvement store.

When you begin, dust mop your entire area, by going over your floor several times while shaking your dust mop out at a convenient stopping point which should be a corner or some place you won't easily keep walking over. Do this to keep the dust mop free of excess dirt and dust. Once you have done this several times , you can do one of two things to get your dust up. You may take your vacuum cleaner hoses and get up your dust or you may take your broom and dust pan and sweep the dust up in the dust pan.

Now take your mop bucket and Murphy's oil soap and put two cap full of soap into your mop bucket with just enough warm water to cover your mop. Just a quick note, be sure that you use enough water for the amount of soap you use otherwise you may end up with a streaky floor and after getting your water , now you are ready to mop your floor. It is better to mop with a well rung out mop to avoid streaks.

Once you have mopped your hard wood floor, turn on your ceiling fan to dry your floor evenly if you have one. Any type fan will work and if you don't have a fan then just let it air dry.
By now your floor should be dry and clean. Go back over your floor once again with your dust mop picking up any lint that the mop may have left behind.

I recommend you develop a habit to dust mop your floor every other day depending on the use of the area and traffic in and out of your home. Damp mopping your hardwood floors once a week will keep them looking pretty good and add length to the life of the floors.