Keep Your Carpets New by Choosing the Best Residential Carpet Cleaner

Carpet cleaners are always handy because they can easily help you to keep your carpets clean and stain free. One thing that bothers the most homeowners after the purchase of a carpet is its cleaning. Cleaning the carpet is a very difficult job and that is why home owners often spend a lot of money to buy a carpet cleaner for their carpets. We all know that how difficult it is to keep your carpet stain free and this job becomes even more difficult when you have children in your home. Using the normal cleaners often work as they are supposed to work and therefore most people buy cleaners or hire them in order to keep their carpets looking as good as new.

When you opt for such things there are many problems that are related to cleaners because first of all it is not very easy to buy a cleaner for your home because there are so many of them available in the market. So the best thing to do is to rent a cleaner and try it on your carpet. But it is also a waste of time and money when you do not know what kind of cleaner would be best for cleaning your carpets.

What if I tell you that you can easily find cleaner that will work best on your carpets? The cleaner can only be found when you know what you are looking for. If you jump in to the market looking for a residential carpet cleaner, you will not be successful. Therefore, it is important that you know what kind of carpet you have so that you can buy an appropriate cleaner for your carpet. This is one of the common mistakes which residential carpet cleaner buyers make because when you do not know what you are looking for then how are you suppose to find the right thing. That is why it is in your best interest that you know what type of carpet you have and what type of cleaner will work best on it. There is an easy way to find all this and that is by searching on the internet.

By doing so you will be able to find out what type of residential carpet cleaner will work best on your carpet. It is the easiest way to find the right residential carpet cleaner to clean your carpets at home so make sure that you do so.

A Fantastic System to Declutter Paper

There is an incredible way to declutter paper.

You get 3 trays and put them on your desk. You label them. The top tray is labeled simply "In Basket" the middle tray is labeled "Pending Basket" and the bottom tray is labeled "Out Basket."

As the mail and other paper comes in they are placed in the top basket the "In Basket." When the time comes for you to deal with the paper and mail you take a piece from the top basket. Now you do one of four things with this piece of paper. You can

Deal with it
Delay it
Delegate it
Or dump it
By the way this is easy to remember because it is called the 4 "Ds."

If you deal with it you put it in the bottom basket the "Out Basket." The out basket is like a distribution basket. This is where you put any out going mail or things that are done but need to be filed away.

The next D is you can delay it. This is stuff that's going to take more time then you have right now so you do what you can with it and you put it in the 2nd basket the "Pending Basket." However before you put it in the pending basket you take a sticky note and you write down what the next step is for the paper. Yes all the paper in the pending basket should have little sticky notes on them stating what the next step is.

The third D is delegate it which is pretty obvious. If you have people working for you, you give it to the proper person. You could put a sticky not on it too with instructions if you think it needs it.

The forth D is dump it in the garbage.

When you are through with the 4 Ds the top basket is now empty, there is paper in the pending basket and the out basket has outgoing mail which you take out to the mail box. And then you start working on the pending until they all get done.

If your office gets a lot of mail or gets a lot of complex paperwork that you have to deal with you can actually use several baskets for your pending system, one may be "Urgent Pending" one may be "Relaxed Pending" or different categories depending on the particular needs of your office. But it's easy because the top will still be "In" and the bottom will still be "Out" with everything in between all "Pending" baskets.

You should never have half done paperwork in a drawer. Partially done paperwork should be in the pending basket with a sticky note on it. You can have the current page that you are actively working on, on your desk top.

That's how you declutter paper. Now let's have some fun and declutter a lot of paper, in fact let's do all the paper in the room. Grab up all the paper on your desk and around the room and put it all in the top basket. Now just do the 4 Ds and you're home free.

Isn't that a fantastic way to declutter paper?

The Toxic Danger of Fabric Softener and Dryer Sheets

Many people will remember a famous TV ad where a woman races to her washing machine, fabric softener in hand, only to arrive just as the wash ends. This woman who "forgot to ad the fabric softener" was actually doing herself and her family a favor.

Although they may make your clothes feel soft and smell fresh, fabric softener and dryer sheets are some of the most toxic products around. And chances are that the staggering 99.8 percent of Americans who use common commercial detergents, fabric softeners, bleaches, and stain removers would think twice if they knew they contained chemicals that could cause cancer and brain damage.

Laundry

Here is a list of just some of the chemicals found in fabric softeners and dryer sheets:

* Benzyl acetate: Linked to pancreatic cancer

* Benzyl Alcohol: Upper respiratory tract irritant

* Ethanol: On the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Hazardous Waste list and can cause central nervous system disorders

* Limonene: Known carcinogen

* A-Terpineol: Can cause respiratory problems, including fatal edema, and central nervous system damage

* Ethyl Acetate: A narcotic on the EPA's Hazardous Waste list

* Camphor: Causes central nervous system disorders

* Chloroform: Neurotoxic, anesthetic and carcinogenic

* Linalool: A narcotic that causes central nervous system disorders

* Pentane: A chemical known to be harmful if inhaled

So how could products with pretty names like Soft Ocean Mist, Summer Orchard and April Fresh be so dangerous?

The chemicals in fabric softeners are pungent and strong smelling -- so strong that they require the use of these heavy fragrances (think 50 times as much fragrance) just to cover up the smells. Furthermore, synthetic fabrics, which are the reason fabric softeners were created in the first place, do not smell good either when heated in a dryer or heated by our bodies ... hence the need for even more hefty fragrances.

In other words, remove all the added fragrance that endears people to fabric softeners and -- like the cliché wolf in sheep's clothing -- the real smells of the chemical-laced fabric softener and the synthetic fabrics they were designed around may prompt people to shoot their laundry machines and be done with it.

Are "Soft" Clothes Worth It?

Fabric softeners are made to stay in your clothing for long periods of time. As such, chemicals are slowly released either into the air for you to inhale or onto your skin for you to absorb. Dryer sheets are particularly noxious because they are heated in the dryer and the chemicals are released through dryer vents and out into the environment. Health effects from being exposed to the chemicals in fabric softeners include:

* Central nervous system disorders

* Headaches

* Nausea

* Vomiting

* Dizziness

* Blood pressure reduction

* Irritation to skin, mucus membranes and respiratory tract

* Pancreatic cancer

Baby Fabric

Soften Your Clothes Safely With These Tips

Even if you don't feel the effects of these chemicals today, they can affect you gradually over time, and children, whose systems are still developing, are particularly at risk. There's really no reason to expose yourself to these risky chemicals when natural alternatives exist. Not only are they safer for you, your family and the environment, but they're much more economical too:

* Add a quarter cup of baking soda to wash cycle to soften fabric

* Add a quarter cup of white vinegar to rinse to soften fabric and eliminate cling

* Check out your local health food store for a natural fabric softener that uses a natural base like soy instead of chemicals

It's likely that fabric softeners and dryer sheets aren't the only toxic products in your home. Many household products that consumers regard as safe are also full of toxic chemicals. Our past articles on PEG Compounds in Cosmetics and Phenols in Common Household Cleansers are two of the all-time most popular articles on SixWise.com and will make you more aware of the pervasiveness of harmful chemicals that can be eliminated from your home.

Downsizing Your Home? 5 Tips For Clearing Out the Clutter

These days people are downsizing their homes for a variety of different reasons. Whatever your reasons for moving to a smaller location, you can de-clutter your stuff and move with less boxes by following these tips.

1. Decide what you absolutely must have

Instead of trying to decide what must be tossed aside in your move, it might be easier to start with what you need to keep. For example, heirlooms, your favorite clothes and kitchen items you use every day would definitely go on your "keep" list. Only after you develop your keep list will you be able to tell if you need to make some sacrifices for your new, smaller space.

2. Organize your items into three categories

After you've decided on your small list of must haves, you need to sort through the rest of your things. One of the most tried and true methods of de-cluttering your home is to create three categories of items - keep, sell and donate. Depending on the size of your new place, you may be eliminating up to half of your items. View your things with a critical eye and if you find yourself putting too much into the keep pile, re-evaluate your decisions.

3. Get a second opinion

Sometimes it may be hard to get rid of things even if you know intellectually that you won't need them. If you are finding it difficult to part with your items, or you are overwhelmed by the whole process ask a trusted friend to help you get clarity on the situation. Alternatively, you can also hire a professional organizer to come in and help you clear out the clutter from your life.

4. Compare the size of your old rooms to your new rooms

When it comes to pieces of furniture, you may not be able to transport everything to your new place. If you have the dimensions for your smaller space, you can use tape on the floor to mark out your new floor plan. Arrange your current furniture within this new boundary and figure out what you'll be able to keep.

5. Don't rush the process

If you think that you need to complete this whole process in a day or two, think again. You should give yourself plenty of time to do an inventory of your things and decide what you must keep and what you need to give away. It will take a lot of time to go through all of your possessions, especially if you've lived in your home for many years. Make it a leisurely process for several weeks or a few months before your move and you'll not only feel more prepared but more relaxed about your move as well.

De-cluttering so you can live comfortably in your new space isn't always easy. However, when you take the time to evaluate what you really need, you'll thank yourself when you can live in your new home comfortably.

The Secret Life of Car Wax, Aluminum Foil and Carpet Scraps

With the emphasis on reducing, reusing and recycling, we tend to concentrate on just the reycling of our garbage. There are so many other opportunities for implementing the 3'r's simply by reusing everyday items. Give some of these ideas a try, and see how many more you can think of.

Carpet Scraps: Give that old carpet a new lease on life by using it in a different way.

When you're moving furniture, put scraps of carpet under the legs (pile-side down) and watch your tables and chairs slide easily across the floor - scratch free! It also works great under washers and dryers to prevent that thumping noise.

Keep some extra carpet in the garage for handy out door uses. The next time your riding mower gets stuck in the mud, just slide a piece of carpet under the wheel to get some extra traction.

Next time you're gardening, laying or washing floors, save your knees by kneeling on a scrap of carpet.

Your pets will find plenty of uses for old carpet. Cozy up a doghouse by lining it with carpet, or make kitty a scratching post or indoor tree by gluing carpet to a post.

Aluminum foil isn't just for the BBQ, check out some of its other handy uses:

Crumpled up foil works great for rubbing off rust on anything from car bumpers to shower curtain rods, or the black grunge off your BBQ grill. For extra tough jobs - cover the entire grill, tuck in the edges, and turn the grill on high for 10-15 minutes. It works like a self-cleaning oven.

Restick loose vinyl floor tile by placing a piece of foil over the tile and ironing it until the heat melts the glue and sticks to the subfloor.

Sharpen your scissors by cutting through a sheet of foil that has been folded several times.

Foil works great for covering door knobs, pulls and hinges while you're painting.

Speed up decomposition in your compost pile during cold weather by covering it with carpet.

A strip of carpet stapled to your garage wall will help bear the brunt of opening car doors and keep them scratch free.

A piece of carpet soaked in warm, soapy water is great for cleaning screens.

Place a sheet of foil in the bottom of a stainless steel sink, add boiling water and a few spoonfuls of baking soda. Place your silver in for a couple minutes and wipe clean. If you don't have a stainless steel sink, this also works by lining a glass pan.

Car wax has so many handy uses, you'll want to make it part of your regular cleaning routine.

Use wax to keep your stainless steel appliances free of fingerprints and other marks. Just apply a thin coat and buff.

Lubricate the hinges of garden shears and scissors to keep them moving freely.

If you have a CD with an annoying skip, just add a small amount of wax and buff it clean, rubbing in the same direction as the scratch. Rinse with water and let air dry.

A think coat of wax applied to brass door knockers, mailboxes, and light fixtures will keep them tarnish free.

Once you've cleaned your shower door, keep the mildew away by applying a layer of wax to the inside and outside of the door and buff clean. In fact, wax applied to the walls of a fibreglass shower will help keep their shine and make clean up a breeze.

A small layer of wax added to your bathroom mirror will prevent condensation build up during a shower.

A dab of wax added to your drawer and window tracks will make them slide with ease.

Add some wax to your car bumper before applying any stickers. When you're ready to remove them, they'll come right off without the need for scraping.

Shoveling that wet snow in the winter is easier with a layer of wax applied to your shovel to prevent sticking.

How to Clean Your Air Ducts

Can you clean your own air ducts? The answer is yes! But, for the DIY'S there is some information you will need to know. There are several methods used to clean air ducts. Most of these methods require special equipment and training! So, there is only so much the DIY'S can do to clean their air ducts. It's more of a partial clean! Also, some air duct cleaning companies will use Biocides or Ozone to rid your ducts of contaminants. Biocides are chemicals that are used to rid your air ducts from bacteria and mold.

Ozone is a gas that is used to kill biological contaminants. Chemical biocides are regulated by the EPA under the Federal Pesticide Law. Any chemical can be dangerous, so do your research or hire a professional! Using chemicals without proper training is not recommended. Also, before cleaning your air ducts it's important to know what type of ducts your home or business has installed.

The most common type is flexible ducts and are typically insulated to conserve energy, reduce condensation and temperature control. Most metal duct work is used for industrial purposes and is typically more expensive. Air duct cleaning is much easier on metal air ducts than flexible ducts. Also, the insulation in flexible duct work is more likely to re-soil with dust and mold. You will need to clean more often. If you choose to clean air ducts yourself here are some tips.

1. Air ducts cannot be cleaned without tools! So, you will need a ladder, screwdriver (look at duct vents to determine), flashlight, wet/dry vacuum with long hose and soft bristle attachment. Also, you need to wear rubber gloves and face mask (respirator) for safety. You do not want to breathe the contaminants from your air ducts. Once you have the proper cleaning equipment then you must examine the ducts for contamination. First, run your finger along the inside of the ducts. If you see dust on your finger then your ducts are dirty. So, proper tools, training and contamination severity are the first thing you need to determine. Once this is complete you can move forward to the cleaning process.

2. First, remove the vent covers from the walls or ceilings. Be careful not to damage the vents or duct work when removing. If there is paint build-up on the vents you can use a putty knife (run around edges of vent) to remove without damage. Next, you need to set-up your vacuum system for cleaning. Most wet/dry vacuums come with several attachments. You want to use the long hose (attach directly to vacuum) and the hard plastic tube (attach to hose) with soft bristle brush to clean your vents.

Turn "on" the vacuum and begin the cleaning process. When cleaning the ducts make sure to clean with ease.....do not clean with force! Use just enough power to break the dust or mold away from the walls of the duct work. Use whatever cleaning pattern works best for you. Be sure to clean all the cracks and crevices (hard to reach places) so you can achieve the best results. You are only going to clean up into the vent so far with the length of hose. So, when there is no more hose to clean with you have gone as far into the duct work as your going to go. This process may take some time!

If you are going to use anti-bacterial solutions to disinfect (spray after the cleaning). Be sure to read the bottle for mixing instructions and "How to Use" on the label. After the ducts are cleaned then you need to clean the vents. A good cleaning solution is bleach and water. You can use the "Rubber Stopper" in your kitchen sink (fill up sink to half) and then add 3 caps of bleach. Use warm or hot water. Let the vents soak for about an hour. Once the vents have soaked to remove debris then dry off and reinstall. Make sure the vents seal correctly around the edges. Next, you need to clean the wet/dry vacuum. Do not use the vacuum again until it's been cleaned!

Read your owner's manual for cleaning instructions. Also, you need to replace the air filters in your system. You can purchase good quality filters from most hardware stores. This process will achieve quality results if done properly.

The Industrial Vacuum Cleaner Can Be Used in Many Different Industries

You'll discover that there are a lot of different lines of work that call for the use of the Industrial Vacuum Cleaners rather than the common vacuum cleaners that you find in the marketplace today. Carpentry businesses, construction businesses, beauty salons, and animal groomers are just a couple of the jobs that should use this type of vacuum. They require the use the heavy vacuum cleaners because they're producing a lot of dust and dirt on a day-to-day basis. It is not comparable to vacuum-cleaning once a week or even twice a week.

These occupations plus a lot of others, use their vacuuming service day-to-day and all day long. These types used to ask to have a vacuum that will endure the constant use in addition to the kind of junk that is being vacuum-cleaned. The Industrial Cleaners that you'll find will be able to gather up much larger items without the whole thing getting clogged. They'll also be able to gather up the fine particles that you'll find in wood and metals that could potentially be irritating if stuck in the surface of your skin.

You'll find that there are many makers of the Industrial Cleaners. A few of these include Shop Vac, Hoover, Oreck, Thermax, ProTeam, Panasonic, Windsor and VacMaster. Shop Vac is a really popular name in the manufacturing of heavy duty cleaners. They have vacuums that range in cost from $30.00 upwardly to $600.00 and even higher. Hoover features the model CH30000 Portapower Lightweight Canister. These models weigh in at 8 pounds and are great in gathering up debris in addition to being used as a blower. It has a non-disposable fabric bag collection arrangement rather than being bagless or bagged.

These Industrial Vacuums from Hoover are really well-situated to carry about because they're very compact. They have a long thirty-three foot electric cord for cleaning a big area. They also satisfy the demands set by OSHA. The included accessories that accompany these heavy vacuum cleaners include a wall or floor brush, crevice tool, dusting brush, rug and floor nozzle, furniture nozzle, two chrome wands, a shoulder strap for comfort in carrying and a storage strap. If you're in the demand for an industrial vacuum, there a lot of brands that will give you the selection to get the vacuum cleaner that will function perfect for the job that you have to do.