Are YOU living in CHAOS?(Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome)
Do you feel overwhelmed, overextended, and overdrawn?
Hopeless and you don't know where to start?
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Are you living in CHAOS? - MOP-n-BUCKET: Vancouver Cleaning Service can help!
Don't worry friend, MOP-n-BUCKET Cleaning Service has got you covered.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Removing paint off carpet: Water Based Paint
Step 1: Water-based paint:
Water-based paints clean up and thin out using plain water, thus there are no significant environmental or health hazards present, as long as paint-laden cloths or paper towels are properly disposed of.
Step 2: Removing wet paint:
Removing a still-wet spot of water-based paint from typical nylon carpeting by simply blotting the wet stain with a paper towel or rag moistened with tap water. Do not rub. Use the moist towel or cloth as a blotter and pinch-tool, to pull the paint out of the carpet fibers. Be sure to rinse or change the cloth frequently. Do not over-saturate the carpet, to keep the stain from thinning out and spreading more. If the paint does not readily come out with clear water, try a small amount of dish detergent in warm water solution.
When the wet paint is removed, rinse the area a few more times with clear water, then use a hair dryer to dry and restore the carpet fibers.
Step 3: Removing dry water-based paint:
Removing a dried spot of water-based paint is obviously quite a bit more difficult. Clear water alone will not soften dried water-based paint.
A solution of hot water and a small amount of dish detergent will likely help to soften dried water-based paint, although it is not a sure thing. Try it by dripping a small amount onto the stain. Let the solution sit for a few minutes to see if it begins to soften the paint.
You will know quickly if this method will work. Scraping the spot with a pin or utility knife will indicate whether or not the paint has softened enough to continue picking and scraping it completely away.
If it appears that the paint is softening, continue cleaning by dripping more hot water/soap solution as needed to continue softening under-layers of the paint as you pick away with your needle or pin.
Somewhat of a slow process, but does not cause undue damage to carpet fibers.
Step 4: If, Then...
IF hot water/soap does not seem to be softening the paint, you might THEN have to use a hand-held steamer. Some of these units produce 285 degree steam, which should be hot enough to soften the paint. Once the paint begins to soften, you can pick it out of the carpet fibers with a pin or utility knife, using care not to cut the fibers.
After you're satisfied the stain is adequately removed, and the carpet fibers have been rinsed thoroughly of soap, use a hair dryer to dry and restore the fibers.
http://www.downtowncleaningservice.com
Post Construction: Detail & Final Cleaning Service
Water-based paints clean up and thin out using plain water, thus there are no significant environmental or health hazards present, as long as paint-laden cloths or paper towels are properly disposed of.
Step 2: Removing wet paint:
Removing a still-wet spot of water-based paint from typical nylon carpeting by simply blotting the wet stain with a paper towel or rag moistened with tap water. Do not rub. Use the moist towel or cloth as a blotter and pinch-tool, to pull the paint out of the carpet fibers. Be sure to rinse or change the cloth frequently. Do not over-saturate the carpet, to keep the stain from thinning out and spreading more. If the paint does not readily come out with clear water, try a small amount of dish detergent in warm water solution.
When the wet paint is removed, rinse the area a few more times with clear water, then use a hair dryer to dry and restore the carpet fibers.
Step 3: Removing dry water-based paint:
Removing a dried spot of water-based paint is obviously quite a bit more difficult. Clear water alone will not soften dried water-based paint.
A solution of hot water and a small amount of dish detergent will likely help to soften dried water-based paint, although it is not a sure thing. Try it by dripping a small amount onto the stain. Let the solution sit for a few minutes to see if it begins to soften the paint.
You will know quickly if this method will work. Scraping the spot with a pin or utility knife will indicate whether or not the paint has softened enough to continue picking and scraping it completely away.
If it appears that the paint is softening, continue cleaning by dripping more hot water/soap solution as needed to continue softening under-layers of the paint as you pick away with your needle or pin.
Somewhat of a slow process, but does not cause undue damage to carpet fibers.
Step 4: If, Then...
IF hot water/soap does not seem to be softening the paint, you might THEN have to use a hand-held steamer. Some of these units produce 285 degree steam, which should be hot enough to soften the paint. Once the paint begins to soften, you can pick it out of the carpet fibers with a pin or utility knife, using care not to cut the fibers.
After you're satisfied the stain is adequately removed, and the carpet fibers have been rinsed thoroughly of soap, use a hair dryer to dry and restore the fibers.
http://www.downtowncleaningservice.com
Post Construction: Detail & Final Cleaning Service
Sunday, July 19, 2009
mopNbucket - twitter
Want to get the latest marketing ideas to grow your business? Sign up for Twitter account.
If you haven't heard about Twitter, you've probably been living on Mars. The newest member of the blogosphere, Twitter is a micro-blogging site. What exactly does that mean?
When Tweeting, the act of using Twitter, you are limited to 140 characters (including spaces) - a great way to give your followers a play-by-play of your day.
Found something interesting you want to share - re-Tweet! To re-Tweet simply grab what someone else wrote and add RT in front it.
5 Easy Steps to Twitter
1. Get an account
Visit http://www.twitter.com and click the green button to "Get Started."
2. Create a username
Utilizing your brand and keywords, select a username so that others can communicate with you. Keep it under 15 characters.
Follow me on Twitter @mopNbucket
3. Fill in your profile
Add your picture so people know who you are and update the information about who you are.
4. Start following people
The more people that you follow, the more people that will start following you. Follow me, and I'll follow you back!
Start following me @mopNbucket
5. Write your first Tweet
Start by saying hi - the key is just to get started!
See you on Twitter!
To your success,
mopNbucket team
If you haven't heard about Twitter, you've probably been living on Mars. The newest member of the blogosphere, Twitter is a micro-blogging site. What exactly does that mean?
When Tweeting, the act of using Twitter, you are limited to 140 characters (including spaces) - a great way to give your followers a play-by-play of your day.
Found something interesting you want to share - re-Tweet! To re-Tweet simply grab what someone else wrote and add RT in front it.
5 Easy Steps to Twitter
1. Get an account
Visit http://www.twitter.com and click the green button to "Get Started."
2. Create a username
Utilizing your brand and keywords, select a username so that others can communicate with you. Keep it under 15 characters.
Follow me on Twitter @mopNbucket
3. Fill in your profile
Add your picture so people know who you are and update the information about who you are.
4. Start following people
The more people that you follow, the more people that will start following you. Follow me, and I'll follow you back!
Start following me @mopNbucket
5. Write your first Tweet
Start by saying hi - the key is just to get started!
See you on Twitter!
To your success,
mopNbucket team
Monday, July 13, 2009
Product Review SHARK Turbo Stick Vac
SMALL SPACE?The Shark Turbo Stick Vac is small, which makes it great for small spaces.
This little Shark vacuum does not use bags, which is a plus. Spending money on vacuum bags wouldn't be convenient. Plus vacuum bags can be a pain to change.
This vacuum came with a few attachments, which are good for getting crumbs off a couch or zapping spider webs. However, the attachments are small so using them for a bigger project like baseboards or stairs would take a while.
The Shark Turbo Stick Vac is not the most powerful vacuum I've ever used. This wasn't a problem when I first bought it though. The office we have is roughly 350sq.f and has a small area carpet and the rest in laminate flooring.
The mediocre suction cleaned these surfaces just fine.
I've recently brought it home to test in the apartment that is larger and has short pile carpet. The Shark vacuum did not do well with the larger area and thicker carpet. After about ten minutes of use, the vacuum would ov
erheat and stop working. It had to cool down about forty five minutes before it would turn on again. This meant I was spending over an hour to vacuum a one bedroom apartment. The vacuum did this regardless of how well it was cleaned out.
The rolling brushes of this stick vacuum seemed to perform well as hair magnets. After each use I had to remove large amounts of hair and fuzz from the rollers. When the vacuum was new I didn't notice this issue.
Overall, the Shark Turbo Stick Vac is a good vacuum if you want a light duty vacuum for bare floors in small spaces. If you have a larger space, and/or thicker carpet, this vacuum's performance leaves something to be desired. I doubt it will last long. But we'll see.
I've recently brought it home to test in the apartment that is larger and has short pile carpet. The Shark vacuum did not do well with the larger area and thicker carpet. After about ten minutes of use, the vacuum would ov
erheat and stop working. It had to cool down about forty five minutes before it would turn on again. This meant I was spending over an hour to vacuum a one bedroom apartment. The vacuum did this regardless of how well it was cleaned out.The rolling brushes of this stick vacuum seemed to perform well as hair magnets. After each use I had to remove large amounts of hair and fuzz from the rollers. When the vacuum was new I didn't notice this issue.
Overall, the Shark Turbo Stick Vac is a good vacuum if you want a light duty vacuum for bare floors in small spaces. If you have a larger space, and/or thicker carpet, this vacuum's performance leaves something to be desired. I doubt it will last long. But we'll see.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Georgia Straight Best of Vancouver: Vote for MOP-n-BUCKET Cleaning Service
We have always liked reading The Georgia Straight’s BEST OF VANCOUVER issue. It’s a great place to find out about interesting new products and services. It would certainly be rewarding to see MOP-n-BUCKET Cleaning Service recognized in the issue.
To vote, simply log on to: http://www.straight.com/bov
Voting is now closed. Look for the results in the September 23th issue.
To vote, simply log on to: http://www.straight.com/bov
Voting is now closed. Look for the results in the September 23th issue.
We thank everyone that voted for us this year. Your help and support is much appreciated!
Best Regards,
MOP-n-BUCKET Team
Best Regards,
MOP-n-BUCKET Team
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Green Cleaning your home for your benefit and ours
Why a Green Home is Good For You
Certain ingredients in cleaning products and air fresheners can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are a common source of indoor air pollutants and can result in irritation of the eyes, skin and respiratory system and contribute to other health issues long term. Immediate health effects often include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat; headaches; dizziness; and fatigue. Certain chemicals may result in disorders of the nervous and reproductive systems or be associated with cancer and heart disease.
Health effects from indoor air pollutants are sometimes experienced immediately upon exposure but they may possibly only become evident years later. A good resource for more information is the EPA Indoor Air Quality website. The EPA has pointed out that levels of certain pollutants to be two to five times higher inside homes (where people spend 90% of their time) than outside.
In 1999 New Scientist published a report indicating that in homes where aerosol sprays and air fresheners were used frequently, mothers experienced 25 percent more headaches and were 19 percent more likely to suffer from depression, and infants under six months of age had 30 percent more ear infections and 22 percent higher incidence of diarrhea.
Products with fragrances may also trigger asthma and allergic reactions, with symptoms including skin and respiratory irritation, headaches, and watery eyes.
Why a Green Home is Good For The Planet
Most conventional dish and laundry detergents and fabric softeners contain a line up of hazardous compounds. Dish and laundry detergents are made from petroleum which is a nonrenewable resource and some contain alkyphenol ethoxylates that don't readily biodegrade. They are thought to disrupt hormone activity and can threaten wildlife after they go down your drain . Ethoxylated alcohols in liquid detergents can also contain cancer causing 1,4-dioxane.
Fragranced detergents and fabric softeners can contain chemicals which have been linked to cancer and reproductive-system harm. Most dish and laundry soaps no longer used phosphates which were known to clog waterways but they can still be found in dishwasher detergents. They are highly caustic and can be fatal if swallowed.
There are other harmful chemicals which when combined can be carcinogenic and harmful to our water resources.
Chlorine bleach commonly found in scouring powders and cleaning solutions is highly caustic. These products travel down our drains in to the environment where they can create organochlorines, which are suspected to be toxic to the reproductive, neurological, and immune systems and are also considered to be carcinogens.
Drain, oven, and toilet-bowl cleaners contain corrosive ingredients. Furniture and metal cleaners can contain nerve-damaging petroleum distillates or formaldehyde, a carcinogen.
Visit us online!
Certain ingredients in cleaning products and air fresheners can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are a common source of indoor air pollutants and can result in irritation of the eyes, skin and respiratory system and contribute to other health issues long term. Immediate health effects often include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat; headaches; dizziness; and fatigue. Certain chemicals may result in disorders of the nervous and reproductive systems or be associated with cancer and heart disease.
Health effects from indoor air pollutants are sometimes experienced immediately upon exposure but they may possibly only become evident years later. A good resource for more information is the EPA Indoor Air Quality website. The EPA has pointed out that levels of certain pollutants to be two to five times higher inside homes (where people spend 90% of their time) than outside.
In 1999 New Scientist published a report indicating that in homes where aerosol sprays and air fresheners were used frequently, mothers experienced 25 percent more headaches and were 19 percent more likely to suffer from depression, and infants under six months of age had 30 percent more ear infections and 22 percent higher incidence of diarrhea.
Products with fragrances may also trigger asthma and allergic reactions, with symptoms including skin and respiratory irritation, headaches, and watery eyes.
Why a Green Home is Good For The Planet
Most conventional dish and laundry detergents and fabric softeners contain a line up of hazardous compounds. Dish and laundry detergents are made from petroleum which is a nonrenewable resource and some contain alkyphenol ethoxylates that don't readily biodegrade. They are thought to disrupt hormone activity and can threaten wildlife after they go down your drain . Ethoxylated alcohols in liquid detergents can also contain cancer causing 1,4-dioxane.
Fragranced detergents and fabric softeners can contain chemicals which have been linked to cancer and reproductive-system harm. Most dish and laundry soaps no longer used phosphates which were known to clog waterways but they can still be found in dishwasher detergents. They are highly caustic and can be fatal if swallowed.
There are other harmful chemicals which when combined can be carcinogenic and harmful to our water resources.
Chlorine bleach commonly found in scouring powders and cleaning solutions is highly caustic. These products travel down our drains in to the environment where they can create organochlorines, which are suspected to be toxic to the reproductive, neurological, and immune systems and are also considered to be carcinogens.
Drain, oven, and toilet-bowl cleaners contain corrosive ingredients. Furniture and metal cleaners can contain nerve-damaging petroleum distillates or formaldehyde, a carcinogen.
Visit us online!
Non-Toxic, Biodegradable Alternative Cleaning Solutions
Green Cleaning means using cleaning products that aren't harmful to the environment. There are many wonderful companies selling non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning products so we'll be adding links to these as we find them. There are also some easy ways you can also make your own at home using common household supplies like baking soda and white vinegar. When we find tips on eco-friendly cleaning tips or products we'll share them with you and point you to relevant links.
Citrus Cleaning
The citrus line-up includes oranges, lemons and grapefruits but also lime, bergamot and kumquat. Not only do they look good and smell great their essential oils are wonderful cleaners which are increasingly being used by manufacturers to create environmentally friendly cleaning products. Lemon juice can be used to remove stains from solid surface countertop and when mixed with salt can help to remove rust stains from hardware. Orange and lemon rind can be used as a wonderful air freshener and to reduce odors from trash cans and garbage disposals. Lemon oil is the most effective natural glass cleaner but orange oil works too and best of all they leave a smudge free sheen. It is the citric acid that works to remove calcium build-up on shower doors. Lemon oil found in many commercial furniture polishes works wonderfully well on it's own to clean and protect your wood furniture.
Essential Oil
Certain essentials oils are great disinfectants and natural deodorizers. Lavender, ginger, pine and clove are good choices and many also have antiseptic properties. Lemon oils is useful for keeping your kitchen clean and germ-free while essential oil from cloves will help to eliminate cooking odors. Grease is not match for lavender essential oil which is a useful addition to your kitchen and bathroom cleaning supplies. Pine essential oil is useful inside and outside your home to keep certain insects at bay and to discourage destructive buds from visiting your garden.
Vinegar
Vinegar is safe to use as an all-purpose cleaner on most surfaces (marble is not one of them) and has the added benefit of being a great disinfectant and it is really inexpensive. It may be stating the obvious to say that vinegar is acidic but it is this fact which makes it very important to dilute it adequately before using it as a cleaner (one part water to one part vinegar). You may be thinking that you don't want your house smelling like a salad dressing but don't worry the trademark smell of vinegar disappears once it dries.
Vinegar can be used in the bathroom, kitchen and even the laundry room. When using on countertops or tile areas always test a small area just to make sure it will not damage your surface. In the bathroom you can use it to clean the sinks, bathtub and toilet. You can use undiluted vinegar as a disinfectant inside the toilet bowl. Use diluted vinegar to clean the floors and in the kitchen to clean appliances, the stove, hood and fixtures. In the laundry room you can use the vinegar as an all purpose cleaner but it does double duty as a fabric softener. Just half a cup of vinegar can be used to instead of commercial fabric softener during the rinse cycle.
Visit us online!
Citrus Cleaning
The citrus line-up includes oranges, lemons and grapefruits but also lime, bergamot and kumquat. Not only do they look good and smell great their essential oils are wonderful cleaners which are increasingly being used by manufacturers to create environmentally friendly cleaning products. Lemon juice can be used to remove stains from solid surface countertop and when mixed with salt can help to remove rust stains from hardware. Orange and lemon rind can be used as a wonderful air freshener and to reduce odors from trash cans and garbage disposals. Lemon oil is the most effective natural glass cleaner but orange oil works too and best of all they leave a smudge free sheen. It is the citric acid that works to remove calcium build-up on shower doors. Lemon oil found in many commercial furniture polishes works wonderfully well on it's own to clean and protect your wood furniture.
Essential Oil
Certain essentials oils are great disinfectants and natural deodorizers. Lavender, ginger, pine and clove are good choices and many also have antiseptic properties. Lemon oils is useful for keeping your kitchen clean and germ-free while essential oil from cloves will help to eliminate cooking odors. Grease is not match for lavender essential oil which is a useful addition to your kitchen and bathroom cleaning supplies. Pine essential oil is useful inside and outside your home to keep certain insects at bay and to discourage destructive buds from visiting your garden.
Vinegar
Vinegar is safe to use as an all-purpose cleaner on most surfaces (marble is not one of them) and has the added benefit of being a great disinfectant and it is really inexpensive. It may be stating the obvious to say that vinegar is acidic but it is this fact which makes it very important to dilute it adequately before using it as a cleaner (one part water to one part vinegar). You may be thinking that you don't want your house smelling like a salad dressing but don't worry the trademark smell of vinegar disappears once it dries.
Vinegar can be used in the bathroom, kitchen and even the laundry room. When using on countertops or tile areas always test a small area just to make sure it will not damage your surface. In the bathroom you can use it to clean the sinks, bathtub and toilet. You can use undiluted vinegar as a disinfectant inside the toilet bowl. Use diluted vinegar to clean the floors and in the kitchen to clean appliances, the stove, hood and fixtures. In the laundry room you can use the vinegar as an all purpose cleaner but it does double duty as a fabric softener. Just half a cup of vinegar can be used to instead of commercial fabric softener during the rinse cycle.
Visit us online!
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MOVIE NIGHT: Courtesy of MOP-n-Bucket Cleaning Service Vancouver
Apartment - House Cleaning Service - special offers:
Book regular cleaning service in the evenings or weekends and on your 4th clean you will receive a certificate for 2 Adult Admissions, 2 Regular Drinks, 1 Regular Popcorn.
* No Cash Value - Minimum of Initial Cleaning Service + 4regular (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly) cleaning must be purchased. Initial Cleaning Service must be booked by May 30th, 2015