Moulds produce allergens, irritants and sometimes toxic substances. Inhaling or touching mould spores may cause symptoms of an allergic reaction such as; sneezing, runny nose, red eyes and skin rash. Many people suffer with Asthma and moulds in the home will make Asthma attacks more severe.
Who is affected?
Some people are more sensitive to allergens than others. Some people who may be more heavily impacted by mould growth in your home would be; babies and children, elderly, people with existing skin problems (eczema), people with respiratory problems (allergies, asthma), and people who have a weak immune system.
What causes mould?
Mould is caused by excess moisture, leaking pipes, rain seeping in the home, condensation inside the home. If the weather is very humid for a few days in a row you might notice mould starting to grow in your home. If you live near the water this could be a reoccurring problem. Sometimes wet clothing in the home can cause mould growth as well, when the mouldy clothing comes in contact with other parts of your home the mould spores release into your home and spread.
Remove mould from your home
The main things mould needs to grow in your home are organic materials to feed on moisture. By simply preventing moisture in your home you will provide a difficult environment for mould to form. Preventing all water and condensation in your home should really do the job. In addition to this, when the moisture inside your home evaporates into air it increases humidity so to avoid mould you must ensure your home is well ventilated as well.
If you have mould in your home you may need a Steamatic professional to visit your home and remove it for you before it affects the health and well-being of the people in your home. Not to mention, your own personal health and well-being.
If you have noticed a mould build-up in your home, or have family getting sick and you believe mould may be the cause of this, call Steamatic professionals now and avoid severe health problems caused by mould. Steamatic professionals will have your home risk free, and clear of mould in no time! Contact Steamatic at 1 888 767 7616 or visit us online to book an appointment today!
Hot Water Cleaning For Your Furniture
When our professionals arrive at your home they will spray the hot water deep into the fibers of you furniture and drapes almost immediately sucked back out by a powerful vacuum.
The most convenient thing about this is that your furniture can remain in the same place it started and is left almost fully dry with this method. The hotter the water you use the more dirt it will lift and this method provide a deep clean like no other.
Here are some furniture cleaning and maintenance tips for you to try at home:
Clean up surface stains as soon as possible. Fresh stains are always easier to lift off- keeping a clean sofa will always reduce the time you spend carrying out physically draining deep cleaning treatments.
Vacuum your furniture at least once a month. To keep dust and dirt to a minimum it is important that you prevent grime from becoming a part of your furniture or from totally destroying it.
If any parts of your furniture are removable wash them! One good thing to remember is to replace covers while they are still slightly damp, so they will dry properly around the shape of the sofa.
When you are cleaning your furniture using a deep hot water method it is very important to avoid over wetting. By properly hot water cleaning your furniture you will be deodorizing and protecting your furniture as well as giving it a deep clean.
Proper maintenance of your furniture is required after each and every deep hot water clean. Our experts spray the protector on your furniture to create an invisible barrier around the fibers, which improves resistance to dry soil, water-based stains, and daily wear and tear.
Furniture cleaning is an epic duty for most people; but it can be quick and easy! Follow some of our steps above, if you are having trouble or not getting the results you desire call our Steamatic professionals today at 1 888 767 7616 or visit us online today!
How to: Clean Your Fluorescent Lighting
Here are some steps on how to clean your fluorescent lights:
If you have tried time-and-time again but you can not get that spectacular glow from your fluorescent lights that you expect, it is time to call our Steamatic professionals at 1 888 767 7616. Clean, well maintained lights also offer the best possible working conditions.
Fluorescent lights get their flow from the mercury trapped inside, and the compact fluorescents used to energy efficient household lighting are no different. Actually, fluorescent lights are typically used in offices due to their reliability.
Reflective fluorescent lighting has many applications in offices, business premises, and industrial units. This powerful light offers a steady and uniform spread of light while using minimal energy, saving you money and time!
Fluorescent light bulbs should never be placed in the trash, these bulbs can be recycled and distributed to customers to help save them time and money while, having their home shining beautiful and bright!
For professional fluorescent light cleaning call Steamatic at 1 888 767 7616 or visit us online to book an appointment with us today!
Maintaining Your Asphalt Driveway
In Canada, we suffer with extreme winter conditions, so if you are planning to clean your driveway it is best to do during the summer season. You may find that your asphalt driveway suffers from oil spills, gasoline, decay prints, tire marks, cracks and more, leaving large dark patches on your driveway. These patches really stand out and make your driveway and landscape look old, and run-down. Needless to say, if your asphalt driveway is looking damaged and needs patched up it is time to do so!
What you will need:
How to clean your asphalt driveway:
Step 1 : Put on your protective eye gear, and rubber gloves
Step 2: Mix the solution of Trisodium Phosphate and water in a bucket
Step 3: Pour enough of the TSP onto the stain (cover it)
Step 4: Let the solution sit for about 5 minutes before scrubbing all the dirt and solution off
Step 5: Scrub the area with the long push broom
Step 6: If the stain fights back, pour some bleach on it and scrub again
Step 7: Rinse the driveway thoroughly with water
Step 8: Repeat the process until all stains are removed and your asphalt driveway looks good as new!
If you try these steps but you are still having a hard time getting the tough stains and damages on your driveway repaired, you can call Steamatic professionals to complete the job! Our pavement cleaning techniques are more than just a pressure wash service! Call us at 1-888- 767-7616 or visit us online to learn more!
The Benefits of Steamatic’s Fire Damage Restoration Services
Often time’s one has no idea what to do after a fire related incident. The process can be difficult, lengthy and not to mention, emotional.
So why are fire damage restoration services beneficial to those affected in these situations?
Fire damage restoration services can help to restore a home after a devastating fire and get your life back to normal sooner than later. Here are only a few of the immense benefits of having a fire restoration service help in your time of need:
Removal of odors from left over damage
After a fire there are often leftover odors that stick in your home from smoke and soot. These odors are not only an uncomfortable stench, but they can carry many potential health risks and hazards.
Soot refers to left over particles that cling to surfaces in your home after a fire, these particles contain many different properties. Leftover soot can deposit dangerous by-products into the air, for example, hydrogen cyanide. For the overall health of you and the other members of your household, odor removal is important when it comes to damage control.
Prevention of further damage
Having a fire damage restoration service can help you to prevent further damage to your home. Besides lingering odors that are potentially dangerous, there are many other types of damage that are often the result of a fire. Some of these damages consist of water damage, which can also carry an odor, and structural damage. The sooner they are dealt with, the better.
Removal of damaged surfaces
A fire damage restoration service will help take some of the weight off your shoulders, literally. After a fire, there will obviously be left over rubble and damaged surfaces that need to leave the home.
Structural damages such as beams and frames may sometimes need to be removed from the home, as well as burnt and damaged possessions. Damaged surfaces such as floor boards and walls will need to be taken out to ensure the safety of the home or business affected. These things are hard to do on your own and can add stress to an already stressful situation.
Steamatic’s fire damage restoration service goes above and beyond to make certain that you have the help you need. Steamatic quickly and effectively cleans and removes water, smoke, soot, and other toxins left over by fire.
What does it take to get these services?
After the damage is properly handled by the fire department, make a call to your insurance provider, then Steamatic will evaluate the damages, and finally, clean, repair, and rebuild.
Fire is a serious danger, it tears apart your home and puts strain on you and your family, but with a fire damage restoration service the weight can be lifted and help to restore not just your home or office, but your peace of mind.
Learn about Steamatic’s fire damage restoration services, and contact us today for your needs
Summer with Steamatic: Removing Summer’s Toughest Stains
It’s a beautiful time to be outside, spend time with family and friends, go on adventures and stay up late.
There are so many yummy things to have in the summer, like ice cream, and so many things to apply to your skin like sunscreen that can stain dark clothes and even your furniture! Summer is beautiful, but any professional mom knows that it comes with hidden stain-gers.
We at Steamatic have compiled a small list of these dangers and how to fight the stains of summer.
Ice Cream
A delicious frozen treat for you and/or your children to enjoy on a hot day, when all the sudden, someone spills. Ice cream trickles from your toddler’s face and all over their shirt. No worries, if possible, quickly apply cold water to the area and lightly rub fabric to remove and rinse. If the stain has set soak in an enzyme detergent for thirty minutes and then machine wash.
Sunscreen
Depending on the type of sunscreen you use, it can stain.Sunscreen is an important factor whenever you are out in the sun, so it can be hard to avoid stains. Well, all you have to do is either spot treat with dishwashing liquid, or soak in pretreatment of liquid detergent and launder as usual, just in the hottest water possible.
Ketchup
So you just took a bite of a hot dog at your friend’s annual summer barbecue, and suddenly you feel it. The drop on your shirt. Suddenly wearing a white shirt seemed like the worst decision you have ever made. Ketchup is one of those obnoxious, discoloured, tough to remove stains, but don’t fret.
For a first line of defense against the ketchup stain, dab with water immediately, or spot treat with detergent. Pretreat the stain as usual or use a spot-stain remover. Think about adding some hydrogen peroxide to the stain to bubble-action it out. Machine wash as usual, and apply bleach if you can.
Blood
You just fell off your bike, or missed the curb on your rollerblades, or watched your kid take a tumble down the slide the wrong way. After assessing the damage everything is fine and your wounds have been cared for, you look down to see a big old red blood stain. Oh no. Don’t panic! If the the stain is still wet, you have time to soak the fabric in cold water and rub with a bar of soap. If the stain has dried, use an enzyme detergent and wash as soon as possible. Whether wet or dry, hydrogen peroxide, if applied, will loosen the stain, and dabbing with ammonia can help create a bleaching effect.
No matter the stains, it’s a beautiful day. Fear not and follow Steamatic’s tips to a stain-free summer.
Summer with Steamatic: Cleaning and Caring for Your Camping Gear
Our camping gear is always in the background of our memories of camping, it has always been there for us when we wanted to go on an exciting adventure. Sometimes our tents and cooking stoves and other gear gets old and must be thrown out, but here are some tips and ideas on how to keep your camping gear like-new.
The most obvious gear you pack when camping is a tent. Tents are our shelter when camping and must be taken care of well for effective use and positive camping experience. The best way to care for your tent is to store it well, for example, a tent should be stored in a cool and dry area. The bag the tent came in seems like a good idea, but it is best to keep it in a breathable duffle bag or cotton sack.
If you do not have these bags, use a large pillow case. These actions will help you to avoid the smell of mildew in your tent. In order to clean your tent, wash the outside with a regular garden hose, and then wash the inside with warm water and soap. Let the tent dry completely before storing away.
Cooking gear when camping should also be well kept to avoid the growth of bacteria and mildew.
Once a camping trip is over, wash your dishes by scrubbing and rinsing in hot water and let dry completely before storing. The same goes for the cook stove. Remove the grills and scrub the entire thing, grills, bottom, lid, and all. Be sure to use a non-abrasive sponge to avoid damaging metal lining.
Before you leave for your next trip, wash dishes over again to be sure they are clean and ready to go.
When it comes to things like lanterns simply remove the light fixture and clean any debris, then wipe down the rest of the lantern with a damp cloth. Camping chairs are easy to clean, just read the tag on the back of the chair for any specific instructions or things to avoid using on the fabric.
Any other things like coolers, fishing gear, outdoor wear, should all be kept clean and put in an appropriate spot catered to the product. Be sure to never put anything away until completely dried.
Follow these tips to properly store and clean your camping gear so it will be most effective and kept in great condition for each time you need it.
Enjoy summer, make memories, go camping with friends and family and feel your inner child again.
If you are in need of any professional cleaning service, be sure to contact Steamatic today!
House Fire Aftermath: Cleanup Tips
Fires can be extremely devastating and detrimental to your home or business. After the fire is put out your property will likely suffer from not only fire and smoke damage, but also water damage and flooding from putting the fire out. When dealing with fire damage, it can help to know some basic tips to follow afterwards.
After fire damage occurs to any of your properties your primary focus should be;
What to avoid doing after a fire occurs:
How can professionals help get my home and life back to normal?
Every fire damage is different, and requires special action to revive your home or business but the general process typically stays the same.
The emergency service you called for help to extinguish the flames in your home may have created further damage to your property. If damages from a fire are not dealt with right away it is very possible that further problems will occur.
For the best way to deal with fire restoration, call a professional restoration company, as they have the proper tools, expertise, and experience necessary to handle any job.
Steamatic’s 4-Step Coffee Stain Removal Strategy
Absorb
First, you critically need to absorb that coffee stain, assuming it is still fresh. Simply grab some paper towels or an absorbent dish rag and pat the area. Try to remove as much moisture as possible. Continue this method until there is absolutely no more transfer of moisture on to the paper towel.
Blot
Now you will need to blot up the moisture. Run some clean and cold water on the stain. Blot up as much of the stain as you can. Continue running water over the stain and blotting it up. Do not completely soak the stain as this will cause it to sink in and make it much more difficult to remove. This method should lighten up the stain, but not remove it.
Cleaning Solutions
Now we incorporate some easy cleaning solutions to further rid you of the coffee stain.
Dab
Your stain may be gone, but you’re not done yet! Now you must dab the area and remove access moisture. Leave a paper towel on the area and press with your body weight to fully remove as much water as you can. Continue until completely dry. If a stain still remains, you may need to repeat the cleaning process for best results.
Teaching Children Fire Safety: Tips and Tricks
Your family might not ever fall victim to a house fire, but the lessons you teach your children will be passed on to their children, ensuring generations of happy and safe children and families. Here are Steamatic’s tips on teaching children fire safety, including how children need to handle emergencies and fires.
Plan an Escape Route
Plan escape exits in each room, and run through them with your children. This could be made in to a fun game, making them more eager to learn. Every room should ideally have at least two methods of exit. Fire does not discriminate, and if your only exit is engulfed in flames, what will you do? If you find that many of the rooms in your home do not have two exits, than it may be time time to evaluate your living space and establish a plan for action.
Working Windows are Vital!
Make sure all windows in the home are easy to open, do not have any difficult locks, and can be opened by your children. If your children are alone in a room and need to make their own escape without your help, you need to know that they are capable of opening their escape routes.
Second Floor Safety
If you have a second floor, many escape routes are likely to include windows. You will need to place escape ladders at these windows. Run through using them with your children, as this could be a potentially dangerous task itself. Remind children that they should never be used outside of a real fire emergency, and they are not toys.
“Feel” Your Exits!
There is no guarantee that when a fire happens, there will be light there to guide you to your designated exists. If a fire is particularly rampant, then light would not make a difference, as the smoke might make it impossible to keep your eyes open. In preparation for this, make your children practice how to escape a room by feeling their surroundings. You can turn this into a fun game for them, simply put a blindfold on them and offering a prize if they can escape the room. This is a great option for those who work in daycare or child care service, as it can be turned into a group learning activity.
Learning Through Music
Music has always been a great way to teach children lessons that they might otherwise find boring or unnecessary. Searching the web for fire safety related songs is easy and the results are endless. This is particularly useful for younger kids and young learners.
Give Children a Smoke Detector 101
Show and inform your child on the basics of your fire and smoke detector. While adults naturally link the distinct sound of a fire alarm to danger, children do not. They need to be taught that this sound means something, and it means that there might be danger. Make sure to avoid having the batteries deplete fully. If your child constantly hears the sound of the low battery ringing, they might subconsciously associate it with a false alarm.
