Monday, October 28, 2013

Cold Weather Proofing An Older House

    If your like me and you live in an older house then you know how cold it is in the Winter, even when it isn't really that cold outside lol. I live in the South where we just think it gets cold compared to other areas but living in an older house makes it event colder especially with hardwood floors!


    The winter is seems to be already with us this year, earlier than usual it seems. Weather proofing and insulating your house not only helps with keeping IT warm and cozy but it can also save a bundle on energy bills as well. Windows and doors seem to be the main areas where there are gaps and drafts for cold air to sneak in! It also helps in the Summer months as well to keep the AC bill down. 


   Listed below are several known ways to seal off from the cold and stay warm at nights. Feel free to comment or leave any other suggestions you may have for keeping your house all cozy for the winter. 

Seal  The Window Gaps with Caulk. This also looks a lot better than covering the windows with plastic. If your house is like mine and a lot of older houses the windows are single pain and let a lot of cold air in during the cold months. 

    • 1
      Identify gaps around windows ( It won't take long when you feel the cold air coming in.) You need to seal and insulate all of the windows in your house. When feeling for drafts, you can use a candle. Just light it and hold it near each window. When the flame dances, a draft is likely the cause.
    • 2
      Insert caulk tube into the caulk gun.
    • 3
      Cut off tip of caulk tube with a utility knife.
    • 4
      Gently squeeze gun handle as you move along the perimeter of each window, laying down a solid seal of caulk as you go. This will insulate the living areas of your house. 
      This will also seal the window closed. Be sure to keep something near by in case you need to open the window quickly. Some of my windows are caulked shut and can not be opened. 

    Install Plastic Sheeting on Windows

    • 5
      Wash the inside edge of window panes with warm, soapy water.
    • 6
      Cut double-sided tape with scissors to fit along the inside of window pane.
    • 7
      Peel one side of the backing off of the tape and stick it to the window frame.
    • 8
      Peel off the exposed side of the double-sided tape on the top of the window.
    • 9
      Starting at one of the corners, stick the plastic sheeting to the tape, forming a complete seal. Leave about an inch overlap to be trimmed later. Move slowly across the window, sticking the plastic to the tape.
    • 10
      Repeat for the sides and bottom edges of the window.
    • 11
      Trim excess plastic with scissors or a utility knife.
    • 12
      Smooth out any wrinkles in the plastic by using a blow dryer. Keep the setting on low and slowly pass it over the plastic to shrink it to fit your window.
    • 13
      Repeat this process to seal every window in your house. This will ensure that you will get the most out of your new insulation.

      Feel free to leave comments or suggestions on any of our posts. Also, check out our Facebook page @ facebook.com/hhcs1





Sunday, October 27, 2013

Soap Scum Removal Cleaning Tip



                  Cleaning Tips For Removing Soap Scum


      Of all cleaning we do on a weekly basis the number one cleaning issue we run across is Soap Scum! It doesn't matter how clean your keep your house, kitchen, bathroom etc. soap scum seems to always be there. Most all of my customers complain about it and ask what the best method is to get rid of soap scum. 

To start with lets discuss what soap scum is and why it seems to mysteriously appear in our bathrooms, kitchens and anywhere you use water and soap. 

Definition: Soap scum is a white or gray filmy layer that covers the surfaces around our showers, bathtubs, and sinks. Soap scum can be found on shower curtains, bathroom fixtures, bathtubs, shower doors, tiling, and more.
Soap scum is actually formed thanks to minerals in tap water that combine with soap and dirt to create a layer of scaliness over the surfaces in our bathrooms. Those with mineral filled hard water are much more likely to have soap scum buildup. Soap scum can be difficult to remove if it's left for too long, because it continues to build up each time the area around it is used. Soap scum that is left to build can sometimes combine with mold or mildew and have other discolorations and odors.
Also Known As: limescale

Back to getting rid of the soap scum after we shower, do dishes etc is a task. The last thing you won't to do is ignore it and attempt to clean it later on! Getting rid of soap scum can really be a challenge and is not something to be ignored or it will just get worst over time!


How to Remove Soap Scum On Your Own

 with good maintenance soap scum usually ( I highlighted this part because this is not always the case.)  will just wipe away, but as with most of us time gets away from us and you can’t find the opportunity to clean which is usually why you call us or another cleaning company in your area.
Soap scum almost seems like concrete when it has not been cleaned on a regular basis. It can find its way on walls, tubs, shower curtains, and under hair care containers leaving stains in its wake. The last part we see quite often. ( Be sure to clean under your hair care products and soaps regularly. )
Once it has hardened and sat for it a while soap scum becomes almost impossible to remove and clean and makes our jobs almost impossible as well!

The best thing I have found to beat soap scum once it has hardened is a magic eraser! If your like me and do not like using magic eraser, get over it lol. They work!
 I had a customer recently tell me she thought those were just a scam and didn't think they would work but after showering her the improvement of her showering after using a magic eraser and cleaning it she was extremely impressed and thanked me repeatedly. 

Below is some info I found on another blog, http://www.housecleaningcentral.com that I found very useful and interesting. 

Homemade Soap Scum Removers

Note: If any of the cleaning products you purchase contain bleach or ammonia as an additional cleaner, remember these two are highly toxic when mixed together so be extra careful when using either of these so not to accidentally use them together. This is something we are very serious about.
There are many methods and products available for getting rid of soap scum once it has built up. Some of the products we’ll be mentioning might already be in your home.
If they are, that’s great, no extra trip to the store. And no getting sidetracked and then talking yourself out of cleaning it up.
Note: Keep in mind soap scum can be tough to clean- really tough, so if the first cleaning product you try doesn’t work, don’t give up, just move on to the next one.


Lemon Oil

Lemon oil (as in lemon furniture oil) will clean well and also prevent further build up.
  1. Apply the lemon oil with an acrylic scrubby in a circular motion.
  2. Wipe away with a soft cotton cloth.
Cloth baby diapers work well for this. Not only will this clean but it will leave you with a fresh scent.

Borax

Borax works well as a scouring powder instead of harsher, chemically toxic cleaners.
  1. Just pour the Borax on a sponge and apply to the soap scum with a touch of water.
  2. Circular motions when cleaning soap scum always work better than the back and forth motion many of us use. This can help with some of the tougher jobs.
  3. Rinse well when done.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is another non-toxic abrasive that can be used in the bathtub, use in the same manner as the Borax.
  1. Just sprinkle the Baking Soda on the soap scum with a touch of water.
  2. Scrub in a circular motion.
  3. Rinse well when done.
  4. Follow it up with pouring a cup of white vinegar down the drain to clean the drain.

Spray and Wash ™

Some people swear by laundry stain removers like Spray and Wash ™.
  1. Spray the spray and wash liquid on the soap scum.
  2. Leave the spray and wash on the soap scum and leave for 15 minutes.
  3. Rinse well.

Laundry Detergent

Powdered laundry detergent works well as a non-toxic cleaner.
  1. Make a 50/50 paste of laundry detergent and water
  2. Work the paste into the soap scum and leave on for 15 minutes.
  3. Scrub in a circular motion.
  4. Rinse well when finished.

White Vinegar

Straight white vinegar can be just as effective at removing soap scum. It's a mild acid and natural deodorizer.
  1. Just spray full strength white vinegar with a drop or 2 of liquid dishwashing detergent on the stain.
  2. Rub lightly to distribute the cleaning solution
  3. Let sit for 10-15 minutes.
  4. Scrub with a plastic scrubby to work away the soap scum.

Ammonia

Ammonia works on the worst soap scum build up but you must wear gloves to protect your hands. Be sure to rinse well and keep the kids away from the ammonia while you’re working.
  1. Mix 1/2 cup of ammonia to a gallon of water.
  2. Spray on the stain.
  3. Let the ammonia work on the stain for 5 minutes
  4. Scrub, and rinse well to wipe away the soap scum.

To sum it up it is best and easiest to just do regular cleaning and prevent the soap scum from forming in the first place. Below are some great tips to prevent soap scum from forming. 

Preventing Soap Scum

Another way to approach the idea of getting rid of soap scum is not only to clean it after it has shown up but to halt or slow its appearance with precautionary measures.
Here are some additional ways to work around soap scum, tackling the problem from a different angle.

Switch to Liquid Soap

Switching to liquid soap is great way to prevent soap scum from forming to begin with. 
That would be the easy way out lol. 
Since liquid soap is not solid it won't stick to surfaces when it dries. But of course, since you are here most likely it is to late unless your one of the lucky ones trying to prevent from having the hard work of removing the concrete off your shower!
Keep this cleaning tip in the back of your mind if you want to avoid having to chisel off soap scum in the future.

Use a Squeegee on the shower, tub and specially the glass shower doors after ever shower!

A squeegee always helps after showering as it can remove most of the water from shower walls and the shower door.
You can pick these up at a dollar store and put one in each bathroom.

Wax the Walls

This one I had not heard about and found on another blog site. But, Waxing the walls and hard shower doors with regular car wax I have read will make the water bead up and slide off, preventing soap scum build up. This makes since of course but I have never thought about it. 
They say this should only be done about once every six months and will also work on the counter tops.

Rain X

Another great product that works well for any problem that water runs on like your walls, shower doors and even shower curtains is Rain X. This is an automotive product, it can be found in most grocery stores within the automotive section.
And of course you can get it in an automotive store. The main purpose of this product is to cause rain water to bead on car windows.
But also works well in the shower.

Epsom Salt

One trick that is easy to use, has many purposes and most people have around there house is Epsom Salt. To keep the soap scum from attaching just add a bit of Epsom Salt to the bath water every time you bath. It easily dissolves into water, not only helps prevent soap scum but it great for your body as well. 
Something about the salt keeps the scum from attaching and will also help soothe away those aches and pains from a long day!

Baby Oil

This is another tidbit that I did not know! When you use baby oil in the shower, spread a bit on the shower doors to keep them scum free. This type of application will help rebuff and repel soap scum, making it harder to cling to the walls.
Just remember that baby oil makes the shower very slippery so reconsider if you have young ones who may slip slide their way around the tub.
Hopefully these tips will come in handy and also to save you some time. Areas that collect soap scum, like showers walls, baths and glass doors are hard to always keep perfectly clean.
It is always good to have different options and there are many tricks of the trade that can help you on your way.



As always, be sure to like us on Facebook @ facebook.com/HHCS1  and check out our website @ helpinghandsinc.net


Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Hardwood Floors and Scuff Marks

We all know hardwood floors add value to your home, but cleaning hardwood floors isn't always that easy. Wood floors opposed to tile are softer and are easier to damage with cleaning solvents. Most don't realize that a lot of household and commercial cleaners damage hardwood floors over time.

Scuffs on a hardwood are a very common problem, whether they came from your shoes, kids or pets. You can remove them without resorting to damaging chemicals or cleaners. There are several non damaging tricks you can use to get those stubborn scuff marks up. I have listed a few below.

    • 1
      Wipe the scuff mark with a wet sponge. Take a pink rubber eraser, the kind you used in elementary school,  and rub with the grain of the wood. If this isn't strong enough, you can find scuff erasers at a hardware store. They are just harder rubber. Do not use a plastic or gritty eraser, this will damage wood floor.
    • 2
      Rub a clean tennis ball over the scuff with the grain of the wood. You can put it on the end of a mop or broomstick by cutting an "X" in it and sticking it on the end of the stick. This way you can stand instead of kneel to clean the spot. This is a good technique if you have frequent scuffs.
      (I highlighted this section because this trick tends to be our favorite in the commercial cleaning industry. It works on most marks that are hard to get up) 
    • 3
      Mix baking soda and a small amount of water into a paste. Rub it gently onto the scuff with a sponge or toothbrush. A non-gel toothpaste may be used as well. These are both mild natural abrasives. Work in the same direction as the grain of the wood. Dry it off with a soft towel when the scuff is gone.

      We use a great hydrogen peroxide based cleaner to clean floors but still struggle with scuff marks. The tennis ball method tends to work well. 

      You can use the same tips above on your tile floor as well. Tile floors are a little easier because they are harder to damage than hardwood floors. You can use a magic eraser ( Also perfect for soap scum which I will talk about in another post.) 

      As always, be sure to like our Facebook page @ facebook.com/hhcs1 or visit our website @ helpinghandsinc.net  .