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ODOR, DUST, AND POLLEN CAN WREAK HAVOC ON ALLERGIES: There is a new air purifying technology that not only lights your home but cleans your air with millions of negative ions. A multitude of things in the home can trigger allergies: from odors, to mold, to dust in bedding and on furniture, to your family pet. Even those friendly, burning candles can contribute to sinus and allergy problems. While turned on, the built-in ionizer technology found in the new Purely Products CFL / Ionic Purifier light bulbs releases millions of negatively charged ions into the air. These floating, negatively charged ions attach themselves to positively charged irritants like dust, pollen, smoke, & pet dander in the air. Once the negative ions attach to these positively charged particles in the air, they become heavier and drop to the floor where they are easily removed during regular vacuum cleaning. We tested these new items and found that a single Healthy CFL light bulb effectively cleans the air in a 12’ x 12’ room, significantly reducing airborne irritants, dust, dander and smells. Click here to see the demonstration video of these new products at our website to learn more.
WANT A REFRESHING SCENT – DON’T SPRAY IT IN THE AIR: If you would like a light and refreshing fragrance in your home, don’t spray aerosols and harsh scents into the air. You’ll get better and longer lasting results with the variety of natural scents available in our Nilium water-soluble deodorizer. Choose invigorating Orange when you need more energy and soothing Cucumber Melon when you need to relax.
Here are a few other ways Nilium water-soluble deodorizer can add natural, refreshing scents in your home:
- Mix into your mop water, you entire home will have gentle fragrance.
- Pour ½ cup into your toilet tank (not the bowl) it will create instant freshness every time you flush. This is a great way to freshen your home quickly when you have guests dropping by.
- Add the a little concentrate to the water if you clean your carpets
- Add a little to you washing machine. Not only will it refresh your clothes, it will freshen your machine as well.
Nilofresh versus the popular baking soda rug freshener choices – know before you sprinkle: Nilofresh Powder Rug & Room deodorizer has been approved by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) for professional use to freshen carpets in commercial use. Why does that matter to you? The CRI only recommends products that improve the cleaning performance and extend carpet life for consumers. Baking soda causes several problems in your carpet. First, the granules are sharp and cause damage by breaking and tearing the individual fibers. Second, when baking soda becomes wet, it turns to paste. That not only can ruin your carpet, it can ruin the carpet-cleaning machine you use to try and remove it.
You can trust our #1 all natural odor neutralizer to be safe for use anywhere: X-O Odor Neutralizer is 100% safe and natural. It has been tested and proven non-toxic to both people and animals. It is also safe for skin and eye contact (it won’t cause damage, but it can still be an irritant, so best to avoid direct contact if at all possible.) That means you can feel confident using it throughout your home. Use it in the kitchen to combat cooking odors and stale odors in the refrigerators. Use it in pet areas, pet beds – even directly on your pets! X-O Odor Neutralizer is a top choice of veterinarians to remove that horrible skunk odor. Use it in the bathroom, too – several puffs before using the restroom will kill odors before they have a chance to start.
THE PET ODOR CHALLENGE: Pet odor removal can be one of the biggest chores for pet owners. The best prevention for this is to clean the mess that made the smell as quickly as possible. Never leave it for later – the longer it remains in the carpet, the more difficult it will be to remove the smell. Again, our 3 Way Carpet Spotter’s triple action formula cleans the stain, deodorizes the smell, and provides added protection from future pet accidents – a must have for every pet owner. A good step of prevention for cat lovers is the Nil-O-Litter litter box deodorizer additive. Just a sprinkle in the litter and Nil-O-Litter helps control cat box smells in advance. It mixes easily with all types of litter and is 100% organic and safe.
IN THE KITCHEN: Most odors come from the trash, sink or refrigerator. Even after the smelly trash has been removed, the odor can linger on and on. Eliminate these odors with X-O odor neutralizer. An odor neutralizer does not mask odors; it eliminates them permanently by utilizing positive and negative ionic charges. It captures the odor molecule and breaks it apart so your nose can no longer detect it. X-O all natural odor neutralizers are completely safe and can even be used on counters tops and inside the refrigerator. For smells in the disposal and sink drains, the new Don Aslett’s Gel Deodorizer works wonders. It’s a thicker, gelatinous odor neutralizer formulated to stay where you put it – perfect for damp odors in disposals, drains and more.
IN THE BATHROOM: The toilet bowl, inside and out, sink and shower traps and mold are all sources of odors in the bathroom, especially in the winter. Mold and mildew thrive in dark moist environments and die with exposure to sun. Winter weather provides the perfect environment for growth. Neutracide 64 is a tremendous disinfectant that kills mold and mildew as well as other germs, fungus and viruses. Just spray it on, let it sit for 10 minutes and your rid of the bacteria and the smell. The ring in the toilet bowl is not just unsightly, that ring is layers of build up made from minerals and debris. That means whatever goes into the bowl can become part of that ring. Getting rid of the ring removes the odor. Safety Foam toilet bowl cleaner is professionally formulated to remove the ring of bacteria while deodorizing the entire bowl. Sometimes, what should go inside the bowl ends up outside the bowl and on the floor and in the caulking. Neutracide 64 also works well here to clean the mess, kill the germs and bacteria, and remove the odors associated with them. Stagnant water in the p-traps trapped by debris in the drain can lead to foul odors as well. Our new Gel Deodorizer, in it’s thicker viscosity, is specially formulated to stay where you put it and works well in damp odor situations such as these.
Our homes are full of odors. Pet smells spread everywhere. Cooking and food odors float through the indoor air with ease. Sinks, shower traps and mildew in the bathroom are breeding grounds for stink. Even worse, carpeting and home fabrics adsorb odors in the air and hold them in, making an entire room smell less than fresh. Since the doors and windows have been closed for a couple months now with all those odors trapped inside, we thought it would be a good time to pass along some facts and advice to effectively neutralize and eliminate odors, not cover them up.
REMOVE THE SOURCE, REMOVE THE SMELL: The most important thing to remember with odor elimination is to remove the source of the odor – that’s the only way to eliminate the smell. Our 3 Way Carpet Spotter combines an enzyme digester to permanently remove the stain, a deodorizer to eliminate odor, and a protectant to restore the carpets resistance to future spills and mishaps.
STAINS ALL GONE, BUT THE SMELL IS STILL THERE? Have you cleaned the stain but the smell is still there? If the spot or stain is gone but the smell is still there, use a UV blacklight flashlight to locate those hidden offenders. You can’t neutralize the odor if you don’t know where it’s coming from. Once you have found where the smell is coming from, a quality odor neutralizer is by far your best defense. We recommend all natural, X-O odor-neutralizing products. They work through chemistry, breaking down and killing odor molecules. Unlike scented products that only mask unpleasant smells, X-O breaks the down and neutralizes odors permanently using positive and negative ionic charges.
Check back tomorrow for the next section to our article on odors, where we will go over several types of odors and the places they are found!!
When we think of unsanitary places, our home surely isn’t one of the first things that comes to mind. When it comes to unsanitary places though, the truth not only hurts, but it’s often not so obvious, or even invisible. No matter how careful we are, it seems that germs and bacteria all find a way to thrive in our homes, in some places more surprising than others. What we consider to be an extremely filthy area of the house has been proven sometimes to be cleaner than we thought. Knowing where to focus our cleaning routines is the first step to getting the situation under control. So as you start cleaning your home, be sure to tackle these five most disgustingly unsanitary places first.
- Kitchen Sink: We’ve all dropped something like a piece of fruit in the sink and pondered whether or not we should rinse and eat it? Believe it or not, kitchen sinks are even dirtier than most bathrooms. The entire kitchen sink area, including faucet handles, drain, and basin, are prime breeding grounds for bacteria. Pathogens such as E.coli and salmonella may form without frequent upkeep. The most disgusting part is the drain, which can collect more than 500,000 bacteria per square inch. To help cut bacteria at its source, try sanitizing the entire sink by mixing bleach and water or another tough disinfectant solution. Replace sponges and cleaning brushes every month.
- Bath Tub: Surprisingly, the place where you clean yourself is not so clean itself. A recent study revealed that staphylococcus bacteria was found in 26% of all tested tubs. Another in-depth study took a closer look at whirlpool tubs and uncovered even worse findings for bacteria and germs. Traces of mild-to-dangerous bacterial growth were found, and perhaps most disgustingly, almost all tubs had bacteria from fecal matter. All of these germs can lead to skin infections and illnesses. This can be curbed if the bathtub is disinfected at least once a week using a tough cleanser that will scrub away soap scum.
- Remote Controls: You’ve dropped it on the floor, found it stuffed beneath the couch and in crevices, coughed on it, and spilled snacks on it. Nearly everyone in your household has handled it. Remote controls collect so many germs. In fact, a recent study conducted by the University of Virginia found that cold viruses on ordinary household surfaces are most prevalent on the surface of remote controls and gaming system controls. Regular hand washing is the best way to protect you from cold viruses and germs, and regularly wiping remotes with alcohol wipes helps as well.
- Doorknobs and Handles: Some of the filthiest surfaces in the house are doorknobs and handles, surfaces we touch on a daily basis. They usually go unnoticed and uncleaned for a long time, causing various types of bacteria like staphylococcus, salmonella, and E. coli to collect and thrive. Luckily, doorknobs and handles are easy to clean — we just seem to forget to do it. Specifically, cabinet handles in the kitchen need careful attention, as the bacteria can be transferred from our hands to the foods we consume.
- Floors and Carpet: Imagine all of the bacteria that collects beneath your shoes and even on your bare feet being tracked onto the floors of your home. The porous surface of carpet is a prime place for dirt, germs, and dangerous pollutants to collect. Without regular vacuuming, your carpet is surely one of the filthiest places in your home. Bacteria growth especially is a destructive force on kitchen floors.
Special thanks to Stephanie Lopez, Part-time Writer/Researcher at HomeInsurance.org for contributing this informative article to our blog.
You probably pile on more clothes during colder winter months. At the same time, dirt and grime can pile even higher on surfaces around your home. Do you have snow, mud or rain where you live?
Here are a few helpers to wipe out winter grime:
- Keep floors dry and clean with a Sweep Complete Push Broom. Hold it one way and it’s a broom that works like a magnet to pick-up dust, dirt and hair. Flip it over, and it’s a squeegee. Perfect for eliminating snow melt from your floors, and sweeping snow off your car too! The telescoping handle adjusts to the perfect length.
- Carpet and upholstery stains are gone with a little spot cleaning. Perky Spotter is a good choice for minor pet stains, food spills, even ink or toner. Need more strength? Oxy-Powered carpet spotter will handle the toughest water based stains. It’s particularly effective on dirt and mud.
- And, even though driving conditions can be tougher in winter, you still have to get groceries, shuttle the kids and go to work. Doesn’t a clean car just feel better? Keep it uncluttered and clean to boost your spirits during darker months.
- For larger areas in your home or car, use Dri-Foam Carpet & Upholstery Shampoo. Apply the foam for quick cleaning action. The foam traps the dirt and dries to a crystalline residue. Just vacuum and you’re done!
Spring never arrives soon enough. While you wait, we hope we can make your days a little easier.
Do you say you don’t do windows? Once you learn to clean like a pro, you will never say you don’t do windows again. With the right tools and the right techniques, your windows will sparkle and let the spring sun in easier than ever. Professionals use simple cleaning solutions and the window washer’s best friend — a squeegee. A squeegee is the best way to do any full-size window or other large expanse of glass.
The equipment you’ll need to easily produce gleaming, streak-free windows can be found either around the house or from the Cleaning Center. All you need for clean windows are:
Now don’t let windows intimidate you. All you do is apply a cleaning solution with a window scrubber, and then simply remove the solution (and the dirt) with a squeegee. Avoid cleaning windows in direct sunlight though; they’ll dry too fast and streak. Now, here’s the skinny on squeegeeing:
Seven steps to crystal clear glass:
- Mix up your solution: Put no more than a few drops of liquid dish detergent in a bucket of warm water… any more cleaner than that will only cause streaking.
- Wipe around the outside edge of the window with a damp cloth to remove debris that otherwise might get caught under your squeegee. Or if it’s an extremely dirty outside window, a quick spray with the garden hose will remove mud, cobwebs, etc.
- Dip the flat side of your window scrubber about ¼ inch into the solution, then lightly wet the window. Next, go back over it to loosen any stubborn debris before finally sweeping the scrubber around the edges of the window frame to pick up any dirt you may have pushed against it.
- Before squeegeeing the window, wet the blade of the squeegee with a damp cloth, so that it won’t skip on the glass. You should wipe the blade between strokes, too, when you’re working with the squeegee. If you’re doing high windows with an extension pole, simply hit the pole with the palm of your hand to release excess solution from the blade.
- Placing the squeegee against the glass at the top of your window, tilt one end outward so that only about one inch of the blade’s length rests lightly against the surface. Pull the squeegee straight across the top to create a dry strip about an inch wide. This will prevent drips from running down from the top of the window.
- Place the squeegee blade in the narrow dry area and pull it all the way down to approximately three inches from the bottom of the window. Repeat until the window is done, making sure to overlap a little with each stroke; this prevents water from running into the cleaned area.
- Finally, run the squeegee across the bottom of the window to remove the last of the solution. Finish by wiping the sill with a dry cloth.
Once you’ve squeegeed your windows, resist the temptation to remove lingering water drops with a cloth. This will only leave an irresistible streak. Just let them evaporate. If you must wipe, use the tip of your bare finger (after steps 1-7 it will be oil-free and the perfect touchup tool!)
Your squeegeeing techniques might be a little awkward at first, but you’ll quickly catch on and then marvel at how easy it is to have sparkling glass… and you only used a few drops of cleaner!
Most of us like to freshen things up a bit around the house when spring arrives. At the same time, who wants to spend a lot of effort cleaning? That’s where Don Aslett’s can help. We have professional products, tools and techniques that are true timesavers so you can spend more time doing your favorite things.
Don Aslett’s Cleaning Center came up with a list of favorites, cleaning products and tools that they just wouldn’t clean without.
Here are a few of them. Give them a try and enjoy more free time.
- Showers-n-Stuff – One product does it all. Hard water scale, body oil buildup and soap scum can make cleaning the tub a time-consuming task. Not with Showers-n-Stuff. Spray it on using a foaming nozzle; let it do its work, lightly scrub, then rinse it all away. It doesn’t leave any grit that can scratch surfaces, but it does leave a clean fresh scent.
- Lindhaus – Carpets look beautiful longer with regular vacuuming. Why not choose a vacuum the pros choose? There are lots of new models on the market. Some have new attachment gadgets. Others come in bright colors and don’t have bags. Recent testing confirms what professionals know, a great vacuum must measure up when it’s put to use on carpeting. And, if you want your indoor air to be cleaner, a vacuum with a bag is best. All fads aside, the Lindhaus is the vacuum professionals choose.
- Perky Spotter – Do you ever need to quickly clean-up messes? Perky Spotter removes food, drinks, ink, even copy toner spilled on carpets. It’s easy to use. First remove debris and blot. Then, apply a small amount of ready-to-use Perky with a clean dye-free cloth wiping towards the middle of the stain from the outside edges.
- Microfiber Towels – Microfiber towels are amazing lint-free cleaning essentials. Use them dry for dusting and polishing. The innovative fiber literally pulls dirt into the cloth like a magnet. They’re terrific for mop-ups because they hold 7 times their weight in water. When you’re finished, just toss in the washing machine. They last through 300 trips to the laundry. What a value, too!
No matter what time of the year, Don Aslett’s Cleaning Center can help you cut your cleaning time in half! Spring never arrives soon enough.
While you wait, we hope we can help make your days a little easier and brighter.
You’ve got to admit it, if you have children, you may be counting the days until school starts again. Learning goes on everyday, for all of us. Now is a good time to teach the kids – and ourselves – that household cleanup can be a team sport.
Children can handle many cleaning tasks. Decide the best job for your child’s age and the level of direct supervision required. For example, any young school age child with the understanding that certain items may break can easily handle dusting.
Here are a few of Don’s suggestions to limit your role as household janitor.
- Write down and post lists – It’s a simple way to keep track of who does what and when. Plus, writing down needs eliminates any response of “I didn’t know” or “I forgot”.
- Make helping out easy for kids – It’s a good idea to certain there are plenty of hangers, drawers or bins for each child’s personal belongings.
- Patience and persistence pays off – Stick to it. New ideas and behaviors require repetition until they become part of the routine. Whatever you do, don’t give up! If you breakdown and do it yourself, you’ll be doing it forever.
- Praise – Heap it on when it’s deserved. There’s no better motivator than positive reinforcement.
You might note these techniques work well in the classroom. Soon, that’s where the children will be. Meanwhile, prep them for the year ahead and get a happier, cleaner home too!
Finally. It’s spring! That means it’s an excellent time to rid your carpeting of spots and dingy winter stains. Before you start. Remember the spots you see on the surface may be just part of the problem. Many stains go much deeper. . . all the way down to the padding. Select a product, tool and technique to make sure the entire stain is gone. . . for good!
The first step is to remove loose debris. Then select a formulation that’s right for the stain. Always follow spotter directions for optimum results. When you’re done, you may even forget winter was even here!
- Water-based stains – Some spotters work well on water based spots like food and beverage spills, cosmetics, dirt and mud. We offer excellent products for all-round use. Perky is an easy to use spotter ideal for small messes. After removing debris, dampen a dye-free cloth, such as Don Aslett’s 100% Cotton Cleaning Cloths. Then dab the spot working from the outer edge inward to avoid spreading the stain. Concentrated Oxy Action is another great choice. It ‘s formulated with oxygen to eliminate most household stains. It’s ideal for interim cleaning of high traffic areas like the trails that appear along main routes in your home, including carpeted stairs. Use it with the Carpet Daisy tool, which helps loosen embedded soils. Oxy Action is a terrific time saver because it doesn’t need rinsing. Best of all, it leaves no residue to cause re-soiling. When it’s dry, vacuum treated areas.
- Gooey messes – Do you see red candle wax spots on your off-white carpet? This calls for a special spotter. Spot Remover is formulated to handle sticky stuff. It works well on grease, tar and gum too. Make sure to spray it on one of our 100% Cotton Cleaning Cloths, not directly on the stain. Then use the moistened cloth to agitate the soiled area. Finally rinse well and the gooey gunk will be gone!
- Oh, oh . . . pet accidents – They do happen. And, when they do, you need a good odor remover as well as product to attack organic matter. After removing solid debris and tackling the spot, you will want to eliminate lingering biological odors. Bacteria/Enzyme Digester does exactly what its name implies. It contains digesters that eat bacteria and deodorizers that get to work quickly. No rinsing required. Or, you can choose 3-Way Spotter, after all, a carpet needs to look good as well as smell fresh to be really clean.
- Clean, deodorize and protect – Aren’t sure what caused the stain? Don Aslett’s 3-Way Spotter helps eliminate the guessing game. It has both detergents and enzymes to dissolve and literally eat stains. Plus it provides immediate odor relief and treats the cleaned area with DuPont ZonylÔ Soil & Stain Protector so your carpet is resistant to dirt and stains. It really is three excellent carpet care products in one bottle. Make sure to rinse thoroughly. This is an important step. On the go? Our 3-Way Spotter is also available in convenient wipes. Keep them handy for sudden spills in your home, car or office.
Before you deck the halls, get your home in order so you can really enjoy everything the holiday season has to offer.
First impressions do count. Your home will be more welcoming with a well-kept entryway. After you remove autumn’s leaves from your steps or porch, place a durable mat in front of the door. A mat adds a finishing touch to the entrance. And the right mat will stop 80% of dirt from tracking inside. Look for Don Aslett’s Clean Machineä. AstroTurfä blades help scrape dirt off shoes and boots. Then place Don Aslett’s 2′ x 3′ Interior Mat just inside the door to help catch the rest of the dirt and absorb remaining moisture. These simple secrets are Don’s choice for minimizing in-between carpet and flooring clean-ups.
Dust-free hardwood floors reflect the glow of holiday lighting. Dust mopping is the fastest way to clean them. Just remember to keep the mop on the floor, working in an “S” or figure-8 motion. What to do with the pile of debris when you’re done? Use the hose on your vacuum or adjust your vacuum to the hard floor setting, if available, and it’s all gone in a jiffy. It’s much faster than using a broom and dustpan. What do we recommend for dust mopping? Microfiber, of course! Our Scrubbee Doo 2 and Pro come with amazing Microfiber pads. Nothing traps and retains dust better than microfiber. No need for dust mop chemicals. The magnetic-like fibers help do it all.
Spots on the carpet can be more of a problem when we spend more time inside. Catch those spots and stains quickly. You will have a 75% better chance of removing the entire stain. Your carpet will look fresher and ready for company.
It’s important to use the right technique to get the spot out completely. Carefully blot or scrape the entire stained area with a color safe towel. Adding liquid before thoroughly removing debris and spills can actually spread the stain. Test any chemicals. Apply to a small inconspicuous area of the carpet to make sure it won’t cause damage or discoloration. Don’t rub the spot. Instead, work the spot cleaner from the outside of the stain toward the inside to avoid spreading it. It’s usually best to rinse all treated areas thoroughly. After treatment, thoroughly blot all moisture. Again, make sure the towel or cloth is color safe. If you feel there is still too much moisture, place a stack of color safe towels about ¾ inch thick over the spot and weight with a heavy object for about five hours. When the stain is gone and the carpet is dry, brush the nap.
Vacuuming is a must to help maintain carpets. You probably don’t want to haul out a vacuum every time crumbs fall to the floor. That’s especially true when you have guests arriving in 10 minutes. There’s a solution. Don Aslett’s Lightweight Multi-Surface Sweeper quickly helps pick up dry spills including pet hair and lint. And, unlike other sweepers, it doesn’t have pricey sheets that need replacing. It’s easy to use and empty. Efficient and economical, that’s what Don likes!
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