Spring cleaning should mean more than running a vacuum cleaner around your house. We’ve come up with some cleanups that are more challenging, but should enhance the value of your home and may help prevent serious problems.

1. Gritty grout.

Have you gotten so used to living with the dirty grout on the kitchen floor that you don’t see it anymore? In today’s world, tearing out the tile or all the grout and replacing it may seem too pricey. If you have porcelain or ceramic tile, there are other solutions. If you have natural stone floors — travertine, marble, flagstone — flooring companies can repair the grout, clean and polish to remove stains, and apply sealers. Stone floors usually need resealing every couple of years, but you can do just one or two floors that really need help, such as the kitchen or bath. Some stores also sell a stone polish kit for do-it-yourselfers.

2. Grungy appliances.

Give your refrigerator a break and remove dust and dirt that can make it work harder in hot weather. First, unplug the refrigerator, then take the grille off the bottom and use a vacuum cleaner hose and nozzle to gently draw out all dust on the coils underneath. You can also buy a condenser coil brush at the hardware store to knock off more dust. You won’t hurt the condenser drip pan by doing this; it’s sealed and attached to the machine. Then, take all the food out and clean the inside walls and shelves. Before you put the food back, pull the refrigerator out from the wall and vacuum the back of the unit. That way, you’ll get a chance to clean the floor under the fridge.

3. The laundry room.

You’ve probably heard about cleaning the lint trap in your dryer, but your washing machine needs this kind of help, too. Otherwise, you may start to smell lint, dirt and mold. Sometimes it’s hard to find the lint trap; so consult your washing-machine manual for location and cleaning tips. Then, fill your machine with hot water and add a few cups of white vinegar and half a cup of baking soda. You can also run a little vinegar through the softener and bleach dispensers. Let the mixture sit in the tub for an hour and then complete the wash cycle. Use a damp, soapy cloth to wipe clean inside surfaces of the top of the wash basin to get rid of dirt and lint buildup as well.

4. Dust, dust everywhere.

Desert dwellers are always at war with dust. One possible way to cut back dustiness and the resulting wear and tear on your air-conditioner is to have a serious cleaning of your ductwork. Superficial duct cleaning done by many companies can be a waste. Select someone who will clean the supply and return air ducts, check them for leaks or disconnected joints, and clean your evaporator coils, air-handler cabinet and supply registers. Workers should use an 8-inch diameter vacuum hose and a duct-scrubbing device. A semi-rigid air hose that uses about 200 psi pressure and a multidirectional pressure tip is a good scrubber. The high-pressure air dislodges the dirt from the inside walls of your ductwork; the dirt is extracted with a large vacuum unit that is usually mounted on a truck. Handheld units are not adequate and should be used only in areas with limited access. Good companies will also clean out your dryer vent as well.

5. Dingy blinds and shutters.

If the blinds or shutters are really grimy, use a damp cloth and mild soap and water. The same process will work on vinyl vertical blinds. But for blinds covered with fabric or cellular shades, use a vacuum-cleaner hose with a brush attachment and be gentle. If dirt or an insect gets caught inside one of the ”cells,” set your hair dryer on low heat and blow it out.

6. TLC for countertops.

Once a year, you may need to reseal marble or granite counter tops. Granite is moisture-resistant, but it is also porous. So resealing can help the stone resist spills that cause etching or staining. Start with granite cleaner and thoroughly wash surfaces. Make sure the granite is dry before applying the sealer. Sometimes sealers come in spray bottles, but use dry rags to apply the sealer thoroughly. Let the liquid penetrate the stone, then apply more. Follow label instructions on the sealer for drying time before using the counter again.

7. Clean out the cabinets.

Throw away any caustic or dangerous chemicals in the bathrooms and kitchen or move them to a safer place. Check under faucets for possible leaks. Cleaning up spilled food on pantry shelves is also a great way to fight the invasion of insects this summer. If you have a houseful of kids, and spills happen all the time, you might want to switch from solid-wood shelving to wire mesh in your pantry. That way, the crumbs will drop to the floor and will be easy to sweep up.

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Air Duct Cleaning is Key

Thirty-Five Million Americans are suffering from allergy and what they are not aware is that they are reacting to conditions right in their own homes. Air Duct Cleaning is an important option to consider this spring season.

While antihistamines may lessen the sniffling and sneezing, they won’t make symptoms go away altogether. And antihistamine use may mean coping with unpleasant side effects.
For many, the spring season especially May, which is National Allergy Month – is the worst time of year.

A recent study conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency revealed that people are more likely to get sick from pollution in the home or office than from the pollution in the air outdoors.

Allergy Sufferers can do something to rid their homes of indoor air pollutants, thereby improving the quality of air they breathe.

Professional indoor cleaning of carpet, furniture, drapery, hard surfaces and air ducts reduces the incidence of allergies, respiratory and other health related conditions by removing the source of the problem. Researchers report that house dust is the major cause of allergies.

Some key questions homeowners should ask when calling about air duct cleaning services are:

• Can you reduce the dust in the air?
• Will I be allergic to the chemicals you use?
• Will air duct cleaning improve the stale, musty odor in my home?
• How is this service performed, and how often do I need it done?

For Homeowners who have allergies or even unexplained illnesses in their families, here are a few remedies to improve the air quality of the home:

• Reduce the use of chemicals where possible: Store gasoline and chemicals outside the home, and discourage smoking indoors.
• Perform proper maintenance: Replace filters with more efficient electrostatic filters, and change or clean them monthly.
• Follow other manufacturer recommended procedures regularly.
• Use Air Cleaners: Place room HEPA filtration units in the bedrooms of allergic individuals.

To Schedule an Air Duct Inspection, Call 1-800-AIR-DUCT Today!

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An air conditioner’s filters, coils, and fins require regular maintenance for the unit to function effectively and efficiently throughout its years of service. Neglecting necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in air conditioning performance while energy use steadily increases. In addition to the steps below, you may also need to hire a professional service technician to assist with maintenance.

Air Conditioner Filters

The most important maintenance task that will ensure the efficiency of your air conditioner is to routinely replace or clean its filters. Clogged, dirty filters block normal air flow and reduce a system’s efficiency significantly. With normal air flow obstructed, air that bypasses the filter may carry dirt directly into the evaporator coil and impair the coil’s heat-absorbing capacity. Keeping the filter clean can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5%–15%.

For central air conditioners, filters are generally located somewhere along the return duct’s length. Common filter locations are in walls, ceilings, furnaces, or in the air conditioner itself. Room air conditioners have a filter mounted in the grill that faces into the room.

Some types of filters are reusable; others must be replaced. They are available in a variety of types and efficiencies. Clean or replace your air conditioning system’s filter or filters every month or two during the cooling season. Filters may need more frequent attention if the air conditioner is in constant use, is subjected to dusty conditions, or you have fur-bearing pets in the house.

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Below are the results of a recent Aeroseal duct sealing project Safety King completed for a local Michigan homeowner. When our customers decide to use Aeroseal, our technicians measure the amount of leakage within the ductwork. After realizing the amount of energy that’s escaping, it gives our clients the peace-of-mind that they are making a smart investment. This Michigan resident will soon find the energy cost savings for the years to come!

Learn More About Aeroseal By Calling 1-800-AIR-DUCT Today!

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Cleaning Furnace Filters

First, turn off the HVAC system and locate the service panel. Many of these panels can be removed by hand though you may need a screwdriver in some particular cases. Locate the furnace air filter near the intake-outtake blower, and check its dust level: Is it hard to see through? If you have a reusable model, then simply rinse away the dust particles in your sink or in your driveway with a hose; then wait for it to dry and put it back in place. If they’re disposable, write down what size the unit takes, throw the dirty one away, buy and replace with a fresh product, and then turn your system back on.

Types of Furnace Filters

Furnace filters can either be disposable (with cardboard frames) or permanent (with fiberglass or metal framing). Disposable models are much cheaper, but require monthly replacement, therefore it is best to have several on hand in order to save you time throughout the year. Permanent brands are more cost-effective due to their reusability but require more work because of the routine cleaning. When cleaning furnace air filters all come with a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Report Value) Rating. This reports the product’s capability in trapping particles and helps you compare the performance of different brands: the higher the MERV rating, the more productive the filtration. Here are few different products out there, each with their own pros and cons:

Mechanical: Any dry?media product which simply captures unwanted components in its meshing. This includes any disposable model made out of manmade or natural fibers. These are not as effective for smaller particles, but are very effective if you don’t have any severe allergies. Also, they’re less expensive but have to be changed once a month.
Electrostatic: Consists of polyester strands which become electrically charged as air flows through them. This static electricity attracts dust and pollens to the filter with slightly higher MERV rating than mechanical models. Most of these are bound to a metal frame and will not need replacing. They can often be used up to three months without cleaning.
Electronic: An untraditional “filter” which doesn’t have actual fibers or media to attract the debris. Rather, they have a grid of electrically charged wires that attract debris, but they are so efficient that within a few days their MERV rating may plummet due to excess dust buildup. Therefore, they have to be cleaned weekly.
HEPA (High Efficiency Particle Absorber): The most efficient of all furnace air filters. It has no MERV rating because it actually exceeds its requirements and has a 99% efficiency testing. However, they are more expensive. Plus, due to its high-standard certification, there tend to be many imitation brands out there that may not be true HEPA products. Because of their valuable productivity, many of these products tend to only be used in high-sanitary environments, such as hospitals, laboratories, and surgical facilities and therefore they often aren’t found in residential homes.

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For Advanced Furnace and Air Duct Cleaning, Call 1-800-AIR-DUCT Today!

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Click here for our internet special on Aeroseal

 To Learn More About Aeroseal Duct Sealing,
Call 1-800-AIR-DUCT Today!

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• Duct cleaning experience is helpful but not required.
• We work up to 5-6 days a week and some nights.
• Typically start at 7am and work until the assigned work for the day is completed. (5pm- sometimes later or earlier)
• We offer excellent pay- hourly plus commissions with bonuses for high performers!
• We offer health insurance, holidays and vacation pay after a prescribed period of time. Advancement is based on ability and performance.
• We are a non-smoking workplace!
• Drug screen and criminal background check of applicants
• You must have a good (not just valid) driving record.
• The criteria for driving our work vehicles are much stricter than that to drive your own personal vehicle.
• All drivers must obtain a MI chauffer’s license.
• We are seeking motivated, enthusiastic, organized, polite, personable, and professional people to join our growing team!

If this describes you, then please click the link below and fill out the application COMPLETELY. If this does not describe you, then please don’t bother.

Resumes are welcome but you must fill out and sign application

Visit http://www.safetyking.com/career.html

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For Spring Air Duct Cleaning, Call 1-800-AIR-DUCT Today!

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