Immediate Mold Removal in Wichita, ServiceMaster Will Control Spread and Further Damage

It’s not unusual for our 24/7 hotline to receive calls from people who are shocked to find mold in their homes. Questions arise from customers such as, “We keep our home so clean, how could there be mold? Do we need mold remediation services?” or “We dried out our premises thoroughly after a flood so why do we have mold?”,  and other concerns. The good thing about these callers is that they realize that mold treatment for their Wichita, KS property and elsewhere is not something that can wait, but rather immediate attention is needed.

Then there are the folks that don’t call because they choose the home-made mold treatment. In this situation, they think they can clean up mold with a solution of bleach and water and that this will provide a long lasting, permanent remedy to their mold problem.

Bleach may work for fabrics and material or even tiles and glass but, unfortunately, bleach doesn’t penetrate porous materials such as wood and drywall. It may kill fungus sitting on top but, because it cannot penetrate the wood or drywall, it does not reach the roots buried in the material. Additionally, the water does soak in and may feed more moisture for the mold to grow.

Most people underestimate how a busted water pipe or leaky roof can damage and soak attics, ceilings, crawlspaces and drywall, warp kitchen cabinets, ruin carpet and draperies, and initiate mold growth. The type of fungi causing these effects is dangerous not only to home structures but also to health.

The spores are too small to be seen by the naked eye, they grow and spread rapidly and they don’t go away with routine use of household cleaners. Long-term exposure to black mold can result in respiratory problems and disease. To learn more about mold and mold removal services click here.

Contact ServiceMaster Restore if you require emergency home mold treatment in Wichita, Kansas. 

Call us now at 316.413.5750.

Dry cleaning or steam cleaning, which one’s the best?

Happiness arrives with a good carpet that stays clean in your house, however to ensure the health of the carpet remains good you need to take care of it. There are two methods which you can adopt to clean your carpet – dry carpet cleaning and steam carpet cleaning. Both of these techniques are beneficial for your carpet but one tops the other.

People are not well-versed with the right methods and struggle to understand the difference between the two. Many are under the impression that dry carpet cleaning involves use of chemicals which may harm their carpet. But this is not true as the only way to clean your carpet without chemical compounds is by vacuuming it.

Dry carpet cleaning also known as Very Low moisture cleaning and  is a popular way to clean the carpet. This technique allows the carpet to dry sooner than any other method. Commercial cleaning solvents are the key detergents that break the binding of the soil present in the carpet before the dry carpet cleaning method is applied. People living in big houses, take advantage by dry cleaning the carpet as it is less time consuming.

On the other hand, steam cleaning your carpet is best so far as it removes stains, dust mites and molds. Many individuals and companies avail steam cleaning for their carpet because it is effective and also increases the life of the carpet. Steam cleaning uses hot water and a powerful vacuum extraction method to clean and maintain its durability.

Another advantage of steam cleaning is that it emits a good fragrance after the cleaning is done  People suffering from allergies and asthma usually use steam cleaning for their carpet as it is environmentally friendly and removes dust particles with ease.

Now that you have understood which treatment is best for your carpet, you can avail a reliable carpet cleaning service provider that can do your carpet good.

The ServiceMaster Cleaning team is available 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. For more information, visit www.smbybest.com or call 316.413.5776

How to Keep Your Home Sparkling This Christmas

It’s hard to believe that spring is only a few days away. I hope you’re as excited as I am for sunny skies, spring fashion, and fresh, seasonal produce. And then there’s spring cleaning… I know I might be the only one who actually gets excited at the thought of scrubbing and dusting. But even if you’re not as obsessed with organization as I am, spring cleaning doesn’t have to be scary.

One of the biggest tips I’ve learned as a lifelong neat freak is that if you keep up with routine chores on a regular basis, things will never get out of hand. So to make things easy, I decided to put together a simple cleaning chart designed to keep you accountable on a daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal basis. If you can spend just a few minutes each day tidying up, you will never have to clean like crazy just before guests come over or when you’ve finally reached your limit.



A few more tips…

• If it’s been a while since you’ve done a deep cleaning, it might be worth paying a professional to come in once just to get you started. After that, you can take over and just maintain the level of cleanliness you started with.

• If you have pets, babies, or dust allergies, you will want to clean a little more frequently than what is listed in the chart.

• If it feels like you’re doing laundry too often, splurge on another set of sheets, towels, or socks.

• If it helps motivate you to actually check things off, frame this list and then use a dry erase marker to check things off on the glass.

I hope this post helps you to keep your space spick-and-span.

Do you have any spring cleaning tips of your own?

The ServiceMaster Cleaning team is available 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. For more information, visit www.smbybest.com or call 316.413.5776

Happy cleaning! :)

It’s Not all about Cleaning!

Your website, at heart, is an advertisement for your business. Big advertisers have known for a long time that one of the best ways to sell a product is to associate it with things that are more appealing.
As an example, beer companies don’t advertise beer, they sell ‘Good Times’ or ‘Sex Appeal’.

Occasionally, they’ll throw in a line about the product, but the majority of advertisements are dominated by images of fun parties or romantic encounters.

As a cleaning company your target demographic is probably slightly different than a beer company’s, so maybe avoid images of raucous frat parties. For some insight into the kinds of things we do want to advertise, let’s take a look at a great example from ServiceMaster Clean:

As a cleaning company, your target demographic should be home and business owners. This means they’re likely older and more mature than a beer commercial demographic. The images above are perfect for a cleaning company.

So just what are they advertising? Definitely not cleaning services. A perfect family life, fitness, mature romance (not just beefcakes or girls in bikinis!), and ‘Me-Time’ for people with a busy work life.

In the end only you know best what appeals to your Clients, so consider what they would want, and sell it to them!

After the Fire: Smart Steps Toward Fire Damage Restoration

The hours, days and weeks following a fire in your home or business can be simply overwhelming. Surrounded by your soot-covered and flame-damaged possessions, it’s easy to lose sight of the big picture: As long as everyone got out—thanks to proper disaster planning and preparation everything else is just stuff. But once the smoke clears, you will need to deal with that stuff, and the sooner the better.

From the get-go, it’s imperative to stay organized amidst the chaos of your scorched surroundings. A three-ring binder with pockets is your new best friend. Take notes on every conversation and online correspondence with your insurance company and restoration professionals, because in any stressful situation, miscommunication can happen. Save all receipts and original documents; only give photocopies upon request.

Binder in hand, your first call should be to your insurance agent. Not only is it required that you file your claim as soon as possible, it is also in your best interest. At this time, you’ll be asked to submit a proof of loss claim. The sooner you get the ball rolling, the sooner an insurance adjustor will arrive at your door to begin assessing damage.

A reputable local cleaning and restoration team should be next on your call list. If you can find one that also specializes in professional construction services, you’ll save yourself time, money and headaches. Depending upon the extent of damage, your property will first need to be secured (boarded up, for example), and a high quality restoration team with carpentry skills can perform that service for you. On a side note, be sure to remain vigilant in the days ahead, because a fire-damaged residence or business is an easy target for theft and vandalism.

Your restoration team should work with your insurance company to initiate a fire damage recovery plan that includes the complete restoration of your structure. Again, if your team is truly “full service,” the construction side will assess the structural damages while the cleaning and restoration specialists will work closely with you and your adjustor to determine which of your possessions can be cleaned…and which need to be inventoried for replacement. Often these services can be provided on site, but in the event that your contents have to be removed, make sure your team also offers the capability to electronically inventory, package, transport and store your belongings in a safe, heated facility.

Now that you know the initial steps of the fire damage recovery process, here are a few tips on what NOT to do before the pros arrive:

• Do not wipe or attempt to wash fire residue from walls, ceilings, or other absorbent surfaces
• Do not use carpeting or upholstered furniture impacted by heavy smoke residues or debris
• Do not use food items or canned goods exposed to heat
• Do not turn on computers, televisions, stereos or electrical appliances until they have been professionally cleaned and checked

With preparation, resources and trusted professionals in place—plus a healthy dose of patience and perspective, after the fact—you and your family or co-workers will make it through the process of fire damage recovery.

ServiceMaster Cleaning & Restoration has proudly served all of Wichita, Kansas, Derby and El Dorado since 1991. ServiceMaster Restoration specializes in the complete repair of fire, smoke, wind, water and vandalism damage to both commercial and residential properties.

Capable of handling any size loss and working with all types of insurance providers, the ServiceMaster Restoration team is available 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. For more information, visit www.smbybest.com or call 316.413.5776

Latest Cleaning Equipment for Commercial and Industrial Cleaning Purpose

Cleaning is an important part of every business, and with cleaning supplies from Grainger your facility can look its best at all times. From the latest cleaning solutions and janitorial equipment to floor and furniture care products, Grainger can offer you commercial janitorial supplies and cleaning products to help keep your workplace clean, polished, and germ-free. There’s more to cleaning and care than equipment, cleaning chemicals and paper products. Shop Grainger now to find the cleaning supplies and other janitorial products you need to help keep your workplace clean.

Latest Cleaning Equipment for Commercial and Industrial Cleaning Purpose 

• Professional Steam Cleaners Offer Advanced Cleaning Action without Much Manual Effort

• Truck Mount Carpet Washing Equipment Increases Productivity of Cleaning Contractors
• Pressure Washer Machines Can Make an Excellent Conveyor Belt Cleaner
• Find Rug Cleaners for Cleaning Professionals and Home Users
• Steam Pressure Washers are designed to Deal with the Most Stubborn Cleaning Tasks
• Hard Surface Steam Cleaners With Motorized Spinners Are Ideal For Cleaning Hard Floors
• Eliminating Mold from Surfaces with Mold Removal Steam Cleaner
• Use a Car Detailing Equipment for Cleaning Engines and Tires
• High End Of An Oven Steam Cleaner Is In Demand At Restaurants, Hotels, and Bakeries
• Get Super-Clean Mattresses with Mattress Steam Cleaners
• Window Cleaning Equipment for Sparkling Clean Interiors
• Restroom Steam Cleaning Machines
• Large Area Hard Floor Cleaners with Reduced Noise
• Gutter Ice Dam Removal Made Easy With Steam Power Cleaners
• Kitchen Floor Cleaning Machines: Go Beyond Just Cleaning
• Marble Floor Cleaning Machines with Perfect Combination of Durability and Versatility
• Invest In Stone Floor Cleaners Or Power Washers and Carpet Cleaners
• Find Finest Wheelchair Cleaning Equipment

Looking for a reliable cleaning company? Call us today at (316) 413-5754 for quality and cost effective Commercial Cleaning & Industrial Cleaning Services in Wichita !

Get Rid of Smoke Smell

Ex-smokers and non-smokers alike will understand the necessity of getting rid of smoke smells and smoke odors. Whether the smell is in your home or in your car, it’s one of the worst odors imaginable. Cigarette smoke isn’t a quaint smell like a wood furnace or a fireplace; it gets into everything: your carpets, your walls, your sheets, your clothes, your jackets, even in your hand bags.

I think we’ve all known or have heard about that one aunt who smokes like a chimney and no one wants to visit her because her house smells like death—and now, thanks to her habit, she’s dead and it’s up to you to deodorize her house before your family puts it on the market. Or perhaps it’s up to you to get the smoke odor out of the ’89 Buick Century she managed to drive only on church days–or when she ran out of smokes. Well, hopefully the suggestions below will help you get the smell of cigarette smoke out of whatever it is that needs it.

Smoke Smells in Cars

Probably the best bet for getting rid of smoke smell in your car is to dust your interior with scented Baking Soda, leaving it to sit for a day or two (with ventilation) and then vacuuming it up. Otherwise you can try opening a can of coffee beans and leaving it to sit for a while–if you like the smell of coffee, that is. Coffee beans are a natural odor neutralizer. You may also want to check out How to get rid of Car Smells if there’s something underlying that smoke smell.

Smoke Smell Removal

There’s something about vinegar that gets rid of smoke smell. Because the smell of smoke is caused by the leftover resins and tars, vinegar (an acid that cuts through resin and tar) is a great way to clean those surfaces that aren’t made of fabric, and perhaps, some that are fabric. I know what you’re thinking; vinegar doesn’t smell much better than smoke. Well, that’s true, but the smell of vinegar eventually diminishes, cigarette smoke doesn’t.

The carpets need to be shampooed if you want to remove smoke smell. You have a couple of options here; you can either go to your local hardware store and rent a carpet steam cleaner and shampoo the carpets yourself, or you can hire a professional to bring in a big truck and do the dirty work for you. If you want to save money, the choice is obvious, and the guarantees some businesses will make these days smell funnier than the smoke odor you want them to remove. If you do go the professional business route, make sure they’re insured/bonded.

Baking soda is a good way to get rid of smoke odor. Now, this takes time because what you want to do is get a box of Arm & Hammer, dust the furniture and the carpets (if they haven’t been shampooed), and leave the baking soda to settle for a day or so. That will give it time to absorb some of the smoke smell and moisture around it. Then, vacuum it up and repeat the process a few more times over the course of a week. Use scented baking soda if you like.

Shades, curtains, and fixtures need to be cleaned to get rid of smoke odor. A lot of people forget to clean things like shades, chandeliers, curtains, and wall hangings, but these things have probably collected quite a bit of tar and resin from years of hanging smoke. Do yourself a favor and put the curtains in the washer, buy new shades, and wipe down the chandelier with a good dose of ammonia, just to make sure that smell is gone.

Fresh air is probably the best way to remove smoke smell and odor from a home. It turns out that opening the windows and doors every couple of days for a whole day will help get the stink of cigarettes out of a home. Lord knows why, but I imagine the air flow allows tar and resin particles to escape, leaving the house smelling more like a house than a tar pit.

Smoke Smell and Odor Removal Products

Don’t be fooled by the claims of odor removal products. If it doesn’t have a cleaning agent in it, you’re not going to get rid of the smoke smell. Scent-generating deodorizers only serve to mask the smell. Once you take them out of the house, you’ll notice the smell of old cigarettes again. Of course, we’ve all heard of Febreze, and wonder why it works.

Well, Febreze uses a chemical compound called cyclodextrin that has been used in household and custodial cleaning products for quite some time. The sugar-like substance doesn’t necessarily “clean” the odors out, but acts as an absorbent like baking soda or charcoal, to help soak the odor out. Yes, Febreze does work, but let’s be honest with ourselves. Spraying everything down with Febreze isn’t the answer to years and years of built up cigarette tars and resins.

There is one thing I would suggest in an odor removal product and that is activated charcoal. Charcoal is used not only to filter water and other things, but is also used to soak up odors, just like baking soda. If you see charcoal in an odor removing product, it’s likely to succeed at removing odors.

More Smoke Smell Removal

Washing the walls and ceilings is a good idea if nothing else has worked. Try mixing up one gallon of warm water, one half cup of ammonia, one quarter cup of vinegar, and one quarter cup of washing soda. Work your way up from the baseboards to the ceiling while you clean, making sure to change the solution often.

An ozone generator will, apparently, get rid of any odor you can think of if it’s left on long enough in a closed house/ apartment. I don’t know about the specifics of this procedure, but if you’re getting desperate it might be worth a shot. I can’t take any responsibility for what this might do to your home or your health. Just be sure to air out the home thoroughly after doing this because ozone is bad for your lungs.

Natural cleaners and odor removing products are a good idea. I don’t know about you, but I care about my environment. So, if you want to get rid of that smoke odor in an eco-friendly manner, I would suggest using some of the cleaning products found in the organic and natural foods section of your local grocery store. Often times these products work just as well as the brand name chemicals.

Looking for a reliable cleaning company? Call us today at (316) 413-5754 for quality and cost effective smoke removal service in Wichita !