Mold Removers & Kits

Should You Do It Yourself?!

Step one in mold clean-up is determining whether it is something you should take on yourself. Mold patches of about 10 square feet or less can usually be handled without calling a professional mold removal company. Professional services should be called to tackle mold growth that has occurred after a water-related disaster that may involve polluted water or mold that has gotten into a heating/cooling/air ventilation system.

Mold Clean-Up Preparation

If the mold damage is something you can handle yourself, it is important to collect the proper clothing and supplies before getting started. In order to avoid breathing in mold and mold spores which can cause respiratory problems, have a respirator available that you can wear. You will also want a strong pair of long rubber gloves that can handle strong cleaning agents like bleach. Mold and mold-infested items should not be touched with your bare hands as they can lead to sickness and further infestations. Goggles are also recommended so that splatter from cleaning agents on moldy services will not get into your eyes.

The final thing to do before starting clean-up is verify that all of the water problems are fixed. If you are still fixing bad plumbing, leaking appliances, or running sinks wait until they are fixed before getting started (and get those things fixed quickly). Otherwise, the mold will likely come back because of the constantly high humidity and sitting water. If you are cleaning after flooding, do your best to confirm that the water is receding and that clean-up is recommended.

Mold Clean-Up

Use a chlorine or detergent and water mixture on your problem areas. A hard bristle scrubbing brush is a good weapon against stubborn mold. Unfortunately, some porous materials may have to be thrown away if they become moldy because cleaning cannot fully get into the crevices where mold will flourish. Carpets, mattresses, ceiling tiles are quite difficult to clean; you’ll save yourself a lot of time and energy by simply replacing them.

Mold does cause cosmetic damage. Even though you might remove all the spores and fungi, there may still be some dark stains that remain. A professional restoration service may be able to do a more thoroughly cleaning if you have items that you must have restored to perfection. Some specialists can help you get that couch or rug looking close to new again. There are companies that specialize in mold removal using dehumidifying techniques that remove excess moisture in the problem areas.

Mold Prevention

The best way to fix a mold problem is take measures to prevent mold growth from the start. Act quickly if you notice a leak or water spill. Cleaning and repairing roof gutters and air-conditioning drip pans will also help prevent mold growth.

Humidity is a big contributor to mold growth. Make sure windows are properly sealed and dry any surfaces you notice moisture collecting. Air conditioners and dehumidifiers will lower humidity levels and are available at many hardware stores. For areas where humidity is common, such as kitchens and bathrooms, it is a good idea to run exhaust fans and keep the windows open until the room is dry again.

Mold removal is not the most pleasant cleaning project but with some careful planning, the right tools, or a quick phone call, you can have it remedied easily.

Written By: Ben A.
Article Source: The Article Trunk

Spotting what can be cleaned and what can’t isn’t terribly difficult. The key is in first giving the grout in your bathroom a very good spring cleaning. Since cleaning the tile and grout in the bathroom ranks up there with washing windows, it’s very likely this hasn’t been done in a while. So, it’s also possible a good cleaning will be all it takes to make those stains go away.

Start out by giving your entire tile surface a very good cleaning. This means scrubbing every inch with a cleanser. When you’re done, rinse and dry the tile slightly to remove excess water.

Now, take a look. Does your grout look any better? If so, great! Or, does it appear to be crumbling? If so, it might be time to actually replace it. This is another job all together, but one that can make your entire tiled area look new again, so it’s more than worth considering.

If crumbling grout isn’t present or is very minimal, but the stains remain, you can try other cleaning options for the grout itself. What comes next will involve harsher chemicals and fumes, so it’s a good idea to put on some cleaning gloves, open a window and wear safety goggles and a mask, if possible.

There are many very good commercial grout cleaners on the market. It’s a good idea to consider one of these to get the job done, particularly if the stains are bad. If you go this route, follow instructions to the letter. Don’t cut corners.

Now, should you not want to invest in a commercial cleaner, you can try mixing bleach and water in a spray bottle. Use about a quarter of a cup of bleach to a quart of water. Spray the entire grout area down with the solution and wait at least 10 minutes for the bleach to do its job. Then come in and scrub the grout with a stiff brush to ensure most, if not all, of the stains are removed. Take care to rinse the area fully and keep the windows open until the fumes have subsided.

Once everything dries and the fumes have subsided in the bathroom, carefully inspect the grout. Did the cleaning do the trick? Does the grout look better? Or, does it still look like a science project gone horribly wrong?

If your grout is sparkling clean again, consider using a sealer to keep it that way. Should the grout still appear very stained and ugly after a cleaning, it is time to replace it. This job is bigger than a simple cleaning and sealing, but it may be a necessary evil.

Most homes have an issue with mold and mildew in the bathrooms. It’s a simple fact of life considering the water and moisture presented in that particular room. With a bit of care and maintenance, however, a bathroom can be kept looking and smelling good. And, if cleaning is done on a regular basis the grout does not have to look awful.

Grout Cleaning Products

Written by: Jessica D.
Article Source: The Article Trunk

Keeping your kitchen sink clean is not a very interesting chore to do. It precludes washing dishes and pans, and it involves a lot of home spilled food, garbage deposits and possibly bacteria that leave marks if they are left lying there for a long time. Keeping a sink clean to make the kitchen look as good as new is indeed a challenge. And yes, even for the most devout of housekeepers.

Here are some steps to help you make cleaning easy. Who knows, this way it might be a little more fun.

Kitchen Sink Cleaners

1. To be able to do this job, you need the right king of tools. You need a cleaning product, a cloth or scrub, and some rubber gloves for your hands. (Make sure that you have already finished washing all your dishes and pans and put them into your dryer or your cabinets. Make sure there are no items left in the sink or its surrounding areas.) Also, be sure that you are using the right cleansing agent and scrub for the type of material your sink is made of. Remember that some materials do not go with harsh cleansers or rough scouring pads as it might discolor or scratch the surface.
2. Use paper towels or a dry cloth to remove any residual food debris, spills or chunks and throw them away. So this leaves you with just the sink itself.
3. Moisten the sink with some water, while at the same time washing your scrub cloths. Sprinkle some of your cleaning agent all around the sink basin and let it set for a few minutes.
4. Put on your gloves and apply the cloth on the sink surface with small, circular hand motion, taking it one section at a time. Try to rub steadily and firmly in order to help the cleansing agent do its job. Imagine that your basin is divided into several quadrants and move from one quadrant to another until you have completely scoured its entirety.
5. Rinse your scrubbing cloth with water but allow the cleanser to continue doing its job as you finish the top area of your sink. Work on the upper section where the knobs and faucets are located as well as the sides. Wipe firmly and rub along corners, grooves and edges to remove all traces of food debris.
6. Next, rinse the cloth with warm water, then wipe down the surrounding areas of your sink.
7. Now, you are ready to rinse your sink clean. You can begin by rinsing your scrub thoroughly and use it to wipe residual cleanser detergent. You should remove your drain stopper and wash it to as well as the entry opening that leads to your drain. Be careful not to injure your fingers and do not try to force your fingers into the drain. Stick with the surface and the parts that are visible.
8. Finally, let hot water do the final finishing. You might need to wet the scrub every now and then and use it to rinse parts of the sink that your tap water cannot reach. Then use a paper towel or an absorbent clean cloth to absorb the rest of the moisture present.

Tada!

Kitchen Sink Cleaners

Article Source: The Article Trunk

Unfortunately, cleaning shower curtains is never a welcomed task. It seems like too much work to remove the curtain and liner from all the rings for a good washing. Perhaps you often take the easy way out and just spray them with shower cleaner and let the water run over them!

Either way, they must be removed and cleaned thoroughly at least every few weeks to keep your bathroom looking shiny and fresh. Use the tips below to make shower curtain cleaning much easier.

Vinegar, Bleach, and Baking Soda

If you use a vinyl or plastic liner, you may be able to wash it in the washing machine with a cup of vinegar and a cup of bleach. Check your labels to be sure the chemical will not harm the materials or cause cracking. Use cold water only – hot may melt your material. Wash the shower curtains along with white towels and a regular amount of detergent after running them through the cycle with bleach and vinegar to give them a fresh smell.

Once you’re finished washing your shower curtains, don’t put them in the dryer. Instead, hang the curtains in the bath as normal and allow them to drip dry.

For fabric curtains, use a cup of baking soda instead of vinegar and bleach. To remove any mildew or mold, wash fabric shower curtains in hot soapy water with just a tiny amount of bleach or color-safe bleach for colored fabric. Soak fabric curtains in a salt-water solution to prevent molding, but only use a small amount of salt to prevent crystals from forming on your curtains.

While you have the rings off the rod, give them a good cleaning as well!

Cleaning Shower Curtain Liners

Shower curtain liners can be cleaned similarly to the shower curtains depending on the materials they’re made of. Be sure your liner is washable in the washing machine before trying it. Also, keep your liner clean in between by spraying it with mold-resistant cleaner and rinsing the liner thoroughly at least every few days. You can do this while it’s still hanging in the tub.

Easy-to-Remove Shower Curtain Liners

There are now easy-to-remove shower curtain liners that zip on and off just below the rings. This enables you to remove the liner without taking it off the rings. Shower curtain liners such as these can save much time and effort when you’re in a hurry. They’re also great for the kids’ bathroom because you may need to clean theirs more often.

When you face that daunting task of cleaning your shower curtains, just imagine how fresh and beautiful your bathroom will look. Use these tips to make your shower curtains and shower curtain liners look sparkling new!

Find a new shower curtain!

Written by: Chris R.
Article Source: The Article Trunk

Clean your carpets regularly

If you let dirt and oily residue collect on your carpet it will attact further dirt, and walking on the dirty areas will break down both the carpet fibers and the carpet base. It is best to frequently vacuum your carpets to remove as much loose dirt as possible — to get down into the fibers and pull the dirt out before it becomes much more firmly embedded.

Remove stains as quickly as possible

Stains are caused by oily liquids dropped on the carpet. The liquid residue saturates areas of the fiber and leaves an ugly stain. Or they can result from dirty shoes or boots in high traffic areas. It is important to remove stains as quickly as possible because they become more difficult to remove when they are allowed to dry and harden.

Scrape dried soil

If soil or other kinds of dirt have been tracked into areas of your carpet, it will probably be necessary to scrape some of the areas where they have dried into small clumps. Use a blunt metal object to break up the dried spot and loosen the dirt so it can be vacuumed.

Test spotting agents and stain removers

Not all carpets are the same, and they react differently to different chemical cleaners. Always be sure to test a spotting or stain removal agent before applying it to a critical area. Apply it to a spot in a hidden area, and then let the test dry properly before proceeding to the visible areas of your carpet.

Carpet Spot Cleaners

Follow instructions when using chemical cleaning agents

Do not use a harsh spotter or chemical cleaner without properly testing it, and always begin with a less harsh spotting agent. If that does not work, move on to something that is stronger.

Be sure to follow the instructions provided with the spotting agent. They will usually include recommendations for application strength, and will give you some idea of the kinds of stains they can be effectively used to remove.

Most strong spotters are either high acid or high alkaline based. After using one of these, neutralize the area by applying a neutralizing agent as recommended in the instructions. Or if it is not clear what neutralizing agent to use, use water to rinse the area thoroughly.

Minimize detergent residue

Whenever you use a detergent to clean your carpet you will probably leave a detergent residue in the fibers. This residue can build up and actually attract dirt and show up as powder within the fibers.

So it is important to remove as much of the detergent residue as possible. Often vacuuming is not enough. You should occasionally use an extraction process that uses rotary scrubbing so the fibers are thoroughly cleaned.

Written by: Rick H.
Article Source: The Article Trunk

Buy Green Works All Natural Cleaner Here!

1. Natural glass cleaner

• Biodegradable ingredients
• Non-alkaline
• No phosphates or ammonia
• Contains natural ingredients (like white distilled vinegar) instead of caustic chemicals
• Use a concentrated formula, so there is less waste going to recycle centers. The concentrated, biodegradable formula is effective on a multitude of surfaces, including:
  • Glass
  • Windows
  • Aluminum
  • Stainless steel
  • Chrome
  • Mirrors
  • Appliances

2. Natural floor/rug cleaner

• Versatile cleaner replaces need for other, more dangerous cleaners
• No chlorine, ammonia or other caustic chemicals
• No toxic or unpleasant fumes—even when mixed with other EcoSense cleaners

Mixes Well With Others

Unlike many grocery store cleaners, you don’t have to worry about toxic fumes or dangerous reactions when you mix EcoSense cleaners with one another—in fact, it’s encouraged! A mix will tackle even the grimiest barbecue grills, and for taking out greasy stains on clothes.

• No-wax floors
• Oven tops
• Ventilation hoods
• Lawn mowers
• Bicycle parts
• Cement pads
• Barbecue grills
• Car engines
• Garage floors
• Decks
• Outdoor furniture

3. Natural disinfectant.

When used as directed it effectively eliminates 99.99% of:

• Salmonella choleraesuis
• Staphylococcus aureus (Staph)
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB)
• Trichophyton mentagrophytes
• HIV-1 (the AIDS virus)
• (athlete’s foot fungus)

It’s effective on hard, nonporous surfaces, including:

• Countertops
• Sinks
• Garbage cans
• Toilet seats
• Pet habitats
• Prostheses & orthotics
• Sports equipment
• Children’s toys
• Changing tables
• High chairs
• Food preparation surfaces
• Any other surface where bacteria or unpleasant odors are a concern

The patented broad-spectrum, disinfectant formula is EPA-approved for use in a wide variety of residential, commercial, and medical facilities, including:

• Day cares
• Schools
• Nurseries
• Hospitals
• Nursing home
• Food storage areas
• Zoos & kennels
• Veterinary offices
• Kitchens
• Restaurants & bars
• Cafeterias
• Fitness gyms and Spas
• Hotels & motels
• Medical and dental offices
• Health professional, chiropractic, & physiotherapy clinics

4. Natural all purpose cleaner

• No chlorine bleach, ammonia or other caustic chemicals
• No abrasive cleaners that can pit or scratch surfaces
• Leaves behind no sticky residues, is effective on a lot more than just kitchen counters. Put its natural cleansing power to work on
  • Countertops
  • Appliances
  • Pots & pans
  • Lamps
  • Crafts
  • Cabinets
  • Car interiors
  • Light fixtures
  • Artificial plants
  • Computers
  • Walls
  • Whiteboards

5. Natural all purpose cleaner enhancer

• Biodegradable
• All-Natural
• Contains no caustic chemicals
• Is packaged in a recyclable bottle

Full-strength contains 10% Tree Tea Oil taking advantage of our Oils natural solvent, penetrating, non-caustic and aromatic properties.

• Gum in hair
• Permanent Marker
• Road Tar
• Tree sap
• Crayon
• Paint and fingernail polish
• Grease
• Pet accidents

Use in a 5:1 water solution for:

• Deodorizing Garbage Cans
• Eliminating moldy odors
• Freshening the bathroom
• Removing smoke or pet odor from air and furniture
• Treating pet accidents

Look at a typical household cleaner and you’re bound to find some rather shocking warnings

“Use in well-ventilated area”

“Avoid direct contact with product”

“Excessive inhalation can cause headache, drowsiness, nausea and lack of coordination.”

With warnings like these, it’s no wonder Poison Control Centers across the nation field over 200,000 calls each year involving household cleaning substances. Ours contains no caustic chemicals and can be mixed with other EcoSense cleaners without fear of formation of harmful gases.

Household chemicals can affect more than just the person using them. According to the EPA, household chemicals and other factors can make the air within a home more seriously polluted than the air in even the largest and most industrialized cities.(1)

Many common household cleaners can contain ammonia, phosphates, chlorine and other known offenders. Ecosense contains no ammonia, no phosphates, no chlorine and is made from all natural, biodegradable products.

Buy Green Works All Natural Cleaner Here!

1. EPA brochure, “The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality,” (www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/insidest.html).

Written by: Angie H.
Article Source: The Article Trunk