Monday, September 17, 2007

Best Carpet Steam Cleaners For Home Use

Steam carpet cleaners are one of the best ways to clean a carpet for best results. if you have decided to but a new steam carpet cleaner, there are many factors that needs to be considered be fore you pick up the right one.

Here are some of the features, which you must look for in carpet cleaners.

1) Since it is "carpet cleaner" it must have wheels at the bottom, so that you can easily move them around for cleaning all corners are areas with ease. Also check the length of the power chord so that you can move around easily.

2) You must check the weight of the steam carpet cleaner, before and after the water is filled in. It is quite obvious that you will be using the carpet cleaner with water filled in it for producing steam. You must be able to move it easily even after water filled in.

3) Another advantage of checking the weight is, you must be able to lift it to upper floors by hand.

4) Check the nozzle of the cleaner from where the steam is thrown out. Is adjustable with a capacity to regulate the throw of the steam. This feature is important because not al surfaces will require equal amount of heat. Also check the temperature of the steam that gets produced. For home use it must be 240 to 260 degrees.

5) Does the carpet comes as a package with cleaning accessories such as cleaning brushes, towels, etc. Also all other standards features such as servicing of the steam carpet cleaner of anything goes wrong, warranty, etc, must be checked. One of the most important points to consider while servicing is that, do the company have a service center in your local city or do they send your carpet cleaner to somewhere else for servicing. It should not happen that 15 days have gone in servicing your steam carpet cleaner because of the time taken in transportation from one city to another.

This was a small list of features to choose from. I hope it will help you as a starting guide in picking up the best carpet steam cleaners for home use.

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya

Outdoor Fountain Care and Maintenance

Fountains are a great addition to your garden, but it takes a lot of work to keep it that way. A weather-beaten path can still look attractive, but a dry, dirty fountain can ruin the entire look of your garden. Indeed, even the most expensive fountains won�t last long if not given proper care. Here�s how you can take care of your fountain and make sure it lasts for years.

CLEANING

Copper: For powder-finished copper, use a wax cleaner every two to three months and wipe dry areas every other day to prevent water spots. Natural copper finishes don�t need much maintenance, but if you want to delay patina formation, wipe daily with furniture polish.

Steel: Simply wipe clean with a damp sponge or soft cloth. Don�t use bleach or anything containing bleach�this will not only discolor the steel, but also eat away at the pump.

Glass/Acrylic: Use glass or plastic polish to remove dust and water stains. Be sure to remove the water before cleaning, as the solution can damage the pump. Don�t use window cleaning or scouring compounds. To remove scratches from acrylic, use an abrasive-free plastic polish or a restoration kit.
Stone/Ceramic/Marble: Wipe at least once a month with a cleaning solution and soft cloth. If the stone is painted or coated, use milder solutions to keep from damaging the finish.

WINTERIZING

Cold weather is the biggest threat to fountains, especially the large stone ones. Some areas expand more than others, which can cause considerable splitting and cracking over the years. To minimize this, don�t let water collect and freeze in the bowls during the season. Drain all the water from the fountain before the first freeze, and if possible, keep it indoors. If it can�t be moved, get a fountain cover and line the insides with something absorbent (such as sponge, newspaper or carpet cover).

PUMP MAINTENANCE

Pump cleaning is actually one of the easier tasks, but also one of the most important. Clean your pumps regularly, preferably once a month in soft water areas and twice a month in hard water. Take the pump apart following the manufacturer�s instructions, then soak the parts in vinegar solution. This will dissolve any mineral deposits that could interfere with water flow. However, keep in mind that pumps have a life limit�a well maintained pump should last up to three years before it needs replacement.

Never let your fountain run dry. Most pumps are submersible, which means they are designed to work underwater. Put off refilling for even a few hours and you�ll return to a burned out pump. If you�re going out of town, be sure to unplug your pump before leaving.

WATER CIRCULATION

Keep fountain water running at all times. Stagnant water can breed harmful bacteria and spread disease; circulating will incorporate oxygen and inhibit bacteria growth. Drain all the water from the fountain if you have to turn off the pump for long periods. In most fountains you can use the pump to drain the water directly into a sink or bucket.

ALGAE CONTROL

Algae thrive under bright light, so it�s best to place your fountain in a shady area. If this is not an option, just change the water more often, about once a month (normal cycle is about three times a year). Clean the fountain with commercial algaecide, mouthwash, or lemon juice to prevent recurrences.

WATER LEVELS

Following proper water levels will keep your pumps in good condition. Follow the manufacturer�s recommended levels and check them every day. Instead of pouring in a fresh load occasionally, add small amounts of water over several days. This way, you avoid any drastic excess which can damage your pumps.

Dirt Devil Products Associated With Clean Floors

When it comes to a reputation for floor care products, few names are as synonymous as Dirt Devil products. From upright vacuum cleaners and floor scrubbers to handheld units and rechargeable vacuums, the Dirt Devil product list seems to never end.

There are all sorts of bagged and bagless upright vacuum cleaners available from Dirt Devil to suite any cleaning need. With rechargeable upright cordless vacuums entering the mix for small carpeted areas or for those who dislike hauling out a bigger vacuum for spot cleaning needs.

With about two dozen hand vacuum cleaners on its list a Dirt Devil hand vac can be found to fit any budget, including the new Kone model, which claims it looks so good and is so small it can be left on display for quick, efficient pick-up of minor spills. It is available in many colors to fit most room colors.

Dirt Devil carpet extractors are fairly inexpensive come in a variety of sizes to tackle most carpet cleaning jobs. Including the new spot cleaner, which can be set on top of a carpet stain where it will stay in position, permanently removing the stain. Uprights, handheld units as well as larger carpet extractors can make cleaning your carpets easier.

Electric brooms along with corded uprights for hardwood floors and other surfaces round out Dirt Devil�s floor care product line, and along with a half-dozen models of bagless canister vacuum cleaners the company can boast a product for every floor cleaning need in the home.

How Do I Get Rid of Bed Bugs?

The bed bug is a small wingless insect that feeds on the blood of warm blooded creatures, LIKE YOU! How creepy! Nearly eradicated after World War II, the bed bug has made a dramatic comeback. Why? The bed bug spray used today is less effective because of the ban on DDT. Couple that with an increase in global travel and you have a new epidemic of bed bug infestations.

What do you do to kill the little blood suckers? To get rid of the bed bug requires a combination of approaches, so before you embark on this quest, make sure you have an active infestation, many different kinds of bugs appear similar to bedbugs. Compare a specimen to a good reference picture or, if you�re still not sure, take it to an entomologist. If you�re sure you have a bed bug infestation, DON�T PANIC! Don�t through away your mattress and furniture. Plan an effective bed bug treatment. Bed bug control, while not easy, is possible.

An effective bed bug treatment includes�

1) Cleaning - Clean all infested areas, scrubbing with a stiff brush to remove any eggs. A strong vacuum can be used to get them out of cracks. Make sure to take out drawers and dismantle bed frames to get all hiding places, if possible carefully turn furniture over.

2) Room modifications - Mattresses and box springs can be permanently sealed in plastic mattress bags. Eventually, any bed bugs inside will die. Move the bed away from the walls, make sure any sheets and blankets are not touching the floor, and place the frame legs on dishes of mineral oil, this will keep them from getting back into your bed.

3) Insecticides - Your choice of insecticide treatments varies, seek out a qualified specialist.

You can win the bed bug war, so sleep tight and�well, you know the rest.

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