Archive for April, 2009

Pet Stains on Berber Carpet

Monday, April 20th, 2009

The pictures tell the story. A super save by the Cleaning Superhero.

The family dogs were allowed to track in and out of this room to the yard where they dug holes in the dirt and tracked it onto this berber carpet.

The results are amazing and saved the homeowner on carpet replacement costs.

Removing Carpet Stains

Monday, April 20th, 2009

Don’t let the fear of carpet stains get in the way of enjoying your family get together on holidays or other occasions.

Here is a FREE guide from the Cleaning Superhero to help you easily remove carpet stains using common household cleaners and ingredients. For water based stains: www.cleaningsuperhero.com/care-carpet-water.php and for greasy, oil based stains: www.cleaningsuperhero.com/care-carpet-greasy.php

You will need 4 basic ingredients.

Citrus solvent
Dish washing liquid
Non-sudsing ammonia
Vinegar
Follow the directions from the links above. There is a final step I would like to add. Cover area with hand towel and use a bottle brush to tap the damp area. This will help the area dry.

Should this fail to remove the stain, place a damp cloth over the area and seek professional help from the Cleaning Superhero.

Paste Wax - Popular Again

Monday, April 20th, 2009

Here is a picture of a 60 year old floor that has been paste waxed regularly.

60 Year Old Paste Waxed Hardwood

60 Year Old Paste Waxed Hardwood

What made hardwood flooring look so nice before urethane came along?

Most likely it was paste wax.

Paste wax was used on hardwood and parquet. The process was necessary to protect the floors from traffic and prevent wear. Paste waxing also provided a unique shine and an unmistakable aroma.

Urethane and laminate is most widely used now but many people are moving back to the classic look of paste waxed hardwood. The problems associated with paste wax have been eliminated. They are easier to keep clean and build up is easily eliminated.

The Cleaning Superhero is ready to help you restore your hardwood or laminate flooring. Modern techniques and products will help beautify your home. Besides experience in paste waxing, he is capable of restoring hardwood flooring and laminates without sanding. This saves a great amount of money over time consuming sanding and refinishing.

Call the Cleaning Superhero today at 205-856-1720 for free estimates.

Cleaning Agreement

Monday, April 20th, 2009

How to choose a cleaning service.

Can you even see what the service provider is really saying? Beware of the fine print.

Some things that could be in the agreement but are very hard to spot.

Customer agrees to pay more because their home is considered to be located in a high income area.
Customer agrees to allow services to be performed by whoever we send regardless of knowledge or experience.
Customer understands that employee background checks are performed but a few undesireables may get hired anyway.
Customer agrees that the price was low and should be completely satisfied regardless of cleaning results.
Customer recognizes that problems will be likely but since all cleaning services are the same, when we determine the job is finished, payment is due in full.
Now, if you disagree completely with the terms of the other guy’s agreement. I would say it’s time for us to talk about what you expect when the cleaning service is completed.

The Cleaning Superhero would rather you share a great cleaning experience from my services with only 1 person than tell 100 how horribly disappointed you are with bad cleaning services.

You can reach me here by following the link to my contact page. www.cleaningsuperhero.com/contact.php

Green All Over

Monday, April 20th, 2009

What do you think about when you hear the word “green”?

St. Patrick’s Day
A Primary Color
Plants
Environmental Concerns
Money
Cleaning Movement
What do all of these things have in common?

All these things have been commercialized by corporations to make a huge profit.

O.K. , I get St. Patrick’s day. Let’s pass out greeting cards, dye some drinks green, and throw a party. Just a good reason to have some fun.

Several years ago, I began spreading the word about the “green cleaning” movement and how it can change the way people think about the use of harmful chemicals. Having discovered the newest microfiber products was a revelation in cleaning. Not only did a quality microfiber greatly reduce the amount of cleaners necessary for the process (about 1/10 normal dilution), it eliminated the use of chemicals entirely in some applications (glass cloth uses only water and paper towel use is eliminated).

Have you noticed the commercials coming from the popular cleaning product manufacturers? Green labeling, talks about the product being green and makes you almost feel good about buying it. Be careful of the hype. The products you see, probably contain the same chemicals as before but have been packaged in recyclable containers and qualify the product as “green”. I have even noticed the instructions on the most popular window cleaner of all time, states to use a microfiber cloth to finish up. Insures that streak free look they like to talk about. Did you also notice the price has increased on the products. Takes money to change the labeling and someone has to pay for it.

Here’s a link to a product scorecard, you may find interesting: www.womenandenvironment.org/pdf/2008_report_card.pdf

I will be happy to talk with you about real green cleaning should you be interested. My homepage is: www.CleaningSuperhero.com

Introducing My Heroine

Monday, April 20th, 2009

Organizing a group of problem solvers is not difficult when the pool of talent in the area is so deep.

Today, I am introducing you all to an organizing Heroine, Penny Love of Bliss Organizing Inc. She will be providing tips on making your life more efficient.

Penny’s lifestyle enhancing tip for the day is:

Spring Weather is Here!

De-clutter and Organize Your Closet for Spring!

10 tips from The Organizing Expert Penny Love

Time to put up the sweaters and dust off the sandals.

1. Use a notebook to plan your Closet Organizing project.

2. Set goals for completing the closet organization and write them down. When? How?

3. Decide exactly what needs to be stored in the closet, write it down.

4. Remove everything in the closet and sort into 3 piles, keep, give, and trash.

5. Ask yourself:

Have I worn it in the past year?

Is it comfortable?

Do I like it?

Does it fit well?

If no, Let it go!

6. Make a list of the reasons why a garment did or didn’t work for you and save money this spring by making smarter purchases.

7. Throw away stained or torn clothing

8. In your notebook, make an inventory of your wardrobe. Make notes to purchase needed items or accessories. (Example: I need a white tank with this shirt)

9. Put your clothes back into the closet by sections:

His and Hers, Pants together by color, Shirts together by color.

10. Pack up the clothing that no longer works for you and give it to your local thrift store charity.

A great looking closet helps you get a better start to your day!

Happy Organizing!

Penny Love

Professional Organizer

Bliss Organizing Inc.

Live Simple, Be Happy!

Read more lifestyle organizing tips on Penny’s website: www.planyoursolution.com/

Penny will be having an organizing workshop soon. If you would like to attend or have a need for a personal organizer, call me (George Barnett, Cleaning Superhero) and I will be happy to pass along her contact information.

www.cleaningsuperhero.com/contact.php

Carpet Cleaning for $5.00 Per Room

Monday, April 20th, 2009

Sounds too good to be true and it probably is.

Have you heard the term “bait and switch”? It is an unethical tactic used to lure you into face to face hard core sales pitch. Free offers, coupons, very low rates, and area pricing are only a few examples of bait and switch offers.

The coupon offer consists of a low initial price per room. Once the pitchman arrives, the upsell begins. The coupon rate usually only applys to the smallest room imagineable and the price goes up for the area you want cleaned. A single room or hall may actually be charged as 2 rooms due to size limitations. Next, the price increases should the room be dirty and require a special prespray. It is certain the area will need the prespray. The low cost to you has now gone from $50 to $400, $500, and some have risen to over $800. Once you sign the work order for all these upsells and the job is performed, you’ve swallowed the bait and on the hook for the cost.

Beware of “free carpet protector”. Don’t be fooled into thinking you’re getting Scotchgard in the cleaning solution. Protectant has to be applied after cleaning and brushed into the fibers. Real Scotchgard with Dupont Teflon costs over $100 per gallon and the rate for application is usually around 15 to over 20 cents per square foot. Since carpet protector must be mixed just before application, ask the carpet cleaner to allow you to watch the mixing process and see what the reaction is.

Want to get a realistic accurate estimate on carpet, stone, tile, grout, hardwood, or blind cleaning?

Simply visit my web page
www.cleaningsuperhero.com/estimate.php
and you will receive an honest estimate without the tricky fine print and definately no bait and switch tactics.

Cheap Granite - Installed

Monday, April 20th, 2009

I see many advertisements for granite counter tops installed in the Birmingham area at what appears to be a cheap rate. Don’t be fooled by these apparent low cost products that may look great for only a short time before the shine fades, cracks occur, and pits develop on the surface. You will then be the next in a long line of unhappy customers waiting and waiting on a resolution to the problems.

Problems with cheap granite include:

Purity - a cheap granite contains other stones that will break down and cause pitting over time
Fillers - epoxy is added to cheap granite to fill pits, holes, and cracks. Once polished, these epoxies are difficult to detect until a crack develops.
Dyes - a dye is added to cheap granite making it darker. Shortly after installation, the shine and appearance will fade.
Radon - cheap granites can contain high levels of Radon gas. Even small levels of Radon gas is equivalent to smoking 1/2 a pack of cigarettes a day.
Quality - some granites should not be used due to the problems with absorbing stains.
If you would like help in choosing a quality, easy to maintain granite, simply contact the Cleaning Superhero, George Barnett, and ask for a simple test to determine the quality of the granite.

I can also get you a test kit for determining the quality of granite installed. The kit tests for dyes, radon, and determines whether the granite is need of sealing.

Most granite can be professionally cleaned and polished by the Cleaning Superhero for many years of easy maintenance. Call and I will be happy to give a free estimate on cleaning, polishing, and providing the proper care for your natural stone.

Dear Readers,

Monday, April 20th, 2009

I really believe in the process of referrals. As a part of my service, I would like to refer my clients and associates to other qualified businesspeople in our community.

Attached is a list of areas in which I know very credible, ethical, and outstanding professionals

Real Estate Agent
Air Conditioning and Heating Services
Local Hotel / Lodging
Handyman
Landscaper
House Cleaner - Maid Service
Electrician
Portrait / Wedding Photographer / Video
Lawn Care / Treatment Services
General Practice Attorney
Eye Exam Doctor
Chiropractor
Merchant Services / Credit Card Processing
Accountant
Business Consultant - Developer
Web Site Designer - Creator
Banker - Checking - Savings - Loan
Lighting Interior / Exterior / Ceiling Fans
Home Title Search Agent
Jeweler
Blinds and Shutters
Tree Service / Stump Removal - Trim - Emergency Service
Security System - Home Audio - Video Installation / Monitoring
Roofing and Framing
Mortgages - Refinances
Home and Auto Insurance Agent
Health Care Provider
Financial Consultant
Mechanic - Oil Change Service
Debt Collections

If you’re looking for a professional in a specific area listed, please feel free to contact me. I will be glad to put you in touch with the people providing these services.
Sincerely,
George Barnett - Cleaning Superhero

My contact page is www.cleaningsuperhero.com/contact.php

Natural Stone Care Tips

Monday, April 20th, 2009

What do you use to clean your granite, marble, or other natural stone?

I hope vinegar is not on your stone cleaning products list. It’s acidic and can etch stone. Stay away from other cleaners such as 409 and never use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on any stone.

The best products can be found on my website. They were developed by experts for professional use but also available for consumers. Locally, you can contact the Cleaning Suphero for specific products. The spray cleaner is perfect for marble and especially granite. I also use and carry the best stone safe soap scum remover you could possible use.

Here is a link to more stone care tips.
http://www.cleaningsuperhero.com/care.php

If you have any questions, feel free to call and get proper stone cleaning advice.