Archived Cleaning Blog Posts
Ensure Clean, Healthy Air with SERVPRO Team Spinner!
6/10/2024 (Permalink)
It's important to have quality air
Did you know that regular HVAC and air duct cleaning can significantly improve your indoor air quality and boost your system's efficiency? Dust, allergens, and contaminants can build up over time, affecting your health and comfort.
Air pollution can increase anyone’s risk of heart disease, stroke, respiratory infections, and more. But it’s especially dangerous for those with lung diseases such as asthma. Air quality changes from day to day, but events like wildfires and environmental disasters can make it worse.
There is little we can do to change the air quality outside but adequate filtration and regular maintenance of our central air conditioning system can vastly improve it in our homes.
Central HVAC ducts are made of metal or in some cases of poor quality installations, heavy-duty foil and aluminum tape. The cracks and crevices in the ducts not only allow air leakage, but they also allow dust and debris in. Your dusty, dirty attic air is forced through your ducts and into your home, decreasing your overall air quality.
The quality of the air inside your home is important, since most people spend the majority of their time indoors and much of that time inside their homes. Low air quality can cause allergy symptoms and can aggravate lung conditions like asthma.
It can also help improve the efficiency of HVAC systems and reduce energy costs. It's recommended to have ducts cleaned every 3 to 5 years or more frequently if pets, smokers, or people with allergies or respiratory conditions are present in the home.
Don't wait! Contact SERVPRO Team Spinner today to schedule your HVAC and air duct cleaning. Breathe easier and live healthier!
Breathe Easy: The Art of Cleaning Your Kitchen Range Exhaust System
1/24/2024 (Permalink)
The Hidden Marvel: Your Kitchen Range Exhaust System
Today, let's journey into the heart of the home—the kitchen—and shine a spotlight on an unsung hero: the Range Exhaust System. Often overlooked but oh-so-important, this system plays a crucial role in keeping our kitchens clean and our air fresh. Join us as we unravel the secrets of maintaining a pristine and efficient kitchen range exhaust.
Picture this: sizzling pans, aromatic spices, and the rhythmic hum of your range hood. It's a culinary symphony! But, behind the scenes, your exhaust system is silently working to keep things clean. Over time, however, it can accumulate grease, dirt, and dust, becoming less effective and potentially posing a fire hazard.
Why Clean? The Benefits of a Sparkling Exhaust System
Improved Air Quality: A clean exhaust system ensures that smoke, odors, and airborne particles are efficiently filtered out, leaving your kitchen air fresh and clean.
Fire Prevention: Grease buildup in the exhaust system can pose a fire risk. Regular cleaning is a proactive measure to reduce this danger and keep your home safe.
Enhanced Appliance Efficiency: A clean exhaust system allows your range hood and fan to operate at peak efficiency, helping them last longer and perform better.
DIY vs. Professional Cleaning: Finding the Right Fit
While some routine maintenance tasks can be handled by the DIY enthusiast, a professional cleaning service, like the one offered by SERVPRO® Team Spinner, can ensure a thorough and comprehensive cleaning. We have the tools and expertise to tackle even the most stubborn buildup, providing peace of mind and a sparkling clean kitchen.
A Step-by-Step Guide: DIY Cleaning Tips
For those feeling adventurous, here's a quick guide to DIY kitchen range exhaust system cleaning:
Safety First: Turn off the power to the range hood to ensure safety during the cleaning process.
Remove Filters: Take out any removable filters and wash them with warm, soapy water. Let them air dry completely before reinserting.
Wipe Down Surfaces: Using a mixture of warm water and mild detergent, wipe down the interior and exterior surfaces of the range hood.
Inspect and Replace: Check for any damaged or worn-out parts, and replace them as needed.
Clean the Fan Blades: Gently clean the fan blades with a soft brush or cloth to remove dust and debris.
SERVPRO Team Spinner's Expert Touch: Bringing Professional Excellence to Your Kitchen
At SERVPRO Team Spinner, we understand the importance of a clean and safe home. Our skilled technicians go beyond surface cleaning, ensuring that every nook and cranny of your kitchen range exhaust system is thoroughly inspected and cleaned. Let us take the hassle out of maintenance, leaving you with a kitchen that's not just beautiful but also healthy.
Here's to a kitchen that breathes easy and a home that sparkles!
Embrace a Fresh Start with SERVPRO Team Spinner
12/13/2023 (Permalink)
Call Us To Let The Magic Happen
The holiday season is upon us, and as we bid farewell to the current year and welcome the new one, there's no better time to refresh and rejuvenate your living spaces. At SERVPRO Team Spinner, we understand the importance of a clean and inviting environment, especially during this festive time. Let's explore the myriad benefits of professional cleaning and deodorizing services to make your holidays and the upcoming year truly shine.
Create a Welcoming Atmosphere: The holidays are all about spending quality time with loved ones. Ensure your home is a warm and welcoming haven by eliminating odors and maintaining a fresh, clean ambiance. SERVPRO Team Spinner's expert cleaning and deodorizing services can transform your space, setting the stage for memorable gatherings and celebrations.
Health and Safety: A clean home is a healthy home. The holiday season often brings a surge of guests, and maintaining a hygienic environment becomes crucial. Professional cleaning not only removes dirt and bacteria but also helps mitigate allergens, creating a safer space for everyone.
Extend the Life of Your Belongings: Regular cleaning not only enhances the appearance of your home but also helps extend the life of your furniture, carpets, and other belongings. Our specialized cleaning methods at SERVPRO Team Spinner ensure that your valuables are treated with care, contributing to their longevity.
Eliminate Lingering Odors: Lingering odors can dampen the festive spirit. Whether it's the aftermath of holiday cooking or other sources, SERVPRO Team Spinner's deodorizing services target and eliminate unpleasant smells, leaving your home smelling fresh and inviting.
Prepare for the New Year: As you bid adieu to the current year, why not step into the new one with a clean slate? A professionally cleaned and deodorized space can inspire a positive mindset and set the tone for a fresh start in the coming year.
Convenience and Peace of Mind: Planning and hosting holiday events can be overwhelming. Let SERVPRO Team Spinner take the stress out of cleaning and deodorizing, allowing you to focus on what truly matters – creating lasting memories with friends and family.
This holiday season, embrace the benefits of a clean and deodorized home with SERVPRO Team Spinner. Our dedicated team is committed to making your space sparkle, ensuring you step into the new year with freshness and vitality. Schedule your service today and let the transformation begin. Cheers to a happy and healthy holiday season!
Clearing the Air: The Importance of Professional Cigarette Smoke Removal
12/1/2023 (Permalink)
Consider contacting SERVPRO of Hamilton, South Trenton for cigarette smoke removal
Cigarette smoke isn't just an unpleasant odor – it's a pervasive issue that can have long-lasting effects on indoor air quality. At SERVPRO of Hamilton, South Trenton, we understand the significance of maintaining a clean and healthy environment. In this blog post, we'll delve into the reasons why professional cigarette smoke removal is crucial for both residential and commercial spaces.
Health and Well-being: Cigarette smoke contains numerous harmful chemicals and toxins, many of which are known carcinogens. Prolonged exposure to residual smoke in indoor spaces can contribute to respiratory issues, allergies, and other health concerns. Professional smoke removal helps mitigate these risks, creating a healthier living or working environment for everyone.
Odor Elimination: Cigarette smoke has a notorious reputation for its stubborn and pervasive odor. Traditional cleaning methods often fall short in completely removing this smell. Professional smoke removal services, however, are equipped with advanced techniques and equipment designed to neutralize and eliminate lingering odors, providing a breath of fresh air.
Property Value Preservation: The smell of cigarette smoke can be a significant turn-off for potential buyers or tenants. Whether you're selling, renting, or leasing a property, investing in professional smoke removal can enhance the property's appeal, thereby preserving or even increasing its value.
Cleaner Indoor Environment: Cigarette smoke particles can settle on surfaces, creating a layer of residue commonly referred to as "third-hand smoke." This residue can be challenging to remove without professional intervention. Smoke removal services not only address the visible effects but also ensure a thorough cleaning of surfaces, contributing to an overall cleaner indoor environment.
Compliance with Regulations: In some jurisdictions, there are regulations and guidelines regarding indoor air quality and smoking in public or shared spaces. Ensuring your property meets these standards is not only responsible but can also save you from potential legal issues. Professional smoke removal services help you stay compliant and create a safe environment for everyone.
Improved Aesthetic Appeal: Smoke stains can discolor walls, ceilings, and other surfaces, giving spaces a dingy and unappealing look. Professional smoke removal restores the aesthetic appeal of your property by addressing not only the odor but also the visual impact of cigarette smoke damage.
Investing in professional cigarette smoke removal goes beyond just eliminating a smell; it's about creating a healthier, more inviting space. At SERVPRO of Hamilton, South Trenton, we prioritize the well-being of our community and their environments. Contact us today to experience the transformative power of our smoke removal services – because everyone deserves to breathe in a clean and fresh atmosphere.
Contact SERVPRO for HVAC Maintenance to Keep Units Running Efficiently
10/9/2023 (Permalink)
Are You Breathing Dirty Air?
Everyone who owns a home appreciates the comforts of an efficient central heating and air system, but there’s a large investment associated with operating them. Did you know that about half of the energy costs for a home are due to the heating and cooling system according to Energy Star? While that’s a significant chunk of change, just a little bit of maintenance can make the investment extend much further.
It’s important to catch problems with your HVAC system before they become serious: that’s where routine maintenance comes in.
Homeowners should educate themselves about how their HVAC system works to provide it with the best care.
Swap your filters. Your HVAC filters need to be changed between every 30 and 90 days (depending on the type of filter used) for maximum air quality and efficiency. Other ways to improve heating and cooling include using the highest efficiency filter for your HVAC model and ensuring a properly secured fit when filters are installed.
Reduce your dust. Simply keeping up with routine dusting and vacuuming will clear the dust and debris out before it has a chance to invade your air flow system, doing wonders for your HVAC cleanliness. Further the benefit by always using the highest efficiency filter for the vacuum, and purchasing one with a HEPA certification if possible.
Check your drainage. As the AC runs, cooling coils work to remove water from the air and drain it away. If the moisture collected is not properly drained, water damage can occur and lead to mold growth. Regularly check drain pans and nearby surfaces for moisture accumulation to stop large problems before they start.
Tip: If you’re doing construction or renovations in the home, seal off supply and return registers in the house.
Schedule regular maintenance checkups and cleaning. There’s no substitute for having a professional survey your system twice per year. While there are quite a few things homeowners can do to maintain their HVAC system, a professional cleaning can have a marked improvement in air quality and the efficiency of your unit.
If you’d like to schedule a consultation to discuss HVAC cleaning, contact us at 609.256.8890.
Cleaning you Kitchen Exhaust System
6/3/2022 (Permalink)
The ventilation system above or next to your stove top serves several important functions in the kitchen. It helps remove moisture, smoke and odors, helps improve indoor air quality, and most importantly, helps trap flammable, aerated grease that is creating during the cooking process. Some states or cities require a ventilation hood to be present in the kitchen but even if your area doesn’t require one, you’ll want to make sure one is installed in your kitchen. Regularly cleaning and maintaining this ventilation system will help it function better, remove bacteria and mold, and reduce the risk of a kitchen fire.
Why your kitchen needs an exhaust system
In addition to whisking away odors, steam and smoke, a good ventilation or exhaust system will suck in and trap tiny grease and oil particles that would otherwise end up drifting throughout the kitchen and into rest of the home. Additionally, if you cook with natural gas, understand that a certain amount of nitrogen dioxide (along with carbon monoxide and formaldehyde) may be produced when cooking. These chemicals are bad for the lungs and can aggravate people with asthma or respiratory issues. When cooking, always turn on the exhaust system to help improve the indoor air quality.
How to clean the hood, filters and ventilation system
The exhaust system filters act as a trap for grease and oil and should be cleaned or replaced often. How often depends upon the type of filter system as well as how often you cook. If you wok fry food weekly, for example, a monthly cleaning will be necessary. But most find that a regular schedule of cleaning the filters every 3 months is the best way to keep a routine that you can stick to. Recirculating hoods use charcoal disposable filters and should be replaced every 6 to 12 months. Check with your manufacturer for more specific replacement or cleaning instructions.
To clean the wire mesh filters first remove them from the hood or ventilation system. You can either wash them by hand with warm soapy water (some find that baking soda works great too) or you can place them in an empty dishwasher and run a full cycle. You may need to repeat these methods if they are particularly greasy. Once they are clean, inspect them to insure there is no rusted or broken parts. Let them dry completely before placing them back in the ventilation system.
The rest of the ventilation system, like the hood, should also be periodically cleaned. Most hoods are made from stainless steel so use a cleaning product designed for this material or use one of ournon-toxic stainless steel cleaning recipes here. You’ll want to remove dust, grease and debris and always rub the stainless steel in the direction of the grain.
Commercial kitchens regularly have the entire exhaust system cleaned to remove grease and prevent dangerous fires. Homeowners can have this done as well; find a professional who is a member of the International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association.
What happens if you don’t clean the stove ventilation system
The three biggest reasons for keeping the filters and ventilation hood clean are better indoor air quality, reduction of bacteria and mold, and fire risk reduction. As mentioned above, having a functioning and clean ventilation system will help create a healthier indoor air quality. This is especially important in the cooler months of fall and winter when many homeowners are cooking inside more and have the windows closed.
The warm and moist environment directly above a hot stove top is perfect for growing bacteria and mold, especially when there is a steady supply of food particles and oils. Dust can also stick to this grease buildup and create a nasty mess, not to mention a bad smell.
Kitchen fires are a very real hazard that you need to be aware of. When cooking on the stove, high heat mixed with oil can create a flame. If this flame is high enough, or near enough a grease-soaked filter, the flames can catch and spread. A grease or cooking fire can be very scary, spread quickly, and is responsible for 50% of reported residential house fires every year. Always keep a fire extinguisher labeled “for cooking fires” or with a “K” to put out a kitchen grease fire..
What to Do When Hoarding Is Discovered | SERVPRO® of Hamilton & South Trenton
6/8/2021 (Permalink)
In need of a team to help restore a space where hoarding has been an issue? Contact our team at 908.650.8611.
Have you ever heard about hoarding? It’s a dangerous mental disorder that can make household dangers, including fires, more likely.
So, what is hoarding exactly? Hoarding is a mental illness that causes people to obsessively hang on to possessions, ultimately accumulating them in large quantities that can take over a home. Those affected by the disorder are rarely hoarding things of any value—trash and other clutter are common.
As these items pile up over time, they can present fire hazards, house insects or rodents, or even hide toxic mold growth.
So, if you you need to clean out a space where hoarding has been taking place, what should you do?
Step 1: Call in the professionals, who can clean up the space and ensure the area is safely rehabbed for future use.
What Is Involved in Hoarding Cleanup
There’s more involved in hoarding clean-up than simply clearing out the hoarded materials and washing the space. A professional team will provide a comprehensive cleanup process that mitigates any safety hazards that have cropped up.
Removal of Dangerous Substances
Piles of hoarded materials can conceal any number of health hazards, including toxic mold growth, along with insects, bacteria, and other pests.
A team of professionals educated in safe removal principles and outfitted in the appropriate gear will help ensure this step is done comprehensively and safely.
Removal of Items
When you think of cleaning up after hoarding, this is probably the step you think of. This involves clearing the space of hoarded materials, including items like newspapers and even trash that has collected over time.
Other items like carpets, furniture, and kitchenware, may also have been contaminated and need to be removed.
Complete Cleaning
Once the space is cleared of all debris and clutter, a professional team will deep-clean the area. This is the last step in the process and helps ensure the property is ready to be used again.
In need of a team to help restore a space where hoarding has been an issue? Contact our team at SERVPRO® of Hamilton & South Trenton, and we’ll make it "Like it never even happened."
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