Cleaning for Health: How Often Should You Tidy Up?

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how often do you need to clean your home

Knowing how often to clean your house can vary depending on several factors, such as how much time you spend in it and your daily activities. With current events, many of us are spending more time in our homes than ever before. Between activities like working, cooking and relaxing, people are doing more in their houses, which directly impacts the cleanliness of our spaces.

The more time we spend in our homes often means we need to clean up more frequently. So, how often should you clean your house? We have the answers for you. Check out our house cleaning guide below to help you set up a routine cleaning schedule that will be sure to keep your home in tip-top shape for you and your loved ones.

Daily Cleaning Tasks

The rooms and items you should clean daily depend on how frequently you use them. Generally, a good rule is to clean it every day if food is prepared or eaten on it. Here’s a list of a few items you could add to your daily cleaning checklist:

      • Kitchen areas: It’s essential to stay on top of any items that have had food on them to prevent germs and bacteria that could harm your health. After you cook, wipe down your kitchen counters, stove and sink with disinfectant. Be sure to sweep the floors and clean dirty dishes and pans, too.
      • Dining areas: Once you’re done eating, you can wipe up the area where you ate. This routine will also ensure you wipe up spills and crumbs, which can create stains and attract pests.
      • Bathroom areas: While your entire bathroom doesn’t need a deep clean each day, you should aim to disinfect the toilet handle and seat and sink daily. If you want to go the extra mile to prevent mold, squeegee your shower walls immediately after you take a shower.

Keeping a list of daily cleaning tasks is an excellent way to ensure high-traffic areas are as clean as possible.

Weekly Cleaning Tasks

Every week, you should pick one or two days to deep clean certain rooms in your house with a checklist. After several days, specific areas will become dirtier, and you can stay on top of them by having a weekly cleaning plan. Here are a few spaces and items we recommend cleaning weekly:

      • Bathrooms: Clean the bathroom regularly to keep bacteria and mold at bay. Try to sanitize the shower or tub, sinks and toilets with bathroom cleaner weekly. Now’s the time to launder bathroom towels and mats, as well. You can also opt to have a professional bathroom cleaning to remove mildew and mold.
      • Kitchen: To keep your kitchen squeaky clean, you should mop the floor, wipe down appliances and clean cabinets and cupboards. Be sure to throw out any expired food, as well.
      • Bedding: Aim to wash your sheets, duvets, blankets and pillowcases every week to keep them clean and fresh.
      • Carpets: Vacuum at least once a week to remove debris and allergens from your carpeted surfaces.

If you don’t want to tackle all of these tasks during the weekend, you may prefer to dedicate one day a week to a certain room. For example, tackle your bathroom on Mondays and vacuum your carpets and rugs on Tuesdays. This trick breaks down deep cleaning into more manageable tasks.

a list of monthly cleaning tasks

Monthly Cleaning Tasks

A few items are essential to clean only about once a month. Here are a few monthly cleaning tasks you should keep in mind:

      • Windows: It’s essential to keep your windows looking pristine so you can let the sun in. Aim to clean your windows and windowsills and dust your blinds and curtains every month. If you have several windows or windows in hard-to-reach spots, consider professional window cleaning.
      • Fridge: Do a monthly clean of your refrigerator and freezer to keep these spaces fresh. Remove food products and sanitize each shelf and compartment so you can remove spills and stains. Consider taking this time to reorganize your refrigerator and freezer, too.
      • Air vents: To keep the air in your home cleaner, you should check the air filters in your home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Be sure to replace them when the recommended time comes. It’s also beneficial to get professional air duct cleaning to ensure air ducts are free of allergens and mildew.
      • Garage: If you have a garage, you’ll want to clean up this space to prevent insects and other pests from entering. Now’s a great time to declutter and donate any items you don’t use.

Keep in mind that while general cleaning tips can help, you’re the only one who knows your situation. If you have a cat that loves sitting on your living room’s windowsill, you may need to clean pet hair off your windows once a week. The same idea goes when you use your garage as a work area rather than a place to just store your car. Be sure to keep your personal needs in mind.

Bi-Annual Cleaning Tasks

Here’s a list of cleaning tasks you could complete every three to four months or twice a year: 

      • Baseboards and ceiling fans: These objects are beacons for dust, so it’s essential to ensure you clean these a few times a year. A quick wipe-down with a duster will remove this debris easily.
      • Oven: Cleaning the oven is an excellent task to complete seasonally. Be sure to wipe down the walls, grates and any areas that may have attracted grease.
      • Patio and furniture: If you have an outdoor space, try to sweep and wipe down these areas about twice a year. Spraying everything down with a hose is a simple way to remove dirt and grime from the furniture.

Annual Cleaning Tasks

Every year, you’ll want to tackle areas you probably forget about on a daily basis. Many people like to partake in spring cleaning in the early months of the year, but you can take any time of the year to complete these tasks. Here are a few things you can clean once a year:

      • Closets and pantries: It’s always a great idea to do a check of your closets and pantries. Remove your items so you can deep clean the space. Then, consider donating and recycling things you don’t need anymore.
      • Tile and grout: Tile and grout, especially in your shower, can easily attract mold, so it’s essential to clean these areas thoroughly at least once a year.
      • Upholstered furniture and carpets: If you want to maintain your furniture, you’ll also want to steam clean or shampoo your couches, chairs and other upholstery. Don’t forget about your rugs, either. Now’s a great time to shampoo high-traffic carpets to remove a buildup of dirt and grime.
      • Gutters: After a year of leaves, twigs and other debris collecting in your gutters, it’s time to clean them out to avoid drainage issues.

keep your home clean and tidy with Cyclone Professional Cleaners

Keep Your Home Clean and Tidy With Cyclone Professional Cleaners

The frequency of cleaning your home depends on numerous factors, but one thing’s certain — if you’re spending more time at home, your home gets dirtier faster. At Cyclone Professional Cleaners, we can help with your daily household chores so you can focus on other tasks and spend more time with your loved ones.

With numerous years of experience, we have a team of expert cleaners to make your home sparkle and shine. We offer several services, including the air duct, carpet, furniture and dryer vent, and tile grout cleaning, so you can better maintain your furnishings and appliances, saving you money in the long run. Contact us today to learn more about the services we can provide for your home.

Tips on Removing Coffee Stains

Everyone knows that you shouldn’t cry over spilled milk. But what if the spilled milk is in a mug with coffee and sugar — and your carpet or couch is the target?

Although coffee can stain fabrics and textiles, staining isn’t inevitable. The key is understanding how to correctly address the coffee spill before it becomes a permanent feature in your home or office.

Below are several easy-to-follow steps and tips on removing coffee stains from carpeted flooring and upholstered furnishings. Use them to navigate coffee splashes and related “oops” moments with confidence.

Steps to Remove Coffee Stains From Carpets

After spilling coffee, take a few precautionary measures to avoid forcing the coffee deeper into your carpet fibers. First, know that you should never scrub the coffee stain. You’ll succeed in doing one thing, which is forcing the coffee outward and down. Secondly, take action as fast as you can. It’s much easier to clean a fresh coffee spill than a dried-up stain from a few days ago.

Finally, follow some proven coffee stain removal tips. Give the project at least 30 minutes. Follow these steps:

  1. Pour hot water onto the stain. To ensure you don’t saturate your carpet, apply the hot water liberally a few tablespoons at a time. You want to dilute the coffee but not make a mess. The water doesn’t need to be scalding hot, either. Warm water from the kitchen or bathroom faucet is fine.
  2. Blot the stain with a white cloth. Start blotting at the outer edges of the coffee stain, not in the middle where you could end up forcing the stain to spread away from the pressure. Use firm blotting action, but be wary of pressing down too hard. Your goal is to get to the point where the white cloth no longer shows any signs of dark color when you blot the carpet’s surface.
  3. Apply homemade cleaner to remaining discolored carpet fibers. Whip up a mixture containing a tablespoon of white vinegar, a tablespoon of organic dish detergent and a cup or two of hot water. Dip another cloth or dish towel into the cleaner and blot the coffee stain again. The cleaner should address lingering coffee dyes and leave the carpet smelling fresh.
  4. Give the carpet a cool bath. As final insurance that you’ve done all you can for your carpet coffee stain, pour a little cold water on the spot. Blot it up gently. Give the carpet time to air dry. And relax with another steaming cup of joe.

What If the Coffee Stain Involves Milk, Creamer or Sugar?

Mopping up black, unadorned coffee is one thing. What if you like to sweeten or lighten your coffee, though? Turns out that the presence of milk and sugar doesn’t make the stain more stubborn — but it could make it really sticky.

In order to bring up a milky, sweet coffee stain on your carpet, you’ll want to add another step to the process. Mix a bit of enzyme-rich laundry detergent with hot water. Apply the solution to the stain as part of the first round of hot-water blotting. The enzymes will help release any milk and sugar residue.

As a side note, the enzyme laundry detergent mixture is also a great solution if your coffee stain is from yesterday or even earlier.

Steps to Remove Coffee Stains From Upholstered Furniture

Coffee doesn’t just fall onto carpets. It also tends to make its way onto upholstered furniture like sofas, loveseats, recliners and office chairs. The good news is that those fabrics accept the same steps to removing coffee stains from carpet. You’ll just want to keep a few tips in mind when working with upholstery instead of carpets since upholstery can be more delicate and absorbent than carpet fibers:

  • Switch to cool water. If you’re going to blot up coffee stains from any type of upholstered furniture, use cool rather than hot water. Hot water can affect the quality of the fabric, whereas cooler water tends to have less of an effect on it. You’ll still get the same stain-fighting power out of your homemade stain cleaner.
  • Blot from the outside to the inside. You don’t want the coffee stain to spread rapidly to other areas of your upholstery, so blot in an outward to inward motion.
  • Allow upholstery to air dry. It’s fine to set up a fan to help your upholstery dry naturally. However, don’t use any heating element on the spot. If the stain isn’t quite lifted, it will dry into the fabric and become nearly impossible to remove fully.

Coffee belongs in your favorite mug, not on the floor or couch. Nevertheless, if you have a spill, leverage your caffeine rush to spring into action and remove coffee stains before they start.

Need help with professional carpet or furniture cleaning? Trust Cyclone Professional Cleaners. Call us today at 972-390-8700 or contact us online to schedule a time for us to help make your home or office its best.

Professional Tips to Remove Red Wine Stains

With a meal. After dinner. During social events. Red wine has the ability to go practically anywhere — but you don’t want it going on your carpeting or furniture.

Red wine spills are bound to happen, and you don’t have to be careless for a bit of red wine to slosh out of your glass and drip onto the floor. You also don’t have to panic. Although red wine contains natural dyes, wine stains aren’t inevitable. Just take a deep breath and follow some tried-and-true red wine removal tips to restore your home — and your peace of mind.

6 Steps to Remove Red Wine From Carpets

It’s natural to want to grab a cloth and start wiping up red wine from your carpet. Resist that temptation. The last thing you want to do is start rubbing or scrubbing at the stain.

The more pressure and force you put onto the liquid, the faster it will soak into the fibers of the carpet pile. With every push, you’ll drive the red wine deeper into your floor or furnishings. The wine might even make it to the carpet backing, where the stain will be tougher to lift up without a professional cleaning.

What’s the right way to approach a fresh red wine carpet stain, then? Follow these steps:

  1. Lay a paper towel lightly on top of it. Don’t push down on the towel. Just let it absorb any liquid on the surface. After a minute or two, remove the towel and throw it away.
  2. Look through your pantry for some table salt. No, you’re not going to whip up a side dish. You’re about to use some of the science you may have forgotten from your school days. If you don’t have salt, talcum powder, baking soda or even some kitty litter will suffice.
  3. Sprinkle a generous amount of salt on the fresh red wine stain. You don’t have to be exact, because this process isn’t about precision. It’s about coverage. Make sure that the salt fully covers the entire visible red wine carpet stain.
  4. Wait about 10-20 minutes. This might be the hardest of all steps for removing red wine stains. Maybe you need to grab a second glass of wine to distract you?
  5. Return to the scene of the stain. At this point, the salt has done its job as much as it will. Use a vacuum to suction up the salt particles.
  6. Evaluate the stain. Did the salt do the trick? Many times, it’s the only tip you’ll need to remove red wine from carpets. However, if your red wine stain is stubborn, you may have to move to a few secondary measures.

Tackling a Resistant or Older Red Wine Carpet Stain

Usually, salt will lift red wine from your carpet. But what if you’re dealing with a trickier stain or a spill that has dried up from last night’s party? In that case, try the following additional red wine removal tips:

  • Apply hot water. If a bit of red dye hangs around, toss a kettle with water on the stove. Boil the water, and then apply some of it to the red wine stain. Don’t saturate the carpet, but put enough boiling water on the splotch to dilute any leftover wine. Then, use a towel to blot the area lightly.
  • Mix equal parts club soda and vinegar. Pour this mixture onto the stain, let it settle and blot up any remaining red stuff.
  • Put a little milk on the stain. Sometimes, milk’s natural properties can help break down a lingering red wine stain. Let the milk settle onto the carpet and into the stain about 15-30 minutes before blotting up. You may have to go back to hot water, then, to remove any milky residue so the carpet smells fresh and doesn’t get sticky.

Steps to Remove Red Wine From Upholstered Furniture

At this point, you’ve mastered red wine stains on carpets. The tips to remove red wine stains from upholstered furniture follow the same basic guidelines. Nevertheless, you will want to modify your stain-fighting tricks just a bit if you’re working with upholstery on a sofa, loveseat, chair or other similar fabric:

  • Go for salt right away. Unless some of the red wine is beading on the upholstery, head right to salt and bypass putting a towel on the spot. Follow the salt directions above.
  • Combine laundry detergent and vinegar. Make a cleansing paste of any commercial laundry detergent and an equal amount of white vinegar. Apply the paste to the red wine spot. Give it a few minutes to settle in. Then, start putting tablespoons of boiling water on the stain. Saturate the area and use a clean towel to blot up excess moisture and dyes.

Remember — the faster you attack a red wine stain, the faster you can show it the door.

Have Other Liquid Stains To Remove?

For instructions on how to remove specific liquids see our guides below:

Had a party and need to give your house a thorough deep clean to freshen up your high-trafficked spaces? Contact Cyclone Professional Cleaners at 972-390-8700 for fast, courteous service.

3 Safe DIY Ways to Clean Your Tile & Grout

What Are Some Safe DIY Ways to Clean Tile and Grout?

commercial tile cleaning service from Cyclone service expert

While we’re proud to be your source for effective grout and tile cleaning and sealing in the Plano, TX, area, there are a few things you can do between professional cleanings to keep these areas looking spick and span. If you’re trying to maintain a clean shower, kitchen backsplash or other tiled areas in your home, here are some effective and safe DIY ways to clean ceramic or porcelain tile and grout:

Diluted Vinegar

For mild stains or a bit of dirt buildup, vinegar is a tried and true cleaner that works for grout and a variety of other household cleanup jobs. Follow these steps:

  • Fill a spray bottle with equal parts white vinegar and warm water.
  • Spray this mixture onto the grout.
  • Let it stand for at least five minutes.
  • Scrub the area clean with a stiff brush.

Baking Soda Paste

If your grout requires a bit more cleaning power, you may want to start by making a paste of baking soda and water and then applying it to your grout. Here’s how:

  • Mix about a half cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water. You may need to adjust this ratio until your paste has a spreadable consistency.
  • Cover the grout lines with your baking soda paste, then spray with the same vinegar solution mentioned above.
  • Once it starts foaming, scrub vigorously with a stiff brush.
  • Rinse with water and wipe dry.
  • Repeat as needed.

Hydrogen Peroxide

For moderate stains, you may find hydrogen peroxide to be effective. This solution is very inexpensive, and most drug stores carry it. Try the following steps:

  • You can apply hydrogen peroxide directly to your grout, let it stand and then rinse with water.
  • You can also create a hydrogen peroxide paste made of one part dish soap, one part baking soda and two parts hydrogen peroxide.
  • Scrub the paste into the grout.
  • Rinse with water and mop up what remains.

Professional Tips on How to Whiten Tile Grout

a before and after picture of a shower having its tile grout whitened

Grout serves the dual purpose of keeping debris from getting between and under your tiles and adding a finished appearance to your floors and walls.

When your decorative tiles and grout are first installed, they will look fresh and crisp. However, if it is not regularly maintained or cleaned, your sparkling white grout may eventually take on more of a dark and dingy appearance.

So, if you want to find out how to restore your tiling to its former glory, check out some of our tips on the best ways to brighten grout.

What Causes Dark Grout?

Tile and grout tend to be found in high-traffic areas of your home. This combination is frequently used in kitchens for countertops, backsplashes and floors. In bathrooms, it’s often found in showers and bathtubs.

Because these areas see use each day, it is easy for dirt, food particles or mold to accumulate. When this happens, the grout takes on a stained appearance and can look gray, brown or black. If it is not taken care of, that mold can build up and become deeply embedded into the grout, making it very hard to wipe away.

Dangers of Dirty Grout

While dirty grout is unsightly and can decrease your home’s appearance, it can also affect your family’s health. Mold, for example, can cause allergies ranging from coughing to sneezing, or even contribute to respiratory issues. Worse yet, mold may continue growing and begin to take over other areas of a room such as the floor and walls in your bathroom.

To keep your spaces bright and your family healthy, it’s important to know how to clean grout in showers and other moisture-prone areas.

5 Tips on How To Restore White Grout

To help your grout look like new again, you can try out some of these tips:

1. Actively Prevent Dirt and Discoloration

It’s always easier to prevent grout discoloration rather than deal with it after it occurs. You’ll find it beneficial to spend a few minutes each week wiping down tiles and grout with soap and warm water or a little bit of rubbing alcohol to keep everything clean and crisp.

2. Gather All the Needed Supplies

Before you start cleaning, make sure you have all the necessary supplies. To protect yourself, be sure to wear gloves. If you are using harsher chemicals, it’s best to put on goggles or a mask as well.

For all grout cleaning tasks, you will need a stiff-bristle brush and a cleaner, which can be either homemade or purchased.

3. Test Your Solution

Especially when using a new recipe or new type of grout cleaner, it’s best to test it out in a discreet location. You want to ensure it will not discolor your tile or grout before applying it everywhere. Then, always work up to each level of harshness. Start with the most gentle cleaner and then get more aggressive if it is not doing the job.

4. Create a DIY Solution

There are many different DIY recipes that you can make with common household items that will help to whiten your grout. For example, you can use lemon juice, which is a natural disinfectant and whitener, on stains.

Hydrogen peroxide alone or mixed with baking soda creates a good paste.

You can also create vinegar solutions. A mixture of equal parts vinegar and warm water also works to dislodge grime, as will a paste of vinegar and baking soda. Just be sure not to use vinegar mixtures around natural stone tiles.

You can leave all your DIY solutions soaking for 10-15 minutes, scrub, then rinse and seal the grout once it is dry.

5. Use a Commercial Cleaner

You can also find a variety of alkaline cleaners, oxygen bleach and chlorine bleach options on the market. Most of these require you to mix them with water, vigorously scrub and then reseal the grout once you are done. When using these kinds of chemicals, take care to use protection and make sure the area is well-ventilated.

a shower having its grout cleaned

Have Your Grout Professionally Whitened With Cyclone Professional Cleaners

Even though you can learn how to whiten grout yourself, the process can often be messy, time-consuming and even tough on the knees and back depending on where your tile is located.

At Cyclone Professional Cleaners, our technicians can help you save time and energy by handling the task for you. Best of all, we only use organic products so you can experience professional results while keeping your family safe.

Our technicians follow a simple yet effective process for cleaning and whitening grout that won’t mess up your stones or tiles. We first apply a non-toxic cleaner and then work it into your grout. Then, we steam using hot water, apply a sealer and then cure the area. The result is a long-lasting whitened grout that looks brand new.

Contact us today to receive a free quote on our premier tile and grout cleaning services or learn more about our tile and grout replacement.

Power Washers and Pressure Washers Best Practices

Both power washers and pressure washers use high pressure and a water spray for washing concrete, asphalt, masonry, wood, buildings, siding and other surfaces. Due to the high pressure, both pressure and power washers can remove dirt, mold, loose paint, mud, grime and many other types of debris fairly easily.

Stone patio being cleaned by powerwashing

The main difference is that power washers will allow you to use heated water, while pressure washers won’t. As a result, power washers can tackle many additional types of cleaning jobs. Both types of washers will let you add soap or cleaning agents.

What Can You Clean With a Power Washer?

A power washer is ideal for heavy-duty cleaning on surfaces that can handle the added heat. You can use your power washer for:

  • Large driveways: While a power-wash for your driveway is an a stone mailbox being cleaned with a power washernot ideal for concrete, if the surface can handle the temperature, it’s the right choice. A power wash for your driveway can make cleaning a large surface area relatively easy.
  • Organic debris: If you have an area with weeds, moss, mold, grease or caked-on mud, the heat from a power wash can help loosen what would be tough to clean by hand. If you have mold, moss or anything that tends to grow back, hot water and soap in a power washer can kill these types of buildup, making it harder for the issue to return.
  • Hard surfaces: Power washers are ideal for larger, stronger surfaces that can stand the heat. In general, test the washer on a small, inconspicuous spot first to make sure it won’t cause damage.

What Can I Clean With a Pressure Washer?

Pressure washers are best for surfaces that hot water can damage. While you can power wash concrete, for example, hot water is not always the best choice. A pressure washer can be a better option for cleaning brick, masonry and concrete.

Delicate surfaces are best served by pressure washers. While you can power wash patio furniture, for example, unless the items are very sturdy, a pressure washer with soap may be your best option.

A pressure washer is ideal for smaller areas and small patios, decks and walkways. It’s also the gentler choice for your home’s siding and for wood surfaces and tile as well as any other surfaces that could be damaged by heat.

More Tips for Pressure and Power Washing

You should not power wash or pressure wash anything delicate, including painted surfaces, sandstone, older surfaces, asphalt and stained wood. Professional cleaners have the nozzles and know-how to clean some of these surfaces with pressure washers, but it’s certainly not something to attempt unless you’re an expert.

You have a variety of choices when it comes to cleaners. Always read the directions and test the product on a small area. Harsh cleaners can cause as much damage as hot or pressurized water.

Why Hire a Professional for Power and Pressure Washing?

While you can buy your own power washer and pressure washer, professional power washing services use professional-grade washers and cleaning agents that can remove even more debris. If you have tough grime that even your own pressure or power washer can’t touch, professionals cleaners like the ones at Cyclone Professional Cleaners can help. The experts at Cyclone Professional Cleaners also have the know-how to clean your home properly without causing damage.

It can also be safer to leave it to the pros. Both pressure and power washers have a lot of force and can cause injury when they’re not used correctly. Power washers can cause burns, and both types of washers can cause hearing damage if you’re not careful. Working with Cyclone Professional Cleaners will remove all the risk from you and ensure a good result, so why not get a quote from Cyclone Professional Cleaners today?

The Hidden Secret to Crystal Clear Windows: When to Clean!

Whether you’re getting your windows professionally cleaned or doing the job yourself, you want the best results for your efforts or investment. But when is the best time to get your windows cleaned?

window cleaning service plano
Clear blue sky

What Is the Best Temperature for Cleaning Windows?

To decide on timing, you need to understand how temperature and weather affect window cleaning. In general, very hot temperatures aren’t ideal for window cleaning, since the cleaning solvent will evaporate quickly on the glass, making the process harder and potentially causing streaks or water spots. For the same reason, you don’t want to clean your windows when the sun is directly overhead.

It’s often best to clean windows when temperatures are between 64 degrees Fahrenheit and a temperature in the 70s. In other words, seek a day that’s not overly hot. For many, this means either a day in the fall or spring or a very early morning on a cooler day in summer.

How Cold Is Too Cold to Wash Windows?

Many people assume that washing windows in the winter is impossible, but that’s not the case. Of course, in Texas and other warm parts of the country, homeowners have the advantage of not usually worrying about freezing temperatures when they clean their windows.

Even in lower temperatures, it’s possible to get sparkling glass — you’ll just need to use car washing fluid, which won’t freeze in cold temperatures. You’ll also want to choose an overcast day so that the fluid won’t dry too quickly and leave streaks. Finally, you’ll want to wear gloves to protect your hands from the cold and from the cleaning agent.

Other Considerations for Timing Window Washing

In addition to season, timing a big window washing job depends on factors such as:

  • Upcoming events: If you have a big event coming up, you may want to make sure your home looks its best. If you have a wedding at your home, host a big party or are selling your home and want to have an open house, remember that it’s ideal to schedule cleaning a few days to a week before the event.
  • Where your home is located: If you’re located next to a busy street or highway, you may need to clean more often. If you live near a field, you may wish to have your windows washed in the summer to remove any pollen that ends up on your glass.
  • The weather: Some homeowners aim for late spring for washing their windows since that’s when the messiest weather is usually over and the results of a cleaning can last a long time. Usually, clean rain will not make cleaned windows dirty. You’ll want to make sure you clean on a day without heavy winds, however, so that your cleaning agent doesn’t get blown around.
  • Your personal needs: Some homeowners like to schedule yearly or quarterly window washings to keep their home clean. Others prefer a monthly schedule, which is what businesses use to keep their windows picture-perfect. Of course, if mud or some unforeseen event causes dirty windows between washings, you may need to schedule one outside of your regular routine.

Ready to Have Sparkling Windows?

If you want sparkling windows, you can tackle the project yourself or hire professional window cleaners, like the experts at Cyclone Professional Cleaners. A few advantages come with hiring Cyclone Professional Cleaners, including:

  • Professionals who have the tools to get the job done right: From special solvents to green cleaning options and tools to remove caked-on grime, the experts at Cyclone Professional Cleaners are stocked up and ready to help you enjoy a whole new view.
  • Elimination of injury risk: Climbing up on a ladder to clean windows can be quite dangerous. Professionals have the safety equipment and insurance to protect you and your home.
  • Experts who can help you get sparkling windows every time: The professionals at Cyclone Professional Cleaners have been taking care of windows since 2001. They understand how to treat vinyl, wood and other frames as well as how to tackle tough jobs. You won’t even have to worry about streaks or water spots!

If you’re ready to see sparkling windows, reach out to Cyclone Professional Cleaners to get a quote today.

The Surprising Advantages of Professional Carpet Cleaning

A man cleaning the carpets in a Plano Texas restaurant

You vacuum your carpet regularly, so you may think your floors are clean. But while vacuuming removes a lot of visible dirt, it can’t do the whole job. After you vacuum, dust mites, bacteria, viruses and other particles often remain behind. Non-commercial vacuums often don’t have the power to remove all the debris.

Luckily, there is a way to protect your carpet. Professional carpet cleaning provides the in-depth, effective and deep dirt removal you need. Why should you consider having your carpet professionally cleaned? Let’s take a closer look at why this method is so effective.

How Does Professional Carpet Cleaning Work?

We perform truck-mounted deep cleaning that relies on a hot water extraction machine to deep clean your carpet. Truck-mounted units offer the greatest level of efficiency. They remove more dust, debris and dirt than portable units. Other things you should know about the cleaning process include:

  • Our truck heats the water to a very high temperature — higher than you get with a steam cleaner you rent yourself. This primes your carpet for maximum dirt removal.
  • We use as many non-toxic, green cleaning materials as possible. These materials work just as well as non-green cleaning products, but they make less of an environmental impact.
  • Once the job is done, your carpet should be damp but not sopping wet. The carpet has been rinsed clean. Damp carpet (not sopping wet) from a professional cleaning is not harmful and doesn’t have time to create mold. You can use fans to speed up the drying process.
  • Professional carpet cleaners can remove many stains, but they can’t eliminate every one. It depends on what caused the stain and how long it sat. Talk to your carpet cleaner before they begin, so you have realistic expectations about what they can remove.

A good carpet cleaner, such as Cyclone Professional Cleaners, can answer any questions you have about the cleaning process before they get started.

Person Cleaning Carpet With Vacuum Cleaner

 

What are the Benefits of Professional Carpet Cleaning?

Now you understand the need for professional cleaning and how the process works. You’ll also receive advantages from professional carpet cleaning, such as:

Better Indoor Air Quality

Professionally cleaning your carpets can preserve the air quality in your home or business. Allergens like dust mites in the air land on the carpet and attach to the fibers. Unlike on wood floors, when carpet is walked on, the dust gets further pushed down and not kicked back up into the air.

The carpet essentially traps dust mites, skin cells, pet hair, dirt and more, leaving less in the air to irritate the lungs. As with any filter, it needs to be cleaned or it will break down. Regular weekly and monthly vacuuming is the first way to rid the carpet of pollutants.

Preserving Your Warranty

Many carpet companies require you to get regular professional cleaning to maintain your warranty. Read over the warranty to see if it will be voided if you fail to schedule regular professional cleanings. You may need them every 12, 18 or 24 months. Save the receipt from your professional cleaning, so you can prove you had it done should you need to use the warranty.

Carpets Can Fade and Deteriorate More Quickly Without Professional Cleaning

Fibers in your carpet will break down faster if you do not get them professionally cleaned. Dust, dirt and pet dander can compromise the quality of the fibers. When you get your carpets cleaned, the professionals get deep into the carpet and remove these things, so they can’t break down the fibers.

Steam Cleaning on Your Own Can Go Terribly Wrong

While you may be tempted to rent a steam cleaner yourself and do the job, this money-saving strategy can go wrong. Using the steam cleaner incorrectly can result in soap residue remaining which attracts dirt or sopping wet carpet.

Protection Against Allergies

Do you or someone in your home or office suffer from allergies? Then you should have your carpets professionally cleaned to remove allergens that can prompt irritation. Whenever someone walks across the carpet, they send dust mites and other allergens into the air. Eliminating them is the only way to protect against allergies.

Removing Pet Hair and Dander

You love your pet, but you don’t love all the hair it leaves behind around the home. Professional carpet cleaning can remove the hair and dander you miss when you do your weekly vacuuming. Our deep-cleaning methods can rid the carpet of pet-related odors as well as stains. Our services remove vomit, urine and feces left in carpet by your pets.

Why Get Professional Carpet Cleaning?

Professional carpet cleaning does more than just remove debris. It can also lift stains set into the carpet and eliminate the signs of everyday wear and tear that develop in office and home carpeting. You see those signs every day, yet you may not even think about them because you’re so used to it.

Shoes wear down carpet fibers and carry pieces of dirt on them. If you haven’t had your carpets professionally cleaned, you may see a dirty streak where people walk on the carpet. You can trace the path people take most frequently across the room by the tread and wear on the carpet.

Carpeting represents a large monetary investment. You don’t want to pay to replace it, but that’s another reason to opt for professional cleaning — the carpet will last longer if it is well-maintained.

If you have dark-colored carpets, you may not see the need for professional cleaning. The dark coloring masks stains and dirt that can accumulate over time. People with light carpets will notice these things more quickly. In an office, it can be embarrassing for clients to see dirty carpet when you want to present a professional appearance. Click here for commercial carpet cleaning services for your business!

Tips on Keeping Your Carpet Cleaned for Longer

Learning how to maintain a clean carpet after a deep clean will help you protect your investment and keep your purchase looking its best as long as possible. Here’s what you should do after you’ve had your carpet professionally cleaned:

  • Leave all shoes at the door: One of the best ways to protect your carpet is to ask everyone to leave their shoes at the door. It’s more sanitary and can prevent people from tracking pollen, pebbles, grass and many other types of debris and allergens into your carpet. The no-shoes rule also protects the pile of the carpet. It means small stones won’t be able to get caught in the carpet and cause tears, and shoes can’t grind the material down. Invest in rubber mats to place in front of the door, where people can leave their shoes.
  • Show extra care to high-traffic areas: Consider putting down rugs or runners in high-traffic areas, which naturally show more wear and stains.
  • Vacuum your carpet: Set up a regular vacuum schedule or program a robot vacuum to regularly clean your floors. Frequent vacuuming removes dust, small particles and debris before it can get ground into the carpet and cause damage. If possible, use a HEPA vacuum and replace filters regularly to ensure that even tiny debris is removed. Aim to vacuum at least once a week — more often if you have pets.
  • Manage the air quality in your home: Replace your air or furnace filters regularly to make sure your air is clean. If you live in an area with lots of dust or urban pollution, consider investing in an air purifier. Air filters should be changed every 30 days if you have pets and every 60 days if you don’t.
  • Consider your pets: Cats and dogs can shed fur or even track in dirt from the outside. If you have dogs or pets who go outside, get into the habit of wiping down their paws when they come in. Groom your pet’s fur regularly, and keep nails trimmed to prevent damage to your carpets.
  • Tackle stains at once: If you spill something, soak up the stain right away by blotting (never rubbing) with a white cloth or paper towel. After you’ve absorbed the liquid, use a stain remover at once before the color sets. Get familiar with your manufacturer’s care directions so that you understand how to remove stains, and keep the approved stain removers on hand at all times so you never have to let a stain set. If you’re using a new stain remover, test it on an inconspicuous part of the carpet first.

How Effective Is Professional Carpet Cleaning? See for Yourself

At Cyclone Professional Cleaners, we offer professional carpet cleaning services in Dallas, Plano, Frisco and surrounding areas in Texas. Get in touch today to request a quote, or call 972-390-8700 to discuss our services and learn more about our 30-day workmanship guarantee.

3 Benefits of Green and Organic Cleaning

What does green cleaning mean and why is it beneficial to use green cleaning products? If you’re not familiar with green cleaning and haven’t used a service that uses these products before, it may benefit you to learn a little more about the importance of green cleaning.

1. Green Products Are Healthier

Not just for the environment, but for you. When you have a green cleaner in your home or office, you know that the products they are using to clean your property are not full of toxins that could harm you or members of your family and pets, if not in the short-term, then the long-term.

Common household cleaners can cause rashes, respiratory problems, eye inflammation, headaches and even more serious ailments with prolonged exposure. Common household cleaners include ingredients such as ammonia, ethylene glycol monobutyl acetate, sodium hypochlorite and/or trisodium phosphate.

2. Green Products Are Kinder to the Environment

Even if sustainable cleaning products weren’t the smart choice for you, there is a larger ecosystem to consider. Cleaners who use organic products have a reduced impact on the environment with respect to water pollution, air pollution, even ozone depletion and climate change.

We know by now that civilization has been polluting the ecosystem for years, and we are only now beginning to start repairing the damage. Using green products ensures we’re doing our part to not add pollutants to the environment. This helps ensure there will still be a habitable world for our children and their children to enjoy.

3. Green Cleaning Products Work

Clean bath tub before and after

The worst part about common household cleaners that use harsh chemical cleansing agents is that it is not necessary. In the hands of skilled and professional cleaners, organic cleaning products can work just as well if not better than the ones that are full of toxic chemicals.

We would like to encourage you to replace the cleaning agents in your home with safer, healthier organic cleansers, and you can be sure that when you hire us to clean your home or business, our green techniques will have your property looking fantastic without subjecting you to toxic chemicals.

What Makes a Cleaning Product Green?

There’s no standard definition for a green cleaning product. Most of them exhibit several or all of these traits:

  • Biodegradable
  • Not toxic to algae and fish
  • Recyclable packaging
  • Does not impact animals’ breathing or skin in laboratory tests
  • Limited amount of phosphorus

Organizations such as Safer Choice and Green Seal screen products to see if the claims they make are true. You can feel confident about using products with these logos.

Green Cleaning Products Have Science Behind Them

Since people became more aware of environmental impacts over the past two decades, cleaning product manufacturers have scrambled to use fewer chemicals and more natural ingredients in their products.

They have done the research to support claims of cleaning better and faster than non-green products. The government regulates product packaging and advertising, so companies cannot make claims about their products they can’t prove. Third-party certification, through a consumer advocate group, is often rigorous. You can trust products that have been tested to do what they claim to do.

The proof is in the continued marketing and expansion of these products. Companies won’t produce things that don’t sell, and to sell, a product has to do what it claims to do, in this case, clean well. Green products keep selling because they work, and so companies keep making them.

Still not convinced? There’s a long history of using “green” products for cleaning even before we called them green. Baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice and other natural cleaning products do an excellent job of cutting through grease, eliminating odors and cleaning windows. They make no negative impact on the environment, and the more simple the ingredients in a cleanser, the less they could hurt their surroundings.

Common Household Cleaners vs Green Cleaning Products

Studies have shown green cleaning products produce the same results as their non-green equivalents. Often it takes time for people to accept new products.

Green products are also not as widely available as non-green products. It takes time to get them on store shelves, and some are more expensive than non-green equivalents. That means fewer people use green products, which can cause suspicion and reduce word of mouth.

Among those who have used both green and non-green products, including Cyclone Professional Cleaners, it’s clear that one is just as good as the other. Plus, we feel good about doing our part to preserve the environment when we use green products.

Cyclone Professional Cleaners Uses Green Cleaning Products

We use biodegradable and phosphate-free carpet cleaning shampoos and other low-toxicity or toxin-free chemical products throughout your home or office. You can enjoy our thorough cleaning without worrying about the health and safety of your pets, your children or yourself.

Cyclone Professional Cleaners are a Better Business Bureau-approved business with an A+ rating and a family-owned and operated company dedicated to building a community of satisfied customers throughout the Plano, Texas area and beyond. For a fair and accurate estimate of our various green cleaning services for your home or business, please contact Cyclone Professional Cleaners today.

Should You Clean or Replace The Carpet In Your Home?

You know the signs. Maybe your carpet is faded and brown or maybe it just doesn’t work with the room anymore. You need to do something. But is it time to clean or replace?

Carpet replacement can be time-consuming and costly, so if you can avoid it, you probably want to. At the same time, you don’t want to pay for a full carpet cleaning and still not have your carpet look good at the end. So how do you know if it’s time to clean or replace that carpet?

The below tips can help you determine which would be better for your situation, and you can count on Cyclone Professional Cleaners for your carpet cleaning.

When Can I Have My Carpets Cleaned? 

Sometimes all your carpet needs is a deep clean with best-in-class equipment. Consider cleaning when your: 

Allergies flare up: Carpets collect dust, dirt, pet dander and other allergens that can exacerbate your indoor allergies.

Carpets look dull: If your rugs look lackluster, cleaning may help. To test, move your furniture and compare the regions.  

Mats have light staining: Certain stains, like pet or mud stains, may require professional carpet cleaning. 

Annual cleaning is due: Your carpet should be expertly cleaned at least once a year.

When Do I Need to Buy New Carpets? 

Professional cleaning can be enough to spruce up an area. Other times, replacement may be better. Signs that you should replace your carpet include:

The Carpet Has Permanent Stains: Most times, you can get stains out of a carpet with a professional cleaning. But there are some stains that even the most high-powered industrial steam cleaning machines won’t be able to lift once they set in. Bleach stains, for example, are here to stay — as are mustard stains, tea stains and certain others. Additionally, mold and mildew can penetrate the carpet padding, causing marks and streaking. If you have many stains like this, or just one or two but you absolutely cannot tolerate them, you are going to have to replace.

 

The Carpet is Matted & Crushed: If your carpet pile is matted down all over, a cleaning will help with dirt, but the fibers may not stand. When the carpet is matted down, it means you have crushed the fibers and they are not going to bounce back. Note: This mostly refers to polyester carpets. Nylon carpets do have some ability to rebound, so if you have a matted nylon carpet, you may want to give professional cleaning a shot.

 

Torn areas: If large areas are ripped or puckering, replacing your carpet may be required.

 

Lingering odors: Even the most skilled cleaners and state-of-the-art equipment cannot remove some smells. Consider replacing your carpets if there are odors, like smoke or residual odors from water damage.

The Carpet is Old: Some types of carpet have longer warranties than others. With yearly maintenance, carpet can appear younger than it is. However, it also depends on wear from traffic and if you can live with stains that won’t lift. Depending on what type of carpet you have, it may be time to evaluate if you want to replace the carpet or not. A general rule for mid-grade carpet life is ten years. If your carpet is less than ten years old, has a few of the more traditional stains and isn’t matted down, you have a good candidate for carpet cleaning to extend its life.

How Often Should I Replace My Carpets? 

The average lifetime of your carpet is between eight to 10 years. Replace your old carpet if you notice:

Puckering

Rippling

Thinning 

Permanent staining

Water damage/Mold/Mildew

Lingering smells 

Ripping 

Carpet Cleaning vs. Replacement Cost Difference

Regular maintenance helps your carpet last longer and is more cost-efficient, but even the best quality carpet experiences wear. On average, replacing your carpet costs about $1,800, with stairs costing $4 to $12 per square foot.

How Do I Decide Whether to Clean or Replace My Carpet?

In summary, if your carpet is dull-looking or hasn’t been cleaned in a year, it is time for a professional cleaning, especially if you find your allergies flaring up or spot in light stains. On the other hand, if your carpet is damaged from water, smoke, bleach, or age, a replacement may be the best for you.

Contact Cyclone Professional Cleaners for Expert, Green Carpet Cleaning 

If you’re looking for carpet cleaning for your home or cleaning for your office carpets in and around the Plano, Texas area, the only name you need to know is Cyclone Professional Cleaners. Our family-owned carpet cleaning service is the best-rated in Plano, with the biggest truck-mounted steam cleaning machines in the Dallas area and state-of-the-art Rotovac cleaning wands. We can have all types of carpets looking almost-new in virtually no time at all.

When it’s time for carpet replacement, it’s time. Until then, there’s Cyclone Professional Cleaners. For through, environmentally-friendly carpet cleaning that you’re going to love, contact Cyclone today.