Recent Cleaning Posts
Does your home smell like... Dog?
6/5/2018 (Permalink)
How to Eliminate Dog Odor
Summer weather is here and it is finally time to let the dog outside! For many of us living in Northwest Iowa our dogs are part of the family. Whether Fido is our hunting, walking, or riding buddy there is no amount of love that can make up for their doggy scent left behind on the furniture, the carpet the back seat of your car and even your clothes!
Now that the warm weather has finally arrived, the door is open and Fido is out of the house, the smell seems to hang around! With family coming around for the occasional get-together we are here to offer some tips on keeping your house smelling clean!
How to Eliminate Dog Odor
- Start off by taking all of the furniture apart – pillows, blankets and the like – and vacuuming everything thoroughly. If the sofa and chairs have removable slipcovers or cushion covers, take those off for washing. Get into the crevices of the furniture as deep as possible to remove all the hair, and flip the bed mattress to get both sides. On the floors, make sure to get under all of the furniture and in the corners, where “hair bunnies” tend to gather.
- On the carpets, bed and furniture, sprinkle baking soda liberally, using a cleaning brush to spread it around and into the fabric. Let it all sit overnight so that the baking soda has a chance to absorb the odors. Follow up by vacuuming all of the baking soda from the bed, carpet and furnishings and returning the bed linens and cushion covers or slipcovers to the furniture.
If your cleaning requires more than you can do, bring your furniture or rugs by your local SERVPRO of Spencer & Iowa Great Lakes! We will help you get your summer started off fresh!
Time for Celebrating and Cleaning House
4/12/2018 (Permalink)
Our professional residential cleaning services can also make a dirty carpet "Like it never even happened."
??SPRING (when it gets here * hint of sarcasm*) ??
A time for celebrating and cleaning house!
Preparing your home in anticipation of the attendance of multiple guests for graduation parties moves us into a frenzy to clean anything and everything, carpets included.
Has planning a graduation party got your TO DO list out of control? Let SERVPRO of Spencer and Iowa Great Lakes help! Call us for all your cleaning needs.
There is still time to call and schedule your carpet cleaning, tile and grout cleaning or upholstery cleaning before your graduation parties.
SERVPRO of Spencer & Iowa Great Lakes proudly serves the Spencer, Okoboji, Storm Lake, Lake Park, Jackson and surrounding areas.
You know SERVPRO as a leader in Fire and Water Cleanup and Restoration, but our professional residential cleaning services can also make a dirty carpet "Like it never even happened."
Green Means Clean
3/9/2018 (Permalink)
Environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cleaning methods.
We would like to introduce our new line of Green Cleaning Products. SERVPRO® Industries, Inc. is a member of the EPA’s Design for Environment (EPA/DFE) initiative. As a member company, SERVPRO® can access the listing known formally as CleanGredients.
The EPA/DFE has established a set of criteria for formulating environmentally friendly cleaning products. With the assistance of larger chemical companies the EPA/DFE has put together a listing of safe cleaning components that can be used in Green cleaning formulations.
From the listing a formulation can be derived that incorporates “green” chemistry. The initiative is designed to allow chemical formulators a resource to formulate environmentally friendly cleaning products using environmentally friendly raw materials. We have formulated three Green Cleaning Products that will allow us to complete all your cleaning tasks. The products are as follows:
WINDOW GREEN CLEAN
Window Green Clean is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional glass cleaners. It is formulated without the use of solvents or ammonia and contains no dyes or fragrances. It is formulated with components that meet or exceed Green Seal and the EPA Design for the Environment guidelines. All components are considered safe, non-toxic, phosphate free, zero VOC’s and rapidly bio-degradable. The product is designed to clean all types of glass surfaces leaving them shiny clean and streak-free.
SERVPRO TIPS AND TRICKS:
Can also be used as a general purpose hard surface cleaner. Use it as a pre-spotter for various types of water stable upholstered furniture. Ideal glass cleaner for tinted windows or stained glass.
ALL SURFACE GREEN CLEAN
All Surface Green Clean is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional hard surface cleaners. It is pH neutral, contains no dyes or fragrances, and is formulated with components that meet or exceed Green Seal and the EPA Design for the Environment guidelines. All components are safe, non-toxic, phosphate free, VOC compliant and rapidly bio-degradable. The product is designed as a one product cleans all for hard surfaces that can be wiped or mopped. It can safely be used on walls, ceilings, countertops, floors, etc.
SERVPRO TIPS AND TRICKS:
For stubborn soot apply product, allow ~ 10 minute dwell time and then rinse clean.
Mix with hot water and apply while warm for best results.
CARPET & UPHOLSTERY GREEN CLEAN
Carpet & Upholstery Green Clean is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional carpet & upholstery cleaning products. It is pH neutral, contains no dyes or fragrances, and is formulated with components that meet or exceed Green Seal and the EPA Design for the Environment guidelines. All components are safe, non-toxic, phosphate free, VOC compliant and rapidly biodegradable.
The product is designed as a one product does all. It can safely be used on both carpets and upholstery. It can be used as a spotting agent, pre-spray, in-tank emulsifier and bonnet cleaner. It contains an environmentally friendly polymer that resists re-soiling and also an acid dye blocker that will assist in keeping various acid dyes such as Kool-Aid from setting into nylon carpet.
SERVPRO TIPS AND TRICKS:
Use same dilutions for cleaning upholstery. Be sure upholstery is water stable before cleaning.
Safe for wool and other natural fibers.
Eliminating Car Odors with Ozone
2/17/2018 (Permalink)
Ozone rids offensive odors in the environment rather than merely filtering out some of the visible particles like other “air cleaners”.
If you are having odor issues in your car you can use ozone to efficiently and effectively oxidize (breakdown) any organic matter, killing the odor at its source. This is a great option to rid your vehicle of the stench of tobacco smoke and can even take care of the famous northwest Iowa farm smell – you know the one, it smells like money, but it’s a pain when it lingers in your car!
Here are the steps our staff takes when we ozone a vehicle:
- First, all rubber components on your console will be rubbed down with an Armor Guard product. If you have leather seats, we will apply a leather conditioner.
- Then we roll up the windows with the ozone machine placed and sealed through one of the windows. We then turn on the ozone machine and let it run for 15 minutes with your air conditioner running so that it cycles through your entire air system.
- We then turn off the vehicle and allow the ozone machine to run for an additional 30 minutes.
- After we run through that complete cycle, we turn off the machine and open all windows to ventilate the car for about 20 minutes.
After we complete the ozone your car is ready for pick-up – or we can detail the vehicle. We can also treat the upholstery and deodorize with lemon fresh mister on the floor of the vehicle.
To Schedule an ozone please contact us at (712) 262-4379 or email office@SERVPROspencer.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does Ozone Handle Tobacco Smoke?
It eliminates the irritation caused by phenol gasses, by oxidizing them. Phenol gasses are the invisible part of tobacco smoke that cause such offensive odors, and discomfort to one’s eyes and nasal passages.
Ozone rids offensive odors in the environment rather than merely filtering out some of the visible particles like other “air cleaners”.
Is Ozone Safe?
Yes! Ozone is safe when used properly. There is no reason to fear ozone. Yes, breathing in overly high levels of ozone is not good for you. But low levels of ozone are all around us, and are safe to breathe.
What is Ozone?
When the oxygen (O2) that is all around us rises to the upper atmosphere, and is exposed to the sun's ultraviolet rays, that oxygen is naturally turned into ozone (O3). That is the "ozone layer" that protects us from the sun's harmful UV rays. Since ozone is heavier than air, it falls back to earth. This is the ozone that naturally purifies our air and water. Because it is made up entirely of oxygen, ozone is sometimes called "activated oxygen". Ozone occurs commonly in nature as a result of lightning strikes during thunderstorms. Ozone is also created by waterfalls. The “fresh, clean, spring rain” smell you notice after a storm results from natures creation of ozone.
Ozone is O3, three atoms of oxygen linked together, rather than the two atoms of oxygen, O2, we normally breathe. O3 Ozone is not smog
While some people mistakenly refer to ozone as smog, smog is actually a combination of hydrocarbons, the being CO2 CO, and SO2 that react with UV rays from the sun to form nitric oxides (NOX). These hydrocarbons are most commonly created by the exhaust that comes from automobiles.
The three atom form of oxygen is a naturally occurring compound in the earth’s atmosphere. The life cycle of ozone is: generation, oxidation, return to oxygen.
Ozone cannot be stored or transported because of its unstable tendency to break down quickly, so ozone must be generated on site. Because gaseous ozone is highly reactive, it readily oxidizes (breaks down) organic matter. When the ozone encounters another compound, one oxygen atom will break away, attach itself to the compound, and oxidize it. Ozone actually breaks down odor-causing compounds, thereby eliminating the odor and changing the ozone back to oxygen (O2).
One of the best features of ozone is its ability to control odors by attacking the offending organisms.
We have commercial grade ozone machines that we can use to eliminate odors.
Think Outside the Box (of Chocolates) This Year!
1/31/2018 (Permalink)
Who wouldn’t want a cleaning service Gift Certificate for Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day is more than simply a day for romance. It is a day to tell those you love how much you care. By finding unique ways to express your feelings, you tell the special people in your life that they are worth thinking about and finding a unique and thoughtful gift that is designed just for them. Professional cleaning can be just that kind of gift and for a limited time SERVPRO of Spencer and Iowa Great Lakes is offering discount gift certificates!
Say I love you with the gift of freedom from those pesky chores and order your loved one a professional cleaning from SERVPRO of Spencer & Iowa Great Lakes. You’ll be sending them a message that he/she deserves a rest.
Call us at (712) 262-4379
Just Because Package - Save $20
Who wouldn’t want a cleaning service Gift Certificate for Valentine’s Day?
Give that special someone the help he/she needs.
3 hours pro cleaning with 2 technicians.*
$250 + tax
The Ahhh! Package - Save $50
Nice gift for your sweetheart!
3 hours pro cleaning with 2 technicians.*
+ Carpet Cleaning Up to 350 SQFT
+ Upholstery Cleaning - Couch & Love Seat
$450 + tax
The WOW! Package - Save $100
Wow your sweetheart with this dynamic package that keeps on giving.
12 hours pro cleaning with 2 technicians.*
+ Wine Gift Basket
+ Assorted Candies
$999 + tax
The Sweetheart Package - Save $200
What’s better than a clean house year-round?!
24 hours pro cleaning with 2 technicians.*
+ Bottle of wine/champagne
+ 2 wine/champagne glasses
+ Assorted chocolates
$1999 + tax
* Terms and Conditions for All Packages. Must be scheduled in at least 3 hour increments with 2 technicians. Service can be performed on date requested by recipient. Booking will be based on availability. Additional mileage fees apply outside of service area. To schedule a cleaning using gift certificates from these packages you must purchase package first and then call (712) 262-4379 to schedule. All gift certificates are non-refundable and must be used in its entirety within 14 months of purchase.
What Sets Us Apart From Other “Cleaners”
11/14/2017 (Permalink)
SERVPRO Industries, Inc. is a member of the EPA’s Design for Environment (DFE) program.
We are proud to be able to work with some of the best cleaning products which are exclusive to the SERVPRO brand. These professional-grade cleaning products are formulated to be environmentally friendly, and more importantly safe and effective to use in your home or business.
Here are just a few of the common products we may use at a jobsite:
- Carpet & Upholstery Green Clean is a product designed for cleaning both carpet and upholstery. It is truly a “one product does all” in that it can be used as a spotter, pre-spray, in-line cleaner for both truck mount and portable equipment, and in low-moisture bonnet cleaning. The product is pH neutral, biodegradable, contains no phosphates, solvents, dyes or fragrances.
- All Surface Green Clean is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional surface cleaners. It is pH neutral, contains no dyes or fragrances. All components are safe, non-toxic, phosphate free, Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) compliant and rapidly bio-degradable. The product is designed as a one product cleans all for surfaces that can be wiped or mopped. It can safely be used on walls, ceilings, countertops, floors, etc. The exclusive formulation contains both ionic and non-ionic surfactants that are naturally derived and provide excellent multi-functional cleaning.
- Window Green Clean is an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional glass cleaners. It is pH neutral, contains no dyes or fragrances. All components are safe, non-toxic, phosphate free, VOC-compliant and rapidly biodegradable. The product comes ready to use and is formulated with soft water to eliminate spotting and streaking.
Setting the Stage for Your Property
11/13/2017 (Permalink)
Let us give your house a special edge to make it show at its very best!
Do you have a home on the market to sell or are you thinking of selling your home? Let us give your house a special edge to make it show at its very best!
Cleanliness is the first thing buyers notice about a property, and a clean home instantly communicates value. So whether you are showing a fix-it-up foreclosure, a newly updated property, or a brand new dream, cleaning services are your secret to success.
Market Ready
A home must be clean BEFORE it goes on the market. Sometimes it becomes the realtor's job to get that home spic and span before taking pictures for a listing or inviting prospective buyers to view the property. Using a professional cleaning service can help speed up that process.
A Clean Move-in
A clean home is the least your client deserves for their exciting move-in. It’s a great idea for realtors to make it their policy to schedule move-in cleanings for all their properties. Clients won’t forget the gesture and you will build a reputation of excellence and generosity among your peers.
Post-Construction Cleaning
A brand new property sounds like it would be clean, right? Wrong. Even new homes gather debris, while contractors strive to leave their projects clean and complete, a bit of construction dust is inevitable. A cleaning service can be ideal to tidy up the dust of construction
SERVPRO of Spencer & Iowa Great Lakes offers deep cleaning, regular visits, and move-in cleaning specifically for your clients. Our services can be the perfect gift, and your client will remember your personal touch when recommending realtors to their friends.
When to use SERVPRO Real Estate
- open houses
- showings and closing day
- new homes – post construction clean up
- vacation rental properties (seasonal cleaning)
- gift for your clients
Types of cleaning offered by SERVPRO
- Window cleaning
- Multi-unit properties
- Concrete cleaning
- Cobweb removal
- Professional carpet cleaning
- Nicotine cleaning
- Garage cleaning
- Upholstery cleaning
- Deodorization - including dog and cat smells
Holiday Cleaning Can Be Pain, Don't Stress Let Us Help
10/24/2017 (Permalink)
House cleaning for the holidays offered by SERVPRO of Spencer & Iowa Great Lakes.
The time for family and friend gatherings are just around the corner. You may be planning for frenzied football fun, for tempting Thanksgiving feasts, or just quiet times of solitude. Part of the preparation for the fall season is a clean home.
Let SERVPRO of Spencer & Iowa Great Lakes ease some of that burden with our excellent carpet cleaning service. Whether you need some annual cleaning, spot treatment, or want to get that pet odor out of the rug just before your in-laws come in, we are here to help. If you would prefer to wait until after your nieces and nephews track in mud and dirt after playing all day in the yard, we can help with that as well.
Our crew can also help with general cleanings such as bathrooms, kitchens - all to get your home in tip-top shape before company arrives.
But don’t wait until the last minute, remember that the quality carpet cleaning companies like ours book up quickly around the holidays, and just after, so make sure you call and book in advance.
Call and schedule your appointment today! (712) 262-4379
24/7 Emergency Service