​If you are hosting for the holidays, you may feel overwhelmed. But there are some things you can do right now to prepare.
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• Plan the menu & agenda  Figure out what you are cooking and what everyone else will bring, plan entertainment (games, activities, music), & write out a basic agenda centered on meal time.
• Stock up  Go ahead and purchase non-perishable items on your menu, any supplies needed for activities, and lots of toilet paper/soap/paper towels/tissues.
• Clean  Start now with deep cleaning the rooms that will be occupied, then keep up with basic weekly cleanings until the event. Call and schedule any carpet/duct cleaning needed to freshen things up before the guests arrive.
• Decorate  Once your space is clean, it is time to dress it up. You might even want to create some unique DIY decorations that will also serve as conversation starters. Upcycle old decor by adding new elements or start fresh with a trip to the hobby store.

​If you start early, you can take your time and have fun with holiday planning and prep. 

Enjoy!

It's that time of year! Though it may not feel like it, spring is here. And though you may not feel like it, it is time to clean. You will be so glad you did, because having a clean place lowers stress and is a great way to maintain the value of your home and belongings. Having a team and a list helps this task feel achievable, so get the family (or friends) on board and get started.

• Declutter (don't forget closets, drawers, cabinets, etc.)
• Dust (from the top of the room down to the floor)
• Vacuum thoroughly
• Wash windows, screens, and window treatments
• Clean appliances (including dryer duct)
• Reseal grout lines
• Wax/polish wood/metal/leather surfaces as directed
• Have air ducts professionally cleaned (Call Spectrum)
• Have upholstery professionally cleaned (Call Spectrum)
• Have carpet and area rugs professionally cleaned (Call Spectrum)

Notice that Spectrum professionals can perform several of these tasks for you. We want to be a part of your cleaning team! Contact us for advice or to schedule an appointment.

Happy spring! 

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It’s the holiday season! While you are home, it’s so nice to have some holiday scents going on, and you probably won’t be baking ALL of the time. There is no better way to spread holiday cheer than… Stove top potpourri!

Here is a sample recipe. You don’t need to be exact and can make substitutions or omissions as needed.
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Who knows what's on your shoes at the end of the day? Some possibilities are dirt, pollen, oil, coal tar, antifreeze, lawn chemicals, and fecal matter. Yuck! And without realizing it, these intruders often get a free ticket into your home.
 
Here are two ways to help contain these home intruders:
 
1.     Invest in doormats, one inside the door and one outside. These will help trap some particles on the bottom of your shoes. Remember to vacuum these often!
2.     Have a shoe storage bin near the door. This will keep your shoes, and their contaminants, off the floor and out of sight, decluttering your home and keeping it cleaner!
 
Following these tips can improve the life of your floors and the air quality in your home!

Carpet cleaning may not be on your radar during this icy and snowy winter season.  Why clean the carpets when family and guests will track mud and salt residue in each day?  It turns out there are several good reasons to get your carpets professionally cleaned during the winter, and there are also steps you can add to your home cleaning routine to protect your floors and improve your health.

1. The air is dryer.  This means that your carpets will dry faster after a hot water extraction cleaning method.  During the summer, there is a lot more moisture in the air, and a wet carpet cleaning can lead to mold growth or mildew in the carpet.

2. There aren’t as many allergens in the air.  During the summer months, the air is filled with pollen, molds, and other allergens.  Removing the allergens during the winter months will help you manage allergy symptoms more effectively and keep pollen counts in your home from getting out of control.  Also, you’re probably spending a lot more time inside your home than you might in warmer weather.  Removing allergens, toxins, and bacteria will help you stay healthier during the winter months.

3. Cost is Lower.  Because winter tends to be a slower season for carpet cleaning, we usually have specials and incentives that may not be available during the spring, summer, and fall. 

Aside from obtaining a professional carpet cleaning, there are several things that you should do to keep your home and carpet in top shape. 

First, use runners and area rugs whenever possible.  Keeping the snow, soot, and debris off your carpet is the most effective option for prolonging the life of your carpet.  When they get too dirty, you can either remove the rugs or have them professionally cleaned.  We offer rug cleaning services at your home, or we are able to clean them at our office.  We even offer pick up and delivery services for rug cleanings.

Second, do not wear shoes inside.  Studies show that shoes are powerhouses for bacteria and toxins, and keeping them out of your living (and breathing) environment will help you remain healthier.  Containing the snow/mud to one room in your home will also make clean up easier.

Lastly, have a protective coating applied to your carpet during professional cleanings.  While there is an additional cost for the protective coating, it will make spills, stains, and even snow-related messes easily wiped up.  Your carpet will stay cleaner and last longer.

The office Christmas party was a smashing success!  Employees competed against one another in "Reindeer Games."  One of the games featured teams of two putting ballons inside hosiery in order to create reindeer antlers.  The winner of the game received dinner and tickets to the Blue's game!  We are thankful for our hardworking teammembers who always go the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction.  Great work, and we are looking forward to a magical 2017 with all of you!

​When you spill something on your carpet and see discoloration, you probably panic and start trying to get it out.  You probably aren’t worried about classifying the blemish on your carpet as a “spot” or a “stain.”  But maybe you should, because the distinction makes a difference.

Spots.  A “spot” refers to a soil, oil, or other materials that attach to the carpet fiber and attract dirt and other substances.  “Spots” are not chemically bonded to carpet fiber and can be removed more easily than stains.  However, if not promptly removed, a spot can become a stain.  Therefore, it is critical to deal with a spot as soon as possible.  First, attempt to blot any liquid from the spot.  After soaking up any excess liquid, use plain tap water to gently blot the remaining discoloration.  If you notice the discoloration spreading or not improving, stop and call our office for instructions.  After a spot is removed, it may reappear.  This is called “wicking”, and it occurs when a substance soaks into the backing of the carpet and slowly works back up to the fibers in the top of the carpet.  If a spot reappears, repeat the process described above for                                                                                         removing a spot.

                                                                                   Stains.  A “stain” refers to discoloration of the carpet fiber due to a substance embedding into or                                                                                       chemically bonding to the carpet fiber.  Stains are often permanent and must be removed by a                                                                                            professional.  

For some of us, the scariest thing that will happen this Halloween is having a guest spill their drink on the carpet.  Carpet stains might be your nightmare, but there are steps you can take before calling a professional in that will help you get better results.  

​Remember that carpet is made up of different materials, and carpets and rugs with natural fibers or dyes may require special treatment.  Always follow the care instructions provided by the carpet manufacturer.  That said, here are some tips to keep in mind when trying to clean up a spill before calling a professional to complete stain removal:

1. Don’t delay!  Acting quickly will help keep the stain from setting into the carpet, making it harder to remove.
2. Using a white paper towel, gently blot the spill to soak up excess moisture.  Don’t push too hard and don’t rub the stain.  Doing this will drive the liquid further down into the carpet.
3. Depending on what caused the stain, you may need to use a butter knife or comb to remove any solid pieces that may be in the stain.
4. Never use a circular motion when attempting to remove stains, as it can destroy the texture of the carpet.
5. Having us apply carpet protectant during regularly scheduled carpet cleanings.  Carpet protectant will prevent stains from setting, making them easier to remove.
6. Call our office at (636) 680-5555 as soon as possible.  Be prepared to tell us the source of the stain and when it happened, so that we can prepare our technicians to do the best job possible.  Time is of the essence.

Most importantly, relax and have a fun and safe Halloween!  Take comfort in knowing that your carpet cleaning needs are safe in our hands!