Page 25 - AAA Every Day – AAA Hudson Valley – March/April 2022

Spring Cleaning
With The Professionals
DISCOUNT DIGEST
Get tips from AAA Discount Partner Certified Water, Smoke and Fire Restoration Services.
By now (hopefully) winter coats and boots no longer clutter the entry, snow shovels are tucked away in the garage, trees are beginning to bud and you are sensing the need to open the windows, pick up a broom and begin this season’s rite of passage ... spring cleaning.
Every day the team at Certified Water, Smoke and Fire Restoration Services is called to provide cleaning services for home disasters such as floods, smoke damage or mold. Many of the same procedures and principles of cleaning that professionals follow can be applied to cleaning at your own house. Here are some thoughts for making your spring cleaning a success:
BEFORE YOU START
To be efficient as well as thorough, Certified recommends the following actions before starting your cleaning project.
Gather supplies
• Clean cloths, sponges and paper towels • Cleaning solutions • Vacuum, mop and broom • Trash bags
Make a plan
• Plan to clean one room at a time and decide where you want to start. • Plan to clean each area in a similar fashion. We train our cleaners to clean “Ceilings, walls, floors, out the door.” This ensures you don’t miss anything and starting at the top and working your way down means that dust and debris from cleaning fans or high surfaces are forced downward and removed in the final step of cleaning the floor.
Tidy up and declutter
• Wash and put away dishes • Make beds (or better yet, strip the linens and put them in the laundry) • Pick up dirty laundry • Put away miscellaneous items
Open the windows for a bit to exchange the air, if weather permits.
WHAT TO CLEAN
On the majority of cleaning jobs, Certified is required to clean every item and every surface. Here are a few things to think about having on your spring-cleaning list.
• Dust for cobwebs • Vacuum and wipe ceilings and walls • Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures • Clean windowsills and window tracks • Clean window treatments
• Scrub bathtub and shower • Wipe all horizontal surfaces and dust decorative items • Clean behind and under the refrigerator • Clean behind the washer and dryer
• Clean sofa upholstery, remove cushions, vacuum crevasses • Wipe down doors – front, back and trim
• Wipe baseboards and shoe molding • Clean floors – vacuum, mop, shampoo carpets
HOW TO CLEAN
During the ongoing pandemic, it is important to clean your home properly and thoroughly to help protect your family. To effectively clean a surface, it is essential to clean first and then finish by applying disinfectant. Here are the steps to take:
• Bulk removal – remove all visible dirt and debris by dusting, sweeping or wiping.
• Soil suspension – apply soap or detergent to the area being cleaned and lift or “suspend” unseen soil, germs, etc., typically with a microfiber cloth or a mop.
• Soil removal – rinse or wet wipe the area to remove the detergent and the soil and germs that were previously suspended.
• Surface enhancement – apply disinfectant. Be sure to follow directions on product labels to maximize effectiveness.
Clean well, clean often and stay healthy!
Certified Water, Smoke and Fire Restoration Services LLC is a professional disaster cleanup company in the New York Capital Region. Follow them @CertifiedWSF on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. www.certifiedwsf.com
Shutterstock: Stock Asso
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