Category: Cleaning tips

Improving the external appearance of your home can often increase it’s value at relatively little cost. If your doors and windows have already been replaced with new upvc double glazed units, what else can you do to spruce things up?

Even new windows and doors can look grubby if they are not regularly cleaned, but whilst most people ask to have their windows cleaned by their local window cleaner, the gutters, fascias and soffits are often overlooked and this can detract from it’s appearance. Although it’s not necessary to have them cleaned as often as your windows, it pays to have them cleaned at least once a year to keep them looking like new.

Usually, your window cleaner can carry out this task for you using a high reach water fed pole system. Ladders are generally not required for cleaning unless some areas are particularly dirty and a hard scrub or a jet wash is needed using more powerful cleaning materials. However, once clean, a regular maintenance cleaning schedule using purified water is all that is needed.

Dishwasher not cleaning so good?

It’s important to regularly clean the filters in your dishwasher, especially the main filter in the bottom of your dishwasher. Here’s a nice simple video which gives a step by step guide showing how you can clean the main dishwasher filter which traps particles of food etc., which will help prevent an unnecessary breakdown. In this video the technician refers to an Indesit dishwasher, but this easy to follow guide will also apply to most of the major brand dishwashers.

Rust-Oleum NeverWet™ is a superhydrophobic treatment that dramatically repels water, mud, ice and other liquids. This revolutionary surface treatment causes water to form nearly perfect spheres that roll off coated items, keeping them clean and dry.

NeverWet is ideal for metal, wood, aluminium, PVC, concrete, masonry, asphalt, fibreglass, canvas and most plastics. More information on this liquid repelling treatment cn be found at www.rustoleumspraypaint.com and the product is available from Homebase, B&Q and other leading UK retailers.

Pro-kleen is a popular cleaning product that has received many favourable reviews and is suitable for the cleaning of wood decking. It’s ideal for removing mould algae, lichen and moss which often builds up over a period of time on poorly maintained decking. It has a more active ingredient than most other brands and can be also used for cleaning wood fencing, woodsheds, driveways and patios and other surfaces where green mould has built up. I’ve also heard it’s effective at cleaning caravans which have also been affected.

The solution comes in 5 litre containers and can be sprayed on with a low pressure sprayer or applied with a watering can and is biodegradable.

For more information and latest discount pricing click here.

Wood decking can look great when first installed but over time will gradually start to lose its fresh appearance. Weather and natural contaminants will gradually make your decking look dirty. So how do you keep it looking clean and fresh?

The video below gives some useful tips and advice. Although made by an Australian company with reference to products available down under, similar products are available in the UK and can be found at stores such as B & Q or from suppliers online.

Thinking of having your driveway cleaned? Block paved driveways can be cleaned to a reasonable finish with a pressure washer. However, oil stains can be difficult to remove. The video below provides some useful advice on how to remove oil stains from block paving.

Alternatively, you could employ a driveway cleaning service. Many window cleaning companies provide this service but check first that they use a rotary cleaner which gives the best results.

Have you had your carpets cleaned in the last 12 months?

If not then you may have noticed that your carpets are not looking as clean and fresh as they did previously. Regular vacuuming at least once a week is the first line of defense to minimise the amount of dirt, dust and microorganisms that can collect in your carpets and prevent them getting ground into the fibers of the carpet. When you have children, pets, or just a lot of traffic going in and out of the house then you can be sure that even brand new carpets will start to look dingy and drab before you know it.

To keep them looking new and fresh it’s advisable to rent a carpet cleaning machine or hire the services of a professional carpet cleaning service at least twice a year. If you don’t have too much traffic in and around the carpeted areas in your home then a deep clean once a year may suffice.

By routinely vacuuming and getting your carpets deep cleaned your carpets will stay clean and healthy because microorganisms will not be able to thrive. Your carpets will also look great and feel better under your feet when cleaned on a regular basis.