Healthy Home Archives | Modernistic ®

What Is Air Duct Sanitizing, And Why Do I Need It?

Posted Friday, March 29th, 2019

What is air duct sanitizing? While you may know the health and cost benefits of air duct cleaning (like allergy relief and lower energy bills), we’ve found that many people don’t know the benefits of air duct sanitizing. So, what does air duct sanitizing do?

What is it?

Air duct sanitizing is an additional service the certified air duct technicians at Modernistic can provide while cleaning your home. After cleaning the ductwork, while your HVAC system is still hooked up to the air duct truck and under negative air pressure, they apply the sanitizer. The technicians use a fogger to apply the sanitizer and due to the negative air pressure, it coats the entire interior of the duct system. The product has no lingering scent and is safe enough that it is used in hospitals.

How is it different than air duct cleaning?

What’s the difference between a standard air duct cleaning and sanitizing the ducts? A standard air duct cleaning removes any debris from your ductwork such as dirt or drywall dust. The sanitizing adds the disinfecting and deodorization of the ductwork of your home while killing any mold or mildew hiding inside. In addition, it prohibits bacterial, viral, and fungal growth for approximately six months after being applied.

Why should I have my air ducts sanitized?

There are lots of situations where you and family might benefit. If you are moving into a new home, sanitization can make sure that any unknowns from the previous homeowner are taken care of. It can also help during the winter months by minimizing the germs your HVAC system is spreading through your indoor air. Sanitization further assists with removing any triggers for you or your loved ones who suffer from allergies or asthma. Killing any mold or mildew will also help those with weakened immune systems such as a new baby or someone just coming home from the hospital.

How often should you sanitize?

While there is no strict guideline for how often you should sanitize your ductwork if you do suffer from asthma or allergies you might want it done every few years. If you had a flood in your home and moisture got into the duct system it’s a good idea to sanitize. Everyone is different and it depends on each individual’s household needs.

The bottom line.

A healthy home needs air duct sanitizing! All the germs, bacteria, mold, and mildew that you can’t see in your vents is certainly bad for your home’s indoor air (and for you!), which is why we recommend sanitization for every HVAC system we clean. While you may not be able to see what’s hiding in your ducts, it’s well worth getting them sanitized!

Modernistic has been keeping Michigan’s air ducts clean and healthy since 1973! Click or call today to find out more about air duct sanitizing.

The Different Levels of Carpet Deodorization

Posted Wednesday, October 31st, 2018

Pet accidents, food spills, dirty feet, you name it; there are a multitude of bad odors that can leave your carpet smelling less than pleasant. Regular vacuuming sometimes isn’t enough to keep the odors at bay, and there comes a time in every carpet’s life that requires some odor intervention! Luckily, there are many different levels of carpet deodorization available to handle all your smelly carpet needs.

Level 1: On The Surface

The most basic deodorizing option is topical. This is when a carpet cleaning technician applies a spray on deodorizer post-cleaning. These commercial products, in addition to smelling nice, actually break down odor-causing molecules. This works great for odors that weren’t caused by a large amount of liquid.

Level 2: Deep Down

The next level of deodorization is submersion. This is ideal for carpeting when you know the issue is coming from a specific spot (ex: a pet continues to use the restroom in same area). The technician will essentially flood the area with the deodorizer and then extract it back out. This allows the cleaning technician to pull the odor out from the padding underneath the carpet. In tandem with this is the injection method of deodorizer for upholstery. The technician will inject deodorizer right into the affected area of the furniture and then pull it back out with their cleaning tool.

Level 3: Source Removal

If the odor issues in your home have gone into the pad but aren’t contained to just one or a few areas, it might be the time to consider pad replacement. A flooring technician can pull the carpeting back, replace the pad underneath with brand new padding, and then lay the carpeting back down. Finally give the carpet a professional cleaning and the room can be good as new!

When you are replacing the pad, upon removal inspect the floor underneath. If the moisture was prevalent enough it could have damaged the flooring itself. This can cause further odor issues and weaken the flooring. If this is the case this would be the best time to replace the flooring.

Level 4: It’s In The Air

The treatments listed above work great for odors that are on your carpet or upholstery but what about if the smell is coming from the entire room? Removing the smell of smoke from a fire or decades of smoking is an example where cleaning the carpeting might not be enough. There are two more treatments that Modernistic offers to help in these more serious circumstances, the first of which is fogging. This is a machine that would be set up in the affected area that continuously spreads the deodorizer throughout the room, making sure every surface in the room is reached. This type of odor intervention is almost always overkill for odors found only in the carpeting.

Level 5: Let’s Get Molecular

If even this isn’t enough it might be time to literally change the molecules in the air. Setting up an ozone machine is the most drastic odor intervention available, and is by far the most dangerous. An ozone machine removes the odor from the air by electrifying the oxygen molecules to add another carbon molecule. Due to this process no one can be in the area for the 24-48 hours that the machine needs to run. Ozone is usually reserved for the worst and hardest-to-remove odors, like smoke and cigarette smells.

The Professional Touch

Discovering how severe the odor in your home is key to deciding what step of deodorization is needed, and the cleaning professionals at Modernistic would be glad to evaluate the issues for you. No matter what kind (or severity) of odor you have, you have options on how to get rid of unwanted carpet smells. Rather than replacing an entire room of carpet just because of a pesky carpet odor, trust Modernistic and the different levels of carpet deodorization we offer. We know you’ll love the outcome!

Simple & Quick (and Healthy) Lunch Recipes

Posted Friday, October 26th, 2018

In this busy world it can be a challenge to eat healthy during the week. It takes time to get the right ingredients and prep a healthy meal…and fast food is just so available and quick it can be hard to avoid! These recipes are so easy to whip up and way yummier than anything you can get in the drive through. None of these Simple and Quick recipes take longer than 10-15 minutes to make and they will leave you feeling much better than a burger and fries.

Black Bean Avocado Wraps

These spicy wraps pack a punch, both in flavor and protein! Use your favorite wrap or if you prefer pita bread, use that instead! Eat with corn chips and your favorite salsa for a yummy southwest lunch. These wraps keep great in the fridge!

1 can black beans
1 TBSP oil of your choice
½ cup chopped bell peppers
½ cup chopped onions
1 clove garlic minced
1 tbs taco seasoning
1 small tomato chopped
1 tbs cilantro minced
Juice of 1 lime
¼ cup sour cream
6 medium tortillas

In a small pan heat the oil. Once hot add onions, bell peppers, garlic. Cook for a few minutes or until onions are slightly browned. Add beans and taco seasoning and cook another 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
In a separate bowl stir together the avocado, cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
To assemble lay your tortilla on a plate, spoon some sour cream on and spread it out. Then add a few spoonfuls of both the avocado and black bean mixture, then wrap up that wrap and you are good to go!

Zesty Middle Eastern Chickpea Salad

This simple and quick salad recipe is yummy and versatile by itself, but there are so many options to dress it up! Scoop it up with pita chips, eat it in a pita pocket, put chicken on top, even mix it with salad greens! The lemony vinaigrette makes all the flavors pop and this salad will taste even better on day two.

1 cucumber, diced
5 scallions, diced
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 red bell pepper, diced
¼ cup parsley, chopped
¼ cup mint, chopped
¾ cup crumbled feta cheese

For dressing:

Juice and zest of 3 lemons
2 teaspoons pesto
1 clove minced garlic
½ cup olive oil
1 tsp kosher salt
½ tsp pepper

Get out a large bowl and a small bowl.
In the large bowl mix together all the chopped veggies, herbs, and feta cheese. Toss it well so it is really mixed up!
In the small bowl, mix together all the ingredients for the dressing. Once you have it well mixed pour the dressing over the salad and toss the salad again!

Waldorf Salad Sandwich

This classic sandwich is so delicious! Crunchy, sweet and tangy flavors that just taste so fresh all together. You can eat this as a sandwich on grainy bread, in a pita or wrap, or just serve in a bowl as a salad!

1 rotisserie chicken, meat torn into bite size pieces
½ cups of grapes, halved (your choice of green or red!)
1 celery stalk thinly sliced
1 apple cored and cut into bite size pieces
¼ cup chopped walnuts
¼ cup plain yogurt or sour cream
1/3 cup mayo
1 heaping Tablespoon honey
1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

In a medium bowl combine chicken, grapes, celery, apples and walnuts. Keep in fridge while you make the dressing. In a smaller bowl combine mayo, yogurt, honey, vinegar, salt and pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix until evenly coated. Serve as desired!

Chopped Caprese Salad

Another classic salad. The fresh summery flavors are abundant in this dish: sun-soaked tomatoes, earthy basil, fresh mozzarella, and complex balsamic dressing complimenting everything. This simple and quick recipe is usually served as a salad, but is also a delicious topping for crusty bread.

2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
8 oz fresh mozzarella, cut into ½ inch chunks
1 cup fresh basil, chopped
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

In medium bowl, toss tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Drizzle balsamic vinegar and olive oil over it and add salt and pepper to taste. Toss well and serve immediately!

A little prep work will go a long way. If you are doing prepping lunches for the week simply double the recipe to make enough for a few days! Hopefully these simple and quick recipes will help keep you eating healthy throughout the work week and avoiding fast food or junky snacks!

Modernistic has been providing Simple & Quick solutions to Michigan residents for over 45 years! Trust the experts to make your carpet cleaning, air duct cleaning, and upholstery cleaning needs as easy as possible!

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Carpet Cleaning

Posted Wednesday, September 26th, 2018

You’ve just gotten off the phone or website after scheduling a professional carpet cleaning company to come out and clean your home. Maybe they’re coming out to work on a few specific stains you’re worried about. Maybe they’re coming to clean your entire home as part of your spring cleaning plan. Either way here are a few tips to get the most out of your carpet cleaning.

Prior to the cleaning crew arriving, there are a few things you can do for your home. Carpet cleaning companies should move any furniture like tables and chairs to clean underneath so moving any breakable items, such as lamps or picture frames, to other rooms can help the technicians safely move your furniture around.

If you have any pets in your home that shed a lot, vacuuming prior to the carpet tech’s arrival can help remove the surface layer, allowing the cleaners to get the hair that is more deeply woven into the fibers. The same applies if they’re coming to clean your upholstery that your pet sits on.

If you are concerned about any particular areas, make sure to let the technicians know when they arrive to your home. What was spilled, when it happened, and what you did to try to get the stain up are all important factors in what methods and products they use to clean those areas. Any information you have will help them choose the right way to get your carpet looking new again.

Getting on a semi-annual or annual maintenance schedule is a great way to really maximize the life of your carpeting. Regular cleanings can remove the buildup of dirt that gathers before it causes wear and damage to the carpet fibers themselves. Have the technicians apply 3M Scotchgard protectant after the cleaning. It acts as a barrier for your carpeting, making it harder for stains and dirt to permanently set in.

Modernistic has been helping our customers get the most out of our services for over 45 years! Click or Call to see how we can help your home stay its cleanest!

Get Your HVAC System Ready For Winter With 5 Simple & Quick Tips

Posted Wednesday, September 12th, 2018

Winter is coming! Our warm summer temperatures are dropping, and we can confidently say that fall is on the way here in Michigan. Ok, confidently might be a strong word; we all know what Michigan weather is like!

Nevertheless, it’s time to start thinking about our furnaces! We’ll be turning them on in short order (if you haven’t already), and it pays to have your HVAC system running as efficiently as possible. Here are 5 Simple & Quick ways to get your HVAC system ready for winter:

1: Have your HVAC system inspected

Before making any changes to your heating and cooling system, have a professional give your home a thorough HVAC inspection. That way, you can find out exactly what your system needs to perform its best. Personalized attention from a professional is always the best way to go, but chances are your home could benefit from the rest of these tips!

2: Change the air filter

One of the best things you can do for your ventilation system is changing the air filter every 3 months! Capturing and removing all the dust, allergens, and other tiny particles is a great way to keep that unwanted junk out of your ductwork and out of your home’s air. Depending on various factors, like whether or not you have pets or if you are susceptible to allergies, you may want to change your air filter even more frequently.

3: Check the insulation in your attic

A great way to make sure the warm air circulating in your home actually stays in your home is to make sure your attic has proper insulation. If you haven’t checked it recently, head up there and see what’s going on.
An easy way to tell if you need more insulation is if you can see the ceiling joists. Proper coverage will obscure the joists, making sure you don’t lose any more heat than you have to this winter!

4: Install a programmable thermostat

If you don’t have one already, go out and buy a programmable thermostat! Also, learn how to use it! There are many times throughout the day where your furnace doesn’t need to put out as much heat, and a programmable thermostat will help give your system a “rest” and keep it heating your home efficiently.

5: Clean the air ducts

Dirty or blocked air ducts will significantly drain your furnace efficiency! In order to heat your home effectively, warm air has to travel through many lengths of ductwork. If that ductwork is filled with soil, debris, dander, dust, and other conductive material, then guess what you’re paying extra for your furnace to heat up?
Clogged ductwork will eat up your warm air before it even reaches the rooms you want it to, which is why it’s imperative to make sure your ductwork is clean prior to turning on your furnace for the winter. A thorough air duct cleaning from a professional with a truck-mounted vacuum system will increase your furnace efficiency by as much as 20-25%!

These are some easy ways to get your HVAC system ready for winter that you can do in a weekend. Just a little bit of preparation now will help you save money on your heating bills and help your furnace run more efficiently; it’s Simple & Quick!

Modernistic has been helping Michigan homes get their HVAC systems ready for the last 45 winters and counting! Call or click if you need the most thorough air duct cleaning in Michigan to help your furnace this winter.

You Can’t See Dirty Air, But You Can Clean It

Posted Wednesday, August 15th, 2018

When it’s time to clean your home, you KNOW it’s time to clean your home. It’s easy to see when the floors have tracked in too much filth, or when your countertops are looking rough. However you won’t always see how dirty the air in your home might be. Unless your home is filled with car exhaust or smoke, in which case… get out of there! That’s some seriously dirty air!

Whether or not you can see the dirty air of your home, you’ll want to make sure you’re taking every step you can to keep it clean. With the amount of time we spend indoors, it is extra important we make sure the air we breathe in our homes is as clean as can be. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) estimates that we spend around 90% of our time indoors! That is a lot of time to be breathing in air potentially carrying any number of biological pollutants.

What Is The Danger?

Many of these contaminants are sourced from things you encounter on a daily basis without thinking about it all that much. Your air quality can be affected by just about anything under your own roof: your pets, excessive moisture, candles (or anything that burns), even certain types of wood and insulation. Many of these seemingly harmless things can affect the air quality in your home, and in turn affect the air that you breathe into your lungs.

Allergic reactions are one of the leading side effects of poor indoor air quality. Dander from your pets is often the driving force behind many allergy issues in the home. As clean as we think we are when it comes to our animals, their dander will enter the air ducts to circulate throughout your home. This can cause minor discomfort with the sniffles, or it can cause even more serious issues by intensifying asthma attacks along with irritations to the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. These things thankfully can easily be avoided.

So What Can I Do?

Question:

“Can I duct tape scouring pads soaked in household cleaners to my 4 year old, and let them loose to play inside the air ducts?”

Answer:

“No, probably not*.”

Getting your air ducts professionally cleaned by Modernistic and keeping an air purifier in the home are two great options for dealing with dirty air! Most of the serious biological pollutants that can cause bacteria and allergy issues can easily be prevented with a thorough air duct cleaning from the Modernistic Air Duct Team. Our crews come to the home prepared, with the most advanced equipment in the industry. We take the dirt with us, leaving your home clean and clear. So please don’t try to do anything crazy to get your HVAC system clean on your own, and make an appointment with the experts. Hope to see you soon!

*Definitely not

Keep Your Entryway Clean With These Simple & Quick Tips

Posted Wednesday, May 23rd, 2018

The entryway is an important space; it is the first glimpse visitors get into your home and it is your portal into the outside world! Creating a comfortable and practical space for your family is beneficial to everyone – it helps to have an organized space to start your day! Maintaining a clean and organized entryway is not always easy, so here are 5 tips to keep your entryway clean and clear.

Protect Your Floors

If you have hardwood or linoleum in your entry it is a good idea to place a runner or entry mat down to protect your floors from tracked in dirt, mud, rainwater, and salty snow. This will protect the flooring beneath and reduce the amount of cleaning you must do in the area. When it comes time to clean the runner or entry mat be sure to call Modernistic and ask about our area rug cleaning service!

If you have carpeting in your entry we recommend a different alternative. Unfortunately, long term use of a runner or doormat can flatten out your carpet’s fibers, which can lead to permanent damage!

Instead of covering the carpet with something that could risk damaging the fibers, we recommend you protect the area with an application of 3M Scotchgard. It’s the perfect way to keep your entryway clean. After an application of 3M Scotchgard, your carpet fibers have an extra layer of protection against dirt particles and even water! 3M Scotchgard will actually cause liquid to bead up on the surface, giving you extra time to clean up spills.

Organize Your Shoes

If you find that your entry stores most of your family’s shoes, consider buying a plastic boot tray. Many stores sell decorative plastic trays, and some even carry wooden boot trays! This collects all the dirt and debris that fall off shoes and ends up on the floor.

Boot trays are so easy to clean too: just clear off the shoes, shake it off outside, and wipe it down with hot water and soap!

It can also be beneficial to have a “no shoes in the house” rule. You would be surprised how much dirt can come into a home on shoes that, to the naked eye, appear clean!

Utilize Wall Space

If you don’t have a good space for coats, hats, and scarves, then create one! Find hooks that you like and hang them on an open wall. If you have small children, consider 2 rows of hooks, one higher up and one lower for the kiddos to reach. Your kids will love that they have their own spot for their things.

Good Storage Goes a Long Way

Flat surfaces tend to collect clutter, so make sure everything has its place! Put a decorative bowl in the entryway to collect keys, change, hair ties, and other tiny items. If you have open wall space in your entry, a mirror with hooks can brighten up the area – and gives you a chance to check your appearance before you walk out the door!

Use shoe cubbies or baskets to keep shoes out of the way and organized. Storage benches provide a good place to sit and put your shoes on, and can even provide quite a bit of storage. These can be useful for storing winter hats and scarves in the summertime!

Keep Cleaning Supplies Within Reach

It can be hard to maintain a clean entryway with kids and pets and friends going in and out of the area all day. In order to keep your entryway clean, it has to be convenient to clean! Keep a spray solution and a roll of paper towels tucked away nearby. After your family returns home each day, a quick wipe down of surfaces and handles will really do wonders in maintaining the area. And it’s always nice to have the paper towels nearby to combat any muddy paw or footprints!

What works for one home may not work for yours, but basic organization can go a long way towards reducing mess! Look for storage solutions that work best for your needs. Setting a standard for no shoes in the house is one of the best things you can do to maintain cleanliness. Regular carpet cleaning and area rug cleaning combined with your “no shoes” rule will go a long way to keep your entryway clean and clear! All these things combined will leave you feeling awesome about your entryway, whether you are coming home or heading out the door!

Modernistic has been keeping Michigan’s entryways clean for over 45 years! If your carpet could use a professional touch, contact the Local Quality Friendly experts today!

5 Simple & Quick Spring Cleaning Tips

Posted Wednesday, April 18th, 2018

It’s springtime in Michigan, and you know what that means: most people are spending a good chunk of their free time cleaning and organizing their homes. People are proud of their homes and want the spaces where they spend most of their time to be organized, clean, and comfortable. Spring cleaning takes time, however, so here are a few Simple & Quick Spring Cleaning tips to help you clean more effectively and efficiently. Utilize these and you’ll get more out of your time spent cleaning and you’ll have more time to spend doing fun things!

Make a Cleaning Caddy!

Using a Cleaning Caddy saves you from running back and forth to the kitchen cupboard for cleaning supplies, which ends up saving time and energy so you can get more work done and move on to fun activities! All you need is your most commonly used cleaning supplies and something easy to carry to store them all in!

A Cleaning Caddy is very simple to put together: it is just an easy way to transport all your supplies at once. Some grocery stores make cloth bags designed to hold wine bottles that have 4- 6 little compartments sewn right into the bag.

These work really well because they are very light, washable, and will separate your supplies. If you can’t find a cloth-sectioned bag there are other options! Many stores make cheap plastic cleaning totes, and you can always just utilize a regular cloth tote bag if you cannot find a sectioned one.

Fill your tote with your most commonly used and favorite cleaning supplies: all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, wood cleaner, paper towel, plastic bags (for any trash and used paper towels) and a duster. Take your caddy and have at it.

Dress for the Occasion!

Cleaning can be tough work and can wear you out quickly! One way to make the job easier is to clean in the right clothing. With all the reaching, carrying, scrubbing, and running up and down the stairs, you can heat up quick and get uncomfortable. And discomfort can really slow you down!

Pick clothes that you don’t care too much about. There’s really no reason to wear your best yoga pants while picking up the house, they are definitely going to get covered in dust and grime! Choose some loose sweat pants and a breathable t-shirt. You won’t overheat as quickly and when you are done cleaning just toss everything in the hamper.

Pro tip: If you know you’ll be working on your knees cleaning the tub or organizing cupboards wear knee pads or buy a kneeling pad from the garden section. It will save your knees and you’ll be able to spend more time working on those areas.

De-Clutter before Cleaning

To make sure your cleaning time is spent as efficiently as possible de-clutter the areas beforehand. Work room to room. Clear counters and tabletops or items and papers, then clear the floor. If you don’t have time to organize at the moment make a pile of items to organize and put away later. Removing this clutter clears the path for you to come through and clean surfaces without having to stop to move or re-arrange items.

Clean Top To Bottom

Regardless what room you are cleaning in this can help you save time and energy! Start from the top and work your way down. Dust crown molding and clear cobwebs before washing the walls below. Wipe out cupboards before cleaning the countertops below. Wipe crumbs from countertops and tables and save sweeping or vacuuming for last. If you follow this top to bottom principle in every room you will avoid dirtying areas you have already carefully cleaned. Make a little checklist for each room of what to clean, working from top to bottom.

Make Multitasking Work For You

Most cleaning lists have a lot of different tasks on them, some you may be able to complete while working on others. Before moving on to any other tasks get some items going in the laundry and dishwasher. If you do not have a dishwasher soak some hard to clean pots and pans in hot soapy water!

Now not only are you working on the task at hand but laundry and dishes are getting done at the same time! Listen for the buzzers or set a timer on your phone to check on the laundry or dishwasher, that way you can keep those machines working while you are working.

If you have an essential oil diffuser run that in the rooms you are cleaning to leave them smelling fresh and welcoming. A little bit of multitasking, if carefully done, can go a long way!

You have your Spring Cleaning tips, you have your Cleaning Cubby organized, it’s time to turn on the diffuser, get some laundry started, and get to spring cleaning!

For over 45 years, Modernistic has been making Spring Cleaning in Michigan Simple & Quick. If you want the freshest carpet, upholstery, tile, and air ducts this season, call or click today!

You’ll Be Shocked How Dirty Your “Clean” Chair Really Is!

Posted Friday, March 9th, 2018

We sit on it, lay on it, play on it, and even eat on it. So why do we think it doesn’t need to be cleaned as often as our floors? Your furniture can collect just as much (sometimes even more!) dirt and soil as the floor. Even though it may look clean, upholstery can hide all sorts of nasty stuff you can’t see with your naked eye. Don’t believe us? Try the White Towel Test for yourself!

Looks Can Be Deceiving

At Modernistic, we have all sorts of tricks up our sleeve to get your home clean, but this one is a eye-opening test to show you how much you need your upholstery professionally cleaned. Our White Towel Test is a sure fire way to show you what you’ve been unwittingly sitting on. All we do is utilize four key elements to show you the dirt and soiling that you and your family may be lounging on.

The White Towel Test

1.) A white towel (preferably one of ours to save you the extra dirty laundry).

2.) A piece of seemingly-clean upholstery in your home.

3.) A trained and certified Modernistic Technician.

4.) A Modernistic truck-mounted vacuum system.

Here’s what happens:

When you get all 4 of these things together, you’ll see that what you thought was clean upholstery is definitely NOT so clean.

The Modernistic White Towel Test is one of the easiest ways to see all the dirt you may be leaving behind when you think your cleaning is done. We place a simple white towel between your upholstery and our powerful truck-mounted vacuum equipment. Next, our technician will run the vacuum across your upholstery. The white towel acts like a filter and will reveal the soiling hiding in your upholstery. You will be surprised at how much dirt you can’t see on your sofas, chairs, ottomans, and sectional seating.

What Does This Mean?

The proof is in the pudding! That’s why, when you want to get your upholstery truly clean, you need the professionals at Modernistic. Many people believe they can easily clean their upholstery themselves, but as the White Towel Test proves, no cleaning method in the world can compare to the power of a truck-mounted hot water extraction. Not to mention all of the different types of upholstery fabric there are today; it takes an experienced hand to use just the right amount of water and pressure to avoid damaging delicate fabrics!

What About Your Furniture?

Dust mites, microbes, and other contaminants will invisibly accumulate in your upholstery over time, so if you want to see your furniture cleaned right, then hire a professional like Modernistic. You bring the upholstery, and we’ll bring the white towel!

Do My Air Ducts Need To Be Cleaned? A Simple & Quick Guide

Posted Tuesday, February 27th, 2018

We hear this question a lot. People often ask us “how can I tell if my air ducts need to be cleaned?”, which is not as easy to answer as it would seem. Having a clean HVAC system can help with allergies and lower your energy bills, but how often does the average house need air duct cleaning? The truth of the matter is that it depends on the home and the people living in it. Anyone with allergies or multiple pets might discover they have to get their air ducts cleaned every few years. Someone without the dirt of pets or kids might find they have to do it much more infrequently. Since there’s no such thing as the average home, here are a few ways to tell if the air ducts need to be cleaned in your home:

In Sight, In Mind

The easiest way to check to find out if your air ducts are dirty is to simply take a look. If you can, take a vent cover off and look at the inside of your ducts. If there is a buildup of dust and debris than it could very well be time to clean your air ducts. Be aware that the return registers in your home may not be the most accurate indicator, since they pull in dusty air and will get dustier much faster than the rest of your air duct system!

Location, Location, Location

While every home is going to gradually have dust settle in their duct system, there are countless external factors that can speed up the process. Living on an unpaved road or by a sandy beach can increase the amount of dirt that gets tracked into your home and pulled into your ducts. Anyone with pets will who are prone to shedding will attest that they do so everywhere, with some of it undoubtedly getting pulled into your ductwork. A little pet hair of dust in the ducts can go unnoticed for years, but if you have allergies to dust or pet dander you might find that you want to have air duct cleaning more frequently.

Love The New Bathroom, Hate The Drywall Dust

Even new homes can sometimes need their air ducts cleaned, especially after the construction phase. Drywall dust, sawdust, and other fine particulates can keep getting recirculated through your home, making it seem like you have to dust very often. Air duct cleaning can remove the drywall dust and any other construction debris behind in the ductwork of your new home.

Isn’t It Time You Checked?

While there isn’t a set standard of time, there are definitely plenty of other ways to tell if your air ducts need to be cleaned. Indoor air quality is important, and it only takes 5 minutes to see if your air ducts could be the dusty, dirty culprit! To find out more about air duct cleaning, visit our FAQ page to learn more.

If you’re ever unsure if your air ducts could use a thorough cleaning, you can always call Modernistic . One of our NADCA-certified air duct technicians would be more than happy to come out and take a look for you!