Simple & Quick Ways To Treat The Most Common Carpet Stains

Posted Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019

Life happens! No matter the preventative measure put in place, stains can happen too. We know you don’t always have the time to schedule a professional cleaning to deal with unexpected spots, so we decided to put together a simple guide to help you deal with the most common carpet stains. With this guide you can manage these stains until you get a chance to schedule a cleaning with a professional carpet cleaner.

Important Note: This is only a guide! There is no guaranteed DIY method to remove all carpet stains, since there are many other variables that determine whether or not it will come out. You should always consult a professional before attempting to treat any stain at home!

Red Wine or Coffee

With a red wine spill or a coffee spill, you will want to address the mess sooner rather than later. The longer it sits the harder it will be to remove the stain! You will want to first blot up the excess liquid. Use either white terry cloth towels or paper towels.

Now this is very important: Blot, don’t rub! The action of blotting picks up excess liquid, so it will not saturate the carpet fibers or pad further. If you rub the area, the liquid will spread and get worked into the fibers, and the stain will be much harder to remove.

Once you have blotted up the excess liquid you will want to get at least 2 fresh clean towels to work with and mix a bowl of cleaning solution. The cleaning solution will be 1 part sugar free club soda and 1 part cold water, mix it well!

Dab the solution onto the stained area to saturate the stained area with the cleaning solution. Then, using the dry towel, you will blot the stained area to lift up the cleaning solution. Repeat this process until you begin to see color on the towels you are blotting with. That means the stain is lifting off or the carpet.

Continue the process of dabbing on the cleaning solution and blotting it up with a clean dry towel until you begin to see the color of the stain fade. It may take some time to see the color transfer, but do not give up! And remember, do not rub or the stain will get worse!

Muddy Footprints

When dealing with muddy footprints on carpet you will have to do something that feels very unnatural….you will have to walk away and leave them alone to fully dry. Trying to clean the stained area before allowing the dirt to dry up and removing it will only exacerbate the problem.

So, it may feel weird, it may be uncomfortable, it may go against all of your instincts to do so, but you will leave the muddy footprints alone until they fully dry.

Once the footprints have dried try to remove as many large clumps of dirt as possible. Just pick them up with your hands and throw them out. Once you have removed all the larger chunks use the vacuum to pick up the rest of the dried dirt.

With all the dry dirt and soil removed you will have a much clearer view of the stains you are dealing with. Grab a good amount of towels, either white terry cloth or paper, and mix your cleaning solution of 1 part white vinegar and 1 part cold water.

Saturate one towel with this solution and dab it onto the footprint stain, then, using a dry towel, try to blot up the cleaning solution you applied. Continue this process of dabbing on the solution and blotting it up until you begin to see the dirt lift from the carpet fibers onto the towel you are blotting with. You may have to repeat this several times per footprint for the dirt to begin to lift. Remember: Do not rub! Only blot!

Blood

With any type of blood spot you will want to treat the stain ASAP to reduce the chance of the stain. Dab up as much material as you can. Then make a mixture of sugar free club soda and cold water.

The water must not be hot or warm, since blood coagulates if it warms and will stick to the fibers even more than before. Cold water is necessary to loosen the material and the stain is much more likely to release if you use cold water.

As with the previous stains, you will dab on the cleaning mixture with one towel, then blot it up with another clean and dry towel. Repeat this process until the blood spot begins to lift from the carpet and onto the towel. Remember to take your time and to blot, not rub!!

Pet Stains

With pet stains odor is usually a factor. The best solution for dealing with pet stains is a 1 parts vinegar to 3 part water solution because the vinegar helps reduce any odors. It also helps release color, which is usually present in pet stains.

Just like with the other stains above, you will first want to remove by hand or blot up as much material as possible. Once as much loose material as possible is removed begin to dab the cleaning solution onto the area to saturate the affected fibers, then use a clean and dry towel to blot up the solution.

Repeat this process until the color begins to transfer from the carpet to the towel. As you repeat the process the strength of the odor should be reducing as well. Continue until the color has lifted.

Now, there are still some spots or stains that will require a professional cleaning to truly remove, but these solutions will help you out in between Modernistic appointments. Maintaining your carpet with regular professional cleanings can really help protect your investment. If you have a household that has a lot of foot traffic, children, or pets you may want to ask your Modtechs about 3M Scotchgard protection.

3m Scotchgard creates a protective layer between your carpet and the world that is trying to stain it! When you have 3M Scotchgard applied, liquids will bead up on the surface of the fibers of your carpet and you’ll have time to blot up a spill before it saturates the carpet. Even if a stain does manage to work its way into the fibers, carpet with 3M Scotchgard protection has a higher likelihood of releasing stains during your next cleaning.

Now there are still some spots or stains that will require a truck-mounted hot water extraction system to truly remove, but these Simple & Quick ways to treat the most common carpet stains will help you out in between Modernistic cleanings!

Modernistic has been cleaning up stains throughout Michigan since 1973, and you can trust we’ll get the job done right! Call or click today for help with your most stubborn carpet spots.

How To Get Pet Hair Out Of Carpet And Upholstery

Posted Thursday, November 15th, 2018

At Modernistic, we love our pets! And we know that many of our customers love their pets too! But it can be frustrating trying to keep up with all of the pet fur that get caught in upholstery and carpet. If your pets are anything like ours, you may feel like you need Modernistic to clean your carpet weekly to keep up with all the shedding! Fortunately, there are a few Simple and Quick ways to get pet hair out of carpet and upholstery that you can do at home.  

With tightly woven fabrics and short fur, a light spray of water and fabric softener and loosed up pet fur. A cloth or paper towel can lift much of it right up. A slightly dampened sponge can also be used to lightly pick up fur. May people like to use lint rollers, just like they use on their clothes. We know many pet owners already keep lint rollers on hand, which makes them the perfect tool to keep up with the fur. Alternatively, you can wrap duct tape or packing tape around your hand and use it to lightly lift any fur just like a lint roller.

If the fur is still stubbornly sticking to the upholstery fabric, a rubber glove might help. Dampen a rubber glove with water and simply run your hand over the surface. Repeat until the hair is removed. For carpeting, some people will use a rubber soled shoe in place of the glove method. But the rubber should only be needed for extra stubborn fur. The best way to get fur out of carpet is to keep up with it by vacuuming regularly, and going over those furry areas in alternating directions. Remember to regularly vacuum your upholstery as well!

Gadgets! There are rubber gadgets that work on the same principle as the rubber glove method that work great at getting fur out of upholstery and carpets. Some are small, handheld or glove shaped, and others are large brooms. There are also pet hair removal gadgets that look like paddles covered in fabric. These tools use static electricity to their advantage, and come with a self cleaning base. They work a lot like a lint roller, without the waste caused by disposable adhesive sheets.

Cleaning up pet hair can seem like a lot of work, but the secret is keeping up with it regularly with these Simple & Quick ways to get pet hair out of carpet and upholstery. A little bit of cleanup here and there every day will help get rid of all the unsightly shedding!

Modernistic has been cleaning up after pets since 1973. If you need a hand cleaning up after your furry friend, then trust the cleaning experts and give us a click or call!

Simple & Quick (and Healthy) Lunch Recipes

Posted Friday, October 26th, 2018

simple & quick recipes healthy lunchesIn 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! 

Who Told You To Clean Your Tile Like That?

Posted Wednesday, October 17th, 2018

Have you ever just zoned out in a blank stare down with a couple of dirty tiles while you shower in the morning? Going over every cleaning method you’ve tried in your head that has brought you and your tile to this arrestingly defeated moment.

There are a lot of ways to clean the tile in your home, some good and some not so good. It seems like everyone has a different recommended “best way” to clean your tile, so it won’t be much of a surprise that we do too! Luckily, we’ve been in the business of cleaning tile and grout for over 45 years, and we’re happy to share our expertise with you.

Common Tile Cleaning Mistakes

If you aren’t careful, things could go very wrong when attempting to make your tile glisten again. There are so many different products on the market claiming to be the cure all for all of your tile cleaning needs, making it difficult to pick the correct one. Not to mention that there are a surprising amount of variables involved when deciding what methods and products to use on your tile.

Do you have ceramic tile or natural stone? Is it sealed or unsealed? Are you more concerned with the grout lines? Are you or your family allergic to certain chemicals… on and on and on.

Knowing what you are cleaning and how the method of cleaning will react to your type of tile can be an enormous factor when trying to effectively get your tile looking great again.

Please note that we always recommend consulting a professional about the best way to clean your tile and grout. Better safe than sorry!

Natural Stone

If you are dealing with natural stone or slate, then you will want to make sure to use something very mild. With natural stone tiles, you will want to make sure not to use any harsh chemicals. To be completely honest, you are safest simply using hot water with very light agitation and nothing too abrasive.

Ceramic Tile

My friend, you are in luck! If you are trying to clean your ceramic or porcelain tile, then you have so many more options available to you. That being said, this can also be a problem though. There are a lot of great cleaning products on the market for you to bring back the shine to your tile. You can use anything from soapy water, vinegar, oxygenated bleach (OxiClean), citrus cleaners and more. Now, not all of them will be the best product for you to use in your given situation, but you’ve got options.

Ceramic tiles are going to be some of the more durable cleaning surfaces allowing you to use a wider variety of cleaning options without damaging or losing their shine. One of the safest options we recommend when trying to tackle something on your own would be a simple cleaning using vinegar on your tile with regular scrubbing, but nothing too aggressive. This mild cleaning method will handle most jobs, and regular maintenance of your tile.

Cleaning Products to Use

Now when dealing with more difficult buildup on your tile, you may want to turn to some more potent solutions. Products like bleach, while very effective at disinfecting and removing a lot of grime, can be toxic and noxious to you and your family. When you have some really tough cleaning situations try an oxygenated bleach product instead of a standard bleach. They will be much more friendly and environmentally safe when dissolved with water.

One thing to be cautious of though, is using a cleaner like OxiClean AFTER using vinegar to clean your tile. Hydrogen peroxide is found in many of these oxygenated bleach products, and when combined with vinegar can create a dangerous reaction forming peracetic acid. This is VERY VERY BAD.

Always rinse your tile clean of other products before using one of these strong products.

Play It Safe!

You could try any of these options to clean your tile after figuring out what is best for your situation, or you can make it super easy and just call Modernistic. Our team has been at this longer than the lifespan of some tile floors. We have an array of cleaning products and methods in our arsenal ready to take care of whatever situation you may have. Don’t hesitate to give us a call and schedule an appointment today so you don’t have to deal with it all by yourself!

The tile and grout pros at Modernistic have been helping Michigan homeowners with their tile cleaning needs for over 45 years! Call or click today if you have tile and grout cleaning questions. Make it Simple & Quick!

How To Get Slime Out Of Carpet – The Simple & Quick Way

Posted Wednesday, October 3rd, 2018

how to get slime out of carpet the simple & quick way

I dropped slime on my carpet – and my kid saw the whole thing.

It happened right in the middle of our living room. We were making homemade slime, everybody’s favorite non-Newtonian fluid, and right after I asked my son to avoid making a mess, I knocked the bowl off the table and directly onto the living room floor.

Egg on my face and slime in my carpet!

Naturally, my kid thought this was poetic justice incarnate – and the funniest thing he’s ever seen. As he was laughing, however, I was dialing the phone. I had a very pressing need to find out how to get slime out of carpet, and I knew exactly who could help.

You see, I happen to work for the best carpet cleaning company in Michigan, and I happen to know the foremost authority on carpet spots and stains: Tom!   

Tom’s (Not So Secret) Formula

Over the phone, our resident carpet chemistry expert Tom put all 30+ years of his exhaustive cleaning knowledge to use and told me exactly how to get slime out of carpet with some simple household cleaning products:

What You Need:

  • Plastic putty knife (or old credit card)
  • Household vacuum cleaner
  • White vinegar
  • All-natural citrus cleaner
  • Hot water
  • Spray bottle
  • Clean white towels (or paper towels)

Steps to Remove Slime From Carpet

1. Scrape off as much slime as possible
Using a putty knife (or, in a pinch, an old credit card works great too), scrape up as much of the slime from the carpet. There will most likely be lots of it left in the fibers

2. Vacuum the area
Get your vacuum out and vacuum up as much of the surrounding area as possible.

3. Mix up your white vinegar solution
In a spray bottle, combine 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water.

4. Apply white vinegar solution to slime
Spray your white vinegar solution on the slime and allow it to soak into the carpet fibers.

5. Blot
Using clean white towels or paper towels, blot (don’t rub!) the slime until it’s completely removed from the carpet. Repeat steps 4 and 5 if necessary!

6. Apply citrus cleaner
If there’s a stain left after all the slime is removed, apply your citrus cleaner and allow it to soak into the area.

7. Rinse
Rinse the spot with a small amount of hot water, but don’t saturate the carpet!

8. More blotting
With your clean white/paper towels, blot until the stain is gone and the area is dry. Again, repeat the last two steps if necessary!

9. Call Modernistic!
If following the above steps fail to remove the slime stain, then it’s time to call in the experts who know exactly how to get slime out of carpet with state-of-the-art equipment – you’ve done all you can do by yourself, now let the professionals take care of your carpet problem. We’ve dealt with all kinds of carpet stains, and our 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee means you can be confident you’re getting the best possible carpet cleaning.

I’ll admit, slime is super fun. After we took care of the slimed carpet (I had my son do the blotting), we mixed up a new batch and stretched, poked, squeezed, and prodded to our hearts’ content – in the kitchen this time, over some easy-to-clean tile.

Modernistic has been cleaning up the messes Michigan kids have made for the last 45+ years! Call or click today if you’ve had a slime (or any other type of carpet) catastrophe.   

Create Your Own Homemade Cat Toys

Posted Friday, September 14th, 2018

We’ve all done it. We found that perfect toy in the pet store that we just KNOW our cat would love to play with. But, when we get it home, our furry feline friend ignores the awesome toy and ends up playing with the box it came in instead. How’s that for gratitude! If you’ve ever thought to yourself “Well I’m not wasting any more money on store-bought, I’m going to make my own homemade cat toys!”, then read on dear reader!

Homemade cat toys can be a fun way to personalize your space. You can create toys and furniture for your cat that actually coordinate with your home’s style and color pallet. Plus, you know your cat better than any pet store. Whether your cat likes climbing up high, batting around pieces of trash, or is into the hard stuff (catnip), you can create something personalized your cat will love.

Pompoms

Making pompoms is easy and fun! Buy some yarn in colors that you like, and make a bunch of little puffy balls. You can toss them on the floor for free play or tie them onto a dowel to make a wand toy. Pompoms on a string are great to attach to cat furniture to make them more engaging for your cat.

Sock Toys

Have an unmatched sock after doing laundry? You can turn it into a cat toy! Fill it up with catnip, tie off or sew up the ends, and yours cats will thank you for it! Even just tying an old sock in the middle makes for a simple and fun cat toy she will love to scratch and bite at.

Cardboard Scratcher

Instead of throwing out or recycling old cardboard, you can make a cat scratcher out of it! Cut strips of cardboard and use glue to make a rectangle, or wrap them up into a disc shape. The little holes in corrugated cardboard are great for holding cat nip. To jazz it up, wrap the edge with some wrapping paper or other decorative paper that will look nice

Cat Ladder

You can use a step stool or full size ladder to make a lounging spot for your cat. Use carpeting to make soft and scratchable surfaces. Use an old t-shirt or fleece in the pattern of your choice to create a hammock. Paint the wood to match your interior design. Wrap some of the wooden legs with rope for your cat to scratch. And, you might like to add some fun pompoms on strings for your cat to play with.

Keeping your cat engaged, giving her a place to feel comfortable, and designated scratching posts will help prevent your cat for scratching where she shouldn’t. Giving her a place up high to retreat can keep her from hiding. These cat toys and furniture will bring joy to your cat, and allow you to customize them to your home’s  decor. You will certainly save some money too!

We love our pets here at Modernistic, but we don’t have to love their odors and messes they leave behind. Trust the experts with over 45 years of experience removing pet spots and smells! Call or click today!

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

Posted Wednesday, September 12th, 2018

Simple & Quick ways to make your HVAC system more efficient this winter

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.   

Simple & Quick Homemade Dog Treats

Posted Friday, July 6th, 2018

homemade dog treats

Dog food and treats can get really expensive, and who knows what mystery ingredients are in those brown little bits? Luckily, there are many easy ways to make your own homemade dog treats! And as an added bonus, even if you add a little too much flour to your treats or leave them in the oven a little too long, your dog will never complain!

Before Getting Started

There are some foods you will need to avoid. Some foods are perfectly safe, or even considered healthy for humans to eat, but are dangerous for dogs. Most of us have heard about the dangers of chocolate, but also avoid any other sources of caffeine, such as coffee or tea. Here is a list of foods to avoid:

Fruits & Vegetables: Avocado, Apple seeds, Persimmon, Peach, and Plum Pits, Grapes & Raisins, Onions & Chives, Garlic, Corn on the Cob, Rhubarb & Tomato Leaves.

Animal Products: Raw Meat, Fat trimmings, Liver, Milk & Cheese (not dangerous, but can cause digestive distress in some dogs), Fish, Cat Food, and Cooked Bones.

Other Foods: Salt, Sugar, Xylitol, Candy, Chewing Gum, Toothpaste, Mouthwash, Tobacco, Alcohol, Hops (Beer), Marijuana, Yeast, and Macadamia Nuts.

From that list, you can see how feeding dogs human leftovers could be problematic! I can’t think of a meal I’ve eaten lately that didn’t have Salt, Sugar, or Onions.

Below are some simple recipe ideas for homemade dog treats that are sure to get your pup drooling… more than normal… wait, is that a good thing?

Frozen Treats

Puree 2 cored apples with 1 cup Greek nonfat plain yogurt and water, Freeze in ice cube tray, and serve as a naturally sweet and healthy snack. Makes about 2 trays worth of cubes.

Blend 1 cups cooked chicken, 1/2 cup cooked rice, 1 cup chicken stock (ideally homemade unsalted), 1 tablespoon parsley, freeze in ice cube tray, and serve as a savory protein packed snack.

Baked Snacks

Cut sweet potatoes into fries/wedges and bake on parchment at 425F for about 30 min, flipping halfway through the cooking. These things are tasty enough for humans to enjoy!

Mix two cups flour, 1/2 cups peanut butter, 2 eggs, and a little bit of water. Cut using cookie cutters or knife, and bake at 350F for 20 min.

Meal Prep

Think of making this in conjunction with your weekly human meal prep. You will need. 1 1/5 cups brown rice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 3 pounds ground turkey, 3 cups fresh spinach, chopped, 2 carrots, shredded, 1 zucchini, shredded, and 1/2 cup peas. Boil your rice and set aside. Cook turkey in a pan with olive oil for 3-5 minutes crumbling, then add the veggies and cook another 3-5 min. Mix in rice, cook, and serve in 1 cup portions.

Speak with your veterinarian about your dog’s dietary needs, and you can create recipes for your own homemade dog treats! Your furry friend will love you for it – I mean, more than he already does!

Pet owners have trusted Modernistic to help keep their homes spot and odor free for over 45 years! We all know that accidents happen, which is why you should trust the pet spot removal experts!

Tips for Flood Proofing Your Basement

Posted Wednesday, June 13th, 2018

There are many reasons your basement could end up looking like a bowl of soup (especially during Michigan’s rainy season). But don’t panic! There are definitely a few easy things you can do proactively to prevent your basement from flooding; a few simple tips for flood proofing your basement before you’ve got a wet mess on your hands and the lower section of your house looks like grandma’s minestrone!    

Where Did That Water Come From!?

A weak foundation is more often than not one of the primary causes of water finding its way into your basement. We know when people hear “Foundation Issues”, many homeowners want to throw your hands up in the air and start looking for a new home. You should have a foundation specialist out to your home to work on any cracks or slivers in the concrete that might let in water.

Professionals aside, there are safeguards you can take on your own to help to protect your basement. One of the easiest things you can address on your own is the framing around windows at the main level. These windows can often be the main cause of rain water leaking in to the basement. With a quick trip to the hardware store, you can pick up some basic caulking to apply to any slight openings or gaps to limit the odds of any flooding.

One fail safe way to help protect your basement from troublesome basement windows is to seal them completely. Many basements will have small windows resting just above ground level, which don’t really provide much of a view or light to begin with. In these cases you may want to seal these windows from the outside. Some basic masonry work should do the trick, covering them with properly-sealed bricks over the window openings.

As always, if you don’t feel comfortable doing any of these projects yourself, consult a professional!

Just In Case

Sump pump, sump pump, sump pump…. It’s so much fun to say! Really we could say it over and over again and still not have said it enough. Chances are good you already have a sump pump in your basement. If not, you should look into getting one; with all our rivers, lakes, and wetlands, every home in Michigan should probably have a sump pump! Even if you already have one, you’re not quite done yet. Since it’s out of sight and out of mind, it’s easy to forget about your sump pump. But you should be checking up on it at least every 3-6 months to make sure it is operating in tip top shape – otherwise, you may walk downstairs to do some laundry and discover a lot more may need cleaning!

Backup and Detection

Having backup plans are a good thing for anyone. Basement floods, particularly, would be a perfect thing for which to have a backup plan. We’ve already gone over sump pumps, but what about a back up for your sump pump? Having a second battery-powered sump pump backup should be required for anyone living in a flood zone, or if you frequently suffer power outages. A failed sump pump due to a power outage is another incredibly common issue that can make you wish water didn’t exist. Installing a backup for your sump pump can be crucial to avoiding a major financial burden.

Another thing you can do to help to detect the moment you might have a problem on your hands is to purchase a smart water leak detector for your home. There are many products on the market now that can alert you to water leaks in your home so you can take action before things get too crazy. Many of these new devices even have apps that can connect to the detector and alert you wherever you are on your smartphone.

Armed with these simple tips for flood proofing your basement, you can be confident that you’ve done everything you can to prevent your basement from ending up like the one in the picture at the top of this article. While this isn’t an exhaustive list, you should be much better prepared for avoiding the most common basement flooding problems.

It’s impossible to cover every flooding scenario of course, so if you ever do have a flood in your home, just know that the water damage experts at Modernistic are just a phone call away! 24/7/365, we’ll be there for your basement flooding emergencies.

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!