spring cleaning Archives | Modernistic ®

Have Your Kids Help With Cleaning This Spring

Posted Wednesday, May 9th, 2018

Cleaning with your kids is a great opportunity to bond, teach life skills, and have some help with housework (they live here too, you know!). Kids aren’t born knowing how to clean, so it is important to choose age appropriate tasks, use one step commands, and model ideal habits. You want to choose tasks that are not too complex or require fine motor-skills beyond the child’s development. Asking a small child to dust breakable knick-knacks might seem simple, but you are setting yourself up for broken glass and tears. With your little ones in mind, here are a few ways to have your kids help with cleaning around the house.

Keep It Simple

One step commands can help prevent kids from being overwhelmed, confused, and distracted. Young kids don’t really understand what “clean your room” means until you teach them. “Put all of your toys into the toy box,” is a one step command that a child can understand. Once that is done, the child will feel a sense of accomplishment, and you can give them another one step command to do.

Monkey See, Monkey Do

It is also important to clean WITH your child. Sending them to another room to clean feels like a punishment, but if they are helping you clean it will feel like teamwork. This gives you an opportunity to demonstrate how to clean, give encouragement, prevent distraction, and share quality time together.

Your child is learning by watching you, so try to keep a positive attitude, give gratitude for their efforts, and look for opportunities to learn and practice skills. Cleaning can give kids a sense of accomplishment, and make them feel like a valuable and contributing part of the family.

Recleaning behind them undermines having your kids help with cleaning. Imagine working hard to learn a new skill, giving your best effort, and having your mentor completely redo your project. Talk about frustrating!

If your child’s attempt isn’t living up to your standards (totally understandable) you can always demonstrate and give advice on how to improve.

Learning Step by Step

Some things, like making a bed, will slowly get better with time. You can start by teaching your child to put a blanket on the top and place pillows/stuffed animals. Eventually you can build on those tasks as their motor skills develop so that, in time, they can make the full bed. It will probably start out looking sloppy, but, with a little patience, your kid will be making the bed like a pro.

Of course, if you know that you are super particular about streak free windows or crisply folded linens, some tasks are better left to you. Be aware of your expectations and your child’s abilities; that way, everybody’s happy!

Chore ≠ Bore

Since not everyone loves to clean (gasp!), here are some ways to make cleaning a bit more fun and engaging for kids:

Pump the Tunes – Listening to upbeat music can help anyone at any age with making cleaning a bit more enjoyable. Dance breaks are encouraged. Singing cleanup songs can actually help children focus on simple tasks. Consider adding a cleanup song to your routine!
Turn Cleaning Into A Game – How many pieces can we put away in 5 minutes? Can you vacuum the living room faster than you did last time? Breaking up cleaning into these small time chunks provides more opportunities to feel accomplished. This makes cleaning more enjoyable!
Jr’s Cleaning Company, Inc – Get your little one a caddy with their own cleaning supplies. Natural cleansers, socks for cleaning floors, microfiber cloth for dusting, kid sized rubber glove, etc. You could even get a little apron or overalls with your child’s name. They can pretend to own a cleaning company, and you could play the customer.
Expiration Date Detective – Have your child look for expired foods to clean out fridge and pantry. Let them choose a snack (non-expired, of course!) as a reward!

Using these methods to have your kids help with cleaning is a great way to teach them responsibility and instill good habits for the future, but there’s another benefit that’s much more short-term: Your house? It gets cleaned. And you have to do less and less of the work yourself as your kids get older and more capable. Eventually, you can just sit back, refreshing drink and/or snack in hand, while the kids take care of all of the Spring Cleaning themselves, freshening up the house without you having to lift a finger… That’s the dream anyway. Reality may differ slightly!

If your kid can operate a truck-mounted 50k hot water extraction machine capable of injecting 240-degree cleaning solution at 500 PSI and pulling 450 CFM, you probably don’t need Modernistic to clean your carpet. If they can’t, our expert technicians are more than happy to give you the absolute best Spring Cleaning possible! Call or click today.

How to Prevent Carpet Filtration Lines

Posted Wednesday, May 2nd, 2018

Have you ever noticed the dark lines on your carpeting around the edges of the rooms and underneath doorways? They’re called carpet filtration lines and can be found in many homes, especially in states with colder climates like Michigan. These are unsightly and can be especially difficult to clean, so let’s go through some of the ways to prevent carpet filtration lines.

What causes carpet filtration lines?

As warm air rises in your home, particularly when your furnace is running, it carries dust, allergens, and pollutants throughout your home. The warmer air actually heads towards cooler temperatures, bringing it down to the carpet as the air tries to pass through the narrow gaps between the floor and wall or underneath closed doors.

In these tight spots, the carpet fibers act as an air filter, gradually collecting the airborne particulates as they go by. The collected pollutants are made up of such tiny particles that they actually bind to the carpeting, slowly building up layer after layer of until there is a visible line.

How do you prevent filtration lines from forming?

Sealing the gaps the best you can between the floor and wall will limit the amount of air that can pass through. Removing the baseboard to apply caulk underneath is the best way – tape can also be used. The other way to prevent filtration lines is to have cleaner air. You can remove allergens and other airborne particulates from your home by having your air ducts professionally cleaned. Also make sure to change the furnace filter regularly in between air duct cleanings.

How do you get rid of carpet filtration lines?

All this information will help prevent carpet filtration lines but what do you do if they’re already there? They can be extremely difficult to remove on your own, so having your carpet professionally cleaned is the best method to get rid of carpet filtration lines. A trained technician, using the power of a truck-mounted steam extraction system, will know the most effective treatments to get those unsightly lines out. Having the technician apply 3M Scotchgard carpet protection after the cleaning will also provide another layer of defense to your carpet fibers.

Modernistic has been helping Michigan homes get rid of carpet filtration lines for over 45 years. If you’re struggling with unseemly lines along your walls and doorways, give us a call!

What To Do When You Find Mold During Spring Cleaning

Posted Wednesday, April 25th, 2018

Across Michigan, the weather’s getting warmer. And you know what that means: Spring cleaning is in full swing! Getting rid of a winter’s worth of dirt and grime helps us welcome spring with open arms, but there’s always a chance you could discover something sinister that’s been growing all season: Mold! Underneath a floor mat, behind your bathroom drywall, inside your eaves, around uninsulated ductwork – mold can grow anywhere where there’s moisture and reduced air flow, which means it’s often well out of sight. But don’t panic! Here’s what to do when you find mold during spring cleaning.

Don’t Ignore It

If you suspect a dark/discolored spot could be mold, deal with it right away. Mold has a tendency to multiply rapidly when conditions are right, turning a small spot into a much larger problem. The last thing you want is for a tiny growth to take over your entire room!

Whenever you deal with mold, it’s important to wear proper mold protective gear. Gloves and a mask at the bare minimum! Also, if you or anyone in your home is allergic or reacts negatively to mold, call a professional rather than deal with it yourself.

Test It

There are lots of different types of mold, some of which look a lot like standard dirt or soiling. On porous surfaces especially, it’s important to know if what you’re dealing with is mold, mildew, or just dirt.

Mold vs Mildew

While they share many of the same characteristics (like to grow in dark and moist areas, comes back after cleaning, both are types of fungi), it’s possible to tell the difference between mold and mildew. According to mold-advisor.com, mold is “usually fuzzy in appearance”, while mildew “may appear powdery or downy.” Both can cause damage to your home, and both can adversely affect your family’s health, so it’s best to remove both when you see it.

To determine on your own if a dark spot is mold, there are many different types of test kits available. Make sure to carefully follow all directions to get the most accurate results.

However, it’s always advised that you get a professional evaluation whenever you suspect mold is growing in your home.

Remove It

There are two options when you find mold during spring cleaning: DIY, or have a professional remove it. Each option has its advantages:

DIY

If the spot is relatively small and you know exactly what you’re doing, you might be able to tackle it yourself. You may have tried to clean the spot with standard cleaners, and if it’s mold, it has grown back. Soap and regular cleaning products don’t adequately deal with the spores that mold produces, leading to the growths reappearing – no matter how hard you scrub. That’s why using the correct mold-killing product is essential. Here’s how to use the three most popular mold-killing products. Please note that these products will only kill the mold they come in contact with, so use them only on non-porous surfaces. If you have mold on porous surfaces, like drywall, contact a professional mold remediator!

How to kill mold with Bleach: Mix 1 part bleach with 10 parts water and apply the solution to the mold growth using a spray bottle or washcloth. Let dry, repeat as necessary.

How to kill mold with Vinegar: Take undiluted vinegar and apply it to the mold growth using a spray bottle or washcloth. Let it sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour, then rinse with water. (The vinegar smell will dissipate quickly with adequate air flow)
How to kill mold with Borax: Using a HEPA filtered vacuum, vacuum up the loose mold and mold spores. Mix 2 parts borax with 5 parts water and scrub the mold growth with the solution. Let dry, repeat as necessary.

Hiring a Professional Mold Remediator

It’s always advised that you hire a professional mold remediation company whenever you encounter mold in your home. An professional will be able to accurately determine the extent of the mold problem and offer you expert evaluation on what it will take to completely remove the mold growth. Another benefit is that a seasoned professional will know what steps to take to prevent the mold growth from coming back, including spore containment and air purification, so that you don’t have to keep dealing with the same problem. For your own peace of mind, hire a professional at the first sign of mold!

Prevent It

Killing the existing mold found during spring cleaning is only the first step in having a mold-free home; you also want to prevent mold from growing in the future, so that you’re not dealing with the exact same issue next spring!

There’s a reason you found mold growing where you did, and if you don’t limit the factors that contributed to the growth, guess what? It’s going to come back, and you’ll be starting from square one all over again! Nobody wants that!

When considering the mold found while you were spring cleaning, keep in mind the three factors that mold needs to thrive:

Oxygen
Organic Material
Moisture

Since Oxygen is everywhere in your home, the last two are the factors you want to focus on. Mold uses Organic Material as a food source, drawing energy from plants, animals, droppings, old food, you name it. Limiting Organic Material is as simple as keeping the area clean, although this may be more difficult in hard-to-reach areas.

That’s why controlling Moisture is so important. If you can keep an area dry, it’s much, much less likely that mold will be able to grow and proliferate. Locating the source of the unwanted moisture will go a long way toward preventing your mold problem from coming back next spring: check your flashing and plug any holes, look for leaks in your plumbing, run a dehumidifier in the basement, and make sure your bathrooms are properly ventilated.

Air flow is key, especially for naturally humid areas of your home (like bathrooms and basements). With melting snow and increased rainfall, spring time is the worst time for unwanted moisture and humidity!

With these tips in mind, clean your home without fear! If you find mold during spring cleaning, you’ll be confident that you will know the best way to get rid of the unwanted intruders, and who to call if things look too complicated. While it’s always best to call a professional, you’ll know what to do when you encounter mold with this guide and other resources available on this site. Happy Spring Cleaning!

Do you have questions about possible mold in your home? Call the experts with 45+ years of Michigan mold remediation experience! Modernistic is here for you and your mold growth problems.

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!