Get ready for the first ever Clean Popo Grammar Lesson! Throughout the course of business we have found that many of our customers get a little confused about the difference between biweekly cleaning service schedules and semiweekly cleaning service schedules. Admittedly, we here at Clean Popo think it can be a little confusing too. Just try to remember that the prefix bi- means two and semi- means half. Whereas biweekly means every two weeks, semiweekly means twice per week, or once every half week. Luckily, this can be pretty easy to recall if you can just remember that a bicycle has two wheels and semisweet chocolate is only half sweet. Of course, if you want to make sure to always be right, just avoid using words like biweekly and semimonthly. Instead just use "twice a week" or "every other month" for example. Looking for biweekly or semiweekly, bimonthly or semimonthly, or even just one time cleaning services? Contact Clean Popo today! We'll get you on just the right cleaning schedule for your home and budget. Proudly servicing Hoboken, Jersey City, Weehawken, West New York, Union City and Beyond!
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So, you've decided to move out of your apartment. Maybe to a bigger unit in the area, or perhaps far far away. No matter how far you are going, one thing is for certain. Your apartment will need to be cleaned before handing the keys oven to the landlord. One of the most common ways tenants lose part of their security deposit is by leaving their old apartment in less than perfect condition. In most cases, the space does not even need to be damaged in order for your security deposit to be garnished. In fact, Clean Popo has cleaned many apartments for landlords after their ex-tenants have left in haste. We can assure you... they want the space cleaner than is required by the lease and want you to pay for it! Don't let your landlord choose how deep of a clean your apartment needs upon leaving. Read your lease carefully and find out exactly what is required! Although nearly every lease mentions something about deep cleaning the inside of the refrigerator and oven, condition of the floors can vary widely from lease to lease. While some only require "broom swept" condition, others require carpet shampooing and deep cleaning from top to bottom. No matter the specifics of your lease, Clean Popo is here to help! We specialize is all varieties of residential cleaning and our team has tons of experience doing move in and move out cleaning services. So don't stress during the big move... Just call Clean Popo and have us take care of the cleaning for you! Looking for a move in or move out cleaning estimate? Contact us anytime! Just about everyone has heard about microfiber, but Clean Popo has recently discovered that pretty much no one really knows much about it, how it works, how to properly care for it, or even how to buy the good stuff. That's why we've decided to dedicate our February blog post to all things microfiber. So the next time you see a Clean Popo Housekeeper with a cleaning cloth, you'll know we are using space age materials to clean as effectively and efficiently as possible! What exactly is Microfiber? Microfiber cleaning cloths are made of quality microscopic fibers knit together in a special process as to create an extremely effective cleaning material. Microscopic fibers, or microfibers as they are called, are dense polyester and polyamide fibers usually no thicker than 1/16 of a human hair. Although extremely thin, these fibers are made even thinner by being split during the manufacturing process. This process allows them to hold 6 - 8 times the weight of the material in water... A serious feat!!! Microfiber is made out of a blend of synthetic fibers that are split during the manufacturing process, creating more surface area, and a cross section that looks a lot like an asterisk. As illustrated, it is actually the split fibers together with the space between that makes microfiber unique and useful. Essentially, the fiber picks up the dust and dirt, and the space in between holds it. In addition to the open spaces in the fibers created during the splitting process, microfiber is an effective cleaning tool because the fibers are positively charged, whereas dirt and dust are negatively charged, so they are attracted to microfiber like a magnet. The microfiber holds on to the dust and dirt until it is released in the wash or when being rinsed out. Why isn't Microfiber more popular? Although microfibers have been in development in Japan since the 1960s, they were were first brought to market and publicized in Sweden in the early 1990s. Since this time, their popularity across Europe and the world slowly increased. It was not until Rubbermaid began marketing microfiber products for US just a few years ago that they became really popular in the United States. How can I be sure I am purchasing the right kind of Microfiber? For microfiber to be truly effective as a cleaning product it has to be split. If microfiber isn't split during manufacturing, it is pretty much not much more useful than just a very soft cloth. This is why it is very important when buying microfiber cleaning products to make sure that the fibers are split. One of the best ways to determine if the microfiber is split is to simply run your bare skin over it. If it catches to the small imperfections on your skin then then microfiber is split. You can also try spilling a few ounces of water on a table and taking a suspected piece of split microfiber to try to push the water. If the water is absorbed it is split microfiber. If the water is pushed it is not split microfiber. How can I clean Microfiber? Microfiber has a pretty specific set of care requirements due to the unique properties and structure of the material. Just remember... No fabric softener, no bleach, no heat and you are half way there. Wash your microfiber in the washing machine with detergent only. Tumble dry them with the no heat setting as high heat will literally melt the tiny fibers together. Wondering why not to use fabric softener and bleach? Easy, because they eliminate the positive charge that makes microfiber so effective. If you can make a point to avoid these three laundry habits your microfiber will pretty much last forever. Are there any issues with using Mircofiber? Microfiber is not the best option for some cleaning applications as it accumulates dust, debris, and particles so well. Sensitive surfaces such as flat screen TV and computer displays can easily be damaged by a microfiber cloth if it has picked up grit or other abrasive particles during previous use. The cloth itself is generally safer to use on these surfaces than other cloths though, particularly as it requires no cleaning chemicals. One of the ways to minimize the risk of damage to sensitive surfaces is to use a flat, non-rugged microfiber cloth, as these tend to be much less susceptible to retaining grit. Alternatively, you can always use a brand new one as it is very unlikely it will be holding any retained dirt. Want to spread the gospel of Microfiber? You're in luck! The University of Washington's Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences released a great article on microfiber back in November of 2011. It's only 2 pages and can easily be printed out and shared. We at Clean Popo hope our little microfiber tutorial has helped you get a better understanding of a type of material you will undoubtedly see much more of in the coming years. Microfiber truly is one of the most revolutionary technological advances the cleaning industry has ever seen, and without it the work our nearly all Housekeepers would be more difficult.
So now when you see someone using a little blue synthetic rag when cleaning, you will not only know what it is, but also how it works, how to properly care for it, and how to buy it! If you live in the Hoboken / Hudson County area and are more interested in having someone else do the cleaning, there really is only one option... Clean Popo! Want to get the most out of a cleaning service? Of course you do! Maximizing your cleaning dollar has never been easier. Just follow these simple suggestions:
Still have questions about how to prepare for your first cleaning service from a housekeeping service provider? Feel free to contact us anytime to discuss your questions and concerns. Indoor air quality is one of those big issues that is not often addressed. Air filters are left unchanged, fans undusted, and all sorts of nasty chemicals leak out of our everyday household goods into the air. This issue used to not be as big a deal, but since homes and other buildings are now built with much better insulation, air no longer cycles out of buildings as quickly. Although heating and cooling bills are lower, the tradeoff of being so well insulated is having a higher level of toxins and pollutants in the indoor air. To make matters worse, formaldehyde and other dangerous chemicals can often times be found in the same insulation being used to better seal the building! Think your home is void of these toxins and chemicals already? Think again! Benzene is in items such as ink, plastics, rubber, detergents, and synthetic fibers. Trichloroethylene is used in dry cleaning, lacquers, varnishes, and adhesives. Formaldehyde can be found in pressed-wood, fire retardants, cigarette smoke, and even natural gas. Did you know grocery bags and waxed paper contain small amounts of formaldehyde too? That's right... Just about every modern day processed consumer good has a little something that could use a little airing out! So what is to be done? Well, you can open a window, but then you lose all the savings you were hoping for when sealing and insulating your home. Another solution is to bring the outdoors indoors. The process of photosynthesis makes plants very efficient air purifiers, and all you have to do is water them as needed to keep this process going! No electricity or real energy required. According to NASA researchers, one potted plant per 100 square feet of space is all that is necessary to effectively filter indoor air. That means about 5 to 10 small to medium sized plants will keep the air fresh in an average 1 bedroom Hoboken apartment. Not sure what plants to use? If you are looking to maximize the filtering effect, mix a few of each category from the below options: Benzene filtering plants include: English ivy, dracaena marginata, warneckei, chrysanthemum, peace lily, and the gerbera daisy. Trichloroethylene filtering plants include: chrysanthemum, gerbera daisy, peace lily, and dracaena marginata. Formaldehyde filtering plants include: philodendron, azalea, golden pothos, chrysanthemum, bamboo palm, and the corn plant. If you were paying close attention, you might have noticed that the chrysanthemum is a is capable of filtering all three of these common toxins. This makes it a great choice as a general purpose air filtration plant. Looking to take the concept one step further? Herbs are also really great air filters, and you can use them to naturally perfume the air. Jasmine, mint, rosemary, lavender, and geranium are good herbal air fresheners and do not take up all that much real estate in the home. Why stop there? Ensure the cleanliness and freshness of your home by having Clean Popo stop by for regular cleaning services. Once a week, or once a month, we have what it takes to make your place sparkle. Contact us today!
Mold and mildew love to grow in dark, damp, and warm environments, and your shower is no exception. Although rather benign looking, mold can trigger all sorts of asthma and allergy related conditions. This can be particularly hazardous for those with respiratory problems, young children, the elderly, and those with suppressed immune systems, but is generally not something that anyone should be around. Keeping your curtain liner clean is the great way to maintain a healthy, mold free home. Shower curtain liners of all material types eventually begin to grow all sorts of nasty things, even if you can’t see them. Although some materials are better than others, the truth is your best defense against a moldy shower curtain liner and mildewy smelling bathroom is just to change it. Even though all shower curtain liners will eventually need changing, some last longer than others. Generally the more porous nylon variety require changing more frequently, with the PVC and vinyl types lasting longest, especially when treated with moldicide and/or mildewcide. If your shower curtain has been treated with one of these chemicals, its life will be extended by quite a bit. Although it is undoubtedly recommended to change your shower curtain, between changings it is also important to clean your shower regularly using a cleaning solution that is made to kill mold. Even better than this, in some cases shower curtain liners can be put in a washing machine, and if possible this is a great solution. Just use hot water and a little bleach to ensure almost all of the mold is killed. For extra mold killing just leave the curtain outside in the sun. The power of the sun drying it will help to kill any residual mold. That being said, any discoloration caused by mold will likely remain. Hope you found this helpful! Want to see our professional housekeeping team at work cleaning your Hoboken home’s shower?
Contact us any time to discuss how we can be help you with your household cleaning requirements. Friends, Hobokenites, Countrymen, lend me your eyes!
Clean Popo’s primary focus has always been as a residential and commercial cleaning services, but with our most recent expansion we thought we would try our hand at blogging too. We plan to use this blog primarily as an outlet to share the various cleaning tips and tricks used by many of our maids and housekeepers, but also have hopes to use this space to keep our current and prospective clients up to date on all things Clean Popo. This blog will also sometimes also serve as a source for coupons and discounts for our cleaning services, although we’ll usually try to offer these through our website’s discount page, our Twitter feed, and even our Facebook page. Speaking of which, we try to Tweet pretty frequently, so make sure to Follow Us and keep your eyes open as to not miss our promotions, Hoboken-centric news, and other fun stuff! We’re currently running a promotion (modeled off our Hoboken Girl Blog promotion) offering one lucky Hudson County resident winner an absolutely 100% Free 2-Hour Cleaning Service. All you have to do to enter is like our Facebook page and stay tuned to see if you’re the winner! It doesn’t get any easier than that, so show us some online love today! A winner will be selected on October 31, 2012. That’s it! Check back for our next post soon… |