Advanced Cleaning Blog

Dog Days can be a Danger

admin — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 02:47:33 +0000

You know how much we love our four legged friends, we saw this and thought it is a good time to remind everyone of the dangers of the heat to our buds… This was originally posted on the ASPCA blog http://www.aspca.org/Blog/heat-wave-alert.aspx July 19, 2011 Heat Wave Alert: Prevent Heat Stroke in Pets The dog days of summer are no joke. The deadly heat wave currently hitting the South and Midwest has already resulted in heat warnings or advisories in many states—and taken the lives of more than a dozen people. The record high temperatures are now spreading to the East Coast. Pet parents, it’s vital to remember that our companions, like people, can suffer from heat stroke. Please take these simple precautions to help prevent your pet from overheating. 1. Avoid dehydration by always having fresh, clean water available and lots of shady places where pets can cool off. When the weather’s extremely hot, keep your pets indoors. 2. Limit exercise to either early in the morning or late in the evening. Before starting your walk, give the sidewalk a test with the palm of your hand. If it’s too hot to touch, it can burn your pet’s footpads and should be avoided. 3. Bring outdoor pets inside, and give them access to air-conditioned areas of your home. For animals who must remain outside, provide a shady, sheltered place to rest and lots of fresh water in stable containers. 4. Never leave an animal alone in a parked vehicle. On a hot day, a parked car can become a furnace in no time—even with the windows open—leading to fatal heat stroke within minutes. 5. Watch out for the following symptoms of overheating: excessive panting or difficulty breathing, drooling, mild weakness, stupor, seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomiting. Contact a veterinarian right away if you suspect your pet is suffering from heat stroke.

Posted via email from Advanced Cleaning’s Blog

A Timeline of the Top-Selling Holiday Gifts… Ever

admin — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 21:10:07 +0000

By Sean Cunningham, Esquire.com

As we approach the holiday shopping season, take a year-by-year look back over the last three decades at popular holiday gifts that sent parents a-tramplin.

2010: Apple iPad

$499 – $699, Yahoo! Shopping

The Big Deal: Really, were there any other contenders? It’s the first of its kind — a slim tablet that lets you seamlessly glide between movies, music, browsing the web, and Street Fighter beat-downs. With Wi-Fi and 3G, everything from racing simulators to magazines are just a touch away. And don’t get us started on that gorgeous LED display.

The Weird Part: You can use the iPad to do just about anything, but you’re probably going to waste all your time on Angry Birds, which has been purchased over 10 million times on Apple’s App Store.

2009: Nook eReader

2009: Nook eReader (Barnes & Noble)

Starting at $149, Yahoo! Shopping

The Big Deal: B&N’s e-book has a second screen while Amazon’s Kindle has just one; throw in its Wi-Fi and the Nook seems set for a Christmas KO. That said, Beta had a much nicer picture than VHS.

More from Esquire.com:

Gifts That Will Keep You Married

What Sexy Celebs Want for the Holidays

iPod Touch

2007: iTouch (Apple)

iPod Touch 4th Generation, Starting at $275, Yahoo! Shopping

The Big Deal: The first touchscreen and Web-enabled iPod went from annual fanboy fantasy to national must-have, largely because it came at a fraction of the iPhone’s price tag. Christmas? There’s an app for that.

The Weird Part: Apple’s profits took a slight hit when they had to deal with a lawsuit filed by an irate mother claiming her child’s iTouch burst into flames while in his pocket, igniting his pants and “nylon/spandex underwear.”

2006: Playstation 3

2006: Playstation 3 (Sony)

PlayStation 3 Slim 160GB, Starting at $300, Yahoo! Shopping

The Big Deal: Sony’s response to Microsoft’s Xbox 360 had a North American launch inspiring such anticipation that pre-sale units hit $3,000 on eBay (retail topped out at $599), while mothers and mouth-breathers alike camped out for days to buy one in person.

The Weird Part: Legend has it one man on an advance line at a Walmart discovered there would not be any PS3s left by the time it was his chance to make a purchase. So he did the only logical thing: he treated people ahead of him in line to coffee spiked with laxatives. He got one.

2005: Xbox 360

2005: Xbox 360 (Microsoft)

Xbox 360 250GB Starting at $200, Yahoo! Shopping

The Big Deal: Beating Sony to the punch? Check. Internet connectivity for Halo tournaments stretching from nerds in Taiwan to schoolchildren in Toledo? You got it. Enough supply to meet holiday demand? Not so much. Frenzy ensued.

The Weird Part: Xbox 360 started production a mere sixty-nine days before its launch. Customers lucky or savvy enough to recognize the potential profits of Microsoft’s dilemma cashed in, as forty thousand units (or 10 percent of total supply) ended up on eBay within a week.

2004: RoboSapiens

2004: RoboSapiens (WowWee)

Starting at $24, Yahoo! Shopping

The Big Deal: What’s a RoboSapien, you ask? Why a remote-control, fourteen-inch-tall humanoid capable of performing sixty-seven preprogrammed actions and movements, including (but by no means limited to) break dancing, farting, and belching, of course!

The Weird Part: Prior to the resurgence of human movement with the success of Dancing with the Stars, humanity faced a sedentary period consisting entirely of RoboSapiens shaking their mechanical groove thangs on YouTube.

2002-2003: Beyblades

2002-2003: Beyblades (Hasbro)

Starting at $13, Yahoo! Shopping

The Big Deal: In a classic demonstration of the power of synergy, Hasbro released these customizable “fighting” spin-tops in Japan simultaneously with a hit cartoon. World domination followed soon thereafter.

The Weird Part: Beyblade competitions quickly became a sensation, with the first one drawing eighteen thousand people. One need only YouTube the highlights of such an event to discover why this attracted more folk than the average heavyweight title fight.

2001: Bratz Dolls

2001: Bratz Dolls (MGA Entertainment)

Starting at $10, Yahoo! Shopping

The Big Deal: Ah, Cloe, Jade, Sasha, and Yasmin. They’re the original quartet of ten-inch “teenagers distinguished by large heads and skinny bodies.” While their June 2001 launch proved disappointing, by Christmas they were well on their way to generating billions.

The Weird Part: If the Bratz remind you of Barbie dolls, you’re not the only one. Mattel won a $100 million copyright suit against MGA in 2008 (though it should be noted that Mattel requested $1.8 billion).

2000: Razor Scooters

2000: Razor Scooters (Razor USA)

Starting at $40, Yahoo! Shopping

The Big Deal: This was the year we decided we didn’t want to drive… or walk. What to do? Dodge children in the streets! The original Razor also won Toy of the Year for establishing itself as a “classic mode of transportation, like bikes and skateboards.”

The Weird Part: Only downside? Any grown man on a scooter looks like a total zero. John Mayer celebrated this in a short film about his songwriting process.

1999: Pokémon

1999: Pokémon (Nintendo)

Starting at $10, Yahoo! Shopping

The Big Deal: With the Japanese cartoon a sensation, kids demanded more, and the video-game series came to rival even the Mario titles in popularity, inspiring South Park to parody the whole phenomenon (you know, the one where Japan wants to brainwash America’s children into launching a second attack on Pearl Harbor).

The Weird Part: An eight-second-or-so segment of a TV episode duplicated a strobe-light effect so effectively that it triggered seizures in hundreds of fans, proving right mothers the world over: Cartoons are bad for you.

1998: Furbies

1998: Furbies (Tiger Electronics)

Starting at $10, Yahoo! Shopping

The Big Deal: Who wouldn’t want a furry robot that can talk and blink its eyes? Indeed, who wouldn’t want one so badly that they’d be willing to pay a huge markup? After retailing for $35, Furbies skyrocketed to $100 a pop, not to mention “collector’s items” like “tuxedo Furby” and “biker Furby.”

The Weird Part: Owners discovered Furbies were strikingly affected by magnets, inspiring a demonic-looking video craze.

1997: Tamagotchi

1997: Tamagotchi (Bandai)

Starting at $6, Yahoo! Shopping

The Big Deal: Housed in an egg-shaped computer, these digital pets required feeding and poo-cleaning, but the hard work paid off with the occasionally redeeming happiness monitor. Deeply creepy stuff, but apparently very popular: seventy million Tamagotchis have been sold to date.

The Weird Part: When a Tamagotchi “dies,” you can reset it and start again, but owners who truly cared for their pets found that heartless and instead had proper burials at (real) pet cemeteries, complete with gravesites and coffins.

1996: Tickle Me Elmo

1996: Tickle Me Elmo (Tyco)

Starting at $25, Yahoo! Shopping

The Big Deal: “When squeezed, Elmo would chortle. When squeezed three times in a row, Elmo would begin to shake and laugh hysterically.” Needless to say, this was something Sesame Street watchers everywhere needed to have. And they needed to have it now.

The Weird Part: Beloved puppeteer Jim Henson may be gone, but surely he’d be moved to know he inspired a toy that would be resold for up to eighty times its $30 list value and trigger at least one stampede of parents so crazed they left a store employee in the hospital.

1995: Beanie Babies

1995: Beanie Babies (Ty Inc.)

Starting at $7, Yahoo! Shopping

The Big Deal: First conquering Chicago and then spreading all over this plush nation, Legs the Frog, Squealer the Pig, Spot the Dog, Flash the Dolphin, Splash the Whale, Chocolate the Moose, Patti the Platypus, and dozens of other $5 bean-bag creatures with pun-tastic names devoured our hearts.

The Weird Part: Recognizing the willingness of Americans to abandon any shred of dignity to get what their children want, an Atlanta radio station dumped eggs and beans on people in exchange for free Beanie Babies.

1993-1994: Mighty
Morphin Power Rangers

1993-1994: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (Bandai)

Starting at $6, Yahoo! Shopping

The Big Deal: Five racially diverse teenagers with superpowers fought evil aliens for a TV smash, and so came a line of toys featuring the Rangers and their “Zords” — you know, giant robotic dinosaurs they used to combat aforementioned evil aliens. Duh.

The Weird Part: The Power Rangers’s catchphrase, “It’s Morphin Time!” reportedly outraged authorities in Malaysia, who feared it encouraged children to become morphine addicts.

http://toys.shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=talking+barney+doll&_sacat=2625&amp…” rel=”nofollow”>

1992: Barney Talking Doll

1992: Barney Talking Doll (Playskool)

Starting at $10, ebay.com

The Big Deal: Barney & Friends was aimed at a younger crowd that somehow found it irresistible to watch a man in a dinosaur suit sing some of the most mawkish songs ever. This talking doll brought the tunes all day long. Needless to say, parents were thrilled.

The Weird Part: Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers this show was not. From TV Guide’s “Worst 50 Shows of All Time”: “…his shows do not assist children… [T]he real danger from Barney is denial: the refusal to recognize the existence of unpleasant realities.”

1991: POG

1991: POG (World POG Federation, Others)

Starting at $1, ebay.com

The Big Deal: It may have the least likely origin of any Christmas-season smash: a milk-cap game played during breaks by Hawaiian dairy workers. A two-person contest involving a flimsy discs and a slammer, POGs gave kids the chance to, well, take their friend’s Christmas present supply away in minutes.

The Weird Part: It goes without saying that a game played by Hawaiian dairy workers would threaten educators. They quickly deemed POGs a form of gambling and banned them from schools across the nation.

1990: Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles

1990: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Bandai)

Starting at $8, Yahoo! Shopping

The Big Deal: The action figures were so popular they got kids to learn about Renaissance painters — or learn their names, at least. Adolescent abnormal reptiles Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo discovered the ancient art of Ninjutsu from a giant talking rat to fight ninjas while eating pizza. Cowabunga, dude.

The Weird Part: The toys made a bundle, but the turtles also cleaned up with 1990s live-action film earning over $200 million — at the time, the highest-grossing indie movie to date.

http://video-games.shop.ebay.com/Systems-/139971/i.html?_nkw=original+game+bo…” rel=”nofollow”>

1989: GameBoy

1989: GameBoy (Nintendo)

Starting at $6, ebay.com

The Big Deal: The first eight-bit handheld videogame system to utilize cartridges, GameBoy went anywhere and didn’t force you to play the same damn game over and over again. Goodbye, couch! Hellooooo… other couch.

The Weird Part: Goodbye, Cold War! And thank you, USSR. A Soviet R&D center employed Alexey Pajitnov when he designed the puzzle game Tetris, which came bundled with the original GameBoy and to this day fills people of a certain age with an overwhelming desire to stack rectangles.

1985: Care Bears

1985: Care Bears (American Greetings/Kenner)

Starting at $10, Yahoo! Shopping

The Big Deal: The rare successful line of toys inspired by greeting cards — really — these plush teddy bears didn’t become a smash until their TV show offered children a glimpse of life in the Kingdom of Caring.

The Weird Part: There are few things weirder than the intro to the Care Bears cartoon. (Note: All viewers should know that the theme song may lodge itself deep in your brain and make you hate yourself for being so darned insufficiently caring. You’ve been warned.)

1984: The Transformers

1984: The Transformers (Hasbro)

Starting at $14, Yahoo! Shopping

The Big Deal:Without them, we might never have discovered Megan Fox. Or how to turn plastic robots into cars, planes, tape recorders, insects, and dinosaurs. Transformative, indeed.

The Weird Part: Before this decade’s Michael Bay calamities, there was the 1986 animated movie featuring the vocal talents of Orson Welles, who shrewdly died eight months before the movie premiered.

Click here to see more of the best-selling gifts of all time from Esquire.com

Posted via email from Advanced Cleaning’s Blog

Too Much Water Today? Call us.

admin — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:31:05 +0000

Emergency Water Extraction

The professionals at Advanced Cleaning Service are trained and prepared to help you during a water emergency. We have over twenty years of experience in handling emergency situations. We use only the latest technology for water removal and content drying.

Quick response and professionally trained remediation technicians are the keys to ensuring that your home or business suffers the least amount of damage after a flood or water leak.

Our technicians will monitor your home during the entire drying process and then clean and treat your flooring after drying is complete to avoid any mold or mildew damage.

ACS’s Water Extraction Process

(Not all steps required for all jobs)

Water Extraction– Using Suction & 400 pound rollers (We use truck-mounted equipment for extraction.)
Furniture/Content Removal
Carpet De-installation (Corners & edges only so drying fans can be set up underneath)
Carpet & Padding Drying– Using Industrial Dryers
Moisture Removal– Using Industrial Dehumidifiers
Carpet Re-installation
Carpet Cleaning (After drying complete)
Mold and Mildew Treatment

Turn to the Upper Cumberland’s Professionals with twenty years of experience when you have a flood or water leak in your home. Advanced Cleaning Service will respond quickly and efficiently during your time of crisis to help protect your valuable possessions. After all, your business means the world to us!

Give us a call today at

931-537-3733 ? 931-456-7734 ? 1-800-773-7769

Posted via email from Advanced Cleaning’s Blog

Thanksgiving Foods You Should Not Feed Your Pet

admin — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 05:35:06 +0000

Anyone who has been in the Advanced Cleaning Service Office know how much we love our pets. We bet you do to so here is a list of food items you should not give your pets even though they may try to convince you with that pitiful stare that they really really need them.

The list is adapted for the blog from The Animal Planet Website. Visit them here for more information http://animal.discovery.com/the-spot/happy-everything/thanksgiving/table-foods-pets.html

10 Table Foods Your Pet Shouldn't Eat

By Sarah Grace McCandless

When you see Fluffy giving you a sad little look while standing next to the dinner table, you might be tempted to slip your furry pal a little taste of your food. Or perhaps you've been in the midst of preparing a large holiday meal and let your pet tend to the floor scraps. Beats sweeping, right?

Sharing food with your pet may seem relatively harmless, but outside of encouraging bad begging behaviors and possibly even weight gain (thanks to the extra calories), you could actually be putting your pet's overall health and life at risk. There are a number of foods and ingredients consumed by humans every day, like chocolate, milk and garlic that can trigger serious toxic reactions in pets. We'll take a closer look at the ones that can be most harmful to your four-legged friends. We'll examine the signs of ingestion, the side effects, and what you should do in case of emergency. Let's start with one that seems very harmless: milk.

10. Milk and other Dairy Products

The image of a cat lapping at a saucer of milk is certainly a familiar one, but in reality, that bowl can spell trouble. While a glass of cold milk can do your body good, the same can't be said for your pets. Neither cats nor dogs come equipped with systems that inherently carry enough lactase (the enzyme that helps break down lactose). As a result, introducing cow's milk or milk-based products like ice cream into their diets can lead to digestive issues including upset stomach and diarrhea, or even food allergies. Follow the advice of organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States and keep your pet on a lactose-free path. Or seek out commercially prepared milk substitutes created especially for cats, which can be found at your local pet shop.

9. Raw Meat and Bones

If you're inspired by the nursery rhyme "This Old Man" and tempted to "give a dog a bone," be cautious about what you're giving to Rover. While the idea of a pup gnawing on a bone might seem like second nature, you could be introducing a health risk by handing one over. It could splinter and cause choking, intestinal blockage, or tears in your dog's digestive tract. Nevertheless, the act of chewing a bone does help with dental issues by scraping off plaque and stimulating gums, which help control bad breath. However, it's safer to purchase nylon-based or pressed rawhide bones for these purposes.

Raw meat can present challenges as well, in terms of transmitting bacteria like E. coli that can be harmful to pets and disturb your pet's digestive system. Avoid sharing any uncooked beef, poultry, or fish, and keep any items you're defrosting for dinner well out of reach.

8. Onions and Garlic

Several common seasonings, including onions, garlic and chives, can create problems for your pets by triggering irritation in their gastrointestinal tract, possibly leading to serious red blood cell damage, asthma attacks, and even liver damage. Immediate signs of ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, discolored urine and lethargy. Reactions seem to be more prominent among cats than dogs, though both have been known to react when exposed to raw, cooked or dehydrated varieties of these ingredients. While cats and dogs aren't particularly attracted to the smell of onions or garlic, these items are so present in cooked food, we must remember not to give our pets meat that has been sautéed or garnished with these seasonings.

7. Avocado

Could guacamole be deadly? Perhaps, if your pet gets hold of some! Avocados contain an element known as persin in their leaves, fruit, seeds, and even bark. Persin is incredibly toxic to most animals, including dogs, cats, horses, birds and rodents. Its presence in animals leads to difficulty in breathing, severe congestion, inflammation of the mammary glands, accumulation of fluid around the heart and even death. Just a small amount can cause massive vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and cats, so keep the avocados out of reach. If you suspect your pet has ingested some, play it safe and get to your vet as soon as possible.

6. Alcohol

There's a saying that goes: Beer before liquor, never sicker; liquor before beer, never fear. That might be fine for people, but for animals, beer, wine or liquor are all hazardous.

You might think it funny to see what would happen if you let Fido have some beer, but your canine companion would likely be saddled with a laundry list of side effects. These include vomiting, diarrhea, depression of the central nervous system, coordination problems, breathing issues and tremors. In extreme cases, your pet could fall into a coma or die. The level of the poisoning usually depends on the amount of alcohol consumed as well as the pet's weight, but bottom line is, there's nothing funny about putting a cocktail within your pet's reach. And if your pet does ingest some liquor, don't just let it "sleep it off." Call your vet for advice.

5. Caffeine and Chocolate

If your dog seems a bit lethargic and you think a cup of coffee might help, think again. Caffeine is harmful to animals due to the presence of methylxanthines, chemicals which can be found not just in coffee, but also in tea, colas, energy drinks, and even pain killers and diet pills. Ingestion can trigger vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, panting, increased thirst and urination, but also more serious symptoms such as tremors, abnormal heart rhythms and death.

Chocolate also contains lower amounts of methylxanthine. Levels vary, depending on the type. However, chocolate serves as a double whammy of sorts to pets, as it also contains theobromine, another potentially toxic element that can trigger reactions like restlessness, vomiting and muscle spasms. Just four to 10 ounces (113 to 283 grams) of milk chocolate could be lethal to smaller dogs. Unsweetened baking chocolate and dark chocolate contain the highest amounts of theobromine, while white chocolate has the lowest. That said, it's best to keep all types of chocolate out of reach.

4. Grapes, Raisins, and Currants

Though grapes and raisins offer nutritional benefits for humans, it's imperative to keep them out of your pet's reach. While the toxic element within grapes and raisins hasn't been pinpointed, the impact on pets that ingest them has been well-documented, and ranges from hyperactivity and repeated vomiting to lethargy, depression, kidney failure or even loss of life. In addition to keeping grapes and raisins from your pet, you also need to keep away products such as fruit salads, cereals, granola bars, and raisin cookies.

You can serve your pet fresh fruits such as slices of apples, pears, oranges, bananas, and seedless watermelon. However, steer clear of fruits with pits such as peaches, as they can become lodged in your pet's throat. Peach and plum seeds also contain trace doses of cyanide, which can prove fatal to cats and smaller dogs. (It's not good for humans either but humans know not to eat the seed!)

3. Yeast Dough

Bakers, beware: If your dog or cat gets its paws (or rather, mouth) on some yeast dough, the consequences can be great discomfort at the very least, if not a more tragic outcome. Yeast dough can expand in your pet's stomach, leading to increased gas production in its digestive system. This could trigger rupturing of the stomach or intestines. Symptoms include vomiting, abdominal discomfort and bloat.

Bread presents less of a risk as the yeast has already risen, but even so, the ASPCA says "bread-based" treats shouldn't exceed more than 5 to 10 percent of a pet's overall caloric intake. It's better to get your pet a "pupcake" from a dog bakery.

2. Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts might make a great souvenir from a Hawaiian vacation, but it's a treat that can prove fatal for your pet, whether eaten raw or roasted. If you have a weak spot for macadamia nuts, make sure to keep the jar tightly closed and out of your pet's reach at all times. As few as six nuts can be enough to initiate a reaction, which includes vomiting, tremors, weakness, and depression. The symptoms usually start within a half-day after ingesting and last about 12 to 48 hours. Reactions can worsen to include paralysis of the hindquarters and hyperthermia, so if you suspect your pet has nibbled on these nuts, contact your vet immediately.

1. Xylitol

The word "Xylitol" might not mean much to you, but it's an artificial sweetener used in any number of products you likely have lying around your house or in your purse or pocket. These include some candies, gum, most diet products such as sugar-free cookies, and even certain types of toothpaste. It doesn't take much of it to trigger a reaction in your pet — and the symptoms can come on quickly and are often fatal.

Xylitol causes insulin release in most animals, which leads to hypoglycemia (or lowered blood sugar levels). Signs of ingestion include vomiting, coordination problems and lethargy. These symptoms can progress to seizures and even liver failure within just a few days. Avoid setting out candy dishes in your home and keep an extra-vigilant eye on your pet during holidays such as Halloween and Easter, when sweet treats are even more likely to be around.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

If you suspect your pet has ingested something harmful, contact your vet or the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435). If symptoms are severe, take your pet to the nearest pet hospital, along with a sample of the suspected trigger for evaluation.

I encourage you to visit the Animal Planet version of this article since it has many more suggestions to keep your pet safe and alternative ideas to people food. Here is the link again http://animal.discovery.com/the-spot/happy-everything/thanksgiving/table-foods-pets.html

We hope this list will help keep pets safer this holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Posted via email from Advanced Cleaning’s Blog

8 Clever Solutions for Cleaning Windows – Manage Your Life on Shine

admin — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 17:17:50 +0000

Washing windows is a tiresome chore. Here are some expert tricks to have your windows sparkling in no time.

1. “My windows always streak after washing”
Use a window-washing squeegee with a smooth, soft rubber edge. Washing windows is a tiresome chore, but it’s even worse when your labors leave streaks on the windows. Here’s how the pros avoid streaking when they wipe off their windows:Use a window-washing squeegee with a smooth, soft rubber edge. (Or use crumpled-up black-and-white newspaper—avoid the color sections.) Dry a 1-inch (2.5 centimeter) strip at the top or side of each window and always start your squeegee there—starting on dry glass is one key to avoiding streaks. Don’t wash windows in direct sunlight, because quickly dried glass is more susceptible to streaking. Evenings or cloudy day sare the times for window washing.
2. “My blinds are dust magnets!”
Use an antistatic spray. To keep dust from piling up quickly, use an antistatic spray, such as Static Guard, on the window blinds right after you clean them.

3. “There’s mildew on my window frames

“
Wash with a bleach-detergent solution. Black or gray mildew spots on wooden frames can be cleaned for good with a solution of 2 ounces (60 milliliters) of household bleach and 1 ounce (30 milliliters)of laundry detergent in a quart of water. Wearing rubber gloves to protect your hands, sponge the solution on the spots, let it sit for ten minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with clean water.

4. “My outside windowsills get dirty so quickly“
Apply a coat of floor wax. Because your exterior windows are exposed to the elements, they are subject to collecting a lot of dirt. But there is a simple way to keep your sills clean: Wipe on a coat of clear floor wax to protect them.

PLUS: How to Save on 8 Decoration Splurges

5. “My shades are filthy”
Dust or wash the shades. Dust shades regularly with a soft cloth, a duster such as the Swiffer, or the dusting brush on your vacuum. (Be sure to dust both sides of the shades.) If they’re stained or spotted, it’s time for a real cleaning. Though you can wash them in place (with a drop cloth over the floor and furniture), it’s best to remove the shades. Place one shade at a time across a worktable covered with a plastic sheet or shower curtain. Wash vinyl shades using a sponge and a solution of 1?4 cup white vinegar in 1 quart (1 liter) of warm water. Washing them in the bathtub is even easier. Run some warm water in the tub, add a squirt of dishwashing liquid, and wipe each side with a large sponge. To rise, dunk them in clean water or hold them under the shower. Then wipe with a clean, soft cloth.Many fabric shades can also be washed, but take a close look at the care instructions before washing them. It’s best not to leave them in the water for more than a minute or so.

6. “My windows get dirty too fast”
Change your heating and cooling system’s filter. If the interior glass surface of your windows gets dirty unusually fast, you may need to change the filters on your furnace or air conditioner. Modern airtight homes trap more dust, pollen, dander, and other particles inside than ever before. Furnace and air-conditioner filters help trap that dirt and also extend the life of your appliances. Filters should be changed every month or two or anytime you can’t see light through the filter when you hold it up to a light.

PLUS: 9 Fixes for Everyday Clutter

7. “Secondhand smoke is killing my windows”
Wash it with ammonia solution. To remove nicotine film or other grime from windows, you need ammonia. Mix 1 cup of lemon scented ammonia in 21?2 gallons (9.5 liters) of water and use this solution to clean the windows. The ammonia will cut through the grime, and the lemon scent will leave your house habitable.

8. “My screens are filthy”
Remove and wash. The best way to clean window screens is to remove them from the window and wash them outside. Using abroad, soft-bristled brush, scrub both sides of the screens with warm to hot water and lemon-scented dishwashing detergent. Pick up the screen by its edges, hold it at an angle so most of the screen surface is facing the ground, and rap one edge lightly against a firm surface. This will shake loose any dirt. Rinse with a hose and air-dry thoroughly before reinstalling.

via shine.yahoo.com

Sometimes there are clever articles that don’t need to be recreated. This is one of them. Excerpted from shine.yahoo.com Adapted by Yahoo from Reader’s DIgest.

Posted via email from Advanced Cleaning’s Blog

Thank you Veterans.

admin — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 14:50:47 +0000

As we prepare for a National Day of Remembrance on Novemember 11th, I thought a little history might be helpful.

Originally named Armistice Day, this holiday was created to remember those that fell during World War I – which ended at 11 am on November 11, 1918. It became Veterans Day in 1954 and expanded to honor and remember veterans of all wars.

The earliest memorial services honored unidentified soldiers killed in battle. The idea for the Tomb of the Unknowns originated with a British chaplain serving in France who came across a grave with a crude wooden cross inscribed with the following words: An unknown British soldier of the Black Watch.

The clergyman made arrangements for the remains to be returned to England, where on Armistice Day in 1920 they were laid to rest in Westminster Abbey. The French honored their unknown dead at the Arc de Triumphe. A similar practice was proposed by an American general for unidentified American soldiers. In 1921, the body of an unknown soldier was interred in a tomb built in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Today, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is one of Arlington’s most visited sites. It bears the words:

Here Rests In Honored Glory an American Soldier Known But To God.

The nation honors its war dead with special services at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Those in attendance observe two minutes of silence, followed by the playing of taps. A wreath is then placed at the tomb, which houses the graves of three unknown Americans who fought in War World I, World War II, and the Korean War. A wreath is also placed at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C

If you would like to learn more here is a link to the Department of Veteran Affairs:

http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp

Be sure to say thank you to any veterans or active service men or women you see today and keep them in your hearts always.

Posted via email from Advanced Cleaning’s Blog

Oktoberfest’s 200th Year. Crossville Celebrates it 20th

admin — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 13:41:25 +0000

The first Oktoberfest took place on Oct. 12, 1810, a celebration of the marriage in Munich of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. It included much food and drink and ended with a series of horse races.
The fall festival became an annual event and today, the Munich Oktoberfest, which culminates on October 3, is the largest public festival in the world. More than 6 million visitors converge on the city over the 17-day celebration, consuming 5 million liters of beer and more than 200,000 pairs of pork sausages. Other cities around the world have adopted the holiday to celebrate their German heritage.
In North America, the Milwaukee Oktoberfest celebrates its 151th anniversary this year, attracting about 100,000 visitors to enjoy German brass bands, folk dancing, singing, yodeling, and traditional German food and drink. Cincinnati’s annual Oktoberfest, now in its 30th year, spreads across five city blocks, offering more than 500,000 visitors live entertainment and booths serving German food, beer, and wine. The biggest Oktoberfest outside of Germany belongs to Kitchener Waterloo, Ontario, where 700,000 visitors attend events including a fashion show, parade, beauty pageant, relay races, arts exhibition, sports competitions, beer and wine tasting, and a costumed archery contest.
A little closer to home this weekend is the Crossville Oktoberfest.
Crossville Oktoberfest Visit the website for information
The Crossville Knights of Columbus have been sponsoring the Crossville Oktoberfest since 1991.   This year will be the 20th year for the festival. The festival will be held October 8th and 9th.

Great German Food and continuous music

Pork Schnitzel, Kasseler Rippchen(Smoked Pork Chop), Bratwursts, Knackwursts, Weisswursts(White Sausage)

Domestic and Imported Beverages

Hours: Friday, Oct. 8       11:30 AM – 9:30 PM

   Saturday, Oct. 9 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM

So if you are looking for something fun for this weekend think of a two-century old tradition . Visit their website for more information
Posted via email from Advanced Cleaning’s Blog

This Friday night through Saturday night is Cookeville’s 15th Annual FallFest

admin — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:47:41 +0000

September 10th & 11th, 2010

Kroger Stage Schedule

Friday

6:00 – 7:30 Tony Drake

8:00 – 9:30 Roy Roberts (Bio)

Saturday

10:00 – 12:00 9/11 Memorial

12:30 – 1:30 Legacy

2:00 – 3:00 Phlatt Earth

3:00 – 4:00 Cook Off Awards

4:00 – 5:30 Carissa & Company

6:00 – 7:30 The Vegabonds

8:00 – 9:30 The Kadillacs (Bio)

Click on green links above for more information…

AUI Teen Stage Schedule

Friday

5:00 pm Above

6:00 pm Bright Grey

7:00 pm Star City Meltdown

8:00 pm Wake the Light

Saturday

1:00 pm IT

2:00 pm Victims Of Circumstance

3:00 pm Buzzards Bluff

4:00 pm Workers

5:00 pm Details Details

6:00 pm Behove the Brave

7:00 pm Perfect Mess

AJ Carter will be performing during set changes.

We are currently scheduling the bands and performers for the 2009 event. Check back soon.

WCTE STATIONS OF IMAGINATION

Friday

5:30 pm Open & Welcome: SUPER WHY CHARACTERS:
Super Why, Princess Presto, Alpha Pig, Wonder Red

6:00 pm Local Dance Groups

6:30 pm Animal Balloons, Face Painting, Temporary Tattoos

Saturday

9:15 am Cindy Opening & Intro Lion & Bikers

9:30 am Art Prowl Art Bikes

10:30 am Welcome with Cindy Putman & Sheri Cairns

11:00 am Rhythm N Motion Cloggers

11:30 am Storyteller

12:00 pm Lunch Break

1:00 pm Tennessee Cheer & Dance Explosion Teams

1:30 pm Cookeville High School Dance Team

2:00 pm Stage One Dancers

2:30 pm Leisure Service Dancers

3:00 pm Ambiance Modeling & Performing Arts Center

3:30 pm David Turner & Friends Ventriloquist

4:00 pm The Zinghoppers Show

Walkaround Characters

Bert & Ernie: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 3:30, & 4:30

Super Why: 11:00, Noon, 1:00, 2:00 & 3:00

FYI: Captain Planet will be moving around the crowd

via fallfunfest.com

In addition there will be a juried Art section for those who love for art hosted by the Upper Cumberland Chapter TN Association of Craft Artists.

There will be lots of food for sure. Be sure to try some of the barbeque as more than 30 teams compete for the title of Tennessee State Champion in the Cookeville Cookoff.

We will see you there!

For more information go to http://www.fallfunfest.com/index.php

Posted via email from Advanced Cleaning’s Blog

BON APPETIT: Aug 31 is a good day to eat outside – My Web Times

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 04:39:52 +0000

Tuesday, Aug. 31, is National Eat Outside Day. The day’s origin in unknown, but the purpose is pretty obvious — you should grab your lunch and take it outdoors. Have breakfast on your deck, invite your friends over for a cookout or go to a restaurant with outdoor seating.

While on lunch break, Cathy Slechta finds the sunshine and breeze a welcome change to the four walls of her office. She and her Financial Plus Credit Union coworker Diane Markey ate outside of Obee’s in downtown Ottawa Monday.

“We eat (outside) as much as we can,” Markey said.

At the next table, OfficeMax coworkers had the same idea.

“It’s a perfect day for it today,” said Jynel Overocker.

Overocker, of Harding, said she and her husband Steve also like to take their two children for picnics to eat outside.

Lee Ann Piano and Katherine Corcoran, of Noteworthy Training, also like to eat outside. They were considering having a business meeting while taking a hike, but decided instead to go to the Row House and enjoy a meal outside.

“When it’s like this, you bet (we like to eat outside),” Piano said.

Frank Pullam, owner of Obee’s, said people often utilize his outdoor seating.

“When it’s a nice day, we do get a lot of people using the outside,” he said. “They enjoy being outside in the fresh air.”

Spring through fall, the outdoor seating sees plenty of use..

“But now more and more people are liking it,” he said.

.

via mywebtimes.com

It sounds like a good idea to me. I think I’ll pack a lunch so I have more outside time. I bet the food tastes even better in the great outdoors.

Posted via email from advancedcleaning’s posterous

Wow that is a lot of water. Call us if it came in your home or business

admin — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:54:22 +0000

Emergency Water Extraction

Quick response and professionally trained remediation technicians are the keys to ensuring that your home or business suffers the least amount of damage after a flood or water leak.

The professionals at Advanced Cleaning Service are trained and prepared to help you during a water emergency. We have over twenty years of experience in handling emergency situations. We use only the latest technology for water removal and content drying.

Our technicians will monitor your home during the entire drying process and then clean and treat your flooring after drying is complete to avoid any mold or mildew damage.

ACS’s Water Extraction Process

(Not all steps required for all jobs)

Water Extraction– Using Suction & 400 pound rollers (We use truck-mounted equipment for extraction.)

Furniture/Content Removal

Carpet De-installation (Corners & edges only so drying fans can be set up underneath)

Carpet & Padding Drying– Using Industrial Dryers

Moisture Removal– Using Industrial Dehumidifiers

Carpet Re-installation

Carpet Cleaning (After drying complete)

Mold and Mildew Treatment

Turn to the Upper Cumberland’s Professionals with twenty years of experience when you have a flood or water leak in your home. Advanced Cleaning Service will respond quickly and efficiently during your time of crisis to help protect your valuable possessions. After all, your business means the world to us!

Give us a call today at

931-537-3733 ? 931-456-7734 ? 1-800-773-7769

Posted via email from advancedcleaning’s posterous

Friday
6:00 – 7:30	Tony Drake
8:00 – 9:30	Roy Roberts (Bio)
Saturday
10:00 – 12:00	9/11 Memorial
12:30 – 1:30	Legacy
2:00 – 3:00	Phlatt Earth
3:00 – 4:00	Cook Off Awards
4:00 – 5:30	Carissa & Company
6:00 – 7:30	The Vegabonds
8:00 – 9:30	The Kadillacs (Bio)
	Click on green links above for more information…

Friday
5:00 pm	Above
6:00 pm	Bright Grey
7:00 pm	Star City Meltdown
8:00 pm	Wake the Light
Saturday
1:00 pm	IT
2:00 pm	Victims Of Circumstance
3:00 pm	Buzzards Bluff
4:00 pm	Workers
5:00 pm	Details Details
6:00 pm	Behove the Brave
7:00 pm	Perfect Mess
	AJ Carter will be performing during set changes.

Friday
5:30 pm	Open & Welcome: SUPER WHY CHARACTERS: Super Why, Princess Presto, Alpha Pig, Wonder Red
6:00 pm	Local Dance Groups
6:30 pm	Animal Balloons, Face Painting, Temporary Tattoos

Saturday
9:15 am	Cindy Opening & Intro Lion & Bikers
9:30 am	Art Prowl Art Bikes
10:30 am	Welcome with Cindy Putman & Sheri Cairns
11:00 am	Rhythm N Motion Cloggers
11:30 am	Storyteller
12:00 pm	Lunch Break
1:00 pm	Tennessee Cheer & Dance Explosion Teams
1:30 pm	Cookeville High School Dance Team
2:00 pm	Stage One Dancers
2:30 pm	Leisure Service Dancers
3:00 pm	Ambiance Modeling & Performing Arts Center
3:30 pm	David Turner & Friends Ventriloquist
4:00 pm	The Zinghoppers Show