Easy Spring Cleaning...The Green Way!

   Spring has sprung once again, and although the weather hasn't officially warmed up long enough for us to notice, the spring cleaning bug has certainly bitten. As a business owner with an eye for eco-friendly solutions and cleaning methods, I thought it only fair to share my yearly tips for cleaning your own home with greener products that produce commercial results. If you've read any of my previous blogs, than you should be well aware of my fixation with a few simple household products that when combined in different combinations and quantities can clean the problem areas in your home. This time, I'll concentrate on the kitchen and bathroom, the two most frustrating places to keep clean. With a few commonly kept pantry staples, those two rooms can be cleaned the green way. Grab your white vinegar, baking soda and a little dish soap and lets get started with the first refresher course for 2013.

   Cleaning The Microwave - I use my microwave on a daily basis and the stains and smells can really build up quickly. But putting bleach or some commercial chemical cleaner in there really makes me nervous. I don't like bleach flavored re-heated ravioli. Simply take one cup of warm tap water and 1/4 cup of white vinegar, combine and place in a microwave safe bowl. Nuke it for two or three minutes on high power or until it actually boils but don't open the door yet. After the microwave has stopped, leave the door shut for five minutes so that the solution has some time to work, plus the hot vinegar odor can really make you choke a bit if its inhaled. But all is safe when the solution has a few minutes to cool. Open the door and wipe down the sides, door, base and plate with a clean rag dampened with warm water. The spills and stains should wipe right up and the past odors will be gone. Vinegar is great at odor neutralizing. 

   Kitchen Appliance Cleaning - Between your stove, oven, sink, coffee maker and stand mixer, cleaning your kitchen can seem like a never ending job. But you don't want to put chemicals anywhere that food might be next. You can simply clean items like your stand mixer with a sponge, a bit of dish soap ad some white vinegar. For tougher areas like the stove top or the grout between your kitchen tiles, you can make an all purpose scrubbing/scouring paste. Take 1/4 cup of baking soda and add 1 tbsp of dish soap and just a very small splash of white vinegar (enough to make the mix moist). Get out your scrub brush, a few clean rags and a sponge and start cleaning. This awesome paste does a great job of cleaning burnt on food and tough stains. Apply, scrub and/or let stand for tougher jobs. Then all you have to do is rinse the area well. I recommend using very warm water and a terry cloth towel so that you're sure there is no residue of the paste left over.

   Bathroom Cleaning - Using the cleaning paste I mentioned above, you can take care of your bathroom grout and any other tough looking stain in sight. Enough said.

   Toilet Cleaning - I hate this particular job the most so i was happy to find a very easy solution. Squirt a ring of dish soap under the rim of the toilet and then spray with that good old white vinegar. Grab your toilet brush and give the bowl a good scrubbing and there you have it. Just flush and you're done. But don't forget to leave the toilet seat down. That's a felony in my house!

   Shower And Tub Cleaning - You can use just a little dish soap and vinegar for the every day cleaning, or for tougher jobs, once again, use the scouring/scrubbing paste that I previously mentioned and your trusty scrub brush. Just remember to rinse well. As for the shower head, lime scale and hard water can really clog it up. Simply take a zip-top baggie and fill with vinegar. Place the bag of vinegar over the shower head and use a rubber band to secure. Leave it for an hour or two and that's it. C'mon, how simple is that?! You don't even have to remove the shower head to clean it!

   Vinegar, baking soda and a little dish soap can really go far when your cleaning. These solutions are simple, cheap and effective when you're cleaning the bathroom and kitchen. For more green cleaning solutions, check out www.bowermancarpetcleaning.com and stay tuned for my next cleaning blog. Happy Spring Cleaning!

Buying a New Area Rug? - Read This First!

For some, buying an area rug is strictly based on the pattern/color, size and price of said rug. But what is really important is often left off that list. When you're in the market for a new area rug, remember that educated buyers are smart buyers. Different types of area rugs can look very similar to an untrained eye and some tricky marketing strategies use descriptive adjectives that can be very misleading. So when you are ready to hit those stores to purchase an area rug, or two, or three, go armed with the information that could prevent an expensive mistake and remember to set a budget for yourself. As "they" say, knowledge is power. When you have finished reading this tutorial, you should be able to distinguish between the different types of area rugs....... and maybe even sound like an expert!

 ***Machine Made -vs- Hand Made... And How To Know What's Right For You!***

- Machine made rugs are, well, made by partial or total help of a machine. These rugs are not knotted. They are ""woven" using machines. Sometimes these rugs will be described as power-loomed. Machine made rugs can be made of wool fibers or man made fibers like Nylon and Olefin. These rugs tend to be less expensive but that doesn't mean their quality is by any means inferior to that of a hand made rug. An added benefit of   rugs that are made by machines is that they tend to be strong and durable. Your budget and needs will determine which rug is right for you.

- There are several terms that you will hear while shopping for a rug, like hand tufted, hand knotted and hand woven. Knowing the definitions of these terms is important. But lets start with the basics. Handmade rugs are knotted or woven by hand, without the use of machinery. Each and every single knot is made by hand. It is a very labor intensive process and can take very long periods of time to create. This is why handmade rugs are considered investment pieces. Typically, handmade rugs are made using wool, cotton and silk fibers. Ask the sales representative that is assisting you to show you the fiber component information, and remember this, if the sales staff cannot answer your questions, head for the door.

- There is another type of rug that uses both handmade elements as well as some assistance from machines, in particular a drill gun that has been modified. The tricky part about these types of rugs are the terms used to describe the differences. When you see the term "Hand-Hooked", the rug is made in the following way. The modified drill, that I mentioned before, is used to insert the pile into a cloth base which creates a loop pile which is then described as...... "Hand-Hooked". Sometimes, the loop pile rug is sheared off at the very top which creates a cut pile. These cut pile rugs are called "Hand-Tufted". These rugs have the look of a handmade rug without the price-tag. Remember that machine made rugs can be created quickly, so the price is typically lower. Rug collectors or those consumers that are looking to purchase a rug as an investment piece will usually bypass these rugs. If you have expensive taste but only a small budget, these rugs could be a beautiful fit. These skillfully made and labeled rugs have the look of a handmade rug without the sometimes hefty price-tag of a handmade rug.

 ***Identify The Type Of Rug With These 3 Factors.......Edges, Fringe & The Back Of The Rug***

- Edges - The way the edge of a rug is finished can be a useful indicator of how the rug was made. The edges of a machine made rug are created through binding or surging. Flip the corner of the rug to reveal the backside of the edge and look for uniform machine stitched "tracks". Handmade rugs or hand knotted rugs are finished on the edges by hand. You will not see those tell-tale machine tracks on the back of the rug and the edges will resemble surging. If you are unsure, ask the salesperson to show you the difference.

- Fringe - If the rug has a fringed edge, it can be very easy to determine whether the rug was handmade or machine made. Machine made rugs will have fringe that has been sewn on after the fact or the fringe will have a sewn line right on top in plain view. The fringe on a handmade rug should look like an extension of the fibers that were used to make the rug. It wont look like it was sewn on after.

- The Back Of The Rug - By far, the back of any rug is the easiest way for me to tell how a rug was made. I enjoy showing my clients this method of detecting the origins of their rugs. Handmade rugs have the distinct marks that any handmade item would have. The knotting on the back of a handmade rug will be a bit uneven. Some knots will be slightly smaller or larger than others. Handmade rugs will have slight imperfections or inconsistencies. That's what makes these rugs so special, it's "flaws" are actually a good thing. Machine made rugs are typically very uniform on the back. You wont see the same inconsistencies. Rugs that are called hand hooked or hand tufted will typically have a cloth backing which will immediately convey they their origin.

So there you have it! I know that it might seem like a lot of information but if you create a budget, you can clearly see what your options are going to be. Before you ever step foot in the store, measure the size of the space or the entire room so that you have an idea of the size, shape and price of the rug you need, or can afford. Think about the amount of foot traffic and the type of activities that will take place in and on your rug. Regardless of how the rug was created, when you do see the rug in person, flip over the corner and examine the back. The more intricate, detailed and pronounced the design, the better the quality. he more knots or weaves per square inch, the more durable the rug.

Last but certainly not least, don't forget to have your cleaned!!!!!

I hope this information is helpful and don't forget to have your rugs cleaned!

Michael Bowerman

Sewage Backups....Don't Touch!

Contact with sewage is hazardous! Sewage contains a number of disease causing organisms and should ONLY be handled, removed and cleaned by a qualified professional! If your home has been contaminated or exposed to sewage, here are a few things you should know.

1- Call a professional as soon as possible. Companies, like my own, can provide service professionals to shut off or fix the actual cause of the sewage leak. Otherwise, contact your plumber immediately.

2- Call  a reputable disaster restoration company. Bowerman Restoration will respond to your emergency within one hour. We proudly service all of Westchester County, NY, Putnam County, NY, Rockland County, NY & Fairfield County, CT. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, just a phone call away, 1-800-638-4799. We work with homeowners, property adjusters and insurance companies to restore your property efficiently, with quality and care.

3- Call your insurance provider to report your claim. Being knowledgeable about your coverage will eliminate any surprises when an emergency arises. Your insurance company should provide you with a claim number and a property adjuster who will assess the damage to your home or business.

4- Keep a detailed list of any items, contents or personal property that was affected, damaged, contaminated or destroyed. If you had to replace or repair any of these items, save your receipts. Keeping an accurate log of all money spent will assist you during the claims process.

5- If anyone in the home or business has a compromised or weakened immune system, they should find other accommodations immediately. Those with compromised immune systems (infants, young children, elderly, sick) are especially susceptible to the dangers of contact with sewage. They should remain off the property until it has been deemed safe by a professional. Testing and sampling may be necessary to determine when or if the contamination has been eradicated.

6- Do NOT touch or use any item that has been contaminated or that you suspect has been contaminated. Even small amounts of sewage can cause severe illness. The items that are salvageable must be cleaned, sanitized and disinfected by an experienced professional.

7- If you suspect that you or someone in your home has had contact or is sick due to contact with sewage, see a doctor immediately. Sewage contains disease causing organisms and toxins that can cause very serious complications to your health. Professional restoration technicians have protective equipment and suits to reduce their risk when they are exposed to sewage. Never the less, the only way to completely eliminate the health risks associated with sewage is by having no contact with it whatsoever.

There are times when a home or business owner can handle small emergencies on their own but that is not the case when it comes to sewage. If your residential or commercial property has been affected by sewage, call Bowerman Restoration 1-800-638-4799, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year!

How To Store Your Rugs The Right Way

When you are having any work done in your home or are moving, prevent damage from happening to your area rugs and store them the right way. I was called by a client in Larchmont that stored her rug in her unfinished basement while construction was being completed on her home. While her intentions were good, her actions created a bigger problem. The rug had a mold problem and large crease marks in it. So if you need to store your rug, do it the right way, and follow the simple steps below to keep your rug in its best possible condition.

 - Never store your rug when its dirty. Have your rug professionally cleaned before it is stored. A quality carpet cleaner, such as myself (shameless plug, I know) can pick up, clean and store your rug, eliminating the hassle all together.
 - Never store a wet rug. Even if the rug is damp, it can lead to mold growth. Other problems include cracking and de-lamination of the backing of the rug. These types of restorations can be costly.
 - Never fold your area rug. Folding you rug will lead to annoying creases and ugly wrinkles and can potentially damage the backing of the rug. The proper way to store your rug is by rolling it around an acid-free cardboard tube.
 - Never store your rug in a room that isnt climate controlled. Basements and attics are not good places to store your area rugs. Basements are typically damp and have the potential for water infiltration. Attics are typically too dry with little air flow. Store your rugs in a cool, dry room with climate control, so it wont get too hot or too dry.
 - Never store your rug on the floor. If the room ever gets flooded so will your rug.
 - Never store your rug in direct sunlight. Sunlight will fade your rug and the cost to fix the problem can be very steep.
 - Never wrap your rug in materials that have acidic properties. When you wrap your rug, it should be in acid-free paper or fabric that does not contain inks or dyes. We recommend using "TYVEK" building paper or Muslin, tucking the ends of the fabric or paper into the edges of the rolled carpet. Dont use any sticky tapes directly on the rug. They will leave residues and attract dirt.

These do's and dont's are important to follow to prevent damage from occurring to your rugs. But to eliminate the hassle and headache of wrapping and storing your rug all together, just call a professional, quality carpet cleaner. We will pick up, clean, properly roll, wrap, store, and even deliver your rug to you when you are ready. So to properly store your rug and keep it in its best possible condition, follow the simple steps above, or just call me!

MICHAEL BOWERMAN - PRESIDENT
MICHAEL BOWERMAN CARPET CLEANING, INC & BOWERMAN RESTORATION LLC

Cold Weather Reminder for Westchester County

I just want to remind everyone out there in Westchester County, NY and those in the tri-state area that the weather is changing tonight! The temperature is expected to dip down to about 18 degrees by midnight and then continue to drop thru the early morning, possibly getting as low as 12 degrees! When the weather gets this cold, I always get phone calls from clients with water in their home due to burst pipes. Remember to shut off all of your outdoor water faucets and sources, making sure that there is no remaining water in the pipes. Sprinkler systems and outdoor faucets that are not prepared properly for the freezing temperatures can absolutely burst. These lines must be "bled", which basically means removing the remaining water in the pipes after the main shut-off valve is turned off. Even if there is only a little bit of water in these pipes, they can burst when the temperature drops below freezing. Water expands when it freezes, thus causing pipes to crack, break and burst. Also remember that on days like this, when it is very cold and very windy, check the areas that surround your home. If you see any hanging branches that are lurking dangerously close to your roof, gutters, or windows, call a professional company to have them removed. Many times, it only takes one strong gust of wind to break branches from the trees near our homes. If the branches are big enough, they can leave massive damage in their wake; holes in roofs, shattering windows, or ripping off gutters. Even small branches and leaves that get blown about in windy weather can clog up gutters. You might not even realize that your gutters are clogged until the next rain storm, when water starts seeping into your house because the gutters cant carry it away. Being vigilant about keeping your home safe and periodically checking gutters, trees, and the foundation of your house can prevent a high priced remediation and reconstruction job. Stay warm this winter but most importantly, stay safe. If you do find that your having a problem with water, mold, smoke, soot, fire or sewage, and you live in the Westchester County area, give us a call. We have proudly serviced Scarsdale, Larchmont, New Rochelle, Ardsley, Bedford, Mamaroneck, Chappaqua, Purchase, Rye, Eastchester, Bronxville, White Plains, Yonkers, Tuckahoe, NYC, and Connecticut. We answer your emergency calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year.

MICHAEL BOWERMAN - PRESIDENT

BOWERMAN RESTORATION LLC - EXPERTS IN DISASTER RECOVERY
STORM, WATER, FLOOD, MOLD, SEWAGE, FIRE, SMOKE & SOOT REMEDIATION
17 JEAN LANE, HARTSDALE, NY 10530

WEB:   http://www.bowermanrestoration.com/
E-MAIL:   michael@bowermanrestoration.com
CELL:   914-804-5737
OFFICE:   914-674-1499
TOLL FREE:   800-638-4799