By Kristin Boza
What is it about warm weather that gets people motivated to deep clean their homes? It’s a powerful feeling to throw open the windows and let in some fresh air while getting to work on scrubbing those baseboards. Spring cleaning also provides a sense of satisfaction and a feeling of lightness as we declutter.
Spring cleaning is a lot of work, and many people simply don’t have the time or know-how to get the jobs done right. That’s where BAPA’s Trade Referral program comes in: there are dozens of BAPA business members on the list that are ready to get to work and make 2022’s spring cleaning season a success.
Carpet Cleaning
Toxic chemicals are not a part of the process at Think Green Think Clean Carpet Cleaning. Owner Sam Insley established the eco-friendly carpet and upholstery cleaning business in January 2016 with a goal of eliminating harsh chemicals while ensuring that carpets get the deep cleaning they need.
Think Green Think Clean is capable of cleaning wall-to-wall carpeting, area rugs, upholstery, and mattresses.
“We provide enhanced steam cleaning by using all eco-friendly and biodegradable solutions,” Insley said. “Most carpet cleaning companies also use traditional steam cleaning methods, but it was important to us to incorporate our green initiative.”
Eco-friendly carpet and upholstery cleaning should be important to everyone, especially those with kids and pets, according to Insley. “When using eco-friendly products in homes, we do not have to worry about kids or pets playing on carpet or furniture after we leave,” he said.
When it comes to tough stains, Insley said the hardest ones to remove are those that have been there a while and the owners don’t even remember what the stain was from. “When a stain is a mystery, it is harder to remove because we do not know exactly what solution to treat it with. We also do not know how long it has been there. To treat these tough stains, we use a general cleaner,” he said.
On the other hand, when the culprit is known, it is a lot easier to remove a stain. “Using the PH scale, we can determine exactly which products to use, especially when it comes to red wine, coffee, or pop,” Insley said.
Carpets should be professionally cleaned at least once per year, according to leading carpet and upholstery manufacturers and the American Lung Association. “We recommend yearly cleanings, but when our customers have young kids and pets they can have their carpets and upholstery cleaned as often as they see fit, which may be two or three times a year,” Insley said.
“We truly appreciate all the support we received from BAPA, the local business community, and our neighbors in Beverly/Morgan Park, Mount Greenwood, Evergreen Park, and Oak Lawn. Without such a great South Side community, we would not be able to continue doing what we do each week,” Insley said.
Think Green Think Clean Carpet Cleaning is a BAPA Verified Business. Call them at 708-335-7228
Upholstery Cleaning
How many times have you spilled a drink on your couch? Or had a dog’s dirty paws settle into a favorite window-side chair? Or had your kids overturn the bowl of buttery popcorn during family movie night?
Your upholstery can only take so much spot cleaning before a deep steam clean is warranted.
Home Pride Carpet and Upholstery, owned by retired Chicago Fire Department firefighter Jim Franzen since 1980, is here to help.
“Upholstery cleaning should be initiated when fabric begins to appear dingy and soiled. I advise people to vacuum their furniture and rotate the cushions weekly or at least monthly,” Franzen said.
Stubborn upholstery stains are usually anything red, like wine or juice, but Franzen says even a water stain can be tough.
“Whatever the stain is, it’s actually more about the type of fabric that will make the difference in getting the stain out,” he said. “I highly recommend everyone uses Scotchguard on their upholstery, which makes it easier to remove any stains or spills.”
Home Pride conducts all of its cleaning services onsite at a person’s home or business. Aside from upholstery, Franzen cleans outdoor furniture, area rugs, Oriental rugs, and carpets. He attends annual cleaning seminars to stay up-to-date on best practices, and he also teaches others how to clean carpets and upholstery.
Franzen prides himself on high customer service; he will always make follow-up phone calls to customers to ensure their satisfaction with the job.
Home Pride Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning is a BAPA Verified Business. To schedule a visit, email carptdr@hotmail.com or call 773-936-6774.
Window Cleaning
It’s amazing what an annual window cleaning can do. However, it’s really tough job to do properly on your own, especially when your house has more than one floor.
ALM Window Cleaning, owned by Michael Mitchell, is licensed and insured to window wash buildings and homes up to five stories.
Amazingly, Mitchell does it all without stepping foot on a ladder or scaffolding. He utilizes carbon fiber extension poles with a brush on one end and a jet overspray to tackle every nook and cranny.
“I use a three-stage purified filtration system, which doesn’t leave any streaks on the windows,” he said. “With the homeowner’s spigot, I fill up a 50-gallon storage tank and get to work cleaning the windows. I also pay special attention to the window frames, which rarely get cleaned. I use a circular motion around the window frames and clean them from the corners down to capture all the dirt.”
Mitchell also removes and cleans the screens, which serves a dual purpose. First of all, the screens themselves actually get properly scrubbed and clean, but so does the window behind it. Then he opens the windows and cleans the tracks.
“When it rains, all the water comes down the windows and get stuck in the tracks. I make sure to clean out all of the dirt and debris,” he said. Mitchell recommends cleaning screens and tracks once a year, and the window glass once a year as well with a touch-up around the holidays if the homeowner is entertaining.
Once the outside is done, Mitchell moves inside to clean the interior glass. In-between professional cleanings, he recommends homeowners use warm water with a dash of Dawn Ultra dish soap and a soft rag, followed up with a dry rag to eliminate any remaining moisture.
Mitchell will always point out any damage he sees while cleaning, from water damage to wood deterioration to possible termite damage. He’s also careful about working with original windows, which are seen in a lot of Beverly/Morgan Park homes, and also with French window designs, which must have extra care taken when cleaning.
For a free quote on getting your windows sparkling this year, contact ALM Window Cleaning, 708-606-2715.
Air Conditioning Checks
Nothing is worse than being stuck with a broken air conditioner on a sweltering day. Jason Wiersma, owner of Always Ready Repair, urges people to get their AC units checked now to avoid that scenario.
“Spring is the time to take care of your air conditioner. We come out and check the outdoor unit for mice and rodents that may nest in the air conditioner,” Wiersma said. “We also clear out any leaves or other debris that may have fallen through the unit and are blocking the drain ports. Cottonwood is another issue in the spring as it can easily get sucked into the unit. All of these issues cause dirty coils, low efficiency, and potential breakdowns in the future.”
Another reason to get the air conditioning unit checked out now is to catch any issues early, so the parts needed to fix them are more likely to arrive before the weather heats up. “There’s not a lot of surplus parts out there right now. Having a good relationship with your HVAC contractor whose checking out your unit early in the season means that you’ll get it fixed and ready to go when you need it,” Wiersma said.
A common wear-and-tear issue is the capacitor going out. Wiersma and his team will make sure the capacitor, motor, coils, and drains are all functioning properly. When these parts fail, homeowners can expect to hear strange noises coming from the unit, or even smell odors. They may also observe that it takes too long to cool or heat the home, which also signals an issue. Preventative maintenance can tackle those issues before they become a problem.
Wiersma recommends a Comfort Plan that gives homeowners an opportunity to get on the books and get their air conditioner and furnace tuned up at the same time. Always Ready Repair also performs duct cleaning, which removes dust, pet hair, and other debris from inside the home’s ductwork. This is especially valuable for those with allergies, or to simply complement an overall spring clean.
Always Ready Repair is a BAPA Verified Business. To schedule an air conditioning maintenance appointment, call 773-233-7999.
