This method is sometimes called “dry cleaning”, which is a misnomer, since water is used. Bonnet cleaning is a minimum moisture carpet cleaning method. Bonnet cleaning essentially consists of a cotton, rayon and/or polypropylene pad and a rotary shampoo machine.

The carpet can be sprayed with the cleaning solution and/or the pads can be soaked in the cleaning solution and squeezed lightly before placing the pad under the driving brush.

The maintenance brochure published by the world’s largest carpet manufacturer, Shaw Industries, suggests not using this method, especially on cut pile, due to pile distortion and fiber damage. This method has very limited capability for soil removal and leaves much of the detergent in the pile since it employs no real extraction. As a result, rapid re-soiling often occurs. Another disadvantage is that the spinning bonnet may distort the fibers of cut pile carpet, fuzzing the pile and leaving distinct swirl marks.

Bonnet cleaning is considered an interim carpet cleaning method used to maintain appearance levels, but it does not restore carpet appearance as well as other carpet cleaning methods.

Check with your carpet manufacturer because many leading carpet mills recommend against this method of cleaning.

In this method, dry absorbent compound (containing small amounts of water, detergent, and solvent,) is sprinkled over carpet or worked into the carpet with a machine. The purpose of this cleaner is to attract and absorb soil. Mechanical agitation from a brush works the cleaner through the carpet.

These products usually contain an absorbent carrier, water, detergent, and solvent. The theory is that the liquids dissolve the soil and this soil/detergent/solvent mixture is absorbed into the carrier and
is then vacuumed up. They are often used with a detergent pre-spray in heavily soiled areas.

Most commonly the absorbent cleaner is organic, but may also be polymers. The compound is supposed to absorb the dislodged soil and is then vacuumed away. Carpets must be thoroughly vacuumed before and after cleaning because it is important that most of the carrier comes out of the carpet. If not, with the extremely fine powder types, indoor air quality can be reduced. If a white powder
starts appearing on shoes and cuffs of pants, too much was used and it was not thoroughly vacuumed up. A common problem is for this white powder to reappear after wet extraction cleaning.

The benefits of low moisture cleaning include fast production, fast dry times, and low cost. Not surprisingly, this makes it a common maintenance cleaner.

The downside is that this method leaves dry sponge particles at the base of the carpet yarn, and because the carpet is not rinsed, this is also not a restorative method.

The four basic methods of carpet cleaning are:
Carpet Shampooing
Dry Powder Method
Bonnet Cleaning
Hot Water Extraction Method

Let’s start with the carpet shampoo method.

Wet shampoo cleaning was widespread until about the 1970′s. The theory in the shampoo method is to generate lots of foam in the carpet by pushing the cleaning solution into the carpet by a machine that uses rotating brushes to work the solution into the fibers. The foam is then allowed to dry, attracting the soil to the resulting residue, and the resulting dirt-filled foam is removed by vacuuming.

Two primary types of machines are used for this process:

Cylindrical Foam
Rotary Shampoo

The Cylindrical Foam Shampoo machine uses an air compressor to create dry foam before the foam is applied to the carpet and the carpet is then agitated with a revolving cylindrical brush which combs the foam through carpet pile. This method will leave dirt trapped in the carpet pile, and the carpet must be thoroughly vacuumed before and after cleaning.

The Rotary Shampoo method uses an ordinary rotary floor machine (the same kind used for stripping wax), sprays shampoo onto the carpet from a dispensing tank, and a rotary brush whips the detergent to a foam. Most carpet mills and carpet fiber producers discourage the use of rotary brushes on carpet because of the potential damage that can occur. Overwetting is common with this method which can cause jute straining, shrinkage, and odor.

Wet shampoo residues can be foamy or sticky, and since no rinse is performed, the powerful residue can continue to collect dirt after cleaning, leading to the misconception that carpet cleaning can lead to the carpet getting “dirtier faster.”

Shampoos can often simply bury the dirt, and because shampoos are actually very poor detergents they frequently also contain high levels of optical brighteners. These take invisible ultraviolet light and convert it to visible light, thus making the carpet appear cleaner and brighter than it really is, for a while. It will eventually give the carpet a yellow cast and the yellow cannot be removed.

Shampoo methods are considered inferior due to poor cleaning plus resoiling problems.

Wood stoves are more efficient at heating a room or home with the same amount of wood, in comparison to a fireplace. This is because a stove is closed and controlled.

Fortunately, there are ways to improve fireplace efficiency:

Dampers
When a fireplace is not is use, the damper should be in the closed position. Since hot air rises, it naturally wants to escape through the chimney. Closing the damper seals off this avenue of escape.

Glass or Metal Doors or Heat Shields
Placed in front of the fireplace, these doors and shields will limit the amount of warm room air that escapes the house when the fireplace is not is use.

Doors work particularly well when a fire is burning down for the night, but the damper has to remain open to allow the smoke to vent.

While the fireplace is in operation, glass doors should remain open, since most of the warmth produced by a fireplace is in the form of radiant heat. If closed, the glass will deflect radiant heat back into the fireplace and reduce the heat output to the room.

New Fireplace Designs
Circulating fireplaces have heat circulation ducts built into the masonry fireplace. These pull air from the room, circulate it around a metal firebox and send it back, warmed, into the room.

Some of these units have built-in fans to increase the flow of air and heat. Made of metal, circulating fireplaces warm quickly and cool rapidly once the fire is extinguished.

Fireplace Inserts
An insert is basically a metal wood stove that slides neatly into the fireplace cavity. They are relatively easy to install, and can improve a fireplace’s efficiency. Before adding one, however, make sure to have your fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned.

In fact, for the most energy efficiency from your fireplace or wood stove and to insure your family’s safety, have your fireplace and chimney cleaned and inspected at least once a year.

This term is being used more and more with respect to saving our planet which means so much in protecting our family’s health. But what does it mean in regards to green cleaning?

Our world is a wasteful one. We can see this just be looking around to see the amount of excessive packaging associated with nearly everything we purchase. In addition, more and more products are not designed to be repaired, but rather to be replaced. Each of these practices not only clogs up our landfills, but also hurts our wallets.

For these reasons it is important to review the process and the products used in your green cleaning. Here are 15 ways to get you started:

1. Avoid disposable cleaning accessories and supplies.

2. Stop using paper towels all together and use washable cloths. If you must, make sure any paper products you purchase are made with recycled content.

3. Minimize single use items, specifically those omnipresent wipes that now seem to be available for any cleaning need.

4. Use microfiber cloths. Due to the nature of the individual fibers, each is able to grab and trap the dirt which is then easily washed away.

5. Use nontoxic green cleaning products to protect the health and safety of our family, our pets, and our guests. The traditional cleaners contain petroleum-based ingredients, volatile organic compounds (VOC), and synthetic fragrances. Each of these products are harmful to our health and significantly decrease our indoor air quality. They are a major contributor to allergies, sick building syndrome, and environmental hypersensitivity.

6. Select bio-based products that are derived from biological products or renewable domestic agricultural materials (including plant, animal and marine) or forestry materials. These renewable resources reduce our dependence on increasingly scarce petroleum.

7. Look at the packaging. Stay away from those large (1 gallon) containers of ready to use product that will then be poured into a smaller (1 quart) spray bottle. This results in MORE, not less, packaging that must be discarded.

8. Purchase super concentrated products that are designed to be diluted by you. Not only are these more cost-effective, transportation costs and fossil fuel consumption involved in transporting the products is an important aspect of reducing the overall impact on our environment.

9. Use reusable spray bottles. Those single use bottles with low-grade triggers that are so prevalent in our grocery stores are made from petroleum-based plastic and often are hard to recycle.

10. Buy biodegradable products, those that are designed to rapidly degrade in the environment at a rate of about 100% in about 15 days.

11. Reduce first, then recycle. In the reduce, reuse, recycle triangle, recycling is actually the least desirable action item. Of course, recycling is much better than adding trash to a landfill. An example of reduction is choosing a small one ounce plastic bag that mixes into one quart (32 ounces) of ready to use product over a one quart of ready to use product in a single use bottle.

12. Buy corn-based trash bags that are biodegradable. These dissolve over time and is one less type of plastic in our landfills.

13. When replacing, buy an energy saver appliances, such as front-loading washers, dryers, and efficient dishwashers. Over time you will save money.

14. Fix leaky pipes. Most can be easily repaired by replacing worn parts. Even small leaks can waste thousands of gallons of water a year.

15. Leverage yourself by supporting a sustainability oriented company that is strategically focused to continuously improve the three P’s of sustainability (People, Plant and Profits) in their operations.

It is easy to purchase green cleaning products that work well and are cost comparable. In addition to enhancing the health and safety of you and your loved ones. Sustainability oriented decisions today will protect our planet tomorrow.

1. Remove leaves and sticks. A chipper/shredder can convert most small lawn debris to usable mulch or compost.

2. Prune dead or diseased limbs from trees and shrubs. Deadhead or remove spent annuals.

3. Clean up any edging that has started to look ragged from contact with mower blades or encroaching turf grass. A power edger can quickly create clean lines.

4. Wash the driveway. Seal an asphalt drive if needed and if you have time. Concrete drives can be sealed, patched or cleaned also.

5. Clean the house itself, including brick or siding that are mildewed and areas of the foundation where rain may have splashed up mud. A pressure washer can make quick work of a cleaning job. Make sure you use the proper nozzle to avoid damaging siding. Clean gutters and downspouts, too (inside and out).

6. Add a new layer of mulch to the planting beds and paths. For an even quicker fix, stir up existing mulch to make it look fresh.

7. Add containers with in-season flowering or foliage plants. These will help to draw the eye away from the spots you’d rather not have people looking at.

8. Clean and seal your deck, especially if your gathering will take place outdoors.

9. Install low voltage lighting for security and to highlight your home’s best features.

10. Build simple enclosures for the service areas such as trash cans and utilities. Lattice or fence panels can be installed relatively quickly.

Spring means Spring Cleaning and getting rid of all our stuff. Winter is gone and it’s time to clean away all the clutter and junk it left behind. Every year we tackle that dreaded project: cleaning out the garage, the basement, or the attic; cleaning the yard; going through old kids toys; and parting with those weights and treadmills that have been accumulating dust and acting as a clothes hangar. But why do we do it?

It has been suggested that the origins of spring cleaning date back to the Iranian New Day, the Persian new year, which falls on the first day of spring. Iranians continue the practice of “khooneh tekouni” which literally means “shaking the house” just before the new year. Everything in the house is thoroughly cleaned, from the drapes to the furniture to the walls and floors.

This year, don’t break your back or spend all your precious weekends cleaning and removing and hauling stuff. Call Boulder Trash Removal to do it for you. We will send a truck and crew to load your items into our truck and haul it away responsibly. Our cleaning crew can provide a detailed cleaning of your home, and our lawn care specialists can take on the task of making your lawn beautiful and inviting. Simply tell us what you need and we will do all the work. Choose to spend this spring with your friends and family.

❖ Get several estimates.
Prices can vary widely and are usually based on the amount of work required. The amount of work required takes into account the layout of the property, size of the area to be cleared, and whether plowing, shoveling, ice control and sanding are all needed. Remember, the least expensive service is not always the best service.

❖ Ask the contractor about additional charges and price options.
Beside the quoted price, there are sometimes additional charges that occur. For instance, if there is a very large storm and the snow reaches beyond a certain depth, some snow removal contractors charge more, either by the inch or a percentage. You’ll want to find out how the company calculates the size of the snowfall. Other contractors may offer a fixed price for an entire season, regardless of the amount of snow.

❖ Make sure you know what services you’re getting.
Find out exactly what’s included in the estimate. Are the walks and steps included? What about the cost of sand and salt? Will the company clear only after the storm, or during the snowfall as well? If the contractor has to come back, is there an additional charge? Some contractors may also offer additional services, such as post snow event services. They will offer to survey your property for 1 or multiple days after a snow event to ensure there is no danger from freeze-thaw runoff. This is usually a service you can choose to add on to your contract.

❖ Ask for references and check them out.
This should be a given.

❖ Get a contract in writing.
Do not settle on an agreement over the telephone. The contractor should provide you with a written agreement. A representative should come out to examine your property and make notes about the service requested and potential obstacles. Before you sign the agreement, be sure that the contractor is insured or bonded. Also, find out how you can terminate the agreement if necessary.

There are many contractors and independent people out there advertising snow removal services. With these tips, the stress can be taken out of finding a qualified and responsible contractor. Be prepared, and enjoy the rest of the summer!

So now that the warmer weather is here, take the first step of green cleaning and open a window and let those pollutants out! A vase of flowers can fill a room with a lovely natural scent, but many consumers stubbornly keep using synthetic room fresheners and fragranced cleaning products that are full of VOCs and other toxic chemicals. These can make our indoor air unhealthy, provoke skin, eye, and respiratory reactions, and harm the natural environment.

If you’re in the mood to detoxify, getting rid of germs doesn’t have to mean overkill: In 2000, cleaning products were responsible for nearly 10 percent of all toxic exposures reported to the U.S. poison control centers, accounting for more than 206,000 calls, over half of which concerned children under the age of six. According to Philip Dickey of the Washington Toxics Coalition, the most acutely or immediately hazardous cleaning products are corrosive drain cleaners, oven cleaners, acidic toilet-bowl cleaners, and anything containing chlorine or ammonia.

In choosing alternatives, look at labels for specific, eco-friendly ingredients that also perform effectively. These include grain alcohol instead of toxic butyl cellosolve as a solvent; coconut or other plant oils rather than petroleum in detergents; and plant-oil disinfectants such as eucalyptus, rosemary, or sage, rather than triclosan. You can also mix your own cleaners. A few safe, simple ingredients such as plain soap, water, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), vinegar, washing soda (sodium carbonate), lemon juice, and borax can satisfy most household cleaning needs — and save you money at the same time.

Trees can become stressed from the dryness and in turn, become more susceptible to insects and disease.

Urban Forestry recommends using the following winter watering guidelines:

* Water only when air temperatures are above 40 degrees.
* Water at mid-day so the water can soak in before freezing night time temperatures.
* Water during extended dry periods – 1 to 2 times per month without snow cover.
* Watering to a depth of 12-18 inches below soil surface is ideal.
* For deciduous trees, apply water to the part of the root zone from the tree trunk to the outer edges of the tree’s branches.
* For evergreen trees, water 3-5 feet beyond the widest branches on all sides of the tree.

While periods of drought are common on Colorado’s Front Range, it is important to keep a watchful eye for anything that looks out of the ordinary. Contact your lawn care provider if you have any concerns.

For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver. ~Martin Luther