Archive for category Cleaning Tips and Tools

Keep Your Detergents Organized With Laundry Room Storing Solutions

By Jeff Cohn

A laundry room is inherently messy. In most homes, it can quickly become cluttered with dirty clothing, clothes hangers and all the supplies needed to do a family’s laundry. In some homes, the laundry room is the main rear entrance to the house, so lots of miscellaneous items can end up there, too. Those items just add to the clutter. But you can keep the primary tools of laundry processing-detergents, softeners and stain removers-organized if you take advantage of the right storing solutions.

The simplest solution to organize your detergents is the Washing Machine Wire Shelf. This vinyl-coated steel wire shelf mounts easily over the top of the washing machine or the dryer. That is usually wasted space, but with this organizer, that spot becomes a handy place to hold everything you need for your laundry-day chores. At 10 x 26 ½ x 1 inches in size, it’s big enough to handle your favorite bottles of detergent and softener. And everything is right there within easy reach. The wire is bright white, so it looks nice, too, plus it’s easy to keep clean and free of the lint that can layer items in the laundry room.

The Roll-Out Caddy is another handy organizer that keeps your detergent and softener supplies within easy reach of where they are most needed. At nine inches wide, this organizer will fit conveniently between your washer and dryer, and it rolls easily in and out for access. The three shelves provide plenty of room for all your laundry supplies, and everything is easy to see when you roll out this caddy. The white powder-coated steel wire is bright and easy to clean. You’ll be thrilled with how simple it is to assemble, too, knowing that you’ll have your Roll-Out Caddy up and working within just a few minutes.

The Laundry Caddy is another form of rolling cart, but this one is constructed of sturdy melamine with dual track casters for easy movement. It also fits between the washer and dryer to save space in your laundry room. The three shelves provide plenty of room for everything you need to do your laundry chores, with raised sides to keep everything in place.

If you prefer to keep all of your laundry supplies out of sight, the Wicker Between Washer Dryer Drawers will do the job for you. This 8 ¼ inch wide unit fits conveniently between the washer and dryer. The drawers slide smoothly in and out of the frame, and they are different sizes to accommodate all sorts of laundry supplies. The bottom drawer can hold bottles of detergent of softener, while boxes fit inside the other three drawers. This unit is constructed of a durable plastic in bright white to match most washer/dryer pairs.

You can keep your laundry room tidy with the 3 Tier Laundry Cart. This handsome organizer is constructed of metal framing that is hollow to keep it light weight. But it’s sturdy, too. A detachable canvas bag slides out for you to place your dirty laundry inside it then slides back out of sight. Three shelves provide you with plenty of space to store bottles of softener and boxes of detergent. It’s a handy spot to place clean laundry as you fold it, too. The metal framing is shiny and clean looking, and the wire shelves give the piece an open feel.

If space is at a real minimum in your laundry area, you can still corral your bottles and boxes easily with the Rectangular Storage Container. Constructed of sturdy canvas cloth with a water-resistant vinyl lining, this is a handy container in which to store your detergent and softener. The handles make it easy to lift and carry, meaning you can hide it in the pantry or other closet until it’s time to do your laundry. It even makes a handy tote for carrying damp towels from the bathroom to the laundry area. The vinyl lining is easy to wipe clean, too.

Step up your organization with the Laundry Station. This rolling cart will provide a place for all the supplies that you need to get your laundry done. The removable canvas bag provides you with a place to keep dirty clothes. Two shelves offer space for detergent and softener storage, and there is a slide-out wire basket under the top for storage of small items such as stain-remover sticks. The top is constructed of sturdy melamine and it provides a handy space for you to fold clothes as they come out of the dryer. Roll this handy organizer wherever you need it then roll it out of the way when your laundry is done.

These are just a few ideas for laundry room storage units. No matter how many boxes of detergent or bottles of softener you keep on hand, you’re sure to find the perfect storage unit for your needs.

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Water Extraction and the Issues Involved

By Jeff Cohn

Water Extraction Issues

Most homeowners and property managers pride themselves in maintaining their homes and/or buildings and pay special attention to preventative measures. However, there are various issues that can create water damage and require water extraction that even the most diligent people can not avoid. Issues such as burst pipes, water heater leaks, broken sprinkler heads and toilet over-flows are just some of the scenarios you could be faced with.

Extracting water from a leak is much different than most people think. People mistakenly believe that if they dry the water right around the leak and feel elsewhere and it seems dry, then they are good. Unfortunately, water will finds its way through the smallest of holes and/or cracks. It will run down walls and seep underneath carpet. Since standing water can create mold, it is vital that you are ensure all water has been extracted!

When you have a leak, often times the water will flow to the next floor down. Water then becomes trapped in the wall cavities and if it is a commercial building, fills up the C channel that holds the metal framing. If the walls have insulation, then the insulation acts like a sponge and will hold the water for weeks and possibly even months depending upon the conditions. To make matter worse, foil backed insulation actually creates a barrier to prevent the moisture from escaping. To solve this problem, you must first make sure that all materials and areas have had any standing water extracted. To do this, a moisture meter is used as well as your eyes to follow the path that the water could have traveled. (A moisture meter is a piece of equipment that restoration companies use that allows them to measure the extent of moisture in most materials and provide accurate and reliable readings. Most insurance companies will look at the numbers when the company arrived and once the restoration is complete to verify that the work was performed correctly and completely.) Like Sherlock Holmes, a responsible water restoration company will use their Moisture Meter to test every possible area that either appears wet or could potentially be wet. The rule of thumb is to never assume that something is not wet; it is better to test now, then to have problems later!

Water can also travel into adjoining rooms. Many property owners and property managers will use their hands to determine if the carpet has gotten wet. When they feel the dry carpet, they don’t realize the water has flowed underneath the carpet and/or pad. To solve this issue, a restoration company will use a moisture meter to see if the carpet is wet. If it is, they will lift the carpet and perform water extraction.

As with all wet materials, once the extraction has taken place, the next step is to bring in air blowers and commercial dehumidifiers to dry all the areas where there was standing water. These commercial pieces of equipment work much more effectively and efficiently than the residential ones that you can purchase at your local hardware store.

In conclusion, never assume anything is dry by using your hands. Walls and flooring can still be wet underneath. It is important to remember that a Wet/Dry-Vac and a fan may not extract all your water from a leak. Water extraction that is missed in certain areas or performed incorrectly can create secondary issues such as mold growth, odor and damages to walls and flooring. To properly protect you and your family and/or tenants from health risks and legal liability it may be necessary to hire a restoration company to assist you with your water extraction.

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