Recent Cleaning Posts

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – a defensive cleaning program

5/22/2020 (Permalink)

Table tent signs describing the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program on top of a wooden table. Our defensive cleaning program gives your business a way forward by providing your employees and customers ongoing safety and assuredness.

Let us help you get back to business

As our communities re-open, we’re all moving back toward a new kind of normal. The expectations of visitors, customers, and employees who come into our establishments have evolved, and staying safe and well is a top concern. The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, and we’ve developed a program to help your business meet the new higher standard of clean that is now expected.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a defensive cleaning program we’re offering to businesses and commercial locations to address the current COVID-19 pandemic. This proactive viral pathogen cleaning program goes well beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. By choosing Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you, your employees, your customers, and your community can rest assured that you’ve selected a higher cleaning standard – you are Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Extensive training and specialized products

As the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration*, we stand on more than 50 years of experience and expertise to help your business become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.  Beyond fire & water, SERVPRO professionals are trained and experienced in biohazard decontamination and chemical spills – always adhering to the cleaning and decontamination standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities. 

From formulating and creating our proprietary cleaning products, like SERVPROXIDE, at our headquarters in Gallatin, TN, to taking the utmost care while disinfecting, we will ensure you and your business are set up to inspire consumer confidence as the economy continues to reopen.

3 C’s – Consult, Clean, and Certify

When the stakes are this high, you want a partner who has developed an industry leading, proprietary training program, cleaning solutions, and remediation processes over decades. We’ve cleaned up some of the most challenging biohazards imaginable. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned reflects our unique experiences and capabilities. The program is grounded with our unique 3 C’s: Consult, Clean, and Certify.

  • Consult – Every business is different, which is why you’ll be assigned a Cleaning Protocol Consultant who understands your business and will create a cleaning program to meet your specific needs. This program will be developed based on your business type, size of space, amount of high frequency touchpoints, foot traffic and congestion points.
  • Clean – Based on your specific business needs, your location will undergo a thorough, deep clean, using exclusive cleaning products, according to protocols set forth by the CDC. Our employees have years of experience, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform. Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for cleanup process, and disposal of hazardous materials.  In the event of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 event, we will be there cleaning within 24 hours to ensure you get back to business as quickly as possible. 
  • Certify - Once your business location has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you will gain access to proprietary signage, digital emblems, and other collateral that communicates that you’ve selected a higher standard of clean available to help protect your employees and customers. And because we add the day, month, and year to that proprietary stamp of clean, your guests will know that not only did you choose Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, but that your location is being cleaned regularly at this standard.

Call today for a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation

We’re Here to Help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – until life is back to normal in the communities we all call home.

Call SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem & Whitehall today at 800-455-945 for your Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation.

* #1 Choice in cleanup & restoration based Commercial Attitude & Usage Tracking study. Polling 816 commercial business decision makers on first choice for future needs related to cleanup & restoration work. Study conducted by C&R Research: October 2019

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned means professionally trained SERVPRO franchises perform the requested cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection services according to proprietary SERVPRO protocols and recognized industry and CDC standards with EPA approved cleaning products to deliver a SERVPRO certified cleaning experience.  Each SERVPRO franchise is independently owned and operated.

Are your DUCTS in a row?

8/1/2019 (Permalink)

Are your ducts in a row?

The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends having your ducts cleaned every 3-5 years. While other organizations like the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) suggests only having your Air ducts cleaned on an as needed basis. Some factors that may increase the frequency of cleaning  needed for residential HVAC system could include but are not limited to, having smokers in the household, pets in the household that shed high amounts of hair and dander, water contamination or damage to the home or HVAC system, residents with allergies or asthma who might benefit from having reduced Indoor air pollutants in the homes HVAC system. The EPA also suggests cleaning the ducts in your home after a home renovation or remodeling has occurred.

Not sure?

You can breathe Easier and Call the professionals at SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem, and Whitehall and the SERVPRO professionals will inspect your HVAC system and duct-work and make recommendations about the best way to address any indoor air quality. Call 800-455-9453 to schedule your free estimate today.

Benefect Disinfectants and Cleaners - Used by SERVPRO in the Lehigh Valley

7/16/2018 (Permalink)

Having an issue with water damage, mold damage, bio-hazard clean up needs, or fire is always a challenge. It can become even more difficult if there are at risk loved ones involved. But don’t worry SERVPRO can help cater to any need. For example, when a deep cleaning and disinfecting is needed SERVPRO can utilize all-natural biocides to help make sure an at-risk person won’t suffer the side effects that may be associated with other products. One product that we have in our arsenal is Benefect. According to their website, “Benefect's botanical disinfectants and cleaners are used by Insurance Restoration Contractors to clean up water damage, fire damage, mold remediation and trauma scene clean up. Using nature as the model, we've created cleaning products with no compromise in strength and without endangering human health.” Additionally, specialized equipment, such as air scrubbers can be set up to help minimize the amount of dust or odors that are produced after a damage, while also cleaning the air. If you have a loved one with an issue in their home, business, or care facility, reach out to SERVPRO for service that goes above and beyond.

Source http://benefect.com/index.php

Cleaning Myths and The Facts - SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem & Whitehall

4/12/2018 (Permalink)

Cleaning Myths and The Facts From Your Local SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem & Whitehall

When you just want to clean your house after everyday use you want it to be done quick and easy. Not confusing and hard. These 10 myths about cleaning will be explained to help you clean with a more effective product or to show you that the product you are using doesn't work as well as you thought. Enjoy!

Myth: Newspaper does windows well

Fact: Wet newspaper tears easily and the ink can transfer to window trim, leaving more to clean. Use microfiber cloths to clean glass. They’re the best at cleaning without streaking.

Myth: Coca-cola belongs in the toilet

Fact: Coke isn’t “it” when it comes to cleaning your toilet bowl. Coke is acidic, so it could be effective at removing hard water stains BUT soda could actually darken stains and the sugar could encourage bacteria.

Myth: Handwashing dishes is better than using a dishwasher

Fact: If your dishwasher is a decade old, this may be true, but today’s models beat handwashing by a mile. According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star website, using a dishwasher that bears the Energy Star label can save some 5,000 gallons of water, more than $40 dollars in energy costs, and 230 hours in personal time over the course of a year, versus handwashing. And, because dishwashers heat the water to 140°F, they’ll sanitize the dishes, too.

Myth: Coffee freshens garbage disposers

Fact: Coffee grounds may act as a mild abrasive, removing gunk from disposer blades, but baking soda is a better choice: It’s also mildly abrasive, and because it’s a base it will counteract all the smelly acids that we put down the drain.

Myth: Vinegar cleans everything

Fact: Vinegar is an acid, so it can cut through dirt and can kill bacteria, but only if you use it at full or nearly full strength. Most people put a capful in a bucket of water, and that doesn’t do much. The acids in vinegar can damage natural stone and wood surfaces.

Myth: Hairspray removes ballpoint ink

Fact: This may have been true years ago, when hairsprays were formulated with more alcohol (which does remove ink) than they are today, but not anymore. Today’s hairsprays are full of stiffeners and hardeners that will just make the stain worse. Just use rubbing alcohol. It’s far less expensive than hairspray, and doesn’t include any extra ingredients.

Myth: Bleach cleans everything

Fact: Bleach actually doesn’t ‘clean’ anything—because it doesn’t remove soil. It can lighten stains, making things look cleaner, and it kills bacteria, so it’s better as a sanitizer than as a cleaner.      

Myth: Feathers make great dusters

Fact: Genuine ostrich-feather dusters do attract dust, but they’re expensive and are generally not as effective as lambswool or microfiber options. Most feather dusters just spread the dust around. Also, they tend to drop feathers which is just leaving you more to pick up.

Myth: Cleaning solutions work instantly

Fact: Nope. We recommend allowing any cleaning solution to sit on the surface for two to three minutes. Always follow the directions on the product’s label. Some solutions, like disinfectants, need a full ten minutes to truly kill bacteria.

Myth: String makes the best mops

Fact: Industrial-style string mops may look impressive, but studies have shown that microfiber mops are about 20 percent more effective at removing dirt and bacteria. String mops are very absorbent, so they’re great at cleaning up big spills, but if you want to make sure you’re not leaving anything behind on the floor, use a microfiber mop.

SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem & Whitehall proudly serves you and specializes in fire, smoke, mold, water and biohazard damage to both commercial and residential properties. Capable of handling any size loss and working with all types of insurance providers, SERVPRO is available 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.

Vandalism and Graffiti Clean Up

4/3/2018 (Permalink)

Vandalism and graffiti can be very upsetting. It can range from a minor prank to malicious destruction of property. Often simple acts of vandalism, like breaking a window, can cause significant damages, like that from water, which can cause mold.

Here is a short list of what to do and what not to do if you find yourself a victim of vandalism.

Do:

  • Record all damage and photograph areas when possible.
  • Save containers revealing the ingredients of products used in vandalism damage, when available.
  • Hose or wash egg or other residue damage from building exterior as soon as possible.
  • Carefully vacuum glass particles from carpets and upholstery.

Don't:

  • Attempt to remove ink, paint or cosmetic stains.
  • Operate damaged electrical appliances.
  • Discard broken or damaged pieces from porcelain, furniture or other contents that may be repairable.

The professionals at SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem & Whitehall will act quickly to remove vandalism and graffiti from home and commercial spaces. In addition to removing spray-painted graffiti from exterior walls, we can also clean your driveways, walkways, asphalt, metals, wood, glass, plastic and masonry. Our highly trained technicians can help to restore your home or business back to its original beauty.

Need Vandalism and Graffiti Cleanup Services?
Call Us Today – (800) 455-9453

Preventing Lingering Pet Odor

4/12/2017 (Permalink)

Having pets is a part of life. Having pet odor doesn't have to be. If you love having pets, but can't stand the lingering odors they create, then there are a few things you can do to help eliminate those unwanted odors.

Your carpet can be a big source of lingering odors. Dirt, pet dander, urine, and fecal matter can remain deep inside carpet fibers. Carpet powder only helps deodorize and clean the surface but does little to get in deep. Using a carpet cleaner is more effective but only if you know how to use it correctly. The experts at SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem and Whitehall know how to deep clean your carpet to get rid of any unwanted odors. Their equipment and expert knowledge on carpet cleaning will get the job done right the first time and provide lasting results.

Odors can also linger within the air duct system of your home too. Cleaning the air ducts is a task that should only be left to the experts. SERVPRO has the right equipment to clean out your air ducts and eliminate those lingering odors. You'll notice the difference the first time you use your HVAC.

Pet odors can also linger within the walls and baseboards of your home. Pet urine can be absorbed by the wooden baseboards or absorbed into the gypsum material of your drywall. Priming and painting may not be enough. SERVPRO has the necessary chemicals to clean and deodorize your walls and baseboards.

Choosing SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem and Whitehall to help with your home's deodorization is the smart choice. Having a pet doesn't mean you have to live with lingering odors. The expert knowledge and equipment of SERVPRO can eliminate all of your home's odors and make it seem like you never had pets at all.

Spring Cleaning

3/21/2016 (Permalink)

Spring Cleaning Chore Checklist

By Cynthia Ewer, Author of
Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Organized

March winds blow, telling us that Spring is on the way!

Warming breezes scour the last of winter from house and garden. Spring rain awakens the earth and calls forth new life.

Meet the rising sap with a new broom. Spring clean indoors and out to prepare home and hearth for the return of warm weather.

Our Spring cleaning chore checklist will help you take care of important seasonal chores and welcome Spring to an organized home.

Around The House:

·   Schedule a family garage clean-out. Create efficient storage for sporting goods, camping equipment, recreational vehicles, and garden tools. You'll have the jump on summer fun!

·   Inspect, clean and repair outdoor furniture.

·   Tour house exterior and grounds. Make a list of any needed seasonal maintenance.

·   Inspect the roof for winter damage: leaks, missing or broken shingles or tiles. Arrange for any needed repairs early; roofing contractors can be hard to find during summer's construction season.

·   Use a sunny Saturday to scrape, prime and paint peeling spots on trim or woodwork. You'll protect wood against Summer's heat and moisture--and prevent a more difficult paint job come fall.

·   Clear away any remaining dead foliage and weeds from beds and lawn. New growth will be protected from damage or disease.

·   Begin major Spring landscaping projects. Spring's the time to put in shrubs and trees, but check with your local extension office for specific planting recommendations for your area.

The Inside Story:

·   Changing seasons, changing clothes. Hold a family wardrobe check as you bring out warm-weather clothing. Sort winter clothing for discards and donations before you store.

·   Hold a garage sale! Declutter house and garage to turn trash into cash. Build your yard sale savvy here.

·   Pick a weekend and enlist the family for Spring cleaning. Many hands make light work! Reward the team with dinner at a pizza parlor.

·   Wash windows inside and out.

·   While at the window area, check drapes and window treatments. Vacuum any dust; send dirtier drapes to the cleaners.

·   Move furniture and vacuum beneath it.

·   Arrange for a spring inspection of cooling systems. Don't wait for the first hot day! Air conditioning firms will give better service when they're not busy.

·   When the weather warms, deactivate heat system humidifiers. Check the system manual for instructions on how to power down for the summer.

·   Drain sediment from hot water heaters.

CONTACT US

·  Call our office: 800-455-9453

·  Visit us: 860 N Kiowa Street, Allentown, PA 18109

·  Visit our websitewww.SERVPROEBW.com