Hotel Mattress Cleaning - Uncommon but Needed

5/5/2023 (Permalink)

Hot water cleaning of hotel mattresses

We received a special request from one of our hotel customers in the Arlington area.  They had a number of mattresses they needed cleaned.  These were not 10+ year old filthy mattresses that they were trying to get more usage out of.  These are 1-2 year old mattresses that had a stain or two with some having stains not discerning to the naked eye.  The city had done some inspections with a black light and determined that either they needed to be professionally cleaned or replaced.  

Time was of the essence as the inspector was going to be back in 2 days to make sure the hotel had adhered to their directive.  We were there the next morning with our hot water extraction cleaning machine and wand.  Also in tow were our array of specialty cleaning solutions to attack the variety of unknown stains we may encounter.

After a thorough cleaning and a pre-check by a hotel manager and the owner, they were ready for the inspector.  The next day we received great news, the mattresses passed with flying colors.

We have a very happy customer that is scheduling the next batch of mattresses for us to clean.  Another successful job by SERVPRO of Dallas Central!

When Should I have my Air Ducts Cleaned?

5/3/2022 (Permalink)

Residential Air Duct Vent on Ceiling

We often get called by residential customers about having their air ducts cleaned. The discussion usually involves the following questions:  First, when should I get my air ducts cleaned?  Second, how often should I get my air ducts cleaned?

The answer to these questions of course is “it depends”. What is the reason you are looking to have your air ducts cleaned?  There are several reasons we typically hear: general maintenance, post-construction cleaning, a fire occurred, or we think there is mold. 

General maintenance is the most frequent answer, and is goes something like, “This hasn’t ever been done since I lived here.” Or “This hasn’t been done in years.”  Unless there is loose dirt and other soils actively coming out of your vents, most likely it does not need to be cleaned.  Anything that is up there is adhering to the ducting and will continue to do so.

The next most common situation is doing this for post construction cleaning.  In this case, there may be some loose dirt or drywall dust where it maybe advantageous to have them cleaned.  However, when major construction is being done in a home, it is always a good idea to turn off the HVAC system and close vents if possible to prevent particulate from getting into the ducting.  Ideally, you don’t have this issue to deal with when the project is complete.

When a fire occurs, the soot and smoke can be very pervasive and get everywhere.  An air duct cleaning for moderate to light smoke might do the job of removing loose particles and odor.  For heavy fires it is often recommended to replace the ducting altogether.

Mold is another situation when it can be a clean or replace situation.  An HVAC repair company should first be called to determine what is causing mold in the system.  Sometimes we have seen it as simple as all other vents are closed with only one vent open.  Other items to consider, how much of the ducting is affected by mold or is it just one or two grills?  Antimicrobial can be used to kill existing growth.  The key is to figure out the cause so a conducive environment for mold does not exist going forward.  It is often a good to place an air scrubber to help clean the air as a precaution.

In conclusion, more times than not it is not necessary to have your air ducts cleaned.  As for how often, it is usually just under special situations or if you actively seen particles coming out of the ducting.

How do you get rid of Drywall Dust?

4/7/2022 (Permalink)

Drywall dust covered floor & furniture in a home after a long remodel

After any sort of repair, remodel or new build in a residential or commercial building there is dust in the air especially if drywall is involved.  Drywall dust is very invasive, getting into places thought impossible.  It usually settles in a thin layer everywhere but even the slightest movement can send the light dust airborne.  Trying to clean the drywall dust up with your run of the mill cleaning solutions will smear the dust and create a film of drywall mud.  

The solution to this problem is the right equipment, chemicals and knowledge. It is still a tedious process and may require several passes but it will get the job done effectively.  Below we will describe several of the best items to combat drywall dust. 

The first item to add to the equation is an air scrubber.  Most air scrubbers will clean 99% of the particulate out of the air using several layers of air filters.  These need to run at least while the cleaning is occurring but ideally for a couple days if possible.  This will capture any drywall dust that goes airborne while cleaning.

The major second component is a HEPA vacuum, preferably several and different types.  HEPA stands for high efficiency particulate air.  This is another device that uses a number of air filters to clean.  Regular vacuums do not have the layers of filters and will get clogged up and burnt out from the fine particulate.

Another essential element is a good cleaning solution.  There are chemicals specifically formulated for drywall dust removal. They are usually acidic in nature, and break down and dissolve the residue. 

Most every day people and household cleaning companies do not have these specialty items on hand.  If you need help with some drywall dust removal, give us a call at SERVPRO of Dallas Central.