Bathroom Exhaust Fan Lint is a FIRE HAZARD!

October 24, 2013 By Michele Peterson

You’re probably aware that the lint that builds up in a dryer vent is a potential fire hazard. But what about the lint that accumulates in your bathroom exhaust fan?

Just like dryer lint, bathroom fan lint is flammable, making it a fire hazard.

Bathroom exhaust fans — generally installed in the ceiling, and made with or without lights — are designed to remove moist air from the room. They help prevent steamed up mirrors, damp walls, and fogged windows, as well as remove odors.

BUT … the moist air combines with air particulates, and lint builds up. It builds up on the outer cover and also inside, on and around the motor. Over time, the lint accumulates to the point where heat builds up and can cause the motor to overheat.

Since the lint also acts to insulate the motor, the heat build-up gets accelerated.

Heat + lint = trouble!

The lint is an easy-to-ignite fuel source for fire, which in turn ignites other nearby combustible building materials in the ceiling and attic. And now you have an attic fire.

Travelers Insurance alone has documented multiple millions of dollars of loss due to fires that originated in overhead bathroom exhaust fans.

ACTION STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO PREVENT THIS:

1. Inspect and clean all bathroom exhaust fans regularly.

2. When cleaning, remove the fan cover to clean and remove lint from around the motor, paying careful attention to all air-flow areas.

3. Wash the fan cover in warm soapy water to remove all lint. If there is any mold growing, add bleach to the cleaning mixture. Make sure the cover is completely dry before putting it back up.

Yes, this adds some time to your cleaning routine … but it’s worth it to decrease your risk of a fire. So please work it into your routine and be safe.

Until next time … Keep it Clean!

Two Simple Ways to Get Rid of House Odors

September 24, 2013 By Michele Peterson

Mini Mops House Cleaning in Fresno CA - Musty House Odors

When it’s hot and your air conditioner is running constantly, you’re probably not opening your windows to let fresh air in very often, and your home can develop a musty, stale odor. If you keep your pets inside to protect them from our extreme Fresno heat, they can add to the problem, too.

You may not even realize you have a problem, because you’ll probably only notice it when you first step inside after being gone for several hours. But, unfortunately, guests to your home are quick to notice it. Even if they’re polite enough not to say anything.

Here are two simple ways to get rid of house odors and prevent your guests from wrinkling their noses next time they visit:

Vinegar

Pour an inch or so in shallow bowls and place them in different rooms thoughout your home. Put more bowls in the rooms where the odor is strongest. The vinegar should neutralize the odor within a few hours or so. An alternate method is to put vinegar in a spray bottle and spritz it into the middle of the affected rooms. Don’t worry, the vinegar smell doesn’t linger!

Essential oils

Put ¼ c. baking soda and 5-6 drops of your favorite essential oil (lemon, orange, or lavender are great choices) into a small canning jar with a lid. Use a small nail to punch holes in the lid. Add a pretty ribbon and place the jar in a strategic spot in your home. You may want one for each room, maybe two in larger rooms. Shake the jars to reactivate the scent, and once it starts to fade, simply add a few more drops of the oil. (Bonus tip: these jars would make fabulous hand-made gifts!)

What do YOU think? Do you have a tip you’d like to share to help our readers get rid of house odors? Please share it in a brief comment below.

Until next time … Keep it Clean!

Show Your Home Some (Maintenance) Love

February 13, 2013 By Michele Peterson

Mini Mops House Cleaning - Love Your Home “I love you” is easy to say. Just three little words.

But how do you show that you mean them? How do you make the words meaningful?

We all know how to show a person love … treating them with care and respect, being gentle and nurturing, building them up when they’re feeling down, attending to their physical needs, caring for their well-being …

Shouldn’t we be doing the same things with the homes that we love?

Treat Your Home With Care and Respect

Punching holes in walls or slamming doors so hard that an adjacent window breaks would be extreme examples of how NOT to care for or respect your home. Gouging the floors, chipping tile, denting woodwork are other examples. Preventing this kind of careless or malicious damage to your home is the best and easiest way to show it care and respect.

Be Gentle and Nurturing With Your Home

This goes to the type of cleaning products you use. In general, the more natural the product, the better it is … for both your home, and for you! Strong, harsh chemicals can be damaging if used improperly, and there is almost always a gentler, safer alternative that is just as effective.

Build Your Home Up When It’s “Down”

Homes need to be repaired from time to time. Age, wear-and-tear, natural elements … all of these factors can cause damage to a home. Sometimes major structural problems, and sometimes relatively minor aesthetic issues. But they all should be addressed and fixed with routine maintenance and periodic repairs when necessary, because even small issues can grow into bigger, costlier problems if ignored or neglected.

Attend To Your Home’s Physical Needs

A home’s physical needs have to do with cleanliness. Things get dirty and need to be cleaned. It really is that simple. A clean home gives you and your family health benefits as well as emotional well-being, but cleaning a home can also help it retain its value and extend the lifespan of its components.

Care For Your Home’s Well-Being

If you’ve done all of the above — if you’ve prevented careless damage, used safe cleaning products, performed routine maintenance and repairs, and kept it clean — you’ve cared for the well-being of your home. In return, you can expect it to provide safe, comfortable shelter for you and your family.

So have we missed anything? Is there anything else YOU do to show your home some love? Leave a comment below and tell us!

Until next time … Keep it clean!