How to Rid Your Home of These 3 Common Odors

Professional cleaning in Austin, Texas

We’re all too  familiar with the particular odors that frequent our homes. We can treat some odors with light cleaning and a moderate use of air fresheners, but others are more persistent and difficult to remove. We’re here to review a few common household odors and how to treat them (not just mask them), so that your home may smell as fresh and clean as the day you moved in!

1. Pet Urine

Pets are notorious for causing many different kinds of yucky, icky odors. Even well-trained dogs can have accidents indoors, and well-cleaned litter boxes can still let off a special kind of stench.If left untreated, accident areas can stain, and urine can sink deep into carpet fibers and padding. Your pet may also feel the urge to repeatedly mark the area.

Most household cleaners are unable to adequately clean pet urine from carpet simply because they can’t reach deeply enough. Steam cleaning, however, uses extreme heat and high pressurized water to extract dirt, dust, and urine crystals from your carpet.

1. Other Carpet Odors

Carpet is comfortable and easy to walk on, but boy does it often end up the culprit of household odors! Inadequately treated stains and spills, dusty carpet, and worn down rugs are often sources of musty smells. It’s important to regularly clean carpets and upholstery, and consider calling a professional every few months!

1. Laundry Mold Smells

The lids on washing machines close too tightly to allow moisture to escape, causing a mildew scent to linger. To prevent this, regularly wash out your washing machine with a cycle of hot water, and two cups of bleach!

The Steam Team is a professional cleaning and restoration service, with years of experience handling water and fire damage, disaster cleanup, mold, household odors, and many more! We have the expertise and professional-grade equipment to finish any job, the right way. Don’t wait! Give The Steam Team a call today!

Indoor vs Outdoor Air: Which is More Polluted?

Steam Team Marketing Team at Trade Show

It may be difficult to believe that the air you breathe indoors may be more polluted than the air you’d encounter outdoors. This fact is absurd, and only grows more unsettling as we consider that the amount of time we spend indoors versus outdoors is only increasing. All of this may leave us wondering where we can escape to, or at least what can be done to increase air quality. But first, let’s take a glance at a handful of causes to these indoor air pollutants!

What’s Polluting Indoor Air?

1. Tobacco Smoke

Tobacco smoke is a major pollutant, and its second hand smoke lingers in the air far longer, only to settle onto every surface present.  

2. Mold

Mold grows in lickity split and spreads even more rapidly. If you notice a mold issue in your home you’ll need to act quickly! It’s a good idea to call in a professional cleaning and restoration service to ensure that your home is thoroughly treated.

3. Poor Ventilation

Inadequate ventilation is one of the most common causes of indoor pollution. This also explains why you may feel worse in humid climates, or in the winter when the air conditioning isn’t running as frequently. Be sure to properly ventilate your home by utilizing kitchen fans or other exhaust fans, air conditioning units, ceiling fans, etc.

What Can Be Done?

Indoor pollutants can put our health at risk by causing irritated mucous membranes in our eyes, nose, or throat, and an array of other medical conditions. Symptoms are often masked by colds, flus, and other illnesses.  The best thing you can do for indoor pollutants is to eliminate the source(s), and thoroughly ventilate your home.

For a professional touch, consider hiring The Steam Team to thoroughly clean your home and reduce indoor air pollutants!. In no time at all, we’ll have your home looking and feeling pristine and, most importantly, healthy.

Halloween Cleaning: Scaring Away Post-Party Damage

It’s finally that time of year… Time to dim the lights, hang the cobwebs, light the jack-o-lanterns, and play that spooky music! This Halloween, you can throw your most boo-tastic bash yet, without bearing the stress of the cleanup! With these tips on how to remove common post-party stains, you’ll have nothing to fear (except those cobwebs, of course).

Common Carpet Stains

1. Chocolate

Chocolate melts quickly and if we’re not careful, we often drop crumbs that go unnoticed until they’ve melted into our furniture or flooring. If this happens, scrape up all excess chocolate and vacuum over the area. Then dampen the cloth with cold water and detergent, and rub the stain in a circular motion.

1. Hard Candy

Jolly Ranchers, Lifesavers, Sweet Tarts... candies like these can also melt into our carpets and become a gruesome, gooey disaster. Grab a butter knife, and like before, scrape away as much excess candy as you can. Dampen a sponge in warm water and scrub (circular motion again) the stained area until the remainder of the candy pieces are gone. When most of it has been removed, massage half teaspoon of dishwashing soap into your carpet, and dab clean with a wet cloth!

1. Make Up

Serving Austin Since 1983

Your Halloween costume looked scary realistic, but now your carpet is a nightmare. Don’t panic! Makeup is oily and smears easily, but if you act quickly, you’ll be able to protect your carpet from staining. This time, after removing the excess, use isopropyl rubbing alcohol and a white cloth to blot the stain. But remember not to rub in a circular motion; you could harm your carpet’s texture.

This season, if your carpet is in need of professional attention either before or after your party, be sure call The Steam Team! We can’t be spooked by even the scariest of stains!

Cleaning Up Fire Damage: The Best Way

Water & Fire Damage

House fires are the worst nightmares of many homeowners. When your home catches fire, the experience is devastating, and the aftermath is equally as draining. It’s both difficult and dangerous to begin the cleanup process by yourself, which is why we encourage you to all The Steam Team for help with fire damage restoration. Because we’re sensitive to the toll a fire can take on you and your family, we want to help you bring your home back to life.

1. Make the Call

As quickly as possible, make the first step toward restoration by making a simple phone call. Contact The Steam Team immediately after the event, as prolonging this step may result in further damage to your home. Once you’ve given us a call, we’ll be able to speak with you about details of the event, and determine an appropriate response.

1. Survey the Damage

When our fire or water damage restoration technicians arrive at your home, they will first begin surveying the damage. Afterward, we’ll begin the restoration process by making sure your home is protected from further damage. Often times damage occurs to the roofing and windows in a home. During this step we may lay tarps over sections of your roof, or board up windows.

1. Removal, Cleaning, Disinfecting

We’ll immediately remove standing water and moisture by using air movers, dryers, and dehumidifiers. This will help to prevent mold growth, bacteria, etc. Smoke and soot will be removed from walls, ceilings, and other surfaces. And finally, with expert cleaning techniques, our team will work to clean and sanitize all restorable items. We’ll work to remove germs, bacteria, and foul odors from your home.

The Steam Team understands how devastating a house fire can be to you and your family. We strive to restore your home to its previous condition using our many years of experience, and expert restoration techniques. Let us handle this burden for you, and call The Steam Team today!

5 Cleaning Jobs for The Steam Team to Tackle

cleaning austin

Steam cleaners, known for being powerful, efficient, and versatile, have become the secret weapons of cleaning equipment! There are so many areas around the house that can be steam cleaned- some you may haven’t ever thought of. Here are just a few common household tasks that a professional steam cleaning company can take right off of your hands!

1. Tile & Grout

Tile and grout: a headache for all homeowners. It’s a pain to clean (literally) and it’s nearly impossible to get the deep, lasting results you could attain by hiring a professional. So why worry with it? A professional-grade steam cleaner will extract dirt and grime from your tile and grout with ease.

1. Rugs & Carpet Cleaning Cedar Park

It’s an unfortunate truth that the higher the traffic is in your household, the more your carpet is likely to show it. Pets and small children are notorious for dragging in dust, dirt, and mud. But these stains are no match for the extreme pressure and temperature of a professional steam cleaner. Plus, steam cleaning is completely safe for the environment, our pets, and children, so you won’t have to worry about any harmful chemicals or solutions (we won’t even need those!).

1. Upholstery

Whether your furniture is due for a regular deep cleaning or you’ve spilled one too many drinks, steam cleaning will help your upholstery look like new again. From suede, to leather, we’ve got you covered.

1. Windows

Yes, steam cleaners can clean glass window panes, too! This method is so much quicker than washing by hand; you’ll be relieved that you chose to hire a professional, instead of doing it yourself this season.

1. Kitchen Counter Tops

Every now and then, our kitchen counter and stove tops need some extra attention, and scrubbing can be a nightmare. Steam cleaners gently remove dirt, grease, and stains from your counters without wearing away any paint, or harming your environment. That’s a cleaning that you can trust!

For all of your cleaning and restoration needs, why not choose The Steam Team? We have professionals standing by with top notch equipment and unshakeable expertise. Don’t hesitate to give us a call today!

5 Tips for Making Sure Your Home is Free of Mold

Certified Mold Remediation Austin, Texas

Mold can easily spread to take over our homes, compromise our health, and strain our budget. It’s worse for those of us who have allergies, asthma, or financial restrictions. The very last thing you want for your home and health is for mold to go undetected. But don’t worry; today the professionals have a few tips to help you detect and prevent mold growth within your home.

1. Monitor Humidity Levels

Mold likes to set up camp in wet, humid environments. It thrives and spreads the fastest in moisture. You may have a humidity problem if you notice condensation collecting on windows or walls. Dry these areas immediately and address any problems that may be causing them!

2. Check for Broken Appliances & Other Issues

It’s important to check your home for broken pipes, malfunctioning appliances, or puddles/damp areas. All of these could be creating excess moisture in your environment.

3. Dry Spills & Damp Areas Immediately

We don’t want to alarm you, but keep in mind that mold only requires 24 hours to grow! This means that all spills and wet areas should be tended to immediately.

4. Run Exhaust Fans While Showering

This is a very simple routine you can add to your day. Exhaust fans are installed in our bathrooms and kitchens to prevent moisture from lingering too long, so be sure to run them while you shower. Also make sure your shower curtain is adequate and not causing any water to spray onto the floor.

5. Call in the Professionals

Mold isn’t something to play around with. If you notice a growing problem in your home, don’t hesitate to call in the experts! That’s us, The Steam Team! We’re confident that we can defeat any mold infestation, no matter its severity.

The (Not So) Hidden Dangers Behind Water Damage

water damage san marcos

No matter how the water damage happens, it can be a tragedy. However, while most homeowners are concerned about the immediate damage - they don’t think about those hidden dangers. Whether you think it’s going to happen to you or not, are you prepared for water damage at all? It’s not an easy topic to think about, but unfortunately, it can be inevitable for many homeowners.

Spotting Water Damage

We see it all too often; water damage that could have been prevented if only it was spotted in time. Unfortunately, not all water damage is easy to spot. In many cases, it can be nearly impossible to find water damage if you’re not looking for it.

To help you spot any areas that could be at risk, we’ve compiled this list:

• Soft Spots

• Musty Odor

• Leaking Pipes

• Regularly Inspect: Bathroom, Kitchen, and Laundry Room

Preventing the Dangers of Water Damage

Two words: Immediate Action. The most important aspect of spotting water damage is to actively search for it on a regular basis. As long as you’re being consistent and proactive, you’ll minimize any risk of water damage.

Treating Water Damage and Mold

If, however, you end up facing water damage and worse - mold growth - there is something you can do to tackle it once and for all.

When you hire a professional cleaning and restoration company, like The Steam Team, they’ll come in to inspect the damage. There’s a large health risk when it comes to mold, especially if it’s already begun to spread. That’s why it’s critical to let the professionals treat water damage and mold - it’s not worth putting your family or yourself at risk.

3 Reasons to Clean Your Drapery

Window treatments certainly add an incredible appeal to your home wherever they are - there’s no doubt about that. However, they are also one of the most neglected areas when it comes to cleaning in the home. No matter the material of your drapes, you can guarantee that allergens (like dust and pet dander) are going to be drawn to them. That’s why it’s imperative to take regular care of your drapery. Well, that’s one reason at least - the others are to protect their lifetime and, of course, to keep them aesthetically appealing. So, let’s explore these a bit further!

Eliminate Allergens

Those allergens that we just talked about will only collect as long as you let them. So, put a stop to them! Keeping your drapery clean prevents any buildup of allergens and enhances the fabric to be vibrant and fresh.

Elongate Lifetime

Drapery and other window treatments typically have a certain sentimental value along with them. Whether they be family heirlooms, a steep investment, or anything else - it’s important that they last as long as they can, right?

Consistently keeping up with cleaning helps to prevent damage and eliminate buildup of grime. This ensures that the drapery will last longer and keeps it in better condition throughout it’s elongated lifetime.

Maintain Appearance

Lastly, but certainly not least - the aesthetic appeal of window treatments is one of the main (if not, the main) reason homeowners decorate with them. That’s why maintaining their appearance is almost always high on the priority list for drapes. The best way to do this? Schedule a regular cleaning!

There you have it, folks. Don’t ignore your drapes! Give The Steam Team a call today to schedule your next cleaning.