A Cleaner World Talks

Strawberry Jam

noreply@blogger.com (A Cleaner World) — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:41:00 +0000

I am certain that I’ve mentioned before that I am a big foodie. But I’m not sure that I confessed that I am really a food snob. There are so many things I’m not brand loyal on until it comes to food. Then there are the foods that I refuse to buy in the store – I insist on only eating homemade. One such item would be jelly.

I have been blessed with a mom that’s incredibly industrious in the kitchen. She has taught me so many things – things that I believe are a dying art – like making bread from scratch, canning, and making jelly. And while she is incredibly industrious in the kitchen, she is also incredibly messy in the kitchen.

We’re in strawberry season, and that means I’ll be heading to my parents house to make strawberry jam. Since I got strawberry stains on me the last time we did this, I am certain I will again. And given the popularity of strawberries this time of year, I am certain I will not be the only person. Here are some removal tips for clothing:

• Don’t wait too long. The sooner you attack any stain, the more likely you’ll be able to remove it.
• Rinse the stain with cool water
• Soak the garment in a mixture of cold water, white vinegar and liquid laundry detergent. Try 1 T. vinegar and ½ t. detergent for every quart of water.
• Rinse after soaking.
• Launder with a color-safe bleach and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Always examine the garment before placing in the dryer. If the stain is still there, try again.
• Never throw a stained garment in the dryer as the heat will cause the stain to set.

Local Lightning Strike

noreply@blogger.com (A Cleaner World) — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:17:00 +0000

Its here – thunderstorm season. And though it is early in the season, it seems like we’ve already had our fair share for this year. According to the National Lightning Safety Institute, the odds of being struck by lightning are 1 in 280,000. But did you know that the odds of your home being struck by lightning are 1 in 200?

I was surprised by that number. But in March there was a story (http://myfox8.com/2012/03/21/lightning-catches-house-on-fire-no-injuries/) on Fox 8 about a couple in High Point whose home was struck by lightning. In the story, Kay Brown described hearing a boom around 7 p.m. She went to investigate and found that the back of her house was on fire. Both Mrs. Brown and her husband, Robert, were surprised it happened to them. Mr. Brown wasn’t home at the time, and thankfully Mrs. Brown and the family pet made it out safely.

The story went on to explain that they were able to salvage some things and their home will need ample repairs. And while many of us have sentimental things, things can be replaced. The most important thing during a storm is to protect yourself and your family.

Here are some tips to help you stay safe during a lightning storm:

Seek safe shelter – a place that is fully enclosed with a roof, walls, and a floor. Avoid seeking shelter in things like carports, covered patios, metal buildings, etc. Second, stay off of landline phones, computers, and any other electrical equipment. Also stay away from all plumbing outlets. Cell phones are safe to use should you need to call 911.

If you don’t have access to a safe shelter, hard topped automobiles are an option. Avoid touching any part of the metal frame or wired device in the vehicle. Things like golf carts and convertibles don’t provide adequate shelter.

The Nation Weather Service has more detailed information about lightning safety on their website. Go to http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/outdoors.htm for more information.

If your home receives damage, feel free to call our company expert Chuck Brammer at 336-992-0700. He’ll be glad to answer any questions you might have.

Gross Habit

noreply@blogger.com (A Cleaner World) — Wed, 09 May 2012 17:19:00 +0000

About a year and a half ago, my husband adjusted his hours, going in earlier and staying later, so that he could start running at lunch. He went to lots of trouble to get just the right gym bag. Then he gave me a list of items he needed so that he could keep his bag stocked at all times.

Here’s his routine on a day he’s going to the gym at lunch. He gets his gym bag – now typically he leaves it in the trunk of the car though lately he’s been throwing it into the laundry room as he walks in the back door – pulls the dirty clothes from the side pocket from his prior visit and places clean clothes in the main part of the bag.

Now my husband does lots of things that irritate, but this habit just grosses me out. Here’s why: wet gear that’s left in a gym bag can begin breeding bacteria within hours. The odor from bacteria can be a rather intense smell. But besides the odor, sweat is mostly salt and if left on fabric can stain it and eventually corrode it.

I’d like to say that I have a solution, but I don’t. So I continue on – being grossed out by the habit, using my finger tips when I pick through those items before washing, and scrubbing my hands immediately afterwards. If anyone has a suggestion to my latest laundry dilemma, I welcome it eagerly!

Add an Extra Rinse

noreply@blogger.com (A Cleaner World) — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:38:00 +0000

“Don’t forget the extra rinse,” my mom called down the stairs to me. She reminds me of this every time I help with the laundry while visiting and for good reason. A number of years ago, my dad developed a rash (don’t worry, I asked if I could share this) around his waistline. The diagnosis from the family physician was too much laundry detergent.

Before writing this blog, I took a look at a number of articles on this topic. Most said something like the dyes, chemicals, and perfumes in detergent, if not completely rinsed out, can cause skin irritation. I became curious about what was exactly in the product I like to use so I pulled up the MSDS. Some of the ingredients include Ethanol, Ethanolamine, and Anionic and Nonionic Surfactants. Under signs and symptoms of exposure for skin it said prolonged contact with concentrated material may be drying or transiently irritating to skin. My dad has really sensitive skin so it makes sense that his clothes with soap residue remaining rubbing against his skin day after day would cause irritation. Based what I read, it’s a fairly common problem.

Here are three simple things you can do to ensure there is no detergent residue left in your clothes. First, use less detergent. Experiment with the amount to see how little you can use and still get your clothes clean. Second, add an extra rinse. Finally, add vinegar to the final rinse as it helps remove any excess residue.

Let us know if you’ve experienced this problem and if you have any tips to share!

The Down Side of a HE Washer

noreply@blogger.com (A Cleaner World) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:57:00 +0000

Almost a year ago I got a HE washer and dryer. I immediately noticed some benefits – lower water bills, reduced drying times, using a lot less detergent. But as time moved on, I noticed some negatives too. For instance, it spins so hard and fast that I worry we’re causing structural damage to our house. You can’t use powder detergent. Then there’s the weird musty smell when I walk into the laundry room.

I mentioned the smell to my mom, and she said the same thing happened with her washer. She recommended I leave the door open. I started doing that but still experienced the smell so I got online to investigate. Turns out that it’s a common problem with HE washers. Here’s the site where I got all my information:

http://housewares.about.com/od/laundryappliances/qt/preventingmold.htm

I was already doing most of what they suggested, so I purchased some Tide Washing Machine Cleaner. I’m not sure how well it worked as the majority of the powder was still in the dispenser after the cycle was finished. Here’s what worked for me – while still doing what they suggest – leave the door and dispenser open, never leave clothes overnight, etc. – is now washing my whites on hot and adding vinegar. I realize using hot water goes against my tip of washing in cooler water to save money and your clothes, but I think it’s better than having a smelly laundry room.

Dress Up To Stay Home?

noreply@blogger.com (A Cleaner World) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:20:00 +0000

A little less than two years ago, I went from going to an office 4 – 5 days a week to working part time from home. It was late May, and I was excited by the thought of tank tops and shorts daily. I will admit that the first couple of months were fun. Gray and I played outside a lot, hit the pool almost daily, and learned our way around Nashville.

At the beginning of August Gray started pre-school a few days a week. After dropping him off a few times, I noticed the mom’s that ‘dressed’ and the one’s that didn’t. I took a look at myself (as one of those that didn’t) and quickly felt like a slug-o. The next day I put on makeup, did more to my hair than just blow it dry, and put on a summer dress and sandals. I felt amazing! I came home and sat down at the computer to work, and I actually felt like I was working.

It’s unbelievable how appearance and emotions go hand in hand. I will admit there are days (sometimes when Gray doesn’t have school) that I still put on yoga pants and a t-shirt, but I have settled into a casual but put together look. And I no longer feel like a slug-o.

Libby Has Fleas?

noreply@blogger.com (A Cleaner World) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:47:00 +0000

For thirteen years, I had an adorably sweet dog named Libby. Libby was a mix between a silky terrier and poodle, but my mom always said Libby was half human. I took great care of Libby – weekly baths, regular vet visits, daily walks. So when Libby got fleas, I was horrified. I used Frontline most of the time, but didn’t use it in what I considered to be the off season for fleas. Big mistake.

I am thankful that we caught it early. Our vet dipped her. We went to using Frontline year around. Fortunately we had no issues in our house.

It’s April so fleas are on the increase in our area with the peak season being in the hottest months. There are two main ways to prevent flea infestations. First, get rid of susceptible places inside the house. Second, use some sort of outdoor treatment or insecticide to make sure they don’t make your yard their home. It takes several weeks to get rid of them so I’m here to share a few tips so that they don’t invade your home to begin with.

1. Keep your grass trimmed and regularly apply a flea treatment to your lawn.
2. Clean weekly the areas, both inside and out, where your dog hangs out. That includes regularly washing their bedding.
3. Kill the fleas on your pet by bathing him regularly with a flea prevention shampoo and by using a monthly topical medication.
4. Vacuum everything that’s fabric related and do it regularly.

One final thing - start now! The life cycle of a flea is three to four weeks, so it will take that long to get rid of them if they’ve already arrived. Hopefully they’ve not, and you can begin your proactive prevention plan today.

Clutter Drives Me Crazy

noreply@blogger.com (A Cleaner World) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:00:00 +0000

I found this statement in the “I’m an Organizing Junkie” blog and have been using it regularly with my husband.

‘Clutter = anything you don’t love or use OR have the space to store’

Meet my husband Matt – a man that parts with nothing.

Just a little less than two years ago, we relocated to Tennessee. Matt moved here several months before I did, leaving me to sell the house and such. I hear myself sounding like he did nothing – and that’s not the case. He traveled back and forth between Tennessee and North Carolina regularly and each time he packed up stuff and transported it. But one thing he didn’t do is pack up his office. He asked that I do it and promised he would go through and purge before unpacking in our new house.

Initially those boxes were stacked in the office of our new house. That lasted a number of months until I could no longer stand it. The office – once his domain only – is a shared space because I now work from home. I went through many of the boxes and came up with a number of things I thought he could part with. Many of those items he put back in boxes. Then came the next step – I moved all those boxes into the upstairs storage room. That solution worked until this past Christmas.

Having first grown weary of not being able to walk in that room and second not being able to use it as it was designed; I pulled boxes out and created a big mess in our bonus room. I came up with three trash bags full of clothes that I donated to our local Salvation Army. Seeing my enthusiasm, Matt got involved and widdled his 25 boxes down to 8. I call that progress.

I am pleased by our steps to de-clutter but we are nowhere close to where we need to be – at least in my opinion. I am going to continue my crusade to de-clutter my home, and I will continue to donate items to The Salvation Army. I’d like to encourage you to do the same. Get rid of that stuff you don’t love or use and donate it to a worthwhile cause.

Our Latest Disaster – Water Damage

noreply@blogger.com (A Cleaner World) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 08:00:00 +0000

We were having one of those days – you know the kind where my husband could do nothing right, and I reacted wrongly every time. But just when I thought the day couldn’t get worse, it did. Around 7 p.m. on a Sunday evening in January, I walked into the laundry room to discover that Matt had left the water running in the sink and the laundry room was flooded -- flooded to the point that water was running down the furnace vent and into the kitchen.

After getting over my initial thought of wanting to strangle him, I had a second thought – I wonder if I can turn this into a blog post? We removed everything from the room except the washer and dryer, then used a shop-vac to suck out all the water. I waited until everything was dry then put the stuff back in the laundry room.

I always leave the door to the laundry room shut unless I am in there working. After the big incident I noticed that the room felt especially cold whenever I walked in there. So Matt crawled under the house to find that there was water standing in the ducts. Once again my crazy life can be an example of what not to do.

If you have a water disaster, you may want to consider calling a professional. Not knowing how long the water had been running, we had no idea the extent of the damage. Given the amount of water sitting in the ducts, it might have been worse than we initially thought. Standing water in ducts can lead to mold issues, so every time the furnace kicks on it could be blowing moldy air. Also, the laundry room floor is linoleum. If water got under the linoleum, there again could be a mold issue and over time the sub-floor could rot. You get the idea.

There are lots of fantastic certified contractors out there than can help if you too experience a water disaster. Here’s a handy little tool to help you find one in your area.

http://www.certifiedcleaners.org/locator.shtml

Dogonit – We’ve Got New Commercials

noreply@blogger.com (A Cleaner World) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:05:00 +0000

We usually don’t watch television while eating dinner but it is March Madness after all. So last week we were eating dinner and watching the Wichita State/VCU game. Gray quickly perked up (as he hasn’t fully grasped the importance of this sporting event yet) when a commercial with talking babies came on.

The next day Chris (Edwards, President of A Cleaner World) sent me a link with our latest commercials. I was 5 seconds into the first commercial when I hit pause and hollered for Gray. Our new commercials feature something way better than talking babies, and Gray quickly became a big fan. In fact, he’s now asked if watching them can be his special treat.

Here’s the link so you can check them out for yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/user/acleanerworld?feature=watch

After watching them a number of times and offering his thoughts, he’s picked his favorite. But what we’re more interested in is – which one is your favorite?

Talking Home Fire with Your Kids

noreply@blogger.com (A Cleaner World) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:55:00 +0000

About a month ago I shared with you Gray’s latest question, “What happens if our house catches on fire?”, and how we handled it. At the end of the post, I mentioned that in my research I found an exhibit sponsored by Liberty Mutual at Walt Disney World's Epcot that uses a hands-on method to teach kids fire safety. As luck would have it, we had the chance to visit that exhibit two weeks ago.

This thing was done in typical Disney fashion -- top-notch all the way. First, Gray and I did a timed fire safety quiz on a touch-screen monitor while waiting in line in front of the ‘house’.

Just a few short minutes later, we were paired up in the “Where’s the Fire?” game. We both had flashlights and searched six rooms of the house to find and eliminate fire hazards.

After the game, the kids went over to a miniature house where a Disney Team Member put them through different home fire scenarios.

Gray learned a few things but more importantly I learned a few things too. Here they are:
• We’ve talked about what to do and walked through it should we have a fire, but we’ve not had home fire drills. The folks at the exhibit stressed the importance of home fire drills – even at night.
• Make sure your kids can unlock the doors and windows and open them. Even have them climb out a window or two for practice.
• Set a designated meeting place outside for your family.

We're going to continue working on fire safety in our home. Here’s a link to the U.S. Fire Administration for Kids website. There’s lots of terrific information on home fire safety along with great information for your kids. We hope you find it helpful.

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/kids/flash.shtm

Some Important Information on Mats

noreply@blogger.com (A Cleaner World) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 18:15:00 +0000

I am on the planning committee for our church’s ladies retreat. At the first meeting, I was sitting waiting for it to start when a very animated woman walked in carrying a donut-shaped pillow. She placed it in her chair and gingerly sat down. Someone inquired and here’s the bottom line of the story – she slipped and fell on a wet floor at a restaurant. That business should have read my December blog post on our Commercial Division. Advantage number three: ‘Mats also help during inclement weather to prevent slip hazards.’

According to fallsarentfunny.org, more than 2.2 million American’s visit the emergency room because of an accidental fall, and every 8 seconds, someone is injured because of a slip or fall. I read on a number of sites that the number three main cause of a slip or fall is wet floors. There are a number of ways to combat this problem, and one is by using a mat. Unfortunately mats themselves can cause a trip or be a fall hazard so it is important to use the proper mat. According an on-line article by the Healthy Facilities Institute, there are over 50 types of floor mats in existence for commercial use. That’s a lot of information to sift through, so I’m here to share a few things with you.

• Size does matter – use a mat large enough so it is not kicked around or stepped over.
• Mats should be constructed to lay flat. If they begin to curl, consider replacing or taping the corners down.
• They should be designed in a way that will stop and store water and dirt right there.
• They should be safe and slip resistant.

Debbie has a great sense of humor and laughed about the incident as she shared it with us. But falling is no laughing matter. There is a link to the article below should you need more detailed information. If after reading the link below you have questions about mats, call A Cleaner World’s Commercial Division Manager at 336-870-6299. He is an expert in this area. Be safe out there!

http://www.healthyfacilitiesinstitute.com/a_175-Floor_Matting_Applications

Beloved Bunny

noreply@blogger.com (A Cleaner World) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 22:07:00 +0000

Meet Bunny -

He is a bunny and that is his name. Matt’s sister and her family gave Gray Bunny when he was born, and Gray started carrying him around by the neck before he could walk. In fact I have pictures of Gray taking his first steps and Bunny was clutched in his chubby little hand.

While Bruce (the horse and probably worthy of his own blog) goes everywhere local with us, Bunny gets to take the big trips. Since Bunny travels, he’s prone to get dirty. And I mean really dirty – like the time Gray threw up tomato soup on him on the way to Gatlinburg. Thank goodness the place we were staying at had a washer and dryer. Here’s how we restored Bunny:

• Checked the label. Bunny’s label said surface wash only. But because he was stuffed with polyester, I knew he would be safe in the washer.
• Sprayed him with a pre-treater.
• Washed him in the washing machine in cold water on gentle.
• Hung him up by his ears to air dry.

Stuffed animals can get really disgusting but most can easily be cleaned up. There are some great sites out there with tips on how to do so. Here’s a link to one that looks pretty good. Of course, if ever in doubt, we’ll be glad to help. We know what an important part of the family the fuzzy stuffed critters are.

http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-stuffed-toys/

Talking Home Fire with Your Kids

noreply@blogger.com (A Cleaner World) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:45:00 +0000

“What happens if our house catches on fire,” Gray recently asked. My first thought was where in the world does he come up with these things. Then my second thought was – wow that’s a really good question on a topic we probably should have talked about a long time ago.

We talked about an escape plan should we have a home fire and even practiced what to do. Since his bedroom is on the second floor, we purchased an escape ladder. But I wondered how much really sunk in. Here’s a great kid-focused site that I used a few days later to go over it with him again. Check it out and make sure that you and your family have a plan.

http://www.sparky.org/family.html

But as I searched for information, I discovered that Epcot at Walt Disney World has a house-sized exhibit that uses a hands-on method to teach kids fire safety. Here’s the link.

http://www.befiresmart.com/protect-your-family/where-s-the-fire-exhibit/where-s-the-fire-exhibit-overview/

I was so excited to find this as my parents and I are taking Gray to Disney World next week. We’ll check out the exhibit, and I’ll let you know what we learn.

Do you need a sewing kit?

noreply@blogger.com (A Cleaner World) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:44:00 +0000

Even I – a person that really hates sewing – have a sewing kit. I think every home needs to have a basic sewing kit in it. It comes in handy, especially when you have to perform emergency surgery on an important family member like Bruce the stuffed horse.

Before sending you to a link, I would like to share with you two little tips. Take it from a woman that’s had plenty of sewing debacles.

First, you really do need more than one needle in various sizes. One size does not fit all in this instance.

Second, invest in a really good pair of scissors. Keep them in your sewing kit and don’t let your husband use them for his projects or to open food packages. They really need to stay clean and sharp.

So what items should you have in your sewing kit? Here’s a great resource:

http://sewing.about.com/od/beginner1/ig/Sewing-Tools/Sewing-Kit.htm

A Small Act of Kindness

noreply@blogger.com (A Cleaner World) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:15:00 +0000

Have you ever noticed that when you do something nice for someone, something good usually happens to you? That’s what Bob Burns, Manager of the A Cleaner World in Durham recently discovered.

A few weeks ago, Bob received a phone call from an elderly lady that lives across the street from his store in a retirement community. She wondered if he would mind coming over to pick up some clothes to clean for her and then bring them back to her once they were done. Of course he was happy to do so.

She was so grateful for Bob’s help and called to thank him for making such a special effort. She also made it a point to tell a number of folks in her community. As a result, a gentleman that had never used A Cleaner World before dropped off an order. After using the store for a couple of visits, he told Bob that he heard of Bob’s kindness to his neighbor and because of that and the quality of the store’s work, we had “won him over”.

That one act of kindness turned into a nice relationship with more than one person. Nice job Bob!

Another Place for Dirt to Accumulate

noreply@blogger.com (A Cleaner World) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:19:00 +0000

I fear that with each confession like this, you will stop believing that I really am an obsessive clean freak. It’s a title I am quite proud of.

This past weekend I went to hang up a jacket in the mudroom and noticed that the light switches by the back door were dirty. I didn’t think much about it as they are right inside the door and frequently Matt reaches his dirty (from working outside) hands in to flip on a switch. I wiped the dirt off using a paper towel and some cleaning solution. As I walked into the kitchen, I glanced at the next set of switches and noticed they too were dirty. Then I looked at the ones in the dining room – also dirty.

I armed myself with an old towel, some q-tips, and 409 anti-bacterial cleaner. Then I spent the next 20 minutes cleaning all the switches in the house. While I was at it, I wiped all the door knobs too. When I was done I showed my husband the towel. He replied with sarcasm in his voice, “You’re a terrible housekeeper.” I didn’t need to hear that – that’s exactly how I was feeling.

LewRockwell.com listed the light switch as number 6 in “8 Spots Germs Love to Lurk in Your Home”. The author says, “Touching the light switch is practically unavoidable, but keeping it clean is not. The bathroom light switch can have as many germs as the trash bin. Disinfect light switches twice a week, or every day if a member of your household is sick.”

I do wipe the switches and knobs in the bathrooms once a week when I clean those rooms. I’ll admit that I don’t go to that great detail in other rooms – until now. Now when I clean a room I will make sure I include that little (and important) task as well.

My Hero For The Day

noreply@blogger.com (A Cleaner World) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:07:00 +0000

Not too long ago, I wrote a blog about Steve Plantone, our Manager in Hickory. In it I shared a story where he was a customer’s hero for a day. I too have an A Cleaner World hero for a day – his name is Alan Peatross.

My husband and I were friends for about a year before we started dating. Shortly after we started dating, he asked me over to his place so he could cook dinner for me. After dinner, we decided to take our glasses of red wine and sit outside to continue chatting. It was a chilly evening so I asked Matt if he had a jacket I could wear. He handed me a brand new, tags still on sweatshirt he’d recently gotten during a trip to Maine. I pulled the tags off, put it on, and we went outside. It was dark, so he didn’t notice when I spilled some wine on the sleeve.

I immediately rolled up the sleeves a bit and decided I’d figure out a way to wear it home. The next morning before going into the office, I headed straight to Alan’s store. Alan, who is now a District Manager, was the manager of one of our High Point locations at the time. Alan is an interesting fellow. He sort of reminds me of the turtle in ‘the tortoise and the hare story’. He doesn’t get really excited. He walks sort of slowly, but in the end he always gets the job done. I hadn’t been with the company very long and didn’t know him that well, so I was a bit apprehensive as I left the store given that he didn’t display the same sort of urgency that I felt.

But I tell you that he came through for me – no problem. He called me the next day to tell me the sweatshirt was ready. I picked it up after work that night, thanked Alan repeatedly, returned it to Matt a few days later, and he never knew until…..well some time later.

Restoring After A Fire

noreply@blogger.com (A Cleaner World) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:52:00 +0000

Thankfully, we’ve never experienced a home fire, but I know a number of folks that have. I’ll never forget a story that my High School Senior English Teacher shared with us during class one day. Her home caught on fire a few years before. She explained that they had a list of important numbers – police, poison control, fire department, etc. – posted on the wall next to the telephone in the kitchen. Once it was determined to be safe, they went in to the house to assess the damage. They noticed something quite strange with that list of numbers. Both the top and bottom of that piece of paper were torched leaving only one phone number still readable in the middle of the sheet – for the fire department. Talk about unsettling.

As I write this, I’m thinking about all the special things we have in our home -- my wedding gown, my very first stuffed bear, the outfit we brought Gray home from the hospital in, quilts my grandmother made. Until A Cleaner World got into the restoration cleaning industry, it never occurred to me that many times cherished soft goods could be restored. That is if immediate and appropriate action is taken.

If you experience a home fire, Chuck Brammer, President of A Cleaner World Restoration Dry Cleaning, recommends two things. First, contact your insurance agent for suggestions and advice. Second, work with your insurance agent and contact a professional fire restorer. Certified and properly trained fire restorers have the knowledge and materials to refurbish textiles after a fire.

The Importance of Renter’s Insurance

noreply@blogger.com (A Cleaner World) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:41:00 +0000

After graduating from college, I got my first apartment. It was very charming – basically it was half a house in an older neighborhood in Evansville, Indiana. I had saved money from a summer job and used it to purchase a brand new sofa and chair. My parents found a really nice used kitchen table, which they bought for me. I took my bedroom furniture from home, and my parents helped me stock the kitchen with all the supplies I would need. It was a big investment. It never occurred to me, until my dad pressed the issue, that I should get renter’s insurance.

My guess is that many folks think either the way I did or perhaps don’t see the importance of having renter’s insurance. Chuck Brammer, Owner/President of A Cleaner World Restoration Dry Cleaning confirmed that thought during a recent conversation. “Most people don’t think about it until something happens,” said Brammer. “Then it is too late.”

Renter’s insurance is designed to protect tenants from loss of personal property. If there is a fire in your apartment or rented home or perhaps a burglary, renter’s insurance provides money for the value of the damaged or stolen items. It can also protect against liability to the rented property if someone is hurt while at your place.

Renter’s insurance is pretty inexpensive. “Usually you can get it for about the price of a soda per day,” said Brammer. “Then you have the coverage and peace of mind should something catastrophic happen.” Wise words – from both Chuck and my dad. Of course, I purchased renter’s insurance shortly after moving into my first apartment. Thankfully I never needed to use it.

Great Customer Service

noreply@blogger.com (A Cleaner World) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:56:00 +0000

I like feedback – both positive and negative. As long as negative feedback is constructive, I believe it can be incredibly helpful in improving service. But because we rarely hear positive feedback, we tend to be taken back when it comes our way.

A couple of months ago, @KristenDaukas of Twin City Sales and Marketing tweeted to @cleaner_world this: “Just wanted to say how much I LOVE Cheryl at the Robinhood location. Such a great team member for you guys!” When I passed the good word onto her supervisor, I found out that Cheryl receives many compliments from customers. It got me thinking this: in a day where we rarely hear positive feedback, what is it about Cheryl that makes folks speak up? I decided to ask Kristen to find out.

In talking with Kristen, she expressed something that I feel often (and I would guess that many of you do too), that we’ve become so accustomed to dealing with folks who work the front line that are not thrilled with being on the job. In contrast, “Cheryl always has a smile, always greets me by name, and always has a compliment or something kind or fun to say,” said Kristen.

Apparently Cheryl is this way all the time, even when negative feedback comes her way. “A couple of years ago, I brought a pair of pants back because I had discovered they had holes in them,” said Kristen. “My thinking was that something happened in the cleaning process.” Instead of being defensive or offended, Cheryl happily took the concern to the manager to investigate. Once the manager diagnosed the problem Kristen said, “Both she and the manager took the time to educate me on the dangers of moths.”

Service like that makes folks want to come back. Think about some of the places you frequent. Kristen feels the same way. “There are other places that are cheaper but with staff like her, I will continue to use A Cleaner World,” she concluded.

Thanks Cheryl for setting such a great example. The world needs more folks like you.

Thoughtful

noreply@blogger.com (A Cleaner World) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:25:00 +0000

While writing this blog post, I pondered titles. All kinds of ideas ran through my mind and as they did, I kept coming back to this word – ‘thoughtful’. So I decided to look up the definition of thoughtful. Here’s what thefreedictionary.com said:

1. Engrossed in thought; contemplative.
2. Exhibiting or characterized by careful thought.
3. Having or showing heed for the well-being or happiness of others and a propensity for anticipating their needs or wishes.

I’d like to introduce you to Tim Rolle, Manager of A Cleaner World in Apex and a person that exemplifies thoughtful. Here are three reasons to support my statement.

1. Besides dabbling in social media, I am also an accountant. One thing I always appreciated and liked about Tim is that his paperwork was always precise. And if it wasn’t, he’d take the time and put careful thought toward finding and fixing the issue.
2. Some time ago, Tim was at the corporate office for some training. He brought each of the ladies in the office a small box of Godiva Truffles. I don’t think I need to expand on this one any further.
3. Earlier this year, Tim was leaving his store around 5:30 on a Saturday. A customer pulled into the parking lot and saw the store was closed but noticed someone in a car trying to get her attention. It was Tim, and he asked her if she needed to pick up dry cleaning. He offered to open the store back up for her. She was so grateful as her husband needed his clothes for a trip he was leaving for the next day. She sent Chris Edwards, President of A Cleaner World, a note a few days later expressing her gratitude for Tim going out of his way to make sure she was taken care of. Furthermore she went on to say that not only did Tim remember her last name, but he recalled her husband’s first name and remembered details of conversations they’d had about their family.

Now I rest my case. Those examples are just three of many that show how thoughtful Tim Rolle really is.

An Office Tradition

noreply@blogger.com (A Cleaner World) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:39:00 +0000

I love Christmas. I especially love Christmas Parties. Well it’s more like I love food – and the food served at Christmas Parties always tastes especially good to me.

When I started at A Cleaner World, there was a Christmas Celebration in place – a breakfast where the District Managers and the head of maintenance would cook for the office staff. They also cleaned up the mess. The menu was two different breakfast sandwiches, and there were no special orders.

It’s funny how things evolve over time. The no special order rule got thrown out the window when I arrived. As the other guys cooked, Mike Feudale would run around the office before assembly to see who had a special order. Then the menu expanded as folks brought a cheeseball, veggies, and a cookie plate.

In the beginning we exchanged small gifts. But one year we had a long-time employee get diagnosed with a terminal illness. That year we decided to pool our money together and give it to that family. That was a good thing. After that, we started playing ‘Dirty Santa’. Dirty Santa was always lots of fun – especially the year that someone decided to bring a cake from Ganache Bakery. There was a battle for that one – and I am proud to say that I walked away with it!

I have fond memories of that annual celebration. My guess is that they’ll be having it again this week. I’d like to go ahead and place my special order…and of course I’ll be having a diet coke with it.

Whatever your celebrations or traditions – we wish you a Merry Christmas.

Commercial and Uniform Division

noreply@blogger.com (A Cleaner World) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:06:00 +0000

I recently talked with my favorite A Cleaner World runner, Mike Feudale, to learn more about a new business we ventured into about a year ago – Commercial Services. I started by admitting that I didn’t know much about the industry. So he first told me everything that’s offered:

• Bar towels
• Shop towels
• Wet and dry mops
• Restroom supplies
• Aprons
• Customized uniforms
• Indoor and outdoor mats, which can have logos or special messages
• Direct sell, with very competitive prices, logoed items like t-shirts and ball caps

I took lots of notes on the process, but let me cut the boring stuff out and tell you the cool stuff. You sign up for the service. You tell us the items you need. Together we set up a schedule based on what’s best for your business. We come when we’re supposed to. We take the dirty stuff. We bring you fresh stuff. My 5 year old son would describe the set up as “easy peasy lemon squeezy.”

Besides the easy part, there are other advantages to using our commercial services:

• Uniforms and mats make a business look professional
• Mats stop 70% of dirt on shoes from going past the front door
• Mats also help during inclement weather to prevent slip hazards
• Renting doesn’t require a large upfront financial investment
• Worn out items are replaced automatically
• Items are properly maintained
• Products are better quality than those purchased retail by the general public
• We’re associated with Apparelmaster, a 72 unit franchise that gives us the bulk buying power to keep prices low and quality high
• We’re a small local family owned business that responsive to our customer’s needs. We live and work here too.

Our customers are happy. Just ask Sarah and Justin, owners of Café Roche in Winston-Salem. They called late one afternoon because they had just run out of bar towels. They weren’t scheduled for service for a few more days. Scottie, the division’s Sales Manager 336-870-6299, gladly made an additional delivery after closing to make sure they were set for the next business day. “Not only do they do a great job with the routine service,” said Sarah, “but they came through for us when we were in a pinch. We couldn’t be more pleased.”

So the bottom line is this -- If you have a front door, we can help you.

Christmas Tree Safety

noreply@blogger.com (A Cleaner World) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:02:00 +0000

I have so many fond childhood memories. Here’s one of my favorite – for years on the day after Thanksgiving, we’d drive to Darwin Reugers’, a man my parents knew that had a tree farm, house to pick out and cut the Christmas tree. Then we would head home to decorate the tree. It was a huge tradition, and my mom would always have something special baked. Of course, we’d have hot chocolate too. My husband and I have started a similar tradition with our son. In fact, he started asking about the tree about a week before Thanksgiving.

According to fire-extinguisher101.com, fires during the holiday season injure approximately 2600 people and cause over $930 million in damage annually. Chuck Brammer, President/Owner of A Cleaner World Restoration Dry Cleaning, shares some tips to help ensure you and your family have a safe Christmas:

• It is best to buy a tree that is still growing and cut it yourself. If you are buying one that is pre-cut, make sure it is still healthy.
• Be sure the tree has a fresh cut before putting it into your stand. Once cut, tree trunks typically seal over within 12 hours, preventing them from soaking up water.
• Before taking it in, repeatedly drop the tree trunk on an outdoor surface until most of the old, dry needles have fallen off or have the tree farm put it through the machine that shakes and wraps it.
• Water the tree daily.
• Keep the tree away from heat sources because heat dries out trees. The cooler it stays, the better.
• Be careful not to overload outlets. It is best not to link more than three strands of lights together unless the instructions specifically say it is fine.
• Don’t leave the lights on while gone or asleep.

We hope these tips help you have a safe and Merry Christmas.