Reduce your cleaning time by 50%!

Floors are the largest area you clean.  If you really want to save time in your cleaning- invest in better more effective tools.  Tools that cover more ground and work for you.

I see so many homes using disposable and inferior cleaning tools.  Most disposables or cheap tools are about 6 inches to 12 inches wide.  That's a whole lot of waisted time and energy.  

            Bottom line:

         cleaning can be quicker, easier and more effective 

  If you want to save time, improve your tools, create less work for yourself and for heavens sakes... always leave your floors residue free!!

3 ways to save time and energy cleaning your floors

1)  Keep the dirt out!  Install effective entrance mats and rugs.  Take off your shoes!!  

        78% of all soil gets tracked in from outside.

 Less dirt inside - saves you time and energy!!!

2.  Go residue free.  Using a microfiber to clean vs applying cleaner will save you future work.

        Cleaners are made to attract soil.  If you leave cleaner behind it will continue to work- attracting more soil.  By removing soil with friction/microfibers you will no longer be leaving product behind.  Not only will your floors be cleaner and stay cleaner, you will also have less soil/soap build up that will need to be removed later on. 

 Less residue left behind - saves you time and energy

3)  Upgrade your cleaning tools.  Don't waste your time and energy on inferior tools.  Invest in long lasting, heavy duty- and effective tools.  This goes for your vacuum and hard surface tools.  If you have a large home this is crucial!!  I sell the Norwex 20" microfiber mop.

 Faster work - saves you time and energy

Below are links to the Products I talk about in the video

Superior Mop Purchase link:  Click here tool for hard surfaces- save yourself 50% of cleaning time!

Chenille pad:  Click here  tool for when you have rough surfaces or fuzzy shedding critters

Tile and Grout pad: Click here  tool for when you need a wee bit more agitation in your microfiber

Rubber Brush: Click here  tool for cleaning microfiber and excellent cat hair removal brush

Enviro wand: Click here  tool for cleaning hard to reach spaces such as sky lights and ceiling fans

   Happy cleaning.
       Denise Frakes
        Home and personal coach...at your service

Evolve your cleaning and happiness

Today, I'm sharing with you a new addition to my own personal cleaning system. And yes, after 26 years as a professional cleaner and residue free specialist I'm still learning, improving my skills and upgrading my tools.

This new upgrade came from not the giant cleaning industry by a unexpected source... my mom.  A while back, my mom started raving about her window cleaning microfiber and how easy it was to clean windows: two microfibers, no product, less time and far superior results.  I was interested but I was already selling a commercial line of microfibers and figured they were the best, so I didn't think much of it. And to be honest, although I get the science of microfibers but I wasn't fond of the tacky texture or the lack of absorbing quality.
Thankfully, my mom persisted not to convince me but out of sure happiness.  Those microfibers were making her whole home easier to take care of.  I ordered two.

This past October, I was visiting her when her house cleaner showed up with two microfibers and one floor microfiber- ready to clean my mom's full house! Three microfibers- the whole house!! This got my attention!  My mom, a very good cleaner, has never been happier and spent less time of cleaning in her life.

Those two microfibers I bought?  Well, the other day I realized I had stashed them in my office for safe keeping.  Keep in mind, I had a professional cleaning company for 26 years and had access to the best products.  After much internal debate... I said to myself, Oh for heavens sake Denise, if you love them this much you should share this with your clients and community.  Residue free cleaning is my expertise.   Cleaning without residue, making your work easy and efficiently while doing no harm is what I teach and have done for 26 plus years.  And so I signed up to offer these products to you.

Now in addition to being your personal source to residue free homes, huge time saving tips and ways to create healthier homes but I can also tell you what to use and when.  I can help you save time, energy all while creating a cleaner home and healthier home.

Being able to save time and energy on your to-do cleaning list brilliant!  Creating a healthier home in the process is priceless!  Having a way to make cleaning fun- spectacular!

Lesson for the day: always listen to your mom and when you have the opportunity to make your life and the lives of others easier, healthier and less stressed... do it!!!

If you have any questions, please contact me at dfbluesky@yahoo.com.  If you would like to try these microfibers for yourself, I recommend starting with the safe haven package.  This is your best deal for getting you the microfibers I love along with the laundry package... FYI- how you care for microfibers is essential.  If you want to add a floor kit in then grab the Just add water package

If you are skeptical- I get it. But do you want to create a healthier home, save money and spend less time cleaning?  I thought so- me too;-)  Keep in mind cleaning is a system and science- learning to make a lifelong chore effortless is worth the time spent learning.  I'll be teaching residue free cleaning around Puget Sound, contact me if you want training or a class taught in your area.

Next Class- Marlene's Market Green Cleaning March 8th, 2018 6:30-8:00pm Federal Way WA
   This class is sponsored by the city of Federal Way and is open to the public

True Clean

What is clean? We all know what clean is!  Maybe and maybe not as much as you think.  When I think of clean, I think of free- free from soil, cleaners and moisture.  Free from anything that isn't part of the surface.  My kitchen countertops should be just that my kitchen countertops.  Granite should be granite, marble should only be marble, quartz should only be quartz.  There is a clarity that comes from truly clean or a residue free surface.

There are steps to cleaning.  First comes the breaking surface tension part.  In your dishwasher you call this the wash cycle.  In this step, there will be agitation, maybe heat, a little cleaner.  The "washing step" usually take a little time.  Next comes the rinsing step. This where not only the soil is removed but also the cleaners.  Finally comes the drying step. In this step, moisture is removed along with little residues of cleaner and soil.  In the end of this three step process you have it- nothing left behind but your surface.

When clean is really clean, there is a clarity that comes from true clean.  The colors are brighter, the lines cleaner, there will be a depth to your surface and a freshness to the room.

When I start cleaning a surface I may think this isn't too bad.  But as I go through the steps the soil and built up residues start to release, I start to really see the soil.  As I continue to go through the steps an amazing transition happens.  True clean

True clean isn't a false shine from a coating applied,  True clean isn't greasy, doesn't have a wax or polish. True clean doesn't smell like cucumbers, roses, pine, or bleach.  True clean is simple, clear and free from everything but it's true essence.

Life should be so simple.

Wishing you healthy, happy homes and prosperous lives,
      Denise

There are two types of residue in your home

Did you know there are two types of residue in all our homes? There is the physical kind of residue and the one which we are all familiar with. It goes by the name of dirt, soap smears, dust, drips, spills and occasionally drool left from our four legged friends. Removing residue from your stone uncovers the essence of your home. When our slate is clean the texture comes alive, the colors are brilliant and it feels true. A clean slate makes our home feel good.

The second and less obvious form of residues in our homes are the mental and emotional residues. They go by the name of regret, worry, fear, longing, disappointments and sorrow. The beauty of a new beginning is it gives you a time to let go of that heavy lingering residue that fills our air. Sometimes this residue gets so heavy it turns into physical residue and lands on our floors. Just as cleaning our slate floors is essential for a healthy and beautiful home, so is cleaning out the residues of our emotions and brains. Deep cleaning isn't only good for our home, it is also good for us. Start this year and give yourself a clean slate - free of all residues.

We have been in the business of removing residue from homes for over 20+ years. Trust me when I say there is a natural and powerful gift in a clean home and a clean slate!!

Wishing you and your families a new year full of clean starts!
Denise Frakes
Healthy Home Specialist
Co-Owner of Blue Sky Services

The Mountain's gift

Look deep into a mountain and you might find marble, travertine or limestone. These stones could be 300-400 million years in the making. To remove the gift inside this mountain, the mountain must bleed a little. If you are lucky enough to have the gift from this mountain, remember it is a gift.

The characteristics of marble, travertine and limestone are what they are. Their sensitivities haven't changed over the years. We may have placed these stones in new spots or expected more but the essence of the stones remain the same.

Sometimes when you look for new counter tops or flooring, a material will jump out and take your breath away. You fall in love, the look, the feel, the history, the smell, the way the light dances of the minerals. It doesn't matter, the stone's essence has grabbed you and won't let go. This happens and when you find a true love, sometimes you have to give in. Your brain may give a list of reasons why this stone should not be your stone but just like in love we don't always get to choose.

If you find yourself and your home blessed with a new stone please don't ask for perfection. It won't happen. Don't try to change it's essence or tap dance around your life's messes and mishaps. Let it be as it is. Learn the stones natural sensitivities: Acid sensitive, scratch sensitive and absorbant. Learn how to care for it, what to use and how to prevent unnecessary damage and then love your stone. Yes, it may need professional maintenance and sometimes polishing done. But whatever you do, do not stop living in your home.

Everyday, remember this stone was once part of a grand mountain. It is perhaps the oldest antique in your home. Remember, there is no other stone anywhere in the world just like yours. Everyday, try to find a new pattern or flow to your stone.

This stone you have, will never be perfect, it will be better than perfect. It is a gift from a mountain.

As always, wishing you a healthy and happy home.

Denise Frakes

The Essence of Stone for World Peace!

Saturday Dallas and I were out on a job and I got to pondering. When we try to improve the essence of our surfaces- bad things can start to happen. Slate floors come to mind. Slate is a beautiful stone. We have 16 inch tiles throughout our home. There is no coating or finish, just beautiful stone. Each piece is a work of art. There is texture, color and personality. It moves with the light of the day. I never get tired of this natural art.

If you were to cover your stone-art up with a coating or finish, the essence of the stone would be hidden under a plastic cover. The color spectrum would be diminished, the textures would be hidden, its essence would be lost.
This plastic cover/coating will actually attract more dust than its natural counterpart.
This plastic cover/coating will get scratched, scuffed and may be damaged by a drip here or spill. This plastic cover/coating will at some point need to be removed.
While removing this plastic cover/coating strippers will need to be brought into your home. These strippers could also damage other parts of your home as they will also remove paint and varnishes.
These strippers may also be toxic.
The process to remove this plastic cover will also be pretty expense.

In covering up the essence of a beautiful stone, you gave yourself a headache and an extra expense. Stay with the essence of the stone. Before installation of your new surface, do your research. What are the characteristics and sensitivities of your surface choice? What are your most likely soils and what could be damaging in that location. (think moisture, tracked in sand, hard water deposits) What look do you want? Will the surface you picked need to be altered, changed or professionally maintained?

Practice an ounce of prevention and keep with the essence of your surface and home. You will be happier with your choice, your home will be healthier, your budget fuller. World peace will follow. OK, maybe that was pushing it but still it couldn't hurt!

As always, wishing you a healthy and happy home,
Denise Frakes Co-Owner of Blue Sky Services
Certified Healthy Home Specialist and Residue free Consultant

Carpet maintenance resource site

There is a web site where most of your carpet questions can be answered.
http://www.carpet-rug.org/ The carpet and rug institute site is a one stop resource bonanza for all things carpet.

Here are some of my favorite parts of this site: http://www.carpet-rug.org/
A list of recommended and certified vacuums
A list of recommended and certified carpet spotters and cleaning solutions
A detailed and at your fingers carpet spotting guide
Lots of answers to common question and uncommon questions
A list of manufacture recommended cleaning methods

For your fastest search path:
Start by clicking the Residential tab
On the left hand side click cleaning and maintenance
Your resources topics will appear on the left hand side

If you don't feel like all that clicking here is my summary of carpet care:

1. Install effective and clean entrance mats
Keep these mats clean- they are the filters to your home
Put good mats at every entrance

2. Vacuum, Vacuum, Vacuum
Get a good one with a HEPA filter or equivalent filter
Vacuum at least once per week
Do not over fill your filter bag
Vacuum slowly and thoroughly
(list of recommended vacuums on the carpet-rug.org site)
http://www.carpet-rug.org/

3. Spot clean- ASAP
Blot don't rub
Use mild - recommended cleaners
Like our Procyon Carpet and Upholstery cleaner
Rinse and dry
(The carpet-rug.org site has a good spotting guide)
http://www.carpet-rug.org/

4. Professionally clean your carpet
Most manufactures recommend every 12-18 months
In most cases, hot water extraction is the preferred method.
(the manufacture recommended list is on the carpet-rug.org site)
http://www.carpet-rug.org/

Wishing you a healthy and happy home,
Denise

The Best in Travertine Floor Care

I was getting our travertine care info ready for a client and decided to share it with you as well. Here is our maintenance care info for your Travertine floors. Have a great day.

Characteristics of Travertine:
A neutral colored stone
Has small holes in the stone, which can either be left open or filled
Tends to be scratch sensitive and acid sensitive

Preventative Care for Travertine Floors
* Use a good and clean entryway mat at every entrance to your home or business
These mats act like filters to your home: Keep them clean
* Vacuum or sweep your floors often
Use a vacuum that is made for hard surface only
Frequent vacuuming or dusting is more better for your floors than frequent wet cleaning
* Wipe up spills quickly
Travertine is usually acid sensitive. Acids can etch your stone leaving dull marks
Common acids: cleaners, vinegar, vomit, urine, personal care products, toilet cleaners...
* Use felt pads on all furniture and chair legs, replace felt pads when then get dirty or worn
For chairs with rollers. Put chair casters on with a soft rubber wheel
These are the same you would use for hardwood floors
* Be careful with high heel shoes. Keep your shoes in good condition
* Keep your dog's nails trimmed. This will help prevent scratches.

Cleaning: Maintenance Care for Travertine Floors:
* Use a neutral cleaner made specifically for natural stone daily maintenance
General house hold cleaners can be high alkaline and acids- stay with neutral cleaners
* Leave your floors residue free.
If you leave soap/cleaner behind this can attract more soil.
If you leave water behind you can attract extra dust and leave mineral deposits behind.
* Whenever possible clean, rinse and dry floors for best long term beauty and care
* Protect your travertine floors with a high quality impregnating sealer
Please do not put coatings or finishes on travertine floors-
you know, the sealers that make your floor look shiny
* Penetrating sealers will not prevent scratches or acid etches so still be careful

Polishing, Repairing and Resealing your travertine floors
* Don't panic if your floors get an etch or scratched they can always be re-polished
* This also goes for the fill in travertine floors. It sometimes comes out -
but not to worry it can be refilled
* Periodically you may want to have your floors professionally cleaned and resealed. Stone can hold amazing amounts of soil. If your stone starts looking kind of grey or if water starts penetrating into your stone give us a call for a professional cleaning and resealing.

Hope this info helps but if you have Questions give us a call...
Blue Sky Services: stone and tile care 253-946-2056
New construction sealing, professional tools and techniques for residue free cleaning
Filling, resealing and deep cleaning

Wishing you a healthy, happy and beautiful home,
Denise

How to avoid using a coating on your natural stone

One of the more frustrating calls we get is from someone who needs a coating removed from a brand new surface. Sometimes these coatings were improperly applied, applied to a non recommended surface, or the wet plastic look was not what was intended. Complete removal of a coating is expensive and in the case of a new surface not necessary and avoidable!

There are defiantly coating supporters out there but we spend much of our time inspecting coatings that have uglied out, looking at coatings that were improperly applied and removing coatings for multiple reasons. For us putting a coating on is the last option not the first.

How to avoid using a coating...

1. Pick the surface that has the look & characteristics you want from the start.
Don't select and try to alter the stone or tile after the installation

2. Have your stone and tile professionally cleaned after installation. So often a
surface will look dull and not at all what you remembered in the showroom. A lot of the
time, this is because it is dirty from travel, installation, grout haze and construction soil.
Have it cleaned and watch its true beauty emerge.

3. Don't fall for the "wet look". In the installation process, the stone will get wet,
we tend ooh and aah over the dark stones. Don't make any decisions now.
Wait until the stone is clean and dry. A shiny stone looses the natural essence of stone.
The texture, the color ranges and the true beauty can be hidden from the "wet look".

4. Before sealing, do your research. There are 3 basic types of sealers.
Impregnating sealers, enhancing impregnating sealers and coatings
These 3 sealers are all very different.
Make sure you know what type of sealer is being used, its maintenance and wear
characteristics and if it is even recommended for your surface.
If you want to change the look of your surface do multiple samples and then try to damage
those samples to see what may happen in the real world.

5. When in doubt please call us first.
Not only do we professionally seal but we can also help you make an informed decision.

Wishing you a happy and stress free home,
Denise

Dirt - can be a dirty little word...

Dirt: we use to play in it, its natural, it is everywhere, we plant in it. Dirt is as natural as apple pie... right? What if your apple pie is a highly processed imitation?

I just got in from planting beets and carrots in my "dirt". In our master home environmentalist program, one of this week's topics is on dust. A lot of our "dirt" becomes our dust.

Volcanic ash, quartz, sand... this is in your dirt. It is the number one thing that damages your floors. Getting tracked in from outside, dirt acts like sandpaper on the bottom of your shoes scraping and wearing out your floors.

This is what we often think of when we think of our dust, we think of our dirt. But maybe what is in our dirt is not just "dirt". The indoor air quality of most homes is pretty poor. A big factor in the health of our homes is in the dirt we track in - or don't track in.

So just what is in our dirt anyway? Besides the stuff that damages your floors, there is a ton of other possibilities including: lead, pesticides, bacteria, pollen, road/street dust, and other toxic substances from air pollution. All this and more can end up in our "dirt".

So what is a family to do? Not to panic, there are 3 simple prevention steps you can take.

1. Install great entrance rugs at every entrance to your home. Think of these rugs as filters to your home. Get good quality commercial rugs, keep them clean, and get them as big as you can. In our home, we usually come through the garage. This is a perfect place for a long commercial grade runner.

2. Take off your shoes. This is huge in keeping contaminates out.

3. Minimize pesticide use. Many weed and feed type products for our lawns also contain pesticides. It's often the stuff you spray to remove ants, wasps, dandelions and other little annoying plants and critters. Outside, these pesticides may get broken down a little, - although many end up in our water. But inside, we don't have rain, sunshine or wind and those pesticides and herbicides come into our homes...to stay.

There are lots of other tips for dirt control but this is a great place to start. Not only will your homes and families be healthier, you won't have as much to clean and remove and your floors will last longer. Not a bad days work! I'll be giving you some dust prevention and containment tips later this month, but dirt prevention is a good place to start.

Wishing you and your family a healthy and happy home,
Denise Frakes
Blue Sky Services

More info for:

natural yard care:

www.ecy.wa.gov/boyondwaste/compost.html

http://mastergardener.wsu.edu/gardening.html

toxins

http://www.toxipedia.org/

http://watoxics.org

healthy homes

www.alaw.org