The holiday season is upon us, and along with it time with family, good food, and cozy time spent indoors. However, with all of the extra time spent indoors in close quarters with others comes the unfortunate reality of spreading germs and sickness around. Viruses and other ailments ranging from strep throat, stomach bugs, the flu, and Covid-19 all tend to spread more easily in these conditions. What can you do to minimize your chances of getting sick this season? It turns out that investing in some extra cleaning around the house or in commercial environments can have a positive impact.
Professional Tile & Grout Treatment
A lot of people undergo more cleaning than usual around the holidays (when they know they will have company around), but hiring professional tile and grout cleaning can take your shine up a notch. Not only does sparkling clean tile leave a great impression, but a thorough job can reduce the risk of spreading germs.
Since tile and grout are porous surfaces, all sorts of bacteria, dirt, and grime can build up within them over time. Not only is this unpleasant to look at, but it can also lead to foul odors that don’t seem to go away, deteriorate the joints between tiles, and/or serve as a home to mold growth.
Around the office, the holiday season is a great opportunity to reset and sparkle the entire area. To get on the schedule and take care of business while employees are taking vacation time, contact ServiceMaster by Rice today.
Carpet, Rugs & Upholstery Water Extraction
How long has it been since the conference room chair upholstery has had a thorough clean? Or how many months have passed since your toddler spilled juice on the couch and you’ve thought about how to deal with the stain ever since? You don’t have to state the answer out loud, but it might be a good idea to get those things taken care of this season.
Items like carpet, rugs and upholstered furniture are not only more porous than tile and grout, but also hold dirt and other contaminants more easily. ServiceMaster by Rice offers extraction cleaning services to keep viruses, bacteria, and other contaminants at bay. Schedule your service with us to gain all of the benefits that cleaning these fibrous materials can provide:
- Eliminate musty smells
- Reduce allergens and sickness from contaminant build-up
- Stop dirt and bacteria from multiplying
- Get rid of stains
- Enhance the overall impression of your space
Mold Remediation & Removal
Though a more involved process, paying a professional to assess your home or office for the presence of mold is worth it from time to time. If mold is found, hiring out mold removal and remediation services can make a big difference in the health of those living in the space.
Often unseen, mold can grow in places where long-term moisture and/or exposure to the elements has been an issue. If you have noticed signs of mold, it is a good idea to deal with the problem urgently. If not, the problem can worsen and cause mild to serious health effects ranging from stuffy noses to wheezing, coughing, fevers, shortness of breath, and more.
A mold expert will be able to identify and treat any sources of mold, remove mold outbreaks, and then completely dry out the area to prevent future issues.
How Professional Cleaning and Avoiding Sickness Go Together
It goes without saying that a healthier environment makes for a healthier person. Treating your holiday guests to a space free of pre-existing conditions like grimy grout, allergen-ridden carpet, and mold-infested walls will make it less likely they will go homesick. These home and/or office environmental factors are known to reduce symptoms that can mimic common illnesses like colds, the flu, and more. In tandem with good hygiene habits and the proper amount of caution, we hope you can have a safe and enjoyable holiday season!
DIY Holiday Cleaning Checklist
Apart from the professional cleaning and restoration services offered above, the below items are easy, DIY chores you can do on your own time to make preparations for the holidays!
- Regularly wipe-down surfaces
- Sanitize high-traffic areas
- Vacuum and mop floors
- Dust
- Run an air purifier
- Keep dishes clean and off of the countertops
- Clean sinks with antibacterial supplies
- Frequently swap out hand towels for clean towels
Schedule Professional Cleaning in Iowa or Southern Minnesota
To get on the schedule before Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, call ServiceMaster to set your appointment today. Our team serves families and businesses all across the state of Iowa and Southern Minnesota. Contact us today.
