Cleaning your dryer

If your dryer doesn’t seem to be working optimally, if there’s a smell like something’s burning or if it feels like your laundry room is getting hot and steamy whenever the dryer is on, it’s probably time to clean your dryer vents. Are you unfamiliar with this type of cleaning? It’s recommended to clean your dryer vents about once every three years. A professional cleaning is your best option, as it will help detect any irregularities in the vents.

How a dryer works

The way a clothes dryer works is simple: it draws air from your home, heats it and dries your clothing in a rotating drum. The used warm air is then vented through a duct that leads to the outside of your home. During the process, your laundry sheds a lot of fibers, creating that familiar fuzz you have to remove from your lint trap every time your dryer finishes drying a load. A certain amount of lint also gets blown outside, and the particles often end up sticking to the walls of the ventilation duct.

Dryer inspection, cleaning and repair

Professional dryer vent cleaning uses high-pressure air to help dislodge the lint from the duct. First of all, the use of a camera helps detect any irregularities in the vent, such as a crimped duct, a clog, a duct that has been screwed in instead of being attached with a strip of duct tape, the presence of vermin or a malfunction in the exterior hatch. An improperly attached duct causes the warm, moist air to make its way into the walls of your home, which can lead to mold and mildew. A clog impedes the air from venting. As a result, it ends up in your laundry room. The exterior hatch must be equipped with a check valve (or non-return valve) to prevent the cold air outside from entering your home. And a grille near the hatch keeps out any vermin.

Cleaning your dryer vent is just as important as inspecting the components. That’s why it’s recommended to have the inspection done by a professional that can then perform the cleaning. The advantages are numerous. In fact, the dryer is one of the elements in a home that consumes the most electricity per year. If its operation is hindered by a clogged vent, it will take even more energy to dry your clothing.

For further information on inspecting and cleaning your dryer vent, don’t hesitate to give Nettoyeur de la Cité a call. We’ll be happy to give you all the advice you need.

2019 Consumers’ Choice Award Trois-Rivières

We’re very proud to have won the prestigious 2019 Consumers’ Choice Award in the Ventilation Duct Cleaning category for the Trois-Rivières region. Since 1984, we’ve been specializing in cleaning ventilation and heating ducts, as well as dryer vents.

We would like to thank our technicians in the greater Trois-Rivières region. It’s thanks to you that we earned the winning title in the Ventilation Duct Cleaning category. Consumers’ Choice is an independent organization that meticulously selects the best companies in each industry in each major city in Quebec. Only one award is given in each category, based on the quality and value of the provided service, the general appearance of the company and the overall service. The organization’s mission is to promote local companies and help consumers choose the right ones for their future needs.

So whether you need:

• Ventilation duct cleaning
• Heating duct cleaning
• Air exchanger cleaning
• Dryer vent cleaning

Call us!

(819) 415-3333

We serve the greater Trois-Rivières region.

Prompt courteous service!

When and how to maintain your air exchanger filter

Your air exchanger is nothing less than the lungs of your home. Not only does it allow proper air circulation in each room, but it also removes suspended particles from the air. So your filter better be clean! Have you given any thought to doing maintenance on it? Do you even know where it is? Nettoyeur de la Cité urges you to maintain the filter in your air exchanger regularly. If you don’t, you’re putting your home and its occupants at risk.

Air exchanger filter maintenance: a regular task

If you’ve never touched the filter in your air exchanger, it’s high time you put this task on your to-do list! In fact, maintenance should be performed on this filter every three months; otherwise it can become clogged, leading to serious consequences. The purpose of your filter is to trap the dust and various allergens suspended in your home’s air (animal dander, organic residue, sawdust, etc.). The good news is that your filter does a very good job of capturing most of it. The bad news is that, since it does such a great job, you have to clean it frequently!

If you fail to ensure that the filter in your air exchanger gets regular maintenance, it can not only become clogged, but can also create negative pressure in your home. When the filter is blocked, the air is easily expelled from your home, but it has trouble entering the filter. The result? The air enters your home by any means possible, coming in through every little crack and crevice, which are much more numerous than you can imagine. Furthermore, failing to clean your filter could necessitate a more thorough cleaning of your air exchanger and all of its components, including the fans, the core and the ducts. So don’t cut corners when it comes to maintaining your filter!

Air exchanger filter maintenance: types of filters

It’s possible that your air exchanger is equipped with washable filters. In that case, remove the filters, vacuum the surface and then wash them in warm water with mild soap. Rinse thoroughly and let them air-dry. For filters that need to be replaced, make sure you purchase the same type of filter, whether carbon, foam, pleated or otherwise. If you don’t have the instruction manual to tell you what filter model you need, remove the filter and take it to a professional for advice regarding which one you should buy. And take care when you put the filter back in. If it’s positioned incorrectly in the frame, the air could end up bypassing it.

Cleaning your air exchanger filter: child’s play

Are you unwilling to add any new chores to your already packed schedule? Then have your filter and air exchanger cleaned by a team of professionals! Contact Nettoyeur de la Cité. We’re specialists in every aspect of residential cleaning. We can also tell you how to clean your air exchanger. So don’t hesitate to fill out our convenient online form for a quick, free estimate.

Cleaning a sectional

If there’s one object in your home that seems to attract dust, messes and family disarray like no other, it would have to be the living room sofa. Whether you have a sectional, a full-size sofa, a love seat or a large corner group, it’s the centerpiece of your living room, so it’s only natural that it will collect stains over time. Is your sofa upholstered in fabric, genuine leather or imitation leather? Regardless of the material, the experts at Nettoyeur de la Cité are happy to share their best tips and tricks with you so you can clean it properly.

Grandma’s home remedies for cleaning your fabric sofa

A fabric sectional is never safe from messes. Elegant and comfortable, no matter what temperature the room may be, a fabric sofa is very prone to staining because of its porosity. For a fresh stain, sprinkle it with baking soda, let it soak in and then vacuum it up. For a more stubborn stain, use a homemade mixture of water and rubbing alcohol or white vinegar (which will act as solvents). Finish it off with some talcum powder or China clay to soak up any excess moisture or greasy substances.

Steam cleaners are excellent at eliminating stains on fabric sofas. Steam is highly effective against stains, and the heat helps eliminate bacteria. Best of all, it won’t damage the fabric of your couch.

Easy does it when cleaning your leather sectional!

Do you own a leather sofa? When cleaning it, avoid strong cleaning products and chemicals. They can easily damage the surface of your couch. It’s best to use a soft cloth soaked in a gentle homemade mixture (cleansing milk and vinegar, for example). The leather used on couches is delicate, so sponge it off, rather than scrubbing it. It’s also recommended to maintain leather sofas with regular applications of leather balm, available in many stores.

Cleaning your leatherette couch

Leatherette corner groups and sectionals have become increasingly popular. A type of imitation leather, leatherette is easy to clean. All it takes are some baby wipes, for example. As with genuine leather, you should avoid using chemical products to clean the surface. The good news is that leatherette sofas don’t require any kind of regular maintenance.

Ask a professional for help

If you’re unable to completely remove the stains on your sectional or if you simply prefer not to risk cleaning it yourself, call on the professionals. The team at Nettoyeur de la Cité has the necessary training to clean your sofas and love seats without damaging them. Contact us online today for a quick, free estimate.

Keeping your home clean when you have domestic animals

They may be little or they may be fluffy. Either way, they’re cute, and we adore them. Our pets are part of the family, but even so, they should never prevent us from keeping our homes clean.
These little balls of fur are one of our greatest joys. But we have to set aside a little time to clean up after them. It’s essential to consider ways to make life easier so we can enjoy those special times with our animals.

With a little advance planning, you can spare yourself from having to spend hours cleaning and scrubbing later on. First of all, avoid rugs. Animals like to sprawl out on them, and their fur gets trapped in the fibers. Along with the odors, which are easily absorbed by the synthetic materials. It’s better to get rid of the rugs in the rooms where the puppy likes to flop down on the floor. Otherwise, weekly vacuuming with baking soda will be essential.

Clean and brush…frequently

Domestic animals don’t necessarily like baths. But baths are necessary if you want to be able to breathe easily in your own home. It’s important to use the appropriate type of shampoo for your animal, whether it’s a canine, feline or rabbit. Scrub, rinse, brush and dry. And don’t forget the paws, which shouldn’t remain wet.

The same goes for your furry friends when they come in from outdoors. Brush the pads of their feet to prevent spreading germs, dirt and blades of grass. If you have a cat that stays indoors all the time, make sure to clean the litter box regularly. While you may be used to the smell, visitors definitely won’t appreciate it.

Air out the rooms

Make sure to freshen the air in your home or apartment often. Scented candles and air fresheners will do the trick temporarily, but to really make sure the air is clean, you’ll eventually need to open the windows. Weather permitting, you should open your windows and patio doors for 10 to 15 minutes to let in some fresh air.

That smell you’re so used to can easily become trapped in your furniture and mattresses. As much as possible, you should try to prevent your furry little tenant from sleeping on them. You can arrange a little corner for him, where he’ll be sure to enjoy a nice peaceful nap after a long walk.

A healthy diet

A healthy animal in a clean home will give you plenty of reasons to smile. You should feed your pet the food that is intended for it. This means avoiding feeding it table scraps as much as possible. Most importantly, you should put a container under its bowl to catch any crumbs that might escape, making a mess and smelling up your home.

When it comes to your pets’ toys, frequent washing is essential. It’s a question of health for every member of your family, including the one who’s so near and dear to everyone’s heart. They’ll appreciate it all the more if it doesn’t leave any unpleasant traces behind.

Cleaning Tip: Baking Soda!

The many virtues of baking soda

While it’s true that it comes in handy for baking, baking soda does much more than just help you make desserts. It can also help you make your sink shine, clean your refrigerator, freshen the air and even settle your stomach by neutralizing excess acid.

Baking soda can be used to disinfect numerous surfaces, as well as your essential beauty and grooming aids. You can soak your combs, brushes, nail clippers, makeup brushes and makeup remover sponges in a solution of water and eight tablespoons of baking soda. Just rinse them the following morning, and they’ll be bacteria-free.

Clean and shine with baking soda

To remove stubborn stains and hard water deposits from your stainless steel sink, you can clean it with baking soda mixed with a little bit of water. When you’re ready to dispose of the mixture, just add some vinegar to clean and deodorize your drain pipes.

The same goes for your refrigerator. You can clean and sanitize it using a mixture of water and baking soda with a clean sponge. To restore its vitality, just wipe it down with a chamois that’s been previously treated with baking soda and you’re good to go!

Baking soda for personal hygiene

Are your teeth stained from coffee or tobacco? As a mild abrasive, baking soda applied on your toothbrush two or three times a week will help get rid of them. Using it this way—or better yet, diluting it in a glass of water and using it as a gargle—will also help freshen your breath. It’s a time-honored method for eliminating chronic halitosis.

While we’re on the topic of benefits for your body, as spring approaches, baking soda can also help enhance your enjoyment of the warm season. It can soothe irritation caused by sunburn, campfire and barbecue burns, and even insect bites. Just make a paste of baking soda with a little bit of water, apply it to the affected area and let it sit for at least 20 minutes before rinsing.

In the bathtub, baking soda promotes relaxation, aids recuperation after strenuous physical activity and helps eliminate toxins. It’s also wonderfully soothing to the skin after shaving.

An ally throughout the home

In the bathroom, a mixture of baking soda, liquid detergent, water and white vinegar in a spray bottle can help get rid of stubborn soap scum deposits and mildew on all kinds of surfaces.
In other rooms, it can be used to get rid of stains on your rugs and carpets. It’s even effective at eliminating disagreeable odors coming from your garbage disposal. Just mix one cup of baking soda, one cup of vinegar, some warm water, some ice, a cup of rock salt and a lemon, pour it down the disposal while it’s turned on and say goodbye to that unpleasant smell.

Tips on residential carpet cleaning

Clean your carpets to get rid of stubborn dirt

In the winter, it’s de-icing salt, calcium or melting snow. And in the summer, it’s gravel or grass that sticks to the souls of your sandals.

Your home’s rugs and carpets are rarely immune from the ravages of weather, harmful pollutants or everyday mishaps. After all, a glass of grape juice is easy to spill. That’s why proper cleaning is so important to prevent premature wear and tear on these floor coverings that enhance the beauty of your home.

And the best way to do it is to call on specialists who really know how to restore your carpeting to its youthful appearance. A deep-cleaning with hot water, soap or even steam will help dislodge the dirt and hundreds of bacteria and allergens that can become embedded in your carpet.

Some of the things commonly found in rugs and carpets include:

– Human and pet saliva

– Tar residue

– Hair

– Dead skin cells

– Traces of vomit and excrement

That’s why carpet cleaning is necessary at least once a year in any home. And in the case of a business, it’s recommended to do it even more often. Regular vacuuming is helpful, but in the end, it just doesn’t cut it. Sure, it gets rid of dust, but to remove embedded dirt, animal fur and stubborn debris, it’s imperative to have your carpet deep-cleaned.

Experience and know-how

Thanks to our use of truck mounts, our special techniques and our incomparable experience, our services are virtually indispensable.

We use only the best available products, and our highly qualified technicians are specialists in their field. We’re experts in hot-water cleaning, carpet shampooing, extraction cleaning and steam cleaning.

The products we use are non-toxic, so they pose no danger to you, your children or your pets. Once we’re finished, your immediate environment will be clean and safe.

Efficient, flexible and professional

We offer flexible service, during daytime and evening hours and even on weekends. As soon as we arrive, we’ll get to work on cleaning your rugs and carpets, and you’ll be able to walk on them safely as soon as we leave.

We’re not only efficient; we’re also attentive to your needs and requirements.

–       You’ll be satisfied

–       You’ll enjoy a clean environment

–       Your rugs and carpets will be free of pollutants, allergens, animal dander and dust mites

–       We’ll use only the best-quality products

–       Our friendly, thorough technicians will make every effort to provide exceptional customer service

For convenient carpet cleaning services to keep them beautiful and to keep you and your family healthy, you can rely on the experts at Nettoyeur de la Cité, who not only know their business inside and out, but are also ready to respond quickly in order to provide you with a free estimate.

Discover the benefits of getting your mattress clean

Clean your mattress and sleep more comfortably

With the biting winter cold, you don’t even want to think about opening your windows to air out your bedroom.

But at the same time, if you want to get a good night’s sleep, you need a good-quality environment.

That’s why you should consider having your mattress cleaned. You’ll not only sleep better; you’ll also enjoy better health. A clean mattress will help you avoid skin irritations, allergies and respiratory problems.

Cleaning your mattress is one of the most efficient ways to get rid of those pesky little dust mites that can interfere with your sleep. These microscopic arachnids are responsible for:

–       Asthma attacks

–       Allergic rhinitis

–       Sinusitis

–       Conjunctivitis

Getting your mattress professionally cleaned by experts is one of the best solutions to help ward off problems like these.

Improving everything at once

Having your mattress cleaned not only helps you breathe better all night long, but also helps preserve the quality of the mattress, itself. Your mattress will even last longer!

They say you should change your mattress every decade.

Instead, you can call on specialists who really know how to do their job.

At Nettoyeur de la Cité, we’ll come to your home and take care of your cleaning needs.

A deep mattress cleaning will help overcome dust mites, no matter how old your mattress is or what kind of demands you put on it.

Our environmentally friendly techniques and products will get rid of the bacteria, spores, fungus and other microorganisms that easily proliferate in the warm, moist environment deep down in the fibers of your mattress.

When done properly, this process poses no risk to your family members. In fact, it will improve the quality of life throughout your home.

After an efficient mattress cleaning, people with allergies will experience nothing but benefits. They’ll fall asleep and experience a better quality sleep, thanks to a mattress that’s completely deodorized, deep-cleaned and free of impurities.

Bed-wetting

For parents of children who wet the bed, frequent mattress cleaning is essential. You can’t cover up that smell forever! But a simple steam-cleaning is enough to effectively eliminate the stains and unpleasant odors.

In the meantime, you can try these other solutions:

–       Baking soda

–       Vinegar

–       Bleach

–       Alcohol

–       Ammonia

–       Borax

All of these products can be used in moderation to clean a urine-soaked mattress.

But the ideal solution is to consult a specialist, like the people at Nettoyeur de la Cité, who can provide you with some tips and tricks to clean the mattress and get a good night’s sleep.

Contact us today for a free assessment of your in-home mattress cleaning needs. You and your family will all enjoy the benefits of a good night’s sleep in the comfort of a mattress that has received a rejuvenating treatment. Everybody wins!