(Français) Nous sommes ouverts
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(Français) Le coronavirus (covid-19) a modifié nos habitudes de vie, quels gestes préventifs devons-nous faire à présent?
Sorry, this entry is only available in French.
COVID-19: disinfect your home against the coronavirus
Everyone’s talking about COVID-19, better known as the coronavirus. The whole world is on alert, and each and every one of us must take precise preventive measures to curtail the propagation of the disease. Specializing in residential cleaning, Nettoyeur de la Cité can help you sanitize your home using effective products and expert techniques. Our team has the capacity to offer you impeccable housecleaning services.
Preventing the propagation of the coronavirus
Your air exchanger is connected to a number of different ventilation ducts that run through the walls of your home, recirculating the air through every room to ensure good air quality at all times. However, if your ducts have become dirty over time, it would be a good idea to have them cleaned as soon as possible. Given the fact that the coronavirus has become a pandemic, all hygienic measures are welcome to prevent your family members from getting sick and thus becoming more susceptible to COVID-19. Families with young children, seniors and those with compromised immune systems all have good reasons to take as many preventive measures as possible. Cleaning your ventilation ducts is even more important if you have indoor pets or if you have recently had renovations done, as small particles of fur, wood and other debris can become stuck inside the ductwork. Your central heating ducts should also be cleaned periodically.
Because of the threat of the coronavirus, many residents will be motivated to do major housecleaning. However, since all the air in the home passes through the air exchanger or heating ducts, if the ductwork is dirty, the home will inevitably remain dirty, as well. With Nettoyeur de la Cité, you can get your ventilation ducts cleaned efficiently and effectively, using techniques that have been proven many times over. Once the ducts are clean, we fumigate them with Benefect, which is an antimicrobial agent. As a result, your ventilation ducts will be free of dirt and microorganisms in one fell swoop—and so will your home.
Protecting your family from the coronavirus
The health of your loved ones is important to you. So protect yourself in every possible way against the propagation of COVID-19 by taking all the necessary precautions. Since you should have your ventilation ducts cleaned periodically anyway, now would be an ideal time to do it.
Nettoyeur de la Cité is a leader in residential cleaning. We offer a whole host of cleaning services to make your home spic and span. Whether for carpet cleaning, sofa cleaning, ventilation duct cleaning, heating duct cleaning, dryer vent cleaning or post-disaster cleanup, we’re here to offer you our professional cleaning services. Contact us today to learn more about cleaning measures you can adopt to prevent the propagation of COVID-19 to the greatest extent possible.
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.
The importance of cleaning your ducts before winter
Duct cleaning should be on your list of priorities when the time comes to start thinking about winterizing your home.
It’s a matter of the health of the occupants of your home. The only time it will get any air is when the doors open. The windows will remain closed. So the air your family members breathe will be that which passes through your pipes, air exchangers, heat recovery ventilators, range hoods and dryer vents. That’s why you need to schedule your duct cleaning before winter arrives, as you can never be sure that the air circulating through them is clean.
Cleaning your heating ducts before the cold season
Dust and debris never stop accumulating in your return air ducts. You have to make sure you clean them properly. You can do it by attaching a brush to your vacuum cleaner hose and brushing thoroughly.
You can also call on professionals, who will use the most appropriate products and equipment for the pipes and ducts that need to be cleaned. The specialists at Nettoyeur de la Cité will know exactly how to combat the accumulated dust.
To adequately dislodge the dust, traces of mold, microbes and bacteria, it may be necessary to use agitation tools. The collectors we use are about 50 times more powerful than your household vacuum cleaner.
Cleaning your range hood and dryer vent before winter
You can rely on the specialists at Nettoyeur de la Cité to clean the hood over your stove and the vent coming from your dryer. By properly removing the accumulated dust, lint and residue, you’ll avoid more serious problems. The risk of fire is heightened when these essential elements of your home aren’t adequately cleaned.
Cleaning before winter will improve your health
Itchy eyes, a dry throat, headaches, dizziness and nausea may all be indications that the air you’re breathing in your home is unhealthy. Recent studies have shown that the air indoors can often contain even more pollutants than the air outdoors.
People who live or work in homes with deficient air quality may suffer from sick building syndrome.
Dust may be lurking inside the heating and air conditioning ducts located in your ceiling and under your floorboards. These are ideal places for the proliferation of microbes and bacteria. The resulting fungus can cause allergic reactions in a large percentage of the population. Including your family members.
That’s why it may be vitally important to call us so we can get your ducts clean before winter arrives. Just imagine spending more than six months living with those spores!
This build-up can also cause your heating bills to skyrocket or even cause your system to break down.
Don’t take that risk! The initial investment you make in cleaning your ducts before winter will pay off, not only financially but also when it comes to the health of the people around you.
Tile cleaning tips and tricks
Has your tile changed color over time? Do you have trouble cleaning the tiles and grout? Whether you’re cleaning the tile in your kitchen or your shower, you have to go to great lengths to get satisfactory results. That’s why Nettoyeur de la Cité would like to share some helpful hints to make your tile sparkle.
Cleaning your tile with a homemade solution
To clean your tile, opt for a microfiber sponge mop or broom, rather than a conventional mop. To avoid wasting money on expensive cleaning products, there’s nothing easier than making your own mixture. For routine cleaning, fill a bucket with warm water and add a little vinegar. Wash your tile and let it air-dry. For deeper cleaning, you have a number of options.
Cleaning your tile with black soap
Black soap is made from several different vegetable oils. Available in a paste or liquid, it’s a powerful degreaser that will sanitize the floor without chemicals, making it a great choice for families with small children. Preparing a homemade solution isn’t complicated at all. Just mix two tablespoons of liquid black soap with five liters of hot water. Let the soap melt in the water and then clean your tile without rinsing afterwards. Nothing could be simpler!
Cleaning your tile with soda crystals
Soda crystals, also called washing soda, soda ash or sodium carbonate, are a powerful cleaner, degreaser and disinfectant. If your tiles or grout need a deep cleaning, soda crystals will be your greatest ally. Just add a small handful of crystals to a bucket of hot water and you’re ready to go. These crystals also come in handy for cleaning burnt pots and pans and for washing dishes, clothes and even your stovetop.
Cleaning your tile with cleaning clay
You’ve never heard of cleaning clay? It’s a versatile household product that can clean not only tiles and grout but also appliances, plumbing fixtures, pots and pans, wood furniture and more. To use cleaning clay, which usually comes in a hard paste, scoop out a little with a wet sponge, work up a good lather and wash the tile. If there are stubborn stains, let it sit for about five minutes before rinsing it off. To make the tile sparkle, dry with a microfiber cloth as needed.
Cleaning your tile with care
No matter which method you use to clean your tile, don’t skimp on protection. Wear gloves and clothing that covers your arms, and work in a well-ventilated area. For major housecleaning, contact Nettoyeur de la Cité, where you’ll have the assurance of knowing that you’ll receive full-service professional cleaning. Call us today!
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.