​No matter who you are, no matter where you live, you never sleep alone.

But don't panic...those sleeping with you are somewhat peaceful. And not really all that noticeable, until the "Welcome" sign goes up and they start inviting a bunch of guests over. Once the invitation goes out, there can be millions that end up in one mattress alone!

Yes, we are speaking of dust mites, those super-tiny eight-legged creatures that live in every house and take up residence in virtually every pillow, mattress and other comfortable abodes in the world.

Commonly called the "house dust mite," (there are a couple different types known to inhabit various parts of the world) this little creature feeds on the flakes of shed human and animal skin and is known to be a cause of asthma and allergic reactions.

Dust mite feces contain a powerful digestive enzyme that causes all kinds of breathing problems--if there are enough of the creatures in your home.

Some people are highly sensitive to dust mites, while others never have a reaction. 

What can you do?

First of all, like we already said, don't panic. Dust mites are everywhere, and there's nothing you can do about that. 

What you can do is keep things clean. Dust mites reproduce quickly in mattresses, beddings, pillows, and other areas because these absorbent items take up moisture, such as saliva, perspiration and blood, from body contact. Dust mites prefer those warm, moist environments created by sleeping bodies.

Besides moisture, they need food. Dust mites are like any living creature. They need to eat. The skin flakes, dander, and other protein sources are food for dust mites, so regular vacuuming is smart, especially using one with HEPA filtering. And running an air cleaner in your home with HEPA filtering will help, too. 

Professional cleaning is a good investment for your home. Deep cleaning all fabrics on a regular basis means you are taking food away from these unwanted tenants. Logically, this equates to fewer dust mites coming over to party at your house. 

Finally, clean your ducts. Don't let dust multiply in your home's HVAC system. They, along with other contaminants, can circulate through your home 5-7 times a day if your ducts are not cleaned properly. 

So be a smart homeowner. Keep things clean and keep some of the pests away! Call Mark's Cleaning Service today!

Experts at the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) have some surprising news. Everyone lives in a flood zone. Yes, you read that right. 

Now if you're perched on a peak in the Rocky Mountains, you are probably at low risk from flooding. However, lower elevations bring higher risk. 

How frequently do floods occur? In the past 5 years, all 50 states have experienced floods or flash floods. As you know, homeowner's insurance doesn't cover flood damage. You need special flood insurance for that.

To protect yourself, you need some flood facts to help recognize the risks. This knowledge will also help you choose the proper flood insurance for your home and risk level. 

Flood Facts from the NFIP

1. A few inches of water can cost thousands to repair. Without insurance, this comes out of your pocket.
2. Flash floods can bring walls of water as high as 15 feet. 
3. Two feet of rushing water can lift a vehicle and carry it away. 
4. New land development often increases flood risk.
5. Floods are caused by many different sources, including winter storms and snow melt, which have been particularly problematic the past couple years. 
6. Since 1978, the NFIP has paid nearly $50 billion for flood insurance claims and related costs.

The list goes on, but the most important thing is to protect yourself and your family. If any type of flooding happens to you, make sure you have Mark's Cleaning Service on speed dial. We're water damage professionals, and we're here to help.

Our 24 hour emergency water removal number is 330-350-1293. Our emergency crews are ready to respond within one hour of any phone call. Stay safe!

-Mark

The Myth of the Vacuum
You would be hard pressed not to find this noisy, electrical and often-underused mechanical device in any home, apartment or business. 

What is it? The vacuum cleaner. You know, that silent sentinel in your closet that comes to life when you plug it in and push the power button, and it buzzes all over the carpet as you chase it around the house.

The problem with the vacuum cleaner is we trust it too much. No, we’re not saying you shouldn’t vacuum your carpet. You should vacuum once per week per occupant, on average, for the main areas.  You might vacuum the bedrooms less frequently. We all know that proper vacuuming is important in caring for the carpet.

But some feel that vacuuming the carpet is equal to carpet cleaning. That’s a myth and it is simply not true. Professional carpet cleaning removes so much more than a vacuum can remove. Yet it has been reported that consumers feel that frequent vacuuming removes the dust and grime from their floors and they can either skip or prolong regular carpet cleaning.

That’s not the case.

A good vacuum, no matter how powerful or advanced, removes only dry soil. The stuff that is tracked in every day and should be removed every day, as well. Vacuums don’t remove the sticky, greasy soil stuck to the carpet fibers. You need professional cleaning to remove those soils.

Compare this to washing your car with a dry rag… or brushing your hair and skipping the shower and shampoo… or — well, you get the point. You need quality cleaning, deep carpet cleaning, to get your carpet thoroughly cleaned.

Do yourself a favor. Keep that vacuum cleaner working, use it all the time, but also use your professional carpet cleaning pro. He knows what it takes to remove ALL the dirt!