Tips to Protect Yourself from COVID-19

In 2019, a new coronavirus, which causes the disease now known as COVID-19, was detected in Wuhan City, China. Today, the virus is spreading throughout the globe, including the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is taking aggressive public health measures to help protect the health of Americans and assist international partners. Data may change from the time this article is published, so it's best to regularly visit the CDC website for updates.

How does COVID-19 spread?

Data has shown that the virus that causes COVID-19 spreads from person to person among those in close contact (within about 6 feet, or 2 meters). The virus spreads by respiratory droplets released when someone infected with the virus coughs, sneezes or talks.

What to do: 

It’s not enough just to have the right stuff. Good disease prevention works best if you follow some important practices on a regular basis:

• Stay away from crowds/social distancing - This is the chief reason why you want to stock up on everything above now so that if Coronavirus does hit your community, you don’t have to go out and get supplies at the same time as everyone else.
• Wash hands frequently - We mentioned this above, but it’s worth saying again. Wash your hands all the time. Health experts say you should scrub for 20 seconds (about as long as it takes to sing "Happy Birthday, twice).
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow instead of your hands. It helps keep viruses from getting airborne.
• Throw away used tissues - Don’t stick them in your pocket or leave them on a surface. They have germs on them.
• Keep hands out of your mouth, nose, and eyes - This helps prevent transmission of not just coronavirus, but other respiratory diseases, according to the CDC.

Additional reminders:

- STAY home as much as you can.

- If you have a fever, a cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention. Call in advance.

- Follow the directions of your local health authority.

With so much news circulating about the coronavirus outbreak, it can be hard to know what to trust, and how to protect yourself and your employees. At ServiceMaster of the Upstate, we understand how important it is to maintain a clean, healthy environment at work and home. Providing nobody in your household is showing symptoms, your main concern should be in minimizing the risk of introducing the virus into the house. You can do this by encouraging everybody to wash their hands as soon as they enter, and regularly wiping down high-touch areas such as door handles, light switches, TV remotes, and faucets, using EPA-approved disinfectants.

 

Maintaining a clean home is always a good idea to protect against all kinds of infections and viruses. A clean home can help you stay healthier and live longer. COVID-19 isn’t the only organism that can make you and your family sick, but there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of infection at home.

Keep your surroundings clean? If you find yourself needing professional carpet cleaning in Greenville or upholstery cleaning in Newberry SC, call ServiceMaster of the Upstate at (864) 310-7891. We serve Greenville, Newberry, Spartanburg, Laurens, and Saluda, South Carolina and surrounding areas.

How to Select the Best Carpet for Your Home

Developers of home construction tend to hard surfaces. However, there are  homeowners who want  to add carpets to their homes. Purchasing carpets could be of many reasons, like adding color or texture to different rooms, or keeping within the budget. Still, the number one benefit is the affordability and comfort that these provide. 

 

There are many factors when it comes to choosing the right carpet for specific reasons. Some of these include construction, fiber type, the weight or density, and the pattern. 

 

Fiber type

 

There are many fiber types that make up carpets. These include wool, nylon, polyester, or olefin fiber. The carpet’s function and feel is affected by the type of fiber used. 

 

The resilient wool is made of natural fiber that allows it to keep its shape despite heavy use or traffic. Among the fibers available, wool is the most expensive and is difficult to remove stains from. In the 1940s, the first synthetic fiber used in carpet manufacturing was nylon which is both durable and long-wearing. Treatment of nylons is done to improve stain resistance. 

 

The less resilient polyester fiber has brighter colors and is fade-resistant. Recycled soda bottles comprise most PET polyester fiber and resists stain and is durable in dense cut-pile constructions. 

 

Olefin fiber is mostly used in construction carpets because it is least resistant to crushing. The fiber maintains its shape through the loop but there must be extra care to prevent snagging. 

 

These fibers need carpet cleaning in Newberry SC.

 

Construction

 

Carpet construction is the next factor to be considered. There are both benefits and disadvantages when it comes to fiber type. 

 

A loop construction is very suitable for homes with pets because of its durability. However, it is prone to pulling. Among the different types, the most difficult to seam are the loop construction carpets. Thus, these should be avoided to make use of wider 15-foot goods. 

 

The most common style is the cut-pile. These carpets are formal and display footprints and vacuum marks. On the other hand, a textured cut-pile carpet scatters light and is more suitable for an active household. 

 

Weight and density

 

The cost of a carpet involves the fiber itself. Thus, it is best to maximize the density and weight of the fiber. It is better to purchase a loop construction carpet than a cut-pile carpet because the former will wear better at a lower weight compared to the latter. 

 

Hallways or stairway carpets should consider density or compactness because of the heavy traffic these places experience. 

 

In order to preserve the quality of carpets, carpet cleaning services Newberry should be obtained from a carpet cleaning company in Newberry SC.

 

Cut and loop carpets are typically short-piled and are a good choice for dens and game rooms or in homes that require wheelchair access. High twist frieze carpets are more expensive to manufacture but are durable at a lower weight and density than a normal cut-pile carpet.

 

Carpets have evolved through the years and have their own specificity for the needs of a household. This blog serves as a resource on how to process these specific concerns. 

 

Need carpet cleaning services? Call ServiceMaster of the Upstate at (864) 310-7891 for a 24-hour emergency service in South Carolina. We are serving Greenville, Spartanburg, Laurens, Newberry, Saluda and surrounding areas and counties.

Benefits of Commercial Carpet Cleaning in Greenville, South Carolina

Are you looking for well-trained professionals, safe and efficient services, and long-term partnership in carpet cleaning in Greenville, South Carolina? You can get these benefits if you hire a commercial carpet cleaning in Greenville. 

 

Well-trained Professional Cleaners

 

Efficient performance is only achieved if you hire well-trained professional cleaners. Choose a company whose technicians are regularly trained and equipped with up-to-date and newest techniques in cleaning. These professionals work in compliance with strict Health and Safety policies so that your house or office is protected. They also skillfully operate cleaning equipment and systems so that you have nothing to fear regarding accidents or other threats.

 

What a joy it would be if you are served by punctual, friendly, and polite technicians. Business carpet cleaning Greenville is known to have cleaners who come on time and leave your place clean and in excellent condition.

 

Safe and Efficient Service

 

You don’t have to worry about safety and efficiency because the carpet cleaning solution used by commercial carpet cleaning companies has been tested and tried to bring about superior finish. The primary cleaning solution enters deep into the fibers of your carpet, removing all the dirt without any excessive water and harsh chemicals. It cleans thoroughly so that no residue is left in your carpet. As a result, your carpet stays fresher and cleaner for a long time as the cleaners also restore it to pre-damage form.

 

The mechanism of combining low-water cleaning and quick drying with carbonation prevents the growth of mildew and mold in your carpet. Likewise, your carpet is cleaned within a few hours and the solutions used in cleaning are safe for you and your pet’s health because they are green-certified. With a commercial company, any size job or building is not an issue. Moreover, you can immediately have cleaners available for your carpet cleaning needs without affecting your regular routine.

 

Long-term Partnership

 

A consistent office carpet cleaning in Greenville is a huge benefit to your life. Carpets normally require regular cleaning in order to preserve their appearance and purpose, provide a safe and healthy environment for everybody, and for them to last longer. Hence, you need to have a good relationship with a commercial cleaner. Having found a reliable cleaning service provider is like finding a loyal friend. They are there to make sure that your carpets are treated with a suitable cleaning method. Thus, they will be your partners who will see to it that your carpets are well-maintained for as long as you need them. 

 

These are just three of the many benefits you can gain from hiring a commercial carpet cleaning company in Greenville, South Carolina. ServiceMaster of the Upstate has more to offer for your residential and commercial units’ carpet cleaning needs and related concerns.

For inquiries, call ServiceMaster of the Upstate at (864) 310-7891 for a 24-hour emergency service in South Carolina. You can also visit our website at https://www.servicemasterupstate.com to get an overview of our services.  We are available to serve you in Greenville, Spartanburg, Laurens, Newberry, Saluda and surrounding areas and counties.

Do I Need an Indoor Air Quality Test?

People have their own set of fears. They fear things that they see with their naked eye. However, there are things that could be scarier for others and these include what cannot be seen.

 

This also goes with the air quality at homes. What cannot be seen can justify the fear that a person has when it comes to the invisible dangers that a person can breathe. 

 

Common concerns related to air quality involve odors, issues regarding comfort, and health complaints. Here are some reasons why a person should have an indoor air quality test:

 

1. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCS)

 

Carpets and shower curtains often release a chemical smell that lasts for days or even weeks. This smell is due to the release of VOCs in these materials. 

 

A home has numerous products that emit VOCs. These include paint and furniture cleaners. Although not all of these can be smelled, these can result to short-term health problems such as nausea and headaches. However, repeated exposure can result to longer-term health issues. 

 

There are numerous VOCs that are not encompassed with indoor air quality testing. However, formaldehyde, a dangerous VOC, can be detected. Formaldehyde is a component in tobacco smoke, fabrics, wood, combustion appliances, and more. 

 

2. Mold, mildew, and bacteria

 

There are also biological contaminants present in addition to chemical contaminants. These include mold, mildew, fungi, bacteria, and viruses. These organisms thrive and multiply in warm, humid air. This means that homeowners should be alert when it comes to regulating the humidity and fixing water leaks in basements and bathrooms. 

 

Mold exposure can result to different symptoms that include respiratory problems, and eye and skin irritation, according to CDC. These conditions aggravate the health of people with already existing respiratory problems, such as asthma. 

 

There are dangers when it comes to cleaning mold in a DIY fashion. This can be prevented by hiring a mold removal company in Saluda SC. They perform mold removal in Saluda SC and mold remediation in Saluda SC with their certified Saluda SC mold remediation technicians.

  

3. Pesticides

 

Most solutions often result to another problem. This goes with pesticides as a household means to remove insects. However, pesticides can result to concerns in indoor air quality. 

 

EPA reports that two-thirds of US households have used at least one pesticide in the past year. This implies that there will be a detection of a certain amount of pesticides in the air in the conduct of an indoor air quality testing. However, this is best done since there might be high levels of pesticide due to improper use. 

  

Health and well-being could never be given too much importance. If a person cares about the well-being of his/her household members, an air quality testing must be done to ensure that biological and chemical contaminants are not present at home. 

 

If you had an air quality test done and discovered that there is mold in your home, call ServiceMaster of the Upstate at (864) 310-7891 for a 24-hour emergency service in South Carolina. We are serving Greenville, Spartanburg, Laurens, Newberry, Saluda and surrounding areas and counties.