Fun Pool Games

What can be more fun than playing in a cool pool on a hot summer day? Kids will love playing some of these water games this summer! Don’t forget that children need to be supervised in or around water at all times, even if they are good swimmers.

Pool Soccer: Use a large beach ball as the soccer ball. Set up two goal areas on each end of the pool. Players are not allowed to use their hands during this game. No dunking should be allowed.

Sharks: One person is a “shark.” He or she tries to catch the other players. As soon as a player is tagged, he or she also becomes a shark and joins in trying to catch the other players. The last one caught becomes the “shark” for the next round. Players are not allowed to leave the water during the round.

Stuck in the Mud: This is another game of tag. One player is “it.” Once he or she tags another player, that player must freeze in that spot. He can only be freed by another player swimming through his legs.

Marco Polo: This is a classic swimming pool game. One player is “Marco.” He closes his eyes and counts slowly to ten, while the other players quietly swim away.

Keeping his eyes closed, he then begins shouting out “Marco.” The other players respond by shouting “Polo.” He is able to figure out where the other players are by listening carefully.

The other players try to avoid being tagged, but must respond whenever he calls out “Marco.” The other players are allowed to leave the pool, but if Marco suspects that anyone is out of the water, he can call out, “Fish out of water!” If anyone is out of the water at that time, he or she becomes “it.”If no one is out of the water, play continues. When another player is tagged, that player becomes the new Marco.

Is it Too Soon to Clean my New Carpet?

If you purchased new carpet within the last year or two you may be wondering when the time is to start having it professionally cleaned. Often times a salesperson at the carpet store will tell you to wait as long as possible before you have your new carpet professionally cleaned; that cleaning your carpet will just make it get dirty faster requiring more frequent cleaning. Is that true?

Old Attitudes for Old Technology
The belief that once you clean your carpet the first time you will then need to clean them all the time goes back to the early days of professional carpet cleaning. Back then lots of chemical and water was used in an attempt to get the carpet clean. These carpet cleaning chemicals worked great at attracting soil away from the carpet fiber and suspending those soils in the cleaning solution to be wet vacuumed away.

The trouble began because the equipment was not able to extract or rinse out all the chemical that was applied. So, the chemicals remained on the carpet as a sticky, soil-attracting residue. It was true, once you cleaned your carpets back “in the day” you began a cycle of needing to clean them more often.

Poor Quality Carpet Cleaning Causes Damage

To some extent, this can happen even today when calling some “discount” carpet cleaners. They use cheap chemicals, inferior equipment, untrained workers and charge low, low prices.

The poor guys who work for them are often subcontractors or are paid on commission. What happens is that the technician often has to hurry through the job just to make a decent living. So there can be a lot of these cheap, sticky chemicals left in the carpet because they were not properly rinsed out. Sure it looks okay when he leaves, but the carpets will re-soil quickly, often over the course of a few days or weeks.

The Benefits of High Quality Cleaning

Things in the carpet cleaning industry have changed dramatically over the last few years. The cleaning agents we use, though more expensive, are designed to rinse freely from the carpet and leave little or no residue. What tiny amount may be left behind is specially formulated to dry completely non-sticky, to be vacuumed away with normal maintenance.

Quality equipment does cost more, but it has the power to thoroughly clean your carpet and rinse away soils and cleaning agents. Finally, the application of a quality protector makes your carpet stay cleaner longer.

Not all carpet cleaners are willing to spend the extra time and money to do a high quality job. A reputable company will pre-treat, agitate and rinse with extremely hot water and a powerful vacuum system. This leaves carpets clean, fluffy and residue-free, the way it should be. As an added bonus, clean carpet improves indoor air quality, so your family will breathe easier.

Most major carpet manufacturers require professional carpet cleaning once every 12-24 months. Failure to do so could void your carpet warranty. So if you want your carpets to stay cleaner, last longer and look beautiful, call Hansen Steam Way to set up your personalized carpet care program.

7 Warm Weather Tune-Up Tips

Your bags are packed, your maps are unfolded, and the kids all have their snacks. You and your family are ready for your road trip, but is your car? As the weather gets warmer, there are some things you should do to ensure that every trip, short or long, is a safe one.

1) Do a check of all of your exterior lights and windshield wipers. Replace worn wipers or any burned out bulbs.

2) Look over your tires to make sure that the tread is not worn down. Don’t forget to check your spare also. This is a great time to get out your jack, make sure it is in working order, and review how to use it.

3) Under the hood, check the belts, battery, and all fluid levels. It is a good idea to get a fresh oil and filter change before and after a road trip.

4) Fill up the washer fluid reservoirs and wash all the windows.

5) Inside your vehicle, do a safety check of all of your seat belts.

6) Check any car seats that are in your car, making sure that they have been installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

7) Put a safety kit in your vehicle. This should include first aid supplies, a wrench, screwdriver, flashlight, safety flares, extra water, and some rags.

DON’T SKIP THAT SUNSCREEN

There is nothing more you can do to prevent melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, than to use sunscreen every time you go into the sun. You might imagine that people who have survived melanoma would be extra careful. But a study by researchers at Yale University’s School of Medicine reveals that more than 25 percent of melanoma survivors never use sunscreen when heading outdoors.

Everyone should limit exposure to the damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) light. This means putting sunscreen on every time you go out, staying in  the shade as much as possible, wearing protective clothing and a hat, and avoiding tanning salons.

The good news of the study is that over one-third of melanoma survivors always wore sunscreen. Other studies have revealed that only about 17 percent of Americans wear sunscreen all the time. The  researchers believe that better education of the melanoma survivors increases the rate at which they use sunscreen.

With almost 77,000 cases of melanoma diagnosed each year in the United States, it is critically important for everyone to understand the risks of sun exposure. An estimated 9,500 American will die of the disease this year. But with better educationabout basic precautions, that number could be reduced significantly.

Clean Your Indoor Air

Have you noticed that the air in your home is not as clean and fresh as it should be? These tips will help you breathe easier.

• When cooking or cleaning, keep your windows open as much as possible. (not during pollen season)
• When cooking on the top of the stove, cover pots and pans especially when frying. Use the ventilating fan under the hood of the stove when cooking.
• Use the bathroom exhaust fan or open a bathroom window when steam is present.
• Make sure your vacuum cleaner is working properly and does not blow dust back into the room. Change vacuum cleaner bags frequently.
• Use doormats at each entrance to your home to collect dirt and dust before it enters your home.
• Dust your home regularly and clean large flat surfaces several times a year.
• Vacuum and sweep regularly.
• Clean and change the filters on any humidifiers or air-filtration systems regularly.
• Wash all bedding in hot water weekly.
• Use non-toxic cleaning products and don’t mix different types of cleaning solutions together.
• Place some houseplants in your home. They remove toxins from the air.
• Don’t smoke inside your home.

How Does Stain-Resistant Carpet Work?

Consumers have become quite demanding. We expect that the things we buy and use will last a long time, work properly and outlive the warranty.  Our high expectations extend straight down to our carpets. We expect them to resist staining and look new for many years. Fortunately, with modern stain-resistant applications, we can get years and years of life out of our carpets with proper care.

Understanding Stain-Resistant Fibers
True stain-resistant carpet is referred to as 5th generation nylon. Although these fibers are stain resistant, they are not stain-proof. In order to  understand how carpet can be made stain-resistant, we have to define what a stain is.

A stain is something that has added color to the carpet fibers, and cannot be removed with regular cleaning. Some stains are fairly simple to remove.  Others are difficult or even impossible to remove completely. One type of stain that gives owners of carpet nightmares is the red food coloring typically found in soft drinks. These products dye the fibers in much the same way that carpet is dyed at the factory.

5th generation nylon carpet fibers are factory-dyed using an acid-based dye system. This means that the dye registers on the acid side of the pH scale. Nylon fibers have microscopic areas on the surface called dye sites. These dye sites are negatively charged. The acid based dyes are positively charged,  as are many staining agents like food coloring. Opposites attract, and the molecules of dye attach themselves to dye sites on the nylon fibers giving you the color you want. However, staining agents can do the same thing.

The Magic of “Invisible Dye”
When the carpet is dyed, not all of the dye sites are filled. This creates an open space for any acid-based, positively charged stain molecule to attach itself. To help prevent staining, fiber producers invented a process where they fill the open dye sites with what can be described as “colorless dye”. These “colorless dyes” are called acid dye resistors (ADR’s). ADR’s make it very difficult for stains to permanently enter the dye sites, buying you precious time to blot and remove a spill before the spot becomes a permanent stain. If it weren’t for ADR’s, most food spills would instantly stain the carpet for good!

ADR’s are not the same as carpet protectors like Scotchgard or Teflon, which are referred to as fluorochemical soil retardants. Fluorochemical  soil-retardants help carpet resist common soils, spots and spills. It’s the combination of soil retardants and acid dye resistors that make modern carpet last much longer and clean up much more easily than carpets of a generation ago.

There are things that can damage the factory-applied acid dye resistors. Untrained, uneducated carpet cleaners using the wrong type of cleaning agents can void your carpet’s stain-resist warranty. That’s why Hansen Steam Way is always your safest choice when it comes to having your carpets professionally cleaned.

Hansen Steam Way use the methods, cleaning agents and equipment most recommended by major carpet manufacturers. When we apply a quality fluorochemical protector, your carpets stay cleaner longer. The result is that your carpets look beautiful, resist stains and last longer, maintaining your valuable warranty.

Watch that People Food

It can be hard to resist your dog’s sad eyes when he or she is begging for a taste of your food, but it will be better for him in the long run if you
deny him the treat. Some human food is loaded with fat, grease, and spices that can cause dogs to have upset stomachs, bloating, and gas.
It can even lead to pancreatitis.

Other foods are seriously dangerous, including alcoholic beverages, caffeine, chocolate, fat trimmings, raisins and grapes, chicken and turkey bones, onions, macadamia nuts, salt, and sugar.  These foods can cause serious health problems and even be toxic.
If you can’t resist the urge to treat your dog from the table, try offering vegetables, such as broccoli and  carrots. But your better course of action is to stop the begging altogether. Do not reward your pet with human food. You can also feed your dog at the same time you eat, but in a different part of the house. Finally, you can get a toy to offer your dog when he begins to beg for food.

Lawn Care Mistakes

Having a healthy green lawn can be a source of pride to any homeowner. It can also be a frustrating process if you are having trouble keeping your grass green and lush. There are a few common mistakes that homeowners make when caring for their lawns. Avoid these pitfalls to help make the job easier.

Cutting Grass Too Short
If you want your lawn to look as good as a golf course, resist the temptation to cut it too short. Golf courses use a special type of grass that responds  well to a short cutting height. But most lawns require more water and put more stress on the grass when cut too short. Your best bet is to cut only to about three inches and no shorter. With this length, the grass holds moisture and can resist disease better.

Too Much Fertilizer
Putting down too much fertilizer does not make for a healthier lawn. Grass can only absorb so much fertilizer before it starts to become stressed. Excess fertilizer is washed from your lawn and can flow down your street into waterways, becoming a pollutant. Most agricultural experts recommend applying fertilizer in June, August,  and October. Excessive fertilizing in the early spring can cause grass to grow too quickly, resulting in a plant with a weak root structure that is hard to maintain.

Too Much Water
Most people are concerned about not watering their lawns enough, but more damage comes from over-watering than under-watering. Too much water results in shallow roots and a weak plant. In general, most grass needs about one inch of watering a week.

Did You Know: National Parks

The United States National Park System was created by President Woodrow Wilson on August 25, 1916, 44 years after the establishment of Yellowstone in 1872 by President Ulysses S. Grant.

}} There are 401 areas comprising the national park system, covering more than 84 million acres in every state,the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

}} The largest national park in the United States is Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska at 13.2 million acres.

}} Four national park sites have a waterway named Green River running through them: in the west, the Green River flows through Dinosaur National Monument, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and the Canyonlands National Park. In the east, a different Green River passes through Mammoth Cave National Park.

}} The deepest national park is not the Grand Canyon, but Kings Canyon in California with a depth of 8,200 feet.

Soil Control Saves You Money and Time

All through the year we track various soils into our homes. Not only that, pollutants from car exhaust, pollens, pet and human dander, and just plain old dirt can damage decorative surfaces in your home including carpet, tile, wood, upholstery and fabrics. Soil control is an important part of keeping your home clean and healthy. You can control soil by limiting the entrance and buildup of contaminants in your indoor environment.

Keep Outside Contaminates Outside

The best way to control soil indoors is to prevent its entry. They say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure; it takes 12 times more effort, time and money to remove soil as it does to prevent it from entering a structure.  Remember that whatever is outside tends to come in, so consider the following:

• Keep walkways, steps and porches clean and free of dirt, mold, moss and algae.

• Maintain garage floors in order to prevent oil, road grime and other contaminants from accumulating and being tracked indoors.

• Place doormats both outside and inside the entrances to your home.

• Outdoor mats should be a water resistant, synthetic, non-absorbent fiber such as olefin or polypropylene, textured to scrape heavier soils off your shoes. Avoid natural fibers which tend to degrade, mold and rot creating a new soil source.

• Inside doormats should be absorbent like nylon, cotton or wool. Vacuum and wash it periodically to remove built-up soils.

• Remove shoes when you come indoors, but don’t make the mistake of going barefoot all the time. The skin of our feet contains natural oils that attach to carpet and attract soil. Instead, wear clean house shoes, socks or slippers indoors.

Some Dirt Starts Inside

There are also sources of soiling that originate indoors. Normal daily activities generate a variety of dust and residues that settle on just about every surface. Keep the following in mind to keep your home clean:

• Cooking produces oily deposits that can bond to floors and carpet, attracting dust and soil. Kitchen vent hoods remove odors and filter out
oils and moisture too.

• Humans shed millions of skin cells every day. The more people and pets there are in the home, the more dead skin, body oils, perspiration and debris accumulate in carpets, furnishings and air ducts.

• Gas and oil-fired heating systems also produce carbon pollution. Even candles can contribute to soiling of carpets and furnishings.

• Use vent fans when showering. Bathroom vent fans exhaust excess moisture outside and help prevent condensation on surfaces. Dust sticks to moisture and creates a residual film on surfaces. This film can become a breeding ground for bacteria and surface mold.

• Vacuuming is the most effective way to maintain your carpets. 74-79% of soil in carpet is dry, particulate soil that can be removed by vacuuming.You should also vacuum your upholstered furniture, drapery and blinds for the same reasons.

• When you dust your furniture, do so gently, preferably with a duster attachment on your vacuum cleaner. If you use a duster, go slow and allow dust to settle for an hour or so and vacuum the floor last. Your carpet can last a long, long time if properly cared for.

Annual professional cleaning is recommended in most homes. Busy homes with children and pets require cleaning twice a year
or more depending on lifestyle. Don’t wait until your carpets, rugs and upholstery look dirty to have them cleaned; by the time fibers have reached a visibly soiled state they are already damaged. Unfortunately, cleaning cannot repair the damage caused by excessive soiling.

Call Hansen Steam Way to schedule your next cleaning or for more expert advice.