Cleaning Tips and Tricks
 written by: moleak
  As the person who does the cleaning in not one, but two households, I have found that, over time, I have been doing everything the hard way. And by the hard way, I mean the wrong way, which is to say the expensive way. I have never been able to resist the allure of expensive cleaning products which make your home smell like the Himalayas. But are they the best choice? Not always. Here are some tips, tricks, and life hacks to help you avoid the common cleaning pitfalls.

Tip #1 – Baking Soda

For reasons we cannot understand (science!) baking soda is one of the most versatile cleaning products you can use. And it isn't even a product! It can be used to clean your sofa, unclog drains, disinfect your oven (with vinegar), remove stains from carpets, freshen your mattress, remove grout, clean toilets, combine with vegetable oil to clean cabinets, and a whole host of other applications. If you have room for only one thing in your cleaning arsenal, it should be baking soda.

Tip #2 – Clean Carpets with an Iron

One of the most difficult, and often dirtiest, things to clean in a home is the carpet. You do not, however, need to hire expensive carpet cleaners to freshen up your rug. You simply need an iron, a clean cloth, some water, a cheap spray bottle, and some vinegar. Create a cleaning solution using one part of vinegar with two parts of water. Spray it on the stain, place the cloth over the solution, and iron using the steam setting for one minute. Voila! No more carpet stains.

Tip #3 – Cleaning the Oven

There are few life hacks you can use to make cleaning a greasy oven a piece of cake! One of them involves baking soda (naturally). Mix four tablespoons of white vinegar, five tablespoons of baking soda, and five drops of dishwashing liquid. Spread the solution over the oven, leave for 20 minutes, and wipe clean with a sponge. The alternative method requires almost no effort. Simply put 1/2 a cup of ammonia solution into a cold oven overnight and wipe clean the following day.

Tip #4 – Cleaning the Bathtub

Much like the carpet a bathroom can be an absolute nightmare to clean. Between the shower, bathtub, sink, tiles, and floor it can take days. That is, it can take days if you don’t use our hacks. Two such hacks involve cleaning the bathtub. Mix a tablespoon of soap with half a dozen drops of antibacterial oil and, of course, baking soda. Add some water and wipe the tub with a sponge. You'll be left with a sparkling tub that smells like a spa. You can also use grapefruit to clean the ever-frequent rings around the tub. Cut the fruit in half, add some salt, and scrub the stain.

Conclusion

Whether you're cleaning the home because it is spring cleaning season, you're moving, you have an upcoming inspection from your letting agency, it can be a hugely daunting task. We hope that with these life hacks, and some good elbow grease, you can get through that cleaning just a little bit faster. When in doub

Top 5 Cost Efficient Ways To Improve Your Curb Appeal
 written by: Emily Velez
   When it comes to enhancing the appearance of your property, there are literally dozens of different options that are available to you. However, while it may be true that some home improvement jobs may require a moderate amount of money, there are still a few available options out there, that can be done for under $500 in as little as a few hours. In this overview, we'll take a look at 5 of the most cost-effective ways to improve your curb appeal.

1) Install Solar Powered Lights Along Your Sidewalk 
One of the most cost efficient ways to enhance your curb appeal is by installing solar powered lights along your sidewalk. Not only does this help to increase the safety level of your sidewalk after dusk, a few sets of solar power lights makes your home appear to be more inviting and friendly. Additionally, it can add some life to your surrounding landscape at nighttime as well. 

2) Cover Up Dead Spots 
If you have a shed or a tree on your property, chances are that you more than likely have a few dead spots on your property. The problem with trees are that, their roots tend to absorb all the water and nutrients within the surrounding soil. With a lack of nutrition and water, the grass that surrounds the tree may eventually die and leaves a dead spot surrounding the tree. If you realize that you have a few dead spots around your trees, one way you can cover this up is by planting a few plants that thrive in the shade or need very little water to survive. A few prime examples of plants that thrive under shade and need very little water include: 
* Heuchera 
* Lamium maculatum 
* Astilbe
* Digitails
* Alchemilla 
* Spurge 

3) Power Wash Your Home 
One of the easiest things you can do to significantly enhance your home's appeal is by utilizing a professional that specializes in powerwashng, formerly known as house washing. Typically, a power washing company can dispatch a house washing professional who will utilize a high powered power washer to clean the exterior portions of your home. Besides the fact that this can help to remove dirt and debris that may have accumulated on the surface of your home's exterior walls, it can help to remove hazardous mold and mildew as well. It's also worth noting that the National Association of Realtors proclaims that a power washed home can add as much as $15,000 to its final sale price. 

4) Upgrade Your Property's Hardware 
When it comes to improving your curb appeal, don't make the mistake of overlooking the simple things. You'd be surprised at how much more appealing your home will look if you upgrade old hardware. This is due to the fact that small enhancements to your home can help to define your home's overall look. As such, some of the small things you can do are: 
* Replace rusty light fixtures
* Change outdated locks and handles
* Install decorative house numbers
* Replace rusty mailboxes 
* Repaint your doors 
* Replace old dust mats 

5) Utilzie Window Cleaning Services 
Oftentimes, many property owners never consider the possibility of cleaning their windows. While it may not seem like it, no matter how beautiful your curb appeal may be, if you have dirty windows it can detract from your property's level of appeal. As such, if you have never had your windows professionally cleaned before, consider the possibility of utilizing a company that specializes in window cleaning services.

The harsh chilly winters can leave any house’s exterior shattered and out of shape. As per statistics, close to 25 percent households ignore a minimum of one critical maintenance problem, putting themselves at the risks of big bills and heartaches. It, therefore, becomes imperative to prepare the exteriors for cold winds before it gets too late. 

Prevention

Prevention is essential as most of the damage can be mitigated if homeowners spend a minor portion of their time on getting decked up for inclement weather. Also, most homeowners aren’t completely aware of what their house insurance policy covers and leaves out. By not maintaining a property properly, house owners risk voiding their insurance, running up huge bills potentially if a thing goes wrong due to neglect. 

Check roof condition. Look for broken or cracked tiles, chimney cracks or pointing issues. Clear the drainpipes and gutters of any debris or leaves to reduce overflow and blockage risks. Ensure the external and garage pipes are lagged. Invariably, pressure washing or power washing easily spruces up the house exterior.

External Plumbing

Inspecting outdoor plumbing can be the most critical part of taking care of house exterior, since it surfaces issues that may affect the house’s interiors. If there are taps outdoors, ensure they are devoid of any issues. If water flow is intermittent or losing pressure, it could be indicative of a plumbing system leak. And, if the water flow is extraordinarily robust, then insert your finger within the faucet. If the flow halts with no resistance, the internal plumbing line could have a leak elsewhere. However, if it sprays all around the place, there’s nothing much to be worried about. 

Weather Stripping

Inspect and substitute worn-out weather strips. Weather stripping around windows and doors plays a major role in decreasing the volume of cold air entering the house. The worn or cracked stripping must, therefore, be replaced with fresh and efficient stripping. If the caulking looks ragged and worn, re-caulk it with a moisture-resistant, more efficient product. 

Rotten Wood Probing

If there are any wooden overlays or fixtures outside the house, they are vulnerable to warping and rot. Although a majority of those fixtures are weather-treated against element exposure, the possibilities of being a target still remains. Go around the house outdoors and inspect the wood to detect any signs of give. Any kind of rot beneath the surface should show up. If there is warping, replace the fixture or restore it by weather-treating and sanding it again.

Foundation Inspection

In case of mild or significant rainfall, it’s important to inspect the ground and land around the garden and house, to make sure the water is getting drained adequately. The grounds could be vulnerable to stone and earth erosion, which could result in structural issues later. If the foundation has cracks, they must be sealed with an epoxy. Most sealants and caulks are generally not strong enough.  

Conclusion

Most households keep house exterior repair work at bay, believing their home insurance would cover impending natural/man-made disasters. However, they fail to understand that not keeping up with necessary repairs may result in the insurer not clearing the insurance claim amount.  

  March is an exciting time here at Innovative Glass. Flowers blooming meanit's time to get our equipment ready to service your home.
  We understand you've been cooped up all Winter and the last thing YOU want to do is clean the house! GET OUT & PLAY!!!! let the Professionals at Innovative Glass take care of these chores for YOU!

• Window Cleaning - We use a multi-stepped process when it comes to Washing your Windows.Not only does this insure the Glass sparkles, screens are scrubbed, window tracks are swept-out and vacuumed, and frames are wiped down leaving YOUR home Brighter!

•  House Washing - We use a Low-Pressure SoftWash when power washing your home. We go around removing cob-webs, then proceed to soap the Exterior from gutters to ground Gently scrubbing  tough stained areas as not to cause damage to Vinyl Siding then follow up with a thorough rinse, Your house will be left Mold and Algae free!!
  

• Gutter Cleaning - Leaves left in gutters from last Fall can and WILL cause problems for your home! Not only do we remove all debri, we flush the gutters and down spouts and take the debri to be recycled into mulch!

Call or Text Innovative Glass TODAY 865.455.9871 to schedule                                    service for YOUR home.

With Old Man Winter on his way out, Spring is fast approaching which means....SPRING CLEANING!!!! (we all know how fun that is)


Between Kids and school, the flowers beginning to bloom and cabin fever from Winter, It's easy t fall behind on your TO DO LIST:, so let US take care of that list for you!


This year Innovative Glass has put together some AWESOME Window Washing and Pressure Washing specials to help YOUR Home get ready for the year!

 Has the Winter months left YOUR Windows looking old and drab? Not only does this make it  undesirable to open the curtains, if YOU have Commercial property, your customers are left with a icky feeling when coming to your place of business.  Call Innovative Glass TODAY to schedule and let us make YOUR life a little easier!

  Many times, Building Owners, Store and Restraunt Managers neglect a crucial Aspect of their business...a dirty,filthy front! Overlooking Pressure Washing and Window Washing gives YOUR clients an impression that you don't care and unattentive to details. If your a restraunt owner, it says, "hey, If my business is'nt clean out here, imagine what our Kitchen looks like."

As time goes by Glass left dirty,month after month, year after year, layer after layer build up and before you know it, your Windows are ruined and beyond repair! But with regular Power Washing & Window Cleaning the glass will natuarally repel the weather and other contamination that cause damage!

As for the Building Facade and Concrete, over time mold and algae become black, green and slippery and make your facility look drab!  Regular Pressure Washing can make your business Clean and Shiny, restore the concrete and building to what it was!

Call Innovative Glass (865.455.9871) TODAY! And make YOUR Buisiness Inviting,  let customers know YOU care and show off YOU Product and Services!!

• Take advantage of the Suns Heat
• Open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.

COVER DRAFTY WINDOWS

• Use a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on a frame or tape clear plastic film to the inside of your window frames during the cold winter months. Make sure the plastic is sealed tightly to the frame to help reduce infiltration.
• Install tight-fitting, insulating drapes or shades on windows that feel drafty after weatherizing.
  
  

ADJUST THE TEMPERATURE

• When you are home and awake, set your thermostat as low as is comfortable.
• When you are asleep or out of the house, turn your thermostat back 10° to 15° for eight hours and save around 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills. A programmable thermostat can make it easy to set back your temperature.
  Find out how to operate your thermostat for maximum energy savings. Also see ENERGY STAR's June 5, 2008, podcastfor video instructions on operating your programmable thermostat.

FIND AND SEAL LEAKS

• Seal the air leaks around utility cut-throughs for pipes ("plumbing penetrations"), gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets.
  Find out how to detect air leaks.
  
  
• Add caulk or weatherstripping to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows.
  Find out how to select and apply the appropriate caulk.
  
  

MAINTAIN YOUR HEATING SYSTEMS

• Schedule service for your heating system.
  Find out what maintenance is required to keep your heating system operating efficiently.
• Furnaces: Replace your furnace filter once a month or as needed.
  Find out more about maintaining your furnace or boiler.
• Wood- and Pellet-Burning Heaters: Clean the flue vent regularly and clean the inside of the appliance with a wire brush periodically to ensure that your home is heated efficiently.


• Call or Text InnovativeGlass TODAY! 865.455.9871