Category: Cleaning Tips

The Ultimate Holiday Cleaning Checklist: Preparing Your Home for Guests

The Ultimate Holiday Cleaning Checklist for Preparing Your Home for Guests by Stark's Vacuums in the Vancouver-Portland Metro area.

The holiday season is a time of joy, togetherness, and celebration. It’s also a time when friends and family come together to enjoy each other’s company and celebrate the season. If you’re hosting guests during the holidays, it’s essential to make sure your home is clean, welcoming, and ready for the festivities. To help you get your home in tip-top shape, Stark’s Vacuums presents the ultimate holiday cleaning checklist. Follow these steps, and your home will be guest-ready in no time!

Declutter and Organize

Before you dive into cleaning, start by decluttering your living spaces. Clear countertops, put away loose items, and organize your belongings. This not only makes your home look neater but also creates a sense of order that your guests will appreciate.

Deep Clean the Floors

Vacuuming your floors is the foundation of any good cleaning routine. Ensure your carpets are free of dirt, dust, and pet hair. With Stark’s extensive range of vacuum cleaners, you can choose the perfect model to tackle your specific flooring needs, whether it’s carpets, hardwood, or tiles.

For your convenience, we also offer commercial-grade carpet cleaning rentals at all our locations. 24 hours is usually good for smaller projects and 48 hours is enough time for bigger projects. We also offer an upholstery and stair cleaning tool for FREE that can reach into tight areas, clean couches and chairs, and clean stairs easily.

Freshen Up Soft Furnishings

Make your living room cozy and inviting by fluffing up your throw pillows, blankets, and cushions. A quick run of your vacuum’s upholstery attachment will remove any pet dander or dust mites, ensuring that your guests can relax comfortably.

Along with our SANITAIRE rentals, we offer an upholstery cleaning tool rental for FREE from Stark’s Vacuums to help you with all your household upholstery cleaning needs. The attachment tool is perfect for reaching tight carpeted areas, and corners, and cleaning carpeted staircases. It also gives upholstered couches and chairs a refreshing new feel.

Dust and Polish Surfaces

Dust accumulates on various surfaces over time. Don’t forget to dust your shelves, furniture, and decor items. For a sparkling finish, polish any wooden furniture to bring out its natural shine. Stark’s has a range of vacuum attachments and accessories that can help with these tasks.

Focus Some Time on the Kitchen and Dining Areas

For holiday gatherings, a clean kitchen is a must. Pay special attention to your countertops, sinks, and appliances. Run the dishwasher and empty the trash to keep your kitchen tidy during the event. In your dining area, polish your silverware and glassware. Make sure your table linens are clean, and set a beautiful table that’s ready for a feast.

Give Your Bathrooms a Quick Wipe and Restock

Guests often judge a home by the cleanliness of its bathroom. Scrub the sink, toilet, bathtub, or shower. Don’t forget to replace any empty toilet paper rolls and refill soap dispensers.

Ensure Safety

Lastly, ensure the safety of your guests. Check that all smoke detectors are working and that any potential tripping hazards are removed.

A clean and well-prepared home is the perfect backdrop for holiday gatherings and celebrations. Stark’s Vacuums is here to assist you in achieving a clean and inviting space with the right vacuum cleaners and cleaning accessories. Follow this ultimate holiday cleaning checklist, and your home will be ready to welcome guests with open arms. If you need any assistance in selecting the right vacuum for your holiday cleaning needs, visit one of our showrooms, and our knowledgeable staff will be happy to help. Wishing you a wonderful and stress-free holiday season!

Suck it Up: Improving IAQ in Allergy Season

Vacuum cleaning a carpet - Improving IAQ During Allergy Season

As we meander into another summer, nature calls to us with sunshine, clear skies, and everything in bloom. But if you’re part of the quarter of society managing a seasonal allergy, spring and summer may be more trouble than it’s worth. Some may see picturesque days perfect for enjoying nature with friends while others struggle with sneezing, congestion, itching, and post-nasal drip. So, what can you do?

We’re sorry to say that you can’t keep the plants from pollinating. But with the right precautions and proper equipment, you can turn your home into an oasis from all things allergen. And Stark’s Vacuums is here to help!

Common Spring Allergies

Most outdoor allergens in the spring and summer come from particles of pollen being released by plants looking to propagate. In late winter to mid spring this comes from trees, like oak, elm, maple and birch. And then, in late spring to early summer, grass pollination makes up a majority of seasonal summer allergies. Hearing that, you might be tempted to spend your warm season indoors – but is that enough to keep you comfortable?

If you have asthma or an existing respiratory disease, it’s crucial to understand the factors contributing to poor IAQ, or indoor air quality. Indoor allergens may come from:

Pets
Carpet and rugs
Bedding
Indoor plants
Soft furniture

Pollen is the problem when it comes to outdoor allergies, while dust and dander are the major issues inside the hole. So what can you do to ensure your home’s IAQ is safe and comfortable?

Tips to Reduce Allergens at Home

What can you do to control allergy symptoms within the home? You can try:

Clearing clutter to reduce dust mites and other pests
Scrubbing the bathroom to keep it free of mold
Washing sheets in hot water on a weekly basis
Avoiding air drying, which can attract more pollen
Not using scented cleaners or detergents, as the scents may aggravate your allergy symptoms

Some of these tactics are easier to implement than others, though all of them can benefit in keeping your home cleaner and better to live and work in. And none is more important than frequent, habitual vacuuming.

Benefits of Vacuuming

How can vacuuming on a regular basis improve your quality of living? Vacuums are capable of safely removing a majority of dust, dander and mold throughout a home. It can do this even better if it has an allergen or HEPA filter, both of which are available for most models of vacuum cleaner. With that extra level of security, you can trap unhealthy particles and render your home more sanitary and easier to live in.

Stark’s Vacuums for a Cleaner Household

For over 90 years, Stark’s Vacuums has been providing all the major vacuum brands to homes and businesses across the Pacific Northwest. No matter your budget or priorities, we have a model that’ll work for you. And unlike our competitors, you can see our products in store during our live product demo, where we can answer any questions you may have before purchasing. So, if you want a break from the pollen of the Great Outdoors, enjoy a night in a home you can breathe easy in. Contact us today to get started!

allergies IAQ

The Benefits of Owning a Central Vacuum

Central vacuum hose attached to wall. Stark's Vacuums serving Portland OR and Vancouver WA talks about the benefits of a central vacuum system.

Once you experience all the wonderful benefits that a central vacuum has to offer, you’ll wonder what took you so long to get one! Let’s face it, vacuuming can be a chore, especially if your home has stairs. Hauling it up and downstairs, moving it into different rooms, looking for power outlets, trying not to run over the cord that gets in the way – and then of course, there is the mess of emptying the bag or canister.

Installing a central vacuum is the answer to all these issues and more. If that is true, why haven’t more people installed one in their home? The fact is, many homeowners aren’t even aware central vacuums are an option, and there are many misconceptions about how they work.

Can You Install Central Vac In Existing Home?

One of the greatest misconceptions about central vacuums is that installing a system in an existing home requires a major renovation and tearing down walls. Thankfully, this isn’t true. The only hole required is covered with an inlet backing plate and the pipes are usually fed through an attic, basement, or crawlspace.

Benefits and Features of a Central Vacuum System

Here are just a few reasons to choose a central vac:

Lightweight: No more hauling a vacuum upstairs. Eliminate heavy lifting and tangled cords!
Convenient: To activate the central vacuum system, just plug the lightweight hose into the wall inlet, flip the switch on the handle, and start cleaning.
Hygienic: Central vac systems are far more effective than conventional vacuums at providing relief from allergy symptoms and triggers.
Powerful: Central vacuums offer the same range of attachments and accessories as portable vacuums, but are three to five times more powerful, which can make a significant improvement in your indoor air quality.

Allergies? Breathe Easy with a Central Vac

Central vacuum owners comment about how much cleaner the air is inside their homes, and allergy sufferers typically notice a reduction in their allergy symptoms. A central vacuum system removes 100% of contacted dust, mites, pollen, animal dander, and other allergens. If you have allergies, you know how incredible that number is! This makes a central vacuum system ideal for those with allergies.

Something else that is a fantastic benefit, is that central vacuum systems have a much larger collection receptacle than conventional vacuums, so they don’t have to be emptied as often. This reduces an allergy sufferer’s exposure to dust. Also, because the power unit is typically installed in a garage or basement, emptying the collection receptacle is unlikely to reintroduce dirt into your main living areas.

Save with DIY Central Vacuum Installation

Have you suddenly found yourself with a bit more time on your hands than normal? You can save money by installing a central vacuum system yourself!
Perhaps you have a stimulus check burning a hole in your pocket? If so, now is the perfect time to invest in a central vacuum. In the long run it will save you time and money!
If you aren’t really a do-it-yourself type of person, our vacuum experts can safely install your system with minimal contact. We take your health and the health of our staff very seriously. All employees wear face masks and observe all recommended safety measures.

If you have any questions about central vacuums, other vacuums, or other cleaning-related questions feel free to give us a call. Our friendly vacuum experts are ready to assist you!

Central Vac Central Vacuum

Why Bagged Vacuum Cleaners are Better Than Bagless

Vacuum bags are better than bagless vacuums - Stark's Vacuums explains why

At Stark’s Vacuums, we carry a wide selection of canister vacuums, uprights, cordless, central vacuum systems, robot vacuums, and much more. One question we get quite often is,

“Is it better to have a vacuum with or without a bag?”

Although bagged and bagless vacuums work toward the same goal, removing dirt and debris from your home, their method of waste disposal differs. Each type has its benefits and drawbacks – but as you may have guessed from the title of this post, there is a clear winner.

Let us discuss why bagged vacuums are better!

Bagless Vacuums

At Stark’s, we sell both, bagless vacuums and bagged vacuums. Bagless vacuums are a popular choice for those who like to see their vacuum working as the debris fills up the translucent canister. It is also easy to tell when the vacuum needs to be emptied. If you accidentally vacuum up something valuable, it is also much easier to retrieve.

Another benefit of bagless vacuums is that they are an eco-friendlier option. People also like not having to purchase vacuum bags – but it is important to note that most bagless vacuums have HEPA filters that should be replaced every 3-6 months. The life of your filter depends on use and how often your vacuum is regularly cleaned.

Bagless vacuums are not the best choice for those with allergies or those sensitive to dust. They can be messy when emptied and release particles back into the air. Bagless vacuums also hold less than their bagged counterparts, which means having to stop to empty it more often.

Bagged Vacuums

Bagged vacuum cleaners need to have the pack when it becomes full. Replacing the bag is simple and most vacuum cleaner bags are not expensive. Some vacuum models have an indicator light that will let you know when the bag needs to be changed. A benefit of vacuum cleaner bags is that there is minimal contact with the dust and allergens. Just slip out the old bag and throw it away. No-fuss and no mess.

Bagged vacuum cleaners also tend to hold a couple of pounds of dirt and debris and tend to better at deep cleaning. If you are trying to deep clean and sanitize your home to help prevent illnesses, such as the coronavirus or flu, bags are the way to go! High-quality vacuum bags, like those made by Miele, are designed with multiple layers of protective fiber, which ensures everything you suck up, stays in the bag. For added protection, the bags feature a spring-loaded seal that holds dirt and allergens in when the bag is detached.

Did you know you can use vacuum bags to make homemade masks?

Not that crafty? Stark’s is now offering 3 Layer Antibacterial Surgical Face Masks!

3 Layers: UV Filter + Dust Filter + Sweat Filter
High-quality washable mask that is water-resistant and designed for protection and comfortable daily use.
Water-resistant

For more information or to pre-order a mask click on the link below:

https://starks.com/products/face-masks/

Bagged vacuum bagless vacuum

How to Clean and Sanitize Without Chemicals

Person using steam cleaner to clean home. Stark's Vacuums serving Portland OR and Vancouver WA talks about how to clean and sanitize without chemicals

Right now, during the Coronavirus pandemic, disinfectants and other cleaners may be hard to come by. The ingredients used to make homemade cleaners, like bleach, rubbing alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide are challenging to find even when shopping online.

But is this constant use of chemical cleaners good for our health and the health of the environment?

Are Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products Better?

If you could get your hands on some chemical cleaners, should you even use them? While treating surfaces with chemical cleaners, some people experience headaches, dizziness, respiratory issues, or eye irritation. This happens primarily when they used in an area with poor ventilation.

But are “green” cleaners safer AND as effective as their chemical-laden counterparts?

As noted on WebMD:

“…the safety of green cleaners can depend on the ones you buy. Just because the word “green” is on the label doesn’t mean the product is free from health risks. “Green” refers to cleaners that have less of an effect on human health and the environment than traditional products. Beyond that broad term, the definition gets murky.”

So, what can you do if you want to steer clear of chemical cleaners and you can’t 100% trust the safety of cleaners labeled as “green”?

Does Steam Cleaning Kill Bacteria?

The most successful option available for non-toxic cleaning is harnessing the energy of steam. Steam cleaning effectively trades heat for chemicals without sacrificing power. When used correctly, steam can easily kill 99.99% of germs and bacteria, making it a safe, healthy, eco-friendly, all-natural way to clean your home from top to bottom. From your oven and toilet to your faucets and dishwasher, you can use a steam cleaner to quickly and effectively remove even the most stubborn gunk.

At Stark’s Vacuums, we carry the best steam cleaner on the market. The Vapamore MR-100 Primo Steam Cleaning System has been awarded Best Steam Cleaner in Class by the leading consumer rating digest, each burst of steam from this ultramodern machine leaves a powerful, deep clean.

The MR-100 is a 100% chemical-free cleaning system; the Primo is versatile and powerful, helping you kill germs and remove grime. The Primo steam cleans to protect from allergens, bacteria, viruses, treat mold, and eliminate pests such as bedbugs and dust mites. It is excellent for sanitizing all types of surfaces, including sanitizing soft surfaces like carpets, drapes, mattresses, and furniture.

Vapamore MR-100 Primo Steam Cleaning System Features and Benefits

Vapamore Steam Cleaners produce steam with an output temperature between 200 – 210 degrees killing off harmful bacteria and allergens without the use of chemicals.

Sanitize bathrooms fixtures, showers, floors, furniture, drapery, handrails, air vents, wheelchairs, bedding, equipment, food trays, BBQ grills, cement, and carts. Eliminate bedbugs, dust mites, allergens, bacteria, and more.

Produces 210°- 220° Steam
60 Minutes Of Operation Per Tank
Cleans & Sanitizes Without Chemicals
1.6 Liter Stainless Steel Boiler
Kills Germs, Dust Mites, Mold & Mildew
Removes Dirt, Grease, Grime & Stains
500 Watt Water Heater
Adjustable Steam Output

Check out this video to see the Vapamore MR-100 Primo in action.

Stark’s Commitment to You!

We are open! We know that keeping a home clean during this time is incredibly important. At Stark’s Vacuums, we strive to ensure the highest sanitary standards and are taking extra precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

Our stores are regularly sanitized and we encourage all staff showing signs of illness to stay home. While our stores are open during this period (please check our website for locations and hours), you can also view our entire inventory online. We also offer in-store pickup and delivery options.