Author: jennifer

Have you ever run out of a cleaning product unexpectedly right when you needed it? It can be a hassle to go to the store and sometimes they might not even have what you need. While there are some situations where you may need a stronger disinfectant, many household messes can be handled with DIY cleaning supplies.

Here are some ways you can use what you probably already have to make cleaning products:

Baking Soda

Baking soda is one of the most versatile natural cleaning ingredients. It is a deodorizer, degreaser, and mild disinfectant. You can combine 4 tablespoons of baking soda with a quart of warm water for a quick and easy cleaning solution that you can use all around your house. Baking soda can also be used on its own to scrub stubborn char or grease. If you combine it with an equal amount of vinegar, it makes a great foaming toilet bowl cleaner.

Vinegar

Vinegar’s acidity makes it perfect for creating cleaning supplies. White vinegar or apple cider vinegar work best, but if you have another type of vinegar on hand you can use that instead in a pinch. Use equal parts vinegar and water for cleaning. You can use this mixture to wipe down any area of your home, let it sit in your sink to sanitize it, or use it to clean a coffee maker or blender.

Citrus

Citrus fruits contain a compound called limonene which breaks down the lipid molecules in grease. Lemon is the best option, but you can also use an orange, grapefruit, or lime if that is what you have available. There are a few different ways you can take advantage of the degreasing abilities of citrus. The easiest is to combine juice with a little bit of baking soda and use this to scrub away the stain. We recommend starting with ½ cup of baking soda and mixing in juice until you have a thick paste. If you have citrus essential oils at home, you can use these instead.

If you have some time to prepare or are looking for a clever way to use food waste, try soaking citrus peels in vinegar. You should add enough vinegar to cover the peels and leave the mixture in an airtight glass container for two weeks. Strain the vinegar and combine it with an equal amount of water. This doubles as a degreaser and a mild disinfectant.

When You Need Stronger Disinfectants

Cleaning and disinfection are different and while the above items can help you clean and may partially disinfect surfaces, they are not the same as heavy-duty disinfectants. There are some situations where you may need to use a stronger item. This is particularly true if a household member is sick.

Want to Save Time and Effort?

If you don’t want to spend your free time cleaning your house, TrueClean can help. We will clean and disinfect your home so you don’t have to go through the hassle. We use the best cleaning supplies for the job, including Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved disinfectants, as well as natural products when possible.

To learn more about our cleaning services, call us today.

Different paints have different formulas and while both interior and exterior house paint can be the same color, the chemistry behind each formula is very different. Both interior and exterior paints come in one of two types, either water-based or oil-based. However, beyond this similarity, they differ chemically based on their intended use.

Paint manufacturers and professional painters alike recommend that you use each paint according to its label. You should use interior paint inside and exterior paint outside. To understand why, it is important to understand the four basic components of paint and how these differ between the two types.

The Chemical Components of Paint

Pigment

Pigments are small particles that create paint’s color and texture. They protect the paint by reflecting ultraviolet rays and can improve impermeability, providing resistance to water and stains. The more pigment, the less glossy the paint will be. Higher-quality paints have more pigment, are easier to touch up, and will typically hide surface imperfections better than a lower-quality substitute. Pigments tend to be fairly similar between indoor and outdoor paints, although exterior paints may use more durable varieties.

Resin

One of the major differences between interior and exterior paint is the resin. This is what is left over when the binder dries. Binders hold the paint together and help it adhere to the surface where you apply it. Because exterior house paint is exposed to more extreme temperature variations, it needs more flexible resin. When the surface below the paint expands or contracts due to weather changes, a flexible resin prevents it from looking distorted. Conversely, indoor paints use rigid resins that make them more durable against abrasion and easier to clean.

Solvents

Solvents in paints are the “carrier” component and provide a way for the pigment to get from the container to the surface. A solvent works by thinning the paint, making it easier to apply. After you apply the paint, the solvents evaporate, leaving behind the solids (pigment and resin). Indoor paints must contain lower concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This is because these chemicals can cause serious health issues. When looking for an interior paint, try to find one with little or no VOCs.

Additives

The additives in paint are what really differentiates its purpose. These are additional ingredients that enhance paint’s properties and application process. Paints for outdoor use contain additives that give them longevity in the elements and can better handle humidity, temperature fluctuations, and other outdoor factors. Exterior formulas frequently contain additives that will protect the paint from mildew and that are resistant to dirt, cracking, blistering, and ultraviolet rays.

Indoor paints are formulated with a different purpose in mind. Instead of using additives that protect against the elements, interior paints resist stains, scuffs, and scratches that may happen to your walls. They are also designed so that they hold up better when scrubbed.

TrueClean Can Complete Interior and Exterior House Painting

With so many variables, choosing the correct paint can be a difficult task. Painting is labor intensive and can often disrupt your daily activities. It requires planning, moving and covering furniture, and correct surface preparation. When you hire TrueClean, we do the hard work for you and make sure your new paint looks great.

Contact us today to learn more about our interior and exterior house painting services.

The recent COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak has many people worried about how to keep themselves and their families safe. While it is important not to panic, it is beneficial to take some precautions to reduce your risk. The virus can remain on surfaces for anywhere from hours to days and while most infections occur due to direct contact, research is ongoing as to how the disease spreads. Cleaning and disinfecting your home is a simple step for prevention. 

Cleaning vs. Disinfection

Cleaning and disinfection are two separate processes and both are important for different reasons. Cleaning removes substances from a surface. This includes germs, dirt, and impurities. For example, scrubbing a countertop with soap is cleaning. Disinfection is actually killing the germs and is usually done after you have already cleaned the area. 

CDC Recommendations for Coronavirus Cleaning

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommendations for households where someone already has or is suspected to have coronavirus. These provide a general idea of how you can best reduce your risk even if your household is not infected. 

These are the best practices for cleaning and disinfection:

• Gloves: Wear gloves while you are cleaning and disinfecting and dispose of them after you are done. 
• Clean with Soap and Warm Water: Before killing germs, you should clean any dirty surface with soap and water. Make sure to wipe it off before using any disinfectants.
• Disinfectants: The CDC recommends using an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered disinfectant, diluted bleach (5 tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water), or 70% alcohol solution. Follow the instructions for any product you use and make sure you do not mix products as this can produce a harmful chemical reaction.
• High-Touch Surfaces: You should clean and disinfect daily for any surfaces in your home that people touch frequently. Doorknobs, light switches, countertops, toilets, and sinks are good examples. 
• Trash: Use gloves when removing trash and wash your hands afterward. 

Need Cleaning Services?

You may not have time to fully clean and disinfect your home on your own. It’s also common to feel overwhelmed with the process and unsure of where to start. Our cleaning team is here to help. We will fully clean and disinfect your home, focusing on frequently-touched surfaces and areas where germs are most likely to collect. 

We will also make sure your home looks great just as we would with any standard house cleaning. If you are planning to self-isolate or are working remotely, you may be spending more time at home than usual. Keeping your environment pristine can help lift your mood as well as helping you stay healthy. 

Call TrueClean Today

We are currently offering our full coronavirus prevention cleaning for the same price as our standard services. 

Contact us today to get a free estimate for your cleaning and disinfection needs.

A fresh coat of paint can give your home a beautiful new look and choosing the right interior paint colors can make a huge difference. The colors you use should match the decor, fit the type of room, and reflect the overall feel of your home. 

Here are some tips for choosing colors for your painting project:

Consider the Decor First

If you are repainting an existing room, start by thinking about colors that go well with your decor. You may choose to pick one dominant color from a piece of furniture, a piece of art on your wall, or another item that stands out. Matching paint to this color can create a bold and modern look. In other situations, you may want to pick more neutral tones, avoiding anything that clashes. 

If you are painting a room that is not yet furnished, you may want to consider working from a color scheme. This allows you to pick furniture, paint colors, and wall hangings that all work well together. You can find inspirational color palettes online on sites such as Pinterest to get you started. 

Use Complementary Paint Colors

It can sometimes be a good thing to change colors drastically between rooms to create contrast. However, a consistent look is ideal most of the time. Try varying colors slightly, going a bit darker or a bit lighter in different areas of your home. You might also choose a few colors that alternate depending on the room. If you do decide to make one room a different color scheme, keeping the other areas of your home similar will help this room stand out even more. 

Color Schemes for Different Rooms

Although there are no set rules for where certain paint colors look best, it can be helpful to think about each room in your house when choosing a color palette. 

Children’s Bedrooms

Children’s bedrooms are often more playful and colorful than other rooms of the house. Calming pastels are popular paint colors for nurseries, bedrooms, and playrooms. If you want to try something different, you can also add pops of bright color for accent walls. 

Adult Bedrooms

Bedrooms often use relaxing colors to help you unwind. Nature-inspired tones such as blue and green are often a good choice, as are neutral shades of beige or brown. 

Living Rooms

Since there is often a lot of decor in the living room, neutral colors tend to work best so it does not get too visually distracting. 

Dining Room/Kitchens

These rooms are often used daily and may be a place for entertaining guests. Warm, bright colors can make these spaces more inviting. 

Bathrooms

Light colors often work well in bathrooms and shades of green, blue, and rosy pink can remind you of a calming spa. 

Once You’ve Chosen Your Paint Colors

After you’ve found the perfect colors, it is time to actually paint. This can be a time-consuming and physically-demanding task. Luckily, TrueClean can help. We offer exterior and interior house painting services so you can spend time doing what you love instead of worrying about your painting project. 

Contact us today for a free quote for interior or exterior painting.

Arizona is not all brown desert and dust. There are many beautiful native plants that grow in well in a desert landscape and can add bursts of color to your yard. Desert gardeners and landscapers alike choose plants that are drought-tolerant, native to the area, and add variety.

Here are just a few plants that are great for landscaping in Tucson:

Golden Barrel Cactus

If you have spent time exploring Arizona and its desert landscape, then a golden barrel cactus should be familiar to you. Shaped similar to a ball that is attached to the ground, this round, green cactus has thick yellow spikes lining its outside. Typically found in groups, this cactus can be a great addition to your front or back yard. Small and simple, a few of these yellow and green spheres may be exactly what you need to pull your landscape design together.

Fox Tail Agave

This desert plant can easily be spotted as you drive through Tucson. With its long and sharp-pointed leaves that curve outwards, this plant adds green color and a feeling of life to the Arizona desert. It is large enough to stand out without taking up all of your space. This plant will catch the eye of everyone who sees it. Since it is a common desert plant, having the Fox Tail Agave in your landscape is sure to bring your desert look together.

Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea can give your desert landscape the bright colors you desire. This plant has an expansive array of green leaves and stems covered with flowers that are a mix of pink and purple. Its bright color is sure to stand out and this plant is well-suited to hotter climates.

Yellow Bells

The bright petals of Yellow Bells complement the golden barrel cactus’s yellow spikes perfectly. When you put these two desert plants close together, the subtle yellow spikes of the cactus will be highlighted by the Yellow Bells. You will be able to see hints of yellow throughout your landscape that tie the variety of colors together.

Red Bird of Paradise

A plant that is rarely associated with the Arizona desert is the Red Bird of Paradise. With compound leaves and flowers of red and orange that rise up and stand tall, this plant looks like it belongs in a more tropical setting. However, the Red Bird of Paradise is one of the most common features of Arizona’s scenery. It will take up a great amount of space and add brilliant color to your yard.

Maintaining Your Desert Landscape

Once you design your yard, you will need to maintain it to keep it looking perfect. Even with drought-resistant desert plants, trimming, weeding, and other landscaping tasks can take up a lot of your time. TrueClean can help.

We take care of your landscaping so you can spend more time doing what you love.

Contact us today to learn more about our desert landscaping services.

If you are looking for a Tucson house painter, look no further than TrueClean! We offer interior and exterior painting. You may need residential painting for a remodel, to help your home look its best for holiday guests, or simply to refresh your house and have it look and feel like new again. Something as simple as a new coat of paint can make a huge difference and hiring a professional makes the process much easier.

Some of the reasons you might want to hire a house painter:

Physical Labor

House painting is a physically demanding task. If you are painting the exterior of your home, you will most likely need to climb a ladder to reach the higher areas. Painting in Tucson can also be more of a challenge due to our higher temperatures and brutal sun.

Some interior paint jobs can also require the use of a ladder to mask off the area and to reach all the way up to the ceiling. Many homeowners underestimate just how physically exhausting and dangerous this process can be. When you hire our Tucson house painters, we will do the hard work for you.

House Painting Takes Time

Like most busy professionals, you have limited free time. It takes a long time to properly mask and paint your home and there are probably more enjoyable activities you’d rather be doing. By hiring our professionals, you can spend more time with your family or doing what matters most to you while we handle your painting project.

Home Improvement Schedule

If repainting your home is part of a larger home improvement or remodeling project, you likely have a time table for completing various tasks. If you are doing everything yourself, it can be incredibly overwhelming. You may even fall behind schedule and end up waiting longer than you would like to enjoy your remodeled home. When you work with TrueClean, we make sure your house painting is completed on time.

Beautiful Results

Painting can seem simple, but it actually takes a lot of work to make sure everything looks perfect. When you work with us, we will take the time to pick the right paint for your home. We use the best techniques to get an even coat that looks pristine and will impress your family and guests. Our team will make sure you are completely satisfied with the results and if not, we will keep working until we make it right.

The TrueClean Advantage

At TrueClean, it is our goal to give you the best possible service and value. We never compromise on the quality of our work and we always make sure we provide our services at a fair and reasonable price.

We are a family owned and operated company and we strive to treat all of our clients like our family. When you work with us, we will make sure you are completely satisfied with the final results. In addition to interior and exterior house painting, we offer residential and commercial cleaning, landscaping, and junk removal.

Hire Our Tucson House Painters

If you need an interior or exterior paint job for your home or business, call TrueClean today.

Over time, junk can build up in your home. You may keep putting items in storage and forgetting about them, only to realize that you are taking up way more space than you need to. While you may be able to pack up and throw away smaller items on your own, you may need professional junk removal if you have a greater amount of trash or large, unwieldy items that you need to dispose of. We understand that deciding which household items to keep and which to remove is already draining. The last thing you should be worrying about is how you are going to get it all out of your home. Let TrueClean take care of junk removal for you.

Here are some of the most common items we can haul away:

Large Electronics

Still have that television set from years ago you no longer use? Get rid of it and make room for the newest technology. Many people tend to keep old electronics in the hopes of potentially having a use for them in the future. In other cases, you may struggle to find the best way to remove such a large item. If you go through your old electronics and decide that you no longer want to hang on to those items, we can remove them in an efficient and eco-friendly manner. Let TrueClean help you stay up to date with the latest technology without over-cluttering your home. We donate or recycle the items we take whenever possible.

Appliances

When your appliances stop working or you purchase a new and better model, you may be left wondering what to do with that old refrigerator, oven, or washing machine. These items are heavy and difficult to transport and regular trash pick-up will not usually accept them. As a result, you may be stuck storing something you no longer have any use for. Appliances are one of the most common items we take during junk removal.

Furniture

Furniture is the most common type of item we haul away. Your stained, torn-up couch and broken coffee table are no longer bringing you the same happiness as they did when you first purchased them. There always comes a time when any item of furniture is no longer in the condition it should be. Getting rid of your old furniture is the first and biggest step in making your home feel clean and new again. However, we know that furniture is not always the easiest to lift and maneuver out of your house. Let a set of helping hands take the weight off of your shoulders. Our junk removal team can remove any furniture items you no longer want, including mattresses, bed frames, coffee tables, dining tables, recliners, chairs, couches, and more.

Call TrueClean

We Can Help With Your Junk Removal

Whether you’re moving and hoping to lessen your load or simply clearing out your unwanted items to make your home feel like new, TrueClean can help. You won’t have to worry about doing the hard work of carrying away your unwanted items and deciding where they should go. We make junk removal stress-free and simple.

Call us today for a free estimate for your junk removal needs.