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Carpet Steam Cleaning vs Shampooing: which is better? Personally, I love having carpet in my home. It’s warm, cosy, comfortable to walk on and there’s no need for shoes or rugs. Eventually, however, there will come a time where it begins to look a bit dull. Dust, spills or foot traffic will mean that, no matter how many times its hoovered, the brightness doesn’t come back. When this time comes, you should begin to look at having your carpet professionally cleaned. With domestic professional carpet cleaning, there are two methods that are most commonly used: Hot Water Extraction, which is often referred to as Steam Cleaning, and Shampoo Cleaning. In this article, we’ll delve into what the difference is between these two methodologies, the advantages and disadvantages of each and, ultimately, which is the best method given your individual requirements. What is Steam Cleaning? Hot Water Extraction, or Steam Cleaning, uses pure water vapour that is heated to a very high temperature and applied at high pressure in order to remove stains, dirt and soils from carpet fibres. A second compartment simultaneously absorbs the excess water vapour and dirt particles that have just been extracted. Unlike Carpet Shampooing, it only uses water, which means there are no detergents or chemicals used on the carpet during the Hot Water Extraction process. That being said, pre-treatment might be applied to the carpet ahead of the steam to remove certain stains. What is Carpet Shampooing? Like Steam Cleaning, Carpet Shampooing also uses high temperature and pressure but combines these with the additional component of cleaning detergent or ‘shampoo.’ This detergent is usually in the form of a dry foam, but various forms exist. Together, these components mix to create a thick solution that loosens the soil and dirt within the carpet fibres. There is then an addition mechanism in the machine, often vibrating brushes, that create sufficient agitation for the dirt to break away so that it can be extracted. Finally, the carpet is rinsed with clean hot water to remove the solution along with the dirt and soil that has just become separated. The carpets must then be left to dry for at least 24hrs due to the amount of water used in each step of the cleaning process. Why Steam Cleaning? There are many benefits of using Steam Cleaning over Carpet Shampooing. As discussed earlier, rather than using large amounts of cleaning detergent it instead relies on highly pressurised water vapour. By not using strong detergents to clean the carpets, it prevents any carpet damage which therefore maintains their long-term health and durability. That being said, an appropriate level of pressure (PSI) should be applied given the specific fabric of the carpet. Carpet Cleaning professionals will be able to assist with this. Other benefits of not using strong chemicals to clean the carpet is that it is better people sensitive to chemicals, pets that lay/walk on the carpet and also significantly better for the environment. Although large amounts of water are used in both cleaning techniques, more is used for Carpet Shampooing. Hence, there is no doubt that Steam Cleaning is preferred for our environmentally conscious customers. By using less water to clean carpets, Hot Water Extraction techniques have significantly shorter drying times than Carpet Shampooing. This can be particularly beneficial if the clean is happening before a handover of property keys, there is an inventory inspection being carried out on the property or you just need to be able to enter the carpeted areas of the property within 24hrs of the clean. Finally, Carpet Steam Cleaning leaves a better finish than Carpet Shampooing. Aslong as the correct pre-treatment is used, it will be just as effective at removing stains than Carpet Shampooing. However, because it uses less detergents and water, it tends to leave a much brighter finish. Carpet Steam clean of bedroom carried out by Scrubs Cleaning on 23/07/23. Prochem Steam Pro: Retail Price £3,250 Why Carpet Shampooing? One of the main benefits of Carpet Shampooing is cost. It does not require the same level of technical expertise as Hot Water Extraction, which often means it can be done yourself. Carpet Cleaning detergents can be found in most hardware and detergents stores, such as B&Q and Homebase. The machine is much more affordable or can be rented inexpensively for a few hours. Like Hot Water Extraction, Carpet Shampooing can be very effective at moving stains, with specific detergents being applied depending on the type of stain and carpet. WARNING: Be careful when using detergents. If the stain or mark is not successfully removed it can then become much harder to remove through Hot Water Extraction compared to if no cleaning chemical was applied initially. The apparatus used for Carpet Shampooing is significantly smaller and lighter than Hot Water Extraction. This is particularly beneficial in dense cities such as London, where there is limited parking and equipment might need carrying. It is also beneficial in apartment blocks without lifts.   Overview of the Benefits Hot Water Extraction Effective at removing stains. Leaves a brighter finish. Better for the environment. Shorter drying time. Doesn’t trigger allergies Carpet Shampooing Effective at removing stains. More cost effective. Not necesesary to hire a professional. The Final Verdict: Which is better? In recent years, Hot Water Extraction has come out as the favourite for professional carpet cleaning. The fact it is just as effective at moving stains, is better for the long-term health of carpets and much better for the environment has made it the method of choice for most professional cleaning providers. That being said, Carpet Shampooing can still prove right for some people, particularly if you are on a tight budget, don’t mind doing it yourself and are happy to risk not bringing in a professional. Overall, each person will need to select which method is better for them, but by reading this article hopefully you know understand the differences between the two techniques and be able to make an informed decision

Are you planning on moving out of your rental property? Do you need to have it professionally cleaned before you go? Do you not know where to start? If the answer to those questions is yes, then you’ve come to the right place. Although finding a cleaner for this highly specific type of job can be daunting, hiring the right professional services for end-of-tenancy cleaning in London can make the process a whole lot easier. Scrubs Cleaning is best known for its professional services in End of Tenancy cleaning, Deep cleaning, and After-build cleaning. Hence, we have all the expertise and knowledge to answer your questions when searching for professional End of Tenancy cleaning services. We’ll highlight the key tasks that need to be completed and give tips on how to make the process as smooth as possible. Why Do You Need End-of-Tenancy Cleaning? If you’re moving out of a rental property, it is likely going to need to be cleaned before leaving. Usually, as a tenant, you are both legally and contractually obligated to leave the property in the same condition as it was upon arrival, less fair wear and tear. If this is not performed, then the landlord has the right to withhold your security deposit and spend it on having the property returned to its pre-tenancy condition. Should You Have Your End of Tenancy Cleaning Done Professionally? Yes! In 99% of cases, hiring a professional service like our end-of-tenancy cleaning in London is highly advisable. Not only will it save you considerable time but, when using the right provider,  guarantees you’ll have your security deposit returned. End of Tenancy Cleaning is a highly specialized process that, when not properly trained, is very difficult to perform to the required standard.   What Will Your Landlords Be Looking for When You Take Up End-Of-Tenancy Cleaning? When moving out of a rental property, your landlord or letting agent will likely have an inventory check conducted by an independent third party. This will assess the cleanliness and damage at the property and be compared to the inventory check carried out before arrival. Make sure the property has been professionally cleaned and damage repaired before handing over the keys! What should you do when it’s time to move out of the Rented Property? Like with anything, it’s best to plan your move out of a property ahead of time to help prevent any last-minute problems or cancellations. Moving Properties is stressful enough so don’t make it harder on yourself!. Items need to be packed and boxed and, where appropriate, protected so that no valuables aren’t lost or damaged in transit. This can be done personally or you can employ professional house removal services to take away the stress.  What Else Could You Do? You should also consider hiring professional cleaners to carry out your End of Tenancy Clean. They will know how best to clean those tricky areas such as ovens, hobs, extractor fans, and limescale on sanitaryware. As long as you are using a reliable service it is best to book the clean for either the day before or the same day as the keys’ handover so that there is no opportunity for dust to re-form before the inventory check is conducted and the cleanliness is assessed. It’s important that the property is emptied before the cleaning and that nobody is staying in the property between the clean and the handover of keys. What Happens During End of Tenancy Cleaning? End-of-tenancy cleaning is a highly specialized and thorough process that involves removing limescale from sanitaryware, cleaning the oven, extractor fan, and much more. With the right provider, a professional cleaning team who have experience and specific training for end-of-tenancy cleaning will arrive at the property and work their way through every room and area within the home. They will then check the property against a checklist to ensure all areas have been covered. It’s important that all personal belongings are removed for the clean so the cleaners have access to all the required areas.  What Should You Do Before the End of Tenancy Clean? Most providers will send a preparation checklist that needs to be gone through and completed before the clean. The main things this will include are to ensure the property is empty of personal belongings, that the team have access to the property at the agreed time and that the electricity and hot water is in operation during the clean. If the property is in particularly poor condition you should either have a standard clean carried out before or ensure the End of Tenancy Cleaning provider is aware of the state of the property ahead of the clean. How Long Will End-Of-Tenancy Cleaning Take? The time it takes to complete an end of tenancy clean is influenced by numerous factors including the size and condition of the property, the size of the team and the experience level of the team. It’s advisable to ask the estimated time of completion when making the booking so you can organize your schedule. It’s always best to leave an extra hour or two in case of any delays. Most providers will be able to conduct the professional clean within the working day (8hrs), and usually about half (4hrs). What Should You do After the End of Tenancy Cleaner Has Left? If you have some spare time after the cleaners have left, why not take a well-deserved break? Moving property can be stressful and it can be nice to take a moment to yourself. Then, you should  give the property one last look to ensure all areas have been covered and you haven’t left any personal belongings, and then leave the property. It’s important that nobody spends time in the property between the clean and inventory check as it can very easily become dirty once more! Do you have any tips for End of Tenancy Cleaning? Ensure that everything is packed up before the day you’re planning to move so that there are

Nowadays, we have an abundance of choice when it comes to selecting domestic cleaning products for our home.  When searching for ‘Washing Up Sponge,’ Amazon will generate over 100 options to select from. This kind of choice can be overwhelming, and it can subsequently feel like an impossible task to pick the right product. Thankfully, here at Scrubs, our cleaners are constantly experimenting with new products to improve the cleaning process. We decided to ask each of our cleaners to select and rank their 5 favourite domestic cleaning products, based off the following 3 categories: We then collated all the information and found the 5 Best Domestic Cleaning Products that our professionals just can’t live without.  Please note, we have only selected the products which are easily available to consumers. Scrub Daddy Scrub Daddy rose to fame on an episode of Shark Tank; the US version of Dragons Den, in 2012. Ever since, it has grown tremendously as an increasing number of people become hooked on this fantastic product.  The original and best-selling Scrub Daddy sponge is made of highly engineered polymer foam called FlexTexture. Scrub Daddy has a patent on this which stops other brands replicating the technology.  This Flextexture will change depending on the temperature of water. In cold water, it hardens which is perfect for tough scrubbing needed with items such as pans. In warm water, it softens and becomes more absorbent. This is great for easier to clean but harder to reach items such as mugs and glasses. No matter what temperature water is used, ScrubDaddy is scratch free, so there is no risk of any kitchenware becoming damaged.  The ScrubDaddy is more expensive than your regular sponge. It currently costs £2.50 at the UK’s largest supermarket, whereas the mid-priced alternative option at the same retailer works out to just 25p per sponge. Hence, the ScrubDaddy is 10x more expensive. Despite being more expensive it is much more durable and therefore lasts significantly longer. Whereas your average sponge might last a few days the ScrubDaddy lasts an average of 15 days before replacement. Overall, although ScrubDaddy is more expensive than your average sponge, its fantastic quality combined with strong durability make it a must-have for our cleaners. Miele When you hear of the great German Engineering, what do you think of? A Porsche 911 combustion engine? A V-2 rocket propelled missile? Perhaps Wilhelm Roentgen’s X-Ray machine. For our cleaners, however, Miele’s C-Series Vacuum Cleaners is the first thing that springs to mind. Every year, the Miele Hoover’s light weight, easy-to-manoeuvre, super suction saves our cleaners hundreds of hours, ensuring twice as good results in half the time. For domestic use, we would recommend the Classic C1 Junior Powerline Vaccuum. It still provides high suction but at a relatively lower price compared to its more powerful alternatives. Simone’s Cleaning Services, experts in domestic cleaning, are in agreement that this vacuum provides the perfect combination between quality and value. It is slightly more costly than the market average, currently sitting at £149. By comparison, the infamous Henry Hoover will set you back £100. As well as the hoover itself, the filter and bags are more expensive. Whereas £10 will afford a pack of 10 Henry Hoover bags, the same £10 will only be enough for 4 Miele Hoover bags. That said, our cleaners strongly believe that the increase in quality is fairly reflected by the increase in price. With regards to durability, Miele are once again fantastic. As long as they are properly taken care of by regularly checking and switching the filter and bags, the Miele C-Series of Vaccuum Cleaners normally last at least 20 years. Oven Pride Next on the list is OvenPride. OvenPride is a highly effective, single-use, all-in-one oven cleaning solution that will change the way you see this traditionally difficult chore.  Warning: OvenPride contains Sodium Hydroxide which is a corrosive substance. Ensure that all the correct safety measures are taken whilst using the product. These are found with the product instructions. Once the instructions are read and fully understood, the cleaning process is surprisingly simple. The trick is to give the solution plenty of time to work (best left overnight). Once it’s ready, 99% of the dirt and residue will fall away with a simple wipe.  Although, once again, this product will be more expensive than its supermarket alternatives, we believe it’s worth the value. For just £4.99 you can clean your own oven to a standard which is strikingly similar to the professionals, and for just 1/10th of the price.  Depending on your oven size and type, it is likely you’ll only get one use out of the standard 500ml bottle of Oven Pride. That being said, a recent study found that most Brits clean their oven every 18 months. We recommend having it cleaned annually and our cleaning professionals believe it is well worth the expense in the long run.  Agilez Lint Remover Although it might seem that our pets can do no wrong, they can be a real chore to clean up after, especially during malting season. Regular cleaning methods are frustratingly ineffective at cleaning the hairs and odours that are left behind by our furry friends. In order to save yourself hours of cleaning time, it’s crucial to have the right toolkit. An absolute staple of this toolkit is the Agilez lint hair remover. One swipe over carpet, upholstery, clothes or blankets will instantly remove hundreds of hairs in a way few other products can.  What’s even better is that these Lint Removers cost just £2 or less. We recommend opting for a larger size that covers a larger surface area to save even more time.  If you would like something even more efficient that instantly sucks all pet hairs, we would recommend the Boost CX1 PowerLine – SNRF0. This is a more expensive alternative (£269) to the Miele C1 Junior mentioned above and is the market leading vacuum product when it comes to removing pet gairs. Astonish Cookware Cleaner What would

What is a Standard Clean? Here at Scrubs, one of the most frequently asked questions we receive is to explain the difference between a standard and a deep clean. Simply put, standard domestic cleaning is what you would do on a consistent basis to keep your home clean and tidy. This includes things like: Overall, it is more of a surface level clean with its objective of maintaining a relatively consistent level of cleanliness of the property.  What is a Deep Clean A deep clean is a much more detailed and thorough clean, which is performed less regularly than a standard clean, usually every 3 months. It might be carried out before hosting friends or family, when coming to the end of tenancy or just having been a long period since the last deep clean. As well as everything included in the standard clean, it will also include things like: The objective of a deep clean is not significantly improve the level of cleanliness within the property. Prices Most cleaning providers offer an hourly rate for a standard clean and a fixed price for a deep clean. In London, on average, standard clean prices generally range between an hourly rate of £15 to £25. Deep cleans on the other hand work out to range from £25-£35/hr. WARNING: Some cleaning providers will offer a fixed price which initially looks cheap but will charge for hidden add-ons such as parking or VAT. Make sure you check this when making a booking.  Is it worth paying for a professional? Cleaning can be an expense that people prefer to save, especially when finances are tight like during the Cost of Living Crisis. Whereas you’ll probably be able to perform a standard domestic clean to a reasonable standard, deep cleans might be trickier to get right. Certain areas such as oven cleaning, removing limescale in the bathrooms and removing marks from soft wood, will likely require some expertise to do successfully and without damage.  Conclusion Overall, in order to live in a clean home you will need both Standard and Deep Cleans throughout the course your stay. Generally, it is a good idea to have a standard clean every week and a deep clean every 3 months. Whereas standard cleans can be performed by anyone, it might be best to pay for a professional deep clean. Prices will vary depending on the city or region that you reside. Expect them to be more when living in cities such as London.  If it’s time to have your property cleaned, why not Contact Us  or receive a Quick Quote.

Introduction So, it’s coming to the end of your tenancy. You’ve taken care not to damage your property throughout the year and want to be certain that on move-out day you’ll receive your entire deposit back from your landlord, without any hassle. Every day, there is one final hurdle that thousands of outgoing tenants trip up on and pay heavily for. Property cleanliness, or lack thereof, is far and away the no. 1 reason for deposit disputes between landlords and tenants. Here, we’ll provide you with you with everything you need to know to understand the End of Tenancy Cleaning process, so you can receive your deposit back without the stress. Understanding your Responsibility As a tenant, you have a responsibility to leave the property in the same condition it was found when first moving in, less fair wear and tear. Fair Wear and Tear is the landlord’s responsibility, not the tenants. It refers to natural damage caused by normal day-to-day living and natural forces. Examples of fair wear and tear include: Aside from Fair Wear and Tear, it is the tenant’s responsibility to ensure that the levels of cleanliness are the same as when they moved into the property. In order to objectively compare the condition of the property pre and post tenancy, agencies rely on an inventory report What’s an inventory report? An inventory report is completed by an independent company on behalf of the estate agency or landlord. It is a detail assessment of the properties condition at a given time The cleanliness and condition detailed at check-in will be compared against the cleanliness and condition on check-out. All differences will be noted in the report and sent to the Estate Agent or Landlord. If it is deemed that these differences fall outside the wear and tear category, and that the tenant is responsible for this deterioration in cleanliness, the amount required to reverse this deterioration is taken from the tenant’s deposit. Note: If the landlord deems that the property needs to be re-cleaned it is likely they will pay a premium so that this is performed immediately, the cost of which is taken from the deposit of the outgoing tenant.  How to avoid failing your inventory check-out When it comes to End of Tenancy Cleaning, it is best to leave it to the professionals. Although there can be no obligation placed upon the tenant to pay for the service, rather than doing it themselves, it is very likely that if they opt for the later, they will fail the inventory report. Items such as the oven, dishwasher, radiators, extractor fans and many others inside a property can be tricky to clean if you don’t possess the proper equipment and expertise. As mentioned above, if the report is failed it is also inevitable that the amount taken from the deposit will be significantly more than the cost of booking a high-quality End of Tenancy clean in the first place. How to select your End of Tenancy Cleaners There are many providers that offer End of Tenancy cleaning services. However, WATCH OUT, it is believed that over 30% of ‘professional’ end of tenancy cleans actually FAIL the report. Hence, it is crucial to select the right cleaning provider.  The 3 most important factors to look out for: How can I ensure my End of Tenancy clean is successful? As well as selecting the correct provider, there are various things you can do to ensure your End of Tenancy clean is a successful one.  The first is to make sure your property is prepared as per the cleaning providers requirements. This usually involves removing personal belongings from the property, ensuring that they have access into the property at the agreed time and that electricity and hot water is on. If the cleaning provider does not mention anything it’s worth asking what needs to be done Secondly, you should make sure the property is in reasonable condition for the clean. It’s very important to know, YOU CANNOT NEGLECT CLEANING A PROPERTY FOR AN ENTIRE TENANCY AND THEN EXPECT ALL TO LOOK BRAND NEW WITH ONE END OF TENANCY CLEAN. It’s important to stay on top of it, and if you have let cleanliness standard slide it’s crucial to let the cleaning provider know ahead of the clean so they allocate sufficient resources to the job. The last thing you want is for them to be rushing to finish.  Another good idea is to send your cleaning provider the inventory check-in report ahead of the clean. This will allow them to identify any problem areas and ensure they come fully prepared for the clean. What if I do everything and still have an issue raised? If you follow our guide on preparing your property and selecting the right provider, you shouldn’t have a problem. If you do, then you need to make a judgement about whether the cleaning provider or the landlord are in the wrong. Occasionally, landlords and estate agents will attempt to get tenants to cover expenses for general wear and tear. Remember, this is not the tenant’s responsibility! One example of this is mould in the bathroom. Often, when mould starts growing in damp areas, rather than having it removed properly and ensuring there is sufficient ventilation, a landlord will slap on some paint to cover it. When the next unsuspecting tenant experiences rapid mould growth during the stay, the landlord will argue this is the tenant or the cleaning providers responsibility. IT IS NOT! Although surface level mould might be easily removable, generally it requires special treatment and the landlord should pay this. If they refuse, take it to small claims court and 9/10 times they will pay the deposit back. If the inventory check-out report fails, the best approach is to compare it to the check-in report and figure out whether it’s reasonable to judge you as the culprit.  Conclusion Overall, the process of moving property can be a stressful one. The last thing tenants want to worry