Protecting Floors from your Christmas Tree.

Christmas is finally here, and many families are already decorating for the occasion. Of course, no home is complete for the Christmas season without a beautifully adorned tree for everyone to see and enjoy. Some households opt for a fake tree that can be kept in storage for the rest of the year, but there are plenty out there who want the real things, pine needles, and all! Getting a live Christmas tree for your home is a great choice, but if you have hardwood or carpeted floors, it could mean a bit of mess for you if you're not careful. Here we will go over ways to keep your floors protected while enjoying the most of your live Christmas tree!

Make use of a tree skirt! These skirts keep the needles all together after falling from the branches. You can easily detach the skirt from the base of the tree stand and carefully scoop it up in a way that keeps all the loose needles inside so you can properly dispose of them. If some needles end up on your floor, do not sweep them up if you have wood flooring! This could potentially damage the finish on the wood, and it's better to use a hardwood vacuum instead.
Invest in a tree stand mat. This mat goes under the tree stand itself, not over like a tree skirt. This mat is designed specifically to protect the flooring underneath it from water spills, sap stains, and needle drops. The material is non-absorbent and durable, so it won't soak up any water spills and have the potential to hide mold when it's packed away until next Christmas.
Never lay down towels by the base of the tree! When watering your live tree, pay close attention to where you're pouring and how much is coming out. Water left on hardwood floors could easily warp the wood and is even worse if a wet towel is left there for long periods.
Clean the floor thoroughly before bringing the tree in. Make sure you have a large enough designated spot for your tree and do some deep cleaning in the area before setting everything up. This ensures that you have a spotless and safe place to set up the tree.
Microfiber cloths will be your best friend when it comes to wiping up small messes from under the tree! It's gentle on the flooring and gets up little things you may not see on your first swipe.
When bringing your tree inside, do not drag it on the floor! Get some assistance to lift the other end and gently set it directly into the tree stand. Make sure your stand and set-up are already in place before bringing the tree indoors.

Following these tips will make sure you experience the most your Christmas tree has to offer, without having to replace your flooring in the new year!

What Your Neighbors Say About Gator Clean

I feel so blessed to have found Gator Clean. Kelli and Danielle were very nice, professional, focused and punctual. It was obvious they knew what they were doing. Great job. Thank you. Carolyn Meadows

Carolyn Meadows
February 20, 2020

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Danielle and Kelly were so great! They had my dryer vent with over 12 years of garbage cleaned out in under an hour. What a fire hazard that could’ve been. My dryer was no longer drying my laundry because the vent was completely blocked. Don’t be like me, Clean out your vents every year people!!

Megan Morton
December 10, 2019

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One of the best duct cleaning companies I've ever worked with. As a mold remediation professional I've called on them to help my personal clients many times. They are always on time, fairly priced and very professional. Their reliability and consistent results, is unlike any other I've worked with. Highly recommended. Thank you Gator Clean!

Joseph Yablonsky
December 3, 2019

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Had or carpets cleaned today and the folks that showed up were upbeat, professional, got right to it, and did a great job as our carpets are looking great. Thanks for the quick response and flexible schedule...

Steve & Nancy Faust
September 21, 2019

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Danielle and Kelley came out this morning did our ducts cleaned them up good .....very trustworthy & professional let alone a fair price and I recommend using them

SGK INS
July 25, 2019

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Here are eight practical tips to help your dryer vent stay clear longer:

1. Clean the lint screen. Pick lint off after every use. Handwash the screen occasionally to remove fabric softener residue (dry thoroughly before putting it back). Once monthly, use a skinny, long-handled brush to clear the lint trap, the cavity where the screen sits. (The first time I ever did this, to a 2-year-old dryer, I pulled out a softball-sized clump of dust.)

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3. Keep unhemmed or torn fabrics out of the dryer. Raw edges, such as those of quilt pieces or cleaning cloths, fray more easily, producing larger quantities of lint. Hem them first or line dry.

4. Avoid machine drying rubber or plastic. Bathmats, pet beds, running shoes, and other items containing rubber or plastic may deteriorate when machine dried. Particles can flake off, clogging your dryer vent.

5. Always air-dry dirty clothing or towels. If you dry, say, a sandy bathing suit, all that sand will end up in your dryer and its vent system. NOT a good idea. Air-dry soiled items instead.

6. Never cover the vent outlet with a screen. The vent flap should be sufficient to keep out small animals. A screen will trap some of the lint, which ought to be going outdoors.

7. Install a metal duct extender. If you haven't already, do yourself and your family a favor by installing a smooth metal duct extender (the piece that connects the dryer to the wall vent). Plastic and foil are easily crushed, restricting airflow ... not to mention that they're both flammable at high temperatures.

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Contact Gator Clean today for an estimate on Dryer Vent Cleaning Services in Central Florida!