Pest Control – Protection Against Dengue and Chikungunya

At Mr. Homecare, we offer herbal pest control services to homes and offices across Mumbai. Our sister company, Envocare, offers these services to bigger properties pan India. Employing pest control is the norm for homes and offices against common pests like cockroaches, ants, silverfish, bed bugs and termites. However, mosquitoes end up being a major nuisance and need to be tackled effectively as well.

The Dengue & Chikungunya Threat is Real

The country office for WHO India recently released a general awareness document on Dengue and Chikungunya. Sharing the details here, as we’re sure it would help:

• Dengue is a viral disease. It can be caused by infection with any one of four closely related dengue viruses – DENV 1, DENV 2, DENV 3 or DENV 4. The Dengue viruses are transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. Its distinct physical feature includes black and white stripes on its body and legs, and is also called ‘Tiger Mosquito’. It is peculiar in nature and prefers ‘biting’ you during the day. It lays eggs in clean & stagnant water. No, we do not recommend you going around dirtying water reserves to discourage this species.
• Only the female Aedes mosquito bites, because she needs protein to develop her eggs. Her malnutrition leads her to infect us, which is sad. The mosquito becomes infected through us, after 7 days of biting. This mosquito stays infected for its lifetime and passes the virus to the eggs it lays. Peak Biting Time (no seriously, bless the soul who came up with these terms) is at dawn and dusk – two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset. Mosquitoes are clearly pretty darn romantic.
• Chikungunya is a viral illness spread by bite of infected mosquitoes and clinically resembles dengue fever. the name comes from the African language meaning “that which bends up” and aptly describes the stooped appearance of sufferers with joint pain from the disease. It spreads through the bite of female mosquitoes too!

How do you tackle this threat?

• Prevention is always better than cure
• Regular home cleaning and pest control sessions always help
• Do away with all stagnant water pools, which is where mosquitoes breed
• Cover body parts with clothing and mosquito repellents, in risky areas
• Advise children on mosquito control and ensure their buy-in, in their safety lies our future

How does home cleaning help?

• Mosquitoes thrive on humid and dusty areas
• Unclean areas invite pests and give out a distinct odor – inviting mosquitoes
• Home Cleaning sessions clean all dust & dirt from all surfaces
• This results in considerable reduction of pests, allergens, respiratory illnesses and mosquitoes

Does pest control help control mosquitoes?

• Yes yes! Envocare (a SILA company) offers mosquito control services for homes and offices
• This non toxic mosquito control treatment results in elimination of these winged pests from your spaces
• Mosquito Pest Control Services can be booked by calling on 9022070070 or by emailing us on customercare@mrhomecare.in

Thank you for the love and support. Stay safe, stay healthy!

Now Subscribe to Office Cleaning

When we launched home cleaning services earlier this year, we did include deep cleaning of commercial spaces as an offering. In the industry, as a norm, you either have deep cleaning or have an old school facility management (housekeeping) service to take care of the property. Deep Cleaning is one time – a professional team arrives, cleans and leaves. In a Facility Management contract – we have stationed teams on the site offering end to end property solutions. Were we missing something?

They Asked For Smaller Cleanups

Throughout the run-up to the Diwali season and after that, many patrons inquired for smaller cleanups for their offices, and it’s something we were not equipped to provide, purely because we had not planned it that way. The need was quite interesting:

• Small, professional teams required on a daily/alternate day basis
• Scope of work was basic – floor, workstations, pantry, washrooms
• The duration was the key – our patrons were asking for 2 hour cleanups

It was clear what they sought.

Outsourcing professional cleaning and keeping people for everything else. Since we were focused on deep cleaning sessions, developing this offering required taking time out and brainstorming a win-win solution. We realized that within half a decade of introducing professional cleaning to the market, patrons were now demanding these services on a daily basis for their workplace. This was revolutionary – broadly an alternative to an informal casual staff currently being hired and to the massive housekeeping contracts being doled out.

Office Cleaning is mini Housekeeping

We are supper happy to launch our Office Cleaning packages! A team of 2 trained professionals would clean your office within 2 hours, making it sparkling clean again. The process would be hassle free, non intrusive and prompt. Industrial grade and cleaning solutions would be used.
The good things:

• Packages can be Customized – your preferences based on available options
• Packages are Flexible – use a 5/day, 6/day or even a 7/day week package
• Packages can be Designed – you can even have bi-weekly cleaning sessions

What does the cleaning include?

The short 2 hour cleaning involves a small team of 2-4 janitors (depending on your office size) and the scope work can be customized as per your preferences, based on the available options.

• Floor – thorough dry & wet mopping to ensure no dirty footprints & spills
• Workstations – clean desks promising a fresh work day to your team members
• Cabins – right from the floor, to the desks and the corners checked for cobwebs
• Pantry – cleaning the platform, shelves exteriors, the floor and the sink
• Washrooms – probably the most crucial aspect of your office – made sparkling clean

Our Dearest Happy Patrons

There are already quite a few, and Abhishek Jagasia (Managing Partner, Stratum Consulting) being one of the first! This is what he had to say:

“I use Mr. Homecare’s cleaning services for my office. Excellent work quality with immense detailing while cleaning. Highly recommended.”

We would love to understand your requirements and help you out. Do write in. Thank you!

Very good cleanup. Awesome cleanup.

Being an integral part of a home cleaning company reminds us of our childhood – for when we used crayons to paint a pretty picture, the colors almost never stayed within the borders. However, we used to learn from every mess up. Turnaround stories inspire us, for that helps us keep faith that all mistakes can be rectified and we’d better learn from each. We have been blessed with patrons who are forgiving and supportive, who help us with critical feedback and give us a constructive earful when we mess up.

Communicating the Cleaning Prices

Mr. Homecare operates in Pune, offering home cleaning and office cleaning services across the city. The pricing structure is standard, and displayed on the website. However, thanks to a miscommunication during the site survey, our customer mistakenly assumed an incorrect quote. The quotation that was emailed to him was thus different than the one apparently communicated offline. His unhappiness was understandable, since there was a clear communication gap.

Delivering a Happy Cleaning Service

We apologized and explained what had gone wrong. The customer, being quite awesome and patient, agreed to give us an opportunity to deliver a cleaning service at his residence and boy our teams did not disappoint! We had been waiting with bated breath, and rejoiced once his feedback came in:

“Very good cleanup. Awesome cleanup.”

Thank you for your love and support – and for helping us learn the lessons we learn.

A Helpful Cleanup for Dhisha

Being in the home cleaning services industry is no cake walk – especially when you are present across geographies and in Pune which is, after all, Pune – our teams are on the field all day doing what they do best – keeping your homes and offices sparkling clean. Our communications teams are at work day in and day out – doing what they do best – understanding your requirements and working towards delivering a service that delights. The cleaning service that is being delivered is expected to be thorough, the teams are expected to be courteous and the supervisor is expected to be in control. And it makes our day when a dear patron feels that we were ‘helpful’.

Cleaning is Tricky

It is tricky because a lot depends on people and how teams are trained. Home cleaning involves us entering your space, cleaning every corner, touching some of your possessions (carefully and with due respect, of course) and delivering consistently. Since it is not a product which behaves in a predictable manner and can be multiplied but a well oiled machinery run by people – risks are higher and every delightful experience highlighted by a customer means the world to us!

This is a Pune Story

We served Dhisha Girglani last month, and while still recovering from the Diwali madness, were attempting to give our best to every home we cleaned. Our well designed website had come to her rescue and she chose us – the teams worked towards being punctual and being nice overall. Her feedback had us delighted and blushing pink! Apart from a full 10 on 10 on every score, she had this to share:

Very well mannered and helpful. Never said ‘no’ and never frowned. They are very positive and a hardworking team. I really appreciate their efficiency and efforts.
Thanks a lot!

Thank you, Dhisha!

We are honored to be of service. While we do have multiple happy patrons in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore – Pune is a fairly a new city for us and are keen to establish a sound presence which helps you. Thank you for your love and support.

How to Ensure Quality Pest Control in Bangalore

Pests are unwelcome guests, and there is no doubting that. We are happy to offer quality pest control services across Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi. Through years of serving our patrons, we realized that conducting a thorough audit of residences is crucial to keep the home health up. In a city like Bangalore, the audits and consequent services are even more effective.

What is a Pest Control Audit?

Simply put, a Pest Control Audit is a thorough checkup of your home, where we note down potentially harmful insects, and organisms that have decided to live in your home. Such pests, if left unattended, will spread at an alarming rate, consuming your resources. In such cases, we will send in our professionals for a full pest control service customized to your household requirements. Certain pests that we look out for include:

1. Termites Control: This breed of cockroaches feed on all wooden based structures in homes, such as furniture like chairs, tables, stands, etc. These white creatures have the potential to bring down entire buildings and can be very destructive over a time and must be treated as soon as possible.
2. Rodents Control: This includes rats and mice that leave excrement around the house, and chew on doors and pipes causing severe structural problems over a period of time. They leave behind strong and unpleasant odours, and are carriers of many diseases.
3. Bed Bugs Control: These are small insects that live under your bed, and are attracted to heat. As a result of this, you may have disturbed sleep and bite marks throughout your body in the morning.
4. Cockroaches, and other pests: Sometimes, there are also other pests such as cockroaches, lizards, spiders, ants, and mosquitoes, some of which can cause irritation and infections if bitten by them. Some even spread diseases such as malaria and dengue, which can cause major illnesses, and sometimes even death.

Mr. Homecare will do a thorough pest control job and ensure that your house is pest free. We also suggest that you ask for one of our general pest management AMC services in order to continue having a pest free house for an extended period of time, so you don’t have to worry about it.

Happy Home Cleaning for Supal Sood

When Mr. Homecare entered the home cleaning business early last year, our focus stayed Mumbai. However, Bangalore has always been a city we are fond of, and we had an office there within the next few months. Led by Raghav Kapur, Linda Williams, Saarang Ganapathi and Sidhartha Mandanna – the team continues to forge ahead and serve more customers month on month.

Home Cleaning in Bangalore is tricky

It is trickier than Mumbai, we mean. On our home ground, key challenges include the art of home cleaning – recruiting the right people and training them to care. The most crucial aspect of cleaning a residential or a commercial property really well is not the technical competency of the team, but their ability to empathize with the customer and truly care about the work at hand. You might just miss corners no matter how good you are, for every space is different. However, when you care enough, you do not.
Bangalore brings in a whole host of challenges for home cleaning, complete with a different public transportation system than Mumbai, the sheer distance and the traffic woes. Many of our team members are not locals. Ensuring that we have professional teams delivering consistent service takes time. However, our Bangalore team does an amazing job of keeping our patrons super happy with the work.

Home Cleaning for Supal Sood

Despite being one of the biggest home services providers in India, we still get jittery when a home cleaning service is scheduled. We wait with bated breath to know whether our customers are happy or not, and rejoice when they are. If they are not, we rush and fix what we did wrong. Supal Sood, being utterly delightful, was happy and sent in the following text:

“Just awesome! Really good service.
The team threw no tantrums at all.
They did the job really efficiently.”

We wonder why he expected us to throw a tantrum, though we are glad we did not throw one. It is heartening to know that Supal liked the level of efficiency with which the job was conducted. We are also looking forward to serve more Bangalore homes! Thank you for your love and support.

Home Cleaning for Atul Nayak

When it comes to the home cleaning business, turnaround tales are a plenty. With a service that’s so intimate and focused on human capital, companies are bound to make mistakes. Customers cannot have the generosity to forgive our errors so easily, it would be unfair to expect this out of them. Winners stand apart from the crowd by managing breathtaking service recoveries. It takes ten good cleanups to win a customer’s trust, yet only a single one to break it. How do you think we fare on this chart?

Not exactly pleased with home cleaning

Atul and Mr. Homecare did not really start off on a good note. We underestimated the scope of work and sent across a team that was well equipped, but short staffed. They were brave and decided to tackle the overwhelming load. However, it is always risky to have a smaller team managing a larger cleanup. Atul was not pleased.

We set to action

He was a persistent customer, and we were good listeners. On realizing that we were majorly goofing up this home cleaning session, an additional team was dispatched. This team was adequately equipped to conduct a happy cleanup. We crossed our fingers and hoped for a good turnaround. Who likes unhappy customers? Even unhappy customers do not like being unhappy.

Turnaround successful

At Mr. Homecare and Hammer and Mop, we focus on communicating the value of our work to our front line teams. They need to know that their work matters, and it helps make this world a cleaner space. Dignity of labor has been a consistent issue in our part of the world, and ensuring our teams are respected plays a major role in retaining them. Our cleaning teams love their work, and that shows when they are cleaning our place up.

Atul noted their honest smiles and willingness to pitch in their best effort. Were we flawless in execution? Did we not miss any of the corners? We probably missed a many, but also graciously fixed our errors on having them pointed out. Being a delightful customer, Atul points out the hard work put in by Ashish and Baby on the field, and our team leader Kamlakar as well. He acknowledges the prompt coordination by Nasreen from the Communications’ team and we’re super happy he noted down everyone’s names.
Thank you for your patience with us, Atul. We owe you one!
 

How to choose the right Pest Control service?

Despite most of the homes across Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore having a pest control contract – we do not quite understand the technical details behind the process. As a customer, it is natural to expect a speedy resolution of the nuisance. However, not understanding the details and misplacing our priorities hurts us in the long run. What exactly goes wrong?

Are the pest control chemicals legal and safe?

There are thousands of pest control service providers across all the mentioned cities. While the competition is intense, an educated customer chooses a reliable brand name (viz. Envocare, Mr. Homecare) as opposed to a small time local player. Small players operate below the radar – without the mandatory licenses and clearances from the government.
As a result, there is no governing body to monitor the concentration of toxic chemicals, and these find their way into your homes. While pest control chemicals are supposed to kill cockroaches and ants, they are not supposed to harm you. However, the moment the concentration is excessive – it will yield faster pest deaths but will also harm you.

Are the technicians licensed, trained and verified?

We understand that discounts are a tempting proposition. But it is crucial to understand that the local players have nothing to lose, when they offer low cost contracts. Pest Control technicians need to be trained, licensed and verified. Their salary structures need to be compliant with labor laws. This is essential to your security and well being.
When we overlook these factors only in order to clinch a massive discount, we put our health (and that of our family) at serious risk. Imagine an unlicensed & unverified stranger wielding life endangering chemicals in your kitchen!

Dead Pests v/s Safety of your kids and pets

Pests often do not die at first go. Overall hygiene of your space, level of humidity, condition of furniture, presence of dampness along the walls – multiple factors play a role leading to presence of pests at your home or office. It is unfair to blame a pest control company after the first session and doubt its competency. It is easy to kill all pests after using extensive toxicity – but it not recommended – because it harms kids and pets.
Pest control is a patient business. The real reasons behind the existence of pests need to be understood and undone. It often takes time and professionals do it in a structured manner. It is worth the effort for the solution, once found, is everlasting.

Trust the big brands – they are the experts

When it comes to technical expertise, you have to trust the big brands – for they did not become big overnight. Big brands in pest control have a reputation of consistent service delivery and a track record of customer satisfaction. While it is easy for a local unbranded player to charge you a lesser amount and deliver a highly toxic session to kill pests faster – it is a short term solution to a bigger problem.

As a customer, it helps when you deal with a professional organization which has the bandwidth to cater to your evolving requirements and is accountable for its actions. At Mr. Homecare, we take pride in having served over 15,000 residences across Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi. Hoping to serve you in the near future.

About Siddharth Sah and how home cleaning made him happy :)

Since home cleaning is an intimate business, most of our service scheduling phone calls revolve around the reason behind you booking a cleaning service. It could be because you are moving into a new home, or perhaps a baby is on its way! There are times when the home has simply become pretty messy, or it could be because you are getting married! And that is when we know how to serve you best.

Siddharth Sah was getting married

Yes, he was. And he was kind enough to book a cleaning service with us before the ceremony. It was a smooth process, where we understood his requirements, whipped up a customized service internally and made a plan to of a residence deliver it well. The key difference between a home cleaning session of a regular residence and one that is preparing for something as big is the level of expectations from us. When you have more people around, and a lot more of them are going to experience the grandeur that’s your home – boy that means some serious stuff.
Training your home cleaning teams is crucial for such cases. In addition to cleaning techniques and the cleaning solutions being used, the mannerisms and the body language of our people matters a lot too.

Generously Discounted Home Cleaning for his fiance

He let it slip what the ‘ceremony’ was about and that made us really happy. It’s not everyday that a person sacrifices his bachelorhood, so we offered a generously discounted service to his fiance. He laughed, thanked us for the gesture and she did end up booking a service with us too. The only concern that remained was whether Siddharth would like our services.

And boy he did! And he made our entire week by tweeting about it! Thanks a bunch, Siddharth

In addition to home cleaning, we balance work with play!

The human resources department at SILA, Hammer and Mop and Mr. Homecare is often left at wit’s end, because facility management, home cleaning, pest control and home painting are not exactly pretty job opportunities which young graduates consider as an option. It all depends on how we bring out the true value of the sector, through effective communication.
However, we feel fortunate to be one of the leading players in the sector, thanks to the infectious energy we add to it. We are the young and the restless, we move fast, experiment and build profitable scale. This keeps us apart from the competition. Also, we get the opportunity to collaborate with like minded organizations from other sectors and ensure that we create a win win situation.
Being in the home cleaning business across Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore helps us with the expertise to clean offices, restaurants, breweries and commercial kitchens. Which allows us to have friends at delicious places, leading to wonderful, wonderful gifts (as you’d see below).

The Curry Brothers treated us with lunch

White Owl Brewery treated us with a beer tasting session

And we simply sit here, waiting for the right talent to join us You know you have it in you!

We offer the right culture

A company culture is like home cleaning – you need to pay attention details, fundamentals ought to be strong and – simply put – you really need to care.

We mix the headiness of the youthful startup culture with old school business beliefs, and ensure that money is made on every order. If the company does not make profits, how will we take care of our teams? Staying grounded and taking aggressive growth decisions is a rare experience, which SILA and Mr. Homecare jointly offer. We believe that a company’s culture goes beyond office decor, parties and pool tables.
It goes right down into conversations we have on a regular basis with our colleagues, our mindset while dealing with our customers and our reactions to pressing issues. No matter how pretty the picture of the founding team looks, it is crucial to understand how do founders encourage growth amongst the management, how they work with teams to resolve business challenges. We have done a fairly good job in the last 6 years, and we only strive to do better.
We believe in people, and their innate desire to do good work.
Write in at careers@mrhomecare.in to join us

 

Knowlarity Outage: How Mr. Homecare did the right thing.

From the day we started our house cleaning business as Mr. Homecare in February 2015, we have been grateful to receive a high volume of inbound phone calls from customers across Mumbai, Bangalore, Gurgaon and Delhi. It made sense to shift to a cloud based telephony system, since it allowed us to track phone calls, ensure none are missed and reached out to. Knowlarity was an obvious preference, since Hammer and Mop knew them as well, and we entered into a fruitful association. We worked with them for 15 months without a hiccup.

And then, the phone lines went down.

All hell broke loose last weekend when the phone lines of Knowlarity’s biggest clients – those above a certain billing – went down. It meant money down the drain for companies who were banking on incoming phone calls, either through an advertising campaign or purely because it’s the weekend. We lost a bunch of business, because our patrons kept trying our hotline number (9022070070) and it did not connect.
Some were amazingly sweet, and scouted around for other means of communication. While a few wrote in through the blog ‘contact us’ form, some called up Sushrut through the ‘Press’ number. Some called up the team members directly, since they had our numbers. But it was a major inconvenience to all, and we were left at our wit’s end.

Dilemma on the next steps

We spoke to the key team members at Knowlarity, and sought clarity on what has gone wrong. Since the chaos was unprecedented, their internal communication channels were haywire and not everyone knew how to communicate what. There was zero clarity on when the systems might start working again and since we were losing business every hour, our patience was wearing thin.
We were faced with two options – either to switch to Exotel (a competitor) immediately or to wait it out. The latter was not a decision one would take with a business sense in mind, it had to be an emotional call. We did call up the competition and procured rates, even compared plans and discussed the viability of switching. Knowlarity has an impressive customer base, and their competitors had been flooded with calls as well, so our conversations were pretty predictable. It was not a good feeling, contemplating abandoning a ship we had liked so much.

“Nope, we will not break faith today!”

 

We are deeply emotional people, at SILA and Mr. Homecare. This gives us the strength to serve you so well, and to understand each home and its requirements. It also helped us take a decision from our hearts, and we decided to wait it out. We have had an amazing work relationship with our partner for more than a year. In this hour of need, if their customers do not stand by them, who will?
We experienced relief from their end when they heard us say this, and their gratitude was genuine. With utmost transparency, the entire team has been receptive and worked towards making our lines go up immediately. We’re sure it was not child’s play, since Knowlarity is stuck in a regulatory issue (as explained by its CEO). However, they did go out of the way to ensure our convenience, and we’re glad they did. Though some issues persisted, they were cooperative and cleaned out the glitches. Thus, they won a customer for life.

And who inspired us to take this decision?

YOU DID! House Cleaning, Office Cleaning, Pest Control, AC Servicing and Car Cleaning is not an easy business to be in, because it’s people intensive and every space is different. We have had our share of goof ups – at Hammer and Mop and Mr. Homecare – and we could be where we stand only because our patrons supported us.
Your frank feedback, patience and constructive criticism has been invaluable. We are humbled to know that you believe in us, and have always given us an opportunity to pull up our socks and be better. Thank you for your love and support.
Book Now for Mr Homecare Cleaning Services

Understanding Customer Behavior for Home Cleaning Services

SILA (parent company of Mr. Homecare) has diverse people in its fold. From Sahil and Rushabh Vora who led the way with facility management of commercial properties 5 years back, to Sonam Chadha who built Wash Club Laundry in Delhi and Sushrut Munje who built Hammer and Mop in Mumbai, the first professional Home Cleaning Services brand in the country. Being the first movers in the sector, we have effectively shaped it and led the trends.
The Indian customer is willing to pay for convenience, understands quality and seeks credible service providers. During the early days, the questions were probing, since the concept was new. they sought to know what we do and how we do it. They probed for relevance, and chose service providers who communicated the value proposition clearly. Fast forward to the present – they would like to book a service in a few taps, pay online and be done with it.

Booking home services on the phone

A bunch of people still like to talk on the phone and book a service. We do business with people we like and people we trust. As a result, when we talk to someone on the phone, the intention is to understand whether the company can be trusted or not. while the questions might be technical and about the service, the real intention is to understand the mindset of the organization offering the service. Till recently, phone calls was a dominant form of booking services. However now, thankfully, customers have started trusted these new age organizations more.
Book Now – https://www.mrhomecare.in/get-quote

Booking home services on chat applications

We recently served a super successful Indian entrepreneur, who has advised us on crucial strategies that has got us where we are. The ease of booking a service on chat applications was evident during one of our conversations for a deep cleaning service he booked for a residence.

 

While having a human being sit on the other side of the chat application is a no brainer, we are exploring ways to incorporate a predictive chat for booking services. Imagine a form that talks to you, subtly directs you with proactive questions and completes the booking without you having to visit pages and wait till they load. This interactive form would ask you type out your name, or ask you to tap amongst options to select your preferences. We do believe that our customers would lap this up.

Thank you, customers, you drive us onward.

Yes, you do! We have learned our biggest lessons through our customer interactions – on and off the field. Even Kunal Shah could advise us as a customer, thanks to his experience. We are grateful for your love and support.

4 tips for Delhi on home cleaning after Holi

Holi is the festival of colours, and celebrated with great joy in Delhi. It brings gaiety, fun, and a lot of enjoyment. But just as every coin has a second side to it, it can leave back a lot of obstinate stains and marks on the walls, floors, wash basins, taps and faucets. Cleaning these stains can be challenging as at times they are too hard to handle. Here are some tips for home cleaning after Holi.

1. Floor stains

Dry colour is easier to clean than wet colour.

Holi festival can leave stains on the floors of your Delhi house; and the problem can become worse if your floors are tiled. So if you see coloured water on the tiles of your house, use a tissue or a paper to dab up the water instead of rubbing or wiping it straightaway. Do this immediately because letting the water remain on the floor for a longer duration can spoil your house’s tiles. However, if dry colour drops on the floor of your house, cleaning is easier because then you can simply sweep it away.

2. Stains on wooden furniture

Applying Vaseline to water stains can help lighten them to a great extent.

In Delhi weather, stains from wet colour on the wooden furniture can be more than a challenge to remove. However, here’s a tip to make your job easy. Use a cotton ball that has been made wet after dipping it in acetone to remove the stain. Be gentle when you do this because hard rubbing can remove the varnish off your house’s wooden furniture along with the colour stain.

3. Stains on the curtains and other upholstery

The fabric of the curtain is the key in cleaning the stains on it.

Wet colour on the curtains and cushions can lead to growth of fungus and mould. To clean it, soak the stained materials in a combination of water and white vinegar. This will help you to clean the Holi colors very effectively with the least amount hard work. Dry colours should not be directly dusted off with hands, instead a broom or a vacuum cleaner should be used to get rid of it.

4. Window and glass stains

Never use paper towels to clean stains on glass as they can leave marks behind.

Cleaning of the window and doors is very easy as the wooden part can be cleaned with acetone and the glass panes can be cleaned using a combination of baking soda and water. These are sure shot methods of getting your windows and doors cleaned of colour residues after you are done with your Holi celebrations and fun.
For more information or tips on home cleaning after Holi, you can reach out to us at Mr. Homecare

How to get rid of household pests in Bangalore?

No one can say no to food, especially the pests present across Bangalore households. From ants and flies to mice and other such critters, the smell of morsels that get left behind signals the start of a food party for household pests. It’s no doubt a nuisance and may require help. But before you place that call and engage the services of a pest control company, here’s what you can do:

 

Flies

One of the most popular of household pests in Bangalore, house flies love to swarm around leftovers that you leave in the open, especially foods like meat and old fruits. Before you let this insect get the better of you, and cause you to get pest control services, these very simple measures can help you to keep any problem that they may pose at bay. Garbage bins and compost containers are the favorite haunt of these household pests, so you should never keep them open. Additionally, always wash your dirty dishes right after eating so that you have a fly-free home.

 

Fruit flies

A female fruit fly can lay about 500 eggs in her lifetime

 

 

Among the list of problems that Bangalore may face with household pests, fruit flies hovering over ripe fruits can be quite an annoyance. Nonetheless, you can say goodbye to these flying insects by putting fruits in the fridge or in tight sealed containers. Furthermore, you may also want to keep the lids of garbage bins closed as well as wash the dirty dishes as soon as possible.

Ants

There are over 12000 species of ants worldwide

 

The first thought that may cross your mind when you see a long line of ants crawling about is to call for professional pest control services. While the Bangalore winters may see them hibernating, hot summer months may see them knee-deep in action. But you can very easily beat these creatures and the answer is always keep your foods in the ubiquitous food storage bags and don’t forget to clean up your dishes as soon as you’re done with lunch or dinner.

Mice

Mice can jump over a distance of 3-4 meters without injuring themselves

 

Having household pests like mice inside your sanctum sanctorum can be quite a scary situation and if not tackled in time, it can lead to serious damages. From nibbling through your grain bags to scavenging for food and drink left in the garbage bin, mice can do this and much more. You can easily prevent the problem by keeping food in containers.

Exterminators for Household Pests

 

Do share with us your insights on how best to fight these pesky insects and rodents from Bangalore in the comments section. Or, if you want expert advice & serious help, don’t hesitate to call Mr. Homecare

5 pesky AC problems Delhi may face this summer

 

5 pesky AC problems Delhi may face this summer

The summer’s already looming its fiery head over our beloved Delhi. In times like these, the air conditioner becomes our best friend. But that is also why the machines tend to get over-worked, and start breaking down just when you need them the most. Are we really prepared to tackle AC problems in the middle of a summer?

It is important to pay attention to indications that your AC problems are real, so that you can get it fixed before the problem gets too serious (and expensive to repair!). Lucky for you, we have outlined the 5 most common AC problems you should look out for, along with their possible causes. Trust us, keep your eyes and ears open, and your home will be a chill pad all through the Delhi summer!

Pesky Problem #1: Your AC refuses to come on

 

This generally means that your thermostat is set improperly or simply isn’t working. If resetting your thermostat to ‘AC’ or ‘cool’ doesn’t do the trick, it may be time to replace your thermostat all together.

It could also be because your AC fuse has tripped, even when everything else in your home is working fine. So you should check your circuit box as well to make sure it’s switched on.

In the worst case scenario, you might be suffering from a burnt out compressor, which could happen due to frequent on-off of the AC, voltage fluctuation or dust contamination. In such a case, your only choice is to replace the equipment altogether.

Pesky Problem #2: Your AC just isn’t cooling like it used to

 

Not feeling as comfortable as you like? Apart from Delhi summers being ruthless this year, this is also indicative of an airflow problem, which in turn hinders your AC’s cooling capacity. If it’s been a while since you got your filters changed, they may be clogged with dust, dirt, or even pet fur. In short, it’s time to change your filter.

The problem could also be on the outside, where debris or branches may be obstructing the air flow of your condenser. Worse still, there might be a mistake in your unit’s installation, with not enough clearance area left around the unit. You need to ensure there is at least 24 inches on the sides and 5 feet on top of the unit.

If your airflow is all clear, then the problem is mostly likely in your refrigerant, as that is the fluid that helps your AC create cool air. The lines might not be properly insulated with copper sleeves, or in need a re-charge, or suffering from a leakage.

Pesky Problem #3: Your AC is a leaky mess

 

A leaky AC is generally a sign of the drain line being clogged or disconnected, which causes the water collected from condensation to not flow out effectively and leak from the sides.

Improper AC installation is another common reason for leakage. If the unit is too low at front, then the condensed water leaks from the front rather than dripping from the rear end. Or if it is not properly sealed, warm air from outside gushes inside the unit and causes excess moisture to build up and eventually from the unit.

Pesky Problem #4: Your AC is a loud mouth

 

If your air conditioner makes strange noises every time it starts up or winds down, this can be nothing more troublesome than a loose screw. Once it’s tightened, the noise will vanish. However, the bad news is that it could be a burnt blower motor or bent fan blade that is causing all the racket.

Pesky Problem #5: Your AC doesn’t know when to stop cooling

 

The placement of your thermostat determines how long your air conditioner runs, and ultimately, the efficiency of your unit. If the thermostat is in direct sunlight, or near any hot equipment, it may continue running even after your AC has done its job. This not only overworks your unit, but also sends your cooling costs through the roof.

Get your AC the professional help it needs!

 

We hope you find this guide handy in spotting these pesky problems as they happen. It is important that you call for professional assistance in time, or better still, set up regular servicing checks that prevent such occurrences from cropping up.

We at Mr. Homecare are happy to make your ACs our best friends with our one-time servicing facilities and quarterly servicing packages available in any part of Delhi.  Click here to read more about how we can help you stay cool through the unforgivable Delhi summers.

6 health problems caused by pets Bangalore should know about

           Group of cats and dogs

Bangalore! We’re sure your pets are adorable, little furballs who are beloved, important members of your family. They are, after all, a big source of comfort and companionship, and even known to improve overall well-being by increasing oxytocin levels. But are you aware of the health problems caused by pets?


The truth is that they can also be potential health hazards that could be putting your family at risk of serious illnesses. To help you see how, we’ve made a list of the 6 most common ways in which your pets could be bringing infections into your home in Bangalore. Scroll on to know how to identify and tackle these problems at the earliest, and keep your family fit and fine, including the four-legged members!

Pet Feces

Anyone owning a pet will need to engage with feces at some point or the other. If all traces of it are not cleaned regularly and effectively, it could lead to some serious infections you’d rather not catch.
Campylobateriosis is one infection that can be contracted by exposure to feces of an infected animal, most common in puppies and kittens younger than 6 months. People with weak immune systems, young children and the elderly are most at risk, with typical symptoms being diarrhea and fever.
Toxoplasmosis can be contracted by coming into contact with any cat feces, as all felines are carriers of it. Pregnant women should be doubly careful in handling their cat’s litter, as it could cause birth defects in unborn children or even trigger a miscarriage.

Pet Urine

Whenever you get that distinct stench of urine in your home, you know your pet is the guilty one. But did you know about how it could be impacting your respiratory system due to its ammonia content? It can lead to severe burning of the nose, throat, respiratory tract and lungs.
While we might wipe it up immediately, it can still find its way deep into furniture, carpets, and bed sheets. That’s why it’s imperative to get rid of every trace of it, also so that your pet doesn’t soil the same spot again. If you or your family members suffer from allergies, asthma, or other conditions like migraines, this should be top priority as they are especially susceptible to the risks associated with ammonia inhalation.

Pet fur and dander

If you are prone to allergies, time to sit up! Pet fur is one of the biggest causes of respiratory allergies and bronchial asthma to act up. But did you know that the even bigger offender is pet dander- the tiny, microscopic, flecks of skin shed by pets of all kinds. Whether short-haired, long-haired, or hairless, all pets shed dander, which easily stick to furniture, bedding, and fabrics in your home due to their minute size and jagged shape.

This needs to get taken care of at the root level, as they can lead to upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms including congestion, sneezing, runny nose, chest tightness and wheezing. Other symptoms are itching, watery eyes, and eczema or rashes.

Ticks and Fleas

The most obvious culprits! Pets that spend time in the garden, outside near trees may come back infected with ticks and fleas. Apart from impairing your pet’s health, they can also cause you serious problems.

Lyme disease tops the list in that regard- a hard to detect illness that can spread to humans if the ticks bite them. It causes long-term problems, such as irregular heartbeat, arthritis and impaired brain function. Infants, again, are most susceptible to this.
Another thing to watch out for with kids is the chances of them accidentally swallowing a flea, which can pass on dangerous bacteria like tapeworm larvae to the child.

Pet Food

This might come as a surprise to some, but leftover pet food can be a cause of serious health issues. Dry pet food may carry salmonella, a nausea-inducing bacteria that can infect the small intestines.
So if it is lying around, there is a chance of children picking it up and nibbling at it, thereby picking up the infection as well. So the next time you see some pet food lying around, get rid of it immediately.

It’s time for a deep clean!

Taking care of these common problems can prevent your beloved pets from becoming a health hazard for your family. You must maintain utmost hygiene at all times, to get rid of all those microscopic germs, allergens and pests that might remain even after your regular cleaning routine.


We at Mr. Homecare are equipped with the necessary equipment, products, and know-how to avoid all health problems caused by pets. Click here to read more about how we can help. We’re ready to come to any part of Bangalore to make your home a safe haven for you, your family, and your furry friends!

Delhi! Your definitive checklist for your next home painting job is here!

    home painting services in delhi

A fresh coat of paint does wonders for your home, and can usher a new sense of freshness. But if things go wrong, it can do the exact opposite. Often times, your local Delhi painters tend to overlook certain basics which could leave you with a poorly finished home painting session.
To help you stay out of such a pickle, we have put together a definitive checklist of things to keep in mind during your next paint job. Keep this guide handy for the next time the painters come in, and it will be all you need to ensure that the walls of your home get the makeover they truly deserve.

Test the color

One of the biggest painting mistakes happens even before you start- basing your paint color choice on color chips. We’ve all done it. You pick out a nice color from the strip at the store and order your paint. But when it’s applied on the walls of your home, it doesn’t look like the color you picked out at all!
So make sure you get the painters to sample the shade of your choice before painting the whole wall. Remember to check it in both natural and artificial light, during the day and at night.

Ensure that the paint is washable

Choosing your paint wisely is the next big thing on the list. Many contractors in Delhi tend to provide you with non-washable paints on the pretext of giving you a cheap deal. Over time, when your walls get marked with stains and smudges, this kind of paint makes it impossible to clean up the mess as it gets damaged with water.
So it is best to ensure that you ask for washable paints to be used, so that it is easier to maintain your walls over the years.

Make sure the paint is pure

Local painters in Delhi often mix good quality labeled paints with cheaper variants and offer them at a lower cost. These paints are not water resistant, and lose most of their qualities in the mixing process, making your house walls look dull. Keep a sharp eye out for such behavior, and check to ensure your painter is only using freshly packed branded paint.

Choose your paint basis your local weather

If you live near the beach, the moisture in the air tends to adversely affect the home painting session by giving rise to moss and mold. In such a scenario, using a delicate paint is a big no-no as it can accelerate the damage. While humidity should not be much of a concern in Delhi, a little information always helps
We recommend that you only use thicker paints that will last longer in your local weather.

Cover everything

It is very common in Delhi that local painters don’t take precautionary measures to cover your home adequately before starting the job. This leaves you with unnecessary splatters and splotches of paint to deal with once the job is done.
It is up to you to ensure that they cover everything in sight with thin plastic or drop cloths. Remember to not miss doorknobs, light fixtures, and anything else in the room.

Get your walls cleaned

It is imperative to get your walls washed before the home painting is done, because paint looks and stays on better when applied to a clean surface. Even minute particles of dust can interfere with best results.
So even if you walls may look clean, you need to ensure that they get washed properly before the paint is applied.

Use Primer

Using a primer before applying the first coat of paint is a must do. It not only gives your paint a sound surface to adhere to, but also improves the look of the fresh shade. Primer is especially important if you are painting over a different, darker color or if there are stains on the wall. So make sure this crucial step is not missed.

Don’t leave the lid off

Might sound very basic, but leaving the lid off of the paint is a common mistake painters make. The most obvious problem with this is that someone is bound to step on the lid and track paint all over. In the dry weather of Delhi, the paint would get ruined faster than expected.
So when you are supervising the job, make sure that they don’t the lid off at any times. It will also keep the paint from getting dirty, or prevent dried-out paint crud from forming in the can or on the lid.

Paint in bright light

Doing a paint job in dim light is the biggest home painting faux pas. The painted surface may look fine at first, but when you uncover the windows to let in natural light or turn on bright lights, you’re likely to see thin patches and other imperfections. So always make sure your painters have lots of bright light for a perfect job.

Time to call in the home painting professionals!

We hope this checklist helps you be more prepared for your next home painting. These are the basics that you need to keep in mind to make sure you get a quality paint job for your homes.
Or better still – you could hire a professional home painting service like Mr. Homecare. We have a team of qualified interior painters in Delhi who are equipped with the skills, tools, and passion to make your walls as good as new. Click here to know more about how we can help your transform your home with the magic of colors.

Dear Bangalore, here’s 7 reasons why your home cleaning routines might be failing you

home cleaning services in bangalore

We know that you Bangalore folks really love to keep your home clean. You have extensive home cleaning routines and rituals to keep it spic and span not just for your family and guests, and also for your own personal satisfaction. Which explains why the city is way cleaner as compared to others. But what if we told you that your regular routine is simply not enough?

Don’t hate us; we’re sure you do a great job! But how much ever effort you put to cover all bases, dust and germs are extremely sneaky creatures who find ways to settle in hard-to-reach corners of your home. To help you uncover all these secret hideouts, we have listed the 7 ways in which your regular home cleaning routine might be failing you. Tackle these problem areas, and you will be on your way to a truly sparkling clean home.

Items that are out of sight, out of mind

There are several nooks and crannies which get missed in your regular home cleaning routine simply because they are out of sight. The usual culprits include areas behind furniture, AC vents, and the tops of refrigerators, closets and doors. As these spots remain relatively untouched through time, they get severely accumulated with dirt, dust, pet hair, cobwebs, and all sorts of unpleasant gunk.

Items in clear sight, and yet out of mind!

Light switches, appliance controls, refrigerator handles, TV remotes, door knobs- these are some of the most frequently touched areas in your homes. But more often than not, they are skipped as we don’t realize how dirty they are. Most people go months or even years before giving these items a thorough cleaning, making them an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and germs.

Your mattress

You might be having more company than you think when you go to bed at night. Mattresses tend to be infested with dust mites- microscopic spiders that feed on the dead skin cells that you shed everyday. Even if you dust your bed regularly and change the sheets, these creatures thrive in warm, humid climates like ours and make your mattress their home. They can cause allergic reactions, infections, eczema, and wheezing problems. Bed bugs are another common problem. These pests hide deep in your mattress and leave red bites all over your skin.

Your curtains

Believe it or not, your curtains could be harbouring allergens, pet dander and dust mites. These microscopic pollutants tend to last even through a wash. If you don’t seek professional help to get your curtains steam cleaned, they can set off regular attacks of sneezing, asthma and allergies.

Your refrigerator

Most of you make it a point to maintain utmost hygiene in your kitchens, as that is where your food comes from. But sometimes, the place where you store your food the longest is not cleaned enough- the refrigerator. Starting with the insides, small spills or exposed food tend to spoil and harbour huge amounts of dangerous bacteria. Your refrigerator’s condenser coil is another ignored part, which can also lead to inefficient functioning due to the accumulated dust.

Your bathrooms

There are some parts of your bathroom that always get missed like cabinet knobs, toilet handles and faucets. Shower curtains tend to be the dirtiest due to the accumulated grime and soap scum, with a high chance of mould and fungus proliferating in the moisture-ridden environment. Finally, tile grouts pose a huge challenge as regular cleaning agents don’t have the strength to remove hard water and chlorine stains.

Your curtains and sofas

Are you snuggled into your sofa with your feet resting on your carpet? Chances are that you are sitting amidst tons of dust, grime and residue that has settled deep into your carpets and sofas. These don’t get out with a regular dusting, and generally requires a hot water extraction and steam cleaning to remove all the junk from the core.

Time to upgrade your home cleaning routine!

We hope you found this post enlightening in terms of what’s getting missed from your regular cleaning routine. Your everyday cleaning agents, tools, and techniques are not enough to make your home as clean as you would like it to be. To get a truly finished job, you need to treat your homes to a deep cleaning service.

At Mr. Homecare, we offer deep cleaning services that fill up all the gaps of your regular home cleaning routine. Click here to read more about what we offer, and why not join our multiple, happy Bangalore patrons and gift yourselves the sparkling clean homes you truly deserve!

4 tips to choose pest control service in Delhi

Pest Control Services in Delhi

Pests like termites, fleas, cockroaches, ants etc. are a bugging issue in most Delhi households. They can not only affect your daily life by causing nuisance around your house, but also have the potential to seriously damage your life and property. Therefore, choosing the right pest control service in Delhi is essential.

Damage to life can be in the terms of fatal insect bites and stings, diseases spread by pests etc. whereas damage to property can be in the terms of destruction of your lawn, wall damage etc. Since pests are of so many varieties, it may not be possible for you to know and identify all types of pests and the ways to eliminate them.

Therefore, the services of a professional pest exterminator are a must when it comes to dealing with the pests in your household. However, the mere decision to hire a professional expert won’t do you any good unless you hire the pest services of a well trained and experienced exterminator from a reputed pest control company. Here are 4 factors that you should consider before you choose your pest control exterminator.

Effectiveness

Choose your pest control exterminator carefully.

You should choose the pest control service in Delhi for dealing with your pest problems from an efficient company whose services are reliable and effective. Integrated pest management is an elaborate process and it requires good knowledge on the part of the exterminator regarding issues like sanitation, pest management products, pest management techniques etc. An exterminator with a superficial knowledge about pesticides won’t be able to provide you with effective service, therefore choose wisely when it comes to a suitable pest control company that matches your needs and requirements.

Experience

A company that has good experience in the field of pest control will naturally be a better choice.

The experience of the pest control service in Delhi is an important factor to consider before you choose your pest control exterminator. Try going for an exterminator who has a prior experience in your pest problem. This ensures use of good skill and technique, thus making sure that your pest problems are treated more efficiently and effectively.

Customer service

Companies that are willing to provide responsible customer service are always a better option.

Another important factor to consider while choosing your pest control exterminator is the kind of customer service that he and his company provide. Choose an exterminator who is willing to discuss in details your pest problems and the kind of solutions you are looking for instead of straight away opting for the conventional means. For every family, the chemical sensitivity of the various members of the household is different so your pest control exterminator should take into consideration organic alternatives for pest control depending on your preferences. Choose exterminators who are experienced and know how to provide maximum customer satisfaction.

Contract with a Pest Control Service in Delhi

Read the contract details carefully before opting for a pest control service.

Check out the various terms and conditions of the contract carefully before you choose a particular pest control exterminator. This is important in order to ensure the reliability of the company and the kind of the service it provides. Also, the contract will help you gain knowledge about the pricing trends of the company, which is an equally important factor while choosing a company’s pest control service.

For more information on the factors that should be considered before choosing a pest control service in Delhi or to seek professional help from experienced exterminators, reach out to us at Mr. Homecare

7 reasons why your regular home cleaning routine is failing you

We know you love to keep your home cleaning services. You have extensive cleaning routines and rituals to keep it spic and span not just for your family and guests, and also for your own personal satisfaction. But what if we told you that your regular routine is simply not enough?

Don’t hate us; we’re sure you do a great job! But how much ever effort you put to cover all bases, dust and germs are extremely sneaky creatures who find ways to settle in hard-to-reach corners of your home. To help you uncover all these secret hideouts, we have listed the 7 ways in which your regular home cleaning routine might be failing you. Tackle these problem areas, and you will be on your way to a truly sparkling clean home.

Items that are out of sight, out of mind
There are several nooks and crannies in your home which get missed in your regular cleaning routine simply because they are out of sight. The usual culprits include areas behind furniture, AC vents, and the tops of refrigerators, closets and doors. As these spots remain relatively untouched through time, they get severely accumulated with dirt, dust, pet hair, cobwebs, and all sorts of unpleasant gunk.

Items in clear sight, and yet out of mind!
Light switches, appliance controls, refrigerator handles, TV remotes, door knobs- these are some of the most frequently touched areas in your homes. But more often than not, they are skipped as we don’t realize how dirty they are. Most people go months or even years before giving these items a thorough cleaning, making them an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and germs.

Your mattress
You might be having more company than you think when you go to bed at night. Mattresses tend to be infested with dust mites- microscopic spiders that feed on the dead skin cells that you shed everyday. Even if you dust your bed regularly and change the sheets, these creatures thrive in warm, humid climates like ours and make your mattress their home. They can cause allergic reactions, infections, eczema, and wheezing problems. Bed bugs are another common problem. These pests hide deep in your mattress and leave red bites all over your skin.

Your curtains
Believe it or not, your curtains could be harbouring allergens, pet dander and dust mites. These microscopic pollutants tend to last even through a wash. If you don’t seek professional help to get your curtains steam cleaned, they can set off regular attacks of sneezing, asthma and allergies.

Your refrigerator
Most of you make it a point to maintain utmost hygiene in your kitchens, as that is where your food comes from. But sometimes, the place where you store your food the longest is not cleaned enough- the refrigerator. Starting with the insides, small spills or exposed food tend to spoil and harbour huge amounts of dangerous bacteria. Your refrigerator’s condenser coil is another ignored part, which can also lead to inefficient functioning due to the accumulated dust.

Your bathrooms
There are some parts of your bathroom that always get missed like cabinet knobs, toilet handles and faucets. Shower curtains tend to be the dirtiest due to the accumulated grime and soap scum, with a high chance of mould and fungus proliferating in the moisture-ridden environment. Finally, tile grouts pose a huge challenge as regular cleaning agents don’t have the strength to remove hard water and chlorine stains.

Your curtains and sofas
Are you snuggled into your sofa cleaning with your feet resting on your carpet cleaning? Chances are that you are sitting amidst tons of dust, grime and residue that has settled deep into your carpets and sofas. These don’t get out with a regular dusting, and generally requires a hot water extraction and steam cleaning to remove all the junk from the core.

We hope you found this post enlightening in terms of what’s getting missed from your regular cleaning routine. Your everyday cleaning agents, tools, and techniques are not enough to make your home as clean as you would like it to be. To get a truly finished job, you need to treat your homes to a deep cleaning service.

At Mr. Homecare, we offer deep cleaning services that fill up all the gaps of your regular cleaning routine. Click here to read more about what we offer, and call us to gift yourselves the sparkling clean homes you truly deserve!