585-955-6300
Formerly Clean & Green Cleaners
It's still same ownership. Our cleaning systems still use green cleaning solutions. Our phone number is still the same. Our website is www.SpurlingsCarpetCleaning.com 
August 2015 

Please enjoy our monthly newsletter that we have put together for you. We hope that you might find helpful information or new ideas and a recipe to try! Please feel free to pass it along by sharing it with your friends or family who might also enjoy reading it.                       
August
Savings
2 Free Bottles of professional no-residue spotter 
Savings Expires 8-31-2015
Offer valid with min carpet or upholstery cleaning order. Use Ad code: ENL
Ask for details. Residential only.

Fall Vegetable Gardening Tips 
Autumn is approaching, but that doesn't mean that it's time to harvest all your veggies and prep your soil for winter just yet. Even if you receive an early frost, you can still produce a great harvest if you plant the right vegetables, give them some protection, and plan it just right.  
 

To make room for your new harvest, rip out any plants that are no longer doing well or that have already been harvested. Pull any weeds and prep the soil with compost to give your new plants a great start.  

 

Many garden centers put their seeds on discount around this time, so now is the time to buy. Select the earliest maturing varieties available, use a high-quality seed-starting mix and plant the seeds a little deeper than you would in the spring. Some crops, like beets and carrots, may need to be harvested early while they're still small. However, many crops will survive below-freezing temperatures. Consider these veggies:

  • Broccoli
  • Brussels Sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Kale
  • Leeks
  • Lettuce
  • Rutabagas
  • Spinach
  • Swill Chard
  • Turnips

Although the weather will son be changing, it's still important to keep you plants well hydrated into September. Most vegetables do best with an inch or so of water a week. It may be better to give them one deep watering rather than several light showers. 

 

After the first signs of cool weather come, give them some protection. You can cover your garden with a blanket, tarp, or cardboard box. If you'd like something more sightly, a cloche plant cover is a great way to go.  

 

The real secret to having a fantastic fall harvest is timing. Take into account the number of days to harvest for each vegetable in  your gardening plan. Then, use that number to count backwards from the average first frost date. Add two weeks as many plants grow a little more slowly in fall due to the shortened days. The date you end with is the ideal plants date for that crop. For example, if the first frost is typically October 1st and your crop will mature in twenty days, you'll want to plant by August 28th.  

 

Fall vegetable gardening can be a gamble, but we dare you to try is out and you just might be pleasantly surprised with your harvest! 

 

 

HEALTH ADVICE: Five Tips to Cure a Craving  

Tufts University researchers have found that just two weeks of healthy nutritional habits can make your body start to prefer the healthier food, but in between those two weeks and even afterwards, cravings for French fries or chocolate can still creep up on you. It's hard to resist temptation, but these strategies can help keep you on track.

  1. Eat healthiest when you're the hungriest. When your stomach is grumbling, it's easy to reach fro the nearest food you can find, but studies show that the foods you consume when you're hungry are the ones you'll crave later. Instead of grabbing a Snickers bar or a bag of chops, have a snack with plenty of protein, like whole wheat crackers and peanut butter. Make a habit out of it and your stomach will eventually be asking for the healthy snack.
  2. Balance the junk food with a healthy snack. If you just got to have a cookie, take only one and grab a handful of something healthy to munch on, like baby carrots or apple slices. You'll satisfy the craving, squash the desire to go back for another, and you'll be happier with yourself.
  3. Get some exercise. Aerobic exercise is a great way to reduce cravings and increase dietary self-control. Aim for 150 minutes of cardio each week. You'll be more conscious of what is going into your body and feel generally healthier, making it easier to reach for a banana over anything else. As a bonus, exercising will likely give you a better night's sleep, and being well rested has also been proven to boost your willpower against cravings.
  4. Become distracted and too busy to think about it. Sometimes the best way to cure a craving, especially when you aren't even hungry, is to immerse your brain in something else. Pick up your phone and play an engaging, highly visual game like Bejeweled. All the hand-eye coordination that goes with watching a constantly changing display is enough distraction for your brain to forget about the craving in just minutes. You may want to stay away from Candy Crush is you're craving sweets though!
  5. Reach for the tea bag. Peppermint is often used to alleviate digestive concerns and create a calmness withing the person who smells or consumes it.It may also suppress your appetite and aid in weight loss. Why? We aren't really sure yet. Researchers are still figuring it out. But the smell of peppermint may release a hormone that can reduce cravings while it may prove to be untrue, it's still a good idea to drink tea in place of an empty craving, as it trick your brain into thinking it's getting something sweet and special, and the extra water is always beneficial for your body.
KID CORNER: Encourage a Successful Sleepover 

Sleepovers are a big step for kids, one that they don't always take gracefully. Sensing anxiety from our child before or during a sleepover is often a result of the unknown. There are many ways that you can help ease your child into it and as she becomes more comfortable with being separated from you, she'll look forward to the sleepovers with her friends and will be raving about the fun time she had with them.

A good place to start is in your won home. Invite one of her friends over to test the waters and see if your child is ready. If she grows agitated or confrontational with her friend after a couple of hours, changes are she's not socially ready to stay with another family for the night. You can also host a "sleep-under" and have the friend stay for dinner, hop into their pj's and enjoy common sleepover activities, like movies or games, but then have the child's parents come to pick him up before bedtime.

When your child is ready to stay at a friend's house, he may have questions, like where will he sleep? Will he be able to talk to you before bed? Will he get tucked in the way that you tuck him in at night? It's important to find out from the friend's parents how the sleepover will unfold, what to expect, and to talk about any concerns you have or reminders that your child needs before bedtime. Once that's been established, you can fill your child in on the details.

Be prepared for a phone call from the parents or from your child at any time of night. Whether it's her first sleepover or tenth, you never know when she'll have a bad dream, suddenly miss you, and just want to come home. Determine if she's calling for a reason that can or can't be fixed. For example, if she missed you, you can talk with her on the phone and reassure her how proud you are of her. But if the friend's dog is barking and keeping your child awake, it's probably best to just come get her. The next day, you can talk about how she felt and what could help the situation if it arises next time. For many kids, a phone call, video chat, or even just a text message before bedtime is enough to reassure and comfort them through the night. Plan for the ahead of time with the hosts or let your child have a secondary phone that they can use to call you anytime.

Sometimes your child just isn't ready for this step, period. It's better to wait so that your child can have a positive first experience. If your child may be ready, but you aren't comfortable with it, trust your gut and talk to the parents offering to host. Keep the communication open and honest, but also pleasant. They will likely understad and you can plan an alternative to a sleepover, such as the "sleep-under" or just an average play date. As you child get older and becomes more comfortable with the experience, he'll likely want to have sleepovers every weekend!

Planning for a Day in the Sun  

Summertime is for all-day trips to the beach or the park It's important to plan for these excursions and to make sure you have all the essentials for entertainments, picnics, and of course, cleaning up before you head home. Load the car with anything you might needs and avoid surprises by being prepared! Besides the necessary sunscreen lotions and first aid kit, here are some other items that you don't want to leave behind.

Entertainment. What is the plan once you get to your desired destination? If you're going to the beach, the sun, sand, and water may be plenty to keep you and your kids busy all day, but it's also a good idea to pack some alternative items. Bring a ball or frisbee to toss around or some balloons to inflate and play "keep off the ground." The wind will add an extra challenge, making it fun for everyone. Bubbles are another fun way to add enjoyment while not taking up too much space in your tote. Encourage everyone to bring a reading or activity book for some quiet time.

Picnics. Stack your cooler with perishable items, like meat, on the bottom, and then begin packing things in the order in which you'll need them, with snacks and drinks at the top. Use blocks of ice or gel packs, which stay frozen longer, to layer on top of the food. Another trick you can use is to freeze sandwiches and juice boxes overnight. Disposable dinnerware is convenient, however consider bringing reusable instead. You'll have to clean them, but they're more durable and economical. If you're planning to barbeque, don't forget to bring a lighter. Bring a bag of bags- shopping sacks, gallon-sized, and sandwich-sized, to put food away and segregate wet or sandy items for packing up.

Cleaning. Wet wipes are great for getting any spills in totes or coolers, and can be used to wipe off dishes so they can be repacked. Baby powder will loosen any sand that's stuck to skin and a soft brush is great for dusting off clothes, shoes, and any gear before loading into your car. Packing is generally easier than unpacking, and so to avoid that hassle, use a laundry basket to carry small bags and loose items from the car into the garage. The next thing on the agenda is to hose off chairs, coolers, and anything else that can be rinsed and left in the sun to dry. After that fun-filled day, you don't want to track dirt and sand into the house to have to clean up later!

Homestyle Recipes Just for You

Creamy Celery Soup   

 

There's nothing like fresh, crisp celery to wake up your taste buds. The unique flavor paired with onion, leeks, and a bit of cream is simply delicious in this light, yet filling soup. Pro Tip: You can save any leftover celery that doesn't go into the soup by chopping it up and putting it in plastic baggies in 1-cup increments. Store in the freezer for the next recipe. 

 

Ingredients:

  • 3 Tbsp butter, divided into 2 Tbsp and 1 Tbsp

  • 1 cup chopped onion

  • 1 1/2 cups sliced leeks, white and light green parts only

  • 5 cups chopped celery

  • 1 1/2 cup diced celery

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 bay leaves

  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 1/4 to 1/3 cup of whipping cream
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Fresh chopped chives or parsley for garnish

 

Directions:

 

1. Melt 2 Tbsp butter in 4-5 quart pot on medium heat. Add onion, leeks and chopped celery. Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for a minute longer.   

 

 

2. Add stock and bay leaves. Add salt. Increase heat and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover to maintain a simmer for 15 minutes. 

 

3. While soup is simmering, prepare the extra celery. In a separate small saut� pan, melt 1 Tbsp butter on medium heat. Add diced celery. Ladle 1/2 cup of simmering stock from soup pot into saute pan and simmer on low for 5 minutes to soften the celery. Set aside.  

4.
Remove soup pot from heat and let cool slightly. Remove and discard bay leaves. Use an immersion blender to thoroughly blend the soup. Alternatively, you can work in batches to puree the soup in a blender. Once blended, stir in the cream and braised diced celery.

 

5. Add more salt if needed. Sprinkle with black pepper and chopped chives or parsley to serve.  

 

... Caring for Leather...


Leather is a popular choice in furniture, car interiors, clothes, and accessories. And along with the cozy leather sofa and the great shoes comes the frustration of keeping them clean. Here are some simple solutions you can use at home to keep your leather looking like new. Of course, if you get in a pinch, call your carpet care professional to help you out!
  • Protect leather. Always keep leather furniture out of direct sunlight to prevents drying and cracking the leather.
  • For general cleaning, Dust weekly with a soft cloth or use a vacuum.
  • For tougher dirt on protected leather, lather a moisturizing soap, such as Dove, on a soft, damp cloth, and then wipe the item to remove dirt and grime. Do not over-wet the leather; just carefully wipe with a damp cloth. Then buff with a soft, dry cloth. This allows the moisturizing soap to condition the leather. Polish as usual. *For best results, use manufacturer-recommended cleaners and conditioners, or simple call the professionals to ensure a job well done.
  • To remove water spots, moisten the area again with a little water, let it dry or gently blow dry. Never place leather in the sun to dry.
  • To remove grease, apply some Talcum powder or corn starch to the spot and let it sit for a few hours. Do not rub it in, simply let the powder or starch absorb the grease and then you can easily vacuum it away.
We hope you have enjoyed reading the content in our fun and informative newsletter. We would love to hear from you soon using our money saving special. To schedule your next cleaning, call us today 585-955-6300 or respond to this email with the best phone number and office hour times and we'll call you to schedule your cleaning!

Sincerely,
Paul & Tracy Spurling
Owners
In This Issue
Get Cash Back OR Credit Towards Cleaning

Did you know that every time you refer a new client to us you'll get 10% in CASH or FREE Cleaning?

 

That can total up to be a

lot of money! Your cleanings could potentially be free just by sharing your experience with others.

 

When someone new hires Spurling's Carpet Cleaning and said you told them to contact us when I ask how they heard about us, we'll automatically send you a certificate to redeem for cash or services. 

 

It's your choice and there's no limit! Just tell all your neighbor, friends, family and co-workers about us. 

 

We'd rather give back our customers for referring us than paying for advertising.

 

Be sure your current contact information is on file with us so we always know where to send your reward.
August
1658 
The first public police force, consisting of ten watchmen, is formed in New Amsterdam.  

1782   
George Washington creates the "Badge for Military Merit," later know as the "Purple Heart"
 
1896 
Gold is found in Rabbit Creek, a tributary of the Klondike River in Alaska. This results in the Great Klondike Gold Rush.  
 
1924  
The New York Daily News debuts the Little Orphan Annie comic strip, which soon inspired the radio show, Broadway musical, and several films.

1978   
Three American from New Mexico complete the first transatlantic balloon trip. It started from Maine and ended in Paris, and they traveled 3,000 in 137 hours.  
CLEANING CORNER:

Crystal Clear Vases fro Fresh Flowers  

 

A beautiful bouquet of flowers brightens the room and warms your heart... but the glass vase you want to put it in has a cloudy residue. What do you do?

 


To make your vase crystal clear again, heat white or apple cider vinegar to a boil. Pour enough of the vinegar into the vase to cover the area with the residue. Let it sit overnight, then scrub the inside of the vase with a narrow bottle brush to loosed the film. Wash and rinse the glass as you normally would, using a squirt of liquid dish soap. Dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

To keep your flowers lasting longer in your now clean vase, remove all leaves below the water line and snip the stems at an angle. Fill the vase with warm water. Add an Asprin tablet or a splash of lemon-lime (non-diet) soda. The citric acid helps kill bacteria and the sugar feeds the flowers.
Spurling's Carpet Cleaning |Visit Our Website |585-955-6300 | [email protected] | Fairport, NY 14450