Help needed - COMPLETE room cleaning !!

Crazyangel

Hi guys !
I'm moving into my student accomodation in a few weeks time, into a house which needless to say isn't excatly sparkling with cleanliness ! :lipsrseal

I'm a bit worried about sleeping on another person's matress, and so was wondering if theres a remedy or potion I can make up just to use to make sure it kills off any bugs etc :eek:
Ditto for the carpet really ! My mum and I have been searching in the shops for something called 'Shake and vac' after my nan reccomended it, but no luck lol.

Thanks guys ! All help much appreciated !! :T :beer:

Counting_Pennies_2

To be honest I would replace the mattress, I am sure they are used to that request, so I would just say that you plan to replace the mattress, and if they have any problems with that arrangement please could they let you know.

It will cost a little amount, but I really don't like not knowing who has slept on a mattress, how long it has been there, and what has been spilt (eek!) you can get cheap ones from Argos, and other similar stores. http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ArgosBrowseLister?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&zone=&giftFinder=&langId=-1&attrValue_0=&attrValue_1=&attrValue_2=&attrValue_3=&attrValue_4=&priceFrom=&priceTo=&attrName_0=&attrName_1=&attrName_2=&attrName_3=&attrName_4=&TOTrail=&categoryId=41798&Trail=C%24cip%3D41700%3EC%24cip%3D41796%3EC%24cip%3D41798&previousperPage=10&perPage=10&currPage=1&sortBy=2&x=11&y=13

In terms of shake and vac, I think those products were fazed out. I checked at Asda and 1001 carpet cleaning products do a no vac carpet freshener, so I would say try that http://www.asda.com/asda_shop/sys/web_sys02_a_main_frameset.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1112322831.1158438721@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccfaddijihmdficfkfcfkjdgoodgmf.0 click on the link and put 'no vac' in the search bar and it should bring the product up.

Fabreeze is great at making rooms smell nice.

Good luck with it all

edit, I stand corrected! When you put in 'no vac' on the search of Asda, Shake and Vac comes up as well!!

V.Lucky

If you have access too a steam cleaner this will "kill all known germs dead" as they say!

Use it to clean the mattress with and leave to air.

Re the carpet - either steam clean (make sure it's colourfast first though) or use a Vax type cleaner.

The Shake n Vac is just a powder that freshens carpets up, it doesn't really clean them.

hth

Crazyangel

Oooh great, will have to try hunt that one down too.

I've bought a mattress protector, one of those plasticy sheets, but still a little creeped out. I might take your advice and ask the landlord for a new one Just there are 6 of us girls moving in, so once I ask for one, I'm sure 5 more requests will follow...lol

And thanks Lucky, I don't have access to a steam cleaner, but thinking about it I could ask the others if they'd chip in to hire one - and we're all pretty much clean freaks so I'm sure we'll end up with one for a few days

pounds_and_pensive

Is there any chance you can borrow a steam cleaner? These make quick work of dispatching germs and blasting muck out of the tiniest of crevices - no chemicals needed. I wouldn't be without mine. Well, I wouldn't be without it if I hadn't lent it to my mother, knowing full well I'll be lucky if I ever see it again

Edited to say that I am going to practice until I can type as fast as V.Lucky

Rebob

You could always use a steam cleaner to kill any bugs from the carpet and the matteress. To then get rid of smells use a cloth, vinegar and water. The vinegar does really get rid of the smells and its own smell goes really quickly. Shake and vac is just a carpet powder that is shaked over the floor, left a bit then vaced up, use bicarbonate of soda mixed with a bit of essential oil for a similar effect.

I would get a matteress protector cover, available from most bedding shops including wilkos, though personally as I am very funny of sleeping in someone elses bed.

Crazyangel

I'm glad its not just me that doesn't like the idea of a used mattress !!
Thanks guys, looks like the steam cleaner option is popular !!

Cheers Rebob, I heard that bicarb could be used but wasn't really sure how, or if it'd make a big white mess ! And I'll def give the vinegar option a go too. Anything to get the room cleaner. You should have seen the state of the fridge....dear god it was a breeding ground - more green and black than white inside !!

pounds_and_pensive

*tentatively adds that steam cleaners are very good for cleaning out fridges as well as defrosting freezers quickly, before promising never to mention steam cleaners again. Until next time

Crazyangel

Haha, thanks !

notes

Your a student - Save your money for :beer: .

Does no on here stay in hotels ? Sleeping in the same bed as say a couple of hundred people. This isnt much different.

Unless the matress NEEDS replacing cant see landlord doing it.

Student accomodation i.e. halls of residence etc dont replace there matresses for every person so why should a landlord.

Personally if i had a steam cleaner id use that or otherwise one of these spray on antibacterial cleaners.

Anyway when you roll in at 3am after a couple of :beer: im sure you wont mind where you sleep;)

Ah, student days........best years of my life so far !