The big Impact: "Sometimes seeing is believing"

The big Impact: house washing making a difference

We all like to do homes that are green and just growing with molds, mildew, adages and even mosses, it shows what we do makes a difference. When we are washing we see the dirt come off we see the difference we can make, but does our customer really see this change? When the house is just dirty?

"There is not any moss, or green stuff growing on my home it really is not too dirty". Usually followed by "So it shouldn't cost as much." Sometimes the house is just in need of a good washing all over which is hard to explain to a customer, each day, week, month and year a house gets a little dirtier and you never notice it, it's gradual thing. As the homeowner you probably do not really notice it as you pull into the garage to park. A good low pressure house washing will take care of these problem! We tell our customers this and most do notice the change the brightness of the home when we finish how well it looks and so on. If they could only see what was removed. The other day I had a chance to do just this. As the customer said the house had no sighs of green but the over all level of cleaning I was doing, could be see by all.

Cleaned by Pete house washing does make a difference.

  This is the top corner of a three story home in Nixa MO where we left a large portion unwashed so our customer could see the difference for themselves as well as for the neighbors that were watching. Yes we did wash it just a bit later though. The customer could not believe how much brighter the home was when we finished. This worked as a good visual on this home but again you don't get this everyday, but it's fun when you do. Here is a spot I left on some gutter brightening for the same impact, came back after the photos and walk-a-round and finished the cleaning.

Gutter brightening leaving a small spot uncleaned to show the difference Cleaned by Pete can make Springfield MO.

Left this small area to give you an idea for the difference a professional clean can make, Cleaned by Pete Springfield Missouri gutter brightening.

This is what we do as "power washer" or what ever is the trending term now-a-days. My goal is to make my customers happy and do a job for them that most can not do, or have no idea how to do at a fair cost. If Cleaned by Pete can help you with your cleaning needs we are only a phone call away 417.459.7869 serving the greater Springfield MO area.

"Sometimes seeing is believing"

Cleaned by Pete's Work

You can keep up with Cleaned by Pete and see a few of the jobs we are doing. Just visit our sister blog House Washing Springfield MO. I try to add some of the jobs we are doing there. You can always find us on "facebook" just look for Cleaned by Pete.

Cleaned by Pete

just a power washer serving the greater Springfield & surrounding areas.

417.459.7869

Don't Forget to Look for Cleaned by Pete on Youtube

Don't Forget to Look for Cleaned by Pete on Youtube

It is that time of year we need to get the word out "Spring Cleaning"  will be here soon and Cleaned by Pete is your one stop cleaner for your needs. Cleaned by Pete has several videos of his work on Youtube there are a few listed videos on the right of the page. Look for the entire listing of videos on Youtube or Cleaned by Pete Youtube (click on either link to open our page). You will see the different types of cleaning jobs we can handle. We will leave you with one thanks: Cleaned by Pete 407.459.7869

Don't forget "Spring Cleaning" will be here soon, Cleaned by Pete gives free prompt estimates for your cleaning needs 417.459.7869.

House washing in Springfield & Southwest MO Cleaned by Pete 417.459.7869

A Simpler Time with Advertising

A Simpler Time with Advertising

One thing a power washing company needs most to survive is customers. How do we get customers is a big question, keeping them is easy you do your best for each and everyone, then do just a bit more. Our customers are who we work for and they are our boss. Each customer has specific needs that we accommodate and strive to fill. Cleaned by Pete has different equipment to meet different needs of each of our costumers, but this entry is not about that. It is how can we get new costumers to call and use our services. Some may find this off track but I believe it is part of the power washing game. It is what I do and I know others face the same problem. I just took matters into my own hand.

So how do you get someone to call? Word of mouth is the best form of advertising we use, when one customer tell another person about our service and call us it is very rewarding. Lettering on our trucks, fliers, and talking to people while we are doing a job often helps also. Pete is putting together a few ideas of an add hoping to promote things till spring arrives and cleaning can start once again. Not being a big company will millions to spend on a "Super Bowl" add or needing vast exposure since we are a small local service business, we need not contact the large add corporations that are scattered about. Sitting back and looking at things from eyes that have been around awhile I came to the conclusion to make an add that would stick in a persons mind. Now what to do ........ I'm not Larry Tate or Darin Stevenson from Bewitched or Simon Roberts the Crazy Ones, not even Donald Draper from Mad Men all add men that could always pull that magical pitch out of the sky when needed.

As I see it the world has gotten complicated maybe to complicated at times. What we need is a time that was more laid back and easier going. Something to take you back in time and give you a small laugh of say wow I remember something like that. If you see it and it connects to a small part of your past the add did its' job. Now go in and explain something like this to your add people. What I see now is bright print, vivid color, high tech lettering put together and it is as unforgettable as the last add. I thought I would do something myself that way I only had myself to blame if something did not look right. I started in with "Clip Art" for those of you who may not know what that is, it's a collection of graphics, lettering, characters, boarders and such that is available for use in the printing and add communities allot of the images are free to use not copy-written, in other words free press. You never want to steal or use someone else's work of pictures without permission or pay it is simply a form of stealing.

I found three images a house a service provider and a power washer and started in to combine them into one image I could use. With windows drawing program I came up with this not to bad for the first try but it was not quite right yet. It has been a long time since I used my graphic arts and layout education.

Cleaned by Pete's first add attempt

With a few more tries and some luck came up with this image.

Cleaned by Pete's second attempt I now had a working image

 This image is allot better it has that nostalgic look to it. The main focus is now on the house instead of the washer, you can still see the washer behind the service man who is proud of what he is doing. The lettering is old style poster art to fit in with what I was trying to find. Now you can start to play with things. This is not a logo but an add they are two very different things. The job of an add is to reach a person at some personal level and draw a link to it. A remembrance or item they already have then linking the new image with the old personal remembrance you have a add that will keep working. Playing with color also has the same impact on emotion. Different colors will have much different reactions within people you need to find that one color that stands out without being harsh or obnoxious and works with your add.

Our working image clean but looks quite harsh in just black and white. Cleaned by Pete power and pressure washing Springfield MO

Changing just the color give the add a whole different field. Cleaned by Pete power and pressure washing Springfield MO.

The blue image make you feel different than the stark black and white it is more relaxed and smooth. I have been playing around with this and that, working and tweaking and have had several stabs at it so to say. Here are the working add that have came out of the image the was created by Pete. Using different backgrounds and ideas we are now getting ready to print them on our lazer-jet or put them on a stick and head to the printing shop. Using good semi gloss paper will make the add look like a million dollars. Doing most of the work yourself will help save on the advertising budget.

The wanted poster, Cleaned by Pete power / pressure washing Springfield MO.

Cleaned by Pete power / pressure washing Springfield MO spring cleaning add.

Cleaned by Pete power / pressure washing Springfield MO having fun add, you and your prospective customers should have fun too. Out to get some attention.

Cleaned by Pete power / pressure washing Springfield MO, variation on the spring cleaning add.

Cleaned by Pete power / pressure washing Springfield MO, variation on the wanted poster

Thank you for the view please remember these adds are property of Cleaned by Pete. With a little work and imagination you can make your own adds a small businessman has many titles and jobs. I enjoy all mine. You may ask why I wrote this entry and showed my images? Someone could copy them or use them. Well the answer is two fold; since this is a published blog the images are now associated with Cleaned by Pete and are being registered and copywritten. Your work is automatically copyrighted here in the US from the minute you complete and first show it anywhere. The second part is if Google or other search engines pick up the images it make for great exposure getting Cleaned by Pete out there on the net.

Always playing around with the working image to see what it can do.

Cleaned by Pete and do that honey do list for you. House washing Springfield and Southwest MO.

Cleaned by Pete house washing, patio & BBQ cleaning, concrete washing let us help you with your honey do list serving Springfield and Southwest MO we can meet your soft washing, safe washing, power washing, pressure washing, cosmetic cleaning and even your steam cleaning needs.

House Washing Springfield MO & Republic MO

House Washing: Springfield MO & Republic MO

 One of our older adds, introducing our house washing services, while we still wash houses using safe soft washing methods and techniques, we are still trying to keep our prices low. Call us at 417-459-7869 for a free estimate on your cleaning needs. Adding new washers and equipment all the time, keeping up with new equipment pays off for you our customer getting the best and the safest clean for your home.

Here are a few pictures of some of the homes we completed with in the last week. 

Cleaned by Pete House Washing Springfield MO

Cleaned by Pete House Washing Republic MO

Cleaned by Pete House Washing Springfield MO

Thanks to all our clients for letting and trusting us with your largest investment, your home.

Power washing is not an simple task

Power washing is not an easy or a simple task. It requires proper professional  who has full knowledge about cleaning and its products or can perform this job decently. This professional has the proper equipment, knowledge, and experience. Cleaned by Pete's cleaning services has reasonable prices and keep the areas of your home or business neat and clean. You can get full information about our services at:

www.cleanedbypete.com

 www.powerwashingspringfieldmo.com

www.southwestmissouripressurewashing.net

or email us at:

cleaned_by_pete@yahoo.com

Whow I almost missed House Washing Wednesday!

Whow I almost missed House Washing Wednesday! I did miss it but was today I finished up the home I was working on. Cleaning the brick and guttering blast the trim for paint. Here are a few pictures of the job. The owner has s few salt lesions working out around the home here and there so we are trying a natural safe product to see if it works to remove the patches on the home. Here are a few pictures of the finished job today.

Brick home cleaned by, Cleaned by Pete.

Brick home cleaned by, Cleaned by Pete.

Brick home cleaned by, Cleaned by Pete.

Brick home cleaned by, Cleaned by Pete.

The home was covered in white patches where salt is leaching form the brick. This spot has had 2 applications of a natural product and some brushing it is almost gone now. Hoping a couple more applications it will be gone. Using safe and natural cleaners to clean and do our job is first with us, it may take more time and effort but being good stewards of the plant is something we take serious.

Call Cleaned by Pete with your power washing needs 417-459-7869

Do you do non-pressure washing?

I had a call the voice on the other line said, "Hello I was looking to have my house washed. I was wanting to know if you do that?".

"Yes we do and I can come out and give you a free estimate if you wish, we can see what kind of home you have and how dirty it is. Giving you a better estimate.", I answered.

She went on to say, "We have talked to someone else and said they are the only ones in town that uses "non-pressure washing" to wash houses. Do you use "non-pressure" to clean houses too?" 

OK I was kind of stumped for just a moment by this term "non-pressure", while we have to use a pressure washer or even the soft washing unit to clean houses, there is still pressure involved even if it is low-pressure it is pressure. In fact if you have read the earlier entries in this blog we have discussed this. You know that even water flowing out of your faucet has pressure behind it any where for 30 psi to 50 psi, lucky folks near the front may even have up to 80  pounds per square inch of pressure.

So after a moment I said "No we do not use the "Non-Pressure method" for cleaning or washing houses, because "non-pressure" would mean we would have to leave the water just sitting in a bucket and that wouldn't work for us. Non-pressured water by definition would be water that is just sitting there with out any pressure to move it".

There was a pause and she said "Oh" with a puzzled sound.

I quickly said, "We however offer a "soft-wash" or "low-pressure washing" both which are safe for you home. It however does have water pressure but it will not harm you home. We can use different machines to wash your home but I would need to come out and look at it to tell you what would be the best one to use.".

Her answer was, "Soft-wash" is that like anything like "Non-Pressure" washing?".

I said, "I'm not sure I really don't know what "non-pressure" washing is. I have been washing houses for years and this is the first time I have head the term use like that. I can tell you we use "soft washing" or "low-pressure washing" they are both method to apply soaps and chemicals to start the cleaning of your home and some bleach to kill what might be growing on your home, work it in agitating it and then safely rinse it with low pressure, But since I have not see it yet I couldn't really know till I get out there what would be best. We have two ways to safely soft-wash your house. One we use a pressure washer with special attachments and nozzles to reduce the pressure, a bit more pressure than your shower would have. Or I can use the other pump we have it puts out around 100 pounds of pressure but I won't know till I look at your home. If you would like to look at our web site www.cleanedbypete.com it would have more information. but you know, I can't tell you anything about non-pressure washing."

She then said, "So it won't hurt my house?"

I said, "No we have done lots of house and never have hurt one. Can you tell me what your house has on it?"

"Black spots and some greenish stuff on the north side that I would like to be cleaned off.", she answered.

My reply, "OK but what is the siding on you home made of?".

She laughed and said "Oh.. it's stone on the front with vinyl siding  both sides and back with a wood deck.".

"I would like to use the pressure washer then, so we could have the option to power wash the stone out front and "soft-wash" or "low-pressure wash" the back and sides, we can also use the pressure washer to wash the deck or any stubborn areas than may need a bit more power to get clean." I then said.

She said, "No, the deck is OK just need the house washed"

The rest was just setting up a time to look and give the estimate.

So why did I write this? I wrote it is just for you to see that educating ones-self in matters is the right thing to do. Trying to help you also helps us learn. Really I had never heard the term "Non-Pressure Washing" or still have any idea of what it is or could be. Even if you use water on a brush there is pressure applied to the brush for scrubbing. Trowing a bucket of water on the wall will have force or pressure behind it by definition using the garden hose with a nozzle on it is pressure washing. This customer was right she call others and ask about it, and to find out what is was, she was protecting her home probably her biggest investment.

The term, "non-pressure washing to protect your home", that had this customer so worried about, was found out to be coined phrase by a washing com. moving into the area for big bang in there advertising campaign to gain a foot hold in the market. They use this non-sense term to say they did something only they could do and imply that others may use more harmful methods of house cleaning. It is an all encompassing term for there services There is no shame in trying to get more customers, and I don't falt them for trying. Weather it was just on a local level or a push by there main company I do not know. The newest term being used now is "safe wash" or "safe washing"

Cleaned by Pete practised safe washing before it was a "coined term" for advertising we have always used safe soaps and cleaners, we have always uses safe practises by washing form the ground not from ladders on your home, we have practised safe tried and true washing methods "down-streaming", "soft-washing", or "low-pressure washing" for house washing, we have always used save and well kept equipment and tools, we are safe in the broad term by our knowledge, we know our equipment and have years of experience in the house washing field just safely knowing what to do.

But I am just still waiting and want to see someone clean a house with this non-pressure  method of house washing. 

"After looking in to his a bit more, the terms spoken in the sales pitch may have been mixed up. Clarifications they do non pressure roof cleaning and safe house washing not intending term non-pressure  to be applied to house washing. So it is safe house washing and non pressure roof cleaning, but they're still the only ones in the area using these methods."

How cold can you work?

Cold Weather and Cold Weather Work

I was planning on writing this later this week, but it is 29 degrees and spitting out freezing rain with some snow flurries here in the Ozarks today.  Temperatures this cold, house cleaning and general pressure washing comes to a halt with my company. Ice forming on concrete is unsafe for us and our clients and their customers. Cleaned by Pete's soaps and cleaners will not work as well in lower temperatures. The chance of our equipment freezing up is one of the biggest factors too. Let's have a look at these factors and to help explain why we can not work or choose not to work when temperatures are low. Hopefully we will be closing in one the last of the cold weather and we can get out there and help you with your cleaning and washing needs.

Flash back to your younger years..... Mom "did you wash your hands for dinner?". You "yaaa". Mom "did you use hot water and soap?". You "noooo". Mom knew best hot water and soap aid in cleaning, you would not want to take a bath in cold water only ... now would you? Most soap and cleaners are made to work best when ambient temperatures are around 50 degrees mid 40's at least. Using hot water increases the potential of cleaners helping them release their full cleaning power. Why did mom wash the babies clothing in hot water using soap and bleach. Soap for cleaning, bleach for killing germs. This is why we use these items too. Cleaned by Pete knows how much cleaner, soaps and bleach to use on your home safely and what is friendly to our environment. The soap and cleaners we use to clean your house and the bleach helps to kill what is growing on your home, if we can not kill it it will grow back. The "kill ratio" is what we call it. Colder temperatures will result in a lower "kill ratio". Hot water will help but good warm siding and the plant growing is warm it will bloom and we can kill it.  We have the capabilities to make hot water on 4 of our power washers, and we will use hot water to apply chemicals when the need arises. When we first started we used hot water to apply all our soap and cleaner. We were in the hood cleaning and washing part of the industry then, where heat was a good thing.  When we moved to concrete cleaning and house washing we found out it was not necessary to use hot water on all jobs. Depending what is on your home what cleaners we use to clean your home, washing with cold water is OK. Freezing water or really cold water though is not OK there is a point where the soap is not activated. Pour ice water over some dish soap, how much sudz is there? Repeat with hot water now there is a difference. We want to clean you home and kill what is growing on it, in-order to do so we need a certain temperature to achieve this goal. This is why we can not clean when it is cold.

Cleaned by Pete's equipment is another reason we can not clean when it is cold. When I first started we use the trailer. If you read our blog you will know how I feel about trailers. We did mostly hood cleaning then and working inside when it was cold was not bad. Our soap and cleaners could work and we used the hottest water we could make for this type of cleaning, refer to blog "gas washer why we use them". In cold temperatures we could work and get our job done with little to no problems. Job done headed home 30 degrees and pulling a trailer down the road 50 to 60 miles an hour lets think about wind chill and how cold moving air speeds up freezing. Water in tanks, in the pump, in hoses, in the coils of the burner and on the trailer will freeze solid when the ambient temperature is above freezing due to the wind and the chill factor. Freezing water kills more heating coils on pressure washers than any thing else. To help we started to fill the hoses, pump, lines and pressure washer with antifreeze after each job this took about an extra half hour and the cost of the antifreeze had to be passed on to the customers increased prices. To help eliminate this problem and other problems with the trailer. we then moved the pressure washer into a van. We could heat it with a small heater when not in use or transporting it, to keep it form freezing. While this was not the best it did work but we still had to purge water form all the lines and pump in antifreeze encase of a power outage. You could just drain the coil on lines and hoses but lines and coils are made of steel that had been heated on and off which I think changes it at a molecular level and when it is drained all water is not removed and promotes quick rusting  in the coil, second reason a coils fails. The power washer is what we relay on to make money and feed our families, while making extra money from doing a washing job is great the chances of damaging our livelihood comes into play. We will help you out with your jobs and your cleaning needs but will have to take into consideration all the aspects to see if we can do it, we try to help our customers and clients the best we can. Another problem is we "soft wash" or "safe wash" houses using a down stream method which has to draw our soaps and cleaners into the water stream when it is cold the soap and cleaners become thicker and will not draw. In order to make it draw we would have to water it down more water less cleaner. We are just working backwards at this point. We'll do you a better job in warmer temperatures.

The last point will be safety sheet ice can form with just a light coat of water on concrete, parking-lots, drive-thrus and any other surface. Our customers safety is our number one reason to not wash in cold temperatures if we feel it is unsafe in any way or if there is a chance for icing in any way we will not clean.  You all have heard they can make snow at resorts for skiing when snow fall is light ever wonder how they do it? Water plus pressure and nozzling by splitting water into small partials,  and let the ambient temperature take over then instant snow.  What have we learned about pressure washer at the beginning of the blog, what make the power washer work? Water, a pump to put the water under pressure, and a nozzle to change spray and pressure, all the same things in a snow making machine. The ambient temperatures take over. If the conditions are just right we can make snow and freezing rain at temperatures of 35 degrees. There is quite a science behind this with the speed of the water chilling is quicker, break up the stream of water (nozzling) breaks water in very small parts a mist, pressure helps to the more pressure enacts with the speed and how the water stream is broken up. In any case even if we are not at the freezing point we still can have ice and snow. Safety will not be overlooked or over-ridden for the sake of making money.

Cleaned by Pete call us for a free prompt quote for your cleaning needs we are serving the Southwest and greater Springfield MO area.

If you have any comments or questions feel free to add them below and we'll see if we can answer them for you.