Posts Tagged ‘cleaning’

Cleaning Tips – How To Remove Dried Blood Stains from 100% Cotton

Saturday, August 21st, 2010

Here’s the story …

Sonya, my partner, cut her thumb with a razor blade knife that
we use to clean-up windows (if you know her…you will understand ;-)

I gave her one of our cleaning towels which is 100% cotton to
stop the bleeding.

blood stain removal before picture

blood stain removal before picture

We were working at one of our regular clients and we were not able
to “wash/rinse” the towel out then.

So, …

We decided to try a few products to see if they really
worked on removing dried blood stains as we have been told.

Below are the products we tested:

  1. Cola (upper center & to the right)
    1. Pour directly on stain.
    2. We let it sit for about 20 minutes.
    3. Rinse with cold water and launder.
  2. Popular meat tenderizer (bottom left hand corner)
    1. Make into a paste and apply to stain.
    2. We let it sit for about 20 minutes.
    3. Rinse with cold water and launder.
blood stain removal before cold rinse

blood stain removal before cold rinse

blood stain removal after cold rinse

blood stain removal after cold rinse

Low and behold!!!  …

The dried blood stains came out testing with both products!!

blood stain removal after being laundered

blood stain removal after being laundered

Please try out each of these methods for removing blood stains from cotton for yourself and let us know how they work for you,  ok?

I hope that all of my Cleaning Tips help you too! :)

- Madonna


Please find More Madonna’Staging Cleaning Tips at:

http://blog.madonnastaging.com/topics/cleaning-tips/


Please find more information regarding how Madonna may Help You with All of Your Cleaning tasks and schedule to have Your Home Spotlessly cleaned Today! at:

http://blog.madonnastaging.com/services/cleaning-services/


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Garage De-Cluttering and Organizing

Sunday, August 8th, 2010
Garage De-Cluttering and Organizing Before Picture

Garage De-Cluttering and Organizing Before Picture

Is this garage like yours?

Are you a bit overwhelmed too?

Try breaking your project into phases.

This garage is at phase one.

The first goal of the home owners was to clean out the clutter, get things more organized  and be able to get the car back in the garage by 6:00 P.M. of that day!

This was actually achieved by going through the boxes and quickly deciding if it was something that was being used or going to be used in the next six months.

We picked a day that the garbage was going to be picked up.

Then we started early in the morning so that we could get a large amount of the items picked up that day.

Garage De-Cluttering and Organizing After Picture

Garage De-Cluttering and Organizing After Picture

start time: 7:30 am
end time: 11:35 am

time to clear = 4 hours

As you can see the garage is now ready for the car.

The home owner is now looking forward to phase two of the project to completely de-clutter and organize their garage.


Please find More Client Testimonials for Madonna’Staging’s De-Cluttering and/or Organizing Services, respectively, at:

http://blog.madonnastaging.com/topics/client-testimonials/declutterng-testimonials/

and …

http://blog.madonnastaging.com/topics/client-testimonials/organizing-testimonials/


Would You like Your garage and/or home de-cluttered and/or organized like this too?

Just Contact Madonna and schedule Madonna’Staging’s De-Cluttering and/or Organizing Services for Your Garage and/or Home Today at:

http://blog.madonnastaging.com/services/de-cluttering/


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Cleaning Tip of the Day – Dow Scrubbing Bubbles

Saturday, July 31st, 2010
S.C. Johnson
Image via Wikipedia

This cleaning tip is for Dow Bathroom Cleaner.

Dow Scrubbing Bubbles saves the day again!

I was in a home cleaning the kitchen. I heard my client yelling for help from the bedroom. In answering her call I discovered what the problem was. Her cat had gotten poo on her bedspread.

So, …

I grabbed the Dow because it was all I had there.

I got the OK from my client to give it a try.

Well end of story, …

The Dow removed the poo and saved the bedspread and me.

I made a very pleased client.

Dow bathroom cleaning is also good to remove stains out of carpet, upholstery,dirt on walls.

Just do not rub too hard.
(paint will come off too.)

I hope that all of my Cleaning Tips help you too!

- Madonna


Please find More Madonna’Staging Cleaning Tips at:

http://blog.madonnastaging.com/topics/cleaning-tips/


Please find more information regarding how Madonna may Help You with All of Your Cleaning tasks and schedule to have Your Home Spotlessly cleaned Today! at:

http://blog.madonnastaging.com/services/cleaning-services/


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Cleaning Tip – Tide Stain Release

Saturday, June 26th, 2010

I have my granddaughter visiting from Indiana.

Her name is Jaraice and she is nine years old.

My Granddaughter Jaraice

My Granddaughter Jaraice

Well like most nine year old kids, she likes to put on makeup.

Her father had bought her a package of lip gloss, the one with all the different colors and favors.

She was showing them to me and decided to put on the cherry red one. Within an hour she was in on the bed lying down and rolling around like nine year old kids like to do.

To make a long story short …

The red lip gloss ended up on the pillow sham and not on her.

We all know that a stain with red die is almost impossible to get out.

Tide Stain Release

Tide Stain Release

So here is what I tried:

I used cold water & Tide on the stain to let it start working.

Then I remembered that I had a package of Tide stain release.

So, I thought, ok it might help too, but I really did not think it would.

Well that goes to show we can all learn something new.

We had to go meet with a client, so I left the pillow sham soaking.

When we returned home, the pillow sham was completely clean with no red dye!

I was very shocked, but happy! :)

So try it on your stains and let me hear your success stories.

- Madonna


Please find More Madonna’Staging Cleaning Tips at:

http://blog.madonnastaging.com/topics/cleaning-tips/


Please find more information regarding how Madonna may Help You with All of Your Cleaning tasks and schedule to have Your Home Spotlessly cleaned Today! at:

http://blog.madonnastaging.com/services/cleaning-services/


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Cleaning Tip of the Day – Windows

Saturday, May 29th, 2010

Herein Madonna shares some of her best cleaning tips for cleaning all of your windows:

Cleaning Windows with Vinegar & Water:

White Vinegar and hot water is the best thing to clean windows or any glass you have in your house.

But, …

the trick is to fill a bucket of hot water.

The water will cool off, and that is fine the mix is already made.

Then add the white vinegar

… and …

Always use a soft clean terry cloth rag.

As the rag gets dirty, get a clean one.

Dry with a soft cloth.

I’m asked a lot …

Can I put it in a spray bottle?

The answer is NO!

It does not work the same.

So save yourself some money and give vinegar & water a try.

I think you will be impressed.


Please Post / Share Your Tips for cleaning windows and/or any of Your other Great Cleaning Tips here, ok?

and …

Please come back here for more of Madonna’s Tips on how to clean all of your windows and Please find More Madonna’Staging Cleaning Tips at:

http://blog.madonnastaging.com/topics/cleaning-tips/


and Yes Madonna’Staging will also Clean Your Windows as part of our comprehensive cleaning services!

Please find more information regarding and schedule to have Your Home and Windows cleaned Today! at:

http://blog.madonnastaging.com/services/cleaning-services/


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Cleaning Tip of the Day – Clothing Tips 1

Sunday, April 18th, 2010

Herein Madonna shares some of her first tips for cleaning, and taking good care of all of your clothing:

A high-heeled ladies shoe.

Image via Wikipedia

Cleaning and Deodorizing Shoes:

This is a method that will work with any shoes.

First, sprinkle some baking soda in the shoe, and then place it in a plastic bag and freeze it for a night or two.

Allow the shoe to come to room temperature (unless you want to cool your feet) and then shake out the baking soda and wear.

It is a good idea to leave the baking soda in the shoe until the next wearing.

Stretching Shoes:

Here’s another freeze tip for the pair of shoes that pinches your toes.

For each shoe, use a heavy-duty zip-closure bag, or double up two of them and put them in each shoe.  Carefully pour water into the bag, until the toe area is full.  Close the bags securely so that the water doesn’t seep out and wet the shoes.

To help prevent the outside of the shoes from getting wet, put each shoe in a plastic bag.

Place the shoes in the freezer for at least 24 hours. As the water freezes, it expands.  And as it does, the shoes will expand and stretch.

You will need to allow the shoes to defrost enough to remove the bags of water when you take them out of the freezer.

Buttons:

To keep buttons from falling off, dab a little clear nail polish on the thread in the center of the button. This will keep the thread from wearing through so easily;  you may need to reapply the polish after repeated washings.

For buttons that get hard wear, sew them on with dental floss. It may not be as pleasing to the eye as thread, but the buttons won’t fall off!


Please Post / Share Your Tips for cleaning and taking care of your clothes and/or any of Your other Great Cleaning Tips here, ok?

and …

Please come back here for more of Madonna’s Tips on how to clean and take care of all of your clothing  and Please find More Madonna’Staging Cleaning Tips at:

http://blog.madonnastaging.com/topics/cleaning-tips/


and Yes Madonna’Staging will also Help You clean and take care of all of Your clothing as part of our comprehensive cleaning services!

Please find more information regarding and schedule to have Your Home and Clothes cleaned Today! at:

http://blog.madonnastaging.com/services/cleaning-services/


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Cleaning Tip of the Day – Spring Cleaning Tips

Saturday, March 20th, 2010

It’s spring!

The flowers are blooming, the birds are singing, everything’s fresh and new, and you can’t wait to get started with your spring cleaning.

Yikes!!!!!!!

Did I say that?????????

Spring Cleaning!!!!

Spring Cleaning started many years ago when log cabins were boarded up to keep out the winter cold. The arrival of spring presented the first opportunity to clean out all the dirt of the winter. This is how the phrase “Spring Cleaning” started.

But in the 21 century spring cleaning is anytime you home needs to get a good cleaning from top to bottom.

So here is where you start when you spring clean.

1) Don’t clean your CLUTTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2) The hardest part of cleaning is working around the accumulation of all those things you’ve somehow acquired. If you really want to streamline your cleaning process, take a few minutes, go room to room, and take stock of what’s in sight, as well as what’s hiding in your cupboards.

3) Eliminate smells in old trunks and drawers with a slice of white bread placed in a bowl and covered with white vinegar. Close the trunk or drawer for 24 hours, and when you remove the bread and vinegar, presto— the odor will be gone!

4) Dryer fabric softener sheets will leave a clean, fresh scent in luggage, storage containers, closets, and drawers.

5) Decide on your approach and be consistent. If you decide to clean for an hour, stick to it. If you decide to clean one room now and another tomorrow, stick to that. Indecision and distraction can really affect how well you clean. If you start out doing one thing and end up doing another, you’ll have a houseful of half-finished projects, and you won’t feel as if you’ve accomplished anything. That can be very frustrating, to say the least!

6) Generally speaking, work from the top, don’t backtrack. Finish one task before moving to another. Put on some high-spirited music t set the pace and keep you going.

7) Don’t use a feather duster. They just scatter the dust all around. Use a furniture polish and soft cloth. When the cloth gets dirty get a new one.

8 ) After you’ve dusted your electronic equipment, it’s a good idea to give it a wipe with some rubbing alcohol. Apply with a clean, soft cloth, then buff dry. Make sure to turn the power off first, though!

9) For underarm stains on T-shirts and other cottons, dissolve 8 to 10 aspirin tablets per cup of warm water, then saturate the underarm area of the garment. Allow to sit for 30 minutes, and then launder as usual.

10) Need to know which eggs are boiled and which are raw? Just give them a spin on the counter. A hard-boiled egg will spin easily, whereas a raw egg will wobble.

11) If you are going to allow your colored Easter eggs to sit out in baskets, don’t eat them! Eggs spoil rapidly at room temperature and can cause anyone who eats them to become very sick.


Please Post / Share Your Tips for Spring cleaning and/or any of Your other Great Cleaning Tips here, ok?

and …

Please come back here for more of Madonna’s Cleaning Tips and Please find More Madonna’Staging Cleaning Tips at:

http://blog.madonnastaging.com/topics/cleaning-tips/


and Yes Madonna’Staging will also Help You with all of Spring Cleaning and De-Cluttering as part of our comprehensive cleaning services!

Please find more information regarding and schedule to have Your Home De-Cluttered and  Spring cleaned Today! at:

http://blog.madonnastaging.com/services/cleaning-services/


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Cleaning Tip of the Day – Uses for WD-40 Part 2

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

We all know that WD-40 is Great for lubricating things, like squeaky hinges and car parts, right?

but …

Did you know that you can also use WD-40 for a wide variety of house cleaning tasks?

The following are just a  few more of Madonna’s Cleaning Tips regarding how you may clean various things around your home using WD-40:

Cleaning uses for WD-40 – Part 2:

5.    Keeps your ceramic/terra cotta pots from oxidizing
6.    Keeps your glass shower doors from water spots
7.    Helps to keep your shower curtains from staining
8.    Removes grease on stoves
9.    Keeps your bathroom mirror from fogging up
10.    Removes glue that is left after removing tape
11.    As we all know it’s great to stop squeaks from fans, doors, windows, car doors, etc.

What other uses of WD-40 do you know of for cleaning around your home?

Please Post / Share Your Tips for other uses of WD-40 around the house Here, ok?

and …

Please find More Madonna’Staging Cleaning Tips at:

http://blog.madonnastaging.com/topics/cleaning-tips/


Please find more information regarding how Madonna may Help You with All of Your Cleaning tasks and schedule to have Your Home Spotlessly cleaned Today! at:

http://blog.madonnastaging.com/services/cleaning-services/


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Cleaning Tip of the Day – Laundry Tips 1

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

Herein Madonna shares some of her first tips for quickly, easily, safely and cost effectively cleaning, drying and ironing all of your laundry / clothes:

Tip for drying clothes:

Keeping a tension curtain rod or shower rod set up in the laundry room or in your shower makes it easy to hang your clothes up for drying. (and will also save you $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$)

Energy-Efficient ironing:

Put aluminum foil-Shinny side up- between the ironing board and the ironing board cover.

The aluminum foil will reflect the heat upward onto the garments you are ironing, so it will iron both-sides at one time save you time and energy.

Keeping ironing boards clean:

To keep your ironing board clean longer, spray the cover with spray starch and iron over it. This will let the iron move easier, and save your ironing board from wearing.

Pressing embroidery:

Lay the piece of embroidery face-down on a towel, and iron it on the reverse side.   That way, you won’t flatten the embroidery.

Handling large items:

Before you start ironing, turn the ironing board around so that you are using the wide end rather than the point.  You can cover more area if you iron this
way.

Fold items, such as large tablecloths, in half  and iron this way.   Fold items in half and iron one side, then fold in half again and iron the both sides.

Cashmere:

This is an expensive fiber that comes from the undercoat of cashmere goats.

Treat it with respect.

Dry-clean these prizes or hand-wash with care in cool water and well-dissolved gentle soap.   Rinse well, and do not wring. Dry flat, reshaping the garment as it dries. Iron on the wrong side while still damp with a cool iron, if necessary.

Down:

Down is the soft under feather of waterfowl that is often combined with adult feathers.  It is machine washable and dry-cleanable.  Just be sure to follow the care label closely.

Do not air-dry down. It dries too slowly, and mold or mildew in the process.

Dry down items in your dryer, or use a large capacity dryer if needed.  Set temperatures low (under 140 F) fluffing and turning the item often.

To remove butter or margarine:

Scrape off the solid concentration of butter with a dull edge, such as the back of a knife on washable fabrics, work in dishwashing liquid and wash.
(Do this only on washable fabrics)


Please Post / Share Your Tips for cleaning, drying and/or ironing your laundry and/or any of Your other Great Cleaning Tips here, ok?

and …

Please come back here for more of Madonna’s Tips on how to clean dry and/or iron your laurndry  and Please find More Madonna’Staging Cleaning Tips at:

http://blog.madonnastaging.com/topics/cleaning-tips/


and Yes Madonna’Staging will also Help You clean all of Your laundry as part of our comprehensive cleaning services!

Please find more information regarding and schedule to have Your Home and Laundry cleaned Today! at:

http://blog.madonnastaging.com/services/cleaning-services/


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Cleaning Tip of the Day – Cleaning Lampshades

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

Madonna’s Cleaning Tip of the Day Today is How To Clean Lampshades:

Most of you probably ignore lampshades when you’re cleaning, …

but take it from me …

Lampshades are loaded with dust and dirt.

You need to treat each type of lampshade differently when you’re in cleaning mode so you don’t damage it.

Fabric-covered and stitched shades :

I find the easiest way to wash these shades is in the bathtub!

Put enough cool water in the tub to allow you to roll the shade on its side.

Add some mild soap or detergent.

Gently swirl the shade in the water and soap combination.

Drain the soapy water and rinse the shade with cool water, using the same swirling method.

Shake the shade gently to remove excess water and allow it to dry upright.

Drying can be speeded up by using the blow dryer. This works particularly well on the corded areas that are hard to dry.

Paper shades and shades with glue :

You can not wet paper shades or shades with glue, …

so …

Your best bet is to vacuum them frequently with the small brush on the vacuum sweeper.

Please Post / Share Your Tips for cleaning lampshades and/or any of Your other Great Cleaning Tips here, ok?

and …

Please come back here for more of Madonna’s Tips on how to clean your lampshades and Please find More Madonna’Staging Cleaning Tips at:

http://blog.madonnastaging.com/topics/cleaning-tips/


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January is Get Organized Month!

Sunday, January 17th, 2010

Did you know that January is The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) Get Organized (GO) Month?

and …

Did you know that last Monday was National Clean Off Your Desk Day?

Did you Clean Off Your Desk for National Clean Off Your Desk Day?

Every January,  GO Month is dedicated to raising awareness of the benefits of getting organized and of hiring a professional organizer.

Each year, NAPO also conducts a GO Month survey with members of the public to gauge their familiarity with professional organizing as well as their perceived need for the services a professional organizer can provide.

Of 400 adults polled in a November 2008 survey:

  • About 85 percent indicated an awareness of what professionals do
  • 96 percent said they would save time every day by becoming more organized. Among those 96 percent:
    • 15 percent felt they could save more than an hour each day—for a total of more than 15 days per year—if they were more organized at home.
    • 30 percent felt they could save at least 30 minutes each day—or more than an entire week per year—if they were more organized at home
  • 65 percent of respondents noted that their household was at least moderately disorganized
  • 27 percent said they felt disorganized at work (1)

Reference: (1) Wikipedia

Many people also make New Year’s Resolutions, every year, to get and stay More Organized, you know?

But …

How many people do you think actually follow through with their New Year’s Resolutions and actually get and/or stay organized throughout the year without some professional help?

I know it isn’t easy to initially get organized when you have been very disorganized for a long time, …

and …

Then it is an ongoing challenge for you to continually stay organized, right?

But …

There are Many Benefits to being and staying More Organized!

… including reducing stress and frustration, and as noted in the survey results above, that …

Organized People Save Time, and Money, every day!

and …

When you have your external world, e.g. your home, your office, etc. Organized and in order, then you will get your internal world / your life in order too!

… You know?

Do you need some help initially getting organized and/or staying organized?

Madonna’Staging can Help You both get and then stay More Organized all year long!

Madonna’Staging can provide you with all of the Organizing, De-Cluttering , Cleaning and/or Interior Redesign services you may need to Help You both get and then stay More Organized all year long!

Please see some Client Testimonials for:

and if you are ready and would like some Help to Celebrate Get Organized Month, fulfill Your New Year’s Resolution and getting  More Organized Now and staying Organized all year long, then …

You may find More Information about …

and Please Contact Madonna at:

http://blog.madonnastaging.com/about/

… to start getting More Organized Now and then staying Organized all year long!


Please Reply / Post Your Comments Here and Share with us all how You are Celebrating Get Organized Month this year?

Your Tips for getting and staying More Organized?

… and …

if You Cleaned Off Your Desk for National Clean Off Your Desk Day this year? ;) , ok?


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Cleaning Tip of the Day – Cleaning Copper

Monday, January 11th, 2010

You can clean your copper very easily and without the use of chemicals.

Mix baking soda with enough lemon juice to make a paste.

Use the paste as you would any metal cleaner.

Buff the copper clean with a soft cloth.

Please Post / Share Your Tips for cleaning copper, other metals and/or any of Your other Great Cleaning Tips  here, ok?

and …

Please come back here for more of Madonna’s Tips on how to clean your copper and other metal items and Please find More Madonna’Staging Cleaning Tips at:

http://blog.madonnastaging.com/topics/cleaning-tips/


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Cleaning Tip of the Day – Cleaning with Baking Soda

Sunday, December 27th, 2009
An American bathroom of a freshly renovated ho...

Image via Wikipedia

Baking Soda has been around for centuries.

It has so many different applications. cooking, cleaning, deodorizing, and even healing.

A) Baking Soda will clean and deodorize your (Vinyl) shower curtain:

  1. Sprinkle baking soda directly on a cloth or brush.
  2. Scrub the shower curtain.
  3. Rinse clean.
  4. Let dry.

B) Baking Soda will clean fiberglass and glossy tiles:

  1. Just sprinkle baking soda directly in the tub.
  2. Scrub with a cloth.
  3. Rinse and let the shine come through.

( No Harsh Chemicals)

Please Post / Share Your Tips for cleaning with baking soda here, ok?

and …

Please come back here for more of Madonna’s Tips on how to clean with baking soda and Please find More Madonna’Staging Cleaning Tips at:

http://blog.madonnastaging.com/topics/cleaning-tips/


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Cleaning Tip of the Day – Remove Water Marks from Wood Furniture

Sunday, December 13th, 2009

This is a cleaning tip on how to take out white water marks from wood furniture.

Spray vegetable cooking spray on the white marks.

Let it set for a minute or two.

Than rub it in with paper towel and walk away.

In about 5 to 6 hours later it will be gone.

What other ways do you know of to remove water marks and/or other stains from wood?

Please Post / Share Your Tips for removing water marks and/or other stains from wood here, ok?

and …

Please come back here for more of Madonna’s Tips on how to remove  water marks and/or other stains from wood and Please find More Madonna’Staging Cleaning Tips at:

http://blog.madonnastaging.com/topics/cleaning-tips/


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Staging, Cleaning & Landscaping for a client in South Florida

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

We (Madonna’Staging) were contacted by the homeowners and were asked to Stage, Clean and Landscape their “new home” in phases for a future move-in date.

Scope of Project:

Phase I (completed)

  1. Window treatments for the entire house/home
  2. Rooms cleaned (construction clean) & staged:
    Kitchen, Dining Room, Den and Formal Living Room.

Completed in 2-1/2 days or 20 hours

**See pictures below for Phase I

Please note:  Plants (greenery) was not added in the home at the time of Phase I completion.  Pictures will be updated upon completion of all phases.


Phase II (in process)

  1. Rooms to be cleaned (construction clean) & staged:
    Family room, Office, 2 bedrooms and 2 full baths.
  2. Front yard landscaped with plants native to South Florida

Phase III (will start when Phase II is complete)

  1. Back yard & pool landscaped with plants native to South Florida

The homeowners requested that their favorite antique pieces needed to be incorporated into the interior design of their new home.

Wow, there were many antiques to choose from and we did it!

It was a wonderful experience working with these homeowners!!  They are such a joy to work for & with!!

We are looking forward to Phase II.  **More Pictures coming soon!


Please Contact Madonna / Madonna’Staging Now if you would also like to have your home Staged, Redesigned, Cleaned and/or Landscaped and see results like this for your home today!

and …

Please come back Here to see our further progress on and more before and after pictures from this Staging, Interior Redesign, Cleaning and Landscaping Project for this client in South Florida.


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