4 Common Carpet Cleaning Mistakes

When it comes to carpet cleaning, there's no shortage of information available on how to get the job done. Unfortunately, there's also a lot of misinformation out there, and it can lead to costly errors. Beware of these four common misconceptions when deciding if it's time to hire a company to do the work, and you'll not only save money, you could save your carpet.

1. You only need to clean your carpet every few years, or even once a year.

This common misconception can lead to a dirty home, as well as unnecessary wear and tear on your floor coverings. Dirt, by nature, is abrasive. Think of its coarse texture and what it feels like on your skin. To your carpet, it's like sandpaper, and by repeatedly walking on a dirty floor and grinding the dirt into the fibers, you're actually causing it to wear faster. Vacuuming can help and should be done frequently, but consider a deep, thorough cleaning any time your floor covering begins to show dirt.

2. You only need a deep cleaning when you can see dirt.

Unfortunately, a dirty rug isn't the only way to know it's time for a deep cleaning. Invisible materials get tracked into your home daily, like pollen, bacteria, fungus, and other chemicals. These can cause a flare in allergies, breathing problems, and even emphysema over time if they're not professionally removed. Cigarette smoke is another substance that needs to be addressed, and should be regularly removed to keep your home smelling fresh and to reduce exposure to the harmful chemicals it contains.

3. You can wash all carpet the same way.

The material, texture, padding and several other factors will determine the best method of sanitizing your rugs and floor coverings. There are dry methods as well as hot water methods to consider. Equally as important to the washing process is the drying process, and making sure you're using a high-quality vacuum. Professional companies can offer advice and assistance to ensure you're using the right method for the materials found in your home.

4. Any carpet cleaning company can help.

Just because a company has the latest equipment and seems to know their stuff, there are a few more things to ask before you trust them with the floor coverings in your home. The most important is to ask if they are certified. You want to work with companies that have received a Cleaning and Restoration Certification from the Institute of Inspection. This certification is only awarded to those who have completed a formal, written examination, akin to a degree in carpet cleaning. Also, ask about the company's satisfaction policy. Most reputable companies will offer a satisfaction guarantee, thereby guaranteeing both their work and their professionalism and helping you to feel at ease.

Keeping your home clean and pollutant free is important, not only to your health and the health of your family, but to the longevity of your floor coverings. Regular washing and disinfecting is the best way to accomplish this, and by avoiding these four common mistakes you can be assured you are making the right choice for the floors in your home.Ace Abbey

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How to Clean and Protect Carpets? - DIY Tips

There a three primary remedies for treating spots and spills on rugs and carpets. Depending on the type of spill, the age of the carpet, and how long the stain has had time to set, stains will remove differently and require different cleaning methods. Continue reading to learn all three carpet cleaning remedies, and what types of spills require which method.

General Carpet Care

When dealing with carpets and rugs, preventative maintenance is the secret to prolonged life and luster. Carpet protection is vital in order to maintain long-lasting beautiful rugs and carpeting. Applying a carpet or rug seal-coat protector is a great place to start. These solutions add a layer of protection against daily dirt, dust, and debris. Also, having your carpets and rugs cleaned on a quarterly or annual basis, depending on the amount of foot traffic they see, to keep them in their best condition for years to come.

As for accidents, stains, spots, and spills, the three remedies are what you'll need to know. Alongside these remedies, always remember to treat spills and stains immediately, because the more time they have to set, the less likely you will be able to remove them. Always use a blotting motion, and never ruin or wipe clean a spill or stain. And always use a clean terry cloth towel or rag to do the blotting. Many people want to pour water on a stain, but it is not a good idea to over-wet. Simply blot all excess liquid, then refer to one of the following remedies:

First Remedy - Use a dry-cleaning solvent, like Carbona(R), and be sure to follow all manufacturers' instructions. Apply the product to the affected area with a clean dry cloth. Next, use a clean dry terry cloth or towel to blot away the excess liquid. Do this until all liquid is absorbed. Repeat if necessary. Allow carpet to dry completely in well-lit and ventilated area.

Second Remedy - Use a standard laundry detergent mixed with water using the ratio 30 parts water to one part detergent. Apply this to the affected area with a clean dry cloth. Use a separate clean dry cloth to absorb up all excess liquid. Use ample pressure when blotting. Repeat if necessary. Allow area to dry completely.

Third Remedy - Make a homemade carpet cleaning solution using rubbing alcohol and distilled white vinegar. Use the ratio one part vinegar to nine parts ethyl alcohol. You may use isopropyl alcohol instead of ethyl rubbing alcohol. Apply this to the affected area with a clean dry cloth. Use a separate clean dry cloth to absorb up all excess liquid. Use plenty of pressure when blotting. Repeat steps if necessary. Allow carpet to dry completely. Sarahbeth Kluzinski

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How to Remove 7 Common Household Stains ? - DIY cleaning tips

If you look around your home it's likely that you'll spot one or two small stains, which whilst no-one else visiting will notice, because you're aware of them, they always stand out as you pass. Getting rid of stains without the right stain removal products can often be a laborious and prolonged task, which still doesn't bring about perfect results.

In an effort to help you keep your home blemish free, we've taken a look at some of the common stains within homes and provided cost effective solutions to remove them.

Red Wine:

There's more than a good chance that you'll have heard about using white wine to remove red wine stains upon your carpets and upholstery; but another method which works using just everyday household is to dab soda water onto the stain and then to wash away.

Whilst this is a proven method to remove red wine stains upon your carpets / upholstery; for a guaranteed clean finish, which leaves no trace of any previous stain is to use a red wine stain remover.

One which uses a natural extract will be non-bleaching, helping to provide an environmentally safe clean, which when liberally applied will lift and remove red wine stains from within your home.

Crayon:

If you've got young children, there's a good chance that you'll have come across a crayon stain or two within your home. Tackling such stains may often be time, as it involves not only scraping away any excess which can easily be removed, before dabbing the remaining stain with methlyated spirit on the stains.

To make the cleaning and removal of crayon stains easier, particularly on hard surfaces, cleaning products such as a "magic" cleaning sponge are ideal. Such a sponge removes the need for detergent and makes light work of removing crayon stains from hard surfaces.

Cooking Fat:

Unlike red wine and crayon, cooking fat stains aren't likely to leave a bright coloured mark; but such a stain will leave an unsightly blemish, such stains can be removed using bicarbonate of soda, mixed with a few drops of water to make a paste. The paste should then be spread over the stain for 30 minutes, before being washed away.

An alternative to creating your own paste using bicarbonate of soda is to use a specialist stain remover spray, which is recommended for removing oil-based food stains from clothing and upholstery, guaranteed to remove grease spots and oil from a range of textiles and surfaces.

Such a cleaner works by creating a visible powder layer which absorbs into the stain, lifting it out of the fabric / upholstery; before brushing off when dry, and as an added benefit the spray can be used on a multitude of surfaces, including clothing, upholstery, carpets, wood, plaster and non-washable wallpaper.

Candle Wax:

From birthday candles which burn for longer than they should, through to Yankee Candle tartlets which leak, candle wax can cause stains on a range of surfaces, causing unsightly blemishes.

A traditional way to remove candle wax, particularly from carpets is to scrape away the excess wax, before placing a kitchen towel over the residue and pressing a warm iron until the paper absorbs the softened wax. Once the wax has been removed, if any colour stains have been left behind, give them a quick dab with methlyated spirit before washing away.

An easier way in which to remove candle wax stains is to use a stain remover, which makes light work of lifting stains out of a range of surfaces throughout the home.

Coffee / Tea:

Whether it's your morning pick-me up or a quick cuppa before going back out, tea and coffee are staple parts of the UK diet; and as such they also account for a large number of stains within the home.

Getting rid of such stains can be done by mixing one part vinegar with two parts water, and then rubbing this into the stained area. However, using such a method will require rigorous effort on your part, when an easier solution would be to use a specialist cleaner such a foam mousse cleaner.

The unique technology within the mousse seeks out and removes a range of dirt, wherever it may hide within your carpet; and because it is quick drying, you do not have to have the added worry of waiting for your carpets to dry.

Ink Stains:

In days gone by we will all have at some point suffered an ink stain in a pocket of a white shirt. Now imagine the frustration of such a stain appearing on your sofa, carpets or other surface within the home.

Removing such a stain can be done in a number of ways, such as using an absorbent pad to dab methylated spirits onto the marked area; or by using an upholstery cleaner, which is perfect for use on carpets, door panels, plastic and vinyl trim as the foam breaks down and penetrates the stain make it easier to remove, leaving the area blemish free once again.

Pet Stains:

Man's best friend, always there to great you when you get home after a long day at work with a wag of the tail; but man's best friend is also likely to be the cause of one or two stains around your home; whether they've been caused by accidents in the night, or as a result of running mud through the home after a walk.

Such stains within the home can not only leave unsightly blemishes but can also leave unpleasant odours. Thankfully, removing the stain and odour is an easy task, when you have a pet stain and odour remover on hand.

Such a specialist cleaner will help clean and remove pet stains, leaving your carpet and upholstery fresh, stain free and smelling like new; and can be used on a range of surfaces from carpets, soft furnishings and pet beds.

Utilizing such stain removal products in and around your home, will help you remove any such stains which are likely to occur, helping you to keep your house looking like a home, your carpets clean and your sofas spotless.

Whatever stains that you face within your home, whether it's coffee, red wine, crayon or muddy footprints, and no matter how big the blemish left behind it is important to make sure that at the earliest opportunity the stain is removed. Mike J Younger

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How to Get Rid of Shoe Polish On Your Carpet

Shoe polish could be eliminated from the new carpet or upholstery effortlessly by following these basic carpet cleaning tricks. We should mention that, if you can't perform it on your own, you might want to hire an experienced carpet cleaning professionals to suit your needs in that case.

Generally, you can come across several various types:

    The Liquid Kind - made of water, dye pigments, wax, alcohol and equivalent solvents.
    The Liquid Paste - containing resins, waxes, oil soluble dyes and solvents.
    The Wax Kind - exactly like in structure to the paste.

Shoe polish stains may differ extensively in colors, appearance or consistency, yet often look like a smudge on the carpet and along the lower skirting of upholstery. Let me reveal the highly recommended technique for carpet cleaning to get rid of any specific shoe polish from a carpet.

Supplies:

Nail Polish remover or simply a dry solvent, for instance acetone or different dry cleaning solvents.

    A non-volatile dry solvent such as Cleanfax.
    A gentle detergent alternative.
    Stir 10 grams of dishwashing fluid to a glass of mildly warm water.
    Dilute ammonia liquid. 20 grams of ammonia to a glass of water.
    Warm water
    A spoon or spatula
    White absorbent towels
    Carpet cleaner

Method:

Regarding every spot, it's essential to clean it up instantly. When the spot has been staying on the carpet for a long period, it might be too tough to be taken away. Scrape off each of the substances with a spatula. Try using a vacuum cleaner to gather up most of semi-solids. Pour a bit of the previous mixture onto a white cloth and blot carefully. Stop rubbing because this might result in he spot to expand. Now there must be a visible transfer of polish onto the cloth. Switch to another part of the towel and then do the procedure again. Carry on with this action until there's absolutely no more shoe polish goes off on the towel. That's when it needs to vanish away. Otherwise, perform the task applying the non-volatile solvent. After that, put on the dilute detergent mixture and wash it out completely with some warm water. In case the stain is not wiped out at its fullest, blot with a dilute ammonia solution, then just wash it out thouroughly. Wait patiently, considering that shoe polish is a difficult mixture and it might require longer amount of time in order to turn into emulsion by the cleaning solvents you employ. Wash out the part of the stain completely with mild warm water and blot continually until dried out. Don't end up getting the cloth rather wet though, because it triggers further issues. You should minimize over wetting through the use of a sprayer. You've got to fight over as much of the solvents as possible, if you want to stay away from sudden resoiling of the rug or carpet.

Attention:

Make certain that there is good air flow available, whenever we use volatile solvents. Under no circumstances apply a laundry detergent simply because it possibly consists of fluorescent dyes, which may move onto the cloth. Try not to work with automatic dishwashing detergents as they quite simply could be made of bleach. You don't need to apply solvents which are definitely more powerful than suggested. Make sure you rinse all of the cleaning chemicals after the stain is eliminated. You should contact an expert carpet cleaner when you have any concerns related to spot removal. An qualified carpet cleaning service can get all of the the supplies, materials and techniques to get rid of tough spots from the carpet and upholstery-Bethany Thomson

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How to Remove Crayon From Carpet and Walls

Crayons are a wonderful tool for little ones to express their creativity, and you'll proudly display their efforts on your refrigerator for years. But accidental artwork on other surfaces around the home are not things you want hanging around.

If you have crayon mashed into the carpet, you can't remove it quite the same way as wax, which is a mistake that many people have made. You should first scrape off all the crayon you can, either with a spoon or dull side of a blade like a butter knife.

A thin piece of cardboard such as part of a cereal box will come in handy. Cut a section and place it behind the clump/spot where the crayon is, then carefully spray the crayon mark with WD-40 oil, making sure to use the "needle nozzle" tube so the oil doesn't get on more than it needs to. Next, take a small, stiff bristle brush and work upwards in the nap, while laying the crayon mark on the cardboard. Wipe with paper towels. Spray on more WD-40, work in some dish detergent with the brush, then wipe off with a damp sponge. Move your cardboard around, so that you're always working against a clean section. If the stain remains, repeat the last oil and soap treatment, then wash the section of carpet with a Shop Vac or other cleaner.

Did someone use the living room wall for their canvas? Just take the same can of WD-40 (a car part lubricant) and spray it on the marks, then wipe off with a soft cloth. Treat again if a stain remains, then wash the wall with warm water and dish detergent-By Brenda H. Murphy

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Simple Carpet Cleaning Tips

The best way to keep your carpet clean and increase its lifespan is by following cleaning instructions. Regular maintenance will keep your carpet in the best condition and you can avoid harboring disease-causing germs. The condition of your flooring will determine the atmosphere in your home and it can have a huge effect on the health of you and your family. There are a few basic carpet-cleaning tips that can come in handy.

Regular vacuuming

It is very important to ensure that you get regular vacuuming for the carpet. This will help to keep the floor covering clean and fresh. The condition of the carpet will affect the indoor environment and vacuuming will remove particles that are caught in the carpet fibers. The particles can contaminate the quality of the indoor air and vacuuming is important to prevent the buildup of grime and soil. Foot traffic, food spills, pets and other factors lead to the need for extra care beyond the regular vacuuming.

Cleaning machine

It is important to note that the vacuum cleaner you use will determine the results you get. It is important to invest in a good machine that will get rid of dirt both on and below the carpet surface. To get a thorough cleaning job, you may need to go over the same area more than once. Remember that debris usually works its way into the fibers, making it necessary to approach the cleaning multiple times and from different angles.

Cleaning solutions

When using a sanitizing solution, it is very important to perform a spot test on a small hidden portion of the carpet. This will help to ensure that you do not use a product that causes discoloration. When using carpet shampoo, pre-treat any problem areas before you vacuum the entire carpet. This will help to ensure that you get the best results.

Cleaning techniques

Proper cleaning techniques will help to remove stains while preventing carpet damage. Important carpet cleaning tips that you should know about include blotting the material instead of rubbing it, and working on stains from the edges to the center. This will help to prevent stain spreading and it also helps to clean stains the moment they occur before they have time to set and cause odor and discolorations.

Drying the carpet thoroughly as you clean can help to prevent new stains and indentations. Rearrange the furniture regularly to prevent dents on the floor covering that is caused by the weight of the furniture. To get the best cleaning results, it helps to get professional cleaning-By Imma Sila

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Helpful Tips for Carpet Cleaning

Everyday carpet is put through a round of issues that attack it. For example, kids running through the home may cause dirt to get deep into the carpets or having a dinner party could result in red wine being spilled onto the carpet. When these types of incidents occur, most people are unsure of where they should turn. Carpet cleaning deals with stains of this sort all the time, but luckily, you can do a few tricks at home to help remove the most common stains that your carpet endures.

Carpet Cleaning - Removing Red Wine

Red wine is something that most people fear when it comes to their carpet. Red wine is on the same level as grape juice when it comes to how awful this for your carpets. Especially, for those who have carpets that are lightly colored. So how can you remove this stain?

1. Pour white wine onto the same stain. Many people have found that the white wine helps to remove the red wine, and it can easily be blotted up from the carpet.

2. Pour some salt onto the stain and watch this magically disappear. This is regular table salt nothing extreme. Salt is also great for the removal of oil or greasy marks on your carpet.

Carpet Cleaning - Removing Coffee or Tea

Tea and coffee are also big stain makers in the world of carpet cleaning. Coffee and tea are easily spilled in the morning when people are rushing from here to there. Most people will immediately wipe up the coffee or tea and think they are done. Yet, days later they may notice that there is a slightly darker stain where they spilled these liquids.

1. Take a few drops of beer and put this onto the stain. The beer is going to remove the stain completely as it eats away the stain.

2. Baby wipes are not just for babies. When you have a coffee or tea spill be sure that you have baby wipes on hand. You can blot the stain at first, then use the baby wipe to remove the residue, making your carpet look good as new.

Other Helpful Remedies for Carpet Cleaning

There are several other items on hand that can help a person to remove just about any stain that can happen to their carpet. One of the most common is using borax, though this is not recommended for those who have ea house full of children or pets. In addition, many people find that using shaving cream will remove any juice or sweet liquid residue that may be on your carpet.

The carpet in a home goes through a lot, but with a few household items you can ensure that your carpet is not showing its wear and tear as much. Carpet cleaning is all about ensuring that a person can live in their home with their carpet as long as need be. The more care you put into your carpet, the longer it will last-Chris Augusto

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Top 7 cleaning tips for Berber carpet

Earlier, berber carpets were made of wool but now they are available in various synthetic materials like nylon and olefin. The uniqueness of berber carpet is its weaving that consist of small, dense loops. Originally, it was designed in this way to make it look like a natural woven grass. There are a number of advantages of using this carpet as a floor covering option. They are available in so many varieties and styles to suit the specific needs of homeowners. This looped carpet has high durability and hide footprints and vacuum marks very well. As compared to any other carpet, this does not accumulate much of dirt and thus berber carpet cleaning is easier.

Tips for Cleaning Berber Carpet

If you are eager to know how to clean a berber carpet, then let me tell you that there are several berber carpet cleaning methods that are used to get rid of the dirt, debris and spills. Here are a few simple tips that will help you to clean the carpet and maintain its attractive look:

Tips #1: The vacuum cleaner used for the purpose of cleaning the berber carpet should have a good suction. Avoid using of beater bar and brush of the vacuum on this carpet as they can cause damage to the loops of the carpet.

Tips #2: Vacuuming of berber carpet should be done more frequently as compared to other types of carpet. This is because the dirt and debris stay on the top of the carpet for quite a long time as its fibers are tightly woven. Therefore, if the surface is regularly cleaned with vacuum cleaner then you do not have to go for deep cleaning quite often.

Tips #3: The carpet cleaning method to be used largely depends on material of the carpet. You cannot use water or any other liquid substance for cleaning carpets that are made up of wool as its fibers can get damaged. You have to buy a dry cleaning kit for this purpose. A dry cleaning machine and a dry cleaning chemical comes with this kit which should be used to clean the entire carpet as well to clean up small, dirty spots.

Tips #4: For a deeper cleaning of the berber carpets made of synthetic fibers, steam cleaning is recommended. It should be done once in a year in order to extract the dirt and debris that are accumulated deep inside the carpet. In this process, a hot water based cleaning agent is forced into the fibers of the carpet under high pressure and then it is drawn out along with dirt and debris.

Tips #5: After steam cleaning of berber carpet, you will find large amount of water trapped in its fibers. Therefore, the carpet should be dried thoroughly by making a number of vacuum passes. This step is essential because the trapped moisture promote the growth of mold which can badly damage the carpet.

Tips #6: If there is a liquid spill on the carpet, try removing it as soon as possible so that the stain does not get the scope to settle down. Firstly, use a spoon to scoop out maximum liquid. Then take a soft absorbent cloth and place it over the spill to soak the liquid as much as you can. You may have to repeat it a number of times till the carpet turns dry. Never rub the cloth on it as it will spread the stain deeper into the carpet. To clean up the residues that are left behind, vacuum up the area.

Tips #7: For stubborn stains on the carpet, you can prepare a homemade berber carpet cleaning solution and apply it over the area. Mix hydrogen peroxide, vinegar and baking soda and use this mixture for carpet stain removal. Wait for few minutes and then blot the solution with paper towel. Finally, steam clean the area.

Berber carpet cleaning can be made easier if you minimize the accumulation of dust and dirt on them. This can be done by placing area rugs near the entrance and also on all those locations where there are high foot traffic. These rugs will hold large amount of dirt and grime that are brought into the house from outside. Moreover, make a rule that nobody should step into the carpet wearing shoes - Graeme Stephens

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