Carpet Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

Posted by Rob on June 9, 2009 under Carpet Cleaning | Be the First to Comment

Carpet Cleaning and Maintenance Tipscarpet-cleaning-banner

1. Vacuum frequently and thoroughly. Most of the wear of carpeting is caused by dirt. Oily soils attract more oily soil and frequent vacuuming will reduce soil buildup.

2. Get at stains quickly, 99% of all stains can be removed by one cleaning agent or another if they are cleaned in the first few days. The longer a stain chemically reacts with the carpet the harder it will be to remove it.

3. Test carpet before scrubbing, extracting or spotting. All carpets are different. Some carpets are very sensitive to acid type cleaners and will lose their color quickly. Other carpet dyes are sensitive to harsh alkalis.

4. Use appropriate spotters starting with the mildest. Do not use harsh spotting agents unless absolutely necessary and always neutralize high alkaline or high acid cleaners after use.

5. Never dig or brush spots. The proper procedure is to scrape the spot towards the middle and then tamp the spot into the white towel or cloth using a brush or other tamping devices. A meat tenderizer makes a great tamping tool.

6. Do not overuse detergents, shampoos or spotters. Too much detergent will result in residual left in the carpet that even thorough vacuuming may not remove.

7. Do not overwet carpet. Our carpet detergents are chemically active enough so they do not need a tremendous amount of wetting. Over-wetting can cause brownout, carpet shrinkage, adhesion problems and all other kinds of nightmares.

8. Extract residual if possible. Rotary scrubbing will clean the carpet fibers the best by encapsulating dirt and detergent residue, which powders off the carpet. Periodic extraction will flush out this dirt and other organisms deep in the carpet.

9. Never “coat” a dirty or spotty carpet. After scrubbing or extracting a dirty carpet, if you are not satisfied with the results, do not apply a coat of carpet protector as this will result in “gluing in the dirt” making it harder to remove it the next time. Either re-scrub or extract the carpet or leave the carpet until the next cleaning cycle before you coat.

10. Vacuum frequently and thoroughly. It is so important it deserves two recommendations. Vacuum frequently and thoroughly. It is so important it deserves two recommendations.

spot_cleaning

Spot Carpet Cleaning Tips:

  • When a spot or stain occurs, first and foremost, ACT QUICKLY! The longer a spot or stain remains in the carpet. the harder it is to get out.
  • Use clean white towels and blot the stain to absorb as much liquid or scrape up as much solid material as you can.
  • Apply the appropriate “spot remover” as directed for each type of stain.
  • Always work toward the center of the spot when cleaning.
  • Repeat steps, if necessary, and always blot between steps with a clean white towel.
  • Always do a test spot removal on a portion of carpet that is not normally visible. Be careful not to over wet.
  • NEVER USE BLEACH.

Upholstery Cleaning Tips

Posted by Rob on under Upholstery Cleaning | Be the First to Comment

Although you can’t see debris as it accumulates over time, the upholstery in your home constantly attracts dirt and dust. Dead skin, skin oil, pet dander, fur and spills can also soil the fabric, making the colors look dull. Dirt also makes your furniture smell less than appealing. That’s why it’s so important that you vacuum your upholstered furniture once a week – or at least once a month – depending on how much they’re used. Removing the dirt and dust with a vacuum helps make upholstery cleaner. But it can’t remove the hidden dirt that resides inside the fabric. Use this upholstery cleaning guide to learn how you can easily clean and freshen up your furniture.

Step 1: Vacuum the Upholstery Thoroughly

Even if you recently swept your cloth furniture, the first step is to vacuum it thoroughly. Use the upholstery attachment to sweep every side of the furniture. Remove the cushions and sweep them. Then use the crevice attachment to remove dust and dirt from every nook and cranny.

Step 2: Mix Up the Upholstery Cleaning Solution

You can use plain laundry detergent to clean and freshen up your upholstery. Plain means it contains no bleach, softeners or other similar additives. To make the cleaning solution, pour a quarter cup of laundry detergent and one cup of warm water into a deep container. Whip the solution with an electric mixer until the detergent suds up. Keep whipping until the suds resemble an egg meringue, i.e., it’s dry and form peaks.

Step 3: Always Test Fabric for Color Fastness First

Use a damp sponge to apply some of the suds to an inconspicuous spot on the upholstery. Rub it around a bit and then allow the area to dry. Check for any sign of discoloration. If discoloration occurs, try another type of laundry detergent. If not, proceed to Step 4.

Step 4: Check the Upholstery for Stains

Before you begin the actual process of cleaning and freshening up your furniture, check the fabric for stains. You may need to use a commercial stain remover if the sudsy laundry detergent and the damp sponge don’t work.

Step 5: Start the Actual Cleaning of the Fabric

Start at the front of the upholstered furniture and continue to use the damp sponge to rub the suds onto the cloth. Remove excess suds with a damp cloth. Rinse the cloth out in a bucket of warm water when it becomes soiled. Continue working your way around the upholstery until you’ve cleaned the entire piece. Don’t forget to clean any cushions you’ve removed.

Step 6: Wait for the Furniture to Dry.

Allow the upholstery to dry completely. Replace any cushions and enjoy your clean furniture.

By: Kassidy Emmerson

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