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Thursday, February 11, 2010

Carpet Cleaning Tips 101

Carpet Cleaning
Proper care of your floor prevents damage, extends its life and keeps it looking new for years. How do you properly care for your flooring?

If you enjoy going barefoot, or even if you don't, kick your shoes off at the door. Why remove your shoes? If you have a rough board that needs smoothing, you grab a sheet of sandpaper for the job. Guess what's on the bottom of your shoes? Sand and dirt grind away at the fibers in your carpet, leading to an early death.


 
Vacuum your carpet regularly, and do not use liquid carpet shampoos to clean them. Ever wash your hair and forget to rinse out all the shampoo? The same thing happens to your carpet. The shampoo can't be completely rinsed out, leaving a sticky residue. That residue acts like a big magnet pulling the dirt from the bottom of your shoes. Now you have clean shoes and even dirtier carpets. Use dry carpet cleaners instead. Stores selling vacuum cleaners carry dry carpet cleaners.

Getting out old shampoo becomes the trick. Rent a shampoo machine that cleans with water. Mix 1 cup vinegar per 2 ½ gallons of water and clean according to directions. Go back over the carpet with warm water only. The vinegar pulls out the old shampoo, cleaning the carpet as well. It may take a time or two, but your carpets will be soft and free from grime. The hot water reactivates the shampoo already in the carpet, providing the needed cleansing action.

Stains in carpet can be a hassle to remove. Never rub a stain, just blot. Rubbing breaks down the fibers and spreads the stain. Remove most food stains with shaving cream. Spray on and resist the temptation to rub it in, then let it set for 15 minutes. Rinse with a vinegar and water solution.

Club soda generally removes red wine stains. Remove red dye stains (found in drink mixes, Popsicles, dog and cat food) with a 30/70 solution of peroxide to water. Remember, peroxide is bleach, so test an inconspicuous spot first for color fastness. Apply the mixture, wait 30 minutes, then remove as much moisture as possible and rinse with a vinegar/water solution. If the stain remains, add a bit more peroxide to the mixture and retreat.

Brake cleaner also does a good quick job of removing most food stains. Dab a little on a clean cloth and gently blot the stain. Rinse with soap and water. Brake cleaner contains the same chemical professional dry cleaners use to clean stains in clothing. Do not pour brake cleaner directly into the carpet. It could dissolve the adhesive holding the fibers in the carpet.

Take a closer look at the bottoms of those shoes and you'll find oil, dirt and heaven only knows how many bits of leftover dog deposits. Small wonder why your carpet stubbornly refuses to come clean. Do wear slippers or socks inside. The oil from the bottom of your feet also dirties the carpet.
Oops!
The dog had an accident and the stain and smell refuse all attempts at removal. First try an enzyme product. Pour on enough to saturate to the pad and treat an area twice as large as the stain. Urine hits the pad and spreads. Let it set a couple of hours. You'll find enzyme products at pet stores, RV or marine stores. They are used in the holding tanks to dissolve solid material.

 
Should that not remove all the stain or odor, baking soda and peroxide remain your best hope. Mix a 30/70 solution of peroxide to water adding 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda per cup of mixture. Yes, it bubbles and fizzles, but not before removing the stain and smell. Always test a spot first for colorfastness. Peroxide is bleach and may discolor the carpet. Blot up what you can with an old towel and rinse well with 1/3 cup vinegar per quart of water.

If you see red spots on your carpet where your pet just lost its lunch, switch food to a neutral colored food. The red dye in pet food is the culprit behind those spots. Dogs and cats are colorblind, so they can't tell the difference. Again, use the 30/70 peroxide and water combination for removal.

Oil, grease, magic marker and ink can be the dickens to remove. Most janitorial companies or department stores carry a product called DeSolvit. WD40 or Orange Clean also work wonders at removing these stubborn stains. Rubbing alcohol removes ink. Blot on, allow to set 30 minutes and blot to remove. Rinse with sudsy water. Magic marker is generally permanent and you may not be able to remove it.

Gum - Freeze gum with ice cubes and chip off what you can with the blunt side of a kitchen knife. DeSolveit removes the rest.

Wax - Freeze with ice and chip off what you can with the blunt side of a knife. Wax needs heat for removal. Some of the newer carpets are quite sensitive to heat and scorch easily, so test an out of the way spot first. You can also use a hair dryer set to the hottest setting.

Set your iron to a low to medium heat. The less heat you use, the less chance of scorching your carpet. Take a white paper towel or paper bag with no writing on it (the dye will transfer to the carpet) Put the towel down on top of the wax and iron the towel for no longer than two seconds. Move the towel and redo if necessary. Generally once is enough.  We offer more advice to our services at:

www.dutchtouchcarpetservice.com

39 comments:

john..... said...

Nobody wants to live and work in a messy place as it not only affects health but also concentration. Cleaning services
have become very important these days as many companies instead of taking care of these duties themselves; prefer to hire a industrial cleaning company. Seeing its worth and importance, cleaning companies have widened the scope of the services they offer.
Sloane Cleaning Services is a London based cleaning company offering efficient and affordable cleaning services. It not only provides cleaning services to offices and homes but also to food outlets, organisations and even big hotels. Cleaning services have become very popular these days and they are aptly supported by the latest cleaning equipments.

Dutch Touch said...

Thank you John for your comment. I cannot comment on your adult links because my boss warned me about viewing porno on the job. We are not THAT type of cleaning service if you know what I mean.

Maybe I can view your links on my own time...

However, we value your imput and offering your company Sloane Cleaning Services in London, UK.

Sincerely,

John
Webmaster for Dutch Touch, Inc.
Dutch Touch Carpet Cleaning Service

ArealBuildingServices said...

The most important factor of consideration while choosing a cleaning service is whether or not they are dependable and reliable. We also offer Housekeeping Services at newly constructed building to do the post construction clean up. We also clean the yards, parking lots, etc. Maintenance work will also be carried out wherever necessary. To know more about services that we offer please visit:- Industrial Cleaning Services

beebrite said...

I believe this is one of the problems in commercial cleaning businesses and since then, this is the most offered services for many clients would like to do with their carpets. But surely, many would like to learn the steps. thanks

carpet cleaning Sydney said...

So many carpet cleaning companies are
available in the market, and all promise to give the best services. But its on you to choose the reliable company from them. Thanks

Unknown said...

To maintain the life and beauty of your carpet, it is important to have proper maintenance for carpet cleaning. Grand Rapids MI, my hometown has many professional carpet cleaning services. Sometimes, I hire this service if we're not satisfied with just vacuum cleaning. Carpet cleaning in Ottawa is good too. My sister lives their, and she told me that they found a good carpet cleaning service for their office's carpets.

Unknown said...

Carpets are a collection of micro-organisms including dust mites and bacteria. It is important to keep your carpets clean not only to promote better health, but also to make your home look clean.One equipment that has really made carpet cleaning such an easier but effective cleaning job is a vacuum cleaner. These are tools or equipment which are used to suck out dirt which are trapped within the fibers of the carpet.

five boros mold removal said...

It sends me on a trip to ponder on the stains that happen on the carpet...from muddy marks to food spills.Thanks for sharing the techniques...since the days are harder and it is difficult to get a professional cleaner it is better to apply the right techniques for the job.

Unknown said...

thanks!

st albans carpet cleaning said...

Your carpets will need to be properly cleaned now and again, but you can minimize on expensive cleaning procedures by taking care of your carpet.

mold inspections five boros said...

Thanks for the various tips and guidance for carpet cleaning.There is a need to look after the cleaning of the home so that there is no ill health spread from dirt or mold.

Anonymous said...

Another feature which the Gods offer as a clue is very foreboading and ominous. Mt. Zion is a mountain to the north of Diablo (the eye of The Beast) and one which has a working quarry at its base. Consistant with the decay we experience in society, Mt. Zion is being eaten away, slowly stripped of its resources, until one day paradise will be gone forever.

So many people don't care about global warming. They disregard the need for conservation and instead drive SUVs. They don't care about the Federal deficit/debt (outside of partisanship) and they don't care earning $400k for an $80,000/year job will eventually bankrupt the country. They have awarded themselves $400k pay and retirement packages, loading up their friends on the payroll during the boom 90s through the real estate bust while all services which the program were intended to fund now get cut to pay for it.
These people are often common public university labor. Not Ivy League, not private university.
This labor isn't good enough to command the salaries they are earning. And they understood this when they applied to the public university they settled on.
You can't expect a top-tier salary with a second-rate education.
They think they are going sometime during/at the end of this life, and disregard the poor souls who are left behind.
Sounds like the Italians who were used to plan World War II and the Holocaust, and not by accident.
These are the people who will be here in the United States when bankruptcy is declared and society deteriorates into chaos. And they will deserve the anarchy which ensues.

Continuing the push for privatization, reinforced and supported recently with enormous public sector salaries and retirement packages.
Once achieved the gods will utilize the corruptive predisposition of the private sector economy, as seen with the sub-prime/bailout fiasco, to initiate economic catastrophy and initiate the bankruptcy proceedings of the United States.
Whether the cure for cancer/diseases or the permanant resolution of economic misery, before the gods remove these motivations to pray we will experience an inordinate deluge of each element, with economic misery being perhaps the dissallusion of the united States with bankruptcy.

The gods used the Italians to ruin life in the 20th century.
The gods used the Italians to ruin life in A.D. with The Church.
The Church controlled Western Civilization. As the largest land owner in Europe they controlled the monarchies. They were responsbile for slavery, revenge for African invasion and rape of Italy. They created religious discontent, ultimately leading to the disfavored dumping ground known as the United States.
And each generation of these Italians were sold on "earning", only to be reincarnated as a lesser life form subsequently, punishment for their evil.
"The West Bank, where the end of the world will begin." With xtianity.

The gods are the commensurate rapist pathology, focussed on control. Be it animal migratory patterns, growth rates for plants and trees or human behavior::::The gods feel compelled to control these phenominah, whether it meets their strategy or not.
It is appropriate they picked the Italians for the downfall of man. The perception offered is exactly how the gods are. Unfortunate for the Italians, they were deliberately altered to match this pathology so the god's behavior could be justified in the context of the god's positioning.

Vancouver Carpet Cleaning BC said...

steam cleaners have become very popular these days and as a result of steam cleaners are readily available. Due to the popularity of this cleaning, steam cleaning carpet even drop the price to rent and buy. Many people want to clean the carpets, but is much more useful that can be achieved by buying instead of renting a steam carpet cleaner.

domestic cleaning south west london said...

The most effective method to prevent the carpet from dirt, is deterrence. You can place mat near the doors to filter dust that sticks to their feet and also to avoid moving to the house with shoes. Applying the rule that the motion with the shoes are not allowed in the house, you reduce tons of particles from outside your home. They also provide entrance mats an additional barrier to wipe your feet before entering.

mold inspections five boros said...

Thanks for the useful tricks and tips.It is very weird but a lot of unseen dust and dirt is collected on the carpet which indirectly invites diseases when in contact with children and adults.

carpet cleaning companies said...

There is a body of evidence that our homes are excessively clean, and that this may be a significant contributing factor in the growth of asthma and eczema years ago. If this is the case, when and how do we determine that our carpet needs to be cleaned?

Mike's Vent Cleaning said...

That is true for any product for that matter when the care is good then the longevity increases. More so the room air is clean when all of these accessories are maintained clean.

cleaning companies in melbourne said...

This outsourcing is a very important decision because of the priority and nature of work to be done. This may be a significant contributing factor in the growth of asthma and eczema years ago. They were responsible for slavery, revenge for African invasion and rape of Italy. They created religious discontent, ultimately leading to the disfavored dumping ground known as the United States. I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! Keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing with us.

Ailith Blesington said...

True enough, keeping our carpets clean will give additional years to its lifetime. Since it demands time and resources, it is good to have a professional carpet cleaner to take care of your carpet. We can remove minor stains and dirt, but we should also have them to maintain our carpets better. They are professionals, so we should not worry about the quality of their work. But always be sure to hire your trusted contractor. Be safe! :)

KAYSERI HALI YIKAMA said...

Look for carpet cleaning services through the web. Use the internet if you could not find an affordable carpet cleaning company in your local area. The resources below have links to several carpet cleaning companies.

carpet cleaning freehold nj said...

Carpet cleaning information of this post is massively looking just great. As the content of this post is really looking creative. And this one provides the most essential tips about it. It's really one of the best experienced post. Thanks for sharing.

Kilim Pillow Covers - Kilim pillows said...

Is there a perfect way to clean Kilim Pillows or Kilim Cushions.

Queens ny Carpet Cleaning said...

I always go with professional carpet cleaners who are experienced, offers fair priced and shows up on time and above all I feel satisfied with their job.

dany chandra said...

Very informative, I am agree with your Blog.Thanks for the useful information.I have been reading a lot of stuff about it. but the way in it is presented is nice...carpet cleaner north sydney

Carpet Cleaning Service Toronto said...

Keep your carpet looking new with a deep carpet cleaning from a machine that is specially designed to pull the dirt out that you have missed.

Carpet Cleaning Service Toronto

Unknown said...

I am grateful to you for sharing information about carpet cleaning...thanks for it.
carpet cleaners in u.k

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Great Blog!! That was amazing. Your thought processing is wonderful in carpet cleaning north sydney. The way you tell the thing is awesome. You are really a master, Thanks for sharing...

nutrendmedia said...

People generally spend a quite lot of money on high quality carpets. When carpets are cleaned on a regular basis then they stay as good as new for a long time. Another important motive behind cleaning the carpets is to maintain a healthy atmosphere at home or work. A dirty carpet is bound to develop an uneasy atmosphere. It is advised that the carpet cleaning job must be done at regular intervals of six months.

carpet cleaning melbourne

Unknown said...

Nice post with great details. I really appreciate your inspirations. Thanks for sharing this helpful idea.
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carpet cleaning grand rapids mi said...

The rugs in our foyer are filthy after winter. Can you give me the number of a good carpet cleaning company in Holland, MI?

David Pollard said...

First Choice Cleaning & Restorations is located in Holland.
Certified and Experienced.
616-772-4700

Unknown said...

Carpet cleaning is best done by professional cleaners. Doing it by yourself is not enough to keep out our family members and pets from danger.

http://www.carpetcleanerking.com.au | Cheap Carpet Cleaning Brisbane

John David said...

Thanks for having experts with you who are working for the betterment of this cleaning industry. Carpet cleaning is really a task which needs attention and can cause very harmful to our health if it is not cleaned well.

jonesalbert said...

Great tips - thanks for sharing them all!

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commercialcleaningsydney said...

This site is very important site. It is informative and helpful to me. Thanks for your nice writting.
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carpetcleaningau said...

This is very helpful tips to take good care of my carpet investment. An investment like this should be cared for and maintained. Just vacuuming your carpet and mopping your tile floors is not enough to maintain them properly.

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Business Name said...

Yeah! its too informative and impressive post. You explained about carpet cleaning information with effective images, its very easy way to understand and too beneficial post.

Unknown said...


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