Posted by Stephanie Webb on Thu, Jun 24, 2010 @ 02:31 PM
The beauty and life of a carpet depends largely on the care that it is given. Proper maintenance can add years of attractive life. For carpeting, proper maintenance includes regular vacuuming and periodic cleaning by a professional.
Regular vacuuming should be done every 1-2 weeks, and even more often in high traffic areas. It is important to use a well-maintained, good quality vacuum.
Professional cleanings are essential to maintain the life and beauty of your carpet and should be done every year. But before having a carpet cleaned, you may find it helpful to understand a few of the carpet cleaning methods.
- Hot Water Extraction or "Steam" Cleaning. In this method, hot water mixed with cleaning solution is sprayed on the carpet and immediately extracted (along with the dissolved soil) by an extraction machine. Hot water extraction is often referred to as "steam" cleaning. Most carpet manufacturers reccomend this method to sustain the life of your carpets. Carpet Tech utilizes this method as well.
- Shampooing. In this process, a cleaning detergent is whipped into a foam against the carpet by a floor machine. This suspends the soil, and the wet/dry vacuum removes it.
- Bonnet Cleaning. A special detergent is applied to the carpet, then agitated and absorbed, along with the soil, into the padding of the machine.
- Encapsulation Cleaning. An encapsulant is sprayed onto the carpet and then agitated by a machine. The encapsulant suspends dirt and soil, and then dries to a brittle crystal that is vacuumed off later - taking the dirt with it!
Posted by Stephanie Webb on Tue, Jun 22, 2010 @ 02:41 PM
Part of being a pet owner is dealing with occasional accidents. Sometimes Fido can't wait till you get home from work, or Fluffy gets upset after a trip to the vet. Pet urine
can be tricky to remove, especially if it's been left untreated for a long time. However, with a few simple tricks and some fast response, you can successfully preserve your carpet.
Step 1: If the area is still damp, start by blotting with a plain white towel.
Step 2: Next, mix a cleaning solution of a half-teaspoon of liquid detergent (no bleach) and one cup of warm water. Apply the solution to the area, blot with a white towel, then rinse with warm water.
Step 3: Keep repeating step 2 until the discoloration is removed.
Step 4. Mix one cup white vinegar with two cups water. Apply and blot up with a towel. Rinse with water.
Step 5: Get the carpet as dry as possible. Blot as much moisture up with towels as you can and turn a fan on over the spot to get it dry.
These steps work well on fresh urine stains. However, if the stain has been there for a long time (or if it is a spot that has been repeatedly marked), the urine may have saturated down through the carpet and padding. If this is the case, it's time to call in the experts. Your carpet cleaning professional has an arsenal of specialized products to tackle your worst pet odor problems. So don't hesitate to call!
Posted by Stephanie Webb on Tue, Jun 16, 2009 @ 10:57 AM
The best way to keep your carpets cleaner longer is simply to vacuum on a regular basis. Particles of dry soil get tracked in to your home on shoes, clothing and even gentle summer breezes through open windows. If not removed, they'll settle deep into the pile of the carpet, actually damaging the fibers and making it look dull and dingy... as well as dirty!
To do all you can to keep your carpet fresh and looking new, keep these tips in mind:
1) Go the extra mile when shopping for a vacuum. Cheap vacuums don't reach down deep into the carpet fibers, so a great deal of soil is left to accumulate deep down.
2) Use the correct vacuum tools to care for your floor covering. Thick, loop pile, if brushed the wrong way, can shorten a carpet's life. Combination beater/brush bars agitate pile and loosen it down deep for removal. Describe your carpet type to your vacuum salesperson for the right fit.
3) Many vacuums today offer bagless technology, which is downright convenient when it comes to disposing the dirt you've trapped. However, paper bags tend to do a more efficient job trapping particles. If you find bags that trap particles smaller than two microns in size, you've got a winner. Don't forget to replace bags when they're between one-half to two-thirds full for maximum efficiency.
4) If your vacuum has an adjustable height mechanism, start at the highest setting then lower it until it just touches the pile. Your vacuum should slightly vibrate carpet. If the brush is set too low, you'll wind up overworking the motor and possibly needing to purchase a replacement vacuum sooner than expected.