Since stairs receive a lot of foot traffic, they accumulate soil much more quickly than other areas. These common areas had seen better days, but they looked terrific after a professional cleaning!
Carpet Cleaning Myth: Steam cleaning causes mold or mildew to grow in carpet.
Fact: Properly cleaned carpets will not create mold or mildew. ✨
A professional steam cleaning actually makes your home HEALTHIER, rinsing out soil and other unhealthy particles that accumulate over time. This cleaning method is also the #1 type recommended by carpet manufacturers. Why the misunderstanding?
Carpet that has been submerged in water or wet for an extended time can create an environment in which unhealthy organisms can grow if not treated properly. This can most often be the case with water intrusions but also with unskilled cleaners, including those who attempt a DIY cleaning.💦
With our cleaning process, you can expect your carpet to be mostly dry within 4-6 hours and completely dry by the next day. If you’re ready for a healthier home, let us know. We are here to help! 📱
Vacuuming 101
Time is precious so here are 5 ways to make the most of your time when vacuuming:
1. Make sure your vacuum has a HEPA filter. These filters are very efficient at removing pollutants for the carpet. They are especially helpful for people who have allergies and/or pets.
2. Vacuum regularly, at least once a week, or twice a week (if not more) if you have kids or pets in the home.
3. Before you start vacuuming, make sure that the bag/canister is empty. Starting with a full bag/canister will impede the effectiveness of the vacuum. It is also advantageous to replace the filter when needed.
4. Don't forget the corners when you are vacuuming. Pollutants like dirt, dust, pet dander, and other debris like to hide in corners that are hard to reach. If your vacuum has attachments, this would be the perfect opportunity to make use of them!
5. When you are vacuuming, it can be helpful to go over the areas multiple times in different directions. This makes it possible for the vacuum cleaner to pull hidden particles out of the carpet that may have been trapped underneath the fibers.
Carpet Cleaning Lingo: Traffic Areas
When you call to make a carpet cleaning appointment, you'll likely hear the term "traffic areas." You'll see that phrase used frequently in online articles about carpet care as well. These areas tend to show soil and wear more quickly because they are used the most often. If you're ready to freshen up the traffic areas of your home, let us know. We can help!
Carpet Care Tip: Avoid DIY Carpet Cleaning Machines
DIY (Do it yourself) carpet cleaning machines bring to mind the saying “if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Advertisements make them look easy to use and more economical but in reality they oftentimes cause more harm than good. Home carpet cleaning machines lack the power truck mounted units provide, and with limited extraction ability, the carpet can easily be left too wet and full of solution. This can be disastrous as carpet that is overwet can mildew, grow mold, and the damage can permeate the padding and into the subfloor as well, which would result in the need for replacement (which costs $$$). Other issues lie with the products used in conjunction with the machine and the human error when using it. Carpet cleaning is a science that heavily relies on chemistry. Using the wrong chemical or mixing chemicals can result in permanent discolorations caused by the cleaning processes and set in stains that would have been able to be removed by a cleaning professional. They’re also time consuming to use so they’re not as economical as they appear to be when you factor that in. If you’ve had a mishap from a home carpet cleaning machine or want to save yourself the time/money/effort/panic by booking a professional cleaning, let us know. We can help!
How to Get Sunscreen Out of Your Carpet
Summertime means warmer weather and the need for lots of sunscreen! If your sunscreen application goes awry with some product ending up on the carpet, here are a few tips to keep in mind when cleaning it up:
1. Use a dull knife or a spoon to remove as much of the sunscreen from the carpet as possible. Don't try to wipe it up because that could cause it to embed deeper into the carpet fibers.
2. Use the HomePro spotter we provided at the time of your last cleaning to spot clean the area. Make sure to read the directions on the bottle first and spot test in an inconspicuous area. If you don’t have one of our spotters, let us know and we’d be happy to set you up with one.
3. Use a dry white rag to blot the wet area and remove any excess dampness.
4. Let the carpet air dry. You can put a fan in front of the treated area to expedite the drying process. The key thing to keep in mind with spills of all kinds is to clean it up as quickly as possible.
If you need any additional help, give us a call. Our expert technicians would be delighted to lend a hand!
Carpet Cleaning Myth: Home Carpet Cleaning Machines Offer a Similar Cleaning Ability When Compared with a Professional Carpet Cleaning
Fact: Home carpet cleaning machines can be helpful when properly used but they tend to saturate the carpet with water and are not powerful enough to extract the water and other cleaning products back out of the carpet. This can leave the carpet wet for days, which can make it vulnerable to mold and mildew. Residue left in the carpet can cause it to age at a faster pace, leaving it with a dingy appearance and a tendency to re-soil quickly. Professional cleanings from truck mounted units utilizing hot water extraction ("steam cleaning") by experienced cleaning experts are able to deliver a level of clean that can't even compare to DIY machines and your carpet will be dry in a matter of hours, not days. If you're ready to experience the difference a professional cleaning can make, let us know. We can help!
Carpet Cleaning Myth: It's Bad for Carpets to Get Wet
Fact: This is true if you’re referring to a water damage or intrusion. However, if you’re using it as a reason not to have your carpet professionally cleaned, it couldn’t be farther from the truth. Most carpet manufacturers require annual professional cleanings using hot water extraction (most often referred to as “steam cleaning”) to maintain the carpet warranty. Unlike dry cleaning and other cleaning methods that just clean the surface of the carpet, steam cleaning is effective at removing odor causing bacteria, spots, and other unwanted things from your carpet while leaving them virtually residue-free (which is safer for your family and pets).
