Tips and Facts | National Carpet Cleaning

Carpet Care Tips

While regular carpet cleaning by professionals is necessary to ensure your carpet leads a long and healthy life, additional care and maintenance on your part can go a long way. Proper care and maintenance of your carpet will extend its useful life and preserve its appearance longer. Failure to maintain proper care will result in premature wear. Additionally, clean carpets contribute to a healthy indoor environment.

Useful Tips

In a pinch, make your own spot remover by mixing 1/4 teaspoon liquid detergent (without bleach) and 1 cup cold water.
Over time, the stain-resistancy of stain-resistant carpet wears down. For optimum performance, have a protector regularly applied after cleaning.
Stain-resistant does not mean stain-proof. Be sure to act immediately to prevent spots and spills from causing permanent damage.
Your furniture collects everyday dirt and soil just like your carpet. For convenience, have both professionally cleaned at the same time.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Vacuum frequently and thoroughly. It is so important it deserves two recommendations.

Pre-Visit Tips

There is very little that you need to do to prepare your home for our arrival. The only thing we ask is that you remove any plants, lamps, knick-knacks or other items resting on the carpet or furniture from the rooms being cleaned. Our technicians will handle moving furniture and other items the day they arrive.

Post-Visit Tips

While our truck-mounted vacuum system removes almost all of the moisture immediately, your carpet or upholstery may still be damp to the touch. Using fans in any rooms cleaned and turning your air conditioning or heating system on can help accelerate drying time. Be sure to leave the protective blocks under furniture legs and any paper used with upholstered items in place until the carpet and/or furniture is completely dry to avoid any color transfer.

You may walk on your carpet immediately after cleaning, but avoid wearing street shoes, as they may re-soil your carpet. Be especially careful when walking from damp, carpeted areas on to non-carpeted areas to avoid slipping.

Between Cleanings

The normal hustle and bustle of everyday life can take its toll on your carpet. To keep yours looking its best between professional cleanings, vacuum heavy traffic areas two to three times a week, and the rest of your carpet once a week.
Using indoor and outdoor mats at each entrance can reduce the amount of dirt tracked into your home. Be sure to clean these periodically to ensure their utmost effectiveness.

Traffic Lane Gray

Like all textiles, carpets will eventually show signs of wear. The wear creates an illusion of soiling, which often causes frustration and misunderstanding between the homeowners and carpet care experts. Even though a carpet has been cleaned, it does not mean the traffic areas will look clean. Traffic areas are those places where people are constantly walking or working. This situation creates what is called “Traffic Lane Gray”.

While “Traffic Lane Gray” is an inevitable part of any carpet’s life, the process causing it can be slowed down. One way to prevent this is to rearrange the furniture in your home. By doing so, you will block old traffic areas and create new ones. By occasionally switching the flow of traffic you will distribute the effects of “Traffic Lane Gray”. You can also add area rugs to places where “Traffic Lane Gray” is unavoidable through rearranging furniture.

Vacuum Regularly

The amount of traffic your carpet receives will determine how often vacuuming is necessary. Vacuuming a few times per week reduces the dirt that is likely to end up in the roots of your carpet. Spot cleaning is also an essential part of keeping your floors clean.

How often should I have my carpets cleaned?

While every home is different, most homes should have the carpet cleaned a minimum of once a year. We usually recommend every 6 months though, this will help keep your carpets in great condition. Especially if you have children, pets or heavy traffic.

Having your carpets cleaned can help eliminate Micro organisms that come from things like dust mites, food particles, soil, pollen and bacteria. Improving the indoor air quality of your home. Adding to the life of your carpets and helping you have a healthier home.

How often should I have my upholstery cleaned?

Upholstery should be cleaned once or twice a year as a part of regular maintenance. Upholstery that shows visible dirt or soiling should be cleaned to avoid dirt building up and causing staining.

10 Commandments of Carpet Care

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

How to remove Red Wine stains from carpet

Blot the spill with paper towels or a clean cloth.
Combine 1 teaspoon carpet shampoo (or dish soap, like Dawn) and 1 cup hydrogen peroxide in a small bowl. Soak a clean sponge in the mixture, squeeze it halfway dry, then gently blot the stain. Continue until the stain lifts.
Sponge the stained area with warm water.
Blot dry with a clean cloth or paper towels.

How to get coffee stains out of carpet or Upholstery

Upholstery

Mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent with two cups of cool water.
Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent solution.
Blot until the liquid is absorbed.
Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the stain disappears.
Sponge with cold water and blot dry.

Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with a dry-cleaning solvent.
Blot until the solvent is absorbed.
Repeat Steps 1 and 2 until the stain disappears.

Carpet

Blot up as much of the spilled coffee as possible.
Use plain water or mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon of white vinegar with two cups of warm water.
Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with plain water or the detergent/ vinegar solution. Apply a little bit at a time, blotting frequently with a dry cloth until the stain disappears.
If using a detergent/vinegar solution, sponge with cold water and blot dry to remove the solution.

Coffee and Cream

If there’s cream (or milk) in the coffee that caused the stain, be sure to use an enzyme laundry detergent when washing the stained item.

How do you get candle wax out of carpet

We speak from personal experience when we tell you this quick and easy solution works wonders:

Let the wax harden, then scrap off the excess with a dull knife, fork or spoon.
Place part of a paper bag, a sheet of newspaper, paper towels, or a clean cloth over the wax.
Using a warm iron, press gently on the paper bag. Be careful not to leave the iron in one place too long or you may burn the carpet fibers.
Voila! The paper bag will soak up the melted wax.
Use a new paper bag as often as necessary until you get all of the wax. This can take some time. Put an ice cube or two on the wax to freeze it, leaving them there for a minute. This should harden the wax enough to break it up and get more of it out.
To remove stains left from colored wax, try gently dabbing the stain with a rag dampened with rubbing alcohol. Be sure to use the clear alcohol, not the colored ones. If the alcohol doesn’t do the trick, Heloise, that domestic goddess, recommends using dry cleaning solvent.
When done, whichever method you used to get the candle wax out of the carpet, rinse the area with clean water. Blot up the excess water, and dry the area quickly. A fan can help with this. Quick drying prevents any of the dye stains deeper down from wicking up of the surface.

How to Get Paint Out of Carpet When Stain is Fresh

Step 1

Preferably, work on the spilled paint stain, when it is still fresh. Try blotting the extra paint from the carpet by soaking the paint with a piece of cloth.

Step 2

In a bowl, make a solution of water and detergent. Take some cotton and soak the detergent solution with it, after that rub it on the paint stain. If you do this immediately, within minutes of the paint spilling on the carpet, the stain should get removed easily, just by soaking the paint.

Step 3

Wash the stain area with clean water and let it dry. You may use a vacuum cleaner to dry it quickly.

How to Get Paint Out of Carpet When Stain is Old

If the stain is old or if it does not get removed by the detergent and water solution, then the next alternative for stain removal is treating the paint stain with club soda and salt.

Step 1

Take some club soda and pour it on the paint stain. Care should be taken to pour it only on the stain and not to spread it around it, as it can spoil the carpet even more.

Step 2

Take about one tablespoon of salt and put it on the stain. Now, rub the salt along with the club soda on the stain.

Step 3

Leave the mixture of salt and club soda on the stain for about fifteen minutes. Then taking a piece of cloth, blot the paint stain and the mixture, off the carpet.

Step 4

Apply a mixture of detergent and water on the stained area of the carpet. Later clean the carpet with plain, lukewarm water to get rid of the paint stain as well as the leftover salt, club soda and detergent.

Other Methods of Getting Paint Out of Carpet

Some other ways of removing paint stains are applying acetone or nail polish remover which contains acetone on the stain and applying hydrogen peroxide on the stained carpet. Acetone can be simply poured on the stain and then left for about five minutes. Later, the stain has to be scrubbed and cleaned with a detergent and water solution. Hydrogen peroxide has to be rubbed on the paint stain, followed by scrubbing of the stained carpet area and soaking up the stain with a piece of cloth. These methods can be quite effective especially for stubborn paint stains. However, since both entail usage of strong chemicals, the carpet is at a risk of losing its color or texture when cleaned through these methods.

Water Soluble Paint

Water soluble paint is pretty easy to remove from the carpet. It is also called as latex paint or emulsion. If you spilled the paint recently, dab the excess paint with a damp cloth or a paper napkin. If the paint is an old one, then try scraping it off with a blunt knife or other such items. Once, you have removed the excess paint, rub the stain with a soap solution. If the stain doesn’t dissolve you need to soak it for a few minutes. Blot it with a napkin or a damp cloth. Do not rub the stain, always use blotting motions to get rid of the stain.

Oil Based Paint

Stains of oil based paint are pretty stubborn to remove. You’ll need a special solvent like turpentine, white spirit or methylated spirit to remove these stains. The process of removing the stain remains the same as in water soluble paint, only instead of soap solution use the solvent. While blotting make sure you don’t spread the stain and worsen the damage.

Acrylic Paint

Kids often spill acrylic paint while painting. This kind of painting is water soluble and hence, is pretty easy to remove. Take a towel and soak it in the solution of laundry detergent and water. Use this towel to remove the acrylic paint stain from the carpet. Put it on the stain for a couple of hours before vacuuming the carpet.

How to Remove Gum from Carpet

Removing chewing gum from carpet is a sticky situation, no pun intended. And cleaning it as soon as possible is the best way to save your carpet. I’ll be honest with you, it’s not a fun job. But if you want your living room or bedroom carpet to get as good as new, then let’s get to the mess right away.

Step #1

First and foremost, for chewing gum removal, you need to use some ice cubes. It is the best way to remove gum from carpet. Get some ice cubes in Ziplock bag and keep it over the carpet. You need to keep that bag on top of the gum till it freezes.

Step #2

Next, you will remove the Ziplock bag and use a butter knife to scrape the frozen piece of gum. Try to remove as much gum as you possibly can. Even after scraping the gum off, there may be some fibers on the carpet that still have remnants of the gum.

Step #3

To remove those remnants, get a store bought gum removal solution. Use a paint brush with foam bristles and apply the solution directly over the gum. You will slowly and gently try to brush it off the carpet. Do so for about 5 to 10 minutes (or however long the instructions on the solution ask you to). Hopefully the solution can dissolve the stubborn chewing on your carpet.

Step #4

Now comes the dirty work to remove gum from carpet. Either use skewers or your fingers to remove the loose gum remnants. If the solution didn’t remove the entire gum off the carpet, I guess the next thing you will do is use skewers or your fingers. Make sure that while using the skewers, you don’t cut or punch a hole through your carpet.

Step #5

For our final tip on how to remove chewing gum from carpet, using your hair dryer. Place the dryer directly over the gum and warm it. Make sure you don’t overheat it or else the carpet will get stained or damaged. Once the gum is warm enough, use skewers to remove it from the carpet. Again, be very careful and gentle.

More Tips on How to Remove Chewing Gum from Carpet

Removing gum from carpet without leaving a trace is not so difficult if you follow proper techniques. If you try to remove it deliberately, you will end up with a gummy mess. Of course you will get commercial carpet stain removal products. But repeated application of these cleansers may cause discoloration of carpet and weakening of the fabrics. So, to make your cleaning task simpler, here are some tips on how to remove chewing gum from carpet with less effort.

The Hair Dryer Method

The objective for using a hair dryer is to soften gum with the generated heat. Following this, the softened gum can be pulled off with a plastic wrap. If followed properly, it is useful to remove maximum gum from the carpet. The remaining gum stains can be cleaned with a dry-cleaning solvent or similar cleaning agents. But if you fail to carry out appropriately, heating gum may be quite messy.

Freezing Method with Ice

The best way to remove chewing gum from carpet is proceeded with the help of ice cubes. Over here, gum is hardened first with the ice, after which it can be scraped off easily with a thin spatula. To start with your cleaning project, fill ice cubes in a plastic bag and place it over the gum. Wait for 2 minutes and check whether the rubbery substance is solidified or not. If yes, you can pull it off gently.

Use Peanut Butter

Removing chewing gum from carpet by using peanut butter also works. But the drawback with this method is leaving behind oil stains. So, to check for the same, try a spot test and check whether this fatty paste results in tough marks or not. If you find it logical to use peanut butter, remove gum as much as possible and dab some paste over the spot. Clean butter and gum with a damp, soapy towel. In the same way, you can use mayonnaise for cleaning gum stains.

Apply Dry Cleaning Solvent

This method is applicable for getting rid of chewing gum traces from the carpet fibers. Over here, you can use a safe dry-cleaning fluid to dissolve this rubbery substance. Put some over the stubborn gum spots and leave for some time, or follow the suggested directions. Blot it up with a slightly soapy, warm detergent mixture. Finally, rinse off the cleaned portion with tap water.

Other Feasible Solutions

Speaking more about how to remove chewing gum from carpet, scrape off the gum as far as possible. Vacuum clean gum pieces (if any), and then saturate the spot with warm vinegar solution. Leave this acidic liquid for 5 minutes, and you will see the gum gets dissolved in the liquid. Rinse thoroughly with water and soap to get rid of vinegar smell. Likewise, you can use lemon juice and egg white for chewing gum removal from fabrics.

Well, this was all about different methods for removal of chewing gum from carpet. As you see, this laundry project of removing sticky stains requires certain steps to restore stain-free look of your new carpet. After you accomplish your task, make sure you throw the gum away appropriately. Also, if you have kids at home, ask them to dispose chewing gum and bubble gum properly. Otherwise, it may again land on clothes and other fabrics.

Tips for Removing Ink Stains

Carpet stain removal might be one of the most dreaded tasks when one thinks of carpet cleaning, but it can’t be helped. Luckily, there are some very effective tips on how to clean ink stains from carpet.

Blot it Out

You know the general rule of cleaning, don’t you? The fresher the stain, the better the chances are that it’ll get cleared completed. So if the stain is fresh, use a paper towel to soak through the excess ink on it. This will make the further steps easier for removing ink stains from carpet.

Milk and Paper

Take some milk (it’s very mild and won’t harm the carpet) and pour it onto the stain. Let it filter in through the carpet. Then take a brush and gently rub over the area. Now use a paper or a cloth towel to remove the milk and with it the ink stain. Repeat a number of times till the stain is gone. Best way of how to remove ink stain from carpet.

Rubbing Alcohol

Here is another effective way of how to remove ink from carpet. Take some rubbing alcohol (90% isopropyl alcohol) and pour a small amount on a cloth (never directly on the carpet). Then using the cloth dab the stain with it. Do not rub, dab. This will prevent the stain from spreading. Use a vacuum to soak in the excess water. Repeat the steps till you cannot get anything out of it.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Take 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and apply onto the stain. Let this soak for 90 minutes. Then apply a damp paper towel and remove the solution. Repeat this step till the solution is completely removed for carpet ink stain removal.

Other Solvent Options

There are some other solvents that you can use as well. Use them in the same way that you use the other solvents. Pour over stain, let it soak, use blotting paper and blot it up. Here are some of them:

Mix vinegar and water (¼ cup) and use the solution on the carpet.

Ammonia solution (1tsp ammonia and ½ cup lukewarm water) then use on carpet.

Make a detergent solution consisting of 1 tsp mild liquid detergent and 1cup water. Then pour over the stain.

Hair Sprays

An excellent method for removing ink stains from carpet is using hair sprays. Hair sprays that are clear, strong hold sprays and that come in aerosol bottles are considered the best option. Use this spray and spray over the stained area. Let the liquid soak in. leave this in place for 40 minutes. Then use a a sponge or cloth towel (which has been soaked in cold water) and dab over the spot. Continue doing till all remnants of hair spray and ink stain removal are done.

More Tips on How to Remove Ink from Carpet

For those of you who want to know how to remove ink stain from carpet, the first thing to do is to keep all the things that you will need in ink stain removal handy. You will need rubbing alcohol, a clean white cloth, white towel, paper towels, water and a vacuum cleaner. Once you have all these things in place, you are ready to start with the ink stain removal process.

Step 1

Take the clean white cloth and apply some rubbing alcohol on it. Next, with the help of this cloth, dab the alcohol onto the stain. Make sure that when you do this, you do not apply the rubbing alcohol on the surrounding areas of the carpet or the stain will become bigger and soil the carpet even more.

Step 2

Take the vacuum cleaner and suck out all rubbing alcohol from it which you have just applied. Next, take the white towel and blot out the ink stain. Remember not to rub at the stain with the towel or the ink might enter the carpet deeper, making it even more difficult for you to get rid of it. So, simply blot the ink stain.

Step 3

Repeat step 1 and step 2 mentioned above. Keep on repeating them until you are no longer able to blot any ink with the towel. For those of you who want to know how to remove ink from fabric, the same method using rubbing alcohol can prove to be quite effective. The only difference is that for fabrics, you do not need to vacuum the stain, you only have to use a clean white towel to blot out the ink. To know more about ink stain removal from fabrics, you may go to how to remove ink from clothes.

Step 4

The last step in the procedure on how to remove dry ink from carpet is to clean the stained area with water. Cleaning with water at the end is very important so that no trace of rubbing alcohol is left in the carpet. After cleaning the carpet with water, blot out the excess water using paper towels. This will help in drying the carpet quickly. Another thing that you can do is to blow air across the stained portion of the carpet using a fan.

The most important tip on how to remove ink from carpet is to remove the ink stains when they are still fresh. If the ink has just spilled on the carpet, then instead of using rubbing alcohol, which is slightly harsher, blot the ink stain with paper towels and then apply milk on it. Scrub theinked area on the carpet with a small toothbrush and then blot again with paper towels. Repeat this process until the ink stain is removed. In case the ink stains are stubborn and do not get removed by milk, you will have to apply rubbing alcohol on it for ink stain removal as mentioned above.

These were some useful tips on how to remove ink from carpet. For ink stains that are very old and which refuse to go off even with rubbing alcohol, the last resort is dabbing them with three percent hydrogen peroxide solution, leaving it on for one hour and then soaking out the ink with a paper towel. This method is very effective in stain removal, however should not be used on carpets which are made from delicate fabrics. In the end, here’s hoping that all these methods prove useful to you when you set out in your endeavor to get rid of the ink stains on your carpet. All the best!

What if your daughter spills nail polish over you new and much expensive carpet? What a disaster! Probably that is your reaction. Just stay calm, there is no reason to worry because these nail polish stains are not at all permanent. You can easily remove them from your the carpet. Yes of course, without losing the charm of your favorite carpet. Though the very sight of that spilled nail polish makes you feel that it will be just impossible to get it out, it’s really not. What about a dark nail paint shade, like a hot looking maroon color? No matter which nail polish it is, just read on to learn how to remove nail polish from carpet.

Tips on how to Remove Nail Polish from Carpet

Here are some easy tricks of carpet cleaning by which you can learn how to get nail polish out of carpet.

Remember the following before you start with the process: It is better to let the nail polish stain dry before you try to remove it. Trying to remove the wet stain may spread it around increasing the stained area. Once it is completely dry, scrape it thoroughly. Take care of the carpet while doing this. Also, before you try any of these on your stain, try using them in a small corner of your carpet to check if the color of carpet is retained. Else, you will remove the stain successfully but leave a whitish patch in the same area.

Nail Polish Remover

Put a little acetone free nail polish remover in the center of the stain and allow it to penetrate through the area for a short while. Gently blot the stained area with the kitchen paper, don’t rub it over the stain. This will transfer the nail polish onto the kitchen paper. Let the stained area dry completely.

Window/ Glass Cleaner

Use a window or glass cleaner to get rid of the nail paint stains. This is known to be a best carpet stain removal method and gives good and immediate results. Rub it over the stain with a utensils scrubber and then with a damp cotton fabric.

Shaving Foam

Take the white shaving foam, this is good for pulling out nail polish. Remember, don’t opt for the gel kind, go for the plain white foamy kind. Put it over the stain and rub the stain in a circular motion with a scrubbing brush or a nail brush. After you finish, rub it with a damp cloth.

Amyl Acetate

Apply amyl acetate on the nail polish stain. Dampen an absorbent pad with amyl acetate and use it to cover the stain. After 15 minutes, loosen this stain by scratching it repeatedly. Don’t be too harsh while doing this, it may damage the carpet. Now, clean it with a dry-cleaning solvent.

Acetone

Take a towel and soak it in acetone. Dab this towel repeatedly over the nail polish. Once the carpet stain is gone, spray this area with water. With a dry towel, dab the area to make it dry.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a great ingredient to remove these stains. Mix it with warm water to form a paste and apply on the stained area. After some time, you can scrub it with a scrubbing brush and finish by drying with a damp cloth.

Warm Water

Take warm water in a bowl and a wiping cloth. First blot the excess polish and then rub the remaining with the damp cloth. In this case you need to act quickly, don’t wait for the stain to dry. This should work well if the polish is light in color and the layer is not much thick.

Blowing bubbles with gum is a fun part of chewing this rubbery confection. No doubt, chewing gum is a favorite confection amongst children and adults alike. While it is usually disposed by wrapping in paper, it may happen that chewing gum gets stuck in carpets, clothes, hair and other surfaces. Taking it out randomly will create a mess and worsen the problem. Such a situation will be very frustrating, especially if chewing gum is dropped on your new carpet.

You know what hurts more than the blood that you lose from a cut? The stain that it leaves on your ever so precious carpet and you can only wish that you can remove the blood stain from it faster than your wound heals. Being made of proteins and irons, blood stains are really very difficult to get rid off. On top of that, you cannot move a carpet like a piece of cloth and wash it normally. In all removing blood from carpet can prove really tedious if you do not act instantaneously. So, here are some carpet stain removal tips on how you should try to remove blood from carpet.

Tips on How to Remove Blood Stains from Carpet

Since carpet cleaning prices are a little bit on the higher side, try out these homemade solutions to remove blood from carpet at first.

Pour some cold water directly taken from the tap onto the stained area and allow it to stand for 15 seconds. Now take a clean, dry piece of cotton cloth and press it onto the water soaked blood stain. Remember to remove blood from carpet, do not use wiping strokes but keep dabbing the cloth onto the stain. Repeat by soaking the area some more and then dab with dry cotton swabs or cloth again. Once the cloth has absorbed the stain to the maximum extent, use a blow dryer to dry out the area.
If the blood is yours and is still wet then spit on it and dab dry. It does work at times.
You can try the same procedure with some lemon-flavored artificially carbonated water containing quinine.
You can also administer some oxidizing bleach which has been specially made for removing stains from carpets. Use it with discretion or you will ruin your carpet beyond repair.
Another excellent homemade cleaning solution would be an admixture of some fizzy club soda and a little bit of cold water. Blot the stained area with this and then soak up the stain with paper towels until all the blood has been absorbed.
Blend cornmeal, cornstarch and some talcum powder along with cold water and bring it to the consistency of a paste. Apply it on the fresh stain so that it covers the blot completely and leave it on for at least 30 minutes. Now dip a sponge into some chilled water and gently remove the paste and the blood stain with it.
Place some salt onto the blood blot. Now make a solution of water and hydrogen peroxide in a ratio of 2:3 and dip a piece of cloth into it. Now dab the cloth over the salt covered area and remove blood from carpet. Finally, clean the stained region with a moistened towel.
Another good way to remove blood from the carpet is to apply a paste made from cold water and laundry starch or simply some pre-wash laundry cleaner over the fresh stain, with your fingers or the back of a teaspoon, and then allow it to stand for a while. Then use some cold water and a sponge to clean the area. It is better to refrain from using a brush as bristles can damage a delicate carpet. Dry with a paper towel or a vacuum.
Another home cleaning solution that would definitely do the trick is a solution of a cup of cold water and a tablespoon of household ammonia. Start by dabbing a sponge on the stain and soaking up as much blood as possible. Then pour the ammonia solution into a sprayer and squirt it onto the stained carpet area until it becomes soaking wet. Wait for 4 minutes and then pat the area dry with paper towels. Remember to cover your nose while performing this task. If you repeat this several times, it is potent enough to remove old blood stains as well.
A teaspoon of any neutral (non-alkali and no bleach) detergent mixed in a cup of moderately warm water can be applied on the stain and blotted with a baby wipe. Next a tablespoon of household ammonia mixed in a cup of water should be applied and then soaked up with absorbent paper napkins.
To remove blood from carpet you can also mix about 80% water to a cupful of glycerin and some dishwashing detergent. Squirt it onto the stained carpet area and then use a dry cotton cloth to blot out the stain in orbitual motions. When the stain is gone, vacuum dry the carpet area.
Chemical products like “Incredible” and “Oxi Clean” are also abundantly available in the markets that can remove blood from carpets. But check the components before buying such products as they may prove to be damaging in some cases. Read more on carpet cleaning.
All these solutions should aid you in removing blood from carpet. Remember never to use hot water on the stain as it will only set the blood stain into the carpet. Remove blood from carpet within the first 18 – 24 hours as it becomes increasingly difficult to remove blood stains after that. Also, dry the area immediately from which you have just removed the stain as this will prevent any deeply embedded part of the stain to surface later. Do not use ammonia on woolen carpets ever. Be careful about the carpet cleaning methods you employ to remove blood from carpet. If you see that on drying there is a brown mark left behind, then you can use vinegar and water in 1:2 ratio and dab it with a dry cotton cloth. I personally believe that expensive oriental carpets made from silk and other delicate materials shouldn’t be played with and instead professional help must be sought. Don’t worry, once you follow carpet cleaning tips, things will soon be spotlessly perfect again!

Killing Fleas in Carpet

Killing fleas in carpet can be achieved by following natural methods, such as vacuuming, steam cleaning, sprinkling salt and using borax powder. These home remedies for fleas in carpet are safe and pose no health risks for you and your pets.

Fleas are small wingless insects, characterized by tube-like sucking mouth parts. These parasites exclusively feed on the blood of warm blooded animals after piercing the host skin. Based on the organism which they infect, there are various flea species, such as cat fleas, dog fleas, oriental rat fleas and human fleas. One of the interesting facts about fleas is their ability to jump for a longer distance, both vertically (18 cm) and horizontally (33 cm). This is rather an adaptive feature for not having wings.

The identifying features of fleas are dark color, long hind legs and a laterally compressed body. When viewed under a microscope, you will find tiny hair and bristles covering the hard flea body. Though these wingless insects can be found in pets throughout the year, the peak seasons for flea bites are spring and summer. During these months, it is not unusual to find flea infestations in carpet, rugs and furniture. With prompt action, cleaning and coordination effort, killing fleas in carpet can be achieved effectively.

How to Get Rid of Fleas in Carpet?

Many a times, the adult female lay eggs in pets, carpets, rugs, home furniture, cat boxes and kennels. These eggs after passing several growth stages mature into adults. In favorable climatic conditions, the growth period is as short as 3 weeks. However, in cold temperatures, the larval and pupal stages remain dormant for an year period, or until the onset of warm environmental conditions. Thus, many generations of fleas accumulate in carpets or pet bedding, resulting in a heavy infestation. Following are some of the home remedies for fleas in carpet:

Quarantine Infested Pets

This is the first and foremost step in controlling fleas in house. Do not forget to quarantine pets that have flea infestations and bath them with appropriate soaps. This is because, even if you succeed in getting rid of fleas from other places, those infesting in the pet will spread again. In short, it is of no use killing fleas in carpets until and unless you treat your pet first.

Vacuuming the Carpet

When present within the carpet fibers, they are hardly visible with our naked eye. In case you notice any flea signs in pets, make sure to examine the bedding and carpets for infestation, which are quite common. Then, vacuum clean all the carpets, pet bedding and upholstered furniture on a regular basis. Clean the vacuum bag properly before reusing it.

Steam Cleaning Carpet

Another method for killing fleas in carpet is giving it to professional services for steam cleaning. This step is essential for mass flea infestation, because vacuuming is not sufficient to remove flea larvae that remain adhered in the carpet fibers. For best results, you can recommend using a mixture of diatomaceous earth and water while carpet cleaning with steam.

Using Salt and Borax Powder

Sprinkling salt will help kill the flea eggs, while borax is effective for killing larvae and adults. Using borax for fleas in carpet is probably the best method for natural flea control. Available as a white powder, you can sprinkle it over the carpet and underneath it to kill stubborn fleas. While doing so, make sure you use protective glasses and dust mask to avoid eye irritation and inhalation respectively.

So, this were some of the natural ways for killing fleas in carpet. With a tough and polished body, fleas are very difficult to deal with. Be it their infestation on carpets, humans or pests (cats and dogs), fleas are a nuisance, which should be treated with special pest control methods. If the above methods are not showing positives results, try using chemical aerosols or insecticidal sprays that are specifically formulated for killing fleas in carpets.

Removal of Odors and Bacteria

Odor is another difficult problem. Bacteria and sometimes mold and mildew are generally the source of odor in carpets. Each of these are living organisms that thrive in moist environments. Once excess moisture is removed, the smell may decline or even vanish. This does not mean that the problem is eliminated. These organisms leave spores and sometimes encapsulated offspring behind ready to spring to life again whenever adequate moisture and nutrients are present. Pet odors are mostly from dander, territorial marking, urine and feces. Anti-microbial products may be necessary to disinfect and kill all living bacteria. Success in removing urine odors from carpeting requires three things; remove urinary salts, kill the bacteria and eliminate the moisture. This is not as easy as it might seem. Because urinary salt crystals can penetrate deep into carpet fiber and backing, it is difficult to break down and remove all of the crystal build-up. If all the urinary salt crystals are not removed the bacteria will return and whenever moisture is present, the bacteria will thrive and the odor will return. Existing bacteria can be killed, but houses cannot be kept germ free and new bacteria will return.

Deodorizing – Kill harmful germs and neutralize odors by deodorizing your carpets or household upholstery. Antibacterial deodorizing kills odor-causing bacteria and keeps your carpet and upholstery smelling clean and fresh.

On a daily basis your carpet and furniture encounter dust, dirt, and allergens. We consider all of these factors when performing an initial inspection and analysis of your work environment. And to help you maintain a clean and healthy home or business we’ll recommend a customized cleaning and maintenance program that’ll keep it looking its best.

How to Remove Odor from Carpet

How to remove odor from carpet? Many would want to know the answer to this question. Removing carpet odor is not such a tedious task. So, drop your worries and read on to know more about carpet odor removal.

Your carpet is stinking and the foul smell is driving you crazy. It might be a result of your little one accidentally dropping food on the carpet. It also happens when your carpet becomes your pet’s favorite spot and all the rolling and playful games ensue. I know you can’t help frowning in such a situation. A dirty stain accompanied by a terrible musty smell. Not a pretty sight at all. How to remove odor from carpet without too much effort? You think about carpet cleaning and the thought itself is enough to tire you out. Well, don’t fret over it, removing carpet odor is not that tedious. So, get ready to make your carpets look clean as ever.

Does your carpet stink? You might be very hygiene-conscious, but these things do happen? You might be out of the house most of the times, and a lack of ventilation might be the culprit. If you have pets, make sure you train them well. While your pet rolls over on the carpet, the pet’s odor is taken in by the fibers and will stay trapped if efforts are not made to clean up the carpet soon. Any food items, especially those which are liquid in nature might just seep into the carpet and dirty stains will rob your carpet of its clean look. So, if you have been facing these problems and don’t wish to go for deep cleaning of your carpet, try out these easy methods for removing carpet odor.

You might already have a carpet odor remover at home? Wondering what I am talking about? You just need baking soda or white/clear vinegar to tackle this problem. If there is a stain, sprinkle on the soiled area and leave it overnight. Sprinkle it evenly on the entire carpet once in a while to freshen up your carpet. Start the cleaning process by using a stiff broom to wipe the baking soda particles off into the dust pan. Make sure you sweep well and manage to get most of the particles out. Use a vacuum cleaner only if your broom is unable to get some particles out. You don’t want your vacuum cleaner getting clogged with baking soda, so take care about it. If the stains are very nasty and baking soda is not helping, you could try cleaning with vinegar. First, blot the stain with paper towels. Add vinegar and let it stay for 15 minutes. Blot with a clean cloth soaked in water. Wipe well to remove any excess water. Let it air dry. In case of a small rug, you could add a cup of vinegar and let your washing machine do the rest. I am sure carpet care seems easier to you now.

How to Remove Pet Odor from Carpet

Your playful pet spends a lot of time rolling over your carpet. You might enjoy watching him play but that might leave your carpet reeking of a bad odor. You surely wouldn’t want that stink hitting your guests as they enter your home. You might have potty-trained your pet, but accidents happen. The stains and the musty smell of your pet’s urine can really get on your nerves. The more they roll on your carpet, the more the chances of their body odor getting trapped in the carpet fibers.

So, the question is how to remove pet odor from carpet? Again it is none other than baking soda that comes to your rescue. Once every week, you could sprinkle baking soda over the carpet. This is one of the best carpet cleaning methods. Though baking soda itself is odorless, it works wonders in getting rid of odor from the carpet. Please be careful to ensure your pet does not ingest the baking soda as it may be harmful to them.

In case, your pet defecated, pissed or vomited over the carpet, you would need to pick up the dirt and clean the area immediately. The longer the dirt is allowed to stay on the carpet, the smellier it will get. You must remember never to use ammonia. Your pet might confuse ammonia with its own urine, and surely it would create a vicious circle involving your carpet and the pet’s urine. To get rid of the smell, a deodorizer like vinegar could do the trick as well. But firstly, make sure the stain is wiped off completely. Get a damp towel ready and clean the soiled area. In case the pet’s urine was soaked by lower fibers of the carpet, the stains tend to reappear again. To avoid this process of wicking, heavy books could be placed over a thick towel overnight on the soiled area. Clean the area again once you lift up these heavy items. Never try your hair dryer to dry your carpet. The heat emanating from the steamer will make the stains and smell extremely difficult to remove. You could also use perfumed deodorizers to keep your carpet smelling fresh. So, don’t worry if your pet dirtied your carpet, just follow these instructions and relax.

I am sure these easy tips on how to remove odor from carpet will help in maintaining your carpet well. So, keep your carpet clean and fresh and don’t worry the next time you see a stain on your carpet. Use these methods and your carpet will look and smell great!

Tips on How to Clean Urine from a Mattress

As the mattress has been sullied by urine, obviously the bedding and covers on it must be stained too. So, before washing the mattress, take out the bedding and cover and clean them with detergent and water. Next, take a couple of absorbent towels, press them on the area covered with urine on the mattress and soak out as much as you can. After this, follow any of these tips on how to remove urine from mattress.

Carpet Cleaner

Take any good quality carpet cleaner. Apply it on the stain as instructed on the pack. The usual process of applying a carpet cleaner involves putting it on the stained area, letting it remain for a specific time and then vacuuming it. Some cleaners may require you to scrub the area with a wash cloth and warm water. Follow the instructions exactly as mentioned and within no time you will be able to get rid of the stain.

Laundry Detergent and Vinegar

If the urine stain is new, applying a small amount of laundry detergent on it and then scrubbing the area with a wash cloth and water, is more than enough to get rid of the stain. Follow this up by pouring some vinegar on the sullied area. Next, take a towel and absorb the excess liquid. This should remove the smell and bacteria from the mattress. Remember, this method of removing urine stains and odor is effective, provided the stain is new.

Hydrogen Peroxide

For an old, stubborn stain, the best way to clean urine from mattress is to apply hydrogen peroxide. As hydrogen peroxide is very strong so dilute it with water and baking soda, before application. Make a mixture of one cup hydrogen peroxide, one cup water and half cup of baking soda. Apply this mixture on the stain and let it sit for about thirty minutes. After half an hour, get rid of this mixture, scrub with a wash cloth and vacuum the area. This should remove all kinds of urine stains, including those that have been there for quite some time.

Baking Soda

Take a cup of baking soda and apply it on the stained area of the mattress. Next, cover the mattress with a plastic sheet. You may need to tie it with a rope to properly secure the plastic sheet. Let the baking soda sit on the stain for about eight hours so that it can work on it. After that, vacuum the stained area to get rid of the baking soda. This method is very effective in getting rid of the smell that emanates from the urine.

As you can see, removing urine stains and smell is easy and can be easily carried out at home. The process becomes even more easier if you get rid of the stains when they are still new. After the cleaning part is done, spraying the mattress with a disinfectant is mandatory so that any germs or bacteria left, can be destroyed. Equally important is completely drying the mattress before using it again. Letting the mattress sit in the sunlight for a day or keeping it under a switched fan for twenty four hours, are some of the ways you can employ to dry the mattress. One last tip before I sign off – if you have small kids and pets in your house, get water-resistant mattress pads to cover and protect your mattresses. These mattress pads do not allow urine or any liquid to enter inside and are machine washable. They will make your life much easier and save you the hassle of cleaning a mattress in the future!

More Tips on Removing Urine from a Mattress

Cleaning urine from a crib mattress is not a big thing; you can carry it easily, clean it in a convenient place and dry it in the sun. But, what if your baby manages to pee in a king-sized mattress that you cannot even lift it up on your own. Do not be in the impression that the mattress is soiled and you cannot reuse it. Rather, you can follow simple ways for removing urine from mattress. Discussed below are some of the useful tips that you can consider to remove urine from mattress:

Blotting Up Urine: The first step in cleaning urine from mattress is soaking up urine traces by using a dry absorbent towel. Place towel over the wet mattress and press it, so as to absorb urine as much as possible. Following this, you can practice other cleaning ways to remove urine from mattress. Take out bedding and other adhering covers, and wash them with warm water and detergent.

Spraying White Vinegar: The best way to remove urine from mattress is spraying the stain portion with white vinegar. In a spray bottle, combine two parts of lukewarm water and one part distilled white vinegar. Shake well the solution and spray it over areas of urine. Then, absorb with a paper towel and spray again. Repeat these steps alternately to remove urine stain and smell from mattress.

Using a Carpet Cleaner: In order to remove urine stain from mattress, what you can do is clean the stain with a carpet upholstery cleaner. Go through the manufacturer instructions provided in the cleaning product before you use it. You may be required to apply some amount of cleaner on the urine stain and allow to stand for a stipulated time. Then, scrub the cleaner with a towel and warm water.

Cleaning with Baking Soda or Borax: Using baking soda or borax is a sure way to remove urine smell from mattress. Spread a cup full of baking soda or borax over the urine stain and cover it with a plastic sheet. Leave it in the mattress overnight. Next day, take out the plastic sheet and remove baking soda or borax from mattress by vacuum cleaning.

Sponging with Hydrogen Peroxide: Dilute hydrogen peroxide mixed with baking soda is a proven concoction to remove urine stain and odor from mattress. Mix together ½ cup vinegar, 1 cup water and 8 ounces hydrogen peroxide. Rub this concoction over the urine stain and leave for 30 minutes. Then, remove the mixture and scrub the area to get rid of stains.

Mattress Cleaning / Dust Mite Removal

Dust mites live on dead skin that falls off when you sleep, its not the dust mite itself that can be harmful , but the fecal matter from the dust mite which is lighter than air and becomes airborne as you toss and turn in the night, causing you to breath them in. Indoor air pollution ranks consistently among the top five environmental risks to the public health.

You sleep 1/3 of your life which means you are breathing in the fecal matter more heavily eight hours out of the day.
Latest research shows that 40% of the Americans that suffer from any type of allergy, suffer because of the dust mites that are accumulated in the mattress and the rest of the household.

It’s also known that 90% of people who suffer from asthma have an allergy to the house dust mite. * Our products are antiallergenic
Remember also your pets release dust mites the same as humans, and this causes more pet allergies for most people. To cut down on the dust mites caused by pets its best you groom your pets outside.

One of the key facts to remember is that a clean mattress is a healthy mattress.

FACTS: Pet Stains

Owners of even the best-trained pets will occasionally encounter pet accidents. Often, the urine is not discovered until long after the accident. The types of damage from pet stains can be diverse and are dependent upon the makeup of the urine. Urine content will change over the pet’s life because of the pet’s diet, medications, age, health, sex, and reproductive cycles. Because of these variations, some urine stains may not be removable.

To treat urine-damaged areas:

Blot damp areas as soon as the urine is detected, with plain white paper toweling.
Apply a solution of 1/4 teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent (non-bleach and non-lanolin) with one cup of lukewarm water. Do not use automatic dishwashing detergent or laundry detergent.
Absorb the moisture with paper towel, rinse with warm water and repeat the application of detergent. Continue rinsing and blotting with the detergent solution and water as long as there is a transfer to the toweling or improvement in the spot.
Follow the detergent application with a solution of one cup white vinegar to two cups water, and blot dry.
Apply a half-inch layer of paper towels to the affected area, and weigh down with a flat, heavy, non-fading object. Continue to change paper towels until completely dry.

Urine can affect the dyes used in carpet, although not all occurrences will result in a permanent stain. Success is dependent upon the content of the urine, the dyes and finish used, and the time elapsed after the deposit. Some urine spots may be immediately noticeable, while others may take weeks or months for a reaction. The dyes may change color immediately after contact with urine.

When urine spots develop slowly and are noticed after much time has elapsed, the dyes and carpet fibers may be permanently damaged. In beige carpet, blue dyes are attacked by pet urine, leaving behind the red and yellow dyes with a resulting stain appearing red, yellow, or orange. Pet urine, left unattended, can damage carpet in several ways. Moisture can weaken the layers of the carpet, allowing separation or delamination of the backing material. Seam areas can be particularly damaged and can separate.

Another problem, especially with cats, is odor. Unless the cat urine can be completely removed, complete odor removal is unlikely. A number of products are available to combat odor, but may simply mask the odor, and, in times of high humidity, the odor may reappear. Recently, enzymes, available at pet stores and veterinary offices, have been developed that are more effective; but they may be better used by a carpet cleaning professional. If odor cannot be removed, the damaged area of the carpet can be replaced with a piece from reserved scrap. If carpet replacement is necessary, then replacement of cushion and even subflooring may also be necessary.

Some carpet manufacturers have developed backings that resist spills and even prevent the spillage from penetrating the carpet into the carpet cushion and, perhaps, the subfloor. Check with your carpet dealer about these products.

There is nothing more frustrating than your dog mistaking the living room carpet for a fire hydrant and peeing all over it. Your dog has peed at some strategic places on the carpet and you’re left with thinking hard about how to remove dog urine from carpet and right about now, probably giving in to the fact that the carpet is ruined for good, what with the stains and more importantly the smell. Well, think again! We have some perfect, easy to follow methods on how to remove dog urine from carpet! So rest assured, your carpet still has a chance. Read on to know exactly how to remove dog urine from carpet.

Tips on how to Remove Dog Urine

No matter how disgusting it sounds, it must be done. Here are some ways by which carpet stain removal will be possible and will help you to remove dog urine from carpet.

Paper Towel

If the puddle is still fresh, then place paper towels on it and soak as much of the pee as you can. This will ensure that the stain does not become deep and set there permanently. It will also ensure that the carpet does not emit a smell.

Vinegar

Take some white vinegar and mix it in water, in a 50:50 ratio.
Now take the mixture and pour it over the stain so that it percolates deep into the carpet and covers the entire stain.
Then take a hard brush and scrub over the area (make sure you use the right pressure so as not to damage the carpet).
Now blot it with some paper towels.
The vinegar will act as a neutralizing agent for the ammonia in the dog pee.

Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

Take a good amount of (about a handful of) baking soda and pour over the dried stain.
Then mix 3 % of hydrogen peroxide with some detergent(about 1 tsp).
Be careful about the type of dish washing liquid you use. Make sue it is not caustic.
Now pour this mixture over the baking soda.
Now work this paste into the carpet with your fingers or a brush.
Let dry and then use a vacuum cleaner on it.

Tips on how to remove Cat Urine

Why does Cat Urine have Odor?

For us urine is just a mode of elimination of waste. Not so for cats. Yes it does carry away liquid toxins from the cat’s body but it also serves the purpose of marking territorial boundaries of these felines. Cats are extremely territorial and like their cousins in the wild, domestic cats also mark their territories with the help of their urine. They achieve this with the help of the protein in their urine which gives out a strong odor. Once cats urine dries, it crystallizes. When we use a common household cleaner it masks cat urine odor for some time. However, after its effect is over, the crystals get reactivated and your house is again pervaded by the irritating cat urine odor.

How to Remove Cat Urine from Carpet

It is true that one should use cleaners meant specifically to clean cat urine. But before you do that, you need to blot cat urine from the carpet. The best way to remove cat urine from carpet is by using absorbent paper towels or dry cloth pieces. Place the cloth or paper towel right above the spot and let it be there for a minute or two. This would allow the absorbent material to soak up all the urine that is there on the surface of the carpet. Replace the old blotting surface with newer ones. Press the blotting papers gently first. After you have soaked the urine a couple of times, stand over the last few pieces of absorbent material that you place on the area. This would soak out more urine that might still be left in the deeper layers of the carpet. There is one precaution that needs to be taken while one tries to remove cat urine from carpet. Do not rub the urine! Well if I need to repeat then I will do that once again! ‘Do not rub the urine’. This will just spread it over a wider area and add to your labor.

Now that the urine has been cleared off the carpet, work on with your specific cat urine cleaning agent for carpet stain removal. The most popular products in the market for this purpose are those that use enzymes and bacteria for removing cat urine from carpet. Spray this liquid on the area of the stain and clean it as per the instructions. For better result apply carpet shampoo to the affected area. Then rinse it with warm water. More on removing pet stains from carpet.

How to Remove Cat Urine Smell from Carpet

This was about how to remove cat urine from carpet using manufactured cleaners. However there are some cleaning solutions that can be made at home and used for removing cat urine smell from carpet. But this must be done only after the urine has been blotted using soaking material. Start with your home remedy for removing cat urine smell from carpet by mixing water and vinegar in the ratio of 3:1. Apply this solution thoroughly to the area where there was cat urine. Soak the liquid using blotting agents as mentioned earlier. Then sprinkle some baking soda on the area. Prepare a solution of 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide and a teaspoon of liquid dish-washing detergent. Spray this liquid to cover all the area on which baking soda is sprinkled. Now with a brush rub the surface of the carpet to dissolve the baking soda in the hydrogen peroxide – dish-washing detergent. The rubbing action will also ensure that the liquid goes to the deeper layers of carpet. Allow the carpet to dry. Then clean it with a vacuum cleaner. In this process vinegar removes the odor, baking soda absorbs it whereas hydrogen peroxide kills the bacteria that cause the odor.

Carpet Cleaning Solutions

There are umpteen carpet cleaning solutions which can be made from the things you have in your kitchen and your house in general. So if the stains on your carpet were pricking you like a thorn, bid a farewell to those stains by checking out the article beneath.

One of the most irritating things as far as a house is concerned, are the carpet stains. They are ugly and disrupt the whole décor of the room. Now now, are they bothering you and taking you out of your wits? Please do not despair! You can breathe easy and heave a sigh of relief, as the things you use mostly in your kitchen and in your home can make excellent carpet cleaning solutions! For instance, did you know that your adorable baking soda can make for a great carpet cleaning agent? Find out more!

Home Carpet Cleaning Solutions

Baking Soda

Baking soda is an excellent way to remove carpet stains if you do not want to spend money as well as not harm the environment. For cleaning the carpet what you need to do is sprinkle the baking soda on the carpet. Follow it up by misting the area with hot water. Leave the baking soda like that to soak and let it unleash its magic. Once it dries, use a vacuum cleaner to clean it. Finally, rinse the area with water and for sucking the water, use the wet vacuum. If the stain or even the odor is tough, apply a lot of baking soda on the spot and using a stiff brush, scrub it.

Clothing Detergent

Surprised? Well, yes ladies and gentlemen, this is one of those great cleaning solutions for carpet. Apply a simple laundry detergent mixed with water on the stained part and gently brush it using a tooth brush or even a normal brush. The smell too, would add to the overall effect. No hassle! Just plain carpet cleaning!

Elbow Grease

Cleaning the carpet regularly and not just once or twice an year is what is going to drastically reduce carpet cleaning woes for you. Nevertheless, no worries here, even if the stains are not ready to budge. All you need for carpet stain removal is a mixture of ammonia and water, with a little bit of vinegar. Have a clean spray bottle handy and pour a part of vinegar and a couple parts of water and ammonia in the bottle. Seal and shake the bottle and then test the solution and affirm that it is not discoloring or harming the fabric of the carpet. Blot the mixture with paper napkins. Allowing the stain to soak in the generously sprayed carpet cleaning solution, press a stack of paper napkins on the stain and blot. This gets the staining ingredients on the paper napkin. Continue doing this till the stains are totally gone. This is one of the best carpet cleaning solutions you could ever get!

Club Soda

This method involving club soda is called dry cleaning, but actually it isn’t so. Simply put, this method of cleaning comprises a cleaning product mixed with carbonated water. A light spray of a mist of this mixture is used to tackle the tough stains. A round buffer is used to scrub the carpet clean, following the spraying of carpet with this club soda mixture in rotational movement. The carbonated liquid as well as the cleaning mixture will work together to make the stains disappear! Another thing you could use with club soda for cleaning your carpet is salt. Just crush some salt on the stain and pour club soda. Forget about it! After an hour or so, just vacuum it – Voila! The stain will be gone!

Apart from this, there is the wily old lemon juice, cornstarch which in combination with vinegar and ammonia and water can be one of those superb carpet cleaning solutions! You could also have a mixture of mild detergent and vinegar to get rid of those annoying stains. Basically, water, lemon juice, cornstarch, laundry detergent, baking soda and club soda is all you need to get squeaky clean carpets!

Carpet Stain Removal Tips: Stain Removal from Carpet

Stain removal from carpet, can be a tedious job but there are some easy strategies, that will help you get rid of the toughest carpet stains. For carpet stain removal tips, read on…

Carpets are expensive additions to your home décor and you obviously do not want unnecessary harsh stains to ruin their beauty and the elegance they add to your home. Often, a lot of time is spent thinking of a possible solution to get rid of the stains and carpet stain removal basics are ignored. The various products for stain removal from carpet, that are commercially available, also prove to be inefficient most of the times.

For successful carpet stains removal, it is essential to treat the stains based on their type. Different types of stains need to be treated with different combination of treatment solutions. Listed below, are some carpet stain removal tips, for different kinds of carpet stains.

Basic Carpet Stain Removal Tips

Scrape out the semi – solid or solid stains, using a plastic spatula and vacuum out the stain as much as possible. Do not use a knife or other sharp – edged tools.
The liquid stain should be blotted up immediately before it can seep into the carpet fibers. Use paper towels or tissues for this purpose.
Always test the cleaning solution on a small patch of the stain, to see if it works or is causing any damage to the carpet.
When using a solution for stain removal, apply it to the stain using a cloth.
When removing large stains, start working from the ends, towards the base, so that the stain does not spread further.
Never use a brush or rub harshly to remove the stain. It will only cause more damage to the carpet.
Be sure not to over wet the carpet while rinsing and cleaning.
For removal of ink stains, clean with some lemon juice.
Coffee stains can be removed by cleaning immediately with a mixture of 1 tablespoon water with 1 tablespoon glycerine.
To remove special water based stains like urine, coffee and tea stains, use a mild water based stain removal cleaning solution, like a mixture of vinegar with lukewarm water or hydrogen peroxide with lukewarm water.

Stain Removal from Carpet – Water Based Stains

Water based carpet stains include alcohol, blood, fruit juices, wine, milk, soft drinks and water based furniture polish stains. Follow these steps to get rid of these stains.

Cleaning: Use a cleaning solution made by mixing 2 tablespoons of household ammonia (non – bleaching) in a cup of lukewarm water. Apply this solution to the stain and use your fingertips to gently work the solution over the stain. For milder stains, a solution made by mixing ¼ tablespoon dish washing detergent, in a cup of water, can be used along with the rinsing and blotting procedures.

Rinsing: Rinse off the solution using clear, lukewarm water by wetting the stained carpet fibers.

Blotting: After rinsing, you need to blot the area of the stain by placing an absorbent paper towel, that quickly soaks up all the water. You may have to repeat the rinsing and blotting procedures, to make sure that the carpet is completely free of the solution.

Drying: Allow the carpet to air dry, do not dry with a dryer as it can damage the carpet fabric.

Stain Removal from Carpet – Oil Based Stains

Oil based carpet stains are relatively difficult to get rid of, than water based stains. Oil based carpet stains include butter, cooking oil, chocolate, crayons, mayonnaise, candle wax and black grease stains. Follow these tips to get rid of these stains.

The most important thing to do, as soon as the carpet is stained with an oil based stain is, to blot it with a tissue paper or a paper towel so that the agent causing the stain, can be soaked as much as possible. Cornmeal can also be used for this purpose.

Cleaning: Make a cleaning solution, by mixing together one part wood spirits (methylated alcohol) with one part ammonia. Apply this cleaning solution to the oil based stain and repeat until the stain has been effectively removed.

Rinsing: Rinse using a mild soap and clear water.

Blotting: Blot using an absorbent towel or paper towels.

Drying: Allow to air dry or use a vacuum cleaner to dry the stained area.

If you are unable to remove the stain using the tips above, it is advisable to take the help of a carpet cleaning professional. Also, remember to read the carpet manufacturer’s instructions, before treating it to any kind of stain removal solutions.

The Truth About Carpet Cleaning Rentals

Regular carpet cleaning is required in order to ensure that your home is fresh and clean. Many people feel that a cheap “DIY” rental will suffice but I feel differently. Read this article if you want to know why not to rent a carpet steam cleaner.

One of the easiest ways to increase the value of your home is to clean your carpets. This sounds kind of goofy, but think about it for a second. The first thing that most people notice when they’re shopping for homes is the floor. If you have a carpet in your home and it’s not clean, you’re going to turn these buyers right off. The rest of your home might be flawless but this won’t matter because first impressions are so key. They’ll be thinking to themselves, “hmmmmm, these guys don’t even take care of their carpet! I wonder what other problems this home has…”

Now, one of the most popular ways of keeping your carpet nice and healthy is to rent a steam cleaner from your local hardware store. Is this really the best way to deep clean your carpet though? I know it’s super easy and fairly inexpensive but how effective is it? Well, I’ve done a bit of research and the results can be found in the text below. It turns out that carpet cleaning rentals aren’t nearly as effective as a proper professional cleaning service. Here are three reasons why:

Professional Machines Kick The Crap Out Of The Rug Doctor

Have you ever seen the machine that a quality professional carpet cleaner uses to clean carpets? It’s huge! If you want to talk prices, here we go. The Rug Doctor retails for about $250. The machines that the pros use go from $2000. to $35000. That’s a Huge difference! Doesn’t it stand to reason then, that the results will be quite a bit better with the bigger machine? One might answer this by saying they’ll find a professional machine, rent it, and do the job themselves. This, for a really good reason, isn’t actually possible. You see, you need a license to operate these machines. Only certified professionals are allowed to use them.

Professional’s Know What They’re Doing… You don’t!

According to the directions supplied with most carpet cleaning rentals, the process is really straightforward. You simply mix the solution, put it in the machine and start pushing it around like a vacuum. The reality of these machines, though, is that it isn’t this simple. There are many factors that need to be considered before cleaning commences. What type of carpet do you have? Is it wool or nylon? How many square feet are you doing? Do you use a stain defender type product on your carpets? If you don’t know the answers to questions like these, you probably shouldn’t clean your own carpet. Certified carpet cleaners will look at your unique situation and clean the carpets accordingly.

Another thing to think about is the fact that you could actually damage your carpet if you clean it wrong. Using a bit of water to clean the carpet is great. If you overdo it though, you could cause water damage. This can lead to problems with mold down the road. Is it really worth doing it yourself just to save a bit of money?

Strong Solution > Weak Solution

The solutions supplied with products like the Rug Doctor and the Bissell Green Machine aren’t particularly strong. This is due to the fact that they are being used by folks who aren’t certified carpet cleaners. A strong solution in the wrong hands can actually be quite dangerous. This same strong solution in the hands of a pro, though, can be very effective. Go with the strongest option you have, but don’t do it yourself!

So are the Rug Doctors and Green Machines of the world complete garbage? Of course not! They are effective if used right but should only be used if you really can’t afford a professional cleaning service.

The Difference Between Steam and Dry Cleaning

When calling on a professional carpet cleaning service, you should ask them what method of cleaning they use… because you can bet there are many. Basically there are two primary cleaning methods frequently used today: Hot Water Extraction (Steam Cleaning) and Dry Cleaning.

Dry cleaning involves a foam or powder-like mixture. This mixture is applied and bonnet machines are used to smear the mixture deep into your carpet. After these chemicals are aggitated and allowed to dry, a vacuum is used to remove both the “dry mixture” and the dirt in your carpet.

Unfortunately, there is usually a terrible residue left behind because Dry Cleaners do not rinse and remove the products they apply to your carpet. This residue WILL attract future dirt and cause your carpet wear and become dirtier faster. Ultimately, you’ll need to have your carpet cleaned more frequently!

Hot water extraction, on the other hand, is sometimes compared to washing your hair. First the Carpet Cleaning Technician should vacuum the entire area that needs cleaning with an industrial strength vacuum. Then a gentle, pH balanced product is applied to your carpet that further breaks down any remaining dirt. A carpet rake is used to aggitate this product into the carpet; similar to applying shampoo to your hair and aggitating it in with your fingers. Steam is then introduced to thoroughly rinse your carpet and remove all Dirt, Dander, and Cleaning product out to a holding tank located in the cleaning vehicle outside. Logically, hot water extraction makes more sense as opposed to smearing your DRY hair with shampoo and going about your day!

Hot water extraction is likely the method required by your carpet manufacturer to preserve your carpet’s warranty. Research indicates hot water extraction cleaning is best for all types of carpets. It leaves the least amount of residue and therefore will provide the lowest amount of re-soiling.