Carpet cleaning for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
carpet cleaning tips and stain removal advice
By S.P.carpet and upholstery care the professional carpet and upholstery cleaning service
Routine Carpet Cleaning
Vacuuming is where most people start when maintaining their carpeting. That, then, is where we'll start this article on carpet-cleaning tips. But it isn't where the article will end. We'll present all sorts of guidelines for cleaning, removing stains, and dealing with various other problems.
For now, though, we'll get to the basics:
Carpets need to be vacuumed once a week and more often in areas of heavy traffic. Frequent vacuuming prolongs the life of your carpet by preventing a buildup of gritty particles that can cut carpet fibers. Every few weeks, take a little extra time and use your crevice tool for cleaning around baseboards and radiators and in other hard-to-reach places.
To vacuum wall-to-wall carpeting, divide the floor into quadrants and vacuum an entire quadrant before moving on to the next.
Take your time when you vacuum a carpet, especially a plush carpet in which dirt is sure to be deeply embedded. One pass with a high-powered upright is not enough. Go over each section of carpeting several times, and work slowly to allow the suction to remove all the ground-in dust and dirt.
Pay special attention to the areas where people sit and move their feet. Vacuum these areas of heavy traffic with a crisscross pattern of overlapping strokes.
Soil retardants can be applied to new carpets or to newly cleaned carpets. Follow manufacturers' advice. Apply soil retardants only with professional equipment using the recommended application techniques. call 01773 749003 for more details
Add baking soda to the bag in your vacuum to fight odors.
The sooner you deal with the stain or spill,
the more chance of removal!
Cleaning spots and spills on carpets
Here's Rule No. 1 regarding spots and spills on your carpets: Clean them immediately. If you catch the spill when it's fresh, you've got a good chance of removing it totally. If you do not have the confidence to deal with the stain yourself call for professional guidance as soon as possible,
Consider these tips, too:
·Carefully blot or scrape the entire area before applying any cleaning solution. Remove as much of the spill as possible.
·Before using any cleaning solution, test your carpet in an inconspicuous area to make sure the cleaner won't damage or discolour it. Test the cleaning agents that you keep on hand before you have to use them to make sure they will not harm your carpet.
·Do not rub the spill -- that might spread the problem to a larger area.
·When you apply spot cleaner, work from the outside of the stain toward the inside to avoid spreading the stain. After applying a cleaning solution, blot up all the moisture.
·A clean white bath towel is unsurpassed for drying carpet and brushing the nap back up to a standing position.
· If you feel that there is still too much moisture after blotting the carpet, place a 3⁄4-inch-thick stack of white towels over the spot and weigh them down with a heavy object.
·If the staining is still present call the professionals for further advice on 01773 749003.carpet cleaning for Derbyshire and Nottingham
General carpet and upholstery cleaning solution
As a general cleaning agent for small spots and stains, mix a solution of 1/4 tsp mild liquid or soap flake laundry detergent and 1 cup warm water.
Do not rub the stain -- that might spread the problem to a larger area.
·When you apply the spot cleaner, work from the outside of the stain toward the inside to avoid spreading the stain. After applying a cleaning solution, blot up all the moisture.
Do not rub aggressively at stains this can damage the carpet pile, and never over wet with cleaning solutions, use lightly and repeat if nessesary
Here are some tips for treating hard to deal with stains
Usefull items
500mm spray bottle available from DIY stores
White towels
Nail polish Stain
Follow the tips listed below (in order) until stain has lifted from your carpet: Apply small amounts of the cleaning solution with a clean, white, absorbent towel. Continue to apply and blot frequently until the staining material is no longer transferred to the towel.
Step 1: Apply a small amount of dry cleaning solvent or alcohol to a white cloth and blot area (available at chemists and DIY stores). Use small amounts to prevent possible damage to sizing, backings or stuffing materials. Do not use petrol, lighter fluid or other flammables. Do not use on flock fabrics or foam backed carpets.
Step 2: Mix one-half teaspoon of white neutral detergent (a mild washing detergent containing no strong alkalis or bleaches), with a cup of lukewarm water. apply with sprayer and blot.
Step 3: Mix one-third cup of white household vinegar with two-thirds cup of water. apply with sprayer and blot.
Step 4: Mix a solution of powdered enzyme laundry detergent following the label or box instructions. Allow the solution to remain on the stain for the length of time recommended by the manufacturer. The final step is to blot any remaining moisture or cleaning solutions by pressing or padding the area with absorbent towel. Weight it down and allow at least six hours to dry.
Oil & Tar stains
As above
Coffee and Tea Staining
Step 1: Blot the area with a clean, white cloth to absorb all the liquid you can.
Step 2: Mix one-half teaspoon of white neutral detergent (a mild washing detergent containing no strong alkalis or bleaches), with a cup of lukewarm water.
Step 3: Sponge the area with the detergent solution. Blot again with a clean white cloth.
Step 4: Mix 1/3 cup white vinegar with 2/3 cup lukewarm water.
Step 5: Sponge the area with the vinegar solution. Blot with a clean white cloth.
Step 6: Sponge the area with clean water. Blot with a clean white cloth.
Pet Urine
Step 1: Soak up excess moisture with a white rag or paper towels.
Step 2: Blot on a solution of 1/4 tsp. Mild liquid laundry detergent and 1 cup warm water. Repeat until there is no more stain transferring to a towel or rag.
Step: 3 Blot with a solution of 2 tbsp. Ammonia and 1 cup water. Rinse with warm water. Repeat. Blot dry.
Step 4: Blot the area with a solution of 1 cup white vinegar and 2 cups water.
Step 5: Cover with several layers of paper towels weighed down with a heavy non-fading object. Continue changing paper towels until the carpet is dry.
Red wine
Because wine contains tannins, it's sometimes difficult to remove. There are simple solutions to cleaning carpet stains made by both red and wine stains. For instance, if you spill red wine on the carpet, immediately blot any excess moisture then apply white wine onto the stain, if you do not have white wine use white vinegar , The white wine or vinegar will neutralize the red wine and the stain will disappear. To remove carpet stains caused by white wine, just dab with some white vinegar. After treatment follow with general cleaning solution as above.
Fresh blood
Mix one teaspoon of a mild ph balanced detergent (a mild non alkaline non bleaching detergent) with a cup of ice cold water
Apply to stain and blot
Mix one tablespoon of household ammonia with a half cup of ice cold water
Apply and blot
Sponge with clean ice cold water
Blot
Wood Floor Maintenance
Most wood floors can be kept clean by first sweeping or vacuuming with a floor nozzle to remove most of the surface dust and dirt, then damp mopping with clear water (dip a sponge in clear water, squeezing it out so that the mop is barely damp, almost dry). Use very little water and rinse your mop thoroughly after each use since excess water can dissolve protective coatings, alter the color of the wood and raise the grain to roughen the surface.
If your floors are not dirty enough to need mopping every week, then you should not do it, as it will wear the floors faster, not to mention waste your time. Simply sweeping is often all they need.
If need to restore the shine to your wood floor after you get it clean, try damp mopping it with 1/2 cup vinegar and 2 tablespoons furniture polish in a gallon of warm water. Vinegar is also useful for removing any soap residue or build-up, but should not be necessary every week.
These carpet cleaning tips are for guidance only, s.p.carpet & upholstery care take no responcability for anyone using them, if you do not feel confident treating any spills or stains yourself please call for professional help and guidance.
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