Myths and Facts About Carpet Cleaning

"The carpet doesn't look dirty enough to have it cleaned at this time."		Some carpets do hide soil more than others. It does not mean there is no soil to be removed. All soil, whether hidden or not, acts an abrasive. It can result in early wear, loss of fiber protection, and even some loss of color.
"I was told to wait a few years before having my carpets cleaned. 'They' said, once you have them cleaned, you always have to have them cleaned!"		Check your paperwork. Carpet manufacturers recommend having your carpets cleaned by a trained and qualified professional every 12 to 18 months. Call the manufacturer, not the retailer, they will refer to an IICRC Certified Firm, such as CARPETS ETC. The problem many consumers face is the fact that many companies use a high-residual detergent that remains in the carpet long after they leave, and it continues to attract soil, causing your carpets to get dirty fast.
"They said Steam-Cleaning will ruin my carpets!"		Many carpet cleaning companies use Hot-Water Extraction (Steam-Cleaning). Steam-Cleaning is the preferred choice that CARPETS ETC. chooses because of the thoroughness of the method, only when done properly. It is recommended by the leading carpet manufacturers. On the other hand, untrained and uneducated carpet cleaners can over-wet your carpet creating a variety of problems for you. According to IICRC Standards, carpets should be fully dry within 24 hours.
"I was told that once I have my carpets cleaned, I do not need to have any carpet protectant applied. It has built-in stain resistance."		Most of the residential installation of carpet these days are stain resist. But no carpet is ever "stain-proof", but added carpet protectants, when properly applied, will enhance stain resistance to accidental spills and spots. It will also help remove more dry soil during vacuuming.
"I shouldn't have to pay a lot for carpet cleaning."		Never select a carpet cleaning company solely based on price. Carpet cleaning is not as cheap as some would like for you to think. Their technique is to advertise a low price to get you to call them, so they can push their low quality, ineffective goods at higher prices than what the real professionals charge. Thorough carpet cleaning is not cheap, but it will extend the useful life of your investment and care for your carpeting in a way that will save you money in the long run.                                  Courtesy of Carpets Etc. 412-221-8851

What is Green Cleaning?

Originally “green” meant the ingredients in cleaners were derived from plants and biodegraded easily after joining our waste streams (e.g. water treatment plants). To the everyday person cleaning their home, “Green” simply means something better for the environment.

So what is “Green Cleaning?” It is taking all the “yellow” and “blue” nuances of the chemistry, processing, packaging and disposal that go into creating and using a cleaning product and balancing them for environmentally safe and efficient cleaning. Green Cleaning is the commitment to make, use and dispose of cleaners with People, the Environment and Sustainability in mind.

Is Green More Clean?  A cleaning product that does not clean well is not good for the environment. Producing and packaging a useless cleaning product is a waste of time and energy, which is very “un-green.” The good news is that environmental groups, state legislators, the EPA, and the cleaning products industry are all working together to improve the products that you use every day.   Although Green Cleaning has only been fashionable for the last decade or so, we have been working on developing more environmentally-sound cleaning products for more than 50 years.

The cleaning products industry has understood the importance of biodegradable cleaning products since the 1950s.  In the 1970s, the industry removed all CFCs from aerosols.  In the 1990s, products became more concentrated (“ultras”) which reduced packaging.  Cleaning products have been getting “greener” through innovation and continuous improvement – long before the “green” movement was even around!


                                                               

 

Courtesy of: aboutcleaningproducts.com

     

How to Keep Your Workplace and Home Allergy Free

1.) Increase carpet cleaning frequency: If the facility has carpet, ensure all vacuums are equipped with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are most effective in the removal of the common contaminants that trigger asthma and allergies. In a commercial facility, deep clean carpets at least once a year. In facilities with high levels of foot traffic, consider deep cleanings on a more frequent basis.

2.) Maintain A/C and heating units: Each month, change air conditioning and heating unit filters to ensure dust mites don’t recirculate into the building. Consider using filter enhancers which can be sprayed on units to help trap more debris and allergens.

3.) Empty vacuums frequently: To ensure dust mites stay at a minimum, empty vacuum bags before they are full. When bags are roughly 1/3 to 1/2 full, empty them so vacuums can stay fully effective in the removal of dust mites and other debris.

4.)
Don’t rely on disinfectants: Often, facility managers believe that using a disinfectant will reduce asthma and allergy triggers. However, more intensive methods such as carpet cleanings, dusting and extraction are required to remove dust mites and other contaminants that prompt asthma attacks.

Asthma Triggers and how to Control them in the home:

1.) Dust Mites:

What You Can Do: Wash bedding in hot water once a week. Dry completely. Use dust proof covers on pillows and mattresses. Vacuum carpets and furniture every week. Choose stuffed toys that you can wash. Wash stuffed toys in hot water. Dry completely before your child plays with the toy.
2.) Cockroaches:
What You Can Do: Keep counters, sinks, tables, and floors clean and free of clutter. Clean dishes, crumbs, and spills right away. Store food in airtight containers. Seal cracks or openings around or inside cabinets. Use roach baits or traps instead of sprays. Cover trash cans.

3.) Mold:

What You Can Do: If you see mold on hard surfaces, clean it up with soap and water. Let the area dry completely. Use exhaust fans or open a window in the bathroom and kitchen when showering, cooking, or washing dishes. Fix water leaks as soon as possible to keep mold from growing. Dry damp or wet things completely within one to two days.
Chemical Irritants:

4.) Chemical Irritants:

What you Can Do: Chemical irritants found in some products in your house may make your child’s asthma worse. Your child’s asthma may be worse around scented or unscented products, including cleaners, paints, adhesives, pesticides, cosmetics, or air fresheners.

By following this advice, you will be able to create an environment that is free of asthma triggers in your home and at work.

                                                                

Courtesy of:

                                                             The Carpet and Rug Institute

 

Spot Solver- Animal Stains

Act Quickly! Delaying may cause nthe spill tp become a permant stain. Blot liquids with a dry, white absorbent cloth or white paper towels. Gently scrape up semi-solids with a rounded spoon. Break up solids and vacuum.

* Pretest any spot removal solution (for color transfer to the cloth or damage to the carpet) in an inconspicuous area. If a change occurs, select another solution.

* Apply a small amount of the solution to a white cloth, and work in gently - do not rub -- working from the edges of the spill to the center to prevent spreading. Allow to remain on the spill a few minutes. Be patient. Blot.

* Continue to use the first agent as long as there is a transfer of the spill to the cloth. Be patient. Complete removal may require repeating the same step several times. Or, you may need to move to the next solution.

* When the spill is completely removed, rinse the area with cold water; blot with a dry cloth until all moisture is removed.

A dry, absorbent, cleaning compound may be used as a substitute to minimize drying time.

Detergent Solution - Mix one fourth (1/4) teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent per one (1) cup of lukewarm water. NEVER USE A STRONGER CONCENTRATION! Thorough rinsing is necessary to remove detergent residues that may cause rapid soiling. It may be necessary to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues. (See Residue Precautions.) Care should be used in selecting a detergent. Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners (fluorescent dyes) that dye the fiber. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that destroy dyes and some fibers.
 Vinegar Solution - Mix one (1) cup of white vinegar per two (2) cups of water. White vinegar is a 5% acetic acid solution. It is used most often to lower the alkalinity caused by detergent solutions or alkaline spills.

 Warm Water - Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.

 Ammonia Solution - Mix one (1) tablespoon of household ammonia per cup of water. Please note: Be aware that ammonia, if used improperly, can cause a color change. Be sure to test a hidden area.

Call a Professional - Professional cleaners have the ability and the equipment to use more aggressive cleaning solutions to remove stubborn spills. Always consider consulting a professional cleaner regarding any spot removal question.
                                                                  

Courtsey of : The Carpet and Rug Institute

Troubleshooting Common Carpet Issues

Information for Maintaining Carpet Appearance...

>Texture surface retention:

Carpet in heavily traveled areas receives the most wear. For better appearance and longer carpet life, try to reduce the amount of traffic on these areas or use small rugs in front of heavily used chairs or furniture. Remove and clean these rugs while vacuuming the primary carpet or rug. You should occasionally move furniture and reverse area rugs. Although some change will eventually occur in the texture of your carpet, reducing the wear on paths and in front of furniture will slow this change.

>Crushing:

Crushing is the loss of pile thickness because of foot traffic. Crushing is not considered a manufacturing defect unless it is specifically cited in the manufacturer’s warranty. Regular vacuuming may help reduce crushing that results from traffic. Manufacturers’ definitions of crushing may vary.

>Depressions or indentations:

The weight of heavy pieces of furniture can cause indentations in carpet. Some depressions may be permanent. Use furniture glides or cups under the legs of heavy pieces, or move your furniture a few inches backward or sideways so that the weight is not concentrated in one place. To remedy depressions, work the carpet pile back into place with your fingertips or the edge of a spoon, then, dampen the area and heat it with a hair dryer, working the fibers with your fingers or a spoon.

>Fading or color loss:

Give your carpet the normal protection from direct sunlight that you would give to any colored fabric. Emissions from heating systems or chemicals, such as pesticides, household cleaning agents and other household items, can also result in color loss.

>Filtration soil:

Filtration soil may appear as dark or grayish lines on carpet along walls, stairways and under doors. It is caused by airflow over and through carpet, allowing fine soils to settle on the surface. It is often caused by an improperly balanced ventilation system, when the volume of air entering a room exceeds the system’s capacity to remove air from the room. Excess air then seeks exit sources in gaps along walls and stairways. Prevent the airflow through carpet and carpet edges by sealing openings through the carpet and under doors and baseboards. Keeping the air in the area clean and using good filtration in your heating and cooling systems and vacuum cleaners can help. Filtration soils may require special cleaning treatment for effective removal. Contact a carpet-cleaning professional for assistance.
                                                                 

> Courtesy of The Carpet and Cleaning Institute

Clearing The Air

Asthma and allergies: Although we might not normally associate carpet with improved indoor air quality, it does have a very positive effect. Gravity causes common household particles, such as dust, pollen and pet and insect dander, to fall to the floor. Carpet fibers trap the particles, reducing their continued circulation in the air. Proper cleaning with CRI-approved vacuums effectively removes dust and allergens from the carpet, locks them in the machine and helps keep them out of the air we breathe.

A misperception is that people with asthma and allergies should avoid carpet in the home. But much of today’s carpet is made from harmless materials found in clothing and other everyday fabrics, such as polyester, nylon, triexta, and olefin fibers, which don’t trouble most people.

Mold and VOC misperceptions: Other misperceptions about carpet involve mold and the emission of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. In fact, it is very hard to grow mold on carpet. Mold grows in any moist environment where dirt and dust provide nutrients. When carpet is kept clean and dry, mold simply cannot grow on synthetic fibers.

Carpet is also wrongly linked to high VOC levels. Scientific studies show that new carpet is one of the lowest emitters of VOCs into the indoor environment, and that these emissions dissipate very quickly. The low-level VOC emissions and the harmless odor from new carpet disappear within the first 48 to 72 hours after installation and even sooner with open windows or doors.

The Carpet and Rug Institute offers Green Label testing and certification to indicate carpet, carpet backings, cushions and adhesives that emit low VOCs.

                                                                         ~ Courtsey of The Carpet and Rug Institute

Caring For Your Carpet

1. The Virtues of Vacuuming:

The carpeting in your home is the perfect place for dirt, dust and other potentially harmful particles to hide. Vacuum the carpet in your home at least once per week, more frequently in high traffic areas like your family room or entrance way. By vacuuming on a regular basis, the life of your carpet is extended by preventing the dirt and particle build-up that wears down carpet fibers. For hard to reach places like underneath furniture and around baseboards, use your vacuum’s attachments every few weeks.

 

2. Slow Down and Sweep it All Out:

Even though your carpeting may not appear to be dirty, remember that millions of dirt and dust particles can be hiding deep within the carpet fibers. Many people vacuum too fast to really collect all of the dirt collected in their carpeting. Slow down a bit, and you’ll be able to sweep up a lot more of the particles that are hidden from the naked eye. It won’t take much extra time, but your carpets will look better and wear longer.

 

3. Crisscross Your Way to Cleaner Carpeting

High traffic areas where people sit and move their feet are some of the most important places to vacuum thoroughly. Go over these places a few times using a crisscross pattern to ensure that your carpet is really getting clean.

 

4. Fight the Dirt Before it Starts:

Whether you’re getting new carpet or just had your existing carpets cleaned, consider using soil retardants to keep your entire home looking pristine. While this can be done on your own, we recommend using professional equipment or having a qualified company apply the soil retardants for you. Soil retardants act like a shield against dirt and dust particles that will protect them for years to come.

Courtesy of: Clean Home Ideas