Maintaining the clean & preparing for the unforeseen

We all hate it when you finish cleaning up a mess, just for in time for something dirty it again! These tips are great and EASY ways to keep your fibers plush & shining! We will consider carpets, rugs & upholstery.

 

Carpets

 

  1. Vacuuming:
    Regular vacuuming is the most important thing you can do to stretch the life of your carpet. Vacuuming, even when the carpet looks clean, prevents invisible grit from sinking into the carpet and shredding its filaments which causes irreversible traffic patterns. Vacuum your carpet weekly (more often in heavy traffic areas). Also, whether your vacuum is upright or canister, filtered or a traditional bag model, keeping it in good working order will help keep your carpets cleaner for longer. Make sure you change your filter or bag regularly. If you don’t, your vacuum could lose suction and fail to pick up the dirt.
  2. Walk-Off Mats:
    Place small mats or rugs at entryways and areas that lead from hard surfaces to carpeting. Soils from the outdoors and grit from hard surfaces tend to stick to the soles of your feet and wipe right off onto the carpets. Walk-off mats help prevent this from happening.
  3. Scotchgard Protector:
    Scotchgard protects carpet fibers against oil or water-based spills and tracked-in dirt. It does wear off in time, especially in the traffic areas (where you need it most) so it should be reapplied with each professional cleaning.
  4. Foot Traffic:
    Hard rubber and leather-soled shoes pick up and carry far less dirt onto your carpeting compared to softer, waffle soled shoes. Black crepe soles are particularly bad and bare feet may be the worst. Even though you’ve showered, natural oils in your skin pick up dirt and then paint it on your carpeting. Indoor-only slippers or just clean socks worn around the house are your best bet!
  5. Immediate Attention to Spots:
    Many types of spots require immediate attention and some get even worse when treated with detergents. Keep a bottle of our special Spot Out on hand, and call us if you have any questions. We’re always available to offer advice, so keep our phone number handy.
  6. Professional Cleaning:
    Having your carpets cleaned every 12 to 18 months helps your carpet realize its full life-span. It also keeps your carpet looking better and feeling softer.

 

 

Area Rugs

 

  1. “Beating” the Rug:
    Place your rug face down a clean garage floor or patio. Vacuum the backside, setting the vacuum for short pile to create plenty of vibration. You’ll be amazed at how much dirt drops out to the concrete using this method. Turn the rug back over, and vacuum the topside to remove surface dust.
  2. Fringe:
    High pressures of vacuuming can cause fringe to tear or come loose so avoid the fringe when vacuuming. We recommend that you lightly brush the fringe with a broom.
  3. Moth Damage:
    Wool Orientals are especially susceptible to moths that lay their eggs in dark, undisturbed areas. One favorite spot is under heavy, seldom-moved furniture. Be sure to vacuum these areas at least three to four times a year.
  4. Bleeding:
    Many area rugs are decorated with fugitive dyes (“bleeding” colors). Before attempting to do your own spot removal on an area rug, test to make sure there are no fugitive dyes involved. Just moisten a towel with your cleaning solution and rub a small area at the corner of the rug. If any color appears on the towel then there are fugitive dyes in the rug. Allow us to clean those spots without damage.
  5. Spot treatment:
    Immediate action always produces the best results. First, scrape off any solid material or blot up liquid with a soft terry-cloth or paper towel. Wool rugs are sensitive to strong cleaners so use a spray bottle of warm water mixed with one teaspoon of hair shampoo to wet the spot. Next, massage the area with your fingertips or a soft brush. Finally, spray and blot the area several times using a mixture of two tablespoons of white vinegar in 12oz of clean water.
  6. Padding:
    We recommend that padding be placed beneath area rugs. It limits the effects of foot traffic and also prevents bunching and sliding (which can be a tripping hazard).
  7. Professional Cleaning:
    Many rugs still look clean even though they haven’t been cleaned for years. Professional cleaning is important because it extracts dirt and dust that vacuuming cannot remove. The grit that settles in will eventually wear through the fibers at their base, making the rug look much older.

 

 

Upholstery

 

  1. Flip Cushions
    every two months. It’s even recommended to switch a cushion’s position on the couch, if possible.
  2. Sun Block:
    UV rays are harmful to fabric causing discoloration and fading. Use tinted windows, blinds, or (if décor permits) position the furniture to prevent your upholstery from being exposed to direct sunlight.
  3. Rotate furniture
    around a room or dining room table to prevent uneven wear and fading.
  4. Vacuuming
    should be done regularly, about every three months.
  5. Fabric Protection
    such as Scotchgard helps upholstery repel dirt, spills, and stains. Most fabric is treated before it leaves the factory, but those products wear away in time. If you want to protect your sofa from drips and dribbles, a good professional cleaning, including the reapplication of fabric protector, will do the trick.
  6. Don’t Wait Too Long:
    Some sofas hide dirt so well that you can go for years without even thinking about it. But just because you don’t notice the dirt, doesn’t mean it’s not there. A sofa can go from brand new to dingy and you’d hardly even notice. It’s recommended to get a cleaning every 18 to 24 months.

 

 
I’m sure these tips will help you keep your floors & furniture in great shape all year long!

 

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