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7 Carpet Cleaning Secrets (As Used By The Pros)

7 Carpet Cleaning Secrets (As Used By The Pros)

If you’ve read any of our previous articles, you’ll probably be aware of the value of regular professional carpet cleaning in prolonging the lifespan of your carpets.

But how do you maintain the appearance and condition of your carpets in between professional cleans? And how do you tackle spillages and stains?

Here’s how we recommend you deal with stains and keep your carpets looking like new.

1. Blot Stains – Don’t Scrub Or Rub

If you need to tackle a spillage, simply blot the spill or stain from the outside-in using a clean cloth or paper towel. Don’t be tempted to scrub or agitate the stain as this can damage the carpet fibres and cause the stain to spread to the surrounding area.

2. Never Use A Shop Bought Stain Remover

Without mentioning any particular brands, we see the damage these products cause every week. Not only are they usually ineffective, they also often cause irreparable  damage to carpets to carpets and fabrics.

If unsure, just use plain cold water, a mild vinegar solution, or ask us for a bottle of our safe professional stain remover. Avoid any stain removal product sold in high street stores and supermarkets.

3. Easily Remove Wax Using Heat

Many of our customers have the odd candle wax spill here and there. And at first attempt, it can appear impossible to remove without pulling a bunch of fibres out with it! But candle wax is usually easily removed by safely applying heat. Simply place a clean cloth over the wax that is embedded into the carpet and place a warm iron on top of the cloth to heat the wax. Then use a blunt knife or similar instrument to scrape off the wax.

4. Vacuum Regularly

It’s just good common sense to vacuum your carpets every few days. Regular vacuuming keeps your carpets looking great, and more importantly, removes the dust and soiling that agitates and degrades the carpet fibres. Adhering to this simple step will add years to the life of your carpets.

5. Invest In Quality Carpet & Fabric Protection

Carpet Cleaning Secrets

Carpet protection such as Scotchgard helps to protect your carpets and upholstery from spills becoming permanent stains and makes them easier to remove. It also helps prevent dry soils from sticking to the carpet fibres and acting as an abrasive. If you’ve invested in high quality carpets, then a good stain protector is worth the small cost.

6. Follow A Proven Safe & Effective Stain Removal Process

Here’s how you can safely deal with many common spills and stains using vinegar and water:

  • Blot up the immediate visible spillage with a clean white cloth or paper towel
  • Continue to blot the stain with dry cloths until as much as possible of the surface stain is removed
  • Then, mix fresh water and white vinegar at a ratio of 4:1
  • Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray over the area a small amount at a time
  • Blot the area to remove excess moisture and repeat by separating and blotting until the stain has been removed
  • Spread kitchen towels over the area and place a weight on top of the towels to absorb and dry
  • Leave for a couple of hours – if there is no transfer of stain onto the paper and no stain is visible, then it has been successfully removed. If any stain remains, call a professional carpet cleaner to remove the stain

7. Invest In Professional Carpet Cleaning (Every 6 – 18 Months)

If you’re living alone without pets, a thorough deep clean every 18 – 24 months should suffice. But if you have a busy family home then it makes sense to thoroughly cleanse your carpets at least annually (and perhaps every 6 months if you have dogs or cats). The difference this will make to the appearance of your home is enormous.

Leaving it too late to get your carpets cleaned will cause damage to the fibres and can somewhat hinder the results of the clean.

Indeed, experience shows us that our most frequent repeat customers have the best looking carpets and that they last for many years longer!

For a free quotation for carpet cleaning in Swansea, Bridgend, Cardiff and throughout South Wales, call us today on 0800 028 2788

6 Christmas Cleaning Tips To Keep Your Carpets Clean & Fresh

Christmas Cleaning Tips To Keep Your Carpets Clean & Fresh

With Christmas fast approaching, you’re probably going to be having more guests over than usual. And with December being such a wet month here in the UK, your carpets can take quite a beating over the festive period.

Although nothing beats a full professional carpet clean in terms of results, there are a few things you can do to minimize staining and keep your carpets in good condition.

1) Floor mats

There’s always that one guest who will walk straight in your home with muddy shoes. And so it’s worth spending a few pounds on some inside and outside floor mats. Even if you don’t usually use them, they will prevent too much dirt being carried onto your carpets.

2) Shoe racks

Simply putting a cheap shoe rack outside or just inside your front door is an effective prompt for your guests to remove their footwear without even having to ask. The number cause of traffic staining and the quick wear of carpets is walking with shoes on.

3) Seal your carpets and flooring

If you’ve recently had your carpets, upholstery or flooring cleaned, it makes sense to get them stain protected as soon as possible. High quality stain protection means that any spillages will much easier to clean up afterwards and will make your next professional carpet clean so much more effective. This is because any stains will stay at the top of the carpet rather than seeping deep into the fibers.

4) If you have a real Christmas tree, water it frequently!

If you keep your Christmas tree fully hydrated, it will shed fewer needles. Not only does this mean you’ll be cleaning up less frequently, it also prevents the needles embedding into the carpet or being transferred throughout the home – causing abrasion and wear and tear to the carpet fibers.

5) Hoover regularly

You may be able to get away with a quick vacuum once a week the rest of the year, but you won’t at Christmas. And it’s not just about keeping everything looking clean for your guests – it is important to avoid excess grit getting into the base of your carpets and furnishings, causing them to age quicker. A quick vacuum every other day will keep them in good order.

6) Don’t use shop bought stain removers

This is the time of year when popular stain removers see a huge boost in sales.

DON’T USE THEM!

They don’t usually work very well and in many cases they can completely ruin your carpets or upholstery. They contain harsh chemicals that can “set” stains into the carpet or even cause permanent color damage.

We come across this damage on a daily basis and so we know it is very common. By treating any stain with a shop bought product you will likely reduce the future chance of successful stain removal by a professional carpet cleaner. You’ve been warned…

If you would like to buy a reliable and effective stain remover then please get in touch with us – we stock a great product that carries very minimal risk of any damage.

Finally, have a great Christmas! And if your carpets, hard flooring or sofas need bringing back to life in the new year, don’t hesitate to give us a call!