What do Those Codes on Furniture Tags Really Mean?

Posted on October 27, 2017 by RWS ACCC

Look under the cushions of a typical piece of upholstered furniture and you will usually find a fabric care tag. This tag should include an indication of the recommended procedures for maintenance and routine cleaning of that particular piece of furniture. Part of the tag will likely assure you that all new materials were used; this is a reference to the stuffing inside the piece. What you want to know, more, is how to keep this piece of furniture looking its best, so look for another tag.

The Cleaning Tag
You should find a tag that specifically lists a cleaning code. Before we go into what these codes mean, please note that these tags and codes are merely a guideline to assist you in spot cleaning only. The tag is also an indication to the professional cleaner how to avoid color loss, bleeding, browning or shrinkage during cleaning.

Fabrics are made from a variety of fibers including cotton, polyester, silk, rayon, nylon, polypropylene, acetate, acrylic, wool and blends thereof. They can be woven in a variety of ways, as well as having an unlimited array of dye methods, colors and patterns. All of these different combinations make avoiding possible cleaning reactions very challenging, but possible – if you know what you’re doing!

Improper selection of cleaning agents or methods can lead to permanent damage to fabrics. An example is crushed velvet. If it is treated improperly, it can lose its softness, luster and crimp. This sort of damage is irreversible. Many floral or multi-colored patterns are printed on the fabric rather than woven into it. Extra care must be taken when cleaning these as the colors are only on the surface. The wrong chemical can actually remove the printed dyes, or destabilize them to the point that the colors run into each other. Again, this is uncorrectable.

So, effective and safe cleaning of your upholstered furniture means knowing how to clean it. Part of that requires deciphering the code, so here are the cleaning codes and their meanings:

W: This codes tells you to spot clean only with water based shampoo or foam upholstery cleaner. If your tag has a “W” be careful not to over wet the area or use any solvents.

S: This codes tells you the opposite of“W”–it says to spot clean only with a water free dry cleaning solvent. But remember to always pretest a small, inconspicuous area before proceeding. Be careful not to oversaturate the material or to use any water.

WS or SW: When you see this tag spot clean with upholstery shampoo, foam from a mild detergent, or mild dry cleaning solvent.

X: This is a really important one which means to clean only by vacuuming or light brushing with a non-metallic, stiff bristle brush. Never use any water or solvent-based cleaners on furniture that has this tag.

No matter what tag you see, remember these basic suggestions:
• Always clean spills promptly, and call A Cleaner Carpet Cleaner if you are in doubt.
• Never rub, but rather blot up liquids to avoid damaging the furniture.
• Always start cleaning from the outside of the stain, working your way in, to avoid spreading the stain.
• Do not remove cushion covers for cleaning as they may shrink or misshape and not go back on properly.

Posted in A Cleaner Blog Post | Leave a comment

Is it okay for me to use those miracle carpet stain removers I see on TV?

Posted on September 11, 2017 by RWS ACCC

Whether you watch television during daytime talk shows, in the middle of prime time, or during a fit of insomnia at 2 a.m., you simply can’t avoid them: commercials, and infomercials, trying to convince you that some liquid in the bottle will magically remove any spot or stain you have on your carpet, no matter where it originated, how long it’s been there, or what type of carpet you have. While it is possible that some of these products have some value, it is not possible that any product can do all of these things. Every fiber is different. Every spill is different. So there is simply no one-stop solution to clean everything. And, unfortunately, using some of these “miracle” stain removers in the wrong place can cause irreversible damage to your carpet.

Miracle Oxygen Cleaners
One popular product that people tend to try, and place great faith in, is the “Oxy” cleaners seen on infomercials. If you choose to use these cleaners, exercise caution. Professional carpet cleaning companies are seeing more and more damage being done to carpet by the oxygen bleaches in these cleaners. The damage can range from minor color loss to large permanent yellow stains caused by the chemical reaction with the carpet fibers. Theoretically, these products should be safe if used according to the manufacturer’s directions. But there are things that can and do affect the chemical reaction and can make results vary greatly. For instance, the exact nature of the spot you are trying to remove matters. Some stains do not react well to oxygen bleaches, and can even become permanent if you use those products. Another problem is sunlight. Under sunlight, the oxidizer becomes more chemically active and aggressive, resulting in heightened bleaching action. Remember, anything that has the ability to remove food coloring has the potential to destabilize the dyes used to give your carpet its color.

Other Product Promises
There are other products that use high pH detergents in conjunction with the oxygen bleach to help break down greasy spots and spills. While this can be quite effective in removing the offending spots, it can leave behind a residue that destroys the stain resistant properties of your carpet. This is not visible damage, however it is quite real. The result is an area that is“unprotected”and therefore vulnerable to permanent staining the next time something is spilled there. Also, these highly alkaline residues are often quite sticky, attracting soils. So even though the spot goes away, the area keeps getting dirtier and dirtier. So you apply more cleaner and leave more residue, in a never-ending, frustrating cycle of futility. If you had the ability to apply, agitate, rinse and thoroughly extract the chemicals, it wouldn’t be so bad. But removing all of the stuff you pour on the carpet can be quite difficult. So what can you do? Your safest bet when you have a difficult stain is to call A Cleaner Carpet Cleaner before attempting to remove it yourself. We are an experienced carpet cleaning company, and can give you options as to the best way to handle the situation while avoiding any damage to your carpet. We can also give you tips for removing small spots in the future.

Posted in Carpet Cleaning | Leave a comment

Be Healthy, Wealthy and Wise with Carpet

Posted on August 11, 2017 by RWS ACCC

Carpet is a great way to decorate because of the textures, colors and patterns available. It looks good, but it also provides a variety of benefits. Carpet insulates, typically resulting in 10% or more in energy savings. Carpet absorbs sound, making a house quieter and more relaxing. And of course carpet is safer, reducing the occurrence of slips and falls and the severity of associated injuries from these accidents.

But did you realize that carpet is also an economical and prudent choice for maintenance and health reasons?

Little Maintenance
Carpet requires less maintenance than hard surface floors such as hardwood, vinyl and tile. Interim care of carpet is accomplished simply by vacuuming. Depending on the number of people and pets, this may be done in as little as 2 or 3 hours a month in the typical household. Aside from prompt attention to spills, this is usually all that is needed between professional cleanings.

By contrast, think of all the cleaners, sealers, waxes and polishes needed to keep a hard floor looking good and the amount of time it takes to sweep and mop. Let’s not forget how much it can cost to have a professional restore a scratched, dull marble or wood floor, or to clean, remove stains and seal tile and grout. While it is true that hard surface floors are easier to clean in the event of a liquid spill, properly maintained modern carpeting has protectors such as3M Scotchgard and DuPont Teflon factory applied which helps them clean-up well.

Of course, eventually, this protection wears off, just as the protective finish on a new car does. And just as you need to wax your car to refresh that protection, your carpet should have a protector reapplied periodically. In cases where the protector is maintained, prompt response usually achieves good results in spill removal.

Carpet is Good for Your Health
Contrary to opinions by well-meaning but ill-informed “experts,” carpet that is properly maintained actually improves indoor air quality. How? Carpet acts as a filter, trapping pollutants such as dust, pollen, dander, smoke, and dust mite contamination as air passes through it. Studies conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed that carpet acts as a “sink” for pollutants. This fact caused some experts to contend that carpet contributed to poor indoor air quality and associated ill health effects.

But this view misses one key point
As the EPA pointed out, carpet acts as a “sink,” trapping these pollutants, instead of allowing them to be distributed up into the breathing zone. The result? Homes and buildings with properly maintained carpets have better air quality in the “breathing zone” than those with other flooring types. So, as these contaminants build-up in the carpet they simply must be removed by professional cleaning. This creates a cycle of cleanliness. On the other hand, with hard surface flooring, all it takes is a small amount of air movement from an open door, or even foot traffic to disperse the dust and pollutants into the breathing zone.

So to reap the financial and health benefits of your carpet, give A Cleaner Carpet Cleaner a call for proper maintenance and periodic, professional cleaning.

Posted in Carpet Cleaning | Leave a comment

Is it Too Soon to Clean my New Carpet?

Posted on July 10, 2017 by RWS ACCC

If you purchased new carpet within the last year or two you may be wondering when the time is to start having it professionally cleaned. Often times a salesperson at the carpet store will tell you to wait as long as possible before you have your new carpet professionally cleaned; that cleaning your carpet will just make it get dirty faster requiring more frequent cleaning. Is that true?

Old Attitudes for Old Technology
The belief that once you clean your carpet the first time you will then need to clean them all the time goes back to the early days of professional carpet cleaning. Back then lots of chemical and water was used in an attempt to get the carpet clean. These carpet cleaning chemicals worked great at attracting soil away from the carpet fiber and suspending those soils in the cleaning solution to be wet vacuumed away.

The trouble began because the equipment was not able to extract or rinse out all the chemical that was applied. So, the chemicals remained on the carpet as a sticky, soil-attracting residue. It was true, once you cleaned your carpets back “in the day” you began a cycle of needing to clean them more often.

Poor Quality Carpet Cleaning Causes Damage
To some extent, this can happen even today when calling some “discount” carpet cleaners. They use cheap chemicals, inferior equipment, untrained workers and charge low, low prices.

The poor guys who work for them are often subcontractors or are paid on commission. What happens is that the technician often has to hurry through the job just to make a decent living. So there can be a lot of these cheap, sticky chemicals left in the carpet because they were not properly rinsed out. Sure it looks okay when he leaves, but the carpets will re-soil quickly, often over the course of a few days or weeks.

The Benefits of High Quality Cleaning
Things in the carpet cleaning industry have changed dramatically over the last few years. The cleaning agents we use, though more expensive, are designed to rinse freely from the carpet and leave little or no residue. What tiny amount may be left behind is specially formulated to dry completely non-sticky, to be vacuumed away with normal maintenance.

Quality equipment does cost more, but it has the power to thoroughly clean your carpet and rinse away soils and cleaning agents. Finally, the application of a quality protector makes your carpet stay cleaner longer.

Not all carpet cleaners are willing to spend the extra time and money to do a high quality job. A reputable company will pre-treat, agitate and rinse with extremely hot water and a powerful vacuum system. This leaves carpets clean, fluffy and residue-free, the way it should be. As an added bonus, clean carpet improves indoor air quality, so your family will breathe easier.

Most major carpet manufacturers require professional carpet cleaning once every 12-24 months. Failure to do so could void your carpet warranty. So if you want your carpets to stay cleaner, last longer and look beautiful, call A Cleaner Carpet Cleaner to set up your personalized carpet care program.

Posted in Carpet Cleaning | Leave a comment

How Does Stain-Resistant Carpet Work?

Posted on June 19, 2017 by RWS ACCC

Consumers have become quite demanding. We expect that the things we buy and use will last a long time, work properly and outlive the warranty. Our high expectations extend straight down to our carpets. We expect them to resist staining and look new for many years. Fortunately, with modern stain-resistant applications, we can get years and years of life out of our carpets with proper care.

Understanding Stain-Resistant Fibers
True stain-resistant carpet is referred to as 5th generation nylon. Although these fibers are stain resistant, they are not stain-proof. In order to understand how carpet can be made stain-resistant, we have to define what a stain is.

A stain is something that has added color to the carpet fibers, and cannot be removed with regular cleaning. Some stains are fairly simple to remove. Others are difficult or even impossible to remove completely. One type of stain that gives owners of carpet nightmares is the red food coloring typically found in soft drinks. These products dye the fibers in much the same way that carpet is dyed at the factory.

5th generation nylon carpet fibers are factory-dyed using an acid-based dye system. This means that the dye registers on the acid side of the pH scale. Nylon fibers have microscopic areas on the surface called dye sites. These dye sites are negatively charged. The acid-based dyes are positively charged, as are many staining agents like food coloring. Opposites attract, and the molecules of dye attach themselves to dye sites on the nylon fibers giving you the color you want. However, staining agents can do the same thing.

The Magic of “Invisible Dye”
When the carpet is dyed, not all of the dye sites are filled. This creates an open space for any acid-based, positively charged stain molecule to attach itself. To help prevent staining, fiber producers invented a process where they fill the open dye sites with what can be described as“colorless dye”. These “colorless dyes” are called acid dye resistors (ADR’s). ADR’s make it very difficult for stains to permanently enter the dye sites, buying you precious time to blot and remove a spill before the spot becomes a permanent stain. If it weren’t for ADR’s, most food spills would instantly stain the carpet for good!

ADR’s are not the same as carpet protectors like Scotchgard or Teflon, which are referred to as fluorochemical soil retardants. Fluorochemical soil-retardants help carpet resist common soils, spots and spills. It’s the combination of soil retardants and acid dye resistors that make modern carpet last much longer and clean up much more easily than carpets of a generation ago.

There are things that can damage the factory-applied acid dye resistors. Untrained, uneducated carpet cleaners using the wrong type of cleaning agents can void your carpet’s stain-resist warranty. That’s why A Cleaner Carpet Cleaner is always your safest choice when it comes to having your carpets professionally cleaned.

A Cleaner Carpet Cleaner use the methods, cleaning agents and equipment most recommended by major car-pet manufacturers. When we apply a quality fluorochemical protector, your carpets stay cleaner longer. The result is that your carpets look beautiful, resist stains and last longer, maintaining your valuable warranty.

Posted in A Cleaner Blog Post, Carpet Cleaning, Contaminants | Leave a comment

Soil Control Saves You Money and Time

Posted on May 2, 2017 by RWS ACCC

All through the year we track various soils into our homes. Not only that, pollutants from car exhaust, pollens, pet and human dander, and just plain old dirt can damage decorative surfaces in your home including carpet, tile, wood, upholstery and fabrics. Soil control is an important part of keeping your home clean and healthy. You can control soil by limiting the entrance and buildup of contaminants in your indoor environment.

Keep Outside Contaminates Outside
The best way to control soil indoors is to prevent its entry. They say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure; it takes 12 times more effort, time and money to remove soil as it does to prevent it from entering a structure.

Remember that whatever is outside tends to come in, so consider the following:

• Keep walkways, steps and porches clean and free of dirt, mold, moss and algae.
• Maintain garage floors in order to prevent oil, road grime and other contaminants from accumulating and being tracked indoors.
• Place doormats both outside and inside the entrances to your home.
• Outdoor mats should be a water resistant, synthetic, non-absorbent fiber such as olefin or polypropylene, textured to scrape heavier soils off your shoes. Avoid natural fibers which tend to degrade, mold and rot creating a new soil source.
• Inside doormats should be absorbent like nylon, cotton or wool. Vacuum and wash it periodically to remove built-up soils.
• Remove shoes when you come indoors, but don’t make the mistake of going barefoot all the time. The skin of our feet contains natural oils that attach to carpet and attract soil. Instead, wear clean house shoes, socks or slippers indoors.

Some Dirt Starts Inside
There are also sources of soiling that originate indoors. Normal daily activities generate a variety of dust and residues that settle on just about every surface. Keep the following in mind to keep your home clean:

• Cooking produces oily deposits that can bond to floors and carpet, attracting dust and soil. Kitchen vent hoods remove odors and filter out oils and moisture too.
• Humans shed millions of skin cells every day. The more people and pets there are in the home, the more dead skin, body oils, perspiration and debris accumulate in carpets, furnishings and air ducts.
• Gas and oil-fired heating systems also produce carbon pollution. Even candles can contribute to soiling of carpets and furnishings.
• Use vent fans when showering. Bathroom vent fans exhaust excess moisture outside and help prevent condensation on surfaces. Dust sticks to moisture and creates a residual film on surfaces. This film can become a breeding ground for bacteria and surface mold.
• Vacuuming is the most effective way to maintain your carpets. 74-79%of soil in carpet is dry, particulate soil that can be removed by vacuuming. You should also vacuum your upholstered furniture, drapery and blinds for the same reasons.
• When you dust your furniture, do so gently, preferably with a duster attachment on your vacuum cleaner. If you use a duster, go slow and allow dust to settle for an hour or so and vacuum the floor last. Your carpet can last a long, long time if properly cared for.

Annual professional cleaning is recommended in most homes. Busy homes with children and pets require cleaning twice a year or more depending on lifestyle. Don’t wait until your carpets, rugs and upholstery look dirty to have them cleaned; by the time fibers have reached a visibly soiled state they are already damaged. Unfortunately, cleaning cannot repair the damage caused by excessive soiling.

Call A Cleaner Carpet Cleaner to schedule your next cleaning or for more expert advice.

Posted in A Cleaner Blog Post | Leave a comment

Spring Cleaning Tips

Posted on April 11, 2017 by RWS ACCC

The thought of spring cleaning may seem overwhelming. Especially when you think about all of the projects involved; cabinets, oven, cooktop, pantry, microwave, vent hood and backsplashes. Don’t forget the refrigerator and freezer. And that’s just the kitchen! Cleaning and organizing the garage, closets, attic and basement storage areas are on the list, too. Ceiling fans, light fixtures and chandeliers also need cleaning.

Then there is finding the stuff you will need to get it done, as well as the time and motivation. When you have the time, you don’t have the motivation. When you feel motivated you don’t have the time. Eventually there comes a day when you say, “We really need to get this done!” Here are some suggestions on how to get motivated, accomplish more, and maybe even have a little fun in the process!

1. Break each large task into a list of smaller ones. For instance, divide “clean the garage” into “organize garage shelves”, “sweep garage floor”, “sort tools”, etc. Write them on a pad, and cross each off as you complete it. Writing them down and crossing them off gives you visual reinforcement and a feeling of accomplishment.

2. Pick a small reward for yourself when you complete a project. This can be something as simple as taking a little break to call a friend, read a chapter out of a book, or even some kind of sweet treat. Don’t underestimate the value of a short nap and don’t overdo the chocolate.

3. Listen to your favorite music.Up-tempo music is great while you are doing mundane activities like sorting through a “junk drawer”or cleaning out the closet. It’s okay to dance and sing while you work. In fact, you’ll enjoy working more if you move around! Remember the vacuuming scene from the movie Mrs. Doubtfire? Classic!

4.If you feel overwhelmed by a big project, don’t commit yourself to finishing it. Simply commit to work on it for 30or even just 15 minutes. Then if you feel like it, keep going. Most often the momentum will be enough to keep you going. If not, quit and resolve to give it a goon another day.

5. Read your to-do list and prepare the necessary tools and supplies the night before. Your subconscious mind will work on the project while you sleep. Often you will wake up with ideas on how to do the job more efficiently. If you get the prep work out of the way, you will have a lot more momentum when you get started on your projects. Your attitude will be much better and you will be fired up and ready to go if much of the prep work is done beforehand.

6. Be ruthless with clutter! If you are cleaning out a closet or storage area, keep a large trash container nearby. Undecided as to whether you should keep something? Ask yourself, “When was the last time I used this? What’s the worst thing that could happen if I get rid of this and how hard would it be to replace?” Donate useful items to a charity. You’ll have less to store and you will feel really good about it!

7. Big projects like carpet and upholstery cleaning require expert help. Call A Cleaner Carpet Cleaner for these. Your home will look, feel and smell fresh. An added benefit? Just knowing that we are coming to clean will give you the incentive to start on other spring cleaning projects that you may be putting off.

Posted in A Cleaner Blog Post | Leave a comment

Allergy Allert

Posted on March 2, 2017 by RWS ACCC

What to do when you Move into a Home that Previously had Pets

People with allergies to pets can suffer from symptoms that range from mildly annoying to unbearable. If you or someone in your family has allergic reactions to pets, you already know that the cause is dander. Dander, made up of particles shed from animals and humans every day, is mainly comprised of dead skin cells. People can be allergic to dander from any kind of animal, but the most common allergies are to cats, followed by dogs and lastly, birds.

Regardless of the animal, dander is microscopic and ends upon just about every surface in the home. This is a problem if you are planning on moving into a home that previously housed pets. A Cleaner Carpet Cleaner offers the following suggestions as a way to minimize exposure to these allergens.

Step 1. Meticulous Dusting
A very thorough dusting of all surfaces in the house is the first step. If you plan to do this yourself, wear a disposable filter mask designed to remove allergens. The goal of this cleaning is to remove as much dust from surfaces as possible. Prior to dusting install pleated furnace filters designed to remove allergens. Set the central furnace blower to run continuously to capture airborne dust created during the cleaning.

Working from top to bottom in each room, be sure to get all of the dust from above door and window frames, ceiling fans, duct grills and baseboards. It is preferable to do this meticulous dusting with a HEPA vacuum and brush attachment. After you are done, turn off the furnace blower and allow the dust to settle for one to two hours, then vacuum the carpets thoroughly. A HEPA vacuum is preferred as they can capture 99.97% of all allergens.

Step 2. Meticulous Cleaning
Once you are confident that you have removed as much dust as possible, all surfaces should be cleaned. Allergies are caused by various proteins, and some of these are contained in residues adhering to all sorts of surface. There is no need to use special anti-allergen cleaners to do this. Any cleaner designed for the surface will do. However, if you are sensitive to fragrances or certain chemicals, there are low VOC products available. VOCs are volatile organic compounds that can cause respiratory irritation in some individuals.

What about the carpet? The best option is to replace the carpet prior to cleaning the home. If the carpet is to be cleaned, the goal is to reduce the allergens to negligible levels. Of course A Cleaner Carpet Cleaner should handle this for you. Our cleaning system is designed to remove deeply embedded soils, pollutants, allergens and contamination that could otherwise aggravate allergies.

Step 3. Replace Filters
During the cleaning, a significant amount of allergens were likely dispersed into the air. Wait about 24 hours and then replace furnace filters again with high quality allergen reducing filters.

Ideally, the ventilation system should be professionally cleaned to remove contaminants and potential allergens found in the ductwork, air conditioner coils and air-handler.

For most people, a home with a previous pet can be cleaned well enough to make it a great place to live. If you have severe allergies you should always seek the advice of your doctor. Ask if it is okay to move into a home that was previously occupied by pets.

Our goal at A Cleaner Carpet Cleaner is to clean not only for appearance, but also for health. Please call us if you have any questions. It’s our pleasure to help.

Posted in Carpet Cleaning, Contaminants | Leave a comment

How to Maintain Your Most Personal Space

Posted on February 2, 2017 by RWS ACCC

Yes, it is often easy to tell when it’s time to clean the carpet in your family room, hallway or the main entrance to your house. You begin to see soil in the traffic areas, or there are those inevitable spots and spills. Despite your best efforts at vacuuming the carpet still looks soiled and you clearly know it needs to be cleaned. But what about the carpet in your bedrooms? Tracked in soils or spills aren’t usually a major problem in bedrooms. This may lead you to think that bedroom carpets don’t need cleaning as often as the rest of the house. Think again.

Your Bedroom is Dirtier than you Realize
Your bedroom is the place where you sleep, dress and groom. The natural body oils, perspiration, dander, hair, particles from coughing and sneezing, residue from recently showering and the moisture it generates make the bedroom among the most heavily soiled carpets in your home, even if they still look good. Of course, don’t forget all of the sprays, lotions and potions we use when grooming. These can leave residue behind that is unhealthy itself but which also attracts dirt and germs.

It’s no surprise that much of this “stuff” ends up in your carpet. And even though you can’t see these soils, they are there. Need proof? Walk into your bedroom, master closet or dressing area and take a whiff. Chances are, you will notice a natural musky odor that is unique to that room.

The Surprises Lurking in Your Private Spaces
Discussing the most personal space in your home may make you feel a bit uncomfortable, but the fact is that you spend a huge portion of your day in that room. It should be the cleanest room in the house, if you want to be healthy. Let’s consider two major bedroom problems: your carpet and your mattress.

Much of the body oil, sweat and dander you lose every day remains in your carpet and mattress. During the natural processes of oxidation and decay, these organic materials break down and release gases that are the source of odors. Your bed sheets help protect your mattress, but some of the tiny dead skin cells and body oils, along with 8-12 ounces of perspiration adults lose each night, do make it through and end up in your mattress.

Another concern is dust mites. The highest population of dust mites in any house is in the bedroom. This is because the 3 things that a dust mite needs to survive are found there in abundance: food, moisture and warmth. Dust mites eat dead skin, they get all the moisture they need from bedroom humidity and perspiration, and they love the warmth your body leaves in the bed. All of this makes your bedroom the perfect breeding ground to raise happy, healthy dust mites.

Wake Up Refreshed
If you are one of the millions of Americans with allergies, dust mite droppings could be a major cause of your suffering. Dust mite feces, a major component of household dust, is one of the most potent allergic irritants known to medical science. This is especially true in bedrooms. If you really want your house to be clean and healthy, include occupied bedrooms in every carpet cleaning. For extra protection and potential relief from allergies have your mattress cleaned as well to remove these contaminants.

Do you go to bed breathing easy, but wake up congested and sneezy? You may find that detailed cleaning helps to alleviate your symptoms. So call A Cleaner Carpet Cleaner today and breathe easier tonight.

Posted in Carpet Cleaning, Contaminants | Leave a comment

Tracking Down the Facts: Common Cleaning Myths Busted

Posted on January 14, 2017 by RWS ACCC

We make New Years’ resolutions to be better people. You may have a spring time goal to shape up before summer. You have to save money before the holidays. As a group, humans seek to continuously improve, making resolutions and promises to make things better.

While no cleaning company can control your dieting, exercising, shopping or television habits, they can help make your home a cleaner, healthier place to live. Resolutions and goals are usually decisions to make changes. When it comes to keeping your home clean you can make better decisions when you have all the facts.

Of course, we all like to think we make sound decisions based on facts. However, many smart people make poor choices when it comes to their home based on some common myths.

Let’s blow some of these myths away and clarify the others:

Myth: Unless you are expecting company it doesn’t matter what your carpets look like. Fact: When the holiday parties and graduation celebrations are over is a great time to get rid of the spots, spills and tracked in soil that may have been left behind from entertaining your guests, any time of the year.

Myth: If you clean carpets in winter they will take longer to dry.
Fact: Lower humidity in the air means carpets usually dry faster in the winter. High humidity slows the rate of evaporation. Drier air increases the rate at which water evaporates from materials, including carpets so they dry faster.

Myth: I might as well wait to clean my carpets since spring is right around the corner. Fact: Spring is almost 3 months away. Since you keep the house closed up tighter in the winter, it makes sense to freshen up your home. Besides, since you are spending more time indoors, shouldn’t your carpets be clean, fresh and fluffy?

Myth: It makes better financial sense to put off carpet cleaning as long as possible.
Fact: Modern carpets rarely wear out. Instead, they “ugly out”. Traffic lanes become dingy. Spots become permanent stains. Fibers become dull from a build-up of abrasive soil and oxidized oils. All of this causes irreversible damage and shortens the usable life of the carpet. Your carpets will last longer and look great all year if you have them professionally cleaned more often.

There are reasons to get your carpets cleaned every time of the year. When the kids are in school you can get the carpets cleaned without worrying about them being underfoot. When the kids are out of school you have more traffic and more dirt to get out. You want to clean for the holidays, but don’t forget spring cleaning. The point is, anytime of year is a good time to kick off a cleaner, healthier, more organized home.

Clean Your Entire House –by Accident
When people prepare for professional carpet cleaning they tend tode-clutter, pick up and reorganize their home. So you can force a little spring cleaning any time of year by scheduling a carpet cleaning today. Remember that clean carpet improves indoor air quality, so your family will breathe easier. Now that you have the facts, you can make an educated decision about your carpet-cleaning schedule.

Posted in Carpet Cleaning | Leave a comment