Carpet and upholstery cleaning-tips

When stains occur on rugs, carpets, upholstery and furniture, we all get worried because we're not sure how to remove the stain, and because it costs quite a bit to get them professionally cleaned. Our goal here is to help you find the right method of cleaning to keep the stains and odors from damaging your investment, while minimizing damage to your wallet, as well.

It can be a big help to your cleaning and maintenance tasks to have a few tips to assist you and help make clean-up a bit easier. It is important to know that the longer a stain sits, the harder it is to remove. Always try and blot the stain with white towels as soon as possible after the stain occurs, to prevent setting.

• Use clean white towels
• White paper towels also have good absorbent ability
• Vinegar can help to lift the stain
• Hydrogen peroxide,
• Liquid laundry detergent (without bleach)
• White cloth will prevent bleeding and added discoloration

1. Most carpets need to be vacuumed once a week. Areas with heavier foot traffic may benefit from bi-weekly vacuuming.
2. While vacuuming, make sure to go against the grain of the fibers to remove embedded and deeper particles.
3. Protect your carpet by placing indoor and outdoor mats at the entrance to your home. In order to minimize the dirt and grime that comes off of visitors' shoes. Remember to clean your mats periodically to keep them effective.

1. Remove and solid particles- such as food- immediately.
2. Cover and blot the affected area with a white cloth and absorb as much of the liquids as possible. When repeating, always use a clean cloth to prevent the stain from spreading to other areas.
3. Spray spot-lifter or use a laundry detergent (free of bleach) on the infected area.
4. Let the detergent sit for 2-5 minutes, so that it can loosen any substances that have been absorbed into the fibers.
5. Continue blotting and lifting the stain using a clean, white cloth. Repeat, blotting the stain, adding more detergent if necessary, until moisture is reduced to a minimum.

*Remember to test every spot-remover or detergent on an indiscreet area, to prevent further damage and discoloration.

Vinegar is the most effective home-made product to remove coffee and tea stains. Just mix a teaspoon of vinegar with a quart of cold water and spray it on the stain. Wait 2-5 minutes, and begin the blotting process.

Mix one teaspoon ammonia with 1/8 of a gallon of cold water, lightly spray on the stain and wait 5-15 minutes and then begin to blot, using clean, cold water and laundry detergent. Use a white cloth to avoid discoloration, and make sure to test the ammonia solution and any detergents on an inconspicuous area to check for the reaction.

• Red wine is one of the toughest stains to deal with.
• Spray hydrogen peroxide and spot-lifter on the stain.
• Wait 10-30 minutes, checking the stain's reaction to the formula every ten minutes.
• Make sure to clean the stain and blot fully using cold  water and detergent.
• Use caution- hydrogen peroxide can cause fading and color loss, so try it out in an inconspicuous area before applying to any stains.

*Pet urine stains should be treated as early as possible, as any delay will allow the acid to cause fading in the affected area. For every urine stain, we need to thoroughly dismiss the organism and acid content of the urine. Mix even parts of cold water and vinegar, and deeply spray the affected area. Allow it to almost dry- 2-4 hours, and then you can help it dry by blotting with a clean, white cloth. The acidity of the vinegar should neutralize the urine. Now, mix a capful of hydrogen peroxide and a teaspoon of bleach-free liquid detergent with a quart of cold water. Spray and wait 3-5 minutes to start blotting and brushing the urine stain- carefully, so as not to damage the fibers- until the moisture is mostly gone. Finally, spread baking soda on the area and let it dry- then vacuum. The hydrogen peroxide is a powerful oxidizer capable of killing the bacteria that cause urine odors. Baking soda is a well-known deodorizer, which will absorb the odor.