Handy Cleaning Tips
TIPS FOR ACCIDENTAL SPILLS… STAY CALM!
Most accidental spots and spills on your upholstery or carpet can be resolved with no permanent damage to the fibers. More serious damage usually results from overreacting. Follow the advice below for immediate cleanup, and give me a call to walk you through other necessary spot cleaning steps.
Some upholstery and carpet fibers stain more easily than others. A stain is when a colored substance permanently binds to a textile. It is possible certain spill can permanently stain some textiles. If a spill is going to stain it occurs almost instantly. Before you have a chance to find a towel, the damage is already done.
Carefully remove as much of the spelled substance as possible. If there is a residue or discoloration, waiting 24 hours to complete the spot cleaning procedure will normally be okay.
The magic word is blot!
LIQUID SPILL
Often spills will bead up or stay on the outside of the yarns. Slowly place an absorbent towel on top of the spill. Many times the liquid will be more attracted to the towel than the textile it was spilled on. Avoid rubbing a substance on the surface deeper into the fiber. The magic word is blot. Aggressive rubbing can permanently distort some textile fibers.
*Do not rinse upholstery with water unless there is a consumer spot cleaning label on the upholstered piece which states it is safe to use water (W or WS means safe with water)
If the spill occurs on carpet, it is usually safe to carefully use water to rinse the residue from the fibers. Blot with an absorbent towel to remove the rinsing water.
SEMI-LIQUID SPILL
Spills that have more substance such as foods need to be carefully scooped up first. The goal is to avoid forcing the spill deeper into the fibers. Carefully blot with an absorbent towel and then rinse with water if safe.
DRY SPILL
Carefully scoop up excess trying to avoid working the substance deeper into the fibers. Carefully dry vacuum surface spill and then gently move fibers to clean any of the spill that settled deeper into the textile.
PLEASE CALL ME IF YOU NEED MY HELP OR HAVE ANY QUESTIONS!
I will gladly walk you through any necessary procedures that you can do yourself. There are times and situations when it is more appropriate for a trained professional to perform certain delicate procedures. I will be glad to assist you in those cases.
Carpet cleaning is just like exercise! If you get into a routine and keep it up, you will see great results and feel better for it. And understanding the right way to clean carpet will help you save time by doing it correctly the first time with products that do the job right from the start.
Not only will Seal of Approval cleaning products help keep your carpet looking great, they can also help meet the warranty requirements of the carpet manufacturer.
Below are three simple steps to keeping your carpet clean and looking great:
1. Vacuum at the right frequency with a CRI-approved vacuum.
2. Clean spots and spills quickly with products that do not damage the carpet or cause it to re-soil more quickly.
3. Professionally deep clean your carpets every 12 to 18 months to remove embedded dirt and grime. Stop dirt at the door! Preventing dirt and grime from getting on the carpet in the first place is a great way to start keeping it clean.
The following helpful hints can stop dirt in its tracks:
Use mats — Outdoor and indoor mats or runners can reduce the amount of dirt that enters the house.
Take off your shoes — You can save Ware and tear on carpet by asking everyone to take their shoes off before entering your home.
Change your air filters — Change air filters in your heating and air-conditioning systems as recommended by the manufacturer’s directions. The more dust and particles removed by the filter, the less that fall onto the carpet.
Act Quickly! Most carpet available today has been treated with a stain-resist treatment; so many spills can be removed if immediate action is taken. The longer the delay, the higher the probability of a spill becoming a permanent stain. Remember, staining is influenced by many factors, and no carpet is completely stain proof.
Blot liquids – Use a dry, white, absorbent cloth or white paper towel (no printing).
Do not scrub the area – Scrubbing may cause pile distortion in the affected area. Continue to use a dry cloth or paper towel until the area is completely dry. For semi-solids, gently scrape up with a rounded spoon. Solids should be broken up and vacuumed until completely removed. If the spot can be identified, locate the substance in the spot removal computer and follow the directions carefully.
Pretest any spot removal agents – Test in an inconspicuous area to be certain the solution will not damage the fiber or the dye. After applying several drops to the testing area, hold a white cloth on the It area for 10 seconds. Examine the carpet and cloth for color transfer, color change, or damage to the carpet. If a change occurs, another cleaning solution should be selected.
The Right Way To Clean Spots & Spills:
1. Apply a small amount of the selected cleaning solution to a white cloth and work in gently. Work from the edges of the spill to the center to prevent the spill from spreading. Do not scrub! Blot the spot in order to absorb as much as possible, and repeat if necessary.
2. Continue being the first cleaning solution as long as there is a transfer of the spill to the cloth. It is not necessary to use all of the cleaning solutions if the first solution removes the spill. Be patient! Complete removal of the spill may require repeating the same step several times.
3. After the spill has been completely removed, rinse the affected area thoroughly with cold water, and blot with a dry cloth until all of the solution has been removed. Some cleaning solutions will cause rapid soiling if the solution is not completely removed. Apply a one-half inch layer of white paper towels to the affected area, and weight down with a flat, heavy object. Continue to change paper towels as needed. A dry, absorbent, cleaning compound may be made as a substitute to accelerate drying time.
