Archive for category Tips
Stain Removal Tips
Posted by Ian Harper in Anti-Stain Treatment, Tips on September 14, 2011
First Aid Stain Treatment for your carpets
Follow the advice below to avoid causing unnecessary damage to your carpets and furniture.
The Golden Rule
Never ever rub the stain whatever it may be.If you do this you will cause pile burst which results in frizzing.This can not be rectified.
When carpets are manufactured each fibre has a heat set memory built into it.When you rub you cause friction which wipes the memory so that the fibre does not return to original twist position hence the frizzing.
You should dab at spills or stains when attempting removal applying downward pressure as opposed to across the pile.
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There are Four Basic Solutions for home carpet spot and stain removal;
Dry cleaning solution – surgical spirit
A detergent solution such as ‘Stergene’ mixed 1 teaspoon to half a litre of warm water
A detergent and vinegar solution mixed 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to the detergent solution above
An ammonia solution 1 x teaspoonful of branded ammonia to one cup of warm water.
All the above are available from super markets of hardware stores.CAUTION never mix under the sink cleaning solutions together you could cause fumes that could prove fatal.
Procedure for treatment for stains
Wine,beer,coffee, tea other liquid foods and urine.
Blot the spill soaking up surplus using a neutral coloured towel or kitchen tissue on the roll (for body fluids make sure you wear protective gloves and clothing) .Work from the outer edge in wards using detergent-vinegar (no.3) solution blot the spill a little at a time changing cloths frequently.
When complete carry out a rinse of the area using an application either by spray bottle or sponge of 4 parts water to 1 part white vinegar.Spray over affected area to dampen.Lay white kitchen roll (still on the roll) on top and apply a weight such as a heavy book.This will absorb excess moisture.Leave to soak in overnight or all day if necessary and if required repeat the process.
2. Chocolate,sweets,blood,glue,ink,milk, vomit
Scrape up excess using a filling knife or some other blunt tool.Using Detergent Solution (No.2) and working in from the outside edge clean the stain and then blot dry.Follow up with ammonia solution (No4) and again blot dry.
Carry out rinse procedure as above.
3. Solids, fats, tar, chewing gum, oil, shoe polish
Scrape up excess with blunt tool or knife, using dry clean solution (No.1) followed by detergent-vinegar solution (No3) work on stain from the outside edge in and blot dry.
Carry out rinse procedure as above.
4. For unknown stains
Scrap or blot up excess spillage, start with dry clean solution (No1) followed by warm water and blot dry.If further treatment is needed use detergent vinegar solution (No3) and blot dry.
Carry out rinse procedure as above.
Important thing to remember is to act quickly, take your time to carry out most effective procedure as listed and follow instructions carefully and do not over wet the affected area as this could cause further damage.
If after all your best efforts the mark remains, now is the time to call a professional carpet cleaner .
Cigarette Burns
Cigarette burns can usually be dealt with quite successfully by re tufting the affected area.This takes some skill and should not be attempted by untrained persons.
Red wine,coffee,tea spills
The most common of spills as above can cause panic in the home and often in that panic the wrong course of action is taken.This can result in the opposite of what you are trying to achieve and can in fact set the stain.
Never use washing up liquid it will set the stain and leave tacky soil attracting residue which will cause the carpet to blacken very quickly.
Your carpet cleaner will be pleased that you have assisted him by carrying out correct procedure and this will mean he will be able to remove the stain much faster resulting in lower charges for yourself. (Spot Clean approx £40.00 - £50.00).
DIY Carpet Cleaning Tips
Posted by Ian Harper in DIY, Tips on September 14, 2011
First, I would advise never clean your own rugs. Why? Because many are hand made and come from parts of the world where basic methods are used and colour run and the use of plant based fibers that will shrink and discolor if not cleaned the right way.
Having said that most fitted carpets will be fine to clean apart from Sisal, this is because its plant based (cellulose) and presents many problems if you don’t clean it the right way, many professionals will not clean it so that just shows you the damages.
Over wetting any carpet can cause the two most known about problems, shrinkage, and browning. They both happen when water get to the backing. A wet carpet dries from the bottom up, most carpets have jute in the backing. It releases its colour and comes to the top leaving a brown, yellowish stain. Shrinkage happens when the water get to the backing and when it starts to dry its will cause some carpets backing to become tight and pull away from the gripper holding it.
So if your carpet is really dirty then it would make sense just to cover over it let it dry then keep doing this until it’s clean. It’s natural to keep going over and over it when it’s dirty but you will pay the price if you do.
Before you start to clean your carpet make sure that it’s on the gripper that holds it in place. Many people pull up carpets around the edge to paint the based board or skirting. When you do this you release the tension that the fitter puts into the carpet. This tension will prevent the carpet from becoming creased up and looking like the sea at the beach.
If you have any metal items in the rooms like tables and light stands remove these until the carpet is dry. If you put them on damp carpet you will get rust marks that will only be removed by professional help.
Any wood items sofa legs, table, chairs, etc, that have any type of stain coloring put silver paper under them. The damp carpet will suck up the moisture and release that coloring back on the carpet damaging it.
When Citric Acid Cleaning Is Recommended
Posted by Ian Harper in Science, Tips on September 14, 2011
Citric acid cleaning is known to be effective for some types of cleaning. Nevertheless, it is also discouraged in some instances too. Since citric acid doesn’t contain any toxic ingredients, you can rest assured that you are not destroying the environment.
For Bathroom Tiles and Fixtures
Citric acid can be used in bathrooms. In fact, it is effective in taking ordinary dirt away from tiles. And then it also helps bring out a nice shine from the bathroom tiles afterwards. Aside from the tiles, scales in faucets and shower heads can conveniently be removed using citric acid too. This is a great benefit because you could end up with a spic and span bathroom just by using citric acid which is both environment-friendly and cheap as well.
For Glass Surfaces
Citric acid is also great for glass cleaning. It will also make the glass clean and shiny. However, when cleaning glass using citric acid you need to dry it right away to prevent it from eating into the glass. Again it’s not harmful to the environment so it’s one of the green alternatives when it comes to cleaning.
For Coffeemakers
Coffeemakers need scale removal too so citric acid cleaning is applicable to coffeemakers as well. With an effective method such as this, your coffeemaker would surely look clean and shiny all the time. This will even help you enjoy your coffee even more.
For Grills
Citric acid is also effective in releasing grime in grills after a barbeque. All you have to do is rub some on the grills. Then apply more citric acid so clean up can be easier and convenient for you.
Again citric acid is quite a cleaning material at home. If you want a cleaner home, you should have stocks of it. And if you want to save the planet citric acid cleaning is a great solution to your endeavor.
Soot removal for carpets
Posted by Ian Harper in Carpet Cleaning, Tips on September 13, 2011
Soot removal for carpets or rugs is much like normal cleaning put as they say “small hinges swing big doors” its the type of detergent that you use will make all the difference.
This is a great example of cleaning science and is something that I learned when i did my city and guilds in cleaning science. These types of detergents are used by professionals like me. and you local cheap carpet cleaner just will not know about them. that not to say our prices are expensive, because we are not. its just a way to say to you that you should only ever use a professional for this type of job. Plus its not the type of job you can do yourself.
What To Do After You Had Your Carpet Cleaned
Posted by Ian Harper in Carpet Cleaning, Tips on September 13, 2011
What To Do After You Had Your Carpet Cleaned
After we have cleaned your carpets, some simple precautions should be observed for the best results.
1 Please minimize traffic on the carpet and remember walking from wet carpet onto a hard surface can be very slippery!
2 For their health and safety, please keep children and pets off recently cleaned carpet until completely dry.
3 To avoid stains or rust spots, please don’t remove any pads or blocks we may have placed under furniture until the carpet is completely dry.
4 If stain protection was applied after cleaning, drying time may be lengthened. Please allow 24 hours before heavy carpet use.
5 Carpet drying time can vary widely due to density of your carpet, humidity and the degree of soil. To speed up drying, ventilate the area as much as outside weather allows, and increase air circulation (turn on fans). Carpet drying times may vary from only two hours under ideal conditions to as much as 24 hours.
You’re 3 Choices when looking for help?
Choice 1: The wonderful, old fashioned cleaning lady
Some families are lucky enough to employ a cherished housecleaner, who has been cleaning for many years, and become part of the family. Unfortunately, as this group of cleaner retires it seems there are no new generation to take up this career and is now dwindling.
Choice 2: Temporary cleaning person
The demand is being filled by more people who are cleaning either temporarily or as a last choice. Types of people in this transit group are students, aspiring musicians, immigrants; most are waiting for their big break, or until something better comes along.
Choice 3: cleaning companies.
In this case, a professional cleaning company hires, trains (ideally), and manage the housecleaner. If the housecleaner quits or is ill, it’s up to them to find a replacement. Some companies send individuals, others send teams.
The quality and reliability of these companies varies enormously, but. Is generally improving as more people appreciate the opportunities in this expanding industry.
16 reasons why it’s hard to find good help
• doesn’t come on the day or time scheduled
• doesn’t understand English well enough
• rearranges the furniture and doesn’t put them back right
• doesn’t clean well enough
• doesn’t know how to clean
• charges to much
• breaks things
• doesn’t follow (or forgets) directions
• substitutes cleaners too often (no continuity)
• doesn’t accept responsibility for accidents
• won’t do extra chores (windows)
• is too much trouble to get ready for
• quits, and you have to start over again
• eats the cupboards bare
• steals things
• is to nosy
HOW TO AVOID THE MINEFIELD!
5 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOU TO FIND YOUR WAY THROUGH.
Recommendation: 1 Make a commitment to find a maid service that will clean your home with reliable staff. That will clean your home to the highest professional standards.
Recommendation: 2 List your objectives. Do you want a company to send in a cleaner that will just pick up a duster
Just do the basics, or do you want your home cleaned to an average standard week in week out? Or do you want to work with an honest, reputable company, or are you willing to risk it on a company that offers you no guarantee?
Recommendation: 3 Ask questions, this way you will learn about a company, ask specific questions and listen carefully to the answers.
Here are the questions we suggest you ask.
1. Do you guarantee your work?
2. What happens if you lose my keys?
3. How would you handle a theft?
4. What checks on standards do you do?
5. How many clients do you have?
6. What would you do if you suddenly got 10 extra clients?
7. How can you protect our privacy?
8. How do you work out the price?
9. What training has your staff had?
10. Do all your staff clean the same way?
Recommendation: 4 Once you’re satisfied that you’re working with an honest, competent professional, Invite them to give you a specific written quotation. A written quotation gives the assurance that you know what your job will cost and that it meets with your requirements.
By following these four recommendations, you’ll gain all the information you need to make an informed, intelligent decision.
Carpet Cleaning – Tips – The Magic Of Vinegar
Posted by Ian Harper in Carpet Cleaning, Tips on July 3, 2011
Cleaning Tips
The Magic of Vinegar
1: THE USE OF VINEGAR AND HYDROGEN PEROXIDE TO DISINFECT – Now, you can safely disinfect your home and
food – without exposing your family to toxic synthetic chemicals. You can make your own inexpensive sprays that actually work better disinfecting than any commercial synthetic disinfectant. All you have to purchase from the chemist is some (fresh) three percent hydrogen peroxide and some plain white or apple cider vinegar from the grocery store. Put them full strength in there own clean spray bottles.
If you want to safely disinfect vegetables or fruit, just spray or thoroughly mist them with the vinegar and then the hydrogen peroxide (or the hydrogen peroxide and then the vinegar) , and then rinse them off under running water. Using first one spray and then the other, you can also safely and effectively disinfect food preparation surfaces and other washable surfaces and materials. You won’t cause stains on most surfaces, nor will you have any lingering taste of vinegar or hydrogen peroxide on your food, and you will not harm you or your family or the environment.
Heinz Company spokesperson Michael Mullen references numerous studies to show that a straight 5% solution of vinegar—such as you buy in the supermarket—kills 99% of bacteria, 82% of mold and 80% of germs (viruses). He noted that Heinz can’t claim on its packaging that vinegar is a disinfectant since the Company has not registered it as a pesticide with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
In tests run at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, pairing the two mists killed virtually all Salmonella, Shigella, or E.coli bacteria on heavily contaminated food and surfaces when used in this fashion, making this spray combination more effective at killing these potentially lethal bacteria than chlorine bleach or any commercially available kitchen cleaner.
The best results came from using one mist right after the other – it is 10 times more effective than using either spray by itself and more effective than mixing the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in one sprayer.
2:A Mixture of one tea spoon of liquid detergent (Stergene) and one teaspoon of distilled vinegar in a pint (570ml) of warm water, gently dabbed on a non-oily marks to carpets, will in almost all circumstances completely remove it safely, with no soil attracting residue left behind.
3:Vomit/sour milk odours to carpets; clean as above then place a bowel of vinegar on the floor near the area affected and leave overnight.
