By: Erin Ryan
Choosing a carpet for your home is no easy task. There are many things to take into consideration, and so many things that you can get wrong. So to help you get through the process of purchasing your carpet, we have outlined some simple things to think about before you start shopping.
The majority of people consider buying a carpet as a long-term investment, and so it’s understandable to want the longest possible wear out of it before it needs replacing. In order to get the most out of your new carpet, there are a certain number of factors to consider before you buy. Such as function, quality, clean ability, aesthetics, and price to name just a few.
A carpet can make a considerable difference to both the look and feel of any room, and so is understandably a major factor in the décor of your home. Along with the obvious purpose of making a room aesthetically pleasing, a carpet can also have affects on the acoustics and noise reduction, thus giving it a completely different atmosphere. Carpets are renowned for adding a sense of warmth and cosiness to a room, which is probably one of the reasons that it is still the number one selling floor covering today.
In most cases, the first thing people think about when choosing their flooring is the colour, however with the wide range of carpets and colours it is best to focus on your requirements, then selecting colour afterwards. Regardless of whether you’re looking for a textured and more luxurious carpet or cut pile, Berber, frieze or patterned carpet, today’s retailers have a vast selection of all the styles and colour choices you could need.
The first thing to consider is what function your carpet will provide. For example do you need a carpet for a heavy traffic area such as the hallway, where a tougher more durable carpet is required. Or do you want a bedroom carpet where durability is not an issue and you can concentrate on the luxury and feeling of a carpet. Assessing your needs will make the process of choosing a carpet less complicated as your narrowing down the types of pile/fibre and features by what it will be used for.
It is also vital to consider how easy your carpet will be to maintain, for example families with small children should probably avoid a light cream shag pile. In order to avoid these kinds of potentially expensive mistakes, match the carpet type to your family’s lifestyle.
Another factor to consider is the quality of carpet you want. In order to do so, you will have to consider how much use of your carpet you are expecting. For example the average life expectancy of a carpet is 7 years, however if you want your carpet to last for that amount of time or more, you will have to be willing to spend a little more for a good quality carpet. However if you are wanting a quite versatile approach to home furnishings, and expect to change your carpet frequently, then perhaps the overall quality of a carpet is not a deciding factor, and so can perhaps afford to cut corners on price and go for a cheaper option.
When it does come to choosing colour, its best to get some large samples of the carpet and leave them on the floor of the desired room for a couple of days. Take the opportunity to see the colours matched against your furnishings in both natural and artificial lighting to make the best informed decision. The bigger the sample size, the easier it will be to make a valid judgement. It is always best to bear in mind that a neutral/medium colour will hide a multitude of sins opposed to a very light or dark carpet. Also the nap of a carpet can make the colour appear different, and so it’s vital to consider which way you want the nap facing when having your carpet installed.
Erin Ryan is a consultant for one of the leading online flooring shops in the Britain. UKCarpetsDirect have been voted one of the UK’s best flooring suppliers for 4 years running and guarantees Britain’s lowest carpet flooring prices.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
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Sunday, June 29, 2008
Have a Little Private Time with Your Carpet
By: Denny Vano
This article teaches you how to cut down the cleaning time in half and how to make your carpet look like new on a regular basis. Carpet cleaning sometimes feels like a bigger task than what it really is. We’ve all reached that point in which we’ve used the line, "I’ll get to it tomorrow," but before we know it tomorrow turns into next week and next week turns into next month. Hopefully next month doesn’t turn into next year, but no matter when you embark on your carpet cleaning endeavors; carpet cleaning doesn’t have to be an astronomical task. First, you want to start with the vacuuming phase of your carpet cleaning. If you have wall-to-wall carpet that needs to be vacuumed, then divide the carpet up in quadrants rather than go wherever the vacuum takes you. Perhaps this first step can be the beginning of a new relationship with your rug. You can then expand upon this relationship by creating a schedule in which you and your carpet have "private time". That way the job gets done on a regular basis. You want your routine or "private time" to take place at least once a week because you’re not only reducing dust accumulation in your carpet, but you are also prolonging the life of your carpet. You also want to vacuum first if you’re going to shampoo because it gets rid of the loose dirt, lint, and other oddities that can get in your way while cleaning. But the key to making your carpet cleaning tasks easier is to clean up spills when they happen. This can help you avoid an entire shampooing of your carpet for quite some time. You want to do things such as:
* A wise first step to cleaning spots and spills is testing an inconspicuous area of your carpet to make sure no discoloring of the carpet occurs.
* You then want to scrape or blot the area of the spot or spill before you use a carpet cleaning solution for easier removal.
* You don’t want to rub the area because you may spread the problem to another area.
* To avoid spreading the stain, work your way from the outside of the stain to the inside with the cleaning solution.
* Use a white bath towel to dry the carpet.
If you must shampoo the entire carpet, you want to follow the spot cleaning steps above and then test your shampoo on an inconspicuous area of your carpet. You also want to remove all of the furniture you can to avoid staining of the furniture and to allow even cleaning. Most importantly, follow the instructions of your carpet cleaner to ensure optimal results and make sure the room is well-ventilated. So how can you stick to your carpet cleaning routine? All you have to do is simple things such as using door mats, cleaning up accidents immediately, vacuuming at least once a week, and using things such as carpet runners in high-traffic areas. By using these care methods and following a routine, your carpet will look great for many years to come.
Whether it is upholstery cleaning, carpet cleaning or furniture care that you require, call in our specialists. Our firm has over 10 years of experience in the area of carpet cleaning services. Your carpets and rugs will never look better! Call now at 866-245-5687 for a non obligatory estimate.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com Readmore »»
This article teaches you how to cut down the cleaning time in half and how to make your carpet look like new on a regular basis. Carpet cleaning sometimes feels like a bigger task than what it really is. We’ve all reached that point in which we’ve used the line, "I’ll get to it tomorrow," but before we know it tomorrow turns into next week and next week turns into next month. Hopefully next month doesn’t turn into next year, but no matter when you embark on your carpet cleaning endeavors; carpet cleaning doesn’t have to be an astronomical task. First, you want to start with the vacuuming phase of your carpet cleaning. If you have wall-to-wall carpet that needs to be vacuumed, then divide the carpet up in quadrants rather than go wherever the vacuum takes you. Perhaps this first step can be the beginning of a new relationship with your rug. You can then expand upon this relationship by creating a schedule in which you and your carpet have "private time". That way the job gets done on a regular basis. You want your routine or "private time" to take place at least once a week because you’re not only reducing dust accumulation in your carpet, but you are also prolonging the life of your carpet. You also want to vacuum first if you’re going to shampoo because it gets rid of the loose dirt, lint, and other oddities that can get in your way while cleaning. But the key to making your carpet cleaning tasks easier is to clean up spills when they happen. This can help you avoid an entire shampooing of your carpet for quite some time. You want to do things such as:
* A wise first step to cleaning spots and spills is testing an inconspicuous area of your carpet to make sure no discoloring of the carpet occurs.
* You then want to scrape or blot the area of the spot or spill before you use a carpet cleaning solution for easier removal.
* You don’t want to rub the area because you may spread the problem to another area.
* To avoid spreading the stain, work your way from the outside of the stain to the inside with the cleaning solution.
* Use a white bath towel to dry the carpet.
If you must shampoo the entire carpet, you want to follow the spot cleaning steps above and then test your shampoo on an inconspicuous area of your carpet. You also want to remove all of the furniture you can to avoid staining of the furniture and to allow even cleaning. Most importantly, follow the instructions of your carpet cleaner to ensure optimal results and make sure the room is well-ventilated. So how can you stick to your carpet cleaning routine? All you have to do is simple things such as using door mats, cleaning up accidents immediately, vacuuming at least once a week, and using things such as carpet runners in high-traffic areas. By using these care methods and following a routine, your carpet will look great for many years to come.
Whether it is upholstery cleaning, carpet cleaning or furniture care that you require, call in our specialists. Our firm has over 10 years of experience in the area of carpet cleaning services. Your carpets and rugs will never look better! Call now at 866-245-5687 for a non obligatory estimate.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com Readmore »»
The 5 Top Carpet Steam Cleaners
By: Dona Lion
Steam cleaners come in all shapes and sizes and can be used for a wide range of cleaning and maintenance chores. Listed below are the five top steam cleaners. Qualifying factors include: size and weight of machine, intended use, convenience, reliability and price.
Carpet Express C4 Low Moisture Machine – List price: $599.99 (Rebuilt rental)
The most expensive of our five top choices, this is the best machine when you have to clean large spaces, often. Made by the same company that owns Rug Doctor (the most popular outlet for renting carpet cleaning equipment), this machine has a handy folding handle and is easy to maneuver. The powerful vacuum motor is in the bottom, close to where the cleaning action is happening, leading to a quicker water recovery and low moisture cleaning. While all other top pick machines include heating elements to achieve high water temperatures, this machine is able to clean exceptionally well using only hot tap water.
Bissel 9500 Upright Steam Cleaner – List price: $349.99
Considerably less expensive than the Carpet Doctor, this machine looks like stand-up vacuum cleaner, even though it's actually a practical carpet steamer. The Bissell 9500, makes the top five list thanks to features like a light, a capable water heater, a 2-in-1 tank that keeps hot water or cleaning solution separate from recovered, dirty water, variable clean/rinse settings (from heavy to light), dual brushes, and the ability to self adjust to different carpet heights. The push-button 'clean shot' efficiently eliminates stains. Extra points for quiet operation.
Hoover SteamVac All Terrain – List price: $329.99
The Hoover SteamVac optimizes the cleaning experience with automated features like auto rinse and an automatic detergent mix system, which help eliminate excess detergent/shampoo issues and fingertip controls. The 12 amp motor provides quick heating and drying. And if that's not enough, the 13" detachable, transparent nozzle provides wide path cleaning. The only warning: assembly can be challenging, but since it's a Hoover, once assembled it will last a long time.
Dirt Devil MCE7900 List price: $199.99
Dirt Devil's steam cleaners come in every shape, size and price range. This mid-range machine is a great buy. It has separate reservoir and recovery tanks, dual motorized brush rolls and other features found on the bigger, more expensive models. The 25 foot cord lets you get around standard rooms easily. Special kudos for this well-priced machine's 2-year warranty and its ability to double as a vacuum cleaner (eliminating the need to purchase and store redundant carpet care equipment).
Dirt Devil Portable Spot Scrubber – List price: $89.00
,
The Spot Scrubber uses to steam to eliminate spots and stains. While this is not a great choice for cleaning carpets – it is too small and does not have a wide path nozzle; it is a wonderful solution for frequent spotting. If you've got pets, rugs that need cleaning, and want to spot clean other surfaces, use the Spot Scrubber at will and call in professional carpet cleaners for bigger jobs.
http://www.carpet-cleaners.us/steam/carpet-steam-cleaners-home-use.asp Carpet steam cleaners is a carpet cleaning and upholstery cleaning company located everywhere in United States. We hold the top professional carpet cleaners and take care for our customers needs.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com Readmore »»
Steam cleaners come in all shapes and sizes and can be used for a wide range of cleaning and maintenance chores. Listed below are the five top steam cleaners. Qualifying factors include: size and weight of machine, intended use, convenience, reliability and price.
Carpet Express C4 Low Moisture Machine – List price: $599.99 (Rebuilt rental)
The most expensive of our five top choices, this is the best machine when you have to clean large spaces, often. Made by the same company that owns Rug Doctor (the most popular outlet for renting carpet cleaning equipment), this machine has a handy folding handle and is easy to maneuver. The powerful vacuum motor is in the bottom, close to where the cleaning action is happening, leading to a quicker water recovery and low moisture cleaning. While all other top pick machines include heating elements to achieve high water temperatures, this machine is able to clean exceptionally well using only hot tap water.
Bissel 9500 Upright Steam Cleaner – List price: $349.99
Considerably less expensive than the Carpet Doctor, this machine looks like stand-up vacuum cleaner, even though it's actually a practical carpet steamer. The Bissell 9500, makes the top five list thanks to features like a light, a capable water heater, a 2-in-1 tank that keeps hot water or cleaning solution separate from recovered, dirty water, variable clean/rinse settings (from heavy to light), dual brushes, and the ability to self adjust to different carpet heights. The push-button 'clean shot' efficiently eliminates stains. Extra points for quiet operation.
Hoover SteamVac All Terrain – List price: $329.99
The Hoover SteamVac optimizes the cleaning experience with automated features like auto rinse and an automatic detergent mix system, which help eliminate excess detergent/shampoo issues and fingertip controls. The 12 amp motor provides quick heating and drying. And if that's not enough, the 13" detachable, transparent nozzle provides wide path cleaning. The only warning: assembly can be challenging, but since it's a Hoover, once assembled it will last a long time.
Dirt Devil MCE7900 List price: $199.99
Dirt Devil's steam cleaners come in every shape, size and price range. This mid-range machine is a great buy. It has separate reservoir and recovery tanks, dual motorized brush rolls and other features found on the bigger, more expensive models. The 25 foot cord lets you get around standard rooms easily. Special kudos for this well-priced machine's 2-year warranty and its ability to double as a vacuum cleaner (eliminating the need to purchase and store redundant carpet care equipment).
Dirt Devil Portable Spot Scrubber – List price: $89.00
,
The Spot Scrubber uses to steam to eliminate spots and stains. While this is not a great choice for cleaning carpets – it is too small and does not have a wide path nozzle; it is a wonderful solution for frequent spotting. If you've got pets, rugs that need cleaning, and want to spot clean other surfaces, use the Spot Scrubber at will and call in professional carpet cleaners for bigger jobs.
http://www.carpet-cleaners.us/steam/carpet-steam-cleaners-home-use.asp Carpet steam cleaners is a carpet cleaning and upholstery cleaning company located everywhere in United States. We hold the top professional carpet cleaners and take care for our customers needs.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com Readmore »»
Gliding Through Carpet Cleaning
By: Joseph Andersen
I have a lovely little terrier who likes to rub her back on the Persian rug. She looks so cute with all four legs in the air doing this squirmy dance. The problem is that she leaves behind a film of barely visible hair that seems to make all the colors in the rug look faded and vaguely dirty.
It used to be that every Friday morning; I would haul out the vacuum cleaner and go over the Persian carpet again and again trying to get the hair untangled from the carpet pile by suction alone. I'd get some of it off, but when I looked closely, I saw that there was still quite a bit of dog hair left. Then, I would rub my hand back and forth over the surface of the rug, forcing the hair to roll into clumps. That worked but was extremely time consuming, hard, and dirty work. I needed a better way to lift the dog hair off the carpet.
My next attempt was a stiff upholstery brush. That worked a little better, but I was afraid that the bristles in the brush would split the wool and hurt the carpet pile.
Next, I tried a dry sponge. That was effective but the hair kept getting into all the little holes in the sponge, so I had to clean both the sponge and the carpet. On top of that, I was getting a sore back.
One day, I found the solution. As I was staring at the sponge thinking about what it was that made it work, I realized that it was the rubbery surface that was grabbing onto the hairs and literally dragging them out of the carpet – just like a rubber band in a pony tail grabs onto the hair and doesn't let go. (If you've ever tried to remove an elastic band from a pony tail, you know you have to lift it off the hair because trying to slide it off pulls the hair right out by its roots!)
So, I started looking for other rubbery items to use that would be effective at cleaning the rugs but less work than the sponge.
Well, I found it! I don't want to keep you in suspense any longer.
THE SOLUTION IS CROCS.
No more crawling on my hands and knees. I just put on my crocs and take a spin across the carpet as if I'm gliding across a skating rink. Each step and glide rolls those little dog hairs into clumps that the vacuum can suck up easily. In fact, if I simply glide backwards holding onto the vacuum, I can do it all in one pass!
So put on your crocs and shuffle off to Buffalo all over your pile carpet. It's amazing. No bending. No struggling. No going over and over the same square foot of carpet.
Your carpet will look like new and from now on you can watch your dog scratch her back on the carpet with a smile on your face!
Enjoy our carpet cleaning guide today! Find the answers to all your carpet cleaning questions at one place. Let our experts do what they know best – bring you honest and reliable information about carpet cleaning services, practical carpet cleaning tips and other common cleaning related issues.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com Readmore »»
I have a lovely little terrier who likes to rub her back on the Persian rug. She looks so cute with all four legs in the air doing this squirmy dance. The problem is that she leaves behind a film of barely visible hair that seems to make all the colors in the rug look faded and vaguely dirty.
It used to be that every Friday morning; I would haul out the vacuum cleaner and go over the Persian carpet again and again trying to get the hair untangled from the carpet pile by suction alone. I'd get some of it off, but when I looked closely, I saw that there was still quite a bit of dog hair left. Then, I would rub my hand back and forth over the surface of the rug, forcing the hair to roll into clumps. That worked but was extremely time consuming, hard, and dirty work. I needed a better way to lift the dog hair off the carpet.
My next attempt was a stiff upholstery brush. That worked a little better, but I was afraid that the bristles in the brush would split the wool and hurt the carpet pile.
Next, I tried a dry sponge. That was effective but the hair kept getting into all the little holes in the sponge, so I had to clean both the sponge and the carpet. On top of that, I was getting a sore back.
One day, I found the solution. As I was staring at the sponge thinking about what it was that made it work, I realized that it was the rubbery surface that was grabbing onto the hairs and literally dragging them out of the carpet – just like a rubber band in a pony tail grabs onto the hair and doesn't let go. (If you've ever tried to remove an elastic band from a pony tail, you know you have to lift it off the hair because trying to slide it off pulls the hair right out by its roots!)
So, I started looking for other rubbery items to use that would be effective at cleaning the rugs but less work than the sponge.
Well, I found it! I don't want to keep you in suspense any longer.
THE SOLUTION IS CROCS.
No more crawling on my hands and knees. I just put on my crocs and take a spin across the carpet as if I'm gliding across a skating rink. Each step and glide rolls those little dog hairs into clumps that the vacuum can suck up easily. In fact, if I simply glide backwards holding onto the vacuum, I can do it all in one pass!
So put on your crocs and shuffle off to Buffalo all over your pile carpet. It's amazing. No bending. No struggling. No going over and over the same square foot of carpet.
Your carpet will look like new and from now on you can watch your dog scratch her back on the carpet with a smile on your face!
Enjoy our carpet cleaning guide today! Find the answers to all your carpet cleaning questions at one place. Let our experts do what they know best – bring you honest and reliable information about carpet cleaning services, practical carpet cleaning tips and other common cleaning related issues.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com Readmore »»
Choosing the best carpet repair professional
By: Eliz K
Most homeowners wait until their entire carpet is dirty and unsightly before repairing or replacing the necessary elements of their floor. Carpet repairs can be costly if you wait too long, but hiring a professional to repair your carpet can actually save you time, money, and keep your carpets looking great. But not all Austin carpet repair professionals are the same and you'll need to make sure that the service you choose meets your needs.
Keep in mind that professional carpets repair is different than professional carpet cleaning. Professional carpet cleaning should be done once or twice a year where carpet repair is only necessary if your carpet has permanent stains or damage. This type of damage can include:
• Pet stains and odors
• Damage from pet claws or teeth
• Burns
• Melted wax or crayons
• Permanent dye and ink stains
• Holes or Snags
Before settling on an Austin carpet repair professional, you'll need to take into account the exact needs of your carpet. Since most carpet repair services offer free estimates or assessments, you may want to consider calling a few different companies before settling on a single one. Keep in mind that most of these carpet repair places also offer professional carpet cleaning services and will be able to tell you if your carpet can be cleaned rather than repaired.
A quality Austin carpet repair professional will assess and repair every level of your carpet, not just the top. Most stains and odors reach beyond the visible layers of your carpet all the way down to the padding and floor. This is especially true for pet stains and odors that are not responsive to conventional cleaning. Under these circumstances, your Austin carpet repair team needs to replace the damaged carpet as well as the padding underneath.
If the damage only goes as far as the top layer, you need to choose an Austin carpet repair team that can provide seamless repairs to your floor without having to replace the entire carpet. The best carpet repair teams can match your existing carpet and create seamless transitions between old and new carpeting.
Keep in mind that your carpet may need more than just patches and spot repairs. A quality Austin carpet repair professional will be able to tell you if your padding, tack strips, or thresholds need repairs or replacing. If you feel a shift in your carpet or notice bulges or wrinkles, you may want to consider having your carpet stretched while it's being repaired. Most quality service professionals can provide this service along with repairing damaged carpet.
If you have high quality Berber carpets, you'll need to be especially picky when it comes to an Austin carpet repair professional. Although Berber carpets are great for everyday use, a single snag can cause them to look worn and disheveled. An experienced Austin carpet repair service can actually reweave and repair your exiting Berber and help you find ways of preventing further snags or damage.
If you have water damage, you'll need to contact an Austin carpet repair professional immediately! Wet carpets and pads can harbor mold and mildew, causing dangerous living conditions for your family. Many Austin carpet repair services, like Kiwi Services, offer both professional Austin carpet repair and Austin Berber carper repair services. These types of companies can help you not only assess the damages, but provide total care to your entire carpet and home.
Kiwi Services provides Carper repair and Berber carpet repair services in Austin: http://www.kiwiservices.com/austin-carpet-repair.htm
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com Readmore »»
Most homeowners wait until their entire carpet is dirty and unsightly before repairing or replacing the necessary elements of their floor. Carpet repairs can be costly if you wait too long, but hiring a professional to repair your carpet can actually save you time, money, and keep your carpets looking great. But not all Austin carpet repair professionals are the same and you'll need to make sure that the service you choose meets your needs.
Keep in mind that professional carpets repair is different than professional carpet cleaning. Professional carpet cleaning should be done once or twice a year where carpet repair is only necessary if your carpet has permanent stains or damage. This type of damage can include:
• Pet stains and odors
• Damage from pet claws or teeth
• Burns
• Melted wax or crayons
• Permanent dye and ink stains
• Holes or Snags
Before settling on an Austin carpet repair professional, you'll need to take into account the exact needs of your carpet. Since most carpet repair services offer free estimates or assessments, you may want to consider calling a few different companies before settling on a single one. Keep in mind that most of these carpet repair places also offer professional carpet cleaning services and will be able to tell you if your carpet can be cleaned rather than repaired.
A quality Austin carpet repair professional will assess and repair every level of your carpet, not just the top. Most stains and odors reach beyond the visible layers of your carpet all the way down to the padding and floor. This is especially true for pet stains and odors that are not responsive to conventional cleaning. Under these circumstances, your Austin carpet repair team needs to replace the damaged carpet as well as the padding underneath.
If the damage only goes as far as the top layer, you need to choose an Austin carpet repair team that can provide seamless repairs to your floor without having to replace the entire carpet. The best carpet repair teams can match your existing carpet and create seamless transitions between old and new carpeting.
Keep in mind that your carpet may need more than just patches and spot repairs. A quality Austin carpet repair professional will be able to tell you if your padding, tack strips, or thresholds need repairs or replacing. If you feel a shift in your carpet or notice bulges or wrinkles, you may want to consider having your carpet stretched while it's being repaired. Most quality service professionals can provide this service along with repairing damaged carpet.
If you have high quality Berber carpets, you'll need to be especially picky when it comes to an Austin carpet repair professional. Although Berber carpets are great for everyday use, a single snag can cause them to look worn and disheveled. An experienced Austin carpet repair service can actually reweave and repair your exiting Berber and help you find ways of preventing further snags or damage.
If you have water damage, you'll need to contact an Austin carpet repair professional immediately! Wet carpets and pads can harbor mold and mildew, causing dangerous living conditions for your family. Many Austin carpet repair services, like Kiwi Services, offer both professional Austin carpet repair and Austin Berber carper repair services. These types of companies can help you not only assess the damages, but provide total care to your entire carpet and home.
Kiwi Services provides Carper repair and Berber carpet repair services in Austin: http://www.kiwiservices.com/austin-carpet-repair.htm
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com Readmore »»
Monday, June 9, 2008
How to Deep Clean Carpets
by: David Marquardt
Maintenance of a carpet is not one of the easiest jobs and it takes time and effort to keep your carpet in good condition. Most people use vacuum cleaners for carpet cleaning but this is not enough; your carpets also need some deep cleaning. The truth is that a carpet is easily prone to contaminants and pollutants. Your dog may walk in wagging his tail and shed some of his lovely hair on the carpet. A storm may bring in a few more surprises in the form of dust and allergens. To top it all, there is always the fear of spilling liquid or food, which may cause deep stains. All this translates to one thing: deep carpet cleaning.
It is advisable to deep clean carpets at least once in 12 or 18 months. This will not only remove the dust and the dirt but also the deep stains. As a result of deep carpet cleaning, the life span of your carpet will increase and it will also look as good as new. Deep cleaning of carpets will reduce the wear and tear and keep its colors bright. The question is how best you can deep clean your carpets?
Deep cleaning of carpets is not something that you can do at home always. This kind of carpet cleaning requires professional help. When you buy a new carpet, you will find a manufacturer note that states that the best cleaning process for all carpets is deep cleaning. It is important that you follow the instructions provided by the carpet manufacturer. You can try deep carpet cleaning at home too but for that you will require a carpet shampoo. There are different types of shampoos available in the market that can be used for specific carpets like woolen or silk carpets.
You should avoid using soap and household detergents for deep carpet cleaning as they can severely damage your carpet. To get the best results, start by vacuuming your carpet completely and then apply a pre-conditioning solution. The pre-conditioning solution is a form of mild detergents, which will help the soil on the carpet to loosen before you can start the actual deep cleaning process. Alternatively, you can also hire a carpet cleaning professional to do the job.
You can search over the internet for firm in your area that employ different deep carpet cleaning processes. The best way to find a professional is through references. Ask for references from your friends, neighbors, colleagues and family. While speaking to different professional carpet cleaners, make sure that you discuss the use of the five different methods of deep cleaning. Take their advice as they know which method will be best suited for your carpet. The five methods of carpet cleaning are:
Dry extraction: In this method professionals use an absorbent that contains special solvents and detergents. This absorbent is infused in to the carpet using special machines. The absorbent acts like a magnet and attract all the dirt, dust particles and soil from the carpet fibers. Once that happens then the carpet can be cleaned using a vacuum cleaner. This process works well for sturdy carpets.
Dry foam extraction: In this method, the professional will apply a detergent solution, which will create foam. The foam will then be applied to your carpet. The foam will attract all the dirt and the other pollutants, which can be removed later on using a vacuum cleaner. This process of carpet cleaning will work well for woolen carpets.
Hot water extraction: This is also known as steam cleaning and you can do it at home. First you will have to precondition the soiled areas of the carpet and then use a specially designed hot water extraction machine to infuse the cleaning solution into the carpet. This will help in loosening and removing of the soil.
Rotary shampoo: This is one of the classic carpet cleaning methods. It is done by professionals who use a machine that has rotary brushes. With the help of the brushes, cleaning solution is injected into the carpet, which helps in removing loose soil.
Absorbent pad: This is the last of the carpet cleaning methods and should not be done at home. A specially designed machine is used for removing the soil. The machine has absorbent spin pads, which can absorb the soil from your carpet.
At the end, it is always advised to refer to the instructions mentioned by the carpet manufacturer to help you choose the right deep cleaning method for your carpet. Readmore »»
Maintenance of a carpet is not one of the easiest jobs and it takes time and effort to keep your carpet in good condition. Most people use vacuum cleaners for carpet cleaning but this is not enough; your carpets also need some deep cleaning. The truth is that a carpet is easily prone to contaminants and pollutants. Your dog may walk in wagging his tail and shed some of his lovely hair on the carpet. A storm may bring in a few more surprises in the form of dust and allergens. To top it all, there is always the fear of spilling liquid or food, which may cause deep stains. All this translates to one thing: deep carpet cleaning.
It is advisable to deep clean carpets at least once in 12 or 18 months. This will not only remove the dust and the dirt but also the deep stains. As a result of deep carpet cleaning, the life span of your carpet will increase and it will also look as good as new. Deep cleaning of carpets will reduce the wear and tear and keep its colors bright. The question is how best you can deep clean your carpets?
Deep cleaning of carpets is not something that you can do at home always. This kind of carpet cleaning requires professional help. When you buy a new carpet, you will find a manufacturer note that states that the best cleaning process for all carpets is deep cleaning. It is important that you follow the instructions provided by the carpet manufacturer. You can try deep carpet cleaning at home too but for that you will require a carpet shampoo. There are different types of shampoos available in the market that can be used for specific carpets like woolen or silk carpets.
You should avoid using soap and household detergents for deep carpet cleaning as they can severely damage your carpet. To get the best results, start by vacuuming your carpet completely and then apply a pre-conditioning solution. The pre-conditioning solution is a form of mild detergents, which will help the soil on the carpet to loosen before you can start the actual deep cleaning process. Alternatively, you can also hire a carpet cleaning professional to do the job.
You can search over the internet for firm in your area that employ different deep carpet cleaning processes. The best way to find a professional is through references. Ask for references from your friends, neighbors, colleagues and family. While speaking to different professional carpet cleaners, make sure that you discuss the use of the five different methods of deep cleaning. Take their advice as they know which method will be best suited for your carpet. The five methods of carpet cleaning are:
Dry extraction: In this method professionals use an absorbent that contains special solvents and detergents. This absorbent is infused in to the carpet using special machines. The absorbent acts like a magnet and attract all the dirt, dust particles and soil from the carpet fibers. Once that happens then the carpet can be cleaned using a vacuum cleaner. This process works well for sturdy carpets.
Dry foam extraction: In this method, the professional will apply a detergent solution, which will create foam. The foam will then be applied to your carpet. The foam will attract all the dirt and the other pollutants, which can be removed later on using a vacuum cleaner. This process of carpet cleaning will work well for woolen carpets.
Hot water extraction: This is also known as steam cleaning and you can do it at home. First you will have to precondition the soiled areas of the carpet and then use a specially designed hot water extraction machine to infuse the cleaning solution into the carpet. This will help in loosening and removing of the soil.
Rotary shampoo: This is one of the classic carpet cleaning methods. It is done by professionals who use a machine that has rotary brushes. With the help of the brushes, cleaning solution is injected into the carpet, which helps in removing loose soil.
Absorbent pad: This is the last of the carpet cleaning methods and should not be done at home. A specially designed machine is used for removing the soil. The machine has absorbent spin pads, which can absorb the soil from your carpet.
At the end, it is always advised to refer to the instructions mentioned by the carpet manufacturer to help you choose the right deep cleaning method for your carpet. Readmore »»
Carpet Cleaning Tips for the Do-It-Yourselfers
by: David Marquardt
Carpet cleaning is a necessity and deep cleaning on a regular basis will ensure that your carpets have a long life and look fresh and new always. Deep cleaning is mostly done by professionals but you can also do it at home. Some of you may find it unnecessary to hire a professional for something you can do on your own. Some others may feel that the cost of hiring carpet cleaners is higher than your budget. What next? The next step is to get your hands dirty and start the process of carpet cleaning. So if you have made up your mind and are ready to take on the do-it-yourself carpet cleaning job then the following tips will definitely help you:
The first and the foremost thing that you need to do is remove all the furniture. You need to do this before you start the process of cleaning the carpet. After you have removed the furniture, vacuum the entire length and breadth of the room. The point is that if you are able to remove as much soil as possible before the carpet cleaning process, then you will get better results.
You can find most of the carpet cleaning systems on rent. Check each of the system first and enquire about its effectiveness. The cleaning requirements are different for different types of carpets. So make sure that you pick the one that is suited or recommended for your carpet. Some people ask why they can’t buy it straight from a retail store. The reason is that a rental store has powerful machines that will help in thorough carpet cleaning as compared to the machines available at retail outlets or supermarkets. When you rent or buy the necessary equipment, make sure that it has a maximum vacuum capacity so that the carpet can dry off within 12 hours after cleaning. If you are in doubt then take assistance or consult the carpet manufacturer or even the retailer regarding recommendations.
Try to avoid over wetting during Carpet cleaning. If there is too much moisture then it will seep into the fibers of your carpet and can cause considerable damage to its backing. Prolonged dampness can even lead to the growth of bacteria, fungus and mildew, which will cause health problems. The biggest concern in the do-it-yourself process is that of using too much detergent or water. Normally, it is mentioned on the detergent pack, how much to use and you can also consult the manufacturer regarding the right proportion to use for carpet cleaning.
Actually, it is always recommended to consult the carpet manufacturer before you start with do-it-yourself carpet cleaning. The carpet manufacturer and even the retailer can provide you with detailed information regarding the products that you can use for your carpet. It is advised to double check the detergent for its pH value, which should be less than 10. Also find out if the detergent will leave any sticky residue or not. Carpet cleaning of woolen carpet or those made from natural fibers will need a special cleaning solution that has been formulated only for them. Follow up the detergent cleaning with a clear water rinsing process so that all remnants from the detergent or cleaning solution can be removed.
Some carpets are stain resistant while others are not. If you have a stain resistant carpet then you will have to use specially formulated solutions. One very important thing is that if you have a stain resistant carpet then you will need to hire professional carpet cleaners as otherwise the warranty will become void.
It is better to avoid cleaning solutions, which contain brighteners or bleaches as they can lead to discoloration of your carpet. Try and avoid the use of silicone-based carpet cleaning treatments as they don’t have any long-term benefits and are capable of causing permanent damages to your carpet.
Last but not the least; dry your carpet as soon as possible. You can turn on the fan, air-conditioner or de-humidifier for pulling out the moisture from the air. The sooner the carpet can dry, the better it will be. Proper drying of your carpet will help to maintain the color and fabric of the carpet and also increase its lifespan.
Carpet cleaning can be done at home but always consult your carpet manufacturer before you start the process because if your carpet get damaged then it will not be possible to restore it to its original state. So you need to be extremely careful while doing it at home. Readmore »»
Carpet cleaning is a necessity and deep cleaning on a regular basis will ensure that your carpets have a long life and look fresh and new always. Deep cleaning is mostly done by professionals but you can also do it at home. Some of you may find it unnecessary to hire a professional for something you can do on your own. Some others may feel that the cost of hiring carpet cleaners is higher than your budget. What next? The next step is to get your hands dirty and start the process of carpet cleaning. So if you have made up your mind and are ready to take on the do-it-yourself carpet cleaning job then the following tips will definitely help you:
The first and the foremost thing that you need to do is remove all the furniture. You need to do this before you start the process of cleaning the carpet. After you have removed the furniture, vacuum the entire length and breadth of the room. The point is that if you are able to remove as much soil as possible before the carpet cleaning process, then you will get better results.
You can find most of the carpet cleaning systems on rent. Check each of the system first and enquire about its effectiveness. The cleaning requirements are different for different types of carpets. So make sure that you pick the one that is suited or recommended for your carpet. Some people ask why they can’t buy it straight from a retail store. The reason is that a rental store has powerful machines that will help in thorough carpet cleaning as compared to the machines available at retail outlets or supermarkets. When you rent or buy the necessary equipment, make sure that it has a maximum vacuum capacity so that the carpet can dry off within 12 hours after cleaning. If you are in doubt then take assistance or consult the carpet manufacturer or even the retailer regarding recommendations.
Try to avoid over wetting during Carpet cleaning. If there is too much moisture then it will seep into the fibers of your carpet and can cause considerable damage to its backing. Prolonged dampness can even lead to the growth of bacteria, fungus and mildew, which will cause health problems. The biggest concern in the do-it-yourself process is that of using too much detergent or water. Normally, it is mentioned on the detergent pack, how much to use and you can also consult the manufacturer regarding the right proportion to use for carpet cleaning.
Actually, it is always recommended to consult the carpet manufacturer before you start with do-it-yourself carpet cleaning. The carpet manufacturer and even the retailer can provide you with detailed information regarding the products that you can use for your carpet. It is advised to double check the detergent for its pH value, which should be less than 10. Also find out if the detergent will leave any sticky residue or not. Carpet cleaning of woolen carpet or those made from natural fibers will need a special cleaning solution that has been formulated only for them. Follow up the detergent cleaning with a clear water rinsing process so that all remnants from the detergent or cleaning solution can be removed.
Some carpets are stain resistant while others are not. If you have a stain resistant carpet then you will have to use specially formulated solutions. One very important thing is that if you have a stain resistant carpet then you will need to hire professional carpet cleaners as otherwise the warranty will become void.
It is better to avoid cleaning solutions, which contain brighteners or bleaches as they can lead to discoloration of your carpet. Try and avoid the use of silicone-based carpet cleaning treatments as they don’t have any long-term benefits and are capable of causing permanent damages to your carpet.
Last but not the least; dry your carpet as soon as possible. You can turn on the fan, air-conditioner or de-humidifier for pulling out the moisture from the air. The sooner the carpet can dry, the better it will be. Proper drying of your carpet will help to maintain the color and fabric of the carpet and also increase its lifespan.
Carpet cleaning can be done at home but always consult your carpet manufacturer before you start the process because if your carpet get damaged then it will not be possible to restore it to its original state. So you need to be extremely careful while doing it at home. Readmore »»
How to Clean Wool Carpets
by: Keith Wroblewski
This guide is written to help you maintain your wall to wall wool carpet. It is not meant for wool Oriental rugs. These rugs may have loose dye that will bleed or crock. I reccomend that you have these rugs taken to a rug plant that specializes in wool rugs. Oriental rugs should never be cleaned at your home since the dies may bleed.
If you have recently purchased a wool carpet please go to your pantry which holds all your carpet cleaning spotters and throw them away. Never use a soap or carpet cleaning chemical on wool carpet unless it has a PH between 4.5 and 8.5. To be completely safe you could stay below a PH of 7 (neutral and will not cause the dyes to bleed) or look for your carpet cleaning product at http://www.fernmark.com. Be especially careful of using bleach products near your wool carpet. Bleach will actually dissolve wool carpet and leave you with a giant hole. Bleach is a great way to test your carpet for wool content if your not sure if your carpet has wool in it. Now that we have discussed what not to do, we can establish how to better maintain your wool carpet.
Vacuum as often as you can. This is akin to washing your hair.How many days a week do you skip washing your hair? Only use low PH cleaners. Using over the counter products on wool carpets is like using Tide on your hair!High PH cleaners will break down the cuticle or hard scaly surface that holds the fiber together. Breaking down the cuticle would leave us with a fuzzy mess. When using a wool safe product - blot. Scrubbing will also cause the fiber to fuzz out. I also recommend that you blot up the wool safe spotter with an acidic rinse ( 1 part white vinegar 3 part water). This will remove any residue and leave the wool fiber slightly acidic which will help maintain the wools softness. You also want to speed dry your wool carpet. If the carpet takes too long to dry it can turn yellow or brown. Using too high a PH cleaner on your wool carpet can also turn the fibers brown or yellow. We call this PH browning.
In conclusion vacuum as often as you can. Spot clean with wool safe products. Blot rinse with an acidic rinse and never use bleach (causes wool to dissolve) or products with a high PH. Have your carpets cleaned by a professional at least once a year by a professional carpet cleaner who uses wool safe products. For more information on carpets, carpet cleaning, carpet repair, water damage, allergies please go to http://www.colorado-carpet-masters.com Readmore »»
This guide is written to help you maintain your wall to wall wool carpet. It is not meant for wool Oriental rugs. These rugs may have loose dye that will bleed or crock. I reccomend that you have these rugs taken to a rug plant that specializes in wool rugs. Oriental rugs should never be cleaned at your home since the dies may bleed.
If you have recently purchased a wool carpet please go to your pantry which holds all your carpet cleaning spotters and throw them away. Never use a soap or carpet cleaning chemical on wool carpet unless it has a PH between 4.5 and 8.5. To be completely safe you could stay below a PH of 7 (neutral and will not cause the dyes to bleed) or look for your carpet cleaning product at http://www.fernmark.com. Be especially careful of using bleach products near your wool carpet. Bleach will actually dissolve wool carpet and leave you with a giant hole. Bleach is a great way to test your carpet for wool content if your not sure if your carpet has wool in it. Now that we have discussed what not to do, we can establish how to better maintain your wool carpet.
Vacuum as often as you can. This is akin to washing your hair.How many days a week do you skip washing your hair? Only use low PH cleaners. Using over the counter products on wool carpets is like using Tide on your hair!High PH cleaners will break down the cuticle or hard scaly surface that holds the fiber together. Breaking down the cuticle would leave us with a fuzzy mess. When using a wool safe product - blot. Scrubbing will also cause the fiber to fuzz out. I also recommend that you blot up the wool safe spotter with an acidic rinse ( 1 part white vinegar 3 part water). This will remove any residue and leave the wool fiber slightly acidic which will help maintain the wools softness. You also want to speed dry your wool carpet. If the carpet takes too long to dry it can turn yellow or brown. Using too high a PH cleaner on your wool carpet can also turn the fibers brown or yellow. We call this PH browning.
In conclusion vacuum as often as you can. Spot clean with wool safe products. Blot rinse with an acidic rinse and never use bleach (causes wool to dissolve) or products with a high PH. Have your carpets cleaned by a professional at least once a year by a professional carpet cleaner who uses wool safe products. For more information on carpets, carpet cleaning, carpet repair, water damage, allergies please go to http://www.colorado-carpet-masters.com Readmore »»
Cleaning Wool Carpets - A Boulder Carpet Cleaning Guide
by: Keith Wroblewski
This guide is written to help you maintain your wall to wall wool carpet. It is not meant for wool Oriental rugs. These rugs may have loose dye that will bleed or crock. I recommend that you have these rugs taken to a rug plant that specializes in wool rugs. Oriental rugs should never be cleaned at your home since the dies may bleed.If you do decide to spot clean your Oriental rug, make sure you test every color separately for color fastness. You may have 10 colors in your rug and only one bleeds. You test for color fastness by taking a white cotton towel that has been dipped with a small amount of wool safe cleaner, and then clamping the towel on each color separately.
If you have recently purchased a wool carpet please go to your pantry which holds all your carpet cleaning spotters and throw them away. Never use a soap or carpet cleaning chemical on wool carpet unless it has a PH between 4.5 and 8.5. To be completely safe you could stay below a PH of 7 (neutral and will not cause the dyes to bleed) or look for your carpet cleaning product at http://www.fernmark.com. Be especially careful of using bleach products near your wool carpet. Bleach will actually dissolve wool carpet and leave you with a giant hole. Bleach is a great way to test your carpet for wool content if your not sure if your carpet has wool in it. Now that we have discussed what not to do, we can establish how to better maintain your wool carpet.
Vacuum as often as you can. This is akin to washing your hair.How many days a week do you skip washing your hair? Only use low PH cleaners. Using over the counter products on wool carpets is like using Tide on your hair!High PH cleaners will break down the cuticle or hard scaly surface that holds the fiber together. Breaking down the cuticle would leave us with a fuzzy mess. When using a wool safe product - blot. Scrubbing will also cause the fiber to fuzz out. I also recommend that you blot up the wool safe spotter with an acidic rinse ( 1 part white vinegar 3 part water). This will remove any residue and leave the wool fiber slightly acidic which will help maintain the wools softness. You also want to speed dry your wool carpet. If the carpet takes too long to dry it can turn yellow or brown. Using too high a PH cleaner on your wool carpet can also turn the fibers brown or yellow. We call this PH browning.
In conclusion vacuum as often as you can. Spot clean with wool safe products. Blot rinse with an acidic rinse and never use bleach (causes wool to dissolve) or products with a high PH. Have your carpets cleaned by a professional at least once a year by a professional carpet cleaner who uses wool safe products. For more information on carpets, carpet cleaning, carpet repair, water damage, allergies please go to http://www.colorado-carpet-masters.com Readmore »»
This guide is written to help you maintain your wall to wall wool carpet. It is not meant for wool Oriental rugs. These rugs may have loose dye that will bleed or crock. I recommend that you have these rugs taken to a rug plant that specializes in wool rugs. Oriental rugs should never be cleaned at your home since the dies may bleed.If you do decide to spot clean your Oriental rug, make sure you test every color separately for color fastness. You may have 10 colors in your rug and only one bleeds. You test for color fastness by taking a white cotton towel that has been dipped with a small amount of wool safe cleaner, and then clamping the towel on each color separately.
If you have recently purchased a wool carpet please go to your pantry which holds all your carpet cleaning spotters and throw them away. Never use a soap or carpet cleaning chemical on wool carpet unless it has a PH between 4.5 and 8.5. To be completely safe you could stay below a PH of 7 (neutral and will not cause the dyes to bleed) or look for your carpet cleaning product at http://www.fernmark.com. Be especially careful of using bleach products near your wool carpet. Bleach will actually dissolve wool carpet and leave you with a giant hole. Bleach is a great way to test your carpet for wool content if your not sure if your carpet has wool in it. Now that we have discussed what not to do, we can establish how to better maintain your wool carpet.
Vacuum as often as you can. This is akin to washing your hair.How many days a week do you skip washing your hair? Only use low PH cleaners. Using over the counter products on wool carpets is like using Tide on your hair!High PH cleaners will break down the cuticle or hard scaly surface that holds the fiber together. Breaking down the cuticle would leave us with a fuzzy mess. When using a wool safe product - blot. Scrubbing will also cause the fiber to fuzz out. I also recommend that you blot up the wool safe spotter with an acidic rinse ( 1 part white vinegar 3 part water). This will remove any residue and leave the wool fiber slightly acidic which will help maintain the wools softness. You also want to speed dry your wool carpet. If the carpet takes too long to dry it can turn yellow or brown. Using too high a PH cleaner on your wool carpet can also turn the fibers brown or yellow. We call this PH browning.
In conclusion vacuum as often as you can. Spot clean with wool safe products. Blot rinse with an acidic rinse and never use bleach (causes wool to dissolve) or products with a high PH. Have your carpets cleaned by a professional at least once a year by a professional carpet cleaner who uses wool safe products. For more information on carpets, carpet cleaning, carpet repair, water damage, allergies please go to http://www.colorado-carpet-masters.com Readmore »»
Carpet Cleaning in Colorado with a Home Cleaner or Portable Machine
by: Keith Wroblewski
How do I make my home portable steam cleaner or Home Shampooer work?
Many of you may be asking yourselves why I would teach you how to not need me? The answer is kinda simple. I am in the service industry and we are supposed to serve. I am also hoping that when you need a Colorado carpet cleaner in the future that you will remember me and call or if you have a friend in need you might refer Colorado Carpet Cleaning Masters to them.In this article I will try to answer the most common questions I have received in regards to carpet cleaning with a home machine.
Lets get started. The first step in carpet cleaning is to remove as much of the carpet load or dry soil from the carpet fibers as possible. What happens to dry dirt when you add water? It becomes mud and mud is a lot harder to get out than sand. A sq. yard of carpet may contain up to 8 lbs. of dry dirt. A thorough vacuum of the carpet is the best first step to cleaning the carpet yourself. If you need help in choosing a vacuum, see our free choosing a vacuum guide.
Now that the carpets are thoroughly vacuumed, we want to prespray or precondition the carpet.
This may be the most important step in the carpet cleaning process and it is often overlooked by the "professional carpet cleaning company." Many Colorado carpet cleaning companies will only precondition the spots they see and not the entire carpet. This is akin to taking very dirty jeans and placing detergent on the ketchup spot and ignoring the general grime that the jeans are covered in. After the jeans dried you would have very dirty jeans with a clean spot where the ketchup used to be. To insure that all the carpet gets as clean as possible we must prespray all the carpets before we clean them. We also want the prespray to sit or dwell in the carpet fibers for at least two to twenty minutes before we clean them. It takes the soap bubbles time to pry the dirt off the carpet fiber. If we heat our preconditioner before we apply it, the preconditioner will be more powerful and effective. Once we reach 118 degrees every 18 degrees hotter will double the ability of the detergent to clean. Make sure that you are heating only detergent and non combustible chemicals. This is one reason why you can never get the carpets as clean with a portable cleaner compared to a high heat truck mount carpet cleaner.
After you prespray a section of carpet you can agitate the carpet with a carpet rake and this will help the detergent break the dirt free from the carpet fiber. You don't want the prespray to dry before you rinse the carpets with your home cleaner. You can use a fresh water rinse or a slightly acidic rinse to flush the detergent and dirt out of the carpet. If you can create airflow and warm air the carpets will dry faster. It is preferred for the carpets to dry within 24 hours. The faster the carpets dry the less wicking or traveling of dirt from the carpets backing will occur. A quick recap:
Vacuum carpet thoroughly.
Precondition all the carpet to be cleaned
Heat the prespray if possible and agitate it into the carpet fibers.
Let the preconditioner sit or dwell for 2- 20 minutes
Rinse the carpet with fresh water
Dry as fast as possible
If you have any other questions regarding carpet cleaning please call 303-655-1660 or find your answers at http://www.colorado-carpet-masters.com Readmore »»
How do I make my home portable steam cleaner or Home Shampooer work?
Many of you may be asking yourselves why I would teach you how to not need me? The answer is kinda simple. I am in the service industry and we are supposed to serve. I am also hoping that when you need a Colorado carpet cleaner in the future that you will remember me and call or if you have a friend in need you might refer Colorado Carpet Cleaning Masters to them.In this article I will try to answer the most common questions I have received in regards to carpet cleaning with a home machine.
Lets get started. The first step in carpet cleaning is to remove as much of the carpet load or dry soil from the carpet fibers as possible. What happens to dry dirt when you add water? It becomes mud and mud is a lot harder to get out than sand. A sq. yard of carpet may contain up to 8 lbs. of dry dirt. A thorough vacuum of the carpet is the best first step to cleaning the carpet yourself. If you need help in choosing a vacuum, see our free choosing a vacuum guide.
Now that the carpets are thoroughly vacuumed, we want to prespray or precondition the carpet.
This may be the most important step in the carpet cleaning process and it is often overlooked by the "professional carpet cleaning company." Many Colorado carpet cleaning companies will only precondition the spots they see and not the entire carpet. This is akin to taking very dirty jeans and placing detergent on the ketchup spot and ignoring the general grime that the jeans are covered in. After the jeans dried you would have very dirty jeans with a clean spot where the ketchup used to be. To insure that all the carpet gets as clean as possible we must prespray all the carpets before we clean them. We also want the prespray to sit or dwell in the carpet fibers for at least two to twenty minutes before we clean them. It takes the soap bubbles time to pry the dirt off the carpet fiber. If we heat our preconditioner before we apply it, the preconditioner will be more powerful and effective. Once we reach 118 degrees every 18 degrees hotter will double the ability of the detergent to clean. Make sure that you are heating only detergent and non combustible chemicals. This is one reason why you can never get the carpets as clean with a portable cleaner compared to a high heat truck mount carpet cleaner.
After you prespray a section of carpet you can agitate the carpet with a carpet rake and this will help the detergent break the dirt free from the carpet fiber. You don't want the prespray to dry before you rinse the carpets with your home cleaner. You can use a fresh water rinse or a slightly acidic rinse to flush the detergent and dirt out of the carpet. If you can create airflow and warm air the carpets will dry faster. It is preferred for the carpets to dry within 24 hours. The faster the carpets dry the less wicking or traveling of dirt from the carpets backing will occur. A quick recap:
Vacuum carpet thoroughly.
Precondition all the carpet to be cleaned
Heat the prespray if possible and agitate it into the carpet fibers.
Let the preconditioner sit or dwell for 2- 20 minutes
Rinse the carpet with fresh water
Dry as fast as possible
If you have any other questions regarding carpet cleaning please call 303-655-1660 or find your answers at http://www.colorado-carpet-masters.com Readmore »»
Buying Wool Carpets - Are Wool Carpets For Me?
by: Keith Wroblewski
Should I consider buying wool carpets? Wool carpets are wonderful! Wool carpets have made my life miserable! This is actually one of those situations where both of these statements can be 100% true. My hope is to help you determine which one of these groups you belong too before you go through the expense of investing in wool carpets.
I have been cleaning carpets in Boulder Colorado for over 17 years and I have cleaned some wonderful and not so wonderful wool carpets. Wool is soft and it feels great to walk, crawl, or lay on. It feels like walking on soft hair. Wow! It is soft hair! The wool fiber consist of three main parts. The epidermis (cuticle) consisting of protective, overlapping scales on the fibers outer surface. The cortex, which composes most of the wools fiber and the center of the wool fiber is called the medulla. One of the facts that makes wool kinda scary is that it is a protein. Why could this be bad? Wool proteins can chemically bond with other proteins that can permanently attach itself to the wool fiber.
The real protein problem usually arises from our pets. Most of our pets throw up their food which is primarily a Protein base. These pet accidents can quickly turn our beloved soft haired carpet into a visual tapestry of pet throw up, urine stains and other digestive processes that I do not like to think about. Often, these stains will permanently affix themselves and become part of the wool fiber. Another source of protein comes from the food we eat. Baby food may have a high protein concentrate and if applied to your wool carpet it may become a sentimental remembrance of your child's baby years. Wool is considered the finest carpet fiber in the world and if I did not have pets and small children I would seriously consider the expense.You also have to be very careful not to get bleach on your wool carpet. Bleach will actually cause the wool fiber to dissolve and leave you with a hole in the middle of your carpet.This means that putting wool carpets in a laundry room may not be the best of ideas. Many over the counter cleaners have a small amount of bleach in them. The advantages of wool carpet include that it feels soft, holds color very well, wears well, soil resistant, cleans well and it is naturally non flammable. The wool fiber is also very elastic and it can expand 3 to 4 times its' size. This helps the wool fiber be naturally durable.
The negative traits of wool fiber include that it is very sensitive to alkalinity (high PH soaps), costs more than synthetic fibers, costs more to clean, not resistant to Protein stains, will dissolve in bleach and can be damaged by carpet beetles and moths. Consider the pluses and minuses as they pertain to your life and if you decide to purchase the wonderful wool carpet fiber, see our special carpet cleaning care guide for wool carpets at http://www.colorado-carpet-masters.com. You will also find free carpet repair guides, allergy guides, carpet buying guides, carpet spot guides, carpet cleaning consumer guides an much more. Readmore »»
Should I consider buying wool carpets? Wool carpets are wonderful! Wool carpets have made my life miserable! This is actually one of those situations where both of these statements can be 100% true. My hope is to help you determine which one of these groups you belong too before you go through the expense of investing in wool carpets.
I have been cleaning carpets in Boulder Colorado for over 17 years and I have cleaned some wonderful and not so wonderful wool carpets. Wool is soft and it feels great to walk, crawl, or lay on. It feels like walking on soft hair. Wow! It is soft hair! The wool fiber consist of three main parts. The epidermis (cuticle) consisting of protective, overlapping scales on the fibers outer surface. The cortex, which composes most of the wools fiber and the center of the wool fiber is called the medulla. One of the facts that makes wool kinda scary is that it is a protein. Why could this be bad? Wool proteins can chemically bond with other proteins that can permanently attach itself to the wool fiber.
The real protein problem usually arises from our pets. Most of our pets throw up their food which is primarily a Protein base. These pet accidents can quickly turn our beloved soft haired carpet into a visual tapestry of pet throw up, urine stains and other digestive processes that I do not like to think about. Often, these stains will permanently affix themselves and become part of the wool fiber. Another source of protein comes from the food we eat. Baby food may have a high protein concentrate and if applied to your wool carpet it may become a sentimental remembrance of your child's baby years. Wool is considered the finest carpet fiber in the world and if I did not have pets and small children I would seriously consider the expense.You also have to be very careful not to get bleach on your wool carpet. Bleach will actually cause the wool fiber to dissolve and leave you with a hole in the middle of your carpet.This means that putting wool carpets in a laundry room may not be the best of ideas. Many over the counter cleaners have a small amount of bleach in them. The advantages of wool carpet include that it feels soft, holds color very well, wears well, soil resistant, cleans well and it is naturally non flammable. The wool fiber is also very elastic and it can expand 3 to 4 times its' size. This helps the wool fiber be naturally durable.
The negative traits of wool fiber include that it is very sensitive to alkalinity (high PH soaps), costs more than synthetic fibers, costs more to clean, not resistant to Protein stains, will dissolve in bleach and can be damaged by carpet beetles and moths. Consider the pluses and minuses as they pertain to your life and if you decide to purchase the wonderful wool carpet fiber, see our special carpet cleaning care guide for wool carpets at http://www.colorado-carpet-masters.com. You will also find free carpet repair guides, allergy guides, carpet buying guides, carpet spot guides, carpet cleaning consumer guides an much more. Readmore »»
Carpet Cleaning In Boulder Colorado With Your Home Cleaner Or Portable Steam Cleaner
by: Keith Wroblewski
How do I make my home portable steam cleaner or Home Shampooer work?
Many of you may be asking yourselves why I would teach you how to not need me? The answer is kinda simple. I am in the service industry and we are supposed to serve. I am also hoping that when you need a Colorado carpet cleaner in the future that you will remember me and call or if you have a friend in need you might refer Colorado Carpet Cleaning Masters to them. In this article I will try to answer the most common questions I have received in regards to carpet cleaning with a home machine.
The first step in carpet cleaning is to remove as much of the carpet load or dry soil from the carpet fibers as possible. What happens to dry dirt when you add water? It becomes mud and mud is a lot harder to get out than sand. A sq. yard of carpet may contain up to 8 lbs. of dry dirt. A thorough vacuum of the carpet is the best first step to cleaning the carpet yourself. If you need help in choosing a vacuum, see our free choosing a vacuum guide.
Now that the carpets are thoroughly vacuumed, we want to prespray or precondition the carpet.
This may be the most important step in the carpet cleaning process and it is often overlooked by the "professional carpet cleaning company." Many Colorado carpet cleaning companies will only precondition the spots they see and not the entire carpet. This is akin to taking very dirty jeans and placing detergent on the ketchup spot and ignoring the general grime that the jeans are covered in. After the jeans dried you would have very dirty jeans with a clean spot where the ketchup used to be. To insure that all the carpet gets as clean as possible we must prespray all the carpets before we clean them. We also want the prespray to sit or dwell in the carpet fibers for at least two to twenty minutes before we clean them. It takes the soap bubbles time to pry the dirt off the carpet fiber. If we heat our preconditioner before we apply it, the preconditioner will be more powerful and effective. Once we reach 118 degrees every 18 degrees hotter will double the ability of the detergent to clean. Make sure that you are heating only detergent and non combustible chemicals. This is one reason why you can never get the carpets as clean with a portable cleaner compared to a high heat truck mount carpet cleaner.
After you prespray a section of carpet you can agitate the carpet with a carpet rake and this will help the detergent break the dirt free from the carpet fiber. You don't want the prespray to dry before you rinse the carpets with your home cleaner. You can use a fresh water rinse or a slightly acidic rinse to flush the detergent and dirt out of the carpet. If you can create airflow and warm air the carpets will dry faster. It is preferred for the carpets to dry within 24 hours. The faster the carpets dry the less wicking or traveling of dirt from the carpets backing will occur. A quick recap:
Vacuum carpet thoroughly.
Precondition all the carpet to be cleaned
Heat the pre spray if possible and agitate it into the carpet fibers.
Let the preconditioner sit or dwell for 2- 20 minutes
Rinse the carpet with fresh water
Dry as fast as possible
If you have any other questions regarding carpet cleaning please call 303-655-1660 or find your answers at
http://www.colorado-carpet-masters.com Readmore »»
How do I make my home portable steam cleaner or Home Shampooer work?
Many of you may be asking yourselves why I would teach you how to not need me? The answer is kinda simple. I am in the service industry and we are supposed to serve. I am also hoping that when you need a Colorado carpet cleaner in the future that you will remember me and call or if you have a friend in need you might refer Colorado Carpet Cleaning Masters to them. In this article I will try to answer the most common questions I have received in regards to carpet cleaning with a home machine.
The first step in carpet cleaning is to remove as much of the carpet load or dry soil from the carpet fibers as possible. What happens to dry dirt when you add water? It becomes mud and mud is a lot harder to get out than sand. A sq. yard of carpet may contain up to 8 lbs. of dry dirt. A thorough vacuum of the carpet is the best first step to cleaning the carpet yourself. If you need help in choosing a vacuum, see our free choosing a vacuum guide.
Now that the carpets are thoroughly vacuumed, we want to prespray or precondition the carpet.
This may be the most important step in the carpet cleaning process and it is often overlooked by the "professional carpet cleaning company." Many Colorado carpet cleaning companies will only precondition the spots they see and not the entire carpet. This is akin to taking very dirty jeans and placing detergent on the ketchup spot and ignoring the general grime that the jeans are covered in. After the jeans dried you would have very dirty jeans with a clean spot where the ketchup used to be. To insure that all the carpet gets as clean as possible we must prespray all the carpets before we clean them. We also want the prespray to sit or dwell in the carpet fibers for at least two to twenty minutes before we clean them. It takes the soap bubbles time to pry the dirt off the carpet fiber. If we heat our preconditioner before we apply it, the preconditioner will be more powerful and effective. Once we reach 118 degrees every 18 degrees hotter will double the ability of the detergent to clean. Make sure that you are heating only detergent and non combustible chemicals. This is one reason why you can never get the carpets as clean with a portable cleaner compared to a high heat truck mount carpet cleaner.
After you prespray a section of carpet you can agitate the carpet with a carpet rake and this will help the detergent break the dirt free from the carpet fiber. You don't want the prespray to dry before you rinse the carpets with your home cleaner. You can use a fresh water rinse or a slightly acidic rinse to flush the detergent and dirt out of the carpet. If you can create airflow and warm air the carpets will dry faster. It is preferred for the carpets to dry within 24 hours. The faster the carpets dry the less wicking or traveling of dirt from the carpets backing will occur. A quick recap:
Vacuum carpet thoroughly.
Precondition all the carpet to be cleaned
Heat the pre spray if possible and agitate it into the carpet fibers.
Let the preconditioner sit or dwell for 2- 20 minutes
Rinse the carpet with fresh water
Dry as fast as possible
If you have any other questions regarding carpet cleaning please call 303-655-1660 or find your answers at
http://www.colorado-carpet-masters.com Readmore »»
Free Colorado Carpet Repair Guide
I have always enjoyed carpet repairs and enjoyed the easy money even more. I remember when I first started doing them and I thought wow what an easy way to make money and make my carpet cleaning clients happy at the same time. Let's get down to business. I am going to teach you how to make simple repairs like fixing a cigarette burn or fixing a hole that your pet tore in the carpet. To start we must assemble our very expensive tools. A pencil, glue gun, glue sticks, seaming tape, a bottle of latex glue , piece of paper, seaming roller and a carpet knife. You could literally start a carpet repair business for about $20.00 to $30.00. You can find all of these tools at your local hardware store.
First we must have a piece of carpet to use for our replacement piece. If you do not have an extra piece of carpet, use a piece out of your closet. Let's pretend that we have a small cigarette burn right in the middle of our room. We are going to take our carpet knife (razor blade), and cut out the damaged piece of carpet. I prefer to use a straight edge and cut the burn out in a square, as straight as I can. We now have a square hole in the middle of the room.
Take the piece of paper and place it on the carpet with the pencil on top. Roll the pencil quickly back and forth and the paper will scoot across the paper in the direction that the carpet nap lies. Do the same thing on the replacement piece from the closet. This way we can make sure that the replacement piece carpet fibers lie in the same direction as the room we are fixing. You might even draw an arrow on the back of the carpet so you don't forget. Take the carpet square that you cut out and place it on to the backing of the replacement piece of carpet. You can now trace the outline of your carpet square on the replacement pieces carpet backing. Take your carpet knife and cut the piece out and place it in your hole that you created in the middle of your room.They should fit together very tightly. Take the carpet roller and roll over the edges and watch the seams disappear. Now take the carpet replacement piece out and trim off any carpet strings that are hanging. You should also trim off any carpet strings from your carpet hole. Now take the bottle of latex and trace the edges from both the carpet hole and the replacement piece. All the carpet edges are now sealed.
Take a piece of seaming tape about twice the size of the carpet hole and place it inside the carpet hole. Center the seaming tape so that it overlaps the carpet holes edges evenly. Lift up the carpet around the edges of the carpet hole and place a bead of glue under the good carpet and on the seaming tape. This will tie our carpet repair to the rest of the carpet. Place your carpet replacement piece back into the carpet hole. Pull back half the replacement piece and put glue liberally underneath it. Make sure the fibers are not tangled and pinch the edges of the carpet hole and the replacement piece together so that they are as tight as possible. Roll this area with your seam roller and then repeat this same procedure on the other half of the replacement piece. If you have questions about cleaning carpet, buying carpet, spot removal, water damage, carpet stretching please use our free resources at http://www.colorado-carpet-masters.com Readmore »»
First we must have a piece of carpet to use for our replacement piece. If you do not have an extra piece of carpet, use a piece out of your closet. Let's pretend that we have a small cigarette burn right in the middle of our room. We are going to take our carpet knife (razor blade), and cut out the damaged piece of carpet. I prefer to use a straight edge and cut the burn out in a square, as straight as I can. We now have a square hole in the middle of the room.
Take the piece of paper and place it on the carpet with the pencil on top. Roll the pencil quickly back and forth and the paper will scoot across the paper in the direction that the carpet nap lies. Do the same thing on the replacement piece from the closet. This way we can make sure that the replacement piece carpet fibers lie in the same direction as the room we are fixing. You might even draw an arrow on the back of the carpet so you don't forget. Take the carpet square that you cut out and place it on to the backing of the replacement piece of carpet. You can now trace the outline of your carpet square on the replacement pieces carpet backing. Take your carpet knife and cut the piece out and place it in your hole that you created in the middle of your room.They should fit together very tightly. Take the carpet roller and roll over the edges and watch the seams disappear. Now take the carpet replacement piece out and trim off any carpet strings that are hanging. You should also trim off any carpet strings from your carpet hole. Now take the bottle of latex and trace the edges from both the carpet hole and the replacement piece. All the carpet edges are now sealed.
Take a piece of seaming tape about twice the size of the carpet hole and place it inside the carpet hole. Center the seaming tape so that it overlaps the carpet holes edges evenly. Lift up the carpet around the edges of the carpet hole and place a bead of glue under the good carpet and on the seaming tape. This will tie our carpet repair to the rest of the carpet. Place your carpet replacement piece back into the carpet hole. Pull back half the replacement piece and put glue liberally underneath it. Make sure the fibers are not tangled and pinch the edges of the carpet hole and the replacement piece together so that they are as tight as possible. Roll this area with your seam roller and then repeat this same procedure on the other half of the replacement piece. If you have questions about cleaning carpet, buying carpet, spot removal, water damage, carpet stretching please use our free resources at http://www.colorado-carpet-masters.com Readmore »»
Choosing the Best Cheap Carpet for Your Own Individual Needs
by: Keith Wroblewski
What carpet will work best for my needs? What questions should I ask the carpet store before purchasing my carpet? How can I tell if the carpet is a quality carpet versus an over priced carpet? These are the questions that my clients ask me when they are considering purchasing a new carpet for their home. I will attempt to answer these questions and keep you from spending too much money or not enough money to achieve your new carpet needs. The first question you should answer is How long do I want the carpet to last? To simplify the answer to this question we will categorize the expected carpet life into under 5 years.
Many people just want to put carpet into their home for resale purposes and wish to spend the least amount of money as possible. Other people wish to replace just their family room for a few years and then replace the whole house once the upstairs or less used carpets are also ready for replacement. If you want just a few years of use, Olefin carpet may be the best carpet for you. It is simply less expensive. It is also colorfast and will not discolor or fade easily. The down side to Olefin carpet is that it will mat easily and not perk up as much once it is cleaned. It will also absorb oils and not release them easily or some times not at all. As a carpet cleaner, we like Olefin the least since it does not respond to cleaning as well as most other carpets. Now that you decided that Olefin is best for you, How should you pick out your olefin carpet?
One of the biggest mistakes people make with Olefin carpet is getting a carpet yarn that is tall. Olefin is very heavy and if you take a tall heavy fiber and support it with lots and lots of other tall heavy fibers they will mat and tangle and not look very good. Your best bet is to get a very short olefin fiber that will not mat. When you compare the Olefin carpet between stores you want to make sure that you are comparing carpets of equal density. The store should be able to tell you how dense this particular carpet is. Make sure that you are getting the price for a square yard of carpet and not a square foot. Also, make sure that you compare the same thickness of carpet pad and if the carpet installation and carpet stretching is going to be knee kicked or power stretched. You might also want to ask if the installer working for the store is an employee or if they are a sub contractor? Do they guarantee the carpet installation? You might want to check the store and installer on the BBB web site. I would compare three stores for price. Remember to compare the store for the same:
1. Fiber content (are they made of the same stuff? Olefin)
2. The carpets thickness.
3. Are they all using square yards?
4. Cost of the same thickness carpet pad.
5. Cost of installation.
6. Is the installation under guarantee?
7. Are the installers power stretching or Knee kicking?
8. How much do they charge for old carpet tear out?
9. How much do they charge for old carpet removal?
If you have any other questions regarding choosing the best cheap carpet or finding a longer lasting carpet please look for the article you need at www.Colorado-Carpet-Masters.com Readmore »»
What carpet will work best for my needs? What questions should I ask the carpet store before purchasing my carpet? How can I tell if the carpet is a quality carpet versus an over priced carpet? These are the questions that my clients ask me when they are considering purchasing a new carpet for their home. I will attempt to answer these questions and keep you from spending too much money or not enough money to achieve your new carpet needs. The first question you should answer is How long do I want the carpet to last? To simplify the answer to this question we will categorize the expected carpet life into under 5 years.
Many people just want to put carpet into their home for resale purposes and wish to spend the least amount of money as possible. Other people wish to replace just their family room for a few years and then replace the whole house once the upstairs or less used carpets are also ready for replacement. If you want just a few years of use, Olefin carpet may be the best carpet for you. It is simply less expensive. It is also colorfast and will not discolor or fade easily. The down side to Olefin carpet is that it will mat easily and not perk up as much once it is cleaned. It will also absorb oils and not release them easily or some times not at all. As a carpet cleaner, we like Olefin the least since it does not respond to cleaning as well as most other carpets. Now that you decided that Olefin is best for you, How should you pick out your olefin carpet?
One of the biggest mistakes people make with Olefin carpet is getting a carpet yarn that is tall. Olefin is very heavy and if you take a tall heavy fiber and support it with lots and lots of other tall heavy fibers they will mat and tangle and not look very good. Your best bet is to get a very short olefin fiber that will not mat. When you compare the Olefin carpet between stores you want to make sure that you are comparing carpets of equal density. The store should be able to tell you how dense this particular carpet is. Make sure that you are getting the price for a square yard of carpet and not a square foot. Also, make sure that you compare the same thickness of carpet pad and if the carpet installation and carpet stretching is going to be knee kicked or power stretched. You might also want to ask if the installer working for the store is an employee or if they are a sub contractor? Do they guarantee the carpet installation? You might want to check the store and installer on the BBB web site. I would compare three stores for price. Remember to compare the store for the same:
1. Fiber content (are they made of the same stuff? Olefin)
2. The carpets thickness.
3. Are they all using square yards?
4. Cost of the same thickness carpet pad.
5. Cost of installation.
6. Is the installation under guarantee?
7. Are the installers power stretching or Knee kicking?
8. How much do they charge for old carpet tear out?
9. How much do they charge for old carpet removal?
If you have any other questions regarding choosing the best cheap carpet or finding a longer lasting carpet please look for the article you need at www.Colorado-Carpet-Masters.com Readmore »»
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