Carpet Care Tips: Heavy Traffic with Pets

When keeping carpets clean and fresh, there are a series of commandments to fulfill this purpose. Some rugs and carpets are delicate and prone to irreversible damage if they are subjected to heavy traffic, frequent spills, and pet stains. 

In this article, your trusted professionals on carpet cleaning in Charlotte, NC, leave some carpet tips when there is heavy traffic with pets.  

Pet Urine and Poop Damage

Pet urine is one of the most damaging stains on carpets. In this sense, while a trained pet will cause fewer issues, urine accidents on carpets happen and leave stains on any carpeted surface. And often, the pet’s urine is not noticeable until long after the accident. Even some urine stains may not be removable. 

Another effect of pet urine in carpets is the smell of ammonia because of its chemical content (high ammonia concentrations). For this reason, the best measure to avoid this problem is to clean it immediately and thoroughly because it leaves behind a concentrated solution of ammonia that gives off unpleasant fumes.

On the other hand, residual pet urine is detrimental to wood, carpeted surfaces, and fabrics and can also affect your family members’ health. Residual pet urine is a breeding ground of bacteria and microorganisms that can trigger allergies, sinusitis, watery eyes, and airway inflammation. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), poop can be critical when you have pets, like dogs and cats, because it can carry bacteria and parasites that can cause severe diseases. On the other hand, proper disposal is essential because it can contaminate waterways and harm the environment. 

Diseases Caused Pet Urine

Dog and cat urination, like feces, transmit bacteria that cause five primary diseases: parasitosis, giardiasis, salmonellosis, leptospirosis, and toxoplasmosis. 

While giardiasis is not fatal, it can lead to severe diarrhea. 

On the other hand, salmonellosis is a little more severe and attacks internal organs, causing high fever. 

Toxoplasmosis can be dangerous for pregnant women, leading to possible congenital diseases. And the most severe disease associated with pet urine and feces is leptospirosis because it causes an infection that can produce internal bleeding.

Mold

Mold growth is another cause for concern when facing heavy household traffic with pets. Likewise, the best option is to clean pet urine stains quickly before it is soaked into the carpeting. In this matter, urine composition and moisture can cause many mold types under the carpet surface, including fungus that encompass several varieties of penicillium that jeopardize the health of persons with milder respiratory problems. 

Baking Soda and Enzymatic Cleaners

Enzymatic cleaners and baking soda can be the best remedy against harmful pet stains. For example, an enzyme-based solution can break bacteria down and neutralize smells. And these products are effective when you blot the contaminated spot and soak up the enzymatic odor and stain remover with a towel (leaving the pad and carpet wet but not dripping wet). Then, you can wait until the product dries and vacuum it. 

You can remove pet stains by blotting the contaminated area with a white rag or paper towel with a solution consisting of two parts water and two parts white vinegar. After, apply baking soda over the affected area and allow the solution to sit for a couple of minutes without rubbing the stain.

After you clean it, it is important to dry a pet stain because the urine odor is stronger if the surface is damp. Also, wet spots tend to attract bacteria faster, especially if your pet has peed on any fabric or carpeted floor.

Experts on carpet cleaning in Charlotte, NC, recommend professional methods to clean stubborn stains from carpets and other surfaces. 

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How to Remove Rust Stains From Carpet

While carpets have multiple functional benefits, they must be elegant and aesthetic to fulfill their purpose. Rust stains in carpets are typical occurrences caused by metallic items kept on them that oxidize (because they become in contact with moisture for a long period). First, rust stains could seem difficult to remove from fibers; however, your trusted experts on carpet cleaning in Charlotte, NC, give you some tips to solve this problem. 

How Rust Forms

The best way to know how to remove rust stains from carpets, fabrics, or clothing is by understanding how they occur. Rust is generated on the surface of various types of metals when exposed to constant moisture. It means that rust occurs when acidic substances (including water) come in contact with metals, such as iron or steel. Hence, rust is the result of corroding steel after the iron particles have been exposed to oxygen and moisture.

It is easy to identify a rust stain (it has a brown and reddish color, quite similar to brown). Rust stains that are a little closer to orange in color are generally easier to remove. Indeed, rust stains on natural fibers consist of microscopic particles of oxidized metal within the fabrics. Therefore, removing these stains could be challenging to remove. But you can find many products to remove rust stains, but there are always other alternatives.

How To Remove Rust Stains From Your Carpet’s Fibers

Identifying The Stain

The first sptep is to distinguish a rust stain from a similar occurrence. For example, brown or reddish color can be caused by a caramelized product or a benzoyl peroxide compound that looks like rust. According to experts, the first action is to follow three clues (the location, smell, and color). On the other hand, it is crucial to use a gentle stain removal if you did not identify the stain (mystery stains) well. The location is vital because you can determine its origin by looking for surrounding items (for example, furniture with rust signs. On the other hand, rust stains are odorless unless they come from smelly and rusty water from a tank or container.

Salt and Lemon Juice

Rust stains can be removed by sprinkling salt and squeezing fresh lemon juice onto the affected area. Next, let sit this mixture for a few minutes and pour hot water directly onto the surface to eliminate the rust stain. Lemon juice and salt are much less aggressive than chemicals.

Before this procedure, you can scrape up visible rust with a butter knife until seeing small flakes of rust coming off the carpet. Next, remove the remains with a vacuum, and you will see the stain lightened in color.

Baking Soda

You can also eliminate rust stains by applying a paste of one teaspoon of cream of tartar, one teaspoon of baking soda, and a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. Then, let the mixture work for 30 minutes and rinse with warm water. 

Additional Tips

• Avoid bleach to remove rust stains, as it can intensify the discoloration of the carpet. Also, avoid using dryers until the stain is completely gone; otherwise, the heat can permanently set it to the fibers.
• Before employing any rust stain removal tricks, remove as much of the stain as possible. For delicate fabrics like wool, you should go to a professional.
• If the stain is caused by rust powder, it will surely disappear with a regular wash.
• Commercial rust removal products are effective and safe for most fabrics and carpets. However, it is advisable to read the instructions.

Experts on carpet cleaning in Charlotte, NC, recommend professional methods to clean stubborn stains from carpets and other surfaces. 

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The Most Common Office Carpets Stains – How to Remove Them

While commercial carpets must have manufacturing features that allow them to resist heavy traffic and use, their performance is directly related to their correct maintenance and professional carpet cleaning in Charlotte, NC. Therefore, before planning your office remodel, it is crucial to consider offices as commercial facilities where carpets and floors are prone to wear and stains from spills and soiling. 

Before Cleaning, Consider The Difference Between Staining and Soiling

Staining and soiling are often understood as synonyms. However, they are very different terms and carry different lengths of warranties. In this context, a stain occurs when a substance is embedded in the carpet fibers after coming in contact with them, creating a discolored spot. These substances are coffee, grease, food particles, wine, and other elements. For this reason, the best way to prevent staining is to clean a spill as quickly as possible after it happens. 

On the other hand, soiling is a spot and is not necessarily caused by a spill but comes from a residue or oily substance on the carpet fibers, which then attracts dirt particles. And the best method for preventing soiling is to clean any spill thoroughly cleaned and then rinse all cleaning products used on the carpet.

Coffee

Coffee has more than 1,000 different chemical substances, including amino acids, sugars, triglycerides, volatile compounds that contribute to the coffee aroma, and melanoidins from browning reactions caused during toasting. For this reason, it is crucial to clean up coffee spills on the carpet as soon as possible. Likewise, tannin is difficult to remove from carpet fibers because this natural vegetable substance is a dye found in bark, grains, and fruits. On the other hand, some decaffeinated coffees often have artificial colors that can be tough to remove.

The best way to prevent spilled coffee from becoming a stubborn stain is to treat it with soda without spending fortunes carrying the carpet to professional cleaners.

• Immediately absorb the stain with kitchen paper
• Pour a little soda on the stain
• Apply neutral soap to the spill and brush and clean the area
• Rinse with another little amount of soda
• Dry the affected area with a dry cloth
• Also, you can treat the area with lukewarm water by using a spray bottle to apply it over the coffee or a sponge.

You can clean out dry coffee stains on commercial carpets with a mixture of vinegar, water, and dishwashing soap. If the coffee stain is already deeply seated, you can remove it with vinegar and baking soda. 

It is important to know that tea beverages also have tannin, and cleaning them is similar to treating coffee stains. 

Ink Stains

Most ink chemical compositions consist of complex mixtures (solvents, resins, alcohol, lubricants, carbon, pigments, dyes, aniline, dextrine, glycerine, fluorescents, and other compounds). And the speed of drying is variable according to the type of product. 

When removing excess ink from the carpet, use a dry cloth, wet it with alcohol, and press it to absorb the stain. The alcohol will mix with the ink and thus loosen the stain. 

Another option is to cover the stain with a layer of salt and let it absorb the ink for at least 8 hours or overnight. The next day, vacuum the surface and see how the salt drags the ink stain.

Likewise, you can prepare a paste by mixing milk with cornstarch and then applying it to the ink stain. Next, allow the paste to dry on the carpet for a few hours, remove the residue with a brush, and vacuum it up.

Experts on carpet cleaning in Charlotte, NC, recommend professional methods to clean dry spills and stains from carpets and other surfaces. 

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Can Germs Live in a Carpet?

The spread of germs is one of the hottest issues among American families, homeowners, and parents. Indeed, in homes, people share their time as a family. For this reason, indoor air quality and home maintenance are critical to prevent bacteria and germs from lingering on all surfaces. 

Carpets and Indoor Quality

Despite carpets and rugs that can stain or show wear, they can act as air filters by trapping contaminants in their fibers. Indeed, carpets and rugs are the best air filters for your house (better than your furnace filter or any HEPA filter). Also, they are comfortable, absorb noise, and work as temperature control products because carpets are arm underfoot. 

According to your trusted professionals on carpet cleaning in Charlotte, NC, dirty carpets can harbor dangerous germs that can make humans ill. For example, viruses like the Norovirus may survive in uncleaned carpets for more than one month. On the other hand, damaged carpets have a lifespan and must be replaced when they have poorly fitted or worn fibers. 

Bacteria and viruses can spread from person to person and from person to surface. A study about contamination suggested that several factors influence bacteria and virus life, including:

• Surface types (solid surfaces like counters or textured surfaces like furniture or clothes)
• Cleaning procedures (the use of bleach and alcohol versus regular cleaning methods)

Bacteria and Germs in Carpets

According to several studies, home carpets harbor around 200,000 bacteria per square inch, and they can survive within them for long periods. The most common types of germs found in carpets are the following microorganisms:

• E. coli
• Staph
• Salmonella
• Norwalk virus

How Often Must you Wash your Rug or Carpet?

The question will depend on the use you give the rug or your carpet. You’ll need to clean it more often when placed in a dining room or a location where it’s more likely to get dirty. Similarly, the same occurs if you have children or pets or live in a place that tends to get filled with dirt, dust, or sand.

Due to its thickness and size, the quickest way to lightly clean a carpet is to vacuum and do it every two days if your carpet is in an area where it can get dirty quickly. If they are in areas of moderate use, it is recommended to vacuum twice a week.

If your carpet is in a secluded area and you don’t have pets or children, you can vacuum once a week, and your carpet will look clean.

A closeup of a vacuum cleaner at a living room

Replace your Carpets and Rugs When Their Lifespan Ends

It is crucial to keep your carpets clean and well-maintained. However, even under the best conditions, most manufacturers recommend replacing carpets every five to seven years. In that sense, proper and professional carpet cleaning is vital to prolonging the life of these products, especially when they are installed in high-traffic areas. Old and damaged carpets retain more allergens and particulate matter and increase the risk of allergies and other conditions. 

For this reason, the signs of wear of carpet fibers are evident because they start losing their texture and tuft, and it is recommended to replace them after ten years.

For example, polyester carpet fibers can lose their form and usability. On the other hand, stinky carpets can become irreparable when the odor is not gone or noticeably diminished after a proper cleaning. Sometimes, the odor has penetrated deep into the carpet fibers, the carpet pad, or the subfloor, indicating mold and mildew growth signs.

Signs of an old carpet needed for replacement include:

• Color loss
• Fading
• Matting
• Ripples
• Wrinkles
• Lack of padding support

Experts on carpet cleaning in Charlotte, NC, recommend professional methods to clean your carpets and other surfaces. 

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Carpet Cleaning, Green and Ecofriendly Solutions

Nowadays, the question of cleanliness has become more and more associated with the environment and health. While removing contaminants and impurities from indoor areas is a fundamental topic for most homeowners, carpet cleaning in Charlotte, NC, hazards, and safety tips are other popular items seen on the Internet. 

Health First

The first aspect of carpet cleaning methods is their influence on family health. In this regard, all cleaning techniques that impact the environment can affect our quality of life. And it is because exposure to harmful chemicals caused by cleaning could lead to severe health problems. 

An ecological carpet cleaning is possible if you use natural or ecofriendly products that remove visible and microscopic dirt from all carpeting surfaces, whether for hygienic or aesthetic reasons. Otherwise, you can choose a wide range of industrial products whose compounds also eliminate dirt and microorganisms. But most of those products contain harsh chemicals that affect our health and the environment.

Eco-friendly Products and Natural Products

There is a noticeable difference between homemade natural and eco-friendly carpet cleaning products. Indeed, the first choices can be compounds like vinegar, lemon, salt, and other ingredients. However, when performing a deep carpet cleaning, you can opt for products and methods with the EPA certification, a safety choice program managed by the EPA that includes safer components for human health and the environment.

EPA certification includes a list of cleaning compounds with low VOC content and low potentially harmful chemicals. While some products are effective in removing impurities, they can harm people because of long-term exposure to VOCs (patients with asthma and other chemical sensitivities). Traditional carpet cleaning methods that neglect environmental impacts and health sequelae usually employ ethylene glycol, benzene, formaldehyde, 1,3-butadiene, methylene chloride, tetrachloroethylene, xylene, and toluene.

Effects of Chemical Carpet Cleaning

Certified green cleaning methods protect your health and also clean, sanitize, and disinfect surfaces and carpets. They also reduce the environmental impact and include other benefits such as the following.

Chemical carpet cleaning may impact the health of you and your family. Cocktails of harmful chemicals in your home can often lead to significant problems, especially for babies, young children, pets, and people suffering from respiratory diseases

• They use pet-friendly products
• They reduce water consumption for their action or effect.
• They reduce waste.
• They do not harm the indoor air quality
• They require efficient manufacturing processes with low environmental impact

Water Extraction

Hot water extraction uses water and a small amount of detergent for each cleaning process. Steam cleaning and extraction technologies mix water and detergent and inject them into the carpet fiber under high pressure to remove stains and dirt. This technology then extracts the dirty water and disposes of it through an external household drain. Hot water extraction uses approximately 5 times less soap and water than other cleaning methods.

Green solutions for carpet cleaning have many health benefits. Family members and homeowners with respiratory problems like asthma will note air quality benefits after cleaning their carpets. Green carpet cleaning services will allow a hygienic cleaning without possible dangers or health complications.

Products like baking soda, sprinkled on carpet surfaces, are great for cleaning your carpets. Other natural solutions such as vinegar are excellent solutions to remove difficult stains.

Experts on carpet cleaning in Charlotte NC recommend green methods to clean your carpets and other surfaces. 

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Trends in wall-to-wall carpets return in 2022

Decoration experts explain the latest trends in carpets, from colors to textures and sizes.

Although carpets have a bit of a bad reputation in the interior design world, because we believe that rug cleaning Charlotte NC is very difficult, we are feeling its return this 2022. 

After the pandemic, many people spent more time in their homes, this has made this new trend in interior design gets far away from elegant and minimalist designs. This year it is inspired by more welcoming, comforting, and inhabited environments. What better than wall-to-wall carpets to create a more familiar atmosphere?

“Today we are looking for ways to provide comfort to our homes with more cozy and sumptuous rooms”, explains designer Abigail Ahern. With the feeling of plush under the feet, and some warm patterns and colors, our carpets are a key element to harmonizing the rooms professionally.

There are many ways to use our carpets, from enjoying their texture to using them as a perfect base to place other complementary carpets. That’s why our carpets are our fourth wall to create a unique atmosphere.

From natural materials such as wool, jute, and sisal to luxurious thick loops that offer luxury under the feet; we will see decorative combinations this year. On the other hand, patterns, super bold, expressive colors are the characteristics of a lively environment. At this point, carpet cleaning Charlotte NC is important to keep our carpets and preserve our flawless interior design.

We’re not talking about a return to the long-haired carpets and eccentric patterns of the ’70s. There are carpets with more elegant shapes, from natural textures such as jute and sisal, which are perfect for rustic and modern styles. On the other hand, we can use luxurious long hair rugs in lush jewelry shades that can transform a bedroom. 

Here we have several combinations to persuade you that your carpets are back in fashion.

SUNNY YELLOW TONES AND BOLD ORNAMENTS

Carpets are not just wall-to-wall and often occupy only seven-eighths of a room. What this means is that you have the opportunity to add an edge, which means that eye-catching color combinations make their way into this year’s flooring trends. 

The best examples of decoration with this color are found in the new Contemporary Collection of Country Homes & Interiors by Fiber. The bright yellow with a sky blue border is a real burst of decorative happiness. 

“Yellow is such a sunny and uplifting color, and it brings a real jolt of joy to a room,” says Andrea Childs, editor of Country Homes & Interiors, who developed the range. Gorse’s deep ochre in The Contemporary Collection from the Country Homes & Interiors (Fiber Collection) is an accent tone that can be worn on the edge of a corridor or carpet.

EXPERIMENT WITH NATURAL MATERIALS

The most fashionable, and definitely most popular, carpet trend is natural fiber carpets, with jute, sisal, and seagrass materials.

Jute carpets adorn homes perfectly because of their rugged nature and versatility, so it’s time to use them from wall to wall. Its simplicity is similar to that of wooden floors, obtaining an organic style and a lot of texture but with a little more softness under the feet. In addition, with this type of carpet you can place carpets on top, marking another great trend for 2022. Use simple sisal as a backdrop for striking colors and patterns.

Tip: While they are aesthetically appealing and relatively resistant, they can easily get stained and even water alone can cause a permanent stain or watermark. However, there are some synthetic alternatives that look good and can be cleaned with a cloth. 

So, if you’re considering a natural carpet for a high-traffic area, don’t rule out synthetic options. 

Experts on carpet cleaning Charlotte NC recommend performing a stain analysis on synthetic and natural materials. Certain chemicals directly affect the coloration and texture of your carpets, so we recommend you go to the experts. 

Care and Cleaning Tips for your Handmade Rug | Carpet Cleaning | Charlotte NC

Handmade rugs are known for their beauty and their superior value. Indeed, a handmade rug is a better choice than its machine-made counterpart because of its unique characteristics. In this sense, its quality attributes are thanks to the fibers knotted by hand that determine the rug pile created in a labor-intensive task. While these rugs are usually made from natural fibers and are highly durable, they need special maintenance to protect them against wear and prevent lifespan reduction. 

In this article, your trusted experts on carpet cleaning in Charlotte, NC, explain some tips on handmade cleaning and care.

Daily Vacuuming is Crucial

Handmade piles require extra cleaning measures to prevent moths and mites from harboring in them. Therefore, it is crucial to air out these rugs regularly and vacuum them daily. However, before vacuuming, you must consider that using the beater bar of a vacuum is not advisable for proper cleaning. 

On the other hand, as a previous step, you can start by taking the rug outside and shaking it. Then, experts recommend a vacuum with specialized settings and vacuum the underside to make it easier to clean when you flip it back over.

Harsh Chemicals

Natural fiber rugs can be very delicate products when it comes to cleaning. It is important to remember that harsh chemicals can damage them, even if they are made of durable materials. Therefore, it is best to vacuum and occasionally wipe them with a cloth moistened with water and neutral soap to restore the appearance of the first day.

In case of a recent spill or stain, the best option is to use a soft bristle brush if you use water and a pinch of neutral soap. Always do it when spilling any liquid on your rug since the more time you let pass, the more difficult it will be to remove the stain. This measure is essential!.

On the other hand, vacuum your house twice a week to clean it of dust. In the case of jute rugs, too. In this way, you will prevent dirt from accumulating in their fibers.

Washing your Rug

You could wash your rug with soap and water, but you must consider the material. This carpet cleaning method can be suitable for wool fibers. In this case, you can place it on a flat surface and fill a bucket with laundry powder or soap and warm water. Because wool is very resistant, you can clean it with a scrubbing brush, ensuring your carpet soaks the mix and leaving it to sit for about half an hour. 

Warning: if you have to use a detergent, test it first in a corner to see if it damages the area.

Jute Rugs

As with all other hand-woven rugs, never use harsh chemicals on jute fibers. Although these rugs are usually very resistant to stains, you also must be careful with them. Hence, the best solution is to vacuum them regularly. Similarly, you can clean them with a cloth moistened with water and neutral soap. If you have to remove a stain, the best way is to use a soft bristle brush and rub gently with water and a little neutral soap. If that stain is very stubborn, you can use a dry cleaning powder. Likewise, you can gently scrape a solidified spill and brush and vacuum it. In the case of liquids, you can use an absorbent napkin and then dehumidify with a dryer.

In addition to vacuuming your rug, don’t forget to shake it to remove the dirt accumulated on the backside.

For further information, do not hesitate to call your trusted professionals on carpet cleaning in Charlotte, NC.

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Two Hacks You Can Use to Clean your Carpets | Carpet Cleaning | Charlotte NC

Moisture, dirt, and grime can be the most ruthless enemies of all household items. In this sense, carpets are usually victims of indoor pollutants and elements from the outdoors. And the fact of scheduling carpet cleaning in Charlotte, NC, after those contaminants damage carpets enough to cause their appearance to look irreversibly impaired worsens the problem.

Dirt: The Worst Enemy of Your Carpet

Firstly, to have a correct approach to your carpet maintenance, it is crucial to consider dirt the most threatening factor when talking about your carpet’s health. It is because you must avoid dirt accumulation “at all costs.” We may think that dirt is very abrasive and works like sandpaper on your carpet fibers. On the other side, when the dirt is mixed with moisture, dirty carpets can hold on to odors, microbes, and bacteria, creating an unpleasant stench throughout the entire living space. 

Contrary to most people’s beliefs, quality carpets can help to improve air quality by trapping contaminants and allergens. Therefore, the best trick of proper home maintenance is cleaning your carpet periodically and removing accumulated dust and dirt from all home surfaces. 

The First Hack: Small Solutions on Time

The Lint Roller

Often, vacuuming regularly is not enough, even if you clean your rug with a powerful vacuum. The primary reason is that you probably face hard-to-remove debris like pet hairs that your vacuum cleaner cannot handle. In this context, you can opt for a lint roller for those problematic pollutants that make your cleaning work more difficult. 

It is worth noting that pet hair is difficult to remove debris, and a lint roller is perfect to resolve this problem. The surface of these tools is made of plastic elastomers (silicones and polystyrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) that can trap these challenging pollutants. 

Do not forget the lint roller if your pet and children frequently play on your carpeted surfaces. This tool is an excellent option when performing preventive fine pet odor control. 

Wrap your Broom Bristles with a Rubber Band

If you do not have a vacuum machine, we have a great tip for loosening onboard dirt and other pollutants and removing them from your carpet fibers. You can wrap your broom bristles with a rubber band to lead them to be more rigidly bound. This method is very effective when cleaning thick and high-piled shag carpets where the action of vacuum machines is insufficient or if you do not have a vacuum machine.

Steam Cleaning Hacks

Carpet cleaners in Charlotte, NC, recommend preparing water with vinegar solution to make steam carpet cleaning more effective. The primary advantage of these mixtures is the lack of potential chemical reactions or accidental ingestion to worry about in your home.

However, this task requires focusing on the carpet fiber type you will clean. For example, natural fibers are more delicate, and you must be careful when using household and commercial cleaning products to optimize carpet maintenance. 

Natural Fibers

For natural fibers, you can pour a mixture of one part of water with one of vinegar. Additionally, you can add one teaspoon of salt per cup of water to bind the stain particles to remove them better. You can spray the whole surface of your carpet or apply the mixture, concentrating on the stained area. Then, you must wait for it to dry and then vacuum over the spot.

Synthetic Fibers

When cleaning synthetic fibers, you can use a mixture of one part of vinegar to two of the water. But, if you cannot differentiate between synthetic fiber or natural materials, consider that most synthetic carpets are harder underneath, whereas wool carpets are soft on both sides.

For further information, do not hesitate to call your trusted professionals on carpet cleaning in Charlotte, NC.

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Professional Carpet Cleaning vs. DIY | Carpet Cleaning | Charlotte NC

When it comes to carpet cleaning in Charlotte, NC, you can resort to many maintenance methods that can be successful depending on your sills and home conditions. In this sense, carpets are critical because they are filters that can collect a wide range of outdoor and indoor pollutants. And having your carpets cleaned also improves and helps to prolong your carpet’s performance.

DIY Methods

Wine and Beer

DIY carpet cleaning can be effective an effective method to save money. Indeed, you can achieve good results depending on the scope and the carpet materials. However, frequently, DIY procedures do not allow the same results as professional cleaning. For example, if you have to remove beer and wine stains from carpeting, DIY cleaning can be the best option to solve this inconvenience. In this case, you can use club soda with a clean cloth to eliminate the stain or apply a mix of a one-to-one ratio of white vinegar and water with a spray bottle. 

Grease Spills

On the other hand, DIY methods can be suitable to deal with greasy spills that are some of the most difficult stains to remove from carpeting. In this sense, you can add a few drops of grease-cutting dish soap into a cup of warm water and blot the spill up with a white cloth or paper towels. Using this technique is a good idea to avoid further damage and wait for professional assistance. Likewise, you can use a carpet cleaning solution made from a few drops of white vinegar and a wet spotter(a part of dishwashing detergent, glycerine, and water). Then, you can apply this mix with an absorbent pad to the grease stain.

Vacuuming your Carpet

When it comes to maintaining your carpets, it is essential to consider vacuuming as a regular part of your carpet maintenance routine. In this context, vacuuming is a necessary DIY cleaning task to protect your investment. However, it is crucial to consider some recommendations for this cleaning step. For example, if your vacuum is not set properly, you can damage the carpet (if it is too low), or you cannot pick up any dirt because it is high. Hence, you must set the vacuum at an adequate height to achieve a successful carpet cleaning project. 

Vacuum is vital because dirt can cut carpet fibers when walking across the surface. And over time, any grinding dirt wears away the fibers; for this reason, keeping your carpet as dirt-free as possible is necessary to protect your product.

Professional Carpet Cleaning

Definitively, the results of professional carpet cleaning are superior to DIY methods. In this way, the expertise of the experts on carpet cleaning in Charlotte, NC, could not easily be overcome by DIYers. Professionals know all the hacks for getting the job done the right way. Also, professionals have the latest and more powerful equipment, unlike average homeowners. On the other side, most DIY carpet cleaners are less effective than professional tools and products. For example, water extraction equipment and professional steam cleaners are better than all household resources. Additionally, carpets trap a lot of pollutants, including bacteria and biological contamination that are in the air.

Because DIY methods are inferior, they cannot clean deep enough into fibers, leaving behind dirt, pet droppings, and dust mites that spread throughout your home, causing more health issues and poor indoor air quality. And the more relevant difference between professional carpet cleaning and DIY methods is drying. In this sense, your trusted professionals provide better results than DIYers. 

For further information, do not hesitate to call your trusted professionals on carpet cleaning in Charlotte, NC.

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Are Carpet Cleaning Chemicals Safe? | Carpet Cleaning | Charlotte NC

Cleaning your carpets is an essential task for keeping your home healthy. However, choosing adequate cleaning methods is the best way to comply with this work efficiently without harming your home’s indoor quality. And undoubtedly, all effective carpet cleaning ways include chemicals, detergents, or homemade products. And those components used in carpet cleaning must be safe for people who have allergies, children, elderlies, and pets. In this article, your trusted professionals on carpet cleaning in Charlotte, NC, explain to you some facts about carpet cleaning chemicals. 

Carpet Cleaning Products Must be Effective and Safe

Indeed, the first concern among homeowners is the effectiveness of cleaning products. In this context, chemical solutions for carpet cleaning must lift dirt and soil from the carpet fibers. Notwithstanding, safety is another aspect to consider when using chemicals for carpet cleaning. For example, natural fibers like wool are delicate and require special care, and high-PH detergents can cause discoloration. Also, water excess puts at risk your investment because it can damage the fibers and the backing of the carpet, creating conditions for mold growth and issues associated with indoor quality. It is important to note that organisms like EPA have not issued specific recommendations on how frequently carpets must be cleaned. But this agency recommends following manufacturers’ advice and looking for professional carpet cleaning. 

On the other hand, the purpose of chemicals or carpet cleaning products is not to remove dirt exclusively. Also, dirty carpets accumulate outdoor air pollutants like pollens, fungus, bacteria, dust mites, cockroach eggs, smoke, and chemicals coming for industrial applications. In this way, choosing carpet cleaning chemicals may seem challenging because you must consider effectiveness and safety as primary factors. 

Why Safety?

In the case of wall-to-wall carpets, they cover large surface areas and can act as “sinks” for the adsorption of VOCs from other sources (when painting indoor spaces and applying finish coatings) and re-emit them later. For this reason, it is vital to choose the safest products to clean and maintain them, using adequate cleaning methods. In a study where carpet cleaners have been included, hazardous substances in cleaning products like specific fragrances, glycol ethers, surfactants, solvents, phosphates, salts, detergents, pH-stabilizers, acids, and bases were found. And for example, glycol ethers are included in many carpet cleaning applications with good results. However, it is important to see the best products to reduce harmful effects. 

Steam Cleaning

Undoubtedly, steam cleaning is the safest method to keep your carpets well. By using steam, the detergent will not be necessary on many occasions. In these cases, you can use water and operate the machine as directed to remove dirt without detergent and just apply homemade products like vinegar with water. However, steam cleaning involves a longer process because it is necessary to clean the fibers and remove the spots on the carpet surface. And once you vacuum your carpet thoroughly, you can start steam cleaning with a detergent pre-spray and using a microfiber pad or brush, depending on the carpet material. 

Finally, hot water extraction provides the best and safest results when cleaning your carpets. But, it is crucial to choose a carpet cleaner based on skills. While equipment is necessary to perform professional work, you will need people skilled at operating that equipment and handling cleaning products. However, choosing a carpet cleaner who does not use a hot-water extraction system and only uses foams and dry cleaning substances is a mistake. It is because dry cleaning methods leave behind residues that attract dirt. And the dry foam is not too effective.

For further information, call your trusted professionals on carpet cleaning in Charlotte, NC.

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