Carpet Cleaning Tips

NY carpet cleaning tips provided by Maid For You New York. Maid For You New York provides NY maid services and carpet cleaning in NY.

Most carpet care products are relatively safe to use, and have only a small impact on the environment. However, some of these products do contain toxic chemicals that are harmful both to the janitor who uses them and to people who occupy the building. It is best to select the mildest products you can find that work effectively. Also, carpets that are cleaned less often require more and stronger chemicals that do carpets that are regularly maintained. It is a good strategy to set up a maintenance program that takes care of carpet needs throughout their useful life. Using the wrong products or excess amounts of chemicals can easily damage carpets. Therefore, a successful maintenance program will feature the products suited to the work, and will thoroughly train janitors in proper carpet cleaning methods.

Carpet Cleaning Tip #1: Dust Prevention
Preventing soil from entering a building in the first place means carpet cleaning can be less frequent, thereby reducing the amounts of chemicals used.
Large, frequently cleaned walk-on mats should be placed at each high-traffic building entrance. These mats should be large enough to capture several footsteps. Experiment with different sizes and textures to see what works best at each doorway. Every few days these mats will become “full” of soil. Therefore, it’s important to vacuum all doorway mats frequently so that they will continue to capture soil before it is carried into the building.
Some modern buildings are totally enclosed. If possible, the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system in such a building should be operated so that the air pressure just inside each doorway is higher than that of the natural air outdoors. Doing so will push airborne dust back outside.

Carpet Cleaning Tip #2: Vacuuming
Daily vacuuming with strong suction, tight filter, rotating brush machines removes up to half or more of the soil that falls onto carpets. How much effort does it take to attain this level of cleaning? Routine vacuuming, with up to four back and forth strokes of the wand across the carpet, is sufficient for low traffic areas. Up to ten wand strokes may be needed at outside doorways and other high traffic areas. Supplemental vacuuming will be needed along walls and carpet edges where soil tends to accumulate.

Self Help Carpet Cleaning Tips & Stain Removal
• If spot is wet, blot it, don't rub. Rubbing spreads the soil.
• If spot is dry, loosen soil and vacuum away prior to moistening it.
• Always rinse cleaned area thoroughly. If not removed, cleaning products may cause the cleaned area to attract soil.
• When taking out stains, always use a white cloth.
• Clean spots and stains immediately. You will have much better chance of removing them.
• When using any cleaner, dilute according to direction. A mixture that is too potent may cause damage.
• Always pre-test the surface to be cleaned. Apply cleaning solution to an inconspicuous area of the same material. If, after five minutes, the material's color transfers to towel, try another product.
• Carpet shampoo is good to have on hand and is available at most hardware stores.
• A mild mineral spirit solution is useful for many household-cleaning applications.
• For wax dropped on carpet or upholstery, set a clean, absorbent cloth over the wax stain and hold a hot iron on it. Lift cloth away and the wax should be removed with the cloth.

Carpet Cleaning Tip #3: Nail polish Stain
Follow the tips listed below (in order) until stain has lifted from your carpet: Apply small amounts of the cleaning solution with a clean, white, absorbent towel. Continue to apply and blot frequently until the staining material is no longer transferred to the towel.

Step 1:
Apply a small amount of dry cleaning solvent or alcohol (available at grocery, drug and hardware stores). Use small amounts to prevent possible damage to sizing, backings or stuffing materials. Do not use gasoline, lighter fluid or other flammables.

Step 2:
Mix one-half teaspoon of white neutral detergent (a mild dishwashing dish washing detergent containing no strong alkalis or bleaches), with a cup of lukewarm water.

Step 3:
Mix one-third cup of white household vinegar with two-thirds cup of water.

Step 4:
Mix a solution of powdered enzyme laundry detergent following the label or box instructions. Allow the solution to remain on the stain for the length of time recommended by the manufacturer. The final step is to blot any remaining moisture or cleaning solutions by pressing or padding the area with absorbent towel. Weight it down and allow at least six hours to dry.

Carpet Cleaning Tip #4: Coffee Stain

Step 1:
Blot the area with a clean, white cloth to absorb all the liquid you can.

Step 2:
Mix 1-teaspoon clear, mild liquid dishwashing detergent with 1 cup lukewarm water.

Step 3:
Sponge the area with the detergent solution. Blot again with a clean white cloth.

Step 4:
Mix 1/3 cup white vinegar with 2/3 cup lukewarm water.

Step 5:
Sponge the area with the vinegar solution. Blot with a clean white cloth.

Step 6:
Sponge the area with clean water. Blot with a clean white cloth.

Carpet Cleaning Tip #5: Pet Urine

Step 1:
Soak up excess moisture with a white rag or paper towels.

Step 2:
Blot on a solution of 1/4 tsp. Mild liquid laundry detergent and 1 cup warm water. Repeat until there is no more stain transferring to a towel or rag.

Step: 3
Blot with a solution of 2 tbsp. Ammonia and 1 cup water. Rinse with warm water. Repeat. Blot dry.

Step 4:
Blot the area with a solution of 1 cup white vinegar and 2 cups water.

Step 5:
Cover with several layers of paper towels weighed down with a heavy non-fading object. Continue changing paper towels until the carpet is dry.

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