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How To Remove Make-Up From Carpets

December 12, 2013 by Leave a Comment

If you wear make-up and have carpeting in your home, you are probably familiar with make-up stains. Accidents happen. One minute you are carefully applying your lipstick on your way out the door. The next minute, you drop your lipstick and leave a huge smear on your carpet!

There is no reason why your carpet cannot continue to look its best while you continue to look your best! Here are some cleaning tips to help you remove lipstick and other types of make-up from your carpet.

  • The first step in removing any make-up from carpeting is to get rid of the excess make-up. Use a spoon or knife to remove the excess, or use a cloth and dab at the spot until the excess is removed.
  • Create your cleaning solution:
    • Mascara – 1 cup warm water and ¼ teaspoon dishwashing liquid
    • Lipstick – rubbing alcohol, followed by dry cleaning fluid
    • Powders (eye shadow, blush, etc.) – 1 cup cold water and 5 drops of mild laundry detergent
    • Foundation – 3% hydrogen peroxide
    • Nail polish – nail polish remover (non-acetone)

Once you have created your solution for cleaning, follow these steps:

  • Dampen the area with the cleaning solution
  • Blot with a white cloth – never rub!
  • Continue dampening and blotting until the stain is gone
  • Mist with clean water to rinse the area
  • Put paper towels over the area and add weight, such as books, to hold them down
  • Leave the towels on the area for a few hours to give them time to absorb all of the excess water
  • Remove the paper towels and let the spot dry
  • Vacuum the area thoroughly

Keeping these helpful tips in mind will help you keep your carpet looking just a lovely as the day it was installed – and you can still continue to enjoy your make-up. Remember to share with your regular professional carpet cleaner any spots or stains, even if they are barely visible. Knowing where past stains fell can help him spend a little extra time on those spots and make sure they remain as clean as possible.

Highlands Ranch Carpet Cleaner
Filed Under: Carpet Stains Tagged With:

Why You Should Clean Your Carpets Before You Move In

November 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Just bought a new home? You might think that the empty space will be clean, but in fact the opposite may be true.

Imagine what the old owners did as they moved out. They had boxes everywhere, piling their personal assets inside. They pulled out stuff from the back of their closets – dust flew everywhere. They cleaned out their cabinets – crumbs, dirt and other residuals made their way from hibernation to your new flooring.

Whether the boxes were new or used, they sat on your carpets for extended periods of time.

Then came time for the move. More people than normal – including professional movers with work boots – came in and out of your home, tracking a little of everything everywhere.

Finally when everything was gone, they ran the vacuum over the carpets one last time to give it the appearance of a clean home.

But what is truly lurking inside those fibers?

Or maybe you’re moving into a new home. Its new – new home equals new carpets.

Technically, yes. But again. How many workers were in your home completing last minute tasks? How many tracked in dirt and debris at the last minute? How many things now exist in your carpeting from all the traffic over the last few days and weeks?

A new home means a fresh start, so why not have clean, fresh carpets waiting for your move-in?

No matter how new or old your home is in age, its new to you. Taking the time to clean your carpet ensures a fresh-smelling, clean house for you and your family, and it is also good for your overall health as well. A healthy and clean environment means happier homeowners!

Highlands Ranch Carpet Cleaner
Filed Under: Carpet Stains, Natural Carpet Cleaning Tagged With: ,

Are Soil Resistant Finishes Like Scotchgard Safe For Your Family?

November 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Scotchgard has become a staple in many homes for decades, giving the best soil-resistance finishing. For over 50 years, Scotchgard gained acclaim for being one of the most stain resistant products out there for fabrics. However, in 2000, Scotchgard changed forever.

The Unsafe PFOA and PFOS

Want something protected from stains? Scotchgard became the synonymous product for the job. Scotchgard became so well known it actually became a word in the dictionary. However, what was inside of Scotchgard that made the product so efficient at battling stains on furniture and carpets eventually came into question.

Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are manmade products that contain a C8 chemistry breakdown. These chemicals made the original Scotchgard a strong and powerful stain fighter on every day materials. But when things are that powerful, eventually questions arise as to their safety in everyday life.

A 1999 study released by the 3M Corporation showed that these manmade products weren’t just affecting humans, they were also impacting animals across the globe: dolphins, polar bears even penguins. Scientists began noticing that these toxic chemicals were showing up everywhere, including our tap water and our blood supply. Both PFOA and PFOS do not decompose in nature, which means once they are there, they exist and are potential threats for a very long time.

High dosages of these chemicals given to lab rats caused death. Less high dosages showed an increase in developmental and other adverse effects in animals and humans alike.

Eventually regulations began changing, and 3M discontinued its Scotchgard production.

Reforming the formula of Scotchgard, 3M Corporations substituted these products for perofluorobutane sulfante (PFBS).

Scotchgard and Other Products Now

Since the 2000 scare, companies like 3M Corporation and DuPoint were forced to reevaluate all of their products, including their soil resistance formulas. Many of these are now considered to be “environmentally friendly” since they do not possess a toxic element to them.

However, many are skeptical, 3M Corporation promised consumers that the PFBS was harmless and left the bloodstream quickly unlike their previous brands.

The products are water-based and do not cause concern. Although the formula changed in many products and the products do not seem as efficient as they once were, many consumers believe they are still getting a top-rated product at an efficient cost.

The End Result

Do your own due-diligence. Scotchgard and like-named brands are deemed to be safe and can be extremely beneficial when applied to furniture, fabric and carpet. You’ll likely find it in many of the rugs and carpets you buy today.

And if you have a question, just ask. As a natural carpet cleaner, my job is to understand safety and your carpets. I’m happy to provide my advice.

Highlands Ranch Carpet Cleaner
Filed Under: Carpet Stains, Natural Carpet Cleaning Tagged With: ,

Holiday Parties: Tips For Removing The Most Common Stains

November 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment

The holidays are here and that means that it is party time! The holidays are the perfect time for having large gatherings with your family and friends. Big celebrations during the holidays provide you with the chance to spend time with those that mean the most to you – and they also provide the perfect opportunity for some wicked stains on your flooring and furniture.

The most important thing you can do when it comes to stains is take action immediately, even if it is simply blotting up the stain. Here are some tips for removing some common stains during the holidays.

  • For cocktail sauce, blot with a clean cloth, then mist with a mixture of 1 cup of water and ¼ teaspoon of dishwashing liquid. Blot again, then mist with water to remove the soap, and blot one more time. If the stain is still there after a few hours, use a mixture of 1 part water and 2 parts white vinegar and blot until the stain is gone.
  • For candle wax, wait for the drippings to dry, then cover them with an ice pack. Wait overnight, and then scrape as much wax off as possible. Use a paper bag beneath the item, such as a placemat, and another on top of the wax stain. Iron the stain until all of the wax is transferred to the paper. If the wax is on your carpeting, break up the wax into pieces and vacuum.
  • For chocolate, blot up as much as you can as soon as possible. Use a dry solvent to help remove the chocolate. If the stain is still there after the area dries, use 3 percent hydrogen peroxide to remove the remaining chocolate.
  • For red wine, cover the stain with table salt and blot with a clean cloth. Use a sponge with white vinegar or rubbing alcohol to remove as much of the color as possible. If the stain is still there when the area dries, use 3 percent hydrogen peroxide to remove the rest of the color.

While its important to take fast action on every stain that makes its way to your carpeting, its equally important to book your next appointment with your natural carpet cleaning company as fast as possible. Whatever remnants are left, we’ll have a better chance of removing them completely if we take immediate action. Give us a call today.

Highlands Ranch Carpet Cleaner
Filed Under: Carpet Stains, Natural Carpet Cleaning Tagged With: ,

How to Get Red Wine Stains Out Of Carpet

November 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment

So you’re having a party, and a guest accidentally spills an entire glass of wine on your carpet!

The first reaction you have is genuine panic. How will you get this huge deep red stain out your beautiful beige carpet? While it may seem like you will never get the stain out, don’t worry! It is entirely possible to get red wine stains out of carpets by using the following easy steps:

Blot the stain.

The first thing to do is blot the carpet to remove any excess spillage. Avoid rubbing the stain, as this will work the wine further into the carpet fibers. Blotting gets the excess wine out. Be sure to use an absorbent, clean cloth that you don’t mind being wine-stained. Choose white or light colored cloths rather than dark, as the dark can also leave marks behind.

Dilute the stain.

Next, rinse the carpet to dilute the wine before it sets in. The best way to do this is to pour cold water directly on the stain. Then, blot with a cloth immediately after. Repeat this method a few times if necessary.

Use baking soda.

Baking soda works wonders on red wine stain. You can make a paste of baking soda and water by using three parts baking soda and one part water. Mix, and put the paste directly on the stain. Let it dry, and then vacuum up the paste.

Of course, even when using the above methods, red wine stains may not come completely out of the carpet. It may be necessary to get your carpet professionally cleaned. The most important thing to remember is to never let the red wine stain sit on the carpet. If you wait even a few days, the stain will probably be set into the carpet by this time and it will be impossible to remove.

Call your natural carpet cleaning service as soon as possible, and be sure to show him exactly where the stain is when he arrives.

Highlands Ranch Carpet Cleaner
Filed Under: Carpet Stains Tagged With: ,

Does Carpet Cleaning Make Carpets Get Dirty Faster?

October 4, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Having carpeting throughout your home can certainly increase the comfort level of your home. Carpet is soft under your feet, and it never gets too cold in the winter like other types of flooring.

However, as with any type of flooring, you cannot have your cake and eat it, too. There are disadvantages to having carpet in your home. One of the biggest disadvantages is having to have the carpeting professionally cleaned on a regular basis. Without regular professional cleaning, it will not take long for your carpet to look dirty, stained, worn, and ruined.

Many people are under the impression that cleaning your carpets will make them get dirty faster. The first thing to remember is that professional carpet cleaners go beyond simple shampooers that you might find at your local department store. These types of cleaners, normally used by homeowners may seem like a quick fix for removing a stain before it sets in, but they are not suitable for deep cleaning a carpet. They will leave the carpet damp and leave shampoo residue behind – and both will attract more dirt to your carpet.

Pros use other methods of cleaning your carpet that gets it clean and leaves it clean.

Yet just like any personal belongings you may have, the more use it gets, the more worn it becomes.

If you wash a black shirt a number of times, the black isn’t as “true” as it once was.

If you use your furniture day in and day out for months at a time, it will have that well used look and feel.

If you use it, it eventually wears out.

Which also equates to your carpeting.

The truth is that the older your carpet is, the more cleaning and wear it sustains, the more it will appear to get dirty faster after a cleaning.

This does not happen because of shoddy cleaning techniques. It happens because of the gradual wearing down of the protective coating on the fibers, and of the carpet fibers themselves. Over time, the protective coating is worn off by foot traffic. Playing, walking, and general living also takes its toll on the fibers. And the more “wear” your carpets receive, the less “new” it will seem.

The key to a great professional carpet cleaning relationship is to find someone that can get your carpets clean on a regular basis, without leaving soap residue and damp carpeting that can attract more problems than ever before. If you’re ready for a different kind of clean – a natural kind of clean – give CitruSolution a try.

Highlands Ranch Carpet Cleaner
Filed Under: Carpet Stains Tagged With:

Can All Carpet Stains Be Removed?

September 27, 2013 by Leave a Comment

You’ve tried so hard to take care of your carpet and keep it free of stains and spills. But the inevitable happens.

You attempt to blot up the coffee, oil, or pet stain with a towel, but the only thing you accomplish is spreading the stain even further into the fibers of the carpet.

Now what?

Removing stains without ruining your carpet can be a difficult and tricky task. You should know first and foremost that not every carpet stain can be removed. Some oil-based stains, such as tar or gasoline, will be considerably harder to remove when it is already dried into the fibers of the carpet. You must clean these stains very heavily, and this many wear out the fibers and destroy the carpet.

The key is to act fast before the carpet stain dries. If you attempt stain removal as soon as the stain appears, you may not have to rely on heavy cleaning. On the other hand, stains that set in are more difficult to remove using standard carpet chemicals and supplies.

Here are a few common stains and how to remove them:

Coffee- Dab with a dry towel, being careful not to rub it in. Get as much liquid out as you can. Mix together 1/4 cup of white vinegar, one tablespoon of liquid dish soap, and two cups of water in a sprayer and spray on the stain. Let it sit for about a half hour, and then wipe the stain with a new towel.

Ink- Moisten a clean cloth with isopropyl alcohol and dab on the ink. Do not scrub or rub the ink stain, as this can make the ink stain spread on the carpet.

Pet stains- Remove the initial mess, and then use a blotting method to get the carpet as dry as you can. Then, use an odor neutralizer. Avoid using ammonia-based products to clean dog urine.

There are some stains that require more than home remedies for removal. Sometimes it is necessary to call a professional carpet cleaner to ensure that your carpet is clean and in good condition. Between home stain removal and professional carpet cleaning, your carpet should be looking its very best!

Highlands Ranch Carpet Cleaner
Filed Under: Carpet Stains Tagged With: ,

What To Do When Bleach Stains Your Carpet

September 11, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Bleach is one of the most common household cleaners. You will find bleach in kitchens and laundry rooms all over the country – probably in your own kitchen and laundry room.

Bleach is the go-to cleaner. When you have dingy whites, you use bleach to make them brighter. When you need to disinfect surfaces, you use bleach to kill the germs.

But what if you are walking through your family room and the bottle of bleach spills right in the middle of the room? Yes, bleach eliminates stains and disinfects surfaces – but it can also leave ugly bleach stains in its place.

If you have a fresh bleach spill on your carpet, you need to action right away to stop potential damage. The bleach is going to remove the color from the carpet fibers, so time is of the essence.

The first thing you need to do is blot the bleached area with a mixture of warm water and dishwashing soap. Use about one cup of water and one teaspoon of soap. Apply this mixture sparingly to the bleached area of the carpet.

Then, blot the area with a clean rag. The mixture will help stop the bleach from taking out any more of the color from your carpet’s fibers. Once you have removed as much bleach as possible and stopped the bleaching process, you can work on adding the color back to the fibers.

You have a couple of choices for adding color back to your carpet. For the DIY method, get some crayons that closely match the color of your carpet. Start coloring inside the bleached spot. Use some force while coloring your carpet to ensure that the color gets down to the bottom of each fiber. Then, take a clean rag and rub the spot. Repeat this process until your carpet is an acceptable color.

You can also take another route and purchase some carpet dye to add color back to your carpeting.

Also, call in your professional carpet cleaner and let him assess the situation. He will be able to provide you with tips and strategies to get your carpets clean, and help you improve your “stain” as much as possible.

Highlands Ranch Carpet Cleaner
Filed Under: Carpet Stains Tagged With: ,

How To Remove Kool Aid Stains From Carpets

August 10, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Red. Blue. Green. Purple.

You’re kids love the choices and the flavors, especially on a warm day.How To Remove Kool Aid Stains From Carpets

But what happens when their beautiful colored Kook Aid drink goes from pitcher, to glass, to carpets?

And what if they don’t tell you and the stain “hides” for a few days before you find it?

Yes, Kool Aid stains and carpets don’t mix. But if you have one in your home, there are ways to make it go away.

Did you find the stain soon after it occurred? Its always easier to remove a stain if its fresh. Start by gently blotting the stain with a dry white towel. Never rub the KoolAid stain as that can spread the problem and actually make it more difficult to remove the stain entirely. It could also lead to saturation deep down into the fibers, the carpet backing, and the padding.

Once you get the liquid removed, now its time to work on the stain. Sometimes simplicity is best. Get a clean empty spray bottle and fill it with ¼ cup white vinegar, 1 tbsp of Dawn dish soap, and fill it with water. Spray the area liberally with the mixture and let it soak for 5 to 10 minutes. Then blot the stain with a clean, dry white towel until the stain is removed.

Have a stubborn stain? Try a variation of the vinegar cleaning method with our own CitruSolution spot remover, designed to remove stubborn stains in between your carpet cleaning visits.

Remember to never completely saturate the carpet. You’ll have a greater chance of the stain spreading, and damage being done to the carpet fibers and the padding itself. Let each cleaning method sit for a short time frame and soak in to do its job.

When you schedule your next cleaning, be sure to mention the stain and market it so it can receive special handling if necessary.

Highlands Ranch Carpet Cleaner
Filed Under: Carpet Stains, Kids and Carpets Tagged With: , ,

Removing Blood Stains From Carpet

August 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Blood. It makes people queasy. It builds up our anxiety. We “see” blood in our nightmares –that’s what gives horror movies their unique appeal.

Yet blood is simply a fact of life.

Occasionally we’ll cut ourselves or an accident will occur that draws blood. And if you happen to be in living quarters when it happens, the blood may transfer from you to your carpets before you even know what has happened.

As with all stains, timing is everything. The faster you treat and clean the stain, the easier it will be to remove.

When treating blood stains on carpets – or even on clothing and other fabrics for that matter – remember to use cold water instead of warm or hot. This is important because blood coagulates with heat. Cold water will prevent the blood from permeating in the carpet fibers; warm or hot water will set them in.

The best way to clean blood is with grease fighting action. Fill a spray bottle with cold water and 2 tsp of a grease fighting liquid dish detergent, such as Dawn. Spray liberally on the stain until the carpet stain is entirely soaked. Then use a paper towel or a clean white towel to blot the stain so that the blood is transferred to the cloth.

Rinse with cold water and repeat as necessary.

Keep in mind that removing blood stains may take persistence. Repeat steps as needed until the stain is removed.

For large stains or stains that you can’t get out, call in a professional carpet cleaner as soon as possible. Remember the quicker you take action, the better your chance of removing the stain completely.

Natural Carpet Cleaning

Mention the stain when you book your appointment, and point out the problem areas before they begin. Also mention the steps you’ve tried so they have a good understanding of the treatment the area has already received.

Highlands Ranch Carpet Cleaner
Filed Under: Carpet Stains Tagged With: , ,
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