October 13, 2013

How To Remove Kool Aid Stains From Carpets

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.

Carpet Cleaning For Seniors – Avoid The Scams

Senior citizens are often leery about service businesses. After all, the news is filled with reports of abuse and mistreatment, and how seniors wind up losing thousands of dollars by “trusting” a little too much.

Carpet Cleaning For Seniors - Avoid The ScamsSeniors are most often the target of scams and fraud. In many cases, they have substantial assets, and where there is money, the scammers aren’t far behind. And while there is always a chance of falling prey to one of these targets, its not always the case. With just a little bit of extra attention, there are easy ways to work with legitimate companies within our community, get the services you want and need, and get a great deal too.

In the carpet and rug cleaning industry, there are three things you can do that will put the odds in your favor.

1. Before you choose a carpet cleaning company, check recommendations first. You can start with family and friends. You can also check to see what kind of reputation they have by visiting online sites, or checking with places like the Better Business Bureau. Never trust someone that shows up at your door offering you a “good” deal. A reputable company won’t mind waiting while you do your due diligence.

2. Get the price in advance. A dishonest company will always lowball the bid, knowing they will charge a lot more before the job is finished. Question whether you have the complete costs, or if there are any hidden fees. And get it in writing – you have more power when you fully understand what you are getting into.

3. Senior citizens have their own unique set of circumstances. You might not be able to move furniture on your own. You may have a variety of possessions that are out in the open and exposed. And in some cases, your safety is at concern. Voice your opinions when you first talk with a company. Ask if you’ll be dealing with the owner or if he has employees. Do the people that enter your home have background checks? Will you feel safe with them in your home, especially if you are home alone?

When you select the right carpet cleaning company, you’ll love the price, love the customer service, and love the final results. Don’t search the next time for a cheaper price or a better deal. Your safety and happiness with the outcome trumps all, and gives you overall peace of mind.

Pet Urine and Carpet Damage – Why You Should Professionally Clean Right Away

If you are a pet owner and have carpets in your home, you probably know a little something about pet urine stains. When your beloved furry friend has an accident on your carpet, if it is not properly cleaned right away, it can permanently damage your carpet – not to mention leave a constant odor behind.

Pet Urine and Carpet Damage – Why You Should Professionally Clean Right AwayThe reason why pet urine is so damaging to carpets is because it is acidic. This can cause your carpet color to change. If you do not properly clean the urine immediately, the urine will turn into damaging alkaline salts.

The common reaction is to blot away the stain as quickly as possible. That is a good start. With a clean towel or rag, press gently on the stain to remove as much moisture as possible.

Yet just because the wetness is gone doesn’t mean the problem has disappeared. Pet urine settles into the fibers, makes its way down into the backing, migrates down through the padding, and eventually finds its way to the floorboards below. The quicker you stop the process, the better chance you have of it not penetrating all the way down to the floorboards. But if it sits awhile, your problem is deeper.

The best place to start is to soak up the wetness as fast as possible. Then apply a natural citrus solution and let it penetrate into the stain. Citrus is a natural cleaner and deodorizer, so if the stain is still on the surface, chances are you can eliminate the problem.

If you enter a home and smell pet urine, your problem is much bigger. Once pet urine penetrates multiple levels, all levels must be cleaned and protected.

A professional carpet cleaner will not just address the surface stain. He or she will also to down to the level where the problem has migrated to. It may mean pulling back the carpet and working with the padding. It may be pulling back the padding and/or removing it all together, and working with the floorboards. Once pet urine has penetrated these levels, the only way to bring it back to normal condition is to neutralize the odor at the source.

As you can see, unless you are a professional carpet cleaner, you simply will not remove all components of the pet urine to fully eliminate the stain. That is why you should leave pet urine stains to the professionals – and try to prevent the accidents from happening again in the future.

Carpet Stains – What Is Treatable and What Isn’t

Carpet Stains What Is Treatable and What Isnt

Your carpeting is one of the first things people notice when they enter your home. They will look at your flooring – and instantly make a judgment, whether subconscious or not.

You want your carpet to look and feel beautiful, to be a reflection of you as a homeowner. You want your guests to know when they glance at your carpeting that you take pride in your home, including the flooring. The best way to keep your carpet looking beautiful is to keep it free from stains.

The first step in having a stain-free carpet is knowing which types of stains are treatable and which ones are a lost cause.

Stains caused by insecticides, hair dyes, bleach, iodine, acid cleaners, and other similar products are a lost cause. These stains do more than just add a stain to your carpet – they visibly change the color of your carpet fibers. These are not stains – they are permanent alterations and they cannot be undone. If your carpeting has this type of stain, either replace the carpeting or strategically use furniture or area rugs to cover the unsightly area.

If a stain on your carpet is not permanent, it is essential that you address the stain as soon as possible. If you allow a stain to set into your carpet, you reduce your chances of removal.

The preferred method of immediate treatment is blotting, not rubbing, the stain with a clean rag. This will remove as much of the actual liquid as possible. If the stain is still there and you’ve used our services before, you can use our spot removal solution we’ve left behind. If you’re shopping around and haven’t given our natural cleaning a try, you can try using some rubbing alcohol or a non-bleaching detergent mixed with water. Spray the stain and blot it again. If the stain remains, hydrogen peroxide may be the answer – avoid over-saturation and blot, never rub.

If, after all of your safe attempts to remove the stain, the stain remains, it may be time to contact a professional carpet cleaner. Professionals have access to a greater variety of stain-removal products. They also know tricks and tips for getting out stubborn stains. While all stains cannot be removed from carpeting, especially those listed earlier, many stains can be safely lifted from the fibers, leaving your carpet beautiful once again.