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Author: Chris Walters

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How to Prepare For Your First Carpet Cleaning Appointment

Part of being a proud homeowner is taking care of your furnishings, including your carpet. However, perhaps you don’t think much about getting your carpet cleaned regularly. Carpet cleaning is important because it eliminates dust, dirt, and other debris that’s harmful to your health

If you’re having professional carpet cleaners clean your carpet, you want to make sure you’re prepared and ready for them. Doing so will ensure that your carpet is cleaned thoroughly. 

But how do you prepare well? Here are some tips for preparing for your carpet cleaning services. 

1. Ask The Cleaners

Because every carpet cleaning company is different, they may have some requirements for you. They likely expect people to ask this question, so don’t be afraid to ask what you can do to prepare for their visit. 

Before you do anything, call the company and ask what’s the best way for you to prepare. They may have a list of suggestions that can help. 

2. Move Furniture

Some companies will move furniture; some will not. This is another great question to inquire about your company before you start moving around your furniture. 

While you may not need to move large furniture pieces, smaller pieces like tables or lamps could be moved to another room. When you move furniture, your carpet can be cleaned fully. 

3. Pack Up Expensive Things

If you have several valuable and fragile items, you might want to think about storing them away, so they don’t become damaged or broken. Sometimes cleaning companies will move objects, but if you have something you want to make sure is taken care of and packed away. 

While carpet cleaners are extremely careful, you want to avoid any accidents as much as possible.

4. Vacuum

Vacuuming seems counterintuitive when you’re having your carpet cleaning, but providing this extra step may be helpful. Places that get high traffic should be exceptionally clean, so it may be a good idea to run the vacuum over your carpet in these places. 

Vacuuming beforehand may help your carpet cleaner get your carpets even cleaner. 

5. Put Away Loose Items

Having children means that there are toys and other items all over your floor. Sometimes they are under furniture or tucked behind corners. Before carpet cleaners come over, you’ll want to pick up all loose items like toys and other things, no matter how small they are.

A carpet that’s free of debris and clutter means that you won’t have small items accidentally ruined or lost during the cleaning. 

6. Make A Space

Carpet cleaners carry around a lot of equipment, so they typically have large vans, and they may need space to park. To move their equipment easily and smoothly, leave them a place to park in your driveway or close to the entrance to your home. 

If you have clutter around your doorway or the pathway to your home, you’ll want to make sure that the path is clear for equipment and cleaners.

7. Draw Up Your Drapes

Long drapes that hang to the floor will be an obstacle for carpet cleaners. Many will suggest that you take them off or tie them up, so they’re out of the way. 

Not only are they an obstacle for cleaning, cleaning products and moisture may get on your drapes. To protect them, tie them up at least six inches from the ground. 

8. Prepare Your Pet

One of the reasons you need a deep clean is because pet’s fur and other debris make their home in your carpet. But no matter how much you love your pet, it’s probably best that they stay out of the way when carpet cleaners come to call. 

If you have a pet that becomes overexcited when people come over, you may want to crate your pets or put them in a safe place while the carpet cleaners are doing their work. This is for the safety of everyone. 

9. Clean The High Places

Dust can accumulate in high places and then fall, making your carpets even dirtier. This is true for places like bookshelves, fans, 

While you don’t need to do a deep clean before the carpet cleaners arrive, it’s wise to dust and clean to keep things out of their way. Dusting, especially high places, ensures that there won’t be extra to clean when they’ve left. With dusted high places, your carpet will stay cleaner for longer. 

10. Post-Cleaning

After your carpet is cleaned, you want to make a plan as to how you’re going to put your room back together. You’ll have to ask the carpet cleaner how long you’ll need to keep furniture and other items off the carpet because it may need time to dry. Once you know how long it needs to dry, then you can plan on replacing your things. 

Another aspect to consider is if you’re having your carpet cleaned for events. You may need to stay off the carpet for several hours or a few days. If you’re planning on having company, plan your carpet cleaning appropriately, so the cleaning job isn’t ruined. 

Get the Best Carpet Cleaning for Your Home

When you’re considering carpet cleaning for your home, you want to ensure everything is in order, including preparation. When you prepare well for your carpet cleaning, you know that the job will be well done. 

Are you searching for carpet cleaning services near you? We’ve got you covered! Visit our website today and contact us to set up your appointment.

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How Often Should You Have Your Carpets Professionally Cleaned?

Are you looking for ways to ensure a clean and tidy home when you walk in from a long day at work? Do you find yourself wondering how often you should be cleaning your carpets thoroughly? If so, then you need to learn all you can about how often to hire professional carpet cleaners.

Getting a Swansea carpet cleaning service to do it can help you avoid illness, reduce the spread of germs, and even get rid of a lingering odor inside your home or office space.

See below for an in-depth guide answering some of the most common questions associated with how often you should hire professional carpet cleaners.

What Role Do You Play in Carpet Cleanliness?

As you probably know, carpet cleaning should be far more extensive than just scheduling a professional carpet cleaning company to come in every few months. You have a role to play in all of this as well!

We’re not going to sit here and act like you need to schedule our service every week, but you do need to tend to your carpet yourself every 7 to 10 days. Doing so can help you reduce the dust, dirt, and bacteria that get caught inside the fibers of your carpet.

Studies have shown that a dirty carpet can contain as much as 200,000 bacteria per square inch. That’s why we highly recommend that you schedule a time to vacuum your carpet once a week.

Maintaining a frequent schedule can help you protect the health of you, your family, your staff, and your guests. You’ll have an easier time breathing, less sick days, less congestion, and your allergies won’t act up as much.

It’s not the end of the world if you miss a week between vacuuming sessions, but we encourage you to get back on that horse and perform a DIY clean whenever you get a chance.

How Often Should You Hire Professional Carpet Cleaners?

This is the question of the hour, isn’t it? If you’re the proud owner of a residential or commercial property, how often should you have your carpets professionally cleaned?

That answer depends on the person. Some people have them scheduled every 6 months, because they like to ensure a clean and healthy space for their family, employees, etc. Others schedule one every year to meet their needs.

Another variation of this question is “How long can I go between professional carpet cleans?”. That shifts the mindset a bit, doesn’t it?

That answer, again, depends on the property. If it’s a home with a family between 4 to 6 people, then we suggest that you schedule a professional clean once every 18 months at the very latest.

If it’s a commercial property, then you’ll want to get it cleaned far more often due to the high amount of foot traffic. The more people stepping on your carpet, the quicker you need it to be professionally-cleaned.

For commercial properties, we recommend having it professionally cleaned every 12 months at the latest. That said, every 8 to 10 months would ensure optimum cleanliness for your floors.

Regardless of residential or commercial, if you can’t remember the last time your carpet was thoroughly cleaned, be sure to schedule our carpet cleaning service right away.

What Are the Benefits of Professional Carpet Cleaning?

Having a professional carpet cleaning can offer you a plethora of benefits, let’s dive into a few of the major ones for your property.

No More Odours

Have you noticed a foul smell lately, but can’t seem to pinpoint where it’s coming from? You’ve checked the HVAC system, the kitchen, and even the bathrooms, but still nothing.

If that’s the case, then that stench could be coming from your carpet. Don’t think for one second that 200,000 bacteria won’t start to smell after a while. That stench will be even more prevalent if you have pets.

Take the time to schedule a professional carpet cleaning right away, so that you can rid your property of any foul odour.

Improves Your Breathing

Perhaps you and your family/staff have witnessed an eye-opening amount of colds and illnesses this year. That could be caused by your dirty carpet as well.

Dirty carpets aren’t just a nuisance for illness, but they can be a serious health threat to those with severe allergies or asthma.

You can ensure the safety and comfort for everyone inside your property when you have it professionally cleaned every 12 months. If you want to go above and beyond, then you can schedule one every 6 to 8 months; whichever you feel is more appropriate for your people!

Removes Carpet Stains

Gone are the days of looking at that off-putting stain in your carpet. You know which one we’re referring to—that stain that grabs your attention every time you walk past it.

Trust us, if it’s big enough for you to notice when you pass it each day, then your guests and clients notice it too. Better to get rid of it before that negatively impacts your professional or personal brand.

You can hire a carpet cleaning company to come in and get rid of pet stains, coffee stains, wine stains, dirt stains, and everything in between. Problem solved!

Invest in Professional Carpet Cleaners for Your Swansea Property

Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on how often you should hire professional carpet cleaners, be sure to use that to your advantage.

Take the time to read this article for information on the 3 questions you should ask the professional carpet cleaner that you wish to hire. To get started, please contact us directly at 07786 017559 and we look forward to helping you soon.

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Your Ultimate Guide to Carpet Cleaning

Depending on the material, your carpet can last a decade or longer. While this longevity can be a great thing for homeowners, it also comes with a lot of carpet cleaning!

Knowing the proper steps to clean and care for your carpet can not only increase its lifespan but keep it looking brand new. Continue reading to learn about how to properly clean your carpet and when to call in the professionals!

Basic Maintenance Steps

To keep your carpet clean, you need to vacuum regularly. This could mean once a week or daily, it all depends on how often it gets used or what the room is used for. This basic step will also help reduce some of the health and allergy problems caused by ill-maintained carpets.

If you live in a household with children or pets, it’s a good idea to have a designated area to wipe shoes or paws before stepping on the carpet. This will prevent outdoor dirt or grass from staining your indoor carpet.

You’ll also want to be alert for carpet stains; the more time it spends in the fabric, the harder it is to remove. The removal process depends on the type of stain, but soap, water, and vinegar can often do the trick. While it’s tempting to attack the stain, taking your time to dab it will ensure that it does not spread.

Cleaning Products

There are tons of products aimed at specific types of stains like wine or pets, but these can be harmful to the environment or your health.

Carpet cleaning products, especially deodorizing ones, can be irritable to people with allergies or toxic to pets. Even if you don’t live with allergies, children, or pets, the cleaner type you use can cause discomfort in guests. You’ll want to go for hypoallergenic products and potentially fragrance-free as well.

If you’re using a carpet steamer or other device, it can be great for thorough cleanings, but it may put a strain on the environment. These machines require cleaning solutions and water, so it’s important to be mindful of how much water is used per cleaning or if the solution is eco-friendly.

Using a Professional Service

It is recommended that you get your carpet professionally cleaned at least once a year regardless of upkeep.

This residential and commercial service goes beyond vacuuming by using speciality equipment and cleaning solutions to deep clean carpets. The best carpet cleaners will also customize their approach and pricing depending on the carpet type, size, and soil level.

Pro Carpet Cleaning in Swansea

Whether you moved into your new home or opened the doors to your first business, flooring is one of the most important aesthetic aspects of your property. 

You can be sure that your carpet or upholstery will be sparkling clean with our well-reviewed and affordable cleaning services!

Stop searching for “carpet cleaning in Swansea near me” and contact Pro Carpet Cleaning Swansea today!

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What to Consider When Hiring a Carpet Cleaning Company

We’ve all become well educated on the topics of cleanliness and hygiene, and rightly so.

Not that we want to add to your concerns, but did you know that your average home carpet can hold up to four times its weight in dirt? This ‘dirt’ is made up of animal fur, pollen, dead skin cells, dust mites, bacteria, and – quite possibly – remnants of your 3-year-old’s sandwich from last week.

Have you researched hiring a professional carpet cleaning company to rid you of this unhealthy blight? If so, read on for more information on choosing the very best carpet cleaners.

Your Carpet Cleaner Checklist

Before allowing carpet cleaners into your personal space, you want to be certain of three things:

  1. Experience
  2. Insurance
  3. Safety

Experience

Yes, you want clean carpets, but there are a few considerations that an experienced carpet cleaner will factor in. For instance, they will be able to recommend either a deep steam clean or a quicker dry clean or low moisture option while considering your family’s sensitivities. They will ask what type of carpets you have and the nature of the stains they will be tackling.

If the company that you are in contact with are asking about pets, family allergies, your personal schedule, and delicate or heirloom items, then you know you are on the right track.

Insurance

While not a legal requirement, a company that has invested in public liability insurance shows a level of responsibility that is sure to set any homeowner’s mind at ease, don’t be afraid to ask what insurances a professional carpet cleaning company offers.

Our team here at ProCarpet Cleaning Swansea are not only highly trained in advanced spot and stain removal, but we are one of the few companies that offer full insurance, including Treatment Risk, which covers any damage to carpets or furnishings during our treatment.

Personal Safety

How can you be sure that the carpet cleaners you have called in are trusted professionals? It’s wise to do a little homework and read reviews on your chosen company. A reputable cleaning company will have online reviews, a comprehensive website with all the information you need, and offer a strong social media presence.

Many reputable cleaning companies make use of eco-friendly cleaning products. These are safer for your family and the environment. They will also be willing to answer any questions you have before committing to your project, are happy to offer a quote, and should be considerate of your family schedule.

Professional Carpet Cleaning in Swansea

Do you want fresh, clean carpets free from allergens, bacteria, and unpleasant odours? Have you sat scrolling through search results for ‘carpet cleaning companies near me’?

Chris and his dedicated team of trained professionals are the carpet cleaning company you’ve been looking for. We’re an experienced group of friendly locals whose mission is to keep your home and business clean, safe, and sanitised.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions; we’re happy to help.

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3 Questions to Ask Your Professional Carpet Cleaner

It’s important to clean your carpet regularly — and to make sure that it’s a thorough clean.

Otherwise, you won’t just be subjected to a darkening carpet. You’ll also have to deal with the unfortunate smells and hygiene issues that come with an unclean carpet.

But before you haul out any DIY solutions, it’s best to call a professional.

When you do, it’s also important to make sure that the professional in question is right for the job.

Keep reading to learn about three questions to ask your professional carpet cleaner. 

1. Will You Perform an Inspection?

There are several, interrelated reasons why you would want a professional carpet cleaner to perform an inspection beforehand. First, an inspection will provide a more accurate estimate of the service’s costs.

Second, an inspection better ensures that the contractor in question is legit. If they throw you a number without looking at the area that needs to be serviced, steer clear. Most likely, they’re charging a number that they want to earn, regardless of how accurate it is for the service they’re providing.

There are too many great contractors to stick with one that won’t provide a basic service. Whether you’re looking for a carpet cleaner in Swansea or a carpet cleaner in Llanelli, make sure the pro you’re working with performs every service necessary for their job.

2. Will You Charge for Moving Furniture?

Part of this service’s costs come from material costs. But with any contracting service, there may also be other additional charges. So before you rely on the first price tag, make sure you understand the potential financial obstacles that come with the service.

For carpet cleaning, one of those expenses is moving furniture. Moving a few chairs might not constitute an extra charge. But the more furniture there is to move, the less time they have to perform their service.

Naturally, this means that they might charge for moving furniture. To make sure, just ask your contractor. They’ll let you know if they charge for moving furniture, and for how much.

3. What Materials Are You Using?

For some people, it’s important to monitor any substance that enters their home. That’s not because they’re particularly paranoid. They may also have pets, asthmatic family members, or allergies to common cleaning ingredients.

Either way, it’s fair to ask your contractor about their materials and the ingredients in their cleaning products. This way, you can potentially avoid lethal anaphylactic reactions or other serious physical medical reactions.

Let a Professional Carpet Cleaner Handle Your Floors Today!

Having a clean carpet is important for reasons beyond good looks. It also makes sure that you kill any lingering bacteria on your carpet and remove allergens. This makes carpet cleaning both a health and cosmetic issue.

So if you need a clean carpet, contact us at ProCarpetCleaningSwansea today! We provide professional carpet and upholstery cleaning for domestic and commercial customers. Not only that, but we’ll leave you looking forward to our professional carpet cleaner services in the future too!

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5 Benefits of Regular Carpet Cleaning

Do you live in a home or apartment with carpets? Even an office building with carpets can impact your health if they aren’t regularly cleaned. 

Carpet cleaning might not feel high on the to-do list, but making it a more frequent occurrence can help you and everyone else in your home. Learn below why a once-over with a vacuum won’t cut it when it comes to keeping your home healthy and clean.

Looks Good

Even with regular vacuuming, a carpet can become discoloured and look shabbier than you might want. Getting it professionally cleaned every now and then can help your carpet and home look cleaner and brighter. You might be surprised the first time you get it cleaned how much colour can come back to a carpet. 

Longer Lasting

When you clean your carpet you help add extra years to its life. Carpets can be very comfortable in a home but also costly to replace. They might be a big feature of a room, so when they start to fall apart it’s noticeable.

If you don’t practise good carpet maintenance you might find yourself footing a bigger bill than intended. Having professionals clean your carpet can keep it looking good and lasting longer, saving you money overall.

Less Work in the Long Run

When you have your carpets professionally cleaned, and have it done at more regular intervals, you don’t have to worry about those tough stains or left-over dirt and grime. It makes your everyday life easier and allows you to relax. You can sit back and enjoy your home without worrying about everyone’s feet all over the carpet. 

Breathe Better

Even if you are a pet-free home, you might not realise how many particles get trapped and later released from a dirty or improperly cleaned carpet. Dust and other particles can end up in the air anytime someone walks around on a carpet and cause allergies to get worse, or complicate other breathing issues. 

Whether it’s a carpet in the living room or one in the kids’ room, a cleaner carpet can make a difference in your health. There are a lot of things that can live in a carpet and won’t come out with a simple vacuum.

Healthier Home

Think of all the times you have said or thought “five-second rule.” And now think of all the things that could be picked up from the carpet onto your food. It’s unlikely you’re eating food off the carpet but if you pick up your phone off the floor and then grab a piece of pizza, some of those bacterias or a critter could travel with you. 

Getting your carpet cleaned and cleaned well can help keep you healthy and less at risk of coming into contact with germs. We track a lot on our shoes, socks, and feet, and that stays on your carpet until removed.

Consistent Carpet Cleaning

Getting a carpet cleaning service is less of a chore than you might think. When it’s done by a cleaning service, you can rest easy knowing it’s being cleaned well and you don’t have to try and do it all yourself.

Let the professionals keep it clean so you can breathe easier. And if you found this helpful, keep reading for more tips.

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5 Reasons Why You Should Hire A Professional Carpet Cleaner

Practical, easy on the eye, and making the cold Winter nights a bit more bearable, having a carpeted floor can transform any room. Throw in a spilt glass of wine, your fluffy pet and a toddler, and your once-pristine floor space suddenly looks less appealing. 

Out goes the modern home feeling you’ve been building over the years and in comes the constant battle with making your carpets look fresh and clean once more. As much as we hoover, scrub and try to bring our carpets back to life, it’s not as simple as it first appears. 

Enter the professional carpet cleaner. Here are 5 reasons why you should hire one today:

Industry-standard knowledge

Where else are you going to find expert knowledge on how to get your carpets in tip-top condition? The beauty of hiring a professional carpet cleaner is that you won’t find the same level of expertise anywhere else!

Not only will the pros use high-quality cleaning products, but they will also make your carpet look as good as new. Which let’s face it, is better than you using any old cleaning product that will likely have lasting consequences. 

Hiring a professional will ensure that your carpet won’t get damaged and give you a more effective and deeper clean. They will have a better understanding of what products tackle different stains too. 

Less chance of moisture buildup

Unlike you or I, a professional carpet cleaner is more likely to use low-moisture equipment matched with industry-standard techniques. At first, soaking a stain with a wet cloth or sponge may seem like the best idea until you realise months later that mould now covers the spot. Or worse, mould has grown underneath your carpet!

A professional will treat your carpet with chemicals and products that are designed to keep moisture buildup down to a minimum. In the long run, you will save money and have carpets that will last for years. 

A job well done

Did you know that the likes of salmonella, staphylococcus and e. Coli can easily take up residence in your carpet? After all, most of us give them the perfect opportunity to live unnoticed in our homes. Each of these pathogens can lead to a serious illness that can run rife through a household before you’d ever be aware of them. 

Then, think about your walk through the park where your dog trampled through x, y, z along the way. Stomping back through your front door, said pooch has managed to trample dirt and who knows what else, all over your living room carpet. 

Fortunately, the professionals know how to banish unwanted microorganisms, bacteria and harmful germs from your carpets! 

While making your carpets hygienic and safe for use, the pros will only ever use techniques which will maintain the appearance and texture of your carpets. 

Trusted, formulated cleaning products

A myriad of old wives tales has made their way into most of our lives. From the magic of lemons, vinegar and bicarbonate of soda, we’ve all been there. Some of them work, and some of them add to the damage. 

Getting a professional carpet cleaner in to treat your carpets will bring a scientifically-backed product range into your home. A good cleaner will only ever use trusted, formulated cleaning products that are specifically designed to treat specific scenarios. They will remove stubborn stains and dirt that your Grandma’s cleaning concoction would struggle to budge. 

What’s more, your carpets are unlikely to fade or have colour-altering chemicals thrown at them. A professional will use cleaning solutions, detergents and sanitisers to get to the root of the problem. They will also offer you helpful advice to keep your carpets in good condition, as well as maintaining good cleaning practices. It’s a no brainer!

Stress-Free lifestyle

Working all hours under the sun, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and keeping your family in check is a lot for anyone to take on. Throw in keeping your home in a clean and tidy state, and you’ve got your work cut out before you can even think about sitting down after a long day. 

So why embrace the stress when you can get someone in to make life easier?

Cleaning carpets require a lot of elbow grease, some practical knowledge, and you’ve guessed it, time. Hiring a professional carpet cleaner in to get the job done for you will instantly take a job off of your hands.

Any type of cleaning is enough to put a lot of us off. So why add to the stress of your daily life? Hire a professional carpet cleaner to get the best possible job done!

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‘Old Wives’ Tale’ Concoctions for Carpet Emergencies

Grandmother always knew how to get stains out of the carpets and clothing without resorting to any ‘newfangled’ treatments on the market. She didn’t need the hottest hoover or most expensive washer/dryer. She didn’t look for the new products at the supermarket, and the travelling salesman never made it through her front door.

She knew what to do. She always used the ‘tried and true’ methods—baking soda and elbow grease, or white vinegar. So when you have a carpet emergency, emulate grandma because she knew best.

Basic rules!

When treating , remember these three things: always spot test in an inconspicuous place when trying any new cleaning methods to avoid total ruin, never, ever, ever rub or scrub the soiled material, and there’s always soap (NOT dish soap) and water.

Pongy smells!

Do you have a persistent smell in the carpet? Vaporise it with bicarbonate of soda. Sprinkle and leave it for at least 15 minutes, but if the smell is a persistent one, leave the powdered carpet for an hour or so then vacuum it all away.

After the soda and hoovering, try sprinkling lemon juice around to freshen the carpets even more.

Stubborn stains! 

Do you have a stubborn stain? 1:3 parts white vinegar to water is the magic formula. Make sure that you spot test your carpet first. Remember never, ever, ever rub or scrub a stain. Using a spritzer spray bottle, mist your carpet stain and leave for a few minutes. Then take a clean microfibre cloth and blot the stain away (hopefully).

Once the carpet has dried, if you have time, move your furniture around and sprinkle that bicarbonate of soda liberally on the whole of your carpet and let it be overnight (or as long as possible). Vacuum up the soda completely.

Of course, you should never leave a smelly or soiled carpet for any length of time. Immediate action is always best but not always possible (knows anyone with a child or pet) .

Ever heard of ironing your carpet? Probably not. But it might be that ironing your carpet proves to be a great pre-treatment. Legend has it that you should soak a cloth or flannel in water, lay it over the stain and then iron the cloth. (Be careful—the iron will be hot!) 

You will increase your chances of success if you can use a carpet cleaner before you do your ironing. After ironing, you will need to clean your carpet as per normal. The ironing approach is about loosening up the stain and lifting it for removal.

“Out damned spot!” 

Blood—if wet

Blot it very carefully (remembering the rule to never, ever, ever rub or scrub the stain). Use paper towels for this mess to remove as much as possible to prevent further seepage. Apply cold soapy water to the area with a white cloth. 

 

Blot and rinse until the cloth is no longer transferring red or pink colour. Make sure you are rinsing out the cloth properly before reapplying to the carpet. If the stain is large, work from outward to the middle of the stain. You must repeat this process until the blood has diluted and disappeared.

Blood—if dry

Use a stiff-bristled brush to loosen the blood, but don’t spread it around. Hoover up the dry blood flakes before applying cold soapy water as with the treatment of wet blood and repeat the above-mentioned process.

When blood won’t budge

Mix a paste of 1:2 parts baking powder to water and blot the carpet with a cloth. Leave it to rest for half an hour before wiping off the dross. If the mixture has dried, you can hoover up the residual mess.

If baking soda hasn’t done the job then you might have to break out the big guns – ammonia. The recipe is a one-half cup of warm water and one tablespoon of household ammonia. Sponge the concoction onto the marked carpet and then blot with paper towels until it is nearly dry. Use a clean sponge dipped in cold water and apply only to the stain. Pat it dry.

Red, red, wine

For starters, it is always a sad moment for pause when the wine is spilt. After the reverential moment of silence, get your gears grinding, because that stain is not going to disappear by itself.

Go to the kitchen, not for white wine, because why waste more wine? White wine does not take out the red. Perhaps this was a prohibition trick, but it does not work.

Instead, grab the kitchen roll. Be gentle and take your time to pat up the blotch. Remember pressure is good; friction is bad. Stand on top of the paper towel to get up excess liquid.

Thereafter, take some mild clothing detergent – a gentle one for woollen fabric is best. Mix a teaspoon of it with half a pint of warm water, and 1-2 teaspoons of white vinegar. Apply the concoction a soft cloth and dampen the affected carpet. Again, you want to blot from the outside into the stain. Don’t oversaturate the carpet. Then blot the carpet again with just water to rinse.

Place several layers of paper towel over the area and take a waterproof weight of some description to place over top and leave overnight. If there is still a residual stain, you can repeat the process or call a professional carpet cleaner.

Sticky stuff

Chewing gum on the carpet? Gum is fun until it gets stuck somewhere it never should have been. Depending on the colour of your carpet, i.e. light colours like cream, reach for the peanut butter jar. It does seem strange, but the old wives’ tale insists. A couple of tablespoons of this yummy spread will help remove the mess. But caution, you then have to clean up the peanut butter.

If there is any remaining gum, a wire brush should get the little leftovers off of the carpet.

The peanut butter remedy might be hard to come to terms with. You can always try freezing the gum first. Take an ice pack and put over the gum. When hard, try breaking apart the clump with a spoon, fork, or dull butter knife. Can repeat the process until all the gum has come away.

The bottom line

If you insist on tackling the stains yourself, remember the basics above, and ask yourself ‘What would Grandma do?” But also remember that professionals exist for a reason and not all of them are travelling salesmen, charlatans, with the latest gimmick. 

If you have tried your best to get out the stains but have had no joy, google a pro, pick up the phone and give them a call. They are waiting to help save your carpet from disaster.

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Bugs B&Bs in the Carpet: When Your ‘Guests’ Won’t Leave

A plush velvety carpet is a soothing luxury. It provides cushioned warmth on bare feet, and you even lie down on it, so do your babies, and your pets. Everyone in the home takes advantage of a comfortable carpet or floor rug; it is a necessity of life.

The other day, I took a walk with my family. One of our walkers was fairly new to the task of being a toddler. Her mother pointed out a fallen log with a sign that read ‘Bug Hotel’. She mentioned that her little one is learning about bug hotels and creepy crawlies at preschool. This reminded me of a documentary I once watched a very long time ago now.

Even after learning about the urban horror stories in the doco and fixating on and obsessing about the disgusting tales, eventually, I went back to life as normal. I mentally blocked out the disturbing imagery I wanted to unsee. What was the documentary about?

The unwanted guests of the underworld. No, not ghosts, sadly. Bugs! Bug hotels, or more likely Bed & Breakfasts, are operating in your home’s carpets without your knowledge or consent. It showed what lies in wait, lurking in hotel rooms too. So very gross!

The Carpet

Looking at the maximised photo of carpet fibres, there is nothing there to make you go ‘ew!’ Nothing that will make your skin crawl and a phantom itch plague your brain. In fact, it is kind of pretty at this particular maximisation. 

So what does live in your carpets? Who are these unwanted guests you might not realise you are hosting? Look closer.

Carpet Guests

What do you think about that? Pretty nasty, right? This creature is the dust mite or carpet mite. It measures only a mere 1/4 mm It is interesting to know that dust mites are arachnids, a spider, not an insect. But they don’t just live in the carpet. They take up residence on all sorts of fibres: on the furniture, including beds, and in your children’s stuffed animals. Regularly cleaning those teddy bears is a must.

There is good news and bad news, mostly bad

The good news is that they don’t bite humans. They feed off of dead skin we shed, in the form of ‘dust’ and pet dander, etc. The bad news is that they can cause allergies to form or to be exacerbated. 

Respiratory and skin allergies in the form of asthma and rash-like skin irritation. You might suffer symptoms in line with seasonal pollen-induced allergies, such as runny noses, sneezing, coughing, and sinus flare-ups. Your asthma symptoms might be aggravated.

But there is never only 1. Where there is 1, there is an infestation, an army. And this is only one type of guest staying with you at any time. 

Carpet beetles and larvae

These last guests, actually pests, will shed their shell-like skin. If you see this around you know that you need to act quickly because you already have an infestation and these bugs are damaging because they eat your carpet and furnishings. They will even eat some of your clothing, especially if it has a food stain on it. 

In order to beat these bad boys at their own game, you need to clean your house regularly to prevent a colossal takeover. They enter the home through open windows, doors,, any openings they can find, and incidentally, e.g. cut flowers from the garden, animals nesting in the loft/attic. They are looking for food. 

Other Guests

Fleas

Pets are much-loved members of the family, and they might live inside the home with your family instead of in a kennel outside. Either way, they will probably be in the house at some point throughout the day. They will be on the carpets too, which means their dander will get on the carpet. And so might fleas that sneakily hitch a ride on their fur to get inside. Pets cannot be totally blamed for this. Fleas are industrious and springy jumpers. They will get a lift from humans too.

The dangers of fleas, apart from the unbearable itch they cause when they bite you, as if that is not enough, the bites themselves can become infected through profuse scratching. They feed on the blood of animals and humans, so that’s gross. But they are also known to aggravate respiratory illnesses or complications to existing illnesses. They might cause skin irritations as well.

It is no picnic for your pet pals either. Make sure that you bathe them regularly, clean their bedding and de-flea with veterinary-prescribed flea medications regularly. Un the UK, fleas stick around all year long. And a female flea’s lifespan is approximately 2 years, in which time she can lay 1500 eggs in the right environment, so steady maintenance is imperative.

Bed bugs

No, thank you. These are tricky wee pests because they can hide just about anywhere. They are not harmful to humans unless you think that multiple itchy bites are a problem for concern, which they are. Other than that, and the fact that they are a pain in the backside to be rid of, they do not cause other physical issues, unless you are allergic to them.

The spots of blood you might see on your bedsheets are not because they are sloppy diners. You have just managed to snuff out 1 or 2 in the middle of the night. They are sloppy houseguests though because you might also see brown spots. Yes, brown is a universal colour for poo.

Bed bugs are not discerning; any exposed flesh will do, even your face. Do not scratch, cover with makeup, etc. Bites need to be kept clean and untouched as much as possible to avoid infection.

Grain mites

These avid eaters are likely to relocate to your pantry or wherever there is a steady food source. Not letting your kids eat in their rooms might be a good rule after all (apologies to the parents). These mites, if given a chance, will also infest your pet food.

Of course, you will also find them feasting on any manner of grain, cereal, and bread. Tell-tale signs of this guest are a dusty residue that might have a minty smell.

Clover mites

The size of a pinhead, these lads might appear on your window sill, or you find it crawling on your forearm after having just been in the garden. They mostly feed on clover, grasses and plant life. They march up the side of the house like ants. They like the warmth, so you will find them on the sunny side of your home.

The good news is that they do not bite humans or animals or cause other issues like structural damage to your home or furniture. Clover mites are simply a pest that can be stubborn to get rid of. They fit into almost any opening, so if they are around, you will eventually see them visiting.

They will, however, leave a red stain from their skin pigmentation if you think smearing their marching band with one swipe of the cleaning cloth is a good plan. It is not.

In the end

Proper storage of food, animal furs or fibres, keeping tidy living areas, and astringent cleaning schedule will deter the stayers-on. Cleaning your bedding, upholstery, drapes and carpets is essential.

There is a mite for practically any substance, e.g. cheese mite, flour mite, mould mite, vegemite (no, that’s wrong). Be aware that this list of home ‘bugs’ is not conclusive, but it may give you an idea of what your Bed & Breakfast is lodging habitually. Don’t be taken advantage of anymore. Send your house pests packing, bags and all, unless it is your children you are thinking of. You are obligated to keep them in your home.

what happens when you dont clean your carpets

What Happens When You Don’t Clean Carpets Regularly?

No wonder the carpets are always a fright! The never-ending, visual landscape of fluff and dirt is created by everyday traffic of kids running around like little hooligans, the dog and cat shedding their winter coats, and the husband snacking on crackers and flaky pastries while he watches TV. It seems that no matter how often you hoover or shampoo the floors you are constantly bombarded by the mess.

It is okay to go into the other room and scream into a pillow; that is just Therapeutics 101. It is sound practice to release your tension, but just know that when you return to the living room, the crumbs and pet hair will still be there. Oh, the futility!

So, what if you just give up or go a cleaning hiatus or house-cleaning strike? Shut the door to the offending room and go on holiday—um, er—probably not. What happens if you neglect your carpets and don’t clean them regularly? Assuming this is not a rhetorical question, let’s look at the potential issues and risks if you were thinking about neglecting one of your home’s most relied-on commodities. 

Dirt Build-up

Dust and dirt, soil and soot, grease and grime. No matter what banner it flies under, filth is all the same, because it is all unwelcome. Another commonality is that it can be harmful and damaging if left to fester. Hoovering the floors once per week will not stop the build-up in moderate to high foot-traffic areas.

Smells 

Smells seem to permeate in a carpeted environment. The tight weave of the fibres act as a woollen breeding ground of sustainability for ‘pongy-ness’. It might be amazing the rate of the unidentified scent that infiltrates the home, but wouldn’t you rather be impressed by a fresh spring breeze wafting through the home?

Stains

Food and Beverage spills are inevitable. Life! It is made for living, and a house is meant to be lived in. But the laissez faire attitude is not recommended when it comes to whether or not you should clean up that spill tonight or tomorrow morning. Be proactive with stains before they really take a strong-hold.

Irreparable Damage

With the seasons come different problems that can cause irreparable damage to our carpets. In the wintertime, the use of sand and salt products to de-ice the pavement can get tracked in. These are heavy abrasives that can cause ‘delamination’ to the glue and backing of carpets. 

No matter what season it is, dripping water is not a carpet’s friend. If the kids are constantly running back and forth between the sprinkler/pool and the house, the carpets are sure to suffer.

Germs, Disease, and Ill Health

Respiratory problems, e.g. asthma, and other allergies caused by dust mites and other micro bugs, and mental health, e.g. depression, have been linked to dust mites — nobody needs this headache. Allowing dust to stick around can spread viruses, e.g. Norovirus. Moisture can cause mould and mildew to grow as well as harmful bacteria and viruses causing sickness, e.g. Campylobacteriosis and Salmonella.

How to Combat:

For dirt build-up: there are some easy steps you can take to keep that carpet and home fresh-er and clean-er. Keeping spaces neat and tidy go a long way to helping stave off the dust and dirt. 

The ‘no shoes’ policy may seem uptight and annoying, but it really does cut down on the tracking-in. Keep a pet-designated cleaning towel by the back door to intercept those muddy paw prints. Don’t forget to clean under the furniture too.

Smells: There are a lot of options when it comes to deodorisers on the market. The type of smell and its cause will need to be considered, e.g. mould and mildew from humidity and the damp, stale food and garbage. For pets, you might need an enzyme-activated or non-ammonia-based cleaner. Stay away from formaldehyde-based air fresheners.

Stains: Blot up spills straight away, spray water and white vinegar (4:1 ratio) to separate the stain from the carpet, re-blot the area to remove excess moisture, and repeat the process until the stain is successfully removed. To dry the area, put an absorbent towel over the area and put a heavyweight overtop to soak up the moisture. You might need to seek a professional if a stain is extra stubborn.

Irreparable Damage: Be wary of using wire-bristled brushes or vacuum cleaner attachment heads, such as a rotary brush known as a ‘beater bar’, that may not be designed for the type of carpet, e.g. wool and natural fibres, in your home. Also, wipe your feet and incorporate some easy tips scattered throughout this article, e.g. removing shoes at the door, and cleaning up any liquids, spillage and stains immediately.

Germs, Disease, and Ill Health: Keep your carpets clean from dust and dry from moisture. Deodorise your carpets.

Eco-friendly and Natural Carpet Cleaning Agents

Purchasing harsh chemicals and household poisons can be a recipe for disaster. They are not safe options and their use might have unknown long-term effects. Why take the unnecessary risk? But if you do choose to use such items as bleach, ammonia, and methylated spirits, keep these locked away from children and pets, and only use in well-ventilated spaces.

Look for home remedies and natural solutions to replace chemical cleaners with chlorine, lye, phosphates, heavy metals, and ammonia. Non-chemical cleaners will be user-friendly and better for your in-home environment as well as the outdoors environment. 

For instance, healthy, homemade flea treatment for dogs try a wormwood, lemon and rosemary water spritzer. Or tea tree oil, lemon juice and apple cider vinegar are all astringent-product forces to be reckoned with. Anything baking soda -related; ask your grandma — she knows.

At-home Appliances Worth Their Salt

Although vacuum cleaners are not the only tool you need in your cleaning cupboard, they are an important one. Not all hoovers are created equal. If you have a pet, for instance, you will need a pet-specific appliance and attachments to pick up the hair-shed. The hoover will need to have shampoo capability for the stains and the smells that come as a package deal with your beloved family pet.

Also check your carpet materials, e.g. wool or synthetics, and the manufacturer care instructions. You can’t treat all carpets in the same way when they are not made in the same way.

Letting the Pros at It

It is recommended that you get your carpets steam cleaned by a commercial cleaner twice per year, but less than once is a crime against your carpet. But professionals need to use responsible cleaning agents as well. Commercial carpet cleaners on the market often use naphthalene and perchloroethylene. These are carcinogenic and you need to say ‘NO THANKS’ to these. Look for eco-friendly carpet cleaning companies close to your home.

Conclusion

To preserve the longevity of your carpet and the health and wellbeing of your family, it is crucial that you employ a professional carpet cleaner to deep clean your rugs on a yearly basis. Maintain personal health and home cleanliness by incorporating as many of these helpful suggestions as possible into your house-cleaning regimen. You, your family, and friends will enjoy your living space and feel at ease in your home.

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