Carpet Cleaning Solutions

Carpet Cleaning Solutions: What to Do and What Not to Do



Upholstery and Hard Floors – Tips & What not to do!If you’re need cleaning, ServiceMaster can help. Call 703-631-0544. In the meantime, here are some ways to prevent damage and maintain them yourself.



Residential Cleaning1. Vacuum Regularly: Vacuum carpets at least once a week, since 80% of dirt in carpets is loose dirt that should be removed quickly before it becomes absorbed by the fibers and acts like sandpaper to wear fibers down.



2. Dust your Floor: Use a damp dust mop once a week to remove fine dirt and sand from hard floors. These small particles get ground in to hard surfaces and can cause damage.



3. Respond to Spots Immediately: Spot clean spills on carpet and upholstery as soon as they occur. Once a spill dries it can set and become a permanent stain. Use a soft white cloth with a small amount of mild detergent.



4. Wood Floors: To clean polyurethane wood floors use 1 part white vinegar to 9 parts water. It’s a good natural cleaner that will not leave residue. Do not use oil soaps on polyurethane wood floors, they leave a residue that is difficult to remove.



5. Ceramic Floors: Some people don’t like us to say this, but we don’t recommend using a grout sealer on ceramic floors. You are putting a softer finish (sealer) on a hard surface (grout). Overtime dirt gets embedded in the softer sealer and will not come out even with professional cleaning. If no sealer is put on the grout, you can remove the dirt from the grout with cleaning.



Commercial Cleaning1. Carpet Density: A higher density carpet holds up a lot better to heavy traffic. As you’d expect, it costs more. Since parts of your floor may have more traffic than others, you can be smart on density – many manufacturers offer the same pattern in different densities, so you can put your money where it counts.



2. Carpet Backing: If crushing is important, backing makes the difference, since it’s how the carpet transfers weight, like the shocks in your car. Good backing also needs to be able to stand up under chemical treatments and spills, while being resistant to moisture and odors. You can also probably choose whether or not to have the carpet glued directly to the floor or placed on cushion. Cushion adds cost but provides many benefits, from energy and acoustic savings to increased life and appeal.



3. Carpet Maintenance: Maintenance is key. Most manufacturers provide guidelines to what kind and how much maintenance is needed. Regular vacuuming is critical, whether the carpet "looks dirty" or not. Unvacuumed particles will lead to ground in stains.