Read here to find out easy ways to clean a rug and whether to go with a professional rug cleaning company or to do the rug cleaning yourself.
If you’re looking for a way to remove surface dirt and oils from a simple rug, you might want to start with steam cleaning. If you’re looking for a deeper way to clean your rug, you’ll need a few more resources and time. If you have a rug that’s made from expensive fibers, it may be safer to take it to a professional rug cleaning company that has better tools and machines.
Rug Cleaning: Using a Steamer
You can rent a steam cleaner from almost any home or grocery store now-a-days. Get a carpet or rug shampoo to pre-condition the rug. Agitate the rug to break up the dirt and oils using a brush or towel. Depending on the type of fabric your rug is made from should dictate the roughness of the bristles in the brush. Using the steam cleaner, you’ll “vacuum” up the water and dirt. Once you’ve suctioned up all the water, you can speed up the drying process using fans. Using a clean brush, brush the fibers the same direction to make your rug look like new.
Rug Cleaning: DIY or Professional?
DIY Tips
If you can find the right tools and don’t mind spending the time, do-it-yourself rug cleaning is the way to go. To get a more in depth rug cleaning, you’ll need a power washer, carpet soap, buffer and wet/dry vacuum. The first thing you’ll want to do it saturate the rug with water. Use a buffer (or brush) and soap to agitate the rug and break up any dirt and oil. Look for a soap that has a neutral pH. Diluted white vinegar also works to clean spots, break up dirt, and kill germs. Always test an inconspicuous part of the fabric first to be sure the colors don’t run or fade.
Once you’ve scrubbed the rug, use the power washer to rinse it out. You can do this while your rug is laying flat on the ground, but you may want to rotate it throughout the cleaning. Use your wet/cry vac to vacuum up any excess water. Depending on how dirty your rug is, you may need to repeat the rinsing and vacuuming. If possible, hang your rug to dry.
Rug Cleaning: Professional Company
Professional rug cleaning companies are familiar with various types of fabric and methods of rug cleaning. They have better machines and tools to thoroughly clean your rug. For example, it may be nearly impossible to find a carpet buffer large enough to clean your rug yourself. However, a professional company has a tool like this at the ready.
A professional company also has machines that ensure all the soap is removed from your rug and machines that speed up the drying process. If you’re looking for convenience and to save time, go with a professional rug cleaning company.
Your hardwood floor is installed. There is no flooring that looks as comfortable or luxurious as a beautiful hardwood floor. How do you care for and clean Hardwood flooring? It is an investment you certainly want to protect. Most major stores will have hardwood floor basics for equipment and supplies for cleaning hardwood floors. You may find some specialty pieces of equipment at flooring stores.
Floor mats are essential when it comes to cleaning hardwood floors. Tiny particles, like dirt, can act like sandpaper and scratch your wood. A floor mat at each entryway and having family members and guests to wipe their feet, the majority of dirt and grime will remain on the mat. Having a good mat before and after you go in your home goes a long way to trap the dirt before you enter the house. Try and use over sized mats where you can and regularly sweep or vacuum them as well. Also put a floor mat or rug in any area where water could be splashed like near the kitchen sink. This will hinder any possible water damage.
Note that rubber-backed or non-ventilated floor mats or rugs can damage your floor. Instead use floor mats or rugs made especially for hardwood floors or use hardwood floor pads under the mat. It is pretty important to keep under the mats clean as well a build up of dirt and the movement of the mat will cause damage to the floors.
Cleaning Hardwood Floors
The more frequently you clean the easier it is to keep your hardwood floors clean, and the better care you take, the longer your floor will maintain its original beauty. Step one is to purchase a high quality broom so that you can sweep your floor regularly of dirt, dust and other particles.
Second step is a vacuum cleaner without a beater bar, to get in between the boards and other hard to reach areas. Be sure your vacuum tool is always in good repair and the brushes are good, once they wear you don’t want the actual tool to start scratching the hardwood floors.
Deeper cleaning techniques vary depending on the installation and finish of your hardwood floor. For Finish in Place hardwood floors, using an 8x14 terrycloth mop with a rotating head that makes cleaning corners, under cabinets and along base boards as simple. In any case always use very little water this is why standard mops not recommended to clean hardwood floors. A flat hardwood floor mop leaves little space for water and is always best.
Professional cleaning products recommended by your flooring retailer can be used to remove tough stains and spills without dulling the finish of your wood floor. Makers of Pre-finished floors recommend their own specific products for routine maintenance. Check with your retailer for details.
Do and Don’ts
Don’t wax a wood floor with a urethane finish
Do use cleaners that won’t leave a film or residue
Don’t use ammonia cleaners or oil soaps on a wood floor they’ll dull the finish and affect your ability to recoat later.
Do use a professional hardwood floor cleaner to remove occasional scuffs and heel marks (just spray some cleaner on a cloth and rub the stained area lightly)
Don’t wet mop or use excessive water to clean your floor (wood naturally expands when it’s wet and can cause your floor to crack or splinter).
Do clean sticky spots with a damp towel or sponge
Do minimize water exposure and clean spills immediately
If and when your hardwood floor begins to look like it belongs beneath the feet of gold miners in an old western saloon, it’s time to consider screening and re-coating.
Screening is the process used to abrade or grind down your floors polyurethane finish. Next, fresh coats of urethane are applied. The result is a rejuvenated floor that looks as good as the day it was installed!
If the damage to your hardwood floor is severe, then you may require sanding and refinishing. This process involves sanding your floor down to the bare wood and refinishing it. Only go to this effort if screening and re-coating doesn’t solve your problem. Replacement boards may be available so you don’t have to refinish the entire area. Be sure to go pro whenever you have work done on your hardwood floors!
Final Thoughts
All hardwood floors fade or change shades over time. Like our own skin, woods exposure to sunlight may greatly increase this process and cause permanent damage.
Window treatments are recommended to shade your floors from the suns harsh rays. We also recommend rotating area rugs and furniture regularly, allowing wood floors to age evenly from UV exposure.
To avoid permanent marks and scratches, it’s a good idea to cover furniture and table legs with flannel protectors. Be careful when moving heavy objects across your floor to avoid scuffing.
Ladies your stiletto heels may be fashionable, but what’s not in fashion (or covered by your warranty) are the dents and scratches they cause to wood floors. I had a friend who held a big dinner party after installing new hardwood floors only to wake up to hundreds of little dents in his brand new (and now not so perfect) hardwood floors. So have a dinner party but keep it casual, nothing fancy. Likewise, trim your pets nails regularly and keep any and all other sharp objects don’t walk with scissors is a good rule always) away from your floors.
Follow these basic tips for clean hardwood floors that stand the test of time for years to come.
Tile cleaning can be a chore and the techniques you would use can vary depending on the type of tile you have. I will list several types of tiles here and discuss some basic tips for tile cleaning of the various types of tiles.
With many colors, textures, tiles sizes, and materials of excellent durability qualities available, in most cases tiles are easy to maintain and clean. The bigger challenge in most cases is the cleaning of the grout. https://www.howtocleananything.com/general-cleaning-tips/grout-cleaning/
Tile Cleaning
Marble, Travertine
Smooth, hard, cool to the touch and beautifully patterned, marble flooring, travertine and limestone offer the classic look of elegance and create a very luxurious effect.
Available in a wide variety of colors, especially earth tones, and often imitated by other types of tile like ceramic and porcelain.
Marble, limestone and travertine are calcite-based stones and have similar properties when it comes to care and cleaning. Marble is relatively simple to maintain once you know how.
Most problems are simple to solve, however, sealing may be necessary to protect against staining. Using the proper cleaning products requires a little more care and work, but it is a must… the results is a terrific looking floors
Extremely durable and versatile, marble, travertine or limestone floor tile can be used anywhere in your home, even your patio, but are particularly suitable for bathrooms, showers, hallways and formal living areas…
Etching in marble may be a concern, and when it comes to cleaning, using the proper product for marble is a MUST! Taking care of marble requires a bit more work than other types of tile flooring, but the beauty it adds to your home will be worth it… Bear in mind that counter tops are more susceptible to etching than flooring. These types of tiles are cleaned using neutral pH cleaners, no acidic cleaners should be used. Also quickly remove spills like orange or tomato juice for example since they are acidic. Using soft cleaning cloths and or mops are best when cleaning marble and abrasive cleaning equipment is not recommended when cleaning marble.
Granite tile is basically indestructible if you choose the right variety… It can be used in any room with no concern, including an entry way or outdoor patio.
Unlike marble, limestone and travertine, this type of tile does not etch the same way and rarely is staining a problem. There is basically an endless array of patterns and magnificent colors for you to choose from and tile cleaning is pretty easy but it is best to avoid acidic chemicals.
Like most floor tile, granite has maintenance requirements… Depending on the degree of use and wear, polished granite may require periodic re-polishing just like any polished stone floor will.
To help reduce the chance of staining, some types may need to be sealed to may tile cleaning easier.
Slate Tile
Rugged and rustic looking, this tile is definitely unique and loved by many. The distinctive characteristics are easy to spot and adds to its allure, but the up-keep can be over-whelming and is therefore not for everyone. Slate is more porous and usually uneven so regular cleaning is a must, or using a stone sealer to may tile cleaning is also recommended. Since slate is more porous it will stain easier and stains can be stubborn. Grease stains for example are difficult on a floor like this which is unsealed, and you will likely have to resort to using a poultice to remove this type of staining. For general maintenance neutral cleaner is best and using less detergent is better leaving soap residue behind will only attract the dirt fast and make tile cleaning ore difficult.
Not all slate is alike and the quality can vary widely from soft and crumbly to hard and dense. The more expensive the slate the easier it will be to maintain,
Slate is usually thought of as gray, but it comes in colors, too. You will find green, blue, black, gray, rust and multi-color.
Most slate must be sealed to prevent staining. The cleft (ridges) finish slate is noted for collects dirt easily. Also, any element that is acidic will cause etching (corrosion) if it comes into contact with slate tiles.
Slate may not be the best choice for large flooring areas because of the the up-keep it requires. Having it honed (smoothed) will reduce the time and care needed to keep your flooring looking its best…
Cleaning Natural Stone Flooring
The main factor in cleaning natural stone is the initial treatment of the floor, for easy tile cleaning using a stone sealer is best and if you desire a unfinished look that is not sealed then frequent tile cleaning is necessary. Consider a wet vacuum so you can use a combination of water detergent and by vacuuming with a wet vac will help keep the tiles cleaner. Use as little detergent as possible; remember excess soap will attract dirt faster. Always use a Ph balanced soap or detergent.
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain is steadily gaining in status as an alternative to stone or ceramic tile. Its characteristics are equal to natural stone tile without the price. Also, it is more durable, longer wearing and more damage resistant than ceramic, which make it suitable for any area in your home.
Full-bodied porcelain carry the color and patterns throughout its thickness making it virtually impervious to wear and suitable for residential, commercial and industrial highest traffic application.
If you like the stone tile look, but fear the price porcelain tile comes closer to duplicating the look of natural stone tiles.
Nearly maintenance free and cleaning is a breeze with just soap and water and is highly resistant to stains. There are some porcelain tiles with matte finishes which are designed to reduce the slipperiness or just because the desire is to not have a shine floor. Thee matte finished floors can be a challenge and can trap the dirt easier, in which case more frequent or specialized tile cleaning is necessary.
Ceramic Tile
Popularity has greatly increased for ceramic flooring as an alternative to natural stone tile. It wears well in light to moderate traffic areas, but is more prone to chipping and wear than is porcelain tile.
Of all the hard tiles, ceramic offers the most choices in colors, shapes and patterns. It’s suitability for any room makes ceramic a versatile tile floor covering.
The finishing glaze may give it a plastic or wet look (depending on your choice of color & pattern). None-the-less, it has great eye-appeal and style.
It provides better traction than most stone tiles and is resistant to water and stains. No special cleaning agents are needed; diluted household detergent will work just fine.
Saltillo Tile
Saltillo tile captures the rich yellow-orange colors of the South-western desert clay it is made of. In a class by itself, each tile is made by hand and no two tiles are the same…
Its uniqueness and color cannot be compared to any other floor tile and is what people are drawn to and love…
The downside, clay is very porous and stains easily. In colder climates it may crack and scratch more easily. NOT the best choice for kitchen or bathroom.
Lack of uniform tiles makes them difficult and consequently expensive to install. Saltillo tile should be sealed before, immediately after and every six months thereafter once installed.
Cork Tile
Growing by leaps and bounds cork tile is quickly becoming the flooring of choice over other types of tile, and especially so for kitchens and bathrooms.
Long-wearing, affordable, rich and warm looking, easy to take care of and easy to install are just a few features why it has gained such popularity!
It’s natural insulating and sound proofing properties, resistance to friction, impact, moisture, dust, bacteria, mold and rot make it suitable for any room!
With so many incredible colors, patterns and designs available, there is something to fit any life style and the creative mind… just imagine.
Cork floor tile require very little maintenance… once installed apply a coat of acrylic varnish sealant, and re-apply the sealant when the tiles begin looking dull. Otherwise a good neutral pH cleaner is best for cleaning this tile.
Rubber Tile
Made from synthetic materials rubber tiles are square and available in many sizes, thickness, colors, simulated stones, patterns, textures and finish. They are hard-wearing and resistant to most flooring issues, but can mark easily. These tiles are better suited for wet areas like the kitchen, bathroom, utility room or garage, but work well in a child’s bedroom or play room too. They are affordable, practical and very contemporary, with minor drawbacks compared to other types of tile.
Dirt can accumulate in raised or dimpled textures and light colors show the dirt more easily. Special products are needed for polishing the surface and sealing.
Rubber tiles are not difficult to install, but are heavier and harder to handle than cork, vinyl or linoleum tiles.
Summary
To summarize there are some consistent things you should be looking for and doing when performing your tile cleaning. Look at the best way to seal both the tiles and the grout after the tiles have been installed. Maintain that sealer based on the recommendations of the manufacture, but the basic rule of thumb is when the finish is looking dull you need to re-seal. This alone is the largest factor in keeping your tiles clean.
Always use a neutral pH cleaner, avoid acidic or alkaline cleaners both will remove floor finishes. Acidic cleaners will damage some natural stone like marble etc. Some examples of acidic cleaners are CLR, vinegar while bleach is highly alkaline etc. The pH of orange juice is 3.0, while baking soda has a pH of 9.0
The speed of cleaning up spills and stains are also important when cleaning tiles. Don’t let that grape juice take hold and soak into the tile and or likely the grout, clean up as soon as the spill occurs. Take the time to cleaning your tile really well before attempting to seal, you may have to go as far as using a poultice for removing stains when cleaning natural stone tile. Going the extra mile before sealing will go a long way to make tile cleaning an easy maintenance task for the life of your tiles.
What are the golden rules for stain removal? Scrubbing and rubbing is the first thing most are inclined to do when cleaning a stain, but it is not the correct way to go. This will only spread or drive the stain deeper into the fabrics and or carpet or surface you are working on cleaning. You want to gently lift the stain out by using techniques like blotting, flushing or tamping. Some golden rules for effective stain removal are as follows.
1. Act quickly; speed in which you attempt to remove the stain is a huge factor in success.
2. Use the simplest method first, try to physically remove as much of the stain as you can by scooping, sweeping, lifting, or vacuuming before dousing it with chemicals.
3. Don’t use water or any chemical until you know what the stain is and don’t forget to pre-test if you are using a spot cleaning chemical.
4. Never apply heat until the stain has been completely removed, heat sets stains. When cleaning clothes or fabrics you are laundering always inspect before using a dryer to dry. The heat will set the stain, you are better off letting the item air dry and re-try to remove the stain. Follow this and other golden rules for your best success when removing stains.
Domestic cleaning is a part of all of our lives. However, the time may come when you have a large house or a busy schedule and you cannot handle all of the cleaning yourself and would like to hire a domestic cleaning company. Before you do so, be sure you know what to expect from a housekeeper.
A housekeeper is responsible for the removal of litter, dirt and stains. A housekeeper does not generally pick up toys, clothes, or other clutter, though. Talk with the house cleaning company to determine what is considered clutter and what isn’t. For example, some charge extra for cleaning dishes, but not for putting dishes in a dishwasher. Dusting, sweeping, vacuuming and mopping are standard responsibilities for a housekeeper. Cleaning tubs, showers, bathroom counters and mirrors are also usually included in the cost.
For an additional charge, you can add on just about anything you want to: washing windows, TV screens, cleaning blinds, dusting baseboards, watering plants, folding laundry and changing sheets. Prices vary depending on the types of services done, the size of your house and how often you have a housekeeper come out. Most domestic cleaning companies require payment at the time of services in the form of cash or check.
You can have a housekeeper come while you are home or while you are away. Homeowners often leave a key with a housekeeper or under the mat, when hiring a company, since the housekeeper may change from week to week. Housekeepers should bring their own supplies and you have the option of choosing eco-friendly products or more mainstream products.
Domestic cleaning service is a great idea for families that are busy and have the extra income to pay for it.
When is it time for air duct cleaning? How can you clean air ducts yourself? What should you look for in an air duct cleaning company? Continue reading for answers to these questions and do it yourself tips.
Air duct cleaning is a must if you have mold, rodents or your air ducts are clogged with dust and debris. However, besides these circumstances, most systems do not need air duct cleaning. The air filter traps dirt and keep sit from entering your home. If you suspect you have mold, rodents, or an excessive amount of dust, then you’ll need to decide whether to clean the ducts yourself or hire someone to do it.
Do it yourself if…
You have gotten rid of rodents completely
Mold is minor and hasn’t overrun the entire system
Your air ducts are easy to access
Have a professional do it if…
You still have rodents
Mold is extensive or in hard to reach places
You air ducts are hard to access
You would like the entire line of ducts cleaned
Air Duct Cleaning: Doing it yourself
If you choose to clean your ducts yourself, the first thing you’ll need to do is turn the system off. You’d hate to be cleaning a duct when the air conditioner comes on blasting you with cold air and dust! Once you’ve turned the system off, remove the dust covers. You can clean the dust covers with a mild household cleaner while they’re off. Wear gloves to keep your hands cleaner.
A vacuum with a hose and nozzle attachment can be used to vacuum the duct first. Use duct tape to tape the nozzle to the hose, so it doesn’t fall off while you’re using it. Once you’ve vacuumed up the large particles of debris and dust, take an inspection of the walls of the ducts. Are they free from debris? Are they intact? If you see something that worries you, call in a professional to perform an inspection of his/her own. If your ducts look fine, you can then take a wet brush or rag and wipe down the interior of the duct.
Replace the dust covers and turn your system back on!
Air Duct Cleaning: Hiring a Professional
If do it yourself maintenance isn’t your thing or you suspect you have a problem too big to handle, there are a number of companies that can clean your ducts for you. Take into consideration the following things when choosing a company:
How much experience does the company have in the business of air duct cleaning?
What licenses does the company hold? There are no national license required, but many states require a local license.
Does the company use any “moisture” methods? If so, be sure it has a plan to avoid mold that often grows with moisture.
Does the company use an chemical treatments or biocides? If so, find out why. Many of these are unnecessary and some can even be harmful.
How does the company protect you, your family, and your belongings from the dust?
Does the company provide an inspection and estimate before beginning any work?
Remember, air duct cleaning only needs to be done on rare occasions; if a company recommends frequent cleaning, you may want to get a second opinion.
Upholstery steam cleaning can be intimidating, but with these do it yourself tips, the task becomes much easier. Make your furniture look like new! There’s no need to hire an upholstery steam cleaning company when you can easily clean your upholstery yourself.
Upholstery steam cleaning requires the following items: upholstery shampoo, soil emulsifier or pre-conditioner (for very dirty furniture), scrub brush, steam cleaner, and a fan (optional). You can find these products at any home or hardware store. While experts will tell you an upholstery specific steam cleaner is required, a carpet steam cleaner will work just as well. An upholstery steam cleaner may be smaller and easier to work and come with hoses or nozzles that make cleaning furniture easier.
Your first step to upholstery steam cleaning is to pre-condition the fabric. It’s always a good idea to spot check the fabric on a part of the furniture you don’t see first. Pre-conditioning includes spraying a soil emulsifier or upholstery pre-conditioner on the fabric. This loosens dirt and oils that have been ground into the fabric.
Next, you’ll want to shampoo the the fabric. This can also be done with a sprayer, like the soil emulsifier. Some formulas offer a soil emulsifier and shampoo in one. It’s recommended that you use a shampoo made specifically for upholstery, although some mild carpet cleaners will work just fine on your furniture. After you’ve thoroughly covered the upholstery, scrub in the shampoo with a scrub brush or towel. You will want to agitate the formula enough to create some suds.
Use your steam cleaner to then steam the furniture. This removes the water and dirt. Remove as much water as you can with the steam cleaner so that your furniture will dry faster. Use a dry brush to brush the fabric in all directions to give your furniture a brand new look. If you’d like to speed up the drying process, you may also use fans or a blow dryer. You might also consider adding a solvent based fabric protector to your upholstery when you’re done to protect it from dirt and oils.
Upholstery Steam Cleaning: Microfiber, Suede, and Microsuede
Microfiber couches and furniture are becoming ever more popular. They are usually stain resistant, but can still get dirty over time. To clean a microfiber piece of furniture using a steam cleaner, you’ll want to make sure you use a sponge instead of a scrub brush to agitate the shampoo. Choose a shampoo or pre-conditioner that has a low pH balance. You can even use dish soap and water with microfiber. Use your hand or a gentle brush, when finished, to spruce up the fibers.
Microsuede and suede furniture can also be steam cleaned, but you will likely want a professional to do it. Other ways you can clean your suede furniture at home includes using baby wipes and suede shoe polish.
Now that you’re an expert at upholstery steam cleaning, check out our other do-it-yourself furniture cleaning tips here.
How do I remove the ugly non-slip flowers and butterfly stickers from my old bathtub?
The adhesive used on these decorative non-slip pads are amazing. I have seen tubs with the surface of the baked enamel finish pulled up where the old sticker had been removed! In which case you need to repaint the area with touch up paint for bathtubs so it won’t rust.
Stickers from Bathtub
Here are some ideas that have been successful:
Cover the sticker with tinfoil and heat with a hair dryer, once the sticker has softened, use your fingernail, cuticle stick, or plastic ice scraper to carefully lift up an edge being sure to get all the layers. Avoid metal edges, as you can easily damage the tub. Slowly pull up and peel back the strip, trying to keep the top layer and clear adhesive film layer together.
If the layers do separate and the film tears as you progress, lift other edges around the strips, working toward the center until all parts of the sticker are free.
WD-40 is effective at removing sticky residue from the sticker as well. But the oily film from the wd-40 will need to be cleaned with soap and water once the sticker has been removed from the bathtub.
Baking soda is also useful for cleaning your teeth. If your teeth are stained by coffee or other substances you can brush your teeth with baking soda and it will polish your teeth, causing them to reflect more light and therefore appear “whiter.” The taste is not great, but some people myself included hate the taste of regular toothpaste.
Baking Soda Toothpaste
Here is a basic recipe;
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon sea salt, finely ground
1 drop peppermint, spearmint, sweet orange, clove, or cinnamon bark essential oil
A few drops tap water
Combine ingredients in a small bowl and mix them thoroughly with a toothbrush, your finger, or a small spoon until a smooth, thick paste forms. The paste shouldn’t be too runny; it has to stay on your toothbrush.
Dip your toothbrush into the paste and brush away.
Generally, sodium bicarbonate will work better on yellow or brown tooth stains as opposed to gray stains. Also, it is recommended by the American Dental Association that you consult with your dentist while using sodium bicarbonate on your teeth. You can buy several toothpastes that can be bought containing sodium bicarbonate found at any health food store and some grocery stores. Which maybe better than using a homemade version, but in a pinch if you have run out of toothpaste then a pinch of baking soda will do the trick.
How do I remove water spots from my clear glass showerdoors?
Try these techniques:
Depending on how bad they are a mixture of white vinegar and water (50:50) is an effective way to remove water spots.
If they are very bad then you should buy an acidic based cleaner to remove. Vinegar is mildly acidic so it will remove only so much. Go to your local janitorial supply store and buy acidic based bathroom cleaner and tell them what you are cleaning. You should have good success.
Be sure to wear gloves and follow safety instructions on the bottle for use and handling.
Be sure to start from the bottom of the doors as well to prevent streaks from forming from the acid wash.
If you live in an area where you have hard water then hang and use a small plastic squeegee in your shower and give your shower-door and quick wipe down at the end of each shower.
Professional rug cleaning companies are familiar with various types of fabric and methods of rug cleaning. They have better machines and tools to thoroughly clean your rug. For example, it may be nearly impossible to find a carpet buffer large enough to clean your rug yourself. However, a professional company has a tool like this at the ready.
