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Smoke Stains from carpet

General Info:
Be sure to check the helpful hints for the Do’s and Don’ts of stain removal and Six Sure Ways to Set Stains.

Tools & Chemicals:
Dry cleaning solvent,dish washing or fine fabric detergent, white terry towels, white vinegar, warm water, measuring cup, vacuum. Dry cleaning solvents can be purchased at your grogery store or at your local carpet cleaning supply retailer.

Technique:

  • Work on removing the stain as soon as you notice it. The longer the stain is left on the carpet the greater the chances are of the stain setting.
  • In every case remove all excess wet or dry material before attempting to clean. Blot wet materials using a white terry towel (check helpful hints for a detailed description of blotting). Vacuum excess dry materials or gently scrape up materials with a spoon.
  • Apply a small amount of dry cleaning solvent to the white terry towel and blot the stain. Continue until no further transfer of material to the towel is apparent.
  • If the stain remains proceed to the next step.
  • Mix 1/2 tsp. of dish washing soap or fine fabric detergent into 1 (8 oz.)cup of warm water.
  • Apply a small amount, blot or tamp and repeat until the stain is removed. Be patient. Complete removal may require repeating the same step several times. Tamp down on the carpet, do not scrub as this may distort the texture of the pile.
  • Cover the stain with the towel and press down repeatedly to absorb the stain material and detergent.
  • Once the stain is completely removed, rinse the area with cold water; blot with a dry white terry towel until all moisture is removed. Repeat this process several times to remove cleaning solution residue. (Residue can attract soils).
  • If the spot or stain turns brownish when dry, mix 1 part white vinegar and two parts water. Apply a small amount and blot. Repeat only once.

Precautions:
Never use a stronger concentration than is recommended.
Never use laundry detergent or automatic dish washing detergents because they may destroy or dye some fibers.
Never use non-volatile solvents as they can cause delamination in synthetic carpets either immediately or over a period of time. Non-volatile solvents do not dissipate at room temperture & will remain in your carpet.
Never pour solvents directly onto your carpet or saturate your carpet. Instead apply the solvent to a white terry towel and blot the stained area.
Never use highly combustible solvents such as gasoline or paint thinners.

Posted on

Sour Cream from carpet

General Info:
Be sure to check the helpful hints for the Do’s and Don’ts of stain removal and Six Sure Ways to Set Stains.

Tools & Chemicals:
Dry cleaning solvent,dish washing or fine fabric detergent, white terry towels, white vinegar, warm water, measuring cup, vacuum. Dry cleaning solvents can be purchased at your grogery store or at your local carpet cleaning supply retailer.

Technique:

  • Work on removing the stain as soon as you notice it. The longer the stain is left on the carpet the greater the chances are of the stain setting.
  • In every case remove all excess wet or dry material before attempting to clean. Blot wet materials using a white terry towel (check helpful hints for a detailed description of blotting). Vacuum excess dry materials or gently scrape up materials with a spoon.
  • Apply a small amount of dry cleaning solvent to the white terry towel and blot the stain. Continue until no further transfer of material to the towel is apparent.
  • If the stian remains proceed to the next step.
  • Mix 1/2 tsp. of dish washing soap or fine fabric detergent into 1 (8 oz.)cup of warm water.
  • Apply a small amount, blot or tamp and repeat until the stain is removed. Be patient. Complete removal may require repeating the same step several times. Tamp down on the carpet, do not scrub as this may disort the texture of the pile.
  • Cover the stain with the towel and press down repeatedly to absorb the stain material and detergent.
  • Once the stain is completely removed, rinse the area with cold water; blot with a dry white terry towel until all moisture is removed. Repeat this process several times to remove cleaning solution residue. (Residue can attract soils).
  • If the spot or stain turns brownish when dry, mix 1 part white vinegar and two parts water. Apply a small amount and blot. Repeat only once.

Precautions:
Never use a stronger concentration than is recommended. Never use laundry detergent or automatic dish washing detergents because they may destroy or dye some fibers. Never use non-volatile solvents as they can cause delamination in synthetic carpets either immediately or over a period of time. Non-volatile solvents do not dissipate at room temperture & will remain in your carpet. Never pour solvents directly onto your carpet or saturate your carpet. Instead apply the solvent to a white terry towel and blot the stained area. Never use highly combustible solvents such as gasoline or paint thinners.

Posted on

Soy Sauce from carpet

General Info:
Be sure to check the helpful hints for the Do’s and Don’ts of stain removal and Six Sure Ways to Set Stains.

Tools & Chemicals:
Ammonia (household strength),dish washing or fine fabric detergent, white terry towels, white vinegar, warm water, measuring cup, spoon.

Technique:

  • Work on removing the stain as soon as you notice it. The longer the stain is left on the carpet the greater the chances are of the stain setting.
  • In every case remove all excess wet or dry material before attempting to clean. Blot wet materials using a white terry towel (check helpful hints for a detailed description of blotting). Vacuum excess dry materials or gently scrape up materials with a spoon.
  • Mix 2 tablespoon of HOUSEHOLD ammonia in one(1) cup of water.
  • Apply a small amount of the mixed solution to the white terry towel and blot on the stain. Continue intil no further transfer of the stain is apparent. If the stain remains proceed to the next step.
  • Mix 1/2 tsp. of dish washing soap or fine fabric detergent into 1 (8 oz.)cup of warm water.
  • Apply a small amount, blot or tamp and repeat until the stain is removed. Be patient. Complete removal may reqiure repeating the same step several times. Tamp down on the carpet, do not scrub as this may distort the texture of the pile.
  • Cover the stain with the towel and press down repeatedly to absorb the stain material and detergent.
  • Once the stain is completely removed, rinse the area with cold water; blot with a dry white terry towel until all moisture is removed. Repeat this process several times to remove cleaning solution residue. (Residue can attract soils).
  • If the spot or stain turns brownish when dry, mix 1 part white vinegar and two parts water. Apply a small amount and blot. Repeat only once.

Precautions:
Never use a stronger concentration than is recommended.,br> Never use laundry detergent or automatic dish washing detergents because they may destroy or dye some fibers.
Industrial strength ammonia should be mixed according to manufacture recommendations.

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Canister Vacuums

General Information :
Canister vacuums are less popular than uprights but may be more versatile. Since many units feature a power head they will clean as good if not better than an upright. In addition, different attachments will allow you to clean a variety of surfaces and objects more easily than with an upright.

Look for units with these convenient features: on board tool holders, easy/quick change attachments, easy change paper bags, automatic cord rewind, lighted and adjustable power head, handle for easy transport, long enough hose, main unit tracks well behind user, quiet operation, high filtration which is easily changed or cleaned, power head debris shut off, easy change belts and brushes, wide/low profile power head and right to wall edge cleaning.

For many users weight is a major concern. Choose a model that is light enough to carry the main body with one hand and the attachments with another.

Available Products:
Look for upcoming recommendations and reviews.

HowToCleanAnything.com:
Look for upcoming products.

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Sun Tan Oil from carpet

General Info:
Be sure to check the helpful hints for the Do’s and Don’ts of stain removal and Six Sure Ways to Set Stains.

Tools & Chemicals:
Dry cleaning solvent,dish washing or fine fabric detergent, white terry towels, white vinegar, warm water, measuring cup, vacuum. Dry cleaning solvents can be purchased at your grogery store or at your local carpet cleaning supply retailer.

Technique:

  • Work on removing the stain as soon as you notice it. The longer the stain is left on the carpet the greater the chances are of the stain setting.
  • In every case remove all excess wet or dry material before attempting to clean. Blot wet materials using a white terry towel (check helpful hints for a detailed description of blotting). Vacuum excess dry materials or gently scrape up materials with a spoon.
  • Apply a small amount of dry cleaning solvent to the white terry towel and blot the stain. Continue until no further transfer of material to the towel is apparent.
  • If the stian remains proceed to the next step.
  • Mix 1/2 tsp. of dish washing soap or fine fabric detergent into 1 (8 oz.)cup of warm water.
  • Apply a small amount, blot or tamp and repeat until the stain is removed. Be patient. Complete removal may require repeating the same step several times. Tamp down on the carpet, do not scrub as this may disort the texture of the pile.
  • Cover the stain with the towel and press down repeatedly to absorb the stain material and detergent.
  • Once the stain is completely removed, rinse the area with cold water; blot with a dry white terry towel until all moisture is removed. Repeat this process several times to remove cleaning solution residue. (Residue can attract soils).
  • If the spot or stain turns brownish when dry, mix 1 part white vinegar and two parts water. Apply a small amount and blot. Repeat only once.

Precautions:
Never use a stronger concentration than is recommended. Never use laundry detergent or automatic dish washing detergents because they may destroy or dye some fibers. Never use non-volatile solvents as they can cause delamination in synthetic carpets either immediately or over a period of time. Non-volatile solvents do not dissipate at room temperture & will remain in your carpet. Never pour solvents directly onto your carpet or saturate your carpet. Instead apply the solvent to a white terry towel and blot the stained area. Never use highly combustible solvents such as gasoline or paint thinners.

Posted on

Upright Vacuum Cleaners

General Information :
The amount of hype and performance claims for upright vacuums has exploded in recent years. Manufacturers are constantly one-upping one another with this or that latest feature. Before spending hundreds of dollars on a new upright vacuum here are some things to consider.

A more powerful vacuum is not necessarily better. For upright vacuums efficient design is much more critical than power. Also, do not be mislead about motor amperage. Amps, as a measure in vacuum motors, simply indicate how many amps the motor pulls from the wall socket. Often, a more powerful motor can run on fewer amps. If possible, try to obtain the airflow or C.F.M.  cubic feet per minute and the water lift ratings. Common on commercial vacuums, these are more accurate measurements of performance.

Consider whether the unit has one or two motors. Two motor uprights have one for suction and one to drive the beater brush. In single motor vacuums one motor does both jobs. As might be expected, dual motor uprights perform better but are more expensive. Also, single motor uprights will not shut down the beater brush if an object gets stuck a feature found in some dual motor models.

Most uprights nowadays feature on board tools and a suction hose. Consider how easy it is to use the accessories or even if you will use them at all. If you already own a canister vacuum you may not need these extra features.

Consider how the beater brush is set up. How easy is it to change the belt and is it sealed from debris? Can you change the brushes on the beater, or do you have to replace the whole assembly when the brushes wear?

Consider how you empty the vacuum. Many units now have a permanent plastic dirt cup rather than disposable bags. Although more expensive to start, for those who do a lot of vacuuming it may be more economical over time.

Pay careful attention to the type and amount of filtering the vacuum has. New models claim to have extremely efficient filters. Make sure they are easy to clean or cheap to replace. High filtration can only be achieved with very tiny pores, which by nature will clog often and reduce performance. If filtration is a real concern models with dual or triple layer paper bags work very well.

Always test-drive a vacuum before purchasing. Make sure it rolls well. Is it easy to wind and unwind the cord? How adjustable is it for different carpet pile heights? Is the dirt cup or paper bag easy to dump or change? How quiet or loud is the machine?

Posted on

Vaseline from Carpet

General Info:
Be sure to check the helpful hints for the Do’s and Don’ts of stain removal and Six Sure Ways to Set Stains.

Tools & Chemicals:
Dry cleaning solvent,dish washing or fine fabric detergent, white terry towels, white vinegar, warm water, measuring cup, vacuum. Dry cleaning solvents can be purchased at your grogery store or at your local carpet cleaning supply retailer.

Technique:

  • Work on removing the stain as soon as you notice it. The longer the stain is left on the carpet the greater the chances are of the stain setting.
  • In every case remove all excess wet or dry material before attempting to clean. Blot wet materials using a white terry towel (check helpful hints for a detailed description of blotting). Vacuum excess dry materials or gently scrape up materials with a spoon.
  • Apply a small amount of dry cleaning solvent to the white terry towel and blot the stain. Continue until no further transfer of material to the towel is apparent.
  • If the stian remains proceed to the next step.
  • Mix 1/2 tsp. of dish washing soap or fine fabric detergent into 1 (8 oz.)cup of warm water.
  • Apply a small amount, blot or tamp and repeat until the stain is removed. Be patient. Complete removal may require repeating the same step several times. Tamp down on the carpet, do not scrub as this may distort the texture of the pile.
  • Cover the stain with the towel and press down repeatedly to absorb the stain material and detergent.
  • Once the stain is completely removed, rinse the area with cold water; blot with a dry white terry towel until all moisture is removed. Repeat this process several times to remove cleaning solution residue. (Residue can attract soils).
  • If the spot or stain turns brownish when dry, mix 1 part white vinegar and two parts water. Apply a small amount and blot. Repeat only once.

Precautions:
Never use a stronger concentration than is recommended.
Never use laundry detergent or automatic dish washing detergents because they may destroy or dye some fibers.
Never use non-volatile solvents as they can cause delamination in synthetic carpets either immediately or over a period of time. Non-volatile solvents do not dissipate at room temperture & will remain in your carpet.
Never pour solvents directly onto your carpet or saturate your carpet. Instead apply the solvent to a white terry towel and blot the stained area.
Never use highly combustible solvents such as gasoline or paint thinners.

Posted on

Before & After Cleaning

General Information:
Have a specific area set aside for your cleaning supplies. It will be easier and more enjoyable to clean if your supplies are easy to find and ready to go.

Keep your tools clean. Finish your job by cleaning your equipment and storing it properly. Wash out mops, sponges, cloths, etc. and hang to dry. Store your brooms and brushes off their bristles to prevent deformation. Keep your chemical products properly sealed and out of children’s reach.

Replace items as soon as they are worn or empty. Nothing is more frustrating than wanting to start a job but not having the proper supplies available.

Don’t keep around old, expired, or useless items to clutter up your supplies.

Posted on

Blot and blotting

General Information:
Blotting is the act of absorbing a stain with a dry absorbant towel such as a terry towel or even a paper towel (best using white towels so no colors from the the towel will run into the carpet or fabric you are blotting.) Blotting immediately after a spill or stain has occurred is the best way to combat stains. Blot by placing the towel over the stain. First fold your towel in quarters so you can flip over the towel a few times to get the maximum absorbancy of your towel.

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Carpet spot cleaning tips

General Spot Cleaning Tips

DO

Use a clean white, absorbent terry towel.
Blot or tamp the spot.
Pretest the carpet in an inconspicuous area.
Clean the stain from the edge to the center.
Apply cleaner to the towel.
Clean with modest amounts of cleaning solution.
Adhere to product safety and follow instructions.
Remove the stain as soon as it is noticed.
Remove the dirty excess before cleaning.
Use cleaning compounds at luke warm temperature.
DON’T

Use a dirty or coloured rag.
Rub, brush or scrape the spot using force.
Pretest the carpet in the middle of the room.
Clean the stain from side to side.
Apply cleaners directly to the stain.
Saturate the spot with cleaners.
Ignore manufacturers instructions.
Ignore the stain or leave it until later.
Wet clean before removing the dry excess.
Apply heat to the stain.

Not all stains can be completely removed, but appearances can be improved.

Six Sure Ways To Set Stains & Damage Carpet

Saturate the carpet with cleaning compounds.
Apply heat to the stain.
Vigorously scrub the stain.
Leave the stain until later.
Not remove any dried excess prior to cleaning.
Not pretest the carpet or stain.

You will find that the recommended cleaning procedures (water & Oil based Stain Cleaning Methods) will be effective in the vast majority of cases. However, we have stayed clear of recommending methods that are overtly hazardous, can chemically set stains or are harmful to your carpet. We strongly recommend that you call an IICRC Certified carpet cleaning company to deal with those stains that are large, old or for those stains that you have met with limited success trying to remove.
If you are unsure whether a stain is water or oil based ALWAYS start with the oil based stain method before trying the water based method.

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