Why get your carpet cleaned

Just as the clothes we wear need regular washing to keep them fresh and hygienic, our carpets and upholstered furniture require periodic cleaning. Accumulated soil and grit are major causes of reduced carpet and fabric life, and enable destructive and health harmful mites and bacteria to work unchecked. Cleaning costs are minimal when you consider the replacement cost of carpets and furnishings, so regular cleaning makes economic sense too.

Little do most of us realise that what we are seeing is only a tiny fraction of the soil that a carpet contains. The visible grime we notice is only the tip of the iceberg; up to 85 per cent of the dirt the carpet holds is buried deep within the pile. And when you consider that a carpet can eventually trap its own weight or more in soil - as much as 150 lbs for an average-sized living-room - you'll agree it's no trivial matter.

Regular professional cleaning can ensure:

Increased life expectancy - Eliminating many of the problems that may lead to carpet and soft furnishings needing to be replaced before their time.
Stain Removal - No longer worry about concealing those discomforting spots, marks and dried in spillages, professional cleaning can ensure removal of most stubborn stains.
A more hygienic environment - Complete removal of general dust, soil and accumulated debris.
Improved appearance - Even the oldest of carpets and furniture can look brand new following professional cleaning.
Elimination of mites and bacteria - Reducing the risk of allergies, mould and many other potential problems.
Deodorisation - Most odours can be eliminated by general professional cleaning and a professional carpet cleaner can offer specialist treatments to ensure a fresh, clean smelling carpet.

Why is just vacuuming not enough ?
Regular vacuuming is a necessity to keep your carpets clean and hygienic, and some of you will use other equipment to help maintain and preserve your valuable floor coverings. However, most domestic vacuum cleaners, shampooers and steamers, even the more powerful ones, haven't got what it takes to get rid of that deep-down dirt or nasty germs. This is one of those jobs for the professionals, with their highly sophisticated equipment and the training and experience to know how, when and where to use it.

For your local Dublin carpet cleaner call cleanbright  www.cleanbrightcarpet.eu

Stain removal tips

Some stain removal tips are well worth knowing, always remember however best practise is to completely avoid rubbing and over wetting by simply applying the solution to your clean cloth and press from the outside in to avoid spreading. Scrubbing any carpet or upholstery stain is always tempting but it will only penetrate the undesired colouration further. Be patient!

Here are some of our favourites:

• Pen ink - Apply hairspray and absorb with dry kitchen roll, repeat as necessary and then rinse gently with tepid water and blot dry.
• Coffee and Tea - Mix a liquid detergent such as Ariel Excel with an equal amount of white vinegar and apply gently using a blotting tecnique without any rubbing pressure. Finally rinse gently with weak vinegar solution and blot dry. This method is also used for alcohol, urine and soluble food stains.
• Best practise is to completely avoid rubbing and over wetting by simply applying the solution to your clean cloth and press from the outside in to avoid spreading. Scrubbing any carpet or upholstery stain is always tempting but it will only penetrate the undesired colouration further. Be patient!
• Chewing gum - Use crushed ice in a plastic bag to make the gum brittle without dampening the carpet fibres whilst scraping off gently with a knife. Any excess can be treated with nail varnish remover.
• Candle wax - Firstly remove what you can by scraping very gently so as not to damage the fibres using a blunt knife. Next, place a plain piece of paper and apply pressure with an iron on its lowest setting repeating until all the wax has been melted and absorbed by the paper.
• PVA or Craft glue - This is best removed with the gentle application of very hot but not boiling water, if a large quantity of the glue has set you will need to repeat the process several times for as long as it takes, use rubber gloves to withstand the heat.
• Super glue - Depending on your carpet, nail varnish remover with acetone is best but test it on an inconspicuous area first as it may cause discolouration or even melt carpet fibres.
• Blood - As soon as possible use a gentle salt+non alkaline soap solution (not washing up liquid) then blot. Bear in mind that for organic stains, enzymes found in biological soaps take time to work but are extremely effective. However if this does not remove the entire stain then use Resolve carpet cleaner as a failsafe method.
• Engine oil and grease - 'Surgical spirit' or 'rubbing alcohol' can be purchased from Asda or Boots and is usually the best method. Again, do not rub but blot the stain from the outside in. Sometimes general dirt (water soluble) will also be engrained in this stain type and should be removed in a secondary process with water based detergent (fairy liquid + warm water). Apply alcohol treatment again if necessary.
• Red wine - Blot the wet stain initially and then add just water to dilute the stain. After thoroughly blotting the stain again mix up a paste of water and baking soda and apply with gentle rubbing motion. Once dry, vacuum the remainder away.
• Furniture stains (wood varnish) - The best solution for this type of stain is often liberal application of WD40 then blotting. This can cause discoloration so always test a coloured carpet first. If however, this does not remove the entire stain give Resolve spot carpet cleaner dual power with oxi stain a try.
• Urine - For fresh urine stains apply wet paper towels to an area larger than the stain itself, use as heavy a weight as possible and leave for 30 minutes. Next apply an enzymatic cleaner found in most pet stores and use in accordance to the directions, finally, dry using paper towels and heavy weight method. Dry urine stains are more tricky, start by using above method for wet stains, next mix a teaspoon of bleach with a litre of distilled water and execute the same method with this solution. (An ultra-violet torch in a dark room will pinpoint any urine stain).

If in doubt consult a professional Cleanbright the Dublin carpet cleaner www.cleanbrightcarpet.eu

 

Cleanbright- the Dublin carpet cleaners: Tips on upholstery stains

Cleanbright- the Dublin carpet cleaners: Tips on upholstery stains: Another useful article form the web worth a look UPHOLSTERY CLEANING TIPS: DIY OR GO PRO? Spills, stains and normal wear and tear can le...

Bait and switch amazing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDQLwJoU0B8

Watch this video truly shocking

Tips on upholstery stains

Another useful article form the web worth a look

UPHOLSTERY CLEANING TIPS: DIY OR GO PRO?

Spills, stains and normal wear and tear can leave your upholstered furniture looking less than fresh. Should you clean it yourself or leave the job to the pros? That depends.

While manufacturers often recommend professional cleaning, many spots and stains can be treated at home without risk to the furniture. To help you decide, consider three main factors:

1. Fabric type

2. Size and location of stain

3. Type of stain

First, look at the manufacturer’s label to identify the fabric content. (If necessary, ask your retailer or check with the manufacturer). If the fabric is synthetic, you can usually safely clean it at home, since synthetic fabrics were designed for ease of care. If the fabric is a natural/synthetic blend, however, use caution and test a small, hidden patch first. If the upholstery is more than 50% cotton, professional cleaning may be your best bet if the stain is large, dark or in a very noticeable area.

The easiest upholstery stains to clean are those that are treated while they are still fresh. The hardest to clean are grease and oil. Any very large stain may be best left to a professional. Some tips on increasing your chance of successful results:

1. Moisture is not your friend. Use as little water as possible to clean upholstery. Try a spot remover first, but if you must use a water-based approach, use it sparingly for best results.

2. Upholstery sprays are inexpensive and often work well on organic stains, but they are ineffective on grease or oil.

3. Baby wipes are surprisingly effective for cleaning upholstery because they deliver the right amount of soap and water, are quite gentle, and evaporate quickly.

4. Coffee Stains: Combine a small amount of dish detergent, water and vinegar and dab sparingly until coffee disappears.

5. Mold or mildew: Mix a quarter cup of hydrogen peroxide and a quarter teaspoon of color safe bleach. Lightly rub the stain with a clean cloth dipped in the solution. Rub area with fresh water applied sparingly and let dry.

6. Stubborn Stains:

CRAYON: Try using non-gel toothpaste to remove crayon marks from water-safe upholstery. Rub it gently on the surface, a small section at a time, then wipe off with a damp cloth.

GREASE OR OIL: Sprinkle salt, cornstarch or talcum powder on the spot as soon as you discover it. Rub in carefully, allow grease to lift off upholstery and absorb into spot remover. Brush off grease and powder and wipe with a damp cloth.

Did you know you can reduce overall grime and soiling of your upholstered furniture by vacuuming it regularly? Special upholstery attachments for your vacuum system can make it easy to reach small corners and creases, and are safe for use on fabrics. Vacuum furniture at least every two months, or weekly if you have pets or allergies.

 

if in any doubt contact a professional

www.cleanbrightcarpet.eu

Cleanbright the Dublin carpet cleaner

DIY or professional, the dangers of diy

another good article by Kevin loomes this man knows his stuff

 

And why you could be very disappointed indeed

There's something special about having fresh, clean carpets. It makes you feel better and gives your guests a great welcome. Cleaning them yourself may have been an idea you may have thought about before - afterall there are lots of adverts saying how you can hire 'professional' machines and the results look really good. Great! You may think, I'll get them done at the weekend and save money too!

So off you go to the DIY store and hire a machine with detergents, and you get them in the back of the car and get home ready for action! After a whole day of slogging away, filling up, emptying etc - will you be impressed with the results?

The honest answer is more than likely not. But why do you say? It's quite simple really....so be prepared for a little education based on facts, and ignore it at your peril.

A small machine from a hire store has to be small for a reason. If it's too big you won't be able to lift it - or fit it in to your car. Now being so small (and light) means that there is a limit on power - hhmm you may think, surely a carpet cleaning machine is a carpet cleaning machine. Yes, but there are MASSIVE differences between different types - and ALL giving different results.

Basically the bigger the machine the heavier it gets - due to much bigger internal motors and pumps for example, meaning it will have more power, allowing much better results to be had. Lets take this further. As the power increases even more (and again, along with the weight and size of the machine) the better it will perform in the worst conditions. There will be more VACUUM, more HEAT and more water PRESSURE leaving carpets much cleaner, brighter and dryer.

So you really have to try and ignore the suggestively 'amazing' sales videos and literature that are associated with these machines and realise that it is essentially impossible to achieve the same result as a genuine professional machine (hire machines are certainly not professional by the way). But you have to understand that they want to sell the 'hiring' of these machines for a reason - it makes them money (hey they are a business afterall). So yes they will have great 'images' etc - merely offering visual representations (as opposed to actual genuine cleaning photos).

If you think about this situation logically - if it were true (i.e. they do the same job as any other machine) then companies (certainly in our case), wouldn't buy machines costing many thousands of pounds - no-one would want to waste that sort of money right? - ABSOLUTELY! But they don't do the same - nowhere near, which is why some companies invest heavily to give the ultimate cleaning experience to their clients (note: not all companies/individuals do).

So What Are The Hidden Dangers?
Well they certainly are present that's for sure, and we occasionally SEE the result - and rectify issues commonly experienced with them. I will list them - and if you have used one before you may notice one of them - or even all of them.

1) Poor results - due to lack of power from the machines
2) Damp carpets for days - causing smells
3) Mould build up - due to incorrect cleaning attempts
4) Delaminated carpets - caused by overwetting
5) Browning discolouration - caused by overwetting
6) Shrinkage - caused by excessive moisture
7) Rapid re-soiling - caused by high residue content of detergent left behind

The actual dangers are mould spores being breathed in which can cause health issues, and physically damaged carpets - which may have to be removed & replaced. THIS IS NOT A SCARE TACTIC. These are genuine problems that arise because of these machines. We had a client contact us recently who experienced the exact same problem and explained to me that it was a waste of time BUYING one of these machines as it now sits in her cupboard (and she will not use it any more). And yes, we visited her to clean her carpets properly.

So, the idea of saving a few pounds now.......well could it actually cost you more financially? Yes it could indeed, and you have been warned.

Author: Kevin Loomes

 

cleanbright the dublin carpet cleaner www.cleanbrightcarpet.eu

 

Agitation why do it

Another great article by kevin loomes

What On Earth is 'Agitation'? & Why Should it NEVER Be Missed?

And why every company should be doing it.

Its a simple process, an action of loosening soil to make it easier to remove from where it's attached to. It's not complicated, but it can and and does get missed - even though it's critically important.

Allow me to explain. If your washing your hands, you first apply a cleaning agent, and then you 'agitate' your hands together and then you rinse under water making them lovely and clean. If your washing your car, you put the sponge in to the bucket containing a cleaning product, and then you 'agitate' the paintwork - and rinse off with water to get a great shiny finish . If your washing your hair, you apply a shampoo and 'agitate' with your fingers prior to rinsing off and leaving it squeeky clean. I think you get the picture. Fundamentally they all require agitation to get the desired result.

So if we didn't agitate what we clean - and just applied the product and merely rinsed off - what would happen to your hands, your car or your hair? Well not a lot really, it really wouldn't look any different.

So logic says that ANY cleaning being undertaken, whether it's something as simple as above - or even cleaning a floor for example, tells you that you cannot miss this critical process otherwise there wouldn't be any proper cleaning being carried out. This is just a simple fact but one I hope you can now easily understand why it's such an important aspect to the whole cleaning service. It's simple isn't it? Yes it's really that simple!

So Why Should Every Company 'Do It' & How Does It Relate To Professional Cleaning?
Well first of all it is irrelevant whether a professional company carry it out or not - it's still the same principal. So if a company chooses to miss this aspect of the cleaning process, then they really are missing out on giving a thorough 'proper' clean. Whether it's carpets, upholstery, leather, rugs or hard floors, only by agitating will the item be really clean - prior to the rinsing action of the fibres or hard surface.

You know it makes logical sense, so if a company decides to miss out on this (i.e. carpet cleaning for example) - just ask them why, and see what they say. Maybe they charged a really low price and subsequently haven't got time to do it? It's quite a common scenario unfortunately, as something has to 'give' the lower the price goes.

So how does a company actually 'agitate'? Well it's the use of a separate machine that does the work - prior to the main machine rinsing it all out. This can be by different types of equipment, using brushes or pads for example, but essentially it massages the area deep down and loosens the soil, in conjunction with a suitable cleaning agent (and suitable equipment).

So, if you haven't yet experienced proper cleaning - then make sure your furnishings are agitated!

Author: Kevin Loomes

 

thought this was such a good piece , we always agitate ,but sadly alot of the cowboys dont
Cleanbright the Dublin carpet cleaners
www.cleanbrightcarpet.eu