Why learn about carpet fibers? Simply put, knowing a little something about your carpet can help you to make educated choices with regards to how you care for your carpet. This series of posts will take you through the common carpet fibers, highlighting the advantages and also the disadvantages of each fiber type. If you don’t know what your carpet fiber is, don’t fret- most people don’t. We’ll be sure to highlight the most common types and next time you have your carpet professionally cleaned, be sure to ask your cleaning technician what it is for future reference!
What You Should Know About the Different Carpet Fibers
Why learn about carpet fibers? Simply put, knowing a little something about your carpet can help you to make educated choices with regards to how you care for your carpet. This series of posts will take you through the common carpet fibers, highlighting the advantages and also the disadvantages of each fiber type. If you don’t know what your carpet fiber is, don’t fret- most people don’t. We’ll be sure to highlight the most common types and next time you have your carpet professionally cleaned, be sure to ask your cleaning technician what it is for future reference!
How Do I Prepare For A Professional Carpet Cleaning?
We like to make the cleaning process as simple as possible for our customers. In advance of the technician’s arrival, it’s best if you can move all small items off the carpet, including but not limited to toys, plants, small furniture, etc. in the rooms that you are planning on having cleaned. If you have any questions or concerns, just let us know. We are here to help!
Carpet Care Tip: Be Leery of Home Carpet Spotters
The market is filled with a wide array of carpet spotters. Although most say to first test in an inconspicuous area, when that moment of panic sets in, that instruction tends to get forgotten. One big problem with carpet spotters (particularly with the pet spotters) is that a lot of them remove the color from your carpet along with whatever you were trying to get out. Although whatever you spilled on your carpet could have been removed with a professional cleaning, the resulting color loss from your efforts to treat the spill is now a permanent stain. You may not notice this color loss or the extent of it until you have a professional carpet cleaning as dirt can disguise this. When you book a carpet cleaning with us, we will give you a spotter to help you maintain your carpet between cleanings. It’s important to blot the spill with a white towel to absorb as much of the soil/liquid as possible right away before utilizing a spotting agent if you choose to do so. If there’s a spot you can’t get out or want professional help with, just let us know. We are here to help!
Carpet Care Tip: Use An Ironing Board
If you thought using your carpet as an ironing board was a good idea, it’s time to rethink that. The majority (over 90%) of the carpet installed in residential homes is essentially made out of plastic. Plastic and hot irons don’t go together well so it’s a good idea to invest in an ironing board to prevent burns in your carpet like the one pictured here.
Care Tip: Keep Acne Products Off The Carpet
Many acne products (along with other anti-aging beauty products) contain benzoyl peroxide as an active ingredient. It may be surprising to know that benzoyl peroxide is a strong, oxidizing/bleaching agent. When it comes into contact with carpet fibers and/or upholstered fabrics, it can cause permanent color loss that may appear hours, days, or months after the contact, long after you would likely remember the contact having occurred. Benzoyl peroxide has been found to be almost 100 times more powerful than household chlorine bleach so it’s capable of causing color loss at very low concentrations. Keeping your acne products (and other benzoyl peroxide products) off your carpet and upholstery is important and helpful in keeping your home look it’s very best!
Why You May Want to Reconsider Wearing Shoes Inside Your Home
Removing shoes before entering the home can be a pain but there are some valid reasons for doing so. One study conducted at the University of Arizona found an average of 421,000 bacteria on the outside of shoes, with 9 different strains of bacteria, including the well known and dreaded E coli. These potentially harmful bacteria can survive on your shoes for days or even weeks and can be tracked on to your carpets or floors. Wearing shoes indoors can also track in toxins from harmful chemicals used on lawns or asphalt onto your carpet, in addition to dirt. While keeping shoes off the carpet can promote a healthier home, it’s still a good idea to keep up regular carpet cleanings every 6-18 months or so depending on your lifestyle. When you’re ready for a clean home, let us know. We can help!
