Does your cat enjoy sharpening its nails on your carpet and upholstery? Here is the purrfect way to solve that problem! Invest in some scratching posts for your cat as a deterrent. If scratching posts aren't doing it for your cat, perhaps a cat tower or toys would be more readily accepted.
Carpet Care Tip: Clean spills as soon as possible.
Cleaning spills when they happen is the best solution ever for keeping carpet looking its best! Generally speaking you are much more likely to be able to remove a spot if you take care of it right away. You'll want to remove as much of the substance BEFORE using spotters or other cleaning techniques using a white towel to blot the affected area. When you've removed as much of the substance as you can, in most cases we'd recommend using the spotter we left you at the time of your last cleaning (make sure to spot test it first and read the directions on the bottle). If you run out, just let us know and we'll be happy to get you another one. For more carpet care tips (and exclusive promotions), be sure to subscribe to our newsletter on our website.
Does your carpet seem to get dirty fast? Part 3
Does your carpet seem to get dirty fast? Here are the top three ways to solve that problem:
3. Get your carpets cleaned by a professional on a regular basis. Be sure to ask about textile protection application at the time of the cleaning appointment, as it can increase the lifespan of the carpet and enable you to better maintain your carpet between cleanings!
(If you missed ways #1 & #2, check our earlier posts!)
Caring for Your Carpet During a Shelter-In-Place Order
Having a clean home has never been more important given our current circumstances. While some home cleaning tasks can be straight forward like doing dishes or laundry, other tasks like carpet care can be more daunting. Here are some tips on caring for your carpet while your home is your work/daycare/gym/oasis/etc.
Vacuum regularly. Under normal circumstances it’s recommended that you vacuum at least once a week, or twice a week if you have children or pets in the home. However, given the amount of time we are all spending at home, vacuuming every other day or even daily would be beneficial. Vacuuming reduces the amount of dry soil in your carpet, which causes wear and can be very unhealthy. Don’t forget to change the filter and empty the bag when it’s ⅔ full.
Make new house rules. If you don’t already remove your shoes before entering the home, now is a great time to start - this will help avoid tracking in all kinds of unwelcome visitors (think: bacteria, etc.) into the home and onto your carpet.
Avoid over-the-counter home carpet spotters. Many carpet spotters available at the store cause permanent color loss, which you may not notice until the time of your next professional cleaning when the color loss will be evident. We provide a home spotter we recommend with every cleaning appointment and are happy to provide you with another if you run out before we see you again.
Clean up spills right away. Time is of the essence when it comes to preventing permanent stains. Be sure to use a clean, white towel to absorb as much of the liquid as possible before treating it.
Keep the bleach away from the carpet. If you are using a bleach solution to disinfect your home, be sure to keep it off the carpet as bleach causes permanent color loss.
If you have any questions about the care of your carpet or would like to schedule a professional cleaning, we are here for you.
Does your carpet seem to get dirty fast? Part 2
Does your carpet seem to get dirty fast? Here are the top three ways to solve that problem:
2. Vacuum at least once a week. If there are children or pets in the home, at least twice a week would be ideal. Pet hair, dust, and grime can build up quick!
See our last post for #1 if you missed it and be sure to check back for #3!
Does your carpet seem to get dirty fast? Part 1
Does your carpet seem to get dirty fast? Here are the top three ways to solve that problem: 1. Remove shoes upon entering the home. Shoes can track a lot of debris onto your carpet, which can embed itself deep into the fibers. Keep that bacteria outside where it belongs! Check out our next post for #2!
Fabric Protection Part 2
Save money on carpet replacement! Professional textile protection application extends the life of the carpet, lengthening the use of your purchase. Fabric protector creates a barrier on the surface of the fiber that resists and repels dry soil, which enables you to vacuum up the particles before they have a chance to become deeply embedded. It also gives you time to clean up substances that can stain, like coffee and wine. It doesn't keep your carpet from getting dirty (it's not a miracle worker), but it helps you to maintain your carpet so it can have a longer life.
Positive Things About a Shelter-in-Place Order
There’s no doubt that the outbreak of COVID-19 has caused/is causing horrific things and negatively affecting the lives and livelihood of everyone everywhere. Our hearts go out to everyone directly affected by the virus and we are so grateful to the hardworking doctors, nurses, and other people who are fighting this on the front lines while putting themselves at risk in the process. While there’s a ton of negative things to be said about what’s going on, we’ve put together a lighthearted list of positive things about this unique time we’re all going through.
No need for excuses- You won’t have to make up excuses as to why you can’t make a dinner, party, or another social gathering. There’s no need to generate ideas on how you’re going to be sick that day (one month in advance), you have another commitment, etc.
Knowing what you really need- You’ll finally have the opportunity to see what you need and what you don’t. If after all of this you haven’t touched some of the books on your bookshelf, it’s probably a sign that you don’t need them and can let them go.
Quality family time- It’s not very often (ever in most of our lifetimes) that almost everything in life is cancelled and we have the time to spend with our loved ones. Cherish it!
Time- Time itself is a gift. While not all of us have the next who-knows-how-long off, if we have time on our hands, that is something very rare. Great inventions and ideas have come from people who took the time to dream or observe things. If you find yourself with a lot of time, use it wisely and you may find yourself in the history books as the next Thomas Edison (or insert historical character you aspire to be here).
Becoming more resourceful- With the widespread temporary business closures, now is a great opportunity to use things that you may have considered junk just a week ago. Reusing things isn’t just economical, it’s great for the environment as well.
Learning a new skill- There’s never been a better time to learn something new! There’s tons of online classes and how-to videos so you can learn new things.
Living a cleaner life- The importance of cleanliness couldn’t be stressed more than it already has so now is a prime time to make our home healthier with a deep cleaning. If you don’t know where to start, try searching for tips on Pinterest. If you need professional help, it is still available.
Outdoor time- As of the time of writing this article, we are still permitted to go outdoors for running, hiking, or walking as long as we maintain social distancing. We live in a beautiful place to live so why not get outside and enjoy it?
Time to exercise- There are many local gyms offering online workouts you can do from home. Join the party!
Appreciate nature- If you have a window, open it and listen to the birds chirping. There’s a lot of beauty in nature that you can observe from the comfort of your own home.
This wasn’t meant to be a comprehensive list of everything positive about this situation so we know there’s a lot we missed. Why not take the time to write out some of the positive things you have found about this situation? Dwelling on the good can make us much more equipped to deal with our current situation, whatever that is.
