Do’s and Don’ts for spot cleaning

When cleaning up spills and spots on your carpet there are several important things to remember.  Here are some do’s and don’t that will assist you in treating your stain without causing further damage to your carpet.

Don’t wait to clean the spot or spill.

Do treat the spot immediately.  The general rule is the sooner you get on the spill or spot the better.

Don’t even attempt a difficult stain such as paint or nail polish as you may cause further damage to the carpet and permanently set the stain.

Do call a professional whenever the spot looks too overwhelming or difficult.

Don’t aggressively rub the carpet hoping that the more elbow grease you use the better your chances of removing the stain.  This can actually worsen your issue by permanently damaging the carpet fibers.

Do blot the spill with a plain white towel working from the outside in.  Much of a spill can be removed before you ever even need to pull out a cleaner.  Be patient and continue to blot until no more liquid can be transferred to the towel.

Don’t use harsh cleaners.  Unfortunately, many off the shelf carpet cleaners are not effective and can even set the stain.  Let’s face it, if they were so great professional carpet cleaners would be using them.  These cleaners can not only discolor your carpet but have also been known to remove the color completely.  We’ve heard it all from customers who grab a bottle of bleach to clean their carpet stains to using windex on their carpet.  Hey it works on everything, right?  NOT!

Do add a few drops of a clear dishwashing liquid to a spray bottle filled with water. Spray directly onto carpet and continue to blot the area until you no longer see the spot transferring to the towel.  If the stain is not removed using this method we suggest you call a professional.

Suggestions for selecting a carpet cleaning company

• A carpet cleaners reputation should be very important to them.  What their customers say about them speaks volumes about the type of company they are and the integrity of those running the company.  Always check testimonials and customer reviews on any company you are considering using.

• Professional carpet cleaners are educated in their field.  Although there are no required standards within the carpet cleaning industry, a company who wants to provide their customers with top notch service and expertise will invest in their education.  The IICRC provides certifications for carpet cleaners and sets standards for excellence within the carpet cleaning industry.

• All equipment is not the same.  Many “professionals” choose to not invest in the equipment necessary to effectively remove dirt and pollutants from your home or office.  High powered truck-mounted equipment with a 4 cylinder engine or larger has the ability to heat up the water so the dirt and grime peels off of your carpet and the pollutants are extracted.

• A money back guarantee ensures you that you will receive incredible service and results or your money will be promptly returned.  You deserve to receive the quality service you’ve paid for so always make sure that a company stands behind their work and will do whatever necessary to make you happy.