Showing posts with label home and garden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home and garden. Show all posts

Friday, November 8, 2013

Tips on How to Pick the Right Allen Carpet Cleaning Company

Carpet cleaning is a great way to freshen and brighten you home and any carpet cleaning method should do just that. However, choosing the right Allen carpet cleaning method will not only make your home feel fresher, it will make your carpet the cleanest its ever been. You can get the cleanest carpet from your Carpet Cleaning Allen Company by understanding carpet staining and knowing the difference between cleaning methods. Based off your cleaning habits, you can choose a carpet cleaning method that fits your needs.

Understanding Carpet Stains
High traffic patterns are the most common household carpet stains and of course are caused by foot traffic. The main cause of high traffic pattern stains is a large buildup of dirt and oils trapped in the carpet fibers. The oils trapped in the fibers cause the dirt to seep into the fiber as well causing the discoloration. Dirt causes the most damage to carpet, therefore in high traffic/buildup areas; dirt tears the fibers apart increasing the carpets vulnerability to stains. The best way to avoid these stains is to vacuum frequently, 1-3 times a week, and to use rugs to capture the dirt and oils to help stop them from settling into the carpet.

Pet stains can reside in carpet from just the surface to as deep as the subflooring. Stains on the surface can be easily cleaned with home solutions. Untreated deep stains become reoccurring stains as the surface is cleaned, the stain reappears as it wicks upward from the padding. Stains that lie in the carpet padding and subflooring need the attention of a carpet cleaning Allen professional to disinfect and remove the smell.

Know differences between carpet cleaning methods
Different Allen Carpet Cleaning Companies offer different types of carpet cleaning, each having their benefits. The most common type of cleaning offered is steam cleaning, a hot water extraction method. As a high moisture process, the carpets remain wet for several hours, leaving them prone to re-soiling. This method is a great method for annual cleaning to get rid of heavy dirt build up as long as this process is completed correctly.

Bonnet cleaning, as used by Kiwi Carpet Cleaning, is a low moisture cleaning system that is perfect for regular cleanings. This method works by spraying a cleaning solution onto the carpet then using a super absorbent buffering pad to pick up the dirt and oils trapped in the carpet fibers. Once the carpet is clean, the Allen carpet cleaning company should groom the carpets to lift the fibers, which aids the drying process, and breaks up the deeply embedded dirt, which is easily vacuumed up after the carpet is dry. What makes this method great for regular cleanings is that the carpets dry quickly after cleaning and with regular cleanings, dirt is unable to build up and cause damage, making your carpets stay beautiful for longer.

Choose a company based off your cleaning routines
The EPA recommends vacuuming and professional Allen carpet cleaning 1-3 times a week/year. With a regular vacuuming schedule, carpets will have less dirt build up and need a less intensive carpet cleaning method like bonnet cleaning. Regular bonnet cleanings every 3-4 months will keep your carpets healthy and extend the life of the carpet with the regular removal of dirt.

Homes that vacuum less frequently and have large amounts of dirt buildup may consider a deeper, more intensive cleaning method like steam cleaning, twice a year. As the dirt builds up in the home, high traffic patterns become more apparent and damages the carpets. Even with bi-annual cleanings, these cleaning habits will cause the carpets to wear out sooner as the dirt continually frays the carpet making the carpet appear dirtier and stain more easily.

Understanding the difference between carpet cleaning methods is the best way to choose a cleaning company, as you can choose the best on to fit your needs. Knowing how to choose a carpet cleaning Allen company will help make your carpets cleaner and healthier.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Sugar Land’s Carpet Cleaning Secrets

Kiwi Carpet Cleaning in Sugar Land thinks that everyone should have beautifully clean carpets, not just those who have their carpets cleaned regularly. They have some simple tips for you to know and understand how dirt and stains appear in carpets. These tips will help you prevent dirt and stains from settling into your carpets, and keep them looking beautiful between professional Sugar Land carpet cleanings.

Dirt Causes the Most Damage
Dirt causes the most damage to carpet, not walking or shoes. Dirt causes damage from becoming embedded into the carpet pile therefore rubbing against the fibers causing tearing and fraying. Dirt is deposited into carpets from the bottoms of shoes and feet. The most dirt builds up around entrances, aiding in the creation of a “traffic lane.” However, with regular vacuuming, one to three times a week according to the EPA, dirt build up can be reduced and help prevent or reduce the appearance of a traffic lane.

Another way to reduce dirt buildup is to use mats at each entrance to the home. Simply using these mats can reduce the amount of dirt by about 80% as they help to scrap dirt off shoes before they enter the home. Even enforcing a no shoes rule will reduce the spread of dirt.

Oil Creates the Traffic Lane
Dirt gathers at the bottom of the carpet pile until it is vacuumed up, leaving the pile looking clean. When oil is present in the fibers, dirt becomes trapped within the oils causing the grey traffic lane. Oils are picked up when you step in any kind of liquid then then later walk on to carpet. Common areas in the home that release the most oils are the kitchen and bathroom. Oils from these areas become air born and fall to the ground where feet pick them up and transfer them to the nearest carpeted area.

Sugar Land Carpet Cleaning recommends the use of rugs around the home to help stop the spread of oils and liquids. Rugs that capture these oils can be washed once they start to look dirty or thrown away. The most important areas to place these rugs are near the areas where oils are used frequently, including the kitchen and the bathroom.

Re-occurring Stains Reside in the Carpet Pad
Re-occurring stains are caused by liquids that have stayed on the carpet for too long. That liquid is drawn down through the fiber past the backing and into the carpet padding. When the carpets become wet again the stain will be drawn up from the carpet padding, back into the fibers. This is how residual pet stains and odors happen in carpets. The best way to avoid re-occurring stains is to blot stains as soon as they happen, to pick up the excess liquid. To treat residual pet stains, call a carpet cleaning Sugar Land professional, as they are able to treat the carpet padding or subfloor.

Get the Right Type of Carpet Cleaning in Sugar Land
Generally, when people think about carpet cleaning, they thing about steam cleaning. What they don’t realize is there are other types of carpet cleaning, like bonnet cleaning. Steam cleaning, when performed correctly, is great for picking up large amounts of dirt and for annual carpet cleanings. Bonnet cleaning, as offered by this carpet cleaning Sugar Land company, is a great way to deep clean the carpet fibers, and loosen deeply embedded dirt. The bonnet gently removes dirt and oil from within the carpet fibers and breaks down dirt particles at the carpet backing. Bonnet cleaning is safe to use multiple times a year and can prevent the need for a steam cleaning.


Carpets will age prematurely from dirt, oil and foot traffic. However, if your carpets are maintained properly, you can extend the life of your carpet and keep it looking beautiful. Regular vacuuming and carpet cleanings will help prevent dirt from fraying the carpet fibers and stains from settling into the carpet padding. Knowing and understanding how dirt and stains affects your carpet plus regular maintenance will keep your carpets beautiful longer. 

Monday, June 11, 2012

How to Eliminate Pet Stains

Although we love our furry friends dearly, there is nothing worse than arriving home and finding a big surprise on your carpets, floors, or upholstery. 
 
Pet stains or pet odors are one of the main reasons homeowners call and schedule a carpet cleaning, which is unsurprising to those of us who have ever had to deal with pet accidents. So what should you do when your pet has an accident in your home?

The best thing to do is simply act quickly.  Like any other carpet stain, the quicker you tend to it, the less likely it will set into your carpet. When you know that your dog or cat has left behind an accident, immediately grab a bunch of newspapers or paper towels to soak up as much of the urine as possible. If you can't find the accident spot, it might be a good idea to invest in a black light. Turn of all the lights and turn your black light on and the spots should instantly reveal themselves.

It's important that when you're cleaning up the mess, that you don't to scold or strike your pet after she's eliminated on the floor. If you rub your pet's nose into the mess or strike her after she's eliminated indoors, then it might make her afraid to ever use the bathroom in front of you again.

Once you've soaked up as much of the urine as possible, it's best to call a professional carpet cleaner. Many of the pet stain cleaning solutions on the market can bleach, oversaturate, or dye your carpets. 

Kiwi's professional carpet cleaning technicians have been thoroughly trained in our three-step pet stain removal process: 

  • First, your technician will try to eliminate the stain and odor on the carpet surface. 
  • If the stain and odor persist, the technician will then inject an antimicrobial treatment into the carpet padding. 
  • If the stain and odor are still present after the injection, your technician will then lift up the carpet, replace the padding, and wash and seal the floor beneath. 
Kiwi Services can always get your home back to fresh after your pet has an accident, but the best way to keep your home fresh is by preventing pet stains and odors before they happen.

Here are some tips to train your furry friend to prevent an accident inside:

  •  If your cat is the culprit of the indoor accidents, make sure his litter box is in a place where he is truly comfortable and feels like he has privacy. Cats are notorious for being very particular about everything, especially the placement of their box. Be sure to put a lot of distance between their food bowl and their litter box. Also be sure to keep their boxes away from loud appliances, as this might scare them out of the room and force them to eliminate in the hallway or on the couch. 
  • If you're training a new puppy, the key is to be patient. It might even be a good idea to take a couple of days off work, just to ensure that you've established a routine with your new pet. 
  • Take your dog outside every couple of hours when they're inside with you. Never let a puppy wander around alone inside the house, because the second you turn your head, you'll have a pet stain on your new rug. 
  • Reward your dog with treats and affection when they have been properly trained to use the bathroom outdoors.
  • Take up the water dish a couple of hours before bedtime, so you can know for sure that they don't need to go outside.  
For more information about carpet treatment or carpet cleaning, be sure to call Kiwi today! Our friendly customer service representatives will answer any questions you may have about any of our services.