Month: December 2021

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Carpet cleaning tips

The Best Techniques on How to Remove Shoe Polish from Carpet

Shoe polish stains are near the top of the most common stain league, up there with stains like paint and spilt milk.

Have you spotted a shoe polish stain on your carpet while cleaning? Are you wondering how to get the stain out?

Shoe polishes are available in wax, cream, or liquid forms and no matter how careful you are polishing your shoes, some of them will get on your carpet.

Whether black or brown shoe polish, an untreated shoe polish stain can make your carpet unattractive to the eyes. Though it might seem difficult to deal with the shoe polish stain, there are simple ways to remove it.

Here are the best techniques to deal with shoe polish stains on your carpet

Removing Shoe Polish from Carpet Using Rubber Alcohol

When used properly, rubbing alcohol is a great liquid substance to remove shoe polish from the carpet. Here are simple steps to ensure you remove all the stains without damaging your carpet.

  • First, scrape up the shoe polish stainwith a plastic spoon or butter knife. Be sure to have a paper towel or a clean cloth near you to deposit the polish. Don’t forget to wipe off the spoon or knife after each scrape to avoid reapplying the polish. Also, make sure you discard the paper towel or cloth carefully to avoid dropping it on the carpet again.
  • After you are done scraping the shoe polish, pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a paper towel or white cloth. Start carefully blotting the affected spot working from the outside towards the inwards. Continue to gently blot the stain while ensuring you use a clean section of the cloth until you longer see any polish on the cloth.
  • Get another white cloth or paper towel, dip it into the water and gently press it on the affected area of the carpet several times.
  • Next, use a dry white cloth to absorb the moisture
  • That’s not all, add a small amount of liquid soap to a cup of lukewarm water. Dip your paper towel in the soapy solution and gently press the affected area while avoiding soaking the carpet pad.
  • Finally, blot the area with a dry white cloth to remove the soap. Continue blotting the area until it is completely dry.

Removing Shoe Polish from Carpet with Nail Polish Remover

If you own a white or a light carpet, a nail polisher remover will be effective when removing fresh shoe polish stain from your carpet. Just ensure the bottle is labeled both non-acetone and dye-free to prevent it from altering the color of the carpet.

So, to remove the shoe polish from your carpet, here are the effortless steps to follow:

  • Pour a non-acetone nail polish remover on a white cloth or paper towel
  • Gently rub the affected area of the carpet with the soaked white cloth or paper towel making sure you stay clear of the unaffected area.
  • Mix at least 2 cups of warm water with non-bleach liquid detergent and directly apply the mixture onto the stain using a white cloth.
  • Next, wearing protective gloves mix a cup of water with s tablespoon of household ammonia. 
  • Dip a clean white cloth in the solution and continue blotting the affected area.
  • Once done pressing the area, rinse with a lot of cold water and then blot it with a dry cloth.
  • Leave it to air dry before vacuuming the area.

Removing Shoe Polish from Carpet with White Vinegar

Sometimes you may find yourself not having any rubbing alcohol or nail polisher remover. Nonetheless, if you have any vinegar, you can still remove the shoe polish stain from your carpet.

Here is how:

  • The first step is mixing the vinegar with hot water in a spray bottle
  • Spritz the mixture on the stained area several times and allow it to settle for 30 minutes.
  • After the time is up, blot the  stained area with a white dry clean cloth
  • Don’t stop there but rinse the area thoroughly to prevent the vinegar from discoloring the carpet.
  • Let the affected area air dry

Removing Stubborn Shoe Polish from Carpet with Hydrogen Peroxide

Some shoe polish stains are hard to remove but don’t worry as hydrogen peroxide will take care of that. Being a bleaching agent you just need to apply it carefully.

  • First, mix one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide with 3 cups of cold water
  • Apply the solution to the stained area and cover the stain with a thick towel for 20 to 30 minutes to block any direct sunlight.
  • Make sure to check after every 10 minutes to ensure the solution hasn’t lightened the carpet.
  • Afterwards dab the affected area with a white cloth to remove the hydrogen peroxide.
  • Finally, blot the area with a dry cloth to remove excess moisture then leave it to air dry.

Final Words

As you can see there are different techniques on how to remove shoe polish from your carpet. The trick is to follow the instructions carefully whichever method you choose to remove the shoe polish stain.

Don’t forget if it comes to any bleach products like hydroxide peroxide and ammonia you need to protect your hands by wearing gloves at all times. Also, always use the recommended amount to avoid damaging your carpet.

Remember to always test these remedies on a hidden spot of the carpet before applying to the affected area.

In case the shoe polish doesn’t completely come out of your carpet, use a professional carpet cleaning service to deal with the stain.

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Carpet cleaning tips

How to Remove Red Wine Stains from Your Carpet

Seasonal festivities include going to parties, hosting parties, and juggling day-to-to-day obligations. While attending holiday parties is fun, there’s something special about having all of your loved ones and friends over to your house for the holidays. Having fun can quickly turn sour when there’s a wine spill on the carpet, which no one wants to deal with. Don’t worry; we’ll cover how to remove red wine stains from the carpet in this article.

Getting Red Wine Out of Carpet – How to Remove Stains

You should know how to treat a red wine stain whether you spilled it, saw it spill, or it’s in your house. Let’s take a look at a few things you can do right now.

Take Action Right away

The most critical factor is the passage of time. A quick response is critical in the case of a red wine spill. While getting down to the ground to begin blotting can be difficult when the house is crowded with guests and children scurrying about, the effort is well worth it! To put it simply, speed makes it easier to remove stains from the carpet because it takes less time for the dye to absorb into the fibers.

  1. First, try a glass of water.

Simply using water to remove a wine stain is surprisingly effective if you can get to the stain quickly. The stain can be removed quickly by blotting with a wet cloth, spray bottle, or even a few drops from a cup. To keep in mind is not to over-saturate the carpet with water until it reaches the carpet pad. The next step is to blot the excess water.

It may be worth experimenting with club soda or vinegar in addition to plain old water if that doesn’t do the trick. When all else fails, use a tiny amount of the store-bought carpet cleaning product you got, but only if none of the other options worked. Several carpet cleaners leave behind a tough-to-remove residue.

2. Instead of scrubbing, use a paper towel to blot the surface.

Yes, you read that correctly, do not scrub. As much as we want to scrub, scrubbing red wine stains from carpet can make them worse. A stain on any fabric or fiber rubbed with a stiff bristle brush will enlarge and become chemically bonded to the fibers. Yikes!

Because of this, it’s recommended that you start blotting the red wine stain on the outside and work your way in. You want to stop the stain from spreading, so use a blotting motion from the stain’s edges outward. Again, gently blot from the outside in, with a spray bottle of water or a damp rag. Continue this procedure until the stain is completely removed from the carpet.

  • Time for Cold Water

After you’ve blotted and believed you’ve removed most of the red wine stain from your carpet, dab a small amount of cold water over the spot. This will help you see if there is still a stain by diluting whatever is left. Now, when we say a few drops, we mean a few drops. Re-apply the blotting technique if necessary to remove any remaining stain.

The best way to remove dried red wine stains from carpet

There are times when you have to rush to get to the wine. Either you don’t notice it, you’re too busy to go there, or you tried but were redirected. Whichever method you use, will depend on the cause of removing the dried red wine.

  1. Using Salt as a Reagent

To use the salt method, you add salt to the dried red wine and sit for a while. When using salt, be sure to wet the dried red wine stain first. It doesn’t use a lot of water, so it won’t soak through the carpet pad. Add plenty of salt after the stain has been wetted down.

NONE of the salt should be scrubbed or blotted. Check on the salt in the morning after you’ve left it there all night. When you wake up the following day, look for pink crystallized salt on the ground. Sweep the salt away and dispose of it after the moisture has dried, and then vacuum it up.

2. Using Vinegar as a Preservative

To remove a dried stain:

  1. White vinegar, dishwashing liquid, and two cups of warm water
  2. Be cautious not to over-saturate the stain by using the entire two cups.
  3. Blot the dried stain as soon as it’s ready.

To remove a stain, dab it with a wet rag and blot it with a dry cloth. This procedure should be repeated as necessary until the stain has been removed.

Be Aware of When to Hire a Pro

Some stains won’t budge no matter how hard you scrub or how many times you use these methods. Give us a call if you have a difficult-to-remove stain, such as a red wine stain or another stain.

Remember to take notes! It’s a great time to schedule your carpet cleaning with a local carpet cleaning company for after the holidays. They’ll be able remove additional stains you may have such as paint stains or mud stains. If your carpets see a lot of foot traffic, we recommend having them professionally cleaned at least once a year.

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Carpet cleaning tips

Your Guide to Removing Mud and Muddy Paw Prints from Your Carpet

Depending on where you live, mud and muddy paw prints on your carpet might happen all year long. Dog owners call muddy paw prints a true nightmare as they keep fighting with mud stains on their carpets on rainy days. As mud season is already here, find out some of the most effective tips for removing mud and muddy paw prints from your carpet.

1. Vinegar solution

Pour half a cup of vinegar into a mixing basin, then add a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid and stir thoroughly. Apply the solution to the mud stain with a brush and slightly rub it in the stain.

Rinse the spot with tepid water and a clean towel. Rep the procedure till the discoloration has vanished. Finally, use a towel to dry the affected area. Vinegar may also be used to remove oil stains from carpets. Just mix eight parts water, equal parts glycerine and dishwashing soap, and several drops of white vinegar. Stir well. Vinegar may also help you fight red wine stains.

2. Dishwashing detergent

Collect most of the mud clumps on the carpet. Wear cleaning gloves to keep your hands safe. Apply a powder made from baking soda and a pinch of salt onto the mud stain. Allow it to rest for a few hours to absorb all of the moisture from the affected area. Vacuum your carpet to see if the stains disappear.

Add one tablespoon of dishwashing detergent to a couple of cups of warm water. Saturate the affected area with the solution. You can use a clean kitchen cloth or a sponge for this. Using a paper towel, blot the excess liquid.

Repeat the whole process until the mud stains are gone. Using cold water, sponge the carpet and wipe it away with a paper towel. Allow it to air dry.

3. Isopropyl alcohol

Before you use isopropyl alcohol, do a small spot test on a hidden area of your carpet. If there’s no reaction like discolouration or colour bleeding, then you can give this trick a try. Blot the affected area with the isopropyl alcohol, rinse it off with cold water and blot again until dry.

4. Commercial stain remover

When DIY solutions don’t work miracles, you might want to try a commercial stain remover. Just spray it on the stained spots and let it sit. Use a brush, sponge or paper towel to wipe your carpet clean. Repeat the process if needed.

Consider a professional carpet cleaning

Consider hiring your friendly professional carpet cleaners in Milton Keynes if you just don’t have the time or the right gear to deal with the mud stains on your own. One of the biggest perks of professional cleaning is that there’s little to no chance that your carpet will be ruined.

Final word

Getting rid of mud and muddy paw prints on your carpet may seem like an easy process. However, as you can see, it’s complicated. If you do something wrong, you might ruin your carpet or end up with a stain that will stay on your carpet forever. Find out how to remove other stubborn stains including red wine stains, candle wax and more by reading on. We have lots of content on stain removal on our blog.

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Carpet cleaning tips

Want to Fluff Up your Carpet? Here’s How.

Admit it: your carpet isn’t what it used to be. Whether the dozens of footprints have made their mark or the furniture has created dents in the rug, it can seem difficult to get it back to its fluffy self. You can get rid of carpet smells and stains with a good cleaning. You may manage to get rid of superficial flatness with the help of a brush or a vacuum cleaner, but when it comes to those deep dents, it won’t do much.

When a carpet is flat it loses some of it’s filtering properties and you won’t fully benefit from some of the health benefits associated with those filtering properties.

Luckily for you, there are many options when it comes to fluffing up your carpet, and they’re all pretty simple. Head on into your kitchen cabinet to grab supplies and let’s get started.

Method #1: Water and Vinegar

Your kitchen probably already has the supplies needed to try out this carpet-fluffing trick.

  • Using a clean spray bottle, mix equal parts of water and vinegar. Cover the affected area of the carpet and make sure to cover it evenly, without oversaturating it. It should be moist, not soaking wet.
  • Let the mixture sit on the carpet for around 10-30 minutes, depending on how large the flattened area is. This will give it time to work through all the carpet fibers. For superficial dents, 10 minutes works fine. For deeper impressions, give it a half-hour.
  • Use a white towel or clean cloth to blot up the excess liquid, gently pressing it into the area. Be careful with this step, you don’t want to press too hard and flatten the carpet again.
  • Using a clean spoon, scrape the carpet against the grain in straight lines. By pressing the spoon into the area, your carpet fibers will lift up. If the spoon doesn’t seem to be doing the trick, try with a fork or a brush (make sure it has non-metal bristles).
  • Lastly, let the carpet air dry before stepping on it or returning the furniture to its place. Let it dry completely, which might take a couple of hours. Make yourself a tea and wait for the final result.

Method #2: Melted Ice

You might not need to look any further than your freezer for a way to fluff up your carpet.

  • Place an ice cube on the dent, two if the dent is more than two inches wide.
  • Wait for the ice to completely melt. Depending on the size of your dents and the number of ice cubes used, this might take anywhere from 20 minutes to more than an hour.
  • Once it’s completely melted, blot the excess water up with a clean, white towel, pressing gently. Remember: the towel has to be white, you don’t want any color transfer on your newly-cleaned carpet.
  • Using a spoon, a fork, or a non-metal bristle brush, lift the dents until the fibers stand up straight. Allow to air dry and enjoy the results.

Method #3: Use an Iron

Using a clothes iron just might get you out of a tough spot when you’re trying to fluff up your carpet, and it can also help you out if you need to remove candle wax from your carpet.

  • Before starting, place a warm, wet, white cloth over the dent.
  • Grab your clothes iron and set it to medium heat. Do not put the iron directly onto your carpet, but rather hover it a few inches above and move it in a circular motion. Do this for 30-60 seconds and check for results, repeating as necessary.
  • Using your fingers, a spoon, a fork, or a non-metal brush, fluff up the area to make the fibers spring back up. Brush the carpet afterward to give it an even look and let air dry.

Method #4: Blow Dryer

Your trusty blow dryer can take a break from your bathroom to help aid you in fluffing up your carpet.

  • Fill a clean spray bottle with warm water. Make sure it’s not too hot, you don’t want to damage your carpet.
  • Spray the flattened area with water, but don’t soak it. It should be moist.
  • Set the blow dryer to the lowest heat setting and hold it about six inches from the carpet. Turn it on and move it back and forth across the affected area, making sure not to damage it.
  • Once again, use your fingers, a non-metal brush, or a spoon to drag across the carpet and bring the fibers upright. Let it air dry and you’re done.

Getting your carpet looking its best isn’t as hard as it might seem. Using the methods above, you’ll be able to give your carpet a makeover that brings those pesky dents back to life. Alternatively if you live in Milton Keynes and you don’t want to go through the hassle of fluffing up your carpets yourself. Give us a call for Professional Carpet Cleaning in Milton Keynes. Our thorough carpet cleaning process will revive your fibres, helping your carpet to retain its fluffy appearance.

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Carpet cleaning tips

Removing ’Wet Carpet’ Odors

Water damage is one of the most common problems faced by households and is the second highest category of insurance claims in the United Kingdom. The source of the damage can be traced back to numerous causes including weather, climate, accidents and household negligence. Water damage shows up in many forms, one of the most common being wet carpets and the associated odours.

While most water damage can be easily removed with some good old fashioned ‘elbow grease’, the emanating foul odours can stick around long after the immediate cleanup has been completed. Having a fungal odor in your carpeting (and associated mold infestation) can have detrimental health and psychological effects. It is vital that ‘wet carpet’ odour issues be dealt with quickly and effectively especially if one is susceptible to allergens in their environment. That way they can continue to enjoy the health benefits that come with having a clean, dry carpet.

Some Reasons Why ‘Wet Carpet’ Odours May Not Be Safe

After your initial clean-up is complete, you need to ensure that there are no lingering odours. A musty odour emerging off your carpeting indicates that mold or mildew is likely to be forming. Mold and mildew flourish in moist environments and have the ability to spread like wildfire, inflicting considerable damage to your property and have the potential to cause serious health issues.

Mold and mildew will often aggravate existing breathing issues and, in the case of young kids, can indeed cause new ones. Fungal spore formations could impair the immune system, putting everybody in the house at increased risk of illness or viral transmission.

Mold development may also put your carpeting and floors at danger of early degradation.

How Do I Remove Odours?

Fortunately, the foul odour that might linger in your carpets after a water damage incident can be removed with the right products. There are several modest and practical measures that you may take to remove odours from your wet carpets and enhance the overall environment of your home.

Method 1 – Baking Soda

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a widely used material, including for baking. Odor causing agents tend to have acidic values. Baking soda assists in lowering the acidic values of these agents to levels at which the odours are eliminated or controlled.

Baking soda is effective in absorbing smells and moisture. Just get a package of baking soda from your local supermarket and generously apply it to the affected area of your carpeting. Spread the baking soda evenly with a brush or sponge, gently massaging the powder into the carpeting as you go to ensure that it is well absorbed.

You can enhance the effects of the baking soda by mixing in 10-15 drops of a suitable inexpensive essential oil such as orange, lemon or palmarosa. A more expensive option would be lavender.

Leave the baking soda to sit on the carpeting for at least 12 hours and then vacuum the treated area thoroughly. Make use of the most powerful vacuum you can get and be sure to cover the whole area of the carpeting with it. Afterwards, vacuum the carpet a second or third time, being sure to go through every part from at least two separate angles.

If baking soda is not available, powdered borax (sodium borate) can produce comparable results. Care should be taken to follow any safety recommendations provided by the manufacturer.

Method 2 – Vinegar

Plain white vinegar contains a high concentration of acidity. The acidity promotes antiseptic, antimicrobial and antibacterial properties which can assist in odor removal. Not only can it destroy mildew and mold (which cause odours), but it may also be used to soften and remove other dirt from your carpeting which may also contribute to controlling bad odours.

Preparing an odor removal solution is as simple as mixing 2 cups (0.5 L) warm water, 1 tablespoon (15 mL) white vinegar, and 1 teaspoon (5 mL) sodium bicarbonate in suitable bottle. Stir the solution completely before applying it generously on the carpeting with a spray bottle. An old wife’s tale suggests that the effects of the solution can be enhanced with a dash of vodka.

The application of the solution is likely to result in a strong vinegar smell, particularly if the area is not well ventilated. The smell of the vinegar will dissipate in a few hours. After the solution has dried fully, vacuum the entire area thoroughly.

Method 3 – Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen Peroxide is another common household product that can come in handy for odor removal. Try mixing 3% hydrogen peroxide with a dye-free soap for use in a carpet cleaning machine. Combine 4 tablespoons (60 mL) of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of dye-free mild soap to make an odor removal solution. A good natural option for this is Dr. Bronner’s. Blend the ingredients into approximately 6 cups (1.4 L) of boiling water until they are completely dissolved. Apply the solution with  your home carpet cleaning equipment or with a spray bottle.

Hydrogen Peroxide has the potential to cause damage or stain. The solution should be tested on a small obscure area of your carpet before being applied to the whole area to ensure your carpet retains it’s fluffy appearance after being treated.

Method 4 – Professional Carpet Treatments

If odours persist, professional carpet cleaning products can assist in removing the scent of damp carpeting. You should read and follow the recommendations on the packaging, which would most likely state that you should vacuum the carpeting first.

It’s worth noting that certain carpet shampoos are intended to be utilized inside a carpeting cleaning machine, while others may be applied with a sponge.

For example, you will also need to soak the shampoo into the carpeting, leave it to soak for at least 20 minutes, and afterwards vacuum the entire area once more before continuing.

Method 5 – Sun Drying

If you live in an area with a hot sunny climate and if you carpet is not too big, sun drying is a great natural option to not only dry your carpet but also to remove odours. The process may need to be carried over 2-3 days. Where possible, lay the carpet out on a flat area. Take care not to over exposure the carpet to ultraviolet rays.

Method 6 – Professional Cleaning

If all else fails, you may have no option but to employ the services of a professional cleaning service in Milton Keynes. Keep in mind that a professional cleaning may also not be able to remove the odours. When deciding on the service to use, you will want to take into consideration if they offer any guarantees for results or moneyback guarantees. You will also want to take into consideration the type of chemicals that the cleaning service will use for the cleaning process.

Before deciding with a professional clean, you may also want to take into consideration the age and value of the carpet. It may be more economic to replace the carpet.