Category: Carpet cleaning tips

Many homes get to enjoy the soft, luxurious experience that comes with carpet flooring. Other than reducing noise, the carpet is ideal for adults or youngsters who love to sit directly on the floor.

But did you know that with all the comfort the carpet flooring brings to our homes, it is one of the common triggers of allergies?

Known to be a filter for particles in the air, the carpet can become a breeding ground for bacteria and other allergens.

Shockingly, the carpet can harbour 200,000 bacteria on every square inch; in addition to that, up to 2,000 dust mites can live on an ounce of carpet dust.

This should undoubtedly push you to keep your carpet clean at all times, thus preventing any dust mites, pet dander, bacteria, or pollen on your carpet.

Let’s dive into the three carpet cleaning tips to remove allergens from your environment and prevent any allergy attacks.  

1. Regularly Vacuum Your Carpet

One of the best ways to remove allergens from your environment is by regularly vacuuming the carpet. Once or twice a week might seem okay if there isn’t a lot of movement in the house.  However, for an allergen-free home, consider vacuuming the carpet daily.

What about under the furniture, you may ask?

If the piece of furniture is light, you can move it whenever you are vacuuming. Nevertheless, if they are heavy, do it twice a month. This will take care of any set in dust and animal dander living under your furniture.

That said, you should know that the most effective vacuum is one with a certified 3-stage HEPA filter. The high-efficiency particulate resistance (HEPA) filter will prevent allergens from escaping while vacuuming as you remove dust, bacteria, pollen, or airborne particles.

Remember to change the HEPA filter regularly, as they become less effective with time.

Pro Tip:  To reduce any odours from the carpet, sprinkle baking powder on your carpet and let it sit for 30 minutes before vacuuming.

2. Steam Your Carpet

Another great way to remove allergens from your environment is to steam the carpet with a steam vacuum heating the water up to 221 degrees.

This will help to reduce allergens in your carpet significantly. Just let the carpet air dry for a few hours before putting back the furniture to avoid mould or mildew and wet carpet odours.

 Open the windows and doors or use a portable fan while steam cleaning. 

Keep in mind that you initially have to vacuum the carpet first to remove any crumbs, debris or dust before you use a steam cleaner.

3. Hire Professional Carpet Cleaners

Though you vacuum your carpet regularly, hiring a professional carpet cleaner once or twice a year is advisable. Moreso if you have any kids or pets around.

Professional carpet cleaners come with the necessary tools to remove allergens, microorganisms, and stubborn stains such as oil stains. With their cleaning methods and skills, professional carpet cleaners not only remove allergens but also improve the life of your carpet. Contact us today for our low moisture carpet cleaning service in Milton Keynes.

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.

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.

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.

Having your carpets cleaned has a number of benefits. Some of the obvious ones are they look more fluffy and appealing, they smell fresh, spots and stains are removed,  and if you’ve had them protected they’ll stay cleaner for longer. However, one benefit that people often don’t think about is that clean carpets are good for your health. In this article, we’ll look at the little-known health benefits of having your carpets cleaned.

Over time dirt, dust, pollutants and other nasties build up in the carpet pile. Carpets do a good job of trapping them and keeping them out of the environment, but it gets to a point where a carpet reaches its threshold for the maximum amount of dirt it can hold. If you suffer from allergies or have respiratory issues, they may be aggravated by these particles which can become airborne when really dirty carpets are walked on. A deep clean can remove most of the offending particles, allowing you to breathe easy again.

Mould can grow in a carpet as a result of leaks, food particles and spilt drinks. If the spores become airborne they can have an adverse effect on your health. Our cleaning solution can inhibit the growth of mould, drastically reducing the chance of it growing in your carpet.

In some cases, mould and malodours can occur as a result of carpets taking too long to dry, which may happen if the carpets being overwet during the cleaning process, or in some cases, high humidity slowing down the drying process. Our quick-drying carpet cleaning technology actively dries the carpet as it cleans, reducing drying times to 30 minutes. This means there is no chance of mould growth as the carpet needs to be wet for at least 24 hours before mould can grow on it.

In addition to mould, bacteria can also thrive in carpets. Our cleaning process kills bacteria and also inhibits it from growing in the future. This can give you some rest of mind if you have children who tend to crawl on the floor.

People tend to overuse the word stain. More often than not it’s used in the correct context, but from time to time our customers will describe something as a stain when what they are actually talking about is a spot. In this article, we’ll look at the difference between the two.

What is a stain?

Like spots, stains are caused by spillages on the carpet. Substances that commonly stain carpet includes coffee, wine and curry. The reason why they can leave stains is that they contain dyes, which are absorbed by the carpet fibres, changing their colour permanently in the process. Whether the spillage ultimately becomes a stain or not depends on a few factors, one of the key ones being the makeup of the carpet fibre. For example, Nylon carpets tend to stain quite easily, while polyester carpets are a lot more resistant to stains.

In order to reduce the chance of a spill staining your carpet, it is recommended that you try to clean it as soon as possible. Time is of the essence here, the goal is to remove the spill before the stain starts to set.

What is a carpet spot?

Spots can look just like stains, but the main difference is there is no colour transfer with spots, therefore the carpet is not permanently discoloured. For example, if you find dry mud on your carpet, the likelihood is that you’d be able to remove it with just a vacuum or a dustpan and brush. A slightly dampened towel should do the trick as well. However, you should be careful what chemicals you use when cleaning spots because some can actually change a spot into a stain, making the removal of it a much harder task. If in doubt get some expert advice from a Milton Keynes carpet cleaning specialist, who will have experience in removing spots and stains. In addition to that hiring the services of an expert will ensure you avoid some of the issues DIY carpet cleaners cause, such as carpet shrinkage. So avoid the hassle of cleaning your own carpets, and maximise the health benefits that come with having a clean carpet. Get in touch today!

When you have your carpets cleaned, you expect to end up with clean carpets that smell fresh and are free from spots and stains. What you don’t expect is to find is that they’ve shrunk! It’s a nasty surprise to find yourself in such a situation, especially as the carpet cleaner has now long gone. If you booked a carpet cleaner from a reputable company, he may be able to come back and rectify the problem, or if not he’ll at least be able to find someone to fix it at no extra cost to yourself. If you used a cowboy carpet cleaning company, then they’ll probably not respond to your calls, and you’ll be left with the additional cost of fixing the carpet.

In this article, we’ll look at what causes carpets to shrink, and how one should go about rectifying the problem.

Carpets are composed of at least two layers, the top layer that you walk on is the carpet pile, and the bottom layer is the backing. The carpet pile can consist of a natural fibre like Wool, or a synthetic fibre such as Nylon. The carpet backing may also be made from either natural or synthetic fibre.

Jute is a natural fibre that is commonly used as carpet backing, and carpets that have this material as their backing are susceptible to shrinkage.

Axministers are a type of carpet with a wool pile and a jute backing, and as you now know the latter makes them prone to shrinkage. Axminister cost a lot more than your average carpet, so if have one and it needs cleaning, make sure you use the services of a reputable carpet cleaning company.

Belgian Wiltons are a type of carpet that has a polypropylene face fibre and a mixture of Cotton and Jute in the backing.

Both types of carpets will shrink if they are overwet during the carpet cleaning process. This could happen because the carpet cleaning technician is inexperienced, has bad technique, or has cheap equipment that isn’t able to suck out enough water during the rinsing stage.

When the carpets are overwet, water will seep into the backing of the carpet causing it to swell. The water will reach the Jute backing even faster in polypropylene carpet because it is unable to absorb much water. It’s the swelling action of the Jute that causes the carpet to shrink. In addition to that overwet carpets may start to smell mouldy, and will need to be deodorised as a result.

If you do find yourself in the unfortunate predicament of having shrunken carpets, you will need to contact a carpet fitter to find out if they can be restretched In some cases they can. Failing that the carpet will sadly need to be replaced.

Carpet deodorising powders are marketed as a fast and effective way to eliminate odours lurking in carpets. However, the reality is that as fresh as these fragrances smell, they can actually damage your carpet. In this article, we’ll explore how they do this.

The instructions for using carpet powder deodorisers are really straightforward.

i) Sprinkle the powder over the area that the odour is emanating from.
ii) After a few minutes vacuum the carpet to remove the powder.
iii) Enjoy your fresh smelling carpet.

The problem here is that your typical household vacuum cleaner will not be able to remove all of the carpet powder particles, and they will remain in your carpet. Whenever you walk on the carpet these powder particles will rub against the carpet fibres, wearing them down over time. So it’s a short term gain vs long-term pain situation for your carpet fibres (well, that’s what they would say if they could talk!).

Unfortunately, the damage doesn’t stop there. If you suffer from allergies or breathing problems you need to be extra careful when using these powders. The reason being they can trigger allergic reactions, such as sneezing, teary eyes, coughing and even rashes if they come into contact with skin. They have been known to cause asthma attacks in asthma sufferers, so if you are one you’ll need to be extra careful if you decide to purchase one of these products.

As I mentioned earlier, your typical household vacuum cleaner will not be able to pick up all of the powder sprinkled over the carpet. As a result, pets may come into contact with the powder and ingest it, which could lead to them getting sick. There are a number of stories where this has happened littered all over the internet.

Carpet deodorising powder only masks any smells it’s been used to treat, so you’ll have to sprinkle it down when the smell returns, constantly exposing yourself, loved ones and pets to the powder. It’s a temporary solution.

Hiring the services of a professional carpet cleaner in Milton Keynes is more expensive, but a much safer bet.

If your carpet has started to smell as a result of a spill or something else, give us a call, we may be able to help. Let our professionals do the job so you don’t inadvertently cause more problems, such as carpet shrinkage from overwetting it. We’re waiting for your call!