Protein stains from animal accidents can be very difficult to get out of your carpet unless you deal with them right away with the correct extraction method.
The first step to cleaning up animal accidents is to pick up all solids with a paper towel and then blot up any liquids from the spill. If cleaning vomit pour an inch of baking soda onto the wet spot. The baking soda will wick acidic digestive juices up and neutralize the vomit. Pick up the clumps of baking soda when done and throw them away.
For wool or natural carpets always read the manufacturer’s directions to clean a spill. If you have a synthetic carpet you can use use an enzymatic pet urine remover product next. The enzymatic will digest animal proteins including urine, feces, blood and vomit. Because it works on all proteins it cannot be used on wool which some carpet is made from. If you have a natural carpet made of wool or cotton you need to use baking soda and vinegar to remove protein spills.
Of course, you can achieve even better results with no worries by calling Commercial Steam Team . Our powerful and safe equipment relieves you of any worries from using rental equipment and is so much more powerful than any equipment on the market. We leave your carpet fresh, clean, and safe for pets and family. Call us today at 952-224-7222 and let us show you how easy it can be!
Even though it is winter you should still protect your carpet from the sun’s damaging rays. Prolonged exposure to sunlight will cause a bleaching effect and will change the color of your carpet and furniture.
Sunlight damage to carpet can be prevented by drawing blinds, shades or heavy drapes when the sun is shining directly on your carpet. You can also purchase UV resistant types of carpet but drawing the shades is the best form of preventing sunlight damage to your carpet.
There are also special types of window film that you can apply directly to the window that blocks the ultra violet rays but allows other light through. Using window film is a great way to let in light and stop the suns damaging rays from bleaching your carpet and furniture.
If replacing your windows is under consideration, many windows now have UV protection built in. Ask your dealer or contractor about windows with UV protection.
If you decide to use salt or ice melt crystals on your parking lot or sidewalks you should also use something to remove the crystals before people step onto carpet. Salt and ice melt rocks can get into carpet and break it down. Removing chemicals and abrasives from your shoes and boots will save the life of commercial carpeting.
Ice melt is typically made from Calcium Chloride, a chemical that melts ice and leaves a slimy residue. Ice melt is corrosive to metal and will damage metal door thresholds and door moldings. Rock salt is made from sodium chloride and is also corrosive to metal.
The solution to keeping ice melt and rock salt off commercial carpet and away from metal doorways is using a special rug that brushes salt from the bottom of shoes. These types of rugs have deep rubber pile or bristles that brush the salt from the bottoms of footwear and collect debris in the mat.
Placing such a mat both outside and inside the door will help prevent winter chemicals from being tracked into your carpet. Remember to periodically shake outside mats in particular to keep them fully functional. Runners from the doorway down the hall will help collect any additional debris.
House plants make beautiful additions to any indoor space. Having house plants indoors can clean the air, adding oxygen and reducing toxins by acting as air filters. House plants also add humidity to the air.
As with most good things, there are some cautions. One in particular is to avoid overwatering.
Plant water from the bottom of a plant pot contains dirt, minerals and fertilizers washed from the soil. These can collect in the bottom of the plant saucer.
Subsequent watering of your plant can result in the water picking up the minerals, dirt, and fertilizer. If you overwater, or jostle the plant pot, this laden water can then spill over from the saucer and stain your furniture, woodwork, or carpet.
If you have larger plants such as trees or palms that are sitting directly on carpet or flooring, having a larger than usual tray under the pot is necessary.
Family gatherings can get boring after everyone has visited for a little bit. Here are a few suggestions to keep things lively.
- Tell everyone to bring warm clothing and plan a few outdoor activities such as sledding, ice skating, snowman building or a nice walk around the neighborhood.
- Provide paper and scissors and have a paper snowflake making contest. Each person will need a pair of scissors so ask your friends to bring some along. Precut some paper into squares or circles and fold them for the younger ones as they seem to have the most trouble with the folding part. After everyone is done making a few snowflakes you can hang them up in the windows and vote who has the best snowflake.
- Mingle amongst your guests and introduce them to each other mentioning a little about what they may have in common. Get the conversation started and then excuse yourself to the next person who looks bored. Continue introducing people and starting conversation until everyone is busy socializing.
- Provide a few games in the gathering area where people can see them. Games like cards, checkers, chess and board games are old time favorites. You can also have group games like Pictionary, charades, Cranium, Buzz word, Apples to Apples and knowledge-based games.
- Plan a few interactive games such as Wordball to get everyone involved and excited.
- Write a list of general topics to discuss and questions to ask before the party so when things slow down you can spark a lively conversation.
You can come up with your own activities too. The key is to watch your guests and when boredom strikes start and activity and get people involved.
Guests who enter your home know that they should be taking off their boots or shoes before entering your home. You can help keep the melted snow and ice melt chemicals from soaking into your carpet by using door mats and runners, but in an active home this may not be enough.
When you get a few pairs of shoes or boots on a runner or mat and the snow melts, the puddle still dribbles over on your carpet.
Here’s a solution: A boot tray with a high lip or edge can trap the melting snow, sand and chemicals and keep them from getting on your carpet. Remember to empty the tray often before the melting snow and sludge overflow the tray.
If you are planning a party and you’re worried about your new carpet, one of the best protections is to have a plan.
Let’s face it, people spill things when you serve food or beverages at a party so the best solution is to be ready if a spill happens.
Here are some ideas to plan for in you Spill Recovery Plan:
- Prevent messier food spills by serving foods that are lighter and non staining
- Prevent spills by using thicker plates so they do not bend
- Provide sit down seating near food buffet to encourage people to sit down and eat
- Place rugs and runners near high-spill areas such as tables
- Use clear or lighter colored beverages for children
- If you use candles make sure they are placed on a stable surface
- Have a spray bottle of water and some rags handy in case there is a spill and tackle it quickly
By developing a plan for your party you can enjoy your party even more because it takes the worry off your mind.
Inviting family and friends to visit over the holidays can be lots of fun. It’s a great time to get together and share family memories. Holiday gatherings usually include great food and beverages and enjoyable conversation.
Unfortunately, holiday celebrations can get a bit messy when people are walking around with food. Spills happen but there are ways you can prevents those spills from becoming stains on your carpet.
Foods that leave the worst stains contain grease and food dyes so try not to serve BBQ wings or foods that have drippy red sauces. Red wine is another spill that is common during the holidays. If you have children at your celebration try to serve clear beverages instead of heavily colored fruit drinks.
Another trick to prevent spills from becoming stains is to keep a bottle of water with a little liquid soap and a few rags handy. When a spill occurs try to absorb as much liquid from the spill in a paper towel or other absorbent cloth then rinse the area with water and blot the spill to remove any liquid. Change the rags or paper towels when they get wet and keep blotting until all the liquid is absorbed.
The Holidazzle parade in downtown Minneapolis started November 25th and continues every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until December 18th. The parade starts at 6:30pm but you’ll want to get there early to get a good viewing spot. The parade lasts about 30 minutes so dress warm and remember to bring your camera.
For directions and parking visit the Holidazzle website.
You can also find information on the Holidazzle Facebook Page.
If you’ve just moved your furniture you will notice dents in the carpet where heavy furniture legs compressed the fibers. You can fluff up the dents in carpets by using a steam iron or a steam cleaner. If you are using an iron don’t touch the carpet with the iron, simply hold the iron so the steam penetrates into your carpet. Fluff up the wet carpet with your fingers. If you place furniture back on wet carpet it may leave a stain of rust from the furniture leg. Remember to let carpet dry before placing any furniture back onto the carpet.
The best trick for removing dents in carpet is to place a small ice cube in each dent and let it melt overnight. Of course, too much moisture wicking deep into your carpet may result in ideal conditions for mold growth, so don’t do this with larger dents.
Of course, you could also simply schedule your next carpet cleaning with Commercial Steam Team by calling us at 952-224-7222 and let us take care of smoothing and cleaning your carpet at the same time!
Commercial Steam Team uses steam cleaning to clean carpets and places leg protectors under your furniture until the carpet is dry.
