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SPILL TIPS
EVERYTHING
YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CLEANING CARPET SPILLS
BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK...
Regular
professional cleaning will extend the life of your carpet, protect your
family from irritating allergens and keep it looking its best. But lets
face it, spills happen on a regular basis. Spills can lead to stains if
not properly treated. The good news; stains from spills can be prevented.
As a professional carpet cleaner, I often advise clients on how to care
for their carpets. My best advice - - DO NOT USE STORE BOUGHT CLEANING
PRODUCTS ON SPILLS. First, there is no store bought product that can be
used universally for all spills. Second, you really do not know what is
in the product you are using. If combined with other products the results
can be disastrous. Some of the products can actually set the stain while
others may discolor your carpet. Finally, these products are not cheap
so why waste your money on something that probably won't work and may
even ruin your carpet. The next time you have a spill, use these basic
guidelines:
- Time
is of the essence.
The longer the spill sits on the carpet, the more likely it will penetrate
and become a stain.
- Extract
as much of the spill as possible. (Scoop with a spoon or use a white
towel)
- Blot,
don't scrub or rub. Scrubbing can cause damage to the carpet
fiber and may even cause the stain to set permanently.
- If
you need to use water to help you extract the spill, make sure you use
warm water. Do not use hot water.
- If
the spill is still visible it is best to make a homemade
mild detergent solution. Use mild dishwashing liquid. Make
sure it does not contain chlorine or bleach. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of mild
dish liquid with 1 cup of warm water. Remember, too much soap can make
it difficult to rinse and cause the stain to "wick" back.
Apply the solution and let sit for 5 minutes. Rinse with warm water
until all detergent is removed.
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| 6. |
Use
white paper towels or white towels to continue
to absorb the water. Put the towels in layers and let them
sit on the spill overnight with a heavy object on top of them. Make
sure the object is something that will not stain the carpets. This
will help the spill "wick up" into the towel during the
drying process. |
| 7. |
When
the carpet is dry, vacuum to restore the
carpet. Also frequent vacuuming can prevent soils from
building up. Invest in a vacuum with good suction - it will pay off
long term. |
| 8. |
If
after this process you can still see a stain, repeat steps 3-7. If
the stain persists the best course of action is to call your local
professional carpet cleaner. Remember using store bought cleaners
and over soaking your carpet can do irreversible damage. The price
you pay for "do it yourself" cleaning is much higher than
paying a professional to clean and maintain your carpets on a regular
basis. No two stains are alike and depending on the carpet fiber,
the stain may need special care. Your cleaning professional will be
able to individualize the cleaning regimen based on the stain and
on your carpet type. |
The
next time you have a spill or stain and are not sure how to remove it,
call Freedom Carpet Cleaning. We will
be happy to answer your questions and advise you on properly removing
your spills and stains.
978-649-5935
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