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Coastal Cleaning Systems
Coastal Cleaning Systems is proud to provide the best in cleaning services for the Hancock and Washington county Maine areas including Bar Harbor, MDI and Ellsworth. We provide VLM (very low Moisture) Carpet cleaning, hard surface floor care (hard wood, laminate, tile and so on), furniture and mattress cleaning and sanitizing as well as many other services. Many of our processes are Green Clean for your health and the health of our homes and businesses.
We at Coastal Cleaning Systems would be happy to help you with any of your cleaning needs. Contact us at www.coastalcleaningsystems.com or 207 479 4673 for a free estimate and consultation.
This article may also help and was reprinted for your benefit.
Thank you,
Sean Qualls
Coastal Cleaning Systems
What do you do if you've moved into a new home with dirty carpets, or a glass of grape juice takes a tumble, or you simply want to avoid the need to do major carpet cleaning in the future?
Rather than rely on conventional cleaners with questionable chemicals to take care of the problem, consider these alternatives:
- Place doormats at all entrances and encourage family members to wipe their feet.Wiping keeps dirt, pesticides, and other pollutants from getting on carpets. Large doormats that cover two or three strides will ensure that even those who forget to wipe will leave most of the dirt on the mat rather than your carpet.
- Encourage family members to remove shoes upon entering the home.Shoes track dirt and other substances onto carpets. If family members can't adjust to going shoeless, suggest that they wear house shoes that don't go outside, slippers, or socks. In fact, bare feet can deposit natural skin oils on carpet, and the oils, in turn, attract dirt.
- Vacuum two or more times per week.Frequent vacuuming helps reduce the level of dust mites, which trigger asthma and allergy attacks. It also eliminates surface dirt on carpets before it has a chance to get ground in. A vacuum cleaner with strong suction, rotating brushes, and a HEPA filter, which prevents dirt and dust from blowing back out in the exhaust, is best. Vacuum back and forth over the same spot several times, especially in high-traffic areas, to get all of the dirt and dust. Take care also to vacuum thoroughly along walls and carpet edges, because dirt and dust accumulates there.
- Clean up spills on carpets immediately to prevent stains.Soak up liquid spills by covering them with clean white (or light-colored) towels or paper towels. Scrape sticky substances off carpets with a spatula or spoon. Don't rub the spill. That will damage carpet fibers and cause the stain to spread.To clean the stain, mix 1 cup warm water and 1/2 teaspoon mild liquid soap, such as dishwashing liquid or fine fabric detergent. Apply a small amount, blot by pressing a clean white towel into the carpet, and lift. Then repeat the process until the stain is removed. Don’t scrub. Be patient.
- Alternatively, use other household ingredients to clean stains.Club soda removes red wine stains.Use an ice cube to harden gum and candle wax, then scrape off.Sprinkle greasy stains with baking soda, cornstarch, or cornmeal. Let stand six hours or overnight. Then vacuum.Mix 1/3 cup vinegar with 2/3 cup warm water and apply to the stain. Then blot with a clean towel and repeat until the stain comes clean.
- As a last-resort carpet stain remover, try rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.Test first on a hidden bit of the carpet, as either of these substances may lighten or bleach it. If the test patch looks okay, apply a small amount to the carpet stain, then blot with a clean, white towel. Repeat until the stain is gone.
- Use baking soda to remove odor from carpets.Carpet deodorizers and fresheners often contain fragrances that merely mask the smell. Baking soda soaks up the odor. Keep kids and pets away so they don't inhale the baking soda while it's applied, and sprinkle baking soda over the entire surface of the carpet. Let it stand for 15 to 30 minutes. Then vacuum.
- Steam clean carpets with plain water.Adding detergent is generally unnecessary. Just use water and operate the machine as directed. The hot water will remove a considerable amount of dirt, even without detergent. The heat also fluffs up the fibers, returning them to an almost new appearance. Or use a mixture of 1 to 2 cups white vinegar, depending on how dirty the carpet is, and 2 1/2 gallons of water. This is also an effective way to remove rug shampoo residue from earlier cleaning attempts.If you must use soap or detergent, use a mixture of no more than 3 to 4 tablespoons of mild liquid soap or detergent and at least 1 gallon of water. Don't mix the soap and water vigorously, as the suds may clog the machine. Safe carpet cleaners are also available.Avoid steam-cleaning carpets in winter, when you can't open windows, and on very humid days during the summer.
