| Carpets, there in all of our homes. Of course it's a | | | | contact with your carpet you will reduce the amount |
| given that at some point you will be doing some | | | | of chemical cleaners you will have to use. Place a |
| carpet cleaning. Here are 12 things to know about | | | | large walking mat at all outside entrances Every few |
| carpet cleaning that will make your life easier. | | | | days you should vacuum the mats this will prevent |
| 1. Toxic | | | | soil from entering the carpeted areas of your home. |
| Most of the products on the market for carpet | | | | Have visitors remove their shoes so that they aren't |
| cleaning are safe and will have a minimal impact on | | | | dragging that loose dirt across the carpets. |
| the environment. However some of the carpet | | | | 8. Vacuum Often |
| cleaning products do contain toxic chemicals which | | | | Believe it or not daily vacuuming with a good vacuum |
| can be hazardous to the person using them as well | | | | cleaner that has good suction and a power head with |
| as other people in the house or pets. So be sure to | | | | a brush type power bar will help to eliminate soil build |
| read the labels carefully before using. Always try to | | | | up and reduce the amount of times you will need |
| choose a product with the least amount of chemicals | | | | carpet cleaning performed. That's because the dirt |
| and in the mildest you can find that will work. | | | | gets picked up before it has a chance to get ground |
| 2. Clean Often | | | | in and soil the carpet. |
| It's always best to clean your carpets on a regular | | | | 9. No Drinks |
| basis. If you do not clean your carpets on a regular | | | | Limit the places you allow the kids to have drinks and |
| basis you will need to use a stronger chemical | | | | messy foods. If you have young children make them |
| product because the dirt will have ground itself | | | | stay seated while drinking. If you are really concerned |
| deeper into the carpet and it becomes more difficult | | | | about reducing staining then don't let any family |
| to lift. Cleaning your carpets on a regular basis is | | | | member's family drink or carry soft drinks, coffee or |
| easier on the environment, your health, and it will help | | | | other food items across the carpet. |
| extend the life of the carpet. | | | | 10. Act Fast |
| 3. Use Caution | | | | If you can react to the spill immediately and any |
| Read labels very carefully. Not only on the product | | | | spots you see with a good spot remover you will |
| but on any documentation provided with the carpet. | | | | help prevent stain from becoming permanent and it |
| Should you use the wrong product or a product with | | | | will save you having to use a carpet cleaner. Be |
| stronger chemical than your carpet can handle you | | | | careful what you use to remove stains because if |
| could damage the carpet. | | | | you use the wrong chemicals you could smear the |
| 4. Hire The Pros | | | | stain and spread it further and deeper into the |
| If you are not comfortable with cleaning your | | | | carpet. Always first try clear cold water and blotting |
| carpets yourself or you can't be bothered to rent a | | | | with a cloth to remove the stain and only move on |
| carpet cleaning machine, drag it home, and get to | | | | to a stronger product only as a last resort. |
| work, then hire the pros! There are many | | | | 11. Toxic Chemicals |
| professionals that will clean your carpets for a very | | | | You should know that carpet spot removal cleaning |
| reasonable fee and give you a guarantee on the | | | | products contain some of the most dangerous |
| work they do. | | | | chemicals found in any cleaning products. If you us |
| 5. Installation | | | | these products be sure to wear gloves and use the |
| If you are laying new carpets chances are the | | | | cleaner according to the manufactures directions. |
| reason you are doing this is because you want them | | | | Avoid all type 4 spot removers because they contain |
| to look appealing and accent the room while at the | | | | Tetrachlorethylene which is very toxic to people and |
| same time providing functionality. If you install the | | | | pets. |
| carpet poorly or install the wrong type of carpet for | | | | 12. Steam Cleaners |
| the area you will have a higher maintenance cost and | | | | Steam or rotary cleaners for carpets use a fairly mild |
| the carpets will need to be cleaned more frequently. | | | | products so they are an excellent choice. But you can |
| So make sure you choose the correct carpets. | | | | still misuse them so follow the directions carefully. If |
| Regular vacuuming and spot removal will also lower | | | | you use this type of cleaner you will have to be |
| your cleaning maintenance costs. | | | | careful that you do not saturate the carpet with hot |
| 6. The Right Underlay | | | | water because if you do it will take longer to dry and |
| The underlay is more important than you might think | | | | may result in damage to the carpet. |
| and is directly related to carpet cleaning. You need to | | | | Some of the cleaners supplied with the machines you |
| match the underlay to the type of carpet you will be | | | | rent from the local store are highly toxic so be sure |
| installing. Carpet should not be placed in areas were | | | | the room or rooms you are working in have a good |
| water, chemicals or hard to clean products could be | | | | supply of fresh air. Be sure to keep kids and pets off |
| spilled on the carpet. Kitchens, copy rooms, lockers, | | | | the newly cleaned carpets until it is dry because |
| and entrances to buildings are not a good location to | | | | there is always a residue left on the carpets that can |
| place carpets because your carpet cleaning costs will | | | | be harmful to kids or pets. Always let the carpets |
| be high. Poor grade underlay will affect how the stain | | | | dry completely and then vacuum right after it is dry |
| soaks into the carpet and how difficult stain removal | | | | to remove any residual contaminants. |
| becomes. | | | | These 12 things to know about carpet cleaning that |
| 7. Stop The Worst | | | | will make your life easier much easier and keep you |
| The worst soiling on your carpets comes from | | | | on top of the carpet cleaning game. |
| outside. So if you stop outside soil from coming in | | | | |