More Carpet Cleaning Tips From AJS Carpet Cleaning in Provo Utah

Have you ever seen that ugly old spot re-appear, shortly after you have had it removed like magic, by your carpet cleaner? I am aware that sometimes this can happen repeatedly. Why does that happen?

Well, there are three main reasons why spots or stains on your carpet can return soon after cleaning.

1. Wicking

2. Residue from cleaning agents

3. Residue from oily stains

Wicking is a kind of diffusion process whereby a material will move from an area of higher concentration to an adjoining area of lower concentration, usually in the presence of moisture.

Some of you older folks may remember the kerosene lamp which had a wick or strip of canvas immersed into a bed of oil. The wick was lighted and the oil kept diffusing upwards toward the dry end near to the flame, until it was totally consumed. Wicking occurs in a carpet when there is over wetting. The moisture saturates the carpet backing or the pad underneath, which will then retain residues of the soil and stains.

If the carpet is not properly dried, then wicking will begin to occur almost immediately, as the water in the substrate diffuses up towards the partially dried carpet surface, taking dissolved solids with it. Presto. The stain reappears. This happens most frequently in glued down carpet that has a lot of compacted soil in it.

Fortunately, this condition can be corrected. The area needs to be flooded, extracted again, and properly dried. Sometimes, an absorbent cotton toweling material has to be left over the stain with a heavy object over it, until all the soil or stain is absorbed.

Residue from cleaning agents that has been left behind by your carpet cleaner, can also lead to re-soiling.

Many of these cleaning agents are over the counter products and consumers sometimes do not read the labels carefully, or simply do not clearly understand the applications. Incompatible chemicals may cause unexpected reactions which can lead to disastrous results. Avoid using these chemicals if you can. It is better to call in a professional carpet cleaner. This could save you money in the long run. It might even spare you the expense of having to replace the carpet altogether.

If you have to do an emergency clean-up, use the spotting agent sparingly, and rinse and blot thoroughly afterwards.

Sometimes an ill-informed carpet cleaner may also use highly alkaline cleaning solutions and fail to neutralize it afterwards, leaving a soapy residue in the carpet that will simply attract and hold soils unto the carpet fibers again. Check out the credentials of the carpet cleaning company you hire.

Residue from oily stains can also cause re-soiling. These stains may come from a spill of body oils, lotions, solvents, or from duct tape residue. If the spill is not totally extracted, then it may re-appear as soon as the carpet has to bear heavy traffic. Sometimes this type of oily residue may not be detected at first, even by an experienced carpet cleaner.

Don’t worry however. A good carpet cleaning company will be able to diagnose this problem and correct it for you.

Finally, be careful how you choose your carpet cleaner. Cheap products used by cheap cleaners can lead to expensive disasters. Unscrupulous cleaners may also use optical brighteners to make the carpet look clean. This is often just an illusion, and the spot will re-appear quite quickly, because the soil or stain is still there.

You can get rid of all those spots. Just get competent carpet cleaning service.

For more information, visit our website AJS Carpet Cleaning Provo or Carpet Cleaning Salt Lake

AJS Carpet Cleaning, Inc. is a local company based in Orem Utah, just north of the border with Provo.

801 368-0705

Carpet cleaning can be a relatively expensive proposition, and you face certain risks when you invite a stranger into your home or business place.

Here are some insightful questions you should ask every carpet cleaning company, in order to help you to decide whether or not you should engage their services.

1. What method or methods do you use?

There are several methods of carpet cleaning available for use, and each kind has advantages and disadvantages. Try to determine and decide which will be most suitable for your particular situation.

2. Does spot cleaning cost extra?

Most carpet cleaners will include spot removal in their regular basic pricing. Some companies will quote really low prices to get their foot in the door and then hit you with a plethora of add-on charges.

3. Do you include pet urine treatment in the price?

Be sure to point out problems and situations like this, and get an exact quote before you hire the company.

4. Is odor treatment included in the price?

See number 3 above. Know what you will be called upon to pay for before the carpet cleaner begins to work for you.

5. Do you vacuum the carpet first?

You might be called upon to do this yourself in preparation for your cleaning.

6. Do you pre-treat the carpet?

This is an essential step in carpet cleaning that should never be ignored. Be wary of carpet cleaners who will not include this step in their cleaning process.

7. Will you pre-groom the carpet?

Pre-grooming is absolutely essential particularly on cut pile, plush pile or shag type carpets. This will not only elevate the carpet fibers so that the emulsifier can reach all sides, but it will also loosen and lift particulates prior to vacuuming and pretreatment.

8. Will you speed dry the carpet with air movers?

Ask for this step if you need to have the carpet dry quickly after deep steam or hot water cleaning, and your carpet has been wet extensively. This is especially important if your carpet is woven or tufted and is of dense pile construction. After this type of cleaning, the carpet should be completely dry in 4 to 6 hours.

9. Do you give a free bottle of spot remover?

Many good carpet cleaning companies will make this nice gesture to all their clients. The bottle of spot remover will sometimes have the company name and contact information imprinted on it, so this gesture brings along some serendipity.

10. Will you give a free pair of shoe covers?

Shoe covers are nice to have if you must walk on your carpet before it is completely dry.

11. Are you certified by the IICRC?

This is the premier organization for certification of carpet cleaners. Many carpet and rug manufacturers will only honor their warranty if your carpet is cleaned by a company certified by the IICRC.

12. How long have you been operating in this area?

13. What kind of guarantee do you offer on your services?

A good carpet cleaning company will not hesitate to offer a full guarantee on their services.

14. Is your cleaning environmentally friendly?

IF you need green cleaning, ask for it. Most of the better carpet cleaning companies will be able to provide this service. It may cost yo more, however.

Well, there you are. As always, it is usually wise to “look before you leap.”

For more information visit our website at  Carpet Cleaning Salt Lake

Everyone is aware that carpeting involves a significant investment. Like any other valuable investment, your carpet requires frequent and constant care in order to preserve and maintain its useful life and its beauty. A regularly planned and scheduled carpet cleaning and maintenance program, will make your carpet look better, last longer, and contribute meaningfully to a healthier home environment.

Here are 4 steps to a fresh, clean and healthy carpet.

1. Vacuum Frequently. Most people in the know will tell you that the most important element in a good carpet maintenance program is regular and frequent vacuuming. You need to vacuum often. Once a day if possible. If not, at least once per week is necessary. Vacuuming will remove the abrasive soil that filters down and settles among the carpet fibers. While residing there, it causes the fibers to be cut and sliced by pressure from foot traffic or any other heavy mass passing over it. Vacuuming will also remove loose particles of sand, grit, skin scales, hair, leaves, food or bugs, etc., that settle at the base of the fibers. You may not be able to see these, but be aware that your carpet is a filter that will collect all the particulate material that floats in the interior environment of your home, or is tracked upon it.

2. Clean Up Spots and Spills Immediately. This is a key habit to adopt, and could save you a lot of frustration, heartache or just cold cash. With the passage of time, spots and spills that are allowed to remain on the carpet can become permanent stains that will be difficult or impossible to remove. If the carpet is new or has had protector applied recently, fresh spots and stains can be removed by simply blotting with water. Remember. Blot. Don’t rub. Rubbing could cause the stain to spread and just lead to more grief.

You will probably need to remove some spots with a good spotting agent. Be wary of spot removers purchased over the counter. Some of them will leave too much soapy residue and can cause yellowing or re-soiling. Some contain strong oxidizing agents, reducing agents, or bleach. You need to know how to use these safely. If you do not, try one that is recommended by your friendly professional carpet cleaner. Just call the carpet cleaning company and ask for their recommendation. A good company will always be willing to offer their help without charge, but you must be careful to describe the condition exactly. Most importantly, let them know what caused the spill.

Apply the spot cleaner carefully to the spot, with a white terry cloth towel, and blot repeatedly. Never rub it in. If you are not able to remove any spot, or for pet urine or feces, call in your professional carpet cleaning company immediately.

3. Have Your Carpet Professionally Cleaned Often. Most people do not realize how important regular deep cleaning by a competent, certified carpet cleaning company can be. Carpet manufacturers recommend that this is to be done at least once per year. For heavily soiled traffic areas, this should be done more often. If your traffic areas are visibly soiled, you have already waited too long.

4. Have Carpet Protector Re-Applied After Cleaning. Most residencies have stain resistant synthetic, usually nylon, carpet installed. They come pretreated with a protective coating that causes soiling material to slide off the fibers and leave the carpet looking clean for extended periods. With wear however, and after treatment with some of the harsher chemicals used in cleaning, this coating will be removed, causing the carpet to get soiled much more easily, wear faster, and become susceptible to permanent staining. Ask your professional carpet cleaner to re-apply protector after carpet cleaning. This is somewhat costly, but is well worth it.

Victor Nugent is Owner and President of AJS Carpet Cleaning, Inc. with over 10 years experience in the Carpet Cleaning business.

For more information call 801 368-0705 or visit us at  Carpet Cleaning Salt Lake City