When you bought your couch, it looked pristine and you promised you’d keep it that way. So what happened? Well, you weren’t very realistic with making that promise, especially if you have kids or pets.
Fortunately, we have some furniture stain removal tips to help you out.
What to do before you clean common couch stains
Here are some pre-cleaning tips:
Look at the tags and the manufacturer’s instructions: If you kept the manual for your couch, take a look at how they recommend to deal with stains. Even if you lost it, you can check the tag on the couch. This will include codes like: W (use water to clean); S (do not use water to clean; instead use a solvent-based cleaner); WS (use water or a solvent-based cleaner); or X (professional cleaning required).
Vacuum: You’ll need a vacuum to whisk away any excess dirt or debris.
Test out the area: If you’re not sure which type of cleaner to use, start by testing out a less-visible area and see how it looks.
Mud and dirt
Your child or your dog has darted into the house covered in mud or dirt—and gone straight for the furniture. This is one of the most common couch stains. Take a deep breath, and then do the following:
Let the stain dry;
Vacuum away any loose debris;
Apply a solution using a sponge on the stain;
Blot it dry, and then repeat as needed.
Red wine
This is one of those stains that appears like it will never go away, but don’t panic—follow these steps:
Use a dry towel or cloth to blot the area dry;
Pour a bit of carbonated water on the stain, and then blot dry;
Make a mixture of a quarter cup of baking soda and ⅛ cup of water;
Put the paste on the stain; let it dry; then vacuum away the excess.
Coffee
Maybe you weren’t so sharp before having your morning cup and dropped it on the couch. Have no fear, and do the following:
Mix a bit of detergent with warm water;
Use a paper towel to blot away the stain.
Butter and oil
These common cooking ingredients are liable to find their way onto your couch. To remove them:
Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch on the stain;
Allow it to sit for 20 minutes to lift out the grease;
Use a vacuum on the stained area;
Take a bit of dish soap and scrub the area using a soft item such as a toothbrush;
Blot the area clean using a moist paper towel.
Whether you’re looking for furniture stain removal or carpet cleaning, Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center is the name to trust. Since 1948, we’ve been serving our customers with reliable, affordable service. We only use the most up-to-date cleaning equipment and the best-quality products when cleaning your floors, furniture, rugs and tiles. Give us a call today to find out more and request a free quote.
For commercial hardwood floors, you have two options to restore their original appearance: scrub and recoat or strip and wax. Both are effective but should be used at different times.
Knowing which one is best for your situation will save you labor hours and money. Read on to find out more about hardwood recoating.
Times to do a scrub and recoat
A scrub and recoat is best in most cases and is performed before a strip and wax. This is a less time-intensive procedure that’s also less expensive. That said, a scrub and recoat is effective only if it’s done regularly.
Periodic care for your floor should be done whenever foot traffic has caused wear and tear to the floor’s finish. For a business with average foot traffic, a scrub and recoat should be done at least twice per year. Your budget, the amount of traffic and other factors will come into play when considering how often to have a scrub and recoat.
When you should do a strip and wax
At some point, the floor will require more care. If you don’t do a scrub and recoat, then you should have a strip and wax done at least annually. Your floors may require strip and wax more often than this depending on a range of factors such as your budget, available resources and time.
As we noted earlier, a scrub and recoat is only good a certain number of times to restore a floor’s shine. At some point, you will need a full strip and wax to restore the floor’s original appearance. That’s because contaminants are embedded in the floor’s finish, so following a hardwood recoating, it will look shiny but not clean.
If you’re noticing that a new coat of finish isn’t getting the job done, then it’s time for a strip and wax. The same goes for tile waxing. Depending on what you’re looking for, you can increase the amount of shine the floor has. If you want brilliant, distinctive floors, you will need to do a strip and finish more often.
Amount of finish on the floor
The level of finish left on the floor will also be a factor in whether you need a strip and wax. You may be wondering how you determine how much finish is on the floor. One simple way is the key test.
Take a key, and scratch through the finish in an area that experiences high traffic. If you don’t remove any finish, then you should consider having a strip and wax done. It’s important to maintain a healthy amount of finish on the floors, as this is meant to protect the floors from scratches, spills, dirt and damage.
Do you need hardwood recoating or tile waxing? For more than seven decades, Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center has been a trusted name in everything from carpet services to tile and hardwood cleaning, buffing and waxing. We offer a level of attention to detail that our competitors don’t. Contact us right now to learn more and request a free quote.
Wondering if there is a way to deodorize carpet? There are several simple tricks and techniques that can freshen up dirty, smelly carpet.
Read on to learn how to deodorize a carpet, so you can say goodbye to bad odors for good.
Enzyme cleaner
An enzyme cleaner is one of the most effective ways to remove bad smells from your carpet, especially if you live with pets. Pet accidents on carpet smell—no matter how diligent you are at cleaning them up. If pet accidents have taken a toll on your carpet, use an enzyme cleaner to get rid of them. This powerful cleaning product uses enzymes to encourage bacteria to feed on organic matter (like pet accidents) to fully remove them from carpet. You can find an affordable enzyme cleaner at your nearest home improvement store or online.
Vinegar
When it comes to learning how to deodorize a carpet, remember that there could be many possible sources that are causing the smell. If you’re dealing with musty odors, your carpet likely contains mildew. Instead of using harsh chemicals, simply use vinegar to remove the mildew and the smells that go along with it. Combine 2 cups of warm water and 1 cup of vinegar in a spray bottle, and give the entire carpet a good spray. The vinegar scent neutralizes as it dries, taking the mildew smell away in the process.
Baking soda
Baking soda has so many uses around the house, and it’s a powerful odor absorber that you can use on your carpets. It’s usually effective at removing both subtle and strong smells. Sprinkle baking soda over the entire carpet; leave it on the floor for several hours, and let it soak up the scents. Simply vacuum up the baking soda after it’s done its job, and enjoy a better-smelling carpet.
You could also use baking soda in conjunction with other products to maximize its effectiveness. The combination of baking soda and essential oils adds a pleasant fragrance to the carpet as the baking soda removes the odors. You can also add borax to the mixture, which is especially effective if you suspect the smells coming from your carpets are due to mold.
Vodka
While vodka is primarily used for cocktails, it’s also a powerful stain remover. If you have spots on your carpet (like from pet stains), just spray vodka on the area. It should remove both the color of the stain and any accompanying odors. You should leave the vodka on the area for 15 minutes; then blot it out with paper towels. Add baking soda to the area to soak up the rest of the vodka; then vacuum it all away.
While there is a way to deodorize a carpet, a DIY job usually isn’t enough to completely remove bad odors. Instead of replacing your carpet entirely, contact Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center today. Our superior cleaning products and effective techniques get even the strongest smells out of your carpet, helping your entire home smell fresher and cleaner.
Want to keep your carpets looking fresh and clean? If you’re ready to invest in professional carpet cleaning to preserve the look and feel of your flooring, you should consider including carpet protectant application with the service.
Are carpet protectants worth it? Read on to learn about how carpet protectants work and why this affordable investment can protect your carpet for years to come.
How do carpet protectants work?
Carpet protectant is commonly known as Scotchgard. It can be used on carpet, upholstery and fabrics to keep stains and moisture from soaking into the fibers. It also keeps dirt and dust from soiling your flooring or upholstered surfaces. In short, it’s an invisible barrier that keeps your carpet fresh and clean.
Most carpets leave the mill with a protective coating already applied, but it does wear off over time. Investing in carpet protectant (generally every 18 to 24 months) will prolong the life of your flooring, saving you the expense of costly replacement. If there are any particularly high-traffic areas of your carpet, you should consider investing in more frequent applications since frequent foot traffic can wear down the protective barrier and leave your flooring vulnerable to spills and stains.
Carpet protectants are usually applied directly after a professional cleaning. Once your carpet cleaning technician has removed all traces of spills, dirt and grime from your carpeting, completely restoring it to its original appearance, they’ll apply the carpet protectant to create an impenetrable barrier that protects carpet fibers.
The benefits of carpet protectant
Now that you’ve learned how carpet protectants work, get to know some of the benefits that come with professional carpet protectant installation:
Protects both carpet and upholstery: Carpet protectant not only prevents stains from ruining carpet, but it also protects upholstered furniture, too. The invisible barrier prevents premature wear on a variety of fabric and textile surfaces throughout the house.
Preserves carpet’s fresh appearance: There’s nothing quite like a heavy-duty, professional carpet cleaning to restore freshness and cleanliness to your carpets. A quality carpet protectant preserves this just-cleaned look for years to come, keeping your carpets spotless well after your last cleaning.
Makes cleaning easier: The protective barrier created by carpet protectants keeps dirt and spills from penetrating into carpet or upholstery fibers. Spills can never make it through the surface of your carpet if you’ve invested in a quality protectant, making future cleanup much easier.
Saves you money: Most homeowners simply replace their carpet once it’s become dirty or spotted with spills. Instead of spending the money to replace your carpet completely, a good cleaning, followed by the application of a quality carpet protectant, can restore your floors and save you the cost of full replacement.
Carpet protectants are worth it when they’re applied by knowledgeable experts. Contact Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center today to schedule your carpet protectant application. When you’re ready to transform the appearance of your flooring, we know what it takes to keep your carpet fresh and clean with professional-grade carpet protectant.
Stretching is an important part of proper carpet maintenance. Over time, a carpet can become loose, resulting in wrinkles. To avoid this, it’s important to tighten the carpet by stretching it. The carpet installation process involves carpet stretching, though re-stretching is often required after a period of time.
While it’s possible to stretch a carpet on your own, the process requires several specialized tools and experience in carpet work. If you want to avoid purchasing expensive tools and potentially making a destructive mistake, contact a professional carpet re-stretching service provider in your area.
Below, we provide helpful information to answer the question, “What is carpet stretching?”
The purpose of carpet stretching
There are many signs it’s time to invest in carpet stretching. Bunching and bubbling carpet is not only unattractive, but it can also be dangerous. You don’t want to accidentally trip over a wrinkled carpet and end up injured. Carpet that’s started to peel from wood or tile floors could also mean it’s time to have it stretched. Catching and repairing these problems early will prevent worse issues down the line.
Not only will stretching get rid of all the wrinkles in your carpet, but it will also help increase your carpet’s lifespan. Instead of paying for a full carpet replacement when your old one starts to show wear and tear, ask about carpet re-stretching. In some cases, re-stretching will have your carpet looking brand-new.
What causes common carpet problems?
There are many things that can cause problems with your carpet, including heavy foot traffic. While carpets are meant to be walked on, constant foot traffic will eventually wear them down. Moving furniture across rooms can also put a major strain on your carpets.
Improper installation will cause your carpet to wear down sooner than it should. That’s why it’s important to only work with a reputable service provider for carpet installations and repairs.
Finding a carpet stretching company
Don’t put your carpet in the hands of a subpar carpeting company. Find a company that has years of experience in many different carpeting services, including installations, repairs and re-stretching. While it might seem like re-stretching will fix your carpet problems, this isn’t always the case. That’s why it’s good to work with experts who can spot other possible causes right away.
There are carpet repair contractors and technicians available in many areas; however, those who also specialize in carpet installations are usually your best bet. As mentioned above, carpet stretching is an important part of the installation process, so an expert shouldn’t have trouble re-stretching yours.
Speak with a trusted carpet repair and installation company
Now that you know what carpet stretching is, it’s important to remember to get yours stretched when necessary. If you’re experiencing issues with your carpet, contact the experts at Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center. Our experienced technicians will be at your home or business in no time to assess the situation and offer great recommendations. We charge fair prices on all our carpet services.
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