If you’re not very familiar with carpet cleaning in South Amboy, NJ, you might not know the importance of pH levels in this process. In fact, you may have thought the only time you needed to be concerned with pH levels was for your pool water. However, if you want long-lasting, clean carpet, this isn’t the case. The pH levels of the cleaner used for your carpet directly affect how well the carpet is cleaned and how long it lasts. Proper pH treatment is essential for desirable results.
What are the correct pH levels for carpet? Following are the top answers you should know to ensure the best treatment of your carpet.
What is pH?
In general science terms, pH indicates how much hydrogen ion concentration is found in a solution. In the carpet industry, pH specifically refers to the acidity or alkalinity of a water-based solution used to clean your carpets.
What is a normal pH level?
Product pH levels range from zero to 14. Ranges from zero to seven are acidic, and readings above seven are alkaline. If a substance has a pH of seven, it is considered neutral. Each numerical step on this scale indicates a substance is ten times more or less acidic than the previous rating. For example, a product with a pH of three is ten times more acidic than a product with a pH level of four.
What pH level should I use for my carpet cleaning?
If you are cleaning carpets dirtied by soil, it is usually recommended that you use an alkaline detergent for your carpet cleaning in South Amboy, NJ. The solution should have a pH of around 10. If the carpet is not heavily soiled, a neutral cleaner (closer to pH level seven) may be more effective and safer to use.
Why does the pH level matter?
Most soils are acidic. To remove them, an alkaline solution works best. If the soil is alkaline (which is less common) it is important to use an acidic solution. The chemical reactions created make the solution most effective for removing the dirt. It is also important to consider the material of the carpet itself. The right type of solution must be used, based on the durability of the carpet. Using the right pH level will best preserve the color, texture and pile of the carpet. Lastly, the type of solution used previously can also affect the best choice of solution. If a previous cleaning method left a residue of alkaline, for example, then an acidic solution can help remove this residue.
Where can I find out more about pH levels for carpet cleaning?
For additional expertise on carpet cleaning in South Amboy, NJ, contact the professionals at Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center. Our highly-trained technicians can answer all your questions and schedule your next cleaning. We will apply the appropriate pH levels to ensure the best results for your carpeting. Our in-depth knowledge ensures your carpet cleaning process offers the best return on your investment, for long-lasting brilliance. Reach out to us today!
The food is cleared away. The dishes are done. You and your home have recovered from the party. There’s just one thing that remains: the stains on your carpet. You’ve tried scrubbing and screaming, and nothing seems to work. For party stains, try these tips for carpet cleaning in South Amboy, NJ.
General stain removal
To remove stains from carpet, start from the outside of the stain and work your way in. Blot the stain with clean water. Do not scrub. Scrubbing can ruin carpet fibers or push the stain through to the carpet pad. Rinse the stain with water and blot. Repeat this process as needed until the carpet is clean.
Water soluble stains
What did your guests spill on your carpet? If the stain is water soluble, such as colas, alcoholic beverages, milk, ice cream, or gravy, use the following cleaning solution:
¼ teaspoon non-bleach detergent (you can substitute white vinegar)
32 ounces of water
Tough water-soluble stains
Not all water-soluble stains are equal. Some are much tougher to remove from carpet. For stains made by chocolate, blood, mustard, tea, vomit or wine, try this alternative method:
1 tablespoon of ammonia (if the carpet is wool, use mild detergent instead)
1 cup water
Cigarette burns
Use a hard, flat surface, such as a dull knife, to gently rub the carpet pile for cigarette burn removal.
Glue
Use a soft cloth or cotton ball moistened with rubbing alcohol. Press it on the glue stain until thoroughly moistened. Then, gently wipe away the glue. Repeat this process until the stain is gone.
Wax or gum
Freeze the gum or wax with ice. Then, use a spoon or other blunt object to shatter the material. Vacuum the pieces immediately and blot the carpet with a towel.
Fat or oil
Place a paper towel over the stain. Using a warm setting, iron the towel. This will pull the fat or oil off the carpet and onto the paper towel.
Nail polish
Use the same solution you would to clean that color off your nails. Dip a rag in nail polish remover and use it to blot the stain away.
Urine
Use white towels to soak up as much as possible. Then, blot the stain with a cool, damp cloth. Use a one-part-vinegar and two-part-water solution to blot the rest of the stain. Then, mix 32 ounces of water with ½ teaspoon of clear, mild, non-bleach detergent and apply this to the stain. Rinse and blot the carpet dry.
To make sure any stain is really gone, call in the pros. They offer industry-leading techniques and tools to permanently eradicate stains.
Don’t let one party ruin the look of your carpet forever. For expert stain removal, contact the experienced team at Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center. We offer the carpet cleaning solutions you need for the toughest stains. Reach our professional technicians today to schedule your next carpet cleaning in South Amboy, NJ. We are happy to provide additional tips or arrange for expert carpet care.
Carpeting in your home is an important investment; it pulls a room together and keeps you comfortable. You want your carpet to look as good as new for as long as possible, which can be a challenge, especially if you have pets or small children. Accidental stains happen quickly, and if they’re not addressed just as fast, they can cause permanent damage. Nobody wants a large, unsightly stain in the middle of their floor!
Of course, professional carpet cleaning services in South Amboy, NJ can help you address these tough stains and maybe even remove them entirely, but sometimes you need to do something while you wait. Here are some of the most common and toughest stains and how to remove them from your carpet:
Coffee: Coffee stains happen quickly; one moment you’re sipping your morning coffee, and the next, a dark brown stain is settling into your carpet. Coffee stains can be particularly difficult to remove because they cause a dark yellow or brown color. You’ll want to start by blotting the area with a dry towel. Next, try a mixture of water and vinegar or dishwasher detergent to remove or lessen the stain.
Wine or fruit juice: Stains caused by dark liquids like wine, fruit juice or Kool-Aid can be a nightmare to remove, especially on lighter colored carpets. This is because these liquids seep into carpets quickly, spreading and staining with very dark colors. Blot the area, but never rub, as it can spread the stain and make it worse! Next, wet the area with hydrogen peroxide and later spray a mixture of water and vinegar or carpet cleaner to treat the area.
Ink: A busted pen can lead to a long-lasting, nasty stain on your carpet if not treated immediately. Ink can destroy carpets if it’s not addressed! Blot the area with a cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol. Let it stand, rinse it with water, then use a liquid-friendly vacuum to remove the moisture. However, this stain is sometimes best left to professional carpet cleaning services in South Amboy, NJ.
Blood: Blood, like wine or juice, both penetrates carpet quickly and leaves a dark colored stain when it dries, so it’s best to address this type of stain quickly (after you make sure everyone is okay first!). Always use cold water when treating blood stains, and spray a mixture of grease-fighting liquid detergent and water on the stain, blotting as necessary.
With all types of stains, be sure to blot and not rub or scrub to avoid spreading the stain and making the damage worse! Besides using household cleaners, most stores sell carpet cleaning solutions that are specifically made for targeting specific stains like blood, wine or coffee.
Our carpet cleaning services in South Amboy, NJ are unrivaled!
If you find yourself face to face with tough stains, call Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center! We’ve been your local experts in carpet cleaning for nearly 70 years, and we offer a full range of carpet cleaning services in South Amboy, NJ for your carpets and rugs, and can clean, repair, re-stretch and install carpets using the latest products and technologies. Give us a call today for a free estimate!
When your carpets are severely soiled and are in need of a good cleaning, you might initially believe that all it takes is some general shampoo or cleaning solution to take care of the problem. However, choosing a cleaning solution for carpets is a lot more complex than that and requires some basic knowledge of chemistry.
Yes, that’s right—to understand the fundamentals of carpet cleaning in South Amboy, NJ, we’re going to have to take you on a quick trip back to high school chemistry class and explain one of the most important components of carpet cleaning: pH. The pH of the carpet to be cleaned and the cleaning solution to be used have to be correct to not only clean the carpet well, but to avoid creating more damage or voiding the carpet’s warranty.
pH 101
pH stands for the “potential of hydrogen” and is a measure of the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a solution. pH levels run on a scale of 0 to 14. Levels between 0 and 6 are considered acidic, levels between 8 and 14 are alkaline and a level of 7 is considered neutral. Each step up or down on the scale represents a different intensity of the acidity or alkalinity.
Products at the extreme ends, meaning 0 and 14, are extremely corrosive and the most intense acids or alkaline solutions available. Needless to say, these types of solutions would not be used to clean your carpets. However, some heavy stains may require the use of more intense solutions like an alkaline solution with a pH level of 12.
How pH plays a role in carpet cleaning in South Amboy, NJ
The pH level of a cleaning solution and the carpet itself will ultimately determine the cleaning performance. For the most part, cleaning performance on oily soils, which are the most common in carpets, will be increased with an increase in pH level, meaning with more alkaline solutions. However, some soils will be best removed using acidic solutions.
Carpet cleaners need to be able to determine the pH of your carpet and know the pH of their cleaning solutions to effectively clean the carpet without damaging the carpet’s dyes or fibers. The cleaner will determine what type of fibers your carpet is composed of and then determine the type of soil present to select the best cleaning solution for the job.
For example, most of today’s carpets are synthetic, made of nylon or polyester, so solutions with a pH higher than 10 could cause severe damage to the fibers.
After the carpet is cleaned, your cleaners should neutralize your carpet, or balance its pH, so that there is no acidic or alkaline residue remaining that could cause future damage.
Call the expert cleaners at Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center
Are you in need of carpet cleaning in South Amboy, NJ? Call Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center! We’ve been your local experts in carpet cleaning for nearly 70 years. We offer a full range of cleaning services for carpets, rugs, hardwood floors, tile floors and more, and can clean, repair, re-stretch and install carpets using all up-to-date products and technologies. Give us a call today for a free estimate on your next service!
Summer is over and the holidays will soon be here, which means now is the perfect time to schedule your carpet cleaning in South Amboy, NJ. The only question is, should you dry clean or steam clean your carpets?
Welcome to the old debate: dry clean vs. steam clean. Dry cleaning methods use chemical-based dry shampoo that includes special solvents and cleaning agents. This dry shampoo is worked into your carpet using a machine with rotating brushes. After the solvent is left to sit in your carpet for a few minutes, it is vacuumed up. With steam cleaning, the carpet is pre-conditioned with a cleaning agent that liquefies soils and oil-based substances. Then, water that is pressurized and heated to a near-boiling point is injected into the carpet and, after a few minutes, removed with a special vacuum.
Steam cleaning is the more traditional form of carpet cleaning, the most widely used, and is recommended by both carpet manufacturers and industry cleaning experts. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that dry cleaning isn’t effective as well. So let’s take a closer look at these two methods on a few important points:
Effectiveness: Both dry cleaning and steam cleaning appear to clean carpets really well – on the surface. If you take a closer look, however, you may see something different. Steam cleaning is the only method of cleaning that reaches all the way down to the lowest layers of your carpeting and is best for removing deep, ground-in stains. In fact, steam cleaning removes at least 97 percent of dirt, allergens and bacteria hiding deep in your carpeting. Although dry cleaning looks clean on the surface, dig a little deeper and you will find that it leaves a lot of dirt behind, and deep stains often reappear shortly after cleaning.
Wait times: Both dry and steam cleaning processes take about the same time to clean your carpet. The difference is how long you have to wait after cleaning before you can walk on your carpet. In this category, dry cleaning is the better choice. You can walk on a carpet that was dry cleaned within a few minutes. With steam cleaning, you may have to wait anywhere from a few hours to the next day for the carpet to completely dry.
Safe cleaning: Both methods typically use chemical-based cleaners, whether in powder or liquid form. However, most companies can offer green carpet cleaning options as well for both methods. The only difference is that steam cleaning removes about 97 percent of the cleaning solution while dry cleaning can leave a lot of chemical residue behind.
So, which cleaning method is best for you? Well, if you want a fast surface clean so you can use your room again right away, the dry cleaning method is your best option. But if you want a safe, effective and deep clean, steam cleaning is the only way to go. To schedule your next steam carpet cleaning in South Amboy, NJ, get in touch with Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center today!
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