What Should I Do When I Spill Something On The Carpet?

Act quickly! Most carpet available today has been treated with a stain-resist treatment, so many spills can be removed if immediate action is taken. The longer the delay, the higher the probability of a spill becoming a permanent stain. Remember, many factors influence staining, and no carpet is entirely stain-proof.

Blot liquids with a dry, white, absorbent cloth or white paper toweling (no printing).

Do not scrub the area! Scrubbing may cause pile distortion in the affected area. Use a dry cloth or paper towel until the area is completely dry. For semi-solids, gently scrape them up with a rounded spoon. Solids should be broken up and vacuumed until completely removed. If the spot can be identified, locate the substance in the spot removal computer and follow the directions carefully.

Pretest any spot removal agent in an inconspicuous area to ensure the solution will not damage the fiber or the dye. After applying several drops to the testing area, hold a white cloth on the wet area for 10 seconds. Examine the carpet and cloth for color transfer, color change, or damage to the carpet. If a change occurs, another cleaning solution should be selected.

Apply a small amount of the selected cleaning solution to a white cloth and work in gently.

Work from the edges of the spill to the center to prevent the spill from spreading. Do not scrub! Blot to absorb as much as possible, and repeat if necessary.

Continue using the first cleaning solution if there is a spill transfer to the cloth. It is not necessary to use all of the cleaning solutions if the first solution removes the spill.

Be patient! Complete removal of the spill may require repeating the same step several times. After the spill has been completely removed, rinse the affected area thoroughly with cold water, and blot with a dry cloth until all of the solution has been removed.

Some cleaning solutions will cause rapid soiling if the solution is not entirely removed. Apply a one-half-inch layer of white paper towels to the affected area, and weigh down with a flat, heavy object. Continue to change paper towels as needed.

A dry, absorbent cleaning compound may be used as a substitute to accelerate drying time. Many fiber manufacturers provide a toll-free cleaning assistance and advice (consult your warranty). For more detailed information on a spill, please search on the pull-down menu at the right.

5 Reasons You Should Always Get Carpet Protector

1. Reduces permanent stains – An ugly spot can ruin a great-looking carpet. Removing spots and spills more effectively allows you to avoid permanent staining. Unprotected carpet doesn’t repel spillage, as well as protected carpet.
2. Helps save your traffic areas from destruction – Traffic area soil is very abrasive and cuts carpet yarns like a knife. This damaging soil can quickly bond to an unprotected carpet. By applying a protector, you will increase the life of your carpet dramatically. When you vacuum your protected carpet, the soil will release much more effectively from the carpet pile.
3. Not using high-quality protectors – Discount protectors are not as effective and sometimes void the carpet warranty. Our company uses only the highest quality, recommended protectors.
4. Makes your next professional cleaning more effective – Having a protector applied to your carpet will enhance your next cleaning. More soil will be removed the next time your carpeting is professionally cleaned.
5. Helps avoid costly service calls – Although you want to call us to handle any spot you cannot remove immediately, a carpet protector helps you remove more spots than you could without a protector. You may save a minimum charge by removing the spot yourself. The result of having a protector applied to your carpet is that your carpet will look better and last longer.

Call Today! Van's Carpet Cleaning 352.669.1540

How Often Should I Clean My Rug?

A good rule of thumb is to get your rug cleaned every 6-12 months (depending on traffic, pets, and style of rug) as to avoid any permanent damage. Many times, clients wait until they visually see a rug dirty before they decide to get it cleaned. Even if a rug doesn’t look dirty, you should have it professionally cleaned. Vacuuming removes most top soils from the rug's surface but cannot reach the bottom. Millions of microscopic dust particles, soil, and bacteria settle at the bottom of the rug, which then starts causing damage from within. Think of it as sand between your fingers. It acts as sandpaper rubbing and grinding away at the fibers' base. You can always email us with pictures of your rug so we can quickly identify it as handmade, machine-made, or synthetic.  This will help you further understand what your rug needs are and what we can do to give it the proper cleaning.

Call Today 352.669.1540

Wool Wisdom

One of the most crucial areas of carpet maintenance is removal of spots and spills. Acting quickly when anything is dropped or spilled, and always having the necessary cleaning materials at hand are of the utmost importance. We recommend a “WoolClean Spot Removal Kit,” which can be purchased from a Wools of New Zealand Partner Retailer. Call 800-367-0462 or check the Wools website at www.woolsnz.com for the Partner Retailer nearest you.

Frequent vacuuming is a wool carpet’s best friend.

• An upright vacuum with a beater bar/brush is the best type for cut pile carpet.
• A suction-only vacuum may be required for loop pile Berber carpets to prevent excessive fuzzing.
• Vacuum cleaner dust bag should be emptied when half full.
• Exercise prevention maintenance by placing absorbent mats at the most frequently used entrances to your home.
• Change or launder when these mats become dirty. Filters in your heating and air conditioning systems should be changed regularly.
• Periodically clean traffic lanes and the areas in front of frequently used chairs with an absorbent powder (such as Host®, Dri-Matic® or Capture®).
• Keep absorbent cloth or paper towels and cleaning solutions on hand for quick response to spills and accidents.
• DO NOT apply stain repellent treatments which contain any silicone as they tend to accelerate carpet soiling. (Some carpet manufacturers do not accept responsibility for complaints where such treatments have been used.)
• When having your wool carpet professionally cleaned, use a “WoolCare Specialist” certified by Restoration Industry Association.

Stop Dirt at the Door

Preventing dirt and grime from getting on the carpet in the first place is a great way to start keeping it clean. 

The following helpful hints can stop dirt in its tracks.

• Use mats — Outdoor and indoor mats or runners can reduce the amount of dirt that enters the house.
• Take off your shoes — You can save wear and tear on carpet by asking everyone to take their shoes off before entering your home.
• Change your air filters — Change air filters in your heating and air-conditioning systems as recommended by the manufacturer’s directions. 
• The more dust and particles removed by the filter, the fewer that fall onto the carpet.

Merry Christmas! Van's Carpet Cleaning Svc Team 352.669.1540

352.669.1540

www.vanscarpet.com

Get FREE Cash or FREE Cleaning Through Our Referral Rewards Program!!

"Ask about our Exclusive MicroSeal Permanent Protector"

God's Love       John 3:16
God's Plan       John 10:10
Man is Sinful    Romans 3:23
Man is Separated Romans 6:23
He died for Us   Romans 5:8
He Rose from the Dead 1 Cor 15:3-6
He is the Only Way to God John 14:6
"Lord Jesus, I need you, Thank for Dying on the Cross for my sins. I open the door of my Life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be."

Carpet Cleaning is Just Like Exercise

​If you get into a routine and keep it up, you will see great results and feel better for it. And understanding the right way to clean carpet will help you save time by doing it correctly the first time with products that do the job right from the start. Not only will Seal of Approval cleaning products help keep your carpet looking great, they can also help meet the warranty requirements of the carpet manufacturer. Below are three simple steps to keeping your carpet clean and looking great:

1. Vacuum at the right frequency with a CRI-approved vacuum.
2. Clean spots and spills quickly with products that do not damage the carpet or cause it to re-soil more quickly.
3. Professionally deep clean your carpets every 12 to 18 months to remove embedded dirt and grime.

--

352-669-1540
www.vanscarpet.com

Get FREE Cash or FREE Cleaning Through Our Referral Rewards Program!!

"Ask about our Exclusive MicroSeal Permanent Protector"

God's Love       John 3:16
God's Plan       John 10:10
Man is Sinful    Romans 3:23
Man is Separated Romans 6:23
He died for Us   Romans 5:8
He Rose from the Dead 1 Cor 15:3-6
He is the Only Way to God John 14:6
"Lord Jesus, I need you, Thank for Dying on the Cross for my sins. I open the door of my Life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be." 

Holiday Tip - Red Wine Spill

1. Saturate with water & vinegar
2. Use shop vac to extract excess
3. Spray with a little water & vinegar
4. Use white cloth & apply pressure
5. Repeat as needed

God Bless & Happy ThanksGiving!

Van's Carpet Cleaning Svc

352.669.1540 or 800.691.2229

Why Do White Knots in Oriental Rugs Occur?

Did you know that “white knots” is a term to describe a condition inherent in hand knotted rugs, where light colored spots appear over time, seemingly at random, in the body of the rug pile? They are sometimes called “rug freckles.” These spots are knots in the rug’s foundation that have worked their way through the rug pile and are showing through the pile yarns.

When a hand knotted rug is made, its foundation is made of warp and weft yarns. Warp yarns run the length of the rug and weft yarns span the rug’s width. Often the material the weaver has on hand is too short for the length needed, so shorter lengths are tied together until then necessary length is achieved. Also, in the weaving process some warp yarns can break, and the loose ends have to be tied together, the knots used in all of these instances will eventually become white knots. When a rug is new and its pile is at full length, these knot scan be hidden from view, but eventually regular foot traffic will wear the pile length down and begin to expose them.

Although the term “white knots” is used generally, their appearance reflects the material used in the foundation of a rug, so depending on the material used, your rug might have “blue knots” “gray knots” or others. It is important to understand when you begin to notice them that these knots do not indicate that there is a defect, or lack of quality with a particular area rug, rather they simply reflect how your rug was made. They should never be cut as this will lead to a hole in the foundation of your rug. Through foot traffic and regular soiling, these knots can become darker and less noticeable. With a thorough cleaning, the soils and stains that help to hide the knots will be removed, and the knots will reappear or become more noticeable. This does not mean there is a problem with the cleaning, but again reflects one of the physical characteristics of hand knotted rugs as they wear .

Call us Today if you would like a free consultation about your rug.  Van's Carpet Cleaning 352.669.1540 or visit us at www.vanscarpet.com

Another Satisfied Custom

Recommendations Galore!

For The Love Of Cotton

You may not know this, but cotton is the most popular fiber in the world. Why? Because it’s durable, easily dyed, absorbent, soft, and comfortable to touch. These characteristics make it the fabric of choice for clothing, towels, bedding, and more.

We’re not the first people to recognize the virtues of this versatile fiber. Cotton has been cultivated globally for thousands of years. From underwear to overcoats, clothing continues to be the most common use for cotton. The same features that make cotton ideal for clothing make it perfect for upholstery.

Like your clothing, all upholstery, including cotton, must be cleaned periodically for appearance and health. Furniture manufacturers recommend cleaning every 12-24 months. Failure to do so can result in an unwanted appearance change called soil staining. Soil staining occurs when soils, oils, and pollutants adhere to the fibers and oxidize. This can result in permanent dulling of colors and changes to fabric texture.

Contact Van’s Carpet Cleaning today for more tips, help, or to schedule your next appointment. Call Today! 352.669.1540 or 800.691.2229

Talk of The Villages - Recent Reviews

We Have a Lot of Super Happy Customers Who Let Us Know How They Felt About Us Over on TalkOfTheVillages.com

Check them out!

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I was so impressed I had them clean the tiled areas especially the kitchen floor where the grout was terribly discolored. I noticed the difference every time i entered the kitchen. Even more impressive was the follow up call to check on my experience. That’s a sign of a good company. So I offered to write this recommendation because I had a difficult time finding good reviews for carpet cleaners.

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I want to recommend Van’s Carpet Cleaning Service for both carpet and tile. A small flood discolored part ofc my wall-to-wall carpet while I was out of town. It was particularly noticeable because there had been a dirty floor mat on top of that part of the rug. I chose Van’s because they do real steam cleaning and their IICRC certification which Consumer Report recommends using while selecting a carpet cleaner. Even before I committed to use them, Ernie came out to estimate the cost and sprayed something to start working on the stain. Now it is almost gone. I doubt anyone else would know it was ever stained. The whole carpet looks fantastic even the darker frequently walked paths into the mbr and kitchen are gone. The carpet only been vacuumed and never professionally cleaned since we moved in almost 7 years ago so the paths were quite visible.

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I just had Van’s stretch carpet, clean carpet, and clean upholstery. GREAT job! Starting with the initial visit, very professional and helpful. Even helped me decide what I didn’t need to do! Appreciated the honest assessment and guidance. Thank you!

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Terrific service. Fabulous communication. Sofa and recliner spotless. They cleaned area rug for no extra charge. HIGHLY recommended!!!

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I recently use Van’s Carpet Cleaning to not only clean my area rugs and upholstered furniture, but also to clean my wood laminate flooring. They did a wonderful, thorough job. This is not the first time I’ve used them. I am more than satisfied with the results. They are professional people, expert in their tasks.

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Just this week had Vans come in to clean some cushions and pillows on our lanai furniture. We really appreciated the courtesy call the day before(we didn’t need reminding but were glad for the confirmation that we had not been forgotten).They arrived exactly on time and did a great job on our upholstery. I would not hesitate to have them back for any of the several services they offer; they will be our “first choice” in the future.

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We called Van’s on the recommendation of DOC’s Restoration staff in Summerfield and are glad we did. Ivy VanGorder was great in timely scheduling the work during a day when the seller allowed us in just before the closing so furniture could be delivered the following week. Ernie arrived on time and was a true professional. It was a pleasure to have them complete our rug cleaning in our home. Van’s Rug Cleaning went out of their way to get us to our newly purchased home with a spotless rug. A definite return customer here! Veterans tell them who you are and they will hook you up!

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Great Experience
We recently had Van’s in our home to take care of a bad stain on a bedroom carpet-Not only were they professional and thorough, but they weren’t sure that they could eradicate the stain, they did not charge us!!!! Well, the stain came out, and we had them back to do the rest of our carpeted areas! Highly recommend-great quality work, pleasant and knowledgeable staff and trustworthy.

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We have used Van’s Carpet Cleaning service for both wall-to-wall carpet and area rugs. Both times they have given great results accompanied by great personal service. They treat your carpet as if it was their own.
You can’t go wrong with Van’s Carpet Cleaning.
Bill F.

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Van’s just came over to stretch and clean my bedroom rug. I had tried another company three times and they never responded. The day I emailed Van’s, Ivy called me and was very nice and set up a time to have an estimate done. The gentleman came the next day and was very pleasant. They actually came out on the 24th and did the work. The service tech was professional in every way and did a fantastic job on both the stretching of the rug and the shampooing. Service is everything to me and this company was all about customer service. Thank you......

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I used VAN’s twice this year. First for my area rug and then for my two living room chairs. As usual service was great and results terrific. I would highly recommend.

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We just had Van’s clean our carpet and 2 area rugs. Because we have wool area rugs, they took them to their facility to clean them. The rugs look amazing. Carpets look great too. Excellent job. Will definitely use them again.

When Was the Last Time You Had Your Rugs Professionally Cleaned?

When Was the Last Time You Had Your Rugs Professionally Cleaned?

Don't get caught holding and owning a rug you didn't want. Protect yourself with proper cleaning so that you can FALL in love with it again.

Rugs should be regularly cleaned - but not cleaned in the home. Why not?

There are Two Main Reasons:

1. The first is that you are not getting the rug thoroughly cleaned.
2. In most cases, you are causing long-term damage to those woven textiles.

In-plant rug cleaning is recommended for Oriental rugs and loose woven rugs. They should not be cleaned on location like wall-to-wall carpet. Van's cares for the finest to the most basic rugs from around the world. We will pick your rug up and bring it to our rug spa that has all new and improved cleaning equipment where it will receive our very thorough Eight Step Cleaning System to get maximum soil and spot removal. Having your rug cleaned in our plant allows us to give it several treatments for a more thorough cleaning, controlled drying, and the use of various tools that are not available on location.

Call us right now to have us inspect your rug - Van's Carpet Cleaning 352-669-1540!

Filtration Soiling

You may have noticed it in your own home, or the home of a neighbor or friend-dark, dirty-looking lines in the carpet around the baseboards, under doors and on stairs.

What is it? Can it be removed? Will it come back? The dark greyish or black discolorations that occur around the perimeter of rooms and in the doorways of some houses can sometimes be a source of embarrassment and frustration.

Our customers rely on us not only to clean their carpets but also to educate them about how to maintain their carpet. Before we explain what these mysterious dark lines are, we’ll talk about what they are not. Contrary to what you may think, it has absolutely nothing to do with accumulated dust from poor housekeeping. It is not a defect in the carpet. And although some believe it to be mold, it is not. Even pest control companies have been wrongly accused of causing these unsightly lines with their treatments.

So, what IS it? It’s called filtration soiling.

Go to www.vanscarpet.com for more info on "Filtration Soiling"

How to remove wine from carpets

1. Blot to remove excess liquid or stain. Carefully wet stained area with 7-Up¨ or tonic water and blot with paper towel. Repeat wetting and blotting until no stain is evident on towel.
2. Rinse with clear water and blot dry. If fabric stain is persistent, wet stained area with water. Apply small amount of detergent/water solution, work into stained area with sponge and blot. Repeat detergent/water application until no stain is evident on towel.
3. Rinse with clear water to remove traces of detergent and blot dry. It is important to remove all traces of detergent to prevent rapid   re-soiling.
4. If fabric stain is persistent, apply 3% hydrogen peroxide. Let stand four hours and blot. Reapply 3% hydrogen peroxide, allow to stand 24 hours. Blot and allow to air dry for 48 hours. If stain is still evident, repeat with hydrogen peroxide.
   When stain is no longer visible, rinse with clear water and blot dry.

Call Van's Carpet Cleaning 352-669-1540 TODAY!

Why is MicroSeal Better?

Why is MicroSeal Better?

• Permanent Sun Fade / UV Protection
• Environmentally Safe
• Independent lab tests to back all claims
• Protects ALL fabrics (except vinyl) including smooth leather
• Nanotechnology penetrates through fibers
• Unlimited help over the phone any time
• Quick, professional on-site service any time (special discounted service fee applies)
• If MicroSeal is applied, there is a one-year free spot cleaning warranty.
• What Fabrics can be Permanently Protected?

Virtually every type of fibrous fabric including wool, cotton, nylon, polyester blends, silk, natural suede, synthetic suede and even smooth finished leather. You can have all types of items protected including fine furniture, oriental rugs, carpets, curtains, interiors of boats, planes, cars, and patio furniture. MicroSeal is not effective on vinyl. The MicroSeal will not break up, wear off, or clean off and will continue to protect the fibers from permanent stains and sun fading for many years.

Van's Carpet Cleaning Service
Call 352-669-1540  to have it applied today!

Carpet Cleaning in Winter? Really?

This is the time of the year when you may wonder if it makes sense to get your carpets cleaned.  Great question! But first, let’s think about this... Does it make sense to clean your wood or tile floors in the winter? Does it make sense to clean your bed linens in winter? Of course.

For some reason, many people treat their carpet differently. It’s as if the carpet was somehow magically immune to soiling because the weather is cool. Logically, this is not true.

It’s what you can’t see that is the problem. Modern carpets do a great job of hiding soil. This may lead you to think you only need to clean your carpets once a year or when they “look” dirty. But according to the EPA, most households should clean carpets at least twice a year, maybe more depending on lifestyle and other factors.

This may surprise you until you think about all of the soils, allergens, oils, pollutants and contaminants that carpet traps.

In most homes, carpet is the largest filter, trapping soils, pollutants and pet and human dander (dead skin cells, which we shed by the millions every day and dust mites live for).

The fact is that winter is a great time to get your carpets cleaned. Here are a few reasons why.

You’re worth it. One reason for cleaning your carpets in the winter is that you want your home to look great for visiting friends and relatives during the Holidays. Nothing makes your home feel clean and inviting quite like freshly cleaned carpets. Even if you don’t expect guests, you will be spending more time at home in the winter, so you want it to look nice for you, too.

Of course, there are far more important reasons to clean your carpet than appearance. In fact, if you wait until your carpets look dirty before you clean them, you have waited too long. Soil damages carpet, dramatically reducing its usable life. Can you imagine waiting until your clothes look dirty before laundering them? Of
course not. That would be unhealthy and they would probably begin to smell before they looked dirty. Carpet is no different.

During the summer, pollen and other pollutants enter your home and become trapped in the carpets. In the fall, mold spores are more prevalent, again, becoming trapped in your carpet fibers. All of this just in time for you to close things up for the winter and spend more time inside... Not a pretty picture is it?

It’s bad enough that winter is the time when people suffer from cold and flu without adding poor indoor air quality to aggravate conditions such as asthma and allergies.

Carpets tend to dry faster in the winter because the humidity is lower and most of us are using our furnaces. Warm, dry air is great for drying carpets! Clean the winter blues away. Remember that in winter, days are shorter. Darkness comes earlier and lasts longer. A clean, fresh, healthy carpet is a great way to help fight off the winter doldrums. A clean, neat home just makes you feel better.

Van’s Carpet Cleaning is usually busiest during the Holidays; everyone wants a clean house for family and guests. Call now to book your cleaning before the big rush!

VAN'S CARPET CLEANING 352.669.1540 www.vanscarpet.com

How to Care for Your Oriental Rug

Rotation – To ensure even wear, your rug should be rotated once a year. Depending on the traffic, the rotation may vary from six months to two years.

Vacuuming – Oriental rugs, like most carpeting, should be vacuumed on a regular basis to remove dirt and restore life to the fibers. Be sure not to vacuum the fringe with your beater bar! Use the end of a vacuum hose from a canister vacuum.

Padding – A quality pad used under your rug helps protect it from dirt, wear, and slippage.

Spot and Spill Procedures – Make sure that you safely and immediately clean up spots and spills before they set.

1. First, soak up the excess liquid by blotting with a clean absorbent material. Do not brush or rub the stain.
2. Then spot-clean with a mild detergent-white vinegar-water solution. Do not over wet.
3. Rinse area thoroughly with water and a small amount of vinegar. Avoid wetting the rug’s backing.
4. Blot dry until most of the moisture has been absorbed.
5. Allow to air dry. A fan or cool hair dryer can be used to hasten the drying process.
6. For stains that do not come out using these methods, ask our cleaning specialists

Remove Spots Immediately

Spots that are not immediately removed can turn into permanent stains very easily. When a carpet is new or has sufficient protector on it, plain tap water will remove many spots. However, for those spots that will not move easily with water, you must use a spot cleaner. Select a spot cleaner that is recommended by the carpet manufacturer or your trained, certified professional cleaner. Most spot removers that are purchased over the counter leave too much soap residue and can cause yellowing. Avoid using foam carpet cleaners or any product that is not made specifically for carpet. 

Apply spot cleaner sparingly to white terry cloth and gently massage spot causing it to transfer into the cloth. Never pour spot cleaner directly on carpet. If the product that you are using seems to cause the spot to re-soil over a few week period, discontinue use. Any spot that you are not able to remove, and for pet urine or feces, call your professional cleaner immediately.

Is Education worth the money?

Cleaning has traditionally been viewed as a commodity!

A menial task that anyone can do, but allowing uneducated and untrained cleaning companies to work on your valuable flooring investments can cost you a lot more to fix the problem rather than choosing someone that is highly trained. Our staff is thoroughly trained and has almost three decades of experience in Carpet Cleaning, Oriental & Area Rug Cleaning, Tile Grout Cleaning, Upholstery Cleaning, Fabric & Carpet Protection, Carpet Power Stretching, and protect your fine furnishings with MicroSeal Permanent Fabric Protection. Get FREE CASH or FREE CLEANING through our Referral Rewards Program!!

“Home of MircroSeal Permanent Protector”
Call Today! 352-669-1540

Spot and Spill Procedures

Make sure that you safely and immediately clean up spots and spills before they set.

Scoop up or scrape the solids off of the carpet or rug.

Soak or blot up the excess liquid by blotting with a clean absorbent material. Do not brush or scrub the stain.

Always work from the edge of the spot inwards.

Then spot clean with a WoolSafe-approved spotter www.woolsafeusa.
org/consumer products or mild liquid laundry detergent solution mixed 1/2 teaspoon with 1-quart water. Apply small quantities at a time, applied to a cloth, NOT directly to the spot; work into the spot with a small brush or sponge.

Do not over wet. Blot dry until most of the moisture has been absorbed and color is no longer visible on the towel.

Rinse area thoroughly with a mixture of 6-parts water to one part white distilled vinegar. Avoid wetting the rug’s backing.

Dry completely. A fan or cool hair dryer can be used to speed up the drying process.

Some stains or animal contamination you may find impossible to remove completely in which case the assistance of a professional may be required.

Call Van's Carpet Cleaning Today 352.669.1540

How to treat a pet stain...

STEP 1. Cover spill with WHITE napkin or paper towels. DO NOT use colored paper! It might transfer onto the carpet. Be sure to use a THICK stack to absorb as much of the spot as possible.

STEP 2. Blot by stepping on the stack of towels. REPEAT THIS PROCESS UNTIL NO TRANSFER TAKES PLACE. DO NOT RUB!!!

STEP 3. Apply Spotting Agent. Warning: DO NOT use spot removers that you get at the grocery store! They leave a sticky residue behind and may discolor your carpet. Get a bottle of Home Pro Spotter Free from Van's Carpet Cleaning with cleaning.

STEP 4. REPEAT Steps 1 & 2. If the spot does not come out, DO NOT attempt any further action, as you may set the spot and/or damage your carpet. Instead, call us immediately at 352.669.1540. If it is after hours, keep it moist until morning by misting a little more solution or water. Leave a voice mail and we will contact you immediately the next business day.

PET SPOTS:

Only use Pet Spotter on pet spots. Urine turns to “alkaline” from being exposed to oxygen. Pet Spotter is designed to neutralize urine salts.

GET YOUR CARPET CLEANED AS SOON AFTER A PET SPOT AS POSSIBLE!

Even when you do a great job cleaning the spot, urine salts can still be left behind which will be discolor your textile and collect odor causing bacteria. 

Warning: DO NOT use over the counter spotters for urine. They are not designed to neutralize the urine salts.

Helping Water Clean Better

Water is a great cleaner. But just like you, sometimes it needs a little help...H2O is a fantastic liquid. It is useful for manufacturing, transportation, firefighting, energy production, cooking, agriculture, recreation and of course, drinking. Water also has some unique qualities that make it an excellent cleaner.

Water is a polar molecule, meaning it has both positively and negatively charged sides. Without going into too much chemistry here, this means that water can attract and surround a great variety of substances. Think about everything that water can dissolve or dilute and you begin to understand why water is referred to as the “universal solvent.” But water can’t dissolve everything. Dirt and grime usually adhere to skin, clothing, and other surfaces by combining with body oils, cooking fats, lubricating greases, and similar substances. Because these substances don’t mix with water, washing with water can’t remove them or the bonded soil. Sometimes it needs a little help. Here are some ways that we can help water clean better.

• Emulsification
  Detergent and soap molecules have a dual nature. One end of the molecule called the head attracts to water; the other end, the tail, attracts to oily soils. The tails attach to the soil; the heads remain in the water. This action breaks the oil and soils into tiny soap-enclosed droplets called micelles, which disperse throughout the solution. The micelles repel each other because of their charged surfaces, so the oils can’t join together once separated. This process of separating and suspending oils in a water-based solution is called emulsification. With the oil no longer bonding the dirt to the soiled surface, the soap-enclosed oils and soils can easily be rinsed away.
• Water softeners
  Hard water contains minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium dissolved from rock and soil as water passes through the earth. Hard water is a problem because it reduces the effectiveness of soaps and detergents. Detergents react with calcium and magnesium, so it takes more detergent to get the job done. The hard water reaction with soaps is what creates the sticky residue called soap scum. Water softeners remove calcium and magnesium, increasing the effectiveness of cleaners. Soft water cleans better, rinses better and allows you to use less soap or detergent.
• Temperature
  Heat reduces the surface tension of water, making it easier to penetrate and dissolve soils. Heat increases the effectiveness of soaps and detergents, so they work more efficiently. Hot water also helps melt and dissolve greases, oils, and waxes. All of this means that using hot water makes cleaning easier and allows you to use less detergent.
• pH
  One way to help water clean better is by adjusting its pH. Pure water has a neutral pH, neither acidic nor alkaline. By adding cleaning agents, we can change the pH of water. Since most common soils are acidic, most detergents are alkaline. When an alkaline detergent contacts an acidic soil, the soil is neutralized. In most cases, this results in more efficient cleaning, easier rinsing, and less scrubbing.
• Saponification
  Saponification is a process that changes natural fats and oils into soap. Many years ago, people made their own soap by combining animal or vegetable fats with lye, a strong alkali. Similarly, using an alkaline detergent has a similar effect on fats and food oils, basically turning them into soap, which can then be rinsed away with water.

Of course, there is more to cleaning than what we have discussed here. For best results, you need the right tools, techniques, training, and experience. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a chemist or engineer to keep your house clean and healthy. Following manufacturer instructions on appliances and cleaning products generally yields good results.

When it comes to professional carpet and textile cleaning, you can be confident that your educated and experienced Van’s Carpet Cleaning technicians will use the right cleaning agents, equipment, and techniques to produce fantastic results with “plain old” water!

Call Today! 352.669.1540

Three Steps for Proper Carpet Care

Carpet cleaning is just like exercise! If you get into a routine and keep it up, you will see great results and feel better about it. And understanding the right way to clean carpet will help you save time by doing it correctly the first time with products that do the job right from the start. Not only will Seal of Approval cleaning products help keep your carpet looking great, they can also help meet the warranty requirements of the carpet manufacturer. Below are three simple steps to keeping your carpet clean and looking great:

1. Vacuum at the right frequency with a CRI-approved vacuum.
2. Clean spots and spills quickly with products that do not damage the carpet or cause it to re-soil more quickly.
3. Professionally deep clean your carpets every 12 to 18 months to remove embedded dirt and grime.

Carpet Repair & Re-Stretching

Bacteria, Fungi Spores, Oh My!

When you are in the business of cleaning, questions often arise regarding disinfecting and sanitizing. Recent Flu epidemics and the MRSA strain of bacteria have raised concerns among people regarding how to protect from possible infection. Fortunately, antimicrobials offer protection from unseen germs and bacteria on many surfaces. There are three levels of antimicrobials that kill or limit microbes and the spores that they use to reproduce. Sterilizer A sterilizer kills 100% of microbes and spores. In the spectrum of antimicrobial activity, a sterilizer is the strongest. Sterilization is impractical for everyday use because bacterial and fungal spores are extremely difficult to destroy. Extreme heat is one method of sterilization, but it is not practical outside of a medical environment.

Chemical sterilizers are toxic, corrosive irritants that are not safe for use by the general public. Sanitizers To sanitize a surface means to reduce levels of harmful microbes to a safe level. Most chemicals sanitizers have little or no effect on certain bacteria like Tuberculosis, and improper use may create resistant strains of harmful bacteria. Disinfectants Disinfectant is an EPA regulated term  that can only be used on the label of products that have been tested and proven to kill or destroy at least 99.9% of all microorganisms; this doesn’t mean they destroy spores. There are a variety of disinfectants available to consumers, including common household bleach. Caution must be exercised when using bleach or any other EPA registered disinfectant to follow label directions carefully as misuse can lead to damage to materials or health risks.

Disinfectants are named as to what kind of organisms they kill. The suffix cide, meaning “to kill” is added after the type of microorganism it targets. So a bactericide kills bacteria, fungicide kills fungi, and a virucide destroys viruses. Read the label to find out what the product is designed to do.

What should you use? Since sterilizers are only needed for critical jobs like surgical instruments, we are left with disinfectants and sanitizers. As we have seen, sanitizers do not have the “kill power” that disinfectants do.

So why would you choose to use a sanitizer instead of a disinfectant? You make the decision by weighing the risk presented by the microorganisms against the risks involved with the chemical itself. For example, there are chemical sanitizers that are used in commercial kitchens which are designed for treating food preparation surfaces. These products control bacteria on relatively clean surfaces but present almost no risk because of low toxicity. In a hospital things are different with known health issues at stake. People with a variety of sicknesses create the potential for contamination of many surfaces. Also, there are people with compromised immune systems who could become seriously ill from exposure to common microbes. When the risk from infection are greater, the necessity for a high-grade disinfectant becomes apparent. Although these tend to have higher levels of toxicity, the potential risk warrants their use. Your home is similar. Your kitchen counter is generally clean. Therefore keeping it clean usually means simply maintaining a sanitary condition. If you prepare raw meats on the counter you may consider using a good sanitizer/cleaner. In the bathroom a stronger disinfectant might be appropriate. You could also use a surface disinfectant in sick rooms to kill infectious microbes. A clean home is important. But, the most important thing to remember is that all cleaning agents, sanitizers and disinfectants should be stored and used according to the label directions. Failure to do so could cause more harm than good.

Caring for Your Oriental Rug this ThanksGiving

Rug Rotation – To insure even wear, 

your rug should be rotated once a year. Depending on the traffic,
the rotation may vary from six months to two years.

Vacuuming – Oriental rugs, like most carpeting, should be vacuumed on a regular
basis to remove dirt and restore life to the fibers. Be sure not to vacuum the
fringe with your beater bar! Use the end of a vacuum hose from a canister vacuum.

Padding – A quality pad used under your rug helps protect it from dirt, wear,
and slippage. Spot and Spill Procedures – Make sure that you safely and immediately
clean up spots and spills before they set.

a) First, soak up the excess liquid by
blotting with a clean absorbent material. Do not brush or rub the stain
b) Then spot-clean with a mild detergent-white vinegar-water solution.
Do-not over wet.
c) Rinse area thoroughly with water and a small amount of vinegar.
Avoid wetting the rug’s backing
d) Blot dry until most of the moisture has been absorbed
e) Allow to air dry. A fan or cool hair dryer can be used to hasten the drying process.
f) For stains that do not come out using these methods, ask our cleaning specialists at Van's Carpet Cleaning Svc 352.669.1540

Is it okay for me to use those miracle stain removers I see on TV?

Whether you watch television during daytime talk shows, in the middle of prime time, or during a fit of insomnia at 2 a.m., you simply canít avoid them: commercials, and infomercials, trying to convince you that some liquid in the bottle will magically remove any spot or stain you have on your carpet, no matter where it originated, how long itís been there, or what type of carpet you have. While it is possible that some of these products have some value, it is not possible that any product can do all of these things. Every fiber is different. Every spill is different. So there issimply no one-stop solution to clean everything. And, unfortunately, using some of these ìmiracleî stain removers in the wrong place can cause irreversible damage to your carpet.

Miracle Oxygen Cleaners

One popular product that people tend to try, and place great faith in, is the ìOxyî cleaners seen on infomercials. If you choose to use these cleaners, exercise caution. Professional carpet cleaning companies are seeing more and more damage being done to carpet by the oxygen bleaches in these cleaners. The damage can range from minor color loss to large permanent yellow stains caused by the chemical reaction with the carpet fibers.

Theoretically, these products should be safe if used according to the manufacturerís directions. But there are things that can and do affect the chemical reaction and can make results vary greatly. For instance, the exact nature of the spot you are trying to remove matters. Some stains do not react well to oxygen bleaches, and can even become permanent if you use those products.

Another problem is sunlight. Under sunlight, the oxidizer becomes more chemically active and aggressive, resulting in heightened bleaching action. Remember, anything that has the ability to remove food coloring has the potential to destabilize the dyes used to give your carpet its color. 

Other Product Promises

There are other products that use high Miracle Stain Removers oxygen bleach to help break down greasy spots and spills. While this can be quite effective in removing the offending spots, it can leave behind a residue that destroys the stain resistant properties of your carpet. This is not visible damage, however it is quite real. The result is an area that is ìunprotectedî and therefore vulnerable to permanent staining the next time something is spilled there.

Also, these highly alkaline residues are often quite sticky, attracting soils. So even though the spot goes away, the area keeps getting dirtier and dirtier. So you apply more cleaner and leave more residue, in a never-ending, frustrating cycle of futility. If you had the ability to apply,  agitate, rinse and thoroughly extract the chemicals, it wouldnt be so bad. But removing all of the stuff you pour on the carpet can be quite difficult.

So what can you do?

Your safest bet when you have a difficult stain is to call Vanís Carpet Cleaning before attempting to remove it yourself. We are an experienced carpet cleaning company, and can give you options as to the best way to handle the situation while avoiding any damage to your carpet. We can also give you tips for removing small spots in the future.

Is it okay for me to use those miracle stain removers I see on TV?

Whether you watch television during daytime talk shows, in the middle of prime time, Whether you watch television during daytime talk shows, in the middle of prime time, or during a fit of insomnia at 2 a.m., you simply can’t avoid them: commercials, and infomercials, trying to convince you that some liquid in the bottle will magically remove any spot or stain you have on your carpet, no matter where it originated, how long it’s been there, or what type of carpet you have.

While it is possible that some of these products have some value, it is not possible that any product can do all of these things. Every fiber is different. Every spill is different. So there is simply no one-stop solution to clean everything. And, unfortunately, using some of these “miracle” stain removers in the wrong place can cause irreversible damage to your carpet. Miracle Oxygen Cleaners One popular product that people tend to try, and place great faith in, is the “Oxy” cleaners seen on infomercials. If you choose to use these cleaners, exercise caution. Professional carpet cleaning companies are seeing more and more damage being done to carpet by the oxygen bleaches in these cleaners. The damage can range from minor color loss to large permanent yellow stains caused by the chemical reaction with the carpet fibers.

Theoretically, these products should be safe if used according to the manufacturer’s directions. But there are things that can and do affect the chemical reaction and can make results vary greatly. For instance, the exact nature of the spot you are trying to remove matters. Some stains do not react well to oxygen bleaches, and can even become permanent if you use those products.

Another problem is sunlight. Under sunlight, the oxidizer becomes more chemically active and aggressive, resulting in heightened bleaching action. Remember, anything that has the ability to remove food coloring has the potential to destabilize the dyes used to give your carpet its color. Other Product Promises There are other products that use high pH detergents in conjunction with the oxygen bleach to help break down greasy spots and spills. While this can be quite effective in removing the offending spots, it can leave behind a residue that destroys the stain resistant properties of your carpet. This is not visible damage, however it is quite real. The result is an area that is “unprotected” and therefore vulnerable to permanent staining the next time something is spilled there.

Also, these highly alkaline residues are often quite sticky, attracting soils. So even though the spot goes away, the area keeps getting dirtier and dirtier. So you apply more cleaner and leave more residue, in a never-ending, frustrating cycle of futility.

If you had the ability to apply, agitate, rinse and thoroughly extract the chemicals, it wouldn’t be so bad. But removing all of the stuff you pour on the carpet can be quite difficult. So what can you do?
Your safest bet when you have a difficult stain is to call Van’s Carpet Cleaning before attempting to remove it yourself. We are an experienced carpet cleaning company, and can give you options as to the best way to handle the situation while avoiding any damage to your carpet. We can also give you tips for removing small spots in the future.

Call Today! 352.669.1540

Be Healthy, Wealthy and Wise with Carpet

Carpet is a great way to decorate because of the textures, colors and patterns available. It looks good, but it also provides a variety of benefits. Carpet insulates, typically resulting in 10% or more in energy savings. Carpet absorbs sound, making a house quieter and more relaxing. And of course carpet is safer, reducing the occurrence of slips and falls and the severity of associated injuries from these accidents. But did you realize that carpet is also an economical and prudent choice for maintenance and health reasons? Little Maintenance Carpet requires less maintenance than hard surface floors such as hardwood, vinyl and tile. Interim care of carpet is accomplished simply by vacuuming. Depending on the number of people and pets, this may be done in as little as 2 or 3 hours a month in the typical household. Aside from prompt attention to spills, this is usually all that is needed between professional cleanings. By contrast, think of all the cleaners, sealers, waxes and polishes needed to keep a hard floor looking good and the amount of time it takes to sweep and mop. Let’s not forget how much it can cost to have a professional restore a scratched, dull marble or wood floor, or to clean, remove stains and seal tile and grout. While it is true that hard surface floors are easier to clean in the event of a liquid spill, properly maintained modern carpeting has protectors such as 3M Scotchgard and DuPont Teflon factory applied which helps them clean-up well. Of course, eventually, this protection wears off, just as the protective finish on a new car does. And just as you need to wax your car to refresh that protection, your carpet should have a protector reapplied periodically. In cases where the protector is maintained, prompt response usually achieves good results in spill removal. Carpet is Good for Your HealthContrary to opinions by well-meaning but ill-informed “experts,” carpet that is properly maintained actually improves indoor air quality. How? Carpet acts as a filter, trapping pollutants such as dust pollen, dander, smoke, and dust mite contamination as air passes through it. Studies conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed that carpet acts as a “sink” for pollutants. This fact caused some experts to contend that carpet contributed to poor indoor air quality and associated ill health effects. But this view misses one key point. As the EPA pointed out, carpet acts as a “sink,” trapping these.

Is it Too Soon to Clean my New Carpet?

If you purchased new carpet within the last year or two, you might be wondering when the time is to start having it professionally cleaned. Often a salesperson at the carpet store will tell you to wait as long as possible before you have your new carpet professionally cleaned; that cleaning your carpet will just make it get dirty faster requiring more frequent cleaning. Is that true?

Old Attitudes for Old Technology

The belief that once you clean your carpet the first time, you will then need to clean them all the time goes back to the early days of professional carpet cleaning. Back then lots of chemical and water was used in an attempt to get the carpet clean. These carpet cleaning chemicals worked great at attracting soil away from the carpet fiber and suspending those soils in the cleaning solution to be wet vacuumed away. The trouble began because the equipment was not able to extract or rinse out all the chemical that was applied. So, the chemicals remained on the carpet as a sticky, soil-attracting residue. It was true, once you cleaned your carpets back “in the day” you began a cycle of needing to clean them more often.

Poor Quality Carpet Cleaning Causes Damage

To some extent, this can happen even today when calling some “discount” carpet cleaners. They use cheap chemicals, inferior equipment, untrained workers and charge low, low prices. The poor guys who work for them are often subcontractors or are paid on commission. What happens is that the technician often has to hurry through the job just to make a decent living. So there can be a lot of these cheap, sticky chemicals left in the carpet because they were not properly rinsed out. Sure it looks okay when he leaves, but the carpets will re-soil quickly, often over the course of a few days or weeks.

The Benefits of High-Quality Cleaning

Things in the carpet cleaning industry have changed dramatically over the last few years. The cleaning agents we use, though more expensive, are designed to rinse freely from the carpet and leave little or no residue. What tiny amount may be left behind is specially formulated to dry completely non-sticky, to be vacuumed away with normal maintenance. Quality equipment does cost more, but it has the power to thoroughly clean your carpet and rinse away soils and cleaning agents. Finally, the application of a quality protector makes your carpet stay cleaner longer. Not all carpet cleaners are willing to spend the extra time and money to do a high-quality job. A reputable company will pre-treat, agitate and rinse with extremely hot water and a powerful vacuum system. This leaves carpets clean, fluffy and residue-free, the way it should be. As a bonus, clean carpet improves indoor air quality, so your family will breathe easier. Most major carpet manufacturers require professional carpet cleaning once every 12-24 months. Failure to do so could void your carpet warranty. So if you want your carpets to stay cleaner, last longer and look beautiful, call Van’s Carpet Cleaning to set up your personalized carpet care program.

Share the Van’s Carpet Cleaning Love!

Now you can get Free Cash or Free Cleaning! As an exclusively referral based company, we have experienced explosive growth because of your referrals. We want to reward you every way we can. For every new client you spread love to or refer to us, we will reward you with a 10% referral fee. When you refer someone, you will automatically receive a certificate that you may use for cash or services. Here’s an example of how it works: You refer a new client to us. Let’s say they spend $500 for their cleaning job. We will automatically send you a referral certificate for $50. To redeem it, you simply present it toward a cleaning job, or send it to our office to redeem it for cash. It’s that easy!

Three Easy Ways to Refer More Clients:

• Have plenty of our brochures handy. Our handy tri-fold brochure shares how to select a professional carpet cleaning company.
• Ask us for some Free Trial Offer Cards. These cards entitle a new client to 100 square feet of carpet cleaning at no charge and no obligation.
• Host an informal talk at your breakfast club, networking group, professional or women’s group. You will be rewarded for any new clients that result from your efforts.

We offer a professional, first class presentation on How To Select A Professional Service Company, or on carpet cleaning in general. Your choice!

Will You be Happy with Your Carpet After it’s Cleaned?

Consideration is the type of fiber. Just because they are all soft and fluffy does not mean they are all the same. An experienced cleaner is trained to identify types of fibers and use their knowledge of that fiber’s characteristics to anticipate potential challenges. Here are a few examples:

• If a carpet is wool you know that it has excellent resilience, so those crushed traffic areas and furniture indentations have a good chance of coming out. But wool is more easily stained by proteins than other fibers, so some foods, pet urine and other protein sources like blood will be difficult to remove.
• Olefin carpets do not have the resiliency of wool, so high traffic areas tend to pack down and lose that fluffy texture over time.
  However, Olefin has excellent stain-resistance and colorfastness.
• Stain-resist nylon has excellent resilience and good stain and soil repellency, so carpets made with nylon tend to be the best overall performers. However, depending on how the fiber was dyed, Nylon may be bleached by some household chemicals or sunlight.
• Polyester fibers have an affinity for oily soils, so food or petroleum grease spots will be more difficult to remove. But Polyester, like Olefin, is very resistant to stains and bleaching.

The bottom line is that how the carpet looks after cleaning will depend on some factors out of our control. But you can be assured Van’s Carpet Cleaning will produce the best results you can get when we clean your carpets.

The Carpet Fiber of the Future?

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• Protects ALL fabrics... including smooth leather
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Why is MICROSEAL better?

• Better Product &Warranty! Life Time Service
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(Special discounted service fee applies)
See all product advantages, independent lab tests and testimonies at MicroSealWorld.com

How to Treat a Pet Stain

Not Cleaning Up a Spill Properly Can Result in Permanent Staining.

Cover spill with WHITE napkin or paper towels. DO NOT use colored paper! It might transfer onto the carpet. Be sure to use a THICK stack to absorb as much of the spot as possible.

Blot by stepping on stack of towels. REPEAT THIS PROCESS UNTIL NO TRANSFER TAKES PLACE. DO NOT RUB!!!

Apply Spotting Agent. Warning: Do not use spot removers that you get at the grocery store! They leave a sticky residue behind and may discolor your carpet. Get a bottle of Home Pro Spotter FREE from Van’s Carpet Cleaning Service with cleaning.

REPEAT Steps 1 and 2. If the spot does not come out, do NOT attempt any further action, as you may set the spot and/or damage your carpet. Instead, call us immediately at 352-669-1540. If it is after hours, keep it moist until morning by misting a little more solution or water. Leave a voice mail and we will contact you immediately the next business day.

Pet Spots: Only Use Pet Spotter on pet spots. Urine turns “alkaline” from being exposed to oxygen. Pet Spotter is designed to neutralize urine salts. *GET YOUR CARPET CLEANED AS SOON AFTER A PET SPOT AS POSSIBLE! Even when you do a great job cleaning the spot, urine salts can still be left behind which will discolor your textile and collect odor causing bacteria. 

Warning: Do NOT use over the counter spotters for urine. They are not designed to neutralize the urine salts.

Why Spots Return after Your Cleaning

Have you ever wondered why spots return after having your carpet cleaned? There are two reasons spots return.

Reason 1

Wicking Many times, the spot that is being removed has seeped into the backing of the carpet. This is common with pet urine, beverages, and anything spilled in “volume.” The material dries in the backing and in the cushion (pad) of the carpet. When the spot is cleaned, only the material in the “pile” of the carpet is removed. However, moisture is introduced into the backing of the carpet. As the spot dries, the material in the backing of the carpet “wicks” back into the pile of the carpet much like wax into a candlewick. Even traffic area soil that is embedded can wick back. This is especially common in glued-down carpet that is heavily impacted with soil. When the carpet is cleaned, it looks good. When it dries, the spots and traffic area soil come back. The good news is if a spot actually wicks back, it can be removed. When you spot clean, place a folded white terry cloth towel over the spot just after you clean it while the spot is still moist. Place a heavy object on top of the cloth. Be sure to use a non-porous object that won’t transfer color onto the carpet. For example, a paper book cover could transfer color. Use a brick, a planting pot, or something like that. When you have your carpet cleaned professionally, be sure to point out spots that have wicked back in the past, so they can be treated properly.

Reason 2 Re-soiling

Re-soiling is caused by a sticky residue that has been left behind. The residue may be from the spot itself, the cleaner that was used, or both. Some common residue causes are over-the-counter carpet cleaners purchased at the grocery store. Avoid using these cleaners altogether. If you have to use one of these cleaners, or you have to use dishwashing detergent, use as little as possible and rinse with water thoroughly. Other residue causes are oily spots, duct tape, body oils, lotions, and other sticky or oily substances. If the entire oily residue is not removed, it will attract soil as the carpet is walked on. Even quality professional cleaning may not remove all oily residues the first time. SPECIAL NOTE: Cheap carpet cleaners use cheap products that are loaded with optical brighteners. Optical brighteners create an illusion of clean that causes the soil or spot to appear to be removed. The spot is still there. The soil is still there. Optical brighteners create a film that reflects light so that the carpet looks incredibly clean. It’s an optical illusion. A stark illustration of this can be seen at a flea market or home show. Someone will be demonstrating a miracle cleaner on a small rug. The rug is saturated with motor oil. The salesman then scoops off just the foam of the miracle cleaner and presto, the motor oil is gone! This is physically impossible. Notice that the salesman has several bright lights shining on the demo rug to create the illusion

Call Today! And ask about our Valentine’s Day Special Van’s Carpet Cleaning 352-669-1540

Watch for the Signs of Bait and Switch

It’s a fact. We all want to get a good deal. Unfortunately that desire to get the most value for your dollar increases the likelihood that you’ll be a victim of bait and switch; an ugly practice that is unethical and in some cases illegal.  The most common bait and switch tactic is to advertise an irresistibly low price for a product or service. That’s the bait. Then when the time comes to deliver, the product is not available or the service will not accomplish what you wanted. Then you are pressured to pay more for an upgraded product or service. That’s the switch.

The carpet cleaning industry has its share of unscrupulous operators who employ this tactic. How can you protect yourself and your friends? Of course, you don’t have to worry about bait and switch when Van’s Carpet Cleaning cleans your carpet, but the following information applies to all services that you might hire.In most cases you can identify potential bait and switch practices by watching for the following red flags.

RED FLAG #1: The price. We have seen coupon prices as low as $5.95 per room or $99 to clean a whole house of carpet, regardless of size. How they can afford to work so cheaply? What do we have to invest in order to properly clean your carpet? 

We have to have the right equipment. That costs thousands of dollars. We need a trained, experienced technician. Good, dependable, sober, clean-cut, polite workers cost more and they’re worth it. 

You need safe, environmentally friendly cleaning agents. Quality products cost more than the harsh, cheap chemicals used by low quality companies. 

We need a dependable service vehicle to get to the job. Driving will cost more than a few dollars in fuel. Don’t forget about vehicle payments, insurance, taxes, and maintenance. 

We need time. To properly clean a 3 bedroom house with living room, dining room, hall and stairs will take at least a couple of hours. Add in drive time, setup and prep, and you have a minimum of 3-4 hours. 

So at $99 to properly clean a house of carpet, it is impossible to make a profit. In fact, the company would lose money unless they cut corners. This means they must pressure you into spending more. If you don’t pay the extra price you get a quick, lousy job. 

RED FLAG #2: The fine print. Remember, “The large print giveth, the small print taketh away.” In a typical carpet cleaning bait and switch ad, the small print will often have phrases like, “…heavily soiled carpet may require additional cleaning” or, “…this

RED FLAG #3: A weak guarantee. Here is a typical guarantee from a low-price carpet cleaner.

“If you are not satisfied with our recommended service, we will come back and clean the areas again at no charge.” 

In other words, if you only use the coupon deal and not the “recommended service” (extra charge) there is no guarantee! And if you do use the “recommended” service, and are not satisfied they will come back out and clean again at no charge. How generous! Will they refund your money? Not likely. At least not without a fight. A weak guarantee is no guarantee at all. And if it is not a money-back guarantee, what good is it? 

Van’s Carpet Cleaning never uses bait and switch tactics. We believe in doing a great job at a fair price every time for every customer. There are no hidden charges. We guarantee that you will be absolutely thrilled, or your cleaning is free. No fine print required.

Carpet Cleaning in Winter? Really?

This is the time of the year when you may wonder if it makes sense to get your carpets cleaned. Great question! But first, let’s think about this logically...Does it make sense to clean your wood or tile floors in the winter? Does it make sense to clean your bed linens winter? Of course. But for some reason, many people treat their carpet differently. It’s as if the carpet was somehow magically immune to soiling because the weather is cool. Of course, this is not true. It’s what you can’t see that is the problem It’s true that modern carpets do a great job of hiding soil. This may lead you to think you only need to clean your carpets once a year or when they “look” dirty. But according to the EPA, most households should clean carpets at least twice a year, maybe more depending on lifestyle and other factors. This may surprise you until you think about all of the soils, allergens, oils, pollutants and contaminants that carpet traps. In most homes, carpet is the largest filter, trapping soils, pollutants and pet and human dander (dead skin cells, which we shed by the millions every day and dust mites live for). So the fact is that, yes, winter is a great time of year to get your carpets cleaned for several reasons. You’re worth it One of the best reasons for cleaning in the winter is that you want your home to look great for visiting friends and relatives during the Holidays. Nothing makes your home feel clean and inviting quite like freshly cleaned carpets. And even if you don’t expect guests, you will be spending more time at home in the winter, so you want it to look nice for you, too. Of course, there are far more important reasons to clean your carpet than appearance. In fact, if you wait until your carpets look dirty before you clean them, you have waited too long. Soil damages carpet, dramatically reducing its usable life. Can you imagine waiting until your clothes look dirty before laundering them? Of course not. That would be unhealthy and they would probably begin to smell before they looked dirty. Carpet is no different. During the summer, pollen and other pollutants enter your home and become trapped in the carpets. In the fall, mold spores are more prevalent, again, becoming trapped in your carpet fibers. All of this just in time for you to close things up for the winter and spend more time inside... Not a pretty picture is it? With clean carpet now, you and your family can breathe cleaner, healthier air all winter long. It’s bad enough that winter is the time when people suffer from cold and flu without adding poor indoor air quality to aggravate conditions such as asthma and allergies. And some good news: Carpets tend to dry faster in the winter because the humidity is lower and most of us are using our furnaces. Warm, dry air is great for drying carpets! Clean the winter blues away Remember that in winter, days are shorter. Darkness comes earlier and lasts longer. A clean, fresh, healthy carpet is a great way to help fight off the winter doldrums. A clean, neat home just makes you feel better. Van’s Carpet Cleaning is usually busiest during the Holidays; everyone wants a clean house for family and guests.

Have a safe Merry Christmas .....Call now to book your cleaning before the big rush!

Call Today! 352-669-1540

The ONLY Permanent Fabric Protector in the World

Van’s Carpet Cleaning is pleased to be Florida’s exclusive provider of MicroSeal, the only permanent fabric protector in the world. In addition to being permanent, MicroSeal offers these benefits: Environmentally Friendly MicroSeal is a safe product for your family, home, and environment. It has been recognized by the EPA as a safe carrier. The non-toxic and non-allergenic formula is safe for any home, but it is also biodegradable and environmentally friendly. MicroSeal is waterless, therefore cannot shrink or discolor surfaces. It actually helps strengthen fibers while remaining odorless and colorless and can be applied to soiled fabrics, as the formula will not lock in dirt.Resists Wear and AbrasionTreated fibers are up to 60% more resistant to wear and abrasion, as the soil must wear off the protection before causing wear on the fibers. Similarly fibers would have to wear off the protective MicroSeal finish before they can wear on each other. This “wear resistance” promotes longer fabric life and less frequent replacement.The MicroSeal formula can be used on virtually every type of fibrous material including wool, cotton, nylon, polyester blends, silk, natural suede, synthetic suede, and even smooth finished leather. The MicroSeal formula is not effective on vinyl. Resists Soiling and Staining With the protection provided by MicroSeal, soil remains on the fiber surface. This allows for easier, faster, and more efficient cleaning thus, reducing labor and cleaning costs. MicroSeal’s also prevents sun fading (by nearly 100% on many fabrics), mildew, static electricity, smoke density and flame spread.

Call Today! Van's Carpet Cleaning 352.669.1540

About... Pet Urine?

Our pets don’t understand why we make such a big deal of a little urine on the carpet. To animals, urine is an important social tool that is used as a calling card, mate attractant or a territorial warning. Urine lets other members of the species know important information regarding their gender, age and health. Animal urine is a rather benign substance. When it leaves a healthy animal it is sterile. In small amounts and low concentration, the odor and appearance may be undetectable. Still, any urine deposit on carpet should be treated appropriately. If you are lucky enough to catch the animal in the act, you can pour salt liberally onto the urine while it is still wet. Use enough salt to completely cover the spot. The salt will absorb and neutralize the urine. Let it dry for 8-12 hours and vacuum it away. But most of the time, the urine is already dry by the time we find it. Applying a neutral carpet cleaning agent, gentle agitation and a thorough rinse may be enough to treat light urine deposits. Finish the job by placing a folded white towel on the area. Set a weight, such as phone book on the towel and leaveovernight. The remaining moisture and residue will wick into the towel.Once urine contamination has reached the point that it has penetrated the carpet and the cushion, removal of the odor becomes more difficult. Heavy urine deposits are much more challenging to treat and you will need the help of Van’s Carpet Cleaning. Why? Because urine undergoes a dramatic chemical change as it ages. The water in the urine evaporates and leaves behind organic compounds that become more and more concentrated. Bacteria begin to consume the urine and break down the proteins, sugars and other organics. During the process of bacterial digestion the bacteria secrete ammonia and a strong, pungent odor becomes apparent. The urine turns from a mild acid to a strong alkaline. This strong alkaline deposit attacks the dyes in some carpets. Over time, the dyes can be weakened or removed, causing permanent color-loss. The adhesives used in the carpet backing can be dissolved, and the carpet can literally fall apart. Permanent damage to wood subfloors will also result from deep penetration of concentrated urine deposits, requiring additional expensive repairs. The most critical action to prevent permanent damage is to act quickly when you notice a urine spot. Van’s Carpet Cleaning has several techniques available to clean and deodorize pet contamination. In addition, there are different cleaning and deodorizing agents in our arsenal. The decision of which methods and agents to use will depend on several factors; the amount of contamination present, the depth of penetration, the construction of the carpet, the fiber content, the installation method, the sub-floor type and the size of the affected area must all be considered. There are times when the damage is too severe and the best option is to replace the carpet. In such situations, we can assist by sealing the sub-floor and adjacent materials with a specialized odor-counteracting sealer so that the new carpet does not inherit the old odor problem. If you have a pet odor problem, the best action is to call Van’s Carpet Cleaning for a professional assessment of the situation. We are experts at handling difficult odor problems and can help you to choose the solution that is right for you.

The ONLY Permanent Fabric Protector in the World

Van’s Carpet Cleaning is pleased to be Florida’s exclusive provider of MicroSeal, the only permanent fabric protector in the world. In addition to being permanent, MicroSeal offers these benefits:

Environmentally Friendly MicroSeal is a safe product for your family, home, and environment. It has been recognized by the EPA as a safe carrier. The non-toxic and non-allergenic formula is safe for any home, but it is also biodegradable and environmentally friendly. MicroSeal is waterless, therefore cannot shrink or discolor surfaces. It actually helps strengthen fibers while remaining odorless and colorless and can be applied to soiled fabrics, as the formula will not lock in dirt. Resists Wear and Abrasion Treated fibers are up to 60% more resistant to wear and abrasion, as the soil must wear off the protection before causing wear on the fibers. Similarly fibers would have to wear off the protective MicroSeal finish before they can wear on each other. This “wear resistance” promotes longer fabric life and less frequent replacement. The MicroSeal formula can be used onvirtually every type of fibrous material including wool, cotton, nylon, polyester blends, silk, natural suede, synthetic suede, and even smooth finished leather. TheMicroSeal formula is not effective on vinyl.

Resists Soiling and Staining With the protection provided by MicroSeal, soil remains on the fiber surface. This allows for easier, faster, and more efficient cleaning thus, reducing labor and cleaning costs. MicroSeal’s also prevents sun fading (by nearly 100% on many fabrics), mildew, static electricity, smoke density and flame spread.

Do You Have Wrinkles?

Occasionally, we get calls from clients who have wrinkles or ripples in their carpet. Sometimes it is in a fairly new carpet that has had little traffic. Other times it is an older carpet that developed ripples over time. So what causes these unsightly conditions, and can they be fixed? WRINKLES are usually seen in new carpet immediately after installationand are localized to one end of the carpet. Carpet wrinkles are areas where the carpet has been folded or crushed during storage. It is best if this condition is identified before the carpet is installed. If possible the wrinkled portion of the carpet roll should not be used.

The carpet retailer or installer may tell you to wait and the wrinkles will relax over time. However, this is not always the case. Wrinkles not only affect the surface yarns, they go all the way through the carpet backings and may be permanent. Steaming and grooming the carpet can improve this condition, but results will vary based on the type of carpet yarn, backing, and the severity of the wrinkles. RIPPLES are small waves that usually appear from few months to a year or more after the carpet is installed. The most common reason that carpet develops ripples is installer error. Often an installer will save time by using a kneekicker rather than a power-stretcher. This results in inadequate stretch and the potential for ripples to develop as the carpet relaxes.

Another reason for ripples is carpet that was not properly acclimated to the structure prior to installation, especially if the carpet was installed in cooler weather. A carpet needs to acclimate to normal room temperature and humidity for at least 48 hours before installation. It is difficult to stretch cold carpet, so as the carpet warms and absorbs atmospheric moisture, it will relax.

Occasionally, carpet will develop ripples immediately after cleaning. The cause is moisture absorption into the adhesive layer between the primary and secondary backings of the carpet. Even though the ripples appear after cleaning, the root cause is improper stretch of the carpet during installation. Once the carpet dries completely and acclimates to the normal temperature and humidity of the home, the carpet will lie flat. This can take up to 48 hours. In rare cases, the ripples may persist.

The only way to fix rippled carpet is to stretch the carpet again. Re-stretching requires training and patience. Often it is more difficult to re-stretch a carpet than it is to stretch it right the first time. If ripples are ignored for too long, the carpet will develop buckles.

BUCKLES are large ripples that form peaks and or wrinkles through the face yarns and carpet backing. Even if the carpet is re-stretched, the damage from buckles may still be apparent. Steaming the carpet and grooming the pile yarns may help to minimize the appearance of the damage.  Not all wrinkles are quite this cute!

Beware of the High Cost of a Cheap Price

Sometimes bargain hunting nets you a great deal, but other times the gamble is simply not worth the risk. The 19th century social commentator John Ruskin probably said it best, “It’s unwise to pay too much, but it is worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money — that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run. And if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better.” This is often the case when we are hiring the services of another person or company. While it is true that we want to get the lowest possible price, we still expect quality and performance.

There is a saying that when you hire the services of another you can have two of the following three things: You can have it on time, on budget, or done right. You can never, the saying goes, achieve all three of these at one time. Cheap carpet cleaning requires cheap equipment, cheap chemicals, and cheap labor. Even one of these would cause a problem, but specifically, how does each of these budget cutting measures affect you?

Cheap Equipment

To be effective, a cleaning machine must remove maximum soil and allow the carpet to dry in a reasonable amount of time. In addition, the equipment must not damage the carpet. The best machines do a superior job of removing soil and recovering cleaning agents and waste water. Naturally, these machines are more expensive. A carpet cleaner who uses cheap equipment simply cannot get the carpet nearly as clean as you really need it to be.

Cheap Chemicals

The best cleaning agents are formulated to remove soils and leave behind little or no residue. Sticky detergent residues will cause rapid re-soiling. Cheap chemicals are often harsh, and can damage your carpet fibers and dyes. In addition, the carpet’s soil and stain resistance will be compromised by harsh chemicals. So, although the carpet looks clean, your carpet will re-soil faster and become susceptible to permanent stains from common food and drink spills.

Cheap Labor

Unethical operators hire inexperienced workers and pay them extremely low wages or commissions. The only way that the worker can make a decent living is by “up-selling” additional services. In many cases these additional services such as “deep scrubbing”, “traffic lane preconditioning” or “sanitizing” are steps that reputable companies include at no charge in every cleaning.

Additionally, the underpaid “technician” must often resort to high-pressure selling to get you to spend more money. In the end, you don’t get the cheap price that you were promised.

Finally, these companies are like a revolving door, hiring and losing employees every week. They never take the time or spend the money to train and educate workers to become competent certified professionals.

Protecting Your Carpets

When all is said and done, cheap carpet cleaning can cost you plenty. After all, what can you expect when an inexperienced worker using harsh, ineffective chemicals, and inferior equipment rushes through the job? You really do get what you pay for. That’s why Van’s Carpet Cleaning, while perhaps not the cheapest, provides the best value for your carpet cleaning dollar. You get dedicated, certified technicians, using superior equipment and the best cleaning agents every time. Isn’t that what you really want?

Yelpers Love Van's Carpet!

Check out some of the latest Yelp! reviews on Van's Carpet!

Ivy and Ernie VanGorder of Van's Carpet Cleaning are the best! We've used their service for both carpet and upholstery cleaning for four years. Their attention to detail is top notch and their follow-up calls to guarantee our satisfaction is an outstanding feature of their service. Their concern for what's going on in our lives is much appreciated, such as the passing of beloved pets and all that comes with a new puppy.

Ernie is extremely knowledgeable and we have sought his advice on ways to maintain our carpet but also what might be a good replacement carpet when the time comes. I have recommended them and will continue to sing their praises.

Bless you Ivy and Ernie!!!

Joy K. -- The Villages, FL

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I can't thank Vans enough for all they did for me during an emergency situation. They were fantastic! I recommend Vans to everyone!

Kathleen C. -- DeLand, FL

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I couldnt be happier with Ernie and Ivy. My Tile looks new. Vans carpet cleaning has been cleaning our carpets and tile for many years. Always wonderful, always on time. Its nice to have such nice people to deal with. Its so nice to have such a trustworthy company to work with. We are very happy with results!

Claudette G. -- Eustis, FL

Flooring Commandments

Not to get all biblical on you, but we firmly believe these guidelines sure, call them Commandments - should be reviewed by every homeowner who wants to keep their home’s carpeting and flooring as wonderful looking as they day it was installed.

1. Vacuum frequently and thoroughly. Most of the wear of carpeting is caused by dirt. Oily soils attract more oily soil and frequent vacuuming will reduce soil buildup.
2. Get at stains quickly, 99% of all stains can be removed by one cleaning agent or another if they are cleaned in the first few days. The longer a stain chemically reacts with the carpet the harder it will be to remove it.
3. Test carpet before scrubbing, extracting or spotting. All carpets are different. Some carpets are very sensitive to acid type cleaners and will lose their color quickly. Other carpet dyes are sensitive to harsh alkalis.
4. Use appropriate spotters starting with the mildest. Do not use harsh spotting agents unless absolutely necessary and always neutralize high alkaline or high acid cleaners after use.
5. Never dig or brush spots. The proper procedure is to scrape the spot towards the middle and then tamp the spot into the white towel or cloth using a brush or other tamping devices. A meat tenderizer makes a great tamping tool.
6. Do not overuse detergents, shampoos or spotters. Too much detergent will result in residual left in the carpet that even thorough vacuuming may not remove.
7. Do not overwet carpet. Our carpet detergents are chemically active enough so they do not need a tremendous amount of wetting. Over-wetting can cause brownout, carpet shrinkage, adhesion problems and all other kinds of nightmares.
8. Extract residual if possible. Rotary scrubbing will clean the carpet fibers the best by encapsulating dirt and detergent residue, which powders off the carpet. Periodic extraction will flush out this dirt and other organisms deep in the carpet.
9. Never “coat” a dirty or spotty carpet. After scrubbing or extracting a dirty carpet, if you are not satisfied with the results, do not apply a coat of carpet protector as this will result in “gluing in the dirt” making it harder to remove it the next time. Either re-scrub or extract the carpet or leave the carpet until the next cleaning cycle before you coat.
10. Vacuum frequently and thoroughly. It is so important it deserves two recommendations. Vacuum frequently and thoroughly.

Chemicals....Yuck

The very word makes some people nervous. For some it conjures images of toxic compounds that pollute and damage the environment. For others it may bring to mind unhealthy additives in our food and drink. Chemical can be a scary word. It makes sense to define what a chemical really is. One useful definition for the word is found in the World

English Dictionary: “chemical- any substance used in or resulting from a reaction involving changes to atoms or molecules, especially one derived artificially for practical use”. This definition sums it up quite well, because it covers all the bases for what we typically refer to as chemicals. Chemicals as they relate to cleaning, deodorization and sanitizing of surfaces are just that; compounds that are used to react with and change other compounds, such as oils, dirt and contamination.

You likely use chemicals on a daily basis as a safe and effective means to keep your home clean and healthy. This includes dish soap, laundry detergent, air fresheners, and even shampoo, soap and toothpaste. But what about the cleaning agents that professionals use when they come into your home to provide services such as carpet cleaning? Should you be concerned? Well, yes and no. We are in the midst of a green revolution; a general shift toward using products that are safer for the environment. As a result, professional cleaners now have more products that are effective, safe and environmentally friendly. Organic cleaners, natural deodorizers and plantbased disinfectants are becoming more popular. As  onsumers become more environmentally aware, manufacturers of cleaning agents are also making significant headway into formulations that do not contribute to poor indoor air quality.

Still, some of the products used in professional cleaning products can be a cause for concern. Professionals and consumers alike should be conscious of how cleaning products are stored, used, and disposed of. In addition, the products used by professionals are usually in concentrated form. Label directions as to dilution and application must be followed. Hot water can remove a great deal of soil. In fact, water does the bulk of the work in carpet cleaning. But water alone is usually not enough to get your carpet to its cleanest possible state. There are too many soils and pollutants that bond to the carpet via chemical and molecular bonds must be broken. That’s why we use cleaning agents. Detergents, surfactants and buffering agents break the bonds that soils have on carpet. Some cleaning companies buy the cheapest chemicals they can get. Sure, the carpet looks cleaner, but the stain-resistance is compromised and the carpet will re-soil rapidly because of detergent residues. We choose cleaners that are effective, safe for people and pets, and easy on the environment, even though they cost a little more. We feel it’s worth it.  At times, because of the type of spot or stain we are dealing with, we must use products containing solvents, acids or alkalis. If so, our technicians are trained to mix, apply, neutralize and rinse so that no unwanted residues are left behind. The rinse water is captured and properly disposed of to assure that there is no negative impact on the environment. The bottom line is that whenever you have Van’s Carpet Cleaning clean for you, you can be assured of a healthier home, carpet that stays cleaner longer along with environmental responsibility.

Is Carpet a Good Choice for Your Home?

While many people are turning to hard floors for a variety of reasons, there are still 7 excellent reasons to choose carpeting for your home.

1. Carpet is beautiful - Carpet offers limitless varieties of textures, colors, patterns and styles; there is a carpet available to suit almost any taste.
2. Carpet is a good value - The average cost of synthetic residential carpet with pad and professional installation isaround $2.50 to $5.00 per square foot.
3. Carpet is warm - Carpet insulates, typically resulting in 10% or more of energy savings. Not only that, but carpet makes a room feel warmer too.
4. Carpet is quieter - Carpet absorbs sound, making a house quieter and more relaxing. If you have ever heard a 75 pound Golden Retriever running on a wood floor, you understand this benefit.
5. Carpet is safer - Carpet reduces the occurrence of slips and falls and the severity of injuries from these accidents. This is especially important in a home occupied by the elderly and small children.
6. Carpet is healthier - According to the EPA, carpet traps pollutants instead of allowing them to be distributed in the air. The result? Homes and buildings with properly maintained carpets generally have better air quality than those with hard flooring.
7. Carpet is easier - Interim care of carpet is accomplished simply by vacuuming. Depending on the number of people and pets, this may be done in as little as 3 or 4 hours a month in the typical household. Aside from prompt attention to spills, this is usually all that is needed between professional cleanings.

The Secret to Keeping Carpet Beautiful

Last week we were in a client's home cleaning her eight-year-old white carpet.  The traffic lanes were beginning to look a little dull and ugly. 

We usually clean her carpet once every year.  Otherwise, such a light color of carpet may not last eight years.  I gave her a few recommendations on how she could make her carpet last a little longer.  

I told her to continue on her cleaning schedule, but also apply a Scotchgard type fabric protector.  We had recommended fabric protection to her many times before, but she always declined having it applied.

She gave me a puzzled look and said, "This carpet was supposed to have been Scotchgarded when I bought it.  But look at it.  It's starting to look ugly."

"You're right," I said.  "Your carpet was protected when it was new."   

"The problem is, the protector begins to wear out after a few years.  If your carpet never had Scotchgard applied, it wouldn't even look as good as it does now!"

She smiled and agreed.  We applied the protector that day with the hopes of helping her carpet last a few years longer.  Fabric protector not only helps resist spills and stains, but also keeps dirt from clinging to your traffic lanes so vacuuming is more efficient.  This greatly prevents premature wear on your traffic lanes.

What would your carpet, rugs, and furniture look like if a fabric protector was never applied?  Many pieces of upholstery are cotton, so let's take a white cotton t-shirt for example.  If you wore your t-shirt every day for 6 months, then washed it with the best detergent in the best washing machine, would it still be white?  

Absolutely NOT.

Your furniture, rugs, and carpet are the same fabric as your clothes.  The big difference is that fabric protector is applied at the mill.  Now, in all honesty we can't replicate the exact application process because the mill applies the protector and bakes it in.  But, the protection process we use is 75% as effective.  Every little bit of protection you can give your expensive textiles helps tremendously.

The Scotchgard and Dupont companies recommend their protector be reapplied every two years to keep your carpet stain resistant.  Unfortunately, there are many uneducated carpet cleaning companies in our area that either don't apply the right protector, or water the protector down so your textiles get very little benefit.  

In our rug cleaning shop we get many wool rugs that have never had protector applied.  Especially hand made rugs.  They don't use fabric protectors in the countries they are made in.  So, even simple stains can be permanent if they are not immediately removed.  We always recommend you have us apply a fabric protector to your rugs when they are cleaned.

For the small cost of applying a fabric protection, you can add years of life to your textiles.  A few dollars now can save you thousands in the long run.

Get an estimate now by clicking here or call us at 352.669.1540

Inside Tips For Hiring a Professional Carpet Cleaner

Here are some insider tips on what to look for in hiring a professional cleaning company.

First, don't just hire the cheapest company in your city. With a service, cheaper isn't always better. Chances are, the cheap price cleaners use cheap equipment, cheap chemicals, and cheap labor. This is a recipe for disaster. In many cases, these "cheap" cleaners can do more damage than good for your carpet.

Here's the deal: anyone can start a carpet cleaning business with as little as $50. And the problem is, over half the carpet cleaning businesses started this year are started with the wrong equipment, wrong chemicals, and lack of training.

The right equipment should consist of, at bare minimum, truck-mounted carpet cleaning equipment. This equipment usually ranges in the neighborhood of $10,000-$30,000. 

Most of the start-up or "cheap" coupon based carpet cleaners use portable equipment. Sometimes they use machines rented at a grocery store. Portable cleaning equipment can never do what truck-mounted equipment can. The right chemicals are very important.

Cheap carpet cleaning chemicals are high in residue and cause soil to attract to the carpet after cleaning. In addition, the best cleaning agents for spot removal are never cheap. To get the job done right, a cleaner must have the more state-of-the-art spot removal agents in his truck. If he doesn't, you'll be left with a poor job.

And what about the guy cleaning your carpet? If the company he works for is cheap, it's unlikely there was ever a background check done on the guy cleaning in your bedroom. It's also unlikely much, if any, training was done for specialty spot removal. And in order for his company to make any profit, he's forced to rush through your cleaning at break neck speed. He wouldn't be able to do a good job even if he knew how.

If spots return after the cleaning, you'll likely get a run-around. The cheap companies never guarantee their work.

If a company charges cheap prices, they can't afford to give you the best service. If they clean with the right equipment, chemicals, and qualified cleaning technicians, they can't stay in business charging the cheapest prices. When it comes to hiring a carpet cleaner, you get what you pay for. Don't be mislead with the cheap coupons. The companies that charge cheap prices can't afford to deliver anything but a cheap service.

When it comes to something as valuable as carpeting, saving a few dollars on hiring a service may cost thousands in the long run.

Hire Van's Carpet & Upholstery for guaranteed professional carpet cleaning services!

Get an estimate now by clicking here or call us at 352.669.1540

Going Green With Cleaning

Everything's gone green. Who could have guessed that the color of envy would become the most popular color of our times? I guess the blues never really stood a chance.

Even the carpet cleaning industry is leaning towards the eco-friendly side of things. More and more carpet cleaning companies are using organic cleaning solutions and practicing eco-friendly cleaning techniques.

But even with everything going eco-friendly there is a misconception that green cleaning products and green cleaning practices aren't as effective as their chemically based brethren. This simply is not true. Here's some info on green carpet cleaning that won't leave you singing the blues.

First of all, back in the day, almost all cleaning products were simple and mostly non-toxic. They didn't have all the chemicals that are around today. Depending on your age, mom, or grandma, used solutions made by mixing water and vinegar or baking soda to do a lot of cleaning. These same products can be used today to take care of most carpet stains and cleaning needs.

A mixture of water and vinegar can be used to remove rust spots in your carpet. Ammonia and cold water can be used to get out blood. A mild soap and water mixture can help with urine if treated immediately. If the urine has been in the carpet under 24 hours then you can use the vinegar and water. Most food and drink products can be removed with a simple solution of warm water, mild detergent, and vinegar.

Many carpet cleaning companies, like us, are now using cleaning agents that are based on more natural elements rather than harmful chemicals. Non-toxic ingredients such as citrus, vinegar, and salt, are now being used more often than their toxic counterparts. This isn't saying that all the chemicals used by carpet companies are 100% chemical free. But they are much safer and a great deal less toxic than the alternatives.

But you need to ask for "green" cleaning.

Not only are the cleaning agents more eco-friendly, the cleaning methods are now getting greener. Today's high tech world has given us updated tools and more efficient cleaning equipment that are less wasteful. Steam cleaners use less water but offer the same, if not better results. There are also "dry" cleaning techniques that use almost no water at all.

The green movement is very trendy right now and it seems that everyone is jumping on the bandwagon. But if you had the choice between a safe, non-toxic cleaning and a more hazardous option, which would you choose?

The bottom line is that traditional carpet cleaning products and techniques can be harmful and wasteful. Wouldn't you prefer to have a safer home environment for you and your family if the option were available to you?

Get an estimate now by clicking here or call us at 352.669.1540

Carpet Cleaning Tips For Pet Owners

Pet owners have their work cut out for them. The responsibility involved with owning a pet is almost a full time job. You've got to keep them fed, sheltered, cleaned, and loved. But along with taking care of man's best friend or your finicky feline companion you also have to contend with your home.

It's NOT their fault...

By no fault of their own, pets can wreak havoc on your carpet. They don't mean to. They just don't know any better. So here are some tips on how to keep your carpet looking great even with pets in your home.

The first thing you want to do is to make sure to vacuum regularly. For non-pet owners it is recommended to vacuum at least once a week. If you have a dog or cat you may want to bump that up to 2-3 times a week. This will get all that pet hair up out of your carpet. Make sure to go over your upholstery and tile also. Vacuuming is the simplest and most effective thing you can do to control the amount of pet hair and dander your home can accumulate.

If your pet happens to have an accident you want to address the area as soon as you possibly can. The sooner you treat the spot the better chance you have of getting it completely clean. If your pet does a number two then make sure you pick it up with a paper towel first.

If urine is the issue then you want to begin by extracting as much of the liquid as possible. This can be done by using a shop vac or some towels. If you use towels make sure to place a weight on top and give the urine some time to absorb into the towels.

When you have finished extracting then you will want to use a cleaning agent to clean the remaining stain. There are a number of over the counter spot removers you can use or you may choose to mix your own. Three parts warm water to one part white vinegar is an excellent household remedy for pet urine. Just apply it to the stain and blot with a clean towel. Blotting is essential. You do not want to rub at a stain in your carpet, ever.

The Cleaning Tips

After cleaning with your solution remember to rinse the area with some clean water and extract again with the shop vac or some clean towels.

If there is still some odor after the area has dried just pour some baking soda over it and leave it there for a while to absorb the odor. Afterward just vacuum up the baking soda and you should be good to go.

These simple steps can go a long way to keeping your carpet looking fresh and clean even though you have pets.

Get an estimate now by clicking here or call us at 352.669.1540

Spot Removal Tips With a Wet/Dry Vac

When it comes to carpet spills or stain removal there is one handy item that every homeowner should purchase: the wet/dry vac. This fantastic little machine can sometimes be the difference between a relatively easy stain removal and a complete disaster.

How will a wet/dry vac help out with carpet spills and stains you ask? Well let's just it won't work a miracle all the time. But when used in conjunction with the right spot remover, this little vac could prove invaluable.

What you would use the wet/dry vac for, in regards to stain and spot removal, is extraction. Before you attempt any kind of clean up you should grab the wet/dry vac and extract as much of the liquid or soil as possible. What this basically does is remove what isn't necessarily the stain yet.

For example, you've spilled a cup of juice on the carpet. Now technically the spot isn't a stain yet. It's still a puddle, more or less. The wet/dry vac will extract most of the liquid up from the spot, leaving you with what is now the actual stain. Now when you go to add your treatment chemicals you are actually treating the spot rather than adding your chemical to the puddle of juice.

After you've treated your spot you always want to rinse and extract. This removes any solvents that may get left behind. To do this you just pour some water, maybe a cup, over the treated area. Then use your wet/dry vac to...can you guess? You got it, extract.

Let's give an example of when a wet/dry vac can work miracles.

Fido can't hold the phone and has a pee pee in the middle of your living room. Let's say you're lucky enough to witness this carpet crime first hand. Step one, after gently moving Fido aside with your foot, would be to get out your wet/dry vac. Extract as much of the liquid as possible.

Next you would use your cleaning agent of choice on the stain. Now for this you may choose to go with your favorite spot remover or maybe something more natural like a vinegar/water or ammonia/water solution. It's up to you. Once you've treated the spot you need to rinse it. Get a cup of clean water and pour it over the spot. This will help prevent any solvent buildup. The final step would be another extraction with the wet/dry vac to remove the remaining liquid.

It is not necessary to buy the biggest, baddest shop vac you can find. All you really need is a small, easy to manage unit that you can store away without having to rearrange a closet. Think of it as your helpful little clean up droid, your little stain fighting R2-D2, if you will.

Get an estimate now by clicking here or call us at 352.669.1540

6 Tips to Keep Your Vacuum at Top Performance

If you have carpet then you would definitely need to have a well maintained vacuum cleaner.

Basically, each vacuum has one main purpose - to clean - and thus the importance of this article and cleaning your vacuum. Keeping your vacuum clean will give you a cleaner, longer lasting carpet.

Here are a few ways to help keep your vacuum clean:  

1. Keep your Brush Roll Clean. Your brush roll is the first portion of the vacuum that dirt has contact with. Needless to say, this should be clean all the time. Before starting to vacuum, take a look at your brush rolls. Take away particles that may be stuck to it like lint, pet and human hair, small pieces of paper, candy wrappers - take them out and free the brush roll from anything that might block dirt from being picked up by it.
2. Brush Roll and Oil. Once in a while it is advisable for you to lubricate your brush rolls. Lubricating the brushes will allow for it to roll more effectively. The procedure to remove the brushes from where they are attached may be found in the vacuum's manual. If you have lost the manual, you may try calling the manufacturer or checking their website. Olive oil is a good lubricant.
3. Check Vacuum Hose. You'll probably notice your vacuum getting less sucking power. Check one of the most obvious reasons before bringing it to a repair shop. Chances are, your vacuum hose has a clog or an obstruction and won't properly clean your carpet.
4. Check Vacuum Bags. Before starting to vacuum, always check the vacuum bags first. Again the manufacturer's manual will tell you when you should replace your bags. Most of the time though, it is best for you to empty them when they are just half-full. You may be able to reuse them for about 3 to 4 times though before replacing.
5. Check Vacuum Belt. Every few months, check the belt on your vacuum. Check for spots, cracks, and tears. Belts wear out after a few months (depending on usage) and would need to be replaced. Sometimes belts may also become lose and need to be refitted into the vacuum. Remember that the vacuum's efficiency to suck dirt and particles would also be because of the vacuum's belt.
6. Check Vacuum Filters. Filters usually become too clogged and in effect affect the engine's efficiency. Therefore, always make it a habit to check and clean the filters before vacuuming. Make sure your filters are free from items that might hinder it from doing its job. Remember that in order to successfully clean your carpet, your vacuum needs to be clean and working properly. Regularly checking your vacuum and its parts will not only ensure its efficiency but will also help it last even longer.

Get an estimate now by clicking here or call us at 352.669.1540

What To Do If Paint Is Spilled On Your Carpet

How well does paint stick to your walls? It bonds to your carpet even better.

In fact, paint is typically the MOST difficult spot to remove from carpet--even for professional cleaning companies.

Some people feel if they are using water based paint, it should remove easily. NOT TRUE. Truth is, once paint is dry, it bonds to your carpet BETTER than it bonds to your walls. Have you ever tried washing the paint off your wall? You'd ruin the drywall before you could remove the paint.

If you attempt removal while the paint is still damp, you'll have a good chance at removal. Allowing the paint to dry makes the task difficult to impossible.

Here's how to avoid paint spills...

The first thing to know is that when you are painting a room, you must cover the carpet. Ideally, you won't spill any, because when you do spill latex paint on the carpet, you must move quickly to prevent permanent stains.

If you do get a little paint on your carpet, start by quickly blotting up as much as you can with a clean white cloth. Work from the outside in, so you don't spread the stain. Then get a cloth wet and blot again, this time also moving from the outside in. Remove as much of the paint as you can.

Now, take some dishwashing liquid and mix it with lukewarm water (you only need about a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid to about a cup or two of water). Using a clean white cloth again, wet the cloth in the soapy water and blot the stain moving from the outside in.

If any paint remains, apply some odorless mineral spirits to a cloth and blot the stain with the cloth.

NEVER pour mineral spirits directly on your carpet. Use it sparingly. Too much of any type of solvent can cause the carpet backing to fall apart. When finished, pour a little clean water over the stained area and extract the water with a wet vacuum. This rinses out any residue left behind from the mineral spirits and detergent.

Wait until the carpet is dry completely and vacuum the area. If the stain remains, try the whole sequence over again.

What to do if you spill a whole gallon of paint...

Don't panic. First, extract all that you can with a wet vacuum or shop vac. Then, call us. We've taken care of problems just like this. We can save your carpet if you call us IMMEDIATELY!

Acrylic paint might be a problem. Acrylic is often referred to as craft paint, so it's a common kind of paint you might have in your house. If some gets on the carpet, here's what you can do to get rid of it.

First, extract with a wet or shop vacuum. Then, blot the area with a mild cleaning agent that is safe for your rug. If you are concerned about the laundry detergent bleaching or harming your carpet, test in an inconspicuous spot first.

Like with latex paint, use odorless mineral spirits if the stain still remains as according to the directions above.

If you have a paint stain that has dried or you have spilled a considerable amount of paint, you might need to seek the help of a specialist. If you experiment too much, you could ultimately damage your carpet.

Paint is one of the most vicious stains on carpet. But if you know what to do when the emergency arises, you'll have emerged with beautiful carpet.

The important thing to remember is ACT NOW.   

Paint can permanently bond to your carpet fibers. The sooner you get to it, the better your chance of removing it.

Get an estimate now by clicking here or call us at 352.669.1540

Impress Your Summer Guests With Clean Carpet and Floors

Your guests look straight at the floor. 

One of the first pieces of décor a guest notices in your home is your carpet, rugs, and flooring.  How can you tell? Well, they have to look at the floor to see where they're walking, right?  

Within the first few seconds of entering a building, a guest has to look at the floor.

If your floor looks good, your guest instantly has positive feelings. If your floor is dirty or ugly, a not-so-clean feeling is etched in their mind.

Ask any Realtor; they'll tell you how important it is to have clean looking and odor-free floors. If you only improve the flooring of your home or office, you can more than double the value of your building in the eyes of the first time guest.

Have you felt this way when you walked into a dirty building?

I walked into a major retail store in town (I won't mention any names). Without thinking, I felt like the entire store was dirty. Then I noticed the shelves were clean.  The clothes were beautiful and clean. The tile floors looked fine. Even the employees looked great and cheerful.  

After looking around, trying to figure out why I felt it was so dirty, I saw the carpet was neglected.

There were drink spills everywhere and dirty traffic lanes. It was obvious the management didn't put much care in cleaning the carpet.

Another time, I talked with a different retail store manager that had filthy carpet. The manager agreed the floors looked bad, but she couldn't do anything about it.  

Apparently, the carpet was just cleaned a few days earlier by a national company that is contracted to clean for a very cheap price. Besides the spots that returned throughout the store, there were streaks in the carpet where the cleaning technician failed to overlap the dirty areas. They got what they paid for.

Make your floors beautiful and add value to your home

We have several clients who flip houses for a living. Many times, simply calling us to clean the carpet or tile floor can add thousands of dollars of value to the house.  

Our cleaning systems can do much more than your average cleaning company. We may cost a few dollars more, but we're worth it.

Book early for holiday cleaning. You want to make a great first impression on your guests this holiday season. We always get a rush of clients who call the week before Thanksgiving and the week before Christmas.  

We are typically booked 2 weeks in advance around the holidays.

Get an estimate now by clicking here or call us at 352.669.1540

5 Tips to Have Clean Tile, Grout, and Vinyl Floors

1. NEVER use acidic cleaners like muriatic acid to clean your floors. Even vinegar is an acidic cleaner you should avoid. This is even more important if you have natural stone tile.
2. Instead of sweeping with a broom, get a vacuum sweeper for dry soil removal. This will keep soils out of your grout.
3. Mop your floors at LEAST once a week.
4. Use a neutral PH cleaning agent made specifically for tile or vinyl floors. Call us for specific recommendations.
5. Professsional cleaning and sealing should be done every 1-2 years to prolong the life and beauty of your floors.

Frequently Asked Questions?

• Can you get my grout white again? Our system will remove ALL oils, grease, grime, and soil from your tile and grout. Even after the soils are removed, your grout may have some imperfections that cannot be taken out with cleaning especially if the grout is more than 10 years old. But don't worry, even if your grout is in bad shape, we can always dye the grout and/or re-grout. The cost to re-color or re-grout is a fraction of the cost of buying new tile. 
• How can my grout be permanently re-colored? First, we clean your grout to remove all soils. Next, we apply one of 40 different colors of dye to the grout. We use the best dye available to change grout color. It is more than a water based thin dye or a paint. Our dye is an impregnator that penetrates 1/2" into the grout and will not chip like paint and it will not fade for many years to come. The dye is also a sealer that protects the grout from taking in dirt and oils. Call us at 474-1133 (Pensacola) and we'll send you a FREE color guide.
• How do I know if I need tile and grout cleaning? If your grout is looking darker and dirtier in your high traffic areas than the areas you never walk on, you need professional cleaning. Many times, this is the result of not applying a sealant when the tile was installed.
• What type of soils clean up well from tile and grout? If you have pets in your home, your grout gets very dirty from the oils in their fur, which cleans up very well. This usually is the biggest difference we see in cleaning. Urine stains in grout may lighten up tremendously or be completely removed. Other food grease and oils normally clean up quite well too. Rust can be occasionally removed from tile.
• Do you guarantee the grout re-coloring process will last? Of course! The manufacturer tells us the grout recolorant will last forever. However, we know grout will eventually wear away and so will the color. We give a solid 10-YEAR WARRANTY with our grout recoloring process. If it fades, chips, or is removed, we'll fix it for you FREE. The only exceptions are due to acts of God (flooding) or physical damage to the grout.

Get an estimate now by clicking here or call us at 352.669.1540

Tips to Get Rid of Ice Cream Spills on Your Carpet

Carpets are great to have in your home. It adds a certain kind of comfort and beauty that you and your entire family will surely enjoy. But while it can be a nice accessory to have in any room, keeping it clean can be a tough job for any homeowner.

Carpets can become messy pretty easily. One of the main concerns that homeowners have is that spills can happen quite often and it can have nasty results such as stains on your beautiful carpet. One such problem that many carpet owners are having trouble with is dealing with ice cream spills. Ice cream can get spilled by kids playing around inside your house very commonly which can then be a challenge for the carpet owners to clean up. If you have trouble with ice cream spills on your carpet, here are a few tips to help you get rid of it effectively.

• Clean It Up Right Away – This is one tip which can really help make it a lot easier to clean up the ice cream spill on your carpet. Cleaning the mess as soon as possible is vital in order to make cleaning up the ice cream spill more manageable. Try to quickly clean up the ice cream spill immediately to avoid having it spread to other areas of the carpet. Also, the ice cream melts so if you wait a long time before cleaning up the spill there will be a high chance that the melted ice cream will seep deeper into the carpet making it more problematic to remove.
• Remove the Excess Ice Cream Using a Spoon – Before you can clean up the stain which the ice cream spill has caused, you should always try to clear up the area first. You will need to remove the excess ice cream on the carpet and in order to do this properly; you can make use of a spoon in order to carefully scoop up the spill. This will help clear the area and prepare it for the next step which is for you to deal with the stain or marks that it has left behind. Doing this quickly can make a big difference in being able to remove the spill properly and more easily.

Hopefully these tips will help you out in removing the ice cream spill on your carpet. Be sure to keep these in mind so that you won’t have a lot of trouble in dealing with this carpet cleaning problem.

Cleaning Your Grout Easily and Effectively

The grout which holds your tiles together may not get the attention and praise as the tiles themselves, but they sure do play a very important role. Without the grout, there would be nothing to keep your tiles in place and together. Also, if the tiles are very attractive but your grout is dirty and filthy, it will still ruin the overall appearance of your tiles.

This is why grout cleaning is also an important task that every homeowner should remember. It is a boring and tedious task but it is really necessary if you want your tile flooring to stay attractive and beautiful. Many homeowners don’t really know how to go about cleaning their grout at home. If you are one of these people, here are some useful tips on how you can clean your grout easily and effectively.

• Using Oxygen Bleach – One method in cleaning the grout is by making use of a product called oxygen bleach. Oxygen bleach is a non-toxic powder which is really useful in making the task of cleaning your grout a lot easier. You can purchase it in most grocery or home improvement stores in your town or city and using it is very easy too. All you need to do is to mix the oxygen bleach powder with some water and then apply it onto your tiles and grout. After doing this, you just need to allow the cleaning solution to set for a couple of minutes and then start scrubbing the grout using an old toothbrush. After several minutes of scrubbing, you will surely be able to see improved results and eventually your grout will be clean and spotless once more.
• Make a Baking Soda/Vinegar Cleaning Paste - If you don’t have the time or money to go out and buy oxygen bleach for your grout, you can make a substitute yourself by using baking soda and vinegar. These two items are great when it comes to household cleaning and by mixing a small amount of baking soda with some vinegar, you will be able to have a cleaning paste that you can use on your tiles and grout. Once you have the cleaning paste ready, apply it onto your grout and again let it set for a couple of minutes. Then, use a small brush to slowly scrub the dust and dirt from your grout to eliminate it completely.

Grout cleaning can be tough but with the right tips and advice, you can make it a lot easier and more manageable. Just remember these two tips and surely you won’t have any more problems getting your grout at home clean.

Keys in Cleaning Your Natural Stone Flooring

Natural stone tile flooring has become one of the most popular additions to any new home. This is because it can instantly make your home classier and more sophisticated. It gives off a tinge of elegance that will surely make everything in your house look better. But having natural stone flooring can be great, you would need to know how to properly clean it in order that you can help maintain its cleanliness and condition.

One important element that you should always keep in mind when maintaining natural stone tiles is frequent light cleaning. Sometimes, you may find yourself dealing with a spill or a mess which would require more intensive cleaning but this is okay as long as you use the right cleaning products in doing this task. Regular light cleaning, probably about three to five times a week, is highly recommended and will really go a long way in maintaining your natural stone tiles.

Another factor that you should consider in maintaining your natural stone tiles is frequent mopping. Mopping with a damp mop can really help in removing the dust and dirt which could be making your tiles look dull and ugly. Damp mopping can really give your natural stone tiles its luster and shine which will surely add to its beauty and attractiveness. Just make sure that you don’t use too much water when mopping the natural stone tiles though. This is because they are porous in nature and too much moisture isn’t good for it.

One more key that you should keep in mind is having your natural stone tiles professionally cleaned once in a while. Doing all of the cleaning yourself is great and is a very wise and frugal option, but you may not always be able to take the best care of your tiles. Hiring professional tile cleaners on the other hand who have decades of experience in dealing with tiles is probably your best choice as they will be able to help maintain your tiles cleanliness as well as contribute to its good condition and quality. You don’t have to have your tiles professionally cleaned every month but having regular scheduled cleanings would be a great plus.

Hopefully the tips listed above will help you out in cleaning and maintaining your natural stone tiles. Natural stone such as granite and marble are great to have and by using the tips above, you will be able to properly take care of it so that it will stay clean, beautiful, and in great condition always.

Tile Cleaning Errors to Avoid

Tile cleaning can be a tough task for any homeowner. There are a lot of people out there who don’t really know what to do to properly clean their tiles yet they still go about it without really thinking about the consequences that can happen.

This can be very risky as you can end up damaging your tiles and ruining them completely. Certainly this is not something that you want to happen in your home. Sadly, a lot of homeowners commit simple mistakes that end up having a big effect on their tiles. To serve as a warning, here are some of the common tile cleaning mistakes that you should stay away from.

• Using Improper Tile Cleaning Solutions – Some tile owners think that all tiles are the same and as such they can use about any tile cleaning solution on any kind of tiles. Well, this is certainly not the case are there are many different kinds of tiles that are being used nowadays. Some tiles are more sensitive than others when it comes to cleaning; such is the case with natural stone tiles. This is why using an improper tile cleaning solution can be a very costly mistake that you should avoid making. Using a highly acidic cleaning solution on marble or granite for example will result in damage to the latter as well as etching which will totally ruin your natural stone tiles. That is why always using only those products which are safe and compatible with your tiles is important.
• Not Cleaning Up Spills Properly and Quickly – Another issue that many tile owners tend to commit is not taking a proper and swift approach when it comes to cleaning up spills. This is very costly because spills are one of the main reasons for stains on the tiles. The longer you allow a spill to be on the carpet the higher the chances that you will have a nasty stain later. That is why properly and quickly dealing with spills on your tiles is very important. This can really help prevent stains on your tiles in order for you to properly maintain its cleanliness and beauty.
• Not Sweeping and Polishing the Tiles Regularly – This is one problem that many homeowners commit. They think that having tiles mean that you don’t have to clean it as often as you do carpets and other kinds of flooring. Well, not sweeping and polishing the tiles can have negative effects. It can cause your tiles to become dull and unattractive if you don’t sweep or polish it for long periods of time. Also, small pebbles and soil particles can cause scratches on your tiles which can likewise affect its appearance. This is why you should not make this mistake and always see to it that you sweep and polish your tiles regularly in order to keep it beautiful and in good condition.

How to Utilize Ammonia for Common Carpet Stains

When people talk about ammonia what commonly comes to mind is the cleaning solution which is being used in order to clean tiles in bathrooms and on floors. It is true that ammonia is used primarily for these purposes but nobody ever said that it is all that this useful cleaning solution is good for.

If you have a carpet at home and you accidentally spilled coffee or any other drink on it you may be surprised to know that ammonia can be your best option to get rid of this kind of stain. Yes, ammonia has a lot of uses outside of cleaning floors and tiles. It too can be used in order to remove that ugly stain on your carpet.

Are you curious how you can utilize ammonia as a cleaning solution for your carpet? If you want to try using ammonia as a cleaning agent for carpet stains, check out the useful post below showing you how.

Ammonia is a chemical substance which you can easily use to clean your carpet. The only thing that you need to do is mix one part of clear ammonia with four parts of water. Mix this thoroughly until you have a very effective cleaning solution. Put this cleaning solution inside a spray bottle and you are now ready to get rid of the stains on your carpet.

To utilize this cleaning solution, spray it onto the affected area of the carpet. Then, allow it to soak the stain for several minutes. Afterward, get a clean white cloth and slowly blot the stained area of your carpet. Blotting helps in breaking down the stain as well as slowly transfers it from the carpet onto the cloth’s surface. As you continue to blot you will eventually be able to completely get rid of the stain.

Aside from removing stains, one other benefit that you can enjoy if you make use of ammonia to clean your carpet is to deodorize it. Unpleasant smell on the carpet can be a common problem and if you don’t know how to solve it try making the cleaning solution above and spraying it onto the portion of the carpet where the smell is coming from. Let the solution set for about ten minutes and then use a wet/dry vac to extract it. You will notice that the smell will no longer be there and your carpet looks and smells clean and fresh once more.

If you want to save money while still getting your carpet cleaned properly, make your own ammonia-based cleaning solution now!

Advantages of Sealing Your Grout

Tiles can really be a very beautiful addition to your home. It is for this reason that many homeowners nowadays decide to have tiles installed in their new homes or have remodelling done to add it to their existing houses. But while tiles are always getting attention, praise, and recognition for its appearance, one important thing that people may take for granted is the grout that keeps the tiles together.

Grout is the material being used for the placement and keeping together of your tiles. Even if you have very attractive tiles but your grout is dirty and filthy then it can really ruin the entire look of your tiles. This is why keeping your tiles clean is also very important.

One method which is being employed nowadays in trying to keep grout clean and in good condition is to seal it. Grout is porous in nature and as such it absorbs the dust, dirt, and liquid spills which cause it to become stained and dirty. This is why sealing the grout using sealant is a serious option that you should consider. If you are still undecided on whether to seal your grout at home, check out the list of advantages below that you could get if you go ahead and do it.

• It Helps Protect Against Stains – If you have liquid spills on your tiles and grout, the liquid can get absorbed by the grout which then will cause a drastic change in its appearance or color. This problem not only affects the grout as it can also put off the appearance of your tiles, no matter how beautiful they may be. But if you go ahead and seal your grout then it will help your grout become more resistant to staining. Sealing the grout will prevent the liquid from food and drink spills from seeping and being absorbed in it this you will have a better chance of keeping your grout’s look and appearance with ease. This is definitely one of the biggest advantages of sealing your grout as spills and stains are one of the most common problems that homeowners encounter.
• Keeps the Grout in Good Condition – Another advantage that you can get by sealing your grout is helping it stay in good condition. A lot of cleaning problems can happen to your grout such as stains, spots, and daily exposure to dust and dirt which is why it can get pretty dirty and filthy quite easily. On the other hand, when you seal your grout you are giving it a layer of protection from the said common cleaning issues. You are thus able to help keep your grout in good condition so that it will last for a long time.

Reasons Why You Should Consider Hiring a Tile Cleaner

Many homeowners often have trouble in cleaning their tiles at home. This is not actually an easy task and a lot of people often don’t know how to do it properly. It is tedious and boring which certainly doesn’t help. But tile cleaning is a very important task which is why you should still find ways to get it done right.

One option that a lot of homeowners don’t consider is hiring a professional to do the job for them. Many homeowners think of it as expensive while many actually don’t know what it’s all about which is the reason they haven’t tried it out for themselves. Hiring a professional tile cleaner is actually a very attractive option which people should try out at least once to see how great it is. There are cheap yet effective tile cleaners that you can use and you will still get great results. If you are still doubtful as to hiring a professional cleaner for your tiles, check out some of the convincing reasons below to help make up your mind.

1. It Gets Your Tiles Thoroughly Cleaned – One thing that homeowners are always worried when it comes to tile cleaning is the level and quality of cleanliness that it will give you. Doing all the tile cleaning yourself will not have any guarantees that you will do a good job but hiring professionals to do it will certainly do the job. This is because tile cleaning professionals have the expertise and training that allows them to thoroughly clean your tiles to a level that you cannot ordinarily reach on your own. This surely is one of the best reasons to try it out for yourself.
2. You Won’t Have to Do All the Work – This is definitely one of the biggest perks of hiring a professional cleaner for your tiles. You won’t need to constantly worry about doing everything yourself. You will actually not be lifting a finger and you will still get an expertly cleaned carpet in your home. This is because all you would need to do is to call a professional cleaner and set-up an appointment and that’s it. No more need to labor for hours just to get your tiles in tip top shape as the professional cleaners will do everything for you.

These are two good reasons for you to try hiring a professional tile cleaner. Don’t miss out on this great cleaning method, try hiring a professional tile cleaner now!

Removing Blood Stains on Your Area Rug

Area rugs can be a great addition to any room. It can serve as a very nice accessory to improve a room’s look and appeal while at the same time offering the homeowner a chance to inject a little bit of his own personality into the home. But area rugs can be a bit challenging to maintain. It can get dirty quite easily and it faces regular cleaning problems that threaten its look and condition.

One such problem that can happen on your area rugs is having stains on it. There are many kinds of stains which can render your area rug dirty and unattractive but one of the toughest ones to deal with is blood stains. Blood stains can get on your carpet if you accidentally wound or scrape yourself and you get blood all over the rug. This is a very difficult situation to remedy as the blood can really result in a nasty stain that is hard to get out. Luckily this is not a problem that doesn’t have a solution. Check out the guide below to find out how you can remove blood stains on your area rug with ease.

First, you should always try to clean up stains on the area rug as soon as possible. Acting fast can really save you the time and effort as it would make for an easier time in removing stains and spills on it. As soon as you get blood on the area rug, get a piece of paper towel and blot the mess immediately to prevent it from spreading to other areas of the rug.

Next you would need to get a cleaning solution which will help break down the blood stain on the area rug. For this step, you can just make one on your own by mixing a teaspoon of non-bleach laundry detergent with ¾ liters of water. Get some of the resulting solution and apply it onto the blood stain.

After applying the cleaning solution onto the stained area of the rug, get another piece of clean white cloth and again blot the spot. Blotting helps remove the stain from the rug fibers and onto the cloth. Do this continuously until all of the blood stain is removed.

Lastly, you should rinse the rug with a cup of clean water to get rid of any cleaning solution residue. The residue if left behind on the carpet can build-up over time and damage your carpet without you knowing it. That is why it is vital that you do this last step.

Blood stains on your area rug are no joke but hopefully the guide above will help you in solving this cleaning problem easily. Good luck and happy cleaning!

Three Things You Should Remember When Cleaning Your Carpet

For every carpet owner, cleaning the carpet can be one of the toughest tasks that you would need to regularly do. There are many cleaning threats such as dust, dirt, spills, and stains which can render your carpet ugly, filthy, and completely unattractive. That is why you should always do everything you can to keep your carpet clean and properly maintained.

Sadly, not a lot of homeowners know what to do to keep their carpets well maintained and in proper condition and appearance. Many are still making some silly mistakes or doing improper cleaning techniques that don’t really achieve the results that they want. If you are one of these people then you are in luck. Below is a guide that can help you with proper carpet maintenance. Here are three important tips to remember when cleaning your carpet that you should always keep in mind.

Clean the Carpet Frequently and Thoroughly – Cleaning the carpet is not something that should only be done once in a blue moon. It is a regular task that you should always accomplish otherwise your carpet will become filthy and dirty in a jiffy. You should always clean your carpet regularly to avoid it becoming dirty and poorly maintained. When you do clean your carpet, you should always see to it that you are doing a thorough job. Many homeowners just clean their carpet without exerting much effort simply doing the bare minimum. This is not something that you should be doing as frequent and thorough cleaning is vital if you want to keep your carpet always clean and beautiful.

Clean Up any Spills as Quickly as Possible – One of the most common cleaning problems for the carpet are spills and these can be very tough to clean up after. One important thing that you should always keep in mind when dealing with carpet spills is that you should clean it up as quickly as you can. Some carpet owners often don’t mind the spill, only cleaning it up moments after. This can be a big mistake as spills can get into the carpet if you allow it to stay there without cleaning it. That is why the next time you have a spill on your carpet you should always take time to clean up the mess immediately.

Professional Help Goes a Long Way – If you want your carpet to stay clean and in top condition, hiring a professional to do the job a few times a year can be very useful. Professional carpet cleaners can be a bit more expensive than do-it-yourself carpet cleaning, but it certainly offers a wide range of advantages that it will be a very good investment to try out. Try hiring a professional carpet cleaner at least once or twice a year to help your carpet stay clean and in great condition.

Why You Should Hire a Professional to Restore Your Water-Damaged Carpet

Your carpet can face a lot of cleaning problems on a day to day basis. One of the toughest cleaning issues though that you would never want to happen to your carpet is having water damage on it. Water damage occurs when a lot of water accidentally gets on your carpet drenching it and causing all kinds of trouble. For one, the water can damage the carpet structure and can even render your carpet totally ruined. That is why you should know how to properly deal with this problem in order for you to have a chance at saving your carpet.

One very good suggestion when it comes to restoring a water-damaged carpet is by calling in professional help to do the job for you. Hiring a professional carpet cleaner to restore the water-damaged carpet can be one of the most effective ways to get it back to normal once more. If you don’t think that hiring a professional to do the job is a good idea, check out the very good reasons below to help you decide otherwise.

They Will Get the Job Done Correctly – One big advantage that professional carpet restoration services have is that they already know the steps that need to be done in order to get the carpet back to normal. You may opt to clean the water damage yourself but are you confident that you can do a good job of it? Surely not all homeowners are adept at fixing this kind of problem which is why resorting to professionals for their help is a great idea. You can be confident that they already know what to do and they will no doubt get your carpet looking clean and beautiful once more without any hassles.

It Saves You Time and Effort – Cleaning the water damage on a carpet may seem like an easy task but it can really be tedious and stressful. This is even more true if you don’t really know the proper steps to get it done. If you are unfamiliar with restoring a water-damaged carpet, you may need to spend several hours doing what you think are the right steps only to find out that you are doing everything wrong. Why would you prefer to spend your time and effort in something that you are not good at doing when you can simply call a professional service to help you with the task. They will do the task for you and all you would need to do is simply sit back and relax as they get your carpet back to good condition.