Carpet Cleaners And FAQ!

Carpet Cleaners And FAQ!

The most often asked question I hear at Acleanerplace Cleaning Services in Stirling, is 'why don't you (carpet cleaners in general) advertise your prices'? Well, simply, it's all dependent on the area (size) fibre content of the carpet or upholstery for that matter. Every carpet is unique and requires, or may need, specialist and or additional treatments. In addition, every customer's requirements are different e.g, if I undertake a job in Stirling, Falkirk or Glasgow there will be lesser or greater costs for me dependent on distance travelled. So, in summary, there are many factors to consider when providing a quotation to a customer. But, be assured the I will always provide the best and competitive price every time.

In addition, there are many questions I get asked prior to carrying out the carpet or upholstery clean at my customers' houses: 'what do I need to move'?  'Do you move furniture'? etc. So I, have placed an FAQ page on the website that aims to answer all those nagging questions that you may have. Although, you may have thought of one that I have not catered for; all you need to do is 'ask' - just click on the link below for all those questions that might spring to mind.

Regards

Tom

Acleanerplace Cleaning Services

Some Really Easy Tips to Keep Your Carpets Looking Fresh And New

Some Really Easy Tips to Keep Your Carpets Looking Fresh And New

The carpets within your home may be one of the things that you really love the most. Not only do they add a different texture to your living area or rooms but they also complement your interior designs; a carpet can add substantially to your home decor.

The downside is that carpets, especially the ones in your living room, are prone to a great deal of foot traffic. This traffic not only makes your carpets (very) dirty but also make them quickly lose their appeal, newness and freshness.

If you reside in Stirling and your carpet (s) have faced this type of damage, instead of replacing them, you should consider a professional cleaning service. We, professionals, have our expert methods, via training and good appropriate selection of cleaning products to clean a carpet and restore its newness.

Notwithstanding, if you do not wish to spend a great deal of money on such a service, you can always go the DIY route. Check out below, a couple of really easy carpet cleaning tips:

Vacuum Regular To Avoid More Dirt

Your carpets require regular cleaning! Make it happen every day or on alternate days, but make sure that you vacuum your carpets on a regular basis. This will not only help get rid of the dirt and dander that gets accumulated over time (busy family life) but also helps considerably in cutting down on dust mites.

If the usual vacuuming is not carried out, the dirt may become accumulated over a longer period of time, becoming so bad, that you become blind to this accumulation of dirt (we carpet professionals call it ‘blacktop’) that and you will eventually need the services of a professional carpet cleaning service provided by Acleanerplace Cleaning Services in Stirling. In order to save yourself such an embarrassment and prolong the life of your carpet (s), and save money, you must start with regular vacuuming shortly after you have the carpet (s) installed.

Act-On Spills and Accidents Immediately

Beverage spills and pet accidents, if not acted upon immediately may ‘set’ and leave stubborn stains (that cause a permanent colour change) to the fibres of your carpets, if not treated immediately. With regular traffic and usage, carpets are quite prone to having food and beverage and pet mishaps inflicted upon them.

If, again, you consider a DIY option to vanquish (please don’t use this product!), it is good practise to treat the spills while they are fresh to avoid any permanent staining.  For liquids, you can use paper towels that will absorb the spillage as much as is possible and for solid food, scoop up the spill as much as possible with a spoon or spatula.

The next stage, after you have gotten rid of the spill, is to apply a little mild detergent mixed solution on the affected area and rinse it away with water; a blotting action is the best method here to absorb any cleaning solution; or if you have overly-wetted the area, consider a kitchen towel (paper or terry) to lay over the affected area and place something weighty on top and leave for an hour or so.

Carpet Maintenance Tips

Remove furniture indentations from your carpets using am ice cube and a hairdryer, iron -just make sure you don’t burn your carpet with the iron! This is avoided by dampening a cloth and placing this first over the affected area, and then placing the iron on top of the damp cloth, but only for 10-15 secs, thereby creating steam.

If your carpet is damaged because of water or any other reasons, call in help from a professional that can help restore your carpet via the use of professional drying techniques.

Regards

Tom

Acleanerplace Cleaning Services

DIY Carpet Cleaning Solutions

DIY Carpet Cleaning Solutions

Yes, we’ve all accidentally spilled drinks on our carpets, or sofa and stained them!  What most of us may have not done is bought a carpet cleaning solution product from the supermarket/internet to use in these situations. The good news is and, fortunately, you might not have to buy anything to get your carpet/upholstery looking like new again. Did you know that you can make your own homemade (DIY) carpet cleaning solution with a few, under the sink (household) items!   So, I thought I’d share some of my favourite DIY solutions to get you started:   

*** Note: It is best practice to dip a white cloth/terry towel into all these solutions and apply to the stain by dabbing or blotting. You must never pour the solutions directly onto carpets/upholstery. And never, never rub at the Stain ***

1.   A Vinegar solution: Mix one cup of white vinegar with two cups of water.

2.   A Detergent Solution:  Mix a 1/4 teaspoon of a liquid washing-up detergent, such as Lidl’s W5, Fairy Liquid into a cup of lukewarm water. 

3.  A Solvent Solution:  Use a paint type solvent. Or a substitute nail-polish remover; such as Mylee 100% Pure Acetone polish remover.

4.  An Ammonia solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia with 1/2 cup of lukewarm water.

 Additional DIY Solutions To Try

5.  Club Soda also works very well on a certain type of stains (wine) but may have to be coupled with a cleaning solution for several applications before a stain is removed. Begin by blotting the affected area before pouring the club soda directly over it. Once the solution has stopped fizzing, immediately blot the spot again, repeating as many times as necessary.

6.   Baking Soda/ Bicarbonate Soda works very well to remove pet stains: Just sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the soiled area and then let it sit/dwell for a couple hours and then vacuum the affected area. It also acts as an effective deodorizer.

  

 7.  Diluted Bleach can also help too in some instances, but *** do not use this on wool carpets***. Just use 10 parts water to one part bleach. Spray the solution on the stain, and then let it sit for 15 seconds before thoroughly rinsing the area with warm water. If you can still see the stain, repeat the process until the spot is gone.

The stain removal remedies, above, should help the DIYer, eliminate most household accidents, but are to a cure-all for every type of stain, especially if there is a colour change in the affected material- this is when you should consider calling in a professional… And by using these DIY stain remedies is a great way of saving some money! 

Regards
Tom
Acleanerplace Cleaning Services

4 Things To Consider Prior To Having Your Upholstery Cleaned!

4 Things To Consider Prior To Having Your Upholstery Cleaned!

When your favourite seat, sofa or reclining chair begins to look, well, dirty, you should consider having it and, or your upholstery suite cleaned. However, prior to looking for a professional upholstery cleaner, you might consider these 4 questions:

a.            Firstly, consider what type of dirt has invaded your furniture!  We upholstery cleaners differentiate different ‘dirt’s’: grease, food and pet oils/stains we treat differently. Knowing what the source of the spots, stains, and dirt will help your upholstery cleaner use the correct cleaning treatment providing you, the owner, with the very best of results. 

b.            Do you know the type of fabric your soft furnishings are made of?  There are many types of fabric used in furniture manufacture: Wool, Cotton, Polyester, Polypropylene, Micro-suede, Rayon, Velvet, Nylon, Linen, and Silk.  By understanding which materials your upholstery is made up of can make the difference between a successful outcome or a disastrous one!  As a householder, you can find out the type of fabric is in your upholstery by easily lifting up its cushions. Here you will (or should) find a manufacturer’s tag with a set of ‘cleaning care instructions’ (similar to the wash tags, seen on garments) listed. It will also provide the type of fabric (s) that it is made of. This will usually be co-located beside the ‘Fire Retardancy’ label. 

c.             Does the person, or company, that you hire as your professional upholstery cleaner survey and inspect your upholstery before cleaning in order to determine what type of fabric (s) it is made up of in order that they apply the correct cleaning solutions. And to keep drying time to a minimum; do the professional use air movers to speed up the drying process- after all, you, the householder does not want to have a soggy backside when your favourite tv programme is due to start…

d.            When the time arrives and you are ready to start searching for upholstery cleaning providers and estimates, you now can be armed and prepared for some of the questions you should be asked about:  the type of dirt, the level of soiling that is on your furniture, and what type of fabric your upholstery is made up of.

You can ask for an estimated drying time (as each fabric type dries differently, e.g. Wool, Cotton and Linen take much longer to dry. In addition, you might ask how long it takes to clean?  A very large sofa will generally take 1 hour to 1 hour 40 min.  A 3-piece suite may take up to 2 hours. Moreover, if the cleaning is completed too quickly, it means the upholstery cleaner is not taking the time to do it right. However, at the very outset of the cleaning process, does the upholstery cleaner vacuum the piece they are to clean.  Similar to carpet cleaning, 78% of the dirt is first removed via vacuuming leaving the remaining 28% to remove via the ‘fabric specific’ cleaning process.


Regards
Tom
Acleanerplace Cleaning Services

Why You Should Engage A Professional Carpet Cleaner

Why You Should Engage A Professional Carpet Cleaner

Hidden Bacteria

Your carpet (s) is a large filter that gathers all the pollutants and contaminants that are brought into the home via footfall or air circulation. Moreover, is a well-established fact that keeping your carpets clean you are benefiting both your health and bank balance. Every occasion that you walk over the carpet wearing footwear you are leaving small amounts of waste, dirt, contaminants etc that, over time, will work to destroy the integrity of the carpet fibres. By vacuuming/hoovering your carpets with a vacuum will remove most of the surface material, you may never be able to remove all the mould and bacteria that grow deep down at the base of the carpet fibres. Therefore, by engaging a professional carpet cleaner is the best defence against these harmful particles.

Carpet Fibre Protection

Remember when your carpet was brand new? The carpet fibres were firm and vibrant in colour. Over a period of time as more and more foot traffic went over it, the carpet (s) begin to look battered and worn. This is simply due that each time you walk from to the inside, small dirt particles attach to the bottom of your footwear. These particles then fall off into the carpet as the fibres brush them clean from the underside of the footwear. This dirt then falls deep down into the carpet fibres. Every time someone walks over the same area, these dirt particles act as a   piece of abrasive sandpaper and rubs away at the integrity of each carpet fibre.  This particularly, prevalent with nylon carpet fibres, which over time become so abraded that no amount of cleaning will bring them back to their former glory!

DIY Carpet Cleaning Problems

One of the most popular ways to save money is for the homeowner is to rent a carpet cleaning machine, e.g. Rug Doctor. The process, as per the provided instructions, of cleaning carpets appears simple enough; so, renting a machine for the day, or a weekend, with its accompanied cleaning chemicals, does start off as an economically sound idea. The initial problem homeowners experience is that the cleaning chemicals that they purchased may, in fact, stain/damage their carpet. Note that professional carpet cleaners will always test a small piece of carpet before continuing to do any work thereby ensuring no damage. Further, most modern carpet cleaners use only eco-friendly cleaning chemicals that are guaranteed not to stain/damage. The next encountered problem is they (the homeowner) have had little experience using this type of cleaning equipment. Our experience is that most homeowners will over-wet (soak) the carpet, but moreover, not work quickly enough to vacuum (suck) up the water, thereby the water has a strong chance to soak into the underlay. Once in the underlay, this, excess water, can be near on impossible to remove; and invariably this may lead to mould and bacteria growth. Professional carpet cleaners understand the risks of ‘over-wetting’ and are practised in their cleaning techniques to not allow this problem to develop!   

Anti-Stain Coatings

Notwithstanding, if your carpets have ‘just' been cleaned it only takes one spilled drink to

undo all the good work by re-contaminating the bottom of the carpet fibres. One of the specialist services that a professional carpet cleaning offers is a protective (anti-stain) coating This clear protective coating is applied, by sprayer, and helps to ensure that it remains clean for a longer period. The added benefit of the protective coating is that it allows you more time to clean-up those, common, every-day spills.

By not having a ‘protected’ carpet means that as soon as a spill occurs the liquid will seep to the bottom of the fibre, where it is difficult to remove; especially drinks that have colouring included in their chemical make-up e.g. fruit juices (or Iron-Bru in Scotland…) and which can be difficult to remove. If the carpet has a protective coating applied, it provides you more time to get to the spill as it will stay on the surface of the carpet due to the protective coating. Therefore, each time a spill occurs the liquid will remain on the top of the carpet for a short period of time thereby giving you a chance to blot/dab it up before it causes any immovable staining. This type of (anti-stain) protection will save you money in the long run both in cleaning and by prolonging the life of the carpet. 

Conclusion

As a homeowner, it is easy to understand the benefits of working with your local professional carpet cleaner and with his/her guidance formulate a good defence against pollutants and contaminants that attack your carpets. By having the carpet (s) professionally cleaned, you not only extend its lifespan but save money overall by not having to replace it/them too often.

The family will also benefit from a well-cleaned carpet and the cleaner air inside the home. If any family member has a respiratory allergy, or a skin complaint will especially benefit from a fresh clean carpet. Now is the time to get in touch and make yourself familiar with your local Stirling carpet cleaning by scheduling a carpet cleaning. 

Regards

Tom

Acleanerplace Cleaning Services

Upholstery Cleaning - The Family And Financial Benefits

 Upholstery Cleaning - The Family And Financial Benefits

As a carpet and upholstery cleaner in Stirling these past years, I have spoken with many customers who are happy to have their carpets cleaned, however, think it’s a waste of money to have their upholstery cleaned; and is not an important consideration as opposed to their carpets.

I am at pains to explain that this is not the case to waste money or factor in treating their furniture cleaning as important as carpet cleaning. Moreover, to have your upholstery cleaned and refreshed on a regular basis - at least once a year – will save you money in the long run.

To have a professional upholstery cleaner clean your upholstery will help maintain that ‘new’ appearance. By giving some TLC to that much-loved sofa, leather chaise lounge or family heirloom will maintain its look/feel for a longer period of time. Not many of my customers disagree that they want a grimy and dirty piece of soft furniture. The dirt, dander, and soil will over time cause wear and colour loss to every type of fabric. Therefore, having your upholstery cleaned regularly will help prevent this and keep the condition worsening. In addition, you should consider the effect that dirt soft furnishings are likely to have on your family's health!

This reason, by its self, is reason enough to have your furniture professionally cleaned! The bacteria that can seep into the fabric of the upholstery, causing unpleasant smells and or malodour can harbour viruses and conditions that aggravate respiratory conditions, e.g. asthma.

A professional upholstery cleaner will get rid of these bacteria. Moreover, specialist products will be at hand to deal with any particular upholstery staining problem the professional is likely to encounter, e.g. vomit, urine and others… The air quality is also significantly improved by having your upholstery cleaned - by getting rid of dust, mildew and other allergens.

As I think I have reasoned, you can see that having your upholstery cleaned is not a total waste of money but an investment in an expensive piece of furniture and the quality of life your family has at home. Notwithstanding, you will actually save money as you will be less likely to replace your furniture as quickly or as often as after your home, the car and, possibly your floor covering (carpet or wood) the upholstery you purchase is in the top 4 of the costliest household purchases.

Regards
Tom
Acleanerplace Cleaning Services

Carpet Cleaning And Moving Home

Carpet Cleaning And Moving Home

When moving home, either upsizing or downsizing, it becomes important to maximize the sale price of your asset whilst avoiding it lingering on the property market for too long.

The conversion of a garage, the adding of an additional bedroom, or the complete renovation of either kitchen and, or bathroom are all good, proven, methods to add value to the property!

However, if you have not got the money that these improvements require, what is the best way to add value and make your home that more attractive to potential buyers?

It is very important that you consider having your carpets cleaned which can make all the difference whether your home sells or not! As a carpet cleaner who cleans homes in the Stirling, Falkirk, Alloa, Dunblane and everywhere in between, I see the benefit of clean fresh smelling carpets. This is even more so before any prospective buyer calls to view your property. The preparation of a home that is for sale should start at the outset, before the arrival of the estate agent. 

Estate agents will always provide advice on how best to ‘dress’ your home before taking the photos that appear on their website. Therefore, not only must the home look just right in the photos, e.g. carpets vacuumed and clean (...), minimise clutter, beds made and sofa cushions ‘puffed up’, as these photos will be the first impression of the interior that any potential buyer will have before a visit – and which may be the critical factor in their ‘sifting’ process of the properties they are considering.

Now, when these potential buyer’s visit, you might not be there as they will visit with an estate agent; therefore, it is unlikely that your home will have remained in its ‘show home’ appearance as it did for the estate agent photos…In order to impress the potential buyer, they must envisage themselves living there. If the carpets are in a dirty condition, as opposed to the other three properties they had viewed that day are clean and fresh, yours will, inevitably, slip to the least favourable …

When these potential buyers first step over your threshold you must first, from their point of view, consider what do your carpets look and smell like! What might be considered a charming ‘homely’ appearance and smell, will almost certainly put people off.  These potential buyers will quickly pick up on any unsightly stains and curious malodours.

Notwithstanding, carpet colour schemes and designs are a matter of personal taste; there is nothing more off-putting to house buyers than dirty, smelly carpets, especially if they smell of wet dog!

Due to the cost of carpet replacement, many new homeowners will not replace the carpets that they have bought with the house until they are in a better financial position. So, the state of carpets that are being sold with your home is critical to the sale.  Should you consider replacing them to achieve a sale, especially if they have seen better days?

In my experience no! As stated above, the replacing of carpets can usually cost a thousand pounds or so in an average house.  In addition, the seller (you) will invariably be cost-conscious, what with moving home, estate agent and legal fees and moreover, the general upheaval during the process of trying to sell your property.

By choosing to have your carpets professionally cleaned you will minimise any disruption and at the same time save some money - after all, you are making a sensible investment in the sale of your property! Clean, fresh-smelling carpets will provide a positive, strong first impression to all viewers, and, if they do not need to replace the carpets (usually a strong consideration with new buyers), it is one less expense that they will be fretting about when considering your property as their next home.

Having had the carpets cleaned at the very beginning of the sale process, it can be difficult to maintain their cleanliness, particularly if you have kids, pets etc during a period that may take a few weeks to a few months.  Nevertheless, one must endeavour to maintain that clean fresh appearance. This is as important as ‘dressing’ the home whenever a potential buyer visits, and more so if a potential buyer re-visits for a second or third time!  

There is nothing more off-putting than having viewed the property whose carpets were looking beautiful only to return a few weeks later (on a second visit) that they are now looking trashed… A sensible tip here ( and a small inconvenience during the sale period) is to cover all ‘trafficked areas’ with mats or, say, painter’s floor coverings which can be easily removed prior to visits by potential buyers, and which will also help maintain their appearance during your final exit from the property.

Regards
Tom
Acleanerplace Cleaning Services

Upholstery Cleaning – Why And How!

Upholstery Cleaning – Why And How!

Many in the areas we service such as Stirling, Falkirk, Dunblane and Bridge of Allan, Alloa, and many other places in-between, may reason that having their upholstery professionally cleaned twice a year or at least once a year may be a waste of time and money: it is not!

By having your upholstery cleaned on a regular basis will greatly help maintain the appearance its appearance; this will help your upholstery last much longer, even if all you do is give it a good vacuuming at the very least. Further, having your upholstery cleaned regularly will prevent bacteria from building up which can create unpleasant odours and causing illness to family members. Having your upholstery professionally cleaned will kill these bacteria.

Moreover, by using a professional upholstery cleaner to clean your upholstery, you are improving the air quality in your home, especially if some of these family members are pets. 

The professional cleaning equipment and eco-friendly cleaning solutions used by Acleanerplace Cleaning Services will help eliminate dust, odours, mildew and many other allergens thereby keeping your family breathing healthy.

At Acleanerplace we have developed an 11 stage, specialised, method, of cleaning your upholstery:

1. Test fabric for colour fastness as well as for pile distortion/damage risk assessment.

2. lay down-floor coverings in the work area to protect carpets/wooden flooring

3. All soft furnishings are thoroughly vacuumed.

4. We then determine what eco-friendly cleaning agent is best for the fabric and apply it.

5. We then agitate the eco-friendly cleaning agent into the fabric

6. Allow a short 10 or so minute dwell time for the eco-friendly cleaning agent to break down dirt and other pollutants e.g. pet dander, dead skin and body oils.

7. We then extract the eco-friendly cleaning agent (along with the dirt etc) from the fabric using our powerful, professional, (steam) hot water extraction machine and our bespoke Sapphire upholstery tool.

8. We then towel off all excess moisture.

9. Use a soft upholstery brush on the fibres which helps the drying process.

10. Apply powerful air-movers to speed up the drying process.

11. Customer inspection of results - and backslapping for the technician...

Upholstery is considered a specialised cleaning process and the utmost care is taken to prevent overwetting of all fabrics (sensitive or otherwise) which are found in modern-day furnishings as this can damage or ruin them completely! For this specific reason, we only use the latest and most advanced upholstery cleaning equipment. Combine this with a professionally trained technician and you can be sure your soft furnishings are as clean as thoroughly as is possible, whilst at the same time ensuring no damage occurs throughout the processes.

Regards

Tom

Acleanerplace Cleaning Services

Helpful Tips To Make Your Carpets Last Longer

Helpful Tips To Make Your Carpets Last Longer

Don’t we all love to have new carpets and their feel underfoot; just like walking on a cloud! That said, carpets only look and feel that good if they are brand new or if they get maintained to a high standard. Over the course of time, they will start to lose their new look and feel, which will require replacement. However, with the correct TLC and by following some of these helpful and simple tips you shouldn’t need to replace your carpets that often.

Leave All The Dirt Outside 

Organic dirt is the biggest destructive element to your carpets; grating against the yarn, bringing in contaminants and staying amongst the fibres. This will affect the colour and quality of the carpet. But, by removing shoes before walking over your carpets can help reduce the amount of dirt entering the home. During wet conditions, it can avoid dampening the carpets, which may promote the growth of mould within the carpet fibres.

If the taking off your shoes is too difficult to get into the habit of; then by keeping the paths to your house clean of contaminants and by using foot mats/rugs, laid upon entering the home will significantly help to wipe as much dirt off dirty shoes as possible.

Embrace Having Rugs Throughout The Home 

In areas where there is a high footfall of traffic, the ‘canny’ placement of rugs (these need not be expensive) will do wonders by extending the life of your carpets and flooring. Rugs are easy to clean, care and maintain than your carpet, and moreover, are more easily replaced when damaged. Rugs trap much of the dirt and grime that are initially brought into the home and so are perfect for entranceways and hallways, in front of that favourite chair or sofa used to watch ‘TV’ or any other area of carpet that is used regularly.

Vacuum Regularly And Often

 We don’t mean twice a day!  However, not only does vacuuming remove approximately 90% of dry soil but it also helps to keep the air clear of allergens.  

By vacuuming your carpets yourself on a daily basis is good practice, but consider investing in hiring a professional at least once a year. Professional equipment will clean deeper and remove more dirt particles than your standard home vacuum.

Know Your Carpet’s Fibre Type!

It may seem an odd tip but knowing what type of carpet (fibres) you have can be important to know how to maintain it. Did you know, e.g. polyester fibres require more vacuuming, while nylon fibres have more resistance to damage. However, acrylic fibre carpets will fade readily over time and extensive use. If you own a pet (cats in particular) then avoid having a ‘loop pile’ carpet, as they are easier pulled apart by sharp claws.

Clean-Up All Fluid Spills Immediately 

Many people do not think about a spilt glass of water on their carpet, they just throw a cloth/towel over it to soak up the water. However, the water that has soaked into the carpet fibres can promote mould growth and, on brighter carpets, can even have an impact on the colour and or leave a watermark.

Blotting or dabbing the stain will reduce the amount of fluid. You could use a wet vac to suck up the spilled liquid and try to use an ‘eco-friendly’ product to clean the stain. This is good for fruit juice or red wine stains that risk staining the colour of the carpet.

Regards

Tom

Acleanerplace Cleaning Services

Is Summertime The Perfect Time to Have Your Carpets Cleaned?

Is Summertime The Perfect Time to Have Your Carpets Cleaned?

Summertime is upon us and the days are getting longer and are made to get out with friends and family to enjoy the lovely weather. However, carpet cleaning might be the furthest thing on your mind; but it is the best time to have them cleaned and refreshed.  We carpet cleaners in Stirling, and indeed the main carpet manufacturers, recommend every 12 to 18-month to have your carpets professional cleaned.

Such intervals not only maintain the life of your carpet but keep them in pristine condition.  Acleanerplace Cleaning Services have listed 6 ways, below, of the ways summertime cleaning is more effective and efficient than you may not have previously considered:

1.       Summertime carpet cleaning provides a great opportunity for the airing of the home. Winter dirt and dust get really deep into your carpets, shortening the lifespan and increasing the chance of allergen exposure.

2.      Summertime means little (or none, hopefully...) rain. Therefore, your carpets have a chance to be thoroughly cleaned and dry before they’re exposed to inclimate weather.  This is particularly important when you’re talking about the underlay beneath your carpet. Do not forget that the underlay is a support/cushioning foundation under your carpet. It makes your carpets comfortable to walk and lay on.

3.      Were you aware that carpets provide insulation! The carpet (s) along with the foam underlay, work to insulate the floors and absorb noise. The more dirt and dust that builds in the carpet fibres, the less effective it will be for comfort.

4.      It is far more energy-efficient to have your carpets cleaned during the summertime than the winter since you’re not losing heat whilst the carpet cleaner is at work. As energy costs are on the rise, and therefore being budget conscious is the smart thing to do.

5.      In order to defeat allergens, dust and pollen, before the winter arrives to make a healthier home environment. As winter arrives, you and your family will spend more time indoors; this will expose you to the allergens that have built-up in the fibres of the carpet making you more susceptible to symptoms that are similar to a winter flu.

6.      You deserve a break -let us help get your home fresh and clean again. Why not have your carpets cleaned while you’re out enjoying a summer’s day; make it a day outing and your carpets will have plenty of time to dry and be refreshed for your return.

Regards

Tom

Acleanerplace Cleaning Services 

Removing Stains From Leather Upholstery

Removing Stains From Leather Upholstery

If your leather sofa, chairs or jacket has a stain. How can you get rid of it, or at least make it look less obvious?

The best cleaning solution for leather upholstery is saddle soap, 'But coffee stains are tannin stains, and the 'soap' element in the glycerine, soap sets the tannin. For immediate spills, use water. After blotting/dabbing the excess water with a kitchen towel; dampen a cloth with cool water and, working from the outside of the stain towards the centre, rub gently. Never pour water directly on to the stain and be careful not to saturate the leather. 

Dry at once with a dry cloth. How do you get rid of a stain from leather that has 'set'? This will require a Leather Stain Remover A bespoke Leather Stain Remover removes all stains from leather, including dye transfers from clothes and cushions, and nasty spills such as nail varnish and paint - but be mindful to follow the instructions on the label.

Regards

Tom

Acleanerplace Cleaning Services

Carpet Cleaning- Your Q's Answered!

Carpet Cleaning- Your Q's Answered!

Let’s be honest; cleaning your carpets are not usually in your ‘must-do list’ and whilst it’s not the most riveting nor the most exciting subject matter in the world. If your carpets are becoming noticeably dirty it is something we all at some point will have to deal with!

Whether the carpets are in your home or place of work for that matter, it doesn’t matter having them professionally cleaned on a frequent basis is the only way to keep them looking and feeling as if they are new, or newish.

Why should you clean the carpets on a frequent basis?

Carpet cleaning is usually one of those things that we all put off to a later date-spring or summer. It does seem like a massive undertaking- and yet another thing to get around to in our everyday busy lives. However, frequent cleaning is an essential task that we should do as often as possible.

Apart from the obvious benefits of having your carpets look new and fresh again; carpet cleaning does preserve the life-span of your carpet (s) meaning you won’t have to replace them as often as you would. Moreover, carpet cleaning is an essential part of maintaining good hygiene levels within the home or business. Think of your carpets as being like a ‘big filter’ that traps all the dirt and pollutants. And like all filters, it must either be replaced or cleaned when it is saturated. A thorough clean will remove all the dirt, pollutants and dust mites etc.

What’s the risk that my carpets might shrink?

Everyone has heard the heard horror stories of carpet that have shrunk after a visit by a carpet cleaner! However, the facts are slightly more embarrassing, because the homeowner has decided on a cheaper price and selected a non-professional carpet cleaner who has used an incorrect technique specific to the fibre content of the carpet; e.g. wool or nylon. In addition, many house owner’s hire a cleaning machine (e.g. a Rug Doctor) not knowing how to apply the correct cleaning solution or technique and invariably ‘over-wet’ the carpet causing shrinkage.

‘Over-wetting’ a carpet can be a particular problem if the carpet has been badly cleaned. However, there are alternative cleaning methods to the traditional hot water extraction (steam cleaning) which there are a couple of methods knows as ‘Very Low Moisture’ cleaning and ‘Low Moisture’ Cleaning – both of which will eliminate the issue of ‘over wetting’.

When and how often should I clean my carpets?

This will vary and it is dependent on a wide variety of various factors. For example, a carpet in a business premise would need cleaning on a far more regular basis than that found in a home. In the home domestic environment, you may have to clean your carpets more regularly if you have children or pets. Therefore, it is recommended that for light footfall home, every eighteen months to two years is an acceptable time frame, whereas in a heavy footfall home (kids and pets) every twelve months is best practice.

Why do I need to hire a professional company, I can just do it myself?

Many of us decide to undertake the carpet cleaning themselves.  However, purchasing a professional-grade machine can be expensive.  In addition, the cleaning process is also highly time- consuming. A very popular option is to hire a carpet-cleaning machine (Rug-Doctor), however, it can be difficult to achieve results of a professional standard, due to lack of knowledge – or if the equipment simply has not been maintained by the hire company. Carpet cleaning jobs are best tackled by a professional. Because of their training and knowledge, they will be able to remove ingrained soils, stains and provide you with the result that will leave your carpets looking like new! Not convinced that a professional is the better option and need more information? You can check over the 12 stage process that a professional carpet cleaner will undertake on behalf of his customers here: https://goo.gl/9HHB84;  if they do not, they are not a professional carpet cleaner - hence the cheaper price...

Regards
Tom
Acleanerplace Cleaning Services