Ask Mrs. Clean: House Cleaning, Stain Removal and Organizing Tips

[MaintenanceOne]

Cleaning always depends on the nature of the materials being treated. Professional cleaners, for instance, know that carpet manufacturers use several types of fibers and that each type poses different cleaning challenges. Most people, however, cannot differentiate nylon from acrylic or polypropylene fibers.

Either made of natural or synthetic fibers, carpets come in a variety of textures and materials. Texture and materials determine the feeling of a carpet; but also the extent to which dirt and germs adhere to it. Likewise, the technology used in the manufacture of the carpet has an impact in the cleaning process.

Most carpets, for example, consist of at least two layers: a bottom sheet holds in place an upper stratum of knotted, woven or tufted fibers. Applying a heat treatment, manufacturers ensure that the fibers will retain their shape.

Synthetic, natural or blended?

Manufacturers choose fibers for economic and aesthetic reasons and take into account ease of dyeing, durability, resistance and costs. Natural fibers (long strands of material that can be found in plants and animals), for example, can be easily dyed, although generally more expensive than synthetic materials.

The most commonly used natural fibers are: wool, for the upper layer; cotton, for the edges (of rugs); and jute or hemp for the bottom layer.

Expensive, but long-lasting and abundant, wool is usually blended with synthetic fibers. commercial cleaning services should avoid heat and bleaching products when cleaning wool-made carpets and rugs; otherwise, the structure will be irreversibly damaged.

Synthetic fibers are: polypropylene, nylon, polyester and acrylic.

Polypropylene (also known as olefin) combines resistance to stain and abrasion with a warmth feeling. As this colorfast material absorbs no water, office cleaning services can handle coffee, tea and similar waterborne stains without difficulty.
Unlike wool, olefin can be treated with bleach and lukewarm water thanks to its colorfast property. Dry cleaning, however, may swell polypropylene fibers and must be avoided.

Chemically related to wool (believe it or not), nylon fibers have positive-charged sites that attract negative-charged stains; i.e., nylon carpets show a tendency to stain. Manufacturers reduce the number of available dye sites with acid dye blockers, resins with negative charge that fill the spots. The acid dyes in beverage stains cannot attach themselves to the nylon strings.

Carpet cleaners also must take into account the neutralizing effect of some bactericides and anti-static products. These chemicals have positive charge; if applied to a nylon carpet, they will only make it more prone to staining.
Should you clean it yourself or hire professional janitorial services? As you can see, carpet cleaning is more complicated than it seems. If you need to clean a large area carpet, first find out what materials it is made. Then, pick the right detergent solution and use adequate rinse procedure.

However, if you have no idea of the type of fibers or if you feel unsure about the adequate products, call a professional cleaning company. Efficient commercial and office cleaning services cost much less than having to replace an irreversibly damaged carpet.

Troy Royster
Troy Royster is the owner of Maintenance One, a cleaning services company that offers janitorial services, commercial cleaning, and office cleaning services.

[jhoclean]

Household Tips on How to Clean Carpet:
Carpeting is found in many homes, as it is an affordable flooring option that lasts many years. Carpet is available in a variety of colors and textures, all of which require regular cleaning and maintenance. Since the carpeting is a textile, it quickly collects and absorbs residue and bacteria that is carried into the room by family members and pets. A few basic cleaning tips will allow you to keep your carpeted areas looking their best.


1. Vacuum the carpet weekly, or as needed depending on the amount of traffic that travels through your home.

2. Deodorize your carpet by sprinkling the entire carpet with a light dusting of baking soda. After sprinkling the baking soda over the carpet, use a broom to brush the soda deep into the pile of the carpeting. This will allow it to penetrate and remove odor.

3. Let it sit overnight, then vacuum to collect the baking soda.

4. Fill a spray bottle with vinegar. When strong odor develops and is not removed by the baking soda alone, spray a light mist of vinegar over your carpet. The vinegar will also disinfect, making it perfect for carpet that has come into contact with raw foods, vomit or pet accidents.

5. Use a steam cleaner on the carpeting occasionally to give a deep, thorough cleaning to the carpet. Instead of using the expensive steam cleaning solution, simply pour one cup of vinegar, half a cup of baking soda and enough water to reach the fluid canister's fill line. Run the steam cleaner across the carpet as you would a vacuum cleaner.

[pasadena]

Using baking soda in the long run will start to leave a residue that will start to attract more soil and defeat the purpose in my opinion.

[johndry]

Wow! excellent information. You have given an easiest way to clean the carpet. Thanks for your valuable tips.

[cleanway]

Well that' true. Carpets and rugs are one of the expensive home luxuries that need utmost care. The maintenance can be made easy if taken care of regularly. Carpets need to be sent for professional treatment at once in 6 months, or at the most, a year.

[trix]

awesome information! great things to read and i have learned a lot from this...great job! i have fun time staying this one of a kind forum...

[StevenSmith]

this is really a very useful information provided.

1.Carpets need to be vacuumed once a week and more often in areas of heavy traffic

2.Pay special attention to the areas where people sit and move their feet. Vacuum these areas of heavy traffic with a crisscross pattern of overlapping strokes.

3.Go over each section of carpeting several times, and work slowly to allow the suction to remove all the ground-in dust and dirt.

4.Add baking soda to the bag in your vacuum to fight odors.