A American Cleaning Bob's
Carpet Q & A

Aside from professional cleaning, what is the most important thing I can do to keep my carpets and upholstery in good condition?

There is something very important you can do between professional cleanings. In a word: Vacuum. Vacuuming, (done correctly and with a good vacuum cleaner), is the most important thing you can do for your carpets and your furniture.

The first reason for vacuuming regularly and correctly is health. True, we want to vacuum to keep our furnishings looking their best, but that is only part of the story. Vacuuming removes dust and soils. Your living and work spaces are always healthier when they are clean.

Be sure to use a quality vacuum cleaner. See the "CRI" Green.

If the vacuum cleaner has a belt to drive the beater bar, the belt should be in good condition. Check from time to time to see if the belt is chipped, cracked, or missing. If your vacuum cleaner has a hose, be sure it is free of obstructions and that there are no leaks.

To check your hose for obstructions, remove the hose and drop a marble or small ball into one end. It should roll freely out the other end. To check for leaks, turn the vacuum cleaner on and plug the end of the hose with your hand. If there is a leak, you will hear it.

If the vacuum cleaner has a height adjustment, you should adjust the beater bar so it is just low enough to tickle the tops of the carpet fibers. Setting the bar too low will cause more harm than good.

When you vacuum, change direction from time to time. If you always push the vacuum cleaner from North to South in the living room, try working from East to West next time. The time after that, you can go from South to North. This will give the vacuum cleaner an advantage over the hidden grit and soils.

We have never seen a carpet ruined by too much vacuuming, but carpets are ruined every day because they haven’t been vacuumed enough. Vacuum regularly.

Upholstery loves to be vacuumed. You can use the upholstery attachment from your regular vacuum cleaner, or there are small vacuums made especially for this job. You will notice your upholstery looks and smells fresher if it is vacuumed periodically between professional cleanings.

While we are in your home cleaning, we will be happy to give your vacuum cleaner a quick check to be sure it is OK.

What should I do if there is an accident and something gets spilled on my carpet?

The answer to your question involves what you should do and what you should not do.

Today's new carpets resist spots much better than the carpets of only a few years ago. Still, they are susceptible to spots and should be treated quickly to minimize the chances of a permanent stain.

Your first step is to blot up as much of the spill as you can. Use a white cotton towel or white paper towels. As you blot, you will see the liquid transferring to the towel. Keep turning or replacing the towel so a fresh surface is always being applied to the carpet.

While you work, keep an eye on the towel. As long as you are getting the color of the spill on the towel you are making progress. Gradually, the amount you will get will taper off. Keep blotting until you are not getting any more transfer to your towel.

Remember we said to blot the spot. Never rub the spot. Rubbing will damage the fibers and leave a permanent irregularity.

When you have blotted up as much as you can, get a fresh towel or some fresh paper towels. Place the towel on the spot and then place a weight on top of it. This will work as a poultice and help to draw out more of the spot. Over 80% of today's carpets are made of synthetic fibers and will readily give up the spot to an absorbent towel.

Now find the literature you got when you bought the carpet. It will usually have a spot removal chart, some even have a toll free number you can call to get help. Some spots are easily removed with a few simple household products. Follow the directions carefully and you may be pleasantly surprised. 'This method also works for upholstery. See our spot/stain removal tips for treating some common household items.

Always pre-test any cleaning products you are going to use in an inconspicuous place before using them. Remember too that using a cleaning agent on a carpet is like using salt on your food. A little is nice. Too much can ruin the meal. Spotting compounds should be used sparingly. When you finish, be sure to blot out the spotting compound using a damp towel.

Many spots and spills change as they age. Some spots will come out easily if they receive immediate attention while those same spots can become permanent stains if they are left to age and oxidize on your carpet.

Some precautions:
Many foods and beverages contain dyes. These dyes can permanently stain a carpet. Children's soft drinks, specialty teas, some candies, pet foods, and many other foods are notorious for containing dyes. On this note there is a popular misconception that "natural" foods have no dyes and pose no threat to the carpet. Nothing could be further from the truth. Some of the most tenacious dyes in the world are natural. All the tapestries and fine oriental rugs that have been around for hundreds of years are dyed with natural dyes.

Most carpets are susceptible to dyes. Wool is very susceptible. The new 'stain release' carpets are manufactured with "dye blockers" which work to fight off dyes that can cause stains. While these are a major improvement, they are not a panacea. The protection can be removed as the carpet ages. Also, the protection is of little value against hot spills. Some cleaners unknowingly remove the dye blockers by cleaning carpets with the wrong cleaning agents. If your carpet was cleaned by someone else, that may have happened to yours.

In conclusion, you can probably get most spots out with a little patience and persistence. Always get to the spot as soon as you can. If you get an unusual or difficult spot, we are just a phone call away. We have lots of experience in this sort of thing.