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Spring Refresh: A Guide to Residential Deep Cleaning

By Carpet Cleaning, Deep Cleaning, Floor Cleaning, Furniture Cleaning, Natural Stone Cleaning, Spring Cleaning, Tile and Grout, Upholstery Cleaning, Wood Floor Cleaning

As the vibrant colors of spring start to emerge, it’s the perfect time to rejuvenate your living space with a thorough residential deep cleaning. Winter can leave behind a trail of dirt, dust, and grime, making it essential to give your home a fresh start. Here, we delve into practical techniques for carpet care, tile and grout maintenance, hardwood floor revival, and upholstery cleaning.

Carpet Cleaning: A Fresh Start

  1. Regular maintenance: Establishing a routine of regular vacuuming is the foundation of carpet care. Consistent vacuuming removes surface debris and prevents dirt from embedding deep within the carpet fibers, preserving its longevity and appearance.
  2. Natural carpet freshener: Say goodbye to synthetic air fresheners and opt for a natural alternative. Create a delightful carpet freshener by combining baking soda with a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Sprinkle this mixture liberally over your carpets, allowing it to sit for at least 15 minutes before vacuuming. The result is a cleaner carpet and a home infused with a subtle, natural fragrance.
  3. Stain spotting: Accidents happen, but dealing with stains promptly is key. Mix a small amount of mild dish soap with water to create a gentle cleaning solution. To stop the discoloration from spreading, use a clean cloth to delicately dab the area, starting from the edges and working your way inwards.

RELATED ARTICLE: The Long-Tern Benefits of Professional Carpet Cleaning

Tile and Grout: Restoring Brilliance

  1. Vinegar solution: Grout lines can lose brilliance over time due to accumulated dirt and grime. A simple solution of equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle can work wonders. Spray the solution onto the grout, let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub with a grout brush. The result is a refreshed and brighter appearance.
  2. Lemon and baking soda: For an all-natural and effective tile cleaner, combine baking soda with lemon juice to make a paste. Scrub the tiles carefully with the paste, and then wipe them clean. The natural acidity of lemon helps break down stains while baking soda provides a gentle abrasive action for a renewed shine.

RELATED ARTICLE: Is Bleach Bad for Grout?

Hardwood Floors: Unveil Timeless Elegance

  1. Gentle cleaning mixture: Preserve the timeless elegance of hardwood floors with a mild cleaning solution. Combine water with a small amount of pH-neutral dish soap, dampen a mop, and ensure it is well-wrung before cleaning the floors. This approach ensures that your hardwood maintains its natural beauty without the risk of excess moisture.
  2. Tea solution for shine: Brew a pot of black tea, let it cool, and use it to mop your hardwood floors. The tannins in tea add a subtle sheen to the wood while providing a protective layer. This natural method not only cleans but enhances the luster of your hardwood floors.

RELATED ARTICLE: From Sweeping to Mopping: How to Properly Clean Wood Floors

Upholstery Cleaning: Rejuvenate Your Furniture

  1. Fabric brush: For routine care, invest in a fabric brush to gently remove surface dust and prevent it from settling into the fabric. Regular brushing keeps your furniture looking fresh and helps maintain the fabric’s texture.
  2. Vacuum with care: Utilize your vacuum’s upholstery attachment to clean fabric surfaces. Pay attention to crevices and corners, where dirt tends to accumulate. This simple step ensures a thorough cleaning, leaving your upholstery looking and feeling revitalized.

RELATED ARTICLE: 5 Tips to Get the Most Out of Upholstery Cleaning Services

Welcome Spring 2024 with a Refreshed Home

As spring blossoms, take the opportunity to refresh your living space with a deep cleaning. You can embrace the season with a rejuvenated home by incorporating these techniques for carpet care, tile and grout maintenance, hardwood floor revival, and upholstery refreshment.

For a truly transformative experience, consider reaching out to Professional Surface Restoration. Our dedicated team of experts is equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to breathe new life into your home. Say goodbye to winter blues and hello to a fresh, vibrant living space.

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What Is the Best Way To Clean Natural Stone Tile?

By Natural Stone Cleaning

Natural stone tiles are made from organic materials like marble, granite, limestone, travertine, slate, and sandstone. These tiles are renowned for their unique and distinctive patterns, colors, and textures, making them a popular choice for flooring, countertops, walls, and various other interior and exterior applications.

Additionally, their natural beauty and durability make them a preferred option for those seeking a touch of elegance and sophistication in their living spaces. However, for you to enjoy the practical and aesthetic benefits of natural stone tiles, it’s essential to learn how you can clean and maintain them accordingly.

Cleaning and maintaining natural stones is tricky and involves a lot of work. Unlike most surface materials, water is your biggest enemy here. So, how do you clean your natural stone? Here, we tackle ways to keep your natural stone tile clean without shortening its lifespan.

RELATED ARTICLE: Deep Cleaning for the Holiday Season: Preparing Your Home

Ditch the Caustic Chemicals

One thing you need to know about cleaning natural stones is that harsh chemicals can be detrimental to their longevity. When selecting cleaning agents, opt for pH-neutral, non-acidic solutions to prevent etching and staining. In this case, gentle, specialized stone cleaners are your go-to, preserving the stone’s natural patina without compromising its structural integrity. Keep in mind that chemical aggressors can irreversibly damage the texture and appearance of your natural stone, so selecting the right products is of utmost importance.

Don’t Use Abrasive Scrubs

Despite the temptation to vigorously scrub away stubborn stains, abrasive materials pose a grave risk to your stone’s surface. Refrain from using harsh tools or scrubbers that might scratch or wear down the stone. Instead, opt for soft, non-abrasive cloths or mops to gently lift off grime without compromising the delicate composition of the tile.

Don’t Let Any Moisture Sit after Cleaning

While water may work for many surfaces, it is the arch-nemesis of natural stone. Water has the potential to seep into the porous surface and trigger a cascade of issues.

Ensure that no residual moisture is left lingering on the surface after cleaning. Swiftly dry the tile with a soft, absorbent cloth to prevent any potential water damage or staining. Taking these steps consistently is key to the longevity and integrity of your natural stone tile.

Regularly Polish Your Stone

Speaking of longevity, if you want to preserve your natural stone, you need to do more than mere cleaning. You need to nurture the stone’s inherent luster by regularly polishing it. Doing so aids in maintaining the stone’s natural shine and protective seal.

When polishing, opt for high-quality, stone-specific products that can guarantee even application and meticulous buffing to enhance the stone’s innate brilliance. By having a regular polishing regimen, you not only contribute to the aesthetic appeal of the stone but also fortify the surface against wear and tear.

RELATED ARTICLE: 7 Grout Cleaning Hacks

Let a Professional Do the Work

For comprehensive care and intricate restoration, entrusting the task to a professional is the right decision. Professional stone cleaners possess the expertise and specialized tools to address intricate issues, such as stubborn stains, deep-seated grime, or intricate restoration requirements.

By investing in professional services, you can ensure the durability of your natural stone and guarantee a meticulous approach that safeguards the stone’s aesthetic appeal for years to come.

Preserving the Timeless Beauty of Natural Stone

When preserving the timeless elegance of natural stone tile, adopting a holistic approach is key. With an emphasis on gentle cleaning, vigilant moisture management, regular polishing, and professional assistance, you can keep your natural stone’s exquisite charm for generations to come.

For expert assistance, contact us at Professional Surface Restoration today.

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Tips for Cleaning Your Granite Countertop

By Natural Stone Cleaning

Granite countertops are increasing in popularity due to their durability and beauty. It’s a great material for hiding spills and crumbs, it resists bacteria, and it’s easy to clean. Overall, it will add value to your home. If you’re looking to protect your investment, we’ve compiled some tips to keep your granite countertop clean.

Clean the Countertop with a Damp Sponge

If you’re just cleaning up regular spills, use a damp sponge. Simply soak the sponge in warm water, wring out any excess liquid, and then gently wipe down the surface of your countertop. You can use mild dish soap on the sponge if your countertop is particularly dirty.

RELATED ARTICLE: Spring Cleaning: How to Tackle All the Dirt and Grime

Use an Abrasive Cleaner To Remove Any Stains or Stubborn Dirt

Abrasive cleaners come with wet and dry options, but the wet one is stronger, making it great for cleaning up stubborn stains. As with the previous tip, use warm water and a soft sponge with the abrasive cleaner for best results. Then, gently scrub the surface. Scrubbing too hard with an abrasive cleaner may scratch it.

Apply Polish to Seal in Moisture and Restore Shine

If you notice that your countertop is looking dull lately, then you can apply a polish to restore its luster. Granite polishes are available at most hardware or home improvement stores. Check the sealer on your granite before you apply the polish, as some polishes can damage the sealer.

Wipe down Surface with Water if it’s Not Too Dirty

If your countertop isn’t too dirty, you can simply wipe it down with water to keep the surface clean and bacteria-free. There’s no need to use mild dish soap or any other cleaning products in this case — just make sure to use a clean, soft cloth to avoid scratching the surface.

RELATED ARTICLE: Common Cleaning Mistakes You May Be Making

Buff Out Scratches Using a Non-abrasive, Soft Cloth or Pad

Remember never to use an abrasive tool whenever you are cleaning or dealing with scratches on your granite countertop. If you do have scratches, you can use a soft cloth or pad to buff them out.

Don’t Use Anything That Contains Bleach on Your Granite Countertop

One of the most important things to remember is to not use harsh chemicals like bleach. Also, any acidic cleaners such as vinegar or lemon juice should be avoided. These chemicals will not only cause dulling and discoloration, but they can also damage and weaken the sealant.

Granite countertops are very durable, but cleaning them the wrong way can cause irreversible damage. If you’re worried about using the wrong products, especially on tough stains, then look no further.

CLICK TO SEE ALL OF OUR RESIDENTIAL CLEANING SERVICES

At Professional Surface Restoration, we have the experience and tools needed to clean natural stone countertops and leave them looking good as new. Contact us today to find out more about how we can help.

 

Clean Your Natural Stone Floors

Effective Ways to Clean Your Natural Stone Floors

By Natural Stone Cleaning

Natural stone floors are beautiful, but they can be extremely challenging to keep clean. Despite their beauty, natural stone floors have a tendency to become dull and dirty over time because of their porous nature.

While regular cleaning and polishing should help prevent your natural stone floor from becoming too grimy, sometimes you need a little extra help to keep it looking its best. Fortunately, it’s easy to hire a natural stone-cleaning service to get the job done in no time.

Importance of Knowing How to Properly Clean Stone Floors

Whether your natural stone floors have a polished, honed, or flamed finish, it’s important to give them the right care they deserve. A professional can easily identify the category of natural stone to which your flooring material belongs.

Determining what type of stone your floor is made of will help the cleaners know what type of solution to use. Using the wrong type of cleaner may permanently damage the stone because some stones react more strongly to acid than others.

RELATED ARTICLE: Why Is It Important to Hire a Deep Cleaning Service for Your Restaurant?

Best Tips and Practices

Here are some common and practical home-care tips and practices for maintaining the high quality of your stone floors:

Mopping Natural Stone Floors Regularly

Mopping at least once a week prevents dirt and grime buildup on your natural stone floors. You can use a solution with a mild detergent, then thoroughly dry the floors afterward.

Scrub Tile Lines and Crevices

You can scrub the lines and crevices of your natural stone floors using a very soft cloth or sponge. Using an old toothbrush or scouring pad could cause irreparable abrasion to the stone’s surface.

Vacuum with Rotating Brush Deactivated or Broom

When using a vacuum cleaner, turn off the rotating brush first, so it doesn’t scratch the surface of your natural stone floors. Also, don’t use a worn vacuum cleaner as the attachment may permanently etch the surface. You can also use a broom instead.

Use Alkaline or Any Cleansers Safe for Stone Floors

Steer clear of strong cleaners such as vinegar, lemon juice, and acid-based solutions. These can easily corrode the stone’s surface. Only use alkaline formulas or stone-safe soaps.

Use Microfiber Towels and Mops to Clean Your Natural Stone

When it comes to cleaning natural stone floors, dust mops and microfiber towels are your best bet. They’re soft enough for your stone’s surface but provide enough resistance to get rid of the hard gunk safely and effectively.

RELATED ARTICLE: Why Hiring a Professional for Tile and Grout Cleaning In Important in Your Home

For Deep Cleaning and Restoration, Hire Professional Surface Restoration

You don’t need to do back-breaking cleaning just to keep your floors in pristine condition. If you want to keep your natural stone floors looking new, Professional Surface Restoration is a professional surface restoration team that does the work for you.

Stone floors need expert care; it only makes sense to rely on people with a specialized approach for different kinds of floors with varying needs.

Professional Surface Restoration provides safe and efficient hard surface cleaning of natural stone floors. We determine the natural stone’s specific needs and keep them safe and dry using a protective sheet. We polish your floors and leave them looking like the day they were first installed.

For more information on our services, call us at (419) 705-8693 to schedule a free demonstration today!

natural stone stains and how to clean them - professional surface restoration

10 Different Natural Stone Stains and How to Remove Them

By Natural Stone Cleaning

Natural stone stains may seem tedious to remove, yet, at the same time, they can damage your floor’s aesthetics. The truth is that you can remove most stains by applying the proper natural stone cleaning method. It all depends on identifying the source to find the best solution.

Here are ten natural stone stains you might encounter and how to remove each of them.

Oil-Based Stains

You’ll notice a darker stone when there is an oil-based stain. It could be any type of oil, and it will look the same. The best approach is to dissolve it by cleaning it gently with a chemical. The best ones include:

  • Acetone
  • Ammonia
  • Household detergent
  • Liquid cleanser with bleach
  • Mineral spirits

RELATED ARTICLE: The Ultimate Post-Construction Clean-Up Checklist

Organic Stains

Organic stains can come from different sources. They look the same, a pinkish-brown color on stone. The most common stains come from:

  • Tea and coffee
  • Fruit
  • Urine
  • Bird droppings
  • Leaves

The best way to clean them is by using 12% hydrogen peroxide mixed with a few drops of ammonia.

Biological Stains

Biological stains come from moss, fungi, mildew, and the like. The best option is to use a diluted solution. Use a half-cup per gallon of water to dilute any one of the following:

  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Bleach
  • Ammonia

Ink Stains

Ink stains come from pens and ink. For darker-colored stone, you’ll need to use acetone or a lacquer thinner. On lighter colored ones, hydrogen peroxide or bleach will work.

Paint Stains

Using a commercial heavy liquid paint stripper will remove even heavy paint from your stone floor. However, it may cause etching on the surface, so you’ll need to polish it afterward. When using these items, you’ll need to follow the instructions accurately as they can be harmful.

Hard Water Stains

Accumulation of hard water can cause staining. The best thing to use here is dry 0000 steel wool to buff the stone and remove the stain.

Inorganic Metal Stains

These are typically rust or brown iron stains. You’ll need to use a poultice to remove the stain. However, it’s not guaranteed that you can remove all the rust.

RELATED ARTICLE: Natural Stone Cleaning Dos and Don’ts

Efflorescence

Efflorescence is white power or salt deposits left because of evaporated water. You’ll have to use a dust mop or vacuum several times to remove most of the stain.

Acid Etch Marks

Acid can both etch and stain a stone. You’ll need to clean the area with water. Afterward, use a polishing powder to try and remove the etch mark.

Fire and Smoke Damage

Stains caused by fire and smoke are difficult to remove but not impossible. You’ll first need to vacuum the area. Then try to use any commercial cleaning solution used for fireplaces and the like. You’ll need to follow the instructions carefully.

Hard Cleaning Don’ts for Natural Stone Floors

When cleaning natural stone, there are several things you have to avoid:

  • Acidic materials like vinegar.
  • Worn vacuum cleaners that can cause damage to the stone.
  • Chemicals, unless the above directions say you can.
  • Ammonia and bleach, as this can cause a lethal gas.
  • Abrasive cleaners.

By knowing the sources of stains and what can clean them, you’ll have a better chance of removing the problem altogether. The first step is identifying the problem before applying a cleaning method.

If you can’t seem to get rid of the stain, contact Professional Surface Restoration. We can expertly handle all types of stains affecting natural stone.

We have a reputation for excellence, and the knowledge to get your dull stone floors looking shiny and new again. Call us today at (419) 705-8693 to speak with one of our natural stone cleaning professionals. Professional Surface Restoration has the expertise you are seeking.

Keep Your Floors Looking Great After the Holidays - deep claening - professional surface restoration

Keep Your Floors Looking Great After the Holidays

By Carpet Cleaning, Deep Cleaning, Holiday Cleaning, Natural Stone Cleaning, Residential Cleaning Services, Tile and Grout, Wood Floor Cleaning

The holidays are a truly special time of year. Between parties and family gatherings, movie nights by the fire, and hot cocoa, December is many people’s favorite month for a good reason.

When it comes to your flooring, however, the holidays can be catastrophic.

From bringing a tree into the house to snow and mud, extra guests, as well as food and drink spills, your flooring probably looks less than ideal by the time the New Year rolls around. It doesn’t have to be this way.

With a few of these tricks, you can keep your floors looking pristine no matter what holiday activities you had.

Purchase a Shoe and Boot Tray

Placing a shoe and boot tray by the door is the first step to clean floors. No matter how careful you and your family are, boots always come into the house with some moisture left on them. Without a shoe tray, this moisture spreads all over your entryway, and it’s easy to track around the home from there. This water can carry dirt, snow, and salt, all of which are damaging to flooring of all kinds. With a boot tray’s raised sides, the moisture is contained to the silicone of the mat, and you avoid flooring mishaps.

RELATED ARTICLE: Steam Carpet Cleaning vs. Dry: What’s Best

Put Felt Pads on Your Furniture

For hardwood and vinyl of all kinds, putting felt pads on the legs of your furniture can extend the life of your floors. These pads are inexpensive, easy to apply, and keep your furniture from scraping the floor when it inevitably moves around. Especially with guests or extra family members around, furniture shifts quite a bit. Avoid creating permanent damage (and make furniture quieter, too) with sticky felt padding.

Regular Upkeep

Especially during the busy holidays, it’s important to make sure that you’re keeping up with your home’s regular floor cleaning. Mopping and vacuuming regularly keep corrosive substances off your floor and extend its life. This especially applies in terms of spills and accidents during the holidays. Be sure to clean any messes as soon as they happen to avoid long-term staining or damage as much as possible.

RELATED ARTICLE: Five Myths about Steam Carpet Cleaning Debunked

Pre-Schedule Professional Carpet Cleaning

It’s always a good idea to get your carpets professionally cleaned at least twice a year. Pre-scheduling an appointment for right after the holidays ensures any dirt or stains don’t sit too long before being cleaned and gives your floor a nice lift going into 2021. .

For the best floor cleaning services in the Toledo area, contact Professional Surface Restoration. We’ll have your floors looking tip-top this holiday season and beyond.

5 Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Professional Natural Stone Cleaning Service

By Natural Stone Cleaning

natural stone cleaningNatural stone flooring needs extra care. When you hire someone to clean your natural stone, you want to know that they are qualified. You may not be an expert in the proper care of natural stone but asking the right questions can ensure you are hiring the best natural stone cleaning service.

Here are five questions to ask to get you started….

What Is Your Specialty?

Whenever you are hiring a professional to work on your home, you want to be sure they can handle the job. Many contractors do side jobs that are not their particular focus area, but this isn’t the type of job for a general cleaner. Natural stone flooring and its care requires knowledge that you should only trust to a company that specializes in natural stone cleaning and restoration.

RELATED ARTICLE: 7 Facts to Know About Natural Stone Cleaning

What Are Your Credentials?

One way to make sure your natural stone cleaning service is qualified to handle your project is to ask about their credentials. Anyone can claim that they are skilled in a particular area, but you want to ensure that they can back up their claims. A reputable professional will be glad to share their credentials with you before tackling the job.

How Many Years of Experience Do You Have?

Even if a natural stone cleaning service has the proper training and accreditation, it’s still important to know how much field experience they have. It is essential to hire stone experts who know the individual needs of natural stone varieties. Also, ask how long they have been working in your area. Specifics of climate and weather elements have a major impact on natural stone.

RELATED ARTICLE: How to Choose a Tile and Grout Cleaning Professional

What Materials Will You Use?

Your cleaning service should be able to explain their entire process to you, including what products they use and how they affect your natural stone. You want to be sure they aren’t going to be using anything that is too harsh on your natural stone or on the environment. A quality cleaning service will use cleaning solutions that are EPA and environmentally-friendly.

How Will You Clean Up After the Process Is Finished?

While your stone flooring needs exceptional care, you don’t want to be left with a mess to clean up after someone has cleaned the floors. Discuss all stages of the cleaning process with the potential team and ask whether they will be responsible cleaning up after the floors have been taken care of.

Having a reputable cleaning service that you can trust is essential. If you are looking for an experienced team of natural stone cleaning professionals with a reputation for excellence, call Professional Surface Restoration today at (419) 705-8693.

7 Facts to Know About Natural Stone Cleaning

By Natural Stone Cleaning

natural stone cleaningNatural stone is a beautiful design element that we use in our homes, both in exterior and interior applications. Stone flooring tiles offer an array of colors and pattern options and are unique because of natural variations in the stone itself. Natural stone requires care and regular maintenance to maintain its polished look.

Professional natural stone cleaning is always the way to go with natural stone. Hiring stone experts who know the individual needs of various types of natural stone will keep it shining for years to come. There are some fascinating things you may not know about natural stone.

  • Stone’s shine is not created by a sealant. Sealants used on natural stone only serve to protect its surface. They don’t add any coloring to the stone, nor do they make it shine.
  • Natural stone tiles stain easily. For this reason, your stone flooring needs to be properly sealed. Sealing covers the stone’s porous surface and makes it more stain resistant. You should have a professional reseal your stone floors every year or two.
  • Shades and colors of natural stone vary. Since natural stone is not produced in a factory, it does have natural variations in color. You should always purchase a little more than you need in case there are any pieces that you don’t like the look of, and in case you need it for repairs later.

RELATED ARTICLE: Natural Stone Cleaning Dos and Don’ts

  • Dull stone can be polished. If your natural stone flooring has lost its beautiful shine, professional restoring companies can restore its natural beauty.
  • Restoring stone is a wet process. There is no dust created in stone restoration. Technicians use a wet process to bring out the stone’s unique qualities.
  • Restoring is smarter than replacing. Replacing an entire marble floor can be an expensive undertaking but restoring the surface can make it look brand new again.
  • Different types of stone suit different purposes. The natural qualities of stone make different types ideal for varying uses in the home. Travertine, limestone, and marble are better for floors than countertops, because their very porous surface can harbor food bacteria. Granite is great in all applications, as it is the least porous, and slate is wonderful for outdoor use, because it weathers well in all climates.

If you are looking to add the natural beauty of stone to your home, or if you have stonework that needs to be cleaned or serviced, Professional Surface Restoration has the expertise you are seeking.

We have a reputation for excellence, and the knowledge to get your dull stone floors looking shiny and new again. Call us today at (419) 705-8693 to speak with one of our restoration professionals.

Flooring Red Flags a Potential Buyer Will Notice

By Carpet Cleaning, Concrete Cleaning, Deep Cleaning, Natural Stone Cleaning, Tile and Grout, Wood Floor Cleaning

flooring red flagsOne of the first things potential home buyers notice when going through a house is the condition of the floors. Since the floor is such a large area that will draw the attention of any buyer, if it has cracks, mold, mildew, or other flaws it may cost the realtor a sale. Identify these flooring red flags before a home buyer does.

Seek professional help from a professional hard surface and floor cleaning company to be certain that the floors don’t keep you from making the sale.

  1. Dirt and Filth

Perhaps the most obvious sign of a neglected floor that will turn off any potential buyer is the general filth, grime, and dirt stuck to a floor’s surface. These range from larger and noticeable stains to small pieces of debris stuck in corners or hidden by rugs, or other items. This red flag is particularly noticeable in tile and grout floors, which may require pressure water cleaning to get them in much better shape.

  1. Water Damaged Floors

Another noticeable red flag of poor floor maintenance is water damage. This type of damage manifests in numerous ways, from saggy or marked floors, to the presence of mold, mildew, and even some cracks and damage. Mold and mildew present a health hazard to any potential home buyer. Also, water damage is usually an indication of a larger problem, such as defective plumbing or possible flooding. Once you resolve the plumbing issue in the house, you will need to call a professional floor cleaning service to get rid of these unsightly features and restore the floor to a better condition.

  1. Smelly Carpets

The final significant floor issue that can drive away potential buyers is the odor that comes from soiled carpets. This smell is usually a red flag that the carpet is old and needs to be deep cleaned or, at worst case, replaced. If the carpet is relatively new, it might need a professional cleaning treatment that includes steaming and a special cleaning formula. Even if it doesn’t smell, deep clean clean the carpet anyway, since it can hold on to allergens and other harmful agents that a cleansing can remove.

Prepare the house you are working on for a successful sale by making sure the floors are in pristine condition. The skilled crew at Professional Surface Restoration has the right equipment and years of experience to handle any type of floor situation.

No matter what type of floors are in your home, Professional Surface Restoration has a deep cleaning solution designed to increase the market value of your home without the need for replacement flooring.

Contact us online or call us at (419) 705-8693 to get started with a no-cost demonstration.

5 Spring Cleaning Tips for Natural Stone Floor Tile

By Natural Stone Cleaning

cleaning natural stone floorMany residential homes feature different types of natural stone floor tile. Compared to other types of floors, such as ceramic tile, wood, and laminate, natural stone floor tile can present its own unique set of cleaning and maintenance challenges. The following tips can make spring cleaning this specific type of floor easier and safer for the material resulting in a longer lasting floor.

Know Your Floor

Before you begin cleaning your natural stone tile floor, take the time to find out what type of stone you are about to clean. The most common types of stone floors are made of marble, slate, or granite, but there are several more. Knowing what type of stone you are going to clean, will guide you to the correct information on proper cleaning techniques. For instance, granite is usually stronger than marble, which requires more delicate care. If available, consult with the installer or manufacturer on the best cleaning practices for the specific flooring material.

Avoid Acidic Cleaners

As a rule, when cleaning a stone tile floor, avoid using acidic cleaners such as bathroom and grout cleaners. Even though you might be tempted to use multi-purpose cleaning agents such as vinegar or lemon juice, you should avoid them as well. The acidic properties in these cleaners are too strong for the material, which can result in damage to the floor. Use gentle soaps and cleaners specifically made for the stone instead.

Clean Spills Immediately

If you see a spill on the floor, clean it as soon as possible. Blot the spill, as wiping it will spread it. Use water and a mild soap as necessary, but make sure you rinse and dry the area when finished. Call a stone cleaning professional if the stain remains.

Dry Mop Often

When it comes to cleaning daily dirt and grit, no tool is more reliable than a mop. For daily cleaning, you can simply use a dry mop. A wet mop is also effective, but it requires more time and effort than necessary, especially since dry mopping cleans up most of the dirt. Save the damp mop for special occasions. Also, make sure to use micro-fiber and closed-ended string mops to ensure cleaning effectiveness.

Seal the Floor

An important step to take in the maintenance of your natural stone tile floor is sealing the floor with an impregnators or sealants. Stone is a porous material that absorbs all types of dirt, spills, and bacteria that are nearby. Sealing the floor at least every six months is important in keeping these elements away and maintaining the integrity of the stone. Make sure you apply the sealant to a completely dry floor and let it absorb the agent for around 15 minutes before removing any excess chemicals.

The natural stone floors in your Toledo, Ohio home can be a thing of beauty once again. Please call Professional Surface Restoration at (419) 705-8693 to schedule an appointment or request a free estimate.