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Monthly Archives

January 2018

3 Keys to Truly Clean Carpets

By Carpet Cleaning

clean carpetsMany people know that vacuuming is a crucial element of clean carpets. But when it comes to carpet cleaning, what often goes unrecognized is the fact that a carpet is a large air filter, catching airborne particles and holding them in until it cannot work anymore. The truth is that using a standard vacuum cleaner is not enough to eliminate the amount of dirt, dust, pet dander, and bacteria that can build up in a carpet over time. In reality, vacuuming barely does more than force the dust and debris up into the air and stir them around.

You could use a dry cleaning formula and a machine that works the powder into the carpet fibers, but in reality, this doesn’t do much more than clean the first third of your carpeting; it doesn’t reach down to the base of the carpet.

Deep-cleaning your carpets not only helps your carpets stay clean and healthy, but it also makes them last longer and keeps the air in your home cleaner too. When it comes time to schedule a deep cleaning for your home, here are the three most essential elements of deep cleaning to keep in mind.

Proper Cleaning Formula

No one wants to wait all day for a carpet to become clean, and the only way to avoid it taking what seems like forever is to make sure you use cleaning formula that is suited to your carpet’s needs. Since the wet cleaning process requires a reaction between chemicals, the more soiled the carpet is, the more concentrated the chemical solution must be to complete the reaction in a moderate amount of time.

High-Pressure Agitation and Penetration

Like the use of a good cleaning solution, high-pressure agitation helps accelerate the chemical reaction, so you are not stuck waiting for too long. Besides speeding up the momentum of the process, the purpose of high agitation and penetration is to completely and evenly cover the carpet fibers with the cleaning solution and to eject any dirt particles that may be stuck to or inside the fabric.

High Temperature

Last, temperature is probably the most important aspect of this procedure. Just as applying high-pressure penetration and the use of the proper solution, high temperatures can accelerate chemical reactions. When the heating solution is hot enough, carpets need less chemicals/cleaning solution and have shorter clean-up time. Using a hot solution also helps fabric dry faster and reduces surface tension in the cleaning solution, which aids soil elimination.

Contact our team today to schedule a free, no-obligation demonstration of our amazing natural stone cleaning system in Toledo for your home or business.

Why Choosing the Right Carpet Cleaners Matters to Your Family’s Health

By Carpet Cleaning

carpet cleanersCarpets can act as a room-sized air filter. They capture toxins in the air and trap them within fibers and release them when you vacuum or walk across the room. Most people think carpet cleaning eliminates the problem, but some carpet cleaners introduce even more toxic chemicals into your home environment. Keep your floors from becoming a potential source of sickness and poor health when you choose the right professional carpet cleaner.

What’s in Your Carpet

Your children play on your carpets. Your pets lie on them. You may find yourself stretching out on the floor at the end of a long day. If your carpet hasn’t been cleaned in a while, it can contain a wide range of substances that may be bad for your health.

New carpets contain volatile organic compounds like acetone, formaldehyde and benzene, many of which are known carcinogens listed by the Environmental Protection Agency as extremely hazardous. The chemicals can cause nerve damage, respiratory problems and other health conditions. That new carpet smell comes from chemicals that cause thyroid, immune system and developmental problems.

Older carpets contain dangerous chemicals and an accumulation of materials like dust mites, cockroach droppings, heavy metals and household chemicals.

Toxins in Common Carpet Cleaners

If you choose the wrong company to clean your carpet, you may introduce even more toxins into your home. Many commercially available cleaning chemicals use ingredients to mask odors that produce dangerous fumes. Even after your carpets dry, they remain in your home.

Perchloroethylene, a chemical for dry cleaning, can cause upset stomach and fatigue, and may even damage the liver and kidneys after long-term exposure. Naphthalene dissolves dirt buildup, but it can also damage the central nervous system and cause cancer. Carpet cleaning chemicals don’t just saturate your home, when cleaners rinse their equipment, they enter the water system.

The Professional Surface Restoration Difference

When you call Professional Surface Restoration, we don’t just restore your carpets to like-new condition, we do it safely. Our process uses EPA approved solvents that are environmentally friendly. We apply a safe solution to loosen stains and soils, kill bacteria and remove debris. Then we use steam heated to more than 200 degrees to penetrate and remove the toughest stains. Our process eliminates soil and the contaminated water other cleaning services leave behind.

Keep your family safe and your carpets fresh. Contact us for a free consultation today.

5 Dos and Don’ts of Cleaning Wood Floors

By Wood Floor Cleaning

cleaning wood floorsHardwood floors are a sought-after feature in any home. They’re beautiful, classic, and add value to a property. However, they can also be difficult to clean. Proper maintenance and upkeep of your wood floors can make all the difference in how long they look like new. Below are the best ways for cleaning wood floors to keep them shining bright for life.

  1. Do: Clean Floors Yourself

It may come as a surprise, but the best thing you can do for your wood floors is DIY (do-it-yourself) cleanings in-between professional sessions. Cleaning your floors, yourself, periodically can work wonders on how they keep up over the years. Cleaning your floors with the right products and techniques can prevent dirt from scratching the wood and making your floors look dingy.

  1. Don’t: Use a Standard Vacuum

When you DIY your wood floor cleaning, start with selecting the right vacuum. Ordinary vacuums won’t work on wood floors. The bristles (meant for carpet) can scratch the wood and scatter dirt. Plastic wheels are also risks to your wood surfaces. Instead, purchase a special hardwood floor vacuum that has padding, rubber wheels, great suction, and no rolling brushes. If you vacuum your wood floors regularly, you won’t have to clean them as frequently.

  1. Do: Use the Right Cleaning Products

About once per week, deeper clean your wood floors. Use a solution of plant-based liquid soap, distilled white vinegar, and water, or purchase a store-bought cleaner specifically for wood floors. Use a damp but not saturated sponge to wash your floors first with clean, warm water. Then, use a hardwood floor mop to spread the solution. Don’t use too much, as moisture can damage wood floors. Mop in a circular direction to lift dirt and stains.

  1. Don’t: Forget to Let Floors Dry

Once you finish mopping your wood floors with the solution of your choice, don’t replace rugs or furniture until the wood dries completely. Placing rugs on wet wooden floors can trap the moisture underneath and increase the risk of water damage. Avoid walking on wet floors, as well, as this can leave dirt and footprints. Let your floors air dry completely before allowing traffic to come through.

  1. Do: Schedule a Professional for Cleaning Wood Floors

On top of regular DIY cleanings, the best way to keep your hardwood floors spick and span is to schedule periodic professional cleanings. Professional wood floor cleaning can lengthen the lifespan of your wood floors and make them beautiful again. A mix of DIY and professional cleaning is optimal for the health of your wood floors. Professional Surface Restoration offers free estimates with no obligation. Contact us to set up an appointment.