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Sep 12
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Concrete Densifier Explained

By Concrete Cleaning, Concrete Densifier, Concrete Sealing

Concrete DensifierConcrete densifier is often promoted as one of the top advancements in concrete technology today. However, the nature of the product can be confusing to those without a deep knowledge of the concrete industry. What is densifier? How does it work? How might it affect the life of your flooring?

Here is a brief FAQ regarding these questions and more.

What Is Concrete Densifier?

Concrete densifier is a chemical product applied to the surface of a concrete floor to provide more density to the concrete. Once applied, the densifier fills in the pores near the surface of the concrete, providing a denser product and a harder surface. Building owners utilize concrete densifiers to produce a finish that is more resistant to wear and staining.

What Is Concrete Densifier Made Of?

Although chemical components may differ slightly across brands, most concrete densifiers are similarly composed. Typically, densifiers are water-based and made up of chemicals that react with the concrete to fill its pores. Most often, these chemicals include sodium, potassium, or lithium silicates.

RELATED ARTICLE: How to Winterize Your Concrete Floor 

How Does It Work?

As concrete cures, it produces calcium carbonate as a byproduct – also known as free lime or concrete dust. After concrete densifier is applied, its chemicals react with this concrete dust to form a calcium silicate hydrate gel. The gel fills the pores near the surface of the concrete, eventually crystallizing and tightening the pores to provide more density and hardness to the concrete.

When Is It Applied?

Concrete densifier can be applied to multiple types of newly placed concrete floors, including high traffic areas like loading docks and warehouses, as well as large, flat areas for commercial spaces that will eventually receive polish. In fact, polished floors should always receive a densifier treatment during the refinement process to increase resistance to staining, abrasion, and dusting. The stage in the refinement process at which the densifier is applied can vary based on the nature of the concrete used and may occur after the initial metal grinding or as a final step.

RELATED ARTICLE: Concrete Floor Maintenance Tips

Why Should You Use Densifier?

Densifier does not replace sealers or epoxy coatings, both of which provide a truly sealed surface that repels stains. In addition, epoxy provides an additional layer of protection, which absorbs some of the wear and tear normally experienced by the concrete. However, for natural or polished concrete floors, densifiers provide oil and chemical resistance, minimal dusting, and increased durability against abrasion and other forms of wear.

Contact Professional Surface Restoration for more information about concrete densifiers and how to incorporate our commercial concrete cleaning services. Our in-depth knowledge of concrete surfaces ensures your floor will receive the best cleaning, sealant and aftercare in the business. We guarantee the work we do for all our clients, tailored to the exact specifications of your floor.

If you’re not sure how much difference professional cleaning and sealing might make for your concrete surfaces, why not see an expert demonstration? Professional Surface Restoration offers free estimates with no obligation. Contact us to set up an appointment.

Aug 29
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Protect Your Floor from Seasonal Allergens

By Carpet Cleaning, Commercial Floors, Upholstery Cleaning

pollen and other seasonal allergensAre allergens in your business location making your patrons uncomfortable? Many businesses don’t even realize the answer is yes. Seasonal allergens can affect your customers in surprising ways – from scratchy skin to sneezing. Professional Surface Restoration’s cleaning services can help you provide a better experience for them that can mean more business for you.

How Do Allergens Affect Your Business?

For many people, seasonal allergies are an unfortunate side effect of the beautiful greenery the area experiences. Pollen consists of millions of tiny grains, often visible as a yellow dusting on outdoor surfaces such as vehicles, buildings, and sidewalks. A person allergic to pollen has an immune reaction to pollen grains, with their bodies treating intruding pollen as an invader, releasing histamines that cause runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, and more.

Many assume that allergy sufferers can escape indoors. Dust is a serious one for many. Unfortunately, common allergens can sneak into even climate-controlled buildings, making allergy sufferers uncomfortable. If your patrons or employees experience discomfort while in your place of business, allergens could be hurting your bottom line.

RELATED ARTICLE: What Your Commercial Floors Say about Your Brand

How Can You Prevent Allergens From Affecting Your Business?

You may think that maintaining an excellent HVAC system means that allergens are not entering your business. Although climate control is one means of preventing allergens from circulating in your building, most pollen enters your business through one means of transportation – your customers’ and employees’ shoes. From there, pollen can embed itself into carpet fibers or form a fine layer on hard-surface floors, affecting allergy sufferers long after pollen season is over.

At home, many people rely on residential carpet sprays, chemicals, and shoe-removal rules to prevent and treat the tracking in of pollen and other allergens. However, in the business world, asking patrons to remove their shoes is simply unfeasible, and the use of heavily perfumed cleaners can actually make allergies worse.

In the end, regular carpet cleaning and hard-surface floor maintenance from PSR is the best way to remove allergens from your business’s floors and ensure your space is comfortable for patrons and employees alike.

Our Allergy-Free Guarantee

PSR’s environmentally friendly, EPA-approved carpet and hard floor cleaning techniques remove the dust, grime, and allergens that build up on your floors without the use of harsh chemicals that can affect allergy sufferers.

Our commercial dust removal systems incorporate HEPA filters to prevent allergens from being released back into the air and remaining in your space, and our outdoor treatments for brick, concrete, and stucco can help clear the areas outside your business to minimize the amount of pollen that can enter the building.

Finally, regularly scheduled cleanings – especially during peak pollen season between February and May – prevent the buildup of allergens to begin with, while keeping your business looking sparkling clean.

Contact Professional Surface Restoration for more information about pollen and other allergen prevention for all your business’s surfaces or to schedule a demonstration, cleaning, or regular cleaning program.

Aug 15
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Why Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Solutions Are a Better Option

By Cleaning Tools, Deep Cleaning, Green Cleaning Solutions

environmentally friendly cleaning solutionsThe more we learn about the chemicals that comprise common household cleaners, the more concerned we should be about the effects they are having not only on the Earth but on our bodies. While some cleaning agents and materials are effective at cleaning up some difficult messes, they can also pose serious health risks to those who use them or come into contact with them.

Some of these cleaning agents aren’t as effective as many people think, either. When it comes to sustainable floor cleaning solutions, the environmentally responsible choice from Professional Surface Restoration is also the more effective one.

The Professional Surface Restoration Difference

Some cleaning companies use bleach and other harmful chemicals that may not be as effective as many believe when it comes to cleaning messes. For example, many people mistakenly believe that bleach is the best way to kill mold growth, when the reality is that bleach is not an effective solution for mold. Using bleach to clean up mold will likely only mask the mold’s color, partially cleaning it and giving the appearance of cleaning, but mold will likely return on most porous surfaces.

We use environmentally friendly cleaning techniques to provide our clients with intense deep cleaning for many types of flooring materials.

Our five-step process begins with pre-treatment to safely prepare the surface for intense cleaning, then we use heat and high water pressure to dislodge dirt, oils, bacteria, and other particles from the floor before using a vacuum system to clear away the debris and dirty water from the floor. This process outperforms standard bleach-based floor cleaning in a more environmentally responsible and medically safer way.

Why Choose Environmentally Friendly Cleaners?

Many cleaning agents, like bleach and other floor treatment chemicals, can leave behind dangerous residue. This residue may collect in hard-to-reach areas where it can create problems later, such as potential exposure to small children or pets. Bleach-based cleaning techniques can also mask dirt and other messes, not only failing to remove it but also making it more difficult to see in the future.

Chemical cleaners also harm the environment, both during their manufacturing and after disposal. Dirty bleached water can potentially contaminate water supplies. Industrial waste from chemical manufacturing can harm local wildlife and contributes to industrial landfill waste. Chemical residue from unsafe cleaning methods can also degrade air quality inside a home, place of business, or commercial property, potentially causing respiratory irritation and other medical issues for guests, visitors, tenants, and customers.

Conventional chemical cleaners can only offer middling performance and substantial risk compared to the environmentally responsible cleaning techniques we use at Professional Surface Restoration. Our EPA-approved, environmentally friendly floor cleaning solutions are a responsible, effective, and safer option for residential and commercial properties.

Contact Professional Surface Restoration today to learn more about our deep cleaning services, schedule a free demonstration, or schedule your next carpet cleaning.

Jul 11
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Why Vacuuming Isn’t the Same as Carpet Cleaning

By Carpet Cleaning, Deep Cleaning, Furniture Cleaning

Vacuuming Not the same as carpet cleaningVacuuming is a great way to clean carpets (and floors) from week-to-week, or more, depending on your home’s needs. However, many people consider a vacuumed carpet “cleaned,” but that’s not always true. Vacuuming may be the best way to get large particles and dirt out of a carpet, but the carpet isn’t actually “clean” until you have gone a bit deeper than simply sucking up the easy-to-reach dirt.

Common DIY Steam Cleaning Issues

Many homeowners purchase steam cleaners that look similar to vacuum cleaners, and some of these devices can do a pretty good job of fully cleaning a carpet. However, if you attempt any do-it-yourself steam cleaning, you should be aware of a few issues you might encounter:

  • Failure to follow the instructions included with your steam cleaner can lead to messes or worse, injuries.
  • Some commercial steam cleaners sold for home use may actually make some stains worse or may not work on certain types of carpet.
  • When you purchase a steam cleaner for home use, you must fully clean it out after every use; storing it with water inside can cause mold growth and damage the internal components.
  • Refills of cleaning solution for carpet cleaners can be expensive, and switching cleaners can have uncertain results.
  • Some home carpet steamers can cost hundreds of dollars and will only see use a few times a year at most.

Doing it yourself could save you time and maybe some money, depending on how good of a cleaner you purchase, how well you use it, and how effective it is for your carpeted floors. However, a professional carpet cleaning service can provide a much higher degree of cleansing because it can unearth deeper dirt and debris than what’s on the surface.

RELATED ARTICLE: Spring Cleaning Tips to Make Even the Dirtiest Carpets Like New Again

Why Choose a Professional Carpet Cleaning Service?

Professional carpet cleaning services like Professional Surface Restoration have extensive experience working with different types of carpets; different colors, materials, textures, and layouts entail different concerns when it comes to carpet cleaning.

When you hire a professional cleaning service for your carpets, the cleaners will take care to fully clean all layers of your carpet as thoroughly as possible with commercial-grade equipment. The steam cleaning devices the professionals use typically overshadow the performance capabilities of consumer-grade devices by a wide margin.

Vacuuming is never enough to fully clean a carpet. If you have struggled with DIY carpet cleaning and steaming or simply don’t want to worry about handling it yourself, contact Professional Surface Restoration today to learn more about the benefits of our professional carpet cleaning services.

Professional Surface Restoration’s patented process cleans hard surfaces including but not limited to, tile and grout, brick, block, concrete, granite, and marble Terrazzo. Our unique process for hard surface cleaning is revolutionizing the way you restore and maintain all floors back to their natural beauty, including carpet!

Call us today at (419) 705-8693 to request a FREE demo.

Jun 05
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What Your Commercial Floors Say about Your Brand

By Commercial Floors

what your commercial floors say about your brandPeople don’t give commercial floors much thought when they’re clean and well-maintained. However, that can change quickly when in disrepair or dirty. This can leave customers with the impression that your business doesn’t take the time to attend to small details or possibly doesn’t have the funds to keep the floor clean and safe. They may form a lasting impression that leads customers to believe you won’t take proper care with their products or services either.

The good news is this problem is entirely preventable. Keep reading!

Commercial Floors and Safety

The need to keep the floors of your business clean and safe goes beyond aesthetic concerns and making an unfavorable impression on customers. Improperly maintained floors can also present a huge safety issue. For example, a customer who trips over an obstacle in the middle of the floor and breaks a bone could sue your company for medical expenses. Your company could also find itself paying workers’ compensation benefits for several months if an employee sustains an injury due to unsafe flooring. Prioritizing clean and safe floors just makes good business sense.

How the Sense of Smell Can Relate to Flooring

The human sense of smell is one of the most powerful of the five senses because certain aromas can lead to an automatic response without a person stopping to think about it. According to a paper published in the retail industry in the early 2000s, humans generate approximately three-quarters of their emotions from the sense of smell. When your company’s floor smells clean and fresh, it can cause people to remain longer than they would have otherwise.

Make Sure the First Impression of Your Customers is a Good One

A clear, shiny floor is one of the best ways to make a good impression on someone walking into your business for the first time. If your business has a hardwood floor, make sure that someone is assigned the task of dust mopping daily to eliminate surface dirt. It’s also important to use a damp mop to eliminate oil and deeper-set stains at least a few times a week.

No Time for Commercial Floor Cleaning?

Even when you understand the importance of clean and safe flooring, you may not have the time or the manpower to complete the task in-house. We invite you to contact Professional Surface Restoration today to learn more about our commercial flooring services.

May 11
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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.

Apr 22
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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.

Apr 04
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How to Safely Clean Wood Floors This Spring

By Wood Floor Cleaning

clean wood floorsWood flooring is a popular residential choice for several reasons, such as its flexibility and its ability to infuse a natural element into your home. There are several types of wood flooring, and each requires its own type of maintenance. It is important for homeowners to familiarize themselves with the specific type of wood flooring in their home, as well as how to clean wood floors and respective maintenance needs.

Cleaning Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are made from actual, authentic wood material. If you are unsure if your floor is made from hardwood, look for irregular patterns. In addition, hardwood can incur damages from impact, like scratches and dents. If this damage is common, your floor is probably hardwood.

The best way to clean hardwood floors depends on the floor’s finish.

  • Surface-sealed. If your floor doesn’t smudge easily, it is likely surface-sealed with polyacrylic, polyurethane, or urethane. Simply sweep with a broom and follow up with a mop damp with warm water and dish soap.
  • Penetrating seal or oil. If your floor smudges, it might be treated with these finishes. The broom and damp mop treatment applies, but you must occasionally treat them with paste or liquid wax.
  • Shellac, lacquer, or varnish. These floors also require additional treatment with liquid or paste wax, as well as traditional sweeping and damp mop cleaning.

Cleaning Laminate Floors

Laminate floors are not made from actual wood, but they imitate the texture and colors. Laminate floors have actual patterns and damage less easily, but they are more vulnerable to water. Also, laminate is more common in post-1960s homes.

The following are some general laminate floor cleaning tips.

  • Vacuum first before mopping, as it is more effective in getting rid of dust and debris. Use the lightest setting to avoid floor damage.
  • Use a damp mop with either water, a commercial cleaner specialized for laminate, or a homemade cleaner made from vinegar and water.
  • Avoid products like bleach, wax, or acrylic, since they can damage the finish.

General Tips for Wood Floor Cleaning

Whether you are cleaning hardwood or laminate floors, consider the following general cleaning tips.

  • Never use soaking wet mops, as excessive water damages the floors
  • Avoid steam cleaning on any type of wood floor
  • Replace the cleaning water often to avoid dirty water
  • Consult the floor’s manufacturer for recommended cleaning instructions

Are your wood floors in need of professional cleaning and restoration? Professional Surface Restoration can help you with that. Contact us today or call (419) 795-8693 to schedule a FREE, no-obligation demo.

Mar 24
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Do You Need to Replace Carpets Before You Sell Your Home?

By Carpet Cleaning, Deep Cleaning

replace carpetSelling a home can come with necessary costs, such as replacing the roof or windows, but is replacing the carpets actually necessary? Worn, dirty, stained, and smelly carpets could easily turn off a prospective buyer during an open house or walk through. Although brand-new carpets could attract more buyers, often a deep cleaning from a professional can be just the thing to make your carpets feel brand new again.

Knowing when it’s time to invest in a deep carpet cleaning will help a realtor sell the property. Watch out for these tell-tale signs.

Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew are two of the top culprits for a carpet that needs some TLC.

A carpet could develop mold or mildew if there is a light water leak, if the crawlspace under the home does not get enough ventilation, or if liquids seep into the lower layers of the carpet pads and insulation. Ignoring mold and mildew can lead to unpleasant odors and potential health complications, including respiratory problems and asthma.

Luckily, it’s usually possible to deep clean a carpet to get rid of water damage and harmful mold.

Unsightly Stains

No one wants to walk into a prospective home and see dirty, dingy, and stained carpets. New buyers will only wonder what could have caused the stains, and won’t feel comfortable or at home in a space with someone else’s messes all over the floor.

If the home has noticeably dirty or stained carpeting, it’s definitely time for a deep clean. Specialized carpet cleaning services can remove even the largest and most stubborn stains, saving you from having to purchase new carpets. Only when carpet cleaning experts can’t save a stained carpet, take the plunge and replace them.

Unpleasant Odors

Many people are highly sensitive to the smells of a potential home. A home with odors that suggest smelly dogs, pet accidents, mold, mildew, sweat, old food, etc. can turn a buyer off as soon as he or she walks through the door.

Unfortunately, carpets can act as sponges, absorbing messes and the smells that come with them. The current tenants may have gone smell blind because they’re used to the odors, but for someone new it may be a deal breaker.

If a home smells of must or other unpleasant odors, invest in a professional deep clean before trying to sell. A deep clean is typically enough to remove lingering odors and to freshen up the entire home. An exceptional carpet deep clean can help you sell the home for more.

Professional Surface Restoration focuses on cleaning and restoring carpets. If you need help to get your home’s floors in their best shape before an open house, call us at (419) 705-8693 for a FREE demo.

Feb 26
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Spring Cleaning 101: Ceramic Tile Cleaning

By Tile and Grout

how to clean ceramic tileWhen it comes to most bathrooms and kitchens, ceramic tiles are a very popular choice. The chance that this material adorns any surface of your home is very high. Get a head start on your spring cleaning and learn more about how you can clean your ceramic tile surfaces.

Simple Ceramic Tile Cleaning Steps

Ceramic tiles are fairly low-maintenance and are very simple to clean. You can clean your tiles with simple steps using plain water mixed with the cleaner of your choice. Wash your tiles at least once a week and clean any spills or spots as they occur.

  • Use a vacuum or a broom to clear any debris you see, such as dirt, sand, and grit. You can do this before the actual cleaning process, or any other time to reduce wear on your tiles.
  • Mix a cleaner, such as dish detergent, vinegar, or commercial tile cleaner with water to dilute the effect. Use a string mop, a chamois-type mop, or a rag to wash the tiles, as using sponge mops pushes dirt from the tiles into the grout.
  • Once you have cleaned your tiles, let them dry to prevent accidents. Either use a clean cloth or keep the area clear until the floor dries.

Understanding Grout

Grout is the material applied between tiles that keeps them in place. Because grout is a porous substance with white or light colors, it is vulnerable to damage from numerous sources of filth, including mud, dirt, spills, mold, and mildew. You will need to employ a different cleaning tactic than the one for tiles. Sealing the grout with a sealer protects it from most dirt and grime and can be done once or twice a year.

Cleaning Grout

The method you choose for cleaning grout depends on how strong the dirt and stains are. Remember to start out simple and only increase the materials when the filth is more severe.

  • For small amounts of dirt, use warm, plain water and a specialized, stiff-bristled brush to scrub in circles and let the grout dry.
  • For stronger stains, use a vinegar/water mix and spray the grout, then scrub with a stiff-bristled brush after letting the mix stand for five minutes.
  • To increase cleaning effectiveness, make a baking soda/water paste, cover the grout, and spray the vinegar mixture. Scrub with the stiff brush and rinse with water once the solution stops foaming.
  • Steam cleaners can effectively clean the worst stains, and they are incredibly environmentally friendly.

If you need professional assistance in cleaning and restoring your home surfaces, contact Professional Surface Restoration at (419) 705-8693 to schedule a free demo.

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