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Tile and Grout

Jan 20
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tile deep cleaning - tile & grout cleaning service - professional surface restoration

Tile Deep Cleaning: 6 Warning Signs That Your Home Needs

By Deep Cleaning, Tile and Grout

Ceramic tiles are an excellent choice for the floors in your home. With proper care, they can last a lifetime. Homeowners love beautiful tile flooring, and because of this, realtors do too.

Tile flooring also adds value to the property because ceramic tiles do not have volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These compounds can lower indoor air quality and can cause sick building syndrome. They are present in wood finishes, vinyl tiles, and epoxy coatings.

However, ceramic tiles are not perfect. Like any flooring material, they are still susceptible to damage, dirt accumulation, and even mold growth. If you’re a home owner or realtor wondering when you need to hire a professional service to perform tile deep cleaning, watch out for these six warning signs.

Flooring Is Old or Looks Old

Ceramic tiles typically last for more than 50 years. However, they can degrade fast if left uncared for. Even if they are durable, time can take its toll on them. A few of the signs that the tiles are old or look old are:

  • Rough edges
  • Warping
  • Scratches

Thankfully, you can quickly restore them to their former glory by deep cleaning them and replacing tiles with significant damages.

RELATED ARTICLE: Reasons a Professional Cleaning Service Is the Best Way to Get Tough Stains Out of Tile and Grout

Cracks and Broken Pieces

If some of the tiles already have cracks and broken pieces, then you either need to replace or repair them. However, we suggest that you request the other tiles undergo deep cleaning to prevent them from suffering the same fate.

Stains

You should know that it is difficult to stain a ceramic tile, but it is not impossible. Foot traffic can scratch a tile’s smooth surface and allow liquids to penetrate it. No mopping and rubbing can get rid of these stains, so your only solution is to perform a deep clean.

Discolored Grout

It takes years before tiles become discolored. However, the same is not true for grout. The grout might be already discolored a few days after the tiles were installed because of poor workmanship.

It is not too late to fix that, and we can restore it through our services.

RELATED ARTCLE: Facts About Antimicrobial Floor Coating

Mold

Tiles are often used as flooring in kitchens and bathrooms as they are resistant to water damage. Unfortunately, as resilient as they are, grout is not. With consistent exposure to water and moisture, grout can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Left alone, it can even creep through to the other side of flooring tiles.

If you see any dark spots in the grout, you should immediately request a deep clean to eliminate a potential breakout.

Uneven Flooring, Noises, and Soft Spots

Sometimes, signs of tile damage are well hidden, and you need to perform a closer inspection. To check if the flooring is uneven, you can use a leveling ruler. On the other hand, you might want to walk around on the tile flooring to detect any soft spots or noisy tiles.

These three signs warrant a repair job, and you should not put it off.

Clean and Maintained Tile Flooring Equals Increased Property Value

Requesting a deep-clean for the property’s tile flooring is a cheap way to increase your property’s value and attract buyers. Be sure to look out for these warning signs as soon as the previous owner leaves the property.

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

Jan 04
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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.

Aug 19
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Reasons a Professional Cleaning Service Is the Best Way to Get Tough Stains Out of Tile and Grout

By Commercial Floors, Tile and Grout

If your home or business is like the vast majority in the country, you likely have at least one area of tile—perhaps in a kitchen, bathroom, entryway, or even throughout your home. There’s a good reason too; tile is exceptionally durable, adds beauty to your home or business, and can be relatively simple to spot clean. However, over time, tile floors can be tricky to keep looking fresh—especially within grout lines.

Why Is Tile So Difficult to Clean Properly?

While it’s easy to wipe up the occasional spill, tile and grout are more susceptible than you might think to tough, long-lasting stains that are difficult to remove. Textured tile can accumulate surface dirt and grime, causing them to appear dull and potentially discoloring the tile’s whole surface. This layer of dirt is often challenging to remove with household mops, even with the most effective tile floor cleaning products from your big box store.

RELATED ARTICLE: The Importance of Commercial Carpet Cleaning During COVID-19 and Beyond

Also, most tiles are made of natural stone or ceramic, while grout usually consists of cement and sand. Both the tiles themselves and the grout between them are highly porous. They can absorb spills, causing lingering stains that can affect the appearance of your flooring—dirty mop water, and even the very chemicals you use to clean your tile can lead to further discoloration of both tile and grout. Worse yet, porous tile and grout can harbor bacteria, viruses, mold, and mildew if not cleaned properly.

Professional Tile and Grout Cleaning Can Help

Using a top-quality tile cleaner or a mop and bucket is effective short-term, but in the long run, you could be damaging your tile. If you’re using harsh chemicals, abrasive scrub brushes, or mop water to clean your tile floor, consider these benefits of a professional tile and grout cleaning service:

  • Professional Equipment. A professional cleaning service has the tools and professional cleaners necessary to cut through surface grime and remove stains. You can address stubborn stains and remove years of discoloration in one fell swoop.

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

  • Deep Cleaning. Unlike traditional mop and bucket cleaning, professional cleaning services can use commercial-grade solvents to ensure deep stains and contaminants like bacteria, viruses, mold, and mildew don’t linger within pores or grout lines. You’ll ensure the overall beauty of your tile while addressing the health and safety of you, your family, or your employees.
  • Damage-Free. Years of grime can cause surface etching as people walk on your tile; meanwhile, the chemicals you use to clean them could be causing additional damage as well. A deep, professional clean removes surface grime safely, without damaging your tile.

If you’re in search of professional tile and grout cleaning in Toledo or the surrounding areas, consider the experts at Professional Surface Restoration. We’ll provide professional, deep cleaning of all your tiled areas using professional grade cleaners, tools, and procedures—you’ll prevent damaging buildup and restore your tile to its former beauty while keeping your home or business safe.

Contact us today for more information.

Jan 23
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How to Choose a Tile and Grout Cleaning Professional

By Deep Cleaning, Tile and Grout

tile and grout cleaning professionalTile is an excellent choice for many home and business owners due to its beauty, resiliency, and relatively low-maintenance characteristics. While individual scrubbing and mopping does the job on an everyday basis, hiring a tile and grout cleaning company can help you provide routine maintenance to newer floors or even restore old, dull, and dirty floors to their original glory. However, it is important to ensure you’re hiring a trustworthy tile and grout cleaning professional.

How do you go about choosing the right tile and grout cleaning company? First, you’ll need to Google “tile and grout cleaning near me” then, isolate the best with the following techniques

Ask the Right Questions

Before you contact a tile and grout cleaning company, prepare a list of all the necessary questions. Questions should include:

  • How many years of experience do you have? While some newer companies provide a great cleaning service, when it comes to more expensive or delicate tile, you’ll likely want an experienced company to handle your cleaning needs.
  • Are you insured and bonded? Insurance and bonding ensures the cleaning company will be responsible for any property damage caused and that you won’t be held liable in the event of an accident on your property.
  • Are you licensed? Licensing is especially important for commercial properties and ensures your tile and grout cleaning company is up to date on the most current procedures in the industry.
  • Can you handle my specific needs? Inform the company regarding any special considerations such as foot traffic and the material of your tile to ensure the proper cleaning and restoration techniques are available.

RELATED ARTICLE: What to Expect from Professional Tile and Grout Cleaning

Request a Free Estimate

The best tile and grout cleaning companies will perform a free estimate for any work done on your property before beginning. In many cases, this involves cleaning a sample tile to demonstrate how clean you should expect your tile and grout to become, how long the entire job should take, and what methods are preferable. A free estimate also allows you to adjust your expectations for the job before it begins.

Always Read the Reviews

In this digital age, any trustworthy tile and grout cleaning company should have an online presence. For most, this includes a business website as well as reviews on sites like Angie’s List, Yelp, and the BBB or on a Google My Business result. In addition, be sure to ask friends and colleagues for referrals and recommendations for local businesses they’ve utilized in the past.

If you’re searching for tile and grout cleaning companies near Toledo, Ohio, Professional Surface Restoration offers specialized cleaning equipment and best in the business techniques. We’ll eliminate all dirt and bacteria from your hard surfaces, and finish with a water based sealer to keep tile looking fresh.

For a free estimate, call (419) 705-8693 or submit an online estimate request today.

Jan 06
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What to Expect with a Professional Tile and Grout Cleaning

By Tile and Grout

professional tile and grout cleaningSpring cleaning and fall upkeep are crucial, but they’re usually just the beginning of getting a home clean. Even in the deepest of home cleanings, some areas of the house get missed. One of these places is often your tile and grout. Though you may keep your floors looking sharp with regular cleaning and sanitization, your grout can often look dull, dingy, and detract from the beauty of your flooring. A professional tile and grout cleaning can do wonders for your flooring, making it appear cleaner and the rest of your home with it.

Here is what you can expect from the process.

Tile and Grout Cleaning Tools

At Professional Surface Restoration, we use specialized cleaning equipment that combines several different processes, such as heat, high pressure, vacuum extraction, and emulsification to remove dirt from the toughest of spaces and keep your floors looking their best. To begin the process, we use a detergent to pre-spray your surface. Then we use high pressure multi jet rotating steam tool to continuously extract dirt and water from your floors. The temperature of the water is between 180-270 degrees, effectively sanitizing the floor as it cleans.

RELATED ARTICLE: 3 Signs It’s Time for Tile and Grout Cleaning

After the floor surface is clean, we close the pores in your grout, which helps keep the dirt from penetrating again. Water based sealant is both safe and effective; it will not change the look of your tile or its longevity.

Why Schedule a Tile and Grout Cleaning?

Tile and grout cleaning is an essential aspect of keeping your floors sanitized. Over time, grout can get very dirty because it is naturally porous. If a contractor does not seal the grout correctly, it can happen sooner than it should. Grout absorbs bacteria, grease, mildew, dirt and other particles that are not only unpleasant to look at but can also affect the indoor air quality of your home. Left unchecked, it can begin to emit a foul odor.

Regular tile and grout cleanings help control odor, fight bacteria, and keep your tile and grout looking new. But how often should you schedule cleanings? The answer will depend on the amount of time you spend in the space. Higher traffic floors, like a kitchen, will require more frequent cleanings than a less used room. In general, plan for a good professional cleaning every 2 to 5 years.

A professional tile and grout cleaning is a must to keep your floors and family healthy. Professional Surface Restoration offers professional tile and grout cleanings for homes and businesses all over metro Toledo. Contact us for more information or to schedule a free demo.

Dec 10
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3 Signs It’s Time for Tile and Grout Cleaning

By Tile and Grout

Tile and Grout CleaningThe tile and grout in your kitchen, bathrooms, and flooring requires attention during cold and flu season. Tile and grout cleaning may be part of your typical household cleaning routine, but it’s especially important to address during the winter to keep your home as free of bacteria and germs as possible.

Look for the warning signs below to determine when it’s time to clean your tile and grout.

Your Tile and Grout Is Stained or Discolored

Stains and discoloration on your tiles or in your grout lines aren’t just unpleasant to look at; they are also signs of bacteria accumulation, mildew formation, or even mold growth. Dark green or black stains require immediate attention. The surfaces in your kitchen and bathrooms likely face more moisture exposure than the other rooms of your home, so this makes them prime breeding grounds for mold and other hazardous substances. If you notice any discoloration or stains on your tile and grout, it’s time to clean them thoroughly.

Grout Does Not Appear to Come Clean With Standard Cleanings

Most homeowners have conventional cleaning tools and cleansers that can handle mild to moderate grime, but for serious stains and messes, it’s important to use the right deep cleaning products. If your tile or grout does not come clean with standard cleaning tools and methods, then this is a sign your tile and grout need more attention. If moisture gets under your grout, you’ll start noticing serious issues like cracked tiles or even water damage if it goes unchecked for too long.

RELATED ARTICLE: Ceramic Tile Cleaning 101

Your Grout Is Unsealed

Perhaps you installed your grout yourself and forgot to seal it, or the contractor you paid to complete a grouting job never returned to seal it after it dried. In either case, unsealed grout is especially vulnerable to mold and mildew growth. Unchecked exposure allows cracks to form in the grout, which can lead to deep-rooted problems later. If your grout is unsealed and has been for some time, it’s essential to arrange a thorough cleaning before sealing it and preventing further damage. Properly sealed grout will be much easier to maintain and will last much longer than unsealed grout.

RELATED ARTICLE: How a Home’s Flooring Affects Market Value

Professional Surface Restoration specializes in hard surface restoration. We have the tools and experience to handle all types of deep cleaning jobs, including stubborn stains on tile and grout that won’t wash away with conventional store-bought cleaning products.

If you think your tile and grout are in need of professional attention or if your cleaning efforts have seemed to prove fruitless, contact Professional Surface Restoration today to schedule a professional tile and grout cleaning for your property.

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.

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.

Jan 21
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How a Home’s Flooring Affects Market Value

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

how home's flooring affect market valueIf you’re preparing to sell a home, chances are you’ve already identified several problem areas you’d like to tackle in order to increase the resale value. Drywall, paint, cabinet hardware, and flooring are all common areas for improvement. Flooring, in particular, is an area many realtors suggest deep cleaning or changing before sale to improve the overall market value of the home.

It can be tempting to rip out older carpet and invest in the hardwood that is so popular with today’s home buyers. Often, sellers elect to install cheap, new flooring instead of restoring their existing flooring – and they may do so at a cost they won’t recoup when it’s time to sell the home.

In many cases, it’s more cost effective to deep clean rather than replace.

Carpets

If existing carpet is still serviceable, it is likely better to keep and deep clean it than replace it with other carpeting. Prospective owners like hardwoods, but are often primarily looking for cleanliness and may even be calculating the amount of time left before they’ll need to replace your existing flooring with their own. It can be difficult to recoup the cost of new carpet in a home sale; it is often better to clean the carpet and offer a small allowance if the buyer asks.

Tile

Tile is the preferred flooring in bathrooms and kitchens. It can be expensive and time consuming to remove, particularly if it was installed correctly. After its removal, you also risk installing a flooring prospective buyers plan on tearing out anyway, and you may not recoup the costs of the new flooring.

To make the most of your current tile floor and increase the resale value, make sure it is clean. Invest in a service to deep clean the tile and the surrounding grout, as well as apply a sealant to ensure new stains don’t linger, and you’ll recoup the costs in the sale of your home.

Wood

Hardwood is the preferred choice of most home buyers in today’s market, but the wood needs to be in good condition. Otherwise, buyers will likely see nothing but mounting costs and time in order to refinish it. Instead of undertaking this time-consuming work yourself – or, worse, covering your wood floors with new carpeting – consider hiring a professional wood floor restoration service.

Your existing flooring will be buffed, cleaned, and resealed, and any discolorations or penetrating stains treated. Your floor will now have the look of a new wood floor, increasing the market value of your home without the cost of new flooring.

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.

Call (419) 705-8693 to request a consultation and demo.

 

Jan 07
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How to Prepare a Home’s Floors for Open Houses

By Carpet Cleaning, Deep Cleaning, Furniture Cleaning, Tile and Grout

repare Floors for Home SaleAs a realtor, it is a priority to make your property’s floors impeccable for an open house. They are one of the first features your potential buyer will notice. Stains, odors, and clutter can ruin a buyers’ first impression. Take the initiative to follow these tips on how to prepare a home’s floors for open houses.

Clear Up the Clutter

Before you start the hard work on your floors, make sure to clear up clutter. Store away any extra items and area rugs that make the room look smaller. Removing all unneeded items and repositioning furniture will make it easier for you to clean the floors, and will make the room appear more spacious. Additionally, a clear floor will allow the buyers to roam more freely through the home.

Suck It Up

You never know if you are going to be dealing with a nitpicky buyer. Make sure to keep a vacuum with you and go after every piece of paper, dirt, and lint that you see. Clearing your floor of debris and small bits of trash will not only satisfy a detail-oriented buyer, but will make it easier to polish or treat the surfaces later.

Let Your Floors Shine

No visual quality represents cleanliness better than shine. A shiny, spotless floor will help to convey to the buyer that this is a well-maintained property. If you have a tile floor, sweep and mop it, and if necessary, hire someone to clean the grout between the tiles. If you have a wood floor, mop it, and after that, consider having it buffed by a professional. Spending a little extra time and effort to ensure your floors are in their best condition will help you get the selling price you want.

Deal with the Odors

Carpeted floors have a tendency to retain dirt and unpleasant odors from smoke, spills, and accidents. Strong odors can drive away your buyers the moment they enter the room. If the odor is contained to a small area or spot, clean it yourself by using soap and water, then cover it with baking soda and borax. After letting it sit for a while, vacuum the area. If the odor extends to a larger area or to the entire house, it is best to seek a professional to clean the carpeted areas.

Professional Surface Restoration focuses on cleaning and restoring surfaces such as tile, wood, and carpet floors. 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.

 

 

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