Carpet Spotter’s, Are They Safe For Your Carpet, Furniture And FAMILY?

Jan 26 2012

There are many cleaning agents you can choose for carpet and rugs.  There are hundreds of different products all claiming to be the best.  So which ones are safe? I’m sure you’re concerned about the safety of your carpet.  But even greater, you’re concerned about the safety of your family.  I’ll give you the basics on both.

NEVER use this on carpet or rugs…

First, chlorine bleach products should NEVER be used on carpet or rugs.  This is one of the chemicals that’s not only harmful to the fiber, but also harmful to the person applying the chemical.  Bleach is much more harmful than most people think. Did you know some cleaning agents could actually cause a stain to be permanent?  For instance, some high PH spot removers can cause a pet stain to permanently set into a fiber?

To make sure you’re applying the right cleaning agent, use a neutral PH spotter.  Or, choose a spot removal agent designed specifically to treat pet stains. Many types of carpet cleaning shampoo can leave a sticky, soil-attracting residue in the fiber.  In particular, the types of shampoo that foam up and are scrubbed into the fiber are the worst culprits.  These cleaning agents are often laced with “optical brighteners” to temporarily make the fibers look better.  But in the long run, they ruin the fibers.  And even worse, the soil that accumulates isn’t good for your indoor environment. Keep the use of solvents to a minimum.

There are indeed some solvents that may be used to remove oils in extreme soil instances.  These include amyl acetate (in nail polish remover), rubbing alcohol, and odor-less mineral spirits.  But be WARNED! These solvents should be used at a minimum.  After cleaning, the area should be rinsed with water and extracted.

Are professional cleaning agents safe?

Some are.  The most dangerous equation here is typically the technician cleaning your carpet.  If the technician in your home is poorly trained, you could be in for trouble. It is suspected the disease Kawasaki Syndrome has been brought on by improper carpet cleaning methods.  The disease affects small children.  This is suspected to sometimes occur by the use of an excessive amount of high PH cleaning agents followed by very little rinsing of the fibers. Many cheap portable cleaning machines can’t rinse high PH cleaning agents properly. For your utmost safety, we always clean your carpet with the safest cleaning agents possible.

After cleaning, we make sure your carpet is left in a PH balanced state.  We use some of the best professional grade equipment available.  In addition, we are FANATICS about rinsing your carpet. Our technicians understand the importance of rinsing and performing extra dry passes to insure your carpet dries quickly.  This is safer for your family and also prevents the possibility of spots returning later.

Give us a call at One Call Carpet Cleaning, 760-504-6608 and we’ll clean your carpet and make sure that we leave no soap or residue left when we are finished.

Chris | OneCall Carpet Blog | 01 26th, 2012 | No Comments »

2012 Is Here

Happy 2012!

Here at One Call Carpet Cleaning we hope you had a great 2011.  It’s been a tough economy but despite that we are very grateful to all of you for choosing One  Call  Carpet Cleaning and hope that you will continue to use us in 2012.

We put a great deal of effort into providing great service at a fair price.  We know how hard earned your money is and we try and give you the most for it.

Give us a try today and see what great results we can give you for all your Carpet, Upholstery and Tile cleaning needs.  760-504-6608

Happy New Year to you from us at One Call Carpet Cleaning

Chris | OneCall Carpet Blog | 01 8th, 2012 | No Comments »

Christmas Is Almost Here

Christmas is almost here.  We are working hard here at One Call Carpet Cleaning to make sure that all of our customers new and old get the service they need before Christmas and New Years.

Give us a call today and we’ll make your Christmas a a clean one.

760-504-6608

Chris | OneCall Carpet Blog | 12 21st, 2011 | No Comments »

Holiday Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning At The Last Minute

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to let you know that we are understanding of your last minute needs to get a room or even your whole house carpet and upholstery cleaned before Thanksgiving and Christmas.

We are giving our days extra time if needed to make sure that everyone who needs service gets it.  So give us a call today, tonight or whenever and get scheduled to get whatever you cleaned so you can be on your way to a great 2011 Holiday Season.

Thank you all for your business.  My family and I really appreciate it very much.

The Thomas Family

One Call Carpet Cleaning

760-504-6608

Chris | OneCall Carpet Blog | 11 19th, 2011 | 1 Comment »

Emergency Treatment For Your Expencive Area Rugs

In this post we’ll discuss what to do with your Oriental Rug in the the event of a spill, pet accident, or flood.

 

Spills and Pet Stains

1. Whether it is wine, coffee, coolaid, urine, paint or whatever, the first step is to remove as much of it as possible from the rug- as soon as possible. Paper towels work well. Keep blotting until you have got as much out as possible.

2. After blotting, many spills will require diluting. If it is clear that much of the spilled substance is still in the rug, dilute it with water (assuming that the substance is water soluble)- as much water as necessary. That may mean a half cup for a small spill or it may mean a quart of water for a major spill. Don’t get the rug sopping wet unless you need to.

Please note that some rugs have unstable dyes that may run if you put water on them. But they are a small minority of all rugs. Sometimes you simply must take a chance.

3. Now back to blotting. Get as much out as possible.

4. If the rug has become wet in the process, you needn’t panic. Chances are that it can stay wet for at least several days without harm. Still, you will have to manage the wet rug and promote drying. If the rug is quite wet, you may have to elevate it to promote air circulation under it. You might just stuff some wadded up newspapers under it. You may wish to play a fan on the rug to circulate air.

5. If the rug is still stained after all your efforts, consider taking it to a professional rug washer as soon as you can. Very often spills come out in the wash.

6. Do not use spot removers on Oriental rugs that are formulated for use on wall to wall carpeting. They will harm the wool pile of your rug.

Urine

Urine stains from pets are probably the most common of all stains in Oriental rugs. They present a special problem because urine actually changes the chemical composition of dyes once it has had a chance to set. The best strategy then (besides preventing it from happening) is to remove it the same way as other stains- as fast as possible. After removing as much as possible, rinse the area with a solution of water and distilled white vinegar- about one tablespoon per cup of water- and then remove as much as possible from the rug. If a urine stain is already dry when you discover it, act as quickly as possible anyway, and get the rug to an Oriental rug cleaning specialist. Enzyme type urine removers feed on wool and should not be used on Oriental rugs.

Wet Rugs

If your rug has become sopping wet from plumbing problems, a leaking roof, as a result of firefighting or anything else, the situation may not be as bad as you fear. A rug can stay wet for at least several days before it is harmed. Still, you must do the best you can to manage it. Even though the water and the rug are dirty, your priority most likely will be to get the rug dry. You can have it washed later.

In many cities there are 24 hour emergency services available to deal with wet rugs. You can find them in the phone book under carpets. Their work seems satisfactory on carpeting, but sometimes inappropriate and even harmful on Oriental rugs. Unless you are simply overwhelmed, you may be better off to handle the problem yourself.

1. If possible, get the rug to a wooden deck, a concrete patio or even a sidewalk. If you have a squeegee on a long handle, use it to squeegee out the water, pushing in the direction of the pile. In a pinch, you can use the back of a heavy garden rake as a substitute for a squeegee. Get as much water out of the rug as possible.

If you cannot get the rug to a flat, outdoor surface, you may vacuum it with a Shop Vac or other wet-or-dry type vacuum, pulling as much water as you can from the rug.

2. After squeegeeing or vacuuming it, you may now roll the rug without folding it and stand it on end, letting it stand until water is no longer dripping from it.

3. At this point the rug is still damp but no longer sopping wet. Finish drying it however you can. If you have good weather, you can dry it in the sun. If you must, dry it indoors in a warm room, elevating it, if necessary, to let air circulate around it. A fan trained on the rug will help.

4. If necessary, you can, at your convenience, have the rug washed by professional specialists.

You can also call us at One Call Carpet Cleaning and we’ll come out and extract whatever soiled your rug,  760-504-6608

Chris | OneCall Carpet Blog | 11 7th, 2011 | No Comments »

You Have A Pet Accident On Your Area Rug, Now What?

Sometimes this happens on a prized carpet that cost alot of money.  Sometimes it’s just a home depot area rug you liked.  In either case you’ve got warm acidic urine on it and you better do something.  Unfortunately cleaning it yourself is not the best idea.  Doing this can cause color bleeding as well more damage to the area rug you are trying to save.

It’s best to leave this type of job to the professionals.  Call us at One Call Carpet Cleaning and we’ll take this head ache off your hands.  760-504-6608

 

Chris | OneCall Carpet Blog | 11 2nd, 2011 | No Comments »

The History Of Halloween

Straddling the line between fall and winter, plenty and paucity, life and death, Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition. It is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints and martyrs; the holiday, All Saints’ Day, incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows’ Eve and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a secular, community-based event characterized by child-friendly activities such as trick-or-treating. In a number of countries around the world, as the days grow shorter and the nights get colder, people continue to usher in the winter season with gatherings, costumes and sweet treats.

Here at One Call Carpet Cleaning we understand if you need us for an emergency candy clean up.  Give us a call at 760-504-6608

Chris | OneCall Carpet Blog | 10 24th, 2011 | No Comments »

We Clean Motorhomes And 5th Wheel’s

Here at One Call Carpet Cleaning we clean both 5th Wheel’s and Motorhomes!  This is a good service for those that own any of these types of recreation vehicles.  Suprisingly enough most people don’t realize how in expencive it is to have them cleaned.  Give us a call today, we would happy to explain pricing etc.

760-504-6608

Chris | OneCall Carpet Blog | 10 24th, 2011 | No Comments »

Preventive Maintenance For Your Carpet

    1. Use walk-off mats at all entrances to absorb soil and moisture. Clean mats
      regularly so they don’t become sources of soil themselves.
       
    2. Use a quality pad under your carpet, particularly on stairs. A good pad
      gives better resilience underfoot and extends the life of your carpet. Some
      carpets carry warranties with specification requirement. Before purchasing your
      carpet pad, review your warranty.
       
    3. Move heavy furniture occasionally to avoid excessive pile crushing. Put
      coasters intended for use with carpet under the legs of tables,chairs, and other
      furniture to help distribute the weight and prevent mashing the pile. Do not use
      chairs or appliances with rollers or casters on carpet without a chair pad
      designed for carpet. Continued use without a chair pad can cause damage to the
      carpet.
       
    4. When moving heavy wheeled furniture (pianos, buffets, etc.), prevent damage
      by placing heavy cardboard or plywood between the wheels and the carpet.
       
    5. Use of area rugs with our carpet can enhance the total look of a room, but
      be sure to remove and clean them regularly. Also clean and restore the pile of
      the carpet underneath. After cleaning your carpet, remember to allow the
      carpet and the area rugs to dry completely before replacing the rugs.
       
    6. Protect your carpet from prolonged periods of direct sunlight with blinds,
      shades, or awnings.
      Please Note: Carpets with stain resistant treatments improve
      your ability to clean, not prevent, stains. No carpet is stain proof. Carpets
      with soil resistant treatments reduce the rate of soiling and make it easier to
      clean, but all carpets require regular care and maintenance.

Please remember when it’s time to have your carpets cleaned, call us at One Call Carpet Cleaning 760-504-6608

Chris | OneCall Carpet Blog | 10 2nd, 2011 | No Comments »

Periodic Professional Care For Your Carpet

Even though vacuuming can remove most of the dry soil,
it is also necessary to clean your carpet on a regular basis to remove the more
oily or sticky soil which builds up in the pile. When cleaned regularly, it is
much easier to remove this material. The carpet in a typical household should be
cleaned every 12 to 18 months depending upon the number and age of the residents
and presence of pets.

A cleaning system should clean the carpet without leaving detergent residue.
The hot water extraction system, also called “steam cleaning,” is
recommended. The process consists of spraying a solution of water and
detergent into the pile and removing or extracting the dirt and solution with a
powerful vacuum from either a truck-mounted or a portable unit. It is to your
advantage to use a professional cleaner because his experience enables him to do
a better job than you can do yourself. His equipment has more extraction power
than the rental units available to you, so the carpet should dry more quickly. A
true professional has also mae the investment in training to understand the
equipment, to know the proper cleaning agents for the situation at hand, and to
recognize the differences in fibers and carpet construction.
One way to locate a professional cleaner is to
contact One Call Carpet Cleaning at 760-504-6608.  At One Call Carpet Cleaning that’s all we do is clean carpet.  We use Hot Water Extraction, the method reccomended by all the major carpet manufacturing companies.  Call us for a qoute today,

Chris | OneCall Carpet Blog | 09 26th, 2011 | No Comments »

Here are some common questions we get from our customers

Just some typical questions we always get from customers.


> How long will it take my carpets to dry?

Normally between 2 and 5 hours. It all depends on what type of carpet you have, humidity, air flow, level of soiling. You carpet pad and sub-flooring do not get wet ever.

> What do I need to do before the technician arrives at my house?

Its best if you can have smaller items picked up like toys, pictures, files, clothes etc. It will pro-long the process, and make it difficult to focus on the cleaning if the technician is having to spend time picking up items that could have already been put away.

> Do you move furniture?

Yes. We move most light furniture. Couches, chairs, tables, end tables. Items that we do not move are Heavy dressers, large entertainment centers and computer desks and fish tanks

> Will hot-water extraction (steam cleaning) damage my carpet?

No! Hot-water extraction is the method preferred by the major carpet manufacturers. It is widely considered the best method of removing embedded soils and other contaminants.

> I’ve seen coupons for $10 per room. How do they clean carpet so cheap?

The truth is that they can’t and stay in business. These folks are known as “bait and switch” carpet cleaners. The goal of these unethical cleaners is to lure the consumer in with a cheap deal and

then send a professional sales person to your home to quadruple the price. I had a customer that received a $60 phone quote that turned into a $300 in-home quote. That particular customer called me out the next day and got the work done for under $150. She also informed me that the cleaner had a plastic portable in the backseat of his sedan that he was planning on doing the cleaning with. I know it’s cliché but you get what you pay for. This “bait and switch” scam is such an issue that entire news stories have been made about them. Watch the video on the right.

> Can you get the pet odor out of my carpet?

Pet odor is a very common problem that could be much more complex than on first impression. Pet urine can easily soak through the backing of the carpet into the padding underneath. In more severe cases the urine can penetrate into the sub-floor beneath the padding. This creates a problem that is multi-layered. The urine also provides for the growth of bacteria. This in turn contributes to a worsening of the odor problem and can contribute to permanent color loss of the carpet fiber. To eliminate this problem, the urine must be removed or neutralized from each of the layers affected. If the contamination is limited to only the face yarn of the carpet then the cleaning itself may effectively remove the odor. In more severe cases a urine neutralizer may be applied.
In the most severe cases, replacement of the carpet padding, treatment of the under-side of the carpet and the sub-floor may be required. Even replacement of the carpet, however, can not guarantee complete removal of the odor.

Give us a call at 760-504-6608

Chris | OneCall Carpet Blog | 09 19th, 2011 | No Comments »

Professional Pet Odor Removal

 

Pet odor removal is one of the  reasons for people turning to a professional carpet cleaning company. Many people are unaware of just how difficult and tedious the entire process can be, in order to fully remove the stains above and below the surface, and the awful odors that can be entrenched. If you want to completely eliminate the pet odor and stains in your carpet, then steam truck mount carpet cleaning is the best possible method.  While other carpet cleaning methods only work on the carpet surface (dry cleaning), steam carpet cleaning penetrates into the bottom carpet layers. Steam cleaning is the only method that is considered a deep cleaning system. Over time, debris,dirt, and grime becomes lodged towards the base of your carpet (gravity), making surface cleaning techniques not the most effective cleaning method.  If you’re in the market for pet odor removal or carpet cleaning San Diego, Ramona or Julian, there are several  companies who work with steam cleaning, or also known as the “hot water extraction” process. But why not call us, we are the best!

How It Works

Carpet cleaning companies that specialize in steam carpet cleaning or  water extraction can either use a truck mounted vacuum or a portable vacuum.  The portable vacuum are smaller and used for office spaces and hig rises, but majority of professional cleaners (WE DO) will use a truck mounted vacuum.  The truck mounted vacuum sucks up dirt, humidity, contaminated air, and it doesn’t allow the dirt and debris to recycle back into your home. The truck mounted vacuum is a much more powerful, efficient, and deeper cleaning instrument.  Before we arrive, make sure to vacuum over your carpet to pick up surface remains. Allergens, soil, dust, and bacteria are some of the components that your carpet gradually acquires over time. The initial process of pet odor removal begins with a mixture of hot water and cleaning solution that is applied to the carpet. The mist of the pre-spray solution helps dissolve soil particles trapped into the carpet. Iwill go over the carpet section by section stain by stain. The water temperature is typically 225-250F and helps get rid of biological contaminants. With a high water pressure(700 PSI)  disturbance and a powerful vacuum, pollutants and dirt are greatly reduced. When the hot water is being extracted, it’s also vacuuming up all the dirt and grime. I will repeat this process on the carpet in order to make sure all stubborn dirt is removed.  Our truck mounts can pull up to 70% of the excess water out of the carpet. After the hot water extraction is done, your carpets can take 2-3 hours to dry sufficiently. When your carpet is finally dried, you’re left with beautiful carpets that look refreshingly new. Many of the pre-treating solutions come in fresh scents that leave your carpets smelling great. Today, hot water extraction machines are very powerful and have been proven to cut down on drying time.  The hot water extraction method is recognized by all major carpet manufacturers as a safe and effective technique.  Give us a call today at 760-504-6608

Chris | OneCall Carpet Blog | 09 18th, 2011 | No Comments »

How To Get Wax Out Of Your Carpet

 

There are a lot of individuals who enjoy using candles in their home because candles often make for beautiful and soft lighting. They also help set moods and relax a tired mind. The drawbacks of using candles in the home however is that candles produce an excess of liquid wax that can sometimes spill or run over onto carpets and rugs.

 

While cooled wax can be easily removed from hard surfaces removing it from carpeting or rugs is a much more arduous task. If you plan on removing wax from carpeting it’s a good idea to first consult with us at One Call Carpet Cleaning as a professional will likely have a number of tips they can give you even if you choose not to hire them.

 

One thing that One Call Carpet Cleaning regularly recommends when it comes to removing cooled wax from a carpet or rug is to use a household iron, paper towels, a home dry cleaning solvent, and a mild detergent.

 

The first thing One Call Carpet Cleaning recommends is that you lay a dry absorbent paper towel across the cooled wax. Secondly you need to press an iron lightly against the surface which will melt the wax. Once the wax is melted it will be absorbed by the paper towel you’re using. Be careful not to leave your iron in one place for too long as it can burn carpet and rugs rather quickly without you even seeing it happen.

 

Once this procedure is completed there may still be a small amount of wax left which can usually be removed by repeating the procedure a few more times or by taking your home dry cleaning solvent and applying it with a slightly damn sponge or cloth. We recommend that you blot the affected area while using as little solvent as possible to avoid damaging your carpets backing.

 

It’s also a good idea to try mixing mild detergent with a tiny amount of warm water and blotting the affected area with a cloth or sponge. If this is the route you choose we  will likely remind you to use detergents that contain no bleach or alkalines.

However if you don’t feel comfortable doing this give us a call at 760-504-6608 and we’ll take care of it for you.

Chris | OneCall Carpet Blog | 09 12th, 2011 | No Comments »

Cleaning Your Kitchen Tile

Here are some tips on cleaning your Kitchen Tile. However if your kitchen tile needs professional cleaning, give us a call at One Call Carpet Cleaning. We use an attachement shown in the picture above. We hook this tool up to our Truckmount Cleaning System and it will steam clean your kitchen tile and pick up the water all in the same pass.
The picture tells the story. Call us today at 760-504-6608

The kitchen is the busiest part of the house. This is often the area with the heaviest traffic and where various activities are held – be it cooking, eating, playing, doing schoolwork, or just hanging out. For such a multifunctional space, tile is always a wise choice of material for floors, countertops, and even walls. Tile is durable. It is built for heavy-duty use and not easily damaged by moisture, heat, and sharp or heavy objects.

Yet, however sturdy kitchen tile may be, a regular maintenance routine is still required to preserve the material and keep its finish looking presentable. Daily cleaning is advised, since kitchen surroundings are exposed everyday to food, oil and liquid spills. Dirt and grime are easily visible, especially when many kitchens sport white or light-colored tiles.

Kitchens are often the most humid part of the house and moisture is the chief cause of mold growth on grout. Mold and mildew are favorite breeding grounds for bacteria and no homeowner would want that in an area where food preparation and eating takes place. Moreover, dirty tile is not only unhygienic; it may also be a safety risk. Grease splattered during cooking and left on tile for a long time gives off bad odors, and can also lead to fire.

Luckily cleaning tile floors can be uncomplicated as long as property owners make it a consistent routine. Everyday sweeping plus a thorough weekly mopping with warm water will clean off grime and residue and keep tile surfaces bright.

For tile countertops and walls, industry experts recommend working with cleaning agents such as simple household cleaners or a neutral PH tile cleaner. To circumvent an excess of detergent residue, a combination of equal parts water and white vinegar, along with a little bit of ammonia will also work best on many varieties of tile (except for those created from natural stone). Just pour or spray cleaner directly on the affected area and then leave it on for several minutes. Rinse off with water. In case of stains, scrub initially by using a brush or scrubbing pad then rinse off.

Pay specific attention to cleaning grout since its permeable material attracts and traps considerably more dirt and grime. A toothbrush may possibly be the best tool for this task, as it can target hard-to-reach and small places. Flood grout with cleaner (an oxidized bleach mixture is very effective against stains and mildew), leave for as long as you possibly can, and then brush away.

During and after cleaning sessions it’s best to open kitchen doors and windows to allow air to circulate and dry off newly-rinsed tile and grout. With regular care and cleaning the kitchen will be spotless, sparkling, and suitable for yet another day of busy activity.

Chris | OneCall Carpet Blog | 09 4th, 2011 | No Comments »

Top Carpet Care Tips

 

1. Keep carpet clean. Dirt and sand act like thousands of little razor blades that cut carpet fibers. Damaged carpet stains more easily, and it’s harder to remove the stains from it as well. Vacuum often to remove dirt, and your carpet will last longer.

2. Have rugs. Use rugs outside and inside the front door, and any other entrances. They can catch much of the dirt that people bring in on their feet. That means less vacuuming and longer carpet life.

3. Take off shoes. This is a sure way to make carpet last longer. If you have a nice home with nice carpet, people usually aren’t offended by this policy.

4. Clean up stains quickly and properly. If using a cleaning solvent other than water, apply it to a cloth first, and work it in from the outside of the stain to the center, so you don’t spread the spot. Apply the cleaner, extract (blot), rinse, extract, and repeat until you can’t get more of the stain out. Extract solvents completely, and dry the carpet quickly when you’re done. If there is any stain remaining deeper down in the carpet, quick drying prevents it from wicking up to the surface.

5. Remove stains with a shop-vac. It’s a great help when cleaning stains. You can’t just suck out the stain, but you can repeatedly wash and rinse the area, and suck the solution out each time.It’s more effective than blotting up the water with cloth, mostly because you won’t have the patience to wash, rinse and extract enough times if you’re using paper towels or cloth.

6. Vacuum before cleaning. If you use a portable machine, at least get the water as hot as you can, and dry the carpet quickly, using fans to move the air around. You won’t match the results of a good truck-mount hot water extraction unit. However, if you want to save money, doing your own cleaning can lengthen the time between expensive professional cleanings.

Do you want carpet clean enough for the kids to play on? Want it to last for years longer than normal? Just use these basic carpet care tips.

Of course after you can just call us at One Call Carpet 760-504-6608

Chris | OneCall Carpet Blog | 08 31st, 2011 | No Comments »

Next Page »

Search Box




Calendar

February 2012
M T W T F S S
« Jan    
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
272829  

Categories

Archives

Meta