Mildew Remover
By mixing 1/2 cup of borax and 1/2 a cup of vinegar to make a paste. Then scrub with a brush or sponge after rinse with water. For tough mildew, let it sit for about an hour or so before rinsing with water.
Calcium or Lime Remover
Do you have a chrome faucet or other household items? I bet you would like to find a way to have them cleaned easier and without those harsh chemicals. Well I have good news for you, I have a great tip. For calcium or lime deposits on chrome faucets, soak a towel with vinegar and wrap the faucet with it. Let it sit for a few of hours or even overnight.
Homemade Carpet Deodorizer
Carpet cleaning is one of the most essential but exhausting chores in the house and a vital element in carpet cleaning is getting rid of the stench, which develops in the carpet with time and is due to an array of reasons. When you have pets in your house, their smell, invariably, is absorbed by the carpet and becomes so stubborn that it refuses to go, however much cleaning and perfuming you do. Carpets also stink when it is the monsoon season and moisture starts seeping in the carpet. A blend of dust, moisture and everything else that kids drop on the carpet also develops into a rotten smell. Mentioned below are some very easy homemade recipes of carpet deodorizer which you can DIY.
Mix two cups of corn meal and one cup of borax. Add a few drops of any fragranced oil which you like- cinnamon oil, tea tree oil, etc. Mix all the ingredients well in a jar, sprinkle the mixture on the carpet and leave it on for an hour. After that, rub it with a soft cloth and end it by vacuuming your carpet. What do you get? You get a stench-free, fluffy and fragranced carpet. It becomes fluffy due to the corn meal grains falling deep inside the carpet’s fiber which you rubbed with a cloth. Even if the oil fragrance leaves the carpet after a week or so (your pet will surely sit on the fragranced carpet again and again), the stench will not come back for a long time. Make this exercise a routine.
Another recipe involves only baking soda. Sprinkle some amount on your carpet and let it stay for about ten minutes. After ten minutes, just vacuum your carpet and you are sorted. Baking soda is not harsh on your carpet and is easily available in the supermarket. It is inexpensive and environment friendly.
Baking soda has the property of neutralizing any kind of stench instead of just covering it up, unlike expensive, chemical-based carpet deodorizers available in the market.This whole exercise will not take you more than half-an-hour. Remember to shoo away your pet and kids out of the room to avoid any mishap.
Never use this carpet deodorizer on a wet carpet as the chances of carpet fading become high.
Try these homemade carpet deodorizer recipes and experiment with fragrances (eucalyptus, orange, lemon, etc.)for beautiful and scented carpets.
Old, Dirty Carpet – Clean or Replace
As long as your carpets are new and shining, you feel that the need for their maintenance is low and just vacuuming them at home should suffice. But, with time and age of your carpet, they lose their sheen and become discolored. This makes them look dirty no matter how much you clean and vacuum them at home. Is it time for you to get another beautiful carpet? Yes, you can consider that if you have your pockets full and warm and you are in a habit of disposing off even the most expensive of carpets once they become dirty. But, if such is not the case then professional carpets cleaner are just a call away.
When you vacuum your carpet at home, it only does some superficial cleaning and you assume that the cleaning is done. This raises questions about dirt and bacteria residing deep inside your carpet threads. Your vacuum cannot pull them out no matter how powerful it is. You need to hire a professional carpet cleaner who will take care of your ailing carpet just like a team of doctors to make it as good as the day you bought it. The cleaning agents and equipment used by the team are strong enough to deep clean your carpet but mild enough not to harm the fabric of your carpet. That is how you make sure that the charm, health and life of your carpet is maintained.
An old, dirty carpet means spoiling the look and feel of your room and spreading diseases due to the dirt. Replacing it would mean that you have to uproot the whole carpet (in case it is wall-to-wall and is stuck with adhesive) and re-adjust the whole room. It would also mean you shell out a huge amount first on buying a new carpet and then getting it stuck in your room; not to mention the labor and service charges. You, as a carpet-owner, cannot rest assured that everything is back to square one once the whole exercise is done.
Why not strike out all the hassles and simply call professional carpet cleaners? They are experienced, trained and certified which means that their services are impeccable and you need not fret about anything. Moreover, what they charge is much lesser than what you shell out for a new carpet. These reasons are enough for you to choose a professional carpet cleaner over replacing your old, dirty carpet.
Carpet Cleaning Resolutions for New Year
We are ushering in Christmas and the New Year with smiles on our faces and numerous resolutions in our hearts. Most of these resolutions are carrying forward from previous years but some of them are new and have to be complied before a particular event- lose weight before wedding, get a new job before dad’s retirement, stop overeating, curb over spending and the list goes on. But, has anyone ever thought about the carpet that has been lying under their feet for years? I am sure the answer is ‘no’. Why do we ignore the poor thing when it has always been a necessity to beautify our homes and absorb all the dust and mites?
Consider making a unique New Year resolution this time- cleaning carpet regularly. When our carpets are new, just vacuuming it is sufficient to make it clean and shiny again. But, as time passes by, the carpet loses its luster and smoothness- just vacuuming is not enough. Hiring a professional carpet cleaner can turn out to be a brilliant idea. A team of carpet cleaners will make your carpet as good as new again with their experience and expertise in the field. They carry cleansers and equipment designed especially for deep and thorough carpet cleaning. But, be careful while you choose a professional carpet cleaner- he must be certified, experienced and trained for the job.
With time, a lot of concerns develop which spoil the health of your carpet- pet stains, spots, mold, bacteria, etc. Do you have the required know-how of getting rid of these problems? That is where professional carpet cleaners come in. Your home carpet cleaning can never match the deep, professional and high quality cleaning done by experts. Moreover, with budget constraints during festival time, getting your carpet cleaned by a professional is a wiser thought than replacing it with a new one. When a team of expert cleaners takes care of your carpet, it takes lesser time to do the job as compared to home cleaning that is done only by one person. You can rest assured that your carpet is in safe hands.
This new year, when the priority is to set things right (home, job, relationships, finances, etc.), make carpet cleaning an integral part of your routine so that it stays beautiful and be with you in good health for a long time.
Keep Your Carpets Clean During the Holidays
Holidays are always a fun time but they bring to us a challenge of being able to keep our house environment clean. Due to the many people entering and leaving your house, carpets have greater chances of getting stained in this season, thus bringing out the importance of maintaining your carpets at this crucial juncture.
The only way to really keep those floors clean is by maintaining the carpets on a regular basis. They act as filters by helping keep the environment neat and improving in-door air quality. You cannot keep buying new carpets because they are expensive and thus, the only way to prolong their life is by maintaining them. If one does not do so, it can lead to the development of mould and fungi and dust mites. Carpets create warmth which cause their growth. This also might be the answer to your skin allergies and infections. Carpet cleaning destroys the growth of this mould. Carpets collect dirt and dust which not only lead to the distortion of the carpet but also attract insects like beetles and bugs which in turn can start spoiling the fibres of the carpet. They can also cause your guests to be unhappy with the nasty smell that they produce over time.
Sometimes it is difficult to clean a carpet on your own because it is made up of various fabrics and fibres that one needs to be aware of as they can be delicate. You might certainly feel guilty on dirtying your carpet but using any solvent to clean it, can only end up harming your carpet. Hence professional carpet cleaners can be helpful and can prevent you from making that small stain big. First, they are trained at what they are doing and second, there will be no expense on buying that costly equipment needed to clean those stained carpets.
We know that cleanliness defines healthiness. These days carpets at homes are a common sight. They help create a perfect environment during Christmas or New Years by creating the much needed warmth. People want to make their houses stylish and cosy. So, to enjoy your carpets for many years, cleaning is not only important for hygiene purposes but for their good appearance. What are you waiting for? Go ensure that your carpets are clean during these holidays to help you fetch compliments and gain worthiness for those precious carpets of yours!
Your Toolkit for After-Party Accidents Cleanup
It’s inevitable. When you mix dancing with alcohol, spills are going to happen. I’ve never had a party at my place where there wasn’t at least one spill. But who wants to be constantly monitoring your guests, possibly making them feel uncomfortable? The best way to relive any stress that might happen is to have a toolkit on hand to quickly take care of any spills so people can get back to enjoying the party.
Here’s what I have in my toolkit:
- Sponge
- Soda water (used to dilute the stain before blotting it)
- Microfiber cloth (to blot the stain)
- A spray bottle with equal parts vinegar and water (used for sticky surfaces)
That’s all you need! Always make sure that these are close by so you can tackle and stains or spills before they set in on carpets or counter tops. By getting on to the stain right away, you minimize the chances of the stain becoming permanent, but make sure you don’t embarrass the person who spilled it!
How to Remove Pet Odor from Rug
There are a few different ways to remove pet odor from a rug, but it will vary from rug to rug. It’s the best to look at the label on the rug for care and cleaning instructions. Some rugs will need to be dry cleaned, while others can be hand washed or placed in washing machine. Also, make sure to only use cleaners designed for your rug and it’s special material.
Removing Pet Odor from your rug can be a challenge is the proper steps are not taken
Pet odor can sometimes be a pesky smell to get out if the proper care is not given. For a simple rug that can be hand washed, it is the best to use a pet odor remover cleaner. These products can be bought at many different large retailers like Wal-Mart, Target or PetSmart. They will have a wide variety, so it important to make sure you are buying one designed for your type of surface.
If you rug is small enough and can be placed in your washer machine, then you can simply use some mild detergent and warm water. Also, to remove pet odor, it is a great idea to place a cup or so of Arm & Hammer
Baking Soda in the water. This will help remove the pet odor and create a clean smell to the rug.
If your rug must be dry cleaned, then you can simply take the rug to your local dry cleaner. They should have products that are industrial strength but still gentle on the rug to remove the pet odor. It is the best to call them ahead of time to make sure they take the size of your rug. Some dry cleaners have a size limit and you will need to take it to specialty cleaning shop.
Inexpensive Rug Cleaning
What do you do when you need your rugs cleaned and you are on a limited budget? If you want your rugs looking like new, but don’t have a ton of cash to make it happen, check out these tips for getting your rugs deep cleaned.
Do It Yourself
Many people prefer to do it themselves as it’s a lot less expensive than hiring a company to come in and clean the carpets and rugs professionally. If you have a home carpet cleaner/extractor, that’s a great option. People who own one are more likely to deep clean on a regular basis or as spots occur, so chances are the carpet won’t need the special attention of a professional. What if you don’t have a carpet extractor? You can rent one at most grocery stores. You may see a small kiosk as you enter or exit your local grocery store. Generally they are anywhere from $20-$50 for a day or two and you will have to purchase the cleaning concentrate separately. You could also see if a friend or family member would let you borrow their machine for a few days. Just keep in mind that not all machines are created equally and although you may get a good clean and be able to remove some spots, generally a professional cleaning will get them cleaner.
Shop Around for Deals on Professional Carpet Cleaning
You may find that your carpets and rugs are too dirty or you would just like a professional to do the work for you. Often carpet cleaning services do have specials from time to time during the year. Call a few different companies to see what they offer. Check your local free papers or in the coupon clipping magazines that sometimes come in your mail or head over to www.valpak.com, search for your zip code to see if there are any companies offering specials in your area. Once you get a price you are happy with (usually priced per room), decide if you want to splurge and get the whole house done or just the rooms with high traffic or even just your rugs.
Follow these tips and you will have sparking clean carpets and rugs without breaking the bank.
Small Apartment & Small Home Carpet Cleaning Tips
Living in a small apartment usually means storage space is a commodity. You may not have room for a lot of cleaning supplies, a vacuum cleaner, and a carpet cleaner. In a small apartment, you may not have a lot of square footage to clean, but you still have to clean it.
There are so many products that you could use like Oven Cleaner, Kitchen Surface Spray, Bathroom Cleaner, Toilet Cleaner, Floor Cleaners, Spot Removers and the list goes on (and on). They also take up precious real estate in a small apartment. Don’t forget about the dusters, vacuum cleaners, hand held vacuums, steam mops, wet mops, and carpet cleaners. That could fill a whole closet! It’s not an issue when you have a home or larger apartment, but what do you do if you don’t have that extra closet space to dedicate to cleaning supplies? Check out these tips for keeping the carpet clean in your small space.
- Make your own cleaning supplies – Look in your pantry! The majority of natural remedies for carpet cleaning (and other general cleaning) involves just a few ingredients and some can be found in your pantry. Most DIY cleaners involve Vinegar and baking soda. If you mix your DIY cleaning supplies in small batches, then you don’t have to store them. This will save you a ton of space! Also, you won’t need to buy multiple cleaners for one specific area.
- Go for lightweight space saving vacuum that takes the place of a few appliances – Dyson and Shark Navigator are a perfect example. They both have small frames but are powerful. They also have attachments for upholstery and the Navigator has a lift off canister, so you can carry around and can access places both high and low that a upright vacuum can’t always get to. It takes the place of a hand held, canister, and upright vacuum.
- Always use non-toxic cleaners. There isn’t as much ventilation in small spaces, so you want to make sure that you aren’t inhaling any unnecessary and harmful chemicals.
If you follow these tips, you can save your closet space and have piece of mind..