Care and Maintenance Archives | Carpets Wall to Wall

Pet Urine in Carpet Care

Pet urine in carpet. We can all recognize pet urine as a potential source of odor that we would prefer to avoid. Pet urine in carpet – dog, cat, rabbit, gerbil other pet or even human urine can severely stain a carpet. Pet urine in carpet can also damage the face and back of a carpet and even the floors below the carpet and pad.

Pet Urine in Carpet What Can We Do?

Our dogs and cats are often like our family. We wouldn’t allow our children to pee on our carpet and we shouldn’t allow our pets to pee on it either. If we are unwilling to make sure that our pets are either litter box trained or that we let them out of the house frequently to answer those calls of nature, we should have concrete or tile flooring and not wall to wall carpet. On the other hand and according to this review, majority of pet owners place a litter box or at least a container with sand and pebbles for their pet to relieve themselves, instead of watching their pet search frantically for a spot to excrete.
With dogs that are house pets you might want to consider a doggy door so that Fido can make his own way in-and-out of the house. A bit of convenience for the pet is a prevention step that will help to prevent pet urine in carpet.

Well trained pets and carpet mix. Untrained pets and carpet do not mix. We get a new puppy and one of the first things we experience is pet urine in carpet. Puppies need to be housebroken and the quicker we can do it the sooner we prevent them from breaking the house. According to a detailed guide on this subject, during this housebreaking period there is likely to be a few accidents. For that reason it is a good idea to have some type of protection over a carpet during this period of time.

Fail to protect will mean pet urine in carpet. Fail to cleanup accidents immediately means that pet urine in carpet is now pet urine in the back of carpet. With repeated accidents in the same area it will be pet urine in carpet, pad and floor.

As with puppies, older animals also have accidents. One remains safe in a single case only, basically – if keeping smaller animal, and keeping it in cage. Because, like us humans, as animals age they are often unable to hold their bladder as long as when they were a bit younger. Some animals are on medication and may be on a special diet. Pet urine will also go through changes as changes in reproductive cycles take place. Dyes are found in medication and animal foods and these too can stain a carpet.

If you have a dog that lifts his (or her) leg on anything and everything, you know what a frustrating and disgusting habit this can be! While it may be perfectly normal dog behavior, it’s not acceptable for dogs to choose to mark inside homes and public places. So it is up to the humans to try to explain that rule to the dog in a way he or she can understand.

Understanding the causes may help you pinpoint the best method for stopping the behavior. If your dog is young, you may notice he has recently started lifting his leg to eliminate. He is trying to be a “big dog” and leave his mark higher than other dogs might. Some small dogs will even walk backwards up a vertical surface in an attempt to mark higher! It’s not just the boys. Females may also mark and some get it just as high as the boys! It is often done in response to the sight or smell of another dog. Your dog may be trying to cover the scent left by another dog or be trying to send the message that “hey buddy, this tree is MINE!” or “I’ve been here”. While this may be acceptable outdoors, the problem starts when the dog doesn’t realize that leaving those little p-mail messages inside is NOT OK.

Pet Urine in Carpet Quick Cleanup

Quick cleanup of pet urine in carpet is important. The sooner you get to it the greater opportunity you will have of preventing damage. For a quick pet urine accident do the following:

Blot the area with a cloth or white paper towel as soon as you notice the spot. Absorb as much of the residue as you are able to.
Blot the area with a solution of 1/4 teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent (non-bleach and non-lanolin) with one cup of lukewarm water. (Do not use automatic dishwashing detergent or laundry detergent. ) Absorb the moisture with a cloth or white paper towel.
Rinse with warm water and repeat the application of detergent. Continue rinsing and blotting with the detergent solution and water as long as there is a transfer to the towel and as long as the spot continues to improve.
Follow the detergent application with a solution of two tablespoons of ammonia with one cup of water.
Rinse with warm water and repeat and blot dry.
Blot the area with a solution of one cup white vinegar to two cups water and blot dry.
Apply a half-inch layer of white paper towels to the affected area. Weigh the towels down with a flat, heavy, non-fading object or with books with a layer of foil or wax paper between them and the towels. Continue to change paper towels until completely dry.

For professional assistance with pet urine in carpet visit IICRC

Returning Spots After Carpet Cleaning

By Terry Weinheimer 9 Comments

Returning Spots After Carpet Cleaning a Manufacturing Issue?

Returning spots after carpet cleaning is a common complaint often heard in the carpet industry. A homeowner or business owner purchases a carpet that is advertised as stain resistant and with use spots get on the carpet. The consumer either cleans the carpet or has it professionally cleaned. As the carpet dries or days later they have returning spots after carpet cleaning. Should a carpet have returning spots after carpet cleaning?

First lets look at the definition of stain resistance. Def: Stain resistance is the ability inherent in a fiber, or a chemical finish applied to the fiber and/or surface that inhibits specific stains from adhering to or dyeing carpet and fabrics. Returning spots after carpet cleaning have little to do with the carpet fibers ability to resist stains.

Why Are There Returning Spots After Carpet Cleaning?

Returning spots after carpet cleaning are rarely a manufacturing issue. Here are the four common reasons commercial cleaning services look for rapidly returning spots after carpet cleaning.

Wicking

Wicking is one of the most common result of returning spots. These type of spots usually start out as a spill, splash of soda, coffee or other sugary beverage. The liquid is able to penetrate low into the carpets face yarn, sometimes into the back of the carpet and at times even into the carpet pad. When the carpet is cleaned the spot appears completely removed from the face of the carpet. Often though the spot remains at the base of the fiber, in the pad or back of the carpet. Carpet dries starting at the top and as it dries the moisture moves up from the bottom and with the moisture comes the residue still at the back and thus you have a returning spot after carpet cleaning.

Even with professional cleaning we see a considerable amount of wicking. A technician who is either in a hurry or does not fully understand wicking will run the cleaning equipment over the spot and the spot magically comes out only to return later. Wicking is also the result of the technician using too much moisture to clean the spot. The excessive moisture forces the spot deeper into the carpet, often into the carpets back or the pad below. If the spot is not dried quickly such as with the use of fans the residue wicks back up and again a returning spot after carpet cleaning.

The solution for spot cleaning returning spots is to Applying the spotter to a towel instead of directly to the carpet, re-clean the area using less moisture. Followed by quick drying by using a fan.

Residue

Another common reason for returning spots after carpet cleaning is residue in the carpet. Common residues from food and beverage that is dropped, dripped, spilled on the carpet are a major cause of spots. Some carpet spot cleaning solutions, especially homemade from soap leave a residue and cause spots.

When the carpet is cleaned the spot appears to have come out but the sticky residue was not fully removed. Household dust and dirt adhere to the sticky residue which is not fully removed by vacuuming and over time the returning spot keeps getting darker and darker. Consider using an air cleaner which can filter out dust mites and various other pollutants which can damage not only your carpet but also your health. Oily, sugary, soapy residues will all picks up soil and the result is often dark returning spots after carpet cleaning.

The solution for this type of returning spot is to use a spot cleaning product that leaves minimum residue. If you are not sure of what you should use, purchase the spotter at a janitorial or carpet cleaning supply house. It can also be helpful to neutralize alkaline spot cleaners after. Use a solution of vinegar and water. Mix 2 parts water to one part white vinegar and mist the solution onto the carpet after spot cleaning. Blot with a clean white towel and repeat. The vinegar which is acid will neutralize the spotter which is usually slightly alkaline.

Repeated or Heavy Use

Returning spots after carpet cleaning are often not returning spots. In actuality they are new spots that are similar appearing. This often occurs in areas with pets, children or heavy use such as a family room or employee lunch room.

The solution for spots created in areas of heavy use, may be to offer the area a bit more protection such as using an area rug to protect the wall to wall carpet that notoriously gets spotted.

Pets

We love our pets, but like kids, those that we love can be pests. If you have a new puppy or older dog that you are still trying to housebreak or an older dog that drips urinates on the carpet, the residue from the urine will attract soil. You clean the spot and it reappears. Often it is not the same urine for dogs and other pets often urinate in the same area creating a new spot.

When pet owners or their children give their dog treats, left over meal scraps or a bone with a bit of meat or fat on it, the dog may carry it onto the carpet. The grease, oil, sugar or other sticky residue in the scrap of food transfers to the carpet. The residue from the dogs treat is not a treat for the carpet owner as it results in spots that may just become the next returning spots after carpet cleaning.

The solution for pet short of not having any is not feed them on the carpet, potty train dogs, make sure they have plenty of outdoor time and treat any spots just like other returning spots after carpet cleaning.

Hint from Shaw Carpets Technical
Thorough removal of both the stain material and the detergent residue is critical to prevent re-soiling. Water extraction is the best way to accomplish this. Many cleaning equipment manufacturers offer small extraction machines specially designed for spot cleaning. These are small, lightweight and highly portable. They do an excellent job of rinsing after spot cleaning. They are also an excellent way to deal with body fluids on the carpet. Place several layers of white towels on the spot to draw out any remaining moisture. Weight them down with a heavy object that will not transfer color, such as a plastic jug of water.

Selecting a Carpet Cleaning Method – CRI

Finding a Qualified Carpet Cleaning Company – IICRC

Which Carpet Cleaning Method is Best?

By Terry Weinheimer 16 Comments

Best Carpet Cleaning Method

What is the best carpet cleaning method? A question that continues to be echoed among both consumers and the industry. There are a number of carpet cleaning methods that you can choose to help you to better care for your carpet. By cleaning a carpet before it becomes too soiled, the task of keeping it looking new will be much easier. While the thorough routine vacuuming of carpet will remove the majority of dry soil, wall to wall carpet still needs to be cleaned to remove the oily, sticky soil that builds up in a carpets pile as the result of tracked in unwanted soil and odors.

There is a false myth that cleaning a carpet before it is necessary will result in rapid resoiling. Many years ago coconut oil shampoos were used for cleaning carpet and some of them did leave residues that resulted in rapid resoiling. Today almost all carpet cleaning products leave very little residue. Most professional carpet cleaning methods have also been improved to reduce rapid resoiling. This improvement in technology came from an advancement made in Upholstery Cleaning, rapid resoiling was a very big issue for the upholsters and thus they found out how to solve their problem. The fact is that carpet in a typical household should be cleaned every 12 – 18 months depending on the number of people and pets living there and the amount of traffic. A good way to tell if a carpet is due for cleaning is by moving a chair or sofa so that the trafficked and non trafficked areas can be compared.

Professional Carpet Cleaners

While there are many do-it-your-self cleaning machines for purchase and rent, it is usually advisable to use a qualified professional carpet cleaner such as those Certified by the Clean Trust, previously IICRC – Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration. Professional rug cleaning services will have the experience to advise you of the best carpet cleaning method for your carpet. This experience also enables them to do a much better job than you can do yourself.

Doing it Yourself

If you have made the decision to rent a steam cleaning machine and do the job yourself, you should check on several systems before you make a selection. Most of the units available for rent don’t clean well enough and may end up damaging your carpet. Therefore, you should always consider the following:

A number of rental companies offer cleaning equipment that is similar to what a professional will use. You need equipment that has enough vacuum power to allow the carpet to dry rapidly, preferably in less than 12 hours. It is best to avoid rental units found in many retail, hardware and grocery stores that don’t have the power to extract the cleaning solution from the carpet fast enough. Over wetting combined with slow drying can be damaging to a carpet.
Avoid over wetting the carpet. Prolonged dampness combined with traffic can cause a separation of the backing. When a carpet remains wet for an extended period of time, this can lead to mildew growth and bacteria in the carpet backing.
After cleaning your carpet place fans to increase air movement and speed the drying.
Today most carpet has stain resistant treatments. Make sure that the carpet cleaning products you purchase are designed for the type of fiber you are cleaning. Failure to properly clean a carpet is action to void a stain resistant or carpet performance warranty.
Never use cleaning or spotting solutions that contain bleaches as they can mess up the color of the carpet.
Never use any silicone based treatments on the carpet. Silicone treatments are not needed and not designed for most of the carpet that is manufactured today.

A Comparison of Carpet Cleaning Methods (Systems)

With all cleaning methods a wall to wall carpet needs to be thoroughly vacuumed prior to cleaning to remove any heavy soil such as silicates (the primary constituent of soil), without this pre-vacuuming, dirt and sand are forced to the backing of the carpet. It is highly recommended that you give your carpet a very thorough vacuuming prior to the arrival of the professional carpet cleaning company. While vacuuming make note of any special areas of concern and point these out to the cleaning crew upon its arrival.

Absorbent Powder / Dry Extraction Cleaning

An absorbent granular material that has been incorporated into a mixture of detergent, solvent and water is brushed into the carpet pile with a machine incorporating a double cylindrical brush. Once the material has dried the carpet is vacuumed to remove the powder and the soil that it has captured. The best use for the absorbent powder cleaning method is the commercial installation where the carpet is cleaned regularly and requires quick drying.

Bonnet/Spin Pad

This carpet cleaning method in appearance is similar to the rotary shampoo method. The machine used is essentially the same. A detergent is usually sprayed onto the carpet. A rotating absorbent pad spins and agitates the carpet fibers as the soil is collected into the pad. This method improperly preferred on cut pile carpet can cause untwisting of the face pile. While this method is reasonably quick drying it must be done more often as it is more of a surface cleaning. The best use for this method of cleaning is the commercial installation where they clean regularly and require quick drying.

Cylindrical Foam Shampoo

The cylindrical foam method uses a machine with an air compressor that whips the shampoo solution into heavy foam. The foam is brushed into the carpet with a cylindrical brush. Once the carpet has dried it is vacuumed to remove the shampoo and the particles that have theoretically bonded to it. Not all of the shampoo and soil is actually captured but instead much of it is forced deeper into the pile. While this method is reasonably quick drying it must be done more often as it is more of a surface cleaning. The cylindrical foam carpet cleaning method is best in the commercial installation where they clean regularly and require quick drying.

Rotary Shampoo

The Rotary shampoo carpet cleaning method uses chemicals similar to those used with cylindrical foam. The rotary floor machine usually has an attached solution tank for the shampoo solution. The diluted solution is fed through a tub to a “shower-feed” where it is applied to the carpet. While the shampoo is being applied a round brush on the machine is scrubbing the carpet. This shampoo method uses more moisture than the cylindrical brush method. The rotary shampoo method is not recommended for use on cut pile carpet as it can cause untwisting of the face pile.

Steam Cleaning or Hot Water Extraction

With this carpet cleaning method a non-foaming detergent is injected into the carpet fibers and is almost simultaneously vacuumed out of the carpet taking the dirt and soil with it. The extraction method when performed a skilled technician and quality chemicals will leave very little residue to attract to soil. You can use a truck mounted unit or a portable self contained unit as well. In the hands of an unskilled person a carpet can be over-wet during extraction cleaning so be sure to take extra dry passes when cleaning it yourself.

Today, many carpet manufacturers require that carpets be maintained by the hot water extraction carpet cleaning method. If you have concerns with the performance of your carpet it is suggested to have a thorough professional carpet cleaned by the preferred method of the carpet manufacturer, prior to submitting a claim. While you cannot expect a 5 year old carpet to look brand new in traffic areas a Certified Carpet Inspector will be able to draw a fairer conclusion as to a carpets performance if they are inspecting a clean carpet.

Dry Foam Carpet Cleaning

By Terry Weinheimer 3 Comments

Dry Foam Carpet Cleaning, is it for me?

Dry foam carpet cleaning is a very low moisture cleaning procedure consisting of about 90% air and 10% liquid.

The dry foam carpet cleaning machine is equipped with a pressure tank in which a mixture of water and shampoo is placed. A compressor on the machine converts the solution into foam which is then dispensed onto the carpet with a revolving cylindrical brush. The brush works bubble of uniformed size foam into the pile of the carpet so that each individual fiber of the carpet is cleaned. Once the foam has dried, the carpet needs to be thoroughly vacuumed to remove the dried crystals of dirt that have been left behind.

Dry Foam Cleaning Steps

Vacuum the carpet and spot clean to remove spots and stains.
Mix the dry foam solution following the directions of the manufacturer. Using too little or too much chemical can result in poor results so stick with the measurements stated in the directions.
Shampoo the carpet.
If the carpet is a cut pile or shag, groom the pile to speed the drying process and leave the pile running in the same direction.
Place aluminum foil or furniture blocks under the furniture legs to prevent wood stains or rust.
Once the carpet has dried thoroughly vacuum it.

Advantages of Dry Foam Carpet Cleaning

The process of dry foam cleaning is capable of covering a lot of area in a very short amount of time.
There is little danger of saturating the carpet simply because the moisture content is low. This will also help you to minimize the problems that are commonly associated with over wetting.
Dry foam is a good choice if you have older, more soiled carpet that you want to get as clean as possible.
You can rent a machine at many hardware or equipment rental stores.
They don’t cost that much to rent, which is great for those who just want to give it a shot and see what happens.
Dry foam carpet cleaning isn’t that hard to do, as you’ll be fine even if you have no experience with these types of machines.

Disadvantages of Dry Foam Carpet Cleaning

The dry foam carpet cleaning method is capable of removing average levels of soil.
There is the possibility of excessive residue and soil build up if the machine you are using has inadequate extraction capabilities.

Carpet Spot Removal Steps

By Terry Weinheimer Leave a Comment

Tips for Carpet Spot Removal

Again we’re faced with spot removal from our new carpet, one of those unexpected accidents of life! As aggravating as these accidents can be at times they are often easier to overcome than we would expect. This is especially true when it comes to spot removal of those dirty spots and spills on our carpet. Sure it is upsetting to install a new wall to wall carpet only to have your child or husband track in mud or spill a beverage. Now you are faced with spot removal to remove those spots that you should not have had in your newly carpeted room in the first place. The good news is that those disturbing spots from mud to milk or even blood are usually easier to clean from the carpet than you think. With only a small amount of effort at spot removal, even stubborn spots and spills can usually be removed. Here are several spot removal tips that will help you keep your carpet looking great. [Read more…]

7 Easy Carpet Care Tips

By Terry Weinheimer 6 Comments

Seven Carpet Care Tips

For house cleaners, here are seven easy care tips that will make your life easier when it comes to caring for your carpet. Around 80% of the soils that enter a building or home are dry. The remaining 20% are greases, oils, and starches. Keeping a carpet clean will extend its life while keep it looking new for a longer period of time. A clean carpet will also reduce household allergens and dust helping to protect the health of your family.

Carpet Care Tip 1 Vacuuming

The dry soil types are easily removed by vacuuming. As long as they are removed on a daily basis, it will help to minimize the damage to the carpet. Since vacuums can become overwhelmed by too much dirt. Regular thorough, deep vacuuming is surely the most important step when it comes to carpet care. While non-traffic areas can be vacuumed quickly major traffic areas should be vacuumed in more than one direction as you run the vacuum slowly giving it time to pick up the deeper soil. Not all vacuum cleaners are equal. The best hardwood floor vacuums will do a better job of cleaning a carpet than even a specialized carpet vacuum, if it is of poor quality. A good quality vacuum is not necessarily the most expensive.

Carpet Care Tip 2 Walk Off Mats

Keep those dry and gritty outdoor soils from being tracked on to your wall to wall carpet. One of the best and easiest ways to do this is to use walk off mats and area rugs at entrances. Always use entrance mats outside of your doors and make sure that anyone who enters your home use the mats to help get debris and dirt off of their shoes before they enter. Where possible also use an area rug or walk off mat inside your door to help trap soil missed by the outside mats. All mats and rugs need to be vacuumed and cleaned regularly so that they are trapping dirt and not placing dirt on to your shoes.

Carpet Care Tip 3 Shoes

Many people prefer that their family and guest go shoeless on their carpet. This can be helpful, especially if you have slippers that are only worn indoors that you slip into upon entering. The oils from oily bare feet will transfer from ones feet to the carpet.

Carpet Care Tip 4 Pets

If you have pets you need to understand that oil does transfer from pet hair to carpet. Placing an area rug in areas where your pets like to lay will provide excellent protection for your carpet.

Carpet Care Tip 5 Spots and Spills

Keep your eye out for spills and take care of them in a quick manner to keep your carpet clean. Most spots and spills can be easily cleaned by blotting with no more than clean tap water and a towel. If water does not work you will need to use a cleaning product for the specific type of spot you are experiencing problems with.

Carpet Care Tip 6 Deep Cleaning

Have your carpet professionally deep cleaned. A good thorough cleaning for your higher traffic areas should be performed at least every 12 to 18 months.

A well maintained home and clean carpet will not only add value to your home it will also extend the life of your carpet, protect your carpet warranty, reduce household and pet odors, assist you in keeping your family healthy and your friends and other visitors will be impressed at how nice your home looks.

Carpet Care Tip 7 Optical Brighteners

While optical brighteners can make a carpet appear cleaner, they have a harmful effect on carpet fibers. Technical people in the carpet industry have unanimously taken a stand against the use of brightening agents in the cleaning process. But, even with all of the adverse publicity, optical brighteners or color brighteners, as they are often called, are still used in some spot cleaning products, shampoo, dry-foam and extraction detergents.

Optical brighteners are actually dyes, which reflect the light and eventually cause yellowing in carpet fibers. For this reason alone, every legitimate carpet cleaning company should outlaw their use.

Follow these 7 easy Carpet Care tips and your carpet will stay looking new longer.