How To Make A Great Impression If You’re Hosting Guests For Christmas

/in /by

The holidays are coming. Are you ready for the festivities? As you get prepared for holiday happenings, consider prepping your home if you’re hosting guests. This means paying close attention to details and making the home feel as welcoming as possible to make a great impression. 

Whether you’re limiting the number of people over for the holidays or hosting close friends and family, you’re definitely going to want to make sure your home is clean and germ-free. Not only will properly cleaning your home make you and your guests feel more comfortable, but it will also make your home look sparkling clean and spotless. 

Clean Carpets 

If you have a big family, there may not be enough seating for everyone to sit around the Christmas tree. Kids naturally like to sit on the floor to play with their toys and will most likely sit on the floor to open their Christmas presents. 

To keep this area clean and free of bacteria, you’ll need more than just vacuuming. If you have a shampooer, this is a great way to freshen up your carpets and maintain cleaner carpets until your next professional cleaning. 

For heavily soiled carpets we recommend to call-in a professional. This is because a high-temperature solution penetrates all the way through the carpet and is then virtually entirely removed by superior suction. This translates into less time to have the job performed, faster drying times, and removes residue left over in your carpets from your shampooer.

Click To Learn More About Our Carpet Cleaning Services 

Treat Odors

When we host Christmas gatherings, we want our guests to feel comfortable and settled. This is something that’s much easier to achieve when the carpet is looking clean and smelling fresh. You may vacuum regularly, but over time, carpets can absorb odors from dirt, spills and pet accidents. The smell of pet urine on Christmas Day just doesn’t quite live up to the expectations of fresh pies, baked cookies and mistletoe. 

To freshen up your carpets you’ll want to apply a generous amount of baking soda over the carpet and let it sit for 1-2 hours before vacuuming up. 

For deep odors such as pet urine we recommend to call-in a professional with the expertise, knowledge and products required to completely eliminate pet urine odors.

Click To Learn More About Our Pet Stain & Odor Removal Services

Clean Tile & Grout

Knowing that you’ve reduced bacteria and germs with professional tile and grout cleaning can make you feel like a responsible host, but scrubbing grout can be time consuming. You have enough other things to do getting ready for the holidays, so call on a professional to take care of this task for you. 

At Indy Carpet Cleaning, we use an effective technique for tile and grout cleaning that will make your tile look great and reduce bacteria.

Click To Learn More About Our Tile Cleaning Services

Clean Upholstery

Removing stains, spots and build up of allergens will not only make you feel more comfortable in your own home, but your guests will feel more welcome also. You didn’t spend all that time decorating your beautiful home just to have a stained or worn-looking sofa take away from the festive ambiance.

As with carpet cleaning, shampooers with attachments are great at freshening up your upholstery fibers and removing surface stains. 

For a deeper cleaning, Indy Carpet Cleaning has the tools and equipment required to remove deeply set-in stains and bacteria, leaving your furniture fresh and inviting for you and your guests.

Click To Learn More About Our Upholstery Cleaning Services 

Clean Rugs

When you’re entertaining for the holidays, chances are high that you’ll have something get spilled on your rug. Even area rugs that appear to be clean can be filled with bacteria, allergens, dander, odors, and pet urine. Since rugs made of natural fibers can be more delicate than most carpet fibers, we recommend cleaning solutions and techniques that can only come from a professional. 

Professional cleaning removes pre existing bacteria and can include protective finishes that repel spills and stains. This can help you enjoy your time with family and friends without worry about what may or may not get spilled. 

Click To Learn More About Our Rug Cleaning Services

The Benefits Of Carpet Protection

/in /by

Perhaps one of the most important things you should do to maintain your carpet is to use a carpet protectant. If you have ever wondered if carpet protectant actually works, the answer is yes. Carpet protectant helps to repel water and resist soiling.  When used properly, adding carpet protectant to your carpets the next time you get them professionally cleaned provides some great benefits. 

Prevents Stains From Spills

The purpose of a carpet protectant is to provide short-term water resistance, allowing you more time to clean up a spill.  Once applied, these protectants adhere to the carpet fibers and help to repel spills and soiling. Basically, it acts as an invisible shield for your carpet. It gives homeowners more time to clean up a spill before it causes a permanent stain.  

Extends The Life Of Carpet

Carpet protection also allows for dry spills to be picked up more easily through vacuuming. In turn, this helps to eliminate abrasion on the carpet, which is a major cause for carpet to deteriorate. In addition, it provides long-term benefits as well because it helps to keep dirt from settling into your carpet. Carpet protectants certainly do not act as a cure-all, but they do assist in vacuuming up dry messes.

Enhances The Look Of Your Carpet

Carpets face a lot of foot traffic every day, it may not take long for the high traffic areas to show a dirty appearance. Carpet protector not only repels stains from your carpet, but it will also protect the look of your carpet and preserve its color by keeping soiling at the surface, allowing you to vacuum away much of the soiling that normally penetrates the carpets fibers.

Prevents Odors

Stains from carpet can have the entire room smelling bad and odors can be left behind even after you clean them. Carpet protection repels the odor causing stain from penetrating your carpets fibers which prevents the odor from going deeper, allowing easier removal of the odor.

How Often Should Carpet Protection Be Applied To Your Carpet?

Carpet protection should be applied to your carpets every 18-24 months. While the product does not necessarily quit working, it does tend to wear off over time. Areas with high traffic will need to be treated more frequently, while low traffic areas should need less frequent treatment. 

Carpeting is an expensive investment in your home. Keep your carpet looking it’s best through routine and proper maintenance of professional carpet cleaning and carpet protection.

How To Remove Oil And Water Based Ink From Your Carpet

/in /by

All inks are made with a liquid, which is either oil or water based. In this liquid, there are different pigments, which gives the ink its color. The stain you see is the pigments attaching to your carpet fibers. Each type of stain from ink requires a different approach to remove it. Follow the steps below for tips on how to remove both oil based and water based inks from your carpets.

Remove Oil Based Ink

If you have natural-fiber carpet, follow these steps to remove oil based ink stains. This method works best for ballpoint ink pens. 

One of the most surprising techniques for cleaning ink from carpet, in particular from natural fiber carpets, is to use lacquer hair spray. 

  1. Purchase one or two cans depending on the extent of the stain and aim them directly at the ink stains. The chemicals within the hairspray will soften the ink.
  2. You can then use a clean white towel or cloth to blot the lacquer away. It’s important to blot instead of scrub so you don’t wipe the ink further into the carpet fibers. 
  3. Continue to blot and spray until the ink stain disappears, and allow the area to dry. 
  4. Wrap up the process by hand-brushing the area with a toothbrush, then vacuuming. 

Remove Water Based Ink

If you have natural-fiber carpet, follow these steps to remove water based ink stains. This method works best for rollerball pens or washable markers. 

Rollerball pens and washable markers can stain your carpet, but these types of stains are much easier to remove since the inks are water based. 

  1. Start by mixing one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid with a bowl of lukewarm water. Common dishwashing soaps usually work just fine for this method. 
  2. Dab a clean towel into the mixture and blot the ink stain with the towel, being careful not to rub. 
  3. As you keep blotting, you’ll notice the stain start to disappear and transfer to the towel.

By acting quickly and using the right cleaning methods, you can remove most types of ink from your carpets. ​​Whichever cleaning solution you choose to use, be sure to color test a small inconspicuous area of your carpet to check for the colorfastness of the carpet. You don’t want to turn a small stain into a larger spot if the carpet reacts to the cleaner of choice. If you’re unsure of the material of your carpet or the type of ink stain on your carpet, it’s always best practice to bring in a professional to get the job done since expert carpet cleaners have access to quality stain-fighting products and methods that can remove even the toughest ink stains.

How To Maintain Clean Tile & Grout

/in /by

The most popular flooring choice is tile because of its beauty and easy maintenance. There’s just one downside and that is the grout. Since it is porous and often light- colored, it can be prone to stains and damage from water. Without proper maintenance, the grout can also become mildewed or cracked. Proper maintenance for your tile floors may sound like a tiresome chore, but it is really quite easy. Here are some steps that will help keep your floor looking nice.

Vacuum and Dust

Use a vacuum or a fluffy dust mop daily to remove dust and dirt before it becomes embedded in your tile and grout. This is the easiest and fastest way to maintain your flooring. Never use a straw broom for the job, though, because it will scratch your tiles.

Mop it Up

Mop your floor with warm water once a week. You can also use a mild soap to enhance your tile’s color, shine and gloss. Make sure to check with the manufacturer before using any cleansers to avoid damaging your tiles.

Don’t forget to dry your floor right after damp mopping to avoid accidents, as well as to prevent new dirt from settling into the wet area.

Clean up Spills ASAP

Use absorbent cloths to wipe up spills to avoid dirt collection and slipping. Plus, it’ll reduce the chances of stains building up on your tile.

Use a cleanser or disinfectant to clean dirtier spills. Raw meat and egg spills require a more aggressive cleaning to prevent bacteria from setting into your tiles. Since the chemicals may dull the tiles, it might be a good idea to mop the area with water.

Use Doormats

Place doormats on both sides of the doors that lead in and out of your home. This will eliminate mud or water from getting tracked indoors during inclement weather. If you have floor tile in your bathroom, use a bath mat to keep your tiles dry.

Add Some Area Rugs

Place area rugs or runners in areas that receive high foot traffic. This can prevent dulling, scratches and dirt build-up that will occur in areas such as the entryway or family room.

Clean the tiles

Use deep cleaning solutions every so often. This will help remove stains and greasy residue without damaging your tiles. Mix 1/2 cup of white vinegar with a gallon of warm water. This natural approach is especially useful for kitchens. 

Fresh water and dish detergent will help remove hard grease from your flooring. A half-and-half scouring power and warm water solution will remove stains.

Clean the Grout

Don’t forget to clean your grout. You don’t have to go out and buy special cleaners for this job. Simply create a paste mixture with baking soda and water. Spread the paste onto the grout and let it sit overnight, then use an old toothbrush to scrub the grout. Rinse the paste off with warm water when you are finished cleaning.

If you follow these steps regularly, your tile floors will hold up very well over the years. For a professional deep cleaning, call in the experts at Indy Carpet Cleaning!

How To Maintain A Clean & Fluffy Shag Rug

/in /by

There is no denying that shag carpets add luxury and elegance to any room. However, there is one thing most people forget to mention – These soft and fluffy shag rugs can be a pain to keep clean without proper maintenance! 

The high pile in these rugs makes it significantly harder to clean than it is to clean regular area rugs. Dirt and dust tend to go deep in the crevices between the fibers, making it nearly impossible to reach them with a simple dusting cloth or a brush. You need to know how to keep them looking fluffy and how to maintain them to keep them clean for a longer time. Let us guide you on this.

STEP 1- Shake The Rug Out

A good way to clean a shag rug is to simply shake it out. 

Take the rug outside and shake it around to remove the vast majority of dirt and debris. Hang the shag rug from a laundry line to neutralize odors.

STEP 2- Vacuum The Rug

Sometimes the old-fashioned method of shaking out a rug doesn’t remove all of the debris. Or maybe your shag rug is too large to shake out by yourself.

If you decide to vacuum your shag rug, it’s essential that you use one of the brush attachments rather than the actual vacuum itself since many vacuums have motorized rollers on the underside and a shag rug can easily become entangled in this roller. The brush attachment, on the other hand, doesn’t contain these rollers. Instead, it just picks up debris through suction.

STEP 3- Hire A Professional Rug Cleaner

Investing in a professional cleaning service will allow removal of dirt, odors and allergens while greatly extending the overall life of your rug.

Professionals have the special tools, equipment, and experience required to expertly clean a shag rug without causing damage.