Carpet & Premature Wear Patterns

Wear patterns show up in carpets over time but how do you prevent them from happening sooner than later. Wear patterns typically occur at transitions from a hard surface to a carpeted area and traffic paths through a room.

People tend to drag their feet when they walk. This creates wear when going from a hard surface to a carpet because the carpet is typically higher than the hard surface. Also, we tend to go the same way through a room. The walking and the dragging of our feet create wear. This becomes very apparent in rooms with lots of activities such as dens. Another factor that contributes to premature wear is dirt in your carpet. When we walk, the dirt grinds against the sides of the carpet fibers like sand paper and weakens the fibers. The result, at these high use areas, is that the carpet fibers get physically worn away and create a dull appearance. Also, because the fibers are frayed, they will absorb dirt, spills and such easier than the non-worn fibers.

The best ways to prolong the appearance of these wear patterns is first, VACUUM regularly. Removing the dry particulate dirt shown in the picture above is very important. Also, put doormats (non slip if on the hard surface) at the transition areas from a hard surface to the carpet. Let the doormat scrap the dirt off of shoes. It is cheaper to replace doormats than wall to wall carpets.

Commandments of Carpet Care

Over time your carpets and rugs appearance deteriorates and becomes less attractive. This is due to abrasive soils becoming imbedded in your carpet or rug, which can cause damage to the fibers and reduce the carpet or rug's life. Therefore, establish a regular maintenance schedule that includes professional cleaning.

Commandments of Carpet Care

Vacuum frequently and thoroughly. Most of carpet wear is caused by dirt. Oily soils attract more oily soil and frequent vacuuming will reduce soil buildup. Vacuum high-traffic areas daily, less-traveled areas at least twice a week.

Institute a no-dirt policy. A no-shoes rule is always effective, but can be difficult to implement. However, you should definitely make sure there are doormats at each entrance to your home. clean the mats regularly so they don't become sources of soil themselves.

If furniture rests on the carpet, be sure it gets moved occasionally and use coasters under the furniture's legs.

Address stains quickly: the longer a stain chemically reacts with the carpet the harder it will be to remove it. Common stains usually don't require any liquid cleaners stronger than water. Use as little water as possible and blot them clean instead of rubbing or brushing.

Bring professional cleaners in regularly. The commercial grade equipment we use gets the deeply imbedded dirt out and will make your carpet last longer. It is good practice to have them cleaned every six months if you have children, and every 12 to 18 months if you do not.

Pet Accidents, What Do You Do

Pets have accidents and it is good to address them as soon as possible. Urine is probably the biggest issue because it soaks into the fabrics. Urine is also a rather sophisticated problem with respect to removal. When it is wet it is acidic and needs to be approached one way. When it dries, it turns into urine salts, an alkaline, and should be addressed differently than when wet. Another aspect is that when it is the dry, the urine salts can absorb moisture from humidity in the air and give off a foul odor. That is why on humid days, a house can smell worse.

Dealing With Urine While It Is Wet

Blot, blot, blot because removal is the first approach. Find a dry white towel and apply to the wet spot (colored or patterned towels run the risk of bleeding onto the carpet, rug or upholstery). Keep moving dry parts of the towel over the wet spot to remove as much as possible. After blottting, sprinkle baking soda on the urinated area. Baking soda will help absorb and neutralze the urine. After the baking sda has dried, vacuum it up thoroughly. (NOTE: Baking soda may sometimes discolor fabrics, so you should test it on a non conspicuous area of your rug, carpet or upholstery)

Dealing With Dried Urine

First identify the spots. Look for visible evidence like spots or discolorations. Also, a black light can be used to find the source. In a darkened room, the urine salts become flouescent in the presence of ultraviolet light. However, the most available and practical method of locating urine problems is your nose. Do not be afraid to get down on your hands and knees to find it. Once the spots have been identified, using 1/3 white vinegar to 2/3 water, spray it on the spot. You want to apply enough to get to the contamination in order to liquefy the urines salts. However, do not over wet the carpet, especially with wood sub-floors. Alter applying the vinegar/water solution, remove as much of the misture as possible by blotting as previously described.

Do-It-Yourself Spot Cleaning

Children, pets, parties and other things can create accidents on your carpets and rugs. It is wise to clean them and remove any spots as quickly as possible to prevent stains. We have found that many people will use products purchased from the store to try and remove these accideents. We do not recommend that approach for the following reason. Consumers tend to assume that if a little bit of something works well, than a whole lot of it should work even better. This philosophy is bad in the spot cleaning world. The reason is that store bought cleaners will leave a residue. The amount of residue left is based on how much cleaning product was applied to the spot and how good of a job the consumer did removing the cleaner after application. The problem is that the residue left on the carpet (or rug) will then attract dirt (see picture above).

So, what do you do? First, removal of the initial insult is top of the list. For liquid spills, use a dry clean white cloth or towell. Put it on the spill and apply pressure. The liquid will migrate from the carpet or rug onto the towel. Keep moving the towel so a dry area is over the spill and keep this up until no more liquid is transferred to the towel. For any solid particles, scrap them off with a spoon or dull object.

If a spot is still visible, we recommend starting with clean water first. If the water does not work, try either 1 teaspoon of a neutral detergent with 1/2 pint of lukewarm water (a non-alkaline detergent that does not contain bleach such as used for washing delicate fabrics) or 1/3 cup white vinegar to 2/3 cup of water. Using a spray bottle, sprits the spot with the cleaner but do not over wet the spot. Then blot it up as described above.

Upholstery Spills, How to deal with them

When there is a spill on your upholstery, DON'T PANIC. However, act promptly before it spreads or dries.

For Liquid Spills

Blot lightly with a dry towel to start. Increase pressure and use a fresh towel until no more liquid is absorbed. DO NOT RUB! If residue remains, see the stain removal guide on our website, http://www.graysoncleans.com/

For solid or semi-solid spills (such as foods)

Gently lift the substance from the upholstery with a spoon or dull knife, scraping carefully toward the center of the spill. Treat any wet residue as a liquid spill.

For dry spill (such as ashes or dry cosmetics)

Adding any liquid to a normally dry substance, such as ashes, may cause a permanent stain. Vacuum, then beat the area with a ruler or similar implement and vacuum again. Then, using the adhesive side of masking tape, remove any residue.

After trying these tips, if the stains presist, contact us, http://www.graysoncleans.com/

Dealing with spills quickly

Parties are fun but they provide an increased chance of spills -- Don't Worry

It is best to get to a spill as soon as possible and remove it. The problem is you can never find a towel when you need it. The trick is to put old towels under your seat cushions. Then, when the spill happens, reach under the nearest seat cushion, pull the towel out and stand on it to blot up and remove the spill. Periodically move the towel so a non-wet portion of it is on the spill. Keep up until all the liquid is transferred to the towel.

Removing candle wax

Candles can provide an ambience and pleasant odor. But, what do you do when candle wax drips onto the carpet.

First, wait for the wax to cool, then try to scrape off as much of the hardened drips as you can, using a dull knife. Next place a clean white rag over the remaining wax and run a warm iron over the area. Repeat the process, using clean towels each time, until all the wax is gone. If wax residue remains, apply a small bit of dry-cleaning solvent and blot.

Removing furniture dents in carpet

Rearranging a room but worried about furniture dents in the carpet.

There are a few things you can try. Fill a spray bottle with water and sprits it over the dents. Then use a blow-dryer, on a hot setting, to blow air over the moistened areas. (The heat helps wool and nylon carpet rebound.) Then, fluff up the fibers with your fingers or spoon. Another option is to steam away dents. Place a clean, damp cloth over them and hold an iron, on medium heat, several inches above the cloth for about 30 to 60 seconds. Don;t let the iron touch the carpet -- it could burn! Brush up the fibers with a coin or a spoon.